• Walmart ignited a backlash over its decision to eliminate store greeters following reports that the change unfairly targets disabled employees.
• Walmart US CEO Greg Foran sent a note to store managers on Thursday saying the company should "make every effort" to find another role for disabled workers at Walmart. 
• "Let me be clear: If any associate in this unique situation wants to continue working at Walmart, we should make every effort to make that happen," Foran wrote.

Walmart's decision to remove greeters from stores ignited a backlash this week following reports that the staffing changes would result in job losses for disabled employees. 

In response to the backlash, Walmart US CEO Greg Foran sent a note to store managers on Thursday saying the company should "make every effort" to shift disabled workers into other positions. 

"Let me be clear: If any associate in this unique situation wants to continue working at Walmart, we should make every effort to make that happen," Foran wrote, according to a copy of the note that Walmart posted online. "Since we announced this change, we have already made offers to many greeters, including those with physical disabilities."

Read more:Walmart greeters with disabilities could lose their jobs because of a policy change — and people are furious

The changes that prompted the note stem from Walmart's decision to eliminate store-greeter positions in about 1,000 stores and replace them with an expanded role called "customer hosts."

Unlike greeters, customer hosts "must be able to lift 25 pounds, clean up spills, collect carts and stand for long periods of time, among other things — tasks that can be impossible for people with disabilities," NPR reported on Monday, citing Walmart documents and interviews with workers.

NPR and other local news stations interviewed several workers who feared that they would lose their jobs as a result of the changes, which take effect in April.

"As can sometimes happen, this change has created some conversation both externally and internally, specifically where associates with disabilities are concerned," Foran wrote in the note to store managers. 

He said the company will assess the impact of the changes to disabled employees on a case-by-case basis. 

"For that reason, we are looking into each one on an individual basis with the goal of offering appropriate accommodations that will enable these associates to continue in other roles with their store," he said.

SEE ALSO: 'Confusing' pricing and too much inventory: JCPenney CEO reveals the company's core problems after 4 months on the job

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: McDonald's just added 'Donut Sticks' to its breakfast menu — here's our verdict

• Airline passengers tend to notice factors that impact comfort — like seat size, the behavior of nearby passengers, and turbulence.
• Airline pilots are trained to be attentive to small details that slip by most passengers.
• Some of these details have serious safety implications.

For most of us, air travel is an opportunity to sleep, work, read, or watch a movie with fewer distractions than we'd find on the ground.

When we do notice our surroundings, we tend to focus on factors that impact our comfort — seat size, the behavior of nearby passengers, turbulence — but for airline pilots and aviation experts, the experience can be different. Pilots and experts are trained to be attentive to small details on planes, so even when they don't have to fly the plane and can sit in the main cabin, they'll notice things that other passengers don't.

We interviewed two airline pilots and collected responses from a Quora thread to find out what pilots notice when they're flying in the main cabin. Here's what they said.

SEE ALSO: I spent 4 hours in Emirates' flagship business class lounge, where wealthy travelers sip champagne, get massages, and eat from 5 different restaurants — and it was the best airport lounge I've ever been in

Ice

Most passengers are likely to be concerned about turbulence, but according to Tanya Gatlin, a pilot and associate professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver, it's not as bad as most think. "It's not something that's going to cause an accident or is even a factor to safety," she told Business Insider.

Instead, Gatlin said she is worried about ice. When necessary, ice and snow are removed from a plane before it takes off, and the plane is coated in materials that will prevent ice from building up while it's in the air — for a limited amount of time.

The difficulty can come when the plane turns down its engine while preparing to land.

"We're coming down in a very short amount of distance and there's no way we can get down that fast without the power being at idle," Gatlin said.

This means the engines don't generate as much heat as when they're taking off, which increases the chance that ice will build up on the plane and make a smooth landing difficult.

Suspicious scents

Scents can be one of the strongest indicators that something's wrong on a plane, as they can quickly hint at problems with the engine or fuel-storage systems.

"Sounds are always useful, but a passenger cabin often is pretty isolated from any sounds that might be indicative of a problem. Smells, on the other hand, travel around quite freely, and some (e.g., fuel, hydraulic fluid, superheated bleed air) are pretty distinctive," Tom Farrier, a former director of safety for the Air Transport Association, wrote on Quora.

The angle that light comes in through the window

Experienced pilots know that a sudden change in the angle of the light that comes through a cabin window can be the first sign that the pilot is changing course.

"An unexpected, significant shift in the angle of the Sun can be your first sign that a course change is being made," Farrier wrote.

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.

• After reviewing dozens of contenders for the best sheets, our top pick is the 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets from L.L. Bean.
• Crisp, cool, and comfortable against your skin, these sheets make bedtime a treat.

Few would deny that at the end of a long, hard day, sliding into a comfortable bed outfitted with soft, smooth sheets that pamper your skin is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

After all, you spend nearly a third of your life between those sheets, so why wouldn’t you want the best? So we’ve made it easy for you: We checked out all the top buying websites, listened to opinions from bed sheet buyers, and tried sheets ourselves to compile our list of the best bed sheet sets you can buy.

Here are the best sheets for your bed in 2019:

• Best sheets overall: L.L. Bean 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets 
• Best sateen cotton sheets: Brooklinen Luxe Sheets
• Best sheets with patterns and colors: Crane & Canopy Sheet Sets
• Best flannel sheets: Pinzon Velvet Flannel Sheets
• Best organic cotton sheets: Boll & Branch Signature Soft Hemmed Sheet Set
• Best modal sheets: Pure Beech Modal Sateen Sheets
• Best microfiber sheets: Brooklyn Bedding Microfiber Sheets

Updated on 03/01/2019 by Malarie Gokey: Updated prices and added related buying guides.

Read on in the slides below to learn all about our favorite sheets.

A note on thread count and weave

Thread count: higher isn’t always better

When it’s time to buy sheets, many people simply assume that the higher the thread count, the better, and make their choice based on this feature alone. While it’s true that thread count (a measurement of how many threads run vertically and horizontally in one square inch of fabric) is important, it turns out that there’s another factor that plays a bigger part in sheet comfort: type of fabric.

In fact, according to Consumer Reports, there’s no reason to pay extra for sheets with a thread count over 400, but it is worth your while to spend a little more on sheets made from the best cottons: Pima, Egyptian, or Supima. These long-fiber cottons weave into the softest, most comfortable sheets.

What about weave?

Weave is also important when it comes to choosing sheets you’ll love. There are two basic weaves: percale and sateen.

• Percale sheets have the same number of combed, tightly woven threads running horizontally and vertically. If you prefer sheets with a slightly crisp, cool feel, this is the weave to choose. Percale sheets are durable and strong, standing up to repeated washing even in hot water. Look for a thread count between 200 and 400 for lightweight sheets, 400 to 600 if you prefer more weight.
• Sateen sheets (not the same as satin, which is a fabric, not a weave) have more threads running vertically than horizontally, creating fabric with a slight sheen and a very soft, silky feel. Sateen sheets are generally more delicate than percale bedding, and more likely to pill or come apart in the wash. Still, if you crave the silkiest feel against your skin, this is the weave for you. Thread counts between 300 and 600 are the sweet spot for softness and strength.

The best sheets overall

Why you'll love them: L.L. Bean’s wonderfully smooth 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets are durable, comfortable, and just the right weight to give you sweet dreams all year round.

