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NOW WATCH: What it takes to be a professional taxidermist

• Soapy, standing water in a bathtub. Greasy water filling a kitchen sink. Neither of these presents a pretty picture and when left unattended, it can not only ruin your day but also damage your home.
• If you are facing a bathtub or shower clogged by soap and hair, Whink Hair Clog Blaster will get things moving and a TubShroom Strainer and Hair Catcher will prevent another problem.
• In the kitchen, Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver cuts through grease and just a monthly dose of CLR Build-Up Remover will help save you from a disaster.
• Skip the use of any chemicals and dislodge a clog with CLR Power Plumber to protect the environment and your pipes.

Plumbing problems rank near the top of my least-favorite home maintenance issues. I hate the mess, I hate the smells, and I hate the expense. While I understand how plumbing works, I don't have the tools and skills to make repairs easily. So, I do my best to pay attention to the flow: Attending to small clogs and doing my best to prevent them is so much better than a huge disaster.

Most of us take plumbing systems for granted until there is a problem. Drain care should really be something we attend to every day. While we can't control the rate a pipe joint disintegrates, we can help prevent clogs with just a few "rules":

• Grease is a drain's enemy. Bacon grease, cooking oil, and other fats should never be poured down a drain. They solidify with other food particles and cause clogs.
• Strain the drain. Keeping a strainer in the sink, tub, and shower stall will catch much of the hair and debris that cause clogs.
• Flush it out. No one should waste water but when you use the garbage disposal, brush your teeth, or pour something down the kitchen sink, be sure to follow up with some hot water. Simply pouring hot water down your drains every week will help dissolve grease, toothpaste, and soaps that are building up. 

When you do have a slow-moving drain or a clog, take a moment to consider the probable cause. Using the right type of drain cleaner and the one that will cause the least harm to your plumbing system will give you the best results. Many drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals like lye and acids that generate heat when they come in contact with the organic matter in the drain. The heat can soften PVC pipes and damage older metal solder on copper pipes if not used correctly.

Start by using the least harmful method of opening the drain. Often times, just adding a cup of baking soda to the drain followed by slowly pouring in a cup of heated distilled white vinegar will open the drain (don't pour too fast or you risk creating a volcanic eruption!). Next, try mechanical methods like a plunger or pressurized drain opener. Finally, when you've exhausted other methods, move to chemical drain cleaners.

Always read the directions and follow them to the letter. Take safety precautions with your eyes and skin and provide good ventilation. Protect the surrounding areas from splashes and spills. Chemical drain openers can mar finishes in a way that cannot be repaired.

After years of working in kitchens and maintaining a home, I've dealt with plenty of kitchen and bathroom clogs. Because it clearly isn't my favorite task, I tested dozens of drain cleaning and clog removal products and care tips, to find the ones that work. I'm always looking for the safest, most effective, easiest to use, and the best value in products for myself and others.

Here are the best drain cleaners you can buy:

• Best drain cleaner for hair clogs: Whink Hair Clog Blaster
• Best drain cleaner for grease clogs: Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver
• Best non-chemical drain clog remover: CLR Power Plumber
• Best preventative drain cleaner: CLR Build-Up Remover
• Best non-chemical hair clog preventer: TubShroom Strainer and Hair Catcher
  

Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks of drain cleaners.

The best for hair clogs

Whink Hair Clog Blaster will quickly dissolve hair clogs and get drains flowing smoothly.

The biggest problem in bathroom sinks, showers, and tub drains is hair clogs. The hair becomes coated with soaps and shampoos and forms a lump that simply won't move along. If non-chemical methods aren't working, try Whink Hair Clog Blaster.

Manufactured by RPM International, Whink delivers the same quality as the company's other products, like Rust-Oleum and DAP. Whink is a liquid drain opener that contains sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, sodium metasilicate, and modified amine oxide that will cut right through the clog. Clearly, safety precautions must be taken to prevent eye and skin damage; this is a powerful cleaner since the product is formulated to dissolve hair.

It can be used even if there is standing water in the tub or sink. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and do your best to pour it slowly and directly down the drain to prevent damaging other surfaces. You will need to use about one cup (8 ounces) of the product. Wait at least 30 minutes and then flush the drain with hot water.

Used correctly, Whink Hair Clog Blaster is safe for all plumbing and septic systems. If it doesn't work the first time, repeat the application and allow it to sit in the drain for several hours or overnight before flushing. As mentioned, always read the directions.

Pros: Cuts through hair clogs in sinks and tubs easily, less expensive than other drain openers

Cons: Dangerous chemicals, should not be used for grease clogs, limited distribution but available online or in home improvement stores

Buy Whink Hair Clog Blaster in an 18-ounce bottle on Amazon for $10.29

The best for grease clogs

Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver uses non-caustic, biodegradable ingredients to dissolve drain blockages. It is most effective on clogs caused by kitchen grease.

Oil and grease should never be poured down the drain, yet many of us do it, whether it's forgetfulness or laziness. But before you call the plumber, I suggest you give Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolvera try. It works for me.

While Green Gobbler does work on hair and soap buildup, it works best on grease and oil, liquifying them so they can be flushed away with boiling water. The proprietary enzyme-based ingredients are also safer to use than drain openers containing caustic sodium hydroxide and emit no strong chemical odors.

There's no guessing about how much to pour down the drain. The two-chambered bottle holds two precise doses. Just pour in one of the pre-measured amounts and wait at least 30 minutes or up to overnight, then flush away the clog with hot water.

Green Gobbler has a 3.9-star average rating from Amazon customers. One customer says the grease buildup actually occurs from cleaning greasy pots and pans, despite wiping them down beforehand. When nothing DIY seemed to work, the customer had luck with this product.

Pros: Dissolves grease and other clogs using enzymes, less caustic than other drain cleaners, each bottle contains two pre-measured treatments, 30-day hassle-free return

Cons: Does not work well on severely clogged drains

Buy Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver in a two-dose 15.5-ounce bottle from Amazon for $11.97

The best non-chemical remover

CLR Power Plumber blasts through hair and grease clogs with no chemicals and no messy plungers.

If you don't like keeping chemicals in your home and are looking for a less environmentally damaging way to keep drains flowing, CLR Power Plumber may be the product for you.

At some point, almost everyone has rushed out to buy a plunger to open a drain. It often works but then you're left with a dripping, messy plunger to clean and store. Plus, the rubber head on plungers eventually disintegrate and crack. The Power Plumber works on the same principle as a plunger of using forced air to move a clog but with no mess.

Just 7 inches tall, the can is filled with compressed gas that is scented with a lemon deodorizer. The gas contains no CFCs. Simply fill the sink with several inches of water, point the nozzle down into the drain and when the gas comes in contact with the water, it expands rapidly. The wave of gas and water act as a battering ram to push the blockage through the pipe. No chemicals needed.

The Power Plumber works on both bathtub and sink drains, including double sinks and garbage disposals. Just follow the directions carefully to create a tight seal. Each can contains 15 uses — that's a lot of cleaning for a 4.5-ounce little can.

Pros: Clears clogs with no chemicals, 15 applications per can, small and easy to store

Cons: Not always available in mass-market stores

Buy CLR Power Plumber in a 15-applications can from Walmart for $12.39

The best preventative drain cleaner

Just a quick pour of CLR Build-Up Remover once a month in kitchen and bathroom drains will take the drama out of clogged drains.

I think we've established that I don't like to deal with plumbing problems. So I follow all the rules of drain care and do my best to prevent issues like clogs and odors by using CLR Build-Up Remover monthly.

I pour just 3 ounces (about one-third of a cup) into a drain right before bedtime, so it has time to work and clean away soap scum, toothpaste, kitchen grease, and other gunk that coats pipes and can cause clogs. If I notice that a drain is running slowly, I pour a one-fourth cup right before bed, for five days in a row to get things moving quickly. You could also do the treatment in the morning before leaving for work — it just needs to be done when water isn't being used, to be most effective.

The product is safe to use on septic systems and will not harm pipes. CLR Build-Up Remover has actually met the U.S. EPA's Safe Choice Program guidelines to be classified as an environmentally safe product.

Using just 2 ounces per dose, one Amazon customer claims the product kept drains clean for five-to-six months.

Pros: Helps prevent drain clogs, removes odors, will not harm pipes, environmentally safe

Cons: Does not remove severe clogs

Buy CLR Build-Up Remover in a 42-ounce bottle from Walmart for $8.84

The best non-chemical hair clog preventer

If there are long-haired humans or pets in your home, use the TubShroom Strainer and Hair Catcher to prevent hair from draining clogs.

I was a child of the 1970s and had long, flowing hair. My father complained constantly about all of the hair that kept clogging up the bathroom drains. There may have been "magical mushrooms" in the 70s but none were as good at preventing clogs like the TubShroom Strainer and Hair Catcher. This little rubber gadget will change your life — even with shorter hair these days, I am always amazed at how much the TubShroom catches.

Unlike typical drain filters, the TubShroom slips down into the drain opening so that the hair is caught, out-of-sight. The unique shape and holes create a whirlpool effect that winds long hair around the spool so it doesn't go down the drain. The TubShroom fits any standard 1.5-inch to 1.75-inch bathtub drain and comes in a variety of colors from white to orange to match any decor.

When you notice a slowing of water as the tub drains, pull out the TubShroom and dispose of the hair. Use a microfiber cloth or tissue to wipe away the hair and rinse it under the faucet to remove any residue. Afterward, just pop it back in to protect your drain.

The manufacturer also makes other drain-related products. If you want to take a relaxing bath, simply pop on a StopShroom Drain Cover and fill the tub. And, for shower stalls and kitchen sinks, there are ShowerShrooms and SinkShrooms to catch debris in those places.

Pros: Prevents hair clogs in the drain, easy to install and clean, available in multiple colors and sizes

Cons: Can slow water drainage if not cleaned regularly

Buy the TubShroom Strainer and Hair Catcher from Walmart for $10.22

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 create about 88 pounds of plastic a year — per person. And even if you sort your plastics into the right bins, less than 9% of plastic is actually recycled.
• That's because some things like single-use straws and utensils are too small to be processed by recycling plants and get dumped in a landfill only to then make their way into the ocean.
• This five-piece set of metal straws from Amazon is an easy alternative to using plastic straws, and I'll never use anything else ever again.

I'd like to think that I was always pretty green — I reuse plastic bags from the grocery store as garbage bags, I donate clothes instead of throwing them out, and I sort my recyclables accordingly. But it wasn't until I started reading about the disastrous effects of single-use plastics that I realized just how un-eco-friendly I really was. Suddenly, I started noticing just how many of the plastic straws I'd pilfered from my office were strewn across my apartment.

Now, you might think that plastic straws can just go into the recycling bin, but you'd be wrong. In fact, maddeningly enough, most plastic straws don't even get recycled. They're so thin and small that recycling plants can't process them so they get chucked out into a landfill along with the rest of the trash and float out into the ocean sooner or later.

So, in an effort to actually live more eco-friendly this time and reduce my own plastic usage, I started using metal straws. This $9 set from Amazoncomes with two angled straws for normal drinks like water or juice, two straight straws for thick drinks like smoothies, and a cleaning brush not unlike a pipe cleaner or mascara spoolie brush that you run through the straw to get rid of gunk.

The straws are made of food-grade stainless steel that won't rust and is free of BPA (which comes from hard plastics), phthalates, and lead. When I first used them, I was worried that I might taste that distinctive, and frankly, disgusting metal tang, but they actually didn't taste like anything or change the taste of my drinks at all. In fact, most of the time, I don't even register that I'm using a metal straw — to me, it's just a straw. I use them at home and at work, though I haven't graduated to bringing them out to a restaurant yet. In those situations, I just tell the waiter that I don't want a plastic straw.

Of course, I need to acknowledge that forgoing plastic straws isn't going to make a difference if we're still using plastic bags or water bottles, or if recycling plants can't figure out a way to properly process them, but for me, at least it's a start. In fact, it has led to other good habits like refusing plastic utensils from my takeout orders, bringing my own tote bags to the grocery store, and even composting.

Buy the Greens Steel Stainless Steel Straw Set for $8.99 from Amazon

Join the conversation about this story »

• Google Smart Lock refers to three different tools that do different things on different devices.
• You can enable Google Smart Lock on Android phones and tablets or Chromebooks, each with different effects. You can also use it for your passwords across devices.
• Here's what you need to know about each separate tool.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With a name like "Smart Lock," you might think the Google feature has something to do with security, and is possibly powered by AI-technology. And while that's generally true, when it comes to Smart Lock, things aren't that simple.

That's because, in a somewhat perplexing move, Google decided to use the name "Smart Lock" for three separate tools that apply to different things.

Here's a breakdown of what Smart Lock does when it comes to Androids, Chromebooks, and passwords in general:

What Google Smart Lock does for Android devices

In short, Smart Lock keeps Android devices unlocked when they're in your pocket or you're close to home, or in another trusted location.

That means you won't have to use your pin, pattern, or password to unlock it. To activate it, you must have a screen lock already set up. Then, follow these instructions on your Android device to turn it on:

1. Navigate to your device's settings.

2. Tap Security and Location, then select "Smart Lock."

3. Enter your screen lock pin, pattern, or password.

4. Select either On-body detection, or opt to set up a trusted place (depending on your preference).

5. For on-body detection: On the next screen, simply switch that option on.

6. To set up a trusted place: Either let your phone use your current location, or turn on "high accuracy or battery-saving location mode" (you'll want to have Wi-Fi access for either option).

What Google Smart Lock does for Chromebooks

For those with Chromebooks, Smart Lock allows you to unlock your laptop using your Android device. You can also send and receive texts from your Chromebook.

You'll need to have Chrome OS version 71 or newer, Android version L-MR1 or newer, and you need to be signed into your Google account on both devices.

Assuming you meet those requirements, here's how to turn it on:

1. At the bottom right of your Chromebook's screen, select the time.

2. Select "Settings."

3. Under "Connected Devices," choose the "Set up" option next to your Android device.

4. Enter your password and follow the steps when prompted (you'll get a confirmation message on your phone).

5. Under "Enabled" select the options you want to turn on.

You may get a prompt to set this up, in which case you'll only need to select "Accept and Continue" followed by "Done." You'll then get a confirmation message.

