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• I have a lot of tools in my kitchen, but this $6 fish spatula is the best thing I own.
• It has a sharp edge and super thin, flexible build that was developed for using with delicate fish fillets. 
• I use the spatula for pretty much everything because it makes flipping ingredients easy and keeps crispy crusts intact.

I cook pretty much every day. Not just for myself and my partner, but for our neighbors, friends, and family, too (and for a while, even as a professional caterer). I do it in part because I enjoy it, and in part because it saves me a tremendous amount of money. Either way, sharing food with people I love is one of my greatest joys in life. 

Another of my greatest joys is this $6 fish spatula I got on Amazon. 

I'm honestly not sure where I learned about the miracle of the fish spatula, but it was likely from watching too much Food Network, or cooking with chef friends, or reading Bon Appetit magazine on an airplane. Regardless, I'm sure glad I did.  

Designed to allow cooks to effortlessly flip delicate fillets of fish, it's actually good for so much more. Whether on a sheet pan or in a skillet, its razor-thin, angled edge allows you to flip anything without disrupting or dislodging the golden brown crust you worked hard to archive. Slats in the steel allow grease and oil to drip through when you're using it to lift shallow-fried foods, and a flexible build allows you to maneuver easily and get proper leverage even in a crowded pan.

I use mine for everything from transferring freshly baked cookies onto a plate to flipping fried potato latkes in a bubbling hot cast iron skillet. I also use it to scrape down all the brown bits left behind from cooking veggies and proteins so I can make the most of my sauces, and it has even come in handy when cleaning dishes with caked-on ingredients.  

There is honestly no reason to own any other type of spatula, unless you work in a pancake restaurant.

The best part about it is that it costs $6 on Amazon. I am a firm believer that not all of the best things in life have to be expensive, and also that sometimes the best things in life can just be really cheap, really great fish spatulas that you love to cook with.

I promise it's worth the $6. It might even become one of your great joys, too. 

New Star Foodservice Wood Handle 6.5-Inch Blade Fish Spatula, available at Amazon, $5.95

SEE ALSO: The 32 best things we ever bought on Amazon for under $25

Join the conversation about this story »

• Prenups are shedding their stigma and becoming increasingly popular among Americans, especially millennials.
• Prenups set expectations for a division of assets and finances in the event of divorce. They may not be romantic to bring up, but most couples will benefit from having one.
• Two main factors are driving an uptick in prenups: Americans are getting married later, accumulating more assets and debt before marriage, and many millennials are children of divorce, making them predisposed to protect their interests.

It's time to talk about the "P word": Prenup.

Short for prenuptial agreement, a prenup is a legally binding contract two people sign before marrying that covers financial issues and the future of assets in the event of a divorce, Kelly Frawley, partner in the Matrimonial and Family Law Department at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, told Business Insider.

Because of its delicate nature, prenup has long been a dirty word among couples.

Just consider this New York Times opinion article from 2013: "If you're thinking about a prenup, or — worse yet — your intended is pushing a prenup on you, you might as well go ahead and just cancel the wedding," writes W. Bradford Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project. "There's an easier way to keep your assets and income separate: it's called cohabitation."

"Many people are still hesitant to ask for [a prenup] — fearing blowback from one's partner or family members, embarrassing financial revelations, disclosures to an attorney, even unresolved relationship issues," Leanna Johannes, senior wealth strategist at PNC Wealth Management, told Business Insider.

But prenups might slowly be shedding their stigma.

Read more: 3 reasons why you should consider getting a prenup

The number of millennials requesting prenuptial agreements has jumped, according to Johannes, citing the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. More than half of lawyers surveyed saw an increase in prenups among millennials, and 62% saw a rise in prenups overall from 2013 to 2016.

As Frawley puts it: "There has been an uptick in prenuptial agreements with younger individuals who do not have family wealth to protect and individuals who are embarking on their first marriage."

Americans are marrying later in life and millennials, specifically, fear divorce

A main driver behind this uptick is a delay in marriage. Since 2005, the median age at which men and women married has jumped from 27 to 29.9 and 25.5 to 28.1 respectively, according to the US Census. Millennials are also dating longer before heading to the altar — the average couple waits 4.9 years to marry, Business Insider previously reported, citing a Bridebook study.

And the longer millennials wait to marry, the more time they have to accumulate assets that need protection.

"Millennials have been on their own, accumulated some wealth, either from a 401(k) or a stock program provided by their employer or some real estate, and they want to make sure that the property remains theirs if there are problems down the road," Johannes said. "Millennials are creating wealth through their own business startups, intellectual property (apps, software, etc.), and they want to make sure those pursuits will not lose ground in a divorce."

This may be especially true for female millennials, who have evolved into more independent roles than that of their mothers.

"The role of women in relationships and family structures is shifting," Theresa Viera, family law attorney at Sodoma Law, told Business Insider. "With women attaining college degrees at higher rates, accessing higher wages than ever before, and single women purchasing homes more often than single men, we may be seeing the effect of female millennials who want to protect their financial interests when entering into marriage."

Read more: 8 myths about prenups you should stop believing

But it's not just assets millennials are bringing to a marriage, Johannes said — they're also saddled with outstanding student loan debt, which prenups can cover. Without a prenup, you may be left responsible for half of your spouse's outstanding debt after a divorce.

Taking that into consideration when signing a prenup may not be a bad idea, considering that more than 10% of divorced borrowers blame their divorce on student loan debt, according to a report by Student Loan Hero.

The notion of divorce also hovers in the back of many millennials' minds — one-third are children of divorce, which Viera says "informs their desire to do everything possible to create a successful marriage."

Johannes added that as children of divorce, millennials may be coached by their own parents or predisposed to protect their interests.

"There is an understanding of marriage as a legal status," she said. "Marriage is a legal act with legal consequences should the marriage end in divorce. Millennials have a better understanding of those consequences, and are taking the appropriate steps to create a mutually beneficial prenuptial agreement."

Not your parents' prenup

Prenups have evolved beyond a legal document utilized by the rich and famous or those marrying multiple times. Back then, spouses wanted to protect any family money or business interests they brought with them into a marriage, Viera said.

"In comparison, the current trend is shifting for prenups in any and all relationships involving dreamers and world changers," she said. "Creating a start-up company or spurring a new trend to change the world, while making money doing so, is a growing trend of the millennial mindset."

A prenup protects against the potential for divorce that threatens that dream, she said.

In a nutshell, a prenup manages expectations of what will happen in a divorce and post-divorce, Frawley said.

"Without a prenup, the laws of the state determine what will happen to your future should you and your spouse split," Viera said. "The largest advantage of a prenup is that the couple, not the court, decides what happens in the event of a divorce."

Read more: You don't need to be rich to get a prenup — here's how much you should expect to pay

By allowing couples to determine what makes sense for them, a prenup makes those state laws inapplicable, according to Johannes. One of the primary purposes for a prenup, she says, is to determine financial payments for property settlement and alimony.

"For example, if neither you nor your future spouse wants to pay alimony, you can waive alimony under the prenup," she said. "Conversely, the prenup can set alimony in advance if you know that one spouse wants to be a stay-at-home parent and raise children, giving up an independent income."

Johannes added: "If you own a business, a prenup can ensure that your ownership is protected, but spell out a sum of money to be given to your spouse in lieu of any ownership stake. Interests in any gifts or inheritances received can also be waived in return for other assets — or without promise of other assets, for that matter."

This, said Johannes, will hopefully make for a less contentious split while forcing couples to think ahead to a leading stressor in marriages: finances. By focusing on your financial relationship, a prenup can help you avoid future arguments over finances by forcing you to fully disclose all financial information — like income, debt, assets, and inheritances — up front, she said. Plus, it can help couples learn communication and compromise.