Woven from 100% Pima cotton for the smoothest, softest, make-you-want-to-wiggle feel, L.L. Bean struck gold with its highly rated percale sheet set. As with all percale sheets, these have just a bit of a “crisp” finish, which feels nice and cool against your skin. They are the perfect weight for summer, and unless you live in a very cold climate or prefer to switch to heavier winter sheets, they are cozy enough for the colder months with the addition of a heavier blanket or comforter.

When you toss them in your washing machine and dryer, the sheets come out fresh, unwrinkled, and ready to coax you into the land of Nod. Sized to fit over mattresses up to 15 inches thick, these cotton sheets won’t slip or slide as you sleep, and they hold firm to the mattress. They are available in seven basic colors, although alas, no brights. There are a few prints, as well.

L.L. Bean shoppers praise these sheets for their refusal to pill, long life, and wrinkle resistance. Quite a few customers commented that they have purchased several sets of the L.L Bean sheets, and a common remark was, “These are the only sheets I’ll buy.”

Professional reviewers agree. We chose these sheets as our top pick in our guide to the best cotton sheets. In our testing, these sheets had a soft hand feel right out of the packaging and they were cool and soft to sleep on.

We're not the only ones who think the sheets are great. The Wirecutter has chosen the L.L. Bean 280-thread-count Percale Sheets as its number one choice three years running, saying these sheets offer a “superior cool feel at a great price.” The Wirecutter added that its experts love L.L. Bean’s lifetime guarantee, meaning you can return the sheets at any time for any reason.

Consumer Search is another review website that picked the L.L. Bean sheets as its top pick, saying the sheets are “ideal for lovers of crisp, 'old-school' cotton sheets.” The reviewer did comment that some buyers felt the sheets were a bit too rough, however, although they do get softer the more they are washed.

Pros: Smooth, crisp feel, durability, reasonable price

Cons: Only fit mattresses up to 15 inches thick, no bright colors, few prints

Buy the 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets at L.L. Bean for $109.00 (Twin),$129 (Full), $149 (Queen), $169 (King)

The best luxury sheets

Why you'll love them: If you take your sleep comfort seriously, the pampering touch and good looks of Brooklinen’s Luxe Sheets will have you sleeping like a baby.

Started as a Kickstarter project in 2014, Brooklinen has quickly soared to the heights of success, due to its reasonable prices for high-quality bedding. Luxe Sheets start with the best long-fiber cotton, which is woven into single-ply yarn for the finest, yet softest threads. This also means that the finished thread count of 480 is the true number; many other manufacturers weave lower quality, 3-ply yarn into their sheets, then use this trick to inflate their thread count.

Brooklinen’s Luxe Collection is a sateen weave, with a soft-as-the-clouds feel. Because sateen is woven more tightly than percale, you’ll find these sheets cozy and warm, with a soothingly “heavy” feel that many sleepers love. In fact, the commerce editor of our Insider Picks' team has been sleeping on these sheets for more than two years, and reports that they are “hands down the best sheets I've ever put on my bed.”

Brooklinen customers echo our writer’s words, with most saying they loved the softness of the sheets, which increases every time they are washed. As a bonus, the sheets’ wrinkle-resistance improves with each wash, as well. And, by the way, you can do that washing in your machine, then either line-dry your bedding or use your dryer on low heat.

The buzz doesn’t stop there. Brooklinen has received positive press all over the web, with InStyle saying, “In order to design beautiful, affordable, and ridiculously comfortable sheets, Brooklinen co-founders Rich and Vicki simply focus on quality and manufacturing responsibly.” Vogue writes, “the allure of this brand is certainly its technique and use of long-staple Egyptian cotton, which produces sheets and comforters that are softer than most.”

Brooklinen offers the Luxe Sheets in five solid colors, along with stripes and dots. You can even mix-and-match colors or patterns within a sheet set, which is definitely a unique perk. The sheets fit mattresses up to 15 inches thick, so be sure to measure before ordering.

Pros: Super soft, high quality, mix-and-match sheet sets

Cons: Expensive, best if line-dried

Buy the Luxe Sheet Collection at Brooklinen for $129 (Twin/XL), $149 (Full/Queen), $169 (King/CA King)

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.

• Allbirds, one of our favorite new shoe brands, turns 3 years old today on March 1. 
• To mark the special occasion, the San Francisco-based startup is selling a limited-edition 'SF Grey' Wool Runner with orange laces inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge. 
• They're available right now for $95 in men's and women's sizes. 
• Limited-edition styles sell out quickly, so if you're interested in getting your first pair or building your Allbirds collection, act quickly. 

San Francisco-based shoe startup Allbirds turns 3 years old today on March 1. Birthdays are always a good excuse to celebrate; Allbirds' way of doing so is releasing a new, limited-edition SF Grey Wool Runner ($95). 

The soft, comfortable, and supportive sneaker has a dark gray body with black soles and vivid orange laces that pay homage to a hometown icon, the Golden Gate Bridge. They're available right now in men's and women's sizes. 

Allbirds entered the sustainable footwear space with the Wool Runner, so it's fitting that this style gets the anniversary treatment.

Since the signature Wool Runner, the company has also created a Tree line of Runners, Loungers, and Skippers. Its most recent launch is the Tree Topper, a high-top sneaker with sustainable foam soles.

These shoes have drawn acclaim from shoppers and media far and wide for their use of innovative materials (merino wool, eucalyptus, and sugar cane), all-day comfort, and simple yet instantly recognizable look.

Much to fans' delight, Allbirds often drops limited-edition colors, whether for a special occasion or just because. We never know what new colors it has up its sleeve, but we do know they always sell out quickly.

If you want to be a part of Allbirds' short but illustrious history, grab your pair of SF Grey Wool Runners now. 

Shop the limited-edition men's SF Grey Wool Runner for $95 at Allbirds here

Shop the limited-edition women's SF Grey Wool Runner for $95 at Allbirds here

Shop all shoes at Allbirds here

Join the conversation about this story »

• McDonald's claims that the Filet-O-Fish sandwich is the most popular menu item during March.
• The company says it sells nearly a quarter of its total yearly Filet-O-Fish sandwiches this month.
• The month of March coincides with Lent, the 40-day religious event during which participating Catholics don't eat meat from land animals on Fridays — many eat seafood instead. 

McDonald's claims that the Filet-O-Fish sandwich is the most popular menu item during March, and that the company sells nearly a quarter of its total yearly Filet-O-Fish sandwiches this month.

Why? March lines up with Lent, the 40-day-long religious event during which participating Catholics and Christians don't eat meat on Fridays.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published on March 1, 2017.

Join the conversation about this story »

• The first moments after you wake up can color the rest of your day.
• If you want to be a happier person, try to have a good laugh in the morning — and there's one place on the internet that's perfect for that.

Starting your day off right is more important than you think.

According to a study published in the Academy of Management Journal in 2011, people "who started out each day happy or calm usually stayed that way throughout the day ... [while] people who started the day in a terrible mood didn’t really climb out of it, and felt even worse by the end of the day."

That's why, often times, you'll hear people say you shouldn't read your emails first thing in the morning, as it can be a distraction, or lower your mood.

Therefore, the best way to enhance your mood in the morning — and to give you the best chance of feeling good throughout the rest of your day — is to have a good laugh.

While there are plenty of places online that can make you laugh, like Facebook or Twitter, there's one place on the internet that is actually designed to make you laugh.

You might be familiar with Reddit, which calls itself "the front page of the internet." But Reddit is actually comprised of smaller, individual communities, called "subreddits." And one of the best subreddits on the site is called "contagious laughter."

