• Student loan debt is a big financial burden for many people.
• In total, Americans owe $1.5 trillion in student loan debt.
• Paying off student loans in a timely manner is all about having an actionable payment plan in place.
• Here, a student loan expert shares a 10-step plan on how to pay off your student loans.

Student loan debt is a big financial burden for many people. In fact, Americans owe $1.5 trillion in student loan debt, according to data from the Federal Reserve.

While some may find themselves forced to defer or default on your student loans, it's better if you're able to come up with a system to pay them off — and within a modesttime frame.

There are two primary reasons to pay down your student loan debt in a reasonable amount of time, Maizie Simpson, data and news editor at Credit Karma, told Business Insider via email.

"The first has to do with interest: The longer you draw out your repayment period, the more interest you'll end up paying," Simpson said. "The second reason is that the longer you have student loan debt, the longer you might put off big life decisions or making investments in your future, such as starting a family or contributing to a 401(k)."

When it comes to paying off your student loans, no matter how intimidating the debt amount is, making an actionable payment plan is key. Here, Elyssa Kirkham, a finance reporter and student loan expert for Student Loan Hero, who paid off a substantial amount of debt herself, took us through a 10-step plan  for paying off your student loan debt.

SEE ALSO: A writer who had $60,000 in student loans says it took him 5 years to make the mental shift he needed to pay them off before turning 30

SEE ALSO: Companies from corporate giants to hot startups have begun offering perks and programs to tackle employees' stifling student loans

1. Know what you owe

Kirkham said that the first step in repaying your debt is to know your debt, especially since you might have taken out several student loans with various lenders. "Many people avoid thinking about or looking at their student debt too closely for a simple reason: Student loans are a huge source of stress," she said.

She suggested using the National Student Loan Data Systemto find any federal student loans you took out while in college.

"You can also find both federal and private loans listed on your credit report, and check that you’re making the proper payments on time each month," Kirkham said. "In addition, record the current balance and interest rate on each student loan."

2. Triage your student loan debt

If you are in danger of or already missing student loan payments, Kirkham advised that you try to triage them.

"First, switch federal student loans to an income-driven repayment plan to lower monthly payments," she said. "Then, apply for deferment or forbearance to pause payments if you hit a major financial setback, such as losing a job."

Many private student loan lenders also provide an option to defer payments, Kirkham said. "And keep in mind that unless you have Direct Subsidized Loans, deferred student debt will continue to accrue interest and your balance will increase."

3. Assess other financial considerations

Kirkham said to consider if other financial goals need attention before you can go gung-ho on student debt. "If you have other debt, like credit card balances, that are costing you more than your student loans are, it might be wise to pay these off first," she said.

Some of history's most powerful kings, queens, and members of royal families have been known for their unique drinking habits. 

While some, like Princess Diana, only sipped on Peach Bellinis from time to time, others, like Catherine II (later known to the world as Catherine the Great), became renowned for their surprising drinking abilities. 

Below, see the favorite drinks of 10 popular royals, from Kate Middleton to Cleopatra. 

SEE ALSO: Kate Middleton's delivery of her third baby probably cost less than a typical birth in the US

DON'T MISS: Kate Middleton has given birth to her third child — here's what the royal line of succession looks like now

Kate Middleton: Jack Daniels

One of Kate's favorite drinks to sip is reportedly Jack Daniels, although it's a close call between the "Crack Baby," a mix of passion-fruit juice, vodka, and champagne that the couple was said to regularly drink at the nightclub Boujis.

Source: Telegraph

Princess Diana of Wales: Peach Bellini

Princess Diana was said to have been partial to a peach Bellini, enjoying them the night she famously snuck out while dressed as a man with Freddie Mercury.

Source: Daily Mail

Prince Charles: Laphroaig malt

The prince loves Laphroaig malt and even has a special Highgrove edition of the whiskey from Islay that he sells in his Gloucestershire estate shop.

Source: The Daily Meal

• MSNBC hosts Ali Velshi and Stephanie Ruhle had nothing nice to say about Kanye West's Thursday afternoon Oval Office press conference with President Donald Trump.
• Ruhle called the rapper's free-wheeling, 10-minute long monologue, in which he described himself as a  "motherf---er," "an assault on our White House." 

MSNBC hosts Ali Velshi and Stephanie Ruhle had nothing nice to say about Kanye West's Thursday afternoon Oval Office press conference, calling the rapper's free-wheeling, 10-minute long monologue "an assault on our White House." 

After airing the press conference live, the hosts spent a large portion of their afternoon hour discussing it. 

"That was bonkers," Velshi began. 

Ruhle cut in, "If you think you're going to get a thoughtful play-by-play and political analysis, you're not, because that was an assault on our White House." 

Velshi agreed, "You can't analyze some of the stuff that was said."  

The two then picked out a few points West made as he sat across from the president at the Resolute Desk wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat. Ruhle said she was particularly disgusted with the rapper's statement that he likes wearing the MAGA hat because it makes him feel like "Superman" and that he was drawn to Trump's campaign because of the candidate's "male energy." 

