• When you're hungry and on-the-go, drive-thrus are your best bet for delicious fast food.
• But some fast food chains are quicker than others at the drive-thru window.
• Researchers visited over 2,000 locations of 15 popular chains across the country and calculated the service time at every drive-thru.
• Check out to see which one of your favorite chains came in first for the fastest service.   

If you're one to frequent fast food drive-thrus only to find yourself impatiently waiting at the window, you've likely wondered whether it would take less time to actually step into the brick-and-mortar and place your order. Especially when the wait time for your daily Venti skim latte is responsible for a fair share of your paycheck.

QSR, a magazine that covers the limited-service restaurant industry, teamed up with SeeLevel HX, a data collecting organization, to demystify which fast food chains' drive-thrus provided the quickest and most accurate service in 2017.

How They Calculated Drive-Thru Speeds

Nationwide, researchers conducted 2,011 visits across 15 popular chain restaurants and ordered a meal from each location only once. The data specialists placed an order consisting of one main item, one side item, and one beverage along with a simple customization request, such as no ice in their soda. The service time was determined based on how long it took from stopping at the order station to receiving the food and change.

The Results?

While many of your go-to burger or java joints didn't meet the performance standards many customers expect, other, less seasoned chains surprised us with their quicker than quick speed-of-service times and razor-sharp order accuracy.

Scroll through to find out whether you'll save a few minutes by cruising through Dunkin' Donuts rather than Starbucks on your way to work. P.S. If you're frequenting the drive-thru multiple time a week, you might have found one reason out of the 20 weird reasons why you're gaining weight fast.

15. Hardee's

The Midwestern burger joint may populate its menu with "Better For You Options" like the low-carb Charbroiled Chicken Club Sandwich and the lettuce-wrapped Thickburger, but are these lunches even worth the wait? Hardee's service time clocked in at a slow 4 minutes and 48 seconds. And although Hardee's employees took the most time, their order accuracy wasn't too on point, averaging 88.1 percent.

14. Carl’s Jr.

Before you hit up Carl's Jr.'s drive-thru, ask yourself if their charbroiled burgers are worth waiting four and a half minutes for. Even if you manage to get your meal in under five minutes, don't fret that the sandwich stackers forgot to hold the mayo; 90.8 percent of orders placed at Carl's Jr. were correct.

13. Starbucks

Our favorite java giant made its way into the top three for being one of the most sluggish restaurant chains — with an average wait time of 4 minutes and 26 seconds. Coupled with their less-than-impressive 86.20 percent order accuracy, it's safe to say that ordering a Grande triple shot skim latte with two pumps of caramel and no whip isn’t the speediest of choices.

Every holiday season, the one thing guaranteed to not disappoint is the abundance of highly-anticipated celebrity family cards. There's simply no shortage of festive photos that will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Here’s a roundup of all the celebrity families that released the most adorable and creative holiday cards this year.

Kevin Hart, Eniko Hart, son Kenzo, daughter Heaven, and son Hendrix.

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Leave it to Hart to create a humorous card that resembles a holiday movie poster, starring the whole family.

Stephen Curry, Ayesha Curry, daughter Riley, and son Ryan.

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The Curry family looked picture perfect for their photo, dogs included.

Mark Wahlberg, wife Rhea Durham, daughter Ella, son Michael, son Brendan Joseph, and daughter Grace Margaret.

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The weather outside was not-so-frightful for the Wahlbergs, who posed poolside for their holiday card. 

Next month, for the first time since 2001, Eric Schmidt won't have an executive position at Google or one of its affiliated companies.

On Thursday afternoon, Schmidt announced he'll be stepping down from his position as executive chairman of Alphabet, Google's parent company. He won't be leaving Alphabet entirely — he'll remain on its board and will serve as a technical advisor role — but he'll be taking a step back from having a leading role.

Schmidt wasn't a Google founder, but he joined the company early and played a major role in turning it into a global superpower. The company's Google.com website is the most-visited in the world, and the company also makes Android, the world's most popular operating system. And on the back of Google's incredibly profitable advertising business, Alphabet is now worth $743 billion.

But Google's start was much more modest.

Here's a look at the company's history, from its roots in a pair of Stanford dorm rooms, to Larry Page and Sergey Brin's attempt to sell the company, to the formation of Alphabet, all the way through to Schmidt's resignation announcement.

SEE ALSO: 33 photos of Facebook's rise from a Harvard dorm room to world domination

Google got its start in 1996 — but it wasn't called that at first.

The company originated with an idea formulated by Sergey Brin, left, and Larry Page, who were both Stanford PhD students at the time. They came up with BackRub, a revolutionary search engine that would rank web pages based on how many other web pages linked back to them, a process they called PageRank.

Page and Brin soon changed their search engine's name from BackRub to Google.

