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10 small things you do that people use to judge your personality

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woman drinking

Psychologists call it the "spotlight effect": People generally don't pay nearly as much attention to you as you think they do.

Phew.

But when they are motivated to pay attention, they really pay attention. Not just to your outfit and your haircut, but to seemingly trivial things, like your handwriting and how fast you walk.

That's according to the dozens of people who posted responses to a question on Quora, "What are the really small things that tell a lot about a person's psychology and personality?"

We checked out the thread and highlighted some of the most surprising ways people may judge you, whether you're on a first date or a job interview.

Our goal here isn't to make you feel self-conscious — rather, we hope to empower you by giving you insight into what behaviors people are really looking at. And of course, it's up to you to determine whether their conclusions about what those behaviors mean are bogus.

1. Your handshake

Several Quora users admitted they judge people based on their handshake.

"Strong handshakes usually reflect a strong and confident character, whereas weak handshakes usually indicate a lack of confidence and are almost always a characteristic of people who would look for an easy way to do things," writes Julian Parge.

Research backs up the idea that your handshake can reveal certain aspects of your personality, but doesn't quite agree with Parge. One study found that people with firm handshakes were more likely to be extroverted and emotionally expressive and less likely to be shy and neurotic.

2. Whether you show up on time

Late for a very important date? The person who's waiting may be forming a negative impression of your personality.

"A proactive person will be there on time, because he is self-motivated, mentally organized, and values time whereas a procrastinator will be running here and there at the last hour," says Humaira Siddiqui

According to science, those who are chronically late aren't necessarily inconsiderate people — but they're probably more laid-back, "Type B" individuals.

3. How you treat restaurant staff

Multiple users said they pay close attention to how other people interact with waiters. 

"I will never, EVER date a man who is rude to restaurant staff," says Sati Marie Frost.

Even top execs say you can learn a lot about someone based on the way he or she treats waiters, hotel maids, and security guards. Ron Shaich, CEO of Panera Bread, told USA Today he once declined to give someone a job partly because she was nice to him but rude to someone cleaning the tables nearby.

4. Where you look when you drink out of a cup

Writes David Junto: "A person that looks into the cup when drinking tends to be more introspective, self-aware, idealistic, and focused. A person who looks over the rim of the cup when drinking tends to be more influenced by others, more environmentally aware, carefree, extroverted, and trusting. A person who closes their eyes when they drink is in some sort of pain or discomfort and is preoccupied with pleasure and relief."

And let's not even get started on what people think your drink choice signifies.

biting nails

5. Whether you bite your nails

Sushrut Munje has strong views on people with bitten nails, saying that it's a sign "the person eats away at himself."

Meanwhile, research suggests that those who bite their nails (or pull their hair, or pick their skin) tend to be perfectionists, unable to fully relax.

6. Your handwriting

Whether you're writing a to-do list or a love note, your handwriting can say a lot about you.

Ramesh Nagaraj believes that "people who put a lot of pressure on pen and paper to write something are usually stubborn in attitude. They have a lot of confidence."

Professional graphologist Kathi McKnight says large letters indicate that you're people-oriented, while small letters suggest you're introverted. Letters that slant to the right can mean you're friendly and sentimental; those that don't slant at all might mean you're pragmatic; letters that slant to the left suggest you're introspective.

7. How often you check your phone

An anonymous Quora user writes about noticing "where and when [people] pull their phones out (waiting in a short line, talking to their parents, being out with friends, when they're alone in public)."

As for what it might mean if you're constantly refreshing your email or Facebook feed, one study found you may be less emotionally stable and trying to boost your mood.

8. Whether you make eye contact

Munje says a limp handshake and a lack of steady eye contact "shows lack of self-control, required drive to follow through, and a weak will."

Alternatively, psychologist Adrian Furnham, Ph.D., writes in Psychology Today that extroverts tend to look more often and for longer at their conversation partners than introverts do. And in general, people who look at their partners more often are more confident and socially dominant.

driving

9. How you drive

Michael Price pays special attention to people's driving styles, in particular "how courteous they are towards other drivers."

Interestingly, one study found that men who engaged in risky driving behaviors tended to be impulsive sensation-seekers and relatively aggressive and hostile; women in this category were more neurotic and anxious.

On the other hand, careful drivers of both genders tended to score low on measures of impulsive sensation-seeking and aggression and hostility.

10. How quickly or slowly you walk

"People who patter by quickly are usually more high strung," writes Leena Pathma.

Research has found that people generally agree with this assumption, associating looser walks with extroversion and adventurousness and clipped gaits with neuroticism. Yet these perceptions don't usually line up with how the walkers see themselves.

 

 

SEE ALSO: Science says people decide these 13 things within seconds of meeting you

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: These aspects of your handwriting reveal a lot about your personality


The history of coffee shows people have been arguing about the drink for over 500 years

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coffee

Caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug (you can thank globalization and rough Monday mornings for that).

But before we had a Starbucks on every other block, the drink endured years of prohibition and reinstatements, picking up plenty of advocates and critics throughout its existence.  

In his recently published book, Innovation and Its Enemies, Harvard University professor Calestous Juma highlights the some of the early difficulties that the drink faced when early coffee shops opened. Here are a few of them.

