Quantcast
Channel: Features
Viewing all 61683 articles
Browse latest View live

These are the 25 best fast-food chains in America right now

$
0
0

America's best fast food chainsAmericans can't get enough fast food, which is why it represents a $238 billion and growing industry in the US, according to market research firm Euromonitor.

But fast-food lovers aren’t only loyal to legacy chains like McDonald’s, KFC, and Taco Bell. In fact, these giants don't even break the top 25 in our latest ranking of the top fast-food chains in America. 

Business Insider teamed up with Restaurant Business, a publication that focuses on the food-service industry, to compile this list. Using proprietary data collected by Restaurant Business and its sister research firm Technomic from 2016, we looked at nearly 100 of the largest US chains and rated them on three criteria that we considered the most telling for all-around fast-food excellence: financial performance, customer satisfaction, and overall value. Our calculations accounted for sales growth, average sales at each location, consumer-sentiment ratings, and the average cost of a meal, among other metrics.

Keep reading to see the 25 best fast-food chains in America right now.

Emmie Martin, Tanza Loudenback and Alexa Pipia contributed to an earlier version of this article.

25. Jet's Pizza

Headquarters: Sterling Heights, Michigan

US sales in 2016: $368 million

Number of US locations: 404

Customer satisfaction rank: 24

Value rank: 35

Brothers Eugene and John Letts opened the first Jet's Pizza restaurant in Michigan in 1978 and since then, it's spread to 18 different states across the US. 

Jet's claims not to scrimp on ingredients. And its pizzas aren't dirt cheap. On average, customers can expect to spend $8.05 on a meal at the chain. Its signature style, the deep-dish square pizza, comes in many varieties or customers can choose to create their own from scratch. 



24. Jamba Juice

Headquarters: Frisco, Texas

US sales in 2016: $547 million

Number of US locations:828

Customer satisfaction rank: 16

Value rank: 37

Founded in 1990 in a California beach town, Jamba Juice was years ahead of today’s ubiquitous green smoothie and healthy living trends and remained a favorite for loyal customers over the years.

The  chain’s menu has expanded sine then, now offering Greek yogurt or acai berry bowls with soy milk. There's also plenty of new fruit and vegetable smoothies. 



23. Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois

US sales in 2016: $446 million

Number of US locations: 454

Customer satisfaction rank: 25

Value rank: 16

When Potbelly opened in 1977, it was an antique shop. The young couple who ran it decided they wanted to serve lunch to their customers and the store evolved into a local lunch spot. In 1996, entrepreneur Bryant Keil bought Potbelly and turned it into a franchise; he stepped down as CEO in 2008 and is no longer involved.

Today, not only do all the Potbelly stores serve sandwiches and fresh cookies, but each location has its own potbelly stove



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Meet the new heads of Goldman Sachs' investment bank

$
0
0

Gary Cohn

Goldman Sachs has named a new lineup at the top of its investment banking division. 

The US investment bank on Monday named Gregg Lemkau and Marc Nachmann as coheads of the unit alongside John Waldron. 

Richard Gnodde, who had previously coheaded the unit with Waldron from London, will now focus on running the international business.

Goldman Sachs' investment bank ranked second by revenues in 2016, according to Dealogic, generating $4.9 billion for work on equity and debt deals and mergers and acquisitions. 

The promotions are part of a chain reaction kicked off by Gary Cohn's move to take a role in President Trump's administration. The appointments were first reported by Liz Hoffman at The Wall Street Journal. 

It's a swift rise for Lemkau and Nachmann. Here's what you need to know about the new leadership:

Gregg Lemkau

Lemkau was promoted to Goldman Sachs' inner circle in December 2015 after a speedy rise up the bank's ranks. He most recently coheaded global mergers and acquisitions, a business that has been crushing it, topping the league tables for 2016 revenues with a 10.1% market share and $2.4 billion in revenues, according to data from Dealogic. 

He has held a bunch of top roles at the bank across regions and different industry groups, and he was also COO of the investment-banking division for a time, a role usually reserved for those destined for the top at Goldman Sachs. 

Lemkau is from a finance family — his father worked at Merrill Lynch for a long time, his brother also works at Goldman Sachs, and his sister works at JPMorgan

He has also been known to hang out with Gwyneth Paltrow.



Marc Nachmann

Nachman, who had been head of the global financing group, has had a big 18 months, joining the management committee in December 2015 and adding responsibility for Latin America to his financing group role in 2016.

Nachmann's financing group housed equity and debt capital markets and the bank's loan business. The bank finished 2016 ranked No. 3 in the equity capital-markets revenue rankings, according to Dealogic, and fourth by debt market revenue. The fourth-placed position in debt in particular marks an improvement on 2015 and previous years.

Nachmann joined Goldman Sachs in 1994 in the corporate-finance department. He made partner in 2004. He also previously coheaded global natural resources.



John Waldron

Waldron, like many of Goldman's most senior staff, was made partner in 2002, when he coheaded the media and entertainment group.

He then coheaded leveraged finance and the financial sponsors group before becoming global head of client coverage for the investment-banking division.

He has worked on transactions including Silver Lake's deal for Skype and Blackstone's purchase of SeaWorld, according to The New York Times, and he worked on the split of 21st Century Fox and News Corp. 

He was promoted to his current role in 2014, working alongside Richard Gnodde and David Solomon, when John S. Weinberg stepped down.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 crucial recipes for surviving in 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'

$
0
0

The new Nintendo Switch game, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," is incredible. It's also ridiculously tough.

When the monsters aren't trying — and succeeding, often! — to kill you, the elements remain persistent. "Breath of the Wild" is the kind of game where you could die from exposure. Thankfully, there's a simple way to aid in your continued survival: cooking!