The BackRub name didn't last long. They quickly decided that a "googol"— the number one with a hundred zeroes after it — better reflected the amount of data they were trying to sift through. Playing on that word, Page and Brin, whose Stanford dorm rooms comprised their first offices, chose the slightly friendlier name Google for their nascent search engine and company.

The first-ever Google server was built in a custom case made out of Legos.

The server was housed on the Stanford campus and its web address was initially google.stanford.edu. But Brin and Page registered the Google.com domain name on September 15th, 1997.

It's officially that time of year when you never leave your house because it's too cold to go outside and you just don't feel like dealing with it, which means you'll have plenty of time to watch TV.

Thankfully, there is plenty of TV to watch these days. Too much, actually. So we listed all of the notable new and returning shows coming to your TV in the next couple months, and let you know whether or not you should watch them. 

The lineup for winter 2018 looks pretty promising, with some shows starting new seasons like HBO's "Crashing" and Netflix's "One Day at a Time" (one of our picks for best TV shows of 2017). Winter 2018 will also bring us quite a few exciting new shows, including "Waco" on the Paramount Network (formerly Spike TV), Freeform's "Grown-ish," and FX's excellent "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story," the follow up to "The People v O.J. Simpson."

There are also some new and returning shows that we are dreading as much as walking in a blizzard: season 11 of "The X Files," a new season of "The Bachelor" and mid-season shows like "The Resident."

Here are all of the notable shows premiering in early 2018, and whether or not you should watch them:

SEE ALSO: The 21 best TV shows of 2017

JANUARY 2018

"The Bachelor"– ABC

Season 22 premieres January 1.

Fans of "The Bachelor" franchise were disappointed to learn that Arie Luyendyk Jr, a race car driver who was a guest on "The Bachelorette" in 2012, will be the next bachelor.

Should you watch it: Stay for the first few episodes, leave when it gets too serious. 

"L.A. to Vegas"– FOX

Series premiere January 2.

"L.A to Vegas" is a workplace comedy starring Dylan McDermott that follows the crew of a Friday night flight from LAX to Vegas.

Should you watch it: No. It looks gross and edgy, but in a bad way. 

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 Insider Pick:

• When taking your dog with you in the car, his safety is of the utmost importance. To keep your dog safe and snug in the car, try out some of our top picks for the best dog car accessories, including the Sleepypod ClickIt Utility Harness, the Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat, the Vastar Seat Belt, the 4Knines Dog Seat Cover, and the Gunner Kennel. 

Many dog owners like to take their dogs wherever they go, which often involves a ride in the car. Some dogs absolutely love the trill of a car ride while others prefer to stay at home. Regardless which category your dog fits into, you want to make sure that he is safe when you do take him in the car. This may require you to buy some dog car accessories.

When it comes to car safety for dogs, there are a number of products you can use. For example, car safety harnesses help keep your dog secure so he doesn’t wander around the car while you’re driving — some harnesses are even crash-tested. Other options include seat belt tethers if you prefer to use your own harness and booster seats for smaller dogs, though some dogs may prefer the comfort and security of a travel carrier. If you’re going to be taking your dog in the car a lot, you may also want a seat cover to protect your leather from sharp claws or your upholstered seats from dog hair.

In each of these categories, there are many options to choose from — so many that the thought of choosing just one may become overwhelming. Lucky for you, we’ve done the research and have scoured the reviews to bring you our top picks for the best dog car accessories.

Read on in the slides below to learn why our top picks for the best dog car accessories are the Sleepypod ClickIt Utility Harness, the Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat, the Vastar Seat Belt, the 4Knines Dog Seat Cover, and the Gunner Kennel. 

SEE ALSO: The best pooper scoopers you can buy to clean up after your dog

The best dog car harness

Why you'll love it: Designed for dogs of all sizes and crash tested for safety, the Sleepypod Clickit Sport Utility Harness keeps your dog comfortable and secure.

Letting your dog sit in the car unrestrained is a recipe for disaster. Not only is he likely to move around, distracting you while you drive, but he could be thrown from the car in the event of an accident. For dogs of all sizes, one of the best options for safety and security on the road is a dog car harness. Our top pick for the best dog car harness is the Sleepypod Clickit Utility Harness.

Durably constructed from high-quality materials, the Sleepypod Clickit Utility Harness offers three points of contact with the car seat belt for maximum security. Not only does this feature reduce strain on your pet, but it greatly reduces the risk of failure as well.

The harness itself comes in four colors and four sizes to ensure the perfect fit. It also has the added benefit of reflective strips for nighttime visibility. It may not be the most lightweight harness for walks, but it will definitely keep your dog safe in the car.

Canine Journal offers an extensive review of the Sleepypod Clickit Utility Harness, noting that it is the only product to pass CPS crash tests. It also won the reviewers' “Top Performer” designation. The Journal also notes that it can be a little tricky to find the right size with numerous measurements to consider.

Top Dog Tips comments that the harness may be restrictive for some dogs, but the Sleepypod Clickit Sport Utility Harness is unmatched for safety and security.

