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11 'Shark Tank' cleaning products that are actually useful

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shark tank cleaning products 10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 



A thorough detail brush that doesn't make a mess

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

Read our review of the Brush Hero here

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



The original 'Shark Tank' wunderkind

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

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



An ergonomic broom

WISPsystem One-Handed Broom, $29.95, available at Amazon

Sweeping is a pain, especially when you realize traditional broom and dustpans don't even catch all the dirt and debris on the floor. This special broom has electrostatic bristles to collect all types of debris, and uses a push-and-pull motion to scrape it into a foot-operated dustpan. You only need to use one hand to operate it, plus you never have to bend or stoop over.



Reusable bamboo paper towels

Bambooee Bamboo Paper Towel Roll, $9.99, available at Amazon

These durable, absorbent towels are an eco-friendly paper towel alternative made of organic bamboo. Each sheet looks and feels like a regular paper towel, but can be washed up to 100 times. Each roll of 30 Bambooee sheets is equivalent to 429 paper towel rolls.



A more effective splatter guard

Frywall Medium Splatter Guard, $21.95, available at Amazon

Read our review of the Frywall here

While traditional splatter screens cover the pan, making it difficult to check on your food and resulting in condensation, the funnel-like Frywall surrounds the perimeter of the pan. The BPA-free silicone accessory still protects from oil splatters, while allowing you to continue cooking.



A natural detergent that's better for the planet

Eco Nuts Organic Laundry Detergent, $15.13, available at Amazon

These biodegradable, USDA-certified organic soap berries are quite a change from the liquid detergent or pods you're used to. In addition to being non-toxic and sustainable, they're also multi-taskers, acting as stain removers and fabric softeners. If you have sensitive skin that's often affected by the chemicals in traditional detergent or you want to make your home more green, try Eco Nuts. 



Tablets to clean the inside of your water bottle

Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets (12-count), $8, available at Amazon

We're big advocates of using reusable water bottles and thermoses, but we have to admit they're not always easy to clean. To clean out your bottle properly — that means all the gunk hiding in the nooks and crannies, not to mention odor buildup — fill it with warm water and drop in one Bottle Bright tablet. After 15-30 minutes, the tablet dissolves and wipes out stains, germs, and residue so your bottle is squeaky clean again. 



Natural household cleaners

Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner (2-Pack), $11.76, available at Amazon

For a "Better Life" free of warning labels and harmful chemicals, shop this natural cleaning brand. Its products are so safe that you can spray them in your mouth — which is exactly what the cofounder did during his pitch. They're free from dyes, alcohol, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and petroleum-based cleaning agents. 



A device that sanitizes your phone

PhoneSoap 3.0 UV Sanitizer and Universal Phone Charger, $79.95, available at Amazon

Read our review of the PhoneSoap here

In just 10 minutes, PhoneSoap kills 99.9% of the bacteria lurking on the device you bring with you everywhere. Its UV-C light technology breaks down this bacteria and reaches every inch of your phone, plus it includes a charger so you can clean and charge at the same time. The newest model, the PhoneSoap 3.0 actually lets you charge two devices at the same time. 



A broom that can both sweep and scrape

SweepEasy Broom, $28.87, available at Amazon

Another sweeping product from the show is the SweepEasy, a broom with a retractable scraping tool. You can scrape off stuck-on debris, food, and other sticky substances from the ground without bending down, then sweep it away, all with the same tool. It's safe for all hard floor surfaces. 




How to contact your Uber driver before they pick you up, or contact Uber afterward to report an issue

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Uber in-app messaging

  • The Uber app makes it easy to contact your Uber driver once you've been paired up and are waiting for your ride.
  • You can send a text message to your driver within the Uber app prior to your pick-up, or call them by phone, also through the app.
  • Uber also offers several ways for you to connect with the company after a ride, if you have issues about a specific trip that is already completed — for example, if you're trying to request a refund.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

So you're standing on the wrong side of the street when your Uber pulls up, but the driver doesn't see you. Just tap a few icons in the Uber app and give them a call.

Contacting your Uber driver is remarkably easy whether you're using the app on an iPhone or Android.

Once you've been paired with a ride and are waiting for the vehicle to show up, decide whether you would prefer to send a text message, or call the driver directly, which is often the best choice when you need to talk to them quickly.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

Google Pixel 3 (From $399.99 at Best Buy)

How to contact your Uber driver before they pick you up

To send a written message, type it into the bar reading, "Any pickup notes?"

If you want to call your driver, just tap the phone icon at the bottom left corner of the screen, and then confirm you want to place the call.

IMG_5050

If you need to get back in touch with an Uber driver after a trip has been completed — maybe you left your bag in the car, for example — Uber puts up a few walls between you and the driver. But you can easily pass those to hopefully rectify any issue, either directly with the driver or through Uber itself.

How to contact Uber after a ride to report an issue

1. Open the app and tap the three parallel lines in the top-left corner.

2. Tap "Your Trips," then make sure the menu is set to "Past."

3. Scroll down to find the trip in question and tap on it.

4. Scroll down and select the topic that best mirrors your issue, like "I lost an item."

IMG_5049.PNG

From there, you will have an array of options, which in some cases will include direct contact with the driver. In other cases, Uber will ask you to submit info to them directly.

You submit your phone number, and then it's on the driver to contact you. Note that there is a $15 fee for having a driver return an item to you. 

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: Why Apple's Mac Pro 'trash can' was a colossal failure

A new prescription drug made from CBD has been groundbreaking for kids with epilepsy. We talked to their parents about the good, the bad and the ugly of what it's been like to take it.

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Epidiolex Aubrie and April Krowel

  • A new drug that's made from a component of cannabis called CBD became available in the US last year to treat rare forms of childhood epilepsy. That makes it the first cannabis-derived CBD drug in the US.
  • Business Insider spoke with the parents of four kids who have taken the drug about what it's been like.
  • For most of their kids, the treatment has helped to some degree, but they also recounted sometimes-severe side effects and delays getting the medication.
  • The hype around marijuana and CBD raised hopes for many that it would be a miracle cure, they and doctors who prescribe Epidiolex say. Read more of our cannabis coverage here. 
  • This is a preview of the full story, which is available exclusively to BI Prime subscribers. Click here to read the full article.

Aubrie Krowel, who's now four, had her first seizure at eight months old. They worsened as she got older, sometimes lasting as long as an hour or two.

These frequent and extended seizures are characteristic of the rare type of childhood epilepsy that Krowel lives with.

Medications helped for a time, but they didn't fully stop the seizures. Aubrie's parents always knew that they would eventually try out a component of cannabis called cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment. 

CBD, a marijuana component that doesn't cause the drug's signature high, has become all the rage of late in consumer products like chocolate and gummies, but it's also thought to have big potential as a medication. It has long loomed large in the small world of childhood epilepsy, where CBD oils have had remarkable effects for some kids. Broad use has been limited, though, by federal law and other concerns. 

Read more: A groundbreaking drug made from cannabis has brought hope for kids with rare seizure disorders. We talked to parents, doctors, and the company's CEO to find out if it lives up the hype.

So many patients, including Aubrie Krowel, tried CBD for the first time only after a new drug got approved by the US Food and Drug Administration a year ago for two rare childhood seizure disorders: Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. The drug, Epidiolex, costs $32,500 a year on average and is the first marijuana-derived, CBD drug in the US.

Epidiolex is groundbreaking in many ways, and has already proven lucrative for UK-based drugmaker GW Pharmaceuticals. 

Read more:We're at the start of a new era for marijuana-based medicine, according to the CEO behind the first prescription CBD drug

Epidiolex is a good new option for some patients, doctors say. Yet the hype around the medical potential of marijuana and CBD has overshadowed the reality that, like any other drug, Epidiolex can have serious side effects and doesn't work for everybody or as well as hoped, they and parents of kids who have tried or are taking Epidiolex say. Epidiolex Aubrie Krowel

When Aubrie Krowel first started taking Epidiolex, she experienced severe side effects like diarrhea and stomach pain, to the point where "she would hold her stomach and scream out," mom April Krowel said. Those went away after two weeks, and April Krowel says Epidiolex is helping Aubrie, though she hasn't seen a big change in the seizures.

"The way that other CBD products have been either advertised or spoken about from other people, I think that's given a false sense of hope, and that sense that it is going to be a cure-all," April Krowel, a neuro-psychologist in Indiana, told Business Insider. "And it's just not." 

This is a preview of Business Insider's full story on Epidiolex, which is available exclusively to BI Prime subscribers here.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This summer may be hotter than you expect. Here's how hot it will get in every state.

Here's everything you need to know about CBD, the cannabis compound that's in everything from coffee to ice cream and could soon be a $16 billion business

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By Chloe CBD CREDIT Leslie Kirchhoff2

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is popping up everywhere, from creams to coffee to prescriptions. CBD is one of the key compounds in cannabis plants, though it doesn't cause marijuana's characteristic high. It's being touted as a treatment for all kinds of ailments, but the evidence for some uses is thin.

Meanwhile, CBD is already a $1 billion industry, and some on Wall Street think it could reach $16 billion, aided in part by a recent change in US law that made some CBD legal. 

The CBD boom on Wall Street

Food, Science, and Medicine:

Startups, venture capital and private equity

Lists

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Animated map shows where American accents came from

15 books billionaire Ray Dalio says you should read to understand today's world — and have a fulfilling life

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Ray Dalio

Billionaire investor Ray Dalio is known for his principles on everything from power dynamics to running an office with radical transparency. He even published a best-selling book titled "Principles: Life and Work" that elaborates on what he's learned in the 40-plus years of his career.

However, Dalio draws inspiration from more than just his own ruminations. He's fond of reading, and scouring through interviews and even the pages of "Principles" yields a number of book recommendations from Dalio himself.

Whether you're a college student trying to figure out your next steps or an experienced investor looking for a career boost, you're sure to glean meaning from the following 15 book recommendations from Ray Dalio.

SEE ALSO: How Ray Dalio's unique understanding of power can be used in everything from group decisions to trade wars

“The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers” by Paul Kennedy

In a July 2019 interview with Business Insider, Dalio called this book the best thing he'd read in the past year. The book tracks the arc of world powers since 1500. Dalio is of the opinion that the US is in a position of decline while China is on the rise. He found this book the most interesting out of the many he read to understand where we are in history.

"That dynamic has happened many, many times in history," he said, "and understanding that well, I think is very important."

Find it here »



“The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell

Campbell melds psychology with mythology in this book that outlines the phases of a hero's journey. 

Dalio's son Paul gave him this book in 2014, and he immediately identified with it. He used Campbell's roadmap of a hero's journey to understand where he is along that path, and what he should do next. 

Dalio even writes in "Principles" that he gave this book to China's vice president Wang Qishan "because he is a classic hero."

Find it here »



"The Lessons of History” by Will and Ariel Durant

This is another book that Dalio gave Qishan, and he describes it in "Principles" as "a 104-page distillation of the major forces through history." The book was published in 1968 by a Pulitzer Prize-winning husband-and-wife duo that studied thousands of years of Western history.

This work tracks the cycles of history, and Dalio writes that it shows "how the same things happened over and over again throughout history."

Find it here »



“An Unquiet Mind” by Kay Redfield Jamison

Dalio's son Paul struggled to manage his bipolar disorder for three years, and the worried father soon realized that it was due to no fault of Paul's: it was simply the way his brain chemistry worked. Dalio's personal experience taught him that many mental differences are physiological.

