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Merrill Lynch is creating a guide to help wealthy people choose how to spend their money, and there are only 4 options

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wealthy young guy

  • Wealth and freedom of choice go hand in hand: The more money you have, the more choices you have.
  • But once you've reached a comfortable level of wealth, your spending should align with your end goal, and there are only four options, according to a forthcoming guide from Merrill Lynch.
  • The guide asks people to decide what they want to do with their wealth: Do you want to spend your fortune, maintain the current level, preserve its buying power, or grow it as much as possible?

Wealth is often equated with freedom: The more you have, the more choices you're able to make. 

But even people with high net worths fret about their spending. 

That's according to New York Times writer Paul Sullivan, who, in his latest column, said Merrill Lynch's private banking and investment group is developing a guide to help wealthy clients manage their cash flow.

The guide, which Sullivan said will be released this spring, defines various spending priorities, including mortgage payments, charitable donations, and impulse buys. Understanding all the ways in which money is spent today is an essential step in planning for future wealth. 

Most importantly, it asks people to decide what they want to happen to the wealth they've already built.

"There are only four choices: Spend it down, keep it at the current level, preserve its buying power by having its value keep up with inflation, or spend or invest it to grow as much as possible," Sullivan wrote.

Read more: An early retiree who quizzed 100 millionaires about their money found there's a 4-step process to building wealth

"Deciding how to decide is really important," Valerie Galinskaya, director of the Center for Family Wealth Dynamics and Governance, told the Times.

The guide is handy regardless of your net-worth level. If you're choosing the option to grow your net worth, whether you want to hit the $1 million mark or the $50 million mark, the same principles apply. Aiming for a more precise goal allows you to fix spending habits to make that happen. Even if you can technically afford something, the question becomes whether or not you should be buying it.

As Sullivan wrote, "increasing wealth while spending heavily is difficult without additional sources of income. If a portfolio grows at 5% a year, for example, but inflation is 3% and taxes are 2%, there isn't a lot of room for spending if you want your net worth to grow." It's the people who recognize this simple fact — and adjust their spending accordingly — who become millionaires and billionaires.

Chris Hogan, the author of "Everyday Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth — and How You Can Too," surveyed 10,000 American millionaires for seven months, and he found many of them live on less than they make and exercise discipline when it comes to budgeting, Business Insider's Hillary Hoffower reported.

Read more:An author who surveyed over 10,000 millionaires found the qualities that make them successful hinge on a distinct behavior

"Millionaires don't accidentally live on less than they make," Hogan wrote. "They do it on purpose, because they have a plan. They're deciding. Living without a budget, though, is the very definition of sliding into misfortune."

It starts with identifying your values: Do you want to set your children up with a seven-figure nest egg? Do you want half of your fortune to go to charity? Do you want to stop working and spend retirement traveling the world?

The answers to these questions will eventually lead one to choosing one of the four options.

As Lee Miller, regional director of the New York office for Glenmede Trust, told the Times, "If there isn't a driver to do something else, you really don't need to make any changes. It's all about learning to make choices."

Read the full New York Times column here »

SEE ALSO: A researcher who studied over 600 millionaires found they do 3 things to forge a clear path to financial independence

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NOW WATCH: Japanese lifestyle guru Marie Kondo explains how to organize your home once and never again


This $400 stationary bike desk lets me get work done and a workout at the same time — it's a win-win for people like me with busy schedules

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. 

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  • The FlexiSpot Deskcise Pro ($300-$400) lets you exercise while working on a computer, reading or writing, or handling any other task you usually complete while seated at a desk.
  • The bike features multiple resistance levels and a height adjustable seat and desk, so you can customize it for the ideal workout and personal comfort.
  • The average-sized person of moderate fitness can burn more than 400 calories an hour on a stationary exercise bike set to mid-level resistance.

Here in my mid-30s, a given weekday in my life consists of the morning routine with my 5-year-old son, a quick kiss for my wife and our infant daughter before taking him to school, hours at the computer writing and occasional trips into New York City for meetings, an afternoon jog and workout, playing with my daughter, making and eating dinner, a family walk or more play, putting the kids down, cleaning up, then sharing an hour or two of adult time with my wife, which usually consists of us being utterly amazed how tired we are and how the house still isn't completely clean even after that half hour we spent picking things up and wiping surfaces down and such.

Now, out of all that, what do you think is first on the chopping block when I'm pressed for time? I can't not get my kid to school, and I can't not make dinner (I mean, my wife cooks too, but I'm usually the chef), and we can't not get the kids cleaned up and bedded down at night. And I have to work, last time I checked. So yeah, you guessed it: The workout is always the first to go.

While I always willfully sacrificed a run time for other aspects of my life, I hated missing more than a day or two of exercise. But then I realized I didn't have to.

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The FlexiSpot Deskcise Pro is a stationary exercise bike that allows you (and me!) to get work done while spinning your way to a leaner, fitter self. It comes in two versions, one being simply a compact stationary bike without handlebars that can slide under a tall desk or table, the other actually features an attached desktop for an additional $100. In both options, you can raise the bike's seat for ideal comfort and leg positioning, and in the desktop setup you can adjust the height of the tabletop area for the best comfort and ergonomics as you type, write, or read.

You really can type, write, read, have a call, work on a sketch, or complete any other activity usually reserved for a non-bike table or desk while pedaling on a FlexiSpot. The bike is quiet enough not to distract you during use, not to mention the fact that it won't bother nearby coworkers or be picked up on a phone call. It's also stable enough not to vibrate or shake as you spin, so you won't churn out typo-ridden emails or handwriting that your elementary school self would scoff at. I mean, if you weren't so polite and well-mannered back in those days, that is.

As for the workout itself, that's up to you.

The FlexiSpot features eight different resistance levels, the lowest of which is an easy, breezy spin you could keep up for hours. At the top level of resistance, prepare to break a sweat while burning hundreds of calories per hour — which for me, working at home, is great. But if you work in an office, maybe keep it moderate and enjoy enhanced blood flow and a bit of light cardio without the sweat dripping down onto your shared workspace.

Get a FlexiSpot Deskcise Pro with Desktop from Amazon for $399

Get a FlexiSpot Deskcise Pro without Desktop from Amazon for $299

SEE ALSO: This $580 height-adjustable desk is my answer to overcoming midday slumps

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Someone in Silicon Valley is renting a studio apartment for $1,500 a month just for his two cats

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Maine Coon cat

  • A Silicon Valley landlord is renting his San Jose studio apartment to a pair of cats, whose owner couldn't keep them in his own apartment, according to a San Jose Mercury News report on Sunday. 
  • Rent for the cats is $1,500 per month. 
  • “Basically I’ve got two renters that don’t have opposable thumbs,” the landlord said. 

Rental prices in Silicon Valley have skyrocketed to some of the highest in the country, as troves of tech workers have made the move with grand dreams of cashing in on the next big thing. Now, prospective renters may have to start competing for the limited amount of housing with our four-legged friends, too. 

On Sunday, the San Jose Mercury News reported that a Silicon Valley landlord is renting his studio apartment to a pair of Maine Coon-mixed cats, whose owner couldn't keep them in his own apartment. 