What Google Smart Lock does for passwords in general

Google Smart Lock can also sync your passwords across your various devices. So, provided it's on, you'll easily be able to sign into your Chrome browser or Android device.

On both Chrome and Android devices, the option to offer to save passwords is automatically turned on.

For those on Chrome, you can manage your passwords by going to your Google account, then select "Security" in the left sidebar followed by "Password Manager." From there, you'll be able to see, change or remove passwords that have been saved to your Google account.

On an Android device, you'll manage your passwords by going to your "Settings," and clicking on "Google" then "Google Account." Next, tap "Security." Under "Signing into other sites," select "Saved Passwords." You can block certain sites or apps from saving your passwords under the section titled  "Blocked."

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to use Google Analytics: A beginner's guide to Google's service for website-traffic analytics

• How to set up and use Google Hangouts, Google's free phone call and video chat service, on desktop or mobile

• 'How does Google Photos work?': Everything you need to know about Google's photo storage app

• 'What is Google One?': Everything you need to know about Google's paid storage service

SEE ALSO: The best Wear OS smartwatches you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's why it's so hard to switch from Apple to Android

• Billionaires can afford to make lavish purchases beyond most people's means, varying from entire islands to trips to space to sports teams.
• Many billionaires in the tech industry have put their riches into opulent modes of transportation, including private planes.
• Here are some of the tech billionaires who have spent their fortunes on private jets for fast and easy travel.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Of all the status symbols out there that billionaires could use to flaunt their wealth, owning a private jet may be one of the most lavish choices.

Billionaires, like Richard Branson and Elon Musk, are often known for their crazy purchases. When you can afford to spend $80 million a year on average, you have the luxury of being able to drop millions for investments in items that the average person could never dream of. 

A common purchase among billionaires are private planes. Having a private jet for quick and easy travel may be especially valuable for high-powered executives and investors who may need to be on the other coast that same day. 

Here are some of the notable tech billionaires who own private jets:

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

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world, owns a plane through his holding company, Poplar Glen.

Source: CNBC

Bezos' Gulfstream G650ER jet seats eight people, and cost an estimated $65 million.

Source: Business Insider

Investor Mark Cuban owns three jets. The billionaire said in a 2017 interview that owning a private plane was his "all-time goal," because "the asset I value the most is time, and that bought me time."

Source: Money

Cuban actually put himself in the Guinness Book of World Records when he bought his first plane, a Gulfstream V jet, in 1999. His $40 million purchase set the record for the largest single internet transaction.

Source: CNBC

In addition to his Gulfstream V, Cuban owns two Boeing Business Jets. He purchased a Boeing 757 to act as the private transportation for the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA team he's owned since 2000. He also owns a 767 that he rents out for chartered flights.

Source: Beam Aviation

Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates has said his private jet is his "guilty pleasure" and his "big splurge."

Source: Business Insider

Gates reportedly owns a Bombardier BD-700 Global Express, a plane that can sit up to 19 people and costs an estimated $40 million.

Source: Business Insider

Bill Gates isn't the only early Microsoft executive to purchase a private plane with his billions. Charles Simonyi, Hungarian software developer, oversaw the creation of Microsoft Office software until he left the company in 2002.

Source: Business Insider

In addition to owning a 233-foot yacht, Simonyi also owns a Dassault Falcon jet. Flying in Earth's atmosphere hasn't been enough for Simonyi though: He's been on two trips to the International Space Station, in 2007 and 2009.

Source: Wichita Eagle

Oracle founder Larry Ellison is known for his opulent nature and oft unusual behavior. Ellison is an avid sailor and a licensed pilot. His son, David, is a stunt pilot who has been flying with his dad since he was 13.

Source: Business Insider

Not only does Ellison own a Hawaiian island and and a yacht racing team, but he also owns two military fighter jets: a decommissioned Soviet MiG-29, and an SIAI-Marchetti S.211, previously used by the Italian air force. The US government has reportedly kept Ellison from flying the MiG-29 in the States, because it's "considered a firearm."

Source: Guardian

The late Steve Jobs once owned a Gulfstream V that seats up to 15 people. Apple gifted the private jet, and 10 million company shares, to Jobs in lieu of a pay raise in 2002.

Source: CNET

Jobs' plane didn't leave the Apple family, however. Apple's revered head of product design, Jony Ive, bought the plane "at a significant discount" from the former CEO's widow, Laurene Powell Jobs. Ive helped Jobs to design the plane, and once joked that, "at least I don't have to redesign anything."

Source: Business Insider

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has owned private planes since he launched his companies in the early 2000s. He once owned a 1994 model Dassault Falcon 900 with seating for 12, but records show it was up for sale in 2016. Musk now owns a Gulfstream G650ER.

Source: Jalopnik

Musk's private flight use became the center of controversy in January 2019. The CEO reportedly logged 150,000 miles in 2018 aboard his $70 million Gulfstream G650ER. Tesla paid $700,000 to cover Musk's extensive air travel.

Source: Business Insider

Musk used to pilot when he was in the process of launching Tesla and SpaceX, but decided to stop flying planes because of his responsibilities to his kids and his companies. In a 2008 interview, Musk said he used to fly a Cold War-era Aero L-39 Albatros military jet, a six-seater Piper Meridian M500, and a Cessna Citation CJ2.

Sources: Business Insider, Washington Post

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson is well-known for his lavish investments in expensive toys, including a 74-acre Caribbean resort called Necker Island, a million-dollar underwater submarine, and an amphibious vehicle.

Source: Business Insider

Branson owns a Dassault Falcon 50 EX, which he uses to fly to and from his private island in the British Virgin Islands. He previously had a Falcon 900 EX, but said he needed a smaller plane for life in Necker Island. For longer trips, Branson takes flights on Virgin Atlantic, his commercial airline company, so he can "spend time with the staff and passengers."

Source: Business Jet Traveler

Branson's interests in sky travel are not limited to planes, though. He became the first man to cross the ocean in a hot air balloon in 1987, he flew 50 yards in an air glider in 2003, and plans to put tourists in space via his commercial spaceflight company, Virgin Galactic.

Source: Business Insider

Google's massive growth has given its two founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, each a net worth of more than $50 billion. The two have invested heavily in a private fleet of planes through their shared holding company, Blue City Holdings.

Source: Beam Aviation

The Google founders purchased their first plane in 2005: a Boeing 767-200 commercial airliner, which they bought from Australian airline Qantas for $15 million. They spent another $10 million on redesigning the interior to make it into a private jet that can hold 50 people.

It was reported in 2012 that the two Google cofounders, along with former CEO Eric Schmidt, own eight planes. The fleet includes two Gulfstream Vs, a Boeing 757, and a Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet fighter plane.

Source: TechCrunch

The Google cofounders don't just own private planes — they have their own private terminal as well, which they bought in 2013. The terminal is located at the San Jose International Airport and cost $82 million to construct. It's operated by Signature Flight Support, and can be used by other businesses and executives in the Silicon Valley area.

Source: Business Insider, Beam Aviation

Google also operates a second airfield, through the company's real estate subsidiary Planetary Ventures LLC. They took the reins of Moffett Field in 2014 from NASA, who will lease it out to them for the next 60 years. Before that, Google's cofounders paid NASA an annual fee of more than $1 million to house their private jets in one of Moffett Field's hangars.

Source: Beam Aviation, TechCrunch

But Larry Page's interest in flying vehicles stretches beyond private jets. The Google cofounder has invested in two different startups — Kitty Hawk and Opener — that are both working on flying cars.

Source:Business Insider

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.

• On a recent trip to Costa Rica, I brought a waterproof bag to keep my things dry in case I came across a rainy microclimate while hiking.
• Not only did my Earth Pak dry bag do that, but it saved my things from getting soaked after I accidentally kicked it into a pool. You can bet I'm taking it with me on future trips.
• Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bags have a 5-star rating on Amazon, with bags in several colors, sizes, and styles to fit your personality and needs. Each order also comes with a waterproof phone case you can wear around your neck.

Packing for a week-long trip to Costa Rica means you have to prepare for the unexpected. You're presumably going to the country to hike through rainforests and cloud forests dotted with various microclimates, swim around magical waterfalls straight out of fairy tales, and experience that Costa Rican pura vida. Except you don't know if you'll hit a patch of rain on your hike or if there are any dry rocks to place your things by the falls.  

That's why my fiancé and I packed for every scenario and weather condition on our recent trip. In addition to our clothes (including hiking boots, water shoes, fleece jackets, and windbreakers), toiletries, camera gear, and a first aid kit, we also brought our Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bags. Basically, they're really durable waterproof bags with a roll-top closure and a cross-body strap or double book bag straps, depending on the size you get. We just needed a waterproof (not just water-resistant) bag that would keep our things dry in case it started raining while we were hiking — or in case I accidentally kick it into a pool.

During our trip, my fiancé and I hiked the Arenal volcano to visit the La Fortuna waterfall. We threw towels, camera gear, snacks, water, and an extra set of clothes into our bags and set off. Several people along the hiking trail commented on how useful the Earth Paks seemed and that they'd buy it for their next trip — except for one guy who questioned the usefulness of our bags while his regular book bag slowly leaked after his water bottle had busted open.

Just as we were about to swim around the base of the waterfall after leaving our things on nearby rocks, I accidentally kicked my bag — which included an expensive camera and dry clothes — right into the pool. Thankfully, when I grabbed my bag and checked inside, nothing was wet. In fact, my bag kind of bobbled around because the tight "seal" and waterproof material retained some air after packing my things. Whew.

The Earth Pak bags come in a variety of colors to fit any personality (ours are black because we're New Yorkers) and five sizes depending on your needs — 10L, 20L, 30L, and 40L. The smaller 10L and 20L sizes have a single crossbody strap and hold just the essentials like a cell phone, water bottle, keys, camera, and a towel or change of clothes. We didn't think these two sizes were useful so we went with the larger 30L and 40L sizes, both of which are equipped with book bag straps and can hold at least a weekend's worth of clothes and gear.

After you throw everything in, you compress the air out of the bag and roll the opening a few times to "seal" it, and then buckle it up. Now, there's no actual seal like a Ziploc bag, so if your dry bag is submerged in water for a while, your things might get wet. But because the opening is hidden within the rolls, nothing will really happen if you accidentally drop it into water — I can attest to that. In terms of aesthetics, let's just say they look like potato sacks with straps.

These bags aren't the prettiest but they're definitely durable, waterproof, and coming with us on our next trip to Hawaii — and that's kind of all we need. Pura vida, right?

Buy the 10L Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag for $18.99 from Amazon

Buy the 20L Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag for $22.99 from Amazon

Buy the 30L Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag for $29.99 from Amazon

Buy the 40L Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag for $33.99 from Amazon

SEE ALSO: Every traveler should get this $9 luggage scale before their next international flight

Join the conversation about this story »

• YouTube has produced a new generation of celebrities and influencers that have turned posting videos online into lucrative full-time careers.
• The most popular YouTubers include video game commentators, makeup artists, and comedians.
• These are the most-subscribed YouTube channels from independent personalities who got their start on the video-sharing platform.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

YouTube has become the de-facto launchpad for the next generation of celebrities, personalities, and big stars.

Well-known names like PewDiePie, Shane Dawson, and Smosh have racked up millions of subscribers over the years by uploading videos on YouTube and forming seemingly personal relationships with their fans. From comedians to gamers to vloggers of all kinds, YouTubers have harnessed the video-sharing platform to build their followings and brands from nothing more than a video camera and a solid internet connection. 

To get a closer look into which stars rule YouTube, we looked at the SocialBlade rankings to see which channels have the most subscribers. We focused on independent YouTube stars, disregarding YouTube channels from mainstream celebrities and music record labels.

These are the YouTube personalities with the most subscribers:

SEE ALSO: 14 power couples that rule tech

23. DanTDM — 21.6 million subscribers

Also known as: The Diamond Minecart, Daniel Middleton

Location: United Kingdom

Video type: DanTDM rose to popularity for his content focusing on the video game "Minecraft," but he's since expanded to daily game reviews and gameplay videos. In 2017, he created a short-lived web series for YouTube Red called "DanTDM Creates a Big Scene."

22. Shane Dawson — 21.8 million subscribers

AKA: Shane Yaw

Location: United States

Video type: Shane Dawson rose to popularity with his videos on conspiracy theories and docuseries about YouTubers like Jeffree Star and Jake Paul.

He recently got engaged to fellow YouTuber Ryland Adams, and was engrossed in a controversy about whether he participated in some disturbing behaviors with his cat, Cheeto.

21. Ninja — 22.1 million subscribers

AKA: Tyler Blevins

Location: United States

Video type: Ninja is a professional esports player, and the most-followed user on video game streaming platform Twitch. His YouTube channel features streams of him playing popular games like "Apex Legends" and "Fortnite Battle Royale," complete with his brand of high-energy and controversial commentary.

20. JackSepticEye — 22.2 million subscribers

AKA: Seán McLoughlin

Location: Ireland

Video type: JackSepticEye initially came to fame when PewDiePie mentioned him in a video in 2013. His channel is centered around the Let's Play-style of video gaming videos with accompanying swear-riddled commentary and charity livestreaming.

19. Yuya — 23.8 million subscribers

AKA: Mariand Castrejón Castañeda

Location: Mexico

Video type: Yuya is a beauty vlogger who has been posting hair, makeup, and style tutorials since she was 16. Between her YouTube and Instagram followings, Yuya is one of the highest-paid beauty influencers.

18. RezendeEvil — 23.9 million subscribers

AKA: Pedro Afonso Rezende

Location: Brazil

Video type: Rezende started out as a gaming channel where he posted videos of himself playing "Minecraft." Since then, he's moved that content over to another channel, and now focuses mainly on comedy videos and daily vlogs featuring his friends.

