Back in 2012, Elma Beganovich and her sister Amra were working in two of the most traditional careers imaginable.

A former Capitol Hill intern and US Department of Justice clerk, then-26-year-old Elma had completed a law degree and was pursuing her Master of Laws degree in securities and financial regulation at Georgetown University at the time. Amra, who was 29, worked as an economist for different World Bank projects.

And then, everything changed over the course of one evening.

"It really happened over dinner," Elma tells Business Insider. "We were discussing some do-it-yourself beauty tips, like how to make a face mask out of your kitchen ingredients. One of Amra's friends said, 'Well, why don't you put this online? I'm sure it'd be interesting for people to read.' We thought, 'Why not? Let's do this."

The conversation marked the beginning of the sisters' professional swerve from law and banking to fashion blogging, entrepreneurship, and online marketing.

After that fateful dinner, Amra stayed up all night, scanning articles about HTML code, Javascript, and blogging. The next day, the sisters published their first blog post.

"She pulled me into this. I was still a student and I was working part time," Elma says.

Today, the sisters run two blogging brands — Club Fashionista and Amra and Elma. They have also expanded their business, entering the realm of online marketing and operating a network of 800,000 influencers that serve about 50 clients a month.

Here's how a lawyer and an economist founded their own fashion-blog-turned-marketing-business and gained over 2.3 million followers in the process:

SEE ALSO: There's one really good reason you should quit your job in your 50s

At first, the blog was mostly just for fun. The sisters wrote about everything related to wardrobe, makeup, and traveling on budget, and their friends contributed posts as well.

"It was kind of content that was a prettier version of everyday reality," Elma says. "Like you're walking on your way to work, and you catch a glimpse of a beautiful flower shop. Something that people could relate to."

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Within three months, the sisters had accrued an average of 110,000 unique monthly visitors on the blog. Right around then, brands began taking notice, too, offering to pay for product features. The sisters realized that the blog could be spun into a full-fledged business.

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

Pretty much all of us understand the importance of sleep in maintaining and improving mental health, attention span, overall capability, and even things like our weight and the clarity of our skin.

But in a more immediate sense, waking up with various aches and pains chips away at the restorative goal of going to bed to begin with.

Thanks to a growing push for lower costs, higher customer convenience, and dissatisfaction with the traditional experience of going to lay down on a variety of mattresses in a showroom with a salesperson, mattress startups are one section of the direct-to-consumer marketplace that’s seen a huge upswell in recent years.

From most of the top competitors, quality is high and costs are comparatively low. To match with ease and utility, many are free to ship to your door. To mitigate concerns over buying something so essential online and trusting reviews, nearly all have a standard, 100-night risk-free trial — long enough to see the effects the specific shape and make have on your body and sleep cycles.

It's a crowded space, and the expense of a high-quality mattress is often, unfortunately, proportionate to how important good sleep is to a productive lifestyle. For the most part, you get what you pay for when it comes to bedding. But one loophole here is the off chance of a discount, which is why we rounded up four great mattress discounts going on right now.

Right now, you can take $100 off a Bear mattress, $75 off a PangeaBed copper mattress, $100 off a Leesa mattress, and $200 off a Sapira mattress. For all of the mattresses included, there is a 100-night risk-free trial, free shipping, and easy returns.

Below, we provide more details about what each mattress offers and how to take advantage of the multiple offers.

DON'T MISS: A pillow made by a popular mattress startup has helped me sleep much better

Sapira

Most direct-to-consumer mattresses are made out of plush memory foam, but Sapira's mattresses are offering much-needed diversity with an innovative, hybrid mattress that fuses traditional pocket springs and high-performance foams to get the best of both worlds. 

"Pocket springs are not necessarily better, but they are a preference for many," David Wolfe, Sapira's co-founder and CEO, told Business Insider. "A high-quality pocket-spring system allows the entire mattress to conform to your body. It allows the upper layers of memory foam and Avena to perform even more effectively."

Right now, you can take $200 off any size Sapira mattress for the July 4 weekend, which is a huge discount considering the quality and popularity. No code is required.

There's free shipping, 100-night risk-free trial, and easy returns.

Typically, Sapira's mattresses range on the more expensive side, but they're much more manageable with the discount.

The Sapira Mattress is available in the following sizes and prices now: twin, $775 (originally $975); twin XL, $875 (originally $1,075); full, $1,075 (originally $1,275); queen, $1,275 (originally $1,475); king, $1,575 (originally $1,775); California king, $1,575 (originally $1,775).