“Basically I’ve got two renters that don’t have opposable thumbs,” the landlord, David Callisch, told the Mercury. “It’s actually great. They’re very quiet, obviously. The only problem is they stink up the place.”

Rent for the cats — named Tina and Louise, after characters from the animated show Bob's Burgers — is $1,500 per month, according to the report. 

Callisch says the situation happened by chance, as his friend Troy Good — the renter in question, who builds custom phone booths for tech offices with open floor plans — needed a place for his daughter's beloved cats to live while she moved away to college. The felines, apparently, were not getting along with his fiance's terrier dog. 

Read more:Photos show what it's like for Silicon Valley's 'working homeless' who live down the street from tech giants

The situation has struck some as absurd, given Silicon Valley's ongoing housing crisis. 

"Silicon Valley is a place with so much inequality where thousands of people sleep on the streets every night while someone rents a below-market studio for $1,500 a month to two cats," tweeted Seattle Times real estate reporter Mike Rosenberg.

The cats do keep an active Instagram account to show off their apartment living. The account — described as "Two spoiled Maine coon/ Bombay sisters" — can be found here

Read the full San Jose Mercury News report here.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: We put the 7 best smartphones of 2018 head-to-head and there was a clear winner for the best value

The government shutdown could cause a disaster for the US economy if Trump follows through on his threat to continue the fight for 'months'

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  • Most economists agree that the government shutdown will weigh on US economic growth.
  • But according to one economist, if President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to keep the government closed for "months," the hit could be severe.
  • Pantheon Macroeconomics' Ian Shepherdson said if the shutdown lasts through March, then the US' first-quarter GDP could be negative.
  • While the prediction is a worst-case scenario, it highlights the dangers of a long-term shutdown.

While the record-breaking government shutdown is causing serious upheaval on Capitol Hill, economists say the closure of large portions of the government is already weighing on the US economy.

But it could get even worse. According to one economist, if the shutdown lasts for "months," as President Donald Trump threatened in a meeting with Democrats, the US economy could actually shrink in the first quarter of the year.

Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, laid out a worst-case scenario based on the partial closure of the government lasting through the end of March.

While most economists predict that the shutdown will shave a bit off the GDP in the first quarter because of lost wages to the 800,000 federal employees going without pay, Shepherdson said the compounding effect on federal contractors and businesses that rely on the spending from federal employees will be even worse.

"We have no way of estimating the impact on government contractors, or the second round effects when those businesses fail, or have to delay paying their employees, subcontractors, suppliers, and creditors, but it will not be trivial," Shepherdson said in a note to clients. "Accordingly, if the shutdown were to last through the whole quarter, we would look for an outright decline in first quarter GDP."

Read more: From airport lines to food inspections, here are all the ways the government shutdown is impacting the lives of average Americans»

A negative GDP print for the first quarter would be a monumental fall and drastic surprise, given that most economists expect a reading between 2.5% and 3.0%. But as Shepherdson said, there is only so much slack that can be given to businesses and consumers hit by the shutdown.

"But firms and farms which go bust as a result of the shutdown can't be magically resurrected when it's over," the economist wrote. "Not every business owner will have lenders as accommodating as those which bailed out President Trump's failing enterprises."

Most research shows that for every week of a shutdown, 0.05 to 0.1 percentage points are taken off of that quarter's growth, meaning the shutdown has chopped off as much as 0.1 to 0.2 points from the first quarter. Given that research, JPMorgan economist Daniel Silver also lowered projections for first-quarter GDP growth to 2% from 2.25%. 

Silver also said the pain could pick up if Congress and Trump aren't able to come to an agreement soon.

"Thus far it is hard to convincingly detect a macro effect on private sector activity, though risks of spillover to the private sector increase the longer the shutdown lasts," Silver said. 

Bank of America economists Joseph Song, Michelle Meyer, and Anna Zhou also reduced their outlook for growth in the first quarter because of the shutdown, but they worried that additional downsides could occur if uncertainty about government dysfunction starts to leak into consumer sentiment and American expectations.

"Additional drag could be felt if the shutdown generates uncertainty shocks in the economy leading to a decline in business and consumer sentiment and/or a decline in US equity markets," the Bank of America Merrill Lynch team wrote. "So far, the indirect impacts have been limited, but they will be become a greater drag on growth as the shutdown continues."

So, in the event of a prolonged shutdown, the pain first hits federal employees and businesses that rely on a government program. Then the pain is spread to businesses, landlords, and employees of companies that rely on the people missing out on the government payments.

As that pain builds, Americans and businesses throughout the country get nervous about the dysfunction and missing money, ultimately producing a broader drag on the economy.

While Shepherdson's prediction is a worst-case scenario and such a terrible GDP number would also be an unprecedented economic bite from a government shutdown, the length of the shutdown is also unprecedented and, as the economist said, the pain is already starting to build.

"Still, even if the shutdown is over by the end of the month, the hit to growth will be material, and it will hurt first quarter earnings, to say nothing of the costs and misery imposed on government employees, contractors and their families," Shepherdson said.

SEE ALSO: The effects of the shutdown are only going to get exponentially worse as the fight drags on

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: MSNBC host Chris Hayes thinks President Trump's stance on China is 'not at all crazy'

The government shutdown is in day 24 and has set the record for the longest shutdown in history

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harry reid shutdown

  • The government shutdown is now in its 24th day, setting the record for the longest of the modern era.
  • This is the 21st time the federal government has had a funding lapse since the modern budgeting process began.
  • Most of those times, the shutdown has been short and not involved employees being sent home, but that has changed in recent years.

President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders have yet to come to an agreement to reopen the government, pushing the government into a historic 24th day.

No shutdown ever lasted past the 21st day, with the 1995-1996 as the previous standard bearer. But the current, drawn out shutdown fight has eclipsed the record and shows no signs of ending.

The trouble started just before Christmas when Trump's sudden reversal on a bipartisan funding extension forced a sizeable portion — but not all — of the government into a partial shutdown.

Read more:Here's what the government shutdown means for federal agencies and employees»

This is 21st time since the modern budget process began with the Budget Act of 1974 that the federal government has entered a shutdown or had a funding lapse.

On average, the 20 previous shutdowns lasted eight days, though they have been longer in recent decades. The six shutdowns since 1990 have lasted nine days on average. And removing the short, nine-hour funding lapse caused by Sen. Rand Paul in February, recent shutdowns have averaged 11 days. The longest shutdown in history, lasting 21 days, came in 1995-1996.

Most of these shutdowns weren't severe, with 11 of the 20 lasting five days or fewer, and seven lasting three days or fewer.

Gov shutdowns by president–28 days

Read more:The effects of the shutdown are only going to get exponentially worse as the fight drags on»

The current shutdown also bears some major differences from the past because federal employees aren't working. Around 380,000 federal employees are now on furlough, meaning they do not report to work or get paid. In 11 of the previous shutdowns, employees were not placed on furlough.

Sending employees home has become more frequent in recent shutdowns, with furloughs occurring during five of the last six funding lapses (the only exception being the short Rand Paul lapse).

Another newer wrinkle is the fact that this is just the second shutdown during which employees were placed on furlough while one party controlled both chambers of Congress and the White House, which was the case for the beginning of the shutdown. The other instance was the three-day shutdown in January 2018.