"The experience not only taught me a lot about how brains work but why creative genius often exists at the edge of insanity," Dalio writes in "Principles." He then lists creative, productive people who have bipolar disorder, including Kay Jamison, the author of this book. 

Jamison "has written frankly about her own experiences with the disease in her book 'An Unquiet Mind,'" Dalio writes.

Find it here »



“River Out of Eden” by Richard Dawkins

Dalio gave Qishan this book as well. It describes how evolution works, and as Dalio told Tim Ferriss on an episode of Ferriss' podcast, he thinks evolution is "the greatest force in the universe."

"I think the purpose of everything is to evolve," he said. "I think individuals are just vessels for our DNA evolving."

Find it here »



“Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World” by Adam Grant

Adam Grant of the Wharton School has written extensively about Bridgewater, and the unique way Dalio runs it. Dalio writes that this was necessary because the way he operated "was so unusual." Grant was one of a number of behavioral psychologists who came to Bridgewater to evaluate their operational style.

Dalio urges people to read their evaluations, which he describes as "overwhelmingly favorable."

Find it here »



“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman

This New York Times best-seller was written by a Nobel Prize winner in economics, and is helpful in understanding the way people think. Kahneman draws upon psychological research to show when we can and can't trust intuition, and how we can make the best choices professionally and personally.

The book won the National Academy of Sciences Best Book Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. 

Find it here »



“Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World” by the Dalai Lama

Dalio had a conversation with the Dalai Lama in which they discussed the overlap between spirituality and religion. 

"His view was that prayer and meditation seemed to have similar effects on the brain in producing feelings of spirituality (the rising above oneself to feel a greater connection to the whole)," Dalio writes, "but that each religion adds its own different superstitions on top of that common feeling of spirituality."

Find it here »



“Welcome to Your Brain: Why You Lose Your Car Keys but Never Forget How to Drive and Other Puzzles of Everyday Life” by Sam Wang and Sandra Aamodt

This is the first book listed in Dalio's bibliography in "Principles" and in it, neurologists Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang outline the truth about our minds. They address common questions we've probably all thought of, like "can a head injury make us forget our own names?" and dispel myths, like the idea that we only use 10% of our brains.

Find it here »



“Einstein's Mistakes: The Human Failings of Genius” by Hans C. Ohanian

Dalio read this book in 2011, and it offers an analysis of Albert Einstein's failures. 

The pitfall with genius, according to Ohanian, is that people gifted with it naturally have a more difficult time believing or accepting that they're wrong. They become blind to their mistakes, and if they are stubborn, cling to a mistake forever without correcting it.

Find it here »



“Leadership the Outward Bound Way: Becoming a Better Leader in the Workplace, in the Wilderness, and in Your Community”

Dalio practiced different leadership strategies before choosing "radical transparency" for Bridgewater. This book communicates the leadership principles at Outward Bound USA to a larger audience through real-life events, case studies, and key principles current or future leaders can take away. 

Find it here »



“My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey” by Jill Taylor

This New York Times best-seller was within the bibliography of "Principles" and with good reason: it describes how a brain scientist's stroke led to enlightenment. It took the author eight years to fully recover, but she considers the stroke a blessing. 

Find it here »



“The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds” by Michael Lewis

Lewis delves into the partnership between Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, who were pioneers in the field of behavioral economics.

The friendship between Kahneman and Tversky revolutionized science, and Lewis explores it in this 369-page volume.

Find it here »



“Why We Believe in God(s): A Concise Guide to the Science of Faith” by J. Anderson Thomson

This is another book referred to in Dalio's "Principles," and it aligns with his exploration of belief and its link to physiology. Dr. Thomson investigates belief as a natural effect of human physiology and presents the idea that god(s) were created by man.

Find it here »



“The Upside of Inequality: How Good Intentions Undermine the Middle Class” by Edward Conard

Dalio has voiced his concern about the state of America, and said that inequality is an urgent problem. According to Dalio, inequality should be treated as a "national emergency," and this book explores the nuances of inequality as it relates to the middle class.

Find it here »



This cooling mattress protector is a game-changer for those who sleep hot or experience night sweats — here's how it improved my overall sleep

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Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress

  • If you sleep hot or experience night sweats, a cooling mattress protector can help regulate your temperature and improve your overall sleep.
  • Brooklyn Bedding just launched their Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector ($99 for a Twin to $149 for a King or California King) and it's one of the best things that has ever happened to my sleep!
  • It is made out of a smooth top knit material that is sweat-wicking, waterproof, and hypoallergenic. It also fits your bed like a fitted sheet.

For most of my adult life, I have put little thought into mattress protectors. I always considered them to be one of those things that you need — you know, asprotection from bacteria and debris — but really not something you need to invest a whole lot of money in. I would stroll into Target or HomeGoods, and basically pick one out with my eyes closed.

However, things changed as I got older. For one, my mattresses got more expensive. When you are sleeping on a mattress that is worth a couple thousand dollars, you want to keep it protected — especially when you have young children and pets who always seem to end up in your bed.

Another factor is that my husband and I both seem to overheat during the night. So while it is crucial that we have a waterproof mattress cover on our bed if we want to keep it in tip-top shape, most vinyl covers can add to that heat and sweatiness, which is so not fun. I mean, who wants to change their sheets almost every single night due to serious night sweats? Not me.

Well, according to John Merwin, owner and chief executive officer of Brooklyn Bedding, a good mattress protector can be a game-changer.

"A mattress purchase can be a significant investment. Mattress protectors promote greater longevity of your investment and ensure a cleaner, more hygienic night's sleep," he says. "Because they actually serve as a barrier — coming between the sleeper and the sleep surface — some styles can impact the overall breathability of the bed."

Makes sense, right?

So I decided to try Brooklyn Bedding's Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector. I was skeptical about the company's claims of it providing "luxurious cooling and protection for ultimate comfort." How luxurious can a mattress pad be, after all? Could a good mattress pad really up my sleep game?

According to Merwin, the company developed the Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector to "definitively maintain the benefits of advanced cooling technology found in higher-end beds, and even help enhance the breathability of a standard mattress."

The company decided to treat the Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector as a companion to their newly launched Luxury Cooling Pillow. It features the same premium smooth top knit used in the elite Brooklyn Aurora— their most popular mattress. The result is a silky-smooth fabric that delivers cooling on contact while elevating the overall sleep experience and protecting the life of the mattress.

The cover is made out of highly conductive materials, designed to draw heat out and away from the body. It is both hypoallergenic and waterproof and protects against bacteria, bed bugs, and dust mites in addition to all types of fluids and liquids. It covers the mattress snugly, like a fitted sheet, and can be easily removed for frequent laundering. This also helps promote a healthier sleep environment.

Brooklyn Bedding Mattress Topper

My review of the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector

My husband and I had been sleeping on the All New Purple Mattress for a few nights, sans mattress protector, when I received my Brooklyn Bedding protector in the mail. Though we loved our All New Purple Mattress, my husband complained incessantly that its "smart comfort grid" made it feel like we were sleeping on an egg crate. I slipped the mattress protector on it, and as promised, it fit like a glove — no wrinkles, no bunching up, no awkwardly fitting corners. Next, I placed my sheets on top and rolled around a little. No more egg crate!

As I mentioned before, my husband and I both tend to sleep hot. There have been nights that I have woken up repeatedly soaking wet for reasons that remain unexplained. But really, can a mattress protector actually prevent this from happening? Apparently so. I have been sleeping on it for several weeks now, and while I might heat up a little during the night, I have yet to get to the point of overheating.

As for the protector's waterproof claims, I can also attest to that. One evening my toddler had a little accident while she was sleeping in our bed. I tore off the sheets and mattress protector in fear that our new mattress was ruined, but to my relief, it was perfectly dry!

I tossed it in the wash, laundered it in warm water with no bleach added, and then threw it in the dryer on low. It came out just as perfect as before!

The bottom line

I will never, I repeat NEVER, again sleep with a regular, old cheap mattress protector on my bed. I admit, I was a total skeptic about investing money in a mattress proteor before I tried out Brooklyn Bedding's Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector, but it has made me a total convert.

I can honestly say that this protector has not only kept my mattress from being soaked with urine, but also made my sleeping experience so much cooler and blissful.

Invest in your sleep and do yourself a favor: Try this bad boy out! However, if you are still looking for other options, check out the Insider Picksbuying guide for the best mattress protectors.

Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector, Starting at $99

Join the conversation about this story »

How much a night out will cost you in 50 of the most fun cities in the world

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how much it costs to go out

If you think your bank account looks a little sad after a night out, you're not alone.

The average event-goer spends $81 on a night out and goes out two nights a week, according to an Eventbrite report. That's $162 a week — more than the weekly median spending on food for American families.

Yet, how much it costs to go out depends on where you decide to hit the dance floor. That $81 can hike up quickly if you're in a notoriously expensive and popular party destination like Ibiza, Spain, but may become more wallet-friendly if you're in a city with a lower cost of living, like São Paulo, Brazil.

HomeToGo released a report on the best cities for nightlife around the world. After narrowing down 50 cities based on the number of venues, the number of events listed, and the quality of events based on online ratings, it contacted the five top-rated clubs in each city to find out each club's cover charge and drink prices.

Based on that data, HomeToGo calculated each city's average for the cover charge on a Saturday night, price of a 12-ounce domestically produced beer, price of one regular gin and tonic, and price of a one-ounce shot of vodka.

Turns out, Warsaw, Poland, is the most affordable city in Europe to go out, Perth is the most affordable Australian city to party, and Calgary, Canada, has the most affordable nightlife in the Americas.

Scroll through below to find how much it costs to go out in the cities with the best nightlife, ranked from most expensive to most affordable. All data is from 2018, the most recent year in which it was available.

SEE ALSO: Lisbon is the hottest travel destination for millennials in 2019. We asked 20-somethings for their best travel tips — from fairy-tale castles to buzzing nightlife, here's what they said.

DON'T MISS: Seltzer is officially 'the drink of the summer.' Anyone who's surprised hasn't been paying attention to what millennials like.

