Is it better to own a bond fund or buy individual bonds?

For most investors, a low-cost bond fund is simpler and more diversified than buying individual bonds. A bond fund spreads your money across hundreds of bonds, reinvests interest automatically, and lets you buy in any amount — but its share price fluctuates and it never "matures" to a fixed payout. Individual bonds let you hold to maturity and know exactly what you'll get back, which appeals to people funding a specific future expense, but building a diversified ladder takes more money and effort. Treasuries are the easy exception: you can buy them directly at TreasuryDirect with no credit risk. A practical middle ground is a bond fund for your core allocation plus a few individual Treasuries or a Treasury ladder for money you need on a known date. Model your mix at wealthserene.com/tools/portfolio-builder.