• You can convert a Microsoft Word document into a Google Doc file right from the Google Drive website.
• Google Drive allows you to upload Word files on both desktop and mobile.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

While Microsoft Word used to be the go-to word processing app for students and professionals alike, these days, people are opting for free internet-based services more and more. 

Many people and businesses still use Word, but integrating the program with Google Docs is incredibly easy — in fact, it's pretty much automatic. 

Should you need to convert a Microsoft Word document to Google Docs format, doing so couldn't be quicker or simpler. Here's how to do it on both desktop, and the iPhone and Android mobile app.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

How to convert a Word document to a Google Doc on desktop

1. Ensure you're logged into your Google account and then navigate to https://drive.google.com.

2. On the top-left of your screen, click "New" and then select "File upload."

3. Locate the Word file on your computer's hard drive and double-click it to upload it to Google Drive. 

4. Once uploaded, double-click on the document to open a preview screen.

5. Click the "Open with" menu on the toolbar running across the top of the window.

6. Select "Google Docs." 

7. The document will take a few moments to convert, and will then open in an editable Google Docs page. 

8. Both the original Word file and the new Google Docs file will be saved to your Drive.

How to convert a Word document to a Google Doc on mobile

1. Download the Google Docs and Google Drive apps if you haven't already. Then, on your phone's home screen, tap the Google Drive app icon to open it. 

2. Tap the "+" button in the lower right-hand corner of your screen and tap "Upload." 

3. Locate the Word document on your phone and tap it to upload it. 

4. Once the file is uploaded, tap on the Word doc you want to open. This will then launch it in the Google Docs app, and your document will have been converted. 

5. Both the original Word file and the new Google Docs file will be saved to your Drive.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to convert PDFs into Word files and edit them on a Mac computer

• How to share a Google Doc and customize its sharing settings

• How to change the margins on your Google Docs in two ways

• How to change the line spacing on any text in Google Docs, from your desktop or mobile device

SEE ALSO: The best tablets you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Steve Jobs left Apple to start a new computer company. His $12-million failure saved Apple.

• The best KitchenAid stand mixers serve as an indispensable tool as you bake cakes, pies, bread, cookies, and other delicious treats.
• They can knead the toughest dough for long periods of time, and they are versatile enough to make pasta and sausage.
• The KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield tops our list because it does all of these things and more.

Aside from the satisfaction of a job well done, making your own baked goods from scratch tastes better, is better for you, and it generally costs much less than buying products from the store. KitchenAid mixers make home baking a cinch.

Even if baking isn't your thing, there are plenty of secondary uses for these mixers that make them well worth your money. If you have ever watched one of those prime-time cooking shows, you have likely noticed a KitchenAid mixer in the kitchen. They are the standard in the industry. Here are some things to consider when you are ready to ramp up your culinary experience.

Tilt-head versus bowl-lift

KitchenAid mixers come with a tilt-head or a lever that lifts your bowl up to the mixing attachment. The one that is best for you depends on how much space you have. The lift models tend to be taller and wider, therefore they require more counter space. But, they generally perform better than the tilt-head units, which can bounce when handling larger batches of dough.

Accessories and attachments

One of the aspects of KitchenAid mixers that sets them apart from the competition is the array of optional attachments and accessories available. Most of the attachments work with any of the company's stand mixers. Here are a few of the most popular accessories:

• Ice Cream Maker: In 20 to 30 minutes, this attachment will make up to two quarts of gelato, sorbet, or ice cream.
• Pasta Roller and Cutter: Stainless steel cutters and rollers produce six-inch sheets of pasta with eight thickness settings and can be cut for fettuccine, spaghetti, and more.
• Food Grinder: Use this to grind dried bread, meat, vegetables, cheeses, firm fruit, and use it with the stuffer set to make sausage.
• Food Processor: This attachment will shred, dice, julienne, and slice any vegetables, cheeses, and fruits.

Although there are a lot of similarities between models — including high-quality construction and a one-year warranty — not all KitchenAid mixers are the same. Based on our assessment of the reviews and ratings of thousands of buyers and experts, we have come up with recommendations that will guide you in choosing the best KitchenAid mixer for your needs.

Here are the best KitchenAid mixers for 2019:

• Best overall: KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield
• Best on a budget: KitchenAid 4.5-Quart Classic Series Stand Mixer
• Best for bread: KitchenAid Professional 5 Plus Series Stand Mixer
• Best for pros: KitchenAid 6 Qt. Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
• Best upscale model: KitchenAid 5-Qt. Artisan Design Series with Glass Bowl
• Check out our full guide to the best KitchenAid attachments
• Check out other best stand mixers we recommend

Updated on 10/1/2019 by Caitlin Petreycik: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

SEE ALSO: The best waffle makers you can buy

The best KitchenAid mixer overall

From bread dough to honey, the KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield is powerful enough to handle just about anything you throw at it.

The KitchenAid KSM150 Artisan mixer is designed for the serious home baker. It comes with a 5-quart stainless steel bowl that can mix dough for four loaves of bread or nine dozen cookies in one batch. Also included are a six-wire whip, coated flat beater, one-piece pouring shield, and coated dough hook. There are 47 colors for this appliance available on Amazon, so you are sure to find an option that matches the décor of your kitchen.

Another feature of the KSM150 is the "59-point planetary mixing action." This essentially means that for every rotation around the bowl, the dough hook, wire whip, or beater has 59 touch points for more thorough mixing.

Many of the home and kitchen appliance experts have reviewed the KSM150 Artisan mixer, and most were impressed with its power. Top Ten Reviews lists this model as the best mixer because of the solid motor, its versatility, and the color selection. The reviewer only dinged it for not having a timer, overload protection, or other more advanced features.

Good Housekeeping endorsed the KSM150 with a score of 93 out of 100 because of the broad range of speeds, ability to handle bread dough, and stylish, robust design. Foodal liked that this model comes with all you need to get started, and ranked it number one on its list.

On Amazon, there are more than 8,000 positive reviews of the Artisan mixer. Buyers like how sturdy the mixer is. It doesn't try to walk off your counter when it's working on a tough task. The biggest complaint was that the mixing bowl sometimes leaves a gray residue on the food you are preparing. KitchenAid recommends scrubbing your mixer bowl with baking soda or lemon and salt to remove the polishing material used on the bowl. Also, buyers complained about having trouble choosing which of the ten available shades of blue to go with for their KitchenAid.

Pros: Powerful 325-watt motor, comes with pouring shield, dozens of colors to choose from

Cons: No overload protection

The best budget mixer

The KitchenAid K45SSOB 4.5-Quart Classic Series Stand Mixer is the ideal mixer for beginner bakers since it is affordable and can handle most mixing tasks.

KitchenAid mixers are not cheap. Yet, the K45SS is the least expensive option available. It comes with a 4.5-quart bowl, a coated dough hook, 10-speed settings powered by a 250-watt motor, a wire whip, and a coated flat beater. And, as with other KitchenAid units, it has a multipurpose attachment hub that takes more than a dozen optional attachments that can be used to make pasta, grind meat, and much more.

Since the mixer has a relatively small motor, it is one of the quietest mixers you will find. You can control the speed using a shifting knob on the side of the unit. The K45SS does not have a slow start mixing option, so if you are mixing dry ingredients, such as flour, the fast start could send ingredients flying. You can combat this with a pouring shield, which this model does not come with, but you can pick one up for less than $20 on Amazon.

All of the expert reviews we looked at for this guide were positive. Mixer Reviews liked the K45SS because its small stature made it ideal for most countertops. The site did note that you may want to splurge on one of the Professional Series models if you plan on regularly making bread or have larger mixing loads.

Ratingle rated the K45SS highly for the dependability of the 250-watt motor and quality design. Mix It Bake It echoed Mixer Reviews' concern about using this model for heavy-duty dough, like bread dough. However, the reviewer commented that it is an excellent budget mixer for light to moderate mixing tasks.

Approximately 85% of customers on Amazon gave the KitchenAid K45SS 5-star reviews. Buyers liked the versatility of this mixer and found the attractive design fit well with just about any kitchen décor. There were a couple of complaints, though. In addition to the gray residue problem mentioned in the above review, users complained that the bowl that this unit comes with does not have a handle. So, you may want to buy a replacement bowl if that bothers you.

Pros: Affordable, 10 different speed settings, tilt-up mixer head

Cons: Least powerful motor on the list

The best for making bread

With a 450-watt motor, the KitchenAid Professional 5 Plus Series Stand Mixer is one of KitchenAid's most powerful mixers.

The KitchenAid Professional 5 Plus has a ten-speed motor with a slow start function and overload protection. The mixer comes with a 5-quart stainless steel mixing bowl featuring an ergonomic handle. Also, the hinged hub cover flips up to make it easier to install attachments, including the spiral dough hook, wire whip, and flat beater that it comes with. The bowl is lifted to the mixer are using a simple lever that securely stays in place.

The Professional 5 Plus is available in 13 colors on Amazon, including Metallic Chrome, Empire Red, Cobalt Blue, and Onyx Black.

For 15 years now, I have owned and regularly used the forebear of the Professional 5 Plus: the Professional 5. The Professional 5 Plus improves upon my model with a stronger motor (450 watts versus 350 watts), overload protection, and slow start. That said, my model has done a fabulous job making cookies, cake, pie, and everything else we ask of it. In fact, I bake two loaves of bread per week, and it has never had a problem kneading the dough, even with the weaker motor.

One of the expert sites that reviewed the Professional 5 Plus was Ratingle, and the site put it among its top four KitchenAid stand mixers. The reviewer liked the flexibility afforded by the 10 speeds of the 450-watt motor. However, the site noted that this unit is quite loud when in use.

The overload reset button sets this model apart from other KitchenAid products. A slow start-up keeps your ingredients from flying everywhere. 

Some 88% of the buyers who reviewed the Professional 5 Plus on Amazon gave it a rating of 4 or 5 stars. Buyers liked that it packs a lot of power while taking up relatively little counter space, and at 16.5 inches tall, it fits under most cabinets. Reviewers found it especially helpful for making bread, cakes, and pies.

Pros: Advanced features, ergonomic design, 67-point mixing

Cons: Heavy, loud

The best for professionals

With its 6-quart bowl and 575-watt motor, the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is designed for busy bakers.

The KitchenAid KP26M1XER Professional 600 Series mixer is a beast. The stainless steel bowl holds 6 quarts of ingredients. That is enough room to make thirteen dozen cookies or six loaves of bread in one batch. And, the 575-watt motor is strong enough for just about any job. It has a bowl-lift design and comes with a wire whip, burnished spiral dough hook, a one-piece pouring shield, and a burnished flat beater. The only reason this model isn't our top overall pick is that it is more mixer than most people need.

The Professional 600 Series mixer is available in 29 different colors on Amazon. Some of the most popular alternatives include Nickel Pearl, Pearl Metallic, Empire Red, and Gloss Cinnamon.

The expert sites give the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series mixer strong ratings in the 4- or 5-star range. Mix It Bake It recommended it to bakers who make bread on a daily basis or who make larger volumes of baked goods at once. The Cook's Measure rated it highly because of its versatile add-ons and large capacity, and the site recommended it for couples who entertain and busy family cooks. Foodal also gave it high marks for accessories as well as performance and value. Of course, most of the KitchenAid mixers have the same accessories.

There are nearly 2,200 5-star reviews of the KP26M1XER on Amazon. Buyers liked that this mixer was built to last. It has all-metal gears and a metal gearbox. It does an excellent job of kneading bread dough, which is great for bakers with arthritis who can't do it by hand. Just one note, though, be sure to never knead the dough on a setting higher than 2. Anything faster is unnecessary and bad for the motor.

Pros: Largest capacity and most powerful mixer on the list

Cons: Expensive, heavy

The best upscale mixer

With its glass bowl and thirteen color options, the KitchenAid Artisan Design Series with Glass Bowl is perhaps the most attractive KitchenAid model.

What sets the KitchenAid KSM155GB Artisan Design Series mixer apart from other KitchenAid options is that it comes with a five-quart glass bowl that has a handle and measurements incorporated into its construction. This is the main difference between the KSM155 and KSM150, our top choice. Consequently, you are essentially paying $40 extra for a glass bowl instead of stainless steel.

The KSM155 has a 325-watt 10-speed motor, and it comes with a burnished aluminum dough hook, flat beater, and wire whip. Some of the most popular color options on Amazon include Copper, Sea Glass, Candy Apple Red, and Azure Blue.

The experts at Foodal gave this KitchenAid Artisan Design Series mixer a positive review because of its durable construction, proven performance, and powerful motor. However, the site cautions that it may have trouble with kneading huge batches of bread dough for long periods of time without overheating. Kitchen Appliance Reviews liked that the KSM155GB does a good job of mixing ingredients until they are smooth. The attachments reach every part of the bowl.

