How to purchase Treasury bills, bonds, and notes directly from the government

Investors may not be aware that new issues of Treasury bills, bonds, and notes may be bought directly from the government, instead of through a broker. Individuals can buy T-bills, notes, and bonds through the Treasury Direct system. The Treasury securities are sold through an auction system. Three-month and six-month Treasury bills are sold at weekly auctions, which ordinarily take place on Monday. One-year T-bills are sold at auctions occurring every four weeks. Two-year, three-year, five-year, and ten-year Treasury notes, as well as 30-year Treasury bonds, are sold at specially scheduled auctions. Auction times may be obtained by calling a branch of the Federal Reserve, or by checking The Wall Street Journal.