SEE ALSO: The founder of Bulletproof Coffee plans to live to be 180 years old — here’s his daily routine

Coffee started out in Ethiopia, then spread to Yemen and the rest of the Middle East in the 16th century. It was known as "qahwa."

Sufi Muslims started drinking "qahwa" in the early 16th century to stay awake during their evening devotionals. Since both laypeople and clergy were in attendance, Juma writes that people likely brought the drink home to integrate into their daily lives. 

As coffee drinking spread, people started opening "coffee houses," which became centers of interaction for men who didn't have anywhere else to converse about politics and philosophy.

"The preexisting public institutions included the ill-reputed wine tavern; the bathhouse, reserved for the upper classes and lacking in entertainment; and the mosque, which allowed only limited exchanges before and after worship," Juma wrote. "None of the existing social venues at the time allowed for the breadth of social discourse that occurred in the coffeehouses."



But the politically powerful found the drink and the coffee houses that served it threatening.

You might have heard that the French Revolution was planned in coffee houses, where members of the so-called "intelligentsia," the class of political thinkers and polemics, gathered to plot their rebellions.

Coffee houses' potential to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information scared leaders long before the French Revolution. In 1511, Khair Beg, a young governor of Mecca, called for the closure of all coffee houses, fearing they'd be centers of secular uprising. Anyone caught drinking or selling coffee at that time was beaten.



During the 1500s, coffee critics used Muslim drinking laws to defend their claims.

Officials in Cairo, which ruled over Mecca at that time, overturned Khair Beg's coffee ban the same year it was issued. But fear of the coffee houses lingered — some saw them as seedy meeting places, similar to whorehouses. 

In 1535, religious critics pointed to Islam's Hanafi laws, which forbade drunkenness, as a justification to ban coffee again. But whether that concept of "drunkenness" included caffeine jitters depended on which school of Muslim thought you subscribed to at the time.

Two Persian doctors also weighed in on behalf of coffee critics in 1611. Juma writes: 

"The two physicians claimed the beverage was endowed with vile characteristics and said the governor should receive 'great glory and abundant rewards' if he opposed the drink, thus appealing to the governor’s desire for legitimacy and power as a ruler."

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

How to order whiskey like a pro

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So you've decided to drink whiskey. That's good, but it's just a first step.

Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey, Bourbon, or Rye — the options are at once tantalizing and intimidating if you haven't wrapped your mind around the range of flavors and ways whiskey is served. Remember, this is an art hundreds of years in the making.

Business Insider is here to help you do that tradition proud.

We asked Pam Wiznitzer, a mixologist at the award-winning New York City cocktail bar The Dead Rabbit, to walk us through the whiskey decision-making process. Think of this as the adult version of Choose Your Own Adventure — except the end is more rewarding.

"Don't necessarily walk into a bar and slam down the order of whiskey you want and assume they have it," Wiznitzer advised. "Feel free to have a dialogue with your bartender. It's a good conversation."

With every conversation you'll learn a little more, and you'll be talking like an expert in no time.

That is, if you dedicate enough time to it of course.

BI Graphics_How to order whiskey like a pro

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NOW WATCH: Secrets about Jack Daniel’s that you probably don’t know

I've been going to Cape Cod during the summer for 23 years — here are all of the affordable things I tell my friends to do

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cape cod

Vacation isn't cheap — particularly if you're traveling to Cape Cod, a popular East Coast vacation spot that also happens to be one of the most expensive US summer destinations.

But when you're a regular, you eventually find the freebies, bargains, and things worth spending money on.

My family has been going to Cape Cod since 1952, when my great-great-grandmother Lyla Flagler retired in Falmouth. She was the town's oldest citizen when she died at 101, and it was her hope that my family would continue coming out to the Cape.

We've been doing just that, spending summertime in Cotuit, Massachusetts, since before I can remember.

I rounded up 13 affordable places on the Cape that I think are must-see's. While this is far from a comprehensive list, it's a good starting point based on the 23 summers I've spent there.

Spend a summer evening eating Crackerjacks and hot dogs at the ballpark. Cape Cod has a highly competitive collegiate summer league, and games are played nearly every night from June to August. We root for the Cotuit Kettleers, but there are nine other teams scattered across the Cape. The best part about summer baseball on the Cape: Admission is free!

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Check out the full 2016 schedule.



Stop by the legendary Four Seas Ice Cream in Centerville for a pint of ice cream (by far the best deal at only $5!) and side of the rich hot fudge. It's a cash-only joint, but there's an ATM in the parking lot. If that doesn't satisfy your sweet tooth, head over to the 1856 Country Store, a penny candy spot right around the corner.

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Check out the full list of Four Seas flavors (I recommend peppermint stick).



Take a day trip to Provincetown, a town at the very tip of Cape Cod. The water is gorgeous, the narrow, cobble-stoned streets are lively, and restaurant options are endless. If you're up for an adventure, you can always catch a whale watching boat and spend a few hours scouring the sea for marine life.

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Learn more about whale watching in Provincetown here and here.



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Google reveals what people really think about weed

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weed marijuana

Americans are searching for weed more than ever, according to Google trends.

What are they searching for, when, and where? Let’s find out.

