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19 icebreakers to use at uncomfortable networking events

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networking

If your go-to conversation topics revolve around work and weather, then you probably don't enjoy going to networking events.

But talking to new people doesn't have to be such a drag.

There are ways to get the conversation going without resorting to irritating clichés.

Check out these 19 icebreakers that will help ease you into an engaging conversation with people you've never met before.

This is an update of an article originally written by Natalie Walters.

SEE ALSO: How to talk to anyone at a networking event

'Hello'

A smile, a name, and a confident handshake can sometimes go a long way, says Ariella Coombs, content manager for Careerealism.com: "Sometimes, the easiest way to meet someone is to offer a handshake and say, 'Hi, I'm Peter.'"



'Are you originally from [whatever city the event is in], or did your business bring you here?'

This question will help you jump-start an engaging conversation with ease because "it doesn't feel like you are asking for a stiff elevator speech," Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert and owner of The Protocol School of Texas, tells U.S. News & World Report.

The conversation will allow both parties to talk about themselves, which is the ultimate goal of career-savvy people attending a networking event, Gottsman says.



'What motivated you to come to this event?'

Rather than asking the classics like "What's your name?" or "What do you do?" Darrah Brustein of Network Under 40/Finance Whiz Kids tells Inc. that she likes to ask what motivated an attendee to come to the event.

The answer to this question will give you insight into your conversation partner's career goals, and you may even find that you can help them to achieve those goals, Brustein says.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 things that'll happen when you solo travel

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solo travel city backpack

You step off the plane in a new destination and feel that both liberating yet terrifying feeling sweep over you as you realize you are in a new country and completely alone.

Without a gaggle of friends to flank you on either side or a companion to hold your hand and watch your bags, you eventually learn to tap into your inherit street smarts and embrace the beauty of being solo.

Whether backpacking through Asia, spending a week in Argentina or passing through London, the following 10 things will happen to every solo traveler.

You Will Get Lost.

You may have a map fused to your hand but despite your best efforts you will get lost during your travels. A winding street will take a sudden turn leaving you wondering when exactly you crossed over to a new part of town; when this happens simply breathe and get oriented. Getting lost can be a wonderful thing while traveling as it can introduce you to charming cafes, cobblestone streets and lovely parks you might have otherwise missed.



You Will Question Your Sanity.

There will come a point where your brain will whip around, face your heart and ask “WHAT were you thinking?!” It might be on the flight as the engine revs up for take-off or it could be upon landing when trudging through the airport but you will question your sanity for solo traveling and wonder why you ever thought it was a good idea. Give it time. Solo traveling reveals itself to you slowly, blossoming in all its emotional intricacies as a truly life changing experience.



You Will Have Some Sort of Financial Mishap.

You’ll exchange money and misjudge the currency exchange (the rate was what!?) or you’ll leave for the day with less money than anticipated and find that your handy mathematical skills have failed you. The best advice is to be aware of your belongings and surroundings as you’re traveling sans family and friends to watch your back. Never leave with all your money, never exchange all your dollars and only take the money you need for each day when going out.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 10 best luxury hotels in the world, according to travelers

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Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur

It's no secret that hotels can make or break a vacation. From cleanliness, to amenities, to fluffy pillows and welcoming staff, hotels are meant to feel like a home away from home. 

But luxury hotels take that idea several steps further — offering things that you could never find at home, like designer toiletries, deluxe beds, state-of-the-art fitness centers, and sprawling casinos.

For the annual Loved by Guests Awards run by Hotels.com, nearly 20 million guests weighed in on their favorite luxury hotels in the world. The hotels that were determined to be the best were found to have the highest average rating from Hotels.com users.

The result is a top-10 list of hotels that boast unmatched levels of comfort, decadence, and service. 

SEE ALSO: 6 incredible new hotels that deserve all the hype

DON'T MISS: Follow Business Insider's lifestyle page on facebook!

10. The Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is a destination in itself. With over 4,000 guest rooms, it's a monstrosity that encompasses some 20 restaurants, three poolside bars, huge fitness and spa facilities, an in-house nightclub, and, of course, the infamous casino. Oh, and the whole thing is constructed along a series of faux-Venetian canals.

Make a reservation here »



9. Just minutes away from Disney World, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando lets you stay in style while experiencing all that the theme parks have to offer. With a whopping 12 restaurants and two poolside bars, there's certainly no shortage of dining options. Three outdoor pools, a full fitness center, a kid's club, and an expansive golf course help pass the time away if Mickey Mouse and his friends aren't on the agenda.