Viera adds that prenups are created during "a time of love and teamwork" to figure out what's best for the couple — which is better, and less costly, than figuring everything out during a highly contested divorce.

But Frawley points out: "Prenuptial agreements can be difficult because you are addressing the 'unknown' and it is being negotiated during what should be a happy time of wedding planning."

But a prenup doesn't mean you'll avoid litigation if you divorce

Yet, despite a promise for protection and numerous advantages, a prenup doesn't mean that couples will avoid total litigation in the event of a divorce.

While prenups can minimize unresolved issues, couples will still need to exchange financial information, a process known as discovery, Frawley said. Child support can be another issue and determined at the time of divorce since child support isn't an enforceable term in a prenup.

And while a prenup identifies what assets will be separate property or marital property, disputes can arise over whether an asset is separate property or has been mixed with marital property, Frawley said.

Should you get a prenup?

So, should you add a prenup to your wedding checklist? It depends what you want to protect.

Frawley said that if you decide to move forward with a prenup, you should start the process as early as possible.

"In order for a prenuptial agreement to be valid, you and your future spouse will each need to be represented by separate (independent) legal counsel," Johannes said. "I've drafted several prenups and I can say that the process goes smoothest when couples communicate openly with each other about the issues being raised, the terms of the agreement, and the reasoning behind them."

Read more: 4 reasons you may not want to sign a prenup

You'll also need to fully disclose all assets and liabilities, including business interests. Future interest, such as an expected inheritance and interests in trusts, don't need to be disclosed in most states, Johannes said.

"In today's culture, getting a prenuptial agreement can often be a wise move," she said. "Talking to an experienced attorney can help smooth the decision process to reach a prenuptial agreement agreeable to both parties."

When approaching your future spouse about it, you should consider their feelings and be straightforward about why you want the agreement, Frawley advised.

And, whatever you do, don't present a prenup right before the wedding.

"Doing so would make signing the agreement appear to be a 'condition' of the marriage, and most folks would feel pressured to sign it so the marriage can move forward, regardless of the content," Johannes said. "Last minute and/or pressured signings are more easily overthrown if and when it comes time to enforce the agreement."

Viera said engaged couples should always have the prenup conversation. "Talking about prenups may not seem easy, but if you are not ready to have difficult conversations before the wedding day, can you trust that the two of you can handle the inevitable challenges that marriage will bring?"

SEE ALSO: Couples are more likely to divorce amicably if they're worth $5 million or more, says a divorce attorney

DON'T MISS: An alarming percentage of divorcees say student loans ended their marriage

Join the conversation about this story »

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• Yamaha's lineup of TransAcoustic guitars combines superb build quality with cool built-in effects.
• I sampled a concert-size FS-TA that sells for about $940.
• The Yamaha FS-TA features onboard reverb and chorus effects.

A confession: My number-one guitar is a Yamaha from the 1970s, an FG-170 that I bought for $5 at a yard sale. It's not my best guitar, and it has only five strings, and it's made of plywood, but it gets picked up the most. I've written numerous songs with it and will probably use it to write many more.

It sounds wonderful and it's easy to play, despite being pretty banged up. But that's Yamaha for you. In a world of glorious Martins and gritty Gibsons, not to mention shimmering Taylors, the Japanese maker has always held its own.

I was reminded of this last year when Yamaha loaned me one of its new TransAcoustic guitars to sample. It was an FS-TA model, which is a "concert" size instrument, smaller than the familiar dreadnought. Cost? About $940 — on the high side for a beginner guitar, but a sweet spot for more experienced players. My tester arrived in an attractive brown sunburst finish, which definitely encourages some old-school blues picking.

Read more:Fender has unveiled a lineup of acoustic guitars that electric players will love

The Yamaha TransAcoustic trick: reverb and chorus without an amp or pedals

The TransAcoustic trick is to provide the type of sonic effects that are familiar to anyone who has ever plugged a guitar into an amplifier with onboard effects or used pedals for the same purpose. The difference is that with the TransAcoustic, there's no amp and no pedals (the TA can, of course, be plugged in, and more on that later). Instead, according to Yamaha, "[a]n actuator installed on the inner surface of the guitar back vibrates in response to the vibrations of the strings." The vibrations "are then conveyed to the body of the guitar and to the air in and around the guitar body, generating authentic reverb and chorus sounds from inside the body."

I know what you're thinking: How can you get decent reverb and chorus without an amp or pedals? If you like reverb and chorus, chances are you favor it because you've worked out amp or pedal settings that provide what you're after, with either an acoustic or electric guitar.

With the FS-TA, however, the effects are so enticing that they literally made me giddy. The reverb in particular is incredibly cool, ranging from an intimate room effect to a larger, concert-hall tone. Everything is controlled via three small, unobtrusive knobs on the FS-TA's side; a retractable battery door resides beneath the guitar's jack/strap pin.

The upshot is that the FS-TA is good for hours of couch strumming, picking, or soloing, creating the illusion of a live performance venue. Think of it like singing in the shower — the effects make you sound better. Your chords are bigger, and your single-note lines are more resonant. 

Outstanding build quality

What about the rest of the FS-TA? Well, as acoustics go, it's a made-in-China instrument, and the build is superb. The top is solid spruce; the back and sides are mahogany. That's what you'd expect for an acoustic in this price range. What really jumps out with this instrument is the playability. It isn't quite as suave as, say, Martin's more affordable guitars, but with the TA lineup, Yamaha has truly shown what it can do with a sub-$1,000 acoustic. 

Yamahas are sort of tricky on tone. With Martins, you get rich bass and a lovely spread of crisp mids and highs across the instrument. With Gibsons, the tone is more dry and dirty, although it can also sparkle. Taylors are like pianos, with dazzling dynamics. Yamahas are balanced, and in my experience, if they have a single drawback, it's that they don't like to be driven hard. They can sound brittle. 

Not the FS-TA. I hit it hard, using heavy picks, and it maintained its composure. 

You can plug in if you want to

I plugged into a couple of amps, and in each case, the FS-TA's performance was solid. If you want a guitar to take on stage, without much worry that it can stand up to the rigors of that environment, the FS-TA is a fine choice. The smaller size also makes it quite comfortable to use with a strap, or to play while sitting on a stool.

Honestly, the Yamaha FS-TA is an exciting guitar to live with. The effects mean that it won't ever get boring, and the overall quality suggests that it will perform well for amateurs and professionals. You can't call it a budget instrument, but Yamaha makes plenty of those. The TA lineup also has larger guitars, if the concert size isn't your bag. For many intermediate players, this thing is perfect.

They'll never regret the investment, and the FS-TA is solid enough to support improvement. And by the time you get really good, you might want to keep your Yamaha forever.

SEE ALSO: Fender has unveiled a lineup of acoustic guitars that electric players will love

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This musical device could turn air guitar players into rock stars

• Howard Schultz, likely presidential hopeful and former Starbucks CEO, took issue with the word "billionaire" in his response to a question about the political influence of the wealthy.
• At a book event on Monday, Schultz swapped out the word for the term "people of means."
• "The moniker 'billionaire' now has become the catchphrase," he said.

Billionaire Howard Schultz isn't a fan of being called a billionaire.

On Monday, the former Starbucks CEO and chairman sat down with New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin to talk about his book "From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America."

Sorkin asked Schultz to respond to a question from "Winner Takes All" author Anand Giridharadas — who's been critical of Schultz's political ambitions — about whether or not billionaires wield too much political power in the United States.

Schultz appeared to take issue with the question's phrasing, saying, "The moniker 'billionaire' now has become the catchphrase." Schultz's team didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

On July 10, 2018, Musk tweeted that the media uses the term "billionaire" to "devalue" and "denigrate" people. Musk's net worth is $21.3 billion, according to Forbes.

For his part, Schultz ended his response to Giridharadas' question by stressing that he's not beholden to either major US political party.