"I'm just stunned across the board," Ruhle said. 

The 41-year-old rapper, who has faced widespread criticism for his high-profile support for Trump and his controversial comments on issues like slavery, bounced from one topic to another, discussing criminal justice reform, an Apple-designed Air Force One, and his own mental health diagnosis. At one point, he referred to himself as a "motherf---er" and compared his speech to a "fine wine ... it has multiple notes to it." 

Velshi said that he thought the president and West would stick to the topics the rapper ostensibly came to the White House to discuss: mainly prison reform and reducing violence in Chicago. West's wife, reality TV star Kim Kardashian West, successfully lobbied the White House to grant a pardon to a drug offender earlier this year.

SEE ALSO: 'It made me feel like Superman': Kanye West explains how 'male energy' and the MAGA hat attracted him to Trump

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NOW WATCH: Inside the Trump 'MAGA' hat factory

• Republicans and Democrats in the Senate cut a deal to vote on 15 judicial nominations Thursday so they could return to their home states for the final stretch of the campaign.
• Senate Democrats up for reelection in red states feared they could be kept in Washington while their Republican challengers ran free in their respective states.
• The rapid confirmation of judges comes days after the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whose nomination gripped Washington and brought the Senate to a standstill. 

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans and Democrats reached a deal to confirm a slew of judicial nominations on Thursday, allowing senators up for reelection to return to their home states for the final stretch of the 2018 midterm campaign season.

Fresh off the long and tumultuous confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was prepared to force Democrats' hands and keep them in Washington for weeks to confirm 15 judges sitting in limbo. But Senate Democrats, many of whom are facing tough reelection battles in conservative-leaning states, did not want to risk being stuck on Capitol Hill while their challengers roamed free.

Thursday afternoon, the Senate took up all 15 nominations at once, which included 12 district judges and three lifetime-appointed circuit judges.

Liberal activist groups opposed to more Republican judicial confirmations were furious with the prospect of another deal that would place more judges on the bench who have been handpicked by President Donald Trump.

"We expect senators to work, to fight for us and to stand up for what is right. Not catch the first flight out of DC so they can advance their personal political standing," UltraViolet Executive Director Shaunna Thomas told Politico.

The move comes after a long confirmation battle over Kavanaugh, which had senators at each other's throats and resulted in such heightened tensions on Capitol Hill that some lawmakers were given additional security details due to high threat levels.

"It's time to put this embarrassing spectacle behind us," McConnell said prior to Kavanaugh's confirmation. "The American people are sick of the display that's been put on here in the United States Senate in the guise of a confirmation process."

And keeping vulnerable Democrats in Washington was not something about which McConnell was bluffing. Earlier this year, he canceled the scheduled August recess to confirm more judicial nominations, forcing Democrats to work through the dog days of summer.

SEE ALSO: Here's the final count of which senators voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh

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NOW WATCH: Inside the Trump 'MAGA' hat factory

• President Donald Trump reportedly believes Attorney General Jeff Sessions will likely leave his Cabinet at the end of the year, and so far has five potential replacements in mind who could take over at the US Justice Department.
• The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Trump is considering current senior administration officials from the Departments of Health & Human Services, Transportation, and State, as well as a former federal judge and former attorney general, The Wall Street Journal reported.
• Tensions have flared between Trump and Sessions ever since the attorney general recused himself from all Russia-related matters surrounding the federal investigation of that country's meddling in the 2016 US election.

President Donald Trump believes Attorney General Jeff Sessions will likely leave his Cabinet at the end of the year, and so far has five potential replacements in mind who could take his place, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

Possible successors include retired federal appeals judge Janice Rogers Brown, transportation department counsel Steven Bradbury, Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar, deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, and Bill Barr, who served as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush.

Tensions have flared between Trump and Sessions ever since the attorney general recused himself from all Russia-related matters surrounding the federal investigation of that country's meddling in the 2016 US election.

Trump frequently denounces the special counsel investigation as a politically motivated "witch hunt," and accuses the Justice Department under Sessions of not sufficiently investigating what he believes are indiscretions perpetrated by Democrats.

"You know, the only reason I gave him the job is because I felt loyalty," Trump told Fox News' Ainsley Earhardt in an August interview. "He was an original supporter." Trump lamented that he "put in an attorney general that never took control of the Justice Department."

Trump's comments prompted a strong rebuke from Sessions, who issued a rare statement directly pushing back on the president's calls for his Department to probe Democrats in the interview and several mocking tweets. 

"While I am attorney general, the actions of the Department of Justice will not be improperly influenced by political considerations," the statement read. "I demand the highest standards, and where they are not met, I take action." 

