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McDonald's worker says a manager pinned her against a wall in a freezer and assaulted her as part of $5 million class-action lawsuit

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mcdonalds

  • McDonald's workers and labor groups on Tuesday filed a class-action lawsuit seeking at least $5 million in damages over claims that the company has failed to address a "systemic problem" of harassment. 
  • The named plaintiff in the suit, 32-year-old former McDonald's worker Jenna Ries, claimed that a manager harassed her by placing his penis in her hand and pinning her against a wall in a restaurant freezer. 
  • According to the suit, the manager targeted young workers, earning him the nickname "minor violator," and he groped, hit, and "humped," multiple female employees. 
  • In response to the lawsuit, McDonald's said, "There is a deeply important conversation around safe and respectful workplaces in communities throughout the U.S. and around the world, and McDonald's is demonstrating its continued commitment to this issue through the implementation of Safe and Respectful Workplace Training in 100% of our corporate-owned restaurants."
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

McDonald's workers and labor groups are suing the fast-food chain over claims of rampant sexual harassment in its restaurants. 

The American Civil Liberties Union and Michigan McDonald's workers on Tuesday filed a class-action lawsuit seeking at least $5 million in damages over claims that McDonald's has failed to address a "systemic problem" of harassment.

"McDonald's, one of the largest employers in the country, creates and permits a toxic work culture from the very top — as reflected by former CEO Steve Easterbrook's recent firing for an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate in violation of company policy — and throughout its thousands of restaurants within the United States that employ over one million workers," the lawsuit states."

The named plaintiff in the suit, 32-year-old former McDonald's worker Jenna Ries, claimed that a manager harassed her by verbally taunting her, pulling her hair, and repeatedly grabbing her crotch, buttocks, and chest. 

"Once, when he was working next to [Ries] in the kitchen, the swing manager placed his penis in [Ries'] hand," the suit states. This manager also once pinned Ries against a wall in the restaurant freezer, according to the lawsuit. 

"He cornered me against the wall," Ries said in a call with media on Tuesday, "I was so scared."

She said she "constantly lived in fear" of losing her job for rejecting the manager's advances. When Ries reported the harassment, she was transferred to another store, where her hours were cut and she was forced to quit, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit claims the manager harassed other employees at the restaurant, as well. According to the suit, the manager targeted young workers, earning him the nickname "minor violator," and he groped, hit, and "humped," multiple female employees. 

The lawsuit is seeking $5 million in damages for Ries and a group of employees who worked at the Michigan McDonald's where she was employed.

McDonald's has rolled out new anti-harassment policies, but is facing pressure to do more

The suit is also demanding that McDonald's implement effective anti-harassment policies and procedures, including worker-led mandatory training, a safe system of reporting, adequate investigation and discipline, and protections against retaliation.

McDonald's partnered with its National Franchisee Leadership Association and the Women Operators Network to roll out a new workplace training program in October. The program includes both computer-based training and in-person discussions on how to mitigate workplace violence, identify and report harassment, and prevent unconscious bias and bullying. 

The National Franchisee Leadership Alliance referenced the new training in its note to franchisees following Easterbrook's termination.

"The responsibility of leading this brand is a privilege. As we have stated before, a safe and respectful workplace is not a focus, it is a societal expectation, and it is core to our values," reads the letter, obtained by Business Insider. "This is at the foundation of our McDonald's culture, and it's why over a month ago we announced an unprecedented training initiative – to reinvest in creating a culture in which we can all be proud." 

The training follows a new policy on discrimination, harassment, and retaliation that rolled out in corporate-owned McDonald's locations in January. McDonald's launched a hotline that all employees can call to express concerns and report harassment in June.

"There is a deeply important conversation around safe and respectful workplaces in communities throughout the US and around the world, and McDonald's is demonstrating its continued commitment to this issue through the implementation of Safe and Respectful Workplace Training in 100% of our corporate-owned restaurants," McDonald's representative said in a statement when asked for comment on the lawsuit. 

Sexual harassment is a major issue for many workers in the restaurant industry. 

In May, 25 McDonald's employees filed sexual harassment charges against the fast-food giant, following a series of prior sexual harassment complaints against McDonald's. 

According to a 2016 study, 40% of women working at fast-food chains said they had been sexually harassed at work. A 2015 survey of almost 1,500 fast-food workers found that 12% reported being assaulted on the job in the previous year. 

If you're a McDonald's worker or franchisee with a story to share, reach out at retail@businessinsider.com. 

SEE ALSO: McDonald's franchisees call leadership 'a privilege' and a respectful workplace a 'societal expectation' in leaked internal memo after CEO was fired for relationship with employee

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Rare Italian white truffles cost over $4,000 per kilo — here's why real truffles are so expensive


20 creative and thoughtful host gifts that go beyond the classic fruit basket

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Gifts for host

A friend or family member has invited you over to spend time in their home. A dinner, a weekend stay, a holiday — maybe even just for a cup of coffee on the porch. Regardless of the occasion, it's a nice gesture to bring a small token of appreciation. 

At a bare minimum, a host gift is a small but generous way to say "Thank you for having me." At its full potential, it's a way to make someone feel valued and recognized for all the time and effort they've spent to give you a welcoming and warm place to be. These host gifts are ones they'll remember and enjoy even after the party is over — once they're over the stress of holiday or dinner-party cleanup (for which your voluntary help is probably the best host gift of all).

Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too hard if you're last-minute shopping for an invite you just received.

This list includes a Sponsored Product that has been suggested by Naked Wines; it also meets our editorial criteria in terms of quality and value.*

SEE ALSO: 32 kitchen gifts from Williams Sonoma for the cook and foodie in your life

A trio of chai tea that made it onto Oprah's Favorite Things list

Vahdam Chai Tea Trio, available on Amazon, $34.99

This tea trio made Oprah's Favorite Things list for 2019 for the second year in a row, so if it's good enough for her, it's good enough for your host. We've actually tried some of Vahdam's teas and were particularly impressed by its beautiful packaging.



A wine tote and a nice bottle to go with it

Wine Tote Carrier Bag, available on Amazon, $9.99

Wine is a classic host gift, but sometimes it doesn't quite feel like enough. Wrap a bottle in one of these neoprene totes and you've got a complete gift for your party host.

And if you're looking for an easy way to order wine online for an upcoming party or the holidays, we've got you covered with this list.

 



A bottle of wine from an independent winemaker

Gift a bottle of wine from Naked Wines, starting at $9.65

Remember the wine tote we just mentioned? We recommend filling it with a bottle from Naked Wines. Every winemaker on the platform has been "funded" by "Angel" customers, meaning you feel like you have a more direct stake in the wine you gift — and they're all affordable and high-quality. 

*Sponsored by Naked Wines 



A never-fail candle from our favorite candle company

Candles, available at Otherland, from $36

Otherland's candles offer the most beautiful unboxing and gifting experience. They're both a joy to give and a joy to get. You can choose candles from the newest limited-edition collection called Gilded Holiday, or go for the company's five base candles that are carried year-round.

Read our full review of Otherland candles here.



A classic bottle of lotion for the bathroom

Kiehl's Creme de Corps (8.4 oz.), available at Nordstrom, $25.50

If you ask me, Kiehl's makes the best body lotion out there. It's a classic gift for their bathroom — who could say no to softer skin?



A beautiful pie tin for the baker

Rifle Paper Co. Winter Pie Dish, available at Anthropologie, $44

If baking is kind of their thing, they won't be able to contain their excitement when you hand them this ornate pie dish. You can probably guess what they'll be serving next time you come over. 



A tin of everyone's favorite peppermint bark

Peppermint Bark, available at Williams Sonoma, from $29.95

Williams Sonoma's peppermint bark is so good it has its own section of the website's homepage. Give the treat they can't get enough of around the holidays, complete with a reusable tin they can pack with goodies to gift someone else.



A recipe tin for the home chef

Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Tin, available at Anthropologie, $38

This recipe tin was one of the sweetest gifts I've ever received. If your host loves to cook or bake, give them a special place to store the recipes they keep closest to their hearts.



A set of flavored salt to enhance all their dishes

Jacobsen Salt Vials, available on Amazon, $39.95

Jacobsen's flaky salt is prized by Michelin-starred chefs the world over, and we're positive your host will love to cook with them. This set includes flavored finishing salt they can use to elevate any dish.



Ina Garten's newest cookbooks for her devotees

"Cook Like a Pro: Recipes and Tips for Home Cooks" by Ina Garten, available on Amazon, from $18.40

If they host or entertain frequently, chances are they've used an Ina Garten recipe before. Known for her elegant but laid-back style, Ina's new cookbook is full of the tips and tricks that bring a professional touch to simple, home-cooked dishes.



A puppy plate for the dog person

Dog-a-Day Dessert Plate, available at Anthropologie, $14

With quite a few options to choose from, you can gift them one or a whole set of these dessert plates by artist Sally Muir. 



A house plant that's hard to kill

Philodendron Green, available at The Sill, $36

The Sill is a relatively new startup that's making the process of choosing and buying house plants much easier. This philodendron is just one of many plant and planter options you can choose from — and you can even shop based on which ones are pet-safe. Your order will be delivered straight to them, so you won't have to worry about stopping to pick up flowers on your way there. 



A serving platter with a pop of color

Perasima Platter, available at Anthropologie, $58

Serving platters are one thing a host can never have too many of (unless they have a very small kitchen). This one is uniquely shaped, but would make a beautiful presentation for everything from salads to main dishes.



A wine aerator that doesn't take up a ton of space

Vinetto Wine Aerator, available on Amazon, $9.99

Wine drinkers will almost certainly enjoy the benefits of this inexpensive tool that can improve the taste of even the cheapest bottle. All they need to do is pop the gadget into the top of the bottle and pour themselves a glass, then they can put the cork or a bottle stop back in to preserve it.



A handwoven towel set for the kitchen

Maker Minna Handwoven Tea Towel, available at Food52, $28

A nice dish towel for the kitchen is one thing they'll probably never buy for themselves, but will love seeing hanging elegantly from their oven door. 



A custom map of a place they hold near and dear

Grafomaps, starting at $49

If your host is someone you know well or have lots of memories with, this gift will speak volumes to them. Map out the place you went to college together, the most memorable vacation you took together, the place you met — even a place you have no connection to but know they feel strongly about. The options are pretty much endless. 



A blanket they'll never want to crawl out from underneath

The Leesa Blanket, available at Leesa, $149

It may not look like much, but Leesa's blanket is one of the comfiest, coziest, warmest throws you'll ever come across. Skip the decorative throw they'll be sick of by next year and opt for a truly high-quality version they'll love to curl up with.

Read our full review of the Leesa Blanket here.



Non-stick muffin molds that they'll love to bake with

Silpat Silicon Muffin Mold, available at Williams Sonoma, $59.95

I personally use this muffin mold, and I love it so much that I threw out my metal one. Muffins and cupcakes come out perfectly every time with absolutely no sticking — and cleanup in the dishwasher is an absolute breeze.

Read our review on Silpat's baking molds here.



A baking sheet set for the cookie fiend

Copper Goldtouch Non-Stick Baking Sheet Set, available at Williams Sonoma, $49.95

If baking cookies is their respite from the world's chaos, they'll be thrilled to have a fancy new set of non-stick pans and a cooling rack to play with. 



A beautiful coffee table book for the world traveler

"Escape" by Gray Malin, available on Amazon, $28.94

Coffee table books are a clever idea if you know about your host's passions. For the one with constant wanderlust (or not enough vacation time at their job), this book features the gorgeous photography of Gray Malin in some unimaginably beautiful locations around the world. 



Looking for more gift ideas? We've got you covered.



35 haunting photos of abandoned shopping malls that highlight the impact of the retail apocalypse over the past decade

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metro north mall seph lawless

American malls are dying out and, as the online retail industry grows, the future of brick-and-mortar establishments continues to hang in the balance.

Retail complexes all over the US are being clobbered by store closures sweeping the country. In the past decade, online retailers like Amazon have flourished, while stores and shopping malls continue to close their doors or report a decrease in foot traffic.

On multiple occasions, Amazon has bought up former shopping malls and converted them into their own fulfillment centers, adding another level of intrigue to the decline of in-store retail in favor of online retailers.

At the start of the 2008 recession, 90 million square feet of retail space had closed. Then, retail closures steadily returned to the status quo in 2010. However, by 2016, the number of retail closures began increasing rapidly again, and as of August 2018, the U.S. hit a 10-year high in the amount of retail square footage officially closed down. 

Retailers have announced more than 8,600 closings so far in 2019 and, according to a report done by Credit Suisse in 2017, between 20% to 25% of malls will close by 2022. 

A national retail apocalypse has crippled US malls as anchor stores such as Macy's and Sears, which take up large retail spaces and drive foot traffic, have shuttered stores and left malls with enormous gaps to fill. For many malls, this is an impossible task. 

Take a look at some of these haunting photos below that show how badly America's malls have been hit over the last decade.

SEE ALSO: These haunting photos of the retail apocalypse reveal a new normal in America as Sears clings on after closing hundreds of stores

This is the Carousel Mall in San Bernardino, California, which closed in 2017.



