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How to brighten a video on your iPhone before or while recording, or by using a free third-party app after recording

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iphone video

  • You can brighten a video on your iPhone to make it easier to see and help it look better when posted to social media platforms.
  • The best way to ensure your videos are bright enough is to set the brightness level on your iPhone camera before you begin recording, or while you are recording. 
  • Though your iPhone camera does not allow you to brighten a video after it has been recorded, you can download a free app that lets you brighten and edit existing videos.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A dark video is hardly enjoyable, but it's often hard to tell in the moment that the footage you're recording is too dimly lit to be easily viewed. 

Brightening an iPhone video can make it easier to see the action on screen and will make the video more appealing if you upload it to a social media site or webpage.

Unfortunately, the iPhone's built-in camera app does not allow you to brighten videos after you have created them, so you should always try to brighten a video before you start recording. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

How to brighten an iPhone video before or while recording 

1. Open the camera app and swipe left to toggle to video. 

2. Tap on the screen so that a box with a sun-shaped icon appears.  

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3. Hold your finger on the iPhone screen and slide it upward to brighten the scene before you start recording. You can also do this while you are recording the video at any time. 

How to brighten an iPhone video after recording 

The free features of the app InShot allow you to brighten an iPhone video after recording, not to mention adding filters, text, cropping, and many other editorial features.

1. Open the InShot app and tap the icon for "VIDEO," then tap "New."

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2. Select the video (or videos if you are merging files) you wish to brighten from your iPhone's library.

3. Tap the green circle with the check mark.

4. On the next screen, tap the word "FILTER."

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5. Tap the "Adjust" tab, then using the "LIGHTNESS" effect, move the slider as far to the right as you want to brighten the video.

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You can also play around with other effects, like "WARMTH" and "SATURATION," as increasing these will make some videos appear brighter.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

Join the conversation about this story »

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The best spring mattress you can buy

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  • A high-quality spring mattress offers an impressive balance of support and comfort to a broad range of sleeping styles and body types, comes with a long risk-free trial period, and provides excellent edge support and motion isolation.
  • The Saatva Classic Mattress is our top pick because you can try it for 120 nights, there are three firmness options, and the company offers free in-home set-up and mattress removal.

A mattress is one of the most important purchases you'll make in your lifetime. After all, a significant amount of our time is spent sleeping. But with so many different mattress options, where do you start?

If you're leaning toward a traditional spring mattress (also called an innerspring mattress), we have five great recommendations, including our favorite, the Saatva Classic. Before we dive into our picks, here's what to consider when shopping for a spring mattress.

What to look for

So, with next-gen memory foam tech generating all the latest mattress buzz, why pick one with springs? Don't think of those uncomfortable spring mattresses from the past: Today's options are well-made, comfortable to sleep on, and designed to last for some time (at least, at the higher end). Compared to a foam mattress, a spring mattress offers better air circulation, edge support, and bounce. It can also feel plusher.

Your sleeping style and body types will determine what firmness is ideal for you. For the most part, heavier individuals and back sleepers will benefit most from a firmer mattress. Lighter folks and those who sleep on their side or stomach will prefer mattresses on the softer side. Of course, there is also variance due to preference within each of these categories.

Another factor to consider is a mattress's ability to isolate motion — a must if you are a light sleeper and share a bed with a partner or pets. And, edge support is another important feature for couples because you don't want to feel like you're going to fall off when your significant other decides to annex your side of the bed.

Spring mattresses work best on a firm, supportive foundation. When I'm testing mattresses, I keep them on the floor, which works perfectly fine. However, this makes it harder to get in and out of bed, and your mattress may soak up any spills nearby, which could cause permanent damage. So, we recommend using a bed frame or foundation. Here are some excellent options.

Lastly, price should not be your main consideration when buying a spring mattress. Keep in mind, you will be using this mattress for 10 years or longer. So, differences in prices work out to only a few cents per day. Additionally, most mattress retailers offer financing options, although we don't recommend going into debt if you can avoid it.

Sleep on it

A comfortable mattress for one person may be torture for another. So, the only way to know for sure that a bed will be right for your sleeping style and body type is to sleep on it. Most online companies offer risk-free trials — the brands featured in our guide have trials of at least 100 nights, including two with 365-night trials. However, be sure to read the fine print because some companies will charge you shipping fees or other expenses if you want to return a mattress.

While researching the best spring mattresses, we looked at countless reviews and ratings and dozens of models from buyers and experts alike (including our own). Our guide features mattresses that have a track record of durability, comfort, support, and versatility.

Here are the best spring mattresses you can buy:

SEE ALSO: The best mattresses you can buy

The best spring mattress overall

The Saatva Classic Mattress is designed to suit a variety of sleeping styles and features a plush top for luxurious comfort. 

The Saatva Classic Mattress is all about options and convenience. In addition to six standard mattress sizes, you can choose between three firmness levels (luxury firm, plush soft, and firm) and two thicknesses (11.5 inches and 14.5 inches). There's also a foundation, frame, and adjustable base that go with the mattress.

The individual pocket coils provide excellent support to the very edge of the mattress. And, the different firmness levels ensure that you will be comfortable no matter your sleeping style. You can try the mattress for 120 nights, and if you don't like it, return it for a refund (minus a $99 transportation fee). The bed also has a 15-year warranty.

Insider Picks' Kylie Joyner tested the Saatva Classic Mattress and loved the "Goldilocks" combination of comfort and support. Since sleeping on the luxury firm mattress, she and her partner have experienced decreased back pain. She was also able to sleep easy knowing that Saatva makes their mattresses in the United States using environmentally-friendly materials.

The Wirecutter recommends the Saatva Classic as the best spring mattress. The reviewer appreciated the balance of softness and bounce afforded by the plush top and pocket coils. She also notes the delivery experience is convenient, and the movers bring the bed fully expanded. However, she does not recommend the bed for people who weigh over 200 pounds since the Euro top is prone to body impressions. Sleepopolis, Mattress Clarity, Sleep Advisor, and Tuck also recommend this model.

The Saatva Classic Mattress has a 4.9-star average rating based on more than 1,600 reviews on the Saatva website. Several of the reviewers were hesitant to purchase a mattress online but were also fed up with the brick-and-mortar shopping experience. There are several mentions of how high-quality the materials feel. One reviewer said he now looks forward to going to bed each night because his luxury firm bed is so comfortable. Another buyer tracked her sleep electronically, and she went from an average of 3 or 4 hours of sleep per night to 6 or 7 after purchasing this mattress.

Pros: 120-night trial, nice bounce, plush softness, three firmness levels, free in-home delivery and mattress removal

Cons: Not ideal for people over 200 pounds, fees associated with returns



The best for long-term durability

The Avocado Green Mattress is made of organic certified latex, wool, and cotton using carbon-neutral practices and is backed by a 25-year warranty.

The Avocado Green Mattress is billed as a "natural" mattress because it's made of GOLS organic certified Dunlop latex rubber foam, GOTS organic certified cotton, and GOTS organic certified New Zealand wool. There are also up to 1,414 individually-wrapped pocket coils. 

The Avocado bed is firmer than most, but you can use the Euro pillow-top version for two extra inches of latex foam, which gives it a more medium firmness. There's also a Vegan Mattress alternative that doesn't use wool. The mattress comes with an impressive one-year trial period, and if you decide you don't like it, you get a full refund. Also, shipping is free, but it costs an extra $199 if you want the pros to set the mattress up and remove your old bed.

Consumer Reports recommends the Avocado Green Mattress because it received the highest rating of the more than 80 innerspring mattresses tested. The reviewer found it served side and back sleepers of all sizes. And, after simulating eight years of use, they were impressed with how well the mattress held up. However, they note that the motion isolation is middle-of-the-pack. The Sleep Judge recommends this model to side sleepers because of the impressive cushioning, support, and fabric quality. This reviewer experienced great motion transfer reduction.

The Avocado Green Mattress has an average rating of 4.8 stars based on more than 6,900 reviews on the Avocado website. Several buyers note that their mattress didn't have an off-gassing period, and the customer service is impressive. One reviewer didn't receive the pillows she ordered with her mattress, so Avocado sent her new ones immediately, even though it was the fault of the shipping company. There are many side sleepers and back sleepers who appreciate the firmness level of the mattress

Pros: One-year risk-free trial, 25-year warranty, made of natural materials, durable, comfortable and supportive for a broad range of sleeping styles

Cons: Questionable motion isolation 



The best spring mattress for couples

If you share a bed, the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress is a smart choice because it controls motion transfer so you don't wake up when your partner moves around.

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress consists of eight layers, including a durable quilted Euro-top, gel-infused memory foam contour and comfort layer, support layer, pocketed innerspring coils, and a base support layer. There's also a bottom mattress cover that keeps the mattress stable. At 15 inches, the mattress is thicker than most, which tends to equate to better comfort but can make it hard for keeping fitted sheets on. 

DreamCloud offers a 365-night risk-free trial, and the mattress is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Insider Picks' Lulu Chang tested out the DreamCloud mattress and found it blew away the all-foam options. She noted that the eight-layer hybrid system offered unparalleled support. She was also impressed with how breathable and soft the bed is.

Sleepopolis recommends the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress for back- and stomach-sleeping couples who are looking for a luxury experience at an affordable cost. The reviewer appreciated how well the individually wrapped coils isolated motion. On the downside, he warns that the mattress might be too soft for heavy back and side sleepers. Yet, The Sleep Judge recommends the mattress for more rotund individuals because the zoning distributes weight well. The reviewer appreciated how the motion transfer control and edge support facilitated sharing a bed.

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress has a 4.8-star average rating based on more than 1,100 reviews on the DreamCloud website. One buyer gave it 5 stars despite a snafu with the white-glove service: The delivery person cut a 2-inch gash into the mattress when setting it up, and the company's customer service was slow to remedy the situation. Other reviewers were impressed by the comfort afforded by this model, but there were some concerns about the memory foam odor taking a while to dissipate.

Pros: Excellent motion isolation, ideal for back and stomach sleepers, 365-night trial, lifetime warranty

Cons: Complaints of subpar customer service and long-term odors



The best for hot sleepers

The Leesa Hybrid Mattress is ideal for a broad range of sleeping styles, heavier people, and those of us who tend to get hot in the night.

Formerly known as the "Sapira," the Leesa Hybrid Mattress is what my wife and I sleep on when I'm not testing other models. I've tested more than a dozen mattresses, and this is the most comfortable for my 6-foot, 250-pound side- and stomach-sleeping frame and my wife's tall, weight-proportional back-sleeping body. In most beds, I tend to overheat, but this hybrid does a spectacular job of dissipating that heat so I can stay cool all night.

The bed passed the motion transfer tests I put it through, and the edge support is outstanding, which makes it perfect for couples. Leesa lets you try the mattress for 100 nights risk-free, and it's backed by a 10-year warranty.

The Wirecutter recommends the Leesa Hybrid because the springs provide a subtle bounce and the memory foam layer provides great pressure relief. It found the mattress works well for all types of sleepers – back, stomach, and side – as well as hefty individuals. It was also impressed with the bed's cooling abilities. 

The Slumber Yard recommends this model for back and stomach sleepers who are looking for a good balance of soft foam feel and coils. The reviewer appreciated how supportive, comfortable, and well-made this bed is. 

There are more than 900 5-star reviews of the hybrid on the Leesa website. Over at Amazon, the most helpful reviewer acknowledges that the mattress is firmer than most, but the edge and back support helped him manage his back pain. He warns against using a mattress protector because it gave the bed a "plastic" feel. 

Pros: Great edge support, impressive motion isolation, dissipates heat, works for a variety of sleeping styles

Cons: Too firm for some, especially petite side sleepers



The best from a traditional maker

If you are looking for a satisfying spring mattress from a company with a long track record, the Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Performance Copper II Plush Mattress is your best bet.

Despite the rise of the bed-in-a-box industry, Sealy, Simmons, and Serta continue to be the big three mattress manufacturers. Each has been around for over 80 years, while many of the big-name mattress start-ups disrupting the industry have less than a decade under their belt. Therefore, we thought it best to include a mattress from a company that has been around longer than its warranty period. 

The Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Performance Copper II Plush Mattress combines contouring memory foam with supportive pocket coils. The quilted mattress top is designed to wick moisture. And, there's a 2-inch gel memory foam top layer to keep you cool. Altogether, the mattress sports a comforting 13.5 inches of encased coils and memory foam padding and support. You can test out the mattress risk-free for 120 nights, and if you decide to keep it, it's backed by a 10-year warranty.

Consumer Reports recommends the Copper II Mattress to sleepers of all types, though in its tests, it provided particularly excellent support for petite and average-sized side sleepers. In their simulation of eight years of use, the bed proved to be incredibly durable. The biggest downside is that it retains heat, which could be nice in the winter.

On the other hand, the reviewer at Sleepopolis found that the memory foam sleeps cool. He also appreciated the motion isolation and edge support, which led him to recommend the bed for couples. However, he notes that the softer feel may not be ideal for stomach sleepers.

The Sealy Posturepedic Copper II Mattress has a 4.9-star average rating on US-Mattress.com. Most of the 5-star reviewers are side sleepers with an average weight. Several of the buyers appreciate the just-right balance of support and comfort. There's currently only one review that isn't for 5 stars. The reviewer gives it 4 stars because she would have preferred a firmer mattress.

