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The best dog collars you can buy

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  • Every dog needs a good collar that will keep him comfy on long walks and hold his ID tags.
  • Of all the dog collars out there, the Lupine Original Dog Collar is our top pick with its heavy-duty design, a wide range of colors, multiple sizes, and a lifetime guarantee that even covers chewing.

Picking out a dog collar may seem like a simple task, but there are many options to choose from, and the perfect collar for your dog will depend on several factors. For one thing, you need to think about your dog's age and size, but you must also consider his disposition. Dogs that tend to do well on the leash can get by with traditional nylon or leather collars, while dogs that tend to pull on the leash may require a halter or prong collar. Take some time to think about what purpose you need your dog's collar to serve before you begin shopping.

Not only are there dozens of different types of dog collars, but there is an endless array of choices within each category. So, how do you choose the best collar for your dog? Your vet may be able to give you some insight and you can always find tips offered by other dog owners on the Internet. The American Kennel Club has some good tips on its site. Once you've decided which type of collar is appropriate, all you have to do is find the best one in that category.

Don't worry — you won't have to sift through pages and pages of reviews. In addition to my experience in writing about pet care and pet products, I've done the research to determine our top five picks for different types of dog collars. 

Here are the best dog collars you can buy:

Updated on 9/18/2019 by Les Shu: Updated links, formatting, and prices.

SEE ALSO: The best leashes you can buy for your dog

SEE ALSO: The best dog food you can buy

The best dog collar overall

Few collars offer the durability or longevity of the Lupine Original Dog Collar, which is protected by a lifetime guarantee that even covers chewing.

Although there are many different types of specialty dog collars, most dogs just need an everyday collar you can clip a leash to and pop their tags on. The ideal everyday collar for a dog will be durable but comfortable with options for adjustment. It also wouldn't hurt if it looked good. The Lupine Original Dog Collar fits the bill, and it is the best one you can buy for everyday walks with your dog.

Made from jacquard woven nylon with strong bar-tack stitching and a welded steel D-ring, the Lupine Original Dog Collar offers long-lasting durability. It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. If the collar has a pattern, it's woven directly into the webbing, not sewn on, so it'll last longer. The Lupine Pet collar also features a side-release buckle for easy use. Top Review Pro names this collar its number-two pick in a top 10 list of dog collars and Prixie Pets speaks to the quality, durability, and aesthetic appeal of the collar.

Not only does the Lupine Original Dog Collar come in a variety of colors and patterns to suit your dog's personality, but the collar is also available in sizes ranging from 9 inches to 25 inches. What really sets this collar apart from the competition, however, is the fact that it comes with a lifetime guarantee that even covers damage from chewing. There aren't many pet product companies that make such an offer, and it gives this collar an added degree of value.

If you're looking for a durable dog collar for everyday use that also looks great and stands up to chewing, look no further than the Lupine Original Dog Collar.

Pros: Jacquard woven nylon is durable, bar-tack stitching for strength, welded steel D-ring, multiple sizes and colors/patterns available, side-release clasp for easy use, guaranteed for life (even against chewing), simple but fashionable design, can withstand multiple washings

Cons: Sizing may run small, may not accommodate very large or giant breeds



The best budget dog collar

Sweet and simple, the Blueberry Classic Nylon Dog Collar is an affordable dog collar that offers durability and aesthetic appeal.

While there are certainly luxury dog collars out there, many dog owners just want something that will get the job done without breaking the bank. Our top choice for budget-friendly dog collars is the Blueberry Classic Nylon Dog Collar. This collar features a classic design and it is adjustable so you can customize the fit to suit your dog.

Made from lightweight nylon with high-density webbing for durability, the Blueberry Classic Nylon Dog Collar is a budget-friendly option for dog owners. Though the clips and other hardware are made from eco-friendly plastic, the D-ring is chrome-plated metal for added strength. The collar won't stretch like some collars do and tightening the collar correctly will keep it from slipping off to ensure that your dog can't get his mouth around it to chew.

Though it may not be the most long-lasting dog collar on the market, the Blueberry Classic Nylon Dog Collar is a great option for the price. Top Review Pro and My Pet Needs That both include this collar on their top ten lists, confirming the fact that this collar may not have all the bells and whistles that some collars offer, but it has a simplicity that many dog owners find appealing. The Blueberry collar also has more than 3,800 reviews on Amazon, of which more than 86% are positive.

With several sizes and styles too choose from, all less than $10 (customized options cost a slightly more), the Blueberry Classic Nylon Dog Collar is a great choice for the budget-conscious dog owner. Choose from twelve different colors or buy one of each – you can also purchase a matching harness or leash.

Pros: Made from nylon with high-density webbing for durability, clips made from eco-friendly plastic, available in various sizes and styles, metal D-ring is chrome-plated, adjustable sizing, affordable

Cons: May not withstand heavy chewing, may not accommodate dogs with necks larger than 26 inches, plastic clip may wear out with frequent use, color may fade over time, sizing may run large



The best leather dog collar

Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar is an Amish-made collar that offers the ideal combination of function and aesthetic appeal.

If you're in the market for a dog collar that looks great and is made to last, try Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar. Amish-made in the United States from real leather, this dog collar features a classic design merged with modern function. This collar is durable as well as comfortable and it comes in five different sizes from 16 to 31 inches, each with options for adjustability to ensure a secure fit for any dog.

Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar is made from high-quality leather right here in the United States. This collar features a beautiful leather exterior with a padded lambskin lining that is comfortable and gentle on your dog's neck. The hardware is made from heavy-duty stainless steel and the whole thing is resistant to the elements and to normal wear and tear.

Named among Here Pup's five best leather dog collars, Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar comes in black or brown leather with a number of color options for the padded lambskin lining. Sturdily but beautifully constructed, this leather collar gets rave reviews from Stop That Dog and Top Review Pro as well. Buyers on Amazon confirm the durability and aesthetic appeal of the collar, though some report issues with sizing and difficulties clipping the collar to a leash.

With five sizes and an array of colors to choose from, Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar is a beautiful and durable leather dog collar. Safe and durable for everyday use, this collar is also very affordable with a price tag ranging from around $10 and up. To make this collar last, keep the leather clean and moisturized with a leather care product.

Pros: Beautifully made from real leather, padded lambskin lining for comfort, durable stainless steel hardware, resistant to wear and tear, available in a wide variety of colors, adjustable sizing

Cons: May not withstand chewing, sizing may be inconsistent, may be too heavy for very small dogs, some owners find it difficult to clip



The best Martingale dog collar

Made with ultra-strong nylon webbing and a nickel-plated steel D-ring, the If It Barks Designer Martingale Collar is designed to military specifications for maximum durability. 

Some dogs have a knack for slipping out of their collars, and it can be very dangerous if it happens on a walk. A Martingale collar, also known as a limited slip collar, is designed to prevent this from happening. These collars tighten when the dog pulls on the leash and loosen when he is walking normally. Our top choice for Martingale collars is the If It Barks Designer Martingale Collar.

Handmade in the US from two layers of thin nylon webbing and a nickel-plated steel D-ring, this collar is designed to military specifications for maximum durability. It measures 1.5 inches in width and comes in three standard sizes with an additional option for custom sizing. Not only is the If It Barks Designer Martingale Collar extremely durable, but it is also aesthetically pleasing with a classic style and ten options for bright two-tone color.

With more than 400 reviews on Amazon, 93 percent gave the product a 4 or 5-star rating. This collar is The Happy Pooch's top pick for Martingale collars because not only is the design aesthetically pleasing, it is also extremely durable. Many users have also found that the color doesn't fade and the metal hardware doesn't rust.

Priced at $32, the If It Barks Designer Martingale Collar may be more expensive than other collars of its kind on the market. Keep in mind, however, that no other collar offers the same kind of strength or durability. This collar is designed to withstand a great deal of wear and tear, plus it is backed by a warranty that covers everything from hardware failure to loose stitching.

Pros: Better control over large and stubborn dogs, nonslip design so dogs can't remove, handmade in the USA, designed to military specs for durability, strong but lightweight nylon webbing, nickel-plated D-ring is rust-proof, covered by a lifetime warranty, available in three sizes and ten colors

Cons: May not withstand heavy chewing, 1.5-inch width may be too much for very small dogs, material may be too stiff for dogs with fine coats



The best head collar

With one loop that goes around your dog's neck and another around his nose, the PetSafe Gentle Leader Head Collar gives you increased control over your dog for a more pleasant walking experience. 

Also known as a head halter, a head collar looks almost like a muzzle, but its purpose is very different. Rather than keeping your dog from biting, as a muzzle would, a head collar turns your dog's head as he pulls on the leash, helping to deter this type of behavior. Head halters are not recommended as everyday collars, but they are great for walks. Our top choice is the PetSafe Gentle Leader Head Collar.

The PetSafe Gentle Leader Head Collar is made from lightweight nylon for maximum durability with a neoprene padded nose loop for all-day comfort. This head-collar comes in five sizes and it is completely adjustable for comfort and to keep your dog from slipping out of it. The Gentle Leaders features a two-loop design, one that goes around your dog's neck and another around his nose, giving you an added degree of control for large dogs and dogs that tend to pull on the leash.

Many reviews for the PetSafe Gentle Leader Head Collar compare this product to another head collar, the Halti. While there are some minor things that lead certain dog owners to prefer the Halti, the Gentle Leader has a higher customer satisfaction rating on Amazon. The Gentle Leader makes it into Heavy's top 10 list for training collars, and The Spruce notes that the collar's simple design is effective for training and it won't prevent your dog from eating, drinking, or playing as he normally would.

Available in five sizes for dogs ranging from 5 to 130 pounds, the PetSafe Gentle Leader Head Collar is one of the most versatile head collars on the market. It also doesn't hurt that it costs less than $20.

Pros: Made from durable lightweight nylon, neoprene padded nose loop for comfort, comes with an instruction booklet, naturally deters pulling or lunging, doesn't cause pain or gagging, fully adjustable for both neck strap and nose loop

Cons: Unique design takes some dogs a while to adjust to, may induce subdued behavior in some dogs, may slip over the eyes if size isn't adjusted properly, may not work on short-nosed breeds



What else we considered

Metal prong collar: Should you use it?

