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Mark Zuckerberg's net worth increased by over $1 billion after Facebook's FTC fine — see the houses, cars, and travels where he spends his billions

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Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan

  • Mark Zuckerberg had a net worth of about $68.2 billion in August 2019, making him the fifth-richest person in the world.
  • His 410 million shares of Facebook stock appreciated by more than $1 billion after news of Facebook's FTC fine broke in July. 
  • Zuckerberg drives an affordable car and wears basic clothes, but appears to splurge on real estate, buying houses and then buying the surrounding properties for privacy. 
  • Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan are generous philanthropists, investing billions in childhood education and medical research that they hope will cure all diseases in their children's' lifetimes.
  • Here's how Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have spent their billions. 

SEE ALSO: A day in the life of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who works up to 60 hours a week and has a squad of 12 employees to help him with social media

DON'T MISS: Meet the 9 richest people in America, who have a combined fortune of $567 billion

In May 2012, eight years after its founding, Facebook debuted on the New York Stock Exchange. At the time, it was the biggest technology IPO in history.



Each year since the IPO, Zuckerberg has added an average of $9 billion to his net worth.

Source: Fortune



Despite his status as one of the richest tech moguls, the Harvard dropout leads a low-key lifestyle with his wife, Priscilla Chan, and their two young daughters.



Like many other Silicon Valley stalwarts, Zuckerberg favors a uniform. Though casual in appearance, his signature gray T-shirts and hoodies are designed by luxury brands and are reportedly much more expensive than they look, retailing for hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

Source: Business Insider, GQ



Zuckerberg is known for driving relatively inexpensive cars. He's been seen in an Acura TSX, and a Honda Fit, all of which are valued at or under $30,000.

Sources: Business Insider, CNBC



He's also been spotted driving a black Volkswagen Golf GTI, a car that he bought well into making his fortune. It's a car that would cost about $30,000 when new.

Source: Business Insider



But, that's not to say he hasn't spent on at least one sports car, an Italian Pagani Huayra that sells for about $1.3 million.

Source: Business Insider and Yahoo



There's one thing Zuckerberg doesn't seem to mind splurging on: real estate. In May 2011, he bought a 5,000-square-foot home — which he's since tricked out with a "custom-made artificially intelligent assistant" — in Palo Alto for $7 million.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle, CNBC



The next year, Zuckerberg began buying the properties surrounding his home, spending more than $30 million to acquire four homes, with plans to level them and rebuild.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle, CNBC



He also owns a townhouse in the Mission District of San Francisco. He bought the 5,500-square-foot home in 2013 and proceeded to make over $1 million in renovations, including adding a greenhouse and remodeling the kitchen.

Source: Curbed San Francisco



In 2014, the billionaire's real-estate portfolio jumped the Pacific when he spent $100 million on two properties on the island of Kauai: the Kahu'aina Plantation, a 357-acre former sugarcane plantation, and Pila'a Beach, a 393-acre property with a white-sand beach.

Source: Business Insider, Forbes



Zuckerberg said he and Chan bought the land because they're "dedicated to preserving its natural beauty."

Source: Business Insider, Forbes



According to Zuckerberg's Facebook page, the property's farm is home to goats and turtles. "Our farm animals are ridiculous," he captioned the photo below.



His most recent real estate splurge was on two lakefront properties on Lake Tahoe, which cost a combined $59 million. One of the houses, called the Brushwood Estate, is 5,233 square feet and on six acres. The property features a guest house and a private dock.

Source: Business Insider, SF Gate



Between his two Lake Tahoe properties, he owns about 600 feet of private shoreline on Lake Tahoe's west shore.

Source: Business Insider, SF Gate

 



When Zuckerberg buys properties, he tends to buy the other homes surrounding it for privacy reasons, just like he has done in Palo Alto.

Source: Business Insider

 



Privacy is likely the same reason that he bought the second home — and is in talks to buy a third — in Lake Tahoe.

Source: Business Insider



Zuckerberg doesn't appear to travel much for pleasure. But when he does travel, Facebook foots the bill. Zuckerberg's security detail and transportation cost the company nearly $5 million in 2015.

Source: Business Insider



However, he does occasionally get to spend time with his family while traveling. Zuckerberg and Chan met with the pope in the Vatican, and reportedly gave the pope a model Facebook drone.

Source: Business Insider



Zuckerberg used over $1 million in Facebook funds for personal travel in 2018, making it his most expensive year yet. While in Europe, he posted about celebrating his seventh anniversary with Priscilla Chan at the Parthenon in Athens.

Source: Facebook



In May 2019, he visited Paris to meet with French president Emmanuel Macron.

Sources: Business Insider,Bloomberg



The costs to protect Zuckerberg rose to over $7 million in 2017, after he spent the summer traversing America as part of his personal goal to visit every US state in a year.

Source: Business Insider



On his whirlwind tour around the US, the CEO dined with a family at their home in Ohio, met with former opioid addicts, worked on an assembly line at a Ford factory, met with members of the military, and even fed a calf.

Source: Business Insider



Zuckerberg shared photos on Facebook of his experiences in America's heartland, and he seemed right at home.



In 2018, Facebook approved a record-high $10 million annual security budget for Zuckerberg for bodyguards, security measures for his houses, and private aircraft.

Source: Business Insider



Ultimately, opulence and luxury are just a blip on Zuckerberg's radar. In fact, his main priority is giving his money away, rather than spending it.



Zuckerberg is a member of the Giving Pledge, joining Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and over 100 other billionaires vowing to donate the majority their wealth to philanthropy. He plans to sell 99% of his Facebook shares during his lifetime.

Source: Business Insider



Zuckerberg has complete control over Facebook's future, thanks to his majority voting rights. Facebook's stock price rose 2% after the FTC announced approval of the social media giant's $5 billion privacy settlement.

Source: Business Insider



Zuckerberg said in September 2017 that he planned to sell 35 to 75 million shares over the next 18 months to fund the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, totaling between $6 billion and $12 billion.

Source: Business Insider



Some of his Facebook shares will go toward the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropic organization he founded with his wife in 2015 focused on "personalized learning, curing disease, connecting people, and building strong communities."

Source: Business Insider



The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is tackling both local and global issues. In 2016 Zuckerberg and Chan invested $3 billion into research focused on curing the world's diseases by the end of the century.

Source: Business Insider



In an in-depth interview with the The New Yorker, Zuckerberg said people in Silicon Valley react to his pledge to cure all diseases in one of two ways...

Sources: The New Yorker, Business Insider



"A bunch of people have the reaction of 'Oh, that's obviously going to happen on its own — why don't you just spend your time doing something else?' And then a bunch of people have the reaction of 'Oh, that seems almost impossible — why are you setting your sights so high?'"

Sources: The New Yorker, Business Insider



In 2017, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative partnered with housing startup Landed, giving $5 million to help at least 60 teachers in Redwood City and East Palo Alto, California, purchase real estate.

Source: Business Insider



In order to accomplish this lofty goal, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative launched a $3 billion nonprofit called Biohub to start looking into the cure of disease, including research on genomics, infectious diseases and implantable devices.

Source: Business Insider



The scientists their nonprofit employed have started a study of brain-machine devices, including one called the Wand, which is an implant they say can help limit the symptoms of diseases like Parkinson's and epilepsy.

Source: Business Insider



Zuckerberg believes that his nonprofit will help speed up research to cure disease, and says that in the future, "we'll basically have been able to manage or cure all of the major things that people suffer from and die from today. Based on the data that we already see, it seems like there's a reasonable shot."

Source: Business Insider




The best credit card for Delta flyers in 2019 isn't even a Delta card

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Boeing 737 900ER Delta

  • Although Delta offers a few co-branded credit cards, there's a different credit card that's actually a better choice for the airline's regulars.
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express is more useful for Delta passengers, since it offers much more extensive airport lounge access than Delta's equivalent card, up to a $200 airline fee credit each calendar year, and earns more points on purchases with Delta and other airlines.
  • Since you can transfer Amex points to Delta SkyMiles, you can pool them with the miles you earn by flying — there are plenty of other ways to use them, too.
  • However, depending on your traveling habits, it might still be worth considering one of the Delta cards, either on its own or in addition to the Amex Platinum Card.

If you're a Delta loyalist, chances are you've considered opening a Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, or possibly the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express. However, the best card for flying Delta isn't even technically a Delta credit card.

The best credit card for flying Delta

If you're looking to earn Delta miles on your normal spending, and enjoy certain perks on the airline, the Platinum Card from American Express is arguably the best pick.

While it has a high annual fee of $550, the Amex Platinum — which is issued by American Express, but isn't co-branded with Delta — offers a massive amount of value for Delta flyers, easily enough to make up for the annual fee.

Read on for a few reasons the Amex Platinum Card can be a better option for Delta flyers — particularly those who hold elite status or only check their bags a few times a year.

1. The Platinum Card earns more miles than the Delta cards

The most valuable rewards credit cards tend to earn miles in bonus categories, and the Platinum Card is no exception. The card earns an incredible 5 points per dollar spent on airfare, whenever you purchase directly from the airline or through the Amex Travel booking portal. That includes your Delta flights, as well as virtually any other airline.

You can also earn 5x points on prepaid hotel stays booked through Amex, including Fine Hotels and Resorts stays.

Often, co-branded cards offer bonus categories too, but they're usually confined to the co-brand. That's the case with Delta's cards — they earn 2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases. (It's worth noting that the United and American Airlines cards are starting to offer bonus points on additional categories, so Delta might follow suit later.)

A major benefit to earning Amex Membership Rewards (MR) points instead of Delta SkyMiles from your credit card spending is that there are more ways to use them— and you'll still earn Delta miles every time you fly. Plus, if you do want to book Delta award flights, Amex MR points can be transferred to Delta at a 1:1 ratio, and combined with the miles you earned in the air. They can also be transferred to a few different airline and hotel partners, or used to book directly through Amex Travel.

2. The Platinum Card offers access to Delta Sky Club lounges any time you fly on the airline, as well as more than 1,200 other lounges around the world no matter what airline you fly

In my personal opinion, this is one of the most compelling reasons to have the card if you're even a semi-regular traveler.

I love flying, but there's no denying that airports are ... not the best. While I don't fly nearly as often as some business travelers, I still find myself spending a lot of time in airports, and having lounge access is a game-changer.

Lounges are exclusive areas where you can enjoy seats, an internet connection, food, drinks, and sometimes other amenities. Although lounges were traditionally reserved for first class and business class passengers, many are accessible to any traveler who holds either a lounge membership or certain credit cards.

When you fly Delta, regardless of which cabin, the Platinum Card grants you access to any Delta Sky Club. If you're traveling with anyone who does not have their own card, you can purchase discounted guest access for $29 (usually, a day pass is $59).

In addition, whenever you fly, regardless of airline, you and two guests can access Amex's proprietary Centurion lounges, available at 10 major airports, with several high-profile locations scheduled to open next year. The Platinum Card also comes with a Priority Pass Select membership — Priority Pass is a network of over 1,200 lounges around the world. You and two guests can access these lounges as long as you're flying on the same day.

Read our full review to learn more about the lounges that the Platinum Card gets you access to.

The premium co-branded Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express also comes with access to Sky Clubs when you fly Delta, but it doesn't get you access to Centurion Lounges or Priority Pass locations.

3. The Platinum Card offers up to $200 each year in airline fee reimbursements — and up to $200 in Uber credits annually

Every calendar year, the Platinum Card offers a $200 credit toward incidental fees on one airline (that you can choose at the beginning of each year). Naturally, a Delta loyalist can pick Delta.

After that, any eligible charges you make with that airline will automatically receive statement credits to cover them. While it doesn't cover tickets, it applies to a wide variety of charges and fees, such as checked bags, change fees if you need to change your flight, in-flight food and drinks, fees for traveling with a pet, day passes for lounge guests, and more.

The best part of the airline credit is that because you get it each calendar year, not cardmember year, you could get it twice in your first year of having the card. Say you opened the card in February — you can earn the full $200 credit before the calendar year ends, then once the credit resets on January 1, get it again before your next annual fee posts, meaning you can get up to $400 in value from this credit each year.

While the Delta co-branded cards offer the cardholder a free checked bag on each flight, this fee credit would apply to baggage fees.

The Platinum Card also offers up to $200 in Uber credits each year, broken up into 12 monthly chunks. At the start of each month, you'll get $15 of credits added to your Uber account, with a $20 bonus each December (for a total of $35 that month).

Why you may still want to consider a Delta credit card, either instead of, or in addition to, the Amex Platinum Card

While the Amex Platinum Card earns more miles than the Delta co-branded cards, offers lounge access, and credits you for $200 in airline fees each calendar year, there are some perks that make the airline cards worth having for Delta flyers who might not fly enough to make use of the lounge access, or others.

All of the three primary Delta cards — the Gold Delta SkyMiles card, the Platinum Delta SkyMiles card, and the Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express — offer a free checked bag for each person on the cardmember's account, as well as priority boarding. They also feature discounted access to Delta Sky Clubs — the Reserve offers complementary access, but doesn't include Centurion or Priority Pass lounges. The Platinum and Reserve versions also offer an annual companion certificate— in the case of the Platinum, the companion pass can make up for the annual fee. (There's also a Blue Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, but that doesn't come with similar benefits.)

These benefits can be extremely useful, and anyone flying Delta may get enough use from them for it to make sense to carry the card. Theoretically, it can be worth keeping the Delta co-branded card for the Delta-specific travel benefits, and the Amex Platinum Card for the lounge access and the points-earning.

That's what I do, since the Delta Platinum's companion pass essentially pays for the card's fee each year. However, the regular Platinum Card's benefits are much more useful, and if I had to pick just one card, I'd go with the latter.

Bottom line

Keep in mind that if you have Delta Medallion elite status, you already get free checked bags and priority boarding. Whether it makes sense to carry a co-branded card as well as the Amex Platinum Card will be different for each person.

However, if you only want to have one card, if you travel enough to have elite status, and you can afford to float the annual fee (remembering that you'll get value back), the Amex Platinum Card is the best choice. Between the lounge access, airline fee credits, and increased points earning rate, it makes an ideal card for Delta flyers.

Click here to learn more about the Platinum Card from American Express from Business Insider's partner, The Points Guy.

