Category Archives: Retirement

Car-buying in the age of tariffs

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Tipswatch

Pricing can get a bit tricky. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com In 2026, for the first time, I will be forced by law to take a Required Minimum Distribution from my traditional IRA. That’s bad news, but the good news is: … Continue reading →

Posted in Inflation, Retirement, Tariffs, Taxes | 28 Comments

Bad news: Medicare costs for 2026 are surging at triple the rate of inflation

Posted on November 25, 2025 by Tipswatch

Part B costs, deductibles and IRMAA surcharges will all increase at least 9.7% next year. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com It was bad enough when we learned on Oct. 24 that Social Security benefits would increase 2.8% for beneficiaries in 2026, … Continue reading →

Posted in Inflation, Medicare, Retirement, Social Security, Taxes | Tagged , , , , | 32 Comments

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

As government shuts down, Trump jettisons his choice to lead BLS

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com It’s Day One of the U.S. government shutdown, and the crucially important, non-partisan Bureau of Labor Statistics now has one working employee: acting commissioner William Wiatrowski. The other 2,054 employees have been (or will soon be) … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Retirement, Social Security, Taxes | Tagged , , , | 54 Comments

U.S. government shutdown: What does it mean?

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com The U.S. government is highly likely to shut down on Wednesday, with the beginning of a new fiscal year. This is political theater, and the real danger is that the leading actors are both Republicans and … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Reserve, Medicare, Retirement, Social Security, Treasury Bills | 23 Comments