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A 9-year-old tried to give his teacher a 'raise' using his own birthday money — and it shows just how dire the teacher salary problem in the US has become

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Parker Williams

A boy in Florida got $15 for his ninth birthday — and gave it all to his teacher.

Parker Williams, an elementary school student in the third grade, gave his elementary school teacher a pay raise using his own gift money, WFLA-TV reported. Williams attached a note to his gift which read, "Dear Mrs. Chambers, I don't think that teachers get paid enough for what they do, so, will you accept this gift?" 

While Williams meant well with his charitable act, the fact that he gave away his money to his teacher signals how dire the teacher pay crisis in America has become.

The median teacher salary for kindergarten and elementary school teachers in the US is under $60,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, though the figure varies depending on seniority and the school. 

Today, a teacher's salary is comparable to an event planner or personal trainer, as Business Insider's Melanie Weir points out. But unlike those professions, teaching requires at least an undergraduate education — yet the job earns 21% less on average than other jobs that require a bachelor's degree. Thirty years ago, the pay gap was just 2% less. 

The skyrocketing cost of education to become an educator — coupled with the low pay of the job – means many teachers also carry significant student loan debt. One survey found over half of 2,000 teacher respondents were "very worried" to "terrified" about not being able to pay off loans. And while the Department of Education is supposed to forgive loans for public servants after 10 years, the American Teachers Federation sued the federal government for violating that mandate, NPR reported in July.

The low pay contributes to the nationwide teacher shortage facing the US. Since the 2008 Great Recession, the country has struggled to hire enough teachers to keep up with the growing student population. Currently, the US needs about 307,000 more educators to meet demand.

Without enough teachers, class sizes swell, and educators told Business Insider they must work after school and on weekends to keep up with the classwork. Frustrations over pay and class sizes have led to nationwide teacher protests in the last two decades, most recently in Chicago.

Though Williams's teacher returned his birthday money, the 9-year-old told WFLA-TV he doesn't regret offering her a pay bump. 

"Well, I think she's a really kind teacher, and she has her own way of teaching and she spends time on everybody," Parker told local reporters. "I think more people should be nice."

SEE ALSO: Teachers in the US are spending $500 of their own money on school supplies like crayons and chalk, and now they're turning to a viral hashtag to ask strangers for help

NOW READ: The 15 worst US states to be a teacher

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How to contact eBay customer support for any issues with your account

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ebay logo on iphone

  • Whether you have an issue with an item you just received in the mail or a question about how to start selling items on eBay, you can contact eBay and a company representative will be ready to help you out.
  • For customer service issues such as finding an order that never arrived, you can call customer support at 1-866-540-3229; for tech support use 1-866-961-9253.
  • Through the "Help & Contact" section on eBay's site, you can narrow down your issue to receive a specific 866 number, which you can call with an accompanying passcode that you'll need to enter. 
  • You can also contact eBay via Twitter or ask questions of the eBay Community, but you can't email eBay for customer support.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Whether you have issues with an order that never arrived, a product that showed up damaged or defective, or you yourself are an eBay seller and are having issues with a customer, you don't have to face your issues alone. eBay has service reps on hand to help you, so just contact eBay and ask for a little assistance.

The solutions to many common eBay issues can be found in a number of pithy articles published on the site — think topics like "Return an item for a refund" or "Tracking your item." You can find these articles by punching a few keywords into the search bar under the "Help & Contact" section of the site.

How to contact eBay

You can also turn to the eBay community to ask a question (and browse past Q&A sessions) or you can even try Tweeting at eBay via the @AskeBay Twitter handle.

Surprisingly, though, the best way to get in touch with eBay is pretty old school. Just pick up the phone and give them a call. Or ask them to call you so you don't have to wait on hold.

For the fastest support, don't use the main customer service number, but instead take a minute to describe your issue via the site to get connected to the right department.

How to contact eBay customer support for specific issues

1. Log into your eBay account— you will need to be logged into your account so that you can get a code that you will use to connect to the right department.

2. Click "Help & Contact" at the top of the screen, then scroll down and click "Call us."

3. Click on the issue that most closely aligns with yours ("Buying" or "Account," e.g.) and then select the even more specific topic on the next page.

4. Note the one-time passcode you are issued, then call the 866 number on the screen and get the help you need from eBay. 

How to contact eBay

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Someone is already trying to trademark the phrase 'OK Boomer' with the US government

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ok boomer merchandise

Someone is trying to capitalize on one of the latest internet memes spawned from Generation Z by trying to trademark it with the US government.

Teens have been using the slogan "OK Boomer" to poke fun at older generations for being out-of-touch, and harnessed it as a rallying cry across the internet and especially on TikTok, the incredibly popular video-sharing app full of viral content. The term has since gotten attention in the mainstream thanks to articles in major news outlets, including a profile from the New York Times' Taylor Lorenz.

So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that people are quickly finding ways to profit off the popularity of the slogan beyond creating social media content or getting some laughs out of their friends.

Someone filed an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office on October 31 to register the trademark "OK BOOMER." The $275 application aims to trademark "shirts, sweaters, shorts, shoes, and accessories" sporting the two-word slogan.

Business Insider has reached out multiple times to the person who filed the patent application, but has not received a response.

But the person behind the trademark application isn't the first person with the idea of making merchandise reading "OK Boomer." A 19-year-old named Shannon O'Connor told the New York Times she has been selling shirts and hoodies with the phrase "OK Boomer" in the same style as the font on plastic shopping bags that read "thank you." Since promoting her Bonfire merchandise store on TikTok, O'Connor has made $25,000 in sales, she told BBC Radio.

There are others who have also been selling "OK Boomer" merchandise, from buttons and stickers to iPhone cases and coffee mugs.

To be clear, the filing with the US trademark office is just an application. Actually securing an official trademark usually takes more than a year from start to finish. It's also not clear how successful the trademark application would be, given that "OK Boomer" has already appeared on merchandise and in popular culture.

A recent case that could point at the "OK Boomer" trademark's potential outcome is Lebron James' recent attempt to trademark the phrase "Taco Tuesday." The US Patent and Trademark Office denied the basketball star's application on the basis that the phrase is "a commonplace term, message or expression widely used by a variety of sources that merely conveys an ordinary, familiar, well-recognized concept or sentiment."

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How to make a 'Memories' slideshow on your iPhone using the Photos app

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iphone memories baby

  • You can make your own Memories slideshow with an iPhone using the Photos app. 
  • In the Memories tab of the Photos app, your iPhone groups together photos you've taken in similar time periods and places, and creates preset sideshows with those photos. 
  • Memories may not always generate a slideshow to your liking, and you can create your own Memories in just a few simple steps. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

You may have noticed that your iPhone's Photos app contains a Memories section, which groups your photos by time and place, and creates preset slideshows out of those groups. 

This can be fun if you want to look back on a vacation or an evening out with a song to set the mood. 

However, sometimes Apple's algorithms simply don't put together the photos you want it to. This doesn't mean you can't create your own Memories slideshow, though. 

Here's how to create your own Memories on an iPhone.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

How to make a Memories slideshow on your iPhone

1. Open the Photos app.

2. Go to the Albums tab on the bottom bar of your screen.

3. Tap the "+" symbol in the upper left-hand corner, then select New Album to create a new album.

4. Name the album – make this the name you want for your Memories slideshow.

Photo 1 (1).PNG

5. A tab of all your photos will pop up. Select the ones you wish to include in the slideshow. This can include videos with sound, as they will play in your Memories slideshow. When you are finished, select Done in the upper right hand corner.

Photo 2 (1).PNG

6. Your new album will now appear first in your Albums tab, after Recents and Favorites. Tap to open it, and make sure all the photos you want are in it.

7. You will notice a gray arrow or ">" symbol in the upper right corner, under "Select" and across from the album title. Tap it.

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8. Press the play button at the bottom left of the slideshow preview in order to view your Memories.

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9. Tap the screen once to bring up the settings. From there, you can select the music, customize the slideshow, and change its length. Don't worry too much about your choices, as you can always change them later.

Photo 5 (1).PNG

10. To add this to your Memories, tap Edit in the upper right-hand corner. This will bring up a prompt instructing you to add the movie to Memories before you can edit it. Select "OK."

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11. Make sure all the settings are to your liking, then tap Done in the upper right-hand corner. Your new Memories slideshow will now appear in the Memories tab of your Photos app.

Photo 7.PNG

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A homeless Detroit man bought an abandoned house for $1,500 and spent 10 years renovating it for his wife. Here's how he did it — and what it looks like now.

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  • In 2009, Michael Gray, a native Detroiter, bought an abandoned home from his nephew for just $1,500. He moved in as soon as he bought it. 
  • Prior to purchasing the home, Gray told Business Insider that he was homeless and living in his niece's basement.
  • In 2010, he began a nearly 10-year renovation process and transformed the home room by room.
  • In an interview with Business Insider, Gray explained how he turned the home into a livable space for both him and his wife.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Michael Gray is a native Detroiter.

At 67 years old, he spends his weekdays working as a machinist in Bowling Green, Ohio and his weekends at his home in Detroit with his wife Cynthia. 

The story of their four-bedroom home dates back to November 2009, when Gray bought it from his nephew, who is a real-estate broker, for just $1,500.

Prior to purchasing the home, Gray was living in his niece's basement. He told Business Insider that he was homeless and that despite having a college degree, he was unable to find work in Detroit. 

Gray told Business Insider that after getting hit by a car in 2008, he used some of the settlement money to buy the property. He moved in the day he bought it with nothing but an air mattress to sleep on. At the time, the home was in bad shape. According to Gray, it was infested with mites, spiders, and mice — not even the toilet worked. 

Now, nearly a decade later, the home is unrecognizable. He chronicled the home's transformation in photographs and compiled the photos in two hard-copy albums, which he mailed to Business Insider. In a phone interview with Business Insider, he explained the work that went into renovating his home.

Keep reading for a look at the transformation.

Do you have a similar home-renovation story? If you want to share your story, email this reporter at lbrandt@businessinsider.com

SEE ALSO: A Detroit man bought an abandoned house in the city for $2,100 and spent 9 months renovating it for his mom. Here's how he did it — and what it looks like now.

DON'T MISS: Run-down and vacant homes in Detroit are being auctioned off for as little as $1,000. All homeowners have to do is get them into livable condition in 6 months.

Michael Gray's house is located in Detroit, Michigan right outside of the University District. It's around one mile from the University of Detroit.

Detroit was once home to the booming auto industry. In the 1950s, the auto industry started declining and companies started moving out of the city. By the 1960s, people were leaving Detroit in droves.

In 2013, the city filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection. Now, more than five years later, more and more people are investing in the city.

Just consider entrepreneur Dan Gilbert, the billionaire founder of Quicken Loans. As Business Insider previously reported, after Gilbert moved his company to downtown Detroit in 2010, he started the real-estate firm Bedrock. Not only is Quicken Loans now one of Detroit's largest employers and taxpayers, but as of 2018, Bedrock had invested or allocated $5.6 billion in roughly 100 properties in downtown Detroit and nearby neighborhoods.



