• Awkward silences can work to your benefit in salary negotiations, according to Melissa Dahl's book "Cringeworthy."
• Too many people make the mistake of talking too much — and sabotaging their own chances of success — when they're nervous.
• Media exec Joanna Coles has said she uses the awkward-silence strategy to win negotiations.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Psychologists often talk about the supposed benefits of embracing discomfort. The idea is that, by leaning into feelings like anxiety and anger instead of resisting them, you'll take away their power to consume you whole.

This idea has always held a lot of appeal for me, but I haven't always been sure how to put it into practice.

So I had a lightbulb moment toward the end of Melissa Dahl's book "Cringeworthy," in which she describes a very practical strategy for acknowledging your discomfort and giving it a big ol' hug.

Read more:Your 30-step plan for getting the promotion you want and deserve

Dahl writes specifically about embracing the inherent awkwardness during a salary negotiation. She quotes Katie Donovan, founder of the consultancy firm Equal Pay Negotiations, saying that the first step in a negotiation "is to be silent, hush up, or SHUT UP!"

Donovan said that if you're offered a starting salary that's lower than what you know is the median salary for this position, you can say something like: "Thank you for the offer. I'm a little surprised about the salary, though. Based on my research I would have expected it to be in the [X] range."

Even if the hiring manager raises her eyebrows or gasps in horror, don't backpedal — and definitely don't run your mouth out of nervousness.

As Dahl writes, the hiring manager "might not be able to reach the number you're asking for, but let them tell you that; don't undercut yourself by saying that for them."

A top executive says she uses the awkward-silence strategy to win negotiations

Alison Green, the woman behind the popular "Ask a Manager" advice column, has said something similar. On an episode of the Ask a Manager podcast, Green tells a confused caller to ask, "Any chance you can go up to X?" and then stop talking.

Green said: "Wait for an answer. It might take them a minute, there might be a pause there. That's totally okay. Sometimes people get really nervous when there's a pause there and they start talking again to fill in the silence, and then they end up undercutting themselves and kind of backtracking. Say the words and then wait."

Note that this strategy isn't used exclusively by knock-kneed entry-level employees. It's also used by the likes of Joanna Coles, who was the chief content officer at Hearst Magazines, and has served as editor-in-chief of both Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan magazines.

Read more:13 six-figure jobs for people who value stability and career growth

On an episode of Business Insider's podcast, "This is Success," Coles shared with Business Insider US editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell her best strategy for winning a negotiation: silence.

"In any kind of negotiation, silence is often your best friend because you don't want to give too much away," Coles told Shontell. "I'm always amazed when I'm negotiating with people from the other side of the desk, how people will rattle on and not stop talking. People talk a lot when they're nervous."

Dahl quotes Green, the Ask a Manager columnist, in "Cringeworthy," too. "My advice is that you should embrace it," Green said of awkwardness at work, "and find the humor in it."

SEE ALSO: The art of a bad deal: A negotiations expert breaks down the everyday lessons we can learn from Trump's messy trade war with China

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Stewart Butterfield, co-founder of Slack and Flickr, says 2 beliefs have brought him the greatest success in life

• I haven't bought coffee in years, not because I stopped drinking it but because I started making my own.
• I've saved thousands on coffee over the years with these five items — a cold brew maker, a traditional coffee machine, reusable filters, a stovetop espresso maker, and a milk frother.
• They're all super easy to use, well-reviewed on Amazon, and the results are probably better than what you'd get at your usual coffee spot.

When it comes to coffee, I'm a purist. I'm brand agnostic and will always take my cup black without any sugar or milk. That's why I hate paying for such an easy order knowing that I can brew my own (and usually better) at home. In fact, excluding business meetings or vacation where I can't BYO, I don't think I've bought coffee in a few years.

Here's how I save thousands of dollars on coffee by making my own.

Takeya cold brew maker

Cold brew is basically a coffee concentrate made by steeping beans in cold water for at least 12 hours. Because it takes a lot of time and beans to develop, it also costs more than regular coffee. But for the price of three cups at your usual coffee joint, you can get this cult-favorite Takeya cold brew carafe and make your own forever.  

It's made of incredibly durable, shatter-proof, and BPA-free Tritan plastic with a fine mesh filter that screws into the airtight lid. There is a 1-quart and 2-quart size; I have the 1-quart carafe and it fits perfectly in the refrigerator door. To use, just dump coarsely ground coffee into the filter (it says 14-16 tablespoons but I just fill up most of the filter), add cold water, and let it sit for up to 36 hours in the refrigerator. Whenever you're ready to take it out, you'll have a coffee concentrate that's stronger than normal coffee and less acidic too. Cut it with water, ice cubes, or milk, and live your best caffeinated life.

Buy the 1-quart Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker for $16.99 on Amazon

Buy the 2-quart Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker for $23.99 on Amazon

Keurig machine

When I'm not in the mood for cold brew, I'll make a cup of basic hot coffee. My fiancé surprised me with a Keurig machine a few years ago and it's honestly one of the best gifts ever.

We have the older K-Classic that takes up a lot counter space, but it has a large 6-cup water reservoir so we can brew several cups before needing to refill. The newer ones are much more compact but also have a much smaller reservoir.

Using the machine is the same no matter which style you have. Fill the reservoir with water, add in the coffee pod of your choice, and brew one of three available sizes. You can also use it for hot water if you don't add in a pod. At first, we made coffee with the single-use K-cup pods because they came with the machine as part of a combo deal, but once we realized how bad they were for the environment, we bought reusable filters that fit our machine along with our own beans. In fact, our current coffee of choice is an 1820 medium roast that we brought home from Costa Rica that you can actually get from Amazon.

Buy the Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker for $79.99 on Amazon

Buy the Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker for $99.99 on Amazon

Buy a 2.2 lb bag of Cafe 1820 Costa Rican Ground Coffee for $25.97 on Amazon

Reusable K-cup filters

Speaking of reusable filters, these are the ones that I've been using for years. They fit all Keurig-brand machines so there aren't any guessing games when it comes to compatibility and they're easy to use and clean. Just pour your ground beans up to one of two fill lines in the filter, lock it back into the plastic canister, and brew. Once you're done, just rinse the grounds out of the filter. (Side beauty hack: Sometimes I'll use the grounds as a quick hand scrub!)

Buy the Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Ground Coffee Filter for $9.88 on Amazon

Bialetti Moka Express

For a real espresso experience, you'd need a fancy machine that can cost upwards of $300. It ain't cheap, but for a purist like me who prefers cold brew over lattes anyway, it's also not worth my money. Instead, if I'm in the mood for a fancy barista-worthy espresso, I'll make a cup with the humble Bialetti Moka Express.

We've reviewed the stovetop espresso make before, but we can't sing its praises enough. It's inexpensive, comes in a variety of colors to suit your kitchen's vibe, and most importantly, it makes a really strong espresso without any bells and whistles. One caveat is that it's a stovetop espresso maker so you might have to monitor the pot the first few times you're using it to make sure that you don't burn the beans, but at least it'll make feel like a barista since you're not just pressing another button.

Buy the Original Bialetti Moka Express 3-Cup Stovetop Coffee Maker for $24.86 on Amazon

Epica Automatic Electric Milk Frother and Heater Carafe

This sleek little carafe heats and froths up milk for lattes and cappuccinos, takes up minimal counter space, and is super quiet. Oh, and it has a 4-star rating on Amazon with more than 2,500 reviews and costs only $36.

To use, just pour milk into one of two fill lines for heating or frothing, pop the lid on, and then press the appropriate button. I found out the hard way that if you're just heating milk, you'll have to take out the removable steel whisk inside, otherwise the machine will froth and the milk will leak all over your counter. Even though I don't use this frother more than twice a week, I'll leave it out on my kitchen counter because it's so compact; it's actually more annoying for me to constantly move it around.

Buy the Secura Automatic Electric Milk Frother and Warmer for $36 on Amazon

Check out our other great coffee gear buying guides

The best coffee makers you can buy whether you want drip coffee or espresso

A great coffee maker can make or break your brew — and your morning. These are the best coffee makers you can buy, whether you want a drip coffee, French Press, espresso, pour-over, or cold brew coffee maker.

Here are the best coffee makers you can buy:

• Best drip coffee maker: Bonavita BV1900TS Drip Coffee Maker
• Best high-end drip coffee maker: Brim 8-Cup Pour-Over Coffee Maker
• Best coffee maker under $40: Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT Machine
• Best coffee maker under $50: Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker
• Best coffee maker and grinder: Cuisinart Burr Grind & Brew Automatic
• Best pour-over coffee: Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee Brewer
• Best French Press: SterlingPro French Press
• Best cold brew machine: OXO Good Grips 4-Cup Cold Brew Coffee Maker
• Best pod coffee machine: Keurig K575 Pod Machine
• Best stovetop espresso maker: Bialetti 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker
• Best espresso machine: Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

The best French Presses you can buy

You can brew coffee in a number of ways, but many caffeine addicts swear by the French Press method. Of all the French Presses we researched, the 

• Best overall: SterlingPro French Press
• Best high-end: Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker
• Best affordable: Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker
• Best affordable stainless steel: SterlingPro Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press
• Best travel-friendly: Bodum Stainless-Steel Travel French Press Mug

The best stovetop espresso makers you can buy

After hours and hours of research, testing, and countless ensuing caffeine overloads, these are the best stovetop espresso makers we've found to make strong, delicious coffee right at home:

• Best overall: Bialetti 6-Cup Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker
• Best for gas stoves: GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker
• Best expensive moka pot: Cuisinox Roma 6-Cup Stainless Steel Stovetop Espresso Maker
• Best affordable moka pot: Bialetti Kitty Espresso Coffee Maker
• Best espresso-esque shots: Bialetti Mini Express Espresso Maker
• Best-looking moka pot: 6-Cup Alessi Pulcina Stovetop Espresso Maker
• Best electric moka pot: Delonghi EMK6 Alicia Electric Moka Espresso Coffee Maker

The best coffee grinders you can buy

Freshly ground coffee is addictive and delicious. If you want to make the perfect brew each morning, you need a coffee grinder. After much research and some testing, we found that these to be the best coffee grinders you can buy:

• Best overall: Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder
• Best for under $100: Capresso 560.01 Infinity Burr Grinder
• Best for under $50: KRUPS GX5000 Professional Electric Coffee Burr Grinder
• Best expensive: Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
• Best blade: KRUPS F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder
• Best manual: Hario Mini Mill Slim Hand Coffee Grinder

The best milk frothers you can buy

If you love cappuccinos, you need a great milk frother. After much research and testing, here are the best we've found:

• Best overall: Stainless Steel HIC Milk Frother
• Second-best: Bodum Latteo Milk Frother
• Best expensive: Breville Milk Cafe Milk Frother
• Best electric: Nespresso Aeroccino Electric Milk Frother
• Best cheap electric: Epica Automatic Electric Milk Frother

• A highlighted comment appears on YouTube to flag your attention so that you can interact with the comment more easily.
• Neither users nor creators choose to highlight comments, and it is not good or bad when this happens – the feature is just meant to help you navigate comments that might be of interest to you.  
• Here's what you need to know about highlighted comments on YouTube.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

On YouTube, highlighted comments serve many purposes. At a basic level, however, they are there to grab your attention so you can interact with the comment.

