Insider Picks writes about products andservices to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Mini fridges come in all shapes, styles, and sizes … kind of like college dorm rooms and roommates.
• If you're looking for the perfect mini fridge and you have enough space, the Danby 4.4 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge offers advanced features and enough space to hold all the perishables you could want for an affordable price.

Back to school is one of the most popular times to purchase a mini fridge, because many students want a refrigerator in their dorm rooms. But these small refrigerators also work well for offices, rec rooms, and garages.

Mini fridges aren't as energy efficient as standard-sized refrigerators, and some don't hold a consistent enough temperature to preserve food safely for long periods. However, for keeping beverages and quickly consumed items cold, it works just fine. Your student will greatly appreciate having the ability to keep sodas and snacks (and nothing else) cold for late night studying with a dorm room fridge.

The key is finding the right size and features that'll make the unit perfect for your student's dorm room while fitting in your budget. As a general rule, a larger mini fridge will cost more than a smaller mini fridge, and stainless steel or glass-door mini fridges tend to be pricier.

A mini fridge's capacity is listed in cubic feet. This gives you an idea of the size and number of items you can place inside, although shelves and freezer space take up some of this capacity. Some companies also list capacity for a mini fridge as the number of 12-ounce cans the unit can hold. 

Most dorm room fridges contain at least a small freezer compartment. However, it's not accessible through a separate door like it is with a full-size refrigerator. This causes the freezer to not be as efficient as what you'll find in a standard refrigerator. Many freezers in mini fridges are too small to even hold a large frozen pizza, for example.

Here are our picks for the best mini fridges you can buy:

• Best mini fridge overall: Danby 4.4 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge
• Best 2.6 cubic foot mini fridge: Insignia 2.6 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge
• Best 1.6 cubic foot mini fridge: Midea 1.6 Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator
• Best 3.3 cubic foot mini fridge: Frigidaire 3.3 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge
• Best mini freezer: EdgeStar 1.1 Cubic Foot Convertible Refrigerator/Freezer
• Best mini fridge for drinks: Danby 120-Can Beverage Center

Updated on 06/14/2019 by Les Shu: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks.

SEE ALSO: The best college supplies and dorm room essentials

The best mini fridge overall

The Danby 4.4 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge is large enough to meet the needs of three or four students and it has excellent features for a nice price point, too.

You'll appreciate the flexibility of the Danby 4.4 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge. This versatile mini fridge is at the larger end of what you'll want in a dorm room refrigerator, but it has plenty of interior space at 4.4 cubic feet and several nice features. If you're looking for more than a simple beverage refrigerator for the dorm room, this is a nice choice.

The Danby mini fridge measures 20.7 inches wide and 20.9 inches deep. At 32.7 inches in height, this unit may not fit well in a small dorm room. It does offer a tiny freezer unit of 0.5 cubic feet, which actually is an above average size freezer in a dorm fridge. We really like the fact that you can reverse the direction of the door, which allows you to place the refrigerator in any location in the room. It has a beverage dispensing rack, too.

Consumer Search says the Darby 4.4 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge offers a good price point with decent energy consumption ratings. The Wirecutter likes how Danby's designers made the best use of the space inside the refrigerator with adjustable shelving.

One owner likes the way Danby backs up its products with customer service and a good warranty. A Best Buy customer says the Danby unit runs extremely quietly, which is great for a dorm room where studying is occurring (which should be all of them, of course). A couple of Best Buy customers say they experienced problems with the freezer maintaining a cold enough temperature, though.

Pros: Large capacity for a three- or four-person dorm room, good price point, plenty of advanced features for a dorm fridge, beverage dispensing racks built-in, good shelving system that's adjustable, quiet operation

Cons: Freezer system may struggle to hold a consistent temperature, might be too large for some dorm rooms

Buy the Danby 4.4 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge in black on Amazon for $197.19

The best 2.6 cubic foot mini fridge

If size is at a premium in your dorm room, you'll love the tiny Insignia 2.6 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge. 

If your college student is going to be cooking for himself or herself, buying a dorm refrigerator that's too small is just going to encourage more pizza orders. The students won't have enough storage for the ingredients they need to cook. But if your student is on a cafeteria meal plan, a small fridge in the dorm room for some beverages and midnight snacks is a perfect option. They may still order a lot of pizza, but at least they won't be able to blame it on the fridge.

For a small refrigerator that'll fit well in a tiny dorm room, our favorite is the Insignia 2.6 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge. It's a short, almost cube-shaped model that offers measurements of just 27.6 inches in height, 19.1 inches in width, and 17.7 inches in depth, allowing you to put it in almost any area of your room.

It offers a can storage rack and adjustable shelving, which are features often not found in such a small refrigerator. It also has a thermostat control, which is a nice feature in such a low priced dorm room fridge. And the door hinges are reversible, allowing you to adjust the door to make it fit in exactly the spot you want, which is a key feature in a small dorm room.

A reviewer at the Insignia site (Insignia is a Best Buy private label) liked the fact that this mini refrigerator included a tiny freezer area, something that's not always found in such a small unit. Some customers at Best Buy said the Insignia unit ran noisy, which is disappointing for a unit aimed at students in a dorm room. Another Best Buy customer loved the size of this refrigerator for holding beverages, and several appreciated the bargain price they received for this Insignia unit. 

Pros: Small refrigerator fits great in a small dorm room, just the right size for storing snacks and beverages, reversible door hinges, thermostat control ensures stable temperature, small freezer included

Cons: Could be too noisy for some students' liking, too small for storing food for students who cook for themselves

Buy the Insignia 2.6 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge at Best Buy for $119.99

The best 1.6 cubic foot mini fridge

The Midea 1.6 Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator will keep a small amount of food and drinks cold.

If you want to have milk, drinks, and other perishables in your dorm room, you'll need a mini fridge. If our first two picks are still too big for your dorm, the Midea Compact Refrigerator will be just the right size, measuring 17.7 x 18.6 x 19.4 inches. 

The Midea fridge is smaller than the others in our guide, but if you really don't expect to have too much food in your dorm and saving space is key, this fridge will do the trick. It has one shelf that divides the fridge in two and more storage in the door that can hold a 1-liter soda bottle and then some. It also has a tiny freezer for ice cubes or other small frozen items.

Midea is known for its great mini fridges. The Wirecutter chose an identical but discontinued model as its top small mini fridge pick.

Pros: Compact size for small spaces, keeps items cold, reliable

Cons: Pricey

Buy the Midea WHS-65SS1 Compact Refrigerator (19-inch, 1.6 cubic feet) from Appliances Connection for $164

The best 3.3 cubic foot mini fridge

The Frigidaire 3.3 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge is just the right size to hold food and beverages, but it's small enough to fit almost anywhere inside the dorm room.

For a dorm room fridge, think of the mid-sized Frigidaire 3.3 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge as the porridge that's just right in "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" terms. A large mini fridge may not fit well in a dorm room that's usually cramped for space before you try to jam a mini refrigerator into the room. And a small mini fridge may not offer the capacity a student needs for ingredients to cook meals. But a mid-sized mini fridge can be just the right size for food capacity and for fitting in the dorm room.

One of the best things about the Frigidaire 3.3 Cubic Foot refrigerator is its small footprint versus some other mini fridge options. It measures 18.6 inches in width and 17.8 inches in depth. It does have a 32.8-inch height measurement, meaning it's a tall but thin dorm room fridge. With its reversible door hinge, you can place this unit almost anywhere in the dorm room.

At 3.3 cubic feet, the Frigidaire mini fridge has plenty of room for food and beverages for a single or two-person dorm room. The Frigidaire 3.3 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge offers both an area for cans and an area for taller bottles. It even includes a tiny freezer area. If you want a larger freezer, there's another version that has one, but it costs more.

The Small Fridge Blog review calls the Frigidaire a great value, while also praising the reversible door that helps the unit squeeze into just the right space in a tight dorm room. One Best Buy customer loves how this refrigerator holds its temperature steadily. Several Best Buy reviewers mentioned the great price point of this mid-sized dorm fridge.

A reviewer on the Frigidaire site was disappointed with customer service, but said the unit has a lot of capacity. Another Best Buy customer wished the shelves were adjustable in the Frigidaire 3.3 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge.

Pros: Great mix of size and price point, reversible door increases usefulness, tall mini fridge with small footprint, includes a small freezer area, works best in a single or two-person dorm room

Cons: Shelves are not adjustable to make the most of the capacity, some problems with customer service response

Buy the Frigidaire 3.3 Cubic Foot Mini Fridge from Lowe's for $141.55

The best mini fridge that doubles as a freezer

The EdgeStar 1.1 Cubic Foot Convertible Refrigerator/Freezer can switch back and forth between a small freezer and refrigerator, depending on your needs.

Most mini fridges aimed at students don't offer much in the freezer department. They're meant to keep food and beverages cold. But if your student is addicted to ice cream or, for whatever reason, just needs a lot of room for ice, the ability to have a big freezer is important.

The intriguing EdgeStar 1.1 Cubic Foot Convertible Refrigerator/Freezer converts back and forth between a freezer and a refrigerator, depending on what you need at the time. Compact Appliance loves the versatility of this convertible unit, as well as the fact that you can set the temperature to between 0 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Understand that you cannot use this device as a refrigerator and a freezer at the same time — It's one or the other.

It even has a sharp looking stainless steel door design that'll give your dorm room a quick dose of style. The Best Refrigerator Central review calls this unit one of the best stainless steel mini fridges on the market. The door on the convertible refrigerator has reversible hinges and contains a lock to keep your items protected. It's also the perfect size for a cramped dorm room; it measures 18.5 inches in width, 17.8 inches in depth, and 19.3 inches in height.

An Amazon customer says the EdgeStar 1.1 cubic foot model held its temperature well, even at the coldest setting. However, a couple of Amazon customers say the combination freezer/refrigerator creates a lot of condensation.

Pros: Ingenious design of convertible refrigerator/freezer, offers far more freezer space than typical dorm room fridge, holds temperature well, extremely small footprint, stainless steel door looks great

Cons: Expensive for only 1.1 cubic feet of capacity, only works as a refrigerator or a freezer at one time

Buy the EdgeStar 1.1 Cubic Foot Convertible Refrigerator/Freezer on Amazon for $183

The best mini fridge for drinks

The glass door on the Danby 120-Can Beverage Center lets you can see what's inside from the comfort of your futon.

Let's be honest: When some kids go to college, they like to have a cold beverage from time to time. The university meal plan provides all the food, so all they need in their dorm room is a refrigerator dedicated to beverages. The Danby 120-Can Beverage Center is built with them in mind, thanks to the glass door that makes the contents of the refrigerator visible at all times.

As you can tell from the name, this mini fridge is larger than you might think, as it's able to hold 120 cans of beverages. But it's not only for cans. You can fit bottles and even some food in this stylish refrigerator by adjusting the location of the shelves, which is a great feature.

The Danby 120-Can Beverage Center measures 33.70 inches high, 17.87 inches wide, and 19.75 inches deep. It weighs 68.90 pounds and has 3.3 cubic feet of space inside.

Perhaps the biggest drawback to this unit is the high price versus other dorm mini fridge options. You can pick smaller versions of this same refrigerator if you need to squeeze the device into a smaller price point. — Kyle Schurman and Malarie Gokey

Pros: Sharp looking design with a glass door, offers capacity for 120 12-ounce cans, holds consistent temperature, good size for a multiple-person dorm room, shelves and door hinges are adjustable

Cons: Price is higher than similar capacity dorm fridges, no freezer area

Buy the Danby 120-Can Beverage Center on Amazon for $212.99 (originally $249.99)

• Figuring out how to contact Facebook for problems with your account or other issues can be difficult, as the company does not accept phone calls for customer support.
• There are a number of email addresses to which you can try to contact Facebook through, but the responses can be slow and aren't assured, either.
• Using the platform's own Help Center to send messages to Facebook can be the most reliable way to connect with the company to report a problem with your account or other issues.

Don't bother trying to call Facebook.

If you dial either of the Palo Alto-area phone numbers you'll easily find for the social media mega platform via online search (those are 650-543-4800 and 650-308-7300, for the record), you'll get a recording. It will talk you through a series of menus, each option of which will ultimately direct you to send an email to an appropriate account. These include press@FB.com for media inquiries and records@FB.com for law enforcement concerns.

