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8 insider facts about shopping at Target that only employees know

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Cashier Target sales cash register

  • Target store employees know a lot about the chain's inner workings.
  • Employees have taken to the web to share all sorts of interesting secrets about the brand.
  • Here's a look at some insider insights that could be helpful to customers, courtesy of Target employees.


Target store employees know all about the retail giant's inside operations.

And there are plenty of current and former employees out there. Today, Target has 1,829 stores in the US. It also employs a massive workforce, with over 350,000 global team members.

Some of those workers have taken to the web to share information on what it's like to work at the chain. Some also shared tips and suggestions on how to make the most of your shopping experience and how to snag the best deals.

So if you're planning on going on a Target run anytime soon, consider going in prepared with this insider information.

Here's a look at some surprising facts about the retail chain, courtesy of current and former Target employees:

SEE ALSO: Costco employees share the 20 things they wish shoppers would stop doing

DON'T MISS: Walmart employees share 8 insider facts about shopping at the big box store

SEE ALSO: Costco employees explain why they don't buy produce there

Target has a state-of-the-art forensics program to catch shoplifters, among other things.

Apparently "CSI: Target" is a thing.

The retail chain runs two forensic labs, one in Minneapolis and the other in Las Vegas. On its website, Target said its investigators solve cases through "video and image analysis, latent fingerprint and computer forensics."

In a 2008 article profiling the Target Forensic Services team, Forbes reported that 70% of the lab's time is spent looking into fraud, theft, and personal cases.

But Target investigators have also assisted law-enforcement agencies on a number of armed robbery, kidnapping, and homicide cases, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

People who said they've worked at Target before took to Reddit to say that the stores tend to have state-of-the-art camera surveillance.

"The resolution on those things was insane," one Reddit poster wrote.

"I worked at Target in the early nineties and it was insane then," another Reddit user added. "Twenty years later and I wouldn't be surprised if they weigh me as I enter and as I leave to determine if I'm shoplifting."

One Target employee told Business Insider that the surveillance system doesn't ensure that all shoplifters get busted immediately, however.

"Stores will often let shoplifters go until they steal an amount that will be counted as a felony — sending them straight to jail," the Target employee told Business Insider.



Be nice to employees — it might pay off.

Sometimes, it pays to be nice.

Business Insider's Kate Taylor previously reported on a viral blog started by Target employee Tom Grennell.

He wrote about working during a special sale when his Target store was giving out a 10% discount on all purchases. The only catch? Shoppers had to ask for the discount.

"I have a coupon to scan if anyone asks for it. I scan it if people don't ask for it if they're nice to me," Grennell wrote. "I don't scan it if they're rude. Power is a new sensation. Power is a good sensation."



You can't necessarily spot a clearance item by its price tag.

The website Truth or Fiction threw cold water on the idea that prices ending in certain numbers indicate clearance items at Target.

"The ending digit of a clearance price is determined by several factors including the original retail price and the applied percentage discount," former Target PR representative Evan Lapiska told Truth or Fiction. "It is not possible to determine the final markdown or timing of the price change from the item's current price."

The website also debunked the idea that Target's mark downs run on a weekly schedule.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

10 abandoned airports around the world and the history behind them

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Nicosia Airport Cyprus abandoned

From deserted Olympic venues to silent amusement parks to hotels that haven't had guests in centuries, abandoned places continue to capture the imagination of urban explorers and curious people around the world.

As places we normally think of as crowded, busy hubs of travel, airports are particularly eerie when they've been sitting unused for years. 

Here are 10 eerie abandoned airports around the world — and how they got to be this way.

SEE ALSO: The 14 most beautiful airports in the world

Jaisalmer Airport — Rajasthan, India

No passengers or planes have ever passed through Jaisalmer Airport in Rajasthan, India, which cost $17 million to build and was supposed to open in 2013.

According to Reuters, Jaisalmer was one of more than 200 no-frills airports planned by India's previous government that was meant to encourage travel and commerce in more remote parts of the Indian subcontinent. But airlines couldn't compete with larger travel hubs in the area.



Hellenikon International Airport — Athens, Greece

Hellenikon International Airport started as a military airbase in 1938 and was Athens' main hub for commercial air travel for 60 years. It's been defunct since 2001 when it was replaced by Athens International Airport.



Nicosia International Airport — Nicosia, Cyprus

Nicosia International Airport was built as a military airfield in the 1930s. It shut down when it became the center of fighting in a military coup by Greek nationalists, and then part of a demilitarized zone in 1974.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

How to shop at Sam's Club without paying for a membership (WMT)

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SamsClub 6815

  • Sam's Club is known for its bulk products and huge savings, but it's a members-only store that costs at least $45 a year to join.
  • You don't need to have a membership to make use of some of Sam's Club's services, like the optical center or food court.
  • Sam's Club's online store and guest pass policy have also made it easier to shop at Sam's Club without a membership.

Warehouse clubs like Sam's Club are known for their huge savings and the variety of items you can buy in bulk.

To access all of the savings Sam's Club offers, you typically need to enroll in its membership program. The annual fee is $45 for a basic membership and $100 for a "Sam's Plus" premium membership, which includes additional benefits like $10 back for every $500 spent and free shipping on any order. 

But there are ways to get around spending that extra $45 or $100 a year, including using a Sam's Club guest pass, buying non-member items like alcohol, and eating at the food court.

Here are more ways to shop at Sam's Club without a membership:

SEE ALSO: We shopped at Costco and Sam's Club to see which is better — and there's a clear reason why you should join one over the other

Print out a single day guest pass from Sam's Club's website.

The guest pass allows you to shop at Sam's Club without a membership, but you'll be charged a 10% service fee. California, South Carolina, and Elmsford, NY are exempt from the fee.

(Source: Sam's Club)



Become a complimentary add-on member on a friend or family member's account.

(Source: Reader's Digest)



Shop at Sam's Club's online store.

Non-members can shop online at samsclub.com, but a 10% service fee is applied unless you live in California, South Carolina, and Elmsford, NY.

(Source: Sam's Club)



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best mattress protectors you can buy

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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.

best mattress protector

The Insider Pick:

  • You probably spent hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars on your mattress, so you should protect it from damage. The Bear mattress protector is our top pick because it is effective, relatively affordable, and well made.