"All I'm trying to do is one thing: Walk in the shoes of the American people," he said.

• Read more about Howard Schultz:
• Starbucks baristas are begging their former CEO not to run for president
• People are flooding the Amazon page for Howard Schultz's new book with negative comments after the ex-Starbucks CEO said he was 'seriously considering' running for president
• If you want to see Trump get fired in 2020, tell Howard Schultz to go home
• Howard Schultz reveals how he decided to launch Starbucks' 'embarrassing' and 'tone-deaf' 'Race Together' campaign despite internal concerns

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: LEAKED VIDEO: Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz tells workers Trump is 'creating chaos' that's affecting the economy

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• Valentine's Day is around the corner, and if you haven't budgeted for a fancy night out with dinner and drinks, there is still time to plan a romantic night in.
• If you don't feel like running around to get everything you need for your Valentine's Day dinner at home, we have curated ideas that can all be delivered right to your door. 
• You can get everything you need delivered in time for Valentine's Day on February 14, including a meal kit to prepare dinner with your partner, a bottle of wine, and a fun activity to complete.
• Best of all, it'll cost you less than $100.

Making Valentine's Day plans can be frustrating, taxing, and expensive. Society expects you and your partner to put on a fancy outfit, strut to the nearest steakhouse or other trendy eatery, and fork out your entire paycheck for one evening of luxurious glamour. Reject this unnecessary paradigm this year with a lovely night in with your Valentine.

There is nothing more romantic than working in the kitchen together as a unit, and the end result will taste much better and be more satisfying than whatever the line cook at the local steakhouse will put together.

Plus, you can drink an entire bottle of wine and not have to worry about getting home. And the cherry on top of this lovely evening at home is that you can get everything you need to create a romantic evening for less than $100. 

Here's how to plan an awesome Valentine's Day dinner at home for $100 or less:

Make a delicious dinner together with a meal kit

Even if you are not a skilled home chef, you can still make a delicious Valentine's Day dinner with help from meal kit service HelloFresh.

When you order from HelloFresh, each ingredient comes in packaged containers, so you do not have to worry about measuring anything. Additionally, the meals come with instructions that include timing estimates and other helpful information that makes preparing the meal a breeze. These meal kits are also designed for minimal cleanup once dinner is finished.

HelloFresh sends out their meal kits on a weekly basis, and the smallest number of meals per week you can purchase for two people is two, so you can also have a delicious meal to make together after Valentine's Day.

You can get meals like Roasted Garlic Herb Penne, Lobster Ravioli and Shrimp in a Lemon Cream Sauce, Chicken and Cranberry Currant Pan Sauce, amongst many other options.

The only real downside is that you do not have complete autonomy as to what meals arrive at your doorstep, but HelloFresh does have alternative options for people with dietary restrictions, and any alterations are very easy to apply to your order.

HelloFresh usually has some sort of coupon deal for first time users, so if you have never taken advantage of the meal kit service, you will most likely be able to reduce the $47.95 price. However, for the purposes of this experiment of keeping your Valentine's Day budget under $100, let's go with the maximum price of $47.95. 

Sign up for HelloFresh meal kit delivery service for $47.95 now.

Find the right bottle of wine to share from ReserveBar

I feel it is necessary to start this section with a disclaimer that I am not a sommelier. Let's just say that a large percentage of the wine I have consumed in my life has been poured from a cardboard box. However, if you are looking to order an entire Valentine's Day meal without leaving your home, I do have expertise in recommending ReserveBar as the place find the right bottle of wine online.

Because it is Valentine's Day, red wine seems like the appropriate choice, and there are a few bottles that you can select that will keep you under the $100 mark for the evening. There is a shipping charge of $16, so we'll put a cap of $22 on the bottle of wine. Within that price range, there are 32 different red wine options available on ReserveBar, like the Kenwood Vineyards Sonoma Series Merlot bottle for $18 or The Walking Dead Blood Red Blend for $20.

Once you have selected your bottle, make sure that you have the right set of tools on hand to open it before finalizing your purchase.

Find a bottle of red wine on Reserve Bar now.

Piece together a 1,000-piece puzzle for screen-free fun

Streaming services like Hulu and Netflix give you the ability to stay in and watch a new movie any night. Resist the temptation to watch the latest trendy documentary and make this holiday special by eliminating screens and participating in an activity together. I'd even suggest hiding your phones in a different room so that you and your partner are not distracted.

Because Valentine's Day is an inherently romantic holiday, this 1,000 piece puzzle of the beautiful Cinque Terre in Italy is a fun and challenging activity. Plus, once you finish, it will feel like you and your loved one have been transported to the coast of Italy.  

Buy the Cinque Terre 100 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle from Buffalo Games on Amazon for $13.99

• Ivanka Trump, a White House adviser and President Donald Trump's eldest daughter, hit back at a new art exhibit that features her name and a lookalike model.
• "Ivanka Vacuuming" is an exhibition staged in Washington, D.C. that portrays the first daughter vacuuming crumbs that onlookers throw onto a pink rug.
• Trump and her brothers lashed out at the piece as insulting and sexist, but the artist said it was meant to provoke a wide range of interpretations.

Ivanka Trump, a White House adviser and President Donald Trump's eldest daughter, hit back at a new art exhibit that features her name and a lookalike model.

Trump tweeted Tuesday afternoon to denounce "Ivanka Vacuuming," an exhibition that portrays the first daughter vacuuming crumbs onlookers throw.

"Women can choose to knock each other down or build each other up," Trump wrote. "I choose the latter."

Her brothers also spoke out to slam the exhibit.

"Sad, but not surprising to watch self-professed 'feminists' launching sexist attacks against @IvankaTrump. In their crazed world, sexism is OK if hurts their political enemies," Donald Trump Jr. tweeted.

Eric Trump claimed on Fox News that his sister is a "powerful woman who has done more for women than probably anybody in Washington, D.C."

The art piece, which is by conceptual artist Jennifer Rubell and presented by Washington's CulturalDC, invites the public to "throw crumbs onto the carpet, watching as Ivanka elegantly vacuums up the mess, her smile never wavering."

A press release from CulturalDC said the exhibit is "simultaneously a visual celebration of a contemporary feminine icon; a portrait of our own relationship to that figure; and a questioning of our complicity in her role-playing."

"[The piece is] inspired by a figure whose public persona incorporates an almost comically wide range of feminine identities – daughter, wife, mother, sister, model, working woman, blonde," the release said.

Rubell said in a description of the exhibit that the portrayal is expected to provoke "multiple, often contradictory interpretations" from viewers and those who throw bread crumbs.

"Here is what's complicated: we enjoy throwing the crumbs for Ivanka to vacuum ... it's funny, it's pleasurable, it makes us feel powerful, and we want to do it more," Rubell said in the release. "We like having the power to elicit a specific and certain response. Also, we know she'll keep vacuuming whether we do it or not, so it's not really our fault, right?"

"Ivanka Vacuuming" runs Friday, February 1 through Sunday, February 17, 6-8 p.m. in Washington, D.C. and will be available to view via livestream.

SEE ALSO: How Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner built their $1.1 billion fortune and how they spend it

DON'T MISS: Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner spent a weekend at a luxury hotel in the Dominican Republic — and it cost taxpayers $58,000

Join the conversation about this story »

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• In the last week alone, three popular online retail startups in the lifestyle and wellness industry have announced major funding rounds. 
• Hair care brand Madison Reed raised $51 million (Series D), lifestyle membership service FabFitFun raised $80 million (Series A), and women's vitamin company Ritual raised $25 million (Series B). 
• The investments tell us that the futures of the beauty, wellness, and lifestyle industries are ripe for potential — and transparency, quality, and engagement are the keys to success
• These funds will help the companies build on their existing success with creating innovative, high-quality products and experiences. 

