Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• In partnership with Walmart, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard recently launched Hello Bello, an affordable, plant-based baby line.
• The line aims to democratize great baby products so parents don't have to choose between saving money and buying the best product possible. 
• Hello Bello currently makes everything from diapers and baby lotion to bug spray and natural bubble bath soap. So far, nothing is priced over $25.

After more than two years of development, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have launched Hello Bello— an affordable line of premium, plant-based baby products sold exclusively at Walmart.

The line runs the gamut of parenting essentials, from bug spray to bubble bath soap. Every product is priced under $25, yet is made with the same organic botanicals and natural, renewable ingredients that traditionally fetch prices three times higher — which, in the past, has priced out out families with stricter budgets.

Hello Bello is the couple's attempt to democratize baby care so parents don't have to choose between what's good for their baby and what's realistic for their budget. "We had the access and the resources to use the very best products on our kids," Shepard told Business Insider, "and we felt like it wasn't fair that price would be a barrier for some families who wanted to make the same choice."

When asked how the company delivers high-end products on a budget, Shepard told Business Insider it came down to "volume, volume, volume," made possible by a partnership with multinational retailer Walmart."There's no way we could have produced these products for the price we are selling them for without Walmart as a partner. It allowed us to start with an economy of scale."

A partnership with Walmart, which has over 5,000 retail stores in the US as of July 2019, also helps Hello Bello reach a greater number of families in necessarily diverse regions of the country. "We have a lot of family in the Midwest," Bell said in in a February 2019 interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "And [when] we go back to Michigan, we can't find the same standard of things we want to use for our children as we can out here in 'healthy California.'"

Shepard and Bell teamed up with industry veterans like Sean Kane (co-CEO), former cofounder of The Honest Company (Jessica Alba's ethical home goods line), and design and eco-experts to create an effective, eco-friendly product line. A good example is Hello Bello's hypoallergenic diapers ($7.97 for a 35-count pack for newborns). The specially designed core uses spherical absorbers that allow the company to reduce waste (less material) while maintaining performance (more absorbency). The tech keeps kids dry by absorbing over 50 times its weight in fluid and locking wetness in leakproof bubbles. Diapers are made with sustainably harvested fluff pulp and go through 100% chlorine-free processing. They're also free of irritating fragrances and phthalates.

It's a similar story for the rest of the line, which ranges from $1.88 to $23.94. SPF 50 Sunscreen Mineral Lotion ($8.78) is reef-friendly and water-resistant. Hello Bello Bug Spray ($7.98) is made from natural essential oils and lab-tested to repel mosquitoes for up to six hours, without needing to include DEET (or phthalates and parabens). It's hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and effective for adults, kids, and pets. Plus, it's vegan. 

While the product line is plant-based, that shouldn't read as ineffective. Shepard explained that the ruling priority is functionality.

We strive to use the highest percentage of sustainably-sourced, organic material possible, while being mindful that the product still has to be functional. There are some facets of diapers and shampoo (adhesive and tear-free respectively) that require non-organic solutions. But everything is still plant-based. And we are far from done. We want to come up with better solutions for laundry detergent packaging. As better technologies become available, we will be quick to adapt.

In terms of production, the company says Hello Bello products are manufactured in safe, ethical factories (most of which are here in North America) to make sure its supply chain reflects the line's ethos.

As Shepard put it in an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, "I've just got a chip on my shoulder that we shouldn't get stuff that other people don't have just because we're on TV." When friends and family visited the Shepard-Bell home and used some of those nicer products, they'd say they wished they were cheaper, so they could use them too. 

With Hello Bello, Shepard and Bell are now hoping they can. 

Shop Hello Bello, available at Walmart

Join the conversation about this story »

• We recently sampled a few of Trader Joe's Charles Shaw wines.
• Business Insider's retail desk picked out the cabernet sauvignon as our favorite "Two Buck Chuck."
• "I've paid much more for worse wine," one taster wrote.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Trader Joe's Charles Shaw wine is primarily known for being cheap.

"Two-Buck Chuck" doesn't cost $1.99 these days; it currently goes for $3.99 in New York. But a bottle of wine under $4 is still a pretty thrifty option.

Unsurprisingly, when Business Insider's retail desk hosted a Charles Shaw tasting last week, some of the wines got a pretty polarizing reaction.

We collectively decided that a gnarly few, like the white zinfandel, weren't even worth such a rock-bottom price.

But the group had nothing but praise for one of the wines: namely, the Trader Joe's cabernet sauvignon.

Read more: We taste-tested 8 of Trader Joe's 'Two-Buck Chuck' wines. Here's how they ranked from worst to best.

Keep in mind, the cab was the last of eight wines that we sampled. So it's possible that we were in better spirits at that point in the tasting than we were at the beginning. Given that we started off with the white zinfandel, you can't really blame us.

Either way, the Trader Joe's cabernet sauvignon got the most universally positive reaction out of any wine that we tried. Reviewers like the "full-bodied" wine's "peppery" and "woodsy" notes.

Everyone agreed that this wine — which was praised as both "excellent" and "delicious" — was worth the price and a second try.

"I've paid much more for worse wine," one colleague wrote. "It's heavy but not crazy."

SEE ALSO: This is the best red wine we tried from Costco's Kirkland brand lineup

DON'T MISS: We taste-tested 7 of Costco's Kirkland wines and found this one offered the biggest bang for your buck

SEE ALSO: We taste-tested 7 of Costco's Kirkland wines and found this was the best bottle of white

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A sommelier explains what it means when a wine has a 'personality'

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening today to save you time, with savings at Timberland, Best Buy, and J.Crew. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons.

1. Save an extra 20% on select styles at Timberland

Long before consumers cared so much about sustainability, Timberland has been doing its part to take care of the earth and the people that live on it with its Earthkeepers line, a collection of footwear that uses recycled rubber and eco-friendly production methods. Now, in celebration of Earth Day, the brand is also giving back to customers. You can save an extra 20% on a huge selection of shoes, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids. The discount is taken off when you add styles to your cart. To potentially save even more at Timberland, visit Business Insider Coupons here. 

Shop the Timberland sale now. 

2. Save $60 on a Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer

Stand mixers are a great addition to any home cook's kitchen — and Hamilton Beach has one on sale. Featuring a powerful 400-watt motor with 12-speed settings and a 4.5-quart bowl, it has many of the same features as more expensive stand mixers for a fraction of the cost. Originally priced at $200, you can buy it for $140 as an Amazon Deal of the Day. 

Hamilton Beach 63232 Stand Mixer, $139.99 (Originally $199.99) [You save $60]

3. Save up to 35% on sale styles at Ash & Erie

First seen on "Shark Tank," Ash & Erie is the "big and tall" equivalent for shorter guys. Designed for men 5-foot-8 and under, the brand sells a wide range of proportional clothing in smaller sizes. Right now, you can save up to 35% on last-chance sale styles. If you're tired of rolling your pant legs or sleeves in an attempt to achieve a better fit, you'll want to check this brand out. To learn more about the brand, check out my full review here. 

Shop the Ash & Erie sale now. 

4. Save up to 70% on select styles at J.Crew

J.Crew is having a huge sale that's almost too good to miss out on. Now through April 23, you can save an extra 50% by using the promo code "SOGOOD" at checkout. With the discount, you can save up to 70% on items that have already been reduced. Whether you're shopping for spring essentials for women or lightweight button-up shirts and pants for men, you'll find plenty of great deals.  To potentially save even more at J.Crew, visit Business Insider Coupons here. 

Shop the J.Crew sale now. 