Pros: Comfortable and supportive for back and side sleepers of all sizes, great edge support and motion transfer control, 120-night trial

Cons: Too soft for some stomach sleepers



What else we considered

  • Aviya ($1,099): Many expert sites recommend the Aviya mattress. And, it's easy to see why. The bed is made in the USA of CertiPUR-USA-approved foams and locally-sourced materials. It's also available in three firmness levels – plush, firm, and luxury firm – so you can choose an alternative that's right for you. You get to try the bed for 100 nights risk-free. Unfortunately, there are complaints of even the firm mattresses not being firm enough. And, the customer service is questionable.
  • Brooklyn Bedding Signature ($949): Brooklyn Bedding sells six different mattress styles, and any of them will serve you well. The Signature mattress is available in three firmness levels and can be tried with a 120-night risk-free trial. It didn't make our guide because there weren't enough positive expert reviews and some buyers complain that the mattress traps heat. 
  • Simmons Beautyrest Platinum Phillipsburg III Luxury Firm ($1,299): This is our runner-up for the best spring mattress from a traditional manufacturer. The Beautyrest name has been synonymous with high-quality mattresses for decades. This 14-inch-thick mattress features gel memory foam layers, comfort foam, pocket coils, and cool ventilation. It didn't make our list because there was a lack of consensus among expert reviewers.
  • Nest Alexander Signature Hybrid($1,299): The Alexander Signature Hybrid from Nest Bedding is 13.5-inches thick and is designed for cool comfort. It features a gel-infused memory foam top layer, three inches of TitanChill endurance foam, SmartFlow support foam, pocket coils, and base support foam. 
  • Helix Midnight ($895): This model is more affordable than any of the other options on our list, yet it still has a nice 100-night risk-free trial, comes with two pillows, and is made of high-quality CertiPUR-US certified materials. However, there are a few customers who have complained about the mattress trapping heat and not providing enough support.


Here's how much space $1 million will get you in 25 major US cities

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Just because a home is worth seven figures doesn't necessarily mean it's spacious. 

In fact, depending on where you live, the amount of space that comes with a $1 million price tag can vary widely. 

Business Insider teamed up with Zillow to find out just how many square feet $1 million will get you in 25 major US cities.

Read more: Here's how much space $1,000 in rent will get you in 11 major US cities

Zillow provided Business Insider with the median square footage of homes between $950,000 and $1,050,000 in 25 major US cities. Also included in the list below is the median listing price in each city, which was collected from the Zillow Home Value Index.

For consistency, each city's median square footage has been rounded to the nearest full square foot. Note, too, that the homes pictured below are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent actual $1 million homes in each city.

Keep reading to see the full list, ranked from the city where $1 million gets you the most square footage, to the city where it gets you the least. 

SEE ALSO: NYC landlords were caught renting out 'micro rooms' for $600 a month. Here are 7 places in the US where you can legally rent an apartment for that much — or less.

DON'T MISS: 48 US cities where you can buy a mansion for under $1 million

Louisville, Kentucky

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 4,807

Median listing price: $219,000



San Antonio, Texas

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 4,712

Median listing price: $241,225



Las Vegas, Nevada

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 4,021

Median listing price: $300,000



Charlotte, North Carolina

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 3,950

Median listing price: $298,000



Tucson, Arizona

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 3,714

Median listing price: $225,000



Jacksonville, Florida

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 3,616

Median listing price: $219,000



Dallas, Texas

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 3,551

Median listing price: $389,000



Indianapolis, Indiana

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 3,498

Median listing price: $295,000



Houston, Texas

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 3,411

Median listing price: $295,000



Orlando, Florida

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 3,351

Median listing price: $285,000 



Phoenix, Arizona

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 3,123

Median listing price: $285,000



Portland, Oregon

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 2,930

Median listing price: $464,900



Austin, Texas

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 2,785

Median listing price: $400,000



Denver, Colorado

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 2,443

Median listing price: $485,000



Chicago, Illinois

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 2,202

Median listing price: $339,000



Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 2,100

Median listing price: $234,900



Seattle, Washington

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 1,900

Median listing price: $695,000



San Diego, California

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 1,803

Median listing price: $699,000



Nashville, Tennessee

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 1,780

Median listing price: $325,262



Los Angeles, California

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 1,763

Median listing price: $849,500



Boston, Massachusetts

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 1,748

Median listing price: $745,000



New York, New York

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 1,696

Median listing price: $789,000 



Washington, DC

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 1,673

Median listing price: $598,870



San Jose, California

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 1,574

Median listing price: $968,888



San Francisco, California

Median square footage of a $1 million home: 1,089

Median listing price: $1,299,000



How to share your own LinkedIn profile or someone else's on desktop or mobile, to build your network and connect others

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  • It's possible to share your LinkedIn profile with your connections or other LinkedIn users to network on the platform. 
  • You can also share someone else's LinkedIn profile if you want to connect them with someone or provide an introduction. 
  • You cannot share your own LinkedIn profile directly on the mobile app. But if you know your LinkedIn profile URL, you can type it in and share it in the same way, and even share it outside the app via email or text. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you're a professional looking to advance in your career field, networking is paramount. 

After all, your dream job won't just come along and be dropped in your lap — you have to go out there and take advantage of every available opportunity. 

That's why creating a LinkedIn profile and sharing it with your connections and colleagues is such a good idea. 

Once you've set up your LinkedIn profile with all the relevant information — your education, work history, skills, interests, and more — it's time to share your profile with those who might be interested in seeing it. 

Here's how to do it on the LinkedIn website and mobile app. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

Google Pixel 3 (From $799.99 at Best Buy)

How to share your LinkedIn profile on desktop

1. Go to https://www.linkedin.com and log in using your user name and password. 

2. In the menu bar running across the top of your screen, click the Me icon, which appears with a mini version of your profile photo. 

3. Click View Profile to be taken to your profile page. 

4. In your introduction card — the top box of your profile page which contains your name and a few abridged details about your current employment and education — click "More…" 

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5. From the dropdown menu, click Share Profile. This will launch a menu box in which you can type in the name of the connections you wish to share your profile with, and click Send. 

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You can also share another member's profile in the same way. Simply navigate to their profile page and follow the steps above.

How to share your LinkedIn profile on the mobile app

1. Locate the LinkedIn app on your iPhone or Android's home screen and tap to open. 

2. Go to the profile you wish to share. To share your own profile from the mobile app, you will have to know your own LinkedIn URL and type it in manually.  

3. Click the "More…" button in the introduction card of the profile you're sharing. 

4. On iOS, choose Share via private message. On Android, this option will appear as Share Profile. 

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5. Type the names of the people you wish to share the profile with in the relevant field and hit Send when done. 

If you want to share your own LinkedIn profile (or anyone else's) outside of the platform, you can also simply copy and paste the URL of the LinkedIn profile page. For more information, read our article, "'What is my LinkedIn URL?': How to find your LinkedIn URL or change it to a custom address."

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

Join the conversation about this story »

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How to remove connections from your LinkedIn account on desktop or mobile

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Making connections on LinkedIn can help you grow your professional network, and may lead to new opportunities. But sometimes those connections are no longer something you wish to maintain, and removing connections can help you streamline your network. 

Removing connections can also help you stay within LinkedIn's network size requirements (if you're somehow getting close to making 30,000 connections).

Here's how to remove connections on desktop and mobile, whether you know who you want to remove by name, or need to find people by searching through all of your connections.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

Google Pixel 3 (From $799.99 at Best Buy)

How to remove connections on LinkedIn on a computer

If you're already on the profile page of the person you want to remove from your LinkedIn connections, you can easily do that by clicking the "More..." button in their introduction card, and selecting "Remove Connection."

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But you can still get it done if you aren't sure about their name, as long as you can recognize the name or profile photo of the person you want to remove from your connections. 

Here's how to remove a person via the Connections page:

1. Go to linkedin.com and log into your account, if necessary.

2. Tap "My Network" in the top toolbar.

3. Click "Connections" in the left-hand sidebar.

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4. Scroll through your contacts list; when you see the person you want to remove, click the three dots to the right of their name and the "Message" button.

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5. Select "Remove connection."

How to remove connections on LinkedIn on the mobile app

Just like the desktop version of LinkedIn, the mobile app allows you to remove connections either via their profile page or the Connections page.

If you know the name of the person you want to cut ties with, you should type that name into the search bar to get to their profile. From there, tap the three dots next to their name and select "Remove Connection," and confirm your choice by tapping "Remove Connection" one more time.

Otherwise, here's how to get it done via the Connections page:

1. Open your LinkedIn app and log into your account, if necessary.

2. Tap the connections icon in the bottom toolbar and select "View Connections" at the top of the screen. If the top of the screen instead reads "My Communities," tap that, and then tap "Connections" in the next menu.

3 HOW TO REMOVE CONNECTIONS LINKEDIN

3. Scroll through your connections until you find the one you want to remove — once you find that connection, tap the three dots to the right of their name and select "Remove Connection."

4 HOW TO REMOVE CONNECTIONS LINKEDIN

4. Confirm your choice by tapping "Remove Connection" in the pop-up window.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

Join the conversation about this story »

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This insulated travel mug is completely leak-proof so your coffee will never spill in your bag — and it's under $20

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contigo

  • Travel mugs are great in theory, but many are prone to spilling, leaking, or not actually keeping things hot, or cold, enough. 
  • The Contigo Autoseal West Loop Travel Mug ($12-$25 at Amazon, price varies by color and size) automatically closes, is spill-proof and leak-proof, and keeps drinks hot for up to five hours, making it an affordable and convenient buy that also provides some peace of mind.
  • It is our top pick for the best travel mug in our buying guide, and after using it myself, I couldn't agree more. 

I love a warm beverage in the morning. Whether it's a freshly brewed coffee, steeped tea, or just some hot water with lemon, sitting down and enjoying a warm drink has become somewhat of a morning ritual — even in the heat of summer. The problem is, most mornings I don't have time to actually sit down and sip, so I'm forced to choose — relinquish the ritual or take it on the go. 

In the past, I would just pour my drinks into any old travel mug and hope for the best; my wishful thinking was often met with leaks, spills, and hot coffee that went cold too soon. I quickly realized not all travel mugs are created equal.

With so many options out there, it's a good idea to consider factors other than just aesthetics. Think about your lifestyle. Do you want to just throw your mug in your backpack for later? Will you need something with a handle to grip onto while you're commuting on the subway? Do you want something to keep in your cupholder for road trips and morning rides to work? 

Whatever your needs, there is definitely a travel mug to fit them. But, if you want just one mug that can do it all — and for a great price — you need the Contigo Autoseal West Loop Travel Mug

The details of the Contigo Autoseal West Loop Travel Mug

The Contigo Autoseal West Loop may look like your average stainless steel travel cup, but its smart features make it a superior, albeit affordable, option.

As the name suggests, the main draw to this mug is its Autoseal technology. Simply press the Autoseal button to take a sip and let it go when you're done; it'll reseal automatically. A spill-proof and leak-proof seal ensures you'll never have to deal with the frustration of spilling hot coffee on your clean pants while driving to work or finding dribbles on your homework after tossing your mug in your backpack. There's also a lock right above the Autoseal button, so you can lock the bottle and make sure it's never accidentally popped open. You can even add accoutrements, like a tea infuser accessory, to make your bottle even more suited to your needs. 

Insulated stainless steel will keep your hot beverages hot for up to five hours, and your cold beverages cold for up to 12. The cup is pretty low-maintenance — you can throw the lid in the dishwasher for easy cleaning, but the body needs to be hand washed.

With 16-, 20-, and 24-ounce options in a variety of colors, there is something for everyone.

contigo autoseal west loop

My experience

While I like to sit down on quiet mornings with a mug of hot tea or coffee, on busy mornings all bets are off. I rush, throw my things haphazardly into a bag, and run off to wherever I'm going. I've used other travel mugs that say they'll stay sealed, and trusting these promises I've put them in my bag just to find coffee stains on my notebook once I got to work. I almost gave up on travel mugs until I came across this one from Contigo at my childhood home. Hidden in the back of a cabinet filled with water bottles, was this glimmer of hope that I could have a hot cup of coffee to wake me up on my way to my summer internship. 

After it sustained a long car ride, potholes included, without leaking even a drop of coffee, I knew this mug was a keeper. The Autoseal is legit; it really provides a tight seal and I haven't dealt with any leaks or spills. I typically will lock it if it's getting thrown in a bag, just so none of my other items accidentally press the Autoseal button. I appreciate the peace of mind I get from knowing I don't have to constantly look into my backpack to make sure my mug isn't toppled over and leaking all over my belongings. The automatic aspect means you'll never forget to close the lid; it's already done for you. I haven't had any problems with my things staying hot or cold. In my opinion, you can't beat the peace of mind, convenience, and affordability of this product. 

The bottom line

The Contigo Autoseal West Loop is our team pick for the best travel mug you can buy, and for good reason. It checks off just about every must-have. It keeps drinks hot — or cold — for hours. It doesn't leak or spill, even when carelessly thrown into a bag. It fits in most car cupholders and you only need one hand to operate it and get a sip. You can even add a compatible infuser for making freshly brewed teas. It may not be perfect but for just $25 or less, it's a great purchase.

Get the Contigo Autoseal West Loop Travel Mug for around $12-$25 at Amazon; price varies by color and size. 

