• Netflix has lots of original movies and television shows in the works for 2018.
• The streaming service will be producing more content than ever, with as many as 80 new original movies. 
• From another season of "Jessica Jones" to a new movie starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, here are the Netflix originals to look out for. 

Netflix is primed to be bigger than ever in 2018, and we’re taking a look at the top original movies and TV shows that you need to keep an eye out for in the coming year. The streaming service will be producing more content than ever in the next 12 months, with as many as 80 original movies making their debut in 2018. (We’re still not quite sure how many television series are on the way.) The price tag for all this content? A whopping $8 billion.

It’s all part of Netflix’s plan for their library to ultimately be composed of 50% original programming. $20+ billion debt be damned; this streaming service is shooting for the moon. And they can afford to do it, too. Because while that debt is likely temporary, the rising number of subscribers just keeps climbing. Q4 statistics from 2017 haven’t been released yet, but subscriber numbers are expected to be in the 115 million range, an area in which Netflix will soon surpass cable television.

Netflix’s relentless pursuit of its goals leads to one simple outcome for subscribers: more binge-worthy content than ever before. It won’t be easy to keep track of all the original movies and TV series that Netflix will release in the coming year, and more titles will surely be added over the coming months. But in an effort to ensure that you miss out on as little as possible, we’ve gathered together some of the most promising projects to come in the new year. Here are 25 Netflix originals to look out for in 2018.

25. "The End of the F**king World" (Season 1) - January 5

We’re a bit late to the game on this one, and it technically first premiered on Channel 4 in the UK, but if the folks upstairs are calling it a Netflix Original, then so shall we. Rave reviews are pouring in for "The End of the F**king World," which follows a pair of teenage runaways — played by newcomers Jessica Barden and Alex Lawther — who may or may not be psychopaths.

Check out the trailer for this hilarious, jet-black comedy, get to bingeing, and thank us later.

24. "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman" - January 12

Longtime late night talk show host David Letterman is coming out of retirement, and his new series is definitely a mouthful. "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman" unexpectedly dropped its first trailer yesterday, confirming that his return to the small screen is coming far sooner than expected.

President Barack Obama will be the first guest on the new series.

23. "Altered Carbon" (Season 1) - February 2

Netflix’s first big-budget show of 2018 will be "Altered Carbon", an adaptation of Richard K. Morgan’s 2002 sci-fi novel of the same name. Showrunner Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island, Terminator Genisys) first optioned the book over 15 years ago, hoping to shape it into a movie. That didn’t quite work out, but with "House of Cards'" Joel Kinnaman leading the way, "Altered Carbon" could very well be the next big thing on Netflix.

When two celebrities hit the red carpet wearing the same outfit, it doesn't have to automatically become a game of "who wore it better." More often than not, both people simply look amazing.

From royals like Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton to Victoria's Secret models like Taylor Hill and Georgia Fowler, keep scrolling to see the different ways celebrities have styled 18 identical outfits.

Both Kathryn Newton and Jada Pinkett Smith wore this high-low plaid gown.

Newton emphasized the punk vibe of this dress with lots of eyeliner and a thick choker necklace for a Golden Globe Awards after-party in Beverly Hills, California, in January 2017.

Nearly a year later, in December 2017, Smith attended the Jingle Ball in Inglewood, California, and glammed up the dress with big curls and bright pink lipstick.

Kate Bosworth and Anna Kendrick donned the same backless dress 11 years apart.

Bosworth first wore the dress with a pair of pumps to the London, UK, premiere of "Superman Returns" in July 2006.

Over a decade later, in December 2017, Kendrick paired the dress with thigh-high boots for the premiere of "Pitch Perfect 3" in Hollywood, California.

Kumail Nanjiani and Nick Jonas wore the same checked suit on the same day last December.

 Nanjiani wore the quirky suit to  SFFILM's 60th Anniversary Awards Night on December 5, 2017, in San Francisco, California. He left his jacket unbuttoned and paired the suit with brown shoes.

On the same night, all the way across the world, Jonas wore the same suit buttoned up with black shoes to the premiere of "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" in Paris, France.

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.

• Thursday Boot Company, one of our favorite footwear startups, now makes one of the best bang-for-your-buck briefcases for men.
• The briefcase uses premium Horween leather, brass hardware, and is priced at $245, compared to $400 for bags of similar quality from other brands.

• The three colors — Natural, Bison, and Black— pair well with Thursday's line of boots.

Founded in 2014, Thursday Boot Company made a name for itself by making boots that were stylish, comfortable, affordable, and ready for anything that might come your way. 

The Insider Picks team has gotten to review several of the styles for men and women, and they're consistently better than other boots that are twice as expensive.

With such a distinguished accolade in footwear and a name like Thursday Boot Company, you'd think that the startup had every intention on staying in footwear, but that's not the case.

The startup recently expanded its catalog with a line of accessories including, belts, wallets, card holders, and most notably, briefcases. Coming in three unique variations — Natural, Bison, and Black — each Thursday Briefcase is durable, practical, and pairs well with the company's boots for fashionable coordination.

To get a feel for the accessories, Thursday Boot Company sent over their new briefcase in Natural leather, and after carrying it for about a week, it's safe to say the company is serious about more than just shoes.

Sticking to the same extremely high standard its customers have come to expect, this briefcase easily meets it.

Using leather from renowned Chicago-based tannery Horween Leathers, my first impression of the briefcase was the outstanding craftsmanship and the supple material. Horween's proprietary Chromexcel tanning process gives the leather a medium color, keeping it relatively close to its natural form.