17. Markiplier — 23.9 million subscribers

AKA: Mark Fischbach

Location: United States

Video type: Markiplier is another YouTuber known for his video game commentary, but he's recently expanded into sketch comedy. He's known for his colorful commentary and oft-dyed hair — and he sometimes sports a pink mustache.

16. Luisito Comunica — 24.3 million subscribers

AKA: Luis Arturo Villar Sudek

Location: Mexico

Video type: Luisito Comunica makes travel vlogs documenting his experiences in cities around the world. In his videos, he focuses on showcasing the cultures and histories of the places he visits.

15. Smosh — 24.5 million subscribers

AKA: Ian Hecox and the Smosh cast

Location: United States

Video type: Smosh was started by comedy duo Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla, and the channel was one of the first YouTube sensations. The channel is known for its various written sketches and comedy series spinoffs. It's since expanded into other channels dedicated to video games and Spanish language content.

Smosh has been active since 2002, and has grown tremendously since then. One of the founders, Anthony Padilla, left the channel in June 2017. Smosh has expanded beyond Hecox to include other personalities that host the channel's series and appear on Smosh's spinoff channels. The Smosh brand was acquired in early 2019 by Mythical Entertainment, a company owned by YouTubers Rhett & Link.

14. VanossGaming — 24.6 million subscribers

AKA: Evan Fong

Location: Canada

Video type: VanossGaming is a gaming commentator, but what sets him apart are his compilations of funny moments while he's playing that are stitched together. 

13. Luccas Neto — 24.9 million subscribers

AKA: Lunes

Location: Brazil

Video type: Luccas Neto produces sketches featuring characters and stories aimed at children. He's the younger brother of comedic YouTuber Felipe Neto.

12. Voce Sabia? — 25.6 million subscribers

AKA: Lukas Marques and Daniel Molo

Location: Brazil

Video type: The channel "Você Sabia?", which translates to "Did You Know?", present videos with interesting facts and trivia from around the world. 

11. Like Nastya Vlog — 27.5 million subscribers

Location: Russia

Video type: The "Like Nastya Vlog" channel posts regular vlogs of Nastya playing with toys and going on adventures with her family.

10. Vegetta777 — 26.8 million subscribers

AKA: Samuel de Luque

Location: Spain

Video type: His channel, Vegetta777, is known for his gameplay videos for "Minecraft," "Saint's Row," and "Battlefield." His voiceover style differs from many other YouTube — he creates elaborate narratives and histories for the characters in his video games.

9. Kids Diana Show — 29.3 million subscribers

Location: United States

Video type: The "Kids Diana Show" follows the antics of Diana and her brother, Roma. The channel features the Russian-speaking kids unboxing toys and going on fantastical adventures.

8. Felipe Neto — 33.0 million subscribers

Location: Brazil

Video type:Felipe Neto makes comedic videos and vlogs about his daily life, current news, and celebrities. In 2012, his YouTube channel became the first Brazilian channel to hit 1 million subscribers. He released a Netflix original comedy special, "My Life Makes No Sense," in 2017. 

He's the older brother of another prominant YouTube, Luccas Neto.

7. Fernanfloo — 33.1 million subscribers

AKA: Luis Fernando Flores

Location: El Salvador

Video type: Fernanfloo is known for his gameplay videos and wacky antics. His dogs sometimes make appearances in his videos.

6. El Rubius — 34.9 million subscribers

AKA: Rubén Doblas Gundersen

Location: Spain

Video type: El Rubius is a gamer who does walk-throughs, reviews, and more, peppered with funny commentary. He started making videos on his channel, ElRubiusOMG, at age 16, and made it a full-time career at 21.

5. JuegaGerman — 35.2 million subscribers

AKA: Germán Garmendia

Location: Chile

Video type: Garmendia is Latin America's biggest YouTube star. His channel, JuegaGerman, first focused solely on video games, but has expanded into other comedic content.

He has another channel with a bigger subscriber base — HolaSoyGerman., with 39.4 million subscribers — but he hasn't posted to it in two years.

4. Whinderssonnunes — 35.9 million subscribers

AKA: Whindersson Nunes

Location: Brazil

Video type: Whinderssonnunes has been making vlogs and comedic videos since he was 15. He uploads parodies, songs, movie reviews, and videos about his daily life. 

3. Badabun — 40.3 million subscribers

Location: Mexico

Video type: Badabun has grown in popularity with its series "Exponiendo Infieles," where the host interviews couples to see if either person is cheating on the other. The network's team of Spanish-speaking influencers is also notable for its comedic on-the-street interviews, and a Big Brother-type reality series documenting influencers living in a mansion together.

2. Dude Perfect — 42.9 million subscribers

AKA: Cory and Coby Cotton, plus three college friends (Tyler Toney, Garrett Hilbert, and Cody Jones)

Location: United States

Video type: The Dude Perfect guys are known for their compilations of trick shots and their Rolodex of famous athletes that appear alongside them in their videos. The channel has expanded into comedy, and the crew is often joined in their videos by a giant Panda mascot.

1. PewDiePie — 96.6 million subscribers

AKA: Felix Kjellberg 

Location: United Kingdom

Video type: PewDiePie is known for his popular videos where he gives commentary while playing video games. His content has expanded into coverage and commentary of interne memes and viral videos.

The Swedish gamer has been locked in a months-long battle for the title of most-subscribed-to YouTube channel with Bollywood music company T-Series. His devoted fanbase took action to ensure his No. 1 spot with an extensive "Subscribe to PewDiePie" campaign that's included hacking printers and buying billboard space. However, T-Series beat PewDiePie to the 100-million subscriber mark at the end of May.

Kjellberg has also attracted negative attention for a long history of offensive racist and anti-Semitic remarks, which YouTube has punished him for.

John Lynch, Nina Godlewski, Harrison Jacobs, Maya Kosoff, and Nathan McAlone contributed to earlier versions of this post.

• No one has discovered the secret to living forever (despite some rather serious attempts).
• But some of the best ways to up one's odds of staying alive and healthy for longer include eating fresh greens, getting enough sleep, and sharing time with friends and partners who you enjoy. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

There's no cure for death, and no way we know of (yet) to extend human life.

But scientists have discovered many clear, science-backed ways to increase your changes of living to a ripe old age, while staying happy and healthy.

Here are eight of the most surefire ways to live longer and better, according to science.

SEE ALSO: How to look and feel healthier in one month, according to science

Get moving.

Regular exercise helps keep your heart healthy. 

People who run, walk, and jump around regularly have lower blood pressure, even if they only start to work out in middle age. 

One 2018 study of 58 men and women between the ages of 48 and 58 in Texas found that two years of regular workouts five days per week made people more fit, improved heart stiffness, led their bodies to pump blood more efficiently, and reduced their risk of heart failure. 

"The 'sweet spot' in life to get off the couch and start exercising is in late-middle age, when the heart still has plasticity," lead study author Benjamin Levine, a cardiologist from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, said in a release when that study came out.

Staying fit can also help keep your brain strong.

In addition to keeping hearts in shape, many studies also suggest that regular movement is a great way to keep our brains sharp and help ward off cognitive decline.

Scientists think the fact that exercisers get more blood pumping to their brains when they work out might have something to do with this benefit.

In addition to cardio, incorporate some lifting into your routine.

Muscle training isn't just about looking good in a tank top.

Studies suggest it can help keep you alive.

A comprehensive review of 23 scientific studies conducted in 2015 suggests that people who develop strong muscles are less likely to die for all kinds of reasons. The finding held true for everyone from cancer patients to people with heart disease, regardless of other factors like how fat or fit they were, how much alcohol they drank, whether they smoked, or how old they were. 

"You're never too old to do something," Bryant Johnson, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's trainer, told the Associated Press.

Eat more fresh foods, like vegetables and fruits, which contain health-promoting phytochemicals.

A plate full of colorful plants doesn't just look pretty — those bright colors come from nutrient-rich phytochemicals, which reduce inflammation in the body and help keep people cancer-free.

Vegetables and other plants like whole grains and nuts also help keep people full and satisfied after eating by providing plenty of fiber (which is missing in meat).

Eating more plants may also lead people to cut back on junk food, which we know is linked to more death and cancer cases, and rely less on animal proteins, which are linked to more heart attack deaths. 

Specifically, follow the Mediterranean diet, which includes plenty of fresh greens, fish, and fruit.

Study after study suggests that a Mediterranean diet, which is traditionally rich in fish, olive oil, fruits, nuts, and vegetables, is ideal for overall health.

Evidence even suggests that a specific kind of Mediterranean-style diet, called the MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay), may be one of the best for avoiding cognitive decline. The MIND diet encourages people to eat plenty of leafy greens, and fresh fruit like berries, which studies suggest are some of the best for brain health, while limiting some other Mediterranean staples, like eggs and cheese.

One 2015 study of over 900 people suggested that people who follow the MIND diet closely can lower their rate of cognitive decline by a measurable amount — the equivalent of gaining 7.5 years of young, sharp life. Another long-term study of the MIND diet involving 600 adults over age 65 is ongoing in the US, with some of the first results expected by 2021. 

Enjoy working on tough problems.

One might think that a 96-year-old scientist with a Nobel Prize would be taking it easy now. But not Arthur Ashkin. The physicist — who helped develop optical tweezers, which can pick up tiny objects using only light— still tinkers in his basement lab every day.

People who study age-related decline aren't surprised by that.

"While nobody knows exactly why some people are superagers, we believe that one common factor is that they engage in demanding mental exercise," Lisa Feldman Barrett, a psychology professor who studies superaging, recently wrote in The Guardian.

Finding meaningful work can also help connect us to others — another key to aging well.  

"Working for a social cause or purpose with others who share your values and are trusted partners puts you in contact with others and helps develop a greater sense of community,"  Steve Cole, director of the Social Genomics Core Laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles, recently told the National Institutes of Health.

Enjoy yourself.

A British study followed more than 9,300 people over the age of 50 over several years, and found that people who generally agreed with statements like "I enjoy the things that I do," "I feel full of energy these days," and "I look back on my life with a sense of happiness," were less likely to die than people who found those statements untrue and said they weren't as happy with their lives.

People who reported some of the lowest levels of enjoyment in life were also the most likely to die.

Pick out friends and companions who you like spending time with, and make them a priority.

One of the best things you can do for your long-term health is to spend time with people who you care about.

An 80-year study of more than 250 men, which started when they were sophomores at Harvard during the Great Depression, suggested that close, nurturing relationships were more important for their long-lasting happiness than wealth, intelligence, or genetics.

"Good relationships don't just protect our bodies; they protect our brains," study director Robert Waldinger said in a TED talk.

Another study of more than 300,000 people around the globe found that people with "adequate social relationships" are 50% less likely to die. Being with a partner can help, too. Researchers have long noticed that married people are better nourished and survive more heart attacks. Married men specifically tend to have better brain health in old age.

It makes sense then that people who feel more isolated and lonely fare worse when it comes to a host of health outcomes: They develop higher rates of heart problems, obesity, and cognitive decline. In fact, one study of more than 1,600 people in the US over age 60 found that loneliness was predictive of both functional decline and death. (But it's important to remember that loneliness isn't the same thing as being alone, so it's best to focus on the quality of your relationships, instead of how much time you spend around other people.) 

Finally, get serious about your sleep schedule.

Sleep makes our waking life possible: When our bodies rest, our brains get to work, flushing out toxins and helping maintain the neural pathways that allow us to learn and form memories. 

A lack of good sleep (less than 8 hours a night or so) is linked to higher rates of disease, overweight bodies, stroke, and Alzheimer's.

When we don't get enough snooze time, we deplete our body's stores of white blood cells —  natural killer cells that are critical in our immune response.

It's common for older people to sleep less and wake up more frequently. Researchers are still working to identify the mechanisms that regulate sleep in old age, but there are some initial clues that the loss of some of the same receptors in the brain that regulate sleep may also be linked to shorter lifespans.

• I recently tested a Range Rover HSE P400e — an expensive, luxury SUV with a nifty hybrid drivetrain.
• Range Rover is known for solid off-road performance, chic style, and for six-and-eight-cylinder engines and diesels — not drivetrains that get a boost from electric motors.
• But I found the small-displacement four-cylinder engine in this SUV, matched up with a hybrid system, to be an excellent piece of engineering.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Everybody wants SUVs, and some people want fancy, high-end utes. Their needs are being abundantly addressed right now by all the major automakers.

Customers who've always valued premium vehicles that can nonetheless hold up under extreme conditions and handle anything nature throws at them have for decades grooved on Range Rovers (and before them, Land Rovers). These trucks have snoot appeal, but don't be distracted by their upper-crust boosters. We're talking landed gentry here, and the land often didn't have roads.

Range Rover's problem is that it makes vehicles with big gas motors, and the ones that don't fall into that category run in diesel. These are great drivetrains, but they're out of step with a future in which sub-20-mpg vehicles could be effectively outlawed. So Range Rover and its engineers need to begin exploring ways to preserve the brand's DNA while still preparing for day when 5.0-liter supercharged V8s simply won't cut it.

The Range Rover HSE P400e I recently drove is an early effort. It poses a tough question: Can a small-ish hybrid engine get the job done for a Range?

Read on to find out if it can.

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The 2019 Range Rover HSE P400e plug-in hybrid arrived at our suburban New Jersey test center wearing a handsome "Byron Blue Metallic" paint job.

The Range Rover has been in the lineup since the 1970s; the fourth-generation has been around since 2013 and now has a hybrid option. Our tester had enough extras to take the sticker up to $109,000 from an already rich $96,000.

Range Rovers are supposed to revel in their boxy glory, but this example of the core vehicle was made a bit flashier through the addition of some additional flash.

In profile, of course, nobody is going to mistake this vehicle for anything other than a Range Rover. The gorgeous 21-inch wheels are nearly $3,000 extra. You can also clearly see the side vent that's part of a $1,000 "Shadow Exterior Pack."

An air suspension can raise and lower the vehicle, for off-road duty or to ease getting in and out of the cabin.

