Want to pick up some good habits? The best approach is to start small.

In the Quora thread "What are some good 'mini habits' to practice each day?" readers shared the simple habits you should follow every day to become a happier, healthier, or more productive person.

The best part is, each one takes only about five minutes to complete.

Here are some of our favorites:

SEE ALSO: 11 skills that are hard to learn but pay off forever

DON'T MISS: 13 highly useful life hacks you can learn in a minute or less

1. Brush your teeth and floss

Brushing and flossing your teeth not only prevents gingivitis and tooth decay, but it can also save your life.

The American Dental Association recommends you brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day. If you don't, you could be putting yourself at greater risk for developing dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer, among other things. — Pankesh Bamotra

2. Smile at yourself in the mirror

Just after you brush your teeth, look at yourself in the mirror and smile, holding the smile for 10 seconds. Dr. Robert Zajonc, a famous psychologist, believed facial action leads to changes in mood, and in a 1989 study he found that participants who watched themselves smile in a mirror experienced a greater boost in mood than those who simply smiled. — Nistha Tripathi

3. Write down the day's most important task

Also known as "eating the frog," decide on the one task you must perform that day to be successful and do it first thing when you get to work. — Patrick Mathieson

2016 was a banner year for sports. 

From LeBron James' Game 7 block, to the Cubs' Game 7 victory in the World Series, it is hard to think back on a year in sports that was quite so memorable. 

Of course, so much of the way we watch and enjoy sports these days is determined by people who have never participated in a professional athletic event in their lives.

That's why we decided to compile a list of the 50 most influential people behind the scenes in sports — the managers, coaches, agents, reporters, and owners who are responsible for what we watch when we watch sports.

These are the commentators who break important news, and the agents who help player sign massive deals, and the owners who have the power to build franchises from scratch, or move them from one city to another. 

All in all, these are the people who helped shape the year in sports — even if we didn't see them swing a bat or catch a touchdown.

This list was compiled by Emmett Knowlton, Cork Gaines, Scott Davis, and Brett LoGuriato.

50. Derek Jeter

Job: Founding Publisher, The Player's Tribune

After 20 seasons with the New York Yankees, Jeter decided to venture into the world of digital media. In October of 2014, he launched The Players' Tribune, a platform that has been a game-changer in sports media. More and more athletes are going around traditional media outlets and straight to The Players' Tribune to tell their stories with their own bylines. When Kevin Durant announced he was signing with the Warriors, he announced it himself— and temporarily crashed! — The Players' Tribune. 

49. Alison Overholt

Job: Editor-in-Chief, ESPN The Magazine and espnW

Overholt has run the editorial side of espnW since 2014 and, in February 2016, became the first woman in ESPN history to be named Editor-in-Chief of ESPN The Magazine. Under her tenure, the magazine has continued to produce some of the finest longform sports writing and investigative journalism around. 

48. Doris Burke

Job: ESPN basketball analyst and reporter

Doris Burke is one of the original trailblazers for women in sports broadcasting. She was the first woman to do color commentary for men's Big East games and the New York Knicks, and at ESPN she remains one of the most powerful and prominent voices covering the NBA.

Many people think of maps in terms of their basic purpose: showing a country’s geography and topography. But maps can speak to all dimensions—political, military, and economic. 

In fact, they are the first place to start thinking about a country’s strategy, which can reveal factors that are otherwise not obvious.

The 10 maps below show Russia’s difficult position since the Soviet Union collapsed and explain Putin’s long-term intentions in Europe.

Russia is almost landlocked

Sometimes a single map can reveal the most important thing about a country. In the case of Russia, it is this map.

One of the keys to understanding Russia’s strategy is to look at its position relative to the rest of Europe. 

The European Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by the Baltic and North Seas, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The easternmost limit of the peninsula extends from the eastern tip of the Baltic Sea south to the Black Sea.

In this map, this division is indicated by the line from St. Petersburg to Rostov-on-Don. This line also roughly defines the eastern boundaries of the Baltic states, Belarus and Ukraine. These countries are the eastern edge of the European Peninsula.

Hardly any part of Europe is more than 400 miles from the sea, and most of Europe is less than 300 miles away. Much of Russia, on the other hand, is effectively landlocked. The Arctic Ocean is far away from Russia’s population centers, and the few ports that do exist are mostly unusable in the winter.

Europe controls Russia’s access to the oceans

Russia’s access to the world’s oceans, aside from the Arctic, is also limited. What access it does have is blocked by other countries, which can be seen through this map.

European Russia has three potential points from which to access global maritime trade. One is through the Black Sea and the Bosporus, a narrow waterway controlled by Turkey that can easily be closed to Russia. Another is from St. Petersburg, where ships can sail through Danish waters, but this passageway can also be easily blocked. The third is the long Arctic Ocean route, starting from Murmansk and then extending through the gaps between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom.

During the Cold War, air bases in Norway, Scotland, and Iceland, coupled with carrier battle groups, worked to deny Russia access to the sea. This demonstrates the vulnerability Russia faces due to its lack of access to oceans and waterways.

It also reveals why Russia is, for all intents and purposes, a landlocked country.
A country’s access to the sea can greatly influence its economic and political strength.

