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10 Real People Who Are Winning Their Fight With Debt

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bridget casey

As human beings, there are some traits that we all have in common—two hands, one heart, red blood, and, unfortunately for most of us, a wealth of debt. 

The average American carries a $47,000 debt load, and as a nation, nearly $2 trillion of our collective debt is either delinquent or 90 days past due. 

Part of the problem in figuring out where to begin getting out of the red is knowing who to turn to for help. Maybe you're too embarrassed to fess up to your issues or you can't afford a financial advisor. So you might pick up a $20 self-help book or enroll in a $200 debt makeover course online. 

Save your money. Some of the greatest advice out there can come from the person standing next to you in line at the grocery store. To prove our point, we've rounded up 10 truly inspiring stories of real consumers who faced their debt head-on and managed to come out on the other side. 

Carrie Smith, 28, found herself $14,000 in debt at age 25. She dug her heels in and paid it off in a year.

Who she is: Smith is an ex-small business accountant who dedicates her time to helping entrepreneurs manage and make more money.

Her debt wake-up call: "Three years ago ... I started thinking about what my life would be like as I got old and grey. I just finalized a painful divorce and found myself with a mountain [$14,000] of debt. Not exactly what I pictured for myself at 25 years old," she says. 

How she paid it off: She started by tackling her credit card debt, as it carried the highest interest rates.  For motivation, she made a timeline of her progress and used the free debt payment tool www.readyforzero.com to come up with a payment plan she could handle. Then, there were sacrifices: Giving up cable, a gym membership, tanning/salon visits, vacations, dining out, and going to the movies. To up her income, she freelanced as a writer.



With a Master's degree under her belt, Kari Gordon went into denial about her $30,300 loan balance. It took four years but she finally paid it off.

Who she is: Kari, 30, lives in the greater New York City area and works at a non-profit.

Her debt wake-up call: "When I finished graduate school, I was in student debt denial. When the first bill arrived, I stuck it in my bill basket and pretended it wasn’t there for a week...For several months after I got that first bill, I paid the $350 minimum payment. With each electronic debit from my checking account I hated myself and hated my decision to take out student loans. Being in debt made me miserable!"

How she paid it off: Gordon will be the first to tell you there is no secret to paying down debt.  She broke her debt down into more manageable amounts and made a strict budget. With time, she was promoted at work and took up extra work babysitting, filling out online surveys and freelance writing. She also got a roommate, started cooking meals at home and got rid of her car. 



Grayson Bell, 29, financed $50,000 for his small business with three credit cards and hit rock bottom during the recession. He paid it all off within 4 years.

Who he is: Grayson, 29, lives with his wife in Raleigh, N.C.

His debt wake-up call: "After the economy took a plunge in 2008, I decided to get out of my business.  It was taking a toll on my personal life and my health. ... Though I was done with my business, I was not done with the damage that it left behind.  Four years of personal and business related expenses went onto my credit cards.  My ending balance was hovering around $50,000. Seeing this balance made me sick to my stomach.  I never knew I could accrue so much debt and have so little to show for it."

How he paid it off: Together, Bell and his wife canceled cable and got their Internet with an over-the-air antenna. He worked freelance jobs and kept track of his progress on a white board. Rather than rely on pricey central air conditioning, he bought a window A/C unit, which cut their bill by 40%. To help with his credit card debt, he capitalized on balance transfer offers between credit cards.



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Grad Student Lived On A Boat For 14 Months To Escape Student Loan Debt

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American students aren't the only young people feeling the crush of student loan debt. British college grads carry an average $25,000 USD worth of debt after graduation, just $2,000 shy of their American comrades.

To escape falling into a similar fate, UK native Joe Pearce, 23, took extreme measures to stay debt-free while attending graduate school — he lived on a boat. 

Pearce was kind enough to chat with us by phone recently and tells us how he managed to turn a 23-foot sailboat into his own get-out-of-debt free plan:

"There was no financial back-up plan." 

Pearce, who studied hydrography as an undergrad (the science of mapping bodies of water), managed to pick up the tab for his £10,500 ($16,000 USD) degree on his own, in part thanks to a hotel that gave him free lodging in exchange for work.

"Most people have parents for financial support, but my dad lost his sight with multiple sclerosis and he used to be the breadwinner, so there [was] no financial backup," he said.

The plan after graduating was always to go for his Master's, but Pearce was determined not to go into any debt. That meant finding a way to take care of the £3,700 ($5,700 USD) cost of the program.

Making matters worse, he'd just broken up with his live-in girlfriend.

"My girlfriend and I shared rent of £100 ($150 USD) per week, so when we split, I was left with £400 ($600 USD) a month," Pearce said. "I [knew I] wouldn't have enough to finish my Master's."

Inspiration struck. 

the golden cloudPearce's love for water was practically genetic. He grew up on the Isle of Wright and studied in the seaport town of Cowes, well-known by locals as the international home of sailing.

"I've always had a soft spot for the sea, and [boating] is in my heart," he said. "My best memories as a child were ... going out on my dad's boat, kayaking around the coast and estuaries of the island and visiting my grandpa in Cornwall with his moorings and boats ... So I wondered, what if?" 

If he could actually make living on a boat a reality, he'd have to find the right vessel – at the right price point. 

He hit the Web, eventually coming across a 23-foot sailboat named The Golden Cloud. 

The owner wanted £3,000 ($4,600 USD) for her, but Joe managed to barter the price down to £800 ($1,200 USD) – just about the cost of two month's rent.

He was home. 

The Golden Cloud wasn't exactly a luxury yacht.

The Golden Cloud was built in the early 1970s and it didn't take long to show signs of age.  It leaked on rainy days and was rotted in spots. At its tallest point, the cabin reached five feet, so Pearce, who clocks in at just under six feet tall, spent much of his time crouched down.