Make a reservation here »



8. The Mondrian London has everything you could possibly need on a visit to this classic destination, and then some. Situated right on the bank of the River Thames, impressive views, stunning decor, and the finest of amenities — including outdoor terraces, designer toiletries, and fine dining — make for an unforgettable stay.

Make a reservation here »



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

An artist makes the most disturbingly realistic cakes we've ever seen

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Lamb-Head-CakeKatherine Day is a registered nurse in upstate New York, and probably sees some gory things in her day-to-day.

This seems to bleed into her hobby, as she bakes some of the most disturbing — and realistic — cakes we have ever seen.

Instead of building Pinterest-perfect, flower-adorned treats, Dey decided to take a different route – one that's decidedly more frightening. Take a look at her creepy creations.

For this gruesome treat, Katherine used her husband's head as inspiration.



Inside, you'll find a tasty red velvet cake!



Some of her cakes seem cute at first...



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 20 wealthiest private colleges in America

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The wealthiest private colleges in America eclipse many corporate giants as financial powerhouses. The endowment for Yale University, for instance, is worth nearly twice as much Macy's or MGM Resorts. Harvard University — the richest college in the country and $13 billion wealthier than Yale — could buy Prudential, General Mills, or Nokia with its $36 billion endowment. 

Schools like Yale and Harvard use their endowments to support their operating budget and invest for future opportunities, from providing scholarships and financial aid to funding research and other initiatives. The richest colleges, frequently the most prestigious, can offer more of these opportunities to their students and community, giving them a leg up in recruitment and helping them burnish their academic reputation.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), an organization under the US government that collects and analyzes education data, provided Business Insider with the most recent figures on US college endowments (the fiscal year ending in October 2014). It also provided its most recent data on the annual cost for a student to attend each college while living on campus. 

Business Insider rounded up the 30 richest colleges overall, and below we've highlighted the 20 wealthiest private colleges — which all boast endowments of more than $3 billion.

Additional reporting by Alex Morrell.

SEE ALSO: The 50 best colleges in America

DON'T MISS: The 30 richest colleges in America

20. Johns Hopkins University

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Endowment: $3.39 billion

Total cost:$63,529

With nine schools and more than 240 programs— including top-ranked biomedical and environmental engineering programs— Johns Hopkins offers undergraduates endless areas of study, from biophysics to music composition. Johns Hopkins Hospital, the teaching hospital and medical center affiliated with JHU’s school of medicine, is regarded as one the best in the country.



19. New York University

Location: New York, New York

Endowment: $3.44 billion

Total cost: $66,022

The largest private research university in the US, NYU has over 40,000 students not only in New York but in cities all over the world, including Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its renowned Tisch School of the Arts has churned out notable alumni such as Martin Scorsese and Alec Baldwin. The university's Stern School of Business is one of the 20 best business schools in the world.



18. Vanderbilt University

Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Endowment: $4.05 billion

Total cost: $62,320

Vanderbilt prides itself on being ranked No. 1 on the list of schools with the happiest students by Princeton Review. With over 200 music venues surrounding the school’s campus, Music City provides the university's students with a lush playground for exploration. The options don’t stop there, about 40% of Vanderbilt’s students choose to study abroad with one of the university’s more than 120 programs available in 36 countries on six continents.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

11 interview questions you should never answer directly

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You may think a question about whether or not you have kids is totally innocuous small talk, but it's one of many questions best left unanswered during a job interview.

While very few specific interview questions are by themselves illegal to ask, Laura Davis, an associate professor with the Department of Finance and Legal Studies at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, explains in the Journal of Employment and Labor Law that some questions may be used as evidence of discrimination and, so, are ill-advised for interviewers to ask.

"Since it is reasonable to assume that all questions in an interview are asked for some purpose and that hiring decisions are made on the basis of the answers given, any question asked during the interview can be used as circumstantial evidence of a prohibited discriminatory motive," she says.

In the US, certain personal characteristics are part of a protected class and can't be targeted for discrimination thanks to certain federal or state antidiscrimination laws.

"Even without any intentional ill will, employers who have knowledge concerning the protected class status of applicants may make biased assumptions about their capabilities or work habits," Davis says.

