Category Archives: Cash alternatives

TreasuryDirect email is an omen of coming changes

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Tipswatch

Again, a prod to deliver gift-box savings bonds. Quickly. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Savings Bond investors who are holding I Bonds in “gift-box” storage are getting emails from TreasuryDirect this week advising them to deliver the bonds to the intended … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Inflation, Retirement, Savings Bond, TreasuryDirect | 84 Comments

I Bond rate reset: We’re heading toward chaos

Posted on October 5, 2025 by Tipswatch

Oct. 24 update: September inflation report sets I Bond variable rate at 3.12% Oct. 12 update: I Bond fixed rate projection just fell to 0.90% Oct. 10, 2025 update: The Trump administration has allowed the BLS to recall staff to prepare … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Savings Bond, TreasuryDirect | 31 Comments

When rates decline, I Bonds get more attractive

Posted on September 7, 2025 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Last week, I noticed something very interesting: The real yield of the most recent 5-year TIPS fell on the secondary market at one point to 1.08% and closed the week at 1.10%. CUSIP 91282CNB3 had its … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Savings Bond, Treasury Bills | Tagged , | 28 Comments

Forecast: I Bond’s fixed rate is likely to fall to 0.90%

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com In two months, probably on Halloween morning, the Treasury will announce a new fixed rate, inflation-adjusted variable rate and composite rate for U.S. Series I Savings Bonds purchased from November 2025 to April 2026. And I … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Savings Bond | Tagged , , | 34 Comments

Vanguard backs off on raising its bond-trading minimum to $10,000

Posted on August 24, 2025 by Tipswatch

IMPORTANT NOTE: I wrote this article on Wednesday to be published Sunday while I am visiting family out of town. It appears that Vanguard has backed off on raising the bond minimum to $10,000, based on Boglehead discussions posted Saturday … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Investing in TIPS, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 26 Comments