Business
Zach Harney, Financial Planning: The power of direct indexing
At its core, direct indexing gives investors ownership of the individual securities that make up...
White House formally nominates Warsh to be Federal Reserve chair
The nomination could stall in the Senate Banking Committee.
How to save money: 14 easy tips
Even small changes to your spending habits can add up to significant savings over time.
Bechtel family sells scenic South Bay ranch for $24M in latest major conservation deal
The Peninsula Open Space Trust will preserve Mead Ranch as open space.
Barry Dolowich, Tax Tips: Negotiating the purchase of a business
Effective negotiation is an art that can be learned. Understanding the basic principles of successful...
Edmunds Top Rated vehicle awards for 2026
This year’s Edmunds Top Rated Awards feature some repeat winners and newcomers.
Links at Spanish Bay to undergo transformation in Pebble Beach
The new course is expected to open to the public April 17, 2027, just ahead...
Federal court rejects Trump administration attempt to slow tariff refund process
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit started the next phase in refund process.
Trump expects his Fed pick and AI to deliver a replay of the ’90s boom. Economists have doubts
Many economists are skeptical of Trump's policies.
Should higher earners still make 401(k) catch‑up contributions?
Starting this year, some tax breaks will be off-limits for some retirement savers.
Red and blue states alike want to limit AI in insurance. Trump wants to limit the states
Regulating artificial intelligence is becoming a politically divisive topic.
Work on roundabout at Olmstead, Garden roads to begin Monday in Monterey
Construction at the Monterey Regional Airport entrance is expected to last about 18 weeks.
Social media can be addictive even for adults, but there are ways to cut back
Some users swear by turning their phones to gray-scale.
Why adults pursuing career growth or personal interests are the ‘new majority’ student
Experts say fast shifts in work, like artificial intelligence, make ongoing learning feel necessary.
Monterey Regional Airport sees record 650K passengers served in 2025
MONTEREY – The Monterey Regional Airport is marking its 85th year and celebrating multiple milestones,...
Marco Lucido, Workplace Law: Minimum wage and salary reminder
With the increase to the minimum wage rate, employers also need to ensure that the...
What to know about Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon’s Anthropic ultimatum
Some experts say using the law to force Anthropic's hand would be unprecedented.
How health care is keeping the job market afloat
Most other sectors are treading water or falling behind.
Seaside, KB Bakewell enter into Exclusive Negotiating Agreement for Main Gate property
The decision was buoyed by many giving public comment in support of the decision at...
Steven Merrell, Financial Planning: Should I reduce the risk in my portfolio?
Risk is one of the most misunderstood concepts in investing. Many investors equate risk with...
Trump’s portrayal of ‘golden age’ is out of sync with how Americans see economy
Trump faces a skeptical public with a much gloomier view of the economy.
NerdWallet book club: How to manage a parent’s money
Managing the finances of an ailing parent can be emotionally and mentally draining.
Barry Dolowich, Tax Tips: Filing separately in a community property state
You should understand how community property laws affect the way you figure your income on...
Supreme Court ruling against Trump’s tariffs is unlikely to mean an end to trade policy chaos
Vexing questions remain.
Hegseth warns Anthropic to let the military use the company’s AI tech as it sees fit, AP sources say
CEO Dario Amodei has made clear his ethical concerns about unchecked government use of AI.
FACT FOCUS: A look at Trump’s false and misleading claims in his State of the Union speech
Here is a closer look at the facts.
5 smart ways to diversify your portfolio in 2026
Without some smart diversification, your “just fine” investment portfolio may be vulnerable.
FedEx joins other US companies in seeking a refund after Trump tariffs are ruled illegal
FedEx said in a filing that it has “suffered injury” from having to pay the...
After Supreme Court rebuke, Democrats call for government to refund billions in Trump tariff money
The measure would prioritize refunds to small businesses.
‘Your Rich BFF’ Vivian Tu shares her favorite personal finance tips
The former trader at JPMorgan was always giving personal finance advice to her colleagues.
A proposal to exempt homeowners ages 60 and older from property taxes could cost local governments billions
The proposed measure was cleared for signature-gathering earlier this month.
Tax season is here. Here’s what you need to know for stress-free filing
If you want to avoid the stress of the looming deadline, start getting organized as...
Liza Horvath, Senior Advocate: My inheritance, my birthright
Our children may have the expectation of receiving whatever is left of our estates when...
