People looking to upgrade to a new Android phone have a pretty tough choice to make. 

One of the things that used to help prospective Android phone buyers make their choice was the phone's camera. But camera quality is so similar and so good among most top Android smartphones that it's no longer a deal-breaker.

I took photos with Samsung's new Galaxy Note 8 and Google's new Pixel 2 XL, the latter of which has the same camera as the regular Pixel 2, and I'm cautious about declaring a winner. Both have their ups and downs in different areas, and I'm confident that you'd be happy with either phone if you're looking for great camera quality. 

Check out the photos I took with both phones, and you can decide for yourself which one fits your bill:

SEE ALSO: The Pixel 2 XL's camera makes the iPhone 8 Plus' camera seem flawed

The Galaxy Note 8 does amazingly well in this photo.

The Note 8's photo has a gorgeous deep blue sky, better colors, and better contrast than the Pixel's photo. The Pixel also seems to add a yellow-ish tint to the photo, which gives the photo a warmer color "temperature."

Both phones took great photos here, but there are subtle differences.

The major thing to note in this photo is that the Pixel did a better job of retaining details in darker, shadowy areas of the photo.

Apart from that, the Note 8 photo's colors are a little deeper, but things like the trees and skin tones are a little warmer than they should be, as they look somewhat yellow compared to the Pixel photo. 

Next up, the Note 8 has a second lens with a 2x optical zoom, which the Pixel doesn't have.

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

Raise your hand if you like moving. If you're raising your hand, you are probably lying to yourself. You think you like your couch now, but when you have to lug it up and down too many flights of stairs (because the fifth floor walkup is totally worth the cheaper rent), and reassembling it takes an hour, an army of support, and a literal pool of sweat and tears, you might reconsider how much you're really lovin' that couch. 

For young adults transitioning through college and post-grad life, finding and keeping quality furniture is easier said than done. At the end of every academic year, you can look at any campus "For Sale" group online and you'll see hordes of students putting their furniture up for sale and hoping they can make even a fraction of their money back. 

Direct-to-consumer start-up Burrow aims to change this relentless cycle by offering mid-range priced, quality sofas that can be set up in under 10 minutes, no tools necessary. 

The Y-Combinator-backed company came out of founders Stephen Kuhl and Kabeer Chopra's own struggles with the complications of sofa buying, shipping, and assembly. Their business model and solution to a common problem have clearly resonated. Burrow delivered its first luxury couch within just 12 weeks of coming up with the original business idea in 2016, and crossed $1 million in sales within its first six months. 

Here's how Burrow is changing the way you buy your sofa:

SEE ALSO: The 10 best purchases I've made to save space in my small apartment

The sofa features a simple mid-century design, but is also customizable to your tastes and needs.

You can choose the fabric color, armrest height, and number of seats. However you combine the options, you'll end up with a versatile couch that you can carry with you throughout your life. 

• Four seat number options
• Two arm options: Low or High
• Five color options: Beige, Brick Red, Crushed Gravel, Navy Blue, and Charcoal

The pricing is on par with that of similar sofas you would find at West Elm or Wayfair.

While it may be more expensive than something you would get at IKEA, unlike an IKEA product, a Burrow sofa is easier than assemble and one that you'll actually keep. Here are the prices: 

• 1 seat: $550
• 2 seat: $750
• 3 seat: $950
• 4 seat: $1,150 

Shipping and assembly is easy.

Shipping is free, the sofa ships in two to five business days, and you don't need to be home to sign for the package. 

The sofa arrives in lightweight boxes. Each seat is contained in its own box, and the arms are contained in another box. The assembly process consists of nine steps, is tool-free, and should take 10 minutes or less.

The nice thing is that you have the flexibility to make your sofa smaller or larger by simply removing or adding additional seat modules. 

In 2016, the McDonald's corporation made more than $6 billion in total revenue.

That same year, a study conducted by the industry researchers at Sense360 proved how vital the Happy Meal was to McDonald's profits, finding that the fast food chain sold 250 units every three seconds in the U.S. — or roughly $10 million worth of profit per day.

For a meal that costs about $3.50 to $4.20 with tax in California, that's not too shabby. To find out if that same kind of value stacks up globally, read on to learn more about McDonald's and how much a Happy Meal costs around the world.

 Here’s How Much Debt Americans Have in 2017

1. Japan

Happy Meal cost: 460 to 500 yen ($4.09 to $4.46)

At first glance, the McDonald's kids meal in Japan is pretty close to the American version. You've got plenty of choices — you can take a bite of the classic hamburger, a cheeseburger or chicken McNuggets, and the restaurant offers a variety of drinks like milk and juice, along with the usual lineup of sodas.

Look closer, though, and you'll notice a few differences. You can opt for a side of corn rather than fries, but the standout is the option to substitute the burger for mini pancakes with sweet cream and applesauce. No signs of any McSushi coming.