Additionally, with the changeover to the 116th Congress, which has a Democrat-controlled House, this is the first shutdown in which control of a chamber of Congress changed parties during the funding lapse.

The current shutdown also means the president has set some historic firsts as well.

Trump is the only president to furlough employees while his party controlled both chambers of Congress, the only one to achieve that dubious feat multiple times, and is second in total shutdowns for a president whose party controls chambers of Congress. Jimmy Carter presided over five shutdowns while Democrats controlled both the House and Senate, none of which resulted in furloughs.

The latest shutdown also moved Trump into third place with three total funding lapses during his presidency, behind Carter's five and Ronald Reagan's eight. Trump also ranks fourth in totals shutdown days for modern presidents behind Carter's 67 days and the 28 day mark shared by Clinton and Reagan. 

2018 also became just the second year of the modern era to have three funding lapses, tying 1977's record.

Here's a breakdown of all the previous shutdowns:

Gov shutdown   24 days

SEE ALSO: From airport lines to food inspections, here are all the ways the government shutdown is impacting the lives of average Americans

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: MSNBC host Chris Hayes thinks President Trump's stance on China is 'not at all crazy'

From airport lines to food inspections, here are all the ways the government shutdown is impacting the lives of average Americans

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dc trash shutdown

  • The partial shutdown of the federal government is now in day 24 and has complicated things for several government agencies and services.
  • Though all essential government services remain open, Americans may feel the shutdown's wide-ranging effects.
  • From airport lines and food inspections to paychecks and parks, check out the ways the shutdown is affecting average Americans.

The government shutdown is dragging into its record-breaking 24th day, with both President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders showing no signs of backing down.

With the two sides unable to reach an agreement on funding for Trump's long-promised wall along the US-Mexico border, the shutdown is now the longest of the modern budgeting era, which began in 1974. While shorter funding lapses have typically resulted in minor disruptions, the near-record length of the current shutdown is starting to cause major problems for many Americans.

Read more:The government shutdown is in its 24th day and the fight between Trump and Democrats is only getting uglier. Here's everything you missed.

While the shutdown does not close the entire federal government — Congress passed bills to fund some departments like Defense and Helath and Human Services — the closure does still impact a slew of agencies, including the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Homeland Security, Interior, State, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development.

This means that the shutdown directly affects the families of around 800,000 federal employees who are either working without pay or are forced to stay home on furlough. But beyond the struggles that those federal employees are going through, average Americans who do not work for the government are also likely to see some strains.

Longer lines at airports, fewer food safety inspections, and a build up of trash in national parks are only a few ways that the government shutdown is taking its toll on typical Americans. We've compiled a list of a ways that you may feel the effects of the shutdown.

Around 800,000 Americans who are employed by the government are currently furloughed or working without pay until the shutdown ends.

420,000 of those employees are deemed "essential" and are forced to work during the shutdown, while 380,000 are on furlough — meaning they are forced to stay home.

On Friday, federal employees affected by the shutdown received their first paycheck of $0 as the pay period occurred entirely during the shutdown.

The essential workers will automatically be paid back pay when the shutdown ends, but furloughed workers will need Congress to pass a bill to pay them for the lost days.

Source: Business Insider

Senior Trump administration officials get raises during government shutdown as hundreds of thousands of federal employees remain without paychecks

Government agency says letter advising furloughed employees to perform chores for landlords in lieu of paying rent was posted by accident

Some government contractors could go unpaid even after the shutdown ends



Tens of thousands of employees working without pay are in law enforcement departments including the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, and the Secret Service.



Employees with the Transportation Security Administration were deemed essential and are currently being forced to work without pay, but the quality of security may be slipping.

A CNN report said "hundreds" of TSA officers were calling out of the unpaid work, potentially compromising airport security and increasing wait times to get through security at airports.

Business Insider reporter Benjamin Zhang reported that some TSA agents are even quitting.

Sources: CNN, Business Insider



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These under-$100 rain boots are made with ethically harvested rubber — a material most people don't realize comes from trees

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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  • Alice + Whittles' Minimalist Black and White Ankle Boot ($96) are the simple rain boots with a not-so-simple manufacturing process — and that's a good thing. 
  • Made from ethically-harvested natural rubber, they're flexible, durable, and ideal for daily urban wear. 
  • The price to pay for its environmentally and socially responsible products is reasonable: you can get most of its ankle boots for less than $100 and its riding boot for $150

As you peer out your bedroom window and double check your weather app, it becomes clear that, on the bright side, there won't be any torrential downpours or vision-blurring snowstorms today. However, you also won't be able to get away with wearing your nice leather, suede, or knit shoes without ruining them in the rain. 

The best shoes to combat your morning wardrobe paralysis have to be Alice + Whittles boots, the under-$100, ethically-made rubber rain boots that are sturdy enough for — and style effortlessly with — your everyday wear. 

Alice + Whittles sells a variety of minimalist ankle boots and one riding boot, all under $150. Sporting black or white soles, metallic plating, and a select number of color options, they're refreshingly uncomplicated, yet still capable of turning heads and inviting inquiries.

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I've been wearing one of its best sellers, the Minimalist Black and White Ankle Boot ($96) any time it has rained this winter, and I'm always glad I do. Sadly, they're not ideal for wide feet or high arches, and you'll definitely need to go one size up from your usual size, but once you do slip them onto your feet, you'll notice how slim and tapered they look, especially compared to other clunky, lumbering rain boots. The metallic loops and hardware at the back of the boots are an additional detail that keeps them sleek and stylish. 

They're not extremely cushioned, so I don't know that they would fare well for a whole day of dedicated walking, but for regular days strolling to, from, and around the city, they're perfect. They're easy to pull on, and they feel snug and comfortable as you walk. Alice + Whittles recommends them for everyday, urban wear rather than heavy use in extreme environments, and I agree — bring out the heavy-duty winter boots when you absolutely need to, but defer to these otherwise. 

There's more to the brand than its stripped-back design approach and affordable price point. Ethical manufacturing is central to Alice + Whittles, which harvests natural rubber from FSC-certified rainforests in Sri Lanka in environmentally, socially, and economically responsible ways. It provides fair wages to its workers, and it assumes complete responsibility over its supply chain, a model of transparency and accountability that is ever so slowly but steadily taking hold of the clothing industry. 

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The company's investment in responsible business practices to make a fairly simple product is a stark contrast to the speed and carelessness that grips fast fashion brands. While the boots look minimalist and timeless, there's a substantial, thoughtful process lying beneath the surface, making them far more interesting than any regular boot you pick up. 

Shop the Minimalist Black and White Ankle Boot for $96 at Alice + Whittles here

Shop all boots at Alice + Whittles here

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Meet Usain Bolt's personal barber who owns the most in-demand barbershop in London

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  • Sheldon Edwards is a barber to the world's top soccer stars and athletes.
  • Some of his clients include Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, Chelsea's Oliver Giroud and the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt.
  • We learned how he started from humble beginnings in Jamaica and how he built HD Cutz, a globally recognized barber business in the UK.

Business Insider sat down with Sheldon Edwards, the owner of HD Cutz barbers in South West London. He explained to us how he managed to build his barber business after emigrating from Jamaica as a teenager in 1998. 

