Warning: Spoilers ahead for season two, episode eight of "Riverdale," titled "House of the Devil."

"Riverdale" is only getting more bizarre.

Wednesday's episode of the hit CW show featured some of the most wild moments ever shown on the teen drama, bt we still don't know who the Black Hood is. With only one episode left until the show takes its mid-season break, the drama is sure to intensify. 

From the secret history of the custodian revealed to Betty's dance on stage, here are the seven moments that made our jaws drop Wednesday night. 

After Cheryl's creepy behavior last episode, her intentions are still unclear after a locker room interaction with Josie.

When in the locker room wrapped in their towels, Cheryl makes a comment about how Josie's back looks like a "sailor's rope" because of the "tension knots." Then without asking, she sprays some essential lavender oil on her hands and goes to massage her shoulders. 

After Cheryl was seen drawing pictures of her and Josie last week, some fans thought Cheryl might be interested in Josie, but this interaction still left fans confused. 

But even more weird is that the two are interrupted by Mr. Svenson, the custodian, walking into the women's locker room.

He apologizes, but falters in the door for too much time and it's an awkward and creepy moment. Josie dismisses it, but Cheryl tells the custodian to get his "male gaze" and "male privilege" and get out. She then tells Josie that he should be "fired" and "investigated." 

Fans were also weirded out by the moment. 

Mr. Svenson's sad and violent history was later discovered by Archie and Veronica.

The two venture to the "Murder House" and discover that the Conway family, who had been murdered by the "Riverdale Reaper" years ago, was a family of five, not four, meaning one of the kids survived the massacre. After digging through some files, they take a photo of the living kid and compare it to older yearbook photos. 

Their comparison leads them to the discovery that Mr. Svenson was actually the living kid, Joseph Conway. When they confront him, he runs away. Mr. Svenson then explains that he escaped through his window and knew who killed his parents. The man was killed by a group of people after Mr. Svenson pointed him out. 

Archie knows he isn't the Black Hood, so fans are still coming up with theories. 

The whole nation goes into overdrive as soon as a royal wedding is announced.

The hysteria was so extreme in the build-up to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement that one Norfolk-based company had thousands of mugs and tea towels emblazoned with the couple's faces ready to sell before the engagement was even definite.

Business Insider has compiled the one most iconic photo or painting from 26 of the 33 recorded royal weddings throughout modern British history.

Scroll on to see the royal weddings, in order from oldest to most recent, that have warmed the hearts of the British public throughout modern history — and to see how much fashion has changed since King George IV married Caroline of Brunswick back in 1795.

SEE ALSO: 10 photos of the beautiful castle where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will tie the knot

April 8, 1795: Prince George (to be King George IV) married Princess Caroline at Chapel Royal, St James's Palace.

The first cousins' marriage was not illegal at the time because the dangers inflicted on an incestuous couple's offspring weren't fully understood.

February 10, 1840: Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha at St James's Palace.

The Queen's white dress was unusual at the time. It was more fashionable for brides to wear colourful dresses — especially gold. In the 19th century, a white wedding dress was actually a symbol of wealth rather than purity.

January 25, 1858: Princess Victoria (daughter of Queen Victoria) married Prince Frederick of Prussia at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace.

The people of London filled the streets trying to get a glimpse of the Princess Royal on the way to St James's Palace. Princess Victoria's procession included 18 carriages, over 300 soldiers, and 220 horses, according to historian Hannah Pakula.

• The House and Senate have both passed versions of a tax plan which include huge cuts for business taxes.
• Credit Suisse crunched the numbers to see who would be paying the highest effective tax rate under proposed rules.

No matter which tax reform bill, whether from the House of Representatives or the Senate, eventually gets signed into law by President Donald Trump, taxes will likely shrink for a wide swath of American companies.

Credit Suisse crunched the numbers based on the publicly available information about the plans to see which companies could end up paying the highest effective tax rate.

“Companies with primarily domestic end-markets tend to pay more in taxes,” the bank said. “As a result, groups such as Retail, Transports, Business Services, and Telecom should outperform as investors begin to discount tax relief. This should come at the expense of TECH+, Pharma & Biotech, and Autos, which are disadvantaged by proposed changes.”

Transports, discretionary retailers, and business services will carry the highest tax rates, according to Credit Suisse, with Tech hardware and Semiconductors likely paying the lowest. The S&P 500, on average, will pay an effective tax rate of about 27.4%.