5. Save $60 on an ergonomic Microsoft keyboard and mouse at Best Buy

If you use a keyboard and mouse for long periods of time on a daily basis, cramps and strains are inevitable. One of the best ways to prevent or reduce them is to use ergonomic products — and Microsoft's popular Sculpt keyboard and mouse setup is on sale. The set includes a two-piece wireless keyboard with a curved shape and a raised mouse to accommodate the natural position of your hands and wrists. As a Best Buy deal of the day, you can save $60 on the set. For more deals and savings at Best Buy, visit Business Insider Coupons here. 

Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard and Mouse, $69.99 (Originally $129.99) [You save $] 

6. Save 20% sitewide at United By Blue

United By Blue is an up-and-coming outdoor brand that aims to clean up the world's waterways. For every item sold, the brand has vowed to remove one pound of waste from oceans, rivers, and lakes. Now through April 24, you can take 20% off everything by using the promo code "EARTHFIRST" at checkout. The more you buy, the more you save — and the more they'll work to clean up the waterways that unite us all.

Shop the United By Blue sale now. 

7. Save 10% on Tushy bidets

Tushy is a new startup that's helping people improve their health and hygiene with bidets. As a much cleaner and more comfortable alternative to wiping with toilet paper, Tushy bidets clean with water. You can save 10% by using the Business Insider-exclusive promo code "BUSINESSBIDET" at checkout. To learn more about Tushy and the benefits of bidets, read Insider Picks contributor Jessica DeFino's review here.

Shop all Tushy Bidets now. 

8. Save 15% on your entire order at Leesa

We named Leesa's hybrid mattress the best overall mattress you can buy for its superb comfort and great value (mattress prices start at just $595). But right now, you can save 15% on your entire order, making it an even better buy. Simply use the exclusive promo code "BUSINESSINSIDER" at checkout to receive the discount. In addition to the all-foam Leesa and spring and foam Leesa Hybrid Mattresses, you can also save on accessories like pillows, sheets, and blankets.

Shop the Leesa mattress sale now. 

Join the conversation about this story »

• Autism is a developmental condition that can make both verbal and non-verbal communication more difficult.
• Psychiatrist Leo Kanner first coined the term "infantile autism" in 1943, but autism symptoms were documented and recognized as far back as the 1700s.
• Autism diagnoses are increasing among both boys and girls in the US, but that is not necessarily an indication that autism is "on the rise." It could just be a condition that is more frequently diagnosed than it used to be. 
• Everyone with autism is a little different, and symptoms can range from subtle to debilitating. Here's what to know about the reality of autism, and how it's actually diagnosed. 

• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Autism is a disorder that's spurred by changes in a young child's brain. It is not a mental health condition — autism stems from developmental differences in a person's brain structure and neurotransmitters.

Children who develop autism may literally see the world differently, and the brain changes can have an effect on how they talk, interact, and focus.

Autism looks a little different in every child, though, and symptoms on the autism "spectrum" can range from mild to debilitating conditions that make verbal communication near impossible. Here are some key facts about a disorder that is in many ways still a mystery to scientists and doctors alike.

SEE ALSO: Michael Phelps reveals the simple things parents can do to help their kids learn to swim like fearless champs

Autism diagnoses are grouped into a broad range of conditions that range from subtle to debilitating. These conditions are called "Autism Spectrum Disorders."

Generally speaking, "people with ASD tend to have communication deficits, such as responding inappropriately in conversations, misreading nonverbal interactions, or having difficulty building friendships appropriate to their age," according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Even though most children with autism are not diagnosed until after their fourth birthday, many parents notice some developmental differences in the first year of an autistic child's life. These can include concerns about how well a child is hearing or seeing, and differences in communication and fine motor skills.

Autism manifests a little bit differently in each person. Some of the most common symptoms include trouble making eye contact, and difficulty maintaining a regular back-and-forth conversation.

The following are 7 "red flags" that the US Centers and Disease Control has identified for parents who are concerned their child may have autism:

• A child not responding to his/her name by 1 year old
• A child not pointing to objects he or she is interested in by 14 months old
• A child not playing pretend games by 18 months old
• Avoiding eye contact
• Getting upset about minor changes (in a schedule, in their surroundings, etc.)
• Repeated movements like flapping hands, rocking, or spinning in circles
• Unusual or intense reactions to how things look, feel, taste, and smell

The prevalence of autism diagnoses is rising in young children, but that is not necessarily an indication that there are more autistic people being born. It could just be that more cases are being diagnosed.

Autism numbers may be going up because we have better ways of monitoring and assessing symptoms that were once just considered personality quirks.

One other reason there may be more autism cases now: people are waiting longer to have children. Autism is more common in kids of older parents.  

• Vladimir Potanin is one of the richest men in Russia, worth an estimated $22 billion.
• He made his fortune in the nickel industry after spearheading Russia's controversial "loans-for-shares" program.
• Potanin has been married twice and says his five children won't receive the majority of his fortune when he dies — instead, he'll donate it to charity.
• He vacations on luxury yachts and plays ice hockey with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin is worth an estimated $22 billion, making him the richest documented man in Russia.

The second-richest person in Russia, according to Bloomberg's Billionaire Index, is Vladimir Lisin with a $21.5 billion net worth. What remains unclear, however, is just how much money President Vladimir Putin has: The Washington Post previously reported that financier Bill Browder had put Putin's potential net worth as high as $200 billion back in 2015.

The 58-year-old businessman made his fortune in the nickel industry after spearheading Russia's controversial "loans-for-shares" program. Potanin is the president of Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest producer of refined nickel.

Potanin has owned at least three luxury yachts and spent $10 million on his daughter's wedding on the French Riviera. He's also become known as a philanthropist, having joined The Giving Pledge, the charity organization founded by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett, and promised to donate most of his fortune to charity rather than pass it on to his children.

The Russian billionaire has close ties to President Vladimir Putin — in fact, the pair are ice hockey buddies — and Potanin was named on the infamous "Putin list" of prominent Russian political figures and oligarchs.

Here's a look at the life and wealth of Vladimir Potanin, the richest man in Russia and the 37th-richest person in the world.

SEE ALSO: Meet Bernard Arnault, the French billionaire who just pledged $226 million to help rebuild the Notre-Dame, controls luxury-goods empire LVMH, and is the third-richest person in the world

DON'T MISS: Meet the Ambanis, the richest family in Asia, who live in a $1 billion skyscraper and mingle with royals, politicians, and Bollywood stars

Vladimir Potanin is the richest documented person in Russia, worth, according to Bloomberg, an estimated $22 billion.

The 58-year-old businessman is the president of Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest producer of refined nickel.

Potanin owns 34.6% of Norilsk Nickel, which brought in $11.7 billion of revenue in 2018.

Norilsk Nickel is responsible for almost 22% of the world's high-grade nickel production and about 40% of its palladium.

Potanin has made more than $4 billion in dividends from the company as of January 2018, according to Bloomberg.

In addition to his wealth in the metals industry, Potanin also controls Russian pharmaceutical company NPO Petrovax Pharm and has a sizable real-estate portfolio.

He reportedly owns office spaces, hotel property in Moscow, land in central Russia, and a country club in the Moscow region. 

• The original Google Pixel had a headphone jack, but neither the Pixel 2 nor the Pixel 3 have one.
• Both models come with an adaptor that allows users to use standard headphones, connected through the charging port.
• Wireless headphones provide an alternative for those times when the device's charging port is already in use.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The tech world has a way of cannibalizing itself: Trends become standards, and progress is made. Apple was the first to announce that it would forego the headphone jack in favor of a wireless future — despite pushback from iPhone users due to the ubiquity of the jack and the fact that removing it entirely meant removing their ability to choose what sort of headphones to use.