Most of Russia's population lives along the western border

Russia’s population clusters along its western border with Europe and its southern border with the Caucasus (the area between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea to the south). Siberia is lightly populated. Rivers and infrastructure flow west.

When it comes to earning more money and growing your wealth, sometimes all it takes is establishing smart habits and making small lifestyle changes.

"Success is a learnable skill," writes T. Harv Eker in his book "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind.""If you want to be a great golfer, you can learn how to do it. If you want to be a great piano player, you can learn how to do it ... If you want to be rich, you can learn how to do it."

If you want to learn how to get rich — how to grow and master your money — consider these nine lifestyle changes:

Previous reporting by Kathleen Elkins.

SEE ALSO: A financial adviser shares a 5-step checklist to complete before the end of 2016

DON'T MISS: You can take the biggest step toward building wealth in 10 minutes at your computer

Start hanging out with people you admire

Andrew Carnegie, who started with nothing before becoming the richest man in the country, credits all of his riches to one principle: the Master Mind.

The idea is that you surround yourself with talented people who share your vision because the alignment of several smart and creative minds is exponentially more powerful than just one.

Plus, we become like the people we associate with, which is why the rich tend to associate with others who are rich.

"In most cases, your net worth mirrors the level of your closest friends,"explains self-made millionaire and author Steve Siebold. "Exposure to people who are more successful than you are has the potential to expand your thinking and catapult your income. The reality is, millionaires think differently from the middle class about money, and there's much to be gained by being in their presence."

Put your money to work

One of the most effective ways to earn more money is to invest it, and start as early as possible.

"The more you put in today, the much more you'll have later down the road because of the time value of money and the growth on investment returns," Michael Solari, a certified financial planner with Solari Financial Management, told Business Insider.

The simplest starting point is to invest in your employer's 401(k) plan. Next, consider contributing money toward a Roth IRA or traditional IRA, individual retirement accounts with different contribution limits and tax structures.

Another great option is to put any savings in a low-cost target date fund, a diversified retirement account that invests your money into a combination of stocks, bonds, and alternative assets. Though the market is impossible to predict, you're still going to get a better return on the money there than you would in a plain old savings account, with little to no work required.

Get a part-time job

If you want to earn more, a simple solution is to work more — and you'll get a lot more out of a second job than extra income.

You'll grow your skill set by working in a different field, put your brain to work in a different context, and expand your network. Plus, it's a great opportunity to monetize a specific interest of yours — such as photography, music, tutoring, or coaching — or turn your passion into a side hustle.

Check out high-paying jobs you can do on the side and read about how to start a side-hustle from a woman who earned up to $4,000 a month on the side.

Ah, supercars! They are the thoroughbreds of the automotive world. They can cost millions, they go very fast, and they attract plenty of attention in traffic and when pulling up to valet lines.

People dream about owning a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, a McLaren, a Pagani, or a Bugatti all their lives, from a tender young age right up until they experience that third or fourth midlife crisis. And though these storied brands make more domesticated, "practical" machines, it's the super-sexy supercars that capture the imagination.

But ... are they really all that?

Well, they are. But they're also, on many levels, beautiful, exotic, alluring, exciting total pains in the ass. Here's why.

SEE ALSO: I checked out an Aston Martin, Maserati, Mercedes, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari — all in the same day!

1. They're LOWER to the ground than some reptiles

Ground clearance isn't a supercar forte. It can't be — these high-performance machines are supposed to slip though the air, cheating the wind, and their aerodynamics are designed to keep them glued to the road.

This of course means that a modest blemish in the roadway can result in thousands of dollars in damage to the car. America's crumbling infrastructure is an ever-present, high-stress foe.

It kind of sucks the pleasure out of driving your Lamborghini if you have to keep a constantly watchful eye out for potholes and speed bumps and if you can't even really navigate your own driveway.

2. They have WAY too much power.

What do you do with horsepower in excess of 600 ponies? Who knows, because in 99.99% of driving circumstances, you're not going use it.

But you will still incinerate gasoline at an alarming rate. 

If you do try to tap into the power, you run a gamut of risks. You could lose control of the car and have a very costly accident. You could pay no attention to your actual speed and endure a very costly speeding ticket. 

You could also just get depressed. Nothing is sadder than a supercar stuck in traffic, looking gorgeous but with no hope of unleashing its potential. You paid for that power! But you'll rarely get to experience it.

3. It costs a fortune to buy one — and another fortune to FIX one.

The cheapest supercars are still quite expensive, and you always face the question of whether your sub-$100,000 "supercar" is a true supercar. So you feel the pressure to man up for the pricier shiny metal. 

And then you will invariably:

1. Bang into something and need to get your investment repaired.

2. Have to get something fixed that goes wrong with your ride.

In either case, you'll be parting with huge sums of money — eye-watering, staggering sums, in fact, if you're used to dropping your Lexus off at the dealership for a brake job.

You may also have to wait months to get the car back.

That time of year has come again, the time to engage in the rituals of marking the end of one year, and ushering in a new one. It's time to make new resolutions to change things about ourselves that we are less fond of, and time to reaffirm the things that have positively changed in our lives over the last year.

But as many Americans gather their families to watch the festivities in Times Square, either in person, or on the television, many other Americans, halfway around the world, gather with their families of a different kind — their brothers and sisters in arms.