Gray documented the entire renovation process in two large photo albums, which he mailed to Business Insider.



He bought the house in 2009 for $1,500 from his nephew, Sylvester, who is a broker for Global Property Investment Group, a commercial real-estate agency.



Sylvester told Business Insider that his office buys real estate, sells real estate, renovates properties, and rents properties.



Global Property Investment Group acquires properties from a variety of different sources including asset managers, the Detroit Land Bank Authority, and the Wayne County Tax Auction, according to Sylvester. When properties don't fit into the company's business model, they are sold to independent purchasers, which is how Gray came across the house.



Gray told Business Insider that he's been living in the house since the day he bought it and that he started renovating it in April 2010.

"In Detroit, if you're not there or you don't have someone there, someone will come in and take your stuff. It's gone in a matter of 15 minutes, gone," he explained to Business Insider.



When he first moved in, the house was infested with mites, spiders, and mice.



He wasn't even able to use the toilet. "The plumbing wasn't working. We were not able to use the toilet at all," he told Business Insider.



He slept on an air mattress upstairs and started renovating the house room by room.



Prior to buying the house, Gray told Business Insider that he was homeless.



"I had been going through a rough time in my life," he explained. "I was staying with my niece and sleeping in her basement."



Even with a college degree, Gray told Business Insider that he wasn't able to find a job in Detroit.

Gray graduated from Spring Arbor University in 1986. He double-majored in English and psychology. While he was living in his niece's basement, he told Business Insider that he worked as a day laborer.

"I also began to crafting my rehab skills working as a laborer for guys who were fixing up homes to rent," he told Business Insider.



But in 2008, his life changed. While riding his bike, he was hit by a car. Using money from the settlement he received from the accident, Gray was able to purchase the house.



His wife, Cynthia, who at the time was his fiancé, was there through it all. "My wife had been with me through thick and thin and I told her that I was going to give her a house that she would be really proud to keep, live in, and show off," he said.



When describing the renovation project, Gray called it a complete rehab. "I tore everything out, all the way down to the studs," he explained.



Gray said he did around 80% of the labor himself, including the flooring and the painting. His vision was to "make it a family home forever."



He learned how to do most of the work during his time as an administrative assistant for a construction management company in Michigan.

"I was on a project in Monroe, Michigan," he explained to Business Insider. "When I was part of that renovation team, I watched the guys, I asked questions, and I said 'I can do this.'"



And, for the work he couldn't do himself, his friends, who were qualified to do the work, lent a helping hand.



They helped him install, along with other things, the drywall, the electrical box, a new furnace, a hot water tank, and central air.



Gray told Business Insider that the hardest part of the renovation process was fixing the broken beams in the ceilings.



On the flip side, he said the easiest part was the tiling. "It was hard work, but I enjoyed doing the tiling because if you put a lot of love into what you do, your floors reflect a lot of who you are," he said.



The major parts of the renovation process were completed in July of 2012. However, Gray told Business Insider that he is constantly improving the home; at the moment, he's working on upgrading the basement. He plans on finishing it by next year.



When he neared the completion of each room, Gray would stain, sand, and polish everything. "She [Cynthia] had picked out the paint she wanted for each room and, after the drywall went up, I put the primer on and painted. I was closing out the rooms as we completed them," he explained to Business Insider.



Cynthia was in charge of decorating.



"That was for her. She shopped 'til she couldn't walk anymore," he told Business Insider.



The now home has three bedrooms and one bathroom.



There could be four bedrooms, but they decided to convert one of the rooms into a walk-in closet.



Here's a close-up of the newly renovated crawl space. So far, Gray told Business Insider that he has invested around $70,000 into the home.



Gray currently works as a machinist in Bowling Green, Ohio. During the week, he lives there in an apartment. He joins his wife Cynthia at their home in Detroit on the weekends.



On November 2, they celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary.



Even wealthy millennials are on the hunt for homes in more affordable areas, and it shows just how expensive housing in America has become

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hollywood hills

Housing in America is so expensive that even millennial millionaires are searching for more budget-friendly places to live.

They "tend to prefer markets that are more affordable — often in suburbs or second-tier cities, where their dollar will carry them further," states a new report by Coldwell Banker

The Coldwell Banker Global Luxury program worked with wealth intelligence data and research firm WealthEngine to analyze the lifestyles of millennial millionaires, from wealth creation and property investments to spending trends. It defined millennial millionaires as those ages 23 to 37 with a net worth of more than $1 million.

But, of course, not all wealthy millennials want to compromise on where they buy. Those who are set on expensive locations are willing to make compromises on what they're buying there: They're open to buying fixer-uppers in desirable areas if they can't afford new construction properties, Jade Mills, a Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Ambassador and Beverly Hills real-estate agent, said in the report.

"It used to be that West Hollywood was affordable," she says. "But now that it has gone up in price, rather than not purchase at all, millennials are purchasing property that needs work as long as they are in the area that they want to be in."

Real-estate prices have skyrocketed

A recent SuperMoney report looked at data from the US Federal Housing Agency and found that the median price of home sales has increased by 39% since the 1970s. That's especially staggering considering income increases are lagging way behind — those between ages 25 and 34 have only seen a $29 income increase since 1974 when adjusted for inflation, according to the report.

Since 2000, home values have increased by as much as 40% in areas in California, Florida, and New York, according to Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Those are all places where wealthy millennials tend to live.

One poignant example of wealthy millennials' shifting real-estate habits can be seen in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the median $1 million home will get you less than 1,200 square feet of space and, as of July 2018, more than 60% of renters were living in rent-controlled units. The housing crisis is so dire that 60% of tech workers, who are amongst the city's highest-paid residents, say they can't afford to buy homes in San Francisco.

As a result, many millennials are fleeing the Bay area. The search for affordable housing is bringing them to cities like Boise, Idaho, which was crowned the best place to buy a home in 2018 by WalletHub. A Bloomberg article from 2018 highlighted Reno, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona, as other popular destinations for people who are finding themselves priced out of California.

SEE ALSO: Wealthy millennials want homes that are within walking distance of their social lives, and it's redefining how they're thinking about traditional luxury locations

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How to resize an image in Photoshop and save it for optimal use on the web

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photoshop icon

Whether you want to increase or decrease the size of an image, Photoshop makes it incredibly easy to resize a photo. 

There are two ways this can be done in the Adobe graphics editor, and choosing which process depends on the results you'd like to achieve.

One method simply allows you to adjust the dimensions without greatly affecting the quality, color profile, or information that is associated with every file. 

The other is particularly useful for anyone who is creating content for the internet. In addition to changing the height and width of an image, it will also strip the photo of its metadata and slightly reduce the quality, thereby decreasing the file size and allowing it to load faster in a browser.

Here's how to do both.

How to resize an image in Photoshop 

1. Open the Photoshop app and click on "File" at the top menu bar followed by "Open…" to select your image. If you're using a Mac, you can also drag the image over the Photoshop icon to quickly launch the app with your desired file.

2. Click on "Image" at the top menu bar followed by "Image Size…"

How to resize an image in Photoshop

3. A window will pop up where you can adjust the width and height of your image based on either pixels or percent.

How to resize an image in Photoshop4. Click "OK" once you've made your desired adjustments.

5. To save the changes, click on "File" followed by "Save" or "Save As…" The former saves over the original file while the latter allows you to keep both the original and new file.

6. If you clicked "Save As…," a window will pop up for you to select the location that you'd like to store the image. Once you've chosen where the photo will live on your computer, click "Save."

How to resize an image in Photoshop for the web

1. Open the Photoshop app and click on "File" at the top menu bar followed by "Open…" to select your image. If you're using a Mac, you can also drag the image over the Photoshop icon to quickly launch the app with your desired file.

2. Click on "Image" at the top menu bar followed by "Save for Web & Devices…"

3. A window will pop up where you can adjust the width and height of your image based on pixels or scale by percentage. For web, you typically want to adjust the resolution to 72 dpi.

How to resize an image in Photoshop

4. Click on "Save" once you've made your changes.

5. Another window will pop up for you to select where you'd like to save your image. Once you've chosen where the photo will live on your computer, click "Save."

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Comparing Forbes' lists of America's richest people from 1982 and 2019 shows how differently wealth is tracked today

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forbes 400 1982 vs 2019

  • For 37 years, Forbes has released an annual ranking of the 400 richest Americans.
  • Business Insider obtained a partial copy of the first Forbes 400 list published in 1982. Comparing it with the 2019 version shows key differences in how wealth was tracked and described then versus today.
  • On the 1982 list, the richest Americans' fortunes are described using vague wording like "probably exceeds $1 billion" and "above $2 billion."
  • Today, the numbers are much more precise — e.g. Jeff Bezos is worth $114 billion and Bill Gates is worth $106 billion.
  • The 1982 ranking was not numbered, but organized into categories like "$500 million and up," while today the individuals are clearly ranked No. 1 (Bezos), No. 2 (Gates), etc.
  • Unlike on the 1982 list, billionaires in 2019 were also ranked by their philanthropy score, based on how much they give to charity. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

For 37 years, Forbes has released an annual ranking of the 400 richest Americans.

Today, the Forbes 400 is topped by people like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett, and represents hundreds of billions of dollars.

Business Insider obtained a partial copy of the first Forbes 400 list published in 1982. Comparing it with the 2019 version revealed several stark differences in how wealth was tracked and described then versus today.

The most obvious difference is the sheer quantity of wealth depicted on the Forbes 400 lists. The top five richest Americans today — Bezos, Gates, Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg, and Larry Ellison — are worth a collective $435.4 billion— more than 2% of America's GDP.

The top five richest Americans in 1982 had a combined fortune of roughly $11 billion. But the differences don't end there.

The Forbes 400 in 2019 gives a precise ranking of American billionaires and includes a 'philanthropy score'

In the 2019 list, the billionaires are organized by net worth in a numbered ranking. Other data points include each billionaire's age, home state, source of wealth, and whether or not the individual is an impact investor.

Each person also gets a philanthropy score on a scale of one to five, measuring how much they give to charity. 

The richest person on the list is Jeff Bezos, with an estimated net worth of $114 billion and a philanthropy score of two.

Forbes 400 2019

If you click on a person's name on the online version of the list, a box drops down with more details about the source of the person's wealth. Bezos, for example, has two bullet points:

  • "Jeff Bezos founded e-commerce colossus Amazon in 1994 out of his garage in Seattle. He remains CEO and owns a nearly 12% stake.
  • He divorced his wife MacKenzie in July 2019 after 25 years of marriage and transferred one quarter of his Amazon stake to her."

You can then click "See Full Profile" for a more in-depth description of each individual's life and fortune. 

The original Forbes 400 in 1982 was not explicitly ranked, used vague wording, and represented much less wealth

The original Forbes 400 published in 1982 looks quite different from today's.