Here are the 12 companies that could pay the highest effective tax rates under the proposed rules:

12. Helmerich & Payne

Ticker: HP

Effective tax rate: 40.8%

Sector: Energy

Year-to-date performance: -28.63%

Source: Credit Suisse

11. Aetna

Ticker: AET

Effective tax rate: 41.3%

Sector: Health Care

Year-to-date performance: +45.7%

Source: Credit Suisse

10. Anthem

Ticker: ANTM

Effective tax rate: 41.4%

Sector: Health Care

Year-to-date performance: +53.63%

Source: Credit Suisse

Meghan Markle is newly engaged to Prince Harry.

At age 36, Markle is best known for playing the role of Rachel Zane in the series "Suits." But a closer look at her career history reveals some surprising and impressive gigs, from United Nations women's advocate to lifestyle blogger and fashion designer.

Below, we've listed the highlights of Markle's résumé thus far.

SEE ALSO: The incredible life of actress, entrepreneur, activist, and now future princess Meghan Markle

Before playing Rachel Zane on "Suits," Markle appeared in the soap opera "General Hospital" in 2002 and the sci-fi drama "Fringe" in 2009, as well as the comedy "Horrible Bosses" in 2011.

Source: The Independent, IMDB

Markle is a United Nations women's advocate and she gave a speech at UN Women's 2015 conference.

In the speech, she recalled being outraged at age 11 when she saw a soap commercial with the slogan, 'Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans.' So she wrote a letter to the soap manufacturer as well as to Hillary Clinton and other powerful figures. The commercial subsequently changed its slogan to, 'People all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans.'

Source: CNBC

• Small changes to your daily routine can make you a lot happier.
• Those changes include journaling, practicing gratitude, and even ordering takeout dinner.
• We collected a list of 10-minute tweaks you can make starting today, and why they're helpful.

Sometimes it's the big things that make us happy — the birth of a child, an impressive promotion, winning the lottery.

But other times, it's the small things. Think capturing the most beautiful photo of a flower garden on your way to work, or hugging a friend you haven't seen in a while.

It's the second type of happiness boosters that we're focusing on here. Below, Business Insider has rounded up seven tweaks to your daily routine — all of which take 10 minutes or less — that can make you happier, healthier, and more productive. Read on for ideas you can implement starting today.

SEE ALSO: The age when people feel the most — and least — happy with life, in one chart

Jot down your thoughts and feelings

Author and investor Tim Ferris recommends jotting down your thoughts in a journal every morning.

Ferris uses "The Artist's Way Morning Pages Journal" by Julia Cameron, and emphasizes that the process of writing matters more than the final product. What's more, journaling allows you to get fears and worries out of your head so you can stop fixating on them.

Another journal option is the "Five Minute Journal," which comes with inspirational quotations and thought-provoking questions.

You can switch things up and journal in the evening if that's more convenient.

Chat with a fellow commuter

A 2014 study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, found that people are much happier during their commutes when they engage another passenger in conversation.

Still, most people surveyed said they expected their commute to be less positive and productive if they talked to a stranger.

If you can get over the fear that you'd be bothering someone else, you might be doing them — and yourself — a favor.

Take one beautiful photo on your way to work

That's a tip from Mo Gawdat, who is an executive at Alphabet's moonshot lab, X, and the author of "Solve for Happy." Every day during his walk to the office, Gawdat searches for something beautiful and snaps its photo.

The idea behind searching for one perfect photo is that it prevents Gawdat from thinking distressing thoughts, since he's fully engaged in searching for beauty. He calls it a form of meditation: Instead of focusing on his breath, or a spot on the wall in front of him, he's focusing on the world around him.

• Sometimes a getaway is necessary to escape the chaos that is the holiday season. 
• Airlines tend to raise prices around holiday time, but with a little bit of searching you can find some great deals. 
• From Miami to Germany, stick to your budget this holiday season with these destinations. 

While it's a fact that resorts and airlines notoriously jack up their prices for the holidays the minute Halloween wraps, we're here to make sure you don’t sweat the high fares and rates. We've hand-selected a bunch of destinations that are both great and easy on your wallet.

Miami, Florida

Escaping the cold is oftentimes a top priority for many during the holidays, which means heading south to warm, tropical weather. This explains why Miami is such a great destination over the holidays—not to mention the fact that it’s easy to do on a budget. “Miami offers relatively low airfare from a large number of cities, warm weather in the winter, competitively priced hotels, and a diverse menu of activities for all ages and tastes,” explains Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com. While airlines hike up fares for other destinations, Miami remains comparatively low, making it a wallet-friendly spot for both Christmas and New Year’s. And as a bonus, there is a plethora of hotels for under $200 a night—on the water, to boot.