Sessions has not announced any formal plans to step down from his post, but he has privately anticipated he may be asked to resign, and senior officials within the White House and the Justice Department expect him to do so after the November midterm elections, people familiar with the matter told The Journal. 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Inside the Trump 'MAGA' hat factory

• The White House hosted some prominent entertainers on Thursday to celebrate President Donald Trump signing the Music Modernization Act, which ensures the rights of songwriters in the digital era.
• Kid Rock, The Beach Boys cofounder Mike Love, country singers John Rich and Craig Morgan, and Christian rock band MercyMe were among the musicians in attendance.
• Later on, rapper Kanye West and retired NFL player Jim Brown joined Trump for a working lunch to discuss a handful of issues.

The White House welcomed a star-studded group of guests on Thursday to attend President Donald Trump's signing of the Music Modernization Act, and Trump's working lunch. The president also had a sit-down in the Oval Office with rapper Kanye West and former NFL player Jim Brown.

The Music Modernization Act, named for retiring Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia and retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, who is also a songwriter, secured widespread bipartisan support.

The Act updates current music licensing law to enable songwriters to be adequately compensated from revenues originating from online music streaming, allow producers to earn royalties from songs played over online and satellite radio, and ensure royalty payments for the writers and performers of songs written before 1972.

Musicians including Kid Rock, The Beach Boys cofounder Mike Love, and Christian rock group MercyMe attended the bill signing. NFL legend Jim Brown and Kanye West later joined Trump in the Oval Office for a working lunch and a televised meeting with reporters. West previously met with Trump shortly after his election in 2016

Here are all the celebrities who appeared at the White House on Thursday:

Kid Rock

Robert James Ritchie, better known as the musician Kid Rock, attended the signing for the Music Modernization Act at the White House in his signature rockstar garb and sunglasses. 

“This business of music is a pretty dirty business ... but this is a great start to protect songwriters, producers, engineers — the unsung heroes behind many of these songs that go out there,” he said of the Act.

Kid Rock himself is one of Trump's most prominent supporters in the entertainment community, and even floated a run for Senate in Michigan, although he later revealed it was a promotional tactic for his most recent album. 

Sam Moore

Trump welcomed Sam Moore, a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer best known as one-half of the soul and R&B duo Sam & Dave, to the White House and wished him a happy 83rd birthday, which he celebrates October 12.

"He looks good," Trump joked. "83! That means there's a future for us."

Trump gifted Moore a pen used to sign the Act. Moore praised Trump for helping get the act signed into law. 

"When Mr. Bush was in we couldn't get it done. When we had Mr. Obama in, we couldn't get it done. But we got it done with this man," Moore said 

Mike Love

Mike Love, the Grammy Award-winning cofounder of The Beach Boys who also holds a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, also appeared alongside Trump for the bill signing. 

"People can say what they want, but you've always been a big supporter of some of the best music America's ever made," Love said of Trump.

• Office life has undergone a number of major changes since the 1950s.
• Of course, workplaces have always varied in terms of look and culture, oftentimes based on regional, industry-wide, or organizational norms.
• But there have also been a number of widespread changes over time.
• These shifts include increased workforce diversity, widespread bans on smoking, and changing trends regarding popular workplace layouts.

Office culture has changed quite a bit over the years.

Some of those shifts were actually reflected in workplace design trends.

Corner offices were meant to convey hierarchical prestige and status. The cubicle was intended to improve employees' lives, but ultimately became a symbol of corporate drudgery. And the currently-popular open office layout was introduced as a more egalitarian approach, but has received quite a backlash, as well.

In his 2014 book "The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace," Ron Friedman concludes that the jury's still out on which style is the least terrible option.

"Cubicles are depressing. Private offices are isolating. Open spaces are distracting," he writes.

But the big changes to US work culture haven't just been all about appearances.

Teamwork is ostensibly in, while hierarchy is out. Typewriters got the boot with the advent of faster, user-friendly computers. Corporate jargon and ideas about job security have gone through major fluxes, as well.

Racial diversity in the workforce has increased over time — although many fields still have quite a way to go.

And workplace sexual harassment has gone from being a pervasive and widely-accepted phenomenon to a pervasive but somewhat less widely-accepted phenomenon.

Let's take a look back in time at how office culture has changed over the years:

SEE ALSO: These amazing photos show how American women took over the workforce during WWII and changed the face of US labor

SEE ALSO: 12 awesome offices reveal what work will look like in the future

DON'T MISS: 13 ways to hack your workspace for optimal productivity

In the years following World War II, Friedman wrote that most offices "... consisted of a vast open space, with rows and rows of identical desks crammed tightly together."

Source: "The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace"

This "bullpen office" had blue-collar roots, according to Friedman. The open design hearkened back to the factory floor, and was meant to foster productivity by keeping everyone visible.

Source: "The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace"

Of course, not everyone would have been stuck in the bullpen. At some companies, high-ranking employees might receive their own office.

Source: "The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace," Herman Miller

• If saving for retirement is the last thing on your mind, it shouldn’t be.
• Even if you have $0 saved at the moment, the key is to start saving something — anything.
• By eliminating a few everyday expenses, you’ll see that putting money aside for retirement is simpler than you may think.
• Here, a certified financial planner (CFP) shares seven tips to make saving for retirement easier.