You’ve searched heaven and Earth for the perfect mattress. Scoured websites, made trips to mattress store after mattress store (seriously, why is there one on every block?), and of course, you checked out our guide to the best mattresses for a good night’s rest. Now that you’ve finally found the perfect bed upon which to rest your pretty head, you’re going to want to keep it for as long as humanly possible. A great mattress protector can help protect your investment from spills, bed wetting, sweat stains, and other hazards.

Mattress protectors are often written off as more of a thing that's nice to have than an absolute necessity. However, using a mattress protector is a good way to keep your mattress in prime condition. Whether you’re a hot sleeper capable of sweating right through the sheets, have a little one who is prone to bedtime accidents, or are simply safeguarding your mattress from the possibility of creepy, crawly visitors, a mattress protector is key.

You’ll want to be sure to buy a cover that doesn’t allow liquid to seep through and keeps dust mites, bacteria, and other allergens away. It's also a good idea to get a mattress protector that's breathable. After all, if you end up with a stuffy cover, it won’t matter how high-tech and well-ventilated your actual mattress is. A mattress protector should be protective, but also allow air to come in and out for a more comfortable night’s sleep.

You’ll certainly want a mattress protector that is easily cleaned, too. If accidents do happen, a mattress protector that you can’t wash or is a pain to wash effectively defeats its own purpose. You want to ensure that you’re always sleeping on something clean, so unless you plan on replacing your mattress protector every year or so, be sure that you get one that is easy to maintain.

Finally, be sure to find a mattress protector that isn’t difficult to sleep on. There are plenty of bad mattress protectors that tend to move around as you toss and turn, or worse yet, are noisy and frequently sound crinkly. We've researched and tested several mattress protectors to find the best ones you can buy.

While the Bear mattress protector is our top pick, you may also consider the Casper mattress protector for a soundless sleep, the Tuft and Needle mattress protector for affordability, the Helix mattress protector for low maintenance, and the Purple mattress protector for a nearly invisible protector. 

The best mattress protector overall

Why you'll love it: The Bear mattress protector not only protects your mattress but also ensures that you have a restful night’s sleep with its temperature adjusting capabilities.

The Bear mattress is designed for athletes in need of restful recovery, so it comes as little surprise that the company's mattress protector was made to the same standards. Not only does this protector keep your mattress safe from bacteria, dust, allergens, and liquids, but it also features eiQ Adaptive Technology, which claims to transport moisture and heat away from your body, resulting in a cooler sleep.

While I’m always a touch skeptical of claims involving any heat-wicking properties, I’m happy to report that the Bear protector actually lived up to its claims. The protector itself is quite cool to the touch, and while I often wake up uncomfortably warm in the middle of the night, that was not the case when I slept with the Bear mattress protector.

The mattress protector is also made of a so-called dynamic fabric, which can respond to changes in the room’s temperature, thereby helping to maintain a cool and dry climate that is ideal for sleep. Most importantly, the protector features a waterproof layer that will guard against spills and other accidents.

When I poured about half a cup of water atop the Bear protector, I found that none of the liquid was able to seep through to the underlying mattress and that the protector itself dried quite quickly. The folks at Sleepopolis saw the same thing in their tests: “No matter the spill, I am confident that this protector would prevent any 'accidents' from ever reaching the surface of your mattress.”

While the Bear protector is capable of fitting mattresses up to 20 inches thick, it works just as well with thinner mattresses, according to a review from Mattress Clarity.

Happy buyers have given the protector an average of five stars across 370 reviews, with one reviewer noting, “Bear makes quality items that last! Highly recommend.”

Pros: Sleeps very cool, waterproof layer works well, fits most mattresses

Cons: You may be able to feel the hexagonal pattern of the protector under your sheets

Buy the Bear mattress protector for $75 (Twin), $100 (Full), $110 (Queen), $125 (King)



The best mattress protector with padding

Why you'll love it: The Casper mattress protector offers a snug fit that won’t rustle and it has extra padding so it’s comfortable to sleep on. 

The Casper Mattress Protector does more than just protect your mattress — It provides some additional padding and comfort as well. The quilted material of the protector allows it to double as a mattress pad, so if you’re looking for a two-for-one solution, this is it.

The protector itself is made from waterproof materials that might otherwise be found in premium outdoor gear, and as such, protects against dirt, spills, as well as your normal wear and tear. The Casper protector has a series of small pores that are tiny enough to keep out any leakage or spills but are still large enough to let in air. While these little pores may not seem like enough to keep your mattress safe and sound, they’re surprisingly effective.

The folks over atMattress Clarity put the protector to the test by pouring 10 ounces of water onto a Casper protected mattress, and let it sit for “a couple of hours.” True to its word, the Casper mattress protector did not allow any moisture or dampness through to the mattress itself, passing the test with flying colors

While I didn’t pour any water onto my mattress protector, I can say that I’m very taken by the luxurious feel of the quilted protector, and also had a very easy time taking the protector on and off my queen-sized mattress. Moreover, the protector fit snugly, which meant I wasn’t faced with the challenge of constant readjustments, nor did it make tons of noise every time I laid down to go to sleep.

The mattress protector also comes with a 1-year warranty, so should anything go horribly wrong, you can rest easy knowing that you (and your mattress) are covered.

Pros: Lovely, plush feel, great fit, passes the water test

Cons: Casper does not offer a full encasement protector

Buy a Casper mattress protector for $85 (Twin), $95 (Full/Queen), $105 (King)



The best mattress protector for the budget-conscious

Why you'll love it: The Tuft and Needle mattress protector offers an essentially unbeatable price point and good protection. 

The mattress protector from Tuft and Needle is actually made of the same material as brand’s mattress cover. Not only is it comfortable to sleep on, the Tuft and Needle protector also gets the job done. The protector boasts a polyurethane film that is liquid-proof, and it also protects against dust, bacteria, and other allergens. The rest of the protector is made from a smooth, quiet, and luxurious feeling fabric.

Then, that protective film is covered with the polyester blend Tuft and Needle uses in its mattress pad. Basically, it’ll feel like you’re sleeping on naught but a naked mattress, but with all the added benefit of a protector.

Tuft and Needle demonstrate the waterproofing abilities of the protector on its website, and I can vouch for the validity of the demonstration. While I certainly don’t plan on spilling anything on my bed anytime soon, it’s certainly a relief to know that even if I did, this protector would prevent any leakage.