2. India

Happy Meal cost: 126 rupees and up ($1.59 and up)

When you think about a McDonald's Happy Meal, you might not think of potatoes and peas, but that's exactly what you'll get with the McAloo Tiki option — an India-specific patty that's coated with breadcrumbs and topped with sweet tomato mayo, onions, and tomatoes. The Happy Meal price in India might be low, but the Happy Meal options are vast. In addition to the McAloo and regular options like burgers, chicken and nuggets, you can choose hotcakes, a variety of egg sandwiches or the fried McVeggie.

3. Philippines

Happy Meal cost: 112 to 135 Philippine peso ($2.20 to $2.65)

Although standard breakfast and lunch options are included on the kids menu, "McDo," as it's called in the Philippines, is stacked with distinctly Filipino comfort food. From Spam to southern fried chicken, the country is known for embracing food from all over the map, and the additions of McSpaghetti and fried Chicken McDo legs to the Happy Meal offerings reflect that. McDo's prices are pretty reasonable in the Philippines, too, as their Happy Meals cost less than $3.

• Trulia has a list of six cities where buying a starter home is actually cheaper than renting with a roommate.
• Exactly half of the 100 largest metros saw the savings from buying a starter home decrease or stay the same.
• Two Tennessee cities show up twice on the list.

Ever since real estate hub Trulia started comparing renting and buying property in 2012, they’ve concluded that buying a starter home is a much better deal than renting in America’s largest housing markets. However, while most traditional “rent versus buy” statistics only account for renting an apartment or starter home solo, more than 20 percent of millennials are choosing to live with a roommate (a 115-year high, according to a recent report). This made us wonder… is renting a pad with your roommate really cheaper than investing in a starter home by yourself? A recent Trulia report says that renting with your bestie could be significantly cheaper than getting a first-time mortgage — but it all depends on where you call home.

According to recent Trulia data, most millennials in cities with astronomical rent and home prices like San Jose, San Francisco, and Austin should consider renting with a roommate instead of splurging on a substantial down payment. “Home prices continue to rise across the country, but only around half of the markets examined saw an increase of $100 or more in rent since last year,” Senior Economist at Trulia Cheryl Young says. “As a result, the rent versus buy equation is shifting. Since five years ago, exactly half of the 100 largest metros saw the savings from buying a starter home decrease or stay the same.”

But even though renting with a roommate is significantly cheaper than buying in key metropolitan areas, finding yourself a roomie isn’t the universally cheaper option across the country. For instance, the average person in Detroit will save 57 percent when they choose to buy over splitting the rent and residents of West Palm Beach in Florida also see a significant savings of 52 percent when choosing to invest in a starter home. “In eight of 10 markets where buying a starter home is most advantageous compared to renting, starter homes are less than $100,000 and a starter home can be had for $16,463 in Detroit,” Young says. “Even when splitting the cost, rents are comparatively not as low.” The cities where it is at least 50 percent cheaper to buy vs. rent are:

1. Detroit, MI

2. West Palm Beach

3. Knoxville, TN

4. Memphis, TN

5. Philadelphia, PA

6. Birmingham, AL

Of course, there are many factors to consider before buying your first home. Along with finding the right neighborhood and checking off all of your Pinterest board must-haves, you may find that discovering a starter home in areas where it is cheaper to buy could still be a struggle (Trulia’s recent Price and Inventor Watch notes that starter home inventory dropped more than 20 percent year-over-year nationwide). No matter what the statistics for your hometown says, it’s still a good idea to take the time to talk with an expert and seriously consider your living options. Whether it means renting solo, moving in with your college bestie, or finally pulling the trigger on your first home, don’t be afraid to run a few hypotheticals to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

Detroit, MI

West Palm Beach, FL

Knoxville, TN

Just under 54 years ago, two years into his presidency, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on a visit to Dallas, Texas.

An investigation by the Warren Commission determined a former US Marine named Lee Harvey Oswald shot Kennedy from a nearby book depository, but the murky facts of the case have led to a number of alternate theories.

They include a CIA conspiracy, a mafia hit job, a covert operation by Lyndon B. Johnson, and more.

In anticipation of the National Archives releasing 3,100 documents related to the assassination on October 26, here are the top theories that have swirled ever since.

SEE ALSO: Trump says he'll allow the release of more than 3,000 classified JFK files — here's what you need to know

The CIA theory

People who believe the CIA was behind Kennedy's assassination speculate the agency strongly opposed a number of the president's stances on Cuba and Communism.

The theory posits that Kennedy's refusal to offer air support for the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, a CIA-sponsored mission to overthrow Fidel Castro, triggered the CIA to eliminate Kennedy from the picture altogether.

Theorists tend to believe the CIA set Oswald up as its scapegoat.

The Mafia theory

A related theory suggests the CIA worked with the Mafia to have Kennedy killed. At the time, the two organizations had a shared interest in overthrowing Castro, as the Mafia held a number of investments in Cuban casinos at-risk of being shut down.