And, for clarification, only you can see them — they are not public. Here's a more detailed breakdown of what highlighted comments mean on the platform:

What a highlighted comment means on YouTube

When you see the words "Highlighted Comment" appear above a comment next to someone's username, it can mean several things.

For example, if someone replies to your comment on a video, you may get a notification. When you click through to the page, you'll see that comment with the "Highlighted Comment" tag, thereby making it easier for you to find. 

The same goes if it's your video and someone posts a comment — when you click on the notification, the comment will become a highlighted comment at the top of the section so you can more easily reply to it.

When you click on a comment's timestamp, whether it's your video or not, it also highlights that comment, making it appear at the top of the comments section, even above a pinned comment.

Keep in mind that when you do that, the video will reload and the person who created that comment will get a message back that says, "Highlighted Reply."

Ultimately, highlighted comments are a somewhat automated feature of YouTube that are meant to make your experience on the platform easier in terms of navigation. 

They are neither good nor bad, and do not arise because a person chose to make your comment more visible on a particular video. 

And whether you're a user or creator, highlighted comments can be helpful when you interact with or make videos, especially when those videos have hundreds or thousands of comments, which would otherwise be nearly impossible to filter through.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to create your own YouTube channel for personal use, or a Brand Account for business

• How to comment on a YouTube video on your computer or mobile device

• How to delete your YouTube history all at once, or remove videos one at a time, on desktop or mobile

• How to temporarily hide or permanently delete your YouTube account, and erase any trace of yourself from the site

SEE ALSO: The best budget laptops you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The incredible story behind Slack, the app that's taken over offices everywhere

• In May of 2019, US tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods were increased to 25%, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported.
• According to the NAHB, $10 billion worth of goods impacted by the increased tariffs are used by the home-building industry. 
• Daryl Fairweather, the chief economist of the real-estate company Redfin, told Business Insider the increased tariffs will continue to limit home building.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The United States' trade war with China hasn't left the housing industry untouched.

In May, tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods were increased from 10% to 25%. 

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), of that $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, $10 billion are used by the home-building industry. Other industries at risk of being negatively impacted by the tariffs include the automobile industry, the tech industry, and the agricultural industry.

The increased tariffs represent a $2.5 billion tax increase on residential construction, the NAHB reports.

Read more: 'The longer the trade war goes on, the weaker China gets': Trump doubles down on tariff threats despite recession concerns

"With America facing a housing affordability crisis, it is counterproductive to enact policies that will needlessly drive up the cost of housing. We respectfully urge the administration to change course and work to resolve these trade disputes in a manner that won't harm American businesses and consumers," Randy Noel, Chairman of NAHB, said in a September 2018 statement in response to increased tariffs.

A recent Redfin study revealed that in the US, the supply of new homes was down 1% in the second quarter of 2019, marking the biggest annual decline since the first quarter of 2013.

"With the affordability crisis that's happening right now, I think the root cause is really a lack of supply," Daryl Fairweather, Redfin's chief economist, told Business Insider. 

After the housing crash in the early 2000s, home builders weren't reaching the same productivity levels they were before, Fairweather explained. As a result, there are fewer homes for people to own and that, simply, limits homeownership.

"The tariff war is certainly not helping in that regard," Fairweather added.

And it doesn't seem like the heavy burden of the trade war on the housing industry will lighten up anytime soon. Business Insider's Gina Heeb previously reported that even with a recession looming, President Donald Trump "appeared increasingly comfortable with prolonged trade tensions." 

Trump remains adamant that as the trade war drags on, the US will get stronger and China will get weaker. 

SEE ALSO: The Trump administration is starting to publicly recognise the costs of the US-China trade war on Americans

DON'T MISS: The Trump administration delays a portion of planned China tariffs until December

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

• The Kardashian-Jenner family are known for their uber-luxurious lifestyles, especially when it comes to travel.
• From $250 million yachts to glamorous mountainside retreats, vacationing like a Kardashian can cost you a pretty penny.
• We looked into how much it would cost to vacation like a Kardashian, from how they travel to their destination, to what they eat and where they stay.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If the Kardashian-Jenners are good at one thing, it's knowing how to plan elaborate and luxurious vacations.

Whether they're lounging beachside in Punta Mita, Mexico or catching the season's hottest shows at Paris Fashion Week, the Kardashians often shell out thousands of dollars to house, feed, and entertain all members of the family while they're away.

Even when just a few members of the Kardashian family go on vacation, they make sure to do it in style.

Read more:Meet the Kardashian-Jenners, heirs to a massive reality TV empire, who have a combined fortune of more than $1.6 billion and are one of the most influential family 'dynasties' in the world

We looked at how much money the Kardashians have spent on past vacations, from how they travel to where they stay and the food they eat. 

Here's how much it costs to vacation like a Kardashian. 

SEE ALSO: Scott Disick made his kids a $100,000 playhouse that is nicer than your apartment

HOW THEY TRAVEL... In 2018, it was reported that Kim and Kanye traveled on vacation via a private double-decker Boeing 747.

In a series of Instagram videos, Kim showed the exterior and interior of the plane, which seats up to 660 people and features luxury bedrooms, bathrooms, a dining room, and an office. 

Kardashian was quite obviously excited to travel on the luxury jet, as she can be heard saying, "So this is what a private 747 is like, you guys. I've never been on one before so I'm like 'Oh my god!"

PrivateFly, a global booking service for private jet charter flights, spoke to Refinery29 about the jet's specifics and cost to operate.

"The particular plane Kanye and Kim were on is privately owned. As such, we can only estimate as to the cost required to operate it, but it's in the neighborhood of $200,000 per hour. To put it in perspective, Air Force One is a 747-200, a slightly bigger version of the same model, and costs about $250,000 an hour to operate," Adam Twidel, CEO of PrivateFly, explained.

This extravagant mode of transportation is over-the-top — even for the Kardashians. Most Kardashian vacations begin with a smaller private jet, or sometimes two if the whole family is going. While the family is used to flying on private jets, the ones commonly depicted on the show and on Instagram are much smaller and therefore less expensive.

The overall cost of chartering a private jet depends on the size of the plane and the flight time.

According to Air Charter Service, those chartering a private plane should expect to pay around $1,300 to $3,000 per flying hour for a smaller jet, $4,000 to $8,000 per flying hour for a "midsize to super-midsize jet," and $8,600 to $13,000 per flying hour for a large private jet.

On Kylie Jenner's recent trip to Italy for her 22nd birthday, she enjoyed boating around the Italian coastline with boyfriend Travis Scott.

The average cost of renting a small yacht in Portofino (like the one Kylie has been posting to Instagram) is around $50,000 per week, according to Charter World. 

Kourtney Kardashian also enjoys boating around Italy and other glamorous destinations when she goes on vacation.

According to Charter World, one of Kardashians' favorite yachts to charter is the "Sealyon" motor yacht, which she rented for a 2016 family vacation across Portofino, Capri, and Ponza. It costs $110,000 per week, not including expenses.

Luxury boats are arguably a staple on most Kardashian-Jenner vacays. On a recent Kylie Skin trip, Kylie and her crew were seen lounging and hanging out on a "Nautique," which costs $1,498.99 per day to charter, according to Boatsetter.

WHERE THEY STAY... The Kardashians have stayed in some of the most luxurious vacation spots in the world. Here's how much it would cost to stay in some of these Kardashian-approved hotels, resorts, and more.

During the filming of season six of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," the family set off on a lavish trip to Bora Bora to celebrate the 20th wedding anniversary of then-married Kris and Caitlyn Jenner, as well as commemorate the couple's vow renewal. 

The Kardashian-Jenners stayed in two $5,000-a-night Presidential villas at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa. According to PR Newswire, the villas the family stayed in are "the only two-story overwater villas in French Polynesia." Each villa features a private pool and deck, as well as 360-degree ocean views. The villas are completely secluded from the rest of the resort, allowing America's most famous family to truly kick back and relax.

Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian stayed at Soori Bali during a trip celebrating Kim's 38th birthday. They brought along their children for the relaxing (and lavish) vacation.

The famous family stayed in the resort's ten-bedroom beachfront residence, Soori Estate, which accommodates twenty people. They stayed for five days, which, according to a representative of Soori Bali, would have cost them upwards of $10,000 per night.

The estate includes a personal gym, spa, and other luxurious amenities, along with stunning views of the Indian Ocean.

Both Kourtney and Kim Kardashian shared photos to their Instagram accounts by the estate's main infinity pool. The estate has six pools in total. 

Read more:The Kardashians had a magical family vacation in Bali — see the beautiful photos

Khloe Kardashian also took photos for her Instagram page on the resort's black sand beach.

For Kourtney's 38th birthday, she, Kim, and a group of their closest girlfriends took a trip to Casa Aramara, a private beachside estate in Punta Mita, Mexico.

Casa Aramara touts on their website that the Kardashians have stayed at the luxury estate, which is owned by Kardashian family-friend Joe Francis. Guests can enjoy white sand beaches, 5-star dining options, and luxury amenities. 

Nightly rates at Casa Aramara range from $13,000 to $35,000 USD — roughly what some Americans make in an entire year. According to Architectural Digest, the estate comes equipped with a 30-person staff to attend to your every need, 24 hours per day. The villa also features two heated pools, a Jacuzzi, on-call DJ services, and an "in-room button" mysteriously labeled "anything," which allows guests to request anything they so choose. 

AD also reports that guests can arrange for firework displays on the private beach. 

When they're not soaking up the sun, members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan also retreat to the mountains. Kourtney Kardashian has spent time at the exclusive Miraval Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona, where wellness-related activities abound.

"Scott and I went to Tucson, Arizona where I lived for two and a half years when I went to the University of Arizona. We went to spend some alone time at Miraval for two nights which was gorgeous, relaxing and energizing," Kourtney wrote on her Celebuzz blog in December 2013, before the couple split in 2015. 

Read more:Kris Jenner thinks Kourtney Kardashian is going to realize she's in love with Scott Disick 'way too late'

Rooms at Miraval Arizona start at $1,000 per night. The luxury wellness spa features "casita-style" suites as well as private villas, perfect for celebrities looking to get away and enjoy some privacy. The luxurious resort also offers guests more than 120 complimentary wellness activities, lectures, and weekly fitness classes.