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The best places to buy button-down shirts for women

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  • Button-downs are one magical wardrobe staple with the ability to transition easily from work to weekend. 
  • Finding the perfect iteration begins with asking yourself how you plan to wear it — for the boardroom, for the Meg-Ryan-taking-a-walk-in-a-park look, for the ranch — and the price you're hoping to spend. 
  • For the best button-downs overall, we recommend shopping at Everlane. But, we also have style recommendations for luxe, oversized, travel-friendly options, and more.

Ladies, it's 2019, and there's no need to take button-downs from a man's wardrobe any longer. If you're looking for an excellent shirt to add to your own closet, there are more than a few purveyors that will meet your aesthetic goals. Whether you're in need of a professional top for your work life or just a casual button-down that you can wear with jeans, these classic shirts can be as flattering as they are comfortable.

When it comes to choosing your ideal button-down, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind. First off, in what setting do you anticipate wearing your new shirt most often? If it's in the boardroom, you may not visit the same store as you would if you were anticipating wearing your button-down on the ranch.

You'll also want to keep fit in mind — are you in search of something more tailored and crisp to go under your favorite blazer? Or would you rather find something looser and oversized to tuck into a pair of jeans on the weekend?

Of course, price points will vary quite a bit based on where you decide to shop for your new favorite button-down. As it turns out, you don't always have to spend a fortune on quality, though if you're fine with a splurge, there are always shops that are more than ready to take your hard-earned cash.

Regardless of which of our favorite stores you choose for your button-down shopping spree, we're sure you won't be disappointed.

Here are the best places you can buy button-down shirts for women:

  • Best button-down shirts for women overall: Everlane
  • Best-fitting button-down shirts for women: Untuckit
  • Best place to buy travel button-down shirts for women: Ministry of Supply
  • Best familiar place to buy button-downs for women: Banana Republic
  • Best place to buy luxurious button-downs for women: MM. LaFleur
  • Best place to buy oversized button-downs for women: Everlane

The women's best button-downs overall

I turn to Everlane for just about every workplace staple in my closet, and their selection of button-downs certainly does not disappoint.

Everlane offers a wide selection of staples and basics for just about any occasion. And that means that its selection of button-down shirts is as extensive as you could hope for. Whether you need something fitted and professional (like The Clean Silk Relaxed Shirt) or a shirt that is both crisp and relaxed at the same time (like The Relaxed Poplin Shirt), Everlane has something for you.

The brand differentiates itself from other online retailers by practicing Radical Transparency, which means that you can rest assured that all your clothes come from ethical factories and come without any middleman markups. I've also found that my Everlane clothes are truly built to last. Not only is the fabric extremely comfortable and wearable, but it can also stand up to several cycles in the laundry machine. That means that you don't have to constantly repurchase your wardrobe's key pieces (though thanks to Everlane's affordable price point, you may still want to do so).

I also appreciate Everlane's wide range of styles when it comes to button-downs. Whereas other brands offer several different prints and patterns but a rather undifferentiated cut, Everlane has a wide range of styles for any environment. You can choose from short sleeve or long sleeve button-downs, or browse boxy cuts, slim cuts, and oversized options, too.

Shirts from Everlane come in a range of classic, sophisticated colors, and if you're like me, you may just be tempted to buy one of each. — Lulu Chang

Pros: Great selection, beautiful range of styles, ethical manufacturing, approachable price point

Cons: You may find Everlane options too universal for your taste

Check out Everlane's selection of button-downs



The best-fitting button-down shirts for women

Untuckit may be known for its men's shirts, but as it turns out, it also makes fantastic women's button-downs that can also be worn — you guessed it — untucked.

Untuckit may not be the first place you think of to buy your next button-down, but that's exactly why I love it. The brand has a surprisingly robust selection of both chic and casual tops for any woman and just about any setting. And true to its name, all of these shirts can be worn untucked, making for a more effortless aesthetic.

Untuckit's shirts come in denim, plaid, stripes, and my very favorite — wrinkle-free. In fact, their Toscano shirt is one of my very favorites. Thanks to Untuckit's sharp tailoring and classic color palettes, you can't really go wrong with any one of their shirts. But with this wrinkle-free piece in particular, you won't have to worry about looking rumpled as the day (or the year) progresses. Rather, thanks to its 100 percent pinpoint cotton construction, you'll never have to take an iron to this shirt as long as you have it. I also love the Annabella shirt, which has just enough stretch to keep you comfortable, but not so much that you start looking unkempt.

I also particularly appreciate how true to size Untuckit shirts run (and this is true for both women and men). If you take a look at the brand's handy sizing guide, you should be able to find an option that fits you the way it ought to. Moreover, most (if not all) Untuckit shirts can be run through the wash, so you don't have to worry about spending a fortune on dry cleaning bills.

And if you decide that you love what Untuckit has to offer its female customers, you could always turn to the men's section as well. — Lulu Chang

Pros: Shirts look great untucked, wide selection of prints and patterns, affordable

Cons: Due to popularity, there are sometimes limited sizes available

Shop all women's shirts at Untuckit



The best place to buy a travel button-down

With high-performance fabrics that won't wrinkle or look worn on even your longest days at the office (or at the airport), Ministry of Supply makes some of our very favorite button-downs.  

I'm a huge fan of Ministry of Supply and their modernized take on classic women's workwear staples. Always an innovator in the fashion space, at this online and brick and mortar brand, you will find remarkable pieces of high-performance clothing that are sure to get people talking.

I cannot get enough of the company's Travel collection. These pieces are made of moisture-wicking, breathable fabric that moves with rather than against your body, and while I often find dress shirts to be constricting, I could practically sleep in my Ministry of Supply pieces. A new favorite is the Juno blouse, made of a material that feels like silk, but is much more forgiving. It's designed for everyday performance, which is to say that it's wrinkle-free, and looks fantastic paired with either a pair of slim trousers or a skirt.

Another perennial favorite is the never-fail Aero shirt. Described as Ministry of Supply's go-to shirt (and mine as well), this remarkable piece of clothing is machine-washable, moisture-wicking, wrinkle-resistant, and shockingly comfortable. That's because it's stretchy, and rather than feeling like a straightjacket, feels shockingly like your most familiar shirt. And while I've often had issues tucking dress shirts into a fitted pair of bottoms, the Aero gives me no such problems. With this button-down, you're sure to look polished and chic for any occasion.

Ministry of Supply is also always coming out with new button-down styles, so if you don't see something that you like right now, never fear — these creative designers always have something exciting in the works. — Lulu Chang

Pros: Classic design, extremely comfortable, beautiful construction, wrinkle-free means great for travel

Cons: Pricey, limited colors and styles available

Shop all Ministry of Supply dress shirts



The best familiar place to shop

There's a reason the tried and true brands are tried and true, and Banana Republic is the classic pick when it comes to buying fantastic button-downs.

I'm always a fan of Banana Republic, whether it's for my work or for my weekend wardrobe. And when it comes to your work wardrobe, there are few stores that have a larger selection at a more reasonable price point. The brand has the added benefit of having both brick and mortar and online presences, which makes shopping almost too easy. And thanks to its alarmingly large selection of button-downs, I know I can always find a shirt that suits my style.

There are four styles when it comes to the Banana Republic dress shirt (or as they call it, the button-up). And while four may not sound like all that many to choose from, the veritable plethora of colors makes the selection extremely robust.

I tend to favor the Riley Tailored-Fit option. Whereas other Banana Republic options are a bit less form-fitting, the Riley looks polished and chic, following the natural lines of your body without squeezing you too tightly. It has just enough stretch to be flattering, but not enough to look sloppy if you decide to wear it untucked. It's made of a cotton poplin so that it's comfortable throughout the day, and buttoned cuffs give it just the right element of sophistication.

A close second is the Quinn Straight-Fit button-up. Unlike the Riley, this is a slightly shorter shirt, which makes it a great transition piece from the workday to the weekend. The straight cut is a bit more forgiving on the silhouette, and thanks to its cropped length, I find that it works well untucked as well.

Of course, no matter which of Banana Republic's four styles you opt for, you'll look your very best. And better still, with low prices and frequent sales, buying your work wardrobe won't break the bank. — Lulu Chang

Pros: Pieces are always on sale, great selection of casual (and business casual shirts), affordable price point

Cons: You may not be the only one in your office wearing one because these shirts are so accessible

Shop Banana Republic button-down shirts



The best place to buy luxurious button-downs

MM.LaFleur isn't cheap, but the brand offers high-quality dress clothes for professional women who have better things to do than worry about what to wear.

MM LaFleur is a startup looking to make it easier for professional women to get on with their lives, and get out of poorly lit fitting rooms. And you'd better believe that it's succeeding. Head designer Miyako Nakamura comes from the Zac Posen house of fashion and has improved timeless shapes and designs so that they fit every type of body and are shockingly easy to care for (yes, they're machine washable and resist wrinkles). All pieces in the collection are effortless and look fantastic no matter what you wear them with, and the button-downs are no exception.

I am absolutely in love with the Blake shirt. At over $200, it's not necessarily the cheapest piece in your closet, but it's well-made enough to outlast just about everything else. I'm especially taken with the crisp collar and slim fit that gives off an unabashedly sleek look; indeed, there are a number of menswear-inspired details that make this shirt look every bit the power outfit. That said, there's plenty of feminine detail, too, like the luxurious silk crepe fabric with a subtle, brushstroke-inspired print and a fresh color palette for spring.

Also beautiful is the Lorna Shirt, which holds a special place in my heart because it's petite-friendly. This polished top is basically two shirts in one — you can either elect to leave the top button unbuttoned and end up with a shirt with lapels, or button that last button and end up with a classic collar. Like other pieces in the MM.LaFleur collection, this shirt is machine-washable and wrinkle-resistant, and is always the first shirt I reach for if I'm packing for a business trip (especially because the bracelet-length sleeves let me keep an eye on my watch).

MM.LaFleur has a number of other button downs in its expansive collection as well, many of which are modern takes on classics, adding just the right of intrigue to your familiar workwear wardrobe. And while you can order a so-called Bento Box from the brand, receiving several pieces at once, you can always shop for your button-downs in an a la carte fashion, too. — Lulu Chang

Pros: Beautiful construction that is long-lasting, great attention to detail, anti-wrinkle, machine-washable  

Cons: Expensive, most colors are quite neutral

Shop MM.LaFleur's collection of button-downs here



The best place to buy oversized button-downs

As we mentioned, Everlane does basics really well, and part of that is due to their keen eye for trendy but classic design. This oversized option is under $70, comfortable, and the perfect mix of slouchy and fitted.

Everlane's reputation is owed to its ethically made, transparently priced basics. But, it actually excels because of its precise designing of classic wardrobe staples — like the button-down — that feel simultaneously vintage and perfectly updated. 

The Silky Cotton Oversized Shirt is a textbook example. As Everlane puts it, this is the "perfect button-down you can never find, found." It's not so oversized that it feels like you actually stole a tall man's button-down and wore it to work, but it has the breezy spaciousness of one. It's fitted through the shoulders and arms, and most of the volume is contained to the back, so you get the Meg-Ryan-walking-through-the-park, je-ne-sais-quoi effect rather than the sheet-as-a-toga-dress costume effect. Wear it loose, tucked in, or front-tucked, and to work during the week or the farmer's market on the weekend.

The Silky Cotton Oversized Shirt is also appropriately named. It's smooth and cool to the touch, and the colors include a rich blue indigo (shown above), off-white, black, and even a grey pinstripe option. You can pick it up in sizes 00-16, and though I often size down when something is described as "oversized," I found this to be true to size. 

In terms of cons, you won't often find popular items like this at a discount at Everlane; they consider transparent prices to essentially be a year-round sale. But, if you think $60 is justifiable for one perfect version of the oversized button-down, I think you'll be happy with your purchase. You also may find four colors to be a limited selection, and some sizes can be prone to sell out due to popularity.  — Mara Leighton

Pros: Transparent and environmentally responsible production, the perfect combination of slouchy and fitted style, comfortable to wear

Cons: Unlikely to see sales, relatively pricey

Check out Everlane's selection of button-downs



This already cheap laptop from Lenovo is on sale for under $200 at Best Buy right now — over $100 off its original price

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Lenovo laptop

  • You don't have to spend a ton of cash on a new laptop — there are some decent options available for a relatively affordable price.
  • Best Buy has discounted an already cheap Lenovo laptop to a super affordable $179.99.
  • The deal may not last long — so it's worth acting quick if you're interested.

If you're in the market for a new laptop, but don't want to spend a ton of cash getting one, then Best Buy may have a deal for you. Right now, you can get a new Lenovo 15-inch laptop for an impressively affordable $179.99— which is $120 off its normal price.

There are a few things that make this a great laptop for the price. For starters, while the laptop may not be the most powerful out there, it's pretty good for a laptop in this price range, offering an Intel Pentium 2.3GHz processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 500GB of storage — which should be more than enough storage for most. The display on the laptop comes in at 15.6 inches, and it has a resolution of 1,366 x 768. It also comes with a 30-day trial of Microsoft Office 365.

The laptop isn't bad-looking either. It comes in a sleek black color, and measures in at 0.78 inches thick, which is actually very slim. Around the edges, you'll get two USB 2.0 ports and two USB-C ports, along with a headphone jack and a HDMI port to connect the device to external displays. The laptop comes with Windows 10 S, which is the lighter-weight version of Windows 10, and has a battery life of 5.5 hours on a single charge.

