US Savings Bonds

Posts Tagged ‘stocks’

Question: Savings Bond Wizard software problem?

I have switched computers from an XP to Windows 7 version. I use a Savings Bond Wizard software program from the US Treasury. When I switched computers and downloaded the newest version of the software, it will not let me see my file from my old computer. It is opening the file because I can get a print preview of it, but I can’t see anything when I go to use the other features. I have emailed them, thinking it is an issue with Windows 7? This is a very popular program and I can’t find any fix for it. Any help would be appreciated. Here is a link where the software is available: https://www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/tools/tools_savingsbondwizard.htm

Answer: I know what I would try. If you can still use your old computer, I would load the new wizard on there and update my file before trying to open it in the new computer. I would also try starting a new inventory on the new machine to make sure the wizard is functioning properly. If not, uninstall and reinstall the wizard program, perhaps going back and downloading it again. I use the wizard, but I have never used Windows 7, but those are the things I would try.

SpotEuro Forex Daily Outlook November 8, 2010

Question: United States Savings Bonds?

My parents had gotten like 10 Savings Bonds for their god child. Well these Savings Bonds were to be sent to my parents, because it was under theirs and the god childs name. Then we would send it to the god child. These savings bond would be sent to us like once every month or so. well we ended up giving the god child about 7 of the 10. they moved and we had the three. Well we have been going through a little financial trouble and we wanted to cash in the 3 Savings Bonds that we had. the thing is we lost them. Is there anyway we can get them back without affecting the 7 that our god child has. I know the government has a website for it and i requested a form i just wanted to know if we could cash just 3 without taking our god childs 7?

Answer: Yes the website that you need to visit is www.treasurydirect.gov. If you click on the link to “contact” you should find some phone numbers and emails.

Call the people at the treasury department. They will have records of your ownership of the Savings Bonds in electronic form. You should have no problem locating and selling your treasury bonds. I’m not sure if they will need to transfer the bonds (electronically) to a brokerage firm or not. I know you can buy treasuries directly from treasurydirect.com. But in order to sell them again you will probably have to sell them on the open market. You will need a Broker-Dealer to handle that transaction.

Good Luck!

GGN- Economic News :: November 5, 2010

Question: Ginnie Mae funds risk?

I understand Ginnie Mae funds are not Mutual Funds. It does not invest in stocks. It primarily invests in Mortgage Pass Throughs backed by the Government of United States.

What does being backed by Gov of US mean? I don’t think it means it’s FDIC insured. If it does not invest in coporate stock/bonds or government bonds, how risky is it to invest in Ginnie Mae funds?

It certains offers returns better than online savings bank, but I don’t think Ginnie Mae funds can be considered as savings. They are still investments? Correct?

Please guide me about Ginnie Mae funds. Its risk, benefits, how different is it from conventional Mutual Funds. Thanks

Answer: Ginnie Mae are bonds or bond funds which are debt instruments packaged by Ginnie Mae and backed by Uncle Sam. The bonds invest in mostly house mortgages such as 30 year fixed or variable mortgages. If the home owner defaults then Uncle Sam will pay you back. The risk has went up with Ginnie Mae since the number of home mortgages that have defaulted have increased with many people just walking away since their homes are worth less in value or underwater then when they first bought them.

At one time this was considered a sound investment – real estate always seemed to go up and home ownership was considered a safe investment. Today, with the number of defaults on the rise I wouldn’t want to invest more than 30% of my bond portfolio into mortgage back bonds. Uncle Sam’s backing may also be in jeopardy as loan losses rise and tax payers the ultimate payer of the losses.

Put this in the category of a bond mutual fund.

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