Some 82% of the Amazon reviews of the KitchenAid Artisan Design mixer come in at 5 stars. Buyers have consistently reported that the KSM155GB really classes up their countertops and only requires a 14 by 9 by 14-inch space. The biggest complaint is that it strains when dealing with heavier doughs, such as pizza dough.

Pros: Attractive glass bowl with measurements incorporated, fits in small spaces

Cons: Has trouble handling heavy-duty tasks

Check out our guides to the best KitchenAid attachments and how to use them

The best KitchenAid attachments you can buy

The best attachments for your KitchenAid mixer can do all kinds of things, from making pasta to churning ice cream. They can even replace other appliances in your kitchen.

We poured over the expert and user reviews to find out which attachments are worth buying based on value, long-lasting performance, and versatility. We chose the KitchenAid attachments for our guide after assessing the most common positive and negative attributes of the most popular accessories available.

Here are the best KitchenAid attachments you can buy:

• Best KitchenAid attachment for pasta: 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set
• Best strainer attachment: Fruit & Vegetable Strainer Set with Food Grinder Attachment
• Best peeler, corer, slicer attachment: Spiralizer Attachment with Peel, Core & Slice
• Best pasta extruder attachment: Pasta Extruder Attachment
• Best ice cream maker: Ice Cream Maker Attachment
• Best grain mill attachment: All Metal Grain Mill Attachment
• Best food processor attachment: Food Processor Attachment
• Best meat grinder attachment: KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment

How to use a KitchenAid stand mixer to grind your own meat

Both KitchenAid and several third-party companies make attachments you can use to grind meat with your stand mixer.

With our foolproof tips, you can have freshly ground burgers, sausage, and other ground meat treats.

If you don't have a meat grinder attachment yet, we recommend the KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment because it's easy to use, cleans up effortlessly, and is built to last.

How to make sausage with a KitchenAid Stand Mixer

You can make fresh sausage with your stand mixer using an array of attachments from KitchenAid and third-party vendors.

If you don't have a sausage-making attachment yet, we recommend the KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment because it's a breeze to clean, durable, and simple to use.

• You can show hidden files on your Windows 10 computer that are initially invisible when you look for them, which means they were marked as "hidden" by default.
• To view these hidden files on Windows 10, you'll need to tell your computer to show "Hidden Items."
• It's also easy to mark your own files and folders as hidden, which will make them harder for others to find.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

There are a few reasons you might need to view a hidden file on Windows 10. 

Maybe a folder is bigger than the files in it, and you want to see why. Or you're pretty sure a virus has infected your computer, and you think you know where it might be. Or maybe you've been using hidden folders as a way to keep your private files away from prying eyes.

Whatever the case, viewing these hidden files and folders is a simple process.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Windows 10 (From $139.99 at Best Buy)

How to show hidden files or folders on a Windows 10 computer

1. Press the Windows icon at the bottom-left of your screen. and search for the This PC application. Click it to open it.

2. You'll be greeted with a listing of all your computer's drives. Open the one that has the files you're looking for. In most cases, "C:" will be the one you need.

3. Once you're on the next page, at the top of the window there should be a toolbar with a button that says "View." Click on that. 

4. Find the checkbox called "Hidden Items." Click it so that a checkbox appears.

5. As long as Hidden Items remains checked, you'll be able to view any hidden file or folder. 

You can tell that a file or folder was marked as hidden by its icon, which will be slightly transparent.

You can also mark a file or folder as hidden, which is a good way to keep your files private. Here's how:

How to make a hidden file or folder on a Windows 10 computer

1. Find the file or folder you want to hide.

2. Right-click it, and select "Properties."

3. In the menu that appears, check the box that's labeled "Hidden."

4. Click "OK" at the bottom of the window.

5. Your file or folder is now hidden.

You can uncheck a hidden file or folder at any time to make it visible. 

Usually system files and folders are hidden for a reason, and it's best to know that reason before you edit files that are hidden by default.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to add a printer to a Windows 10 computer, whether it's wired or wireless

• How to change your Windows password to protect your computer, or reset the password if you've forgotten it

• How to set up dual monitors on your Windows 10 computer and double the screen size of your workspace

• How to change the screen brightness on any Windows 10 computer in 2 ways

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

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 lesser-known benefits of Amazon Prime

• Verishop is a new e-commerce site that sells a curated selection of women's and men's fashion, home goods, and beauty products. 
• Convenience and customer experience are central to shopping at Verishop. It offers free one-day shipping (with no minimum) across most of the site, as well as free returns and 24/7 customer service. 
• Verishop also doesn't allow third-party sellers, in order to establish higher degrees of customer trust. 

There's a new online shopping site in town, and it's ready to take on Amazon. 

Verishop is an e-commerce site with all the convenience and customer service that Amazon is known for, plus the trusted shopping experience, curated brands, and discovery opportunities that Amazon can lack and is often criticized for. 

Under an executive team that includes the former chief strategy officer at Snap, Inc., vice president of engineering at Dollar Shave Club, and vice president of retail at Amazon subsidiary Quidsi is further proof of a company that not only has experience in retail, but wants to take retail to the next level. Verishop's other founders and employees are former buyers at places like Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, which are known for selling quality brands, but might now be considered part of the "old guard" of retail. 

Verishop breaks past this guard and fills in the gaps, addressing the sweet spot where millennials want to 1) find and shop smaller, innovative brands in one place and 2) receive their purchases in a smooth, quick fashion. 

Brand curation is a major way Verishop wants to differentiate itself from other shopping sites that also prioritize convenience. Along with brands like Rebecca Minkoff and Levi's, it carries up-and-coming names, particularly in the digitally native space, like bedding startup Boll & Branch and kitchenware startup Potluck. Across the site, Verishop sells women's and men's fashion, home goods (kitchen, decor, bed, bath), and beauty products (including grooming and wellness spaces).

Knowing that its target customer is interested in influencer recommendations and sustainable or natural products, Verishop features two special sections to address these niche interests. In its Tastemakers shop, you can see picks from fashion and beauty bloggers, interior designers, chefs, and more. Meanwhile, The Responsible Store focuses on natural beauty from brands like Kora Organics and sustainable fashion from brands like Citizens of Humanity. 

All the products sold on Verishop are hand picked, and third-party sellers aren't allowed on the site, giving the company a greater degree of quality control and customers the peace of mind that they will always receive the exact product they're expecting to. 

Verishop's shipping policy is also very enticing. Shoppers get free one-day shipping, with no minimum order value required, on most orders made in the US (excluding Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico). The only exception to this rule are hazmat items like hairspray or nail polish, which can take longer to ship due to inspection regulations. 

Other aspects of shopping at Verishop you should know about include a 30-day free return and exchange policy, competitor price matching within 30 days of purchase, and 24/7 customer service via call or text. 

All in all, Verishop is a great new place to check out for a seamless shopping experience from start to finish — from the strong selection of curated, high-quality brands to the quick and trusted shipping expectations. 

We explored the site and picked out our own favorites across the fashion, home, and beauty categories. Find our top 10 picks from Verishop below. 

Shop all fashion, home, and beauty at Verishop

Leggings made from recycled plastic

Girlfriend Collective Compressive High Rise 7/8 Leggings, $68

The stretchy, supportive leggings are both comfortable and eco-friendly. Read our review here.

An under-$100 Dutch oven

Milo Classic Dutch Oven (5.5-quart), $95

A hardworking Dutch oven is an essential piece of cookware to own. Milo's Dutch oven gives you the performance and premium construction of legacy brands at a fraction of the cost. Read our review here.

Sheets made from an eco-friendly material

Ettitude Organic Bamboo Lyocell Sheet Set, $168-$198

Once you've experienced the comfort of bamboo lyocell, you won't be able to go back to any other fabric. It feels silky soft, and it's breathable and thermoregulating so you'll stay cool in bed regardless of the season. Read more about Ettitude here.

A set of kitchen tools and utensils that will actually last

Potluck Utensil Set, $80

It's time to replace your utensil drawer with these professional-quality basics. The 12-piece set includes mixing bowls, spatulas, measuring spoons, and other small tools. Read our review here. 

A more convenient form of eyeshadow

Kosas 10-Second Liquid Eyeshadow, $28

This water-based eyeshadow spreads evenly and smoothly over your eyelids to leave behind highly pigmented, crease-resistant color. It comes in eight shimmery colors. 

Natural deodorant with a bright and fresh scent

Wildist Tangellow Deodorant, $16

For fresh-smelling armpits without the chemicals, pick up a stick of Wildist's deodorant. The safe formulation and fresh scent, not to mention the nice packaging, make it a bathroom product worth displaying on the counter. Read our review here.

A pair of supportive and stylish socks

Far Afield Multi-Color Block Crew Socks, $35

Far Afield is a 3-year-old brand dedicated to using ethical suppliers to make its menswear. In addition to soft cotton-blend socks, you can shop shirts and outerwear from the company. 

Apple cider vinegar capsules

Tonik Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules (120-count), $30

Consuming apple cider vinegar may help lower your cholesterol and blood sugar. Tonik's comes in the form of a portable gel capsule. 

Hair spray that makes you look like you just left the beach

Playa Endless Summer Spray, $24

Summer might be over, but you can still get the look of effortless, beachy waves with this spray containing southern-California sea salt. 

A versatile denim jumpsuit

DL1961 Hepburn Jumpsuit, $229

The focus at DL1961's denim is not only on style and fit. Sustainability is core to its business: The manufacturing process takes half the amount of dye, water, and energy of traditional processes. 

Shop all fashion, home, and beauty at Verishop

• It's easy to connect Bluetooth headphones to an Apple Watch to listen to music, podcasts, or other audio you've stored on the watch. 
• To pair a Bluetooth device, start the Settings app on your Apple Watch and go to the Bluetooth page.
• Once you pair Bluetooth headphones with your Apple Watch, they will connect automatically when turned on in the future.  
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

You can use your Apple Watch to play music, podcasts, and other audio you've stored on the watch for whenever your iPhone isn't in range. 

Before you can do that, though, you'll need to connect your watch to Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. 

You can use AirPods (which sync with your Apple Watch automatically) or any standard set of Bluetooth headphones. Here's how to do it. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Apple Watch Series 5 (From $399 at Best Buy)

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

AirPods with Charging Case (From $159.99 at Best Buy)

How to connect Bluetooth headphones to an Apple Watch

1. Put your headphones or earbuds in pairing mode. The specific method varies depending upon what model you own, but generally you simply need to press and hold the power button for six to ten seconds until the status light starts flashing. Refer to your headphones user guide for details. 

2. On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown and start the Settings app.

3. Tap "Bluetooth."

4. In the list of devices on the Bluetooth page, tap the headphones when they appear. If you don't see them, make sure your headphones are still in Pairing mode, and make sure Bluetooth is turned on at the bottom of the screen on the Apple Watch (swipe the button to the right if needed).

The headphones should pair automatically and you'll be ready to listen to audio through your Apple Watch.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech: 

• How to add music and other audio to your Apple Watch and listen to it from the watch

• How to use the Walkie Talkie app on an Apple Watch to quickly chat with your contacts

• How to add app complications to your Apple Watch, and customize them for optimal use

• How to play music from Spotify on your Apple Watch, through the Watch app

SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch Series 5 is available now from Best Buy, Apple, and more for $399 and up

Join the conversation about this story »

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

We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening online today, with savings on new fall clothing at Gap and Madewell, travel essentials at Backcountry, and jewelry at Blue Nile.

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

The best sales and deals happening today at a glance:

• Save 40% on everything plus an extra 10% at Gap
• Save up to 30% on your order at Madewell
• Save 20% on full-price travel gear at Backcountry
• Save $120 on a Hover-1 Cruze Electric Skateboard at Best Buy
• Save 20% on select jewelry at Blue Nile

SEE ALSO: The best mattresses you can buy

DON'T MISS: I got my teeth straightened through an online service called Candid for under $2,000 — here’s how it works

1. Save 40% on everything plus an extra 10% at Gap

Shop the Gap sale now. 

From business-casual essentials like button-up shirts and chinos to fall fashion staples like sweaters, jeans, and outerwear, Gap has everything you need for work and weekends. Right now, you can save 40% on everything with the promo code "SHOP," plus an extra 10% by using the promo code "1DAY" at checkout. Both promo codes expire tonight. 

2. Save up to 30% on your order at Madewell

Shop the Madewell sale now. 

