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17 insider facts about shopping at Costco only employees know (COST)

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Costco shopper

  • Costco deals aren't too hard to find.
  • But there are a few less-than-obvious hacks and tips to apply if you ever spring for a membership.
  • From watching the price tags to shopping on Mondays, here's a look at some insider tips from employees that you should know if you're going to shop at Costco.

Costco deals are easy to come by.

The retail chain is famous for having just about everything. And certainly, some of its offerings stretch beyond what you'd expect from a big-box store — Costco sells cars, vacations, food kits for the apocalypse, cheap eats in the food court, and even caskets.

Given the breadth of Costco's selection, it pays to come in armed with as much information as you can get. That way, you can keep an eye out for the best possible deals and shopping strategies the next time you visit your local Costco.

Costco employees tend to have the most insider knowledge, like knowing how to shop without a membership, how to avoid annoying them, and how to know when buying in bulk isn't worth it.

Here's a look at some tips that only Costco employees and seasoned shoppers know about:

SEE ALSO: We ate at a Costco food court, and it was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had

DON'T MISS: 12 Costco deals that are well worth the money

You don't need a membership for everything

A standard Costco membership, which costs $60 a year, can help a customer rack up huge savings.

But you don't need a Costco membership to get an eye exam or grab a bite to eat at outdoor food courts.

A San Francisco-based employee added that you also don't need a membership to buy alcohol at the store. And a Costco employee in Illinois added that membership isn't required to buy gas at the chain, either.

The pharmacy's also open to non members, according to another Costco employee Business Insider spoke with.

If you need a flu shot or a shingles vaccination, you can show up with a signed immunization consent form and take care of it.

So if you're trying to shop at Costco without a membership, just tell the Costco employee at the door what you're there for, Eat This Not That recommends.



Start your hunt in the middle of the store

Many Costco employees place the store's biggest bargains in the "center court" of the store, Business Insider's Kate Taylor reported.

You're better off skipping the more expensive displays at the store's entrance and starting somewhere in the middle.



There's a reason stuff gets moved around so much

The displays employees set up at Costco are far from static.

The chain touts the flux as a sort of "treasure hunt" — and in a sense, it's right.

Costco typically moves items around in order to get shoppers to see — and buy — more.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 reasons it's difficult to spot narcissists and psychopaths — and how they use these to hide in plain sight

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Dark triad personalities — narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy — rely on manipulating other people as their source of power. They thrive off creating chaos for everyone around them, under the illusion of being a caring partner or friend.

Narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths are so good at hiding in plain sight, you'll have a hard time identifying them unless you know the signs.

There's also a problem with what we expect these people to be.

When you mention psychopaths, many people will imagine a murderer, rapist, or Hannibal Lecter type. The reality is a lot less dramatic. Someone doesn't have to have committed a violent crime to be diagnosed as a psychopath, and taking a lot of selfies doesn't make someone a narcissist.

They still cause harm to others, but it's more likely to be the emotional and psychological harm that doesn't leave physical scars. That's why they can hop from partner to partner without leaving much of a trace of their destruction.

Doctor of psychology and therapist Perpetua Neo spoke with Business Insider about how dark triad people slip through the cracks, and how our misconceptions can help them manipulate others.

Here are 10 reasons dark triad people are so difficult to spot:

SEE ALSO: The way a narcissist's brain works can help unravel whether they mean to hurt their partners or not

1. They are not all Jack the Ripper

Relatively few psychopaths have a taste for blood. Neo said we tend to believe most psychopaths are in prison, because they are cold-blooded murderers, rapists, or paedophiles, but this simply isn't true for most of them.

She said we tend to ask ourselves if someone is a full-blown psychopath, such as Jack the Ripper, which means we ignore the other signs that they are probably on the spectrum.

"It's just a way we use to justify it to ourselves that there is a good person inside this person, or maybe I'm just bringing the bad side out of this person," she said. "I think the question should be 'are they good to you and are they good for you?'

"Do you really need a person to be Jack the Ripper before you decide to disengage from them?"



2. Their job proves nothing

If someone is respected in the community, it is harder to assume their intentions aren't good. But sometimes, dark triad people will go into professions that will mask their true intentions. Neo said this always makes her think of the Catholic church, and when they tried to cover up the abuse of young children.

"Because somebody is in a position in a community, we think they're a good person," she said. "Just like if someone's a psychologist or therapist, we think they're a good person. But having gifts doesn't make you a good person. We just conflate all these ideas in our head. Which means for instance, a psychopath may choose to work in a charity, in the third sector, so they can look like they're very giving people. That's how they worm their way in."



3. They can actually show empathy

Dark triad people are more or less devoid of empathy. But Neo said there are two types of empathy — cognitive and affective. Affective empathy is when you truly feel something for someone else, whereas cognitive empathy is the ability to recognise the feelings in others.

Narcissists and psychopaths often watch a lot of TV and films, so they are able to develop cognitive empathy and mimic the behaviours that are appropriate in those situations. For example, they may know to give you a hug, but there is no feeling behind it — they're just copying what they've learned.

"They can seem empathetic even if they lack empathy," Neo said. "But it's their everyday behaviour, what kind of contempt leaks out, that matters. If they seem empathetic towards a person, then the next thing you hear might be a strange remark, or a weird sick joke, then you know this person doesn't really have empathy."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

This is what's inside the fridges of 7 top fitness stars and personal trainers

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Summer is finally upon us, meaning for many, healthy eating will be firmly on the agenda. 

If you're in need of some inspiration, all you need to do is take a peek inside the fridges of some of the most influential fitness fanatics.

Wren Kitchens teamed up with seven influencers — including a blogger, dancer, model, and Barry's Bootcamp trainer — to find out how they stay fit and healthy inside and out.