Since then, the stylist has managed to build up a well-recognized clientele list, which includes a huge range of soccer players, and 8x Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt.

Sheldon mentions how he had to learn to adapt his barbering style, the struggles he faced while living in London and how he managed to become the personal hair stylist to so many recognized soccer stars.

Join the conversation about this story »


These photos reveal why the 27-year-old organizer of the disastrous Fyre Festival has been sentenced to 6 years in prison

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Fyre

  • Two hotly anticipated TV shows documenting the wild Fyre Festival saga begin streaming this week. Hulu's version debuted on Monday, while Netflix's will follow on Friday. 
  • Billy McFarland, the organizer of the festival, was sentenced to six years in prison in October and ordered to forfeit $26 million.
  • McFarland pleaded guilty in March 2018 to wire-fraud charges in relation to Fyre Festival, which became infamous after hundreds of attendees were left stranded in the Bahamas last year.
  • In June 2018, McFarland was arrested again on charges of selling fake tickets through a different company, called NYC VIP Access, starting in late 2017. He pleaded guilty to those charges in July.
  • Here's a look back at what happened at Fyre Festival.

After much anticipation, two documentaries that give a behind-the-scenes look into 2017's hellish Fyre Festival will finally air on our screens.

Hulu's version launched on Monday, and Netflix's will follow on Friday. 

Billy McFarland, the 27-year-old founder of the company behind the festival, was sentenced to six years in prison in October and faces a $26 million forfeiture order. He is featured in an exclusive interview in the Hulu documentary.

Read more: Fyre Festival founder sentenced to 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding investors out of millions of dollars in various ticketing schemes

Fyre Festival, which promised a VIP experience on the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas, turned into a nightmare situation as attendees were stranded with half-built huts to sleep in and cold cheese sandwiches to eat.

Here's what happened:

SEE ALSO: Netflix and Hulu are releasing competing documentaries on the Fyre Festival debacle, but Netflix is dominating Google search interest

The three-day party was supposed to be on a private beach on the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas.



It was supposed to be over two weekends in 2017: April 28-30 and May 5-7.



It was described as an "immersive music festival."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

11 highly rated sneakers for common types of workouts — from running to weightlifting

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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It's easy to set fitness goals for yourself at the beginning of the year, but the hard part is working to actually achieve them. In addition to needing the personal drive, attention span, and dedication, you're also going to need the right gear for your workouts — and, unless you're a kickboxer, what's on your feet is the most important consideration.

Instead of telling yourself you can work out or train in the same athletic sneakers you love to wear casually, you'll need to invest in footwear designed for your specific fitness needs. You'll be more likely to reach your goal without injury or discomfort as a result of wearing improper shoes or badly beaten sneakers you refuse to replace. In the long run, it'll pay off.

Whether you're into running, cross training, weight lifting, or cycling, you should be able to find the perfect pair of shoes to help you reach your fitness goals in the list below. We researched, tested, and read reviews far and wide on the best sneakers for different types of workouts and put that information all in one place. Of course, everyone's needs are different, and the pair that's right for you won't always be the same as what's right for your neighbor. But this list should at least guide you in the right direction. 

Learn more about each pair below:

Brooks Ghost 11 for all types of running

Brooks Ghost 11, available in nine colors on Amazon, $120

In 2018, Runner's World awarded the Brooks Ghost 11 its seventh Editor's Choice award as the best running sneaker for all types of runners. According to their review, the shoe is loved by amateur runners for its cushioning, by marathon runners for its ability to handle extended use, and by road runners for its smooth ride on any terrain. 



Under Armour Project Rock 1 for strength and agility training

Under Armour Project Rock 1, available in four colors, $120

As a WWE and big-screen movie superstar, it only takes one look at Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to know that he takes his training sessions seriously. Rather than putting his branding and likeness on it, the Under Armour Project Rock 1 was thoroughly designed in collaboration with Johnson to meet his and other athletes' training demands. The high-top trainer features a fully knit upper, synthetic overlays for support and durability, and a bootie construction for ankle support. The outsole uses a wrap-around textured pattern for traction and durability.

According to WearTesters' in-depth review, the Project Rock 1 is an evolution of a classic wrestling shoe, making it especially good for strength and agility training. It excels in traction, cushion, and support with sizing being the only concern. You'll want to go a full size down for an accurate fit.



Nike VaporFly 4% Flyknit for running track and speed training

Nike VaporFly 4% Flyknit, available in two colors, $250

Debuted in 2017, the VaporFly 4% Flyknit was designed specifically for running speed. The shoes feature Flyknit upper, an ultra-light ZoomX foam midsole, and a carbon fiber plate built into the tooling designed to propel you forward.

To prove just how innovative the design was, it was worn by Nike-sponsored runner Eluid Kipchoge, as he attempted to break the sub-two-hour marathon mark. Despite falling short by seconds, running 26.2 miles in two hours and 25 seconds, Kipchoge crushed the existing world record by more than two minutes. The Nike Vapor Fly 4% effectively claimed its stake as the fastest, most efficient shoe ever made. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

22 thoughtful, personalized engagement gifts couples will actually use

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Especially for engagements, there's something incredibly special about shared, customized gifts.

Instead of two of everything, a couple can begin seeing their lives — and the things they own — as being created with one unit in mind. Even the most mundane objects become a cause for excitement and celebration: Those are now our towels, our cutting board, and our invitation stamps. 

For gift-givers, personalization is an easy way to celebrate the commitment of loved ones, shower them with keepsakes, and try to make each gift feel as unique as the love between two people. 

Below, you'll find 22 thoughtful and useful engagement gifts that you can personalize for the happy couple:

DON'T MISS: 27 engagement gifts under $100 for couples who don't have a registry yet

SEE ALSO: 20 sweet his-and-hers gifts for couples celebrating happy milestones

Personalized mugs with the year the couple was established

Personalized Mugs, available on Uncommon Goods, from $30

These cute mugs can be personalized to fit the couple, making for a special weekend morning coffee routine or just a nice reminder in the kitchen cabinet. On the back, you can add a family name and the year the couple was established. 



A professionally framed photo of one of their favorite memories or engagement photos

Photo Framing, available on Framebridge, from $39

Framebridge Gift Card, available on Framebridge, from $25

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A monogrammed decanter set

Tipsy Whiskey 5-Piece Decanter Set, available on Nordstrom, $84

A decanter set is a pretty safe bet for adults who like to enjoy a nice alcoholic drink from time to time. It's also something that they're probably unlikely to buy for themselves, but will love owning. 



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Wow Air is offering $49 one-way flights from the US to Europe

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  • Wow Air is offering one-way flights from the US to Europe for as little as $49.
  • The discounted fare will be available on select flights from Boston; Detroit; Washington, DC; and New York to Reykjavik, Iceland; Dublin; Brussels; Frankfurt, Germany; and London. 
  • Only 1,000 seats will be available at the $49 price point. 
  • The sale ends at midnight on January 18 or until the discount tickets sell out. 

Wow Air launched a weeklong fare sale on Monday with one-way flights from the US to Europe for as little as $49.

The Icelandic ultra-low-cost airline will offer the discount on select flights from Boston; Detroit; Washington, DC; and New York to Reykjavik, Iceland; Dublin; Brussels; Frankfurt, Germany; and London.