With a 4-star rating on Amazon, the Sleepypod Clickit Sport Utility Harness receives many positive reviews. Buyers love that it is certified by the Center for Pet Safety, though there are some comments that the seat belt can be tricky to attach.

Pros: Certified by the Center for Pet Safety, made from high-quality durable materials, designed to withstand extreme force, multiple size options for all dogs, comes in four colors,

Cons: Seat belt can be tricky to attach, not ideal for use as a walking harness, may be somewhat restrictive for some dogs, may not work for very slender dogs

Buy the Sleepypod ClickIt Sport Utility Harness on Amazon for $57.99 and up (price varies by size)

The best car booster seat for dogs

Why you'll love it: With its durable, elevated design, the Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat keeps puppies and small dogs snug and secure while allowing them to see out the window. 

If you have a puppy or a small-breed dog, a car harness or seat belt may not be enough to keep him safe and secure on car rides. A booster seat is the ideal choice for smaller dogs because it elevates the dog so he can see out the window while keeping him comfortably secure, so he won’t cause a distraction. Our top pick for the best booster seat for dogs is the Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat.

Suitable for dogs up to 30 pounds, the Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat installs quickly and easily on the front or back of a bucket seat. Depending on how you position the straps, the booster seat can sit on the seat or be suspended, giving your dog a great view out the window.

The booster set itself is constructed with metal supports for structural integrity with a machine-washable liner for comfort and convenience. It also features a seat belt tether that hooks to a standard collar or harness for added security.

In its buying guide, Heavy comments on the durability and waterproof benefits of the booster set along with the convenience of the removable, machine-washable liner. The Labrador Site says that the booster seat is perfect for both puppies and smaller dogs and that the adjustable straps offer flexibility for wherever you choose to install the seat.

With more than 1,000 reviews on Amazon, the Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat has a 4.5-star rating. Buyers love how easy it is to install as well as the strap that clips to the dog’s harness or collar, though some say that the clip itself is a little too big and awkward to use.

Pros: Metal supports for structural integrity, waterproof exterior, removable and machine-washable liner, folds flat for storage, installs easily on front or back of bucket seats, tether to hook to harness or collar, good for puppies and small dogs

Cons: Runs a little small, not crash-test certified, clip is somewhat large and awkward, not for dogs over 30 pounds, may not withstand heavy chewing

Buy the Kurgo Skybox Booster Seat on Amazon for $44.99 and up

The best dog seat belt

Why you'll love it: Surprisingly affordable and constructed from high-quality nylon with zinc alloy hardware, the Vaster Adjustable Dog Car Seat Belt is a great option. 

If you let your dog ride in the front seat, he still needs to be safe and secure. Letting your dog roam around the car while you are driving is not only unsafe, but very distracting. A dog seat belt will keep your pup secure for his safety and your peace of mind, plus you can use it either with your dog’s collar or with a harness you already have. Our top pick for the best dog seat belt is the Vastar Adjustable Dog Car Seat Belt.

Made from high-quality nylon fabric, the Vastar Adjustable Dog Car Seat Belt is lightweight yet surprisingly durable. With solid zinc alloy snaps and buckles, these seat belts clip right to your dog’s collar or harness while the other end snaps into your car’s seat belt buckle.

This seat belt prevents your dog from roaming around the car while still giving him the freedom to comfortably stand up, sit down, or lie down on the seat. It comes in six different colors and is sold in a 2-pack for less than $10.

Top Dog Tips names the Vastar Adjustable Dog Car Seat Belt the best dog seat belt for its quality and affordability. Canine Journal notes that the seat belt is adjustable to accommodate both small and large dogs, plus it is very easy to use. The reviewers also comment that the product is backed by an 18-month warranty and that Vastar customer service is excellent, should you ever have a problem with the seat belt.

Surprisingly inexpensive, the Vastar Adjustable Dog Car Seat Belt comes in a convenient 2-pack which is great for multi-car families. The product has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with more than 3,000 reviews as well. Buyers love the price and simple design, though some comment that the buckles may not fit all car seat buckles.

Pros: Affordable price, comes in a 2-pack, adjustable for different sized dogs, clicks into most car seat buckles, available in six colors, made from high-quality nylon, solid zinc alloy snaps and buckles

Cons: May not fit all car seat buckles, maybe not adjust short enough for very small dogs, may not withstand heavy chewing

Buy the Vastar Adjustable Dog Car Seat Belt on Amazon for $7.99 or $8.99

• SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is a notorious workaholic, and his employees often work long hours.
• Musk encourages employees with free food and an in-house massage therapist.
• Musk has also rented out an entire movie theater for employees to see "The Martian."

Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, is a notorious workaholic.

During high periods of stress, he's been known to sleep on the floor of his factory so he can work nearly around the clock, and he hates having his time wasted with unnecessary meetings.

