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Photos show how obsessed the wealthy are with underground mansions

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hacienda de la paz home rolling hills california 18

  • Multi-million-dollar homes for the 1 percent are hardly eyebrow-raising.
  • They are, however, when they extend stories beneath the earth's surface.
  • Here are photos that show how obsessed the wealthy are with subterranean homes.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

For the wealthy, owning a luxury home is no rare feat. 

But even for the some of the world's wealthiest individuals, underground luxury mansions are an extravagant expense.

But, whether these mansions have been fashioned out of a desire for pure opulence, a lack of space, or paranoia (yes, luxury bomb shelters are a thing), for some, they are a must.

These photos show just how obsessed the super rich are with underground mansions.

SEE ALSO: A tech billionaire just listed his Palo Alto home for $100 million, the most expensive Bay Area listing in a decade — take a look inside

At the St. Moritz ski resort in Switzerland sits a lavish, seven-story home, dubbed The Lonsdaleite, or The Ice Palace.

Source: Business Insider, Vimeo, and Vimeo



It was listed on the market for $185 million last fall. Realtor Senada Adzem told CNBC that the home was "designed to make a billionaire's jaw drop."

Source: Business Insider and CNBC



The home's great room is covered in 35-foot floor-to-ceiling windows on one wall ...

Source: CNBC



... and mink fur on the other wall.

Source: CNBC



There's also a library with red velvet furnishings.

Source: Business Insider



An egg-themed breakfast nook is on the main level as well.

Source: CNBC



Its walls are decked out in 24 karat gold ...

Source: CNBC



... and a $145,000 egg-shaped sculpture hangs from the ceiling.

Source: CNBC



You might think this is your average luxury castle built for the everyday billionaire — that is, until you head downstairs ...

Source: Business Insider



... which is where the real extravagance begins. The underground amenities include a home theatre bedecked in red ...

Source: CNBC



... as well as a wine cellar.

Source: Business Insider



And perhaps the home's most stunning feature is the underground lake.

Source: Business Insider



Owners and guests can go for a swim in Swarovski crystal-lit waters.

Source: Business Insider



Guests can admire Venetian artwork on the ceiling as they swim.

Source: CNBC



Another prized gem of the house is the private ski den.

Source: CNBC



Owners can ski in and out of a private lift to access the powdery slopes of the Swiss Alps.

Source: CNBC



Back inside, a home spa awaits after a long day of skiing.

Source: CNBC



Owners can also take it easy in a lounge ...

Source: CNBC



... or in the Himalayan salt room.

Source: CNBC



An inviting Turkish bath also awaits ...

Source: CNBC



... as does a high-tech shower equipped with controls that can change the lighting and color schemes.

Source: CNBC



There are other underground homes that match this Swiss castle's opulence.



Like one in Rolling Hills, California, for instance.

Source: Hacienda de la Paz



This colossal, luxury, 7.4-acre Spanish Hacienda took 17 years to construct, and five of its six stories are underground.

Source: Hacienda de la Paz and Forbes



The home is the brainchild of John Z. Blazevich, CEO of Viva Food Group, who circumvented zoning codes prohibiting home expansion by building down into the ground.

Source: Forbes



The infamous underground mansion, dubbed Hacienda de la Paz, spans 51,000 square feet and sports nine bedrooms, 25 bathrooms, and a six-car garage.

Source: Hacienda de la Paz



One of the estate's two tennis courts is on one of the five underground levels.

Source: Hacienda de la Paz



When owners aren't using it for a court, it doubles as a ballroom that can accommodate 350 dinner guests and a dance floor.

Source: Hacienda de la Paz



A Hamam, a traditional Moorish-style bath spa, also sits underground and is one of the site's two pools. The interior is hand-crafted from imported marble and sandstone, and 24-karat gold Venetian tiles line the space.

Source: Hacienda de la Paz



Skipping around the estate is a breeze — elevators take owners from floor to floor ...

Source: Hacienda de la Paz



... like to the wine cellar, for example ...

Source: Hacienda de la Paz



... or back into the open air, where the estate's extravagance is just as unparalleled. An outdoor clay court is lined with comfy seating for spectators.

Source: Hacienda de la Paz



And why not throw another pool into the mix? The property was originally listed at auction for $53 million before selling in November 2018 for $22.4 million — nearly 50% less than its asking price.

Source: Hacienda de la Paz and The Wall Street Journal



While Hacienda de la Paz was born out of a desire for luxurious living quarters ...

Source: Forbes



... other underground homes were fashioned out of the paranoia of their owners.

Source: Las Vegas Review Journal



Entrepreneur Jerry Henderson and his wife, Mary, built "The Underground House" in 1978 in the midst of the Cold War as a luxury hideaway bomb shelter.

Source: Las Vegas Review Journal



The property sits 26 feet below the surface with two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a six-foot-deep pool, putting green, and a spa.

Source: Las Vegas Review Journal



And though it's protected from the elements above, owners are still afforded sweeping landscape views, thanks to full-sized murals that line the walls.

Source: Las Vegas Review Journal



The Hendersons passed away in the 1980s, leading to the property's eventual foreclosure before its current owner swept it up and spent more than $1 million renovating it.

Source: Las Vegas Review Journal



The Hendersons paid around $10 million in constructing the home in the late 1970s. That's about $40 million in today's money.

Source: The BEST in US



For a long time, the property remained a bit of a mystery to its neighbors. But the owner opened it to the public during a gala in 2018, and now it's listed on the market for $18 million.

Source: Las Vegas Review Journal and The Washington Post



On the other side of the country sits another luxurious subsurface bomb shelter in Kansas as part of a project dubbed Survival Condo.

Source: Business Insider



The $20 million property spans 15 floors underground and is housed inside an old missile silo. The silo, like Las Vegas' Underground House, was built in the midst of the Cold War.

Source: Business Insider



The project offers up 12 single-family homes to homeowners wishing for a surefire way of preparing for potential catastrophic events.

Source: Business Insider



A full-floor unit spans 1,820 square feet and can fit six to 10 people. Buyers shell out $3 million for one, which includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and a great room.

Source: Business Insider



In place of a natural views, the windows are outfitted with screens that show live footage of the landscape outside.

Source: Business Insider



More lavish amenities are also included, like a home theatre ...

Source: Business Insider



... a 75-foot-long swimming pool with a water slide ...

Source: Business Insider



... and a gym.

Source: Business Insider



And if staying fit with gym equipment isn't your forte, there's also a rock-climbing wall.

Source: Business Insider



Family pets are also invited — there's a park in the compound for dog walks.

Source: Business Insider



Not bad for a doomsday shelter.

Source: Business Insider




People who sell for multilevel marketing companies look wildly successful on Facebook, but the reality is much more complicated

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  • Multilevel marketing companies recruit people to sell their products, usually on commission. And the more people they recruit, the more money they stand to make. Unfortunately, the research shows that many people that join these companies actually lose money. 
  • Many distributors share their personal success stories on social media to entice others to join the company. But it is hard to know if all these success stories are true given the incentive to recruit and the data that shows how hard it is to make money in multilevel marketing companies. 
  • Three former distributors told Business Insider how they found themselves making misleading claims on social media about the success they had achieved. They felt pressured by other distributors to "fake it until you make it."
  • Jennifer Chatman, an expert on how organizations leverage culture to enhance performance, explains the strategies that help these companies recruit and keep their sales force motivated. 

Kristyn

Leggings, dietary supplements, and essential oils are just some of the multilevel marketing products you can buy through distributors of multilevel marketing companies.

You may see promotions for products like these posted on social media. These posts not only make the products look great, sometimes it seems like the lives of the people selling the products are better than ever. 

Business Insider spoke to three former distributors from different multilevel marketing companies. Each of them said they poured money and time into this dream before giving up and getting out — but not before they had recruited others into the very same situation. The women's last names have been omitted to help protect their privacy. 

"You're not just selling oils, but you're selling the possibility of opportunity," Kristyn, who joined Young Living in the summer of 2018 and sold essential oils for the company for 10 months, told Business Insider. 

Former LuLaRoe distributorChrysti, who sold clothing for LuLaRoe for two and a half years, told Business Insider she was drawn to the business because of how others who worked as sellers portrayed their success on social media.

LuLaRoe is known for producing limited quantities of brightly patterned clothing that is purchased sight unseen and then sold by distributors.

The opportunity to own a business, work from home, and make money are just a few of the reasons people decide to join an MLM. 

Multilevel marketing companies (MLMs) recruit people to sell their products, usually on commission. And the more people they recruit, the more money they stand to make. These kinds of businesses have been around for decades. Think Tupperware parties, but now turbocharged by social media. Today, sellers can host virtual events and sales, and reach far beyond their immediate friends and family. 

A curated and positive social media feed is a must, sellers told Business Insider. 

Read More:Zulily CEO reveals layoffs and restructuring in internal email that says the company is at a 'critical inflection point'
 
"We were told very specifically, never post anything negative on your Facebook. No prayer requests, no talking about, I'm having trouble at this. No drama. Like you were supposed to filter your Facebook as though once you joined It Works all your problems went away," Courtney, a former distributor for It Works, told Business Insider of the pressure she received from other distributors.

It Works Ultimate Body ApplicatorIt Works is a multilevel marketing company that sells beauty, nutrition, and weight loss products through its network of distributors. It Works is best known for its Ultimate Body Applicators which people wrap around their stomachs or other areas in hopes of tightening, toning, and firming.  Courtney says she first learned about this product and the opportunity to sell for It Works after she posted in a mom group about her "mom pouch" about three weeks after having a Cesarean section. 

Sign up and get started

Because recruiting and motivating thousands of independent distributors is fundamental to how MLMs operate, it has caused some to liken these companies to cults.

"Multilevel marketing companies do have some similarities to cults," Jennifer Chatman, a professor at the Hass School of Business at UC Berkeley who researches, teaches, and consults on how companies leverage organizational culture to improve corporate performance, told Business Insider.

"What cults do is they try to recruit people based on relationships. They say, here's a person who is very similar to you and you should forge a relationship with them and they're going to be really nice to you," Chatman said. 

Chatman said that MLMs, like other groups looking for new recruits, target people who are at vulnerable places in their lives — perhaps someone who's in a lot of debt, just had a baby, or lost a job.

MomPost

"We were told to add as many moms as we could, go into mom groups and look for anyone at trying to look for friends or who had financial struggles and to go after them, like a friend offering them this thing that they needed," Courtney said of communication she received from other distributors for the company. It Works did not respond to Business Insiders request for comment about this claim. 

Kristyn told Business Insider she was at a pretty vulnerable place in her life when she joined Young Living. She was fresh off maternity leave and wanted to be home with her baby.

"The investment was $165, which they totally downplayed and made it sound like you could become the CEO of your own company for just 160 bucks," she said. 

Chrysti, who was a distributor for LuLaRoe, said the business model seems very simple at first, but gets complicated very quickly. 

"Getting people to join a multilevel marketing company usually involves a small initial hurdle, maybe they have some success selling a little bit and they buy a little bit more. So there's a kind of escalation cycle that occurs," Chatman said. 

Making money

According to data from the Direct Sellers Association, multilevel marketing companies brought in an estimated $34.9 billion in revenue in the US in 2017, thanks to the more than 18 million people selling their products. That works out to just under $2,000 in revenue per direct seller for the year. But that revenue goes to the companies, the sellers get a percentage of that. 

Judging by what people post on social media, it seems like there are a lot of multilevel marketers doing great and making money. But the data tells a different story.

If you look at the 2016 income disclosure statement for essential oil company Young Living, average monthly income seems impressive. But that's mostly for the distributors in the top six rungs of the ladder — which actually includes less 1% of all members. Some 94% of all members are at the very bottom rung where the average monthly income is less than $1. Young Living 2016 Income Disclosure STatement

The 2016 income disclosure statement for It Works is also very top-weighted, with much higher average income at the higher ranks where there is a small percentage of active distributors. It Works 2016 Income Disclosure Statement

These income disclosures do not include any expenses, which means this is only part of the story.

CourtneyCourtney said she reached Emerald status at one point while selling It Works and still did not come out ahead.

"By the time we figured all the losses, we were at least negative $1,000 after 18 months. And being within the top 10% at least of the company," she said. 

A study done in 2011 by John Taylor of the Consumer Awareness Institute analyzed the compensation structure for 30 MLMs. Taylor accounted for expenses including the products that distributors had to buy themselves just to qualify for commissions or bonuses. Taylor found that over 99% of participants lost money in each of the multilevel marketing companies analyzed. 