While they each have their own take on healthy living, be it following a strict eating regime or avoiding a diet altogether, saying no to "cheat days," or avoiding "fat-free" products, most agree that you should factor in at least a few plant-based days per week.

Scroll down to take a look in their fridges — and to find out how they'll be staying healthy this summer.

SEE ALSO: The plank is the one exercise most commonly done wrong, according to a personal trainer — but this subtle change could make it twice as effective in half the time

Chessie King, fitness trainer and presenter — @chessiekingg, 300K followers.

What's in her fridge

While King doesn't label herself a veggie or vegan, she doesn't eat meat. "I pack my fridge with goodness," she said. "[P]lenty of fish, tofu, chickpeas, and veggies. I just eat mindfully and make sure my fish is well-sourced.

"My favourite, easy-to-make healthy breakfast is avocado with smoked salmon in a gluten-free multi-seed pita. If I’m in a rush, I love a shake, with a banana, oat milk, peanut butter, oats, cacao powder, protein powder, and ice.

"I always have kale in my fridge to make kale crisps. I drizzle them in olive oil and salt before crisping them up in the Aga," she said.

"Instead of coffee, I have pre-workout matcha, which I whizz up with oat milk and ice in the blender. I love oat milk and brown rice milk, so always stock my fridge up with these.

"Up until three years ago, I used to think the egg white was the healthiest part and wasted the yolk. But the yolk contains all the goodness and vitamin D. I love scrambling egg and tofu together with brown rice and broccoli, then adding a little honey, tamari, sesame oil, and mixing it all together to make a healthy teriyaki dish."

King added that she doesn’t believe in low fat, high protein, or low-carb meals, nor juice diets or skinny teas.

Her one piece of advice for 2018

Walk everywhere. "Go for walks on lunch breaks and weekends – even start walking to work, if you can."



Steph Elswood, health blogger and dancer — @healthychefsteph, 167K followers.

What's in her fridge

"I eat mostly vegan, which means I consume no meat, eggs, milk, or cheese," said Elswood. "As a result, my fridge is always packed with colourful fruits and veggies." These include courgettes, ginger, avocados, cucumber, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, onions, strawberries, and blueberries.

"I make curries and stews a lot – they’re warming, delicious, and save me from this cold weather. I have dates that keep for longer than most fruit, and buy beetroot in a vacuum pack in case I ever fancy it.

"To mix things up, I find other vegetables that I don’t use as frequently. For this week, I have chosen a butternut squash, which I plan to make into a pie."

Elswood added that she combines plant-based items to create a "complete protein" source that has an adequate proportion of all nine essential amino acids.

"Examples of this are pita and hummus, peanut butter on wholegrain toast, or rice and black beans. I also use coconut or almond milk for coffee, cereal, and smoothies."

Her one piece of advice for 2018

Avoid being intimidated by the gym by having a plan. "There are so many newbies kickstarting their exercise journey. Pre-plan your workouts and walk in with confidence. No one will question you — they’re all too busy concentrating on themselves."



Matt Law, model — @mattclaw, 99K followers.

What's in his fridge

"Typically, I eat oily fish, such as salmon, once a week, and lean meats or white fish on the other days," Law said. "I try to have at least one plant-based day a week, replacing animal protein with plant based high-protein substitutes such as black beans or lentils."

He said that instead of buying in bulk, he'll buy just enough for a few days, which presumably avoids wastage. "I travel a lot, so this suits my schedule, and the added benefit is the food I’m eating is fresh," he said. "Seasonal vegetables are a good option, too. They tend to be cheaper and you can sometimes pick up boxes of mixed seasonal vegetables."

His one piece of advice for 2018

He advises people to schedule a workout on a Saturday or Sunday. "Having a couple of rest days in the week is a better idea than leaving it for the weekend," he said.

And he doesn't advocate "cheat days." "All you’re doing by having a day off from your regular diet is reminding your taste buds of all the bad foods they’ve missed," he said. "Wait until you’ve reached your goal, then slowly introduce the odd treat."

He added that it takes about 21 days of healthy eating to overcome your junk food habits.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the signs your friend is in an emotionally abusive relationship — and what you should do about it

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  • Signs of emotional abuse can be hard to spot because they don't leave physical scars.
  • Also, victims are very good at hiding what is happening to them.
  • But there are a few changes in their behaviour you can look out for, such as them becoming increasingly isolated.
  • The best thing you can do to help is be unconditionally supportive until your friend comes to a decision themselves.
  • If you're too aggressive with your advice, you may end up making things worse.


Domestic abuse of some kind affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime. Those odds mean it's pretty likely one of your friends has either been abused by their partner, or will be in the future.

According to Katie Hood, the CEO of One Love Foundation, it can be extremely difficult to tell if someone is in an unhealthy or abusive relationship because usually they are doing everything they can to hide it.

One Love was started by Sharon Love after her daughter Yeardley Love was killed in 2010 by her ex boyfriend. In the months after her tragic death, Sharon realised that if anyone had known the early signs of abuse, Yeardley's life could have been saved. The foundation now educates young people about healthy relationships, and how to help people who might be in dangerous, unhealthy ones.

Hood told Business Insider people in abusive relationships often post pictures on social media about how happy they are, while on the inside they're going through turmoil.

"Because all abusive relationships start out as the best relationship you've ever been in, it's easy when it turns south to keep focusing on what it used to be and wanting to get back to that place," she said. "That being said, there are signs that someone you know might be in trouble."

Pulling away from friends and family

The first stage of an abusive relationship is isolation, so you may notice changes in your friend's pattern of behaviour. They may pull away from friends or family, and be spending excessive time with their partner.

"They are no longer doing things they love or hanging out with close friends," said Hood. "It can also be a sudden move with a new partner to a town or city that just doesn't make sense given where your friend's goals were before."