Click here to redeem the offer >>

Leesa

Leesa's mission is simple: be the best mattress possible for the most people; all body shapes and types of sleepers will find their unique needs satisfied. Because of its design, you won't have to choose between a firm or plush mattress, claims which Tech Insider reporter Rafi Letzter backs up. Back, side, and stomach sleepers will all be accommodated by the Leesa.

"Leesa developed a memory-foam-based mattress that was intended to improve on the market leader," David Wolfe told Business Insider. "For all its undoubted benefits in terms of pressure relief, there were three major drawbacks to the market leader. It slept hot (heat), you would sink into it and not be able to move around (bounce), and it was incredibly expensive."

According to Wolfe, "Leesa's mattress fixes all these problems with a solid base layer of foam and two layers of specialty foam on top of that, which provide the benefits of memory foam in the middle layer and cooling and bounce on the top layer."

Though brought to you by the same folks behind Sapira, the Leesa mattress is typically much less expensive. Although, right now, with $200 off any Sapira mattress and $100 off Leesa's, deciding between beds in the queen sizes and up really comes down to personal preference over cost.

The $100 is automatically applied, so you don't need to remember a code when you pay. The deal will run through the July 4 weekend.

If you'd like to read an extensive review before purchasing, we have one here. There's also a 100-night risk-free trial period, just to be certain it's perfect for you.

The Leesa Mattress is available in the following sizes and the following prices now: twin, $425 (originally $525); twin XL, $525 (originally $625); full, $690 (originally $790); queen, $840 (originally $940); king, $970 (originally $1,070); California king, $970 (originally $1,070).

Click here to redeem the offer >>

PangeaBed

PangeaBed is a mattress startup that's aiming to make sleep more sanitary and temperature-controlled. Copper is an antimicrobial mineral that humans have used since ancient civilizations to kill bacteria and also has well-documented properties as a heat conductor. PangeaBed infuses one of their mattresses and accompanying pillows with copper so the microbes that would otherwise happily breed in your mattress are killed on contact, and your body heat is more rapidly and effectively dispersed.

With the Copper Mattress, you'll sleep cooler and fewer dust mites and other microbes will be able to make your bed their home.

Right now, you can get a Copper Mattress from PangeaBed for $75 less, and save $30 on their pillows as well. Simply use the code "SAVE75" for the mattress and "SAVE30" for the pillow at checkout. 

There's a 10-year warranty, free shipping and free returns, and a 100-night sleep trial.

If you'd like more details before purchasing, you can read our detailed coverage here. We've covered their Copper Pillow, too. 

PangeaBed's Copper Mattress is available in the following sizes: twin, $570 (originally $645); twin XL, $670 (originally $745); full, $750 (originally $825); queen, $820 (originally $895); king, $970 (originally $1,045); California king, $970 (originally $1,045).

Click here to redeem the offer >>

People still play the original "StarCraft," a real-time strategy game that first came out in 1998.

Now, the intergalactic war game is getting a major face-lift, and the updated version will come out on August 14 for $14.99.

"StarCraft: Remastered" will preserve the gameplay of the original 1998 title, but will update its aging graphics and audio, and will ensure better compatibility with modern computers, the company said.

"Gameplay and balance have been precisely preserved," Blizzard said in a press release. 

Preserving the gameplay is important for this remake because the original "StarCraft" is still played as an e-sport, especially in South Korea.

Here's what you need to know about the "StarCraft" remake:

• It will go on sale for Windows and Mac for $14.99 on August 14.
• Pre-orders are available now. If you pre-order, you'll get a few unique building skins.
• It will be able to display graphics in 4K and wide-screen.
• The audio ("Spawn more overlords!") has been remastered.
• The online component has been updated, with cloud support for saves, custom maps, and other user-generated content.
• As with the original, gamers will be able to play matches online.
• "StarCraft: Remastered" will include all of the original game's storyline and single-player version, as well as content from an expansion, "Brood War."
• You can switch between the remastered graphics and the original with "the click of a button."
• The original game and its expansions will be called "StarCraft Anthology," and Blizzard will make it free to download and play.
• All three original races — Protoss, Terran, and Zerg —will be playable.

And here's how the newly updated graphics look:

SEE ALSO: Google DeepMind announces a major new project with 'StarCraft II'

The best way to look at the graphics improvement is by looking at individual units. Here's a Protoss Carrier before:

And here's the same unit after the face-lift:

Zerg Overlord, before:

During large, multiunit exercises, the US military's snipers can be overshadowed by the men and machines roving the battlefield.