To a certain extent, Range Rover aesthetics are so constricted by the legacy of the brand that there's only so much design can do to distract from proportion. The rear end isn't a strong point.

It does, however, proclaim utility.

And in addition to unattractive tail lights, the rear harbors a cool feature ...

... A split liftgate!

What you have here is a rolling bench! perfect for yanking on some Wellies before a romp with the hounds.

And yes, our test vehicle came with one of Land Rover's new pet packages, including a collapsible transporter and a water bowl.

I have a dog, but he detests carriers of any sort, so I couldn't really sample this feature. However, it was well-designed and it looked as though it would please a lot of canines.

Under the hood, the Range Rover HSE P400e has a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes 296 horsepower, plus a 114-horsepower electric motor that runs off a 13-kilowatt-hour battery. The total power output is 398 horsepower, with a stout 472 pound-feet of torque.

With six-cylinder and V8 Ranges, you're not going to see better than 20 mpg combined. That goes up with the six-cylinder turbodiesel.&

We didn't scientifically evaluate the hybrid's fuel-economy, but it bumps the MPGs up a bit, at least from our observations (the government hasn't yet officially rated the vehicle). We're definitely aren't taking Prius data here. But the hybrid system definitely adds some pop to the relatively modest four-banger, and the solid torque means the hefty, 5,000-pound-plus SUV and still tow more-or-less its own weight.

Jaguar Land Rover says the recharge time from basic 110-volt outlet is 14 hours. With level-two charging at 220 volts, you're looking at something like four hours.

The charge port is located under a hatch in the front grille.

The ebony/ivory interior was elegant and plush without being fussy.

Land Rover and Range Rover are in a tricky position in that they need to combine luxury and durability, for the town-and-country set. These days, there also needs to be a lot of technology. I found the Sport hybrid insides to be generally up the task of carrying the Range Rover name.

The leather-wrapped and bushed-metal-trimmed steering wheel has the usual button-fest to control systems, and the all-digital instrument cluster goes for old-school gauges with new-school information display.

There's also a head-up display that projects essential information directly in front of the driver.

The eight-speed transmission is quite smooth. The gearshift selector is this large knob that rises from the console when the vehicle is fired up and retracts when it's switched off. There are also paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, for manual mode.

The Range's driving modes are managed using this simple interface between the seats. In all-electric mode, it's supposed to be able to operate for 31 miles before returning to internal combustion.

The infotainment and climate-controls are screen-based. The AC/heat and heated and cooled seats are no problem, but the 10-inch TouchPro infotainment screen, while beautifully designed, remains a work-in-progress as far as usability goes.

The dual screen can be configured to display different functions. Everything works, from GPS navigation to Bluetooth and device connectivity, but the tiled interface has a learning curve. The Meridian audio system sounded superb

If it's all too annoying to deal with, Apple CarPlay is there as either a fallback — or first choice.

The rear seats are comfortable, and legroom is pretty good.

The dual-pane moonroof admits a lot of light ...

... And rear-seat passengers have their own climate controls.

So what's the verdict on this high-tech, luxury off-roader?

The real test of the Range Rover, to be honest and evocative of my favorite Roxy Music album, is to explore country life. The carmaker's Terrain Response system enables the four-wheel-drive setup to be configured for a variety of conditions, a legacy of the brand's reputation for formidable offroad capability.

You buy a Range if you seriously intend to bust around the back 40, surmounting hill and dale in wind and rain, perhaps passing weekends with a bit of shooting. You might contend with mud, snow, or ice, and fording a stream could be on the agenda.

But you also buy a Range if you want to tool around the 'burbs in Sloane Ranger style. You could choose a Jeep, but the Range is more elite. It sends the right signals at the school-dropoff line and looks right in certain parking lots.

In that context, does it matter if you're getting 30 mpg or just 20? It doesn't, but for Jaguar Land Rover, a portfolio made up of V6 and V8 SUVs, with some robust diesels thrown in, might not, you know, survive the brave new world of higher emission and fuel-economy standards. Hybridization is a good way for the brand to come into compliance.

That might sound sort of mean-spirited of me, so let me now discuss my favorite aspect of the Range Rover HSE P400e I tested — the drivetrain!

It's a dang four-banger! In a really big truck! And it makes almost 500 pound-feet of torque! I felt like I had a V6 under the hood, at the very least. This feat of engineering has won my undying respect. I'm not sure I'd buy it, but as technological triumphs go, JLR should pat itself on the back and give the folks responsible for this powerplant a bonus.

Otherwise, I tend to be quite taken by Range Rovers, and the HSE P400e was no exception. I've never much liked the infotainment system, but it's more an issue of function than design. But the rest of the machine is superb. Range Rovers are also keeping up with the times; my tester came with a host of driver-assist features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Yeah, this Range ain't cheap. But it is worth it. And for some owners, the added MPGs and in-town optimization could certainly be very appealing.

• When you consider that over 87 percent of recruiters use LinkedIn as a way to find new talent, it makes sense that optimizing your profile should be the first thing you do when planning a change.
• Experts recommend practices like using a professional profile photo that shows recruiters your best self and focusing on job-specific keywords throughout your profile.
• To make a great first impression, include key achievements in your opening paragraph.
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

Over 87 percent of recruiters use LinkedIn as a way to find new talent. When looking to vet potential candidates, they want to see a LinkedIn profile that stands out amongst the other 600 plus million people who regularly sign on to their account.

So if you're looking to make a job or career change, optimizing your profile is a key first step. To that end, we talked to four experts about how you can optimize your LinkedIn page to get potential recruiters to notice you.

Use a professional profile picture

According to LinkedIn statistics, having a profile photo results in 21 times more profile views than not having one. "People are hiring people, and you need to be able to forge a personal connection online with the recruiter or hiring manager," said Kyle Turk, hiring manager and VP of marketing at Keynote Search, an executive search and recruitment company. Portraits allow recruiters and company executives to relate to you and put a face to your brand as an employee.

Plus, Turk pointed out that profile pictures can be used to add personality and color to make your profile stand out and visually appealing. But before you click and upload your favorite shot, make sure you choose a professional photo that ensures that you look like an approachable leader.

"If you are a senior executive, you shouldn't have an image where you are not smiling, arms crossed or look overly serious," said Turk. "Culture plays an enormous factor when companies are considering new executives, so presenting an approachable and positive personality will go a long way," he explained.

Spend time on your 'about' section and profile headline

When adding to your LinkedIn page, it can be easy to skip over the top of your profile, which includes the headline — the space right under your picture — and the 'about' section. But because these spaces are the first introduction that people might have of you when they discover you on LinkedIn, it's crucial to maximize them. Not only that, these two areas play a significant role in the keyword search results that a recruiter might see when they're searching for candidates, according to Brie Reynolds, a senior career coach at FlexJobs.

For the headline in particular, Reynolds said they see a lot of clients in their career coaching program who put their current job title and company name, but you can be more creative than that. "Put in several titles that best encapsulate what you do and what you'd like to do, or a job title and the industry you'd like to work in," she explained. "It's a quick way to show anyone who interacts with you on LinkedIn what you have to offer."

If you're an executive-level job seeker, Reynolds said that a headline that describes your strongest attributes as a high-level professional can work nicely — for example, "Transformational Operations and Logistics Leader" or "Change Manager and Senior Portfolio Director for National Nonprofits." This allows you to make a clear value proposition to a potential hiring manager.

The 'about' section could include the size of the organizations, the teams you have led, the industries you want to work in, or the leadership philosophy you espouse, like inspirational/blue sky or player/coach.

Read more:The Silicon Valley headhunter whose company has placed execs at Lyft and Spotify reveals the precise formula he uses when placing tech professionals

Optimize your keywords

When headhunters get a new mandate to find candidates for a role, Turk said they typically have a desired persona and skill set they are actively searching for. "Most searches begin with keywords on LinkedIn to find candidates that match that profile," he explained. So, to increase your chances of being found, make sure you're adding keywords that are relevant to your skills on your profile.  

Whether it's in your summary or experience section, Turk said you should always optimize your profile to include these keywords. For example, if you are a senior marketing executive (CMO or VP), Turk said you would want to include these keywords in your profile: marketing strategy, marketing leadership, marketing operations, budget management, brand development, marketing analytics, marketing technology, data-driven decision maker.

"The idea is very similar to when people search on Google, they use keywords to find the most relevant page that matches what they're looking for," he added.

Build on your experience

One of the most common things Turk said he's noticed on LinkedIn platforms is that a lot of people don't build out their experience with details. "Do not simply list your company with no other information — it provides very little detail to the recruiter to know if you are a fit for the role," he explained.

To remedy this, Turk suggested adding a sentence about what the company you work or worked for does to bring some context to your industry experience. Then, add another sentence or two about your role and responsibilities, but remember, when you are completing this section that it is not a resume, it is more of a teaser to qualify you for further consideration. "Provide additional information as to the scope of your role and achievements that will qualify you for the roles you are seeking," he explained.

Finally, your experience section is also an excellent place to input keywords to be found by executive recruiters or add media, such as videos of you talking or presenting to showcase your work and make your profile more appealing (videos, blogs, awards, etc.). 

Ask for recommendations

Recommendations, or real-time testimonials, provide references for your work, skill set, and your personal qualities. "Things like hard-working, positive attitude, genuine, leadership style and more may not shine through the other sections of your profile," said Turk. To provide more context to who you are and how you work, he said to have others do the talking for you by asking for recommendations from your managers, co-workers, or other professionals in your area of expertise.

Read more: One email I wrote brought in 100% of my clients after I started my business — here's the template

Stand out in your opening paragraph

In addition to placing select keywords throughout your LinkedIn page, another way to stand out, said Bill Humphreys, senior marketing manager and a specialist in niche tech recruitment for MRL Consulting Group, is to include key achievements in your opening paragraph. "For example, if you work in sales, this could be described as overachieving targets or projects you have completed," he explained. It's the first thing recruiters or hiring managers see when they land on your profile, so make it count!

Be specific with your word choice

Your LinkedIn account is not the time or place to draft a novel full of vague sentences that leave a recruiter scratching their head. In other words: be specific. "It's tempting to put overly vague statements on LinkedIn (e.g., I am a healthcare disruptor) while employers are looking for specific, tangible skills (e.g., I analyze healthcare pricing data to achieve better profit margins at hospitals)," explained Catherine Shea, assistant professor of organizational behavior and theory at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business.

Sometimes by casting too wide a net, Shea said you are overlooked for someone who is more specific in their statements. Make the recruiters job easier by being more specific when describing your professional experience.

Reverse-engineer LinkedIn

Spending time on your own profile will help you get noticed by recruiters, but if you want to be even more proactive, consider searching other users' accounts. Shea said executive job seekers can do this by reverse-engineering LinkedIn.

"Find the person who has (or is hiring) for your dream job and work backward from their network to your network," she explained. This might be six degrees of separation, but Shea said it would help you figure out how you are connected. "Cold emails are rarely successful, but if you're able to get an introduction via a friend of a friend of a friend, chances of success are higher that you will get a response and traction in your request," she added.

SEE ALSO: This cold email from a Twitter employee to the head of HR got the sender her dream job. Here's exactly why the message stood out among a sea of requests.

Join the conversation about this story »

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• The use of non-traditional materials to make clothing, food, and home goods is on the rise. 
• In an effort to help reduce the amount of waste on this planet, many companies are repurposing plastic water bottles that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. 
• Others create products, such as chickpea pasta or copper mattresses, that boast the benefits of unexpectedly versatile ingredients and materials. 

Used plastic bottles are thrown out, chickpeas are blended into hummus, and wool is woven into coats — these are the accepted beliefs about some of the common materials and ingredients we encounter in our day-to-day lives.

A growing number of companies, however, are choosing not to settle for the way things are and instead have chosen to push for the way things should be.

Whether they're looking to balance out the harms of human activity on this planet or help people lead healthier lives through diet and sleep, these companies have discovered innovative ways to turn unexpected materials into clothing, accessories, and food, all without sacrificing functionality or quality. 

You would never guess what the products from these 10 companies are made from. 

Rothy's

Shop flats and loafers at Rothy's here

Read our review of Rothy's flats here

Rothy's has repurposed nearly 13 million plastic water bottles (as of this writing) to make the light, comfortable, and stylish flats you see gracing the streets of San Francisco and Manhattan. The knit uppers are made from 100% post-consumer plastic, while the foam components in the insoles are made from other recycled shoes. Thanks to a production method involving a combination of 3D knitting machines and hand assembly, the shoes are soft, but still form-fitting, durable, and even machine-washable. 

Ministry of Supply

Shop workwear at Ministry of Supply here

Read our reviews of the Ministry of Supply Momentum Chinos,men's Kinetic Collection, and the Kinetic dress here

Considering that a runner was able to set a Guinness World Record for "Fastest Half Marathon in a Suit" while wearing Ministry of Supply, you probably have more than enough proof to know that it will hold up as you travel to and from downtown and uptown client meetings or when you step out into a humid summer day.

Ministry of Supply employs a variety of innovative techniques to make you not dread putting on workwear: the Responsive Tee has coffee-infused recycled polyester to absorb and neutralize odor, the Apollo dress shirts use a NASA-developed "Phase Change" material that's 19 times more breathable than cotton, and the Kinetic collection's Japanese Primeflex polyester is water-repellant and somehow never wrinkles. 

Sunski

Shop sunglasses at Sunski here

Read our review of Sunski sunglasses here

For years, Sunski demonstrated its environmental ethos by participating in 1% for the Planet, which meant it donated 1% of sales to environmental non-profits. In 2017, the company took its commitment a step further by making sunglasses from plastic scraps that would otherwise end up in a landfill in Illinois. Nearly all of these polarized, scratch-resistant glasses cost under $70 and look like any other pair you'd want to bring with you to the beach, mountains, or road trip — the only difference is that you're not leaving the planet worse off when you buy them. 