"Before you can make a penny, you were spending around a $100 to $110," Courtney said of her experience with It Works.

Chrysti said that when she was a distributor for LuLaRoe she was required to buy 175 pieces, costing between $12 and $30 each, every calendar month to collect a bonus check.

Some sellers even purchased extra product to advance a level or maintain a rank. 

Kristyn says she remembers doing this with Young Living.

"If I was like super close to like hitting the next rank, like someone's got to spend 150 bucks to do it, I would do it. That's why I kept dipping into my savings," she said. 

Courtney said she had a similar experience with It Works where she would spend $800 buying the company's products underneath a distributor just so she could reach her promotion.

Chrysti said she spent a lot of her bonus checks on buying more product. She said she felt like the people that were doing the best with LuLaRoe had the most inventory for their customers to shop from.

Both Young Living and It Works prohibit buying products just to achieve a higher rank or get a bonus, according to the companies' policies and procedures, which are available online.

Don't let the team down

Chatman said a big reason why people don't quit MLMs despite not making money is because of the sense of community the companies provide. 

"Even more than it being a job and a source of income, it's a source of relationship gratification. They feel an allegiance to one another and feel pressure to sell based on living up to their friendships with their peers within the organization," Chatman said. 

Chatman said that companies with strong cultures exhibit a type of social control by creating strong relationships between people within an organization. This can be a very powerful tool in driving certain behavior. Chatman says this can happen in MLM and non-MLM companies.

"It's not enough just to be accountable to your boss, but to really feel some pressure, you would want to feel accountable to your peers, as well." she said. 

This is in line with the stories these former distributors shared. They described the pressure they felt from other independent distributors and not from the company directly or its official staff. 

One of these women shared a text message she received after she expressed some frustration with the company. She was told, "You have come way too far to quit," "I've just created expectations for you that you feel pressured to meet," and "There's no reason it will work for me and not for you."

ChrystiChrysti said she felt that she did it to herself, that she put herself in this situation.

"I dug myself into this bubble that everything around me in terms of who I was associating with and my social media feed and everything that I did was LuLaRoe related. And it was like I couldn't see outside of that bubble," she said. 

Kristyn said she felt pressure not to let her team down, which led her to do things she would later regret. 

"I so badly wanted to continue recruiting and to continue succeeding and making my leaders proud that I definitely exaggerated what a life-changing opportunity Young Living was," she said. 

Fake it till you make it

These social strategies have been proven to be effective tools for pushing people to do things they wouldn't otherwise do, including misleading others on social media. But according to Chatman, this is somewhat easy to do.

Chatman said that people will sometimes feel like they are close to achieving something or on track to win a big award and they really believe it's true. Chatman attributes this behavior to a phenomenon called self-justification. 

Courtney said she experienced this first-hand.

"There was one time that we went to the bank after my husband had gotten a, a good check at his work. We were all being told to post a picture of as much cash as we could to post on Facebook to talk about how it had been our bonuses this month," she said. 

"And I just remember us withdrawing every dollar that was in the account basically — every hundred dollar bill — just to hold for a picture to say, 'Oh, you could be making this with It Works too.' Just to go back through the bank drive-through and put it back in the account."

Chrysti said she had a similar experience with LuLaRoe. She said she went on a vacation with her family and claimed on social media that it was because of her income from LuLaRoe, even though that was not the case. The mentality she describes among the other distributors was always "Fake it until you make it."

Kristyn said she also made inaccurate claims on social media, and it's not something she is proud of. 

"I feel that I wouldn't have done that had I not had the pressure coming down from the people above me to sell the lifestyle and sell the dream," she said.

It Works, and LuLaRoe did not reply to Business Insider's requests for comment. Young Living said that social media has become a vehicle for sharing information and endorsements and naturally has become a useful channel for the minority of its members that are building their businesses. The company also states that it continually educates employees and members on complying with laws and regulations relevant to the sale of its products.

"Additionally, we have a monitoring system in place to identify and correct any non-compliant product claims. Part of our agreement with members states that they must sell our products in compliance with all laws and regulations. A member who violates this agreement may have their membership terminated," Young Living said in a statement to Business Insider. 

Distributor agreements for Young Living and It Works state that distributors cannot mislead prospective distributors about the income opportunity. Agreements for all three companies, including LuLaRoe, state that distributors may not make any claims about hypothetical income or disclose their own bonuses.

But the women Business Insider spoke with said the pressure that comes from outside the companies' official staff. Instead, it came down through the multi-level structure from other independent distributors who themselves are just trying to keep up. 

Getting out

Because of the nature of MLMs, it's often very difficult both emotionally and financially to walk away, Chatman said. 

"You make an initial investment, you are surrounded by people who are giving testimonials about how successful they've been. So you continue to try. And then you fail to recognize the truth about sunk costs — which is sunk costs are sunk," she said. "And that's the escalation of commitment bias — is failing to recognize that at some point you just need to eat that initial investment and walk away."

When asked what advice she would give others considering getting involved with a multilevel marketing company like Young Living, Kristyn said 

"Don't blindly go into it because you want to support a friend or a family member. Really do your research. Because in retrospect now, now that I have in fact put that company into a Google search bar and just looked a little bit deeper, I see a lot of things that I, I don't like," she said. "And there are a lot of warning messages out there about the predatory nature of MLMs. And had I taken a second to really look at what I was getting myself into, I probably would have walked away."

 

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These work flats from Cole Haan were designed with help from UMass Amherst’s Biomechanics lab — they're so comfortable I could wear them all day

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Cole Haan Grand Skimmer flats 4x3

  • Cole Haan's 'Grand Ambition' is to make comfortable women's dress shoes you can slip on and wear all day without a second thought. 
  • All the shoes in the new women's collection feature Grand Foam cushioning, which absorbs shock and distributes weight with each step. 
  • For the Skimmer flats ($160), supportive construction is combined with a sleek pointed toe silhouette and luxurious calf hair.

Shoe innovator Cole Haan has is always ambitious in its attempts to make stylish, comfortable men's and women's shoes. It's largely successful in the admirable quest to prevent blisters, heel chafing, and other foot pains. We can personally confirm through experiences with its sneakers, boots, and dress shoes.

Its newest collection, Grand Ambition, tackles the challenge of making women's dress shoes you can wear all day. Instead of keeping them at your desk strictly for office wear, these pumps, wedges, flats, and sneakers are versatile enough to still see the light of day and be worn out and about with no second thought. 

While Cole Haan's Grand collection focuses on sneakers, Grand Ambition features more formal, dressy shoes. I tried one of the styles, the Grand Ambition Skimmer, a $160 pointed flat.

Its sleek style draws you in, but its comfortable, supportive feel is ultimately what makes you want to wear the shoe over and over again. 

What the Grand Ambition Skimmer flats look and feel like 

cole haan grand skimmer 5

The flats have a slim body that end in a point. If you have a wider foot or know your toes tend to get squished by pointed flats, fret not — there's a wide size option. 

They come in three leather colors including black, pink, and snake print, but the one I tried was the calfhair jaguar, a fun print that fulfills the unofficial requirement to own at least one jaguar or leopard-printed item in your wardrobe.

Cole Haan worked with the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Biomechanics laboratory to design all the Grand Ambition shoes. The Skimmer has molded footbeds that contain the brand's patented GrandFoam comfort technology — that is, three layers of shock absorbing, weight distributing foam.

This adaptive cushioning means that your feet and body are comfortable no matter how you're moving. I walk a lot in the city, but I also often have to stand and wait in lines and for my perpetually delayed trains and equally tardy friends. Standing around in uncomfortable shoes, I've realized, can really speed up the rate at which you convert from plain impatience to full-on crankiness. 

cole haan grand skimmer 4

In the Skimmer flats, however, I feel comfortable walking and standing all day. And while the shoe contours to your foot, it's not in an oppressive, non-breathable way. My feet stay dry but the shoes still fit perfectly, with no gaping or slippage. There's also a neoprene lining so the shoe doesn't cut into the top of your feet. 

The bottoms of the shoes are made from a textured material, so I have some traction and don't slip the moment I step onto a slick surface. 

The bottom line

I've tried my fair share of flats from top brands like Everlane, Allbirds, Margaux, and Rothy's. Cole Haan's entrance into the rotation means it's even harder for me to decide which pair of comfortable flats I should wear. Of the group, I will say Cole Haan has the best expertise in and reputation for footwear technology. Even though the Skimmers are pricey at $150-$160 a pair, they're also the most thoughtfully designed flats you can buy. 

Shop the Grand Ambition Skimmer Flats ($150-$160) at Cole Haan

Shop the entire Grand Ambition collection at Cole Haan

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I had an unforgettable lunch with Warren Buffett, and by the end of the meal I was convinced he's a success for 5 reasons

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Zack Friedman and Warren Buffet 1

It's 12:35 p.m. in Omaha, Nebraska, and I'm having lunch with Warren Buffett.

We are eating at Piccolo's, which is one of Buffett's favorite restaurants and where he and Bill Gates also have dined together. Somehow, Buffett's root beer float is significantly taller, but it goes with the territory. After all, we're on his home turf, and he's Warren Buffett.

In 2016, a bidder on eBay paid $3,456,789 to have lunch with the Oracle of Omaha. Today, Buffett is picking up the tab. Earlier that morning at Berkshire Hathaway's headquarters, Buffett graciously hosted me and my classmates from Wharton Business School. For several hours, he openly and directly answered any question we asked, occasionally injecting his sharp sense of humor.

Pointing to the Coca-Cola products in the back of the room, Buffett quipped, "Berkshire owns a little over 8 percent of Coke, so we get the profit on one out of twelve cans. I don't care whether you drink it, but just open the cans, if you will."

We all sought to absorb Buffett's infinite wisdom, which we expected would be his take on the economy, investing, and business. The more I listened, however, I realized that the real "wisdom" was less about business and more about living your life with purpose, on your terms, with the things you enjoy, like a root beer float.

Buffett expressed immense gratitude for everything he'd accomplished in his lifetime. He is grateful to be alive. He's not trying to impress anyone or be like everyone else. He maximizes his happiness through his work, his charitable giving, his love of bridge, and his legendary junk-food diet, which he has compared to that of a 6-year-old. Warren Buffett knows who he is, and he's comfortable being himself.

Zack Friedman and Warren Buffett 2

After lunch, Buffett posed for countless photos. I'm not referring to the standard group shot where everyone lines up in rows, and he steps in the middle at the last second. For what must have taken nearly two hours, he posed for individual pictures with everyone. There were no bodyguards or assistants. He didn't owe us anything. But he couldn't have been kinder or more generous with his time.

At the end of our lunch, Buffett walked to his Cadillac and drove off into the Omaha afternoon.

While a person is unlikely to forget any part of a day spent with Warren Buffett, a few specifics about the man and the way he approaches life will always stand out to me.

1. He has a sunny outlook

Simply put, Buffett is happy. His long-term outlook on life and business is positive. He's a believer.

An open mind means access to more opportunities.

2. He takes calculated risks

As a value investor, Buffett adheres to certain principles that have guided his investment decisions and approach to risk. He especially loves the insurance business, which has taught him how to pay out less than he collects.

When you have a set of principles, you already know how to assess risk.

3. He does his own thing

Warren Buffett is not trying to be anyone other than Warren Buffett. He chose Omaha, not New York, and has lived in the same house since 1958, which he purchased for $31,500. He prefers cheeseburgers and root beer floats. The stock market's day-to-day movements don't worry him; he's playing a long game. 

There is a certain freedom that comes with independence.

Read more: At a Google team off-site, we were asked to play a personality game that clearly revealed why it's so hard for women to reach the top

4. He knows what he's good at

Buffett is genuinely good at being an investor, so that's where he has focused his time and energy. Likewise, he doesn't invest in things he doesn't understand.

Life is more efficient when you know who you really are.

5. He is a workhorse

Make no mistake: Warren Buffett is a workhorse, not a figurehead who shakes hands and gives speeches. He understands the details, does the analysis, and knows his business inside and out. He reached the pinnacle because he did, and continues to do, the work.

There are no shortcuts to greatness, and there is no escaping hard work.

I asked myself why Warren Buffett is so successful. Some may say he got lucky or that times were easier when he was starting out. But financial fortune aside, Warren Buffett is no different from you or me. He is the result of his choices.

Lemonade Life

Like Warren Buffett's, your life today is the result of choices. Some choices you made, while others were made for you.

What about your life tomorrow?

