Short term interest rates are rising – and that has the stock market in a tizzy. After all, who needs to take the risk in stocks if you can earn interest safely in an FDIC-insured bank account or in Treasury bills, which are IOUs directly from the government? But savvy investors need to make sure […]
U.S. Treasury Bill interest rates are still mostly higher than the comparable bank CDs. As of July 10, 2025, the yield on a 26 week (6-month) Treasury bill is 4.28%. That’s what you received if you participated in the weekly T-bill auction described below. It’s easy (see links below) and SAFE! And you can start with […]
Every day there’s a new headline number to impact the markets. Whether it’s about inflation or employment, about consumer confidence or the rates set at Treasury auctions, each number seems to move the markets – for a moment, at least. And despite all the commentary surrounding those reports, the only true response is felt in […]
The new rate for Series I bonds purchased after May 1, 2025 is 3.98%. That includes a new base rate of 1.1%, which will stay with the bond for its entire lifetime. Future inflation adjustments to these bonds will be made every 6 months, on top of that 1.1% fixed base rate. The rate will […]
In the midst of all the advice about not panicking over stock market volatility, likes a hidden vulnerability: Most people have very little idea about how exposed they are to the stock market! In fact, if you ask people to just give an estimate of what percentage of their non-housing assets are invested in the […]
There’s a fine line between fear and optimism, between financial fact and emotion. The whipsaw headlines these days make it even more difficult to plan for your future and protect your finances. It’s not your fault that your emotions may overwhelm your good judgment. No matter what your political persuasion, the sudden policy reversals are […]
The stock market seems to be taking uncertainty in stride. Neither economic concerns over the impact of tariffs, nor the political concerns revolving around the rule of law have so far dented enthusiasm for American stocks. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a bear market, and this column is not in the business […]
The world is awash in geo-political confusion. In England, a new Labor government was just elected by a landslide, after 14 years of Conservative rule, which included Brexit. But the new Labor prime minister is said to have an authoritarian bent. In Canada, the existing 8-year reign of Liberal Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, faces losing […]
Every Fed meeting is second-guessed by the markets –and the latest is no exception. No one can deny the power of the Fed to impact the economy by increasing or cutting interest rates. But not even an informed group of experts can set the perfect rate to keep the economy moving on an even keel […]
Summer is over and autumn is here. You’re not surprised to see Halloween candy on the shelves of your local WalMart. Fall is just part of the cycle of nature, predictable in general — although we still may suffer with some high-temp days and nights. Summer is over. If we’re not surprised by the cycles […]
Will you be able to survive a recession? The odds are rising that a recession will arrive sooner rather than later. In fact, here are a few signs a recession could be just around the corner. • Credit Card Delinquencies Rising: Credit card debt in America has now topped $1 Trillion for the first time […]
Do you have “chicken money” – money that you want to protect from risk? If so, it should be in short-term CDs, or money market accounts, or short term Treasury Bills – IOUs from the Federal government. Those are the safe places to stash your cash. When interest rates were so low just a few […]
The United States’ credit standing was downgraded from AAA to AA+ by Fitch, one of the rating agencies. It was a very public slap in the face for the United States, but not the first time this has happened. In 2011, the S&P ratings agency also downgraded the country to AA+. Since then, America has […]
Updated 04/29/23 The new rate for Series I bonds purchased after May 1, 2023 is 4.30%. That includes a new higher base rate of 0.90%, which will stay with the bond for its entire lifetime. Future inflation adjustments on these bonds will be made on top of that 0.90% fixed base rate. The current inflation […]
In the search for safety of your financial assets, there’s a sudden recognition that the FDIC doesn’t cover deposits above a certain limit– $250,000. You can extend that coverage through the use of joint accounts or trust accounts, but that begs the question of why you want to juggle those accounts when it is easy […]
Given the recent headlines, I just want to say a few words about the safety of your money in the bank — and all the “end of the world” financial stories, memes, and postings that have started to circulate— again. This is not the first time Americans have worried about the survivability of the US […]
Update: March 19th. I posted the article below on Monday, March 13th — and everything I wrote has been verified over the past five days. The “crisis of confidence” spread to other regional banks, and one big Swiss bank that had previously suffered from poor management and made serious lending errors. But over the past […]
Clint Eastwood said it memorably: “Do you feel lucky?” Now, superimpose Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s stern visage squinting at the markets and asking that question. It’s a message to stock market bulls who started out the year in euphoria, believing the Fed was about to declare victory over inflation — and might even be forced […]
1. Get Organized –That’s the most important thing you can do to start the new year. You can’t go forward if you don’t know where you’re starting from! Lists are important, as are files – whether on paper or on your computer. A disorganized mind will destroy your financial future. To help you in this […]
If you have several IRAs or leftover 401(k) plans from previous employers, this is a perfect time to consolidate them in one IRA rollover account. Not only will this simplify your financial recorded-keeping, but it will create an opportunity to access one of the best and safest investment opportunities for your money. So don’t let […]