It's no wonder that wellness-obsessed Kourtney enjoyed her time at this vacation spot nestled in the Arizona mountains. 

Kourtney has also spent time at the Amangiri mountain resort in Utah — in May 2018, the star visited with then-boyfriend Younes Bendjima for his birthday.

The suite Kourtney Kardashian and her model beau stayed in costs anywhere from $1,800 to $3,700 per night, depending on availability and the time of year you choose to visit. It features desert views, a private swimming pool, a sun deck, fire pit, bar area, and private sky terrace. 

In a photo posted to Instagram, Kourtney could be seen drinking a collagen drink (which she sells through her latest venture, Poosh) with the resort's sweeping mountain views in the background. 

Read more:Kourtney Kardashian's new website called 'Poosh' has people scratching their heads at the name, but it's actually inspired by her daughter

Amangiri also allows guests to explore the nearby red rock country, one of the greatest natural wonders in the United States. Kourtney took full advantage of the nearby access to the red rocks, posting a photo to Instagram in a stylish orange outfit that matched the nearby surroundings. 

On a family ski trip to Park City, Utah in February 2018, Kourtney, Kendall, and Kim stayed at the Montage resort in Deer Valley.

According to Elle, the Kardashian-Jenners stayed in a four-bedroom private residence, which costs roughly $8,000 dollars a night. The luxurious lodging features large private balconies perfect for viewing the nearby mountainscapes, an indoor pool, and multiple hot tubs. 

The sisters hit the slopes, of course making sure to document every memorable moment. 

According to Health, full-day tickets for the slopes cost $135 for adults — though we doubt that made a dent in the millionaires' pockets. 

Recently, for the young billionaire's 22nd birthday, Kylie Jenner rented out a $250 million superyacht off the Amalfi coast of Italy. The luxury boat accommodates up to 22 guests and costs $1.25 million per week, plus expenses.

The luxury yacht is equipped with a beach club, swimming pool, plunge pool, experiential showers, a complete spa with a sauna, a Turkish bath, and a massage room. It takes a 31-person crew to man the boat.

Business Insider reports that the interior was designed by Andrew Winch, an "internationally renowned English yacht designer." The yacht has also received the award of "Yacht of the Year Over 82 Meters" at the 2014 World Superyacht Awards.

Read more:Kylie Jenner just celebrated her 22nd birthday by chartering a $250 million superyacht that was once owned by a fugitive businessman — take a look inside

WHAT THEY EAT... The Kardashian sisters are known for their strict diet and exercise regimens. However, when they go on vacation, they take it as an opportunity to splurge a little more.

During a trip to New York City in 2017, Kim and Khloe Kardashian stopped by Joe's Pizza in Greenwich Village. This might be one of the few vacation habits most people could replicate. A slice of cheese pizza from this iconic pizza spot only costs $2.75. 

Read more:Kourtney Kardashian is on a new diet — and nutritionists say its not as healthy as you'd think

During Kylie Jenner's recent birthday trip to Italy, she shared a snap of a gorgeous charcuterie plate with her millions of followers.

Though we can't put an exact price on that spread, we've got to think that much focaccia bread and prosciutto can't come cheap. 

Kylie's group also dined at Zass, a Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the sea in Positano, Italy.

Kylie Jenner, along with boyfriend Travis Scott, friend Anastasia Karanikolaou, Kris Jenner, and Corey Gamble, enjoyed a meal out in Positano at Zass, according to a report published by E!.

The restaurant has received a One Michelin Star, and menu items are reportedly priced between €77 and €133, or $85.43 USD and $147.56 USD. 

• Read more:
• People are calling Kylie Jenner 'tone deaf' for releasing a money-themed makeup collection in honor of her birthday
• People can hardly recognize Kim Kardashian in new photos that promote her makeup line
• Kylie Jenner wore a corset over a floral dress that looked like it came straight out of the Victorian era
• 14 facts that will make you think differently about the Kardashian-Jenner family

• There are a few ways to find the phone number associated with an iPhone.
• You can find the phone number on the iPhone itself in a couple of different places, like in its Settings or Contacts apps.
• You can also find the number in iTunes, if you plug the iPhone into your computer.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you aren't sure of the phone number of an iPhone you're using, there's no need to stress. There are several ways to figure out the phone number. You could, for example, call someone and see what number comes up. 

If you don't have or want to use that option, you can find the number in the phone and through iTunes. Here's how.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to find the phone number on an iPhone 

To find the number on your iPhone, tap the Settings icon and scroll down to the Phone tab and tap it. At the top of the next screen, the first line will be "My Number." The number on that line is the number of that iPhone.

Another way to find the number on the phone is in your Contacts app. To open your contacts, open the Phone app and choose "Contacts" at the bottom of the screen. The first contact is called My Card.

Tap that to see a contact card with the phone number for the iPhone you're using.

If the iPhone's battery is dead, you'll need to charge it enough to turn it on before you can find the phone number.

How to find the phone number on an iPhone using iTunes

You can also find details about an iPhone through iTunes. Here are the steps.

1. Plug the iPhone into your computer. You may be asked to tap "Allow" on the phone and enter your password, to grant the computer access to the iPhone.

2. Open iTunes. 

3. Click the phone icon in the upper left of the menu bar, just to the right of the Music menu.

This opens a Summary screen with details about the iPhone, including the phone number. 

Note, however, that iTunes will soon be phased out on Mac computers. Once that happens, this method will only work if you plug your iPhone into a PC.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to stop your iPhone from tracking your location, and manage each app's location-tracking

• How to turn off the Find My iPhone feature on your iPhone

• How to block a phone number on your iPhone

• How to record the screen on your iPhone

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

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Watch SpaceX's 'most difficult launch ever'

• You can name a group chat on your iPhone in a few simple steps. 
• If you are an avid group chatter, you may want to name each of your group chats to make them easier to find – and you can even use the group chat name with Siri. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you engage in many group chats, it may be difficult to find the right one in a flurry of names and random phone numbers. 

But there's no need to worry: Apple has made finding a group chat easier for iOS device users. 

It's easy to name a group chat on your iPhone– that way you will know which chat is the appropriate one to drop memes into and which is best to tell colleagues you will be late. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to name a group chat on your iPhone 

1. Open Messages from the home screen of your iOS device, or by searching for it using Siri or Spotlight.

2. Once in Messages, scroll down to find the group chat you wish to create a name for.

3. Select the group chat thread.

4. Within the thread, tap on the names and icons of the people in the group chat to access the menu.

5. On the far right in the drop-down menu, tap the "i" icon. 

6. At the top of the screen, tap "Enter a Group Name." 

7. Enter a name for the group chat. 

8. Tap "Done" in the top-right corner of the screen. 

9. The group chat name will now appear at the top of the thread and in your Messages. 

Once you've named your group chat, it will be accessible when using Siri's talk-to-text feature, too. 

If you want to rename the group, follow the steps above. Tap the "x" to delete the current group name, then tap "Name" to enter a new one. 

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to leave a group text on iPhone or mute its notifications when you're tired of them

• How to delete messages and conversations on your iPhone, and set them to auto-delete

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

• How to hide messages and message notifications on your iPhone, so only you can read them

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone accessories from cases to lightning cables

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The incredible story behind Slack, the app that's taken over offices everywhere

• A major European video game conference, Gamescom 2019, is happening this week in Cologne, Germany.
• Alongside the week-long event, a ton of new game trailers were released for some of this year's most-anticipated games.
• Everything from "Death Stranding" to "Gears 5" to "NBA 2K20" got new trailers — and we've collected the best ones below.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Every June, the video game industry's biggest players get together in Los Angeles for the annual E3 video game trade show.

A lesser-known but even larger conference happens in August, but instead of LA it's in Cologne, Germany. The event is known as "Gamescom," and it's the largest gaming event in the world by a large margin.

Though it's not super well-known in the States, the massive event always yields a ton of new trailers and information about the year's biggest games — it's the last major chance for games to get your attention before the holiday shopping season, after all.

We've gathered up the best new trailers from this year's Gamescom and dropped them below:

SEE ALSO: The 10 biggest video games launching this holiday, from an all-new 'Pokémon' to the hotly anticipated 'Death Stranding'

1. Not one, not two, but three new trailers for "Death Stranding":

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Here's number two:

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And finally, number three:

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2. "Gears 5"

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3. "Kerbal Space Program 2"

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4. "NBA 2K20"

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5. "Need for Speed: Heat"

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6. "Dead By Daylight" gets two major characters from "Stranger Things":

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7. "Destiny 2: Shadowkeep"

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8. "Predator: Hunting Grounds"

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9. "Ori & The Blind Forest" — a Microsoft-published game coming to Nintendo's Switch:

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10. "Disintegration"

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• Making small talk on a first date can get awkward — especially if you ask the wrong questions.
• Business Insider spoke to seven relationship experts and found out their least favorite first date icebreakers.
• Their off-limit questions ranged from "Why did you and your ex breakup?" to "Do you always wear this much makeup?"
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

First dates can be a communication minefield.

On the one hand, you want to present the best version of yourself to someone who could potentially be your boyfriend or girlfriend. You want to get past the awkward "small talk" and figure out whether the two of you are compatible.  

Read more: 7 relationship experts reveal their favorite questions to avoid awkward small talk on a first date

But on the other hand, you don't want to get too invasive. While there's no set rulebook for how to act on a first date, there are some questions that could give your potential partner the wrong impression. Business Insider spoke to seven relationship experts and found out their least favorite conversation starters, ranging from asking about an ex to bringing up sex too soon.

Here are the seven worst questions to ask on a first date, according to relationship experts:

SEE ALSO: 7 relationship experts reveal their favorite questions to avoid awkward small talk on a first date

SEE ALSO: 13 simple ways to get better at small talk

What's your relationship like with your parents?

Relationships experts say to stay away from overly personal questions on the first date.

Asking people invasive questions regarding their relationship with family and friends gets too nosy, says Rori Sassoon, a relationship expert based in New York City. "That's just so personal, number one, and it's not your business, number two," Sassoon told Business Insider.

If you're not sure if something is too personal, you can ask your date if they mind sharing, Shira Teichman, a dating coach and cofounder of the dating app Forj, told Business Insider. While Teichman understands many people want to skip the "small talk" and get to a deep conversation, you must ease into these topics so the other person does not become uncomfortable. 

"You can't 'fast-track' emotional intimacy; relationships need to unfold in their own time and in their own way," she said.

Why did you and your ex break up?

Bringing up past relationships can also ruin first dates, experts say. 

Some people might be curious about why their date broke up with an ex in order to spot potential red flags down the road, New York City-based love coach Susan Winter said. This question is problematic for multiple reasons, however — including the fact your date likely won't be honest with you. 

Plus, what happened in the past isn't relevant to the date that's happening right now. While someone may have had a rocky relationship with their last partner, you could bring out a completely different side of them.