"We are excited to offer our lowest price ever to travelers dreaming of a Eurotrip this year," Skúli Mogensen, founder and CEO of Wow Air, said in a statement. "At Wow Air, we are committed to making travel more affordable and accessible to all as traveling is a culturally enriching, enjoyable and enlivening experience."

However, only 1,000 seats will be made available at the $49 price point, and they are available only if booked as part of a round-trip reservation. The sale ends at midnight on Friday, January 18, or until the discount tickets sell out. 

Read more: These 20 airlines are the least likely to have delayed flights.

The sale fare is for flights between January 21 and March 11, 2019. 

The 7-year-old airline, known for its brightly painted purple plane and rock bottom tickets, has been struggling to find solid financial footing.  

In November, Wow Air failed to complete a merger with Icelandair in a deal that valued the carrier at $18 million to $25 million

Last month, the airline announced layoffs for 111 employees. It has also returned all of its leased wide-body Airbus A330 jets, which were used on flights to the West Coast of the United States. The airline also sold four Airbus A321 jets to Air Canada. 

The airline is discussing investment opportunities with the private-equity firm Indigo Partners, which owns the low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and JetSmart. 

SEE ALSO: Houston Airport has shut down the TSA checkpoints in one of its terminals because there aren't enough TSA officers willing to work unpaid during the government shutdown

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NOW WATCH: What it's like to win the Gumball 3000 where drivers party until 2 am every night and drive 3,000 miles in 7 days

A photographer captured shots of Americans eating dinner for 3 years, and the photos show how different family meal time looks in busy homes across the US

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  • What family meal time looks like in each individual household can vary greatly.
  • It's something photographer Lois Bielefeld wanted to explore in her series "Weeknight Dinners."
  • She visited more than 80 households across the Midwest and the South to capture how, what, when, and where people spend dinnertime with their families.
  • Take a look at her series.

SEE ALSO: Stunning photos show how different young people's bedrooms look around the world

DON'T MISS: This entrepreneurial power couple run 4 businesses together out of their West Village home — here's their best advice for making it work

Studies have repeatedly shown the benefits of having a set family meal time every day.

Source: Journal of Adolescent Health



Research has shown that the benefits are especially pronounced in children.

Source: The Washington Post



Those who regularly eat a daily meal with their families often show higher achievement scores and are generally more physically fit.

Source: The Washington Post



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

William Barr says it would be a crime for Trump to pardon someone in exchange for their silence

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  • William Barr, President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, told lawmakers Tuesday that it would "be a crime" for the president to pardon someone in exchange for their silence.
  • Trump often touts his pardon power and once said he has the "complete power to pardon" anyone for any reason.
  • Trump's former lawyer, John Dowd, reportedly floated pardons to former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn — both of whom have since pleaded guilty — in the summer of 2017.
  • Trump also frequently tweets in support of Manafort, who DOJ veterans say may still be angling for a pardon, and falsely accused Mueller of coercing people to "flip and lie." 

William Barr, President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, said during his confirmation hearing Tuesday that it would be illegal for the president to pardon someone in exchange for that person's silence.

Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy asked Barr if a president can "offer a pardon in exchange for the witness's promise not to incriminate the president."

"No, that would be a crime," Barr replied.

Trump often touts his pardon power and once said he has the "complete power to pardon" anyone — including himself — for any reason.

Trump's relationship with Paul Manafort, his former campaign chairman, has also invited scrutiny from legal scholars who have speculated that Manafort may be angling for a pardon in exchange for protecting Trump from Mueller's scrutiny.

The New York Times has also reported that John Dowd, Trump's former defense lawyer, floated pardons to Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn in the summer of 2017, when the Russia investigation began ramping up in earnest.

Manafort pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy and obstruction charges and struck a plea deal with prosecutors.

The Times reported that one of Manafort's lawyers, Kevin Downing, had repeatedly briefed Trump's team on what Mueller was asking Manafort about. And Trump's lead defense lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, told The Times Downing had given him specifics on what prosecutors wanted to know.

There is no technical or legal guideline that bars an attorney for one target of a criminal investigation from communicating with lawyers representing another target, whether or not a joint defense agreement exists.

But such communications could severely undermine, or even tank, a cooperation agreement if lawyers for one side revealed too much information to lawyers on the other side.

Manafort's guilty plea came after a lengthy court battle, during which his lawyers put up an aggressive defense against Mueller by challenging his authority and arguing that he had overstepped the scope of his mandate when he charged Manafort with crimes unrelated to Russian collusion.

Legal experts said at the time that Manafort's refusal to flip could have been part of an effort to angle for a presidential pardon. His lawyers' unusual decision to stay in touch with Trump's team, even he pleaded guilty, may point to the same strategy.

"It does seem that Manafort is trying to keep all his options open for as long as possible," Jeffrey Cramer, a longtime former federal prosecutor who spent 12 years at the Justice Department, told INSIDER earlier. "He is a career fraudster so he is consistent, if nothing else. He was easily convicted and then decided to cooperate rather than go through another trial and more prison time being added to his sentence."

"But a pardon is still the holy grail for Manafort," he added.

Trump, for his part, often tweets his support of Manafort and has falsely accused Mueller of coercing people to "flip and lie" to prosecutors.

Barr Bush

Barr on Tuesday was questioned by Leahy on the presidential pardon power in relation to his role in encouraging former President George H.W. Bush to pardon Reagan administration officials involved in the Iran-Contra scandal.

The infamous Iran-Contra affair involved the illegal sale of arms to Iran and anti-government guerrillas in Nicaragua.

As attorney general in the early 1990s, Barr urged Bush to pardon a number of key figures involved in the scandal who were facing charges, including former Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger.

Discussing the matter in 2001 at an oral history interviewwith the University of Virginia, Barr said he'd asked his staff and "seasoned professionals" at the Justice Department "to look into the indictment that was brought, and also some of the other people I felt had been unjustly treated and whether they felt that they would have been treated this way under standard Department guidelines."

Read more:Meet William Barr: What you need to know about the possible once and future attorney general

Barr said that based on the discussions that took place, he "went over and told the president I thought he should not only pardon Caspar Weinberger, but while he was at it, he should pardon about five others."

Bush ultimately went against Congress to pardon Weinberger, who'd been indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice, mere days before the case went to trial. Historians cite this move as among the most controversial examples of a president exercising the executive pardon power

SEE ALSO: What Paul Manafort's highly unusual move to brief Trump's team on his discussions with Mueller reveals about his strategy

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NOW WATCH: MSNBC host Chris Hayes thinks President Trump's stance on China is 'not at all crazy'

4 successful people share how they triumphed over imposter syndrome, the belief that you'll be exposed as a 'fraud'

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  • Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern that can cause feelings of self-doubt or fear of being exposed as a fraud.
  • Research shows that 70% of the population will experience imposter-type feelings at some point during their lives.
  • Asking for feedback can help provide a confidence boost when imposter-type feelings strike.
  • Beating imposter syndrome can be as straightforward as reframing your thoughts.

Imposter syndrome can plague even the most experienced professional with feelings of self-doubt or fear of being exposed as a fraud. Haven't heard of the phenomenon yet?

A review article published by the International Journal of Behavioral Science showed that an estimated 70% of the population will experience imposter feelings at some point during their lives.