Newport Beach, California

This coastal town is one of the best-kept secrets for a budget-friendly holiday. "Affordable flights, proximity to Disneyland, and easy beach access make Newport Beach a winning holiday destination,” says Klee. “Orange County is great for families or couples, and there are lots of free activities to keep you busy. The best budget hotels are near the airport, but the airport is only a 10-minute drive from the beach, and the dining is varied, with great budget options." Get into the holiday spirit by wandering through the world’s largest small yacht harbor—a 14-mile stretch of canoes, kayaks, and multi-million-dollar yachts, all decorated for the holidays. Better yet, go early to get a good seat for the 109th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, a free spectacle of holiday decor and spirit.

Charleston, South Carolina

The City of Churches is beautiful during the holidays, with its colorful, 18th-century row homes dressed in classic white lights, and wreaths with oversized velvet bows. A walk through Belmond Charleston Placescores you a cup of hot milk chocolate and a peek at the hotel’s stunning Christmas decor. Walk through the cobblestoned streets, home to small spots like goat.sheep.cow—and once you’re there, grab some goodies for a picnic at Middleton Place Plantation, a 65-acre former plantation overlooking the Ashley River. Wrap up with a horse-drawn carriage ride around the grounds, which are home to the country’s oldest landscape gardens and stunning, even in the middle of December. Score deals on an Airbnb while in town to avoid pricey rate hikes at the boutique properties.

Tech companies are renowned for their over-the-top perks, super competitive salaries, and fabulous workspaces.

So it comes as no surprise that several tech giants claimed spots on this year's Employees' Choice Awards, which features the 100 best places to work in 2018 across the US.

To find the companies with the most satisfied workers, Glassdoor scanned its massive database of company reviews and ratings from current and former employees.

Reviews include employees' opinions on some of the best reasons to work for their employer, any downsides, advice to management, and whether they'd recommend their employer to a friend, as well as ratings on how satisfied they are with their employer overall, their CEO, and key workplace attributes like career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture, and values.

Based on employees' reviews, companies received overall ratings on a scale of one to five, with five representing the most satisfied employees. (While Glassdoor's calculations extend beyond the thousandth to determine final rank order, ratings displayed are limited to one decimal space.)

Head over to Glassdoor to check out the full list, and scroll down for the top 20 best tech companies to work for:

SEE ALSO: The 50 best places to work in 2018, according to employees

SEE ALSO: 7 reasons Facebook is the best place to work in America and no other company can touch it

20. Yardi Systems

Company rating: 4.4

Yardi Systems develops web-based property and asset management software.

"The employees are friendly and welcoming, the management cares about the employees, coworkers want to help and are always available to answer questions, great benefits such as profit sharing and tuition reimbursement, dress code is business casual, fun company events such as jersey day, Customer Service week, and pumpkin carving."— Yardi Systems technical account manager (Santa Barbara, California)

19. Ellie Mae

Company rating: 4.4

Ellie Mae is a cloud-based platform for the mortgage finance industry.

"Teams are very collaborative and everybody's input is valued. 'You build it, you own it' philosophy ensures that every team feels a strong sense of ownership towards everything they build."— Ellie Mae software engineer (Pleasanton, California)

18. Microsoft

Company rating: 4.4

Microsoft develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells computer software like Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, consumer electronics, and personal computers and services.

"Food is great and cheap, work-life balance allows for me to actually be a normal person outside of the weekends. Benefits are next level, people are incredible, truly if you have ever worked at a place and loved it, I guarantee it is better over at Microsoft."— Microsoft Group business administrative employee (Redmond, Washington)

• Dozens of Japanese vehicles are built at plants in the US.
• The factories are in the southern US and have been in operation in some cases for decades.
• They employ thousands of Americans.

While touring Asia earlier this year, President Donald Trump made some confusing statements about American and Japanese cars.

Trump argued that more American vehicles should be sold in Japan, where historically almost no American cars have been on the market. But he also seemed to misunderstand that Japanese automakers have been building vehicles in the US for decades, employing thousands of Americans in the process.

The fracas made us wonder if folks know just how many Japanese cars are actually made in the US. It's a lot. We added it up:

FOLLOW US: on Facebook for more car and transportation content!

Acura NSX: Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., Marysville Auto Plant, Marysville, Ohio.

Honda Accord: Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. Marysville Auto Plant. Marysville, Ohio.

Acura ILX: Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., Marysville Auto Plant, Marysville, Ohio.

You might think that the richest people in the world have figured out exactly what works in business and their own financial life. But you'd be very wrong.

Billionaires make money mistakes all the time, and even admit to doing so. Some even claim their errors actually help them learn the right ways to get ahead.

From Jeff Bezos losing out on billions for Amazon to Oprah's botched TV rollout, here are 7 famous billionaires' worst money moves that you might not even realize they made.