"It's like camping in a wooden tent that can float," Pearce said. "It's really not a babe magnet, not with the rot and mold and half-finished wooden tables and tiny bunks."

For the price of £1 ($1.50 USD) a day, Pearce moored his boat at a UNESCO nature reserve, saving hundreds on the cost of docking in a nearby marina. He relied on his neighbors to teach him how to "control the beast," helping to fix leaks and deal with mechanical problems. 

golden cloud

"On a sunny day it was a lovely place to be," Pearce said. "On a rainy day when it [the boat] was leaking from the ceiling and there was condensation inside, you don't really want to be there." 

There were other drawbacks to life at sea. Pearce was eight miles away from campus and bicycled the distance every day to avoid the costs of fuel or public transportation. For money, he still worked at the hotel, using most of his spare cash to buy essentials like a heavier sleeping bag or solar panels for the boat so he could have electricity.

His resourcefulness didn't end there. Pearce replaced the toilet with a wood-burning stove, which doubled as a heater when the cabin got to a numbing 17 degrees Fahrenheit. He cooked meals onboard, too, using drift wood from the nature reserve for fire.

Pearce estimates that he saved £5,500 ($8,500 USD) by living off of his boat.

It all paid off in the end.

When he graduated with his Master's in December 2012, Pearce was dirt broke and totally debt-free.

"I had the money to [travel] when most people come out of university with debt," he said.

With his meager savings, he was able to afford a plane ticket to Greenland, where he spent time volunteering. 

After his return from Greenland, he settled back on The Golden Cloud and sailed the 500 miles home to the Isle of Wight off the coast of England. On his way home, Pearce raised somewhere around £400 ($600 USD) for Lifeboats and Isle of Wight Society for the Blind, two charities that helped his dad after he lost his vision.

Now, Pearce hopes to join the Royal Navy as a hydrographer, but until then he plans to take The Golden Cloud on a few more adventures.

"The boat is on a river close to the sea," he said. "I take my dad out fishing and in the long run I hope to do a lap of Britain." 

SEE ALSO: This Duke grad student lived in a van to escape student loan debt >

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6 Ways To Host An Affordable, Fun Summer Party

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summer bbqSummer's here, which means it's time to invite over the neighbors, fire up the grill, and move your meals outdoors. But just because formality is going on vacation doesn't mean your entertaining costs are going to drop: After all, as even a quick glimpse through your local department store will reveal, it's possible to spend a fortune on summer entertaining -- even if you discount the cost of air conditioning.

One strategy for keeping costs low is to focus on the basics: You want fresh food, you don't want to cook indoors, and you don't want to worry about foods that will spoil in the heat. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of reasonably-priced summer eating and drinking tips that will keep your house cool, your guests happy, and your backyard full. If we've missed any of your favorite summer entertaining ideas, please be sure to mention them in the comments section below!

Good bets for summer sippers

When it comes to summer wines, classic buying tips apply: Many wine shops offer steep discounts on overstocked wines or partial cases. Beyond that, there are several inexpensive wines that are great summer chillers: Vinho Verde, for example, is a light, summery Portuguese wine that often costs $5 or less a bottle.

As for beer, if you're looking for something that hits the sweet spot between a run-of-the-mill Budweiser and a pricey microbrew, you might consider a German hefeweizen. These smooth wheat beers aren't too hoppy, are fairly crisp, don't have too much alcohol, and taste great with a wedge of orange. Alternately, if you still have fond college memories of Mickey's wide-mouths and Gennessee Cream Ale, you'll be pleased to know that inexpensive American cream ales are experiencing a renaissance.

For the soft-drink crowd

When it comes to cost-effective beverages, it's hard to beat everyday sodas, but if you want a cheap soda that isn't loaded with high fructose corn syrup, the options get a lot thinner. A few weeks ago, we looked at some of the best bets at your local Asian market, but if you have a Latin American store in your area, you might try Jarritos, a Mexican soda brand that uses cane sugar instead of HFCS. As an added benefit, Jarritos comes in wide variety of flavors -- like watermelon, pineapple and tamarind -- that are sure to surprise your friends and family.

Festive decorations on the cheap

When it comes to decorating for a garden party, lighting is key. Mini Christmas lights are attractive and cheap: a strand of 100 lights will probably set you back about $8 or so. If you'd like a slightly retro look, tiki torches start at less than $5 apiece. Or, if you want to go with a more personal touch, you can try making your own citronella candles. Candle molds are only a few bucks, and a jumbo citronella candle will give you enough wax for several smaller candles.

Smart snacks

When it comes to garden party snacks, it's hard to beat a basic cheese plate. They're easy to assemble, don't require cooking, and don't have to cost a lot -- all you need are a few types of cheese and a thinly sliced baguette. If you want to go whole hog, throw in some olives, slice up a few apples, and add in some slices of prociutto or sopressata.

If you want to go with something a little more summery, chilled gazpacho is a good option. The simple Spanish soup is tasty and inexpensive to make. And, if you really want to impress your guests, check out this watermelon blueberry gazpacho recipe from Food Republic: it's sweet, spicy, and absolutely distinctive!

Bang-for-the-buck main courses

One of the great secrets of classic Southern cooking is that the three classic meats -- pulled porkbeef brisket, and chicken -- are not only delicious but are also extremely economical. Plus, pork shoulder and brisket will take several hours to cook, giving you the perfect excuse to sip beer in the backyard with your friends.

And now for dessert

Nothing says summer like fresh watermelon, and the price is definitely right. But if you want to go a little more elaborate, here's an option: combine your favorite berries in a bowl (personally, I like a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and sliced strawberries). Add balsamic glaze to taste, and set aside in the fridge. When you're ready for dessert, take the berry mix and either drizzle over vanilla ice cream or pound cake, then garnish with whipped cream. For less than $15, it's a sure way to wow your family and friends.

