• Costco is set to sell millions of pumpkin pies this year, if previous years are any indication.
• The company sold 5.3 million pies in 2015, according to Costco Connection, the monthly magazine for Costco members.
• Those pies required 3.4 million pumpkins to make.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

It's pumpkin pie season at Costco.

And, if sales figures from past years are any indication, that means Costco members are about to carve into millions of pumpkin pies.

According to a 2016 edition of Costco Connection, the warehouse chain sold a staggering 5.3 million pumpkin pies in 2015. Keep in mind that Costco only offers up the pies from September through December.

A total of 1.75 million of those pumpkin pies were purchased in the three days running up to Thanksgiving.

Costco Connection reported that making those 5.3 million pies required 1.1 million gallon cans of pureed pumpkins. That's approximately 3.4 million pumpkins. The company shares its sales projections with pumpkin farmers in the spring, so that growers can calculate how many fields they need to plant.

Costco declined to comment on how many pies it has sold in the years since 2015 or how many pies it anticipates selling this year.

The recipe also calls for an undisclosed, pre-mixed blend of dry ingredients and spices, whole eggs, and water. The pumpkin pie doesn't include preservatives. All of the pies are 3.8 pounds, according to the Costco Connection.

The Costco Connection report credited the pie's recipe to Sue McConnaha, the warehouse chain's VP of bakery operations. As of the time of that article, the recipe hadn't changed since the pie first hit shelves in 1987, although the pies have grown from a 10-inch diameter to a 12-inch diameter.

And Costco's pumpkin pie has proved to be a perennial favorite among some members. This year, fans of the holiday staple have taken to social media to praise the pie.

SEE ALSO: From entire lawn sets to used toilets, these are the most ridiculous returns employees from Costco, Walmart, and Target say they've ever gotten

DON'T MISS: Costco employees share 31 things they'd love to tell shoppers but can't

SEE ALSO: Costco employees share their 13 best food-court secrets and hacks

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: These pumpkin ice cream sandwiches are over the top

• LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman is the latest in a long list of powerful figures attracting security for their connections to now-deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• Hoffman defended Ito to author and fellow MIT Media Lab Disobedience Award jury member Anand Giridharadas in a private email, Giridharadas tweeted on Friday.
• A "few years ago," Epstein attended a dinner Hoffman hosted to honor an MIT neuroscientist, Vanity Fair reported in July.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Former MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito is not the only person tied to the organization that's facing security because of the lab's secret ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The Lab's powerful sponsors — including LinkedIn founder and executive chairman Reid Hoffman — have become implicated in the cover up.

Hoffman defended Ito to author and fellow MIT Media Lab Disobedience Award jury member Anand Giridharadas in a private email, Giridharadas tweeted on Friday. "Hoffman basically hid behind bureaucracy and the old 'ongoing investigation' excuse," Giridharadas said. "He said it would be complicated to release the correspondence publicly because other names might get dragged in. Someone should tell him about redaction."

According to Giridharadas, Hoffman wrote in a second email that Giridharadas was making the situation "all about you" by threatening to resign. In the end, Giridharadas resigned.

Hoffman not only sits on the Disobedience Award's jury, but funds it personally according to the Media Lab's website. In 2017, MIT awarded Epstein and other donors "orbs" to thank them for their support, according to The Boston Globe. The orb looks similar to the trophy given to winners of the Disobedience Award.

"These elite networks protect each other above all, common good be damned," Giridharadas tweeted about the situation Friday. "MIT will investigate itself and absolve itself, is my guess." MIT President L. Rafael Reif announced in a letter to the MIT community that the university's legal counsel will initiate an independent investigation following Ito's resignation Saturday.

Ito and Hoffman have a well-documented relationship outside of their work at MIT. The pair spoke on a panel together at the WIRED25 Festival in October 2018 in San Francisco, photos of the event on Getty Images show. Hoffman also once said that Ito "makes well-networked professionals look like hermits," according to The New York Times. Before his resignation on Saturday, Ito held posts at MIT, The New York Times Company, and the MacArthur Foundation.

This is not the first time Hoffman has been connected to Epstein. A "few years ago," Epstein attended a dinner Hoffman hosted to honor an MIT neuroscientist, Vanity Fair reported in July. Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk were also in attendance. Both denied having had ongoing relationships with Epstein to Vanity Fair through spokespeople.

Read more: The famous connections of Jeffrey Epstein, the elite wealth manager who died in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges

Epstein's work with the MIT Media Lab has tied him to other powerful business figures including Leon Black and Bill Gates, the New Yorker's Ronan Farrow reported Friday. Epstein served as a go-between Ito and the billionaires, emails published by the New Yorker show.

Microsoft, of which Hoffman is a board member, did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider on Hoffman's reported defense of Ito or his personal connection to Epstein.

A spokesperson for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation told Business Insider that "Any claim that Epstein directed any programmatic or personal grantmaking for Bill Gates is completely false." The contents of emails sent between Ito and the lab's former Director of Development and Strategy, Peter Cohen, contradict that statement.

Epstein was found dead after an apparent suicide August 10. At the time of his death, he'd been awaiting trial for charges of sex trafficking in a New York jail.

SEE ALSO: How Jeffrey Epstein, the mysterious hedge-fund manager arrested on sex-trafficking charges, made his fortune

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Join the conversation about this story »

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• A cargo ship capsized off the coast of Georgia early Sunday morning, the Coast Guard said.
• Four crew members are missing and believed to still be aboard the ship, but the ship's condition is now "too risky" for the rescue efforts to continue, Coast Guard Charleston Sector commander Capt. John Reed said according to Fox News.
• It is unclear what caused the accident, the Coast Guard said.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A cargo ship is on its side in St. Simons Sound near Brunswick, Georgia, the U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday. The ship, "Golden Ray," can be seen smoking in photos shared by the law enforcement agency.

A coalition of eight Coast Guard units including two helicopter crews rescued 20 of the 24 people on board. Four crew members are still missing, and are believed to still be aboard the disabled ship.

However, the ship is now "too risky" for the rescue efforts to continue Coast Guard Charleston Sector commander Capt. John Reed said at a press conference Sunday afternoon, according to Fox News. "Once they have stabilized the vessel, [they] will try to go in to get the four who remain on board," Reed said.

The Coast Guard said it first learned of the Golden Ray's troubles when it was contacted by the 911 Distach in Glenn County, Georgia at around 2 a.m. The rescue operation was still underway at 11:07 a.m., the Coast Guard tweeted.

Golden Ray carries vehicles for a company based in South Korea, Fox News reported.

The ship flies the flag of the Marshall Islands and had previously passed waypoints in Jacksonville, Flordia and Capetown before capsizing off the coast of Georgia, according to VesselTracker.com.

It is unclear what caused the accident, the Coast Guard said.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Nxivm leader Keith Raniere has been convicted. Here's what happened inside his sex-slave ring that recruited actresses and two billionaire heiresses.

• Scientists and climate experts are furious after a New Yorker opinion column declared the fight against climate change useless.
• In an essay entitled "What If We Stop Pretending" published Sunday, journalist and author Jonathan Franzen writes that the destruction of the planet by human-induced climate change is inevitable and that environmentalists and climate change activists are delusional for trying to stop it.
• Alex Steffen, an author focused on climate issues, tweeted that he "would vote for this as the worst piece on climate change yet published this decade—flawed in both concept and execution, morally cowardly, and lavishly self-indulgent."
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Scientists and climate experts are furious after a New Yorker opinion column declared the fight against climate change useless.

In an essay entitled "What If We Stop Pretending" published Sunday, journalist and author Jonathan Franzen writes that the destruction of the planet by human-induced climate change is inevitable and that environmentalists and climate change activists are delusional for trying to stop it.

"It's hard to imagine major outlets publishing essays declaring efforts to reduce poverty hopeless," Climate Central editor John Upton wrote on Twitter, "Or telling cancer patients to just give up. Yet this Climate Doomist trope flourishes — penned, best I can tell, exclusively by older, comfy white men."

The scientific consensus is that reducing emissions can still slow climate change. An October 2018 report by the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial average temperatures could reduce the frequency of the most dangerous climate events, such as severe drought and extreme heat. 

Franzen disagrees with the notion.

"If you're younger than sixty, you have a good chance of witnessing the radical destabilization of life on earth—massive crop failures, apocalyptic fires, imploding economies, epic flooding, hundreds of millions of refugees fleeing regions made uninhabitable by extreme heat or permanent drought," Franzen wrote in The New Yorker. "If you're under thirty, you're all but guaranteed to witness it."

UC Santa Barbara assistant professor Leah Stokes, NYU professor and climate economist Gernot Wagner, Project Drawdown director and environmental scientist Jonathan Foley, and author Alex Steffen were among those who criticized Franzen's opinion.

Both Franzen and The New Yorker did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

SEE ALSO: We’re altering the climate so severely that we’ll soon face apocalyptic consequences. Here are 11 last-ditch ways we could hack the planet to reverse that trend.

DON'T MISS: We asked insurance workers where they'd live in the US to avoid future natural disasters — here's what they said

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NOW WATCH: Braces hurt so much because they are dissolving your jawbone

• President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his administration's efforts to reform the US criminal justice system, and simultaneously railed against his critics.
• In his late-night tweets, Trump took issue with multiple Grammy Award winner John Legend and his wife, television host and model Christine Teigen.
• Trump's tweets follow an NBC Nightly News segment on criminal justice and wrongfully accused inmates. Legend, who appeared in the segment, is the founder of FREEAMERICA, an organization built to raise awareness for criminal justice reform.
• Teigen, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump for nearly a decade, was blocked by Trump on Twitter in 2017 and was not tagged in his tweets.
• Parts of the NBC series were broadcasted twice last week, which included mentions of Trump's role in the passage of new reforms.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his administration's efforts to reform the US criminal justice system, and simultaneously railed against his critics — namely television host and model Christine Teigen, and her husband, multiple Grammy Award winner John Legend.

"When all of the people pushing so hard for Criminal Justice Reform were unable to come even close to getting it done, they came to me as a group and asked for my help," Trump tweeted on Sunday evening. "I got it done with a group of Senators & others who would never have gone for it. Obama couldn't come close."

Trump has taken several measures to reform the US criminal justice system amid bipartisan support. In December 2018, Trump signed the First Step Act, which will reduce mandatory minimum sentences on a case-by-case basis and better prepare inmates for their lives after prison through education and vocational workshops.

Roughly 3,100 inmates were released from federal prisons in July, after the new bill recalculated their good-behavior time in prison. The bill was hailed as a signature piece of legislation amid intense scrutiny of the US's justice system in recent years.

Read more: Chrissy Teigen had the perfect response to following Donald Trump on Twitter again

But Trump said he had reservations over who was taking credit for the reform, and alleged that people who "had virtually nothing to do with it" were "taking the praise."

"Guys like boring musician [John Legend] and his filthy mouthed wife, are talking now about how great it is — but I didn't see them around when we needed help getting it passed," Trump tweeted.

In his series of late-night tweets, Trump also railed against news outlets by alleging they were covering the Republican-led effort unfairly.

"'Anchor' [Lester Holt of NBC Nightly News] doesn't even bring up the subject of President Trump or the Republicans when talking about the importance or passage of Criminal Justice Reform," Trump said in his tweet. "They only talk about the minor players, or people that had nothing to do with it."

"And the people that so desperately sought my help when everyone else had failed, all they talk about now is Impeaching President Trump," Trump added.