Thanks to the protector’s soft lining, it doesn’t make any noise when you move around on your bed. It’s also surprisingly breathable. Best of all, the protector is extremely easy to care for and take on and off. It’s designed as a fitted sheet, so putting the protector on is as easy as making your bed. In case an accident does happen, washing and drying the protector is a breeze, too.

Honest Mattress Reviews notes that the protector effectively eliminates bed bugs with its five-side protective film, and if you find that you’re not particularly taken with the product, the Tuft and Needle product comes with a two-year warranty and 100-night sleep trial. 

Pros: Extremely soft and comfortable, totally quiet, very easy to care for and put on your mattress    

Cons: If you have a particularly tall mattress (more than 14 inches), the protector may not fit

Buy the Tuft and Needle mattress protector for $50 (Twin), $70 (Full/Queen), $90 (King)



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

People reveal 12 things they didn't learn until embarrassingly late in life — and the answers will make you cringe

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cheese is not plant-based

We hope the old saying that you're "never too old to learn" is true, because if these Reddit users'stories are any indication, some things manage to slip through the cracks, no matter how smart you are — or how old.

From believing that cheese grew on bushes to misunderstanding how speed bumps function, here are 12 of the most hilarious facts Reddit users only learned at an embarrassingly late age... and though INSIDER can't independently verify any of these tales, they do make for some wild reading.

"I thought ponies were baby horses."

Reddit user cal-gal's mistaken belief that ponies were baby horses is a common one; but as user stegasp clarified: "Ponies are small breeds of horses. Baby horses are called foals."



"My sister believed Mount Rushmore was a naturally occurring rock formation."

"This may seem too ridiculous to be true, but I assure you, it is...

Until she was in her mid-20s, my sister believed Mount Rushmore was a naturally occurring rock formation. Until somewhere in her teen years, she thought earlier Americans had used Mount Rushmore to select presidents, and was very concerned we had 'used up all the good ones.'"— Reddit user whimbrel.

For the curious, Mount Rushmore is a giant granite sculpture in South Dakota, designed by a man named Gutzon Borglum — read up on the secret room he installed behind Mount Rushmore.



"I didn't know narwhals were real until sophomore year of college."

Much like reindeer, many people erroneously believe that narwhals are not real — but they are! Reddit user 1pptouch, who wrote the confession above, went on to explain: "I knew what they were, but I thought that they were like a mermaid or a sphinx."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

6 signs your morning routine is hurting you

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Coffee

  • If you're tired and groggy throughout the day, your morning routine might be to blame.
  • Checking your phone right when you wake up and rushing out the door can make you start your day off on an anxious note.
  • Hitting the snooze button can make you feel groggier when you actually wake up.
  • Drinking too much coffee in the morning can lead to digestive issues and high blood pressure throughout the day.


Depending on who you ask, the mornings are either the best part of the day or the absolute worst.

But instead of cursing the early birds under your breath, why not find out what it is they do to make their morning routine work? Because whether you like it or not, the morning does make an appearance every single day.

INSIDER spoke to several experts to find out what signs you should be aware of that indicate your morning routine is doing more harm than good — and how to fix them.

You're rushing.

Mornings often feel like a race against the clock. Get up, hurry up, and go. Turns out, this frantic rush to get out the door is not good for your health. Chris Brantner, a sleep expert withSleep Zoo, told INSIDER that rushing is the absolute worst way to start out your day for multiple reasons.

First, you're setting yourself up for failure from the get-go, making it highly probable that you'll forget something vital, like those papers for work or even brushing your teeth. But more importantly, you're setting yourself up for a day full of anxiety, as the stress of going into overdrive to get to work on time will leave you feeling anxious from the beginning, according to Brantner.

The fix:Brantner says if you're rushed, that means you're not waking up early enough, which also likely means you aren't getting to bed early enough. As a result, you're sleeping until the last possible second to squeeze in a few more Z's. The key here, said Brantner, is to take a step back and think abouthow many hours of sleep you need. For most people, he generally recommends seven and a half or eight hours, as this will likely allow you to get through five 90-minute sleep cycles.

Brantner explained that it also helps to time things properly so that you wake during light sleep, which will leave you feeling more refreshed and less likely to hit the snooze button. Once you know how much sleep you need, schedule it out so that you go to bed and wake up around the same time each day with plenty of time to spare.



You check your phone first thing in the morning.

It's no secret that our phones have become an extension of our body. While the convenience of technology has made life a lot easier, it's also hurt our health in many ways.Dr. Jacqueline Schaffer, a board-certified MD, best-sellingauthor, and founder ofSchique Skincare told INSIDER that when you check your phone first thing in the morning, you immediately lose focus on yourself.

In fact,by checking your social media and emails first thing in the morning, you increase your level of stress, anxiety, and FOMO (fear of missing out), according to Business Insider. Plus, said Schaffer, it decreases productivity in your day by keeping you more stressed than focused on your tasks.

The fix: Leave your phone in another room and set an alarm for an hour after you wake up. When the alarm sounds, then you can check your phone.



You constantly hit the snooze button.

If you're hitting the snooze button over and over again, you risk laying in bed too long and not mentally preparing for the day. And although research on whether snoozing is bad for you is relatively limited, Business Insider reports that most experts say it's not the smartest choice.

For one, snoozing allows you to fall back into your sleep cycle, but not for long, and the beginning of a sleep cycle is the worst part of the cycle to get woken up from. Plus, too much use of the snooze button leads our brains to associate the sound of our alarm with a few more minutes of sleep instead of the fact that it's time to get up.

The fix: Mel Robbins, creator of the5-Second Rule, shares her formula for meeting a goal — such as getting out of bed — on her website. Basically, she recommends that you must physically move within five seconds or your brain will kill the idea.

For example, your alarm goes off and you tell yourself to get up. Instead of hitting snooze, you count backward from five and then get up. It sounds simple, but it works.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Meghan Markle could wear a custom-designed tiara worth nearly $700,000 on her wedding day — here's how much the tiaras of other British royal brides are worth

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meghan markle prince harry

  • The world debates whether Meghan Markle will wear a tiara during her wedding to Prince Harry.
  • Queen Elizabeth II has one of the world's best jewel collections from which to loan Markle a tiara.
  • It's speculated the future Her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Wales could wear the Strathmore Rose Tiara or the Spencer Tiara.
  • Markle could also wear a custom-designed tiara, which one expert says would cost about $687,360.

