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How to wax your car properly and the tools you need to do it

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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.

Waxing a car

  • Most people don't wax their cars because they don't have the patience it requires.
  • When done correctly, waxing your car is the best way to protect your paint from UV damage, swirl marks, and chipping. It'll also give your car a shiny finish.
  • Paste wax is the most effective and lasts the longest, but it also takes the most effort to apply. Liquid wax is easier to apply and lasts a while, but it can be easy to apply too much. Spray wax is by far the easiest to apply, but it doesn't last very long.
  • Based on my personal experience, I recommend Turtle Wax Super Hard Shell for paste wax, Zymöl Cleaner Wax for liquid wax, and Mothers California Gold for spray wax.
  • While I've used all three types of waxes, I personally prefer liquid wax because it takes less time and effort to apply than paste wax, while still lasting much longer than spray wax.

While most people have some level of appreciation for their cars, very few go beyond a car wash and maybe some new air fresheners to show that they care. One of the most effective ways to preserve your car's factory finish is to regularly apply a coat of wax. It'll protect the paint from UV damage, swirl marks, and paint chips.

Even with those undeniable benefits, the average person rarely (if ever) does it — and the very few who do wax, are probably doing it wrong. We've all seen the famous scene from "The Karate Kid" when Mr. Miyagi made Daniel wax a car to learn the value of hard work, but you'll need to know a little bit more than the "wax on, wax off" mantra in order to do it successfully.

As a car enthusiast, I've used all different kinds of waxes including pastes, liquids, and sprays. So, to help you make your car shine like new, I've explained the pros and cons of each wax type, my personal recommendations, and a step-by-step guide on how to properly wax your car. 

Here's everything you need to wax a car:

Keep scrolling to learn how to wax a car.

The differences between paste, liquid, and spray waxes

First, let me start by saying that waxing a car can be a very tedious job, but the results are usually worth it. When choosing a wax, you'll want to take into account your level of patience, how much time you have to spend on waxing, and your expectations for the results. 

While there are plenty of different kinds of waxes, they're generally broken down into three categories: paste, liquid, and spray waxes. Paste wax is usually the most effective and lasts the longest on your car and in the can. Since it's a paste, you'll waste far less of it. A single container of wax should be enough to last a pretty long time. The only downside to paste wax is that it takes much longer to apply since it must be applied to an applicator pad before it can be put on the car.

Liquid wax, on the other hand, goes on a lot easier. You can squeeze it directly on to the surface of your car or onto an applicator pad and start waxing. Naturally, it's not as concentrated as solid paste wax, so it may not last as long.  However, you can find convenience and longevity in liquid wax by choosing a highly-rated brand. The downside to liquid wax is that it can be too easy to apply. If you're too liberal with the wax, you'll end up with a lot of caked on residue and not that shiny finish you were going for.

Lastly, spray waxes are the easiest to apply because, well, they just spray on. While they'll save you hours of tedious labor, you shouldn't expect the results to last for weeks or months on end. Spray waxes are mostly water so they won't last nearly as long as a solid paste wax or a highly-rated liquid wax.

With all of that said, I personally prefer liquid wax because you can find a good middle ground between convenience and effectiveness. 



How to use a paste or liquid wax

What you'll need: Turtle Wax Super Hard Shell Paste Wax ($6.79) or Zymöl Liquid Cleaner Wax ($25.55) and Viking Car Care Microfiber Applicator Pads ($4.99)

The only difference in the process of using a paste wax or a liquid wax is getting it on the pad. If you're using paste wax, you'll need to work the wax on to the applicator pad in a circular motion and then onto to the car. If you're using liquid wax, you can apply it directly to the car or onto the applicator pad.

For those who want to use paste wax, I recommend Turtle Wax Super Hard Shell Paste Wax because it's cheap, it comes with an applicator pad, it's highly rated on Amazon, and it's given me pretty good results in the past.

If you'd rather use liquid wax, I strongly recommend Zymöl Cleaner Wax. For as long as I can remember, my dad (who is single-handedly responsible for my current car obsession) has used it on his cars, and I've used it on my own cars since getting my license at 17 — always with great results. And with a 4.7-out-of-5-star rating on Amazon, others seem to stand behind it, too. It's definitely more expensive than most other waxes but, with it's worth the money.

1. Wash your car. The very first step to waxing your car is washing your car since it doesn't make sense to shine up a ride that's covered in dirt, pollen, and bird poop. Make sure it's dry before you begin waxing.

2. Find some shade. It's always recommended to wax your car out of the direct sunlight because the sun will quickly dry out the wax as you're applying it. Plus, you'll be a lot more comfortable in the shade if it's hot outside. 

3.Create a thin layer of wax on the surface of the car by working in a circular motion. Avoid applying wax to your headlights, windows, and plastic trim pieces. You might feel inclined to add a lot more wax to make the application process quicker, but don't. If you add too much wax, it won't dry properly, you'll end up with a lot of residue, and you may have to re-wash your car to get rid of it.

4. Let the wax dry, then buff it off in a circular motion with a microfiber towel. By the time you finish waxing, the first section you waxed should be dry and ready to buff off. You'll know it's ready to be buffed off when the wax has a matte, chalky appearance. Once you've fully buffed it off, your paint will have a nice finish with lots of shine and luster. It should look something like this before buffing off.

The process is tedious, but breaking the job down into sections can make it easier to accomplish. Do the hood, fenders, doors, quarters, trunk, and other panels in some sort of order to ensure you don't miss a spot. And if you need a little motivation to continue along the way, buff off a small portion of wax to reveal the final results. For me, that's usually enough to drive me to get the entire car to look just as good.

Turtle Wax Super Hard Shell 9.5 ounce Paste Wax, $6.79, available on Amazon

Zymöl 20 ounce Cleaner Wax, $25.55, available on Amazon

Viking Car Care Microfiber Applicator Pads, $4.99, available on Amazon

House Again 5 Microfiber cloth set, $8.99, available on Amazon



How to use a spray wax

What you'll need: Mothers California Gold Spray Wax ($6.99) and House Again 5 Microfiber cloth set ($8.99)

Spray wax is less effective than paste or liquid wax, thus serving a different purpose. It should be used as a quick touch up product or a supplementary product. It's best used when your car is already in pretty good condition and just needs some extra shine and protection after a car wash. If your paint is severely sun faded and dried out, you shouldn't expect any spray wax to work wonders. However, I've found that Mothers California Gold Carnauba Spray Wax is the best. 

1. Wash your car. Just like using paste or liquid wax, you need to make sure your car is clean before applying it. The only difference here is that you can apply it to a wet car since the spray itself is also water-based.

2. Spray it on the surface of your car. You don't have to carefully avoid certain pieces as you would with a different wax, but at the same time, there's no sense in using it on parts that don't need wax (windows, headlights, tail lights, plastic trim, etc.).

3. Wipe off and buff the car with a microfiber towel. And just like that, you're done. As simple as this process is, you can't expect the results to be as long-lasting. I typically like to use a spray wax right before a car meet or photo shoot because it's quick and super easy. 

Now that you know exactly how to wax your car, pick up all the products you need on Amazon and dedicate a few hours this weekend to making your car look better than ever before.

Mothers California Gold Spray Wax, $6.99, available on Amazon

House Again 5 Microfiber cloth set, $8.99, available on Amazon




My favorite snack bar has 20 grams of protein and very little sugar — and it comes in fun flavors like blueberry cobbler and maple-glazed donut

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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.

One Protein review

  • If you're constantly on the go, it can be difficult to find a snack that tastes good and also keeps you full.
  • I've been relying on One bars ($25 for 12) to hold me over between meals when I'm out running around or having a busy day at work.
  • There are 15 flavors of its popular protein bar— each one has 20 grams of protein and only 1 gram of sugar, so they're relatively healthy, and yes, they actually taste good.

Between commuting, working, volunteering, and going on daily grocery runs, I rarely have time to sit down for a full-fledged meal until dinner rolls around. This generally leads to mindlessly snacking on food that lacks nutritional value and leaves me feeling hungry 30 minutes later, which is why I went on a hunt to find a good protein bar that kept me full.

What most people fail to recognize (myself included), is that a lot of protein bars are marketed as "healthy," but trainer Jillian Michaels says that many of them contain the same basic ingredients as a candy bar. I came to terms with the fact that my search for a moderately nutritious bar was going to tougher than I expected, but I knew there had to be something out there that was both healthy and that didn't taste like rabbit food.

My trip to the nutrition store around the block led me to the One Protein Bar. The brightly colored packaging was an immediate draw, but I ultimately bought the bars because there were lots of flavor options and solid nutrition. I've tried every flavor bar from the original line and I'm hooked. With only 1 gram of sugar and 20 grams of protein per bar, I've finally found a way to snack mindfully for my active lifestyle. These are the bars that I'll continue to buy because they actually keep me full for a while after eating them. I don't use them as a meal replacement as some might, but I do find that they're sufficient enough to hold me over until my next meal.

ONE protein bar review

What are they made with?

The main ingredient in One bars is a protein blend that contains a mix of whey protein and milk protein. Since whey is derived from milk protein, the One bars are not vegan. The other major ingredients on the list include a prebiotic fiber called isomalto-oligosaccharide — a vegetable-sourced sweetener found in the bars — and soluble vegetable fiber. The bars only contain one gram of sugar from natural ingredients, but they do contain a small amount of sucralose, an artificial sweetener. For a full list of ingredients, you can check out the label here.

So, how do they taste?

Let's be honest. No matter how healthy a product is, you're going to struggle to eat it if it doesn't taste good. In addition to being nutritious, One bars knock it out of the park when it comes to taste. Currently, the brand has 15 flavors with my personal favorites being the dark chocolate sea salt, birthday cake, white chocolate truffle, and blueberry cobbler. Some of the flavors aren't extremely unique (I'm looking at you peanut butter cup), but other flavors like maple-glazed donut and almond bliss make the bars stand out among other nutrition brands.

Texture is another important factor (and the last thing you want is a bar that "has the same consistency as soil"). Each bar feels a little different— whether it be an extra drizzle of icing, sprinkles, or chunks of texture-enhancing pieces in the middle — but you're generally going to get the same texture no matter what flavor you choose. One bars have a dense, cake-like texture, making them softer than most protein bar brands I've consumed over the years, but they hold together thanks to a thin layer of icing that coats each one.

Where can I buy them?

What good is it if know about a great product but don't have the ability to access it? These bars are stocked on the shelves of multiple stores including Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and GNC. They can also be found on Amazon for a quick an easy shipment to your door with a Prime membership. They generally cost about $2.50 each, and can be purchased in packs of 12 or four.

Bottom line

If you're looking for a convenient snack to bring on the go, the original One Bars could be a good option. They offer an impressive number of flavors, and don't come with the gritty texture that some bars have. The 20 grams of protein are helpful in satisfying hunger, and the amount of sugar in each bar is much lower than you'd expect. Although they can get expensive over time, you can offset costs by purchasing them in larger quantities or watching out for sales at stores like Target. I've tried every single flavor of One bars and will continue to buy them in the future for an on-the-go snack.

Find them at Amazon here, from $25 for 12.

Find them at Target here, from $8 for 4.

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'We've seen this coming': Why migrant children are dying in Border Patrol custody

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migrant children us-mexico border

  • On Monday, a 16-year-old migrant boy became the fifth migrant child to die after crossing the US-Mexico border since December.
  • Experts and advocates have decried the Border Patrol stations known as "hieleras," which migrants have alleged are freezing cold, with inedible food, undrinkable water, and open toilets, are unsuitable for children.
  • More recently, migrants have been held in even shoddier conditions in the stations' parking lots, where they sleep in tents and on the ground, in open-air enclosures.
  • But the Trump administration has said the surge in the number of families with young children that have been crossing the border recently are the main driver of the deaths, acknowledging that the government facilities weren't built to shelter sick children.
  • Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.