Trump's tweets follow an NBC Nightly News segment on criminal justice and wrongfully accused inmates. Parts of the series were broadcasted twice last week, which included mentions of Trump's role in the passage of the First Step Act.

"But things have been changing," Holt narrated in the fourth act of the series. "You may have heard of the First Step Act, signed into law late last year by President Trump, which is projected to reduce the sentences of thousands of non-violent offenders in federal prisons."

Legend, who appeared in the segment, is the founder of FREEAMERICA, an organization built to raise awareness for criminal justice reform.

Legend's efforts include funding startups created by former inmates and people affected by the criminal justice system. 

Teigen, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump for nearly a decade, was blocked by Trump on Twitter in 2017 and was not tagged in his tweets.

"I still don't know why I'm not blocked," Legend said to Vogue in 2018. "I have said as many bad things about him as she has. Maybe it's because I'm a man; I have no idea."

Teigen fired back in response to Trump's tweet on Sunday evening: "Lol what a p--- a-- b----,"  she said on Twitter. "Tagged everyone but me. An honor, mister president."

SEE ALSO: Democrats are reportedly preparing an embarrassing dossier against Trump before the 2020 election

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 takeaways from former special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, ahead of his congressional hearings

• Prince Harry turns 35 on Sunday, September 15.
• Alongside Meghan Markle and baby Archie, the Duke of Sussex will embark on a royal tour of Africa on Monday, September 23.
• In celebration of Harry's milestone, we've rounded up the best photos from every year of his incredible life.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Prince Harry turns 35 on Sunday, September 15, just four months after welcoming his first child, baby Archie, into the world.

While His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales is certainly still young, he's already had a pretty incredible life, which is only set to continue as he and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex gear up for their first royal tour with Archie.

High-profile relationship and family life aside, Prince Harry has long travelled the world — both for pleasure and as part of his charity efforts.

Read more:Here's how Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's new son is already changing the dynamic of the royal family

His life hasn't been without its share of hardship, however. He and brother Prince William both struggled with their mental health after the death of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.

To commemorate his birthday, we've found the best photos from every single year of Prince Harry's remarkable life. Scroll down to take a look.

SEE ALSO: This is why Harry is called Prince of Wales, not England

Harry was born on September 15, 1984. Here he is with his mother, Princess Diana, and brother, Prince William.

AGE 1: Harry with Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos of Spain, Prince William, Diana, and his father, Prince Charles, at the Marivent Palace in Palma de Mallorca on July 9, 1986.

AGE 2: The Princess of Wales holds Prince Harry at the Royal Palace, Majorca, Spain on August 9, 1987.

AGE 3: Prince Harry waves to photographers on his first day at a nursery school in Notting Hill on September 16, 1987.

AGE 4: The family take a bike ride on June 1, 1989 around the island of Tresco, one of the Scilly Isles.

AGE 5: Harry helps bury Princess Diana's legs in the sand on Richard Branson's Necker Island in the British Virgin Island, April 1990.

AGE 6: Prince Harry at the wheel of a Second World War fire engine in London on October 25, 1990.

AGE 7: Leaving the Natural History Museum after a dinosaur exhibition on April 13, 1992. Charles and Diana separated later this year, but stayed married.

AGE 8: With family friend Harry Soames on Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World in Florida on August 26, 1993.

AGE 9: With Diana at Silverstone racetrack on July 10, 1994.

AGE 10: Harry looks on as Prince William signs the traditional entrance book at Eton College on his first day of school on September 6, 1995.

AGE 11: On February 17, 1996, Harry joins his father for the anthems during the Wales v Scotland game in the Five Nation Championship at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Charles and Diana divorced this year.

AGE 12: Prince William and Prince Harry bow their heads as their mother's coffin is taken out of Westminster Abbey on September 6, 1997 following her funeral service. The princess was killed on August 31 in a car crash in Paris.

AGE 13: The family of three spend their first Christmas without Diana.

AGE 14: Prince Charles and Harry sit on a chair-lift in the Swiss resort of Klosters in January 1999.

AGE 15: Will and Harry with their cousin Peter Phillips, son of Britain's Princess Anne, gather after the Royal family attended a Christmas Day church service in Sandringham, Norfolk.

AGE 16. Princes William and Harry share a joke as they celebrate the 101st birthday of the Queen Mother, their great grandmother.

AGE 17: Harry walks behind the Gun Carriage bearing the coffin of the Queen Mother on April 9, 2002.

AGE 18: Prince Harry plays with Rosie and Jenny, the dogs owned by Andrew Gailey — the housemaster of the Manor House — in March, 2003 at Eton.

AGE 18: Harry performs in "Much Ado about Nothing" In March 2003 at Eton College, England.

AGE 18: Prince Harry carries a suit and a bin bag full of belongings as he leaves Eaton College on June 12, 2003.

AGE 19: Prince Harry holds an Echidna called 'Spike' in front of Sydney harbour on September 23, 2003.

AGE 20: Prince Harry made headlines in January 2005 for arriving at a friend's birthday birthday dressing in a Nazi outfit — just weeks before the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

AGE 20: Prince Harry holds a child from one of the projects being helped by the Lesotho Fund, in Lesotho.

AGE 21: Harry looks on at his passing-out Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy on April 12, 2006 in Sandhurst.

AGE 22: Prince Harry kisses then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy during the ICC Cricket World Cup on April 8, 2007 in St John's, Antigua.

AGE 22: William and Harry speak on stage at the close of the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium on July 1, 2007 in London.

AGE 23: Here, Harry attends a service of remembrance and thanksgiving at the Holy Trinity Church on May 5, 2008 in Windsor.

AGE 24: Prince Harry pays his respects after laying a wreath at Ground Zero, the site of the former World Trade Center on May 29, 2009 in New York City.

AGE 24: The Prince is sprayed with champagne by a Sentebale teammate after they triumphed over the Blackwatch team during the 2009 Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic on May 30, 2009 on Governor's Island in New York City.

AGE 24: Prince Harry shares a joke with Prince William and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as they arrive for Trooping The Colour on June 13, 2009 in London, England.

AGE 25: Harry greets a herd boy as he visits the Herd Boys School on June 16, 2010 in Semongkong, Lesotho.

AGE 26: Prince Harry skis with the Walking with the Wounded team before setting off to the North Pole by foot on March 29, 2011 in Spitsbergen, Norway.

AGE 27: Prince Harry poses with Usain Bolt on March 6, 2012 in Kingston, Jamaica.

AGE 28: Harry, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William play with wands on the Harry Potter set at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden on April 26, 2013.

AGE 29: Harry attends Free The Children's global youth empowerment event, We Day, at Wembley Arena on March 7, 2014.

AGE 30: Harry is presented with a sword and shield as he meets traditional Omani Dancers during a visit to Oman in November 2014.

AGE 30: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry attend at the annual Chelsea Flower show at Royal Hospital Chelsea on May 18, 2015 in London, England.

AGE 31: U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Prince Harry in the Oval Office of the White House on October 28, 2015 in Washington, DC.

AGE 32: Harry meets nine-year-old patient Kyrique McKenzie at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on November 30, 2016 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

AGE 33: Prince Harry appears with then-fiancée Meghan Markle on November 27, 2017, the same day the couple announced their engagement to the world.

AGE 33: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex, share their first kiss after marrying at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on May 19, 2018.

AGE 33: The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex pose for an official wedding photograph with the royal family in The Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018.

AGE 33: The newlyweds wave as they leave Windsor Castle after their wedding on May 19, 2018 to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales.

AGE 33: In July, Meghan and Harry shared a kiss — and a trophy — after a successful Sentebale Polo 2018 match at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Windsor.

AGE 33: Less than two weeks ahead of his 34th birthday, Harry goofs around with the Riverside School Choir at the annual WellChild awards in London.

AGE 34: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle give the world a look at their first child, baby Archie, who was born on May 6, 2019.

AGE 34: The royal family poses for a photo after Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is christened at Windsor Castle on Saturday, July 6.

AGE 34: The royal couple delight fans with their most intimate family photo yet, released after baby Archie's christening.

• Hydro Flask makes great insulated, travel-friendly drinkware. Its bottles maintain beverage temperature (hot or cold) for hours, and they're durable and easy to carry. 
• They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and functions, including a 12-ounce Cooler Cup, 18-ounce Food Flask, and 40-ounce Wide Mouth water bottle. 
  
• At Insider Picks, we all have a Hydro Flask we love and never want to part with. Here are the nine favorites that haven't let us down.

A few years ago while scrolling through my college's online Lost and Found group, I noticed something interesting. Among the usual desperate pleas for abandoned phones, IDs, and apartment keys, it was the anguished cries triggered by the loss of an unexpected possession — a Hydro Flask bottle— that most often found itself the subject of sympathetic cyber pats on the back. 

What would make a lost water bottle more concerning than the inability to communicate with people or get into your own house?

Hydro Flask, a drinkware company founded in Bend, Oregon in 2009, has accomplished the massive task of making customers care more about their reusable water bottles than their phones or keys, with no secret tricks or gimmicks.

People love Hydro Flask's products because they're plain effective, durable, and convenient to use. They're designed for active lifestyles, but that doesn't meant you have to be an avid hiker or camper to enjoy them. Any time you're moving, whether by foot, plane, bike, or canoe, you'll find use for a Hydro Flask product.  

Hydro Flask makes water bottles in a variety of sizes and colors, as well as drinkware options for coffee, alcohol, and even food. They're all made from stainless steel, along with double-wall, vacuum-insulated TempShield tech that keeps its contents hot when you want it to be hot and cold when you want it to be cold. 

The bottles are easy to carry thanks to the signature Flex Cap, a soft and comfortable strap that moves flexibly with the bottle as you swing it back and forth, and all the products are coated in a non-slip finish so you'll never drop an entire jug of water on yourself and make a mess. 

Hydro Flask bottles are available in a variety of colors, including limited edition collections, and they're also customizable, with over 180,000 possible combinations. 

In case your bottle starts leaking or the insulation becomes compromised, don't worry. You won't have to go too long Hydro Flask-less because the company offers a lifetime warranty on all its products (except the cooler bags and bottle slings, which have five-year warranties). 

If you need help deciding which Hydro Flask to get, we're all too familiar with its bottles and other drinkware, from the classic 21-ounce Standard Mouth bottle to the 12-ounce Cooler Cup that doubles as a beer koozie. You can find our favorite Hydro Flask products below. 

Here are the nine best Hydro Flask bottles and products we swear by:

18-ounce Wide Mouth

18-ounce Wide Mouth, $29.95, available in 14 colors at Amazon and 11 colors at Hydro Flask

I have the 18-ounce wide mouth water bottle at my desk, so I use it multiple times a day. It's super easy to clean and the perfect size so that I don't have to get up five times a day to refill it. And because it's so well insulated, I know that I can leave it for a few hours if I have to take meetings and my water will still be chilled when I get back. —Breton Fischetti, Insider Picks vice president

Shave Ice 32-ounce Wide Mouth (limited edition)

Shave Ice Limited Edition 32-ounce Wide Mouth, $44.95, available in 2 colors at Hydro Flask 

I had always heard how great Hydro Flask's water bottles were, and I never paid much attention because I already have about half a dozen water bottles. Hydro Flask recently sent over its limited edition Shave Ice collection of water bottles, so I finally got to try one out, and it's great.