Darker brown Thursday leather is used on the straps, bottom of the bag, and piping accents, and the use of solid brass hardware is another indication of excellent design. Similar to the Natural Briefcase, the Bison Briefcase uses a rich brown Horween Bison leather and darker brown accents, while the Black Briefcase is completely made of Thursday Leather for a sleek look.

Aside from the attractive colorways available, what I like about the Thursday Briefcase is its size and the optional shoulder strap. Some briefcases are too small to carry anything but a few files, while others are abnormally large. On top of that, many options don't have a shoulder strap, making them handheld only. 

With the Thursday Boot Company Briefcase, I was able to fit everything I'd normally carry in my backpack when commuting. A packable jacket, 13" laptop charger, on-ear headphones, and my lunch all fit inside with room to spare. The inside of the briefcase is lined and features multiple compartments for keeping things organized. With the shoulder strap on, you can better carry a heavier load or just take advantage of hand-free convenience.

Priced at $245, the Thursday Briefcase is an amazing value, since a similar option from a different company could easily cost $400.

If you're looking for a stylish, functional briefcase that's also durable and affordable, the Thursday Boot Company Briefcase is the way to go. If you already own a pair of the company's boots, the decision to get the briefcase should be that much easier.

Thursday Boot Company Briefcase, $245

Shop all accessories at Thursday Boot Company here. 

Check out the three available briefcase colors, below: 

SEE ALSO: The best winter coats for men

Natural Horween Leather

Thursday Boot Company Briefcase in Natural Leather, $245

Bison Horween Leather

Thursday Boot Company Briefcase in Bison Leather, $245

Black Thursday Leather

Thursday Boot Company Briefcase in Black Leather, $245

If it seems as if all major sports championships are dramatic or historic these days, it is because that has become the norm.

On Monday night, Alabama completed an improbable comeback with a backup quarterback, forcing overtime and beating Georgia in the college football national championship. That was just the latest incredible championship event among major North American sports in the past 24 months.

In fact, of the biggest sports — NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, college football, college basketball — only two or three of the championship events in the past two years were not dramatic or historic.

We had overtimes, dramatic endings, blown leads, unforeseen heroes, the end of epic championship droughts, and some of the biggest comebacks in sports history featuring athletes who will go down as some of the greatest ever.

Here is a look back at the past 24 months in sports championships and why they stand up to any two-year span in North American sports history.

January 2016 — Alabama wins the college football national championship with a thrilling fourth quarter.

Alabama and Clemson played the first of their three consecutive college football playoff matchups. Clemson held a three-point lead after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the two teams together scored five touchdowns and 40 points as Alabama pulled out a 45-40 win.

April 2016 — Villanova wins the college basketball championship with a buzzer-beater.

Villanova's Kris Jenkins hit a shot that will go down in sports history, winning the NCAA men's basketball championship with a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Read more: The Villanova player who hit the incredible buzzer-beater to win the NCAA Championship wasn't even supposed to take the final shot

April 2016 — Jordan Spieth collapses at the Masters.

Jordan Spieth led after each of the first three rounds and had built a 4-stroke lead with nine holes to go. He then played the next three holes at 6-over, including the infamous 12th hole, where he hit two straight shots into the water.

Read more: Jordan Spieth hit 2 straight shots into the water to lose the Masters

At least 17 people have died from massive mudslides in a wealthy Southern California region, according to local authorities.

A heavy storm on Tuesday triggered flash floods and unleashed debris in Montecito, Santa Barbara, around 2:30 a.m. local time (PST), the LA Times reported.

As Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown told reporters on Tuesday night: "The best way I can describe it is it looked like a World War One battlefield."

Rescue crews with dogs and scanners were still looking for at least 13 people reportedly missing on Wednesday, the sheriff's office said in a Reuters report. One hundred single-family homes were also destroyed and hundreds of other buildings were reportedly damaged.

Take a look at the harrowing scenes below.

A heavy storm in the region triggered flash floods and unleashed debris. The region was especially vulnerable after a series of wildfires. This smashed car on Montecito's Hot Springs Road, is a small part of of the destruction in the area.

Trees were torn from their roots, houses and cars were destroyed, and people were covered in mud as debris surged down empty streets. This woman was caught up in the chaos, and had to be rescued from a collapsed house.

As of Wednesday, at least 28 people were injured because of the storm.

KETTLEMAN CITY, California — Situated amid large swaths of farmland and a smattering of gas stations, fast-food restaurants, and motels, Tesla's largest-ever Supercharger station sits tucked away from the main street that runs underneath the 5 Freeway, on a corner lot that used to be a Burger King drive-thru.

There's a gas station and a Carl's Jr. across the street to the east, an auto-repair shop to the south, and two budget hotels to the west.

Further south across State Route 41, there's a recently built strip mall, curiously named "Bravo Farms," whose architecture was designed to resemble old Western saloons of generations past.

The Tesla Supercharger station, unlike the Burger King that occupied the land before it, makes use of nearly all of the available space. An expanse of covered solar parking shelters the 40 individual Superchargers on the lot. A private lounge invites Tesla travelers to rest in plush armchairs, plug in their mobile devices, and enjoy soothing music.

There are vending machines, restrooms, and Tesla staff on hand inside the lounge. A separate display section shows off Tesla Energy products: the solar panels and Powerwall battery packs it sells to residential and commercial customers.

Two large, flat-screen displays are mounted inside the lounge. One shows a real-time world map with the locations of every Supercharger station on the planet. Numbers at the bottom of the screen show three separate tallies: kilowatt-hours delivered, miles enabled, and gallons of gasoline saved. The numbers tick up as you watch.