From the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep, you have an opportunity to define the next day of your life. Every day. That means each day is a new opportunity to choose the life you want. In the next several chapters, we'll discuss in detail how to make better choices that will broaden your perspective, how to take calculated risks, how to break free from the herd mentality, and most importantly, how to inspire action.

Zack Friedman is the founder and chief executive officer of Make Lemonade — a leading personal finance company that empowers you to live a better financial life — and an in-demand speaker. Previously, he was chief financial officer of an international energy company, a hedge fund investor, and worked at Blackstone, Morgan Stanley, and the White House. Zack holds degrees from Harvard, Wharton, Columbia, and Johns Hopkins. He lives in New York with his wife and children.

Taken from The Lemonade Life by Zack Friedman Copyright © 2019 by Zack Friedman. Used by permission of HarperCollins Leadership.

SEE ALSO: In the 1980s, Bill Gates would escape to a secret cabin in the woods to protect himself from burnout. Here's the modern-day, easier version of his approach.

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How to unzip files on your iPhone using the free iZip app

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iPhone XS Max

Whether you're compiling a photo album, trying to compress a group of audio files, or even putting together a bunch of documents to send to a business colleague, using the Zip file format is probably your best bet. 

It's certainly the most widely used compression archive format, allowing you to send smaller files without losing the quality of the originals, which are restored once the file is unzipped again. 

Unzipping files on your computer is simple enough, but what about when you're on the go and only have your iPhone

Thankfully, it's easy to unzip files on an iPhone once you have an app downloaded for unzipping. From there, it only takes a few simple steps.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to unzip files on your iPhone

1. On your iPhone's home screen, tap the App Store icon to open it. 

2. Search for and download the iZip app. Note that the official app name will be listed as "iZip – Zip Unzip Unrar Tool." 

IMG_7978.PNG

3. Locate the Zip file saved on your phone. You will only be able to use iZip to unzip files that are saved locally on your device; files located on outside servers such as Gmail or Dropbox are not able to be opened on the free version of the iZip app. 

4. Tap and hold the Zip file you wish to unzip until a black menu of options appears above it. Tap on the right arrow to locate the Share option and tap it. 

IMG_7979.PNG

5. A list of options will appear with programs able to view the Zip file. Locate and tap Open in iZip. 

6. iZip will then launch and ask you to confirm that you would like to unzip all files. Tap OK to confirm. The files will be unzipped. 

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7. To save the individual files contained within the Zip archive to your phone, tap the small white circle to the left of each file you wish to save. You will know each is selected because the circle will turn blue and have a check mark within it. 

8. When you've chosen the files you wish to save, tap the Save option in the lower right-hand corner of your screen. You may be asked to give iZip access to your photo and video library in order to proceed. 

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9. Your files will then be saved to your phone. Simple!

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: All the ways Amazon is taking over your house

If you're looking to simplify your finances, consider using just one credit card. Here are 10 of the best picks for earning travel rewards or cash back

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  • One of the quickest ways to earn a large sum of points, miles, or cash back is to earn a credit card sign-up bonus. But there are benefits to using just one credit card as well.
  • With a single-card strategy, you'll know exactly how much you're spending — without having to aggregate your balances across multiple credit card accounts. 
  • It also forces you to prioritize what rewards and benefits matter to you the most — do you care more about cash or travel points? High-end benefits or lower out-of-pocket costs?
  • When it comes to travel rewards credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a solid option for a single-card strategy. On the cash-back, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card is a top pick.

When it comes to travel rewards credit cards, using several in tandem can often get you the most value. In order to get the most rewards for every dollar you spend, you could easily use one card for groceries, another for gas, and another for travel

While a multiple-card strategy can be beneficial for accumulating various rewards and points, there's also something to be said for using just one credit card for everything. 

Reasons to use just one credit card

Using a single credit card simplifies your finances. You can better track your purchases, payments, and rewards when your spending is consolidated to just one card.

This eliminates the need to track via spreadsheet or app in order to keep up to date on reward expirations and other criteria. If you do have multiple credit cards, having a system for keeping track of your spending, card benefits, and more is key.

Amplified rewards and points

Imagine the total dollar amount of purchases you charge per year. If this total were charged to just one card, you'd accumulate all your rewards in the same currency. Depending on your goals, this could be better than earning smaller amounts of several different loyalty currencies. For example, you could end up with tens of thousands of Chase points to bring you closer to your next free flight, rather than a few thousands here or there in a variety of loyalty programs.

When you use one single card for all of your transactions, the potential savings and rewards add up much faster and with more intensity. 

It forces you to prioritize

When you're using one single credit card, you have to decide what really matters to you. 

Do you want travel points? Cash back? Both? Pick the one card that has the best rewards and benefits to suit your lifestyle so you can make the most out of your everyday purchases.

Lower annual fees

If you only have one card, you only have one annual fee, plain and simple. You no longer have to keep track of several fee charges to maintain your points and reward balances. 

Here are the top credit cards to consider for a single-card strategy

Best travel rewards credit cards

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 within the first three months

Annual fee: $95

Points earning: 2x points on travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else

Other benefits: Primary car rental insurance. Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you like this perks and are willing to pay a higher annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve could also be worth a look. It has a $450 annual fee but comes with a $300 annual travel credit and other more premium benefits.

Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred review

2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Sign-up bonus: 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 within the first three months

Annual fee: $95 (waived for the first year)

Miles earning: 2x miles on your purchases and 10x miles when book hotels at hotels.com/venture, 1 mile per dollar on everything else

Other benefits: An application fee credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck (up to $100). 

Read more: Capital One Venture Rewards card review

3. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months

Annual fee: $550

Points earning: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com, 1 point per dollar on everything else

Other benefits: Up to $15 in Uber credits each month, with a bonus $20 in December. Airport lounge access. Up to a $200 annual airline fee credit for incidentals like baggage fees.

Read more: Amex Platinum review

4. American Express® Gold Card

Welcome bonus: 35,000 points after you spend $2,000 in the first three months

Annual fee: $250

Points earning: 4x points at restaurants worldwide and 4x on the first $25,000 spent each year at US supermarkets (then 1x), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, 1 point per dollar on everything else 

Other benefits: Up to a $10 credit monthly at Seamless, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. Up to a $100 airline fee credit for incidentals like baggage fees each year.

Read more: Amex Gold card review

Best cash-back credit cards

5.Wells Fargo Propel American Express

Welcome bonus: 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months — that's $300 in cash back

Annual fee: $0

Cash-back earning: 3x points (cash back) on eating out and ordering in, travel including flights, hotels, homestays, and car rentals, gas stations, rideshares, and transit, and popular streaming services

Other benefits: No foreign transaction fee

Read more: Wells Fargo Propel review

6. Chase Freedom Unlimited

Sign-up bonus: Earn 3% back on all purchases in your first year up to $20,000 spent. After that earn 1.5% back on everything.

Annual fee: $0

Cash-back/points earning: If you have a Chase Ultimate Rewards card like the Sapphire Preferred, you can combine your cash-back points from the Freedom Unlimited with the other card's points to get more value. So instead of just getting cash back, you could use your points with travel partners like Hyatt and United.

Read more: Chase Freedom Unlimited review

7. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Welcome bonus: $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in the first three months

Annual fee: $95 

Cash-back earning: 6% back on select US streaming services, and at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1% back), 3% back at US gas stations and on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more, 1% back on everything else

Read more: Blue Cash Preferred card review

8. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Sign-up bonus: $300 cash back bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first three months.

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95

Cash-back earning: Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases 

Read more: Capital One Savor card review

Having one card can help you maximize your rewards earnings, so choose your card wisely and go all in to reap the benefits. 

Click here to learn more about the best rewards credit cards of 2019

Join the conversation about this story »

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

Google cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are worth more than $100 billion — see how they spend it, from trapeze lessons to a 600-foot 'air yacht'

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  • With a reported net worth of $53.5 billion, Alphabet CEO Larry Page is the eighth-richest person in the world.
  • Alphabet president Sergey Brin is No. 9, with a reported net worth of $52.1 billion.
  • See how the two Google founders spend their fortune. 

 

The founders of Google have a salary of $1. But they're still among the wealthiest people in the world.

With Bloomberg reporting his worth at $53.5 billion, Alphabet CEO Larry Page is the eighth-richest person in the world. Alphabet president Sergey Brin is just behind at No. 9, with a reported net worth of $52.1 billion.

Here's a look at how both Page and Brin spend their fortunes: 

SEE ALSO: Tim Cook is worth $625 million and leads a $1 trillion company — but he reportedly buys discounted underwear and wants to give his money away after paying for his nephew’s tuition

Sergey Brin and Larry Page founded Google (now owned by parent company Alphabet) in 1998 in a garage in Menlo Park, California.

Source: Business Insider



Page was born in 1973 to two computer science professors at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Even at a young age, he enjoyed taking machines apart and trying to put them back together to understand how they functioned.

Source:"Larry Page" 



Page went to the University of Michigan for undergrad. While there, he was a member of the solar car team, proposed an overhaul of the school's bus system, and developed other business plans.

Source:Business Insider



Brin and Page met in 1995, when Brin toured Page around Stanford University. Brin was a second-year graduate student in Stanford's computer science department and Page was considering attending. They reportedly both found each other "obnoxious" at first, but they became classmates.

Source:Wired



Brin, the more gregarious of the two founders, was also born in 1973 to two scientists. But he was born in the Soviet Union, where his family faced anti-Semitism and couldn't pursue their careers to the fullest potential.

Source:Wired, Moment



Brin came to the US when he was 6 and quickly proved his academic prowess. At 19, he graduated from the University of Maryland as a major in math and computer science.

Source:Moment



Despite their initial spats, Brin and Page started working together on an interesting idea Page had about cataloging every link on the internet. BackRub, as it was called in its inception as a project in 1996, took off.



After dropping out of Stanford, the two founded Google in 1998 in this garage.



Twenty years later, Google is much more than just the No. 1 website in the world and the most-used search engine. It spans video content, mobile technology, education, digital libraries, and even self-driving cars.

Source:Alexa



Alphabet, Google's parent company, is worth $762.5 billion and employs some 89,000 people around the world.

Source:CNBC, Alphabet



Here's how the successful duo spends their fortune ...



In 2005, Page bought a $7.2 million home in Old Palo Alto. The home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built from 1931 to 1941 for Bay Area artist Pedro de Lemos.

Sources:Gawker, Palo Alto Stanford Heritage



At 9,000 square feet, the two-story home was built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. It's constructed of stucco and tile around a courtyard. Parts of the home were salvaged from a chapel that was partially destroyed during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Source:Palo Alto Stanford Heritage



In 2009, after Page bought the historic home, he started buying adjacent properties to construct an environmentally-friendly estate. The 6,000-square-foot home has a roof garden with solar panels and four bedrooms.

Source:The Mercury News



We don't know much about what Page's home looks like on the inside, but we do know that sometimes his billionaire buddy Elon Musk, who doesn't own property in Silicon Valley, sleeps over.

Source:Business Insider



"He'll e-mail and say, 'I don't know where to stay tonight. Can I come over?'" Page told Ashlee Vance for her book, "Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future." "I haven't given him a key or anything yet."

Source:Business Insider



Brin has even swankier digs in New York City's tony West Village, where he's neighbors with celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Tiger Woods. He bought a 3,457-square-foot penthouse there for $8.5 million in 2008.

Source: Zillow Porchlight, Business Insider



The two-story, three-bedroom penthouse has a 1,200-square-foot wraparound terrace with views of lower Manhattan. The kitchen is outfitted with custom Moroccan tiles and top-of-the-line appliances.

Source: Zillow Porchlight, Zillow



Brin also lives in an estate in Los Altos Hills, California at an undisclosed location. Here's what a typical house there looks like.

Source:The Wall Street Journal



A few years ago, Brin was rumored to be looking at an even more impressive space — a 30,000-square-foot mansion in ritzy Alpine, New Jersey. With an indoor basketball court, fitness center, and a pool, the incredible house would have cost Brin $48.88 million.

Source:New York Post



We don't know much about the Google cofounders' vacations, but we do know that they host the super-exclusive Google Camp every year in Sicily.

Source:Business Insider



Google Camp takes place at the Vendura Resort, which has a 200-foot infinity pool, a mile of private coastline on the Mediterranean, and two 18-hole golf courses.

Source: Forbes



Page and Brin could enjoy authentic cuisine at Vendura's seven restaurants with Google Campers like Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, George Lucas, and Pharrell.

Source:Business Insider



Staying at Vendura costs up to $2,000 for one night. That gets you a 1,600-square-foot villa with a private pool and dining area, two golf carts, and complimentary spa treatments upon arrival.