The deaths of five migrant children in recent months have triggered an uproar over the US government's practice of detaining young children after they cross the border, and caused advocates to question the medical care kids are receiving in custody.

But experts say the problem began long before President Donald Trump — and that the recent deaths in Border Patrol custody have been years in the making.

On Monday, 16-year-old Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez died in a Border Patrol station in Texas' Rio Grande Valley, six days after he crossed the US-Mexico border, according to the Customs and Border Protection agency. He was diagnosed with Influenza A while in custody, officials told The New York Times.

Though Border Patrol's own rules stipulate that migrant children be released from the facilities and transferred to shelters within 72 hours, Carlos was detained for twice that length of time.

Officials told The Times that Carlos did not show any signs of illness during a health screening when he was first detained, but that a nurse practitioner diagnosed him with influenza on Sunday and recommended the antiviral drug Tamiflu, which Border Patrol agents picked up from a nearby pharmacy.

"The men and women of US Customs and Border Protection are saddened by the tragic loss of this young man and our condolences are with his family," the acting CBP commissioner, John Sanders, saidn in a statement. "CBP is committed to the health, safety and humane treatment of those in our custody."

felipe gomez alonzo

Vasquez is the latest of several migrant children's deaths that have occurred since December. Jakelin Caal Maquin, 7, died on December 8, roughly 24 hours after Border Patrol detained her. Felipe Gomez Alonzo, 8, died late on December 24, after spending nearly a full week in various Border Patrol facilities.

Two other children recently died after crossing the border, though neither were in Border Patrol custody at their time of death. A two-year-old migrant boy died in the hospital on May 14, weeks after he and his mother were released from custody. Another 16-year-old boy died April 30 in a migrant children's shelter operated by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Trump has previously blamed Democrats for the deaths.

"Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally," the president tweeted in December. "They can't. If we had a Wall, they wouldn't even try!"

Experts say the facilities are unsuitable for children

migrants border patrol station

Jakelin and Felipe were eventually brought to hospitals for care, but the temporary facilities that they were initially detained in have come under particular scrutiny for what experts have described as poor conditions that are unsuitable for children.

"They're designed to be problematic and not safe," Anne Chandler, the executive director of Tahirih Justice Center's Houston office who's been doing this work for 20 years, told INSIDER in December, after the first two deaths.

She added: "They are designed and meant for punishment and deterrence, and this is nothing unique about this administration. These [Customs and Border Protection] facilities have been nasty and ugly since I started this work."

Since December, Border Patrol has come under even more scrutiny over the chaotic and haphazard conditions of its facilities, as authorities struggle to process the influx of families that has overwhelmed the stations. Border Patrol has even begun detaining migrants in the stations' parking lots, where migrants sleep on the ground, with only tents and thin mylar blankets to shelter them.

Read more: Aerial photos show migrants sleeping on the ground in makeshift tent encampment at a Texas Border Patrol station

border patrol station mcallen

Migrants have long complained about the conditions in the Border Patrol facilities where they're taken immediately after their arrests. They have nicknamed the stations "hieleras," Spanish for "icebox," because of the freezing temperatures.

Dozens of migrant children and their parents submitted sworn declarations alleging they had experiences involving inedible food, undrinkable water, overcrowding, and few opportunities to shower or clean themselves.

Those declarations were filed over the summer as part of a long-running lawsuit over the US government's treatment of detained migrant children. CBP defended itself by pointing to a government report filed last June that declared the agency "continues to comply" with court-ordered rules governing how to treat migrant children.

But Colleen Kraft, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told INSIDER in December that she wasn't surprised when she learned of the deaths of Jakelin and Felipe after they were detained.

"We've seen this coming," she said. "When you take a child and you put them into a facility that's cold, and they don't get proper sleep because the lights are on, and they have risk of infection from open toilets, it's a really bad combination of things that could really result in some very sick children."

'I've never seen a criminal baby'

jakelin caal maquin

One unique problem the Trump administration is facing is the sheer number of families with young children crossing the border to seek asylum.

In recent months, border apprehensions have skyrocketed to levels not seen in 12 years, and the type of migrants coming to the US has evolved over time — posing its own set of challenges.

In previous decades, most of the immigrants crossing the US-Mexico border were Mexican men entering alone, seeking work. But now, more and more Central American families and unaccompanied children are crossing together in large groups, often directed by smugglers.

The Trump administration has pinned much of the blame on the migrants themselves, urging parents to avoid taking their children on long, dangerous journeys to the US, where they will then spend at least several days in detention.

"The unprecedented number of families and unaccompanied children at the border must not be ignored," former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement in the wake of Jakelin and Felipe's deaths. "I once again ask — beg — parents to not place their children at risk by taking a dangerous journey north. Vulnerable populations — including family units and unaccompanied alien children — should seek asylum at the first possible opportunity, including Mexico."

Read more: After a 7-year-old migrant girl died in Border Patrol custody, Kirstjen Nielsen said 'this family chose to cross illegally', and critics are outraged she's blaming the death on the family

kevin mcaleenan cbp

But Kraft said the migrants are "fleeing violence, and death, and recruitment into gangs," and don't make long, difficult journeys to the US on a whim.

"I've seen a need to try to tone down the rhetoric on people coming to the border as 'criminals,'" Kraft said. "Half of them are children. And I've never seen a criminal baby."

Kraft said she was heartened when then-CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan reached out to her in December asking for assistance. CBP confirmed to INSIDER that the discussion took place, and said McAleenan would continue to seek AAP's input going forward.

"The fact that he reached out to us is very positive," she said. "We have 67,000 medical experts — use our expertise. Allow us unfettered access to these facilities. Allow us to train your personnel. Allow us to monitor and make recommendations on these conditions, and we can help you out."

After Felipe died, DHS asked the US Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help provide healthcare to migrant children in its custody, partly because the agency didn't have enough trained personnel to handle all the cases itself.

'Why do we have these kids sleeping on cement?'

migrants cages mcallen texas

Trump administration officials have acknowledged that the holding facilities were originally designed for adult men — not families with young, sick children.

But despite Border Patrol's own rules stating that migrants should generally not stay in holding facilities longer than 72 hours, Chandler said she routinely encounters migrant children like Felipe who have been held much longer.

Chandler said the conditions in Border Patrol stations may not always cause a child to fall sick — they are often already in "bad shape" after dayslong or weekslong journeys to the US through the desert with little access to food or water.

But she added that the Trump administration could implement simple measures to avoid worsening their conditions.

"Why do we have these kids sleeping on cement? We can't afford, as a nation, some type of warm beverage and warm food? These are children, right? It's cruel and unhealthy to say the least," she said. "If kids are coming over and they're sick, that is only going to get worse through this structure."

Migrants border patrol immigration facility

But part of the blame, she added, lies not just with the facilities, but on broader border policies the US government has implemented for decades. Increased fencing, heightened surveillance technologies, and expanded Border Patrol staffing have pushed migrants away from crossing in heavily patrolled areas.

Jakelin, for instance, had crossed with a group of 164 migrants in a remote part of the New Mexico desert, where Border Patrol staff struggled to accommodate them.

According to a government timeline, the "remoteness" of the area where Caal was detained meant that an hours-long bus trip to a different Border Patrol facility was "the best means to provide the child with emergency care."

"We put in measures to try to hamper the abilities of individuals to cross our border, pushing individuals into more desolate areas," Chandler said. "Most of the time these immigrants present themselves to CBP border people, but when they are pushed into these more remote areas to cross the border, their vulnerability and their health situation escalates."

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NOW WATCH: Here are 7 takeaways from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation

Save up to 40% at Ralph Lauren, Cole Haan, and Walmart— and 5 other sales and deals happening now

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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.

We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening online today, with savings at Ralph Lauren, Cole Haan, and Walmart. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons.

Ralph Lauren

1. Save an extra 30% on sale styles at Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren currently has a great selection of sale items marked up to 40% off, but now through May 28, you can save even more with an extra 30% off sale items. Just use promo code "MEMDAY" at checkout. The sale includes polos, shorts, T-shirts, sweaters, hoodies, chinos, accessories, and a lot more. To potentially save more at Ralph Lauren, visit Business Insider Coupons here

Shop the Ralph Lauren sale now

trx_home2_mpp_horiz_carousel_1 (2)

2. Save 25% sitewide at TRX Suspension Training

If you don't have a gym membership or you're too busy to make it there every day, TRX Suspension Trainers can help you get in a good workout at home. The training systems allow you to use your body weight and gravity instead of heavy machinery. Now through May 28, you can save 25% on everything sitewide, plus get free shipping. With everything from pull-up and dip trainers to kettlebells and apparel, you'll find something that works for you.

Shop the TRX sale now.

Cole Haan

3. Save an extra 40% on sale styles at Cole Haan

Cole Haan's shoes are deeply discounted for Memorial Day. Until May 30, you can save an extra 40% on sale styles by using the promo code "EXTRA40" at checkout. It's a great opportunity to pick up new dress shoes for the office, casual sneakers for the weekends, and even heels and sandals. For more deals and savings at Cole Haan, visit Business Insider Coupons here

Shop the Cole Haan sale now

Walmart

4. Save up to 40% on thousands of items at Walmart

In celebration of Memorial Day, Walmart is having huge savings up to 40% off across the entire site. The sale includes great deals on patio furniture, grills, TVs, kitchen appliances, baby essentials, bikes, clothes, and so much more. If you're looking to buy anything today, it's worth checking the great deals at Walmart first. For more deals and savings at Walmart, visit Business Insider Coupons here

Shop the Walmart sale now

L.L.Bean

5. Save up to 25% on outdoor gear and 20% on classes at L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean is having a big sale that'll save you money on outdoor essentials and on activities where you can put them to use. Until tomorrow, May 22, you can save up to 25% on outdoor gear and 20% on outdoor classes. Prices are as-marked, so you won't need a promo code to save. The sale includes apparel for men, women, and kids, and classes including hiking, fishing, kayaking, archery, and more. For other deals and savings at L.L.Bean, visit Business Insider Coupons here.

Shop the L.L.Bean sale.

JBL

6.Save up to 60% on speakers and headphones at JBL

This Memorial Day, JBL is celebrating with a huge sale on wireless electronics. Right now, you can save up to 60% on Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and PA systems. With everything from sporty earbuds for working out and waterproof speakers for enjoying music poolside to tiny clip-on speakers and on-ear headphones, there's something for everyone. 

Shop the JBL sale now.

Converse

7. Save an extra 30% on sale styles at Converse

Converse is having a huge sneaker sale for men, women, and kids. Now through May 23, you can save an extra 30% on sale styles by using the promo code "THIRTY" at checkout. You'll find everything from classic pairs of canvas Chucks to limited-edition variations, and newer silhouette like the CONS Louis Lopez Pro skate shoe. To potentially save even more at Converse, visit Business Insider Coupons here

Shop the Converse sale now

Eight Sleep

8.Get $200 off and free at-home delivery on Eight Sleep Mattresses

Eight Sleep is arguably the most forward-thinking mattress online startup out there. In addition to using premium foams for comfort, they use sleep-track sensors to help provide data on how you sleep. The information can help you determine how much sleep you should get, when your best hours of sleep are, which positions are most comfortable, and more. As part of Eight Sleep's Memorial Day sale, you can get $200 off and free at-home delivery on all mattresses. Discounts are taken off automatically at checkout, so you won't need a promo code.