This is now Tesla's domain. Its presence in an otherwise folksy enclave — one of at least six on the route here from Los Angeles — is a clear sign that Tesla is gearing up to own the electric-car future.

SEE ALSO: Mercedes-Benz stole BMW's crown in US luxury-car sales for 2 consecutive years — now BMW is planning a comeback

DON'T MISS: Elon Musk needs to make a bold call on Tesla's Model 3 before it's too late

Tesla says the Kettleman City Supercharger is its largest one in the US. This one and another location in Baker, California, sits along major travel routes between Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

This trip served two purposes: To determine if I could make it to the Kettleman City Supercharger without stopping to top-up, and to check out Tesla's newest digs.

I planned to drive from Los Angeles in the pearl red Model S P100D Tesla loaned to me. Before I got on the road, I made a brief stop at the Supercharger station on the SpaceX campus in Hawthorne.

Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market is sometimes called the "Wall Street of fish."

Everyday, fishermen, wholesalers, and the owners of Japan's top sushi restaurants gather to buy and sell more than $21 million of the freshest fish in the world.

In recent decades, the market has unexpectedly become one of Japan's top tourists attractions. Thousands come to try to get a glimpse of the market's world-famous tuna auction, where a single tuna once sold for $1.76 million.

But time is running out to see the market. In October, the market will move from its original location in central Tokyo to a new $5.42 billion site east with improved refrigeration, earthquake resistance, and sanitation facilities.

We took a walk through before dawn — when it's off-limits to tourists — to see what the Tsukiji Market is like in action.

The Tsukiji Fish Market is located in the Tsukiji district in central Tokyo. It is bordered by the swanky shopping district Ginza and the Sumida River.

GoogleMaps Directions»

The best time to visit is before sunrise when fishermen are bringing in their catch and fishmongers are preparing fish for sale.

There are two parts to the market. The jōgai-shijō is a mix of sushi restaurants and shops that sell everything from wholesale restaurant supplies to groceries. The jōnai-shijō is where wholesalers process their fish and sell to restaurants. There's also a wholesale produce market, which is the part I visited.

This week marks 20 years since investigators began looking into the affair between former President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky, ultimately leading to Clinton's impeachment in December 1998, changing American politics forever.

But while many Americans today only associate Lewinsky with her role in the high-profile scandal, she has made an impressive career for herself in retail, advertising, and most recently social advocacy. Last year, she joined hundreds of other women in the #MeToo campaign on Twitter.

Here's how Lewinsky went from reluctant celebrity to public activist, twenty years after she was thrust into the public spotlight:

SEE ALSO: Bill Clinton once lost the nuclear codes for months, and a 'comedy of errors' kept anyone from finding out

The events that would eventually lead to Clinton's impeachment took place while Lewinsky was an unpaid White House intern between 1995 and 1996. Lewinsky reportedly had almost a dozen sexual encounters with the former president during this time.

Source: History Channel

After Lewinsky came forward to investigators in the summer of 1997, the story broke in January 1998. Responding to allegations made against him in the media, Clinton made his now-famous denial: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."

Source: History Channel, CNN

Clinton was eventually impeached in December 1998, but was not found guilty for perjury. Meanwhile, Lewinsky's celebrity status was only just beginning to grow.

Source: History Channel, CNN

• McDonald's has brought back a new version of the Dollar Menu called the "$1 $2 $3 Menu."
• It's a tiered system, with items costing $1, $2, and $3.
• Some are great deals — others, not so much. 

The McDonald's Dollar Menu has returned, albeit in a new tiered format.

McDonald's "$1 $2 $3 Menu" is exactly as it sounds — items are available for $1, $2, or $3. Some of them are actually pretty great deals considering their normal menu price; others inspire significantly less excitement. 

There are 10 food items on the menu, excluding drinks, and we've ranked them all from best to worst to find out what's the best bang for your buck — or two or three bucks, respectively. 

SEE ALSO: We visited convenience-store rivals Wawa and Sheetz to see which does it better — and the winner is clear

We're excluding the $1 soft drink and the $2 small McCafe from the ranking so we can get right to the meat of the deal. Without further ado, the ranking:

10. Triple Cheeseburger

Three patties is a lot for any burger out there, regardless of price. If you're really hankering for a lot of beef and not much else, fine; a lot of beef and not much else is what this triple cheeseburger delivers. And at $3 — a dollar per patty essentially — it's not the best deal. 

9. Cheeseburger

On the opposite end of the burger spectrum, the lonely single-patty cheeseburger stands sullen and forgotten. While three patties is too much, one patty just gets lost. The proportions are off, leaving the beef, onions, and pickles lost in the puffy bun. It's not much of a loss at $1, but it's not much of a gain either. 

Razer has a history of bold experimentation. At last year's CES tech industry trade show in Las Vegas, Razer showed off an outlandish three-screen gaming laptop concept that was a bit too crazy to end up in consumers' hands.

This year, however, Razer's concept product is somewhat tame, but in a good way. In fact, the San Francisco-based gaming company may very well have figured out how we'll be using computers in the not-too-distant future.

Razer's "Project Linda" is essentially a docking station for its Razer Phone smartphone that turns it into a laptop with a 13.3-inch display and keyboard that can also charge the phone.

When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Check it out:

SEE ALSO: Samsung's new 146-inch TV called 'The Wall' can change sizes

The concept is that smartphones will become the only device you'll ever need for leisure and productivity.