The mall had been hanging on by a thread after it lost its two main anchors, Montgomery Ward and JCPenney, several years earlier.

Source: Business Insider



San Bernardino is now considering 11 different offers for the redevelopment of the abandoned shopping center.

Source: The San Bernardino Sun



Euclid Square Mall in Ohio, pictured in 2013, had a similar fate and shuttered in 2016.



It was temporarily used by religious congregations who held services in old stores.

Source: Cleveland



In September 2017, Amazon announced plans to build a 1.7-million-square-foot fulfillment center in its place. That fulfillment center has since opened.

Source: Crain's, Scene



Photographer Seph Lawless has become famous for his photos of abandoned malls. In 2016, he captured Chicago's Lincoln Mall, which closed in January 2015.

Source: Seph Lawless



In its heyday, the 700,000-square-foot mall had the capacity to host four anchor stores and 100 smaller shops.

Source: Business Insider



But in the months before it closed, it was home to just 40 businesses.

Source: The Chicago Tribune



In 2013, the mall's owner told The Chicago Tribune that the mall was losing $2 million a year. The same year, a court-ordered receiver was appointed to force the location to pay taxes and fines, as well as make necessary repairs.

Source: The Chicago Tribune



The mall's tenants did not generate enough in rent to pay for the improvements or repairs, according to an attorney for the owner.

Source: The Chicago Tribune



The mall reportedly failed to make these changes, which included creating new exits to comply with fire codes and replacing electrical and air-conditioning systems.

Source: The Chicago Tribune



In November 2014, a Cook County judge ordered the closure of the mall following the holiday shopping season. The mall was demolished in 2017.

Source: The Chicago Tribune



Lawless also captured the Metro North Shopping Center in Kansas City, Missouri.



The mall opened in 1976 and covered over 1.2 million square feet, housing more than 150 retailers.

Source: Kansas City Star



The mall was shut down in 2014, but the decaying interior makes it appear as if it's been deserted for decades.



The once-bustling mall is now completely run down.



Lawless said it was "by far the creepiest mall I've been in."

Source: The Daily Mail



Developers had planned to renovate the mall, but the makeover was estimated to cost $200 million. The plan was ditched in 2015.

Source: Kansas City Star



The mall was finally demolished in 2017 to make way for a golf and entertainment complex. The developer also hopes to build a new hotel, health club, and specialty grocer in the area.

Source: KSHB



Rolling Acres Mall in Akron, Ohio, was once packed with visitors but faced a similar fate as many other malls when it closed its doors in 2008.



Lawless visited in 2012 to capture these haunting photographs that show how the complex was left to rot.

Source: Seph Lawless



The inside of the mall was crumbling and covered with snow, left exposed to the Ohio elements.



In June 2016, the city deemed it unsafe for locals, issued warnings for people to stay away, and increased police presence after it gained a reputation for being a crime hotspot.

Source: Business Insider



Multiple deaths occurred on the property after the mall was abandoned. Perhaps most horrifyingly, the body of a likely murder victim was found in the woods behind the building.

Source: Business Insider



After several rounds through the bankruptcy courts, the property was acquired by the city of Akron.

Source: Cleveland



In 2016, the Rolling Acres Mall was demolished. In 2018, Amazon purchased the property for $600,000 from the city of Akron with plans to build a new 700,000-square-foot fulfillment center.

Source: News 5 Cleveland, Business Insider



These eerie photos were taken of Cloverleaf Mall in Chesterfield, Virginia, in 2011.



It was the area's first large-scale, regional shopping center, but the mall officially closed in 2008.

Source: Chesterfield Observer



Once a buzzing hub, the inside looked completely barren and was littered with decaying plants and debris.



In 2011, the building was demolished and replaced with a Kroger supermarket.

Source: KLTV



Hawthorne Plaza in Los Angeles, California, closed its doors in 1999. In July 2011, Chris Cognac took these photos while performing a security check with workers working on partial demolition inside.



Since the mall closed, it has been used as an appropriately spooky spot for filming some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters, including "Gone Girl," "The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift," and "Minority Report."

Source: Business Insider



Today, it is just a shell that's covered in graffiti and crumbling away.



In 2016, drone enthusiasts transformed the space into a drone-racing track, where people could race their remote-control drones around the building while it was lit up in fluorescent lights.

Source: Business Insider



However, these pop-ups were short-lived. Later that year, the city of Hawthorne agreed to demolish the building and replace it with a $500 million open-air development, but that still hasn't happened.

Sources: Curbed, Daily Breeze



Disney Plus: Everything you need to know about Disney's ad-free streaming service that launched today

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disney plus 4x3

  • Disney Plus is the on-demand, ad-free streaming service that Disney fans have been waiting for. 
  • It's now live and available to stream. The streaming service costs $6.99/month or $69.99/year after a seven-day free trial
  • Subscribers will be able to enjoy TV and series from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox. This content includes original programming exclusive to Disney Plus. 

 

A new streaming service has joined the ranks of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and the many other services jostling for control of your TV. Disney Plus features TV and movie content from names we're all well familiar with: Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Television. 

Learn more below about how the Disney Plus streaming service works, including what shows and movies are included, how much it costs, and when it launches. 

What is Disney Plus

Disney Plus is an on-demand, ad-free streaming service created by The Walt Disney Company.

With Disney Plus, subscribers can watch thousands of Disney movies and series from their devices (smart TVs, phones, laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles). The service includes unlimited downloads so you can watch anywhere, anytime. 

Disney Plus content will come from Walt Disney Studios' and Walt Disney Television's biggest names: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox. 

How much does Disney Plus cost? 

Disney Plus costs $6.99 per month, or $69.99 per year ($5.83/month). This low price includes hours of entertainment spanning many different genres and interests, and best of all, it's all ad-free.

There's also an option to buy a bundled package with Hulu and ESPN+, which costs $12.99 per month for all three services. Individually, the ad-supported version of Hulu is currently $5.99 a month, and ESPN+ is $4.99 a month. If you haven't explored the world of streaming services full yet, the bundle could be the perfect opportunity to do so for a competitive price. 

Before you commit to this cost, you get a seven-day free trial. 

What can I watch Disney Plus on? 

You can watch Disney Plus from a large variety of places. The service lets you stream on up to four devices simultaneously:

  • Desktop web browsers
  • Mobile devices and tablets (Android and Apple)
  • Smart TVs (LG WebOS, Samsung Tizen, Android TV) 
  • Boxes and game consoles (Apple TV 4th Gen and later, PlayStation 4, Roku, Xbox One) 
  • Streaming devices (Chromebook, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, Amazon Fire TV)

Who should sign up for Disney Plus?

Disney Plus is the perfect service for Disney fans, whether they're Marvel geeks or animation aficionados. It's especially suitable for families with children who want to immerse themselves in the vast world of Disney. 

If you're someone who always ends up searching for Disney shows and movies on another streaming service anyway, you might want to consider subscribing to Disney Plus because it holds all that content in one convenient place.  

What shows and movies can I watch on Disney Plus

Disney plusNew Shows 4x3

In short, all of the Disney shows and movies that have already been released. You can cry through all four "Toy Story" movies, learn about the world around you through a Nat Geo documentary, and satisfy your comedic itch with an episode of "The Simpsons." You'll have access to classics like "Snow White" along with recent hits like "Black Panther." 

Disney Plus also includes all-new, exclusive original programming, such as a "Star Wars" TV series focused on a Mandalorian bounty hunter, a retelling of "Lady and the Tramp" featuring Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux, and a new perspective on the familiar objects in our lives through "The World According to Jeff Goldblum." The strong lineup of original Disney content alone could make a Disney Plus subscription worth it. 

 

When is the release date for Disney Plus

Disney Plus is now live and available to stream. It launched on November 12, 2019. 

How does Disney Plus compare to other streaming services?

While services such as Netflix and Hulu cast a wide net over movie and TV entertainment, Disney Plus is much more focused and narrow in scope by revolving entirely around Disney content. Luckily, it doesn't actually feel that limited since Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Television create everything from animated kids' movies to action and sci-fi thrillers. At this point, it's difficult to find someone who isn't a Disney fan in some capacity — with Disney Plus, there's a movie or series for everyone. 

It's a major plus that Disney Plus (for the time being) is launching with zero ads. We don't know whether that will change down the line, or whether it will add tiered ad pricing like some other streaming services, but in the meantime, we always appreciate ad-free streaming. 

At less than $10 a month, it's very affordable compared to major competitors. If you find the Disney content of other streaming services lacking, subscribing to Disney Plus is an affordable way to fix that problem. 

Of all the major streaming services, it's also the most generous in the areas of multiple-device streaming and profile additions. You can stream on up to four devices simultaneously and add up to seven profiles. 

How do I sign up for Disney Plus?

You can sign up on the Disney Plus website.

 

Read everything else you should know about Disney Plus here:  

Disney+ streaming service movies 4x3

  1. How to get a free week of Disney+, Disney's new ad-free streaming service
  2. Disney's ad-free streaming service will cost $6.99 a month for access to thousands of movies and TV shows
  3. All the new movies you can watch on Disney+ — from the live-action 'Lady and the Tramp' to holiday comedy 'Noelle'
  4. All the new shows you can watch on Disney+ — from 'The Mandalorian' to new Pixar shorts
  5. All the kids' movies you can stream on Disney Plus — from 'Snow White' to 'Frozen'
  6. All the new kids' shows you can watch on Disney+ — from 'Vampirina' to the new reboot of 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'
  7. All the Marvel movies and shows you can stream on Disney+ — from 'Iron Man' to the new 'Loki'
  8. Every single Star Wars movie will be available on Disney+ — here's how to watch
  9. All the Pixar films and shorts you can stream on Disney+ — from 'Toy Story' to 'Inside Out'

Join the conversation about this story »

37 unique subscription boxes and services that keep on giving

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teabox $85.50, 3 months

By now, the idea of a subscription box service is far from new. It remains, however, an excellent gift choice because there's one for pretty much every interest and hobby you can think of. It's also easy to purchase online and send — no pesky gift-wrapping necessary. 

The best subscription services provide unique discovery opportunities, curate high-quality brands, and automate everyday routines to make life easier. We think the following subscriptions fit the bill and should be on your gifting list this year.

With some, you can buy a gift card to apply toward a plan of their choice, while with others you can designate the subscription duration and details yourself.

The top 5 subscription gifts:

  1. Beauty and grooming samples tailored to their style and needs from Birchbox
  2. Designer clothing rentals for less from Rent the Runway 
  3. Authentic Japanese snacks from Bokksu
  4. Unique, high-quality face masks from Facetory
  5. Handpicked books by up-and-coming authors from Book of the Month Club

Find a subscription service gift they'll love, below. 

This list includes a Sponsored Product that has been suggested by Trade Coffee; it also meets our editorial criteria in terms of quality and value.*

Birchbox: beauty and grooming samples tailored to their style and needs

Gift a Birchbox subscription for her, $45/3 months

Gift a Birchbox subscription for him, $30/3 months

The grooming, skincare, and beauty industries couldn't be more packed with products for all types of needs and concerns. Birchbox digs through the clutter for them and picks out five samples each month that they should use. At $15 a month, the value of the service is unparalleled. 



Harry's: the razors and accessories needed for a close and comfortable shave

Gift a Harry's custom shave plan here

The gift of a clean, smooth shave is more cherished than you might think. Harry's full line of shaving products work together seamlessly, and you can customize this combination of blades, creams, foaming gels, and post-shave balms to send to your recipient. 



Trade Coffee: coffee from the best specialty roasters in the country

Gift a Trade Coffee subscription, $60/3 months

If your recipient is the type of traveler to beeline straight to the city's most famous specialty coffee roaster, they'll love this subscription. Trade Coffee is like a marketplace for coveted beans from roasters like Stumptown, Verve, Metric, and Irving Farm. It also offers subscription bundles that include a Trade-exclusive tumbler, in case they're in need of a new piece of drinkware, too. 

*Sponsored by Trade Coffee 



Scentbird: generous perfume and cologne samples from designer brands

Gift a Scentbird subscription, $44/3 months

Scentbird essentially offers 30-day perfume and cologne trial runs through its subscription. It holds over 450 perfumes and 100 colognes in its collection, and your recipient has the power to try whichever one they want. Instead of being stuck with a full bottle of a fragrance they hate, they can figure out which one they really love. 



Robb Vices: luxury goods that fulfill the most indulgent desires

Gift a Robb Vices subscription, $389.95/3 months

When past boxes have included bottle-opening sabers and rare spirits, you know this service doesn't hold back on presenting the most extravagant vices to its subscribers. It'll always keep them guessing what interesting or conversation-starting products will fill the next box. 



BarkBox: toys and treats for their best animal friend

Gift a BarkBox subscription, $89/3 months

The best way to please a dog owner is to gift not them but their dog. Bark Box's adorable toys and all-natural treats are the highlight of the month for more than two million dogs nationwide. 



KitNipBox: toys and treats for their other best animal friend

Gift a KitNipBox subscription, $29.99/3 months

Of course, cats also deserve to be spoiled. The toys will entertain them for hours and the treats will keep their bellies full through lazy afternoon naps. KitNipBox supports more than 100 animal welfare organizations by donating a portion of proceeds and products every month. 