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

More than just having your wits about you and taking a careful approach, you need to be a killer chef. And to be a killer chef, you need to know the best, most powerful recipes, and how to use the ingredients the game provides.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Just like the game's massive open world, there are near endless options for cooking in "Breath of the Wild." Some meals imbue Link with bonuses he'll need to survive. Trying to reach that shrine, but the region is too cold for Link to handle? Cook up spicy peppers to grant Link with "low-level cold resistance."

But that's just scratching the surface. There are countless dangers in Hyrule to overcome. So we're channeling our inner Julia Child: We've put together the 10 most important recipes for survival, whether you're trying to beat a tough boss or survive in a lightning storm.

SEE ALSO: 20 tips and tricks for conquering the fantastic and surprisingly challenging new 'Zelda' game

DON'T MISS: The first major game on Nintendo's new console is one of the best games I've played in years

Before you learn any useful recipes, you need to know how to cook: Find a fire with a cooking pot over it! These are all over the place, but you can find them most readily in towns or in moblin camps.

Of note: I found this cooking pot over a stack of wood, unlit. But don't despair if you find as much. By selecting a flint from your inventory, choosing to "hold" it, and then dropping it under the fire, you can restart the fire for cooking. After placing the flint, strike it with any metal weapon — like an ax or a sword — to start a fire.



After finding the cooking pot/fire, you can cook by opening the inventory and selecting Hold on up to five ingredients.



Then, exit the inventory screen and select Cook.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Tesla's Model Y will arrive by 2020 — here's everything we know about the SUV (TSLA)

$
0
0

Elon Musk Tesla

Tesla plans to launch its first mass-market car, the Model 3, by the end of 2017. But Tesla also has another important vehicle in the works. 

In July 2016, Musk confirmed that Tesla plans to bring a new compact SUV to market, dubbed the Model Y. And now we know when to expect the vehicle. 

Last Wednesday, Musk said during the company's first-quarter earnings call that the Model Y will arrive by either late 2019 or 2020. It was the first time Musk had shared a timeline for the SUV. 

Musk has kept mum on most other details pertaining to the upcoming vehicle, but he has talked generally about features coming to future Tesla vehicles and has talked a lot about the Model Y's sister vehicle, the Model 3. 

Based on his comments, we pulled together a list of some of the features we'll likely see in Tesla's Model Y.

SEE ALSO: Audi is building an electric SUV to take on Tesla — and it just became available for pre-order

The Model Y will be built on a new platform.

Musk said during company's recent earnings call that the SUV would be built on an entirely new platform. 

This was unexpected, as it was widely speculated that the upcoming SUV would be based on the same platform as the Model 3

 



The Model Y will transform Tesla's manufacturing process.

Tesla will take it's manufacturing to the next level with the production of the Model Y

During Tesla's first quarter earnings call, Musk said that the company would make significant automation improvements to its production line with the Model 3, but the Model Y is where the manufacturing process will really become 

"With the Model 3, I think we will be roughly comparable with the best high-volume vehicle production lines in the world. Better in some respects, a little worse in others, but roughly comparable," Musk said. 

"Then where things will really be a step change beyond any other auto manufacturer will be the Model Y factory. And this is both a function of designing the product to be easy to manufacture and easy to automate as well as designing the factory itself. So Model Y is where I think it really becomes a step change," he said. 

Tesla has been investing heavily in automating its manufacturing process. 

In November, the automaker announced it was acquiring Grohmann Engineering, a German engineering company that specializes in making automated manufacturing systems. 

At the time, Musk said Tesla's factories would become increasingly more important as the company grows its production volume. 

"As the machine that builds the machine, our factories are so important that we believe they will ultimately deserve an order of magnitude more attention in engineering than what they produce. At very high production volumes, the factory becomes more of a product than the product itself,"Musk said in a statement.



It may have Falcon-wing doors.

In October 2015, Musk posted a tweet suggesting the Model Y could have falcon-wing doors

In a response to a Twitter follower asking if the Model 3 crossover will have falcon-wing doors, Musk said that "there will be a Model 3 and a Model Y. One of the two will."

Musk later deleted the tweet. 

It's worth noting that Musk revealed a prototype of the Model 3 in March and that car did not have falcon-wing doors, so perhaps they will show up on the Model Y, at least as an option. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The is the best car Audi has ever made

$
0
0

Audi A4 21

In the 1980s, the Audi Quattro revolutionized rally racing. In the 1990s, the TT became an instant style icon. In the 2000s, the striking R8 supercar became Iron Man's ride of choice. More recently, the German brand has turned out one industry-leading model after another in the form of stalwarts such as the Q5, the Q7, and RS7, all of which are brilliant vehicles.

Last fall, Audi dropped off a brand-new 2017 A4 2.0T quattro S tronic sedan clad in Manhattan Gray Metallic paint for Business Insider to check out. It was our first encounter with the company's new fifth-generation A4 sedan. To call the car impressive would be an understatement.

One thing became crystal clear to Business Insider's transportation team after just a few days with the new A4: The 2017 A4 is the best car Audi has ever made. Yes, it's that good!

No, the new A4 isn't as evocative as the R8. Nor does it have the mind-bending performance of the RS7. The compact luxury sedan certainly doesn't have the vaunted racing pedigree of the Quattro. (The A4 has been known to hold its own as a touring car racer in Europe and the UK.) But what the A4 does have going for it is the ability to do everything Audi and its consumers need it to do with spectacular effectiveness and efficiency.

As my colleague Matt DeBord put it, "The A4 ticks all of the boxes you can tick, but it doesn't create any new ones."

The brand new A4 sedan starts at a competitive $34,900, while our option-laden test car came with an as-tested price tag of $54,275.

Here's a closer look at the 2017 Audi A4.

Photos by Hollis Johnson unless otherwise credited.