Get the Lenovo S145-15IWL laptop from Best Buy, $179.99 (originally $299.99) [You save $120]

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Your guide to Target's in-house clothing and accessory brands for kids, tweens, and teens

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  • Target is always at the top of our list of where to shop for back-to-school necessities like desk supplies, clothing, and dorm room essentials. 
  • It's home to dozens of in-house brands, a number of which have affordable, quality supplies and clothing. 
  • They include Cat & Jack for everyday kids' basics, Simply Balanced for healthy snacks, and Heyday for tech accessories. 
  • Save even more shopping at Target by visiting our Coupons site.

More than any other store, Target was the place I shopped for back-to-school supplies and clothing while growing up. From elementary school through college, I weaved through the aisles to pick up new backpacks and shoes, academic planners and pencil cases, and laundry hampers and bathroom caddies. 

While you can shop top school and kids brands like Yoobi for desk supplies and Annie's for healthy snacks, you should also be on the lookout for Target's in-house, private label brands, which offer quality supplies and clothing at low prices. 

There are more than 30 of these private label brands scattered throughout Target's home, clothing, and household essential departments, but you should really focus on the eight below if you're shopping with back-to-school in mind. Read on for a brief overview of what each brand specializes in and what you should buy from it. 

Chances are, you live near a Target store. Instead of parking, going in, and shopping among the crowds of parents and kids also checking off their supply lists, you can shop everything online and take advantage of Target's Drive Up pick up service. Or, enjoy free two-day shipping on any order over $35. 

Here's your cheat sheet to the Target in-house brands that will save you money on back-to-school shopping this year: 

For trendy kids ages 4 through 12: Art Class

Shop Art Class clothing at Target

Elementary and middle schoolers who don Art Class pieces look infinitely cooler than I ever did at their age. This collection focuses on trends and of-the-moment looks and also features limited-edition capsules on an ongoing basis to keep your kid's closet fresh. Our only wish is that some of these pieces were available in adult sizes. 

What to buy: 



For college freshmen: Room Essentials

Shop Room Essentials home goods at Target

The costs of outfitting an entire dorm room or apartment from scratch can add up. Everything at Room Essentials is very affordable and highly rated by satisfied students who are able to funnel the money saved to other school essentials. You can shop everything from storage bins to bed and bath goods to plastic dinnerware. The styles are pretty basic, but if you're planning to move around a lot throughout college, this brand provides great value. 

What to buy: 



For young teens: More Than Magic

Shop More Than Magic clothing and accessories at Target

More Than Magic is a brand-new collection launched in June 2019 that is more than generous with its application of glittery designs and embellishments. The fun and sparkly brand includes clothing, but also anything you might expect to find in a locker or at a sleepover: bath bombs, nail decals, notebooks, and magnets. 

What to buy: 

 



For lunchbox and after-school snacks: Simply Balanced

Shop Simply Balanced snacks at Target

Keep the kids fueled throughout the day, without the artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. More than half of Simply Balanced offerings are organic, too. You'll feel good that the milk they drink in the morning and the chips they snack on as they do homework is doing their body more good than harm. 

What to buy: 



For stylish everyday essentials: Cat & Jack

Shop Cat & Jack clothing at Target

Play dates, recess, and after-school sports take a toll on your kids' clothing, so it's never a bad idea to stock up on everyday basics. Cat & Jack is cute and affordable, with graphic tees starting at $5, jeans at $8, and dresses at $8. You can also shop clothing with adaptive design and school uniforms here. 

What to buy: 

 



For kids' rooms: Pillowfort

Shop Pillowfort home goods at Target

As kids develop their personalities and personal styles, they'll want a say in how they decorate their rooms. Show them the fun options from Pillowfort, which include furniture shaped like animals and graphic bath mats. If you need help, you can shop by pre-curated room themes and use the AR tool to visualize furniture and decor in the room. 

What to buy: 



For tech accessories: Heyday

Shop Heyday tech accessories at Target

Heyday is like the AmazonBasics of Target, but with more eye-catching colors and prints available. These are the basic tech accessories your teen always needs and never seems to be able to find. If you're on a budget, Heyday is an excellent place to find USB cables, phone cases, and power banks for less.

What to buy:



For school supplies and dorm room supplies: Up&Up

Shop Up&Up school supplies at Target

You can't get around it — students will need paper, pens, and pencils for the classroom and toilet paper and paper towels for their room. Pick up all these supplies and more through "unbranded brand"  Up&Up. Stock up online because these essentials are prone to selling out at your local Target store as the first day of school inches closer. 

What to buy:



How to get a Lyft receipt sent to your email for all of your rides, or manually send ride reports using the mobile app

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lyft ride app

After you've finished a Lyft ride and added the driver's tip, a receipt is sent to the email address associated with your Lyft account. 

However, if you get a lot of emails everyday, these ride receipts can often get lost in the chaos of an overflowing inbox, or Lyft could be sending receipts to an outdated email address of yours.  

Whether you're budgeting or filing expense reports for an employer, Lyft ride receipts can easily be re-sent through the app and to your inbox in just a few steps. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone X (From $749.99 at Best Buy)

How to get a Lyft receipt sent to your email 

1. Launch the Lyft app on your mobile device, shown here using an iPhone X.

2. In the app's top left-hand corner, tap the button resembling three horizontal lines to access the menu.

3. In the menu, scroll to find Ride History and tap. 

Ride1

4. Tap Export in the top right-hand corner of the screen before choosing the ride(s) you wish to have a receipt for. 

Ride2

5. Tap to select the ride(s) you want a receipt for. 

6. Once you've selected the ride (or multiple rides) you wish to have a receipt for, tap Send Report at the bottom of the screen. 

Ride3

7. A Lyft ride receipt with the ride(s) you've selected will arrive in your inbox shortly in both PDF and CSV formats. 

Ride4

If you still can't get your Lyft receipt, double check your email settings in Lyft

The most common problem if you can't find the Lyft ride receipt in your email is, well, your email. 

Make sure the ride receipt didn't end up in your spam folder first. If you still can't find the ride receipt, open your Lyft app and go to Menu > Settings > Email Address. 

You can make sure the right email address is connected to your Lyft account to ensure you'll receive future ride receipts. You can update or verify your email address in the Lyft app's Settings tab. 

If this didn't work, try contacting Lyft.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

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How to hide your LinkedIn profile from public view to reduce spam and unwanted requests

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laptop

  • To hide your LinkedIn profile, you'll need to edit your Privacy settings. You can access these settings from your profile on a computer or the LinkedIn mobile app. 
  • Hiding your LinkedIn profile can be useful if you're being spammed with recruitment requests, or you don't want your information to show up on Google.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Most LinkedIn users are on the site for the networking and job opportunities it provides. Not only can you connect with your colleagues and potential employers, but you can also fill your profile with a list of your professional accomplishments and skills. 

However, it's also possible to hide your profile if you decide you don't want it to be visible to others. LinkedIn has settings which allow you to hide certain information from other users. 

But if you don't want your information to be picked up by search engines, and want to hide it from everyone, you should know how to hide your entire LinkedIn profile.

Luckily, you can hide your LinkedIn profile on both desktop and the iPhone and Android mobile app. Here's how.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

Google Pixel 3 (From $799.99 at Best Buy)

How to hide your LinkedIn profile on desktop 

1. Go to https://www.linkedin.com and log in using your user name and password. 

2. In the menu bar that runs along the top of your screen, select the "Me" option that appears below a miniaturized version of your profile photo, and click "View Profile." 

3. Click the "Edit public profile & URL" option on the right-hand side of your screen. 

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4. Under the "Edit Visibility" option on the left side of the screen, toggle the lever next to "Your profile's public visibility" to off, to hide it from non-LinkedIn users and search engines. You will then see a message confirming that the change has been made, and the lever will be labeled "Off." 

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How to hide your LinkedIn profile on mobile

Note that this process is the same on both iOS and Android.

1. Open the LinkedIn app via the icon on your device's home screen. 

2. To the left of the search bar in the top part of your screen, tap your profile picture, and then tap "View Profile." 

3. In the top right-hand corner of your screen, tap the Settings icon, which looks like a gear. 

IMG_8259

4. Choose the Privacy tab at the top, and then tap "Edit your public profile." 

5. Under "Edit Visibility," make sure the "Your profile's public visibility" option is toggled to "Off."

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best laptops you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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Meet 'Undercover Billionaire' star Glenn Stearns, who built a fortune running a now-bankrupt mortgage lender and spent 15 months sailing around the world on a yacht with his family

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Glenn Stearns of Undercover Billionaire

California businessman Glenn Stearns may be attempting to build a million-dollar business from scratch in 90 days on the Discovery Channel's "Undercover Billionaire," but he has already experienced enough drama in his real life to fill another reality television show.

Stearns, according to his Discovery Channel profile, had a troubled childhood before going on to found Stearns Lending, the mortgage lending company that has afforded him an opulent lifestyle complete with beachfront mansions and superyachts. After a battle with cancer, Stearns decided to embark on the challenge of growing a million-dollar business from scratch on "Undercover Billionaire."

Read more: The millionaire CEO who went viral after promising to donate $30,000 to a vet if Trump retweets him is now offering a $10,000 reward to help find a missing veteran

A Stearns Lending spokesperson declined to comment on Stearns' personal history and involvement with the company when reached by Business Insider.

Keep reading to learn more about the "Undercover Billionaire" star.

SEE ALSO: Forever 21 is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy — and the husband and wife duo who founded it have lost nearly $4 billion from their personal net worths since 2015

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Stearns had a troubled childhood.

"I wasn't the greatest kid growing up," Stearns said in a 2005 interview with American Executive obtained by Business Insider. "I grew up in a rough neighborhood in Maryland. I could have gone down a much different path if it wasn't for some people who were very influential in guiding me the right way."

Stearns has said he is dyslexic and struggled in school as a result, according to The Orange County Register. Stearns eventually attended Towson University and got a job as a loan officer, according to his interview with American Executive.



Stearns founded Stearns Lending at age 25 in 1989.

Then called First Pacific Financial, the company started off bidding on contracts from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Stearns told American Executive in 2005.

Stearns Lending also provides foreclosure, title, and escrow services, according to The Orange County Register.

The company had annual revenues of over $500 million, according to a 2015 report by the Orange County Business Journal.

Stearns sold 70% of Stearns Lending to Blackstone in 2015, but retains a 29% stake, per USA Today. USA Today also reported that the company has 2,700 employees and is the 20th-largest mortgage lender in the country, as of July.



He predicted the financial crisis.

A reporter for The Orange County Register asked Stearns in a 2007 interview obtained by Business Insider whether a credit crisis was imminent.

"Yes, I think there is. I think the reason is because of the whole knee-jerk reaction in Wall Street and the fact that we have been making bad loans for a while," he replied at the time.

Stearns also expressed concerns about the state of the housing market, which experienced a full-blown meltdown beginning in December 2007.

"I think we are at the very beginning of this still," Stearns told The Orange County Register in 2007. "If you look at this, it's usually a four- or five-year cycle of property values increasing or decreasing. We are really, what, in the first year of this."



His wife Mindy is best known for being "discovered" during a 1996 appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," in which she made animal noises.

Oprah first noticed Mindy in her audience after overhearing the Oregon native making animal sounds, according to the Willamette Week.

Mindy worked as a dental hygienist but was offered a job as a presenter at a radio station in Saginaw, Michigan, the Associated Press reported in 2004. She went on to appear on several VH1 specials and work as a reporter for "Entertainment Tonight."

The couple first met in a casino in Las Vegas but did not stay in touch, The Orange County Register reported in 2004. Stearns asked her out via email after seeing her on television and later surprised her with a marriage proposal while she was reporting a segment on "Mansions of Southern California."

The couple wed in 2003 and now has two daughters.



"Undercover Billionaire" isn't Stearns' first foray into reality television.

Stearns and his wife starred in the first season of the TBS show "The Real Gilligan's Island," according to Today. The show featured two teams of seven people that filled roles based on the original "Gilligan's Island" characters. The participants were made to compete in various challenges, and during filming, the couple had to live in a 200-square-foot hut in Mexico.

The Stearns were cast in the roles of "the millionaire and his wife," according to The Orange County Register. Stearns was the show's winner and donated the $250,000 cash prize (and an additional $250,000, matched from his own fortune) to charity. 



At the time, the couple lived in a mansion in Newport Beach, California.

The Stearns hosted a viewing party for the season finale of "The Real Gilligan's Island" at their 15,000-square-foot home, according to a 2004 article in The Orange County Register obtained by Business Insider.

The house is a seven-bedroom, three-story French chateau located in Newport Beach's Pelican Hill neighborhood, according to The Orange County Register. The property also features views of the Pacific Ocean and Pelican Hill's golf course.

There is also a swimming pool, a patio with a fire pit, a wine cellar, a spiral staircase, a home theater, and a game room, according to The Orange County Register. 

The house was originally listed for $23 million was on the market for several years before it was sold for $19.65 million, The Orange County Register reported in 2017.



Stearns has since moved out of Orange County.

Stearns now resides in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The town is known for being a favorite skiing destination for billionaires and celebrities, Business Insider previously reported.

Stearns also owned a home in Fiji, he told The Orange County Register in a 2004 interview.

Read more: A 3-day trip to Jackson Hole during what I thought would be the low season ended up being a valuable lesson in writing off ski towns as winter-only destinations



Stearns said he paid $250,000 for a ticket for a suborbital flight with Virgin Galactic in 2014.