As the weather continues to cool down and the leaves begin to change colors, it's clear that fall is truly here. To help you fill your closet with new styles for the season, Madewell is having a huge sale, and the more you buy, the more you'll save. For a limited time, you can save 20% on orders of $100 or more and 30% on orders of $200 or more by using the promo code "YOUCHOOSE" at checkout. The sale includes stylish denim, sweaters, sweatshirts, puffer jackets, Sherpa coats, and more of the latest trends.

3. Save 20% on full-price travel gear at Backcountry

Shop the Backcountry sale now. 

While Backcountry is a go-to destination for outdoorsmen and adventurers, it's also a great place to shop for travel essentials. Now through October 13, you can save 20% on full-price travel gear by using the promo code "TRAVEL20" at checkout. The sale includes backpacks, duffel bags, rolling suitcases, wallets, and everything else you might need to make traveling more convenient. 

4. Save $120 on a Hover-1 Cruze Electric Skateboard at Best Buy

Hover-1 Cruze Electric Skateboard, $179.99 (Originally $299.99) [You save $129.99]

The Hover-1 Cruze Electric Skateboard is a seriously fun way to get around. With a top speed of 11.2 miles per hour and a 9.8-mile range, the Cruze Skateboard is a viable means of city transportation, but is also just a cool toy to play around with in the neighborhood. Originally priced at $300, you can save $130 on it today at Best Buy. 

5. Save 20% on select jewelry at Blue Nile

Shop the Blue Nile sale now. 

Blue Nile has thousands of beautiful jewelry pieces to choose from — and a great selection of them are on sale. Now through October 7, you can save 20% on select jewelry by using the promo code "FALL2019" at checkout. You won't find any engagement rings on sale, but the selection does include wedding bands, earrings, bracelets, and more. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shop the Leesa sale now. 

As the best overall mattress you can buy in our buying guide, the foam Leesa mattress is exceptionally comfortable and has a great value (mattress prices start at just $595). Right now, you can get $150 off the Leesa Mattress and $200 off the Hybrid Mattress. You can also save up to 15% on accessories like sheets, pillows, and bed frames.

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

Shop the Framebridge sale now.

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

• If you're traveling with a baby or a toddler, you're more than a little crazy if you travel without a stroller.
• But leave behind the clunky old behemoth you use in everyday life and make the trip as smooth as can be with a great travel stroller.
• The Colugo Compact Stroller is our top pick because it folds down with one hand in about two seconds, so you never miss a moment while you and the family are on the go.
  

When you're away from home with your little one, a stroller is more than just a child conveyance system; it's like a mobile command post. A stroller is a tactical nap station, a baby wipe, diaper, snack, and spare clothes supply depot, a foul weather baby bivouac, and, of course...a child conveyance system. Any decent everyday stroller will meet all those metrics with an adjustable seat, a storage basket, a reliable canopy (and often an additional rain cover), and smoothly rolling, easy-to-control wheels. 

Finding a travel stroller that checks all those boxes while still being compact enough to bring along on planes, trains, and automobiles (and subway cars and uh... ocean liners?) is a trickier proposition. Far too many compact, collapsible strollers sacrifice quality and convenience in the name of reduced weight and size. But when you're miles from home, you don't need a stroller that's less effective and reliable than your larger everyday unit. If anything, you need to trust your travel stroller even more than its workaday counterpart, because all the rest of your baby hardware might be across the city, state, or ocean.

After experiencing a stroller all but fail on my family while we were in Europe on a vacation, I can tell you personally how important it is to have a great travel stroller. Thus, I've put together this list of five options, each of which boasts its own specific merits and any of which will likely serve your on-the-go gang just fine.

When choosing the best travel stroller for your baby or toddler, consider the child's size and age, the amount of weight you feel comfortable carrying when the stroller is folded, and the places you'll visit and the ways you'll get there. While all of the strollers on this list fold up easily, roll along smoothly, and enjoy excellent safety ratings, not all are suitable for the same uses and the same ages. But hey, that's why we feature options, right?

Here are the best travel strollers you can buy:

• Best travel stroller overall: Colugo Compact Stroller
• Best multi-age travel stroller: Joolz Hub Stroller
• Best lightweight travel stroller: Maxi-Cosi Lara Stroller
• Best travel stroller and car seat combo: Doona + Infant Car Seat/Stroller
• Best rolling luggage-style travel stroller: Baby Trend Jetaway Plus Compact Stroller

Updated on 10/1/2019 by Caitlin Petreycik: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

The best travel stroller overall

The Colugo Compact Stroller folds down with one hand in about two seconds, and it tucks away into a backpack.

Colugo is a newcomer to the baby gear marketplace, but mark my words: some day, it'll be considered a legacy brand. I say that for three reasons. First, the Colugo Compact Stroller is genuinely one of the most compact folding strollers I've ever used. How compact is it? It folds down small enough to fit into a backpack that comes included with the stroller. Yet when deployed, it's even larger than the average umbrella stroller, approximating the feel and function of a full-sized option.

Second, given its amazingly small size when folded and its ease of control when in use, the Colugo Compact is a great price at just $285. It costs less than half as much as many comparable strollers I've tested out over the years, with no major drawbacks or missing features. There's a basket for storage, the seat reclines, the wheels lock reliably, and so on.

And third, the company's commitment to customer service makes the overall Colugo shopping experience a pleasure. Colugo calls itself the "Warby Parker of strollers." The founder and CEO Ted Iobst wanted to make the stroller shopping experience "less overwhelming for parents." Thus, Colugo offers an almost unheard of 100-day trial. You can use your Colugo Compact for more than three months and, if you don't like it, you can send it back for a full refund.

Owning one myself, however, I can tell you the chances of sending it back are pretty low. The chances of you popping your Colugo Compact in its backpack, strapping your kid in a car seat, and heading out for an adventure? Pretty high.

Pros: Folds with one hand, fits into a backpack, excellent customer service

Cons: Not suitable for newborns

The best multi-age travel stroller

The Joolz Hub Stroller folds down small enough for travel, yet it's capable enough to serve as the only stroller your kid ever needs.

Let's lead with the only two issues to be found with the Joolz Hub, and I say this as a satisfied owner of this exact stroller. One, it's pretty heavy at about 25 pounds. And two, it's pretty pricey at nearly $700.

That said, it folds down smaller than many strollers and you will certainly get your money's worth. That latter point is especially true, as you can use the Joolz Hub from the very first days of your baby's life through the time when he or she weighs 45 pounds.

The Joolz Hub can be outfitted with a bassinet for newborns, a seat insert adding extra support for babies, and then as a standard stroller with a reclining backrest and an adjustable footrest for kids well into their toddler years. It can accommodate multiple brands of car seats, too, when outfitted with connection hardware.

When in use, the Hub is the same size as full-sized options. But when folded up, it is small enough to fit in any car's trunk, into an overhead bin on a plane, or on a train's luggage rack. You can also sling it over your shoulder using the included carrying strap.

While the Joolz Hub is indeed much heavier than most travel strollers, the fact that it packs down small enough for travel and that it offers the same capabilities as larger everyday strollers mitigates the weight to some extent. As noted, the years of potential service make that price easier to digest, too.

A writer from BabyVillage called the Joolz Hub ideal for people who "use a combination of public transport and [their] own car" as it fits in luggage racks or trunks so well, and went on to note the stroller's deft maneuverability.

Pros: Works from newborn through toddler, good storage basket, smooth and stable even on varied terrain

Cons: Heavy, expensive

The best lightweight travel stroller

Weighing in at just 14 pounds, the Maxi-Cosi Lara Stroller won't weigh you down as you log the miles during a vacation, holiday travel, or just an epic journey across town.

In case you're not 100% up to speed on stroller weight ratios, let's get one thing clear: a stroller that weighs 14 pounds yet can safely support kids weighing up to 50 pounds is crazy impressive. The Maxi-Cosi Lara Ultra Compact Stroller is the lightest weight stroller on our list, yet it also has the highest maximum weight limit among the models reviewed here. 

Now, the Lara isn't the most versatile stroller out there. This is much more of a traditional umbrella stroller than, say, the highly adaptable Joolz Hub. It has smaller wheels that won't do well on anything but hard surfaces (though a suspension system will absorb some of the jolts and jostles that come with sidewalk cracks or the errant twig or pebble) and it's not suitable for use with newborns, but for the family with a child aged six months through the toddler years, it's an overall capable option at a fair price.

But again, what's the real selling point here? It's that 14-pound weight. The fact that the stroller collapses small enough to be slung over the shoulder doesn't hurt, either. The included parent cup holder and dual storage baskets are the icing on the cake. 

A mom named Renee left a review on Bed, Bath & Beyond's website calling the Maxi-Cosi Lara a "traveling family's dream stroller" thanks to how easily it "can fold and unfold," the shoulder carrying strap, and its "canopy that extends far enough down" to provide full shade.

The product testers from PishPoshBaby noted how the Lara "takes just one hand" to fold down and highlighted the "two baskets for all your stuff."

Pros: Amazingly lightweight, folds down small, dual storage spots

Cons: Not great on varied terrain

The best stroller/car seat combo

With the Doona + Infant Car Seat/Stroller, you don't even need a stroller at all, because the car seat doubles as the stroller itself.

As I like to do in most cases, let's lead with the issues when talking about the Doona + Infant Car Seat/Stroller. If your baby (or babies) are anything like mine, then spending all day strapped into a car seat isn't their idea of fun. As necessitated by safety standards, car seats are much more restrictive and confining than stroller seats, what with the impact zones and all. And with the Doona, the car seat itself converts into a stroller, so getting out of the car and on the move on foot doesn't offer respite from the confines of the car seat.

That said, many babies don't seem to much care whether they're in a car seat or stroller. So let's move to the second issue, the $500 price tag. This is the second most expensive option on our list, and yet you can only use it until your child reaches 35 pounds, with many kids outgrowing it before that weight due to their height. It's rated for a maximum user height of 32 inches.

There, the drawbacks have been covered. And what we are left with is a unique, clever design that is perfect for the family that travels, the family that lives in the city, or, of course, for the city-dwelling family that travels. By combining the car seat and stroller into one unit, the Doona + Infant Car Seat/Stroller precludes the need to travel with two large items. It also means less to store at home, which is ideal for apartment living, or for anyone with limited storage space.

The Doona + Infant Car Seat/Stroller comes with a LATCH system compatible base that can be left in the car permanently, with the car seat/stroller clicking in and out with ease. Deploying the stroller's wheels takes just a few seconds, and of course there's no need for that laborious process of transferring your baby from the car seat to the stroller, a priceless touch, especially if the child is sleeping.

Pros: Converts from car seat to stroller, excellent safety rating, easy to use

Cons: Expensive, quickly outgrown

The best luggage style rolling stroller

The Baby Trend Jetaway Plus Compact Stroller features a telescoping handle, so you can roll it along just like roll aboard luggage when it's folded down.

Earlier, we talked about a super lightweight stroller that tips the scales at a mere 14 pounds. The Baby Trend Jetaway Plus Compact Stroller isn't much heavier, coming in at just a few ounces shy of 15 pounds. That 14-pounder is impressive, to be sure, but try carrying it around slung over a shoulder for more than an hour or two, and most people are going to end up pretty sore. However, almost any healthy adult could go all day pulling a piece of rolling luggage that weighed 15 pounds.

Why do I mention that? Because thanks to a telescoping handle, the Baby Trend Jetaway Plus Compact Stroller acts exactly like a piece of roll aboard luggage when it's folded down. Whether you're navigating the airport, the train station, or the city streets, when your baby isn't in this compact, affordable stroller, the stroller won't weigh you down a bit.

When in use, the Baby Trend Jetaway Plus Compact Stroller has an adjustable seat back and footrest. It is safe with babies as small as five or six pounds, yet can also accommodate kids up to 45 pounds. Its large canopy and roll-up air flow panel make it great for use on hot, sunny days, while its compact size and light weight make it a truly fine choice for use wherever your travels take you and junior.

Pros: Features telescoping handle for rolling, very lightweight, good price point

Cons: Collapsing requires two hands

Check out our other great baby gear guides

The best baby bottles you can buy

A baby's bottle delivers the nutrition a child needs to thrive while offering the caregiver a chance to connect with the infant. But not all babies will like all bottles, so get ready to shop around, caregivers.

Try one bottle for a few feedings and, if the baby is rejecting it, try another. Then another. It might take some time and some money, but you will eventually find one the kid will accept. And quite likely, it will be one of the excellent baby bottles on this list.

Here are the best baby bottles you can buy:

• Best baby bottle overall: Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle
• Best glass baby bottle: Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle
• Best baby bottle for breast milk: Nanobébé Breastmilk Bottle
• Best baby bottle for formula: Mixie Formula-Mixing Baby Bottle
• Best affordable baby bottle: Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Baby Bottle

The best baby carriers you can buy

A baby carrier lets you and your little one explore the world together. You'll be glad to have your hands free and your child nestled close, while babies love feeling warm and secure.