ADAY

Shop the Experiments in Conscious Design collection at ADAY here

In case you couldn't already tell from its minimalist offerings, ADAY has always valued conscious design. Not one to be complacent, it spent nine months figuring out how to continue to optimize environmental impact at the design, sourcing, and production levels. The designers came up with three solutions and its second "experiment" resulted in the Waste Nothing Jacket, which is made from 41 plastic water bottles. The fabric is weighty yet cool and breathable, and the jacket can be worn two different ways. 

Banza

Shop Banza pasta here: Jet, Walmart, Target, Thrive Market, and Amazon

Read our review of Banza pasta here

If you can't imagine a life without pasta but also have trouble reconciling this love with traditional dried pasta's nutrition-deficient qualities, then you should try Banza. It's made from chickpeas so you're eating double the protein, four times the fiber, and nearly half the net carbs of wheat noodles. Now, hummus isn't the only way you can enjoy chickpeas. They're low on the glycemic index, and the ones Banza uses are certified non-GMO. In the end, the swap doesn't feel like a dramatic sacrifice because it still cooks, feels, and tastes similar to regular pasta. 

Adidas x Parley

Shop Parley shoes and apparel at Adidas here

Read our reviews of the Ultraboost Parley shoes and the outdoor collection here

Parley for the Oceans is an organization that raises awareness about the threats towards our planet's oceans. Adidas is a shoe and athletic apparel company. These seemingly disparate entities came together to take plastic waste from beaches before it reaches the ocean and turn it into a running shoe that's just as high-performing and comfortable as you would expect from Adidas. The Parley line is just the beginning: Adidas' goal is to make all of its shoes from recycled plastic by 2020. 

Allbirds

Shop sneakers and loungers at Allbirds here

Read our reviews of Allbirds wool runners,wool loungers, and the tree collection here

Other than recycled plastic, it turns out shoes can also be made from merino wool and eucalyptus tree fibers. With its soft, breathable sneakers and loungers, Allbirds flips the commonly held belief that wool is uncomfortable and irritating on its head. Meanwhile, its cool tree fibers are sourced from sustainable farms that minimize fertilizer use and reliance on irrigation. Recycled plastic isn't completely out of the picture either because each pair of Allbirds laces is made from one plastic water bottle. 

Girlfriend Collective

Shop activewear at Girlfriend Collective here

Read our reviews of Girlfriend Collective leggings and the Cupro shirt here

One Insider Picks reporter's favorite pair of leggings comes not from a well-known athleisure giant, but a start-up called Girlfriend Collective. It takes 25 recycled water bottles to make these flattering, compressive, and no-pill leggings. Another innovative, eco-friendly option is the moisture-wicking LITE legging, made from recycled fishing nets — the biggest pollutant in our oceans today. The brand's Cupro collection of silky shirts takes advantage of cotton linter, a soft fiber that sticks to cotton seeds and usually gets thrown out. 

PangeaBed

Shop mattresses and sleep accessories at PangeaBed here

Read our reviews of the PangeaBed mattress and the Copper Pillow here

There's no one all-encompassing secret to getting good sleep, but breathable, temperature-controlled, and supportive mattresses and pillows are surely parts of the equation. At the same time, you can't spend a large chunk of your life occupying the same bed without it accumulating bacteria, fungus, and dead skin, so PangeaBed infuses its latex sleep products with copper to give you a more sanitary experience. Copper has anti-microbial properties and PangeaBed is one of only a few mattress companies that puts these properties to good use. 

Patagonia

Shop Arbor Packs at Patagonia here

Read our review of the Patagonia Arbor Classic Pack here

Our review of Patagonia's recycled plastic backpack addresses the question all shoppers have on their minds — does using recycled materials compromise quality? The Arbor Pack collection of light, rugged, and comfortable backpacks dismisses these doubts immediately. As an outdoors brand, Patagonia has always advocated caring for the environment and it's putting its money where its mouth by turning used soda bottles, unusable manufacturing waste, and worn-out garments into polyester fibers. 

• US News compiles a list of the top 20 hospitals in the country.
• The hospitals are ranked based on their performance in certain specialties and procedures. 
• Top hospitals include the Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Duke University Hospital. You can see the full list below.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The US is home to more than 6,200 hospitals, which can make it difficult to figure out which ones deliver the best medical care and treatment.

Every year, US News compiles a list of the top hospitals in the country, making it easier for readers to find what best suits their needs.

US News provides lists of the best hospitals for specific conditions, as well as an 'Honor Roll' that highlights great hospitals across specialties and procedures. Hospitals earn points if they are nationally ranked in 16 specialties, like cancer care, and "high performing" in the nine procedures and conditions, like heart bypass and lung cancer surgery. The more points earned, the higher the ranking on the honor roll list.

To make the list, the hospitals have performed at a high standard, improving the lives of many. Read on to see the top 20 hospitals in the US, according to US News.

20. Brigham and Women's Hospital

Ranked as the second best hospital in Massachusetts, Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston is a teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School.

The hospital's Cancer Center houses 12 specialized disease treatment centers and touts a system where patients can see an oncologist the day after receiving their cancer diagnosis. In 2011, Brigham and Women's Hospital performed the first two full face transplants in the country.

19. Duke University Hospital

Known originally as Duke Clinic when it opened in 1930, Duke University Hospital sought to establish an academic medical center in a region that had previously lacked one.

Today, Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, is the flagship of the Duke University Health System. The system sees more than 2 million patients outside the hospital per year and has more than 68,000 inpatient stays, according to US News. It is ranked as the top hospital in North Carolina.

18. Mount Sinai Hospital

Mount Sinai Hospital is located in New York City and affiliated with the Icahn School of Medicine. It's part of a health system that has seven hospitals in the New York City area.

According to US News, it's known for its Geriatric Services department, which contains the Division of Experimental Diabetes and Aging, as well as for its digestive diseases treatments. The cardiology department is also highly ranked by US News.

17. Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Ranked number one in Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville is affiliated with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

It's known for a wide variety of specialty treatments, and is nationally ranked in 10 specialties for adults and 10 for children, according to US News. In 2008, the Vanderbilt Eye Institute was created to focus on treating a range of eye conditions.

15. UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside (tie)

Ranked as the second best hospital in Pennsylvania UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside is located in Pittsburgh and is the flagship of the UPMC system. It's affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

UPMC is a Level 1 trauma center and has done more than 19,500 organ transplants surgeries. It's nationally ranked in 12 adult specialties, according to US News.

15. NYU Langone Hospitals (tie)

NYU Langone is located in Manhattan. Its Tisch Hospital was founded in 1882 and merged with the New York University Medical Center in 1948.

The hospitals are nationally ranked in 12 adult specialties, according to US News.

Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Albert Sabin, who created the polio vaccine, both graduated from the New York University School of Medicine, which is affiliated with NYU Langone Hospitals.

14. Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian

Ranked as the best hospital in Pennsylvania, and first in Philadelphia, Penn Medicine was established as the first teaching hospital in 1874. Penn Presbyterian Medical Center was founded in 1871 and merged with the University of Pennsylvania Health System in 1995. 

According to US News, it ranked nationally in 12 adult specialties and has a highly ranked division focused on kidney treatment and research.

13. Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ranked as the best hospital in Illinois, Northwestern Memorial  is located in Chicago and is the teaching hospital for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

According to US News, the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is highly regarded and consists of six centers focused on a different specialties in cardiovacular health. In 1997, doctors there performed the first minimally invasive heart procedure as an alternative to surgery or angioplasty. The hospital is nationally ranked in 11 adult specialties, according to US News.

11. Mayo Clinic-Phoenix (tie)

Ranked as the best hospital in Arizona, the Mayo Clinic located in Phoenix is an outpost of the original Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. According to US News, it is nationally ranked in 11 adult specialties and "high performing" in nine adult procedures and conditions. 

US News notes that the hospital ranks highly on patient experience surveys. Mayo-Clinic Phoenix specializes in a number of areas like cancer care, neurology, kidney disease, and respiratory medicine, according to US News.

11. Barnes-Jewish Hospital (tie)

Ranked as the best hospital in Missouri, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, is a teaching hospital associated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. 

Barnes-Jewish hospital performed the first kidney transplant in 1963, and the hospital now performs around 200 kidney transplants per year, according to US News. It's nationally ranked in 12 adult specialties by US News.

10. New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell

Ranked as the number one hospital in New York, and best in New York City, New York-Presbyterian is ranked nationally in 14 adult specialties and 10 pediatric specialties, according to US News.

Before the New York Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital merged, Dr. George Papanicolaou at New York Hospital invented the Pap smear test to screen women for cervical cancer. The hospital is affiliated with both Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

9. Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital

The fourth-best hospital in California, Stanford Hospital is a teaching hospital for Stanford University School of Medicine. According to US News, it is ranked nationally in 12 adult specialties.

Stanford Hospital is home to many firsts, like the first adult heart transplant in the US and the first successful heart-lung transplant, according to US News.

8. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Ranked as the third best hospital in California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's health system has more than 40 locations. According to US News, it is ranked nationally in 12 adult specialties. 

Doctors at the hospital's Smidt Heart Institute perform two kinds of complicated heart-valve procedures more frequently than any other hospital site in the US, according to US News. Cedars-Sinai also has the first comprehensive women's heart center, US News said.

7. UCLA Medical Center

Ranked as the second-best hospital in California, UCLA Medical Center is a teaching hospital located on the University of California, Los Angeles campus.

According to US News it is nationally ranked in 14 adult specialties and rated "high performing" in seven adult procedures and conditions. The medical center is also one of the first hospitals designed to keep working during natural disasters such as earthquakes.

6. UCSF Medical Center

Ranked as the top hospital in California, UCSF has a network of campuses across the Bay Area. It is a teaching hospital for the University of California, San Francisco. 

UCSF Medical Center is nationally ranked in 15 adult specialties and 10 pediatric specialties. The hospital also has a center for integrative medicine, offering modern medical treatments with holistic healing practices such as massage and acupuncture.

5. University of Michigan Hospitals-Michigan Medicine

University of Michigan Hospitals - Michigan Medicine is ranked as the top hospital in Michigan. The medical center's main campus is comprised of eight buildings and there are 25 health centers in the surrounding region. According to US News, U-M is nationally ranked in 14 adult specialities and 10 pediatric specialties. 

The hospital created the first dermatology department in the US, the first human genetics program, and the first comprehensive depression center, US News said. 

4. Massachusetts General Hospital

Ranked as the number one hospital in Massachusetts, Massachusetts General Hospital was founded in 1811 and is a teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School. According to US News, it ranks nationally in 16 adult specialities and four pediatric specialties.

Mass General has the largest hospital-based research program in the US, spanning 30 departments, according to US News. Some of its specialty facilities include a fertility center, an ALS clinic, a diabetes team, and a geriatric medicine unit, US News reports.

3. Johns Hopkins Hospital

Ranked as the number one hospital in Maryland, Johns Hopkins Hospital is located in Baltimore and is the teaching hospital for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Johns Hopkins Hospital is home to many medical firsts such as isolating and crystallizing insulin and inventing the rechargeable pacemaker, according to US News. Its Center for Music and Medicine offers treatment using music to aid patients with Parkinson's and dementia, US News said.

2. Cleveland Clinic

Ranked as the best hospital in Ohio, the Cleveland Clinic Health System consists of 11 hospitals and 18 health centers. Founded in 1921, Cleveland Clinic now has 44 buildings on its main campus. According to US News, it is ranked nationally in 14 adult specialties and 10 pediatric ones.

1. Mayo Clinic

The Mayo Clinic is located in Rochester, Minnesota and was founded in 1889. Mayo Clinic Health System now owns 19 hospitals in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

According to US News, Mayo Clinic is nationally ranked in 15 adult specialties and seven pediatric specialties. 

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.

• Although moving to a new place is exciting, it's mostly just tiring and stressful. 
• From supplies like tape and boxes to services like cleaning, packing, and installation, Amazon is the place to make your moving process a little easier.
• You can use it to get affordable moving supplies to you quickly and find skilled home professionals for you.  

Moving is a regular part of life, but you'll rarely find anyone who actually enjoys the process. It involves at least a few obstacles, including but not limited to: packing your entire existence into cardboard boxes, setting up furniture and tech without snapping at your partner, family, or roommates, and making sure your new and old homes aren't hovels.

There are two main ways Amazon can fix these issues and help you make your move as pain-free (physically and emotionally) as possible: supplies and Amazon Home Services. 

You can find foam wraps, bubble wrap, packing tape, moving boxes, markers, and anything else at low prices. If you discover you're missing a key piece of moving equipment, many products are eligible for Prime same-day shipping. 

Meanwhile, Amazon Home Services offers a variety of safe and professional ways to streamline your move. 

Amazon vets the home professional for you so you don't have to by checking their service quality, conducting business and criminal background checks, and requiring maintenance of insurance and trade licenses.

Price estimates will differ depending on your location, but they're always upfront. Amazon says nine out of 10 customers see no change in final pricing. You'll also have a chance to review the service details and confirm final pricing with your pro before the work begins. 

Its "Happiness Guarantee" means that if you're unsatisfied with the work, Amazon will work with the pro to correct the service, give you a refund, or help you file a claim against the provider's insurance. 

Here are some of the Amazon Home Services you might consider during your move: 

Moving and packing — Let someone else do the heavy lifting. At this time, Amazon Home Services doesn't include moving services outside the home, but it can help out with packing and rearranging before you move out and once you move in to a new place. 

• Packing Boxes: Choose the number of hours of packing help you want. It generally takes six hours for a one-bedroom and eight hours for a two-bedroom. A pro or crew will pack your boxes for you and figure out what items pack best together. You do need to have the proper materials on hand, such as boxes, tape, and newspaper or foam padding, before the crew arrives.
• In-Home Furniture and Appliance Moving: This service includes two hours of rearranging or moving your heavy furniture and appliances.

House cleaning — Make sure your apartment or house is ready for its next inhabitant and you don't get charged excess fees from your landlord for leaving it in a dirty state. 