While saving for retirement may not be at the forefront of your mind, it should be, no matter how old you are or where you are in your career. Even if you have $0 saved at the moment, now is the perfect time to begin stowing away money for retirement.

Whether you seek out a certified financial planner (CFP) or use a device likeNerdWallet's retirement calculator, the idea is the same: Start saving something.

Andy Smith, a CFP and senior vice president of financial planning at Financial Engines, an independent investment advisor that serves over 9 million people, said he agrees. "Surprisingly, the first step to saving for retirement is to simply start saving," he told Business Insider in an email. "Rather than trying to get it right, keep it simple and get started building a habit of saving."

SEE ALSO: 11 financial experts reveal their favorite money apps

1. Just begin — no excuses

The most important step in saving for retirement is starting.

"Many people who want to retire as millionaires have no idea how to get there, and others never get started saving because they assume they must have the perfect plan right from the start," he said.

2. Set periodic goals, not a random retirement number

Although you may strive to save up a million dollars for retirement, Smith said to set smaller, regular goals, not a random final dollar amount.

"While there is no one number Americans should have saved when they retire, it is important to set a target so you know if you’re headed in the right direction," he said. "For instance, set the goal to have ‘x’ amount of dollars saved by age 'x.'"

"The first step to choosing the right retirement date is to determine a savings goal based on your intended retirement lifestyle and the number of years you expect to live in retirement," Smith said. "You can use online calculators or talk to an investment advisor for help arriving at a preliminary number based on your current spending levels and estimated expenditures during your retirement years."

Make sure to take the lifestyle changes of retirement into consideration. "For example, your transportation costs might decrease, since you’ll no longer be commuting to work, but the cost of utilities might go up as a result of your spending more time at home," Smith said.

He also said to keep in mind that a financial plan is simply a piece of paper, so it's important to review it regularly and make adjustments as needed.

3. Save as much money as you can for as long as you can

Smith said that saving as much money as you can, for as long as you can, is key. He suggested contributing to a 401(k) if your company offers one, and/or a Roth IRA.

"If your company offers a 401(k) match program, consider maximizing your contribution to receive the full company match,” he said. “Unfortunately, many people miss out on this free money."

Smith added that, according to a report from Financial Engines, Americans leave $24 billion inunclaimed 401(k) company matches on the table each year.

For those without access to a 401(k) plan, such as freelancers, Smith suggests a Roth or traditional IRA. Also, with the help of an accountant, "freelancers should also explore accounts that allow for higher savings, like solo 401(k)s or SEP-IRA options," he said.

• The Senate Judiciary Committee is probing Google on their handling of the of massive data exposure on their Google+ platform.
• Sen. Chuck Grassley is questioning Google CEO Sundar Pichai as to why the data failure was not disclosed to Congress when it was discovered in March.
• Google executives have not participated in requests to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

WASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee went after Google on Friday for failing to disclose their considerable vulnerabilities that led to the exposure of personal information of users on its soon-to-be shut down social networking site Google+.

In a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley hammered the company for not participating in past hearings and failing to disclose the glitch.

"Given your and Google’s unwillingness to participate, I sent you a letter seeking information on Google’s current data privacy policies, specifically as they relate to Google’s third party developer APIs," Grassley wrote. "Your responses to my questions highlighted Google’s application verification process, the continuous monitoring of applications through machine learning, and the use of manual audits, all to ensure robust protection of user data."

"Despite your contention that Google did not have the same data protection failures as Facebook, it appears from recent reports that Google+ had an almost identical feature to Facebook, which allowed third party developers to access information from users as well as private information of those users’ connections," he added. "Moreover, it appears that you were aware of this issue at the time I invited you to participate in the hearing and sent you the letter regarding Google’s policies."

Grassley also pressed on several lingering questions for Google, including why the glitch was not disclosed to either Congress or its users when it was discovered back in March and whether they are conducting audits of third party developers.

Google has so far been uncooperative with lawmakers, making them furious at the tech giant. In September, when Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Google declined to participate.

"Given its size and influence, I would have thought the leadership at Google would want to demonstrate how seriously it takes these challenges and to lead this important public discussion," said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Intelligence Committee.

Grassley gave Pichai until October 26 to answer the slate of questions.

SEE ALSO: After Kavanaugh scandal, Democrats cut a deal to confirm more Trump judicial nominations so they can go home to campaign

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NOW WATCH: Inside the Trump 'MAGA' hat factory

Insider Inc. is hiring an editorial operations intern to help keep the Business Insider and INSIDER newsrooms organized.

We're looking for someone who is an excellent communicator, has impeccable organizational skills, and is curious about how a digital newsroom operates. 

