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Airbnb's new 'Pay Less Up Front' option allows you to spread out the cost of your booking — here's how it works

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airbnb

  • Airbnb has introduced a new payment option called "Pay Less Up Front."
  • It allows guests to pay for part of their trip at the time of booking and the rest closer to the check-in date.
  • To qualify, the total stay must be $250 (£181) or more, and be booked at least 14 days from the check-in date.
  • It is available to guests booking anywhere in the world, with the exception of Brazil, China, and India.

 

With the "January Blues" supposedly in full swing, many of us will have started thinking about booking a holiday to give ourselves something to look forward to.

Airbnb provides travellers with a cheaper, more spacious alternative to a standard hotel room. The only downside is that, unlike many hotels, the platform has always made users pay the full cost of their stay right when they make the booking.

Now, the platform has answered traveller's prayers by introducing a new feature which allows guests to spread the cost of a stay over two instalments.

Airbnb's new Pay Less Up Front option, which launches today, allows guests to pay for part of their trip at the time of booking – a 50% deposit in most cases – and pay the rest closer to the check-in date.

To qualify for this option, the total stay must be $250 (£181) or more, and be booked at least 14 days from the check-in date.

Airbnb told Business Insider that the new feature is currently available to guests booking anywhere in the world, with the exception of Brazil, China, and India.

Here's where you'll see the new payment option when making a booking.

Payment option in desktop and mobile

The site has already piloted the function, and found that given the option, 40% of their sample chose to pay less up front, and also opted for higher-value bookings. The option also encouraged guests to book with more lead time — in the test, customers made bookings nearly double the time in advance, according to the company.

Airbnb hopes that the new payment feature will benefit hosts, too, as they won't have to miss out on guests who prefer not to pay everything up front.

SEE ALSO: These are the world's top 20 trending destinations, according to Airbnb — and you've never heard of most

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NOW WATCH: We talked to Sophia — the first-ever robot citizen that once said it would 'destroy humans'


Here's everything flight attendants notice about you when you board a plane — and their tips could help you get a free upgrade

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emirates flight attendant

  • What the cabin crew think of you is vital if you're looking to bag a free upgrade.
  • A Quora user asked: "What do flight attendants notice about passengers as they board the plane?"
  • According to flight attendants, the long list includes what you're wearing, if you're travelling alone, and if you're a frequent traveller.
  • Ultimately, being in the running for an upgrade comes down to simply being nice to the crew — or giving them a gift if that doesn't work.

From taking advantage of overbooked flights to being smart with air miles, we've heard it all when it comes to what does and doesn't work when you're looking to bag a free flight upgrade.

But at the end of the day it all comes down to the what the flight attendant thinks of you — and there are a number of things they look out for.

A Quora user posed the question: "What do flight attendants notice about passengers as they board the plane?" Luckily, flight attendants — both past and present — jumped at the chance to answer.

User Shreyas P, who claims to have been a flight attendant for five major airlines, said within minutes of a passenger boarding, she'll check the following:

  1. What kind of clothes you're wearing.
  2. What kind of bags you're carrying.
  3. If you're travelling alone or with someone.
  4. How patient you are while waiting in the long line during boarding.
  5. If you're an able-bodied passenger.
  6. If you're intoxicated.
  7. If you're a frequent traveller — "Trust me, frequent travellers don't display any kinds of baggage tags of their membership," she wrote. "It's only the new ones who are at the bottom-most tier [who] will display."
  8. What kind of book you're carrying or reading — "If you are reading a medical journal... we know who to approach for First Aid."
  9. If you give a helping hand to those ones in need, "like [an] elderly passenger or that pretty lady who needs help with the bags. Trust me, if a gentleman can do [that] without asking [the] cabin crew he would earn a lot of respect from the crew for [remainder] of the flight."
  10. If you're carrying food with you or are "just waiting to pounce on that free meal."

"In short, lots of things are noticed," she said.

Kimberly Sullivan, a user who claims to have 24 years of experience flying for a major US Airline, expressed the same sentiments, writing that she notices "dress, body language, friendly or grumpy."

She added: "We can also detect if they are experienced customers by the way they board the plane. If they are holding up the aisle and have tunnel vision, we know they are rookie travelers."

Myriam Mimi, a flight attendant at Condor Flugdienst, said she also notices "is he good looking and where is he sitting." Some flight attendants even have secret codes to point out attractive passengers.

While none of this guarantees an upgrade, it will certainly put you in the running should the opportunity arise, and at the very least will hopefully mean good service throughout your flight.

Ultimately, as an unnamed flight attendant at a "major American airline" recently told Vice, getting an upgrade all comes down to just being nice to the crew — and if all else fails, you can even givw them a small gift.

"Give me candy, and I'll give you whatever you want," she said. "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."

SEE ALSO: A flight attendant says 'nobody cares' if you actually turn off your phone on a plane — and reveals the disgusting reason you should never drink coffee in the air

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NOW WATCH: The surprising reason some countries drive on the left side of the road

Posing this simple question to a first date will help you decide if you have a future together

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couple on bench

  • Sometimes it can be tricky to work out everything about someone on a first date.
  • According to a marriage counsellor, how they answer one simple question can tell you whether you should stick around or not.