SEE ALSO: 40 amazing cars that dominated the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show

For two decades, the A4 has been Audi's answer to ...



... BMW's all-conquering 3-Series and ...



... the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

26 things under $20 we use every day

$
0
0

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

desk humidifier

Life is expensive. Student loans, rent, phone bills, groceries — it's no wonder we spend our hard-earned paychecks so quickly. And then there are those little splurges on Ubers, dining out, and new clothes and shoes for work.

In an effort to talk about purchases that are decidedly more budget-friendly, I asked my Business Insider colleagues to share the best things they’ve bought for less than $20, and I got some interesting responses.

Some are seemingly random (a lemon squeezer), some are convenient (an extra-long charging cable for your phone), and some you probably didn't realize you needed (a mini humidifier for your desk).

Check out our favorite affordable picks below.

SEE ALSO: 10 must-have tech accessories under $10

DON'T MISS: 22 awesome and weird things we bought using Amazon Prime

A car mount for your phone

I don't own a car in New York, but this air-vent phone mount is worth the $8. I keep it in my suitcase so that I have it when I travel and I'm driving around a rental car. It works everywhere and holds my phone securely in place while driving. — Reuben Ingber

TechMatte MagGrip Air Vent Magnetic Universal Car Mount Holder, $7.99



An egg cooker

No one likes to be the girl in the office who goes to crack her hard-boiled egg during this month's health kick and end up with a yolky mess. Not cool. 

After more failed attempts than I would like to admit at the perfect hard-boiled egg, I discovered this little beauty — perfect every time and you never end up with egg on your face ... or your desk. — Caitlin Gallaher

Dash Go Rapid Egg Cooker, $19.04



A miniature desk humidifier

This little doodad has changed my life by making winter in a hot, dry New York office bearable without taking up much space. — Margaret Bowani

Deneve V2 Cool Mist Humidifier Stick, $19.95



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Amazon just launched a totally new Echo speaker with a touchscreen (AMZN)

$
0
0

Amazon Echo Show

Amazon announced a new Echo speaker on Tuesday.

It's called the Echo Show, it costs $229.99, and it will start shipping in June. 

Like Amazon's other Echo speakers, users can talk to a virtual assistant, Alexa, which can turn on music, read news, and connect with apps like Uber. 

The biggest new improvement to the Echo Show is that it comes with a 7-inch touchscreen that can make video calls. 

The touchscreen can play Amazon Video, YouTube videos, and display song lyrics too.  

Here's how it works: 

Amazon Show is a smart speaker with a 7-inch touchscreen. It comes in black and white.



The biggest new addition is that the Echo Show can make video calls through Amazon's service Chime. You can tell your speaker, "Alexa, call Dad."



Like this.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

All the Marvel Cinematic Universe's post-credits scenes, ranked from worst to best

$
0
0

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Disney Marvel

The Marvel movie ends, and the credits start to roll. You see some people in your row start to gather their things and leave. Amateurs.

But not you. You stay in your seat, just like you have since you first saw "Iron Man" in 2008 and heard whispers of an extra scene after the credits. It seemed unlikely — why would anyone want to stay that long once the film is over? But you waited, and your patience was rewarded. Now you know not to leave the theater until every last name has scrolled past and employees are starting to sweep up popcorn. 

Now 15 movies deep, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is famous for its post-credits scenes. Some are used to tease new characters and plotlines, while others are there to give a wink to hardcore comics fans.

Viewers of Marvel's latest, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," are treated to not one, not three, but five mid- and post-credits scenes. They're worthy additions to Marvel's already extensive collection.

Here is the definitive ranking of Marvel's post-credits scenes:

Note: This list only mentions two of the five credits scenes from "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" so as to not give away any plot points. All other Marvel films are fair game.

SEE ALSO: 26 TV shows that were just canceled

23. "Thor: The Dark World"— The kiss

Look, I'll be honest, I haven't seen "Thor: The Dark World." It's the only Marvel movie that I've missed, and at this point I haven't heard anything that makes me want to go back and watch it. 

That said, I'm confident that this is the worst post-credits scene that Marvel has put out. It doesn't tease a future plotline or character, and it's not remotely funny. I'm glad I didn't sit through the credits to watch this. 

Watch it here.



22. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"— The twins

A generally underwhelming scene is buoyed somewhat by the appearance of two new characters: Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. 

Watch it here.



21. "Doctor Strange"— "Too many sorcerers"

Doctor Strange was a niche, unfamiliar property for many moviegoers. Perhaps a post-credits scene focusing on the creation of a niche, unfamiliar villain was not the best way to go. Unlike most Marvel post-credits scenes, this one did not leave me wanting to see what was going to happen next. 

Watch it here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

15 of the healthiest fast-food menu items

$
0
0

Fast Food Sugar 11

Heading to McDonald's for a healthy lunch might sound foolish.

But it's not impossible.

We checked out the lunch and breakfast fare at dozens of on-the-go restaurants — from Chik-Fil-A to Wendy's to Starbucks — to find some of the healthiest items they offer.

The foods we picked all pack less than 500 calories, are fairly low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and include 15 or more grams of protein to keep you feeling full. Our main caveat with most of these items, however, is that they pack a lot of salt, so you'd probably want to watch your sodium intake on the day you consume them.