SEE ALSO: Americans have radically changed the views on weed in the past 25 years

DON'T MISS: Google reveals the biggest stars on 'Game of Thrones'

Interest in cannabis is rising in the US (note: we’re looking at all weed-related searches here, as grouped by Google machine learning).



Interest is highest in Colorado, Washington, Maine, Michigan, and Alaska. It’s lowest in Utah.



Not California? If you go to the metro level, Eureka, Calif. comes out far on top, with Chico-Redding, Calif. in fourth. (Roanoke-Lynchburg, Va. is last).



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

An architecture expert reveals 20 of the ugliest McMansions in America

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Fairfax Co, VA

The American McMansion is officially a dying breed of architectural design, which is good news for those who consider the unnecessarily massive, and disproportionate homes an eyesore.

The blog Worst of McMansions, also known as McMansion Hell by its URL, has taken on the daunting task of chronicling these monstrosities and helping the general public understand exactly what makes these homes so hidious.

The anonymous author, who simply goes by "Kate," studied architectural acoustics and has been writing about architecture for six years. We've asked "Kate" to gather what she considers to be the ugliest McMansions built in the last five years. Below is her list, accompanied by her own commentary in quotes.

20. Loudoun Co, VA

"Huzzah! Money can actually buy taste! Loudoun County, the wealthiest county in the country, is at the very bottom of the Top 20 List, with this cheap, remarkably boring tract home."



19. Hunterdon Co, NJ

"Another tract house hub, as evidenced by this dated, low-budget estate."



18. Prince William Co, VA

"Tract house or cult compound? You decide!"



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Apple's CEO has already invested in a startup's idea to revolutionize showers

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$400 is a lot of money to drop on a shower, but the Nebia isn't just any shower.

The unique shower system uses atomizing technology, originally developed for jet engines, to turn water into a fine mist. The shower wets more thoroughly and in a larger area, while using 70% less water than a typical shower. Nebia's been turning heads too.

It raised $3 million on Kickstarter, and Apple CEO Tim Cook is among its investors.

Follow Tech Insider: On Facebook

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16 daily habits that are easy to practice and can significantly improve your life

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Selfie Mirror

Want to pick up some good habits? The best approach is to start small.

In the Quora thread "What are some good 'mini habits' to practice each day?" readers shared the simple habits you should follow every day to become a happier, healthier, or more productive person.

The best part is, each one takes only about five minutes to complete.

Here are some of our favorites:

1. Brush your teeth and floss

Brushing and flossing your teeth not only prevents gingivitis and tooth decay, but it can also save your life.

The American Dental Association recommends you brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day. If you don't, you could be putting yourself at greater risk for developing dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer, among other things. 

Pankesh Bamotra

2. Smile at yourself in the mirror

Just after you brush your teeth, look at yourself in the mirror and smile, holding the smile for 10 seconds. Dr. Robert Zajonc, a famous psychologist, believed facial action leads to changes in mood, and in a 1989 study he found that participants who watched themselves smile in a mirror experienced a greater boost in mood than those who simply smiled.

Nistha Tripathi

3. Write down the day's most important task

Also known as "eating the frog," decide on the one task you must perform that day to be successful and do it first thing when you get to work. 

Patrick Mathieson

4. Make your bed

Starting your day by finishing something and doing it well provides a small self-esteem boost early on. And when you come home tired from a long day at work, there will be nothing between you and a good night's sleep.

Rizwan Aseem

5. Meditate

Meditation only takes a few minutes every day, but it can bring many benefits like a decreased risk of mental illness and brain degeneration, increased serotonin production, lower blood pressure, and decreased anxiety.

Joshua Raichur

If you have no clue how to meditate, try simply sitting in a quiet place and counting your breaths. Your focus should be on your breath and not your thoughts. Restart counting as soon as your mind distracts you and you find yourself thinking of something else. 

Nistha Tripathi

6. Remind yourself how lucky you are

My days go so much smoother when I remind myself: "dude, you could just as easily have been born in a Sudanese refugee camp. You're one lucky mo-fo."

Patrick Mathieson

7. Listen to a podcast

There are plenty of five-minute podcasts out there, and if you can't sit and read a book, they can be a great way to learn while doing brainless work.

Saranya Krishnamurthy

8. Dress slightly better than the occasion calls for

If everyone at work wears casual clothes, wear casual clothes with a sports jacket — it's easy to do, you'll stand out from the herd in a positive way, and important people will take notice.

Rizwan Aseem

9. Become uncomfortable at least once a day

Summon the courage to do something that makes you anxious, like speaking up during a work conference call or saying hi to someone new. As self-improvement coach George Addair once said, "Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear." —Patrick Mathieson

10. Deal with clutter

As soon as you're done using something, put it back where it belongs. This will help you drastically cut back on the clutter in your life and save you the time you would otherwise waste looking for something.

And before you go to bed, pick up the clutter left around one space at a time. This could help you have a cleaner mind, have clearer thinking, and focus on things that you really want to achieve. 

Rizwan Aseem

11. Try something new

Be it taking a different route to work, talking to a new person, or experimenting with something you haven't before, don't let your curiosity and awe die in the daily grind. 

Nistha Tripathi

12. Write

Writing every day can help you keep track of your progress, feel good, and stay motivated to make even more progress.