Atlas Coffee Club: the ability to travel the world, one cup of coffee at a time

Gift an Atlas Coffee Club subscription, $60/3 months

More than one area of the globe boasts amazing coffee, and around-the-world subscription Atlas Coffee Club is out to prove that by sending coffee from a different region every month. Each order includes tailored brewing recommendations and a postcard with information about the country's coffee growing methods so they'll fully appreciate the flavor and history of each cup. 



Vinebox: glasses of wine to help them wind down at the end of the day

Gift a Vinebox subscription, $158/6 months

Rather than sending full-sized bottles of wine, Vinebox adopts the unique approach of bottling up nine single glass servings of wine they'll love. This personalized wine flight arrives on a quarterly schedule. Your recipient also receives a $15 credit to buy the full-sized bottle of their favorite sample. 



Winc: full-sized bottles of wine to enjoy and share with friends

Gift a Winc gift card, $60-$600

The other wine subscription option, better suited to gift to frequent party hosts, is Winc. The California-based company both creates its own wine and curates bottles from top vineyards, and it sends three full bottles of wine based on their "Palate Profile." Its community rating system also points them to new names to try. 



Book of the Month: the perfect gift for people who appreciate the feel of a physical book

Gift a Book of the Month subscription, $49.99/3 months

This national book club is still going strong after more than 90 years. Every month, the bookworm in your life can choose a hardcover from five new titles and settle into a story that, more often than not, goes on to gain national attention and win major literary awards. 



Cairn: outdoor products to get them prepared and excited to explore

Gift a Cairn subscription, $89.85/3 months

A group of outdoor enthusiasts came together to start Cairn, a subscription box of up to six products to gear anyone up for hikes, camping, and other outdoor activities. Whether they are just starting a new outdoor hobby or have conquered trails across the country, they'll be inspired by the food, gear, and apparel in the box to stop wasting time and get outside. 



FabFitFun: the seasonal subscription box filled with the best full-sized products

Gift a FabFitFun gift card, $25-$300

Curating eight to 10 full-sized, premium products across beauty, wellness, and fitness for only $49.99, FabFitFun sounds almost too good to be true. Members can customize their boxes and add on other products, enjoy exclusive offers and discounts from brand partners, and access workouts through FabFitFunTV. 



KiwiCo: activity-filled boxes that make kids forget they're even learning

Gift a Kiwi Crate subscription, $60/3 months (scroll down for a gift card option)

This kids' subscription is divided into different types of "crates" based on age group. The Tadpole Crate (0-2 years old), for example, helps develop their imagination and fine motor skills; the Kiwi Crate (5-8 years old) blends art, science, and engineering into hands-on projects; and the Atlas Crate (6-11 years old) explores world geography and cultures. 



Stance: socks worn by NBA players, skateboarders, and musicians alike

Gift a Stance subscription, $57/3 months

As a kid, no one was ever excited to receive socks, but it's a different story for adults — especially when the socks are as stylish and comfortable as Stance's. With celebrity investors like Will Smith, Dwayne Wade, Nas, and Jay-Z, Stance definitely has an aura of cool that translates into its socks. 



Hint: delicious, healthy waters that kick their soda habit

Gift the Hint Flavor of the Month Bundle Subscription, $46.99/month

Fans of this flavored water stock it in their pantries by the caseful. The calorie-, sugar-, and GMO-free water comes in refreshing flavors like mango-grapefruit and blood orange, which they can rotate through with this drink subscription. Anyone who's bored with regular water but wants to stay hydrated and healthy will look forward to each month's delivery. 



Causebox: products for the socially and environmentally conscious

Gift a Causebox membership, $199.80/year

Causebox curates ethically made, vegan, and charitable products from the top socially conscious brands in beauty, fashion, wellness, home, and art. Each quarterly box has a retail value of more than $200 but only costs $49.95 and has the added benefit of doing good — for artisans, the environment, and your body. 



My Garden Box: low-maintenance plants for budding green thumbs

Gift a My Garden Box subscription, $35.50/month

Through My Garden Box, even those with terrible histories of tending to plants can build a thriving garden. The My Monthly Plant subscription includes one living plant or bulb, a special house-blend soil, and a decorative planter. 



Rent the Runway: designer clothing rentals for less

Gift a Rent the Runway membership, $99/month, or a gift card, $50-$250

Buying a pricey dress doesn't make sense for special events like weddings where she'll only wear it once. Rent the Runway's innovative model means she no longer has to waste money in order to look good at the reception or in the office. Other clothing subscriptions to consider are competing rental service Le Tote ($69/month) and Stitch Fix, which caters to personal styles and budgets. 



Vinyl Me, Please: exclusive vinyl records to build their collection

Gift a Vinyl Me, Please membership, $99/3 months

Adding to their vinyl collection isn't difficult when they can choose one exclusive LP each month from a collection of Essentials, Classics, and Rap and Hip Hop. The three-month gift membership includes one bonus record, while the six- and 12-month ones include two bonus records.



ArtSnacks: supplies for artists of all levels

Gift an ArtSnacks subscription, $24/month

Part of the fun of being an artist is trying out new products and techniques. ArtSnacks' collection of four to five premium, limited-edition art products (brushes, pens, paint, paper) encourages artists to incorporate supplies and techniques they might not use otherwise. They can join in on the #artsnackschallenge by using only that month's products to create and share a work of art. 

 



Mouth: gourmet treats from makers you've never heard of

Gift a Mouth subscription, $54/month

Gourmet PopTarts, single-origin chocolate, and unusual chips made in small batches by independent American makers fill the boxes from this elevated snack company. There are six different subscriptions to choose from, including a Best of Mouth tasting sampler and the hyper-specific Pickles assortment. 



Carnivore Club: cured meats to snack on

Gift a Carnivore Club gift card, $10-$100 

Hopefully they'll invite you to the picnic after they receive a box of delicious, handcrafted cured meats from Carnivore Club. The local salami, prosciutto, pancetta, and other cured meats taste far better than the kind they get from the grocery store. The price is $39.99 per box, and each contains four to six meats. 



Goby: the first electric toothbrush they'll be excited to receive

Gift a Goby gift card, $50-$100

The gift of good oral care is both thoughtful and useful. The Goby electric toothbrush is vigorously thorough, with the ability to be switched between sensitive and standard modes. Choose the eye-catching monochrome or metallic style, and throw in the brush head subscription so they always have an effective brush head. 



Next Big Idea Club: the best nonfiction books, as recommended by bestselling authors

Gift a Next Big Idea Club subscription, $249/year

The book selections from Next Big Idea Club are curated by some of the biggest names in business and psychology non-fiction. Your recipient will read only the books that really matter, receive course materials that delve deeper into the content, access exclusive interviews, and discuss learnings with fellow members. 



Frank And Oak: stylish yet composed closet basics

Gift a Frank And Oak Style Plan gift card, $25-$500

Canadian clothing startup Frank And Oak offers Style Plans for both men and women who are looking to build the foundation of their closet with long-lasting, versatile basics. The box contains items like simple crew necks and button-downs they can't go wrong with, plus they're all ethically sourced and sustainably made. 



Gentleman's Box: men's accessories to make him a true gentleman

Gift a Gentleman's Box subscription, $140/1 box

Once he's outfitted in stylish clothes from head to toe, he can't forget the details to pull it all together. Gentleman's Box supplies the premium accessories like pocket squares and watches to complete the look. He can make the most of the contents by consulting the accompanying issue of "The Gentleman's Post." 



Teabox: fresh, hand-selected tea leaves from India

Gift a Teabox subscription, $108/3 months

Teabox sends enough tea (and in five varieties) that they can enjoy two to three cups every day of the month. The themed boxes will make them appreciate the diverse types of tea more than ever. Past boxes include the Assam box, a range of black teas, and the Diwali box, a tribute to the flavors of India. 



The Bouqs Co.: flower bouquets every week or every month, just because

Gift a Bouqs Co. subscription, $36-$60/month

We would never turn down a regular shipment of beautiful flowers to adorn our desks or tabletops. With a subscription, you can save 20% on bouquets, enjoy free delivery, and set customizable dates for your lucky recipient. 



HelloFresh: convenient, easy-to-cook, and delicious meal kits

Gift a HelloFresh subscription, from $59.94

HelloFresh is one of our top meal kit subscription choices because of its tasty dishes, creative features like "Dinner-to-Lunch" recipes, and accompanying wine club. There are plans and menus to suit all types of cooks and family sizes, from vegetarian couples to omnivore families of four. If HelloFresh doesn't look like it'll suit your recipient, check out the gift options from one of these services



Daily Harvest: the easiest way to eat and drink healthy

Gift a Daily Harvest gift card, $25-$250

From breakfast to dinner, Daily Harvest is the purveyor of all things healthy. Its pre-portioned smoothies, harvest bowls, lattes, soups, parfaits, and overnight oats are far from rabbit food and will actually fill them up with the nutrients to attack the day. 



Bokksu: authentic snacks from Japanese makers

Gift a Bokksu subscription, $116.97/3 months

Experience the creative snack culture of Japan through Bokksu, the subscription where they won't know which treat to tear open first. Think: Kit Kat flavors they can't find in the US, shiitake mushroom chips, kabocha bread, and citrus shortbread cookies. The themed boxes contain 20 to 25 snacks and a tea pairing. 



Care/Of: a personalized supply of daily vitamins

Gift a Care/Of subscription, $90/3 months

Vitamins were never so giftable before Care/Of. Its business centers around personalization, down to the name and message printed on the vitamin pack. Your purchase also provides mothers in need with prenatal vitamins. 



Facetory: the best Korean sheet masks

Gift a Facetory subscription, $59.70/3 months

Soothing sheet masks are essential to an at-home spa day. Facetory sends high-quality Korean sheet masks for half their retail price. Made from unique ingredients like banana milk, yogurt, marine collagen, and 24 karat gold extract, they address a range of skin concerns and simply feel great on their skin. 



Breo Box: high-end and boutique brand name products

Gift a Breo Box subscription, $309/2 seasons

Past boxes from Breo Box have included TRX fitness accessories, smart home devices and smartwatches, and Bluetooth headphones. The high-end products aren't geared toward any gender — as long as they appreciate quality everyday essentials, fitness and health gear, and tech, they'll love Breo Box. 



Stitch Fix: an inclusive and personalized styling experience

Gift a Stitch Fix gift card, $20-$1,000

Stitch Fix offers the most styling options for different ages and body types: men, women, kids, plus size, maternity, and petite. The average price for men's and women's items is $55, but they can set their own budget to receive clothes they're comfortable with, and you can give a gift card in amounts up to $1,000. 



Tippsy: premium Japanese sake from top breweries

Gift a Tippsy subscription, $168/3 months

While you have plenty of wine clubs to choose from, other types of alcohol are quietly waiting in the background for their moment to shine. Sake is one example — it's harder and more expensive to find, and it lacks the mainstream education afforded to beer and wine. Tippsy sources its sake directly from the best Japanese breweries for a more affordable price and teaches your recipient everything they need to know to become a sake expert. 



Looking for more gift ideas? We've got you covered.



'Does Hulu have ESPN?': Yes, you can watch it with Hulu + Live TV — here's what you need to know

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iphone Hulu app

  • Not only does Hulu have ESPN with a live TV subscription, but the platform also offers multiple ESPN channels, including ESPN2, ESPN College Extra, ESPN U, and ESPN News.
  • Watching ESPN via Hulu requires a Hulu + Live TV account, which starts at $44.99 per month and can be upgraded to add even more channels.
  • A Hulu + Live TV subscription allows you to record up to 50 hours of content for later viewing — or more for additional fees — so you never have to miss sports shows or games.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you love sports, you will love all the various ESPN channels offered by Hulu. Your Hulu + Live TV plan offers you access to hours upon hours of sport-centric content, including sports talk shows, live sporting events,  sports news, sports docs, and classic sports programming.

In short, if it's on ESPN, it can be enjoyed on your phone, computer, or smart TV via a Hulu + Live TV subscription.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Hulu + Live TV (From $44.95 per month at Hulu)

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

MacBook Pro (From $1,299.99 at Best Buy)

Samsung 50" Smart TV (From $399.99 at Best Buy)

How to watch ESPN on Hulu + Live TV

To watch live ESPN programming with a Hulu + Live TV subscription, click on the "LIVE TV" link at the top of the Hulu homepage.

Then you can scroll through the long list of channels, search under the "SPORTS" tab, or to be more efficient, use the "SEARCH" tool at the top right corner of the screen and type in "ESPN."

Does Hulu have ESPN

You can watch myriad live ESPN shows, and you can record shows or events by either beginning recording a show as it plays, or clicking on a show airing on ESPN later and opting to record it.

Does Hulu have ESPN

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best 4K TVs you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why it's so hard for planes to land on water

How to decide between Disney Plus and Netflix (NFLX, DIS)

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Disney Plus

Disney Plus was just released this morning, and it has already received a lot of buzz. Many have already signed up, or got a free month through Verizon. 