50. Ibiza, Spain

Total cost: $105.79

Cover charge: $61.52

Cost of beer: $14.76

Drink cost: $19.69

Cost of one shot: $9.82

 



49. Las Vegas, US

Total cost: $75

Cover charge: $45

Cost of beer: $8

Drink cost: $12

Cost of one shot: $10

 



48. New York City, US

Total cost: $61

Cover charge: $25

Cost of beer: $9

Drink cost: $15

Cost of one shot: $12

 



47. Zurich, Switzerland

Total cost: $59.07

Cover charge: $25.91

Cost of beer: $8.29

Drink cost: $16.58

Cost of one shot: $8.29

 



46. Miami, US

Total cost: $57.50

Cover charge: $20.50

Cost of beer: $10

Drink cost: $15

Cost of one shot: $12

 



45. Chicago, US

Total cost: $55

Cover charge: $27

Cost of beer: $7.50

Drink cost: $12.50

Cost of one shot: $8

 



44. Stockholm, Sweden

Total cost: $54.57

Cover charge: $26.10

Cost of beer: $7.12

Drink cost: $16.61

Cost of one shot: $4.75

 



43. Los Angeles, US

Total cost: $54.50

Cover charge: $23.00

Cost of beer: $7.50

Drink cost: $14

Cost of one shot: $10

 



42. San Francisco, US

Total cost: $50

Cover charge: $24

Cost of beer: $8

Drink cost: $10

Cost of one shot: $8

 



41. San Diego, US

Total cost: $47

Cover charge: $18

Cost of beer: $7

Drink cost: $12

Cost of one shot: $10

 



40. Tokyo, Japan

Total cost: $46.61

Cover charge: $27.96

Cost of beer: $6.52

Drink cost: $6.52

Cost of one shot: $5.59

 



39. London, UK

Total cost: $45.40

Cover charge: $21.28

Cost of beer: $6.38

Drink cost: $12.77

Cost of one shot: $4.97

 



38. Dublin, Ireland

Total cost: $44.29

Cover charge: $18.46

Cost of beer: $6.15

Drink cost: $13.53

Cost of one shot: $6.15

 



37. Paris, France

Total cost: $40.60

Cover charge: $18.46

Cost of beer: $6.15

Drink cost: $9.84

Cost of one shot: $6.15

 



36. Sydney, Australia

Total cost: $39.48

Cover charge: $15.48

Cost of beer: $6.19

Drink cost: $10.06

Cost of one shot: $7.74

 



35. Barcelona, Spain

Total cost: $39.37

Cover charge: $17.22

Cost of beer: $6.15

Drink cost: $12.30

Cost of one shot: $3.69

 



34. Brussels, Belgium

Total cost: $38.76

Cover charge: $18.46

Cost of beer: $4.92

Drink cost: $9.84

Cost of one shot: $5.54

 



33. Toronto, Canada

Total cost: $38.44

Cover charge: $17.84

Cost of beer: $5.55

Drink cost: $8.72

Cost of one shot: $6.34

 



32. Rome, Italy

Total cost: $38.14

Cover charge: $13.53

Cost of beer: $6.15

Drink cost: $12.30

Cost of one shot: $6.15

 



31. Melbourne, Australia

Total cost: $37.74

Cover charge: $14.52

Cost of beer: $5.81

Drink cost: $9.68

Cost of one shot: $7.74

 



30. Bristol, UK

Total cost: $37.45

Cover charge: $14.19

Cost of beer: $5.96

Drink cost: $11.35

Cost of one shot: $5.96

 



29. New Orleans, US

Total cost: $37

Cover charge: $15

Cost of beer: $6

Drink cost: $10

Cost of one shot: $6

 



28. Madrid, Spain

Total cost: $36.91

Cover charge: $18.46

Cost of beer: $4.92

Drink cost: $9.84

Cost of one shot: $3.69

 



27. Manchester, UK

Total cost: $36.89

Cover charge: $15.61

Cost of beer: $5.67

Drink cost: $11.35

Cost of one shot: $4.26

 



26. Moscow, Russia

Total cost: $36.47

Cover charge: $16.21

Cost of beer: $5.67

Drink cost: $8.92

Cost of one shot: $5.67

 



25. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Total cost: $36.05

Cover charge: $15.99

Cost of beer: $4.06

Drink cost: $10.46

Cost of one shot: $5.54

 



24. Vancouver, Canada

Total cost: $35.67

Cover charge: $15.85

Cost of beer: $4.76

Drink cost: $9.51

Cost of one shot: $5.55

 



23. Lyon, France

Total cost: $35.06

Cover charge: $15.99

Cost of beer: $4.92

Drink cost: $9.23

Cost of one shot: $4.92

 



22. Orlando, US

Total cost: $35

Cover charge: $14

Cost of beer: $5.50

Drink cost: $8.50

Cost of one shot: $7

 



21. Frankfurt, Germany

Total cost: $33.83

Cover charge: $12.30

Cost of beer: $4.31

Drink cost: $12.30

Cost of one shot: $4.92

 



20. Newcastle, UK

Total cost: $33.34

Cover charge: $14.19

Cost of beer: $5.67

Drink cost: $8.51

Cost of one shot: $4.97

 



19. Nottingham, UK

Total cost: $32.63

Cover charge: $11.35

Cost of beer: $5.67

Drink cost: $9.93

Cost of one shot: $5.67

 



18. Montreal, Canada

Total cost: $32.49

Cover charge: $15.85

Cost of beer: $3.96

Drink cost: $7.92

Cost of one shot: $4.76

 



17. Berlin, Germany

Total cost: $31.74

Cover charge: $14.76

Cost of beer: $4.06

Drink cost: $8.61

Cost of one shot: $4.31

 



16. Detroit, US

Total cost: $31.50

Cover charge: $11.50

Cost of beer: $5

Drink cost: $10

Cost of one shot: $5

 



15. Adelaide, Australia

Total cost: $30.98

Cover charge: $10.84

Cost of beer: $4.65

Drink cost: $8.52

Cost of one shot: $6.97

 



14. Brisbane, Australia

Total cost: $30.58

Cover charge: $7.74

Cost of beer: $6.19

Drink cost: $8.90

Cost of one shot: $7.74

 



T13. Leeds, UK

Total cost: $30.50

Cover charge: $11.35

Cost of beer: $4.97

Drink cost: $9.93

Cost of one shot: $4.26

 



T13. Austin, US

Total cost: $30.50

Cover charge: $10

Cost of beer: $6

Drink cost: $7.50

Cost of one shot: $7

 



11. Glasgow, UK

Total cost: $30.36

Cover charge: $14.19

Cost of beer: $4.82

Drink cost: $8.51

Cost of one shot: $2.84

 



10. Tampa, US

Total cost: $30

Cover charge: $10

Cost of beer: $5

Drink cost: $8

Cost of one shot: $7

 



9. Hamburg, Germany

Total cost: $28.91

Cover charge: $12.30

Cost of beer: $4.31

Drink cost: $9.84

Cost of one shot: $2.46

 



8. Perth, Australia

Total cost: $28.64

Cover charge: $9.68

Cost of beer: $5.81

Drink cost: $9.29

Cost of one shot: $3.87

 



7. Leipzig, Germany

Total cost: $28.30

Cover charge: $12.92

Cost of beer: $3.69

Drink cost: $7.38

Cost of one shot: $4.31

 



6. São Paulo, Brazil

Total cost: $28.02

Cover charge: $14.75

Cost of beer: $2.95

Drink cost: $7.37

Cost of one shot: $2.95

 



5. Edinburgh, UK

Total cost: $26.95

Cover charge: $7.09

Cost of beer: $5.67

Drink cost: $10.64

Cost of one shot: $3.55

 



4. Calgary, Canada

Total cost: $26.16

Cover charge: $11.89

Cost of beer: $3.96

Drink cost: $6.34

Cost of one shot: $3.96

 



3. Prague, Czech Republic

Total cost: $26

Cover charge: $14.58

Cost of beer: $2.67

Drink cost: $5.35

Cost of one shot: $3.40

 



2. Warsaw, Poland

Total cost: $18.53

Cover charge: $8.82

Cost of beer: $2.94

Drink cost: $4.41

Cost of one shot: $2.35

 



1. Cape Town, South Africa

Total cost: $15.83

Cover charge: $5

Cost of beer: $2.08

Drink cost: $5.83

Cost of one shot: $2.92

 



The best bath towels you can buy

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  • There's nothing quite like a soft, fluffy towel when stepping out of the shower.
  • You'll look forward to drying off with our top pick, the Fieldcrest Spa Towel. This soft, super-absorbent towel is also a great bargain.

Nobody is ever happy to step out of a shower, only to reach for a scratchy, thin, nonabsorbent, and too-small bath towel — a waste of a clean routine to end on an unhappy note like that. Instead, it's a pleasure to dry off with a thick, thirsty, soft, and big-enough-to-cover-everywhere-that-counts bath towel.

That's why we've researched for the best bath towels for your drying pleasure. Whether you like them overly large, made of organic cotton, in a waffle-weave, or just thick, soft, and luxurious, we've got your new favorite bath towel in our guide.

Here are the best bath towels you can buy:

Updated on 08/13/2019 by Les Shu: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

SEE ALSO: The best bathroom cleaning products you can buy

The best towel overall

So soft, absorbent, and wallet-friendly, the Fieldcrest Spa Towel makes stepping out of the shower a pleasure.

If you're looking for a 100% cotton towel that absorbs water without feeling heavy or "soaked" against your skin, has a plush texture, comes in lots of great colors, and holds up well after years of use, you've met your match with the Fieldcrest Spa Towel. You get all of that quality at a budget price.

You'll find three sizes of towel available at Target: bath sheet (measures 65 x 33 inches), bath towel (measures 56 x 30 inches), and hand towel (30 x 16 inches). All sizes are available in a choice of 11 lovely neutral shades, including a deep brown, cream, mint green, and several soft blue shades.

The Fieldcrest towel is a Target exclusive, and more than 700 shoppers have rated it 4.5 stars (out of 5). They like the towel's luxurious feel, plushness, and excellent absorbing capabilities. However, a few buyers complained that the towel didn't absorb water as well as they'd hoped.

Pros: Great price, nice selection of colors, plush and soft, 100% cotton terrycloth

Cons: A few complaints of reduced quality and fading



The best large bath sheet towel

If you like your towels to be extra-large, you'll love the soft and absorbent Utopia Bath Sheet, which measures 35 by 70 inches.

If you like wrapping your bath towel around your entire body, you'll be able to do so and have towel to spare with the Utopia Bath Sheet. This towel is huge at 35 inches wide by 70 inches long.

But the size isn't the only great thing about it. It's also made from 100% ring-spun cotton for super-softness along with excellent durability. The hems are double-stitched, so they won't unravel or fray, even after many trips through the wash.

Among the more than 3,500 Amazon shoppers who left reviews, 80% gave it 4 or 5 stars. While some buyers do comment that the towels are not as thick as they expected, most enjoy the large size and fluffiness. "They shed in the dryer a good bit the first 5 or 6 times you dry them, but after that, they tend to slack off," one buyer wrote.

There are plenty of colors to choose from, including pure black, plum, and dark brown, so you can add comfort and style to your bathroom.  

Pros: Huge size, good quality, soft cotton

Cons: Not super-thick



The best lightweight towel

Crane & Canopy's Fouta Towel is lightweight, highly absorbent, dries quickly, and feels wonderful on your skin.

During those hot, humid months when nothing seems to dry, having a lightweight towel is a must. We tried Crane & Canopy's Yellow Stripe Fouta Towel during the stickiest summer months, and we loved it.

Not only does the 100% Turkish cotton towel dry quickly, but it also feels lightweight and soft on your skin. The light terry cloth interior is highly absorbent and picks up any water or moisture so you dry off quickly. You can machine wash these towels on the gentle cycle, but you should avoid using liquid fabric softener.

On the ends of the towel, there's a cute light fringe that adds some flair to the towel's design. You can get the Fouta towel in a variety of colors, including coral, yellow, and blue. Crane & Canopy has striped and polka-dotted patterns for you to choose from, too.

You can get the Fouta towel in a variety of sizes, including a washcloth, hand towel, bath towel, and bath sheet. We found the bath towel to be just the right size, but if you like larger towels, the bath sheet is the one for you. Crane & Canopy also sells sets so your entire bathroom can match.

The only real downside to these towels is the price tag of $22 for a bath towel and $34 for a bath sheet. Also, if you want a plush, fluffy towel, these lightweight Turkish cotton ones aren't it, but Crane & Canopy has fluffy towels that are also great. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Absorbent, dries quickly, lightweight, soft, 100% Turkish cotton, cute colors and patterns

Cons: Pricey



The best waffle-weave towel

Light but super-absorbent, the Waffle Towel from Parachute soaks up every drop of water and feels great against your skin.  

Waffle weave towels tend to be lightweight, so this Parachute towel isn't the choice if you like very thick, plush towels, but it absorbs better than a flat weave and dries quickly, so you're less likely to find funky smelling, mildewed towels waiting for you after your shower. If you prefer this blanket-like weave, you can't go wrong with Parachute's Waffle Towels.