Here are the sandwiches, salads, bowls and burgers to order when seeking a lighter option:

NEXT UP: Most of the salt in your diet comes from these 25 foods

SEE ALSO: 11 things people think are terrible for your diet that actually aren't

Chipotle — Chicken Burrito Bowl with brown rice & pinto beans, no cheese or sour cream: 500 calories

Chipotle has lots of fresh, healthier options. In general, nix the cheese and sour cream (an occasional dollop of guac is fine, since it's packed with healthy fats), and go for deconstructed alternatives to their burritos, like this one, which has:

500 calories— not too low, not too high 

42 g of protein— a hefty amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up

13.5 g of fat— a little on the high side

57 g of carbs— roughly one-third of your recommended daily allowance

805 mg of sodium — a little less than half your recommended daily allowance



Starbucks — Spinach and Feta Wrap: 290 calories

While the yummy pastries at Starbucks are sure to catch your eye mid-afternoon, sugary muffins and scones can leave you hangry. Their hot breakfast items, like this wrap, are likely a healthier, more filling meal, with:

290 calories— pretty low as far as lunch goes; pair with a high-protein side like plain Greek yogurt

19 g of protein— a pretty good amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up

10 g of fat— not too low, not too high

33 g of carbs— pretty high; replace sugary or carb-heavy snacks with protein-rich ones

830 mg of sodium — just under half your daily allowance



In-N-Out — Cheeseburger with onion, ketchup, and mustard, no spread: 480 calories

You don't have to turn to the secret menu (we're lookin' at you, Protein-Style fans) to get a lighter option at In-N-Out. Swap the special sauce for some ketchup and mustard to slash some fat and calories, and opt for a regular burger instead of a Double-Double.

480 calories— not too high, not too low

22 g of protein— a good amount to strengthen muscles and fill you up

27 g of fat— on the high side (a little less than half your daily allowance)

41 g of carbs— roughly 14% of your recommended daily allowance

1080 mg of sodium — close to half your recommended daily allowance



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

I make $43,000 a year in New York City — here's what I spent in a week

$
0
0

new york city street bike

Welcome to Money Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.

This week: a financial coordinator making $43,000/year who spends it on cabs to and from her boyfriend's place.

Occupation: Financial Coordinator
Industry: Medical
Age: 27
Location: NYC
Salary: $43,000
Paycheck Amount (weekly): $650

Monthly Expenses

Monthly Housing Costs: $640 a month, utilities included. I'm a single parent and live with my aunt and my son.

Monthly Loan Payments: $0 since I qualified for financial aid.

All Other Expenses

Gym membership: $10.45
MetroCard: $31/week, pre-tax
Credit Cards: $70/month. (Why was I so reckless?!)
Savings: I really try to save at least $100/month.
Phone bill: My share on a family plan is $80/month.
Apple Music: I pay $7 and my sister pays the rest of the $14.99 subscription.
Netflix: $0, thanks to my older sister.
Health insurance: $65/week for me and my son. (My son's dad is unemployed at the moment and not helping me financially right now.)

SEE ALSO: I'm an attorney in New York City who makes $240,000 a year — here's what I spend in a week

Day One

7 a.m.— I refill my weekly MetroCard before heading to work. $31

8 a.m.— I get to the hospital where we have a Starbucks onsite. I order a grande iced coffee and then go to the cafeteria for tater tots with sausage. I would save a lot more money if I didn't spend so much on food. I almost never cook — I really hate it — so I eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $6

12 p.m.— I go to the hospital cafeteria and buy a really decent-sized salad for lunch, and I get 15% off because I am an employee. I'm trying to eat healthier and go for salads at least three times a week. $4.40

5 p.m.— I head to my dermatology appointment on the Upper West Side. I have pretty nasty eczema out of nowhere and it's driving me insane. My insurance covers me 100%, no copay.

8 p.m.— Finally home after my derm appointment. I have an allergy test on my back and have to go back in two days to remove it. I spend some time with my son and make him a sandwich for dinner. We cuddle a little bit before bed.

Daily Total: $41.40



Day Two

6:20 a.m.— My alarm goes off. I stay in bed for a little bit and browse through Amazon. Prime is legit a lifesaver. I order some cups for my son and new tweezers because I have no idea where I put mine. I jump in the shower and then get my son ready. After I drop him off at school, I head to work. $20

8 a.m.— I go to the hospital cafeteria and order breakfast and a coffee from Starbucks. I use my discount and then head upstairs to my room. $6

12 p.m.— I'm feeling lazy and decide not to walk to the other side of the hospital for my salad. Instead, I go to my regular café and get a ham and cheese whole-wheat wrap. I have water upstairs, so I don't need to spend money on a beverage. During the week, I only drink water and coffee, no juice or soda. $5.40

5:30 p.m. — I make it home from work and call my boyfriend. We usually see each other twice a week, so we chat for a bit and make plans to see each other tomorrow. I make dinner for my son — mac and cheese and a glass of milk — and we watch Moana on our Amazon Fire stick. (Thanks, babe.)

8 p.m.— It's time for bed.

Daily Total: $31.40



Day Three

6:30 a.m.— I snoozed this morning so I'm rushing to get my son ready for school. I don't have to worry about breakfast for him because his school provides free breakfast. He eats waffles or cereal once he gets there at 7:30.

8 a.m.— I go to Starbucks and have a medium iced coffee and sausage with corned beef hash. $6.00

1 p.m.— I take lunch a little later since a coworker brought me another coffee around 11 a.m. I walk over to the other hospital building and buy a crispy chicken salad. $4.40

5 p.m.— I get to my dermatology follow-up appointment. She checks the allergy test (apparently, I'm allergic to nickel) and gives me suggestions for a new body wash and soap to use. I make a mental note to stop by Duane Reade during lunch tomorrow to pick them up.

6:30 p.m.— I'm really lucky to live with my aunt; she's amazing. She picks up my son from school and feeds him once they're home, usually rice and chicken. Once I get home, I make him a ham and cheese sandwich and we cuddle and watch Wall-E until bedtime. I make myself a tuna sandwich before bed.