But many people still want to work for him at SpaceX.

Part of that might be related to the perks Musk offers his employees. Josh Boehm, who worked at SpaceX, recently shared on Quora how Musk encouraged employees to put up with long hours when he was an employee there.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk doesn't have a desk at the office and has slept on the floor of his factories

The office perks start out relatively simple — Musk provides free dinners, coffee, and froyo.

Despite requiring a lot from employees, Musk takes the time to send encouraging emails and deliver speeches to employees.

The next perk, an in-house massage therapist, is a little more lavish and probably helps with the stress of working long hours.

2017 saw a raft of chief executives leave their companies. While some exits were expected and came after years of service, others were more surprising, brought on after the discovery of wrongdoing.

Take to heart these lessons learned about transparency, accountability, how to handle shifting marketplaces and how to approach your next chapter from these now former CEOs.

SEE ALSO: I'm a psychologist, and I've found one of the biggest relationship problems people have always boils down to the same thing

1. Travis Kalanick, Uber

What happened: 2017 was a tumultuous year for Uber. It began with a $20 million payment to the FTC and controversy regarding Kalanick's position advising President Donald Trump on a White House economic council. There were calls to #DeleteUber following the ride hailing service's comportment during protests of the Trump administration's travel ban. Then in February, former engineer Susan Fowler wrote a blog post chronicling the discrimination and sexual harassment she experienced during her year at the company.

Fowler's post led to an investigation led by former attorney general Eric Holder, which in turn resulted in the firing of more than 20 employees and a complete overhaul of the company's cultural values. Meanwhile, Uber was also engaged in a legal battle with Google over self-driving car technology. In June, Kalanick officially resigned, though he remains a member of the board. In August, former Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi took over Uber's top position.

What you can learn: You reap what you sow. A company culture that prioritizes results and rapid growth over the safety and value of employees cannot sustain itself.

2. Richard Smith, Equifax

What happened: Following a breach that left 143 million people's personal information vulnerable, Richard Smith, the CEO of the consumer credit reporting agency, announced that he would be retiring from his position. It was later revealed that it was not the first time that the company had been hacked this year. The company's response to the issue was highly criticized, as the website they set up for customers to check whether they had been affected required them to provide their social security numbers to access the information, but in doing so, they may have forfeited their right to sue.

What you can learn: Be transparent, no matter how big the issue is. You only stand to lose trust by continuing to keep customers in the dark.

3. Marissa Mayer, Yahoo

What happened: Mayer left Google to help turn Yahoo around in 2012, and her time at the internet company was marked with controversy, including a focus on mobile and digital that did not lead to a significant return and significant cybersecurity breaches. With the finalization of Verizon's purchase of Yahoo, Mayer exited from the company with nearly $260 million.

What you can learn: Mayer's legacy at Yahoo is up for debate, although she was able to exit her CEO role with a significant payout.

• Communal living spaces known as social apartments are gaining popularity among Japanese millennials.
• They seek out shared living arrangements for affordable housing, as well as for company — some residents even meet their significant others living in this type of arrangement.
• Business Insider Japan visited one of these social apartments, located in central Tokyo.

In central Tokyo, you’ll find “World Neighbors Gokokuji.”

The “social apartment” is a multicultural, communal living environment that attracts those in their 20s and 30s. It used to be a college dormitory for female students.

Global Agents, the operator of the social apartment, enjoyed revenue growth over the past year. In the year that ended March 31, 2017, its revenues increased by 40%.

“Our target is those in the millennial generation because they want a rational and economic way of living, like sharing a larger space in a large shared apartment,” said Yukie Yoshida, from the communication design department at Global Agents.

We visited World Neighbors Gokokuji to see the way millennials want to live:

SEE ALSO: A café opened in Singapore that accepts bitcoin instead of cash and has a cryptocurrency ATM for people running low

The social apartment houses about 170 residents, including a New York-born businessman and local Japanese university students.

Social apartments are gaining popularity in Tokyo and other major cities in Japan largely thanks to Japanese millennials who seek racial and cultural diversity among their neighbors. At World Neighbors Gokokuji, up to 30% of the residents are non-Japanese.

Since the earthquake in March 2011 that jolted northeastern Japan, crippled a nuclear power plant, and killed more than 15,000 people, younger people have seemed to want to live closely with others in a community to avoid feeling lonesome, Yoshida said.

Stars– they’re not just like us!

Shocking, right? You probably don’t head to the bank to cash $50 million checks while wearing $10,000 glittery boots like Beyonce.

But in some ways, we’re probably more alike than we know. One of the greatest things we have in common is love. From breakups to weddings, we all go through the same basic experiences when it comes to relationships.

Just as you have that one friend you go to for insightful, empowering dating advice, some celebrities are actually pretty profound when it comes to articulating our experiences of love.

For the sake of relatability, check out this list of the best celebrity quotes on love.