For one, the richest person on the Forbes 400 in 1982 wouldn't even make the list today. The richest American in 1982 was Daniel Keith Ludwig with an estimated $2 billion net worth. In 2019, the minimum net worth to make the list was $2.1 billion.

Similar to today's bullet points, each individual got a short blurb noting their age, location, source of wealth, and in some cases, tidbits such as "in continual pain 50 years from back injury" and "principal hobby: sailing."

Forbes 400 1982

But in stark contrast to today's list, the richest Americans' fortunes in 1982 were described using vague wording like "probably exceeds $1 billion" and "above $2 billion." In 2019, those numbers are much more precise — e.g. Bezos is worth $114 billion and Gates is worth $106 billion — although they are still estimates. 

And unlike the 2019 list with its clear, numbered ranking, the 1982 richest Americans weren't numerically ranked.

"They were still ordered by net worth, there just wasn't a numbered ranking explicit on the pages," Christina Vega, Forbes' director of communications, told Business Insider. "They were also further divided into various sections, like '$1 billion and up,' '$500 million and up.'"

Vega told Business Insider that while the Forbes 400 methodology has evolved and improved over the years, "net worth numbers are all still estimates." 

While the Forbes 400 lists have evolved since 1982, two names have consistently appeared on the rich list since the very beginning: Philip Anschutz and William Herbert Hunt.

In 1982, Anschutz was ranked the seventh-richest American with an estimated net worth of "over $1 billion," made in industries including oil, railroads, telecom, real estate, and entertainment. Hunt was ranked the 10th-richest with a net worth "in excess of $1 billion," derived from the oil industry.

SEE ALSO: The richest American 37 years ago wouldn't even make it onto the Forbes billionaires list today

DON'T MISS: The 5 richest men in the US have a staggering combined wealth of $435.4 billion. That's more than 2% of America's GDP.

Join the conversation about this story »

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Jennifer Aniston says she joined Instagram 'mainly to promote' her new Apple TV series (FB)

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jennifer aniston morning show apple tv

Jennifer Aniston has revealed that her decision to join Instagram was largely a strategic move to promote and build excitement ahead of her new Apple TV show.

Aniston is starring alongside Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell in a series called "The Morning Show," which debuted November 1 exclusively on Apple's new subscription streaming service, Apple TV Plus. Aniston and Witherspoon recently sat down for an interview with The Guardian, during which Aniston said that she joined Instagram "mainly" to promote the new Apple TV show.

Additionally, Aniston said that part of her reasoning for getting on Instagram was to gain some more control over which parts of her life are made public, and what aspects are kept personal.

"People are already in my panty drawers all the time," Aniston told the Guardian. "And I want them out of my panty drawers. But now I can decide which pair to show them."

Aniston debuted her Instagram account on October 15, and her first post was a selfie alongside her "Friends" costars. Almost immediately, news of Aniston's Instagram debut led to an influx of followers, likes, and comments — which led to technical problems and made it difficult for some users to follow Aniston's account. The actress also quickly set a Guinness World Record by hitting 1 million followers in just five hours and 16 minutes.

Although Aniston only publicly joined Instagram last month, the "Friends" star later revealed after that she had been lurking on the platform for a while now, thanks to a secret "stalker account" she created.

"When I was thinking about doing [Instagram], I figured it was time to understand the world and dip my toe into the social-media pool," Aniston told Jimmy Kimmel on his late night show.

Aniston has also said she's already taking measures to ensure she's doesn't become "addicted" to the app.

"I decided to get two phones," the actress told the Los Angeles Times. "So one sits in my office and when that [Instagramming] has to happen, I'll commit to that."

SEE ALSO: Jennifer Aniston reveals she was secretly using Instagram with a 'stalker' account before officially joining, and she's not the only celebrity that's used a fake account

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WeWork has been throwing 'lit' boat parties across the US for years, headlined by stars like Fat Joe and Fetty Wap. It just canceled ticket sales for the next one.

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WeWork employees

  • WeWork was known for its party culture under former CEO Adam Neumann.
  • Since 2016, the company has been throwing a series of boat parties in different cities across North America. The events, dubbed Rock the Boat, are open to members and the public and have been headlined by the likes of Fat Joe and Fetty Wap.
  • The last boat party of 2019 was scheduled to be held in Miami in November, but ticket sales have been canceled. The event page was accepting credit card payments up until October 31; it has since been deactivated.
  • Under its two new co-CEOs, Artie Minson and Sebastian Gunningham, WeWork has seen a recent and abrupt shift to a more controlled culture and spending cuts.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

From lavish summer camps for employees to tequila shot-filled meetings, WeWork has long been known for its party culture and extravagant celebrations.

But after a disastrous two months, during which the company's valuation plummeted and CEO Adam Neumann was ousted as CEO, the company has held back on planning some of its annual celebrations

Since 2016, WeWork has also been throwing a series of boat parties for members and the public across the US, dubbed Rock the Boat and headlined by the likes of Fat Joe and Fetty Wap.

That too now appears to have fallen by the wayside.

The last boat party of 2019 was scheduled to be held in Miami in November, but ticket sales have now been canceled. The event page was accepting credit card payments up until October 31; it has since been deactivated.

WeWork's decision to abruptly cancel ticket sales for its Miami event comes as the company looks to cut costs, salvage its reputation and focus on core operations. WeWork has also started shutting down non-core businesses like WeGrow, the educational arm overseen by Rebekah Neumann, and ousted several members of Adam Neumann's inner circle.

A representative for WeWork declined Business Insider's requests for comment.

Rock the boat Chicago included three hours of cruising around Lake Michigan and an open bar

According to videos posted on Vimeo, WeWork's Rock the Boat series has been held in locations that include New York, Chicago, Toronto, Boston, and Austin.

Business Insider spoke to two people — one of whom attended as a guest, one of whom attended as a WeWork member — who went to Rock the Boat parties in 2019. One described the San Francisco party as "lit."

While many of the events pages are no longer active, an old event page on event-marketing platform Splash indicates that tickets for the Chicago party in September 2018 ranged from $20 to $40. That party touted a cruise on Lake Michigan with "six hundred of the city's most influential and inspiring professionals."

Photos show the party was held on a boat called the Spirit of Chicago, which is operated by Entertainment Cruises, a Hornblower Holdings company. According to its floor plans, it has a maximum capacity of 578 people.

The party started at 6:30 p.m., with a three-hour cruise that returned to shore by 10 p.m. It promised live music, "giant Jenga," and, like many WeWork events, a lot of alcohol — in this case, an open bar and "another cocktail, on us, for the afterparty."

"It was a fun time," a 24-year-old former WeWork member who attended the party told Business Insider. "Alcohol was definitely flowing." She noted that the party featured a different DJ on all three floors.

The afterparty's promised location was at Rockit Bar & Grill in River North, one of Chicago's most popular neighborhoods for nightlife. The bar shuttered in July 2019, but was previously known for its clubby atmosphere and live music. Business Insider reached out to the owner of the now-defunct bar to learn more about the afterparty but did not get a reply.

Fetty Wap, Fat Joe, and boats that can fit up to 1,200 people

Several of the event pages promised a "surprise performance" onboard. In New York's Rock the Boat parties in 2018 and 2019, that surprise performance came in the shape of Fetty Wap and Fat Joe, respectively.

A Vimeo page with events footage has recently been made private, but Business Insider was able to view the videos while they were public. For the most part, they featured short videos of young professionals holding drinks and dancing. The video of the New York City event in 2018, however, shows rapper Fetty Wap performing for a packed dance floor with flashing, club-like lighting and "Rock the Boat" branded beach balls being tossed around.

Rock the boat New York 2018 screenshot

Business Insider reached out to the video owner on Vimeo to learn more about the video series but did not get a reply.

Clips of the 2018 NYC event show that it was held on a boat called Hornblower Infinity, which is also operated by Hornblower Cruises and Events. The company's website indicates that the boat has a max capacity of 1,200 guests in a cocktail setting. Business Insider reached out to Hornblower to find out about their rental rates for both the NYC and Chicago events. Hornblower did not comment, citing internal privacy policies.

Business Insider reached out to Fat Joe's agent about the 2019 performance, who said that the rapper's going rate for a one-hour performance for roughly 500 people on a sunset cruise in New York in July is upwards of $50,000. Fetty Wap's agent did not immediately reply to Business Insider's request for comment on his rates.

Ticket sales for the last boat party of 2019, which was set to take place in Miami in November, were recently shut down

According to various posts across Facebook, Instagram, and Vimeo, WeWork's Rock the Boat lineup for 2019 included New York City, Toronto, Boston, Chicago, Austin, San Francisco, and, according to WeWork's event page on Splash, Miami.

Screen Shot 2019 11 04 at 1.38.03 PM

Instagram posts show that a Rock the Boat party was held in Chicago in September. The timing coincides roughly with WeWork's slashing of Adam Neumann's voting power from 20 votes per share to 10 votes per share. Less than two weeks later, he stepped down as CEO.

The final party of the year — Miami — was to take place on Thursday, November 14. According to the event page, the location had yet to be determined. However, on October 31, after Business Insider spoke with a WeWork representative, ticket sales were officially closed; on November 4, the website was deactivated.

WeWork

According to the event page, sponsors for this event included Clif Bar, Perrier, and Line Austin. Other sponsors of the series historically also include Angry Orchard, Truly, Samuel Adams, and Avion Tequila.

WeWork's new leaders plan to cut back on the company's spending

WeWork's decision to abruptly cancel ticket sales for its Miami event comes as the company looks to cut costs under its new co-CEOs, Artie Minson and Sebastian Gunningham. That is largely manifesting as staff cuts, as Business Insider has previously reported.

On October 3, Business Insider's Becky Peterson and Meghan Morris reported that WeWork is planning to lay off between 10 and 25% of its workforce, resulting in 1,000 to 3,000 people out of their staff of 12,500. On October 23, WeWork's new chairman, Marcelo Claure, told employees at an all-hands meeting that the new leadership would be committed to "fast" and "transparent" job cuts. And, as Morris previously reported, WeWork has also looked into selling the company's corporate jet. 

Claure is a SoftBank executive. On October 22, SoftBank announced that it would provide WeWork with $5 billion in new financing, in addition to a $3 billion stock buy-back and an accelerated pre-planned $1.5 billion investment.

Have you ever attended, hosted, or been involved with a Rock the Boat event, or a similar party hosted by WeWork? If you have a story to share, contact these reporters at lbrandt@businessinsider.com or tborden@businessinsider.com.

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How to add friends on Steam in 3 different ways, to join their multiplayer games and more

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Steam Valve logo website

  • You can add friends on Steam to join their multiplayer games, message them when they're online, and see which games they recommend.
  • To add a friend on Steam, you can enter their Friend Code, click a link, or go to their profile.
  • Steam will keep your friends saved to a permanent Friends List, unless you choose to unfriend them later — a process that's just as simple as adding them.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you've joined a random lobby in a Steam game like "Team Fortress 2," it can be a rare and wonderful thing to be matched with someone who you just click with. Adding them as a friend makes sure you can play with them again without having to rely on random chance.