You can do the basic stuff with your smartphone, like perusing the web, social media, and apps. And when you need to be more productive — writing long emails or documents and switching among multiple browser tabs — you can place the Razer Phone into Project Linda to benefit from a larger screen and keyboard.

Project Linda is a docking station for the Razer Phone that takes the form and has the functionality of a laptop. It's genius.

The phone fits in an enclosure where you'd usually find a laptop's trackpad.

Once in the enclosure, a simple button press extends a USB-C connector into the Razer Phone's USB-C port — and just like that, you have a laptop.

I've seen a dock that lets you connect a smartphone to a monitor and run apps as you would on a computer.

But with Project Linda, the dock, like a laptop, has everything you need in one portable package.

This has been done before — but the Palm Foleo in 2007 never shipped, and 2011's Motorola Atrix, which had a laptop dock as well, was a total failure.

The phone acts as a trackpad.

Unlike with the Palm Foleo and the Motorola Atrix, the Razer Phone's screen acts as the trackpad in Project Linda, and it worked well when I tried it at CES 2018.

It's incredibly responsive to your finger movements and feels just like your laptop's trackpad, albeit much smoother because of the phone's glass display.

You know when you walk into someone's home and it just feels like ... an adult lives here? That's the way you should feel when you walk into your home.

It doesn't happen by magic, though. You've got to furnish your space with all the essentials — for cooking, for safety, for everyday storage.

We checked out two Redditthreads on the topic, as well as some other resources, and put together a list of items every adult home must have. The list is by no means exhaustive, but it's a good launching point. Read on to see what you're missing.

SEE ALSO: 31 life skills every functioning adult should master

Kitchen knife and cutting board

That's a tip from a Redditor whose name has since been deleted.

As Business Insider reported, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain says no one needs a knife set— you just need one good chef's knife. "Like a pro, you should use the tip for the small stuff, and the area nearer the heel for the larger," Bourdain writes in his 2000 memoir, "Kitchen Confidential."

Bourdain admits you may also find it useful to own a flexible boning knife for fish and meat, a paring knife for vegetables, and a serrated knife for just about anything.

Basic tool set

Don't call your extra-handy friend when something breaks in your house — be that extra-handy friend.

Hatecopsandcats tells you exactly what you'll need: "Hammer, screwdriver, tape measure, utility knife, adjustable wrench, WD40, duct tape." (A commenter adds that you'll need a drill.)

If you're looking for recommendations, Insider Picks chose the Stanley 65-piece toolkit as the best overall tool kit, though it doesn't come with every single item mentioned above.

Flashlight

"You never know when the power will go out,"writes squirrelpanic. Plus, the Red Cross recommends that every household has a flashlight in case of emergency.

I have lived less than 90 miles from Walt Disney World my entire life. As a kid, my family and I would visit the Magic Kingdom two or three times per year. But as new parks opened and the ticket pricing increased, our visits became fewer and farther apart. When I had my own kids, we'd hit the parks once every couple of years, whenever we could score a deeply-discounted park hopper pass. Although I'd always dreamt of being an annual passholder, dishing out hundreds of dollars per person in one fell swoop was never in the budget.

Then a miracle occurred: Disney began offering a monthly payment program for annual passholders. My life-long dream had come true. Now, instead of one visit every couple of years, we could easily pop in once or twice per month.

I've learned a few tricks and tips since becoming a Disney passholder and the following are some of my favorites.

Download the My Disney Experience mobile app

The My Disney Experience mobile app allows you to link your tickets, see the wait times on rides and character meet and greets, book Fastpass+ reservations, make dining reservations, locate the nearest restroom, view pictures linked to your photopass, and more right from your smartphone.

You will not believe how much time and energy this little app will save you. Instead of walking across the entire park only to find that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has a 140 minute wait or that Splash Mountain is temporarily closed, you can see all of the park’s wait times and plan your visit no matter where you’re standing in park.

Arrive extra early during peak times

Although Disney World has only closed five times since opening in 1971, it’s not uncommon for a park to reach capacity during peak days. When this happens, no additional guests will be allowed inside. Magic Kingdom reached capacity twice in December 2017 by 12:30 p.m. on Christmas Day and by 11:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, according to the Palm Beach Post. Reduce your chances of being turned away at the gate by arriving extra early on holidays and other peak times.

If you’re not into battling huge crowds, you might want to avoid weekends and holidays. Consider visiting the parks midweek, during a time when most US kids are still in school, even if it means playing a hooky for a day.

Get a birthday button

If you’re visiting on your birthday, make sure to get a birthday button from Guest Relations. Cast members and other guests will wish you a "happy birthday" by name throughout your visit.

I’ve never felt more birthday love than while wearing my birthday button at Disney.

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:

• With a great snowboard strapped to your feet, you'll be ready to charge down the mountain, carve through powder, or ollie, gorilla grab, and front flip your way through the terrain park. The Burton Ripcord Snowboard is our top choice because it's a progression-friendly board that's suitable for use by novice boarders but still plenty of fun for advanced riders.

It's difficult to trace the exact origins of many of the world's most popular sports. Versions of soccer, golf, lacrosse, and other recreational activities go back many thousands of years and have gone through countless variations over the generations. Snowboarding, however, is a markedly different story. We can mark the creation of this now global sport almost to the day, and certainly to the place and the person.

In the winter of 1965, a man named Sherman Poppen created what would be the first functional snowboard when he attached a pair of skis together side by side, creating a wide monoski style platform with a rope handle affixed to the front of the board.