 

Will she or won't she?

Besides the wedding dress, one of the biggest speculations regarding the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is whether the future Her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Wales will walk down the aisle at Windsor Castle in true royal fashion — donning a dazzling tiara

If Markle does opt for this regal look, she has plenty of diamonds and gems to choose from. Queen Elizabeth II has a famed, well stocked royal collection of tiaras — one of the best in the world.

The Queen lent the Queen Mother's Cartier Halo Tiara to Kate Middleton as a "something borrowed" for the Duchess' wedding to Prince William. If tradition dictates anything, she'll also loan a princess' ultimate treasure to her future granddaughter-in-law.

While it's not expected that Markle will wear the same tiara as the Duchess of Cambridge, rumors are circulating about what possible tiaras she could wear — such as the Strathmore Rose Tiara or Princess Diana's Spencer Tiara. The latter would be fitting considering Markle's engagement ring contains two diamond stones from Princess Diana's collection, and that she and Harry plan to honor his mother on the big day.

Then again, she and Harry are a modern-day couple — she could also have her own tiara made for her.

Whether Markle goes for an heirloom tiara or a custom tiara, there's no denying the jewels and metals that will sparkle atop her head go for a pretty penny. 

We took a look at some of the most famous weddings in the British royal family and their equally famous tiaras — and just how much those tiaras might be worth.

SEE ALSO: Meghan Markle will have loads of tiaras to choose from on her wedding day — and she could pick one worn by Princess Diana

DON'T MISS: The royal wedding is a month away — here's how much Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expected to spend on their big day

Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne — Queen Mary's Fringe Tiara

When Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, she sparkled underneath the Queen Mary's Fringe Tiara. It was gifted from Queen Mary to her daughter-in-law, Queen Elizabeth I, who loaned it to Elizabeth as a "something borrowed." In tune with tradition, the tiara was then loaned to Elizabeth's daughter, Princess Anne, to wear as she tied the knot to Mark Phillips. 

This dazzler is actually the product of dismantled jewelry — it's comprised of 47 diamond bars using diamond stones taken from a necklace Queen Victoria gifted to Queen Mary. Jeweler Garrard & Co. set the stones in gold and silver and separated the bars with smaller diamond spikes.

There's no word on its value, but a 0.5 carat diamond averages around $1,500 while a 2-carat diamond can range from $18,000 to $21,000, depending on cut and clarity.



Princess Margaret — Poltimore Tiara

Princess Margaret departed from tradition and wore a tiara that wasn't already part of the royal collection, acquiring it shortly before her wedding to Lord Snowdon in 1960. The Poltimore Tiara, another Garrard creation, boasts cushion-shaped and old-cut diamond clusters and diamond-set scroll motifs surmounted by old-cut diamond terminals, all mounted in silver and gold. 

It was auctioned for £5,500 (roughly $7,570) at the time it fell into Princess Margaret's hands, and was recently sold at a 2006 auction for £926,400 (around $1,275,154) — about four times its estimate. 



Princess Diana — Spencer Tiara

When marrying Prince Charles in 1981, Princess Diana donned a tiara not from the royal treasure troves, but from her family's own aristocratic archives — the Spencer Tiara. This diamond encrusted piece shaped into tulips, stars, and scrolls belonged to her father and was worn by her mother and sisters on their wedding days.

This dazzler is made of a variety of other jewelry — the central portion was part of a wedding present to Lady Cynthia Hamilton (Diana's grandmother) when she married Albert, Viscount Althorp; the topper was given to Cynthia by Albert's great aunt, Lady Sarah Isabella Spencer; and the ends come from a tiara once belonging to Frances Manby, the last known Viscountess of Montagu. The current version was reportedly finalized in the 1930s.

There is no estimate on how much it's worth, but a similar headpiece with 800 cut diamonds and an estimated weight of 48 carats was recently sold by the Spencer family for $225,000.

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best jean jackets for women

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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.

best jean jacket for women

The Insider Pick:

  • Every woman needs a classic jean jacket in her wardrobe. Our top pick is the Gap Icon Denim Jacket because it’s affordable, well made, and pairs perfectly with everything in your closet.

A denim jacket is a classic piece of outerwear that should be a staple in every woman’s closet. The versatile jacket can be layered over everything from fancy dresses to oversized sweaters. Denim jackets have a way of making even your most laid-back pieces like hoodies and leggings look polished and pulled together.

While denim trends change seasonally, a tailored jean jacket in a classic wash, without embellishments, rips, or holes, is a timeless all-American piece that will never go out of style. Since outerwear is typically more expensive than other items of clothing, it certainly helps that denim jackets tend to look better and feel more comfortable with age — You only have to buy a jean jacket once.

Whether you are looking for a traditional fitted topper, a jacket with a little bit of stretch, or even a high-tech option, we've got you covered. 

Read on in the slides below to learn why the Gap Icon Denim Jacket is our top pick, and why you might also like the high-tech Levi’s Commuter X Jacquard By Google, the roomy Madewell Oversized Denim Jacket, the affordable Wrangler Authentics Women’s Denim Jacket, or the plus-size Torrid Distressed Denim Jacket.

SEE ALSO: The best women's skinny jeans you can buy

The best jean jacket overall

Why you'll love it: The Gap Icon Denim Jacket is a high-quality jacket that fits well and can easily be dressed up or down.

Gap has been synonymous with quality denim for decades, and it shows in the Icon Denim Jacket. The topper is made with the Gap’s premium 1969 non-stretch denim in a medium indigo wash that will easily match the rest of your wardrobe.

The 100% cotton jacket features two chest patch pockets with button-flap closures, a spread collar, and silver buttons down the front. Its straight silhouette lays flat against the body and lands right at the hip.

Buyers love this well-made jacket. More than 400 reviewers gave the Gap Icon 5 stars. One shopper named Darcy from Los Angeles wrote, “I tried on several others from big names, but none came close to the quality, fit, and comfort of this one! The color is wonderful — a great medium blue that goes with everything — and the cut is terrific.”

Some buyers did say that the jacket ran a little small so be sure to check the size chart before shopping. The sleek Icon Denim Jacket ranges in size from XS to XXL and it also comes in Tall and Petite sizes.