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5 Tips That Will Get You Closer To Your Dream Vacation

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beach

Summer is prime vacation time for most Americans. Whether they are planning a beach escape or a city adventure, everyone is looking for a little R&R.

However, one in three Americans say the lackluster economy is causing them to stay put this year. 

For those who can afford to get away, they're on a tight budget. The average summer travelers will spend $1,665 on travel expenses this year, reports a study by Harris Interactive.

To help you stretch your dollar, we reached out to Mark Drusch, travel expert at CheapoAir for help. From airline tips to singling out off-peak destinations, Drusch's tips just might get you out of the office yet.

1. Don't travel at the peak, peak of summer. The second and third week of August are when the most people take their trips. If you can, travel before or after. You will save big on airfare and hotels. September is a great time to take advantage of back-to-school season, when resorts will start lowering rates to compensate for the lack of families.

2. Think outside the city. Planning a trip to a popular tourist destination means paying higher costs on everything from lodging to food. Try staying in a city close by and you could save loads. For example, find a cheap hotel in Baltimore, Md. if you're looking to visit Washington, D.C. It's a cheap train ride away. Or crash in Oakland, Calif. while you visit San Francisco. You get all of the fun, without the hiked up price.

3. Don't let airports suck you dry. Be smart and pack light. Baggage fees are no joke. Pack your clothes in a carry-on bag so you don't have to pay checked bag fees and bring food with you to snack on in-flight. Unfortunately, you'll have to cough up cash if you want a drink for the flight, but gift shops are generally lots cheaper than in-flight extras. 

4. Visit counter-seasonal destinations. Southwestern states see more tourism in the winter, but it can be equally as enjoyable during the summer –– and lot more affordable. Book a hotel with a pool to cool off and enjoy the lower flight and hotel costs.

5. Finally, a no-brainer –– book everything well in advance. Whether it's a hotel or a flight, you'll pay less the further in advance you book. Drusch recommends booking a flight at least 45 days before you intend to travel. Also, use comparative sites to see the costs of airfare on competing airlines. For example, Tingo.com offers to match hotel rates if you book on their site and the hotel lowers their prices before your stay. Airfarewatchdog.com is a great place to track flight prices over certain periods of time, if you can be flexible.

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7 Products That Will Keep You Sweat-Free This Summer

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sweating

Keep scorching temps from soaking your wardrobe with these sweat-proofing products.

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Face Gel

As always, it starts with skincare. "During the warmer months, your skin gets a lot more moisture from the air," explains Ada Polla, skincare expert and CEO of Alchimie Forever. "Look for oil-free products that will help with shine and excess sebum." Her Antioxidant Skin Repair Gel($55) is the perfect all-in-one: aftershave balm, instant cooling effect with rosemary, and it keeps your skin matte all day. Make sure to tap it into the hairline and along the T-Zone for extra protection.



Face Wipes

"If you work out in the mornings, carry face wipes in your gym bag," says Polla. "You'll continue to sweat for about an hour after you workout, so clean up that oil and sweat to prevent odor."

As we all know, sometimes the AM commute can be just as dampening as a gym session. Get two packs of Dermalogica's Skin Purifying Wipes ($17)—one for the gym, one for the office. Your shirt will no longer have that humid, sweaty feeling, and you can clean up oily patches on your face.



Dry Shampoo

Sometimes, the best tips really do come from the ladies. Dry shampoo is essentially hairspray that zaps moisture, so your hair is left dry and refreshed. (Think of it as a shower without water.) Just blast the front areas of your hair where you collect sweat, and reapply product as needed (or not at all). The easiest to use is hands down Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray ($39).



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13 Scientifically Proven Ways To Be A Happier Person

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laughing girls

You have the power to make yourself happier.

That's what we learned from 13 scientific studies that discovered small changes we can all make to improve our outlook on life.

From writing down the good parts of your day to simply smiling, here are a few proactive steps you can take towards becoming a happier you.

Spend money on other people.

Spending money on other people instead of yourself makes you feel happier, a study published in "Psychological Bulletin" found. 

The study concluded that "the happiest people were the biggest givers, no matter what they earned." They always felt better donating to charities and giving to others than splurging on themselves.



Count your blessings.

Literally.

University of Pennsylvania professor Martin Seligman (as well as multiple other independent studies) proved that people who wrote down three good things that happened to them every night were significantly happier than the control group.

They don't even have to be important: Your crush smiling at you or your spouse remembering to buy your favorite dessert count, too.



Try something new.

People who go on adventures, try new experiences, and switch up their routines are generally happier, research has shown.

Trying new things also keeps motor function sharp and stimulates brain waves.



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Americans Are Less Healthy Than They Think

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EatingFrom beer to cronuts, Americans can't get enough if our national obesity problem is any indication. But a new study reveals many of us are in denial about our health—and are actually less healthy than we perceive.

In a study commissioned by Aetna, the insurance giant measured everything from how we rank our health compared with other generations—to why some of us exercise at all: To look good in our underwear.

"There is a disconnect," mused Keri Gans, about the study's participants. "It's surprising."

For example, while 67 percent of people believe they need to lose a median of 25 pounds, another 54 percent believe they can be healthy—even if they're overweight, the "What's Your Healthy" study found.

But jokes aside, misinformation can mean serious health consequences. More than a third of adults are classified as obese by the Centers for Disease Control.

"Being healthy is about being at a healthy body weight ... the higher their weight goes, the higher their risk increases," said Gans, also author of the "The Small Change Diet." 