Now over 15 years since the US and NATO forces first entered Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, coalition forces continue to face challenges as the Taliban now controls 10% of the country with an additional 30% of the country currently being contested.

Against this backdrop, these photos show what life is like for coalition soldiers based in Afghanistan as another year comes to an end.  

SEE ALSO: Incredible images from one of the longest wars in American history

A cake marking the New Year, made by the service members of Task Force Tiger, based at Bagram, Afghanistan, celebrating the joint accomplishments of the United States’ coalition work beside the 32nd Light Infantry Battalion from the country of Georgia. Task Force Tiger, 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas, is comprised of US Soldiers, Marines Airmen, Soldiers from Georgia and Czech Republic, and is partnered with the local Afghan security forces.

Back in the US, the New Year is rung in with food, music, noise-makers and fireworks.

For our troops in Afghanistan, much of that is the same, except the fireworks here are mortars and rockets, and the noisemakers are loud speakers that shout things like: “IDF Impact. Take Cover. Don IBA if available. Continue to take cover. Sector security sweeps in progress.”

IDF is military speak for indirect fire, referring to such weapons as mortars, rockets, and artillery; and IBA stands for individual body armor. The sounds of explosions and gunfire, followed by the loud speakers blasting their warnings come both during the day and at night.

After an IDF attack, a Military Police vehicle conducts sector security sweeps.

New Years in Afghanistan is not all doom and gloom, as the men and women serving in Afghanistan find time to make video calls to family members, hang around the smoke pit (an activity performed by those who smoke or vape, and those who do not alike), watch a movie on their tablet or a dvd, or, as in the case of this New Years Eve, catch some UFC fights on the American Forces Network, the military radio and television service.

Airman from the 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron of the US Air Force based in Little Rock, Arkansas, watch the Cruz – Garbrandt UFC 207 fight. While deployed, Airman First Class Parks, 19, (foreground, left side), Senior Airman Cox, 22, Staff Sergeant Hauch, 26, Senior Airman Budd, 24 (left to right on the couch respectively), and Tech Sergeant Casswell, 36, (far right) are assigned to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, of the United States Air Forces Central Command.

“We get to look forward to the Dining Facility’s special meals on holidays.” said Budd. “All we are trying to do here is maintain our sanity, and enjoy our family here.” continued Criswell.

“We are all like a big family here. On Christmas, we had ugly sweaters and Santa hats. We do the best we can” Budd admitted. “It gives you a sense of normalcy- I am a movie guy, so getting to see a movie, things like that.” said Parks.

When asked how the holidays are different than the other days here in Afghanistan, Tech Sergeant Caswell, quickly replied “When you are here, you work, you sleep, you get up, and you work, and then hit the bed. Your conversations are about work. On holidays, we relax; we get a few seconds to chat about other things.”

When asked how they handle being away from family, the answer was quick. “We have two families, you see, there’s our family back home, then our family here.” Cox chimed in, before Budd interjected “When I go home, for about the first month, all I want to do is hang out with the guys I deployed with. Yes, I just spent every day for months with them, but I can talk openly with them.

"Sometimes it is hard to talk to civilians when I get home, cause I use an acronym here, everyone knows it. Back home, you have to explain them. I still have some great friends back home who are civilians, and I really want to enjoy their time, and stay positive. You have to remember the deployment, enjoy it, and then move on with life.”

Today is not much different than any other day for the maintainers from the 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Their job today, is the same one as yesterday- keep the pilots and crew of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing safely in the air, doing their job.

Interested in a career in tech but not quite sure which avenue to go down? Or maybe you're already in tech but you're looking to try your hand at a slightly different role?

Either way, one thing that's likely to be on your mind, is pay.

Thankfully, tech investment firm Balderton Capital published a report this month that ranked average salaries for people working in various tech positions in the UK based on data provided by startup community website AngelList. 

Tech workers tend to be relatively well paid compared to professionals working in other sectors but salaries vary significantly so it's worth having a look at the best paid roles. 

15. Content creator ($49,000; £39,000)

14. Designer ($61,000; £49,000)

13. Frontend developer ($62,000; £50,000)

Hindsight is 20/20, as they say, and it can often lead to regret.

Some people have the philosophy that everything happens for a reason, and there is no point in having regrets.

But for many of us, looking back on our lives can lead to lingering on one poignant moment or period when we wish we had done things differently That nagging question, "What if ...?," plays on repeat in our heads.

"This may sound a little melodramatic, but no matter how happy you are, at my age your regrets are countless,"writes Quora user Gary Teal. "You have made decades' worth of little miscalculations you can't completely erase from your memory, as well as a number of big mistakes that made life permanently harder."

Vaughn Bell at Mind Hacks notes that there are two ways people frame their regrets: The things they did that they wish they hadn't, and the things they wish they had done but didn't.

"The difference between the two is often a psychological one, because we can frame the same regret either way — as regret about an action: 'If only I had not dropped out of school;' or as a regret about an inaction: 'If only I had stayed in school.'

"Despite the fact that they are practically equivalent, regrets framed as laments about actions were more common and more intense than regrets about inactions, although inaction regrets tended to be longer lasting," Bell writes.

