Guest commentary: The myth surrounding the digital natives
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Gerhard Apfelthaler In recent years, millennials and GenZ-ers have often been referred to as “digital natives” — a whole generation of people who excel in their command of computers, iPhones, digital platforms, media, and tools. Indeed, in an era where smartphones are ubiquitous and social media platforms dominate daily interactions, it is easy to assume that today’s youth are inherently tech-savvy. Read More →
Guest commentary: Sky-high consumer confidence is not a good omen for stocks
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy John Grace Consumer confidence is higher than ever, which is not good news for stocks. Higher consumer confidence is often a contrarian indicator. When consumers are as confident as they indicate today, “they may have already maxed out their discretionary expenditures like trading up homes, furnishings, and cars, etc.” says Harry Dent, an American Read More →
Guest commentary: With Ventura County budgets looming, nonprofits will play a more critical role
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Heidi Allison The County of Ventura recently announced its Fentanyl is Forever awareness campaign, releasing a series of pretty staggering stats related to the increase of Fentanyl found on our Ventura County streets. According to the county, there is five times the amount of Fentanyl found on the streets from just five years ago. Read More →
Guest commentary: Too much fruitcaking could lead to a terrible networking experience for all
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Gerhard Apfelthaler and Kelly Kimball The Christmas season is upon us, and with that the eternal challenge of selecting, giving, and receiving gifts. Some of you might remember — or still practice — the tradition of gifting fruitcakes. The Christmas tradition of gifting fruitcakes — dense cakes containing nuts, dried fruits, and spices — is a Read More →
Guest commentary: Don’t rush open enrollment
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Dr. Micah Dickey Are you spending 30 minutes or less choosing your healthcare plan? You might be missing out on significant savings and better coverage. Although the annual selection of a healthcare plan may seem daunting, it is imperative to reassess your coverage each year rather than automatically renewing your existing plan. Whether you Read More →
Guest commentary: Navigating the recent surge in refinance activity
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Sergio Gonzalez Recently, the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates for the first time since March 2020, has sparked a surge in refinance activity, which should come as no surprise to those who track market trends. When rates drop, homeowners naturally begin to consider refinancing their mortgages to secure a lower rate, reduce monthly payments, or even Read More →
Relying on hope is not a strategy for continued success
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Gerhard Apfelthaler Few phrases are as iconic, cautionary, and maybe overused as “hope is not a strategy.” Popularized by a book published in 2003, it is a reminder that while optimism is important, success ultimately hinges on other things — understanding your environment, setting your goals, charting a course, and then executing, executing, executing. Too Read More →