But if you hit 1 for customer service? The recording will direct you to click the word "Help," saying that it's "found at the bottom of any Facebook page." Here's the thing: it isn't. In fact, if you're on your main Facebook feed, there is no "bottom" of the page.

Here are a few things you can do instead.

How to contact Facebook customer support

If you want to contact Facebook, you'll first need to log into your account. Then look up at the top right corner of the screen. There, you'll see a little question mark inside a dark circle. Click it, then from the dropdown menu, select "Report a Problem."

Another menu will pop up that features three clickable options. These are:

• Payment Issue
• Something Isn't Working
• Abusive Content

If you are reporting hate speech or a problem with your account like, say, difficulty uploading photos, you'll know where to go. ("Abusive Content" for the hate, "Something Isn't Working" for the upload issue, e.g.). But for more general customer service inquiries, Facebook is rather inscrutable.

Your best bet may be to do an end run around the folks from Facebook itself, and instead go to the Help Community and asking other platform users like yourself.

How to ask the Facebook Help Community a question

From any Facebook page, again click that question mark at the top right of the page. At the top of the dropdown menu you'll see the words "Help Center." Click there.

On the Help Center page, scroll down as far as you can. On the left near the bottom of the page, click "Visit Help Community."

You will be taken to a page where lots of questions have already been answered, but where you can also post your own question. At the top right of the Help Community page is a gray box with the words "Ask a Question."

Hit that link. On the next page, choose the right Topic and Sub-Topic, then type your question. Now it's time for some waiting. Regardless of where you posted your query, you can go to your "Support Inbox" from the menu that drops down from that same question mark to see if anyone, be it a helpful community member or actual staffer, has decided to give you a hand.

How to contact Facebook via other social media platforms

Another way to attempt to connect with Facebook is to reach out to them through or mention them on another social media platform. You can send a direct message to FB via Twitter or use their @Facebook Twitter account in a Tweet you post. If it gets enough traction, they will likely see it.

So too can you approach via Instagram, including Facebook in a post, but unless you get a lot of love on that snap, chances are you're better back on the Facebook Help Center.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to see who is following your Facebook profile or page

• How to save videos on Facebook to your phone or computer

• How to deactivate your Facebook account, and reactivate it later

• How to block and unblock someone on Facebook

SEE ALSO: Here's where the world's most influential tech CEOs went to college — and what they studied

Join the conversation about this story »

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Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider, Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Snowe is celebrating its fourth birthday by holding its biggest sale of the year.
• Now through June 23, you can save 15% on orders over $250 during Snowe's anniversary sale including towels, sheets, kitchenware, candles, and more.
• We've tested Snowe's classic bathrobe and ranked its sateen sheets as the best luxurious sheets you can buy. 

Snowe is a fairly new startup that specializes in making affordable luxury home goods. We've personally tried its classic bathrobe, a favorite of our most comfort-obsessed reporter, and its sateen sheets, naming them some of the best sheets you can buy. 

Since Snowe's mission is to deliver high-end products with the best value by working directly with its factories and cutting markup prices, sales are far and few in between — except when it comes to birthdays. 

Snowe is holding its fourth anniversary sale until through June 23. You can save 15% on orders over $250, and the discount will be applied at checkout. 

If you've been feeling like your apartment needs an upgrade, Snowe would be a great place to browse. Founders Rachel Cohen and Andrés Modak said in an interview with Bond Street, "We wanted to be able to set up our home with products we felt really good about that were high-quality but didn't break the bank," and that's how Mara Leighton of Insider Picks felt when she first tried the sateen sheets. 

Additionally, Mara dubbed the classic robe as her "all-time favorite robe," explaining that "There have been more than a few nights (way more than a few) where I have come home from a long day, showered, put on the Snowe robe, and told myself that I would only wear it for one or two Netflix episodes. Eight hours later, I wake up in it." 

From our experience, shopping Snowe is a great way to glam up your home without paying boutique prices. Below, we've rounded up a list of Snowe's best-selling products and a couple of our personal favorites to get you started. 

Shop and save 15% on orders over $250 during the Snowe anniversary sale here.

Classic Robe

The Classic Robe is $98 before a discount is applied

Available in three colors (essential white, charcoal grey, and slate blue), you can read the full review here. 

Sateen Sheet Set

The Sateen Sheet Set starts at $188 before a discount is applied

Available in 5 colors and 4 sizes, the bundle includes:

• 1 fitted sheet
• 1 flat sheet
• 2 pillowcase

You can read the full review here or check out our buying guide here.

4-Piece Table Settings

The 4-Piece Table Settings is $195 before a discount is applied 

Made from Limoges porcelain, the set includes 16 pieces:

• 4 dinner plates (10.5 inches)
• 4 salad plates (9 inches)
• 4 bowls (6.5 inches)
• 4 mugs (12 ounces)

Whiskey Set

The Whiskey Set is $98 before a discount is applied

Made from lead-free crystallized glass, the set includes: 

• 4 short tumblers (11 ounces)
• 1 spirit decanter (24 ounces)

Pillow Talk Candle

The Pillow Talk Candle is $30 before a discount is applied

Made from 100% natural soy wax and has a lifetime-burn time of 75 hours, this candle has notes of sandalwood, ginger, and lavender.

The Classic Starter Bathe Bundle

The Classic Starter Bathe Bundle is $195 before a discount is applied

Available in 5 colors (essential white, classic ivory, ash grey, charcoal grey, and slate blue), the bundle includes:

• 4 washcloths 
• 4 hand towels
• 4 bath towels 
• 1 bath mat

The Starter Eat Bundle

The Starter Eat Bundle is $495 before a discount is applied

Made from Limoges porcelain and high-gauge stainless steel, the set includes 25 pieces:

• 4 dinner plates
• 4 salad plates
• 4 bowls
• 4 mugs
• 4 flatware settings
• 1 large serving bowl
• 1 low serving bowl
• 1 rectangular platter
• 1 serving set
• 1 cake server

SEE ALSO: Why meetings, email, and 'excessive collaboration' are the unholy trinity of burnout

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: I've used iPhones for nearly a decade and switched to the Samsung Galaxy S10. Now I understand Android loyalty in a way I never understood before.

• There's been a recent resurgence of interest in psychedelic drugs' potential to address conditions like anxiety and depression.
• Venture firms and researchers are on it.
• This week, the world's first psychedelics-only VC launched in Canada, Business Insider reported exclusively.
• Scientists are studying drugs including mushrooms, ecstasy (MDMA), and ketamine— and some are starting to turn into new, approved prescription drugs.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

It's high time for psychedelic science.

Ever since drugs like psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, appeared to help quell anxiety in cancer patients several years ago, the compounds have seen something of a resurgence of interest among scientists. Researchers are currently studying the potential of drugs ranging from ecstasy to ayahuasca to treat mental illnesses including depression and PTSD.

Investors are starting to join the bandwagon now, too. This week, Canadian entrepreneurs launched the world's first psychedelics-only venture firm, Business Insider reported exclusively. They hope to seed efforts to study the drugs' medical potential. 

In the meantime, some psychedelic and semi-psychedelic drugs are turning into prescription medicines.

Last summer, federal regulators approved the first prescription drug made with marijuana, which many experts consider a psychedelic in high enough doses. Called Epidiolex, it is designed to treat rare forms of epilepsy. And this spring, regulators green-lit a drug inspired by ketamine and made by pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson for severe forms of depression. 

Other psychedelic drugs including ecstasy and psilocybin remain widely illegal, but that's beginning to change too. 

In May, voters in Denver approved a measure to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms, meaning that law enforcement would make policing their use a low priority. And recently, federal regulators assigned "breakthrough therapy" status to ecstasy, which could hasten its approval as a prescription drug for patients with PTSD.

A type of ecstasy might accelerate PTSD therapy

Researchers in October published the latest findings of a year-long study designed to assess if ecstasy or MDMA could play a role in treatment for PTSD. Their positive findings suggest that it could.

After the treatment, in which patients were given MDMA alongside traditional talk therapy and compared with a group that got the same treatment only using a placebo instead of the drug, some three-quarters of the participants no longer met the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis. In other words, their symptoms had resolved.

That's a significant result. One of the chief problems with current talk therapy is that even when patients are able to afford and access the treatment, they grow tired of the painful process of rehashing traumatic events and sometimes disappear for months on end, according to psychiatrist Julie Holland, who currently serves as a medical observer for the MDMA study.

Still, the treatment was tied to some unpleasant side effects including insomnia, tiredness, and headaches. The drug, which amps up the activity of chemical messengers involved in mood regulation, can be dangerous when used without medical supervision because it raises body temperature and blood pressure.

MDMA also recently received a key federal designation designed to hasten the research and approval process. Some experts believe the drug will be approved as early as 2021.

A compound in magic mushrooms is showing promise for anxiety

Researchers studying psilocybin, the main psychoactive ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, have likened its quick effects on cancer patients to a "surgical intervention" for depression.

Brain scan studies suggest that depression ramps up the activity in brain circuits linked with negative emotions, and weakens the activity in circuits linked with positive ones. Psilocybin appears to restore balance to that system.

Two for-profit companies are currently leading the research in the space. The first, called Compass Pathways, is backed by entrepreneur Peter Thiel and has recently began its own clinical trials of magic mushrooms for depression.

The second, a biotech startup called Atai, is focused on financing more of the kind of research that Compass is doing. Atai has raisedfunds from investors like ex-hedge fund manager Mike Novogratz and Icelandic entrepreneur Thor Bjorgolfsson. In late March, the biotech said it raised another $43 million.

Some researchers have high hopes that a psilocybin-inspired drug will get approved within a decade. David Nutt, director of the neuropsychopharmacology unit at Imperial College London, told Business Insider last year that he believed psilocybin would become an "accepted treatment" for depression before 2027.

The first prescription drug made from marijuana won federal approval last summer

The first prescription drug made from marijuana won federal approval last summer.

Called Epidiolex, the drug is designed to treat two rare forms of childhood epilepsy using a cannabis compound called cannabidiol (or CBD).

British-based GW Pharmaceuticals makes the drug. It does not contain THC, the well-known psychoactive component of marijuana responsible for the drug's characteristic high.

The federal thumbs-up comes on the heels of several months of promising research results and a positive preliminary vote from the Food and Drug Administration this spring. Experts are hopeful that the approval will unleash a wave of new interest in the potential medical applications of CBD and other marijuana compounds to treat other psychiatric and neurological diseases.

Ketamine is inspiring novel treatments for depression

A widely used anesthetic that is also known as a party drug, ketamine was shown to have benefits as a rapid-fire antidepressant nearly a decade ago. Early studies suggested ketamine could help people who failed to respond to existing medications or were suicidal.

The authors of one paper called ketamine "the most important discovery in half a century."

In March, nasal spray called esketamine won approval from US regulators to treat severe forms of depression that don't respond to other medications. The brand name of the drug is Spravato, and it's taken as a nasal spray.

As opposed to existing antidepressants, ketamine appears to act on a brain mechanism that scientists have only recently begun to explore. Homing in on this channel appears to provide relief from depression that could arrive faster and work in more people than current drugs do.

Read more of our psychedelic medicine coverage:

• Investors just launched the first VC dedicated exclusively to psychedelics, which they call the 'next wave' after the cannabis boom
• Regulators just approved the first new depression drug since the 1980s, and some see blockbuster potential
• Why psychedelics like magic mushrooms kill the ego and fundamentally transform the brain

This story was updated on June 14.

SEE ALSO: A team of Johns Hopkins researchers is calling for magic mushrooms to be made legally available as medicine

DON'T MISS: A new biotech company has raised $25 million to help unleash a 'virgin market' of psychedelic research

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: New York City is getting even more infested with rats. Here's why cities can't get rid of them.

• Philanthropy is the most popular hobby among billionaires, according to Wealth-X's 2019 Billionaire Census.
• Sports, boating, and travel are also popular pastimes among the richest people in the world, according to Wealth-X.
• The hobbies of the richest billionaires are different from billionaires with net worths under $5 billion; billionaires worth $5 billion are more active in philanthropy, art, and aviation.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When rich people have free time, they have the means for extravagant hobbies, whether it's collecting classic cars or jet-setting across the globe. But the most common hobby they pursue isn't a gaudy display of wealth — it's philanthropy.