Pros: Affordable, well-made, versatile, fits well, a wide range of sizes

Cons: Can run small

Buy the Gap Icon Denim Jacket for $69.95



The best high-tech jean jacket

Why you'll love it: The Levi’s Commuter X Jacquard By Google is a high-tech take on a classic denim jacket that allows you to link the jacket to your phone for music controls and more.

There’s a reason why Levi’s has been a go-to denim brand for more than 150 years. The brand is known for producing stylish yet durable pieces that stand the test of time. Now with theLevi’s Commuter X Jacquard By Google, the brand has given its iconic Trucker Jacket a futuristic upgrade.

Levi’s enlisted the help of Google to engineer a conductive Jacquard Thread that links your phone to the jacket via Bluetooth. Once you attach the chargeable snap tag to the conductive thread in the jacket, you can control music, screen phone calls, or get directions with just the tap or swipe of your sleeve.

The jacket lived up to the hype when we on the Insider Picks team tested it. Amir Ismael liked the many high-tech functions, including the flashlight, Find Your Phone feature, and Navigation app. All of the jacket's features make commuting more enjoyable, but more importantly, Amir liked that the jacket was so comfortable and stylish that no one noticed that it was a high-tech gadget.

Each Commuter X jacket comes with a one-year warranty and can be washed up to 10 times once the snap tag is removed from the cuff. Sizes range from XS-XL. You can get the same Trucker Jacket style for $50 to $65 if you don't want to go all-out on the high-tech version.

Pros: Stylish, high-tech, connects to phone, comfortable, one-year warranty

Cons: Expensive

Buy the Levi’s Commuter X Jacquard By Google for $350

Buy the Levi’s Trucker Jacket without smarts for $49.98 (originally $64.50)



The best oversized jean jacket

Why you'll love it: The Madewell Oversized Denim Jacket is a stylish, on-trend jacket that is comfortable, roomy, and super soft. 

Oversized denim jackets have been trending for a while now, so it makes sense that Madewell's oversized denim jacket is so highly reviewed. The jacket is designed to look and feel like a men’s vintage jean jacket, but it’s dimensions are tailored to perfectly fit a woman.

Made with 100% Turkish cotton from the renowned Orta mill, the jacket features matte silver hardware and contrast stitching. You can even monogram up to nine letters on the jacket for just $10 more. The service is free for Madewell Insiders.

Around 95% of buyers recommend the jacket, and it has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating on the brand’s website. One buyer named Darcy from Los Angeles commented “I fell in love with this jacket the moment I set eyes on it. I had been looking for something different from the usual fitted, somewhat cropped style. This oversized, longer, roomy jacket was it, with a terrific wash, slit pockets, and even secret deep INTERIOR pockets.”

Reviewers did warn if you are tall or have long arms, you should go a size up, as the sleeves can run short. The jacket comes in a classic indigo wash, as well as black. Sizes run from XXS to XXL.

Pros: On-trend, well made, durable, comfortable, soft

Cons: Sleeves can run short, expensive

Buy the Madewell Oversized Denim Jacket for $128



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Tesla is burning through billions, and it's revealing an ugly reality about the company's financial situation (TSLA)

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Bloomberg reports that Tesla is burning through $6,500 a minute.

That's alarmingly impressive for a relatively small, young carmaker that's preparing to announce first-quarter earnings expected to be staggeringly negative.

For the record, all car companies blow though huge piles of cash. It's the nature of the business. But they don't tend to perpetually lose money; Tesla hasn't posted a yearly profit since its 2010 IPO.

All eyes are on Tesla's prospects of actually running out of cash before the end of year. The company has about $3.5 billion on hand, plus lines of credit. CEO Elon Musk says no capital raise is coming, and that Tesla will start to bring in more than it spends later in 2018.

That's optimistic. Here's what could go wrong:

SEE ALSO: Tesla is about to report earnings and it could get ugly — here's what to expect

Customers bailing out on Model 3 deposits.

The Model 3 was sold to an eager public as a $35,000 all-electric vehicle that could get more than 200 miles on a single charge.

But so far Tesla has managed only to build and sell the $44,000-and-up version. Anyone of the 400,000 customers who put down $1,000 each for a preorder could purchase that trim level if they have the means.

But a lot of reservation holders would probably like to spend 10 grand less and get the base model they were told was coming.

Tesla keeps telling them it's coming, and they shouldn't be surprised: The company likes to start with expensive versions of its vehicles and work its way down to cheaper ones.

That bolsters revenues, but it means Tesla's mass-market buyers continue to wait for their cars. The company is betting that they'll be patient, but it's a big bet.

And as Tesla nears the point at which it will have sold too many vehicles (200,000) in the US for buyers to qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit. Losing that will make a Model 3 a stretch purchase for some buyers. They could decide to ask for their $1,000 back, and Tesla would have to comply.



A capital raise that doesn't boost the stock price.

Tesla has said that it wouldn't need to raise money, and the company has gone ahead a raised anyway.

Investors have typically welcomed the raises, sending the stock higher. When Tesla raised over a billion in equity 2017 and later offered almost $2 billion in junk-debt issue, the stock spent much of the year well above $300.

The markets have typically seen Tesla's capital appetites as a way to assess investors confidence. The usual drill is that the raise is announced, a level is set, and Tesla then exceeds expectations. Presto! Stock rallies.

Why would it be different this time? Because Musk said that Tesla would turn the money drain around by the middle of the year, get the Model 3 decisively back on track, and be able to ride out 2018 with the roughly $3.5 billion the company has in the bank, along with its credit lines. (And end up, in fact, with the $1 billion in cash that the automaker likes to maintain on the balance sheet.)

Reversing that would signal poor capital management and a cost structure imposed by sluggish Model 3 production that could be terminal. Coupled with what will likely be huge losses in the first and second quarters, that could cause investors to run for the exits.



Continued negative return on investment.

Tesla level of spending isn't unusual for a car company. What is unusual is Tesla's level of spending for a carmaker that sold just 100,000 vehicles in 2017 and brought in only about $3.3 billion revenue.

General Motors spent close to $8.5 billion 2017, but it converted that spending into roughly $150 billion in revenue and a profit of nearly $13 billion.

GM shares were handily surpassed by Tesla shares in 2017, as far as market performance goes, with Tesla's market cap at one point topping GM's. But GM also returned billions to investors through share buybacks and dividends.

