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The best desks you can buy for your home office

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  • A good desk should provide style and functionality to your workspace.
  • The Three Posts Lamantia computer desk does both, fitting in with the rest of your décor while providing a work surface that meets all of your needs, and is equipped to house a laptop or desktop computer.

A good desk is a fundamental part of a productive workspace, whether you do most of your work at home or commute to an office. Not liking your desk can put a serious cramp on your workflow. It's important that you choose one that suits the space it will be in, but you also want one that you'll be comfortable sitting at for stretches of time.

Since this is a piece of furniture you'll likely be using almost daily, quality matters, too. You don't want something that will fall apart after just a few uses. 

The last thing you want your desk to be is an eyesore. Make sure you choose one that appeals to your sense of style and will fit in well with the rest of the space it will be occupying. If you're completely redoing the room your new desk will call home, consider buying the desk that appeals to you first, and then style the rest of the room around it.

How you'll be using your desk can help you determine which type will best suit your needs. These days, most desks serve as a place to put your desktop computer or laptop. If this will be the case, make sure you get a desk that can accommodate any of the electronics you plan on using. If you're a Type A personality, and things like color-coded folders get you excited, you may want a desk with extra storage to keep everything in its rightful place. Some desks even come with built-in filing cabinets so you can color-code, label, and organize to your heart's content.

How much space you have for this new piece of furniture can be a big factor in determining which desk you ultimately end up choosing. While many of us dream of owning a big executive style desk, not all of us have the square footage to accommodate that. You want a desk that will fit comfortably into the room, without making it feel cramped. Corner desks are a great option, and if you're especially tight on floor space, a floating desk that attaches to the wall can be an even better solution. 

Investing in a desk that will last through the rigors of daily use is a must. The desktop takes the brunt of this use. There are plenty of surfaces & materials to choose from, including wood, glass, and metal. Laminated desktops feature a protective overlay that can help prevent stains and warping.

There are endless options and styles to choose from when it comes to this piece of office furniture. We've done the research and gone through the reviews to choose a selection of five high-quality desks that cover a range of styles and functions to help you choose the best one for your needs.

Looking for an adjustable-height desk? Check out our guide for the best standing desks you can buy.

Here are the best desks you can buy for your home or office:

Updated on 08/15/2019 by Les Shu: Updated prices, links, and formatting. Added new options for budget-friendly desk and U-shaped desk.

 

SEE ALSO: The best standing desks you can buy

The best desk overall

The Three Posts Lamantia Computer Desk will subtly fit in with the rest of your design aesthetic, and provides the space to house a computer and store your office necessities. 

If you want a desk that can multi-task right along with you, and look good while doing it, the Lamantia computer desk might be the solution. True to its name, it can easily accommodate a desktop or laptop computer. However, thanks to the simple and subtle design, you wouldn't immediately think, "that's a desk meant for a computer" or need a computer to make it functional. This can easily double as a simple writing desk.

The unassuming style also makes this a desk that can work with many different décor themes. This isn't a statement piece, but rather, a piece of furniture that can easily be worked into an existing space, whether your design aesthetic leans towards a more modern or traditional style.

This desk provides ample room for working without taking over the room, standing at 29-inches tall, and 59-inches wide. A nice amount of storage is provided in the form of a cabinet and two functioning drawers. There is also a hidden roll-out keyboard tray, which can double as another drawer for storage if you don't need it for a computer keyboard. When not in use, the tray rolls in and closes so the front looks like another traditional pull out drawer.

The Lamantia is made from manufactured wood, and you can choose from three different finishes: Chalked Chestnut, Auburn Cherry, and Estate Black. The different finish choices give you even more freedom when it comes to matching this desk with your room décor. A generous five-year product warranty is included with the Lamantia. Most reviewers love the Lamantia, but do suggest a layout that allows for the back of this desk to be against a wall because of the cardboard backing.

It is on the heavier side, but in this case, the heaviness corresponds with quality, which Wayfair shoppers liked about this desk. They also liked that it was relatively easy to assemble, and many could assemble it by themselves. One reviewer said, "For a beginner assembler like me the directions were very clear and easy to follow."

Pros: Subtle design allows it to go with many different design themes, ample storage space, allows for computer use but can also be used as a traditional writing desk, easy-to-follow assembly instructions

Cons: Cardboard backing makes this best suited to go against a wall



The best budget-friendly desk

The Folkston Desk's sleek, modern design adds style to an office at a budget-friendly price.

If you're looking for a stylish desk to add to your office space, but you're decorating on a budget, the Mid-century-inspired Folkston Desk from Zipcode Design is a great option. Thanks to its slim, minimalist styling, it won't take up too much space, making it ideal for your cozy apartment or small home office. A large drawer offers plenty of storage space for a laptop, office accessories, and stationery; metal slides provide smooth opening and closing. 

Available in black or white, the hairpin legs give off a nice retro vibe. The white option has a drawer in a wood color, which gives it a nice contrasting accent. The desktop is made from particleboard, but it is laminated to help prevent stains, scratches, or warping. For this price, we wouldn't expect solid wood for a desk at this price, but the steel hairpin legs offer a nice touch not always found in budget-friendly desks. Manufactured wood furniture tends to be heavy, so keep that in mind.

The Folkston stands at 30-inches tall, 41.9-inches wide, and 21-inches deep, allowing it to fit into tighter spaces. Even if you have a larger room, this makes for a great accent piece if, for example, your office space is part of your living room or you need a console table in a hallway.

Pros: Affordable, stylish, durable, easy to assemble

Cons: Desktop may not be big enough for a larger computer set-up



The best L-shaped desk

The Bush Furniture Cabot L-Shaped desk can fit nicely into a corner, provides plenty of storage and organization, and an extended amount of desktop for you to spread out.

Whether you work from home or you commute into the office, the Cabot L-Shaped desk will look good in either space. If you've been feeling cramped at your current desk, the two surfaces provided by the L-shape configuration may be just what you need to spread out and work more productively. More surface space also means more storage options, and the Cabot definitely delivers in this aspect.

You'll be able to find a place for everything thanks to a cabinet with a fluted glass door, an open storage cubby for easy access to supplies, and a box drawer. There's also a built-in filing cabinet and a cable management system to help you keep all those computer cords organized. Even if you aren't the organized type, this is a desk that can help you get there.

Features like four built-in USB ports and a soft storage tray to store electronics like your phone or tablet make this feel like a high-end desk, but it comes in at an extremely affordable price for all that it offers.

Though it isn't built out of solid wood, the elegant design does keep quality in mind, with details like a glass front cabinet and chrome hardware. The Cabot is available in three different finishes: Espresso Oak, Harvest Cherry, and Heather Gray so you can choose the look that will best compliment your office space.

If you're dealing with a small office, this may not be the best option, but If you have an empty corner or a larger space to work with, the features and affordability of this desk make it a worthwhile investment.

Assembly time is estimated to take around four hours, and while this is a significant amount of time, it makes sense given the size of the desk. If you know that your patience won't hold out for that long, expert assembly is available from Amazon for an additional $143.04. If you do plan on assembling on your own, some reviewers recommend using a power drill or screwdriver.

One Amazon buyer said, "I needed a desk that had sufficient legroom underneath and had clearance to my gaming chair could easily slide under it, and this one does both very well."

Pros: L-shape allows for more workspace, ample storage space, additional features like cord management and built-in USB ports, option for expert assembly, affordable

Cons: Lengthy assembly time, particle board may show wear over time



The best U-shaped desk

Whether you are a business executive or just want to feel like one, the Comm Office Holman Reversible U-Shape Executive Desk with Hutch offers it all — a sleek style, tons of workspace, and storage space with the included hutch.

If you're looking for the ultimate "command center" and have the space to accommodate it, the Holman Reversible U-Shape Executive Desk with Hutch is a great choice, striking the balance between an elegant, modern style and functionality. The U-shape allows for three workspaces, and the included hutch provides additional storage, leaving lots of room under the desk to stretch out those legs.

The hutch is made up of two cabinets and two open shelves, and the desk itself has three drawers, two for additional office supplies, and the third drawer features a lock secure built-in filing system for any sensitive information.

The dark chocolate finish is available with a contrasting white chocolate desktop. If the contrasting style isn't for you, a matching desktop option is available. The desktop edge also has a brushed nickel finish for added durability, and the desktop itself has a melamine coating to help prevent stains and scratches.

Assembly is required for this desk, but if you don't have the time, expert assembly is available for an additional cost. Depending on your tolerance for piecing together furniture, you may find the extra money to be worth it.

You'll want to keep both overhead and floor space in mind for this, but luckily this isn't a desk that has to be placed in a corner or against a wall, giving you more freedom for room configuration. A 10-year product warranty comes with the purchase of the desk for added peace of mind.

If you're a fan of the TV series "The Office," you'll agree that "Mega Desk" is an apt description of this piece of office furniture thanks to all the workspace and storage it provides. You'll be a chair-swivel away from everything you need, and Dwight would undoubtedly be jealous.

Note: This product was previously known as the Latitude Run Barts U-Shape Executive Desk with Hutch.

Pros: Plenty of workspace and storage, includes built-in filing cabinet with lock, hutch provides additional storage, sturdy design, durable desktop

Cons: Many reviewers recommended the expert assembly but adds an additional cost, requires a large office space because of its size



The best desk for small spaces

If you don't have much room to spare, the Prepac Wall-Mounted Desk will easily fit into small spaces, providing you with a work area that's equipped with storage while freeing up valuable floor space.

Just because you have a small office space doesn't mean you need to go without a desk. Instead of making your kitchen table do double duty, consider another alternative: the floating desk. This type of desk mounts directly to your wall so you don't need to clutter up your floor space with another piece of bulky furniture. The Prepac Wall-Mounted Desk is the best of both worlds: it's compact while still providing an impressive amount of storage space.

You'll be able to have a designated place for your laptop and office supplies, thanks to the built-in shelves. Even more impressive for such a compact piece of furniture, it has a cable management system to keep things neat and tidy.

The Prepac is 19.8-inches deep, 42.2-inches long, and 39.5-inches tall. At these dimensions, it provides just enough space to help you get your work done, without taking over the entire wall. It's made from composite wood that has been laminated for extra protection against stains or warping and is surprisingly sturdy thanks to the metal rail hanging system that can hold up to 100 pounds. This system also allows the Prepac to be hung at any height.