Quora user Bradley Voytek points to a national survey about the regrets of a typical American, which found 13 common sources for regret. They are, in order: romance, family, education, career, finance, parenting, health, "other,"friends, spirituality, community, leisure, and self.

Here are some of the most common regrets as chronicled by Quora users (answers have been edited for clarity): 

SEE ALSO: 17 bad habits you should break in 2017 to be more productive

DON'T MISS: 18 highly successful people share their New Year's resolutions

Romance

"I regret that I never fell in love with someone who was in love with me, when that would have been easy for me to do.

"I regret being like an old song sung by Buffy Sainte-Marie: 'Must I go bound and you so free, Must I love one who doesn't love me, Must I be born with so little art, As to love the one who would break my heart?'"—David Kahana

Family — Children

"For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to have kids. But in my younger years, I foolishly assumed that unlike certain accomplishments like a career, the marriage and kids thing would just happen.

"Well, they didn't. I dated plenty of people but never even thought about making family a priority. Then, in my late 30s, a bout with ovarian cancer left me permanently infertile.

"I think about the kids I never had every day, several times a day. I have a great relationship with my nieces and nephews, and volunteer at a children's hospital on a regular basis, but it's just not the same to be around other people's kids. I would love to adopt or be a foster mother, and hopefully be in a financial and domestic situation that would make this feasible one day.

"But again, not the same. And it pisses me off when people say, "You're lucky you don't have kids, they're so much work, blah blah blah." Yes, but a lot of things in life that are worthwhile are also so much work.

"I think the mothering instinct is so strong in some women that the knowledge that one will never get a chance to give birth and raise their own child goes beyond regret. One that a bar chart cannot capture. I can deal with most of my other regrets in life but am having a hard time dealing with this one."— Caroline Zelonka

Family — Parents

"I regret not choosing to spend more time with my parents in my 20s. I lost my mother in 2000, and I feel the loss of the friendship we never had.

"She was very demanding, very strict, and from the perspective of a young man, very unreasonable. It turned out, as I live through middle age, that most of the ideals I have today ended up being the ones she put on me.

"Sometimes, after a setback, I feel the impulse to call her, and in the second or so that it takes for me to realize she isn't alive to speak to any longer, I realize how much I still need her.

"You cannot negotiate with death. It is final, often sudden, and personal. The last night I had with her, at a hospice in Chicago, I was exhausted and asked her if she minded if I went home. She immediately whispered that absolutely, I should rest, and to be careful driving home. I curled her fingers around the nurses call button, and kissed her on the forehead. I remember I felt some relief that I was leaving.

"I know it didn't make a difference, leaving at that time, or leaving a few hours later. She was going to die either way. But reflecting on that moment today I know then that I didn't understand how precious those minutes were, and how a door was being closed that would never open again."— Jim Wagner

A trio of ex-Apple engineers launched a new company out of stealth mode in June. It's called Pearl, and it makes tech for your car.

Fifty out of Pearl's 70 employees used to work at Apple. But instead of focusing on building a new kind of car or a self-driving car system, like Apple and so many other tech companies are doing, Pearl is focused on creating high-end technology that all cars can use.

Here's what Pearl's first product looks like:

Pearl's first product is a weatherproof backup camera and alert system that you install as a typical license-plate frame.

It looks pretty easy to install. Pearl says that it takes only a screwdriver and a couple of minutes.

Pearl says that its easy installation is one of the key aspects that sets this product, called RearVision, apart from similar rearview-camera systems.

My gym membership costs $90 a month.

I know.

Really — I know.

Yes, I have tried to negotiate, and yes, I've looked into other gyms, but after joining my Manhattan chain on a corporate discount that was about $20 less than I currently pay, I couldn't bear to leave the gym when I went back to civilian status after changing jobs. I love the teachers! I know the schedule! The locations are so convenient!

That's how they get you.

Anyway, the price of my gym is what it is, and I paid for a year in advance just to get that rate. So I better make it worth my money. Every night that I "don't feel like going" means I'm wasting cash, and as someone who would be naturally well suited to those hover chairs from Wall-E, there are lots of nights I need to turn "don't feel like" into "can't wait."

How do I force myself to go? Below, I'm confessing the motivation tricks that get me off the couch and onto the spin bike. I can't guarantee they'll work for you — I can't even guarantee they'll continue to work for me — but this is what works right now.

SEE ALSO: I just ran my first half marathon — here's what I tell my friends when they say they could never start running

I leave my gym bag at the office.

This is decidedly trickier if you're the type to work out before and after work, but I haven't yet reached that level of lunacy. As someone who exclusively exercises at night, I bring my gym bag home, empty it, refill it, and bring it to work the next day, whether I'm planning to go to the gym or not.

On the weekend, I just bring it home and then back on Monday morning. This way, I'm never caught without sneakers … and I get an arm workout during my commute.

I think of the money.

The brilliant thing about belonging to a gym, as opposed to those $35 boutique spin classes so many of my friends adore, is that since you've already paid, it gets cheaper every time you go.

That's amazing! If I go to one class in a month, it's a $90 class. Two, they're each $45. Nine classes? At nine, which works out to fewer than three times a week, I'm paying only $10 per class.