SEE ALSO: American vs Delta vs United — we compared the 3 most popular airline credit cards and named a winner

READ MORE: The best rewards credit cards of 2019

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Stewart Butterfield, co-founder of Slack and Flickr, says 2 beliefs have brought him the greatest success in life

How to transfer files from one PC to another PC in 3 different ways

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windows 10 computers

  • You can transfer files from one PC to another PC easily using cloud storage services like OneDrive or Dropbox.
  • You can also copy files to an intermediate storage device like a USB flash drive, or external hard drive, then move the device to the other PC and transfer the files to their final destination.
  • If the two computers are in close proximity, you can purchase a file transfer cable, which comes with software to simplify moving files between PCs
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Transferring files from one PC to another used to be a real hassle, and often required moving floppy disks back and forth, using arcane cable connections, or software like Microsoft's (now defunct) Easy File Transfer, which was not as easy as its name implied. 

These days, there's an embarrassment of riches when it comes to easily getting files from one PC computer to another, whether you need to transfer just a few files or an entire hard drive. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Windows 10 Home (From $139.99 at Best Buy)

Plugable Transfer Cable Compatible (From $18.55 on Amazon)

Microsoft Office 365 (From $69.99 at Best Buy)

How to transfer files from one PC to another PC

Transfer files with a USB flash memory drive or external hard drive

USB flash memory drives — also known as memory keys and memory sticks — can copy a few files or an enormous amount of data, depending upon the capacity of the drive. 

But in general, this technique is a good option when you have just a few files to transfer. 

1. Insert the flash drive in an available USB slot on your computer.

transfer 1.JPG

2. Open a File Explorer window and find the entry for the flash drive in the pane on the left. 

3. If you need to delete everything on the drive to make room for the new files, right-click the drive and choose "Format…," then click "Start." Alternately, you could just select and delete unwanted files from the flash drive.

transfer 2

4. Drag the files you want to copy onto the folder for the drive. 

transfer 3

5. When you're done, remove the flash drive and insert it in a USB slot on the other PC. 

6. Open a File Explorer window and copy the files to the new PC by selecting and dragging them into another folder.  

If you need to copy a very large number of files, you can use an external hard drive instead. 

External hard drives come in large capacities (1TB or more) and are generally very compact and portable. They plug into your PC's USB port and you can use the exact same process to copy files with a hard drive as you used for a USB flash drive. 

Transfer files with OneDrive, Dropbox, or other cloud storage systems

Cloud storage has made it simple to copy files between PCs without needing any intermediate drives, cables, or other hardware. 

You can get a few gigabytes of online storage with a free OneDrive or Dropbox account, or a much larger capacity with a paid subscription. If you have a subscription to Microsoft Office 365, for example, it comes with 1TB of OneDrive storage. Google Drive starts with 15GB.

1. In a File Explorer window, click your OneDrive or Dropbox location in which you want to store the files for transfer.

transfer 4

2. Drag the files you want to transfer from your computer into the folder. 

3. On the other computer, install the OneDrive or Dropbox software and log into the same account. 

4. After it has had a chance to sync and copy files, open the cloud storage folder in File Explorer and copy the files to the new location on your new PC's hard drive. 

Transfer files with a transfer cable

While it may seem like something of a throwback, a file transfer cable is still a solid way to move files between two PCs if the computers are in close proximity to one another (for example, you can position them on the same desk or table). 

The Plugable Transfer Cable is a reliable and affordable option, and works with virtually every version of Windows still found in the world, from Windows XP through Windows 10

To use it, you connect the cable to both PCs via USB ports and use the included transfer software to select files and folders to move from one computer to the other. 

plugable transfer cable usb to usb

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best laptops you can buy

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The $25 Roku Express can make dumb TVs smart — we tried the budget streamer to see if it's worth buying

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Roku Express

  • Roku's streaming device lineup is growing, but if you want to reach everyone, you have to release inexpensive devices — like the Roku Express.
  • The Roku Express may be cheap at just $25, but it has a lot going for it, like an easy-to-use interface and access to a ton of apps.
  • The Roku Express does, however, have some downsides — like a limit of 1080p resolution and no voice control.
  • For more buying advice, check out our guide to the best streaming sticks and boxes.

The Roku lineup of streaming devices has grown a ton over the past few years. It makes sense — Roku wants to release a device for everyone. That, however, requires releasing devices that are ultra-affordable, and the most affordable streamer in the Roku lineup is the Roku Express.

On paper, the Roku Express looks like a decent device — but it's not perfect. For example, it offers the full Roku platform in a package that's less than $30, but it doesn't come with some features you would find on Roku's more expensive devices, like 4K and HDR support.

But just how much does Roku sacrifice in order to hit that affordability mark? Are you better off saving your money and buying something else? We've been using the Roku Express for the past few weeks to find out.

Design and specs

Under $30 Roku Express

If you've used any other Roku device before, you'll be immediately familiar with the setup of the Roku Express. The device is actually comprised of two main parts: the remote and a small box that plugs into your TV. That box is actually closer to the size of a streaming stick than a streaming box, so it looks more subtle on a TV stand or entertainment center.

On the back of the streaming device, you'll find an HDMI port so you can connect it to your TV and a MicroUSB port for powering the device. We hope Roku moves to USB-C ports in the near future for charging, as it's 2019, and MicroUSB is outdated. When you place the streaming device near your TV, you'll want to put it somewhere visible — that's because the remote communicates with it through infrared and it requires a line of sight.

If you've used a Roku device before, you'll also be familiar with the remote. The remotes are pretty much the same across all Roku devices with a few small differences. The remote that comes with the Express does not offer voice input so you can't control the device with your voice, but it does have quick controls for Netflix, Sling, Hulu, and The CW, plus, it's very easy to use.  

Specs and dimensions 

  • 1.4 x 3.3 x 0.7 inches
  • Supports up to 1080p resolution
  • IR remote
  • HDMI 1.4

Set-up process

Roku Express

Setting up the Roku Express is exactly the same as setting up any other Roku device — simple. You'll start by plugging the Roku streaming device into your TV and a power outlet, after which the Roku logo should display on your TV.

After that, you'll simply follow the on-screen instructions to set the device up. This will involve heading to the Roku website, entering a code, then either signing in to your Roku account or creating a new one.

Part of the setup process also involves choosing which apps or "channels" you want installed on your device. Most people will want to uncheck most of the apps on the list — unless you happen to be a streaming service addict with dozens of streaming subscriptions. You can always add more later.

Special features

There are a number of things that make the Roku Express a great device, the first being that it offers an easy way to turn your TV into a smart TV at a great price. That's really the main reason to buy the Roku Express. If you like the idea of video streaming, but your current TV is too old to offer native apps and you don't want a new TV just yet, grab an Express.

In other words, the Express is really for the first-time streamer or the casual TV watcher who doesn't care much about high-resolution video.

Apart from that, the Roku interface is generally very easy to use. You can easily navigate to the apps that you want to use, and while voice control would make it even easier to use, most will find the interface pretty intuitive.

Downsides

The Roku Express is a great streaming device, but Roku does have to cut some corners to make a device this cheap. For starters, there's no 4K or HDR support here, so if you have a relatively new TV with 4K support, you'll want to look into the Roku Streaming Stick+, or our favorite streaming device, the Apple TV 4K.

The lack of voice control is also a little frustrating. There are other Roku devices with support for voice control, and it would have been a welcome addition here. 

Last but not least, while the Roku Express is very easy to use. The Roku interface is starting to feel a little dated. Roku may well update the interface in the near future, but it's still something to keep in mind.

The bottom line

Roku Express remote

The Roku Express offers a ton of value for the money. The device is inexpensive and easy to use, making it great for those getting started in streaming or those with an older TV.

  • Should you buy it? Yes — if you have an older 1080p TV that you want to turn into a smart TV for about $30, the Roku Express is hard to beat.
  • What are your alternatives? If you have a 4K TV and you don't mind spending a bit more money, you can grab the Roku Streaming Stick+ for $59. If you want 4K, HDR, more features, and faster streaming, the $99 Roku Ultra is worth looking into. 

As Roku's budget option, the Express is a great buy for anyone who is on a budget.

Pros: Easy to use, great value for money, 1080p streaming, lots of apps

Cons: No 4K or HDR, no voice control, Roku interface could use a refresh

Buy the Roku Express on Amazon for $24.99

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Having a Delta credit card gets you a free checked bag every time you fly the airline — here's how to use the perk

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52684534_2419660888053079_7685507066072399872_o

One of the perks that comes with Delta's three main credit cards — the Gold Delta SkyMiles, Platinum Delta SkyMiles, and Delta Reserve cards — is a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation.

For travelers who tend to check bags, the savings can add up quickly. Delta charges $30 each way for a checked bag on a domestic flight. For a family of four taking a long vacation, just having the credit card can help save $240 — $30 each bag, each way would mean a total of $240 for the whole family. 

Using the benefit is easy

When you apply for the Delta Amex card, you're prompted to enter your Delta SkyMiles number. From that point on, as long as the card is open, the benefits are tied to your SkyMiles account.

Just make sure that you're logged in to your Delta account when booking tickets — or, if you're booking through a third-party portal like Expedia, just enter your Delta number during the booking process. If you go to add a bag when checking in for your flight, you'll see a cost of $0.00. The same will apply for anyone else on the same reservation with you.

The key is making sure that you're on the same reservation. If you book separately, your travel companions won't have access to free checked bags unless they have their own Delta credit card (or hold elite Medallion status). 

Learn more: 10 lucrative credit card sign-up offers available this month

If you're thinking about getting a Delta credit card, now is the perfect time. Two of the cards are offering limited-time welcome bonuses that can get you cash back on Delta flights as well as bonus miles.

The Gold Delta SkyMiles card offers 30,000 Delta SkyMiles when you spend $1,000 in the first three months. 

The Platinum version is offering 35,000 SkyMiles and 5,000 MQMs when you spend $1,000 in the first three months.

Delta's premium card, the Delta Reserve, offers 40,000 miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after you spend $3,000 in three months.

$95 annual fee, waived the first year: Click here to learn more about the Gold Delta SkyMiles card from Business Insider's partner: The Points Guy.

$195 annual fee: Click here to learn more about the Platinum Delta SkyMiles card from Business Insider's partner: The Points Guy.

$450 annual fee: Click here to learn more about the Delta Reserve card from Business Insider's partner: The Points Guy.

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

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Breville's Barista Express is the best all-in-one, semi-automatic espresso machine you'll find for under $600 — here's everything you need to know

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Breville Espresso Machine 1

  • Like it or not, $600 is an entry-level price for an espresso machine. For an all-in-one package (that is, a burr grinder, the espresso machine itself, and a frother), it's hard to beat the Breville Barista Express.
  • Breville has newer, more expensive machines, but this one is still our favorite, and at $584, it's now cheaper than we've ever seen it.
  • Sturdy, sleek, and powerful as can be, the Barista Express holds your hand like a novice while helping you produce like pro. It's also our top pick in our guide to the best espresso machines.

"Home espresso machines are a problem in a box," one inveterate reporter once told me. She wasn't wrong, mostly. I've spent many a day over the last few months troubleshooting several of them.

Owning and maintaining a true espresso machine (I'm not talking pod machines like Nespresso here) is a meticulous endeavor for the borderline-obsessive coffee fiend. If you don't crave and cherish an espresso-based drink on a regular basis, stick with a simple drip coffee machine, French Press, or Moka pot if you don't want a hog of a machine dominating your kitchen counter.

But, unlike many other semi-automatic espresso machines, this one is fairly foolproof and holds your hand through the process. It also comes integrated with Breville's burr grinder, which we love, and which would run you about $200 if bought separately.

Just as with bartenders, there's a very good set of reasons why baristas exist. Sure, between pulling shots they can often become our boho-chic shrinks, but perhaps more importantly, they handle our espresso and the machines that produce it with a degree of TLC that many if not most of us either can't or don't care to match. (I, for one, have destroyed or in some way disabled more than my fair share.)

What's the difference between espresso and coffee?

First off, depending on how much you're drinking, espresso can be a more pedestrian dose of caffeine. "Consumer Reports" writes: "An ounce — or one shot — of espresso contains 63 mg of caffeine, according to nutritional information from the Department of Agriculture. By comparison, regular coffee averages 12 to 16 mg of caffeine per ounce."

At eight ounces per standard cup, that's upwards of 96 mg of caffeine per cup of regular coffee. But caffeine concentrations also vary from brand to brand: According to "Consumer Reports," a shot of espresso at Starbucks has about 75 mg of caffeine, while an 8-ounce cup of Pike Place roast coffee has 155 mg. But then, as with many cafes, the smallest size Starbucks offers is a 12-ounce "Tall," meaning you're walking out with about 232.5 mg of caffeine in your hand at minimum. That, if my arithmetic serves me, adds up to more than three shots of their espresso. I shudder at the idea of consuming three shots of espresso at once.

Secondly, the way coffee is brewed, it absorbs much more water than espresso, which is made by a quick pulse of pressure (hence "espresso," or in full: caffè espresso, which basically translates to "pressed-out coffee") forcing nearly boiling water through very finely ground coffee beans.

There are no true guidelines as to which beans go with which method of brewing or roasting, but you can expect certain flavors from certain roasts. A dark bean will be more bitter (perhaps overpoweringly so), while "a light roast will provide a sweeter and more complex flavor profile," the folks at Seattle Coffee Gear explain. Traditionally, dark-roast beans were preferred for espresso "to mask potential flavor defects and inconsistencies," but "because of the high standards that specialty roasters now hold for the coffees they use," that's no longer an issue.

But what about the label on your bag of beans? That's just a suggestion by the roaster, who's not necessarily wrong or right. These are subjective and muddy waters at best these days. You'll be able to find out what you like pretty quickly.

Why spend all that money on an espresso machine?

The main reason espresso machines are so expensive is the boiler. It has to be powerful enough to produce about nine bars of even pressure, but also maintain a consistent temperature just above boiling. Pod machines fool us into thinking they cover these bases, but what you get out of them is something much closer to coffee than espresso.

If you're trading in your takeout coffee for an espresso machine, it'll pay for itself in no time (somewhere between one and two years). It'll also save you time. From start to finish, the Breville will provide you with a top-notch shot of espresso in under 60 seconds, once you've gotten the swing of it.