Made of 100% long-staple Turkish cotton, the Parachute towels are oh-so-soft but don't feel as heavy as a solid weave towel. They have sturdy self-hems, so they won't come unraveled or fray, even after lots of use. Plus, the waffled fabric looks clean and contemporary, adding a nice touch of style to your bathroom.

Good Housekeeping chose the Parachute Waffle Towel as the "Best Lightweight Towel." Despite the light weight, it found the towel to be plenty plush.

Parachute sells both a waffle-weave bath towel, measuring 56 by 30 inches and a waffle-weave hand towel, which is 30 by 20 inches. Both are available in white or dark gray.

Pros: Dry quickly, soft, quality construction

Cons: Expensive, only available in two colors



The best organic cotton towel

If you're looking for towels made from organic cotton, look no further than the soft, luxurious Organic Bath Towel from Boll & Branch

Want a towel that feels as pampering as a day at the spa? Love to wrap yourself in the thickest, most absorbent, softest cotton? And prefer all of the above in organic form? Well then, check out Boll & Branch's Organic Bath Towel, because you're going to love it.

Made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, and dyed with non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes, the Boll & Branch towels are also Fair Trade Certified. These towels are as luxurious, soft, and plush as you could hope for, and they are very absorbent.

These are Good Housekeeping's pick for best organic cotton towels. It said, "Though it's pricey, this towel was the top performer among the organic cotton options" and that the heavy cotton does take a while to dry, but the towel is soft, durable, absorbent, and holds up well in the wash.

At 58 by 30 inches, these towels are quite large and are available in white, natural, and stone gray.

Pros: Organic cotton is super soft and thick

Cons: Expensive



The best assorted-color towels

Anyone who prefers bright, colorful towels will appreciate the pretty, plush Wamsutta Hygro Duet Bath Towel Collection.

Sometimes, you crave a little more color in your towel selection than white or sedate neutrals. You're looking for a pop of color to light up your bathroom and make your morning a little cheerier. The Wamsutta Hygro Duet Bath Towels are perfect for those of you who love colorful towels.

With 28 colors to choose from, you might not be able to settle on just one. Or let each family member pick a towel color — That way, no one can pass the blame for that crumpled, wet towel that was left on the bathroom floor.

But a great selection of colors isn't all the Wamsutta Hygro Duet Bath Towels have to offer. These 100% cotton towels are dual-sided. One side is looped for softness, while the other side is 2-ply terry for absorbency. Put it all together, and you have a towel that feels great and dries you off quickly and effectively. Plus, it gets softer with every wash.

The bath towel measures 30 x 54 inches. The hand towel is 16 x 28 inches.

Pros: Huge color selection, soft and absorbent, great price

Cons: A few customers said the towels didn't hold up well in the wash



The best textured towels

West Elm's Dashed Lines Sculpted Towels come in classic colors with a quirky pattern that also adds great texture for drying off quickly.

West Elm's new bath collection is all made from organic Turkish cotton that's soft and super absorbent, and its Dashed Lines towels are among the best ones in the collection.

The raised dashes are more than just a fun pattern — they also provide a great texture that feels lovely on your skin and helps you dry off quickly. You can get these towels in classic colors like a deep golden yellow, light gray, pink blush, and white.

The golden yellow towels make the biggest visual statement, while the other color choices are more subtle and muted. Whichever color you choose, these towels will look unique and quirky in your bathroom.

West Elm uses 100% organic Oeko-Tek certified cotton in its towels, so they're extra soft and absorbent. The bath towels measure 28 by 54 inches, and they sit right in the middle in terms of weight, coming in at 500 grams, so they're neither too heavy nor too light.

I was impressed by how well the towel dried-off my skin off post-shower and I liked how quickly it dried afterward. Many heavier towels don't dry fast enough for my liking and end up smelling a bit musty after a few showers. That wasn't the case with West Elm's towels

The only real downside here is the $24 price tag, but for organic cotton towels with great texture and fast-drying abilities, it's worth paying the extra money. Additionally, West Elm frequently discounts its items, so you may be able to get a deal on these towels if you keep an eye out. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Organic cotton, absorbent, soft, stylish, nice texture, 500-gram weight

Cons: A bit expensive




I tried a prescription acne treatment from a popular startup called Hers — it helped keep my skin smooth and clear without a single visit to my dermatologist

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  • Hers, the sister company of Hims, lets women buy certain prescriptions online without having to see a doctor in person. Instead, medical consultations with doctors occur online. 
  • For those too busy or inconvenienced by traditional healthcare, it makes the process for of getting sexual wellness (birth control and the "female Viagra") and prescription acne treatments markedly more streamlined.
  • I tried the a.m./p.m. Acne Treatment ($44), and I was impressed by the ease of ordering, fast delivery, and overall efficacy.
  • There are some cons to consider, but I had a good experience with the process and products, and think it's a convenient service that can make it a little easier to access healthcare.

For many, finding a trusted dermatologist — and more realistically, one that's in-network — can be nearly impossible. For others, the time commitment, waitlists, and taking a half day for a visit just to get a prescription are enough of a reason to simply "make do" living with acne. When I moved cross-country still using my parents' now-irrelevant insurance, I was very much left to the former group.

In other words, clumsy imperfections of the healthcare system can prevent people from accessing care. But in the 21st-century, new "telemedicine" providers are popping up, looking to make clinical health care more streamlined and accessible by bringing it to where people are: online. Hers is one of them.

You're probably familiar with the startup — either by virtue of its many subway ads or its first venture: Hims, which addressed men's health issues like erectile dysfunction and hair loss with over-the-counter products and prescriptions. Hers is the sister brand launched in 2018 to address women's health. Popular products span sexual wellness with birth control pills (10 types) and Addyi, commonly referred to as "female Viagra," to hair loss and skin care.  

Hers still requires a prescription for prescription products, but the process is easy. The company's network of doctors assess your needs and provide you with a prescription after you complete a digital assessment. Over-the-counter products (think The Shampoo, $19) don't require one, so you can order them straight from the site. 

Hers products aren't covered under insurance, but the company has said they're available at 50%-80% off retail cost, which may make them more affordable for some. Otherwise, the lack of appointments, pharmacy lines, and coordinating with insurance may be enough of a convenience to justify paying slightly more for others. Hopefully Hers will be eligible for HSA or FSA money in the future.

To see what the process is like, I tried out the company's a.m./p.m. Acne Treatment ($44). It requires a subscription which may be a turn-off for some, but, on the other hand, consistency is generally seen as the MVP of a good skin-care line. You can also have the formula tweaked to meet your needs as they change, and, you can just snooze future deliveries if you need to get fewer. 

How it works

Unfortunately, this is one of those subscriptions that requires credit card information before you can really get to the meat and potatoes of the process. You'll log your name, address, and credit card info first. Your order will be processed, you'll sign a telehealth consent form, and then you'll build out your profile — filling in your medical history, relevant details, and the symptoms you want to be addressed in about 20 quick questions. Make sure you have a credit card and government issued ID on you — you'll include a photo of the latter so doctors can confirm your identity.

For the skin-care products, you'll also include photos of your skin for doctors to consider, and you'll be prompted to note if they represent a good, bad, or typical day for acne. (These are protected under HIPAA and the company promises they will never be shared). There's also a section to include both the topical and oral medications you've used in the past, how well they worked, how your skin reacted, and when you last used them.

Since you're getting prescription products, you need doctor approval. So after you fill out your profile and a doctor looks it over, you'll have an online consultation (kind of like a support chat conversation) with a physician after checkout to green-light your products. In the beginning, there's a $5 medical fee tacked on to the price of the acne products that goes directly to doctors. 

I completed my profile on February 4, and by 11 p.m. that night I had been contacted by a dermatologist. She asked me a few follow-up questions and prescribed me my products same-day, which she said would automatically refill 11 times. She also encouraged me to let my primary care doctor know about this medicine and any other changes and included a link to where I could find a primary care doctor if I didn't already have one. It took about a week for the products to arrive in the mail.

If you need to tweak the products in the future, use the secure messaging portal (the same that your doctor used to contact you in the beginning) to discuss it. 

My experience

Screen Shot 2019 06 05 at 4.23.08 PM

The experience online was easy and pretty much resolved itself in a single day — which was much less stressful than trying to find a new dermatologist, taking off work, and going in without much of an idea if I'd be able to afford whatever was prescribed to me, and, if not, why I went in the first place. 

The packaging is low-key, though it does say "Hers" prominently on the front. I also feel guilty receiving a package of plastic single-use products every month, but I understand the need for monthly doses and keeping costs low.

The formula comes in a.m. and p.m. bottles that are supposed to work together to clear up skin and renew the surface simultaneously. It contains active ingredients (tretinoin, niacinamide, and clindamycin) and non-actives. You won't find parabens and pthalates in it, but it does have a synthetic fragrance. Find out more about its ingredients here

When used consistently, I did see my skin's clarity improve. My tone was more even, and my skin clearer and smoother to the touch without losing hydration. However, I've also been regulating my breakouts recently with all-star products it took me years to find, so my skin wasn't nearly as bad at the beginning as it has been in the past. So if you don't find the initial formula effective — meaning if it's not strong enough for your needs — you can ask for a higher concentration of tretinoin. Once approved by a doctor, it'll be upped.

For context, when I asked the company for a breakdown of the ingredients' concentrations, the team sent the following: 1% clindamycin, 4% niacinamide in the a.m. and 1% clindamycin, .0125-0.02% tretinoin, 4% niacinamide at night. Tretinoin is generally prescribed in varying strengths (weakest .005% to the strongest 0.1%), though it's not always as simple as "more equals better." Tretinoin can be harsh on the skin and cause redness and peeling, so the goal is to find the balance between efficacy and what your skin can comfortably sustain.

Speaking with customer service was also more protracted and less seamless than I wished. Support responded relatively quickly to questions over email, and their blog is pretty helpful, but it was tough to know when doctors would respond to new messages. So, if you don't like your prescription and want to tweak it, I'd suggest giving yourself a few days of wiggle room to contact the doctor.

The bottom line

Hers — like most functional telemedicine companies — is an exciting prospect. It's a young company still smoothing out some forgivable kinks. But in person, it was extremely convenient, especially for someone who can't get to a dermatologist office just for prescription acne medicine, or who chooses not to. Everything is conducted quickly online, and prescriptions are mailed to your door. It's not cheap at $44 per month, and messages from doctors took a little longer than I wanted, but Hers is a relatively affordable system that's convenient. It's a subscription, but consistency is good for skin-care routines, and you can pause future shipments if need be. It's also a big perk that, should you need a stronger dose, you can request a higher percentage of Tretinoin without yet another trip back to the doctor's office.

As always — and especially with telemedicine — you need to do some research to make sure the products and services will fit your needs, lifestyle, and budget. And you should still go visit doctors for annual checkups. But, if you're looking for a way to get effective, prescription skin-care products delivered to your door without the in-person appointment, it's an option I'd recommend checking out based on my own experience with the service. 

Try For Hers skin care here

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NOW WATCH: What El Chapo is really like, according to the wife of one his closest henchman

Snap has a new, much more expensive set of Spectacles coming this November for $380

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Snap Spectacles 3

  • Snap, the company behind Snapchat, has a new set of smart sunglasses arriving this November.
  • The new glasses, named Spectacles 3, are the third iteration of augmented reality glasses from the social media company.
  • More than just a new design, the smart glasses feature new cameras and additional storage.
  • Spectacles 3 also carry a much larger price tag than previous models: $380.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Snap, the company behind Snapchat, is back with another set of its Spectacles smart sunglasses that first captivated people back in 2016.