A metal prong collar is usually used as a training collar for large dogs, dogs that are difficult to control, and dogs that tend to pull on the leash. This type of collar may look harsh, but it could be an effective tool for teaching leash etiquette — when it's properly attached. The collar consists of blunt metal prongs that tighten around your dog's neck as he pulls, in order to correct the dog's behavior.

But, is it an appropriate collar to use? According to the Humane Society, an aversive collar like this "rely on physical discomfort or even pain to teach the dog what not to do. They suppress the unwanted behavior, but they don't teach the dog what the proper behavior is. At best, they are unpleasant for your dog, and at worst, they may cause your dog to act aggressively and even bite you."

While the Humane Society doesn't advise against this collar, it prefers "positive training methods." Aversive collars should be a last resort option, and if you feel other methods have not worked, the Humane Society still recommends consulting an experienced trainer before using.

In our research, we've seen both sides of the argument. There are professionals who say they are safe to use, there are those who are 100% opposed, and there's everyone in between. Although we previously recommended an option (the Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Prong Training Collar) we now recommend that you consult a veterinarian and professional dog trainers before using one.




Prime Video Channels lets you add specific channels like HBO, STARZ, and Showtime to your account — here's how it can help you cut the cord without sacrificing anything

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Screen Shot 2019 09 17 at 5.09.29 PM

  • Prime Video Channels lets you add subscriptions to third-party networks and streaming channels that aren't already included in Amazon's Prime Video service (free with your Prime membership).
  • It allows you to create your own à la carte cable subscription and only pay for the channels you actually watch.
  • Channels include HBO, STARZ, Showtime, and more, and range from $6 to $15 per month.
  • It's an easy transition for people who are native to streaming. Another good and cheap option to check out is Sling TV.
  • Browse all the channels available through Prime Video here.

What are Amazon Prime Video Channels?

Prime Video Channels are monthly subscriptions that you can add onto your Prime membership as essentially an à la carte cable option. For a monthly fee, you'll get access to content from premium third-party networks and other streaming entertainment channels without leaving your Prime Video account. 

Some subscriptions also offer the Watch Live feature, which gives you the option to live-stream programming on supported devices at the same time that it's being broadcast on TV.

How many channels are there? 

You can find them all the Prime Video channels here, but there are four pages of options. At a glance, it looks to be over 150 channels — from HBO to STARZ to Shudder to Best of British Television. 

What are some of the most popular channels available?

HBO: $14.99/month after trial.

STARZ: $8.99/month after trial

Showtime: $10.99/month after trial

CBS All Access: $5.99/month after trial

Cinemax: $9.99/month after trial

How expensive is it to use Prime Video Channels?

It depends on which channels you're choosing to subscribe to. You won't be paying for channels you don't use or want, and you can cancel at any time. Major channels will cost about $6 to $15 per month on average. You can also test out channel subscriptions with a seven-day trial to see if you'll really use them before committing.

In terms of comparative pricing, the above prices are the same as what you can find by subscribing directly on the site or adding channels to a Hulu subscription. But, this offers the added perk of keeping all your subscriptions housed in one platform. 

What are the TV shows and movies you can watch?

Each channel represents a host of TV shows and content, but here are a few of the most popular shows and where to find them:

HBO: "Big Little Lies," "Euphoria," "Succession," "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," "Chernobyl"

STARZ: "Outlander," "Power," "Frozen," "Toy Story 3," "Jumanji," "Tangled."

Showtime: "City on a Hill," "Billions," "The Affair," "Shameless"

CBS All Access: "Why Women Kill," "NCIS," "Blue Bloods," "Star Trek: Discovery."

You may find that some TV shows have earlier seasons available to any Prime Video members, and later seasons behind the Prime Video Channel paywall. 

Which other cheap cord-cutting options should you consider?

People with a Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime account — or a friend who lets you piggyback off of theirs — will have an easy time transitioning to Prime Video Channels if they're new to options outside of a traditional cable box. 

You may also want to consider Sling TV, a service that lets you stream a set of premium TV channels live over the internet for $25 per month. You can watch on TVs, computers, tablets, or phones. It offers two base tiers, Blue ($25/month) and Orange ($25/month), or Orange + Blue ($40/month). Each tier includes different types of networks.

However, having a fully-fledged custom cable subscription like Sling may be overwhelming for anyone who mostly relies on streaming. If that's you, you may save more — and benefit from fewer, more customized options — by only subscribing to one or two Prime Video Channels.  The good thing is you can test drive both before committing; Sling TV offers a seven-day trial to new subscribers, and Amazon offers seven-day trials of Prime Video Channels to new subscribers (and a 30-day trial for Amazon Prime itself if you don't have one). Plus, Sling is offering 40% off right now— so your first month is $15 for Orange or Blue and $25 for Orange + Blue. 

Browse Amazon Prime Video Channels here to create your own à la carte cable subscription

Join the conversation about this story »

The best eye creams and serums you can buy

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  • Eye creams and serums are likely the product you know you should be using but have no idea how to actually shop for.
  • If you're unsure of where to start, reach for the Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Serum. Buyers and experts agree that this is the cream of the crop when it comes to treating under eye circles.

When talking about skin-care regimens, eye creams and serums tend to be products that a lot of folks skip. "I'm already using a moisturizer," they think. "Why do I need a separate cream for under my eyes?" So instead of incorporating yet another step into their routine, they'll move straight on to moisturizers.

But this can be a mistake. The biggest reason being that the skin under your eyes is actually a lot thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of your face; therefore, it needs to be treated differently. 

If you're using a face cream with super potent ingredients, it can actually hurt your under-eyes more than it can help. Similarly, if you need to target puffiness or discoloration under your eyes, your face cream may not deliver those results. If not treated properly, your eyes can be the first thing to show signs of aging.

How you apply your eye cream is just as important as what's in it. You should put your eye cream on after your serum and before your facial moisturizer. A pea-sized dollop is about the amount that you want for each eye, and you should tap the product on lightly with your ring finger, as rubbing can damage the delicate skin.

Got all of that? Great. Now it's time to go shopping. Ahead, find the best eye creams on the market today. Depending on what your main concern is, one of these will be right for you.

Here are the best eye creams and serums you can buy:

Updated on 9/18/19 by Caitlin Petreycik: Updated copy, formatting, links, and prices.

SEE ALSO: The best clay masks you can buy

The best eye serum overall

The Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Serum targets dark circles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity to diminish all of those signs of aging.

There are certain things that one should always look for when it comes to buying eye cream. You want it to be lightweight enough that it absorbs quickly into the skin in the evening, or doesn't feel too heavy under makeup. It should also contain a heady mix of ingredients to dull the signs of aging, while also brightening up those stubborn dark circles. Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Serum checks all of those boxes.

As evidenced by the name, this serum relies heavily on the supercharged antioxidants retinol and ferulic acid. Retinol helps to accelerate skin renewal and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, which is why it's the industry's gold standard when it comes to fighting signs of aging. But what about ferulic acid? This lesser-known ingredient works to fight free radicals that cause aging in the first place.

An important thing to note with this serum: You absolutely must use a sunscreen, too. Because of the high potency of active ingredients in this serum, your skin can become extremely photosensitive. 

Pros: Has a powerful mix of active ingredients, works well under makeup

Cons: Those with sensitive skin may find this product a bit harsh, so make sure to do a patch test first



The best eye cream for the morning after

If deflating your peepers is high on your agenda, then Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Contour Cream is for you.

For some of us (myself included), the biggest issue we deal with when it comes to our under eyes is puffiness. No matter how much water I drink, how little salt I eat the day before, or how many pillows I prop under my head at night, I seem to always wake up with a face that looks like it was inflated with helium. And unfortunately for me, the puffiness seems to localize around my eyes.

Because of that, I've gotten in the habit of slapping an ice mask over my eyes in the morning to take down the puff. But when the cold started triggering my migraines (if it isn't one thing, it's something else), I had to find a different way. Enter, Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Contour Cream.

This cream instantly became a cult-favorite amongst the beauty nerds of the world. I reached for it because of its star ingredient — caffeine. Caffeine is something that beauty gurus have always said is one of the best ways to take down puffiness in your eyes. This is why you've likely seen "cool black tea bags" as a swollen eye remedy.

Caffeine works to deflate your eyes because it helps dissipate the fluid buildup that causes it. Auto Correct pairs caffeine with Brazilian ginseng, which works to energize your under-eye skin. That makes your eyes appear brighter, which makes you appear more awake.

Auto Correct is also packed with ingredients that lift and moisturize under the eyes, which makes it great as an all-around eye cream. 

I like to keep Auto Correct in the fridge so that it's nice and cool when I apply it. This helps to take the puffiness in my eyes down even more. Since incorporating Auto Correct into my regimen, I've had no migraines due to ice packs and no residual puffiness.

Pros: De-puffs the eyes quickly while adding major hydration.

Cons: Since it's made with shea and cocoa butter, its on the heavier side, so it takes a minute to fully absorb



The best drugstore eye cream

Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Eye Cream is perfect for those who need a hardworking eye cream that won't break the bank. 

One of the biggest complaints a lot of folks have when it comes to eye creams are the price points. And it makes sense. These products are made with highly potent ingredients. Because of that, they tend to cost more than your average face cream or exfoliant. And when you skimp on the pricing, the efficacy tends to decrease, too.

But that just isn't the case with Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Eye Cream. Ringing up at under $20, this wallet-friendly option actually works to combat the normal signs of aging.

Instead of relying on expensive antioxidants like retinol and ferulic acid, Aveeno's eye cream keeps the cost down by harnessing the antioxidant power of blackberries. Blackberries, in fact, are ranked as one of the most antioxidant-rich berries on the market. Couple that with a mix of vitamins C and E, which are fantastic for regenerating skin, and you've got a recipe for success.

One thing to note, though. If you're looking for a cream to reverse deep-set lines and wrinkles, Aveeno's formula may not be the one to reach for. It's more for people looking to fix the early signs of aging. If you're looking to do heavier lifting, you'll want to find a cream with slightly more powerful ingredients.

Pros: Wallet-friendly, great for eye cream beginners

Cons: Not heavy-duty enough to tackle deep-set lines



The best natural under-eye oil

If you're looking for a more natural option, or are really big into oils for skin-care, reach for Uma Absolute Anti Aging Eye Oil

There's been a recent trend in skin-care toward all-natural routines, with buyers and experts alike lauding the benefits of switching to products that contain little to no chemicals. But these folks tend to hit a wall when it comes to products that are typically thought to be anti-aging.