First impressions are very important. That's why a first date with someone is so nerve-racking — you have to put your best self out there and hope for an instant spark.

But it's not all on you. You want to actually fancy the person sitting opposite you too. Dating is a way of sussing out whether you want this person to be around all the time or none of the time. Unfortunately, this is made even more difficult by game playing, emotional barriers, and the fact Tinder exists.

According to marriage counsellor Robert Maurer, author of "One Small Step Can Change Your Life," the essential predictor for a successful relationship isn't shared interests, the same job, or sense of humour. No, it's cutting to the chase with one simple question:

"So how come someone as wonderful as you is still single?"

In a blog post on Psychology Today, he explained: "Your date will hopefully hear this question as a compliment but their answer is usually revealing. Everyone makes mistakes in dating and that is not the issue.

"As they relate the stories of their last relationship(s) are they taking any responsibility for choosing poorly or not having the right skills at that point in their lives? Are they taking any responsibility for the last relationship not working?"

If their answer portrays them as the victim, then Maurer says you should run. Relationships are a two-way street, and unless you're dating a narcissist, you are both likely to have played some part in your previous break-ups.

But some people always blame others for relationships not working out, which is a major red flag.

"All relationships run into stumbling blocks," Maurer wrote. "When you hit the inevitable rough patches, will they look for ways to help or wait for you to take the blame, the whole blame, and nothing but the blame?"

He added that two renowned marriage researchers, John and Julie Gottman, have found that the key skill for a successful relationship is being able to "repair" and resolve issues together.

"It is hard to make an effort to repair if every problem is the other person's fault," he wrote. "So look for someone who is willing to look inside for the source of the problem and for solutions, nothing is more vital for a relationship to thrive."

SEE ALSO: You've heard of 'ghosting' — here are the 14 modern dating terms you need to know

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NOW WATCH: I tried Gwyneth Paltrow's diet and workout routine for a week — here's what happened

This laundry-folding machine will neatly stack a full wash in 4 minutes

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  • This machinefolds laundry for you.
  • It's called FoldiMate.
  • Clothes are clipped on top and then they come out folded at the bottom. 
  • It will be available to purchase in late 2019.
  • Prices start at around £711.

 

This device will fold your laundry in just a few minutes. It's called FoldiMate and it has been in development since 2016. 

The FoldiMate is just slightly taller than a washing machine and takes up just as much floor space. According to its makers, the FoldiMate can fold a full wash in less than 4 minutes. 

The machine can handle most shirts, trousers, and t-shirts up to XXL sizes. It can even fold towels and pillowcases too. 

FoldiMate won't be available to the public until late 2019 but customers can pre-order a FoldiMate on the company's website

Produced by Jasper Pickering

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Amazon, Dell, and 23 more companies that will let you work from anywhere

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woman map hiking thinking traveler

• In 2016, about 43% percent of Americans worked from home at least once and a while, according to Gallup.

FlexJobs recently released a list of the best companies when it comes to telecommuting.

• The companies are from a range of industries and include some big names like Amazon and Hilton.



Being able to work from anywhere certainly sounds like a great perk.

And about 43% percent of Americans said they worked from home at least once in a while in 2016, according to Gallup.

But not all companies will let you telecommute. So if flexible work is important to you, you've got to do your research.

To help out with your search, FlexJobs released a list of 100 companies that allow you to work from just about anywhere.

Out of a total of over 49,000 companies, these organizations listed the highest numbers of telecommuting job openings on FlexJobs in 2017.

Here are the top 25 organizations on the list:

SEE ALSO: The perks and perils of working from home, according to people who actually do it

DON'T MISS: 11 high-paying jobs you can do from home

25. K12

The Herndon, Virginia-based company was founded in 1999 and focuses on establishing digital learning platforms.

Available remote positions include: Latin high school teacher, full-time teacher, special education teacher



24. Robert Half International

Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a personnel services company based in Menlo Park, California.

Available remote positions include: Photo retoucher, bookkeeper, proofreader



23. Leidos

Leidos is an aerospace and defense company based in Reston, Virginia, that was founded in 1969.

Available remote positions include: Communications editor, systems administrator, cyber security engineer



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We tried Shake Shack's new chicken sandwich — here's the verdict

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Shake Shack Chicken Club Sandwich

  • Shake Shack's new grilled chicken club sandwich is being tested in Brooklyn, New York locations.
  • It'll be available nationwide for a limited time starting January 26.
  • The sandwich is decent, but the chicken itself leaves something to be desired.


Shake Shack is testing a new grilled chicken sandwich at its locations in Brooklyn, New York.

The "Griddled Chick'n Club" is a decidedly healthy item for a chain that serves cheese fries, hot dogs, and double cheeseburgers. Of course, this isn't the first chicken item on their menu — that honor goes to the deliciously crispy and near-perfect Chick'n Shack fried-chicken sandwich.

