Cashing in old savings bonds

Editor's note: This is a transcript of the audio file.

You might have a few savings bonds lying around from when you were just a child. Are they worth anything? And if so, how do you claim that money? I'm Lucas Wysocki with your Bankrate.com Personal Finance Minute.

If you're cleaning out a closet or moving out for the first time, you may come across some old dusty savings bonds that you received years ago as a gift or award. If you're thinking of cashing them in, first, get informed on their value and whether they are still gaining interest. There's a savings bond wizard at Treasury Direct.gov that can help you figure out how much your bonds are worth. If they're still gaining interest, it's probably a smart idea to put them back on the shelf until they have run their course. You can also convert your bonds to an electronic form at TreasuryDirect.gov if you prefer to keep things organized electronically. Once you're ready to cash-out, most banks will redeem your savings bonds, or at least point you in the right direction. To find out more about savings bonds and other personal finance issues, just visit Bankrate.com. I'm Lucas Wysocki.