The beginning of 2019 is already proving to be an eventful one for three popular online startups in the beauty, lifestyle, and wellness industries.

At the end of January, hair color brand Madison Reed announced that it raised $51 million in a Series D round led by Norwest Venture Partners. Lifestyle membership and subscription service FabFitFun raised $80 million in Series A funding led by Kleiner Perkins. And today, women's vitamin subscription company Ritual closed a $25 million Series B round, also led by Norwest Venture Partners. 

The recent votes of confidence are a nod to the innovations already introduced by these nimble, customer-centric startups. Founded in 2015 and the youngest of the group, Ritual is challenging the $50 billion vitamin market with its multivitamin and prenatal products that are delivered to women's doorsteps for $30 to $35 a month.

FabFitFun first launched in 2010 as a newsletter and blog, but now helps more than a million members discover the latest products in beauty, wellness, fashion, fitness, and more. Every season, they receive a collection of full-sized products, valued at more than $200, for $49.99. 

With a total of $121.1 million raised, Madison Reed makes beautiful at-home hair color without harmful chemical ingredients. It also owns half a dozen brick-and-mortar Color Bars. 

Delivering high-quality products is central to these startups' businesses. For Ritual and Madison Reed, that means using beneficial ingredients, being transparent about its ingredient lists, and inviting customers to become more educated about the products they put in and on their bodies.

FabFitFun, while it doesn't make its own products, acts as a curator of top brands and guides members towards products they'll probably like. Much of the funding will go towards improving these products and experiences, including research and development. 

Katerina Schneider, founder of Ritual, says the company will be focusing on "optimizing product touch points like taste and scent to facilitate daily vitamin intake and the formation of healthy habits" and investing in "nutrient-delivery technology, keeping the brand at the forefront of vitamin efficacy and bioavailability and making sure customers have access to a multivitamin their bodies can best utilize." 

The customers who try the hair dyes from Madison Reed or the curated boxes from FabFitFun don't just buy once, then abandon ship. These large funding pushes point to the value of thoughtful, strategic engagement, with both customers and brands.

To continue interacting with customers between the four box deliveries of the year, FabFitFun has seasonal sales, a community platform, and a live TV channel featuring exclusive content, including workouts, cooking shows, and DIY products. 

On the brand partnership side, cofounder Michael Broukhim believes "being featured in a FabFitFun box rivals running a Superbowl commercial as an unparalleled brand moment." Through the service, lifestyle brands can more directly reach customers, rack up more impressions through promotions and branded content creation, and receive custom research and feedback collected by FabFitFun. 

Madison Reed brings its online hair care experience offline and is looking to grow to 40 locations nationwide by the end of 2020. It also now has an exclusive partnership with Ulta Beauty, both online and in stores. 

It's these long-term relationships that are most coveted but also most difficult for retail brands to develop. Ritual, FabFitfun, and Madison Reed have all benefitted from the large amounts of customer data at their disposal and they serve as models for how to turn this information into engaging experiences that survive past the last online click. 

With support from investment firms who have previously invested in direct-to-consumer successes like Dollar Shave Club, Glossier, and Casper, these startups are in good hands and good standing. They tell us that the futures of the beauty, wellness, and lifestyle industries are ripe for potential — and transparency, quality, and engagement are the keys to success. 

Shop hair color and hair care products at Madison Reed here

Shop women's multivitamins and prenatal products at Ritual here

Start a FabFitFun membership here

Join the conversation about this story »

• Businesses across the United States might be stuck in the middle of a slump.
• That's according to data that Yelp compiled based on store openings and closings and the preferences of its millions of users.
• The Yelp Economic Average found that gas stations proved to be the one major exception to the trend.

The state of business in the US isn't just about the stock market or GDP. 

That's the impetus behind Yelp's latest creation, the Yelp Economic Average. The YEA digs deeper into how different types of companies are doing throughout the country. To compile its findings, Yelp drew on data from its 34 million monthly app users and its 75 million monthly mobile web users.

Read more: 11 brands that shoppers are obsessed with, from body wash to paper towels

The Yelp Economic Average also takes into account seasonal fluctuations, business openings and closings, and consumer demand on Yelp. Consumer demand takes into account Yelp user engagement with different businesses, like page views, searches, ratings and reviews, and check-ins.

As a benchmark, the last quarter of 2016 was assigned a score of 100. Overall, the third quarter of 2018 received a score of 100.7 from Yelp, while the fourth quarter saw a drop down to 98.5. 

The numbers show that, aside from gas stations, many kinds of businesses may have fallen into a bit of a slump in 2018.

Here's a look at how different kinds of businesses did throughout the country: 

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Accounting firms

Yelp Economic Average score change: -12.6%

American-style restaurants

Yelp Economic Average score change: -1.1%

Appliances

Yelp Economic Average score change: -1.8%

• After creating limited-edition watches with Omega, Zenith, and TAG Heuer, among others, Hodinkee has partnered with IWC Schaffhausen.
• Hodinkee and IWC have updated a classic pilot's watch.
• The piece will be produced in 500 examples and sell for $6,400.

Over the past few years, Hodinkee has racked up some impressive limited-edition collaborations with major watchmakers. 

My personal favorites have been two affordable watches with Swatch, but the website and e-commerce outfit has also worked with names such as Zenith, Omega, Laurent Ferrier, and TAG Heuer. The most recent partnership was with French luxury brand Hermès, and it was extremely cool (I finally got to check out the watch in person, and I was blown away by its class and beauty). 

But Hodinkee, based in New York and founded by vintage-watch authority Ben Clymer a decade ago, isn't slowing down. And its latest collaboration could be one of its most accessible.

Read more:Hodinkee's latest limited-edition watch collaboration with Hermès could be its boldest yet

It's the Pilot’s Watch Edition Mark XVIII Edition "Hodinkee," from the company and IWC Schaffhausen, a Swiss legend that was started by an American and that can trace its legacy back to the 19th century. International Watch Company is well-known for its pilot's watches — the Big Pilot was the piece to own for a while — but its Portugieser, Portofino and Ingenieur are also coveted.

A legendary pilot's watch

The brand's entry-level watch is currently the Mark XVIII, and it retails for a pretty reasonable $4,150 in stainless steel on a leather strap. For many collectors, it's their first "good" watch and a taste of IWC's core DNA: tool watches designed to work in aircraft cockpits. And of course, the name "Mark XVIII" implies some history — and fewer roman numerals.

The Hodinkee limited-edition "dates back to the clean lines and restrained design of the ultimate post-war pilot’s watch — the Mark 11 from 1948," the company said in a statement. "Enthusiasts and collectors alike love the Mark 11 for its purity and tough-as-nails demeanor."

The new watch will be produced in 500 examples, priced at $6,400 and sold through Hodinkee's online shop and IWC. The design is a nod to the past in several ways, but the piece has also been updated for 21st-century enthusiasts. The 39-millimeter case is made from ceratanium, a sort of ceramic-titanium combo that's both light and strong. According to Hodinkee, the black case recalls the "reference 3705 Fliegerchronograph" from 1994, which had a black ceramic case. 

A new look, with new materials

That's a cool watch, and the Mark XVIII Hodinkee evokes it while offering a new look: a black no-date face, a textured dark-green calfskin strap, and an automatic IWC 35100 movement with a 42-hour power reserve driving the three-hand timekeeping. The vibe is casual and military-inspired, but the Mark XVIII Hodinkee could be dressed up just short of accompanying a suit and tie. 

The timepiece went on sale today, and each example is numbered, delivered in a presentation box, and has a subtle IWC/Hodinkee engraving on the caseback.

