Category Archives: Cash alternatives

September inflation sets I Bond’s new variable rate at 1.90%

Social Security COLA will be 2.5% for payments beginning in January. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com The September inflation report, just released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, gives the final pieces of data to determine 1) the new variable … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Savings Bond, Social Security | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Forecast: The next I Bond fixed rate should be 1.20%

But there is danger of an ‘outlier’ decision by the Treasury. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com It’s already Oct. 7 and we are closing in on Treasury’s November reset of the fixed and variable rates for U.S. Series I Savings Bonds. … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Savings Bond, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Considering an I Bond rollover? Do it the right way.

For some investors, cashing in low-fixed-rate I Bonds makes sense, combined with the gift-box strategy to add to holdings in October. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com We are just a month and a few days away from the November 1 rate … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, Inflation, Retirement, Savings Bond, Taxes, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 41 Comments

Investing for safety: The era of 5% yields is ending

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com We knew this day would come, after enjoying 5% nominal yields on very safe investments for more than a year. But that era ended Wednesday when the Federal Reserve cut its federal funds rate by 50 … Continue reading

Posted in Bank CDs, Cash alternatives, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Retirement, Treasury Bills, TreasuryDirect | 38 Comments

Treasury is ending paper I Bonds as a tax refund

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com If you’ve been overpaying estimated taxes all through 2024 with the intention of purchasing paper U.S. Series I Savings Bonds in 2025 … it’s time for a new plan. Reporter Susan Tompor of the Detroit Free … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Investing in TIPS, Savings Bond, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 29 Comments