• Move-Out Cleaning: Choose the appropriate square foot size range of your home to get an estimate. Compared to a Deep Cleaning, this service is a more detailed cleaning that touches more areas of your house.  
• House Cleaning: Enter how many bedrooms and bathrooms your house has and what type of cleaning products you prefer (e.g. customer-provided, eco-friendly). Amazon will then estimate the number of worker-hours it will take to clean your house. A four-hour appointment could either be one pro working for four hours or two pros working for two hours. 
• Deep Cleaning: Choose the number of bedrooms in your home and whether you want the inside of your oven, fridge, and cabinets cleaned as well. 
• Carpet Cleaning: Choose the number of rooms of carpet you want cleaned and whether you want deodorizer/carpet protection applied. The whole process shouldn't take longer than 3 hours or so, depending on the method the pro uses. This is the most highly-rated service of the bunch, with nearly 4,000 five-star reviews from customers. 

Furniture and equipment assembly — You can get many items assembled for you, including a bed, dresser, and pet door. See the full list of assembly services here. 

Home theater setup and installation — Get your TV mounted, home theater set up, and more so you can spend less time dealing with tangled cords and hardware, and more time settling into all the entertainment you love. See the full list of home theater services here. 

Smart home setup and installation— Smart home devices are most effective when working together, but it can be confusing figuring out how to connect them all. An Amazon expert will help you create a personalized smart home where you can easily control lights, temperature, and more using simple home automation techniques. If you have an Alexa device, you can even get a free in-home consultation. See the full list of smart home services here. 

With some help from Amazon, moving this year doesn't have to involve excessive sweat and tears. Shop supplies here and find a pro to do the lifting, cleaning, and installing for you at Amazon Home Services here. 

Join the conversation about this story »

• Sheila Gujrathi trained as a physician at Stanford and Harvard before deciding "to shift careers, and explore alternate career paths," she said in an interview. 
• She's now the co-founder and CEO of $1 billion biotech Gossamer Bio. 
• Doctor colleagues and friends "always frame it as being a doctor, and that they don't necessarily know how to do other things," Gujrathi explains.
• But Gujrathi tells them that's not the case. Her advice for doctors is that the training they've done for that career can also be applied to other fields.
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

Doctors don't always want to practice medicine.

After training to be a physician at places like Stanford and Harvard, that was the case for Dr. Sheila Gujrathi.

When speaking with physician colleagues and friends, Gujrathi — now the co-founder and CEO of $1 billion biotech Gossamer Bio— often finds herself advising them that "you can actually do other careers." 

"They always frame it as being a doctor, and that they don't necessarily know how to do other things," Gujrathi told Business Insider. "I say, 'don't think of it that way. You have an amazing skill set.'"

"All the training you've done in your career," from analytical thinking to diagnosing patients and developing leadership skills, is also applicable in other industries, she said.

Read more: The woman who founded $1 billion biotech Gossamer told us about the 3 jobs that prepared her to be a first-time CEO

A decision to shift careers

Of course, Gujrathi has hardly left medicine entirely, though she isn't seeing patients.

Science and medicine are a core part of what a biotech company does, from finding new medications to testing them out and, hopefully, selling them one day.

Gujrathi launched her medical education at Northwestern, later completing a medical residency at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and pursuing a fellowship at UCSF and Stanford.

But Gujrathi said she decided to shift careers, and explore alternate career paths.

The move included working as a management consultant at McKinsey, where Gujrathi said she got a good deal of business training, and jobs at big names in biopharma like Genentech and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

"For me, being in biotech, I'm able to leverage a lot of my medical training," she noted, from following scientific literature to designing clinical trials and meeting with regulatory authorities. 

Read more: Here's how much money doctors make across the US, from brain surgeons to oncologists

But even if they don't go into biotech, she tells family and friends that medical skills can be easily applied elsewhere, and "even if they decide to do something outside of medicine and medical care, they could be quite successful."

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Humans are some of the only animals that don't have tails — here's why

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.

• If you own anything from Spanx, it's probably shapewear — but we would argue that Spanx bras are just as noteworthy. 
• Spanx uses soft material that's invisible under clothes, wide straps that stay put, and 3D technology for natural, glove-like cups.
• Six women on the team tried everything from sports bras to full-coverage options, and we were unanimously impressed.
• If you're looking for incredibly comfortable bras with more size variety, you should also check out ThirdLove. 

Like Kleenex, Velcro, Chapstick, and Scotch Tape, Spanx is such an authority in shapewear that its name has become synonymous with its product.  

However, the greater the fame of a product, the longer the shadow it seems to cast — and the superiority of Spanx's shapewear may be the reason for why few of us have ever ventured to try anything else from the brand. Like I once did, you probably view Spanx as a shapewear-dominant brand, and its additional products as filler. Shapewear, I used to believe, was Spanx's specialty. The rest of its styles couldn't be as exceptional. 

But I was wrong. After trying most of its products as part of my job as an Insider Picks reporter, I'm happy to admit that the company makes some of the best leggings, tights, and now bras in my closet — all of which I wear with greater regularity than its shapewear. 

Below, I asked five of my colleagues to test out Spanx bras for the first time and pass down judgment. You can find our thoughts below. 

If you want to get one for yourself, it's worth noting that Spanx has a risk-free try-on, with free returns on all its bras. And if you're looking for greater size variety (not Spanx's strong suit), you may want to check out ThirdLove. They make another one of our favorite bras, and they offer 70 sizes— including half cups. 

Here's what six women thought of each Spanx bra style we tried:

Bra-llelujah! Full-Coverage Bra

Bra-llelujah! Full-Coverage Bra, $68-$70

Available in 11 colors and band sizes 32-38 and cup sizes A-DD.

Most bra straps are super skinny, fall all over the place, and don’t provide the requisite support without digging into your shoulders. Spanx’s Bra-llelujah Full-Coverage Bra solves that particular problem with wide elastic straps that aren’t adjustable, but somehow manage to stay in place, offer support, and feel incredibly comfortable.

As someone who regularly rails against bras and bralettes without adjustable straps, I was very impressed by how comfortable these straps felt and how well they stayed in place. They never shifted, fell, or dug into my skin. If I had to guess why these adjustable straps work, I’d say it’s because they’re made from a super elastic Lycra material that stretches and shapes to fit your body perfectly — no adjustment needed. I also liked the front closure and the texture of the material. This bra is so soft thanks to the hosiery fabric Spanx used and the seamless design of the back and the straps. — Malarie Gokey, Insider Picks buying guides editor

Undie-tectable Lightly Lined Demi

Undie-tectable Lightly Lined Demi, $68

Available in four colors and band sizes 32-38 and cup sizes A-DD. 

Spanx’s expertise at making shapewear that no one can tell you’re wearing extends to its bras. My Spanx bra had a unique feeling of being a lot more tight and secure than it looked — my skin didn’t squeeze out and my bra outline didn’t show through my shirt.

The style is also pretty yet simple. I usually shy away from lacy numbers since they tend to be itchy and irritating, so I was surprised and impressed when I put this one on and felt ... nothing. It’s the kind of bra that you put on in the morning and pretty much forget about until you have to take it off later. — Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

Workout-to-Waves Sports Bra

Workout-to-Waves Sports Bra, $58

Available in five colors and sizes XS-XL.

I think I might be in love with this bra. I’ve never felt so much comfort and support at the same time from a sports bra. Spanx advertises that the Workout-to-Waves sports bra is designed with “Back-smoothing and dig-free construction,” and that’s not a lie. It’s so flattering across your back with its criss-cross elastic, and the front holds a nice shape as well — no matter how much you move around. I wore it while I ran, rode a bike, and slammed sandbags on the gym floor. The bra was perfect for all of my exercise needs, and can even be worn to swim in.

I felt so comfortable in this bra that I started wearing it when I wasn’t even planning on working out. The straps are built like your average bra (that is to say they're adjustable), and the cups hold a nice supportive shape, so it’s impossible to tell that this bra isn’t your standard underwire pushup (which, come on, we all know are super uncomfortable). I’m a C cup so I don’t need a ton of support, but I definitely need a decent amount. I would honestly market this bra as the only bra you’ll ever need. — Francesca Rea, Insider Picks content producer

Pillow Cup Signature Full-Coverage Bra

Pillow Cup Signature Full-Coverage Bra, $68 

Available in four colors and band sizes 32-38 and cup sizes A-DD.

This bra combines one of the softest and most comfortable materials I've ever felt with the support of Spanx shapewear. Understandably, this makes it one of my favorite bras to date.

As my colleagues have mentioned, Spanx straps are comparatively wide and dig-free. 3D technology and an invisible side sling combine natural lift, support, and shape, and the smooth material in the back does away with any lines under T-shirts. I can throw it on in the morning and will still opt to lounge around my home in it eight hours later. 

The only thing I would note is that while I typically wear a 32DD, I would have gone up to a 32DDD if possible in this bra. The band is perfect, but I've noticed some spilling over the cups. It should give you some idea of how comfortable the bra is though since I wear it anyway. — Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

Bra-llelujah! Demi-Lift Bra

Bra-llelujah! Demi-Lift Bra, $68

Available in two colors and band sizes 32-38 and cup sizes A, B, and C. 

I wear a 34A, so the support factor of a bra has never been a huge deal for me. Instead, I judge a bra based strictly on comfort. The Spanx Bra-llelujah Demi Lift definitely provided the comfort I was looking for and fit better than almost any other bra I’ve worn. The straps are about two times as wide as average which helps it stay in place all day, and the front closure is a nice, easy addition. 

The only issue I faced was that I started to feel the underwire about halfway through the day. This was slightly uncomfortable, but I was so pleased with the material that I would absolutely order another bra from Spanx, just without an underwire. Luckily, the site makes it easy to filter bras by preference. — Megan Foster, Insider Picks intern

Look At Me Now Low-Impact Sports Bra

Look At Me Now Low-Impact Sports Bra, $48 

Available in two colors and sizes XS-XL. 

My criteria for workout apparel is pretty simple. I just want something comfortable and supportive enough that it doesn’t intrude on my workout — looking nice is an added bonus. This isn’t the cutest sports bra I’ve ever put on, but it’s definitely at the top of the list for comfort. The fabric is super soft and stretchy but still supportive enough for high-intensity interval workouts. The seamless design and strappy back on this bra actually hold your natural shape, so I could see myself wearing this in place of a regular underwire bra outside of the gym, too. — Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks reporter

• Author and personal finance expert Stefanie O'Connell is engaged and planning her wedding.
• She's recently decided to skip having bridesmaids to save her friends and family members — as well as herself — money and time.
• The average cost of being a bridesmaid is around $1,200, and we're spending more to be bridesmaids than we're dedicating to our own savings goals, O'Connell says.
• A recent survey found that a third of bridal party members go into debt for their friend's weddings — and a third of those who've been in a wedding in the last two years regret the money they spent on doing so.
• To enjoy the benefits and joys of having bridesmaids without the hefty price tag, O'Connell will be renting a hotel suite before the wedding so the women in her life can all get ready together. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When you grow up with four siblings, seven childhood besties and another five women who've become BFFs over the course of your adult life, the prospect of choosing between them to form a bridal party becomes another one of the too many choices of wedding planning.

At first I procrastinated the decision — much like I have the florist, hair stylist and make up artist we've yet to book with just two months to go until the big day.  

On the one hand, I'd love to spend my wedding day surrounded by my #squad, #tribe or whatever else you want to call it.

On the other hand, organizing schedules, dresses, hair, makeup, bouquets and gifts for another five to 10 people might saddle me more than I can or care to handle. Not to mention the costs.

Not just for me, but for them.

The cost of being a bridesmaid

A recent survey found that a third of bridal party members go into debt for their friend's weddings.

A whopping 68% use a credit card to cover bridal party expenses, and 37% charge more than $1,000.

The survey also found that a third of those who've been in a wedding in the last two years regret the money they spent on doing so.

Not to mention the fact that at age 27 — the average age of first marriage for women in the US — many are still just trying to get ahead — establishing careers, breaking the cycle of paycheck to paycheck living, paying down student loans, and trying to build up some savings.

And 61% of 25-34 year olds have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts.

Meanwhile, the average cost of being a bridesmaid is around $1,200.

In other words, we're spending more to be bridesmaids, than we're dedicating to our own savings goals.

All of which begs the question….

Should we really be asking our friends to be our bridesmaids?

Don't get me wrong, I love my girlfriends. And my relationships with them are undoubtedly important. But how much I spend on them is not a direct representation of how much I value them, and vice versa.

How much I spend on my friendships is not a direct representation of how much I value them, and vice versa. In fact, the research suggests that the financial demands placed on bridal party members may be hurting their relationships with the bride rather than strengthening them (and yes, the same goes for groomsmen).

Thirty-two percent of bridesmaids and 42% of maids of honor say the financial pressure to spend on bridal party-related expenses strained their relationship with the bride.

And 48% of bridal party members who felt pushed toward spending reported the bride as the main source of financial pressure.

Read more:7 ways millennials are changing marriage, from signing prenups to staying together longer than past generations

But can't they just say no?

You might be thinking, 'Well, you know what you're signing up for when you choose to be in someone's wedding'.

And to some extent that's true. Unfortunately though, the question "will you be bridesmaid?" rarely comes with an itemized list of expectations from the bride and groom and the estimated cost of each.

Those expectations and costs can vary wildly from one wedding to the next, and they may not be in alignment with what you anticipated when you accepted your bridal party duties.

While you certainly can (and probably should) say no to those costs that don't fall within your means, there can be an increased sense of obligation to spend when you're in the "official" bridal party.

Not to mention the fear of jeopardizing your relationship with the bride, being excluded from festivities or being judged by your fellow bridesmaids.

As one bridesmaid recently told BRIDESmagazine, "Asking a friend to be a bridesmaid is like asking her to do an unpaid internship."

Why do we normalize having bridesmaids?

Last week, I read a story about a 27-year-old questioning how she should go about covering the cost of being a bridesmaid in three weddings this summer. She had already stopped her monthly $100 contributions to her retirement account to save up and was considering relying on a line of credit to make up the difference.

My head nearly exploded when I saw the financial planner's reply…

'You're very young still with lots of time to save for retirement. In the next six to nine months, you've got bigger fish to fry.'