A 2017 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience showed how "contagious social laughter was found to stimulate endorphin release in the thalamus," suggesting that laughing with others may create or reinforce feelings of safety and togetherness. Other studies support these findings, that contagious laughter stimulates the brain in positive ways.

And so, the "contagious laughter" subreddit is a great place to visit first thing in the morning. All of the videos posted there, and voted to the top of the page, are not only funny, but usually wholesome. Content there typically doesn't feature people laughing at the expense of others, but rather people laughing because they're sharing a moment with someone they love.

Here are a handful of examples from the "contagious laughter" subreddit.

"BBC commentator laughs at Devin Logan's tiny hands"

"Guy bets he can lift 185 lbs"

"Mum grabs wrong end of dog"

Youtube Embed:
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• Hôtel Byblos St Tropez has welcomed almost every A-lister imaginable for decades.
• Its nightclub, Les Caves du Roy, is the most prestigious discotheque in France.
• Business Insider spoke to the Byblos' General Manager Christopher Chauvin about how the hotel deals with VIPs.
• He told us about the time a very "paranoid" Lady Gaga arrived behind a handbag.
• He also shared some of the craziest requests he's received from guests.

For Christopher Chauvin, the General Manager of Hôtel Byblos St. Tropez, no request is too small nor too great for his esteemed guests.

Over the years, the doors of the Byblos — situated on the French Riviera — have welcomed in the likes of George Clooney, Bill Gates, Beyoncé, Prince Charles, and, actually, pretty much any other A-lister you can think of.

Everyone at Chauvin's hotel is a VIP, though: "Everybody's important. If you're not a celebrity you're a wealthy guy or a business person," he told us.

"Our other guests behave exactly like our celebrities — they want privacy and they want to be left alone."

This is a hotel where everybody wants the same thing: seclusion. You can certainly see the draw of Byblos, where rates for the most basic room appear to start at around €365 ($415) a night, for celebrities. 

Over the years, the Byblos' celebrity guests have defined its culture, and it happened organically.

"It all started in 1971 when Mick Jagger got married at the Byblos, it completely revealed the Byblos to the celebrity clientele," Chauvin said.

Though Jagger's marriage to Bianca De Macias did not last (De Macias later remarked: "My marriage ended on my wedding day"), the Byblos' success with celebrity clientele did.

The flood gates were open.

'The scariest celebrity we had was Lady Gaga'

"It must be hard," I said to Chauvin, "keeping all of these A-listers away from paparazzi and selfie-wielding fans."

"Actually, it's not difficult because we have the know-how," he replied.

Apparently, there is more CCTV in the hotel than the entire city of St. Tropez. There's also only one way in and one way out, which is carefully controlled by the hotel."

However, not all celebrities are completely trusting.

"The scariest celebrity we had was Lady Gaga," Chauvin said, "she was completely paranoid."

Now an Oscar-nominated actress for her starring role in Bradley Cooper's "A Star Is Born," it's easy to forget that 10 years ago few people even knew what Lady Gaga looked like; she was famous for her elaborate, face-disguising outfits.

"She arrived at the hotel via the basement," Chauvin said, "walked through the lobby, into the elevator, and up to her room — all with her handbag over her face.

"The receptionist couldn't even see who it was!

"You couldn't even open the curtains of her room, she was so stressed out," Chauvin added.

"Eventually, when she realised that nobody cared, and there were [CCTV] cameras everywhere, she started to be confident and was even smiling at the end of her stay."

'Impossible is not in my vocabulary'

Rich people know what they want and, often, they're not prepared to take no for an answer.

With that in mind, I asked Chauvin about the craziest requests he's ever received from guests.

"The most difficult request I had was from a regular guest, and it's a family that I love but she's a big shopping addict," he said.

He went on to explain that when Louis Vuitton first opened a shop in St. Tropez they released a limited-edition bag to commemorate the occasion — an item that his client insisted on attaining.

However, the bag was not due to be released until after the guests had left town, and Chauvin was told that it was impossible to receive one ahead of time.

"I called my client and said 'I'm sorry it's impossible.' 'Impossible is not in my vocabulary,' she said, 'You find it,' and she hung up the phone."

After much deliberation, Chauvin managed to convince the designers to send his guests a bag ahead of time, provided they sign a non-disclosure agreement and that the bag would be sealed and put in their car before departure.

"I was so proud of myself," Chauvin said. "I called my client and said, 'I got you the bag!' She said, 'Great! I want three!'"

Chauvin then recalled the time another friend of the hotel wanted his daughter to get married in Ramatuelle — a charming Provençal village adjacent to St. Tropez.

There was a problem, though.

The guest did not live in Ramatuelle, so the priest was refusing to allow his daughter to be married there.

"I said, 'Okay, but what do you want me to do?' He said, 'I don't know, find me the solution! I have no solution, that's why I'm calling you.'"

Rather than shy away from the somewhat outrageous request, Chauvin posed as his client's cousin, and went to see the priest.

"I had to sign letters saying that my cousin Delphine wanted to get married there and I lived here at this address. I used the address from a friend of mine who actually lived in Ramatuelle," Chauvin said.

"And after that, he said, 'Fine, they can get married in the church.'"

Things didn't quite go to plan, though.

"They split up two months before the wedding," Chauvin said. "I went crazy."

€2 million of Champagne in one night

Synonymous with the Byblos is the hotel's iconic nightclub: Les Caves du Roy.

Les Caves du Roy has more stories to tell than a library, but they don't come cheap.

While entrance to the club may be free, the drinks inside will set you back €28 ($32) minimum or €300 ($341) if you feel like splashing out on the cheapest Champagne— that's if you're beautiful, rich, or famous enough to make it past the bouncers.

We've had guests buying Champagne for the whole club full of 1,000 people.

In Les Caves, Champagne flows like a river — Chauvin estimates that they go through around 10,000 bottles a year.

"We're actually the biggest Dom Perignon consumer in the world," he said, "also in big bottles like Magnums [1.5 litres], Jeroboams [3 litres], Methuselah [6 litres].

"For years, [Louis] Roederer couldn't supply us with enough bottles of Cristal Champagne," he added.

Chauvin said during a Champagne shortage around 10 years ago, the hotel employed people simply to travel around Europe buying any bottles of Cristal they could get their hands on.

"We had people driving to Switzerland just to buy six bottles, Italy to buy two Methuselahs," he said.

I asked why his clientele couldn't simply drink other Champagne: "They were very exceptional products at the time," was his reply.

At the time, Chauvin said they were find and buying Methuselahs of Cristal from private sellers for €22,000 ($25,000) and selling it to partygoers at Les Caves for €50,000 ($57,000).

Now? They cost €8,000 ($9,100).

On that note, Chauvin added: "Nightlife is unpredictable, though.

On one night, all it will take is a few big fish competing for the title of biggest spender and sales will go through the roof.

"They'll challenge each other," Chauvin said. "'You get one Jeroboam? I get two. You get two? I get four.' It goes on like this.

"In 2009, we had our biggest party ever at the club with three of our wealthiest guests. We sold almost €2 million worth of Champagne in one night — that was crazy."

Chauvin added that these super-rich clients won't just keep their booze to themselves: "We've had guests buying Champagne for the whole club full of 1,000 people.

"People like to be in St. Tropez for that also, you can be Mr Nobody just having fun with friends and you end up with a bottle of Cristal drinking with your friends for free!"

'People in St. Tropez know how to behave'

Byblos has certainly proved its ability to show guests an elaborate good time while keeping things discrete.