Its simple design aesthetic allows this desk to fit in with many different décor styles, and there are three different finish colors to choose from. The Prepac also comes with a 5-year manufacturer's limited warranty.

Assembly is required, and the Prepac does come with a detailed instruction booklet. Many reviewers found that two people were needed for assembly. Others did find the assembly instructions to be confusing, but once assembled, love the finished product.

The Prepac has been used in some inventive ways, with some using it as a vanity. Another reviewer revamped their closet and turned it into a small office space using this desk.

Pros: Sturdy design thanks to the metal rail hanging system, can be hung at any height, cord management, offers storage options while still saving space, floating design frees up floor space

Cons: Requires two people for assembly




Take a look inside a glittering, $16 million penthouse in the hottest new San Francisco neighborhood that Facebook, Google, and Salesforce call home

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the avery san francisco luxury apartments 21

SEE ALSO: Inside the multi-million-dollar condos of San Francisco's newly-opened $850 million residential tower — the first one just sold for $15 million

The Avery luxury apartment tower is one of the newest additions to the San Francisco skyline.



It sits at First and Folsom Streets in the recently rebranded East Cut neighborhood south of San Francisco’s Financial District.



The neighborhood known as the East Cut is actually a blend of existing parts of San Francisco — portions of Rincon Hill, South of Market, and South Beach are all within the new neighborhood's 20 blocks.

Source: SF Curbed



Before the area's recent redevelopment, it was largely known for its cluster of industrial buildings and for being where the Bay Bridge spat out cars crossing from Oakland into the city, leading to traffic gridlock. Traffic is still an issue in modern-day East Cut.

Source: Fast Company



But now, the neighborhood is home to some of the city's — and country's — largest tech companies. Big tech companies, including Salesforce and Google, are mere blocks away from the Avery's doorstep.



And the city's $2.2 billion Salesforce Transit Center is also situated within the neighborhood's limits.

Read more:San Francisco's $2.2 billion transit center finally reopened after a cracked beam kept it closed for the better part of a year — take a look around



Another defining characteristic of the East Cut is its menagerie of sleek high-rise glass towers that loom overhead, like the Avery building.

Source: Fast Company



Some of the skyscrapers are for commercial use —Facebook leases the entirety of the Park Tower and is also the sole commercial tenant of the mixed-use tower at 181 Fremont.

Source: Sf Curbed, Business Insider



And some of the high-rises house residences. The area has seen 6,000 housing units built in recent years, many of which are luxury condos.

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle and Fast Company



One such unit is a $15 million condo recently sold at 181 Fremont. You can spot the tower that houses the condo from the formal living area of the $16 million penthouse we toured at The Avery.

Read more about the multi-million-dollar condos at 181 Fremont in San Francisco



And the East Cut is also where the infamously sinking Millennium Tower is, well, sinking. The 58-story luxury condo skyscraper has sunk 17 inches since 2009, leading to a slew of concerns among residents and the general public.

Read more about everything that's gone wrong with San Francisco's Millennium Tower in the past decade



So the Avery is just one of the most recent luxury living complexes springing up in the East Cut hoping to attract deep-pocketed tenants with the neighborhood's proximity to some of the country's largest tech companies.

Source: Fast Company



You'll find an entrance to the Avery 450 apartments at 450 Folsom St. This is where residents living in the tower's apartment rentals on floors one through 33 enter their units.



Studios cost $3,750 a month, one-bedrooms start at $4,845 — $1,245 more than the city's one-bedroom median rent — and two-bedroom rentals cost $6,870 a month …

Source: Business Insider and The Avery



There's also a separate entrance for owners of the for-sale condos that start on floor 33 of the high-rise.



There are 118 condos for purchase at The Avery. One-bedrooms cost around $1.8 million, two-bedrooms are priced at $2.5 million, and three-bedrooms are $3.7 million, according to a press release.



And then there's the cluster of luxe penthouses on the top floors, from floor 53 to floor 56.



The top floor is home to a $41 million penthouse, which would be one of the highest-priced homes to be sold in San Francisco if it sells for the asking price. A private rooftop deck is one of the many bells and whistles of the unit.

Source: SF Curbed



On floor 53 there are two half-floor penthouses. The one we toured is 4,312 square feet, has three bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms ...



… and is priced at $15.95 million.



A $16 million price tag may seem steep, but this is San Francisco we're talking about.



The accumulation of tech money in San Francisco has created a demand for high-priced living, at the Avery and in the tower's luxury high-rise neighbors.

Source: SF Curbed



This is what you see when you first walk into The Avery's half-floor penthouse. The expansive Bay Bridge is in full view through the unit's floor-to-ceiling windows.



The main room is situated on a corner of the tower, so there's lots of natural light ...



... and extraordinary views of both the bay and of downtown.



Oracle Park, home to the San Francisco Giants, is in view in the distance also. The ballpark is situated about a 20-minute walk south of The Avery.



To the left of the formal living area there's a library separated by a wall and a fireplace.



The interior of the unit was designed by Jay Jeffers, a prominent interior designer based in San Francisco.



Rich colors and gold accents are found throughout the space.



A hallway with a half bathroom leads to the other parts of the penthouse.



There are lighting and Nest thermostat controls in the hallway, as well as in other areas of the unit.



A sliding door allows privacy, if needed, from the main entertaining area.



And through the sliding door is an informal living and dining area.



There's a full gourmet kitchen complete with Miele appliances and marble countertops.



The height of the stove hood is adjustable via a panel on its side.



And the Bay Bridge can be seen through more floor-to-ceiling windows from the kitchen.



Down another hallway is the master suite situated on a corner of the tower.



So the views are just as stunning as they are when you first walk in.



Here's one view of the downtown cityscape, including LinkedIn's black cube-like offices and the rooftop park atop the Salesforce Transit Center.



And just like in the other rooms, a clear and stunning view of the Bay Bridge can be seen from the master suite.



There's a custom headboard that runs the full length of one wall.



And textured wallpaper runs along the walls that aren't windows.



There are two master closets in the master suite.



Built-in shelving is already in place.



There are also two bathrooms in the master suite.



Each is conjoined with a master closet. One bathroom has a shower and the other has a bathtub.



The other two bedrooms are down a short hallway.



One of these bedrooms is decked out in blue and grey tones …



… and the other in a rich wine color.



Each bedroom has its own ensuite bathroom.



As dazzling as the ultra-luxe penthouse is, there's a pressing need for affordable housing in San Francisco, a city that is swept up in a crushing housing shortage.

Source: Business Insider



A portion of the apartments on floors one through 31, as well the units in an adjoining building, are priced below market rates.



There will also be shops and restaurants in an area called The Shops at Avery Lane on the same block as the high-rise and the attached building designated for affordable units.



As for the $16 million, half-floor penthouse, it and its million-dollar views are still on the market looking for a buyer.



How to add a link to your Instagram Story — if your account is eligible to do so

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instagram stories

  • You can add an external link to your Instagram Story only if your account is eligible for the feature.
  • To be able to add links to your Instagram Stories, you need to have over 10,000 followers or a verified Instagram account.
  • The links will disappear with your stories unless you decide to add a story to your permanent highlights.

Instagram has revolutionized marketing and promotions.

Unfortunately, regardless of how compelling the pictures or videos you post on Instagram are, without being able to link to the website or products you may be promoting there's no way to track your effectiveness.

If you're an influencer and have sponsors and clients, or want to be an influencer, the companies that would potentially support you greatly appreciate click-throughs.

Luckily (for some), you can add links to your stories, as long as you have a verified Instagram account or over 10,000 followers. 

How to add a link to your Instagram Story

1. Open the Instagram Story tool to add a new story.

2. Tap the link icon — it will look like two chain links, on the top of your screen (again, if your account is not Instagram-verified or you don't have 10,000 followers, you will not be able to see or use this feature).

add link

3. Open the website that you want to link to your story in a web browser and copy the link.

4. Paste the link into the Instagram Story link box.

link

5. Tap Done to finalize (the button in the upper right corner).

6. Tap Your Story to publish your story and share your link with your followers.

After you've published your story, make sure the link works by opening your story and clicking through. Since stories erase after 24 hours, these links work best for one-off and timely promotions.

If you want to publish a longer-lasting or permanent link with the story, make the story a highlight by tapping your bio and adding a Story Highlight to your profile. You can add up to 100 photos or videos to your Story Highlights.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech

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

Join the conversation about this story »

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How to sync a calendar from your Mac computer to an iPhone, to access calendar updates on both devices

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icloud iphone calendar

With the ability to sync your calendar across Apple devices, it's easy to make sure that meeting you accepted on your work email also goes to your iPhone to actually remind you to show up. 

You'll have to activate this sync using either iCloud or iTunes. Both techniques take several steps on your Mac or iPhone, and both have pros and cons, including the fact that Apple is ending iTunes soon

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

MacBook Pro (From $1,299.99 at Best Buy)

How to sync your calendar from Mac to iPhone using iCloud

To do this, you have to make sure your iPhone and your Mac share the same iCloud account. 

However, once they're synced, updates made on your Mac should automatically update on your iPhone.

The first few steps involve your Mac.

1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left hand corner.

2. Click on System Preferences.

3. Click on iCloud to get the list of everything syncing to your iCloud.

4. Click on the box next to Calendars to ensure that it makes it into your iCloud.

Sync_Calendar1

Then, activate the calendar on your iPhone.

1. Tap on Settings.

2. Tap on your iCloud profile name ("Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Store").

3. Tap on iCloud (the top of the second list).

4. Tap on Calendars to toggle it green.

Sync_Calendar2.PNG

Calendars will be officially synchronized from your Mac to your iPhone.

How to sync your calendar from Mac to iPhone using iTunes

One benefit of using iTunes instead of iCloud is that you can share your calendar from your Mac to your iPhone even if they're not on the same iCloud account. 

A downside is that you have to connect them physically, with a USB cable, to update the iPhone's Calendar. There's also the fact that Apple is soon killing the iTunes app on Mac computers and iPhones. 