Adding friends on Steam also means you can invite people you already know into your online games, as well as team up with friends in multiplayer games, gift games, and make text and voice calls on your computer or phone.

There's a few ways to add people to your Steam Friends List.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Steam Gift Card (From $20 at Best Buy)

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

Microsoft Surface 2 (From $1,999 at Best Buy)

How to add friends on Steam

If the account you're looking to add is someone you know, the easiest way is to message them a Steam-generated "Friend Code." 

1. Open the Steam application and select "Friends" from the toolbar at the top of the app (or from the menu bar at the top of your screen on a Mac). Select "Add a Friend" from the drop-down menu.

2. Steam gives you two options for sharing. First, you can send a generated Friend Code to a friend in any way you'd like. Once they receive it, they'll go to this same page and copy and paste the code into the text field. A small pop-up will appear with your friend's username, and you can click the blue "Send Invite" button to add them.

They'll get a notification that you've sent a friend request. When they accept the invite, you'll be added to each other's Friends List.

Screenshot_1

3. On the same page, Steam will also generate a link that you can send to anyone. When someone clicks it, they'll be added to your Friends List. This link will expire after 30 days and can only be used once, but remember — while it's faster than the previous option, that link can be shared with anyone, so it's less private.

4. Many multiplayer games let you open someone's profile just by clicking their name. Even if you don't have that easy access, you can just search for their username to try to find the account with the same profile picture you see in-game. Once you're on the profile, just click the "Add Friend" button on the right side of the page.

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How to redeem a Steam gift card code to add funds to your Steam Wallet, or download a specific game

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Steam Valve games

  • You can redeem a Steam code that you receive on gift cards through the Steam Store, and use their credit to purchase games. 
  • Redeeming a Steam code puts the gift card's dollar value into your Steam Wallet.
  • You can also use certain codes to activate games through Steam, adding them to your digital library automatically.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Steam allows you to purchase gift cards, but because it's an entirely online store, you have to activate the cards with a code first. Redeeming these codes in the Steam Store will add the monetary value of the card to your Steam Wallet, which you can then use to purchase games.

Steam also allows you to activate games through a code, which will add that specific game to your library. Activating gift cards is done through the Steam Store, but activating game codes is done from your Steam game library.

Here's how to do both.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Steam Gift Card (From $20 at Best Buy)

How to activate a Steam gift code

1. Go to this page on the Steam website, and make sure you're logged in to the account you want to activate the code for. 

2. In the box on the page, type in the code from your gift card, or copy and paste it into the text field if you received it digitally. 

Screenshot_1

3. Steam will take a moment to verify the code, and once it does, the value of the gift card will be added to your Steam wallet.

Now when you go to buy a game, you'll be able to choose Steam Wallet as your payment method, and use this credit to pay for games.

How to activate a game code on Steam

1. At the bottom-left of your Library page, you'll see a plus symbol labelled "Add a Game." Click it, and then select "Activate a Product on Steam..."

Screenshot_2

2. Steam will prompt you with its Subscriber Agreement. Click "I Agree," and then you'll be presented with a text field to input the game code. This is usually found on the inside of a physical CD case, or often on the back page of the game manual.

3. Some games will have a dedicated card with the code at the bottom. Be careful to check everything that came inside the case before throwing it away to make sure that you don't accidentally throw away the code.

4. Once you enter the code and click "Next," the game will begin downloading.

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How to merge and unmerge cells in Microsoft Excel in 4 ways, to clean up your data and formatting

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working on laptops

  • You can merge cells in Microsoft Excel as a quick and easy way to create titles, or to spread data neatly across columns and rows.
  • There are several different types of merges you can perform in Excel, but note that all merges will delete all data except the values in the upper-leftmost cell.
  • You can also unmerge cells, but they may then need editing to be realigned and resized correctly.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Merging cells is an easy task in Excel, and there are several different default merge styles. You can "Merge and Center" (ideal for a title), "Merge Across" (which merges a cell across columns), or "Merge Cells" (which combines cells across both columns and rows). 

In all cases, this will only bring over the content of the cell on the upper-leftmost cell. If there's other data across the cells you're trying to merge, you'll receive a warning saying that merging cells only keeps the upper-left values and discards all others.

How to merge cells in Excel

How to merge and center

1. Highlight the cells you want to merge and center.

2. Click on "Merge & Center," which should be displayed in the "Alignment" section of the toolbar at the top of your screen.

Mergecells1

3. The cells will now be merged with the data centered in the merged cell.

Mergecells2

How to merge across

1. Highlight the cells you want to merge.

2. Click on the arrow just next to "Merge and Center."

3. Scroll down to click on "Merge Across."

Mergecells3

4. The value on the far-left will now be the sole value for the merged cells, though it'll keep previous alignments steady. For example, a left-aligned value will stay in the left side of the fully merged cell.

Mergecells4

How to merge cells

1. Highlight the cells you want to merge.

2. Click on the arrow just next to "Merge and Center."

3. Scroll down to click on "Merge Cells".

Mergecells5

4. This will merge the content of the upper-left cell across all highlighted cells.

How to unmerge cells

1. Highlight the combined cell you want to unmerge.

2. Click on the arrow just next to "Merge and Center."

3. Click on "Unmerge."

Mergecells8

4. Note that unmerging cells won't bring back data previously erased by the merging.

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76 gift ideas for everyone on your list, all under $100

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IP under $100 4x3

If you want to set a budget for your holiday gift shopping list, $100 might just be your magic number.

For $100 or less, there is a world of gift options that includes the latest and greatest tech accessories, useful kitchen tools, cozy cold-weather clothing essentials, luxury beauty and skin-care products, and unique just-for-fun goodies

The abundance of under-$100 gift ideas is both a blessing and a curse, so we've picked out 76 of our favorites, many of which we've personally tested or gifted ourselves. You'll find gifts suitable for friends, family, and maybe even your boss and co-workers.

Find gifts that are even more affordable here:

Shop the 76 best under-$100 gift ideas below.

An ebook reader that's comfortable to read and hold

Kindle, available at Amazon, $89.99

The glare-free display and adjustable screen light on Amazon's most affordable Kindle device make reading anywhere an enjoyable experience. 



A pair of comfortable wool shoes

Wool Runners, available at Allbirds, $95

While Allbirds has hinted that it's on track to become more than just a shoe brand, we'll always be partial to its original sneakers made from merino wool. We've been wearing and loving the comfortable style for more than two years, and you can't go wrong gifting a pair of their shoes during the holidays. 



An insulated coffee mug

Hydro Flask 12 oz Travel Coffee Mug, available at Amazon, $29.95

This coffee mug is one of our favorite Hydro Flask products to carry around the office since it keeps our precious beverages warm or cold for hours and has a spout lid to prevent messy spills. It's not restricted to office use — your recipient can and should bring it outdoors to their backyard or a campfire gathering. 



Cocottes inspired by their favorite droids

Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte, Star Wars Droids (Set of 3), available at Williams Sonoma, $79.95

Le Creuset has released its highly anticipated collection of "Star Wars" cookware and we know that home cooks and "Star Wars" fans alike won't be able to resist these droid-inspired designs. 



A whole week's worth of sheet masks, each treating a different skin concern

Dr. Jart+ 7 Day Mask Experiment Kit, available at Sephora, $39

Each mask has a unique function, including hydrating, smoothing, and pore-minimizing. The set's especially useful for anyone with dry, red, or oily skin. 



A smart way to add Google Assistant to any room

Google Home Mini, available at Best Buy, $39

The convenience and utility of Google live in this small but mighty smart home device that lets them do everything from check their calendar to play music, all hands-free. 



Coffee from a different country, delivered every month

3 Month Gift Subscription, available at Atlas Coffee Club, $60

It's a worldwide coffee tour without the expense of airplane tickets. Atlas Coffee Club delivers single origin coffee and always includes a postcard from the country, brewing tips, and flavor notes with each month's shipment. 



A mask that repairs dry hair with organic honey

Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Honey Moisture Deep Conditioning Mask, available at Sephora, $36

Dry and damaged strands meet their match in this adorably packaged hair mask made by Briogeo, a brand that specializes in treating curly hair. In addition to honey, which retains moisture and strengthens hair, it contains frizz-controlling rosehip oil and protective algae extract. 



A stylish accessory with a hidden charger

Power Up Lightning to USB Tassel Keychain, available at Mark & Graham, $59-$69

The leather keychain is as functional as it is attractive: it has an iPhone lightning input and USB stick so they can charge their phone in their bag. Some colors include free monogramming while others have a $10 monogram fee. 



The coziest moccasins we've ever worn

Women's Wicked Good Moccasins, available at L.L.Bean, $79

Can you practically feel the soft fluffiness of these slippers through your screen? L.L. Bean supposedly sells a pair of these cushioned sheepskin shoes every 7 seconds during December. Procrastinate on buying them and they might sell out. 

 



A sleek fitness tracker that includes heart rate monitoring

Fitbit Inspire HR, available at Amazon, $99

Fitbit's affordable Inspire HR tracker has no shortage of useful features to keep them informed about their physical activity. The heart rate monitor lets them be more strategic about their workouts by tracking calorie burn, resting heart rate, and heart rate zones.

 



A silky hand cream

La Mer Hand Treatment, available at Nordstrom, $90

If there's any special occasion to gift La Mer's premium skin-care products, it's the holidays. The Hand Treatment is a brand favorite that heals dry hands. 



A popular candle accessory that sells out every year

Diptyque Lucky Charm Candle Carousel, available at Nordstrom, $60

Diptyque Ambre Scented Candle, available at Nordstrom, $65

As their candle burns, the heat causes this limited-edition carousel to spin slowly, creating a beautiful and mesmerizing display. It fits on any 6.5-ounce Diptyque candle (sold separately). 

 

 



A gorgeous coffee table book that inspires them to travel

1,000 Places to See Before You Die (Deluxe Edition): The World as You've Never Seen It Before, available at Amazon, $45

Patricia Schultz's original "1,000 Places" captured imaginations with its compelling curation of experiences all over the world. The newly released deluxe edition features a beautiful gold-embellished cover and more than 1,000 new photographs. 



The internet's favorite olive oil

Awake Olive Oil, available for pre-order at Brightland, $37

Brightland's olive oils make great gifts for cooks and anyone who loves to entertain. The white bottles protect the EVOO from light damage and look nice displayed on a countertop. 



Soft and environmentally friendly socks made from hemp

SoftHemp Sock, available at United by Blue, $16

The cozy socks are also sustainably made and made from a hemp yarn that's four times more durable than cotton, a win-win all around. 



A simple but luxurious body wash

The Body Wash, available at Necessaire, $25

New startup Necessaire formulates its body care products with vitamins A, B3, C, E, and omega-6 and omega-9. The subtly scented Body Wash will leave their skin feeling clean, soft, and nourished. 



