Category Archives: Taxes

Wise advice: ‘Don’t die with I Bonds’

Posted on September 6, 2026 by Tipswatch

Avoid creating a complex, frustrating estate process. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com TreasuryDirect, the only source for buying and holding Series I Savings Bonds, is having quite a moment: Its customers, after years of contending with mediocre service, are enraged by … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, EE Bonds, Estate planning, I Bond, Taxes | 118 Comments

TreasuryDirect tax forms: How to find the 1099s, decipher them

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com One of the great “joys” of having an account at TreasuryDirect is hunting for information on federal taxes you might owe on last year’s transactions. It’s not easy, and even when you find the information, it … Continue reading →

Posted in I Bond, Investing in TIPS, Taxes, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

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

‘Synthetic’ calculation results in 0.25% inflation for October

Posted on November 26, 2025 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com The U.S. Treasury today finally announced a calculated CPI index for October – 325.604 – which equates to monthly inflation of 0.25%. The presumed annual rate ticked higher from 3.0% in September to 3.1% in October. … Continue reading →

Posted in I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Taxes, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , , | 12 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