8 p.m.— I take a Lyft to and from my boyfriend's house; he lives in the Bronx, about 20 minutes away from me. We catch up on The Flash and cuddle. I almost always pay for my own cabs because I make more money than he does, but when we go out for date night (usually once a week, instead of staying in) he picks up the tab. I leave around midnight and climb into bed when I get home. I'm going to be so tired tomorrow. $40



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the most important dishes that have ever been served at the best restaurant in the world

$
0
0

Eleven Madison Park, Clam

Eleven Madison Park, recently crowned the "best restaurant in the world," is moving — for the summer, at least. 

The interior of the three-Michelin-starred resturant, located at the foot of New York City's Madison Square Park, has barely changed since it opened 20 years ago. Now, Chef Daniel Humm and business partner Will Guidara are ready for an overhaul.

Starting June 9, the restaurant will move to a new summer location in the Hamptons while its dining room and kitchen are redesigned back in New York City.

Before the temporary relocation, Humm and Guidara are having some fun, serving up an 11-course retrospective tasting menu highlighting signature dishes from the restaurant's history. The full 11-course meal is available for $295 a person, but a condensed, five-course meal is available for $145 in the bar section.

Below, take a look at the award-winning food, along with the years the dishes were introduced to the menu. The dishes appear in the order they are served on the tasting menu. 

SEE ALSO: Go inside the stunning French bistro that was just named the best new restaurant in America

Sea Urchin, 2006: cappuccino with peekytoe crab and cauliflower.



Prawn, 2007: roulade with avocado and yogurt.



Little Neck Clam, 2011: clambake with velouté and parker house rolls.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Harvard, Stanford, and 25 other colleges that are worth the money

$
0
0

College Graduates Tossing Caps

A college education is a big investment of both time and money. All you can do is choose the right program, work hard, and hope it pays off.

And while students should think long and hard about where they'll be happiest, with average student loan debt hovering around $37,000, students and parents can't afford not to consider earning potential post-graduation, as well.

As it turns out, some schools are doing a much better job of setting their students up for success in the job market than others.

To help students figure out which colleges provide the best monetary return for their alumni, PayScale compiled its 2017 College Return on Investment Report: Best Value Colleges.

All data used to produce PayScale's Return on Investment Package was collected from employees who successfully completed PayScale's employee survey. To calculate the ROI, PayScale looked at the investment in each college, which includes the cost of attending, as calculated by the cost for a graduate in 2016, on and off campus — and then looked at the 20-year return for each college, which is how much a graduate can expect to make over 20 years, minus the price of college.

See the full interactive list here, and keep scrolling for the top 27 colleges for your money. The "total cost" and "20 year ROI" figures are for students who live on campus.

SEE ALSO: The 20 best colleges for your money

DON'T MISS: People with these college majors get the biggest pay raises

27. New Jersey Institute of Technology (in-state)

Type of school: Public

Total cost: $131,000

Net 20 year ROI: $688,000

Graduation rate: 59%



26. Harvard University

Type of school: Private

Total cost: $244,000

Net 20 year ROI: $700,000

Graduation rate: 98%



25. Massachusetts Maritime Academy (out-of-state)

Type of school: Public

Total cost: $151,000

Net 20 year ROI: $712,000

Graduation rate: 70%



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Google's mysterious new operating system looks completely different than Android

$
0
0

google pixel phone

Details about Google's new mystery operating system, Fuchsia, appeared on Ars Technica on Tuesday, which gives us a better idea of what Fuchsia is for.

Based on Ars Technica's findings, Fuchsia is designed to work on "modern phones and modern personal computers with fast processors" with "non-trivial amounts of RAM." That seems like an odd move on Google's part, as Android runs perfectly well on budget devices with lesser specs. It's usually third-party apps that require speedy components to perform at their best.

We've seen before that Fuchsia is built completely from the ground up, and is based on Google's own "Magenta" kernel instead of the pre-existing Linux kernel that Android is based on. A kernel is the core of an OS where the basic functions are built from. Kernels are like an empty house (Linux) where the tenant (Google) can furnish from the ground up to work, look, and feel the way it wants. By building its very own kernel, Google has more control over what its OS can do.

Check out Ars Technica's screenshots of Fuchsia to get a look at Google's new OS. In the meantime, I've compiled a few screenshots from YouTuber Kyle Bradshaw, who uploaded a video showing Fuchsia running on a mobile device on May 3:

SEE ALSO: The 20 best smartphones in the world

Fuchsia doesn't necessarily have a home screen with app icons as we know it, like Android or iOS.



Instead of app icons, apps take up rectangular sections of the screen. There still seems to be a home button on the bottom center of the screen.



It looks like a vertically oriented user interface (UI), where you swipe up and down to navigate around the OS and apps.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

What life is like inside California’s largest immigration detention center

$
0
0

RTS14NBDSince Donald Trump has taken office, arrests of immigrants have ramped up nationwide.

In the Trump administration's first 100 days, ICE has detained 54,564 individuals, 23,897 of whom are non-criminals, according to CNN. During one of the administration's largest sweeps, federal immigration officials rounded up over 600 people across at least 11 states in just one week in February.

When immigrants are arrested in California, many are sent to the Adelanto Detention Facility, the largest immigration detention center in the state.

There, detainees await immediate deportation or hearings that will determine their immigration status. Reuters photographer Lucy Nicholson recently went inside to see what life is like for the detained immigrants.

Here's what she found.

SEE ALSO: A group of artists just submitted a proposal for a $195 million Trump border 'wall' made of 3 million hammocks

The Adelanto immigration detention center is located about 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California.



After being arrested by ICE agents, more than 1,800 immigrants await hearings or deportations there. About 240 of the detainees at Adelanto are women.



Roberto Galan, a 33-year-old Salvadoran immigrant, paid a trafficker $3,000 to smuggle him into the US from El Salvador as a teenager in 1997.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best measuring cups for baking

$
0
0

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Insider Picks_Buying Guides_Measuring cups 4x3

The Insider Pick:

Most star bakers and Europeans use kitchen scales to ensure that they get the perfect amount of each ingredient into their recipes, but us mere mortals in the US typically stick to recipes based on dry and wet cup measurements. However imprecise cup measurements may be, you can still find great wet and dry measuring cups that will get you closer to accurate measurements for recipes. 