Here are our top picks for the best baby carriers:

• Best overall: Ergobaby OMNI 360 All-in-One Carrier
• Best low-cost option: Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Carrier
• Best for hiking: Clevr Baby Backpack 202 Cross Country Carrier
• Best for newborns: Moby Wrap Baby Carrier
• Best for parent comfort: Stokke MyCarrier Front/Back 3-in-1 Baby Carrier

• The Pinault family finalized its $109 million gift to help rebuild Notre-Dame on October 1, nearly six months after the cathedral caught fire, according to the Associated Press.
• François Pinault is the founder and owner of Kering luxury group, which includes several iconic fashion houses, including Gucci and Alexander McQueen.
• Pinault started out working for his family's timber company before eventually entering the retail market.
• Today he is the second-richest person in France, behind Bernard Arnault, and the 23rd-richest person in the world. 
• Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.

François Pinault, currently the second-richest person in France, finalized his $109 million gift to help rebuild the Notre-Dame Cathedral on October 1, according to the Associated Press. 

Soon after the Cathedral caught fire in April, Pinault's son announced that the family would donate €100 million, or $113 million, to repair the 800-year-old building. In the aftermath of the devastating fire, France's superrich collectively pledged over €400 million, or $452 million, to the iconic cathedral's repairs; that includes fellow fashion mogul Bernard Arnault, who also announced that he'd be pledging $226 million to the cause. However, in the ensuing months, many of those promises were left unfulfilled.

Read more: Bernard Arnault just keeps getting richer. French billionaires have made more money this year than their counterparts in any other country, and they partially have China to thank

François Pinault is tied to some of the biggest names in fashion: Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Yves Saint Laurent. As the owner of Kering luxury group, his family manages over a dozen high-end brands.

Alongside other major holdings, such as a winery in Bourdeaux and a cruise line in Marseille, Pinault is one of the world's biggest private art collectors. His collection includes over 3,000 works of art and is worth over $1.2 billion.

Keep reading for a deeper look at Pinault's life, from his company's origins to his most recent business investments.

SEE ALSO: Meet Bernard Arnault, the richest person in Europe, who's worth $80 billion and controls LVMH, the world's largest maker of luxury goods

DON'T MISS: 9 unlikely items that have become luxury status symbols among the elite

François Pinault is one of the most powerful men in the fashion industry.

According to Bloomberg, he is the 23rd-richest person in the world with a net worth of $34.3 billion ...

Source: Bloomberg

... and the second-richest person in France.

Source: Bloomberg

The richest man in France is Bernard Arnault, who controls LVMH, the world's largest luxury group.

Source: Forbes, The Guardian, New York Times

Over the years, Pinault's successful career has included many calculated business moves and key partnerships. However, some of his most important decisions were made early on in France, where his company originated. Pinault was born in Les Champs-Géraux, a commune in Brittany, France.

Source: Google Maps, Britannica

Pinault's first job was working for his father's lumber business.

Source: The Guardian, Bloomberg

In 1963, Pinault founded Établissements Pinault, a timber trading company, in Rennes, France. Pinault also briefly attended College Saint-Martin in Rennes, but left school at age 16.

Source: Kering, The Guardian, Bloomberg

In 1988, the company first appeared on the Paris Stock Exchange and two years later, in 1990, the company took on retail distribution.

Source: Kering

In 1994, the company became Pinault Printemps Redoute after acquiring La Redoute, a French mail-order retailer, and Le Printemps, a major French department store chain.

Source: Kering

After several years in retail, the company began shifting its focus to luxury in 1994 after purchasing a 42% stake in the Gucci Group.

Source: Kering

The acquisition of Gucci followed a nearly two-and-a-half-year battle with fellow billionaire Bernard Arnault. The New York Times previously labeled the legal war "one of the most bitter fights in corporate history."

Source: New York Times

During this time, Pinault also acquired luxury brand Yves Saint Laurent ...

Source: Kering

... and Italian fashion houses Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga.

Source: Kering

In 2005, Pinault Printemps Redoute shortened its name to PPR. Pinault has three children; his son, François-Henri Pinault, was named the company's new face and CEO.

Source: Kering

Under his son's direction, the company continued to acquire brands, with a special interest in luxury fashion houses ...

Source: Kering

... and was renamed the Kering luxury group in 2013.

Source: Kering

The new Kering company sold its remaining shares of PUMA last year, thus completing Pinault's final transformation to a luxury-only group.

Source: New York Times, CNBC

Pinault's son is an active member of the fashion community, regularly attending fashion shows ...

Source: Kering

... along with red carpets with his wife, actress Salma Hayek.

Source: Business Insider

The two married in 2009.

Source: CBS News

Their daughter, Valentina, is one of Pinault's grandchildren ...

Source: Reuters

... along with Francois-Henri's son from a previous marriage, also named François Pinault.

Source: Reuters

Pinault and his son and daughter-in-law are sometimes seen at soccer games. Pinault currently owns Stade Rennais soccer club, based in Brittany near his hometown.

Source: Reuters

Pinault has also sponsored French swimmer Laure Manaudou.

Source: Reuters

Along with his professional sports endeavors, Pinault currently owns the Château Latour vineyard ...

Source: New York Times, Variety

... has holdings in Vail Ski Resort in Colorado ...

Source: Britannica

... and owns the iconic Christie's auction house through Groupe Artémis, his holding company, otherwise known as Artemis, S.A.

Source: Britannica, The Guardian

Originally founded in 1766 by James Christie, the luxury auction giant has locations in London, New York, Paris, and other major cities. In 2017, Christie's sales totaled $6.6 billion.

Source: Christie's

Pinault purchased the company in 1998, and has served as a chairman since 2017.

Source: CNN

On top of his involvement with Christie's, Pinault is regarded as one of the biggest private art collectors in the world ...

... and has taken part in many art events over the years, both public and private.

Pinault has come to collect historic pieces, along with more contemporary artists such as Andy Warhol.

Pinault owns the Palazzo Grassi art gallery in Venice ...

Source: Reuters

... and can be found on the Venice canals, arriving at gallery openings and special events by boat.

Source: Reuters

Most recently, the Pinault family made headlines for their announcement of a contemporary art gallery supplied by their Pinault Foundation at the historic Bourse du Commerce in Paris.

Source: Reuters, The Guardian, New York Times

Pinault is supplying the $55 million dollars for renovations, which will be headed by Tadao Ando, along with his impressive collection, which includes over 3,000 works of art.

Source: Reuters, New York Times

Along with his circle of high-profile artists, Pinault is close friends with former French president Jacques Chirac. The Guardian previously reported that Pinault was one of the few people to have the president's personal phone number.

Source: The Guardian, Reuters

Pinault has been married to his wife Maryvonne Pinault since 1970.

Source: Bloomberg

The couple recently entered the luxury cruise and yacht business, purchasing the cruise line Ponant on Maryvonne's suggestion.

Source: Bloomberg

The Pinaults own multiple houses, such as a mansion in London ...

Source: Business Insider, The Telegraph

... and in 2013, he purchased a Bel Air home from late celebrity hairstylist Vidal Sassoon.

Source: Business Insider, Wall Street Journal

Though Pinault is 82 years old, he still serves as director of Artemis S.A., a chairman of Christie's, and honorary chairman of his Kering giant.

Source: Bloomberg

On April 15, the Notre-Dame Cathedral caught fire. Pinault's son announced that the family would donate €100 million, or $109 million, to repair the iconic landmark. In the aftermath of the fire, France's superrich collectively pledged over 400 million euros, or $452 million, to rebuild 800-year-old cathedral.

Source: Business Insider

However, the church didn't get the money immediately, leading a representative to publically criticize Pinault and the other billionaire donors, telling the AP that "the big donors haven't paid. Not a cent." The vast majority of the funds that paid for the initial clean-up came from American citizens who donated to the church's Friends of Notre Dame charity.

Source: Insider

Pinault finalized his $109 million gift to the Cathedral on October 1. A representative of the family also told the AP that the Pinaults also gave more than €10 million ($11 million) in June at the Cathedral's request.

Source: Associated Press

• I got my teeth straightened in five months using SmileDirectClub's invisible aligners. 
• The cost of treatment is $1,895 plus $99 for retainers, regardless of how extensive your corrections are.
• Below, I'll walk you through how to get started and what to expect from the process, plus how the aligners feel and what they look like when they're on. 

If you're anything like me, you lost your retainers some odd years ago after a painstaking and expensive course of orthodontics that you didn't pay for yourself. Your teeth have shifted slightly out of place, and now you want a quick way to fix them. Turns out those braces your parents paid for were shockingly expensive, and so is Invisalign, so you've turned to SmileDirectClub as a possible solution to your dental woes.

This is exactly what happened to me, and unfortunately, the area that was impacted most was my prime smile real estate. I became self-conscious about smiling big in pictures because I didn't want the light to catch my one tooth that had started slipping behind the others. So, when I was given the opportunity to try SmileDirectClub, I jumped on it. I'm also getting married next year, so the timing was perfect.

Below I'm going to walk you through everything you need to know about using SmileDirectClub — from how much they cost to how I dealt with removing my retainers all the time at work (spoiler alert: not gracefully). 

Step 1: Getting started with SmileDirect Club

The first thing you'll do is fill out a very short survey on the SmileDirectClub website. It asks whether or not you've had braces in the past, what issues you want to deal with (crowding, overbite, spacing, etc.), and how severe those issues are. You'll get an immediate response stating whether or not you're a potential candidate for the program, and then it gives you the option to sign up for an in-person consultation if you live near an outpost, or an at-home impression kit you'll administer yourself. 

The consultations and kits cost $45 each, but if it turns out that you're not a candidate based on anything they find, you'll get a full refund. The full treatment plan costs $1,895 (plus $99 for retainers) regardless of how extensive your corrections are.

Before we go any further, it's worth noting that SmileDirectClub does not use X-rays of your teeth to determine whether or not you're a candidate. While each treatment plan is looked over by a dental professional, you still may want to talk with your dentist first to consider any potential drawbacks of a treatment, like possible spacing or bite-alignment issues.

Step 2: The consultation process

The consultation process will differ depending on if you choose to go into a SmileDirectClub office or do the impression kit at home. I went to an in-person appointment, so that's all I can speak to personally, but the impression kit involves filling two trays with putty, biting down into them to leave an impression of your top and bottom teeth, and taking photos of your mouth with a very funny tool that tucks into your cheeks and holds your mouth open. I also had to do that in the office so they could fit the imaging wand all the way around my mouth. 

The appointment was quick and easy. The dental professional ran a wand around the inside of my mouth to take pictures of my teeth, which then got converted into a model of my smile using advanced imaging technology. 

Step 3: The plan

SmileDirectClub will show you the plan for how your teeth will adjust over time using a digital 3-D rendering. You'll be able to confirm that you're happy with the plan and schedule the delivery of your aligners. My course was for five months, but yours may be longer — it varies from person to person. 

One thing that's really great about SmileDirectClub is that even if you have a permanent retainer that has yet to be removed, they'll design your aligners to fit without said retainer based on the 3-D imaging or impression kit. I have a permanent retainer on my bottom set of teeth, and though I decided against getting it removed for now, if I ever choose to do so, I can go through the course of bottom aligners later on. This time, I just chose to treat my top set of teeth. 

Treating just the upper or just the lower set of teeth can create alignment issues in the long-run, but wasn't personally an issue for me because my changes were minor. It's definitely worth consulting your dentist about it beforehand. 

The aligners will arrive all at once in a box that also houses tools to help you fit them, plus an LED whitening kit to keep your teeth nice and bright. 

I do wish the little baggies the aligners came in were organized a little better. They come in a long, connected string of bags marked in order that can each be torn off and thrown away once you put your aligners in. But since I only chose to treat the top set of teeth due to my permanent retainer, it was tough to keep the bottom halves in their bags and not accidentally misplace any of them. Candid's aligner box setup seems slightly more intuitive. 

Step 5: Wearing the aligners

You'll wear three different aligners over the course of one month: the first set for a week, the second set for a week, and the third set for two weeks. This gives your teeth the chance to settle into place, and by the last week of the month you won't really feel pressure from the aligners. You also can't see them in whatsoever — no one ever knew I was wearing them!

SmileDirectClub tells you to brush your teeth every time you eat, and try not to exceed two hours a day with the retainers off. Honestly, I didn't follow either of these rules. At work, I'd often take them out in the bathroom in order to eat my breakfast and forget to put them back in until after lunch, and my teeth turned out just fine. But I recommend doing as SmileDirectClub said, not as I did. Frankly, it's just a clunky process to remove them since your saliva gets into the retainers, so I highly recommend finding a private place in which to pull them out when you're at work or out for dinner. 