To correct that, Staff Sgt. Joe Bastian — a former active-duty sniper who is now a sniper observer/controller/trainer with the First Army's 1st Battalion, 335th Infantry Regiment — designed a special 10-day training course for snipers during the 33rd Infantry Brigade's Exportable Combat Training Capability, or XCTC, at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin.

"The course is designed to get all of the snipers from the brigade together to train, broaden their horizons and share tactics, techniques and procedures,"he said in an Army news story.

Bastian called on two former instructors from the US Army's Sniper School at Fort Benning in Georgia, and their course filled the 10-day exercise with weeks' worth of training for soldiers from Illinois' 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Puerto Rico's 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry Regiment.

The course teaches snipers how to design their own training courses, as well as how to work with ammunition, targets, and ranges, and how to use camouflage and stalking techniques during training.

Below, you can see some photos of US Army National Guard snipers getting the specialized instruction they need to seek out and pick off their targets. 

SEE ALSO: The US military is struggling to keep up with all its responsibilities

XCTC is the Army National Guard’s program to provide an experience similar to an Army combat-training center at a home station or a regional training center, like Fort McCoy. Soldiers from the 502 Infantry Regiment stood in as opposition forces.

"I had to call in a couple of favors because of the scope of this course," Bastian said. "My two co-trainers bring a breadth of knowledge and experience that is unparalleled and gives these soldiers an opportunity that they won't get otherwise."

Source: US Army

"The Army has a multitude of systems and professionals to continually train everyone, except snipers," Peterson, one of the co-trainers, said. "When these guys go back to their units, there's not a lot of personnel that can train them properly. This course will help them continue their education and properly train themselves."

Source: US Army

Everything around us is becoming connected. As a result, we are seeing shifts in investments and returns. There is already a great demand for network expansion, cyber security and insurance. And generally, the prices of hardware will fall as IoT becomes less of a novelty.

All of this opens up a huge opportunity for everyone to make and save a lot of money. We will invest $6 trillion in IoT between 2015 and 2020, which will yield $12.6 trillion ROI over the next decade. Enterprise will make up the majority of the investment dollars, followed by government and consumer.

BI Intelligence has created a slide deck exploring the most disruptive trends in IoT. To get a more detailed view of the progression, landscape and projections of the Internet of Everything, access the complete slide deck by clicking here.

Some of the topics covered include:

• The market drivers for the IoT.
• Forecasts for the IoT market.
• A breakdown of how many industries are utilizing IoT devices.
• A look at how governments are using the IoT to revolutionize their cities and defense.
• An examination of the smart home and connected car market.
• And much more.

Below are 8 sample slides from the 60-page deck. Want the full deck? Access it here for FREE >>

Want the full 60-page slide deck?  Access it Here - FREE >>

Want the full 60-page slide deck?  Access it Here - FREE >>

Want the full 60-page slide deck?  Access it Here - FREE >>

Ford sells seven thrill-inducing vehicles through its Ford Performance division. Anyone who buys one can take advantage of perhaps the greatest perk in the car world: a full-day of driving instruction at Ford's Performance Racing School. 

The program is free to all new owners of Shelby GT350s and 350R Mustangs, Focus RS and STs, Raptor pickups, and Fiesta STs. (And something is under construction for the $400,000 Ford GT supercar, which is just beginning to be delivered to the first of 250 customers in 2017.)

All that's required is that your get yourself to the Salt Lake City, Utah area and make your way to Utah Motorsports, where track-ready versions of your car will be waiting for you, along with a group of experienced instructors with serious racing credentials. 

It's called Track Attack, and while I was in Utah to test drive the new GT at the racing complex, I was put through the course, alongside a group of newly minted Shelby GT350 owners.

I'm under no illusions that I'm a good track driver, but I do have some track experience. Little did I know how much more I had to learn.

The Racing School and the Track Attack program are based at the Utah Motorsports Campus, a complex of two tracks complete with paddocks, pits, race-control towers, and even a karting course. The facility is about a half hour drive from Salt Lake City.

Welcome to the fun! I was preparing to participate in a drive of the Ford GT supercar and welcomed the chance to get some instruction before taking on the $400,000 Le Mans-winning beast and its 647-horsepower engine.