4 smart moves to cut your 2025 tax bill under new rules
How to maximize your savings and avoid phaseouts under temporary changes in Trump’s budget bill.
Rep. Panetta hosts roundtable in Monterey on economic impacts of possible offshore oil drilling
“We always have to be prepared to protect not just the coastline, but obviously …...
Monterey Bay Economic Partnership CEO named to CA FWD Board
California Forward describes itself as a multi-partisan, nonprofit organization building a New California Economy that...
Trump has other tariff options after Supreme Court strikes down his worldwide import taxes
Trump still has ways to keep taxing imports aggressively.
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s sweeping tariffs, sparking fierce pushback and vow of new levies
Trump says he's imposing a temporary global tariff of 10% after the ruling.
Is ‘income stacking’ a good way to build wealth?
Income stacking can be an effective wealth-building tool, but it won’t pay off for everyone.
US civil rights agency sues Coca-Cola distributor for excluding men from casino work trip
The lawsuit challenges the sort of diversity programming Trump's EEOC has aggressively targeted.
Millions of eligible filers didn’t use Free File
The Free File program has been around for 23 years.
Zach Harney, Financial Planning: What about international stocks?
Investors who focus solely on the U.S. stock market may be missing a crucial piece...
What is money dysmorphia? When money never feels like enough
It’s not about income — it’s about believing you’re not OK financially.
Barry Dolowich, Tax Tips: Effective versus marginal tax rates
It almost ALWAYS makes sense economically to make more money. Only if the tax rates...
How the rich pass on their wealth. And how you can too
Death and taxes may be inevitable, but a big bill for your heirs doesn’t have...
Even Dollar Tree is going after rich shoppers now
Across the U.S., Dollar Tree is moving into more higher-income areas.
With electricity bills rising, some states consider new data center laws
Officials are now scrutinizing how power-hungry projects might affect the electric bills.
Liza Horvath, Senior Advocate: Trump Accounts for kids
As an employer, I view this as just one more way to benefit good employees...
Some Valentine’s Day tips for anyone seeking the perfect match on four wheels
Edmunds identified five vehicles with distinct personality traits.
Survey: More than 2 in 5 Americans believe financial secrets are at least as bad as cheating
Bigger secrets can impact relationships — and livelihoods.
California Welcome Center in Salinas finalist for Center of the Year
“This year’s Poppy Award finalists have demonstrated exceptional innovation in their campaigns, showcasing the incredible...
Pace of PG&E profit and revenue increases start to slow as bills ease
PG&E's profits and revenues both rose during 2025, but at a reduced pace compared with...
As electricity costs rise, everyone wants data centers to pick up their tab. But how?
Data centers keep spreading fast, and some use as much electricity as a small city.
What is streamflation? (And will streaming prices keep rising?)
Streaming prices are climbing as companies shift toward profits.
One Tech Tip: All you need to know about the iPhone’s Lockdown Mode
Apple's Lockdown Mode is gaining attention after it blocked U.S. federal authorities from accessing a...
Marco Lucido, Workplace Law: Reminders for drug-testing policies
There are circumstances in which employers can require drug and/or alcohol testing. However, employers should...
How to face down estate planning paralysis
Estate planning can feel emotional and overwhelming.
Steven Merrell, Financial Planning: Watch out for IRMAA
The acronym stands for income-related monthly adjustment amount, and while it sounds technical and harmless,...
CBO: Federal deficits and debt to worsen over next decade
Worsening federal deficits are driven by increased spending on Social Security, Medicare, and debt service...
Credit card trends to watch for in 2026
Credit card interest rates remained high, hovering around an average of 22% all year.
Barry Dolowich, Tax Tips: Prize winnings
Generally, prizes you win from sweepstakes, raffles and contests are taxable as ordinary income.
Is a weaker U.S. dollar a good thing?
"All things considered, the negatives outweigh the positives," said one San Diego economist.
Helen Dennis, Successful Aging: Judgments around age fade but persist
For many, it has been the age to receive full Social Security benefits; for those...
What you need to know before making financial gifts
Whether you’re giving cash or investments, be aware of the logistics and tax implications.
Co-workers of different generations mentor each other to reduce workplace misunderstandings
Co-workers can at times feel like generations speak different languages.