Source:Vendura Resort



The two cofounders have also been known to spend their fortune vacationing in Fiji.

Source:Business Insider



While they were in Fiji in 2012, Brin and Page rode in Brin's superyacht: a 73-meter vessel called the Dragonfly. Brin reportedly bought it for $80 million in 2011. Previously, it was available for charter it for $773,000 per week.

Source:Business Insider, Daily Mail



Constructed in 2009, the Dragonfly is the world's fastest superyacht. It has an open-air cinema, Jacuzzi, and dance floor. It can hold 18 guests and 16 crew members.

Source:Business Insider, Daily Mail



Meanwhile, Page's own superyacht isn't anything to sneeze at. The 60-meter vessel accommodates up to 12, has six decks, open and shaded sun decks, a gym, and Jacuzzi — as well as five Waverunners.

Source:Boat International



Brin and Page also travel by air. They bought a Boeing 767-200 in 2005 — an unusual choice as executives usually prefer Gulfstream jets.

Source:The Wall Street Journal



The former passenger jet carries 50 passengers. There are several seating areas, two staterooms with connecting bathrooms and showers, and a dining area.

Source:The Wall Street Journal



These guys don't just have a private plane — they also have an $82 million private airport. Google began building its own private airport near the San Jose airport in 2014.

Source:Fast Company



Page doesn't just dabble in typical aircraft. While we don't know how often Page himself is taking the products for a spin, he does fund three flying car companies.

Source:The Verge



Despite his lofty ambitions, Page still reportedly drives a Toyota Prius.

Source:Reuters



Page and Brin both have been taken with a slightly more upscale eco-friendly vehicle: Tesla. The duo led an investment round of $40 million in Elon Musk's Tesla all the way back in 2006.

Source:Tesla Motors



Brin was the fourth person to receive a Tesla Model X Crossover SUV in 2015 when it was first released — he snagged a white one.

Source:Business Insider



Today, a Model X with seven seats, full self-driving capacity, and max performance costs $151,000.

Source:Tesla



Brin's Tesla was the subject of what was popularly speculated to be an elaborate April Fool's Day prank in 2013.

Source:Business Insider, Wired



Reportedly, some of Google's employees vinyl-wrapped Brin's Model S, added rainbow eyelashes, and a Batman decal and wings.

Source: Forbes



The best part of Brin's Model S, though, has got to be the Google Chrome rims.

Source: Forbes



Page took his interest in Tesla even further in 2014 when said he would donate all of his billions to Elon Musk — rather than a charity, his family, or his own business.

Source:Business Insider



Hopefully, Page would also give some money to his two children and his wife, Lucy Page Southworth. Southworth is a biomedical informatics researcher, and their children were born in 2009 and 2011. (Page is so private that we don't even know if the younger child is a boy or a girl. The older child is a boy.)

Source:CNN



Brin also has two children with his former wife Anne Wojcicki, the cofounder and CEO of $1.5 billion personal genetics company 23andMe.

Source:Business Insider, Techcrunch



Brin's and Wojcicki's children don't exactly live in the lap of luxury that their parents' wild successes would indicate though. As Wojcicki told The New York Times last year, she wants to protect her children from the "insanity" of the billionaire lifestyle — the kids do their own laundry, for instance.

Source:The New York Times



The duo are among the most philanthropic billionaires in the US. From 2000 to 2017, Brin has donated $37.5 billion (6% of his fortune) and Page $38.5 billion (4%). (That's nothing on Warren Buffet's giving 71% of his fortune, though.)

Source:CNBC



And Brin has been reportedly building an entire flying airship at a NASA research center near Mountain View, California. The project costs between $100 and $150 million — and is funded entirely by Brin.

Source: The Guardian



The airship will measure more than 600 feet. Sources say Brin pictures the airship delivering goods and food on humanitarian missions, as well as being an "air yacht" for the billionaire's friends and family.

Source: The Guardian



Brin also spends his money on a variety of thrill-seeking hobbies.

Source:Business Insider



Brin is a lover of roller hockey, ultimate Frisbee, gymnastics, and high-flying trapeze. He has been spotted at advanced trapeze classes at the Circus Warehouse in New York City, which costs $1,760 per month.

Source:Business Insider, Circus Warehouse



Page has been known to kite board — sometimes with Richard Branson.

Source:Business Insider



Brin pays 47 workers' salaries, who all work for him and his family — including ex-bankers who manage his philanthropy and finances, a fitness coordinator, a yacht captain, an archivist, and a photographer.

Source:Bloomberg



For these two 45-year-olds, the combined net worth of more than $100 billion is a far cry from their humble beginnings in the garage in Menlo Park where it all began.

Source:Business Insider



47 Netflix original drama series, ranked from worst to best

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Netflix's library of original content has grown exponentially since it released its first big show, "House of Cards," in 2013. With so many drama series on the service, however, it can be hard to keep up with which shows are worth watching. 

To create a cheat sheet for you, we turned to review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes to rank all of Netflix's original drama series by their composite critical ratings. The shows had to have at least one season designated "Fresh" or "Rotten," to ensure they had a high enough number of reviews. We excluded shows that were continuations from other networks, like Channel 4's "Black Mirror."

Here are Netflix's original drama shows, ranked by their Rotten Tomatoes critic score from lowest to highest (if there was a tie, we used the audience score to break it.

SEE ALSO: 31 great Netflix shows you might have missed but should definitely watch

47. "Between"

Critic score: 22%

Audience score: 73%

Netflix description: "After a mysterious disease kills every resident over 22 years old, survivors of a town must fend for themselves when the government quarantines them."



46. "Marseille"

Critic score: 33%

Audience score: 65%

Netflix description: "The longtime mayor of Marseille is preparing to hand over the reins to his protégé when a sudden and ruthless battle erupts for control of the city."



45. "Hemlock Grove"

Critic score: 38%

Audience score: 64%

Netflix description: "Secrets are just a part of daily life in the small Pennsylvania town of Hemlock Grove, where the darkest evils hide in plain sight."



44. "Iron Fist"

Critic score: 39%

Audience score: 73%

Netflix description: "Danny Rand resurfaces 15 years after being presumed dead. Now, with the power of the Iron Fist, he seeks to reclaim his past and fulfill his destiny."

Read more:Why Netflix's 'Iron Fist' is a disappointing failure



43. "Gypsy"

Critic score: 39%

Audience score: 85%

Netflix description: "Therapist Jean Holloway develops dangerous and intimate relationships with the people in her patients' lives in this simmering psychological thriller."



42. "13 Reasons Why"

Critic score: 52%

Audience score: 66%

Netflix description: "After a teenage girl's perplexing suicide, a classmate receives a series of tapes that unravel the mystery of her tragic choice."

Read more:Netflix has edited the graphic '13 Reasons Why' suicide scene that created controversy 2 years ago



41. "Bloodline"

Critic score: 62%

Audience score: 76%

Netflix description: "When the black sheep son of a respected family threatens to expose dark secrets from their past, sibling loyalties are put to the test."



40. "Anne With an E"

Critic score: 62%

Audience score: 81%

Netflix description: "A plucky orphan whose passions run deep finds an unlikely home with a spinster and her soft-spoken bachelor brother. Based on 'Anne of Green Gables.'"



39. "The Punisher"

Critic score: 63%

Audience score: 82%

Netflix description: "A former Marine out to punish the criminals responsible for his family's murder finds himself ensnared in a military conspiracy."



38. "Damnation"

Critic score: 64%

Audience score: 91%

Netflix description: "During the Great Depression, a stranger with a violent past poses as a preacher and rallies farmers to mount a strike in a rural Iowa community."



37. "Altered Carbon"

Critic score: 67%

Audience score: 90%

Netflix description: "After 250 years on ice, a prisoner returns to life in a new body with one chance to win his freedom: by solving a mind-bending murder."

Read more: REVIEW: 'Altered Carbon' is an expensive and sex-filled dystopian TV drama from Netflix that falls flat



36. "Marco Polo"

Critic score: 67%

Audience score: 94%

Netflix description: "Set in a world of greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry, 'Marco Polo' is based on the famed explorer's adventures in Kublai Khan's court."



35. "Lost in Space"

Critics score: 68%

Audience score: 72%

Netflix description: "After crash-landing on an alien planet, the Robinson family fights against all odds to survive and escape. But they're surrounded by hidden dangers."



34. "Ozark"

Critic score: 73%

Audience score: 92%

Netflix description: "A financial adviser drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder $500 million in five years to appease a drug boss."



33. "Safe"

Critics score: 77%

Audience score: 77%

Netflix description: "After his teenage daughter goes missing, widowed surgeon Tom Delaney (Michael C. Hall) begins unearthing dark secrets about the people closest to him."



32. "Watership Down"

Critics score: 77%

Audience score: 82%

Netflix description: "A warren of rabbits battles many threats on their daring journey to find a new home in this adaptation of the classic novel by Richard Adams."



31. "Seven Seconds"

Critic score: 77%

Audience score: 85%

Netflix description: "The death of a 15-year-old African American boy in Jersey City sets off a police cover-up and a search for the truth."



30. "The Umbrella Academy"

Critics score: 77%

Audience score: 86%

Netflix description: "From the minds of Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, 'The Umbrella Academy' is the story of a super-dysfunctional family of superheroes who have eight days to get it together and save the world."



29. "Collateral"

Critic score: 78%

Audience score: N/A

Netflix description: "Investigating the murder of a pizza delivery man, a London detective uncovers a tangled conspiracy involving drug dealers, smugglers and spies."



28. "The Defenders"

Critic score: 78%

Audience score: 75%

Netflix description: "Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist join forces to take on common enemies as a sinister conspiracy threatens New York City."



27. "House of Cards"

Critic score: 78%

Audience score: 76%

Netflix description: "A ruthless politician will stop at nothing to conquer Washington, D.C., in this Emmy and Golden Globe-winning political drama."

Read more:7 people and shows, including 'House of Cards,' who don't deserve their Emmy nominations



26. "Black Earth Rising"

Critics score: 79%

Audience score: N/A

Netflix description: "From London, to Paris to Rwanda, 'Black Earth Rising' is a deeply personal journey about one woman's persistent exploration to uncover her hidden past, at whatever the cost." 



25. "The Mechanism"

Critic score: 80%

Audience score: 68%

Netflix description: "A scandal erupts in Brazil during an investigation of alleged government corruption via oil and construction companies. Loosely inspired by true events."



24. "The Get Down"

Critic score: 81%

Audience score: 91%

Netflix description: "In 1977 New York City, the talented and soulful youth of the south Bronx chase dreams and breakneck beats to transform music history."



23. "Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City"

Critics score: 82%

Audience score: N/A

Netflix description: "Mary Ann returns to present-day San Francisco and is reunited with her daughter Shawna and ex-husband Brian, 20 years after leaving them behind to pursue her career. Fleeing the midlife crisis that her picture-perfect Connecticut life created, Mary Ann is quickly drawn back into the orbit of Anna Madrigal, her chosen family, and a new generation of queer young residents living at 28 Barbary Lane."



22. "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina"

Critics rating: 82%

Audience Score: 70%

Netflix description: "It's a wicked world out there, and Sabrina is brewing up trouble. After signing her name in the Book of the Beast, Sabrina struggles to find the balance between her place in the mortal world and her new darker side."



21. "The Rain"

Critics score: 82%

Audience score: 62%

Netflix description: "After a brutal virus wipes out most of the population, two young siblings embark on a perilous search for safety."



20. "Jessica Jones"

Critic score: 83%

Audience score: 78%

Netflix description: "Haunted by a traumatic past, Jessica Jones uses her gifts as a private eye to find her tormentor before he can harm anyone else in Hell's Kitchen."



19. "The OA"

Critic score: 84%

Audience score: 83%

Netflix description: "Seven years after vanishing from her home, a young woman returns with mysterious new abilities and recruits five strangers for a secret mission."

Read more:'The OA' season one finale is leaving fans either frustrated or in love



18. "The Society"

Critics score: 85%

Audience score: 74%

Netflix description: "When everyone else mysteriously vanishes from their wealthy town, the teen residents of West Ham must forge their own society to survive."



17. "3%"

Critic score: 85%

Audience score: 89%

Netflix description: "In a future where the elite inhabit an island paradise far from the crowded slums, you get one chance to join the 3% saved from squalor."



16. "The Innocents"

Critics score: 86%

Audience score: 78%

Netflix description: "June McDaniel has a major change in her life when she discovers that she comes from a line of shapeshifters on her mother's side."



