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THE TIPS PRIMER · 2026 EDITION
TIPS Guide & Excel Workbook: $29
A practical reference for the decisions that come after the calculator: what to buy, how to buy it, and what to expect along the way.
- 62-page PDF with buying walkthroughs and worked examples
- Excel workbook with visible formulas and five planning tabs
- One-time purchase with instant downloads after payment
Secure checkout through Stripe. Have a code? Enter it at checkout.
What does the TIPS guide cover?
Plan the ladder
Cash flows, maturity gaps, and the role of individual bonds versus funds.
Make the purchase
Auctions and buying walkthroughs for Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, and TreasuryDirect.
Understand the trade-offs
Tax examples, inflation adjustments, deflation floors, and inherited accounts.
What’s inside the workbook?
| Worksheet | What you can work through |
|---|---|
| Ladder Builder | Annual income needs, yield assumptions, and estimated rung sizes. |
| Gap Years | Plans for the missing 2037–2039 maturity years. |
| Phantom Income | Illustrative tax budgeting for inflation adjustments. |
| Boldin translation | Notes for representing ladder income in a retirement plan. |
| Sources & Method | Definitions, assumptions, and source references. |
The 2026 workbook uses a par-purchase planning approximation. It is not a live market-pricing tool. Review its assumptions before using the output.
A look inside the Ladder Builder
The workbook makes its inputs and formulas visible. This is a text preview of its input layout; these are the fixed 2026 edition's original example values, not current market quotes.
| Input | Example value | What you can change |
|---|---|---|
| Current / first / last year | 2026 / 2027 / 2046 | Planning year and income dates |
| Annual real income | $40,000 | Spending target and individual-year overrides |
| 5-, 10-, 30-year real yields | 2.15% / 2.44% / 2.65% | Your yield assumptions |
For each year, the sheet estimates par as (income target − coupons from later rungs) / (1 + coupon rate). The workbook preserves its original formulas; the website adds validation and a zero-holdings floor. Read the differences and limitations, and use the public worked examples to check the method before buying.
Can I read a sample before buying?
Read the sample and table of contents to see the level of detail. The calculator and reference articles remain free.
Common purchase questions
How do I receive the files?
After Stripe confirms your payment, the download page provides the PDF and Excel workbook. Save both files somewhere permanent.
Is this a subscription?
No. This is a one-time $29 purchase of the 2026 PDF guide and Excel workbook.
Does the guide provide investment advice?
No. It explains TIPS mechanics and planning considerations. It does not recommend a personal allocation, choose securities for you, or manage a portfolio.
What if my download does not work?
The confirmation page lets you recheck payment status. If you still need help, use the contact form and include the email address from your receipt.
What do I get for $29?
The TIPS Primer and companion Excel workbook, together for $29.
Get both files · $29