Named the Snurfer by Poppen's wife, the new device was designed expressly for use by the Poppen's children. But upon seeing how much his girls and their friends loved the new Snurfer, Poppen realized his one-off invention had big potential. The Snurfer was licensed and went into manufacture within a matter of months, and a million of these rudimentary snowboards would be sold within the next ten years.

About a decade later, the world saw the first effectively modern snowboard. It was developed by Jake Burton — who remains at the forefront of snowboard innovation and sales — and consisted of polyurethane-coated wooden boards using waterski foot traps. During the 1980s, snowboarding grew from a fringe sport oft-derided by skiers into a more popular activity, though it was still banned or at least limited at most American and European ski resorts.

In the 1990s, snowboarding finally went mainstream, with riders permitted on almost all slopes on almost all mountains. And at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, snowboarding made its first official debut on the grandest stage in the sporting world.

While mastering all the tricks, flips, and top speed sprints an experienced snowboarder can enjoy takes years of dedication and practice, with the right attitude and the right equipment, you can begin enjoying the sport this very season.

We've included several different types of boards on our list, including those suitable for beginners, one for kids, and some that are geared toward varied types of riding, from downhill speed to tricks and jumps. It's up to you to learn how to fall safely (keep your hands in and use your rump — it's tougher than your wrist bones), stop on a dime (all about the edge control), or pull off the perfect double wildcat (that's a backflip off a straight jump with two full rotations, and it's called the supercat by some, just FYI).

But here are a few great snowboards and a few tips that just might help you channel your inner Shaun White when you're out there on the snowy slopes.

Read on in the slides below to learn why the Burton Ripcord Snowboard is our top pick and why you should also consider the Rossignol Trickstick Amptek Snowboard, the System MTN Snowboard, the Lucky Bums Kids Plastic Snowboard, and the Camp Seven Roots CRC Snowboard.

SEE ALSO: The best skis you can buy to hit the slopes

The best snowboard overall

Why you'll love it: The Burton Ripcord Snowboard is an all-mountain directional board perfect for beginner to intermediate riders. 

Burton is arguably the biggest name in snowboard manufacturing, at least in the United States. That's certainly the case when viewed by the metrics of sales, as the brand accounts for the largest share of units sold in any recent year. But the Burton name is also associated with quality and reliability. Simply put, the brand makes good gear. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that founder Jake Burton is essentially the founder of snowboard design as we know it?

The Burton Ripcord Snowboard has a soft flex design that's ideal for beginners just getting to know the feel of a snowboard. It makes carving easy, turning responsively with minimal input and helping keep you upright and moving in varied snow conditions, from fresh powder to groomed trails to springtime melt/freeze chop.

The Ripcord is a directional board, meaning it is intended to be ridden only with the front end leading the way, but most beginner to intermediate snowboarders won't be doing a lot of switch riding anyway, so that's hardly a drawback.

And though the Burton Ripcord was designed for amateur to intermediate users, the durability of the board makes it more than suitable for more active, aggressive use by more advanced riders.

Most people who take the time to write a review about the Burton Ripcord Snowboard accompany said review with a five-star rating. One customer named Max speaks for many when he says: "For learning to snowboard [the Ripcord] was perfect." Max added that he is "looking forward to the second [season]" using his Burton board.

A reviewer with The Good Ride called the Burton Ripcord "one of the best powder boards you can get for the price," though he does say that it's hardly a high-speed board. A write up from Snowboard Critic noted its flexible core that allows for "good control" in just about "any condition."

Pros: Great choice for novice riders, easy turns, soft and flexible feel, good for powder

Cons: Slower than many options

Buy the Burton Ripcord Snowboard on Amazon for $270 (price may vary by size)

The best snowboard for freestyle riding

Why you'll love it: The Rossignol Trickstick Amptek Snowboard is a superlative freestyle board that's ready for air, rails, switch riding, and more. 

To be clear, the Rossignol Trickstick Amptek Snowboard is not intended for use by beginners. This is a board for intermediate to advanced riders who are already comfortable with all the basics of the sport like turns, stops, jumps, and, of course, not falling over all the time. It's also not the right board for people interested in high-speed Alpine snowboarding or Snowboard Racing. For those types of activities, choose a directional board with a stiffer core.

So what is this board great for? Jumps, flips, spins, ollies, twists and all your other favorite tricks. This is a "true twin" board, meaning you can ride it in your normal stance or switchfoot, which is imperative for any sort of advanced freestyle boarding. The Trickstick Amptek has a soft, responsive flex that gives you maximum control and agility whether you're executing an aerial maneuver or grinding down a rail.

The Rossignol Trickstick Amptek Snowboard is a great board also thanks to its relatively moderate price point. Any boarder who is already competent in the terrain park and is now looking for gear that can help take their performance up a notch should consider this pop-and-stomp-ready freestyle board.

A review from Board Insiders called the Rossignol Trickstick Amptek Snowboard a "do-it-all freestyle" board with "buttery flex." In a video review from The House Outdoor Gear, a product tester said that advanced riders will "love it because it's very jibby," meaning perfect for tricks.

Pros: Ideal for trick riding, catch-free edges, buttery flex, moderate price

Cons: Not suitable for novice riders

Buy the Rossignol Trickstick Amptek Snowboard on Amazon for $210

The best versatile snowboard

Why you'll love it: The System MTN Snowboard can float over powder, charge down graded slopes, and help you pop over jumps, boxes, pipes, and more. 

First, let's talk about the fact that you can get a complete System snowboard package for less than $320, not counting the tax. That means you will get not only a snowboard, but also bindings and boots.

