Warning: Spoilers ahead for season two, episode 16 of The CW's "Riverdale," titled "Primary Colors."

The elections on "Riverdale" are causing quite the stir.

During Wednesday's episode of the CW drama, Fred and Hermione both put their names in for town mayor, while Veronica tries to go against Reggie for class president. Things aren't working out the way the Lodge family hoped. There's also a shocking revelation about Chic's father, and Cheryl is left in a horrifying situation. But as always, the show featured some classic comic tropes and pop culture references. 

INSIDER worked with Archie Comics to reveal five references you might have missed.

Dr. Masters is a familiar face on the show and a familiar name from the comics.

Dr. Masters was first introduced on season two as the doctor taking care of Fred Andrews after he was shot. But he is a character who got his own Archie Comics series with "The Adventures of Young Dr. Masters."

Jughead refers to Betty as Tracy Flick from the movie "Election."

"Election" is a black comedy based on the novel of the same name. It follows Tracy Flick (played by Reese Witherspoon) as she runs for student body president in her high school election. 

Josie and Veronica sing a song from "Schoolhouse Rock."

After Josie urges everyone to vote and gives a shout-out to women, the girls break out into "Suffering' 'til Suffrage" from "Schoolhouse Rock." 

Some of the lyrics are: "Oh, we were suffering until suffrage/Not a woman here could vote, no matter what age/Then the 19th Amendment struck down that restrictive rule." 

Listen to the song here. 

• If you own a car, purchasing car insurance is inevitable.
• On average, Americans spend $125 a month, or $1,503 for an annual rate, on car insurance.
• Various factors can go into the pricing of car insurance including geographical location — making every state's average cost sightly different.
• Drivers in Michigan spend the most on car insurance, while those in its neighboring state Ohio pay the least.

If you own and operate a vehicle, car insurance is a necessary purchase. On average, Americans spend $125 a month, or $1,503 for an annual rate, on car insurance, according to a study done by ValuePenguin.

Car insurance it not a one-size-fits all purchase. The price of car insurance can vary greatly depending on a number of factors including age, gender, marital status, driving record, years of driving experience, credit history, the type of car you drive, your claims history, and more.

ValuePenguin noted that annual car insurance premiums have been on the rise in a majority of states. In 2014, it was reported that the average annual cost of car insurance was $907.38.

ValuePenguin found out the latest average car insurance rates in each state for both monthly and annual payments.

Below, we've broken down the list and ranked the states from lowest to highest in terms of the average amount spent on car insurance. The ranking is based on each state's monthly average, and annual rates for each state are also listed.

SEE ALSO: What Americans tip on average in each state, ranked from lowest to highest

DON'T MISS: People are obsessed with buying cars through Costco instead of on their own at a dealership — here's the verdict

51. Ohio: $77 a month

Average monthly rate: $77

Average annual rate: $926

50. Maine: $80 a month

Average monthly rate: $80

Average annual rate: $964

49. New Hampshire: $82 a month

Average monthly rate: $82

Average annual rate: $983

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:

• In a matter of seconds, a good meal replacement beverage, bar, or shake can deliver enough calories and nutrients to keep you going for hours. Soylent Cafe Coffiest is our favorite meal replacement option because it delivers a welcome dose of caffeine along with plenty of protein, fiber, vitamins, and more.

Truth be told, I rarely miss meals these days. I work from home most of the time, so the kitchen is pretty easy to access and tends to be stocked with foods I like to eat. In years past, however, I couldn't possibly count the number of times I found myself sitting in morning traffic after rushing out the door without eating breakfast. Often I would even find myself sitting at my desk for hours before realizing I had yet to consume anything but coffee.

While missing breakfast is less of an issue on a day-to-day basis for me now, I still manage to forget to eat a real meal or to bring along sufficient on-the-go food almost every time I travel, which tends to happen a few times a month. This leads to a lot of pizza and donuts purchased in Penn Station or to buying wildly overpriced pre-made airline sandwiches that are always just a bit too small to satisfy.

For at least the near future, though, I've got it all figured out. That's because there is a case of Soylent Cafe Coffiest meal replacement beverages on a shelf downstairs. Next to that, you'll find a box of PROBAR meal bars. Thus as long as I can find the 45 seconds or so that it takes to chug a beverage or chow down on a bar, I'll have about the same amount of calories and balance of nutrients that a decent breakfast would have delivered. Now, remembering to replenish my supply of meal replacement products once they run out? That's another issue entirely. 

When choosing a meal replacement option for yourself, make sure you find something you will actually enjoy. Getting calories into yourself need not be an unpleasant experience just because you're in a rush. You can shop by flavor, by dietary concerns, by calorie count or nutrition profile, and so forth.

Also consider where you will consume a chosen meal replacement. It's great if you find a meal replacement powder that makes truly delicious shakes, for example, but not so great if you need to eat during a commute. Fellow motorists probably want your hands on the wheel, not stirring a beverage. If you take public transit, your fellow subway riders have probably seen it all, but will still appreciate you eating a bar instead of whisking up a protein shake.

You don't have to be perennially busy with work, school, commutes, travel, and life in general to use meal replacement products. They can also make a handy and healthy part of your daily routine, aiding with fitness goals, adding vitamins, minerals, and other needed nutrients into your diet, and even by saving you money. Many meal replacement options cost just two or three dollars per serving; try getting a balanced meal at that price and you'll probably come up short.

Read on in the slides below to hear why Soylent Cafe Coffiest is our top pick for the best meal replacement and why you might also like the PROBAR Superfood Slam Meal Bar, the Garden of Life Meal Replacement Powder, the BSN Syntha-6 Protein Crisp Bar, and the Atkins Ready to Drink Shake.

SEE ALSO: The best food storage container sets you can buy

The best meal replacement option overall

Why you'll love it: A single bottle of Soylent Cafe Coffiest delivers a balance of essential vitamins and minerals along with protein, fiber, carbs, and most importantly, caffeine. 

Here's the first and probably the main reason why I like Soylent Cafe Coffiest: the shakes taste good. I would drink it simply for pleasure, but I appreciate that the shake contains as much nutrition as you would expect to get from a decent sandwich or bowl of soup.

A single 14-ounce bottle packs in 20 grams of protein, 12-percent of your daily fiber and carbohydrate needs, and 20-percent of multiple vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamins A, B6, C, D, and E, magnesium, potassium, and more.

Also, at 400 calories per serving, a bottle of Cafe Coffiest will keep most people feeling full and with plenty of energy for a number of hours. That energy is also partially thanks to the fact that Cafe Coffiest delivers the same amount of caffeine as an average cup of black coffee. The shake also contains the amino acid l-theanine, which naturally counteracts the jittery feeling that caffeine causes in some people.

So to sum it up, after consuming a bottle of Soylent Cafe Coffiest, you'll be more alert, more energized, not hungry, and not jittery. Also, for the record, there are several other flavors at your disposal, including Chai, Vanilla, and Cacao.

With more than 800 reviews posted on Amazon, Soylent Cafe Coffiest has a four out of five-star average rating. One self-professed Soylent aficionado calls it "meticulously well balanced human fuel," while another says it is a perfect meal replacement option for "abusy young professional who is moderately health obsessed."