Apple's announcement came months before the original Google Pixel, which features a standard headphone jack, made its debut on the phone market in October 2016. Samsung responded to Apple's move with criticism — before doing a sharp course-correction and removing the jack from some of their phone models as well.

So what about Google's newer phones?

Here's what you should know if you're interested in either the Pixel 2 or 3:

Google Pixel 2 and 3 models do not have a headphone jack

In keeping with the industry trend, both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 forego the headphone jack that the original Pixel featured, instead featuring a single USB-C audio port. The phones do, however, also come with a 3.55mm headphone jack adaptor, or dongle, which fits most existing headphones. The adaptor itself is about 3.5 inches long, which can make use a bit awkward.

If for some reason you don't have the adaptor, Google sells the piece for $12, and you can find other options online. But, if you have a Pixel 2, be sure to get an adaptor with a built-in Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), otherwise it may not work properly.

Compared to the Pixel 2, the third generation does make strides toward a better headphone situation for users: The Pixel 3 comes with a pair of compatible (though not wireless) earbuds, removing the issue of the dongle when in use. So Google may be learning from the backlash it faced in the move to eliminate the headphone jack and is even taking steps to minimize it — even as it continually lurches forward.

Alternative options

If you aren't interested in the more cumbersome adaptor setup, or you just want a way to be able to listen to your phone while it's hooked up to the charger, you can opt to use wireless headphones instead.

The Pixel 2 and 3 are both compatible with bluetooth-enabled devices, so it would simply be a matter of pairing the headphones with your phone.

One wireless-headphone option is Google's own Pixel Buds, which cost $159 when bought through the company, although cheaper options can easily be found elsewhere. Or, if you prefer a wired-in situation, sans dongle, you could instead buy headphones with a USB-C port-compatible hookup.

What about future Google Pixel models?

Google hasn't said anything about what users might expect from future Pixel models. But according to information about the rumored Google Pixel 3 Lite (not yet announced), which was reportedly leaked by Russian bloggers and subsequently reported on by the Verge in late 2018, that phone appears to feature a headphone jack.

There's no news yet on whether the upcoming Pixel 4 will have a headphone jack or not. But if it follows the precedent set by the Pixel 2 and 3, chances are that the headphone jack will be absent.

Of course the headphone jack itself won't make or break your overall phone experience. And although the transition has proved to be an issue, one that even the manufacturers have waffled on a bit, momentum seems to be leading us in a wireless direction.

SEE ALSO: The best smartphones you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The Mars 2020 rover started as a pile of aluminum panels that took over 5,000 hours to assemble. Here's how it was made.

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider, Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• "Shark Tank" features the entrepreneurial solutions to problems people face, from poor posture and back pain to how to "shower" when you don't have time to after your workout. 
• There's almost no everyday problem people hate more than cleaning. The show has offered many products to help you clean your house and belongings, and keep them clean. 
• These 11 creative products from "Shark Tank" will reduce the time, effort, and even the environmental impact of your cleaning chores. 

Making your home is hard enough, but cleaning it and keeping it clean is arguably the more difficult part. This chore is never discussed with much excitement, probably because no one truly enjoys cleaning.

If you watch "Shark Tank," however, there have been a number of product pitches that could convince you otherwise and motivate you to clean your room and belongings more often.

Some address the pain of washing your dishes and water bottles and will save your arms from intense scrubbing sessions. Others are safe, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning products. You'll also see ways to include your pets and tech devices in the cleaning party. 

These 11 products from "Shark Tank" will help you keep your entire house clean. 

SEE ALSO: The Frywall made famous on 'Shark Tank' is a game changer that reduces the mess of cooking — here's why I like using it

DON'T MISS: 17 top-rated products to clean every room in your house

A sanitary place for your dog to relieve itself — that cleans itself

BrilliantPad Self-Cleaning & Automatic Indoor Dog Potty + 1 Roll, $149.99, available at Chewy

The world's first self-cleaning dog potty, best for dogs under 25 pounds, takes care of a dirty and frequent chore. You can adjust the timer to automatically change a dirty pad one, two, or three times a day, or manually change it with a push of a button. The machine will wrap and seal the waste, keeping your home clean and odor-free. 

A thorough detail brush that doesn't make a mess

Brush Hero Wheel Brush Starter Set, $29.99, available at Amazon

Read our review of the Brush Hero here

From your car wheels to patio furniture to BBQ grills, the Brush Hero detail brush can clean all the hard-to-reach areas. With its steady torque and powerful scrub, it's more reliable and less messy than screwing a brush onto a power drill. The set comes with one soft and one stiff brush head. 

The original 'Shark Tank' wunderkind

Original Scrub Daddy (4-count), $13.33, available at Amazon

The biggest success from the show is undoubtedly the Scrub Daddy. So what makes this smiley scrubber so renowned? The foam adjusts to the temperature (firm in cold water, soft in warm water) so you can switch between tough scrubbing and light cleaning, and it won't scratch even delicate surfaces like glass, ceramic, and leather. You can use them anywhere, not just for dishes. 

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Vrai & Oro comes up in every jewelry shopper's search for alternative and affordable fine jewelry sites. 
• What makes shoppers stay and stick with the company boils down to these factors: beautiful styles, high quality, transparency, and customizability. 
• With Mother's Day coming up, Vrai & Oro's 14-18-karat gold and ethically grown diamond pieces make a thoughtful gift for your mom. 
• Browse all our Mother's Day gift guides here to find budget-friendly, personalized, and unique gifts. 
•  

For a jewelry company that stands by the values of quality, simplicity, and transparency, Vrai & Oro, which translates to "truth" (French) and "gold" (Spanish), couldn't be a more appropriate name. 

Founded in 2014, Vrai & Oro is where you can find simple, timeless, and beautiful fine jewelry — no vermeil, only 14-karat and 18-karat gold here — at a better price and through a less stressful shopping process than traditional fine jewelry retailers. 

Its story has only become more interesting in the last two years. It was acquired by Diamond Foundry, a company that grows above-ground diamonds using 100% solar energy, and it launched an engagement collection, which also includes a Design Your Own Ring feature. 

All of its pieces are designed and manufactured in downtown Los Angeles, with its Diamond Foundry diamonds traveling south from San Francisco. This unique localization and amount of control over the entire process allows Vrai & Oro to ensure ethical labor practices, maintain quality standards, and keep prices low. 

Vrai & Oro is part of a growing movement of online jewelry startups that want to do things differently and are rewarded with loyal fan bases.

The decision to partner with Diamond Foundry, for example, was a no-brainer because of founder Vanessa Stofenmacher's desire to bring change to the industry and highlight the availability of high-quality diamonds unmarked by social and environmental issues. 

Meanwhile, Vrai & Oro Weddings (VOW) and the custom design studio give newfound power to the shopper. If you don't want to go with the crowd and stand anxiously inside a jewelry store, you can instead shop stunning options online with no pressure. You're not even missing out on the physical experience of trying on rings because Vrai & Oro will send you three ring samples through its Home Try On program.

If you don't see a combination you like, that's fine, too, because the design studio lets you choose every ring feature imaginable: the setting, prong, band width, metal type, polish, engraving, diamond type, and more. There are over 3,500 style combinations possible and each ring is made to order. 

Since Vrai & Oro's jewelry follows a minimalist and dainty aesthetic, you'll be hard-pressed to find something you can't see yourself wearing at your most dressed up or laid back.

