
David Muhlbaum
In his former role as Senior Online Editor, David edited and wrote a wide range of content for Kiplinger.com. With more than 20 years of experience with Kiplinger, David worked on numerous Kiplinger publications, including The Kiplinger Letter and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. He co-hosted Your Money's Worth, Kiplinger's podcast and helped develop the Economic Forecasts feature.
Prior to Kiplinger, David worked as an editor for MarketWatch and before that, America Online, which was then first starting to program content. At AOL, David helped build its business news channel, bringing together a range of wire providers and contract content from sources including The New York Times, Business Week and the Financial Times to create a comprehensive, 24/7 financial news source for millions of readers. His first job in journalism was with the East Hampton (NY) Star, where coverage of celebrity zoning disputes gave him a life-long appreciation for public records and tax maps. He holds a BA in American Literature from Middlebury College.
David has represented Kiplinger on television, radio and podcasts, particularly on topics automotive. He has appeared on CNBC, WGN-TV (Chicago), Cars Yeah!, Bloomberg BNA, Voice of America and others. He is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association.
Latest articles by David Muhlbaum
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Saver's Credit: Who Qualifies for This Retirement Tax Break?
Tax Breaks If your income isn't too high, the Saver's Credit can help lower your tax bill if you contribute to a retirement account.
By David Muhlbaum Last updated
Tax Breaks -
The I-Bond Rate for the Next Six Months
Investing for Income I-Bonds issued November 1 to April 30 will have a rate of 5.27%.
By David Muhlbaum Last updated
Investing for Income -
The Most Expensive Natural Disasters in U.S. History
Economic Forecasts Wind, water, fire and drought have all wreaked havoc on the United States. What’s been the worst?
By David Muhlbaum Last updated
Economic Forecasts -
Gas-Saving Tips That Actually Work
Buying & Leasing a Car When fuel prices rise, all kinds of gas-saving schemes get floated. We separate the serious from the silly for you.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Buying & Leasing a Car -
States With No State Sales Tax
Tax Breaks A handful of states don't impose a sales tax, but that doesn't necessarily make them the best states for low taxes.
By David Muhlbaum Last updated
Tax Breaks -
10 Least Tax-Friendly States for Retirees
retirement Retirees in these states are likely to have a higher overall state and local tax burden than retirees in other states.
By Rocky Mengle Last updated
retirement -
Kiplinger's Tax Map for Retirees: About Our Methodology
retirement Here's how we put together our Retiree Tax Map and related content.
By Rocky Mengle Last updated
retirement -
10 Least Tax-Friendly States for Middle-Class Families
state tax It can cost your family thousands of dollars each year if you end up in one of the worst states for taxes after a move.
By David Muhlbaum Published
state tax -
Kiplinger's Tax Map for Middle-Class Families: About Our Methodology
state tax The research behind our judgments.
By David Muhlbaum Published
state tax -
Gas Prices Around the World
Budgeting Many world gas prices can make what Americans pay at the pump seem like a bargain. But not all.
By David Muhlbaum Last updated
Budgeting -
The 10 Least Tax-Friendly States for Middle-Class Families
state tax It can cost you thousands of dollars each year if you fail to consider state and local taxes before moving your family from one state to another.
By Rocky Mengle Last updated
state tax -
Defusing the Retirement “Tax Bomb” with David McClellan
Tax Breaks If you’ve dutifully socked away money in a 401(k) or IRA for years, you could be in for an unpleasant shock when it comes time to take money out of those accounts. Also, the IRS is sending out a surprise round of checks.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Tax Breaks -
Tax Breaks for College Finance with Kalman Chany
Paying for College Paying for (ever-pricier) college is a challenge that this consultant meets head on with highly specific guidance.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Paying for College -
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
personal finance -
Car-Buying in an Inflated Market with Jenni Newman
Buying & Leasing a Car With cars both scarce and expensive these days, what to do if you want – or need – a new ride? Car-buying strategist Jenni Newman of Cars.com shares some tips. Also, more on the magical 9% savings bond.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Buying & Leasing a Car -
How to Find a Job After Graduation, with Beth Hendler-Grunt
Starting Out: New Grads and Young Professionals Today’s successful job applicants need to know how to ace the virtual interview and be prepared to do good old-fashioned research and networking. Also, gas prices are high, but try a little global perspective.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Starting Out: New Grads and Young Professionals -
Is a Recession Coming?
Smart Buying With a lot of recession talk out there, we might just talk ourselves into one. We take that risk with Jim Patterson of The Kiplinger Letter. Also, dollar stores: deal or no deal?
By David Muhlbaum Published
Smart Buying -
This Couple Tackles Love and Money as a Team
Getting Married Fyooz Financial, the husband and wife team of Dan and Natalie Slagle, have carved out a niche advising other couples with the money questions that come with pairing up. Also, where is this troubled stock market headed?
By David Muhlbaum Published
Getting Married -
Which Documents to Keep, Which to Shred and Which to Scan
home insurance A speedy recovery from disaster can depend on your recordkeeping. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance writer Rivan Stinson tells us how to get our papers in order.
By David Muhlbaum Published
home insurance -
Decoding ESG Investing with Ellen Kennedy
Becoming an Investor Environmental, social and governance investing is simpler than it sounds, and has a profitable track record to boot.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Becoming an Investor -
High Gas Prices with The Kiplinger Letter’s Jim Patterson
cars Why are we paying so much more at the pump? How long will it last? What can you do? Plus: Congress is making changes to retirement-savings rules again.
By David Muhlbaum Published
cars -
The 2022 Real Estate Market with Daniel Bortz
Becoming a Homeowner Daniel Bortz doesn’t just write about home sales and housing prices – he’s been in the business. He’ll share insights about the real estate outlook for 2022 and “how-to” tips for both buyers and sellers. Also, the pain of high gas prices.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Becoming a Homeowner -
The Future of Certified Financial Planners with Kamila Elliott
Becoming an Investor CFPs will tell you (and we’d agree) that not all financial advice is the same. We talk with the chair of the CFP Board about what she’s doing to preserve her organization’s brand and extend its reach. Also, the right way to file your tax returns for free.
By David Muhlbaum Published
Becoming an Investor -
There’s No Escaping Your Credit Score (So Make It Count)
Financial Planning Kiplinger’s credit expert, Lisa Gerstner, joins us to talk credit strategy. Also, a number of new electric cars hit the market this year. Will one work for Sandy?
By David Muhlbaum Published
Financial Planning