The sandwich will be rolled out nationally, excluding airport and stadium locations, for a limited time starting January 26. But is it as good as the rest of the chain's chicken? We grabbed one to find out. 

SEE ALSO: We tried everything on McDonald's new value menu — here's the definitive ranking

Right off the bat, the smell is intoxicating. The smoky aroma of bacon dominates the senses — always a good thing.



The sandwich follows Shake Shack tradition and is embraced by the chain's dense, ever-so-lightly sweet, potato bun. It's a rare bun that goes with nearly any sandwich, and this bun is one of them. It's even good with Shake Shack's breakfast sandwiches.



Let's look at the mechanics. It's a simply constructed sandwich — a club is a club is a club, and simplicity is a good thing here. The tomatoes are firm and vibrant, which is no surprise given Shake Shack's creed of quality ingredients and sourcing.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 16 coolest airline paint jobs in the world

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Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400

  • An airline's paint scheme offers onlookers a taste of a carrier's values or its culture's ethos.
  • Some airlines update paint schemes once every few years while others remain unchanged for decades.
  • A successful design can make an airline instantly recognizable. Think Pan Am.


As airlines and airplanes have evolved, so have their "liveries" — the exterior designs, including paint colors and logos, on the aircraft.

As planes crisscross the globe, their exterior graphics not only represent the companies that operate them but in many instances also serve as visual ambassadors for their respective homelands.

A great airline livery gives onlookers a taste of a carrier's values or its culture's ethos in an attractive and effective color scheme.

Airlines like Southwest, Spirit, and American have updated their liveries in recent years, with mixed results.

Others have hit home runs. Here's a selection of 16 airline exterior designs that look simply amazing.

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 10 best economy-class airlines in the world

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16. WOW Air. Since the airline's founding in 2014, WOW has made headlines for its low prices. However, the Icelandic ultra low-cost carrier's bright fuchsia paint job has proven to be equally attention grabbing.



15. British Airways: With a waving Union Jack adorning the tail, British Airways delivers a modern take on traditional British elegance.



14. Malaysia Airlines: Even though the A380's future in the airline's fleet remains uncertain, the plane's blue and white livery is unquestionably beautiful.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

21 movies playing at the Sundance Film Festival that you need to know about

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The Tale Sundance Institute

The 2018 Sundance Film Festival begins Thursday, and if the past couple of years are any indication, that means it’s time to take a glimpse at the movies Netflix and Amazon will be throwing lots and lots of money at to acquire.

Last year Amazon snagged “The Big Sick” for $12 million and Netflix got “Mudbound” for $12.5 million. Both are now in the hunt for award-season glory. Which titles from this year are going to get that kind of treatment?

Here are 21 titles playing at the fest that we think are going to grab people’s attention:

SEE ALSO: 19 Netflix original shows that both critics and audiences agree are amazing

“America To Me”

Steve James (“Hoop Dreams,” “The Interrupters,” “Life Itself”) has made a career looking at the social melting pot of Chicago. For his latest, he examines racial inequality in the education system. This 10-part documentary series gives a one-year look at one of Chicago’s most progressive and diverse public schools.



“Beirut”

From a script by Tony Gilroy (the Jason Bourne movies, “Michael Clayton"), and starring John Hamm and Rosamund Pike, director Brad Anderson (“The Machinist”) looks at a US diplomat (Hamm) who, after leaving Lebanon in the 1970s following a tragic incident, returns 10 years later on a new mission. This political thriller already has distribution (Bleecker Street), so keep an eye out for it when it hits theaters in April.



“Blaze”

Ethan Hawke’s latest directing effort spotlights the little-known talents of country music songwriter Blaze Foley. Newcomer Benjamin Dickey takes on the role of this talent that is examined in three different story threads. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 100 most eligible singles of 2018 across America, according to the dating app Hinge

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Hinge Cover Photo

It's 2018 — a new year for new opportunities, and who knows? Maybe you'll even meet that special someone.

The dating app Hinge, which launched a new app in fall 2016 to help people find relationships, is here to help. The company has a ton of data about its most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes living across the US, but as a way of celebrating the new year, Hinge just published its list of the 100 most eligible singles in 2018 across the US.

Hinge chose 10 people from 10 cities for this list: New York City, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Denver, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Hinge also included a public nomination from Hinge users as a bonus. Take a look.

SEE ALSO: The 20 most eligible doctors and medical professionals in New York City, according to dating app Hinge



10. Kenny Hearn

Work: Developer at SNOWE

Education: University of Tennessee

City: New York City

Interested in: Women

Friends on Hinge: 34

Here’s his Hinge profile



9. Katie Severance

Education: Boston College

City: New York City

Interested in: Men

Friends on Hinge: 125

Here’s her Hinge profile



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Watch Tony Robbins bring someone to tears in a one-on-one motivational session

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Tony Robbins has defined what it means to be a "performance coach" for the last four decades.

