The INSIDER Summary: 

• INSIDER baked and taste tested two major brands of sugar cookie mixes, along with a store brand: Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, and Walmart.
• The Walmart store brand was surprisingly the winner for moist and buttery cookies.
•  Betty Crocker came in last for its overly sweet and granular cookies.

Chocolate chip cookies may get most of the love from baked good fans, but here at INSIDER, we know that the classic sugar cookie is an important staple in your cookie batch.

Whether you're noshing on them plain or decorating them for Halloween or Christmas, a good sugar cookie is anything but basic. But if you don't have time to make them from scratch, which is the most delicious brand of sugar cookie dough out there?

As part of an ongoing INSIDER Taste Test series (we previously tried cake mix, coffee, and beer), we bought two sugar cookie mixes (and one sugar cookie break-apart roll of dough) from Betty Crocker, Walmart's store brand Great Value, and Pillsbury. We tried and tasted each cookie dough kit for accuracy of recipe, texture, and flavor. The overall winner might surprise you.

Keep scrolling to see the results of our sugar cookie dough taste test.

Our test subjects were Walmart's Great Value brand, Pillsbury, and Betty Crocker.

The Walmart brand called for eggs and butter; Betty Crocker called for eggs, butter, and water; and Pillsbury went in the oven as-is.

I made the Pillsbury cookies first.

The timing on the Pillsbury cookies was way off — I added four minutes to their suggested time.

The Pillsbury dough was break-apart, making the final product a lot more symmetrical than homemade cookie dough.

Warning: Spoilers if you haven't watched the first season of The CW's "Riverdale."

The "Riverdale" cast is full of characters to keep up with — from the high school students to their parents. 

With new characters coming in and other characters mysteriously being killed, there are constant changes to the cast of The CW show. There's also one character, Reggie, who has been recast. 

Here's who's living in Riverdale on season two and what you need to know about them.

Archie Andrews is a high school football player and aspiring musician.

The teen has had a number of romantic flings, including an affair with his music teacher Ms. Grundy, a brief relationship with Valerie from Josie and the Pussycats, and is currently dating Veronica. He turned down the position of football captain to focus more on his music and helps with his dad's construction business. The first season ended with Archie being a witness to his dad being shot.

Fred Andrews, Archie's dad, owns his own construction business.

Fred is a single parent since he and his wife separated, which helped form a close relationship between father and son. The divorce has not been finalized. He used to be best friends with Jughead's father, FP Jones, in high school, but the two now have a complicated relationship. His fate was left hanging in the balance after he was shot by a robber at Pop's diner.

Mary Andrews moved to Chicago after separating from Fred.

Mary has been gone for two years when the first season of "Riverdale" starts. Fred travels to Chicago to finalize the divorce. But after the parents receive a tearful phone call from Archie, they return to Riverdale together. She eventually returns to Chicago, but not before extending an invite for Archie to move back with her. He declines.

When you think of blazers, stuffy office attire might come to mind. However, celebrities are rejecting that stereotype and giving the corporate wardrobe staple a stylish makeover by wearing them like minidresses.

While model Bella Hadid styled her blazer in a casually cool way during Paris Fashion Week, actress Reese Witherspoon proved that the look holds up on the red carpet when she wore one to the Emmys.

Keep scrolling to see how 10 celebrities styled their blazer dresses in versatile, trendy ways.

Kim Kardashian West wore a chic black blazer dress with a pair of peep-toe mules while in New York City on September 9.

With minimal makeup and jewelry, Kardashian let her white blonde hair shine.

Elizabeth Olsen also sported a classic black blazer dress at the ESPY awards on July 12.

The "Ingrid Goes West" star completed this look with a pop of crimson lipstick.

Joan Smalls also wore a simple blazer dress with statement jewelry to the August 27 MTV Video Music Awards.

The model styled her hair in a tightly coiled bun and wore snakeskin sandals to match.

Apple has a new iPhone on the way that looks incredible, is faster than ever, and ... is outrageously expensive. The base model costs $1,000. One thousand dollars!

But there's good news, friends: There's a far better iPhone out there right now, and it costs less than half the price of the absurdly priced iPhone X.

That phone is the iPhone SE — Apple's best iPhone. Here's the deal:

SEE ALSO: 9 reasons you should buy an iPhone 8 instead of an iPhone X

DON'T MISS: 15 apps for your iPhone that are better than the ones Apple made

1. The iPhone SE is remarkably affordable at just $350 to start.

Assuredly, millions of people will excitedly plunk down a full stack for the iPhone X. It's more than just a phone — it's a status symbol. I get it. It's a much more affordable version of a Ferrari. Fine. But I'm a Honda Civic kinda guy.