Some responsibilities will include:

• Posting jobs on our site and other job boards
• Onboarding new hires and helping them settle in their first week 
• Sending reminders about skill-building seminars and series across the newsroom
• Other admin tasks such as taking notes for meetings 

The ideal candidate is someone who loves scheduling and keeps a detailed calendar. This person should be familiar with Gmail and proper email etiquette, as well as the rest of the Google suite (calendar, drive, forms etc). 

This is an internship role based in our office in the financial district in Manhattan. Interns are paid hourly, and can work up to 40 hours a week. A degree in communications or journalism is helpful, but not required. 

Please APPLY HERE with your cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, let us know why this role at Insider excites you.

About us:

Insider Inc. is the publisher of INSIDER, Markets Insider, and 17 international editions of Business Insider, including the flagship NY-based US edition. The company pioneered a digital-native approach to news and information that is social and mobile at its core, for an ambitious and curious global audience that grew up with digital. The company launched in 2007, and in ten years, Business Insider has grown to become the most favorite business news brand in the world, when measured by reach. Insider Inc. reaches a global audience of several hundred million readers and viewers. The company also offers a subscription research service, Business Insider Intelligence (BII), that provides in-depth insight, data, and analysis of digital topics. Every year the company hosts IGNITION, an influential media and technology conferences. Insider Inc. is a subsidiary of Axel Springer SE. We are always looking for talented, curious and motivated individuals to join our growing team. 

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NOW WATCH: One bite from this tick could ruin red meat for the rest of your life

• Living in New York City has its advantages and disadvantages, but for many of the city's residents, the pros vastly outweigh the cons.
• Author Audrey Noble asked 14 millennial New Yorkers why they think NYC is the best city in the world.

Since I was born and raised in Los Angeles but live in New York City, people often ask me which city I think is better. My answer, without any hesitation, is New York City.

I've been living here for a little over four years now, and even despite all the hardships, rejections, and heartbreaks I've experienced, moving more than 3,000 miles away from home is still the best decision I've ever made.

The infectious energy, the incredible people who reside here, and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences make NYC a magical place. But don't just take my word for it.

For perspective, I asked 14 other millennial New Yorkers what they love about the city: 

SEE ALSO: 14 people on the streets of New York City told us what they would do with $1 million

DON'T MISS: We asked 16 regular people on the streets of NYC about the best and worst financial advice they've ever received, and most were told the same thing

You can live a lifetime in a day

Living in the city affords one the opportunity to live a lifetime in a day. From a morning run in Central Park, to some of the best food imaginable in the afternoon, to an evening watching world-class theater and comedy. New York really can be like the movies. There is always something calling if you just say 'yes.'

— Sara, 25

Access to all the cultural events you could want

Concerts, sports, shows — you can experience in one weekend what people elsewhere experience in a year.

— Alex, 32

The fun doesn't stop at night

New York is the city that never sleeps. You could be out at any hour of the night and there's always something to do.

— Jackie Yan, 27

• Timothée Chalamet's gripping performance in "Beautiful Boy" proves he's one of the best young actors working today. 
• Both and and Steve Carell, playing his father in the movie, deserve Oscar nominations.

Every weekend we pick an indie movie currently playing in theaters we think is definitely worth your time and money, and this week's is "Beautiful Boy."

Some movies that show the horrors of life are not intended to scare audiences, but give them a sense of hope. And "Beautiful Boy" is one of those movies.

Giving a unflinching look at addiction, the performance by Timothée Chalamet playing Nic Sheff — who is spiraling out of control due to his addiction to methamphetamines despite the tenacious drive by his father, David (Steve Carell), to get him sober — is one you will not forget anytime soon. 

Nic is a charming kid going into college who on the surface seems to have it all. But underneath, his need for drugs ends up crippling his life and his relationship with his family. 

But unlike many movies about addiction, director Felix Van Groeningen doesn't solely focus on Nic's journey. He also focuses a good amount on what David is going through: his trips to the doctor to better understand his son's addiction, the flashbacks he has to much simpler times when Nic was a boy, and the excruciating-to-watch confrontations between father and son when the frustration with the disease hits its breaking point. The movie shows how the addiction cripples Nic, but also how despite it all, the bond between David and his son is stronger. 

Chalamet, who proves here that he's definitely one of the best young actors working today, and Carell give Oscar-worthy performances. And the movie's look may also find awards consideration. Set mainly in the San Francisco area, the camera work at the locations by cinematographer Ruben Impens is breathtaking — a subtle juxtaposition with the not-so-pretty topic the movie covers.

See where "Beautiful Boy" is playing near you.

Our indie movie picks from previous weekends:

• "Eighth Grade"
• "Blindspotting"
• "The Miseducation of Cameron Post"
• "BlacKkKlansman"
• "Support the Girls"
• "Sorry to Bother You"
• "Operation Finale"
• "Lizzie"
• "Assassination Nation"
• "The Sisters Brothers"
• "The Old Man & the Gun"

SEE ALSO: 7 movies you can watch on Netflix this weekend

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NOW WATCH: A top movie actor reveals how he learns different accents

• HSBC Expat released its annual expat survey to find the countries where expats earn the highest income and have the most job opportunities.
• There are countries from all over the world, including the US, China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. 
• Switzerland is the best country to live abroad if you want to make more money — the average expat salary is $202,865.