A writer from Eater calls Soylent perfect for people who "often skip breakfast" due to a hectic schedule. In a review from BestProducts, a product tester noted the "pleasant and not-too-sweet taste" and was "impressed... by how filling" the beverage really was.

Pros: Excellent source of vitamins and minerals, contains same caffeine content as a cup of coffee, sufficient calories for hours of energy.

Cons: Slightly chalky mouthfeel

Buy a 12-Pack of Soylent Cafe Coffiest on Amazon for $39

The best meal replacement bar

Why you'll love it: The PROBAR Superfood Slam Meal Bar packs 370 calories into a three-ounce bar, so you can ingest a small meal's worth of nutrition in just a few bites. 

While I heartily endorse PROBAR meal bars as meal replacement foods for the busy professional, the harried parent, or the starving student, I have to admit that my own primary use for these tasty, calorie-packed bars is as a snack while hiking.

A PROBAR has about a hundred calories more than you'll find in the average energy bar promoted for use by the outdoorsman or athlete, so carrying these just makes sense when you're worrying about gear weight during a trek or climb.

The fact that said calories are derived from a range of healthy ingredients doesn't hurt, either. A PROBAR Superfood Slam Meal Bar features flax, oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, and a host of other healthy ingredients. The bars are certified to be made using non-GMO sourced foods and to be free of soy and of gluten, so Celiac patients need not abstain. Also, thanks to the fruits and natural sweeteners, these bars taste good. Which you'll appreciate when one is standing in for a sandwich.

With more than 800 reviews posted online, the PROBAR Superfood Slam Meal Bar enjoys a solid 4.5-star average rating. One sated customer calls them "tasty, filling, and nutritious," adding that the bars are perfect for "outdoor activities." Another person says PROBARs are "great for busy days when you don't have time to eat, or for breakfast on mornings you're in a rush."

A write up from TrailSpace calls PROBAR Superfood Slam bars"a meal in a pouch" that has plenty of "nutritional balance." A GearJunkie reviewer called these bars "an organic whirlwind of uncooked and un-processed raw foods."

Pros: Lots of calories and nutrition in small bar, sweet and tasty, free of soy and gluten

Cons: Too sweet for some palates

Buy a 12-Pack of PROBAR Superfood Slam Meal Bars on Amazon for $28.99

Buy a 12-Pack of PROBAR Superfood Slam Meal Bars at Walmart for $28.99

The best meal replacement powder

Why you'll love it: A shake made from Garden of Life Meal Replacement powder offers you an excellent nutritional boost with ingredients that build muscle, deliver vitamins, and keep you full. 

When you use Garden of Life Meal Replacement Powder to make yourself a healthy shake, you are using a product created from no fewer than 44 so-called "superfoods." Organic flax seed? That's super good for you. Organic spinach? Ditto. Organic lentils? Also good for you. And so on and so forth. So yeah, actually, this powder is pretty much a super food, buzzwords be damned.

But lots of meal replacement products are made from organic this and sprouted that and GMO-free the other thing. What I like about this and other high-quality meal replacement powders is that the serving size is in your control. If you go with the recommended one scoop whisked into a glass of water, you'll be getting 120 calories, 20 grams of protein, plenty of carbs, lots of vitamins and minerals, and very little fat indeed.

Need a bit more post-workout protein? Or want a few more calories to power you through the morning? No problem, just add another half scoop. Want just a little afternoon fuel? Have a half scoop. Unlike with a pre-packaged meal replacement drink or bar, it's up to you to have as much or as little of this super powder as you want each and every time.

With a stunning 7,000-plus ratings posted online, Garden of Life Meal Replacement Powder gets a laudable 4.1 out of five-star average score. One super fan hits all the main points when she calls the powder "ridiculously healthy" and a great way to have "more energy" and to stay "full for a surprising amount of time." She also adds that it's even delicious, especially when blended with fresh fruits in a smoothie.

A video review with BestProteinPowder4Women called Garden of Life powder the "top pick" for a natural meal replacement powder product. A Bodybuilding reviewer says the powder "tastes amazing" and is "super convenient... on the go."

Pros: Easy portion control, dozens of healthful ingredients, loaded with probiotics

Cons: Shakes require vigorous stirring or blending to remove chunks

Buy a Jar of Garden of Life Meal Replacement Powder on Amazon for $23.79

Don't believe the hype: Switching between iPhone and Android is quite easy.

I should know — I've been writing about technology for the past five years, and I've switched among a dozen different smartphones in that time. Whether I'm using an iPhone or an Android phone, everything comes with me.

I never lose a contact, and my calendar switches seamlessly. Even my notes come with me! Here's how I do it.

SEE ALSO: I switched from Android to iPhone 7 Plus — and I regret it wholeheartedly

The answer to your problems is Google — not Android, but Google.

If you're a devout user of Apple services — Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Maps, etc. — it can be difficult to transfer to Android.

But even if you're not looking to move to Android, there's a good reason to stop using Apple's services: They lock you into Apple devices.

You can, of course, continue using Apple's services, but adding a few Google tie-ins can free your life from being viewable on only Apple's hardware.

Take, for instance, Google Contacts — if you have a Gmail account, you already have a Google Contacts account. You have a Gmail account, right? Come on.

By simply backing up your iPhone's contacts to Google, those valuable numbers are now available on any device you wish to use. You can even edit the list on the web.

As an additional bonus, it offers a second backup method for your contacts list just in case something happens to your phone's backup file.

By using Google as my primary ecosystem, my digital life goes with me wherever I do.

I use Google Chrome on my computer (a MacBook Air) and my phone (a Google Pixel). By logging in with my Google account, I have full access, on any device, to all my bookmarks and saved passwords and every other convenience that comes with modern, customizable web browsers.

I use Google Keep as my primary notes app. I add notes to it on my phone, and they show up instantly on the web version of Google Keep. My notes come with me to any device I'm using, just like my contacts (Google Contacts) and my photos (Google Photos) and my email (Gmail).

I could be using an iPhone X, an iPad Mini, a Samsung Galaxy S9, or whatever else — it doesn't matter. I no longer consider the difficulty of switching devices, because it no longer exists. I move my SIM card to the new device, log in to Google services, and I'm good to go.

If I were using iCloud, Maps, Contacts, and Apple's other "ecosystem" hooks, switching devices would be far less easy — it would make much more sense for me to just get another iPhone, even though I have no interest in spending $1,000 on a phone without a headphone jack. It's that lack of flexibility in Apple's approach that pushes me away.

I use Android phones primarily nowadays, but I used iPhones for years. I use whatever phone is best, regardless of operating system or manufacturer.

Apple makes incredibly nice phones. I've owned and loved the iPhone 3G, the iPhone 4, the iPhone 5, the iPhone 6, and I briefly used an iPhone 7 as my main phone. (I didn't love it.)

Google also makes incredibly nice phones. I've used and loved several Google Nexus phones, and the Google Pixel I'm using is as close to perfect as it gets for me.

I'm typing this on a MacBook Air, which I consider the best laptop in existence. I like Apple hardware a lot! But I also like my TCL television, and my Sonos speakers, and my Xbox One — I kinda don't care even a little bit who makes the product, as long as it's great.