In a report from Wealth-X, a market research firm that focuses on ultra-high net worth individuals, we get a peek at the top passions, interests, and hobbies of people with a net worth of $1 billion or more.

Philanthropy proved the most popular hobby, with more than half of the world's wealthiest people pursuing charitable activities. This generosity comes as no surprise, though, thanks to the rise in recognition of endeavors such as The Giving Pledge, a promise started by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to commit more than half of their wealth to philanthropic causes during their lifetime.

Read more:Lionel Messi is the highest-paid athlete in the world. Here's what we know about how the famously private soccer player makes and spends his millions.

The second-most popular interest among this group is watching, playing, and investing in sports, including tennis, soccer, skiing, American football, and most of all, golf, according to Wealth-X.

From art and fashion to hunting and fishing, read on to see the 10 most common hobbies and passions of the wealthiest of the wealthy, ranked in order of popularity.

SEE ALSO: 5 Hollywood celebrities who became billionaires and are vastly more rich than their peers

DON'T MISS: The fabulous life of Dr. Dre, one of the wealthiest men in hip-hop, who has a $770 million fortune and has owned a sprawling network of glitzy LA mansions

10. Boating

According to Wealth-X, 21.8% of the billionaires worth $5 billion or more enjoy boating. That includes Oracle founder Larry Ellison, whose net worth is north of $56 billion.

9. Travel

Egypt, Japan and Iceland are favorite travel destinations of the world's wealthiest people, Business Insider's Hillary Hoffower previously reported.

Read more: These are the 15 hottest destinations billionaires are traveling to in 2019

8. Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities are a favorite pastime of American billionaires in particular, according to Wealth-X.

Read more: This is how the world's youngest billionaires spend their time and money

7. Art

Collecting art is a more popular hobby among billionaires worth $5 billion or more than it is among billionaires whose net worth is under $5 billion. Wealth-X reports that 35.8% of top-tier billionaires are interested in art, compared to 19.6% of billionaires worth between $1 billion and $5 billion.

6. Education

Chinese billionaires are more interested in education than other billionaires. According to Wealth-X, 25.4% of Chinese billionaires are interested in education. Meanwhile, education does not rank among the top five passions of American billionaires, German billionaires, or billionaires at large.

5. Real estate

Not only is real estate a major hobby among billionaires, it's also an industry that's responsible for a lot of their wealth. According to Wealth-X, 7.6% of billionaires worldwide work in real estate. Only finance and industrial conglomerates employ more billionaires — 20.7% and 13.1% respectively. 

4. Politics

While some billionaires, including Michael Bloomberg and Howard Shultz, have run for public office, more billionaires participate in politics through donations. Financier George Soros and hedge fund managers Tom Steyer and Donald Sussman are major funders of the Democratic party, according to CNN.

3. Aviation

According to Wealth-X, 26.4% of billionaires across the globe are interested in aviation. Flying is most popular among American billionaires: 45.2% of billionaires in the US are aviators. Aviation doesn't rank in the top five hobbies of Chinese and German billionaires.

2. Sports

Golf is billionaires' favorite sport, according to Wealth-X, with 28.2% of billionaires worth $5 billion or more and 26.9% of billionaires worth less than $5 billion being fans.

Soccer is also popular among billionaires, but like golf, it is more popular with top-tier billionaires. 

1. Philanthropy

Philanthropy is billionaires' overall favorite hobby, with 52% of the world's billionaires making charitable donations in 2018. Education is their preferred cause according to Wealth-X, followed by social services and the arts. 

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• When it comes to natural makeup, it's hard to know which brands you can actually trust.
• Many products claim to be natural but contain potentially harmful or irritating synthetic ingredients.
• For a high-performance makeup range that's formulated from natural, organic, and non-toxic ingredients, Jane Iredale is our top pick.

Natural beauty has exploded in the past few years. Everyone is talking about "clean beauty" as people have become more aware of the potentially adverse effects of certain synthetic chemicals that are often found in makeup. The more careful people become about what they put on their skin, the more popular natural makeup has become.

The biggest difference between "natural" and "synthetic" (or traditional) makeup is the ingredients. Most synthetic makeup products contain chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, which can irritate skin. But unfortunately, due to lack of regulation in the US beauty industry, many products labeled "natural" actually still contain these chemicals. Even when doing our research, we found it wasn't always easy to get definitive answers on exactly what ingredients were used by some brands.

The one thing that is more defined is that products cannot be labeled "organic" unless they're USDA Organic-certified, which means formulated with at least 95% organic ingredients that were grown and produced without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics, and formulated without GMOs, toxic chemicals, parabens, synthetic fragrances, or nanoparticles. However, in California products can be labeled "organic" if they are made with just 70% organic ingredients.

The ingredients list of makeup products can be overwhelming, and it's often in very small print. An easy way to check product safety is to visit the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database and verify the safety ratings of more than 73,000 beauty products.

One of the biggest concerns with natural makeup has been poor quality and effectiveness. However, thanks to the increase in shopper demand, there's a new generation of makeup brands with bigger and better ranges, and highly effective products formulated with safe and natural ingredients.

I was initially very skeptical about how good natural makeup could be, but after reading about irritating ingredients found in regular makeup and testing a wide range of natural products myself, I've converted. With our opinions backed up by beauty experts and buyers, we've come up with the best natural makeup brands you can trust.

Here are the best natural makeups you can buy:

• Best natural makeup brand overall: Jane Iredale
• Best non-toxic makeup brand: RMS Beauty
• Best cruelty-free makeup brand: Mineral Fusion
• Best organic makeup brand: Ilia Beauty
• Best affordable natural makeup brand: Burt's Bees

Updated 6/14/19 by Jada Wong: Updated copy, formatting, links, and prices.

Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks.

SEE ALSO: The best eye creams you can buy

The best natural makeup brand overall

Jane Iredale's makeup is packed with natural, organic, and non-toxic ingredients, and the products deliver exceptional results. 

Jane Iredale is a line of mineral makeup formulated with high quality, natural ingredients designed to nourish the skin and enhance its natural beauty. The company is known for its multitasking products and wearable shades. The products are free of perfume, alcohol, synthetic chemicals, and artificial dyes. The makeup is also cruelty-free.

We tested the entire makeup line to see if it lived up to the hype, and the Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder ($46) is now one of my favorite foundations. This multitasking product comes in 12 shades and works as a foundation, concealer, and sunscreen with SPF 20, plus it soothes your skin and is water-resistant. I loved the coverage and it didn't irritate my sensitive skin.

The Longest Lash Mascara ($35) comes in a squeezable tube and adds volume and length. The Eyeliner Pencil ($17) comes in seven wearable colors and glides on smoothly.

The Pure Moist Lipstick ($25) is also amazing and has a subtle fruit scent. Available in 27 colors, it combines powerful pigments with nourishing natural oils like avocado and jojoba and fruit extracts like pomegranate. I love the PurePressed Blush ($30), a mineral blush that comes in 12 gorgeous colors and has great staying power.

It's not just us who think Jane Iredale products are amazing. The makeup line gets great praise on The Good Trade, The Trendspotter, and Natural Living Ideas. The makeup is hugely popular with Amazon shoppers and Nordstrom buyers too based on the high number of reviews on many products.

Pros: Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, oil-free, certified cruelty-free, vegan, suitable for sensitive skin, wide range of products and makeup shades

Cons: Expensive

• Shop all Jane Iredale makeup at Nordstrom

• Buy the Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder on Amazon for $46

• Buy the Longest Lash Mascara on Amazon for $35

• Buy the Eyeliner Pencil on Amazon for $17

• Buy the Pure Moist Lipstick on Amazon for $25

• By the PurePressed Blush on Amazon for $30

The best non-toxic makeup brand

For non-toxic, food-grade makeup that delivers great results, RMS Beauty is a great pick.

RMS Beauty is a clean beauty brand that prides itself on the simplicity of its makeup products. The makeup is formulated with unrefined raw, food grade, and organic ingredients, and it's free of toxic chemicals and artificial preservatives. It also bears the "Clean at Sephora" seal which means products are made without certain ingredients, which you can see the full list here. 

The award-winning "Un" Cover-Up Concealer/Foundation ($36) can be used — you guessed it — as a light foundation or concealer, and it comes in 16 shades. It evened out my skin tone well. Makeup artists and celebrities swear by the Living Luminizer ($38), and I agree that it's a must-have for your makeup bag.

The Volumizing Mascara ($28) is good for sensitive eyes. Some shoppers said that it doesn't give much volume, but I added a couple more coats and it built up nicely.

The Wild With Desire Lipstick ($28) is also great and comes in 15 beautiful shades. I was impressed with the high color from the rich pigments. For lips and cheeks, the Lip2Cheek ($36), which is available in nine shades ranging from Blush Nude to Deep Berry, is also very popular. I love the natural effect it produces.

In addition to be being highly rated by She Knows, Refinery29, and Allure, Sephora shoppers give the brand glowing reviews across the board. 

Pros: Non-toxic, cruelty-free, gluten-free, no artificial preservatives, GMO, "Clean at Sephora" seal

Cons: Pricey, mascara might not be as voluminous as expected 

• Buy the "Un" Cover-Up from Sephora for $36

• Buy the Living Luminizer from Sephora for $38

• Buy the Volumizing Mascara from Sephora for $28

• Buy the Wild With Desire Lipstick from Sephora for $28

• Buy the Lip2Cheek from Sephora for $36

The best cruelty-free makeup brand

For a fabulous, mid-priced makeup line that is certified cruelty-free and non-toxic, Mineral Fusion is hard to beat.

Mineral Fusion combines pharmaceutical grade minerals, antioxidants, natural ingredients, and the latest technologies to provide makeup that is safe, protective, and effective. All the products are Leaping Bunny-certified, which means they're cruelty-free. They are also free from parabens, gluten, artificial colors, phthalates, and other harsh ingredients.

The highly-rated Pressed Powder Foundation ($22.21) comes in 15 shades and is amazing. You can build it up where you want more coverage, and it has a matte finish. I love the Concealer ($17.84), a creamy duo that comes in four color options and is great for blemishes and dark under-eye circles.

The Lengthening Mascara ($14.81) is a rich, gentle formula that made my lashes look longer and fuller. The Eye Liner ($14.06) was soft and easy to apply.

The Mineral FusionLip Stick ($14.54) is now my new favorite lipstick. It comes in 15 colors and contains vitamin E and fruit oils to moisturize. There is also a fabulous 3-in-1 Color Stick ($14.60) for cheeks, eyes, and lips that comes in four shades. My favorite shade is Terra Cotta.

Mineral Fusion is rated the top mineral makeup brand on Best Reviews and is featured on Project Graceas a great cruelty-free brand, though it does point out the brand's limited range of colors. Shades are wearable and pretty, but not the most exciting as there aren't any bold blues or bright purples to play with.  

Pros: Certified cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, made with non-toxic ingredients, great for all skin types

Cons: Can be hard to find in stores

• Buy the Pressed Powder Foundation on Amazon for $22.21 (originally $20.29)

• Buy the Concealer on Amazon for $17.84 (originally $20.99)

• Buy the Lengthening Mascara on Amazon for $14.81 (originally $15.49)

• Buy the Eye Pencil on Amazon for $14.06 (originally $13.72)

• Buy the Lip Stick on Amazon for $14.54 (originally $17.09)

• Buy the 3-in-1 Color Stick from Amazon for $14.60 (originally $19.99)

The best organic makeup brand

Ilia Beauty is our favorite organic makeup brand thanks to the impressive range of pigmented colors and organic ingredients.

LA-based Ilia Beauty escapes the conventions of organic and natural beauty, and is highly rated by beauty experts and buyers alike for combining natural beauty with bold pigments and products.

It was started in 2011 by Sasha Pavsic, and not only do the makeup products contain up to 85% organic ingredients, their effectiveness rivals many traditional brands. Note that this means products are made with organic and natural products, so you'll have to check ingredients accordingly; I was fine with the combination of the two.

The True Skin Serum Foundation ($54) comes in 18 shades, and nourished my skin with aloe leaf juice and jojoba oil while evening out my skin. The Mascara ($28) added volume and length, but still looked natural on my lashes.