The new iteration, Spectacles 3, are the most technologically capable of the bunch: Two high-def cameras are mounted on each side, and an array of microphones capture audio.

At just shy of $400, they're also the most expensive version ever released. Here's everything we just learned about the newly-revealed Spectacles 3:

SEE ALSO: Snap saw monstrous growth in the second quarter, and the reason has a lot to do with that viral gender-swapping filter

First and foremost: That price! Spectacles 3 cost a whopping $380, and are scheduled to arrive in November.



They come in three colors: Carbon, monochromatic black, and mineral.



Here are all three in action:



So, what's different about these new Spectacles vs. the previous iterations?

The biggest difference of all — the raison d'etre — with Spectacles 3 is the updated cameras: Two high-def cameras are able to capture depth. Previous models only had one camera.

The new cameras were "designed to capture depth and dimension the way your eyes do," Snap says.

Photos can be captured at up to 1728 x 1728 px, and videos get a slightly reduced resolution of 1216 x 1216 px at 60 frames-per-second. The new Spectacles can also store a ton of those photos and videos with 4 GB of storage.



Like previous models, a wireless charging case comes with Spectacles 3. They work similarly to Apple's AirPods, in that they charge wireless in the case.



But, by far the biggest difference with Spectacles 3 is their design — they look much more like adult sunglasses than the previous two iterations.

Just like with previous models, photos and video taken with Spectacles 3 are available through your smartphone (iPhone 7 or above, running iOS 11 or above, and "select Android devices" running Android 6 or above). 

Which, to be clear, these are sunglasses, and not outright augmented reality glasses. The world you see through them is the normal world, not some computer-augmented form of it — that stuff is used on your phone.

Spectacles 3 are scheduled to arrive this November, and cost $380. You can pre-order them right now if you're so inclined, on Spectacles.com.



The FBI raided one of Jeffrey Epstein's private islands in the Caribbean, which locals call 'Orgy Island' and where airport workers say they saw him traveling with underage girls. Here's an inside look at the properties.

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jeffrey epstein private island 2x1

The convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had an expensive real-estate portfolio that included two neighboring private islands.

In 1998, Epstein bought Little St. James, a 72-acre private island in the US Virgin Islands, for $ 7.95 million. The island has been dubbed "Pedophile Island" and "Orgy Island" by locals, according to the Los Angeles Times.

On Monday, August 12, just days after Epstein was found dead in an apparent suicide in a Manhattan jail cell — where he was being held on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking— the FBI raided Little St. James to search for evidence pertaining to the case against him.

Read more:A look inside multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein's real-estate portfolio, where sex trafficking reportedly took place and a $77 million Manhattan mansion may have been acquired for $0 

Next to Little St. James sits Epstein's second private island, Great St. James. Epstein purchased the second island in 2016 for a reported $18 million.

According to New York magazine, Epstein planned to build a compound on Great St. James but was issued a stop-work order in December for not obeying environmental regulations.

Keep reading for an inside look at both of the properties.

SEE ALSO: Here's how Jeffrey Epstein may have acquired a $77 million Upper East Side townhouse for $0

DON'T MISS: The famous connections of Jeffrey Epstein, the elite wealth manager charged with sex trafficking young girls

Jeffrey Epstein owned two private islands in the US Virgin Islands: Little St. James and Great St. James.

Source: New York magazine, Miami Herald



The islands sit next to each other off the coast of St. Thomas.

Source: Google Maps



The first of Epstein's US Virgin Island purchases was Little Saint James.

Source: New York magazine



Little St. James spans 78 acres.

Source: Business Insider



Epstein bought it in 1998 for $7.95 million.

Source: New York magazine



He flew underage girls to the island on his private jet as recently as last year, Vanity Fair reported, citing locals.

Source: Business Insider, Vanity Fair



The Los Angeles Times reported that the island has been dubbed "Pedophile Island" and "Orgy Island" by locals.

Source: Los Angeles Times



The island includes five buildings: a villa-style compound, a library, a cinema, a detached bathhouse, and cabanas. According to New York magazine, there is also a "flamingo-stocked lagoon" on the island.

Source: Curbed, Business InsiderNew York magazine



The main residence and compound sit on the northeast point of the island, and a pair of guest houses sit on the northwest and southeast points of the island. The mansion has a distinctive turquoise roof.

Source: Business Insider, AP



The island also has a temple structure that boasts some strange features. One of those features, Business Insider previously reported, is a door that appears to be designed to keep people inside.

Source: Business Insider



The island is believed to have been Epstein's primary residence.

Source: Miami Herald



In 2000, Epstein started Jeffrey Epstein's VI Foundation on Little St. James.

Source: JeffreyEpstein.org



According to its website, the foundation gave $35 million to Harvard, kick-starting the university's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics. However, Vox reported that a source close to the contribution said the donation sum was actually much smaller — $6.5 million.

Source: JeffreyEpstein.org, Vox



On Monday, August 12, just two days after Epstein was found dead in a Manhattan jail cell, the FBI raided the island, according to the Miami Herald.

Source: Miami Herald



The larger of Epstein's two islands is Great St. James.

Source: Google Maps



It spans 165 acres.

Source: New York magazine



Epstein purchased Great St. James in 2016 for a reported $18 million.

Source: New York Post



Epstein planned to build a compound on the island but was issued a stop-work order in December for not obeying environmental regulations. According to the New York Post, the stop-work order was ignored, and construction on the island continued.

Source:New York magazine, New York Post



The Virgin Islands Daily News reported that the compound was supposed to include an amphitheater and an "underwater office and pool."

Source: Virgin Islands Daily News



To the public's knowledge, Epstein owned four other luxury residential properties: a mansion in Manhattan, an estate in Palm Beach, Florida, a ranch in New Mexico, and an apartment in Paris.

Epstein's seven-story mansion on East 71st Street was valued at $77 million in a recent court document. However, the New York City Department of Finance valued the home closer to $56 million earlier this year. In Florida, his Palm Beach estate, which he purchased in 1990, is estimated to be worth over $12 million.

In New Mexico, Epstein owned a 7,500-acre ranch that was appraised at over $18 million in 2013.

He also owned an apartment in Paris on the famous Avenue Foch. However, very little information on the apartment is available to the public.



How to add a device to Find My iPhone to track the location of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer

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find my iphone app

Find My iPhone was one of Apple's greatest innovations, allowing people to easily locate their small but expensive (and increasingly essential) everyday devices. 

In addition to the iPhone, you can also use the feature to find your iPad and even your Mac computer. 

With Find My iPhone, you'll be able to track the location of your device, and also have it make a noise so you can find it more easily.  

Unlike many other features, though, this is one you have to activate before you need to use it.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999 at Best Buy)

iPad (From $329 at Best Buy)

MacBook Air (From $1,099 at Best Buy)

How to turn on Find My iPhone on your iPhone or iPad

1. Tap "Settings."

2. Tap on your Apple ID (this is your name and should say below it "Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Store").

3. Tap on iCloud (should be the top of the second set of options).

4. Scroll down and tap "Find My iPhone" (or "Find my iPad").

5. Tap on "Find My iPhone" in the next screen to toggle it. You can now find your iPhone (or iPad) using your cloud ID.

Find_iPhone1.PNG

Sometimes, however, you might need to find a Mac computer you misplaced.

How to turn on Find My Mac

1. Click on the Apple menu on your Mac (the Apple icon in the upper right hand corner).

2. Click on System Preferences.

3. Click on iCloud.

4. Scroll down to and check "Find My Mac."

Find_iPhone2

Occasionally, you might not want an iPhone or iPad included in the devices that can be located using iCloud, especially if you still have an old iPad or iPhone still listed.

How to remove a device from Find My iPhone

The easiest way to do this is on a computer via iCloud.com, which is also the easiest way to find your iPhone.

1. Sign in to your iCloud account on iCloud.com (may require authentication depending on what computer you're using to access it).

2. Click on Find My iPhone.

3. Click on "All Devices."

4. Click on the device you wish to remove.

5. Click on "Remove from Account."

6. It will ask you to confirm this removal and to authenticate by entering your iCloud password. This will officially confirm the removal.

Find_iPhone3

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: The incredible story behind Slack, the app that's taken over offices everywhere

4 credit cards that get you free or discounted access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges

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Delta Sky Club Sky Deck JFK

Like the other major US airlines, Delta has its own network of airport lounges, called Delta Sky Clubs. These provide a place to relax before a flight, and Sky Club amenities include Wi-Fi, snacks, and drinks.

One of the benefits of Delta's two mainstream credit cards — the Gold Delta SkyMiles and the Platinum Delta SkyMiles cards from American Express — is the ability to purchase discounted access to Delta's Sky Club airport lounges. And two other credit cards can get you free Delta Sky Club access when you fly Delta.

How can you access Delta Sky Club airport lounges?

You have several options for accessing Delta's Sky Club lounges. If you're traveling in Delta One or in a premium cabin on one of Delta's SkyTeam alliance partners, you're entitled to Sky Club access, and you can also purchase a Delta Sky Club membership outright for $545. You can also get Sky Club access through Delta elite status. 

Finally, having the right credit card can get you complimentary or reduced-price access to a Delta Sky Club. Note that you need to have a same-day Delta boarding pass in order to access one of these lounges. 

Delta Sky Club access with select credit cards

Until recently, anyone could purchase one-time access to Sky Clubs for $59 at any lounge's front desk. However, these day passes were eliminated in November 2018.

Fortunately, single-visit passes are still available for Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles cardholders. If you have one of those cards, you can buy access to the Sky Club for just $29 — about half the price of what used to be available to anyone flying Delta.

Those discounted lounge passes are great for travelers who occasionally fly Delta, or would only use the lounge access a few times each year — for instance, in case of delays, long connections, or a tendency to arrive for flights a bit early.

If you can see yourself using the Sky Club more often, you should instead consider Delta's premium card — the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express— which gives the cardholder complimentary access to Sky Clubs whenever they're flying Delta. That helps offset the card's $450 annual fee.

The Delta Reserve card comes with a few other perks, including a domestic first-class companion certificate, and higher upgrade priority for Delta Medallion members.

An alternative, if you're looking for the widest lounge access you can get from a credit card, the best option is the (not Delta-branded) Platinum Card® from American Express. In addition to Sky Club access whenever flying Delta, that card offers access to Priority Pass lounges, AmEx's own Centurion and International Lounges, and more. That's a network of over 1,200 lounges around the world.

The Amex Platinum has a high $550 annual fee, but it's easy to get more value than that — in my first year with the card, I got over $2,000 in value. Right now, the card offers 60,000 Amex Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months.

Click here to learn more about the Gold Delta SkyMiles card from Business Insider's partner: The Points Guy.

Click here to learn more about the Platinum Delta SkyMiles card from Business Insider's partner: The Points Guy.

Click here to learn more about the Delta Reserve card from Business Insider's partner: The Points Guy.

Click here to learn more about the Amex Platinum card from Business Insider's partner: The Points Guy.

SEE ALSO: The best current credit card offers

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 lesser-known benefits of Amazon Prime

How to turn on AirDrop on your Mac computer, and send files between your Mac and other Apple devices

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Macbook Air

If you haven't taken advantage of AirDrop, you're missing out on one of Apple's best features.

You can use AirDrop to send photos, videos, and documents between different Macs, and between a Mac and iPhone or iPad. It's a great way to quickly send large files from one Apple device to another.