If your friend is being emotionally abused, Hood said they are essentially being controlled. They probably feel completely out of control of their own life, and feel really confused a lot of the time, especially if they are being gaslighted.

"Someone who is experiencing emotional abuse may have lower self-esteem, causing them to act less confident than they used to," said Hood. "If you notice that your normally outgoing friend suddenly seems withdrawn or not fully present, it can be a sign that something isn't right."

Not being 'allowed' to make decisions

You may notice they need to text their partner all the time, or check in with them in an excessive way. They may struggle to make plans without asking their partner first, or often break commitments with you with very little notice. These are all signs they aren't "allowed" to make their own decisions.

Also, if their relationship seems very volatile, this doesn't simply mean they are highly passionate. It could be a sign your friend is in trouble.

Unconditional support is the best thing you can offer

In each of these situations, it's difficult to know what to do. You may think interfering in some way is the best course of action, but Hood said it is really important your friend comes to a decision on their own. In that time, you should give them unconditional support, speak to your friend, and ask them questions without being too invasive — even though this is likely to be incredibly hard to do.

"It is possible your friend will deflect your questions or dismiss your concerns, but it's critical that you not be overly forceful in making them listen," Hood said. "In dictating and ordering your friend around, you will likely only be mimicking the behavior of the abusive partner. The most important thing is to keep the communication lines open and make your friend feel supported and heard."

Suggesting they leave their partner isn't advisable, because the time immediately after a break-up is the most dangerous for victims, Hood said. If you really believe your friend is in imminent danger, you should contact the police.

Conversation is the most valuable tool at your disposal, and eventually your friend will probably open up about what's happening. In the meantime, you can talk to their other friends and family to see what they've noticed about the situation — you may find you are all on the same page, and you can work together to better protect your friend from further harm.

The worst thing you can do, Hood said, is give up.

"Do not abandon your friend, even when you are frustrated that they are not listening," she said. "They need you now more than ever."

SEE ALSO: Here are 13 signs your friendship with someone is toxic

Join the conversation about this story »

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Nominate someone for Business Insider's Food 100: The coolest people in food and drink in North America and Europe

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Business Insider is looking for the 100 coolest people in food and drink in North America and Europe — and you can start nominating today.

The Business Insider Food 100 will rank the most innovative, trend-setting, impactful, and influential people in the fantastic worlds of food and drink.

It will include, but is not limited to, the likes of...

  • Chefs
  • Bartenders and mixologists
  • Sommeliers
  • CEOs and teams behind new product launches
  • Bloggers
  • Nutritionists and dietitians
  • Anyone doing something "cool" within the wider world of food and drink

Do you know someone with a quirky job or role who has had an impact on the industry in the past year? Did they invent a product, a drink, or a dish that has become famous? Did they open a restaurant or bar that's the first of its kind?

If so, we want to hear from you — and you can fill out a nomination form here.

Deadline: Friday June 1 at 11.59 p.m.

Please email uksales@businessinsider.com for sponsorship opportunities.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best restaurants in the world, according to millionaire private jet owners

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Jeff Bezos reveals what it's like to build an empire and become the richest man in the world — and why he's willing to spend $1 billion a year to fund the most important mission of his life

The 22 best rooftop bars in London in 2018, ranked by the price of a cocktail

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It's officially outdoor drinking season, which means one thing — time to hit the rooftop bars and patios.

While there are plenty to choose from in the capital, if you want to beat the crowds — and the steep price tags — it can be hard to know where to go.

Based on the opinions of Business Insider's London locals, we've rounded up the best rooftop bars in the city, ranked by the price of the most affordable cocktail.

Scroll down for the full list, ranked from cheapest to most splurge-worthy — and featuring some stunning views.

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 19 cheapest holiday destinations in Europe

Pergola, Paddington — £5.50.

"Pergola's rooftop isn't that glamourous, but it has a great selection of food and drink, with the likes of Patty and Bun burgers as one of the highlights. Their Peroni Spritz, a mix of Aperol, beer, grapefruit juice and prosecco, sounds like the sort of thing you'd throw together at a house party at 3 a.m., but is utterly delicious and a perfect summer drink." — Will Martin, Finance Reporter.

Find out more here.



Prince of Wales, Brixton — £6.50.

This busy two-level outdoor roof terrace is also a music venue — perfect for a night out with friends.

Find out more here.



Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch — £7.

"Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch changes theme twice a year — currently operating under a shisha-infused 'Morrocan Medina' experience. For when evenings turn into nights, the ground and basement floors also operate as a nightclub." — Tom Murray, Associate Social Media Editor

Find out more here.



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We shopped at Sephora and Ulta to see which was a better beauty store — and the winner was clear

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  • Ulta Beauty is opening new stores while many other retailers are closing them. 
  • One reason for Ulta's success is that it carries both luxury and drugstore brands, allowing it to appeal to shoppers on a variety of budgets.
  • Rival beauty store Sephora, on the other hand, focuses on stocking luxury brands. 
  • We went to an Ulta and a Sephora to see how the two stores stacked up against each other. 

While many other retailers close their doors, Ulta Beauty reportedly plans to open at least 100 new stores in 2018. 

According to CNBC, the beauty retailer is entering new markets, adding stores in existing markets, and remodeling old stores to stay relevant. Ulta carries upwards of 500 brands, ranging in price from $3 to more than $100, which is nearly double what luxury beauty rival Sephora carries.

Since its stores offer a full suite of beauty services, Ulta competes not only with other beauty retailers, but with drugstores and salons as well. Recently, a report by research firm Piper Jaffray revealed that Ulta has become the top beauty destination for average-income teens, overtaking Sephora for the first time in a year. 

Another reason Ulta is seeing success is that 90% of its locations are in suburban strip malls instead of enclosed shopping malls, meaning that it isn't heavily affected by the ongoing decrease in shopping mall foot traffic. 