30. Philippines

Average Income for Expats: $59,134

29. Turkey

Average Income for Expats: $60,793

28. Mexico

Average Income for Expats: $66,940

• Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he will still attend the Future Investment Initiative conference in Ridyah, Saudi Arabia despite the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• Reports suggest the Saudis were responsible for the disappearance and alleged killing of Khashoggi.
• Numerous business executives and media companies have pulled out of the event due to the Khashoggi disappearance.
• "If more information comes out and changes, we could look at that, but I am planning on going," Mnuchin said.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he will still attend a major business conference in Saudi Arabia despite the disappearance of journalist and prominent Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi.

During an appearance on CNBC, Mnuchin was asked whether he planned to attend the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, despite reports that the country was behind the disappearance of Khashoggi.

"Well first, let me just say, we are concerned about the status of Mr. Khashoggi and although I haven't had direct conversations with the Saudis, I know other people in the executive branch have and those discussions are under way," Mnuchin said. "I am planning on going at this point. If more information comes out and changes, we could look at that, but I am planning on going."

Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, and Turkish officials allege that the journalist, a contributor to The Washington Post, was killed. Reports claim that Saudi officials were responsible for the death of Khashoggi and that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered an operation to lure Khashoggi back to the country.

The Saudis have denied the allegations.

Following the reports, many major businesses executives announced they would not attend the event, nicked "Davos in the Desert" due to Khashoggi's alleged killing by Saudi Arabia. Those who dropped out include Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, HuffPo founder Arianna Huffington, and Viacom CEO Robert Bakish.

"I'm very troubled by the reports to date about Jamal Khashoggi,” Khosrowshahi said in a statement. "We are following the situation closely, and unless a substantially different set of facts emerges, I won't be attending the FII conference in Riyadh."

Media partners for the event including The New York Times, CNN, and Bloomberg have also pulled out.

The FII conference is an extension of Saudi Arabia and bin Salman's desire to attract international investors to the country as part of its Vision 2030 plan. The crown prince has courted international businesses and celebrities ranging from former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to Oprah and Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson in an effort to improve the image of Saudi Arabia.

SEE ALSO: Individuals and businesses are distancing themselves from Saudi Arabia following the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

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• A massive attack on Facebook by unidentified hackers impacted 29 million people.
• The majority of data taken was personal names and phone numbers.
• For some people, much more information was taken — date of birth, location, religion, and a variety of other details.

Facebook announced important new details Friday about the massive hack that affected 29 million users of its social network — and it's much worse than we thought.

A mess of personal information, including details about people's recent locations, phone numbers and search histories, was taken by the as-yet unidentified hackers. 

After all, Facebook serves as an online identity for many people.

"For 15 million people, attackers accessed two sets of information – name and contact details (phone number, email, or both, depending on what people had on their profiles)," Facebook said in a blog post Friday.

"For 14 million people, the attackers accessed the same two sets of information, as well as other details people had on their profiles," the post said. 

For anyone who's filled out a Facebook profile page, those "other details people had on their profiles" can amount to a lot of personal information: Stuff like your birthdate, where you went to school, who you're in a relationship with — even your religion. It all depends on what you volunteered to Facebook when you filled out your profile page.

Here's the full list of information that hackers might have gotten if you're one of the unlucky 29 million impacted people:

• Username
• Gender
• Locale/language
• Relationship status
• Religion
• Hometown
• Self-reported current city
• Birthdate
• Device types used to access Facebook
• Education
• Work
• The last 10 places you checked into or were tagged in
• Website
• People or Pages you follow
• The 15 most recent searches

Wondering whether or not you're affected? So were we! Head to this Facebook page while logged into Facebook, and scroll to the bottom to find out.

SEE ALSO: Facebook says the FBI has asked it not to reveal who might be behind an hack that affected 30 million people

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• The Midwest has a rep for friendly people, cheap land, and a stress-free lifestyle that differs dramatically from other US regions.
• Many people are flocking to the Midwest because of its affordable cost of living, open spaces, and relaxed pace of life.
• Here are 6 ways the Midwest is different than the rest of the country.

There's only one place in the US where traffic jams are often caused by tractors on the road and weekends consist of floating down rivers and modeling clothes through the aisles of Walmart.

Middle America has long been classified as a "flyover country," comprised of more corn fields than major metropolises and mom-and-pop shops than Fortune 500 companies, but the 12 states that constitute the Midwest have a richer culture than many people give it credit for — take it from me, a native of small-town Ohio myself.

In my hometown, "porch sitting" is a perfectly sound and popular pastime, the parking lot of our only supermarket is a common meeting place, and Friday nights out usually include a high school football game.