In a world where anybody intrigued by luxury watches runs into Rolex, Cartier, Omega, and perhaps Patek Philippe, the Richemont-owned IWC has the status of a special club. It isn't fair to beat up on Rolex, because the company produces remarkable watches that are worth the sometimes elevated prices. But IWC has always been something of a thinking person's alternative, a more purposeful Jaeger-LeCoultre (also a Richemont brand). Fans will be thrilled by the Hodinkee collaboration.

SEE ALSO: Hodinkee's latest limited-edition watch collaboration with Hermès could be its boldest yet

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why this rose gold watch costs $400,000

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Cozymeal lets you find and book cooking classes ($100-$125/person) led by professional chefs in your city. 
• We used Cozymeal to book a pasta-making class and loved it — both the organized, easy-to-use booking process and the fun, educational class itself. 
• If you're looking to try a new experience with loved ones, as either a gift or just because, we recommend Cozymeal to make it happen. 

If you're ever looking for something new and different to do, a cooking class is a fun way to learn new skills, spend time with a loved one, and enjoy the delicious fruits of your labor afterwards.

Having exhausted every shopping mall, bar, and restaurant in your area, you might want to spend time with your friends in a more active way. Or, instead of doing the usual expensive dinner date, you and your partner can make the gourmet meal (and the new memories) yourselves. 

Cozymeal is an online platform that lets you browse and book these cooking experiences, whether you want to give a unique anniversary gift for two or have a night out with your 10 closest foodie friends.

The classes offered through the site are led by professional chefs and are currently available in more than 20 major cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston. In addition to small group cooking classes, you can book team-building classes for your office and food tours (in select cities). 

Here's how Cozymeal works:

After selecting your city, type of class, number of guests, and date (optional), you'll see all the cooking experiences available to book. A glance through the page tells you how much each class costs, the chef's rating, and the next available class you can book. Most classes cost $100 to $125 per person. 

Click on a class to learn more about the exact menu you'll be cooking, how long the class is, previous guest reviews, and the chef's background. 

As you drool over all the different meals you might cook, which may range from classic French dishes to vegan soul food, make sure to consider factors such as current class size and class location. Each class has a minimum guest number, and if your chosen date/time doesn't reach that minimum, your booking will be canceled. As you browse dates and times, the site will tell you how many other guests are already signed up for each class. 

Some classes are led by "traveling chefs," meaning they'll come to your kitchen with all the necessary supplies. Others are hosted at the chef's kitchen, the exact address of which will be provided after you submit your booking request. Keep these distinctions in mind as you browse the classes. 

After you book a class, you'll receive multiple emails: one confirming your booking request, one confirming the actual class once the chef has accepted your request, and a couple more reminder emails in the days leading up to the class. 

Using Cozymeal, I booked a Fresh Pasta 101 class for myself and Insider Picks reporter Mara Leighton. Here's how that experience went:

From start to finish, we had a great time. The chef's space in Greenwich Village was clean and spacious, and the chef himself was professional and friendly. Though the maximum number of guests for this class was 12, there were only two other guests in our particular booking, which meant plenty of space and opportunity to get our hands dirty, as well as individualized attention. 

The class provided all the supplies, including aprons, tools, appliances, and ingredients. Though I love cooking, I hate the prep work and clean-up — with the class, I could just focus on the fun parts and leave the dirty pots and pans behind. 

The three-hour class flew by, which was no surprise since we were making three different pasta types and sauces, plus a dessert. However, we never felt rushed, and the chef was there with us every step of the way.

I can't speak for all the classes offered through Cozymeal, but this one was especially rewarding because the chef didn't just dump ingredients on us and act as a human recipe book. He reviewed important cooking fundamentals such as mise en place and proper knife techniques, and gave us helpful tidbits we could take home to our own kitchens. 

Afterwards, we enjoyed our pasta dishes with our fellow classmates and new friends, and got to take the leftovers home, too. 

With visions of cavatelli and fettuccine still dancing in my head, I would highly recommend using Cozymeal to find your next cooking class. The platform is easy to navigate, offers a wide range of cuisines, and connects you to professional chefs and fellow guests who are just as excited to cook as you are. You can book a class directly, or buy a gift card for someone who will enjoy a memorable cooking experience. 

Find a cooking class near you with Cozymeal

Buy a Cozymeal gift card here

Join the conversation about this story »

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• There is no better gift than a box of chocolates — especially when it's delivered right to your door.
• These are the best chocolates you can buy online whether you want fancy gourmet chocolates, exotic truffles, an elaborate gift basket, or an affordable box of chocolates.

Pretty much the only people who don't like chocolate are the people who are allergic to it, so it's the perfect gift to give any time of the year. 

Although you can pop into any pharmacy and grab a box of Russell Stover or Whitman's chocolates, you're better off shopping around to find delicious gourmet chocolates that you'll actually enjoy.

Not only do chocolates made by master chocolatiers taste better, they're also less expensive and more accessible online than you might think. You don't have to live in New York City or travel to Europe to find delicious gourmet chocolate — all you have to do is read our guide.

We've done the research and the taste testing to find the absolute best chocolates you can buy online. 

Here is the best chocolate you can buy online:

• Best Belgian gourmet: Neuhaus Chocolates
• Best French gourmet: Michel Cluizel Chocolates
• Best French high-end: La Maison du Chocolat
• Best exotic gourmet: Vosges Haut-Chocolat
• Best gourmet bar: K+M
• Best berries: Shari's Berries
• Best affordable Swiss: Lindt Chocolates
• Best Mexican chocolate: Taza
• Best affordable Belgian: Godiva Chocolates
• Best affordable bars: Green & Black's
• Best over-the-top gourmet gift box: Jacques Torres

Updated on 02/06/2019 by Malarie Gokey: Added links to our valentine's day gift guides. Removed out of stock items.

Read on in the slides below to check out the best chocolate you can buy online for the holiday season, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or any other special occasion.

SEE ALSO: The best online flower delivery services to send freshly cut blooms

The best gourmet Belgian chocolate box

Why you'll love it: Neuhaus has been making fine Belgian chocolates since 1857, and its pralines are among the best.

Back in 1857, Jean Neuhaus opened a pharmacy in Brussels, Belgium and decided to coat medicines with chocolate to help them go down better. By 1912, Neuhaus' son had created the praline, and in 1915, his wife designed the first box of Neuhaus chocolates. Fast forward to 2018, and Neuhaus chocolates are still considered among the very best. We've tasted Neuhaus chocolate at its shops in NYC, and it's delicious.

Neuhaus uses non-GMO ingredients to make its high-end chocolates, and this 25-piece box includes some of the very best milk, dark, and white chocolates the chocolatier has to offer. The box is filled with pralinés, ganaches, caramels, and more so there's something for everyone. Best of all, you can order this box with two-day shipping if you're in a rush.

If Amazon runs out, 1-800-Flowers has a 25-piece box filled with milk, dark, and white pralinés, ganaches, and caramels.

Buy the Neuhaus Chocolate Dark Collection, 25 Assortment Pieces, 9.28 oz on Amazon for $49.00

Buy the Neuhaus 25-Piece Box from 1-800-Flowers for $42.99

The best French gourmet chocolate box

Why you'll love it: Michel Cluizel's chocolates are crafted from sustainably grown cocoa beans and they taste delicious.

For three generations, Michel Cluizel has been making gourmet chocolates in France. The family-owned company uses sustainably grown cocoa beans to make its chocolates from scratch. Cluizel works with the farmers directly to ferment the beans before taking them off to France or New Jersey for roasting and chocolate making.

If you prefer, you can also opt for Cluizel's solid chocolate bars, which come very highly recommended. We've tasted Cluizel's chocolate in New York City, and it is delicious.

Shop Michel Cluizel chocolate on Amazon, starting at $9.99 per bar

Buy the Michel Cluizel Chocolate Bar - Noir 72% on Amazon for $10.40

The best high-end gourmet French chocolate box

Why you'll love it: La Maison du Chocolat makes some of the finest chocolates you can buy with its rich pralines and flavored ganaches.