Any Ford customer who buys a Ford Performance vehicle is offered the chance to attend a one-day racing program for free. All they have to do is get to the venue.

A first date shouldn't be a job interview, with one person grilling the other about their likes and dislikes, their family background, and their ideal relationship. Actually, that sounds like a recipe for disaster.

But if you're nervous about running out of things to say, or worried that you'll bore your date by making them give the same basic spiel they've given 100 times before, we've got you covered.

Business Insider checked out Quora, Redditthreads, and other resources for some creative first-date questions that will tell you something substantive about the person you're with.

Again, it's probably not a great idea to rattle off all these questions in quick succession. Instead, pick a few favorites and keep them handy for times when you want to liven up a first-date conversation. And be prepared to answer them yourself!

SEE ALSO: I went on 100 dates in a single year — here are my 3 best pieces of advice on breaking the ice with a stranger

What does a typical day look like for you?

On her Science of People blog, behavioral investigator Vanessa Van Edwards says this question is a better alternative to "What do you do?" She writes:

"You can find out if they are an early riser, how they spend their free time and typically their job will come up as well. I have found that you don’t really need to ask about their career — it usually comes up naturally."

Have you ever doubted your career choice, and how did you deal with the doubt?

On Quora, Nic Nelson says this question can easily replace the standard, "Why did you choose your current career?" It'll likely yield a longer and more nuanced answer.

How did you and your best-friend meet, and how did they become your best friend?

That's a suggestion from Quora user Juvian Julian Hernandez. This question, he writes, is "intended to get your date thinking in terms of emotion and feeling — hopefully positive ones."

It might not look like much from the outside, but the Sportsman Pub in Kent is considered the best place to eat in the UK right now.

Earlier in June, this slightly gritty-looking, low-key pub was named the best restaurant in the UK by the National Restaurant Awards for the second year running.

The pub is run by a former financial advisor turned chef, who describes it as a "grotty boozer by the sea."

Given how highly acclaimed it is, we were intrigued to find out what it's like inside and what you can expect to eat there. Take a look below:

SEE ALSO: The 10 restaurants where the richest people in the world eat

From the outside, it looks like any British seaside pub.

It is on the coast of England in Seasalter, Kent, about 60 miles from central London. It's been open since 1999 and was awarded a Michelin star in 2008.

Source: The Telegraph 

For the past two years, it has been named the best restaurant in the UK, beating the likes of the Ledbury in Notting Hill, which has two Michelin stars.

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Sleep is one of the most fundamental and basic things humans do.

If we don't get enough, terrible things begin happening to our minds and bodies. And if we don't get any sleep after too long, we'll literallydie.

But many find it extremely challenging to not only get an adequate and consistent amount of sleep every night, but to do it well.

Business Insider previously turned to an expert — sleep scientist Patrick Fuller, an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School — to get some answers.

He gave us the lowdown on what he does to ensure a good night's sleep every single night.

While this routine works for Fuller, it may not be feasible for everyone's lifestyle and schedule. But Fuller says that this schedule leaves him feeling happy and rested.

Here are seven things he does to ensure a great sleep every night.

Julia Calderone wrote a previous version of this post.

SEE ALSO: 49 health 'facts' you've been told all your life that are totally wrong

DON'T MISS: 8 horrible things that happen if you don't get enough sleep

He wakes up at the same time every morning

The problem many people have when trying fall asleep is that their sleep schedule isn't a schedule at all, but a free-for-all.

If you wake up at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning and then try to fall asleep later that night to be up for work by 7 a.m. Monday, you're not going to have enough "sleep drive"— or the desire to fall asleep — to hit the hay early enough.

"When people get up later and later, they have less sleep drive and they think, I can't sleep I have insomnia," Fuller said. "Well, no, actually your sleep drive isn't that high."

Waking up at the same time every morning is one of the most important things you can do to get a good night's sleep, Fuller said. 

He avoids stimulants past mid-day

At the end of a long workday, it's tempting to turn to that late afternoon latte to power you through. But avoid that espresso machine at all costs.

Caffeine has a long half-life, meaning that it takes up to six hours to wear off, so resist the urge to slurp sodas, coffees, and teas later in the day.

Fuller skips coffee altogether and goes with a much less jolting green tea in the morning, which can have about half as much caffeine as a cup of drip coffee.

"I just prefer tea," Fuller said. "I love the smell of coffee, it just has too much caffeine for me."

He only drinks a little bit at around mid-morning, and never drinks it after noon.