There are all different kinds of dry measuring cups out there, and some are more durable than others. Cheap plastic sets and flimsy metal ones never last very long — either the handle snaps off or it bends under the least amount of pressure. We recommend you invest in a good sturdy pair of stainless steel measuring cups for dry ingredients that will last you a lifetime. Thicker plastic ones are also acceptable, but they won't last quite as long. 

Although longer handles may look classy on measuring cups, sets with shorter handles have better balance when they're standing empty or stacked together in your cupboard. A good grippy handle with smooth edges is best for comfort, and you need a set with clear, etched measurement markings that won't fade over time or peel off like some printed labels do. 

If you're working with European recipes, you'll probably want a set of measuring cups that have milliliter markings. Should you run into a recipe that measures in grams and you don't have a kitchen scale, Doves Farm has a great conversion chart for different types of ingredients.

When it comes to wet ingredients, you'll want a sturdy set of glass measuring cups. Plastic measuring cups for wet ingredients always seem to get stained, and the plastic can absorb and transmit unwanted flavors to your ingredients. Glass is simply the best way to go. You should also check for metric measurements, comfortable handles, clear marking, and a good spout for pouring the wet ingredients.

Although the KitchenMade Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and the Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set are our top picks for dry and wet ingredients, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the easy-to-store OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps and the affordable OXO Good Grips Plastic Measuring Cups.

SEE ALSO: The best immersion blenders you can buy

DON'T MISS: The best spice racks you can buy

The best measuring cups overall

Why you'll love it: The KitchenMade Stainless Steel Measuring Cups are sturdy enough to last you a lifetime, and you'll get accurate measurements for dry ingredients in recipes.

Although you may gasp at the idea of paying $22.97 for a set of measuring cups when you can find some for less than $10, KitchenMade's Stainless Steel Measuring Cups are worth every penny.

While cheaper metal measuring cups have flimsy handles that bend or cut into your hands, KitchenMade's set is comfortable to hold and it'll last you a lifetime — the company even has a lifetime 100 percent money back guarantee to prove it. 

The cups are made out of one piece of stainless steel, so the handles won't snap off. The steel is reasonably thick, too, so you don't have to worry about the handle bending under pressure. There's a hole in the handle of each cup in case you want to loop them together or hang them in your kitchen.

Measurements are etched into the short handles in both milliliters and cups, so you won't get confused with metric measurements. The measurements are also listed on the side of the cup, and the 1/4 cup measurement has a handy half-measure line for when you need 1/8 cup in a recipe.

Although you should really get measuring cups for wet ingredients, too, if you want to use KitchenMade's set for wet ingredients, you can, thanks to the small pouring lip and flat bottom.

Buyers on Amazon can't get enough of these measuring cups. One reviewer even said they'd finally found the "perfect set of measuring cups."The Sweethome and its panel of expert bakers agree that KitchenMade's measuring cups are the best ones you can buy for measuring dry ingredients while baking or cooking. The site noted how accurate the cups measurements were and appreciated the durability of the stainless steel design.

Pros: Sturdy stainless steel design, short handles, etched measurements in both cups and milliliters, lifetime 100 percent money back guarantee

Cons: Pricey

Buy the KitchenMade Stainless Steel Measuring Cups on Amazon for $22.97



The best measuring cups for wet ingredients

Why you'll love it: The Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set for wet ingredients can't be beat with its sturdy design, clear markings, and great price.

When it comes to measuring wet ingredients, there's only one brand that comes to mind: Pyrex. The company has been making glass measuring cups for wet ingredients for 90 years, and it's still the top brand among bakers and chefs. The Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set is ideal for any recipe with its 1-cup, 2-cup, and 4-cup capacities. 

Although these measuring cups are made of glass, they are very sturdy and shouldn't break easily. The nonporous glass doesn't absorb odors or flavors the way plastic inevitably does, and these cups won't warp or melt in the presence of hot ingredients. 

Pyrex guarantees that you can pop its measuring cups in the oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, or dishwasher without any problems, too, so you can get a lot of use out of this set. The company also offers a two-year warranty in case of any defects or problems, and you can feel good knowing you bought something that's American made.

More importantly, though, Pyrex's measuring cups offer accurate measurements, clear markings in cups, ounces, quarts, and milliliters. The spout pours well without dripping and the handle is comfortable to hold, too.

The set is the number one best-seller on Amazon, and user reviews are mostly positive. The Sweethome says that Pyrex makes the best measuring cups for liquid ingredients, and couldn't find many comparable alternatives that even came close to challenging the Pyrex cups.

Although you can buy the measuring cups individually, at the time of writing, the set was a much better deal at a mere $10.79.

Pros: Glass design is strong, no odor absorption, clear metric and imperial measurements, two-year warranty, easy to clean, good spout for pouring liquid ingredients.

Cons: None

Buy the Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set on Amazon for $10.79



The best magnetic measuring cups

Why you'll love it: The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps are easy to grip and measure dry ingredients with great accuracy.

If you don't want to pay more than $15 for a set of measuring cups the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps are your best bet. They're not the cheapest ones you can buy, but they're far better than the lower priced options.

These are sturdy stainless steel measuring cups with excellent grippy handles and clearly etched measurement markings. You don't have to worry about bent or broken handles because the steel is relatively thick. The handles also have magnets inside, so they stick together when you stack them. The magnets aren't terribly strong, but they have enough force to hold the cups in place in your cupboard.