And to stay on said bindings and boots for another moment, the former are the System APX Bindings, which are lightweight and can be used over the toe cap or over the top of the foot, while the latter are System APX boots, which are prized for being durable, supportive, and warm. Just one note: the bindings are of moderate quality at best, and will probably be the first thing you'll need to repair or replace.

Now, on to the MTN snowboard itself. The board has a camber-rocker-camber profile that helps it stay atop even the fluffiest freshly fallen powder and elevates the contact points, helping minimize the chance you catch an edge on any snow type. In other words, the design reduces the frequency of you ending up end down, or face down, in the snow.

Thanks to the MTN's core design, this board is also suitable for freestyle riding. Its core consists of durable but flexible poplar wood and a heartwood stringer down the center of the board. A pair of high-density stringers flanks this central heartwood, supporting the board and adding a snappy, responsive pop.

The System MTN is suitable for regular or switch riding, and it is comfortable carving a path through the woods or barreling down a back bowl. And all that in a package most boarders can afford.

The System MTN Snowboard scores a four out of five-star score when its many ratings are averaged together. A customer named Nolan said that for "the price point there's nothing better." An owner called Casper said the board is "suited to be used basically anywhere on a mountain."

A product write up from Wired Sport called the System MTN Snowboard a "rocker dominant [board]" with excellent "float in powder." And in a review from Our Great Products, a writer called the board ready for "shredding the harshest terrain and parks."

Pros: Highly versatile board, floats over powder, design prevents edges from catching

Cons: Included bindings of middling durability

Buy the System MTN Snowboard Package on Amazon for $320

• Diet Coke debuted four new flavors on Wednesday in an attempt to turn around the struggling beverage's sales. 
• Two of the flavors were disappointing as gimmicky stunts failing to live up to the original's excellence.
• However, the other two demonstrate a possible path toward salvation for Diet Coke. 

Diet Coke is undergoing some massive changes, including some surprising new flavors. 

On Wednesday, Coca-Cola announced it is rolling out four new flavors: Ginger Lime, Feisty Cherry, Zesty Blood Orange, and Twisted Mango. The new flavors are accompanied by modernized Diet Coke packaging and a new ad campaign. 

For the last few years, Diet Coke has been the weakest link in the company's cola lineup. In October, Coca-Cola reported the brand's sales by volume declined in the mid-single digits last quarter. Industry publication Beverage Digest reported Diet Coke US sales by the dollar dropped 1.9% in 2016. 

Coca-Cola said in a press release it spent two years developing the new flavors and bottles, testing more than 30 new Diet Coke flavors. 

We had the chance to taste test the feisty flavors and see if Coca-Cola's two-year project was time well spent. 

SEE ALSO: Coca-Cola is making massive changes to Diet Coke

The Twisted Mango is the most bizarre new flavor — and the worst. While it tastes strongly of an unplaceable fruit upon first sip, the flavor quickly fades to that of Wrigley gum. Basically, drinking this is like chomping on a stick of gum while chugging Diet Coke.

Zesty Blood Orange — or Zesty Blood as I like to call it — also falls short. The "blood orange" flavor tastes like simple orange soda, meaning this drink tastes pretty much like someone got a little too creative at the soda fountain. Pass.

Coca-Cola has better luck with less absurd options. Feisty Cherry is the most conventional new flavor. If you like Cherry Coke and Diet Coke, you'll like this one. We don't know what is "feisty" about it, but it's quite good.

If you can’t squeeze a tropical getaway into your schedule this winter, then check out fast food restaurant Pollo Tropical, which is my go-to lunch spot multiple times a week. Founded by two Miami brothers in 1988, the chain is most prevalent in Florida but also has locations in Georgia, Puerto Rico, Central America, and South America.

Keep scrolling for what it's like to dine at this at this popular lunch spot. 

As anyone who has taken Spanish 101 can tell by its name, Pollo Tropical is all about the chicken. They start with fresh, never-frozen, bone-in chicken; marinate it in fruit juices and spices for 24 hours, and then flame-grill it. It's moist, flavorful, and tastes healthy.

Throughout the menu, bold rubs and marinades made with island spices, mixed herbs, and fresh citrus enhance fresh proteins and veggies.

One of the most popular menu items — and my personal favorite — is the TropiChop (which is about $5 for a small and $7 for a regular).

For this item, you build your own bowl, just like at Chipotle, by mixing and matching your choice of rice (yellow, brown, or white), protein (chicken, mojo roast pork, and sometimes beef or shrimp) and veggies (black beans, tomatoes, corn, sauteed peppers, and sauteed onions).

Then comes the fun part: Pollo Tropical offers eight sauces to amp up the flavor.

Top off your TropiChop with curry mustard, BBQ, guava BBQ, pineapple rum, spicy poyo-poyo, fresh salsa, hot sauce, or — the undisputed fan favorite — cilantro garlic. This sauce makes anything and everything taste better.

The Navy’s got some planes that are capable of doing some amazing things.

But, even with these amazing aircraft, are there some planes the Navy should bring back from retirement? For the following airframes, we think that answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

Let’s take a look.

SEE ALSO: Trump just said the US sold Norway F-52s — but no such aircraft exists

DON't MISS: These are the most incredible photos of the US Navy in 2017

5. Lockheed S-3 Viking/ES-3 Shadow

The S-3 Viking was more than just a submarine hunter.

This plane also could carry out aerial refueling missions, electronic intelligence, and carrier onboard delivery. The plane had a range of almost 3,200 miles and could carry anti-submarine torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, bombs, and rockets.

