Category Archives: Cash alternatives

TreasuryDirect is sending out a survey on the savings bond gift-box. Here are the details.

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com As I have noted many times in recent months, I believe there are changes coming in TreasuryDirect’s “gift box” program, which creates a loophole for buying I Bonds beyond the $10,000 per person annual limit for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, EE Bonds, I Bond, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , , , , , | 35 Comments

A great mystery: I Bond buying guide for 2025

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com April 11, 2025, update: Welcome to the I Bond ‘buying season’ April 10, 2025, update: I Bond’s variable rate will rise to 2.86% on May 1 Update, Jan 31, 2025: I noted in this article that I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Inflation, Savings Bond, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , , , | 55 Comments

Treasury is ending its Payroll Savings Plan for purchasing savings bonds

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com I was alerted by a reader yesterday about an email sent from TreasuryDirect informing him that it is “discontinuing the ability” to fund savings bond purchases through payroll deductions. Of course, the Treasury didn’t make this … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, EE Bonds, I Bond, Investing in TIPS, TreasuryDirect | Tagged | 14 Comments

November inflation again ticked higher, to an annual rate of 2.7%

Troubling conclusion: U.S. inflation is no longer slowing and remains too high. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Although annual U.S. inflation rose from 2.6% in October to 2.7% in November, financial markets are likely to view today’s report as a positive, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS | Tagged , , , , , | 29 Comments

Now is a great time to build (or improve) a long-term TIPS ladder

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Because of a remarkable confluence of events, including last week’s presidential election result, real and nominal yields for U.S. Treasurys have been rising dramatically, up 40 to 50 basis points since October 1. But this article … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Retirement, TreasuryDirect | 76 Comments