Sephora has more locations in shopping malls than Ulta, though it's taking action to move out of malls and open smaller locations, called Sephora Studios, to supplement decreasing mall traffic. It's also bringing in more exclusive product releases and running programs such as Sephora Accelerate, a beauty startup accelerator. 

To see how Ulta and Sephora stacked up against each other, we visited both stores back to back. This is what we found:

SEE ALSO: We went to a Kohl's store and saw how it's bucking the trend of dying department stores and malls

My first stop was Ulta. The only Manhattan location is on the Upper East Side, right next-door to a Sephora.



The inside was bright, and the employees were all very bubbly. A Benefit Cosmetics promotion was advertised in the entryway, with high-end cosmetics to the left and drugstore brands on the right.



Ulta had a few good deals to offer right away, including a bin that offered five products for $10 in the front of the store.



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The best TV show of 2018 on each network so far — from FX to Netflix to HBO

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The first half of 2018 has already seen a number of innovative new shows and stellar follow-up seasons to established critical favorites. 

From AMC's freshman series "The Terror," to solid sophomore outings from Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale" and FX's "Atlanta," this year in TV has gotten off to an impressive start.  

To figure out which shows that have aired this year are worth watching across all outlets, we turned to the reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes to select the most critically acclaimed scripted show that each network and service has aired episodes of in 2018.

We excluded children's shows, talk shows, and docuseries, and we only selected from networks with scripted shows that had enough reviews to receive a "Fresh" designation for a season this year. We also used audience scores to break any ties within networks.

 Here is the best TV show of 2018 on each network so far, according to critics:

SEE ALSO: The worst TV show of every year since 2000, according to critics

ABC: "How to Get Away With Murder" (Season 4)

Critic score: 100%

Audience score: 75%

Summary: "Murder, deception, fear and guilt are the ties that bind Middleton University Professor Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) to her long-time associates Frank Delfino, Bonnie Winterbottom and her students. But as the group struggles to move on with their lives and focus on their clients, their past continues to haunt them, as Annalise and her inner circle struggle to keep their secrets from getting exposed."



Amazon: "Bosch" (Season 4)

Critic score: 100%

Audience score: 100%

Summary: "When an attorney is murdered on the eve of his civil rights trial against the LAPD, homicide Det. Harry Bosch is assigned to lead a Task Force to solve the crime before the city erupts in a riot."



AMC: "The Terror" (Season 1)

Critic score: 92%

Audience score: 89%

Summary: "Inspired by a true story, 'The Terror' centers on the British Royal Navy’s perilous voyage into unchartered territory as the crew attempts to discover the Northwest Passage. Faced with treacherous conditions, limited resources, dwindling hope and fear of the unknown, the crew is pushed to the brink of extinction."



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The movies you shouldn't miss this summer — from 'Deadpool 2' to the new 'Mission: Impossible'

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We have hit the time of year when multiplexes are filled with Hollywood's big blockbusters. 

The summer movie season kicked off early this year with the record-breaking opening of "Avengers: Infinity War" in late April. And going forward it will be a constant barrage of hit movies.

From "Deadpool 2" to "Solo: A Star Wars Story" to "Incredibles 2" to "Mission: Impossible - Fallout," there's going to be a lot to take in.

With so much coming at you, we've come up with a list of 32 movies we think you should go out and see this summer:

SEE ALSO: 12 of the worst TV reboots of all time, ranked from bad to unbearable

IN THEATERS - “Avengers: Infinity War”

You might have heard about this little movie. It has a few superheroes in it and they finally battle a big purple guy. Yes, it’s going to make a couple of dollars at the movie theaters. Get ready for the most ambitious crossover event in history.



IN THEATERS - “Overboard”

The classic Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russell 1987 romantic comedy gets a gender swap for its reboot, as Anna Faris plays the overworked employee of a spoiled Mexican playboy (Eugenio Derbez) who gets some payback when he gets amnesia after falling off his yacht.



IN THEATERS - “Tully”

Jason Reitman reteams with "Young Adult" screenwriter Diablo Cody (“Juno”) and star Charlize Theron for his latest movie about a mother (Theron) who forms a unique bond with her nanny (played by Mackenzie Davis).



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

6 ways to tell how formal a wedding will be from the invitation alone

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  • Wedding invitations contain subtle hints about the level of formality and overall fanciness of the celebration, according to event planners.
  • Those hints include the size and thickness of the paper and the time the event is called for.
  • Once you know how grand the affair will be, you'll have a better idea of what to wear, how many guests will be there, and generally what to prepare for.

 



Wedding invitations aren't just pieces of paper that languish on your dining-room table until the day before the event. Couples put a lot of thought into elements such as the font, the paper size, and the number of envelopes enclosing the card, since the invitation sets the tone for the entire affair.

That means guests can take a quick look at a wedding invitation and figure out just how fancy, formal, and traditional the celebration will be. Read: You'll get a better sense of what to wear, whether you can show up late, how many people will be there, and generally what to prepare for.

We spoke to three event and wedding planners — Melissa McNeeley of Events by Melissa McNeeley, Amy Shey Jacobs of Chandelier Events, and Andrea Freeman of Andrea Freeman Events— and got the lowdown on these subtle cues and what they convey.

For their best insight on what you can learn from an invite, see the graphic above.

SEE ALSO: One of the most formal traditions for wedding invitations dates back to a time when mail was delivered by horse and buggy

Join the conversation about this story »

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13 places to visit in May for every type of traveler

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  • The best places to visit in May are probably already on savvy travelers' lists.
  • Business Insider looked at airfare trends, climate data, and peak travel times to find the best places to visit in May 2018.
  • The destinations include food havens, sites of ancient ruins, and island paradises.