The set comes with 1/4-cup, 1/3-cup, 1/2-cup, and 1-cup measurements, and in tests by Cooks Illustrated, OXO's set had the most accurate measurements. The Smart Consumer was also favorably impressed with the OXO measuring cups, and reviews on Amazon are positive.

The only complaint we have with the set is the lack of metric measurements, but most people won't need to measure in milliliters, anyway. There's also a matching set of teaspoons you can buy with magnets in the handles if you want your baking gear to match.

Pros: Sturdy stainless steel, magnetic stacking cups, clear etched markings, grippy handles, decent price

Cons: No metric measurements

Buy the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps on Amazon for $14.99 [You save $5.00]



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

RANKED: The 11 footballers most likely to join a new club this summer, according to British bookmakers

$
0
0

File photo dated 26-12-2016 of Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrating a goal.

The 2016/2017 Premier League season draws to a conclusion on May 21, and that can only mean one thing: Open season on transfer gossip.

To guide you through the onslaught of headlines, we have pulled together British bookmaker odds to rank the 11 players most likely to join a new club this summer.

Calculating the likelihood is easy. All you have to do is convert a bookmaker's fractional odds into a percentage. If the percentage is above 50%, then that bookie feels the transfer has a higher chance of happening than not.

These are the 11 players who could be on the move in the coming months, ranked from least to most likely.

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has a 44% chance of joining any Chinese club.

At 31, Wayne Rooney's effectiveness up front has faded with age.

A frequent substitute under current Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, it is assumed the England international may be one of the first to leave Old Trafford this summer.

Rooney still possesses extraordinary name value and will not be short of admirers.

Likeliest buying club: A Chinese Super League side.

Alternative clubs: Everton or a Major League Soccer side.



Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has a 50% chance of joining Liverpool.

Arsenal is struggling to secure a qualification spot in next season's Champions League competition and is subject to regular fan protests outside the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool could be looking to take advantage of the turmoil by plotting an audacious swoop for midfield star Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Likeliest buying club: Liverpool.

Alternative buying clubs: Manchester City.



Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has a 50% chance of joining Everton.

Gylfi Sigurdsson has been one of Swansea City's best and most reliable performers since transferring from Tottenham Hotspur in 2014.

Should the Swans be relegated, then it will only be a matter of time before bigger clubs test its resolve with a bid for the Icelandic playmaker.

Likeliest buying club: Everton.

Alternative buying clubs: Southampton or Newcastle United.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

22 ways to earn passive income

$
0
0

computer happy

Making money while you sleep.

Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

After reading books like "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and "4 Hour Work Week," I became interested obsessed with making passive income.

Whenever someone needs additional income, the stereotypical suggestion offered is to “get a part-time job.”

But what if you don't have the time or energy to put in all those extra hours?

I know I didn't. Plus that wasn't as appealing as making money while I was trading time for money.

For that, you may need some passive income ideas — ways to make money with little investment of time and effort on your part.

Here's a list of quite a few passive income ideas, so it's likely that you'll be able to find at least two or three that will work in your situation.

SEE ALSO: This woman quit her job, paid her debts, and bought a house thanks to a side job that earns $9,000 a month

1. Try out index funds.

Index funds provide you with a way to invest in the stock market that is completely passive. For example, if you invest money in an index fund that is based on the S&P 500 Index, you will be invested in the general market, without having to concern yourself with choosing investments, rebalancing your portfolio, or knowing when to sell or buy individual companies. All that will be handled by the fund which will base the fund portfolio on the makeup of the underlying index.

You are also free to choose a fund that is based on any index that you want. For example, there are index funds set up for just about every market sector there is — energy, precious metals, banking, emerging markets — you name it. All you have to do is decide that you want to participate, then contribute money and sit back and relax. Your stock portfolio will then be on automatic pilot.



2. Make YouTube videos.

This is a venture that is growing rapidly. You can create videos in just about any area that you like — music, tutorials, opinions, comedy, movie reviews — anything you want . . . then put them on YouTube. You can then attach Google AdSense to the videos, which will overlay your videos with automatic ads. When viewers click on those ads, you will earn money from AdSense.

The keys will be to create compelling videos, to promote those videos on social media websites, and to create enough of them that your income will be coming from multiple sources. There's a good bit of work that goes into creating videos, but once a video is done it can become a completely passive cash flow source for a very long time.

Don't think you can find success with YouTube? You sure can. Emily Eddington used her love for makeup and YouTube to quit her full-time job. She has received over 66 million views on YouTube. This former morning news anchor took her passion — makeup — and turned it into a phenomenal success.

3. Try affiliate marketing and make sales.

This is a passive income technique that is better suited to people who have blogs and active websites. You can sign up to promote certain products or services on your site, for which you will be paid either a flat fee or a percentage of the amount of the sale completed.

This isn't as hard to do as you might think, since there are thousands of companies in the world who want to sell their products in as many places as they can.

You can find affiliate offers either by contacting vendors directly, or on dedicated websites, such as ClickBank. It's always best if the product or service is one that you are either very interested in or is highly relevant to your website.



4. Put your photography to work on the web.

Do you like photography? If you do, you may be able to convert it into a passive income source. Photography websites such as Shutterstock and iStockphoto can provide you with platforms to sell your photos. They may offer either a percentage or a flat fee of each photo that is sold to a site client.

In this way, a single photo could represent a cash flow source since it can be sold again and again. You simply need to create your photo portfolio, put it on one or more photo platforms, and then the activity becomes completely passive. All the technicalities of the photo sales are handled through the web platform.

And yes, that's me in a stock photo you can purchase from iStockPhoto.com. My good is a photographer and has uploaded a few hundred photos to their platform and makes a good residual income from it.

5. Purchase high dividend stocks.

By building a portfolio of high dividend stocks, you can create regular passive income at an annual rate that is much higher than what you get on bank investments.