Tesla can't continue to ask investors to stay the course if it can't figure out a way to turn billions in capital incineration into billions in profits. Markets are nervously eyeing the Model 3 in this context because even if Tesla can hit ambitious production targets — 5,000 a week by June — it's unclear whether the car will achieve an appealing profit margin.



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NFL DRAFT GRADES: Experts grade the best and worst teams coming out of the 2018 NFL Draft

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jerry jones

The 2018 NFL Draft is now over, with 256 young athletes welcomed to the league.

As always, some teams drafted better than others, with every pick sparking a new round of expert analysis and critiquing.

Below, we've put together a consensus draft grade for every team in the NFL, based on the grading and analysis of five experts: NFL.com's Chad Reuter, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., Sports Illustrated's Andy Benoit, and Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports.

Take a look below and see how the experts think your team fared as they gear up for the 2018 season.

Arizona Cardinals

Consensus grade: B+

High grade/Low grade: A (NFL) / C+ (ESPN)

Players drafted: QB Josh Rosen (1); WR Christian Kirk (2); C Mason Cole (3); RB Chase Edmonds (4); CB Chris Campbell (6); OT Korey Cunningham (7)

One thing to know: Josh Rosen made headlines after the draft with some sharp words after dropping to the 10th pick, saying "There were nine mistakes in front of me." If he lives up to his word, the Cardinals might have gotten a steal on their quarterback of the future.



Atlanta Falcons

Consensus grade: B

High grade/Low grade: B+ (NFL) / C+ (SI)

Players drafted: WR Calvin Ridley (1); CB Isaiah Oliver (2); DT Deadrin Senat (3); RB Ito Smith (4); WR Russell Gage (6); LB Foye Oluokun (6)

One thing to know: In Calvin Ridley, Matt Ryan will have yet another formidable receiver to throw too — someone capable of both easing the load on Julio Jones and taking advantage of weak coverage when defenses choose to key in on the Falcons' star player.



Baltimore Ravens

Consensus grade: B+

High grade/Low grade: A (CBS) / C (Yahoo)

Players drafted: TE Hayden Hurst (1); QB Lamar Jackson (1); OT Orlando Brown (3); TE Mark Andrews (3); CB Anthony Averett (4); ILB Kenny Young (4); WR Jaleel Scott (4); WR Jordan Lasley (5); S Deshon Elliott (6); OT Greg Senat (6); C Bradley Bozeman (6); DE Zach Sieler (7)

One thing to know: The Ravens chose to trade back into the first round and take Lamar Jackson with the final pick on Thursday night — a move that could pay off exponentially for the team should Jackson develop into their starter.



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42 celebrity babies who were born this year so far

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This year has proven to be one filled with weddings and breakups, but there are plenty of stars that have reached other milestones in their lives — like welcoming babies. 

Some celebrities have become parents for the first time, while others have added to their growing families.

From Kylie Jenner's daughter to Kate Middleton and Prince William's third child, these are the celebrity babies whose births were revealed this year. 

Actress Brooklyn Decker and former tennis star Andy Roddick welcomed daughter Stevie, and the news was revealed in early January.

According to Us Weekly, Decker gave birth to their second child in November. But she didn't publicly reveal the news until early January. 

"A newborn, a toddler, a dog in a cone, a dog with a tumor but I'm having a good hair day so it's fine we're fine I'm fine,"Decker wrote on Instagram, along with a photo showing the baby and dog. 

The couple welcomed their first child, son Hank, in September 2015



"Atlanta" star Donald Glover revealed that he and girlfriend Michelle welcomed a baby boy.

It's unclear when Glover and his partner welcomed their son, but he confirmed the news in early January.

"She's [Michelle] great," Glover told "Entertainment Tonight." "She's good. Baby's born, so she's happier now."

In 2016, the couple became parents for the first time with the birth of their son (whose name still remains unknown). 



In early January, rapper Fetty Wap welcomed daughter Alaiya.

"Love and Hip Hop: Hollywood" star Alexis Skyy gave birth to their one-pound child, who arrived three months before the expected due date.  



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Fortnite creators just confirmed the game is changing tomorrow — here’s what to expect from ‘Season 4’

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  • Tomorrow marks the beginning of the fourth season in Fortnite: Battle Royale, the most popular video game in the world.
  • Meteorites, conspiracy theorists' campsites, and emergency broadcasts have been spotted in Fortnite as the game wraps up season three and players await the beginning of season four.
  • The series of cryptic clues has caused players to speculate that a cosmic event could mean an uncertain future for Fortnite and the game map.
  • Now, the game creators at Epic Games have confirmed at least one of their theories: "Impact is imminent!"

 

Tuesday will be the first day of Fortnite: Battle Royale's fourth season, which means today is the end of an era, and — potentially — the game as we know it. 

A large shooting star first appeared in the Fortnite sky a few weeks ago; it's since been dubbed the #FortniteMeteor. Since then, a series of in-game cryptic clues including Morse code messages, conspiracy theorists' campsites, and emergency TV broadcasts have been hinting at an imminent change in the game's near future. 

Now, we've reached the end of season three, Fortnite creators have confirmed on Twitter that a cosmic event is coming:

It's all come down to this.

Will a massive meteor take out Tilted Towers, the most densely-populated area of the Fortnite island, tonight, like so many have speculated? 

Will the new season's theme be inspired by the events that unfold?

Will Fortnite ever be the same? (Oh, the humanity!)

Here's what we know:

SEE ALSO: 7 reasons you should play PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, or PUBG, instead of Fortnite

This morning, Epic Games also posted this image from the official Fortnite Twitter account, with the caption "Brace for impact!"

The poster appears to depict Fortnite-style characters — some of which we've never seen before — emerging from a crater that we can only assume was caused by the meteor.

I'm not sure how much more clear they could be than a cosmic event is on the horizon.



Over the weekend, Epic also posted a few versions of this promotional image for Season Four, adding a new character to the image with each update.

This poster doesn't offer any hints as to the future of the meteor, but the comic-book art style has lots of fans speculating that it could be indicative of the game adopting a superhero theme for season four, according to fan blog Fortnite Intel.

For those who still aren't on this bandwagon, the current season has an unofficial "spaceman" theme, demonstrated by astronaut suits and other cosmetic accessories for the playable characters. 



Last week, a few dedicated fans went so far as to open up the game's code, searching for clues in the game's latest update. Data miners successfully found a series of new sound effects tucked in a folder titled "Meteor."