SEE ALSO: The 3 biggest mistakes millennials make with their money time and time again

Bill Gates' Apple assist

In 1997, when Apple was at a low point and failure looked not only possible but likely, Bill Gates' Microsoft made a $150 million investment in its rival and committed to providing software for its computers. While Gates' move was strategic at the time, helping to ease the government's worries that Microsoft was anticompetitive, many have seen it as the tech icon's ultimate blunder in retrospect. Steve Jobs not only brought Apple back from the brink but ended up dominating Microsoft in a number of realms, especially mobile phones, making Apple the most valued company in the world in 2017. One wonders what would have happened to Apple—and how valuable Microsoft and therefore Gates would be—if not for Gates' lending hand back in the day.

Jeff Bezos' leak of 'billions'

It's been a banner year for Amazon head Jeff Bezos, who became the richest person in the world, surpassing Bill Gates, and even hit a net worth of $100 billion. But he admitted in 2014 that his penchant for experimentation has led to Amazon losing a lot. "I've made billions of dollars of failures at Amazon.com. Literally," Bezos told the Business Insider Ignition conference in New York City. He said that having to review them would be like "a root canal with no anesthesia." While gambles like Amazon's Kindle and Echo have paid off, one regret is surely the Fire Phone that didn't sell and forced the company to write off $170 million on losses.

Oprah's ambitious blunder

After decades as the queen of daytime TV, Oprah Winfrey could have quietly ridden off into the sunset when The Oprah Winfrey Show finished. But instead she set her sights even higher, launching her own network in 2011. But OWN struggled mightily in its early days, with a string of flops, and Oprah admitted of the project, "Had I known that it was this difficult, I might have done something else." She said she unveiled the network before it was ready, and that a book about the rollout could be called "101 Mistakes." The gambit led to losses around $330 million and in that period she nearly suffered a nervous breakdown. But in typical Oprah fashion, she rebounded and the network is now enjoying a string of scripted hits.

• Girasol, a Caribbean estate owned by retired hedge funder Bruce Kovner, has sold. 
• It had previously been listed for $67 million, though the final sale price is uknown. 
• The buyer is an unnamed European businessman. 

A lavish Caribbean estate with a private beach and coconut grove has sold after listing for $67 million. 

Originally built by banker and businessman Benjamin de Rothschild, the so-called "Girasol" is set on more than seven acres of land on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy, or St. Barts.

Its most recent owner is former hedge fund manager Bruce Kovner, who bought the estate in 2005 and gave it a major makeover, adding in a new pool and deck. The property includes two villas that have a total of six bedrooms and two pools.

Christian Wattiau of Sibarth Real Estate had the listing, while Christie's International Real Estate provided global marketing services. Though the final sale price was not disclosed, a Christie's representative shared that the buyer is a European businessman who intends to use Girasol as a vacation home. 

St. Barts was one of the Caribbean islands most impacted by Hurricane Irma, but Girasol's buildings weathered the storm. 

"While there is still work to be done, the island will recover and is already recovering, as evidenced by this significant sale," Christie's Executive Director Rick Moeser said in a press release.

Let's take a tour of the incredible estate. 

SEE ALSO: Jay Leno reportedly just bought a $13.5 million mansion in Rhode Island — and it looks like it was built for French royalty

Girasol is set on seven acres of land on Marigot Beach in St. Barts and includes 175 yards of private beachfront. According to the listing, these waters are classified as a natural protected area.

The island setting is paradise.

A view from above shows its two mini mansions nestled in the middle of a green oasis that is home to nearly 600 different plant species.

• Jason Peterson is a photographer living in Chicago, Illinois.
• He takes black and white photos of locals on the city streets and on public transportation.
• He shoots in black and white to create a sense of timelessness.

Jason Peterson stands at six feet five inches, but he aims to blend into the background.

The Chicago-based photographer walks the streets of the Windy City to snap candid photos of people "in their most natural state," whether it's commuting to work or watching a Cubs game.

His black and white photos juxtaposing urban architecture with human silhouettes have earned him over 1.1 million followers on Instagram.

We spoke with Peterson about how he explores Chicago through photography. Keep scrolling to see some of his poignant work.

Photographer Jason Peterson moved to Chicago from New York City six years ago.

“I use photography as a way of exploring and seeing the city of Chicago,” he said.

He's inspired by the city's classic gothic architecture and wide open aesthetic.

• Facebook is now the most desirable place to work, according to Glassdoor.

• Employees cited the tech giant's impact, culture, perks, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg as huge draws.

• Last year, Business Insider visited the company's Facebook office to get a sense of what it's really like to work there.

Employees across the US have spoken, and Facebook just took the top spot in Glassdoor's annual rankings of the most desirable places to work.

The Menlo Park, California-based tech giant has consistently earned top spots on rankings, thanks to its incredible perks, impressive salaries, and great corporate culture. 