Buy the Breville Barista Express BES870XL for $583.55 at Amazon

Keep reading for a breakdown of the Breville Barista Express

Specs

The Breville Barista Express comes with a one-year limited warranty, a brushed stainless steel exterior, a half-pound bean hopper capacity, a 67-ounce water tank capacity, and portafilter baskets for both single and double shots (one of each for either pre-ground or freshly ground beans).

You'll also get a shot-measuring razor, which lets you trim excess grounds off the top of your filter basket, as well as a cleaning disc and tablets, a coffee scoop, a stainless steel milk jug, and a stowable tamper.

The Barista Express is, all things considered, fairly compact. The measurements — 15.8 inches tall (due to the hopper standing proud from the rest of the machine), 12.6 inches wide, and 13.2 inches wide — bode well for it fitting on your countertop but under any cabinets, though be sure to take the measurements yourself.



Setting the grind size

Adjusting the grind size is easy. For a thick, rich, almost sludgy shot, go for a "FINE" grind setting. That said, this is an important step and it could take a while for you to get it to your liking.

My only, if heavily subjective, advice is that I wouldn't go much coarser than "4" or "5". You're getting into drip coffee territory there, and you'll start to get a more watery shot which isn't why you bought an espresso machine. To each our own, though.



Adjusting the grind amount

Too much and your portafilter basket overflows. Too little, and, well, we all know that's never a good thing. This isn't numerical, so you'll have to dial it in on your own and keep it there, or remember which little notch in the scale fills the basket. The good news is that there's a button to switch between a single and a double (but you'll still have to account for single-walled and double-walled baskets). More on this later.



Tamping your shot

Tamping, first of all, requires a good tamper. The Barista Express comes with a handy and sufficiently weighty one, but it's kept on the light side so that it can slide into its storage space, thanks to a magnet. We gather that if this tamper were any heavier, the magnet wouldn't hold it. All in all, the heavier the tamper, the easier the task becomes (not that it's all that much of a job).



Tidying your tamped shot

Using this little finesse brush is surprisingly more important than you might expect. It seems like a chore you could probably skip over, but start gunking up your brewing head and you'll soon find that it becomes difficult (if not impossible) to lock your portafilter in place. Then you have to clean it. That's another duty you want to perform as infrequently as possible.

Otherwise, Breville manages to equip you with just about everything you'd need for the Barista. Changeable portafilter baskets (two singles and two doubles, depending on whether or not you're using pre-ground or freshly ground coffee), a finesse brush, a tamper, and the "razor," a trimming tool (not pictured) to measure out perfect shots and discard excess.



Monitoring the pressure gauge

A gauge, apart from offering a classic, nostalgia-inducing aesthetic, is generally a good idea with more powerful machines like this. You'll probably never have to worry, but if something does get jammed and the pressure gets out of control, you'll know to abort, hopefully before it's too late.



Pulling the perfect shot

Once you're locked and loaded, select single or double (one espresso cup or two on the machine), and let it (d)rip. There are few prettier sights in this life than watching espresso seep from a portafilter into a demitasse, are there not?



The product, straight up

And what a wicked elixir this thing breweth.



Operating the milk frother

Frothing is easy. Just make sure the machine is primed and the "Hot water/Steam" light is on in front, and then turn the dial on the right side of the machine to steam. Note: Either place the steam wand over the grate or catch any liquid remnants with a cup. You can switch it back to standby once it's spewing out pure steam, then place it in your pitcher (which should have some form of milk in it) and let it rip. Hold it down deep and wait until it approaches the desired thickness (depending on whether you're making a latte or a cappuccino).



Special features

One thing that really sets the Breville Barista Express apart from similar machines is the integrated charcoal filter in the water tank. There are a couple of brands that offer purification tablets, and other things of that sort, but this is the only machine I've come across with a full-on Brita-style filter, and it's popular belief, as with pizza, that good coffee starts with good water.

And, in simple but gracious touch, there's a little numbered wheel atop the filter (like you'd find in or on a Brita) that you can set to the month so you know when it's time to change.



Problems

I have but one bone to pick with the Barista Express. Adjusting the grind amount is probably the trickiest thing on the Barista Express. Breville's burr grinders come with an LCD screen that lets you control exactly how many grams of grounds you produce. This dial isn't numerical, and you sort of have to guess (and memorize) what evens out to a single and a double.



How does it measure up?

It would be extremely hard to pull a better shot of espresso with any less effort. The Breville Barista Express is among the more user-friendly espresso machines on the market — semi-automatic or otherwise. Full stop. And around the $600 mark, it surely stands alone, for now.

I'm also a big fan of the Gaggia Classic Pro, which is a little more hands-on for those more curious about perfecting their skills, but that also makes it a more temperamental machine (you can break it, but then you can also fix it). The biggest issue with the Gaggia, though, is that it's the same price as the Barista Express but without the built-in burr grinder, which is going to cost you at least $100 for a decent one.

If you really prefer a hands-on experience, check out the La Pavoni Europiccola, but it's a bit pricier and far more finicky (leave this thing on, and you'll be sorry).

Likewise, if you want to get meticulous with your java routine while saving a couple of Benjamins, the Flair Espresso (I recommend the bundle) is a manual device that pulls the best damn shot of espresso I've ever made, but only when I'm on point. It takes some practice, and if you're making espresso for any more than, say, two people, it can really compound into a headache. The pros, however, are not worth ignoring: It's portable, and it requires no electricity (supposing you can acquire hot water otherwise).

And, if you want real espresso but are on a budget, a stovetop is a timeless classic. Bialetti is sort of the household name, but they're using cheap plastic handles these days that work fine until you forget your pot on the stove for a couple of minutes too long, and then you've got to order a fresh one. Grosche makes our favorite, but here's our guide to the best stovetop espresso makers you can buy.



The bottom line

If what you want is a quick but true espresso from a machine that doesn't eat up too much counter space but does it all, the Breville Barista Express is all you'll ever need. The price might be daunting, but if you have a Starbucks or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf habit that you're committed to kicking, it'll pay for itself within about a year. You'll also find that by the end of that year, you'll be dialing far better drinks than either purveyor.

Pros: All-in-one machine with all high-quality components, almost foolproof

Cons: Harder to fix (replacing the machine is often cheaper), optimizing grounds delivery can be tricky

Buy the Breville Barista Express BES870XL for $583.55 at Amazon



Check out all of our espresso and coffee-related guides

The best espresso machines you can buy:

Coffee lovers start out innocently enough with drip filters, French presses, milk frothers, and stovetop espresso makers; but then next thing you know, they're browsing Amazon for full-on espresso machines with all the bells and whistles. If you've reached that stage of coffee addiction, don't worry, we're here for you.


The best coffee makers you can buy, whether you want drip coffee or espresso:

A great coffee maker can make or break your brew — and your morning. These are the best coffee makers you can buy, whether you want a drip coffee, French Press, espresso, pour-over, or cold brew coffee maker.


The best French Presses you can buy:

You can brew coffee in a number of ways, but many caffeine addicts swear by the French Press method. Of all the French Presses we researched, these are the best we've found:


The best stovetop espresso makers you can buy:

After hours and hours of research, testing, and countless ensuing caffeine overloads, these are the best stovetop espresso makers we've found to make strong, delicious coffee right at home:


The best coffee grinders you can buy:

Freshly ground coffee is addictive and delicious. If you want to make the perfect brew each morning, you need a coffee grinder. After much research and some testing, we found that these to be the best coffee grinders you can buy:


The best milk frothers you can buy:

If you love cappuccinos, you need a great milk frother. After much research and testing, here are the best we've found:


The best tampers you can buy for your espresso machine:

If you love to make espresso at home, you need a high-quality tamper to ensure that your grounds are ready to make the best shot of espresso possible.

Here are the best espresso tampers you can buy:


The best coffee and espresso pod machines you can buy:

Pod machines bring speed, convenience, and consistency to the coffee-making process.
You're not going to get the best shot of espresso or cup of coffee ever made, but you will get a nicely made drink that tastes good with minimal effort.

We've spent countless shaky, teeth-gritting hours testing all the coffee and espresso pod machines we could get our hands on to find the best.



The 3 types of shoe both men and women should own

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Baudoin & Lange loafer

  • The founders of a cult London shoe brand say there are 3 styles of shoe both men and women should own.
  • For men, it's crucial to have a pair of loafers, slip-on sneakers, and Chelsea boots, according to Allan Baudoin of Baudoin & Lange.
  • Meanwhile, he thinks women should invest in ankle boots, high heels, and, of course, loafers again.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you have a steady income, there are plenty of investment items worth splurging on that will last a lifetime.

Shoes are no different, according to two fashion experts.

Business Insider spoke to Bo van Langeveld and Allan Baudoin, the founders of cult London loafer brand Baudoin & Lange who have some pretty strong opinions on good (and bad) fashion.

Read more:15 things everyone should splurge on that will last a lifetime

The duo previously told Business Insider that "overdressing" is the absolute worst thing anyone can do.

They also believe there are 3 specific styles of shoe that both men and women should own to make their wardrobe as versatile — and long-lasting — as possible.

Men

Loafers

401A2215 Edited Lola - Baudoin & Lange

Perhaps unsurprisingly as the cofounder of a loafer brand, Baudoin said that "a comfortable pair of elegant loafers, in dark brown or black suede" is a must. He added that tassels are great for a more classic look, while plain loafers look more modern.

"Quality and comfort are the two key factors to consider when purchasing a pair of loafers," he said. "Are the loafers lined? Are they well-heeled? Is the material supple and soft? Will they require breaking in time? How do they feel?"

"There are multiple different things to keep in mind, along with your own sense of style, preferences and of course, your wardrobe."

Slip-on sneakers

Baudoin believes in going uber-casual, too, and recommends a pair of "comfortable, smart-casual suede and rubber sole slip-on sneakers."

"I would advise men to always approach how they dress for the day or the evening by thinking who they will encounter on their outing, in which environment, and how these people will likely be dressed," he added. "On some occasions, a smart-casual sneaker is perfectly suitable and appropriate, so long as there is no compromise on overall style."

Chelsea boots

The final pair that every man should own? "Chelsea boots in a very dark burgundy akin to dark brown," according to Baudoin. "These pair very well with a casual pair of selvedge denim jeans for everyday wear."

Women

Ankle boots

kate middleton ankle boots

Baudoin thinks a pair of "ankle boots with a mid-high heel" is perfect "for everyday use and all-day walking."

"These would pair perfectly with denim and a white linen shirt," he added. 

Loafers

And, of course, a pair of loafers, too — "soft leather slip-on loafers, preferably some that can be collapsed like ballerinas and stored in a handbag."

Van Langeveld agreed. "In my opinion, a pair of classic black loafers is a key investment piece for any man or woman's wardrobe. As long as the style is simple and elegant, these can be paired with smarter attire for formal occasions or more casually — they are both versatile and timeless."

High heels

high heel

Finally, Baudoin thinks "naked" high heels are crucial for a woman's evening wear repertoire.

"Many women wonder what makes Parisian chic what it is," he added. "It is often about embellishing details in a subtle and natural manner and playing with the limits of nonchalance."

Read more:The founders of a cult shoe brand say men and women both make the same key fashion mistake

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The US women's national team dominates soccer, but here's why the US men's team sucks

I flew in British Airway's brand new long-haul business class suites followed by the short-haul equivalent the day after, and I have no idea why anyone pays for the latter

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BA Business Class comparison Rachel

  • British Airways' business class offering was described in a recent study as being like "Ryanair but with free food," but is this really true?
  • It's safe to say the experience differs wildly depending on whether you're flying long or short-haul.
  • I realized this when I experienced the new long-haul business class service followed by the short-haul the next day on a British Airways press trip.
  • Is it really worth paying to fly business class on a two-hour flight? Here's how the long- and short-haul services differ.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Things haven't been plain sailing for British Airways of late.

Despite the airline celebrating its centenary this year (complete with a visit from Her Majesty), becoming the third carrier to use ginormous A350 planes, and unveiling swanky new business class Club Suites, it's had to weather some storms.

Read more:I flew business class for the first time on British Airways' new A350, and the cocoon-like privacy impressed me far more than the food or the lounge

If pilot strikes and cabins filling with smoke weren't enough, BA's business class offering has just been slated in a study by consumer group Which?.

Which? described the airline's business class service as akin to "Ryanair but with free food," although it's unclear whether the long-haul or short-haul service was reviewed. Ryanair is a famously low-cost UK airline where customers have to pay for a number of add-ons — food included. 

Read more: I flew American Airlines international business class for the first time. Here are the things that surprised me.

The airline's business class or "Club" offering varies wildly depending on whether you're traveling short-haul within Europe (Club Europe) or long-haul (Club World).

This was hammered home to me particularly clearly when I had the privilege of flying on a British Airways press trip to Madrid as a taster flight to launch BA's new Club World seat, and then a flight back in a standard Club Europe seat.

Here's how the two compare.

I hadn't realized that flying business class on a short-haul flight actually doesn't mean different seats from economy ...



... it just means there'll be no one sitting in the middle seat, but a little table instead.



It was nice not to have anyone next to me ...



... but it wasn't a patch on the incredible new Club World suites that I'd just experienced.



The Club Europe seats certainly weren't shabby — they were cushioned, made from leather, and with an adjustable headrest — but were narrower than the Club World seats.



I didn't necessarily need the extra width of the Club World seats, but it was certainly welcome, and made the suite feel nice and spacious. Also, being given a pillow and cushion is certainly a luxury I could get used to.



I also absolutely loved the leg-room of the Club World suites, and it was a joy to be able to stretch out.



Unfortunately the same could not be said for the Club Europe seats.



In Club World (below), I was immediately offered a glass of Champagne upon arrival, but this luxury took a little longer to arrive in Club Europe.



Still, I was at least given a warm towel and the menu before we took off — unlike British Airways economy, you get a free meal in Club Europe, and the company is currently making a huge investment in an upgraded menu set to launch on September 12.



There was no luxurious leather toiletry pouch, but to be fair, you can probably live without an eye mask or earplugs on a short-haul flight.