In 1977, Robert Linxe achieved his life-long dream of opening a gourmet chocolate shop in Paris, France. Now, La Maison du Chocolat has shops all around the world, and it's widely regarded as one of the best chocolatiers.

This chocolate box contains both milk and dark chocolates so you get a little bit of everything. It includes several different pralines and a number of flavored ganaches. If you choose rush delivery, you'll get it within four to five days, so order now if you want it to arrive on time.

We've tried La Maison du Chocolat's confections before, and they live up to their great reputation as one of the best chocolatiers.

Buy the La Maison du Chocolat Coffret Assorted Chocolates from Saks Fifth Avenue for $60.00

• Luxuryapartment buildings are competing for tenants with an increasingly flashy array of amenities, from rooftop dog parks to residents-only restaurants.
• The NYC real-estate market currently has an oversupply of luxury listings, The Real Deal reported.
• Jason Fudin, CEO of pop-up hotel service WhyHotel, says the "amenities war" has developed over the past decade.

High-end buildings are locked in an "amenities war," but it wasn't always that way.

Nowadays, it's not unusual to see luxury apartment buildings competing for residents by touting amenities that appeal to their dietary, wellness, and hobby-based needs alike.

As Business Insider's Katie Warren previously reported, "Luxury apartment buildings are going to increasingly greater lengths to attract tenants, offering outrageous amenities that include rooftop running tracks and dog parks, outdoor movie theaters, and residents-only bars and restaurants."

But Jason Fudin, cofounder and CEO of WhyHotel, a pop-up hotel service that operates in brand new, unleased luxury apartment buildings, recently told Business Insider that the amenities war between luxury apartments is actually a fairly recent development.

Read more: Many NYC penthouses aren't selling, so real estate companies are chopping them up into multiple smaller apartments to get them off the market

"There's an amenities war going on," Fudin told Business Insider, "but that's a big change we've seen over the past 10 years. Buildings used to squeeze amenities into a space, and now those amenities are actually what you advertise."

"There's been an evolution there," Fudin continued.

Manifestations of the amenities war

Consider the Oceanwide Plaza in Los Angeles: upon completion, the building will include a two-acre "sky park" 100 feet in the air complete with two dog parks, a basketball court, lawns, a swimming pool, and a running track. 

Amenities also extend to dining and drinking; some buildings offer resident-only dining and drinking opportunities.

As Business Insider's Áine Cain previously reported, "You can't just walk into these restaurants from off the street and snag a table. They are reserved for the people who live in these astronomically pricey skyscrapers."

And it's not just adults who benefit from these amenities: Children aren't overlooked in the contest for prospective tenants' attention.

The soon-to-be-completed luxury residential tower at 15 Hudson Yards in Manhattan, for example, is specifically developing kids' amenities, like elaborate playrooms, video game rooms, and teen lounges in an effort to appeal to wealthy millennial homebuyers.

Inventory overload

New York City has more luxury apartments than it can fill, and it's changing the way apartments are marketed and sold.

Some real-estate companies are carving penthouses up into smaller apartments to get them off the market. Others are relying on the use of price cuts and gimmicks, or, alternatively, increasingly lavish amenities to lure in tenants.

Read more: A SoHo triplex penthouse got a $5.5 million price chop, but it could still break the record for the most expensive apartment ever sold in downtown NYC

Steven Rutter, director of new developments for Stribling Marketing Associates, an NYC-based luxury real-estate brokerage firm, noted that the so-called amenities war has been developing over the past several years "because of the amount of product that's come into play," particularly in NYC areas like Long Island City, Hudson Square, and Downtown Brooklyn, which are flooded with apartment rentals.

Rutter noted that amenities are part of the emotional decision that goes into choosing a place to live.

"There's pressure on pricing," Rutter said. "Landlords are offering incentives like months free or no fee, and that's the financial part of it. The other part is the emotional and aspirational part that attracts a tenant."

"At the end of the day," Rutter continued, "amenities are an attempt to appeal to the target tenant."

A different solution to unfilled space

WhyHotel cofounder Jason Fudin saw a different course of action for capitalizing on unfilled luxury apartment space.

"You deliver a building all at once," he told Business Insider, "but then it can't instantly fill itself. Ideally, you'd be filling the apartment in eight to 24 months."

WhyHotel, founded in 2017, takes that empty apartment space during the building's lease-up phase and turns it into pop-up hotels that guests can rent out for lengths ranging from one night to three months. The company currently operates out of three cities in the Washington DC area.

The rooms come fully furnished and see a mix of business travelers and leisure travelers across weekdays and weekends, respectively.

Fudin also noted that there are three qualities in these luxury apartment buildings that allow them to double, temporarily, as hotels: FOB-based access control, depth of inventory, and consistency of product. Guests, in other words, have automated access to the building and their rooms, can expect to find a room when they want one, and know what kind of amenities and overall quality to expect from their rooms.

Ultimately, whether unused luxury apartment space is being used for another housing purpose entirely or is spawning additional amenities developments for tenants, the surplus is changing the game — and will likely continue to do so. Rutter noted that not only are new amenities popping up in buildings, but the level of thought and finish that goes into them is evolving, too.

"Even in fitness centers, the bar has been raised: Some buildings are now putting in Peleton instead of your standard treadmill or bike," Rutter said. "Even if it's amenities you've seen before, it's a higher level. Renderings of lounges really do look like the lounges of really nice hotels."

SEE ALSO: A billionaire movie producer is selling a one-bedroom apartment that takes up an entire floor of NYC's Ritz-Carlton for nearly $40 million

NOW READ: Luxury real estate developers are building out elaborate basements for multimillion-dollar mansions, and they include spas, tennis courts, and even ballrooms

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un is 35 — here's how he became one of the world's scariest dictators

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Allbirds, one of the most popular online shoe companies right now, has released its best-selling sneakers in gemstone colors. 
• Though the startup sells a simple selection of silhouettes and styles, it keeps its loyal customers engaged and draws in new ones with periodic color updates. This limited-edition collection introducing bright and neutral colors alike is no exception to the strategy. 
• You can check out some of the Gemstone colors below, which include a bright pink "Nikau Tourmaline" and soft blue "Kereru Moonstone."
• New colors often sell out, so if you want a style in your size, you should act quickly. 

Ever the expert at generating renewed interest in its already-popular footwear, online shoe startup Allbirds released a new Gemstone Collection of colors today. This set of eight new limited-edition colors includes a bright pink Tourmaline, blue Sapphire, and sandy gray Limestone. 

You can find these colors in its signature Wool Runner and across the Tree line of Runners, Loungers, and Skippers. Its most recent launch, the Tree Toppers, a high-top sneaker with sustainable foam soles, also gets the new color treatment. These shoes have drawn acclaim from shoppers and media far and wide for their use of innovative materials (merino wool, eucalyptus, and sugar cane), all-day comfort, and simple yet instantly recognizable look. 

While Allbirds' classic colors like black, white, and charcoal are excellent basics to own, they'll always be available to purchase. It's the limited-edition colors that you need to be on the lookout for because they can sell out quickly. 

Whether you've always wanted to try the sneaker that everyone knows and talks about, or you (like us) already own multiple pairs and need to add to the collection, this new color collection is a great opportunity to do so. There are eight colors in total, though the "Kereru" set of colors is only available for the Wool Runner, while the "Nikau" set of colors is only available for the Tree line of shoes. 

Here's a first look at the colors dropping today. 