Stearns was one of 700 early customers to do so, The Orange County Register reported in 2014. Other buyers include Leonardo DiCaprio, Ashton Kutcher, Justin Bieber, and the Winklevoss twins.

Mindy wasn't as excited about space exploration as Stearns, he told The Orange County Register in 2014.

"She said, 'Get your affairs in order — your life insurance,'" Stearns told the Register. "It was sort of joking, sort of not."



Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson is "good friends" with Stearns.

"Glenn maintained his legendary humor throughout his illness," Branson wrote in a 2015 blog post about Stearns' battle with cancer, "and [Glenn and Mindy] joked about wishing [Glenn] could have a strong margarita before beginning his treatment."

Read more: Richard Branson, who turns 69 today, is sitting on a $4 billion fortune but reportedly wears the same jeans every day — see how the eccentric billionaire spends his money



The Stearns family spent 15 months sailing around the world on a superyacht.

The Stearns made the trip on a 58-meter yacht named Minderella, Mindy told Boat International in 2018.

The couple had the boat refitted before taking off. The renovations included enlarging the spa pool so it fit eight people instead of two, hanging hammocks on the deck, and installing a deep fryer to make French fries.

Mindy told Boat International that the couple's daughters were homeschooled on board in the mornings.

The best part of the trip, according to Mindy, was that the entire family ate every single meal together — something that her husband's busy schedule normally would have prohibited.



Stearns said a fight with cancer inspired him to take on the challenge of "Undercover Billionaire."

"I'd had cancer," Stearns previously told Business Insider. He decided to do "Undercover Billionaire" because "life is short and I don't want to have my last breath and have regrets [about wanting] to see if I could build a business." 

On the show, Stearns goes to Erie, Pennsylvania, to see if he can create a million-dollar business in 90 days with only $100, a cell phone, and an old pickup truck, and without any of his business connections. He hid his true identity and assumed the alias of "Glenn Bryant," a "regular guy" who had always dreamed of starting a business and was participating in a new TV show called "The American Dream."

Read more: Discovery's 'Undercover Billionaire' explains how recovering from cancer inspired him to try and turn $100 into a million-dollar business in 90 days on TV



Despite Stearns' financial savvy, his company filed for bankruptcy in July 2019.

The company was struggling with a large amount of debt and an increase in interest rates, according to USA Today. The company had already cut jobs and reduced its annual expenses by 40% in an attempt to stay afloat, court documents analyzed by USA Today show.



However, Stearns might not actually be a billionaire.

Discovery Channel pegged Stearns' net worth at over $1 billion — hence the name of the show. However, we were not able to independently verify that figure, as Business Insider's Nathan McAlone reported in July ahead of the series' premiere.

The Orange County Register previously reported that the Stearns had a net worth of "about $500 million" when they appeared on "The Real Gilligan's Island" in 2004.



Save $93 on a Coway Air Purifier and $70 on an Instant Pot on Amazon — plus 7 other deals happening now

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best online sales deals

We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening online today, with savings on Tissot Watches at Nordstrom Rack, fan gear at MLB Shop, and Instant Pot cookers on Amazon.

Deals in this article are subject to change throughout the day. The prices listed reflect the deal at the time of publication. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons.

The best sales and deals happening today at a glance:

1. Save $93 on the Coway Mighty Air Purifier on Amazon

Coway Mighty Air Purifier, $136.85 (Originally $229.99) [You save $93.14]

If you have seasonal or indoor allergies, one of the best ways to keep them at bay is to use an air purifier in your home. Right now, the Coway Mighty Air Purifier is on sale. With a four-stage filtration system including a pre-filter, a deodorization filter, a True HEPA filter, and Vital Ion filter, the Coway Mighty captures and reduces pollen, pollutants, dust, smoke, and other allergens.



2. Save up to 58% on Tissot watches at Nordstrom Rack

Shop the Tissot sale at Nordstrom Rack now

While Nordstrom Rack always has great deals on clothing, the clearance site also has a plethora of accessories. Right now, Nordstrom Rack is having a flash event on Tissot watches for men and women where you'll find a variety of timepieces marked down up to 58% off. The two-day sale ends tomorrow, Saturday, September 7, so you may want to check it out now before the best styles sell out (which they're prone to do quickly on Nordstrom Rack).



3. Save 50% on the Instant Pot DUO80 8-Quart on Amazon

Instant Pot DUO80 8-Quart, $69.99 (Originally $139.95) [You save $69.96]

The Instant Pot DUO80 is one of the highest-rated cookers on Amazon, and it's on sale for 50% off right now — bringing it down to $69.99. The seven-in-one cooker can be used as a standard slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, warmer, and sautée pan. Its large eight-quart design is perfect for feeding families of more than six people — or cooking enough for leftovers. 



4. Save up to 60% on fan gear at MLB Shop

Shop the MLB Shop sale now

As playoff season inches closer, fans will want to gear up with new apparel for their favorite teams. Today only, you can save up to 60% on a huge selection of gear by using the promo code "FASTBALL" at checkout. The sale includes jerseys, hoodies, T-shirts, and a lot more. 



5. Save up to 40% on top appliances at Best Buy

Shop the Best Buy appliance sale now

Although Labor Day was this past weekend, Best Buy is still celebrating with huge discounts on home appliances. Now through September 11, you can save up to 40% on appliances from brands like Maytag, LG, KitchenAid, Samsung, and more. Plus, you can get up to a $150 gift card with qualifying purchases. Whether you're looking for large appliances like refrigerators, washers and dryers, or small essentials like microwaves and mixers, this sale has it all.



6. Get $750 worth of travel points when you sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred from our partner The Points Guy.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a great option if you're new to earning points and miles, as it has a reasonable $95 annual fee. You'll earn 2 points per dollar on all travel and dining purchases and 1 point on everything else, and the card includes some valuable benefits like trip delay coverage and primary car rental insurance.

You can earn 60,000 Chase points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred when you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. That's worth at least $750 toward travel. Read our review to learn more about the card's benefits.

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



7. Save $300 on the Leesa Hybrid mattress and get two free pillows

Shop the Leesa sale now

As the best overall mattress you can buy in our buying guide, the foam Leesa mattress is exceptionally comfortable and has a great value (mattress prices start at just $595). But with this Business Insider-exclusive offer, you can get up to $300 off the Hybrid Mattress and two free pillows. Our exclusive offer is even better than Leesa's current Labor Day sale and is one of the best deals the brand has offered to date. To take advantage of the discount, just click through the link above. 



8. Save 15% on all orders at Framebridge as a new customer

Shop the Framebridge sale now.

In addition to offering customizable framing options for your prints and original paintings, Framebridge will turn your favorite digital images and smartphone pictures into beautifully framed artwork that's suitable for display. Simply pick a frame, upload your image, and Framebridge will it back ready to be hung up or shown off. Right now, new customers can save 15% sitewide by using the exclusive promo code "INSIDER15" at checkout. 



Pressures are mounting for boutique fitness companies — and experts say we're beginning to see casualties

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Boutique fitness bubble thumb 4*3

  • Boutique fitness studio owners are coming under pressure as the market becomes increasingly saturated with options after a decade of intense growth and constantly shifting trends. 
  • There are signs that growth is stalling for some of the biggest players in the market including indoor cycling brands, Flywheel, and SoulCycle. 
  • Experts say that fickle customers are part of the problem. Many people are happy to try a workout a few times before moving on to the next big thing and without monthly or annual gym membership fees, there's even less reason for them to stay loyal. 
  • The rise of high-tech home fitness concepts such as Peloton is also putting pressure on these studio owners by making the space even more competitive. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Last month, Stephanie Blodgett marked an important anniversary with a post on Instagram – it had been seven years since she opened a Pure Barre franchise studio in Salt Lake City, Utah — something she described as a completely life-changing event.  

In three short years, Blodgett went from being a client at a Pure Barre studio in Lexington, Kentucky to becoming an instructor and then setting up her own franchise location. The revolving door of clients at the Lexington studio had given her the confidence to open her own franchise location and commit to a five-year contract. 

"Maybe I was naive," she told Business Insider in a recent conversation. "I think I went in blindly thinking: 'This is going to take off, everybody is going to love it, and I'm not going to have any issues.'"

Today, a Pure Barre franchisee can expect to spend between $198,650 and $446,250 to open a studio. This includes the $60,000 franchise fee but doesn't account for the cost of leasing or buying a space. 

The first two years were tough for Blodgett, she had to educate prospective clients about this new fitness concept, which for the uninitiated is a mix between ballet and pilates that was at that stage popular on the east and west coast of the US but completely alien to the residents of Salt Lake City.

By the end of the third year, her hard work had paid off – the studio was in high demand, classes were waitlisted, and she had to call in more teachers.

"Word had gotten out about how amazing the technique was," she said. 

But her winning streak was short-lived. Within the next 12 months, the boutique fitness craze was spreading and newer concepts were cropping up in the area and luring customers away with shiny new marketing. Some of Blodgett's clients moved to other studios to test out trendy new workouts and sales at her own studio fell. Once her five-year contract was up, after a brief extension, she was forced to close.  

"The decline came from different concepts coming in and getting more saturated," she said. "It boils down to the trends, people are super trendy and when something new comes out they are interested to try it."

"The saddest thing is the product is amazing, there's nothing else like it out there but it's about who is marketing themselves better and who is aggressive enough to go after that clientele," she added. 

Blodgett isn't alone. Other studio owners are having to make similar choices as the market becomes increasingly saturated with options at the end of a decade of intense growth and trends constantly shift. 

There are signs that growth is stalling for some of the biggest players in the market. Last month, indoor cycling studio Flywheel, a leading rival to SoulCycle, said that it would be closing 11 of its 42 studios in the US, including all of its four Los Angeles locations.

Flywheel sports

SoulCycle, which halted its plans for an IPO in May 2018, saw user growth stall at the end of 2018, according to customer purchase data tracked by analytics firm Second Measure (SoulCycle denies the data's findings and said it saw an increase in total rides during that period) and Rumble Fitness, a New York-based boxing-inspired workout class has been trying to raise funds for months, Bloomberg recently wrote.

This is all prompting experts to ask: Have we hit peak boutique?

Boutique fitness breeds fickle customers

Part of the allure of working out at a boutique fitness studio is that you have the flexibility to test different workouts without being constrained by a gym membership. But, this often creates a fickle customer who will try something out a few times before moving on to the next big thing, especially when they don't have monthly or annual gym membership fees to keep them loyal. 

"The model for a long time was the monthly membership and at least in that sense people felt, 'Well I'm paying for it so maybe I should show up,' if they were inclined to show up in the first place," Jason Kelly, author of "Sweat Equity," said in a recent conversation with Business Insider. Kelly discusses the economics of the fitness world in his book. 

"The business model of 'pay as you go' cuts both ways," he said. "It provides you an opportunity to grab people pretty easily but then they have no real economic incentive to stay with you."

Classpass

ClassPass, a company that offers a membership program providing access to an array of classes across different studios, could be making this problem even worse. 

It's "the go-to option for the fickle, budget-conscious urban exercise addict," Kelly wrote in Sweat Equity, adding that it is a staple for the "restless Millennial" who wants to mix and match their workouts throughout the month and not get in a rut by "gorging" themselves on one type of fitness. 

This attitude can make it hard for studios to convert these guests into long-term, steady clients – if people enjoy the flexibility of the program, why go back and buy a separate membership at a specific studio? ClassPass would argue that it actually helps out boutique studios by filling up classes and introducing these studios to a new set of customers.  

Social media is also playing a part here. It is the "ultimate FOMO accelerant," Kelly said as it encourages customers to move from product to product more quickly and stay ahead of the trends. 

Customers are browsing Instagram thinking: "'That person looks super happy doing that new workout, maybe I should try that," he said. 

Pushy investors fuel the fire 

Supply in the market is also growing, partly because the barriers to entry are generally low – setting up a studio can be as simple as renting a space, finding instructors (who could be paid per class), and buying equipment if it's required, which means that it's not impossible for anyone to enter the market.

Sarah Love, who owns two Pure Barre studios in Richmond, Virginia, and co-owns another, has noticed new mom-and-pop studios popping up in her area offering "knock-off" versions of the Pure Barre workout. She doesn't necessarily see this as a bad thing though, her sales are still strong and having similar studios helps to create awareness about the style of workout, she said.

But for others, it can make it harder to stand out. 

"It's a race," Blodgett said. "Who can do it better? How can you reinvent yourselves? How can you keep the race up? How can you make yourself more unique from everyone else? We are all doing the same thing just reinventing the wheel and trying to sell it differently. When you've got another concept a mile away you have to make sure you're staying on top of it and offering something that no one else can offer."

Pure Barre

For some of the larger franchise chains, rapid growth has been driven by pushy investors.  

Over the past decade, the private-equity sector has been aggressively investing in boutique fitness chains – TPG recently purchased Crunch, L Catterton, the largest retail-consumer focused private-equity firm in the world has a stake in Equinox, Peloton, Pure Barre, and ClassPass, among others – and the goal for many of these firms is to drive rapid growth and propel the company toward an IPO. 

Blodgett blames just this for Pure Barre's rapid growth. When Pure Barre's founder, Carrie Door, stepped down from the business in 2015 and L Catterton took a majority stake in the company, she said that noticed the business changing.  

"It became more about the numbers and growing and growing and growing. It grew way too fast and they put studios too close to each other. When you do that, you hurt both studios because you have to share clients and the revenue then goes down for both," she said. 