Taylor Swift

"When you are missing someone, time seems to move slower, and when I'm falling in love with someone, time seems to be moving faster,"Taylor Swift, a true romance and heartbreak expert, told Billboard of the inspiration behind her album "Red" in October 2012.

Russell Brand

"First and foremost, self-love, and then give love away," a post-Russell Brand divorce Katy Perry told Rolling Stone in 2014.

Kim Kardashian

"I think you have different soul-mates throughout your life, that your soul needs different things at different times. I do believe in love. I will always believe in love, but my idea has changed from what I've always thought," Kim Kardashian confessed to Cosmopolitan UK about her then-boyfriend Kanye West in 2012.

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.

I've been living in New York City for the last five years, and over that time I've gotten used to frequent traveling. My family still lives in the Midwest and until recently my dearest friends lived in other states, so at least once a month I could be seen filing onto a bus, train, or plane to another destination.

And as with all things, practice makes (closer to) perfect.

Because of this, I've become much more discerning about what I travel with, in part because my job involves testing products to see which ones are worthwhile.

Below are 10 things I love to travel with, be it for their space, versatility, convenience, or reliability:

DON'T MISS: The 11 gadgets and tech accessories I used the most while traveling abroad

A carry-on that holds an impossible amount of things and can function as a duffel or backpack.

Plain and simple, this is the best carry-on bag I've ever found. Ever since Cotopaxi sent me a test unit almost five months ago, I haven't gone on a single trip without it.

It fits a lot, while still meeting airline restrictions for a carry-on, and since Cotopaxi is technically an outdoors gear brand, the bag itself is reminiscent of that. The Allpa inherited innovation from that space, like a low-profile harness that helps evenly distribute the weight of the pack so it's comfortable to wear even when stuffed to the brim.

It also opens like a suitcase, so you don't have to waste time digging to the bottom of a traditional backpack.

There are many great selling points to the Allpa, but for a frequent traveler, it's the versatility, durability, comfort, and roomy design that are perhaps the best of the best.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, available at Cotopaxi, $199.95

(Actually) wireless earbuds that save on space and add convenience.

I rarely travel with a checked bag anymore, so space is a top concern. For shorter trips where I don't want my Marshall over-ear headphones to take up prime real estate or get crushed, I bring along my Jaybird RUN truly wireless buds. They're tiny enough to keep in my pocket, and their charging case takes up less room than a pair of rolled socks. Plus, they've got an 8-hour playtime and on the off-chance I forgot to charge them beforehand, 5 minutes in their charging case gives me an hour of listening time. 

Jaybird RUN True Wireless In-Ear Headphones, available at Best Buy, $179.99

The most comfortable and supportive socks that you'll ever wear.

It might seem silly to have a favorite pair of travel socks, but to be fair they're my favorite pair of socks for anything. While traveling, though, you're likely on your feet for hours on end, and it's nice not to have to worry about soreness or blisters. The honeycomb support system on Bombas' socks took two years to design, and is just one upgrade that makes them the most comfortable pair you'll own. 

Shop Bombas entire selection here.

A sprawling middle-class neighborhood is rising on the site of the retired San Francisco Naval Shipyard in Hunters Point. But before residents arrived at this long-forgotten patch of the city's waterfront, the area was home to a federally run nuclear test site.

In a secret laboratory used for decades after World War II, the US Navy ran tests on ships exposed to atomic weapons and conducted research about the effects of radiation on living organisms. The shipyard's closure in 1994 left behind San Francisco's worst toxic-waste dump.

Developer Five Point, a spinoff of Lennar (the nation's largest housing builder), has set out to transform the abandoned San Francisco Naval Shipyard and the neighboring Candlestick area into a bustling live-work community with 12,000 new homes and roughly 5 million square feet of office and commercial space.

Business Insider recently explored what is left of the shipyard before the new residential community takes its place. It was not pretty.

SEE ALSO: A formerly homeless man gave us a tour of the gritty San Francisco neighborhood that's been overrun by tech companies

After the shipyard closed in 1994, the site was left abandoned for 19 years.

Buildings that once contained barracks, schools, a cafeteria, and other non-industrial facilities were emptied and left to rot. Paint now chips away like fingernail polish.

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

There are few reminders of what was there before, save for some signage and furniture.

These days, we can barely keep up with the growing Kardashian-Jenner family. But they're not the only high-profile, drama-filled family on our radar.

Meet Lady Violet, Lady Alice, and Lady Elizabeth Manners, who are basically the British version of the Kardashians. Vanity Fair recently wrote a fantastic profile of the sisters, who are often referred to as the "bad-Manners" sisters in UK tabloids. The trio has a reputation for partying, gallivanting across the globe, and documenting every detail of their extravagant lifestyle on Instagram.

Keep scrolling to learn all about their glamorous lives.

Please note, we sourced the information below from Vanity Fair's fantastic profile on the Manners sisters — you can read the story in full here. INSIDER has contacted the Manners sisters for comment.