Shop the Eight Sleep sale now.

Join the conversation about this story »

11 tips and tricks for avoiding duds and finding the perfect vacation spot on Airbnb

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fantastic Beasts

  • Airbnb is one of the most popular ways to see the world, but there are lots of details to consider before booking with the site.
  • These tips can help you avoid a mediocre experience with Airbnb so you can achieve true vacation nirvana.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

I use Airbnb all the time when I travel or go on vacation.

Hotel rooms can be convenient and reliable, but I often find that booking a vacation home through Airbnb is cheaper, offers you more space, and is a little more fun to boot. You often get a better feel for the local flavor by choosing to live in a home in the area, rather than a standardized hotel room.

I just got back from my honeymoon this past week. We were gone for two weeks, and visited four different cities in Europe, staying in accommodations exclusively through Airbnb. Some of the Airbnbs were better than anything we could've gotten in a hotel; others fell short of our expectations. But there was a lot that I learned through this experience and others, that I will definitely consider for the next time I use Airbnb.

Here are my 11 top tips and tricks for using Airbnb.

SEE ALSO: The Reddit starter pack: These are the 41 best subreddits everyone should follow

Book in advance.

Booking earlier means you'll have more options in any given location you choose to visit, and prices are usually lower than when you book closer to the date.

This is especially true of popular cities and locations.

When my wife and I booked our trip Venice as part of our honeymoon, for instance, we were looking at significantly more expensive options because we only booked about a month in advance. Thankfully, we found a cheaper option, which leads me to my next tip.



Sometimes, it's worth taking a chance on a newbie.

People like booking places that have been heavily reviewed by other people. It means that other people came to this Airbnb and didn't die, which is a good thing!

Still, you might be surprised if you ignore the number of reviews attached to any given listing, and take a chance on a newbie based on their photos and listed accommodations.

Back to my Venice story: Since we were only booking a month in advance, and during the start of the city's busy season, we felt like we were only seeing expensive options. But we kept looking and found a brand-new apartment that no one had stayed in yet. The photos looked beautiful, and we would get 20% off for being one of the first to book, so we took a leap of faith.

It ended up being a great decision: This apartment was easily the best one we stayed in during our whole honeymoon.



The term "Superhost" can be deceiving, and doesn't guarantee a quality experience.

We stayed in Modena, Italy, as part of our honeymoon, and chose to stay with a "Superhost."

Airbnb picks "Superhosts" based on just four criteria: They need to have had at least 10 people stay in their place over the past year, they need a 4.8 rating or higher from at least 50% of the people who stay in their place, they need zero cancellations over the last year, and they need to respond to 90% of new messages within 24 hours.

In other words, being a Superhost doesn't speak to the quality of the apartment. Our Modena apartment was easily our least favorite accommodation during our honeymoon: It was more flights of stairs than advertised, the apartment wasn't very clean, had no soap, shampoo, or cleaning tools like paper towels, and the apartment smelled like sulfur at times (more on that later).



Study a listing's photos carefully.

When picking an Airbnb, it's really important to pay close attention to the photos.

Sometimes you'll notice inconsistencies, or the same piece of furniture in two different photos — this may mean that the owner is taking different angles of their space to make it appear bigger. On more than one occasion, we found we were looking at a studio listing by noticing that the kitchen and bedroom photos shared the same space.

Also be sure to note the decor, and whether or not it gets sunlight. These things may affect you more than you'd think during your vacation.



Pick a place that's close to attractions, or places you plan on frequenting during your trip.

Cities can be deceivingly large. Paris, for instance, is way bigger than you think!

If you know you want to see certain sights in a city, or be close to major shopping or restaurant centers, try to look for an Airbnb that will be close by. Remember: You want to spend less time traveling to your various destinations, and more time enjoying them.



Airbnb will recommend listings for you, but they won't always be relevant.

When we were looking at places to stay in Venice, for instance, much of what Airbnb recommended was actually off the main island upon closer inspection. We're so glad we didn't go with what Airbnb recommended, because staying within Venice was a big part why our experience was so magical.

The same thing happened when we looked at Paris listings: Much of what Airbnb recommended was on the fringes of the city, and at least an hour of walking away from the big attractions.



If things aren’t clear on the listing, just ask the owner a question by sending them a message through Airbnb. They’ll almost always pre-approve you, giving you a few days to decide before you need to book.

Before booking for our honeymoon, we asked apartment owners about elevators, flights of stairs, and air conditioning. Owners got back to us pretty quickly, and pre-approved us so we didn't have to rush into a decision.



If the check-out time isn’t ideal, you can usually ask the host if they’ll accommodate.

We had to catch trains and flights at various times over our honeymoon, but we didn't want to be stuck wandering the city for hours with all our luggage. So we asked our hosts if we could move the check-out times to accommodate for our travel arrangements — sometimes by just an hour, or even a few — and every single one of our hosts was happy to work with us in advance.

This won't be the same for every host, but it doesn't hurt to ask, especially if it makes you trip a little more convenient.



When searching for apartments, be sure to "favorite" your top listings.

After you've favorited your top listings, you can go back and Airbnb will show all of your favorites on a map. This way, you can compare the locations of your favorite apartments with the locations of your top attractions.

For instance, my wife and I created a separate Google Map for the attractions we wanted to see in each city during our honeymoon, and compared that map to our Airbnb map of our favorite listings to help us choose where we'd stay.



Toiletries vary wildly from one place to another.

Some Airbnbs will have so much soap and shampoo, you'll feel like you're at a spa.

Others, not so much.

Sometimes a place won't have paper towels or even the basics of cooking, despite having a kitchen. One place didn't have salt, for instance, or oil or vinegar to cook with.

You can ask hosts about this sort of stuff before you book, but a lot of places will remember to include these essentials. I'd just recommend noting what the apartment is missing when you arrive, so you can either inform the owner in that moment, or after your Airbnb experience when it comes time to leave them a review. (You can also send the owner a private message during this time with tips on what could be improved so you don't have to shame them publicly.)



Smell is really important! When reading through reviews on a listing, be on the lookout for stink warnings.

Over our honeymoon, two of the four Airbnbs we stayed in (50%!) had a foul odor to them for at least part of the time we were there. 

In Modena, Italy, we noticed a foul garbage-like smell that would occasionally waft through the apartment. We re-checked the reviews on that Airbnb listing, and found that a handful of older reviews noted this bad smell caused by the sewage outside. We simply weren't thinking about the apartment's smell while reading reviews, and missed these people's warnings.

Another apartment we stayed in had a bathroom that was recently renovated, and smelled like sulfur at night, or when it was raining. The owner chalked it up to the tide outside, but it was pretty unpleasant to constantly deal with.



Did you learn any valuable lessons after staying at an Airbnb?

If you have any tips or tricks to using Airbnb you think I left out — or other warnings or considerations people should take before booking through the service — feel free to email me at dsmith@businessinsider.com.



I never understood the hype around Patagonia — but this one sweater changed my mind and now I'm a member of the cult fan base

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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.

patagirl

I used to not understand why Patagonia had such a cult following. If I'm being honest, I always though it was just an expensive outdoor gear company.

Maybe it's because I grew up in Florida where my "outdoor gear" included flip flops, bathing suits, bug spray, and loose T-shirts that kept me cool in the scorching heat. I never really had to consider the need for warm performance clothing, even when camping. All that mattered was keeping the mosquitoes and love bugs from flying into my mouth while I searched for sharks' teeth in the creek. 

Then I moved around the country a few times and started working at Business Insider. When my coworkers (all loyalists, or at least fans) found out that I literally didn't own anything from the company, they were what the youth these days call "shook." And so began my induction into the Cult of Patagonia. 

I was given the chance to try out a few items both in an effort to bring me to the Dark Side and an opportunity to spread the good word of Patagonia to our readers. And I am now officially a convert. 

patpullover

The thing that really hooked me was this Organic Cotton Quilt Snap-T Pullover ($149). I've been familiar with Patagonia's Synchilla Fleece sweaters for a while by virtue of their ubiquity at the Washington, DC university I went to, but this pullover felt new and fresh enough to differentiate itself.

At this point, and please forgive me for this cliche, I'm just wondering how I lived without it for so long. 

The sweater is buttery soft and incredibly warm considering how very medium the thickness is, and the snaps on the neck allow me to bundle up or cool off as needed. Somehow the outer layer of material also manages to be slightly water-resistant despite feeling like the softest cotton you've ever touched. Plus, it doesn't hurt knowing that the pullover is made from organic cotton, which means no harmful fertilizers or pesticides were used in the growing process.

I'm usually a medium, but I sized up on this sweater to a large to give myself a roomier fit — and I'm really glad I did. I think it would have been too tight around the hips if I'd gone with the medium. The arms are slightly long, which probably has something to do with the fact that I'm only five feet tall, but I don't mind being able to pull them over my hands if I get cold while walking around. 

Overall, this was the thing that brought me into the fan club. I suddenly "got" what everyone was so obsessed with. Yes, you'll pay a high price for quality, but it's exactly that quality that makes Patagonia so worthwhile. When you invest in something you know will work well, it feels better than buying two of the lesser versions. I think that's the feeling people who love Patagonia are after. Well, that and the fact that you can feel good about supporting its mission to undo the damage we silly humans have done unto our planet. It's a place for pragmatists and hopefuls to shop.

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The other item I got to try out was this lightweight but powerful Raven Rocks Hoody jacket ($229), and I now understand why it's a better idea to buy a performance jacket that's actually meant to combat the cold rather than an expensive but maybe more fashion-forward alternative (however, I do think this brown color is awesome). It wasn't Patagonia that taught me that lesson, but now I trust that this is the place to go when I need something to do its job. 

You can bet I'll be writing a review of the coat soon enough, but for now, suffice it to say that I've officially fallen in love with Patagonia. I have multiple items (including a Synchilla Fleece... so help me) on my wish list, and I'm looking forward to the camaraderie that is to follow once my coworkers find out that I'm now an official, card-carrying member of the cult. 

Shop the Women's Organic Cotton Quilt Snap-T Pullover, $149, at Patagonia

Shop the Women's Raven Rocks Hoody, $229, at Patagonia

Shop all products at Patagonia

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NOW WATCH: Why Louboutin shoes are so expensive

Here's a scientific explanation for why rich people think they're better than everyone

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lifestyle of the rich hamptons polo

  • It's official: Rich people really do think they're better than everybody else.
  • People born into higher social classes are more overconfident and have "an exaggerated belief" that they will perform better than others, more so than those in lower classes, a new study found.
  • Researchers had thousands of people from diverse social classes take cognitive assessments and trivia tests, then asked them how they thought they fared compared with others.
  • People with more education, higher income, and a higher perceived social class were more overconfident, leading judges to deem them to be more competent, the study found.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Some may have long suspected it, but now science has confirmed it: Rich people really do believe they're better than everybody else.

People born into higher social classes are more overconfident and have "an exaggerated belief" that they will perform better at certain tasks than others, a perception not shared by their lower-class counterparts, a new study published Monday in the prestigious Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found.

These findings help clear up the common misconception that everyone thinks they're better than the average person, according to the study's lead author.

"Our results suggest that this type of thinking might be more prevalent among the middle and upper classes," Peter Belmi, a professor at the University of Virginia and the lead author of the study, said in a press release.

rich people

The study included a series of experiments looking at the connection between social class and overconfidence.