I want something affordable, powerful enough, and long-lasting. I'm not trying to impress anyone, nor am I the kind of person who lives on the bleeding edge of tech gadgets. That's why I was excited to see that, alongside the announcement of the iPhone X, Apple quietly made the iPhone SE $50 less expensive.

At $350 to start, with 32 GB of storage and the internals of an iPhone 6S, the iPhone SE is the perfect Honda Civic of smartphones.

2. The iPhone SE is shockingly powerful.

The chip that powers the iPhone SE also powers the iPhone 6S and the most recent iPad. It's called the Apple A9, and it's more horsepower than you need in a smartphone — Apple calls it "the most powerful 4‑inch phone ever," specifically due to that chip.

More than just a zippy device, the A9 powers 4K video recording, high-definition games, and pretty much everything else you want to do with your iPhone. Most importantly, the A9 makes the iPhone SE feel like a modern phone in terms of everyday use.

3. Like other iPhones and major Android phones, it's got a killer camera.

The iPhone SE doesn't have optical image stabilization or wide-color capture like the newer iPhones, so it won't perform as well in low-light situations and videos won't be as smooth, but don't worry: Everything from 4K video to HDR photos is built into the iPhone SE. And yes, you can do Live Photos on the iPhone SE just like you would on any other recent iPhone.

Most importantly, though, you can easily snap crisp, beautifully detailed photos using the iPhone SE's 12-megapixel rear camera — it has a slightly different aperture than the newer phones, but it's still a 12-megapixel camera on the back, same as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 lines, as well as the iPhone X. Like the A9 chip at the heart of the iPhone SE, the same camera from the iPhone 6S is built into the iPhone SE.

The INSIDER Summary: 

• Kourtney Kardashian is full of useful wellness hacks.
• She's got tips on everything from DIY beauty products to at-home spa routines.
• She also suggests sipping on green tea for its health benefits.

Out of all the Kardashian-Jenners, Kourtney Kardashian is our pick for most likely to have her own HGTV show. The 38-year-old mom of three is constantly blowing our minds with her genius wellness hacks, from a shampoo substitute found in your kitchen to a skin care product you can grow in your living room.

Though it’s hard to call any of the Kardashian-Jenner ladies “relatable,” Kourtney—with her DIY beauty products and at-home spa routines—has always seemed the most down-to-earth. To make your lives a little easier, we rounded up 10 times the eldest Kardashian sister gave the most life-changing wellness advice. Check out Kourtney’s best tips, ahead.

Growing aloe vera in her house

As an all-natural skin care solution to dryness, irritation, and burns (including sunburn), Kourtney is a big fan of aloe vera. However, instead of buying the product bottled at her local drug store, the reality star harvests the gel herself from tons of potted aloe vera plants scattered around her house.

“If the kids or I get a sunburn, I always use fresh aloe vera applied directly to the skin,” Kourtney wrote on her website. “I keep aloe vera plants in my house, too. You can just break off a leaf and squeeze it to get a small amount of gel.”

Apple cider vinegar as shampoo

On her off days from washing her hair, Kourtney uses apple cider vinegar, a common salad ingredient with properties that gently clean the hair and scalp, to keep her locks sleek and shiny without stripping them of their natural oils.  “Every now and then, I’ll rinse my hair with apple cider vinegar,” she wrote on her website. “It’s known for holding in moisture without stripping your hair of its natural oils.”

Drinking green tea before her meals

To stave off unnecessary cravings, most notably, the bread basket at restaurants (Kourtney's biggest vice), the mom of three's first order of business every time she eats out is ordering a cup of green tea with almond milk. The drink doesn't replace her meal. Instead, it serves as a healthy alternative until her main entree arrives.

Equity indexes have been on a roll, repeatedly hitting new highs lately. Each new all-time high inevitably stirs talk of stretched valuations. The assumption is that valuations are bound to some long-term average—and will necessarily revert. We have a different take.

We find historical comparisons less useful in a world of structurally lower interest rates—and believe it’s important to rethink returns. This is just one of the three investing themes my BlackRock Investment Institute colleagues and I see shaping economies and markets in the fourth quarter, as we write in our new Global Investment Outlook Q4 2017.