It really does keep drinks cold for 24 hours or more as advertised. I popped some ice and water into mine, screwed the lid tight and left it alone for an entire day. When I opened it again, the ice was still partially there and the water was cold. Beyond the great insulation, I also like that the bottle's mouth is wide enough to accommodate ice cubes and that the lid has a cute little handle for portability. —Malarie Gokey, Insider Picks senior editor

16-ounce True Pint

16-ounce True Pint, $23.99, available in 8 colors at Amazon and 6 colors at Hydro Flask

The 16-ounce True Pint was designed for beer, but it's been my go-to office cup for nearly two years. Every day, I fill it with ice water and it stays cold for as long as I need it to be. It's so well insulated that the ice is usually still there in full form when I'm finished with the cup. I end up refilling it multiple times a day since I always drink a lot of water, but never because my drink turned lukewarm after a few minutes of sitting. —Amir Ismael, Insider Picks reporter

64-ounce Growler

64-ounce Growler, $64.95, available in 2 colors at Amazon and 5 colors at Hydro Flask

If you're lucky to live near a bar that offers fill-ups, bring home a tasty brew with the Insulated Beer Growler. The stainless steel container does a terrific job at keeping beer cold and carbonated before you're ready to drink, which helps retain that crisp, fresh taste that draft-beer drinkers enjoy. When a local Whole Foods used to offer beer on draft, the Hydro Flask Growler was how I transported hard-to-find craft brews home. Hydro Flask also recommends the Growler for kombucha. —Les Shu, Insider Picks guides editor

40-ounce Wide Mouth

40-ounce Wide Mouth, $42.95, available in 15 colors at Amazon and 11 colors at Hydro Flask

My positive experience with the True Pint at work motivated me to buy something I could use when I was out of the office. I decided on the 40-ounce Wide-Mouth because of its large size and easy-to-carry handle. Out of the handful of thermoses and water bottles I own, this is now the only bottle I want to bring with me to the gym or when I know I'll be out and about in warm weather.

The TempShield insulation is designed to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours — and it works so well that placing this bottle in the freezer or even in a scorching hot car that's sitting in the sun will do absolutely nothing to the temperature of your drink inside. If you fill it with really cold water and a few ice cubes, you'll have a refreshing drink throughout the entire day and part of the next. —Amir Ismael, Insider Picks reporter

12-ounce Cooler Cup

12-ounce Cooler Cup, $34.95, available in 5 colors at Amazon and $24.95, available in 6 colors at Hydro Flask

The new Cooler Cup checks all my boxes: It's a koozie for both bottles and cans, a sleek little substitute for a cocktail glass, and, conveniently, Hydro Flask's wine tumbler lid fits it, so it's great for coffee and tea, too.

The silicone sleeve is another selling point for me. It's mostly meant to seal the edge around bottles and cans and help keep them cool and snugly in place, but it also doubles as a non-slip coaster if you're using it as a coffee mug or beverage glass. I'll grab a few more of these and keep them in my camping and boating kits. I don't need wine glasses, cocktail glasses, or coffee mugs; this thing does it all, and it feels great in the hand. —Owen Burke, Insider Picks guides reporter

Read the full review of the Cooler Cup here. 

18-ounce Food Flask

18-ounce Food Flask, $34.95, available in 3 colors at Amazon and 2 colors at Hydro Flask

When I bring soup to work, my 18-ounce Food Flask is always up for the job, for three reasons. First, the cap tightens securely, so I never worry about finding a hot mess in my bag. Second, the vacuum insulation is effective at keeping the liquid hot for hours — nearly as hot as when it left the stovetop, no joke — even if I'm having a late lunch.

Third, it doesn't retain the smell of whatever I poured into it, which is important because I don't want hints of yesterday's clam chowder in today's butternut squash soup. I've tried many vacuum-insulated containers and I always go back to my Hydro Flask. —Les Shu, Insider Picks guides editor

12-ounce Coffee Mug

12-ounce Coffee Mug, $29.95, available in 5 colors at Amazon and Hydro Flask

I'm usually strictly a water drinker at work, but I've been drinking a lot more tea and cold brew ever since getting this mug. When I want a warm beverage, like a soothing cup of green tea, this mug keeps it hot — almost too hot. I actually leave the lid open for a little bit before tightening it so I can drink my tea without scalding myself. And when I'm feeling a refreshing cold brew, it keeps my jolt of caffeine cold all afternoon. It's really comfortable to hold, plus the spout lid prevents accidental spills. I'm going to need another one of these to use at home. Yes, it's that useful. —Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

I bring this mug with me everywhere at work — to every meeting, to lunch, to a coworker's desk and back. It basically never leaves my sight. It keeps my coffee warm for hours when I'm too focused on something else to remember to drink it. The spout on the lid doesn't have any sort of top that seals so I don't love taking it on the subway, but I do love that it's sealed enough that I can walk to meetings quickly without worrying about spilling.

The real mug shape also makes me feel ... settled in, if that makes sense. I mean, I suppose that's a weird way to put it, but when I drink from tumblers and travel cups, I always feel like I'm on the go in a way I don't want to be once I've gotten into work and settled for the day. —Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor

Read our full review of the Coffee Mug here. 

21-ounce Standard Mouth

21-ounce Standard Mouth, from $49, available in 16 colors at Amazon and for $32.95, available in 10 colors at Hydro Flask

The 21-ounce Standard Mouth Bottle made its way into my hands during my junior year of college, and I have been an avid Hydro Flask supporter since. As promised, the bottle kept my iced water cold throughout the day and my peppermint tea warm during long nights of studying.

Throughout the last couple years at my university, this bottle withstood drops down cement stadium stairs, falls off of desks in a crowded room, and the one time that it slipped out of my hands and rolled a good 60 feet before stopping at the bottom of a hill. It was a tad beat up, but still worked like a charm. —Megan Foster, Insider Picks intern

• You can reset a Fitbit Charge HR to solve any issues you are having with syncing, slow performance, or a lack of responsiveness from the tracker.
• If a reset does not work, completing a factory reset will almost always restore a Fitbit Charge HR to proper function, but it will wipe all data off the tracker.
• It's easy to reset a Fitbit Charge HR, but slightly more difficult to perform a factory reset. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If your Fitbit Charge HR isn't working quite right, then restarting the device should do the trick. 

Whether you're having  issues syncing the Fitbit with your phone or the device is running slowly, a restart should refresh the software and restore proper function.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Fitbit Charge HR (From $79.87 on Amazon)

How to reset a Fitbit Charge HR

To restart a Fitbit Charge HR, simply connect its power cable and then hold in the device's lone button for a little more than 10 seconds. 

When the Fitbit logo and some numerical data appear on screen, the unit has reset and should be working properly again.

How to factory reset a Fitbit Charge HR 

If restarting a Fitbit Charge HR did not solve your software issues, or if you are planning to sell or give away the tracker, then a factory reset is in order. 

Along with fixing glitches, factory resets wipe all personal data off the tracker, rendering it like new for its new owner. This is a more difficult process than a simple reset — here's how to do it. 

1. Connect the Fitbit's power cable (which must be plugged into a power source).

2. Press and hold the button for two seconds. 

3. Once the battery icon appears, release and then immediately press the button again, holding for two seconds and then removing the power cable.

4. Once the cable is removed, continue holding for a count of eight to nine seconds.

5. Release, then press for eight to nine seconds again.

6. Release and press a third time, again for another eight to nine second count.

7. Now the tracker should display the word "ERASE." Release the button and set the tracker aside for about five minutes, during which time it will wipe itself clean.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to turn off a Fitbit Charge HR to conserve battery, or quickly restart it for troubleshooting

• How to reset or factory reset a Fitbit Charge 2 to fix issues with the device

• How to reset a Fitbit Surge to fix issues with the device, or factory reset it through the Fitbit website

• How to reset a Fitbit Blaze in less than 20 seconds to fix issues with the device

SEE ALSO: The best Fitbit you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 8 prostheses that are changing lives

• Universal Standard is a size-inclusive clothing brand that's making high-quality, stylish basics for women of all shapes and sizes. 
• One of the brand's latest collections, Denim by (US) boasts a wide range of comfortable, cute jeans in sizes 00-40. 
• A group of women at Business Insider had the opportunity to try the jeans for ourselves. Our size pool only ran up to a 16 because that's who responded to our open call for volunteer testers at Insider Inc., but we're confident our positive experience will apply for sizes across the board.
• You can find what we thought about the new line below, or get straight to shopping the collection here. 

For many women, shopping with friends is just a fun way to spend an afternoon. For Alexandra Waldman and Polina Veksler, it was one of these department store excursions that turned the friends into cofounders of a fashion brand that's championing inclusivity like you've never seen it before. 

When shopping, Waldman couldn't fashionable, high-quality clothing in her size. "I wanted to wear what was available to smaller women, and there was nothing like that on the market," she tells Business Insider. With recent data showing the average American woman is between size 16 to 18, the lack of stylish options in larger sizes signifies a huge hole in the market. Someone had to start filling the gap, so Waldman and Veksler got right to it. 

Universal Standard is leveling the playing field by offering high-quality wardrobe staples for all women, with sizes ranging from 00-40. Over the past four years, the brand has been providing shoppers with the modern, high-quality, beautiful basics they deserve. Just a few months ago, they released a new collection, what Waldman says is the "holy grail item" of most wardrobes.

If you're thinking denim, you're right. 

There's nothing like slipping on a pair of jeans that fits perfectly. "It's classic and the wardrobe equivalent of a comfort zone," Waldman says. Denim by (US) is the brand's attempt at making great jeans that all women can feel good wearing — and after trying them ourselves, we think they did a pretty great job. 

This collection is the largest size run of denim in the world, servicing women sizes 00-40, in regular, tall, and petite lengths. And, each size was created with all women — not just fit models — in mind. Universal Standard even released a new "See it in My Size" feature, that lets you see the pants worn on real women in any size across the entire collection. All of the jeans are made with a comfy high-stretch fabric, come in a range of washes and styles, and cost $90. 

We were lucky enough to get to try the jeans. A group of seven women, spanning a range of sizes (though admittedly limited in nature since participants only included volunteers from around Insider Inc.), tried out different styles and washes to put this size-inclusive denim to the test. Though we recognize our review doesn't encompass the entire size spectrum of the line, we're confident that our positive experience with sizes up to a 16 will translate for everyone.

You can find our in-depth reviews below, but if you just want the spoiler, we were generally impressed with how comfortable, stylish, and flattering the jeans were across the board. 

Shop the $90 Denim by (US) collection here or keep reading for our reviews below.

Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter: Seine High Rise Skinny Jeans in Distressed Blue

Universal Standard's denim is the rare breed that I can say with 100% confidence I'll be comfortable in all day long. Though it's soft and stretchy with a forgiving waistband, it doesn't look the part, meaning that I can look stylish without ever compromising fit and comfort.

Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor: Seine High Rise Skinny Jeans in Distressed Blue

These jeans are so comfortable that I wore them on an airplane the day we took these photos. An airplane!!! Normally I'd never venture past anything more restrictive than leggings for a three-hour flight, but behold: These jeans were just as comfy as my yoga pants.

They have a serious amount of stretch, and are the only pair I have that I'm not dying to take off by the end of the day. They also come in petites, which is a godsend for someone who's 5-foot-1.5-inches (can't forget that half inch!). I usually wear a size 8 or 10, and I opted for a 10 in these, which probably wasn't the right call. There's so much stretch that you can comfortably size down if you're between sizes.

Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter: Sava High Rise Flare Jeans in Black

I'm typically a committed high-rise skinny jean wearer, but I opted for the more adventurous Sava High Rise in black this time around. Universal Standard, with its comfy, flattering denim, was a good choice to go out of the box with — especially with its helpful "see it in your size" tool.

In person, the jeans are pretty beautiful, and they're comfortable enough for all-day wear, traveling, and the odd lunge. The flare isn't so drastic that it looks costume-y, and the silhouette is fitted though the hip, waist, and thigh in a way that kept me from being swallowed by the style. All in all, couldn't be happier!

My one note is that the 78% cotton fabric may pick up more fuzz than a really stiff denim. This is also what makes them so comfortable so, if you're okay with the little inconvenience, just plan to have a lint roller on hand for the black pair.

Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks reporter: Sava High Rise Flare Jeans in Dark Indigo

I typically stick to stiff denim, usually in skinny or straight-leg styles. But, I've been seeing the retro flare jeans everywhere, and with no need for any more skinny jeans, I decided to give the Sava High Rise a try. 

These are probably the most comfortable jeans I've ever slipped on, especially considering that they're high rise. They're surprising sturdy and stretchy, so they have the look of a really nice pair of jeans but the stretch of a yoga pant. That may sound extreme, but we were all able to bend, twist, and squat in these, comfortably. I found the legs to run a little long, but a pair of booties quickly remedied that issue. I love this versatile style — it's fun for a Friday night, but professional enough for a Tuesday meeting. 

Megan Foster, Insider Picks intern: Logan High Rise 5 Pocket Vintage in Distressed Grey

I tried out the Logan High-Rise 5-Pocket Vintage jeans, which looked drastically different than any other pair I owned. I have a more traditional style and have veered away from the "distressed" look, but I was surprised to see that this grey pair was still professional enough to wear to work. They were stretchy but looked like your typical pair of jeans — unlike some leggings that resemble cotton more than denim.

So far, I've recommended this company to my mom, my best friend, my roommate, and the girl on the subway that was talking about jeans with her friend (I wasn't eavesdropping, I swear). What I'm trying to say is that I finally found a pair of jeans other than my tried-and-true middle school brand that fit perfectly and made me feel confident.

Julia Naftulin, INSIDER reporter: Siene High Rise Skinny Jeans in Distressed Blue

As a size 12, jean shopping can be a major nightmare. Usually, the jeans will fit my thighs but be too baggy in the waist, or even if they would fit the waist, I can't pull them up past my hips. That's why denim with some stretch to it is an instant go-to for me. Universal Standard's jeans offered a super stretchy and comfortable fit — probably the most comfortable I've ever felt. It felt like I was wearing leggings all day. Although I wish they were a bit less stretchy in the belt/crotch/zipper area (the fit felt a bit loose there), they were otherwise a great fit and probably the only pair of jeans I'd consider wearing on an airplane.

The front pockets were huge which I was not expecting, but could be a major plus for someone who loves keeping things in pockets. I thought they could've been a bit smaller but that's just personal preference.

Carly Danner, INSIDER fellow: Seine High Rise Skinny in Black

Lately, I have become somewhat of a denim snob. In the past three months, I have gone from one pair of jeans in my closet to seven pairs. I love a good pair of high-waisted mom jeans and find them to be the most flattering. But after reading about Universal Standard, I felt comfortable branching out from my usual denim preferences.

I opted for the Seine high-rise skinny jeans, despite not having a pair of skinny jeans in my closet since the early days of college. At first touch, they felt like a typical pair of jeggings: stretchy, thin, and likely not durable. But after slipping them on, I was pleasantly surprised.

For a pair of skinny jeans, these hugged my body in all the right places. I am extremely self-conscious about my love handles and thighs, but these jeans were surprisingly flattering. Also, I like how these jeans made my butt look.

• Rafael Nadal, the world No. 2 men's singles player, won the 2019 US Open and his 19th Grand Slam title.
• With more than $114 million in career winnings, Nadal is one of the highest-paid tennis players of all time.
• From buying a yacht to playing the French Open wearing a six-figure Richard Mille watch, Nadal likes to spend his money lavishly — but he also puts his money toward philanthropy, tennis centers, and investments.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Rafael Nadal won the US Open for the fourth time, and with it, his 19th Grand Slam title.

Informally known as the King of Clay, Nadal has 84 career single titles under his belt. With $3.8 million in prize winnings from the 2019 US Open, Nadal has more than $11 million in prize winnings in 2019 alone. He also won the 2017 US Open as well as the 2019 French Open for the third year in a row —  his 12th French Open title. In August, he won his fifth Canadian Open.

But those are only a fraction of his career earnings.

With his new win, Nadal's career winnings now top $114 million. And that's not to mention what he earns from his multiple endorsements, from Nike to Kia. It's easy to see how he's become one of the highest-paid tennis players of all time.

Nadal has a history of spending his hard-earned money a little lavishly, from buying a six-figure watch to purchasing a second home in the Dominican Republic. And then there's his luxury yacht, Beethoven.

But he's also put his money toward philanthropic efforts, tennis centers, and property investments.

From his vacations to his cars, see how Nadal spends his millions.

SEE ALSO: The 30 highest-paid tennis players of all time

DON'T MISS: The incredible life of Roger Federer, the highest-paid tennis player on Earth

Rafael Nadal is one of the top five highest-paid tennis players of all time. Throughout his career, Nadal has won more than $114 million in prize money for singles and doubles combined.

Source: US Open, Business Insider, CNBC

He earned $3.7 million from the 2017 US Open and $3.8 million from the 2019 US Open. The latter earned him his 19th Grand Slam title.

Source: Business Insider, CNBC

And he earned $2.6 million winning his 12th French Open title in 2019, his third consecutive year winning the French Open.

Source: CNBC, US Open

He also won the Canadian Open, earning just over $1 million. That brings his 2019 career winnings up to more than $11 million.

Source: Fox Business, ATP World Tour, CNBC

But Nadal doesn't just earn his money by bringing his A-game to the court — he also earned $26 million in endorsements in 2017. He's endorsed by Babolat, Nike, and Tommy Hilfiger, with whom he has a $3 million to $4 million deal.

Source: Business Insider

Nadal is also a global ambassador for Kia. They gifted him a Kia Stinger GT, starting at $31,900, which he can use at his leisure.

Source: Auto Evolution

Nadal is known to spend his money lavishly. He played the 2018 French Open wearing a limited edition Richard Mille watch valued at $725,000.

Source: Business Insider

He also owns a $4,499 Gocycle electric bike.

Source: Business Insider

When he doesn't feel like getting around on two wheels, Nadal has plenty of sets of four wheels to choose from. He reportedly owns an Aston Martin DBS and a Mercedes-Benz SL55, both of which cost up to six figures.

Source: True Car, Bornrich

But Nadal doesn't just travel by land — he also travels by sea. This summer, he reportedly put his 76-foot yacht Beethoven up for sale for $3 million and bought an 80-foot Sunreef catamaran for an unknown price. It's expected to be built by 2020.

Source: TMZ

Like his means of transportation, Nadal also has multiple homes. He has a home in Mallorca, Spain, where he's from, worth at least $1.5 million.

Source: Business Insider

He also has a home in the Dominican Republic, where he purchased a luxury villa for $2 million.

Source: Realty Today

When he's not home or busy winning titles, Nadal has been spotted vacationing everywhere from Italy and Mauritius to Mexico, where five-star accommodations can range from $800 to $1,500 for a weekend.

Source: Bornrich, Rafael Nadal Fans

He's also been spotted on his yacht with his girlfriend in Ibiza.

Source: POPSUGAR

But Nadal doesn't just spend his money on himself. In 2008, he started the Fundación Rafa Nadal. Run by his mother, the organization helps disadvantaged kids.

Source: Business Insider

He also opened the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Mallorca. The 24,000 square-foot space cost $25 million — Nadal covered 5% of the costs. Kids can attend the tennis academy for $62,000 a year.

Source: Business Insider, Reuters

Nadal teamed up with Telefónica Open Future to call on technology startups for sport and wellness products or solutions that improved the performance of the Rafa Nadal Academy. Selected startups were chosen for an investment of up to roughly $160,000.

Source: Information Age

But Nadal's investments don't stop there. In 2016, he opened Spanish restaurant TATEL, located inside the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, with Enrique Iglesias and the San Antonio Spurs' Pau Gasol.

Source: Miami New Times

Nadal and his partners also recently bought prime Madrid real estate, a 19th-century building that reportedly cost nearly $30 million.

Source: Business Insider

Most recently, Nadal is set to open a chain of tennis centers at vacation resorts around the world. The first Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre will opened in late 2018 at Costa Mujeres, Mexico.

Source: Condé Nast Traveller

• It's easy to get street view on Google Maps to have a better sense of your destination and the surrounding area, so you won't need to rely as heavily on GPS when you get there.
• You can use street view on both the desktop and mobile versions of Google Maps.
• Here's how to get street view on Google Maps and use it to navigate.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Knowing the names of streets and general directions when you're going somewhere new is extremely helpful. 

But being able to see your destination, and know what the area around it looks like, is even better. That's where Google Maps' street view feature comes in handy.

Here's how to use it on either the desktop or mobile version of Google Maps.

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 get street view on Google Maps on your computer

For those on the desktop version of Google Maps, here's how to get to the street view option:

1. Go to maps.google.com.

2. Tap the search bar in the top-left corner of the screen and enter the name or address of the place that you want to view.

3. Click and hold the person icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen and drag it to the spot you want to view (as you move the cursor over the map, the streets will highlight in blue — make sure that you place the icon onto one of those, otherwise you won't be able to see the street view).

4. Release the cursor.

To navigate in street view, click and drag to change the camera angle, or tap a location down the street to move closer to it. 

You can also use the curved arrows around the compass icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen to change the direction of the camera.

How to get street view on Google Maps on your phone

If you'd rather use the app to check out your destination, here's what you'll need to do:

1. Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android. 

2. Tap the search bar and enter the name or address of the place you want to view.

3. Tap the small photo box on the left side of the screen.

To navigate on the mobile version of street view, drag one finger across the screen, starting on the side you want to go toward and ending on the opposite side of the screen.

In addition, Google Maps just launched an augmented reality "Live View" feature to help you navigate while walking. For more information, check out our article, "Google Maps is getting a useful new feature that shows you which direction to walk in — here's how to use it."

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to download maps on the Google Maps app for offline use

• How to see your Google location history in Google Maps, and delete or turn off its location tracking

• How to add your business to Google and get it displayed on Google Maps for customers to find

• How to drop a pin on Google Maps from your desktop or mobile app

SEE ALSO: The Google Pixel is one of the best Android phones you can buy — here's where you can get one

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's why phone companies like Verizon and AT&T charge more for extra data

• You can post an article on LinkedIn with the platform's article publishing tool, where you're able to write and publish your own article to share in-depth expertise with your network. 
• The feature isn't available in all geographic areas, and if you don't have access, you'll only be able to use the regular posting feature, which has a lower character limit. 
• If you aren't interested in writing your own article, every LinkedIn user has the ability to share news articles by linking to them through the regular posting feature. 
• Here's what you need to know to post an article on LinkedIn.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Posting articles on LinkedIn can help you share your professional knowledge with your connections and gain followers on the platform, all while growing your network.

