Elderly and cash-strapped, a couple consider a proposal to sell their home to neighbors
Another alternative to consider is a reverse mortgage, which could allow you to tap your...
Economy
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San Diego added 1,200 jobs in December. These were the top industries
The San Diego County unemployment rate fell to one of its lowest levels of the...
5 economic forces that could shape the first year of Trump’s presidency
The Republican has promised strong growth, high tariffs, income tax cuts and booming oilfields.
US economic losses from natural disasters soared in 2024, even as they eased globally
The hurricanes, deadly floods in Spain and other natural disasters drove worldwide economic losses to...
As elite Davos event ends, some hail ‘constructive optimism’ despite divisions, suffering in world
The World Economic Forum's annual gathering has ended with many elites casting an upbeat tone
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Should MTS delay or cancel plans to improve trolley service?
The Metropolitan Transit System is considering cutting a service upgrade.
Can my HOA board extend its own terms?
Boards cannot normally amend bylaws without a membership vote, but sometimes HOA boards will slightly...
Want a job at a college or university? This free job site can connect you with all kinds of positions
Whether you’re a teacher, custodian or a parking administrator, a site called HigherEdJobs might have...
Deciding when it’s the right time to move on
Knowing who you are is essential to knowing what you want. And knowing what you...
Why do people talk to themselves in the third person?
Sometimes working through a problem by talking to yourself is a good way to find...
When receipts of home renovations are lost, is the tax break gone, too?
At a minimum, prepare a list from memory of the improvements you made, including the...
San Diego economic roundtable points to ‘uncertainty’ with Trump, local housing woes
Panelists on the annual San Diego County Economic Roundtable say the economic future is unclear...
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Will California insurance reforms be enough to stop insurers from leaving?
California officials say new regulations will keep homeowners insured. Others aren't so sure.
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‘It only takes one.’ Flush with cash, IQHQ bullish on life science hub on San Diego Bay
Life science real estate developer IQHQ ended 2024 with $900 million more in the bank...
How HOAs and members can deal with a disaster
Here's a checklist of actions and tips to consider.
12 fast-paying side hustles for quick cash
These are side gig sites that pay you within 24 hours of completing a job.
It’s the employer’s duty to prevent heat illness
All outdoor workplaces are covered by heat illness prevention regulations. Certain industries, including agriculture, construction...
Why entrepreneurs need to focus on gratitude when negotiating a deal
Each side has to “need” each other in some way – and to acknowledge that...
Health savings accounts offer a rare triple tax break. Here’s what to know
Contributions to HSAs are pre-tax, the money grows tax deferred and qualifying medical expenses can...
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Eggs are scarce. Prices are up. This family egg farm is the new hot spot.
Amid an avian flu outbreak that has hit California hard, San Diegans are turning to...
Will the domestic box office ever return to its pre-pandemic level of revenue?
All but one movie in the top 10 wasn't a sequel, "Wicked."
Soaring electricity bills could hobble California’s green energy push, report says
Soaring monthly electric bill could hobble California's quest for a clean power future, a new...
How consent calendars streamline your HOA meetings
The whole point of the consent calendar is to eliminate unnecessary discussions.
Profit from your own after-Christmas sale
By clearing out closets, you not only create inventory for sale, you free up storage...
Where remote work falls short in ‘soft skills’
Put down your phone and start talking face-to-face with colleagues, friends, family and your children...
Why I am passing on personal resolutions for 2025 — and why you might want to do the same
My goal for 2025 is not to change the world, but to be a better...
Unemployed, but the nest egg is large. Is it unethical to get public assistance?
There’s no reason to pass up the tax credits that help reduce the cost of...
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San Diego in 2025: Experts predict rising home prices, higher unemployment and more
The San Diego Union-Tribune Econometer panel of business leaders and economists makes its predictions for...
Avoid these workplace mistakes in the new year
What to know about California laws on independent contractors, unused vacation time, employment agreements and...
Proprietary investment funds might offer a personal touch, but they come with an important catch
Proprietary mutual funds have enough potential disadvantages that people should do plenty of research before...
The smaller the Southern California paycheck, the bigger the raise
9.9 million workers collectively saw annualized earnings rise 3.6% increase to an average $75,600 annual...
Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers?
Tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled...