Plain gold bands start at just $55, and most bracelets and necklaces are $200 to $300. More luxurious pieces aren't out of the picture: the brand's gleaming Round-Brilliant Diamond Necklace is $3,290 and Baguette Diamond Tennis Bracelet is $5,890. 

Find our 12 favorite Vrai & Oro pieces below, or shop all fine jewelry at Vrai & Oro here

SEE ALSO: Check out our Mother's Day 2019 gift guide hub

A pair of trillion studs that are just the right amount of tasteful and unique

Trillion Diamond Earrings, $580, available in 14-karat yellow, white, and rose gold

A personalized bar bracelet

Bar Bracelet, $335, available in 14-karat yellow, white, and rose gold

Add an engraving for $10. 

A sophisticated baguette ring

Baguette Diamond Ring, $365, available in 14-karat yellow, white, and rose gold

• The average American drives nearly 13,500 miles per year, so a car with a 100,000-mile warranty will usually be covered for more than seven years.
• A long warranty that can be transferred along with the title of the car can greatly increase the re-sale value of your vehicle.
• When considering a car's warranty, make sure it covers the powertrain (including the drivetrain and transmission), which can require the most expensive repairs.
• A three-year, 36,000-mile warranty is the industry standard, but some brands have more generous offerings.
• These brands include Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lincoln, Cadillac, Buick, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Tesla, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, Land Rover, and Jaguar.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, most American motorists put 13,476 miles onto their car's odometer each year. So if you settled for a car with a 36,000-mile warranty, your coverage will run out in just over two and a half years, leaving you holding the bag when the need for repairs arises.

Buying a car with an extra long warranty can help save you money in maintenance costs and can help you make more money when you re-sell the car later, a car being more desirable when still covered by the manufacturer's guarantee.

Read more: The 24 coolest cars at the 2019 New York Auto Show.

Many new cars these days have a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty, but with a bit of shopping around, you can find a few warranties that are more than three times as generous in terms of years and nearly three times as generous in terms of mileage. Generally, premium brands tend to offer longer warranties. However, there are a few mass-market automakers with offerings that are even better than the luxury brands. 

Here's a closer look at car brands with the longest warranties: 

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen's US CEO explains why he thinks America is ready for a small pickup truck again

FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!

Tesla: 4 years, 50,000 miles.

On its face, Tesla's warranty isn't all that generous. Four years and 50,000 miles is pretty common for comprehensive coverage, but the company's powertrain coverage is exceptional. They offer powertrain warranties covering eight years and unmatched unlimited miles for high-end Model S/X models. 

Acura: 4 years, 50,000 miles.

Honda's Acura premium brand offers a new vehicle warranty that lasts four-years or 50,000 miles. The brand also offers a six-years or 70,000 powertrain warranty. 

Lexus: 4 years, 50,000 miles.

Like Acura, Toyota's Lexus premium brand also offers a four-years or 50,000-miles new car warranty along with a six-years or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty. 

• Every Roku player comes with a Roku remote that should already be paired to work properly right out of the box.
• But there may be times when you need to pair your remote, like if you have to replace the remote control with a new one.
• To pair the remote with your Roku player, restart the Roku player, then press and hold the reset button in the remote's battery compartment for at least 3 seconds.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Roku players — both streaming boxes and streaming sticks – turn your ordinary television into a smart TV. In other words, they let you stream content from hundreds or even thousands of online channels on your television. Instead of watching Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and the like on your phone or tablet, you can sit on the sofa and enjoy those channels on your TV.

And while your Roku player comes with a small remote control that almost always automatically works properly right out of the box, there are situations in which that might not be the case. If you need to replace a Roku remote, for example, your Roku probably won't recognize the new remote.

In that case, you simply need to "pair" them, which takes just a few moments.

How to manually pair a Roku remote with a Roku player

1. Make sure that you have fresh, working batteries in your Roku remote and that you keep it close — within a couple of feet — of the Roku player.

2. Unplug the Roku player, leave it unplugged for two minutes, and then plug it back in again.

3. When the Roku reboots, it may instruct you that you need to pair the remote control if you are in the guided setup phase. If your Roku is already set up, you may not see a message that the remote needs to be paired.

4. Remove the battery compartment on the Roku remote.

5. Press and hold the reset button inside the battery compartment for about three to five seconds.

The remote should now be paired; you can use it to control the Roku player.

Install the mobile app instead

You don't always have to use the remote control that comes with your Roku player. If you prefer, you can install the Roku mobile app— Roku makes a version for Android devices and for the iPhone.  Once installed and configured, you can use your phone to control your Roku player.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• The best Roku channels you can add to watch free movies

• How to watch local channels on your Roku device

• How to connect your Roku device to a TV and set it up for streaming

• How to make the most out of the YouTube app on your Roku device

SEE ALSO: The best streaming sticks and boxes you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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• Many American millennials think they'll be millionaires by middle age and have a generally positive view about their finances, according to several studies.
• However, research shows a different reality: Millennials are behind financially.
• Millennials got a slow start to building wealth because of the Great Recession, and a rising cost of living has made it harder for them to save.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. 

Some American millennials are pretty positive about their financial situations.

More than 50% of them think they'll be millionaires one day, according to a 2018 TD Ameritrade survey, and more than a quarter of that group believes they'll reach that milestone by age 40.

Other studies similarly revealed millennials' optimistic mindset: The investment-research platform YCharts found more than half of those ages 22 to 37 thought they'd become millionaires by age 45, according to Catey Hill of MarketWatch; LendEDU found that more than half of millennials think they'll be wealthier than their parents; and 37% of millennials said in an INSIDER and Morning Consult survey they think they're better off financially than they thought they'd be 10 years ago.

But reality paints a different picture than the one millennials are envisioning.

Millennials are less wealthy than previous generations were at their age at any point between 1989 and 2007, according to The Economist, which cited a recent paper by the Brookings Institution. Median household wealth was roughly 25% lower for those ages 20 to 35 in 2016 than it was for the same age group in 2007.

Meanwhile, a report by the Federal Reserve published in November found that millennials have much less money than Gen Xers and baby boomers had at their age: "Millennials are less well off than members of earlier generations when they were young, with lower earnings, fewer assets, and less wealth," the study said.

Read more: Millennials have been called the 'brokest' and the 'richest' generation, and experts say both of those are true

Millennials born in the 1980s are at the greatest risk of becoming a "lost generation" for wealth accumulation, according to a 2018 report by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. As of 2016, people born in this decade had wealth levels 34% below where they would most likely have been if the financial crisis hadn't occurred, the report found.

Millennials are financially behind because of external economic circumstances

Because older millennials entered the workforce during the Great Recession, they've been scrambling to catch up ever since and have been the slowest cohort to recover from it.

They often weren't able to save or accumulate the amount of wealth they anticipated — especially if they didn't move to markets where job prospects were better or wages were enough to allow for savings, Jason Dorsey, a consultant, a researcher of millennials, and the president of the Center for Generational Kinetics, previously told Business Insider.

"Older millennials are often realizing they're going to have to play catch-up with their finances if they want to ever be able to retire, but some of them have already decided that they likely will not ever be able to afford to retire," he said. According to the INSIDER and Morning Consult survey, about 9% of millennials expect to never retire.

There's also the student loan debt problem. The national total student debt is over $1.5 trillion and the average student loan debt per graduating student in 2018 who took out loans is $29,800, according to Student Loan Hero.

Along with rising costs for rent, homes, childcare, and healthcare, the increasing cost of college has made it difficult for millennials to keep up with the cost of living, let alone save, despite a 67% rise in wages since 1970, according to research by Student Loan Hero. 

