Bond Definition:  A bond is a debt security where the issuer owes the holders a debt and is obliged to repay the principal and interest (the coupon) at a later date, termed maturity.  Some bonds are "callable" which means the issuer can pay off the debt before maturity.  The ussuer of debt always tries to get the best terms so a smart lender should do their homework to get the best rate with the lowest commission and call protection.   The safest ways to lend money are through a CD with FDIC protection or to lend to the US Government that has printing presses to print more money to repay you. 

• I Bonds (iBonds):  Inflation Protected Bonds:
• I Bonds Explained
  
• Composite Rates
  
• Current iBond Rates
  
• iBond Rate History
  
  
• TIPS: Treasury-Inflation Protected Securities: (Chart and Info)