Most of the traditional ingredients that work to reduce fine lines and wrinkles are chemical compounds, or synthetic versions of naturally-occurring ingredients, in order to keep the price down. Because of that, it's hard to find an eye cream or serum that is all-natural.

Uma Absolute Anti Aging Oil is filled with a powerhouse cocktail of natural oils, all intended to help fight the signs of aging. There literally isn't anything in this eye oil except for, well, oil. It's a skincare minimalist's dream.

While the ingredients read like a laundry list of good-for-you elixirs, there are definitely a few standouts. Frankincense and sandalwood essential oils revitalize your skin, while rose essential oil is a powerful hydrator. Then there's eucalyptus essential oil, which works to eliminate puffiness and signs of fatigue. The list goes on, with oils such as lavender, geranium, and rosemary rounding out this bouquet of skin ingredients.

It's also a hit among pros. Like Ashley Weatherford wrote over at The Cut, "The oil, which by definition behaves as a sealant atop skin and traps moisture, prevents the under eyes from becoming dry better than eye cream and moisturizer alone." And a hydrated under eye is a happy one because hydration means fewer wrinkles.

So what's the catch? The price tag. Because of all of these oils, Uma's serum rings up at more than $100. That might seem like a very steep price to pay, but a little goes a long way with this bottle.

Pros: All natural, smells incredible, and intensely hydrating

Cons: It's the priciest treatment on this list



The best eye cream to wear under makeup

If you're committed to wearing eye cream during the day, reach for Lancôme Visionnaire Eye Cream

When discussing skin-care, it's a common idea that eye cream belongs in an evening routine — not a morning one. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Dabbing on the right eye cream in the morning can instantly brighten up your eyes. And, if you're like me, it's an important part of your morning routine because it helps alleviate puffiness.

Unfortunately, a lot of eye creams are heavy or extra slick, making them a nightmare to put on ahead of foundation or concealer. But that's one of the reasons why Lancôme Visionnaire Eye Cream is such a stunner. It dries completely matte, making it the perfect base for the concealer you need while your eye cream is still doing its work.

But its matte finish isn't the only thing that makes Lancôme's cream a serious contender. It's formulated with a special concoction of ingredients that help to blur imperfections around the eyes while treating them. 

Pros: Dries matte, helps blur imperfections

Cons: Might be a little too light for advanced signs of aging



Check out our other great skin-care guides

The best exfoliators you can buy for any skin type or budget

Whether you're new to the exfoliation game or a seasoned skincare pro, Glossier's Solution is the exfoliator you should be reaching for. Its powerful mix of acids dissolves dead skin cells and improves your complexion, giving your face a gorgeous glow. You also might want to try one of these options: 

The best moisturizers you can buy to keep your skin happy and healthy

Everyone wants healthy, smooth, and soft skin. Dry skin not only looks dull and flaky, it also feels tight and itchy. The solution? A good moisturizer. Our favorite moisturizer for both face and body is the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. Some others you might like: 



This towel-like headband keeps all of my hair out of the way when I'm washing my face or applying masks, and it's only $10

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turbie twist

  • I'm a huge fan of my Turbie Twist, the simple hair towel that helps my hair dry quickly. 
  • Recently, I got to try the Turbie Band ($9.99), a thick headband made with the same absorbent cotton as the brand's towels. 
  • I now use the Turbie Band all the time to keep hair out of my face when I'm getting ready, but you can also use it to cover your ears on a cold, morning run or to control your hair during a sweaty workout. 

There are plenty of products you don't necessarily need, but they'll definitely add to your day-to-day life. 

A mini frying pan fit for a single egg, an extra-long charging cable for your phone, and a surprisingly powerful sponge shaped like a smiley face are just some of the examples of these seemingly-random-but-actually-useful products.

These days, my favorite useful product is the Turbie Band. It's essentially just a thick headband made of an absorbent towel material. I've always been a fan of the Turbie Twist, a practical hair-wrap towel that speeds up the air drying process and keeps my hair up while getting ready. The Turbie Band is another deceptively simple hair accessory from the brand, but it's one that I find myself using more and more.

The band is five inches wide for extra coverage, and the strips of elastic running through the band let you expand it across your head or scrunch it up. The band itself is made of 100% cotton and it's soft, comfortable, and super absorbent. If it gets wet, don't worry; it'll dry quickly. If it gets dirty, dont worry about that either; it's machine washable so it's a breeze to clean.

All the ways you can use the Turbie Band

Turbie Twist suggests a few uses for the Turbie Band. You can use it to keep your ears warm on a cold day, to tame your hair during a sweaty yoga class, or just to keep your hair out of your face while washing up or applying makeup. 

My favorite use is the latter. Because the Turbie Band has such a wide surface area, it keeps my hair out of my face better than any other headband I've used before. Since it's made with an absorbent cotton, it doesn't matter if your hair is wet or dry— I never worry about splashing it with water while washing my face. 

Since I have very fine hair, tying it up in tight buns and ponytails can sometimes be painful. Plus, a hair tie can't tame those frizzy baby hairs when you need it to most. The Turbie Band will push all of that out of your face, and even keep the hair right at your hairline covered so it can stay dry. My hair isn't particularly long, but if you do have longer hair, there's more than enough space for you to tuck it in the back of the band to keep it in place. I'll often just put the headband on, using it to cover my ears, before applying a face mask or washing my face. It keeps everything dry and prevents kinks, so you don't need to worry about messing up your fresh blowout. 

Bottom Line

You could probably go on using regular headbands during your workouts and skincare routine. But, for just $10, this is one seemingly-random-but-actually-useful upgrade you won't regret. 

Get the Turbie Band for $9.99 at Amazon

Join the conversation about this story »

This startup is recycling old denim to make new pairs of jeans for under $100 — here’s what they’re like to wear

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Frank And Oak Circular Denim

  • Frank And Oak has always been eco conscious about its clothing, but the apparel startup is furthering its sustainability efforts with a denim collection that recycles old jeans.
  • The Frank And Oak Circular Denim Collection takes old jeans, breaks them down, and mixes the fibers with new materials to create a new fabric. The process reduces the amount of virgin cotton used and saves lots of used denim from landfills.
  • At $89.50 per pair, the more sustainable style is still a fair price for quality jeans — and you'd never know they were made with old denim.

It doesn't matter if you get dressed for fashion, function, or basic human necessity, I'm willing to bet that denim has a place somewhere in your closet. 

As common and popular as denim is in apparel, producing it negatively affects the planet in ways that probably don't cross your mind when you're stepping into your favorite pair of jeans.

Fortunately, plenty of brands have taken the initiative to make more sustainable jeans by using organic cotton, fewer chemicals, and less water in the production — a positive trend that will (hopefully) become an industry standard over the next few years.

Frank And Oak is already on the list of brands making sustainable denim, but they're proving to be ahead of the curve with a new collection called Circular Denim.

Frank And Oak Circular Denim

Rather than simply making cleaner, less impactful denim, Frank And Oak is saving post-consumer jeans from landfills by repurposing them in their production process — and that doesn't mean they want to sell you someone's old jeans. The new production process is broken down into four simple steps: collect, cut, combine, and create.

Frank And Oak Circular Denim

In the collection, you'll find two men's styles (skinny and slim) each in a variety of washes ranging from dark to light, along with black and grey pairs. For women, there are a few more styles, including a wide-leg pair, all of which come in a variety of denim washes and colors. 

My experience testing out Frank And Oak's Circular Denim

Last year, Frank And Oak sent over a pair of its HydroLess Denim for me to test out and I liked them so much that I went back and bought another pair. Going into the Circular Denim review, that was my gauge for quality and satisfaction.

As expected, you'd have no idea that these were made in part with old jeans that were ready to be thrown away. If you're weary of the jeans being of lesser quality than what you'd normally expect out of any decent clothing brand, you shouldn't be. The quality absolutely holds up. 

I went with the Dylan Slim in Washed Grey and they fit perfectly. I recommend going true to size.

Frank And Oak Circular Denim

The bottom line

For $89.50 a pair, Frank And Oak's Circular Denim are only $10 more than other styles the company makes. Even with the small increase, that's still a fair price to pay for jeans that will actually last. The fact that they're made from recycled materials doesn't affect the way they look, feel, wear, or hold up in the wash. Just by looking at them, nobody will know how your jeans were made, but telling them is something you should be proud to do. 

Shop Circular Denim and other sustainable denim styles at Frank And Oak now

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

Women in New York City and San Francisco are obsessed with these comfortable flats made from recycled water bottles — here's what they feel like

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  • Whether you've seen its ads on social media or have admired its flats on your co-worker, San Francisco shoe startup Rothy's seems to be everywhere. 
  • Rothy's flats are more than just a pretty work shoe. Its rounded flats ($125), pointed flats ($145), and loafers ($165) are made from 100% post-consumer plastic water bottles and other recycled materials, are machine-washable, and feel light and flexible on your feet. 
  • Rothy's innovative approach results in a comfortable, stylish, and sustainable shoe that you'll love wearing. 

Despite my mother's frequent pleas to wear heels more often ("They'll make your legs look longer!" "They'll force you to stand up straighter!"), I've always been more of a flats girl. I've encountered few pairs of heels I can walk around in for more than an afternoon, but many pairs of flats I wouldn't mind living in. 

Stephen "Hawthy" Hawthornwaite and Roth Martin realized such all-day comfort is important to women, but so is style, and increasingly, sustainability. Combining their names and these three priorities, they created Rothy's in 2016.

In two short years, Rothy's flats have become the favorite work shoe for women in the exact two hubs that Allbirds, another San Francisco-based shoe startup known for innovations in comfort, style, and sustainability, has also seduced: the Bay Area and New York City. 

Though both are trendy metropolitan areas, they're wildly different in pace of life and professional culture. That Rothy's is popular among both markets speaks to its quality, versatility, and understanding that geographic and cultural differences notwithstanding, women just want a pair of quality flats in their closet. 

rothys red white and blue

Rothy's makes three types of shoes: The Flat ($125), The Point ($145), and The Loafer ($165). These three classic silhouettes have a few modern twists, which speak directly to the conscious consumer who is more critical than ever of where her purchases come from and how they represent her personal style and values.