He gets at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise during the day

Exercise is like a magical tonic that can help prevent a variety of ills such as stress, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, dementia, and more.

It's also great for sleep. Studies have shown that morning and afternoon workouts can increase a person's quality and amount of sleep at night.

But try not to do strenuous exercise right before bedtime, as it can boost your body temperature and activate your muscles, making it harder to fall asleep shortly after.

Fuller said that he tries to get in some form of activity every day, even if it's just running stairs or taking a quick jog for 20 to 30 minutes.

"Maintaining some level of physical activity is really important," Fuller said.

Planning perfect vacations that the whole family will love can be difficult.

If your kids are still toddlers, they won't have an interest in sightseeing and history. If they're elementary-aged, relaxing by the beach will get old in an hour. And if they're teenagers, they'll likely complain about everything no matter what. 

Luckily, resorts are finally starting to cater to family dynamics without going overboard on the tacky gimmicks and cheesy themes. These luxury hotels are highly rated, full of amenities, and exciting for all ages. 

Here are 11 kid-friendly resorts every family should visit in their lifetime. 

Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina in Oahu, Hawaii, U.S.

This Four Seasons sits right next door to Disney's popular Aulani resort. The two hotels share a beautiful beach and lagoon area, so there's not a lot of competition there. The real differences lay within the resort. 

As one might expect, Disney properties can get a bit loud. The Four Seasons, on the other hand, is much less active. There is a family pool, a kid's club that you can drop in and out of, hula or ukulele lessons, and complimentary ocean adventures to go on, but there is also an adults only pool and luxury spa services.

If the kids are really itching for some Disney interactions, you can stop by next door to dine with the characters. But unlike the guests who chose to stay there, you'll have the option to return to peace and quiet after the meal. 

Find out more here »

Lewa Safari Camp by The Elewana Collection in Nairobi City, Kenya

Many people reserve this trip for when they're older, but it's actually a great option for families with young children. 

The Lewa Conservancy is home to zoo favorites like rhinos, zebras, lions, giraffes, and elephants. But instead of witnessing them laze around in enclosures, kids will see them up close and in action on driving tours. The guides are masters at keeping children entertained while informing them and their parents about the wonders of the African safari. 

Before and after the drives, families can relax in their luxury tents, eat breakfast or grab a drink while watching the sun rise or set, and ride camels through the picturesque grounds. 

Find out more here »

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, U.S.

While Disney resorts can be a bit much for those looking to relax, they're perfect for families visiting Disney World for the first (or fiftieth) time. One of the best ones to stay at is Grand Floridian. It's opulent, beautiful, and one of the most convenient places to stay if you're trying to do Disney big. 

This resort can be expensive, but its pros outweigh the cons. It's only one monorail ride from Magic Kingdom, it has beachside cabanas for parents, and it's home to the highly-rated 1900 Park Fare where kids can eat breakfast with their favorite characters. You can even see the nightly fireworks from the property. 

Find out more here »

Way back in 1996, Apple thought it could make a game console.

Ten months before Steve Jobs came back to Apple, the company collaborated with Japanese toy and video game company Bandai to make the Pippin game machine. It turned out to be a tremendous flop. Apple sold only 42,000 units between when it released the Pippin in 1996 and when it discontinued the device the next year. 

By comparison, when it launched its N64 game console in 1996, Nintendo sold between 350,000 and 500,000 units in just the first three days, according to the Nintendo 64 Wikipedia entry, which cites a 1996 Newsweek article. 

Check out Apple's Pippin game console:

SEE ALSO: Nintendo's new $80 mini Super Nintendo will be available for a limited time

The look of Apple's Pippin game console screams 1990s. Launched around the same time period, Sony's original PlayStation and Nintendo's N64 also look dated by today's standards, but their designs have aged better than the Pippin's.

The Pippin cost $600 when it was launched. By contrast, the original PlayStation cost $300 and the N64 cost $200.

The Pippin's controller was called the "Apple Jack," and it had a mouse trackball in the middle.

You had to use the Apple Jack's trackball in game menus, because games were direct ports from the versions that ran on Apple's Mac computers, and the Mac versions relied on a trackball or mouse for navigation.

Apple offered a wireless version of the controller, which was advanced for its time. The controller used infrared technology to connect to the console.

Everyone's measure of and path to success is different.

For some, it's mostly linear. Others encounter more twists, turns, and bumps along the way.

Before becoming the leader of the free world, Donald Trump, for example, was born into a real estate development family and inherited his father's business at 25.