Saranya Krishnamurthy

13. Walk more

Walk to work if you can, take the stairs, walk around the office when you're stuck on a problem, get outside and walk during lunch, and walk home again. The exercise isn't just good for your body, it can also boost your energy levels, creativity, and mood, too.

—aggregated from multiple Quora users

14. Create passwords that inspire

Whether your employer requires you to frequently change your passwords or not, you might consider getting into the habit of changing your passwords each month to include your aspirational goals.

If you had to type "Facetime2mom@sunday" every time you logged in to your computer or email, you might just have a better relationship with your mom.

Mauricio Estrella

15. Say 'no'

It's a moment on the lips, but saying "no" can save you so much more time than that.

If you do not want to do it, do not have enough time to do it, see no benefit in doing it, just say, "No." Refusing other people's unreasonable requests may seem lazy, but it is absolutely the smartest way to manage your time and will free up the needed space for you to accomplish your personal goals.

James L Moyer

16. Express gratitude

It sounds trite, hackneyed, and overly simple, but you would be amazed at the effects of a daily gratitude practice. It can be as simple as waking up and writing down three things you are grateful for. This is how I started, but as I practiced more and more, it became more like a habit. When I get impatient in lines or waiting, I take a deep breath, think of something I'm grateful for, and focus on that.

The big picture is to change your life from not having what you want to the opposite of being grateful for what you have and ultimately wanting what you have (rather than wanting what you don't have). It seems like everyone runs around seeing the deficiencies, short comings, losses, how much money they're not making, how they're not succeeding in their lives.

But when you start to be grateful for everything in your life, you align your life with thoughts of abundance and more comes your way. It starts small at first, then you just start noticing you're a little more patient, a little more energized, a little happier, and then good things start happening in your life.

Evan Asano

Responses have been edited for clarity.

SEE ALSO: 11 daily questions that could improve your life forever

DON'T MISS: 15 things that may be hard to do, but could change your life forever

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The key to making new habits stick


This photographer who's been photographing celebrities for 25 years explains why Ralph Lauren is the nicest one of all

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LaurenStiller

Photographer Miles Ladin has been photographing celebrities and high-profile socialites at lavish parties and galas for over 25 years.

In a recent interview with Business Insider Ladin revealed that at most events, he feels invisible. "For the most part, celebrities and socialites ignored me at the functions I was hired to document. To a certain extent they thought of me as the hired help," he said.

He also pointed out that today's parties have a higher level of "narcissism" than the ones he was photographing in the early '90s.

However, there's one major, well-known, fashion mogal that made a lasting impression on Ladin due to his genuine kindness: Ralph Lauren.

"The only celebrity I can recall being gracious and interacting with me in a meaningful manner was Ralph Lauren," he told Business Insider.

Ladin first met Lauren while photographing the CFDA awards in 1995. "I took a photo of him and his wife Ricky during the cocktail hour. Ralph asked my name and who I was shooting for, and he then extended his hand, looked me in the eye, and gave me the warmest of handshakes," said Ladin.

"This struck me as extremely generous, especially compared to other fashion notables who all but ignored me. Ralph is a true mensch besides being an American Original," he said.    

SEE ALSO: The fabulous life of legendary fashion billionaire Ralph Lauren

Join the conversation about this story »

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A microbiologist reveals why most probiotics are a sham

The biggest meat processor in the US is investing in a startup that makes fake meat

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beyond meat

Tyson Foods, the biggest meat processor in the US, is throwing its support behind a company that aims to make veggie burgers indistinguishable from real beef.

The parent company behind Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, and Ball Park Franks announced Monday it's investing an undisclosed amount for a 5% stake in Beyond Meat as part of an effort to take plant-based "meat" mainstream, the New York Times reports.

In May, Beyond Meat made waves when it introduced a plant-based burger that "bleeds" just like real meat. A pulverized beet blend helps the patty's inside stay moist, pink, and juicy — not too dissimilar from cow's meat.

Since launch, the Beyond Burger has expanded distribution from one Whole Foods vendor in Boulder, Colorado, to 35 locations across six more states. It retails for $5.99 per case.

beyond burger beyond meat

The new round of funding from Tyson, an industry leader in chicken, beef, and pork, will provide capital for Beyond Meat to broaden its product portfolio and reach new markets, according to a press release. Beyond Meat has offered meat alternatives like veggie chicken strips and burgers for years now, but the burger has seemed to catch on in the media.

The Beyond Burger looks surprisingly similar to a real beef patty, providing the texture, sizzle, and even the aroma of traditional beef. When it's dressed up with condiments, you could be fooled into thinking the Beyond Burger is real meat.

The burgers are sold in a case alongside other meats at Whole Foods not in the frozen foods section, where Morningstar Farms and other veggie burgers are found.

Tyson foods truck

Tyson joins a long list of backers including Bill Gates, VC fund Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the venture arm of General Mills, and the Humane Society of the United States. Former McDonald's CEO Don Thompson is on the Beyond Meat board of directors, hinting at the company's future ambitions in fast food.

"We're enthusiastic about this investment, which gives us exposure to a fast-growing segment of the protein market," Monica McGurk, executive vice president of strategy and new ventures at Tyson, tells the Times. "It means our desire to offer customers choices and to consider how we can serve an ever-growing and diverse global population."