15. "Godless"

Critic score: 86%

Audience score: 85%

Netflix description: "A ruthless outlaw terrorizes the West in search of a former member of his gang, who's found a new life in a quiet town populated only by women."



14. "Sense8"

Critic score: 86%

Audience score: 91%

Netflix description: "From the creators of 'The Matrix' and 'Babylon 5' comes this tense series in which eight people can telepathically experience each other's lives."



13. "Luke Cage"

Critic score: 89%

Audience score: 74%

Netflix description: "A hoodie-wearing, unbreakable ex-con fights to clear his name and save his neighborhood. He wasn't looking for a fight, but the people need a hero."



12. "Narcos"

Critic score: 89%

Audience score: 94%

Netflix description: "The true story of Colombia's infamously violent and powerful drug cartels fuels this gritty gangster drama series."



11. "Orange Is the New Black"

Critic score: 90%

Audience score: 82%

Netflix description: "A privileged New Yorker ends up in a women's prison when a past crime catches up with her in this Emmy-winning series from the creator of 'Weeds.'"

Read more:Here's where all of your favorite characters end up on 'Orange is the New Black'



10. "The Crown"

Critic score: 90%

Audience score: 95%

Netflix description: "This drama follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century."

Read more:Here's how the cast of 'The Crown' compares to the real-life royals



9. "The Haunting of Hill House"

Critics score: 92%

Audience score: 91%

Netflix description: "Flashing between past and present, a fractured family confronts haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them from it."



8. "Daredevil"

Critic score: 92%

Audience score: 92%

Netflix description: "Blinded as a young boy, Matt Murdock fights injustice by day as a lawyer and by night as the superhero Daredevil in Hell's Kitchen, New York City."



7. "Stranger Things"

Critic score: 93%

Audience score: 90%

Netflix description: "When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, and one strange little girl."

Read more:How old the stars of 'Stranger Things' are compared to their characters



5. "Dark"

Critic score: 94%

Audience score: 93%

Netflix description: "A missing child sets four families on a frantic hunt for answers as they unearth a mind-bending mystery that spans three generations."



6. "Sacred Games"

Critics score: 92%

Audience score: 95%

Netflix description: "A policeman, a criminal overlord, a Bollywood film star, politicians, cultists, spies, and terrorists — the lives of the privileged, the famous, the wretched, and the bloodthirsty interweave with cataclysmic consequences amid the chaos of modern-day Mumbai."



4. "A Series of Unfortunate Events"

Critic score: 96%

Audience score: 85%

Netflix description: "The extraordinary Baudelaire orphans face trials, tribulations, and the evil Count Olaf in their fateful quest to unlock long-held family secrets."



3. "When They See Us"

Critics score: 96%

Audience score: 93%

Netflix description: "Based on a true story that gripped the country, 'When They See Us' [chronicles] the notorious case of five teenagers of color, labeled the Central Park Five, who were convicted of a rape they did not commit."



2. "Mindhunter"

Critic score: 97%

Audience score: 95%

Netflix description: "In the late 1970s two FBI agents expand criminal science by delving into the psychology of murder and getting uneasily close to all-too-real monsters."

Read more: All the real serial killers featured on Netflix's drama 'Mindhunter'



1. "Alias Grace"

Critic score: 99%

Audience score: 88%

Netflix description: "In 19th-century Canada, a psychiatrist weighs whether a murderess should be pardoned due to insanity. Based on Margaret Atwood's award-winning novel."




American vs. Delta vs. United — we compared the 3 most popular airline credit cards

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Airport credit card

  • If you fly even just a couple times a year, it's worth having an airline credit card.
  • The perks and benefits that come with these cards, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge passes, that make flying easier and more enjoyable — and can save you money.
  • We compared some of the most popular mainstream credit cards from the three big US airlines — American, United, and Delta.
  • Read on to see what we found and which one is best for you.

One of the best ways to earn a bunch of frequent flyer miles quickly is to open an airline credit card and earn the new card member bonus.

While a card that earns transferable points — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — typically has more valuable and flexible rewards than fixed program cards, airline cards win in two respects.

If you generally fly with one preferred airline and earn frequent flyer miles on that program when you travel, it can make sense to earn the same kind of miles from your credit card. Between the mileage earned from both, your miles will add up quicker.

Also, airline credit cards come with various perks specific to that airline that can save you a ton of time and money. Things like complimentary checked bags, priority boarding, and even day passes to airport lounges will have you feeling like you're flying first class even when you're in basic economy.

Each of the three major US airlines (American, Delta, and United) offer a few different credit cards, but among the most popular are the "mainstream" cards. These products have annual fees between $95 and $99 — often waived the first year — and feature benefits that appeal to everyone from casual fliers to road warriors.

While they all have similar features and benefits and all offer a great value to cardholders, we've compared them and found that one stands out above the rest. Read on to see which one it is.

Keep in mind that we're focusing on earning rewards and perks, not things like interest rates and late fees, which can far outweigh the value of any rewards or benefits.

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

Click here to learn more about the United Explorer Card from our partner The Points Guy.

Click here to learn more about the Gold Delta SkyMiles card from our partner The Points Guy.

DON'T MISS: The best credit card rewards, bonuses, and perks of 2019

First up is the Gold Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express.

Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 Delta miles after you make $1,000 in Delta purchases in the first three months. Plus, receive 50% back in the form of statement credits on purchases made directly with Delta within the first three months, up to $300 back. This offer is only available until August 15, 2019.

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95

Earning miles: 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else

Top benefits: Free checked bag on Delta flights, priority boarding, 20% off in-flight purchases, no foreign transaction fees

In addition to the welcome offer, the Gold Delta Amex card comes with a handful of incredibly useful — and valuable — perks.

If you have the card open, you get a free checked bag on Delta flights, as does each other person on your reservation. Delta normally charges $30 for the first checked bag on each flight — so $60 for a round-trip — meaning that for a family of four, the free checked bag benefit could save $240.

The card also offers priority boarding to everyone on the cardholder's reservation. If you aren't checking a bag, that can come in useful — by boarding a little earlier, you'll get better access to the overhead compartments and won't have to worry about space running out. 

For those who travel periodically, but not often enough to justify investing in a lounge membership (or getting access to Delta Sky Club lounges through the Amex Platinum Card), the Gold Delta SkyMiles card also offers discounted day passes to Delta's lounges: $29 per person. That can be a useful backup to have in case you ever find yourself with a long layover or a delay.

Other benefits include a 20% discount on in-flight purchases (in the form of a statement credit), such as food or drinks, and no foreign transaction fees.

While the Gold Delta card is a great option, you may also want to consider the Platinum version (the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express). Although it has a higher annual fee —$195, not waived the first year — it offers a companion pass each year on your cardmember anniversary. You can learn more about the companion pass benefit and the Platinum SkyMiles card here.

Click here to learn more about the Gold Delta SkyMiles card from our partner The Points Guy.



Next is the United Explorer Card.

Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 United miles after you spend $2,000 in the first three months. (While the card has occasionally offered higher targeted bonuses, those don't always waive the $95 annual fee for the first year — this current public offer does.)

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee the first year, then $95

Earning miles: 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases and at restaurants and on hotel stays, 1 mile per dollar on everything else

Top benefits: Free checked bag, priority boarding, two complimentary United Club lounge passes each year, up to a $100 application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, access to additional award space, no foreign transaction fees

The United Explorer Card from Chase is a solid option for United flyers. Like the other airlines' sub-$100 cards, the United card offers a free checked bag for the cardholder. Up to two traveling companions booking at the same time can also get a free checked bag each. This is especially useful since United raised the price of a checked bag to $30.

Unlike the other airlines' cards, though, you'll have to actually buy the tickets with the United card in order to get the free checked bags — simply having the card open and tied to your account isn't enough.

For those who don't have luggage to check, the card offers priority boarding for everyone on your reservation — you'll get this benefit even if you pay for the tickets with another card. By boarding earlier, you can make sure to snag overhead space for your carry-on.

One excellent perk with the United card is that you'll get two complimentary passes to United Club lounges each year. If you get to the airport early or end up dealing with a delay, you can head to the lounge and enjoy free snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and more comfortable seating than what you'd find in the terminal. 

When you spend $25,000 in a calendar year, you'll also get a PQD waiver — PQDs, or "Premier Qualifying Dollars," count toward earning elite status with the airline. When that requirement is waived, you'll earn status just based on how much you've flown, rather than a combination of how much you've flown and how much you've spent that year.

The card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on all United purchases, and it also earns 2x miles on all dining and hotel spending. It will continue earning 1x mile on everything else. There are no foreign transaction fees.

Other features include a fee credit to cover the cost of enrolling in Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, and a 25% discount on all in-flight United purchases.

One unique — but unpublished — perk of the card is that having it helps you access additional United award space. That means that you'll have an easier time finding the flights you want when it's time to actually use your miles.

Click here to learn more about the United Explorer card from our partner The Points Guy.



Finally there's American Airlines: the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard.

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 American Airlines miles after you spend $2,500 in the first three months.

Annual fee: $99; waived for the first 12 months

Earning miles: 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases, at gas stations, and restaurants, 1 mile per dollar on everything else

Top benefits: Free checked bag on domestic flights, preferred boarding, 25% off in-flight food and beverages, no foreign transaction fees

50,000 miles (or at least 52,500, when you factor in the miles you'll earn for completing the minimum spending requirement) can get you far on American Airlines — as long as you can find "SAAver" availability. Based on American Airlines' award chart, it's nearly enough miles for a round-trip flight to Europe or South America during peak season, a one-way ticket to Europe in business class, or at least two domestic round-trips (or more, depending on the distance).

The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases, and Citi also recently added a few new bonus categories — new card members will earn 2x miles on restaurants and at gas stations, too. You'll earn 1 mile per dollar on everything else.

The card comes with a suite of useful benefits for American Airlines flyers.

You and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation each get a free checked bag on domestic flights (since American Airlines is a full-service carrier, most international flights include the first checked bag for free). Because the first checked bag is usually $25 each way, this benefit can save you $50 on a round-trip itinerary.

In addition, you and everyone on your reservation get preferred boarding — joining an earlier boarding zone. That gives you more time to settle in — and earlier access to the overhead bins, so that you can make sure you'll have room to store your bag.

A small, but useful new perk: When you spend $20,000 or more on the card in a card membership year, you'll get a $125 discount on your next American Airlines flight (that's in addition to the miles you'll earn on those purchases).

The card also offers a 25% discount on in-flight purchases, such as food and drinks, and access to discounted mileage award flights.



How do the cards stack up?

Each card has strengths and weaknesses. Let's look at each:

Delta: the Gold Delta SkyMiles card from American Express

Pros:

  • Free first checked bag for you and any traveling companions, regardless of whether or not you use the card to buy your tickets
  • Priority boarding
  • Discounted day passes for Delta Sky Club lounges
  • Discounts on in-flight purchases

Cons:

  • No bonus earning categories (besides Delta purchases)
  • No extras (like a discount on flights, extra points, or help toward elite status) if you spend a lot on the card in a year

United Airlines: the Explorer Card from Chase

Pros:

  • 2x miles on dining and hotels, as well as on United purchases
  • Two complimentary United Club lounge passes each year
  • Priority boarding for you and your travel companions
  • Discount on in-flight purchases, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
  • Access to additional saver-level award seats

Cons:

  • To get the first checked bag free, you'll have to use the card to buy your tickets
  • The free checked bag is only extended to up to two traveling companions — that's not helpful if you're traveling with a family of four

American Airlines: the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select

Pros:

  • 2x points on dining and gas — not just on airline purchases
  • Offers a solid sign-up bonus
  • Free first checked bag for you and up to four traveling companions, regardless of whether or not you use the card to buy your tickets
  • Priority boarding
  • $100 discount on an American Airlines flight if you spend $20,000 in a year
  • Discount on in-flight purchases

Cons:

  • No lounge passes or discounts
  • No spending bonus that counts toward elite status


So, which is best?

The best card is the one for whichever airline you find the most useful. Although there are some differences between them, each of these cards comes with a version of free checked bags and priority boarding, which are the most valuable reasons to have the cards. Plus, they help you earn more miles — and quickly.

However, if you're ambivalent about your choice of airline, the Citi/AAdvantage card for American Airlines is probably the most appealing card right now.

Between the new benefits, including 2x miles on several categories, and a solid sign-up bonus, this card represents a great value. However, keep in mind that it's always possible that the sign-up bonus increases at some point in the future, although there's no guarantee.