"Sometimes we are different versions of ourselves with different people," Winter told Business Insider. "There are people who bring out the best in us, and there are people who bring out the worst in us."

What's your favorite position?

Avoid talking explicitly about sex on the first date, says Marla Mattenson, founder and CEO of a relationship consultancy. (The one "correct answer" here is "CEO," if someone actually asks this, Mattenson added). 

Sassoon said men especially tend toward getting too sexual too fast. "They can be a little more inappropriate," she said. "It's a little too much, too soon."

How can you work in a job like that?

Avoid judgmental comments and questions about what someone does, wears, hangs out with, etc., says Andrea Syrtash, a dating expert and co-author of "It's Okay to Sleep With Him on the First Date: And Every Rule of Dating Debunked."

"You don't want your date to feel like you're keeping score and auditioning him or her for the future," Syrtash told Business Insider.

Why weren't you a better friend?

Along with judgmental questions, avoid asking things that would make your date feel guilty about a personal story they revealed to you, says relationship coach Sami Wunder.

"Remember, the point is to feel good," Wunder said.

These kinds of comments can suggest a negative attitude that will lead to problems down the line. 

"You can tell when people have a negative attitude if they are judgmental or making fun of the people around them, if they are curt with the waitstaff, or if they're complaining," Winter said. "[You] just don't need that negativity."

Do you always wear this much makeup?

Mattenson says to avoid asking a question about someone's appearance.

In fact, don't say anything about your date's appearance unless it's a direct compliment, Miami-based matchmaker Claudia Duran told Business Insider. Even if your date looks different in real life than they do in their photos, or if you don't want to see them again, Duran says to still be kind.

"If there's nothing nice to say, be respectful and don't say anything at all," she added.

Do you want a relationship?

Don't inquire about a long-term relationship on the first date, Duran says. While you should be upfront about whether you just want to hook up or would like something more serious, getting too serious too soon turns your date off.  

Even if you are looking for someone to get serious with, "no one likes to be asked on the first date," she said. "It's too early to say."

Plus, you yourself should not decide whether you or not you want to date a person after just one date. Just as if you were a job candidate looking for a new gig, you don't know if the first place you interview at will work out. 

"You go and you look and you talk to the people and you look at the corporate culture and you kind of get a feel for whether this job would be right for you," Duran said.

• If you publish videos regularly on YouTube, you should know how to see your subscriber count and a list of your subscribers.
• You can only see the full list of your YouTube subscribers on the desktop version of YouTube, which you can access through a web browser on a computer or mobile device (but not the mobile app).  
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With over 500 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, it's no surprise that many publishers grow massive followings, with subscriber numbers reaching the millions — and revenue from advertising and product placements reaching just as high. 

If you publish videos to YouTube yourself, you may want to know how to see your subscribers. Not only does knowing how many you have help, seeing the types of people who follow you can also help you generate ideas, and figure out the kinds of videos your subscribers would like to see. 

You can see who's subscribed to your YouTube channel through the desktop version of YouTube, or check your subscriber count through the iPhone and Android apps. Here's how to do each.

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 see your YouTube subscribers on desktop 

1. Log into your YouTube account and click on your profile photo in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. 

2. Locate and click the "Your channel" option. 

3. Underneath your channel's username should be a count of how many subscribers you have. 

You can also see a list of your most recent subscribers, including their names and profiles, in YouTube's Studio (Beta) feature. 

4. In the menu bar at the top of your channel, click the blue "YouTube Studio (Beta)" button. 

5. On the Dashboard of the YouTube Studio screen, look for the card titled Recent Subscribers and click See More to get more information. Note that only the 100 most recent subscribers will be displayed and that only subscribers who have chosen to have their profile remain public will be visible. 

• If you don't have YouTube Studio (Beta) or the above list doesn't show on your account, you can also see a full list of your public subscribers by going to youtube.com/subscribers via YouTube's Creator Studio Classic.

How to see your YouTube subscribers on mobile

The complete list of your subscribers is only available on the desktop version of YouTube, which you can also access on a mobile device by logging into your account on a web browser and going to youtube.com/subscribers.

On the YouTube mobile app, however, you can only see your number of YouTube subscribers, rather than a full list of names. Here's how to do that. 

1. Locate and tap the YouTube icon to open the app and ensure you're logged into your account. 

2. Tap your profile icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen and then select the "Your channel" option on the Account screen. 

3. On your channel, your number of YouTube subscribers will be displayed next to your user icon and beneath your name.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• 'What does a highlighted comment mean on YouTube?': What you need to know about the feature that helps you navigate YouTube's comment section

• 'What is YouTube TV?': Everything you need to know about YouTube's subscription streaming service

• How to sign out of your YouTube account on desktop or mobile, and protect your account

• How to temporarily hide or permanently delete your YouTube account, and erase any trace of yourself from the site

SEE ALSO: The best laptops you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why Apple's Mac Pro 'trash can' was a colossal failure

Table of Contents

Travel rewards credit cards

First up are the cards that can get you the most value if you're willing to put in the work: travel rewards credit cards that earn Amex, Chase, and other bank points. You can transfer these points to various airline and hotel partners, as well as use them to book travel directly through your credit card issuer.

The mega-popular Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express® Gold Card and others fall into this category.

Chase Sapphire Preferred—  The rewards card that started it all. For a $95 annual fee, you get 2x points on travel and dining, not to mention valuable protections like primary car rental insurance and baggage delay insurance. Read the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review.

Chase Sapphire Reserve— The premium sibling to the Sapphire Preferred has a $450 annual fee, but offers more perks like a $300 annual travel credit and 3x points on travel and dining. Read the Chase Sapphire Reserve review.

American Express Gold Card— If dining is one of your top spending categories, the Amex Gold is a great card for you. It earns 4x points at restaurants (and 4x at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 each year, then 1x) and each month you get up to $10 in statement credits when you use the card at GrubHub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shacks. There's a $250 annual fee. Read the Amex Gold Card review.

The Platinum Card® from American Express— It's one of the most premium personal credit cards out there, with a $550 annual fee and a long list of benefits. You get annual statement credits for airline incidental fees, Saks purchases, and Uber rides, and can access a variety of airport lounges including Amex's own Centurion Lounges. Read the Amex Platinum review.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card— Like the Sapphire Preferred, the Venture Rewards Card packs in a lot of benefits for a sub-$100-annual-fee card, and in this case the $95 annual fee is waived the first year. You'll earn 2x miles on all purchases, and 10x miles on hotel bookings made with the card via hotels.com/venture. You can redeem miles to cover travel purchases on your statement, or transfer them to a selection of airline programs. Read the Capital One Venture Rewards card review.

Read more: The best rewards credit cards of 2019

Read more: The best current credit card sign-up offers

Cash-back credit cards

Not everyone travels enough to make cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred worth it. If you'd prefer to earn money back on your spending, you have plenty of great options as well. Unless otherwise specified, these cards don't have an annual fee.

Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card— This is a top cash-back card thanks to its many bonus categories. You'll earn 3x points (3% cash back) on eating out and ordering in, on travel, gas stations, rideshares, and transit, and on popular streaming services, and 1% back on everything else. It's also one of the rare no-annual-fee cash-back cards to waive foreign transaction fees. Read the Wells Fargo Propel Amex card review.

Chase Freedom Unlimited— This card offers a solid flat rate (1.5% back) on every purchase, and it's one of the most flexible cash-back cards around, because it gives you options. If you decide you'd like to get into travel rewards further down the line, you can combine your cash-back earnings from the Freedom Unlimited with Chase Ultimate Rewards points from a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred to use them toward travel. Read the Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

Chase Freedom—  Like the Freedom Unlimited, the Chase Freedom earns cash back on every purchase. But instead of offering a flat cash-back rate, it offers 5% back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter of the year in rotating bonus categories, such as gas stations and streaming services, and 1% back on everything else. You have to activate the bonus each quarter to earn the 5% back. The Freedom's cash-back earnings can be combined with Ultimate Rewards points if you have a more premium Chase card. Read the Chase Freedom review.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express— This card has a $95 annual fee, and it has some great bonus categories. These include 6% back on select US streaming services, 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at US supermarkets each year (then 1%), 3% back at US gas stations and on transit, and 1% on everything else. Read the Blue Cash Preferred Card review.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card— If you want to earn extra cash back on your dining purchases, this is a good pick. The Savor card earns an unlimited 4% back on dining and entertainment, 2% back at grocery stores, and 1% back on everything else. There's a $95 annual fee that's waived the first year, and no foreign transaction fees. Read the Capital One Savor card review.

Read more: The best cash-back credit cards of 2019

Airline credit cards

If you're loyal to a specific airline — or even if you just travel with the same airline multiple times a year — it could be worth holding a co-branded credit card to get a free checked bag, priority boarding, and other perks. Airline credit cards run the gamut from entry-level to premium options, and the best choice for you will depend on how frequently you travel.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card— Alaska miles are very valuable, and also hard to come by. Alaska's co-branded card (with a $75 annual fee) is a great way to earn them, and you also get a companion fare each year. Read the Alaska Airlines Visa review.

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express— If you fly Delta a handful of times each year, this card is a good option. It has a $95 annual fee that's waived the first year, and offers the basic airline perks like a free checked bag, priority boarding, and 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases. Read the Gold Delta SkyMiles Amex review.

Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express— For more frequent Delta flyers, the Platinum Delta Amex could make sense thanks to additional benefits like an annual companion certificate and the ability to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) toward Delta Medallion elite Status. The card has a higher $195 annual fee, but if those perks are useful to you, it can be worth it. Read the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Amex review.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card— This card has a $99 annual fee, and earns 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases. One of the top reasons to consider it — or any other Southwest credit card — is that the sign-up bonus you earn from meeting the minimum spending requirement counts toward the Southwest Companion Pass. The Companion Pass lets you designate one person to travel with you on Southwest for free (minus taxes and fees) when you have a flight booked. Read the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card review.

United Explorer Card— United's co-branded credit card with a $95 annual fee stands out for offering bonus miles on categories other than just United purchases, and an application fee credit for up to $100 for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. As a cardholder, you also get access to additional low-level award space, which makes it easier to stretch the miles you earn. Read the United Explorer card review.

United Explorer Business Card— The business version of the Explorer card also has a $95 annual fee, and it offers bonus miles at gas stations, office supply stores, and restaurants, in addition to on United purchases. Read the United Explorer Business card review.

Read more: American vs. Delta vs. United — we compared the 3 most popular airline credit cards

Hotel credit cards

Hotel co-branded credit cards can get you complimentary elite status, bonus points on stays, and other solid perks. As with airline credit cards, the options run the gamut from basic cards with annual fees under $100 to premium picks that offer fancier benefits.

Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express— This card has a $450 annual fee, but if you have even just a few Hilton stays in a year it can be well worth it. You get complimentary Hilton Diamond status, which can get you free breakfast and complimentary room upgrades, and each cardmember year you'll get up to $250 in Hilton resort credits and up to $250 in airline fee credits each calendar year. Read the Hilton Aspire card review.

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card— If you qualify for a small business credit card and are a Hilton loyalist, consider this card with a moderate $95 annual fee and benefits like bonus points on Hilton stays and complimentary Gold Hilton status. Read the Hilton Honors Amex Business card review.

Read more: The best hotel credit cards

Business credit cards

If you run your own company or even if you just have a side gig like freelancing or selling items online, a business credit card is a great way to separate your work expenses and earn rewards targeted to business spenders. Many business credit cards offer bonus points on categories like office supplies, and if you opt for a high-end card you can enjoy luxury travel benefits like airport lounge access.

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card— This Chase Business card has one of the best sign-up bonuses around, and it offers great points-earning potential on categories like travel and online advertising for a reasonable $95 annual fee. Read the Ink Business Preferred card review.

Ink Business Cash Credit Card— This no-annual-fee business card from Chase earns bonus cash back on categories like office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services. If you pair it with a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, you can redeem the Ink Card's cash back as travel rewards with partners like British Airways and Hyatt. Read the Ink Business Cash card review.

The Business Platinum® Card from American Express— The business version of the Amex Platinum Card comes with several unique benefits, including up to $200 in statement credits for Dell purchases each year, and a 35% points rebate when you book eligible air travel through Amex. There's a $595 annual fee, but it could be worth it for frequent business travelers. Read the Amex Business Platinum card review.

Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express— This is a great option for anyong who's looking to earn Amex points and can qualify for a business credit card. The Blue Business Plus has no annual fee, and it earns 2x points on the first $50,000 spent each year (then 1x point). Read the Blue Business Plus card review.

Read more: The best small business credit cards

• Often called "Superman," Li Ka-shing has an incredible "rags-to-riches" story that saw him go from being impoverished in southern China to building a conglomerate that spans across 50 countries and 323,000 employees.
• Li's investment firm CK Asset Holdings, now run by his son Victor, will acquire British pub chain Greene King for $5.6 billion,Reuters reported on August 19.
• Li is one of several ultra-wealthy Hong Kong residents who have spoken out against the protests that have engulfed the city since July.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Hong Kong's "Superman" is joining the chorus of ultra-wealthy Hong Kong residents who have spoken out against the protests that have engulfed the city since July.

Li Ka-shing 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 (a 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." Li alone has lost $3 billion since July, according to the Financial Times.

Read more: 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

The losses have not stopped the Li family from making major acquisitions, however. CK Asset Holdings, now run by his son Victor, will acquire British pub chain Greene King — the biggest pubs and brewery group in the UK— for £4.6 billion ($5.6 billion), Reuters reported August 19.

While he is no longer the richest man in Asia, the 91-year-old still ranks as the 28th-richest person in the world and has a current estimated net worth of $27.8 billion.

Often called "Superman" and Asia's answer to Warren Buffet by the media, Li has an incredible and inspiring life story. He went from dropping out of school as a child to support his family to becoming the first person of Chinese origin to buy one of the British-built Hong Kong companies that dominated the city since its colonial days. 

Christi Danner contributed reporting to an earlier version of this story.

SEE ALSO: 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

DON'T MISS: Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian took 16 weeks off to be with his family when his daughter was born. Here's a look inside his fight for paid paternity leave — and why he's bringing it to Congress

Li Ka-shing was saddled with financial responsibility from a young age. After his family fled to Hong Kong from southern China during WWII, his father died of tuberculosis. He had to leave school before the age of 16 to work in a plastics factory.

Source: Business Insider

For almost four years during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, he sent 90% of his pay to his mother. Li worked hard from a young age, often working 16 hours a day, seven days a week, a pace that he says he continues to keep up even at 89 years old.

Source: Forbes

Li eventually became the factory's top salesman and was promoted to be the factory manager at 18.

Source: Forbes

Li showed promise as a leader and visionary when he opened his first factory in 1950, at the age of 22. The factory, Cheung Kong Industries, manufactured all kinds of plastic, but was particularly popular for its plastic flowers. He anticipated that plastics would become a booming industry, and he was right.

Source: Business Insider

Li attributes the success of Cheung Kong, which he started with only about $50,000, to a willingness to learn the latest industry trends. “The correlation between knowledge and business as the key to success is closer than ever," he said.

Source: The Telegraph, Evan Carmichael

Though Li dropped out of school at a young age and never received a university degree, he has always been a voracious reader and attributes much of his success to his ability to learn independently. For instance, he completed Cheung Kong's accounting books in the company's first year himself with no accounting experience — he simply taught himself from textbooks.

Source: Forbes

Though he has many holdings, the thriftiness that was necessary during Li’s childhood has carried over into his current career. His no-debt policy means that his companies operate using as little debt as possible, and Li himself purchases all of his real estate using capital, in order to maintain zero personal debt.

Source: Forbes

Along with knowledge and industry insight, Li considers loyalty and reputation to be keys to success. In a 2006 interview with Forbes, he said, “Anytime I say ‘yes’ to someone, it is a contract.”

Source: Forbes

In 1956, he once turned down an offer that would have given him an extra 30% profit on a sale (and allowed him to expand his factory) because he had already made a verbal agreement with another buyer. He still carries this principle of loyalty today, even when it means losing money.

Source: Forbes

Like many famous investors, Li often bought when others sold. When riots inspired by Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution broke out in Hong Kong in 1967, Li invested in the city's property as prices tanked.

Source: Bloomberg

In 1969, Hasbro commissioned Li Ka-shing's Hong Kong plastics factory to make G.I. Joe dolls for export to the United States.

Source: Forbes

Li scored a major victory in 1979 when he bought control of Hutchison Whampoa from the bank HSBC Holdings. Li negotiated to buy Hutchison shares for less than half of their value and, in doing so, became the first person of Chinese origin to own one of the British-controlled companies that dominated Hong Kong since the 1800s.

Source: Bloomberg News

Though he is known mainly as a property developer, Li’s companies control 70% of port traffic and most electric utilities and telecommunications in Hong Kong. He also owns a majority stake in Husky Energy, a Canadian company. Li distributes his wealth and power across different industries and geographic areas, showing that he is unafraid to learn and experiment in new arenas.

Source: Business Insider

Li enjoys spending his "mad money" on these investments rather than on material things. He consciously makes an effort to be perceived as materially modest. He wore a $50 Citizen electric wristwatch for years before moving to an equally cheap Seiko. In recent years, he upgraded to a $400 Citizen Eco Watch due to its battery life and durability.

Source: Business Insider

Li suffered a personal tragedy when his wife, Chong Yuet-ming, died of an aneurysm at the age of 55 on January 1, 1990. Her grave was later vandalized by tomb raiders.

Source: Forbes

In 1996, his eldest son Victor was kidnapped by infamous Chinese mobster "Big Spender" Cheung Tze-keung. Li reportedly paid a $127.5 million ransom. Chinese authorities eventually caught and executed Cheung.

Source: Bloomberg

One of Li's biggest successes came in 1999 when he sold mobile phone company Orange to German conglomerate Mannesmann AG for a $15 billion profit.

Li arranges his holdings strategically to ensure his security despite the state of the economy. He anticipates economic highs and lows. “I do not get overly optimistic when the market is good, nor overly pessimistic when the market is down,” he said.

Source: Forbes

Li’s good financial habits have given him the freedom to treat investment in technology as a "high-stakes hobby," through Horizons Ventures Ltd. His longtime friend, Solina Chau, runs the tech fund.

Source: Forbes

But Li isn't entirely frugal. He owns a palatial residence in Hong Kong's Deep Water Bay — where even a four-bedroom family house can set you back £13 million (more than $16 million).

Source: South China Morning Post

Li was one of the first big investors in Facebook and Spotify and also invested in a startup that aims to replace eggs with a plant substitute. Li only invests in technology that he sees as "disruptive" and will make his holdings more cutting-edge. This is consistent with his constant innovation in his businesses.

Source: Business Insider, Forbes

Perhaps one of the most important factors that has contributed to Li's success is the passion he feels for his work. In 2010, he told Forbes, "The most important enjoyment for me is to work hard and make more profit."

Source: Business Insider, Forbes

In 2012, Li announced that he would hand off Cheung Kong to his eldest son Victor Li, while providing cash to help his second son Richard develop his own businesses. He did not announce when he would retire at the time.

Source: Reuters

It hasn't all been smooth sailing for Li's company. It was embroiled in a dock strike in 2013 and has been vilified by unions. In this picture, the characters on this protester's mask mean "monster" or "evil."

Source: Reuters

But in 2018, Li announced that he would be retiring to focus on his charitable foundation, which he has called his "third son." He has said that he hopes that as Asia becomes more wealthy, others will follow his lead in philanthropy. He has pledged to give away one-third of his $27.8 billion fortune.

Source: Business Insider, Forbes

In June 2019, The Li Ka Shing Foundation announced that it will cover the tuition of Shantou University's incoming class for up to five years as a part of an ongoing initiative to make higher education more accessible in China.

Source: The Li Ka Shing Foundation

As of mid-August, protests have disrupted life in Hong Kong for 10 weeks, closing streets, disrupting flights at its airport, and causing volatility in the stock market. Li alone lost $3 billion between July and August.

Source: Business Insider

On August 15, Li took out advertisements in local Hong Kong newspapers calling for an end to the protests that read "stop anger and violence in the name of love."

Source: Business Insider

The losses have not stopped the Li family from making major acquisitions, however. CK Asset Holdings, now run by his son Victor, will British pub chain Greene King for £4.6 billion ($5.6 billion) on August 19. Greene King owns 2,700 pubs and restaurants, and hotels.

Source: Reuters, The Guardian

• You can make a group chat on iPhone so you can easily have a conversation with multiple people at once. 
• iPhone group chats are sent as iMessages if the other participants also have Apple devices, or as MMS or SMS messages if at least one participant does not. 
• Group messages allow you to send texts as well as images, audio, and video clips.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

These days, a good portion of our conversations with our friends, family, and even colleagues happens via text. It's a quick and convenient method of communication that's ideal for our busy lives. 

And with the iPhone's Messages app — and, by extension, their iMessage feature — keeping in touch has never been easier.

If you want to talk to more than one person at a time, whether to arrange a get-together with your friends, or ask if your colleagues if anyone can cover your shift, it's possible to create an iPhone group chat with multiple participants. Here's how to do it. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to make a group chat on iPhone

1. From your iPhone's home screen, tap on the Messages app icon, which appears as a white text bubble inside a green box. 

2. Tap on the Compose Message button in the upper right-hand corner of the Messages screen. This looks like a piece of paper with a pencil hovering over it. 