SEE ALSO: Fast food chains could soon offer veggie burgers that are indistinguishable from beef

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here’s what imitation crab meat is actually made of

These clever photos show how faces change as they age

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Bobby at 6 and 36

Bobby Neel Adams was 36 when he noticed how much he resembled a picture of himself at age 6. He was inspired to create a composite image, splicing a new photo of himself with the image of him as a kid.

This was back in 1989, so he couldn't use modern techniques.

"In the darkroom I sized up both images to the same proportions and made prints," Adams wrote in an email. "Once these photographs were dry I tore the most recent portrait and laid it on top of the school photo, gluing it down the rubber cement."

Adams continued using the same method for dozens of works in his "Age Map" series. Since then, he has explored other strange techniques, including splicing photos of couples and family members and, most recently, posing dead creatures in beautifully haunting scenes (currently showing in Brooklyn).

Adams shared a set from "Age Maps" below.

SEE ALSO: 10 photo visualizations that reveal hidden worlds

DON'T MISS: Here's how people judge you based on your face

Lorna at 7 and 25



Sally at 14 and 62



Chris at 12 and 45



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 signs you can afford to move to New York City — even if it doesn't feel like it

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new york city

Moving to New York City will cost you.

Living in the city comes with a notoriously high cost of living, with rent prices sitting well above the national average. The average one bedroom will run you $3,200 per month compared with just $1,158 a month in the US overall. Not to mention that even for the elevated price, apartments in the big city tend to be much smaller than the rest of the country. 

And while it can be affordable, not everyone can make the jump.

So how can you tell if you can actually afford to pack up and head to the big city without going bankrupt?

"It’s mostly your priorities," Mary Beth Storjohann, a certified financial planner and CEO and founder of Workable Wealth, told Business Insider.

Being able to afford living in New York comes down to how you spend your money, not necessarily how much you have. Even if it doesn't feel like it, you may be able to swing it in New York City if that's the city of your dreams.

Read on for nine signs that your finances are up to the challenge. After all, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.

You have a budget ...

You've taken a hard, detailed look at your finances and know exactly where your money is going. New York boasts a notoriously high cost of living, and it's critical to understand exactly what you can afford to do and where you need to cut back.

"You need to know what [it's] going to take and if there's a gap, you need to know how you're going to close it," Alan Moore, a certified financial planner and cofounder of XY Planning Network, told Business Insider.

Storjohann suggests building out your "big city budget" first thing if you're considering a move. "You want to figure out what's your rent, what are your expenses, what do you need to get by," she explains. "And then factor in some savings, retirement, and your emergency fund as well. That's where you want to aim your salary."

In addition to laying out a budget, decide if your current job can support the lifestyle you want. Is it time to look for a new job, or move into a new industry? Are there other ways you can supplement your income to reach the number you want?

... and you actually stick to it.

Creating a detailed budget means absolutely nothing if you don't follow it.

"You can do it all, but you don't do it all at once," Storjohann says. "You have to be aware that you're going to have to make some sacrifices and then actually make them, as opposed to getting there and thinking, ‘I have seven weddings to go to this year, let me put all those flights on my credit card.'"

Be honest: Once you figure out where you're willing to sacrifice, will you hold yourself accountable? If the answer is no, you might want to head back to the drawing board.

You've factored in the little things.

The cost of moving is always more than just rent plus living expenses. Are you going to hire movers or do everything yourself? Do you need to ship your car or will you drive it? How will your taxes look different in a new state?

"Be very diligent into how much taxes are going to be," Moore says. "It makes a huge difference. Those numbers tend to add up. We do that math in our head, but when we put it into an Excel doc, it starts to feel real."

Be sure to crunch every little number, from packing tape for your moving boxes to the cost of gas for a cross-country drive, and see how it changes your budget. To understand how your taxes will be affected, Moore recommends the IRS Withholding Calculator.

Park Slope Brooklyn

You're on track to pay back any debt.

Having student loans or credit card debt doesn't mean you can't afford an expensive city — but it's important to remember that those debts won't go away when your cost of living goes up. You should have a plan to tackle those bills within the constraints of a new budget.

"Things like your cell phone bill, your student loans, your credit card bill, those aren't going to go away, " Storjohann warns.

But don't be put off. "As long as you can save and you have something saved up, you're good to go," she says. "It's just knowing your priorities. I'm not going to tell you to get out of debt before you move. If you're still paying off your bills and doing those things, then don't put your life on hold."

You have a solid job.

Moving to New York without a plan or a job might seem romantic in theory, but it can be debilitating in practice. According to Storjohann, your income should be the first and biggest thing to consider when deciding if you can afford to move or not.

"Consider the income that you're bringing in and if you're going to maintain that job when you move," she says. "Or if you're looking for a new job, what that number will be." She continues: "You want to look at what your income's going to be and how your salary will translate in terms of what it will cost you to pay rent, utilities, bills, to live."

If you have a steady source of income and can handle all your bills while still paying down debt and putting money into savings each month, you're in a good place to consider making the leap.

You're okay living with roommates

Rent is the largest factor that makes New York expensive, so the West Village studio of your dreams might need to become a walk-up in Brooklyn with three roommates.