As benefits continue to be added and removed — and, crucially, as sign-up bonuses and welcome offers fluctuate — this evaluation could always change. One way or another, an airline card is a must-have and represents significant value for anyone who flies even just a few times a year.

Click here to learn more about the United Explorer card from our partner The Points Guy.

Click here to learn more about the Gold Delta SkyMiles card from our partner The Points Guy.

This content is not provided by the card issuers. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the authors' alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any issuer.



Get a pair of Cole Haan shoes for $99 or less — and 7 other sales and deals happening now

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We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening online today, with savings at Cole Haan, Best Buy, Backcountry, and Brooklyn Bedding. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons.

Cole Haan

1. Get select Cole Haan shoes for $99 or less

Cole Haan's shoes are deeply discounted for a short two-day sale. Now through August 8 at 6 a.m. ET, you can get a decent selection of shoes for $99 or less. With choices for men and women, the sale includes sneakers, dress shoes, Chelsea boots, sandals, and heels. This is a good chance to save on comfortable pairs for work, weekends, and everything in between. Visit Business Insider Coupons for the latest deals at Cole Haan.

Shop the Cole Haan sale now

Backcountry

2. Save up to 50% on outdoor gear at Backcountry

Outdoor retailer Backcountry is having a huge semi-annual sale. With up to 50% off outdoor gear and apparel from top brands like The North Face, Patagonia, Marmot, and Columbia, you can stock up on equipment for all of your favorite outdoor activities and even save on outerwear for later on in the year. Visit Business Insider Coupons for the latest deals at Backcountry

Shop the Backcountry sale now.

amazon key cloud cam

3.Save up to $70 on Amazon Cloud Cam Bundles

Amazon Cloud Cams allow you to stay connected at all times. You can watch, download, and share the last 24 hours of motion alert video clips for free, use the Cloud Cam App to check in anytime with live view, and use two-way audio to check in with family. They're great for home security, baby monitors, and they work with Alexa-enable devices. Right now, you can save when you buy more than one, which is the ideal way to create a secure system.

Amazon Cloud Cam 2-Pack Bundle, $199.98 (Originally $238.98)[You save $40]

Amazon Cloud Cam 3-Pack Bundle, $289.97 (Originally $359.97)[You save $70]

Gap Kids

4. Save 50% on all kids', toddlers', and baby styles at Gap

Just in time for back to school season, you can save 50% on all kids', toddlers', and baby styles by using the promo code "CLASS" at checkout. The sale ends tomorrow, August 7, so you may want to shop sooner than later. Visit Business Insider Coupons for more sale and deals at Gap

Shop the Gap sale now

dell laptop deal

5. Save big on PCs, tablets, and electronics at Dell

Dell's back-to-school sale has been going on for a little over a week, and the deals are getting even better. For a limited time, you can save up to $260 on laptops and hybrid laptop/tablets, up to $250 on all-in-one and traditional computer tower desktops, up to $860 on gaming computers, and 30% on electronics. Visit Business Insider Coupons for more deals and sales at Dell.

Shop the Dell sale now.

5947248_rd

6. Save $40 on a 43-inch TCL 4K Ultra HD Smart TV with Roku at Best Buy

Upgrading to a modern smart TV doesn't have to be super expensive. This TCL TV features a 43-inch 4K Ultra HD display and with Roku TV built-in, you'll have access to all of your favorite streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and YouTube. Originally priced at $260, you can buy one today for $220 at Best Buy. Visit Business Insider Coupons for the latest sale and deals at Best Buy

TCL 43-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV, $219.99 (Originally $259.99) [You save $40]

Brooklyn Bedding

7. Save 20% on Brooklyn Bedding Mattresses

Today, you can save 20% on mattresses at Brooklyn Bedding by using the promo code "BACK2SCHOOL" at checkout. And if you're worried about buying a mattress online, Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night trial period, free shipping and returns, and extended warranties on every product sold, so you can (literally) rest assured.

Shop the Brooklyn Bedding sale now

trx_home2_mpp_horiz_carousel_1 (2)

8. Save $20 on all TRX Suspension Trainers

Going to the gym for a workout isn't always possible or preferred. Whether you're strapped for time during the day or you're just trying to save money on a gym membership, TRX systems are a great alternative for high-impact training at home or on the go. For a limited time, you can save $20 on all suspension trainers and get free shipping on all orders over $99. If you're not sure which suspension trainer is best for you, TRX will recommend one based on a short quiz about your skill level, fitness goals, and workout preferences.

Shop the TRX sale now.

Join the conversation about this story »

How to restore your iPhone from a backup after taking the 'nuclear option' of a factory reset

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iPhone X

  • You can reset and restore your iPhone from a backup if the device has a serious software problem.
  • Performing a factory reset on your iPhone and restoring your data from a recent backup should be your last resort before calling Apple support.
  • Have your Apple ID information ready, and be sure to backup your iPhone's data so you don't lose it.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you've had an iPhone for any length of time, you know it's largely trouble-free — an iPhone behaves more like an appliance than a finicky desktop computer. Even so, problems can still arise, and most glitches can remedied by simply restarting your phone.

On rare occasions, though, your problem runs so deep that, even after extensive troubleshooting, the phone is still behaving badly. In that case, you might want to perform a factory reset. This is the "nuclear option" — a factory reset will wipe all of the apps and data from your iPhone, and return it to the state it was in when you first took it out of the box after purchase.

But since a freshly erased iPhone isn't particularly useful, you probably want to restore all your apps and data from a recent backup. If the most recent backup includes corrupted files that continue to cause problems after the restore, you could try restoring older backups that pre-date the problem. And if your iPhone behaves badly even with your oldest backup re-installed, then you should reset the iPhone and ignore the backups, re-installing apps manually, one at a time from the App Store until you've "rebuilt" your iPhone.  

Beware: Resetting and restoring an iPhone is a time-consuming process, and there's always some risk — however small — that restoring from a backup will fail, causing you to lose data in the process. Only perform these steps if you have tried troubleshooting your phone and nothing else has solved your problem.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to backup your iPhone

Before you go any further, make sure you have a current backup of your data.

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen and then tap "iCloud."

3. Near the bottom of the section called "Apps Using iCloud," tap "iCloud Backup."

4. See when the last successful backup was recorded; if it's in the last few hours, that might be good enough. If the backup isn't fresh, tap "Back Up Now" and wait for the backup to complete.

restore 1

How to factory reset and restore your iPhone

Before you reset your iPhone, make sure you've done the previous steps — have a recent backup of your data available — and also make sure that your have your Apple ID and password available, since you will need these credentials to sign in to your Apple account and restore your backup.

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap "General," and then tap "Reset."

3. On the Reset page, tap "Erase all Content and Settings," and choose "Erase Now." If, for some reason, you haven't already backed up your iPhone, this is your last chance — you can choose "Backup then Erase."

restore 2

4. Your iPhone will take a few minutes to reset to factory conditions. After that, you'll be greeted with the iPhone's initial welcome screen.

5. On the Apps & Data screen, tap "Restore from iCloud Backup."

6. Your iPhone will ask you to sign into iCloud. Use your Apple ID to sign in.

7. Tap "Next" and, on the Choose Backup screen, you'll see a list of recent backups. Tap the one that you want to install.

In a few minutes, your apps and most data should be restored to your iPhone. Be aware, though, that additional data (like songs from your iTunes library and your photo collection) might take several hours to be fully restored to your phone.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Watch SpaceX's 'most difficult launch ever'

A Google employee created a new 'Old Town Road' remix that pokes fun at the absurdities of living in Silicon Valley (GOOGL)

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sand hill road old town road remix

  • Google employee LJ Erwin has released a parody of Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" that's all about life as a founder in Silicon Valley.
  • The song, called "Sand Hill Road," features shoutouts to common tropes in the Silicon Valley scene, such as drinking Soylent, wearing Allbirds sneakers, and dropping out of college.
  • Erwin tells Business Insider he's inspired by what Lil Nas X represents for diversity and inclusion in the music industry, and how that can translate to the world of Silicon Valley.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road," the unofficial anthem for Gen Z teens everywhere, has made its way into the depths of Silicon Valley.

A new remix of the viral Lil Nas X song dropped Tuesday, but it's not from the country-hip-hip crossover singer himself. It's a product of an employee at Google named LJ Erwin, and the lyrics about riding a horse through town are replaced quips about trying to raise money as a founder in Silicon Valley. 

The song is called "Sand Hill Road," in reference to the legendary road running through Silicon Valley home to some of the most prominent venture capital firms investing in tech companies.

The lyrics call out many of the cult brands and hot trends that have became tightly associated with the identity of being a part of Silicon Valley: sporting Apple Watches "matted black" and Allbirds sneakers "black to match"; drinking Soylent and following keto diets; dropping out of college and raising money for your tech startup until you can't no mo'.

Read more:Someone is selling a $500 Silicon Valley investor 'starter kit' as a joke about how venture capitalists all dress the same

Erwin, who works as a program lead for Google Cloud for Startups, told Business Insider that "Sand Hill Road" started simply as an idea from a friend for a song parodying Silicon Valley. But inspiration struck after he saw a teen riding around on a Bird electric scooter while blasting "Old Town Road," and he thought about bringing the two worlds together.

With little more than YouTube tutorial videos and Garage Band, Erwin created "Sand Hill Road." Erwin said the song is written from the perspective of Silicon Valley founders, who are in debt to VCs for just a fraction of their investment capital. In one of the oft-repeated lines of his song — "can't no VC tell me nothin'" — Erwin urges founders to not give in to investor demands, and stick to their beliefs and their ideas.

Erwin said he draws inspiration from how Lil Nas X represents diversity and inclusion in the music indsuty, and hopes that some of the buzz from his parody song can do the same for Silicon Valley.

"The new artist path closely parallels that of an early stage founder, who is also on a mission to transform their vision into reality, despite the odds," Erwin wrote in a blog post for Product Hunt. "Although this project started as a writing challenge, I hope the song becomes a rally anthem for founders."

SEE ALSO: Amazon has an entire section of its site devoted to selling live animals, and offers overnight delivery to ensure they make it to you alive

Join the conversation about this story »

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

How to sign, annotate, and edit a PDF on a Mac computer using Preview

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Macbook Air

  • If you need to edit a PDF on your Mac, you can use Preview, the Mac's default photo-viewing program, to view and edit PDFs.
  • Preview has the power to do much more than fill out a form. You can add pop-up notes, arrows, shapes, and more, without installing anything extra onto your Mac.
  • Preview also has great image editing capabilities.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Adobe Acrobat is a fine editing tool (if you enjoy being pestered with constant updates). But Mac users have a built-in alternative that comes with features comparable to the free version of Acrobat.

The list of ways you can manipulate a PDF or photo (including JPEG or PNG) in Preview is long. Here is just a sampling to get you started.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

MacBook Pro (From $1,299 at Best Buy)

How to edit a PDF on your Mac using Preview

How to fill in and sign a form on Preview

This is the most basic function of a good PDF reader. In Preview, just click on the fillable sections and start typing.

You can also sign a fillable form in Preview.

1. Open the PDF in Preview.

2. Click Tools > Annotate > Signature.

Signature option in Tools menu

3. If you've already added a signature to Preview, it will appear in a pop-up box. Click your signature to add it, then drag it to the appropriate spot on the form.

4. If you don't have a signature or want to create a new one, click "Manage Signatures." A window will appear that allows you to create a signature on your trackpad, or scan one with your camera. Once you are satisfied, click "Done" and your signature is saved.

Create signature using track pad

One caveat: If you save a fillable form and send it to someone who will open it in Acrobat, Acrobat may see your entries on the form. You can get around this by printing and scanning the document or by printing to PDF.

How to annotate a PDF in Preview

There are numerous ways you can edit a PDF in Preview. Most of the editing tools are found under Tools > Annotate.

You can add text, arrows, circles, rectangles, and more. To customize these annotations, click the appropriate icon on the menu above the document.

  • Change the thickness of a line by clicking the line icon. A menu of line options will drop down.
  • To change the color of an arrow, shape, or line, click the outline icon. A color palette will pop down. Click on the color you want.
  • To change the fill of a shape, click the box icon. A color palette appears. For no fill, choose the white box with a red line across it.
  • Click the text icon to change the font, size, alignment, or style of added text. To change the text color, click the color box on the upper right side of the font box. A color palette will pop down.

Font color palette

You can annotate text that's already in the document with options such as highlight, strikethrough, and underline. Simply place your cursor on the text you want to annotate. Choose Tools > Annotate to see your options.

