Jeffrey R. Kosnett
Senior Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Kosnett is the editor of and writes the "Cash in Hand" column for He is an income-investing expert who covers bonds, real estate investment trusts, oil and gas income deals, dividend stocks and anything else that pays interest and dividends. He joined Kiplinger in 1981 after six years in newspapers, including the He is a 1976 journalism graduate from the Medill School at Northwestern University and completed an executive program at the Carnegie-Mellon University business school in 1978.
"Junk" Bonds Are Anything But
Becoming an Investor
"Junk" Bonds Are Anything But
These bonds flourish way more than they falter and offer current yields of 4%.
September 30, 2021
Stay Above the Interest Rate Fray
Investing for Income
Stay Above the Interest Rate Fray
Your best bets now are venerable, managed diversified bond funds. You'll get a fair yield and peace of mind.
August 26, 2021
Readers Find Some Weird Winners
Investing for Income
Readers Find Some Weird Winners
Most of the time, I find flaws in offbeat investments with high distributions. But sometimes oddities have their day of glory.
July 30, 2021
The Tax-Exempt Train Rolls On
Investing for Income
The Tax-Exempt Train Rolls On
A powerful force is propping up munis in 2021: U.S. prosperity.
June 25, 2021
Bonds: Be Choosy for the Rest of 2021
Investing for Income
Bonds: Be Choosy for the Rest of 2021
Enough good things are happening in the economy and some fixed-income sectors (perhaps not T-bonds) to imply better second-half prospects.
May 26, 2021
Get Dividends Every Month
Investing for Income
Get Dividends Every Month
The idea is to assemble 12 stocks with alternating distribution dates, so you never wait long for cash.
April 29, 2021
Should You Worry About Rising Interest Rates?
Investing for Income
Should You Worry About Rising Interest Rates?
Look past the 10-year Treasury yield. Smart investors cast a wide net.
March 23, 2021
Why I Like Ginnie Mae Funds Now
Investing for Income
Why I Like Ginnie Mae Funds Now
A portfolio of mortgages should retain their value better than ordinary bonds if interest rates rise.
February 28, 2021
How to Play a Steeper Yield Curve
Investing for Income
How to Play a Steeper Yield Curve
The first of the year was a downer for corporate bonds and real estate and utility shares. It was strong for floating-rate loan funds.
January 28, 2021
The Janet Yellen Era: Chapter Two
economy
The Janet Yellen Era: Chapter Two
Former Fed Chair Janet Yellen, if installed as Secretary of the Treasury as expected, should help to calm Main Street and Wall Street alike.
December 26, 2020
Bonds Will Deliver in 2021
Investing for Income
Bonds Will Deliver in 2021
Don’t rush to withdraw any 2020 profits from the market. 2021 is looking good.
November 17, 2020
Squeezing Returns from Bank Shares
Investing for Income
Squeezing Returns from Bank Shares
Common sense suggests that the market’s punishment of bank stocks is overdone.
October 31, 2020
Some Inflation Is Better Than None
Economic Forecasts
Some Inflation Is Better Than None
A bit of inflation should be a plus for investors seeking higher income.
October 2, 2020
Bonds Are Safer Than They Look
Investing for Income
Bonds Are Safer Than They Look
Yes, there’s plenty of bad news: credit downgrades, bond defaults and dividend cuts. The solution is to find workarounds.
August 27, 2020
Pockets of Opportunity Still Lurk in Bonds
investing
Pockets of Opportunity Still Lurk in Bonds
A rash of corporate debt downgrades lies ahead, but actual defaults will remain low. So, is the worst over?
June 4, 2020
Treasuries: America’s Best Product?
investing
Treasuries: America’s Best Product?
Whatever you think about politics or politicians, in tough times investors will do well to bet on the government.
May 8, 2020
Stay Calm Amid Bond Market Chaos
investing
Stay Calm Amid Bond Market Chaos
The risk is that you’ll lock your money in a low-yield prison just in time for normalcy to return to the financial markets.
April 3, 2020
The Income Rally Roars On
investing
The Income Rally Roars On
Gripes about market risks now seem feeble. And sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make.
March 6, 2020
Beware the Roaring Twenties
investing
Beware the Roaring Twenties
For the first time in years, valuations -- not black swans or politics or the Fed -- are a challenge.
January 30, 2020
The Yellen Era, Chapter Two
Economic Forecasts
The Yellen Era, Chapter Two
The markets did not want extreme progressive acolytes steering economic policy. That worry has faded.
January 16, 2020
Taxable Munis? They’re Worth a Look
bonds
Taxable Munis? They’re Worth a Look
Sound describes the credit quality. But it doesn’t do justice to the stellar performance.
January 2, 2020
9 Ways You Can Own Famous Landmarks
investing
9 Ways You Can Own Famous Landmarks
If you're lucky enough to see the Kentucky Derby – standing-room tickets for May's 146th running recently sold for $89 online – you can wager a few bu…
November 29, 2019
Stand By Your Bonds
investing
Stand By Your Bonds
I’d be scared if I thought that interest rates would shoot up across the board and that the creditworthiness of borrowers is wilting. But I just don’t…
November 27, 2019
12 Dividend Stocks to Build a Monthly Income Calendar
stocks
12 Dividend Stocks to Build a Monthly Income Calendar
Most U.S.
November 21, 2019
Go Ahead, Reach for Yield
investing
Go Ahead, Reach for Yield
The best bets are in arcane areas such as commercial mortgage-backed securities, nonbank business lending and structured credit.
November 1, 2019
The Never-Ending Hunt for Yield
investing
The Never-Ending Hunt for Yield
The prospects are good for corporate bonds, real estate investment trusts and utilities.
October 3, 2019
Municipals Rock On
investing
Municipals Rock On
If there’s something negative to be said about muni bonds, I’ve heard it. And I’m still not buying this fear and loathing.
August 1, 2019