In one experiment, researchers looked at more than 150,000 small-business owners in Mexico who were applying for loans and got information about their income, education level, and perceived standing in society. The applicants were asked to take psychological assessments — which included a flashcard memory game — to determine their creditworthiness.

After the assessments, applicants were asked to rate how they thought they did compared with others, on a scale of 1 to 100.

The wealthier, upper-class participants were convinced they would perform better than others

The researchers found that those with more education, higher income, and a higher perceived social class had "an exaggerated belief that they would perform better than others, compared with their lower-class counterparts," the press release said.

Other experiments entailed giving participants a trivia test and then having them come back a week later for a videotaped mock hiring interview. More than 900 judges then watched the videos and rated how competent they found each applicant.

The judges deemed the overconfident upper-class people to be more competent.

"Individuals with relatively high social class were more overconfident, which in turn was associated with being perceived as more competent and ultimately more hirable, even though, on average, they were no better at the trivia test than their lower-class counterparts," Belmi said.

The disparity may come down to how people in different social classes are raised

"In the middle class, people are socialized to differentiate themselves from others, to express what they think and feel and to confidently express their ideas and opinions, even when they lack accurate knowledge," Belmi said.

Working-class people, on the other hand, are taught to embrace humility and the importance of "knowing your place" in the social hierarchy, according to Belmi.

The encouragement of individualism and confidence can lead to greater success for those in the upper class.

"Advantages beget advantages," Belmi said. "Those who are born in upper-class echelons are likely to remain in the upper class, and high-earning entrepreneurs disproportionately originate from highly educated, well-to-do families."

Belmi added: "Our research suggests that social class shapes the attitudes that people hold about their abilities and that, in turn, has important implications for how class hierarchies perpetuate from one generation to the next."

Belmi's isn't the first study to find that wealthy people have skewed perceptions of themselves

In a 2015 study on empathy, the neuroscientist Michael Varnum conducted a brain-imaging study of 58 participants, who were first asked about their social class, including questions about their family income and parents' education, as Drake Baer reported for New York magazine.

The participants then took EEG tests, which track electrical activity in the brain, while being shown images of both neutral faces and faces expressing pain.

"In something of a dark irony, the respondents of higher socioeconomic status rated themselves as more empathic — a 'better-than-average effect' that Varnum followed up on in a separate study — when in reality the opposite was true," Baer wrote. The study actually found that the upper-class participants had lower neural responses to others' pain.

But it's not only the wealthy who can have skewed perceptions of themselves.

As Business Insider's Hillary Hoffower previously reported, a recent survey by INSIDER and Morning Consult found that people's self-designated social class didn't always align with their income. Some Americans who earn less than $50,000 said they felt rich, while others who earn more than $100,000 said they felt poor.

SEE ALSO: More Americans making $100,000 consider themselves working class than rich, and it shows just how expensive the US has become

DON'T MISS: Incredible photos give a totally unexpected perspective into how the 1% lives

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NOW WATCH: See inside the $2.8 million 'Flintstones' house in California that sparked a viral following and a lawsuit

These $250 sneakers are all over Instagram — we tested them out to see what makes them so special

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fiore

  • You've probably seen these trendy sneakers before on social media, and if you didn't know already, they're from Koio.
  • Koio makes luxury sneakers in the same factories as high-end brands like Chanel and Hermes, but for a fraction of what those designers pairs go for. Koio's shoes range from $180 to $370.
  • We spoke to Johannes Quodt and Chris Wichert — Koio's founders and Co-CEOs — to learn more about what sets the brand apart.
  • After trying the shoes for ourselves, we thought that while pricey, they were super comfortable, high quality, stylish, and easy to clean, making them worth it if you have the room in your budget.

I'm a sucker for sneakers. I'd take high-tops over high heels just about any day, because when it comes to footwear, there's nothing more reliable than your favorite kicks. Like a little black dress, a durable pair of jeans, or a simple white T-shirt, a great pair of sneakers is a wardrobe essential you can always count on for comfort and style. Gone are the days when sneakers were reserved for gym class, commuting, and athletic endeavors — today you're just as likely to find sneakers on runways as you are at the gym.

Luxury sneakers are all the rage, and Koio is one of the brands leading the charge. For Johannes Quodt and Chris Wichert — Koio's founders and Co-CEOs — a shared passion for sneakers brought them together. The duo grew up in Germany and both had an infatuation with high-end sneakers, spending "much of our young adult lives saving up to purchase luxury sneakers when they went on sale," they told Business Insider. Still, there was something about the old-school luxury labels that never really felt like them — sneakers at luxury prices seemed more like precious objects that should be stored in the closet than actually worn everyday. When the two met at Wharton Business School, they realized this passion had potential to become a real business.  

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Capitalizing on social and fashion trends

Quodt and Wichert recognized that there was a shift in the fashion world — brands were moving towards more comfortable and casual styles. Consumers, similar to themselves, were looking (and continue to look) for shoes that could transition from day to night, from professional life to social life — and to this need, the duo had the perfect answer: sneakers.

Businessperson, student, and millennial are just some of the titles the pair respectively found themselves taking on at the time, and thus, they wanted to create a shoe that could reflect that. "We both lived extremely busy lives that required us to seamlessly walk between different worlds and into a variety of different situations every day," the pair told Business Insider, "so we wanted to create the highest quality, most versatile sneakers that would allow us to do just that."

The pair bought a one-way ticket to Italy when they were ready to make their first prototype — they were prepared to spend as much time as needed to find the perfect partners — leather suppliers, shoe manufacturers, and classic lastmakers. After three weeks, they ended up finding a manufacturer that was already producing products for luxury brands like Chanel, Hermes, and Saint Laurent, among others. Given their high-end company, you'd probably expect Koio shoes to go for upwards of $500. While they're not cheap, Koio shoes instead range from about $180 to $300 — unless you count the extremely adorable Baby Koios, which retail for $78.

koio3

With their business school backgrounds, Wichert and Quodt weren't too focused on following the traditional fashion industry path. Instead, they focused on maintaining a direct-to-consumer approach, which not only helps keep prices low, but also helps retailers engage with consumers. "From the beginning, we focused on leveraging Instagram as a main medium to communicate our aesthetic." If you've seen their page — which you probably have — you'd know that they're doing a great job. It's an aesthetically pleasing feed  full of minimalist photos, with close-ups of high-quality, pebbled leather, soft suede, and the simple, stamped logo — it's just enough to let you know these are great products, but it leaves plenty of us curious enough to engage further. 

Whether it's their simple, minimalist styles or their more bold options, people are loving Koio's take on high-end sneakers. In 2018 they grew revenue by 150%. 

Comfort and style

Even as someone who counts sneakers as her favorite type of shoe, $250 seemed pretty steep, especially when you consider how many budget-friendly options are on the market. Objectively, they're still a good chunk of money and may not be worth it for you if you just want a basic pair of sneakers — you could probably be happy with a cheaper pair. But, if you've been eyeing their Instagram ads for a while now, or are willing to shell out a little extra on your sneakers, I think Koio is worth it.

After wearing these shoes for about a month now, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair. Here's why:

If you're purely in it for style, Koio is a great choice. The brand works with seasoned designers who have experience working for high-fashion names like Balenciaga and Gucci — so expect looks that are just as trendy as they are timeless. If you're looking for a pair that is not just fashionable, but functional, Koio is still a winner. From my experience, they're really comfortable, made with high-quality leather that lasts, and they're easy to clean — making them easy to wear for just about any occasion. 

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The Capri Bianco ($248) is now my go-to, everyday white sneaker. The leather is supple, making them really easy to break in. The all-white look is modern and matches everything, while the gray suede accent makes these stand out just a little. I was nervous that white leather would be a nightmare to clean, but a damp cloth was enough to wash away any visible wear and tear.

Then there is the Avalanche Nude ($298), Koio's take on the clunky "dad sneakers" trend.

On a recent vacation, I was dealing with some serious ankle pain. I didn't want to wear my Asics running sneakers, because frankly, while they're super comfortable, they didn't match any of my outfits, but my ankle boots did not have enough support to get me through long days of exploring a new city. Luckily, I realized I had packed my Koio Avalanche sneakers. The all-nude colorway is simple, but the mix of leather and suede make for a more bold style. The chunky sole and monochromatic look makes this a very trendy pair — they looked great with everything I put on, and I was happy to not be wearing my athletic, colorful trainers — but, most importantly, these kept my feet really comfortable and provided more than enough support. The perfect combination of comfort and style make these a pair that I will keep coming back to.

Update: Now, four months later, both of these pairs really are ones I keep coming back to. Suede and leather are both pretty susceptible to stains and damage and New York City streets are not so forgiving — but I've been impressed with how both of these sneakers have held up over time.

Bottom Line

After hearing from Wichert and Quodt, I was left thinking about sneakers in a new light. They compared sneakers to denim, saying "It's a trend that certainly isn't going away or slowing down, as we can't see a world where people revert back to wearing dress shoes in casual settings once they've started wearing sneakers." After wearing their shoes to work, on a plane, and to dinner with friends, it's not hard to believe that these will probably become as much a part of my daily uniform as my favorite pair of jeans.

If you have the budget to spare, or think they're a worthy investment, maybe a pair of Koio shoes will make it into your everyday rotation, too.

Shop Koio sneakers from $178 here

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How to leave a group text on iPhone or mute its notifications when you're tired of them

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How to leave a group text on iPhone

  • Group texts on your iPhone can be incredibly fun, though some can just be annoying, especially if you're busy doing other tasks on your phone.
  • Luckily, there are ways to ease that annoyance. You can either opt out of notifications entirely by leaving the group text, or silence a particular group's text notifications for distraction-free screen time.
  • To leave a group text on an iPhone, however, there have to be four or more people in the group, including yourself. If it's just you and two others, you can't leave and should mute the thread.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

There are two types of people in this world: those who love group texts, and those who don't.

If you happen to fall into the latter camp and find yourself in a particularly active group of texters, with constant buzzes and beeps that are slowly driving you insane, you are in luck! iPhones with versions of iOS 8 or higher have two options for either permanent or temporary relief from group texts.

How to silence notifications from a group text on an iPhone

First things first: Go to the group message thread you wish to leave or silence.

1. Once you are in the group message thread you wish to leave or silence, tap the arrow at the top of the screen, next to the names of those in the group.

2. On the far right of the drop-down, tap "info" or the icon of a circle with an 'i' in it. This will bring you to the Details page of the group chat.

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3. Once on the Details page, to silence the chat, scroll down to where it says "Hide Alerts."

4. Tap "Hide Alerts" to silence the notifications from the chosen group chat. You'll know the group texts have been muted if the Hide Alerts icon has turned green.

GroupText(2)

You can always go back and change this option by tapping on 'Hide Alerts' to begin getting notifications again.

How to leave a group text on an iPhone

If you'd like to leave the group text entirely, stay on the Details page.

1. Right below "Hide Alerts" is the option to "Leave Conversation" in red. Tap it.

2. Once you tap "Leave Conversation" a menu will pop up asking if you intend to "Leave this conversation" or "Cancel." Tap the first one.

How to leave a group text on iPhone 3

Beware, once you leave, someone from that group text will have to add you again if you decide you wish to return.

If "Leave this Conversation" is gray or nonexistent on the Details page of your group text, that means there are too few people in the chat to leave (there have to be 4 or more participants to leave).