How to edit a photo in Preview

You can annotate a photo with the same tools you can use on a regular PDF. In addition, you can flip a photo horizontally or vertically, crop it, or adjust the size.

To change the orientation of a photo, the tools menu gives you options to rotate or flip the image. If you want to adjust the size, choose Tools > Adjust Size. Size adjustment comes in handy if your image is too large to send or add to a social media profile.

Here are the steps to crop a photo:

1. Place your cursor at one of the corners where you want to start cropping.

2. Drag your cursor until the dotted line is the size you want to crop.

Setting up cropping in photo

3. Choose Tools > Crop. This option will be grayed out until you have set the crop area.

You can undo any of these changes in Preview by choosing Edit > Undo. You also have the option to revert to an earlier version of the image or PDF. Just click File > Revert To. A box will pop out showing you previous saved versions of the document.

Revert to menu option

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 lesser-known benefits of Amazon Prime

'What is The Roku Channel?': A guide to Roku's home for free and premium TV, movies, and more

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roku channel

  • When trying to figure out what to watch on Roku, many people forget one of their best options: The Roku Channel.
  • The Roku Channel many premium TV shows, movies, and more. You can also subscribe to premium channels like HBO and Showtime through The Roku Channel and pay for them in one bill each month.
  • You can watch The Roku Channel for free (with ads) on a Roku streaming device, from your computer, mobile device, or even Apple TV.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The Roku Channel is Roku's own streaming channel dedicated to delivering free (ad-supported) TV, movies, sports, and news to anyone with a Roku account.

After a free registration, you can watch The Roku Channel on almost any device. A wide selection of on-demand and live content is available at no extra cost.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Roku 4k Streaming Stick (From $59.99 at Best Buy)

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

Watch free live news, sports, and entertainment

A small selection of live news, sports, and entertainment channels are among the free content available on The Roku Channel. News from ABC News, Newsy, and a few others stream live as it's broadcasted. Sports are streamed live on Stadium and a few other channels.



Access premium channels

The Roku Channel offers a wide range of content. You can subscribe to premium channels now too. They offer HBO, Showtime, Starz, Epix, and Cinemax subscriptions in one service. The pricing is nearly identical to competing streaming-only services and standalone subscriptions, but you pay only one bill.

The Roku Channel is free, so the premium channels alone are what you pay for, instead of a monthly access fee plus premium channel subscriptions as with other streaming providers (and traditional cable/satellite).



How The Roku Channel's premium offerings compare

Pricing for each of the most popular premium channels isn't any different when you purchase directly from the provider. Cinemax does not have a standalone subscription service available so the best way to stream is through a service such as The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu + TV.

In addition to popular movie channels, you can also subscribe to a selection of other paid channels such as Smithsonian Channel Plus, History Channel Vault, Lifetime Movie Club, and Noggin. A varied selection of family and lifestyle channels round out the premium channel subscription options.



How to watch The Roku Channel

The Roku Channel is available on many devices. One of the easiest ways to watch is from a Roku streaming device. You can add the Roku channel just as you would any other channel app.

The Roku mobile app features all Roku Channel content. You can watch from an iOS or Android device without logging into a Roku account. The Roku Channel content is featured on the home screen of the app so you can start watching as soon as you launch it.

You can also watch from a web browser on a computer or mobile device. You must be logged in to watch. You will be prompted to create an account if you don't already have one. It's free to sign up for a Roku account, even if you have never purchased a Roku device.

If you don't own a Roku streaming device or want to watch from another device, you have a few options. Since Roku is a competitor, The Roku Channel is not available as an app for Apple TV or Amazon Fire Stick. You can, however use AirPlay to cast The Roku Channel to your Apple TV. To watch on an Amazon Fire Stick, simply go to rokuchannel.roku.com on one of the device's web browsers.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:



How to use an Apple Watch to make Apple Pay purchases

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Apple Watch allows you to do many things without having to take out your iPhone (like peeking at notifications, sending quick text responses, and dismissing iPhone alarms), and using Apple Pay is one of them.

Here's how it's done.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Apple Watch Series 4 (From $429 at Best Buy)

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

First, set up Apple Pay on your Apple Watch

You can add credit, debit, and prepaid cards to Apple Watch.

1. Open the Watch app for iPhone. Go to the My Watch tab.

2. Tap "Wallet & Apple Pay."

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3. Tap Add Card, then Continue.

4. For cards that have already been added to your iPhone, you'll be prompted to enter the card's security code to add it to Apple Watch. For completely new cards, you can have the information entered via a photo by positioning your card inside a square on the screen or by entering in your card information (name, card number, expiration date, security code) manually.

Type in your card info.

5. After entering your card information, you'll be brought to a Terms and Conditions page. Review this page, then tap Agree to continue the setup process.

6. As your card is set up for Apple Pay, "Your bank or card issuer will verify your information and decide if you can use your card with Apple Pay," an Apple support page reads. "If your bank or issuer needs more information to verify your card, they'll ask you for it."

  • In the case of my Capital One card, it required a verification code that was sent to my iPhone. As I was using the iPhone that the code was sent to via text message, it was automatically entered and completed the setup process.

7. Once you've successfully added a card to your Watch, you'll see a confirmation screen and the card will appear under "Payment Cards On Your Watch."

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How to use Apple Pay on Apple Watch

Once you've added cards to your Watch, you can use Apple Pay in a variety of ways.

1. When you're ready to pay at a store that accepts Apple Pay (indicated by these symbols), press the side button twice. This will pull up your default card.

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2. Hold your Apple Watch near the contactless reader, within a few centimeters, until you feel a soft tap.

3. Apple notes that "Depending on the store and transaction amount, you might need to sign a receipt or enter your PIN."

4. To pay with a different card, swipe left or right until you reach the card you'd like to use. Hold the Watch near the contactless reader.

5. To change your default card, go to the Wallet & Apple Pay page of the Watch app for iPhone and scroll to the Transaction Defaults section. Tap Default Card, then select a new default card. You can also enter a default shipping address, email, and phone number for autofill purposes in future transactions.

How to check your transaction history

1. Open the Watch app for iPhone. Go to the My Watch tab, then tap Wallet & Apple Pay.

2. Tap on the card you'd like to see transactions for, then tap Transactions.

3. Make sure Transaction History is turned on. You'll see a list of latest transactions here.

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4. Note that the amounts you see may be initial authorization amounts, which may differ from the final transaction amount. To see final transaction amounts, check your credit or debit card statement.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatches you can buy

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The best boat cleaning supplies you can buy

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  • It takes a small arsenal of cleaning supplies to keep a boat shining. Living with (and on) boats for most of my life, learning which cleaning supplies do what best has been an endless yet highly virtuous task.
  • I've rounded up the basics of what I've found works best so you don't end up spending any more of your time aboard your boat cleaning than you have to. Ah, yes, the joys of ownership.
  • Standout products include Simple Green Marine's all-purpose cleaner (starting at $8) and Shurhold brushes for deep scrubbing jobs (starting at $11). 

Forget the initial price tag — keeping and maintaining a boat are the real costs of ownership. But then, if you're reading this, there's nothing we can do to dissuade you. It's probably already too late because you've probably already bought your ticket and consequently signed up for a relentless to-do list; one that leaves you questioning the various decisions you made leading up to this monolithic responsibility.

But breathe. We can at least help you keep it clean until what they call the second happiest day in your vessel ownership comes along (assuming the first is the day you bought it): the one upon which you sell it.

Boats can be tricky beasts to maintain, and how you do so depends heavily on the type of boat you have.

Rather than tell you how to clean every type of boat, which would be exhausting both to write and read, we'll point you to the products both we and the experts we polled swear by for each material and/or job you might face, both above and below the deck and the sea (yes, you must also clean the bottom of your boat). Still, we all know full well that somewhere between the scrubbing, scraping, and treating of your hull, the joys of ownership are real.

A note on eco-toxicity and marine cleaning and maintenance:

It's all too easy to poison the waters our boats are built to ply, and there are plenty of highly toxic cleaning agents available that do so once you've pumped them out of your bilge and into the water. We've given options for less volatile compounds with which we've had good results, but we've also recommended some pretty pernicious stuff, which is more of a last resort on impossible stains.

The best thing you can do is read the labels, use all cleaning agents sparingly, and save the particularly noxious stuff for when the boat's out of the water if and when you can. For further resource, Boat US has an excellent guide to understanding what's what with regards to "green" cleaners.

The best all-around, all-purpose boat cleaner

Simple Green Marine, available at Amazon in a 22-ounce spray bottle and by the gallon, $7.99/$15.99

A big myth in the boating world is that you need actual boat soap to clean your boat. Most soaps will do the trick — it doesn't necessarily take the most abrasive and pestilent products around. And, in many cases, even something as benign as Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap will do the trick.

All around, though, we recommend Simple Green Marine. It lathers up nicely, and because it's a degreaser, it handles just about anything you'd spill on your deck. It is, I ought to add, very good with fish blood.

Just watch out, and keep it away from your wax jobs: It's fine for the deck, but it will strip wax, according to many comments by the sage (if salty) characters on the be all end all forum for boating, The Hull Truth.

 



The best chrome cleaner

Bar Keeper's Friend, available at Amazon, two 12-ounce cans for $9.49

Some boats are decked out with chrome. It looks great, but it's just one more chore. Get behind on polishing it and it'll start to oxidize.

Bar Keeper's Friend is a great all-around boat cleaner (the group at The Hull Truth agrees), and it'll really get stains out of any metal fittings or structures — but because it's bleach-free, it won't harm them. It's also really cheap.

To use it elsewhere on your boat, work it into a lather within a rag so that it's not as abrasive, especially on high-gloss areas. Your decks, and nonskid areas are all fair game, and it will strip fish blood nicely, too.

 



The best water-stain remover

Marykate's On & Off, available at Amazon, 32-ounce bottle for $12.47

If you keep your boat in the water for the season, or year round, you'll notice some ugly brown stains along the waterline. You'll also notice that a simple scrub brush and soap combo just won't cut it.

On & Off will remove any waterline stains and exhaust stains, as well as stains left from barnacles and algae, and leave your hull looking absolutely cherry.

It's just recommended, and probably required in some places, that you don't treat your boat with this stuff in the water. It's highly volatile, and you don't want to kill all the poor little critters clinging to and dwelling around your dock or mooring slip. 

I use this stuff in the beginning of the season, before I paint the bottom and dunk the boat in the water. That way, you can clean down to your bottom paint line and paint over what paint it strips along the edge. Wash your hull first, then wipe it dry, and then wipe on the On & Off with a rag (and gloves — be sure to use gloves). Let it sit for a few minutes, remove with another rag, and rinse and repeat as needed.



The best scrub brushes

Shurhold Brushes, available at Amazon, starting at $11.41

A scrub brush is an important piece of equipment. Unless you have a very small boat, like me, in which you can get away with a small hand sponge, it's worth investing in a high-grade brush. Shurhold, across the bar, is the favorite among yachties. The bristles are tough, the heads are interchangeable (there's a whole quiver to choose from), and the handles are sturdy chrome that will last years and years.

In short: Don't waste your time with cheap handles. This is the brush you'll see on professional boats everywhere, and there's a reason. It's also not a huge investment in the first place, so this one's a no-brainer, and, more importantly, it will make all of your boat cleaning go a lot quicker and smoother.



The best boat wash and wax

Thetford RV Wash and Wax, available at Amazon, one gallon for $19.72

Okay, so wax isn't exactly a cleansing agent, but it lays the foundation for a clean, happy boat.

Thetford RV Wash and Wax isn't exactly wax, either. It's the two-in-one shampoo and conditioner of boat hygiene and maintenance. It doesn't give a full wax treatment, but it does create a thin, anti-static sheen that also repels water. That's a good thing, especially where your gel coat is concerned.

It's also, according to Boat US's research, the most effective, biodegradable, and least toxic boat wash there is.

I still like my Simple Green, and I wouldn't want that waxiness on my decks for fear of slipping and sliding.

Wash the high-gloss parts of your vessel with Thetford, and you'll be pleased. Also, like many of the cleaning agents on our list (though unlike just about everything else in the marine world) it's pretty darn cheap.



The best cloths, sponges, and applicators for cleaning and waxing

Better Boat, available at Amazon, starting at $11.99

You don't want to cheap out so much on rags, sponges, or applicators. They'll fall apart, or they'll leave marks or trails of microfibers that will get everywhere. Just the same, you probably don't really want to splurge, either. You are, after all, going to throw these away in time.