"Get a roommate, put four people in a one-bedroom apartment, I've seen it done," Moore says. "My mom always said, ‘Think of space creatively.' Just because it's called the living room, doesn't mean you have to put a couch in it."

If you're down to get creative and sacrifice some personal space, you'll be much more likely to find an affordable place to live.

Photographer

You have a side hustle.

Do you sell scarves on Etsy in your free time? Are you an SAT tutor on the side? Finding ways to bring in extra income creates a financial cushion that can help fill in any gaps.

"It's never been easier to earn extra money, but it does take some effort on your part to learn what that's going to be," Moore says. "Whatever it is, you need to know what you're going to be doing and make a plan."

You're realistic about your goals.

Grappling with a higher cost of living means making sacrifices. Both Moore and Storjohann advise anyone considering a move to put in a few hours time marinating on their big life goals and prioritizing what they want to happen now and what can wait. Travel, buying a home, and any other big purchases might have to take a backseat to more pressing financial concerns.

"Be honest with yourself about if it's really worth moving there," Moore says. "Sit down and make an actual goals list. What are you trying to accomplish?"

He suggests digging to the root of why you want to move. Is this a permanent change or just for a couple of years? Do you have your eye on New York for a certain job, and could you do that elsewhere?

It's also important to consider what you want to do in New York and what you're willing to skip. "Do you want to have money leftover to spend on dining out and having experiences? Or are you okay to hack your way through the system and do just the free things?" Storjohann asks. "I think the biggest thing is being realistic about what is important to you."

You're willing to adjust your lifestyle.

If you live alone, are you willing to add a few roommates? Are you prepared to cut down on spending? Are you okay with learning to cook instead of eating out every night?

"You're not going to be able to have the same lifestyle that you had in a small city in a big city with your income," Storjohann says.

At the end of the day, affording New York's high cost of living comes down to choosing your priorities. Decide which aspects of your lifestyle are most important, and build your budget out from there.

SEE ALSO: I moved to New York City 2 years ago — here’s what I tell my friends who say they can’t afford to

DON'T MISS: Here’s how I spent a weekend eating and sightseeing in New York City for less than $50

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A trade school in Colorado is training foodies and weed enthusiasts to become pot 'sommeliers'

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marijuana tasting menu

Science tells us that the munchies — a phenomenon in which marijuana users overeat while high — is a real thing. Pizza never tasted so good after a joint.

Now a school in Denver aims to add a touch of class to this stoner tradition.

The Trichome Institute, a marijuana trade school, offers training to become a pot sommelier. Just as a wine sommelier pairs gourmet meals with the perfect whites and reds, a weed steward studies the plant's smell and taste and makes expert food choices to go along with it.

A three-course pairing dinner prepared by one recent graduate might include rib eye steak with chili relleno and Gorilla Glue, a popular marijuana strain that can cause euphoria and "couch lock." Dessert may be a white chocolate crème brûlée served with a side of Blue Dream marijuana.

The experience, which includes a limousine ride to a nearby dispensary, costs $125 a head.

marijuana dinner pairing menu

An untrained nose might think all marijuana smells like roadkill, but the plant's olfactory makeup is complicated. Sticky resin glands that look like crystals hang on the marijuana bud and produce fragrant oils called terpenes. When smoked, these organic compounds bind to receptors in the brain and cause different effects.

Marijuana, like wine, comes in lots of varieties. The terpene content differs from one plant to another. Understanding those differences is the foundation of being a weed sommelier.

chef marijuana kitchen

At the Trichome Institute, students learn to distinguish marijuana plant varieties through a series of lectures and laboratories in which they dissect live cannabis samples. They also discuss what foods might go best with each. At the end, teachers award certifications.

An introductory- and advanced-level course package costs $199.

As the marijuana industry steps out of the shadows, the audience for carefully curated experiences around marijuana and food will likely grow. The weed sommeliers that emerge from the Trichome Institute will be waiting for them in Denver.

SEE ALSO: The 'Apple of vaping' made an e-cigarette for marijuana — here's what it's like

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8 things you should always buy with a credit card

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When to use credit 2016_lead

Credit cards often get a bad rap.

"There isnopositive side to credit card use," personal finance guru Dave Ramsey wrote on his website. He has a good point, as our consumer-driven society makes it incredibly easy to spiral into credit card debt.

However, advantages to credit cards include the purchase and fraud protection they offer, and the fact that using them allows you to build the credit required for major purchases in the future, like a home or car. There are some situations when it's smarter to choose credit over debit — as long as you pay your bills on time, that is.

Now that that's out of the way, use your credit card responsibly for these eight types of purchases:

Kathleen Elkins contributed to an earlier version of this article.

SEE ALSO: 12 sneaky ways online retailers get you to spend more

1. Online purchases

It's better to be overly cautious and use credit over debit — particularly if you're buying from a smaller and less established company.



2. Flights

It's smart to use a credit card with built-in travel protection when buying flights, as you never know when something might come up.



3. Items from small vendors

If you're at a flea market, food festival, or buying from a vendor on the street who accepts cards, err on the side of caution and use credit.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

What it's really like to work as a TSA officer

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TSA students

When Jason Pockett joined the TSA in 2010, he said his intentions weren't wholly altruistic.