People like the billionaire investor Paul Tudor Jones pay $1 million annually for personal coaching, thousands of fans pay $650-$3,000 to participate in intense events like "Unleash the Power Within," and millions around the world have bought his books and tapes.

Last September, the eight winners of Shopify's Build a Bigger Business competition were flown to Robbins' Fiji resort Namale for both group and private coaching sessions with him. We had a chance to observe his roughly 30-minute one-on-one sessions with the winners, including the entrepreneur he personally selected from entrants, Lively founder Michelle Cordeiro Grant.

The sessions offered a rare look at how Robbins is quickly able to assess a person's pain points, both personal and professional, and leave them with insights both practical and powerful.

Following is a transcript of the video.

Tony Robbins
: Put out your fist. I didn't say "push back." Why you pushing back so hard?

ChrisVaccarino: Oh, true. You didn't.

Robbins: Because that's human nature.

What do you think is your greatest competitive advantage right now? Where do you think you are in the life-cycle of your business? Most people's plans don't get implemented because they're too complex. I always tell people complexity is the enemy of execution.

Tell me who your ideal client is right now.

Michelle Cordeiro Grant: Sure. Our competitive advantage is simple. Supply chain. 

[Tony Robbins invited the winners of Shopify's Build a Bigger Business contest to his Fiji resort. Each winner got a one-on-one mentoring session with Robbins.]

Grant:I'm Michelle Cordeiro Grant, founder and CEO of Lively. What we sell are bras and undies and swimwear today, but adjacency products will be coming tomorrow. 

Robbins: I'm a big believer in — rip open the plan that you're gonna do, but always have that backup plan.

Grant: We started with an amazing conversation talking through the business, talking through the strategy, me as a leader and so forth. 

Robbins: I have zero question about your ability to succeed because, if you take away all the skills and you have that much drive and hunger, you'll figure it out. 

Grant: It was nice that he kind of took a moment to acknowledge that, "You're gonna do this no matter what, but it's really how you do this that's gonna be game-changing in your personal life." 

Robbins: My only piece for you is taking care of you so that this journey — you don't look back and have regrets, right? And the place that you have regret will probably not be the business. It will be in your personal life. 

Grant: His approach is personal and it's tailored, which I think is amazing. I think that's why he's so effective, because he customizes to whoever he's interacting with. 

Robbins: I have no question she can succeed in business. My concern was — I could feel that there's this lack of fulfillment and enjoyment even though she's busting her tail, and my goal in life is not only help people achieve more — my goal is helping people have life on their terms. 

Tell me, what are you gonna go back with and tell me what questions you might have or how I might be able to help. 

Grant: Quite frankly, when I started the week, I thought I was gonna be asking him more for business advice, but as I kind of went through the course of the journey, it changed because I really embraced what he says about it being 80% psychology and 20%, you know, operations. And so, I started to lean into that. 

Robbins: Imagine there's a set of archetypes. A warrior archetype, which clearly you have within you. I'm gonna break through this. I'm gonna make this thing happen, right? But the warrior is the one that will go do battle. The warrior is fearless. The warrior will just push through. I'm gonna ask you — stand up with me just for a moment. 

Grant: He told me to stand up! I'm like, "Oh, boy. Here we go. Where are we going? What are we doing?" 

Robbins: Can you relate to the warrior in you? 

Grant: Yeah. Of course!

Robbins: If you've got to instinctively say, "Where is the warrior in me," touch that part of your body, wherever that – alright, here. Okay, good. The warrior says, "Michelle, all you need to do now, all you need to remember, all you need to know to grow to the next level is" and give me the first response and say, "The warrior says, 'Michelle ...'"

Grant: The warrior says, "Michelle, all I need to do to get to the next level is focus."

Robbins: She's a very independent sort, so instead of me giving advice, I wanted her to give the advice to her. 

Let's try something different. There's a magician. The magician can see the strategy nobody else sees.  The magician has fun with stuff that stresses out the warrior. Feel the quality of the magician. What's the quality of emotion different than the warrior? I'm curious. Can you feel the difference? 

Grant: Calm. 

Robbins: Yes. And that's the piece you're missing right now. 

Grant: I felt fortunate at the time because I knew that he was gonna be sharing with me a gift that he gives to select people and, for him to take the time to go there with me, made me feel really, really blessed. 

Robbins: The lover in you. 

Grant: Yeah. 

Robbins: Where's the lover? Touch where the lover is. Okay, good. And the lover is what you really are. You're driven by love. Even to your customers, you're driven by love. It's very obvious. Some people say that. You really are that. It's where you get your energy. 

It isn't just about business. It's about love. She loves her clients. She wants to see them have a beautiful life. And she's so busy running around doing everything that she kind of lost that connection. So, I wanted to bring that connection back. 

As powerful as this woman is here, and I respect her immensely, this woman with tears in her eyes – she's the one who can penetrate anyone. And you're being very vulnerable right now, but you're being connected to yourself. And that feeling, that's what I want for you on this journey. 