Better Boat hits the sweet spot in price for me, and I find that their microfiber cloths last a long time and don't shed.

The brand also has kits on offer, so if you've got a big boat that requires cleaning in several stages (with several materials), you can economize pretty well, like with this sponge, cloth, and bucket kit for only about $14.



The best mildew cleaner

Heinz Cleaning Vinegar, available at Amazon, one gallon for $13.47

If your boat has a cabin, you'll spend a wealth of time keeping mildew and mold at bay. Don't think you need anything all that special, though. While living on a sloop in Fiji, we were constantly wiping down the cabin liners and spraying the cushions and covers with a magical, if age-old cleaning agent: vinegar.

Yes, a bottle of cleaning (or even white) vinegar can be your best friend in your boat's cabin, and if the smell gets you, just add a little lemon oil for good measure.

This is an easy if tedious job. Just put the vinegar in a spray bottle (along with your lemon oil, if you so choose), hit any vinyl, fabric, and anything liable to collect mildew, and let it sit for a few minutes. Come back along with a paper towel or a rag, and, using some elbow grease, wipe it down. Done-zo. Well, it's easier said than done, but you and your guests (save for unsavory primordial biological lifeforms) will be glad for it.



Some more of our favorite boat cleaner brands

3M, available at Amazon

  • For waxes, adhesives, and cleaners

Davis Instruments, available at Amazon

  • For fiberglass stain remover, bathroom fixtures and treatments, and general cleaning accessories

Star Brite, available at Amazon

  • For general boat soaps and waxes

Simple Green, available at Amazon

  • For less toxic boat soaps

Soft Scrub, available at Amazon

  • For more abrasive cleaners for stains and algae


Legacy bra company Wacoal has acquired young lingerie startup Lively — after testing the newcomer's bras, we're not surprised

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  • Legacy women's lingerie brand Wacoal has acquired relative newcomer and online startup Lively for $85 million. 
  • 34-year-old company Wacoal serves an older and more affluent customer base than the four-year-old Lively, but it has much to gain in e-commerce strategy and a new millennial market by taking Lively under its wings. 
  • On the flip side, Lively should be able to take advantage of Wacoal's manufacturing and distribution channel resources to expand its size-inclusive offerings and scale more rapidly.  

Lively, a digitally native lingerie and swimwear startup founded in 2015, has been acquired by Wacoal, a 34-year-old Japanese intimates brand, for $85 million. 

The acquisition makes a lot of sense, giving each brand the chance to share strategic resources and learn from the other's success.

Lively founder Michelle Cordeiro Grant is a former Victoria's Secret director who wanted to shake up the industry with affordable, high-quality lingerie and a message of empowerment. Lively sells bras for just $35 each and underwear for $10 each. It also makes swimsuits, fragrances, and other small accessories.

You can primarily find it online at its own site and Nordstrom, though it does have two "experience stores" that bring the online shopping experience to life. 

Read more: The best bras you can buy

Wacoal was founded in 1949 and launched in the US in 1985. Its bras are available online and offline at many major retailers and department stores, including Amazon, Macy's, Nordstrom, and Walmart. The average price of its products hover around $50 and its customer base skews towards an older demographic. 

lively wacoal bras 10

Despite these significant differences in history, availability, price, and customer, both companies align on three major product priorities: quality, fit, and comfort.

Lively and Wacoal pride themselves on making bras that can make women look and feel confident every day. Rather than sell a fantasy, they sell the concept of being comfortable in your own skin. 

One of Wacoal's most popular bras is the Full Figure Underwire Bra, a supportive, full-coverage bra with hidden side slings and underwire. It's available in cup sizes up to 44I. In terms of size inclusivity, Wacoal has the leg up (Lively currently only makes bras up to sizes DD and DDD). The ability to tap into Wacoal's expertise and manufacturing resources could help speed up Lively's ongoing plans to make its offerings more inclusive. 

While Lively benefits from this veteran perspective, Wacoal can now access the large and highly coveted millennial women market. Lively's specialty in e-commerce and digital marketing strategies can boost the reputation and reach of a classic but sleepy brand like Wacoal. 

If you haven't heard about Lively before, check out some of the best bras from the newcomer below. It could soon become as familiar a name as Wacoal. 

Shop Lively bras here: Lively | Nordstrom

Shop Wacoal bras here: AmazonMacy's | Nordstrom | Walmart

Here are the best bras to shop from Lively:

The No-Wire Strapless

$35, available at Lively and Nordstrom

Lively's strapless bra is one of the best we've tried. It actually stays on your chest, and even with the four hook closures, a non-slip strip, and side wiring, it remains surprisingly comfortable. Read our review here.

 



The All-Day T-Shirt Bra

$35, available at Lively

A simple, all-day T-shirt bra is a staple you'll never regret buying. Lively's features a soft modal fabric and sleek mesh detailing. You can also convert it to a racer-back. 



The Straight-Up Bralette

$35, available at Lively and Nordstrom

I wear this sheer, bright red bralette often on the weekends. Since it has an elastic band, adjustable straps, and a back closure, I still get some support while staying casual. 



The All-Day Deep V No-Wire

$35, available at Lively and Nordstrom

Wear low-cut shirts with confidence. The bra's lightly lined and has convenient, front-adjusting straps. 



The Long-Lined Lace Bralette

$35, available at Lively and Nordstrom

Light, lacy, and pretty — the perfect combination for a warm spring or summer day. Despite its intricate lace detailing, it's never itchy or uncomfortable. 



The Palm Lace Busty Bralette

$35, available at Lively and Nordstrom

This bralette is specially designed for cup sizes DD and DDD, with a wide bottom band and lined cups. 



The Mesh Trim Bralette - Print

$35, available at Lively and Nordstrom

Have enough of the essentials? Opt for a fun and cute print like these tropical- and geometric-inspired styles. 

 



The Mesh Trim No-Wire

$35, available at Lively and Nordstrom

The easy-wear bra has all the support of an underwire bra, with none of the wire. Available in neutral colors, it'll be your go-to to wear under white and sheer shirts. 



How to use Uber credits to pay for rides in the Uber app or food delivery with Uber Eats

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  • You can use Uber credits — also known as Uber Cash — for rides in the Uber app or ordering food through Uber Eats.  
  • You can get Uber credits as a gift, earn them through referrals, or receive them directly from the company, either as a bonus or as compensation for an issue.
  • Uber credits do not expire and cannot be transferred to another user. They also can't be used for certain orders, such as payments made from most family or business accounts.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Provided all you want to do is eat food and ride around town, Uber credits are as good as cash. 

Whether earned through referrals, bought yourself to save a bit of money, given as a gift, or received from Uber as compensation for an issue, Uber credits are easy to use and can be used for rides – where they are listed as Uber Cash – or for Uber Eats orders.

Uber credits can't be transferred and can't be used by family or business Uber profiles, but they never expire, so you can always use them, even if you're an infrequent user of the platform.

How to use Uber credits for rides and food 

To use your Uber Cash for a ride, simply start the process of ordering a ride by clicking on a previous destination or tying an address into the "Where to?" search bar.

Below the car selection choices, you should see the Uber logo and the words "Uber Cash" displayed along with your balance.

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If instead you see, for example, PayPal, click on the payment option and switch to Uber Cash, which you should always use first, as it can't be used elsewhere.

To use Uber credits for Uber Eats, just place your order and during the checkout process, make sure the button beside Uber credits is toggled to the left and showing up green.

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How to get Uber credits

The easiest way to get Uber credits is to buy it yourself by using the "Add funds" button under the app's payment section. You pay $24.50 for $25 worth of Uber Cash, $48.50 for $50 worth, and $95 for $100 worth, so there are legitimate savings.

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You can also be gifted Uber Cash, receive it from the company as a refund or compensation for an issue, or earn credits through Uber Eats referrals.

How to earn credits through Uber Eats referrals

Launch the Uber Eats section of the app, then tap the profile icon at the top right. A window will pop up with your personal referral code.

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Share that code far and wide via email, social, text, and more, because whenever someone inputs it during their first Uber Eats order, you score some credits.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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Amazon is advertising a $16 'Thinking Egg' that is supposed to 'bring ease and mindfulness,' but it's just a metal pebble

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orijin design company

  • A $16 "Thinking Egg" was advertised on Amazon as a solution to stress and anxiety. 
  • The egg was shown at the top of the website's Unique Finds page next to a blurb that says the brass object serves as "a useful reminder to help bring ease and mindfulness to the present moment."
  • A video accompanying the egg shows an overworked man being seemingly relaxed by holding the egg.
  • This is the latest product in the massive industry aimed at serving customers with products said to increase mindfulness and improve mental health, with questionable results. 
  • Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.

Mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and burnout are seemingly seen more frequently as working hours across society increase.

Now, an entire industry has sprung up purporting to solve these issues through various means. The latest, as advertised on Amazon's Unique Finds page, is a $16 brass "Thinking Egg."

The egg, which is made by Vancouver-based design firm Orijin Design Company, was advertised next to a blurb that said it is "ergonomically designed as a useful reminder to help bring ease and mindfulness to the present moment."

From the pictures and video that accompany the egg's posting, its only advertised function is to be held or set nearby a user, but a description on the product page says that it "serves as a great productivity tool that discreetly and elegantly keeps restless hands busy all while being extremely portable."

Orijin founder Oscar Bonilla displayed the egg's supposed powers in a video showing him overwhelmed with daily tasks.  He said the egg is meant to "remind me to just slow down: to wake up, to actually be present and aware of what I was doing."

 

Four of the egg's five reviews at the time of this article were positive and said the egg feels high-quality, and one user said she even purchased more after getting one as a gift. However, one review reads that the only thing the egg reminded the buyer "of is that I spent $16 on a @#@$@ metal pebble."

The Orijin Design Company did not immediately reply to INSIDER's request for comment.

The description of the brass egg says its power comes from its material, as brass "has been said to have healing properties to boost the immune system while also increasing melatonin (sleep and wakefulness)."

In addition to brass, the company's website has eggs available in different materials that it writes will serve different types of relief to its holder.

"Lava Stone," that serves to "strengthen, stabilize, and dissipate anger," "Howlite," which is supposed to "alleviate anxiety and stress while also promoting strength and self-discipline," and "Pine Wood," which "has been used medicinally for thousands of years... [and] helps with emotional stability and concentration."

The egg has apparently come a long way since it was first advertised by the company on Kickstarter, where it raised over $140,000 from more than 4,400 backers.

The egg's place at the top of Amazon's finds page seems appropriate amid a swell of mindfulness and well-being products, including hit meditation apps Calm and Headspace, which have both been valued at around $250 million, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Read more: 13 things that aren't helping your mental health as much as you think

The industry, while massively successful, isn't without its fair share of criticism. Therapist Jeremy Safran told the Guardian that the business of mindfulness poses harm to the very issues it promises to solve.

"It's the marketing of mindfulness practice as a commodity that is sold like any other commodity in our brand culture, a brand that promises to deliver,"Safran told the Guardian. "McMindfulness is the marketing of a constructed dream; an idealized lifestyle; an identity makeover."

SEE ALSO: These 5 key markets could help Amazon's international retail business explode

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How to edit an Instagram post to change the caption, tag people, add a location, or edit the 'alt text'

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instagram app

One of the most frustrating parts of many social media apps is the fact that you can't edit something once you've posted it. 

But when it comes to Instagram, even those of us who always seem to fall victim to auto-correct errors are in luck. The platform allows users to edit posts quickly and easily.

For example, you can change things like the caption or the alt text that accompanies a photo or video posted to the platform. 

Instagram uses object recognition technology to create automatic alt text, which is meant to aid those who are visually impaired. But those auto-descriptions aren't always as helpful as they could be for those individuals, so editing your alt text could go a long way in making your profile more inclusive and accessible.

If you have an Instagram post that could use an edit or two, here's what you'll need to do, whether you're using Instagram on an iPhone or Android:

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999 at Best Buy)

Google Pixel 3 (From $399.99 at Best Buy)

How to edit an Instagram post

Editing posts you've already added to your profile is a simple process. 

1. Open Instagram and toggle over to your profile (located in the bottom toolbar).

2. Select the post you want to edit.

3. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the post and select "Edit."

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4. Edit the caption as you see fit — from this screen, you can also tag people (by tapping the icon at the bottom-left corner of the photo or video), edit the alt text (by tapping the bottom-right "Aa" icon), and add a location marker (by tapping "Add Location" at the top of the post).

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5. Tap the checkmark in the top-right corner of the screen to save the changes you've made to the post.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone accessories from cases to lightning cables

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

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