A music subscription for people who love vinyl records

3-Month Gift Membership, available at Vinyl Me, Please, from $99

Record lovers are always on the hunt for the next record to add to their collection. Vinyl Me, Please sends them one exclusively pressed LP, one bonus record, and plenty of fun and unique extras every month. It offers three categories of tracks: Essentials, Classics, and Rap & Hip Hop. 



A pair of sparkly hoops

Sapphire Hoops, available at Mejuri, $60

Traditional hoops get an embellishment of white sapphire in this affordable piece from Mejuri



A sleek knife block

The Stand, available at Material Kitchen, $75

We're big fans of Material Kitchen's minimalist approach to kitchen essentials— like this magnetic, angled knife block made from heavy-duty wood. 

 

 



A set of monogrammed hand towels

Stitched Edge Hand Towels, available at Weezie, $40

The extra time and thought put into a personalized gift is worth it. You can add custom embroidery (+$15 per towel) to Weezie's fluffy and absorbent towels

 



A kitchen gift that your family's resident baker doesn't already have

Pottery Avenue Embossing Rolling Pin, available at Food52, $52

The 10-inch beechwood pin instantly creates beautifully intricate and photo-worthy designs on their cookies and other pastries.   



A cooling weighted blanket

YnM Bamboo Weighted Blanket, available at Amazon, $85

With the rest of a chilly winter ahead of them, they'll appreciate the excuse to stay snuggled in bed all weekend long. The weighted blanket comes in many different sizes and weights and is made with a bamboo fabric that prevents them from overheating. 



A solution to their back pain

Upright Go Original Posture Trainer and Corrector, available at Amazon, $79.95

This gift is for anyone who is always complaining about their back pain or poor posture. Upright Go is an innovative and discreet device that sticks to the top of their back and helps them improve their posture, day by day. 

 



A green plant that's nearly impossible to kill

Hoya Heart Trio, available at The Sill, $35

This sweet trio should be easy to take care of since it doesn't require frequent waterings. The Sill offers and delivers plenty of other indoor houseplants if this one isn't a fit for your recipient. 

 



A light and portable instant camera

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera, available at Amazon, $51.02

The fun battery-powered camera produces nostalgia-inducing photos in seconds. There are a variety of brightness settings, a selfie mirror, and a macro lens adapter. Remember to throw in a pack of film, too. 

 



An everyday stainless steel frying pan that professional cooks love

Frying Pan, available at Made In, $75

Pros like Tom Colicchio trust Made In's cookware to perform in some of the country's top kitchens, so rest assured it's good enough for your recipient. The quickly growing startup is behind a couple of our favorite pieces of cookware



Echo Show 5, available at Amazon, $59.99

The Echo Show 5 is for tech enthusiasts who prefer a visual element to their smart speaker experience. It has a clock face and video calling capabilities, as well as the ability to show song lyrics, step-by-step recipes, and news highlights. 



The newest Echo speaker

Echo (3rd Gen), available at Amazon, $99.99

Amazon's flagship smart speaker features new Dolby-powered 360° audio and adjustable equalizer settings. 



A fun and educational cooking class

Gift Card, available at Cozymeal, from $50

Gifting experiences is on the rise. With a Cozymeal class, they'll learn how to make anything from fresh pasta to Argentinian staple dishes. In addition to cooking classes, Cozymeal offers food tours in various cities. 

 



A cool drink accessory worth celebrating

BrüMate 12oz Insulated Champagne Flute, available at Amazon, $22.99

Brumate's insulated flute prevents the disappointment of bubbly that has gone warm and flat. It holds almost half a bottle of champagne and comes in 30 pretty colors.  



A card case that fits just the essentials

Albee Leather Zip Card Case, available at Italic, $50

Traveling light? The tiny leather card case fits five cards and a few bills so they don't have to lug around a bulky wallet. Italic works with manufacturers who produce for luxury designers, but you won't have to pay designer prices there. 



A whimsical candle from a new brand

Manor House Weekend Candle, available at Otherland, $36

As our candle-loving editor points out, "Does the world really need another fancy candle brand?" Otherland's candles are so creative and interesting that you won't be able to resist gifting at least a few this season. 



A travel-friendly vanity case

Mini See All Vanity Case, available at Paravel, $65

They can stop using unsightly and wasteful Ziploc bags once they have this stylish and structured case in their possession. The exterior material is resistant to water and stains, and the clear window lets them easily identify the case's contents. 

 



A gold bracelet that displays their zodiac sign

Zodiac Bracelet, available at Aurate, $70

The delicate gold vermeil bracelet is a piece they'll want to wear every day. Aurate's beautiful gold jewelry is not only more affordable than traditional fine jewelry, but it's also ethically sourced, representing a new wave of jewelry brands to know about. 



A soft cashmere sweater that boasts a smaller carbon footprint

The ReCashmere Crew, available at Everlane, $98

Wool, down, and shearling dominate cold-weather staples, but the list of warm and comfortable materials would be incomplete without cashmere. If you're looking for a less expensive iteration of the classic cashmere sweater, Everlane's ReCashmere is your best bet. Better yet, it's environmentally conscious and made with 60% recycled cashmere. 



Premium underwear that's worth every penny

Tommy John Men's Second Skin Trunks, available at Amazon, $96

It's not an exaggeration to say Tommy John could be the most comfortable boxers your recipient has ever worn. The Second Skin, in particular, is a standout — smooth, soft, stretchy, and breathable. 



FanChest, available at FanChest, from $59

FanChest's gift boxes delight ride-or-die sports fans who will go to the ends of the world for their football, hockey, or college teams. The merch they'll find in their box might include a hat, throw, t-shirt, and many other surprises. 



A personalized pillow

Pluto Pillow, available at Pluto, $85

While most pillows out there are one-size-fits-all solutions, Pluto can make more than two dozen different iterations based off specific sleeping needs and preferences. 

 



A mini duffel crossbody with a distinctive look

Extra Small Landon Carryall, available at Dagne Dover, $95

Dagne Dover excels at making functional and versatile bags like work totes and this extra small version of its popular neoprene duffel. Inside, they'll find a compartment just large enough for the day's essentials, pockets to keep them organized, and a detachable key leash. 



A streaming stick that gives them access to more than 500,000 movies and TV episodes

Roku Streaming Stick+, available at Amazon, $49

Roku's Streaming Stick+ is exceptional for its 4K, HDR, and HD streaming, and long-range wireless receiver. Installing it is an easy process and starts by plugging the stick into his TV. 



Access to their own personal travel concierge

Gift Card, available at Journy, $100

While travel concierge services have existed for years to help craft personalized experiences, they're prohibitively expensive and created with a luxury clientele in mind. Journy, on the other hand, is a personal travel planning service and mobile app that only costs $25 per day of the trip.

Your recipient will tell their concierge all the types of things they want to do, see, and eat, along with other travel preferences. Then, they can sit back as the concierge takes care of the nitty-gritty details of their itinerary, including restaurant reservations and hotel bookings

 



Ready-to-prepare meals that come in a cup to save them time

The 9-Cup Gift Card, available at Daily Harvest, $75

Your recipient will be able to fill a box with smoothies (including protein smoothies for gym rats), harvest bowls, soup, and more meals that are ready to take on the go. Daily Harvest's healthy offerings are perfect for the busy, wellness-minded people in your life. 



Comfortable and stylish baby moccasins

Freshly Picked Shearling Bow Moccasin, available at Nordstrom, $65

Shop all baby moccasins at Freshly Picked

"Shark Tank"  alum Freshly Picked is your source for all the baby shoes you'll ever want to gift. They're made from genuine leather and they come in tons of styles, from fierce animal prints to playful Disney-themed prints. 

 



A tower of chocolate snacks and candy

Dylan's Candy Bar Chocolate Sweet Treat Tower, available at Nordstrom, $50

Don't stop at just one box of chocolates. This towering stack contains chocolate-covered pretzels, s'mores popcorn, chocolate-covered sandwich cookies, and dark chocolate nonpareils.



Smart plugs that let them control their appliances with their phone

Kasa Smart WiFi Plug (2-Pack), available at Amazon, $30

Through the corresponding app, they can schedule when their lights turn on and off, or use voice commands with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Cortana. It's a suitable entry-level smart plug for someone looking to get into home automation. 



A full feast that includes steak, dessert, and wine

Best of Omaha Steaks & Tour de France Wine Set, available at Omaha Steaks, $80

They'll be able to feed the whole family with this array of delicious Omaha Steaks favorites: filet mignon, top sirloin, pork chops, jumbo franks, apple tartlets, and three bottles of red wine. 



Membership to a popular nationwide book club

6-Month Subscription, available at Book of the Month, $90

If they prefer the incomparable feel of a hardcover book, set them up with a Book of the Month membership. It offers five curated titles, mainly from up-and-coming authors, to choose from every month. 

 



A pair of blue light-blocking glasses that look good enough to wear outside of the house

Roebling Glasses, available at Felix Gray, starting at $95

Help them protect their eyes from harsh screens with a pair of blue light-blocking glasses. Their eyes won't feel as strained, and they might be able to drift off to sleep more quickly. 

 



Leather travel accessories

Deluxe Passport Cover and Luggage Tag Set, available at Leatherology, $85

It might be difficult to snag them an under-$100 plane ticket, but the next best things are classy accessories to hold their passport and luggage tag. The full-grain leather set comes in beautiful colors and textures, and you can monogram it for an extra $20 if you're willing to go slightly over your budget. 



A sturdy phone case with a built-in kickstand

Scooch Wingman iPhone Case, available at Amazon, $28

Scooch's rugged case incorporates a clever 3-in-1 design that gives them a grip, kickstand, or phone mount when they snap the back of the case. Instead of buying these accessories separately, simply gift them this useful all-in-one case. 



A box that lets them explore the exciting world of sake

Sake Gift Box, available at Tippsy, $59

While online wine clubs abound, Tippsy is quietly cultivating a community of sake lovers. It offers an abundance of knowledge and premium sake options to anyone who's interested in exploring this underrated alcohol further.  



Soft and smooth crib sheets from a top bedding startup

Crib Sheet Set, available at Brooklinen, $52

You might know Brooklinen as the online company that makes great sheets for adults. But it's not leaving kids out. Send a set of these durable and safe (OEKO-TEX certified) cotton sheets to a new parent this holiday season. 



A small skin-care tool that removes 99.5% of dirt, oil, and makeup residue

Foreo Luna Facial Cleansing Brush, available at Amazon, $99

Our team swears by these gentle yet effective cleaning brushes. They have hygienic silicone bristles and come in five different models for different skin types. The Luna is small enough to bring on the go, so they can maintain their skin-care routine while traveling. 



A compact and lightweight hand mixer

Kitchenaid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer, available at Amazon, $49.95

Not all baking tasks require a full stand mixer. Kitchenaid's hand mixer doesn't take up a lot of space but gets a variety of jobs done by offering five speed options. You'll also have fun picking out a unique color for your recipient. 