About 21% of the nation's population call this region — North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio — home, according to the 2017 US Census, and that number is growing. The Daily Beast reported that lately, Millennials are kissing big city dreams goodbye to seek lower housing costs in cities like Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Indianapolis instead.

But while this influx of 20- and 30-somethings is proof that America's "breadbasket" is undergoing significant change, some Midwest traditions are simply ingrained. Here are six ways the Midwest differs from the rest of the country.

SEE ALSO: 8 things 'coasties' get wrong about the Midwest, according to people who live there

1. The people are genuinely nice

It's true: some stereotypes are built on bold-faced lies. The archetype of Midwesterners being — sometimes alarmingly — nice, however, is rooted in truth. The University of Cambridge released a 2013 study assessing the personality traits of more than 1.5 million people and found that personalities of the Midwest had "moderately high levels of extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness."

Inhabitants of the so-called heartland smile and wave at every person they come by, friends and strangers alike, on sidewalks and in supermarket aisles. I speak from experience when I say they'll even show up on your doorstep with a home-cooked casserole if they see a wrecked car in the driveway or have gotten wind of the death in the family.

2. The weather is unpredictable and extreme

In Los Angeles, one could wear a summer dress nearly every day and rarely ever have to pack an umbrella at the last minute. Midwesterners, on the other hand, never know whether to don a parka, a crop-top, or a poncho.

The climate can change by the day, or by the hour, for that matter. According to a 2016 study by Save On Energy, the top 10 US cities with the most unpredictable weather — including Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, and St. Paul at the top — are all located in the Midwest.

Whatever the weather, it's almost always extreme. Without oceans to regulate temperature, USA Today reported, the summers tend to be sweltering and the winters outrageously cold.

3. Midwesterners are always finding new ways to have fun

Even though the University of Cambridge study ranked the East and West Coasts higher on the creative spectrum, anyone who grew up in the Midwest would probably agree that living in the region does require creativity when it comes to finding fun.

Nights out often entail bonfire parties, Euchre (a card game) competitions, and late-night trips to Walmart, according to Good Housekeeping, and on Sunday afternoons during summer, cornhole is king.

• With a reported net worth of $53.5 billion, Alphabet CEO Larry Page is the eighth-richest person in the world.
• Alphabet president Sergey Brin is No. 9, with a reported net worth of $52.1 billion.
• See how the two Google founders spend their fortune. 

The founders of Google have a salary of $1. But they're still among the wealthiest people in the world.

With Bloomberg reporting his worth at $53.5 billion, Alphabet CEO Larry Page is the eighth-richest person in the world. Alphabet president Sergey Brin is just behind at No. 9, with a reported net worth of $52.1 billion.

Here's a look at how both Page and Brin spend their fortunes: 

SEE ALSO: Tim Cook is worth $625 million and leads a $1 trillion company — but he reportedly buys discounted underwear and wants to give his money away after paying for his nephew’s tuition

Sergey Brin and Larry Page founded Google (now owned by parent company Alphabet) in 1998 in a garage in Menlo Park, California.

Source: Business Insider

Page was born in 1973 to two computer science professors at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Even at a young age, he enjoyed taking machines apart and trying to put them back together to understand how they functioned.

Source:"Larry Page" 

Page went to the University of Michigan for undergrad. While there, he was a member of the solar car team, proposed an overhaul of the school's bus system, and developed other business plans.

Source:Business Insider

• Life lessons often only come with time and mistakes made.
• Figuring out financial responsibility, the importance of maintaining health, and having patience with my career would have helped me be more successful.
• Here are eight crucial life lessons that I wish someone had told me a decade ago.

When I was in my late 20s, my boss and I used to have epic lunches where we'd chat about life. One day, he told me that when you turn 30, you need to start being responsible. I didn't take him seriously, but now that I'm 40, I wish I had.

Here are eight of the hard-earned lessons I've learned leading up to my fortieth year that I wish someone had told me a decade ago:

SEE ALSO: The lesson I learned in my 30s that changed how I live my life

1. You may see some friends less often, but the bond remains strong

I've found that the closest friends I've had for the past 20 years are the ones from my fraternity — it truly is a forever bond. As life moves on, though, people do, too.

Some of your friends will move to different states, and some will get married, have kids, and end up immersed in a suburban bubble. Your inner circle will become smaller and smaller as you get older.

But that's not to say that the folks you see less often are gone forever. With many of my fraternity brothers, when we get together, we're still able to pick up right where we left off. It's like no time has passed. You just can't get bogged down with wondering when you’ll see them again or feel insecure about why they haven’t called.  

2. Your parents will need taking care of

My parents are on the verge of turning 70, and their health is becoming a concern. Between the two of them they have high cholesterol, hearing loss, and multiple medications, and doctor visits are becoming more and more frequent.

It's important to understand your family’s health and medical history, and to know all of their pertinent information so you can handle any medical situation that may arise.

3. An extravagant wedding is overrated

If there was ever a moment where the idiom "If I knew then what I know now" fits into this post, it pertains to my wedding. Yes, it was beautiful – everyone we wanted was there, we had an outdoor ceremony, the music was amazing, and the caterer's pigs-in-a-blanket were hand-rolled!