The Pure Eyeliner ($24) is available in four colors and is buildable depending how dramatic or natural of look you like. However, it did smudge a little after wearing it for a few hours. Both are great for sensitive eyes.

The Tinted Lip Conditioner ($28) comes in 16 stunning colors and is basically a lipstick that feels like a balm or lip treatment instead. It's beautifully creamy with a semi-matte, natural finish and stayed on my lips for a long time, moisturizing them too with olive oil and vitamin E.

I also loved the Multi-Stick ($34) for lips, cheeks, and eyes. It comes in eight colors but I think it's more suited for lips and cheeks than eyes as the color families are orange, pink, and berry.

We're not the only ones who love Ilia Beauty. Publications like Allure, Huffington Post, and The Trendspotter all give rave reviews, and the brand gets good reviews in general Sephora.

Pros: Made with up to 85% organic ingredients,certified cruelty-free, vegan, great for sensitive skin

Cons: Expensive

• Buy the True Skin Serum Foundation from Sephora for $54

• Buy the Pure Eyeliner from Bloomingdales for $24

• Buy the Limitless Lash Mascara from Sephora for $28

• Buy the Tinted Lip Conditioner from Sephora for $28

• Buy the Multi-Stick from Sephora for $34

The best affordable natural makeup brand

For superb, wallet-friendly natural makeup made from ingredients that are safe for your skin, Burt's Bees is our top pick.

The choice is still pretty limited when it comes to affordable, natural makeup, however, we absolutely love Burt's Bees. This iconic brand may be famous for its lip balms, but it has developed a superb, affordable makeup range that's simple, natural, and socially responsible.

Ingredients are 98.9% natural and nourishing, like fruit oils, honey, and vitamin E. All the products are formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, petrolatum, or synthetic fragrances, and they're Leaping Bunny certified to be cruelty-free by. Products do incorporate animal byproducts though, like honey and beeswax. 

The Goodness Glows Liquid Foundation ($14.97) is a full-coverage mineral foundation that comes in 18 shades for a variety of skin tones and undertones. It lasted all day and I liked the dewy finish. Some customers did comment their bottle smelled really heavy, but I didn't notice or mind it.

Of all the products I've tried from Burt's Bees, I love the Nourishing Mascara ($9.43) the most. It gave me a natural look, didn't smudge, and stayed on all day. The Nourishing Eyeliner ($9.43) comes in three wearable colors, and is smooth and easy to apply.

The Lipstick (prices vary) is an Allure Best of Beauty Winner, and comes in 19 pigmented shades. The hexagon-shaped Natural Blush ($9.43) contains bamboo, honey, and vitamin E to nourish skin, and gave my cheeks a natural glow that didn't fade throughout the day.

Burt's Bees is rated highly by Allure and Byrdie, and the makeup line gets great reviews on Influenster.

Pros: 98.9% natural, Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free, affordable price tag

Cons: A more limited selection than some other more brands, not all products were as effective as other brands

• Buy the Goodness Glows Liquid Foundation on Amazon for $14.97

• Buy the Natural Nourishing Mascara on Amazon for $9.43

• Buy the Nourishing Eyeliner on Amazon for $9.43

• Buy the Lipstick on Amazon starting at $4.50

• Buy the Blush on Amazon for $9.43

Check out our other great skin-care and makeup guides

The best facial sunscreens you can buy

Yes, you really should be wearing sunscreen daily — even in the winter or when it's cloudy — to protect your skin from short- and long-term UV damage. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is the best face sunscreen because it's a broad spectrum pick that's as comfortable to wear as it is good for your skin.

Here are the best face sunscreens you can buy in 2019:

• Best face sunscreen overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen
• Best tinted face sunscreen: ThinkSun Everyday Face Sunscreen, Naturally Tinted
• Best powder face sunscreen: ColorScience Sunforgettable Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Brush
• Best clear face sunscreen: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
• Best solid sunscreen: Raw Elements Tinted Facial Moisturizer

The best eco-friendly mineral sunscreen you can buy

Mineral sunscreens are highly effective, and far less toxic to small aquatic creatures that can metabolize chemical-based sunscreens, but they usually leave a streaky white mess.

We've tested several mineral sunscreens to find the best ones that are effective, look good, and won't hurt the environment.

Here are our top picks for the best mineral sunscreen you can buy:

• Best mineral sunscreen overall: Thinksport's SPF 50+ Sunscreen
• Best daily option: Goddess Garden Organics Everyday SPF 30
• Best spray-on sunscreen: Bare Republic Mineral Spray Vanilla-Coco SPF 50
• Best for the face: Raw Elements' Tinted Facial or Face & Body (both SPF 30)
• Best for the water: Manda's SPF 50 Organic Sun Paste with Thanaka

The best anti-aging serums you can buy

Using a serum as part of your skincare routine is essential to keep your skin looking youthful and to keep those darn wrinkles at bay. Considered the superheroes of skincare, serums are packed with powerful ingredients that penetrate deep into the skin.

Anti-aging serums deal primarily with fine lines, wrinkles, and dehydration, but also tone, texture, and dark spots. Some of the best anti-aging Ingredients to look out for are vitamin C, for brightening the skin, hyaluronic acid for plumping it up, and Retinol, a vitamin A derivative that treats a multitude of skin concerns from wrinkles to acne.

Here are our top picks for the best anti-aging serums you can buy:

• Best serum overall: Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum
• Best serum on a budget: Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Anti-aging Serum
• Best serum to splurge on: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum
• Best all-natural serum: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum
• Best serum for acne-prone skin: Instanatural Age-defying Skin Clearing Serum

• Eric Bahn is the cofounder of Hustle Con Media and cofounder and general partner of Hustle Fund, a venture capital fund.
• On Twitter, he explained his realization that having kids is terrible for your career, strains your marriage, and makes you way poorer.
• He also called his kids "the best decisions I've made in my life," capturing a complex and contradictory perspective that many working parents know well.
• Bahn says he's had to accept that with their decision to have a family, he and his wife — Beatrice Kim, a certified professional coach and the cofounder of Awaken, a leading diversity and inclusion company — are only half as good as they could be at their jobs.
• With his permission, we've shared his initial tweets below, along with his and his wife's thoughts about the reaction to it and their lives as working parents.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
  
  

I want to start an honest conversation about kids: They are terrible for your career. They strain your marriage. They make you way poorer.

But they are also the best decisions I've made in my life. Here's what my experience has been like with two young ones.

Before kids, I was all about my startup life. I built an awesome ed-tech company with my wife, and we sacrificed many years (filled with joy and pain) to get our nut. We traveled a lot. We ate out. We hung out with friends every weekend.

Then, we decided to have kids ...

When our first kid arrived, we attempted to be very active parents. That didn't work out so well. It turns out that being a stay-at-home mom or dad is way harder than we could bear, psychologically and physically.

We had to accept that we were better off throwing money at the problem and got a wonderful nanny and other support, so we could go back to work. That decision currently costs us $80K/year (now for two kids in insane Bay Area rates), but was right for us.

For me, I try not to work between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. during the week, so I can dedicate time with family. Weekends are all family time. But I have to make up those lost hours of productivity by starting work at 5 a.m. On average I get five hours of sleep per night, which is not enough. It's even worse for my wife, who is running three companies and breastfeeds our baby.

We are grumpy all the time and I'm dangerously tired (especially driving). I also feel probably 60 to 70% at full brain power most days. I'm the fattest I've ever been.

I've accepted that with the decision to have kids, my wife and I are only half as good as we could be in our careers. We are less psychologically and physically healthy. And we're losing touch with our close friends.

The deeply honest truth too is that I was more than 50% against ever having kids to begin with. Why purposely destroy my quality of life, right? But now that I have two, I realize now that I was a damn fool.

The joy of having children comes down to some really simple things:

My wife and I have created the very best roommates/friends we'll ever have. And we get to own them for the next 18 years! The poo, pee, lack of sleep, etc. seem so trivial as concerns compared to their awesomeness.

Selfishly, by having kids, I somehow unlocked a new, higher tier of joy that I didn't know existed, as well as a new, lower floor of pain. But it's mostly joy at an existential level.

Even when I come back from a long day of sucking at my job, my kids come running and remind me how much they love me. My family never judges me (nor cares) about the day's job performance, but only want me to be present.

And with that, I've never felt so rich in my life.

On how people reacted to his tweet

I wrote that tweetstorm to call out what I believe is the prevailing (and silent majority) perspective that parents share. I wanted to lend an empathetic voice to parents who are struggling: to recognize their struggle, and to let them know that their struggle is normal.

For a long time I've read these profiles of successful people, who just seem to have it all together — the perfect jobs, perfect marriage, perfect kids, perfect bodies, etc. Just like it's unhealthy to compare yourself to the fake world of Instagram celebrities, it sort of feels the same when you're a new parent comparing yourself to the outlier parents out there (who, by the way, are usually rich with plenty of resources) who dominate what we see in the media. In fact, it just feels downright shameful sometimes to be a parent and recognize that you just don't have your s--- together.

I wasn't anticipating the thousands of likes and retweets that would follow. The really surprising thing was how extreme the reactions were. Most of the feedback was overwhelmingly positive; it was reassuring to see that there are a lot of parents just like us who are struggling every day to make things work, but are just 50% good at basically everything they do (work, parenting, life).

The negative reaction was also surprising, but maybe it shouldn't have been, as Twitter is full of crazy people who latch onto the strangest details and twist reality as a weapon against you. The only thing I could do was thank the haters for their perspective. After all, it's my truth to tell, so who cares what anyone thinks?

What his wife had to say

Editor's note: Eric's wife, Beatrice Kim, is a certified professional coach, cofounder of Awaken, a leading diversity and inclusion company, and a group coach for the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Beatrice: When Eric told me that his Twitter was 'blowing up' I was like, 'OK, sure' and kept doing what I was doing. But later when I read some of the responses, I laughed so hard and gasped in hurt shock all in the span of five minutes. It's amazing how people can assume something about another person from one snippet of their life, both for good and for bad. For me, because I'm deep in the trenches along with Eric, I wasn't surprised by his tweets. I was happy that he was being vulnerable and speaking truth.

Eric and I have frequent conversations about our love/hate relationship with Silicon Valley, the media, and the ridiculous expectations that are put on people to lean in and have it all. At the time of Eric's tweet, there was a recent article published about a day in the life of an exec who starts her day with tennis and green smoothies, and it just felt so over the top. The reality is that life can be amazing and be damn hard at the same time. And the more people are honest about both parts, the more it sets realistic expectations for others. No one's perfect, and that's okay.

Their tips for making it all work

Eric: Holy smokes, childcare is the biggest leverage parents can have in their career and livelihoods, but it's so damn unaffordable. I really wish that there were better standards in place (ideally provided by the government) to provide some sort of basic income support for parents in the first few years of rearing kids. I have no idea how parents do it without childcare support. Having it, which is an insane privilege, unblocks our careers in a massive way.

For me, 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is sacred time during the week where I try to focus on family activities before my kids go to sleep. On the weekends, it's 100% family time. As a result, I work during the early mornings and late at night for a lot of individual work, and then rush through meetings between 10 and 5 p.m. during the weekday … kids were a stimulus to get creative about what 'work hours' actually means.

And we try to do a day date every week or two. On a Friday, we'll take a long lunch together and might even do an activity, like a walk or movie, while we have childcare at home. When my wife and I are alone on these dates, we also try to limit how much we talk about our kids, but instead focus on each other. We'll talk about stuff we're thinking about, news, our businesses.

Beatrice: It probably helps that I'm a life coach. When something's bothering Eric or he's stressed from work, I push him to talk it out so the stress doesn't stay bottled inside. Also, like he mentioned, we're very clear on our own individual values as well as our family values. That way, we can keep each other accountable. The hope and goal is that as our kids get older, we can help them clarify their own values and have them contribute to our family values. Our current family values are: Quality and quantity time; experience over things; and laughter. They'll likely shift as our family changes over time.

Part of me feels bad about it because I get angry thinking about the systems or lack of systems in place to support working parents — and let's be honest, working moms — to be both successful in the workplace and at home. The reality is that unless you can afford childcare, after school care, everything-in-between care, at least one parent will take a hit in their career. Spending long hours at the office, participating in team bonding after-work activities, volunteering for the sexy projects, they all just becomes really tough to do when you have kids.