Meet the Manners sisters — or as they're known in the UK, the "bad-Manners" sisters.

Source: Vanity Fair

Violet is the oldest sister. The 24-year-old recently started her own marketing and brand-strategy consulting firm.

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Source: Vanity Fair

Alice, 22, is a model, stylist, and personal shopper at Selfridges.

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Alice, who attended the Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design, also has her own fashion column in the Sunday edition of the Telegraph.

Source: Vanity Fair

• US President Donald Trump just signed the GOP's enormous tax overhaul into law.

• The plan is expected to boost take-home pay for most Americans — but not by much.

• Career site Zippia broke down how the final tax bill could affect take-home pay in 2018 for people in various occupations.

It's official. US President Donald Trump just signed Republican's massive tax overhaul into law, Business Insider reported.

Congressional Republicans have portrayed the new plan as a wage-boosting, job-creating boon to the middle class, as well as a means of simplifying the tax system. But the reform has earned harsh criticisms from the public and experts. 

Business Insider's Lauren Lyons Cole reported that while take-home pay is set to rise under the tax reform plan, most Americans won't see a ton of extra cash in their pockets. But how much you save also depends on how much you currently earn.

Career site Zippia provided Business Insider with data breaking down how different occupations fare under the finalized tax plan. The estimated federal tax savings below are for a single, childless taxpayer who owns a house valued at three times their salary. Zippia's calculations factored in whether a given taxpayer would benefit most from taking the standard deduction or itemizing deductions.

Following is a look at how people in a number of occupations, from shampooers to financial analysts to surgeons, could see their taxes change next year if the tax plan becomes law.

SEE ALSO: Here's what Trump's tax plan means for people at every income level from $20,000 to $269,000 a year

Shampooers

Average salary: $20,960

Current tax: $1,118

Tax under the Republican plan: $896

Percent tax cut: 19.8%

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Average salary: $23,530

Current tax: $1,503

Tax under the Republican plan: $1,193

Percent tax cut: 20.6%

Bakers

Average salary: $27,110

Current tax: $2,040

Tax under the Republican plan: $1,623

Percent tax cut: 20.5%

• We think of American foods as burgers, fries, macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken.
• None of these foods are actually American.
• We rounded up 14 surprising "American" foods that were actually appropriated from somewhere else.

Most of what we think of as quintessential American foods like burgers and fries, barbecue, and fried chicken are surprisingly not actually American at all. Burgers come from Germany, barbecue originated in the Caribbean, and fried chicken's roots may be disputed, but the Southern favorite is not entirely an American invention.

INSIDER has rounded up 14 of the most surprising and interesting American culinary impostors, and given a short history of where (and how) they actually came to the American table.

The hamburger comes from Hamburg, Germany.

Hamburgers may be known as an American fast food staple today, but their origin story dates back to the growth of cattle domestication in Hamburg, Germany, during the 12th century, according to the History Channel. There, meat patties are known as frikadellen or buletten.

During the 19th century peak, political unrest caused many Germans to immigrate to America, where they opened beergardens that served "Hamburg-style" chopped steak, as Hamburg was known to export high quality meat.

The hamburger found its way onto a bun during the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair where it was introduced as a brand-new food, along with ice cream cones and cotton candy. 

French fries are not American: they're Belgian and French.

The true origins of French fries may be disputed, but they are definitely not American.

As one story goes, according to National Geographic, Belgian fishermen during the turn of the 20th century used to fry potatoes when it was too cold to fish. American soldiers came across them during World War I and dubbed the food invention "French fries," since Belgians spoke French in that region. 

Other food historians claim that French street vendors were selling French fries as early as the 1780s, known as "pommes frites." In this case, Thomas Jefferson is often credited with introducing French fries to America by serving "pommes de terre frites à cru en petites tranches" (potatoes deep-fried while raw, in small cuttings) to guests during his presidency. 

"Few people took potatoes seriously on the continent until the end of the 18th century," food historian Ken Albala at the University of the Pacific told INSIDER. "Probably at some point in the early 19th century the French and Belgians started frying them in fat. Arguably the Belgians are better at it, hence the claim."

The original recipe for ketchup was invented in China.

Ketchup may be synonymous with the Pennsylvanian entrepreneur H.J. Heinz, but the idea of a fermented food paste actually derives from the Hokkien Chinese word "kê-tsiap," which was originally a fermented fish sauce, according to National Geographic.

Ketchup paste was copied by the British in the 18th century, but often used ingredients like mushrooms, walnuts, oysters, or anchovies.

The first-ever ketchup recipe featuring tomatoes was published by American horticulturalist James Mease, but it lacked vinegar or sugar. It was not until 1876, when H.J. Heinz came up with a new safer way to preserve tomato ketchup, that "Heinz ketchup," and thus ketchup as we know it, was born. 