Theme 1: Sustained expansion

A broadening of steady growth beyond the U.S. gives us confidence the global expansion is sustainable. Roughly three-quarters of countries are clocking up growth, and we see the global expansion chugging along at an above-trend pace. Drops this year in developed market (DM) bond yields and the U.S. dollar were unexpected given the robust growth backdrop. We see potential for rebounds in both as U.S. inflation firms and the Federal Reserve (Fed) presses on with removing monetary accommodation. Note we do see inflation moving sideways at low levels in the eurozone, even as we expect inflation to pick up in the U.S. These contrasting inflation outlooks suggest further monetary policy divergence is ahead (read more on this divergence and its investing implications in our recent post Opportunities emerge as central banks diverge.).

We do not see the U.S. economic expansion getting long in the tooth. Some slack remains in the economy—even as the jobless rate touches levels rarely seen since the 1950s. Slower growth—a function of structural changes such as an aging society—means economic slack created in the last recession is being eroded at a sluggish pace. Our work suggests the expansion can run for much longer—likely years—until the economy reaches potential and then the peak that marks the end of the cycle.

A sustained expansion supports company earnings growth, we believe. All major regions are posting earnings-per-share growth higher than 10% for the first time since 2005, excluding the post-crisis bounce, our research shows. Analyst forecasts are holding steady in the U.S. and Europe, Japan is up and emerging market (EM) earnings expectations have almost doubled this year. See the chart above.

These trends give us comfort taking risk in stocks. We like the momentum and value style factors. Momentum has historically outperformed the broader market except in cases of recession or financial crisis, our work suggests. And increased confidence in the recovery could add fuel to a budding recovery in value, the cheapest companies across sectors.

Meanwhile, monetary policy makers are taking confidence from a sustained global expansion. Monetary stimulus in the U.S. is set to decelerate, possibly faster than markets expect. We see upside in yields as attention returns to the Fed and some other central banks gradually remove policy accommodation, though structural factors such as aging populations and strong demand for income limit upward moves.

Theme 2: Rethinking returns

We expect future returns to look different from the past, partly due to structurally lower interest rates. As a result, we do not see equity valuation metrics falling back to historical averages. Viewed through this lens, equity valuations are not that extreme, we believe. Overall, we believe investors are being paid to take risk, and we prefer equities over fixed income. We like European, Japanese and EM shares, as well as the factors we mention above.

Theme 3: Rethinking risk

Spotting systemic risks in advance is difficult, but we see none on the immediate horizon that might undercut the current economic expansion. Market volatility (vol) has been testing lows, but low-vol regimes are the historical norm, not the exception, we find. At this point, we do not spot broad signs of “irrational exuberance” in financial markets today.

We favor taking advantage of temporary equity market selloffs in the current environment of low volatility and solid corporate earnings. What if a market shock were to morph into a systemic crisis? Buying on the dip only works if the investor takes a long view and has a stomach for volatility. Patience eventually was rewarded after the 2008 crisis—but it took six volatile years to claw back losses from the 2007 peak. Persistence will remain a key feature of markets going forward, as will the reach for yield, we believe.

What are the risks to our outlook? Policy missteps or miscommunications cannot be ruled out as the Fed and some other central banks reduce accommodation. China’s economy could slow if the country re-emphasizes reforms over short-term growth after a crucial party congress in late October. Geopolitical risks also lurk. But we see few triggers that could shock markets out of their low-vol regime reinforced by steady growth. Read more, including our detailed market views, in the full Global Investment Outlook Q4 2017.

The INSIDER Summary:

• We visited a Spirit store in NYC. Spirit Halloween is the largest seasonal Halloween retailer in the country with a total of 1,300 locations nationwide.
• The store had a large variety of costumes and accessories.
• Spirit predicts that some of the most popular costumes will be from "Stranger Things" and "Hocus Pocus."
• Other trendy themes will be '90s TV shows, female super heroes, food, and DIY.

It's that time of year when everyone is looking for last-minute Halloween inspiration.

And while celebs can provide some great ideas, there are other ways to get your creative juices flowing — namely taking a trip to a costume store.

We did the work for you this year by touring one of New York City's Spirit Halloween stores.

Keep scrolling to see the costumes that will be on trend this year. 

Spirit Halloween is the largest seasonal Halloween retailer in the country with a total of 1,300 locations nationwide. We visited the store located on Fifth Avenue in NYC.

The store was a wonderland of costumes. No matter if you want to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, a crayon...

... a Minion...

Putting in more than 40 hours a week is becoming something of the norm in the US for a number of jobs, with some occupations putting in an average of almost 60 hours a week.

As a result, more Americans are feeling overworked.

To find jobs that allow you to maintain work-life balance but still get paid well, we analyzed US Census data for about 478 occupations from the Minnesota Population Center's 2015 American Community Survey Integrated Public Use Microdata Series.