I ask my office gym buddies if they're going ... every day.

Because you can't ask and then go, "Oh, just wondering. I will not be joining you. I have some important Netflix to watch."

Selling is a tough job.

But there are certain things you can do to improve your salesmanship.

We sifted through a number of different sales-related surveys and reports to come up with the 15 things every salesperson should do to up their game in 2017.

SEE ALSO: The 32 most powerful people in business technology in 2016

Take advantage of social media.

A lot of salespeople use social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter to sell better these days. There's even a word for it: social selling. Here are a few LinkedIn hacks that will help you sell more.

Use certain words that strengthen your sales pitch.

Certain words and phrases could be magical when you sell. For example, using "because" can totally change the way you sound. Check out the 13 words every salesperson should use in their sales pitch.

Buy software that helps you sell more.

From software that simply store sales data to the more sophisticated stuff that predicts certain buying behavior, sales-related tools are completely reinventing the industry. Here are 10 sales apps that will help any salesperson sell more.

After the worst start to a year ever, the stock market surged to new highs in 2016.

All the major indexes rebounded to records and defied the doomsday forecasts that preceded events like Brexit and President-elect Donald Trump's election.

For next year, no strategist at a top Wall Street firm forecasts that the bull market will end. Many expect America's largest companies to return to earnings growth and to see other benefits from Trump's promises to cut taxes and ease regulations.

Near this time last year, the median year-end forecast for the benchmark S&P 500 index was 2,178, according to Bloomberg. On Friday, December 16, the S&P 500 closed at 2,258.07, up 10.5% for the year and higher than the forecast from the most bullish strategist, Fundstrat's Tom Lee.

Here's what some of the pros are saying about 2017:

2,300* — Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Comment: "2017 may be the least certain in years, with higher-than-usual risks and a binary set of outcomes that have dramatically contrasting results: euphoria or fizzle, significantly higher or lower than the base case," said Savita Subramanian.

"As the likelihood of pro-growth policies waxes and wanes in the coming months, we see potential for big market swings. Risk/reward will be more important than absolute targets."

*2017 could be a binary year when the market falls to 1,600 in the bear case and rises to 2,700 in the bull case, Subramanian said.

2,300* — Credit Suisse

Comment:"The key positive for 2017, in our judgment, is that investors are overweight deflation hedges (i.e. bonds) relative to inflation hedges (equities) at a time when policy makers are moving away from NIRP towards fiscal stimulus, and inflation expectations are set to continue rising," said Andrew Garthwaite.

"However, we see a down market in H2 2017, hence our year-end 2017 target of 2,300. The second half challenges include the potential negative impact of US bond yields above 3% (3% being the CS view for end-2017); the growing pricing power of US labor squeezing profit margins; and the risk of China refocusing on reform rather than pro-growth policies. We continue to prefer equities to both bonds and gold."

*2,350 midyear

2,300 — UBS

Comment:"Despite the potential for more volatility, we expect the bull to celebrate its eighth birthday in March 2017," Julian Emanuel said.

"No recession is in sight, for now. However, the old saying 'three steps and a stumble' could put stocks to the test when the Fed hikes again after a hike this December."

The wealthiest, most successful people bury themselves in books. They commit to self-education long after they've finished school.

To help make 2017 a prosperous year, we've highlighted 12 of our favorite personal-finance books — one for each month — from century-old classics to hot new releases.

No guarantees you'll get rich, but it can't hurt to kick off the new year with one of these gems.

Kathleen Elkins contributed to a previous version of this article.

SEE ALSO: The 2 biggest money mistakes 30-somethings make

DON'T MISS: Here's how much you should be investing by your 30s, according to former Wall Street executive Sallie Krawcheck

'Think and Grow Rich' by Napoleon Hill

Prompted by legendary businessman Andrew Carnegie, who turned a few nickels and dimes into a fortune, journalist Napoleon Hill researched more than 500 self-made millionaires over 20 years before releasing his 1937 best-seller "Think and Grow Rich."

He boils down the "secret" to building wealth into 13 principles and reveals "major causes of failure" that hold many of us back from getting rich.

There is no mention of "money,""wealth,""finances," or "stocks" within Hill's text. He takes a different approach, focusing on breaking down the psychological barriers that prevent many of us from attaining our own fortunes.

FIND IT HERE »

'Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers' by Timothy Ferriss

Author Tim Ferriss of "The 4-Hour Workweek" fame is back with "Tools of Titans," a new book packed full of the secrets to success he's gleaned from experts and applied to his own life. 

The book distills Ferriss' favorite lessons from more than 200 interviews he's conducted with a wide range of highly successful people, ranging from Navy SEALs to billionaire entrepreneurs. 

What better way to get rich than to study and replicate the habits of those who have already done it? 

FIND IT HERE » 

'The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness' by Dave Ramsey

If you're looking for a true financial tune-up, financial guru Dave Ramsey's best-seller will do the trick. Ramsey doesn't shower his readers with quick fixes in "The Total Money Makeover." He provides a bold approach to finance matters and gets to the bottom of money problems: you.

Along the way, he debunks many money myths and attacks the idea of the American Dream.