The unique upper knits of the shoes are made from 100% post-consumer plastic water bottles, which are hot washed, sterilized, then fused into a fiber that is then knit into yarn. The company has repurposed 12 million water bottles (and counting) and joins the growing movement of brands also using recycled plastic to make sneakers, leggings, and even watch bands

The use of sustainable materials doesn't stop there. The insoles contain recycled foam, while the rubber soles are carbon-free. The adhesives used are non-toxic and vegan. The packaging the shoes come in is made from post-consumer recycled materials and is biodegradable.

marigold rothys

Because of how they're made, Rothy's shoes have a distinctive feel and functional advantages that other flats don't. The seamless construction means there are no uncomfortably hard seams or edges (and is also less wasteful because this 3D process knits to the exact size of each pair and doesn't require any cutting), and the shoes are very light and flexible. They're moisture-wicking, fighting against sweat and rain, regardless of the season. They're also easy to maintain since they're machine-washable. 

When it comes to style, you have plenty of options to choose from. There are more than 20 styles each of The Flat and The Point and eight styles of The Loafer, from the simple Black Flat and casual weekend essential Taupe Heather Loafer to the made-for-summer Marigold and sophisticated Lapis Python Point. 

We tried four different pairs ourselves to see if they lived up to the brand's promises. Though there are other flats we favor in terms of perfect comfort, we did love the look and eco-friendly construction and would overall recommend Rothy's to anyone looking to invest in a pair of stylish, reliable flats. 

flax birdseed flats, @madireimer on Instagram

Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor: The Point in Flax Birdseye, $145

I am extremely picky about flats, mostly because it's hard to find ones that are the perfect storm of cute, affordable, and comfortable. This pair almost meets all three of those criteria, with the exception of the price being slightly over what I'd normally pay. That said, they are quickly becoming my go-to pair for work. I won't call them the most comfortable flats in the world (that title is reserved for the Everlane Day Glove), but they are exceptionally easy to commute in and I don't pray for the moment I can take them off every time I wear them. 

The one thing I will say is that if you have wide feet, the pointy-toe style is not for you. I'd go for the loafers in that case. I don't have wide feet but they're not narrow either — and these fit perfectly for me. My pinky toe rubbed against the seam a little bit, but not enough to cause a blister, so I'd call that a win. 

Overall, the lack of break-in period (for me, at least) and the little bit of stretch afforded by the knit upper are the two features I've loved most and I'd definitely recommend these to anyone looking for a stylish work flat. 

emerald point

Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter: The Point in Emerald, $145

I've noticed quite a few women wearing Rothy's because of their signature blue stitching and sleek look, so I was excited to finally give them a try. I love pointed flats, especially because I have small feet for my height and the shape helps elongate my feet, so right off the bat I liked Rothy's well-designed take on the style. Work flats tend towards neutral colors, but I had plenty of pretty and jewel-toned options to choose from, including this deep Emerald green. 

When I first slipped my foot in, it almost felt like the flats would be too big, but they turned out to hug my feet perfectly. Though they are designed to have a slight give, the company does recommend ordering half a size up if you have wide feet. As with many flats, there was a slight break-in period, but the plus is that they were very light on my feet the whole time, making the process a bit more comfortable. 

Plastic water bottles don't initially sound like they would translate well into a good pair of flats, so I was impressed with how well Rothy's did pull it off. 

lollipop loafers

Malarie Gokey, Insider Picks senior editor: The Loafer in Lollipop, $165

Rothy's Lollipop Loafers almost feel like slippers, but they look much nicer. I really like that they're made out of recycled plastic — it's something anyone who is eco-conscious will appreciate.

I don't typically wear flats, but these are perfect for throwing on when I need to run errands around the neighborhood. They're comfortable, breathable, and flexible enough for wearing in the summer. Rothy's loafers aren't quite as supportive or comfortable as Everlane's Day Glove flats, so I wouldn't wear them if you're going on a really long walk — especially if you're in a city. However, I think they're perfect for office wear.

Personally, I'd love the exact same pair of shoes with a 1 1/2- or 2-inch heel for a bit more impact absorption and height, but that's me. If you love flats and you don't plan to walk more than 3 miles any given day, Rothy's are a wonderful, eco-friendly, stylish choice.

red camo point

Ellen Hoffman, director of content strategy for Insider Picks: The Point in Red Camo, $145

Some women really love pointed-toed shoes, and others really really don't. I fall in the former camp since they help elongate my 5'3" frame and since, aesthetically, I'm drawn to the silhouette. I was attracted to The Point flat in particular because the style looked sleek and professional for work, and importantly, promised seamless comfort and support in the form of a 3D knit upper and removable insole.

The Point was feather-light and very breathable, so walking around Manhattan in 90-degree weather was never a hindrance. I was able to wear the shoe right out of the box with virtually no break-in period, although I suggest opting for The Flat or The Loafer if shoe width is concern since The Point did squish my right foot's toes together a bit too tightly for my liking.

I got the "red camo" color for something different since I usually play it safe with black or another neutral, but there are 22 other colors to choose from should you want something not quite as bold. 

Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter: The Point in Red Camo, $145

I love Rothy's sustainable ethos — and for the most part, I loved the shoe in reality, too. But I also live a bit more than a mile away from the subway station I take every morning and night, so my shoes need to be disproportionately comfortable. For this, the Rothy's were a tad narrow for all-day comfort in my right foot, though this isn't the first time that has been an issue. I have average to narrow feet, so if you have wide feet I could see this being an issue for The Point style.

In terms of aesthetics, they're some of my favorite flats; the red camo print is vibrant and unique, and the pointed toe elevates a blazer and jeans. And for other areas of comfort, the Rothy's also deliver with machine-washability, removable insole, and a knit upper for seamless bending and breathability.

All in all, I really liked the Rothy's, and I'll continue to wear them. But if you're going to be power walking a couple miles in them daily, you might want to save these to change into once you get to the office. —Mara Leighton 

Rothy's

Ranging from $125 to $165 a pair, Rothy's are a step up from the average pair of flats, not only in price, but also in quality, style, and ethos. Shoppers are realizing they don't have to compromise on any of the criteria they care about, and Rothy's is a prime example of how to live up to those high expectations. 

Shop flats and loafers at Rothy's here

Join the conversation about this story »

These $13 pimple patches are smaller than pennies and really work at clearing my acne overnight

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mighty patch main

  • A method for minimizing acne breakouts that has gained momentum in recent years is the hydrocolloid patch
  • These sticky patches absorb pus from pimples, resulting in noticeably smaller and less inflamed blemishes. 
  • I tried hydrocolloid patches for the first time from a relative newcomer to the scene, Mighty Patch, and they worked much better than those from a popular competitor. 
  • As someone who has struggled with acne-prone skin for years, I'm often skeptical of supposed quick-fix solutions, but the effectiveness of the Mighty Patch stickers have made me a convert. 

From extraction facials and laser treatments to special face washes and oral antibiotics, I've tried many tactics in my decade-old battle with acne. Some, like acne extractions, work very well over the long term, but are quite expensive. Others have dried out my skin or even resulted in more breakouts. The only solution that really works for short-term relief — and that I wish I had tried way earlier — is the hydrocolloid patch. 

Hydrocolloid patches are originally designed for wounds but turn out to also be perfect for those painful (both physically and emotionally) breakouts that erupt the night before a big event like an interview or a date. 

They work by attracting water and absorbing fluids such as pus so that by the next day, you can literally see everything they've sucked up from your pimples. COSRX is the most popular hydrocolloid patch brand, earning rave reviews from other media sites like Buzzfeed and Refinery29 and a 4-star rating from 2,700+ Amazon reviews, but I'm a stronger believer in a new brand's hydrocolloid product: Hero Cosmetics' Mighty Patch

mighty patch thumb

Mighty Patch hydrocolloid patches come in 36- or 72-count packs, and each one measures 12mm across — smaller than a penny. They work best on pimples with fluid or pus in them, meaning there's a visible whitehead.

After showering and drying my face, I stuck the patches directly on the blemishes that fit this description, then let them work their magic. Sometimes, depending on the pimple, I could see and feel results in as quickly as a few hours. Other times, they took longer to take effect, and I slept with them overnight.

mighty patch before after

The results are somewhat gross, but oddly satisfying: The sticker turns white with the pus it has absorbed.

The difference after applying a sticker is clear, and not only visually. Each time, my pimples dramatically reduced in both size and pain. I was amazed at how well they worked, and quickly became very comfortable with slapping them all over my face every night. 

I also bought myself the COSRX patches to compare their performance, and considering their high reviews and cult status, I was surprised to find they were much less effective than Mighty Patch. The COSRX hydrocolloid patches come in multiple sizes while Mighty Patch's are all one size, and they're cheaper than Mighty Patch. However, they were prone to falling off my face as I slept, and rarely absorbed as much fluid as the Mighty Patch stickers. While Mighty Patch may be more expensive, I'd much rather opt for the product that actually works. 

A side benefit of these hydrocolloid patches is that they prevent bored, wandering fingers from touching and picking pimples. Every person who has acne hears over and over again and knows from personal experience that picking leads to irritation and scarring, but it's much easier said than done not to do it. As the patches work to minimize your blemish, they also protect the affected area from exposure to unclean pillows and hands. 

Having dealt with acne since I was a teen, I regret not trying these gentle, non-invasive, and non-drying hydrocolloid patches earlier, but am now a serious proponent of using them for banishing acne. They're easy to slip into your bag to take on the go, and as simple stickers, they're low maintenance.

I'm stocking up on the Mighty Patch ones in particular because they've shown time after time that they're the best in the market. 

Shop Mighty Patch Hydrocolloid Patches (36-Count) from $12.50 here: Amazon, Anthropologie

Shop Mighty Patch Hydrocolloid Patches (72-Count) for $20.89 here: Amazon

SEE ALSO: A dermatologist shares her 6 go-to anti-aging products to stop wrinkles before they appear

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A Los Angeles megamansion that's been on the market for 2 years just raised its price by $20 million. Yes, you read that right.

