You can invest in T-bills and notes online through the Treasury Direct service. You can order the forms at www.publicdebt.treas.gov or call 800-722-2678 for information on opening an account. For the address and phone number of the nearest local branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, go to http://www.federalreserve.gov/OTHERFRB.HTM.

If the Treasury securities you want aren't coming up for auction when you want, buy through a major stockbroker instead. You'll pay a commission, but the government bond desk at most brokerage firms is friendly and consumer-oriented. They'll often bend over backward to help you get the best rate and maturity.

Savings bonds are attractive because they are affordable, tax-deferred, and absolutely safe from default. Any age group can benefit from their use.

Dolan Smart Money Move: We much prefer the Series I bonds, because they have almost consistently out-yielded the EE bonds and they have the inflation protection missing from EE bonds.

The Treasury Department's Education Bond Program allows you a federal tax exemption on the interest from Series EE and Series I bonds if you pay qualified higher-education expenses in the same calendar year that you redeem the bonds, with certain caveats.

See the Treasury Department's Web site (www.savingsbonds.gov) for a complete rundown of the bonds available, along with purchasing information.

Looking for more information on bonds and investments? Click below:

• Beware Bond Funds!
• Should You Buy Municipal Bonds?
• Your Investing Mantra

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