With Russia and China deploying advanced attack submarines, this is a plane that would be very useful on carrier decks.

4. Douglas EKA-3B Skywarrior

The Skywarrior, often called the “Whale” due to its size, was a superb tanker and also served as a standoff jammer. This plane would still be very useful for the Navy and Marine Corps in either role.

The baseline A-3 had a range of roughly 2,100 miles. As a tanker and jammer, it would help protect the carriers.

3. Douglas A-1 Skyraider

If you’re looking for an aircraft suited for COIN, let’s dispense with the OA-X program. 

None of those planes bring the firepower needed, but the A-1 Skyraider is a very intriguing option.

You have a plane that can haul 8,000 pounds of bombs and packs four 20mm cannon. In terms of firepower, the OA-X competitors can’t keep up.

You may roll your eyes when your mom — or even your grandmother — tries to give you advice. Their tips just seem so outdated and irrelevant. But there's one area in which their tips may be valid: diet and exercise. 

Don't get me wrong: The '50s, '60s, and '70s had some major flaws and fads when it came to weight loss (the Cabbage Soup diet was as gross and ineffective as it sounds). But there are some tips from these decades that have proven to be effective and, best of all, doable. 

Here are some old-school weight loss tips that have stood the test of time. 

1. Work out with a group.

Long before there were Miami club-inspired dance classes or sweat to death spin classes, there was Jazzercise. And before that, there was hula hooping.

The one thing these fitness fads have in common (aside from being fun): They're done in a group. According to NBC News, working out in a group keeps you committed and helps you achieve your goal. 

"Workouts with others improve consistency because they involve a commitment," Dian Griesel, co-author of TurboCharged, told NBC News. "'No shows' and cancellations get noticed by others and positive peer pressure can help curtail the urges to skip a workout … or quit."

Additionally, studies have shown that working out with others pushes you to work harder and, thus, meet your goals sooner.

If the thought of going to a fitness class intimidates you, start small. Make a morning gym date with your friend or go for daily walks with your significant other.  

2. Stock your fridge with cottage cheese.

Greek yogurt may rule the dairy aisle, but there is another item lurking on the shelves that may be more beneficial: cottage cheese. 

According to NPR, cottage cheese hit the market in the 1950s and was a popular purchase until the mid-1970s, particularly among people trying to shed a few pounds. And for good reasons: It's low in calories and fat, high in protein, and very versatile. (Spread some on a bagel and sprinkle on some Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel seasoning. It'll change your life.)

Need proof? The United States Department of Agriculture notes that one serving of cottage cheese contained, on average, 90 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 13 grams of protein. 

Perhaps it's time to put cottage cheese back on your grocery list. 

3. Limit your sugar intake.

The 1960s saw the rise of artificial sweeteners, which provided the same taste at sugar but for fewer calories. Since their introduction to the market, however, artificial sweeteners have been linked to weight gain and even cancer.

Though the product may be problematic, the idea of reducing your sugar intake is not. Prevention reports that there are many benefits to cutting back on sugar, including an increase in weight loss and energy. 

• Trulia looked at the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States to determine which ones possess the qualities necessary for leading a healthy life.
• Salt Lake City boasts the most sports teams and leagues of any of the 100 metro areas surveyed.

If you made a New Year’s resolution to be healthier, you might want to consider a change of scenery to help you reach your goal. According to Trulia, not all places are created equal: Certain cities rank as significantly “healthier” than others. And no, this doesn’t just mean they have more juice bars per capita.

In a new study, Trulia looked at the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States—examining both the cities and the people who inhabit them—to determine which ones possess the qualities necessary for leading a healthy life. The real estate site looked at the percentage of adults who report biking or walking to work—instead of taking public transit or driving, for example—and the percentage of residents who reported having exercised within the previous month. In terms of what Trulia judged each metro area itself on, percentage of space devoted to parks and ratio of things like sporting goods stores, sports leagues, and fitness centers to population size was highly important.
Salt Lake City, Utah, took the top spot as the healthiest US city, with West Palm Beach, Florida, registering second. The full list is as follows:

1. Salt Lake City, UT
2. West Palm Beach, FL
3. Orange County, CA
4. Seattle, WA
5. Fort Lauderdale, FL
6. Charleston, SC
7. Cambridge, MA
8. Boston, MA
9. San Diego, CA
10. San Francisco, CA

If these findings seem surprising to you, you’re not alone. Felipe Chacon, Trulia’s housing economist—who pulled the data and provided analysis for the report—found the ranking of two cities to be particularly unexpected.

“When we ranked cities in the past based on neighborhood amenities that might help you be healthier or [lose] weight, coastal cities in the west and northeast were at the top of the list. This time around, we put more emphasis on cities with active populations. We were surprised to see Salt Lake City and Charleston make the list, but dug deeper and found that both offered plenty of mountain and water sports, respectively,” Chacon tells Domino.

Indeed, Salt Lake City not only boasts the most sports teams and leagues of any of the 100 metro areas surveyed, but it also has the most sporting goods stores per household of any of the cities in the US. And Charleston—whose residents can take advantage of the beautiful sunny weather and partake in outdoor activities like equestrianism, cycling, and water sports—also ranks third in the number of gyms per household.

The report also speaks to how our surroundings impact our motivation to stay fit.

“Where you live plays an important role in getting—and staying—in shape,” writes Jill K Robinson, who authored the report. “In the right city, being fit isn’t a chore. When it’s core to the community around you, it simply becomes a way of life.”