Everyone who found out I was using SmileDirectClub aligners asked me the same question: Does it hurt? The answer is that no, it doesn't hurt, but it can be uncomfortable at times. There were a couple instances where I had to use the metal file on my Swiss Army knife to sand down little sharp bits that dug into my gums, but that was about the worst of it. Of course the aligners are going to be slightly tight for the first couple days of each week or two-week course, but that's to be expected. These feel nothing like the excruciating tightening process of braces that you probably experienced as a kid.

Step 6: Finishing your course and getting your retainers 

After you finish your course of aligners, you'll want to get a set of retainers to keep your new smile in place. They're thicker than the aligners but only need to be worn at night, save for the first two weeks when you're supposed to wear them all day to get used to them.  

The retainers cost $99, and should be replaced every six months or so. I'll update this review in six months to let you know how mine have worn down, and when I plan on reordering another. I'm hoping I can take care of them well enough to keep it to once a year. 

Pricing

No matter how long your course is, everyone pays $1,895 for a set of SmileDirectClub aligners. This is the case even if you only want to straighten the tops or the bottoms; every order will include aligners for both sets regardless. For comparison, that price is only $5 less than Candid (which we've also reviewed), but about $1,600 less than the cheapest average treatment from Invisalign, which can cost up to $8,000. The difference is that Invisalign is done through your dentist's office and, in some cases, qualifies for dental insurance coverage. 

SmileDirectClub doesn't take dental insurance directly, but your insurance provider may partially reimburse you for your treatment depending on your plan. They do accept HSA, FSA, and CareCredit as forms of payment, and they also offer a monthly payment plan that involves a $250 down payment and $85 monthly payments for 24 months. Just note that this will ultimately cost you about $400 more over time. 

The bottom line

Overall, I had a really great experience using SmileDirectClub. I'm happy with how my teeth turned out, and I'm actually excited to see myself smiling in pictures now. Granted, my changes were very minor so I can only speak from the perspective of someone who didn't undergo a major transformation, but I'm pleased with how quick and simple the process has been. 

I recommend looking into SmileDirectClub, but not before you check with your dentist to make sure you have the all-clear. 

See if you're eligible for SmileDirectClub aligners, $1,895 + $99 for retainers

Join the conversation about this story »

• Luisa Zhou has built a career around teaching people how to start their own six-figure-plus businesses working for themselves.
• Within less than a year of striking out on her own, she was bringing in over a million dollars in sales — and her business has only increased from there.
• Getting your first paying client is where it all begins, she writes.
• Below, she shares the three email templates she used to get her first paying clients and make her first $10,000. They include the  "I can help" and the "Doors are open" template.
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

The first time that "You've got money" Paypal notification hit my inbox, I screamed. I couldn't believe it! I had just gotten my first paying client for my fledgling digital advertising coaching business.

That email was life-changing for me. Not only was it the moment that my business went from dream to reality, but it was also the moment I really started believing that my goal of building a business to eventually replace my salary was possible.

Even though it's been quite a few years since then and my business now helps others go from employee to entrepreneur as I did, I still remember that instance as if it were yesterday. After all, if you're serious about building your own business, getting your first paying client is where it all begins. 

Here are three templates I used to get my first paying clients and make my first $10,000 in business. 

SEE ALSO: I went from earning $65 an hour to building a multimillion dollar business on my own in two years. Here are the 4 most important steps I took.

1. The “I can help” template

This is the template I used when I was scouring the internet looking for potential clients. I searched in Facebook groups and internet forums for terms that my potential clients might be asking about, like "ads" or "campaign." 

When I found someone asking for help, I would email or message them a version of this template:

Hi [name], 

[Share how you found them. This can be as simple as, "I saw your question about running Facebook ads in a Facebook group."] 

[1-3 sentences describing your experience as it relates to your business & why you're qualified. For example: "I manage Facebook ads for big companies like BMW and Coastal Contacts in my job."] 

I would love to help you — for free. 

Here are a few things that might be helpful right away: 

[Describe 2-3 tips] 

If you'd like my help implementing these and more, let me know. I'm happy to set up a call to discuss. 

[Sign-off] 

If they responded and wanted to take me up on my offer of free advice, I would schedule a call with them. At the end of the call, after I had delivered on all the free advice I had promised, I would then ask if they'd be interested in hiring me to get even bigger, better results.

Read more: A fill-in-the-blank template that'll make writing an effective LinkedIn profile summary way easier than doing it yourself

2. The “Doors are open” template

I used this template to re-connect with people in my network — including acquaintances — who I thought might be interested in hiring me based on past conversations.

In general, this is a great way to notify people who have expressed an interest in your help or advice. (For example, if you're a career coach, use this with people who've asked you for career tips in the past. If you're a health coach, use this with people who've asked for your weight loss tips.) 

Hi [name], 

After speaking with you and others who were interested in potentially getting my help with [describe the result you'd help with], I've started offering consulting/coaching to do just that. 

Based on our past conversations, I'd love to offer you 30 minutes of free private coaching—no strings attached. The call is primarily about helping you, although if you find it helpful, I may spend a few minutes at the end sharing how I can support you further. 

If you'd like my support to help you [result] with that free 30-minute session, let me know and we'll schedule a time for our call. 

[Sign-off] 

If they felt they had gotten a lot out of the free session, I'd ask if they'd be interested in hearing about what we could accomplish long-term by working together.

Read more: There are 11 types of emails you'll send when you launch a business. Here's a template for each that will help you gain new clients and keep your old ones loyal.

3. The “Ask for a referral” template

And finally, don't overlook the power of your existing network! I didn't have a lot of friends or acquaintances who were interested in hiring me, but I figured they probably knew people would might be.

This is the template I used to ask for referrals:

Hi [name], 

As you know, I [describe experience/accomplishment/expertise that led to your business creation]. 

After having so many people ask me about it, I decided to start a consulting business to help others with [result]. 

As I look to grow my business, I'm reaching out to friends to help get my name out there. It's my goal to help as many [describe your ideal client] as I can to [result]. 

Are there one or two people you know that could use my help? If so, can you please send me their contact information? 

I'd love to offer them 30 minutes of free private coaching — no strings attached. The call is primarily about helping them, and if they find it helpful, I'll spend a few minutes at the end of it sharing a little about how I might be able to continue supporting them. 

Thank you in advance for your time and referrals. I so appreciate it! 

And of course, if there's anything you're working on that I can give you a hand with, let me know how I can support you! 

[Sign-off] 

Notice that I didn't ask them to connect me with their friends and acquaintances so I could pitch them. Instead, I made it easy for them to refer someone to me because I was offering free coaching first.

Every successful business starts from the same place — zero! No revenue, brand recognition, or audience. 

That's good news, though, because it means that if you're willing to do the work — of repeatedly finding clients, building trust, and pitching yourself — you'll be putting yourself on the same path to success that every profitable business has gone through.

Luisa Zhou is the creator of the Employee to Entrepreneur system, which teaches people how to leave their day job and start their own six-figure-plus business working for themselves. She's been featured in Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, Success magazine, and more. Get her free blueprint forbuilding a profitable online business that frees you from the 9-5.

• A high-quality air fryer can be used to make a variety of dishes, cooks food efficiently without heating your house, and is easy to clean.
• I like the Philips Twin TurboStar XXL Airfryer because it has a spacious interior that holds up to 3 pounds or 4 quarts of food, cooks quickly, and is dishwasher safe.
• Though it's one of the most expensive air fryers on the market (currently $349.93 on Amazon), it comes with a full-color booklet and app with hundreds of recipes and is backed by a one-year limited warranty.

In 2010, Philips introduced the first air fryer at a consumer electronics fair in Berlin, Germany. Since then, the appliance has taken off with dozens of brands introducing different styles.

I was hesitant to try the Philips air fryer for several reasons, including the price — it's one of the most expensive options. Yet after using the Twin TurboStar XXL dozens of times over the past two months, I can say unequivocally that it's the best air fryer on the market. Below, I will explore what makes it better than the competition.

Specs

The Twin TurboStar XXL lives up to the XXL in its name with a footprint of 12 inches wide, 17 inches deep, and 12 inches tall. It has an impressive temperature range of 175 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can adjust the temp in 25-degree increments using the dial on the front. 

The dial lets you set the timer (between 1 and 60 minutes) and choose among presets, including defrost, chicken, steak, fish, and cake. And a large, LCD screen display shows you the temp and time remaining in the cooking process.

The air fryer comes with a beautiful recipe book complete with full-color photos. There are more than 30 recipes. Plus, you can access over 200 more by downloading the app.

Philips backs this air fryer with a one-year limited warranty.

Set-up process

The set-up process was effortless. After removing the packaging, I washed the basket and pan with soap and water. I then let the air fryer run for a few minutes to warm up. Within 10 minutes of opening the box, I had potstickers baking. They came out pretty good, but I think I'll stick with the stovetop method. Despite being healthier, they were missing the steamed goodness. However, there were several other plates the air fryer knocked out of the park.

What makes the Philips air fryer stand out

What impresses me most about the Philips Twin TurboStar XXL Airfryer is that it combines size with fast cooking. The stated capacity of the air fryer is 3 pounds or 4 quarts of food, and in my experience, this is conservative. I had no problem fitting 3 pounds of chicken breasts in the basket without crowding. 

There are three food items I test in all air fryers: toast, french fries, and boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The chicken breasts were safe to eat in 25 minutes, and they tasted juicy and delicious. 

To test the french-fry capabilities, I cut up 2 pounds of yellow potatoes, tossed them with a tablespoon of olive oil and some seasoning, and put them in the air fryer. Every 10 minutes, I'd shake the basket up and see if they were done. The fries took a little less than 30 minutes, which is impressive compared to other models.

The toast was also quite fast by air fryer standards. In less than four minutes, the Twin TurboStar XXL evenly toasted a giant slice of my homemade bread.

You can also tell how well an air fryer bakes by how much heat it puts off. If the air fryer is emitting a lot of heat around the exterior, then it's heating your house and not cooking efficiently. The Philips air fryer stays cool to the touch everywhere except the back of the appliance, where it's incredibly hot.

I've tested a dozen air fryers in the last year, and the recipe books always underestimate how long the dishes will take to cook. This is not the case with the Philips recipe book. I tried recipes for fries, drumsticks, and fish, and they were all accurate and scrumptious. 

I love that the parts of the air fryer that get the dirtiest — the basket, mesh bottom, "fat reducer" tray, and pan — are dishwasher safe. They cleaned up nice and tidy in my dishwasher, and I haven't noticed any wear from using this cleaning method.

Cons to consider

I did have a little issue with the Twin TurboStar XXL releasing a fair amount of smoke while cooking. This likely had to do with me going a little overboard with the amount of olive oil I used for a recipe. After thoroughly cleaning the unit, the smoke problem went away. So, the moral of the story is to go light on the oil. I recommend picking up an oil mister. 

Unlike most air fryers, the Philips air fryer doesn't come with accessories, such as a rack or skewers. The company sells these separately. I didn't miss having accessories, but if you're paying $350 for a small appliance, you'd expect it to come with plenty of extras.

The bottom line

From cooking family-size meals efficiently to cleaning up easily, the Philips Twin TurboStar XXL Airfryer hits all the right notes. But should you buy it? Are there more affordable and perfectly serviceable alternatives? Let's explore your options.

Should you buy the Philips air fryer?

Even though it's the best I've tested, $250 is a lot to spend on an air fryer. However, if you have the money and want to have the best, the Twin TurboStar XXL is the model to buy, especially if you want a unit that can cook larger quantities of food quickly. Due to its size, it may not be ideal for individuals with smaller kitchens, but it could be a good alternative if you don't have room for an oven.

Which model should you get?

You can save $50 off the price of the digital XXL by choosing the analog model. The only difference is you don't get the convenient digital interface. Instead, you set the appliance by manually adjusting the time and temperature dials. 

Philips makes a few other air fryer models, including its XL Collection and compact solutions, but we don't feel they provide as strong of a balance of price and cooking abilities as the XXL air fryers. However, if you really want a Philips air fryer but want to limit your spending, consider the compact Philips Starfish Technology Airfryer, which only costs $150 and has a smaller footprint than the XXL.

What are your alternatives?