I'm sorry, but being a bridesmaid does NOT qualify as "bigger fish to fry."

Paying off high interest credit card debt? Yep. Covering a major medical expense? Indeed. Investing in a major career opportunity? Sure.

Being a bridesmaid? I don't think so.

While researching this article I came across SO many resources on how to save money as a bridesmaid — tips on DIY wedding shower decorations, how to hack the cost of your bridesmaid dress, how to afford a destination bachelorette party, etc.

But why are we even putting our friends into a position where they need to save and stress so much, just to be able to celebrate our weddings with us?

And if it's our relationships that really do trump all, budgets and financial realities be damned, then why isn't the bride footing the bill for her bridesmaids?

Here's my solution

Now that it's my turn to be a bride, I'm considering how to enjoy the benefits and joys of having bridesmaids … without the price tag.

The cost of attending a wedding is expensive enough. And while my friends are at a point in their lives where spending an extra couple hundred bucks on hair, makeup and matching dresses probably wouldn't be too much of a financial burden, it just doesn't seem like a great value for them. Or me.

I won't feel any less supported because they're not wearing a new dress or standing behind me holding matching bouquets.

Don't get me wrong, I still intend to spend the day surrounded by my besties — it's why I splurged on booking the penthouse suite for our wedding weekend, so we could all get ready together.

But that's a cost I'll be taking on because it's one of my priorities. It's passing the cost of my priorities onto others that I think fosters the kind of resentment and pressure to overspend that puts unnecessary strain on our relationships.

So instead of putting my friends in the position of having to confront me about costs (or spend their way into debt out of a sense of obligation), my hope is that by forgoing the traditional bridal party I'll be able to enjoy more of a bridal party.

After all, without having to pick and choose among my best friends and coordinate extra bouquets, favors, dresses, and hair appointments, there'll be more celebration and less obligation for everyone involved — myself included.

This post originally appeared on StefanieOConnell.com.

Stefanie O'Connell is a personal finance author based in New York City. Her blog is a destination for professional women who want to feel as confident with their money as they do in their careers. Follow along @stefanieoconnell .

SEE ALSO: I returned my engagement ring but accepted the proposal, and I'm not sorry I did it

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• Monthly mortgage payments in the US have increased twice as much as incomes from 2017 to 2019, according to home ownership investment company Unison's 2019 Home Affordability Report.
• The report takes a look at how much homeowners need to make each year in order to afford the median monthly mortgage payments in major US cities.
• The report's findings are based on homebuyers who spend 30% or less of their gross income on monthly payments.
• Of the 35 cities the report ranked, we looked at the 17 cities where homeowners need to make the highest salary to afford their mortgage.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Saving up for the down payment is only part of the hurdle to homeownership for homeowners. 

Unison's 2019 Home Affordability Report found that since mortgage interest rates rose from 3.99 % to 4.54%, monthly mortgage payments across major US cities have increased twice as much as incomes. 

The report broke down how much homeowners need to make in 35 US cities in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payments. From that list, we looked at the 17 US cities where homeowners have to make the highest salary to afford a mortgage.

Read more: Here's how many years it takes to save for a 20% down payment on a home in 12 major US cities

The report's findings are based on homebuyers who spend 30% or less of their gross income on monthly payments. The report assumes a 20% down payment, and a 4.54% mortgage interest rate on 2018 data and a 3.99% mortgage interest rate on 2017 data, the average annual Freddie Mac 30-year fixed rates. Data on median household incomes and median value of owner-occupied housing units were provided to Unison by S&P Global. 

Keep reading to see the top 17 US cities where homeowners have to make the highest salary to afford the median mortgage.

SEE ALSO: Here's how many years it takes to save for a 20% down payment on a home in 12 major US cities

SEE ALSO: The 21 most influential cities in the world

17: Las Vegas, Nevada

In Las Vegas, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $1,150, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $45,998.

The average price of a home in Las Vegas is $234,832.

16: Minneapolis, Minnesota

In Minneapolis, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $1,228, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $49,122.

The average price of a home in Minneapolis is $250,779. 

15. Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $1,276, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $51,031.

The average price of a home in Chicago is $260,526.

14. Atlanta, Georgia

In Atlanta, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $1,357, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $54,266.

The average price of a home in Atlanta is $277,041.

13. Salt Lake City, Utah

In Salt Lake City, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $1,431, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $57,248.

The average price of a home in Salt Lake City is $292,263. 

12. Miami, Florida

In Miami, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $1,541, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $61,634.

The average price of a home in Miami is $314,657. 

11. Denver, Colorado

In Denver, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $1,725, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $68,983.

The average price of a home in Denver is $352,172.

10. Portland, Oregon

In Portland, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $1,853, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $74,137.

The average price of a home in Portland is $378,483.

9. Boston, Massachusetts

In Boston, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $2,384, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $95,344.

The average price of a home in Boston is $486,752.

8. New York City, New York

In New York City, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $2,733, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $109,313.

The average price of a home in New York City is $558,065.

7. Washington, D.C.

In Washington, D.C., in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $2,803, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $112,106.

The average price of a home in Washington, D.C. is $572,324. 

6. Seattle, Washington

In Seattle, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $2,855, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $114,217.

The average price of a home in Seattle is $583,100.

5. San Diego, California

In San Diego, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $2,916, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $116,652.

The average price of a home in San Diego is $595,533.

4. Los Angeles, California

In Los Angeles, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $3,048, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $121,939.

The average price of a home in Los Angeles is $622,523.

3. Urban Honolulu, Hawaii

In Urban Honolulu, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $3,514, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $140,555.

The average price of a home in Urban Honolulu is $717,564.

2. San Jose, California

In San Jose, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $3,817, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $152,697.

The average price of a home in San Jose is $779,549.

1. San Francisco, California

In San Francisco, in order to afford the city's median monthly mortgage payment of $5,052, homeowners must earn a minimum annual income of $202,094.

The average price of a home in San Francisco is $1,032,732.

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.

• Whether you're bouncing down the trail on a mountain bike or sprinting on a racing bicycle, without proper tire inflation, you'll have a bad ride. Fortunately, there are a lot of great bike pumps out there that can fill those tires fast.
• The Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump is our top pick, thanks to its high 160-PSI pressure capacity and low price.

The first device that looked like the modern bicycle was developed in the early 1800s. It was known as a velocipede, and it had as many disparities as shared traits with modern bikes. Early pedal-driven cycles used steel bands or solid wooden wheels instead of pneumatic (air-filled) tires, so its little wonder that one variety of early bike was known as the boneshaker. Pneumatic tires were developed in the 1880s, and cyclists have been enjoying fewer headaches ever since.

But even the latest greatest modern pneumatic bicycle tire is useless without a good pump to fill it with air. If you have a bike manufactured any time after the late 19th century, you also need a good bike pump to keep the tires ready to roll. But how to choose the right bike pump?

First, you need to think about the most basic consideration: What type of bicycle will the pump serve? Road bikes with narrow tires require a fair amount of pressure, generally between 80 and 130 pounds per square inch (PSI). Mountain bikes with large, thick tires use much lower pressures, generally down around 30 PSI. A general-purpose bike, commonly called a hybrid, will, not surprisingly, fall in the middle, with an average range of 50 to 70 PSI.

It logically follows, then, that the racing bike enthusiast needs a pump capable of creating plenty of pressure and ideally that can do so quickly, while the mountain biker will be served just fine by a pump with a lower output capacity.

Beyond basic PSI capacity, next, think about pump size and design. Do you need to carry the pump along with you during a multi-day bike camping trip? Or during an all-day road race that will take you far away from the nearest support infrastructure? Then a lightweight and portable pump is a must. Or are your rides mostly around town for commuting and recreation? If so, a larger floor pump stored in the closet or in a shed is just fine.

And finally, how serious of a cyclist are you? If you have to dust off your bike before each ride, a lower cost pump of midrange quality will suit you fine. If you ride every morning and afternoon, then, by all means, invest in a professional-grade pump that fills the tires fast and that will last for years of regular use. Don't worry about the budget too much, as even an excellent pump can be yours for less than fifty bucks.

Here are the best bike pumps you can buy:

• Best bike pump overall: Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump
• Best electric air pump: EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump
• Best budget bike pump: Bell Windstorm 400 Floor Pump
• Best professional grade bike pump: Topeak Sport II Floor Pump

Updated on 06/18/2019 by Les Shu: Updated selections, prices, links, and formatting.

Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks.

SEE ALSO: The best bike locks you can buy

The best bike pump overall

The Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump has a strong, smoothly-operating steel barrel that inflates up to 160 PSI with minimal effort.

For about $30, the Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump is a bargain for a quality tool. With a maximum output rating of 160 PSI, this pump can inflate just about any bike tires you will ever come across, and it does so rapidly with minimal effort thanks to its efficient and reliable design. Its nozzle can rapidly convert to accept Schrader, Presta, and Dunlop valves.

The Vibrelli has an extra long barrel that makes each pump productive, saving you time and effort as compared to shorter options. Its wide nylon foot base and broad ergonomic handle work in tandem to keep the unit stable even during vigorous operation.

The highly accurate gauge, which displays air pressure both in pounds per square inch and bar units (a metric system measurement; one bar is equal to 14.5 PSI) makes it easy to know just when you've hit the optimal pressurization for your bike's tires.

In case the high quality and low price weren't enough for you, the Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump also comes with an inflation needle for balls as well as with a puncture repair kit.

With more than 2,600 reviews posted on Amazon, the Vibrelli has a shining 4.7-star average rating. An owner named Yan calls it "amazing," saying it makes "pumping so much easier and more efficient" than other units he had used. A cyclist named Jeffrey called it a "fantastic pump" with a gauge that is "accurate and responds quickly."

A writer with PedalSwift called the Vibrelli a "high performance" option at a reasonable price and noted its "all steel barrel design." A BuytheBest10 review called it "affordable" and "durable" and praised its "multipurpose T-valve."

Pros: High efficiency pumping, good price point, durable barrel, accurate pressure gauge

Cons: Proper nozzle attachment takes practice

Buy  the Vibrelli Performance Floor Pump on Amazon for $29.98

The best electric air pump

The EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump does all the hard work for you, effortlessly inflating tires to an exact pre-set pressure goal with the tap of a few buttons. 

When used to inflate bicycle tires, there are three issues with the EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump that we should deal with at the outset. First, it requires a 12-volt DC power outlet, AKA the cigarette lighter port you found in an automobile. Second, it has a maximum pressure output of 100 PSI, which is too low for some road bike tires. And third, to inflate a tire with a Presta valve, you will need to purchase a separate adapter.

Those drawbacks aside, for most cyclists who also own a car, the electric EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump will make inflating bike tires easier than ever. Once the nozzle is screwed in place onto a tire's valve, all you need to do to achieve the exact level of inflation desired is pre-program the target PSI using the Plus or Minus buttons, then start the unit up. 

The compressor's LCD screen displays pressure in PSI, BAR, or KPA measurements, and the unit features a built-in flashlight for use after dark. This compressor is also more than suitable for use with auto tires. That, after all, is the EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump's primary purpose.

With more than 2,750 reviews posted online, this compressor scores an admirable 4.4-star average rating. One owner said its "gauge is accurate" and appreciated that it was relatively "quiet for a compressor." Another said that despite its small size it "packs a punch" or pumping power.

A review from WoodWorkingToolKit appreciated the fact that this compact compressor has an "auto shutoff feature that shut[s] down the unit when the desired pressure is achieved "that can "prevent over inflation."

Pros: Fast inflation time, pre-set air pressure target, built-in flashlight

Cons: Requires access to auto battery, maxes out at 100 PSI

Buy the EPAuto Portable Air Compressor Pump on Amazon for $22.38

The best budget bike pump

The Bell Windstorm 400 Floor Pump can create up to 100 PSI and accommodates both common bike valves as well as sports needles.

At $17, the Bell Windstorm 400 Floor Pump isn't the least expensive option on our list, but it is the most affordable all-around bike pump. This is a bonafide floor pump that can quickly and reliably inflate a tire all the way up to 100 PSI.

Granted, 100 PSI is a bit too low for certain racing bikes, but for most of us, the Bell Windstorm 400 Floor Pump, with its Schrader and Presta valve compatibility, its sturdy base, and its broad handlebar is more than adequate for our inflation needs. Just know that you will probably need to replace it within a year or two if you start cycling daily in the run up to a Tour de France attempt, as it's not as durable as its pricier counterparts.

An owner named Jen was frank in her assessment, saying the pump "does what it's supposed to do," inflating tires without issue. A cyclist named Charleston agreed, saying it "gets the job done" and that he had "no complaints."

A write up from Top5Best notes that this Bell floor pump costs "only 50% [the price] of other bike pumps" yet calls it effective and easy to use. The piece goes on to caution that it likely won't "last more than one season" with heavy use, though.

Pros: Great low price point, relatively lightweight

Cons: Maximum output of 100 PSI, no gauge

Buy the Bell Windstorm 400 Floor Pump from Target for $16.99

The best professional grade bike pump

The Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump is a top-quality pump that works fast and is built to last, yet it still fits the budget of any avid cyclist.

The Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump is suitable for use in a bike shop or by a professional cycling team, but at just a bit more than $47 in price, it's hardly too pricey for the amateur rider, either. Because this pump should outlast most similar devices by many years, it's a worthwhile investment.

The quality of the materials used to build the Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump set it apart from the competition, but so do a number of clever, intuitive design features. For example, like many pumps, this one has an extra long air hose that makes it easy to access tire valves no matter their position and even when the bike is up on a rack. Here, though, the hose is connected to the pump via a rotating connection point that prevents tangles and makes positioning the nozzle even easier.

The pump's large pressure gauge is easy to read whether you are checking PSI or BAR measurements, and the smooth operation of the barrel makes the pump easy to use even as you approach its 160 PSI maximum output. The Topeak JoeBlow Sport II's double-sided "twin-head" nozzle makes it simple to connect to both Presta and Schrader valves, and you can screw in adapters with ease, too.