I've done this for 40 years with, you know, tens of millions of people from a hundred countries, so at this point I could be an idiot and have to be able to notice there are patterns that make people angry or sad or frustrated. There are patterns that make people passionate or grateful or excited. And when you know what those patterns are and you see what they are, you know what to do to help people just because I have, you know — I've got a lifetime's worth of experience. 

You don't have to give up any of that drive for you to have the quality of life you deserve and your family deserves. See you soon. 

Grant: Thank you.


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All 9 'Star Wars' movies, ranked by how much money they made at the US box office

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the last jedi lucasfilm

With "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" starting to wind down its theatrical run — becoming the highest-grossing movie of 2017 in the US, though underperforming in some regions overseas (especially China) — it's a good time to take a look at how all the "Star Wars" movies have done at the domestic box office. 

Since George Lucas introduced the franchise with "A New Hope" in 1977, the "Star Wars" saga has defined how the blockbuster movie could earn Hollywood more money than it ever saw before, from its sequel strategy to how to cash in with merchandising.

But how do all the films compare to one another in dominating the US box office?

Here are the lifetime grosses of all the "Star Wars" movies: 

Note: Box office figures below are domestic earnings adjusted for inflation. Totals also include reissue and special edition releases. All figures are courtesy of Box Office Mojo

SEE ALSO: 21 movies playing at the Sundance Film Festival that you need to know about

9. "Attack of the Clones" (2002) — $477.5 million

Unadjusted: $310.7 million
Budget: $115 million



8. "Revenge of the Sith" (2005) — $530 million

Unadjusted: $380.3 million
Budget: $113 million



7. “Rogue One” (2016) — $540 million

Unadjusted: $532.2 million
Budget: $200 million



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Tiffany Trump just signaled a return to her pre-election life — and it proves how different Trump's presidency is from Obama's

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ej johnson tiffany trump

  • President Donald Trump's daughter Tiffany reunited with her clique of Instagram-famous friends over the weekend.
  • Tiffany Trump was not allowed to hang out with her group of friends during her father's presidential campaign, a New York Times reporter says. Instead, she spent the past two years trying to emphasize her ties to her politically connected family.
  • However, her return to friendship with the "Rich Kids of Instagram" shows that neither she nor the rest of her family members — including the president — can escape their roots.


Tiffany Trump has returned to her pack of Instagram-famous friends after two years spent attempting to promote her family-centric political credentials.

Before her father was elected president, Tiffany Trump was mostly known for her connections with a group of young socialites called the "Rich Kids of Instagram."

As the campaign heated up, Trump disappeared from her friends' Instagram posts — as good as going into hiding for the social-media-obsessed set. According to The New York Times' Katie Rosman, Trump wasn't allowed to hang out with the so-called Snap Pack.

But that seems to have changed. This year has already brought a wealth of social-media posts featuring Trump and the Rich Kids of Instagram.

Here's what we've spotted — and what it reveals about Donald Trump's presidency.

SEE ALSO: Martha Stewart will never stop reinventing herself — here's how she went from a stockbroker to hosting a cooking show with Snoop Dogg

Tiffany Trump spent Christmas with the rest of her family at their Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Instagram Embed:
http://instagram.com/p/BdLZOf8A-3r/embed/
Width: 658px


She posted an Instagram featuring Ivanka Trump, her half-sister who's a White House adviser, on Boxing Day.



Trump was primarily raised by her mother, Marla Maples, the president's second wife.

Instagram Embed:
http://instagram.com/p/Bd05Mu3gqPs/embed/
Width: 658px



Unlike her half-siblings Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, Tiffany Trump, who grew up in California, didn't spend much time with her father until recently.

Instagram Embed:
http://instagram.com/p/BGp827rj0YF/embed/
Width: 658px


Source: Vanity Fair



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What it's like in Pyeongchang, South Korea — the host city of the 2018 Olympics

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mascot for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Soohorang

South Korea's Pyeongchang, host city of the 2018 Olympic Games, will welcome nearly one million athletes and spectators to its quiet slice of the Korean Peninsula in February.

The county of Pyeongchang is one of the safest places to live and visit across the globe — with one major catch. It sits only 50 miles from the border of North Korea, which has raised the prospect of war with a series of ballistic missile and nuclear weapons tests in recent months.

Stretched across rugged mountains and valleys, Pyeongchang covers an area roughly the size of Houston. More than 43,000 people live there, with many working in agriculture.

Here's what it's like to live in the host city of the 2018 Olympics.

SEE ALSO: Photographers captured these dismal scenes along the border area between North and South Korea

Pyeongchang (not to be confused with Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea) sits about the same distance from the border of North Korea and the capital of South Korea, Seoul.



The area has an average elevation of approximately 700 meters above sea level, which gives it the nickname "the Alps of Korea." Mountains cover more than 80% of the terrain.

Source: PyeongChang 2018 and Wikipedia



Pyeongchang is also one of the country's coldest places. During winter, cold air comes down from Russia and chills the area to about 35 degrees Fahrenheit and below.