"There is that road to health. More people are getting on it," she said. "I just think we need more people to be on that road."

(Read MoreAmerican Medical Association Wants Obesity Treated as Disease)

The Greatest Generation

Many Americans firmly believe their own generation is the healthiest—even as most want to get cracking on losing an average of 25 pounds, according to the study.

Aetna's study also found that a lot of people—45 percent of those surveyed—think that their own generation is in the best shape, followed by their parents' generation and then by the generation younger than their own. "It's wishful thinking," said Gans,

And each generation thinks about being healthy in different way, according to the survey of 1,800 adults between the ages of 25 and 64.

Baby boomers—those 50 to 64—are twice as more likely than GenXers and millennials to describe themselves as healthy including getting regular doctor checkups or screenings.

Millennials—those between 18 and 34—are more likely than other generations to think that having good eating habits and exercising regularly equals being healthy—even as they are far more likely to hit the booze to deal with stress, which 37 percent of them admitted doing often.

And about half of the millennials and GenXers—those 18 to 48—said they snack on unhealthy food when they're stressed out. These two younger groups, perhaps not surprisingly, are more vain than the older baby boomers—with about a third of each of the younger generations saying they care about looking good in their underwear.

Just 19 percent of the baby boomers worry about how they look in their undies.

(Read More: Setting a Price on Weight Loss)

Eternal Question: Sleep or Workout?

When it comes to exercise, 44 percent of those surveyed said they are more motivated to exercise when they can do it alone. That desire to exercise alone surprised Gans as group fitness classes including indoor cycling, boot camp and yoga are prevalent.

Regardless of who they exercise with, more people would rather sweat than sleep if they were granted an extra hour in their day, the study found. A total of 18 percent said they would exercise, compared with 13 percent who said they would snooze.

Gans said that was another example of peoples' disconnect, because "sleep is very important to your health."

"If you get enough sleep, you tend to lose weight," she said. 

 

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31 Stunning Pictures Of American National Parks

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Cactus Saguaro National Park

With everything from vast deserts and gorgeous beaches to sprawling mountain ranges, America is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in the world—and nowhere is that more evident than in the national parks.

The National Park Service oversees 401 areas throughout the U.S. and U.S. territories and has nearly 300 million visitors each year.

You don't have to be a hiking fanatic to enjoy these places. You can swim, kayak, birdwatch, walk, bike, drive, camp, or just relax in the country's national parks.

We found some spectacular pictures of national parks, monuments, seashores and heritage areas around the country that will make you appreciate how beautiful the U.S. really is.

The volcanic basin of Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, formed nearly 8,000 years ago. At almost 2,000 feet deep, the lake is the deepest in the U.S.



Visitors come to hike the granite peaks, swim on the beaches, and even get married in Acadia National Park, Maine, the first national park east of the Mississippi River.



Nestled within the nearly 1.5 million acres of parkland at Everglades National Park, Florida, are endangered animals such as the manatee, American crocodile, and Florida panther.



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The Definitive Traveler's Guide To Martha's Vineyard

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martha's vineyard beach

Salty breezes. Fresh-caught seafood. Storybook villages.

Just off the southern coast of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard is the ultimate New England summer escape.

More From Travel + Leisure:

Lay of the Land: At just 100 square miles, the Vineyard is split between down-island and up-island towns.

Down Island

Edgartown: Stately homes of 18th-century whaling captains line the streets of this historic town.

Oak Bluffs: Known for its Victorian cottages and kitschy fudge shops, this is the island’s tourist hub.

Vineyard Haven: Come here for one-off boutiques and the main ferry terminal.

Up Island

Aquinnah: Make the trek to this western town for its colorful clay cliffs and Gay Head Lighthouse.

Chilmark: Islanders escape the summer crowds for the quiet fishing villages along Chilmark’s coastline.

West Tisbury: The most bucolic area has acres of rolling farmland.

Getting Around

Catch a ferry from Massachusetts, New York, or Rhode Island. If you don’t bring your car, rent a bicycle or a moped. Taxis are also plentiful.



Stay: The island has no shortage of charming seaside inns. Here, five that top our list.

Beach Plum Inn: There’s a lot to love about this seven-acre hilltop retreat overlooking Menemsha Harbor, from its clutch of country cottages, where interiors are artful studies in pastels, to the restaurant’s panoramic water views and alpaca pen. Bonus: free passes to the private Lucy Vincent and Squibnocket beaches. Chilmark. $

Charlotte Inn: Towering linden trees frame the clapboard façade of this 1864 merchant’s house. The lobby is full of 19th-century oil paintings and Edwardian objets d’art; upstairs you’ll find 19 intimate rooms done up with plush canopy beds, grandfather clocks, and vintage steamer trunks. $$$

Dockside Inn: At this seaside Victorian Revival, a stone’s throw from the Oak Bluffs ferry terminal, wide wraparound porches are ideal for watching boats sail in and out of the harbor. The backyard garage is stocked with beach necessities, from ice chests to sand toys and loungers, and a 1956 Rolls-Royce is on hand for a spin around the island. Oak Bluffs. $

Hob Knob: Playful elements—dog-shaped lamps; chintz wallpaper—make the Hob Knob ideal for travelers seeking a whimsical alternative to the island’s old-school inns. Take a fishing trip around Vineyard Sound on the hotel’s 27-foot Boston Whaler—and bring back your catch for dinner. Edgartown. $$$

Winnetu Oceanside Resort The 54-suite Winnetu is as close as the Vineyard gets to a mega-resort, with a library, fitness center, and vast lawn outfitted with a nine-hole putting green and a turtle pond. The hotel is just a 250-yard walk from South Beach. $$

Hotel Pricing Key
$ Less than $200
$$ $200 to $350
$$$ $350 to $500
$$$$ $500 to $1,000
$$$$$ More than $1,000



Eat: Martha’s Vineyard is all about farm-fresh ingredients and, of course, plenty of seafood.