AirDrop works over Bluetooth, so both the sending and receiving device must have Bluetooth turned on. In addition, AirDrop only works over relatively short distances. It's a great way to share files with your co-workers in the same office. You can't use it to send a video of your daughter's ballet recital to her grandma in another state.

Here's what you need to know to turn on AirDrop and start using the feature.

Check out the products mentioned in this post:

MacBook Air (From $1,099 at Best Buy)

iPhone XS (From $999 at Best Buy)

iPad (From $329 at Best Buy)

How to turn on AirDrop discovery on a Mac and share files from a Finder window

The advantage of using AirDrop in a Finder window is that you can share multiple files quickly and adjust AirDrop's discovery feature.

1. Open Finder. Choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar at the top of your screen.

2. An AirDrop finder window will open. At the bottom of your screen you can click on "Allow me to be discovered by:" and toggle it to "No one," "Contacts only," or "Everyone." Select the appropriate option of the latter two options to share files.

3. Wait a moment for nearby devices to appear. Follow the steps above if you don't see the device you are looking for. If you continue to have trouble connecting, click on "Don't see what you're looking for?" You'll get instructions for finding older Macs.

AirDrop Finder window

4. Drag files you want to share into the AirDrop window to share them instantly.

You can keep AirDrop in Favorites in Finder, to easily use it any time.

How to share a file with AirDrop on a Mac from within a file

It just takes a few clicks to AirDrop a photo, video, or file from your Mac.

AirDrop a photo, video, or PDF

1. Find the sharing symbol (a small box with an arrow pointing up out of it) at the top of the window for your file, and click on it.

2. Choose AirDrop from the sharing menu that drops down.

Drop down menu in Photos

3. A new window will appear showing nearby devices you can share with. If you don't see the device you're looking for, be patient. It can take a minute for AirDrop to find nearby devices. If your receiving device still doesn't show up, make sure you have Bluetooth turned on. If that doesn't work, try turning Bluetooth off and on again (I had to consistently toggle Bluetooth off and on to get my MacBook Pro to discover my iPhone 6S).

4. Click on the device you want to send to. Within moments, even if you're sending a long video, your file will be sent.

AirDrop a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file

1. In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, click the "Share" button on the upper right corner of the window.

2. A box will pop up with several sharing options. Click "Send a Copy" at the bottom of the box.

3. A new box will pop up. Click the sharing icon. Choose AirDrop from the drop-down menu.

2nd sharing box in Office file copy

4. A new window will appear to share your file with nearby devices.

5. Click the device you want to AirDrop to and your file will be sent.

How to receive files via AirDrop on a Mac

You can easily AirDrop files from an iPhone or iPad to your Mac. When someone sends you a file, you will be asked if you want to accept the file. Once you do, it will appear in your Downloads folder.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The incredible story behind Slack, the app that's taken over offices everywhere


Venice is cutting back on cruise ships. Disappointing photos show what the Italian port city looks like in real life, from extreme overcrowding and devastating floods to cruise ship accidents

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venice italy disappointing reality

Venice, one of the most popular destinations in Italy and a major port city, is going to start minimizing the number of cruise ships that are allowed to enter its historic city center, the Financial Times reported.

The Italian city, which goes by many nicknames including "The Floating City," "The City of Bridges," and "The City of Canals," sees between 26 million and 30 million people visiting per year.

But despite its beauty, the city suffers from massive overcrowding, devastating floods, and pollution and other environmental damage from the massive cruise ships that pass through every day.

While many people may still consider a trip to Venice worthwhile, these disappointing photos show the reality of the less glamorous aspects of the city.

SEE ALSO: The top 10 trips Americans wanted to take in 2018, according to Google

DON'T MISS: Inside the world's largest underwater restaurant, which has a 36-foot window that looks right out into the seabed so guests can watch marine life swim by as they eat

Venice, a city on Italy's northeastern coast, is one of the country's most popular destinations.



Nicknamed "The Floating City," Venice is situated on 118 small islands.

Source: UNESCO, Venice Gondola



These islands are connected by more than 400 bridges, earning the city one of its nicknames: "The City of Bridges."

Source: UNESCO



It's known for its picturesque canals and the gondolas that can be seen gliding through them ...

Source: Venezia Unica



... as well as its central square, Piazza San Marco, with the impressive St. Mark's Basilica ...

Source: Venezia Unica



... and the springtime Carnival of Venice.

Source: The Guardian, Telegraph, CNN



The two-week long event brings thousands of people to the city each year to don masks and costumes and party in the streets.



But in recent years, Venice has been dealing with some problems that have made it a less desirable destination for many. To start, the city has become inundated with tourists.



Tourism is a major part of the city's economy, but Venice has had trouble handling the sheer number of visitors.

Source: CNN



Venice receives about 26  million tourists a year, according to Italy's councillor for tourism. Other estimates have put the number closer to 30 million.

Source: The Guardian, Telegraph, CNN



The city has a mere 54,500 permanent residents.

Source: The Guardian



But during peak summer months in particular, the streets are inundated with visitors.

Source: CNN



You'll be surrounded by other tourists.



And the city gets even more crowded during Carnival.



You might barely be able to move through the crowds in the streets ...



... or the canals.



Venice has taken measures to try to limit the overflow of tourists.

Source: CNN



During the weekend of May 1, 2018, the city attempted to control the flow of tourists by installing temporary turnstiles at each end of two major bridges.

Source: City Lab



If the crowds got too thick, only those with a Venezia Unica pass, mainly used by residents to pay for public transport, would be able to pass through the turnstiles.

Source: City Lab



The number of tourists never became quite high enough that weekend to necessitate restricting passage through the turnstiles — but some people speculated that was because the mere presence of the gates deterred some tourists.

Source: City Lab



An arguably overrated aspect of Venice is the gondola ride, which is seen as a quintessential romantic experience.



But even after you wait in line for a gondola behind all the other tourists who have the same idea, you could end up paying $140 for a 40-minute ride ...

Source: Europe for Visitors



... and you certainly won't have the canals to yourselves.



There's a good chance you'll be surrounded by boats full of other tourists.



Venice residents have protested against the masses of tourists they perceive as taking over their city.

Source: AP Images



The number of permanent Venetian residents has been decreasing for decades, due to a combination of high prices resulting from the tourism boom, the logistics of a carless city, and erosion from the waters surrounding the city.

Source: The Local



In this photo, a protester holds a sign reading "Goodbye My Venice."



Many of Venice's tourists come to the city by way of massive cruise ships.



These ships pass through the historic center of the city five or six times a day.

Source: The Guardian



They bring with them pollution and damage to the lagoon on which Venice sits.

Source: The Guardian



The ships also block views of the city's monuments and even the sun during certain parts of the day.

Source: Quartz



In 2014, the World Monument Fund put Venice on its watch list because "large-scale cruising is pushing the city to an environmental tipping point and undermining quality of life for its citizens."

Source: The Guardian



One environmental scientist told The Guardian that "the passage of every single ship causes erosion of the mudflats and sediment loss" in the heart of historic Venice.

Source: The Guardian



In November 2017, it was announced that Venice would block these cruise ships from passing through the Grand Canal by Venice's iconic square, Piazza San Marco.

Source: Associated Press



And as of August 2019, Venice will start limiting the number of cruise ships that are allowed to enter the city's historic center. The ships will be gradually moved away from their current routes, according to Italy's minister of transport.

Source: The Daily Mail, NPR



The announcement came two months after a cruise ship smashed into a dock in Venice, injuring at least five people.

Source: The Daily Mail, NPR



Critics say that even cruise ships passing nearby will damage the fragile ecosystem of the Venice lagoon.

Source: Quartz



In addition to the flood of tourists, Venice is also plagued by literal floods.

Source: Business Insider



Flooding season, or "acqua alta" — a period of particularly high tides in the Adriatic Sea — runs from autumn to spring in Venice.

Source: Business Insider



Venice frequently floods, but at the end of October 2018, Italy was hit by a series of intense storms that left three-quarters of Venice submerged. At least 11 people died in Italy in the country's worst flooding in a decade.

Source: Business Insider



The water was waist deep in some places.



The city has had to install catwalks for people to walk on in some areas, including the central square, Piazza San Marco.



But sometimes these walkways are barely high enough to stay above the rising waters.



In this photo from October 2018, people are walking on a catwalk submerged in water.

Source: Reuters



The city has been trying to minimize flooding for years. In 2003, Italy started building a giant flood barrier meant to isolate the Venetian Lagoon, the enclosed bay where Venice is located.

Source: Business Insider



But as the project is still not finished, it had no effect on the recent flooding.

Source: Business Insider



And while it shouldn't be a surprise that a tourist hotspot such as Venice would be expensive, the city has made headlines recently for some truly outrageous prices in its restaurants.



In January, four student visitors filed a complaint saying they were billed $1,366 for four steaks, a plate of grilled fish, and bottled water in a restaurant near Piazza San Marco. The mayor called it a "shameful episode."

Source: CNN



A similar incident occurred in August, when a café customer said he was charged nearly $50 for two coffees and a water. Part of the bill ended up being a surcharge for sitting in the "sunniest" corner of Piazza San Marco.

Source: Telegraph



In 2017, a British tourist claimed a Venice restaurant charged him and his parents $600 for lunch, "[taking] advantage of the fact that we didn't speak Italian." The Independent noted that Italian restaurants often charge fresh fish by weight, which can lead to confusion.

Source: The Independent



Only 1% restaurants in the central San Marco area of Venice are owned and operated by locals, which has resulted in an overabundance of "tourist trap" restaurants, a spokesperson for a Venetian civil rights association told CNN.

Source: CNN



And yet, despite its flaws, Venice is undeniably beautiful. So if you're still inclined to visit, then by all means, buon viaggio!



6 things real estate agents know that house-hunters don't, according to the country's top experts

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Farnoosh Torabi

  • Farnoosh Torabi is a financial expert, bestselling author, TV personality, and host of the So Money podcast.
  • She's interviewed over 600 celebrities, athletes, inventors, entrepreneurs, and millionaires on her podcast.
  • She's spoken with six of the country's top real estate experts, all of whom offered helpful tips for first-time buyers.
  • The right time to buy is when it's the right life stage for you. But if you are planning on making an offer, do it at the start of the week.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

By age 15, I'd probably been to more open houses than school field trips. My parents moved multiple times when I was growing up and always took me along the house hunting ride with Eileen, our esteemed realtor (and fancy lady) from Century 21.

That experience introduced me to the value of walk-in closets and eat-in kitchens and how to rough estimate the price of a home based on square footage and comparative sales in the neighborhood.

As I grew older, my interest (read: obsession) in real estate furthered. I bought my first home in my early 20s and subscribed to the weekend New York Times, mainly so I could receive the Real Estate section hot off the presses each Saturday morning. 

It's no surprise then that when I began my personal finance podcast So Money, I invited a number of real estate pros onto the show to offer their insights. Over the years, their advice has helped listeners (and me) with real estate transactions and strategizing our next moves.

Here are some of the highlights from my guest conversations that I think are especially useful for first-time buyers.

SEE ALSO: I’ve interviewed over 600 entrepreneurs and millionaires on my podcast, but the best piece of business advice I've ever heard came from a director on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’

1. Get your financial ‘passport’ in order

Kathy Braddock, a managing director at William Raveis NYC, urges all first-time buyers to have all their financial ducks in a row before making an offer. "Get your financial passport in order — talking to a bank, talking to a mortgage provider and really figuring out what you can afford," she says.  "Be careful, because you have to take into account all of your lifestyle expenses."