Just as important, since high dividend stocks are stocks, there is always the potential for capital appreciation.

In that way, you can earn passive income from two sources — dividends and capital gains.

You will need a brokerage account to purchase these stocks and complete the research needed.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

11 of the worst pieces of career advice for recent grads

$
0
0

college graduate cap and gown fix

Everyone loves to toss pearls of wisdom at recent grads.

But how do you separate the valuable insight from the generic platitudes?

Business Insider asked a few career experts to break down some common clichés that are useless — or even downright misleading.

Here are a few well-meaning thoughts that everyone should probably stop sharing with recent grads:

SEE ALSO: 5 pieces of terrible résumé advice you should ignore

DON'T MISS: 15 TED talks that offer career advice you've probably never heard before

'Go back to school'

Go directly to grad school. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

Of course, pursuing grad school straightaway is a great option for many recent grads. However, it's not for everyone. And it's one expensive delaying tactic if you're only doing it because you don't know what you want to do in your life.

International business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage" Michael Kerr advises college graduates to thoroughly research and think about grad school before taking the plunge.

"If you are truly passionate about pursuing a career that requires additional education that’s one thing, but staying in school or returning for an advanced degree as a holding pattern or as a default can lead to you racking up a huge amount of debt without necessarily gaining you any long term career advantage and earning potential, and may cause you to forestall many of your bigger life goals," says Kerr.



'Just show up at the office and ask for a job'

Are you a recent grad with a dream and some gumption? Are you interested in a particular job? Well then, show up at the office and ask to speak with the boss. They'll be impressed by your moxie.

Actually, no. You'll probably just end up ticking them off.

Alison Green reflected on job applicants randomly coming to the office in a 2012 Ask a Manager blog post: "It's annoying, it's disrespectful of other people's time, it displays a lack of understanding of how hiring works (because candidates can't decide on their own that they're getting an interview, regardless of the employer's decision), and it also shows a lack of understanding of how most offices work (because in most industries, people are busy and you make an appointment to talk to someone — with their agreement — rather than just showing up at their office)."

Yeah, unless your career goals include getting escorted out of various workplaces by security, ignore your feisty uncle when he tells you to storm some unsuspecting office.



'Hide the tattoos'

If you're a recent grad with tattoos and tattoo-hating relatives, you've probably already gotten an earful about how your ink will ruin your entire career. Don't get psyched out, though.

When it comes to covering up, career coach, founder of The Hired Group and author of "Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad" Ryan Kahn says that it's probably best to err on the conservative side for job interviews.

"However, in some industries having tattoos could give you an edge if that fits in with their company culture," Kahn says. "Do your research on the office environment prior to the interview. Ask a friend who works there or call the receptionist and dress appropriately based on what you find out."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Trump is reportedly selling his Caribbean estate for $28 million — take a look inside

$
0
0

trump st. martin

President Trump is looking to get rid of his luxurious St. Martin estate.

The home, which he purchased in 2013, is called Le Château des Palmiers. It's a walled estate across nearly five acres, with both a main house and a guest house. In total, the compound has 11 bedrooms.

While the official listing states that the price is available only upon request, another listing aggregator pins the property's asking price at $28 million. Records show that it was listed for just under $20 million when Trump purchased it.

According to disclosure filings obtained by the Wall Street Journal, Trump owns the property through two shell companies called Excel Venture I LLC and Excel Venture Corp II.

Trump typically uses the Caribbean escape as a rental property, and, according to the disclosure, he gets between $100,000 and $1 million a year from it.

Lesley Reed of Sotheby's International Realty has the listing

SEE ALSO: Report: Trump's New York penthouse is actually a third of the size he says it is

Though Trump didn't develop the house himself, he added his own flair to it after purchasing it in 2013.



Plenty of light shines through the main house.



The front doors bear his family crest.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 reasons Finland's education system puts the US model to shame

$
0
0

Finland flag

For as small and homogeneous as Finland may be, its repeated success in national education rankings means there are at least a few lessons the US can learn.

For one, the tiny Nordic country places considerable weight on early education. Before Finnish kids learn their times tables, they learn simply how to be kids — how to play with one another, how to mend emotional wounds.

But even as kids grow up, the country makes a concerted effort to put them on a track for success.

Here are some of the biggest ways Finland is winning in global education.

SEE ALSO: Finland has one of the best education systems in the world — here are 4 things it does better than the US

1. Competition isn't as important as cooperation.

Finland has figured out that competition between schools doesn't get kids as far as cooperation between those schools. 

One reason for that is Finland has no private schools. Every academic institution in the country is funded through public dollars. Teachers are trained to issue their own tests instead of standardized tests.

"There's no word for accountability in Finnish," education expert Pasi Sahlberg once told an audience at the Teachers College of Columbia University. Teachers are trusted to do well without the motivation of competition.

And that's because ...



2. Teaching is one of the most-respected professions.

Teachers aren't underpaid in Finland like they are in the US. In fact, they're valued a lot since Finland puts a lot of stock in childhood as the foundation for lifelong development.

To become a teacher in Finland, candidates must have first received at least their master's degree and complete the equivalent of a residency program in US medical schools. Student teachers often teach at affiliate elementary schools that adjoin a university.

The result: Teachers can be counted on to know the best pedagogical research on education that's out there.



3. Finland listens to the research.

In the US, research studies looking at what works in the classroom and what doesn't often get stuck in the mud of local school-board politics. Parents argue certain policies aren't "right" for their kids.

In Finland, research comes with no such political baggage. The government makes its education policy decisions based almost solely on effectiveness — if the data show improvements, the federal Ministry of Education and Culture will give it a shot.

"Overall, education in the United States is much more political than it is in Finland, where it's much more of a professional issue," Sahlberg told Business Insider.

In short, Finland gets things done.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Viewing all 61683 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images