So, the next time you skip a gym session in favor of hitting the snooze button a few (dozen) more times, don't blame yourself: Blame your city. You did your best under the circumstances. 

See more wellness stories: 
Best Wellness Gifts to Help Them Start the New Year Right
How a Fierce Fitness Instructor Spends Her Weekends
The Best Fitness Apps to Jumpstart Your Resolutions

10. San Francisco, CA

9. San Diego, CA

8. Boston, MA

• After Prince George turns 12, there's a strict rule enforced that two heirs can't travel together.
• It’s not acceptable for princes, princesses, queens, and kings to be snap selfies.

The royal family is perhaps one of the most famous families in the world. People admire them, look up to them, and are constantly interested in what they’re up to. We honestly can’t help it! They get to live out a modern-day fairytale, and we’re so interested in getting a small glimpse into their royal lives. When Prince William and Kate Middleton got married, the world was on the edge of their seats waiting for them to start a family. A few years later, Prince George was born and Princess Charlotte not long after that. To top it all off, we’re now patiently waiting for the birth of their third child.

What we don’t see, however, is the fact that the royal children don’t lead very normal lives. There are many rules and traditions that they have to follow as they grow up and grow into royal adults. Some of these rules are typical and that you would expect children from a royal family having to follow. Other rules seem a bit old and outdated, something that’s been enforced for many, many years that they just won’t do away with, while others seem silly and unbelievable. Regardless, rules are rules and all royal children must follow them.  These are 15 shocking rules royal children have to follow.

15. No Nicknames Are Allowed

Believe it or not, one of the first rules royal children have to follow is the fact that there are no nicknames. Whether this goes for the family while they’re in private or not, we’re not entirely sure. However, when it comes to the public, they’re to be addressed by their full names and full names only. That’s why you never hear Prince William addressed as Prince Will. Although many people refer to his wife as Kate, her proper and full title that she is addressed as is Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge  No matter how cute the little ones are, they have to have their full names used when called. So no, there will be no Prince Georgie or Princess Charlie anytime soon, as much as we’d love to call them those cute names.

14. There’s A Dress Code

You’ll never catch Princess Charlotte in Barbie dress or a My Little Pony shirt, nor will you ever see Prince George in a superhero t-shirt any time soon. The royal family has a very strict dress code when any members of the family are in public, and that especially includes the kids. You may notice that Prince George is always wearing shorts, and that’s because it’s a part of his dress code. You’ll never see him wearing pants, as wearing shorts is a sign of being in the upper class. He’ll wear shorts until he’s eight years old. As for Princess Charlotte, she will always be wearing a dress and a cardigan, and depending on the weather, she might wear tights. Whether or not they dress like this in the privacy of their own home, we’re not sure. You’ll never catch them in anything else in public, though, that’s for sure.

13. They Must Stop Eating When The Queen Does

Everyone knows that it’s important to respect your elders, and when you’re a child of the royal family, it’s even more important when one of your elders is the Queen of England. The Queen has many rules in place, some of them making sense, while others, not so much. This rule is one of them. When the royal family sits down for a meal together, they must follow the lead of the Queen. Once the Queen is done eating, everyone else must stop eating, regardless if they’re done or not. When it comes to Princess Charlotte or Prince George, or any other royal children for that matter, they better not put up a fight about eating because if they’re not done by the time the Queen is done eating, then they’re going to be a little hungry!

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.

No matter where you live, what you do for a living, or how old you are, there's a great chance that you own a pair of sneakers — if not several. 

Sneakers are easily one of the most popular style of shoes, and for good reason. While most are designed for performance in athletics, their looks and comfort have transcended sports into fashion.

Despite an abundance of options, the demand for certain sneaker styles greatly exceeds the supply, causing them to sell out almost immediately. Clicking a link a minute after it's posted, or fumbling to pull out your debit card during checkout can be the difference between getting the sneakers or not.

Most people don't have the time, energy, or patience to closely monitor release dates or sit next to a computer all day in anticipation of a randomly timed online launch, so getting the highly sought after models can prove to be difficult. Trust me, diehard sneaker collectors have done their due diligence to secure a pair before the average person.

Luckily, looking good in a nice pair of sneakers isn't limited to fanatics, as there are many stylish sneaker that don't incite such urgency to purchase. Whether you're into Nike, Adidas, New Balance, or Puma, there are many options available.

If you want to buy a new pair of sneakers without jumping through hoops, check out 10 stylish options that won't sell out in seconds below. 

SEE ALSO: 5 new dress shoe companies every guy should know

Adidas NMD_R1 Primeknit

Designed for the urban nomad, the Adidas NMD is the perfect sneaker for a person who's walking, traveling, and generally active. This particular pair features a Triple White colorway with Japanese characters reading "The Brand with the Three Stripes." A full-length Boost midsole gives these shoes unbeatable comfort.

Adidas NMD_R1 Primeknit, $170

New Balance 247 Sport

The New Balance 247 Sport is a sneaker that you'll want to keep on your feet 24/7. Drawing from classic New Balance sneakers, the 247 is a modernized lifestyle sneaker optimized for comfort. It uses an engineered knit for a super lightweight feel.

New Balance 247 Sport, $89.99

Adidas Iniki Runner

The Adidas Iniki Runner is another sneaker that uses the brand's innovative Boost technology, so comfort isn't sacrificed. While the silhouette new to Adidas' line of products, it has many old school design cues like serrated Three Stripes branding, gold flake lettering, and gum outsole.

Adidas Iniki Runner, $120