Many LinkedIn members have the ability to use the article publishing tool on LinkedIn, where it is possible to write your own article that can be up to 125,000 characters long. However, some users may not have access to the tool, as LinkedIn notes that it is not available in all geographic areas.  

If you don't have the ability, you could still create or share articles within the regular posting feature, which is available to all users with a limit of 1,300 characters.

If the article publishing tool is available in your area, here's what you'll need to do to post your own article on the platform. 

How to post an article on LinkedIn

1. Go to linkedin.com and log into your account, if necessary.

2. Click "Write an article" located in the post-creation box in the middle of your homepage.

3. Write or paste in your article, add a headline, image, and format as desired, then press the blue "Publish" button in the top-right corner of the screen. 

4. Confirm your choice by clicking "Publish" in the pop-up window.

Once you post an article, it's added to the "Articles" section of your profile. It will be shared with your connections and followers in the newsfeed (and sometimes shared as a notification), and those who don't follow you can do so from the published article.

You can also go back in and edit your article if you spot a typo or want to rephrase something, or share it to your other social media accounts once it's published by pressing the share icon at the end of your article or next to your author's byline.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to create a company page on LinkedIn to promote your business and post job openings

• 'How much is LinkedIn Premium?': A cost breakdown of all 4 of LinkedIn's paid membership tiers

• How to post on LinkedIn to share job news, articles, and more with your network, and edit or delete your posts

• How to post a job on LinkedIn, so candidates can apply for the position directly through the platform

SEE ALSO: The best laptops you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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

• More than 8,200 stores are expected to close in 2019.
• Fred's, Sears, Kmart, Party City,Walgreens, and Barneys, are among the retailers that have recently announced store closings.
• Charlotte Russe, Family Dollar, and Chico's recently announced more than 1,100 store closures in a span of 24 hours.
• Payless has said it plans to close all of its 2,500 stores in what could be the largest retail liquidation in history.

The staggering rate of store closures that has rocked the retail industry over the past couple of years is expected to continue in 2019, with roughly the same level of closures expected this year.

Retailers closed a record 102 million square feet of store space in 2017, then smashed that record in 2018 by closing another 155 million square feet, according to estimates by the commercial real-estate firm CoStar Group.

"This year we are predicting more of the same in the retail space," CoStar senior consultant Drew Myers said.

Retailers have announced more than 8,200 store closures so far this year, according to an analysis by Business Insider.

Here's a list of all the stores closing this year:

SEE ALSO: Retailers are filing for bankruptcy at a staggering rate — and these 17 companies could be the next to default

NOW WATCH: Victoria's Secret is closing dozens of stores this year — here's why the brand has failed to keep up

Payless ShoeSource: 2,500 stores

Payless filed for bankruptcy in February and said it planned to close all of its 2,500 stores in what could be the largest retail liquidation in history.

Gymboree: 805 stores

Gymboree Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January and said it planned to close more than 800 stores under its Gymboree and Crazy 8 banners.

Dress Barn: 650 stores

Dress Barn, which is owned by Ascena Retail Group, announced in May that it was shutting down all of its 650 stores. 

"For more than 50 years, Dressbarn has served women's fashion needs, and we thank all of our dedicated associates for their commitment to Dressbarn and our valued customers," Dress Barn CFO Steven Taylor said. "This decision was difficult, but necessary, as the Dressbarn chain has not been operating at an acceptable level of profitability in today's retail environment."

Charlotte Russe: 520 stores

Charlotte Russe kicked off closing sales at 94 stores in February, after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In March, the company announced that it would liquidate its remaining 416 Charlotte Russe stores and 10 Peek Kids stores.

Fred's: 520 stores

Discount chain Fred's announced in April that it would close 159 stores by the end of May. In May, the company said it would close another 104 stores. In June, Fred's announced plans to close another 49 stores. In July, the company said it would close 129 stores. In September, the company filed for bankruptcy and said it would close all its remaining stores within 60 days.

Family Dollar: 390 stores

Dollar Tree said in March that it plans to convert about 200 Family Dollar stores into Dollar Tree stores, and close up to 390 additional stores under the Family Dollar brand.

Shopko: 371 stores

Shopko filed for bankruptcy in January and said it would close 251 stores. The company said in March that it had failed to find a buyer for its business, and would liquidate its remaining 120 stores.

Charming Charlie: 261 stores

Charming Charlie, which sells jewelry and accessories, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July and said it plans to close all of its 261 stores in 38 states by the end of August. 

Chico's: 250 stores

The women's clothing retailer Chico's said in March that it would close 100 Chico's stores, 90 White House Black Market stores, and 60 Soma stores over the next three years.

Gap: 230 stores

Gap said in February that it would close 230 namesake storesover the next two years as it reported that the brand's same-store sales fell 7% during the holiday quarter. The company also said it would spin off its Old Navy brand.

Avenue: 222 stores

The women's clothing retailer Avenue said in August that it planned to close all of its 222 stores in 33 states.

Walgreens: 200 stores

Walgreens said in August that it plans to close 200 stores in the US.

"As previously announced, we are undertaking a transformational cost management program to accelerate the ongoing transformation of our business, enable investments in key areas and to become a more efficient enterprise," a Walgreens spokesperson wrote in a statement to Business Insider. "As part of this effort, we plan to close approximately 200 stores in the US."

LifeWay: 170 stores

LifeWay Christian Resources said in March that it planned to close all 170 of its stores. The  Nashville-based company said it will continue to sell Bibles, books, children's products, church supplies, and Christian music and movies on its website.

Sears: 124 stores

Sears Holdings, which owns Sears and Kmart stores, emerged from bankruptcy in February after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October. The company announced new rounds of store closures in August and September.

Kmart: 115 stores

Sears Holdings, which owns Sears and Kmart stores, emerged from bankruptcy in February after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October.

Performance Bicycle: 102 stores

Performance Bicycle's parent company, Advanced Sports Enterprises, filed for bankruptcy protection in November and later announced that it would close all 102 of its stores. 

Destination Maternity: 42-67 stores

Destination Maternity plans to close between 42 and 67 stores this year. 

Pier 1 Imports: 57 stores

Pier 1 Imports said it plans to close 57 stores in fiscal 2020.

Party City: 55 stores

Party City said it plans to close 55 of its 870 stores this year.

The party supplies company typically closes up to 15 stores each year.

"This year, after careful consideration and evaluation of our store fleet, we've made the decision to close more stores than usual in order to help optimize our market level performance, focus on the most profitable locations and improve the overall health of our store portfolio," Party City CEO James Harrison said in a press release in May.

A'Gaci: 54 stores

A'gaci, a women's clothing chain based in San Antonio, announced in August that it was going out of business and closing all its 54 stores.

Victoria's Secret: 53 stores

Victoria's Secret said it would close 53 stores this year, citing a "decline in performance."

NOW WATCH:Victoria's Secret is closing dozens of stores this year — here's why the brand has failed to keep up

Office Depot and OfficeMax: 50 stores

Office Depot is closing 50 stores under its namesake and OfficeMax banners in 2019, the company told Business Insider.

"Office Depot, Inc. continues to optimize its retail footprint as part of the three-year strategic plan announced in August 2016," said Shera Bishop, a spokeswoman for Office Depot. "We will continue to serve our customers at neighboring Office Depot and OfficeMax stores as well as online at officedepot.com."

CVS Health: 46 stores

CVS Health said it closed 46 underperforming stores in April.

The Children's Place: 45 stores

The Children's Place said in May that it plans to close 40 to 45 stores in 2019, but the company is also planning to open 25 new stores over the next two years, including 10 new openings this year.

Abercrombie & Fitch: 40 stores

Abercrombie & Fitch said in March that it plans to close up to 40 stores this year. Abercrombie & Fitch also plans to open 40 new stores, including 20 Hollister stores, 15 Abercrombie Kids stores, and five Abercrombie stores. 

The company announced the closings as it reported that its Abercrombie brands' same-store sales fell 2% during the fourth quarter. Most of the stores that Abercrombie & Fitch plans to close are located in the US, the company said.

Bed Bath & Beyond: 40 stores

Bed Bath & Beyond said in April that it plans to close at least 40 stores in 2019, and possibly more. The company also said it would open 15 new stores. 

"We expect to open approximately 15 new stores in fiscal 2019. This will be offset by a minimum of approximately 40 stores we expect to close," Robyn D'Elia, chief financial officer and treasurer, said on an earnings call. "This number will grow unless we are able to negotiate more favorable lease terms with our landlords."

Christopher & Banks: 30-40 stores

The women's clothing retailer Christopher & Banks said in December that it planned to close 30-40 stores over the following two years.

JCPenney: 27 stores

JCPenney said it will close 27 stores in 2019, including 18 full-line department stores and 9 home and furniture stores. The department-store chain said same-store sales fell 4% during the fourth quarter.

Beauty Brands: 25 stores

Beauty Brands, a regional chain of salon and spa superstores, said in December that it planned to close 25 stores this year.

Henri Bendel: 23 stores

Henri Bendel closed all its stores in January after 123 years in business. 

Lowe's: 20 stores

Lowe's is closing 20 stores across 13 states this year. 

Z Gallerie: 17 stores

Z Gallerie, a home furnishings and decor retailer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. The company said it plans to close 17 of its 76 stores during the restructuring process, according to bankruptcy filings.

Walmart: 17 stores

Walmart is closing at least 17 stores across 11 US states and Canada.

The stores include Walmart Supercenters and Neighborhood Market stores in Texas, Louisiana, Indiana, Arizona, California, Kansas, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.

Barneys: 15 stores

Barneys New Yorkfiled for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August and said it will close 15 of its 22 stores.

Macy's: 9 stores

Macy's is closing stores in Wyoming, Washington, California, New York, Indiana, Massachusetts, Virginia, and West Virginia.

J.Crew: 7 stores

J.Crew is closing stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, California,and Canada.

Kohl's: 4 stores

Kohl's is closing four stores this year. All the closing stores are located in or near a shopping mall.

Nordstrom: 3 stores

Nordstrom is closing stores in Florida, Virginia, and Rhode Island.

• A Lyft XL vehicle is large enough to accommodate up to six passengers, as opposed to the normal four passenger limit on a standard Lyft ride. 
• Lyft XL rides typically cost more than a standard Lyft ride, but the fare can be spread out across more passengers and is often the most economical option for a large group. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you are in a group of up to six people and you're all headed to the same place (or at least in the same direction), then a Lyft XL might be your best choice for transportation. 

The Lyft XL designation means that the vehicle is big enough to accommodate six riders, in addition to the driver. A standard Lyft ride can only accommodate four passengers. 

Lyft XL — which was previously called Lyft Plus — uses larger vehicles such as minivans and SUVs, and ensures every passenger has a seatbelt. 

An XL ride will typically cost more in total than a regular Lyft ride, but you can share the expense with multiple riders, thus making Lyft XL the most frugal way to share a ride when you are with a large group.

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 request a Lyft XL ride

1. Open the Lyft app on your iPhone or Android and enter your destination.

2. Select "Lyft XL" from the menu at the bottom of the next screen. 

3. If the Lfyt XL option does not show up immediately, you may need to swipe right to the tab that says "Extra Seats" to select an XL. 

3. Select Lyft XL and confirm your pickup location.

And that's it. Just like that, a van or SUV large enough to safely fit your group of up to six passengers will be on its way.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to figure out what your Lyft rating is, as a driver or passenger

• How to apply to become a Lyft driver, even if you don't have your own car

• How to schedule a Lyft on the mobile app to book a future ride in advance

• How to split a Lyft fare so multiple people can pay for a single ride

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'

We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening online today, with savings on Adidas sneakers and clothing, Fossil watches and wallets, and home goods at Target.