We talked to a handful of successful people in different careers to learn how anyone can push past feelings of being undeserving.

SEE ALSO: Arianna Huffington breaks down the biggest mistake you can make as an entrepreneur

Feeling like you don't belong can cause self-doubt and fear but understanding and mastering your fear may help you take control of it.

External factors may be a contributor to imposter-like feelings. Valerie Young, author of "The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women," told TIME magazine that a sense of belonging helps foster confidence. "The more people who look or sound like you, the more confident you feel. And conversely, the fewer people who look or sound like you, it can and does for many people impact their confidence."

Arianna Huffington of Thrive Global told us that she understands this first-hand while remembering how she first felt when speaking at Cambridge University with her thick Greek accent.

"I'd been obsessed with going to Cambridge even before I'd learned English, and my mother had somehow helped make it happen from our one-bedroom apartment in Athens," she shared.

"I felt like there I finally was, but the minute I opened my mouth, people would know I didn't really belong."

Huffington said that pushing past her feelings of being an imposter called for accepting her accent, rather than trying to hide it. "My mother taught me that fearlessness isn't the absence of fear, but the mastery of it. I leaned into my fear by trying to get into the Cambridge Union (the debating society,) where I eventually became the first foreign president," she explained.

"What I learned was that what you have to say is more important than how you sound, which is to say that that feeling that we don't belong is much more likely to come from us — from that obnoxious roommate inside our heads — than it is from someone else (who is likely dealing with their own forms of imposter syndrome).



In other cases, receiving positive feedback can give you a confidence boost.

Experts also theorize that feelings of being a fraud, or imposter syndrome, may stem from personality traits, behavioral causes, or even early memories. It could be as simple as a report card that wasn't "good enough" or being stuck in a high-achieving sibling's shadow. "People often internalize these ideas: that in order to be loved or be lovable, 'I need to achieve'. It becomes a self-perpetuating cycle," psychologist Aubrey Ervin explained to TIME magazine.

Angela "Merk" Nguyen produces and co-hosts the popular podcast Adult ISH for YR Media. She told us that her imposter syndrome made it impossible to shake feelings of doubt and disappointment, despite successfully landing her dream job in New York City.

"My imposter syndrome felt a lot like a deceitful little red devil with horns was drowning out the voice of my confident, uplifting angel. I felt like I was constantly letting down my senior producers, and I would think things like: 'Why am I such a failure?' 'They probably only hired me because I'm Asian' or 'I could've done way better on that last project but I didn't — shame on me.'"

For Nguyen, asking for feedback was the game-changer. "I asked both of my bosses how they thought I was performing," she noted. "They told me my work was impressive, high quality, and 'not half-assed if that's what you're thinking.' Talk about a wake-up call! I'd say that along with positive reminders of my abilities and accomplishments from my support system, I've grown to see myself for what I truly am: a smart, talented individual who is 100% deserving to be where she's at."



To overcome imposter syndrome, learn to see your unique value.

Young noted that "experts" feel like they need to have all of the information when starting a project and constantly look for ways to improve their skills.

Are you the type of person who feels hesitant to speak up in a meeting for fear of looking unintelligent, or are you afraid to apply for a job if you don't have every ability listed in the posting? If so, it might be a relief to realize that you still have valuable insights to share.

Barri Rafferty, partner, president, and CEO at global communications firm Ketchum, told INSIDER she was plagued by imposter syndrome while speaking on a topic she was simply familiar with, rather than a deep expert about.

"I regularly consult with clients and speak in front of large audiences, but I found myself battling with impostor syndrome the first time I was asked to speak at an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The event was focused on the future of artificial intelligence and featured subject-matter experts like the director of MIT's Media Lab and the CIO of IBM, so I felt wildly uninformed by comparison," Rafferty admitted. "I'm not a technology expert, I didn't go to an Ivy League School, and I didn't literally write the book on A.I., as my counterparts did."

Overcoming her fear meant that Rafferty had to realize what she could add to the conversation — a fresh perspective.

"Though I'm not steeped in the tech world, what I did bring to the conversation was the fresh perspective of someone with broad horizontal experience who could discuss best practices from across many industries," she explained. "Even more, I saw that my experience in storytelling and marketing helped me communicate in a way that resonated with the audience. I could be more relatable and memorable by speaking from experience instead of theory. By bringing a different perspective, I added value to the conversation in a way the other panelists couldn't."



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People are petitioning Google to remove a gay conversion therapy app from Play Store that was already booted from Apple's app store (GOOG, GOOGL)

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  • Google is being criticized for allowing an app on its Google Play Store that promotes the controversial practice of gay conversion therapy.
  • LGBTQ+ advocates say the religious group behind the app has incited hate against the queer community, and "casually trashes LGBT people as living 'destructive lifestyles.'"
  • An online petition calling for the app to be removed has garnered almost 40,000 signatures.
  • The same app was already removed from Apple's app store in December.

Google is facing criticism over an app in its Play Store that promotes gay conversion therapy.

An online petition calling on Google to remove the app has received almost 40,000 signatures since it surfaced a week ago on Change.org. The LGBTQ+ advocacy group behind the petition, Truth Wins Out, says the app "casually trashes LGBT people as living 'destructive lifestyles,'" which goes against Google's "stated policies of inclusion, respect and diversity."

The app, from the religious group Living Home Ministries, was already removed from Apple's App store in December after Truth Wins Out created a similar online petition to plead its case. But while Apple reacted "swiftly" to kick the app from its store, Google has been dragging its feet, Truth Wins Out says.

"By any standard, the app is awful. It brazenly compares homosexuality to an addiction," the petition reads. "Every moment that this app remains at Google’s online store, vulnerable LGBT teenagers can download it, so time is of the essence."

Google's policy for its Google Play Store states it doesn't allows apps that "incite hatred against individuals or groups based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, nationality, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or any other characteristic that is associated with systemic discrimination or marginalization."

Google did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. The app has been available in Google's Play Store since 2014, and has been downloaded more than 1,000 times, the app store data shows.

Read more:The author of 'Boy Erased' reveals what gay conversion therapy is really like — and how he survived it

The religious nonprofit behind the app, Living Hope Ministries, describes itself as adhering to "a Christ-centered, Biblical world-view of sexual expression rooted in one man and one woman in a committed, monogamous, heterosexual marriage for life." The organization promotes this belief through support groups, counseling, and education that counter the rise of "homosexuality, gender confusion, and sexual and relational brokenness."

Living Hope Ministries said in a statement to the Telegraph that Truth Wins Out claims' were "inaccurate" and "not descriptive" of the services the organization offers.

Gay conversion therapy, like Living Hope Ministries' "ex-gay" program, has been widely criticized for its negative effects on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. The American Psychiatric Association has warned against efforts to "mischaracterize homosexuality and promote the notion that sexual orientation can be changed."

Research has shown that LGBTQ+ individuals who went through gay conversion therapy are 63% more likely to have attempted suicide. Nonetheless, almost 700,000 Americans have received conversion therapy, according to a study from UCLA's School of Law in January 2018.