Based on that survey data, the average American works close to 40 hours a week and has a total income — a combination of salary, business, and any other form of money earned in a year — of about $52,293.

While some people with these jobs may work more or less than the average depending on their employer or where they are in their career, people with the following professions report typically working an average of less than 40 hours a week and earning at least $60,000 a year, on average:

SEE ALSO: The 25 best jobs in America right now

DON'T MISS: 16 high-paying jobs for people who hate people

16. Judicial law clerks

They assist judges in court or by conducting research or preparing legal documents.

Average hours typically worked a week: 39.8

Average earned income: $60,230

15. Speech language pathologists

They assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. 

Average hours typically worked a week: 36.6

Average earned income: $60,326

14. Occupational therapists

They provide rehabilitative treatments and procedures that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills.

Average hours typically worked a week: 36.4

Average earned income: $61,441

Ivana Trump — President Donald Trump's first wife and the mother of Ivanka, Eric, and Donald Trump Jr. — is making headlines once again as she promotes her new book, "Raising Trump."

During a Sunday interview with ABC News, Ivana said she still talks with President Trump regularly but doesn't call the White House directly in order to avoid making first lady Melania Trump jealous. Ivana even referred to herself as the real "first lady." 

"I don't want to cause any kind of jealousy or something like that, because I'm basically first Trump wife. OK? I'm first lady," she said.

In a statement on Monday, Melania's spokeswoman characterized Ivana's comments as "attention-seeking and self-serving noise." Still, it's clear that Ivana is no stranger to stirring up controversy with President Trump and his wives. 

After Trump's affair with then-26-year-old Marla Maples was revealed in 1989, Ivana and Trump's hugely public divorce became fodder for the tabloids. Trump's rocky relationship with and 1993 marriage to Marla Maples also inspired its fair share of screaming headlines. Below, we've rounded up of some of the most outrageous tabloid covers from that period.

SEE ALSO: First lady feud: Here's the history of Trump's battling wives

"'Ivana better deal': Mrs. T brands Donald's $25M pre-nuptial pact a fraud"

"The Trumps speak out"

"Ivana to Donald at secret sitdown: Gimme the Plaza! ... the jet and $150 million, too"

Northern California wine country is threatened as a series of massive wildfires continue to rage in the counties of Napa, Sonoma, and elsewhere.

More than a dozen fires ignited on Sunday and grew as strong, dry winds spread the flames over fields and freeways. The eight-county blaze destroyed at least 2,000 homes, businesses, and other structures, and sent residents fleeing for their lives. Thirteen people are dead.

A majority of the area's thousands of wineries have been spared. But winemakers won't know the extent of the damage until evacuation orders are lifted and they can return to their estates.

Here's what we know about the state of damaged wineries.

SEE ALSO: Photos show how wildfires are ravaging parts of California's wine country

DON'T MISS: How to help people affected by the massive fires burning California's wine country

A series of wildfires ravaging pieces of Northern California's wine country is being called one of the worst firestorms in state history. The largest blazes hit Napa and Sonoma.

The region is an economic powerhouse and a favorite destination for wine-lovers. It's home to hundreds of elite wineries and vineyards, trendy restaurants, and five-star hotels.

We went to Napa and the wine destination people are ditching it for — and the winner is clear »

Two of the largest fires — Tubbs and Atlas fires — are believed to have begun near Highway 128 in Napa. Strong, dry winds fanned the flames from ridge top to ridge top on Monday.

The 'Diablo winds' explain why the fires burning California's wine country became so destructive »

Americans are passionate about where they shop.   

While more and more people turn to online shopping for their food and clothing needs, plenty of shoppers still prefer to visit brick-and-mortar stores.

Foursquare looked at the average number of visits per store in each state to determine its ranking. That allowed for some smaller chains like Uniqlo and Fred Meyer to beat out Walmart and Target in some states.

Check out the full list below. 

ALABAMA: Target

ALASKA: Walmart

ARKANSAS: Target

Very few people can resist the allure of Zara — even Kate Middleton.

While the Duchess of Cambridge often sports threads from top designers, it's no secret that she also loves the fast fashion retailer. People take notice of everything Middleton wears, so whenever she wears items from Zara, they tend to sell out immediately after she is pictured wearing them.

Even though you can't shop many of her most popular looks anymore, you can still look back at some of Middleton's most memorable Zara fashion moments. You might find that you even own one of the same pieces as the Duchess.

From biker jeans to a printed smock dress, keep scrolling to see 15 times that Middleton has worn something from Zara.