That being said, I've chosen to dial down my work and take less clients. But it doesn't mean I don't struggle with that choice. There are days that I love the work/life balance I have and then there are days I feel anxious and resentful at the sacrifices I feel I've made to make the family work. But every day, it's definitely an active choice. And I choose my family, then my work. In that order.

Eric and Beatrice have two kids, Owen, age 4, and Stella, 10 months.

SEE ALSO: A 35-year-old CEO who sold his first startup for $1 billion says he relied on alcohol for years to escape facing his life. Here's why he's giving it up permanently.

Join the conversation about this story »

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• For most models of iPhone, figuring out how to find the serial number is as simple as opening the Settings app. For older models, it's on the SIM tray or the back of the phone.
• If you can't turn on your iPhone, you can also get the serial number from the Apple ID web page, or another iOS device using the same Apple ID.
• If you saved the original packaging, you can also find the iPhone's serial number on the barcode sticker on the box.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Every iPhone has a unique serial number, which can be used to identify the specific handset you own. You may need to know the serial number of your iPhone if you're unlocking it through your carrier, having it serviced, or selling it.

It's easy to locate, but figuring out exactly how to find the serial number on your iPhone depends upon which model you own and whether you are able to turn on the phone.

How to find the serial number on any iPhone

If you have an iPhone 5 or later, here's how to find the serial number:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap "General" and then tap "About."

3. On the About page, you should see the serial number. If you want to copy it, tap and hold the serial number and then tap "Copy" when the option appears.

If you have an iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, or iPhone 4S, the serial number is on the SIM tray. See our article, "How to remove the SIM card from your iPhone" to open the SIM card tray.

If you still own an even older iPhone, you'll find the serial number engraved on the back of the phone.

How to find an iPhone's serial number if you don't have your phone or it won't turn on

The easiest way to find your phone's serial number is by looking on the phone itself, but if that's not an option, there are still a few ways to find it.

If you have your original packaging, the serial number is printed on the barcode sticker on the box.

If you don't have the box, you can find it by going to your Apple ID page in a web browser.

1. In a browser, log into appleid.apple.com.

2. On your Apple ID page, scroll down to Devices and find the iPhone you need the serial number for.

3. Click the icon for the device. The serial number will appear in the pop-up window. You can copy and paste this number into an email or text message.

How to find an iPhone's serial number from another Apple device

If you have another Apple device — like an iPad, for example — that's linked to the same Apple ID,you can find your iPhone's serial number using that device as well.  

1. On the other device, start the Settings app.

2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.

3. Scroll down to the list of other devices connected to your Apple ID.

4. Tap the entry for the iPhone. You'll see information about that phone, including the serial number.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How you can easily delete all the photos on your iPhone at once

• How to delete apps on an iPhone (and save their data)

• How to recover deleted text messages on an iPhone, either from a backup or using a third-party app

• How to backup an iPhone to iCloud, to a computer through iTunes, or to an external hard drive

Join the conversation about this story »

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Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening online today, with savings on the MacBook Air, summer gear at Under Armour, and on Purple mattresses. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons.

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Shop seasonal tees, bralettes, boxers, socks, and more at Richer Poorer.

7. Save 50% on everything across the site at ThinkGeek

ThinkGeek is holding a moving sale in preparation for its big transition over to GameStop, where you'll be able to shop all things ThinkGeek soon. For a limited time only, you can get your fandom gifts and gadgets across TV, movies, books, and video games for 50% off. Everything you see on the site is up for grabs and all sales are final, just be sure to use the promo code "MOVINGDAY" at checkout.   

Shop the ThinkGeek moving day sale.

8. Choose a free pillow or sheet set with your Purple mattress purchase 

If you've ever woken up in the middle of the night to your hip or shoulder throbbing, this mattress company might be of interest to you. Purple has created two mattresses — The Original and The All-New — that are designed with layers of memory foam that adjust to your sleep position throughout the night, which we found alleviated the pain in our pressure points and back. While supplies last, you can choose a free pillow or sheet set up to $129 value with a mattress purchase of any size, no promo code needed. For even more potential savings at Purple, check out the Business Insider coupons page.

Shop all mattresses at purple.

Join the conversation about this story »

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider, Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• We love Kindle ebook readers for making reading infinitely more convenient, accessible, and comfortable. 
• The costs of ebooks, however, can add up. 
• If you don't want to spend a lot of money on ebooks or would rather borrow them, these 4 sites and programs can cut down on costs and let you enjoy your reading habit without worrying about financials. 

The Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best purchases I've made recently because it makes reading so much more convenient and accessible. I wind down at night with a good book instead of scrolling mindlessly through social media, and I see long commutes as an opportunity rather than an annoyance.

When I first got my Kindle, I was under the impression that all ebooks were cheap, and while they're certainly more affordable than a paperback or hardcover book, some still go for up to $15.

If you're an avid reader with an ever-expanding library, these costs can add up quickly. And if you're like me and hesitate to spend that much on a book that you're not sure you'll enjoy or want to keep forever, then you might also feel stuck. I set out to figure out how to access more books without the financial burden and discovered options that ensure I'll never have to pay full-price for an ebook again. 

Whether you're looking to cut down on costs or are more of a book borrower than a book owner, these five sites and subscriptions will help you maximize your book consumption for less money and commitment. 

OverDrive

How it works: If you have a public library card (which you should because it's free and easy to sign up for!), OverDrive is invaluable. Find your local library, sign in with your library card number, then browse all the ebook and audiobooks your library has to offer by subject, language, and keywords. 

You can also place holds on titles and add books to a wish list. After you click "Borrow," you'll be directed to your Amazon account to download the title to your Kindle device. Once the loan period expires, the book will automatically be deleted from your account. I was very excited to discover OverDrive because it offers all the options and affordability of a library, without the inconvenience of visiting a physical location. 

Cost: Free with a library card 

Find your local library and borrow books at OverDrive here

Download the Libby, by OverDrive app for iOS here

Download the Libby, by OverDrive app for Android here

Scribd

How it works: Scribd is Insider Picks reporter Mara Leighton's all-time favorite reading app and it's not difficult to see why: for only $8.99 a month, you get truly unlimited access to hundreds of thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and documents. 

Since it lives on your phone and you don't need to buy another device, Scribd makes consuming books easier than ever. You can also download books for offline reading, so not having service won't be a problem. 

Cost: Free 30-day trial, then $8.99/month

Start your free 30-day trial of Scribd here

Download Scribd for iOS here

Download Scribd for Android here

Kindle Unlimited

How it works: With Kindle Unlimited, you get access to over one million titles, including audiobooks and the latest issues of popular magazines. You can have up to 10 Kindle Unlimited titles in your library at one time, so you can keep a rotating selection of old favorites and new discoveries.

I've used Kindle Unlimited to finally read the books I've been meaning to for years, like "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Interpreter of Maladies," and I've been able to revisit childhood classics like the "Harry Potter" series. 

Cost: Free 30-day trial, then $9.99/month

Start your free 30-day trial of Kindle Unlimited here

Prime Reading

How it works: Amazon's latest perk for Prime members is Prime Reading, which gives free access to more than a thousand of the most popular books and magazines. You can download up to 10 titles at a time to your Kindle, Fire tablet, or Kindle app. These titles are updated every month.

It also includes Amazon First Reads, which gives you early access to one free Kindle book a month, chosen from a collection of editors' picks. After diving into this month's choice, I'm a big fan of this exclusive feature. 

Cost: Free for Amazon Prime members

Browse the Prime Reading selection here

Start your free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime here

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider, Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Men's and women's underwear isn't easy to shop for. A number of problems, from poor fit to pilling and stretching, plague these small pieces of fabric. 
• Comfortable, high-quality underwear makes a world of difference. When you wear a pair of underwear that fits well, you can put on anything over it and feel great. 
• Depending on your budget and style, you'll like the underwear sold at these 6 online men's and women's underwear brands.

For such a small piece of fabric, underwear can be deceivingly complicated. Depending on the clothes you wear over it, it can roll and bunch up, or feel increasingly restrictive throughout the day. After you wash it, it might pill, shrink, or stretch out.

Because no one likes thinking about their underwear as they work out, drive, walk, or conduct any other part of their daily life, finding high-quality, comfortable underwear is a must. It's easy to place it as a bottom priority as you shop for your closet, but we've found that you should actually do the opposite — if you set the foundation with a really comfortable piece of underwear that fits and supports you well, you'll be able to wear anything over it and feel great. 

We've personally tried all the brands below and can attest to their comfort. Our favorites include everything from affordable $10 and $12 pairs to styles that cost upwards of $30 (but are completely worth the investment). Whatever your budget and style, you'll be able to find an online brand that prompts you to throw out your current collection of underwear. 

Shop underwear at various price points from these 6 online brands: 

LIVELY ($)

Shop women's underwear at LIVELY here

Led by a former Victoria's Secret senior merchant, LIVELY draws inspiration from lingerie, swimwear, and activewear to make comfortable and cute underwear that women can afford. You can pick up three pieces for $25, which, sure, is more expensive than the bulk deals at your regular retail store, but keep in mind these also won't fall apart after just a few washes. For their fit, comfort, and style, LIVELY's underwear is actually a bargain buy. 

Price: 

• $10 for all women's styles (or 3 for $25) 

What to buy: 

• The Seamless Thong, $10, available in 5 colors
• The All Day Bikini, $10, available in 6 colors 
• The No Show Thong, $10, available in 5 colors 
• The Mesh Back Bikini, $10, available in 8 colors
• The Cotton Brief, $10, available in 5 prints

Everlane ($-$$)

Shop women's underwear at Everlane here

Shop men's underwear at Everlane here

Simplicity has always been Everlane's strong suit, and its underwear is just another example of basics done right. The soft, breathable, and slightly stretchy Supima cotton pieces come in an array of neutral colors, and what they lack in frilly bells and whistles they more than make up for in fit and comfort. Everlane's progressive manufacturing practices might further convince you of the value of its underwear and frankly, the rest of its offerings, too. 

Price: 

• $12 for all women's styles (or 3 for $27)
• $18 for all men's styles (or 2 for $28) 

What to buy: 

• The Bikini, $12, available in 5 colors 
• The Thong, $12, available in 3 colors
• The Hipster, $12, available in 3 colors
• The High-Rise Hipster, $12, available in 2 colors
• The Boxer Brief, $18, available in 5 colors 

MeUndies ($$)

Shop women's underwear at MeUndies here

Shop men's underwear at MeUndies here

There isn't a member of the Insider Picks team who doesn't love the very comfortable and soft micro-modal underwear from MeUndies. What makes it especially memorable is its rotating selection of fun and creative prints like animals, fruits, and bold patterns. You can get a monthly subscription for a regular (and more affordable) refresh of underwear, plus access to exclusive prints, and even order matching pairs with your partner. 

Price: 

• $18 for women's styles (or 3 for $42) 
• $14 for a women's monthly subscription 
• $20 for men's styles (or 3 for $54) 
• $16 for a men's monthly subscription 

What to buy: 

• Bikini, $18, available in 20+ colors and prints 
• Cheeky Brief, $18, available in 20+ colors and prints 
• Boxer Brief, $24, available in 20+ colors and prints 
• Trunk, $24, available in 2o+ colors and prints 

Athleta ($$)

Shop women's underwear at Athleta here

Active women will love Athleta's new line of Performance Underwear, which consists of three different types of underwear for different levels of activity. The non-slip Incognita has free-cut edges so its practically invisible under tights and is best for yoga or Pilates. Performa, made from a light mesh, is breathable, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying, and is best for high-intensity workouts. The 100% organic cotton Natura has a subtle but comfortable lace pattern and is best for everyday wear. 

Price: 

• $16 for all women's styles 

What to buy: 

• Incognita Thong, $16, available in 5 colors 
• Incognita Bikini, $16, available in 9 colors
• Performa Bikini, $16, available in 3 colors 
• Natura Bikini, $16, available in 8 colors 

Stance ($$-$$$)

Shop women's underwear at Stance here

Shop men's underwear at Stance here

Though initially skeptical, we quickly relinquished the idea that Stance is only a sock company after trying its underwear, which feature the brand's signature style and spunk without sacrificing comfort and support. Men can choose from Supima cotton, poly blend, combed cotton, and the company's unique Butter Blend fabrics, while all women's styles are made from Sensil nylon. If you want your underwear to show as much personality as the clothes you wear over it, you'll like shopping Stance's options. 