The holiday season is in full gear. If you're one of the many last-minute shoppers scrambling to find that perfect token of appreciation for your family, friends, and employees, the good news is that the gifts don't have to be terribly expensive. 

This year, Inc. asked eight entrepreneurs to each reveal their all-time favorite gift—and why it's so special to them. If you're still struggling what to get for your loved ones, perhaps you'll be inspired.

SEE ALSO: A promotion or fancy title doesn't make you a leader — and you won't become one until you adopt some key habits

1. Justin Woolverton, founder of Halo Top Creamery

"I was raised in a military family and constantly moved as a kid. I had to go to new schools, make new friends, and always try to fit in again. One constant — of all things — was my Calvin & Hobbes books. I loved those books but lost them as I grew up.

"Two Christmases ago, my friends teamed up and bought me the complete Calvin & Hobbes anthology. They brought it to my house, and I had no idea they were even giving me a Christmas present. While the gift itself was absolutely awesome, it was my all-time favorite because they'd remembered something so important to me that I'd only mentioned in passing."

2. Whitney Wolfe, founder of Bumble

"On the way to my wedding this year, my soon-to-be mother-in-law gave me a vintage necklace that belonged to her mother, whom they called Queen P. It's the most beautiful bee pendant necklace that I've ever seen. It was so incredibly thoughtful and it is one of my most special things." 

3. Mark Cuban, Shark Tank investor and owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks

"A picture of an essay my then 7-year-old son wrote, saying I was his hero and that when he grew up he wanted to be an entrepreneur like me."

Many of the brightest minds in technology, entertainment, business, and philanthropy have said they owe their success to reading.

Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates reportedly reads 50 books a year. Oprah Winfrey has called reading "her personal path to freedom."

Gates and Winfrey, along with a number of other successful people, have made book recommendations over the years. For last-minute Christmas shoppers, here are some titles book-lovers are bound to love.

SEE ALSO: 12 books on science Bill Gates thinks everyone should read

Bill Gates, philanthropist: 'The Gene: An Intimate History' by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Genome science can hardly be considered a topic of mainstream interest, but Gates says Mukherjee captures its relevance to people's daily lives. The book seeks to answer big questions concerning our personalities and what defines us.

"Mukherjee wrote this book for a lay audience, because he knows that the new genome technologies are at the cusp of affecting us all in profound ways," Gates wrote.

Mukherjee is what Gates calls a "quadruple threat." He's a practicing physician, teacher, researcher, and author. 

Buy it on Amazon for $11.25

Bill Gates: 'Seveneves' by Neal Stephenson

After a science-fiction dry spell of more than a decade, Gates picked up "Seveneves" on a friend's recommendation in 2016, and he says he's grateful for it.

"The plot gets going in the first sentence, when the moon blows up," he wrote. 

But that's only the beginning. The world soon learns the entire species is doomed: In two years, a cataclysmic meteor shower will destroy all life on the pale blue dot. It's up to humanity to send as many spacecraft into orbit as possible with the hope of escaping the apocalypse.

"You might lose patience with all the information you'll get about space flight," Gates wrote, "but I loved the technical details."

Buy it on Amazon for $11.33

Bill Gates: 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' by Yuval Noah Harari

We weren't always the only species of human being on Earth. Roughly 100,000 years ago, there were actually six varieties of people, but homo sapiens were the only ones who made it to today. 

"Both Melinda and I read this one," Gates said, "and it has sparked lots of great conversations at our dinner table. Harari takes on a daunting challenge: to tell the entire history of the human race in just 400 pages."

But Harari doesn't dwell on the past. He looks toward a future in which genetic engineering and artificial intelligence make our definition of "human" even more fluid.

"I would recommend Sapiens to anyone who's interested in the history and future of our species," Gates said.

Buy it on Amazon for $21.00

If you are someone who happens to be both A) a parent, and B) American, chances are pretty good that, at some point, at least one person in your life has told you that you need to start parenting like someone from a different country.

Exactly which country you should try to emulate in your parenting style, however, is up for debate. Some popular options are Denmark (where both parents and children are purported to be happier than their American counterparts), Germany (the parents there "encourage kids to play with fire," to supposedly great results), and, of course, the old favorite France (French children are famously well-behaved).

One country that tends to be left out of this aspirational parenting narrative? England.

This, as it turns out, is not exactly fair. They may not be as publicized, but the Brits do have more than a few useful parenting tips up their collective sleeve. And, unsurprisingly, most of their techniques are quite different than those you might come across in an American parenting handbook. Check out what they are here:

SEE ALSO: Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton have surprisingly affordable style — and it's a brilliant political strategy

Brits get more maternity leave.

According to The Telegraph, it is possible to get up to 52 weeks of maternity leave in the UK. This is certainly a substantial lot more than the United States, where some working mothers aren't guaranteed a single day of maternity leave. (And, for what it's worth, it's also a lot more than the rest of the EU, where new mothers can expect to get about 14 weeks of leave.)