Read more: The Great Recession split the millennial generation down the middle, creating 2 groups with very different financial habits

Consequently, more than half of millennials are relying on money from their parents to get by, according to the Country Financial Security Index. And while most millennials have savings accounts, according to the INSIDER and Morning Consult survey, more than half of them have less than $5,000 saved.

But while millennials got a slow start to building wealth, they are making an effort to catch up, which might explain their optimism.

"We are overall positive on how millennials will fare financially due to baby boomers retiring, potential inheritance, and the very low unemployment rate creating near-term job opportunities," Dorsey previously told Business Insider.

Ready to get serious about saving? Consider these offers from our partners:

SEE ALSO: 17 ways life is different for millennials than for baby boomers, from crushing student loans to a disappearing middle class

DON'T MISS: The middle class is disappearing in countries around the world, and it means millennials won't have the same opportunities their parents did

Join the conversation about this story »

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• There's a phenomenal variety of wine in the world, and a lot of it comes with technical, intimidating vocabulary.
• But it doesn't have to be that way.
• Here are five tricks everyone should know when they're ordering wine.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As a lifelong wine fanatic, I hate hearing people tell me, "I really like wine but I don't know enough." Even worse, "wine makes me feel stupid." I will say two things about this:

1. People love chocolate and do just fine experimenting with chocolate. Why is wine only for experts while chocolate is for everyone?
2. The people who make and sell wine don't want wine to make anyone feel this way.

The complexity and seemingly endless amount of detail and variation that scares some people off attracted me to the world of wine. Time, curiosity, and obsession are great teachers and over the years, I have tasted thousands of wines from around the world.

Over that time, I developed some tricks that will help guide people as they continue to explore wines — or just navigate the wine list for a business dinner or their next trip to the store to buy a bottle for their in-laws.

Read more: You're probably opening Champagne the wrong way — and serving it in the wrong glass. Here's what you should be doing instead, according to an expert

What makes wine exciting and sometimes intimidating is the phenomenal variety of it that exists. Because of this variety, we need language to categorize and describe differences. This wine-centric vocabulary frequently turns off or intimidates the uninitiated.

Phrases like, "It has a delightfully floral nose with slight hints of gun powder and leather on the finish," or "this wine was aged on the lees," mystify many and, worse yet, create a sense that people just aren't educated enough to enjoy the glass in their hand. Don't worry: That isn't the case.

No amount of terminology will trump your experience tasting the wine. This vocabulary can be useful and if you really get into wine, you may find yourself eventually talking about the hints of leather and flinty minerality — or not. No big deal either way!  

For those without the encyclopedic knowledge and vocabulary of a Master Sommelier or even an obsessed wine nerd like me, I offer shortcuts. Here are five tricks designed to help you navigate potentially awkward situations while comfortably getting assistance from someone who can help you navigate wine choices with no embarrassment.

SEE ALSO: If you're still drinking cognac out of a classic, balloon-shaped glass you're doing it wrong, according to a Hennessy expert

Trick No. 1: Show a wine pro a picture of a wine you previously enjoyed.

If you're not sure how to talk about your taste in wine, just let your smartphone point the way. Showing a wine expert a picture of the label will provide a lot of clues that they can use to find something else you will enjoy.

Why this works: Every wine label contains all sorts of clues about the wine you drank — where it's from, the grape(s) used, age, winemaking style, etc. This allows the experts to find similar wines from their list/store.

Trick No. 2: Use four simple descriptors to convey information about what you like.

Using some or all of the descriptors below will communicate volumes to a wine pro. If you like light, fruity red wines, they might recommend a pinot noir from Chile or California. If you prefer light and earthy, they might focus on a French Beaujolais or Burgundy.

If your mind goes blank when handed the wine list or upon entering a store, write these in your notes app on your phone:

1. Sweet vs. dry (not sweet)
2. Heavy (or big) vs. light
3. Red vs. white vs. rosé
4. Fruity vs. earthy (less fruity flavors)

Why this works: These descriptors narrow down the field to a point where wine pro gets a sense of your taste preferences.

Trick No. 3: Pay attention to where your favorite wine is made.

While all wines from California don't taste the same, they do share characteristics that typically make them different from the wines of Italy, Germany or Argentina. The more specific you can be with your favorite locations, the better — but even broad, country-level descriptors can help focus an expert's recommendation.

Why this works: The differences in wine are largely due to the differences in climate where the grapes were grown. Sharing the region you prefer sends valuable clues.

• Everyone has the potential to be interesting — and boring.
• Common qualities of extremely boring individuals include poor improv and storytelling skills.
• Boring people also tend to lack original opinions.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Absolutely everyone has the capacity to be interesting.

But it comes more naturally to some people than to others. If you're worried about becoming a human soporific, we're here to help.

Below, we've listed 16 classic traits of boring people, culled from a Quora thread titled, "What makes a person boring?"

Read on for the social behaviors to avoid at all costs and you'll be on your way to life-of-the-party status.

Mike Nudelman and Drake Baer contributed to earlier versions of this article.

SEE ALSO: 14 ways to become a more interesting person

Boring people have unbalanced conversations

Instead of finding a rhythm between talking and listening, boring people are on either conversational extreme.

Quora user Jack Bennett calls it an "asymmetry in the conversational 'give and take' — e.g. all listening and no talking, or all talking and no listening."

Boring people can't tell if others are engaged in the conversation

If you're emphatically boring, you're probably missing the other person's body language.

Garrick Saito argues that what makes a person boring is the "continual blathering and ignoring of signals and body language that say (perhaps not loudly enough) 'I'm not interested in what you're saying, but am nodding every few seconds only to be polite.'"

Lucky you — we've rounded up a bunch of tricks for reading nonverbal cues.

Boring people can't make others laugh

Humor shows "cognitive flexibility": the ability to assess an idea or an event from a variety of perspectives, and then, naturally, make light of it. Boring people lack it.

"I'm an easy sell," admits Will Wister. "I mean come on let's face it — it's not that hard."

Bonus: If you can make people laugh, you'll probably have an easier time picking up a date.

• Roku players are low-power devices intended to be left on 24/7 so they are always ready to receive software updates, and can be played instantly when needed.
• If you power off a Roku (usually by unplugging it), you can turn it on just by plugging it back in.
• The Roku 4 is the only Roku player with a menu to turn it off, and you can turn it back on by pressing the Home button on its Roku remote.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you have a smart TV, you know the feeling of having access not just to traditional cable and broadcast television, but also a wealth of streaming channels — content from services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Now, YouTube, and more.

In fact, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of mainstream streaming services. But if you don't have a smart TV, you're not out of luck — streaming players like Roku turn your ordinary TV into a smart one.

But how do you turn it on?

Your Roku never needs to be turned off

Now, for the short answer: In general, you probably don't need to turn on a Roku player. Your Roku is designed to be powered on all the time, and it'll stay that way unless you unplug it.

Unlike traditional electronics — TVs, air conditioners, radios, and computers — a Roku player doesn't have an on and off switch. Instead, Roku players are devices that draw very little power when they're not in use, so they can stay on 24/7. They do this for two reasons:

• They are ready to work instantly when you want them, with no boot-up or startup time.
• They can receive system updates anytime that Roku sends them, so they can stay up to date by installing new software and content in the middle of the night when you aren't using it. You'll never run into a situation in which Roku needs to install updates while you're watching a movie, in the way that Windows installs updates and reboots while you're using it.

How to turn on a Roku player that has been turned off

All that said, there might be times when you have decided to power off a Roku player. There are two primary ways to power it back on:

• If your Roku has been turned off by being unplugged from its power source, when you plug it in the device will power on automatically. The startup should only take about a minute, and then it will be ready to use.