Black Dog Tavern: A visit to the Vineyard isn’t complete without a stop at this waterfront landmark, mere steps from the main ferry. The rough-hewn interior is decorated with boat tackle and other seafaring objects, but grab a seat at an outdoor picnic table—if one is free. What to order? A lump crab cake sandwich and a bowl of quahog chowder. Vineyard Haven. $$

Hooked: Opened last year, the sibling to popular island spot Atria quickly became the place for in-the-know locals. Its buck-a-shuck oyster happy hour (in July and August) is a perfect prelude to dinner. Look for seafood classics (grilled salmon; soft-shell crab) and offbeat items such as Asian-style baby back ribs. Oak Bluffs. $$

State Road: Many of the ingredients here are picked from the restaurant’s own gardens. Dig into lemon-ricotta pancakes or the locavore burger, with house-made garlic dill pickles, in a wood-beam dining room outfitted with American antiques. West Tisbury. $$$

Sweet Life Café: An alum of New York City’s Aureole, chef Carlos Montoya turns out Frenchified American classics at this romantic Victorian town house—a favorite of the Obamas. Start with a bottle of Chardonnay from the cellar (it’s one of the island’s largest), then try the grilled rib eye with Parmesan velouté followed by a strawberry terrine. $$$

Faith’s Seafood Shack: The sashimi and lobster rolls alone are worth the trek to this no-frills, cliffside haunt near the Gay Head Lighthouse, complete with knockout ocean views. Aquinnah. $$



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Public School Kids Trash Multi-Million Dollar Home In End-Of-Finals Party

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beer keg stand college frat

Public school students trashed a £2 million home in Hampstead they had hired for an end-of-term party when the event turned into a 'riot’ that ended with clashes with police.

The sixth form pupils at a top north London private school had rented the £750-a-night house to celebrate finishing their exams.

But as more and more guests started arriving, the party spiralled out of control, with revellers dousing the furniture with petrol and smashing the owner’s crystalware.

The party then moved celebrations onto the road outside. When police arrived, the students began fighting in the street, creating scenes that local residents said were similar to the London riots.

The house is just yards away from the homes of a number of celebrities, including actor Tom Conti, Esther Rantzen, the TV presenter, and footballer Thierry Henry.

The owner, who did not wish to be named, said she thought they had rented the house for a quiet sleepover but was instead left with a £15,000 repair bill.

She said: “I really didn’t expect any of this, they said it would just be a small sleep-over.

“They were putting paint and petrol everywhere. They smashed an expensive granite sink, ripped up mahogany floorboards and they were flinging my crystal decanters around the place.

“The kitchen knives were out – somebody could have been killed. It was like a looting in my own house.”

Canisters of the “laughing gas” drug were found strewn around the house as well as a plastic bag filled with white powder and other paraphernalia.

Chris Fallows, 49, a writer who lives in the area, said: “There were about 40 or 50 kids, all well-dressed, and they were yelling right in the cops’ faces.

“They were inches away from them, shouting, cursing and refusing to move, and this went on until about 2am.

“A lot of the kids had their cell phones out and were thrusting them in the faces of the policemen, almost daring them to do something. It was as though they thought they were taking part in some kind of Arab Spring.”

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It felt like the London riots were starting again outside my house. I thought, 'this is about to go off’.

“Two or three were singled out and flung to the ground and then flung into a van. Nothing like this ever happens in this neighbourhood.”

Talking about the party on their Facebook accounts the following day, one of the revellers asked “shall we arrange another?” while another answers, “Yessss plzz (please) do it again - i think we could keep it on lock if there was security tbh (to be honest).. Then feds can say anything.”

Party-goes had a whip-round and left £480 in cash on a table for the damage. Then in a bizarre twist, another boy who would not give his name turned up the next morning and handed the owner a further £3,000.

However she said the money is not nearly enough to cover the repair bill.

She also criticised police for not taking the matter seriously enough, saying: “There were drugs everywhere but the police aren’t helping, they say it’s just a civil matter.

“I want to warn people. When you’re renting, even through an agency, you have to really get all the details of the people when you take them on. This could happen to anyone.”

The case against a 17-year-old youth charged with a public order offence in connection with disorder in the street after the party was dropped last week. A 17-year-old youth and a 16-year-old have been bailed to return to police at a later date.

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13 Gorgeous Mountain Retreats Around the World

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Jade Mountain Resort in St. LuciaForget the beach—nature lovers know that the best way to experience the great outdoors in the summer is to spend some quality time in the mountains.

If your idea of summer bliss involves hiking, biking, and swimming, these gorgeous resorts should be just the ticket. And if exotic scenery is a must, you’ll be happy to know that great mountain escapes can be found in tropical locales, too.

The Ahwahnee - Yosemite National Park, California

Nestled deep amongst the pine trees, cliffs, and canyons of Yosemite is the 123-room Ahwahnee Hotel. The impressive stone and wood structure was built in 1927 and is now considered a National Historic Landmark. Rooms with views of the Half Dome and El Capitan mountain peaks are filled with gorgeous dark wood and rich tapestries of Native American design. Highlights here include the Great Lounge with its 24-foot-high ceilings and a large stone fireplace. The grand dining room, flooded with natural light, is a must-see. This hotel is on the expensive side, and parking is limited, but the prime location and views are well-worth the price tag. A cool tidbit for movie lovers: parts of the Ahwahnee's interior, particularly its vivid red-and-black-framed elevators, were used as inspiration for the fictitious Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining.