May is when many savvy travelers aim to cross another destination off their bucket list. Conditions are perfect — many of the world's greatest destinations start to heat up, and summer tourists have yet to descend, leaving prices relatively low and giving you plenty of space to enjoy your trip.

There are endless unique travel experiences to seek out in May, from the spiritual paradise of Bali, Indonesia and the jaw-dropping views of Machu Picchu in Peru to the world-famous barbecue competition in Memphis, Tennessee.

Business Insider looked at airfare trends, climate data, and peak travel times to figure out which vacation spots should be on your radar.

Read on to find the 13 best places to visit in May:

SEE ALSO: The 13 best places to visit in April for every type of traveler

DON'T MISS: The 13 best places to visit in March for every type of traveler

Asheville, North Carolina

May is the perfect time to visit the funky mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville offers a crisp breath of fresh air from the rest of the South, whose heat and humidity will be ratcheting up by May.

Asheville is a magnet for lovers of music, beer, and the great outdoors. Time your trip right and you'll catch the LEAF Festival for local and world music (May 10-13) or the Montford Music and Arts Festival (May 19).



Memphis, Tennessee

If food is your top priority, it's hard to pick a better destination in the US than Memphis. Barbecue is king here, and you could spend days sampling the best ribs in the city. Memphis is also a mecca for Elvis fans, and Graceland is a must-see for first-time visitors.

What makes May an especially great month to visit is the annual Memphis in May International Festival, running from May 4 to May 26. Each year features music, art, and cultural performances celebrating a different country — this year's honoree is the Czech Republic.  And of course, it wouldn't be a Memphis festival without food, so check out the world-famous barbecue contest that takes place each year.



Yellowstone National Park

There's arguably nowhere in the United States that boasts more natural beauty than Yellowstone National Park.  If you're a nature lover, prepare to spend several days marveling at erupting geysers, observing animals like moose, elk, and grizzly bears, and exploring the surrounding mountains and canyons.

Beat the crowds by visiting Yellowstone in May — the weather will be mild, and you won't have to fight through families on their summer vacations.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Daniel Craig is getting paid $25 million for his next 'Bond' movie, after once saying he'd rather slit his wrists than return

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  • Daniel Craig is expected to make $25 million for his return to the role of James Bond in the upcoming "Bond 25" film, Variety reports.
  • Craig confirmed in August last year that he had signed on for his fifth Bond film, after saying in a 2015 interview, prior to the release of "Spectre," that he would rather "slit my wrists" than return to the series.
  • "Bond 25" is set for release on November 8, 2019.

Daniel Craig will receive a huge payday for his fifth film appearance as James Bond, according to Variety.

The outlet reports that Craig is set to rake in $25 million for the untitled "Bond 25" feature, which is slated for release on November 8, 2019.

Craig confirmed in an August 2017 interview with Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" that he would return to the franchise for a fifth film. 

The announcement took some fans by surprise, as Craig voiced his displeasure with the series prior to the release of his fourth Bond movie, "Spectre," in 2015. At the time, Craig told Britain's "Time Out" in an interview that he would "rather break this glass and slit my wrists" than return to the franchise. 

But a $25 million payday for one film was apparently enough to lure the actor back into the fold. 

Radar Online reported in August that Sony offered Craig $150 million to star in two more Bond films, but outlets like Vanity Fair quickly threw cold water on that figure. Craig has not confirmed that he'll return for a sixth film.

SEE ALSO: The 14 movies that made $1 billion at the box office the fastest

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Millennials are waiting longer to lose their virginity than previous generations, according to a new study

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  • Millennials lose their virginity later than previous generations did, according to a new study.
  • There are several possible reasons for this, including the fact they may struggle with intimacy.
  • Or maybe they just have better things to do.


If you were to listen to some cynical older people, you'd believe the younger generations drink and take drugs, spend too much time on their phones, and spend all day having sex with each other.

In reality, younger people are more likely to avoid alcohol, and spending time on social media isn't actually that bad for them. Also, according to a new study, millennials are waiting longer to have sex than previous generations.

Researchers with the Next Steps project, set up by the Department for Education and managed by University College London, tracked the lives of 16,000 people born between 1989 and 1990 from the age of 14.

Results showed that millennials remain virgins for longer, with 12.5% of them not having sex until the age of 26.

Of those who lost their virginity by this age, about 90% did so by 19, while 1% said it happened between the ages of 23 and 26.

According to Susanna Abse, a psychoanalytic psychotherapist at the Balint Consultancy, young people could be struggling with intimacy problems because they are exposed to a lot of pornographic material and sexual content in TV and films from a young age.

"Millennials have been brought up in a culture of hypersexuality which has bred a fear of intimacy," she told The Sunday Times. "The fear for young men is of being humiliated, plus the fear of exposure in your Facebook group."

The pressures of social media are a possibility for how millennials approach sex, but there are likely to be several different reasons. It could just be because teens have more options for how to spend their time now, and sex isn't as high on the agenda.

Or it could be something to do with passing on having sex earlier, in a similar way they have done with drugs and alcohol.

There's also the possibility that it has to do with millennials working long hours, and being more likely to still live at home with their parents — neither of which present a lot of opportunity for intimate encounters.

They may also simply be more socially isolated. A recent study found that younger generations are at the highest risk of loneliness. Results showed 7% of millennial participants said they often felt lonely, while 23-31% said they felt left out or lacked companionship.

Whatever the reason, research suggests falling sexual activity is a trend that isn't likely to go away any time soon. For example, a US survey found that 44% of teenage girls have had sex, compared to 58% 25 years ago. For boys, it was 47% compared to 69% 25 years ago.