Price: 

• $16-$36 for women's styles
• $20-$36 for men's styles 

What to buy: 

• Nylon Cheeky, $6.99
• Wide Side Thong, $9.99, available in 3 prints  
• Nightridge Butter Blend Boxer, $30, available in 5 colors 
• Flower Paints Poly Blend Boxer Brief, $20
• Lightning Butter Blend Wholester, $24.99, available in 2 prints 

Tommy John ($$$)

Shop women's underwear at Tommy John here

Shop men's underwear at Tommy John here

Tommy John makes the rare pieces of underwear that are soft, breathable, never pill, and never need adjusting, which is why calling it the best underwear brand for both men and women was a no-brainer. Since it has primarily focused on men's apparel in its last decade of existence, you'll find a more robust selection of styles and color options there, but the company continues to grow its highly anticipated and lauded women's collection. Whatever cut you prefer, we recommend choosing the smooth, micro-modal Second Skin, or the stretchy, barely-there Air fabrics. 

Price: 

• $20-$28 for women's styles 
• $27-$48 for men's styles

What to buy: 

• Air Thong, $26, available in 6 colors 
• Second Skin Brief, $22, available in 16 colors 
• Cool Cotton Cheeky, $22, available in 13 colors 
• Go Anywhere Boxer Brief, $28, available in 8 colors
• Second Skin Trunk, $32, available in 4 colors 
• Cool Cotton Square Cut, $29, available in 2 colors 

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider, Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• The "weekly drop" model mimics the speed of fast-fashion retailers, but manages to sell products that are still high quality. 
• Retail startups such as M.Gemi and Mejuri can manage such a fast pace because they have better control of their supply chains and closer contact to their customers. 
• These five brands selling shoes, clothes, jewelry, and accessories always have something new for you to shop. 

Pressured by increasing competition and new online shopping habits, fast fashion retailers pump out trendy and cheap clothing, shoes, and accessories at impressive rates, but often at the expense of quality and worker livelihoods.

A new wave of fashion companies, however, is challenging the idea that you have to sacrifice anything in order to produce good products at a quick and consistent rate. Born online, they're free from the hierarchies and complicated supply chain models of traditional retailers, and they have a more direct line of contact with customers to find out exactly what they love and hate.

Though the high-end and luxury industries traditionally follow seasonal cycles in which new product releases are far and few between, these online brands are flipping the script and employing ambitious weekly drop schedules to keep their customers constantly engaged and excited for future designs. Despite the fast turnaround, craftsmanship and quality remain a top priority, so you can expect to get years, if not a lifetime of use out of products from the startups below.

Shop new releases every week from these 5 online startups.

M.Gemi

Shop this week's new arrivals at M.Gemi here

Handcrafted Italian shoes sold at better prices are already enough to get many customers excited, but M.Gemi takes it a step further by dropping new limited-edition styles of this coveted luxury footwear every week. Since only a limited number of its heels, flats, and sandals are made, a sense of urgency is created to buy that gorgeous new color or silhouette before it's gone forever. If this is your first time interacting with the brand, the Felize loafer and Stellato Sacchetto flat are two standbys that best display M.Gemi's quality construction and comfort. 

Mejuri

Shop this week's new arrivals at Mejuri here

Mejuri introduces new jewelry every Monday, and these weekly drops are so popular that they typically sell out within 24 hours. To guarantee you get your hands on the latest solid gold and silver pieces, you can preview upcoming drops and add yourself to a waitlist. Each week follows a different theme: one week it could be delicate threaders, the next, bold signet rings. Regardless of style, each new drop is guaranteed to fit within Mejuri's collection of beautiful jewelry made for everyday wear. 

Cuyana

Shop this week's new arrivals at Cuyana here

"Fewer, better things" is the philosophy guiding Cuyana's products, so you can expect that each round of its new arrivals never feels rushed or superfluous. Everything about the brand — fabrics, silhouettes, choice of craftsmen — is carefully vetted and curated to ensure a high-quality shopping experience for the modern woman. Pay particular attention to its leather bags, which cost half the price of those of comparable quality and complete any outfit with understated sophistication.

The Last Line

Shop this week's new arrivals at The Last Line here

The Last Line is an online luxury jewelry brand that offers options galore, from simple stacking rings to playful rainbow earrings. The large, versatile product selection means the site could be the last place you ever shop for all your jewelry, and thanks to weekly drops of 14k gold and precious stone pieces, you'll always have something new to lust over whenever you're looking to add to your collection. Adding to the accessibility of shopping for luxury jewelry online, The Last Line offers a 24/7 personal concierge to help you choose the perfect piece.

Everlane

Shop this week's new arrivals for women at Everlane here

Shop this week's new arrivals for men at Everlane here

Direct-to-consumer darling Everlane doesn't have an official name for its frequent drops, but you can count on new clothing and shoes in its women's and men's departments every week, or even as frequently as every few days. Add yourself to waitlists for upcoming arrivals and you'll always be prepared for the season with minimalist, transparently manufactured styles. Everlane's products often play off of previous collections (such as the taller High Heel iteration of the popular Day Heel) and the best way to see them first is by shopping the New Arrivals section.

• Peloton, the maker of smart stationary bikes and treadmills, has confidentially filed its paperwork for an initial public offering. 
• The company's valuation and sales have skyrocketed since it was founded in 2012.
• Peloton is hoping to be something like an Apple or Tesla for the fitness world, offering an all-inclusive package that includes both hardware and a subscription service.
• But it faces a growing number of rivals and challenges, including the relatively high price of its equipment.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Michael Duda knew from the first time he met John Foley that he wanted to make a bet on Foley's fitness equipment startup, Peloton.

Duda liked Foley's idea of trying to make a stationary bike that looked like a piece of art and pairing it with a subscription service that would stream fitness classes and instructors straight to users' homes. He also thought Foley's timing was right: When they met in 2012, SoulCycle and Flywheel were both starting to make names for themselves in the fitness market with programs built around groups exercising together on stationary bikes.

But mostly what impressed Duda was Foley himself.

"He had a drive, had a passion, and what certainly has been shown to be an insatiable focus on disrupting a category," said Duda, a managing partner at Bullish, a startup accelerator and investment firm that has also backed the online mattress firm Casper and the eyeglass retailer Warby Parker.

Duda's bet is looking pretty smart these days. Peloton's valuation has skyrocketed from $17.5 million when it completed its first venture round that year to $4.2 billion when it got its most recent round of financing in August.

Read more:The inside story of Peloton, a fitness media company that was rejected over 5,000 times by investors but is now worth $4 billion

And the company's value could soon jump even higher, perhaps as high as $8 billion, if public investors are anywhere near as bullish on it as their private counterparts. Peloton last week confidentially filed for an initial public offering.

Peloton is trying to be a combination of Apple and Gillette

Peloton is technically a fitness-equipment manufacturer. It now makes a treadmill to go with its fitness bike. But from the beginning, Foley and his team have strived to offer more than just run-of-the-mill exercise equipment.

The company is trying to do something that had rarely been done in the fitness market before it came along. Like Apple or Tesla, it offers a complete package of goods and services. It not only makes its equipment, but it also provides the service that's streamed to its devices, and it sells its gadgets through its own chain of retail stores.

"I don't know anyone else who's come close to that, and he's done it," Duda said.

But it has also taken a page from the likes of Gillette — its business model is similar to the classic razor-blade model. Although it sells its equipment at high prices — its stationary bike starts at $2,245, including delivery charges, while its treadmill goes for $4,300 and up — its subscription service is what actually generates fat profits for the company.

The company charges customers $39 a month, but that service costs it only about $4 per user to provide, said Andrew Mitchell, a general partner at Brand Foundry Ventures, which was an early investor in Peloton but later sold its shares. Better yet, Peloton-equipment owners frequently stick with the service for the long term.

They "sell the bike into your house [at] barely any profit, but reap the benefit of a software ... margin and on retention," Mitchell said in an email.

The company's streaming service, which allows customers to participate in live workouts or stream recorded ones, has been one of the keys to its success, said David Minton, the founder of the Leisure Database Co., a market-research firm. Those programs have added an element of fun and interactivity to its equipment that rival gadgets typically haven't had, he said.

"Traditionally people have purchased gym equipment for the home that then becomes a clothes horse," Minton said. "The reason why Peloton has revolutionized that particular market is because you get so engrossed in the programs that you're streaming."

Business is booming

Peloton doesn't disclose detailed financial reports to the public, at least not yet. But the indications are that its business is booming.

Its sales went from $160 million in 2016 to $400 million in 2017, the company told The New York Times last year. It expected to bring in $700 million in sales in its most recent fiscal year, which ended in February, according to The Times.

Meanwhile, the company's share of the US gym-equipment market is in the process of rising from basically 0% in 2014 to an expected 6.2% by the end of its fiscal year this coming February, according to IBISWorld, a market-research firm.

"Peloton has been a complete disrupter in the at-home fitness equipment space," Marisa Lifschutz, an analyst with IBISWorld, said.

Company representatives declined to comment, citing the company's IPO-related quiet period.

But its products could have limited mass-market appeal

As quickly as the company has grown, and as much success as it's had thus far, it could face challenges expanding its market in the future. It's largely focused on selling equipment to individual customers to use in their homes. That segment represents about 26% of the market for US-manufactured gym equipment, according to IBISWorld. But it leaves out another huge segment — gyms and health clubs, which represent another 24% of the market.

What's more, the relatively large size and limited selection of Peloton's equipment will likely rule out purchases by many consumers.

It's hard to fit a treadmill or even a stationary bike in many apartments or even houses. Treadmills and stationary bikes are two of the most popular categories of equipment made by US manufacturers, but they represent only about 41% of the total market. Peloton doesn't make a stair stepper, a category that's nearly as popular treadmills.

Peloton's market could be limited further by the cost of its equipment. Many consumers simply can't afford to spend $39 a month on an exercise subscription, much less $2,000 or even $4,000 on a piece of exercise equipment. Other manufacturers charge high prices for similar equipment, but they often get a large portion of their sales from gyms and fitness centers that can afford to pay those prices.

And while Peloton has had success selling home-based equipment, it's going against the prevailing trend in the market. People are increasingly exercising in gyms rather than at home, Lifschutz said in a report for IBISWorld in April. Consumers recognize that they get access to a more varied selection of equipment and classes in a gym or club than they could get at home, she said in the report.

"The increasing popularity of gyms and health clubs suggests a shrinking demand for home gym equipment among the broader population, the exception being affluent consumers, who are the primary market for home exercise equipment," Lifschutz said in the report.

Competition is increasing, but Peloton is responding

While Peloton helped pioneer the market for smart fitness equipment, it's seen increasing competition. Flywheel now sells a smart stationary bike of its own that allows owners to tune in live and prerecorded spinning classes.

Life Fitness and Amer Sports, two of the biggest fitness-equipment makers, offer their own lines of fitness equipment with tabletlike screens that allow users to stream classes or run apps. With some of these devices, owners can track their workouts using their Apple or Android smartwatches. Indeed, the fitness industry could go in the direction of the car industry, in which automakers have been able to upgrade their in-car entertainment systems by working with Google and Apple and linking them to owners' smartphones, Minton said.

If the same trend plays out in the fitness market, consumers may not see a need to pay up for a specialized stationary bike kitted out with proprietary equipment. 

"The big tech companies all have fitness teams," he said. "They've seen an industry that's ripe for disruption."

Peloton has been working to address some of these challenges. It now offers a financing program that allows customers to pay for its equipment in monthly installments, rather than up front. Under the plan for its entry-level stationary bike, consumers pay $59 a month for 39 months. Customers pay $179 a month for 24 months under its plan for its treadmill.

The company also offers customers a way to get into its ecosystem without having to shell out big bucks for one of its machines. People without a Peloton device can subscribe to a version of its streaming service for $20 a month.

While the company remains focused on the home market, it's been selling a commercial version of its bike to hotels, opening up a secondary market for the company and a way to introduce its service to new consumers. Customers can get on a Peloton bike and tune in to its exercise programs in dozens of hotels around the country.

