If you're buying "full faith and credit" bonds it's fine to buy your own. If you're buying anything with any credit risk whatsoever the overwhelming majority of people should not be buying individual bonds. Not only are you risking default because you want your income to be "fixed" you are getting ripped off on pricing. At work I can often buy and sell bonds several points better than what I see on retail platforms.If you want a fixed (i.e. rate guaranteed) income, and you're holding to maturity, you don't have to worry too much about price fluctuations. If you buy an open-end bond fund, your income isn't fixed.