Focus Brands group president Kat Cole, on the other hand, saw her 20s as more transformative years, working her way up the ladder from a Hooters waitress to the company's vice president by the time she was 26.

To illustrate how no two paths to success are alike, we've highlighted what 25 highly successful people were doing at age 25.

SEE ALSO: Tony Robbins, Richard Branson, and 28 other successful people share their best career advice for people in their 20s

DON'T MISS: 16 things successful 20-somethings do in their spare time

President Donald Trump took over his father's real-estate-development company

President Trump grew up the wealthy son of a real-estate mogul. 

At 25, the young real-estate developer was given control of his father's company, Elizabeth Trump & Son, which he later renamed the Trump Organization, according to Bio.

Shortly thereafter he became involved in large, profitable building projects in Manhattan. 

Actress Jennifer Lawrence was an Oscar-winner raking in millions

Twenty-six-year-old Lawrence is Hollywood's highest-paid actress, raking $46 million pretax over 12 months in 2016, and closer to $52 million in 2015, according to Forbes.

By the time she was 25, Lawrence had starred in the box-office-hit "Hunger Games" trilogy and worked alongside a star-studded cast in the X-Men series.

At 22, she became the second-youngest winner of the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in "Silver Linings Playbook," and she has won many more awards for her work.

Apple cofounder Steve Jobs took his company public and became a millionaire

By the end of its first day of trading in December 1980, Apple Computer had a market value of $1.2 billion, making its cofounders very rich men. Jobs, one of the three cofounders, was 25.

He later told biographer Walter Isaacson that he made a pledge at that time to never let money ruin his life.

If you've ever wondered (and even if you haven't until this moment) what was all the rage on TV when you were born, INSIDER has you covered.

If you haven't heard about these iconic TV shows from 1975 to 2016, you'll definitely need to watch them after this. We ranked these unforgettable shows by ratings, popularity, and nostalgia as some of the best TV shows that were popular before you could say your first word.

Take a look at the best TV shows that came out the year that you were born. 

1975: "Saturday Night Live"

Source: IMDb

1976: "Charlie's Angels"

Source: IMDb

1977: "CHiPs"

The NBA has taken no time off since the conclusion of the Finals.

Since the Warriors won the championship, we have had a blockbuster trade for the No. 1 pick in the draft, a blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler, the actual draft, a blockbuster trade for Chris Paul, plus several notable firings in big front offices.

And now, free agency is here.

Given the crazy offseason already, this year's free agency, starting midnight July 1, should be wild as teams scramble to assemble a team capable of knocking off the Warriors.

Take a look at the best free agents this offseason and where they could land (based on reports, rumors, and fit).

* notes a restricted free agent, meaning their team can match any contract offer.

Kevin Durant, F

2016-17 team: Warriors

Potential landing spots: Warriors

One thing to know: Durant is reportedly planning on making a sacrifice to keep the Warriors together, taking less than the full max. so the team doesn't have to renounce Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston to re-sign him. He'll likely sign another short-term deal.

Stephen Curry, PG

2016-17 team: Warriors

Potential landing spots: Warriors

One thing to know: After years of being underpaid, Curry is finally a free agent and can reap the rewards with an estimated five-year, $200 million contract the Warriors are reportedly willing to give him.

Gordon Hayward, SF

2016-17 team: Jazz

Potential landing spots: Jazz, Celtics, Heat

One thing to know: Hayward may be the big domino the league waits for to fall in free agency. The Jazz are considered the favorites to re-sign him, but the Celtics' promising future, plus his college coach Brad Stevens, remain a real threat.

Homeowners who appeared on the TV show "Fixer Upper" are cashing in on the success of the HGTV program.

"Shotgun House," which appeared on a season-three episode of "Fixer Upper" in March 2016, was bought for $28,000 and renovated by co-hosts Joanna and Chip Gaines, according to Curbed. The one-bedroom property in Waco, Texas, has now been put on the market for $950,000 by its owners. It has 1,050 square feet of space and is listed with Briggs Freeman.

The Gaines have been fixing up dilapidated homes in Waco since November 2015 and now have a cult following. In fact, the show has become such a hit that it's transformed the town of Waco into a full-fledged tourist destination.

This has meant that many of the "Fixer Upper" homeowners are renting their houses out on Airbnb and taking advantage of its popularity.

Take a look around the incredible and miniature "Shotgun House."