In April 2011, Middleton wore a pleated blue dress from Zara on her way to her honeymoon with Prince William.

Since her honeymoon, Middleton has worn this dress under jackets during several other appearances.

In December 2011, the Duchess wore a white dress with a lace-like design from the popular fast fashion store to a charity concert.

The patterned dress sold out on Zara's website within one day, according to the blog What Kate Wore.

In July 2012, Middleton wore a pair of royal blue pants from Zara while accepting the Olympic Torch prior to the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

This was definitely one of her most casual royal outfits.

The INSIDER Summary:

• Trader Joe's has always been our go-to spot for affordable and delicious food. 
• But these days, people can't stop talking about Aldi, the German grocery chain that also offers tasty food for less.
• Aldi may be a no-frills grocery store, but people are loving the low prices. 
• Here are 11 items that prove Aldi is the new Trader Joe's. 

For the longest time, Trader Joe's has been our go-to spot for quick and easy meals, gourmet ingredients and unique snacks, all for a great price. But these days, there's a new store in town that no one can stop talking about: Aldi, the stripped-down European import that offers tasty food for less.

Aldi may be a no-frills shopping experience. You rent carts for a quarter (refunded at the end of your trip). You have to provide your own bags and bag your food yourself. The stores carry much less product than your average superstore and the hours are limited. The upshot? You get high-quality foods at a bargain price and limited-time offerings that come much cheaper than their counterparts at traditional stores.

Whether you're looking for a healthy meal that takes no time to prepare, an indulgent snack or an inexpensive staple, Aldi's got your back. Just remember to bring your bags.

Prices vary depending on your location.

Friendly Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk

Berryhill Apple Butter

Little Salad Bar Southwest Chopped Salad Kit

President Donald Trump's administration is under increasing scrutiny following reports of the extravagant, taxpayer-funded travels of numerous White House officials.

At least five investigations into Cabinet officials' use of military and private jets are underway, and have stoked bipartisan criticism over what some call a culture of entitlement within Trump's White House. So far, the trips have cost the government millions of dollars.

Here's a look at the White House officials whose travel habits have come under scrutiny:

SEE ALSO: Watch Barack Obama surprise Michelle at a conference with a 25th anniversary tribute video

Steven Mnuchin

Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin came under fire in August when it was revealed he took a $26,900 flight to Kentucky on an Air Force jet, a trip that coincided with the August 21 solar eclipse.

Mnuchin and his wife, Louise Linton, viewed the eclipse from the lawn of Fort Knox, just outside the eclipse's path of totality. 

Mnuchin raised eyebrows again in September after ABC News reported he had requested a $25,000-an-hour Air Force jet for his honeymoon in Europe. 

A Treasury official said use of the jet was necessary to ensure Mnuchin maintained a secure line of communication. However, the request was denied.

Scott Pruitt

Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, took at least four taxpayer-funded flights since mid-February at a cost of nearly $60,000.

In response to the news, the EPA's inspector general expanded the scope of an investigation into the agency's procedures to include a probe of Pruitt's travel habits through the end of September.

Rick Perry

Energy Secretary Rick Perry has taken six trips on government or private planes, racking up a $56,000 bill, The Washington Post reported. Many of the destinations he visited were also served by commercial airlines.

Since late Sunday, a series of wildfires has torched more than 115,000 acres in Northern California. The situation is being called one of the worst firestorms in state history.

On Tuesday, a clearer picture of the devastation began to come together.

The blaze began on Sunday evening and strengthened as strong, dry winds pulled many separate fires across large swaths of fields and freeways. Officials estimate that more than 2,000 homes, businesses, and other structures in eight counties have now been devastated by the fires.

At least 15 people are dead, and the death toll is expected to rise as rescue workers clear through the rubble. More than 200 people have been reported missing as of Tuesday afternoon.

These before-and-after photos give us a glimpse of the destruction.

SEE ALSO: How to help people affected by the massive fires burning California's wine country

Signorello Estate winery, located on Silverado Trail, has been destroyed. Flames climbed the ivy-covered walls of the winery headquarters on Monday, and it eventually collapsed.

Source: Wine Spectator

Here's the entrance to the fire-ravaged Signorello Estate winery as seen on Monday.

A photo taken inside a tasting room at Signorello Estate winery shows a circular window.

After tweeting that NFL fans could consider boycotting companies that sponsor the Dallas Cowboys if they want to hurt team owner Jerry Jones' bottom line, popular "SportsCenter" host Jemele Hill was suspended from ESPN on Monday for violating the network's social media guidelines.

It wasn't the first time Hill caused a Twitter controversy. In September, she made headlines for calling President Donald Trump a "white supremacist" in a series of critical tweets.