Liza Horvath, Senior Advocate: The ghost of Facebook
Laws are in place that can help dictate how our digital footprint can be dealt...
Renters use ‘rent now, pay later’ services to manage monthly payments, but fees raise concerns
Consumer advocates warn the products often act like short-term loans with high fees.
FACT FOCUS: Trump says tariffs have created an economic miracle. The facts tell a different story
The proof Trump offers is often off-base or wrong altogether.
How to start saving — even if you’re starting from scratch
If you don’t have a healthy emergency fund, you’re not alone.
Asked on Reddit: My parents ruined my credit. How can I fix it?
Familial fraud is relatively common.
My quest for an affordable summer camp without sacrificing my savings
Here’s a practical look at summer camp costs and how to manage them.
CHOMP in Monterey responds to nurse contentions about staffing, meals
“We are committed to supporting our clinical teams with the resources they need to provide...
Barry Dolowich, Tax Tips: Losses from side business
Generally, losses from your business will be deductible against your gross income. However, the Internal...
Big expenses ruining your budget? Try a sinking fund
Making a major purchase is different from shopping for groceries.
Labor Department delays January jobs report because of partial shutdown
The delay in data comes at a bad time. The economy is in a puzzling...
How to buy a house in the winter
Nationally, winter is the sleepiest season for the housing market.
Palo Alto group buys 2,284 acres at Sargent Ranch, ending 10-year battle over proposed quarry on scenic property
$23 million deal secures nearly all of huge open space area in southern Santa Clara...
Liza Horvath, Senior Advocate: Why not name all the kids as co-executors?
Even though all three of your kids will share the estate equally, naming all three...
Job titles are out and skills are in, Wharton expert says. Here’s what employers want to see
AI has been speeding the shift from a “role-based labor market to a skills-based economy.”
Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula RNs vote to join California Nurses Association
California Nurses Association is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing registered...
Farmers now owe a lot more for health insurance
Last year was a tough one for farmers.
6 clever ways I’ve saved money (that weren’t as scary as I thought)
I save money by seeking alternatives, not suffering. You can do the same.
Trump’s choice of Warsh to lead Fed could reshape the world’s most influential central bank
Trump's pick is likely to result in sharp changes to the powerful agency that could...
Marco Lucido, Workplace Law: A look at arbitration agreements
Arbitration is a private alternative to court that provides the parties with a legally binding...
4 ways to relaunch your finances in 2026
You can use past actions to inform and improve your financial situation going forward.
Steven Merrell, Financial Planning: Find Your why
Understanding our why matters in the more ordinary—and often more persistent—challenges of daily life. Consider...
What’s a ‘good enough’ financial plan?
What strategies should you employ? And what should you stop doing?
Montage Health, Anthem avoid service disruption with new contract
The agreement provides Anthem health plan members with continued in-network access to care at Community...
Barry Dolowich, Tax Tips: Deduction for sales taxes
Sales tax was a deduction until the 1986 Tax Reform Act “simplified” the tax system.
Kaiser workers strike again in Bay Area, with no end in sight
Kaiser health professionals took to picket lines again Monday for an open-ended strike.
Watch: Investigators say deadly midair collision near DC followed years of ignored warnings about traffic
A daylong hearing is underway over the midair aircraft collision that killed 67.
How to open a savings account for a baby or child
Opening a savings account for a child is similar to opening one for an adult.
Helen Dennis, Successful Aging: Leaving legacy that’s more than financial
Q: I have been thinking about the concept of legacy over the past few years...
Kindness at work can mean giving honest feedback, limiting meetings and bending rules
The skill sometimes falls by the wayside in work settings.
What is a cashier’s check? Definitions, uses, how to buy one, cost and alternatives
A cashier’s check provides security that personal checks can’t match.
Trump administration invests in another US rare earth miner to loosen China’s grip on supply
China processes more than 90% of the world’s critical minerals and has used its dominance...
At end of 2025, Monterey County median home price at $900K mark
“What most experts agree on is that we are not going to see the record...
How to prepare for the ‘Great Wealth Transfer’
If you’re inheriting wealth, you’ll have choices to make.
In the case of the Federal Reserve, Supreme Court appears to carve out a murky exception
The court has signaled for months that it sees the Fed in a different light.
Americans split on using AI for personal finances
In general, AI can be a useful starting point to ask general purpose questions.