If you're thinking about buying Disney Plus, you're probably wondering if that means you should cancel your Netflix subscription. Here, we compared all the major factors to help you decide:

SEE ALSO: These 3 subtle changes in Apple's latest iPhone update have made my life way easier

Disney Plus costs $7 per month, or $70 for the year.

One account will allow 4 simultaneous screens to stream content, and up to 7 user profiles, CNET reported.



In comparison, Netflix costs $9 per month for a basic plan with one device streaming at a time, or up to $16 per month for 4 screens at a time.



Netflix allows you to create up to 5 individual profiles, which allow personalized recommendations and watchlists separate from other users on the account.



Disney Plus allows up to 7 profiles.



Opening Disney Plus, you'll see a particular show highlighted at the top, with tabs of different brands, plus rows of recommendations and categories.



Netflix has a very similar homepage, highlighting a Netflix original at the top with other categories as you scroll lower.



One minor difference in user experience is that Disney Plus doesn't automatically start playing a title if you stay on it for more than a few seconds, something Netflix does.



In Disney Plus, the controls lets viewers skip foreword or backwards by 10 seconds, pause, adjust volume, and make the video fullscreen.



Netflix gives more options. In addition to the buttons that Disney Plus has, Netflix lets you jump to the next episode, or read information about any episode.



Disney Plus will drop new episodes of original shows, like "The Mandalorian," on a traditional weekly schedule.



Netflix usually releases new original shows in batches, dropping a full season at a time.



In its first year, Disney Plus will have 500 movies and 7,500 TV episodes, compared to Netflix's 4,000 movies and 47,000 TV episodes.

Source: Variety



But, Disney Plus may win out with more desirable titles and less filler content than Netflix.

Most of the marquee Disney movies, like "Toy Story," "The Little Mermaid," and "Avengers: Endgame," are on Disney Plus but not on Netflix.



You can try Disney Plus for 7 days free, and Netflix for 30 days.

Check out Disney Plus here.

Check out Netflix here.



50 gifts under $50 for everyone on your list

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50 gifts under $50 4x3

With parents, friends, significant others, coworkers, and more to account for, it's easy for your holiday gifting list to fill up pretty quickly. Luckily, you actually can get a thoughtful gift for everyone on your list without blowing your budget. 

We've been testing products, combing through our favorite sites, and collecting gift ideas all year for this very occasion, to make sure you find the best holiday gifts possible. Below, we've rounded up 50 of our favorites that are $50 or less. Whether these gifts are complements to a bigger present or are the star of the show, we think your recipient will love them.

Shop more gift ideas by budget: 

Keep reading for 50 gifts under $50 that work for anyone on your list

This list includes a Sponsored Product that has been suggested by MeUndies; it also meets our editorial criteria in terms of quality and value.*

A limited-edition candle inspired by seasonal scents

Manor House Weekend Candle, available at Otherland, $36

We love Otherland's seasonally inspired, limited-edition candles, and we're sure they will too. The "Manor House Weekend" collection includes a selection of autumnal aromas such as musky Dappled Wood with hints of sandalwood, toasted walnut, and sweet hay, a comforting Cardamom Milk with notes of frothy milk, cardamom, and praline woods, and a wintry Mountain Lace with elderflower fizz, anjou pear, and apple blossom.

 



A small but mighty smart speaker

Echo Dot, available at Amazon, $49.99

The Echo Dot is a great pick for anyone who's looking for a speaker, whether they want a smart one or not. The speaker is small enough to fit just about anywhere, but it boasts great sound quality for its size. 



Comfy boxers that come in festive patterns

Women's Bikini, available at MeUndies, $18

Men's Boxer Brief, available at MeUndies, $24

MeUndies' collection of plaids make a perfect bottom layer for Christmas morning — and all the cozy winter days after that. 

*Sponsored by MeUndies 



A smooth olive oil that'll instantly elevate any dish

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

If they spend a lot of time in the kitchen, they probably already know the merits of high-quality olive oil. A drizzle of Alive from Brightland adds a vibrant, zesty flavor to any dish, plus the beautiful bottle will look great on display in their kitchen. 



An affordable electric toothbrush subscription

Toothbrush Starter Set, available at Quip, from $25

Help them upgrade their oral care routine with a Quip toothbrush. Not only is it a great electric toothbrush at a reasonable price, but Quip will send them a refill every three months with a new brush head and toothbrush. 



A set of covers that'll keep their avocados fresh

Avocado Huggers (set of 2), available at Uncommon Goods, $7.95

Hug the things you love, like avocados. These cute silicone covers will keep their favorite food fresh for longer. 



A set of magnets that are fun to play with and can boost concentration

Speks Magnet Balls, available at Speks, $24.95

Almost everyone on the Insider Picks team has a set of Speks at their desk. The little magnetic balls can be mashed, molded, and built into fun shapes and are a fun fidget toy that even adults will love. 



A cute kitchen gadget that makes breakfast in a flash

Dash Mini Waffle Maker, available at Amazon, $14.99

This compact waffle maker makes a great addition to any college dorm or small kitchen. All they have to do is plug it in and they can make their favorite breakfast treat in a flash. 

 



A mini speaker that brings Google Assistant to any room

Google Home Mini, available at Best Buy, $39

This little speaker is loaded with smart features thanks to Google Assistant — play music, check the weather, and control your smart home with just your voice. 

 



A streaming stick that turns any TV into a smart one

Roku Streaming Stick +, available at Amazon, $49

Upgrade their Netflix binge marathons without actually buying them a whole new TV. The Roku Streaming Stick + offers 4K, HD, and HDR streaming in a portable package and affordable price. 



A moisturizing mask that'll revive dry hair

Briogeo Honey Deep Conditioning Mask, available at Sephora, $36

Whether their hair is damaged from heat or just is suffering from winter dryness, this deep-conditioning mask in the shape of a honey bear will refresh their strands with the hydration it needs. 



A taste of Japan by way of snacks

Bokksu Tasting Gift, 1-month box, available at Bokksu, $31.99

Adventurous foodies will love the chance to taste test a curated box of gourmet Japanese snacks. In this Bokksu box, they can expect to find between 10-14 snacks, a tea pairing, and an in-depth guide that details every product included. 



A best-selling face mask for clear skin

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Mask, available at Amazon, $9.99

Anyone in on the latest skincare trends will know about this mask. Many claim it has helped clear their skin, and it has over 12,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. The best part is that this powerful facial is just $10. 



A set of festive flavorings for holiday beverages

Monin Holiday Cheer Collection, available at Amazon, $14.99

This set of flavored syrups — macadamia nut, peppermint, dark chocolate, gingerbread, and toasted marshmallow — will turn any regular drink into a holiday-ready one. 



A soft pair of socks made from sustainable fabric

SoftHemp Sock, available at United by Blue, $16

There's nothing better than slipping on cozy socks in the winter. Made from a soft, sustainable hemp fabric, this pair is sure to do the trick. 

 



A luxurious exfoliator to keep skin smooth

The Body Exfoliator, available at Necessaire, $30

Necessaire's clean beauty products come in beautiful, minimalist packaging that looks as good in their bathroom as it feels on their skin. This gentle exfoliator will help them slough off dry winter skin for good. 

 

 



Cruelty-free nail polish in a range of fun colors

Nail Polish, available at Smith & Cult, $18

Smith & Cult's polish is vegan, cruelty-free, and chip-resistant. With 46 fun colors to choose from, you're sure to find one (or two, or three) they'll love. 



A sheet mask that'll hydrate dry, stressed skin

Dr. Jart+ Soothing Hydra Solution, available at Sephora, $6

Winter skin tends to be dry and dull. While you can't change the weather, you can throw on a hydrating face mask to stay moisturized. This one will add lots of soothing hydration to their skin to keep it feeling fresh. 

You can also find a holiday set of seven masks from Dr. Jart+ for $39, a $57 value. 



Makeup towels that make washing their face less of a chore

Makeup Towels, available at Weezie, $40

If they've never thought of washcloths as anything special, Weezie towels will change their minds. The adorable towels are embroidered with either hearts, winky eyelids, or the words "stain me." Plus, the dark navy blue color will conceal makeup stains. 

 



A silky-smooth sleep mask to block light

Slip Pink Marble Sleep Mask, available at Nordstrom, $50

If there's nothing they appreciate more than a good night's sleep, they'll love Slip's silk sleep mask. It's made from 100% pure Mulberry silk for a luxe, light feel on their skin. 



A simple necklace that reminds them of their intentions

Good Intentions Necklace, available at Bando, $38

A sweet necklace with an even sweeter mission. Choose from a selection of positive intentions like "optimism," "strength," or "gratitude," which they can carry with them throughout the day. For every necklace sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the non-profit Girls Inc.

 



A lip gloss that has all the benefits of a balm

Tower28 Beauty Jelly Lip Gloss, available at Sephora, $14

This clean-beauty favorite delivers the glossy sheen they'd expect from a lip gloss, but it's loaded with nourishing oils to keep lips hydrated, too. 



A phone case made of premium leather

Phone Case, available at Bellroy, $29 - $45

Did they get a new phone for the holidays? This sleek and protective case makes the perfect companion — just be sure you get the right model. 



A bold lip color that'll last all day long

Lancome L'Absolu Rouge Lipstick, available at Sephora, $32

Whether it's a pale peach or a deep-red look they crave, they'll love this long-lasting lipstick with its saturated colors and hydrating formula.



A set of loose-leaf teas that even Oprah loves

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

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



A set of playing cards inspired by music's greats

Music Genius Playing Cards, available at Amazon, $9.42

Whether they love game night, music, or are equal fans of both, they'll surely get a kick out of these playing cards. The pack features illustrations of all the big names in pop, rock, country, and R&B. 



A spray that any sneakerhead needs in their collection

Jason Markk Repel, available at Amazon, $17.48

If they love shoes, they should have the right products to take care of their favorite footwear. This spray protects shoes from stains caused by water and oil, and there are multiple people on our team who swear by it for every new pair of shoes they get. 



A set of colorful silicone straws that reduce plastic waste

Five Two Silicone Straws, available at Food52, $25

Bendable, sustainable, and portable (thanks to the set of carrying cases), these fun straws are the accessory any eco-conscious person should have.



An elevated hand sanitizer that fends off germs

Power Mist Hand Sanitizer, available at Touchland, $12

A lightweight, spray formula and refreshing scents make Touchland's hand sanitizer one they'll actually want to use. It dries quickly and doesn't leave residue or stickiness behind.



A book subscription catered to teens

Book of the Month Young Adult, 3-month plan, available at Book of the Month, $49.99

A subscription box that sends them an exciting new read catered to their tastes each month is the perfect gift for a young bookworm. 

 



A case that protects their AirPods

Metallic AirPods Case, available at Incase, $29.95

AirPods may come in a case already, but this metallic cover keeps that one protected. And, it adds some nice color and shine to the plain white cover that everyone else has. 



A coffee mug that keeps their drinks hot or cold for hours

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

Hydro Flask's Travel Coffee Mug is a team favorite. It combines the classic shape of a mug with Hydro Flask's TempShield insulation to keep beverages hot, or cold, for hours— a great gift for the coffee or tea lover who's always on the move. 



An aromatherapy diffuser that'll make their space smell great and help them breathe easier

VicTsing Mini Oil Diffuser, available at Amazon, $19.99

If they've never dabbled in aromatherapy before, this mini diffuser is a great place to start. It's easy-to-use, whisper-quiet, and works with their favorite essential oils and scents. 



A cute reusable tote that can fit tons of stuff

Standard Baggu, available at Baggu, $12

It's no wonder these bags are bestsellers— they can hold up to 50 pounds of stuff and come in a range of fun colors and patterns. Plus, at just $12, they're a great deal. 



A portable straw that makes water drinkable

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, available at Amazon, $17.47

This portable, personal water filter was the bestselling product on Prime Day. It filters water from creeks and rivers, making it perfect for hiking, camping, and travel.



A classy carrying case to stash chargers

Leather Charger Roll-Up, available at Mark & Graham, $49

After they fill the three pockets with cables and chargers, all they have do is roll everything up and they're good to go. The soft, supple leather comes in a variety of fun colors and patterns. 

 



A duo of essentials to nourish dry lips

Laniege Kiss Me Day and Night, available at Sephora, $18

Give them everything they need to banish dry, chapped winter lips. This set includes the cult-favorite Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask and the Lip Glowy Balm for a pillowy-soft pout.  

 



A cult-favorite cast-iron skillet

Lodge 12-inch Cast-Iron Skillet, available at Amazon, $25.99

Every cook needs a cast-iron skillet in their kitchen. Lodge makes some of the best out there, but at prices that won't break the bank. 



A fitting vehicle for their post-run brews

Etched Marathon Pint Glass, available at Uncommon Goods, $18

If they like to celebrate a long run with a big pint, they'll appreciate these pint glasses etched with famous marathon routes. 



A candle that reminds them of their favorite place

Homesick Scented Candle, available at Amazon, $29.50

This is a great gift that's sure to make anyone sentimental. Whether it's their hometown, college town, or favorite spot to vacation, a Homesick candle, with scents inspired by all sorts of locations, will bring them back to that favorite place. 