That's why, to protect against claims of discrimination, hiring managers are frequently advised to steer clear of asking certain questions altogether and stick to questions that focus on the specific criteria needed for a candidate to perform the job.

Unfortunately, not all hiring managers are informed about discrimination laws. So a good rule of thumb for job candidates, then, is to sidestep any questions that are blatantly irrelevant to the role you're interviewing for and specifically to avoid answering the following questions directly:

SEE ALSO: A Salesforce exec who hires more than 8,000 people a year shares one question she asks every job candidate

DON'T MISS: Here's what Elon Musk, Richard Branson, and 28 other successful people ask job candidates during interviews

'What does your spouse do?'

This question may seem like harmless small talk, but it's not as innocuous as you might think.

Some states, like New York, explicitly ban employers from discriminating against applicants based on their marital status.

And while Title VII, the portion of the federal Civil Rights Act that prohibits employment discrimination, does not bar employers from asking for information relating to protected-class status, it does ban discriminatory employment decisions made on the basis of this information.

Because of this, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) — which brings lawsuits against employers on behalf of workers — advises employers against asking about marital status because these questions are often used to discriminate against female employees (and discriminating against women is illegal).

Other questions that could be used to discriminate that you should avoid answering include:

"Are you married?"

"Do you plan to get married?"

"What's your spouse's name?"



'Are you pregnant?'

According to the EEOC, questions about the number of kids someone has are also frequently used to discriminate against female employees, which is illegal.

That's why it's inadvisable to answer other questions like:

"How many kids do you have?"

"How old are your kids?"

"Do you plan to have kids?"

"What are your child-care arrangements?"



'Do you have a disability that would interfere with your ability to perform the job?'

While this may seem like a pertinent question, the American Disabilities Act bars employers from asking interview questions that are likely to reveal the existence of a disability before making a job offer.

Other questions along these lines that you should avoid answering before you're offered a job could include:

"Do you have a heart condition?"

"Do you have asthma or any other difficulties breathing?"

"How many days were you sick last year?"

"Have you ever filed for workers' compensation? Have you ever been injured on the job?"

"Have you ever been treated for mental-health problems?"

"What prescription drugs are you currently taking?"



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

5 ways to add a retro touch to your home

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vintage

The era of “Mad Men” has come and gone, but the love of all things retro is here to stay. Not only are vintage pieces a fantastic way to recharge a space, but they can even save you a few pennies.

Here are our favorite ways to add a retro touch without completely dedicating the look of your home to the style.

Saturated colors

From mid-century mint to tricycle red, punchy hues give a retro vibe without much effort.

Whether it’s a buttercup-colored KitchenAid mixer or a burnt-orange accent pillow, using more saturated colors associated with eras past will add a distinctly retro character to any room.



Flea market finds

For that one-of-a-kind piece, hit the flea market or your favorite online auction site. Antique steamer trunks are a great modern take on the traditional coffee table (with bonus storage), and old ladders are versatile for hanging linens or stacking potted plants.

If you want the retro look on a smaller scale, invest in quality vintage barware pieces, like a cocktail shaker or champagne coupes for a pop of nostalgia.



Beadboard and paneling

Dip into the Victorian era with the addition of beadboard or wood paneling. It’s fairly affordable, available at most neighborhood hardware stores, and a great way to add character and texture to any home.

Small, overlooked spaces like hallways, laundry rooms, and entryways are perfect candidates for paneling. Paired with a calming color or fun wallpaper, it can add visual interest almost immediately.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I went from one savings account to 8 — here's why you should, too

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ducklings ducks

When we talk about savings accounts, we generally think higher interest rates are good, emergency funds are great, and you only need one of these accounts and you’re done.

This isn’t exactly true. I used to be the same way though — I had one checking account, one savings account, and thought that’s all you ever needed. Well, I recently stumbled upon a method to savings that I find absolutely awesome and wanted to share it.

If you only have one or two accounts, think about how many different goals or upcoming bills you are currently saving for. My guess is you have more than one or two. Are you saving for an upcoming vacation, a yearly car insurance bill, money for a car you might need in the near future, an emergency fund, etc.?

Right now, I have eight different savings accounts. Why on earth would someone need so many different accounts just for saving money and complicating their life even more?

Having one large sum of money set up to save for multiple goals leaves too much room for question marks. Based on personal experience, it also slows your saving tremendously, which then makes accomplishing your goals take even longer.