Cursing is more common.

In many American households, using foul language of any sort as a child is a good way to get in big trouble. (Or, at the very least, have your mouth cleaned out with soap.)

In the UK, it's less of a big deal — according to BBC America, swearing isn't as much of a taboo as it is in the states, so if a kid lets a bad word slip, it's not exactly the end of the world.

It’s not uncommon to find kids in pubs.

In the UK, it's not out of the ordinary to walk into a bar and see a few kids running around. Many pubs in Britain have a more lax, open feel than American ones (and maybe even a garden in the back), so it's easier for parents to head to an occasional happy hour. Instead of paying for a babysitter, all they have to do is bring their kids with them to the neighborhood bar.

Bitcoin is in the midst of its worst weekly sell off since 2013, and almost every other major cryptocurrency slumped on Friday. 

That’s especially bad news for the handful of companies who recently announced a pivot to blockchain or another crypto focus. Their stock prices skyrocketed after announcing their pivots to the red-hot space, but most have settled back down — some even lower than where they were trading ahead of the announcements.  

Business Insider rounded up the companies who recently announced pivots to see how much the share prices initially jumped — and where the dust settled after Friday's slump:

SEE ALSO: Subscribe to our Crypto Insider newsletter for the best of the blockchain every day.

Bioptix

Ticker: RIOT

New name: Riot Blockchain

New focus: Blockchain

Initial spike: +375%

Current price: $22.92

Change since announcement: +278%

Full story>>

World Poker Fund Holdings

Ticker: WPFH

New name: n/a

New focus: The company acquired a digital cryptocurrency wallet. 

Initial spike: +100%

Current price: $0.43

Change since announcement: -5.88%

Full story>>

The Long Island Iced Tea Corporation

Ticker: LTEA

New name: Long Blockchain

New focus:"The exploration of and investment in opportunities that leverage the benefits of blockchain technology.

Initial spike: +432%

Current price: $5.71

Change since announcement: +146.53%

Full story>>>

Tesla founder Elon Musk just can't get enough of actress Amber Heard.

In a November interview with Rolling Stone, Musk said he had split with Heard, though it sounded like he was still pining after his ex, and concerned about the status of his love life.

I just broke up with my girlfriend," Musk said, according to Rolling Stone. "I was really in love, and it hurt bad...If I'm not in love, if I'm not with a long-term companion, I cannot be happy."

But on Friday, TMZ snapped pictures of the two kissing after getting lunch in LA. This doesn't confirm they're back together but it's a possibility. 

Who is Amber Heard, the actress that has the billionaire CEO so hung up?

Heard is only 31, but she has had quite a career and continues to take on bigger acting roles. In 2017, she appeared as Mera, the queen of Atlantis, in "Justice League," and she'll probably have a more substantial role in 2018's "Aquaman." She's also an advocate for women, especially those who are victims of domestic violence.

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 11 best movies of 2017

Heard was born in Austin, Texas, in 1986. When she was 17, she dropped out of high school and moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting and modeling career.

Source: The Telegraph

Her first movie role was in the 2004 sports drama "Friday Night Lights," which starred Billy Bob Thornton. (It later became a TV show.)

Before that, she had supporting and guest-starring roles on teen dramas including "Jack & Bobby" and "The O.C."

• The Republican tax bill passed Congress on Wednesday, and President Donald Trump signed it into law on Friday.
• National home prices are expected to take a hit across the country.
• But certain housing markets might see a small boost, especially in rural areas in states including Alaska, Texas, New Mexico, and North and South Dakota.

The Republican tax bill passed Congress on Wednesday, and President Donald Trump signed it into law on Friday. 

National home prices are expected to take a hit under tax reform. The impact is most severe for high-priced homes, especially in parts of the country where a greater number of people itemize their taxes.

But, according to new data from Moody's Analytics, housing markets in some rural areas of the country might see a small boost.

Below are the counties that are expected to see home prices rise by at least 1% between now and summer 2019, as a result of tax reform, according to research from Moody's Analytics. They are located in Colorado, North and South Dakota, Texas, Alaska, Montana, and Nebraska.

We also pulled median home prices, median rent prices, and median household incomes for many of these counties, based on recent Census data.

SEE ALSO: National home prices are expected to take a hit after tax reform — and two rich, blue states are the biggest losers

San Juan County, Colorado — 1.0%

Median home value: $224,100

Median rent: $1,069

Median household income: $41,250

Source: Moody's Analytics, Census

Corson County, South Dakota — 1.0%

Median home value: $56,000

Median rent: $414

Median household income: $32,115

Source: Moody's Analytics, Census

Kusilvak Census Area and Lake and Peninsula Borough in Alaska — 1.1%

Kusilvak Census Area:

Median home value: $101,300

Median rent: $607

Median household income: $38,160

Source: Moody's Analytics, Census