In 2018, Pure Barre was acquired by Xpotential Fitness. A spokesperson for Xpotential said in an email to Business Insider that Pure Barre currently has more than 550 locations across the US and Canada and plans to grow this to 680 locations by the end of 2021. She added that it has only closed 2% of studios in its history. 

"We have a rigorous process in place to determine how many Pure Barre studios a market can accommodate. We have partnered with the data analytics powerhouse, Buxton, to help Pure Barre better understand who our clients are and where they live by studying our current client base," she said. 

AKT (Anna Kaiser Technique), another Xpotential Fitness-owned company, has just set out in the franchisee business, opening itself up to franchises in September and planning to grow to 500 new studio locations by 2021. 

Blodgett thinks this is a big mistake. "Do not grow too fast," she said. "You are setting yourself up for major trouble."

Peloton Bike   Lifestyle 03

Studio owners don't only have their immediate competitors (fellow studio owners) to worry about, the rise of high-tech home fitness options means there's now a new and growing force in the market. 

Peloton has led the way here. Since it launched in 2012 with its high-tech indoor bike, it has seen sales skyrocket and has recently filed for an IPO, which could value the company at more than $8 billion. Experts say that it has solved one of the biggest downsides of working out at home: having to work out alone and not having the encouragement of a group to keep you motivated.

"They have managed to use technology to create a sense of community so people feel like they are part of something, they get both the convenience and the social aspect," Kelly said. 

Since Peloton launched, other home fitness concepts have cropped up (Hydrow, Tonal, and Mirror to name a few), Flywheel and SoulCycle have created their own versions of the bike, and ClassPass has rolled out a new membership program, which enables customers to live-stream classes from home.

Kelly believes there's still room for both concepts to grow as fitness and wellness remain a top priority for many customers. 

"I don't think in five years from now, you and I would be talking and saying: 'You know what's great? Smoking or being morbidly obese,'" he said. "There is a segment of the population that is going to continue to pay to have that in-studio experience, but what I think you may see less of are the very specific modalities where it's something that could fade in and out of popularity."

What we are seeing now is just a rationalization, he said. "It just got so big so fast."

SEE ALSO: Fitness brands are taking over their fans' lives

Join the conversation about this story »

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How to reset a Google Chrome browser to remove faulty extensions and restore your original settings

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Google Chrome 4

  • If Google Chrome starts malfunctioning, or you've installed add-ons that cause glitches, an easy way to fix the problem is to reset the browser. 
  • When you reset Chrome, you won't lose any bookmarks or passwords, but all your other settings will revert to their original conditions. 
  • You can find the command to reset Chrome in the Advanced section of the Settings menu.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If Google Chrome isn't behaving properly, or you've installed an annoying add-on you don't want (like a third-party toolbar, for example), an easy solution may be to reset the browser to its original settings. 

You can also encounter a situation like this if you install a problematic browser extension, or if you accidentally configure your settings in a way that makes your browser behave strangely. 

The good news is that if you reset Chrome, you won't lose any of your search history, saved bookmarks, or passwords. Here are the things that will change after the reset:

  • The default search engine changes back to Google.
  • All extensions will be disabled. 
  • Your tabs will be closed, and your homepage will become the New Tab page.
  • Pinned tabs are closed. 
  • Preferences and settings are reset to their defaults. 
  • Cookies are deleted, so you'll be logged out of all websites. 

Read more:How to clear the cache on a Google Chrome browser to make it run more efficiently

How to reset a Google Chrome browser

1. Start Chrome. 

2. Click the three horizontal dots at the top-right of the window (often called the hamburger menu).

3. In the menu that appears, click "Settings."

reset 1

4. On the new page that opens, on the left side of the screen, click "Advanced."

5. Under the Advanced options, click "Reset and clean up." (On certain kinds of computers, like Chromebook and Mac, this may appear as "Reset settings.")

reset 2

6. On the right side of the screen, click "Restore settings to their original defaults."

7. In the pop-up, click "Reset settings" to confirm this is what you really want to do. You'll also be given the option to send your current setting configuration to Google for them to look at — this has no impact on how your browser resets.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best laptops you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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Personal trainers and health nuts are cashing in working as influencers as people flock to Instagram for fitness inspiration

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fitness influencers body builders

  • Fitness has boomed into a $100 billion global industry, and a key aspect of that is its influencers, the names and faces that people associate with health and wellness.
  • Many of these influencers started out as personal trainers and amateur athletes before Instagram and social media gave them a place to share their personal journeys and workouts, which opened up more business opportunities them. 
  • Influencers tell Business Insider that the boom of fitness on social media has helped to make health and wellness more readily available and accessible, but has also emphasized the significance of in-person, interpersonal connections.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

While cult fitness brands like SoulCycle and Barry's Bootcamp require shelling out a hefty sum, the free world of social media has given swarms of fitness influencers a place to find loyal followings of their own.

Personal trainers, amateur bodybuilders, and class instructors have managed to attract thousands of Instagram followers hungry for inspiration and instruction. They've been able to launch their own fitness apps, get their audience to buy into virtual workout regimens, and take part in mainstream ad campaigns and brand partnerships. 

Instead of reaching deep for the self-motivation to work out or for a gym membership, many people have turned to social media for personable faces who will share intimate stories from their own journeys through health and wellness. 

The connection that people crave — with a person and a story, not a brand — has not been lost on fitness influencer Emily Schromm. Schromm's 300,000 Instagram followers aren't only treated to photos of her training regimens and meals she cooks, but also lengthy captions about self-doubt and self-motivation that can be applicable beyond fitness.

"I don't want to be my business. My business is just an extension of who I am," Schromm told Business Insider. "You don't have to be pigeonholed. I can be an influencer, but I can also just be me."

Read more: Fitness has exploded into a nearly $100 billion global industry as more people become obsessed with their health

The boom of fitness into a $100 billion industry means that its offerings have never been as diverse and far-reaching as they are today. But social media has also seen its presence exponentially blow up in the last decade, giving rise to a world of fitness influencers who say they've helped to make health and wellness more attainable and accessible than ever before.

"Social media is unique in that I can have a direct relationship with any one of my followers. It's reactive and immediate," fitness influencer Elliot Burton told Business Insider. "Influencers have created a new landscape which offers easily accessible and digestible pieces of content to overcome these barriers [to fitness]."

The world of fitness influencers largely lives on Instagram, even as social media expands to YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok. Fitness' inherent focus on looks and aesthetics is tailor-made for the photo-sharing platform, where users share "fit-spo" (a portmanteau of "fitness inspiration") adhering to the latest trends: yoga poses on city streets, picture-perfect workout studios, and post-hike stances on top of beautiful mountaintops.

But the public's draw to these Instagram-mable practices has also been somewhat of a detriment, fitness influencers told Business Insider. Individuals are quick to adhere to the words of big-name influencers who get big-name money to promote detox teas and weight loss plans that aren't credible or even healthy, Burton said.

"You can go on TV, get a following, and then all of a sudden you're deemed an 'influencer.' But if your values aren't in the right place you may do things that add a stigma to the label," Burton said. "If you're providing people with genuine value and not just trying to squeeze them for every penny they have, then I think you can have such a positive impact."

But despite the bad actors, brands seem to be shifting toward valuing influencers who strive for authenticity over sheer numbers of followers and likes, influencer marketers have told Business Insider. They want those influencers who share personal experiences and want to form connections with their followers, and some influencers in the fitness world are trying to do just that.

"Instagram has always felt like my diary ... Many people felt connected to that," said Alex Silver-Fagan, a Nike master trainer and fitness influencer. "A lot of people hop on the bandwagon simply because a number of followers looks large enough to be credible. Followers do not equal knowledge or experience and that is the reality check that most people need."

SEE ALSO: Influencers are fighting for attention as Instagram tests removing likes from its platform: 'There’s no audience applause at the end of a performance'

Join the conversation about this story »

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Nordstrom's Summer Sale is ending soon — here are 53 of the best deals before prices go up September 8

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  • Now until September 8, 2019, save up to 40% on men's and women's apparel, home goods, accessories, and more during Nordstrom's Summer Sale.
  • Discounts aren't as staggering as what we saw during Nordstrom's Annual Sale, but there are definitely tons of deals worth checking out.
  • We've selected 53 great deals before prices go back up on September 8.

Nordstrom is giving us one last summer hurrah with discounts up to 40% during its Summer Sale now through September 8.

There are savings on apparel for men, women, and kids; home goods; accessories; beauty, and more from our favorite brands like Madewell, Eileen Fisher, and Boss.  

The 2019 Nordstrom Summer Sale is ending soon — you can shop deals through September 8.

There are a ton of deals, and while the discounts aren't as impressive as what we saw during Nordstrom's Annual Sale, they're still worth checking out. To help you sort through the (literal) thousands of items, here are the 53 best deals from Nordstrom's Summer Sale.

If you want to shop all deals at once, you can go directly here: 

Women's clothing

Shop all women's clothing deals here

Nordstrom's Summer Sale offers a huge selection of women's clothing deals to help transition your wardrobe from summer to fall from brands such as Eileen Fisher, FRAME, and Topshop

    1. The North Face Magnolia Waterproof Rain Jacket, $59.98 (after sale $120) [You save $60.02]
    2. Chelsea28 V-Neck Sweater, $41.40 (after sale $69) [You save $27.60] 
    3. Eileen Fisher Short Sleeve Tencel Lyocell Tee, $47.20 (after sale $118) [You save $70.80] 
    4. FRAME Le High Straight Slit Hem Ankle Jeans, $140.98 (after sale $235) [You save $94.02]
    5. Topshop Split Utility Midi Skirt, $33.98 (after sale $68) [You save $34.02]
    6. Free People Lille Print Maxi Dress, $76.80 (after sale $128) [You save $51.20]
    7. Natori Feathers Underwire Contour Bra, $40.80 (after sale $68) [You save $27.20] 
    8. Barbour Shoreline Water Resistant Waxed Jacket, $249.90 (after sale $375) [You save $125.10] 
    9. Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Cardigan, $67 (after sale $134) [You save $67]


Women's shoes

Shop all women's shoe deals here

It's also a great opportunity to find your ideal fall boots from Hunter, Cole Haan and Frye, or, prep for next summer with sandals from Tory Burch and Jeffrey Campbell.

    1. Nike Air Max 95 SE Running Shoe, $95.98 (after sale $160) [You save $64.02]
    2. Cole Haan Lexi Grand Knee High Stretch Boot, $180 (after sale $300) [You save $120] 
    3. Sam Edelman Mariella Bootie, $99.90 (after sale $169.95) [You save $70.05] 
    4. Taryn Rose Adrianna Cap Toe Skimmer Flat, $164.98 (after sale $275) [You save $110.02] 
    5. Jeffrey Campbell Lindsay Statement Heel Sandal, $112.46 (after sale $149.95) [You save $37.49] 
    6. Hunter Original Refined Chelsea Waterproof Rainboot, $84.90 (after sale $145) [You save $60.10]


Women's bags and accessories

Shop all women's bag and accessory deals here

Update your bags and accessories with help from All Saints, Staud, Tory Burch, and more.

    1. Marc Jacobs The Box Leather Crossbody Bag, $147.49 (after sale $295) [You save $147.51] 
    2. Staud Bissett Croc Embossed Leather Bucket Bag, $194.98 (after sale $325) [You save $130.02]
    3. Treasure & Bond Leather Continental Wallet, $44.49 (after sale $89) [You save $44.51] 
    4. Nordstrom Chevron 20-inch Spinner Carry-on, $69.49 (after sale $139) [You save $69.51] 
    5. All Saints Ribbed Cuffed Convertible Gloves, $40.80 (after sale $68) [You save $27.20] 
    6. Topshop Tortoise Buckle Skinny Belt, $14.98 (after sale $30) [You save $15.02]

 



Beauty and skin care

Shop all women's beauty and skin-care deals here

Though Nordstrom's current sale doesn't have as many beauty deals as its previous Anniversary Sale, there are still picks from brands such as Urban Decay, Clinique, and M.A.C

    1. Urban Decay Born to Run Eyeshadow Palette, $24.50 (after sale $50) [You save $24.50] 
    2. Clinique Moisture Surge Deluxe Set, $39 (valued at $69) [You save $30] 
    3. M.A.C Eye & Face Palette, $33.74 (valued at $82) [You save $48.25] 
    4. Dermaflash Glow in a Flash Set, $128 (after sale $225) [You save $97]


Men's clothing

Shop all men's clothing deals here

Nordstrom's Summer Sale has a wide range of clothing and brand options for men from Topman to Ted Baker London.

    1. The North Face ThermoBall Zip Hoodie, $109.98 (after sale $220) [You save $110.02] 
    2. Topman Marl Crewneck Sweater, $20.00 (after sale $40) [You save $20] 
    3. Vince Solid T-Shirt, $38.98 (after sale $65) [You save $26.02] 
    4. Peter Millar Regular Fit Plaid Performance Button-Down Shirt, $80.98 (after sale $135) [You save $54.02] 
    5. AG Everett SUD Slim Straight Fit Pants, $93.98–$125.96 (after sale $188) [You save $62.04-$94.02] 
    6. 7 For All Man Kind Austyn Relaxed Straight Leg Jeans, $124 (after sale $248) [You save $124] 
    7. BOSS Slice Structured Shorts, $88.80 (after sale $148) [You sve $59.20] 
    8. Ted Baker London Jay Trim Windowpane Stretch Wool Suit, $398.98 (after sale $798) [You save $399.02] 
    9. Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Jogger Pants, $26.40 (after sale $44) [You save$17.60] 
    10. Nike PE Wash Tech Shorts, $39.98–$47.98 (after sale $80) [You save $32.02-$40.02]
    11. Calvin Klein Steel Micro 3-Pack Boxer Briefs, $29.75 (after sale $59.50) [You save $29.75]


Men's shoes

Shop all men's shoes here

Footwear from brands including Cole Haan, Sperry, and Calvin Klein will keep your feet protected as the weather changes.  