1. Open iTunes on your Mac.

2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using the USB cable.

3. Click on the iPhone icon in the top, just next to Music (it is an icon of an iPhone).

4. Click on Info in the list to the left.

5. Click on the box next to Sync Calendars.

6. Click on Done in the lower right hand corner.

7. A box will come up asking if you want to apply these changes to your iPhone. Click Apply. 

Sync_Calendar3

Your iPhone will now have synced with the Mac's current Calendar.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best Macbooks you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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How to make a group chat on Snapchat, to send private Snaps and messages to multiple people at once

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evan spiegel snapchat

Creating a Snapchat group chat can be a great way to keep a friend group connected. 

Keep in mind that Snaps sent to groups will not count toward Snapstreaks. And if you want to see who's read or saved Snaps sent within a group, simply tap on a chat — and once someone else opens the group chat, their name and Bitmoji will appear above your keyboard.

Group chat messages are still automatically deleted after 24 hours, just like regular Snaps, unless of course you save them. 

Here's what you need to know to create a group chat within Snapchat on the iPhone or Android app.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

Google Pixel 3 (From $799.99 at Best Buy)

How to make a group chat on Snapchat

Setting up a group chat is a simple process and should only take you a minute or so to do:

1. Open the Snapchat app and log into your account, if necessary.

2. Swipe across the screen, from left-to-right to get to the Friends screen.

1 HOW TO MAKE GROUP CHAT SNAPCHAT

3. Tap the speech bubble with a plus sign next to it, located at the top of the screen.

4. Select the people you want to add to a group chat — you'll see their names appear at the top of the screen as you add them.

2 HOW TO MAKE GROUP CHAT SNAPCHAT

5. Tap "Chat" or "Chat With Group."

Once you have your group set up, you'll be able to get to it from the Friends screen, as well as via the search function within the app.

You can also go back into a group to add more members in case you accidentally left them out. To do that, you'll have to open the group chat, and tap the Group Chat icon at the top-left of the screen to open the Group Profile. From there, tap the "+ Add Members" button, and select whoever you want to add to the chat.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

Join the conversation about this story »

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How to remove someone from a Snapchat group in 2 different ways

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snapchat app iphone

Group chats on Snapchat are somewhat lawless — instead of leaving control to the person who set up the chat, anyone can change the name of the chat and add new members to the group (though there is a 32 person limit).

Bad news first: There's no feature on Snapchat to actually remove someone from a group chat. 

However, the good news is that there are ways around this oversight. Which one you use will depend on your preferences and the reason you want to remove that person from a group chat.

Here are two methods that can help you accomplish the task and effectively have a group chat with fewer users.

How to remove someone from a Snapchat group

Set up a new group chat 

If you're in more of a hurry, you can just set up a new group chat that includes everyone except the user or users you wish to remove. The process is simple and should take you no more than a minute or two to complete.

1 HOW TO REMOVE SOMEONE SNAPCHAT GROUP

Ask the person to leave the group chat

This one is definitely more of an aggressive move, and whether you choose to use it or not will depend on how comfortable you are with confrontation. Once they leave the group, all of their chats and Snaps will be automatically deleted from the group.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

Join the conversation about this story »

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How to cancel your YouTube Premium subscription on a computer or mobile device

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youtube phone computer app

  • You can cancel YouTube Premium, the $12 per month subscription service offering ad-free videos and other content from YouTube, in a few different ways. 
  • If you have a subscription to YouTube Premium and want to cancel, you can do that using the Paid Memberships link under your avatar on a desktop web browser or in the mobile app.
  • If you subscribed via iTunes, you'll need to cancel YouTube Premium in the App Store app on your iPhone.  
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

YouTube Premium (which was formerly called YouTube Red) is a subscription version of YouTube that offers ad-free versions of all the video on the site, along with exclusive original content and some other features (like downloads for offline playback) for $12 per month. 

If you've tried YouTube Premium but want to cancel your subscription, you can do it with just a few clicks or taps. 

In most cases, you can cancel YouTube Premium from the web site or the YouTube mobile app. The only exception is if you subscribed via iTunes – you'll need to unsubscribe using the App Store app on your iPhone

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to cancel YouTube Premium in a web browser

1. Open YouTube in a web browser.

2. Click your avatar in the upper right corner and click "Paid memberships."

premium 1

3. You should see YouTube Premium listed as a paid membership. Click "Cancel Membership."

premium 2

4. When asked, confirm you really want to do this by clicking "Yes."

How to cancel YouTube Premium in the mobile app

1. Start the YouTube app.

2. Tap your avatar in the upper right corner and tap "Paid memberships."

3. In the YouTube Premium section, tap "Manage."

premium 3

After the membership page opens in the browser, tap "Cancel Membership." Confirm you want to do this by tapping "Yes."

How to cancel YouTube Premium from the iPhone's App Store

If you originally subscribed to YouTube Premium via iTunes back when the service was called YouTube Red (you can no longer subscribe this way, so this only applies to a small number of long-time YouTube Premium members), you need to unsubscribe using the App Store. 

1. On your iPhone, start the App Store app. 

2. Tap your avatar in the upper right corner. 

3. Tap "Manage Subscriptions."

premium 4

4. Tap "YouTube Premium."

5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" and then tap "Confirm" to complete the process.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

Join the conversation about this story »

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'Why won't my iPad connect to Wi-Fi?': How to fix your iPad's Wi-Fi connection in 4 different ways

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ipad using man

  • When your iPad won't connect to Wi-Fi, there is often a simple fix.
  • Check and reset your Wi-Fi router and modem first when your iPad won't connect to Wi-Fi.
  • If your router and modem are functioning fine, you should check and reset your iPad's Wi-Fi connection and network settings.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

To get the most out of your iPad, you need to be connected to the Internet. 

If your iPad won't connect to Wi-Fi, sometimes restarting the iPad will fix the problem. However, if that doesn't work, here's a guide to troubleshooting connectivity issues.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPad (From $ 329.99 at Best Buy)

Check your Wi-Fi router and modem for a failed connection to your iPad

Your router may not be sending a signal to your iPad, or the iPad might not be receiving a signal from the modem. 

  • While routers and modems are usually consolidated into one device, they do different things. If you have a separate router and modem, check to make sure both are on and that they're connected properly.
  • Try resetting these devices by unplugging and plugging them back in. 
  • The rule of thumb when resetting a router or modem is to leave it off for 10 seconds to ensure that it has completely turned off before turning it back on.

Make sure your iPad has Wi-Fi connection enabled

The first step for iPad-based troubleshooting is to make sure you have Wi-Fi switched on in your iPad's settings. Sometimes you can inadvertently turn it off.

1. Tap on Settings.

2. Tap on Wi-Fi in the left column.

3. When Wi-Fi comes up in the right column, tap on the toggle next to Wi-Fi so it's green.

4. If you already have a preferred Wi-Fi, it should come up automatically. If not, a list of networks should come up. Click on yours.

5. If this is the first time signing into it, or if your iPad is signed out, you will be asked to enter your password. When there is a check next to your Wi-Fi and it's showing up below your Wi-Fi toggle, you're hooked up to the Wi-Fi coming from your router.

iPad_wifi2

Note, however, that if your modem or router is not functioning correctly, your iPad may show "No Internet Connection" or "Unable to join network." In this case, you should reset your router or modem by following the steps above. 

Reset your iPad's network settings

If you've tried resetting your iPad and your router and modem to no avail, try resetting your iPad's network settings.

1. Tap Settings.

2. Tap General (should be the top of the 3rd group in the left column).

3. Tap Reset (located near the very bottom of the right column).

4. Tap Reset Network Settings. This will require you to re-enter passwords as well as cellular settings and any other information saved in your network settings (for this reason it will require you to enter your iPad password before confirming).

iPad_wifi3

Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network on your iPad

If it still doesn't work, go to another place with Wi-Fi (office, coffee shop, or somewhere similar) and try to log in there. If your iPad can connect to a different Wi-Fi network, the issue is with your router, modem, or service provider.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best iPads you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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Fairway Market is so good that I don't go to Whole Foods anymore

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Fairway Market, Red Hook, Brooklyn NYC

  • In a shocking twist, New York City has the best regional grocery store: Fairway Market.
  • Whether you prioritize prices, selection, or customer service, Fairway Market is the best choice.
  • I visited the Red Hook, Brooklyn, location on Wednesday afternoon for a look at why Fairway is the best regional grocery chain.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you're not from northern New Jersey, southwestern Connecticut, or New York City (and surrounding counties) — the so-called "tri-state area" — chances are you haven't heard of Fairway Market.

Heck, even if you are, there's a strong possibility you've never been to one. With just 15 stores, Fairway is one of the smaller regional grocery chains (there are nearly 100 Wegmans stores).

It's also one of the better regional grocery chains — Fairway is, by far, the best supermarket in New York City. I went on a tour of the Red Hook, Brooklyn-based store to find out why:

SEE ALSO: We shopped at both Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, and the Amazon-owned chain was disappointing in comparison

The Fairway Market in Red Hook has an unfair advantage: an absurdly gorgeous, clear view of the Statue of Liberty.



But let's head to the supermarket instead. From the outside, Fairway Market looks like any other grocery store ...



... but things start to look different once you set foot inside. What I like most about Fairway is the incredible selection of fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies.



More than just fresh and seasonal stuff, Fairway carries a variety of produce from the region ...



... and the selection is absolutely absurd. This is just the first aisle of produce.



Here we come upon an example of why I'm a die-hard Fairway Market customer: Fairway goes all the way in on selection. These are just some of the chili peppers available on an average Wednesday afternoon.



Another crucial point: Not only is the selection killer, but it's remarkably fresh.



Just look at this absurdly gorgeous, curly parsley!



Fairway's obsessive dedication to selection extends beyond produce — this is just half of the extraordinary olive bar, which features a massive vat of capers alongside an large selection of olives, pickles, and various pickled items.



Let's move on to cheese for a moment, because this is quite a cheese selection. Fairway not only offers a wide variety of different cheeses, but it also offers locally made cheeses.



Fairway also makes its own fresh mozzarella on site.



But maybe you're just looking for some massive hunks of real Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy? Those are scattered around liberally.