Here are six reasons why having one savings account = BAD.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best lessons my parents taught me about money

1. You will forget how much you had saved for each goal

Let’s say you decided to set up a Roth IRA account. Most Roth IRA’s require a minimum $3,000 investment just to open an account, so you start working on saving enough to open one up.

You just received a gift of $200 from a family member for the holidays, so you put it into your savings account with the idea that you’re saving for your Roth IRA. Then July rolls around and your insurance company sends you a bill. Without doing it on purpose, you might end up spending that $200 you had set aside on that bill. Congrats! You’ve just pushed your goals back another few months.



2. You’ll forget what you were even saving for

As a human, it’s quite difficult to remember every single thing we’d like to. “When did I pay that bill last? When is the mortgage bill due? What the heck was I saving this for??” We are pretty terrible at the whole memorization thing.

Having nothing to remind you of what you’re saving towards leaves a much greater chance that you will forget at least one of those things.



3. You think you’re saving more than you really are

Let’s say you are putting $250 each month into your savings account. That sounds great, right? But, when you’re saving money towards 5 different things, you’re only truly saving $50 towards each goal.

If one of your goals really was to save $3,000 to open that Roth IRA, you wouldn’t have that goal completed until 60 paychecks had passed, or almost 2 1/2 years. Saving $20,000 for a down payment on a house? You wouldn’t be moving into that house for over 15 years.

When you break down your goals into separate accounts, it’s much easier to see your progress and how far along you really are.

TIP: A lot of your goals have set deadlines, like the date a bill is due, or a specific time frame something needs to be completed by. In addition, many banks allow you to add nicknames for your savings accounts, and these nicknames can usually be pretty lengthy. Do you see where I’m going with this? Why not include the due date for that goal/bill part of the nickname of each savings account?

Here is an example of one of my savings account nicknames: Car Insurance — $600 — 7-1.

It includes the name of the bill, the amount needed and the date it’s due. This makes it very hard to forget what you set out to do. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Remember our post on financial triggers?)

If you have the space, go ahead and add the amount you should be saving each month towards this goal, and you’ve just set yourself up very nicely towards reaching it.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 32 best photographs from the opening weekend of the Olympics

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Qingwang Long China

The opening weekend of the Rio Olympics featured new world records, stunning upsets, heartbreaking crashes and injuries, and plenty more excitement. 

One of the best parts of the Olympics, though, is the photography. The photos from every sport are terrific, and they capture the emotion, energy, and athleticism of the Games. That Rio is one of the most photogenic cities in the world helps, too. 

Here are some of our favorite photos from the opening weekend, all courtesy of Getty. This is by no means an exhaustive list — there are simply too many terrific shots to choose from. We picked 32, but we'll be updating this post throughout the games as more great photos come in. 

Enjoy!

An Australian archer takes aim with a Rio favela in the background.



An anguished Azza Besbes of Tunisia after a fencing loss.



Nice dig by China's Fan Wang.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Ivanka Trump is building an empire to become the next Tory Burch

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Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump has gotten a lot of attention recently.

The daughter of Republican nominee Donald Trump is the executive vice president of development and acquisitions for the Trump Organization.

She's also made name for herself as a businesswoman with lifestyle and full-on retail brands.

The aesthetic of her brand is similar to that of Tory Burch. Interestingly enough, she's been featured on Burch's website, too.

Is she the next big thing in retail?

 

SEE ALSO: 9 rules for negotiating like Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump's namesake business is growing.

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Here she is at her company's headquarters.

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Trump's clothing and jewelry lines are upscale.

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See the rest of the story at Business Insider

This is the best any 'Final Fantasy' game has ever looked

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"Final Fantasy" is one of the longest-running video game series of all time, with roots dating back to 1987.

Final Fantasy XV

The next entry in the fantasy role-playing franchise, "Final Fantasy XV"— you read that right, fifteen — is due out later this fall. From what we've seen so far, it looks like one of the most visually stunning games we've ever seen. If nothing else, it's the most gorgeous any "Final Fantasy" game has ever been. Take a look.

SEE ALSO: 13 video game consoles you've probably never heard of

"Final Fantasy XV" takes place in Eos, a beautiful world that mixes elements of sci-fi and fantasy.



You play as Noctis, who you can see here casually re-fueling his futuristic flying car.



No, really. It can fly.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 hard truths about money, in cartoons that will make you smile

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Confused student

Managing your money doesn't have to be complex.