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

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NOW WATCH: This London handbag company has recycled 175 tons of fire hoses into fashion accessories

This new line of wireless headphones mimics one of millennials' favorite fashion accessories: the flower crown

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  • Flower crowns are one of the most popular fashion accessories for summertime and music festivals.
  • Now, a DJ looking to capitalize on the trend has created headphones called Rosé Rockers, adorned with a halo of colorful flowers.
  • The headphones cost $98, and the company says they're designed to "fit a woman's frame more comfortably."
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Just in time for summer concerts and music festivals, a new line of wireless headphones have hit the market that mimic one of millennials' favorite accessories — the flower crown.

A New York-area DJ has created over-ear wireless Bluetooth headphones called Rosé Rockers. The headphones' thick black head band connecting the two ear pieces is adorned with a halo of brightly covered flowers, reminiscent of the flower crowns that have become staples at Coachella, beach outings, and wedding photo shoots.

rose rockers flower crown headphones

The Rosé Rockers headphones are the brainchild of Nicole Rose Stillings (aka DJ Rosé), a DJ based in New York with over 32,000 followers on Instagram.

The headphones are marketed to women, and are designed to "fit a woman's frame more comfortably," the company says. The ear pieces themselves are smaller than those on typical unisex headphones, and the headphones are made with "luxe vegan leather" for a more comfortable fit.

"We are revolutionizing the way women consume music," the Rosé Rockers' website says. "We were developed for YOUR ear - because YOU hear differently than he does."

flower crown headphones Rose Rockers

The headphones come in three options for flower colors: rose (pink), sky (blue), and violet (purple). Each pair of headphones comes with features including noise cancellation, a built-in microphone, and a folding design for easy storage in a purse or bag.

Each set of headphones are priced at $98. The Rosé Rockers are relatively inexpensive compared to leading wireless headphones from Beats, Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser, but it's not yet clear where they rank in regards to their sound quality.

The Rosé Rockers officially launched in early May, and are available to order online.

SEE ALSO: Millions of Instagram influencers, celebrities, and brands reportedly had their private contact information exposed online

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NOW WATCH: This London handbag company has recycled 175 tons of fire hoses into fashion accessories

How to delete all of the emails on your iPad using a simple trick

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  • Your iPad's Mail app doesn't give you an obvious way to delete all the email in a folder, but it's easy to do with just a few taps.
  • Apple provides a workaround to move all your email at once by selecting a message, holding the Move button, and then deselecting the email.
  • If you organize email into multiple folders, repeat this process for each folder.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Email is an utterly pervasive part of our life on the internet. Everyone uses the internet, and odds are that you juggle multiple email accounts on your mobile devices — one of personal messages, one for work, and possibly more. With so much email in your life, it's likely that you occasionally need to delete all the email on your iPad at once.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't give you a "delete everything" button. There isn't even a one-tap way to select all your email. That's okay, though — there's a simple workaround that you can use to do just that.  

Unfortunately, even this workaround has its limitations. You can't select all the email on your iPad at once unless you keep everything in your inbox. If you tend to file email into different folders to keep it better organized, you'll need to delete email one folder at a time. 

How to delete all the email in a folder on your iPad

1. Open the Mail app.

2. Tap on the folder that you want to empty, such as the inbox or any other folder on your device.

3. At the top of the folder, tap "Edit." (If the mailboxes pane is visible, don't accidentally tap "Edit" in that.)

Delete 1

4. Tap the first message in the folder to select it.

5. Tap and hold "Move" at the bottom of the screen.

Delete 2

6. Without lifting your finger off "Move," tap the selected message again — this will deselect it. Then lift your finger off "Move."

7. The view should now change to show all the messages in the folder selected. If this takes a moment to appear, don't worry — if you have a lot of email, this could be a slow process.

8. Tap the folder into which you want to move the emails — in this case, the Trash.

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If you change your mind, just tap "Cancel" or close the Mail app.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best tablets you can buy

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NOW WATCH: Facial recognition is almost perfectly accurate — here's why that could be a problem

The best air walker and air glider exercise machines you can buy

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  • Air walkers, also known as air gliders, are exercise machines that provide a great way to get a full-body, calorie-burning, low-impact aerobic workout at home.
  • The Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer is not only the best overall but also the budget model on the list; it's smooth, easy to assemble, compact, and economical.     

When someone gave me an air walker, I tried it and wondered, how in the world is this exercise? All I'm doing is swinging my feet! After about 10 minutes of nonstop striding, however, I did break a sweat and realized that continuing for another 10 to 20 minutes at a brisk clip would constitute a decent full-body aerobic workout. Air walkers — especially those with built-in resistance — provide low-impact exercise for your leg, arm, and abdominal muscles.

Think of an air walker as the elliptical trainer's low-tech, less glamorous, space- and money-saving cousin. On an air walker, you keep your legs mostly straight as you move them back and forth (or even side to side on some models) as opposed to bending and straightening them while stepping on an elliptical machine. Also, air gliders are smaller and more economical, making them convenient, portable home exercise equipment that doesn't need electricity.

An air walker is powered by your body's motion and weight, so you control its speed and your workout's intensity —the faster, harder, and wider (or higher) you stride, the more intense the workout. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults have "at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity." With the air walker, you'll get aerobic and weight-bearing exercise — important for bone density — that's easy on your joints and ears (i.e., quiet enough for watching television, listening to podcasts, etc.).

From experience, I can say that striding on an air walker definitely raises the heart rate, burns calories, tones muscles all over (especially the butt!), stretches legs and hips, engages the core, and tests a person's balance as well as coordination. Exercising on an air walker consistently can help you lose weight and strengthen muscles without bulking up.

When choosing an air walker, consider the following:

  • Size: You want one that can accommodate your stride length and your weight. Many models fold up for easy storage but if you plan on keeping it set up, make sure it fits your allotted open space.
  • Frame: One that's strong, stable, and durable in build, yet smooth and fluid in motion is ideal.
  • Resistance: Some models come with adjustable levels of resistance while others offer no resistance. My air walker has no built-in resistance, but I simply tie TheraBand resistance bands around the moving bars connecting the handles to the pedals in order to create resistance. You also can attach bungee cords instead.
  • Versatility: In addition to moving front to back, the foot pedals of some models move side to side for additional exercises (great for inner thigh toning)

What's also nice about air walkers as exercise equipment is that they are fairly low-maintenance. Just check for loose screws and oil the joints occasionally.

As with any health and exercise product, follow the instructions and practice safe use. If you have any health-related concerns, consult a medical professional before using.

Here are our top picks for the best air walker in 2019:

Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks.

The best overall

The Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer is not only top-rated, but it's also the best-priced model for striding your way to cardiorespiratory fitness.

Believe it or not, the Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer rated number-one by fitness websites including Lat PullDown, Fit For Gym, and Top Fitness Review is also the lowest priced model on our list of top picks. Use this "budget-friendly" yet popular and high-performing equipment to tone your muscles and get a full-body, low-impact cardio-aerobic workout. In addition to exercising your legs and arms, this model works your abdominal muscles as you maintain an upright posture while gliding.

Unlike most air walker models, the Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walker Trainer has a vertically adjustable abdominal pad for support and comfort. Some people like the pad, while others remove it for more room and instead use their abdominals even more for stability and endurance. 

It has a sturdy steel frame, oversized nonslip footpads/pedals, and an LCD monitor that conveniently displays workout information like time, count, total distance, and calories burned. People weighing up to 225 pounds can stretch their calf-, thigh- and gluteal muscles with the 30-inch stride length.

When not being used, the space-saving Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer folds down to half its open length (from 29 inches to 15 inches) for a small footprint and easy storage. However, several Amazon users note that the walker felt "flimsy" and the plastic pedal separated from the metal frame.

What people do like is the walker's smooth, quiet operation. You can start off in a slow walk to warm up before progressing to a faster run all in one continuous movement. Made for all ages, this model is popular with former runners and people up to their 80s because it's gentle on the ankles, knees, and back.

The Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer might not be intense enough for some athletes but it is, as one Amazon reviewer writes, a "perfect 'while-you-watch-TV' workout." Another reviewer had a novel idea of installing one at the office "to spend a few minutes throughout the day getting some mild cardio, get the blood circulating, and working out some of the tension. You won't break a sweat in your nice suit, but you may prevent yourself from getting a blood clot!"

In addition to the aforementioned accolades, the Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer ranks first on Best Reviews Info and second on Best Seekers, while 10Best Ranked, which selected the machine as its top model, named it the "Best Abdominal Muscle Toning Air Walker." In addition to being critiqued favorably on Best Women's Workout Reviews, it earned 4.5 out of 5 stars from Target customers and 5 stars by 53% of more than 800 Amazon reviewers.

Pros: Smooth operation, compact body, easy assembly, great price

Cons: Only moderately intensive, no resistance, flimsy for some

Buy the Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer on Amazon for $83.96

Buy the Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer on Target for $83.99



The best basic air walker

For people who want a no-frills yet effective air walker, the Gazelle Edge is the way to go — dependable, glides smoothly, and provides a good workout.

Although less fancy than the high-end Gazelle Supreme, the Gazelle Edge still does the job. It delivers a cardio-aerobic, total-body workout that burns calories and tones muscles while being easy on the joints — not to mention, fun. This basic model doesn't have any resistance, but it does have a patented, dual-action split suspension that provides a complete range of motion and smooth, fluid movement.

Best Women's Workout Reviews says the Gazelle Edge is "perfect for people who are new to exercise" as well as advanced users because it can accommodate more challenging exercises like the "Wide Glide, which is the Basic Glide done with longer strides … the High Glide, during which you would increase your pace and extend your arms and legs as far as possible as you stride… and interval training or 'power sprint.'" Leaning forward or backward while striding also helps increase intensity.

Some people can get an intense workout on the Gazelle Edge while others say it's better for a "quick and light" workout. Many Target and Amazon customers say they have lost weight using this apparatus that makes exercising fun. As an owner of a Gazelle Edge owner, I agree, but I have had to spray WD-40 on the frame to stop it from squeaking in order to hear the TV. Otherwise, this walker glides along quietly.

The Gazelle Edge has a durable 1.5-inch rolled steel frame, foam-covered handlebars, extra-wide non-skid foot platforms, and a computer that tracks speed, distance, time, and calories burned. It has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds (the more heavy-duty, slightly more expensive model with a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds is the Gazelle Freestyle). And, this walker folds up for storage.

The Gazelle Edge is ranked first onBest Seekers, second on 10Best Ranked, and fourth on Top Fitness Review. Among almost 100 Target customers it averaged 4.5 out of 5 stars, and 56% of more than 1,700 Amazon reviewers awarded it 5 stars.

Pros: Smooth, stable, and durable

Cons: No resistance, squeaks

Buy the Gazelle Edge on Amazon starting at $128.99

Buy the Gazelle Edge at Target for $128.99



The best versatile air walker

You can move front-to-back and side-to-side on the Fitness Reality Dual Action/Multidirectional Cloud Walker X1, greatly expanding your exercise options.

Like other walkers, the Fitness Reality Cloud Walker X1 glides forward and backward. But what's different about this versatile model is that its pedals also move side-to-side and have a 180-degree circular range of motion for multi-directional leg exercises. Fit For Gym, which rates the walker very highly, notes that another advantage of this multidirectional movement is that it "enhances the flexibility of the body."

Reviewers at 10Best Ranked place the Fitness Reality Cloud Walker X1 within their top three picks and point out that "if you would like to focus a bit more on your thighs, then this is just the walker for you. [It] allows you to stretch your legs from side to side while exercising … you feel the effect of it on your inner and outer thigh muscles [and] your hamstring muscles which further tones your legs faster."

Hold the stationary handles, stand on one leg, and either make wide circles with your other leg to tighten your butt and thighs, or push your other leg out to the side to work your inner thighs. You also can push out and pull in both legs simultaneously; squat while doing this to increase intensity.