3. In the "To" area of the message box, either begin typing the name, phone number, or email of the person you want to add to the conversation, or use the + symbol to select participants manually from your contacts list. If you're adding numbers or emails that aren't in your contacts, press "Return" after typing to move on to the next name.

4. After typing in or selecting the names of the people you wish to add to the conversation, begin typing your message.

5. When you've finished typing the message you'd like to send, hit the blue or green send arrow. 

You can also name or rename your group chat after creating it by tapping on the top of the conversation, then clicking the info button, which looks like a lowercase I, then tapping "Enter a Group Name." After typing in the name you want for your chat, tap "Done." 

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• 'Why am I not receiving text messages on my iPhone?': How to fix common iPhone messaging problems

• How to see messages from a blocked number on an iPhone, and filter messages from unknown senders

• 'Why won't my iPhone charge?': How to diagnose and fix common iPhone charging problems

• 'Why won't my iPhone ring?': 7 ways to fix an iPhone when its sound isn't working properly

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

Join the conversation about this story »

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• You can easily delete podcasts from your iPhone after you've downloaded them. 
• The Podcasts app on your iPhone allows you to save podcasts and download them for offline listening, but you can delete any downloaded podcast from your iPhone when you no longer want to keep it.   
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Nearly every iOS device automatically comes with the Podcasts app — where you can listen, download, and subscribe to thousands of podcasts.

When you download a podcast to your iPhone, you can listen to it offline, like on an airplane or while out on a hike with little to no cellular service. You can also delete a downloaded podcast from your iPhone, and it's as simple as swiping. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to download a podcast on your iPhone 

1. Launch the Podcasts app from your iPhone. You can find the app by asking Siri, searching for it in Spotlight, or finding the purple icon on your home screen.

2. Find an episode of a podcast you wish to download by using the menu options at the bottom of the page. 

3. Once you've found a podcast to download, tap the "+" icon to the right of the episode's title and description. This will add the podcast episode to your library. 

4. After you've added the podcast episode, download it by tapping the icon that looks like a cloud with an arrow pointing down. This means the episode will be available offline.

5. You can stop the download at any time by tapping the stop icon.

How to delete a podcast from your iPhone

1. Launch the Podcasts app. 

2. Find the podcast with the episode you wish to delete. 

3. Once you've selected the podcast with the episode you wish to delete from the "Listen Now" tab, swipe left. An already-downloaded podcast will not have a "+" or a cloud icon to the right of its title. 

4. Tap "Delete."

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• The best apps for downloading and listening to free music on your iPhone

• How to listen to podcasts on your iPhone, where you can access over 700,000 podcasts from Apple's catalog

• How to check your data usage on an iPhone, and manage each app's data

• How to delete music from your iPhone, with an easy method for deleting all of it at once

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone accessories from cases to lightning cables

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 5 things wrong with Apple's lightning cable

• Adrian Granzella Larssen is a content strategist, editorial director, and founder of Sweet Spot Content. Eight years ago, she was the first employee at The Muse.
• When she began her freelance content strategy business, she recruited all of her clients in her first year with one email. 
• But once she sent out that magical email, she needed to effectively communicate with her stable of freelance clients. She found herself sending out versions of the same important emails again and again.
• Here, she's shared her templates for professional, effective versions of every possible email that a freelancer will need to send when working with a client.
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

When people ask me how I started my freelance content strategy business, I always respond the same way:

It was one magic email. 

That email was so powerful that it brought me 100% of my clients my first year in business. So powerful that several friends have used their own version and had similar results. So powerful that I wrote about it in this article— and included a template that anyone can adapt.

But then what? Best case scenario, you send a similar email, and you have yourself some freelance gigs — along with a whole host of other communication needs. How do you send a proposal to potential clients? What about invoicing? What do you say when you don't want to take a project on — or when someone isn't happy with your work?

Here, I've collected some of the other most important emails I send as a freelancer — all in easy copy-and-paste templates that you can steal for yourself.

The "hire me" email

When to send: When you come across a "looking for freelance help" post on Facebook, LinkedIn, or other communities you're part of, and the work seems right up your alley. (Or, when someone responds to your "Hey, I'm freelancing now" email!)

Pro tip: Responding quickly is important — many companies looking for help are flooded with responses from interested parties. But also take the time to personalize the message and the work samples you send — it'll go a long way. 

Subject: [Project name]: Reaching out from [source you found the project]

Hi [Name],

Hope this email finds you well! I'm a freelance [job title] and just saw your post on [site/source] about looking for help on a [project type]. I'd love to help out.

My background: [1-2 sentences about your background, including the types of projects and clients you've worked on that specifically relate to the project]. 

You can see some of my work on my website here: [link]. In addition, here are a couple of links to my client work that's similar to your project — they [reason why these work samples are related to the project at hand]:

[Link to work sample 1]
[Link to work sample 2]

My rates are typically [rates per project]. Please let me know if you'd like more information or to hop on a call. I'd love the opportunity to work together!

All the best,

[Your name]

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

The proposal email

When to send: After you've had an intro call to understand the client's needs. Of course, some projects may be as straightforward as writing a few blog posts or designing a logo, but other times, a company may look to you to tell them what they need. 

Pro tip: A good proposal should outline the specific deliverables of the project, an estimated timeline, and pricing. I also like to include a "how I can help" paragraph summarizing the project goals and desired business results.

Subject: Proposal: [Project name]

Hi [Name],

Thanks so much for chatting last week. It was great to connect with you and hear more about what you're working on. 

I'd be very excited to help you [result you'd be helping the client achieve] and have attached a proposal for working together. As you'll see, I recommend [brief details of the project, e.g., "a 12-week engagement with six specific deliverables"], which is outlined here along with an estimated timeline and pricing. Note that this is a proposal and not our formal agreement, which I'll send along if we decide to move forward.

Please let me know if you have questions or would like to discuss — I'm happy to answer questions or make adjustments based on your feedback.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts,

[Your name]

The "terms and conditions" email

When to send: Right after someone has expressed that they want to hire you, but before you start working on the project. 

Pro tip: Having a contract in place might seem overly formal, but ask any freelancer who's been burned before: It's helpful to have the project details spelled out from the get-go. Download one on LegalZoom or ask your freelancing friends to repurpose their templates.

Subject: Project agreement

Hi [Name],

Thanks so much for your email. I'm thrilled about working together!

To officially kick things off, I'm attaching a project agreement, outlining our timeline, deliverables, and fee schedule. You can e-sign it using a tool like DocuSign or HelloSign. 

In the meantime, here's what you can expect for next steps:

[Outline the next steps for kicking off the project once the client signs the contract.]

Please let me know if you have any questions. I'm so looking forward to this project.

Thanks,

[Your name]

Read more: One email put a 24-year old on a path from intern to COO in six months. Here's the exact text he used.

The "out of budget" response email

When to send: When a potential client responds to your proposal with the dreaded, "Sorry, this is out of our budget."

Pro tip: If it's a company you really want to work with — for instance, it'd be a big name on your portfolio, or it's a project you're particularly passionate about — it might make sense to discount your rate. Otherwise, a better move is offering a scaled-down version of your services at a price that'll fit their budget. 

Subject: Revised proposal

Hi [Name],

Thanks so much for your email and your candor. I completely understand the nature of tight budgets. With that said, I'd still love the opportunity to work together and wanted to offer a couple of options.

First, we could extend the timeline a bit and break the fee down into multiple payments. Would that help give your budget any wiggle room? I'd also be happy to adjust the scope, and I've attached another proposal that outlines what I can offer based on a smaller budget. 

Please let me know if either of these options would work. I know that I could help you achieve your goal of [business result] and would love to work together!

All the best,

[Your name]

The "scope creep" email

When to send: When a client asks you to do something that wasn't outlined in your original agreement.

Pro tip: When sending proposals, I always include a line that says: "Any work in addition to these deliverables will be billed at an hourly rate of $XXX" — which makes the following email much, much easier to send. 

Subject: [Description of task]

Hi [Name],

Thanks for sending this over! I can definitely take on [out of scope task] and have it to you by [date]. Just a quick reminder that since it wasn't outlined in our original agreement, my hourly rate will apply. It shouldn't take me more than about X hours to complete, but let me know if there's a cap on the time you'd like me to spend on it. Otherwise, I'll get on it shortly!

Thanks,

[Your name]

Read more: There are 7 types of emails you need to master to land your dream job. But they're easy to mess up. Here's a copy-paste template for each that will make you look great to employers.

The "I'm too busy" email

When to send: When you're up to your eyeballs in work (every freelancer's dream, right?) and you need to turn down a project. 

Pro tip: If it's a client you would be interested in working with in the future, make sure you leave the door open. Say you'll follow up in a few weeks when things calm down — and then actually do!

Subject: Thanks for thinking of me

Hi [Name],

Thanks so much for thinking of me for this project! While I'd absolutely love to help out, I'm completely at capacity with other projects for the next [timeline]. 

If you have any flexibility in your timing, I could help out after [date] — let me know if that would work. If not, I'd love to be kept in mind for future projects. I'll plan to check in with you in a few weeks when things calm down!

All the best,

[Your name]

The "I'm not the right fit" email

When to send: When someone reaches out to you about a project that you don't want to take on or aren't quite the right fit for. 

Pro tip: While it can be hard to turn down work (especially when you're first starting out!), remember that saying "yes" to a project you're not excited about may mean needing to say "no" to one you ARE excited about down the line. So it's worth it to be thoughtful about the clients you're taking on. On the fence? Take this Client Screening Quiz from digital strategist Erin Flynn.  

Subject: Thanks for thinking of me

Dear [Name],

Thanks for reaching out to me. While your project sounds very interesting, it's not the type of work I'm taking on at the moment — I think you'd benefit more working with someone who [why other freelancers might be a better fit than you].

Here are a few other folks in my network who might be a better match:

• [Recommendation 1]
• [Recommendation 2]

Please let me know if I can make any introductions, and best of luck on the project!

Warmly,

[Your name]

The invoice email 

When to send: At the end of a project or at the end of a month, if you're billing on a recurring basis. 

Pro tip: Streamline your invoices by sending them on the same day — I like to tackle them on the last business day of the month — and by using a tool that makes it easy to create, keep track of, and duplicate invoices (I use FreshBooks). While this could be a throwaway email, I like to use it as an opportunity to thank clients for the opportunity to work together. 

Subject: Invoice: [Your name] — [Month]

Hi [Name],

Attached please find my invoice for our work together in [month] / on [project]. 

As always, thanks for the opportunity to work together. It's been fantastic collaborating with you, and I'm excited to see what we can do next month and beyond!

Best,

[Your name]

Read more: I'm 34 and make $200,000 a year as a freelancer. This is exactly how I spend my money to both scale my business and still enjoy my Miami life.