Shop men's gemstone colors (Kereru and Nikau) at Allbirds here before they sell out

Shop women's gemstone colors (Kereru and Nikau) at Allbirds here before they sell out

Wool Runners in Kereru Graphite

Men's Wool Runners in Kereru Graphite, $95, available at Allbirds

Women's Wool Runners in Kereru Graphite, $95, available at Allbirds

Wool Runners in Kereru Moonstone

Men's Wool Runners in Kereru Moonstone, $95, available at Allbirds

Women's Wool Runners in Kereru Moonstone, $95, available at Allbirds

Wool Runners in Kereru Marble (Cream Sole)

Men's Wool Runners in Kereru Marble (Cream Sole), $95, available at Allbirds

Women's Wool Runners in Kereru Marble (Cream Sole), $95, available at Allbirds

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Every time I go to my local grocery store, a general home goods store, or Target, I'm surprised at the sheer amount of kitchen gadgets and cooking tools that exist. It seems like there's a slicer, dicer, peeler, and chopper for just about every fruit and vegetable. There are different spatulas and pans for cooking all sorts of things. You can even get machines that are made to only make waffles. 

When shopping for your kitchen, many of these little gadgets and tools may seem frivolous. You may be left to wonder, "Will I actually use that avocado slicer? Or would a regular knife suffice?" 

To help you answer that pressing question, and others like it, we rounded up our favorite handy kitchen gadgets and cooking tools we've come to rely on.

Keep reading for 21 clever cooking tools you didn't know you needed:

A foldable cutting board

Joseph Joseph Foldable Cutting Board, available at Amazon, $16

If you do a lot of batch cooking or you tend to prepare meals that require lots of chopping, you need this cutting board. The handle makes it easy to hold and maneuver around the kitchen, and the foldable sides ensure that nothing falls off the board while you do so. — Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks Reporter

A handheld citrus juicer

Cucisina Lemon Juicer, available at Amazon, $6.88

If you frequently cook with lemons or limes, or you just make a lot of guacamole, you need this $7 tool in your drawer. It stops seeds falling into your food and ensures you get every last drop of juice. — Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks Senior Editor

A hand mixer

Breville Hand Mixer, available at Amazon, $129.94

I don’t have the space for a KitchenAid stand mixer in my small New York City apartment, so I opted for a Breville hand mixer instead — and woah, I did not realize how effortless it could be to prepare cookie doughs and cake batters. I especially like this mixer’s easy-to-adjust speed control and built-in light. It comes with three different types of attachments and a see-through container to store both the attachments and the device itself. — Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks Senior Editor

• In April 2018, I visited a Tesla showroom and Mercedes-Benz dealership in New York City to observe the differences between their sales models.
• Tesla's store used innovative design strategies and revealed an eagerness to sell a vision of the brand beyond its vehicles.
• The Mercedes-Benz dealership took a more traditional, less expansive approach to selling cars and its brand.

As established automakers move toward electrification, Tesla will compete more directly with traditional luxury brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. 

Tesla has so far had limited competition in the luxury electric vehicle segment, but that will change in the next decade as auto companies plan to electrify a larger percentage of their offerings. As that happens, Tesla will have new challenges to face, and the viability of its unique sales model will become clearer.

Read more: Tesla has lowered its price for the Model 3, but the cheaper version is still months away

Unlike most auto companies, Tesla sells its cars to consumers directly, rather than licensing its brand to independent dealerships. That model gives Tesla more control over how it presents its vehicles and interacts with customers, but it also makes it more difficult and costly to achieve the kind of scale some of its competitors have. And Tesla has fought legal battles for the right to sell its vehicles directly to consumers in some states, like Connecticut and Oklahoma, where it's currently prohibited from doing so. 

Tesla's stores also look different than traditional car dealerships, designed with a minimalist philosophy that echoes innovative retail companies like Apple and Warby Parker. Tesla's stores could end up influencing how other auto companies sell their cars — or remain high-profile outliers.

In April 2018, I visited a Tesla showroom and Mercedes-Benz dealership in New York City to see the differences between how a relatively new luxury brand and an established one sell their cars. My time in each revealed contrasting sales models that spoke to the fundamental differences between Tesla and some of its competitors.

Here's what I saw.

SEE ALSO: Tesla will need to raise more money in 2019, Morgan Stanley says

I started at Tesla's store in Manhattan's Meatpacking District.

The first thing I noticed was the store's minimalist design philosophy. Like Tesla's cars, the store seemed to emphasize the removal of non-essential features.

Because Tesla sells its vehicles directly to customers instead of using independent dealerships, the company has more control over its stores and the way they present the brand to consumers than other automakers do.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: I use this $25 carafe to heat and froth milk for my lattes — now I know why it has over 4,000 5-star reviews on Amazon

Takeya cold brew maker

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

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

Buy the 1 quart Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker for $19.99 on Amazon

Buy the 2 quart Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker for $34.99 on Amazon

Keurig machine

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

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

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

Buy the Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker for $89.99 on Amazon

Buy the Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker for $78.87 on Amazon

Buy a 2.2 lb bag of Cafe 1820 Costa Rican Ground Coffee for $26.99 on Amazon

Reusable K-cup filters

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

Buy the Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Ground Coffee Filter for $10.99 on Amazon

TheInsider Picksteam writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Since you don't have all day to scour the web for noteworthy sales and discounts, we rounded up the best bargains for you to shop in one convenient place. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out our coupons page.

1. Save up to $420 on new spring suits at Indochino

If you're getting a head start on putting together your spring wardrobe, you'll want to keep your formal attire in mind, too. To save you from wearing your heaviest wool suits in warmer spring weather, Indochino is having a huge sale on mid-weight suits that are good for all seasons. Today, you can save up to to 50% on new spring arrivals. Suits originally priced at $799 can be bought for as low as $379 – $420 in savings.

Shop the Indochino sale now.

2. Save up to 70% on outerwear on eBay

A few warm days doesn't mean cold weather is completely behind us. Whether you're in need of a warm coat right now or just planning for next season, eBay is having a huge sale with up to 70% off outerwear from brands like Superdry, Patagonia, and The North Face. Whether you're looking for a heavy parka, a lightweight fleece, or a classy peacoat, there are a ton of great options. For more eBay deals, view all available coupons here.

Shop the eBay outerwear sale now. 

3. Save up to $55 on Mizzen+Main performance dress shirts

Performance dress shirt startup Mizzen+Main rarely has sales, but right now there are deals on clearance and new arrivals. To make room for new styles, the brand is marking down select items by up to 50% off under its "Last Chance" section. Performance shirts originally priced at $130 can be had for as low as $75 now. If you're interested in new styles, you can save $50 when you buy three full-priced items by using the promo code "MAINMAN3" at checkout.

Shop the Mizzen+Main sale now.

4. Save an extra 20% on Groupons in your area

This Valentine's Day, Groupon is helping you celebrate love in your own way with discounts on a variety of local experiences and products. Today, you can save an extra 20% on Groupons by using the promo code "SAVE" at checkout. Whether you want to go all out with couples massages, assorted chocolates, and a fancy dinner, or you'd rather keep it simple with a casual pizza date, you can make it happen without spending much in the process. For even more deals on Groupon, click here.

Shop the Groupon sale now.

5. Save up to $140 on Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones at Best Buy

The Beats Solo3 Headphones provide premium sound quality, long battery life, and the convenience of Bluetooth connectivity. As Best Buy Deal of the Day, you can save $140 on the Rose Gold Matte color. While most colors are usually only $60 off, this is a great deal for anyone who likes the unique finish or isn't concerned about the color at all. Check out more coupons and deals at Best Buy here.

Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones, $159.99 (Originally $299.99) [You save $140]

6. Save up to 30% on sofas, sectionals, and chairs at West Elm

With the right furnishings, you can turn any house or apartment into a place you can call home. Right now, you can save up to 30% on sofas, sectionals, and chairs. For more deals and coupons at West Elm, check out our coupons page.

Shop the West Elm sale now. 