Source: Wikipedia



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Inside the swanky private club where Bill Gates, Eric Schmidt, and Justin Timberlake go to ski

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The Rainbow Lodge at the Yellowstone Club

  • Yellowstone Club was the first private ski club with its own mountain.
  • Notable members include Bill and Melinda Gates, Google's Eric Schmidt, and Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel.
  • To become a member, you must own property within the grounds  — which ranges from $2 million to $25 million. Initial membership fees are $300,000, and there is an annual fee of $37,500.

 

Yellowstone Club, a private ski resort and residential community near Big Sky, Montana, was a pioneer in the members-only space. The first private club with its own mountain, its uber-rich members include Bill and Melinda Gates, Google's Eric SchmidtJustin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, former Vice President Dan Quayle, and NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke, as well as many Wall Streeters. Last summer, Fox NFL correspondent and "Dancing with the Stars" host Erin Andrews wed former NHL star Jarret Stoll at the club.

Its 2,200 acres of powder offer world-class skiing from the bunny slopes to its 2,700-vertical-foot drops, but to gain access to the club's exclusive mountain, you must own property within the community limits. Real estate prices can range greatly, from $2 million all the way up to $25 million. Members must also pay an initial fee of $300,000 and an annual fee of $37,500.

Founded in 2001 by Tim Blixseth and his then-wife Edra, the club has endured its fair share of turmoil. It was forced to file for bankruptcy in 2008, and, ending last July, Blixseth spent 15 months in prison for civil contempt of court. This month Blixseth agreed to a $3 million settlement with creditors — a fraction of the $525 million they say they're owed.

However, in June 2009 CrossHarbor Capital Partners' cofounder, Sam Byrne, paid $115 million for Yellowstone Club, ushering in a new era and helping to turn the club around financially. The club's Rainbow Lodge, with its spa, fitness center and pool, is the newest evidence that Yellowstone Club is working to stay up-to-date with the modern skier.  

Ahead, 15 photos that show the joys of private skiing: no lift lines, and plenty of breathing room out on the slopes.

SEE ALSO: The next big thing in luxury travel is this company that will build you a custom temporary hotel wherever you wantA 'pod hotel' beloved by millennial travelers is making one of North America's most luxurious ski resorts accessible to anyone

Yellowstone Club is nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Founder Tim Blixseth was set on creating a resort that focused on families with slopes and activities that catered to all ages.



To be a member of the Yellowstone Club, you must own property. With an aim to remain exclusive, membership is capped to 864 households.



There's a huge range of real estate options, from condominiums to ranch homes on 360 acres of land.



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A birth-control app that's 'as effective as the pill using only math' is facing a major problem

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Natural Cycles founders Dr Elina Berglund and Dr Raoul Schewitzl

  • Birth control app Natural Cycles is under fire in Sweden after 37 women reported getting pregnant while using the app as contraception.
  • Södersjukhuset hospital in Stockholm reported the cases to the national medical device regulator, who has begun an investigation.
  • The app uses an algorithm to tell women when they have the highest and lowest chances of getting pregnant, but ultimately, it relies on men and women changing their behavior.

 

The birth-control app Natural Cycles has come under fire in Sweden after 37 women reported getting pregnant while using it.

The app, designed by physicist couple Elina Berglund and Raoul Scherwizl, was the world's first to get approval in Europe as a contraceptive. It takes into account many factors involved in fertility, including woman's temperature, the regularity of her periods, and sperm survival, then suggests which days to have or refrain from sex to avoid pregnancy.

"We give red and green days and clear recommendations on which days to abstain and which days we consider the risk of pregnancy to be negligible," Natural Cycles co-founder Scherwitzl told Business Insider last spring.

brooke lark 194254

The app was initially portrayed by multiple news outlets — including Business Insider — as "as effective as the pill using only math," but the problem is that it relies on couples to change their behavior and abstain from sex when the app says to do so.

A spokesperson for the Sweden's Medical Products Agency told Business Insider's Shona Ghosh that they've launched an investigation into the complaints, but it remains in the early stages.

Fertility awareness-based methods of birth control, like Natural Cycles, have been used for thousands of years. But one clinical study of Natural Cycles suggested the app was more accurate than other fertility tracking methods. For that study, published in the European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, researchers looked at more than 4,000 women between the ages of 18 and 45.

For every 100 women who used the app in a "typical" way each year (meaning certain common slip-ups were accounted for), seven got pregnant.

That's a smaller number than the "typical use" scenario for the pill, which leads to about nine out of 100 women getting pregnant each year. It's also lower than traditional fertility-based awareness methods, which have an average fail rate of 24%, according to the CDC.

But that's still more pregnancies than would be seen when using injectable birth control or an IUD. The typical use fail rate for an IUD is 0.2-0.8%, or less than one out of 100 women getting pregnant each year.

The same study came to another surprising conclusion, however: more than half of the women who got pregnant while using the app had unprotected sex with men on the days when the app advised against it.

”While smartphone apps may provide encouragement, they can’t stop [men and women] from wanting to have sex altogether," Susan Walker, a professor of sexual health at Anglia Ruskin University, wrote in an article for The Conversation.

