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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Kiplinger's Commodities Forecast
The Kiplinger Letter Following a rocky few years for markets, we expect commodities to be less volatile in 2024, as a post-pandemic normal finally emerges.
By Matthew Housiaux Published
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Four trends for the auto industry in 2024
The Kiplinger Letter Here's what to expect in the auto industry this year. If you’re in the market for a car it won’t be quite as daunting as it was during the pandemic and after.
By David Payne Published
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U.S. Natural Gas Prices Are Down, Supplies Are Up: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter U.S. natural gas prices are down from last year, while production and exports keep hitting new highs.
By Jim Patterson Published
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Tesla's Cybertruck Unlikely to Win Over Traditional Buyers: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter Despite the buzz over Tesla's foray into the electric truck market, its Cybertruck suffers from shortcomings that will put off many buyers.
By Jim Patterson Published
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Some Good News for Consumers on Heating Costs: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter Most (but not all) heating costs should be cheaper this year compared to 2022.
By Jim Patterson Published
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100 Years of The Kiplinger Letter: Centenary Special Edition
The Kiplinger Letter On September 29, 1923, the very first Kiplinger Letter was published.
By Jim Patterson Published
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About Kiplinger’s Economic Outlooks
Economic Forecasts Regularly updated insights and analysis on the economy’s next moves.
By David Payne Last updated
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Auto Market Recovers Slowly but Deals Still Hard to Find: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
Economic Forecasts Understand how the auto market is slowly recovering as car inventory improves. Buyers have more options, but interest rates are still high.
By David Payne Published
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Watch Out for Bad Hurricanes This Year Due to Warmer Seas: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
Economic Forecasts Although meteorologists expect an average 2023 hurricane season, storms could be stronger due to above-normal sea temperatures.
By Jim Patterson Published
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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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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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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 Published
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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 Published
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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 Published
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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 Published
Economic Forecasts