The limits of its security prowess may be tested in April when the hotel opens up its first private beach in Ramatuelle, though.

The area will feature a restaurant that can host up to 110 guests, a bar/lounge area that can accommodate 30 guests, and a dedicated space on the beach for up to 80 sun loungers.

Chauvin is not concerned about privacy, though: "People in St Tropez know how to behave.

"The beach, of course, we're going to be very attentive but we're not worried about the challenges.

"We'll handle it." And the look he gave me assured me that they will.

SEE ALSO: A $1,550-a-year private members' club for restaurant regulars just raised $2 million to expand around the globe

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How to make a bouquet of bacon roses for Valentine's Day

• Why go for a sensible choice when you can splurge on something expensive or impractical?
• After all, you only live once!
• We've gathered 21 of our favorite frivolous car choices.

Even if you missed the chance to buy a dream car at the end of 2018, there's never really a bad time to purchase a vehicle you've long coveted.

So why not think about splurging on something special? Sure, you can do the responsible thing and live within your means, or opt for versatile basic transportation. But that's, well, kind of boring.

It's a big, bright world of cars out there, and every once in a while, spending the college fund might be justified. Kidding! Not justified!

But if you have the dough, or the stupendous credit score, and just want to fulfill a childhood fantasy, why not? You only live once, and you owe it to yourself to experience an exciting set of wheels.

Here are 21 of our favorite cars to splurge on — and not every one costs an arm and leg:

Photos by Hollis Johnson, unless otherwise indicated.

FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!

Ferrari 488 Spyder

Not the 488 GTB, the latest of Ferrari's mid-engine sports cars and a brilliant machine. Rather, the drop-top version, the 488 Spyder, for a cool $393,000.

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

At $120,000, it's far from a bargain. But the level of performance on offer for the top trim level at this stratum of 911-ness is stunning. To do better you have to jump up to the Turbo or GT3.

Aston Martin DB11 Volante

For $273,244, you can pretend you're James Bond, or at least an madly suave human enjoying top-down motoring is epic British style.

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. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out our coupons page.

1. Save an extra 50% on sale styles at J.Crew

J.Crew has been holding different sales all week long and it's heading into the weekend with a grand finale sale. Today only, you can save an extra 50% on sale styles and 30% on new arrivals by using the promo code "FRIDAY" at checkout. Whether you're preparing for the spring with new styles or still shopping for winter, you'll save on all of your choices. For more deals and promotions at J.Crew, check out our coupons page here.

Shop the J.Crew sale now. 

2. Save an extra 20% on all sale styles at Nike

Nike's sale section is filled with desirable footwear and apparel styles for men, women, kids, and even babies. Including everything from popular picks like the Air VaporMax running sneakers and retro Air Jordans to activewear and outerwear, it's the ideal place to save on sportswear — and the extra 20% off promotion is making it even better. Now through March 6, you can save an extra 20% on all sale styles by using the promo code "SAVE20" at checkout. For more deals and promotions at Nike, check out our coupons page here. 

Shop the Nike sale now. 

3. Save up to 50% on electronics at Best Buy's eBay store

You can find deals on electronics at Best Buy on a daily basis, but the brand's lesser-known eBay store is another great place to shop for savings. Today only, you can save up to 50% on select products at Best Buy's eBay store, including Ultra HDTVs, external hard drives, stand mixers, laptops, and all-in-one computers. While select deals may not be listed on the brand's main website, your products will ship directly from Best Buy. Check out our coupons pages for Best Buy and eBay for more potential savings and deals.

Shop Best Buy deals on eBay now.

4. Save up to 65% on cookware at Williams Sonoma

Filling your kitchen with high-quality cookware can be very expensive, but Williams Sonoma is having a huge sale to remedy that. For a limited time, you can save up to 65% and get free shipping on cookware from top brands like All-Clad and Le Creuset. The sale includes everything from pots and pans to pressure cookers and griddles. 

Shop the Williams Sonoma sale now.

5. Save $140 on the best wireless headphones we've tested

We named the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 the best wireless headphones you can buy because of their premium construction, sound quality, and comfortable over-ear fit. Even at their original price of $500, they're well worth buying, but right now, they're $140 cheaper on Amazon. If you're looking for unbeatable comfort and sound in a wireless headphone, this is the deal for you.

Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 ANC Bluetooth Headphones, $359.90 (Originally $499.95)[You save $140.05]

6. Save up to 25% on new arrivals and sale styles at East Dane

East Dane is an online destination for designer brands for men at lower-than-department-store prices — and right now, there are even bigger potential savings. Until tomorrow, March 2, you can save 15% off orders of $200 or more, 20% off orders of $500 or more, and 25% off orders of $800 more my by using the promo code "GOBIG19" at checkout. Here, you'll find brands like Ralph Lauren, Frame, Golden Goose, A.P.C., Ferragamo, Faherty, Kenzo, and MCM. For more deals and promotions at East Dane, check out our coupons page here. 

Shop the East Dane sale now. 

7. Save up to 25% on new arrivals and sale styles at Shopbop

As the sister site to East Dane, Shopbop is having running an identical sale on women's clothes and accessories. Until tomorrow, March 2, you can save 15% off orders of $200 or more, 20% off orders of $500 or more, and 25% off orders of $800 more my by using the promo code "GOBIG19" at checkout. Choose between a great selection of new arrivals and sale items from brands like Rag & Bone, Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Madewell, and GANNI. For more deals and promotions at Shopbop, check out our coupons page here. 

Shop the Shopbop sale now. 

8. Save up to $270 on Leesa Mattresses

Most people believe that you can't put a price on a good night of sleep and end up paying way too much for a new mattress. With Leesa, spending a fortune isn't necessary to achieve total comfort. Right now, you can automatically save $180 on the original Leesa Mattress and $270 on the foam-and-spring hybrid Sapira Mattress. Additionally, you can save 30% on accessories like pillows, sheets, bed platforms, and blankets. 

Shop the Leesa sale now. 

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NOW WATCH: There's a secret room behind Mount Rushmore that's inaccessible to tourists

• Frugality is one of the key characteristics of wealth, according to one researcher who studied more than 600 millionaires.
• Those who commit to saving, spend less, and stick to a budget are more likely to become millionaires, she said.
• Many of the world's richest people, like Warren Buffett and Richard Branson, have surprisingly frugal habits.

Many millionaires and billionaires have something in common aside from having multi-figure net worths: They're frugal.

It's this characteristic that helped them become rich in the first place, according to Sarah Stanley Fallaw, director of research for the Affluent Market Institute. She co-authored "The Next Millionaire Next Door: Enduring Strategies for Building Wealth," in which she surveyed more than 600 millionaires in America.

To identify characteristics most predictive of net worth, Stanley Fallaw conducted two studies that included a group of individuals with a net worth ranging from $100,000 to $1 million and a group of high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

She found that six behaviors, which she called "wealth factors," are related to net worth potential, regardless of age or income. One of those is frugality — a commitment to saving, spending less, and sticking to a budget.

That's not surprising when you consider the habits of some of the world's richest people — Warren Buffett is notoriously frugal, and Richard Branson has previously said that displays of wealth embarrass him. The same extends to some A-list celebrities who rake in millions for their movies and TV appearances.

Here's a look inside the lives of some famously frugal millionaires and billionaires.

SEE ALSO: A woman who studied 600 millionaires found how rich you can get boils down to 6 'wealth factors,' no matter your age or salary

DON'T MISS: A woman who studied 600 millionaires found 5 major differences in how the superrich spend their time. Here's what that looks like.