Fortnite Intel compiled a video with all the sound effects and their labels, for those who are curious.



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Google Tasks is the perfect app for organizing your life — and it doesn't cost a cent (GOOG, GOOGL)

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Google recently made its first significant refresh to Gmail in years and added a new standalone app to its lineup: Google Tasks. 

Before now, Tasks worked as a to-do list built into Gmail. And while Tasks still works with Gmail — and Google Calendar, too — it now has its own app for those who just want to easily organize their lives. 

Now, I'm a big believer in to-do lists and have dabbled with productivity apps in the past. While those apps work great for me at first, I've never found the perfect one. 

So I was curious to see if I would like Google Tasks, especially since I'm about to move into a new apartment and have a lot of organizing to do.

The verdict: if you use a lot of Google products, Tasks is the best to-do app for you.

Here's what it's like to use Google Tasks: 

SEE ALSO: 24 essential tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Mac

Google Tasks looks a lot like other Google apps, so if you frequently use Calendar, Gmail, or Drive, it will be super-simple to use.



Google Tasks lets you add items to a general list, or create separate lists for specific topics. For me, it was helpful to be able to organize items that were related to my upcoming move into one standalone list.



When you start adding tasks, your list will look like this. Google Tasks has a clean, minimalist layout that's perfect for Type-A people like me.



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This is the Javelin anti-tank missile system that the US just sent to Ukraine

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Soldiers Javelin anti tank us army soldiers training

The US has delivered the Javelin anti-tank missile system to Ukraine, a State Department official confirmed to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Monday

"They have already been delivered," the official told RFE/RL. 

The Trump administration announced in December that it had approved a $47 million deal for 210 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 37 Javelin launchers. But the State Department official didn't disclose to RFE/RL when and how many launchers and missiles arrived, or if Ukrainian troops have begun training on them.

The deal was intended to deter Russia, which has opposed the sale since its inception, despite denying any real involvement in the conflict. Former President Barack Obama, as well as France and Germany, opposed arming Ukraine out of concern that it may inflame the conflict.

Trump's national security advisers eventually convinced him to sign off on the deal, but the president also told them to not publicly talk about the deal, fearing that it might agitate Russian President Vladimir Putin, NBC News previously reported

"[Trump] doesn't want us to bring it up," a White House official told NBC News in March. "It is not something he wants to talk about."

Here's what the Javelin can do:

SEE ALSO: This is the famed Russian tank corps that Putin is sending to NATO's borders

Developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system first entered US service in 1996.

Raytheon and Lockheed Martin are two of the largest defense contractors and political donors in the US. 



It's a portable, shoulder-mounted missile system that's about four feet long and weighs about 33 pounds.

Source: army-technology.com



The reusable Command Launch Unit fires a high explosive anti-tank, infrared guided missile up to about 8,200 feet.

It also has fire-and-forget technology, meaning the operator can pull the trigger and then take cover, not having to make adjustments to the missile flight after firing. 

Source: army-technology.com, military.com



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4 iconic people who became famous without even trying

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Fame typically as a result of constant, deliberate, and even painful effort. In some cases, however, a happenstance meeting, a random photo op, or the post-mortem actions of friends become the catalyst launching a celebrity to legendary status. INSIDER found four examples of famous historical figures who owed their big breaks to a stroke of luck.

Shakespeare is a big deal today because his friends published the First Folio after his death.

As anyone who's ever seen "Shakespeare In Love" can attest, the Bard had a pretty good career going during his lifetime. His own company of players, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, had a residency at the Globe Theater in London, and Will's shows — particularly the comedies — attracted a wide range of audience members, from peasants to noblemen and sometimes even royals.

By the time of his death, however, Shakespeare's star had significantly faded. According to Shakespeare scholar Andrea Mays and historian James L. Swanson, Shakespeare wasn't actively producing new work during the last years of his life, and few of his past works existed in a concrete, publishable form. But after his passing, two of Shakespeare's friends and former collaborators did him an enormous favor ... by completely ignoring his last will and testament.

John Heminges and Henry Condell, both performers in Shakespeare's company and personal friends of the playwright, received sums of money in Shakespeare's will. Shakespeare instructed his friends to use the cash to purchase gold "memorial" rings, but Heminges and Condell had other ideas.

They instead spent their inheritances on a project that would change the literary world forever: compiling Shakespeare's notes, manuscripts, and draft books into an authorized collection of his works. The result? The First Folio, a volume published in 1623 (seven years after Shakespeare's death) which allowed Shakespeare's writings to live on for centuries.



Alfred Nobel's most famous discovery — dynamite — happened by accident.

His name may be most closely associated with the Peace Prize he founded, but Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel first became famous for creating a less-than-peaceful invention: dynamite. However, this game-changing explosive wasn't the result of deliberate action, but rather a surprising accident.

Nobel spent several years attempting to stabilize nitroglycerin, a liquid compound with explosive properties. After considerable trial and error (resulting in multiple accidental detonations with casualties), Nobel found the solution while transporting nitroglycerin to a new lab facility in the mid-1860s.

One of the cans used to hold the nitroglycerin popped open during transit, and upon opening the cargo area to assess the damage, Nobel realized that the packing material surrounding the cans — a soft but solid compound of sedimentary rock known as kieselguhr — absorbed the liquid nitroglycerin in just the right way to stabilize it. This discovery led to further experimentation, and once Nobel figured out how to merge nitroglycerin and kieselguhr without compromising the former's potency, he had the recipe for dynamite.

As it turns out, Nobel's legacy relied on mistakes more than once. In 1888, Nobel's brother passed away, and a French newspaper erroneously claimed that Alfred Nobel died instead.

In the incorrect obituary they published for Nobel, they dubbed him a "merchant of death" and assigned Nobel blame for the destructive potential of his most famous invention. Deeply upset and ashamed by this reaction to his life's work, Nobel revised his own last will and testament, bequeathing the bulk of his estate to future winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.



John Wayne went from a film-set crew member to a leading man thanks to one friendship.

The most famous on-screen cowboy in history, John Wayne didn't get his big break by auditioning or slipping his head-shot to agents. Instead, the one-time USC football player had to abandon his dreams of playing in the pros due to an injury. This event caused him to leave school and start looking around Hollywood for odd jobs to help him pay the rent, and Wayne ultimately signed on as a low-level crew member for Fox Studios' props department.