The realities and negative effects of gay conversion therapy were brought center stage in 2018 with the release of two popular movies— "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" and "Boy Erased." The author of the memoir "Boy Erased", Garrard Conley, also helped to produce a podcast from WNYC that tells the stories of LGBTQ+ individuals who have experienced gay conversion therapy.

SEE ALSO: Norwegian authorities are investigating allegations that Tidal's streaming numbers for Beyonce and Kanye West albums were inflated

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NOW WATCH: The safest way to walk on ice is to impersonate a penguin — here's why

I stayed in the shadow of Egypt's iconic pyramids, and they're more surreal than any photos can show

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  • The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing and was chosen in 2007  as one of the seven New Wonders of the World.
  • I recently fulfilled a childhood dream to visit the archeological site during a trip to the Middle East.
  • While I have seen countless photos and videos depicting the Pyramids prior to visiting, they don't do justice to just how impressive and big they are in person.

Egypt is jam-packed with historical monuments, ancient temples, and artifacts that force you to consider how short your time is on Earth. When you are looking at a statue that has survived for thousands of years, it's hard not to feel small and insignificant. 

Perhaps no other monument in the Middle Eastern nation more epitomizes that impossibly long history than the Pyramids of Giza, a necropolis that dates back nearly 5,000 years and towers over the modern, rundown city of Giza next door. 

It is the only one of the ancient seven wonders of the world still standing and, in 2007, 100 million people voted to select it as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

As a history buff, I've read more books about Ancient Egypt and seen more photos and videos of the Pyramids than I can remember. I even made a diorama of the Giza complex for a project in middle school.

But upon arriving in Giza after a week in Cairo, I caught my first glimpse of the Pyramids, a sight I had been waiting to see since childhood. I fully expected to be disappointed. How could it ever measure up to the Pyramids of my childhood dreams?

But the Pyramids are there, and they are very real and very big. Seeing them for the first time induces the distinct feeling of vertigo. 

It hit me when I looked out from the balcony of my room at Pyramid Loft, a guesthouse in Giza that looks out onto the Pyramids.  Here's what it looked like:

Egypt_Great_Pyramids_of_Giza (1 of 1)

In person and up close, the Pyramids tower nearly 500 feet over the landscape. It's a constant reminder that no matter how much wealth and power you amass in your life, we're all going to the same place. I'm looking at you, Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump.

A common complaint about visiting the Pyramids is that it's not like how you imagine it because the complex sits right up against the dusty and crowded city of Giza. People claim to be disappointed that you don't arrive from the desert by camel to find nothing but the pyramids for miles. 

But for me, the presence of people living in the Pyramids' shadow is enthralling. At the Pyramids' feet, a monumental feat of ancient engineering slams into the advance of modern civilization. Time stops for no one, not even great Pharaohs.

Every night, the Egyptian government puts on a two-hour sound and laser light show, where the pyramids light up in all different colors as a booming voice tells stories of ancient Egypt. It's a kitschy affair.

On my second night in Giza, I visited the Pyramid Loft Homestay, my guesthouse's sister property, to watch the light show. That property had an even better view for the show, the owner told me.

The light show almost didn't happen as it was raining for the first time in months. But then the storm cleared slightly and the pyramids were suddenly lit up in green and red and purple.

It ups how strange the view is. Check it out:

Egypt_Great_Pyramids_of_Giza (2 of 2)

I won't forget that sight anytime soon.

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NOW WATCH: This 50-lane holiday traffic jam in China will make you regret ever complaining about your commute

Save up to $100 on an Apple Watch Series 3 at Best Buy — and more of today's best deals from around the web

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TheInsider Picksteam writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Since you don't have all day to scour the web for noteworthy sales and discounts, we rounded up the best bargains for you to shop in one convenient place.

Apple Watch Series 3

1. Save up to $100 on an Apple Watch Series 3 at Best Buy

Best Buy is having a sale on the Apple Watch Series 3 with $50 off GPS-only models and $100 off GPS + Cellular models. The sale includes a wide variety of styles including the aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic, and Nike+ versions. Although it's not the most recent version of the Apple Watch, the Series 3 still packs many of the same great features like iMessage, phone calls, music, fitness tracking, heart monitoring, and more.

Shop the call Apple Watches Series 3 at Best Buy now

Eddie Bauer

2. Save up to 60% sitewide at Eddie Bauer

Legendary outdoor brand Eddie Bauer is currently having its semi-annual sale and the potential savings are huge. For a limited time, you can save up to 60% on outdoor apparel and gear for men and women. 

Shop the Eddie Bauer sale now.

Google Home Hub

3. Save $50 on the Google Home Hub at Jet.com

The Google Home Hub can make your days more streamlined, efficient, and fun. With voice commands, you can add events to your calendar, check the weather, news, and traffic, control smart home devices like lights and thermostats, and stream videos and music. Right now, you can save $50 on one at Jet.com. The site is also offering free same-day or next-day delivery, so you won't have to wait a long time for it to arrive.

Google Home Hub, $99 (Originally $149) [You save $50]

Echo Dot For Kids, $79.99

4. Save $30 on the Echo Dot Kids' Edition

With the Echo Dot Kids' Edition, the power of Alexa is tailored for children. The device acts as a comedian, storyteller, and kid-friendly DJ by filtering out explicit songs from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, and Spotify. It also comes with one year of FreeTime Unlimited, which gives your kids access to hundreds of hours of fun and educational content, audio books, ad-free radio stations, and more. As parents, you'll also be able to program Alexa to set bedtimes or time limits for interacting with the device. The Kids Edition smart speaker comes with a kid-friendly case and a two-year worry-free guarantee, so your kids manage to break it you'll get a replacement with any trouble.

Echo Dot Kids' Edition, $39.99 (Originally $69.99) [You save $30]

Lacoste

5. Save up to 50% at Lacoste

During the brand's semi-annual sale, you can save 30%-50% on styles for men, women, and kids. The sale includes staples pieces the brand is known for like the tennis polo, as well as other stylish pieces like hoodies, sweatshirts, and jackets.

Shop the Lacoste semi-annual sale now

butcherbox thumb 2

6. Get two pounds of free wild Alaskan salmon when you sign up for a ButcherBox meat subscription

ButcherBox is a subscription service for grass-fed, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and pasture-raised beef, chicken, and pork that lets you choose from one of the few curated boxes or create your own. To help you eat clean in 2019, ButcherBox is giving away two pounds of free wild Alaskan sockeye salmon when you sign up for a box — whether it be a box curated by the brand or one customized by yourself.

Sign up for ButcherBox now.

Bonobos

7. Save up to 40% on sale styles at Bonobos

Bonobos is gearing up for the spring season with new arrivals, which means there are huge savings to be had on previously released styles. For a limited time, you can save 20% on orders of $75+, 30% on orders of $125+, or 40% on orders of $175+ by using the promo code "GOAWAY" at checkout. The more you buy, the more you'll save, so you'll want to stock up on everything from chinos and button-up shirts to sweaters and outwear.

Shop the Bonobos sale now.

EyeBuyDirect

8. Buy one pair of glasses, get the second half off at EyeBuyDirect

If you're torn between two styles of glasses or you like to switch things up sometimes, direct-to-consumer eyewear brand EyeBuyDirect has the perfect sale for you. Now through January 20, you can buy one pair of glasses and get the second pair half off by using the promo code "BOHO" at checkout. With frames priced as low as $6, you'll be able to get prescription glasses at prices that are extremely hard to beat.