"In all honesty, what brought me to the TSA was the health insurance and the pay," Pocket told Business Insider.

"I didn't know what TSA really was other than airport security. But once I got there I realized the importance of the job."

Before joining the US Transportation Safety Administration as a transportation security officer, or TSO, Pockett was a youth pastor at a church. He spent two years working as a TSO in California before joining the TSA Academy team at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia, as a training instructor.

"When I came to TSA, saw what they were about, and realized the importance of what they have to do with protecting the nation — making sure airplanes stay in the air — it clicked with me and it became that career," Pockett said. "It made it so I wanted to be here to ensure the safety of all the traveling public."

In July, Business Insider visited FLETC and spoke with academy instructors and recruits to learn more about what it's really like to join the TSA as an officer, and then we followed up with the agency's head recruiter for more details.

Here's what they told us.

SEE ALSO: 'You're at war': I went inside the new TSA Academy, where officers learn to detect bombs, spot weapons, and find out why failure isn't an option

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Who are the TSA?

Willie Gilbreath, a retired veteran from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and incoming TSO, told Business Insider that his perception of the TSA was pretty vague before joining. "I didn't know a lot about it. Going through the airport, I wasn't really paying attention to those people. I was like everyone else. I wanted to get through as fast as possible.

"But now that I'm into the process and I'm starting to learn some of the procedures and some of the things that we're looking for, I understand why it takes a little bit longer. Now, my perception is, I'd rather take a little bit longer and be safe than to rush through the process and have something go wrong or have something slip through."

Gilbreath said he found his TSO job through a veterans' website. "The job popped up and I said, 'Wow, an opportunity to get a job with the federal government. I better jump on this.'"

Diane Brundidge, the executive director of recruitment and hiring at the TSA, said it's helpful if applicants have done similar work, like security at a non-federalized airport or security work in the government. Many TSOs have law-enforcement, military, or security background, and 17% of TSOs are veterans.

Gilbreath said he's able to apply some of the skills he has as a veteran to the job of a TSO. In the military, he said you learn "the skills to assess a situation and to actually have the discernment to understand a threat. You learn how to actually guard and protect.

"The only thing about this job is you've got to learn how to serve the public, too," he added. "That's the aspect I'm going to have to work on, because in the military it's a little bit different. It's more protection than service. This is service and protection."



Finding the right people

All the incoming TSOs Business Insider spoke with said they had heard about the job through an online job site.

"I always wanted to do something important to me — I always wanted to help someone," said Carmen Guzman, and incoming TSO from Stockton, California. "When I was looking online, I came across TSA. I was pretty curious, so I started looking into more information about that and how they wanted to protect people when they flew."

Internet job listings aren't the only way the TSA recruits.

"We really satisfy ourselves at the length we go to advertise," Brundidge said.

Among other places, the TSA recruits at colleges, universities, military bases, and military-transition assistance programs. It advertises on college listserves and on the side of buses. "We target it to the area that we're in. If we're in Martha's Vineyard, we'll put it on the side of a boat ... We're very astute to what gets attention, and based on the number of applications we receive, we know it's working."

Brundidge said the TSA received more than 200,000 applications in 2015.



Getting the job

"We're hiring constantly," Brundidge said. "There are 100 or so job-opportunity announcements open at any given time, and we always have people in our 'ready pool' ready to hire."

The TSA ramps up its hiring efforts before anticipated surges and converts people from part-time to full-time during busy periods.

From its pool of applications, the TSA will first invite some people to take its computer-based test. Applicants are tested on things such as imaging, color-blindness, and English proficiency.

From there, applicants go through airport assessments, which is sort of like a job interview. That's followed by a medical exam and pre-hire background checks, where the TSA will take fingerprints, perform a criminal background check, and check to see if applicants are on the terrorist watch list, among other things.

If all goes well, applicants then go into the "ready pool," and, once there is a job vacancy, the TSA will present a tentative job offer, where they'll be invited to participate in job training.

The starting salary ranges from about $15 to $22 an hour, and both full-time and part-time employees get benefits.

"I would love to, personally, raise that salary, but that's legislature," Brundidge added.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 things you'll probably regret doing in your 20s

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smile friends talking talk group woman young women together

How do you know if you're taking full advantage of your 20s, making all the right decisions in your personal and professional lives?

Well, you don't. Life is about taking chances and doing your best.

But those who've already been through this critical decade can certainly help point out the landmines. We turned to threads on Quora and Reddit, where users weighed in with their biggest regrets from their 20s.

Here are a few things you might want to avoid:

1. Not exercising

Quora user Carl Logan regrets never working out in his 20s.

"If I [had] hit the gym I probably would've been a lot happier and would've had more success with the opposite sex," he writes.

Even beyond happiness and the ability to attract mates with your six-pack abs, regular exercise in your 20s can help prevent health issues down the line. One recent study found that your fitness level in your 20s may have a major impact on your risk of heart disease and death as you progress toward middle age.

2. Worrying about what other people think

"I wasted a lot of time worrying about what others think — I've learned it rarely matters," Logan says.

In fact, research suggests that people generally overestimate the amount of attention others pay them. It's called the spotlight effect, because people mistakenly believe that they are the center of attention in a room.