Sarah Stanley Fallaw, director of research for the Affluent Market Institute, studied more than 600 millionaires for her book, "The Next Millionaire Next Door: Enduring Strategies for Building Wealth."

She found that six behaviors, which she called "wealth factors," are related to net worth potential, regardless of age or income.

Source:"The Next Millionaire Next Door"

One of those factors, frugality, came up several times during Stanley Fallaw's research — many of the millionaires she interviewed stressed the freedom that comes with spending below their means.

Source: "The Next Millionaire Next Door"

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.

• Retinol is a must for any anti-aging regimen, but it can be harsh on delicate areas like under the eyes. That’s where retinol eye creams come into play.
• Kate Somerville's +Retinol Firming Eye Cream is the best retinol eye cream because it's both gentle and effective, with a cooling applicator to instantly soothe tired skin.

I love a good eye cream. There’s a strange sense of peace that comes over me when I tap a hydrating formula into my often-irritated orbital bone. And that feeling is intensified when I know I’m nourishing my skin with powerful ingredients.

Because this is the way life goes, retinol is both absolutely essential for an effective anti-aging routine and often too harsh for the quick-to-wrinkle eye area. Luckily, there are a number of eye creams that have retinol in them that also use hydrating and soothing ingredients to mitigate the potential for irritation.

When shopping for a retinol eye cream, I recommend scanning the ingredients’ list for mega-moisturizers like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. In addition to the fine line-minimizing effects of retinol, hydration may make your skin look younger and glowier.

Here are the best retinol eye creams you can buy:

• Best retinol eye cream overall: Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream
• Best for sensitive skin: RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream
• Best drugstore retinol eye cream: L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Treatment
• Best brightening retinol eye cream: Kiehl’s Youth Dose Eye Treatment
• Best encapsulated retinol eye cream: Dermalogica Age Smart Reversal Eye Complex

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

The best retinol eye cream overall

Why you'll love it: The Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream is packed with fortifying oils and extracts to soothe eyes while targeting the signs of aging.

I’ve used the Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream for more than a year and I could not be happier with the results. I’m still in my mid-to-late ‘20s, so I don’t have much by way of wrinkles, but I am starting to get some minor fine lines around the orbital bone.

This eye cream combines retinol and bio-retinol — a natural complex that mimics the effects of retinol — to create a powerhouse anti-aging formula. Hyaluronic acid, lime pearl, and various plant extracts and oils round out the ingredients’ list. The result is an effective eye cream that won’t dry the heck out of your eye area. A cooling tip depuffs and soothes as you apply.

An eye cream with retinol might take some getting used to, but after a few weeks, you shouldn’t feel any burning or irritation. I apply it every other night, alternating with a purely moisturizing cream, to make sure I’m not overdoing it.

+Retinol Firming Eye Cream has a 4.8 rating on Ulta, based on 72 reviews, and has been featured by Byrdie, Total Beauty and MyDomaine.

Pros: Fragrance free, moisturizing, brightening, soothing applicator

Cons: Very expensive

Buy Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream on Ulta for $85

The best retinol eye cream for sensitive skin

Why you’ll love it: For eyes that sting at the slightest suggestion of an onion, RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream is a gentle and effective choice.

Even the gentlest retinol eye creams can be a bit much for someone with very sensitive skin. RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream is formulated to be extra gentle, so even people with highly reactive skin and eyes can use it.

Made with a more mild form of retinol combined with hyaluronic acid, this cream still gives you the anti-aging benefits you’d expect from similar products, without the potential irritation. Plus it’s relatively affordable, with a price tag of less than $25 for 0.5 ounces.

The RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream is an Allure Best of Beauty winner and has been featured by Real Simple. Shoppers rate it 4.0 stars based on 480 reviews on the review website Influenster.

One online reviewer writes, “This works amazingly well and leaves beautiful results. You never have to worry about the drying of the skin or rashes other creams cause. When you try it you will be hooked after your first use. I highly recommend it to everyone with sensitive skin.”

Pros: Suitable for sensitive skin, oil-free, non comedogenic

Cons: Not as affordable as other drugstore picks

Buy the RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream on Ulta for $23.99

The best drugstore retinol eye cream

Why you’ll love it: L’Oreal Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Treatment proves that good skin care can be found at great prices.

Louder for the people in the back — great skin-care products exist at the drugstore, and the L’Oreal Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Treatment is proof. It’s a creamy eye treatment that minimizes fine lines and firms skin thanks to the inclusion of retinol.

This eye cream promises improvements in as little as four weeks of regular use. It’s fragrance-free, dye-free, and made without parabens and phthalates. As for what it does contain, the formula includes pro retinol and centella asiatica, or tiger grass, which calms irritation.

Target shoppers give this eye cream more than 4 stars based on 976 reviews and it has also been recommended by Allure, Byrdie, and Total Beauty.

“I always overlooked this eye cream because of its low price, I thought it was just going to be a waste of money. The expensive one that I was using wasn’t working so I thought I would give it a try, it was cheap so why not? I’m so glad that I did! It’s amazing! It’s a very thick, rich, emollient cream that really does improve the look of lines and firmness!” writes one reviewer on Target.

Pros: Affordable, contains gentle tiger grass, fragrance- and dye-free

Cons: Jar packaging is not airtight

Buy the L’Oreal Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Treatment at Target for $9.99

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.

• Whether I'm traveling a new country or simply running errands, I carry a water bottle on me at all times. 
• Since I like to stay hydrated, my favorite reusable water bottle is the stainless steel, 40 oz. Takeya Originals Water Bottle ($30), which features double-walled insulation, two mouth types, and an ergonomic handle. 
• If not the Takeya bottle, you'll find the 16 oz. bkr Water Bottle ($38) in my bag. This silicone-covered glass bottle is more suitable for casual use and when it's just not practical to lug around a large bottle. 

As someone who likes to stay hydrated and is always drinking water, I count the reusable water bottle as one of my most prized possessions. Rarely will I ever leave the house without one in tow — who knows where my next source of water will be? I certainly won't be waiting until my throat feels parched and my head hurts to seek it out, and I blanch at the thought of buying a wasteful plastic water bottle. 

If anyone ever tried to assume my identity, they'd be remiss not to include the 40 oz. Takeya Originals Water Bottle ($30) in their Connie Chen Starter Pack. This is the main bottle I carry around for the gym, travels, and everyday life, and thanks to its size (or maybe the assortment of stickers plastered all over it) you can spot me doing so from a mile away.

You'd think my second-in-command bottle would be around the same size and construction, but it's not. If I'm not carrying my Takeya bottle, I actually like the 16 oz. bkr Water Bottle ($38). While it's much smaller and made from different materials, it has its own merits as a reusable water bottle. Below, I explain why I have both in my rotation, and why you should, too. 

The 40 oz. Takeya Originals Water Bottle is an all-around stainless steel heavyweight that will keep you hydrated through the whole day. 

The Takeya Originals is the classic reusable water bottle most people think of: made from stainless steel, double-wall insulated to keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot, and rugged enough to withstand bumps and scratches. 

I like Takeya's design specifically because it has a wide mouth to make refilling, adding ice, and cleaning easy, as well as a small spout lid that allows for precise drinking with minimal spillage.

This patented lid features a leak-proof twist cap that has never failed me and makes me feel confident throwing my bottle into my bag at any angle. When I want to enjoy my beverage (usually water), I can use the small spout and I don't have to worry about water splashing onto my face. This is especially useful when I want a sip of water mid-run or workout but don't want to slow my momentum. 