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California has 15 of 25 priciest places to live in US
No. 1 San Francisco costs 18.2% more than typical US metro. No. 2 LA-OC is...
California shoppers remain antsy about Trump economy
California consumer confidence fell 1% in December after a 10% dive in November following Republican...
‘Twas the night before the HOA’s Christmas
Here's a twist on a holiday classic for HOA members and professionals.
California No. 1 for crazy, pretentious residents, poll says
California's overall ranking was the fourth-naughtiest state, according to Clever Real Estate.
When bragging about your job helps keep it
Never depend on your boss to remember all the wonderful things you’ve done over the...
Is it OK to have an out-of-state bank for our HOA?
If your HOA confirms that the manager’s bank has no presence in California, then the...
Is your microtask a scam or legit?
For side gigs, these microtask scams often appear nearly identical to legitimate opportunities offered by...
A husband handles the investing. What happens when he’s gone?
Talk to your spouse about what happens to the finances should he die or become...
San Diego jobless rate fell as holiday hiring picked up
The unemployment rate in San Diego County was 4.6% in November.
Is California living worth the costs and taxes?
California pay, minus the elevated cost of living and taxes, ranks a middling 26th best...
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To meet budget shortfalls, should San Diego increase parking costs?
San Diego's independent budget analyst has endorsed an idea to raise parking costs
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Where is California’s cheapest place to live?
California's bargain – the Central Valley's Hanford – is still more expensive than 295 metropolitan...
Can HOA boards meet in secret?
HOA boards refusing to comply with the Open Meeting Act risk their decisions being legally...
Significant workplace law developments in the past year
Changes in California included "hours worked" definitions, workplace violence prevention plans and rules governing mandated...
The new roof is done. Now, what’s the smart way to pay for it?
Should you pay off the balance or make the monthly payments?
Making six figures with Poshmark
With seller-friendly rules and easy social media integration, Poshmark has managed to differentiate itself from...
California vs. Trump: How will the economic sequel go?
My trusty spreadsheet looked back to 2017, when Trump first entered the White House.
California issues landmark rules to improve home insurance market
Insurers will now be able to set rates by drawing on a wide swath of...
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San Diegans’ personal income grew at more than double the national rate last year
The personal income of San Diego County residents rose 5% in 2023.
Is the U.S. dollar in danger of being replaced as the world’s reserve currency?
There is increased pressure from several nations to replace the U.S. dollar as the world's...
California home-repair costs jump 40% in 5 years
Recent construction price hikes follow a mere 16% jump in the previous five years.
Your HOA: Who is responsible for preventing termite damage?
Sometimes the developer’s original CC&Rs do not adequately enable the HOA to deal with the...
California has 10 of nation’s largest economies by county
The nation's most prolific county for business, by GDP math, was Los Angeles.
Got an hour? Here are 8 quick-hit side gigs that take 60 minutes or less and pay generously
Options range from tutoring to taking care of pets; delivery to coaching; voiceovers to serving...
When it comes to hybrid work, know all your options
If you’re determined to work hybrid, you should probably decline any job that requires only...
Navigating the maze of government assistance for an adult child
Check the WIC program and also make sure your daughter has insurance coverage. Under the...
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Is a California EV rebate the answer if federal support ends?
California had a rebate for zero-emissions vehicles from 2010 to 2023, but it could revive...
Is Southern California hiring 50% slower than we thought?
The freshest figures suggest 45,700 fewer workers were added in the 5-county region during the...
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San Diego County’s GDP up to $261.7 billion — bigger than half of U.S. states
San Diego County's GDP increased 1.4%, following big gains the previous years
Can HOA use email to connect with out-of-country owner for regular correspondence?
If the owner provides their email address to the HOA and indicates they prefer that...
Want to earn money testing products or answering surveys?
Curion Insights offers product testing and research gigs and promises pay that averages $50 per...
New employer restriction on requiring driver’s license
Starting next year, California employers with five or more employees will be prohibited from stating...
Why you might want to consider a sabbatical — or not
There's a chance you won't come back to work or your employer won't want you...
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With Trump promising tariffs, it might make sense to shop for new appliances now
If you’re planning to update anyway, however, doing so sooner rather than later may save...
Which US industries bet big on noncitizen workers?
