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Thursday, March 27, 2008

I found treasure in my safe!

How cool is it that i even HAVE a safe?! ha ha...i bought one a cple years back when i was in splurge-mode after hearing horror stories of important documents going up in flames. I also always thought it was "cool" using them at hotel stays, and seeing rich people use them on T.V. The most awesomest being Scrooge McDuck's of course, from Duck Tales.

At any rate, i was digging through it a few weeks back and came across an envelope full of old Savings Bonds I got when i was a wee one. My Grandparents were HUGE fans of these things, so I'm dedicating this post to them. Thank you much G-ma & G-pa!

The most awesome thing about 'em is that they just LOOK so old! i don't know what they look like now, but seeing the typed out text makes me laugh a little...i can see a banker putting one through a typewriter or something.

Here's what i found:
A $50 bond - dated FEB, 1980 - Series EE
A $50 bond - dated MAR, 1980 - Series EE
A $50 bond - dated DEC, 1984 - Series EE
A $50 bond - dated DEC, 1994 - Series EE
A $50 bond - dated DEC, 1996 - Series EE

I vaguely remember my mom telling me how important it was to hold on to them until the maturity date, so i'd imagine they have to be good by now. I'm just glad i still have them after all these years! To be honest though, i'm not sure if i really even want to cash them in. My mind is currently full of questions:


1) Are they still Valid??? i mean some are from 1980!! hahaa...
2) How much are they worth now?
3) What do the "EE"'s stand for?
4) Can i just roll up to a bank and turn them in willy nilly? And if so, what if I have an online back (I use USAA), would i get charged some crazy fee if i tried giving them up to a different bank?
5) Do i need to prove who i am? I'd imagine i'd have to show proper I.D. to prove my name, but i'm hoping not for the address that's listed on the bond...i've moved 20+ times in my life and can't imagine showing this proof.
6) What are the tax implications? Maybe there's some sort of tax-free status, considering i've been waiting over 20 years on some! i highly doubt it though.

As you can see, i'm just starting to dive into this crazy arena. If any of you know what's up, feel free to help me out. I'll probably just google it when i get some free time (or when i'm bored) but i'm way too lazy right now. Plus the "what if" excitement is fun for the time being ;)

Have a most joyous weekend everybody, and HAPPY BLOGGING!!!

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11 Comments:

Blogger change is a good thing said...

Wow, that is really cool! My Grandma buys them now for the great-grandkids. I have never gotten one, so I don't know anything about them, but I look forward to checking back to see what you find out. :)

March 28, 2008 10:28 AM  
Anonymous Blake said...

Maybe if you turn them in, you can have the bank stamp a little "void" sign on there. That way you could keep them as a memento. Their so old and cool, I'd hate to give them up!

March 28, 2008 10:51 AM  
Blogger Carrie said...

My grandmother used to give me and my siblings savings bonds all the time growing up...I think they're in my parents' safe deposit box at the bank. I have no idea how much I have, and no idea how you're supposed to get the money. If you find out, let me know!

March 28, 2008 1:08 PM  
Blogger J. Savings said...

We have some pretty awesome (& smart)Grandmas don't we! It's all quite exciting, that's for sure.

I'll def. do some research and let you guys know what i find. I hope yours are safe and sound at your parent's Carrie :)

And thanks Blake, that's the best idea i've heard all day! you KNOW i'm gonna try that one out...

March 28, 2008 3:25 PM  
Blogger 1MansMoney said...

What a cool treasure find. I really want to buy a safe. Not so much for possible burglaries, but to protect documents from fire or water damage.

-1MansMoney

March 28, 2008 8:12 PM  
Blogger lpkitten said...

ya man! cash them in! or you could keep one as a memento. what a cool find. i wish i would find treasure lying around like that. :D

March 28, 2008 10:52 PM  
Blogger Canadian Saver said...

I'm curious to see what they are now worth!! Let us know when you find out yep :-)

March 29, 2008 10:39 AM  
Blogger E.C. said...

You should be able to redeem savings bonds at a local bank for no charge.You can redeem up to $1,000 worth at a time with just your driver's license as proof of identity. You will owe taxes on the interest and should be issued a 1099-INT either when you redeem the bonds or at the end of the tax year.

The bonds are still valid and are still earning interest. They'll stop earning interest 30 years after they were purchased, but they can always be cashed in.

You should check out www.treasurydirect.gov for more details. They have an online calculator that will tell you how much your bonds are worth today.

March 29, 2008 4:11 PM  
Blogger J. Savings said...

AWESOME, thanks for the link and info E.C.! I'll let you guys know what i find shortly :) I'm excited!

March 30, 2008 2:21 PM  
Blogger Tom said...

http://www.treasurydirect.gov/BC/SBCPrice

check that out!

Looks like you have at least a couple hundred worth of savings bonds there. A very sexy find!

March 31, 2008 3:44 PM  
Blogger sara l said...

Love the Duck Tails reference!

December 2, 2008 1:03 AM  

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