In the case of using Google's services over Apple's, Google simply makes a stronger argument by offering a better product. It's great whether you're an Apple devotee or an Android superfan or, more likely, just a person looking to easily manage their digital life.

• President Donald Trump's new tax law resulted in a bump in take-home pay for about 90% of Americans, according to the IRS.
• For people earning $75,000 a year, federal income and FICA taxes amount to $685 per pay period under the new tax law, down from $778.
• That means employees who make $75,000 got a $93 boost per bimonthly paycheck.

Starting in February, many Americans saw a bump in their take-home pay thanks to President Donald Trump's new tax law.

The new law changed the 2018 tax brackets and went into effect starting this year.

The IRS released new guidelines in January, known as tax-withholding tables, that tell employers how much to take out of employees' paychecks for income taxes based on criteria such as single or joint filing status, Business Insider's Bob Bryan reported. That amount is paid to the IRS in the employee's name.

At the end of the year, when an employee files their taxes, they either get a refund (if too much was withheld) or pay more (if too little was withheld).

The new withholding changes hit Americans' paychecks around February 1, resulting in roughly 90% of workers getting higher take-home pay, according to the IRS.

In light of the recent change to the tax law, we used SmartAsset's paycheck calculator to find out what $75,000 looks like after taxes in 11 US cities. The chart below shows annual take-home pay in each city for 2018.

Some states — like Washington, Florida, and Texas — don't have state income taxes, so someone who earns $75,000 there will bring home a bigger paycheck than someone who lives in California or New York.

These take-home pay estimates account only for state and local income taxes, which vary by place, plus federal income taxes and Social Security and Medicare (known as FICA).

For a $75,000 earner in 2018, federal and FICA taxes amount to $685 per pay period no matter where in the US you live. Before the new tax law, federal income and FICA taxes took $778 from every paycheck.

If you're contributing to a tax-advantaged retirement account, like a 401(k), the paycheck you bring home will be less than these figures.

But in that case, your savings are covered — or at least part of the recommended 20% of your paycheck you should earmark for savings and paying off debt — and the rest of your paycheck can go toward necessities like housing, food, transportation, and discretionary spending.

The same goes for health insurance, if you're enrolled in a healthcare program through your employer, which will deduct monthly insurance payments from your paycheck on a pretax basis.

New York City residents fared the worst in our city comparison. Employees in the city take home just over $52,000 on a $75,000 salary, largely thanks to steep state and city income taxes. That doesn't leave much to cover housing or transportation costs in the most expensive city in the country— but it is slightly more take-home pay than they received before the GOP tax law.

Below, check out the twice-monthly-paycheck breakdown for workers earning $75,000 in 11 US cities.

SEE ALSO: Your paycheck probably just got a little bigger — here's why

DON'T MISS: How Trump's new tax law affects homeowners at every income level from $83,000 to $336,000 a year

Dallas, Texas

Take-home pay before the tax law: $2,347

Miami, Florida

Take-home pay before the tax law: $2,347

Nashville, Tennessee

Take-home pay before the tax law: $2,347

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 haven't been able to find a way to add more hours to the day (I've tried), but that failure has led me to find ways to make better use of the time I do have. 

Becoming more time-efficient requires you to really re-think how you live your life, but in my case it also meant outsourcing some chores to gadgets. 

Whether I'm cooking, cleaning, working, or out-and-about, the five techy tools below let me spend more time doing what I love instead of waiting for water to boil, literally.

SEE ALSO: 

The Instant Pot Ultra

What it is: The Instant Pot Ultra is a high-end member of the Instant Pot family, a multi-use kitchen tool that has gained a cult-like following online.

How it saves me time: I was very skeptical about the Instant Pot Ultra before trying it, but I have to admit I've become a convert. It isn't just that the pressure cooker setting reduces the time it takes to make my favorite dishes, it's that I can execute an entire recipe while only dirtying one dish.

Additionally, I can let my Instant Pot Ultra do all the work without having to constantly monitor it like I would the flame on my stove top.

Instant Pot Ultra, $149.95, available at Amazon

Note: Instant Pot recently had to recall one of its other models due to overheating, you can find out more information about it here.

OWC's Thunderbolt Dock

What it is: OWC's multi-port hub is actually kind of like the Instant Pot; it serves several different purposes — by letting me connect way more accessories to my computer than I'd be able to without it.

How it saves me time: I have a lot of accessories, and for a while I accepted the fact that I'd need to plug and unplug them every time I started working on a different project. That changed when I discovered OWC sold a Mac-compatible Thunderbolt dock, which has everything from USB ports, to Ethernet ports, to a FireWire port. Now, I plug several of my accessories into the dock, plug the dock into my computer, and don't have to worry about running out of ports.

Having all of my accessories connected at once is nice because I don't have to spend time thinking about what's plugged in and what isn't. I also used to put accessories I wasn't actively using back into their boxes and into a drawer, which is no longer the case. I've included both the Thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 3 of this dock below so you can save time regardless of your Mac's age.

OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock, $299, available at Amazon

OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock, $199, available at Amazon

Eufy's RoboVac 11+

What it is: The Eufy RoboVac 11+ is a budget-friendly robot vacuum that can clean floors (even hard-to-reach spaces) with ease.

How it saves me time: I can't remember the last time I cleaned my apartment's floor. That's not because I'm lazy, but because I passed on that responsibility to Eufy's Robot vacuum cleaner.

It's a good thing, too, because the RoboVac 11+ is a lot better at cleaning than I am. It doesn't mind spending time picking up dirt and dust off from under my bed, and it doesn't struggle with the tile lip between my kitchen and bathroom. I have hardwood floors in my apartment, but the RoboVac has also cleaned my rugs and bathroom mat with relative ease. 

What I find most impressive is how the RoboVac's sensors help it detect walls and other objects (like my shoes, which are sometimes left in the middle of the floor), so it knows when to readjust its position. My current floor cleaning workflow is to get ready for work, hit the RoboVac's power button, and leave. It's a lot more convenient than spending quality time with a broom and dust pan every Sunday afternoon.

Eufy RoboVac 11+, $179.99, available at Amazon

• An email to a potential employer is your chance to show that you're smart, competent, ambitious — and perfect for the job.
• We asked career expert Amanda Augustine for her top tips on emailing your dream company.
• Those tips include showing passion, leveraging your network, and customizing the letter to the specific organization.

Everyone knows first impressions can be hard to shake.

When you email a potential employer, you've got one shot to convince them that you're smart, competent, ambitious, and exactly what's missing from their company. (But no pressure.)

It's easier than it seems — as long as you follow certain etiquette and avoid the most common mistakes that modern job-seekers make.

We consulted Amanda Augustine, career advice expert for TopResume, about how to send a clear and compelling message to a company you're dying to work for. Read on for 10 tips that will get you one step closer to your dream job.

SEE ALSO: Here's exactly how to write an email to your CEO

Write a clear subject line

Augustine advised against getting catchy with subject lines. Instead, make it obvious that you're submitting a job application.

If there are no specific directions in the job posting, something as simple as, "Application for Strategy Reporter (ID #12345): Shana Lebowitz" should work.