There was a choice of three mains: Braised Welsh lamb shank with grilled vegetables and celeriac mousseline; homemade spinach gnocchi with sun-dried cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and panna sauce; and Loch Fyne smoked salmon with avocado, creamy celeriac, and grilled prawns.



The drinks menu was pretty extensive too, featuring champagne, two white wines, two reds, a selection of spirits, and beers. I noticed that the drinks on offer were different from the ones available for purchase further back in the plane.



The menu looked pretty similar to what was served in Club World, including not only one of the same main course options but an extra one too.



Back in Club Europe, cabin crew started serving refreshments as soon as the seatbelt sign turned off. I opted for a Diet Coke, which was served in a real glass. Handed out in packets, the nuts didn't feel as fancy as the ones I'd had in Club World, but they were still tasty.



While I waited for the seatbelt sign to be turned off, I noticed it was of the basic variety I've always seen ...



... unlike the upgraded versions on the A350. It was small things like this that made the plane feel more modern and luxurious, and subsequently made the smaller plane feel basic in comparison.



In Club Europe, it was useful to have both a magazine rack at the top of the chairs and a pocket lower down where you could put a water bottle — considering more and more budget airlines now have zero storage at all on the backs of the chairs, I appreciated this.



Of course, it wasn't a patch on the storage options in the Club World suite though, which seemed to have endless compartments to keep your necessities organised.



While the seats turned into fully flat beds in Club World (below), they only slightly reclined in Club Europe.



As delicious smells wafted through the Club Europe cabin, I realised it was food time. I was keen for the gnocchi, but being towards the back of the cabin I was concerned they might run out as orders hadn't been taken in advance. Fortunately for me and unfortunately for the guy behind me, I got the last one.



It was essentially a four-course meal served at once: Greek yoghurt with roasted tomatoes to start, the gnocchi, a "celebration of British cheese," and Tiramisu, and I was offered a choice of two bread rolls too (brown or white herbed). I enjoyed having a proper napkin, cutlery, and crockery, but felt like I could've done with a side plate for the bread roll.



The gnocchi was flavorsome and comforting, although it wasn't super hot and there were some lumps of cheese that I think should've been melted better (the cabin crew had just whipped off the foil when they got to me). It was super oily, but the sauce was delectable when soaked up with the bread.



I felt the whole meal was lacking in vegetables (and felt the same in Club World), especially if you're not a tomato fan. It was also an incredibly dairy-heavy meal, but I'm not complaining about that. The yogurt starter was a bit odd to me — it tasted overwhelmingly like lemon, mint, and chili and I didn't really rate it.



It seemed to take ages for the cabin crew to come round again offering drinks, and I was gasping by the time I finally got some water. It was also handy to be able to put my finished tray to the side instead of having to leave it sitting in front of me.



I finished my dairy-based feast with the Tiramisu, which was in a cup made from plastic.



The food seemed a pretty similar standard to what I'd been given in Club World, but I did enjoy the latter more (below). I don't know whether it was the fact that it was served laid out on a table cloth, that I was so excited to be in the suite, or simply that I preferred the dishes, but it all seemed more delicious to me.



VERDICT: The food was nice, but I couldn't really see why anyone would bother flying business class for a two-hour flight.

Is flying business class on a short-haul flight worth it?

As far as I can see, I have no idea why you'd pay so much more money to travel business on a short-haul flight: A return flight from London to Madrid in BA's Euro Traveller class (economy) starts at £70 ($85), whereas the same trip in Club Europe (business) starts at £326 ($396).

Yes, going fast-track through security is great and having lounge access in the airport is a perk, but when it comes to what's onboard the actual plane, I don't think it's worth it.

Read more: An economy passenger says they sneaked into business class on British Airways — and got away with it for an entire 8-hour flight

The food was nice, but given you've just had access to free food in the lounge, you don't really need such a decadent, indulgent meal.

If I'd paid for my flight, I'd probably have felt like I ought to order champagne even though I didn't want to drink, purely so I could get my money's worth.

The best thing about my Club World experience was the comfort, privacy, and spaciousness of the suite, and you don't get any of that in Club Europe. Yes, it's more pleasant than flying economy, but £250 ($300) more pleasant? I don't think so.




10 of the most bizarre details people have reported finding in Jeffrey Epstein's NYC mansion, from a painting of Bill Clinton in a dress to prosthetic breasts mounted on a bathroom wall

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jeffrey epstein

The late Jeffrey Epstein made headlines in July after he was arrested on suspicion of sex trafficking minors in his Manhattan and Florida homes from 2002 to 2005. On August 10, he was found dead in a Manhattan jail cell in an apparent suicide.

While he had a sprawling real estate portfolio that included properties in the Caribbean and New Mexico, his Manhattan townhouse, in particular, has gained worldwide attention for the bizarre things that visitors have reported seeing inside it.

Read more: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.

From framed eyeballs to a beach-themed dining room, Business Insider has compiled a list of the strangest ways Epstein reportedly decorated the home.

Framed eyeballs

In 2003, Jeffrey Epstein allowed a reporter from Vanity Fair to visit the home. Reporter Vicky Ward described the interior as a "high-walled, eclectic, imperious fantasy that seems to have no boundaries."

The entrance hallway, as noted by Ward, featured "row upon row of individually framed eyeballs." Epstein reportedly told Ward that they were made for injured soldiers and imported from England. 

A giant sculpture of a naked African warrior

After she made her way through the entrance hallway, Ward described seeing a "twice-life-size sculpture of a naked African warrior."

A stuffed black poodle on top of a piano

Ward also described seeing a stuffed black poodle on top of a piano. 

"No decorator would ever tell you to do that," Epstein told Ward. "But I want people to think what it means to stuff a dog." 

Prosthetic breasts in the master bathroom

One of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged victims, Jennifer Araoz, recently sued Epstein's estate, The New York Times reported.

The lawsuit states, as reported by The New York Times, that prosthetic breasts were mounted on a wall in the master bathroom, and that Epstein could look at or play with them while in the bathtub. 

A "trophy room" with a stuffed giraffe

Araoz's lawsuit against Epstein also describes a "trophy room" filled with stuffed exotic animals, including a giraffe.

A painted mural of himself in prison

An array of paintings reportedly hung around the Manhattan home.

But one painting in particular, which hung on the second floor, portrayed Epstein behind barbed wire and between a guard station and a corrections officer, public relations specialist R. Couri Hay told The New York Times.  

According to Hay, Epstein said that he had it painted because "there is always the possibility that could be me again."

R. Couri Hay viewed the mural after being invited to the home by Epstein around four months ago, according to The New York Times.

A life-size doll that hung from a chandelier

As visitors came and went over the years, Epstein's peculiar taste in interior decor was hard to ignore.

Inside the mansion, there was reportedly a life-size female doll that hung from a chandelier, according to The New York Times.

A chessboard with each piece modeled after one of his staffers

One visitor told The New York Times that inside the mansion, at the end of the stairwell, there was a chessboard with custom figures. Each piece was reportedly modeled after one of his staffers.

Pictures of powerful people

Following Epstein's death, The New York Times reporter James B. Stewart described a 2018 "on background" interview he had conducted with Epstein in the financier's Upper East Side mansion.

As he made his way through the home, he recalled seeing photos of Epstein with powerful people including former President Bill Clinton and director Woody Allen.

"Displaying photos of celebrities who had been caught up in sex scandals of their own also struck me as odd," wrote Stewart.

Epstein also had a picture of Mohammad bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, according to Stewart.

A painting of Bill Clinton in a blue dress and heels

Law enforcement sources told the New York Post that Epstein had an oil painting of Bill Clinton in a blue dress hanging in the mansion.

In the painting, according to the Post, Bill Clinton is lounging on a chair in the oval office. He is also wearing red heels.

SEE ALSO: If Jeffrey Epstein's NYC mansion hits the market, its value will likely have 2 driving forces against it: A slow luxury market, and its tainted history

DON'T MISS: A look inside Jeffrey Epstein's real-estate portfolio, where sex trafficking reportedly took place and a private island in the Caribbean was raided by the FBI

Join the conversation about this story »

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Dermstore's anniversary sale has top skin-care and beauty products for up to 25% off — here are the best deals

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dermstore anniversary sale

Online skin-care shop Dermstore was founded 20 years ago by a dermatologist who wanted to give his patients easier access to top products and professional-strength formulas that were otherwise only available in a dermatologist's office. 

Right now, the store is celebrating its birthday with an anniversary sale, running August 17 through August 25. Use promo code "CELEBRATE" to receive up to 25% off sitewide. If you're a rewards member, you can also earn double points on select brands. 

Some brands are excluded from this sale, but you'll still be able to shop discounts from the vast majority of the site's most popular names, like Dr. Dennis Gross and Dermalogica

Shop the 20th Anniversary Sale at Dermstore here.

We've rounded up the 25 best skin-care, makeup, and hair-care deals from Dermstore's 20th Anniversary Sale below: 

SEE ALSO: This $24 face mask in stick form goes on easily and dries quickly — it works so well that I've replaced my sheet masks with it

A strong daily face peel that improves the texture of your skin and reduces inflammation

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel, $120 (originally $150) [You save $30] 

 



A bouncy serum containing 96% snail mucin, which repairs and hydrates your skin

Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, $15.75 (originally $21) [You save $5.25] 



A conditioner that strengthens your lashes and makes them look more full

RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner, $73.50 (originally $98) [You save $24.50] 

 

 



A face wash that combats breakouts

PCA Skin Facial Wash, $26.40 (originally $33) [You save $6.60] 



A rice-based enzyme exfoliator that's gentle enough for sensitive skin

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $44.25 (originally $59) [You save $14.75] 



A supplement that contains detoxifying ingredients like organic algae and beetroot

Hum Nutrition Daily Cleanse, $20 (originally $25) [You save $5] 



One of the best micellar waters to remove makeup

Bioderma Sensibio H2O, $11.17 (originally $14.90) [You save $3.73] 



A hair mask packed with oils, keratin, and biotin to revitalize and repair brittle, frizzy hair

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, $30.60 (originally $36) [You save $5.40] 



A popular makeup sponge, plus the cleanser to clean it thoroughly

Original Beautyblender + Mini Blendercleanser Solid, $20 (originally $25) [You save $5] 



A facial roller that's an essential part of a self-care routine

Nurse Jamie Instant UpLift, $51.75 (originally $69) [You save $17.25] 



An ultra-moisturizing cream

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $12.74 (originally $16.99) [You save $4.25] 



A Mulberry silk pillowcase that promotes skin and hair health

Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase, $63.75 (originally $85) [You save $21.25] 



A serum that lightens hyperpigmentation and provides antioxidant protection

Obagi Professional-C Serum 20%, $107.95 (originally $127) [You save $19.05] 



A fine exfoliator you can use all over your body

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion, $59.25 (originally $79) [You save $19.75] 



A volumizing, oil-absorbing dry shampoo

R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo, $24 (originally $32) [You save $8] 



Cooling under-eye pads to reduce puffiness

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, $24 (originally $32) [You save $8] 



A mascara that simultaneously lengthens, volumizes, nourishes, and conditions your lashes

Tarte Cosmetics Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara, $17.25 (originally $23) [You save $5.75] 



A hydrating toner that also works as makeup setting spray

Caudalie Beauty Elixir, $39.20 (originally $49) [You save $9.80] 



A smoothing, moisturizing eye cream

Neocutis Lumiere, $72.75 (originally $97) [You save $24.25] 



An anti-aging treatment that contains lactic acid to exfoliate and clear your skin

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment, $126.40 (originally $158) [You save $31.60] 



A cream that contains oatmeal extract to prevent flaking and irritation

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, $24 (originally $32) [You save $8] 



A powerful mineral sunscreen

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $54.50 (originally $68) [You save $13.60] 



A spray formulated with essential oils to help you fall asleep faster

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, $21.75 (originally $29) [You save $7.25]



A lightweight, professional-grade hair dryer

Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000, $199.20 (originally $249) [You save $49.80] 



A primer that glides onto your skin effortlessly

Smashbox Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer, $27 (originally $36) [You save $9] 



The racial wealth gap in the US keeps getting bigger — and it could cost the economy as much as $1.5 trillion by 2028

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wealth

The United States' wealth gap is hurting more than just the poorest Americans. It's stifling economic growth too, according to a new report by consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

The concentration of wealth among America's highest earners will cost the economy between $1 trillion and $1.5 trillion between 2019 and 2028, McKinsey estimates.

The United States' wealth gap is steadily widening, especially along racial lines. In 1992, the median net worth of white families was $100,000 above that of black families, according to McKinsey. By 2016, the median white family was $152,000 wealthier than its black counterpart. During that period, the median wealth of white families grew over $50,000, McKinsey reports, but the median wealth of black families did not grow at all in real terms.

The gap reduces the buying power of black families and prevents investment in the housing and equities markets, according to McKinsey. If the gap between black and white families were closed, the US would add an additional 4% to 6% to its GDP by 2028.

Persistent discrimination and a lack of social connections that typically lead to new opportunities have kept black families poor, according to McKinsey. The amount of wealth held by black families fell 3.4% each year between 2004 and 2016.

The student debt crisis also hurts African Americans more than their white peers, Business Insider's Allana Akhtar and Hillary Hoffower previously reported. On average, black college graduates owe $7,400 more in student loans than their white peers. Black college graduates also earn less than white graduates on average, making it harder to pay back their loans.

Read more: Wealth tax explainer: Why Elizabeth Warren and billionaires like George Soros alike are calling for a specialized tax on the ultra-wealthy

Proposed solutions for closing wealth gaps in the US

The problem of economic inequality has received growing interest from presidential candidates and billionaires alike in recent months. A new tax that would require ultra-wealthy Americans pay the federal government a small percentage of their net worth each year has been proposed by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Business Insider previously reported. Warren estimates that the tax would generate $2.75 trillion in revenue in a decade that could be used to close the wealth gap by funding programs that benefit poor Americans.

An INSIDER poll shows that more than half of Americans support Warren's proposal. And they're not the only ones: In June, a group of 19 ultra-wealthy Americans including George Soros, Abigail Disney, and members of the Pritzker and Gund families published an open letter supporting a moderate wealth tax.

However, such a tax would face substantial legal challenges and would likely not raise as much revenue as its advocates expect, former Department of Justice tax attorney James Mann, who is now a tax partner at law firm Greenspoon Marder, told Business Insider.