To see what all the fuss is about, Business Insider visited Facebook's Manhattan office last year ... and let's just say, we get it.

Here's what we saw and learned during our tour:

SEE ALSO: A look inside $23 billion LinkedIn's New York office, where employees enjoy perks like free gourmet meals and a speakeasy hidden in the Empire State Building

DON'T MISS: A look inside Uber's Manhattan office, where employees of the $66 billion company have wine on tap and can bring their dogs to work

DON'T FORGET: A look inside the New York office of Yelp, a $3 billion company that offers its 4,000 employees around the world some of the most incredible perks

We arrived at Facebook's Greenwich Village office on a mild Friday afternoon last November. Once we checked in, we were greeted by engineering director Jeff Reynar and corporate communications manager Jamil Walker.

The first thing that jumped out at us on the tour was this physical embodiment of a Facebook "wall." Reynar told us New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker stopped by to sign it. “What’s kind of fun about this is that there’s a wall at most of our offices," Reynar told Business Insider. "It’s kind of temporary. At some point, we’ll probably do some kind of construction and this will go away and we’ll start a fresh one with new signatures."

Facebook — which has a market cap of $501 billion as of December 2017 — employs almost 23,165 people. About 1,000 of them work in the Frank Gehry-designed Manhattan location, which also houses members of the company's Instagram team. Facebook occupies four floors of the building, which was once a Wanamaker's department store.

Source: Markets Insider

While the negotiation process featured some drama, the deal is finally done: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has signed a contract extension with the league.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Goodell will receive $40 million a year if he gets all his bonuses and earns all his incentives. That means the deal could pay him as much as $200 million through the 2023 season, when it is set to expire.

It's a shocking sum for a league official — the vast majority of athletes will never see that kind of money, especially by way of one contract. Those that have cleared the $200 million mark include some of the greatest players active today, though there are a couple of names who have struggled since signing mega-deals.

Below, find out more about the stars in the $200 million contract club, of which Goodell is now a member.

Steph Curry

Team: Golden State Warriors

Position: Point guard

Contract: 5 years, $201.2 million

One thing to know: This Davidson product was no sure thing when he was drafted, but as the NBA rapidly transformed into a league of sharpshooters, Curry blossomed into the face of one of the most dominant teams ever. He won back-to-back MVP Awards in 2015 and 2016, becoming the first point guard to pull that off since Steve Nash.

Russell Westbrook

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Point guard

Contract: 5 years, $205 million

One thing to know: Westbrook's extension came on the heels of a season for the ages, in which he broke Oscar Robertson's 55-year-old record for most triple-doubles in a season. The historic campaign was his first without Kevin Durant as a teammate, solidifying his place as the face of the Thunder.

Zack Greinke

Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Contract: 6 years, $206.5 million

One thing to know: While Greinke struggled in his first year in the desert, he more than earned his hefty salary in 2017, posting a 3.20 ERA and 215 strikeouts while helping the Diamondbacks to their first playoff appearance since 2011. Signed for the next four years, he'll have job security as he continues his climb toward Cooperstown.

Most of us would agree that life is hectic. At some point, we all find ourselves on the proverbial hamster wheel, going round and round, without any breaks. And although some people are masters at managing all that life throws at them, others, (most of us) have some physical and emotional fallout from the daily stressors in our life.

Think back to the last time you felt threatened or stressed. Did you notice your breath quickening or your muscles tensing up? Maybe you’ve been experiencing an uneasiness in your stomach for the last several months or chronic headaches when you worry too much.

Jenny C. Yip, PsyD, ABPP, told INSIDER, these are all signs of the fight-or-flight response in action — a common, biological reaction that we all experience under stress.

"Despite what you might imagine, the fight-or-flight response can be healthy," explains Yip. After all, our ancestors needed it for survival when faced with a real threat.

However, Yip says that if you're constantly in a state of chronic stress and anxiety, your body will continue to trigger the fight-or-flight response, wearing down your physical and mental wellbeing.

She shared a few physical signs that might indicate your mental health is in jeopardy:

You feel like your heart’s going to burst

Is your heart constantly racing? Heart palpitations are commonly-known as signs of anxiety and are likely the first things you'll notice when you're experiencing chronic stress, Yip said.

This is because when you're anxious your brain is releasing hormones that can cause your heart to pound, according to WebMD.

Your skin feels funny

Have you ever felt your palms when you’re feeling overly stressed or anxious? Like heart palpitations, sweaty palms are a common sign of anxiety, Yip told INSIDER. This typically happens when your sweat glands are stimulated in response to your fight-or-flight, or sympathetic nervous system.