A personalized pillow of their favorite fur baby

Cartoon Great Pet Pillow, available at Etsy, from $25.98

If there's nothing they love more than their cat or dog, this pillow — featuring a blown-up picture of their pet — is sure to make them smile. 



A cold brew coffee maker to keep up with their iced coffee habit

Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker, available at Amazon, $19.87

If their morning ritual includes a cup of cold brew, they'll appreciate this convenient cold brew maker. All they have to do is fill it with their favorite coffee grinds, add water, let it sit, and they've got a glass of delicious cold brew on the way. 



An easy-to-care-for plant shaped like a heart

Hoya Heart Trio, available at The Sill, $35

Bring some life to their space with these adorable heart-shaped succulents. With little attention needed, they're a great gift for amateur plant parents and experienced ones alike. 



A luxury wallet perfect for daily use or travel

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

By partnering with the same manufacturers that make high-end pieces for brands like Celine, Burberry, and Prada, but ditching the designer labels and opting for a direct-to-consumer model, Italic is able to sell luxury goods at a fraction of the price. This sleek and simple leather card case would go for over $300 with a designer label, but at Italic it's a steal at just $50. 



A cookbook that's all their own

My Family Cookbook, available at Uncommon Goods, $30

There's a cookbook out there for every type of cook, but this customizable option is one any chef is sure to love. The blank pages are waiting to be filled with family recipes, which can be passed down for generations to come. 



A dainty pair of gold hoops that go with everything

Small Hoops, available at Mejuri, $50

Jewelry always makes a great gift, though it's typically pricey. These dainty hoops from Mejuri are the perfect pair for every day, and they're only $50. 



An apron loaded with plenty of clever features

Five Two Ultimate Apron, available at Food52, $45

Anyone who spends a good amount of time in the kitchen will appreciate this durable apron with its sturdy fabric, clever pockets made to hold the essentials, and pot-holders built right in. 



A lifetime of perks with an REI membership

REI Membership, available at REI, $20

A one-time, $20 payment will get them lifetime access to REI's membership program. The outdoorsy types in your life will appreciate the special offers, 10% back on purchases, member-pricing on REI classes and events, and the host of other membership perks. Learn more about the REI membership program here



A simple and elegant photo calendar

Walnut Desktop Photo Calendar, available at Artifact Uprising, from $30

All of Artifact Uprising's customized photo gifts are simple, beautiful, and made from eco-friendly materials. This simple calendar is an easy choice for anyone on your list. Just pick 12 photos (one for each month) of the people and places they love most to add a special sentiment to their desk setup.



A cozy, slouchy beanie

Neff Beanie, available at Amazon, $16

Cold-weather accessories make a great gift for anyone who will be braving the cold come winter. Neff beanies come in a wide variety of colors and are the perfect combination of cute and cozy. 



Looking for more gift ideas? We've got you covered.




How to multiply cells and numbers in Microsoft Excel using 3 different methods

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microsoft excel

Multiplying values is one of the most frequently performed functions in Excel, so it should be no surprise that there are several ways to do this. 

You can use whichever method is best suited to what you are trying to accomplish in your spreadsheet on a Mac or PC

Here are a few of your simplest options to perform multiplication. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Microsoft Office 365 Home (From $99.99 at Best Buy)

MacBook Pro (From $1,299.99 at Best Buy)

Lenovo IdeaPad 130 (From $299.99 at Best Buy)

How to multiply two numbers in Excel

The easiest way to do this is by multiplying numbers in a single cell using a simple formula. 

For example, if you type "=2*6" into a cell and press Enter on the keyboard, you should see the cell display "12."

multiply 1

You can also multiply two different cells together.

1. In a cell, type "=" 

2. Click in the cell that contains the first number you want to multiply. 

3. Type "*".

4. Click the second cell you want to multiply.

5. Press Enter. 

multiply 2

How to multiply cells and numbers using the PRODUCT formula

You aren't limited to multiplying just two cells — you can multiply up to 255 values at once using the PRODUCT formula. 

Using this formula, you can multiply individual cells and numbers by separating them with commas and multiply a series of cells with a colon. 

For example, in the formula "=PRODUCT(A1,A3:A5,B1,10)" — Excel would multiply (A1 x A3 x A4 x A5 x B1 x 10) because A3:A5 indicates that it should multiply A3, A4, and A5. 

Remember that the order of these cells and numbers is irrelevant in multiplication. 

How to multiply a column of values by a constant

Suppose you have a series of numbers and want to multiply each one of them by the same value. You can do that by using an absolute reference to the cell that contains the constant.

1. Set up a column of numbers you want to multiply, and then put the constant in another cell.

2. In a new cell, type "=" and click the first cell you want to multiply. 

3. Type the name of the cell that contains the constant, adding a "$" before both the letter and number. The dollar sign turns this into an absolute reference, so it won't change if you copy and paste it in the spreadsheet.

multiply 3

4. Press Enter.

5. You can now copy and paste this to additional cells to perform the multiplication on the other numbers. The easiest way to do this is to drag the cell by its lower right corner to copy it. 

multiply 4

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I've never taken a marketing class, and now I run a small brand strategy agency that brings in 6 figures. Here's how my unique career path lead to my success.

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Shanna Goodman

  • Shanna Goodman is a brand strategist and small-business owner who specializes in helping other small businesses succeed.
  • Her agency, Ampersand Business Solutions, has made six figures every year. But even though she works in marketing, Goodman has never taken a marketing class. 
  • She studied psychology and human sciences in college, but realized that she didn't want to be a therapist. Then she went to graduate school for mass communications, and found herself falling into nonprofit marketing.
  • She realized that having a unique background — and not getting a degree in her field — ended up being a "superpower." She's able to approach things in a different way. 
  • Click here for more BI Prime stories.

Growing up, I'd always been driven. I remember annoying coworkers at my deli job in high school, earnestly asking the older employee what I could be doing better in the midst of chopping tomatoes and cleaning the grill. It was the workplace equivalent of asking for more homework, which I also did, and also made me very popular. 

These days, I own and manage a small brand strategy agency, helping entrepreneurs grow businesses that are extensions of themselves and to save time and money reaching their ideal customer. At Ampersand Business Solutions, we specialize in market-focused business strategy, meaning that we help clients align their businesses in a way that maximizes their strengths and resources as well as ideally position them for opportunities in their market and industries. 

I've been doing this kind of work for about 15 years, but started Ampersand several years ago. The thing that's a little ironic is that I felt like a fraud when I first started doing marketing work, even though I own a marketing business that made six figures in the first year and has doubled from there. (I generated $125,000 my first year of business and $215,000 in the second. We've been maintaining around that number since then, now in our fourth year. This was with no employees until mid-2018, when I hired my first — and currently only — employee.) 

Searching for my focus 

The problem I had in college and shortly after was that I didn't know how to focus my drive. I wanted to achieve and succeed, but wasn't really able to define what that meant for me. I was fascinated by human behavior, so I studied that — majoring in psychology and human sciences in college. Since I'd grown up in a very small town in the rural Midwest, I didn't really have a framework for the careers that were available to me. My uncle was a clinical psychologist, so I thought that maybe that's what I could do and declared the marriage and family therapy route, planning on getting a graduate degree. 

Shortly before my final semester of college, it occurred to me that I would be the worst therapist ever. Why? Because I'd get annoyed when people didn't turn their ideas into action. 

Alas, once I graduated, I was qualified for very little, so my internship at a teen pregnancy program turned into a full-time case manager position for two years. Trying to help teenagers navigate pregnancy, parenting, childcare, and school and preventing subsequent pregnancies in the inner core of Kansas City, Kansas was rough. But it was a huge learning experience in my life and made me very much value the emotional support of my family and, though I didn't know what to call it at the time, a growth mindset from an early age. 

On a whim, I took a media class at a local community college, which led to hundreds of hours volunteering on projects and then enrolling in a mass communications graduate program. After graduating with a master's degree, I ended up applying to quite a variety of different companies and organizations, but it was nonprofit organizations that called me back. 

That's how I fell into nonprofit marketing — my combined experience and education made me really attractive for organizations with little to no marketing budget. This meant that from the very first day of work, I helped craft the brand of the organization and then translated that into clear messaging, print materials, videos, and websites. 

I loved doing this, but felt unqualified, never having even taken a marketing class. But, human behavior and media production really is the foundation for marketing. 

Your degree does not dictate your job 

Years ago, CareerBuilder uncovered that people rarely work in the fields of their college degree, and that was my experience. In fact, very few people I met after college worked in the industry of their degree. 

My love of learning always had me researching and doing new things. This is one of the best ways to break into a new career field — layer on top of what you already have. This can be education, like mine was — adding media production on top of human behavior gave me a unique perspective.

I also layered as many types of experience on top of that as I could. To fast forward my media production experience as a graduate student, I took on a series of internships that exposed me to different kinds of production.

One summer I was a production assistant for the morning news at a local NBC affiliate. Another summer I worked 18-hour days on independent films and commercial video projects, and as a production assistant on projects for National Geographic, The History Channel, and some random architecture firm. These were not glamorous jobs, and at the end of most days my feet felt like bloody stubs, but it gave me insight and unique experience that could never have come from the classroom. 

Overcoming imposter syndrome 

The first few years of working in marketing positions, I felt like a fake and didn't tell anyone I'd never taken a marketing class. It was my dirty little secret. 

However, I come from generations of entrepreneurs from both sides of my family, and analyzing business models was in my blood. Once, while visiting The Biltmore, the palatial estate of the Vanderbilt family that's become a tourist attraction, while my friends were sprawled out and angled in the grass to get the perfect picture, I sat with my Moleskine notebook and mapped out all the different revenue streams in operation on the estate.

It wasn't until I was working at a marketing agency years later that I realized my unique background was actually very valuable. I was able to come up with creative ideas and approaches that hadn't occurred to my colleagues. I was able to dive deeper into the mindset of a client's customer, helping them define their unique challenges and motivators, then craft full strategies around helping the client package their services and get in front of the right customer at the right time. This is the foundation for which my own brand strategy agency was launched. 

Throughout my career, there were times (when I hadn't yet fully appreciated my background and abilities) when I'd get frustrated that I'd "wasted so much time" in first getting a psychology and human sciences degree and then meandering around communications and media production, only to finally fall into nonprofit marketing. Surely this could have been done more efficiently, but it was the combination of those experiences that have actually turned into my superpower.

SEE ALSO: 9 clear signs your small business is headed for disaster, and what you can do to turn things around

READ MORE: 6 important steps you need to take to successfully change careers, according to career coaches and real people who've done it

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How to divide numbers and cells in Microsoft Excel to make calculations and analyze data

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laptop Microsoft Excel

  • You can divide in Excel using a few different methods. 
  • It's easy to divide two numbers or cell values in Excel using the forward slash in a simple formula. 
  • You can also divide a column of values by a constant, using the dollar sign to create an absolute reference in your spreadsheet. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

There are a few common techniques for performing division in Excel

You can divide numbers directly in a single cell, or use a simple formula to divide the contents of two different cells. You can also set up a formula that divides a series of values by a constant. 

Here's what you need to know to divide in Excel on a Mac or PC.

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How to divide two numbers in Excel

You can divide two numbers using the forward slash (/) in a formula. 

If you type "=10/5" in a cell and press Enter on the keyboard, you should see the cell display "2."

You can also divide the values stored in different cells.

1. In a cell, type "=". 

2. Click in the cell that contains the dividend (the dividend is the number on the top of a division calculation). 

3. Type "/".

4. Click the second cell that contains the divisor.

5. Press Enter. 

divide 2

How to divide a column of values by a constant

It's not uncommon to need to divide a column of numbers by a constant. You can do that by using an absolute reference to the cell that contains the constant divisor.

1. Create a column of numbers that will serve as the dividend in your division calculations. Then put the constant divisor in another cell.

2. In a new cell, type "=" and click the first cell in your list of dividends. 

3. Type the name of the cell that contains the divisor, adding a "$" before both the letter and number. Using the dollar sign in this way turns the reference into an absolute reference, so it won't change when you paste it elsewhere in the spreadsheet.

divide 3

4. Press Enter.

5. Copy and paste this result to other cells to do more division on the other dividends. You can  drag the cell by its lower right corner to copy it down a column. 

divide 4

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The New York City restaurants you should bring clients to if you want to impress them, according to 11 local real-estate agents and executives

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le coucou

New York City is home to at least 27,000 restaurants.

But even the city's most popular restaurants aren't safe from scathing New York Times reviews. The Michelin-starred Peter Luger Steak House in Brooklyn recently received a devastating zero-star review from the Times' restaurant critic, Pete Wells.

That left us wondering: If not Peter Luger, what are the best restaurants in New York City right now?

Business Insider surveyed New York City-based real-estate agents and executives to find out the one restaurant they would take a client to impress them or close a deal. (Spoiler: none of them said Peter Luger, but another Manhattan steakhouse made the list.)

Here, in alphabetical order, is what they told us.