Several success stories back up Ramsey's simple, no-nonsense approach, including a couple who paid off $110,000 of debt in two years and a family that got into $109,000 of credit-card debt while earning six figures ... and then paid it off in four years.

FIND IT HERE »

Now that 2016 is nearly (finally) over, it's time to start looking ahead to the coming year. 

If you're into tech, you may wondering: Is my hoverboard still cool? Are Snap's Spectacles worth buying? Is the Amazon Echo going to fade in popularity? 

Business Insider's tech team is here to help. Below, we've compiled our predictions for what's "hot" and what's "not" in tech for 2017. 

Did we miss anything? Do you totally disagree? Let us know on Twitter at @SAI.

SEE ALSO: The 22 biggest tech scandals of 2016

Hot: Snap Spectacles

The glasses have their haters, but Snap's Spectacles are arguably the most exciting hardware product of 2016. Read a review of the glasses here, then check out some of the major cons of using them here.

Not: Google Glass

Just because Spectacles are getting cool doesn't mean it's okay to take your Google Glass out of the closet. Google's failed computer-equipped glasses, called Glass, had several problems — poor battery life and privacy concerns being chief among them — but they were roasted for beinggeeky and generally uncool.

If anyone still has a pair, don't let them see the light of day in 2017. 

Hot: Google Pixel

Google launched its first phone in 2016, the Pixel. The phone was an immediate hit, catapulting to the top of the list when it comes to best Android phones. BI's own Steve Kovach even described it as being so good, he considered making the switch from iPhone. 

From off-the-grid pods to tiny houses that can be taken apart move with their owners, innovative home design blossomed in 2016.

Although there was no shortage of out-there ideas, a few trends took shape. Architects emphasized designs that made for low-cost and fast construction, minimalist aesthetics, increased mobility, and the use of more renewable power sources.

Check out our favorites below. 

SEE ALSO: This 33-foot-long tiny home with a chandelier costs $150,000

The Koda — A tiny house that can be taken apart to move with its owners

In October 2016, the Estonia-based design firm Kodasema unveiled its design for the Koda house. The 269-square-foot cube can be assembled by a construction crew in less than seven hours and disassembled in four hours.

150 Kodas will become available to order online in Estonia starting in late 2017, with prices likely starting at €120,000 (about $132,500). The company might later expand sales internationally if it can ramp up production, Kodasema's cofounder, Taavi Jakobson, told Business Insider.

Read more about the Koda

The 20K Homes — Beautiful cottages that cost just $14,000 to build

Students at Rural Studio, Auburn University's architectural design program, built two cottages with raw materials that cost just $14,000 each in early 2016. Located at Serenbe, a 500-person community in northwestern Georgia, the 500-square-foot homes are used to house resident artists.

The Rural Studio team calls them the "20K Homes," and hopes they can become a model for building houses that are both beautiful and affordable.

Read more about the 20K Homes

The Ecocapsule — A solar-and-wind-powered pod

Designed by Netherlands-based Nice Visions, the Ecocapsule features a roof with solar cells and a mini wind turbine. It also has a rechargeable battery that can last at least four days if the off-the-grid sources fail.

In spring 2016, the company started production on 50 units, which cost €79,900 ($83,480) and can be customized to each owner’s requirements. The second generation of Ecocapsules will be available for a lower price in 2017.

Read more about the Ecocapsule

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

That's right — college football season is back in full swing. 

And as co-eds gear up for tailgates, home games, and fierce rivalry matches, some schools' pride and atmosphere clearly surpasses the rest. 

Niche, a company that researches and compiles information on schools, ranked which colleges have the best football programs, primarily looking at the number of BCS bowl appearances, number of NCAA championship wins, and average attendance at home games. The ranking also took factors such as BCS bowl game wins, number of alumni in the NFL, and student survey responses into consideration.

For its ranking, Niche used the number of National Championships won recently (since 2000), but we included the number in the modern poll era — since 1936 — for reference. Check out a full breakdown of the methodology here.

Whether you prefer to sport Wisconsin red, yell "Roll Tide," or cheer the Fighting Irish to victory, scroll down to see the 20 best colleges for anyone obsessed with college football. 

SEE ALSO: The 25 best colleges to go to if you're obsessed with college basketball

DON'T MISS: The 50 best colleges in America

20. West Virginia University

Location:Morgantown, West Virginia

National championships: 0

Average attendance at home games: 52,910

Number of alumni who have played in the NFL: 180

19. University of Tennessee

Location:Knoxville, Tennessee

National championships: 2

Average attendance at home games: 95,584

Number of alumni who have played in the NFL: 310

18. Penn State

Location:State College, Pennsylvania

National championships: 2

Average attendance at home games: 96,587

Number of alumni who have played in the NFL: 343

With the start of a new year comes the narrowing of the Oscar field.

Since our last pass at predicting the people and films in the running for the 2017 Academy Awards, the pretenders have fallen off, and we've gotten a chance to catch all the most serious players. Now it's time to get serious.

With multiple Golden Globe nominations, "Hacksaw Ridge" may be more of an Oscar contender than once thought. But it will have strong competition from movies like "La La Land" and "Manchester by the Sea," which are still the big frontrunners.

Below is our latest look at the movies and talent that have a chance to take home Oscar gold next year. Check them out while you still have time.