Your insides are angry

The fight-or-flight response triggers adrenaline in the body, which slows, and can even stop, digestion so that the body can send all its energy toward facing a threat, Yip said. If you're under stress all the time, it's common to experience an upset stomach, which can quickly turn into Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

IBS is not directly caused by anxiety but the chemical changes in your body thanks to stress can play a big part in it.  

• A report from Georgetown University identified the best states to live if you haven't received a college degree.
• The report looked at the percent of workers in a state without a degree and the median earnings for those workers.
• Arizona is the state with the greatest increase in well-paid service jobs between 1991 and 2015.

If you don't have college degree you might consider a move to the Southwest.

That's because Arizona is the best state to work in without a college degree, according to a report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. 

The report, which Business Insider first read about on CNBC, looked at the percentage of workers in a given state without a bachelor of arts (BA) degree, the median earnings for those workers, and how much those available jobs have grown in the past few decades.

Below are the top 10 states, ranked based on the percentage increase of well-paid service jobs between between 1991 and 2015.

SEE ALSO: It takes $1.7 million to get your kid into an elite college, according to rich people

10. Georgia — 118% increase in well-paid service jobs

• Median earnings: $54,000

• 65% of all workers don't have a BA

• Between 1991 and 2015 Georgia gained 232,000 skilled-services jobs for workers without BAs

9. Arkansas — 120% increase in well-paid service jobs

• Median earnings: $54,000

• 73% of all workers don't have a BA

• Between 1991 and 2015 Arkansas gained 51,000 skilled-services jobs for workers without BAs

8. Texas — 124% increase in well-paid service jobs

• Median earnings: $57,000

• 67% of all workers don't have a BA

• Between 1991 and 2015 Texas gained 648,000 skilled-services jobs for workers without BAs

The Crypto Castle is a three-story home in San Francisco where young tech workers eat, sleep, party, and plot the future of money.

A majority of the millennial tenants invest in bitcoin, a new kind of payment system that allows people to buy things and send money with anonymity. There are no banks or middlemen. Transactions are recorded on a digital ledger called a blockchain.

Cryptocurrencies (of which bitcoin is the most popular) have been on a tear. Bitcoin surged in value from about $200 per coin in 2015 to a record high of $16,623 per coin on December 7.

Some believe the digital payment system is headed for a bubble that's destined to pop.

"Over a half-dozen people in the time they've lived in my house have become millionaires as a result of crypto," said Jeremy Gardner, a 25-year-old entrepreneur and investor.

In 2015, Gardner, then-director of operations at Augur, a market forecasting tool that runs on the blockchain, put down a $20,000 deposit to rent the house. It's since become a landing pad for people working in the cryptocurrency space. Here's what it's like to live in the Crypto Castle.

SEE ALSO: Bitcoin just hit an all-time high — here's how you buy and sell it

SEE ALSO: This 25-year-old made a fortune in bitcoin — now he travels the world partying and plotting the future of money

The Crypto Castle is, by appearances, a fraternity-like space for young bitcoin investors.

Not everyone who lives here works in bitcoin tech, though any resident could pitch you on its merits. Some entrepreneurs moved in simply because they needed a place to crash.

In 2015, Gardner surveyed the city to find a house-slash-office for his startup, Augur. When he found a three-story home in an upscale neighborhood — located about a half-hour drive from Silicon Valley — he forked over the $20,000 rental deposit. The Crypto Castle was born.

• The jolly, bearded Santa Claus that Americans know and love is not the only version of a Santa-like mythical being.
• In Spain, children receive gifts from the three Reyes Magos (three Wise Men).
• In Germany, children are fearful of Krampus: the demonic being that whips and kidnaps children who have misbehaved.

Most Americans tend to think of Santa Claus as the jolly man in the red suit with a sack full of toys to deliver to children around the world on Christmas. 

But the Santa you see in American movies and on Coca-Cola bottles is only one version of a mythical being who either rewards or punishes children and gives out gifts around Yuletide.

From Sinterklaas in The Netherlands who rides a horse to the female Christkind in Austria and Germany, here's how Santa Claus is portrayed in 13 countries around the world.

United Kingdom — Father Christmas

Certain traditions are just a natural part of the British Christmas: Yorkshire pudding and turkey on the Christmas table, kids pulling Christmas crackers, and Father Christmas wearing green.

Although you will see the more popular, red-suited version of Santa on Christmas in the UK, the traditional British Father Christmas wears a hooded green cloak, a wreath of holly or ivy, and carries a staff. His appearance — like many Christmas traditions — is rooted in pagan mythology. 

In pop culture, he resembles the Ghost of Christmas Present in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." 

France — Père Noël or Papa Noël

While his name may just be French for Father Christmas, Père Noël has his own Christmas traditions.