Mountain Lodge - Telluride, Colorado

Located in Mountain Village, Mountain Lodge at Telluride is a classic Colorado mountain getaway. This log-cabin style lodge offers spacious condo and cabin rentals for groups from two to 14 people. Most rooms have kitchens, gas fireplaces, and private balconies in addition to small touches like humidifiers to battle the dry Colorado air. One highlight of this hotel is the year-round outdoor pool and hot tub with sweeping mountain views. The hotel's cozy restaurant, aptly named "The View", has a huge fireplace and plenty of space to lounge and enjoy a local beer. Additional perks here include a small fitness center, steam rooms, and free Wi-Fi.



Hope Lake Lodge - Finger Lakes, New York

The 106-room Hope Lake Lodge is practically a town unto itself. Guests have free access to a pool and several whirlpools, and for a small extra fee they can splash at the attached water park. Outdoor activities in the area abound, as the property sits next to the highest point in the county — the ski resort — which is attached to a year-round adventure center for zip lining and snow tubing that makes it easy for kids to stay entertained. More adult activities include signature cocktails next to the lobby’s cozy fireplace and an array of spa treatments. The property has a Northwoods decor throughout, and many details were crafted by local artisans. The staff is made up of family members, students, and long-time locals, and the resort exudes a relaxed home-away-from-home vibe.



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Breathtaking Photos Of Classic Rolls-Royces On A Road Trip Through The Alps

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rolls-royce centenary alpine trial

A century ago, the Rolls-Royce Ghost entered the Alpine Trial, a week-long endurance rally around Central Europe.

The car did spectacularly, finishing in the top four every day but one, and earning it a well-deserved reputation for reliability.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the feat, the luxury automaker gathered 47 vintage Ghosts, joined by their 21st century descendant, to recreate the rally.

On June 14, 150 participants from 12 countries took off from Vienna on an 1,800 mile trip that would include Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy.

On the gorgeous mountain passes and ocean roads, the classic cars make for a beautiful sight.

Here's a map of the route the cars followed in 1913.



The 2013 route took the cars through Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia.



Before starting out on June 14, the cars lined up in Vienna's Stadtpark.



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You Don't Need An Outdoor Grill To Make These Droolworthy Chicken Wings

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chicken wings

 July 4 is just around the corner, and that means it’s finally time to bust out that bag of charcoal or refill your propane tank, because grilling season has officially begun.

Even if you live in a small apartment with no outdoor space or safe grilling area to speak of, you can still enjoy that quintessential charred flavor by doing a bit of indoor, urban grilling  just don’t forget to open your windows and turn on the exhaust.

Wings are one of America’s most beloved and versatile foods. You can fry them or bake them, make them sweet, spicy, or both, and slather them with almost any kind of sauce, from one in a jar to one you whip up on your own.

We think that the best way to enjoy wings this season is to throw them on the grill, whether that means getting outside and sparking a flame, or just turning on your stove and heating up your griddle. The key is making sure that you marinate the chicken overnight to ensure that they are both tender and full of flavor.

These wings pack a punch with exactly the right amount of spice and coated in a sweet, sticky sauce that will leave you licking your fingers and going back for seconds.

Sweet & Spicy Grilled Wings

Serves 4

For the Marinade:

3 pounds chicken wings (whole or separated, either is fine)

¼ cup hot chili oil or Sriracha

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons smoked paprika

2 teaspoons kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

juice of 1 lemon

For the Sauce:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3 tablespoons hot chili oil or Sriracha

3 tablespoons honey

juice of ½ a lemon

Combine all of your marinade ingredients in a small bowl. If you are using whole wings, cut a slit in either side of the fatty skin (so they are easier to eat later)  if you are using pre-cut wings, use them as they are. Place the wings in a gallon sized sealable bag or sealable container and pour the marinade of them. Use your hands to be sure that the wings are well coated, then refrigerate overnight.

When you are ready to cook, heat your grill to medium heat (or your indoor griddle to high heat). Place the wings on the flame and cook for 5-8 minutes on each side, depending on how hot your surface is.

While the wings cook, whisk together the sauce ingredients, taste, and adjust seasonings as necessary. If you want the sauce to be spicier, add more hot chili oil or Sriracha. If you want it to be sweeter, add more honey and/or lemon juice. When the wings are nice and charred, toss in the sauce and serve hot. These can be made a day or two ahead of time, if you like, then placed in the oven under the broiler or on the grill to quickly reheat and serve.

SEE ALSO: We Came Up With 5 Delicious Beer Cocktails For Summer

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This Creepy Art Project Dies A Little Every Time It's 'Liked' On Facebook

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liked to death

Jean Baudrillard, the French philosopher whose ideas inspired The Matrix, didn't live long enough to sign up for a Facebook account.

It's a shame. As somebody who wrote about reality and simulations, he would've seen his theories echoed in the way social media allows us to create a virtual persona—and how that persona starts to become equally, if not more, important than our real life selves.

Geoffrey Lillemon and Stööki explore similar conceptual territory with Like to Death, a subversive project that explores Facebook's digital shelf-life. Inverting Facebook's most popular interactive mechanism--the omnipresent "like"--the project actually disintegrates a bit with every thumbs up, whereas not liking it will preserve the project from experiencing an untimely digital death.

Upon loading the Like to Death website, users are presented with flickering, pixelated white light on a black void. In the middle, the robed figure of Death, flanked by three symbols. On Death's fingers, four heads in place of rings. Lillemon and Stööki describe these symbols as “demons”—an alternative to terms like digital personas or simulacra. As more and more people “Like” the project, the portrait gets destroyed “by being engulfed in flames and particles.” And if users refresh the page, they will see Death undergoing further disintegration as likes accumulate. 