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opus mansion

A Los Angeles megamansion that's been sitting on the market for two years just upped its price by almost $20 million, Barron's reported.

The seven-bedroom Beverly Hills home was first put on the market for $100 million in 2017. It's now asking $79.9 million, or $19.9 million more than the $59.9 million it had been listed for since May 2019.

Since it was first listed, developer Nile Niami, known for building extravagant Los Angeles megamansions on spec, has slashed the home's price several times, first by $15 million, then again by another $20 million. In May, he reduced it again by another $5.1 million.

According to the house's listing agents, Rayni and Branden Williams of Williams and Williams, Niami saw a change in the market and felt like the home was worth more than $59.9 million.

"The plot of land next door sold for $30 million and the land across the street sold for $25.5 million having no homes on them," listing agent Rayni Williams of Williams and Williams told Business Insider. "For that reason Mr. Niami raised his price." 

Take a look inside the extravagant Beverly Hills mansion.

SEE ALSO: Alicia Keys is the previously unnamed buyer who dropped $20.8 million on a California mansion that's been compared to Tony Stark's home in 'Iron Man.' Take a look inside the clifftop house.

DON'T MISS: Millennials aren't buying baby boomers' ranches. In Montana and Arizona, 2 luxury ranches have been sitting on the market for over a year — take a look inside the $50 million package.

A Los Angeles megamansion that's been on the market for two years just upped its asking price by almost $20 million.

The seven-bedroom Beverly Hills mansion, dubbed "Opus," was first put on the market for $100 million in 2017.



It's now asking $79.9 million, or $19.9 million more than the $59.9 million it had been listed for since May 2019.

Since it was first listed, developer Nile Niami, known for building extravagant Los Angeles megamansion on spec, has slashed the home's price several times, first by $15 million, then again by another $20 million. In May, he reduced it again by another $5.1 million.



The house's listing agents, Rayni and Branden Williams of Williams and Williams, say Niami saw a change in the market and felt like the home was worth more than $59.9 million.

"The plot of land next door sold for $30 million and the land across the street sold for $25.5 million having no homes on them," listing agent Rayni Williams of Williams and Williams told Business Insider. "For that reason Mr. Niami raised his price." 

Branden Williams told The Real Deal that "just to get dirt up here is roughly 30 million bucks. The value keeps peaking and [Niami felt] that the property should be worth more, so that's why he changed the price."



The price increase comes amid a surplus of luxury real estate across the US.

As Business Insider's Hillary Hoffower recently reported, Los Angeles mansions, New York City penthouses, Miami condos, and luxury ranches out west aren't selling.

This abundance of high-end real estate could be a red flag for an upcoming recession.

"If high-income consumers pull back any further on their spending, it will be a significant threat to the economic expansion," Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, told CNBC.



The now-$79.9 million home sits in the ritzy Trousdale Estates section of Beverly Hills.

The median price of homes currently listed in Beverly Hills is $6.9 million, according to Zillow.



The home comes with two swimming pools, one of which is indoors ...

Source: Hilton & Hyland



... and one of which is outdoors and comes with several lounge chairs.

Source: Hilton & Hyland



The outdoor pool offers sweeping views of Downtown Los Angeles.

Source: Hilton & Hyland



There's also a water feature and sculpture outside.

Source: Hilton & Hyland



In the living room, a retractable glass wall opens up to showcase the home's unimpeded view. On the other wall, a TV comes down from the wall and rotates a full 360 degrees.

Source: Hilton & Hyland



It allows you to watch TV and admire the view at the same time, Niami told Business Insider back in 2017.

Source: Business Insider



The home comes with not one, but two full kitchens.

Source: Hilton & Hyland



At least 10 people can comfortably eat in the formal dining room.

Source: Hilton & Hyland



There's also a full bar.

Source: Hilton & Hyland



Niami created a luxurious wellness center in the home that includes hot and cold plunge pools, a steam and massage room, and a beauty salon that has all the facilities in place to have beauty treatments done at home.

Source: Business Insider



It also includes a fitness center.



The in-home movie theater can seat at least 15 people.

Source: Hilton & Hyland



The home's expansive master suite opens directly into an outdoor space with a fire pit. "I wanted to build the buyer a bedroom where they would wake up to an unobstructed Los Angeles sunrise every morning," Niami told Business Insider in 2017.

Source: Hilton & Hyland,Business Insider



The suite comes with dual bathrooms and dual closets.

Source: Business Insider



The home's $79.9 million price tag includes all the furniture and art ...

Source: Hilton & Hyland



... as well as a Champagne vault with 170 bottles of Cristal.

Source: Hilton & Hyland



Last but not least, the megamansion comes with a "car museum" that has space for 10 vehicles.

Source: Hilton & Hyland, Business Insider




'Do Xbox 360 controllers work on an Xbox One?': No, they do not — here's how to get a new Xbox One controller inexpensively

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Xbox One S

The backwards compatibility of the Xbox One is one of the coolest features about the system.

You can play older Xbox 360 and original Xbox games on an Xbox One, and you can do so using your current Xbox One controller.

On the other hand, there is no forward compatibility, so to speak, when it comes to the Xbox 360 hardware. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Xbox One (From $249.99 at Best Buy)

Xbox One Controller (From $59.99 at Best Buy)

Xbox Wireless Controller (From $39.99 at Best Buy)

PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox One (From $24.99 at Amazon)

Xbox 360 controllers do not work on an Xbox One, so you'll need an Xbox One controller

You cannot use an Xbox 360 controller to play games on an Xbox One.

Other accessories from the older system are likewise incompatible with the Xbox One.

So if your Xbox One controller breaks, don't try digging out the old system to use an old controller. You'll have to buy a new (or used) one.

How to get a new Xbox One controller inexpensively, or find a used one 

Purchased directly from the Xbox.com website, a wireless Xbox One controller will cost you anywhere from $59.99 to $179.99 for special editions. 

You can also find great prices on Xbox One controllers on Amazon, where a wired controller sells for as little as $24.99 and wireless controllers can be found for $39.99.

Yet another option is to consider auction sites like eBay or a retail store like GameStop where great deals are often available on used but perfectly serviceable Xbox One controllers.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best gaming PCs you can buy

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America is swept up in tiny-house fever — here's how much it'll actually cost to build one of your own

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Tiny house

Tiny houses are having a moment.

They're minimalist, portable, and environmentally friendly — and people are jumping on the lifestyle.

If you want a tiny house of your own, you can either buy one — the median cost for one in the US is $59,884, according to The Spruce— or you can build one, which is typically cheaper. 

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

So how much does it cost to build a tiny house? Well, that depends. Some tiny-house dwellers built their abode for less than $10,000, while others spend upwards of $30,000.

It really all comes down to location, housing materials, and labor. Here are the general rules of thumb when it comes to setting a realistic budget for your tiny house.

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

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

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

The cost of building a tiny house is about $300 per square foot, Zack Giffin, host of Tiny House Nation, told Apartment Therapy in 2016.

That's more expensive than the median price per square foot of a house in the US — $101.72 in 2016, per Apartment Therapy.

Source: Apartment Therapy



Ryan Fitzgerald, owner of Raleigh Realty, told Reader's Digest you should budget at least $65,000 to build a tiny house — but others have spent way less than that.

Source: Reader's Digest



Deirdre Sullivan of the home-living website The Spruce interviewed seven first-time tiny-house builders. Their costs ranged from $12,000 to $35,000.

Of course, the higher end of that range can go way up if you opt to live the tiny life in luxury.

Source: The Spruce



Ryan Mitchell of The Tiny Life previously told Business Insider it cost about $30,000 to build his 150-square-foot tiny house, including solar panels. "Even after accounting for the cost of the house, I've saved over $100,000 going tiny," he said.

Source: Business Insider



But it's possible to build a tiny house for less than $10,000: One couple told Tiny House Build they shelled out just $8,000 to build their 24-foot-long, 8-foot-wide, 13-foot-tall tiny house.

Source: Tiny House Build



And Teri Page of Homestead Honey says she built her 348-square-foot tiny house for $8,270, although her neighbor's 120-square-foot tiny house cost $21,200 to build. The key difference was that her neighbor hired out labor.

Source: Homestead Honey, Realtor.com



Ultimately, the cost to build a tiny house depends on several factors, from building plans and materials to location and labor. Here's what to expect.



Permits: Fees for local building permits depend on where you're building, but can cost as little as a few hundred to as much as thousands of dollars.

"Rural areas usually have more lenient laws, so choosing rural areas may save you money," Rachel Preston Prinz, who runs an architectural firm, told Reader's Digest. "But what you save here might get eaten up on connecting to the utilities' grid."

Source: Realtor.com, Reader's Digest



Materials: Building materials involve everything from lumber and roofing to doors and windows. Mitchell wrote in his blog, The Tiny Life, that materials comprise 80% of building costs.

Fitzgerald said you might be spending $25,000 on building materials, but Page only spent $7,800.

Every tiny house begins with a trailer, which can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $9,000. Mitchell's trailer cost $3,600, but Fitzgerald said it can cost as much as $35,000. 

Here's a breakdown of some key estimated costs of the actual home itself, according to combined estimates by The Spruce and The Tiny Life:

  • Windows and doors: $1,000 to $6,000
  • Lumber: $1,000 to $10,000
  • Roofing: $500 to $2,000
  • Flooring: $300 to $2,000

Source: Reader's Digest, The Spruce, The Tiny Life, Realtor.com



Insulation: Mitchell recommends closed cell spray foam for insulation, which costs about $3 per square foot for three inches thick. Costs overall can range from $500 to $3,000.

One tiny-house owner told Realtor.com he spent $1,500 to insulate 200 square feet.

Source: Realtor.com, The Tiny Life



Electricity and plumbing: The cost of electricity and plumbing depends on whether your tiny house is on or off the grid. It also depends on whether you hire out labor, which is often required by law in many locations.

Owners of tiny houses may spend around $1,000 on plumbing and $300 on wiring, while solar panels can cost around $3,500 to install.

However, Mitchell estimates the total cost of both to range from $750 to $3,000.

Source: Realtor.com, The Tiny Life



Labor: Building costs really come down to who's behind the labor. According to Mitchell, the average tiny house costs between $10,000 and $30,000 to build it yourself, and twice that if you hire someone to build it for you.