• If your Roku is powered by being plugged into a TV or home theater component, the Roku will turn on as soon as you turn the TV or home theater on. As soon as the Roku receives power, it'll restart and be ready to use in about a minute.

How to turn on a Roku 4

The Roku 4 is a bit of an exception — because it has a fan inside to help keep it cool, you can power it off via the on-screen menu. Once it is off, you can restart it by pressing and holding the Home button on the remote control.

If this does not work, you can restart the Roku by unplugging it, waiting a minute, and then plugging it back into power.

How to turn on a Roku that is misbehaving

If your Roku isn't working properly, or won't turn on at all, you should unplug the Roku player and leave it unpowered for at least two minutes. Then plug it back in and see if that fixes the problem. Be sure that you are plugging it into a working outlet (or a working USB port) and that your TV's input is set to the one you're using for the Roku.

If this does not work, you may need to either perform a factory reset on the device or contact Roku's technical support for servicing.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech: 

• How to pair a Roku remote that isn't pairing automatically

• How to add, update, and use a PIN on your Roku device

• How to connect your Roku device to a TV and set it up for streaming

• How to connect your Roku device to the internet via a wired connection or WiFi

SEE ALSO: The best streaming sticks and boxes you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Frying foods in oil adds texture and flavor, but also adds fat and unnecessary calories. 
• Air frying eliminates the need for oil and ultimately, the extra fat and calories, but also adds a crispy texture by using hot air and convection.
• I used the Cuisinart AFR-25 Compact AirFryer (currently $98.99 from Amazon) on a weeks' worth of vegetables to see if I could get the texture of traditionally fried veggies without the extra oil saturation. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of use, shorter cooking times, and of course, delicious results.

Everyone loves a heaping pile of fried onion rings, fried chicken, and even fried veggies, but it's no secret how unhealthy it is to eat food drenched in fatty oils and unwanted calories. What are we supposed to do though — never enjoy the crunch of a crisp French fry or taste of breaded chicken sandwich? That's absurd.

I prep my dinners every Sunday in an effort to stay out of my tiny kitchen (and out of the way of my three roommates) and make my evening dinners run smoother. Personally, I love roasting vegetables in the oven to achieve a crunchy, crispy texture, but the only way I can do that is to toss them in olive oil. And although olive oil contains healthy fat (monounsaturated fatty acids), I'm guilty of a heavy pour and don't always feel the best after eating my supposedly healthy foods drenched in oil. In an effort to make better choices and stop soaking my food — especially my veggies — in oil, I decided to try air frying with the Cuisinart AFR-25 Compact AirFryer (currently $98.99 from Amazon).

Read more: The best air fryers you can buy

What is air frying?

Air frying isn't the newest trend in the kitchen world and I know a lot of people who have wonderful things to say about it, but it's totally new to me and I've never tried out the technique myself. 

According to The Kitchn, an air fryer works similarly to that of a convection oven. An air fryer will use a heating element and a fan to move air very quickly in a circular-motion around the food you're "frying." This quick movement of air works its way around all sides of the food to not only cook thoroughly, but create a crispy edge. 

But there are several features that make them totally different than your regular oven, which surrounds your food with hot air but doesn't circulate the air inside the unit. First, air fryers usually contain a standard frying basket. This perforated surface is key to ensuring your food is in constant contact with the swirling hot air. Second, air fryers are much smaller than a typical oven which helps intensify the direct cooking and crisping process. Third, due to the high speed of circulation paired with the smaller cooking space, air fryers can cook food in a shorter amount of time.

It should be noted that air frying is not the same as frying with oil — for obvious and not-so-obvious reasons. By definition, frying requires a pan, heat, and fat, but with an air fryer, all you need is heat. It won't give you the flavor that vegetable or other oils can, but it will give you that crispy, crunchy texture that's achieved via oil frying. 

Cuisinart AirFryer specs

The Cuisinart AFR-25 Compact AirFryer is small in size and weight, measuring 12 inches long, 11.75 inches wide, and 11.5 inches tall, and weighs 15.4 pounds. The unit itself is compact but can fit a large capacity and is capable of air frying up to 2.5 pounds of food at a time. 

The exterior of the unit is made from brushed stainless steel with an entry door that has a viewing window, and two knobs for simplicity and ease of use. One control sets the cooking temperature (which goes from warm to 450 degrees Fahrenheit) and the other sets the cooking time (zero to 60 minutes). In addition, the timer "dings" to indicate that cooking is complete. The rear of the unit has an exhaust vent that releases a portion of the circulating hot air to help regulate the temperature inside the air fryer, and is also where the power cord is located.

The interior of the Cuisinart AFR-25 Compact AirFryer is made of nonstick stainless steel for quick cleaning. It also houses the motor fan and heater (which is what makes the magic happen). The unit comes with a frying basket and drip pan, which can also be used as a baking pan. 

Read more: This under-$90 air fryer 'fries' all kinds of foods without any oil, and the results are delicious

What I cooked

So like I mentioned previously, I meal prep on Sundays and mass-roast vegetables and sides to accompany my main meal. That means I cook things like asparagus, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and zucchini every week, and with a lot of oil. This past weekend, I decided to air fry a weeks' worth of sweet potatoes, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts to see if I could achieve the same texture and satisfaction without using oil. 

The Cuisinart AFR-25 Compact AirFryer fit perfectly on our peninsula counter and gave me plenty of room to cut veggies directly in front of the unit, which saved me from having to move from one small patch of counter space to another.

The manual came with a small cookbook filled with recipes. As I read through them, I noticed the company recommended using an olive oil spray to coat the frying basket prior to adding your food. Most of the recipes also give you the option to drizzle about half of a tablespoon of olive oil on your food, but since I was trying to cook oil-free, I opted not to. 

From there, all I had to do was refer to the recipes for cooking temperatures and times and season my veggies as I pleased (my go-to is salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder). The one thing I found tricky was that the seasonings had nothing to stick to since I didn't use oil, so a good portion of my precious garlic powder fell onto the drip pan below. Because of this, I decided to line the drip pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup later.

After that, I went ahead with the actual air frying. I was happy to learn that instead of needing to cook my sweet potatoes for 20 to 25 minutes, they were done in 15 minutes. As I made more veggies, the AirFryer helped me shave off about 10 minutes of cooking time for each batch.

Read more: I tried a $270 kitchen appliance that combines the best functions of an Instant Pot with an air fryer — and it actually worked well

After each ding, when I'd pull out the pan/basket to see my fully cooked veggies, I'd noticed that browning favored one side of my food because I didn't shake the basket halfway through cooking, which is something I plan to do next week. The little bit of spray I used kept everything from sticking too, which I was happy about when it came time for cleaning. 

So what did everything taste like? Each vegetable I made had a crispy exterior with a soft interior. The tips of my asparagus crunched the same like a potato chip without feeling like they were dried out and fragile. Similarly, both the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts were crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.

Like I mentioned before, it was obvious that I didn't use oil to prepare these veggies like I have done in the past. They lacked that saturated texture and oil taste, but that didn't correlate to a lack of flavor at all. Instead of feeling and tasting heavy with oil, my vegetables tasted light and airy — the way healthy food should. 

Overall, the Cuisinart AFR-25 Compact AirFryer was straightforward to use, helped me cut down on cooking time, and was easy to clean. Air frying also helped me achieve a non-oily taste without compromising on satisfaction and flavor.