The "haven't received your payment" email

When to send: When the deadline you put on your invoice has come and gone. 

Pro tip: The first time someone misses a payment, it's worth giving them the benefit of the doubt — after all, things do sometimes fall through the cracks. But if a client repeatedly has trouble sticking to your agreed-upon timeline, consider whether it might be time to find some more responsible companies to do business with. 

Subject: Invoice payment due [date]

Hi [Name],

Hope you're having a great week. I just wanted to check in as I haven't yet received payment for my latest invoice, which was due on [date]. (I've attached it here again for your reference.)

Please let me know when you've sent the payment so I can look out for it.  

Thanks,

[Your name]

The "I'm sorry you're not happy" email

When to send: When a client responds to something you've submitted by saying they're not happy with the end result.

Pro tip: This is one of those situations in which it's best to step outside your inbox and take the conversation offline. First, though, be honest with yourself: Did you miss the mark? Or was this a case of unrealistic client expectations? Go into the conversation with a few ideas about how to proceed accordingly. 

Subject: Talk this week?

Hi [Name],

I really appreciate you sending over this feedback. I'd love to understand a bit more about your specific concerns and walk through a few options for how to proceed. Are you available for a quick phone call tomorrow?

I look forward to speaking. 

[Your name]

The "let's work together again" email

When to send: When you could use some new work, it's always worth connecting with people who've hired you in the past.

Pro tip: Keep a running list of all of your clients, past and present, so it's easy to keep track of those you should reach out to in the future.

Subject: Thinking of you — hope all is well!

Hi [Name],

I hope all is well! I was thinking about you, as I just saw [something that made you think of the client; for example, a recent news feature or social media post]. 

Also, I thought I'd check in and see if you have any upcoming needs. I loved working with you on [project name], and I'd love the opportunity to collaborate in the future. Let me know if I can be of service! 

Cheers,

[Your name]

Adrian Granzella Larssen is the founder of Sweet Spot Content, which helps early-stage companies and entrepreneurs create authentic, engaging content. Previously, she was the first employee and editor-in-chief of TheMuse.com, a content-first career destination. She's also the author of Your Year Off, a digital guide to traveling the world inspired by her experience traveling to 30 countries in 12 months. (Say hi and follow her travels on Instagram.)

SEE ALSO: This tactic brings in 100% of new clients for many freelancers and entrepreneurs

Join the conversation about this story »

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• Handbag startup Dagne Dover has made a name for itself as the go-to work bag brand for professionals.
• Its 365 collection offers a wide range of styles, all made with neoprene, that nail the day-to-night transition and work well for all sorts of uses.
• The Ryan and Weston Laptop Bags (both $135 for medium, $155 for large) are the newest additions, so we tried them to see how they stack up to the rest of the rest of the collection.
• Suffice it to say, we were all impressed by these sleek but seriously versatile laptop bags that balance fashion and function all in one. 
• Read more about Dagne Dover in our Buying Guides: The best women's work bags and The best women's laptop bags

I wish I could carry my favorite leather tote bag to work — but frankly, it's impractical. Though the style is classic, the thin straps are too weak to carry the weight of my day's worth of supplies and the wide-open interior leaves much to be desired in terms of organization. It's a dilemma commuters and professionals alike know all too well — struggling to find a bag that strikes the balance between comfort and practicality, with a look that still exudes an air of professionalism.

While I'm not planning on giving up my favorite leather tote anytime soon, I will be retiring it to weekend duty in favor of something a little more practical.

Luckily, I didn't have to search far to find a perfect, work-appropriate bag. My team has already sung the praises of Dagne Dover, a brand that makes intelligently designed bags for professional women, and men, who value both fashion and function. The brand already has a running list of commuter-friendly bags, including a carry-all gym bag, a professional leather tote, and a work-appropriate backpack, among others.

Sleek materials, aesthetically pleasing designs, and smart features are the signature of the Dagne Dover 365 collection, including its two newest additions — the Ryan and Weston Laptop Bags.

Both the Ryan and Weston are made with neoprene (the same material used to make wet suits for scuba diving), and come in a range of rich neutral colors. The combination of the distinct-looking fabric with a style that resembles a briefcase creates an appealing aesthetic that passes in both formal and casual environments, truly embodying the purpose of the 365 collection. While the unique style is what might draw customers to these laptop bags at first, it is the superior organization and additional specs that will keep them coming back to Dagne Dover.

Given their names, one of the most prominent features of the Ryan and the Weston is the interior laptop sleeve, but there is so much more.

There's the exterior pocket that's perfect for keeping your phone or wallet almost concealed, but at arm's reach when you need it on the subway. Then there's the interior card slots, the key leash, and the mesh pockets that provide a spot for just about every little thing you'll need throughout the day. Plus, each bag is water resistant so you know your precious tech will be safe (remember, scuba gear!)

Both bags have a regular handle, as well as a crossbody strap, so you can carry it whatever way you find most comfortable. While most features are the same between the models, the most noticeable difference is that the Ryan has an exterior zipper pocket, while the Weston has a slimmer, flat exterior. Both bags come in medium and large sizes. The medium's laptop sleeve is 13.25" inches wide, while the large's is 14.5" inches wide, so they can accommodate a range of laptop sizes. 

Three of our team members got to test Dagne Dover's new laptop bags. While some of us were already fans of the brand, some of us (like myself) had never tried anything from Dagne Dover before, but it's safe to say, regardless of our prior experience, we were all impressed.

Keep reading to check out our experiences with the Ryan and Weston bags:

Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter: 

I wish the Dagne Dover Ryan Laptop Bag had existed while I was in college, because it would've actually held up to all the heavy study materials and the laptop I carried around campus. I liked that I could carry it multiple ways — in one hand, over the shoulder, cross-body, or over my luggage handle — and it felt sturdy and comfortable all the while. Since it features so many well-organized compartments for notebooks, smaller tech, and even my keys, it's the only bag I need to carry if I want to bring some work home or to a cafe.

Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter:

Dagne Dover's laptop bag, like much of its offerings, is smarter, leaner, and better looking than most other options. It's spacious enough for my laptop, planner, headphones, keys, and other essentials, but compact enough to be forgettable even in a crowded subway car.

The neoprene is lightweight but sturdy, and being able to carry it like a crossbody or purse is essential. My favorite features are the key leash, lean build, and almost hidden exterior pocket for easy access to my phone or wallet. My only complaint is that I found the medium size's laptop sleeve to be a little snug for the MacBook I use for work, but that's ultimately not a big deal.

Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks reporter:

I was super excited to test the large Weston Laptop Bag after hearing such great things about Dagne Dover from my coworkers. While I'm more partial to the style of backpacks and totes, this bag won me over. I was worried that, as an intern, I might look silly carrying what looks like a briefcase. In all honesty, carrying this on the subway and into the office gave me an air of confidence that only such a professional-looking bag could provide. Still, I was able to bring it to the gym without worrying that a wet locker room floor would ruin it (thanks, neoprene!)

Most importantly, this bag feels like it was designed with every one of my commuter frustrations in mind. The key leash, smartphone-sized back pocket, and multiple organizational slots keep my bag organized, making it easy to find everything and eliminating all that wasted time rummaging through a stuffed, messy bag.

Shop the Ryan Laptop Bag at Dagne Dover, $135 for a Medium or $155 for a Large.

Shop the Weston Laptop Bag at Dagne Dover, $135 for a Medium or $155 for a Large.

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• You can mute a video on your iPhone using Apple's free iMovie app. 
• To mute a video on your iPhone, tap a clip in the iMovie timeline and use the audio control at the bottom of the screen to eliminate the audio. 
• When you're done, you can use the Share button to save the completed video and share it via email or social media.  
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you want to remove the sound from a video you're editing on your iPhone, you can do that using Apple's iMovie app, which is a free video editor that greatly expands what you can do with your videos, including rotating scenes and combining clips into a longer movie. 

If you haven't already installed iMovie, do that first, and then it's a simple process to mute a video. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to mute a video on an iPhone using iMovie

1. Start the iMovie app and if you see the Welcome screen, tap "Continue."

2. On the Projects page, tap the plus sign to start a new movie.

3. On the New Projects pop-up, tap "Movie."

4. Choose a video that you want to include in your new project. You can tap "Media" at the top of the screen to see a list of all your folders, and tap "Video" to make it easier to find your video. 

5. When you find the video you want, tap it. In the pop-up, tap the checkbox. This adds the video to your project. Then tap "Create Movie" at the bottom of the screen. 

6. On the video editing page, tap the video clip in the timeline at the bottom of the screen. 

7. Tap the audio button. You should see it change to a mute symbol, and the audio slider should move all the way to the left. 

8. When you're done editing the video, tap "Done" at the upper left corner of the screen. 

9. Tap the Share button at the bottom of the screen and choose how you want to save the completed video. 

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to crop a video on your iPhone using a free third-party app

• How to easily combine videos on your iPhone using the iMovie app

• How to send a large video file from your iPhone to another device in 3 ways

• How to import videos from your iPhone onto a Mac wirelessly, in 2 different ways

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

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: All the ways Amazon is taking over your house

• The card game Exploding Kittens ($19.99) is always part of our game-night lineup because it's creative, easy to learn, and fun for the whole family. 
• It was created in 2015 by a cartoonist, game designer, and creative director trio who wanted to help people connect over physical games again. 
• Raising more than $8.7 million from more than 219,000 backers on Kickstarter, it's an online crowdfunding legend that has gone on to sell 8 million games worldwide. 

The components of a great night in aren't tricky to assemble. Gather your favorite friends and family members, load the table with snacks and drinks, queue up your party playlist, and present a few fun card games. Voila, you can now stay entertained for hours. 

If it's a good game, you'll scream and laugh until your stomach hurts, and you won't want to stop playing (unlike certain games, *cough* ... Monopoly ... that you lose interest and patience in halfway through). 

Exploding Kittens, created in 2015 by cartoonist Matthew Inman and game designer Elan Lee, is one of those rare games you look forward to taking off the shelf every time you host game night. 

From cat cartoons to more than $8 million in the bank 

Lee, the former Chief Design Officer at Xbox, was initially inspired to create an interactive game that encouraged real-time connection after seeing his young nieces and nephews glued to video game screens. He shared his original "Bomb Squad" game idea with Inman, creator of the popular comic site The Oatmeal, who suggested some tweaks.

Along with creative director Shane Small, the creators introduced their game, described as a "highly strategic kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette," to the world on Kickstarter in 2015.

The family-friendly game, designed for up to five players, is simple to understand and play: Players draw from a stack of 56 cards until someone draws an Exploding Kitten card, which renders them dead and out of the game. If they have a Defuse card — which are things like laser pointers, belly rubs, and catnip sandwiches — they can live another day. All the other cards in the deck similarly move, weaken, and avoid the dreaded Exploding Kitten card. 