New York Times columnist, author, and financial planner Carl Richards boils down everything you need to know about personal finance into simple, black-and-white "napkin sketches." University of Chicago professor and author Harold Pollack claims that the best money advice fits on a three-by-five inch index card.

To further prove that you don't need to be an expert to understand personal finance, we've rounded up seven hard truths about money in cartoon form, courtesy of Albert, an upcoming app that provides simple financial advice and lets you act on it from your phone.

SEE ALSO: Learn everything you need to know about personal finance from 11 simple sketches

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One of the best things you can do for your investments is leave them alone.

When it comes to money, our choices are often clouded by fear, greed, and nervousness. These emotions tempt us to constantly move our investments around — into what seem at the time like safer positions or more conservative investments — and can ultimately wreck even the most sound investment portfolio.

That's because one of the best things you can do for your investments is leave them alone.

"Avoid impulsively selling an underperforming investment and stay the course with a diversified portfolio that is able to withstand inevitable short-term rises and dips in the market,"certified financial planner Shelly-Ann Eweka writes on Business Insider.

To help focus on your long-term investment plan, avoid the temptation to check a stock ticker or your account on a daily or weekly basis. Markets go up and down every day, and so do individual stocks — if you're investing for the long term, you don't need the anxiety of constant updates.



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Credit card rewards don't matter if you're carrying a balance.

Sure, credit cards can offer some sweet rewards.

But the cash back or airline miles you earn will become negligible if you don't keep your credit card balance at $0. Paying the minimum every month isn't enough.

Interest rates vary depending on the card, but credit cards charge an average of 15% on unpaid balances. To get an idea of how costly this can be, check out this chart showing how charging $100 per year and paying the minimum would result in you paying thousands of dollars in interest over time.



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If you want to save big, ditch your plastic.

You don't have to lose your debit or credit card to save $200 each month. Try leaving your plastic at home and going with all cash for a couple of weeks. Research shows that people spend significantly more when using credit cards instead of cash, and several people have used this strategy to get out of deep debt.

Rather than blindly swiping your credit card, you may find yourself thinking over purchases more thoughtfully — it's harder to part ways with your money when you're handing over physical cash and watching it disappear.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

This is what the Earth will look like in 100 years — if we're lucky

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Heat Wave

At this point, you're probably fully aware of how hot it is. But in case you're unaware: It's really, really hot.

In fact, it's likely that 2016 will be the hottest year on record, increasing 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial averages.

That brings us dangerously close to the 2.7-degree-Fahrenheit (1.5-degree-Celsius) limit set by international policymakers for global warming.

"There's no stopping global warming,"Gavin Schmidt, climate scientist and director of NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies, told Business Insider. "Everything that's happened so far is baked into the system."

That means even if carbon emissions dropped to zero tomorrow, we'd still be watching human-driven climate change play out for centuries. And, as we all know, emissions aren't going to stop tomorrow. So the key thing now, Schmidt said, is slowing climate change down enough to make sure we can adapt to it as painlessly as possible.

This is what the Earth could look like within 100 years if we do, barring huge leaps in renewable energy or carbon-capture technology.

DON'T MISS: Here's what could happen to Earth over the next 500 years

SEE ALSO: NASA says there is a '99% chance' that 2016 will be the warmest year on

"I think the 1.5-degree [2.7-degree F] target is out-of-reach as a long-term goal," Schmidt said. He estimated we'll blow past that somewhere around 2030.



But Schmidt is more optimistic about staying at or under 3.6 degrees F (2 degrees C) above pre-industrial levels — the level of temperature rise the United Nations hopes to avoid.



Let's assume we land somewhere between those two targets. At the end of this century, we're already looking at a world that is, on average 3 degrees or so Fahrenheit above where we are now.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 19 best beachside homes on Airbnb right now

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paul mitchell estate

From coast to coast, there are dozens of sandy beaches to choose from in the US.

If you can't decide what beautiful beach to book a stay at, let these incredible homes guide your decision. We teamed up with Airbnb to find out which beach houses in America to rent right now. Whether you want to explore the vibrant nightlife of Californian beaches, or see and be seen in the Hamptons, here are the top 19 properties that made the list.

Waterfront Beach House, Southampton, New York

Situated on a secluded peninsula, this modern cottage is a cozy retreat perfect for any season. The three bedroom estate accommodates up to nine people for $375 a night. 