He wears a long red cloak instead of a red suit, and children leave their shoes by the fireplace hoping that they will be filled with goodies after mass on Christmas Eve.

Père Noël also traditionally travels with a not-so friendly companion called Père Fouettard, or "the whipping father," who spanks any children who have not behaved well throughout the year. 

Russia and Ukraine — Ded Moroz and Snegurochka (Father Frost and Snow Maiden)

Ded Moroz (translated as Father Frost) is a figure of Slavic mythology, often depicted as a wizard or demon. Traditionally, he would punish naughty children by kidnapping them, but this darker part of Ded Moroz's personality has softened over the years.

Now, on New Year's Eve, he travels all over the Slavic region, mainly in Russia and Ukraine, carrying gifts for children with his cheerful companion, Snegurochka the Snow Maiden.

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

The professional workplace has changed a lot over the past few years, and some gear hasn't caught up.

Classic briefcases tend to be bulky, cumbersome, and not designed with technology in mind. As a result, many people have ditched them for something more convenient: backpacks.

With most people carrying camping-style backpacks to work, there was a gap in the industry for a premium daily carry bag created for modern professionals. Now, Stuart & Lau is filling that void.

Founded by Matthew Stuart Janney and Jimmy Lau, Stuart & Lau was started in and inspired by New York City and Hong Kong. The pair noticed points of frustration while traveling frequently between both places, and realized they'd need smarter luggage to keep up in the fast-paced cities.

After designing the stylish, lightweight, and modern Cary Briefcase, the startup is expanding its line with a wider range of ultra premium bags, hoping to change the way city dwellers commute. Stuart & Lau sent over the Capstone Backpack in Black for me to try, and it has quickly become my daily commuter bag.

What I like most about the Capstone is its combination of style, durability, and convenience for modern commuters.

Backpacks are a great way to show off your personal style, especially if you're a commuter who needs to carry a lot every day. At the same time, style isn't everything; it's also important for bags to be durable for your daily grind. 

In the past, several factors decided which bag I carried to work. I would make sure rain wasn't in the forecast before choosing a nice all-leather backpack. If I had a heavier load and needed comfort, I would choose a camping-style backpack, even though it wasn't well suited for the office.

With the Stuart & Lau Capstone Backpack, I don't have to worry about any of that. Thanks to its waterproof DuraLite fabric, foam injected shoulder straps, and full grain leather accents, this backpack is ideal for all weather conditions, formal or casual settings, and day-long comfort.

In addition to superb materials and styling, the Capstone is the best designed backpack I've ever used. While the storage compartment is easy to access through the top flap, a side zipper lets you get inside without taking the bag off your shoulder; commuting in a fast-paced city like Manhattan, I found this feature extremely useful.

The other side of the bag features an enclosed waterproof compartment, which I've used to hold a thermos and wet umbrella. The bag also includes a compartment for a laptop and other electronics, a hidden stash pocket, and several other convenient pockets for things like my glasses.

At $335, the Stuart & Lau Capstone Backpack is undeniably expensive, but its blend of style, durability, and convenience makes it well worth the high price. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more well-rounded, commuter-worthy backpack after carrying this one to and from work. Whether you're commuting to the office or carrying it on more casual days, the Capstone keeps up with modern demands.

Take a closer look at the Capstone Backpack, below: 

And if you're shopping for gifts or are interested in gym bags, briefcases, and weekenders, Stuart & Lau has you covered.

SEE ALSO: 29 perfect gift ideas for guys

A waterproof compartment (left) and on-shoulder access to the main compartment (right)

A zipper compartment for 15" laptops and accessories

A built-in glasses case with a microfiber lining to keep them clean

There's nothing more magical than holiday time in New York City — that is, until you have to push yourself through hordes of tourists and mouth-breathers.

The Grinchy, TLDR-version of this article is that virtually everything you plan to do in NYC over the holidays that usually draws a crowd is overrated. Sorry.

But take heart! There are some exceptions to this rule — and plenty of alternatives to choose from that won't result in you and yours getting overheated, trampled, mobbed, and then some.

To find them, Business Insider consulted staffers who live and work in and around New York City.

Here some of the most overrated things to do in NYC over the holidays, along with some caveats and alternatives.

SEE ALSO: 31 of the most bizarre holiday gifts employees have ever received from a coworker

DON'T MISS: 15 things you should never do at the office holiday party

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

"The event packs all the blocks around the tree with selfie-stick-wielding tourists, creating a crowd that can induce claustrophobia, especially for those who (like me) don't care about oversized Christmas trees that much," Science and Innovation Editor Dana Varinsky said. 

"And the thing is: The tree will be up for the entire season, all lit and everything, exactly as it looks on that first night, but with less crowds and better photo ops."