Hill has been unafraid to speak her mind from her first years with ESPN, allowing fans to hear a wide range of views on sports, politics, and pop culture. Below, read more about Hill's rise through the ranks of sports media, culminating with her major star turn over the past couple of months.

Jemele Hill was born in Detroit and attended Michigan State University. She worked for newspapers in Detroit, Raleigh, and Orlando before joining ESPN as a national columnist in 2006.

She quickly became a rising star at the network, appearing on shows like "First Take,""Outside the Lines," and "Around the Horn."

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While Hill has become a respected name in sports media, she's had a penchant for controversial statements from early on in her career. In a 2008 column, she compared supporting the Boston Celtics to believing that Adolf Hitler was a victim.

Source: Bleacher Report

Credit Suisse is out early with its forecasts for US stocks and the economy next year, and they are bullish. 

The firm's equity strategists see the S&P 500 rising to 2,987 by year-end, implying an annualized gain of about 11%. They forecast earnings-per-share growth of 6% to 7% over the next two years, from $130 this year to $147 in 2019.

"Our market views are predicated on a supportive economic backdrop, with benign recessionary risks and a pickup in near-term indicators," said the US equity strategists led by Jonathan Golub, in a note on Tuesday. "While we expect more muted longer-term growth, this has focused corporations on cost containment and the return of capital to shareholders, extended the business cycle and lowered discount rates."

Credit Suisse is also betting on the continued outperformance of favored sectors in 2017. The tech sector remains the team's favorite even though it's expensive relative to earnings. And, they expect financials to outperform due to deregulation. 

"Our forecasts are built upon the most historically important drivers of corporate profits and stock prices," Golub wrote. "That said, many things can alter the market’s path over the near term."

Trump policy

The group of stocks that would benefit the most from a corporate-tax cut surged after the election but slid only until recently. This suggests investors were doubtful about President Donald Trump's plan.

"We expect that the proposed tax plan will be difficult to pass, or will have less of an impact than hoped for," Golub said.

"While we believe that the market would initially applaud such actions, we anticipate that the investment conversation would quickly shift toward higher potential deficits and wage inflation, both negatives for stocks."

New Fed leadership

Trump said two weeks ago Friday that he would make an announcement on who will lead the Fed after Chair Janet Yellen's term ends in February. He is reportedly considering policy hawks including Kevin Warsh and John Taylor. 

"We believe that there are two key issues surrounding Yellen’s replacement that could unsettle the market: (1) a change in the perceived independence of the Fed, and (2) an end to the period of uber-dovish policy."

Volatility

Stocks have historically rallied when the CBOE Volatility Index is very low. 

"Market volatility has been extremely low throughout the recovery, with the VIX currently reading 9.7," Golub said. "This has led many pundits to characterize investors as complacent and the market vulnerable to a pullback. We disagree with these assertions."

All you need is a working Twitter account to know that President Donald Trump tries to take credit every time the stock market hits a record high.

It's a routine that has played out in 2017 as the S&P 500 has stretched well into the ninth year of a bull market that has brought it back to unprecedented highs.

And Trump was back at it again Wednesday morning, with a series of tweets playing up his role in the stock market's latest ascent to record levels:

So is Trump right?

Not most of the time. While there have been times this year when the so-called Trump trade— or the promise of business-friendly policies — has undoubtedly been responsible for the gains, there have also been long stretches when other factors were driving returns.

To best assess Trump's fluctuating influence on stocks, we've looked at the S&P 500 on a periodic basis and zeroed in on which bullish element was actually most responsible for strength. When tied together, they provide a pretty good idea of how the benchmark has gone from one high to the next over time — and it hasn't always involved the president.

Methodology

At the beginning of each section is a chart showing the performance of an index of stocks tracking highly taxed companies, relative to the S&P 500. The measure is intended to serve as a proxy for the effect of Trump's proposed policies on the benchmark, with the thinking being that a lowering of the corporate tax rate has long been seen as the campaign promise most likely to be passed.

If the high-tax index is outperforming, that implies a high degree of overall confidence in the Trump trade and therefore outsize influence being exerted on the S&P 500. If the gauge is underperforming (in negative territory), that implied a low degree of confidence and minimal influence.

And bear in mind that if the line veers into negative territory (which — spoiler alert — it does), that isn't reflective of the broader stock market — it's just the most actionable part of the Trump trade. The S&P 500 as a standalone entity has repeatedly hit record highs this year.

In the end, hopefully, we'll have given you enough information to conclude for yourself whether Trump has, in fact, been as indispensable to the stock rally as he claims to be.