    1. Cole Haan Raymond Grand Water Resistant Chukka Boot, $149.98 (after sale $250) [You save $100.02] 
    2. Nike Air Max 1 Premium Sneaker, $64.98 (after sale $130) [You save $65.02] 
    3. Sperry Gold Cup Ultralite Boat Shoe, $84.98 (after sale $174) [You save $89.02] 
    4. Reaction Kenneth Cole Darton Driving Shoe, $48.98 (after sale $97.95) [You save $48.97] 
    5. adidas Adilette Sport Slide, $30.15 (after sale $45) [You save $14.85]
    6. Calvin Klein Ramses Plain Toe Derby, $59.99 (after sale $120) [You save $60.01] 

 

 



Men's accessories

Shop all men's accessory deals here

From satchels and card cases to leather belts and silk ties, this sale is a great way to stock up on essential accessories.

  1. rag & bone Hampshire Leather Card Case, $56.98 (after sale $95) [You save $38.02]
  2. Nordstrom Mario Leather Belt, $39.75 (after sale 79.50) [You save $39.75]
  3. Ermenegildo Zegna Paisley Silk Tie, $97.49 (after sale $195) [You save $97.51]
  4. Ray Ban Wayfarer 50mm Square Sunglasses, $103.80 (after sale $173) [You save $69.20]
  5. Champion Script Logo Cap, $14.98 (after sale $25) [You save $10.02]


Home goods

Shop all home goods deals here

Nordstrom's sale includes an huge selection of home goods from brands like Marshall, All-Clad, and DKNY.  

    1. Nordstrom at Home Soft Ribbed Plush Throw, $24.49 (after sale $49) [You save $24.51]
    2. All-Clad 10-Inch & 12-Inch Hard Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Fry Pan Set, $99.99 (after sale $150) [You save $50.01]
    3. Terrain Clear Glass Single Stem Vase, $12.54–$19.14 (after sale $38-$58) [You save $25.46-$38.86] 
    4. American Atelier Daphne Set of Stemless Wine Glasses, $28.99 (after sale $36) [You save $7.01]
    5. Anthropologie Jarrell King Duvet Cover, $123.98 (after sale $248) [You save $124.02]
    6. DKNY Pure Strip Bath Towel, $13.99 (after sale $19.99) [You save $6]  


How to use Google Trends to measure what people are searching for on Google and compare popular search terms

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google search phone

  • You can use Google Trends to understand how often people are searching for certain terms or topics on Google.
  • Google Trends allows you to customize search data by region, time period, category, and type of search. 
  • You can also compare search terms against one another to see how each fares among different audiences, as well as access related queries that people tend to search for with the specified term.  
  • Google Trends is an effective way to gauge the popularity of certain terms and topics among a targeted audience in terms of search frequency.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Have you ever wondered how something became viral on social media? Or whether people in your state are actually excited about the latest iPhone

Google Trends allows you to search, track, and compare Google search terms and topics over a period of time and by location. 

It can be particularly useful for business owners who are interested in learning more about how their brand and business fare among a targeted audience – in terms of how often they search for it and when it hits peak popularity. 

Google Trends is helpful for content creators and product developers, too, since you can easily access when certain terms are most popular. This includes seasonal trends (for example, "Christmas presents for mom" ticks up in November and December in the United States).  

From the outside, Google Trends can seem a little tricky — so let's break it down. 

How to use Google Trends to search for a term

1. First, go to https://trends.google.com and type in the search term you want to view, or start with an example. 

Trends1

2. Specify your search term — this is important if your company or product has a more general name, like Apple, so be sure to select "Apple Technology company" – not the fruit. 

Trends2

3. Google Trends will then generate a series of charts based on your search term, which we'll break down below.  

How to customize a Google Trends search 

1. To customize your Google Trends search, first search for a term or topic — here, for example, using Apple. 

2. To customize the "Interest over time" chart for your search term, use the four drop-down menus to see more specific metrics for region, time period, category, and the type of search (these include web, image, news, Google shopping, and YouTube searches). 

Trends3

 

3. For this example, we decided to see how often Apple was searched on Google News over the last 30 days in the United States in all categories. 

Trends4

 

What we see above is a peak on August 18, 2019, a few days after Apple's CEO Tim Cook met with President Donald Trump to talk tariffs.

Below the "Interest over time" graph is an "Interest by subregion" graph — where you can specify where in the country (metro, city, or subregion) the search was the most popular. 

Trends5

How to interpret what each graph on Google Trends means

Once you've searched a term or topic and customized some of its variants, understanding what the peaks (represented with a 100 on the graph) and plateaus actually mean can be confusing. Here's how Google describes it:

  • "Each data point is divided by the total searches of the geography and time range it represents to compare relative popularity. Otherwise, places with the most search volume would always be ranked highest."
  • "The resulting numbers are then scaled on a range of 0 to 100 based on a topic's proportion to all searches on all topics."
  • "Different regions that show the same search interest for a term don't always have the same total search volumes."

For the example we used above with Apple, this would mean that on August 18, Apple was one of the most popular search terms when compared to every other topic, for those searching on Google News in the US. 

A zero rating, however, wouldn't mean that no one searched for Apple, but only a small number compared to the peaks. 

How to compare search terms on Google Trends

1. To compare search terms, click on Compare and type in your terms or topics. 

2. For this example, we will compare Apple with Facebook and Samsung, adding each by clicking on the "+" icon. 

Trends6

3. A series of graphs will be generated below, which you can then customize with time frame, category, region, and type of search. 

4. After searching for a comparison between Apple, Facebook, and Samsung in the United States in the last 30 days in all categories on Google News, we can see that Facebook beat out the bunch in terms of frequency and volume of searches overall. 

Trends7

How to use related queries on Google Trends

Located at the bottom of your Google Trends search results is a box titled "Related Queries" — here you will find the popular terms that often accompany or follow your selected search term. For example, people who searched for "Apple" also searched for "Apple card" within the customized variants. 

Trends8

Within the Related queries box, you can click on a related search term like "Apple card" to see its search popularity and compare it to other searches. 

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The Navy has its own Area 51 and it's right in the middle of the Bahamas

55 hilarious White Elephant gifts under $50 that are guaranteed to get a good laugh

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canvas pop, $39

  • Unlike almost every other gifting occasion, White Elephant, Yankee Swap, and/or Nasty Christmas exchanges reward originality, humor, and risk-taking above all else. 
  • Since you don't have hours to dive deep into the riches of the internet, I've collected 55 great White Elephant gifts under $50 for you.

When it comes to gift-swapping games like White Elephant, Yankee Swap, or Nasty Christmas, the master gifters must first forget everything they know about holiday gifting.

Gone are the gifts of cashmere scarves, Belgian chocolates, and those porcelain baby angel figurines Aunt Sharon collects. In their place, Ron Swanson's Pyramid of Greatness, cookbooks punctuated by expletives, life-size cardboard cut-outs of your face, T-shirts with record players engulfed in flame thanks to the devil's music, and door stoppers with "HODOR" emblazoned upon them. 

Gift swaps reward the niche, novel, and irreverent, with bonus points going to those who can check the boxes of funny and useful. So, below, we rounded up 55 last-minute gifts that are perfectly primed for this occasion, and, admittedly, perhaps no other.

Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too hard if you're doing some last-minute shopping — just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.

Below, you'll find 55 of the best last-minute White Elephant gifts under $50 on the internet.

A parody cookbook

Fifty Shades of Chicken: A Parody in a Cookbook, available on Amazon, $7.78

Useful, funny, unexpected, and — dare we say it — provocative ... this spoof cookbook is one of the best conversation starters and White Elephant gifts under $15 you're likely to find. 



A funny meme-inspired card game for adults

What Do You Meme Game, available on Uncommon Goods and Amazon, $30

What Do You Meme is the second wave of whatever Cards Against Humanity was — and it's really fun. 



A 2020 calendar celebrating only the cringe-worthy awkwardness of timeless family photos

Awkward Family Photos 2020 Day-to-Day Calendar, available on Amazon, $15.99

Matching outfits, terrible stage direction, and a collection of 365 photos that will make you recoil in either recognition or secondhand embarrassment.



An adult coloring book full of swear words

Maybe Swearing Will Help: Adult Coloring Book, available on Amazon, $6.99

Adult coloring has had a resurgence in recent years as a great de-stressor (Kate Middleton was one notable fan). But before then, humans used swearing as the next best thing. Why not pair the two together for a truly balanced catharsis?



An PopSocket Pickle Rick from "Rick and Morty"

PopSockets Pickle Rick Phone Stand, available on PopSockets, $15

Know a fan of "Rick and Morty"? They will love this Pickle Rick PopSocket from one of the show's most recognizable episodes. 



A pillow that immortalizes their best friend (who isn't you)

Custom Pet Pillow, available on Canvas Pop, from $39

If you're shopping for a pet parent, you can probably stop here. Not many novelty gifts are guaranteed a prominent spot in your friend's apartment, but this one probably won't leave the living-room couch. Plus, in the days of dog and cat Instagrams, it's not too hard to find your own mini album of options.



A gift that immortalizes their best friend (who is you)

Three-Foot Customized Big Heads Cardboard Face Cutout, available on Amazon, from $44.99

Michael Scott once said that gifts were great because you can point to them and say "Hey, man, I love you this many dollars worth." This gift also says "I love you this huge." 



Porcelain dinner plates that celebrate the fact that beards feed themselves, like Venus Flytraps

Food In My Beard Face Plates. Set of Two, available on Uncommon Goods, $25

In a stroke of pure genius, "Food In My Beard Face Plates" were born. Have a friend who's got a Civil War, Lumberjack, or 19th-century Russian author beard that's known to take a few accidental morsels home with him? Say no more. 



Socks that mimic some of the most famous paintings in history

Chalier Famous Painting Socks, 4-Pack, available on Amazon, $7.99

Klimt, Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Munch — the gangs all here. Whether they're an art buff or just love socks that are fun but still functional, these are a great $10 gift to tack on. 



A punny breakfast bowl that works especially well for horror fans

Cereal Killer Bowl, available on Amazon, $26 (plus a $7.55 shipping charge)

This handmade ceramic bowl is punny on its own, but it will go over especially well with any true-crime or horror fans in your life.



A Nicolas Cage activity book

"Snake Eyes: A Nicolas Cage Activity Book", available on Amazon, $7.74

Join this Snake Eyes version of Nicolas Cage on puzzles, games, coloring pages, and "the best of times." 



A calendar of dog-shaming photos

Dog-Shaming 2020 Day-to-Day Calendar, available on Amazon, $11.17

Whether they also have a dog whose diet consists of chair legs, car keys, and their favorite pair of slippers, they'll get a kick out of this dog-shaming calendar. 



A saint candle with your friend's face on it — or their pet's

Custom Prayer Candle, available on Etsy, from $25

You tell your friends you love and respect them, but what have you done to prove it lately?



A gimmicky present they'll actually wind up using

Tweexy Wearable Nail Polish Bottle Holder, available on Amazon, $9.99

If you've ever painted your nails, you can sympathize with the hassle of finding a safe spot for an open bottle of gooey, brightly colored polish to hang out while you work. This $10 nail polish holder looks gimmicky, but it's actually useful. 



A kitchen towel that has a chart of beer and food pairings on it

Beer and Food Pairing Guide Towel, available on Uncommon Goods, $14

If they're the friend who will be brewing beer in their garage in a few months, urge along the process with this beer and food pairing towel. It'll give them great ideas for foods they may want to cook to complement beers they already have, or vice versa.



A book full of serious scientific answers to far-fetched hypothetical questions

"What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions", available on Amazon, $9.66

Randall Munroe is best known for his cult-favorite stick-figure drawings about science, technology, language, and love. In this book, he gives fans serious scientific answers to the hypothetical questions people ask him. The hilarious answers are the results of stacks of declassified military research memos, differential equations, and interviews with nuclear reactor operators, and are accompanied by his signature comics.



A Game of Thrones cookbook with a foreword from George R.R. Martin

A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Cookbook, available on Amazon, $24.95

For the Game of Thrones fan, nothing tops a cookbook with a foreword from George R.R. Martin and a bunch of recipes that bring feasts at Winterfell and lemon cake with Sansa Stark closer to reality. 



The Swanson Pyramid of Greatness

Culturenik Parks and Recreation Ron Swanson Pyramid Workplace Poster Print, available on Amazon, $12.99

For those that already live by Swanson rules or would put "masonry" and "cabins" as fundamental building blocks in their life. 



A baking pan that makes edible cookie spoons

Cookie Spoon Pan, available on Uncommon Goods, $18

What's more fun than dipping cookies in milk? Replacing all the silverware in your home with cutlery made out of cookies like a second grader who became president for a day. 