Mid-Century / Modern Beach House, Del Mar, California

This minimalist, $149 a night beach house is nestled on a coastal hillside just outside of San Diego, with easy access to the Torry Pines Golf Course and State Park.



Mid-Century Private Studio, Coronado, California

Dynamite comes in small packages, as demonstrated by this tiny, $75 a night studio apartment. Recently renovated after being built in 1910, it comes equipped with a cozy backyard.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best school district in every state

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Aspen School District

There are nearly 100,000 elementary, middle, and high schools in the US, which combine to form an array of school districts of varying size and quality. The best districts are coveted, and a high-caliber school system can be a key factor when a family decides to relocate to one city over another. 

Niche, a company that researches and compiles information on schools, provides a ranking of the best school districts in America— that is, the collective quality of all the schools in a district determined by a grade of overall experience. The ranking includes key factors such as the strength of academics, health and safety, student culture and diversity, and the quality of teachers. Read more about the methodology here.

At the time of calculation, Niche's database contained records for 12,153 school districts. Business Insider searched the ranking to find the best in each state. Sufficient data wasn't available for Hawaii, so it does not appear on this list.

Below is the best school district in each US state.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best school districts in America

AND: The best public high school in every state

ALABAMA: Mountain Brook City Schools

No. of schools: 6

No. of students: 4,477

Academics: A+

Health & safety: A

Student culture & diversity: C-

Teachers: A+

 

 



ALASKA: Unalaska City School District

No. of schools: 2

No. of students: 408

Academics: A

Health & safety: A+

Student culture & diversity: A

Teachers: A+



ARIZONA: Chandler Preparatory Academy

No. of schools: 1

No. of students: 679

Academics: A+

Health & safety: A-

Student culture & diversity: A

Teachers: A+



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 8 most high-tech sedans on the market

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2016 Cadillac CT6

You don't have to compromise on having sweet tech perks when it comes to buying a car.

There's a ton of cars available these days that have both great performance and a suite of high-tech features.

Scroll down for our list of the 8 best high-tech sedans.

SEE ALSO: The 7 most high-tech SUVs on the market

1. The 2017 Mercedes E-Class Sedan has a semi-autonomous system called Drive Pilot that lets the car drive itself at speeds up to 130 miles per hour.

It also comes with a function called Steering Pilot that helps the driver steer correctly even when lane markings aren’t completely visible.



The E-Class can also change lanes autonomously and alert the driver of any drift.

You can also use the car’s smartphone app to have the car park itself or pull up for you to get in.



The car also comes with a radar system that constantly tracks blind spots. A warning signal will display in the glass of a side mirror if a car is in your blind spot.

The E-Class also comes with other, fun tech perks. Drivers can choose from 64 interior ambient lighting options. There's also wireless charging built into the front console and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that can take voice commands. 

The 2017 Mercedes E-Class starts at $52,150.



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Inside Prince's massive $10 million mansion, which has become a memorial after his death

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prince mansion paisley park

Prince Rogers Nelson died April 21 at Paisley Park Studios, his estate and studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota, outside Minneapolis.

Named after the Prince song "Paisley Park" and the now defunct record label, the production complex features recording studios, a nightclub, rehearsal space, offices, and private space for the award-winning musician.

Prince spent the majority of his time at the $10 million, 65,000-square-foot space, but he didn't always live there.

Known far and wide in the state, the space has also become a memorial following Prince's death. It is likely to be turned into a museum honoring the artist, whose estate has made clear it plans to preserve it and not sell it off.

Though Prince was notoriously secretive about the mansion, these photos offer a glimpse into Prince's creative hub: 

SEE ALSO: Inside the potentially 'messy' future of Prince's $300 million estate

Follow Insider pop culture on Facebook

Paisley Park was designed by Los Angeles architect Bret Theony and was completed in 1987.

Source: CBS2



The front lobby features second-floor balconies and clouds painted on the walls, as well as pyramidal skylights. Prince's Love Symbol No. 2 glyph is featured prominently on the floor.



The estate includes a relaxing music room with Prince's signature purple hue filling the space.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

18 photos that show how life in Rio revolves completely around the beach

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People playing soccer on the beach in Rio Brazil

Daily life plays out at the beaches in Rio de Janeiro: families gather for informal meals, kids play football (soccer), and young people flirt over beer and caipirinhas.