Page told Realtor.com that her husband built the house, but her neighbor hired out labor for $15 an hour, which cost the neighbor a total of $7,000.

Source: Realtor.com, The Tiny Life



But you can also compromise, buying a tiny house shell — a finished exterior with an unfinished interior — and personalizing it yourself. A standard shell at Tiny Home Builders ranges from $17,000 for a 12-foot tiny house to $37,000 for a 28-foot tiny house.

That's without previously mentioned add-ons such as electrical, plumbing, and dormers (sloped roofs that create extra space).

Source: Tiny Home Builders



And don't forget to check Amazon, which also sells tiny-home build kits ranging from $5,000 to $19,000. These can take anywhere from eight hours to two days to build.

Source: Business Insider



There's a simple math rule that can determine if you should rent or buy a home, according to 2 early retirees who think buying a house to live in is a 'terrible' idea

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moving into house

There are two groups of people: Those who would prefer to rent their home, and those who would prefer to buy.

How do you decide which group you belong to?

According to Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung, who retired at age 31 as millionaires and co-authored the book, "Quit Like a Millionaire," it comes down to the "Rule of 150."

Based on standard housing-related costs, Shen and Leung did the math and found that for the average American family, the cost of buying, owning, insuring, and selling a home equals the interest costs for a typical mortgage over a nine-year period (the length the average American family stays in their home, according to the US Census).

Based on these calculations, for the first nine years of a standard 30-year mortgage, around half of your total payment goes toward interest and the other half goes toward paying down the principal.

Read more: I retired as a millionaire at 31, and I think buying a house to live in is a terrible idea for building wealth

But to figure out if it makes sense to buy, you need to take the interest, add the extra costs of owning that home, and compare it to the rent you'd be saving. Enter the Rule of 150.

"Since the extra ownership costs are approximately equal to the interest of a typical mortgage over nine years, and the interest is approximately 50% of your mortgage payment during that time, you have to multiply your monthly mortgage payment by 150%," they wrote. "This is how much your house will actually cost per month, once all expenses are factored in."

If the Rule of 150 monthly cost is higher than your rent, keep renting. If it's lower, it's time to buy.

Renting or buy doesn't always boil down to math

However, Tanja Hester, who retired at 38, said that the issue of renting or buying a home isn't always a question of simple math.

In her book, "Work Optional: Retire Early the Non-Penny-Pinching Way," she said that it really comes down to whether you value certainty or flexibility more.

Read more: 5 millennials who became homeowners in their 20s share their best advice for buying your first house

Buying a home can be an investment and offers the certainty of a fixed mortgage payment, but it also comes with a lot of unexpected costs — and it can take a while to build equity, she said. Renting is typically more affordable and flexible, and offers an opportunity to build greater savings, but gives residents less control over the property.

"The question of whether to rent or buy is also a highly personal one, not a simple math problem, with a number of variables such as what your local market dynamics are, which arrangement feels better to you, how attached you want to be to one place, how important it is to you to customize your space, and whether you want to tie up resources to save for a down payment rather than saving for another goal (like early retirement)," she wrote.

SEE ALSO: Deciding to buy a home instead of rent isn't always a question of simple math

DON'T MISS: Millennials aren't buying homes, and it might not be because they can't afford them: Some actually prefer to rent instead

Join the conversation about this story »

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

How to manage symptoms of a common cold and what you need to do it

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How to get rid of a cold

  • According to the CDC, colds are the primary reason adults miss work and children miss school. There are millions of cases of this common infectious illness in the US each year. 
  • On average, adults come down with two or three colds every year. Although a cold typically lasts around a week, and there is no cure, there are ways to make yourself more comfortable while your immune system fights off the invading virus, including the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier ($39.99) and our eight other suggestions below.
  • These products are recommended for common cold in adults. If your child is suffering from a cold, please consult your pediatrician for recommendations to manage symptoms.

We've all experienced them: The runny and yet simultaneously stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, fatigue, and general feeling of "I'm not so sick I need a doctor, but I sure wish I was still in bed" that are the hallmarks of the common cold. According to Harvard Health, over 200 different viruses can cause this miserable but generally not too serious illness, but the most common by far are rhinoviruses. 

You can't catch a cold merely by getting chilled or wet; it takes exposure to someone infected with the virus or contact with contaminated surfaces to spread this common malady. Once exposed to the virus, you'll generally start to show symptoms within one to three days and feel under the weather for five to 10 days. 

While there still is no cure for the common cold, and no magical treatment to instantly dispel its symptoms, there are definitely ways to help your body fight off the infection and feel a little better while doing so. Here are nine tips for getting rid of a cold as quickly and comfortably as possible.   

Get plenty of rest

One of the best things to do when a cold strikes is to get as much rest as you can while your immune system gears up for battle against the invading virus. When your symptoms are at their peak, stay home from work if possible, skip that intensive exercise session, and call off the weekly get-together with your buddies. Instead, stay in bed and sleep, or indulge in a binge-watching session while relaxing on the couch.  



Drink lots of fluids

Congestion, mild fever, and fatigue make it very easy to become dehydrated, which leads to feeling even worse. Downing plenty of fluids will keep you comfortable, and possibly help your immune system function better. That doesn't mean you should pour yourself alcohol, coffee, or soda, however. It's best to stick with water, small cups of juice, iced or hot tea, or other beverages that are easy on your stomach.



Run a humidifier

While you can catch a cold any time of year, they are more common during the winter, when the air tends to be dryer. That makes your scratchy throat and congestion even worse. Add some moisture to the air with a cool-mist humidifier like the excellent ultrasonic model from Pure Enrichment, which is our top pick for the best humidifiers. You'll breathe just a little easier, and feel a whole lot better.

By the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier on Amazon for $39.99



Take zinc

While results are not entirely conclusive, several studies have shown that taking zinc lozenges within the first day or two of cold symptoms can help shorten the duration of your illness by a day or more. Many people swear by Cold-Eeze lozenges to help ease the discomfort of a sore throat and cough while providing a reasonably tasty dose of zinc. 

Buy an 18-Count of Sugar Free Wild Cherry Cold-Eeze Cold Remedy Lozenges for $10 from Amazon



Relieve nasal congestion

A stuffy, runny nose is one of the primary symptoms of a cold and also the one likeliest to linger. While there are over-the-counter nasal decongestants that help shrink swollen nasal tissue, such as Mucinex Sinus-Max, these medications aren't recommended for those with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease, among other conditions. A safe-for-everyone alternative is a saline nasal spray like XLEAR Nasal Spray

Buy the Mucinex Sinus-Max Full Force Nasal Decongestant Spray for $8.99 from Target

Buy the XLEAR Nasal Spray for $9.99 from Amazon

 



Soothe a sore throat

For most people, a scratchy and sore throat is the first cold symptom to strike. While the throat pain often eases up after the first day or so, you can make yourself far more comfortable by trying a saltwater gargle (dissolve ½-teaspoon of salt in a full glass of water), sucking on ice chips or throat lozenges, or reaching for an over-the-counter throat reliever like Chloraseptic to minimize the aches and scratchiness.

Buy the Chloraseptic Sore Throat Pain Relief Spray for $8.79 from Walgreens



Treat your aches and pains

While a cold doesn't bring about the severe headache, high fever, and body pains of the flu, it can make you feel mildly achy and sore. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Aleve, Tylenol, and Advil are all very effective at reducing the discomfort. 

Buy a 24-Count of Aleve Pain Reliever & Fever Reducer Caplets for $3.99 from Target

Buy a 225-Count of Tylenol Extra Strength Pain Reliever and Fever Reducer Caplets for $14.99 from Target

Buy a 200-Count of Advil Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer Tablets for $13.99 from Target



Try honey

While there's no hard-and-fast evidence that it works to boost the immune system, many people do find that a spoonful of honey is an excellent way to quiet a cough and soothe a sore throat. 



Call for help

The typical cold doesn't require medical care beyond the tips given above. You'll generally be back to your normal self within a week or so. However, there are some symptoms that call for a professional's guidance. Give your doctor a call if:

  • Your fever rises above 103 degrees
  • Your clear or white nasal drainage turns green or yellow
  • You start to feel chest pain or have difficulty breathing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
  • Your cough is very severe and you are bringing up colored phlegm
  • Your throat hurts so badly you cannot eat or drink
  • Your cold isn't gone after two weeks


I ate KFC's new Fried Chicken & Donuts sandwich, and it's surprisingly delicious

Airbnb just announced it expects to go public in 2020. Meet CEO Brian Chesky, who cofounded the company in 2008 to help pay his San Francisco apartment's rent and is now worth $4.2 billion.

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Airbnb expects to become a publicly traded company sometime in 2020, the company announced Thursday.

Brian Chesky, the 37-year-old cofounder and CEO of Airbnb, is worth an estimated $4.2 billion, according to Forbes.

Despite his wealth, the tech billionaire lives a relatively modest lifestyle. In 2016, Chesky (along with Airbnb's other two cofounders, Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk, and Blecharczyk's wife) pledged to give at least half his fortune to charity over the course of his lifetime.

Chesky previously said in interviews that he has rented out his own San Francisco apartment on Airbnb, does weekly yoga with his girlfriend (who he met on Tinder), and has attended the famously wild Burning Man arts event in the Nevada desert. 

Here's what Chesky's life is really like.

SEE ALSO: This is the pitch deck now-$31 billion Airbnb used when it was just getting started

DON'T MISS: You can rent an entire airplane on Airbnb for $100 a night where the bathroom is in the cockpit

Brian Chesky is the cofounder, CEO, and Head of Community of Airbnb.

Chesky founded Airbnb in 2008 with his then-roommate, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk.

According to Airbnb's corporate website, the endeavor started off as a way for Chesky and Gebbia to pay their rent. In the fall of 2007, the roommates charged strangers $80 per night to sleep on an air mattress in their San Francisco apartment when local hotels were sold out for a design festival. The next spring, they officially launched their company, then named AirBed & Breakfast.

Source: Business Insider, Airbnb



Airbnb is estimated to be worth about $38 billion, according to what a source close to the company told Vox in March 2019 and what Forbes estimated in March 2018.

The company, which is reportedly slated to go public in 2019, has more than 6 million listings in more than 100,000 cities worldwide. 