Deals in this article are subject to change throughout the day. The prices listed reflect the deal at the time of publication. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons.

The best sales and deals happening today at a glance:

• Save up to 70% on sale items at Adidas
• Save up to 50% on home clearance items at Target
• Save up to 40% wallets and watches at Fossil
• Save $112 on a vintage-style Street Fighter II arcade game on Amazon
• Save up to 75% on women's shoes at Macy's

1. Save up to 70% on sale items at Adidas

Shop the Adidas sale now. 

Adidas is celebrating its anniversary with a huge sale. Now through September 10, you can save up to 70% on apparel and sneakers for men, women, and kids automatically. The sale includes classic styles like Gazelles and Sambas as well as new styles like the Falcon and Yung-96. Even if you're not in the market for new sportswear or sneakers right now, some of the deals are too good to pass up. 

2. Save up to 50% on home clearance items at Target

Shop the Target sale now. 

Target is having an end-of-summer sale with huge savings sitewide. However, one of the best categories to shop is home goods. Right now, you can save up to 50% on home essentials like furniture, bedding, decor, and patio seating.

3. Save up to 40% wallets and watches at Fossil

Shop the Fossil sale now. 

Ranging from classic analog displays to hybrids and smartwatches, Fossil has a watch style for almost every preference. Right now, many sale styles are up to 40% off. Whether you're after simplicity or you prefer smartphone integration and fitness tracking, you won't have trouble finding something that works for you. In addition to watches, the sale also includes handbags, sunglasses, wallets, belts, and more. 

4. Save $112 on a vintage-style Street Fighter II arcade game on Amazon

Arcade1Up Street Fighter II Arcade Cabinet, $187.50 (Originally $299.99) [You save $112.49]

Old-school arcade games are the perfect addition to any man cave, game room, or furnished basement — and Street Fighter II is one of the most popular (and fun) games out there. Today only, you can save $112.49 on Arcade1Up's arcade cabinet as an Amazon Deal of the Day. The three-in-one console includes Street Fighter ll Champion Edition, Street Fighter ll The New Challengers, Street Fighter ll Turbo.

5. Save up to 75% on women's shoes at Macy's

Shop the Macy's sale now. 

Macy's is home to thousands of great deals year-round, but one of today's best deals won't last long. Today only, you can save 65%-75% on women's shoes by using the promo code "FLASH" at checkout. The sale includes flats, heels, sandals, boots, and more, so you can find styles for the office or the weekend.

6. Get $750 worth of travel points when you sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred from our partner The Points Guy.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a great option if you're new to earning points and miles, as it has a reasonable $95 annual fee. You'll earn 2 points per dollar on all travel and dining purchases and 1 point on everything else, and the card includes some valuable benefits like trip delay coverage and primary car rental insurance.

You can earn 60,000 Chase points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred when you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. That's worth at least $750 toward travel. Read our review to learn more about the card's benefits.

Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network if you apply for a credit card, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

7. Save $200 on the Leesa Hybrid mattress and get two free pillows

Shop the Leesa sale now. 

As the best overall mattress you can buy in our buying guide, the foam Leesa mattress is exceptionally comfortable and has a great value (mattress prices start at just $595). During the brand's extended Labor Day sale, you can get $150 off the Leesa Mattress and $200 off the Hybrid Mattress. You'll also receive two pillows for free with any mattress order.

8. Save 15% on all orders at Framebridge as a new customer

Shop the Framebridge sale now.

In addition to offering customizable framing options for your prints and original paintings, Framebridge will turn your favorite digital images and smartphone pictures into beautifully framed artwork that's suitable for display. Simply pick a frame, upload your image, and Framebridge will it back ready to be hung up or shown off. Right now, new customers can save 15% sitewide by using the exclusive promo code "INSIDER15" at checkout. 

• Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in an apparent suicide in a Manhattan jail on Saturday, August 10 as he awaited trial on charges of sex trafficking of minors.
• The former money manager had many famous connections.
• Epstein, who ran a business out of the US Virgin Islands, was known for jet-setting with the likes of former President Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew (the third child of the UK's Queen Elizabeth).
• Some of Epstein's former friends include L Brands CEO Les Wexner and President Bill Clinton. Both have said they cut ties with the disgraced financier years ago.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Jeffrey Epstein, 66, died by suicide in a Manhattan jail on Saturday, August 10, as he awaited trial on charges of sex trafficking of minors.

The former hedge-fund manager and registered sex offender may have kept his client list under wraps, but he often bragged of his elite social circle that included presidents and Hollywood stars.

"I invest in people — be it politics or science," Epstein was known to say, according to New York Magazine. "It's what I do."

Read more: How Jeffrey Epstein, the mysterious hedge-fund manager arrested on sex-trafficking charges, made his fortune

Epstein had been in police custody since July 6; he was arrested shortly after exiting his private jet in New Jersey's Teterboro Airport. He pleaded not guilty on July 8 and was being held without bail in New York City. On July 25, Epstein was placed on suicide watch after a reported suicide attempt that led to his hospitalization.

In 2007, Epstein pleaded guilty to charges of solicitation of prostitution and procurement of minors for prostitution in Florida.

Here is what we know about the famous people who crossed paths with Epstein.

SEE ALSO: The life of Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who rubbed elbows with Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Kevin Spacey

DON'T MISS: Barney's just declared bankruptcy. Meet the company's billionaire chairman, who was once considered one of Wall Street's most promising investors and owns at least 3 homes across the US.

President Donald Trump once considered Epstein a friend.

The future president claimed in 2002 that he had a long friendship with Epstein. "I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy," Trump said, according to New York Magazine. "He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life."

According to Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, Trump now believes the crimes Epstein was charged with are "completely unconscionable and obviously criminal." She also labeled them "disgusting," according to a report from the Associated Press.

"The president told me this morning he hasn't talked to Epstein, he doesn't think he's talked to him or seen him in 10 or 15 years," Conway added.

Read more: Everything we know about Trump's connection to financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was charged with sex trafficking

Former President Bill Clinton traveled with Epstein in 2002 and 2003.

A statement released in July by Clinton spokesperson Angel Ureña said the former president traveled to Europe, Asia, and twice to Africa on Epstein's private jet. Clinton's staff and Secret Service agents also went on these trips, which were to further the work of the Clinton Foundation, according to the statement.

At the time, Clinton told New York Magazine through a spokesperson that Epstein was a "both a highly successful financier and a committed philanthropist with a keen sense of global markets and an in-depth knowledge of twenty-first-century science."

Ureña also said that Clinton and Epstein haven't spoken in "well over a decade" and that Clinton "knows nothing about the terrible crimes" Epstein was charged with.

Read more: Bill Clinton said he 'knows nothing' about charges against Jeffrey Epstein

Actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Chris Tucker also took trips with Epstein.

Epstein, Clinton, Spacey, and Tucker spent a week in 2002 touring AIDS project sites in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, and Mozambique for the Clinton Foundation, according to a New York Magazine report.

Spacey has also been charged with sexual assault, although the case may be dismissed, according to The New York Times.

Socialite Ghislaine Maxwell is Epstein's ex-girlfriend — and alleged madam.

Maxwell, 57, is a British socialite and the daughter of media tycoon Robert Maxwell.

She started dating Epstein shortly after moving to New York in 1991, Business Insider previously reported. After they broke up, court documents allege that Maxwell started recruiting underage girls for him to have sex with.

Read more: What to know about British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's alleged madam

Prince Andrew and Epstein were close friends, the Guardian reported in 2015.

Maxwell introduced Epstein and the Duke of York in the 1990s, the Guardian reported, and the two became close friends.

The Duke is the son of the UK's Queen Elizabeth. He has also been criticized for frequently taking flights on the taxpayer's dime while serving as the country's special representative for international trade. This earned him the nickname "Airmiles Andy," according to the Washington Post.

Court documents reviewed by the Guardian allege that Epstein instructed Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a 15-year-old employee at Trump's Mar-a-Largo resort, to have sex with Prince Andrew on three separate occasions.

Buckingham Palace said in 2015 that the allegations against Prince Andrew were "false and without any foundation," according to the Guardian.

Read more:New charges against Jeffrey Epstein highlight his reported past ties to the British royal family

According to a July 22 article from NY Magazine's Intelligencer, a number of royals and royal connections were among Epstein's contacts. That includes Prince Andrew's then-wife, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York; and Charles Althorp, Princess Diana's brother. According to Intelligencer, all three were named in Epstein's black book; Ferguson and Prince Andrew were also named in his private jet log.

L Brands CEO Les Wexner is Epstein's only confirmed client.

Epstein became a trusted confidant of Wexner's while Epstein managed the CEO's fortune, according to Vanity Fair. Wexner has a net worth of $6.7 billion, Bloomberg reported. The magazine reported that Wexner allowed Epstein to take an active role in L Brands, which owns Bath & Body Works, Express, and Victoria's Secret.

In 1989, Wexner used a trust to buy an Upper East Side townhouse that is believed to be the largest private residence in Manhattan for $13.2 million, Vanity Fair reported. Epstein moved in after Wexner and his wife, Abigail Koppel, moved to Ohio in 1996. Wexner's trust transferred ownership of the house to Epstein in 2011 for $0, Bloomberg reported.

Wexner later fired Epstein as his money manager. "Mr. Wexner severed ties with Mr. Epstein more than a decade ago," an L Brands spokesperson told Forbes.

Read more: How Victoria's Secret head Les Wexner went from small-town Ohio shopkeeper to facing scrutiny for his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

Former Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta worked with Epstein's legal team to arrange a plea deal after Epstein was charged with solicitation of prostitution and procurement of minors for prostitution in Florida in 2007.

An investigation by the Miami Herald revealed that Acosta, then a US attorney, had enough evidence against Epstein to request a life sentence. Instead, he reportedly met with one of Epstein's lawyers, who happened to be a former colleague of Acosta's.

In the resulting plea deal, Epstein served 13 months in a private wing of a county prison, which he was allowed to leave six days a week to work in his office.

Business Insider previously reported that Acosta said he was "pleased that NY prosecutors are moving forward with a case based on new evidence," on Twitter.

Acosta resigned on July 12.

Read more: Stunning new report details Trump's labor secretary's role in plea deal for billionaire sex abuser

Film publicist Peggy Siegal planned a star-studded dinner party for Epstein and Prince Andrew at Epstein's New York mansion in 2010.

Siegal, known for hosting events to promote films including "The Big Short," "Argo," and "The Revenant" to Oscar voters, invited Epstein to screenings after he was released from prison in 2010, according to The New York Times.

"I was a kind of plugged-in girl around town who knew a lot of people," Siegal told The New York Times. "And I think that's what he wanted from me, a kind of social goings-on about New York."

Siegal also planned a dinner party for Epstein and Prince Andrew at his Upper East Side home. The event was attended by Katie Couric, George Stephanopoulos, and Chelsea Handler. "The invitation was positioned as, 'Do you want to have dinner with Prince Andrew?'" Ms. Siegal said. Many of the guests didn't know who the host was or about his criminal history, The New York Times reported.

A spokesperson for Siegal told Business Insider that Siegal's relationship with Epstein was social, not professional. Siegal told The New York Times that she ended her relationship with Epstein at the height of the #MeToo era in 2017.