If the Philips air fryer doesn't appeal to you, I've found the following to be excellent alternatives:

• Secura Extra Large Capacity Air Fryer ($70.95): At less than a third of the price of the Twin TurboStar XXL, the Secura air fryer is a workhorse that can hold 4.2-quarts of food. The oven is 1,500 watts and cooks quickly. The controls are basic analog. Still, this is a terrific alternative if you want to see what air frying is all about but aren't ready to commit to a more expensive unit. You can read my full review here.
• Chefman Rotisserie Programmable Air Roaster ($99): One of the best-tasting and healthiest foods you can make in an air fryer is chicken. And the Chefman Roaster evenly roasts a whole chicken on a rotisserie spit. While this unit has an impressive capacity, digital controls, and a helpful window for tracking the progress of your food, it heats slowly and inefficiently. You can read my full review here.
• Tobox Electric 1500W Digital Air Fryer ($90): The Tobox air fryer stands out because it has digital controls, preprogrammed settings, and can hold 3.8 quarts of food. Also, thanks to the well-ventilated design of the basket, the hot air flows freely to efficiently air fry your meal. Unfortunately, the vents make the basket hard to clean. 

Overall, there are several outstanding alternatives available, but if you have it in your budget, we strongly recommend picking up the Philips Twin TurboStar XXL Airfryer. You will appreciate how quickly it cooks large meals and how effortless it is to clean up.

Pros: 4-quart capacity, TurboStar design facilitates faster cooking, dishwasher safe, digital interface, full-color recipe book

Cons: Expensive, doesn't come with accessories, smoking may occur if too much oil is used

Buy the Philips Twin TurboStar XXL Airfryer on Amazon for $349.93

Join the conversation about this story »

• You can start a workout on an Apple Watch in two different ways. 
• The Apple Watch can sense many types of exercise, and if you begin working out, your Apple Watch should automatically display a reminder to begin tracking your workout.  
• You can also start a workout manually in the Workout app, and set specific goals for duration, distance, calories burned, and more. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Apple has positioned the Apple Watch as a health and fitness device, so it's no surprise that it puts a lot of emphasis on exercise. 

Many of the key features on your Apple Watch are geared towards working out, such as the activity goals that track exercise, walking, and standing time. 

In addition, the Workouts app can be quite helpful for your exercise sessions — here's how to use it. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Apple Watch Series 5 (From $399 at Best Buy)

How to start a workout on an Apple Watch automatically

The good news is that in many cases, you don't need to do much to start a workout on your Apple Watch.  

If you don't start the Workout app manually, but simply start exercising, your Apple Watch should notice and remind you to start tracking the exercise on its own. 

According to Apple, your Apple Watch can sense the following kinds of exercise:

• Indoor Walk
• Outdoor Walk
• Indoor Run
• Outdoor Run
• Elliptical
• Rower
• Pool Swim
• Open Water Swim

After a few minutes of performing any of these exercises, your watch should display a reminder to begin tracking this exercise. When you see the message, tap "Record Workout."

Likewise, when you stop exercising, the watch will ask if you are done and stop tracking the workout. 

The amount of time it takes the Apple Watch to remind you to start and stop the workout varies, but is generally within a few minutes. 

Even if you don't get a reminder to start the exercise for several minutes, don't worry: the watch has been tracking the exercise from the start and you should get credit for the full workout. 

How to start a workout on an Apple Watch manually

You can also start a workout manually, and specify a goal for the exercise before you begin.

1. Press the Digital Crown to see the list of apps and start the Workout app, which looks like a person running on a green background.

2. Find the exercise you want to perform.

3. If you want to start the exercise immediately, tap it. If you want to specify a goal for the workout, tap the three dots. 

4. On the goals page, tap the kind of goal you want and use the controls to set one for duration, distance, or calories burned. Then tap "Start."

5. When the workout is done, swipe to the right to open the Workout Options page, and tap "End."

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to use the ECG app on your Apple Watch to monitor your heart rate and detect irregularities

• How to add and remove apps on your Apple Watch

• How to change the activity goals on your Apple Watch

• How to change the band on your Apple Watch

SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch Series 5 is available now from Best Buy, Apple, and more for $399 and up

Join the conversation about this story »

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

• You can check your heart rate on an Apple Watch in a few different ways. 
• It's easy to check your heart rate on an Apple Watch with the Heart Rate app, which keeps track of your average, resting, and current heart rate.  
• When you're exercising, you can also check your heart rate in the Workout app.  
• To see a graphical history of your heart rate, you can open the Health app on your iPhone. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The Apple Watch has a built-in heart rate monitor that measures your heart rate often throughout the day, and also monitors your heart more frequently when you are exercising. 

You can see your heart rate information at any time on an Apple Watch. Here's how to do it.  

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Apple Watch Series 5 (From $399 at Best Buy)

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

How to check your heart rate on an Apple Watch

You can instantly see your heart rate at any time by opening the Heart Rate app.

1. Press the Digital Crown and tap the Heart Rate app, which looks like a heart on a red background.

2. When the app starts, you can see the most recent heart rate reading, which should have been taken in the last 10 minutes. 

3. Wait a moment for a new reading to be taken and displayed.

4. Use the digital crown or your finger to scroll through three different heart rate values: your current heart rate, your resting heart rate, and your average while walking. 

You can also quickly open the Heart Rate app by tapping the Heart Rate complication on any watch face that has the complication (which looks like a heart) configured. 

If you don't see any heart rate data, it might be disabled on your Watch. 

To turn it on, open the Watch app on your iPhone. Tap "My Watch" and then tap "Privacy." Turn on "Heart Rate" by swiping the button to the right. 

How to check your heart rate on an Apple Watch during a workout

When you are exercising, your Apple Watch should recognize the workout automatically and start the Workout app. You can also open the Workout app and start an exercise manually. 

Read more:How to start a workout on your Apple Watch in 2 different ways

In the app, you can see a "multiple metric" view that includes information appropriate to that workout, such as elapsed time, place, distance traveled, and heart rate. 

Most, but not all, workouts track heart rate. You may customize the multiple metric view to add (or remove) heart rate if you desire.

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.

2. Tap "My Watch" at the bottom of the screen and then tap "Workout."

3. Tap "Workout View."

4. Choose the workout you want to edit.

5. Tap "Edit" at the top right of the screen. 

6. If you want to include Heart Rate in the displayed metrics, you might need to remove an existing metric. Drag one down to the Do Not Include section and then drag "Heart Rate" to the Metrics section. 

How to see a graph of your heart rate data

1. Open the Health app on your iPhone.

2. Tap "Browse" at the bottom of the screen if your phone is running iOS 13 or later, or tap "Health Data" if you have an earlier iOS. 

3. Tap "Heart."

4. Tap "Heart Rate" to see a graphical history of your heart rate. You can change the time period and swipe to go back in time. You can get similar data for your walking and resting heart rate as well. 

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to use the ECG app on your Apple Watch to monitor your heart rate and detect irregularities

• How to add and remove apps on your Apple Watch

• How to change the activity goals on your Apple Watch

• How to change the band on your Apple Watch

SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch Series 5 is available now from Best Buy, Apple, and more for $399 and up

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How Area 51 became the center of alien conspiracy theories

• Marriott offers a variety of exclusive experiences through its Bonvoy Moments platforms. If you have Marriott points, you can bid them to score travel packages and NFL experiences, like behind-the-scenes tours at NFL Network Studios and VIP game tickets.
• If you're short on Marriott points, you can earn them with cards like the Mariott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.
• You can also enter to win Super Bowl tickets, and a VIP suite experience at the stadium, courtesy of a Courtyard by Marriott sweepstakes that's running through October 31.
• Read more personal finance coverage.

Football season is upon us. And as the 100th season of the NFL, it's a year worth celebrating!

If you're Super Bowl-ready and a fan of exclusive travel opportunities, Marriott has some exciting options for you through its Bonvoy Moments platform. Bonvoy Moments lets you bid Marriott points for a variety of exclusive experiences, including not just sports events but also concerts, travel packages, and culinary packages.

NFL experiences with Marriott points

Marriott has teamed up with the NFL to offer some amazing experiences through Bonvoy Moments. Instead of simply attending an NFL game, you have the opportunity to experience the sport in a truly unique way.

You cannot simply buy these experiences anywhere. Instead, you have to redeem Marriott points for these once in a lifetime opportunities. Additionally, you'll need to place a bid of Marriott points; you don't simply purchase these packages outright. Marriott sets the starting bid, and depending on user demand, it can rise sharply from there.

Let's take a look at some of the options available as of publish time:

• Master classes with former NFL players, such as Emmitt Smith. These packages are starting at 90,000 Marriott points.
• Access to 2019 NFL Mexico Game at Azteca Stadium, with members-only access to the game to enjoy a VIP reception, a meet and greet with an NFL legend, and field passes. Plus, great seats to the game! As of publish time, the bids were at 252,500 points and up (with three packages available).
• NFL Network tours plus game-day tickets— a behind-the-scenes tour at NFL Network Studios in Los Angeles. Bids were starting at 95,000 points as of publish time, with two packages available.

Note that these packages could sell out at any time, and new experiences could be added as well. If you're interested, it's worth checking the Bonvoy Moments site frequently to see what's currently available.

How to rack up Marriott points

In order to make one of the events a reality, you'll need to find a way to earn thousands of Marriott points. That may seem like a challenge, especially if you don't rack up a lot of points through Marriott hotel stays, but it doesn't have to be. Many credit cards offer Marriott points, both on your spending and in the form of welcome bonuses for new cardholders.

Read more:The best credit card sign-up bonuses available now

The best way to earn lots of Marriott points quickly is to score a welcome bonus for large point values. Typically, these welcome bonuses require a certain amount of spending in the first three months for a boatload of points.

Here are a few of the credit cards that can put you on the path to an NFL experience, a Marriott hotel award stay, and more:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card— This premium Marriott credit card (with a $450 annual fee and all the is offering 75,000 points after you spend $3,000 within the first three months.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card—  This more moderately priced personal Marriott card (with a $95 annual fee) is currently offering a 100,000-point welcome bonus. You'll need to spend $5,000 within the first three months to snag it.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card— This card is also offering a welcome bonus of 100,000 Marriott points if you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months, available if you apply by October 23, 2019. If you happen to be a small business owner, this can be an amazing gateway to thousands of points.

Each of these cards offers a way to rack up Marriott points quickly. You'll need to align your spending to the best card to rack up points as quickly as possible. 

Keep in mind that we're focusing on the rewards and perks that make these credit cards great options, not things like interest rates and late fees, which can far outweigh the value of any rewards.

When you're working to earn credit card rewards, it's important to practice financial discipline, like paying your balances off in full each month, making payments on time, and not spending more than you can afford to pay back. Basically, treat your credit card like a debit card.

Another unforgettable Super Bowl experience

There's a second way to snag an unbeatable NFL experience — in this case, for the Super Bowl. 

Courtyard by Marriott is hosting the Courtyard Super Bowl Sleepover Contest. The winner of the contest and three friends will wake up on Super Bowl Sunday inside the stadium in a premium stadium suite.

The goal of the contest, besides offering a lucky winner an amazing experience, is "to celebrate a game-changing friendship." You can enter a photo and a short story via Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook by using the hashtag #CourtyardSuperBowlContest. Describe your friendship by October 31, 2019 to enter the contest.

Click here to learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.

• More credit card coverage
• What's the best airline credit card?
• The best cash-back credit cards
• Southwest credit card review
• Best rewards credit cards

Join the conversation about this story »

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

• Smart baby monitors are increasingly becoming a must-have item for parents of young children.
• I, however, do not have any children, so I usually disregard pitches I get claiming that some monitor is disrupting the industry.
• But I realized after a while I do have a use for a smart baby monitor: my pet hedgehog, Lola, is nocturnal. I decided to try the Summer Baby Pixel Zoom HD 5-inch Video Monitor to see if it worked for pet-tracking.
• It was a great way to keep an eye on her at night, when she's most active. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Not long after starting at Business Insider, I noticed that I was getting a weirdly high number of pitches about covering baby monitors. Did I accidentally get put on the wrong list? Were they confusing me with someone else? I don't know, but I thought I knew of at least one use for a baby monitor, if my editors would go for it.

My hedgehog, Lola, is like a baby in the sense that she is often cranky, and we maintain different sleep schedules. I don't strictly need to have a camera trained on her at night, but it had a strong possibility of being cute, so I went for it.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so I wanted a baby monitor capable of taking high-quality images in low light. This is especially important because Lola won't really wake up and do all her nighttime activities until it's almost pitch-black in my room. Once it is dark enough for her, she gets up almost immediately. Most nights, I close my curtains and turn off the lights, and hear her crunching on her food within minutes. Then, the rest of the night she alternates between running on her wheel (a hilarious sight), eating, drinking, and sleeping — the good life, basically.

It's surprisingly hard to get look at Lola on her wheel — as soon as there's even a little bit of light, or she hears you come by her cage, she freezes or runs to hide in her igloo.