You can hold the bottle comfortably in one hand or by the wide loop handle that lets you swing it back and forth. You can also clip this handle to a carabiner on your backpack. Despite accidental crashes as a result of careless swinging, the handle has stayed resilient and secure.  

Impressive insulation capabilities are another reason to consider the bottle.

As Insider Picks reporter Mara details in her review of the Actives version of the bottle, you can fill it with water and ice cubes, and you'll still find intact ice cubes inside 24 hours later. The bottle is frighteningly good at keeping your beverage at your desired temperature, whether you prefer it hot or cold. Almost as importantly, the bottle exterior stays cool and dry regardless of its contents. 

Read more: I found ice cubes in this $25 stainless steel water bottle 24 hours after filling it

To some (e.g. all my friends and family who regularly point this out), the 40 oz. size can seem excessive and heavy. But as someone who truly loves drinking water, the size is perfect and ensures I have something to sip throughout the entire day.

It's my savior during long, dehydrating flights, where I typically down the small complimentary cups of water in one gulp; days spent in the city running errands and hanging out with friends; and draining workout classes. Having the large bottle by my bedside encourages me to drink a lot of water in the morning when I wake up, which, among other benefits, increases alertness and jump-starts metabolism.

Because the bottle keeps me constantly hydrated and healthy, I rarely mind its size and weight. 

Read more: The best water bottles you can buy

My next most-used bottle, the 16 oz. bkr Water Bottle is quite different: 40% the size of the Takeya and made from glass, but these features also have their place. 

This small bottle, compared to the intimidating and utilitarian Takeya, is approachable and stylish — as stylish as a water bottle can get, anyway. It's wrapped in a silicone sleeve that's available in a variety of colors and the shape is far more suited to small handbags and totes than travel backpacks. 

As defensive as I get whenever a friend teases me for how large my Takeya bottle is, there are moments when I relent and admit that it simply doesn't make sense to bring it with me.

During trips to my neighborhood grocery store, for example, I would appreciate a few sips of water as I browse the aisles and schlep my bags home, but a whole 40 oz. worth of sips is just unnecessary and will only weigh me down. Other times, the house rules of specific venues or institutions prevent me from bringing in such a large vessel. The bkr bottle is small enough to bypass these rules but still provides enough water for events that are a few hours long. 

The size is also preferable for beverages that aren't water. If I make a smoothie, juice, or iced tea at home, I don't need or want a huge bottle of it to go. The bkr bottle is the better option for transporting these sweet, refreshing drinks. 

While its glass construction means it's not very insulating, it is durable and shatter-proof, a characteristic further bolstered by the protective silicone sleeve. 

In addition, the cap also seals tightly and is leak-proof. Like the Takeya, it has a handle attached to the cap, though it's smaller — for looping a couple fingers rather than your whole hand — and can't swing back and forth. 

When I first received the bkr water bottle in an event goodie bag, I thought it was more for looks than function. The pretty bottle has surprised me with its usefulness, and in the right situation, is a strong alternative to my usual Takeya bottle. 

The bottom line: If you have $30 to $40 to spend, which water bottle should you buy? 

The clichéd but truthful answer is, it depends. For a classic reusable water bottle you can take most places, I love my 40 oz. Takeya Originals for its powerful insulation, drinker-friendly design, and versatile use functions. For a more eye-catching, glass style that stashes in small bags and provides casual hydration, I love my 16 oz. bkr Water Bottle. 

At any given time or place, you'll find me drinking water out of either of these great water bottle options. 

Shop the 40 oz. Takeya Originals Water Bottle, from $30, here: 

Buy it at Amazon | Buy it at Target

Shop the 16 oz. bkr Water Bottle, from $38, here:

Buy it at Amazon | Buy it at Sephora | Buy it at Nordstrom

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International Women's Day (IWD) is soon approaching, landing on Friday, March 8 this year. The day marks a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women everywhere. It's also a day meant to remind us all to keep working toward gender equality.

While there may be no long-held International Women's Day traditions — at least, not yet— that doesn't mean you can't find your own little ways to pay homage to the inspiring women around us. It's the perfect excuse to treat your self to a new read, particularly one that is written by a strong female author. 

Show your support and get inspired this International Women's Day with one of these nine memoirs written by women:

SEE ALSO: 29 products everyone loves that come from female-founded startups

"The Electric Woman" by Tessa Fontaine

One of Tessa Fontaine's greatest fears was her mother passing, as her mother continually suffered from strokes that fear moved closer to reality. In the face of uncertainty, her mother chose to follow one of her dreams while she still had the chance — travel to Italy and tour the country with her husband. Taking a cue from her mother, Tessa decided to take on a new adventure that had been on her bucket list for a while — she joined the circus. 

While in the circus, she transformed herself into an escape artist, a snake charmer, and a fire eater, among other unlikely roles. "The Electric Woman" details Tessa's unique job, but more importantly it provides a moving message we all can relate to about how we overcome fears and deal with heartache, through the one-of-a-kind lens of circus life. 

Buy it here >>

"Small Fry" by Lisa Brennan-Jobs

You may think that growing up with Steve Jobs as your father would make life easy, but it typically wasn't that way for Lisa Brennan-Jobs. Constantly moving between her mother's and father's homes throughout her youth, Brennan-Jobs lived two very different lives. Her relationship with her father was unpredictable — moments of generosity were bookended by tougher times. 

With up-and-coming Silicon Valley as the backdrop, "Small Fry" depicts the complex dynamics of one family. Moreover, Brennan-Jobs' strong literary style and authentic voice (which have received high praise) make for an emotional coming-of-age memoir we can all empathize with, prolific father or not. 

Buy it here >>

"Heartland" by Sarah Smarsh

Sarah Smarsh was born into a family of wheat farmers in rural Kansas, just 30 miles west of Wichita. Though country childhood was filled with many simple pleasures, it was also wrought with poverty that presented a multitude of challenges — abusive relationships, untreated medical conditions, and unsafe job conditions were just some of the harsh realities. 

Through personal narrative and careful analysis, Smarsh shatters the notion of the "American Dream," a false promise that has attempted to keep people like her and her family down. Ultimately, this book challenges readers to examine the class divide in our country, which for many has become so alienating, and reconsider how we think about social class. 

Buy it here >>

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• Retail price prescription medication is prohibitively expensive. If you have insurance, your policy still doesn't always cover as much as you'd like. 
• Blink Health is a no-commitment, no-fee service that offers access to over 15,000 medications for a fraction of their retail price. 
• Here's the quick and easy process: search for your medication on its site, pay the low price online, then pick it up at a major or local pharmacy near you. 

I never particularly enjoy picking up a new prescription from the pharmacy because I know I'll stand at the counter in fraught silence, waiting for the pharmacist to tell me how much it's going to set me back.

Even though I have insurance, it doesn't always cover a lot, and I'm often surprised at how much I still have to pay out of pocket. If you don't have insurance, the damage is even worse. In either case, you feel like you have no choice but to pay for expensive prescriptions, or face the repercussions on your health. 

It's a dilemma that millions have to face, but shouldn't. Though you don't have the power to negotiate prices, an online company called Blink Health does. Blink Health works with pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical manufacturers to bring you lower prices on over 15,000 medications.

There are no membership fees or hidden fees, and the process is pretty simple. As long as you have a prescription from your doctor, you can use Blink Health's website or app. 