November 2016 to February 2017: The best days of the Trump trade.

Remember the first few months after last year's election? It seems like ages ago, and what a simpler time it was. The stock market ripped higher, off to its best start to a new year, largely on the strength of the so-called Trump trade.

And we're not talking about the current iteration of the Trump trade. We mean the one taking place when all the promise of a newly-elected-but-still-out-of-office president's pro-business measures were still on the table, including lower corporate taxes, a repatriation tax holiday, massive infrastructure spending, financial deregulation, and a border adjustment tax.

The initial effect of that version of the Trump trade was undeniable. Every day it proved its mettle, as segments of the stock market ebbed and flowed with the latest headlines associated with each potential change.

Sure, earnings reports for the fourth quarter — mostly released in January — saw corporate profits expand. But it was at just half the rate we'd end up seeing later in 2017, rendering its ultimate effect relatively muted.

But you'll note that the Trump trade faded near the end of this period, providing an ominous sign.

Trump tweet of the period:

Number of stock-market closing records: 20

Was Trump responsible? Yes, definitely, though little did we know that the tax plan rollout he alluded to in the above tweet was still months away (more on that below).

March 2017 to August 2017: The Trump trade dies.

Look no further than the chart above to get an idea of when investors lost faith in Trump's proposed policies. Returns for the most highly taxed companies, infrastructure stocks, and financial firms either leveled off or dropped sharply, hurt by a lack of progress and worries stemming from a healthcare-bill defeat.

Yet the S&P 500 rally raged on, undeterred by the policy failings in Washington. A big part of this can be attributed to the FANG group, made up of Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google. If you expanded that to include other tech stocks like Apple and Microsoft, which were similarly unstoppable during the period, the collection represented the mega-cap backbone that allowed the market to continue its historic climb.

Also helping push stock indexes into the rarefied air was profit expansion. Mentioned in the section above as a minor positive catalyst, earnings growth exploded for the first- and second-quarter reporting periods, which largely occurred in April and July. The S&P 500 saw profit growth of 14% during the first three months of the year and 11% for the second quarter, its best stretch since 2011.

Long story short, the market had a lot going for it during the period — and none of it was built on Trump policy.

Trump tweet of the period:

(Note: None of his tweets included the phrase "stock market" in the four-month period between March 2 and July 2.)

Number of stock market closing records: 18

Was Trump responsible? Not a chance.

August 2017 to present: The Trump trade is ... back?

The period since mid-August has been a mixed bag for the Trump trade. As you can see above, our indicator rallied sharply at the beginning of the period, largely on the back of the long-awaited Republican tax plan. The proposed measures focused on a corporate tax cut as well as a one-time repatriation tax holiday. And since many of the companies that pay high taxes and stash the most cash overseas are the mega-cap tech stocks that wield huge influence over stock indexes, things started to look up.

Since late September, however, the Trump trade has started to flag once again as — let me know if you've heard this before — the S&P 500 broke a series of records. This time around, the benchmark index was pushed to records by laggard sectors like energy and telecom, while tech faltered. The so-called market rotation that occurred showed once again that the S&P 500 had more tricks up its sleeve as it forged ahead into the ninth year of its bull market.

At present time, the jury is still out on the Trump trade's ongoing influence — or lack thereof. After all, investors are starting to grapple with the prospect of a massive federal balance-sheet unwind as well as another set of quarterly corporate earnings.

Trump tweet of the period:

Number of stock market closing records: 13

Is Trump responsible? To be determined.

Air travel is in a period of great change. With the rapid pace of innovation, airlines and airplane makers are working hard to keep up.

For the most part, the airlines and the companies that make their planes are not all that well equipped to react quickly to change. A new plane takes more than a decade to put into service and its designed to keep flying for several subsequent decades.

Usually, a major industry-wide overhaul to passenger experience happens once every decade or two. We are currently in such a generational shift. Innovations such as new composite-bodied airliners liked the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350, as well as technologies like satellite-based internet and geared turbofan engines, come to mind.

But that doesn't mean the industry is fresh out of cool stuff. In fact, the pace of development and innovation is only quickening in its pace.

Like the automotive industry, airplane makers and the people who fly their planes understand the need to unpeg the development of aircraft hardware and software.

An industry once bound by the limits of flying metal is heading towards a future where software is growing in importance.

Currently, the industry is working on many potentially game-changing innovations that could find their way into common airline use over the next couple of decades.