And it may broaden its lineup. Peloton President William Lynch indicated that the company is interested in developing a rowing machine next, Medium reported earlier this year.

Duda is optimistic about the company's future. It has already far exceeded his expectations. It has benefited from being more than just a fitness-equipment maker and likely will continue to do so, he said.

"There's a lot of upside left in this company," he said.

• Read more about Peloton:
• High-tech fitness startup Peloton said it just filed for an IPO. Here's what it's like to use its $2,000 bike.
• Former Twitter exec Adam Bain explains why internet-connected in-home fitness startups like Tonal and Peloton are a hit with investors
• Peloton took down workout classes featuring songs at the center of a $150 million lawsuit, and some users are furious
• Peloton is reportedly a step closer to an IPO that could value it at more than $8 billion. Here's how this high-tech fitness company compares to SoulCycle.

SEE ALSO: This VC and his firm don't focus on particular technologies or sectors. Instead, they look for startups with a kind of network potential. Here's why.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: I've used iPhones for nearly a decade and switched to the Samsung Galaxy S10. Now I understand Android loyalty in a way I never understood before.

• Businessman-turned-president Donald Trump celebrates his 73rd birthday on June 12.
• The hotel mogul became a household name through his reality show, "The Apprentice."
• Now in the third year of his presidential term and campaigning for his second, here's a look back at Trump's life, in photos.
• Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.

President Donald Trump turned 73 on Friday. He is the oldest president to take office, a record previously held by President Ronald Reagan, who was 73-years-old at the time of his election to a second term.

As Trump sails through the third year of his first presidential term, he is actively preparing for the 2020 presidential election, with a wide number of Democratic challengers campaigning.

Here is a look at the president's life journey, from the New York Military Academy to the Oval Office.

SEE ALSO: Inside the marriage of Donald and Melania Trump, who broke up once before, reportedly sleep in different bedrooms, and are weathering rumors of his affairs

Donald John Trump was born to Fred and Mary Anne Trump in Queens, New York on June 14, 1946. He is the second-youngest of five children.

Read more:Meet Donald Trump's siblings, the oldest of whom just retired as a federal judge

Trump received discipline at an early age by attending a military academy. There, he reportedly excelled in extracurricular activities such as being the Honor Cadet.

Source: Classmates

He graduated from Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's in economics in 1968. He then started his career at his father's real estate development company, E. Trump & Son.

As someone who loves the art of negotiation, Trump was able to negotiate New York City to provide a 40-year tax abatement for the Grand Hyatt Hotel — the first ever granted to a commercial property.

Source: The Trump Organization

An early win was when Trump offered to renovate decrepit areas in need, such as a long-closed ice-skating rink, at no profit to himself, after the city's renovation effort went through five years of delays and more than double the original cost estimate.

Source: AP

Trump's enterprise also stretched out into sports, where he was the original owner of the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.

Trump owns a fleet of luxury helicopters, and a private plane that was often a backdrop at his 2016 presidential campaign events.

Trump also enjoys tennis — he even played a round, wearing his traditional suit, against the legendary Serena Williams.

Trump was notorious for befriending supermodels. His first wife, Ivana, a Czech-American, was a member of the social elite.

Trump had three kids with Ivana: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric.

He divorced Ivana in a public split in 1992, and married Marla Maples in 1993.

Trump and Marla had one daughter, Tiffany, in 1993.

As a self-proclaimed family man, Trump attended many public events and television shows with his family over the years.

Source: Oprah

Trump loved showing off his wealth with lavish spending, and once paid the sultan of Brunei $30 million for a nearly 300-foot yacht.

Source: AP

Trump first started showing signs of interest for a possible bid for the US presidency with the formation of a presidential exploratory committee ahead of the 2000 election.

Source: Reuters

To test the political waters, the potential Reform Party presidential candidate traveled to several areas to address party leaders.

Source: AP

In 2005, Donald Trump married fashion designer and model Melania Trump.

Source: PolitiFact

The two had one son, Barron, in 2006.

As no stranger to the political process, Trump was even acquainted with members of the judicial branch. Here he is greeting Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the Daytona 500.

He also became the owner of the infamous Miss Universe beauty pageant for many years.

Trump loves to golf. He owns 17 courses.

Read more:23 celebrities, professional athletes, and politicians Trump has golfed with as president

Sometimes, negotiating can be a tough sport. What better way to exert your dominance by taking the center stage among the world's most bombastic figures?

His reality TV show "The Apprentice" made Trump a household name. Everyone knew him for his classic catchphrase, "You're fired!"

Not all of Trump's business deals were slam dunks. Some projects, like Trump University, were mired in lawsuits that Trump ultimately lost or had to settle. Others he may have made a profit on, but declared bankruptcy, and partners he worked with accused him of not paying them.

Read more:The New York Times rates 61 of Donald Trump's business deals, concludes 40% failed

In June 2015, Trump famously launched his presidential campaign by coming down an escalator in Trump Tower.

As the fog of the political battlefield cleared on the Republican side, Trump prepared to take on presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Trump made his final appeal to voters in swing-states as the contentious campaign drew to a close.

After a landslide electoral victory, president-elect Trump celebrated at his election night party in New York City.

Taking his oath of office on January 20, 2017, Trump officially became the 45th President of the United States.

Trump signed 90 executive actions during his first 100 days in office. Some of his more controversial orders, like the travel ban, drew hundreds of thousands of people to protest. That action was ultimately held up by the Supreme Court.

Read more:Trump signed 90 executive actions in his first 100 days — here's what each one does

After taking office, Trump's administration faltered under a series of scandals and missteps. One of these was his firing of FBI director James Comey, who was leading an investigation into Russia's meddling in the US election.

The special counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to oversee the investigation. Nearly two years later, he closed the probe in May 2019 — after charging several of Trump's associates with crimes, concluding Russia interfered in the 2016 election to benefit Trump, and outlining several instances that the president failed at obstructing justice.

Read more:Mueller outlines key Trump-Russia contacts and potential instances of obstruction of justice in final report

As a businessman who prides himself as a seasoned dealmaker, Trump has had mixed success interacting with world leaders as president. With some, he's had sparkling relationships. With others, things have been more frosty.

As the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Trump observed the sacrifices made by US service members on Memorial Day. He also attended the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy this month.

Trump's first foreign trip as president began in Saudi Arabia and ended in Italy in May 2017. In Riyadh, Trump was photographed with the infamous glowing orb that took social media by storm.

At his first presidential college commencement, Trump addressed the graduating class of Liberty University. "What imprint will you leave in the sands of history?" he asked them. "What will future Americans say we did in our brief time right here on earth? Did we take risks? Did we dare to defy expectations? Did we challenge accepted wisdom and take on established systems? I think I did, but we all did and we're all doing it."

Source: TIME

Many on social media and on cable news were often quick to criticize Trump, like when he threw paper towels into a crowd in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on the region.

Other times in his presidency have been more lighthearted. On the White House front lawn, Trump and the first lady preside over the Easter egg roll, one of many holiday traditions.

Trump visited victims of the Las Vegas shooting in the hospital. His presidency has witnessed multiple tragedies, including the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

The Trumps joined the living presidents and first ladies to attend the funeral of former President George H.W. Bush in December 2018.

Although Republicans control both houses of Congress, the government has been shut down for 39 days of Trump's presidency, when he and lawmakers couldn't get spending bills passed.

Source: Business Insider

Trump successfully saw Justice Brett Kavanaugh confirmed the Supreme Court. The president ushered in two conservative justices, the other being Neil Gorsuch.

Largely because of the findings in the Mueller investigation, many Democrats have voiced their support for impeaching Trump to further probe any misconduct he or his team may have done. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has remained against making such a move.

In some of the more lighthearted moments, Trump has entertained athletic champions at the White House with his favorite items from fast food restaurants.

Trump's summer will be full of campaign events, meetings with world leaders, and likely some downtime at one of his private golf clubs. Happy birthday, Mr. President.

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider, Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• No story of Google's Pixel 3 phones would be complete without mentioning their powerful cameras. 
• All the models in the Pixel 3 family, from the Pixel 3a ($299.99) to the Pixel 3 XL ($900), feature a 12.2-megapixel dual-pixel rear camera. 
• They also include cool camera features such as Night Sight, which let you take impressively crisp low-lighting shots, and Google Lens, which lets you examine real-life products with your phone. 
• If you're considering a new Pixel 3 phone, these nine camera features might convince you to take the leap. 

In the smartphone world, Google has made a name for itself with the Pixel line and its stunning camera quality.

The newest models, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, are set to be released soon, but in the meantime, you have plenty of great phones to choose from in the Pixel 3 series. It's made up of four phones, the 3a and 3a XL, the 3, and the 3 XL.

They differ in price, design, size, and battery life, but the one thing they all boast is a 12.2-megapixel dual-pixel rear camera. Along with this powerful camera comes a host of cool photo-shooting features to make you appreciate it even more. Whether you prefer the budget Pixel 3a, which only costs $300, or want to splurge for the Pixel 3XL, which costs around $900, you get to enjoy the same camera features. 

If you're thinking about buying a Google Pixel 3 phone for its camera alone, we don't blame you (and you'll be getting a useful overall phone, too). As a Pixel 3 owner myself, I'll show you the camera features below that might convince you to make the upgrade. 

Learn more about the best camera features of the Google Pixel 3 series of phones, then shop the different models below. 

Photos featured are taken with a Pixel 3 XL and are unedited. 

Camera

The camera in "Auto" function is great for everyday picture-taking. It captures colors vibrantly and photos come out crisp and clear. You can turn on the "Motion" feature for live photos, set three- or 10-second timers, adjust the brightness, and use special light modes (sunny, fluorescent, cloudy, etc.). On "Selfie" mode, you can actually zoom out to fit more people into your group selfie. 

Portrait

To make your friends and family look like models and trick others into thinking you used a DSLR to take these photos, use Portrait mode. It blurs the background to make faces and bodies in your immediate view ultra-crisp. The nice thing about Google's Portrait mode is that it also gives you the regular, non-portrait version, so you'll have both on hand. 

Night Sight

It's hard to believe that nighttime landscapes like the one above were taken with a phone camera. In low lighting conditions, the Pixel's camera shines. Use Night Mode for dim outdoor and indoor scenes, from viewpoints enjoyed at midnight to fancy, Michelin-starred dishes that are usually cloaked in dark mood lighting. 

Playground

Playground is an AR feature that lets you drag and drop characters and text, which Google calls "stickers," into the real-time shot. You can install fun, moving characters like Marvel superheroes or dancing foods to add to your scene, then take a photo or video with them. By no means is this feature a must-have, but you'll have a fun time messing around with Playground. 

Panorama

No longer do you have to cut off an important part of a gorgeous sweeping landscape thanks to the Panorama feature. Like most camera panorama programs, it doesn't do well when multiple people move within the frame, so you'll need to be careful about when you use it. 

Photobooth

Take a series of photobooth-like photos without ever touching the shutter button. On Photobooth mode, the camera detects smiles and other changes of facial expression, as well as changes in lighting and motion, to automatically take photos. 

Lens: Product search

If you see a cool product out in the wild and want to find out more about it and even shop it directly, use Google Lens' Search function. Depending on how distinctive the item is, it can detect the exact product or show you similar products. I found that it was less accurate for things like clothing — but pretty good at drawing up many similar options — and more accurate for anything with a logo, like the Hydro Flask mug above. 

Lens: Barcode scan

The best way to find the exact product you want is to scan the barcode with Google Lens. This feature comes in handy if you're shopping in real life and want to see if you can get the product for a lower price or more conveniently online. 

Lens: Translate

Google Translate goes live with the help of Google Lens. Within seconds, it auto-detects the language and replaces the text with the translated version. If you've ever used Google Translate, you know that it's not perfect, and this is no less true on Google Lens. But you'll get the general gist and glean enough information to understand what's going on. 