Shop the EyeBuyDirect sale now.

Eight Sleep

9. Save up to $250 on Eight Sleep Mattresses

With advanced sleep tracking technology, Eight Sleep is easily the most forward-thinking online mattress startup on the market. The brand sells premium foam mattresses with built-in sleep-track sensors designed to help you learn more about how you sleep and the best ways to achieve meaningful rest. In celebration of the new year, you can save $250 and receive two free pillows with the purchase of any mattress.

Shop the Eight Sleep New Year sale now.

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Disappointing photos show what living in San Francisco on a tech salary really looks like

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  • Tech workers come to Silicon Valley in droves with dreams of working for one of the world's biggest tech companies, like Google or Apple, or with hopes of founding their own startup.
  • Such a position entails a comfortable salary, but having a tech salary in the nation's most competitive real estate market doesn't always promise a life of luxury.
  • Here's what working in Silicon Valley's tech sphere really looks like.

The dream of working for one of Silicon Valley's many tech behemoths, along with the luxuries such a six-figure salary would afford, has resulted in droves of engineering degree-toting techies coming to the Bay Area.

Though, in reality, earning a tech salary is not all it's cracked up to be.

In the nation's most competitive real estate market, it can be next to impossible to find affordable living accommodations. The housing crisis has left thousands struggling, and has done nothing to help the city's homelessness epidemic.

It costs $3,360 on average for a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco. That means, when the average starting tech salary of $91,738 is taken into account, some techies are shelling out a good portion of their paycheck solely on rent.

And when it's time for those tech workers to buy a home, forget it: a recent study found that 60% of them felt they couldn't afford one.

That's all before factoring in other lofty expenses in the city, like $7 bacon strips.

From fraternity house-style "hacker houses" to sleeping in a Google parking lot, here's what a tech salary in the "Tech Capital of the World" looks like. 

SEE ALSO: Silicon Valley's housing crisis is so dire that this 897-square-foot Palo Alto home is selling for $2.59 million — take a look inside

Due to a housing shortage, the high demand for living accommodations has sent real estate values skyrocketing in the Bay Area.



And the region's behemoth tech companies aren't slowing down on talent recruitment. Engineers are constantly pouring in.



Many arrive viewing their new lives through rose-colored glasses, holding high expectations of what a tech salary will look.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Instant Pot came out with a blender that can also cook and puree soups — I put it to the test

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

instant pot ace blender review 1

  • You can now find the programmable, multi-functional magic of Instant Pot in an unexpected appliance: the Ace 60 Blender ($99). 
  • It features eight different blending and cooking programs, with the capacity to actually heat soups and purees.
  • These programs made it easy to simply throw in the right ingredients and step away.

Many home cooks live and die by their Instant Pot. From the Mini to the Max to the smart and Wi-Fi compatible, these are the all-in-one multicookers you can rely on for nearly all your cooking needs. Now, thanks to the company's $99 Ace Blender, you can complete your menu with smoothies, alternative milks, frozen desserts, and blended soups. 

In addition to manual controls, this blender has eight preset blending programs, four cold and four hot. Many blenders can handle both cold and hot ingredients, but where the Ace Blender sets itself apart from the competition is its hidden heating element, which brings the blender's contents to a steaming boil. Instead of cooking ingredients separately on the stove or in the oven, you can directly cook, then blend ingredients in the same appliance, cutting down on prep and clean-up time. Instant Pot is synonymous with efficient, one-pot cooking, and its new blender is, too.

instant pot ace blender review 3

Read more: The newest Instant Pot is $200 — we tested it out to see if the price increase is worth it

Getting to know the Ace Blender

The pitcher and base that host the versatile array of functions are hefty, together weighing 11.7 pounds, but not without cause. The pitcher is made from thick glass, and its handle is strong and sturdy, while the base features non-slip foot pads and a control panel design similar to the Instant Pot pressure cookers. A food tamper, cleaning brush, strainer bag, and 150 mL measuring cup are also included in the package. 

It's hard to make a mess with this blender. The pitcher clicks into place in the base and beeps to indicate it's in the right position, and you won't be able to use any of the functions unless the lid is rotated and locked. If the lid is removed at any point during blending, the program will automatically pause. After you make your drink or meal, you can use the Pulse/Clean button to attack leftover bits of food. 

Putting the Ace Blender to the test: non-dairy milk, soup, and smoothies 

Whether you're lactose-intolerant or you just like to mix up flavors and textures, you can stop paying extra at the coffee shop for your almond or oat milk latte and easily make your own non-dairy milk at home. More substantial dishes like creamy tomato basil soup or chunky chicken noodle soup will be ready in only 20 minutes in the blender. If you're in the mood for a healthy fruit smoothie or ice cream treat, this blender chops up all the ingredients quickly and blends them to a smooth consistency.

The Nut/Oat Milk, Soup, and Smoothie programs provide the best idea of the Ace Blender's range, so I put them to the test. Learn more about how they performed below. 

Test 1: Almond and oat milks 

I followed the user manual's recipes for these non-dairy milks. The process was easy and straightforward: add a cup of nuts or oats and water (the sides of the pitcher have measurement markings to help you measure this), then hit the Nut/Oat Milk button. After straining them, the resulting milks were a little frothy and not as creamy as I would've liked — as The Strategist also documents in its comparison to the Vitamix Ascent 2500— but it was still tasty, and I liked that I didn't have to babysit the four-minute blending process. 

Test 2: Creamy and chunky soups 

instant pot ace blender review

Next up was soup, where the heating element came into play. There are two settings, one for creamy soup and one for chunky, though for my first attempt I made the mistake of not paying attention to this and ended up with a partially blended vegetable and chicken soup. The blender heated up to boiling temperature, 100°C, and spent the next 20 minutes simmering and intermittently blending the ingredients. Again, the hands-off approach let me take care of other tasks in the meantime, and the final soups were as hot and delicious as if I had made it on the stove. As I ate the creamy soup, I took solace in the fact that I was spending more time eating then cleaning pots and pans. 

Read more:I made hot soup, pizza dough, and mocha with Vitamix's incredible $600 smart blender, and now I get why people love them

Test 3: Smoothies 

instant pot ace blender review 2

The smoothie program, when faced with tough, leafy greens and frozen chunks of fruit, also handled the job with ease, giving me a smooth and well-blended drink. Depending on the type of smoothie texture you like, there may be some trial-and-error moments as you figure out the ideal proportion of ingredients. What's immediately clear, however, is that the blender chops and mixes any type of fruit, vegetable, ice, and liquid you throw at it. 

The bottom line: You can't find a more versatile and effective blender for $100

The Ace Blender's quality construction, powerful blending, and variety of programs are all the marks of a solid blender, but what impressed me the most is that you don't have to pay more than $100 for it. I can appreciate the power and efficiency of a top-of-the-line blender, but I'm not going to commit $400 to $500 when I have other necessities to prioritize. The Ace blender achieves the perfect balance of functionality and price, and I would pay more for it — but obviously, I'm really glad it only costs $99. 

Buy the Instant Pot Ace 60 Cooking Blender for $99 at Walmart here

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