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So I started to ladder T-Bills for the reasons everyone is stating in this thread. The rate is so volatile (in a good way) that locking into anything even 12 months is too long for me and rates continue to climb. I use fidelity and my suggestion is this.
When they offer the new 4 week and 8 week and 13 week t-bill (they auction on diff days and diff weeks) go in and buy one of each of them with whatever money you can spare. Let's use 5k for each.
I would buy a 4 week t-bill with NO Rollover for 5k
I would buy an 8 week t-bill with NO Rollover for 5k
I would buy a 13 week t-bill WITH Rollover for 5k
Then after 4 weeks when that first on comes up, buy another 13 week t-bill with the 5k WITH Rollover.
Then after 8 weeks when the second comes up, buy another 13 week t-bill with the 5k WITH Rollover.
Now you will have 3 13 week t-bills rolling every 4 weeks or so and rolling into a new one with the proceeds. This way every 4 weeks you are capturing an increasing rate and not locked into anything longer than 13 weeks. You benefit from the rate hikes, can cash out at any time, and you have state tax shelter from the earned interest.
I can almost guarantee that the above will yield you more net income (taking in tax break) at the end of 11months then the 5% locked CD
just my 2cents
You can buy treasuries from just about any brokerage. I use Fidelity, as I like their platform and they don't charge fees/commissions for treasuries. Fidelity Fixed Income Page[fidelity.com]
Follow the above link and scroll down to the row "U.S. Treasury." Choose the duration you want and click on it. You can then click "buy" to start a trade of a specific treasury bill/bond. Fidelity's Intro to Treasuries[fidelity.com]
This is true, but it doesn't make an 11-month CD at 5% a bad idea. Those HYS can change their rates at any time, but here you're guaranteed to get 5%.
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I see the same. I think we need to go the treasury direct route until we have more money. If others know how to purchase in a smaller quantity ($1,000) under Fidelity, please let us know. Thank you in advance.
I assume you are looking at the secondary (not auction) listings? They have a PDF there but basically you can't do an auto order on the main page and have to open the "depth of book" and find someone selling lower minimum quantities. **Just be aware that the listings in the "depth of book" page are highly likely to be for a different price than the one on the main/ lead page, so it may no longer be the good price you went in for**
While this might look good, here is some perspective …. Locking up for 5% is not worth it to me …. Buy GSY or any money market MF and let it do it's thing … no one should be holding any real cash for investment purposes…. To many 4-5% cash alternatives available to you
For 500K, you can afford to consult a financial consultant to properly assess your complete financial condition.
But, in General,
It depends on:
1. your age, employment, stability of your employment, family/children, medical condition
2. own a house, thinking of buying a house
3. financial support from relatives
4. your current emergency fund amount
Money market
CDs
Treasury
ETFs
are some of the ways to grow your money; How to allocate your funds in these depends on your individual situation.
Examples:
if you are retired, in general you want to supplement your income (Social Security, pension..) you want very reliable investment like CDs Treasury etc.. Main thing is you cannot afford to lose money; you don't have time to make up any loss.
if you are young with family/children, maybe you can afford to take limited risk ...
if you are young and single, then you can take bigger risks to strike it big; if you are unlucky and lose some, you have time to learn from your mistakes and recoup.
Good Luck!
This is good advice to the $500 k question and as usual "it depends " is the right answer. One option I'll throw out is setting up a loan for your kids (to buy a house, for example). Depending on your financial needs, it can be a big help to them, and a stream of income for you. The irs sets a monthly rate (google irs AFR) and as long as you're at or above that rate, they're good with it. It does require some record keeping, and a title company should be used to record the deed - but after that, pretty easy.
From my kids point of view, they were able to make a cash offer on a house, which saved them money on the price, didn't have to pay all the bank fees and minimal closing costs, and the rate is less then what the banks charge.
From my perspective- sure, I'm losing a little interest - but the houses are collateral, and it gives my kids a little head start.
Obviously not for everyone, but something to consider for folks in a similar situation.
5% is a good rate, you do have to pay regular income tax on the gains and if you live in a state with high income tax you will pay that as well. I would personally take a slightly smaller interest rate for you emergency 3-6 months of salary savings account, and invest the rest where you will either get capital gains at a much lower tax rate, or even municipal bonds are quite high at the moment for those that don't want to invest in anything too speculative or growth stocks that may rise or drop rapidly. Plus Municipal bonds are 100% tax free if bought in your state.
So I started to ladder T-Bills for the reasons everyone is stating in this thread. The rate is so volatile (in a good way) that locking into anything even 12 months is too long for me and rates continue to climb. I use fidelity and my suggestion is this.
When they offer the new 4 week and 8 week and 13 week t-bill (they auction on diff days and diff weeks) go in and buy one of each of them with whatever money you can spare. Let's use 5k for each.
I would buy a 4 week t-bill with NO Rollover for 5k
I would buy an 8 week t-bill with NO Rollover for 5k
I would buy a 13 week t-bill WITH Rollover for 5k
Then after 4 weeks when that first on comes up, buy another 13 week t-bill with the 5k WITH Rollover.
Then after 8 weeks when the second comes up, buy another 13 week t-bill with the 5k WITH Rollover.
Now you will have 3 13 week t-bills rolling every 4 weeks or so and rolling into a new one with the proceeds. This way every 4 weeks you are capturing an increasing rate and not locked into anything longer than 13 weeks. You benefit from the rate hikes, can cash out at any time, and you have state tax shelter from the earned interest.
