Jim Patterson
Jim joined Kiplinger in December 2010, covering energy and commodities markets, autos, environment and sports business for The Kiplinger Letter. He is now the managing editor of The Kiplinger Letter and The Kiplinger Tax Letter. He also frequently appears on radio and podcasts to discuss the outlook for gasoline prices and new car technologies. Prior to joining Kiplinger, he covered federal grant funding and congressional appropriations for Thompson Publishing Group, writing for a range of print and online publications. He holds a BA in history from the University of Rochester.
Latest articles by Jim Patterson
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The EV Revolution: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
Economic Forecasts Kiplinger keeps you abreast of the latest developments in the auto sector
By Jim Patterson • Published
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Why Gas Prices May Rise This Spring
Gas prices are being hit by several factors causing them to tick up this spring.
By Jim Patterson • Published
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Kiplinger’s Economic Outlooks
Economic Forecasts Kiplinger’s Economic Outlooks: insights on the economy’s next moves.
By David Payne • Last updated
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Kiplinger's Economic Outlooks
Economic Forecasts Regularly updated insights on the economy’s next moves.
By David Payne • Last updated
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How Gas Prices Are Determined
personal finance Who controls gas prices in the U.S.? There's no puppeteer, just several factors that combine to pull and push on what you pay at the pump.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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USPS to Raise Rates for "Holiday" Season Again
personal finance If you want to avoid surge pricing for the postal service, you’ll need to send your holiday packages in September.
By David Muhlbaum • Published
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Gas Prices Are Going Down, Finally
personal finance Most forms of energy should cost less this fall, with one big exception.
By Jim Patterson • Published
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Prepare for Painful Utility Bills, Gas Station Visits
spending While brutal pump prices are dominating the headlines, consumers also are absorbing rapidly escalating utility bills.
By Jim Patterson • Published
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Are Today's Pump Prices Higher Than 2008's Gas Prices?
spending Americans haven't felt this much pain at the pump in well more than a decade, but by one measure, gas prices still haven't topped 2008's highs.
By Jim Patterson • Published
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Will Gas Prices Ever Go Down?
personal finance A few catalysts could theoretically relieve current pressures at the fuel pump, but don’t expect gas prices to go meaningfully lower soon.
By Jim Patterson • Published
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Why Are Gas Prices Still Going Up?
spending The cost of a gallon of gas is at an all-time high. What’s driving the surge and will gas prices go down anytime soon?
By Jim Patterson • Published
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COVID-19 Drives Used-Car Sales Boom
Buying & Leasing a Car Commuters afraid of public transportation in a pandemic have been scooping up wheels.
By Jim Patterson • Published
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The Nation's Crumbling Infrastructure: 6 Examples in Need of Upgrades Right Away
Business Costs & Regulation In his State of the Union address, President Obama once again stressed the need to spend more federal funds on crumbling infrastructure in coming years, but given the focus on budget cutting on Capitol Hill, Obama's clarion call will go largely unheard on Capitol Hill.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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Recession Proof
Markets So what makes a recession a recession, anyway? This book explains all in plain language, giving readers an understanding of what recessions are, why they happen, and the signs that the next one is on the way.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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The Frackers
Markets The Frackers is an excellent, non-technical history of the shale oil and gas boom that revolutionized the American energy industry.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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Brighter Spots in Energy's Slow Recovery
Economic Forecasts With crude oil likely coming off its lows, some money is returning to the oil patch.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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As Drought Takes a Toll, Water Prices Will Rise
Economic Forecasts Conservation and technological advances will help utilities meet needs, but at a cost.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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Budget for Higher Electric Bills
Economic Forecasts Mounting strains on the electric grid will hit consumers in their wallets but will lead to new business opportunities, too.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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Countering Russia With Natural Gas
Economic Forecasts What the coming boost in exports spells for U.S. consumers, gas producers and investors.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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Fracking Boom Spells New Tech Investments
Economic Forecasts Solutions to energy and safety concerns will be in hot demand.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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Rising Production Helping to Keep Fuel Prices in Check
Economic Forecasts Energy costs should be relatively easy on your wallet in 2014.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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North America's Next Energy Hot Spots
Economic Forecasts An energy revolution is under way in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. And it’s not just energy companies that are benefiting.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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Automakers Put the Great Recession in the Rearview Mirror
Economic Forecasts Sales are closing in on prerecession highs, as shoppers flock to showrooms and dealers roll out hot new models.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated
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Lower Oil Prices on the Horizon
Economic Forecasts More crude produced in the U.S. and lower demand for it both here and overseas spell relief for consumers.
By Jim Patterson • Last updated