To keep an eye on Lola at night, I requested a review model of the Summer Baby Pixel Zoom HD, and mounted it to the side of her cage. This model comes with some pretty cool features that I was excited to try: 

• Remote steering, up to 300 degrees left and right and 125 degrees up and down
• SleepZone virtual boundary — you can set a boundary around a certain area and get an alert if your baby (hedgehog) moves outside the area
• Two-way talk back and lullabies, meaning I can start talking to her and watch her freeze on her wheel
• Moonlite night vision, which can temporarily illuminate the camera.

Here are the results. 

SEE ALSO: This stunning $2.8 million Berkeley home designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright protege is now for sale

The baby monitor Summer sent me comes with a camera and 5-inch monitor.

From the monitor, you can remotely move the camera, and zoom in.

The camera comes a wall mount, but for my purposes I didn't want my views obstructed by the sides of the cage, so I moved the camera onto her igloo.

The cage has a wheel, igloo, t-shirt, and a heat lamp, plus food and water dishes. She usually sleeps in the shirt or igloo, and runs on her wheel at night. I wanted the camera trained on the wheel for the best pictures.

Here's another view of the setup.

Here was the view I had when I set up the camera.

The monitor gives some information useful to both human parents and hedgehog owners. I like that I can see the temperature inside the cage, although the camera was really close to the heat lamp, so its probably a little higher than the actual temperature.

I turned the lights off and went into another room. Soon, she came out of her igloo to eat.

I used remote steering to get a view of her eating, then turned the camera back to face the wheel.

Then, she went over to her wheel for some running.

Despite her tiny legs, she runs really fast. Almost every picture I tried to take ended with her legs in a blur.

Every so often, she stopped, and it almost seemed like she was looking directly at the camera.

Final thoughts

I definitely don't need a baby monitor, but I really liked this one. The night vision worked well, with a clear view in a totally dark room.

Remote steering was also useful, and I was able to pan around and see whatever she was doing. Other features, like talking into the microphone and playing lullabies, weren't right for my purposes, but I could see them being great for any actual baby.

Overall, I'm a fan! If you're in the market for a baby monitor, it's worth taking a chance on a "smart" one. 

• I moved from New England to the South, and back up north to New York City over the course of the last five years.
• While living in North Carolina, I thoroughly enjoyed taking in everything the slower-paced lifestyle had to offer.
• After moving to a bustling metropolis like New York City, I never thought I'd miss the South, but was surprised to find out that I do.
• Here are the 13 things I miss about Southern living, from the delicious food to the classic Southern fashion.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As a born and bred New Englander, I was excited but anxious to move down south for college and attend Elon University, a small private university just outside of Burlington, North Carolina. 

As I grew acclimated to the Southern lifestyle, I truly fell in love with the beautiful temperate weather, delicious food, and charming Southern style. I never thought I would miss the slow-paced Southern lifestyle after moving to a city like New York, which offers a melting pot of cultures from all over the world.

Read more:I moved from a town of 8,000 people to New York City — here are 9 things I do and don't miss about small-town life

However, I soon realized that there were quite a few aspects of Southern living that I really missed. 

SEE ALSO: I moved from a town of 8,000 people to New York City — here are 9 things I do and don’t miss about small-town life

I miss the delicious regional Southern food, despite having access to every kind of cuisine in New York City.

What New York, for the most parts, gets wrong when it comes to cuisine can be summed up in one word: barbecue. Truly nothing can beat Southern barbecue, and North Carolina has many spots that simply can't be competed with. Not only are restaurants like Lexington Barbecue and Smokey's BBQ Shack regional favorites, but it's not uncommon to run into a roadside stand offering the best barbecue you've ever tasted. 

Not only is the barbecue meat in North Carolina and other southern states smoked and seasoned to perfection, but Southern pitmasters also know their way around a delicious gravy, loaded potato salad, creamy mac "n" cheese, and mouthwatering coleslaw — AKA, the only sides I ever want to see at a barbecue spread.

The weather in the South truly can't be matched.

If there's one thing I miss about North Carolina, it's probably the mild, temperate weather. Unlike warmer states like California or Texas, North Carolina actually gets all four seasons — and they're all gorgeous. North Carolinians really only have to brave the harsh winter cold for two or three months out of the year, December through February, compared to what feels like six months in New York City. 

As someone who's experienced every time of year in North Carolina, it's safe to say that Southern summers can't be matched.

It's really easy to get around in North Carolina.

Getting around North Carolina was a straight shot — literally. Practically everywhere I ever wanted to get to in North Carolina can be reached by the main highway. I found that most of the things I needed were an easy car ride away. That's definitely not something I could say after moving to New York City, where I mainly rely on walking and public transportation. 

I miss having easy access to cities, mountains, and tons of beaches, without even having to leave the state.

In North Carolina, I had easy access to gorgeous mountain ranges, bustling urban cities, and beautiful beaches. Some of my favorite memories from college include road-tripping to Asheville, hitting up the Wilmington beaches, and taking in everything Raleigh-Durham or Charlotte had to offer. 

While the cities in North Carolina may not compare in cuisine, nightlife, or overall excitement to New York City, it was nice knowing I was only ever a stone's throw away from gorgeous nature as well. North Carolina has close to 50 beautiful beaches across the entire state, while New York City boasts only a handful. Plus, since the weather in North Carolina sometimes stays warm long into October, I could visit the beach much later into the year than I could while living up north.

There are so many hole-in-the-wall café's, restaurants, and shopping centers — and they're practically never teeming with people.

In New York, the best restaurants in town usually have a mile-long waitlist, if you can even get in. In North Carolina, there are tons of hole-in-the-wall coffee shops and restaurants that only the locals know about, so it's hardly ever crowded. Lower populations may just equal less time waiting for your cappuccino or glass of wine. 

I miss the cheaper rent — you could get so much more for so much less.

As you can probably guess, rent in Burlington, North Carolina is drastically less expensive than in a huge city like New York. When I lived in my college apartment, I paid half of the $930 rent per month to live in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with a roommate. Now, I pay hundreds more to live in a four-bedroom apartment with one and a half bathrooms.

When it comes to Southern real estate, you really get a big bang for your buck. The average cost to buy a home in North Carolina is $275,000, compared to $425,000 in New York.

I surprisingly miss the over-the-top Southern style.

Though I never much prescribed to typical Southern style — I was more into Doc Martens in college than Jack Rogers — I did appreciate the over-the-top and largely feminine style I would see people wear to sports games, the grocery store, and beyond. Southern women certainly know their way around teased hair, tailored clothing, and a set of pearls.

As someone who grew up in New England, and recently moved to New York where all-black is the uniform of choice, I strangely miss the Southern fashion sensibility.

I was never more than a stone's throw away from basically every fast-food restaurant.

In the South, fast food is king. From classics like McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King to regional chains like Cookout, Zaxby's, Chick-fil-A, and Bojangle's, North Carolinians are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to fast food. Cookout, by far my favorite fast food restaurant, is an unbeatable deal and the food is delicious.

Read more:We visited the regional chain that Southerners say is better than In-N-Out and Shake Shack — here's the verdict

For around $5, you can get a tray with a burger, drink, and your choice of side. Though the Cajun fries were usually my go-to, the hush puppies and onion rings are also incredible. Cookout also sells barbecue favorites like pulled pork sandwiches, plus more than 40 flavors of milkshakes. 

Even though there are incredible coffee shops in New York, I do miss my favorite local coffee shop in North Carolina.

Don't get me wrong, there are incredible local coffee shops in New York City. In fact, there might be too many to count. However, whenever I travel back down south, there's something especially nostalgic about visiting my old favorite local coffee shops.

One, in particular stands above the rest — The Blend and Co. in Burlington, North Carolina has the most delicious spicy Mexican mocha latte I've ever had. Plus, after picking up my coffee in the morning, I could always walk outside and enjoy the calm, beautiful weather of North Carolina, instead of the looming skyscrapers and dirty city pavement of New York.

I miss being able to say "ya'll" instead of "you guys" and not get any weird looks.

As a New Englander and now a New Yorker, I say "you guys" to refer to a group of two or more people. However, since moving out of the South, I do find myself slipping "ya'll" into my everyday vocabulary. While I do get the occasional funny look when I say it, as I do not have a Southern accent in the slightest, many are actually endeared by this Southern phrase — myself included. 

Thrift shopping in the South is on a whole other level.

"Thrift shopping" in New York City is a total paradox. Despite trendy vintage and thrift stores popping up left and right all over the city, I've found that much of the merchandise they sell is overpriced, at least compared to thrift shopping in North Carolina.

While living in the South, not only could you shop at huge thrift stores like Goodwill or the Salvation Army stores, but also smaller hole-in-the-wall church thrift stores and independent shops that offered beautiful clothing at an incredible price. Throughout college, I was known to hit up the local "dollar day" deal at my local Salvation Army — something I haven't ever seen at trendy New York City thrift stores. 

I miss how friendly and polite everyone is in the South, although it could be almost annoying at times.

Southern hospitality isn't a myth. People in the South are generally really friendly and nice, from the fast-food worker handing you your Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich to the couple out walking their dog by your apartment. In New York City, most people avoid eye contact altogether with others on the street, but in North Carolina, it's not uncommon to smile, wave, or pick up a conversation with the people around you.

In fact, people are so polite in North Carolina, they will hold the door open for you even if you're ten or more feet away. As a New Englander not used to this level of Southern hospitality, I often felt the need to run to the door more quickly when people would do this.

Though it might have been a little annoying at times, I definitely appreciated the sentiment. 

More than anything, I miss the slower-paced lifestyle of living in the South.

In the South, like it or not, people take their time. While this isn't always the most convenient fact about living in the South, it was nice to not have to hustle and bustle every time I left the house. In New York, the fast-paced lifestyle can be extremely draining. Sometimes I do miss wandering the aisles of a grocery store without being in anyone's way, going out for a slow Sunday drive, or simply taking time to read or write.

On my college campus, students would often hang up hammocks on the trees all over campus or lay out on blankets in-between classes. I do miss that slower-paced lifestyle — especially when I'm running to and from the subway platform every day. 

• Read more:
• I'm a liberal who moved to a conservative town — here are the most shocking things I discovered about how conservatives see the world
• I moved from LA to a town of 2,300 people — here were the biggest culture shocks I faced in small-town America
• Why no one can agree where the South really is
• I'm a Midwesterner living in New York City. Here are the most surprising differences between the two.

• Jade Yoga's Harmony Mat ($67.96-$84.95) is meant to provide traction and cushion while providing stability for standing poses.
• I have been a sweaty person my entire life, but in adulthood, my main problem is slipping on my yoga mat.
• I have been using the Harmony Mat for more than a year after trying dozens of others. While no mat is perfect, this one comes pretty close if you're a sweaty yogi like me.
• $85 may seem like a lot for a piece of rubber you put on the floor, but for me, it is definitely worth it.

When I was a teenager, I used to leave sweaty hand prints on my school work. It wasn't because I was stressed about a test, that's just me — I sweat. And it's embarrassing.

At age 30, my husband has affectionately nicknamed me "Sweaty Betty" (my name is not Betty) and my main worry regarding my inability to stop perspiring is slipping on my yoga mat.

When I began my yoga practice several years ago, I had a $5 mat from my local grocery store. Within a matter of minutes in my first class I transitioned from downward gog to laying-flat-on-my-face dog, which, according to the instructor, is not a yoga pose. I had slipped due to sweaty hands before the class barely got started.

I falsely assumed that as I built up my yoga stamina, I'd stop sweating so much. Wrong — several years later, my yoga mat still looked like I someone ran 10 miles on it even after a fairly mellow practice. So, when one of my friends decided to become a yoga teacher, part of her mission was to find a mat I could use without injuring myself.

After a mat made for hot yoga still made me slide, we went to a "yoga mat class" together. Saying I was skeptical to find a mat is an understatement, but I was up for trying the dozen or so mats laid out on the studio floor. Some I didn't even bother with after just touching the surface and knowing it would end in tragedy; others I used but with a towel, and then I landed on Jade Yoga's Harmony mat.

According to Jade Yoga's website, the mat "provides great traction and cushion while still providing stability for standing poses." Traction is definitely what I need and because you can describe my body as "bony", a cushioned mat is also a necessity.

The mat retails for $67.96 - $84.95 depending on if you get a 68-inch, 71-inch, or 74-inch mat. It is 3/16-inches thick, 24-inches wide, and weighs about five pounds. Not that it matters when it comes to how well the mat performs, but it also comes in more than a dozen colors depending on which size you get. It is made with natural rubber tapped from rubber trees, a renewable source, and contains no PVC, EVA, or other synthetic rubber. Made in the United States, Jade also plants a tree for every mat sold and donates $5 to charity with the purchase of certain mat colors.