Government documents show the CIA did work with the Mafia to take down Castro; some conspiracy theorists claim the two also worked together, along with anti-Castro Cubans, to assassinate Kennedy.

The Cuban exile theory

Some believe the effort was far less sophisticated than a federal conspiracy, but carried out by a group of rogue Cuban exiles who saw the failed Bay of Pigs invasion as sufficient evidence that Kennedy was unfit as president.

Between 1959, when the Cuban Revolution brought Castro to power, and Kennedy's assassination in 1963, his popularity among exiles had eroded considerably. In October of 1963, anti-Castro Cubans met with right-wing Americans to discuss frustrations with Kennedy.

Theorists speculate the meeting may have been a tipping point for the assassination a month later.

When looking for one of the best jobs of the future, two considerations will be crucial: what jobs are well-paying, and what jobs will expand dramatically in the next decade?

Jobs in healthcare and tech tend to tick both boxes.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its biennial projections for job growth across hundreds of occupations between 2016 and 2026.

We took those projections and combined them with BLS estimates of the 2016 median annual earnings of those jobs — using the geometric mean of the two numbers — to come up with a ranking of the best jobs of the next decade.

To focus on good, high-paying jobs, we restricted our list to those with salaries higher than the 2016 median annual wage of $37,040.

Read on to learn about the best jobs of the future, including the typical level of education required and what people do on a daily basis, according to O*NET descriptions of the jobs.

SEE ALSO: 12 jobs robots are taking over the fastest

DON'T MISS: 15 jobs in the US that are chronically underpaid

21. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

They plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments.

Projected new positions by 2026: 68,700

Median annual earnings in 2016: $66,360

Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

20. Computer systems analysts

They analyze data processing problems to develop and improve computer systems.

Projected new positions by 2026: 53,000

Median annual earnings in 2016: $87,220

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

19. Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, except technical and scientific products

They sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. 

Projected new positions by 2026: 81,100

Median annual earnings in 2016: $57,140

Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

How does someone “get” a narcissistic personality disorder?

Narcissistic personality disorders are a byproduct of certain childhood family environments. All children want their parents’ approval and attention.

Children adapt to their homes, and often the most productive and reasonable adaptation to some home situations is to become a narcissist.

Here are some common scenarios that can contribute to children becoming narcissistic.

Scenario 1: Narcissistic parental values

In this situation the child is raised in a family that is very competitive and only rewards high achievement.  

One or both of the parents are exhibitionist narcissists.

The family motto is: if you can’t be the best, why bother?

In other words, love is conditional.

When you come in first in the race, win the science fair, or star in the school show, you are showered with praise and attention.

When you do not, you are a disappointment. Everyone in the family is supposed to be special and prove it over and over again.

No matter how much you achieve, the pressure is never off. As one woman said: “When I came home with a report card with all As, my father asked me if anyone got an A+.”

Children in these families do not feel stably loved. It is hard for them to enjoy anything for its own sake, if it does not confer status. Instead of being supported by their parents to explore what they like and want to do more of, they only receive support for high achievement. 

Their parents are not interested in their children’s “real selves,” they are mainly interested in how their children can make the family look good. They want to be able to brag to their neighbors: “Look at what my kid did!”

The children who grow up in homes like this only feel secure and worthwhile when they are successful and recognized as the “best.” The conditional love of their childhood and the over evaluation of high status and success in their home sets in motion a lifelong pattern of chasing success and confusing it with happiness. 

Example: John and his resume life

John, a brilliant and successful man with a narcissistic personality disorder, told me that he was coming to therapy because he knew that had lost his way. Nothing he did seemed to have any real meaning for him. 

He said, “I have a resume life. Everything about me looks good on paper. Even my hobbies are cool. But somewhere along the way I lost touch with who I really am. I no longer feel much genuine pleasure in my accomplishments. I started out enjoying what I do well, but now I do it only because it impresses other people. Inside I feel empty.”

Scenario 2: The devaluing narcissistic parent

In this scenario, there is a very domineering and devaluing parent who is always putting down the child. The parent is generally irritable, easily angered, and has unrealistically high expectations.

If there are two or more children, the parent will praise one and devalue the others. The “good one” can quickly become the “bad one” and suddenly a different sibling is elevated.

Nobody in the family feels secure and everyone spends their time trying to pacify the explosive narcissistic parent.

The other parent is often treated exactly like the children and belittled as well. When he or she disagrees with the narcissistic parent, they too are devalued.

Children who grow up in these households feel angry, humiliated, and inadequate. They are likely to react to their childhood situation in a few different ways: 

·     The defeated child: Some of these children simply give up and accept defeat. In their teenage years, after decades of being told that they are worthless, they may spiral down into a self-hating shame-based depression. Then to escape their inner shame, they may try to lose themselves in impulsive, addictive behaviors. Some become alcoholics and drug addicts, others spend their days on the internet. They never achieve their potential because they have been convinced that they have none.