SEE ALSO: An iconic bodega in the East Village is at risk of shuttering — here's why they hope a traditional NYC drink will help them survive

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Avra Estiatorio

Cuisine: Greek

Location: 141 East 48th Street (Midtown), 14 East 60th Street (Lenox Hill)

Dinner price range: ~ $21.95 - $59.95

"I love Avra," Bonnie Lindenbaum, a broker at Warburg Realty with 21 years of experience, told Business Insider. "The food is excellent and the 'scene' is very NYC chic. The decor speaks to my sensibility in both fashion and real estate."



Balthazar

Cuisine: French

Location: 80 Spring Street (Soho)

Dinner entree price range: ~ $23 - $76

Deborah Ribner, an agent at Warburg Realty with eight years experience, said Balthazar is her top place to take clients.

"The food is solid, the vibe is buzzing and it has people of all ages, both American and international," she told Business Insider.



Carbone

Cuisine: Italian

Location: 181 Thompson Street (West Village)

Dinner entree price range: ~ $21 - $58

"The food is just incredible and it's a great atmosphere," Adam Henick, cofounder of Current Real Estate Advisors, said of Carbone.



Gramercy Tavern

Cuisine: American

Location: 42 East 20th Street (Flatiron District)

Dinner entree price range: $134 three-course prix fixe

Alan Levy, a Warburg agent with 12 years of real-estate experience, named Gramercy Tavern near Union Square.

"I usually take a client to the tavern room where it's a wonderful ambiance and the service is impeccable," Levy said. "The food is awesome and I usually have success after that experience." 



Harry Cipriani, Sherry-Netherland hotel

Cuisine: Italian

Location: 781 5th Avenue (Midtown)

Dinner entree price range: ~ $31 - $50

"Cipriani at the Sherry Netherland is up and always happening," said Arlene Reed, an associate broker at Warburg with 28 years of experience. "Atmosphere is great, as is the food and the service."



Keen's Steakhouse

Cuisine: American

Location: 72 West 36th Street (Midtown)

Dinner entree price range: ~ $31 - $158

"My favorite underrated classic is Keen's Steakhouse," Warburg agent Zach Sutton told Business Insider. "With expansive, round tables for discussion and a traditional but keen (pun intended) selection of steaks and hearty favorites, this spot is nestled in Midtown but feels like home."



Le Coucou

Cuisine: French

Location: 138 Lafayette Street (Soho)

Dinner entree price range: $28 - $110

Rebecca Blacker, an agent at Warburg with 10 years of experience, said that if she wanted to impress a client, she'd take them to Le Coucou.

"The setting is stunning, the neighborhood is unexpected, and the service is exceptional but not stuffy," she said.



Norwood Club

Cuisine: American

Location: 241 West 14th Street (Chelsea)

Dinner entree price range: $70 prix fixe

Martin Eiden, a Compass broker with 20 years of experience, told Business Insider he'd take clients to Norwood, an exclusive members-only club for the city's creative elite.

"It offers exclusivity and allows me to bypass who has which private phone number to which restaurant," he said.



Raoul's

Cuisine: French

Location: 180 Prince Street (Soho)

Dinner entree price range: ~ $28 - $155

Claire Groome, an associate broker at Warburg Realty with 17 years' experience, said she impresses clients by taking them to Raoul's, because "it is everything New York."

"It is small but has the best clubby feel with incredible people-watching and the best art," Groome said. "I've been going for years so they know me and my clients are always impressed with the location, vibe and of course, the food!"



Sushi Kaito

Cuisine: Japanese

Location: 244 West 72nd Street (Upper West Side)

Dinner entree price range: ~ $50 and up

Michael Bello, a broker at REAL New York, said he'd take a client to Sushi Kaito on the Upper West Side.

"[It's] a 12-seat sushi bar with some of the best Omakase in the city, but still relatively unknown and discreet," Bello said. "They fly the fish in directly from Japan each morning. The sushi and sashimi are amazing. Everyone knows about Nobu. This is better and much more intimate and low key."



Zagara

Cuisine: Italian

Location: 216 7th Avenue (Chelsea)

Dinner entree price range: ~ $14 - $39

Craig Levine, the vice president of development at Quest Builders Group, said Zagara is his top place to take clients.

"Great food, awesome intimate atmosphere and not too pricey," he said. "Good clients shouldn't be impressed by a high tab." 



The best American Express cards

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Amex Platinum

No matter your lifestyle and your priorities, American Express has a credit or charge card to match. Amex is most famous for its travel connections and premium "experiential" offerings like concierge service, but it also offers credit cards with other perks and lower annual fees. 

Whether you want a cash-back card or one that earns frequent flyer miles or hotel points, Amex has you covered. Its cards also offer various benefits like travel insurance and purchase protection. 

If you're looking for the best Amex card for you, here are the ones you should consider.

Keep in mind that we're focusing on the rewards and perks that make these credit cards great options, not things like interest rates and late fees, which will far outweigh the value of any points or miles. It's important to practice financial discipline when using credit cards by paying your balances in full each month, making payments on time, and only spending what you can afford to pay back. 

Here are the best Amex cards in 2019:

SEE ALSO: All our credit card reviews — from cash-back to travel rewards to business cards — in one place

The best Amex card overall

Why you'll love it: The Platinum Card offers incredibly valuable benefits, perks, and rewards, and is a must-have for any frequent traveler.

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

At $550, the Platinum Card has one of the highest annual fees of any mainstream card. However, as long as you're willing to float it up front, you can get way more value back from the card — for instance, it's possible to get more than $2,000 in value from it during your first year.

The Platinum Card earns American Express Membership Rewards points, which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or more. However, the best option is to transfer them to a frequent flyer partner.

The card offers 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline, as well as flights and pre-paid hotels booked through Amex Travel. It earns 1x point on everything else. It also offers up to $200 in Uber credits each cardmember year, as well as up to $200 in airline credits each calendar year — if you open the card mid-year, it's possible to earn that twice in your first cardmember year.

The card comes with a number of perks, including access to more than 1,200 airport lounges within the Priority Pass network, as well as Delta Sky Clubs and proprietary American Express Centurion Lounges. It also offers complimentary Gold elite status with Marriott and Hilton hotels, as well as up to $100 per year in shopping credits at Saks Fifth Avenue, access to special events, and other perks at hotels.

The annual fee may turn a lot of people off from this card, but if you can get past that, the return it offers is tough to beat.

Pros: Valuable perks, useful benefits, possible to get outsized value

Cons: High annual fee — even though you can make it back, and more, you'll still have to float that at first

Click here to learn more about the Platinum Card.



The best Amex card for dining rewards

Why you'll love it: The Amex Gold Card has a lower annual fee than the Platinum Card, but it offers stellar rewards on dining and groceries and solid benefits. 

Welcome offer: 35,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months. 

American Express recently launched a massive reboot of its Premier Rewards Gold card, or "PRG," rebranding it as the American Express Gold Card, releasing a new metal design, and totally overhauling the rewards and benefits on the card. 

Right now, this is one of best cards available for dining, unless you're only interested in cash back, rather than potentially more valuable rewards points, and unless you find yourself abroad at restaurants often.

The Gold Card earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide and on up to $25,000 per year at US supermarkets (and 1x point after that), 3x points on flights booked directly with the airline, and 1x point on everything else. Based on the fact that you can easily redeem Membership Rewards points for more than 1 cent of value each, that makes this the highest-earning card for everything food-related.

The Gold Card offers up to a $100 airline fee credit each calendar year, and adds up to $120 of dining credits — split into $10 each month — at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Steak House, or participating Shake Shack locations.

New card members — those who haven't previously had the Premier Rewards Gold — can earn a welcome bonus of 35,000 points when they spend $4,000 in the first three months.

While it's difficult to assign an exact value to Membership Rewards points, The Points Guy subjectively estimates each point as worth 2 cents. That makes the welcome bonus worth $700. Even without factoring in the annual credit benefits, that's more than enough to make up for the card's $250 annual fee.

Check out our full review of the Amex Gold card for more details.

Pros: Stellar rewards on dining and groceries, useful benefits, lower annual fee than the Platinum Card.

Cons: High annual fee compared to some other cards.

Click here to learn more about the Amex Gold card.



The best cash-back Amex card

Why you'll love it: The Blue Cash Preferred earns cash back quickly at a great rate.

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

If you're less excited about earning Membership Rewards points — which can be valuable, but also tricky to redeem — and want to stick with cash back, the Blue Cash Preferred is the best option, despite its $95 annual fee.

Amex recently announced a refresh to the card. New and existing cardholders can now earn 6% cash back on select US streaming services and 3% back on all transit. That's in addition to the existing categories of 6% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year (and 1% after that), 3% back at US gas stations, and 1% cash back on everything else.

Like the EveryDay cards, the Blue Cash Preferred offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months, before switching to a variable 14.49–25.49% APR. 

The Blue Cash Preferred comes with a handful of travel and purchase protections as well. Cash back comes in the form of a statement credit, so effectively you can use it to "erase" purchases.

Pros: Bonus cash back on useful categories, easy to earn enough cash back to offset the annual fee, introductory APR

Cons: High annual fee for a cash-back card

Click here to learn more about the Blue Cash Preferred card.



The best Amex card for travel with a moderate annual fee

Why you'll love it: The Amex Green card earns bonus points on travel and dining — two very popular spending categories — and offers up to $200 in annual statement credits.

Welcome offer: 30,000 points (after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months). Plus, if you apply by January 15, 2020, get up to $100 in statement credits toward any eligible purchase made with Away luggage in the first three months.

The Amex Green card recently got a complete makeover, which saw it go from a card with very limited bonus categories to a top option for earning Membership Rewards points on travel and dining. 

Now, you'll earn 3 points per dollar on all eligible travel, which includes everything from subway fare to hotels to flights. You'll also earn 3 points per dollar at restaurants worlwide. In terms of points-earning, this puts the Amex Green card on par with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which also offers 3x points in these spending categories.

Other new benefits include up to $100 in statement credits toward CLEAR membership each year, and up to $100 in statement credits per year toward LoungeBuddy purchases (for airport lounge access).

The Amex Green card now has a $150 annual fee, but that's still relatively moderate, especially if you factor in those two annual statement credits (and three — if you apply by January 15, 2020, to get up to $100 toward an eligible Away luggage purchase).

Pros: Great rewards for travel and dining, generous annual statement credits considering the annual fee

Cons: Annual fee recently increased, annual statement credit for CLEAR doesn't cover the full cost of membership



The best Amex card for families

Why you'll love it: The EveryDay Preferred earns bonus points at US grocery stores and gas stations, making it a strong product for families and others who spend a lot in these categories.

Welcome offer: 15,000 points (after you spend $1,000 in the first three months)

The EveryDay Preferred is a strong option for anyone looking for a Membership Rewards card, but who's not interested in a premium card like the Platinum or the Amex Gold. It also has a strong points-earning scheme and a lower annual fee of $95.

The card earns 3 points per dollar spent at US supermarkets (up to $6,000 each year — 1 point per dollar after that), 2x points at US gas stations, and 1x point on everything else. You can also get 2x points on reservations made through Amex Travel.

Best of all, if you make 30 or more purchases in a billing period, you'll earn a 50% bonus. That means that those little $3 and $4 charges for things like coffee or a snack can help you get a ton of points quickly.

The card also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months, before switching to a variable 14.49–24.49% APR. If you have a big purchase coming up and want some time to pay it off, but don't want to pay interest fees, this is a great option.

Pros: Low annual fee, strong rewards structure, earns valuable points, 50% bonus when you make at least 30 transactions in a billing period

Cons: Relatively low welcome offer



The best no-annual-fee Amex card

Why you'll love it: The Amex EveryDay has no annual fee, but still earns valuable bonus points.

Welcome offer: 10,000 points (after spending $1,000 in the first three months)

The Amex EveryDay is a no-annual-fee version, which still offers solid rewards. It earns 2x points at US supermarkets (again up to $6,000 of purchases per year, then 1x after that) and at AmexTravel.com, and 1x on everything else. It also offers 20% more points when you make 20 or more purchases in a billing period.

Like most Amex cards, it features a few travel and purchase protections, as well as access to the Amex Offers program.

While most people will be better off with the Preferred, the regular EveryDay is still a strong option — especially since there's no annual fee.

Pros: No annual fee, bonus points available.

Cons: Earns points slower than most cards with annual fees.



The best Amex card with a 0% intro APR

Why you'll love it: With cash back, no annual fee, and an introductory APR, the Blue Cash Everyday is the best option for paying off a big purchase over time.

Welcome offer: $150 statement credit (after spending $1,000 in the first three months)

The Blue Cash Everyday is similar to the Blue Cash Preferred, with a different earning structure and no annual fee.

The card earns a lower 3% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 each year — and 1% after that — 2% back at US gas stations and select department stores, and 1% cash back on everything else. While many people spend enough in the bonus categories to make the Blue Cash Preferred the better option, this remains a decent card for anyone who's strictly opposed to paying an annual fee.

If you're looking to make a major purchase and pay it off over time, like an appliance or an engagement ring, you can take advantage of the 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months (after that, it reverts to a variable 14.49–25.49% APR). You'll earn cash back on the purchase, which you can put right towards paying it off.