However, if you're cold emailing a potential employer, you should get a bit more creative in your subject line.

Talk about the value you can provide — for example, "would love to share my ideas on increasing sales team productivity." Consider what the person you're emailing cares about and why she would want to read your message.

Address your message to the appropriate person

"The worst thing you could do is put, 'Dear Madam' or 'Dear Sir' as your opening," Augustine said, "because it shows you didn't put any effort into researching the right person."

You can do some sleuth work on LinkedIn and find out the name of the company recruiter or hiring manager who originally posted the job. If that doesn't work, you can leverage your network — do you know anyone who works there? — and find out who the appropriate addressee is.

In the rare case that the job is anonymously posted, you can say, "Dear HR Professional" or "Dear Hiring Manager."

Talk about what you can provide the employer

Keep in mind, Augustine said, that the employer is the target audience. So think about what type of value you're offering them, as opposed to the other way around.

In the body of your email, mention exactly what you can do for the employer and what you've learned about that company.

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:

• All golf balls aren't created equally, so we've done the research to find the best golf balls you can buy. Our top pick, the Titleist Tour Soft golf ball, delivers outstanding performance and it has a distance that’ll work nicely for mid- and low-handicap players.

One of the great things about the game of golf if that you can test yourself on the same types of courses and hole distances as the pros you watch on television. You can even play with the same equipment those men and women use.

Of course, once you take a look at the cost of some of the drivers and irons the pros use, you may want to seek out a cheaper way of copying your favorite pro’s game.Even if golfing with the same clubs as the pros may be impossible, you can, at the very least, try playing with the same golf ball that your favorite pro uses.

Even though it may feel cool to use the same ball as the guy who just won the Masters, we should mention up front that you are highly unlikely to receive the same performance from that pro-level golf ball as the pro does. Pro-level balls react differently to the skills professional players have versus the talent of the occasional weekend golfer’s skill level.

Different levels of golf balls are available to meet the needs of different levels of players, both in terms of skill and in terms of price. So maybe you can play with a ball from the same company as your favorite pro, but just choose a level or two lower than he or she uses.

We've read many expert and buyer reviews to come up with a guide to the best golf balls for every skill level and type of player.

Read on in the slides below to learn why the Titleist Tour Soft is our top pick and why you might prefer the TaylorMade Project (a), the Bridgestone e6 Speed, the Callaway Warbird, or the Titleist Pro V1.

SEE ALSO: The best golf clubs you can buy

The best golf ball overall

Why you'll love it: The Titleist Tour Soft has been redesigned for better distance and feel versus other two-layer golf balls.

The Titleist Tour Soft golf ball is a new ball from one of the best golf ball makers around, and it delivers a great mix of distance and feel. Whether it will be as popular as its predecessors — the Titleist NXT Tour and the Tour S — remains to be seen, but it’s an interesting choice at a great price.

The Tour Soft is a two-layer golf ball with an extremely thin cover, which may leave some golfers skeptical that it can deliver the performance of a three- or four-layer ball. Titleist is banking on the huge core to give advanced golfers the control they want and expect from a multiple-layer ball.

Titleist redesigned the cover on the Tour Soft ball, making it with a mix of materials, to better handle the large core that allows for greater exit velocity for the ball.

The thinner cover delivers feel and spin. Golf Info Guide says the Tour Soft should give you a better level of feel than the balls it’s attempting to replace.

Golf Monthly writes that the Tour Soft golf balls will give you a nice height on approach shots, helping you hold the green better. However, it’s a little more difficult to spin the Tour Soft on short approach shots and chip shots than some other high-level golf balls.

The softness of the Titleist Tour Soft is noticeable on the greens, too, according to Golf Shake. It takes far less force to putt with this ball, which should give you more control over your stroke on long putts.

Most buyers on Amazon rate the ball highly and recommend it for golfers. A reviewer named Ron likes the way the Tour Soft feels when playing in cold weather.

However, another Amazon reviewer named Brent was disappointed with the two-layer design on this Titleist ball, saying it felt like “hitting a rubber ball.”

Pros: Smart new design gives you more feel than a normal two-layer ball, huge core delivers more exit speed and distance, offered at a reasonable price point for a newly designed ball

Cons: Spin control on chip shots lags a little bit, only a two-layer ball, which leaves some golfers skeptical

Buy the Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls on Amazon (1 Dozen in White or Yellow) for $34.99

The best ball for amateurs to learn to spin

Why you'll love it: When you want to learn how to spin a golf ball on approach shots, the TaylorMade Project (a) golf ball will give you more control than most balls aimed at bogey-level golfers.

One of the best ways for mid-level amateur players to make a jump in their scores is to improve their performance on approach shots and around the green. To become a high-level golfer, learning how to spin the ball off iron and wedge shots will help quite a bit, as the right spin can help you keep the ball closer to the pin.

When you’re just learning how to spin and control the ball, the best ball to help you is the TaylorMade Project (a). This ball, which has been upgraded in 2018, carries a high spin rate when struck properly.

Of course, if you don’t strike it properly, it can cause a greater severity of hook or slice, according to Two Golf Guys, which means this TaylorMade ball probably isn’t the best choice for high-handicap golfers. Still, this ball can potentially help a bogey golfer to start consistently shooting in the 80s.

TaylorMade uses a three-layer design to give the Project (a) golf ball its high level of spin. The better spin results should give mid-level handicappers the ability to keep the ball closer to the pin on approach shots, leading to shorter putts and better scores, according to Today’s Golfer. However, you may notice more spin off the face of the driver, too.

Golf Info Guide says the TaylorMade (a) gives mid-level golfers the kind of performance that high-level golfers want from their golf balls, but at a lower price. This ball is so soft, it almost “sticks to the club face.” One reviewer named C. Tanon loves the feel of these golf balls around the green, but also likes how they perform off the tee.

Another Amazon buyer named Rob likes the feel of these Project (a) golf balls, but says they scuff too easily.

Pros: High level of spin on approach and chip shots, good price point for such a responsive ball, TaylorMade recently gave ball a slight design upgrade, three-layer construction works great for many levels of golfers

Cons: Mis-hits will slice or hook more severely than other balls, thin cover on the ball will scuff easily

Buy the TaylorMade Project (a) Golf Balls on Amazon (1 Dozen in White or Yellow) for $34.99

The best golf ball for straight flight

Why you'll love it: For less skilled golfers, golf balls with high levels of spin could lead to more severe slices and hooks, so the Bridgestone e6 Speed golf ball’s promise of less spin makes it a great choice.

One of the biggest frustrations for mid-to-high-handicap golfers is hitting the ball straight. It doesn’t take long to ruin a solid score by slicing your drive on the 12th hole into the trees and taking five shots to work your way out.

Certainly, improving your swing is the best way to avoid unwanted slices and hooks that leave you in big trouble off the tee. The Bridgestone e6 Speed golf ball can help you stay straighter off the tee, too, while also delivering a nice level of distance.

These golf balls carry a really nice price point, closer to the value end of the market than the top end.

Don’t expect to have a lot of spin control with these Bridgestone balls, according to My Golf Spy, as the design of the e6 Speed causes for a slower spin rate, which provides a straighter shot.