·     The rebellious child: These children overtly reject their parents’ message that they are “losers.” Instead, they spend their life try to prove to themselves, the world, and the devaluing parent that they are special and their parents were wrong. They pursue achievement in every way that they can. Proving they are special becomes a lifelong mission, while underneath there is always a harsh inner voice criticizing their every mistake—no matter how minor.

·     The angry child: These children grow up furious at the devaluing parent. Anyone who reminds them of their parent in any way becomes the target of their anger. They sometimes become toxic or malignant narcissists themselves. It is not enough for them to achieve, they must destroy as well.

Example: the movie “Pretty Woman”

In this movie the actor Richard Gere portrays a wealthy businessman who buys and breaks up companies. He enjoys destroying the life’s work of the former owners of these companies because all of them are symbolic substitutes for his hated father. 

The movie turns into a Cinderella story after he hires a prostitute (played by Julia Roberts) with whom he eventually falls in love. Even his choice of a love object is typically narcissistic. I have met many wealthy narcissistic men who can only show love to women that they “save” who are safely below them in status.

Scenario 3: The golden child

These parents are usually closet narcissists who are uncomfortable in the spotlight.

Instead, they brag about their extremely talented child. Often the child is very talented and deserves praise, but these parents sometimes take it to ridiculous lengths.

This type of excessive idealization of a child as flawless and special can lead to the child having a narcissistic adaptation in later life:

·      The effects of conditional vs. unconditional love. Everyone wants to be seen realistically and loved unconditionally. If children believe that their parents only value them because they are special, this can contribute to an underlying insecurity. No one wins all the time. No one is better than everyone else in every way.

Children who are idealized by a parent can begin to believe that they are only lovable when they are perfect and worthy of idealization.

·      The perception of flaws & shame. When parents idealize their children, the children may become ashamed when they see any flaws in themselves. This can lead them to keep striving for perfection and proof that they are flawless and worth idealizing.

·      Stunted development of the real self. In this process, children may lose touch with their real selves and real likes and dislikes. Instead of exploring who they really are and where their true interests and talents lie, they can get off track entirely and spend their time only doing things that they are already good at and they think will get their parents’ approval.

The result

Too much parental idealization may lead to an unbalanced view of the self. When this happens, the child then perceives any flaws as unacceptable and strives to be seen as perfect. It is a short hop, skip, and a jump from this to full blown narcissism.

Occasionally, these children resist their role as “the golden child,” do not become narcissistic, and are embarrassed by the excessive praise that they receive. 

They feel burdened by the role that they are asked to play in the family. One mother told me: “My son is the flagship of the family who will lead us all to greatness.”

Her son told me: “I just want to get off this endless treadmill and live my own life without having to meet my parents’ crazy expectations.”

Thanks to the Astros' narrow win over the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, Houston is back in the World Series for the first time since 2005.

The Astros' success began with an unprecedented tanking operation. The team's brain trust built two of the worst teams in MLB history in their first years on the job. The result was a bushel of high draft picks and a farm system that produced many of their current players.

What's more, while the Astros are known for hoarding their top prospects, they won't hesitate to pay a high price if it yields an impact player through trades.

Below, we take a look at how the team was assembled.

Jeff Luhnow, general manager

When acquired: Prior to the 2012 season

How acquired: Luhnow was hired by the Astros after he left his role working in scouting and player development with the St. Louis Cardinals.

2017 salary: Unknown

Contract: Unknown, but he did sign a contract extension sometime in 2014. Luhnow is now one of the top 10 longest-tenured general managers in baseball.

One thing to know: Luhnow worked as an engineer and management consultant for years before making the switch to baseball. With the Cardinals, he oversaw a farm system that drafted more MLB players than any other team between 2006 and 2012.

A.J. Hinch, manager

When acquired: Prior to the 2015 season

How acquired: Hinch was hired by the Astros after outgoing manager Bo Porter went 59-79 in less than two seasons in Houston.

2017 salary: Unknown

Contract: Unknown, but we do know that Hinch signed a significant extension prior to the 2016 season. He "will be here for a while," Astros owner Jim Crane said at the time.

One thing to know: At just 43 years old, Hinch has already been all around the game of baseball. The former catcher worked in professional scouting and player development before coming to terms with the Astros in September 2014.

Jose Altuve, second baseman

When acquired: 2007

How acquired: Amateur free agent

2017 salary: $4.5 million

Contract: 4 years, $12 million. The Astros also hold team options for 2018 and 2019, which they will almost certainly exercise.

One thing to know: At just five feet six inches, Altuve is small in stature but stands tall as one of the best players in the game. The Venezuelan just won his third batting title in the last four seasons, becoming the first player to accomplish that feat since countryman Miguel Cabrera.

The NFL is nearing the mid-season point, and it feels as though it's time to start accepting some realities of this season.