SEE ALSO: The Disney heiress who slammed CEO Bob Iger's pay as 'insane' says she went undercover at Disneyland and was 'livid' when she saw how the company treats its employees

DON'T MISS: Billionaires from George Soros to Abigail Disney are begging to be taxed more

Join the conversation about this story »

How to clean cast iron cookware in a few simple steps

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lodge skillet

  • Cast iron pots and pans are safe to use on most cooktops, an outdoor fire, and in the oven at the highest temperatures.
  • It's easy to clean and re-season the cookware, and with proper care, cast iron is durable and lasts for generations.
  • We break down how to clean cast iron cookware in a few simple steps. 
  • We also give our recommendations for the best cast iron cookware you can buy from Lodge, the Food Network, Le Creuset, and Staub.

Cast iron cookware is having a comeback. The versatile material has become popular among chefs and home cooks alike for its durability and long heat retention. 

Cast iron is used to make everything from pans and skillets to Dutch ovens and muffin pans. You can use cast iron cookware on most cooktops, including electric, ceramic, and gas. You can also pop it in the oven at very high temperatures and use it to cook over an open fire. 

Bare cast iron cookware usually is pre-seasoned, but you do have to re-season it from time to time to keep the non-stick cooking surface. Some cast iron cookware is covered with a coating of vitreous enamel glaze so that you don't have to re-season it. Le Creuset is famous for its colorful high-quality enameled cast iron cookware, while Lodge is best known for its pre-seasoned bare cast iron cookware.

Once bare cast iron has been seasoned, it is very easy to maintain. Most clean up can be done with just a damp paper towel or sponge. The cookware will need periodic re-seasoning but that is as simple to do as hydrating your skin by applying lotion.

Cast iron can rust if exposed to water and humidity for too long. This does not mean it is ruined, the rust can be cleaned away and the metal re-seasoned if the damage has not gone too deep.

When highly acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus-based sauces are cooked in cast iron, the acid causes iron to leach into the food. This reaction turns the food a darker color, can add a metallic taste, and can damage the finish of the metal if the foods are left in the pan for too long.

Ideally, cast iron should be cleaned after every use. Never place cast iron cookware in an automatic dishwasher or leave it to soak in a sink of water.

How to clean cast iron cookware

  1. While the cookware is still warm, use paper towels to remove any excess food and oil.
  2. Use a soft-bristled nylon brush or non-abrasive scrub pad (no steel wool) to remove any traces of stuck-on food. I like to use the Scotch-Brite Dishwashing Wand because of its non-abrasive surface and because it keeps my hands out of the dishwater.
  3. If the cast iron feels excessively sticky, two or three drops of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid or another gentle dish soap can be used during the scrubbing.
  4. Rinse thoroughly under hot running water.
  5. Immediately dry thoroughly with a soft cloth or paper towel. Do not allow the cast iron to air-dry.
  6. Place the cast iron cookware over a cooktop heating element set to medium-low or in a warm oven at 250 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
  7. Add 1/2 teaspoon of any type of vegetable oil (corn oil, olive oil, coconut oil) to the cast iron and use paper towels to distribute it evenly over the entire interior surface. I have used all of them successfully.
  8. Continue to rub the oil into the interior surface until it is absorbed and the surface looks shiny and dark.
  9. Turn off the heating element and allow the cast iron to cool completely before storing.

Buy two Scotch-Brite Dishwashing Wands with six refills on Amazon for $16.81

Buy a two-pack of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid on Amazon for $14

How to clean enamel cast iron cookware

Enamel-coated cast iron does not rust and does not need to be re-seasoned. However, it must be cleaned correctly to prevent damaging the surface. While it can be placed in an automatic dishwasher, repeated cleaning in this manner will cause the enamel surfaces to lose color and appear dull.

How to clean enameled cast iron cookware

  1. Never rinse or soak heated enamel-coated cast iron in cold water. The surface can crack. Allow the cookware to cool before cleaning.
  2. Dropping or banging enamel-coated cast iron cookware against hard surfaces can cause chipping that leads to rusted metal.
  3. Wash with regular dishwashing soap and hot water. Use a plastic scrubber, never steel wool, to remove stuck-on food. 
  4. For burned-on food, fill the pan with hot water and 1/2 cup baking soda. Heat on medium until water is boiling. Turn off the heat and allow the water and baking soda solution to cool before washing as usual.
  5. Always dry completely before storing the cookware.

Buy two Scotch-Brite Dishwashing Wands with six refills on Amazon for $16.81

Buy a two-pack of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid on Amazon for $14



How to restore damaged cast iron cookware

If you have received a vintage cast iron piece and see rusty areas, it can usually be saved. This method will work well if the rust is only on the surface and not severe enough to have damaged the integrity of the cookware. 

How to restore damaged cast iron cookware

  1. Use a non-abrasive plastic scraper to remove as much loose rust as possible. You'll find the Pampered Chef scrapers handy for cleaning and scraping batter from a bowl into baking pans. 
  2. Make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda by mixing one tablespoon of lemon juice with one cup of baking soda
  3. Apply the paste to the rusty areas and cover with plastic wrap
  4. Allow the paste to work for at least 24 hours and then scrub the piece with a stiff-bristled brush to remove the rust. 
  5. Rinse well with hot water and follow the steps to re-season the cast iron with vegetable oil.

Buy a set of three Pampered Chef Nylon Pan Scrapers on Amazon for $7.50



The best cast iron cookware brands

If you don't have cast iron cookware yet and you're interested in buying a few pieces, we have recommendations for the best brands to shop below:

  • Lodge Cast Iron ($10 to $150): One of the oldest cast iron manufacturers (founded in 1896) in the United States, Lodge Cast Iron offers the largest collection of unenameled cast iron cookware from muffin pans to Dutch ovens on the market. The pieces are extremely durable and affordably priced.
  • Food Network Cast Iron ($14 to $50): Available in both regular cast iron and enameled cast iron, Food Network brand pieces are lighter weight and perfect for someone getting started with cooking in cast iron.
  • Le Creuset Cookware ($75 to $425): Le Creuset set the standard for enameled cast iron cookware. Its pieces are prized by both home cooks and professional chefs for performance and beauty.
  • Staub Enameled Cast Iron Cookware ($300 to $460): If you are looking for unique enameled cast iron pieces like a tomato or artichoke-shaped cocotte, Staub moves impressively from stove to table. 

Read our full buying guide to the best cast iron cookware



How to plan your first backpacking trip and everything you need to bring with you

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how to backpack trip

  • With proper planning and the right gear, going on your first backpacking trip doesn't have to be intimidating.
  • We've put together a guide full of tips on how to plan your first backpacking trip.
  • We've also rounded up all the supplies you need to have on your backpacking checklist, so you're not stuck in the wilderness without the right gear.

Backpacking can seem intimidating, especially if you didn't grow up with it. Heading out into the unknown with nothing more than you can carry is a pretty scary prospect, but it needn't be.

By following simple guidelines, making proper preparations, and reassuring yourself that your planning will help you encounter whatever unexpected adversity the trail throws at you, you can get your first trip under your belt. 

Once you've got out on the trail, you'll soon discover the simple freedom of carrying everything you need on your back and enjoying undistracted time in nature. 

For the purposes of this piece, I am going to assume you've already started day hiking. If you haven't, start there. Day hiking might not be as epic as backpacking but it is a great way to train for longer adventures and it is much cheaper and less time-consuming. 

Your major concerns when planning your first trip should be route, gear, and safety. If you cover all of these, then you know you've ticked all the boxes for your adventure and can head into the woods without worries.

Of course, it's always better to learn from someone with experience in your area. If you don't have any friends who already backpack, you can use social media or events at local outdoors shops to meet fellow adventurers. Don't feel bad about not knowing things, most outdoors people love sharing their knowledge and welcoming new people into the backcountry.

In this guide, we go over the basics of how to plan your first backpacking trip and we give you a backpacking checklist with our recommendations for the gear you need.

Backpacking checklist

backpacking tent

Sleeping gear

Backpacks and apparel

Cooking gear and food

Safety gear and extras

How to plan your route

For your first backpacking trip, you should probably stick to a simple overnight excursion. After that, you can progress to two-night loops and eventually to one-way hikes, which require you to find a way back to your start, but let's save those for later. 

For your route, you'll want to consider a few things. Firstly, you're carrying more weight so you won't travel as fast as you do on day hikes. Aim for about 60% of your longest day hike per day. Sure, you might get to camp early, but that gives you more time to set up your new tent and build a safe campfire.

Secondly, think about the elevation. You don't want to be going all uphill on day one and all downhill on day two. Instead, look for a rolling route. 

When picking your campsite, the first consideration should be legality. Make sure that wherever you are planning to camp is legal and that you have all the required permits. In most national parks, you can easily get a backcountry permit but be sure to carefully read the rules and obey them. If they say camp 50 yards from a trail and 200 yards from water, do that. You don't want your campfire cookout spoiled when a ranger tells you it's time to move.

Water is important, and you don't want to be carrying all the fluids you'll need even for 48 hours. Plan to camp somewhere near water. If possible, you might want to look for a campsite with numbered sites, sure they cost a bit more and aren't quite so rustic, but you'll know there is nice flat ground to sleep on and running water.



Backpacking safety tips

In all likelihood, this part of the plan will take the most time and won't really be much use, but having a plan is always a good idea.

  • Have bailout points. If the hike gets too hard or you get hurt, look for ways to hike to a road. Worst case, you can stick out your thumb in most national parks and find someone who knows exactly how you feel and is willing to help. I've done it more than once. 
  • Share your plan with someone. Let them know where you'll be, call them when you leave, and call them when you return. Set a time for your expected return and a time by which you want them to alert authorities if you haven't made it. This sounds severe but it takes minutes and saves lives. Here, I have even written a script for you so you have no excuse not to copy and paste this into an email. "Hey Friend, I am hiking this route (include a link or a description) and I hope to be done by 5 p.m. on Sunday. I'll text you when I set off and if you don't hear from me by 8 p.m., please alert mountain rescue at this number." 
  • Check out the local conditions. If it's summer in California, then don't be lighting a fire, as you might start a wildfire. If you're in bear country, then research how to be bear safe. If there's a risk of avalanches or lightning or flash flooding, know what to do. You might need to carry a water filter if there isn't safe water. All of these things are perfectly survivable if you spend half an hour online reading the relevant advice from your friendly local public lands management agency. 
  • Bring a GPS and a satellite communicator. Personally, I like to carry a Spot satellite communicator and GPS mapping device so I can call for help and find my way. It's got me out of a lot of fixes including some that really could have been quite serious. I have never pressed the SOS button, but it's nice to know I could. Also, even when I don't, I like to check in on family with a short message. You don't need fancy tech, a map and a compass should help you find your way out of any fix if you know how to use them (REI offers classes). I pack a first-aid kit as well. Again, this is useless without knowing how to use it. 
  • You can take your phone if you want, and sometimes I used to take mine, but I have found it stops me really being in the moment outside. I like to read at night and check in at home, but I don't need to know how many likes my cat photo has on Instagram. I prefer to take a book or a Kindle and a simple messaging device to cut down on tech distraction on the trail. 

Buy the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for $17.47 at Amazon

Buy the Spot Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger for $149.95 at REI



Bring a good tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag

Sleeping gear will be the biggest addition to your hiking pack. You need a place to sleep and a way to stay warm. It's fine to borrow gear until you know what you want. My suggestions below are what I use on overnight and multi-day hikes, but borrowing or renting gear is a great way to start. 

Tent

This is a good place to save weight. I prefer a freestanding tent for its versatility and ease of pitching. You should plan to purchase a two-person tent so you have enough space. They are nowhere near twice the cost of single-person tents nor are they double the weight. My pick is the MSR Hubba Tour for two people. It's spacious, not too heavy, and has a huge vestibule area for storing your gear. 

Buy the MSR Hubba Tour 2 Tent for $649.95 on REI


Sleep system

This consists of a pad, bag, or quilt, and maybe a pillow. Again, you can save weight here.  Some ultralight types will opt for a half-length sleeping pad that only pads your torso, but with products like Therm-a-Rest's Neoair uberlite, you can sleep in comfort without much of a weight penalty.

Recently, I have been really enjoying quilt camping. A sleeping bag doesn't insulate you from the bottom much, because you squash the insulation. Your pad keeps you warm from below. For me, the grapefruit-sized Therm-a-Rest Vesper is a great choice for quilt camping. For a more affordable set up the classic Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is great value, as is the roomy and comfy Nemo Forte bag.

Buy the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleeping Pad from $139.95 at REI

Buy the Therm-a-Rest Vesper Down Quilt from $319.95 at REI

Buy the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad from $34.95 at REI

Buy the Nemo Forte 20 Sleeping Bag from $189.95 at REI



Bring a good hiking backpack

You're going to need a way to carry all this gear, and that is where a backpack comes in. This isn't a place to save weight. Even if you want to go super light, go ahead and cut down your toothbrush but buy a pack that fits and works for you. I'd suggest trying out several packs and opting for one that fits your torso, experts at outdoor shops can really help here.

Once you have your pack or have one to borrow, make sure to try some day hikes with 30 pounds of weight in it to be sure it doesn't rub or pinch you. Don't opt for something enormous, either. You'll fill that space with stuff you think you'll need, and then you'll use it because you have it.

A 45-liter pack is plenty big enough for a few nights on the trail. Years ago, I would carry a 65-liter behemoth of a bag and wonder why my knees hurt. These days I reserve that bag for packrafting trips because there is literally enough space for all my stuff and an entire boat, paddle, life jacket, and drysuit in it.

My go-to is the Gregory Optic 48, while my wife prefers the Osprey Aura 50. Backpacks are one of the few items where I'll suggest that you opt for a gender-specific fit. Women's hips are different and so their packs should be as well. 

Buy the Gregory Optic 48 Pack for $189.95 at REI

Buy the Osprey Aura AG 50 Pack for $240 at REI



Wear the right hiking boots or shoes

Stick with what works for you on day hikes. You don't need a super sturdy high ankle boot if that isn't what you prefer. Use what works for your feet.