If you accept this idea in your 20s instead of later on, you'll have more time to act freely, without fearing that you look like an idiot. Try one of these tips to stop obsessing over other people's impressions of you.

3. Letting your parents' opinions determine your life choices

Riina Rinkineva says she regrets "not standing my ground against my parents for what I wanted for myself in my life and what I didn't want."

It's incredibly important to set some boundaries between you and your folks, so that you have space to figure out what you want personally and professionally.

At the same time, you shouldn't cut yourself off completely from parental support. As psychologist Jeffrey Arnett told Business Insider, parents "often have life experience and wisdom that you haven't acquired yet."

credit card

4. Racking up credit-card debt

Yash Mishra says he regrets getting a credit card and "charging like crazy" in his 20s.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, consider taking a tip from one former Business Insider reporter and going on a cash-only diet, during which you stop using credit and debit cards completely.

5. Getting married too quickly

Before getting married, Diane O'Neil says, "I should have first found out who I was and what I was capable of achieving as an individual; I became someone's wife long before I found out what I wanted to do personally."

Obviously, everyone is different and, for some people, getting hitched before 30 is the perfect choice. In fact, some research suggests that people who marry in their mid to late 20s have happier marriages than those who marry later.

But if you feel like you need more time to explore — by traveling, trying out different careers, and learning what you want in a romantic relationship — you may not want to rush to the altar.

6. Not taking dating and relationships seriously

Over on Reddit, zazzlekdazzle says, "I wish I had been more serious about dating and sex. In my 20s, I just felt like it was wisest to treat dating/sex as casual by default, not looking for love, if love was meant to be it will happen."

Again, there's no one approach to relationships that works for everyone. But it's worth noting that psychologist Meg Jay, author of "The Defining Decade," says she sees many 20-somethings making the same mistake.

As Jay said in her 2013 TED Talk, "Picking your family is about consciously choosing who and what you want rather than just making it work or killing time with whoever happens to be choosing you." She told one 20-something client: "The time to start picking your family is now."

7. Not investing

One of Ramya Sridharan's biggest regrets from her 20s is that she didn't invest in the stock market. As she notes, the earlier you start investing, the higher the returns.

Sridharan is right — the earlier you invest, the more time your money has to accrue interest. It's a principle called "compound interest." That's why you should open a retirement account, such as a company-sponsored 401(k) or an individual retirement account (IRA), as soon as possible.

white beach boracay

8. Not traveling the world

"The biggest regret I have about one decision I made in my 20s is not traveling enough when there were a lot of opportunities," writes Vishnu Prabhu.

Inspired to globe-trot but overwhelmed with all the potential places to visit? We've narrowed it down to 40 trips you should take before you turn 30 — from swimming with jellyfish in Palau to camping out in Nevada for Burning Man.

9. Forgetting to floss

"I have cavities now because I didn't floss daily," says Eurycerus. "Kills me that I could've prevented it. Now I floss daily."

Recently there's been some controversy in the medical community over whether flossing has benefits. Apparently, as Business Insider's Erin Brodwin reported, the effectiveness of flossing has never been studied.

Still, many experts say that not flossing lets plaque build up between teeth and become tartar, a hard deposit that can irritate gums, and can potentially lead to infection and gum disease. Gum disease is also linked to other problems, including diabetes and heart disease — but there's no evidence that one directly causes the other.

10. Never living alone

"I always had a roommate or lived with my fiancé/wife," writes an anonymous Redditor. "I strongly believe I missed out on discovering some level of self sufficiency. ... It's not the [worst] thing in the world, but I feel like it could have contributed to my growth."

Living alone is getting more common. As of 2013, as many as 23% of Americans were doing it, partly thanks to the decline in marriage rates. But there's still a relative paucity of advice for singletons.

Kate Bolick, author of "Spinster," told Business Insider that, if you're living alone, it's important to accept that you'll be lonely at times and there's nothing shameful about it. You'll also want to place special importance on your friendships, which can have a big impact on your health and happiness.

Happy Couple on Date at Restaurant

11. Not mustering the courage to ask someone out

Redditor stardust7 says, "I regret not being more direct when I liked someone. I had no confidence back then."

If you're not quite bold enough to approach the object of your affection in person, be slightly less bold and take these tips from comedian Aziz Ansari on how to text them. Hint: "heyyy" probably won't work.

12. Not relocating for better job opportunities

David McGuirl says he may have sabotaged his career by being afraid of taking a risk:

"In my 20s, I came in second place in a Warner Brothers comedy writing competition, and they encouraged me to move to LA and get an agent. It was encouragement, not a job offer. Taking such a risk scared me because of the uncertainty and the idea of moving to Los Angeles on my own, so I never pursued it."

That said, moving across the country for a new job (or the opportunity to get a new job) is a big deal. If you're thinking about relocating, make sure you can first answer these 15 questions— like whether your salary is adjusted to the cost of living in the new city.

13. Living the way you think a 20-something is supposed to live

Ultimately, the only person who truly knows what would make for a fulfilling decade is, well, you.

"My advice is don't rush to cram stuff into your twenties because you think you should," writes redditor michaelnoir. "Just do what you want, do what feels natural, and take your time with it if need be."

SEE ALSO: 25 changes to make in your 20s to set yourself up for lifelong success

Join the conversation about this story »

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