For instance, a few teams that were expected to be bad, and at times have looked bad, like the Bills, Rams, and Dolphins, are several games over .500.  On the other hand, some teams we expected to play well have faltered and may not be able to recover. 

Meanwhile, there is a lot to still be decided, as five teams have .500 records while a few potential heavyweights, like the Raiders and Ravens, are at 3-4 and trying to stay alive in the playoff hunt.

Take a look at where each team stands as we head into Week 8.

32. Cleveland Browns

Record: 0-7

Last week: Lost to the Titans, 13-9

This week: vs. Minnesota Vikings

One thing to know: The Browns are sticking with DeShone Kizer at quarterback in Week 8, despite now owning a 3-to-11 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Each passing day, the decision to pass on Carson Wentz must look worse in Cleveland.

31. San Francisco 49ers

Record: 0-7

Last week: Lost to the Cowboys 40-10

This week: at Philadelphia Eagles

One thing to know: The Niners' streak of close losses came to an end on Sunday with a walloping at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys. Things aren't likely to get easier as San Francisco continues the hunt for its first win and now travel to Philadelphia to play the surging Eagles.

30. New York Giants

Record: 1-6

Last week: Lost to the Seahawks, 24-7

This week: Bye

One thing to know: Giants GM Jerry Reese took blame for his team's struggles after falling to 1-6, saying: "This is the roster that I put together. I'm the reason we're 1-6."

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

That means it's gobbler season at Wawa.

For everyone who doesn't live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida, Wawa is a beloved East Coast convenience store chain. And the gobbler is pretty much the sandwich version of a hearty Thanksgiving meal.

I attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, which is conveniently located right next to a cheery, 24/7 Wawa. I've spent many a night making delicious but poor nutritional decisions in said Wawa, but I'd never sampled this particular sandwich.

I decided to change that during a recent trip down to Williamsburg.

Here's what I thought of the turkey gobbler:

SEE ALSO: We visited Wawa and discovered why it's the greatest convenience store chain in America

The cost of the sandwich came to $5.19. On the store's touch screen menu, I selected a smaller "Shorti" roll. I also requested that the sandwich be toasted.

Next, I wandered around trying to find a spot where I could eat the hefty sandwich without look too much like a dazed, hungover casualty of William and Mary's homecoming celebrations. I ended up hunkering down at a deserted picnic table with two jolly jack-o-lanterns.

On first glance, the gobbler looks like a lot to handle. I was worried it'd be too rich for my taste. Plus, I had already eaten pancakes for breakfast, so I was reluctant to chow down on anything too heavy.

Hollywood stars come from all different backgrounds and locations. Some could have even been your neighbors.

State lines don't stop a person from hitting it big, so we've put together a list of the most famous celebrities from all 50 states. 

To pick these celebrities, we looked at IMDb's Starmeter, Google Trends, Forbes' list of the highest-paid celebrities, and used our own expertise. The list was chosen based on where people were born, with one major exception (see: Alaska). 

See who the most famous celebrity is from your state below.

Alabama: Channing Tatum was born and raised in Cullman until the family moved to Tampa, Florida later in his teen years.

After moving to Florida, Tatum got into martial arts. The actor is often seen sporting gear from the University of Alabama. "Roll Tide!"

Other notable celebrities from the state: Courteney Cox, Octavia Spencer, Sonequa Martin-Green, Emmylou Harris, Lionel Richie, Walton Goggins, and Laverne Cox

Alaska: Jewel Kilcher is known as an Alaskan. But contrary to popular belief, the singer was born in Utah, making her the exception to our rule.

Jewel was raised in Homer, Alaska. She was born in Utah when her dad was attending Brigham Young University. The Kilcher family, including Jewel's dad Attila Kunzo "Atz," are featured on Discovery Channel's "Alaska: The Last Frontier." She has appeared on the show, which follows the family's life in the Alaskan wilderness.

Other notable celebrities from the state: Darby Stanchfield, Irene Bedard, and Bristol Palin

Arizona: Emma Stone grew up in Scottsdale.

She was involved in community theater. But when she was around 14, she persuaded her parents to let her try her hand in Hollywood. 

Other notable celebrities from the state: Lynda Carter, Matt Dallas, Mare Winningham, Shannon Woodward, Danielle Fishel, Dierks Bentley, Michelle Branch, Stevie Nicks, Jordin Sparks, and Diana Gabaldon 

• Lord & Taylor announced on Tuesday that it would sell its flagship store to the co-working startup WeWork.
• The building will become WeWork's headquarters in 2018.
• The deal is yet another sign of how destructive the retail apocalpyse has been.
• On a visit to the store after the announcement, we saw empty aisles and lots of discounts.

On Tuesday, Canadian retailer Hudson's Bay announced it would sell its landmark Lord & Taylor store on Fifth Avenue to co-working startup WeWork for $850 million. Lord & Taylor will continue to operate the entire building through the end of this year.