Membership to a huge outdoor co-op

REI Membership, available at REI, $20

An REI membership offers a lifetime of benefits for a one-time purchase. That includes 10%-back dividends, special offers, access to in-store REI Garage sales, and special pricing on REI classes and events. Find out more here.



Wireless headphones that boast a 25-hour battery life

Sennheiser Bluetooth Wireless Headphones, available at Amazon, $79.95

A good pair of over-ear headphones is comfortable, delivers outstanding sound quality, and has a long battery life. Sennheiser's HD 4.40 model accomplishes all this for just $80. 



A game that tests their penchant for puns

Pun Intended Game, available at Amazon, $25

It's a battle of who can devise the most clever puns in this family-friendly card game that requires a quick mind and even faster writing skills. Game on. 



A minimalist watch inspired by Danish design

Skagen 42 mm Signature Nylon Strap Watch, available at Nordstrom, $95

The quartz movement watch adds a pop of color to their everyday look. 



A custom map of a special location

Custom Map Poster, available at Grafopmap, $49

Grafomap is the site where you can commemorate important places, be it their hometown, college town, or the city where you two met. The custom design function is easy to use and you can choose to get the final map poster framed or printed on canvas. 

 



A waterproof outdoor speaker

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Speaker, available at Amazon, $80

The surprisingly powerful speaker fits in the palm of their hand and can go swimming with them in the pool or ocean. It's also dustproof and therefore suitable for hikes and other outdoor adventures. 



An electric toothbrush that won't want to hide away

Gold Electric Toothbrush, available at Goby, $95

In addition to its sleek design, the Goby Toothbrush stands out for its soft brush head, normal and sensitive brushing speeds, and convenient USB charging shell. 



A beautiful photo calendar

Brass Easel & Calendar, available at Artifact Uprising, $55

While many personal photo gifts are afflicted with unfortunately cheesy designs, Artifact Uprising manages to make theirs elegant and beautiful. Create a calendar with your 12 favorite photos together, which will sit on a shiny solid brass display. 



A reusable metal straw that comes with its own case

Final Straw Collapsible Stainless Steel Straw, available at Amazon, $24.95

Final Straw has a clever design that folds in on itself so they can bring their reusable straw anywhere. If your recipient is looking for ways to reduce their plastic consumption, using a metal straw is an easy first step. 



A reusable bag featuring a fun print

Standard Baggu, $12, available at Baggu

There are plenty of reusable nylon shopping bag options out there, but where Baggu really stands out from the crowd is its variety of quirky and colorful prints. The useful bags are stocking stuffers you can buy for everyone in your life. 



Elegant ceramic dinnerware

Big Bowls (4-Pack), available at Year & Day, $52

Year & Day's semi-matte, Portuguese-made bowls are as suitable for dinner parties as they are for reheating leftovers. Our favorite colors are the Daybreak blush and Midnight dark blue. 



The Lego version of the classic ship in a bottle model

Lego Ship in a Bottle Expert Building Kit, available at Amazon, $56

The detailed set contains nearly 1,000 pieces, requiring a steady hand and lots of patience. 



An at-home facial kit

Drunk Elephant Precious Cargo Kit, available at Sephora, $88

The kit includes some of Drunk Elephant's most coveted skin-care products, including the bestselling TLC Sukari Babyfacial. Together, they work to give your recipient soft and glowing skin that looks like it just emerged from a spa. 



A set of trackers for the absent-minded

Tile Pro (2-Pack), available at Amazon, $57.71

When they can't find their phone, all they have to do is click their Tile button to make their phone ring, even if it's on silent. 



A sleep mask made with high-quality mulberry silk

Slip Slipsilk Sleep Mask, available at Nordstrom, $50

Few things are more luxurious than sleeping with a silk mask. Thanks to its all silk construction, your recipient's face will feel cool all night long. 



A plush bathrobe

Classic Bathrobe, available at Parachute, $99

It's all too tempting to stay wrapped up in this Turkish cotton bathrobe long after they've stepped out of the shower. The thick robe is our pick for the best bathrobe you can buy

 



A chai sampler

Vadham Chai Tea Reserve Set, available at Amazon, $34.99

This set of loose-leaf teas made it into Oprah's Favorite Things back in 2018. It's filled with three variations of chai that any tea lover will appreciate



The outdoor game you see everyone playing at the park

Spikeball Game Set, available at Amazon, $56

It's a gorgeous day out and you can't help but notice a few groups having fun while playing some kind of new ball game. Chances are it's Spikeball, the volleyball-esque game that your recipient can set up in any large outdoor space. It takes just 10 minutes to learn the rules. 



A hair towel that cuts drying time in half

Aquis Original Microfiber Hair Turban, available at Amazon, $20.99

Aquis' cult-favorite hair towels have inspired a slew of rave reviews online, including one from our own team of product reviewers.

The towels are made from a proprietary fabric called Aquitex that's composed of ultra-fine fibers (finer than silk) that work to reduce the amount of friction the hair experiences while in its weakest state. 



A case that sanitizes dirty phones

PhoneSoap Smartphone Sanitizer, available at Amazon, $79.95

Most of us carry our phones with us everywhere — and we mean, everywherePhoneSoap kills 99.9% of common household germs, including bacteria that leads to E.Coli, Salmonella, Staph, the flu, and the common cold. Germaphobes will love knowing that their phones are squeaky clean. 



Guitar picks made from quarters

Custom Repurposed Quarter Guitar Picks, available at UncommonGoods, $30

Coin guitar picks not only look cool but they also change the feel and sound of the music-playing experience. For this gift, you can choose one commemorative state quarter and one quarter minted during your choice of year. 



How to delete your Venmo account and get a copy of your transaction history beforehand

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Venmo

  • To delete a Venmo account, you'll need a desktop computer or a device with access to a browser, since the company doesn't allow you to delete your account from the app. 
  • Before deleting your Venmo account, make sure to download a copy of your transaction history for your own personal records, and transfer your Venmo balance to your bank account. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Venmo doesn't allow its users to delete an account through its app, but you can do so via a desktop computer, or through your preferred mobile browser. 

Be sure to download a copy of your transaction history before you delete your account, since it'll be erased along with the rest of your data. And if you have any money in your Venmo wallet, transfer it to your bank account. 

Here's how to delete a Venmo account

1. Launch your preferred browser and go to https://venmo.com

2. Sign in using your email, phone number, or username and password. If you've enabled two-factor identification, enter the pin sent to your phone number or email address. 

3. Once you've signed in, select "Settings" from the menu at the top-right hand corner. 

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4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select "Close My Venmo Account." If you haven't already, be sure to transfer your Venmo balance to your bank account by going to "Manage Balance," and then "Transfer to Bank."

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5. Here you can download your transaction history by selecting "Download CSV." Once you've done that, select "Next" under "Closing your Venmo account." 

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6. In the pop-up, make sure you've downloaded your transactions and then select "Next." 

7. A final page will load to make sure you want to close your account. If so, select "Close Account." Venmo will then send you a confirmation email, letting you know your account is deleted. 

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Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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I've been sleeping on these $20 AmazonBasics sheets that have more than 20,000 online reviews — here's how they feel

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amazonbasics sheets

  • A set of high-end sheets can cost hundreds of dollars. AmazonBasics' sheet set isn't exactly the height of bedding excellence, but it does only cost $20 for a queen size. 
  • The set comes in more than 40 colors and prints and includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases. 
  • It's soft and comfortable, but potential drawbacks are that it's prone to wrinkling and overheating. Still, it's hard to come by a better bedding deal than this $20 set. 

There are a lot of different ways to spend $20. You can buy dinner out or a kitchen tool to help you make a meal at home. You can go see a movie. Or, you can sleep comfortably at night. 

AmazonBasics, Amazon's private label for affordable everyday essentials, makes sheets for just $20 (the price of a queen size set). The sheet set is one of the best-selling and top-rated on the site, with more than 20,000 reviews, 68% of which are five-star reviews. In terms of review cred, it's bested only by this Mellanni set, which is $10 more expensive, and this Sweet Home Collection set, which is a few dollars cheaper.

Like other AmazonBasics products, which include phone accessories and cookware, this sheet set sticks to the basics. There's no marketing story behind it, no fancy, innovative features to wow you. It's a sheet set, plain and simple, and it has exactly the features you'd expect for $20.

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Each set includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases. It comes in more than 40 colors and prints, from a cute gingham to a deep burgundy, so it's easy to find a color to suit your personal style. Some even cost less than $20. I already own a good number of lighter colored sheets, so I got a set in Plum

The sheets are made from polyester in an OEKO-Tex Standard 100-certified factory. The fitted sheet was easy to put on my 12-inch tall mattress and stays snug around it. The sheet can fit on mattresses up to 16 inches tall. 

Overall, I've had a good experience sleeping on these sheets. They're soft and comfortable, though they're not the most breathable I've tried. Even though I tend not to sleep hot, I can see someone overheating in them. While some reviewers took issue with how thin the sheets were, I personally thought the thickness was fine. 

They're also a bit wrinkly and that problem might be exacerbated by the fact that I got a darker color. If you care about the appearance of your sheets, I would suggest getting a lighter color or a printed style. 

Read more: 8 online bedding startups that make some of the most comfortable sheets we've ever tried

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Comparing these sheets to sets I've tried that cost 10 to 15 times more, I do think there's a noticeable difference. Sheets that I've tried from Casper, Third, and Primary Goods are indeed better — they're softer, more breathable, and more durable. 

However, you really can't beat the value of these sheets. Twenty dollars is a great deal for a full sheet set, and I love that there are so many color and print options. The soft and comfortable material might not last a lifetime of uses and washes, but it's the perfect short-term bedding solution for kids' bedrooms, dorms and college apartments, and guest rooms. It's one of the best budget sheet options you can buy online right now, from a brand with a lot of experience making these types of affordable essentials. 

Shop the AmazonBasics Sheet Set for $16.99-$19.99 (queen price range) at Amazon (availability varies by color)

Join the conversation about this story »

Black Friday is on November 29, 2019 — here's everything you need to know leading up to the biggest sales holiday of the year, including early deals

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Best Black Friday Deals 4x3

  • Black Friday falls on November 29, 2019.
  • The sales holiday often features some of the biggest online deals of the year on tech, home goods, clothing, and more. Participating retailers include both big brands and small startups. 
  • Bookmark this page to stay updated on all the latest news about Black Friday's 2019 deals. 
  • To potentially save more on Black Friday deals this year, visit Business Insider Coupons to find the most up-to-date coupons and promo codes.

Now that Halloween is over, it's full steam ahead into the holiday season. This month, the big shopping event on everyone's mind is Black Friday. Below, learn everything you need to know about Black Friday, including where to shop, what to buy, and what deals you can already start taking advantage of. 

What is Black Friday? 