My experience with the Jade Yoga Harmony Mat

After miraculously not slipping on the mat for the few minutes I was on it at the studio, my friend bought me the 68-inch mat as a gift for helping with her wedding. I have now been using the mat for more than a year and can attest that my yoga practice has never been better. 

First off, the mat did not have an odor like some mats do when you first buy them and is the stickiest I've found. The surface is not smooth or shiny like some mats, but actually feels like it has tiny dots that help aid in the traction. These "dots" are not uncomfortable, by the way. Both my hands and feet grip right away and the 5-pound weight of the mat also helps keep it in place. While I joke about sliding and falling on my mat, it's actually not a laughing matter and can be incredibly dangerous. Aside from smashing your face on the ground, you can easily pull or tear muscles if you stretch too far from an inability to grip.

As for the cushioning, my spine and knees used to be covered in bruises and I am happy to report they no longer are. It is thick enough to not cause injury, but not so thick that it's too soft and therefore difficult to move. When I am taking a yin class and holding the poses for five minutes or more, I do find myself reaching for my yoga knee cushion, but needing it is rare.

Keep in mind that no mat is perfect; if you are taking a 60-minute hot vinyasa class, you're probably still going to slip a bit. This is solved by throwing down a yoga towel — my favorite is Gaiam's Stay-Put Yoga Towel. The photo above is how my mat looked when removing my hands near the end of pretty intense practice. While I was still not slipping, I decided to put my towel down anyway because it was inevitable that it would happen soon.

Because the mat is pretty sticky, another word of warning — more than your hands stick to it. If you have a home yoga practice and your pets like to join you, it's unfortunately probably best to not let them on it, as I have learned the hard way that it basically attracts fur. Because of this, you need to make sure you're cleaning it often. I use Austra cleaner and it seems to work quite well. It has not taken any of the traction off the mat, but if you are really scrubbing, some of the color does come off.

It's also important to note that my mat is on a hardwood floor, so I cannot attest to what it is like on a carpet. The cushion would be better, of course, but the odds of sliding might be higher, so keep that in mind when deciding where to practice. 

All in all, one year later, the Harmony Mat is still just as sticky and with the addition of a towel for super sweaty practices, it is a worthy investment if you're serious about yoga (and not falling on your face).

Buy the Jade Yoga Harmony Mat on Amazon for $67.96 - $84.95 (price varies by size)

Join the conversation about this story »

• Glass drinkware is sturdy and beautiful, but it's not always practical for large or outdoor parties, and some outdoor venues such as parks and campsites prohibit glass drinkware. 
• Tossware makes plastic drinkware that looks as nice as glass versions. Its pieces are more durable, affordable, stackable, and convenient to use. While 100% recyclable, they can also be washed and reused. 
• I tried Tossware's 14-ounce Vino stemless wine glasses ($11.99/12-pack) and loved how easy they were to use. They were lightweight yet strong, and they looked much more elegant than a regular plastic cup. 

As I rushed indoors carrying four stemless wine glasses to escape an unexpected thunderstorm, I thought to myself, "I'm so glad these aren't glass." My roommates and I were having a wine night on our rooftop when an ominous patch of dark clouds rolled in to crash the party.

The night was somewhat salvaged, though, because our drinkware emerged unscathed. The wine glasses were from Tossware, a plastic drinkware company that makes products exactly suited to these types of casual gatherings — and the very real mishaps that can come with them. 

Why you should buy Tossware drinkware 

While drinkware made from glass is sturdy and looks elegant, it's not always the practical choice, especially for large or outdoor parties.

Using plastic cups like red Solo cups feels too "college frat party," but there is something to be said about the durability, affordability, and disposability of plastic. Tossware turns a traditionally cheap-looking material into a classy piece of drinkware that you don't have to worry about breaking and causing a mess. 

The company makes wine glasses (stemmed and stemless), champagne flutes (stemmed and stemless), cups for spirits and cocktails, and more from crystal-clear, BPA-free, and 100% recyclable plastic. It also recently released a mason jar design. 

What's cool about Tossware is not only that the cups look and feel nice. They also feature a patented interlocking bottom that lets you stack pieces on top of each other. This smart design means you can carry more than one drink in one hand, and it saves room in your cabinets. 

What it's like to drink from Tossware glasses 

I tried its 14-ounce Vino stemless wine glasses and loved how easy they were to use. They're light, but they're still strong and durable, which I confirmed after many squeezes and drops of the cups. They have a smooth, thin rim that doesn't get in the way of the drinking experience. When you're done with them, you can recycle them, or, as I did, you can also just hand-wash them and use them next time. 

If you look at the cups closely, you can tell they're not glass, but the appearance comes pretty close. They're clearly a step up from regular plastic or paper cups. All in all, they're a sophisticated alternative when glass isn't practical, or as in the case of outdoor venues like parks, beaches, and campsites, when glass is strictly prohibited. 

Read more: The best wine accessories you can buy

If you decide to stack them while the cups still contain liquid, my recommendation is not to fill them fully. Once locked, the cups fit pretty tightly, and you might spill its contents if you're too aggressive with your handling. 

This interlocking is what allowed me to quickly transport all our glasses out of the storm and keep my kitchen cabinets organized. If I leave the tall stack of cups on our dining table, which our cat frequently roams on, it's not a big deal if she knocks them over since they're just made from plastic. 

The next time you're hosting a large party or enjoying a drink outdoors, don't worry about taking out your nice glassware. Tossware's cups look just as good, but are much more practical. 

Shop Tossware Vino wine glasses (Set of 12) for $11.99 at Amazon

Shop all Tossware drinkware at Amazon

Join the conversation about this story »

• It's easy to change the size of your icons in Windows 10 if you're having trouble seeing them, or if they're too large.
• In Windows 10, icons are the items you click on to open different programs and files. They're usually a small picture with the title of the file beneath them.
• Making icons smaller allows you to fit more icons on a page, and changing them to be bigger makes them easier to see.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you're looking at a large page of text documents on your Windows PC, you might want to make your file icons smaller to fit as many titles in the window as possible. If you want to look through an SD card of pictures, however, you'll want big icons to see what each picture looks like.

In either case, you'll probably want to change the size of your icons, which are the small pictures or graphics that accompany every file and program.

Windows 10 makes it easy to make the icons in a folder larger or smaller.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Windows 10 (From $139.99 at Best Buy)

How to change icon size on a Windows 10 computer

First of all, note that changing the icon size of files in a folder changes the size of all the icons in that folder. It doesn't change the icon sizes in other folders.

1. Use the File Explorer to navigate to the folder you want to change icon sizes in. Using the top toolbar, click "View."

2. Below the "View" tab, there will be a small sub-window with options like "Extra large icons," "Small icons," "Tiles," and more.

3. You can change your icon sizes by clicking on the different options. You can hover your mouse over the different options to preview them.

4. Alternatively, you can hold the Ctrl key while scrolling up or down with your mouse to change between these options, even without opening the View menu. Scrolling up will make the icons larger, and down will make them smaller.

The "Details" and "Content" options will sort your files into a single vertical column, while "Tiles," "List," and all "Icons" options will sort them into multiple columns.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to change your Windows password to protect your computer, or reset the password if you've forgotten it

• How to speed up your Windows 10 computer in 7 different ways

• How to find your stored Wi-Fi passwords on a Windows 10 computer, and use them to connect another device

• How to properly uninstall programs on Windows 10, to protect your computer and free up space

SEE ALSO: The best computer monitors for students and professionals

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: I cleaned my entire apartment with 4 of Amazon's highest-rated cleaning robots, but I could've done a much better job myself

• TikTok has produced a number of viral trends and memes over the past year, and that includes the rise of the e-girl and e-boy.
• E-girls and e-boys are the newest community emerging from the ever-online Gen Z: Teens who shirk the mainstream, manicured Instagram aesthetic for a grungy vibe and a love of video games.
• Here's what you should know about the subculture of e-girls and e-boys that have emerged on social media in the wake of the era of influencers.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The perfected Instagrammable influencer has met her match: the TikTok e-girl.

The e-girl's emergence this year has corresponded with the rise of TikTok, the short-form video app Generation Z turns to for its latest viral memes and internet entertainment. Thousands of TikTok videos tagged with #egirl show girls with thick eyeliner and dyed hair and guys in beanies wearing belt chains — teens who have embraced an aesthetic separate from the VSCO girls and hipsters sporting Supreme and streetwear.

The e-girl (and e-boy) are just the latest iteration of mainstream counterculture, similar to the emo and scene kids who posted grainy pictures on Tumblr in the 1990s and early 2000s. These e-teens live on the internet and are fluent in the latest video games, and their goal is to push the boundaries, in spite of what parents and older generations may think.

Here's everything you need to know about the e-girl, Gen Z's radical antithesis of the Instagram influencer:

SEE ALSO: Caroline Calloway's story is a Fyre Festival-like drama playing out in real time, and we can't stop paying attention to see how far it goes

The e-girl is, simply, the modern-day scene girl: Both were created as a counterculture to the mainstream aesthetic and standards of beauty. They are tuned into video games, as well as in internet slang on Discord and YouTube.

The basic look of the e-girl and e-boy can be broken down with this starter pack, a group of typical items these teens are frequently found with or associated with.

An e-girl or e-boy is commonly sporting:

• Dyed hair: Frequently, hair is dyed 50-50 between two colors. Sometimes, in pigtails.
• Heavy black eyeliner: Dark, thick, winged eyeliner, and sometimes also applied right below each eye to make tiny shapes or icons.
• Pink blush on nose and cheeks, and maybe some intense highlighter.
• Jewelry: Septum or another facial piercing, and an O-ring collar or chain necklace.
• Part anime-, part goth-inspired clothing: Long layered shirts (perhaps a band t-shirt over a striped long sleeve) or a crop top, belt-loop chains, and A-line skirts or high-waisted cargo pants.
• Sad, moody music: Think Billie Eilish, or Twenty One Pilots

The term "e-girl" started off as a derogatory term, used by men to objectify women who they saw as simply looking for male attention online. The first entry of "egirl" on slang-tracking website Urban Dictionary is from June 2009, and it paints a stark picture compared to what e-girl has come to mean in 2019.

Another Urban Dictionary user-submitted definition of e-girl from 2014 referred to her as an "internet slut" who flirts with guys online for attention. Some may point toward notable Instagram stars like Belle Delphine— who capitalized on the "thirsty gamer boys" willing to pay $30 for a bottle of her bathwater — as a symbol of the first wave of the e-girl.

However, a new type and definition of e-girl has risen just this year.

E-girls got a lot more attention this summer after the murder of Bianca Devins, a 17-year-old teen who was allegedly killed by a man she knew from Instagram and Discord. Much attention was put on Devins' online life as part of the e-girl community, where other teens have shared that they're regularly harassed, threatened, and scared they could be stalked or doxxed in real life.

Source: Vice

E-girls have risen into the mainstream in 2019 thanks to TikTok, the short-form video app known as a launching pad for Gen Z's favorite memes and viral trends. On TikTok, videos tagged with #egirl have more than 1.4 billion views. E-girls and e-boys have established themselves with hundreds of thousands of followers, while others have capitalized solely on parodying the e-girl aesthetic.

Some have attributed the roots of the e-girl to Tumblr, where a sad and moody aesthetic for the sad and moody teens reigned supreme in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Both eras are defined by teens spending time alone in their rooms, from which a lot of their content is created.

Source: Vox

The e-girl aesthetic draws from characteristics of anime, where female characters are often skimpily dressed and fetishized as innocent, helpless victims. One TikToker referred to this as the "I'm Baby" quality in a story for Vox.

If you're not familiar with the "I'm Baby" phrase, it's a popular line used in memes across the internet to be used by someone who's incapable or in need of help, or a reason for being unable to get something done. 

Source: Vox

The terms e-girl and e-boy aren't necessarily used as gender-specific terms. Instead, they're used to refer to two different type of aesthetics: While the e-boy is a vulnerable"softboi" and embraces skate culture, the e-girl is cute and seemingly innocent.

Source: Vice

Accordingly, the e-girl concept has spurred its own parodies and memes. You'll find teens in TikToks entering "e-girl factories" or drinking "e-girl juice," which magically transforms them into a stereotypical e-girl.

Ultimately, the e-girl and the e-boy are the anti-influencers. "Scene girls and emo girls were a counter to the preppy, Juicy Couture look of the era (see: Paris Hilton) the way egirls may be a counter to the polished, Facetuned Instagram influencer," BuzzFeed wrote about e-girls in February.

Source: BuzzFeed News

There's probably no coincidence that e-girls have risen in popularity hand-in-hand with the VSCO girl, the ultra-hipster, ocean-loving teen who found her home on a photo-editing, aesthetic-building app. Where the VSCO girl may be bright and bubbly, the e-girl is quiet and moody.