SEE ALSO: Lonely millennials are at a greater risk of developing anxiety and depression — but the reasons for their isolation are unclear

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I went to a 'sugar baby summit' and learned 'sugar daddies' give tuition, gifts, investments, or cash — but they say it's about much more than the money

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  • SeekingArrangement, an online dating service for sugar babies and daddies, hosted a conference in New York City.
  • One of the panels focused on money in sugar dating.
  • According to the panelists, sugar dating isn't just about money — it's about developing a relationship and respecting each other's feelings. In fact, it's generally considered a faux pas to ask for money right off the bat.
  • This can be confusing, given that "arrangements" are supposed to have clearer expectations than conventional relationships.

 

In April, I went to a Sugar Baby Summit. This event, for the uninitiated, is a daylong series of panels in New York City, where seasoned sugar babies and daddies share nuggets of wisdom and answer attendees' burning questions.

"Sugar baby" and "sugar daddy" are terms used to refer to two people — usually a heterosexual younger woman and an older man, although anyone can take either role — who enter into a relationship in which it's expected the sugar daddy will compensate the sugar baby for their time with money or gifts. Many people in these relationships embrace the terms, hence the summit's name.

The summit was organized by SeekingArrangement, an online dating service for those specifically seeking sugar babies or daddies. Scores of women who'd already taken a swim in the "sugar bowl," as it's called, or who were considering testing out the waters, showed up.

I was there to learn more about a topic that's fascinated Business Insider's readers since Tanza Loudenback published a story on the growing number of students turning to sugar daddies to help cover their college costs late last year. Since then, Business Insider had heard from a number of sugar babies and daddies wanting to talk about their experiences and tell people about their community.

And while I'd arrived with some ideas about what an "arrangement" was, it turned out those ideas would be quickly addressed and debunked by the panelists at the summit.

Specifically, I'd assumed that sugar dating meant a woman agreed to spend time with a man — either sexually or otherwise — in exchange for money. Sugar babies and daddies say that, in real life, an arrangement is hardly so simple.

Sugar babies and daddies say sugar dating is about developing a relationship and respecting each other's feelings — not just about money

Sugar dating, I learned during a panel called "Money Talks," is about developing a relationship. Yes, sugar babies typically receive money from their sugar daddies, but that's not the defining characteristic of the partnership, at least according to those in the sugar bowl.

Christina Friscia, who owns a digital marketing and branding agency, and was formerly a sugar baby, put it bluntly: "These guys are here to help you because you're providing them with emotional support," she told the current and aspiring sugar babies seated before her. "It's not a paycheck. You don't … just sit there and look pretty."

Friscia went on: "There's so many more levels than just the money aspect."

couple dining silhouette

It wasn't the first time Friscia would mention sugar daddies' feelings. Later in the panel, she said that sugar daddies want to feel appreciated, instead of feeling like an ATM.

That's why all three panelists and the panel moderator agreed that asking for money upfront is a big no-no.

As Friscia put it, "If you've taken the time to build up [a relationship] with that person, they will respect you that much more." In fact, she added, "they will be way more willing to give before you even ask because they anticipate your need."

That is to say, sugar babies are supposed to establish themselves as someone worthy of their sugar daddy's funds and imply that they're in need of money — e.g. "I'm looking for a job" or "I'm in school right now" — until the daddies are ready to share some of those funds with them.

SeekingArrangement says sugar dating is a 'lifestyle choice' — not a job

If that sounds like it could be confusing, it is — if it weren't, there presumably wouldn't be an entire panel devoted to the topic.

In fact, the SeekingArrangement website appears to suggest that "arrangements" are liberating specifically because you don't have to dance around important issues (like money), as you might in a more conventional relationship.

From the website: "Forget reading in between the lines, our members know what they want," and "Things would be much easier if goals and starting points were already set forth before entering said relationship."

Alexis Germany, public relations manager at SeekingArrangement, reconciled the two viewpoints in an email to Business Insider this way: "The financial aspect of the relationship is something that can be brought up once a level of trust has been built. Anyone asking for money upfront is treating the situation as a job, and Sugar dating is not a job, it's a lifestyle choice." 

On an episode of the podcast "Let's Talk Sugar," which Germany cohosts, she told listeners that one, subtle way to prompt a gift or some financial help from your sugar daddy is to show him your budget and ask for advice on saving money. Inevitably, the sugar daddy will offer to cover, say, your phone bill or your tuition expenses.

Meanwhile, in a blog post on Let'sTalkSugar.com, JadeSeashell writes that money is just one benefit of sugar dating. Sugar babies often receive "long-term benefits," including mentorship and investments in their businesses.

So how do sugar daddies decide whether a sugar baby is worth their time and money?

Sugar daddies say they like to be appreciated for playing the role of the 'provider'

Brandon Wade, the founder of SeekingArrangement who spoke on the panel, said he tries to "drill down to the purpose." As in: Do you want a new laptop because it makes you feel better? Or, do you "want to accomplish some goal?" When the sugar baby has a clear goal — maybe they're paying for college, or maybe they're looking to start a business — he's more likely to help.

It's "the white knight syndrome," Wade admitted, meaning he relishes the idea of swooping in and saving a woman in some kind of distress.

Wade recalled a relationship he'd had with a sugar baby who ultimately was interested exclusively in his money but pretended she wasn't. They were friends for six months before they started dating, he said: "Once she won my heart, the wallet sprung open."

Carl Foster, a speaker and radio and television host as well as a former sugar daddy who led the panel, mentioned an off-putting experience he'd had with a sugar baby who seemed especially demanding. As soon as they met, she tried to settle on a rate with him, based on a previous relationship she'd had with a sugar daddy. Foster remembers saying, "What is this, a business negotiation here? There are rates and fees?"

couple from behind on beachFriscia suggested that holding off on asking for money is partly a way to avoid repelling your sugar daddy and partly a way to preserve your own dignity.

"It's not an exchange of power," she said. "You've got to maintain your integrity." Just as important, she said: Sugar daddies "can smell desperation on your breath," so a sugar baby should "be a lady about it."