Sometimes a bank will pre-qualify you for a mortgage that is more than you can afford, Braddock cautions. "If there's something special you're saving up for, you need to put those numbers into the equation because the bank or the mortgage company is not going to do that. And you never want to end up being 'house poor,' where you don't have enough money left over to do the things that kind of make your life more interesting or that are special for you."



2.. Focus on your life stage

When is the best time to buy? For home buyers who are looking to settle down in a particular region or area, a recent guest explained that it has less to do with season or whether it's a "buyer's market" and more about your current life stage, what you can afford, and your needs.

"I work in strategy for a real estate company and swim every day in the data of what's going on in the real estate market across the country with mortgage rates and inventory and home prices. My advice to homebuyers is to ignore all of that," says Eric Chesin, Head of Strategy for Realogy, which owns big real estate brands such as Century 21, Coldwell Banker, and Sotheby's International Realty, among others.

I recently partnered with the company in its announcement of a new home buying program in collaboration with Amazon called TurnKey. It matches home buyers with top agents who are affiliated with one of Realogy's trusted real estate brands and upon closing on their home, Amazon delivers a complimentary Amazon Move-In Benefit, which includes $1,000 to $5,000 of Amazon Home Services and fully-installed smart home products.  

Adds Chesin, "No matter what economist's advice you get, there's no macro answer that will tell you the right answer [of when to buy] locally. And, I just think that, personally, you don't time life choices by trying to time the market, whether it's real estate, stocks or anything else. The best thing you can do as a homebuyer is to get the support and advice of a really great real estate agent that knows your local market and can understand what's right for you."



3. Follow job growth

If you are interested in a home in the next "hot" part of the country, keep your eyes peeled to job market news, says Tami Halton Pardee, CEO and founder of Los Angeles' #1 real estate company. She's sold over $3 billion worth of real estate in her career.

An uptick in employment is a sign of vitality and an increasing population in the area, which tends to fuel the real estate market and long-term price growth. Many cities in Texas, including San Antonio-New Braunfels and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington are among the fastest-growing in the country on this list.

"I try to read everything to see what companies are moving in. If there's any big tech companies moving in [to the town or city]. I just do a ton of research. I read, read, read, read, read, and see what companies are going in, because the jobs are going to bring in the people, right? I think it's important to have a leg up on that."



4. Target the sweet spot

Location can be, as we just read, very important to a home's value, but Sidney Torres, a real estate entrepreneur and host of CNBC's The Deed, says buyers are best off targeting areas that are a few miles away from the nicest section of town. 

"Sometimes to get a better deal, you want to go a little bit further away from the super nice neighborhood. You've got the hot spot and the fringe, and you always want to be right in the middle — in the sweet spot," he told me. "You have so much more opportunity for your equity to grow within your asset ... within your first home purchase, if you buy in an area that's in between that really hot spot and not too close to the fringe."



5. Make your offer earlier in the week

While trying to time your purchase right can be a tough move, making an offer earlier in the week can sometimes earn you a better deal, says Scott MicGillivray, Host of HGTV's Income Property.

"Go shopping on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. If you're shopping for real estate on a Saturday and Sunday, you're not getting deals," he says. "A seller is much more difficult to negotiate with on a weekend than they are on a weekday. During the week, they're distracted with work, the kid's routines, and they're probably not getting a lot of other offers on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesdays. Chances are, they'll very quickly and efficiently entertain your offer."



6. Have an exit strategy

If you're interested in making a real-estate investment, as opposed to a long-term purchase that you will primarily live in, know that there are risks involved and have a plan in place in case you need to offload the property sooner than later. Josh Altman, star of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles told me that, "In good markets or bad markets, you always have to look at what your exit strategy is in a worst case scenario."

He adds, "When I buy a property now to develop, I don't go off of the number of what everybody else's saying it will be worth. I go off of the number that I know that I can literally get rid of this property tomorrow for this price if I fire sale it. And I need to be okay with that."

Farnoosh Torabi is a financial expert, hooked on helping Americans live their richest, happiest lives. She is a bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and television personality. Her podcast So Money has been downloaded over 10 million times.



Shoe startup Allbirds now makes comfortable and sustainable socks — here's what they're like

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allbirds socks 4

  • Allbirds now makes socks ($12-$16) from a new material called Trino, a mix of the Merino wool and eucalyptus tree materials found in its popular sneakers. 
  • They're soft, moisture-wicking, and cooling, with a reinforced heel and toe for support, as well as a slip control footbed. They come in three lengths and five colors. 
  • The comfortable and sustainable socks are a promising new beginning for Allbirds as it sets its sights on becoming more than just a shoe company. 

Sustainable shoe brand Allbirds is in launch mode again. And this time, it's not a new silhouette or collection of limited-edition colors.

Allbirds now makes socks, its first foray out of shoes and into the basics category. 

Although its sneakers can be worn without socks, the company found that nearly half of its customers chose to wear socks with their pairs. It's fitting, therefore, that Allbirds' first non-shoe product would be the sock. 

Read more: Meet Bombas, the cult-favorite sock startup that has donated 16 million pairs to homeless shelters since launching in 2013

allbirds socks 3

This new product features a new material, too. If you're already a fan of Allbirds, it'll be familiar to you: it's called Trino and it's a mix of the Merino wool (found in the Runners and Loungers) and eucalyptus tree materials (found in the Runners, Skippers, Loungers, Toppers, and Breezers). 

Trino brings together the best of these two sustainable materials, resulting in a sock that's simultaneously soft, moisture-wicking, and cooling. 

Beyond comfort, the socks are designed to be practical and functional. They're lightly textured, with a reinforced heel and toe for support, as well as a slip control footbed.

Read more: I thought paying $20 for a single pair of socks was crazy, but then I tried Smartwool socks and did a complete 180

allbirds socks 6

The Trino socks are available in three styles, and each is available in six colors, which include light blue, pink, and chartreuse: 

For Allbirds, these simple socks represent just the beginning of what we think can eventually become a household apparel name. 

The Insider Picks team had the chance to review the exciting new socks ahead of their launch. Here's what we thought: 

The Allbirds Trino Hiders are lightweight and breathable, making them comfortable to wear. I like that there is slip control to prevent them coming off your foot inside the shoe, which is a common issue I have with no-show socks in general. However, I recommend wearing shoes that are true-to-fit and with support. I wore the Trino Hiders with sneakers that are half-size larger (I tend to wear thicker socks) and in this instance, because the Trino Hiders are thin, my feet were sliding inside my shoes and in a few instances, my right sock kept slipping off my foot. — Les Shu, buying guides editor

The Quarter cut is a nice in-between option for people who don't like no-show, ankle, or crew socks. My Canary Quarter socks were the perfect pair to wear under a pair of sneakers that had neon yellow accents — the bright, eye-catching color matched well, while the length covered and protected my ankles completely. Despite their knit texture, they're still really silky soft and comfortable, and they provide adequate support. I like my Bombas socks, but Allbirds Trino socks aren't as thick and are probably the best warm weather sock you can wear. — Connie Chen, reporter

allbirds socks

Allbirds' socks were exactly what I wanted them to be. Slender, breathable, silky and cool to the touch, and close-fitting without nearing on restrictive. Bombas already delivers my favorite iteration of a thick sock and an athletic sock with its blister tab design, but Allbirds makes my new favorite slender pair for sneakers. While I wouldn't recommend dropping $12-$16 on every pair of socks, it's worth owning just one or two of these in my opinion. — Mara Leighton, reporter

I tried the Trino Quarters at home during a bout of the flu, and they kept my feet cozy, but not at all sweaty or suffocated. They have a sort of silky, smooth feel to them, but they weren't slinking off my heels every time I had to turn over on the couch (we all know that dreaded feeling when your socks are slipping and you're so sick you can't even reach down to fix them). — Sally Kaplan, editor

Shop Trino Socks for $12-$16 at Allbirds

Shop all shoes and apparel at Allbirds

Join the conversation about this story »

The best cast-iron skillets and pans you can buy

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  • Cooking with a cast-iron skillet isn't for everyone, but those who love this type of pan swear by it.
  • If you're ready to try cast-iron cooking for the first time, or if you want a high-quality cast-iron skillet, the Victoria Cast Iron 12-Inch Skillet Fry Pan is a versatile option that's perfect for all kinds of cooking tasks.

The idea of living simply has become popular again. Search Google for home improvement, and you may see results about living in tiny houses, reducing your carbon footprint, running a family game night, or having electronics-free time.

Another option for simplifying things is to reduce clutter. If you're like most people, you've collected quite a lot of stuff over the years. Reduce the number of things you have, and you're sure to feel freer. (Plus, you'll actually be able to find things.)

If you want to start in the kitchen, we have an idea for you. Rather than having specific pans for many different types of cooking techniques, go back to a cooking surface and design that's been extremely popular for more than a century – cast-iron skillets. This material works great for cooking any kind of food using any kind of heat source.

Advantages of cast-iron pans

Cast iron seems old-fashioned and strange in an era filled with shiny nonstick cookware, but it's much more durable and long-lasting than Teflon. Cast-iron pans also add a tiny amount of iron into the food as you cook, which can increase your daily iron intake.

The cast-iron material will absorb all of the materials cooked in the pan over time, which adds flavor and seasoning to your pan. Although some may find that off-putting, for true cast-iron fans, this feature is what makes the skillet a great cooking tool. It's also what makes the cast-iron skillet completely nonstick. Here are some other great features of cast-iron pans.

  • Even heating: One reason why cooks and chefs love cast iron is that it heats far more evenly than pans made from thinner materials. It maintains its hot temperature, even when you add a cold steak to the pan, according to Serious Eats, which allows it to cook faster than a thin skillet. Foods will also cook more evenly.
  • Indestructible: Cast-iron pans will last for decades and still continue to work perfectly, as long as you take care of them properly and season them before use.
  • Naturally nonstick: As long as you care for the skillet properly and have it seasoned, food will not stick to the cast-iron pan. According to Lodge, the renown maker of cast-iron cookware, you can use metal utensils to cook on these pans without having to worry about scratching the surface.
  • Take it anywhere: You can use the cast-iron skillet in your kitchen, over a campfire in the middle of nowhere, and anywhere in between. Of course, the heaviness of a cast-iron pan needs to be considered.
  • Versatility: You can cook almost any kind of food in a cast-iron pan, oftentimes multiple foods simultaneously. It will work on a surface burner of an oven, it'll cook over heat from an outdoor grill, it works with a campfire, or it can be placed inside the oven for baking.

Some people don't like how heavy a cast-iron pan is. Admittedly, you will have to use your muscles to move this pan around. But think of it this way: You'll be able to work off some calories before you eat by carrying around a cast-iron skillet.

Additionally, because this pan is one piece, the handles will become hot over time. You'll want to have gloves or oven mitts available to handle the cast iron pan. Some companies also sell silicone handle covers to protect your hands, so it's worth buying some.

Here are the best cast-iron pans for your kitchen you can buy:

Updated on 08/13/2019 by Les Shu: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

SEE ALSO: This cast-iron pan is one of the most useful additions I've made to my kitchen

The best cast-iron pan overall

The Victoria Cast Iron 10-Inch Skillet Fry Pan has a smart design with its long handle and pour-spouts, making it a great cast-iron pan for cooking any dish.

The Victoria Cast Iron 10-Inch Skillet Fry Pan is the perfect skillet for cooking just about anything. It's well-designed, affordable, and long-lasting just like cast-iron cookware should be.