Shop the Google Pixel 3a (Unlocked) here:

• Available in 4 colors for $299.99 at Best Buy here
• Available in 3 colors for $399 at Amazon here

Shop the Google Pixel 3a XL (Unlocked) here: 

• Available in 4 colors for $379.99 at Best Buy here
• Available in 3 colors for $479 at Amazon here

Shop the Google Pixel 3 (Unlocked) here:

• Available in 2 colors for $559.99 at Best Buy here
• Available in 3 colors for $799 at Amazon here

Shop the Google Pixel 3 XL here:

• Verizon version, available in 3 colors, for $900 ($37.50/month for 24 months) at Best Buy here
• Unlocked version, available in 3 colors, for $880 at Amazon here

• Instagram users love to post photos of sports cars, but they're also enthusiastic about modestly-priced sedans, according to a study published in March by the car insurance website Veygo. We revisited this list on June 14 to see how the rankings held up.
• The study ranked the cars most frequently posted about on Instagram by counting posts that included either of the two most popular hashtags for each vehicle.
• The top 30 spots on the list include obvious candidates like the Lamborghini Aventador and Porsche 911, as well as more modestly-priced cars from mass-market automakers.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories

Instagram users love to post photos of sports cars, but they're also enthusiastic about modestly-priced sedans, according to a study published in March by the car insurance website Veygo.

The study ranked the cars most frequently posted about on Instagram by counting posts that included either of the two most popular hashtags for each vehicle. Only cars that are currently in production were included in the list.

The top 30 spots on the list include obvious candidates like the Lamborghini Aventador and Porsche 911, as well as more modestly-priced cars from mass-market automakers.

We revisited this list on June 14 to see how these rankings held up.

These are the 30 most Instagrammed cars:

SEE ALSO: Uber just revealed a new self-driving car that it will use to take on Tesla and Waymo in the robotaxi wars

30. Audi TTS

Number of mentions: 1,076,157

29. Fiat 500

Number of mentions: 1,129,776

28. BMW i8

Number of mentions: 1,227,050

27. Audi A1

Number of mentions: 1,293,122

26. Audi A3

Number of mentions: 1,455,299

25. Volkswagen Golf

Number of mentions: 1,483,815

24. Audi S3

Number of mentions: 1,395,759

23. BMW M2

Number of mentions: 1,584,595

22. Mazda MX-5

Number of mentions: 1,543,179

21. Vauxhall Corsa

Number of mentions: 1,527,493

20. Toyota Corolla

Number of mentions: 1,638,684

19. Audi A4

Number of mentions: 1,724,756

18. Honda Civic Type R

Number of mentions: 2,012,336

17. Porsche 911

Number of mentions: 2,194,361

16. Porsche Carrera

Number of mentions: 2,224,801

15. Mini Cooper

Number of mentions: 2,300,154

14. Lamborghini Huracan

Number of mentions: 2,415,106

13. Chevrolet Silverado

Number of mentions: 2,429,824

12. Subaru Impreza

Number of mentions: 2,862,240

11. BMW M5

Number of mentions: 3,046,853

10. Audi R8

Number of mentions: 3,065,855

9. Lamborghini Aventador

Number of mentions: 3,272,048

8. BMW M4

Number of mentions: 3,786,857

7. Chevrolet Corvette

Number of mentions: 4,208,898

6. Chevrolet Camaro

Number of mentions: 4,981,907

5. Jeep Wrangler

Number of mentions: 5,651,018

4. BMW M3

Number of mentions: 6,330,692

3. Nissan GT-R

Number of mentions: 7,644,950

2. Honda Civic

Number of mentions: 7,946,870

1. Ford Mustang

Number of mentions: 12,812,955

• You can easily make a GIF on an iPhone by converting a live photo in your Photos app.
• Third-party apps like Giphy also allow you to turn a live photo into a GIF with multiple customization options, and the ability to share it with others.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When Apple first launched its live photo feature, it didn't take advantage of the many possibilities inherent in a camera that captures a few seconds around a central image.

Various apps rolled out that allowed users to display the moving picture as a GIF. Some third-party apps, such as GIPHY, still allow you to create GIFs from live photos and with more options.

But the iPhone itself now allows you to turn live photos into moving GIFs in just a few short steps, without having to download any apps.

How to turn a live photo into a GIF on an iPhone

1. Open "Photos" on your iPhone.

2. Tap on the live photo you want to turn into a GIF.

3. Tap and hold the bottom of the photo.

4. Slide your finger up to bring up the moving picture menu (Live, Loop, Bounce, Long Exposure)

5. Tap on "Loop" to turn the picture into a repeating GIF.

You can alternately tap on "Bounce" so that the frames of the picture will go forward and in reverse instead of starting back at the beginning of the picture series.

How to turn a Live Photo into a GIF using Giphy

Giphy presents many more options for getting creative with your GIFs, allows you to share your new creations with the world, and allows you to download other GIFs created by members of the community.

1. Open the Giphy app.

2. Click on the "+" sign in the bottom center.

3. Here you have two options for making your GIF:

• Film a new GIF by tapping on the camera icon, bottom center.
• Make a GIF from your photos by tapping on the photos icon in the bottom right, then tapping on the photo you wish to use

4. There are various options for customizing it on the bottom (from left to right): Write a caption, add a filter, add pre-made art and word art phrases, trim your GIF, and more.

Once it is exactly how you want it, tap on the purple arrow to upload it to Giphy. Once that is confirmed, it can be shared with the community, and it will generate a link you can use for sharing it personally.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to save, view, and share GIFs on your iPhone or iPad

• How to post a GIF on Facebook as a comment or status

• How to backup your iPhone to iCloud or a computer

• How to recover deleted photos from your iPhone, through the Photos app, cloud storage services, and more

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone for every type of person and budget

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: I've used iPhones for nearly a decade and switched to the Samsung Galaxy S10. Now I understand Android loyalty in a way I never understood before.

• When figuring out how much the iPhone X costs, you first have to figure out which of the four different models in the iPhone X family you want, and at what storage capacity.
• Apple no longer directly sells the iPhone X, but the phone is available through carriers and at retailers starting around $640.
• The iPhone XR costs $749 for 64GB, $799 for 128GB, and $899 for 256GB.
• The iPhone XS costs $999 for 64GB,  $1149 for 256GB, and $1349 for 512GB.
• The iPhone XS Max costs $1099 for 64GB, $1249 for 256GB, and $1449 for 512GB.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Recently, Apple introduced a handful of new models in the iPhone X line. The original iPhone X, released in 2017, is no longer offered directly by Apple (though you can buy it from carriers and a large number of third-party retailers).

In addition to the iPhone X, there are now three other models to choose from: the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.

The major features of the iPhone X

The iPhone X kicked off the iPhone redesign. This model introduced features that are now common on all the other handsets in the X line — the edge-to-edge display with almost no visible bezel is the most obvious design element.

But it also replaced Touch ID with Face ID, and that in turn created the infamous notch — the screen is interrupted at the top with a cutout for various cameras and sensors.

Because of the almost bezel-free design, the iPhone X packs a 5.8-inch display into a handset that's only barely larger than the screen itself. It has dual 12-megapixel cameras (both wide-angle and telephoto).

The key differences between the iPhone X models

All of the other iPhone models are variations (and improvements on) the iPhone X. The newer iPhone X models have a faster CPU and faster wireless charging. But here are the major differences:

• The iPhone XR is intended to be the more affordable model in the iPhone X family. The display isn't quite as sophisticated; it doesn't feature an OLED display like all the other iPhone X models do. It has a slightly larger display (6.1 inches) than the basic X, and comes in a variety of colors (blue, white, black, yellow, coral, and red). It lacks dual wide angle and telephoto cameras, but otherwise the cameras and most of the hardware are identical to the iPhone XS.
• The iPhone XS is a limited upgrade over the iPhone X; it has the same size screen as the original iPhone X as well as the dual cameras. It boasts slightly better water resistance as well.
• The iPhone XS Max is a supersized version of the iPhone XS, much like the way the iPhone 7 Plus is a bigger version of the iPhone 7. It has a 6.5-inch display, and a longer battery life thanks to a bigger battery in the larger frame.

How much each iPhone X model costs

The iPhone X is no longer sold by Apple, so the price will vary depending on the retailer or carrier. On Amazon, you can find the iPhone X 64 GB for about $640 and the 256GB model for about $730.

The iPhone XR is available in three storage capacities:

• iPhone XR with 64GB costs $749
• iPhone XR with 128GB costs $799
• iPhone XR with 256GB costs $899

The iPhone XS also comes in three varieties:

• iPhone XS with 64GB costs $999
• iPhone XS with 256GB costs $1149
• iPhone XS with 512GB costs $1349

The iPhone XS Max also comes in the same three capacities, but each is slightly more expensive due to the larger display:

• iPhone XS Max with 64GB costs $1099
• iPhone XS Max with 256GB costs $1249
• iPhone XS Max with 512GB costs $1449

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to restart and force-restart any iPhone model

• How to backup an iPhone to iCloud, to a computer through iTunes, or to an external hard drive

• How to record a phone call on your iPhone using third-party apps

• How you can easily delete all the photos on your iPhone at once

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone for every type of person and budget

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 9 simple ways to protect your data that don't take much time, but could have huge security benefits

• An Amazon Prime membership offers many benefits, including fast shipping on tens of thousands of products, and access to movies, music, books, and more.
• Prime members can save money on groceries, household cleaning products, diapers, baby food, and many other staples.
• An Amazon Prime membership also offers access to services like "try before you buy" clothing samples and unlimited cloud photo storage.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When Amazon launched Amazon Prime back in 2005, it was a membership that guaranteed free two-day shipping on all sorts of different products. That was enough for me; my wife and I became Prime Members in 2006 and have enjoyed fast, free shipping on everything from cat litter to candy to books to beach towels ever since.

And if that's all Prime ever was — a fast, free shipping plan — it would be worth the $119 annual fee (or less, depending on your circumstances) based on how much we save in shipping costs by using Prime.

But today, Amazon Prime is so much more than just a two-day shipping membership. And it's more than the one-day or even same-day shipping they offer customers in many areas. Today, Amazon Prime is a one-stop shop for media, groceries, apparel, parenting products, and so much more.

Let's break it down by category.

SEE ALSO: The best cheap phones you can buy unlocked on Amazon

Amazon Prime shipping

Prime has always and will always be all about fast shipping. Members living in the continental United States (and in many other countries) get free two-day shipping (order on Monday, guaranteed by Wednesday, e.g.) on countless Prime products. In some zip codes, orders over $35 can even get same-day delivery.

And if you don't need that Emeril Lagasse air fryer or Bluetooth headphones delivered within two days, you can earn rewards that will apply to future orders by opting for no-rush shipping. Wait five or six days, earn future savings; not a bad deal, really.

(On the other hand, if you live in certain areas, you might have to wait as little as two hours for your shipment thanks to Prime Now.)

Prime Music

Your Amazon Prime membership offers access to millions of songs that you can stream through your computer or via the free Amazon app. Prime music lets you organize your tunes into playlists, by genre, artist, album, and more.

And Prime members get a discounted price on Amazon Music Unlimited, a subscription-based service that, as far as I can tell, offers every song ever created. Seriously, I have yet to think of a song I wanted to hear and not been able to find it.

Prime Video

Like with Prime itself, Prime Video started as one thing, then grew into another. Initially, Prime Video offered access to thousands of movies and shows produced by other studios. It still does that (and happens to be the source of about half of the TV I watch), but now, Amazon also produces dozens of original programs — both movies and shows — which are available any time to Prime members.

Cloud storage

Amazon Prime members get unlimited photo storage included with their membership, along with an additional 5 GB of free storage for non-photo files. 

Amazon also offers monthly cloud storage plans. These cost $11.99 for 100 GB, $59.99 for 1 TB, $59.99 for each additional TB up to 30 TB. 

Prime Wardrobe

Prime Wardrobe removes one of the last issues online shopping presents: not being able to try on clothes. Prime members can order eligible apparel and then enjoy seven days to try the stuff out after it arrives. You only pay for the garments you keep, and ship the rest back to Amazon in pre-paid packaging.

Bonus: AmazonFresh

For an additional monthly fee of $14.99, Prime members can get groceries delivered to their door. That's fresh stuff from the local grocery store, mind you, not canned goods and dry pasta. AmazonFresh is not available in all areas, and there is an extra fee for orders under $35, but if you hate shopping for groceries, the added expense might be worth it.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• 'What is Amazon Locker?': Everything you need to know about Amazon's convenient delivery pick-up system

• All the ways you can watch Amazon Prime Video on your TV

• How you can use a Visa gift card to shop on Amazon, despite it not being directly accepted

• How to get free stuff on Amazon without an Amazon Prime membership