Other factors including irregular periods, multiple sex partners, and having a partner who may not be equally committed to birth control can get in the way of the app working correctly as well.

So if you're planning on using the app — or one of the dozens like it that have not been approved as medical devices — experts say you should have a predictable sex schedule, regular periods, and the time and ability to abstain from sexual activity on certain consecutive days every month. If you can do that, the app could work for you.

"In the end, what we want to do is add a new method of contraception that women can choose from without side effects," Scherwitzl said. "I think there are many women who this will be great for."

SEE ALSO: There's even more evidence that one type of exercise is the closest thing to a miracle drug that we have

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NOW WATCH: A gynecologist reveals the most effective birth control


Just 9 of the world's richest men have more combined wealth than the poorest 4 billion people

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jeff bezos

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos recently reached a net worth of $105 billion, making him the richest person in the world — and ever in history.

A recent study released by Oxfam found that the top 1% has owned more wealth than the rest of the world's population since 2015. And the eight richest have the same amount of wealth as the poorest half of the world — nearly 4 billion people. If these top billionaires continue to see returns on their wealth, we could see the world's first trillionaire in as little as 25 years.

Currently, there are over 1,500 billionaires in the world, with more than 560 in the US alone. China, Germany, and India each have 100 or more billionaires who call the countries home, according to a report from UBS

Ahead, nine of the world's wealthiest people — according to Forbes' Billionaire List — that have more wealth than half the world's population. 

SEE ALSO: 7 mind-blowing facts about Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' $105 billion fortune

9. Michael Bloomberg — $51.4 billion

In 1981, Michael Bloomberg founded the financial information and media company Bloomberg LP. With an 88% stake in the business, he profits from its revenue of $9 billion.



8. Larry Ellison — $59.7 billion

In 1977, Larry Ellison co-founded the software company Oracle, which originally was launched with $2,000 of funding, $1,200 of which came out of Ellison's own pocket. Ellison stepped down as CEO in 2014, but continues to be involved with the company.



7. Bernard Arnault — $64.8 billion

Bernard Arnault has been the CEO of LVMH, which houses brands such as Louis Vuitton, Sephora, and Dom Perignon, since 1989. Combined, the brands under LVMH sold $40 billion in sales in 2016.    



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The amazing life of Bill Gates' daughter Jennifer, an elite equestrian who competes against Steve Jobs' kid and stands to inherit 'a minuscule portion' of her father's $92.2 billion fortune

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Jennifer Melinda Gates

• Jennifer Gates is the eldest child of philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates.

• She's an accomplished equestrian, just like Steve Jobs' daughter Eve.

• Gates also attends Stanford, where she's majoring in human biology.



Bill Gates and Steve Jobs had a famously stormy rivalry from the 1980s onward, forged as both titans sought to best one another in the tech world.

Today, history is repeating itself — sort of.

The daughters of both famed tech moguls — 21-year-old Jennifer Gates and 19-year-old Eve Jobs — are competitors in the world of horseback riding.

Like Jobs, Gates has fared quite well in the sport, even raking in thousands of dollars in prize money.

Here's a look at the glamorous life of Jennifer Gates:

SEE ALSO: A look at the life of Steve Jobs' youngest daughter Eve, an accomplished equestrian and Stanford student who trains on a $15 million ranch

DON'T MISS: Meet the kids of the world's richest tech billionaires

The eldest daughter of billionaire philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, Jennifer Gates was born on April 26, 1996. She has two younger siblings, Rory and Phoebe.

Source: Entrepreneur



While their father might be famous for founding Microsoft, Entrepreneur reported that the Gates kids had a "cap on screen time" growing up. Gates also wasn't allowed to own a phone until she was 14.

Source: Entrepreneur



Gates and her siblings attended her father's alma mater, Seattle's private Lakeside High School. Upon graduating, Gates matriculated to Stanford University.

Source: Business Insider



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6 things successful people do when they return from a long weekend

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oman fun snow winter

• Some people across the US received some extra time off thanks to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

• Business Insider spoke with several productivity and work experts to get tips on how to bounce back from a long weekend.

• They recommended hitting the ground running on your first day back.



A long weekend makes snapping out of weekend mode that much harder.

Some people around the US receive an extra day off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day to commemorate the life of the famed Civil Rights leader.

There's a lot to be said about how you shouldor shouldn't— spend long weekends. But it's equally important to plan out the days that follow a long weekend.

When you're coming back from some time off and you have a shorter week to get everything done, it usually helps to hit the ground running.

With that in mind, here are six things that successful people do first when they return from long weekend:

DON'T MISS: 11 things unsuccessful people do over long weekends

SEE ALSO: 8 things successful people do after getting back from vacation

They get to work early

When it comes to holidays like Labor Day, almost everyone has time off. So you won't be falling behind by showing up to work at your usual time.

But coming in early is a good idea if you want to be as productive as possible after a holiday weekend.

"That will mitigate the workload avalanche and give you a head start, sans distraction," Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," tells Business Insider.