Black Friday is an annual sales event that traditionally happens at the end of November and marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. It's one of the biggest shopping holidays of the year — sales are so high that the day can push a retailer into "the black," or solvency

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, it falls on November 29. 

Stay updated on the start and end times of all the best Black Friday sales here.

Where can you shop Black Friday sales? 

You can find Black Friday sales both in stores and online, in every category you can imagine: tech, home and kitchen, clothing, beauty, pets, appliances, and more. 

The biggest retailers offering Black Friday sales include Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Kohl's, Amazon, Nordstrom, and Macy's

We'll be rounding up the best deals from your favorite retailers here:

What should you buy on Black Friday? 

Since it falls a few weeks before December holidays, Black Friday provides excellent opportunities to buy — and save on all your holiday gifts— before the last-minute rush. 

We recommend focusing on the following categories if you want the best deals: 

  • TVs
  • Smart home devices
  • Gaming consoles
  • Video games
  • Kitchen appliances

Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday better?

It depends. We learned some rules of thumb in the classic Black Friday versus Cyber Monday debate and learned that it's better to shop on Black Friday in these situations:

  • For expensive products
  • For major stores
  • For this year's products
  • If you plan to shop in stores 

We'll be searching through all the sales across the internet to find you only the best of the best Black Friday 2019 deals.

Our favorite online retailers on Black Friday will include Amazon, Target, and Best Buy. Retail startups such as Leesa and Brooklinen also offer really competitive deals. For some startups, Black Friday will be the only time of the year when their products are discounted, so we recommend shopping at these smaller brands as well. 

You can get an idea about the types of Black Friday sales coverage we'll be writing by browsing our Black Friday page from last year. This year, expect similar deals roundups to these:

Visit our Black Friday 2019 hub for up-to-date information on deals and store openings this year. 

Bookmark this page to stay updated on all the latest news on Black Friday 2019 deals. 

Here's everything else you should know about Black Friday: 

These are the best early and anticipated Black Friday deals we already know about:

1. Unlocked iPhones

Available at Best Buy now through December 28: Buy an unlocked iPhone XRiPhone XSiPhone XS MaxiPhone 11iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max and get three free months of Apple Music (new subscribers only) and one free month of iCloud storage (new subscribers only).



2. Apple AirPods

Available at Walmart now: Apple AirPods with Charging Case, $144 (originally $159) [You save $15] 



3. Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet

Available at Amazon now: Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet, $60 (originally $100) [You save $40] 



4. Shark Ion Robot Vacuum

Available at Walmart now: Shark Ion Robot Vacuum Cleaning System, $269 (originally $449) [You save $180] 



5. TCL Roku Smart 4K TV

Available at Target on 11/8-11/9: TCL 65" Roku Smart 4K UHD HDR TV, $400 (originally $750) [You save $250] 



6. Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1

Available at Target on 11/8-11/9: Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker, $65 (originally $100) [You save $35] 



7. 23andMe DNA Test - Health + Ancestry

Available at Amazon now: 23andMe DNA Test - Health + Ancestry, $99 (originally $199) [You save $100] 



8. Quip Electric Toothbrush

Available at Target on 11/10: Free $10 Target Gift Card with purchase of the exclusive Quip Black Metal Electric Toothbrush, $40 (originally $50) [You save $10] 



9. Xbox One NBA 2K19 Bundle

Available at Walmart now: Microsoft Xbox One S 1TB NBA 2K19 Bundle, $200 (originally $299) [You save $99] 



It's International Stress Awareness Week — here’s how Michelle Obama, Bill Gates, and other leaders handle stressful situations

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Michelle Obama

  • In honor of International Stress Awareness Week, Business Insider has compiled techniques for managing stress from eight leaders across tech, entertainment, and politics. 
  • Stress management is important for everyone. According to a survey of 1,600 workers in the US and UK by work management platform Wrike, 94% of workers reported having at least some stress at work.
  • Here's how Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates,  Michelle Obama, and other celebrities and leaders deal with stress.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Everyone gets stressed, even Michelle Obama. 

Stress can bubble up when individuals believe that the demands of their external environment exceed their capacity to perform. According to a survey of 1,600 workers in the US and UK by work management platform Wrike, almost one third of workers say their work-related stress level is high to unsustainably high. 94% of workers reported having at least some amount of stress at work. 

While some structural causes of stress may be unavoidable, like poor management or too many responsibilities, the mindset that professionals adopt towards stressful situations impacts the way they process and adapt to sources of anxiety.

In honor of International Stress Awareness Week, Business Insider has compiled advice from tech moguls, actors, and other leaders in the public eye on how to manage stress.

Lindsay Dodgson contributed to this report.

SEE ALSO: 15 ways to manage stress according to scientists

SEE ALSO: 9 things mentally strong people do to manage stress

Oprah Winfrey

In a 2015 interview with Fast Company, Winfrey shared a simple tactic she employs to combat stress: Close the door and breathe.

"I close the door, wherever I am — at my old office in Chicago, I'd literally go in the closet — and just sit and breathe," Winfrey said.



Emma Stone

Acting has helped the Hollywood star manage her anxiety. 

"There's something about the immediacy of acting," Stone told The Wall Street Journal in 2015. "You can't afford to think about a million other things. You have to think about the task at hand. Acting forces me to sort of be like a Zen master: What is happening right in this moment?"



Bill Gates

Gates learned an important stress management technique from his friend Warren Buffett. In 2009, Gates told Fortune that Buffett taught him to keep things simple.

"His ability to boil things down, to just work on the things that really count, to think through the basics — it's so amazing that he can do that. It's a special form of genius," Gates said of Buffett to Fortune.

 



Kristen Bell

Bell has been forthcoming about her mental health in interviews. 

"I do a lot of work — I do a lot of introspective work, and I check in with myself when I need to exercise, and I got on a prescription when I was really young to help with my anxiety and depression, and I still take it today," Bell said in a 2016 interview with Off Camera

In an interview with Refinery29, Bell said that she sees a therapist and shared some of the advice he has given her. For example, in a toxic relationship — which could lead to stress — her therapist explained that one person has to change.

In an Instagram Stories Q&A, Bell listed a handful of strategies she uses to cope with anxiety when it strikes: taking CBD oil, spending time outdoors, listing things she loves, hugging her family members, cooking, gardening, and meditating.



Jeff Bezos

For the CEO of Amazon, stress-management is about taking action to exert control. 

"Stress primarily comes from not taking action over something that you can have some control over," Bezos told the American Academy of Achievement in an interview. "I find as soon as I identify it, and make the first phone call, or send off the first e-mail message, or whatever it is that we're going to do to start to address that situation — even if it's not solved — the mere fact that we're addressing it dramatically reduces any stress that might come from it."



Michelle Obama

The former first lady — whose initiative Let's Move! addressed how the obesity epidemic affects children in the US — has said that exercise helps her with stress.

"If I'm ever feeling tense or stressed or like I'm about to have a meltdown, I'll put on my iPod and head to the gym or out on a bike ride along Lake Michigan with the girls," Obama told Marie Claire in 2008. "Exercise is really important to me — it's therapeutic."



Tim Cook

Apple's CEO agrees with Michelle Obama: Exercise is key to managing stress. 

In a 2018 interview with Axios, Cook explained how he incorporates a daily workout into his busy schedule.

"I rise a bit before four, I like to take the first hour and go through user comments and things like that, and sort of focus on the external people that are so important to us," Cook told Axios. "Then I go to the gym and work out for an hour because it keeps my stress at bay."



Gordon Ramsay

Ramsay is a notoriously critical and foul-mouthed chef, but even he acknowledges that daily stresses need to be attended to.

In a 2015 AMA on Reddit, Ramsay offered advice to a stressed fellow chef who described how his 14-hour workdays were taking a toll physically and mentally. 

"I've been in your shoes, and what you need to do is take a break," Ramsay wrote. "Cooking at this level is so intense. So don't give up. Be honest with yourself, and take a month out."

 



How to cancel a Venmo payment if you paid an inactive account, or send a request if you paid the wrong person

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venmo

  • You can cancel a Venmo payment by using the "Take back" option in the app if you paid a person without an active account.
  • If you accidentally paid the wrong person, you can't cancel that Venmo payment — but you can send a request for that person to pay you back. 
  • Unfortunately, Venmo does not guarantee your money back if you paid the wrong person, but you can contact Venmo support and attempt to solve your issue if the payment is not returned. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Venmo has become so popular it is often used as a verb, allowing users to instantly transfer money from one person to another.

Many people find Venmo extremely useful for splitting meals and cab fares or even for paying rent. Last year, the Wall Street Journal highlighted the recurring issue that Venmo does not have an "undo" or "cancel" option to quickly reverse a payment mistake. 

While this option still does not exist today, there are a few ways to try to go about getting your money back.

The two most common ways are requesting the amount back if you accidentally paid the wrong person, or using the "Take back" option if you sent funds to a phone number or email address without an active Venmo account.

Here's how to do it.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

How to cancel a Venmo payment

One of the best ways to look up a person directly on Venmo is by phone number or email, which ensures you won't send it to the wrong person. 

However, if you thought your friend had a Venmo account and they don't, here's how to cancel the transaction.

1. Open the Venmo app on your iPhone or Android phone.

2. Tap the three bars in the upper left hand corner. There will be a small red dot if you have any notifications or incomplete payments.

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3. Tap "Incomplete" on the list of options. This is where you'll find unfinished payments you sent, indicated by a number in a red circle. ("Notifications" is where you'll find requests from friends asking you for money.)

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4. In the "Incomplete" section, you'll find two options: requests and payments. Tap "Payments."

5. You should see the payment you sent, including the phone number or email, your message, and the dollar amount. If you sent the money via phone number, the person will have received a text message from Venmo prompting them to create an account. A similar message applies if you sent money via email.

6. Regardless, if they have not created an account, you can tap "Take back" next to the payment.

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7. Once this is tapped, the payment will turn gray and display the message, "You canceled this request." When you click back to your Venmo homepage, or open the app again, the payment will have disappeared and the funds sent to the new user will not be taken out of your linked bank account.

How to send a Venmo request if you paid the wrong person

Another common mistake is sending the payment to the wrong person. This happens often, since many people have similar usernames — especially those automated by Venmo when setting up an account. 

Unfortunately, once you send a payment, the funds are automatically added to that user's account (they are then able to transfer that money to their linked bank account). In this case, the best option is to request the money back before contacting the Venmo support system directly. 

1. Open your Venmo app.

2. Click on the draft option (a pen and dollar sign icon) at the top right hand corner of the screen.

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3. Type the username of the person who you accidentally sent the payment to.

4. Enter the same dollar amount you accidentally sent.

5. Venmo suggests adding a note explaining how or why you accidentally sent a payment to the wrong person. 

6. Press "Request" instead of "Pay."

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7. You will be prompted with a green message at the bottom of the screen to confirm your request. Tap to confirm.