Amazon users compare gliding on the Fitness Reality Cloud Walker X1 to speed walking and cross-country skiing. Although this model has no resistance, one person compensates by "leaning forward and pushing with my arms (which also works the backs of my arms) or leaning backward and pulling with my arms (which also works my biceps). The additional push/pull changes the amount of tension manually that I have to exert with my legs." People also like that this walker is quiet and has a small footprint when folded up for storage.

The Fitness Reality Cloud Walker X1 has a 2.75-inch thick tubular steel frame, oversized ribbed foot pads, pulse sensors on the stationary handles, and an LCD computer that displays distance, time, pulse, step count, and calories burned. It has a 36-inch stride length and accommodates users from 4-feet, 10-inches tall to 6-feet tall, weighing up to 225 pounds.

Top Fitness Review and Best Seekers rank the Fitness Reality Cloud Walker X1 within their top five choices and Best Reviews Info within its top ten. Among 59 Amazon reviewers, 52% awarded it 5 stars.

Pros: Multi-direction movement for diverse leg exercises, helps increase flexibility, easy assembly and folding

Cons: No resistance

Buy the Fitness Reality Dual Action/Multidirectional Cloud Walker from Walmart for $119.99

Buy the Fitness Reality Dual Action/Multidirectional Cloud Walker from third-party sellers on Amazon



The best for outdoors

Enjoy a breath of fresh air while exercising alfresco on the durable and smooth Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider.

I first tried an outdoor walker in a nearby park, thinking it was a just playground ride. As corny as this sounds, I found myself meditatively gliding while gazing toward a lake and listening to sounds of nature … and then felt the burn when I climbed off after about 10 minutes. So the Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider is not merely a playground toy, but a bona fide piece of exercise equipment that delivers a real low-impact, cardio-aerobic workout.

Designed to be set up and used outside, the Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider has a large, heavy-gauge steel frame covered with a durable paint that protects it from UV rays and resists rust, chipping, and corrosion in non-salt water environments. A Walmartcustomer who keeps the walker outside on the deck says that it "can stand up to the elements." A couple of other owners, however, note that screws at the joints have developed rust and recommend covering the walker with a large tarp or grill cover. The paint's vibrant green color fits in well with the outdoors.

The stable Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider glides smoothly. It has dual-action handlebars so you can tone and strengthen your upper and lower body simultaneously; it also has stationary hand grips to hold while focusing on the lower body only. Its frame is contoured for comfort and it has large textured pedals for different foot sizes. This sturdy 109-pound walker can accommodate users weighing up to 300 pounds and is easy to assemble.

Users really enjoy the Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider's fluid action and the option of exercising outdoors. In fact, mixing up the routine and going outside for fresh air provide more motivation for working out. Another plus is the ability to keep an eye on kids and pets playing outside.

Although the Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider does not have any built-in resistance, you can increase intensity as described by one Amazon customer: "If you vary your foot positioning (forward or back), you change the dynamics of your stride. If you bend at the knee you can create short, fast choppy strides working your thighs. Lean back and you accentuate working your upper body, shoulders, back, and arms. Grab the center support and you can do deep and long strides that hit glutes and thighs."

The Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider earned 4.2 out of 5 stars from Amazon reviewers — 70% awarded it 5 stars.

Pros: Provides freedom and motivation to exercise outdoors, sturdy, smooth

Cons: No resistance, screws can develop rust

Buy the Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider on Amazon for $349.52

Buy the Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider from the Home Depot for $349.52

Buy the Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider at Dick's Sporting Goods for $599.99

Buy the Stamina Outdoor Fitness Strider at Target for $599



The best high-end air walker

The Gazelle Supreme is a well-known, top-of-the-line air walker with hydraulic resistance, versatility, and advanced technology.

Many people have become familiar with air walkers because of the man in the photo above: fitness trainer Tony Little. You would see him pitch Gazelle gliders on TV infomercials in the odd hours. While as-seen-on-TV products tend to be gimmicky, the Gazelle (and Tony Little) has stood the test of time — and still going strong.

The most deluxe model in the current Gazelle lineup, the Gazelle Supreme, has many features that really enhance workouts: hydraulic resistance pistons; a patented dual pivot system for a large range of motion and independent movement of the legs; "Soft Glide" technology, which makes striding smooth and reduces the impact on joints; grip pulse monitors and a computer that tracks your heart rate, calories burned, distance, time, and speed; and three workout DVDs ("Total Body Workout," "Tony Little's Quick Shape Workout," and "Tony Little's Ultimate Body & Mind Workout") with helpful exercise tips and demonstrations from Mr. Little and friends.

You can do 10 different exercises, including variations on gliding (basic, wide, low, high, forward push and power), body positions (leaning forward or leaning back), and arm movements in order to target, tone, and stretch specific leg-, chest-, arm-, back-, and abdominal muscles. The hydraulic pistons offer a lot of resistance, which many users really like. A downside, however, is that you can't adjust the level of resistance — it's either all (pistons engaged) or none (pistons disengaged).

Runners, cyclists, and other athletes enjoy the intense but low-impact aerobic and resistance challenges of the Gazelle Supreme. Amazon customers say it's a good alternative to exercising outside in bad weather, mimics cross-country skiing, and nicely supplements their regular routines. Lat PullDown which ranked this model second after theSunny Health & Fitness Air Walker Trainer — says it provides "excellent cardio training to people of all fitness stages." On the other hand, Top Fitness Review which rated this air walker within its top five picks — thinks it is best for experienced users "who've owned other elliptical gliders and want to upgrade to a higher quality machine." Nonetheless, Amazon users who are beginners still love using this model.

The Gazelle Supreme's stable frame, high-density foam handlebars, and extra-wide non-skid foot platforms with shock-absorbing rubber inserts make people feel secure. Its maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds, yet it folds up for easy storage. Numerous users note that the frame squeaks, but this annoyance is easily remedied with WD-40 lubricant spray.

Fit For Gym rated the Gazelle Supremeas its second-best air walker. In addition to a favorable review on Best Women's Workout Reviews, this model earned 5 stars from 51% of almost 300 Amazon reviewers and 4.5 out of 5 stars from 74 Dick's Sporting Goods customers.

Pros: Stable, intense workout with pistons/resistance

Cons: Squeaky, assembly instructions a bit confusing for some

Buy the Gazelle Supreme on Amazon for $239.99

Buy the Gazelle Supreme at Target for $239.99

Buy the Gazelle Supreme at Dick's Sporting Goods for $299.99



The 5 best sales on grills and grilling accessories for your Memorial Day cookout

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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.

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As the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect time to fire up the grill, throw on some burgers, steaks, and hot dogs, and enjoy a nice barbecue with your friends and family. 

If you don't own a grill or the one you have has seen better days, you're in luck. This week, a bunch of retailers are having massive sales in celebration of the holiday — and there are plenty of great deals on grills.

We rounded up the five best retailers with sales on grills and grilling accessories, and hand-picked some of the best deals to help you get started. Whether you're shopping for a small portable grill, a classic charcoal grill, a modern propane grill, or a massive outdoor kitchen installment, you'll find it between these sites.

With most places offering fast and free shipping or in-store pickup, you can still make sure you get the grill of your choice in time for this weekend's cookout (and plenty of others throughout the summer).

Keep reading to learn about the best places to shop for deals on grills or find more Memorial Day sales here.

To potentially save more on Memorial Day sales across the web, visit Business Insider Coupons for additional coupons and savings. 

Walmart

Shop the Walmart Memorial Day sale now.

Walmart is having a huge Memorial Day sale with up to 40% off  — and some of the greatest deals are on home, patio, and garden items. In addition to expected products like outdoor furniture and hammocks, there's a big selection of grills and outdoor cooking tools.

One of the best deals is on the Dyna-Glow X-LargeHeavy Duty Charcoal Grill for $199.97. Originally priced at $283, you'll save $83 on it. With free two-day home delivery or in-store pickup, you can choose whichever is most convenient for you.

For more deals and savings at Walmart, visit Business Insider Coupons here

 



Wayfair

Shop on-sale grills and grilling accessories at Wayfair now

Right now, you can save up to 70% sitewide during Wayfair's Memorial Day sale now. From small portable grills to large outdoor kitchens with built-in grills, Wayfair has every type of grill imaginable. The sale section here is where you'll find the deepest discounts on grills and all the other tools you'll need to have a successful barbecue. All orders of $49 or more will ship for free, so just about every grill is eligible. 

For more deals and savings at Wayfair, visit Business Insider Coupons here



The Home Depot

Shop on-sale grills at The Home Depot now.

Right now, you can save up to 15% on select grills during The Home Depot's Memorial Day sale. The selection includes gas, charcoal, smokers, and pellet grills.

One of the best deals is on the Vision Grills Dual Fuel Charcoal and Gas Grill. Originally priced at $999.99, you can buy it for $849.99 — a $150 savings. Many of the items are eligible for free delivery or free in-store pickup. 

For more deals and savings at The Home Depot, visit Business Insider Coupons here



Lowe's

Shop on-sale grills at Lowe's now

While Lowe's has a huge inventory of grills, some of the best deals are on Char-Broil Commercial Series Grills. Now through May 22, you can save 15% on those grills. With prices ranging from $279 to $483, there is a grill for every mid-level budget. Shipping on select grills is free, but if you'd rather not wait, you can select free in-store pickup.

For more deals and savings at Lowe's, visit Business Insider Coupons here



Target

Shop on-sale grills at Target now

During Target's big Memorial Day sale, you can save 15% on a selection of grills ranging from small portable models to large gas and charcoal models. If you're looking for an easy-to-use grill that won't empty your wallet, the Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro Electric Grill is a solid option. Its electric configuration means you won't have to rely on charcoal or propane to unleash your inner grill-master. Originally $250, you can pick it up for $212.49.

For more deals and savings at Target, visit Business Insider Coupons here



15 celebrities who came from famous families and are worth millions

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Jaden Smith Will Smith Jada Pinkett Smith

  • Many of the most beloved celebrities come from famous families.
  • Several of them leveraged their family names into successful careers and are now worth millions of dollars.
  • Celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Jalen Smith, and Kylie Jenner are some of the stars from famous families who have struck it rich in their own right.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When you're born to a rich and famous family, your chances of ending up rich and famous yourself are decidedly improved.

Just ask Kylie Jenner, who leveraged her family name into a successful career as a model and entrepreneur, and is now reportedly the youngest self-made billionaire in the world.

Many more of today's most popular and beloved celebrities come from famous families, including Miley Cyrus, Jaden Smith, and Bryce Dallas Howard. Several of them have even eclipsed the earnings of their parents while making impressive names for themselves.

Here are 15 celebrities who come from famous families and are now worth millions.

SEE ALSO: How to save $1 million, according to the experts

DON'T MISS: I compared the meatless Beyond Burger with a beef burger from Shake Shack — and I know which burger I'd rather eat

Jennifer Aniston is the daughter of actor John Aniston, who has starred on "Days of Our Lives" for more than three decades. She has a net worth of more than $200 million, much of which comes from endorsements and modeling.

Source: Forbes



Gwyneth Paltrow's mother is Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Blythe Danner. While Paltrow is a highly paid actress, much of her net worth comes from her health and wellness company, Goop, which is worth a quarter of a billion dollars.

Source: The New York Times Magazine



Jaden Smith, son of actor Will Smith and actress Jada Pinkett Smith, is worth approximately $8 million. The 20-year-old actor also raps, writes songs, has a fashion brand, and does modeling work.