Rio is famous for its beaches, from world-famous Ipanema and Copacabana to lesser-known beaches like Prainha and Vermelha.

The beaches are so popular that they become the city's backyard, where Cariocas (people who live in Rio) eat, socialize, and play.

In Rio de Janeiro, the beaches are really the social center of the city.



This is world-famous Ipanema beach.



It's located in the heart of the city, yet it feels like it's a world away, with its white sands and clear water.

 



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Here's how much money reality TV stars actually make on shows — it's not what you think

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How much money is there to be made by starring on a reality television show?

If you're Ryan Seacrest, Christina Aguilera, or Gordon Ramsay, that number is in the millions and can exceed $10 million per season of a show.

But those kinds of paychecks actually go to very few people. Most people starring on reality shows are making salaries that supplement the ones they make at their actual jobs, from their businesses, or from other opportunities afforded them by being on TV, such as licensing deals, book contracts, appearances, or food and liquor products.

Shows that air on broadcast television typically pay their talent larger salaries than those found on cable. And, of course, if the talent is also a producer or gets any cut of the profits, then that can mean bigger paychecks.

Business Insider spoke to agents, producers, and development executives on the condition of anonymity to get a sense of what reality TV is paying its talent.

See how much reality stars are making below:

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Star/executive producer: $16 million and up annually

If someone is irreplaceable, created a show, or stars on a show, then a base salary can be compromised for an executive-producer credit and profit sharing. Reality mega stars in this vein include Simon Cowell and Gordon Ramsay.

Cowell, currently a judge/executive producer of "America's Got Talent," reportedly earns an annual income of $95 million. That includes his profits from reality shows and his music label.

Ramsay, who stars on and executive produces at least five shows, reportedly rakes in $4.5 million per season of a show. He adds another $45 million in earnings from his media and restaurant businesses.



Celebrity judges on a broadcast competition show: $300,000 to $17 million per season

The salary for judges on a broadcast competition like "The Voice" or "America's Got Talent" varies widely according to popularity. For example, Christina Aguilera made as much as $17 million a season from "The Voice." By comparison, Blake Shelton makes about $13 million.

For "America's Got Talent," Howard Stern was reportedly paid $15 million a season.

Why so much? In addition to expertise and name recognition, a source told Business Insider that their pay factors in what they could've made during the time they're shooting the show. For example, if they were able to tour.



Hosts of a broadcast reality TV show: $200,000 to $15 million per season

"If you're hosting a show on broadcast primetime network, you get paid a lot," a source told Business Insider. "You start around 10 to $15,000 an episode."

But that all depends on a host's popularity and how long a show runs.

Ryan Seacrest is probably the best example of how the salary for hosting a reality TV show can get huge. Hiring him when he was a popular radio DJ, "American Idol"tripled Seacrest's pay from $5 million to $15 million per season in 2009. Now that the show is over, Seacrest can fall back on other hosting gigs and media productions.

But not everyone has such a great deal. By contrast, "Survivor" host Jeff Probst was reported to be making just $4 million per season for the popular CBS competition in 2014.



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Inside the new 'co-living' space where San Franciscans pay $2,600 for maid service and new friends

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How do you make sure a residential building where a dozen co-eds eat, sleep, work, and play doesn't feel like a college dorm? "Co-living" startup Common is on a mission to find out.

The Brooklyn-based company, founded in 2015, operates a chain of fully furnished apartments where tenants, mostly young professionals and creatives, can rent bedrooms for varying lengths of time. Residents share common spaces like kitchens, living rooms, and even a roof deck, and participate in community events such as museum trips, bowling, and Sunday night dinners. The toilet paper is always in stock, and HBO GO streaming is ready-to-go upon move-in.

Common is a sweet solution for city transplants — if they can afford it. Rooms at Common's first San Francisco outpost, which opens this week, start at $2,600 a month.

Business Insider has the exclusive look inside Common's new San Francisco building.

SEE ALSO: This startup is trying to create the ideal roommate experience — here's what it's like inside its new 51-bedroom Brooklyn building

Common's newest building is a 12-bedroom, 12-bath walk-up in San Francisco's up and coming (read: fast-gentrifying) SoMa neighborhood.



Leases are flexible, and can last as few as three months or up to 12. There are only a few rooms still available at Common's newest location.



Unlike traditional dorms, Common's bedrooms are all single-occupancy (though couples may share a room). The rooms look straight out of a West Elm catalog.



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