Friscia repeatedly referenced gender roles. "Men want to feel like they're helping a girl out and they're taking care of them," she said. "That's just in male DNA. Men are providers and women are receivers. That's the dynamic from the beginning of time."

Foster said, "To me, every woman is priceless. There shouldn't be a value put on anybody." (The audience let out a collective "aw.")

Jim Demetrios, an author, trader, and fitness adviser, who married and subsequently divorced a sugar baby, put it somewhat differently. He explained that if you're the kind of sugar baby who wants to state your financial needs and get them fulfilled right away, you'll have to find a sugar daddy who wants to work the same way. In that sense, sugar dating seems most similar to a conventional relationship.

"It's not necessarily a hustle," Demetrios said. "It's that's what they feel that they need and that's what you don't want. So obviously, you're incompatible. So it's not going to work out."

If you are a sugar daddy or sugar baby and would like to share your story, please email yourmoney@businessinsider.com.

SEE ALSO: Millions of college students are so terrified of loans they're turning to 'sugar daddies' for help paying for school

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Elon Musk may be dating pop musician Grimes, and the internet is losing it over photos of the alleged couple at the Met Gala

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  • Tech billionaire Elon Musk is reportedly dating musical artist Grimes.
  • The two stepped out together at the Met Gala on Monday night.
  • The couple allegedly bonded online over a joke about artificial intelligence.

 

Elon Musk has found a new love interest in musical artist Grimes.

The two stepped out together at the Met Gala, one of the biggest star-studded events of the year. Musk wore a white tuxedo jacket and a collarless shirt, while Grimes rocked a futuristic space-warrior-inspired ensemble. The pair have not publicly confirmed their relationship.

Earlier on Monday, Page Six reported that Musk and Grimes have been "quietly dating," according to an unnamed source. The gossip rag said the pair met online about a month ago, after Musk saw on a joke about artificial intelligence that Grimes made and reached out.

Musk, 46, is the founder of Tesla and SpaceX and has a net worth around $20.1 billion.

Claire Boucher, known professionally as Grimes, has received widespread acclaim for her lip-smacking blend of pop, electronic, indie rock, and noise music. Her studio album "Visions" was hailed as "one of the most impressive albums of the year so far" by The New York Times in 2012.

The two are as unlikely a match as Musk and Amber Heard, his ex-girlfriend actress.

As celebrities arrived on the red carpet at the Met Gala, Twitter was abuzz awaiting the first public appearance of Musk and Grimes together. They were not disappointed.

Twitter had fun with the duo, which has yet to receive its celebrity-couple name.

Some people speculated that Grimes's choker necklace is a Tesla accessory.

elon musk grimes dating

This year's Met Gala theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination."

Musk appeared to "sub-tweet" his alleged sweetheart on Twitter on Monday.

He posted "Rococo basilisk" in a tweet, which refers to an alter-ego that Grimes created for the music video for her song "Flesh Without Blood." Rococo basilisk's name is a play on words that references a thought experiment centered on artificial intelligence, known as Roko's basilisk.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk is dating artsy musician Grimes — and the whole thing started because of a Twitter joke about artificial intelligence

DON'T MISS: Inside the turbulent personal life of Elon Musk, who called his estranged father 'a terrible human being' and who says he must be in love to be happy

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All your favorite Netflix original shows that have been renewed for another season

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Netflix has begun to cancel shows, but that doesn't mean it's getting rid of your favorites.

40 Netflix original series will be returning with new seasons in the near future.

Only a handful of the series have official release dates, including the upcoming premieres of "Arrested Development" and "GLOW."

This week, the streaming service announced the renewal of the horror-comedy "Santa Clarita Diet," starring Drew Barrymore.

Other hit Netflix shows that have been renewed by the streaming service, like "Stranger Things" and "Black Mirror," are either in production or awaiting release.

For this list, we have included only renewed Netflix series that are yet to air, and we've included official release dates if applicable. We've excluded children's shows and reality series.

Here are the 40 Netflix original series that are coming back for another season:

SEE ALSO: All 65 of Netflix's notable original shows, ranked from worst to best

"Arrested Development" (Season 5) — Premieres May 29

Date renewed: May 17, 2017



"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (Season 4) — Premieres May 30



"Marvel's Luke Cage" (Season 2) — Premieres June 22



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

MoviePass owner says it's figured out how to cut its losses by more than 35% (HMNY)

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  • On Tuesday, MoviePass parent company Helios and Matheson Analytics filed an 8-K to the SEC stating it had approximately $43.4 million in the bank.
  • It also reported that after a few tweaks to MoviePass, it reduced its cash deficit during the first week of May by more than 35%.


You might not like that MoviePass will no longer let you use its service to watch the same movie multiple times, but the measure might help the company stay in business.

On Tuesday, MoviePass' parent company, Helios and Matheson Analytics (HMNY), filed a 8-K to the SEC about its current financial situation.

The company said that, as of April 30, it had approximately $43.4 million in the bank and that its average cash deficit (the amount of money it had been losing) was approximately $21.7 million per month since September 2017.

However, the company also noted that a few changes to MoviePass’ tech and terms of service could help reduce its “monthly cash deficit significantly.”

Helios and Matheson wrote that, in late April, MoviePass enhanced its technology to prevent subscribers from sharing accounts with non-subscribers, and stopped allowing subscribers to see a movie title more than once while using the service. The company said it believed these actions led to a reduction in its cash deficit during the first week of May by "more than 35%."

This is good news for investors, many of whom had been wary of the company after, in April, its independent auditor raised “substantial doubt” about its ability to stay in business, and the company sold more shares to help offset its losses.

"MoviePass currently spends more to retain a subscriber than the revenue derived from that subscriber," Helios and Matheson wrote in its annual report in April. Investors, no doubt, hope controlling costs can turn that around.