The butcher section is especially great — not only does Fairway make sausage in-house ...



... there's also an in-house dry-aging program!



On the other side of the butcher case, a wealth of seafood is laid out over ice. Next to that, unlike most supermarkets, is a case full of lobster!



Moving past the meat and seafood section, Fairway really demonstrates its obsessive dedication to food-loving shoppers: An entire section of the store is focused solely on olive oil. There are even little tasters set up so you can try olive oils before dropping any cash.



But perhaps you're more of a coffee person?



Good news: There is an absolutely ridiculous selection of coffee that gets roasted on-site, and can then be ground to your desired fine-ness.



Notably, I haven't even begun speaking about absolutely jam-packed aisles full of thousands of items from all over the world. There is no wasted space at Fairway.



Here's just one snapshot of a single section of a single aisle, absolutely teeming with stuff. It's a little overwhelming at first, honestly, but after a few visits, it's hard to go back to normal grocery stores.



In 2019, visiting Fairway Market feels like visiting Whole Foods at its peak. Each store feels like its own distinct entity — a reflection of the community it serves.



How a couple with a bad financial track record paid off $109,000 in credit card debt and saved their marriage

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Brian and Lynn Brandow

  • Brian and Lynn Brandow had a "normal" American family. They were homeowners, took vacations with their three children, and didn't discuss money.
  • Whenever they had an unexpected life event, they put it on a credit card, only paying the monthly minimums. After ten years, they had almost maxed out five credit cards.
  • Their money problems put a strain on their relationship. The couple began to tackle the debt, but it was rough at first. 
  • They began communicating with their kids and each other about money, and made a plan to cut back and pay off debts. While there were bumps in the road, they began to feel much less stress as debts got paid off. Now, their marriage is stronger. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Brian and Lynn Brandow have been happily married for almost 20 years, but they have had their share of money disagreements over the years. Their relationship hit rock bottom after they maxed out all five of their credit cards and amassed $109,000 in debt.

Unsure of how they could ever repay it, the debt brought a lot of stress and anxiety into their marriage.

With their backs against the wall, the Brandows knew they needed to make a plan to save their family. Using the plan they made, they were able to pay off the entire balance in slightly over four years. 

It was an incredible turnaround from their previous financial track record. Brandow even chronicled his family's journey to pay off the debt on his personal finance blog, Debt Discipline.

SEE ALSO: I'm an entrepreneur who made it through the Great Recession with revenues up to $23 million. Here are my 5 tips for recession-proofing your business.

How the spending problems began

Brian Brandow's family of five was like many other American families. They owned a home, took vacations, often dined out, and never talked about money. When life happened unexpectedly — events like a flat tire, a home repair, or an appliance breakdown — they did what they thought was normal: They used a credit card to pay for it. With little to no cash savings, that was their plan for these types of mini-emergencies.

The Brandows communicated very little about money, and certainly never spoke about it with their three children. They just used credit cards as a Band-aid to their overspending, and slowly built up a pile of debt. The couple justified their behavior by telling themselves if they could manage the monthly minimum payment, it would be okay. Little did they realize how much additional money they were paying every month in interest, and the long-term effect a plan like this would have on their finances.



Signs of trouble

This plan worked for close to 10 years — until they ran out of runway. One credit card turned into five, and as balances ballooned, the stress of the monthly payments crept in on them. They began communicating more only in the form of disagreements and money fights over their spending habits. The defining moment came when they were close to maxing their credit limits on all five of their cards and could not finance a summer vacation for their family.

Brian was the one who managed the money in their house. He says, "I felt like I had let my wife and children down." Backed into a financial corner, he knew it was time for a change.



Money problems destroy marriages

One of the top problems facing romantic relationships today is money and debt.  According to a Ramsey Solutions survey, money is the second leading cause of divorce, after infidelity.

Here are some more of the key findings from the Ramsey survey:

Nearly two-thirds of all marriages start off in debt. Forty-three percent of couples married more than 25 years started off in debt, while 86% of couples married five years or less started off in the red — twice the number of their earlier generations. One-third of people who say they argued with their spouse about money say they hid a purchase from their spouse because they knew their partner would not approve.

Ninety-four percent of respondents who say they have a "great" marriage discuss their money dreams with their spouse, compared to only 45% of respondents who say their marriage is "okay" or "in crisis." 

Eighty-seven percent of respondents who say their marriage is "great" also say they and their spouse work together to set long-term goals for their money.

And 63% of those with $50,000 or more in debt feel anxious about talking about their personal finances. Almost half (47%) of respondents with consumer debt say their level of debt creates stress and anxiety.



How they did it

Knowing he needed to make a change, Brandow began to educate himself on strategies to get out of debt. He found several personal finance blogs, the debt snowball technique, and the Dave Ramsey community. With his newfound knowledge, Brandow was able to build a plan for his money — his family's first budget. For their budget, Brandow simply sat down with his computer and an Excel spreadsheet and tallied up all of his family's income and expenses. The couple was then able to decide where they needed to cut back.

The couple reviewed and decided on a plan for their money as a team for the first time. They both agreed that it would be difficult to change their bad behaviors, but that they needed to make the change for themselves and their three children. They also decided that they needed to continue to communicate about their money often, setting up periodic check-ins.

Brian and Lynn also spoke to their three children about their bad financial behaviors. They wanted the kids to understand why spending changes would be taking place and why they might hear the word "no" more often when asking for things.

The first few months of Brian and Lynn's plan were tough. It took time for new habits to form and the whole family to adjust. "We began by paying our smallest debt first — we followed the snowball method (paying off the smallest debt first and then moving up the line of debt). Our total monthly payment for our debt was $2,000 for nearly the entire duration of our debt repayment period," explained Brian. Over time they became experts at finding novel ways to save money and stretch out their dollars by cutting out trips to the salon, cutting out subscriptions they had, and limiting their travel, but they hit a few bumps in the road too.

Lynn was in a car accident and was out of work for over a year. Brian explains, "Our primary goal was to make sure Lynn was healthy. The fact that we now had a plan for our money, [meant] an unexpected life event like this was easier to manage." Lynn recovered and returned to work.

Life after debt

Having a clear "why" really helped Brian and family stay motivated during the long payoff. Saving money wasn't easy, but within the first few months of their repayment, with only a few thousand dollars knocked off of the debt, they began to feel the effects of their progress: less stress in their lives and no bad feelings toward money.

The simple fact that they had built a money plan as a team to overcome their debt helped to strengthen their relationship and marriage. Involving their three children in money discussion brought the family closer together than they had ever been.

"It's a whole new life and relationship together after debt!" Brian says now. 



18 countries with more exhausting workweeks than the US

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Brazil commute cable car

Some countries have a work ethic that makes the US workweek look like a walk in the park.

The average US workweek is 38.6 hours long. That may feel like forever to some people, but it's nothing compared to some countries' workweeks. According to a 40-country annual survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the international average workweek was 36.8 hours in 2018. We looked at the OECD's Better Life Index to find out why workweeks were so long in some places, but not in others.

Next time you're feeling envious of the Dutch workweek (at 29 hours long on average, it's the shortest on the OECD's ranking), remember that some workers spend a lot more time at the office than you do.

Here are the countries with the world's longest workweeks.

SEE ALSO: From San Diego to Austin and Seattle, these are the 15 best US cities to launch a startup

19. The United States has a 38.6-hour workweek.

In the US, 11% of workers work over 50 hours a week, in line with the OECD's average of 11%. US workers also have 14.4 hours to themselves outside of work, slightly less than the 15-hour OECD average.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,766



18. Lithuania has a 38.7-hour workweek.

Lithuania follows the same five-day, eight-hour workweek as the US, and workers usually come in between 8 and 8:30 am. Occasionally, workers clock in for an extra workday on Saturdays. Workers also get an average of four weeks of paid vacation, which is also standard among other European Union member states.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,616



17. Iceland has a 38.8-hour workweek.

Iceland's workweek hovers below the 40-hour mark, but sources like Iceland Review say it's much longer — 45 hours a week. 

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,469



16. Greece has a 38.8-hour workweek.

Greek workers spend more time working than most of their European counterparts, but that number used to be much higher. A Greek workweek in 1975 was 48 hours long, compared to today's norm of just under 40 hours a week.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,956



15. Slovenia has a 39-hour workweek.

Like Greece, Slovenians spend around 39 hours working each week. Slovenians only work 1,603 hours a year on average, unlike Greek workers, who spend 1,956 hours working a year. This is mainly due to far fewer vacation days available in Greece.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,603



14. Latvia has a 39.1-hour workweek.

Only 1.3% of Latvians work over 50 hours a week, compared with the OECD average of 11%.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,699



13. Slovakia has a 39.1-hour workweek.

The average worker in Slovakia makes about 912 euro a month ($1,022). The most lucrative jobs are in finance and insurance (1,747 euros a month), while some of the lowest-paying jobs are in restaurants (512 euros a month).

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,698



12. The Czech Republic has a 39.4-hour workweek.

Like most countries in the European Union, the Czech Republic gives workers about 20 vacation days a year, and at least one of the holiday that workers take must be two weeks long.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,792



11. Portugal has a 39.5-hour workweek.

Despite having a longer average workweek, only 8% of Portuguese workers work over 50 hours a week, compared with the OECD average of 11%.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,722



10. Brazil has a 39.5-hour workweek.

Brazilian workers spend less of their day outside of work than most countries — 14.6 hours are reserved for eating, sleeping, and socializing, compared the OECD average of 15 hours

Average annual hours worked per worker: N/A



9. Hungary has a 39.6-hour workweek.

Women in Hungary have lower fertility rates than women in other OECD countries, partly because there aren't many resources for working mothers to take care of their children aside from parental leave. Only 11% of children under age three are in some form of day care.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,741



8. Poland has a 39.8-hour workweek.

Poland's employment rate is 66% for people aged 15 to 64, slightly below the OECD average of 68%.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,792



7. Israel has a 40.6-hour workweek.

Israel may not have the longest workweek, but it spends a lot of time working over the course of the year, as shown by their annual hours worked. Around 15.4% of employees work 50 hours or more, and the average Israeli worker only has 13.4 hours outside of work each day, including sleep.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,910



6. Chile has a 42.8-hour workweek.

Chile is no. 38 out of 40 on OECD's ranking for the most average leisure time. That means many Chilean workers don't have much time to themselves outside of work — just 13.3 hours compared to the OECD's 15-hour average. 