Initially seeking $10,000, the campaign raised an astonishing $1 million in only seven hours. As it continued to exceed expectations and reach stretch goals, the creators introduced new cards and expansion packs. 

All in all, Exploding Kittens raised more than $8.7 million from more than 219,000 backers. Today, it holds the record for the #1 most-backed project as well as the #7 most-funded project in Kickstarter history. 

Outside of Kickstarter, the game has sold 8 million units worldwide to date and is consistently among the top-selling toys and games across major retailers like Amazon and Target. 

The company has also created nearly-as-popular games like Bears vs. Babies and You've Got Crabs. It's currently hoping to continue its history of Kickstarter success with "the world's first dodgeball card game," Throw Throw Burrito. 

How to make a card game people will love 

Though it may seem like we're living in an increasingly digital world dominated by video games, many people are also running in the opposite direction towards physical, tabletop games. Better than online interactions, these analog games are enabling more natural and immediate connections. Playing games like Settlers of Catan, which has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, has even become a popular form of networking on Wall Street. 

It's not easy, however, to create a game that inspires people to get together — and keeps them together. 

"The creative process for making a tabletop game is mostly finding a core mechanic that makes the people you're playing with entertaining," Lee told Business Insider. Surprisingly, fun shouldn't be the main thing you look for in the next new card game you shop for. 

"Games are not supposed to be fun," Lee says. "Games are supposed to enable the people playing to entertain each other."

"The process for creating a game is a nearly endless exploration of mechanics that are evaluated against the criteria, 'Did that just enable an interaction between us that we want to experience again?' The moment the answer is 'Yes,' you know you've got something." 

Something Lee, who comes from a video game background, also discovered about the process of designing table games is that there's no room for mistakes.

While you you can fix an error in a video game by releasing a patch, "Designing for tabletop offers no such luxuries. Spelling mistakes, unclear rules, and art glitches are printed hundreds of thousands if not millions of times, acting as a permanent shrine to our follies. It's brutal." 

In the very crowded space of card games, all hoping to become part of your game night lineup, Exploding Kittens stands out among the rest for its creative execution of a simple, easy-to-grasp premise. There are no over-complicated rules or flimsy cards, only many, many delightful illustrations of cats and entertainment for the whole family. 

You can pick up the original card game for $20 at the below retailers, as well as expansion packs and party versions to enhance the Exploding Kittens game experience. 

Shop the Exploding Kittens Original Card Game (2-5 players) for $19.99 here: Amazon, Target, Walmart

Shop the Exploding Kittens Party Pack Game (up to 10 players) for $29.99 here: Amazon, Target, Walmart

Shop the Exploding Kittens Everything We've Got Bundle for $165 here: Amazon

Shop all Exploding Kittens products at Amazon here

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• Taking something for a trial run — a snack, a gym membership, a car — is a smart way to determine whether you really want to commit to the full experience. 
• If you want to experiment with and discover new beauty products, subscription service Birchbox is the best way to do so.
• Every month for $13-$15, you'll be exposed to high-quality skin-care and haircare products from a large variety of brands. 
• Then, you can purchase the full-sized product directly from the Birchbox Shop and get rewarded with loyalty points. 
• We tried Birchbox for three months and appreciated it as a low-risk, low-effort method of finding new beauty products. Most of the time, we liked what we received. 

People love samples. Just walk around any Costco or Trader Joe's for living proof of our love for trying new things. In the beauty world, we have Birchbox. Granted, you do have to pay for Birchbox (whereas you could theoretically make an entire free meal at Costco), but the idea is similar: You get to sample a new product and figure out whether you want to commit to the full-size version. 

In many ways, the Birchbox sampling process is much better than that of a grocery store. For a small monthly fee, Birchbox sends all the samples directly to you, so you don't have to leave your house and compete with other shoppers, and they're personalized to your exact needs and preferences. Ultimately, you waste less time and money by using Birchbox to find your next beauty or hair-care product. 

In March 2019, Birchbox raised the price of its long-standing $10 monthly box. The new prices now range from $10 to $15 a month depending on whether you're a new, current, or Ace VIP customer, and on the subscription duration you choose (monthly, six-month, yearly).

Despite this slight price increase, we think Birchbox is still a great value.

Two Insider Picks reporters put the Birchbox experience to the test to show you how it works and what to expect.

1. The Beauty Profile

The process starts with filling out your Beauty Profile, which asks a series of questions about your skin, hair, and personal style. You can go back at any time to change your answers. 

Personally, some of my concerns include acne-prone, combination skin; undereye circles; sun protection; and dry hair. My typical beauty routine is low-maintenance, but I do love exploring different products. As I filled out the profile, I was hoping to receive samples that would both address my skin and hair concerns and expose me to brands I don't normally come across. 

Insider Picks reporter Mara Leighton signed up for an account as well and filled out her Beauty Profile. She has a different skin type, hair type, and level of beauty knowledge than me, so I also wanted to see how our monthly boxes would compare. 

2. Receiving and trying out each month's box 

Each box ships at the beginning of the month. It includes five to six sample products, with a description of each product and how it works. 

Looking at mine and Mara's boxes, I was glad to see we received (mostly) different products. For example, in the August 2019 box, we both received a Living Proof 5-in-1 Styling Treatment, but everything else was more catered to our other needs and preferences. 

Mara says about her three-month experience with Birchbox: "If you're looking for an easy, low-risk way to try lots of new and recommended beauty and grooming products, Birchbox is a pretty great option — and one I've frequently gifted to friends and family. Not all the products in my monthly boxes were hits, but the focus is really on exposure and discovery more than being 100% perfect every time.

The company sent a good mix of new products from brands I already like — Oribe and R+Co and Living Proof for haircare, Murad and Kiehl's for skincare — and some new brands I'd never heard of like Marcelle. All in all, it was a fun treat every month — and a good way to figure out new options without doing the legwork myself."

Like Mara, I didn't completely love all 17 product samples I received over the three-month period. However, I did like the majority of them, gathering new favorite brands and products along the way. Sometimes, you just don't know what you're looking for, and I think the big strength of Birchbox is that it leads you to the place of realization where it becomes abundantly clear that a product has been missing from your life. 

3. Feedback and shopping for the full-sized product 

Once you've discovered your new favorite products, you can rate them, add them to your "Favorites," and order the full-sized version. Instead of making you search across the internet to find and order each individual product, Birchbox has a shop that contains all the full-size products. Some of the Birchbox samples you won't even be able to find elsewhere — they're exclusives, another perk of using the service. 

Some products I loved include the R+Co Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner and the Arrow Boost Color Enhancing Lip Balm. I've always wanted to try R+Co's hair products, but was hesitant to splurge on a full-priced product, so I was glad I got the opportunity through Birchbox. This rich, luxurious conditioner hydrated my hair and also smelled great, and I was disappointed when I ran out of the sample. I gave it a five-star review and added it to my Favorites so I could buy it later. Meanwhile, the Arrow Boost lip balm, a Birchbox exclusive, was a moisturizing balm that added lip color customized to my lip's pH. It's not something I knew I wanted to try, but once I did, I wanted more of it. 

4. The loyalty program

Birchbox has a loyalty program in which you automatically earn one point for every dollar you spend in its shop. You can also earn points by referring your friends to the service and buying gift subscriptions. Every 10 points is converted into one dollar you can use back at the Shop. If you spend $300 in a calendar year, you become an Ace member, which means you earn 1.3 points on every dollar spent. 

The bottom line

After trying Birchbox myself, I'm not surprised that it has 1 million subscribers. For a low monthly cost, it gives you high-quality samples from a mix of well-known and up-and-coming brands, so you can be 100% sure you want to buy a full-sized version.

As you test new samples, give feedback, and refresh your Beauty Profile, Birchbox's algorithms will better match you to products as time goes on. And the more involved you are in the Birchbox community by buying full-sized products and referring friends, the more you'll be rewarded. It's a subscription model that makes sense and is one monthly delivery you'll always be excited to receive. 

Here is the pricing for new Birchbox subscribers: 

• $13/month for a yearly subscription
• $14/month for a six month subscription
• $15/month for a monthly subscription

Start your Birchbox subscription here. Shipping is free, and you can skip a shipment, switch to a different plan, and deactivate your subscription at any time online.

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• You can block videos and channels on YouTube to control what content you or your children are allowed to access.
• There are a couple of methods you can use to block videos or channels once you have installed the Video Blocker extension — you can block specific videos, or you can block any videos with specific keywords. 
• YouTube Kids also enables you to take parental control over what videos your child is able to view on the site.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

YouTube can be an excellent place for educational content, as well as entertainment. But when you have a child, there are definite boundaries you'll want to set to ensure that your kid isn't viewing content they aren't meant to see. 

Blocking certain videos or channels on the platform can be a useful way to get this done.

Here's what you need to do to decide what your kids can watch, via a video-blocking extension, on YouTube. Note, however, that to do this, you'll need to be on a desktop or laptop, not a phone.

How to block videos on YouTube

Before you get started, you'll need to download the Video Blocker extension for Chrome. (There's also a Firefox version, in case that's your browser of preference.) 

You'll see a new icon appear in the top-right corner of the browser — it looks like a "not allowed" symbol — as well as a pop-up confirming that the extension has been added to your browser.

Once that's installed, there are a couple of ways you can block videos:

Block videos as you see them within your feed

1. Open Chrome and go to youtube.com.

2. When you find a video or channel that you want to block, right-click on the thumbnail and select "Block videos from this channel."

Block videos within the extension

1. Click the video-blocker icon in the top-right corner of your Chrome browser.

2. Enter the name of the channel, or a keyword or phrase, you want to block — there is also a "wildcard" option which allows you to target channels which have a certain word or phrase in at least part of their name — into the text box. To change from the default "channel" option, click the drop-down menu to the right of the text box.

3. Click "Add."

If you prefer to work within the extension itself, you can also click "Blocklist," "Options," or "Help" at the top of the pop-up extension box, and a new window will open. 

From there, you'll be able to view your entire blocklist, make changes as needed, and import or export your block list.

YouTube Kids

If you're willing to pay for YouTube's Premium membership, you can access YouTube Kids, and enable video blocking that way. 

Since there's a separate YouTube Kids app, it provides a slightly more uniform user experience, since blocking is built into the site. It also allows you to preserve your own viewing experience, separate from your child's. 

But keep in mind that you'll still have to block individual channels or videos, so while slightly more convenient for some, it will still take time to set up.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to delete your own YouTube videos on a computer or mobile device

• How to block YouTube channels to keep certain users from commenting on your videos

• A beginner's guide to YouTube Studio, YouTube's built-in video editor, which offers basic editing for free

• How to temporarily hide or permanently delete your YouTube account, and erase any trace of yourself from the site

SEE ALSO: The best laptops you can buy

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