SEE ALSO: I traveled to Waco, Texas, to see the town that has been transformed by HGTV's hit show 'Fixer Upper' — here's what it's like

This compact, one-bedroom home, known as "Shotgun House," appeared on season three of the TV show.

The house was originally bought for $28,000 by couple Cameron and Jessie Bell. It's now being listed with realtor Briggs Freeman for $950,000.

The house had been abandoned when they first found it. It was also located on a plot of land that had been sold. It was then moved to another location. 

The couple currently lists the house on Airbnb for $325 per night, excluding tax and service fees.

Source: Airbnb

The INSIDER Summary: 

• July is packed with potential summer blockbusters.
• Some of the most anticipated include "Spider-Man: Homecoming,""War for the Planet of the Apes," and "The Emoji Movie." 

As June winds down at the box office, the second half of 2017 is looming, ready to jump out and grab us. Which means there's another month of movie viewing fun heading to screens all over, and its name just happens to be July. Yes folks, it's time to break out your schedules and make room for 10 big time products of cinema, as the following films are ready to potentially earn your money, as well as your respect.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Yeah, it hasn't been that long since Peter Parker was swinging around on his web on our screens, but "Spider-Man: Homecoming" marks a rebirth of the famed web-slinger nonetheless. With "The Amazing Spider-Man" duology now firmly in the rear view, it's time to get excited about New York's friendly neighborhood arachnid-human hybrid. The advanced buzz is only heightening the anticipation, as people seem to really dig Tom Holland's first solo effort as the kid who would be the man who would be the Spider-Man. If it's even just more of the same spidey stuff we saw in "Captain America: Civil War," we're already souped.

Opening: Friday, July 7

A Ghost Story

Grief is a theme that can be explored in so many ways, especially when it pertains to the death of a loved one. Yet "A Ghost Story" seems to go about its examination of what we leave behind in the wake of our departure in a way we rarely see: we're going to follow the ghost's point of view. With Casey Affleck as the titular ghost and Rooney Mara as the woman grieving for his passing, it looks we're going to see far past the point one would normally see in such a story. But from what we're hearing, it's probably a good idea for you to avoid the trailers if you're even slightly hyped about the latest from A24.

Opening: Friday, July 7

War for the Planet of the Apes

As if the recent tide of critical buzz wasn't enough to entice us into getting ready to experience "War for the Planet of the Apes," the fact that the movie just looks so damned good was enough to draw us closer to this revolutionary finale. With the "Apes" trilogy already delivering some solid base hits with "Rise" and "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," it looks like "War for the Planet of the Apes" could be the home run the series has been aiming to deliver.

Opening: Friday, July 14

The sun is shining, the days are longer, and it's finally warm enough that the bold among us are starting to bust out those cargo shorts. That can only mean one thing: Beach season is coming. 

But as fun as excursions to the Hamptons and Nantucket can be, these ritzy summer enclaves can also sap your entire vacation fund in a hot minute if you're not careful. 

And perhaps you're looking for a permanent fix for your ocean-air addiction? If you're not palling around with millionaires and billionaires, you might as well forget about buying property in those exclusive destinations.

But if you look beyond the traditional summer hot spots, your dream of owning a sun-drenched cottage within spitting distance of the ocean spray may not be so far-fetched. 

Realtor.com dug through its database to find some scenic beachfront locales that are far more affordable for the average American and that won't have you ruing the fact that you never amassed a fortune on Wall Street.

They limited their scope to beach cities with populations between 1,000 to 100,000 and that had at least 30 properties on the market. And to ensure some geographic diversity, Realtor.com capped its list to two towns per state separated by at least 30 miles. 

Read on for the 10 most affordable beach towns to buy a home in — each of which has a median home price below $250,000.

SEE ALSO: The salary you need to earn to buy a home right now in 19 of the most expensive housing markets in America

SEE ALSO: 21 of the most affordable zip codes to raise a family in the US

10. North Bend, Oregon

Population: 9,543

Median home price: $239,000

9. Ocean Shores, Washington

Population: 5,628

Median home price: $232,500

8. Daytona Beach, Florida

Population: 63,011

Median home price: $199,900

President Donald Trump often labels media companies as "failing." He's taken shots at BuzzFeed during press conferences. He's repeatedly pounded on CNN, and particularly enjoyed that network's recent journalism stumble.

And of course, Trump has hammered the MSNBC show "Morning Joe" this week, causing a political firestorm that has stretched across both parties.