I can almost guarantee that the above will yield you more net income (taking in tax break) at the end of 11months then the 5% locked CD
just my 2cents
With Fidelity and if you rollover, they roll it over to the longest in your ladder. So, say you buy 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. When the 3 month matures, they roll it over to the 12 month. At the end of the year, you have all 12 month CD's or T's and one maturing every 3 months.
I assume you are looking at the secondary (not auction) listings? They have a PDF there but basically you can't do an auto order on the main page and have to open the "depth of book" and find someone selling lower minimum quantities. **Just be aware that the listings in the "depth of book" page are highly likely to be for a different price than the one on the main/ lead page, so it may no longer be the good price you went in for**
Super thank you for the depth of books explanation. I'll have to play around this. Thank you all for the information on T-Bill from Fidelity rather than the CD from Capital One.
Probably the wrong place to ask but... What would you guys do with 500k or so to ensure its not just sitting in an account gaining minimal interest?
I would find a hourly fee based CFP designated advisor, discuss my short and long term goals as well as risk tolerance and see what they recommend. Individual and joint banking accounts are FDIC insured to a limit, so the 4-5% you earn in high yield savings or cds is not bad, certainly better than traditional checking/savings accounts. Historically if u put the money in a market tracking index fund you will heat that although with no FDIC protection and almost assured ups and downs along the way that may impact your plans. Usually, a mix of safe returns with more risky but potentially more upside investments is recommended, percentage of each depends on individual circumstances.
I know Citi has a bad rep in the banking community, however they are offering a 12mo no penalty CD @ 4.05%. Making it very liquid after the initial 7 days. Might be worth it of you are already banking with them.
Has anybody ever bought a CD through TD Ameritrade's CD Center? Seems like the rates are pretty decent, especially for shorter terms ones. I see a 6 month CD at 4.65% from Wells Fargo which seems like a good rate. I've never bought one from TDA before though so I'm not 100% sure how it works.
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When they offer the new 4 week and 8 week and 13 week t-bill (they auction on diff days and diff weeks) go in and buy one of each of them with whatever money you can spare. Let's use 5k for each.
I would buy a 4 week t-bill with NO Rollover for 5k
I would buy an 8 week t-bill with NO Rollover for 5k
I would buy a 13 week t-bill WITH Rollover for 5k
Then after 4 weeks when that first on comes up, buy another 13 week t-bill with the 5k WITH Rollover.
Then after 8 weeks when the second comes up, buy another 13 week t-bill with the 5k WITH Rollover.
Now you will have 3 13 week t-bills rolling every 4 weeks or so and rolling into a new one with the proceeds. This way every 4 weeks you are capturing an increasing rate and not locked into anything longer than 13 weeks. You benefit from the rate hikes, can cash out at any time, and you have state tax shelter from the earned interest.
I can almost guarantee that the above will yield you more net income (taking in tax break) at the end of 11months then the 5% locked CD
just my 2cents
Fidelity Fixed Income Page [fidelity.com]
Follow the above link and scroll down to the row "U.S. Treasury." Choose the duration you want and click on it. You can then click "buy" to start a trade of a specific treasury bill/bond.
Fidelity's Intro to Treasuries [fidelity.com]
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
https://www.fidelity.co
But, in General,
It depends on:
1. your age, employment, stability of your employment, family/children, medical condition
2. own a house, thinking of buying a house
3. financial support from relatives
4. your current emergency fund amount
Money market
CDs
Treasury
ETFs
are some of the ways to grow your money; How to allocate your funds in these depends on your individual situation.
Examples:
if you are retired, in general you want to supplement your income (Social Security, pension..) you want very reliable investment like CDs Treasury etc.. Main thing is you cannot afford to lose money; you don't have time to make up any loss.
if you are young with family/children, maybe you can afford to take limited risk ...
if you are young and single, then you can take bigger risks to strike it big; if you are unlucky and lose some, you have time to learn from your mistakes and recoup.
Good Luck!
From my kids point of view, they were able to make a cash offer on a house, which saved them money on the price, didn't have to pay all the bank fees and minimal closing costs, and the rate is less then what the banks charge.
From my perspective- sure, I'm losing a little interest - but the houses are collateral, and it gives my kids a little head start.
Obviously not for everyone, but something to consider for folks in a similar situation.
The schedule is here https://www.treasurydir
You need money in your account the day of the auction.
Thank you for your advice.
or has info directly from CS?
When they offer the new 4 week and 8 week and 13 week t-bill (they auction on diff days and diff weeks) go in and buy one of each of them with whatever money you can spare. Let's use 5k for each.
I would buy a 4 week t-bill with NO Rollover for 5k
I would buy an 8 week t-bill with NO Rollover for 5k
I would buy a 13 week t-bill WITH Rollover for 5k
Then after 4 weeks when that first on comes up, buy another 13 week t-bill with the 5k WITH Rollover.
Then after 8 weeks when the second comes up, buy another 13 week t-bill with the 5k WITH Rollover.
Now you will have 3 13 week t-bills rolling every 4 weeks or so and rolling into a new one with the proceeds. This way every 4 weeks you are capturing an increasing rate and not locked into anything longer than 13 weeks. You benefit from the rate hikes, can cash out at any time, and you have state tax shelter from the earned interest.
I can almost guarantee that the above will yield you more net income (taking in tax break) at the end of 11months then the 5% locked CD
just my 2cents
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https://www.fidelity.com/bin-publ...f-book.pdf [fidelity.com]
There is a woman Diamond NestEgg on Youtube who has terrifc videos about buying T-Bills.
She explains it very clearly.
https://online.citi.com/US/ag/banking/cd-account
Which ones?
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What happens if you don't redeem within 10 days?