Bridgestone is betting on the fact that for most amateur golfers who are fighting their swings a bit, a straighter ball is more beneficial than a spin control ball. The company uses a three-layer construction with the e6 Speed, but its middle layer works to reduce spin, rather than enhance spin like many three-layer balls.

The lesser amount of backspin does make it a little harder to hold the green on approach shots, according to Amazon buyer Evan Yarbrough, as the golf ball tends to bounce and roll forward without the backspin.

Plugged in Golf says the e6 Speed delivers several yards of extra length, as Bridgestone promises. It works well for amateur players who don’t have a high club speed and exit velocity rate for the ball.

During tests, Golficity says keeping the Bridgestone e6 Speed in play both off the tee and from the fairway was easier than with other golf balls. Amazon buyer Storm says the e6 Speed plays well around the greens, too, all at a great price point.

Pros: Designed to reduce the spin of the golf ball for straighter shots, when struck properly should give you a bit more distance, works well for amateur players who don’t have a high club speed, nice price point

Cons: Less backspin means it can be tougher to hold the green, not really made for advanced players who want ball control

Buy the Bridgestone E6 Speed Golf Balls on Amazon for $25 (1 Dozen White) or $21.50 (1 Dozen Yellow)

• Breaking up with someone can be painful, but there are certain ways to make the situation more bearable. 
• Be honest and clear about why you are breaking up — however, it is important to avoid impersonal clichés. 
• After the break-up it is wise to unfollow your ex on social media and avoid contact, as it will only make the process of moving-on more difficult. 

Like the song says, breaking up is hard to do … at least for the person who is getting dumped.

I would know. I have initiated breakups, and I've also been broken up with a few times. If my experience on both sides of heartbreak has taught me anything, it's that you can make a painful situation a little more bearable — both on the other personand on yourself — simply by going about it the right way.

You likely still care for or even love this person, despite the fact that you don't see a romantic future for the two of you. Spare your future ex a whole lot of hurt by taking these tips to heart.

SEE ALSO: 5 tips for making a long-distance relationship work, according to relationship experts

Don't put it off

The first time I broke up with someone was in college. I was so anxious about doing it that I procrastinated for days. That was probably the only occasion when I actually did my homework ahead of time, if only as an excuse to avoid facing my then-boyfriend.

Take it from me: The longer you wait, the worse you will feel. As soon as you're sure you want to end it with someone, you should do so. It's not helping anyone to waste time pretending everything is fine.

Do it in a neutral spot

When I finally summoned the courage to talk to him, I was so nervous that I didn't think about the time or place. I started the conversation in his dorm room, and as soon as he realized what was happening, he asked if we could go somewhere more private, away from his suitemates. The choice to move to the floor's common room turned out to be a good one. Once the deed was done, it felt weird to stick around. We literally went our separate ways, and that was that.

Picking somewhere neutral to meet ensures that leaving is less awkward. Avoid having to kick them out or make an uncomfortable exit yourself by choosing an impartial spot, like a cafe or a secluded park bench.

Say the words

When you're doing the actual dumping, what you say is just as important as when and where you say it. There's an episode of "Grey's Anatomy" that comes to mind, where the attending physicians coach the interns on how to tell a family their loved one has died. They stress the importance of actually saying the words. The same goes for breakups. No one is dying, but you want to make it unequivocally clear what is happening.

If you don't at some point state, "I'm breaking up with you," the other person may hold onto that last shred of hope. I would know — believing there could still be a chance is kind of my specialty. It can feel harsh, but eliminating any ambiguity will ultimately help them to heal and move on.

No matter what kind of hair you're rocking — whether it's short or long, curly or straight, dyed or natural — you likely want to know exactly how you can keep it looking and feeling its healthiest. The good news is there are plenty of ways you can work with your hair's natural texture to get it looking great nearly every day.

The bad news? You're probably making tons of mistakes with your locks every day without even realizing it, leaving them prone to serious damage and breakage.

Here are the top mistakes you're likely making with your hair and how you can get it back to its healthiest ever.

You're washing too much — or not enough — for your hair type.

As schedules get busier and phenomenal dry shampoos continue to flood the market, there's been plenty of debate about if you really should wash your hair every day. Many top stylists argue that during our normal day, our locks are exposed to dirt and oil buildup, pollution, and product … not to mention sweat from summer temps or a grueling workout, so you need to clean it daily.

Others swear that washing every day strips your hair of its natural oils, and your shampooing habits could be doing major damage to your hair as a result. But every person's hair is different, so you should find the routine that's just right for you depending on your hair type, activity level, and amount of damage from hot tools and treatments … even though it says "rinse, lather, and repeat" on the back of your shampoo bottle, you probably don't actually need to.

You're not washing thoroughly enough.

If you're short on time, it's easy to hop in and out of the shower without giving your routine much thought. But not washing thoroughly enough might lead to missing spots altogether, stepping out of the shower with product still left behind.

Make sure to evenly distribute shampoo and conditioner, said Pantene celebrity stylist Danilo Dixon. Dixon told Good Housekeeping the best technique, advising to "Squeeze it into your palms, then use your fingers to work it from your scalp to the ends."

He adds, "Rinse until you don't feel any residue to ensure that it's totally clean," preventing further product buildup after your shower.

You're wrapping it up post-shower in a towel.

Walking around with wet hair draped around your neck is uncomfortable, but doing the towel-dry after you wash is doing your tresses no favors. When you rough up your strands with a standard towel, you're setting the stage for tons of frizz … which is likely the last thing any of us wants.

Instead, gently blot hair with your towel to speed the drying process, or better yet, use an old cotton tee, which is less harsh on your hair.

The Air Force recently released a bunch of crazy pictures of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs getting refueled over Afghanistan, where the US recently redeployed a squadron of 12 Warthogs.

The A-10s were deployed in late January to Kandahar Air Base as part of a new campaign announced in November 2017. The US is increasing airstrikes on Taliban revenue sources, much of which is opium and heroin drug-producing facilities.

Since then, the US has released several videos of A-10s striking Taliban vehicles, as well as training and drug-producing facilities.

Some analysts, however, have criticized the new strategy as a game of whack-a-mole, since the Taliban can rebuild such drug-producing facilities in three or four days.

The latest SIGAR report also noted that civilian casualties increased in November. "Press reports stated several civilians were killed during the November bombings," the report said.

The recently released A-10 photos though are pretty incredible, providing a close-up of how the Warthog is refueled in mid-air.

Check them out:

SEE ALSO: The Air Force released new videos of A-10 Warthogs striking Taliban drug labs — and it shows why the US strategy is a game of 'whack-a-mole'

The pictures, taken from a KC-135 Stratotanker, first show the A-10 maneuvering into position for refueling.

Slowly ...

But surely ...

When the reigning champion North Carolina Tar Heels were knocked out of March Madness this past weekend, it wasn't just another upset in what has been an absolutely wild tournament so far— it also ensured that for the eleventh straight season college basketball won't have a repeat title winner. 