Intagramming the perfect picture of the Rockefeller Tree

"It's always super crowded in Midtown during the holidays, and there's no such thing as the perfect shot — unless you want it to include a bunch of random tourists in the background," said Insider Picks Editor Ellen Hoffman, who's been in New York for more than eight years.

An anonymous Business Insider employee who has lived in New York for five years suggested going to see the Washington Square Park tree instead.

Going anywhere in Midtown

In fact, Hoffman said going anywhere in Midtown ever, but especially during holidays, is a nightmare.

"The massive crowds will swallow you whole if you're not used to walking around NYC," she said. 

If you’re a beauty-product fan, then department-store makeup counters and specialty beauty stores, have probably become your happy places. And hey, it’s hard to argue with the pretty product packaging, the excellent makeup-mirror lighting, and the ability to scoop up a lifetime supply of perfume samples at every visit.

However, there’s a price to pay for these benefits ... literally. Those high-end beauty costs are no joke.

But when you whip out your credit card to spend a small fortune at a beauty store, what are you really paying for? In many cases, it’s the brand-name prestige and the chic containers. If you can do without those, you’ll often find products of equal quality at the drugstore for a fraction of the price. If you’re planning a shopping trip for these beauty products, consider stopping by a drugstore instead.

Nail Polish

Although luxury brands definitely know how to create stunning packaging for their nail polish, $50 is tough to justify ... especially when comparable polish can be found at the drugstore for FAR less.

According to Caleb Backe, the Health & Wellness Expert for Maple Holistics, drugstore nail polish packs the benefits of an upscale brand’s version, but without the fancy bottles.

"In some cases, you are literally paying for the brand, the logo, and the packaging," he told INSIDER. "Nail polish can definitely be purchased [at the drugstore] for cheaper prices, with no reduction in quality," Backe insists.

Available at pharmacies nationwide, Essie features chip-resistant formulas and a range of on-trend hues. These polishes are opaque enough for a single coat, but if you want to add a second layer or a top coat, they’re quick-drying. They also release specialty shades this time of year, if your manicure needs some holiday spirit and it will only put you back $8.99.

Sally Hansen is a classic for a reason. The long-time drugstore brand recently started experimenting with ‘gel’ polishes, and their Miracle Gel system (a color gel polish and a top coat) does the job far better than its price tag ($7.49) would suggest. Is it a full replacement for a gel manicure at a salon? Nah. But for gel manicure touch-ups (or a quick DIY version that doesn’t require leaving the house), it will serve you very well.

Mascara

If you’re looking to cut your makeup costs, saving your mascara purchases for the drugstore is an especially smart move.

"The majority of mascaras have the exact same ingredients. Really, the only differentiating factors are the type of mascara wand (shape, and how it applies mascara), and the brand name, though these are not enough [to justify] paying the higher price point," said Katelyn McCullough, co-founder of Elwynn + Cass Beauty Concierges in San Diego.

It’s been around for years, and it’s been recommended by celebrities and beauty editors from every top publication. It’s Maybelline Great Lash Mascara.

The formula glides on easily and provides full lash coverage. The wand doesn’t cause clumping, and its shape works well on both top lashes and lower lashes. According to Vogue, it’s the mascara that “every model has in her makeup cabinet” and it’s only $4.49. That’s good enough for us.

McCullough particularly recommends Revlon Bold Lacquer Grow Luscious Mascara.  This high-shine mascara from Revlon is his favorite drugstore beauty buy.

“It’s just as good as any Dior mascara,” McCullough told us. Considering that Diorshow mascara will cost you $28.50, the Revlon version is a definite bargain at $7.66.

Moisturizer

Though it’s commonly perceived as a big-ticket beauty item (thanks to prestige brands like La Mer), quality moisturizer can definitely be found at drugstore prices. That’s especially true if you’re looking for a moisturizer with natural ingredients.

"There are no industry standards or regulations for natural products or natural ingredients, many of the highly-valued natural ingredients found in high-end products with proven benefits that can also be found in drugstore moisturizers,” Dr. David Lortscher, CEO of Curology, told INSIDER 

If you’re prone to dry and itchy skin in the winter, Eucerin Calming Creme contains colloidal oatmeal, which, according to Dr. Lortscher, “supplies antioxidants, soothes dry or irritated skin, and reduces associated itching.” And it’s only $4.99

Dr. Lortscher praised CeraVe Moisturizing Cream’s effectiveness.

"CeraVe moisturizer contains ceramides, which help decrease dry skin and irritation." His estimation was shared by Dr. Margarita Lotis, an NYC-based dermatologist. Lotis called CeraVe moisturizing cream “the go-to recommendation for dry skin”, citing its use of purified water and skin-nourishing emollients.