A funny choose-your-own-adventure cookbook

What the F*@# Should I Make for Dinner?: The Answers to Lifes Everyday Question, available on Amazon, $8.98

This popular cookbook was derived from the website of the same name, and it's a choose-your-own-adventure book of 50 solid meal ideas for the nights when they have no clue what to make. 



A binge-watching survival kit for the deep Netflix rabbit holes

Pinch Provisions Binge-Watching Survival Kit, available on Barnes and Noble, $19.95

This binge-watching survival kit is especially perfect for the friend who's always complaining about the thinly-veiled disapproval in Netflix's "Are you still watching?" notification. 



A card game that has you anonymously answer the question "who's the most likely to..." out of your friends

The Voting Game Adult Card Game, available on Amazon, $24.99

This card game basically asks you to answer "who's the most likely to..." out of your friends, anonymously — perfect for the next low-key night or pregame. You may also want to check out "Who in the Room" or "Never Have I Ever" in card version



The best Game of Thrones fandom gift you're likely to find

Hodor Doorstop, available on Etsy, $16.20

No spoilers here, but your "Game of Thrones"-obsessed friends will probably consider this wooden block with a nonsensical word embossed upon it as one of the best gifts they get this year. 



A nothing-but-edge-pieces brownie baking pan

Baker's Edge Nonstick Brownie Pan, available on Amazon, $35.95

This is for the visionary who won't accept the limitations of a regular brownie pan. In a world of these, everyone wins. 



A punny and entirely functional umbrella

Raining Men Clear Bubble Dome Umbrella, available on Amaozn, $24.95

The perfect accessory for days when it's "raining men." 



A mug with a built-in basketball hoop

Giveback Mug with a Hoop, available on Uncommon Goods, $14.99

Turn hot chocolate with marshmallows or cereal into a game with this mug made by an eight-year-old kid-preneur. Plus, $5 of every purchase supports an online resource for parents of kids with learning disabilities. 



A Dr. Seuss parody reimagined for the working world

Oh, The Meetings You'll Go To!: A Parody, available on Amazon, $10.77

Laugh. Otherwise, you'll cry. 



A pie dish with a geeky pun baked right in

I eight sum pi dish, available on Uncommon Goods, $45

Do they love puns, math equations, and/or pie? This popular "I eight sum pi" dish is a great intersection of them all. 



A to-go sriracha sauce keychain for the hot sauce fiend

Sriracha Sauce Keychain, available on Amazon, $14.23

Perfect for the friend who asks for hot sauce before the food has even come out of the restaurant kitchen.



An eerily accurate poster

Coffee Talk Art Print, available on Society6, from $18.19

If they're never further than 45 feet from a coffee pot, they'll probably appreciate the gallows humor of this spot-on poster. 



A funny t-shirt that's perfect for fans of rock and roll

Devil's Music Sing-Along Classic T-Shirt, available on Redbubble, $17.20

Celebrate their love of rock and roll with a T-shirt dedicated to love of the devil's music, complete with a record player engulfed in flames. 



Ceramic takeout-inspired dishes

Take Out Serving Bowl, available on CB2, $7.95

Perfect for the friend whose ideal night is staying in. Or the one who says they're five minutes away when they're really a mile deep inside a carton of lo mein. 



A tiny fan for the friend who logs 15 minutes per week complaining about the office's temperature

Fred & Friends Little Big Fan USB, available on Amazon, $19.70

For the perpetually overheated, grab a small fan they can plug into your computer or laptop for power. 



A Bob Ross Chia Pet

Chia Pet Bob Ross with Seed Pack, available on Amazon, $20.99

Just because they've never asked for a live plant in the shape of an angelic cultural giant doesn't mean they won't love growing one. 



Hilarious, NSFW stories from American history you didn't learn in school

The United States of Absurdity: Untold Stories from American History, available on Amazon, $12.14

From the creators of the podcast "The Dollop" comes the weird, hilarious, and true untold stories of American history — accompanied by full-page illustrations that bring each historical "milestone" to life. 



All the moods of Nicolas Cage on a t-shirt

Headline Shirts Nicholas Cage T-Shirt, available on Amazon, from $18

A national treasure in its own right. 



A hilarious NSFW card game you can play together

Cards Against Humanity: Red Box, available on Amazon, $20

Most people already have Cards Against Humanity, and this extended "Red Box" version comes with 300 fresh cards to add into the mix (230 white and 70 black). The company also notes that it "transforms your deck of Cards Against Humanity into a better bludgeoning weapon against home invaders." 



A cocktail recipe book that pairs good music with good drinks

Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide to Great Music and Mixed Drinks, available on Amazon, $22.50

Combine two great pastimes into one with a guide of 70 albums from the '50s through the '00s, paired with an A-side and B-side cocktail for each one. They're organized by mood, so they'll know just what pairing to use.



A satire picture book on bringing kids to an art gallery

We Go to the Gallery, available on Amazon, $11.63

This parody of a 1960s children's book satirizes what it's like to bring kids to an art gallery — explaining contemporary art and existential dread with keywords displayed at the bottom. 



A mini waffle maker for tiny waffles

Mini Waffle Maker, available on Urban Outfitters, $18

This mini waffle maker is perfect for when they want to make a waffle just for them rather than a whole spread. 



A Tile Mate to ring their keys or phone wherever they lost them

Tile Mate with Replaceable Battery, available on Amazon, $22.84

For the friend that has invested far too much money in key duplicates. 



Abbi Jacobson's new book

I Might Regret This: Essays, Drawings, Vulnerabilities, and Other Stuff, available on Amazon, $15.59

This New York Times Bestseller comes from the co-creator and co-star of the hit series "Broad City" — and you can rest assured that if your friends have ever mentioned the show, they'll love this. 



A punny soap opera kitchen sponge holder

Peleg Design Scrubber Holder Soap Opera, available on Amazon, $14.99

Who doesn't love a good pun? Or cleaner sponges? 



A mini flip cup game

Mini Flip Cup Game, available on Uncommon Goods, $40

A good-natured drinking game with friends, but make it tiny. If you'd rather try your pointer finger at Mini Beer Pong, there's that too for $60. 



A funny cookbook made especially for hungover, demoralizing mornings

The Hungover Cookbook, available on Amazon, $9

This cookbook was built to handle hangovers — six types of them to be exact. Recipes are tailored to the specific hangover and are bookended by insights into hangover science, quizzes to see if you're maybe just still drunk, and witty jokes. 



A mind-blowing fusion of two beloved foods

Spangler Oreo Flavored Candy Canes, available on Amazon, $4.32

Oreo flavored candy canes — because once humans figured out how to make fire and penicillin, they just decided to have fun with it.



A device that stirs ingredients for you

Automatic Pan Stirrer with Timer, available on Uncommon Goods, $25

Like the wearable nail polish holder, this is another product that arguably shouldn't exist. And yet ... it's a great way to make sure everything is perfectly cooked, without hovering over the pan and stirring continually. Funny, weird, and — according to its 14 reviews and 4.8-stars — actually very useful.



A cute loose tea infuser shaped like an animal

Elephant Silicone Tea Infuser, available on Amazon, $8.61

Cute, functional, and can be paired with some great loose tea for a "more-is-more" gift. 



A Slothmas sweatshirt

RAISEVERN Unisex Funny Print Ugly Christmas Sweater, available on Amazon, from $27.99

Merry Slothmas to all and to all a 20-hour sleep cycle, goodnight.



An extremely fun board game that made Kickstarter history

Exploding Kittens is basically a highly strategic version of Russian roulette with a cat theme. It was the most-backed project in Kickstarter history, and this version is NSFW.



A crowd-pleasing gag gift mug

BigMouth Inc Toilet Mug, available on Amazon, $12.99

This ceramic gag gift mug has become a bit of a mainstay in the genre, and it holds up to 12 ounces of their favorite drink. 



A plug-in that lets them control the TV and lights from the couch without getting up

Jeeo Smart Wi-Fi PLug, Alexa-Compatible, available on Amazon, $12.99

Give the couch potato people what they want — and that's the ability to control the lights, TV, stereo, and other appliances without needing to get up from the comfortable spot they fell into. 



A set of tumblers with the best advice from bad dogs

Bad Dog Wisdom Tumblers, available on Uncommon Goods, $35

A bad dog learns a few good tricks — like when to bluff, and when it's ok to ask for forgiveness instead of permission. 



A punny mug made by an independent artist

For Fox Sake Mug, available on Society6, from $16.99

For the friend who loves puns, has a penchant for swearing, or appreciates a nice ceramic mug that pretty much works like every other.



A microwavable popcorn popper

Microwave Popcorn Popper, available on Bed Bath & Beyond, $9.99

Load this microwavable popcorn maker up with kernels and pop it in the microwave for delicious popcorn without the hassle of actually doing the stovetop thing. 



Rafael Nadal is one of the highest-paid tennis players of all time. Here's how he spends his millions, from a $725,000 Richard Mille watch to a mansion in Mallorca.

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rafael nadal french open 2018

Will Rafael Nadal, the world No. 2 men's singles player, win the US Open for the fourth time? 

Informally known as the King of Clay, Nadal has 83 career single titles under his belt. He also has more than $8 million in prize winnings in 2019 alone. He won the 2017 US Open — and $3.7 million in prize money — as well as the 2019 French Open for the third year in a row, earning $2.6 million, his 12th French Open title, 18th Grand Slam title. In August, he won his fifth Canadian Open.

But those are only a fraction of his career earnings.

Nadal's career winnings top $111 million. And that's not to mention what he earns from his multiple endorsements, from Nike to Kia. It's easy to see how he's become one of the highest-paid tennis players of all time.

Nadal has a history of spending his hard-earned money a little lavishly, from buying a six-figure watch to purchasing a second home in the Dominican Republic. And then there's his luxury yacht, Beethoven.

But he's also put his money toward philanthropic efforts, tennis centers, and property investments.

From his vacations to his cars, see how Nadal spends his millions.

SEE ALSO: The 30 highest-paid tennis players of all time

DON'T MISS: The incredible life of Roger Federer, the highest-paid tennis player on Earth

Rafael Nadal is one of the top five highest-paid tennis players of all time. Throughout his career, Nadal has won more than $111 million in prize money for singles and doubles combined.

Source: US OpenBusiness Insider



He earned $3.7 million from the 2017 US Open.

Source: Business Insider



And he earned $2.6 million winning his 12th French Open title — his 18th Grand Slam title. 2019 marked his third consecutive year winning the French Open.

Source: CNBC, US Open



He also won the Canadian Open, earning just over $1 million. That brings his 2019 career winnings up to more than $8 million.

Source: Fox Business, ATP World Tour



But Nadal doesn't just earn his money by bringing his A-game to the court — he also earned $26 million in endorsements in 2017. He's endorsed by Babolat, Nike, and Tommy Hilfiger, with whom he has a $3 million to $4 million deal.

Source: Business Insider



Nadal is also a global ambassador for Kia. They gifted him a Kia Stinger GT, starting at $31,900, which he can use at his leisure.

Source: Auto Evolution



Nadal is known to spend his money lavishly. He played the 2018 French Open wearing a limited edition Richard Mille watch valued at $725,000.

Source: Business Insider



He also owns a $4,499 Gocycle electric bike.

Source: Business Insider



When he doesn't feel like getting around on two wheels, Nadal has plenty of sets of four wheels to choose from. He reportedly owns an Aston Martin DBS and a Mercedes-Benz SL55, both of which cost up to six figures.

Source: True Car, Bornrich



But Nadal doesn't just travel by land — he also travels by sea. This summer, he reportedly put his 76-foot yacht Beethoven up for sale for $3 million and bought an 80-foot Sunreef catamaran for an unknown price. It's expected to be built by 2020.

Source: TMZ



Like his means of transportation, Nadal also has multiple homes. He has a home in Mallorca, Spain, where he's from, worth at least $1.5 million.

Source: Business Insider



He also has a home in the Dominican Republic, where he purchased a luxury villa for $2 million.

Source: Realty Today



When he's not home or busy winning titles, Nadal has been spotted vacationing everywhere from Italy and Mauritius to Mexico, where five-star accommodations can range from $800 to $1,500 for a weekend.

Source: Bornrich, Rafael Nadal Fans



He's also been spotted on his yacht with his girlfriend in Ibiza.

Source: POPSUGAR



But Nadal doesn't just spend his money on himself. In 2008, he started the Fundación Rafa Nadal. Run by his mother, the organization helps disadvantaged kids.

Source: Business Insider



He also opened the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Mallorca. The 24,000 square-foot space cost $25 million — Nadal covered 5% of the costs. Kids can attend the tennis academy for $62,000 a year.

Source: Business Insider, Reuters



Nadal teamed up with Telefónica Open Future to call on technology startups for sport and wellness products or solutions that improved the performance of the Rafa Nadal Academy. Selected startups were chosen for an investment of up to roughly $160,000.

Source: Information Age



But Nadal's investments don't stop there. In 2016, he opened Spanish restaurant TATEL, located inside the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, with Enrique Iglesias and the San Antonio Spurs' Pau Gasol.

Source: Miami New Times



Nadal and his partners also recently bought prime Madrid real estate, a 19th-century building that reportedly cost nearly $30 million.

Source: Business Insider



Most recently, Nadal is set to open a chain of tennis centers at vacation resorts around the world. The first Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre will opened in late 2018 at Costa Mujeres, Mexico.

Source: Condé Nast Traveller



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