SEE ALSO: The best TV shows of 2018 on each network so far — from FX to Netflix to HBO

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Americans are obsessed with SUVs — these are the ones everyone is buying

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  • About 17.2 million cars were sold in 2017, according to data from Kelley Blue Book.
  • Compact and mid-size crossover SUVs accounted for nearly 40% of all sales last year. 
  • Among the top-selling SUVs were the Toyota Rav4, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V.

There were about 17.2 million cars and trucks sold last year, according to a report by Kelley Blue Book.

Though the total number of car sales is down 1.8% from 2016, the report shows that people are continuing to favor SUVs and trucks over sedans. In fact, compact and mid-size crossover SUVs combined accounted for about 40% of all car sales in 2017. Some of the top selling crossover SUVs include the Toyota Rav4, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V — over 350,000 of each was sold in 2017 alone.

Here are some of the best sellers, according to KBB:

SEE ALSO: These 10 electric SUVs will take on Tesla's Model X

12. Jeep Cherokee: 169,882 sold during 2017. Down -14.9% over 2016.



11. Subaru Forester: 177,563. -0.6%.



10. Subaru Outback: 188,886. +3.3%.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

$30,000 tickets, $2 million jewelry, and $2,000 tuxedos: Unbelievable facts show how opulent the Met Gala is

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  • The Met Gala 2018 theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."
  • It reportedly costs $30,000 for a ticket to attend the Met Gala.
  • However, that's just the beginning of all the costs associated with the $3.5 million event.

The first Monday in May hosts the party of the year in the fashion world.

Dubbed the Oscars of the East, the annual Met Gala was held on May 7, themed "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" to celebrate the Metropolitan Museum of Art's newest exhibition at the Costume Institute.

With 180 pieces on display, featuring high-end, expensive designers from Versace and Valentino to Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel, the exhibition focuses on the "dialogue between fashion and the masterworks of religious art."

Helmed by Vogue's Anna Wintour (and co-chaired this year by Rihanna, Donatella Versace, and Amal Clooney), the Met Gala is known for its best-dressed and worst-dressed celebrities, socialites, and businesspeople who walk the red carpet in their interpretation of the theme.

Anyone who is anyone is there, at least according to Wintour's handpicked and closely scrutinized guest list

And this year's guests didn't disappoint, from Rihanna's pope-inspired ensemble dripping in diamonds to Blake Lively walking the red carpet in $2 million worth of jewelry.

The cost to make an appearance during fashion's biggest night out is a steep one, and the cost to make the event happen is even bigger. For $30,000 a ticket, those who passed Wintour's approval can attend the $3.5 million event.

And that's just the beginning of all the money that goes into — and comes out of — what André Leon Talley refers to as "the Super Bowl of fashion."

Take an inside look at the money behind the Met Gala.

SEE ALSO: Here's what all the celebrities wore to the 2018 Met Gala

SEE ALSO: Meghan Markle could wear a custom-designed tiara worth nearly $700,000 on her wedding day — here's how much the tiaras of other British royal brides are worth

It reportedly costs $3.5 million to produce the Met Gala.

Source: The Wall Street Journal



Tickets for the Met Gala reportedly cost $30,000 — that's enough to put a family of four over the poverty line. Some sources say tickets can even cost up to $50,000.

Source: Fortune, Page Six



Tables go for $275,000, but can go for up to $500,000. They cost even more if they're paid for by sponsors. Yahoo sponsored the Met Gala 2015 and reportedly paid $3 million for two tables.

Source: Fortune, Page Six



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

One of America's least liked airlines is selling select round-trip tickets for just $58

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  • Frontier Airlines is launching nine new routes in August.
  • The Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier is holding a two-day fare sale in conjunction with the launch of the new routes.
  • It includes one-way tickets for as little as $29.
  • The sale ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday. 

On Tuesday, Frontier Airlines announced the addition of nine new routes to destinations across the US. The Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier will also expand to Norfolk, Virginia, and Wichita, Kansas.

The new routes, including six out of Jacksonville, Florida, will launch in the middle of August, Frontier said.

"These additional nine routes are the latest evidence of Frontier's commitment to making air travel more affordable and accessible to everyone," the airline's senior vice president of commercial, Daniel Shurz, said in a statement. "We're offering not only amazing low fares but a reliable and friendly service that allows customers to customize their travel experience to their needs and budget."

Shurz added: "This empowers more people than ever to fly. This is what our Low Fares Done Right philosophy is all about."

Frontier Airlines Airbus Denver

The new routes include service between:

  • Denver and Norfolk
  • Denver and Wichita
  • Jacksonville and Buffalo, New York
  • Jacksonville and Kansas City, Missouri
  • Jacksonville and Las Vegas
  • Jacksonville and Milwaukee
  • Jacksonville and Minneapolis
  • Jacksonville and St. Louis
  • Norfolk and Orlando, Florida

To commemorate the launch of these new routes, Frontier is holding a two-day sale with tickets as low as $29 one-way between Denver and Wichita, making a round trip $58. Flights between Jacksonville and St. Louis, as well as between Orlando and Norfolk, are on sale for $39 each way.

All sale tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday and are valid for travel between August 12 and November 14.

As with all sales, there is some serious fine print associated with these cheap tickets.

The fares are generally valid for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The sale covers flights from Florida from Tuesday to Friday and those to Florida from Sunday to Wednesday.

For flights out of Denver, sale prices are valid for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Discounted fares into Denver are available on flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

On the bright side, the fares are one-way and do not require a round-trip booking.

Despite its cheap flights and fast growth, Frontier has struggled with consumer satisfaction. It was rated the second-worst airline in the US in the latest Consumer Reports rankings. The airline also finished second to last in the latest report published by the American Consumer Satisfaction Index.

SEE ALSO: These are the 15 best airports in the world

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