Read more: Meet Peggy Siegal, the NYC publicist who got Jeffrey Epstein into A-list events and has been called the 'best way' to make sure your movie wins an Oscar

Epstein also told the Times that he spoke often with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Epstein also said that MBS had visited Epstein's Manhattan mansion many times and had a framed photo of the crown prince hanging on the wall, according to New York Times reporter James B. Stewart.

Representatives of MBS did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

According to the New York Times, Epstein claimed to have advised Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

In an interview published in the New York Times on August 12, Epstein claimed that Elon Musk had sought him out to help manage the trouble he had gotten into with the SEC a year earlier, in August of 2018.

Epstein told reporter James B. Stewart that he had promised to keep his work for Tesla private because of his prior conviction. Epstein also warned that both Musk and Tesla would deny their connection to Epstein if it ever became public, the Times reported.

Read more: Elon Musk was photographed next to Jeffrey Epstein's alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell at an Oscars after-party in 2014

Musk has confirmed crossing paths with Epstein at least once, Business Insider previously reported. Musk, Epstein, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg were all guests at a dinner hosted by LinkedIn CEO Reid Hoffman sometime after he was released from jail in 2008.

In a statement to Business Insider, a spokesperson for Musk denied Epstein's claims of having served as an adviser to the CEO.

MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito quietly worked with Epstein to secure anonymous donations, Vanity Fair reported.

Ito worked with other directors and staff at the MIT Media Lab to quietly receive large anonymous donations from Epstein after he was convicted of soliciting underage girls for prostitution, a The New Yorker exposé published on September 6 reports. The article contains emails sent between Ito and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender and faced charges of sex trafficking of minors before committing suicide in jail in August.

The emails show Epstein also worked as an in-between for other wealthy donors, including Bill Gates and Leon Black, and that Epstein had a role in determining what his donations would be used for at MIT, contradicting previous statements from Ito and the university.

Ito resigned from his posts at MIT, The New York Times Company, and the MacArthur Foundation on September 7.

Read more: MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito resigns after New Yorker exposé shows he quietly worked with Epstein to secure anonymous donations

Epstein worked as a go-between for the MIT Media Lab and Bill Gates to arrange donations, Vanity Fair reported.

Emails obtained and published by The New Yorker show former MIT Media Lab Director Joi Ito wrote that Gates was "directed by" Epstein to donate $2 million to the research lab in October 2014.

Gates also met with Epstein at least once in New York in 2013, and flew on one of his private planes to Palm Beach, Business Insider previously reported. "Bill attended a meeting in New York with others focused on philanthropy. While Epstein was present, he never provided services of any type to Bill," a Gates spokesperson told Business Insider.

A spokesperson for Gates told Business Insider that "Epstein was introduced to Bill Gates as someone who was interested in helping grow philanthropy. Although Epstein pursued Bill Gates aggressively, any account of a business partnership or personal relationship between the two is simply not true. And any claim that Epstein directed any programmatic or personal grantmaking for Bill Gates is completely false."

Read more: Bill Gates made donations to MIT through Jeffrey Epstein — here are all of the tech mogul's connections to the financier

Reid Hoffman defended Ito after news of Epstein's connections to the MIT Media Lab broke.

A "few years ago," Epstein attended a dinner Hoffman hosted to honor an MIT neuroscientist, Vanity Fair reported in July. Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk were also in attendance. Both denied having had ongoing relationships with Epstein to Vanity Fair through spokespeople.

Hoffman also implicated himself in the coverup of Epstein's donations to the MIT Media Lab. As pressure mounted on Media Lab director Joi Ito to resign, Hoffman defended Ito to author and fellow MIT Media Lab Disobedience Award jury member Anand Giridharadas in a private email, Giridharadas tweeted on Friday. "Hoffman basically hid behind bureaucracy and the old 'ongoing investigation' excuse," Giridharadas said. "He said it would be complicated to release the correspondence publicly because other names might get dragged in. Someone should tell him about redaction."

According to Giridharadas, Hoffman wrote in a second email that Giridharadas was making the situation "all about you" by threatening to resign. In the end, Giridharadas resigned from the Disobedience Award jury.

Hoffman not only sits on the Disobedience Award's jury, but funds it personally, according to the Media Lab's website. In 2017, MIT awarded Epstein and other donors "orbs" to thank them for their support, according to The Boston Globe. The orb looks similar to the trophy given to winners of the Disobedience Award.

Read more: LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman defended a former MIT official who accepted donations from Jeffrey Epstein

• The Midwest is leading social media mentions and search queries of White Claw, the leading hard seltzer brand.
• In a recent analysis of 200,000 geotagged tweets referencing the drink during the months of July and August, Ohio topped the list. Midwestern states at large comprised a total of six of the top 10. 
• Ohio also claimed the top spot in Google Trends for searches of White Claw in the past 90 days, as well as for its competitor, Truly. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The long-held belief is that trends tend to start on the coast, bubbling up in influential epicenters like New York City or Los Angeles before making their way to major metropolises across the nation. However, when it comes to the national hard seltzer craze, the Midwest has proven itself as a definitive taste-maker. 

Sanjiv Gajiwala, senior vice president of marketing at White Claw, told Business Insider in August that the drink is performing strongly across the nation, noting there "aren't necessarily pockets where it's over-indexing the rest of the country" and "it's doing just as well in Montana as it is in Boston." Still, there appears to be overwhelming interest in the beverage and its related content —  including "Claw is the law" memes and the popular Trevor Wallace satire video "*drinks White Claw once*"— in the Midwest as opposed to other regions.

Read more:We taste-tested hard seltzer from 9 popular brands and ranked them from worst to best 

According to a recent analysis by The Daring Kitchen— which examined 200,000 geotagged tweets that mentioned White Claw during the months of July and August — six of the top 10 states hailed from the Midwest, with Ohio leading the pack.

Ohio also took the top spot on Google Trends for search queries of White Claw in the past 90 days on both desktop and mobile, with fellow Midwestern states Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois rounding out the remaining top five spots. 

Further, Ohio also reigned supreme in Google Trends searches for Truly, a White Claw competitor, though the rest of the list deviates slightly to include Delaware, South Dakota, Maine, and Arizona. 

A search for Bon & Viv yielded Maryland as the top state, though mirrored search patterns for White Claw and Truly in that the rest of the top five is from the Midwest. 

Will the hard seltzer trend continue? Only time (and perhaps Google analytics) will tell. 

SEE ALSO: 'Claw is the law': Why American 'bros' suddenly can't get enough of White Claw hard seltzer

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How lobster went from the 'poor man's protein' to the delicacy we eat today

• Amazon is home to a catalog of millions of products. With Amazon Prime, you can get many of them in just two days, sometimes less. 
• We polled our colleagues at Business Insider to find the weirdest yet most useful products they've ever purchased with Prime.
• From practical home goods to funky gadgets, here are the 36 random products Business Insider employees have purchased with Prime. 

Amazon is called "The Everything Store" for good reason: We use it for everything.

Thanks to Amazon Prime, whatever we order, we never have to wait longer than two days for it to arrive at our door. Sometimes our items even show up the same day.

But with great purchasing power comes some unusual choices. 

I asked my Business Insider colleagues to share the best things they've bought on a whim using Amazon Prime, and I got some interesting responses. From the practical (hangers) to the nostalgic (a box of Rice Krispies cereal), to the strangely unique (a nose flute), Amazon is home to a variety of random products.

Given the random nature of these picks, we've decided to keep everyone anonymous. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and length. 

Check out 37 of our favorite weird but great Amazon Prime buys below: 

A cat condo

Catty Stacks Modular Cat Condo, $29.94

Have a cat? Do yourself a favor and buy them a couple of these stackable boxes and tunnels. We've dubbed our setup "Box City" and it's our cat Lady's favorite place to nap and play! For cardboard, they've held up impressively well since we bought them six months ago. 

Mop slippers

Selric Bear Mop Slippers, $11.99

From a treadmill to fake plants to books, I buy everything on Amazon. But the best thing I've ever bought would have to be these adorable Microfiber Mop Slippers. They clean my hardwood floors while I run around the apartment. Also my feet get really hot in shoes so I like that they're a flip flop style so my toes can breathe. And, they're and washable!

A box of cereal

Rice Krispies Cereal (18 oz box), $14.90

It turns out my favorite childhood cereal is still available to buy on Amazon. I was so excited that I bought four boxes. Best 2 a.m. purchase ever!

A pizza steel

The Original Baking Steel, $79

I bought two pizza steels while at dinner once. I only meant to buy one, but they were both there before I got back to my house the next day.

A gas detector

Techamor Portable Natural Gas Detector, $29.99

Gas leaks are no joke, so when I thought I had one in my apartment I bought this portable detector. I was able to pinpoint the source of the leak so that I could alert my management company and get it fixed. 

A funny mug

Boston Warehouse Udderly Cows Mug, $14.99

My partner accidentally broke my cow mug while washing the dishes, and a replacement was ordered on Amazon within the hour. It brings me such joy ... I don't even like cows that much.

Flavored candy corn

Brach's Mix Favorites Candy Corn, $23.97

I recently spent around $15 to order apple-flavored candy corn. I was devastated that Dylan's Candy Bar wasn't selling flavored candy corns this year (they had about 20 different kinds last year!), so in my distress I turned to Amazon, and they had so many weird flavors to choose from! Thanks for fueling my candy addiction, Amazon.

A cooling eye mask

Kimkoo Gel Eye Mask, $8.98

Whenever I wake up with puffy eyes or just need to cool down on the couch over the summer, I pop this inside the freezer and then directly onto my face. I don't recommend leaving it in there for more than 15 minutes — your skin will scream at you — but it's good at de-puffing, potentially minimizing pores, and cooling you down overall.

A 3DS game

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3DS [Digital Code], $39.99

I'm a big fan of Amazon Prime. It's really brought out the inner child in me with products like these!

A streaming stick

Roku Premiere Streaming Stick, $39

In one day, I cancelled my cable service, ordered a Roku streaming stick through Amazon Prime, and my package was waiting at my apartment by the time I got home from the office. I am still in awe of Prime's complimentary same-day shipping. It's like going shopping at a regular store without leaving your desk.

Straws

Ikea Soda Straws (600-Pack), $11.19

I once ordered straws and nothing else. 

A LifeStraw

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, $17.47

I bought a couple of these personal water filters on Amazon Prime Day to add to my family's emergency to-go bag ... and I wasn't the only person who stocked up.  

A bed frame

Zinus 14-Inch SmartBase Platform Bed Frame (Queen), $64.99

I bought an entire bed frame off Amazon Prime Now.

For anyone who hasn't used it, it's Amazon's courier service — basically, anything that's in the local warehouses can be shipped out to you within one or two hours. 

It's a pretty mundane product, but you have to hand it to the company for nailing logistics down to the point where you can get a heavy, unwieldy package from Manhattan to Brooklyn for rock-bottom prices. (I tipped, generously.)

Apologies to the poor soul who had to load it onto the van for being that guy.

An electric toothbrush

Philips Sonicare Essence Sonic Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush, $34.99

I recently bought this toothbrush, and it has changed the way I look at brushing my teeth. It used to feel like a chore, but this takes the work out of it. It also seems really efficient, it's decently priced, has great battery life, and best of all, it runs for two minutes so I can't rush or underbrush.