Now that I have healthy fried veggies down, I fully plan to use my Cuisinart Compact AirFryer for a healthy spin on grilled cheese, onion rings, and fried chicken.

Buy the Cuisinart AFR-25 Compact AirFryer from Amazon for $98.99

Buy the Cuisinart AFR-25 Compact AirFryer from Walmart for $99.95

Buy the Cuisinart AFR-25 Compact AirFryer from Target for $99.99

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• I'm never willing to spend more than five minutes on breakfast, which means I spend a little too much at corner stores on bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches.
• I got the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker ($24.99) on Amazon because it makes breakfast sandwiches at home in under five minutes and has over 3,000 five-star reviews.
• It looks gimmicky, but it's surprisingly convenient.
• Below I'll walk you through what it's like to use one, but you can also shop it directly here. 

For the last couple of decades, I have not been a “breakfast” person. Even when I was, breakfast was never permitted to be more time-consuming than adding milk to cereal.

The loophole, though, is getting a cheap device to do the handiwork while you sit back and reap all the benefits.

If you’re into the morning celery juice trend, that may mean a juicer. If you’re more likely to spend $20 every week buying overpriced egg and cheese sandwiches from the corner store, that may mean the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker ($24.99). 

I went with the latter. Mostly because it’s tiny, easy to clean and operate, and makes a breakfast sandwich in under five minutes. It also doesn't hurt that it has over 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, even though it sort of looks like a TV infomercial gimmick or something a genius eight-year-old would brainstorm.

In exchange for $25, I now know what’s in my food, save money on buying my own fresh ingredients, and factor in fewer stops on my way into work in the mornings. It hasn’t completely converted me into a “breakfast person," but it does mean I save money, time, and eat better when I do opt for one. It’s also a major bonus that it doesn’t take up tons of real estate in my shoe-box kitchen. And if you’re cooking for two, there are dual models ($39.99) (which are basically just two of these machines sandwiched together).

Here's how you use the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker in real life:

Take the ingredients out and plug in the device.

When the light is red, it hasn't heated up yet. Once the green light flicks on, you can start adding your ingredients. All the parts are hot, so be careful with where you touch.

Once the light turns green, add the first layer of bread and cheese.

Once the light turns green, add the bottom of your sandwich (English Muffins work well because they're exactly the right size) and cheese. Then flip the next level of the machine down so you can add your egg and the top muffin. 

If you're going to add pre-cooked meat or veggies, drop it on top of the cheese here.

Add the egg and top piece of bread to the next layer.

On the next level, you'll pour in your egg. If you're not going to whisk it, you should plan to pour the egg in and break the yoke. Directly on top of the egg, add the top muffin. Some warning bells may go off when placing bread on top of raw egg, but the breakfast sandwich maker cooks it through completely. 

Set a timer for four-five minutes (depending on preference). I went with four and a half.

• Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, married Melinda French in 1994. They met when Melinda came to Microsoft as a product manager.
• Today, they run the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has an endowment of $50.7 billion.
• Melinda Gates recently sat down with Business Insider US editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell to discuss her marriage and her new book, "The Moment of Life."
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Bill and Melinda Gates have been married 25 years, raised three kids, are worth $100.9 billion, and run a namesake philanthropic enterprise boasting a $50.7 billion endowment— but still find the time to do dishes together.

The Gates family always does the dishes after dinner together to remind their kids that home responsibilities aren't just women's work, Melinda said in a conversation with Business Insider US editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell.

Read more: Melinda Gates reveals the secret to a strong marriage and the surprisingly simple answer to the world's toughest problem

The key to a strong marriage is when partners participate in household chores equally, whether that be laundry or packing lunch, Gates told Business Insider. Women traditionally are seen as responsible for doing unpaid housework. Gates discusses the issues tied to unpaid work and gender inequality in her book, The Moment of Life.

When you can share that responsibility, the marriage becomes more balanced.

"One thing in society we have put on women is we don't talk about how difficult it is to raise children," Gates said in the interview. "We just assume women are going to go do it. It takes time and it takes energy, right?"

Here's a look at the marriage between Bill and Melinda, and how they make their relationship work.

SEE ALSO: Melinda Gates reveals the secret to a strong marriage and the surprisingly simple answer to the world's toughest problem

DON'T MISS: Inside the daily routine of billionaire Bill Gates, who loves cheeseburgers, tours missile silos, and washes the dishes every night

Bill and Melinda first met in 1987, when she joined Microsoft as a product manager.

Bill asked her if she could go out "two weeks from tonight" — to which Melinda replied, "Two weeks from tonight? I have no idea what I'm doing two weeks from tonight.' And I said, 'You're not spontaneous enough for me."

Source: Business Insider

Melinda gave Bill her number and told him to call her closer to the day he had in mind.

Source: Business Insider

Instead, he called her up later that night with a wry question: "Is this spontaneous enough for you?" Turns out, it was.

Source: Business Insider

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

• The popular Citi Premier Card is often overlooked, but still a useful and rewarding credit card.
• You can get 50,000 Citi ThankYou points when you spend $4,000 during your first three months with the card.
• You can redeem points for gift cards, airfare, or transfer them to one of Citi's partnering frequent flyer programs — potentially the most valuable way to use them.

Citi — a Business Insider partner — has one of the more rewarding credit cards you can get with an annual fee below $100, but it's often overlooked.

However, the Citi Premier Card is a solid contender in the rewards space, and bypassing it would be a mistake.

The Citi Premier is an interesting card that competes with the popular Chase Sapphire Preferred. It earns 3x points per dollar spent on all travel, including gas stations, parking, tolls, taxis, subways, flights, hotels, and more — the Sapphire Preferred only offers 2x points on that category, and excludes gas stations. The Premier Card also earns 2x points on all dining and entertainment — dining includes everything from bars to restaurants, while entertainment includes concert and movie tickets, museum admission, and more — and 1x point on everything else.

When it comes time to redeem points, there are a few different options. Generally, the lowest value is redeeming them for merchandise, statement credits, or cash back, where you'll get less than 1¢ per point of value. 

If you're set on using your points as cash, the better option is to redeem them for gift cards through Citi's "ThankYou Rewards Collection." You can choose from a handful of retailers and restaurants, and points will be worth 1¢ each — that means the sign-up bonus would be worth $600.

Read more: The best credit card rewards, bonuses, and benefits of 2019

A better idea is to book flights through Citi's ThankYou Travel Center. You can book effectively any flight on any airline, and points will be valued 25% higher, or 1.25¢ each. If you redeem the 50,000 point sign-up bonus this way, it would be worth $625 — if your flight costs more and you don't have enough points, you can pay the difference with your card.

However, the best way to redeem your ThankYou points is to transfer them to an airline frequent flyer partner.

That's because of the way that frequent flyer programs work. Booking frequent-flyer "award tickets" is different from buying reservations outright — you can read more about how it works here . In most cases, the cash price and the miles price of a ticket aren't linked, so it's possible to get exponentially increased value from your points by transferring them and booking an award ticket instead. That means potentially being able to fly long-haul in first or business class with points, among other things.

While Citi has 15 airline transfer partners, some of them — for example, Garuda Indonesia — may seem a little bit niche, or offer award charts that don't offer an especially good value. But across the 15 partners, each major airline alliance is represented, so you should theoretically be able to book on just about any airline if you do a little bit of research. 

Ultimately, it's a bit easier to get a good value from a transfer partner with Chase than with Citi, thanks to the fact that Chase has fewer but — generally — more straightforward transfer partners. But the potential is definitely still there with Citi. Or, if you're looking for something simpler, you can just book your flights through the ThankYou Travel Center.