I'm a massive fan of Vasque's lightweight Saga Gore Tex Boots. I have hiked in the snow in those boots, and I have used them in the desert, too. If shoes are more your thing, Danner's Trail 2650 Shoes look great, have plenty of support, and weigh a lot less than boots, helping to keep you nimble.

Buy the Vasque Saga GTX Hiking Boots for $174.93 at REI

Buy the Danner Trail 2650 Hiking Shoes for $149.95 at REI



Bring the right clothing for the weather

Try and layer up as you would on a normal hike, but be sure to prepare for lower temps at night. I always pack my Rab Microlite puffy in addition to my hiking gear, and if it's really cold, I sleep in it as well.

You can get away with the same shirt and pants for two days, especially if you don't sleep in them. But a change of underwear and socks is vital. I always opt for merino wool on the trail, as its breathability and ability to suppress odors is unsurpassed.

Some current favorite trail items for me are the 686 anything pant, the Black Diamond Rhythm tee, and Smartwool's boxers and socks.

Buy the Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket for $280 at REI

Buy the 686 Men's Anything Multi Cargo Pant for $109.95 at REI

Buy the Black Diamond Rhythm T-Shirt for $51.93 at REI

Buy the SmartWool Men's Merino 150 Boxer for $50 at REI



Bring lightweight cookware and food

Cooking is part of the fun of backpacking for me. For others, it's just something they need to do to get fuel back in. If you want to go stoveless and superlight, more power to you. But I'm not logging 20-mile days without hot coffee beforehand and a warm meal after. 

I would suggest a lightweight gas stove to begin with, they are cheap, easy to use, and boil water really quickly. The MSR Pocket Rocket has been my faithful companion for years. Combine this with either ready-made meals — Good 2 Go are far and away the best I have tried — or make your own. Cous cous is a winner, as it doesn't need to be simmered so it uses less fuel to cook, and it weighs next to nothing.

Be sure to bring plenty of snacks as well, big bags and big miles will leave you with a hearty appetite. Bring a few of Sea to Summit's great silicone cups and plates to eat from, and of course, get yourself a spork.

Decathlon offers an excellent beginner cookset that includes everything you'll need in a compact package. I've found I can fit my stove and a towel for clean up and to stop rattling into the provided pot along with the included sporks and bowls.

Buy the MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove for $44.95 at REI

Shop Good 2 Go meals from $6.50 at REI

Shop Sea to Summit silicone cups and plates from $7.95 at REI



You may want to bring a few luxuries

We all have things we need to get us through the hard trail days. For me, it's pillows. I'll sleep on a Tyvek sheet on the ground in a bivvy bag for a week, but I need at least two pillows. I know people make do with a folded puffy or their clothes in a stuff sack, but if I don't sleep well, I don't have fun.

Some of my friends like headlamps for around camp at night or a small stool to sit on. You might want some poles for all that weight as well. I prefer Black Diamond's non-telescoping poles after breaking too many adjustable poles. 

Your luxury might be different. Freshly ground coffee and a flask of whisky are some of my other favorites.

My wife likes bringing a Kindle or even a paper book. Whatever it is that makes your tent feel like home, put it in your bag and don't let any gram counters shame you for it. 

Buy the Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow from $39.95 at REI

Buy the BioLite Headlamp 330 for $49.95 at REI

Buy the Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles for $99.95 at REI

 



Bootleg alcohol is an insidious international threat, and one expert says it's especially dangerous when it's slipped into a legitimate supply chain

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bootleg alcohol

  • 25 people in Costa Rica have died after drinking tainted alcohol, according to Food Safety News.
  • Bootleg alcohol poses a major risk to the public, especially in regions lacking strong regulatory oversight.
  • But, according to Carnegie Mellon professor Sridhar Tayur, counterfeit booze can also be slipped into perfectly legitimate supply chains.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Costa Rica has been hit with a wave of methanol poisoning linked to adulterated alcohol, according to a report from Food Safety News. 

The death toll stands at 25 so far, while 59 victims have been hospitalized. Costa Rican authorities have responded to the poisonings by shutting down a number of businesses and rounding up 55,000 containers of potentially tainted alcohol. The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking released a report estimating that illicit alcohol made up 19% of total alcohol in Costa Rica.

Illicit alcohol was recently thrust into the spotlight following speculation that it could be the cause of a number of highly publicized, still-unsolved tourist deaths in the Dominican Republic, as well as a spike in reported illnesses among visitors to the country's resorts on the website IWasPoisoned.com. The latest slew of deaths in Costca Rica also mirrors the string of incidents involving alcohol poisoning that occurred in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 2017. 

Illicit alcohol doesn't just refer to moonshine. The term refers to beverages produced in underground home brewing operations, contraband booze that's illegally smuggled into a country, and counterfeit imitations of "legitimate branded products," according to the IARD.

Sridhar Tayur, a professor of operations management at Carnegie Mellon who studies counterfeit products and supply chains, told Business Insider that it's relatively rare for a counterfeit operation to insert itself into a legitimate supply chain, but it's also not unheard of. Tayur also noted that it's not clear whether or not bootleg alcohol even played a role in the series of deaths in the Dominican Republic.

Nonetheless, according to Tayur, bootlegged booze can end up in perfectly legitimate establishments, especially in areas that might lack strong monitoring and regulatory systems.

"For us Americans, we are used to safety with respect to food and drinks," Tayur told Business Insider. "When you go to nice places, you expect that those nice places are also careful." 

But the appearance of safety can be deceptive. 

Businesses often rely on international, national, and local distributors in order to obtain products like alcohol. Tayur said that all it takes is a "bad actor" looking to make "some extra money" along the supply chain to put consumers at risk. 

Read more: The mysterious deaths in the Dominican Republic reportedly may be linked to illicit alcohol, and it wouldn't be the first time

Instead of buying 100 cases of authentic alcohol, for example, someone could buy 95 cases and mix in five cases of bootleg booze that they got for a "sweet deal" in order to obtain a profit, Tayur said.

"You just need to sneak in enough to make a lot of money," Tayur said.

When it comes to counterfeit categories, alcohol is a particularly tempting product because of its good profit margins and increasing demand around the world. 

Tayur said that bootleggers have an incentive to avoid serving up a dangerous product. A spate of poisonings will almost certainly lead to the involvement of law enforcement.

Still, Tayur said that many of the illicit supply chains he's studied are "almost more sophisticated" than legal supply chains, given that counterfeiters have the added incentive of avoiding capture. 

"These people are quite rational," he said. "They're not clueless people running around. They're actually quite sophisticated and they're making strategic choices; a trading of risk versus profit margins."

Any time a counterfeit bottle of alcohol does hit a restaurant's wine cellar or a hotel minibar, the public is at risk. But, according to Tayur, the truly troubling aspect of the story is that it's so difficult for unsuspecting businesses and consumers alike to root out cleverly disguised counterfeit booze.

"If you go to a nice resort or a hotel or a nice bar, you expect that when somebody opens a Johnny Walker, it is a true Johnny Walker," Tayur said. 

SEE ALSO: Over 1,000 people reported falling ill while staying in the Dominican Republic on a popular food-safety site as reports of mysterious tourist deaths and rampant sickness plague the Caribbean island

READ MORE: A Dominican Republic health ministry official says he thinks Cynthia Day died 'probably from the shock of seeing the person beside her dead’

SEE ALSO: A major Dominican Republic hotel is removing liquor from its minibars after 2 US tourists died in mysterious circumstances

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The Dominican Republic is cracking down on illegal immigration and 300,000 are in jeopardy

Houses are the new Instagram influencers — so it's a shame most millennials in the US will likely be renters for years

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Big family house suburbs

  • There's a new kind of influencer in town — the home-décor influencer, who has turned their house into a money machine, reported Ronda Kaysen for The New York Times.
  • By creating an Instagram feed that serves as a curated home photo tour, these influencers have built followings of hundreds of thousands.
  • While this helps them generate a paycheck through methods like sponsored ads, some of their generational peers are struggling to afford a home.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Instagram influencers can forget the #OOTD (outfit of the day) — fashion is no longer the only way to build a cash-inducing Insta following.

Enter the home-décor influencer, who has found a way to turn their home into a "money-making social media star," as Ronda Kaysen reported for The New York Times.

By creating a feed that functions as a photo tour of their house, these influencers have attracted thousands of followers, Kaysen wrote, citing @mytexashouse's 449,000 followers and @erin_sunnysideup's 241,000 followers as examples.

 

"Some have gained traction chronicling the restoration of an old home or the construction of a new one," Kaysen said. "A few dabble in areas like fashion, parenting, cooking and makeup, but they primarily peddle the infinite marketability of a home's interior, with all its trappings."

The concept is nothing new. Reality TV shows, from the 1980s' "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" to today's HGTV line-up, have long catered to society's obsession with seeing inside people's homes, Kaysen said — Instagram is just making the concept more accessible.

It's a balancing act between presenting a curated, though revealing, version of your home life, from family photos to spotless and organized living spaces, and not oversharing. 

Read more: Scrunchies, $80 Fjallraven backpacks, and Birkenstocks: There's a new type of 'it' girl online, and of course the internet is already hating on her

Those who have found a way to build a following and engagement generate money through affiliate commissions, sponsored ads, and merchandise promotions, according to Kaysen. Earnings are unknown, but an influencer with 100,000 followers can earn $1,000 per post, she said, citing Instagram platform Later.

A post shared by ERIN (@mytexashouse) on

 

The irony here is that many of the average home-décor influencer's generational peers are likely to be renters for years.

Thanks to an increasingly expensive housing market, millennials are renting longer and buying later. First-time homebuyers today are likely to pay 39% more than first-time homebuyers did nearly 40 years ago, according to Student Loan Hero. A report by SmartAsset found that in some cities, the median home outweighed the median income by so much that it could take nearly a decade to save for a 20% down payment. 

So, while some millennials are churning a profit off their big houses, others don't even have enough money for a starter home.

SEE ALSO: There's new competition in town for influencers who can rake in as much as $1 million per Instagram post — and it isn't even human

DON'T MISS: A 25-year-old YouTuber quit her job and now makes 6 figures recording herself eating, and it's a trend more and more influencers are cashing in on

Join the conversation about this story »

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Here's what Costco looked like when it first opened in 1983 (COST)

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costco opening line

  • Costco has existed in some form since 1976.
  • That's because the modern-day company is the product of a 1993 merger between Costco and Price Club.
  • The first warehouse bearing the name Costco, however, opened in Seattle in 1983.
  • Costco provided Business Insider with historical photos of the chain's inaugural warehouse. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Costco is a staple of the big-box-store landscape. It's been around for a while and has attracted a devoted flock of members thanks to its low prices and bulk sizes.

But the wholesale retailer's origin story is a bit complicated. You see, modern-day Costco is actually the result of a 1993 merger between Price Club and Costco. Price Club kicked off in 1976, and Costco followed suit seven years later.

Read more: 50 foods that Costco employees and members love

Costco provided Business Insider with a number of photos of the company's first warehouse.

These images provide a glimpse into what making a Costco run would've looked like back when Ronald Reagan was in the White House and "Maniac" was topping the Billboard charts.

SEE ALSO: Costco employees share their 9 best tips for getting an even better deal on your next shopping trip

DON'T MISS: Here's what happens when you show up at Costco without a membership card, according to employees

SEE ALSO: Costco employees share 31 things they'd love to tell shoppers but can't

Jim Sinegal and Jeff Brotman first dreamed up the idea for Costco Wholesale in 1982. Brotman, who died in 2017, was an attorney who was inspired to open a European-style wholesaler after taking a trip to France.

Source: "Service Management: The New Paradigm in Retailing"



Brotman told CNN in 2009 that he ended up cold-calling Sinegal, and the two hit it off.

Source: CNN



Sinegal was a retail executive who'd previously worked under the businessman Sol Price at a warehouse club called FedMart.

Source: "Service Management: The New Paradigm in Retailing"



Price had founded his own chain, Price Club, on July 12, 1976, in San Diego. Price Club exclusively offered memberships to small-business owners.

Source: Costco



Sinegal and Brotman later told CNN that they planned to essentially "clone Price Club" when they launched the first-ever Costco in Seattle in 1983.

Source: Costco



Years later, Price Club and Costco merged to become the Costco we all know and love today.

Source: Microsoft



But the first warehouse bearing the Costco name kicked off its grand opening with a business show on September 15, 1983.



Back when it first opened its doors, Costco offered business owners memberships for a $25 annual fee.



Meanwhile, "Group Gold" Costco members could shell out $30 a year to gain access to the warehouse chain.



Sinegal told the Motley Fool that the chain's first 100,000-square-foot warehouse was a "pretty simple facility" that lacked "many of the enhancements that we've added to the business since then."

Source: Motley Fool



In 2009, he also told CNN that the "crowds weren't overwhelming" at first, but "business built up" gradually. Sinegal served as Costco's CEO from 1983 until his retirement in 2011.

Source: CNN



Costco's low-priced, bulk-size offerings ended up catching on with shoppers.

Source: CNN



Less than a year after it was founded, Costco began to expand across the Pacific Northwest ...

Source: Costco



... launching stores in Portland and Spokane in 1983.

Source: Costco



Sinegal explained the chain's rapid expansion to the Los Angeles Times in 1985, saying, "We are working to get established in certain markets, to preempt those markets."

Source: The Los Angeles Times



The emergence of Sam's Club, Walmart's answer to the influx of members-only warehouse clubs, also spurred further expansion.

Source: Sam's Club



"When Walmart announced it was going into the discount warehouse business, we had to compete and grow quickly," Brotman told CNN in 2009.

Source: CNN



"That's why we expanded as fast as we did," the Costco cofounder said.

Source: The Los Angeles Times



By the end of 1984, 200,000 Americans had become Costco members.

Source: Costco



That same year, The Associated Press dubbed both Price Club and Costco as "key players" in the wholesale-retail game.

Source: Newspapers.com



Costco filed for an IPO on December 5, 1985, according to the company's website. Price Club had already gone public back in 1980.

Source: Costco



Investopedia calculated that anyone who bought 100 shares of Costco — at $10 a pop — would have made $138,768 by December 1, 2018.

Source: Investopedia



Just three years after opening its doors, Costco was a $1 billion company, Sinegal told CNN.