WeWork recently raised $4.4 billion in funding from SoftBank Group and SoftBank Vision Fund and is now considered the most valuable startup in New York City. The flagship Lord & Taylor building will serve as WeWork's headquarters.

While Lord & Taylor is not leaving the building entirely — it will rent about 25% of the space — the sale is symbolic for the struggling department store and for retail as a whole, as shoppers continue to move away from brick-and-mortar stores toward online options. Lord & Taylor has occupied the building on Fifth Avenue since 1914.

We visited Lord & Taylor's flagship Fifth Avenue store on Wednesday to see how it's prepared for the holiday season and the ensuing transition. While the store was offering plenty of discounts, it attracted a small fraction of the significant foot traffic outside. 

Here's how Lord & Taylor will end its run as the sole operator of its iconic Fifth Avenue location.

SEE ALSO: 50 photos that show how American suburbs as we know them are dying

We went to the store, which is located at 424 5th Avenue, on a Wednesday afternoon. There was significant foot traffic nearby.

Some of the displays promoted retro styles that seemed to be targeted toward middle-aged shoppers.

Inside, the store wasn't attracting as many customers as you'd expect from the bustle outside.

Here's the thing about bad habits.

Many of them can hurt you when taken to the extreme. But in small doses, those same "bad" habits can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

As in, you don't want to live like a total slob — but a desk in slight disarray could make you more creative. Who knew?

Below, we've rounded up 10 supposedly negative behaviors that can — contrary to what your mom, your teacher, and your know-it-all coworker said —  be good for you.

SEE ALSO: 10 fresh ways to trick yourself into breaking bad habits — and building better ones

Procrastinating

There's a growing body of literature dedicated to why people procrastinate — and how to stop it.

But Wharton professor and "Originals" author Adam Grant argues that we should expand our conception of procrastination to include not just laziness, but also waiting for the right time. In other words, procrastination can help boost creativity because you give yourself a chance to develop your big idea.

In an interview with Business Insider's Rachel Gillett, Grant pointed to Apple's Steve Jobs as an example of someone who benefited from delaying certain tasks:

"The time Steve Jobs was putting things off and noodling on possibilities was time well spent in letting more divergent ideas come to the table, as opposed to diving right in with the most conventional, the most obvious, the most familiar."

Biting your nails

Researchers recently followed about 1,000 kids starting when they were five years old. When the kids were five, seven, nine, and 11, the researchers asked their parents whether they bit their nails or sucked their thumb. About one-third of the kids displayed one or both habits.

When the kids were 13 and then 32 years old, the researchers performed allergy tests. Sure enough, the group that had habitually bit their nails and/or sucked their thumb as kids were less likely to have developed allergies.

At the same time, one of the study authors advised parents not to encourage nail-biting or thumb-sucking in their kids.

While nail-biting doesn't typically cause long-term damage, it can damage the skin around the nail, making you more susceptible to infections. Meanwhile, if thumb-sucking continues past when a kid's permanent teeth come in, it can change how the teeth line up.

Running late

Being chronically tardy can interfere with both your personal and professional relationships, making you look disorganized or worse, disrespectful.

At the same time, an oft-cited tidbit from Diana DeLonzor, author of "Never Be Late Again," sheds some light on the upsides of lateness. As The New York Times reports:

"Many late people tend to be both optimistic and unrealistic, she said, and this affects their perception of time. They really believe they can go for a run, pick up their clothes at the dry cleaners, buy groceries and drop off the kids at school in an hour."

In other words, late people hope for and expect the best — which can be a double-edged sword in daily life.

• The Trump administration tasked six companies with creating eight prototypes for the US-Mexico border wall.
• The prototypes are nearly complete, and will be unveiled October 26.
• Trump has said he plans to inspect the prototypes himself and choose the one he likes best.

Construction is wrapping up on eight prototypes for President Donald Trump's long-promised wall along the US-Mexico border.

Customs and Border Protection took to social media on Tuesday to share video of the nearly complete prototypes, which are set to be finished by the October 26 deadline.

The government selected six companies to construct the prototypes, which the agency said are meant to "inform future design standards" for the wall.

Although Trump's plans for a border wall have been beset by a number of obstacles — including the Senate's refusal to green-light a $1.6 billion down payment, wavering estimates on the total cost, and a lawsuit from California — his administration has moved ahead with the prototypes.

Here's what they look like so far:

SEE ALSO: The first group of refugees from what Trump called the 'worst deal ever' with Australia are heading to the US

DON'T MISS: Trump is reportedly backing down from his threat to shut down the government over the border wall

The eight prototypes have gone up near the Otay Mesa port of entry in San Diego, California.

Four of the prototypes are concrete walls.

The other half are made of "other materials," which have not yet been specified.