7. Save up to 70% on photo gifts at Snapfish

Snapfish helps transform photos into physical memories that will last forever. Today, the brand is having a sitewide sale with 70% off photo prints and 60% off books, cards, calendars, and more. Whether you want to create a special gift for Valentine's Day or a fun family photo album, you can do it with Snapfish.

Shop the Snapfish sale now.

8. Save up to $210 on a Leesa Mattress

Getting a good night of sleep can make a huge difference in your productivity and mood throughout the day, so you should make sure your bed is extremely comfortable. Online mattress startup Leesa has changed the way millions of people sleep with its award-winning mattresses, and right now they're on sale. You can save $160 on the Leesa mattress, $210 on the Sapria Hybrid mattress, and up to 30% on other accessories like sheets, pillows, and blankets.

Shop all Leesa deals now.

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• Calm, the popular relaxation app, backed by Aston Kutcher's Sound Ventures and Insight Venture Partners, raised $88 million in Series B funding — boosting its valuation to $1 billion, making it tech's first unicorn focused on meditation. 
• The funding round is led by TPG Growth with participation from Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and existing investors. 
• Calm said it has 40 million downloads worldwide, with one new user joining every second. The app also has over one million paid subscribers. 

The practice of meditation has tripled in the US in recent years, according to the CDC, and with it comes the tech industry's newest phenomenon: meditation and relaxation apps. 

On Wednesday, meditation app Calm announced it has raised $88 million in a Series B financing round — taking its current valuation to $1 billion and making it the first so-called unicorn startup focused on meditation. 

The funding round was led by TPG Growth with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and existing investors Insight Venture Partners and Aston Kutcher's Sound Ventures. The round brings Calm's total funding to date to $116 million.

Calm, which launched in 2012, aims to quell issues of the modern age including anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It's a crowded market with rival apps including Headspace, backed by LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner and musician Jared Leto, and special gadgets like the Muse meditation headset. 

More so than many other types of subscription services vying for consumer dollars, meditation and mental wellbeing appears to be an area that consumers are comfortable paying for. Calm says it has well over 1 million paying subscribers and over 40 million downloads worldwide.

Calm's 'Sleep Stories' feature offers subscribing listeners bedtime stories (for adults, per the company) read aloud by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and painter Bob Ross. It also includes guided meditations and calming sounds, like pouring rain and white noise. 

“This financing will accelerate our mission to make the world healthier and happier, with international growth and an increased investment in content being top priorities,” said Alex Tew, Calm co-founder and co-CEO, in a press release.

In 2017, Calm was named Apple's iPhone App of the Year and has since become the top-grossing health and fitness app, according to App Annie. The company is also among the startups that VCs recently polled by Business Insider flagged as poised to boom in 2019. 

The company said its revenue was quadrupled in 2018, and is on track to make  $150 million this year. 

Calm plans to bring its meditation tools to wider audiences and invested $3 million last year in XpresSpa — the walk-in spa and salon stores found in many airports. Calm said it is also working with American Airlines, Sonos, and Uber. 

SEE ALSO: 57 startups that will boom in 2019, according to VCs

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NOW WATCH: The science behind why your phone shuts down when it's cold outside

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

If the collective wisdom of Harvard's 80-year-long study on happiness and every film ever made are to be believed, it's not stuff that makes us happy — it's people. 

Regardless of the backdrop (holidays, birthdays, or mundane weekdays), it's our relationships with one another that lend meaning and joy to our lives. 

So, unless it’s precise, like a personalized keepsake or thoughtful hobby accessory (take running for instance), you might be better off gifting an experience if your intention is to be impactful. They may not need another purse or a cutting board that can be used to artfully serve cheese. They may, instead, appreciate and remember an afternoon spent making ravioli with you and a local chef for far longer, and far more fondly.

And, contrary to most big-gesture rom-coms, an experiential gift doesn’t have to be a surprise flight to Italy or a tour of the South of France on a 50-foot yacht. You can book the chef and the ravioli and BYOB for the same as what you would have spent on the purse she'll never use or the cutting board she'll always feel slightly too guilty to give away.

Below are 11 great experience gifts that won't break the bank:

Cozymeal: cooking classes

Buy a Cozymeal Gift Card, from $50

Cozymeal lets them sign up for cooking classes to learn how to make everything from Italian pastas, to vegan soul food, to sushi for groups of one to 100 guests. They'll select an experience, pick a date, and show up to learn from one of the nation's top chefs — including a few who have worked in the world's best Michelin-starred restaurants. Classes can be held at the chef's location of choice or the gift recipient's home. 

You can read our full review of Cozymeal here. 

Fadango: pro-level movie night

Fandango gift card, available on Fandango, from $15

Who doesn't love a good dressed-up dinner and a movie date, whether it's for a significant other or just you and your grandparents? In the age of Netflix, it's nice to make an occasion out of going to the movies.

Stubhub: live games, concerts, and theater

Browse live concert and game tickets, available on StubHub, from $15 per person

Is there a good concert, play, or game coming up in the next few months? Grab tickets and make a night of it with them.

• The Honda Insight is all-new for the 2019 model year. 
• The Insight is Honda's answer to the market-leading Toyota Prius hybrid.
• The 2019 Honda Insight is powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC inline-four-cylinder engine mated to a hybrid drive system that produces a total of 151.5 horsepower. 
• The base 2019 Insight LX starts at $22,930 while the mid-grade Insight EX starts at $24,160. Our top-spec Touring trim test car started at $28,190. After a $920 destination fee, our as-tested price came to $29,110. 

The Toyota Prius has long been the king of fuel-sipping hybrids. According to sales data compiled by Kelly Blue Book, Toyota sold nearly 88,000 Prii in the US during 2018. That accounted for nearly 51% of all hybrid/alternative energy cars sold last year. 

Which means everyone else shared the rest of the pie. 

One of those brands is Honda. And for the past two decades, Toyota's arch-rival has fought to supplant the Prius from its throne with limited success. 

Honda's latest effort is the new Insight hybrid. The third generation Insight is all-new for the 2019 model year. 

Read more: We drove a $49,000 Honda Pilot to see if the new 2019 model is ready to take on Toyota and Ford. Here's the verdict.

In December, Business Insider senior transportation correspondent and long-time Prius owner Matt DeBord praised the Insight for its crisp handling, advanced powertrain, and "mid-premium" cabin.

"I'm a Prius patriot, but there's no question that the 2019 Honda Insight is a better car," DeBord said in his review. 

Recently, we got the chance to spend some more time with the new Insight to check out its coolest features. This time, it was a 2019 Honda Insight Touring clad in a subdued Cosmic Blue Metallic paint job.

The base 2019 Insight LX starts at $22,930 while the mid-grade Insight EX starts at $24,160. Our top-spec Touring time test car started at $28,190. After a $920 destination fee, our as-tested price came to $29,110. 

Here's a closer look at the 2019 Honda Insight's coolest features: 

SEE ALSO: 50 cool cars from the last 30 years teens missed out on

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1. Styling: the new Insight is a good looking car. Unlike the angular Prius, the Insight doesn't look like a road-going space ship.

In fact, its restrained and somewhat stylish exterior blends in well with the current generation Accord and Civic.

2. Hybrid power: the Insight is powered by a 107 horsepower 1.5-liter, naturally-aspirated i-VTEC inline-four-cylinder engine paired with a 129 horsepower AC synchronous permanent magnet electric motor drawing power from a 60-cell lithium-ion battery pack. Together, they produce 151.5 total system horsepower.

The hybrid drive system is hooked up to a continuously variable transmission. Power delivery is strong for a hybrid of its type. While the Insight is hardly a performance vehicle, the drivetrain rarely felt overmatched. The Insight felt smooth and refined in most driving conditions. Only during aggressive high-speed acceleration in Sport mode did it feel less than composed.