Source: CNN



At that point, the chain boasted "17 locations, 1.3 million members, and 3,740 employees," according to Costco's website.

Source: Costco



Costco and Price Club merged in 1993. Initially, the new company went by PriceCostco, ultimately switching to the name Costco Companies Inc. in 1997.

Source: Costco



A former employee who started at Price Club in 1984 and stayed with the company for 20 years told Business Insider that initially after the merger, there was a slight divide between "red" Costco warehouses and "blue" Price Club warehouses.



"When I was a corporate auditor for the company, the first thing the folks at the warehouse would ask me is, 'Are you red or blue?'" he said.



But he added that employees eventually got on the same page. "It wasn't really a bad thing," the former employee said. "Price Club had evolved into a different animal, and Costco really took us back to bare bones."

Are you a current or former Costco employee with a story to share? Email acain@businessinsider.com.



Meet Laura Arnold, the billionaire philanthropist taking on the parole system with Jay-Z and Meek Mill

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Laura and John Arnold

  • Billionaire philanthropist Laura Arnold explained her approach to philanthropy in a recent interview with Business Insider.
  • A former attorney, Arnold and her husband, former hedge fund manager John D. Arnold, became full-time philanthropists in 2012.
  • Arnold has now set out to reform what she has described as America's "unjust, inefficient" parole system.
  • Through her foundation, Arnold said she has provided grants to organizations working toward criminal justice reform. She also joined the board of REFORM Alliance, the criminal justice advocacy group founded by Jay-Z and Meek Mill.
  • The Arnolds have a net worth of $3.3 billion, according to Forbes.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Laura Arnold never expected to become a billionaire.

Arnold, 46, was raised in a middle-class family and worked her way through Harvard, she wrote in a July 2010 letter announcing her decision to sign The Giving Pledge. She and her husband John, a former securities trader, now have a collective net worth of $3.3 billion, according to Forbes. John was a trader at Enron before the corporation's collapse in 2001. He then founded hedge fund Centaurus Advisors, which, according to Forbes, is the primary source of the couple's wealth.

In 2012, Arnold and John made the decision to dedicate their lives to philanthropy full-time. Four years prior, the couple signed the Giving Pledge and opened a private foundation that focuses on education, health, tax policy, and criminal justice.

In July, Laura Arnold joined the board of REFORM Alliance, the criminal justice-focused advocacy group founded by Jay-Z and Meek Mill. The Houston-based philanthropist is a long-time supporter of criminal justice reform, and has donated to the issue, she told Business Insider.

Together, the trio plans to overhaul the parole system, one state at a time, starting with Pennsylvania. They're doing so in collaboration with a group of people that includes Philadelphia 76ers co-owner and Fanatics Executive Chairman Michael Rubin; Kraft Group CEO Robert Kraft; philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai; Third Point LLC CEO and founder Daniel S. Loeb; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners CEO Robert F. Smith; and CNN host Van Jones.

Read more: Less than 1% of the world's billionaires donate to housing and shelter charities. Here are the top 10 causes the world's richest people give their money to.

"Laura is one of the leading minds and mobilizers on criminal justice reform and we're fortunate to have her on our team," Jones said in a statement. "Her addition to our founding board will strengthen our platform and bring more experience in this fight.

Arnold spoke with Business Insider to discuss REFORM's plan. This interview below has been edited for length and clarity.

Business Insider: You're a lawyer by trade, but philanthropy is now your full-time job. What inspired you to make the switch?

Laura Arnold: Philanthropy has always been a core value in our family. It is important to us to leave behind a better country than we were born into. Having achieved financial success early in our lives, we had the enormous privilege of making this mission our full-time job. That journey morphed into what's now Arnold Ventures. 

BI: How do you decide where to donate your money?

LA: We focus on very difficult, intractable issues that impact a large number of people — including prescription drug prices, the quality and cost of health care, and reforming the criminal justice system. These issues are the result of system failures, whether it's misaligned incentives, a status quo supported by little or no evidence, or the outsized power of entrenched interests. 

BI: Today, philanthropists are facing increasing criticism from those who believe that elected officials should be the ones who decide how those problems are solved. Do you agree?

LA: At Arnold Ventures we focus on policy change because we believe government is the most important and powerful change agent for the American people. But government is not without its issues, chief among them a lack of evidence-based policymaking, slowness, and risk aversion. Philanthropy has an important role to play in acting nimbly and taking on risk the government won't.

At the same time, if philanthropists are going to work on policy change, they must be held to the same high standards we would expect of anyone in a position of power in the democratic process. So, well-reasoned critiques of philanthropy are just as important and healthy as all critiques of the way power operates in our democracy. We embrace this conversation.

BI: One of the areas of public policy you're focusing on is criminal justice, and you've said you'd like to start with the parole system. Why there and not somewhere else?

LA: Over 4.5 million people are either on probation or parole in the United States today. Almost half of state prison admissions nationwide are due to revocations of probation or parole. It's a system that is deeply broken, inefficient, and unfair.

There are a number of reasons to focus on parole. First, like many decision-makers in the criminal justice system, parole authorities have an enormous amount of discretion in who they release and who they deny, as well as in considering how to respond to revocations. In the era of mass incarceration, we've seen parole boards become increasingly reluctant to grant release and increasingly punitive in response to parole failures. Ensuring these important decisions are fair, rooted in evidence and best practice, and supportive of safe decarceration would lower prison populations while protecting community safety.

Second, there's a lot of opportunity to better understand what causes parole violations and how the system itself could be redesigned to more effectively address the issues — often, mental illness, substance use disorder, and poverty — that lead to violations.

With probation, as we've seen in Meek Mill's case, what is supposed to be an alternative to incarceration often acts as a feeder system. That's because our probation systems, by and large, don't focus on what supports people need to remain out of the criminal justice system. Rather, the culture and policies are overly punitive. A quarter of all state prison admissions in America are the result of technical violations to probation and parole, according to the Council of State Governments Justice Center. Those slip-ups can be as minor as missed paperwork or one failed drug test, and yet our response in many cases is to incarcerate people. This is unjust, inefficient — the goal of the probation system is to help people stay out of prison — and a huge waste of public resources: Imprisoning people for technical violations alone costs states $2.8 billion a year.

BI: Why did you choose to work on this with REFORM?

LA: REFORM's plan is ambitious — they're aiming to dramatically reduce the number of people under community supervision in the next few years. The group has brought together people with different political perspectives and people with lived experience in the justice system. And they're operating with a sense of urgency that reflects the magnitude of the problem.

BI: What exactly do you hope to accomplish?

LA: Our probation and parole systems act like a tripwire, often punishing people — even imprisoning them — for minor supervision violations. That flies in the face of what community supervision was intended to be: a path away from incarceration and toward rehabilitation. We want to see probation and parole systems refocus on promoting success for individuals and communities. That means systems that are less punitive; more effective at addressing people's needs and reducing recidivism; and smaller, focusing only on the people who need support to stay out of jail or prison.

SEE ALSO: A former gym teacher who built a hotel empire just became North Dakota's first billionaire, and his take on money lines up with what many of the world's richest self-made people say

DON'T MISS: Wealth tax explainer: Why Elizabeth Warren and billionaires like George Soros alike are calling for a specialized tax on the ultra-wealthy

Join the conversation about this story »

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The best places to buy engagement rings online

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  • It may sound strange to shop for an engagement ring online, but these days, there are a lot of great options.
  • After much research, my fiancé and I bought my engagement ring online.
  • Based on my personal experience, I've put together a guide to the best places to buy engagement rings online.
  • Our top picks include Blue Nile, With Clarity, Mejuri, Vrai, and Ritani.

We buy groceries, shoes, and even couches online. So why not engagement rings?

My fiancé and I bought my engagement ring online, and it was much more efficient and relaxing than visiting a brick-and-mortar store and dealing with pushy jewelers and salespeople. Shopping for a huge investment like this is always going to be stressful, but it's a little less so when you can wear PJs and Google things you don't understand at midnight.

According to a 2017 report from The Knot, about one-third of the 14,000 engaged or already married couples surveyed reported shopping for the engagement ring together and 14% of the grooms said they bought the ring online, citing better prices and convenience, among other reasons — my fiancé and I fall into those categories. 

We decided to shop for our engagement ring after visiting several jewelry stores in Manhattan's Diamond District and not feeling totally comfortable with the process. Once you've found "a guy" through a friend or family referral, you'd start by telling them your budget and diamond specs you're looking for (the 4Cs), and then the jeweler will go and source a handful loose stones for you. Once they're in, you can go into the store and check them out in person. I assume you can do this several times with your jeweler, but we wanted to see more options and didn't want to feel pressured into buying the first sparkly thing we saw, so we went straight online.

Don't get me wrong, it was definitely helpful to see diamonds in person but we wanted to make sure we were getting the best one within our given specs and only being able to see three stones just wasn't enough.

There was so much more inventory at the online shops we looked at, and being able to view stones in magnified zoom without a salesperson hovering over you and encouraging you that it's a great stone is an immense stress-reliever. That being said, there are a ton of sketchy sites that don't have in-house photos, magnified zoom, 360-degree views, and more, so it's not the online shopping experience is a sure bet either. Make sure it's a reputable site with warranties, GIA certification, and at the very least, a return policy.

After shopping for my ring online and zooming in on stones until my eyes glazed over, you can't go wrong at any of these five stores. Some have truly unique stones and free returns, while others have at-home try-on programs.

Here are the best engagement rings you can buy online:

  • Best engagement rings overall: Blue Nile
  • Best for at-home try-on experience: With Clarity
  • Best for untraditional styles: Mejuri
  • Best for lab-grown diamonds: Vrai
  • Best for in-store preview experience: Ritani

The best overall

Blue Nile is one of the largest online retailers for engagement rings and wedding bands, and provides tons of educational resources and 24/7 assistance to help find you the perfect ring.

Want a 2.0 carat brilliant in a classic pavé band? Blue Nile has it. Want a 4.0 carat oval in a butterfly-inspired setting? The shop has that too.

The search function for loose diamonds and settings are intuitive, and you can use the cursor to create a custom a range of filters. Choose the shape, cut, color, clarity, and carat weight you want, as well as budget, and then go through each result and inspect it until your eyes glaze over. 

Images of each diamond are taken in-house with 30 to 50x zoom, and there's a 360-viewing option. That's both a blessing and a curse because you'll see every tiny speck and will obsess over whether it'll actually show up when you wear the ring in real life. What I've learned after making myself cross-eyed is that unless the blemish is black in the zoom view, it most likely won't be visible to your eyes.

If you're not convinced though, you'll also have the stone report from the Gemological Institute of America and access to customer service with a handy 24/7 chat box. My fiancé and I used this religiously when looking at stones and settings, and when the customer service rep couldn't answer a question, they would reach out to the in-house jeweler or gemologist. 

But regardless of how confident you are that you chose the absolute best ring and how excited you might be after going through checkout, an engagement ring is still an investment. Blue Nile has your wallet covered with a 30-day free return policy in case the ring isn't what you or your partner expect. It makes the online experience a little less stressful honestly, because you know that you're not wasting a mortgage on something you haven't even seen in real life.

The company, unfortunately, doesn't have a showroom in which you can view the specific stones you want to purchase, so until you see the final ring on your hands, you don't know what it'll really look like. 

Pros: Large selection of stones and settings, knowledgeable 24/7 customer service, 30 to 50x zoom view, 360-degree view, free shipping and returns, lifetime warranty, financing options, diamond upgrade, free ring resizing within 30 days 

Cons: No physical showroom to view your specific stone, process can seem impersonal 



The best for at-home try on

With Clarity gives you the opportunity to wear a replica of the ring you want for a few days before you commit.

After you create a ring from the large inventory of loose stones and settings, With Clarity will send you up to two replica rings to wear around for three days. Once you've gotten a feel for the rings, return the fake ones and get the real deal. You can contact customer service if you need a few extra days, otherwise, you'll be charged $100 per unreturned ring. 

This is a great try-on experience that I haven't seen with other online shops and one that indecisive people like myself can definitely appreciate. 

Founder and CMO Slisha Kankariya tells me that the stone and metal used in the replica ring mimic all the properties of the real stuff, and when I wore one for a few weeks in place of my real one, it truly didn't look any different. The brilliance of the stones and shine of the metal could've passed for the real deal, and if I didn't tell my fiancé, he seriously wouldn't have realized any difference.

With Clarity has a smaller selection of stones and settings than Blue Nile, but I find them to be more curated, so it's a good option for people who get overwhelmed by too many choices too. The settings, in particular, are really unique. There are the traditional plain and pavé bands, and halo settings, but there are also ones with halos on the accent stones or ones that twist and have an underhalo.

As for the stone-shopping experience, With Clarity's search function is easy to use and has a 30x to 50x zoomed-in view. 

Pros: Authentic at-home try-on experience, curated selection of stones and settings, free shipping and returns, lifetime warranty, financing options

Cons: Selection might be limiting for people who want all the options



The best for untraditional styles

For unique rings that don't look like engagement rings at all, Mejuri is a great spot for the alternative couple. 

If you're looking for a really modern, unique ring that doesn't look like an engagement ring at all, check out Mejuri.

There are 14 ring styles, but they're all variations of the same overall design with different stones and metals. There are no solitaires or halos, but instead a hybrid design with a large center stone (a peach-colored morganite or a blue sapphire, and in yellow or white gold) and a cluster of small diamonds around it, and one style that's just a cluster of small diamonds also available in yellow or white gold.

Shopping at Mejuri for an engagement ring feels more like your usual online shopping experience for clothing or shoes than one specifically for an engagement ring. You don't need to choose your center stone, and there's no zoomed-in view, 360-degree viewing, or lifetime warranty. That might be great for a chill couple who doesn't want all the fuss and stress that comes with shopping for a big purchase.

And speaking of purchases, Mejuri's prices are really reasonable for something you'd plan on wearing forever. Prices start at $650 and max out at $2,000, and since there's no customization aspect where you can select your center stone, there are no surprises at checkout either.  

Pros: Inexpensive for such a big purchase, curated selection is less overwhelming, modern styles for untraditional brides, inexpensive base prices, free expedited shipping and returns, 2-year warranty

Cons: Ultra-curated styles can feel limited to some, no lifetime warranty, no physical store to preview rings



The best for lab-grown diamonds

If you're looking for a more ethical ring, Vrai has a great selection of conflict-free lab-grown stones, and unique settings. 