It has a long primary handle and a shorter secondary handle for steadying the pan as you carry it. The skillet is deep and has a fairly wide surface, so you can sear steaks, fry eggs, and make all kinds of delicious food. The pour spouts on either side of the pan make it easy to remove grease without causing a mess.

The long handle makes it easier to gain leverage on the pan when moving it around, which is good because it is a bit heavy. Epicurious reviewed the skillet and liked the handle length because it doesn't heat up as quickly as a shorter handle would.

Victoria offers this pan in 12-inch, 10-inch, and 8-inch sizes to suit your needs. If you plan to cook two steaks in your pan, get the 12-inch.

Pros: Smart design with a curved handle for easier carrying, two pour spouts, long handle doesn't heat up fast, detailed instructions included for beginners

Cons: Preseasoning isn't as thorough as it should be, some breads may stick to the pan



The best miniature cast-iron pan

When you need a small cast-iron pan to take with you camping or hiking, the Lodge Miniature Skillet is just right.

Bigger isn't always better with a lot of things, and the same is true for cast-iron pans. Although a large pan definitely has its advantages, the Lodge Miniature Skillet, with a 3.5-inch diameter, offers plenty of reasons to like it, too.

If you want to take a small cast-iron pan camping or hiking, this tiny skillet will be easier to carry. Or, if you want to perfectly cook one fried egg, this is the pan to use.

You can purchase this particular cast-iron skillet design from Lodge with diameters ranging from 3.5 to 15 inches, so if you want a bigger size, there are options for you, too.

The Spruce says the miniature skillet is made with materials identical to the larger Lodge cast-iron pans. The skillets that are larger than 9 inches in diameter contain a secondary handle that helps in steadying the pan.

The Lodge brand name is one of the most trusted among those who use cast iron pans, according to The Induction Site. Many vintage Lodge pans remain in use, even decades after they were initially purchased. Both of Wirecutter's only picks are from Lodge.

Insider Picks' Senior Editor Malarie Gokey and Guides Editor Les Shu can verify that Lodge pans are excellent. Malarie owns this same mini skillet and two more large ones and no longer cooks with anything else. Les uses his Lodge pan to sear his steaks after sous vide. 

Even with a small size, the Lodge Miniature Skillet evenly distributes heat, according to Top Best Brands, yielding successful cooking results.

However, one Amazon reviewer said the small skillet size causes the heat to reach handle more quickly than with a large pan, so you will want a silicone handle for protection. Lodge sells great ones for $5 to $8.

Pros: Perfect size to carry in a backpack, easy to cook a small batch, trusted Lodge quality, evenly distributes heat when cooking, very low price point

Cons: Small size causes handle to heat up faster than a large pan, difficult to clean at times



The best enameled cast-iron pan

The Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet is really expensive, but this cast iron pan with enameling does a great job with cooking food evenly in style.

The Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet is incredibly expensive. You'll pay several times more for the Le Creuset cast iron pan than for all the others in our guide. But there's a reason for it: Made in France, Le Creuset is the Rolls-Royce of cast-iron cookware.

Many cooks who use Le Creuset products swear by it, thanks to its great design and toughness. This particular skillet is available in 10 different enamel colors. It also has main and secondary handles, as well as pour spouts on both sides of the pan.

If you're looking for an especially durable and tough cast iron pan with enameling, Think Cook says the Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet is the perfect option. It even works with induction cooktops.

The Stone Frying Pans like the lack of maintenance required with these pans. When cared for correctly, as an Amazon buyer points out, food doesn't stick to the pan.

The multiple enamel colors make this skillet a fun, colorful addition to your cookware collection.

However, a few Amazon buyers say they've struggled to keep this pan clean, which is a significant disappointment, considering the high price tag. We recommend following Le Creuset's cleaning instructions and how to properly care for it.

Another premium brand to consider is Staub. Also from France, Staub's cast-iron cookware are equally well-made and adored by many cooks.

Pros: Cooks all types of food evenly, large cast-iron skillet will work for large meals, enamel coating on the pan provides a bit of color and looks great, works with induction cooktops, durable

Cons: Far higher price point than other cast -ron pans of the same size, can be difficult to clean



The best cast-iron pan set

Cast iron skillets are versatile, but buying three different pans at once with the Simple Chef Cast Iron Skillet 3-Piece Set ensures that you have a skillet for any quantity of food.

As you become more experienced cooking with cast-iron pans, you're going to realize the benefits of having different sized skillets. When you're looking to grab multiple skillets at a great price, the Simple Chef Cast Iron Skillet 3-Piece Set is a smart choice.

One of the best reasons to have multiple sizes of cast-iron pans is because each unit in the set heats up at a different rate, according to Think Cook. When you need to finish cooking something quickly, you can grab one of the smaller pans, for example. But if you have more time and a lot of food to cook, having a large size is nice.

The Cookware Diary liked having three different sizes in the set from Simple Chef because you can use the smaller ones while camping and save the larger one for at-home use.

One Amazon buyer was disappointed with the preseasoning of these pans, saying food stuck badly to all of them. To avoid that issue, simply season your pans a few times before use.

Pros: Great price point for three cast iron skillets, having a small size works well for camping, pans work with many heating sources

Cons: No extra-large pan included, preseasoning may not be uniform



The best cast-iron wok

The Lodge 14-Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Wok is perfect for making a stir-fry because it heats up evenly and gives you lots of room to mix ingredients.

If you've ever watched an experienced cook stir-fry food, a cast-iron wok is a popular tool of choice. Cast iron heats food evenly and retains its heat well, which is perfect for stir-fry, where you want to cook the food quickly and thoroughly. This is important for home cooking as few of us have stove-tops that can generate the amount of heat as those in professional kitchens.

The Lodge 14-Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Wok may not make you a professional cook, but you'll be amazed how much success you can have with this style of cooking with a great wok, according to Foodal. This wok also carries the highly regarded Lodge brand name.

This is a heavy wok, so having two handles on either side is extremely helpful. At 14 inches in diameter, this wok is more than large enough for cooking all kinds of food.

The Sacred Rice said this style of wok is reminiscent of vintage cast-iron woks from Asia. The Lodge wok will work with many heating sources and cooking surfaces because of its flat base, according to Cast Iron Addiction.

However, a few Amazon reviewers said this wok shows signs of rust quickly, which requires additional maintenance.

Pros: Great material for stir-frying, large size allows for creating big meals, flat base heats on any surface and provide steadiness, having handles on both sides allows you to carry the wok more easily

Cons: Price is a little high, surface may rust after a few uses (you may need to perform additional maintenance)



How to clean and season a cast-iron skillet

Seasoning cast-iron skillets

To gain the proper cooking results from a cast-iron pan, you need to season it. Most pans will be advertised as "preseasoned," so you may not need to follow these steps, but it won't hurt anything if you do choose to season the pan on your own.

Seasoning a cast-iron skillet requires that you cover the entire interior surface of the pan in cooking oil. Then, place the skillet in an oven preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and let it bake for about an hour. To be safe, you can do this a few times and get a perfect coat.

According to Apartment Therapy, the oil serves as the nonstick surface for the pan going forward. As you continue to cook with the pan, the continuous build-up of oils in the pan will result in the cooking surface that is completely nonstick.

Cleaning cast-iron skillets

Cleaning the pan after cooking is a simple process. You don't want to do a thorough scrubbing on the pan with harsh chemicals, because of the way the cast iron absorbs materials. Instead, lightly scrub out any stuck-on food with water and a sponge. If that doesn't work, try loosening stuck food from the pan with coarse salt and rinse with water.

Don't use soap, oven cleaner, metal scrub brushes, or scouring pads on the cast-iron surface. Should the pan become rusty, Extra Crispy says you can use steel wool to remove the rust, but you'll then have to season the cast iron pan again.

To avoid rust, don't abandon your skillet in a sinkful of water, never pop it in the dishwasher, and always dry it off thoroughly before storing. You should also let the pan cool off before you clean it and don't use cold water to clean it if it's still hot — cast iron can break under extreme temperature changes.



I recently tried a $128 moisturizer to get rid of the fine lines I've developed in my 30s — and it was life-changing for my skin

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SkinCeuticals restore

  • SkinCeuticals is a luxury skin-care brand that makes high-concentration formulas to treat everything from signs of aging to adult acne. 
  • I tried Skinceuticals' Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 ($128), a rich anti-aging moisturizer that's been life-changing for my skin (and my husband's, too).
  • It improved the overall quality of my skin, removing fine lines, shrinking pores, and helping to restore fullness. 
  • It's expensive at $128 for 1.6 ounces, but it's had such an impact on my skin that I think it's worth the splurge.

First, we're going to get the confessions out of the way. I used to have bad, very bad skin. Like, Accutane-level bad. Fortunately I don't have acne anymore, but I went directly from pimples to fine lines in my 30s (it's hard being me).

In my search to treat these small wrinkles, I recently turned to the splurge-worthy, $128 Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 moisturizer by SkinCeuticals, a skin-care company that approaches its formulas as if they were medicine for the skin.

What makes this moisturizer worth $128?

Let's talk about SkinCeuticals' Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2. It's a heavy jar of moisturizer that's made up of 2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids. The brand touts that this ratio of naturally-occurring lipids is ideal for helping skin to restore its natural moisture barrier. According to SkinCeuticals, lipid production declines with age, and "as a consequence, skin's natural functions may become impaired, impacting barrier function and skin's natural repair [process]." By restoring skin with the exact lipids it needs, the moisturizer should improve your skin's ability to self-repair over time.

In an eight-week clinical study, it had proven results: 66% smoother skin; 35% improvement in laxity; 20% improvement in evenness; 26% improvement in radiance; and 44% improvement in pore appearance. 

The downside? It costs $128. Yes, it's pricey — but based on my experience with it, it's worth the splurge. 

My review of the SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

After hearing good things about the moisturizer, I tried it for myself.

Though it can be applied twice a day, I stuck with a nighttime application because it felt thick and heavy — and for the price ($128 on Dermstore), I wanted it to last a while.

Despite how thick the formula is, it soaks into my skin very quickly and feels very soothing. It feels so nice, in fact, that my 7-year-old begs to have a little smeared onto her face nightly, too.

After about a week of using SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, I was carded at age 39 at a restaurant for the first time in about a decade. And not just carded: the waiter refused to give me my drink even after I showed my license because she said I looked too young. Thanks SkinCeuticals, I guess!

I've now been using SkinCeuticals for about four months, and my face looks fuller and younger, as if I had Botox or fillers (I've had neither). My pores are non-existent, and my husband keeps telling me how nice I've been looking. After I told him about SkinCeuticals, he started using it too, and his pores are now tiny (they were huge prior to using this).

It's been totally on point when I travel, protecting my skin from weird, dry airplane air, the stress of making it to my flights and figuring out itineraries, and even handling my skin after swimming in pools that are overloaded with chlorine.

Since using the Triple Lipid Restore moisturizer, my fine lines that appeared post-baby have disappeared, and now that I finally have acne-free skin, I'm feeling great.

For what it's worth, I've only tried SkinCeuticals during the warmer months, but it hasn't made my skin the least bit oily. I'm also fully confident that it will be able to handle my skin when it becomes drier throughout a Chicago winter.

Bottom line

Is it worth the price? I say yes, based on my personal experience with the moisturizer. It has made my skin look fuller, younger, and healthier in the few months I've been using it.

What works for me may not work for everyone, but if the clinical studies combined with my own skin improvements say anything, it's that the splurge is justified.

Buy the SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 for $128 at Dermstore and SkinCeuticals

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