If you follow the advertising business, you'd not be surprised to hear that traditional media business models are under a lot of pressure as consumer consumption habits are going through rapid changes driven by technology.

But here's an ongoing question: are the media companies Trump refers to as failing" actually failing? 

Here's a look at how these companies are performing from an audience and financial perspective.

"Failing" CNN

CNN is a frequent Trump target.

But CNN just enjoyed a 39% jump in it ratings for adults aged 25 to 54, reported Variety.

It's true that a few years ago, CNN was really struggling. But lately all of cable news networks have enjoyed a resurgence, as Ad Age's Anthony Crupi noted recently on Twitter.

Performance- 

Nielsen says that CNN averaged over 1 million viewers during prime time during the second quarter of this year.

Financials-

CNN's parent company Time Warner pulled in  $7.74 billion during its most recent quarter, a jump of 5.8% versus last year, reported Deadline. But ad sales were down for the company's cable networks.

'Low rated' 'Morning Joe'

This week, President Trump has been in attack mode when it comes to the MSNBC show.

Performance-

"Morning Joe" averaged just under 1 million viewers during the second quarter of this year, according to Nielsen. That's up from roughly 600,000 average viewers a year ago and lands MSNBC just behind Fox News in the morning news race, per Nielsen.

Financials-

MSNBC has been on a recent ratings surge, and SNL Kagan says the network will pull in $267.8 million this year, reports Variety. Parent company NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast Corp., pulled in close to $7.9 billion during the first quarter this year, up 14.7% versus the same period last year, reported the Los Angeles Times.

'Failing New York Times'

President Trump has frequently referred to the New York Times as "failing."

It's true that at the height of the recession, the Times had to borrow money from Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim. But recently, the company has seen a surge in subscriptions and scoops thanks in part to Trump. But there's no question newspapers continue to grapple with a declining circulation and print advertising landscape.

Performance-

The Times' website exceeded 94 million unique users in May, per comScore, a jump of 36% from last year. 

Financials-

The Times reported that it now has over 2.2 million digital-only subscribers. However, print ad revenue slipped 18% during its most recent quarter. Overall revenue landed at $399 million in the first quarter, up 5% versus the same period in 2016.

With excellent perks, great pay and benefits, and high job satisfaction, employees at the 50 best companies to work for in America seem to have a good thing going.

But before you start seething with envy, you should see some of the questions they had to answer to get there.

To find these difficult and sometimes odd queries, Business Insider sifted through hundreds of reviews on Glassdoor submitted by people who recently interviewed at these top companies.

And although Google officially did away with its notoriously difficult brainteasers years ago, a few interviewers at Google and plenty more at other companies continue to carry the torch.

If you're thinking of tossing your hat in the ring, be sure to prepare yourself for some real head-scratchers:

SEE ALSO: The 50 best places to work in 2017, according to employees

DON'T MISS: Everything you should do in the minutes, hours, days, and weeks following a job interview

'How many pianos are in Poland?' —Boston Consulting Group intern candidate

'If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?' —Google associate account-strategist candidate

'How many Big Macs does McDonald's sell each year in the US?' —Facebook data-scientist candidate

This week, JAY-Z dropped his highly anticipated and surprisingly excellent album, "4:44," and Calvin Harris teamed up with three hip-hop stars for a modern disco hit. 

Here are the best songs from the past week that you can stream right now:

SEE ALSO: The strange and ingenious evolution of JAY-Z's approach to selling albums

JAY-Z — "Smile"

On "Smile," one of the most candid songs in JAY-Z's discography, the 47-year-old rapper speaks openly over a Stevie Wonder-sampling beat about (among other compelling topics) his support for his mom's late-in-life lesbianism. 

"Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate / Society shame and the pain was too much to take / Cried tears of joy when you fell in love / Don’t matter to me if it’s a him or her," Jay raps on the song, which includes a moving spoken-word outro from his mother, Gloria Carter.

Washed Out — "Hard To Say Goodbye"

Chillwave producer Ernest Greene (Washed Out) crafts an immersive and hypnotic tune with "Hard To Say Goodbye," the latest single from his album "Mister Mellow."

Tyler, the Creator — "911 / Mr. Lonely" (feat. Frank Ocean)

Odd Future rapper Tyler, the Creator joins forces with Frank Ocean on "911 / Mr. Lonely," a vibrant track that features a sample from 1970s funk trio The Gap Band and some of Tyler's best rapping in years.