You start by searching for your medication, making sure to match the medication form and dosage to that of your prescription. You'll see two prices, one that's available at major pharmacies and an even lower one available at one specific pharmacy near you. 

Here's an example of how much Blink Health saves you on some common medications. It also has a price match guarantee on generic medications. If you find a lower price elsewhere, it will refund you the difference.

After paying online to lock in the price, you receive a "Blink Card," which you can either print out or show on your phone to the pharmacist. Bring this and your prescription to your chosen pharmacy, and they'll fill it like any other prescription. You should pay $0 at the pharmacy. 

Its network consists of over 30,000 pharmacy partners nationwide, including major stores like Walmart and Albertsons as well as local independent pharmacies, so it's easy to pick up your prescription at a location convenient for you, or you can have it delivered to you for free in two days. 

Whether you're uninsured, insured, or have Medicare, it's always helpful to check Blink Health to see how much you could be paying instead. Especially if you're taking a medication for a long period of time, the significant monthly savings are worth the few minutes of extra effort to look up your medication. 

Search for your medication at Blink Health here

SEE ALSO: Here's how to use your FSA dollars before you lose them — and get a discount on supplies you'd need to buy anyway

Join the conversation about this story »

• A woman is suing after her young daughter was mauled by an emotional-support dog in December 2017 while waiting to board an Alaska Airlines flight at Portland International Airport.
• Mirna Gonzalez filed a lawsuit on behalf of her daughter, Gabriella, in Oregon state court on Monday. Gonzalez is seeking $1.1 million in damages from the dog owner, Alaska Airlines, and the Port of Portland, the operator of Portland International Airport.
• The suit said the 5-year-old suffered injuries to the muscles, tendons, bones, nerves, and soft tissue of her face, eye, eyelid, tear duct, and lip, as well as emotional trauma.
• As a result of these injuries, the girl required surgery to repair her "complex facial lacerations and a damaged tear duct."

A woman is suing after her young daughter was mauled by an emotional-support dog in December 2017 while waiting to board an Alaska Airlines flight at Portland International Airport.

Mirna Gonzalez filed a lawsuit on behalf of her daughter, Gabriella, in Oregon state court on Monday. Gonzalez is seeking $1.1 million in damages from the dog owner, Alaska Airlines, and the Port of Portland, the operator of Portland International Airport. 

According to the suit, an emotional-support pit bull owned by Michelle Brannan attacked Gabriella Gonzalez, then 5 years old, while she was waiting at gate C7 to board an Alaska Airlines flight.

According to the complaint, Gabriella suffered injuries to the muscles, tendons, bones, nerves, and soft tissue of her face, eye, eyelid, tear duct, and lip, as well as emotional trauma. As a result of these injuries, the girl required surgery to repair her "complex facial lacerations and a damaged tear duct." 

Read more: Delta has barred all emotional-support animals on long flights.

The family is asking for $100,000 in economic damages to cover existing and future medical expenses and $1 million in noneconomic damages. 

"We're heartbroken by this tragic and disturbing incident and remain very concerned for our guests' condition," Alaska Airlines said in a statement to Business Insider. "We are not able to comment on the case given it is pending litigation."

A Portland International Airport spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit. 

The growing number of emotional-support animals on commercial aircraft has become a hot-button issue in recent years. While there are many who truly require the support of such an animal to fly, there are also a significant number of people who use emotional-support-animal privileges as a way for their family pets to fly for free. 

The industry trade group Airlines for America reported a 74% increase in the number of emotional-support animals traveling on America's major airlines. During that same period, Delta Air Lines reported an 84% increase in the number of reported incidents involving emotional-support and service animals on board its flights, including urination, defecation, and biting. 

SEE ALSO: Plane tickets to Hawaii could be 30% cheaper when Southwest Airlines launches flights

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• Simple, inexpensive, high-quality, and personal. Few jewelry stores offer these qualities in their wedding ring offerings and shopping experiences, but they're what many couples want, and what ultimately makes online company Holden stand out. 
• You can customize every aspect of your wedding ring on its site, and spend less than $200 for the final product to be produced and shipped to you.
• Finding the perfect ring shouldn't be as stressful as it is, which is why the founders created an easy-to-use online design studio and offer free sizing, shipping, and 14-day returns. 

It's all too easy to question how much you even want a wedding ring anymore after you've wearily walked into your sixth jewelry store of the day and confirmed that once again, it contains hovering salespeople, an overwhelming number of options, and price tags that make you think, "really?"

You shouldn't give up just yet because a new online startup called Holden, which sells high-quality customizable wedding rings starting at just $179, could be putting an end to this unnecessarily stressful search. 

Holden is not the first company, nor the first foray into jewelry for co-founders Simon Zhang and Andrew Lim. After graduating from Dartmouth, they founded MUJO, an online fashion jewelry brand, and met countless couples who couldn't find wedding bands they liked. Once they felt the frustration themselves while helping Lim's brother shop for a ring, it became clear that something needed to change.

By offering affordable, one-of-a-kind rings on a convenient online platform, Holden is a response to the expensive and overwhelming ordeal that wedding ring shopping has unfortunately become. 

Couples who are interested in its rings can start with the Ring Size Kit, which the company will send free of charge. Then, you can choose from eight different ring profiles and start designing your rings in the Holden Design Studio. The following features are all customizable:

• Metal: Silver Palladium, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, or Platinum
• Karat: 14-karat or 18-karat
• Width: 1.5mm, 3mm, 4.5mm, or 6mm
• Finish: Matte or Mirror
• Optional Engraving: Up to 20 characters 

Read more: Online startup Vrai & Oro is challenging the traditional jewelry industry with conflict-free diamonds and custom engagement rings

The Domed, Square, and Triangle profiles are the most popular shapes, while the 14-karat Yellow and White Gold are the most popular metals, but don't feel pressured to follow the crowd — if you have alternative designs in mind, you can contact Holden directly to make your dream wedding ring a reality.  

It takes up to two weeks to produce the ring, which is crafted to order in New York City. The design is 3D printed, cast into conflict-free and recycled precious metals, and hand-polished before making its way to your doorstep. 

Traditional custom rings are usually pricey because of how time-intensive the design and production processes are, but Holden bypasses these hurdles by making the customer the designer and using efficient 3D printing technology. Free shipping and 14-day returns, complimentary resizing for life, and a limited lifetime warranty policy are other features that differentiate Holden from the typical jewelry shop. 

Lim says revenue has doubled month over month since the company launched in April 2018, and it's on track to generate annualized revenue in the millions by the end of 2018. As direct-to-consumer jewelry startups make their way into the mainstream, we don't see this growth slowing down any time soon. 

Design a wedding ring ($179+) at Holden here

Join the conversation about this story »

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 purchases. 

Cooking is an art form that encourages creativity, but it also requires precision and control if you want a meal that is actually fully cooked and tastes good. 

Smart kitchen gadgets combine tech with traditional appliances and guide you through the cooking process to help make cooking easier. They also free up your schedule so you're not spending unnecessary time watching your meal cook — many of the appliances below pair with apps that let you monitor and adjust temperatures, cooking times, and power switches remotely.

Whether you're a novice who is typically afraid of stepping foot into the kitchen, or a seasoned cook who wants to multitask, the following smart kitchen appliances can help you create the perfect meal. 

A meat thermometer

Nutrichef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer, $32.99, available at Amazon

This smart thermometer has an outdoor wireless range of 200 feet and sends you a notification and alarm when your meat reaches the set temperature. Through the app, you can see real-time temperatures and save cooking presets for your favorite recipes. The thermometer itself has an easy-to-read LCD display. 