Source: The Richest



Ben Stiller was born to parents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, who performed together on television for decades. He is noted for his work as an actor, director, and producer, and has a net worth of around $120 million.

Source: The Richest



Bryce Dallas Howard has a net worth estimated at $15 million. She has starred in several films and television series, in a career aided by the fame of her actor and director father, Ron Howard.

Source: The Richest



Kylie Jenner is worth approximately $1 billion dollars. Though often described as a "self-made" billionaire, the fact that her entire family, the Jenner and Kardashian clans, are wildly famous, surely helped word of her cosmetics business spread.

Source: Harper's Bazaar



Heiress Paris Hilton is worth approximately $100 million. She has had an acting and modeling career, she has lines of shoes and perfumes, and charges exorbitantly for personal appearances, but most of her wealth comes from her famous family of hoteliers.

Source: The Richest



Anderson Cooper is the son of writer Wyatt Cooper and the famed heiress, artist, actress, and socialite Gloria Vanderbilt. Cooper is not set to inherit the Vanderbilt fortune, and he may not need it — he earns $12 million annually from his job at CNN.

Source: Variety



Angelina Jolie is the daughter of acclaimed actor Jon Voight. Her own acting career paved the way for many other opportunities, such as a multi-million-dollar contract with Louis Vuitton. She is worth about $160 million.

Source: The Richest



Enrique Iglesias followed in the footsteps of his father Julio into the music industry, becoming a famed singer in his own right. His career has earned him approximately $85 million. Julio, on the other hand, is worth about $300 million, according to The Richest.

Source: The Richest



Actor Kiefer Sutherland has a net worth of about $65 million. He came into the career following the path of his famous parents, actor Donald Sutherland and actress Shirley Douglas. He reportedly makes about $20 million a year.

Source: The Richest



Kelly Osbourne, daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, largely grew up on TV, and it is her television career, launched by her family's reality show, that has earned her a net worth of approximately $19 million today.

Source: The Sun



Miley Cyrus has earned her $160 million fortune through her work on screen and on the stage as a musician, a career made possible thanks to her country music superstar father Billy Ray Cyrus.

Source: Insider



Charlie Sheen is worth an estimated $125 million, a fortune he amassed largely thanks to his role on long-running series "Two and a Half Men." Son of actor Martin Sheen, Charlie was, for a time, the highest paid actor on television. His brother, actor Emilio Estevez, also has an estimated net worth in the millions.

Source: The Richest



Actor Chris Pine is worth an estimated $20 million. He followed his famous parents, Gwynne Gilford and Robert Pine, into a career on screen.

Source: The Richest



Here's how Joe Biden went from being a kid from Scranton to a US Senator, VP, and now the 2020 Democratic presidential frontrunner

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Joe Biden

  • Former Vice President Joe Biden is quickly carving his own lane in the crowded field of Democratic presidential candidates.
  • Biden has maintained strong standing in most national and early voting state polls. 
  • Just several weeks into his 2020 campaign, Biden also boasted of strong fundraising.
  • Of the nearly two dozen Democrats running for president, Biden has the longest career in Washington.
  • Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.

Former Vice President Joe Biden jumped in the race for president in 2020, and has since built a commanding lead in the polls as well as boasting strong fundraising numbers.

He certainly has reason to be optimistic — throughout his eventful life and political career, Biden has overcome enormous obstacles to get to where he is today.

Read more: Joe Biden is running for president in 2020. Here's everything we know about the candidate and how he stacks up against the competition.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on November 20, 1942 to a used car salesman, Biden moved with his family to Mayfield, Delaware, when he was 13 years old. From the get-go, he faced many trials growing up, including bullies and an embarrassing stutter.

As he says his father taught him, "The measure of a man is not how often he is knocked down, but how quickly he gets up."

Throughout his long political trajectory, Biden has lived by his father's advice, and gotten back up after facing countless tragedies and challenges to achieve his political dreams.

Here's how a kid from Scranton became a respected senator, vice president, and now a 2020 presidential contender:

SEE ALSO: Joe Biden tells ex-Obama employees who still work for Trump to 'please stay'

DON'T MISS: Joe Biden went on NBC's morning shows and teased a 2020 presidential run

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965, where he developed an interest in politics following President John F. Kennedy's inauguration. During his first two years, though, he was mainly interested in football and partying.

Source: Biography.com, Times



He met his first wife Neilia on a spring break trip in the Bahamas his junior year. The couple had three children: Joseph "Beau" Hunter III, Robert Hunter, and Naomi Christina Hunter.

Sources: Biography, CNN



Fresh out of University of Syracuse law school in 1968, Biden started working as a defense attorney in Wilmington, Delaware, and launched his own law firm in 1971. He first entered politics as a member of the New Castle County Council in 1970.



After encouragement from the Democratic Party, Biden ran for US Senate in 1972 and won, unseating Republican J. Caleb Boggs to become the fifth-youngest senator in history. He would continue serving as Delaware's senator for over 30 years.

Sources: Biography, CNN



A month after the election, Biden's wife Neilia and daughter Naomi were killed in a car accident while Christmas shopping on December 18, 1972. The crash also left his two sons Hunter and Beau seriously injured.

Sources: Biography, CNN



Despite his intense personal loss, Biden was sworn in as Senator in January of 1973 from a hospital in Wilmington where his sons were still recovering from the accident that killed their mother and sister.

Source: Biography



Following the crash, Biden said he became seriously suicidal: "I felt God had played a horrible trick on me, and I was angry." Just like his father had taught him, Biden got back up after his family tragedy.

Sources: BiographyTime



Biden got his hands dirty as a young Senator — working on consumer protection, international arms control, and crime in the 1970s. He met his current wife, Jill, on a blind date his brother arranged in 1975. The two married in 1977, and their daughter, Ashley Blazer, was born in 1981.



Biden won reelection yet again in 1982, and in 1984, became one of the main managers in the Senate for the passage of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act, a sweeping crime bill that, although controversial, represented one of his most important legislative accomplishments up to that point.

Sources: Biography, US Congress, Chicago Tribune



Having gained foreign policy experience in the late 1970s, Biden clashed with the Reagan administration over the SALT treaties to reduce the number of nuclear weapons, and over sanctions against apartheid in South Africa.

Sources: Biography, CNN



In 1987, Biden became the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, a role he held until 1995. It was largely due to his tough questioning that Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork was not confirmed.



In 1987, Biden entered the 1988 presidential race — his first, but not his last, run for Commander in Chief. But he had to drop out of the primaries because of reports he had plagiarized part of a speech.

Sources: Biography, CNN



Shortly afterward, Biden had to overcome another potential tragedy. His doctors found two possibly deadly aneurysms in his brain. In 1988, he underwent two different life-saving surgeries. Seven months later, Biden was back in Congress.

Sources: Biography, CNN



In January 1990, Biden introduced another landmark bill — the Violence Against Women Act, which reformed penalties for sexual assault and domestic abuse. The bill eventually passed, and President Bill Clinton signed it into law in 1994.

Source: CNN



Under former President George W. Bush, Biden became the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and utilized his past foreign policy experience as committee chairman from 2001-03, and again from 2007 to 2009. In 2002, Biden voted to authorize the War in Iraq, but later criticized the war and especially the 2007 troop surge.

Sources: Biography, CNN, Atlantic



In 2007, Biden decided to run for president again — and while his run this time was scandal-free, he dropped out of the primaries after falling behind then-Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Source: CNN



But he got on the ticket after Obama clinched the Democratic Party nomination in mid-2008, and chose Biden as his running mate.

Source: CNN



In November 2008, Obama won a landslide election to become the country's first black president, with Biden joining him as vice president. The pair defeated Sen. John McCain and his running mate, former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin.

Source: CNN



During his tenure as vice president, Biden worked largely behind the scenes, and while he was known to be somewhat gaffe-prone, he spearheaded important legislative efforts around gun control, fiscal policy, and foreign policy.



Obama again chose Biden as his running mate in 2012, and the two were overwhelmingly reelected. That May, Biden famously made comments that insiders say fast-tracked the Obama administration's declaration of support for same-sex marriage.

Sources: Biography, CNN, Atlantic, POLITICO



During Obama's presidency, he and Biden developed a close friendship — even at one point jokingly making friendship bracelets for each other.

Source: Business Insider



Toward the end of his second term as VP, tragedy struck Biden yet again. His son Beau, who had been battling brain cancer, died at age 46 on May 30, 2015. "Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known," the heartbroken father wrote.

Sources: Biography, CNN, Business Insider



Although he was encouraged to run for president for a third time in 2016, Biden declined to do so. Beau's death played a prominent role in his decision.

Source: Biography



Many, including Biden himself, believed he would have fared better than Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton did, and beaten Trump had he run.



In one of his last acts as president, Obama awarded Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2017. During his speech, Obama celebrated not just Biden's achievements, but also his own personal "bromance" with his vice president.



Biden's down-to-earth demeanor and passion for sensible policy will likely leave many fondly remembering his nearly 50 years of public service. But he is also contending with significant criticisms for support of controversial legislation over several decades.

Source: Huffington Post



Biden had to address accusations he inappropriately touched several women and made them feel uncomfortable.



Biden launched his 2020 campaign in April, marking the third White House bid of his career.



Biden has made establishing himself as the antidote to President Donald Trump a cornerstone of his campaign.




How to undock, move, and split the keyboard on an iPad, to type however works best for you

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iPad Pro

  • You can customize the keyboard on your iPad by changing where it appears on screen by long-pressing the Minimize Keyboard button.
  • You can also split the keyboard to either side of the screen so it's easier to type when holding the iPad like a phone.
  • These keyboard tricks work on all iPad models except the iPad Pro.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

You don't need to accept the tyranny of the keyboard. Apple gives you a lot of control over where and how the keyboard appears on the iPad screen, so if you aren't taking advantage of that, you are missing on an important way to make your iPad fit your personal preferences.

One caveat: These tricks don't work on either the 11-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. If you have any other model, though, feel free to move the keyboard around.

How to move the keyboard on your iPad

You can undock the keyboard, which is usually locked at the bottom of the screen, and put it somewhere else, such as the middle or at the top of the screen.

1. Open an app that uses the keyboard and make the keyboard appear. For example, you could open the Mail app and create a blank email. Tap in the blank message to display the keyboard.  

2. Tap and hold the Minimize Keyboard button, which is the one in the lower right corner of the keyboard.

3. When the menu appears, slide your finger up to "Undock." The keyboard will slide up into the middle of the screen.

how to move keyboard ipad 1

4. If you want to move the keyboard to a different spot, lightly tap the Minimize Keyboard button again and then immediately drag the keyboard up or down to where you'd like to put it.

How to split the keyboard on your iPad

Not many people realize that you can actually split the keyboard in two — the keyboard will break in half and hug either side of the screen, making it easier to type with two hands while holding the iPad as if it were an oversized phone.

1. Open the keyboard by using an app that makes the keyboard appear and tap in a blank field.

2. Tap and hold the Minimize Keyboard button in the lower right corner of the keyboard.

3. When the menu appears, slide your finger up to "Split."

how to move ipad keyboard 2

4. You can move a split keyboard, too. Lightly tap the Minimize Keyboard button and immediately drag the keyboard up or down to where you'd like to put it.

How to return the keyboard to the bottom of the screen

Anything you do to the keyboard can be undone.