SEE ALSO: 19 famous movies that have been banned around the world

Best visual effects

In the running:

"Arrival"
"Doctor Strange"
"Captain America: Civil War"
"The Jungle Book"
"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"

If the Oscars were handed out today, the winner would be: When it comes to visual effects this year, there wasn't any movie in which the effects brought the movie to a higher level more than Marvel's "Doctor Strange." 

Best documentary

In the running:

"13th"
"The Eagle Huntress"
"Gleason"
"I Am Not Your Negro"
"Life, Animated"
"O.J.: Made In America"
"Weiner"

If the Oscars were handed out today, the winner would be: Ezra Edelman's "O.J.: Made in America" is a true treasure. Hopefully the Academy feels the same way.

Best cinematography

In the running:

Roger Deakins, "Hail, Caesar!"
Greig Fraser, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
Stephane Fontaine, "Jackie"
James Laxton, "Moonlight"
Rodrigo Prieto, "Silence"
Linus Sandgren, "La La Land"
Bradford Young, "Arrival"

If the Oscars were handed out today, the winner would be: You can honestly give the Oscar to anyone here. But with the beautiful coastal shots and intense scenes done with great skill, it has to go to Rodrigo Prieto for "Silence"— for now.

There are so many diets out there, but figuring out which one will actually work for you can be tough.

Luckily, scientists have found that most reasonable diets can help you lose weight, compared to not following a diet at all. Overall, studies have shown that diets rich in plants and low in processed foods are the best for weight loss.

But many popular diets aren't based on sound scientific principles.

If you're setting a New Year's resolution to lose weight in 2017, here's what the science says about 15 popular diets, so you can decide which one — if any — might be right for you.

SEE ALSO: You lose a bunch of weight every day — here's where it all goes

DON'T MISS: 17 scientific facts to motivate you to eat healthy even when you really don't want to

What you do: The South Beach diet is a three-phase program designed by cardiologist Arthur Agatston in 2003. In the first phase, you cut out all carbs, fruits, and alcohol. In phases two and three, you gradually add some of those foods back in (as far as carbs go, you're only supposed to eat whole-grain ones). It's important to note that this is a commercial diet, so you may have to buy the official plan and materials.

What the science says: The diet focuses on whole foods, which is good since studies have shown this is the best approach for weight loss. Cutting out any of the food groups could leave you lacking nutrients, though. Some people on the diet have reported ketoacidosis, a condition with symptoms including bad breath, dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, and constipation. Studies have found South Beach diets (or those very similar to the name-brand version) could help people lose weight in the short-term, but researchers haven't followed people long-term to see if it helps them keep the weight off. The problem here is that while the second two phases of the diet are somewhat reasonable, the first phase is very restrictive, so some people might have trouble sticking to it.

What you do: On the new Weight Watchers (the one Oprah has advertised lets you eat bread), their SmartPoints program assigns foods points based on their nutritional values. You get a set number of points per day depending on your height, weight, gender, age, activity level, and how many pounds you want to lose. The plan can cost between about $20 and $70 a month, depending on whether you pay for add-ons like coaching or meetings.

What the science says: Research has overwhelmingly positive conclusions about Weight Watchers' sensible rules, and the new program is even more in line with what nutritionists recommend. Participants in a clinical trial on the plan for a year lost nearly 7 pounds. And other studies have found Weight Watchers members also tend to lower their heart disease risk and blood pressure. An interesting analysis found that participants on Weight Watchers for a year typically paid $70 per pound lost, but gained $54,130 in quality of life improvement.

What you do: There are many different kinds of vegetarians, but generally, you don't eat meat or fish.

What the science says: In observational studies, vegetarians tend to weigh less than their carnivorous counterparts. Cutting meat from your diet could reduce your environmental impact as well, research has found. You have to make sure you get enough nutrients (especially protein) from other sources like nuts, grains, and dairy, though. But the benefits could be considerable: Studies have found that vegetarianism is linked with lower chances of heart disease and cancers, and higher chances of living longer.

With 2017 right around the corner, it’s time to check out what’s coming to your favorite streaming service.

There’s the thriller “The Girl on the Train” on iTunes, you can watch Carrie Fisher try to destroy John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in “The Blues Brothers" on HBO Go, or watch all the “Lethal Weapon” movies on Hulu.

Below are all the titles that will be available, and we've gone ahead and highlighted some in bold we think you should definitely check out.

SEE ALSO: Here are the 10 most pirated TV shows in 2016

iTunes

Available January 3

“The Girl on the Train”
“Operation Avalanche” 
“Kevin Hart: What Now?” 
“Max Steel” 
“Bob the Builder: Building Fun at the Zoo”
“Tower”

Available January 6
 
“Arsenal” (same day as theaters) 
“Between Us” (same day as theaters) 

Available January 10

“Christine” 
“Pinocchio” 
“Queen of Katwe” 
“Barney Playground” 
“I’m Not Ashamed” 
“An Act of Love” 
“Ouija: Origin of Evil”

Available January 13
 
“Alone in Berlin” (same day as theaters) 

Available January 17

“Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” 
“Roger Corman's Death Race 2050”

Available January 20
 
“Detour” (same day as theaters) 