• McDonald's employees have to deal with rude customers and misbehaving kids, but they also get an inside peek at how the fast food chain really works. 
• Employees took to Reddit to share some of their experiences and secrets they learned from their time at McDonald's.
• Here are 15 things McDonald's employees don't want you to know. 

McDonald’s is like a well-oiled machine. Because employees sling burgers, salt fries, and deliver drive-through orders with such speed, we’ve become accustomed to only waiting minutes for our hot food to be ready. But it’s no accident; these employees keep America’s favorite fast food chain running smoothly.

They’ve also bared the brunt of rude customers, misbehaving kids, and ridiculous orders. But it’s not all bad; they also have a peek inside what it’s really like to work at such a massive food chain (hint: there is fresh food and some fun menu hacks!). Obviously, every McDonald’s is different, and since 90 percent are franchises, it’s up to how each individual restaurant is managed and ran. Here is what some McDonald’s employees were willing to share on Reddit based on their experiences working at the popular restaurant. And if you’re looking to eat healthy at the fast food giant, check out our top picks in our exclusive report: Every menu item at McDonald's—ranked!

Small-sized patties can be undercooked

When asked what the one thing people should never eat at McDonald’s is, Reddit user rzeeves said:

“The small patties. Yea…the ones that come on your double cheeseburgers and big macs. Those things come off of the grill still red with blood and then we would shove them in the trays where they would stay for hours.”

Special request

When asked what menu item most employees hate making, a Reddit user during an Ask Me Anything (AMA) replied:

“Anything that has to be 'Custom' we label it as 'Special Request' so they have to literally stop working just to come over and ask what the special request is (wanting something fresh counts towards that too).” — Reddit user McDonaldsIAma

Mc10:35

“The Mc10:35 is an excellent order if you can ever find someone to make it. You get a McDouble and ask for one of the leftover Egg McMuffins and have them put the McMuffin insides between the patties of the McDouble. Only available at menu change.” — Reddit user CrazyDaze

Sydney is the largest city in Australia with a population of over 5 million. It has beautiful beaches, a unique history, amazing architecture, diverse wildlife, and much more — who wouldn't want to visit?

But once you're there, you may be overwhelmed by all there is to do in Sydney. With over 650 suburbs that make up the metropolitan area, each one has a ton to offer with all kinds of attractions for tourists and locals alike.

Since I'm originally from Sydney, I rounded up the 50 best things to do there, according to a local. Try and see how many you can check off during your stay or how many you've already done.  

Complete the coastal walk from Spit Bridge to Manly Beach.

This 11 kilometer walk — that's 6.8 miles for you Americans — takes roughly three hours and winds through native bushland and small beaches. Some highlights include 1,000-year-old Aboriginal rock engravings and, of course, the spectacular ocean views.

At the end of the walk, treat yourself to breakfast or lunch at one of the many cafes in Manly. 

Here's a map with all the best stopping points and more details.

Marvel at the colorful Jacaranda Trees in Kirribilli.

This dream-like canopy of blooming Jacaranda trees can be seen in early November on McDougall Street in the Sydney suburb of Kirribilli.

You can easily get there by taking the train to Milsons Point station or the ferry to Kirribilli Wharf and walk over. 

Take a swim at McCallum Pool in Cremorne.

This historical pool has been enjoyed by locals around Cremorne Point since the 1920s. It was originally created by a local resident named Frederick Lane who was the first swimmer to represent Australia in the 1900 Olympics.  

The pool was later enlarged and opened to the public by other community members, and it doesn't cost anything to access the pool. 

I love playing video games, but as a Mac owner, I often have a case of PC envy. 

Almost all the best games debut on PCs and only show up on Macs years later — if at all. With recent PC-exclusive games including "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" getting really popular, and "Destiny 2"— the sequel to one of my favorite video games — launching this month, I recently started considering buying a gaming PC for the very first time.

Fortunately, I found an even better and much cheaper solution, one that turned my 2013 MacBook Pro into a legitimate game machine: Nvidia's GeForce Now app. 

I first learned about GeForce Now earlier this week in a random video I found from a YouTuber named Karl Conrad. After doing some quick research about people trying and failing to use their Macs as game machines, I discovered his video, where he mentioned the software as a potential solution.

A free download in the US and Canada, the GeForce Now app lets you play on your Mac the kind of high-end games that typically require a Windows PC computer with a dedicated graphics processor. GeForce Now is only in beta, but Nvidia is a trusted company when it comes to gaming, and the app works like a charm.

Take a look at GeForce Now:

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DON'T MISS: One of the best parts of 'Destiny' is now a punishing experience in 'Destiny 2'

First of all, this software isn't just from some random app maker. GeForce Now was developed by Nvidia, which has been working on gaming and mobile computing for 24 years.

Nvidia makes all sorts of things, from computing chips to gaming hardware to self-driving car software. But video games are at its core.

Here's how Nvidia describes its GeForce Now software on its website:

About the only way you can play most PC games on a Mac is to run the game on a PC in the cloud and stream it to your computer.