Stööki, founded by Luke Hippolyte, Nadia Abbas and Quincey Cassell Williams, is in one part an independent jewelry and apparel label, but also an art collective. Based in London, Stööki is interested in fusing jewelry with garments, and transforming “graphic art into a 3D form.” Geoffrey Lillemon, a leading figure in the contemporary Net Art movement, works with digital 3D animation and modeling. His style is one that's clearly inspired by the Tumblr generation's lo-fi, DIY approach to visual art. 

liked to death

Asked to describe Like to Death's “mortal time based experience,” Lillemon had this to say:

“It's art that may or may not last as long as archiving is possible. In this case we take a portrait of Death, and his state of existence is drastically altered and diminished by people clicking the 'Like' button until it is completely destroyed. If people like it to death, then it's gone forever. But if they don't like it, then it keeps on existing. So the way I see it is, if they 'like' it, they don't want it to live; therefore not liking it means they like it.”

Stööki often use social media to engage with their audiences, but recognize the pitfalls of this type of social interaction.“It's ironic that some people have a constant battle with saying things like 'I'm going to delete my Facebook, or I'm trying to give this a break and stick to Twitter, and then two months later they are back on it,” said Stööki. “It's more about making a point when it comes to Like to Death—we are all aware of online personas, but we never really explore the fact that it takes many of us to build a social network and many of us to destroy it.

“We don't actually realize the power of 'Like' and 'Share' just gets stronger and stronger. Who knows, one day we may be able to vote just by clicking on one 'Like' button,” they added.

liked to deat

liked to death

liked to death

See more images of 'Liked To Death' at The Creators Project >

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The Best Free Attractions In America

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Staten Island Ferry

Imagine seeing masterpieces by van Gogh, entertaining your kids with activities, and strolling a hilltop garden with waterfalls and beautiful views at sunset.

Now imagine doing it all for free. That’s how your day could play out at the Getty Museum in L.A., where admission doesn’t cost a thing.

Enjoying what America has to offer can get expensive fast: in 2011, the U.S. travel industry made $813 billion, and some of America’s most popular cities are also its most expensive. Travelers of all budgets can appreciate a good deal, and with high gas prices and airline fees, it’s refreshing to know that there are still some venues like the Getty that give another meaning to the land of the free.

In our search for the top free attractions, we bypassed public parks and train stations to focus on experiences you wouldn’t necessarily expect to be free: a guided tour of Gothic-style Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah; an afternoon with cute baby animals at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo; and a behind-the-scenes look at a Harley-Davidson factory.

Money-saving strategies for New York, the priciest U.S. city for visitors according to Hotels.com, include taking advantage of free admission evenings at museums and timing your trip to July and August, when hotel prices drop. One of our favorite freebies year-round is a ride on the Staten Island Ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty and downtown Manhattan. When you’re done, you might pay your respects at the free National September 11 Memorial not far from the terminal.  

Tim Leffel, affordable-travel expert and author of the book Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune, points out that during the summer in particular, cities cater to both locals and tourists with “a packed schedule of freebies, from outdoor concerts to art walks, plays in the park to outdoor movie screenings.” Spoiler alert: we know where to find free ukulele and hula classes.

Find out just how far $0 can get you from coast to coast—and share your favorite free experiences in the comments below.

Smithsonian Museums, Washington, D.C.

The National Zoo, National Museum of Natural History, and National Air and Space Museum—which displays The Spirit of St. Louis—are the biggest crowd-pleasers among the 18 Smithsonian institutions in D.C., otherwise one of the country’s priciest cities.

Indeed, making knowledge accessible is key to the mission of the world’s largest museum and research complex. Affordable-travel expert Tim Leffel observed that the three museums he visited with his wife and daughter would have set them back more than $100 in most European capitals. And here's a bonus: you can download a free appabout the National Mall sites from the National Park Service.



New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

Most national parks encourage you to tune in to nature; this one celebrates jazz in its birthplace, New Orleans. There’s live music at the visitor center in the French Quarter and the Old U.S. Mint six days a week, and a kids’ music workshop on Saturdays at Perseverance Hall in Louis Armstrong Park.

The visitor center also hosts free talks, video documentaries, and exhibits on local jazz history. You can pick up one of two self-guided audio tours, “Jazz Sites in New Orleans” or “Jazz Walk of Fame.”



The Getty Center, Los Angeles

Maximize your time at the Getty by visiting on a Friday or Saturday, when this sprawling hillside art complex is open late—allowing you to take in sunset views. The light-filled museum interiors display an impressive collection of European and American art including Vincent van Gogh’s famous Irises.

Debbie Dubrow of the family travel blog Delicious Baby recommends the Family Room’s interactive exhibits, giant illuminated manuscripts, and an art treasure hunt. “And whenever you need a break, just pop outside to the Getty’s fabulous gardens,” she says. While parking is admittedly expensive ($15), the Getty is also accessible by public transit.



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Big Tobacco CEO Unapologetically Smokes His E-Cig At The New York Stock Exchange (LO)

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Citi recently declared electronic cigarettes to be one of the 10 disruptive technologies that are changing the world.

Murray Kessler, CEO of Lorillard Tobacco was on the New York Stock Exchange floor on Friday.  CNBC's Carl Quintanilla recorded this Vine of Kessler taking a puff of one of his company's Blu e-cigs.

Is this the future of smoking indoors?

From @carlquintanilla:

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ROAD MAP: The Best Stops Along California's Highway 1

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Swanton Berry Farm

As much as we love perusing the colorific streets of S.F., our real-deal happy place is a picturesque drive down the Northern California coast — tunes blasting, top down, friends in tow.

So, now that we’re officially in the thick of road-trip season, we thought to take a quick jaunt down Highway 1 and deliver our top must-see spots. After all, it's the journey that counts!