Average annual hours worked per worker: 1,941



5. South Africa has a 42.9-hour workweek.

Only 44% of South Africans aged 15 to 64 have paid jobs, far below the OECD average of 68%. For those who do have jobs, 18% of South Africans work over 50 hours in a week, more than the OECD average of 11%.

Average annual hours worked per worker: N/A



4. Costa Rica has a 44.5-hour workweek.

Costa Ricans not only have long workweeks, they also have the second-highest annual hours worked, just behind Mexico.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 2,121



3. Mexico has a 45.1-hour workweek.

In Mexico, a whopping 28.7% of workers stay in the office over 50 hours a week, and Mexican workers only have 12.4 hours of free time outside of work each day. Despite not having the longest workday, the average Mexican worker puts in more hours at the office annually than any other nationality.

Average annual hours worked per worker: 2,148



2. Turkey has a 47-hour workweek.

Turkey works longer hours than any other OECD country: 32% of workers report working more than 50 hours a week. However, many of them still find free time outside of work: Turkish workers spend 14.8 hours outside the office a day, just below the OECD average of 15 hours.

Average annual hours worked per worker: N/A



1. Colombia has a 47.7-hour workweek.

Colombia is in last place for the OECD's overall work-life balance index for a number of reasons. Aside from having the longest average workweek, Colombians have less free time than any other nationality outside of work: only 12 hours a day on average. They're also ranked no. 38 out of 40 for workers working over 50 hours a week — 26.6% of workers work long hours, behind only Mexico and Turkey.

Average annual hours worked per worker: N/A



Moving into a tiny house helped one 35-year-old increase his income and save $100,000 in 5 years — here's how he did it

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ryan mitchell

Ryan Mitchell, age 35, completely underestimated the positive impact moving into a tiny house would have on his life.

Mitchell, who runs the blog The Tiny Life and is based in North Carolina, told Business Insider he began building his 150 square-foot tiny house seven years ago. While he spent $30,000 on building costs (including solar panels) over the first two years, he's since netted more than six figures during the following five years.

"Even after accounting for the cost of the house, I've saved over $100,000 going tiny, and it's been a great experience," Mitchell said. When asked about his savings strategy, he said: "It really was as simple as moving into the tiny house."

Before moving into his tiny house, Mitchell, who previously worked in non-profits and human resources, was spending about $1,500 a month on rent, utilities, insurance, and other standard living expenses. He said that most Americans spend 30% to 50% of their income on housing costs, including rent or mortgage, upkeep, utilities, taxes, insurance, cable, and internet.

"I knew if I could eliminate housing costs, I'd win big," he added. "When people think about saving and budgeting, too often people try to 'cut out the lattes.' You saving $4 on your coffee isn't going to move the needle; you taking your rent from $1,500-plus down to $30 per month — that's huge."

Mitchell's total living expenses right now are less than $1,000 a month.

"It's hard to put into words how different this life is when your bills are so low; it's life-changing," he said.

Read more: Here's what living in a tiny house is really like, according to people who traded their homes for minimalism

Increasing your paycheck and creating multiple streams of income can go a long way

By reducing housing costs, Mitchell created a lower cost of living — ultimately putting more money in his pocket. He estimates that he has saved about half of his total income every month to reach $100,000. But in addition to aggressively saving, he also used some of the extra money he shaved off his living expenses to start up a new business. He later sold that business, further increasing his income. He used the profits to buy his own land, he explained. 

But creating and selling a business wasn't Mitchell's only source of income. Running The Tiny Life earns him a little more than enough to cover his monthly expenses and allocate about half of his overall monthly income to savings, he said, adding that he only has to work about five hours a week to meet all his bills, savings, and retirement needs, which gives him "a great lifestyle."

But he wouldn't describe this revenue as passive income.

"I will say that the notion of truly 'passive' income is generally a pretty false representation," he said. "I still have to manage things; I prefer to look at it as I've leveraged my time very well so my effective hourly is super high, so I don't need to put in so many hours."

Mitchell, author of the books Tiny House Living and Tiny Houses Built With Recycled Materials, loves that he can run the website from wherever and whenever. But he also doesn't like to sit idle, so he picks up freelance work on the side.

"I don't actually need the money (which is not to say I don't earn well from those activities)," he said. "They keep me engaged and earn me extra for investments and 'fun money,' as I call it, allowing me to travel a lot and take time for myself."

SEE ALSO: 6 people reveal what they wish they'd known before moving into a tiny house, from how much money they'd actually save to the downsides of building a luxurious home

DON'T MISS: 6 people on how living in a tiny house has changed their finances, from going debt-free to saving six figures

Join the conversation about this story »

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This $70 bidet attaches to your toilet — I tried it and was impressed with how well it cleaned

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Superior Bidet

  • A high-quality bidet should be easy to install, user-intuitive, and leaves you feeling ultra-clean.
  • I like the Superior Bidet Supreme Attachment (currently $64.99 on Amazon) because it produces enough pressure to clean, the water gets plenty hot, and the nozzles are self-cleaning.
  • It's an inexpensive model backed by a one-year limited warranty, so this attachment is a great, low-risk way for people to decide if bidet life is right for them. 

When I talk to people about bidets (which happens much more often than I'd like to admit), there are generally two reactions. If they've never used one, they're usually apprehensive about the idea of shooting water up there and often give me incredulous looks. If the person does have experience with a bidet, they give me a knowing look and are often as evangelical about this device as I am.

I drag out a common trope to convince the uninitiated that bidet life is the only life. Would you consider yourself clean if you just got into the shower without water and rubbed yourself down with a towel? Of course not. You wash with water; the same applies to your dirtiest areas. Toilet paper isn't enough.

If you're on the fence about bidets, I recommend trying a good beginner attachment like the Superior Bidet Supreme Attachment, which the brand sent me to test. Here's are my experiences with this starter unit. 

Design

Superior Bidet offers four styles of bidets. The Base model ($44.99) consists of a single rear nozzle and one knob that you can use to adjust the water pressure and clean the nozzle. The Standard model ($54.99) is ambitiously marketed as "a girl's best friend" because it adds front cleaning as well. The Deluxe ($54.39) is the cheapest model on Amazon right now and only has one rear nozzle, but also has the added benefit of water temperature control so you can get hot water instead of just cold water. Lastly, Superior Bidet's most popular model is the Supreme ($69.45) which has front and rear nozzles, adjustable water temperature, and nozzle cleaning. This is the model I tested.

Read more: The best bidets you can buy

Specs

The Superior Bidet Supreme comes with a one-year limited warranty along with everything you need to install the bidet yourself. This includes a flexible metal cold water hose, T-adapters for the cold and hot water connections, a plastic hot water hose, and optional parts like Teflon tape to prevent leakage and a hot water inlet cap if you only plan on using cold water.

As you sit on the throne, the bidet attachment's controls are on your right. There are three knobs to clean the nozzle, engage and adjust the pressure for the front and rear nozzles, and control water temperature.

Set up process

Superior Bidet Supreme Attachment

Installation was fairly simple, but there were a few complications. First, you'd need a wrench, screwdriver, and a rag; I'd also recommend having a little bowl ready to catch the small amounts of water released from the hoses you'd unscrew.

After getting all your tools together, you'll uninstall your existing toilet seat and re-install it with the bidet between the seat and the back of the toilet bowl rim. You may want to add risers (which are not included) to the front of the seat to make it level, though the forward tilt isn't very noticeable. Next, you'll attach the toilet water supply valve, and for hot water, connect the plastic hose to your sink's hot water connection. A T-adapter lets you use your sink's hot water like normal with the bidet installed.

The whole process took me about 45 minutes, though a lot of that time was taken up trying to fit the poorly-threaded T-adapter to the toilet tank. I eventually got it and it doesn't leak, but did take time to figure out. I also spent a little extra time making the hot water hose that runs to the sink look nice and neat in our bathroom.

What makes the bidet stand out 

With high-end bidets, you rely on the built-in heating element to produce hot water. In practice, these units don't get incredibly hot (maybe 100 degrees Fahrenheit) so you have to wait for a while to get the temperature up or waste electricity with a heating element that's on 24/7.

Since this one uses hot water from your sink, it's not an issue but that also means it'll determine how hot the bidet water gets. But you do need to be careful that you don't scald yourself; if the water out of your faucet gets uncomfortably hot quickly, the water used in your bidet will do the same.

I like that there is a nozzle-cleaning knob too. Since we're dealing with the toilet, you don't want water to come through a dirty nozzle. Thankfully, this was not a concern with the Superior Bidet Attachment.

Using the bidet is pretty easy, I appreciate that I don't have to provide tutorials to guests who want to use my bathroom. There's a nozzle in the front and one in the back for obvious reasons, both of which remain out of sight until they are engaged for sanitary and aesthetic reasons. To use the bidet, you just turn the nozzle knob toward either the front or rear position. The more you turn the knob, the higher the pressure, and the pressure produced by this bidet is impressive for the price. 

Cons to consider 

What I liked least about the Superior Bidet Attachment is the hot water hose. It's 10 feet long so it reaches our sink, but it's an eyesore and I couldn't close the cabinet door under the sink with the hose connected. If I was inspired, I could drill a hole to feed the hose through the cabinet but instead, I decided to just remove the hose entirely and live with cold water. But if your sink is right next to the toilet and your faucet connections are exposed, the hose may not be as unsightly in your bathroom as it was in mine.

The bidet also doesn't have high-end features like a heated seat, air drying, remote control, nozzle position adjustments, or protections against water flying out when a toddler starts playing with the knobs. If you wanted a bidet with these features, expect to pay upwards of $600. On the flip side of that though, fancier bidet seats also require electricity, which is less environmentally-friendly and may require an ugly extension cord.

Read more: What it's like to use a $649 bidet toilet seat — it has a heated seat, a built-in blue nightlight, and adjustable water pressure

The bottom line 

For the price, the Superior Bidet Supreme Attachment is a good starter bidet. It doesn't compare to the expensive electric alternatives out there but with its pressure and temperature adjustments, hygienic front, rear nozzles, and easy installation, it's a solid choice for beginners. I strongly recommend it to people who want to find out if bidets are right for them before investing in a more expensive one.