8. If you don't receive the money right away, you can first send a reminder to the person you requested it from.

9. To do so, tap the three bars in the upper left hand corner.

10. Tap "Incomplete."

11. In the "Requests" section, you'll find any unfulfilled requests. Tap the blue "Remind" button underneath the request. Once tapped, this will change to a gray message that says "Reminded."

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How to contact Venmo if your payment is not returned

If you still don't receive the money, you can then contact Venmo for support, though Venmo does not guarantee that your money will be returned.

1. To contact Venmo, tap the same three bars in the upper left hand corner.

2. Select "Get Help" from the list of options. It should be the choice on the bottom next to the question mark.

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3. Tap "Contact Us" and then select whether you want to email, chat, or call Venmo support.

Regardless of which contact option you choose, Venmo recommends having the payment information on hand to expedite the process, including the username, amount, and date of the payment you accidentally sent. 

Additionally, it's helpful to have the username, phone number, and email address of the person you meant to pay.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Apple just released iOS 13.2 with 60 new emoji and emoji variations. Here's how everyday people submit their own emoji.

Hotel review: I spent a night at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge and loved the waterfront location, city views, and how my room embraced nature

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1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge 4x3

  • 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO is a five-star sanctuary for a sustainable stay, while responsibly embracing luxury.
  • Rooms seek to bring nature indoors, with living plants and repurposed wood and materials, many of which were locally made.
  • I spent a night in the entry-level Dumbo King Room, which starts at approximately $277 and felt far from standard with floor-to-ceiling views of New York. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to those looking for an interesting alternative to staying in Manhattan, while still being able to access the city with ease.

I'm not one for glamping. Why spend hundreds of dollars to sleep in a fancy tent, when I can stay at a four or five-star hotel for the same price? 

Though, the idea of embracing the outdoors while still enjoying plush comforts is appealing. 

If you feel similarly, you'll enjoy 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, which seeks to bring nature indoors, while offering all the high-end touchpoints of a five-star hotel.

I spent the night in a Dumbo King, which is the hotel's entry-level offering. It felt like walking into what I imagine a hip Swedish treehouse might look like, with light wood, sleek stone, subtle lighting, and there was even a live moss plant fashioned into the bathroom counter. My floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of Manhattan, but when closed, I felt like I had escaped to a remote mountain cabin.

The hotel's common spaces are similarly lush, open, and contemporary. The lobby, in particular, was filled with leafy plants and repurposed wood and materials, framed by views of lower Manhattan and, of course, the Brooklyn Bridge.

It's the kind of place sophisticated Brooklynites staycation, and out-of-towners book for weddings, events, or easy access to the Financial District. The hotel is also popular with those that have exhausted standard sightseeing and want to experience a different part of New York.

My room was comped for review purposes, though standard rooms start at approximately $277 midweek, and can rise to the $350 to $500 range on weekends. In peak summer when the rooftop pool is open, or over holiday weekends, expect even higher prices.

It's not inexpensive, but the rates are reasonable when you consider it's a five-star hotel with a waterfront location, and standard rooms don't feel like a compromise. And, it's New York, and that's the going rate for a luxury property.

I'd never pay that much to glamp, but for a five-star, indoor escape into nature, I believe 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge proves worth it.

Keep reading to see why I was so impressed by 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

SEE ALSO: Hotel review: I spent a night in one of New York's coolest hotels, The William Vale — here's why the Williamsburg hotel is worth the splurge

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When you live in New York, you often hit only a few select neighborhoods on a regular basis: where you work, where you eat, and where you sleep. So when I found myself spending the night at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, I was excited to check out an area I don't regularly find myself in.



Situated amid DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is incredibly picturesque. Flanked by a leafy green waterfront park and historic, well-preserved Brownstones, this area of Brooklyn conjures images of classic, charming New York. 



Walking into the lobby felt like entering a hip new co-working space. Long desks with Instagram-approved decor? A wall of plants surrounding by additional hanging greenery? Soaring, exposed ceilings? Check, check, check.



In fact, I missed the front desk entirely, mistaking the concierge for it. Turned around, I waited in a short, but slow-moving, line to check-in when I arrived at 4 p.m. The line was so slow, I left and wandered around the lobby to eye the design closer, and snap a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge through giant windows.

When I returned, there were still people in front of me, but it was soon my turn and once at the front, check-in was a breeze. 



The elevators were super fast and lined with beams of wood lit from behind. Had there been a bench, I would have thought I had taken a wrong turn and ended up in the hotel sauna.





The mission at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is not only in support of hospitality, but sustainability. The brand believes in giving everything a second life and reducing waste responsibly, right down to the room key. I was handed this token at check-in, with my room number texted to me instead of written inside an envelope. It's a great idea, though the key was a bit small and easy to misplace.

Inside my room, I found clothing hangers made from recycled paper, reclaimed barn wood, a shower timer to conserve water, and other eco-friendly products.



Despite being a smaller, standard room, I found my Dumbo King to be impressive. The floor-to-ceiling views of Manhattan and the East River were commanding, and the window opened (somewhat awkwardly, truth be told) to a small Juliet balcony that's really more for show than use, but was a cool feature.



My attention next turned to the room itself which somehow felt woodsy, raw, and modern all at once. Many of the design details came from local Brooklyn artisans and repurposed materials such as wood and steel. The neutral palette felt Scandinavian, and with the curtains drawn, I imagined I had escaped to a mountain treehouse.

A partition separated the bed from the bathroom, and my sleeping area also included plenty of storage and closet space (stocked with a yoga mat), minibar, a tap for unlimited filtered water (be gone plastic bottles), a flat-screen TV, and couch with small adjacent table that could function as a desk.



The bathroom was decidedly moodier with dark stone and marble. There was also a live plant atop the sink counter. All rooms here feature living plants, and I thought this played nicely into the theme of bringing nature indoors. Though, sharing the room with my fiance, I could have used the extra counter space, which felt slightly limited for two people.

The bathroom was sleek but with some caveats: the sink was separated from the bed only by a partition, meaning, when I got up to use the facilities in the middle of the night, the noise of running water carried. And that's not the only thing you'll hear. The toilet is made private by opaque glass but it's far from soundproof. In fact, noise seemed louder in there with an audible echo. Fortunately (or unfortunately), my fiance and I have encountered this many times in our travels together and weren't too fazed, but I could see it as potentially uncomfortable for less seasoned partners.

Similarly, the adjacent shower lacked the opaque walls of the toilet and was entirely see-through with no real separation from the bedroom. Sultry? Yes. Appropriate for anyone other than a couple or solo traveler? Not exactly.

Many people who stay at this hotel are on-site for weddings and events. I can't imagine getting ready while sharing the room with a family member or friend. I wasn't able to see other rooms, but I'd be curious to know how that layout differs from rooms to suites.



Privacy issues aside, the shower is stunning, with a rainfall effect and marble details. Rooms have shower timers to help conserve water, though I didn't see mine to utilize it.



Back to the views. The crown jewel of a hotel named for the Brooklyn Bridge are certainly views of its namesake, which upgraded rooms offer at an added cost. It would have been nice to see, but I did not feel that my views of just Manhattan were any kind of consolation prize. 

Just be careful when the windows are open. From my room, I could easily see into others, including some suites with hanging hammocks (note to self: book that next time). This won't be an issue however with rooms overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, as they're on the other side of the building.

Compare room types and prices for 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge





Greenery extends beyond rooms and the lobby. Little nooks throughout the hotel are carefully curated, especially common spaces and restaurants.

The hotel has three food and drink options: The Osprey, a sit-down restaurant for modern American fare; Harriet's Rooftop and Lounge for cocktails and small bites, and Neighbors Cafe for breakfast, coffee, and pastries. I didn't get a chance to try The Osprey, but the menu looked delicious and I'm planning to go back soon, even without staying at the hotel.

I grabbed an excellent coffee, sourced from Australian brewer Bluestone Lane, at Neighbors, which was as minimal and sophisticated looking, as all cool coffee shops need to be. The rooftop was closed during my stay, but I'd also love to return to take advantage of the seasonal pool and take in the views. 

There's also a small but functional 24-hour gym, outdoor space, places to sit and work, and a well-regarded spa.





The hotel sits right at an entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park, a beautiful oasis of winding tree-lined paths for strolling, jogging, riding bikes, or simply savoring views of the city. It's a must when staying at the hotel, as is exploring neighboring DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights. Both are charming and filled with chic storefronts and restaurants.

The River Cafe is a short walk away, as are favorites like Cecconi's, Westville, Ample Hills Creamery, Shake Shack, Gran Electrica, Time Out Market New York, and, of course, the iconic Grimaldi's Pizza. I stayed on a Thursday night and walked by the famous pie shop and was shocked to see no line at all at prime time. 

And, it should go without saying, but walk across the Brooklyn Bridge if you've never done it.





The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge holds four-and-a-half out of five stars on Trip Advisor, ranking 9 out of 23 hotels in Brooklyn, and a score of 9.1 on Booking.com.

Guests love the eco-friendly atmosphere that they consider "calming" and "chic," as well as highly-praised service, incredible views, and the rooftop pool and restaurant.

Negative feedback cites high room prices, noise from the rooftop, ferries, and wedding events (I did hear noise bleed, but it was hard to tell whether it was the TV next door, or from a private function that was happening), and rooftop crowds in summer season.

Read reviews, compare prices and book 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge on Trip Advisor





Who stays here: Guests attending a wedding or on-site event, couples, business travelers, and New Yorkers on a staycation.

We like: The pretty hotel grounds and design, with an address overlooking Brooklyn Bridge Park.

We love (don't miss this feature!): A room with a view. The sights are hard to beat, but the room itself is equally lovely. In a city as nonstop as New York, the calming feel was much appreciated, and crawling into bed felt like a peaceful retreat. 

We think you should know: The bathrooms offer little by way of privacy. It increasingly seems that the hallmark of a cool hotel means a bathroom leaving little to the imagination. That, combined with the sink near the bed, might not be for everyone. Consider an upgrade to help offset those challenges, if it's a source of concern. Additionally, ask for a quiet room or risk hearing party and ferry noise. But I wouldn't sacrifice a view for it; it's why people pay a premium to stay here, so make sure you're facing Manhattan if Brooklyn is too costly.

We'd do this differently next time: Book a suite or upgraded room, and in summer. I'd like to stay in a larger room with more bathroom space next time, and also be able to swim in the pool. A Brooklyn Bridge view would be cool to see, too.



1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is a sanctuary for a relaxing, well-appointed stay. It can be pricey, but I felt better knowing that this wasn't a place of throwaway luxury. Rather, the hotel has made it their mission to support sustainable practices and help reduce waste.

And while booking a room won't come cheap, standard rooms are still generously sized and feel like an indulgence.

For those who love the feeling of nature, but also crave a high-end five-star hotel, look to 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. The views are incredible and staying here means you'll be steps to a gorgeous waterfront park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and enjoy easy access to Manhattan — and Grimaldi's Pizza.

Book 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge starting at $277 per night



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