Available January 24

“American Pastoral”  
“Loving” 
“Almost Christmas” 
“Desierto”
“The Handmaiden” 
“The Light Between Oceans” 
“Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary Performance”  
“The Hangman: Shepherds and Butchers”

Available January 27
 
“I Am Michael” (same day as theaters) 

Available January 31

“Arrival” 
“Bleed for This”
“The Edge of Seventeen”  
“Priceless” 
“Miss Hokusai” 
“Tyler Perry's Boo Madea Halloween” 

Amazon Prime

Available January 1

“Blood Diamond” 
“13 Hours: Secret soldiers of Benghazi”                                                             
“Across the Universe” 
“Happy Feet”  
“Rent”
“Hellboy”
“Radio”
“Stardust 2007”
“American History X”  
“Norm of the North” 
“Are We There Yet” 
“Are We Done Yet” 
“Maid in Manhattan”

Available January 3

“The Girl on the Train”
“She’s All That”

Available January 4

“Bones” (Season 12)

Available January 5

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 12)

Available January 7

“Sleepy Hollow” (Season 4)

Available January 9

“The Infiltrator 2016”
“We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” (Season 1)

Available January 10

“Ouija: Origin of Evil”
“Deepwater Horizon”   
“The Accountant”

Available January 13

“Sneaky Pete” (AMAZON ORIGINAL, Season 1) 
“Just Add Magic” (AMAZON ORIGINAL, Season 2)

Available January 15

“Young Pope” (Season 1 premiere)

Available January 17

“Red Rock” (Season 2)
“The A-Word” (Season 1)

Available January 22

“Where to Invade Next”

Available January 23

“The Choice”

Available January 24

“Inferno”

Available January 26

“America Divided” (Season 1)

Available January 27

“Z: The Beginning of Everything” (AMAZON ORIGINAL, Season 1)
“Dirty Grandpa”

Available January 29

“Mercy Street” (Season 2)
“Black Sails” (Season 4)

Available January 30

“Swiss Army Man”

HBO Go/Now

Available January 1

“Above the Law”
“Baby Mama”
“Beautiful Creatures”
“The Big Lebowski”
“The Blues Brothers”
“Blues Brothers 2000”
“Bringing out the Dead”
“The Cell”
“Cloud Atlas”
“Cold Mountain”
“Dallas Buyers Club”
“Dr. Suess’ Horton Hears a Who!”
“Evil Dead 2”
“Fool’s Gold”
“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”
“Friday”
“The Happening”
“Innerspace”
“Lady in the Water”
“Lost & Found”
“Mad Max: Fury Road”
“My Cousin Vinny”
“Risky Business”
“The Road Warrior”
“The Sixth Sense”
“Steel”
“Unbreakable”
“The Village”

Available January 7

“Demolition”


Available January 8

“Genius”


Available January 13

“The Visit”


Available January 14

“Now You See Me 2”

Available January 15

“The Young Pope” (Series Premiere)


Available January 21

“The Boss” (Extended Cut)
“Real Time with Bill Maher” (2017 premiere)

Available January 23

“Beware the Slenderman”


Available January 28

“The Nice Guys”

Available January 30

“Becoming Warren Buffett”

The American Dream has transformed over time.

To find out what it means to Americans today, personal-budgeting company You Need A Budget and market-research company OnePoll surveyed the financial aspirations of 2,000 Americans.

The result is a list of 30-plus signs that indicate achievement of the modern American Dream, ranging from paying for a Netflix account to shopping at Whole Foods to owning a second home.

Below, find 16 signs from the survey that you've "made it." And remember: Just like the Dream has evolved over time, it also varies from person to person. Whether or not you've truly "made it" isn't about your car or travel schedule. It's completely up to you.

SEE ALSO: The 25 most expensive ZIP codes in America

DON'T MISS: How much money you need to save each day to become a millionaire by age 65

You own property valued between $1 million and $2 million.

Homeownership in the US fell to a multi-decade low in July 2016. Less than 63% of Americans owned a home, potentially in part due to millennials prioritizing paying significant loans for their education over buying property.

Among those who do own a home, many don't know how its value changes over time, according to a 2015 Zillow survey. If seven-figure property signifies the American Dream to you, make sure you know what your home is worth (and what could trash its value).

You have $7,425 in your checking account.

Surveyed Americans said maintaining $7,425 in their checking account was a sign of success.

According to certified financial planner Sophia Bera, the right amount to keep in your checking really depends on how much you make.

"A good rule of thumb is to keep at least one month of net pay in your checking at all times. Look for a checking account with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Even better, find an account that reimburses ATM fees from other banks," Bera wrote on Business Insider, adding that it's smart to keep your checking and savings at different banks to avoid the temptation to dip into one or the other.

You go on at least two annual trips abroad.

While Americans collectively leave hundreds of millions of vacation days on the table every year, survey participants agreed that embarking on at least two trips abroad annually is a sign of achieving the American Dream.

And increasingly, they want those vacations to have value.

An American Express Travel survey of US adults earning $100,000 or more revealed that 81% of Americans are seeking deeper and more personalized experiences abroad, while 73% "said they would be willing to exceed their budget to have a unique local experience when they travel, and more than half said they would splurge to enjoy the cuisine of a particular destination."