US Savings Bonds come in $25, 50, or 100 amounts and you pay the discounted price when you buy them, so for instance the $25 bond is $18.75, I believe. They usually mature to the face value within about seven years, depending on the interest rates. They are as safe as the U.S. Government. They make wonderful gifts to children for their birthdays and/or holidays or just in general. After you buy a number of E bonds, you are allowed to trade them in for H bonds that pay higher interest rates.