Karin Price Mueller is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com, a personal finance web site that offers smart and objective advice on everything money. She also writes the Bamboozled consumer affairs column for The Star-Ledger, and a monthly money column for Inside Jersey magazine, and she's been the recipient of many national and local journalism awards. Mueller lives in Monmouth County with her husband — Star-Ledger reporter Mark Mueller — and their three kids and two English Mastiffs. Whatever they don't eat goes into her retirement savings accounts.
Karin Price Mueller
How that 529 plan can hurt chances for financial aid
Q. My parents saved in a 529 for my son and never told me about it. We’re going to soon apply for financial aid and I’m worried it could hurt his chances. What can we do?
Tips for setting a child’s allowance
Q. How can I decide the right amount to give as an allowance to my kids? They are 13, 9 and 7.
Here’s how much should you be keeping in that emergency fund
Q. I’m retired now and my pension and Social Security cover my expenses. How much money do I still need in an emergency fund?
Tips to asking for a raise from your job
Q. Any suggestions on the best way to ask for a raise?
The difference between an UTMA and an UGMA?
Q. What’s the difference between an UTMA and an UGMA?
Why you should think twice before buying that beach house
Q. I want to buy an investment property in a beach area about an hour from my house. The summer rents would cover the mortgage and taxes and then some. What do I need to know before I do it?
The great Roth 401(K) debate
Q. I invest enough in my 401(k) to get the match. That’s 6 percent of my salary. I’m thinking of either increasing the savings or using a Roth IRA instead. How can I decide?
— Roth debating
Can mom be a tax deduction?
Q. I’ve been helping my mother pay her bills. At what point would she be considered a dependent? Does it matter if she’s in Florida and I’m in NJ?
The best retirement plans for the self-employed
Q. What’s the best retirement plan for self-employed people? I’m starting a new business and I will be the only employee.
Can a small business owner pay a child or grandchild?
Q. My father has a small business and he wants to start paying my kids, but they’re only 10 and 8 and can’t really work. He says it’s legal. What’s the real deal?