With nearly 1,500 reviews in, this floor pump has a commendable 4.4-star average rating. An owner named Karen said it makes "pumping very ease" without the need for "a lot of muscle power." A gentleman named Andy called it "a very good floor pump" and noted its "large base" that keeps it "stable when pumping air."

A reviewer with Outdoor Gear Lab called the Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump versatile and durable, noting its "easy-to-read" gauge and dual valve nozzle. A write up from Bike Radar called the pump's inflation "rapid and comfortable thanks to the generous sized T-handle."

Pros: Rugged and durable, pivoting air hose, accurate gauge, sturdy base design

Cons: Nozzle too large to fit between narrow spokes

Buy the Topeak JoeBlow Sport II Floor Pump on Amazon for $48

• Some luxury destinations aren't quite what they seem on Instagram.
• Many of these hotspots are overcrowded, overpriced, or simply lacking in authenticity. 
• From the Champs Elysées in Paris to ultra-modern Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, here are nine luxury hotspots that might not be worth the hype.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Some places around the world are known as go-to spots for luxury travel, shopping, or experiences.

The Champs Elysées in Paris, for example, with its Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Longchamp boutiques, is consistently ranked one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world. Dubai boasts of having the most luxurious hotel in the world. 

But many find that these and other luxury destinations don't quite live up to the hype. Take a look below for some disappointing photos of what nine luxury hotspots look like in real life.

SEE ALSO: What it's like to be a millionaire in America today

The Avenue des Champs Elysées in Paris is one of the most iconic streets in the world, lined with museums, high-end restaurants, and five-star hotels.

Source: Paris Info, Business Insider

Shopping opportunities range from retailers such as Zara and H&M to luxury boutiques that include Louis Vuitton, Mont-Blanc, Guerlain, and Ferrari. It's consistently ranked as one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world.

But most of the time, you'll hardly be able to move through the throngs of tourists.

The terraces can be as crowded as the sidewalks. Travel + Leisure included the Champs Elysées on its list of the 95 most overrated attractions in the world, noting that apart from the view of the famous Arc de Triomphe and the stores — most of which can be found in other countries — the avenue has very little appeal.

Source: Travel + Leisure

The thought of a Bahamas vacation might conjure up images of relaxing on a boat in serene blue waters ...

Source: Bahamas

... or of strolling along a pristine white beach devoid of any other human life.

Source: Bahamas

But in reality, many find the Bahamas to be "almost like a very expensive Las Vegas," as Quora user Kyle Baley put it. Drinks cost a minimum of $20, the culture is nonexistent, and spring breakers drink irresponsibly and party until 4 a.m., Elysia Cadorniga wrote in the Odyssey Online.

Source: Quora, The Odyssey Online,

Dubai is known for its luxury shopping and hotels, giant malls, and ultra-modern architecture. Rough Guides calls it "one of the world's most glamorous, spectacular and futuristic urban destinations."

Source: Visit Dubai, Rough Guides

It boasts of having the "most luxurious hotel in the world," the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, which costs a minimum of about $3,500 a night and whose restaurant has a floor-to-ceiling aquarium.

Source: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

But many visitors to Dubai find it to be completely underwhelming, artificial, and lacking in culture. Foreigners who live there complain of constant construction, and it's landed on several lists of most overrated travel destinations.

Source: The Street, Rough Guides,South China Morning Post Magazine

"Shopping mecca of the Middle East and haven for foreigners and expats. Where else can you ski inside a mall in 90 degree heat? But, guess what? The whole place is fake! Get a real life, go to a real mountain, and ski in real temperatures. You don't need to go to Dubai for this," Suzanne Garber, former chief networking officer at traveler assistance company International SOS, told the Street.

Source: The Street

Lonely Planet calls Dalian, China, "one of the most relaxed and liveable cities in the northeast, if not all of China" and highlights its "impressive coastline, complete with swimming beaches."

Source: Lonely Planet

"This coastal area is a paradise for beach vacationers," according to Travel China Guide.

Source: Travel China Guide

But beach vacationers will have to fight to get a spot, judging from photos such as this one from Fujiazhuang beach in Dalian on a nearly 90-degree day in 2015. "I went on a weekday and almost could only see the water through banks and banks of locals!" one person wrote on TripAdvisor in October 2013.

Source: Trip Advisor

Another image from a Dalian beach in August 2018 looks much the same. While Dalian is probably a wonderful place to visit overall, prepare yourself for the crowds at the beach.

The vineyards of Napa Valley in California are considered to be a top-notch wine destination.

Source: Visit Napa Valley

But with its more than three million visitors per year, Napa can quickly get overcrowded and overpriced. Wine tastings in the region have traditionally cost between $5 and $50, but high-brow tastings in swanky venues that cost up to $300 are on the rise in Napa, according to Bloomberg.

Source: Business Insider,Visit Napa Valley, Bloomberg

People come to Las Vegas from all over the world to party, gamble, and have their bachelor and bachelorette parties. Those with money to spare can easily spend it on luxury hotels, expensive shows, bottle service at exclusive clubs, and of course, in casinos. But the city isn't always as fun as it seems.

Source: Business Insider

Virtually everything in Vegas is created for tourists, resulting in a lack of authenticity and culture, according to INSIDER's Sarah Schmalbruch.

Source: Yahoo Travel, INSIDER

Las Vegas was voted the most overrated city in the world in a 2015 survey by Yahoo Travel. It could be because of the overpriced cocktails, the $5.99 ATM fees, or perhaps simply because of the lack of real culture.

Source: Business Insider

It's also very difficult to find a traditional sit-down restaurant near the Strip that isn't overpriced, according to The Travel. "Local restaurants cater to people eating in a hurry (fast food, buffets, etc), so there are only a limited number of traditional restaurants close to the Strip," C. Pennington wrote. "These restaurants are often overcrowded, and they can get expensive."

Source: The Travel

A serene gondola ride on the canals of Venice might seem like an essential experience to have in "The Floating City."

But you might pay $100 only to be squashed between boats filled with other tourists for 40 minutes.

Source: Trip Savvy

And the streets can be even more crowded than the waterways.

There's also very little green space in Venice for tired tourists to escape from the heat and humidity in the summertime, when people tend to visit.

Source: Venice Travel Guide

With its sandy beaches and abundance of all-inclusive resorts, Cancún, Mexico, has the trappings of an idyllic beach vacation.

But its identity as a spring break hotspot means that during certain parts of the year, the resort city becomes overrun with partying college students.

Source: INSIDER

If you're seeking a relaxing tropical getaway, Cancún might not be the place for you.

Source: INSIDER

The Greek island of Mykonos is known as a vacation and party hotspot for millionaires. Anthony Lassman, cofounder of London-based luxury travel and lifestyle management company Nota Bene Global, told Business Insider that he rents out many top-of-the-line luxury villas on the island. "[We rent] the top houses on the Greek islands. [We have] the very best on Mykonos," he said.

Source: Business Insider

But "Mykonos is becoming a little too trendy and exploited," Lassman added. And the prices have gone up to match its popularity. Business Insider correspondent Harrison Jacobs visited the island and found that in order to really enjoy it, you need to be able to spend a lot of money, as evidenced in his stay in the cheapest spot he could find, which ended up being a sparse room with scratchy sheets that cost $130 a night.

Source: Business Insider

"Outside of the beaches, the main thing to see in Mykonos is the windmills that sit above the Hora, or main town of the island," Jacobs wrote. "But during sunset, and when the cruise-shippers come in, the area is swarmed with people trying to get selfies."

Source: Business Insider

• Palm, the brand behind popular PDA-style phones in the early 2000s, has relaunched with a credit-card sized phone.
• The phone was originally designed to act as a companion device to your regular cell, one that you can more easily use for nights out, workouts, or periods away from your full-fledged smartphone.
• In June, Palm announced the phone would also be available as an unlocked standalone device available for preorder online starting Tuesday.
• Because of Palm's hefty price and limited integration with iPhones (texts will show up as green bubbles, no blue for example), it seems more sensible for most people to just buy one of the many smartwatches out there that have similar uses as Palm's phone.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

By now we're all familiar with the criticisms about smartphones monopolizing our attention and replacing our real-world interactions. 

Enter the new Palm phone: a smartphone the size of your credit card is out here trying to break up that reliance on tech.

First released in November for $350, the Palm phone is designed to be a travel-sized companion device to your larger, regular-sized main smartphone. The company has branded the phone as an "ultra-mobile" device that allows you to "stay present during life's most important moments."

But in April, Palm announced the phone would also be available as a standalone device in response to customer feedback. The standalone Palm phone is available for pre-order starting Tuesday.

Over the course of a few months, I regularly swapped out my traditional iPhone for the Palm phone when I would go out with friends, travel to the gym, or go to dinner on the weekends — situations where I wouldn't necessarily want, or need, my smartphone and all its capabilities.

Here's what it was like using Palm's tiny smartphone:

SEE ALSO: Your iPhone keeps a detailed list of every location you frequent — here's how to delete your history and shut the feature off for good

The Palm phone syncs up in real time with your main phone, but it proves more difficult if you're an iPhone user.

For my review, I was given a Google Pixel 3 with a new phone number that I could use to pair up with the Palm phone. The two phones have the same number so that both can receive phone calls, messages and other alerts.

Although he Palm device was first only available to Verizon users, the company announced in June that smartphone can now be bought "unlocked" — meaning it can now also run on carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and MetroPCS. 

The two devices sync up in real time, so responding to a message on one phone will also have it show up on the other. I found the syncing between the two phones to be a bit laggy, but that's only when I had both phones in front of me (which is, of course, not the point).

This effortless sync between the phones is made simpler because the devices run on the same Android operating system and pull data from the same Google cloud. The Palm phone is also compatible with iPhones, but we didn't test it with an iPhone so we can't speak to how well it syncs in that scenario.  (The company says your blue-bubbled iMessages will show up as green on the Palm phone). 

The phone really is about the size of a credit card and is incredibly lightweight. The home screen setup is simple and aesthetically pleasing — any wording or more clutter on the screen would seem overwhelming.

The phone is only 3.8-inches tall and 1.9 inches wide, with one-inch wide bezels on the top and bottom.

Despite it's small size, the phone can run the same apps available for normal-sized phones. With a scant 3GB of RAM though, it's relatively easy to overload the phone's storage and affect the device's performance.

The smaller device and smaller screen dramatically alters the appearance of the websites and apps that you're familiar with, and it takes time to adjust.

Headlines on news articles would often take up the entire screen, and a lot of scrolling was involved to get through a webpage. Gmail was difficult to read, and sorting through my Google Calendar was almost impossible.

The keyboard is a real pain to use. The keys were close together and it took me a while to complete messages, even with the help of autocorrect.

The setup of the keyboard looks a lot like the complete keyboards found on older PDAs from Palm and BlackBerry, but the ability to press physical keys on those versions meant you could be a bit more confident in what you were writing. Typing out messages on the new Palm's cramped on-screen keyboard involved lots of spelling errors that I had to navigate through and fix.

Making phone calls on the tiny device feels awkward at first.

Having a phone conversation on the slim, and tiny Palm phone feels a bit weird at first, especially compared to holding a larger smartphone in your hand and up to your ear. But once you get used to it, the Palm performs just fine as a phone. 

Palm's 12 megapixel camera is the same quality as the cameras on other popular smartphones. However, you have to trust the picture you're taking looks good, because the picture's quality and detail are hard to decipher on the small screen.

While some newer phones have better cameras, popular smartphones with 12MP cameras include earlier iPhone versions, as well as the Samsung Galaxy 8.

Palm said in April that it had updated the camera to include improved HDR, color balance, and low light performance.

The phone can charge really fast. However, the battery life also runs out quickly.

Palm says its battery life is about 8 hours, which isn't amazing. In my experience, however, the Palm's battery life drained in much less time, even if I spent large amounts of time off of the phone. The phone was fine for a night out, but I would not rely on it for longer periods of time.

One of Palm's signature features is its "Life Mode," a mix of Apple's "do not disturb" and "low battery" features. Life Mode is indicated by a little palm tree in the menu bar and, when activated, won't ping you with notifications and messages.

Palm claims the phone can last a full day when in Life Mode. In my experience, I got about 8 to 10 hours in Life Mode. 

Palm said that its April software update improves the battery life, but I've yet to see just how much more time it gives you.

Palm has created various accessories so that the phone can be tailored to different lifestyles.

In an interview with Business Insider in November, Palm's founders said they didn't see Palm having the same exact role in each customer's life. The company's accessories offer a vision that people can use their Palm phones to meet their personal interests and make their experiences unique.

There are sports armbands for working out, Kate Spade wristlets for going out and simple lanyard to loop around your neck for everyday use.

The phone did little to curb the amount of attention I paid to my phone.

Instead of shooting a quick text out on my normal iPhone, I found myself struggling to read what was on the screen and having to carefully type out messages. It became more of an inconvenience than anything to have the Palm phone on me, dangling off my wrist on its short lanyard.

For some, the Palm phone could be used for bike rides and gym workouts when regular-sized smartphones could get in the way. For others, Palm could act as a hub to hold someone's extensive music collection that can't all fit on their regular phone.

But these are things you technology has already made available to us, but for much cheaper. IPods have long been storing large quantities of music for listeners. More recently, the dozens of smartwatches out there have already adopted the idea that a smaller screen could act as an intermediary window into what's going on, without having to take out your phone at all.

The Palm phone is now available to preorder as an unlocked standalone device for $350.

Palm's $350 pricepoint isn't far off from what Apple sells its latest Watches for. So if you have an Android device, you're on the Verizon network, and you have the $350 to shell out for a second phone, the Palm phone is great. You're sure to find it of use. 

But if you're looking to Palm to help ween yourself off of reliance on technology, it's unlikely to be effective in that sense.

For a limited time, pre-ordering the Palm phone will get you a free leather phone case with neck and wrist lanyards— in line with a growing trend put forward in fashion shows from luxury brands of wearing your smartphone as an accessory.