Need some pointers? Here, 10 seriously quirky havens that were just vying to be unearthed — from S.F. to Santa Cruz — with deets on everything from an adorable strawberry farm (Airstream included) to a haunted restaurant, all for your traveling pleasure. Now rev up that engine and let’s hit the road!

Point Montara Lighthouse

While this idyllic stop may not stray too far from S.F., we definitely recommend pulling over to ogle the Point Montara Lighthouse.

This blink-or-you'll-miss-it destination houses an adorable, functional (you can’t explore inside, though) lighthouse, a private beach, and overnight accommodations. It reminds us of a teensy fisherman’s retreat, with buoys and a blanket of fog acting as the ultimate marine accessories.

While we can’t vouch for the overnight stay, we do know that the sweeping views and steamed cappuccinos are enough to keep us coming back.

Point Montara Lighthouseat 16th Street and Highway 1, Montara; 650-728-7177.



Moss Beach Distillery

We dig a good ghost story. So, for us, stumbling upon Moss Beach Distillery was like hitting a paranormal jackpot. The eerie restaurant is tucked a bit off Highway 1, but be sure to stop in for a drink and let the staff woo you with haunting tale of the “blue lady.” 

Apparently, she was the wife to the former restaurant owner way back when and had an extramarital affair with the in-house piano player. Scandal. Subsequently, they both disappeared mysteriously and haunt the premises (seriously, this place has been on everything from Unsolved Mysteries to A&E's They See Dead People).

If that’s not spooky enough, it’s perched within a stone’s throw of an Indian burial ground. One thing that’s hardly frightening? The amazing sunset views from the patio (the restaurant provides blankets if it’s chilly!) with a stiff drink in hand.

Moss Beach Distillery, 140 Beach Way (near Los Banos Avenue), Moss Beach; 650-728-5595



J V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

After savoring the stunning views at Moss Beach Distillery, we recommend high-tailing it up the road, parking, and scoping out one of Northern California’s coolest wonders — the tide pools at J V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.

Go when the tide is low and you will spot a plethora of inspiring wildlife — we’re talking starfish, neon-hued anemone, octopus, seals, and crabs.

A road trip wouldn’t be complete with out a little one-on-one nature time, right? The pools are sprinkled with all sorts of ecological gems. This is one stop you don’t want to pass.

J V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve200 Nevada Avenue (near Lake Street), Moss Beach; 650-728-3584.



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28 Triumphant Moments From The Smashing NYC Gay Pride Parade

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gay pride parade new york city DOMA marriage lgbt

Last week the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, which forbade the federal government from acknowledging same-sex marriages administered by individual states. 

As a result, LGBT families can finally be seen as equal to straight families in the eyes of the government, something that confers immense legal protections and tax features to the LGBT community. 

The ruling couldn't have come at a better time. Days later, New York City would be celebrating Pride events all weekend, culminating in a Pride Parade of 50 floats and 300 individual contingents down Fifth avenue and into Greenwich Village. 

That scheduled event — which took place earlier today — took on a whole new meaning following the DOMA hearing. Check out these pictures to see why. 

The LGBT Pride March took place earlier today in Manhattan



The parade had thousands of marchers and tons of floats from different LGBT groups.



A bunch of local companies sponsored floats.



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The US Has Issued A Travel Warning For Egypt

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egypt protests

US holidaymakers have been warned to avoid all non-essential travel to Egypt after five people – including an American student – were killed at the weekend during violent clashes.

Andrew Pochter, 21, from Maryland, died after being stabbed in the chest in the coastal city of Alexandria, where anti-government protesters stormed an office of the ruling Muslim Brotherhood.

It was not clear what Mr Pochter was doing at the protest, but Egyptian officials said he was carrying a small camera. His family said they believed he had been witnessing the protest as a bystander.

The US state department has warned citizens to “defer non-essential travel to Egypt at this time due to the continuing possibility of political and social unrest”.

Despite the weekend’s unrest, the Foreign Office is not yet warning Britons to avoid travel to any major Egyptian cities. However, it is urging travellers to “avoid all demonstrations and gatherings”, and “exercise caution at potentially sensitive locations, such as government buildings and police stations”.

It continues to warn against travel to the Sinai peninsula, excluding the resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Taba, Nuweiba and Dahab, St Catherine’s Monastery and roads connecting the five locations.

In January 2011, at the height of the uprising, the Foreign Office warned Britons to avoid travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez. The advisory was lifted a few months later.

Unless a similar warning is issued, holidaymakers due to travel to the country will be unable to cancel or rearrange their trip free of charge.

Violent protests continued last night in Cairo. Several dozen youths attacked the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt's capital using stones and firebombs.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tahrir Square, calling for the resignation of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.

SEE ALSO: These Photos Show Just How Massive The Protests In Egypt Have Become

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A Deadly Heat Wave Baked The Western US [PHOTOS]

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Heat Wave

An unrelenting heat wave gripped most of the Western United States this weekend, sending dozens to hospitals and shattering temperature records for this time of year in places like Death Valley and Las Vegas. 

On Saturday, where temperatures in Sin City reached 115 degrees, tying a record set for the same date set in June 1994, an elderly man was found dead in a home without air conditioning. 

The extreme heat also fueled a forest fire in Central Arizona that killed 19 firefighters

Meanwhile, people did their best to stay cool in dangerously high temperatures.  

A young boy stops to cool off in a misting fan while walking along the Las Vegas Strip on Friday, June 28, as temperatures soared into the triple digits.



Two men dressed as Star Wars characters took a photo near an unofficial thermometer in Death Valley National Park. Officials think the thermometer, which reads 131 degrees Fahrenheit, is about three degrees on the high side.



A Park Service employee also poses in front of the unofficial temperature gauge on Saturday, June 29.



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