The Best Way to Pay for Remodeling

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, August, 1999 by Elizabeth Razzi

([dagger]) Internet only

SOURCE: [C] 1999 Bank Rate Monitor, 11811 US Highway 1, N. Palm Beach, FL 33408;

YIELD BENCHMARKS

                               RECENT     MONTH-AGO   YEAR-AGO
Bonds & Treasuries             YIELD        YIELD      YIELD

U.S. series EE savings bonds   4.31%(*)     4.31%       5.06%
One-year Treasury bills        5.10         4.75        5.40
Five-year Treasury notes       5.88         5.37        5.51
Ten-year Treasury notes        5.99         5.55        5.46

(*) For bonds purchased after May 1, 1997; 3.91% for bonds purchased earlier.

SOURCE FOR TREASURIES: Thomson Global Markets

Savings bonds EE savings bonds purchased before May 1, 1997, earn a minimum of 4% or, if held at least five years, a market-based rate. Bonds bought after that earn a market-based rate from date of purchase. For tables that will help you determine the current value of your bonds, write for Form PD 3600 (The Bureau of the Public Debt, Parkersburg, WV 26106).

Treasuries You can purchase Treasury securities from a bank or broker for a fee. If you want to purchase them directly, you can go online at www.publicdebt.treas.gov, call 800-943-6864, or contact the nearest Federal Reserve Bank or branch.3