But weddings can be uber-expensive, especially in the New York City area. Planning a wedding often causes stress for the bride and groom and strife among the parents paying for it.

If you really want to have a wedding, focus on curating your guest list, paring it down only to the folks who must be there. Do what I would do now if I had the chance to do it all again: Take a long and lovely honeymoon and start your life together without this nuptial nonsense.

• Dating apps are now a common way to meet people, though there are many who prefer not to use them.
• People have various reasons for not using them, from saying they're a waste of time to preferring natural, in-person chemistry.
• Here, 21 people reveal why they don't use dating apps— and how they meet people instead.

Though dating apps are a common way to meet people these days, there are still many people who prefer to meet romantic prospects in real life for the first time.

According to a 2017 report by Statista, 61% of Americans aged 18-29 and 44% of Americans 30-59 are currently using a dating site/app or have used one in the past. However, a 2018 survey by polling platform The Tylt found that almost 84% of millennials would rather find love “in real life” than online.

"Meeting people ‘in the wild' makes conversations more organic and easygoing," Maria Avgitidis, founder ofAgape Match, a matchmaking service based in NYC, told Business Insider in an email.

Avgitidis said that meeting in person provides an opportunity for exploration, curiosity, and a different kind of sexual tension. "More significantly, you're not hiding behind a screen and turning a soulmate into a pen pal," she said.

Here, 21 people reveal why they don't use dating apps— and how they meet people instead. The answers have been condensed and edited for clarity.

SEE ALSO: Relationship experts agree that dating apps can be useful — but not necessarily for finding love

DON'T MISS: The 13 biggest mistakes you're making on dating apps — and how to stop

1. Charlene, 40

I'd been in long-distance relationships up until a few years ago and had no desire to try dating apps since becoming single. My friends use them, and their complaints about the quality of matches, the dilemma of too much choice, and the buildup of chatting with someone for weeks only to meet in person and not have chemistry completely put me off of dating apps. Swipe and chat my day away on yet another app? I don't have time for that!

Luckily, I'm an extrovert who's OK with alone time, so being by myself and striking up conversations is my zone. Meeting men is easy because I'm living my life and doing what interests me and, luckily, since they're there, too, it's something they're interested in, as well.

I think men can sense that I don't have an agenda — I'm not focused on dating just to date or find "The One," but am interested in connecting with people and cultivating knowledge and building relationships (not just one Relationship with a capital "R").

2. Supriya, 29

I am not a fan of dating apps at all! Though a lot of my friends use them and narrate the fun experiences they've had, the idea doesn't resonate with me — they're nothing but an algorithm.

I think the probability of meeting a person through friends or family at a party or a get-together is more convincing to me. Meetups for like-minded people with common interests sound great, too. Meeting someone in a situation like that sets the tone and a topic for conversation, whereas my friends who use apps get so nervous about how they'll be perceived on their coffee date!

3. Chris, 29

I can't stand dating apps — it takes the whole chase out of the equation, which is the fun part for both parties. I used one for about a month and people would respond once or twice, then never message back again. It seemed like they were on there to get validation, but not to follow through with actually going out. It was a big waste of time.

I meet girls at the gym — which is a healthy habit anyway! — and it works out great. I feel in my element there, and that is where your self-esteem is most high, in your element or place or expertise. I highly recommend it.

• A Brooklyn penthouse is under contract for $20 million, according to The Wall Street Journal.
• If the deal closes, that price is set to shatter the record for the most expensive home ever sold in Brooklyn, New York.
• The penthouse at Quay Tower is a 7,433-square-foot home that offers expansive views of the Hudson and East rivers and of the Manhattan skyline.

A Brooklyn, New York, penthouse is under contract for $20 million — and if the deal closes, it'll be on track to shatter the record for the most expensive home ever sold in the borough.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the current record is held by a Cobble Hill townhouse that sold for $15.5 million back in 2015.

Located in Quay Tower, the penthouse in question is actually two units that are being combined into a single unit, reports Curbed New York.

As Andrew Anderson of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, which is handling sales at Quay Tower, told Business Insider, "No other property in Brooklyn or New York City has this combination of ultra-high-end interiors and amenities paired with absolutely mesmerizing views of New York Harbor, the Downtown skyline and East River all the way beyond the Empire State Building."

Keep reading to take a look inside the luxurious apartment.

SEE ALSO: This $59 million penthouse in New York City's priciest zip code has a living room the size of a museum and perfect views of the Empire State Building and One World Trade

The penthouse is at the top of the 30-story Quay Tower and is one of 126 units in the building.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

The apartment is located in Brooklyn Heights and offers views of both the Hudson and East rivers. Its location, added Anderson, "makes it all the more precious."

The penthouse features floor-to-ceiling windows, from which the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Statue of Liberty are all visible.

Source: Douglas Elliman, The Wall Street Journal