Pros: Pressure and temperature controls, a self-cleaning nozzle, inexpensive

Cons: Doesn't have many high-end features, the hot water hose may be an eyesore in your bathroom

Buy the Superior Bidet Supreme Attachment on Amazon for $64.99

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Jeff Bezos is worth over $160 billion — here's how the world's richest man makes and spends his money

38 US cities where people have to fork over more than 50% of their income to afford housing

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los angeles homes

  • The cost to buy a home is more expensive than it's ever been.
  • SmartAsset recently released a new report ranking the US cities with the most severely housing cost-burdened households — households that spend at least half of their income on housing.
  • In 38 cities, at least 12% of households are severely housing cost-burdened — almost half of the cities are in California.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The housing market is on the climb.

It's so expensive that, in some cities, the price of the typical home outweighs the average income by so much that it can take prospective homeowners well over a decade to save the necessary amount for a 20% down payment.

SmartAsset, a financial technology company, has released a new ranking that highlights the high cost of homeownership. Their May 2019 report found the US cities that have the most severely housing cost-burdened households. Here, a "housing cost-burdened household" is defined as one that spends more than 50% of its income on housing — well over the 30% mark that is traditionally recommended

To determine this list, SmartAsset used data from the US Census Bureau's 2017 1-year American Community Survey. Within this data, they took the number of severely housing cost-burdened households among homeowners in 126 cities, ranking each city by the percentage of households that spend at least half of their income on housing.

In 38 US cities, 12% (or more) of all households in the city spend at least half of their income on housing. Of these cities, 17 are in California, making it the state with the greatest number of severely housing cost-burdened cities. Florida ranks second, home to five of the most severely housing cost-burdened cities.

Read on to see the 38 US cities where at least 12% of the households are barely affording their homes.

SEE ALSO: Here's how much space $1,000 in rent will get you in 11 major US cities

DON'T MISS: The 50 best suburbs in America, ranked

38. Charleston, South Carolina

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12%



T37. Cincinnati, Ohio

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.08%



T37. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.08%



35. Huntington Beach, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.13%



34. Santa Clarita, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.23%



33. Simi Valley, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.25%



32. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.30%



31. San Diego, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.33%



30. Cape Coral, Florida

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.46%



29. Santa Ana, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.47%



28. Hollywood, Florida

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.63%



27. Detroit, Michigan

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.75%



26. San Francisco, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.80%



25. Corona, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.83%



24. Pembroke Pines, Florida

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.85%



23. Stockton, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.90%



22. Irvine, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.96%



T22. Norfolk, Virginia

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 12.96%



20. Rancho Cucamonga, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 13.06%



19. Richmond, Virginia

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 13.16%



18. San Jose, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 13.19%



T18. Baltimore, Maryland

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 13.19%



16. Oakland, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 13.72%



15. Anaheim, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 13.79%



14. Torrance, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 14.04%



13. Chicago, Illinois

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 14.27%



12. Honolulu, Hawaii

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 14.44%



11. Thousand Oaks, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 15%



10. Boston, Massachusetts

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 15.41%



9. Pasadena, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 15.44%



8. New Orleans, Louisiana

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 15.67%



7. Long Beach, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 16.10%



6. Yonkers, New York

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 17.52%



5. New York, New York

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 17.64%



4. Hialeah, Florida

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 18.06%



3. Los Angeles, California

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 18.50%



2. Jersey City, New Jersey

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 19.39%



1. Miami, Florida

Percentage of severely cost-burdened households: 19.49%



How to tell you're on track for a mini-retirement, according to 2 people who have taken a break from their careers to travel

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driving vacation

Forget early retirement.

Mini-retirement is the latest way people are getting a reprieve from the daily grind. Coined by Tim Ferris in his book, "The 4-Hour Workweek," a mini-retirement is a series of meaningful respites throughout your life in which you take a break from your career, rather than taking one final retirement at the end. 

But how can you tell if you're on track to take a step back from your routine — and whether you're ready to do so at all? Two mini-retirees who've been there share their best advice.

Know your purpose

A mini-retirement may be a time to reset, but you can't go into it without a plan or purpose.

"First, ask why you want to take a mini-retirement — [do you want to] travel, explore new work opportunities, pursue or grow a new interest (surfing, rock climbing, music, etc.)?" Kyle Stimpson of Not Your Parents' Financial Guy told Business Insider. At age 27, after having saved more than $80,000, Stimpson took a six-month mini-retirement to travel. He budgeted $20,000 for it.

"You'll want something to do and not just sit at home all day, which can be terrible for mental health," Stimpson said.

Jillian Johnsrud of Montana Money Adventures, who has taken five mini-retirements that have lasted anywhere from one month to two-and-a-half-years, told Business Insider there are a few compelling reasons to take a mini-retirement.

One reason, she said, is burnout — exhaustion because of chronic workplace stress. "Often, people need a few months just to recharge and bring their passion back to the office."

jillian johnsrud

Read more: Forget early retirement — people who saved enough money to travel for weeks or years say a 'mini-retirement' is just as rewarding

Look no further than the recent focus on workplace burnout in the US to see how far-spread it is. Earlier this year, the World Health Organization defined burnout as a clinical syndrome, reported Business Insider's Ivan de Luce. If you feel like you're reaching a breaking point with workplace stress, it may be time to take a timeout.

But another reason to take a mini-retirement is to pursue time-sensitive opportunities, Johnsrud said — like traveling with a new spouse before having kids or taking a big trip with parents while they're physically capable.

"So many experiences have an expiration date," she added. "My husband and I took a 10-week camping trip to 10 National Parks last year. Our five kids were [ages] two to 10 and I could feel that window starting to close where we could pack them all up and go."

Determining the driving force and motivation behind your mini-retirement ultimately brings you one step closer to taking the plunge.

Stay on track by eliminating consumer debt and saving toward a target number

You can't dive in without being financially prepared.

Johnsrud said that preferably, aspiring mini-retirees should have all consumer debt paid off (think credit cards or a car loan), an emergency fund in place, and be investing at least 10% for old-age retirement before taking a mini-retirement. 

They should also have enough cash saved to cover expenses during a mini-retirement. Alternatively, having a side hustle can help pay for it — think freelancing, teaching English online, or using Workaway, a platform in which members arrange homestays in exchange for volunteer work, she said.

Stimpson advises saving enough for monthly expenses for the duration of mini-retirement, in addition to a standard three- to six-month emergency fund. He said you need to calculate how much money you'll need per month during your mini-retirement and determine what you need to do make that a reality — will you cut expenses by moving to a cheaper location, selling your car, or cutting down on discretionary spending? 

Stimpson saved 30% to 40% of his post-tax income for three years by creating a budget and savings plan. To cut back on expenses, he rented a modest apartment, cooked most meals at home, spent little on shopping and entertainment, and took public transportation.

kyle stimpson

Read more: A 27-year-old saved over $80,000 in 3 years while living in a major city — and now he's on a 'mini-retirement' traveling the world

Having a target number and creating a plan to reach it will help you stay on track and check in on your progress as you approach your goal.

"Once you have the money saved up, you should be ready to pull the trigger," he said. "Honestly, the money part is not that difficult if you have good saving and spending habits in place. It's much more difficult to figure out how you are going to spend your time."

Johnsrud said mini-retirement experiences don't have to be expensive. According to her, a full year of world travel for a couple runs about $40,000. A 10-week road trip cost her less than $7,000 — she and her husband paid for nearly the whole thing by renting out their house while they were away. And her first mini-retirement — a month-long coast-to-coast road trip with her best friend — cost less than $3,000.

"I would love to see people retire early and often instead of trying to cram all their best life experiences into old age," she said.

SEE ALSO: An American family who moved to Nicaragua for a year to live cheaply ended up blowing their $30,000 budget thanks to unexpected costs — but still spent less than life at home in the US

DON'T MISS: A 24-year-old who's traveling the world says her 'mini-retirement' is more productive than a corporate job

Join the conversation about this story »

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The best rakes you can buy

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  • Fall is around the corner, and for many people, that means it's time to break out the trusty old garden rake to take care of all those falling leaves.
  • The best rake for most people is the Fiskars Leaf Rake with its durable design and ability to grab lots of leaves in one swipe.

Autumn's coming and leaves will be falling, which means it's time to get that rake ready. I love raking. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that it is my all-time favorite household chore. The reasons why are simple: I get to be outdoors during my favorite season, I get a good workout because raking burns approximately 350-450 calories per hour, and it's a chore with an identifiable beginning and end. (For the very same reasons, I'm passionate about shoveling, too.) 

But how do you choose the best rake to handle all those falling leaves and other garden tasks? We've done the research to find the best rakes you can buy for gardening tasks. Here are a few things to think about when you are deciding on which rake to buy, according to Morning Chores and other gardening experts:

  • Durability: Cheap plastic rakes are meant to be disposable. It's common for them to break up at the end of the season. But a good rake should last decades. That's why you should look for a rake with a hardwood handle, as well as metal tines that are attached with a spring metal hinge.
  • Handles: Hardwood handles are best because metal handles tend to bend or warp with heavy use, especially over time. Metal is also a valid second option as it will last a lifetime and has very little impact on the environment. However, if you live in a colder climate, you may opt to avoid metal rakes as they can be uncomfortable to handle in colder weather without gloves. I highly suggest avoiding plastic handles. They are typically not re-useable, can become brittle and break, and take thousands of years to decompose.
  • Tines: Metal tines are important for many reasons. First, unless they become rusted from poor care or storage, they will last you a lifetime or longer. Second, they provide the appropriate amount of flex and strength necessary for leaves, small twigs, and debris. Plastic tines often break under the same pressure or fail to provide enough flexibility to be of use for the gardener.
  • Comfort: Raking can be taxing on muscles. When it comes to rakes, bigger doesn't mean better. It's important for the rake's dimensions to be comfortable and have good ergonomics for the user. Ideally, each family member should have their own rake. If this isn't doable, finding a lightweight rake with an adjustable handle and perhaps even adjustable tines.