Silicone wedding bands

QALO Silicone Wedding Ring, $19.99

My husband and I are really active and travel a lot, and we're always worried about destroying/losing our wedding rings when we're playing sports/hiking/swimming/staying in places we don't know much about, so for an anniversary present I bought us both these Qalo rings.

They're made of medical-grade silicone and they're super comfortable. Lots of users have switched to silicone rings permanently; I haven't gone that far yet, but I can see myself doing it in the future. Also, a couple started the company, and they do lots of philanthropic work. Cute.

No longer Prime-eligible

A speaker system

Cyber Acoustics 30 Watt Powered Speakers with Subwoofer for PC and Gaming Systems, $39.95

I picked these up when my Klipsch speakers blew out. Figured they were a budget buy and wouldn't last long. Almost four years of daily use later, they still sound great — no issues whatsoever.

Sand coasters

Turtlebacks Sand Coaster Drink Cup Holder (4-Pack), $12.99

I just bought these as stocking stuffers for our beach vacation that begins the day after Christmas. Super excited about them!

LEGOs

LEGO Simpsons House, $389.95

I ordered the Lego Simpsons house for myself, a crazy Simpsons fan.

An umbrella

Sport-Brella Portable All-Weather and Sun Umbrella, $54.29

This beach umbrella gets used nearly every weekend during the summer months. I've lost a few of the original stakes, but replacements are cheap.

A grill

Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, $439

The grill I ordered ended up coming early (the next day)!

Cheap earbuds

MEE audio Sport-Fi M6 Noise Isolating In-Ear Headphones, $12.99

I was looking for some headphones to wear while exercising, but didn't want to shell out for a premium pair — I know I'd either destroy them or lose them. This pair was one of the cheapest I've ever purchased, but they are by far the best.

They clip to my shirt to stay put, a wire cinch keeps them from getting tangled on weight-lifting equipment, and they even come with a carrying pouch. When I'm exercising, they stay firmly in my ear, sound halfway decent, and simply will not die.

I've run in the rain with them, left them outside, and even stepped on them. And they come in some cool colors! Best $18 I've ever spent (editor's note: The price has since changed).

An adult coloring book

"Lost Ocean" Coloring Book for Adults, $10.98

Who said coloring books are just for kids? I'm pretty fidgety, so I like keeping my hands occupied. A coloring book is a fun way to exercise creativity, mindfulness, and put my restlessness at bay. Plus, in the end, you're left with a pretty picture. 

A kinetic toy

Flow Rings Kinetic Spring Toy, $6.09

This is pretty odd. I bought this off of Amazon and it's super fun to play with. You can see how it works here. 

An apple peeler

Precision Kitchenware Apple Peeler, Corer, and Slicer, $14.99

I love this apple peeler/corer/slicer ... it's genius!

Protein bars

Lens wipes

Zeiss Portable Lens Wipes Pouch (20 Count), $5.78

These wipes are great. My sister-in-law used to yell at me for using Windex to clean my glasses; she works in the industry and says that Windex destroys the coating on eye glasses. These wipes, on the other hand, don't do that. A bonus after I wipe my glasses clean; I use the wipe to clean my phone.

Itch-relieving oil

Pur360 Tamanu Oil, $14.97

Feeling itchy? Tamanu Oil is a natural product I use to treat dry skin.

A nose hair trimmer

Philips Norelco Nose Hair Precision Trimmer, $12.90

This all-in-one trimmer keeps my nose and brow hairs at bay. Plus, it's washable.

A candle lighter

RONXS Rechargable Lighter, $12.59

I first read about this weird but very helpful candle lighter in my colleague Connie Chen's review, and I bought one immediately after. It's a small thing, but I love that I'm no longer wasting non-refillable plastic lighters thanks to a rechargeable version, and the flexible neck means I no longer have to contort my hand or even lift a candle to light one where it stands. Again, a small thing, but surprisingly very convenient.

A nose flute

Vietnamese Rose Wood Nose Flute, $10.80

I bought this very strange but awesome product on Amazon. I saw a blog post about someone giving this as a gift and I kind of thought it was brilliant. 

Incense bricks

Incienso de Santa Fe Pinon Incense Box (40-bricks), $6.29

I typically loathe incense, and find that they often leave behind a smell as equally offensive as stale cigarette smoke. But potpourri is expensive, and air fresheners just smell like ... air fresheners. In fact, they remind me of being in taxi cabs, and I tend not to want to feel like I'm sitting in the backseat of a taxi when I'm in my living room.

Alas, I've struck a compromise and found some incense I can not only stand but enjoy. Incensio de Santa Fe offers seven different scents, but they're all clean, compressed sawdust from the respective hardwood on the label. My favorite is piñon (pine), which I find to offer the kind of fresh, bright, and uplifting aroma I like to keep flowing throughout my household. 

A facial hair trimmer

Panasonic Facial Hair Trimmer, $16.91

I recently bought this because I wanted to get rid of the peach fuzz that's on the side of my face, upper lip, and chin line. So far, I love it. The head pivots, which means it works with the contours of your face so it doesn't end up snagging at your skin. It also comes with eyebrow trimmers. While I don't use these attachments,  for someone who is averse to plucking, waxing, or threading, this could be a great alternative.

A stud finder

Zircon Stud Finder, $44.99

I wasn't sure what to get my dad for Father's Day. He can be pretty particular with gifts but he loves to play with new gadgets like they are toys. I was scrolling through Amazon and came across this stud finder. In reality, my dad knows where all the studs are in my family's house, but I figured he'd have fun going around the house scanning the walls ... I was right.

Sardines

Wild Planet Sardines in Water, $25.92

I eat a lot of canned fish, and I'm not embarrassed to say it, even as someone who routinely catches their own fish and makes sure it hits the table within 24 hours. Canned fish is high in iron, and as easy as popping a can and toasting a bit of bread for a quick and affordable (I get a 12-pack for about $26), healthy snack.

I also end up spending a good deal less than I would were I to head to the local grocery in Brooklyn. This is an easy backup to have on hand for a snack, or part of a balanced meal, at a moment's notice. It also makes for good survival food, should disaster strike.

Food Coloring

AmeriColor Food Coloring, $26

Any baker looking to expand their repertoire won't regret buying this food-coloring kit. A food blogger I follow uses it, and the range of colors you can create with it is really cool.  

Toilet Paper

Solimo Toilet Paper (30-rolls), $19.99

It sucks to run out of toilet paper, so I buy it in bulk. Amazon's house-brand is surprisingly really good.

• It's possible to delete your LinkedIn account if you no longer wish to use the business networking site. 
• When you delete your account, LinkedIn promises to remove all of your account information from their site within seven days.
• Your public LinkedIn profile may still be visible via search engines until their caches are refreshed.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

LinkedIn is a social media site that's distinct from any other. Instead of encouraging you to post curated images of your fabulous life, or scroll endlessly through random memes, LinkedIn is all about networking for professionals who are passionate about their careers. 

That said, LinkedIn isn't for everyone, and you may join the site only to decide later that you no longer want to use it. If that's the case, you'll want to know how to delete your LinkedIn account altogether. 

Luckily, deleting your account is a straightforward process that shouldn't take too long. Here's what you need to know, and how to go about it. 

How to delete your LinkedIn account

1. Go to https://www.linkedin.com and log in with your username and password. 

2. Once logged in, click on the "Me" option, which appears just beneath your profile photo in the menu bar at the top of the screen.

3. In the dropdown menu that opens, locate and click on the "Settings & Privacy" option. 

4. Under the Account tab, scroll down until you reach the Account management section. 

5. Click "Change" next to the "Closing your LinkedIn account" option.

6. On the following page, you'll be asked to confirm your desire to close your account, as well as the reason behind your decision. You can also fill in a feedback box to share additional comments or concerns with LinkedIn. Once finished, click "Next." 

7. Next, you'll be asked to re-enter your password to complete the deletion process. Fill this in and click "Close account." 

It should be noted that it takes LinkedIn up to seven days to remove all of your information from its servers. However, as soon as you delete your account, all your contacts and profile information will be wiped. 

This means that should you decide to return to LinkedIn again in future, you'll need to start a completely new profile, and rebuild your endorsements and connections from scratch.

That said, even after those seven days have passed, there's a chance you'll still be able to see your LinkedIn account on search engines like Google and Bing. This is because search engines can update slower than individual websites. Just give it a few weeks, and search engines will eventually clear their caches and update their results.

LinkedIn does allow you to download a copy of your data before deletion, should you want to retain any information after your account is closed.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to contact customer support on LinkedIn through the Help Center and forum

• How to cancel LinkedIn Premium on your computer, or on an iPhone if you've purchased your subscription through iTunes

• How to upload your resume on LinkedIn and display it on your profile

• 'How much is LinkedIn Premium?': A cost breakdown of all 4 of LinkedIn's paid membership tiers

SEE ALSO: The best laptops you can buy

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• You can add contacts to your iPhone so you can easily get in touch with specific people in the future.
• The iPhone's contacts feature allows you to store phone numbers, email addresses, and even mailing addresses, along with a host of other information.
• You can save up to 50,000 contacts on your iPhone using iCloud.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Gone are the days of having to remember the contact information of the people you talk to most. 

While you used to have to write down phone numbers and mailing addresses, or memorize them by heart, the ubiquity of smartphones means keeping contact information for your friends and family has never been easier. This is especially the case on the iPhone. 

If you want to add contacts to your iPhone, there are several ways of going about it — you can manually add the info via the Contacts app, or directly from text message conversations or call logs. Here's what you need to know about each method.

Check out the products mentioned in this article: 

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to add contacts to an iPhone via the Contacts app

1. On your iPhone's home screen, tap the Contacts app icon, which appears as an address book with the greyed-out shapes of a man and woman. Alternatively, you can open the Phone app — a green icon with a white phone on it — and tap the Contacts icon on the bottom toolbar.

2. In the upper right-hand corner of your screen, tap the + button to add a new contact. 

3. Type the first and last name of the contact you wish to add, and fill in any relevant fields, such as their phone number, email address, mailing address, birthday, website URL, and more. Note that you must complete at least one of these fields in order to save the contact. You can also add a picture by tapping the "add photo" icon in the top-left.

4. When finished, press "Done" in the upper right-hand corner of the screen to save the contact. 

How to add contacts to an iPhone via a text message

1. Open the text message from the person you wish to add to your contacts. 

2. Tap their number at the top of the screen.

3. In the menu that appears just below the phone number, tap the "info" button. 

4. On the Details screen that opens, tap the arrow to the right of the field displaying the phone number. This will launch a blank contact screen. 

5. Tap the "Create New Contact" option, then add the first and last name of the person. This is how the contact will appear in your phone. 

6. Tap "Done" to finish adding the contact. 

How to add contacts to an iPhone via your recent call logs

1. Open the Phone app — a green icon with a white phone on it — and tap the Recents icon on the bottom toolbar.

2. Under the Recents tab, tap the information option to the right of the phone number you want to add as a contact. This appears as a lowercase i in a circle. 

3. On the blank contact screen which appears, tap "Add New Contact." 

4. Fill in the name of the contact as you'd like it to appear in your phone, as well as any other relevant info, such as website URL, email address, etc. 

5. Press "Done" to finish adding the contact.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to backup the contacts on your iPhone, using either iCloud or iTunes

• How to transfer all of your contacts from one iPhone to another using iCloud

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

• How to backup your iPhone to iCloud, your computer, or an external hard drive

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

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