Pros: No annual fee, introductory APR, solid cash-back earning rates

Cons: Lower cash-back earning rate than annual fee cards

Click here to learn more about the Blue Cash Everyday card.



Check out our guide to the best rewards credit cards

The best rewards credit cards in 2019

Credit cards with good rewards programs and great new member offers make it easier than ever to rack up a lot of points.

Since the 2016 launch of the Chase Sapphire Reserve by J.P. Morgan Chase, rewards credit cards have exploded into a mainstream obsession.

This was particularly evident among Millennials and Gen X-ers, as they jumped into the once-obscure world of credit card rewards and bonuses, drawn by the lure of high sign-up bonuses, special perks, and the opportunity to use points for free flights, hotel stays, and even first class tickets.

Now, more than two years after the debut of the Sapphire Reserve, what's the best move for someone seeking to boost their stock of credit card points and frequent flyer miles? Here are some of the top credit cards currently available, based on sign-up bonuses, rewards earned on everyday spending, benefits, and overall value.

Here are our top picks for the best rewards credit cards in 2019:



How to sum values in Microsoft Excel in 2 different ways, to add multiple numbers or cells together

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Excel Spreadsheet Getty 1152104531

  • It's easy to sum in Excel in two different ways to add a series of numbers together.
  • You can add two or more numbers using the AutoSum tool, or by manually totaling them with plus signs.
  • The AutoSum tool automatically selects a series of nearby numbers, but you can select any set of numbers by clicking and dragging with the mouse.
  • You can see the details of the calculation by clicking the cell with the sum and looking at the formula bar at the top of the screen. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

You can sum a series of numbers in Excel manually or automatically using the AutoSum tool in the ribbon. 

Both methods will always give you the same result, so you can use whichever one is more convenient.

Here's how to do it. 

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How to use AutoSum in Excel

AutoSum works best when you have a column or row of numbers you want to add.

1. Click the cell under a column of numbers you want to add. Or, if you want to sum a row of numbers, click the cell to the right of the series.

2. On the Home tab, click the AutoSum button (which looks like a sigma sign) in the ribbon.

excel sigma

3. You should see Excel draw a selection box around the numbers to be added. If the wrong numbers are selected, you can click and drag the mouse to choose the correct cells.

sum 1

3. Press Enter on your PC keyboard, or Return if you're using a Mac.

How to manually sum in Excel

1. Click the cell you want the sum to appear in and click "=."

2. Type a number or click a cell that has a value.

3. Type "+."

4. Type another number or click the next cell cell that has a value.

5. Repeat until you have entered all the values you want to sum, and then press Enter on a PC keyboard or Return on a Mac keyboard. 

sum 2

To check your work, click the cell with the sum and look at the formula bar atop the screen. It will show the details of the calculation.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best all-in-one PCs you can buy

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The US could end up running on gasoline forever, leaving electric vehicles to China and Europe

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environmentally sustainable transportation 2x1

  • Electric vehicles' sales growth worldwide has badly lagged predictions from 2010.
  • In 2019, EV sales make up only about 2% of global sales.
  • The failure of EVs to gain sales in the US reminds me of diesel-vehicle sales, which have also been meager. Europe runs on diesel, but Volkswagen's Dieselgate scandal could make EVs a bigger part of the market there.
  • If EVs are going to fulfill expectations, China is a logical place to look for growth, as its market could rise to 40 million in annual sales in the coming decades.
  • But the US could continue to run mostly on gas.
  • That might sound disappointing, but I'd rather see the next 10 million vehicles sold in China be electric rather than fixating on the poor showing of EVs in the US.
  • Read more stories from Business Insider's Driving the Future series.

Elon Musk at groundbreaking ceremony in Shanghai

In the decade I've been covering the auto industry, I've never seen a bigger mismatch between market expectations for electric vehicles and market realities.

Back in 2010, I was standing in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles to hear then-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn proclaim that by 2020, 10% of the auto market worldwide would be electric. The occasion was the introduction of Nissan's Leaf EV, a car that's still on sale today, even though Ghosn's career is in ruins as he awaits trial in Japan on allegations of financial malfeasance.

The global market for plug-in electric vehicles — and that's plug-in gas-electric hybrids as well all-electric battery vehicles, aka BEVs — stand at about 2% on the eve of Ghosn's benchmark year.

A decade is more than enough time for a market to develop for a new type of vehicle. It's happened again and again, with everything from muscle cars to front-wheel-drive sedans to minivans. That EV sales growth has been so weak, relative to expectations, means consumers fundamentally don't want the cars.

It gives me no joy to report this. In the US — the most competitive market — consumers don't want hybrids, either. They do want SUVs and pickups. While this trend has been great for automakers' bottom lines (SUVs and pickups are highly profitable), it's not going to rescue the planet from climate change. I have three children and I don't want them to inherit blistering winds in summer and savage hurricanes in winter.

Hope versus reality in the marketplace

Nissan Leaf

But I also can't ignore what's happening in the car business. It's true many more EVs are on sale today than in 2010, and most of the big-name automakers are either planning to introduce or have already rolled out a variety of all-electric vehicles. If the market doubles in the next few years, however, we'll still be 6% shy of Ghosn's prediction.

Consumer reluctance to make the switch from fossil fuels to electrons for automotive transport could be blamed on everything from patchy recharging infrastructure to relatively elevated EV prices to cheap oil. Still, the extremely sluggish growth of the EV market remains vexing.

Or at least it did until I started to think about the US market in particular in terms of prior developments in sensible gasoline alternatives.

That led me to diesel.

I'm old enough to remember when diesel cars, mainly sold by European brands, were being touted as excellent alternatives to gas-powered vehicles. And that was when those diesels were noisy and polluting, belching out black smoke. I'm also old enough to remember the advent of "clean" diesel, which solved the black-smoke problem. And who can forget Volkswagen's Dieselgate, when we learned that at least some of the clean-diesel revolution was a big fat lie?

That last part didn't really matter much, because of the roughly 17 million cars and light trucks sold in the US annually, a sliver ran on diesel fuel. Auto journalists love diesels. The torque! The acceleration! The MPGs! — but apart from the VW Group, almost nobody was selling diesel passenger cars and light trucks in America.

Diesel was a Euro thing. Like EVs, the arguments in favor of diesels were strong but ... they were a Euro thing.

Now they might not even be that, as Dieselgate has compelled the VW Group to rethink everything and move toward electrification in its home market.

Diesel flopped in the US. EVs could too.

Volkswagen

Still, the template remains instructive. Diesels were, in many ways, better than gas-powered vehicles, but the US wasn't convinced, despite the presence of widespread diesel-fueling options and the entire US freight system running on the stuff.

Gasoline, in other words, is strong in America. That's due to history: Gas was better than diesel for much of the automobile's evolution as personal transportation in the US, where speed was more important than low-end torque. Diesel was for tractors.

That brings us back to EVs and the USA.

For EVs to make up Ghosn's 10% of that market, we'd need to see yearly sales of 1.7 million. In 2018, fewer than 400,000 were sold. But the overall market has supported a 17-million-plus level for about five years now, almost all of it gas-powered. EVs would have to displace those gas sales, as the US market doesn't have much room for new sales growth at its current record or near-record levels.

So let's just cut to the bad news, or at least a sad prediction: The US could be gas-powered, mostly, forever. Sure, you'll be able to buy an EV from Tesla, or from Porsche, or from Nissan or a General Motors or Ford brand. Assuming those companies can figure out how to make money on the products.

Europe, by contrast, could witness a gradual replacement of diesels by EVs. But like today's small-engine diesels, those EVs could be modest city cars, with small batteries and limited range.

Where does that leave the electric car?

The globe's other major markets are Latin America which are, like Europe, a diesel realm, but an economically troubled one. And then there's China. Of these, China is the EV wildcard.

EVs could be big in China, and that'd be a good thing

electric cars charging china

It's already the world's biggest car market, with sales that inched toward 30 million in 2018. Some analysts think that China's yearly sales could hit 40 million or more, based on what they see in terms of vehicle ownership in fully developed economies. China's market has been retreating of late, after years of growth, but nobody expects the decline to be a permanent trend.

This is where the EV growth is likely to happen. And it might not be recognizable to anyone in the US because the vehicles could mostly be small, cheap, urban platforms. Bear in mind that I'm not even taking ride-hailing services or autonomous vehicles into account; all I'm doing is surveying the major global markets and trying to determine where EVs could make up a substantial percentage of sales.

So there you have it. The US runs on gas, Europe runs on a mix of diesel and electricity, and China takes all the EV growth. This, in my view, is the extreme realist prediction. Dozens of factors could change or spoil it. But unlike diesel in the US, which didn't benefit from government subsidies, EVs have been supported by assorted federal and state incentives. And still ... 2% of sales.

Is this a bad thing?

It's bad if you're an American and you crave leadership on electrified mobility. It's not bad if you look at another 10 million or more in annual vehicle sales in China and want those cars to emit nothing from their tailpipes (because they don't have tailpipes).

Given a choice, I'd rather have an electrified China but a US where existing gas technologies continue to improve, lowering emissions to near-zero levels and extracting reliably ascending fuel economy. In the same way I go to Europe now and exchange the roar of American gas motors for the rattle of diesel engines, I could visit China and hear the whisper of electrics.

That could be a bummer. But I might just have to live with it.

Read more stories from Business Insider's Driving the Future series here.

SEE ALSO: Electric vehicles are a tiny piece of the global car market, but Volkswagen is making a huge bet on them. It doesn’t have a choice.

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How to zoom in and out on a Chromebook in 5 different ways

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google chromebook

Zooming in and out on a Chromebook is easy — you just have to know which of the many methods you can use will work best for your unique situation. 

For example, you'll have to consider whether you want to simply increase the size of everything on your screen, or just the text on a specific page.

Here's a breakdown of the methods you can use to zoom in and out.

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How to zoom in and out on a Chromebook

  • Increase or decrease the size of a specific page: Press the "Ctrl" button and the plus or minus sign button to zoom in and out — you can also reset the zoom quickly by pressing "Ctrl" and "0." As you zoom, you'll see a notification with your current level of zoom, represented as a percent, appear in the top-right corner of the page.
  • Increase or decrease the size of everything on the screen: Press "Ctrl," "Shift" and the plus sign to increase size, or the minus sign to decrease the size. Again, replacing the plus or minus with a "0" press will reset the screen.
  • Magnify the entire screen: Here, everything will stay the same size, but you'll zoom in closer. Press "Ctrl," Search — the magnifying glass icon key located just above your "Shift" key — and "M." You'll be asked to confirm that you want to magnify the screen — hit "Continue" to do so, then navigate using your trackpad.

1 HOW TO ZOOM IN ON CHROMEBOOK

  • Magnify part of the screen: Press "Ctrl," Search and "D." You'll need to enable this by hitting "Continue" in the pop-up that appears. You'll then see the part of the screen where your cursor hovers magnified at the top section of your screen.

2 HOW TO ZOOM IN ON CHROMEBOOK

  • Increase or decrease the whole screen magnification: Press "Ctrl," "Alt" and brightness up (or down) key — those are located between the mute and show all screens keys at the top of your keyboard. Keep in mind that this only works if you've already magnified the screen.

If you have a Chromebook with a touchscreen, you can also zoom in or out by using two fingers, as you would with any touchscreen smartphone.

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5 ways you're sabotaging your progress without even realizing it, according to a life coach

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Stephen Lovegrove

  • Stephen Lovegrove is a life coach who works with billionaires, Hollywood stars, and hundreds of international clients. Lovegrove is an international bestseller and the host of "City of Angels: Conversations That Heal LA." Lovegrove's works have been featured on MTV, LA Times, OWN, and many more.
  • Lovegrove writes that while we want to know we're moving in the right direction, we sometimes don't realize how we're sabotaging ourselves. 
  • We can't expect things to simply just change, but need to invest in personal growth. It's important to create clear indicators for how we're measuring that growth and progress — and we shouldn't spend time comparing ourselves to others.
  • It's easy to always feel busy, but take the time to determine if the work you're doing is fulfilling or leading to income.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Progress, according to Merriam-Webster, is "forward and onward movement." Isn't that what every business owner desires? 

We want to know that we are moving forward in the right direction. We want to know that we are making progress toward what matters most to us. 

And yet, we all get sidetracked from time to time — looking back on the seasons of our lives and recognizing we didn't make the progress we intended to make. 

How does that happen, and what can we do to ensure we're not accidentally sabotaging our progress? Let's dive into five ways you may be sabotaging your progress and not even realize it.

SEE ALSO: A survey of 1,000 executives found that you won't regret taking these 7 career risks

1. Expecting everything to change overnight

I've heard it said that we overestimate how much our lives can change in a day, while underestimating how much our lives can change in a year. The same is surely true about our income, our businesses, and our careers. 

When we put too much pressure on ourselves to achieve an outcome immediately, it has the opposite effect of what we intended. Instead of motivating ourselves, we end up discouraged and defeated. 

Your life and business are probably not going to completely change overnight — at least, not on a regular basis. However, if you commit to consistently making progress and moving in the right direction, you might be shocked at what you can accomplish. 