To save you some time and energy, we've rounded up the best rakes you can buy to pick up leaves and perform other garden tasks. Read on to see which rake is best for your needs.

Here are the best rakes you can buy:

Updated on 08/16/2019 by Les Shu: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

The best rake overall

Durable curved tines, a 24-inch wide head, and an extra-long aluminum handle ensure that the Fiskars Leaf Rake will get your yard cleared up in record time.

The Fiskars Leaf Rake features a patented design with curved tines to more easily grab leaves. The 24-inch wide head also makes it simple to transport large quantities of leaves quickly and easily. The durable resin tines are designed to bend without breaking, so they'll stand up to heavy use year after year. 

This tool will not only cut down your raking time, but it's built for comfort, too. The extra-long and durable aluminum handle measures 67 inches to help you avoid back strain. The length and the light weight makes it easy to maneuver without bending or adding extra stress and the teardrop-shaped shaft also provides extra comfort and control.

The Fiskars Leaf Rake comes with a lifetime warranty, so if anything should go wrong, you're covered.

Across the web, professional reviewers and bloggers, including those at Morning Chores and Garden Consumers, continually tout the many benefits of the Fiskars Leaf Rake. — Olivia Abel

Pros: Affordable, durable, specially-patented curved tines pick up more leaves, built for comfort, extra-long handle with cushion, lightweight

Cons: Some users say that the tines break easily



The best adjustable rake

Clear every space in your garden with the comfortable and adjustable Gardenite 63-inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake.

Gardenite's rake is a popular lightweight and easy-to-use tool that takes the cake in terms of versatility. Designed to reach smaller areas that are difficult for conventional rakes to access, the 15 flat tine head expands from 7 inches up to 22 inches.

The long 63-inch handle allows you to easily cover more ground quickly. The ¾ inch zinc-plated steel handle is also made to withstand rust.

This rake is not designed for rocks and other heavy materials, though. Gardenite offers a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee, with a promise to fix any problem you may have with your rake over time.

There are nearly 1,000 user reviews on Amazon who gave this rake a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Buyers rave about the quality of the construction, as well as the benefits of the adjustable head. One shopper said that it "does a nice job on small leaves" and "the adjustment is also nice for storage."

Multiple professional reviewers and bloggers praise the Gardenite 63-inch adjustable garden leaf rake. Among those recommending this tool are The Spruce, Epic Gardening, Morning Chores (its top pick), and Garden Consumers. — Olivia Abel

Pros: Adjustable tines make reaching small spaces easy, lightweight, durable, rust-resistant handle

Cons: Some users say that it is difficult to adjust the size of the head and that the handle is uncomfortable



The best rake that scoops

The versatile and unique ReLeaf Leaf Scoops combine the tines of a rake and the shape of gardening gloves to help you complete all your fall gardening chores.

Who couldn't use an extra pair of hands? Part rake/part hand scoops, these popular Leaf Scoops get your fall yard work wrapped up quickly and efficiently, whether your leaves and grass are wet or dry. The one-size-fits-all, plastic scoops are excellent for transporting and spreading compost and mulch, too. The closed scoop design keeps small items from slipping out.

The lightweight scoops are easy to store, too — simply fit them together and hang them up. The Leaf Scoops are covered by a "100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Lifetime Guarantee."

The leaf scoops are excellent for transporting and spreading compost and mulch. Sized to fit all yard bags and trash cans, the closed scoop design keeps small items from slipping out. You can use one as a rake to gather stray leaves to stack for easy bagging or mulching.

There are more than 1,200 user reviews on Amazon, most of which are highly positive with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Buyers liked the scoops' ability to cut down on the time it takes to gather leaves, as well as their many other gardening uses. "A simple idea that cuts leaf gathering time in half," one shopper wrote. 

Garden Consumers also recommended the ReLeaf Leaf Scoopers. Olivia Abel

Pros: One-size-fits-all, closed scoop design, cuts down on leaf gathering time

Cons: Some users complain the scoopers are clunky and difficult to manage



The best rake for kids

The kid-sized Toysmith Kid's Metal Leaf Rake allows young children to participate in family chores.

Measuring 27 inches in length, the Toysmith Kid's Metal Leaf Rake is the ideal tool to turn your kids on to the great outdoors and to get them involved in family activities. The lightweight rake weighs in at just 5.6 ounces, so it's the perfect size for young helpers. Meanwhile, its fluorescent green color is easy to find when your child leaves it among the leaves. It's also easy to hang up and store, thanks to the loop at the end of the wooden handle.

There are more than 130 buyer reviews on Amazon, with an impressive average of 4.2 out of 5 stars. Many buyers say that their kids love it, and it works well, but that the manufacturer recommended age of 5 and up is a little off. They claim that it is better for children in the 2 to 5 range. "Great for the Little Helpers," wrote on verified purchaser on December 13, 2016. "Perfect for the 2 and the 4-year old. Works for snow too!" Olivia Abel

Pros: Lightweight, colorful, easy to maneuver and to store

Cons: Users claim the rake is best for children five and under despite the manufacturer's claim that it for kids five and older



The best bow rake

If you're doing more than just moving leaves around, you may want something a bit more heavy duty, like the Bully Tools Bow Rake.

There are rakes and then there are bow rakes, and the latter are for jobs that the former just can't do. The bow rake from Bully Tools is perfect for tasks that are just a bit more labor intensive than, say, clearing your front lawn of the first leaves of the fall. If you're looking to do some slightly more serious landscaping — say spreading mulch or moving small rocks — then the this rake is ideal.

There are 16 tines on the end of this rake, and they're shorter but much thicker than the tines you might find on a traditional leaf rake. Because it's level-headed, it's better suited for moving around heavier materials.

Made of commercial-grade steel, there's not much that this rake can't handle. The head is actually welded to the handle so you won't have any problems with separation. That said, the rake is still relatively lightweight, coming in at just over three pounds.

The handle is made of reinforced fiberglass so it's solid and easy on your hands, and at 54 inches, it's long enough to keep you from constantly bending over and putting undue strain on your back. Plus, Bully Tools actually offers a lifetime warranty behind all its products, and this particular bow rake is made entirely in the US.

Customers on Amazon certainly seem quite taken with the product, with many describing it as "rock solid." On average, the rake gets a 4.4 out of five-star rating from the digital community. Sure, this rake may be a bit too unwieldy for your casual leaf raking jobs, or a bit too heavy to use for extended periods of time, but if you have a bigger job that requires something a bit sturdier than what you'd find in most tool sheds, then this is definitely a rake to consider. — Lulu Chang

Pros: Well made, head is welded to the handle, great for heavier duty tasks, lifetime warranty

Cons: Slightly heavier than most rakes, on the pricier end of things



The best small rake

If you're looking for an inexpensive rake that will get the job done every time, look no further than the Corona RK 62060 Fixed Shrub Rake.

There are 11 tines on this rake, each of which measure eight inches in length. The head is made of tempered steel and lightweight aluminum, which means that the Corona Clipper will last you more than enough time.

Each of the tines are actually surprisingly wide, which allows you to clear more area in less time. And because the rake itself is extremely light (it's just 11.2 ounces), it won't put any undue pressure on the surface you're raking. So if you're looking to protect moss or save any shrubs and plants, you can rest easy knowing that this delicate rake will get rid of the detritus you don't want, while keeping alive the life you do want.

While some rakes seem to be more effective in their middles than on their sides, this is not the case with the Corona Clipper. Because its bow is bi-curved, you'll find that you're able to apply even pressure across the entire surface area you're working with.

Perhaps my favorite element of the rake is its handle. Not only is it made of lightweight aluminum, but it's actually covered with an anti-slip vinyl sleeve. It's not only comfortable on your hands even during long projects, but will also stay put even if you find yourself getting sweaty. The handle is 54 inches long, which should be long enough to help prevent any lower back aches and pains.

And despite all these bells and whistles, the Corona Clipper is the cheapest rake on our list, coming in at just $20. Really, you might as well stock up.

The Spruce calls this rake the best one to buy in 2018, and once you've used it, you won't question why. Nearly 300 customers on Amazon have given this rake a 4.3 out of 5 star rating, and that's because this rake is not only cost-effective, but effective at getting stuff done. — Lulu Chang

Pros: Extremely affordable, lightweight, durable, makes quick work of raking

Cons: Customers have complained about the large label that doesn't easily come off

 



Alibaba billionaire Joseph Tsai is buying out the Brooklyn Nets and the Barclay Center in a $2.35 billion deal, and it's the highest price ever paid for a sports franchise

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joseph tsai

Billionaire Alibaba cofounder Joseph Tsai is taking full ownership of the Brooklyn Nets, he announced in a statement August 16.

To do so, Tsai will buy out Russian financier Mikhail Prokhorov's 51% stake in the team for $2.35 billion, according to the Post. That's the highest price ever paid for a sports franchise. The next-largest deals, Tilman Fertitta's 2017 purchase of the Houston Rockets and David Tepper's 2018 purchase of the Carolina Panthers, were both valued at $2.2 billion.

"I've had the opportunity to witness up close the Brooklyn Nets rebuild that Mikhail started a few years ago," Tsai said in a statement August 16. "He hired a front office and coaching staff focused on player development, he supported the organization with all his resources, and he refused to tank. I will be the beneficiary of Mikhail's vision, which put the Nets in a great position to compete, and for which I am incredibly grateful."

Tsai is also purchasing Barclays Center, the 19,000-seat arena in Downtown Brooklyn that the Nets call home, he announced in the statement.

Despite being ranked as the worst team in the NBA two years ago, the Nets are expecting a 10- to 15% increase in their revenue during the upcoming season after signing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in July, per the Post

As Joe Barnathan at Forbes observes, the purchase creates an even wider lane for the Nets — and the NBA at large — to penetrate the basketball-hungry Chinese market. Not coincidentally, the Nets are set to play the Los Angeles Lakers in two pre-season games in China this October, first in Shanghai, then in Shenzhen.