SEE ALSO: A real electric jet is just around the corner and it will change flying forever

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Electric propulsion

Over the past century, piston power has given way to turbine power. The next frontier is electric power. And the amazing part is that electric aircraft aren't far away. 

In 2014, Airbus debuted their all-electric E-Fan demonstrator aircraft. The two-seat test plane is powered by two electric motors each powering a variable geometry fan. Through the E-Fan, Airbus wants to show the public the viability of electric aviation. In 2015, the E-Fan became the first twin-engined electric plane to cross the English Channel. 

Airbus isn't alone. In April, Boeing and JetBlue both invested in electric aircraft startup Zunum. This week, the three-year-old company announced that it plans to introduce a 12-passenger hybrid-electric prop plane into service by 2022. 

Hypersonic travel

Electric planes might deliver quiet, eco-friendly air travel, hypersonic flights get you to your destination fast.

In 2003, we took step backward with the retirement of the Aerospatiale-BAC Concorde. For the first time in decades, mankind does not possess the capability to conduct supersonic passenger flights.

While affordable and fuel efficiency may be at the forefront of the industry, manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing still have an itch for high-speed flight.

In 2015, Airbus patented a hypersonic jet capable of reaching 4.5 times the speed of sound. The design patented by Airbus shows an aircraft powered by a combination of turbojet, ramjet, and rocket motor.

Earlier this year, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg told CNBC that he expects hypersonic commercial flights to be a reality within the next decade or two. Even though passengers will probably have to pay a premium for the service, being able to fly from New York to Shanghai in less than two hours may be worth it.

Biofuels

Modern jet engines, for all of their refinement and efficiency, still run on kerosene. But one day, kerosene may be replaced by biofuels. While it isn't as revolutionary as electric propulsion, biofuels represent a step in the right direction towards cutting down on greenhouse emissions. 

Airlines just such as United, KLM, and Singapore have all operated commercial flights using biofuels. 

Currently, there are a variety of biofuels based on everything from recycled vegetable oil to plant-based ethanol. Virgin Atlantic is even working with a Chinese firm to develop a biofuel using waste gases captured from steel mills. 

However, low oil prices currently make biofuels uneconomical for commercial airlines. 

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As a kid who grew up with futuristic video games, reruns of "The Jetsons" on TV Land, and an overactive imagination, I'm more than ready for the "house of the future."

But with so many smart home products on the market, it's hard to separate the good ones from those that aren't quite ready for prime time.

I've used all the products on this list, and all of them have made my apartment smarter — and my life easier.

SEE ALSO: 20 must-have tech accessories under $20

DON'T MISS: Amazon's store brand makes a lot of great tech, but these are the 12 gadgets actually worth buying

The Amazon Echo

Every smart home needs a hub. Whether you opt to use Apple's HomeKit and Siri, Samsung's SmartThings and an app, or the Amazon's Echo and Alexa.

After going back and forth for almost a year about whether I was comfortable having an "always listening" device in my apartment, I decided to take the plunge. It's been great. In addition to being able to ask the Echo a whole bunch of questions about the news or weather, it gives you the ability to interact with smart-home products using only your voice. It's amazing.

Voice operation removes a layer of friction between me and my smart home devices that I didn't know would be there. It's so much more natural and fluid than fumbling through an app.

All of the devices on this list are Echo-compatible, and honestly, I wouldn't buy a smart home product if it wasn't.

Amazon Echo, $179.99, available at Amazon

*Note: Currently unavailable*

Philips Hue light bulbs

My first post-Echo purchase was Hue bulbs. At first, they seem absolutely unnecessary, and while they're a definite luxury, they're extremely useful. My apartment only has one source of light — a ceiling lamp. It got annoying to get up and cross the room to flip the light switch before going to sleep each night. Instead, I say, "Alexa, turn off my bedroom lights," and boom, they're off.

I can also set the bulbs to rotate between different colors, which is nothing more than a fun party trick, but hey, it's nice to have fun once in a while! These bulbs were the smart-home device I was looking forward to trying the most, and they haven't disappointed.

Philips Hue Starter Kit (3nd Generation), $149, available at Amazon

A Philips Hue light strip

In the same family as the Hue Bulbs, the Hue Lightstrip is a very thin, but very bright light strip. Once you have one set of Hue devices set up, it's dangerously simple to add more. This light strip lives in my kitchen, underneath a set of cabinets. Having these on all night (and able to be turned off with a single voice cue) has saved me a bunch of stubbed toes during nighttime trips to my bathroom.

Like Hue's bulbs, the power strip can be dimmed, which is great because I need these to be a room-filling nightlight, not a beacon.

Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus,$89.99, available at Amazon