There were 14.7 million "noncitizen" US workers in 2022, authorized or not. That's 9% of...
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Looking for work around the holidays? Here’s who is hiring, but jobs might be harder to get
San Diego employers added seasonal jobs, but that growth has not, so far, been strong...
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Is San Diego on the right track with its plans to preserve subsidized housing?
The law could be used to save subsidized housing from being torn down and turned...
California consumer confidence tumbles after Trump’s election
Statewide optimism off 12% in a month, by this polling, the biggest tumble since May...
Temecula’s wine country hits baby boomer skid as more vineyard owners opt to sell
Retirement and rising debt are putting the region's winemaking economy at risk.
HOA’s required reserve funding: What are the rules? Can we fund with transfer fees?
Is there a standard in California law for a minimum percentage of projected reserves?
Where are California’s cheapest Thanksgiving meals?
The average California tab for six is $138.95 vs. $129.78 elsewhere.
Does using AI to talk to your employees work?
Bosses who use AI to be more efficient and save time in communications in many...
Arguing politics has no place in workplace
We all need to leave our personal beliefs at home and work diligently to get along...
Holiday jobs you can start tomorrow
These are gigs that people just like you would want someone else to do for...
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A husband is deported, leaving his American wife with questions about tax filings
You have two options for filing taxes when you’re married: jointly and separately.
Oceanside Starbucks votes to unionize, becoming fourth union shop in San Diego County
The Oceanside store joins unionized Starbucks locations in National City, Encinitas and Hillcrest.
Econometer: What are you thankful for about the economy?
Union-Tribune’s panel of economists and business leaders say they are grateful for lowered inflation, a...
SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who led US crackdown on cryptocurrencies, to step down
President-elect Trump had promised during his campaign that he would remove Gensler.
US applications for jobless benefits fall to 213,000, remaining near 7-month lows
The reported number is fewer than analysts forecast.
San Diego County wages are flat year-over-year
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows wages only slightly up in last...
Can an HOA board remove a phantom director?
Sometimes bylaws will have a provision. Otherwise, the only way to remove an eligible director is...
How does being a second choice affect your sense of belonging at work?
It can either motivate you to excellence or you can fade, fold and leave the...
What Trump’s election means to California employers
California has enacted more protective laws that will take precedence over federal policy. But expect...
RedBubble vs. FineArtAmerica: Which is Best?
As print-on-demand has become more popular as a semi-passive-income side hustle, more companies have sprung...
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Rolling over a 401(k) account after starting a new job — at age 73
The answer to this question gets a little tricky. A tax pro can help with...
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From the sewage crisis to military money, what will Trump’s return mean locally?
It’s too early to know for certain, but based on his campaign promises and his...
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San Diego added 12,200 new jobs last month. Here are the sectors growing the most
The unemployment rate in San Diego County was 4.7% in October.
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Could Tijuana and San Diego’s cross-border economy benefit from a second Trump term?
Tijuana has benefited from increased outsourcing, but it is unclear how it will play out...
California ranks 30th for business climate. What state is No. 1?
California got a below-average No. 30 ranking among the states when my trusty spreadsheet looked...
What happens if your HOA fails on first attempt to meet quorum required by the bylaws?
A new law in effect this year allows reduction of HOA member quorum if the...
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American Freight closing, shuts all 15 California furniture stores
Liquidator Hilco Consumer-Retail announced the shuttering of 328 locations nationwide and the start of store-closing...
Where and how to post when you’re a serious pro
Anyone who’s in the job market, currently working or not, needs to have positive visibility...
Gilding your golden years with a side gig
Adding a side job during your retirement years is increasingly easy, and it yields substantial...
So you want to own a fishing lodge …
Here's one entrepreneur's journey to reaching his dream.
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Homeownership can be a joy. It’s also full of complicated financial decisions
You don’t have to discount the costs of home improvements, but you also don’t get...
San Diego CVS pharmacy workers ratify new union contract
There are roughly 900 union CVS workers in San Diego County across 56 stores
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Downtown office tower sold to buyer planning to convert vacant floors into residential units
After getting a deal, Encinitas-based Ambient Communities intends to redo the vacant floors at 530...
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Should San Diego spend millions to lure big sports events?
A nonprofit San Diego organization is asking for a $2.2 million initial investment for sports...