A cocktail scale

Perfect Drink 2.0 Smart Scale, $19.95, available at Amazon

Become the party's resident mixologist with this scale that will make you the perfect drink every single time. Explore over 400 recipes, or discover new ones based on the ingredients you already have on hand. To use the scale, pour the ingredients into the glass until you hear a "ding." If you overpour, the scale will re-calculate the proportions so your drink still tastes delicious. Shake or stir away, and the built-in timer will tell you when you've reached the optimal dilution and chill. 

A fridge

Samsung Family Hub 4-Door French Door Smart Refrigerator, $3,599.99, available at Best Buy

This fridge is more than a food storage appliance. Set expiration notifications so your food never goes bad, plan a meal based on the available ingredients in your fridge, and see the contents of your fridge from anywhere. You can share photos and synced calendars on the screen, plus control smart home devices like lights, thermostats, and doorbells, and stream music, all through voice commands. 

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.

• Every wardrobe needs some great basics that can lay the foundation for plenty of outfits.
• Brands like Everlane, Pact, and Universal Standard have taught us that high-quality basics don't have to cost so much.
• Here are five companies we come back to again and again when we need to add new T-shirts, jeans, and more versatile staples to our wardrobes.

We've all had those moments, standing in front of a closet full of perfectly good clothing, but still unable to find an outfit we like. In those "I-have-nothing-to-wear" moments, you pull out the basics — classic, reliable pieces you can always count on to look and feel great. The super-soft, plain-white T-shirt. The jeans that hug you in all the right places. The tailored blazer that makes it look like you put a lot more thought into your outfit. 

Great basics are — or, should be — the foundation to your wardrobe. When you have a few simple pieces you love, getting dressed in the morning is much easier. Just about every brand offers its own take on the basics, but these are the ones we always come back to. Combining high-quality materials, affordability, and flattering styles, these companies make the better basics you'll want to wear every day.

Keep reading for five brands that make great, everyday basics you need in your closet:

SEE ALSO: 11 San Francisco-based clothing startups that prove New York City isn't the only capital of fashion

Everlane

Shop modern, minimalist basics at Everlane

Best for: Minimalist, modern pieces that go with every budget and style

Why you'll love it: There's a lot of hype around Everlane, and we think it's well worth it. Prior to working at Business Insider, I had never bought a piece from the brand, but after hearing my teammates' consistently rave reviews, I bought two pieces that quickly became outfit go-tos.

One of my colleagues recently shared a similar sentiment after trying his first Everlane pieces, and for good reason. Everlane is strongly focused on transparency, giving consumers the cost breakdown of pieces, down to the factory where the piece is made and where materials are sourced. Beyond the brand's sustainable, ethical practices, its clothes and accessories really deliver on quality and style. You'll find simple T-shirts, sweaters, work pants, and more in universally flattering fits and a wide range of colors — there's really something for everyone. 

Learn more about some of our favorite Everlane clothes and shoes:

• Cashmere Crew sweater review
• Authentic Stretch Denim jeans review
• Day Glove ballet flat review
• Cashmere Turtleneck sweater review

Universal Standard

Shop size-inclusive basics at Universal Standard

Best for: Modern essentials that are universally-flattering on all body types

Why you'll love it: Universal Standard was born out of two women's frustration with the lack of stylish clothing options out there for plus-size women. That's why they set out to make amazing basics that look great on all women and, more importantly, make every woman feel great in her skin.

Overall, the site boasts a modern, stylish collection full of what we'd consider staples, but if you're really looking for the basics, head to the "Foundation" section — it's full of a range of simple tanks and tees that make great base layers for any outfit. If you're not sure what you want, Universal Standard also offers the option to purchase a kit— it's a curated collection of some of its best-selling pieces catered to your lifestyle, like workwear and activewear.

Learn more about some of our favorite Universal Standard pieces:

• Universal Standard overview
• Universal Standard Foundation Kit review

Pact

Shop soft staples at Pact

Best for: Cost-conscious and environmentally friendly basics that are soft, lightweight, and simple

Why you'll love it: Pact doesn't think being cost-conscious and environmentally conscious should be mutually exclusive. That's why the brand is committed to making super-soft, comfortable products using organic cotton in Fair Trade factories. While organic is usually synonymous with expensive, Pact's products are very affordable — leggings cost $20, T-shirts go for $25, and hoodies for $50, to give you a sense of pricing.

Pact has a wide range of products for men, women, and kids — you'll find clothing, undergarments, and even bedding — though within each category, the selection is small. For example, men can choose from three T-shirt styles and there are just four dress styles for women, all offered in a few colors and patterns. If you have trouble making decisions, you'll appreciate Pact's thoughtful selection of just the basics. 

Learn more about some of our favorite Pact pieces:

• Lightweight Eco-Blend Wrap Cardigan review
• Wrap Dress review

• Tesla sells two sedans, the Model S and the Model 3. 
• The Model S is a more luxurious mid-size four door that can almost stretch to full-size duty.
• The Model 3 is a compact four-door that takes a more minimalist approach than the Model 3.

Since 2017, Tesla has officially been selling two sedans, the Model S and the Model 3. Both are fully electric, but with the arrival of the base, $35,000 Model 3, there's now a wide price difference between the cheapest Tesla four-door and the most expensive Model S, when can cost over $100,000, depending on configuration.

What, you might wonder, do you get for your money with each car?

Glad you asked. I've provided a simple breakdown. The bottom line is that you currently have more options with the Model 3, but the Model S is more premium and serves up better performance — if you pay extra for it. Otherwise, although the cars are in different segments, they have a lot in common.

Read on to learn more:

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The Model S is Tesla's oldest vehicle now in production. The mid-size sedan arrived in 2012 and has been updated and reconfigured numerous times, but the average price is around $100,000.

Currently, Tesla sells three versions of the Model S, each with a "dual motor" all-wheel-drive configuration.

The Standard Range is $79,000 to start, with a 270-mile range and a 0-60mph time of 4.2 seconds.

The Long Range is $83,000, with a 335-miles range and a 0-60mph time of 4.1 seconds.

The Performance is $99,000, with a 315-mile range and a 0-60 time of 3 seconds.

(These prices are all before tax credits and fuel savings.)

Adding Ludicrous Mode to the Performance trim for $15,000 takes the 0-60mph time down to 2.4 seconds. That's supercar fast.

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. 

• Nike is having a huge clearance sale on sneakers and clothes for men, women, and kids.
• Save an extra 20% by using the promo code "SAVE20" at checkout.
• This sale is only running through March 6, and sizes will start to sell out soon, so we don't recommend waiting.

Select items are always on sale at Nike, but now through March 6, you can save an extra 20% on all sale styles by using the promo code "SAVE20" at checkout.

With the sale running for just six days, you'll want to jump on the train early since the best items will probably sell out before the end of the sale. Whether you're picking up workout gear to get in shape, or just want a cool pair of shoes, you'll find something that works for you.

Keep in mind that Jordan Brand, Converse, and Hurley all fall under the Nike umbrella, so you'll find great deals on footwear and apparel from those names, too.

Shop all clearance items at Nike now.

Check out some of the best deals on sneakers for men and women:

Men's Nike Epic React Flyknit

$83.98 (Originally $150) [You save $66.02]

Men's Nike Air Max Safari SE

$56.78 (Originally $110) [You save $53.22]

Men's Air Jordan 10

$129.58 (Originally $190) [You save $60.42]