Plus, the ThankYou program represents a great option if you already bank with Citi and want to keep everything in-house, or if you're looking to try a new rewards program — for instance, if you've used up all your points in a different program and want to start somewhere new with a nice juicy sign-up bonus to kick it off.

Aside from the points, the Citi Premier is a useful credit card, with a $95 annual fee that's waived the first year, and no foreign transaction fees.

The card also comes with a complimentary ShopRunner membership, which entitles you to free two-day shipping at more than 100 major online retailers. The card also features Citi's Private Pass program, which gets you special access to tickets for events like concerts and shows, including pre-sales, VIP packages, and special seats.

Citi hasn't announced an end date for the increased sign-up bonus, so if you're interested, it's worth applying on the sooner side — it could drop back down at any time.

Click here to learn more about the Citi Premier from Business Insider's partner: The Points Guy.

* This content is not provided by Citi. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed here are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Citi.

SEE ALSO: 8 of the best credit card offers this month — including 2 huge hotel bonuses that end soon

DON'T MISS: Amex Platinum vs Amex Business Platinum: We compared the credit cards in 9 areas and the choice is obvious

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• After college graduation, I took a month-long trip around the world with my friends.
• I packed everything in a relatively small backpacking pack, so I had to be pretty calculated with my packing list. Ultimately, I learned what products were really essentials and what were unnecessary extras.
• These are the eight essentials I brought with me on my trip, which I couldn't imagine traveling without now.

After graduating college, if you're anything like me, you'll probably be overcome with a range of emotions. As one chapter ends you may feel nostalgic, anxious, excited, or a mix of all these emotions as you anticipate what's to come. You may have your next moves set in stone before you even get your diploma or you may be just trying to get a sense of what's next for you. 

Flush with a range of post-grad emotions, I put my energy into a different pursuit, backpacking from Israel to Southeast Asia with my friends. We made our way to four countries over the course of a month, packing mostly in large backpacking packs, staying in hostels, Airbnbs, and planning much of our itinerary on the fly. In the end, everything went smoothly. Of course there were bumps along the road, but the excitement of traveling helps to minimize the impact of those obstacles. 

I spent a lot of time packing, knowing that I'd be far from home for a month. While I packed pretty light, there were still some things I probably could have lived without, but there were also a host of products I couldn't imagine having gone without.

Whether they made traveling easier, comfier, more efficient, or just helped ease my mind — these are the eight essentials I took on my post-grad trip around the world, and will bring with me for the next big trip I take, too.

Activated charcoal capsules

Nature's Way Activated Charcoal, 100 capsules, $7.34

Immersing myself in the local cuisines was one of my favorite parts of my travels. Trying stinky durian in Thailand, freshly-fried falafel in Tel Aviv, and steaming bowls of Pho in Hanoi were just some of the highlights. Don't hesitate when it comes to trying the local delicacies, just be prepared. As a traveler — especially in places where climate and sanitary practices are different than in your home country — you're more prone to getting sick from contaminated food or water.

Activated charcoal works like a filter, absorbing toxins so those contaminants don't get absorbed into your body instead. I always kept a bottle of this in my backpack for moments when my stomach felt a little iffy. You can take it three to four hours before or after your meals. While it won't totally cure any serious stomach issues, it really did lessen the effects of a sour stomach for me so I could focus on enjoying my travels.

Hand sanitizer

Purell Jelly Wrap, 4-pack, $8.57

At home or abroad, germs are everywhere. But, when you're frequently taking and touching things on planes, trains, and local forms of public transportation, you'll want to have some hand sanitizer nearby.

When you're out and about adventuring all day, you can also expect to use a lot of public restrooms. And bathrooms around the world don't always have the same comforts you may be accustomed to at home. Coming across sink-less or soap-less bathroom situations won't be so bad when you have a supply of hand sanitizer to rely on. These ones are perfect for travel because the jelly wrap can be looped around your backpack for easy access. 

Packing cubes

REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set, $44.95

If you're traveling for a prolonged amount of time, your suitcase (or backpack) is more than just a place to hold your things; it's pretty much your life condensed into a reasonable-enough-to-carry size. Make the most of what space you do have, and bring some routine to an otherwise unpredictable time with packing cubes. I brought these with me specifically because they're waterproof and expandable. You don't have to worry about any toiletry spills or leaks ruining your clothes, and you can seriously maximize your space with the expandable zipper. 

Packing cubes also make finding all of your belongings much easier. I always knew where I could find my shirts, shorts, socks, etc., because I packed my cubes accordingly. If you're frequently traveling to new destinations, having this organizational system will make your life a lot easier. Instead of wasting time shuffling through your bag to get dressed when you touch down in a new city, just quickly go into your packing cubes, get what you need, and you're all set to explore an exciting new spot. 

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

• This is the last day to get the introductory 100,000-point welcome bonus on the new Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.
• Today —Wednesday, April 24 — is the last day to get the bonus.
• If you apply before then, you'll earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
• Those 100,000 points can be used for anything from a night or two in a top-tier luxury hotel or resort, to four or five nights in a lower category hotel, or can be transferred to airline partners for free flights.
• Marriott's small-business credit card — the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card— is offering the same bonus, but it also ends April 24.

In January, Marriott wrapped up a major rebranding of its loyalty program, combining it with the Starwood Preferred Guest program to create a single entity: Marriott Bonvoy.

Despite some bumps, there's excellent value to be had from the program and from its rewards credit cards.

As part of the rebrand, Marriott revamped its co-branded rewards credit cards and launched introductory welcome bonuses on the new products — but only for a limited time.

There are two personal cards, but one of them — the Bonvoy Brilliant AmEx, which is the premium card — will lower its bonus after Wednesday, April 24.

Until this Wednesday, April 24, new cardholders who open the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, formerly called the SPG Luxury Card, can earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when they spend $5,000 on the card in the first three months.

Read more: 8 of the best credit-card offers this month — including 2 huge hotel bonuses that end soon

While the card has a high $450 annual fee, it's easy to get much more than that amount in value, especially if you stay at Marriott hotels semi-frequently.

Right off the bat, the card offers up to $300 a year in statement credits for purchases at participating Marriott hotels, which can apply to room charges. That effectively brings the fee down to $150.

It also offers a free-night award each year on your card-member anniversary, which can be redeemed at any hotel that costs 50,000 points a night or less. Depending on how you redeem the free night, when you consider it with the annual statement credits, that should negate the fee — and potentially turn a profit.

Plus, last month, Marriott and AmEx added an additional benefit to the card: an up-to-$100, on-property credit during any eligible stay at a Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis hotel or resort. Any time you stay for two or more nights at an eligible property, you'll get up to a $100 credit on your bill for things like food, drinks, or spa services. Just make sure to select the "Luxury Credit Card Rate" when you search for hotels. It's generally the same as the regular Marriott Bonvoy member-discount rates but opts you in to receive the credit.

The card also offers complimentary Gold elite status and comes with a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership.

The card earns 6x points at participating Marriott hotels, triple points at US restaurants and on flights booked directly with the airline, and double points on everything else.

The non-premium Marriott credit card — the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, which is issued by Chase — is also offering a limited-time 100,000-point bonus after you spend $5,000 in the first three months, but that one doesn't end until May 2.

Additionally, Marriott's small-business credit card — the Marriott Bonvoy Business AmEx— is offering 100,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months, but like the Bonvoy Brilliant, it ends April 24.

Click here to learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card from Insider Picks' partner, The Points Guy.

SEE ALSO: The best credit card rewards, bonuses, and benefits of 2019

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