1. With the keyboard on screen, tap and hold the Minimize Keyboard button in the lower right corner of the keyboard.

2. If you want to undo the split keyboard, slide your finger up to "Merge."

3. If you want to move the keyboard back to the bottom of the screen, slide up to "Dock" or "Dock and Merge."

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best tablets you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Facial recognition is almost perfectly accurate — here's why that could be a problem

Backcountry's Memorial Day sale is already live — it has deals on Patagonia, The North Face, and more

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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.

Backcountry

In addition to backyard barbecues and first trips to the beach, Memorial Day Weekend is also a great time to save — and Backcountry is having three different sales that outdoors enthusiasts will want to hear about. 

Now through Memorial Day, May 27, you can save up to 50% on select outdoor gear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids. You can also save 25% on select Arc'teryx items or 20% on one full-price item with the promo code "TAKE20MAY" at checkout.

No matter if you're shopping for swimming trunks, bathing suits, and surfing gear for all the time you'll spend at the beach, hiking gear and camping gear for summer excursions, or cold-weather styles to hold on to for later in the year, you'll find it here. 

We rounded up 12 of our favorite deals to help you shop quickly, but since the sale is so massive, these product categories can help you find everything else you're looking for.

Shop the Backcountry Memorial Day sale now or find info on more Memorial Day sales here.

To potentially save more on Memorial Day sales across the web, visit Business Insider Coupons for additional coupons and savings. 

Men's Volcom Macaw Mod 20-inch Board Short

$26.95 (Originally $59.95) [You save 55%]



Men's The North Face TKA 100 Microvelour Glacier

$32.98 (Originally $74.95) [You save 40%]



Arc'teryx Atom LT Hooded Insulated Jacket

$194.25 (Originally $259) [You save 25%]



Women's PrAna Moorea One-Piece Swimsuit

$39.95 (Originally $84.95) [You save 53%]



Women's The North Face Thermoball Hooded Insulated Jacket

$109.98 (Originally $219.95) [You save 50%]



Women's Marmot PreCip Anorak

$44.98 (Originally $89.95) [You save 50%]



Patagonia Lightweight Black Hole 26L Backpack

$59.40 (Originally $99) [You save 40%]



Adventure Paddleboarding Allrounder MX Stand-Up Paddleboard

$671.21 (Originally $894.95) [You save 25%]



Marmot Limelight 2-Person 3-Season Tent

$186.71 (Originally $248.95) [You save 25%]



Giro Empire SLX Cycling Shoe

$244.96 (Originally $349.95) [You save 30%]



Costa Corbina 580P Polarized Sunglasses

$84.50 (Originally $169) [You save 50%]



Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet

$44.95 (Originally $59.95) [You save 25%]



How to free up space on an iPad that's running out of storage, in 4 different ways

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Apple iPad 3

  • When your iPad is running low on space, it might run more slowly. You might also encounter problems like the inability to install new apps.
  • You can free up space on an iPad by deleting unwanted or unused apps and their data in the Settings app.
  • You can also reclaim space by deleting unwanted music files, clearing the browser cache, and removing old email messages.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Even though the latest iPad models come with a generous amount of storage space, upgrading to higher capacities can be quite expensive.

If you have an iPad with a more modest amount of room for apps and data — or if you've simply filled yours to the brim regardless — there are a variety of ways you can reclaim space on your tablet.

Here's everything you need to know.

SEE ALSO: How to undock, move, and split the keyboard on an iPad, to type however works best for you

See how much storage space your iPad has available

How much space do you actually have? Your first stop should be to see how much room you need to make.

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap "General," and then tap "iPad Storage."

3. After a few moments, your iPad will display a visual representation of how much space you have left, and which apps are using the most memory. This gives you a quick and easy way to see what apps you can delete to make the biggest difference to your storage situation.



Delete the apps and data that can save you the most room

Under the graph of your iPad's storage space, you'll see a list of every app on the device, listed in order from largest — taking up the most space — to smallest.

The numbers displayed for each app include both the app itself and any data files the app is using. For example, the Music app might be near the top of the list, because while the app itself is lightweight, the music files it stores tend to take up a relatively large amount of space. You might also see your video apps near the top, because videos are large.

For details on any app, tap it. On the app's details page, you can see how much space it's taking up and have the option to delete the app and all of its data, or just delete the app and leave the data behind.

  • Tap "Delete App" to remove everything — app and data. This recovers the most space possible, and is good if you need to reclaim a lot of space in a hurry. Unfortunately, you will lose your data in the process, though.
  • Tap "Offload App" to delete the app from the iPad, but leave the data behind. If you later reinstall the app, the data will still be on the iPad and you can carry on as if nothing happened. This is a good option to choose if you only need to reclaim some space temporarily and plan to reinstall the app later — and the app is large but the data doesn't take up a lot of room. You won't see much benefit from offloading a music or video app and leaving the files on the iPad.


Delete unwanted music from your iPad

If you have a lot of music files on your iPad, deleting some or all of them can save you a lot of space.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap "General," and then tap "iPad Storage."
  3. Find the Music app in the list and tap it.

You have a few options:

  • Delete an entire artist. Swipe left on any artists that you want to remove and tap "Delete."
  • Delete specific albums or songs. Tap an artist to see a list of all of that artist's albums. Swipe left and tap "Delete," or tap on an album to delete specific songs in the same way.
  • Delete everything. Swipe "All Songs" to the left and then tap "Delete."


Clear your iPad’s Safari’s cache

Safari's browser cache could be taking up a lot of space on your iPad; all those temporary internet files add up over time. If choose to clear the cache, you will get some storage space back, but you'll also be logged out of any websites you are signed into, and all your cookies will be deleted — so using Safari will be like using a new computer.

To clear your cache, see our article "How to clear the cache on your iPad to make it run faster."



Delete old emails from your iPad

You might also be able to save some space on your iPad by deleting some email. Emails usually don't take up a lot of space, though if you have mail with large attachments or embedded photos, that can net you a fair bit of space. To see how to delete all of your email at once — or all the email in specific folders at once — see our article "How to delete all the email on an iPad."



How to make and receive calls on an iPad using Apple's 'Continuity' feature, or third-party apps

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how to make calls on ipad

  • You can use the Continuity features in iOS to make and receive phone calls on your iPad via your iPhone.
  • Setting up the ability to make calls on your iPad is easy and takes just a few taps on both your iPhone and iPad.
  • You can also send and receive calls on apps like Skype, Google Voice, and Facebook Messenger using your iPad.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Way back in 2014, when Apple released iOS 8, the iPhone and iPad got a feature called Continuity which lets the two devices work almost as one — you can copy and paste wirelessly between the two, as well as continue text message and other activities seamlessly when switching between phone and tablet.

Perhaps the coolest and most convenient Continuity feature, though, is the ability to send and receive phone calls on the iPad. The only requirements: Your phone and tablet need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network and signed in with the same Apple ID.

How to turn on the ability to make calls on your iPad  

You'll need to throw a few switches in Settings on both the iPhone and iPad to make this work.

1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.

2. Tap "Phone."

3. Tap "Calls on Other Devices."

4. Turn this feature on by swiping the button to the right, and then enable the feature for your iPad by swiping the button below in the "Allow Calls On" section. If you have multiple iOS devices, you can enable calling on as many of them as you like.

make calls on ipad 1

5. On your iPad, open the Settings app.

6. Tap "FaceTime."

7. On the right, tap "Calls from iPhone" and turn that feature on by swiping the button to the right.

make calls on ipad 2

How to send and receive calls on your iPad

Now you're all set up — when a call comes in on your iPhone, it will also ring on the iPad. You can accept the call on either device.

You can also place calls from the iPad even though there's no dialer app. To make a call:

1. Open the Contacts app.

2. Find the contact whom you want to call.

3. Tap the "Call" button at the top of the screen or tap a phone number in the contact's details.

make calls on ipad 3

If you're calling someone who has an iPhone, you can also place a FaceTime call from the iPad, taking advantage of the tablet's larger screen for the video.

How to make a call from the iPad without an iPhone

You don't have to use your iPhone to make calls with your iPad. There are several popular voice and video messaging apps you can use on your iPad.

Skype

Skype allows you to place both audio and video calls to other Skype users for free. In addition, you can call someone's landline or mobile phone for a fee. Calling within the US costs 2.3 cents per minute, and you can buy "Skype credits" in increments as low as $5, or sign up for a recurring Skype subscription.  To get started, install the Skype app for the iPad.

Google Voice

You can also make calls using the Google Voice app. Google Voice is a phone service offered by Google that gives you an alternate phone number you can use instead of your usual iPhone number — great if you want to set up a free business line, for example. Google Voice has several useful features, including the ability to ring all your phones when a call comes in and to forward all of your other phone numbers to Google Voice, turning it into a single way for others to reach you. You can read more about Google Voice and how to use it in our article, "How to set up and use Google Voice on your computer or mobile device."

Facebook Messenger

Also, don't forget that you can make calls using the Facebook Messenger app. In any chat, you will find a phone and video icon to the right of the person you are chatting with. Tap either icon to start a call — voice or video — via Wi-Fi.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best tablets you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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Everlane's 'Choose What You Pay' sale event is going on through Memorial Day — here are the top 12 best styles

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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.

Everlane Choose What You Pay

  • While most retailers have a sale section, Everlane takes a slightly different approach to discounting products.
  • Its 'Choose What You Pay' model doesn't mean you can pay any price you want, but it does offer up three tiered prices (low, medium, high) to choose from. 
  • This alternative sale section is usually available year-round for both men's and women's apparel, but Everlane has added a bunch of brand-new styles to its Choose What You Pay sales event for Memorial Day.

To celebrate Memorial Day weekend, Everlane has added a bunch of brand-new styles to its Choose What You Pay sales section. Right now, there are a close to 800 styles in select colors that enjoy Everlane's special tiered-pricing option. Some styles are even discounted up to 50%. With popular women's styles like the Day Heel and High-Rise Skinny Jean on sale, as well as men's styles from Everlane's sustainable ReNew line, it's one of the nicer inventory cast-offs you'll find online this time of year. 

We've tried a lot of things from Everlane, and have collected many favorites over time, so we certainly won't be sleeping on this rare opportunity to save on its high-quality closet essentials. 

You can find our top 10 picks from Everlane's Choose What You Pay event below, or shop the sale directly. 

Shop the biggest Choose What You Pay sale of the year for men or women.

SEE ALSO: 19 styles from Everlane that we wear in our everyday lives — for both men and women

An edgy denim jacket

The Denim Jacket in Black, from $62(originally $88) 



A high-waist pair of jeans

The High-Rise Skinny Jean in Light Blue Wash, from $48 (originally $68) 



A pair of chic, comfortable heels

The Day Heel in Olive Suede, from $85 (originally $150)



A sustainably made fleece sweatshirt

The ReNew Fleece Sweatshirt in Surplus, from $42 (originally $60)

 

 



A short-sleeve plaid for warmer weather

The Cotton Short-Sleeve Standard Fit Shirt in Black Plaid, from $24 (originally $48) 



A cozy, cropped hoodie

The Lightweight French Terry Shrunken Hoodie in Pale Blue, from $28 (originally $40)

 



A vibrant wrap dress

The Japanese GoWeave Tank Wrap Dress, from $60 (originally $100)



A warm cashmere sweater for next season

The Cashmere Crew in Heather Rust, from $70 (originally $100) 



A wide-leg cropped pant

The Wide Leg Crop Pant, from $48 (originally $68)



A warm parka

The ReNew Short Parka in Ochre, from $116 (originally $165) 



A marbled zip hoodie

The Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt in Grey Marled, from $33 (originally $65) 



A thick, fleece hoodie

The Oversized Fleece Hoodie in Lavender, from $30 (originally $50) 

 



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