They scrutinize their to-do lists

Productive people know that long, unwieldy to-do lists are essentially useless. There's no better time to start cutting items from your list than the day you get back from long weekend.

"Now that you've spent a good bit away from your desk, you have tangible proof that those tasks you're always putting off aren't holding up your ceiling," freelance reporter Kevin Purdy writes in Fast Company.



They double check their schedules

Don't forget to double check your schedule. Remember, you'll likely be dealing with a shortened work week. Don't try to cram too many items onto your weekly schedule, or you might wind up burning yourself out.



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The White House doctor says Trump needs to fix his unhealthy diet and lose weight — and after eating like the president for a week, I completely agree

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Dennis Burger 2

  • President Donald Trump has a notoriously bad diet full of fast food and high-calorie meals.
  • Even the official physician to the president said that Trump "would benefit from a diet that is lower in fat and carbohydrates."
  • For a week, I ate the way Trump might eat, just to see what it would be like.
  • It was as miserable as I expected.


Much has been written and said about President Donald Trump's diet.

On Tuesday, White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson said in a briefing with the media that Trump "would benefit from a diet that is lower in fat and carbohydrates." According to Jackson, Trump should aim to lose 10 to 15 pounds over the next year by adjusting his diet and exercise habits. 

Considering reports that his "major food groups" are McDonald's, KFC, pizza, and Diet Coke, as well as one that says he tries to avoid non-chain restaurants out of fear of being poisoned, it's fair to say Trump may need to make some changes. 

According to Corey Lewandowski, his former campaign manager who wrote the book "Let Trump Be Trump," the president would usually go 14 to 16 hours without eating, then have a full McDonald's dinner of two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, and a small chocolate shake — a total of 2,430 calories.

He also says he doesn't often eat breakfast and avoids it if he can. Lewandowski says Trump doesn't eat the bread of his sandwiches, and other reports say he avoids eating pizza crust. He orders his steaks — his favorite food— well done, with a side of ketchup.

If this reminds you of the eating habits of anyone you know, they're probably not old enough to drive.

For beverages, Trump does not drink tea, coffee, alcohol, or anything stimulating. He has only one true love: Diet Coke. He reportedly drinks 12 a day.

Taking all that into account, I had one thought: "That all sounds awful. I've got to try it."

So began my ambitious, foolhardy, and treacherous journey into the mind of Trump — through his stomach — by eating as he eats. For a week, I stuck to foods that Trump has been photographed eating, has said in interviews that he eats, or has been reported to eat regularly.

I can't say I learned a lot about Trump, but I definitely learned something about myself.

SEE ALSO: Trump just committed the single most unforgivable men's suiting sin

Day 1. Here we go. This is it. I feel excited as I swing by McDonald's to pick up a pair of Egg McMuffins on my way into work.



Trump says he doesn't usually eat breakfast — but if he does, he'll have these. All-day McDonald's breakfast has been cited as one of the reasons the fast-food chain's business has turned around in recent years, so I'm excited to give them a go for the first time.



Immediate regret. The Egg McMuffin is not greater than the sum of its parts. Not a fan. I eat both anyway, seeing as it was the morning after Business Insider's holiday party and I needed something in my stomach.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Business Insider is hiring a full-time personal finance reporter for its Your Money section

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Business Insider roof group shot

  • Business Insider is hiring a reporter for its fast-growing Your Money vertical. 
  • The full-time position is based in our Manhattan office and offers a competitive compensation package and benefits.
  • Ideal candidates will have insatiable curiosity, especially about the role money plays in the world around us.

 

Do you love talking — and writing — about money?

Are you excited to explore the psychology of wealth, the challenges of saving, and the way money influences every level of society?

From the conversations you have with friends to the major news stories of the day, money is often a theme lurking just beneath the surface. It's rarely talked about openly, still isn't taught in schools, and yet each and every one of us interacts with it daily. If you've noticed that before, and if you want to help shed light on the role money plays in our lives through creative storytelling in a fast-paced and fun environment, we want to hear from you. 

Business Insider is hiring a full-time reporter for its Your Money verti cal, one of the fastest-growing sections of the world's No. 1 digital business publication.

Candidates should be comfortable writing quick stories that high light the most interesting angles of the day's news, while simultaneously working on reported medium-length and long-form featur es.

Ideal candidates will have:

  • Insatiable curiosity and an ability to identify the heart of a story quickly
  • A strong voice and writing style that keeps readers engaged  
  • An ability to package information in a fresh and original way
  • An understanding of digital media and how readers consume news on the web
  • Previous writing experience, preferably personal finance or business
  • Familiarity with SEO best practices
  • Copy-editing skills, light HTML and Photoshop experience, and knowledge of social media are also useful
  • Bachelors degree required, journalism degree and/or background preferred

APPLY HERE with your resume and cover letter telling us why this is your ideal job — and why you are the ideal candidate.

Please note that this full time position requires that you work in our Manhattan office. Business Insider offers competitive compensation packages complete with benefits and is an equal opportunity employer.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why you should never throw away these bags again

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