The last team to pull off that feat was the 2007 Florida Gators. The Gators were led by a collection of upperclassmen who all elected to bypass the NBA draft and return to school — a rarity even then. They were dominant all year, and claimed a number one seed in the NCAA tournament, ultimately dispatching a Greg Oden-led Ohio State team in the national title game. 

Below, we take a look at what became of those Florida Gators after their historic run ended. 

Joakim Noah was the Final Four Most Outstanding Player for the Gators' first national title, was a second-team All-American in 2007, and let the Gators in blocked shots in 2007.

Noah was drafted by the Bulls in 2007 and had a successful career in Chicago, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2014. He is currently on the New York Knicks.

Corey Brewer was the Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2007, and led the Gators in steals that season.

Plenty of actors have dated each other while making movies together, and some of those relationships have fared better than others. The same can be said for the movies.

But for every epic bomb like "Gigli," which starred Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez — and earned a distinguished 6% on Rotten Tomatoes — there are some hits that have made major piles of cash.

Box Office Mojo compiled a list of the highest-grossing movies that starred actors who were dating in real life, either at the time of the movie's release or shortly before. (The list is ranked based on the movies' domestic box office, without adjusting for inflation.)

Most of these couples are no longer together, but there are a few exceptions, such as Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas who have been married for 18 years.

There are also couples who have starred in multiple movies together (Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman), and actors who have starred in multiple movies with a different significant other (Cruise again).

Overall, it appears that Cruise enjoys dating his co-stars.

Below are the most successful movies to star people who were dating in real life:

SEE ALSO: Jim Carrey slams Mark Zuckerberg in a new portrait: 'Who are you sharing your life with? #regulatefacebook'

19. "Cruel Intentions" (Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe)

Domestic gross: $38,328,567

Witherspoon and Phillippe met in 1997 and married in 1999, the same year that "Cruel Intentions," which they both starred in, was released. The two have two children together, but divorced in 2007.

18. "Cobra" (Sylvester Stallone and Brigitte Nielsen)

Domestic gross: $49,042,224

Stallone and model, singer, and actress Nielsen married in 1985, a year before their film "Cobra" released. The two never had children together, and divorced less than two years later.

17. "Bugsy" (Annette Bening and Warren Beatty)

Domestic gross: $49,114,016

Bening and Beatty have been married since 1992 and have four children together. 

LinkedIn Influencer Anil Dash published this post originally on LinkedIn.

Tech is more important than ever, deeply affecting culture, politics and society. Given all the time we spend with our gadgets and apps, it’s essential to understand the principles that determine how tech affects our lives.

Technology isn’t an industry, it’s a method of transforming the culture and economics of existing systems and institutions. That can be a little bit hard to understand if we only judge tech as a set of consumer products that we purchase. But tech goes a lot deeper than the phones in our hands, and we must understand some fundamental shifts in society if we’re going to make good decisions about the way tech companies shape our lives—and especially if we want to influence the people who actually make technology.

Even those of us who have been deeply immersed in the tech world for a long time can miss the driving forces that shape its impact. So here, we’ll identify some key principles that can help us understand technology’s place in culture.

What you need to know:

1. Tech is not neutral.

One of the most important things everybody should know about the apps and services they use is that the values of technology creators are deeply ingrained in every button, every link, and every glowing icon that we see. Choices that software developers make about design, technical architecture or business model can have profound impacts on our privacy, security and even civil rights as users. When software encourages us to take photos that are square instead of rectangular, or to put an always-on microphone in our living rooms, or to be reachable by our bosses at any moment, it changes our behaviors, and it changes our lives.

All of the changes in our lives that happen when we use new technologies do so according to the priorities and preferences of those who create those technologies.

2. Tech is not inevitable.

Popular culture presents consumer technology as a never-ending upward progression that continuously makes things better for everybody. In reality, new tech products usually involve a set of tradeoffs where improvements in areas like usability or design come along with weaknesses in areas like privacy & security. Sometimes new tech is better for one community while making things worse for others. Most importantly, just because a particular technology is “better” in some way doesn’t guarantee it will be widely adopted, or that it will cause other, more popular technologies to improve.

In reality, technological advances are a lot like evolution in the biological world: there are all kinds of dead-ends or regressions or uneven tradeoffs along the way, even if we see broad progress over time.

3. Most people in tech sincerely want to do good.

We can be thoughtfully skeptical and critical of modern tech products and companies without having to believe that most people who create tech are “bad”. Having met tens of thousands of people around the world who create hardware and software, I can attest that the cliché that they want to change the world for the better is a sincere one. Tech creators are very earnest about wanting to have a positive impact. At the same time, it’s important for those who make tech to understand that good intentions don’t absolve them from being responsible for the negative consequences of their work, no matter how well-intentioned.

It’s useful to acknowledge the good intentions of most people in tech because it lets us follow through on those intentions and reduce the influence of those who don’t have good intentions, and to make sure the stereotype of the thoughtless tech bro doesn’t overshadow the impact that the majority of thoughtful, conscientious people can have. It’s also essential to believe that there is good intention underlying most tech efforts if we’re going to effectively hold everyone accountable for the tech they create.

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:

• You can brew coffee in a number of ways, but many caffeine addicts swear by the French Press method. Of all the French Presses we researched and tested, the SterlingPro French Press is the best one you can buy with its glass and metal design that's as durable as it is beautiful.

Coffee brewing methods are many and varied — You have pourover, cold brew, classic espresso, and more. One of the most popular methods is the French Press, which lets your coffee grounds swirl around in boiling water to brew before you push the plunger down and pour the coffee right into your mug. There are dozens of great French Press coffee makers out there, but they're not all created equal. 

We've researched the best ones and tested a few ourselves to find out which French Presses are the best you can buy. Before we get into our picks, let's get into important terms, things to look for in a French Press, and how these special coffee makers work.

What to look for in a French Press

French Presses come in a variety of sizes and materials. Here's what to look for in a French Press:

• Glass French Presses: Glass carafes are gorgeous because you can watch the coffee brew and see the grounds go down as you plunge. They are more fragile, of course, so you should get one that's made out of borosilicate glass to avoid thermal shock and breakage. Most glass French Presses also have plastic or metal braces for added protection. Having a sturdy base is important, too.
• Stainless Steel French Presses: A double-walled design is key for stainless steel French Presses. Two walls will help keep the heat in and make for a better brew. You should also check for the quality of the stainless steel  — 18/8 and 18/10 ratios of chromium to nickel are best. Stainless steel carafes are more durable, but you miss out on the fun visual element of glass French Presses.
• Plunger and handle design: The plunger keeps the grounds out of your cup of Joe, and the handle helps you keep the carafe steady as you push the plunger down. It's also key for pouring coffee into your cup. Most plungers have multiple metal screens to keep the grounds out of your coffee, including a large steel screen and a finer mesh screen to catch tinier particles. Some use a basket design, but most don't. The handle should be sturdy, strong, heat resistant, and not prone to breakage.
• Capacity: How much coffee do you want to make? French Presses come in different sizes, as do coffee mugs. It's best to look for a French Press with a capacity of one liter or more, depending on your needs. You can always fill a big carafe with less water, but you can't fill a smaller one with more, so bigger might be better. Take into consideration that many coffee mugs range is capacity from 8 to 16 ounces, so "cups of coffee" is a tricky metric to follow.