Simple math tells us that if you increase anything by 1% every single day, you will have multiplied it by 37 by the end of the year. James Clear teaches this principle as the "art of continuous improvement."

Stop expecting everything to change overnight, and embrace the process that is personal growth.



2. Measuring the wrong indicators

You can't make progress toward your goals if you don't even know what progress looks like. While that may sound like an obvious truth, you'd be surprised by how many people I talk to who don't know what kind of progress matters to them most. 

Here are some questions to help you discover the metrics you should be paying attention to: 

What do I want? 

After six years of coaching hundreds of people, you'd be surprised by how many individuals I have worked with who are not in touch with their desires at all. Sure, they might know where they prefer to get sushi after work, but they don't know or acknowledge what they want most deeply out of their lives. Many of us have accepted blindly what society tells us to want, as if there was one American dream that will magically fulfill us all. Others have succumbed to the agenda of various people in their lives, whether it be parents or relatives or friends. None of these answers can actually lead you down the path of true meaning and satisfaction. You must answer for yourself — what do I want? 

How will I know I got what I wanted? 

Give yourself a clear description and paint a vivid picture. If you claim that you want to "get fit," for example, the next question is going to be difficult to answer, because you have a vague definition of success that provides no direction on how to get there. If you instead choose a goal like "losing 20 pounds," "working out five days a week," or "a visible six pack," you know exactly what you are moving toward, and now you have an end goal to reverse engineer. 

What steps must happen in that process? 

Although the famous song describes going from zero to 100 "real quick," it hardly ever happens quickly in real life. There's a process involved with many steps in between for everything we desire to accomplish. Hopefully it won't take 100 steps, but you do need to determine what steps will be required in your journey. The good news is, no matter what outcome you are pursuing, there are surely others who have already gotten there and can share their experience with you. Reverse engineer the path to figure out what step one looks like for you today.  

How do I want to feel along the way? 

This question may be the most important one of all. I've often said to clients: The end does not justify the means, but rather, the means create the end. Whatever energy you put into the process will end up leaking into your final product. Make sure you know how you want to feel when all is said and done, and then make it a priority to begin generating that feeling right now. If you postpone the feeling now, you'll probably still withhold it from yourself after you cross the finish line. 

These four questions will help you determine what progress you most want to see. 

If you're an entrepreneur, for example, you may determine that progress looks like building your client base, increasing client retention, and boosting your sales numbers. If that's what matters to you most, it's important to keep that at the forefront of your focus. If you instead end up measuring things like Instagram followers and how many people like your posts, you might end up trying to win a game that doesn't even matter to you in the long run. 

Don't make the mistake of measuring progress that doesn't matter, only to realize the goals and dreams that matter most have gotten left behind.



3. Comparing yourself to others

Over my six-year journey of building a business, nothing has slowed down my own progress more than getting lost in the comparison game. 

On his podcast interview with me, John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneurs on Fire shared one of his favorite sayings: "Compare and despair." I couldn't agree more. Comparison will never lead us to the progress we desire. 

The classic example of the comparison trap is athletes running a race. It literally slows a runner down to take a split second to look to their right or left; they cannot pay attention to what others are doing without having their own pace be affected. I believe the exact same dynamic is true for each of us as we strive toward our own goals and dreams. 

If we're caught up in what other people around us are thinking, saying, or building, we lose energy and momentum around what's in front of us to create.



4. Filling your time with activities that don't produce income or fulfillment

I talk to entrepreneurs constantly who tell me how busy they are, and I understand they are telling me the truth. The vast majority of business owners feel incredibly busy in their everyday lives. 

Now, there's nothing wrong necessarily with having a full schedule or working long hours, but it's important that we are aware of what our busyness entails. If all it amounts to is a whole bunch of busy work, we may in fact be wasting our time. 

I challenge my clients to look at the activities that are filling up their calendars and ask the following two questions: 

Is this making me money? 

Be honest with yourself here. Don't settle for a vague answer like, "Well, it's related to my business, so I suppose it does." Most business owners are spending tons of time on activities that don't actually increase their profit at all. So look for a direct connection. Is what you're about to spend time on actually going to (at least potentially) result in income? 

Does this bring me fulfillment?

Only you can determine what brings fulfillment to you, but it's important to know what that feels like within yourself and to note the activities that create the feeling. This question should be easy to answer, because we know it when we feel it. 

Everything that you do should answer at least one of those questions with a resounding "yes." Obviously, everything does not have to be income generating to be worthwhile. You should spend time with your kids, for example, even if you could be working more instead. So it's not that we are trying to cut every possible thing that isn't profitable. 

But if you're going to do something that isn't making you money, it better serve another purpose in your life — bringing you happiness, meaning, and fulfillment. 

What we want to avoid is the category of busy-work activities that lead us nowhere. 

Especially early on in someone's business journey, it's easy to get caught up in chores like updating your website, making business cards, or reformatting your social media that allow you to feel productive, but don't necessarily affect your bottom line. If you stay in this pattern for too long, you'll end up frustrated and defeated, wondering why you're putting in so much work and can't make progress. 

Remember: It should move you forward or give you fulfillment if you're going to spend substantial time on it.



5. Trying to create success from the outside in

When it comes to progress, the ultimate trap is believing that you can force external change without changing who you are internally. 

While that methodology may create temporary results, it doesn't produce progress that lasts and feels good. 

One of my favorite spiritual texts, "A Course in Miracles," teaches that you can't have something you are not willing to be. While this might sound like hippie metaphysical jargon to you, there's a deep truth here that's extremely relevant to every business owner. 

You must become the CEO, entrepreneur, or leader who consistently makes progress as a part of who you are. 

We always reset our lives back to the truth of who we believe that we are. If you limit your progress to the surface level, you will end up undoing the progress you've made and reset back to what has become your normal. 

Everything that lasts is built from the inside out. Progress happens that way, too. 


So yes, there are plenty of distractions and pitfalls that can slow down our progress temporarily, but if we know what to watch out for and what to prioritize, it is completely possible to stay on track and move forward in the right direction consistently. 

Here's the message I'd like to leave you with today: 

You are right where you are intended to be. Don't get distracted. Don't get discouraged. 

Know what matters to you and keep it in front of you. You may not get there overnight, but if you stay in the flow and stay true to your path, you will indeed get there. 

I believe in you, and I always will.



Hyatt is the latest hotel chain vowing to cut mini shampoo bottles from its rooms, and it's as good for the environment as it is for business

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Mini hotel shampoo bottles

Tiny toiletries are being squeezed out of hotel rooms.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is the latest hotel chain to do away with mini shampoo bottles in the name of sustainability. In a November 12 statement, the chain announced it would transition to larger, more eco-friendly bathroom amenities in all 200,000 of its hotel rooms by June 2021 at the latest. The decision plays into Hyatt's larger sustainability action plan, which also includes responsible food sourcing.

"Plastic pollution is a global issue, and we hope our efforts will motivate guests, customers, and indeed, ourselves to think more critically about our use of plastic," said Hyatt president and CEO Mark Hoplamazian in Tuesday's press release. 

The change comes after other major hotel chains have made similar promises.

InterContinental Hotels Group, which includes Holiday Inn and Kimpton brands, announced in July that it would offer toiletries in bulk-size dispensers in all 800,000 of its hotel rooms by 2021. The Washington Post reported that the company expects to reduce plastic waste by 200 million little bottles a year. 

Marriott International followed shortly after. In August, it vowed to completely eliminate plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel from its hotel rooms by December 2020 – an expedited timeline. Marriott is the largest hotel chain with 7,000 hotels and 30 brands ranging from SpringHill Suites to Ritz-Carlton. It estimates the change will result in 500 million fewer discarded small bottles a year – or 1.7 million pounds of plastic.

The environmental change is not only responsible – it's good for business

A global online survey conducted by Nielsen in November 2018 found that 85% of millenials reported that "it is 'extremely' or 'very' important that companies implement programs to improve the environment." And, as previously reported by Business Insider, millennials are willing to spend more on travel than any other generation, making the age group the hospitality industry's most impactful target market.

"... As the 'typical' hotel guest morphs from a boomer to a millennial, concern for the environment is now a top-10 'must-have' in a hotel stay," Chekitan Dev, a professor of marketing and branding at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration told the Washington Post in an email, regarding InterContinental Hotels Group's July decision to reduce plastic waste.

Christophe Thomas, the general manager of the SLS Beverly Hills, which was just rated the best hotel in the world by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, echoed Dev's sentiment on responsible travel in an October interview with Business Insider. He identified the key strategies the hotel relies on to capture millennial interest, including "being connected to the local area" while remembering that "we are citizens of the world." The hotel, Thomas said, does so with strategies as subtle as using local produce in the hotel's restaurants because "it's responsible behavior to be local."

Business Insider Today spoke with nonprofit organization, Clean the World, on its plan for an eco-friendly future, as hotel chains eliminates mall plastic bottles.

 

SEE ALSO: The top-rated hotel in the world, according to travelers, is in Beverly Hills — and its manager says the future of hospitality hinges on 2 seemingly contradictory factors

DON'T MISS: The 17 best hotels in the world, according to travelers

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How to outline text in Photoshop to make your text stand out on a custom image

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photoshop

It's great that social media platforms give you the ability to add text to pictures when you're making a flyer or publicizing an event to post.

However, there are times when the preferred background to a photo makes the text on top illegible — even if you try writing with every color in the rainbow.

Fortunately, there's Photoshop. And you don't have to resort to the far more complicated process of modifying the background of a photo in the application.

You can simply add an outline to the text in Adobe Photoshop CC 2020, making it readable, regardless of what picture you've chosen to frame it.

Here's how:

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Adobe Photoshop (From $129.99 at Best Buy)

How to outline text in Adobe Photoshop CC 2020

1. Upload the photo in Photoshop you'd like to add text to by opening Photoshop, clicking "File" in the top menu and "Open" from the drop-down list. You can also do this by pressing "command" + "O" on your Mac or "control" + "O" on your PC. 

How to outline text in Photoshop

2. Select the photo that you'd like to import into Photoshop and click the blue "Open" button.

3. Now, you can add text to your image. Bear in mind that you'll just need the letters to be a large enough font size to accommodate the surrounding outline.

4. Once you add the text, a new layer will be created. Right click the layer in the "Layers" panel on the right side of the screen. Select "Blending Options" at the very top of the pop-up menu.

How to outline text in Photoshop

5. Tap "Stroke." Modify the "Size" by dragging the arrow across the bar to the right of "Size:" or by manually typing in a number in the box to the right of the bar until you're happy with the outline's appearance. You can also adjust the color and opacity in the same window. 

AddTextPhotoshop3

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How to unfreeze your Venmo account, or contact Venmo for support if you don't know why it's been frozen

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Venmo logo is seen on an Android mobile phone.

  • It's easy to unfreeze your Venmo account if you have insufficient funds — simply transfer enough money to your Venmo account to cover the debt and it should unfreeze in a few days. 
  • However, if Venmo has frozen your account for violating policies, you'll have to contact Venmo to unfreeze it. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Venmo is a mobile payment app that allows you to send money to peers directly, without having to fumble with cash or make change. 

If you have Venmo, you know how convenient it is — but you might not be feeling that convenience if Venmo has frozen your account.

There are a few reasons why Venmo might freeze an account. 

The first and most common reason is that you simply did not have enough funds in your bank account to complete a transfer.

When this happens, Venmo still pays the person you transferred money to, but you now owe Venmo that amount. The quickest way to clear your account is to pay the debt using a debit card. 

Here's how to do it. 

How to unfreeze your Venmo account 

1. Go to venmo.com/addfunds, preferably on a computer, and sign in to your Venmo account.

2. In the pop-up window, select the bank you would like to transfer the funds from. Note that you will need to have your bank account verified with Venmo to do so.

aavenmo

3. Enter the amount you would like to transfer, which should be at least as much as you owe.

4. The money should transfer to Venmo, thus unfreezing your account, in two to three business days.

Venmo may also freeze your account if you violate its User Agreement— specifically, if it notices suspicious activity occurring, or if you are participating in any other of the many "Restricted Activites" outlined by the company in the User Agreement, like using Venmo outside the US. 

A frozen account could mean that Venmo thinks somebody is using your account without your knowledge, freezing it in order to prevent further fraudulent payments while they investigate. It could also mean they think there may be some illegal activity being carried out on your account.

If any of these may be the reason your account was frozen, you will need to speak to someone at Venmo to resolve the issues. Here's how: 

How to contact Venmo to unfreeze your account 

1. Go to venmo.com/recover and log in.

2. Reply to the email Venmo sent when your account was frozen. You may need to include a photo of a valid form of ID so that they can verify that it's you.

It's also easy to call Venmo. Between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm, Monday through Friday (and with the exception of "major holidays"), you can call the company's Customer Care Team at 855-812-4430.

You can also chat with someone from Venmo directly from the app. To do so:

1. Open the Venmo app.

2.  Tap the menu icon in the upper left hand corner.

3. Tap "Get Help" at the bottom of the menu.

avev

4. Tap "Contact Us," the middle option.

aavef

5. Under "CONNECT WITH A HUMAN," select "Chat with Us." This will start a chat with a live operator who will help you.

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