Source: Vox, Forbes



Chesky and the other two Airbnb founders are all billionaires.

Each of the three founders is worth an estimated $4.2 billion, according to Forbes.

Source: Forbes, Forbes, Forbes



Before cofounding Airbnb, Chesky had a background in design and strategy.

After growing up in upstate New York, Chesky attended the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design.

It was at RISD that he met Joe Gebbia, one of the future cofounders of Airbnb.



Despite being worth $4.2 billion, the Airbnb cofounder has maintained a relatively modest lifestyle.

In 2015, Chesky told People that he still lived in the apartment where he and Gebbia started the company.

"I still live in the original Airbnb and I still Airbnb it so you can book it," he told the magazine. "It's available throughout the year, you can book the couch for just like $50."

A source at Airbnb told Business Insider that Chesky recently moved and isn't hosting at the moment, but that he looks forward to hosting in the future.



Chesky started dating artist Elissa Patel sometime in 2013.

The couple met on Tinder, Chesky told Fortune magazine in a 2015 interview.



Chesky said the couple does yoga together every Thursday morning.

He also said they often go on "staycations" and book an Airbnb in a different neighborhood to experience a new part of town.

A source at Airbnb declined to comment on whether the couple is still together.



Like other tech CEOs, Chesky has reportedly attended "Burning Man," the wild 9-day arts event in the Nevada desert that's frequented by celebrities and tech moguls.

After he attended Burning Man for the first time in 2013 on the invitation of Burning Man board member Chip Conley, Chesky reportedly said: "Burning Man is what life would be like if artists ruled the world."

A source at Airbnb told Business Insider that Chesky hasn't attended the event in years.



In 2016, Chesky signed the Giving Pledge promising to donate the majority of his fortune to charity over the course of his lifetime.

"With this pledge, I want to help more kids realize the kind of journey I have had," Chesky wrote in his pledge. "I want to show them that their dreams are not bounded by what they can see in front of them. Their limits are not so limited."

Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett launched the pledge in 2010, and it has since been signed by more than 200 people, including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Source: Huffington Post



The CEO often acts as the public face of the company at Airbnb events, mingling with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashton Kutcher.

Source:Yahoo News



One of Chesky's biggest productivity hacks is making lists.

"If you have a list of 20 things to do, you end up realizing, 'I don't need to do 20 things,'" Chesky said during a 2017 appearance on the "Masters of Scale" podcast, Business Insider previously reported. "If I do these three big things, the other 20 things will kind of happen as outcomes, or outputs, of it."



Already worth $4.2 billion, Chesky stands to become even richer when Airbnb goes public. On September 19, the company announced it expects to go public in 2020.

The company, which was valued at $31 billion earlier this year, was rumored to go public in 2019. 

"We have already said that we are taking the steps to be ready to go public in 2019. That doesn't mean we will go public in 2019," cofounder Nathan Blecharczyk told Business Insider in a March 2019 email interview.

Airbnb now expects to go public sometime in 2020, the company announced.



OXO's 3-in-1 avocado tool opens, pits, and slices avocados effortlessly — it's the one single-use gadget I'll allow in my kitchen

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avocado slicer

  • Avocados are delicious, but they can be challenging to open, pit, and slice without injuring yourself.
  • Instead of whacking on the pit with a knife and nearly slicing your hand open, you can use OXO's 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer ($9.98).
  • It has three parts: a plastic blade to cut into the avocado's skin, a pitter to remove the pit inside, and a slicer to evenly slice up the inside of the avocado.
  • I use this handy tool every time I make guacamole — which is to say, often — and it makes the entire process much easier.

Like any self-respecting millennial, I love avocados. I eat them a couple times a week, and I plan my meals around their whims. If my avocado is ripe, I'm eating tacos that night. You can't exactly tell a ripe avocado "no" — they tend to rebel and turn stringy and brown when you ignore them.

The only thing I dislike about avocados is opening and pitting them. Without a proper tool, you're stuck using a knife to cut through the skin and take the pit out, which is, frankly, dangerous. I used to make my boyfriend take the pit out every time because I was convinced the knife was going to slip and cut my hand instead of removing the pit.

Luckily, I stumbled upon OXO's 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer at Bed Bath & Beyond one day about eight years ago. Even though I typically laugh at all the weird kitchen tools that have one very specific function and do nothing else (here's looking at you, strawberry hullers), I bought it. And I've been using it to turn avocados into guacamole for years now.

The design is simply ingenious. Every other avocado slicer I've seen doesn't do what I actually need it to do: open and pit the avocado. Just about anyone can slice the interior of an avocado up into neat pieces, but cutting into that tough skin and removing the hard pit with a sharp kitchen knife is difficult and filled with peril. OXO's slicer can take care of every step without putting your hands in harm's way.

At one end, the tool has a plastic blade that's just sharp enough to cut into the avocado's skin, but not sharp enough to cut yours. Then there's the avocado slicer part at the other end that you can use to cut the avocado's flesh into perfect pieces. But the best part is the pitter in the middle.

The pitter is perfectly round with three metal prongs in it. When you whack it on the avocado's pit, the metal prongs dig in and pull the pit out effortlessly — no scary knife skills necessary. The tool also has a grippy, rubbery exterior that's easy to hold and does not slip out of your hands.

With this tool, making guacamole is absurdly easy: I can open, pit, slice, and smash the avocado safely and easily in a few minutes before adding in tomato, onion, olive oil, and seasoning.

Whenever we have dinner guests over and they see me using OXO's Avocado Slicer, they inevitably ask me where I got it and end up with one of their own. After all, it only costs $9.98, so it's not a huge investment, and if you eat avocados as much as my friends and I clearly do, it's worth every penny.

Get OXO's 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer for $9.98 at Amazon and for $9.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Join the conversation about this story »


Ultra-rich Americans are selling off luxury real estate faster than they're snapping it up, and it's not the only change they're making to their portfolios as recession fears linger

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  • Ultra-wealthy people in the US are selling their luxury real-estate investments faster than they are buying new ones, TD Wealth senior vice president and regional investment director James Beam told Business Insider.
  • The move comes as fears of a potential recession linger.
  • There is a surplus of mega-mansions in Los Angeles, luxury condos in Miami, and penthouses in New York City, Business Insider previously reported.
  • Foreign investors are also spending less on properties, a July 2019 report by the National Association of Realtors found.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Recession fears are mounting, and it's affecting what the ultra-wealthy are doing with their money.

Wealthy Americans are selling their luxury real estate holdings faster than they're buying new ones, TD Wealth senior vice president and regional investment director James Beam told Business Insider. The slow state of the luxury real estate market reflects this trend, Beam said.

"The wealthy are definitely saving more," Beam said. "They're spending less in luxury sectors like real estate, and I think there are several factors influencing this trend. One, tax changes, and also the fact that the wealthy have a higher percentage of overall ownership of a stock and bond market."

"They've been feeling this volatile bumpy ride with the markets and interest rate environment ... for a long time now, close to a year and a half," Beam continued.

Reduced spending among the ultra-wealthy has also hurt retailers that cater to them, Beam said. Barneys New York filed for bankruptcy and put itself up for sale in August, citing financial problems caused by rising rents and slowing sales, Business Insider previously reported.

Price cuts, parties to attract buyers, and conversions to rentals

In the luxury real-estate market, a surplus of mega-mansions in Los Angeles, luxury condos in Miami, and penthouses in New York City have forced brokers to resort to throwing $100,000 parties and offering multimillion-dollar discounts to attract buyers, Business Insider's Katie Warren previously reported. Some mansions have even been converted to rentals.

Sales of luxury ranches have also slowed due to a lack of interest from millennials, Business Insider's Hillary Hoffower reported.

The wealthy are selling real estate, but not buying it, out of a suspicion that prices will never get higher than they are right now, Seacoast Investment Services vice president and certified financial planner Dennis Nolte told Business Insider.

Nolte began to notice that some of his ultra-wealthy clients in the Orlando, Florida area were bearish on both residential and commercial real estate about a month ago.

"People don't think that commercial prices are going to get any better than this," Nolte said. "Longterm holders are wanting to get more liquid."

One of his clients recently sold their chain of massage parlor franchises, Nolte said. Another client of his, who runs a business helping foreign doctors relocate to and set up practices in the United States, also began to complain that even the doctors who purchased residential real estate were reluctant to do the same for their businesses.

Read more: An inside look at 6 of the extreme methods Los Angeles real-estate brokers are using to get the city's glut of mega-mansions off the market

The wariness is not limited to wealthy US residents.

Between March 2018 and March 2019, sales of residential real estate to non-US citizens fell 36% from the year prior, a July 2019 report by the National Association of Realtors found. The dollar value of sales to Chinese nationals — the largest buyers of American residences besides Americans themselves — fell 56%. The report cited a global slowdown in economic growth, tightening restrictions on capital outflow from China, and issues with the existing housing inventory as causes.

Preparation for a possible recession extends well beyond real estate

Reevaluating their real estate portfolios isn't the only thing high net worth individuals are doing in anticipation of an economic slowdown. Many are also selling bonds, stockpiling cash, and paying down their debts, Business Insider previously reported. Over the past month, Nolte has seen wealthy families in the Orlando, Florida area sell undeveloped tracts of land that have been passed down for generations.

"The one percent, they're fearing the worst right now," Beam said.

The wealthy are still pouring money into real estate investment funds, said Jared Feldman, who serves as the CFO of several private family offices as a part of his role as the co-Practice Leader of New York accounting firm Anchin's Private Client Group. Some of Feldman's ultra high net worth clients are taking advantage of discounted luxury properties to diversify their portfolios.

"For the right price, we're not seeing people hold off," Feldman told Business Insider.

SEE ALSO: 5 things the ultra-wealthy are doing to prepare their portfolios for a possible recession, from ditching bonds to stockpiling cash

DON'T MISS: Extroverted, but not neurotic: Here's how the ultra-wealthy score on personality tests

Join the conversation about this story »

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Forget 'American Psycho' — Instagram 'finfluencers' will fast-track your knowledge of Wall Street. Here are 7 of the best to follow now.