Updated on 03/22/2018 by Malarie Gokey: Updated prices and added related coffee maker buying guides.

Read on in the slides below to learn why the SterlingPro French Press is our top pick and why you'll also like the Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker, the Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker, the SterlingPro Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press, and the Bodum Stainless-Steel Travel French Press Mug.

SEE ALSO: The best espresso machines you can buy

The best French press overall

Why you'll love it: The glass SterlingPro French Press has a durable glass body with a solid metal frame and double-layered screen system to make amazing French Press coffee.

There are so many great French Presses out there, and many of them have the same basic design. The SterlingPro French Press is the best one you can buy with its sturdy glass and metal design. Its double-layered screen system keeps most of the grounds out of your coffee cup to make a delicious brew.

The borosilicate glass carafe has a one liter or 34-ounce capacity, which it says results in 8 cups of coffee, though your use may vary based on the mug you use. At the end of the plunger, there are two screens to help keep the coffee grounds out of your mug when you pour the coffee. As with all French Presses, you're likely to see some particles in your mug, but you'll get less in there with the SterlingPro. The company even includes two extra replacement screens in the box.

You can pop the glass carafe out of the metal frame to wash it by hand or in the dishwasher when you need to clean it. Reviewers say you should let it cool down fully before you clean it so as to minimize the risk of breakage. The borosilicate glass is strong and ought to withstand temperature changes, but it's best to treat it with care.

The SterlingPro is a number one best-seller on Amazon, and user reviews are mostly positive. Buyers love the flavor of the coffee this French Press produces and say that it's great at keeping most grounds out of the cup. Coffee enthusiast blogs like Coffee Maker Picks, Roasty Coffee, Freshpresso, Brown's Coffee, and the Little Coffee Place all recommend it as a great French Press.

Pros: Durable borosilicate glass, metal frame and plunger, double-screened design keeps particles out of your cup, one-liter capacity is good, easy to clean, affordable

Cons: Not as durable as steel

Buy the SterlingPro French Coffee Press 8 Cup on Amazon for $25.98 (previously $27.98)

The best high-end French press

Why you'll love it: The Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker is the ultimate high-end French Press with its gorgeous design, superb build, and long warranty.

If you want a top-of-the-line, stainless steel French Press, the Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker is the best one you can buy. It's made of remarkably high quality 18/10 stainless steel, and it has a double-wall design to keep the heat inside and away from your hands.

The dual-layer steel wall also keeps your coffee piping hot, and Frieling claims it's four times better at keeping your coffee warm than glass French Presses. The Frieling French Press we recommend has a 36-ounce capacity, but the company also makes French Presses in sizes ranging from eight ounces to 44 ounces. 

Inside, there's a 2-stage filter system with both a big metal filter and a fine mesh one, and a metal wire inside the coil presses the plunger tight against the stainless steel wall. Together, these features ensure that you don't get many coffee grounds in your cup. Frieling's French Press is also dishwasher safe, so it's very easy to clean when you're done. 

The company offers a five-year warranty in case of any defects, and buyers on Amazon are very happy with how durable it is. While glass French Presses tend to break in accidents, stainless steel ones like this do not. The handle is also long and comfortable to hold.

A number of sites call the Frieling the best high-end French Press you can buy, including Consumer Reports, FreshPresso, Brown's Coffee, the Little Coffee Place, and Coffee Maker Clips.

Pros: Quality stainless steel design, double wall insulates coffee, durable, large handle

Cons: Expensive

Buy Frieling USA Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker on Amazon for $99.95

The best affordable French press

Why you'll love it: The iconic Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker makes great coffee for less than $20, and it's a fun, funky French Press.

The Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker was designed in the early 80's, and it was the company's first coffeemaker. All these years later, it's still one of the most iconic French Presses you can buy.

Like most of the other French Presses in our guide, the Bodum Brazil has a 34-ounce capacity and is made from durable, heat-resistant borosilicate glass. It has a BPA-free Plastic handle and base that's dishwasher safe and great at dissipating heat, so you can handle it easily. 

The plunger ends in a 3-part stainless steel mesh filter that keeps most coffee grounds out of your cup of Joe, but doesn't mess with the coffee's flavors. Bodum's Brazil isn't as fancy looking as the Frieling or SterlingPro models, but it is extremely affordable and very reliable.

Buyers on Amazon rate it highly and love how sturdy the plastic base, handle, and lid feel. You can also get the Brazil in different colors to add some fun to your kitchen. The low price tag and delicious coffee it produces make the Brazil a top pick for many people on a budget. 

Consumer Reports, Brown's Coffee, and Coffee Maker Picks all recommend the Bodum Brazil as a great French Press for less than $20. If you want something more durable and fancy with a metal case and plunger lid, you can check out the Bodum Chambord, which costs $28 on Amazon, and is also highly recommended.

Pros: It's affordable, sturdy design, strong borosilicate glass, nice big handle, fun colors

Cons: Glass can break under duress 

Buy Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker on Amazon for $19.99

• American tipping standards don't apply in many international markets.
• Many nations offer service employees a livable wage, reducing the need for sizable tips from guests.
• Even so, small tips of 10-15% are almost universally accepted and appreciated.

In the US, we think of tipping at restaurants, bars, and hotels as a mandatory measure (or, at least, we certainly should).

In other countries, however, tipping culture operates in a different way, with different amounts and policies considered appropriate.

To prepare you for future international trips, INSIDER rounded up the tipping customs from 20 popular travel destinations.

The US: 15-20% is the minimum expectation at restaurants and bars, but good service should result in higher tips.

In most restaurants and bars in the US, staff receives an hourly rate significantly below minimum wage, with the expectation that their pay will be supplemented with tips. The general standard for tipping typically falls in the 15-20% range, but that's been the standard for at least 20 years.

As we all know, cost-of-living has increased significantly since the '90s, and tipping practices should evolve to reflect that reality. If you receive solid service at a restaurant, you should consider 20% an appropriate tip.

Did the server really go above and beyond for your party? Go with 25-30%. Just stopping in for a drink at the bar? Tip $1 for a can of beer, $2 for a draft beer, a glass of wine, or a simple cocktail like a rum-and-coke. Ordering a complicated signature cocktail with multiple ingredients? Tip at least $3 for that one.

Canada: Tipping culture is similar to the US, but tip jars for counter service aren't a thing.

If you're sitting down for a meal or settling in at the bar for a drink, tipping in Canada follows the same rules as in the US.

However, our neighbors to the north aren't in the habit of leaving tip jars out for counter-service cafes and restaurants, according to the Travel Channel. Hourly rates for counter-service employees are typically higher in Canada than in the US, so the extra tip cash isn't as necessary.

Mexico: US tipping customs apply.

Heading down to Mexico? The Travel Channel advises sticking  with your US tipping habits. Generally, tipping expectations in Mexico hover around 10-15%, but if you've had great service, feel free to bump it up to 18-20%.

Children love playing with toys. So, it makes sense that immature adults love playing with toys, too. A benefit of being in the military is that we can pretend like there’s actually a legitimate reason for playing along.