GeForce Now software is in beta testing. Although it's free now, Nvidia will likely charge a monthly subscription fee for it in the future. 

If you're a Mac user, you can visit this page to download GeForce Now.

Nvidia is promising to eventually make a version of the app for PCs.

• The banking sector contributed £35.4 billion in UK taxes in 2016/17, according to analysis by PwC.
• Almost half of banks' profits were paid in taxes.
• Analysts say a final Brexit deal must take into account how integral the banking sector is to the UK economy.
  

LONDON – The banking sector contributed £35.4 billion to the public purse in 2016/17, up from £34.2 billion last year, according to a report commissioned by UK Finance and based on auditor PwC's analysis of 36 banks.

Overall, 47.6% of the surveyed banks' profits were paid in taxes. Taxes collected were boosted by the introduction in 2016 of the banking surcharge, as well as an increase in corporation tax resulting from increased profitability, loss relief and compensation payment restrictions.

"This report shows that the banking sector makes a significant contribution to the UK's public finances. Tax contributions have recovered consistently since the financial crisis," said Andrew Packman, tax transparency partner at PwC.

"While the sector is in a strong position to face future challenges, this report underlines the importance of the banking sector and the need to ensure that the UK retains its strong position as a leading financial centre," he said.

In order for London to remain one of the "most important and attractive international centres for banking and global business," said PwC capital markets leader Isabelle Jenkins, the UK's banking sector must "look further afield than the City's Square Mile," to "nationwide" talent.

Keep scrolling for the report's ten key statistics:

Banks contributed £35.4 billion in tax in 2016/17, up from £34.2 billion in 2015/16. Taxes borne — those at a direct cost to the company — accounted for £19 billion of the total, while taxes collected made up £16.4 billion.

Of the £35.4 billion, £18.1 billion was paid by UK banks and £17.3 billion by foreign banks.

The banking surcharge, introduced in January 2016 at 8% of taxable profits, generated £1.1 billion in payments. Receipts of corporation tax, the bank levy and the surcharge — £8.9 billion combined — were 22% higher than corporation tax receipts before the financial crisis.

• INSIDER spoke with a panel of nutritionists about the common misconceptions behind "healthy" foods that are actually anything but.
• Just because it says gluten-free on the label, does not make it good for you.
• Granola bars are usually closer to a candy bar than a legitimate health food.

Not all junk food is created equal. Sometimes, it doesn't take the form of greasy potato chips or a fast food burger. Sometimes junk food is wrapped up in health buzzword covered packaging and injected with enough fruits and vegetables to make us think we're eating something nutritious.

INSIDER spoke with a panel of nutritionists and doctors who revealed the unhealthiest "health" foods out there that you should either drop from your diet completely, or quit kidding yourself about. 

From granola bars to packaged veggie burgers and the super-trendy acai bowls, take note of these unhealthy foods in disguise. 

Granola bars

The ingredients in most granola bars should give you a hint about their true nutrition value: Chocolate, sugar, syrup, and sweetened granola.

"Nearly all granola brands add sugar and oil during the cooking process," Dr. Christopher Calapi, an osteopathic physician based on Long Island, told INSIDER.  "Some are loaded with seeds, nuts, and dried fruit, which up the fat content."

Yogurt

"Unless you are eating plain Greek yogurt, most commercially bought yogurts are loaded with sugar and contain very little protein," Los Angeles-based nutritionist Jennifer Cassetta said. "Even yogurts that claim to strengthen gut health will do the opposite because of the added sugars."

Wraps

Wraps might sound healthy, but in reality you're eating a lot more carbs (and calories!) thanks to tortillas' often enormous size when unwrapped than you would be with a regular whole grain sandwich. 

Cassetta recommends staying away from them, especially since the wraps themselves are usually more processed than regular bread. Processed means added ingredients that you don't want, like sodium and trans fats. 

College of the Ozarks, a Christian liberal-arts college located in Missouri, has a $416 million endowment.

But unlike other private liberal arts colleges with large endowments, C of O, as it's often called, has accumulated its endowment all while offering four-year degrees to students tuition free.

The roughly 1,500 person school made news recently for its requirement that students take a class on military customs and respect for the American flag. The class, called Patriotic Education and Fitness, also reviews flag protocol and map reading and marksmanship.

Read on below to see what it's like to attend College of the Ozarks.

SEE ALSO: A private college that doesn't charge tuition now requires a class on American flag protocol and refuses to play against schools that kneel for the anthem

C of O says that their courses are "taught from the perspective of a biblical worldview, which provides a broad and robust understanding of the world that a secular worldview cannot provide."

C of O accepts 14% of applicants and has small class sizes with a 14:1 student teacher ratio. A total of 1,512 students attend the school.

The college keeps costs down by employing students around campus. Students must work 15 hours a week as teaching assistants, grounds keepers, or farm workers.