I've watched YouTube videos on how to build a bond ladder, and they make it look easy to start out with different durations then have them all renewing and coming available on a regular schedule.
But now that I want to build a ladder there are no new issue treasury bonds showing up in Fidelity (there were three earlier today but now nothing shows up, including nothing for TIPS even though when I google auctions it sounds like a 5 year TIPS should be offered today?).
How does a person build a bond ladder in real-life, do you buy one type/duration when it is auctioned then have to wait a month or two to select the next duration bond? Won't that leave gaps all over the ladder?
Is there a time during the year that all the types and durations are available at the same time? If so maybe I should put my little pot of money in a secondary treasury that would mature prior to the auction time?
But now that I want to build a ladder there are no new issue treasury bonds showing up in Fidelity (there were three earlier today but now nothing shows up, including nothing for TIPS even though when I google auctions it sounds like a 5 year TIPS should be offered today?).
How does a person build a bond ladder in real-life, do you buy one type/duration when it is auctioned then have to wait a month or two to select the next duration bond? Won't that leave gaps all over the ladder?
Is there a time during the year that all the types and durations are available at the same time? If so maybe I should put my little pot of money in a secondary treasury that would mature prior to the auction time?