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american psycho

  • Instagram "finfluencers," or financial influencers, are a thriving online subculture. They can be a valuable source of information or laughs.
  • One finfluencer, @otherbondgirl, told Business Insider that following finfluencers is one way to fast track your insider knowledge of Wall Street.
  • However, several big accounts are technically private Instagrams — this helps them get and retain more followers, according to finfluencer @wallstreetconfessions. 
  • Here are the must-follow accounts for aspiring financiers, finfluencers, and everyone in-between.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Once upon a time, if you wanted to get to know Wall Street culture, you had to stake out at a table at Cipriani, read your Wall Street Journal religiously, and lurk the streets of Murray Hill.

Now, however, you can just scroll through your Instagram feed. The rise of finance influencers ("finfluencers") has allowed both finance insiders and wannabes to peek behind the velvet rope of Wall Street.

One finfluencer, @otherbondgirl, who works in bonds in New York, told Business Insider that following these accounts is a quick way to get attuned to Wall Street culture.

"I was rewatching 'American Psycho' the other day. And, you know, I feel like a few years ago, that's how people found out what the culture was like, right?" said the anonymous memester, who declined to publicly share her name since she's active in the industry. 

"They watched these Wall Street movies, and now you don't have to spend two hours watching these Wall Street movies ... and learning about like one person's view of what Wall Street is", she said. "You can learn in, you know, 30 minutes, what like 30 different people's view of Wall Street is like."

But several big finfluencers are on private, meaning you have to request to follow them to view the memes. This is, according to finfluencer @wallstreetconfessions, a way for accounts to get more followers. If you're looking to get the insider scoop, here are @otherbondgirl's recommended follows. 

SEE ALSO: Following Instagram 'finfluencers' could help you get the scoop on Wall Street hiring, one White Claw at a time

@litquidity: The "king" of finance memes

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Boasting 179,000 followers, @litquidity is the quintessential finfluencer.

 



@hoeingforyield: Hip to the latest and greatest in memes

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@hoeingforyield seems to know exactly which meme will blow up, and then throws the ol' finmeme spin on it.

 



@arbitrage.andy: Has his own merch store

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@arbitrage.andy even has a detailed response to Patagonia's no longer being offered to some financial institutions.

 



@wallstreetconfessions: Gossip Girl for the Wall Street crowd

Anonymous confessions on everything from sexism in company culture to silly office gaffes.

 



@mbamikey: MBA students have memes too

Even the hallowed halls of MBA programs need memes too, apparently.



@xoxofinancehoe: Sex And The City for the finance set

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Sharp humor, dating, and a healthy dose of existentialism run rampant in @xoxofinancehoe's memes.

 



@justthequant: For quantitative nerds

According to @otherbondgirl, @justthequant is a "super nerdy account" for numbers meme fiends.

 



I tried Tippsy, an online marketplace that makes it easy to order and learn about sake

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  • In the US, the consumer sake market suffers from lack of education, high mark-ups, and lack of access. 
  • Tippsy puts premium Japanese sake in the spotlight. It sells more than 200 sake products and also has a monthly subscription box option to help you discover your sake preferences. 
  • Buying sake online through Tippsy is convenient, affordable, and informative. I tried three different types of sake through the Tippsy Sake Box ($49-$59). The experience was a great first step towards a deeper understanding and appreciation of sake. 

When you eat at a Japanese restaurant, ordering sake along with your meal is practically a must. However, outside of the restaurant setting, sake can seem intimidating to explore. It's not as widely available in the US as other types of alcohol, and there aren't as many opportunities to learn about it compared to more mainstream drinks like beer and wine.  

Genki Ito, the founder of online sake marketplace Tippsy, saw these problems as an opportunity. 

Tippsy fills the accessibility and education gap of an alcohol that Ito believes should deserve a larger place in the spotlight. "Sake is so much more than just hot sake or sake bombs. Sake makes for elegant pairings with all kinds of cuisine beyond sushi and Japanese food," he says. 

tippsy sake 2

The company says that 90% of consumers who have drank sake at a restaurant have never bought a bottle at a retail store. With its website, which features educational resources, a large selection of sake shipped from Japan, and the option to subscribe to a monthly discovery box, Tippsy is making it easier to experience premium sake from home. 

How Tippsy streamlines the sake discovery and buying process

Tippsy works closely with Japanese importers to cut through steps of a traditionally long supply chain, which is what can cause quality issues and high markups in current retail sake offerings. Soon after the sake arrives in the US, Tippsy delivers the sake directly to customers, ensuring it'll be both fresh and affordable.

On the website and with each delivery, customers can look at taste profiles and pairing suggestions. Most imported sake have labels in Japanese, so Tippsy acts as a translator by converting the descriptions into easily digestible, English notes for the beginner sake enthusiast. 

You can shop more than 200 sake products by a variety of filters — taste, price, type (which is based on how much the rice has been milled), brand, and brewery. Some of the breweries that Tippsy imports from have hundreds of years of history. 

But before you even dive into this large selection, you might want to educate yourself fully on what you're even drinking. Refer to the Tippsy Sake Guide and you'll learn everything from how sake is made, to how to serve and store it, to the best food pairings. 

If you've perused the guide and are still a little confused about which sake to buy, there's another simple option: the Tippsy Sake Box, which is a monthly subscription box. 

How the Tippsy Sake Box works and what it's like 

Through this flexible subscription, you'll receive three 10-ounce bottles of sake every month. The box features different flavors and different breweries to give you a taste of the exciting spectrum of sake. Depending on which plan you buy (you can pre-pay for up to a year's worth of sake), each bottle costs only $16 to $20. 

Tippsy sent me one of these boxes to try the experience. My knowledge of sake is minimal: I know generally how it's made and I'm never one to say no to a sake cocktail. But it's an alcohol that has always intrigued me and something I'm willing to learn more about, so I was excited to receive this sake sampler. 

tippsy sake

The bottles were safely packed and each came with a card describing the sake and the best ways to drink it (cold versus hot versus room temperature, food pairings, etc). I could try to hunt down this information online myself, but to be honest, I'm lazy and it's always much easier when someone I trust gives me the lowdown. 

All the information was presented clearly, and it allowed me to directly compare the three types of sake side by side. My teammate and I enjoyed taste-testing each sake and comparing our notes. Though one box wasn't enough for me to determine my definitive preferences just yet, I thought it was a great start and I do feel more confident about sake than I did before trying Tippsy. 

The bottom line 

While online wine clubs abound, Tippsy is quietly cultivating a community for a more niche alcohol category that's ready to burst into the mainstream in the US. If you order sake through Tippsy, you're getting a convenient and affordable all-access pass to this community and its educational benefits. 

Try Japanese sake through the Tippsy Sake Box subscription, $49-$59/box

Shop all Japanese sake at Tippsy

Join the conversation about this story »

How to download a PDF document on your iPhone and save it to Apple Books or iCloud Files

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Your iPhone has the ability to view, download, edit, and save PDF documents to the Apple Books app or iCloud Files. 

You can download PDFs that have been sent to your email address in an email app like Mail or Gmail, or viewed on a web browser, in just a few easy steps. These PDFs will be stored on your iPhone and iCloud devices for easy accessibility. 

Here's what you need to know to download a PDF on your iPhone

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to download a PDF on an iPhone from a webpage 

Before starting this process, make sure you have the Apple Books app downloaded to your iPhone

1. Launch your preferred browser (in this example Safari on an iPhone X). 

2. Go to the webpage where the PDF document you wish to download is — for example, an e-scooter study done by the city of Portland, Oregon. 

PDF1

3. Open the PDF. 

4. Once the PDF document is opened in the webpage, tap the Export icon at the bottom of the screen — it looks like a rectangular box with an arrow pointing up. 

PDF2

5. Toggle through the list of apps to find Copy to Books and select it. 

PDF3

6. The Apple Books app will then open, and the PDF will appear in your Library. To view the PDF, just tap. 

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How to download a PDF on your iPhone from an email app

We've illustrated the process below on Apple's Mail app, but it's analogous to the process on any other email app like Gmail, where you can also open and save PDF attachments.   

1. Launch the Mail app from your iPhone's home screen. 

2. Scroll and select the email with the PDF document you wish to download to your iPhone. 

PDF5

 

3. Tap the PDF document attachment to open. 

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4. Select the Export icon in the bottom left-hand corner (it looks like a box with an arrow pointing up). 

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5. Toggle through the apps to find Copy to Books, then tap to select. 

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The Apple Books app will then open and the PDF document will appear in your library. 

How to save PDF document to iCloud Files or another app

1. Open the PDF document you wish to save (by either browser or email). 

2. Tap the Export icon. 

3. Toggle to find Save to Files under the list of apps and select it. 

PDF9

4. Next, select the location where you'd like to save the PDF document on your iCloud Files app. 

PDF10

5. Once selected, tap Add in the upper right-hand corner. 

The process for downloading a PDF document to Apple Books and iCloud File is pretty similar across third-party apps, too, but may differ depending on the set-up of the app. For more information, check Apple Support

Read more coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

Join the conversation about this story »

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How to change the keyboard language on a Mac computer, and switch between different languages with just a click

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If you speak multiple languages, or your native language isn't the one that came with your Mac, typing on your computer can be frustrating. But you can easily fix this snafu by changing the language of your keyboard. 

Just keep in mind that not all keyboard languages are available in all countries or regions. And, depending on the language you select, you may want to buy a keyboard overlay that shows the correct characters.

To change your keyboard's language, you'll need to go through your Mac's system preferences menu. In total, it should only take you a minute or so to complete.

Check out the products mentioned in this article: 

MacBook Pro (From $1,299 at Best Buy)

How to change the keyboard language on a Mac

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen, then select "System Preferences."

2. Click "Keyboard."

3. Toggle over to the "Input Sources" tab at the top of the window.

1 HOW TO CHANGE KEYBOARD LANGUAGE MAC

4. Click the plus sign at the bottom of the left sidebar and select the language you want to switch over to, then select "Add."

2 HOW TO CHANGE KEYBOARD LANGUAGE MAC

5. Make sure the box next to "Show Input menu in menu bar" is ticked — when it is, you should see a flag icon appear in the toolbar at the top of your screen.

6. Click the flag icon and select the language your want to use with your keyboard.

Screen Shot 2019 09 19 at 10.49.04 AM

You can easily toggle back and forth between your different keyboard languages by using that flag icon dropdown at the top of your screen.

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