While every diamond engagement company we've listed so far uses natural stones, Vrai only uses lab-grown diamonds in its engagement rings, and in all its other fine jewelry too.

The stones come from The Diamond Foundry, a Leonardo DiCaprio-backed company that creates conflict-free, lab-grown diamonds with solar energy. Diamonds aren't always mined humanely, and while the retailers we've highlighted so far are committed to the Kimberly Process, an organization that actively prevents blood or conflict diamonds from being sold, there still isn't enough transparency in how your diamond gets mined. Vrai & Oro avoids the whole issue by only using lab-grown stones.

Stones look, feel, and shine the same as natural stones but are just made in a lab, and in some cases, can be a lot cheaper too. For example, a 1.10 carat brilliant with an excellent cut, I color, and VS1 clarity can start at $3,366, while a natural stone with the same specs can start at $6,114.

That being said, one con to consider with lab-grown stones is that there's no inherent value. Visually, natural and lab-grown stones with the same specs will look the same, but there's inherent resell value in a natural stone due to limited resources. Obviously, this isn't something you and your partner would want to think about as you're shopping for rings, but it's definitely something to consider, or at least be aware of if you're deciding between natural or lab-grown stones. 

As for the ring styles themselves, Vrai & Oro's engagement pieces are very much like its regular pieces — unique yet wearable everyday jewelry. It has the most curated selection of settings than the other brands in this guide with just eight styles, but they're all thoughtfully designed. There are the classic solitaire and halo styles, as well as a bezel style for someone who frequently uses their hands like nurses or doctors, and a "hover"style in which the stone looks like it's hanging off the side of the ring.

Pros: Ethical stones, curated styles, potentially cheaper base prices, lifetime warranty on the diamond, pre-paid returns 

Cons: Selection can be limited for some shoppers, only one-year guarantee against defects on the ring, can't buy diamond and setting separately, only non-engraved rings can be returned and restocking fees from $75-$200 apply, can only return an engagement ring once and your second one is considered final sale



The best for an in-store experience

With Ritani, you can make your ring online and then head to one of the brand's jewelry store partners to try it on — the best of both worlds.

One way a lot of online retailers (not just engagement ring stores) keep costs down is by not having a physical store. This might be great for something like shoes, but not for engagement rings where the process is much more involved and the item much more meaningful than a pair of shoes. 

Ritani solves this issue with free in-store previews of your actual ring. Unlike With Clarity, which sends you a replica ring, you can try the ring you designed online at a local Ritani store or one of its jewelry store partners around the US. There's no pressure to buy the ring, though the company does put a hold on your credit card as insurance. I think this option is the best mix of online and in-person shopping — you can make your ring online, see it in person, and then decide. 

In theory, you could get one or two different rings to save yourself the trouble of going back to the jewelry store to preview a ring, but that'll depend on your line of credit, I guess. 

In case you're just starting your engagement ring search and don't know what shape or style you like, Ritani has an interesting "ring recommender" feature. You put in your budget, shape, and setting, and it'll recommend a ring that fits within those parameters. You only get one result each time but you can change the setting and diamond specs after you get the results. I think it's a good way to get some inspiration if you don't really know what style you're looking for. 

Pros: Free in-store previews around the US, helpful ring recommendation feature, can just buy loose diamonds, free shipping and returns, lifetime warranty and cleanings at local jewelry store partner, diamond upgrade, free ring resizing within one year of purchase (with some exceptions)

Cons: Ring recommendation feature only gives one result each time



I sit on this $79 seat cushion while I work — it helps improve my posture and makes sitting much more comfortable

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91BTedEJLtL._SL1500_

  • My Purple Royal seat cushion ($79) has made sitting through the workday a much more pleasant exercise, and thanks to its effect on my posture, it's also improved my time spent standing up.
  • The cushion's grid shape collapses into itself to help accommodate your pressure points, and makes sitting comfortable even if you've, say, left your phone in your back pocket.
  • Purple makes a variety of seat cushions, from one that's specifically designed for lumbar support to one that's meant for portability. Prices start at $39 for the portable and lumbar-support cushions and go up to $129.

Sitting up straight can feel like an impossible feat. I'm constantly slouching while I work, and it seems like as soon as I correct my posture, I find myself nearing a 45-degree angle again. Constant posture vigilance is impractical when I'm focused on my job (or just scrolling through Twitter), so I continually let myself fall back into slouching. It's my default position — my resting pose. And it leaves me with a perennially sore back.

I've tried a few techniques to help snap me out of this bad habit. I go to yoga classes, I try to keep it so both of my shoulder blades are touching my chair back at all times, and I write reminders to sit up straight on Post-it notes on my desk. So far, none of those strategies have had a lasting effect (though I'm sure the yoga classes could if I went more consistently). Then, I got a Purple seat cushion, and it's never been easier to avoid hunching over my desk.

Perhaps better known for its mattresses, Purple makes a variety of seat cushions, from one that's specifically designed for lumbar support to one that's meant for portability. I opted for the Royal seat cushion. At $79, it falls somewhere in the middle of the Purple seat cushion price range (which starts at $39 for the portable and lumbar-support cushions and goes up to $129 for the "Ultimate" cushion). Besides improving my seating posture, my new cushion has made sitting down all day for my desk job significantly more comfortable.

But first, how does a seat cushion make you sit up straighter?

Purple cushions come in grid patterns — or they look like large, purple waffles, depending on how hungry you are. The grid shape collapses into itself to help accommodate your pressure points, and makes sitting comfortable even if you've, say, left your phone in your back pocket (guilty). This pattern helps distribute your weight evenly across your seat, and lets extraneous pocket items like cell phones sink into the cushion instead of poking into your behind.

I get antsy throughout the workday, especially because I spend so much time sitting down. The cushion also keeps me from constantly shifting around in my seat — instead of stiffly perching on top of it, like I do on my cushion-less chair, I'm relaxing into it. Not only does this accommodate for items left in my pants pockets, but it's also good news for my sit bones. They start to feel pain after balancing throughout the long workday atop a hard surface. The Purple cushion, made of hyper-elastic polymer, means I don't have to balance on those bones.

Plus, the edge of my seat no longer cuts off the circulation in my legs. Because the Purple cushion has give, it doesn't obstruct my blood flow. All of this helps keep my back and hips in line, making it much easier to maintain good posture.

81TJ4vkkMVL._SL1500_

Something to be wary of with this cushion is that it's not exactly light. While the Portable cushion weighs only 2.75 pounds, that's still adds up if you're carrying it around in a bag with your lunch and other work gear. My Royal cushion weighs 5.4 pounds, so the most I move it around is from one hardwood chair to the other in my kitchen (where I did the majority of my sitting when I worked at home for the past year). However, transporting a 2.75-pound cushion in your car is hardly an inconvenience.

I also wish I could mold my cushion to be the exact shape of my chair. As it is, my cushion hangs off the edge — more of an aesthetic issue than anything, but still something that would be nice to be able to tailor. That being said, different Purple cushions come in different dimensions, and the Royal is the third biggest of seven varieties. And admittedly, I didn't measure my chairs before buying.

Different jobs require different amounts of sitting. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent data, people who worked in office jobs (like lawyers, human resource managers, accountants, and software developers) spent somewhere between 75 and 90% of their workdays seated. Professional drivers sat for over 82% of their time on the job.

If you fall into any of these job categories, I fully suggest giving a Purple seat cushion a try. Enduring pain in your sit bones, tail bone, and legs all day while hunching over your laptop (or steering wheel) isn't worth avoiding the relatively small cost of adding daily comfort to your routine. My seat cushion has made sitting through the workday a much more pleasant exercise, and thanks to its effect on my posture, it's also improved my time spent standing up.

Buy the Purple Royal Seat Cushion for $79 — and check out 6 other seat cushion varieties on the Purple website.

It's also available to buy on Amazon.

SEE ALSO: 20 game-changing products under $10 that we use in our daily lives

Join the conversation about this story »

18 'Shark Tank' home products that are actually useful

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rapid ramen cooker $7.99

  • "Shark Tank" often impresses us with its wide variety of creative solutions to everyday problems. 
  • In the home and kitchen, products from the show are helping us clean and cook more efficiently, waste less, and sleep better
  • From smart kitchen gadgets to pet products, these 18 "Shark Tank" alums have earned their spots in your home. 

Ten seasons in and hundreds of products later, the show "Shark Tank" continues to entertain us as well as the panel of celebrity investors with creative pitches. However, that doesn't always mean the products are actually good. Some end up being a little too creative or out-there and border on plain gimmicky or "Who would even use that?"

We looked through all the "Shark Tank" products available for purchase and came away with a selection of star products for the home that made us curse and ask ourselves, "Why didn't we think of this earlier?"

Many solve for the wasteful design of many common products you already use, while others address the annoying inconveniences that everyone experiences. 

Check out the "Shark Tank" home products that are worth buying below.

A spring-loaded laundry hamper

Household Essentials Lifter Hamper, $28.49, available at Amazon

This hamper drops down as you add clothes and rises as you remove them, meaning doing laundry will no longer be that uncomfortable chore you never look forward to. It eases the strain on your lower back, so it's especially great for expecting mothers, people with bad backs, and the elderly. 

 



A self-cleaning dog potty

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

If you've already tried many indoor potty training systems, your search ends here with the world's first self-cleaning dog potty. 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. It's best for dogs under 25 pounds. 

 



A rapid ramen cooker

Rapid Ramen Cooker (Red), $6.99, available at Amazon

Granted ramen is already a pretty convenient meal to make, this tool makes the process even easier. The water line stops you from overfilling the bowl, the bowl doesn't get overly hot, and you don't need to use a pot and stove. It's perfect for anyone who doesn't have access to a kitchen, including students living in dorms and office workers. 

 

 



A tiny spatula to get every last drop of sauce or makeup

The Spatty and Spatty Daddy Spatula Tool Set, $11.99, available at Amazon

Think about all the ketchup, nail polish, and foundation that goes wasted because you can't get to the last remnants in the bottle. This small tool helps you get in all the nooks and crannies of bottles — so you're really getting your money's worth. 

 



A zip-up bedding set

Zipit Twin Bedding Set, $34.75, available at Amazon

It usually takes at least a few attempts to get your children to make their beds. There's no excuse with this bedding set because the fitted sheet and comforter are zipped together into one unit. 

 



A splatter screen that still lets you access your pan to cook

Frywall Medium Splatter Guard, $21.95, available at Amazon

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. 



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 suction silicone placemat

ezpz Happy Mat, $24.49, available at Amazon

The fact that you just spent an hour lovingly cooking a homemade meal and even organized it into easy-to-eat compartments often means nothing to a baby or toddler, who can hurl dinner to the floor in one easy swoop. This placemat will stay right in place on any flat surface, making it that much easier to get food from the plate into your child's mouth. 

 



A home gym rack

PRx Performance Profile Rack, $699-$799, available at Amazon

This profile rack transforms any small space into your own gym. It comes with 11-gauge steel uprights and a 42" kipping pull-up bar and can be folded away when not in use. 

 

 



A more effective way to sweep your floor

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. 



A smart baby changing pad and scale

Hatch Baby Grow Smart Changing Pad and Scale, $149.99, available at Amazon

It's easier than ever to track your baby's development with this modern nursery innovation. The soft foam pad tracks changes in weight to the .25 of an ounce and automatically syncs with the Hatch Baby app so you can view progress and learn new insights about your baby. The product grew out of the co-founder's own experience as a mother when she couldn't tell whether she was breastfeeding enough. 

 



A cold brew maker that slips right onto a mason jar

BRUW Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker, $21.95, available at Amazon

Bruw is a two-sided mason jar system that lets you make rich and delicious cold brew without the mess. After adding coffee grounds and water, then refrigerating the jar for 12 to 18 hours, simply attach the filter straw side down, add the second jar on top, and flip to begin the filtering process. 

 



Reusable silicone food bags

Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag, from $9.99, available at Amazon

This eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags has multiple uses: for storage and transportation, marinating, or sous vide. Its air-tight, pinch-lock seal keeps your food fresh, and it doesn't require any additional lids or seals. The BPA-free silicone is also dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe. 



A natural flea and tick spray for your pets

Wondercide Flea and Tick Spray For Cats and Dogs, $24.99, available at Amazon

Wondercide, a safe and natural alternative to monthly chemical treatments, was conceived after the founder's dog got pesticide poisoning from a vet-subscribed flea and tick treatment. It has no toxic effects, won't stain fur or flooring, and comes in fresh lemongrass, cedar, and rosemary scents. 

 



Damage-free poster and picture hangers

GoodHangups Damage-Free Magnetic Poster and Picture Hangers (8-Pack), $14.97, available at Amazon

Hang up all your movie posters, concert posters, and photos without ruining them or the wall with these magnetic stickers. Just place the sticker on the wall, then place the magnet and poster over the sticker. It works on all different types of wall textures. 

 



A WiFi-enabled sous vide

Nomiku WiFi Sous Vide 1100-Watt Immersion Circulator, $199.99, available at Amazon

This sous vide connects to your phone to make sous vide cooking more streamlined than ever. You can create and send recipes to the machine and precisely control the temperature from your phone with the app, letting you keep tabs on your meal even when you're not in the kitchen. 

 



Eco-friendly bamboo chopsticks

Cropsticks (100-Pack), $21.87, available at Amazon

Unlike most disposable chopsticks, which are made from wood, Cropsticks use bamboo, which grows back after it's chopped. They're designed for a better dining experience: snap the top end off and use it as a chopsticks rest, then enjoy your food without getting the usual wooden splinters. 

 



Pre-cut parchment sheets

The Smart Baker 9-Inch Round Perfect Parchment Paper (24-Pack), $10.99, available at Amazon

You've baked a beautiful cake, but now you're faced with the trouble of getting it out without ruining it. This parchment paper is cut in a unique shape that lets you lift your baked goods out of the pan in a breeze. You won't have to worry about greasing the bottom enough or cutting the parchment paper yourself. If you bake a lot, you'll love this product.

 



Read more about the 'Shark Tank' products we love here:



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