Somewhere along the line, a high-ranking officer saw that same immature troop accomplish some good through playing with toys and gave the following the seal of approval.

SEE ALSO: 4 intense ways US troops keep themselves awake in the field

1. Nerf guns

Never underestimate the abilities of a bored infantry platoon looking for a way to let off steam. Stacking and clearing “glass houses” (which are really just white tape on the ground) and using your gun-shaped fingers as mock-weaponry gets kinda dull after a while.

What’s actually fun is when the platoons of hardened warfighters practice their battle drills in the barracks by kicking in doors and tagging each other with Nerf darts while they’re on the toilet.

2. Paintball guns

The rules of engagement are taken very seriously by troops who are deployed. First, you must establish a show of force, letting a potential enemy know you’re armed. Then, you shout, usually through an interpreter or in broken Farsi, to let the enemy know they should back the f*ck up. If they still don’t back away, you can physically “shove” them in the direction they should be going in. Finally, use of force is authorized.

Some troops find it easier to just cover their feet with colored paint than to bust out the real weapons.

Little green army men

Sand tables are used by commanders to show a rough overview of the mission. Many different things can be designated as a unit. This broken stick? The objective. And this pebble will flank in through the south — like this.

Commanders can clear away a bunch of the confusion by ordering a $5 bucket of plastic Army guys. Add a little bit of paint and you’ve got some distinct markers.

The terrible fate that befell childhood faves like Blockbuster and Claire's has hit Toys "R" Us. The mega retailer for children declared bankruptcy and announced plans to liquidate all operations before May 2018.

Some say online retailers such as Amazon are to blame for the store's demise; others purport that the toy store brought misfortune upon itself.

Whatever the case may be, we're finding ourselves reminiscing over the particular euphoria a trip to Toys "R" Us elicited in us as children — one that even the joys of fast shipping and virtual deals will never supplant.

Take a look back at what made the soon-to-be extinct Toys "R" Us special to so many kids in its heyday.

Toys "R" Us first opened its doors in 1948, when it went by the name "Children's Bargain Town" in Washington, D.C.

The retail chain's founder, Charles Lazarus, settled on the name "Toys 'R' Us" in 1957. Lazarus just passed away, at age 94. He was CEO until 1994, and no longer held a stake in the chain.

In 1965, Geoffrey the Giraffe became the company's mascot.

Geoffrey starred in a promotional ad on television in 1973; later, Toys "R" Us started selling Lego sets, stuffed animals, and figurines modeled after Geoffrey, before the company went public in 1978.

And then, in the 1980s, the mania began.

Toys "R" Us dominated the holiday toy market in the 1980s.

• While some shows require your full attention to understand what's going on, there are certain series that are just made to be background noise. 
• Netflix has plenty of shows that can be left on while you go about doing whatever you need to do with your day, whether it be cleaning or staring off into space. 
• From "The Crown" to "The Great British Bake Off," these are the Netflix shows made for being background noise. 

As the rate of TV production continues to boom, we’ve moved past the era of great TV into the era of a lot of pretty okay TV. For every show that requires your full attention (like Atlanta or The Americans), or captures the Zeitgeist (like Game of Thrones or Big Little Lies), the world of television is full of shows that are just … fine. You don’t devour these sorts of shows as much as you nibble on them absentmindedly. The passive experience of catching a cable marathon of, say, House Hunters, has a cousin in the streaming era: the passive experience of letting a Netflix show wash over you for a few hours.

If you haven’t tried the background binge, I recommend it – especially while cleaning your room, cooking dinner, doing a few exercises, or splaying yourself across a coach and imagining you are a starfish. (What, I find it calming.) As with most binge-related experiences, Netflix is the best place to go for this, so if you’re interested in trying the background binge, try out these shows.

While you’re cleaning the house: "Queer Eye"

Watching Queer Eye provides you with a hit of calming, friendly, invigorating queer energy, the kind you might get from watching YouTube videos of Liza Minnelli or sniffing a candle that smells like a Sufjan Stevens song. Still, you don’t need to keep your eyes on the TV the whole time. Put on Queer Eye, start cleaning your room, and then your own life will look better right around the time the Fab Five presents the “heroes” with their own makeovers. Bonus: Whenever things start to get emotional, you can take a little break to cry.

While you’re napping: Any Marvel show

Every one of Netflix’s Marvel shows are very dimly lit and stuffed with too many characters, but the plot moves so slowly that, even if you doze through an episode or two, you still won’t miss much.

While you’re cooking: "The Crown"

Netflix’s marquee costume drama is dense with palace intrigue and well-acted performances, which is makes it a great pair with a nice red wine and some sort of thick stew. If you haven’t enjoyed this rich costume drama while preparing dinner, you haven’t embraced the decadent lifestyle that Princess Margaret enjoys.

When Satya Nadella was named CEO of Microsoft in 2014, the company was in pickle.

Apple and Google were demolishing Microsoft in the smartphone business — thus, chipping away at the dominance of the Windows computing platform. That was compounded by the lukewarm response to Windows 8, which was then the latest version. 

But then, Nadella took over for his predecessor, Steve Ballmer. Microsoft corrected the course, made some big deals —like $2.5 billion for Minecraft-maker Mojang and $26.2 billion for LinkedIn — and refocused on growth businesses like cloud computing. Now, the stock is hitting all time highs, and Microsoft is back on track.

Nadella leaned on an A-Team of Microsoft veterans and some new recruits to capitalize on key businesses and to put the turnaround plan into action. Here's the group of execs that made it happen:

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Scott Guthrie, executive vice president of the Microsoft Cloud and Enterprise Group

Scott Guthrie is, by and large, Nadella's right hand man. 

He's charge of Microsoft's cloud computing platform, Azure, as well as all of its enterprise software and services. Those are Microsoft's fastest-growing businesses, making him a key player.

Azure is taking on Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud in the lucrative cloud computing market. Right now, Azure is the second-place player to the market-leading Amazon Web Services— but Azure revenue last quarter was up 98% from the year-ago period, according to Microsoft's latest earnings report. 

He's been at Microsoft for over two decades, but is perhaps best known among developers for his work in creating the open source framework ASP.NET.

Phil Spencer, executive vice president of gaming

Phil Spencer is in charge of Microsoft's gaming efforts, including the Xbox One console and games on Windows 10. He's also in overall charge of Minecraft, the smash-hit phenomenon that Microsoft purchased for $2.5 billion.

And Microsoft is taking gaming seriously: As of last year, Spencer was promoted to the title of executive VP, meaning he now reports directly to CEO Nadella.

And he has ambitious plans to take on Sony's PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch — notably, by introducing Xbox Game Pass, a $10/month service that gives Netflix-style unlimited access to a growing list of games. 

Terry Myerson, executive vice president of the Windows and Devices Group.

Terry Myerson is in charge of Microsoft Windows — still the most popular PC operating system in the world. 

Also under his purview are bigger bets for Microsoft, including the Surface line of desktop and laptop computers, as well as the HoloLens augmented reality headset. Plus, he's in charge of many key tools that enterprises use to manage their Windows PCs, including InTune and Advanced Threat Protection. 

Myerson joined Microsoft in 1997 after the company acquired his software company, Intersé.