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2018, file photo, Brooklyn Nets' Caris LeVert (22) defends against Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New York. Durant and Kyrie Irving gave the Nets two big victories in one night. In the first hours of free agency, the team added two of the best players available to a young roster that made the playoffs, giving them hope of not only contention for an NBA title, but to be the biggest basketball team in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Read more: The 20 richest billionaires who own sports teams

Tsai, 55, made his fortune after cofounding Chinese online retailer Alibaba alongside the company's chairman Jack Ma in 1999. Tsai is Alibaba's second-largest shareholder, giving him a net worth of $9.5 billion, according to Forbes estimates. 

Tsai first invested in the team in 2017, purchasing a 49% stake for $1 billion, according to the Post. That deal gave Tsai the option to purchase the rest of the team in 2020. In May, Tsai also purchased New York-based women's basketball team the Liberty, the Times reported. The value of that deal is unknown.

Basketball teams are not an uncommon investment for billionaires. Microsoft billionaire Steve Ballmer owns the Los Angeles Clippers and cruise giant Carnival Corporation chairman Micky Arison controls the Miami Heat, Business Insider previously reported.

SEE ALSO: Raheem Sterling's $120 million Air Jordan deal would elevate him above Zion Williamson's earnings with the iconic shoe brand

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The richest man in Hong Kong has lost $3 billion since July, and now he's joining the chorus of wealthy citizens calling for the 10-week protests to end

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Li Ka-shing

  • Approximately $15 billion has been wiped off the net worths of Hong Kong's 10 richest people since late July, according to the Financial Times.
  • Hong Kong's richest man, Li Ka-shing, took out advertisements in local newspapers saying "stop anger and violence in the name of love," according to the South China Morning Post. The Financial Times estimates that Ka-shing has lost $3 billion since July.
  • Billionaire real-estate developer Peter Woo spoke out against Hong Kong's protesters in the Hong Kong Economic Journal on August 12, according to BloombergOver $1 billion has been wiped off of Woo's personal net worth since the protests began, according to Bloomberg
  • Companies run by several of Hong Kong's other ultra-wealthy residents including Merlin Swire and the Kwok family have also put out statements condemning the protests.
  • Now in their 10th week, the protests in Hong Kong have caused market volatility and disrupted flights, Business Insider reports.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Protests have disrupted life in Hong Kong for 10 weeks, closing streets, disrupting flights at its airport, and causing volatility in the stock market. The market rout has cost Hong Kong's 10 wealthiest citizens over $15 billion collectively, the Financial Times estimates. Several of the city's wealthiest citizens have had enough, including its richest man Li Ka-Shing.

Li took out advertisements in local Hong Kong newspapers calling for an end to the protests on August 15, The South China Morning Post reported. The ads feature the Chinese word for "violence" covered in a general prohibition sign (red circle with a slash through it), with "stop anger and violence in the name of love," written below. The ads are signed "a Hong Kong resident Li Ka-shing". Mentions of Li's statements were blocked on social media in mainland China, the Morning Post reported.

Li alone has lost $3 billion since July, according to the Financial Times. Often called "Superman," the 90-year-old billionaire now has a net worth of $27 billion. According to Forbes.Li, who was born in China but moved to Hong Kong in 1940 to escape a Japanese invasion, began his career as a factory worker. He built his fortune as a real-estate developer and major investor in port operator and cell phone carrier CK Hutchison Holdings.

Billionaire real-estate developer Peter Woo wrote, "It's time to think deeply,"in the Hong Kong Economic Journal on August 12, according to Bloomberg. "Going against the extradition bill was the 'big tree' of this movement. This one and only big appeal has already been accepted by the government, so this tree has fallen," he added. 

Over $1 billion has been wiped off of Woo's personal net worth since the protests began, according to Bloomberg. Woo is now worth $11 billion. According to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, Woo is the eighth-richest person in Hong Kong.

Swire Pacific, the owner of airline Cathay Pacific — the flag carrier of Hong Kong — also released a statement on August 13 calling for an end to the protester's "illegal activities and violent behavior."

"Swire Pacific is deeply concerned by the ongoing violence and disruption impacting Hong Kong," the Hong Kong-based conglomerate said in the statement. The company also said it supports law enforcement and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam "in their efforts to restore law and order."

Read more: One in 10 ultra-wealthy Hong Kong residents lost their millionaire status in 2018, and an expert says the extreme wealth loss highlights the volatility of their net worths

The real-estate developer run by Asia's third-richest family, the Kwoks, has also called for an end to the unrest. "The recent series of violent acts to challenge the rule of law have damaged Hong Kong's economy and seriously affect citizens' daily life,"Sun Hung Kai Properties said in a statement, according to a translation by Bloomberg. The Kwok family is worth $40.4 billion, according to Forbes

The net worths of Hong Kong's billionaires are unusually sensitive to market volatility, Business Insider previously reported. In 2018, Hong Kong's high net worth population experienced the steepest drop in collective wealth of any region worldwide, according to French technology consulting firm Capgemini. The net worths of Hong Kong's wealthiest residents fell 13% in 2018, compared to the global average of 3%, per Capgemini.

Thousands took to the streets of Hong Kong beginning in July over an extradition bill with mainland China but have since expanded their focus to police actions and their democratic system, Business Insider previously reported. Protesters blocked departure gates in Hong Kong's airport on August 13, causing hundreds of flights to be canceled. The protesters held signs apologizing to would-be passengers, saying they are "fighting for our freedom."

On Wednesday morning, ABC News reported, flights at the airport resumed.

SEE ALSO: The richest man in Hong Kong just pledged to cover 5 years of tuition for an entire college class, and it's going to cost him $14.4 million a year to do i

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How to flip or rotate the screen on a Windows computer to fit your display

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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Laptop 2

Because Windows 10 runs on devices with all sorts of form factors — from tablets and laptops to desktop monitors that physically rotate from landscape to portrait — Windows includes the ability to flip and rotate the screen to suit whatever display you're using. 

Whether you need to adjust the screen for a new device, or it's "stuck" in the wrong orientation and displaying everything sideways, you can flip the display to suit your needs. 

This technique works in every modern version of Windows, from Windows 7 through Windows 10. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Lenovo 2-in-1 Touch-Screen Chromebook (For $279 at Best Buy)

How to flip or rotate the screen on a Windows computer

1. Right-click the Windows desktop (on a blank space where there's no open program window) and click "Display Settings" in the pop-up menu. 

flip 1

2. On the Display page, if you have more than one monitor installed, choose the display you need to rotate. 

3. Click the orientation drop-down and choose the rotation you need. You can choose Landscape, Portrait, Landscape (Flipped) or Portrait (Flipped). 

flip 2

4. If you accidentally choose the wrong one, press the Escape key to revert to the way it was before. If you like the change, click "Keep Changes."

Another way to open the Display Settings is to click the Start button, click the Settings icon, and then choose "System."

In some versions of Windows, you can flip the screen with keyboard shortcuts as well. The latest version of Windows 10 has disabled these shortcuts, but if you still use an older version of Windows, here are your options:

  • CTRL + ALT + Up Arrow changes to Landscape mode.
  • CTRL + ALT + Down Arrow changes to Landscape (Flipped) mode.
  • CTRL + ALT + Left Arrow changes to Portrait mode.
  • CTRL + ALT + Right Arrow changes to Portrait (Flipped) mode.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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In a drinking era marked by the rise of hard seltzer, this hard-tea company is shaking things up — here's what its canned drinks taste like

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wandering whistler tea

  • Beer isn't the only cold and refreshing beverage you can crack open at an outdoor gathering this summer. The rise of hard seltzer proves that we have an appetite for something more refreshing. 
  • A new craft hard-tea brand called Wandering Whistler is the perfect alcoholic beverage option for tea lovers. Each 12-ounce can contains 120 calories, just three to four grams of sugar, and 4.5% ABV.
  • There are currently two flavors: Earl Grey with Elderflower (sweet, honey-like) and Green Tea Jasmine (mild, with a hint of Jasmine). You can order them online at Drizly

While seltzer lovers are up in arms over which one of the many emerging hard seltzers is the best, tea lovers are sitting back on their porches, calmly (as they do) surveying their options. 

The market for hard tea isn't as robust as it is for hard seltzer (which should hit $2.5 billion by 2021, according to UBS), but the fact remains: not everyone wants to drink beer at a summer barbecue or happy hour. Tea drinkers now have a new option called Wandering Whistler, which launched in May of 2019. 

Wandering Whistler is part of ZX Ventures, the global growth and innovation group at AB InBev. Founder Jackie Atlas wanted to create a craft-brewed alcoholic tea that floated around the same social settings as wine does — something light, casual, and fun. 

Read more: 14 places to buy alcohol online — from general online liquor stores to monthly wine delivery services

wandering whistler tea 2

The brand launched with two flavors, Earl Grey with Elderflower and Green Tea Jasmine. They're low in calories, sugar, and ABV. Each 12-ounce can contains 120 calories, just three to four grams of sugar, and 4.5% ABV.

These hard teas are made by fermenting cane sugar and tea leaves together with yeast. They also contain natural tea flavors. Although they are made with real tea, the process removes most of the caffeine, so don't expect to get a big boost of energy after drinking Wandering Whistler. 

We tried the hard tea from Wandering Whistler. Here's what we thought:

Both were quite carbonated, but the overall drinking experience was light, refreshing, and pleasant. With its low ABV content, it's an easy drink to enjoy during a daytime gathering or as a post-work treat. Compared to that of hard seltzers, the flavor of Wandering Whistler is softer and more fragrant. 

Earl Grey with ElderflowerI'm not sure I tasted the Earl Grey flavor in this one; the elderflower was more apparent. This flavor is sweeter, almost honey-like. 

Green Tea JasmineI could taste green tea, but the overall taste was more mild than the Earl Grey. Drinking this one reminded me of drinking a cider, but with a hint of jasmine. 

The bottom line

If you enjoy non-beer alcoholic beverages such as hard seltzer or cider, you'll probably also enjoy Wandering Whistler. Especially if you like to drink regular tea, you'll appreciate the flavor nods to the most popular drink in the world next to water.

It's rolling out to shelves in the East Coast right now, where its globally-inspired packaging might catch your eye first, but you can also order it online through Drizly

Order Wandering Whistler Earl Grey with Elderflower hard tea from Drizly

Order Wandering Whistler Green Tea Jasmine hard tea from Drizly

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