Film studios often used crew members as extras back then, and Wayne managed to get on-camera a few times, largely because of his football-player build. During one such occasion, he became friends with director John Ford, who saw something special in this broad-shouldered and stoic prop runner. Ford helped Wayne by introducing him to other directors (including Raoul Walsh, who gave Wayne his first starring role in "The Big Trail") and eventually cast him in his breakthrough role as The Ringo Kid in "Stagecoach." 



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I worked at Subway for 4 years — here's what employees know that customers don't

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  • Subway has over 25,000 locations in the US alone.
  • My first job was at Subway, and throughout my four years there, I learned the ins and outs of how the company operates — including its secrets.
  • Here's what employees know about Subway that some customers don't.

 

My first job was a part-time role working at a Subway restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri. I went in a naïve 16-year-old high school student and emerged a slightly less naïve 20-year-old.

There might not be a deep fryer, but Subway is still considered a member of the fast-food family tree, with about 7.6 million subs served daily in 2016. Like most fast-food eateries, it has secrets that the average consumer knows nothing about when they walk through the door.

SEE ALSO: Subway is closing another 500 stores — here's why

1. Every sandwich on the menu is made using a specific formula.

Employees at Subway are taught to use a particular formula when making sandwiches. The general rule of thumb is that a footlong — like a turkey sub, for example — starts with six pieces of meat, with that number divided in half for six-inch sandwiches.

Cheese follows a similar rule, with four pieces on a footlong and two on a six-inch. If you want more meat or cheese, you'll have to pay extra to double the serving.



2. The $5 footlong promotion was absolute chaos when it first debuted.

No Subway employee could have anticipated what was coming when the $5 footlong promotion kicked off in 2008.

The deal, which included every sandwich on the menu except double meat subs, caused a sharp increase of foot traffic to our store. I'm talking lines out the door, all day, every day. We ran out of bread halfway through the week.

Everyone on our staff worked well above their normal hours to try to keep up with customer demand, and the oven was rarely turned off during the day so the bread could keep baking.

Subway eliminated the deal in 2016. But today, you can get one of five select footlongs for $4.99.



3. Subway restaurants are franchises, which means different leadership runs each location.

The owner of my particular location owned another Subway storefront and managed the two shops simultaneously. Under his leadership, employees ate and drank for free at the two stores. There was no way I could walk into another store and request free, or even discounted, food because I happened to be an employee at a different location.

Every franchise has its own leadership, and the franchisee sets the terms for what employees at their specific location can and can't do. Never assume you'll receive anything for free. Instead, take care to respect the rules under your franchise's roof.



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10 fat-releasing foods that can help you lose weight

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  • If you're trying to drop a few pounds, some foods are more effective than others at helping you achieve your goal.
  • Salad is a great source of fiber, which helps you feel fuller a lot faster.
  • Drinking enough vitamin C every day reduces your body and belly fat percentages.

Liz Vaccariello, author of The Digest Diet, explains how you can lose weight fast by eating foods you already shop for, as certain foods, actions, and activities can gently shift your body into fat release mode.

Protein

I’m fond of this macronutrient powerhouse for so many reasons: It promotes healthy skin, hair, nails, bones, and muscle. It’s also a fabulous weight-loss food, according to a 2005 study from Arizona State University. Protein increased satiety (satisfaction and feelings of fullness) and increased after-meal calorie burn.

In other words, eating protein-rich meals, rather than higher-carbohydrate ones, leads to more satisfaction, less hunger, and more fat burn. I love that: three benefits in one. Earlier research also found that people following higher-protein diets generally decrease their food intake by an average of 10 percent (about 200 calories).



Vitamin C

You’ve heard for years to stock up on your C to fend off colds, but are you aware of the vitamin’s reputation as a weight-loss food? Research suggests that the bodies of folks who are deficient in vitamin C cling more stubbornly to fat. In 2008, researchers in Quebec reviewed a stack of studies to find what they called "unsuspected determinants of obesity."

Their review linked less-than-ideal intakes of particular micronutrients to an increased likelihood of being overweight. They identified deficiencies in vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E as risk factors for having a higher percentage of body fat and belly fat.

Don't miss these ten foods that help you lose weight — and five that make you gain it.



Honey

This natural sweetener has also shown great promise in animal studies for reducing weight gain and body fat when substituted for sugar. Known to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, honey boasts wide-ranging health benefits and is also a weight-loss food. It may improve blood sugar control and immunity, and it’s an effective cough suppressant. Here are some fast, easy ways to lose weight you might now know, either.



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The INSIDER Horoscope: May is a passionate time so be on the lookout for love

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Dare to be different this May. The month is all about change and if you can learn to embrace it, big things will happen for you. 

ARIES: Work and money are your top priority now but be open to love.

If you’ve been waiting to be rewarded for all of your hard work, then this month your wish could be granted. But be patient. Don’t try to force someone’s hand. You will want to be careful that you don’t step on anyone’s toes on your way to the top. The key to your material success now is to believe in yourself and eliminate any thoughts of limitation or unworthiness.

A lucky break can come with work but stay positive to see it through. You can’t afford a negative thought to derail your efforts. Work and money are your top priority now, but be open to love. An intellectual connection can become much more than what it is in the beginning. 



TAURUS: Love, money, and communication are all on your radar.

This is your time to shine! New Moon energy gives you a fresh start in some way. Take advantage of it, and don’t ponder about the whys and why nots for too long. With Mercury and the Sun in your sign, as well as Uranus moving in mid-month, you are best to work to a plan but make sure you have some flexibility.

A strong connection with beneficiary planet Jupiter can have you quietly confident about a love or romantic alliance, but don’t get ahead of yourself. As Venus, your ruler, makes a move to the next sign, love, money, and communication are all on your radar. Take stock of where you are, what you want and open the door to walk through to a new life that allows you to make your dreams a reality. 



GEMINI: Communication will be very important this month, even more so than usual.

The Sun will move to your sign later this month and will cause a whole lot of energy to rise to the surface. Venus will join the Sun towards the end of the month, too, bringing the love and romance vibe closer to you. Mercury, your ruler, moves through three signs and ends up in Gemini at the end of the month. As such, communication will be very important this month, even more so than usual.

Your intuition is sharp now so if you feel someone needs a compassionate friend, reach out to him or her. This is a good time to formalize your thoughts and start to put them into action.

Full Moon energy can put tension on your relationship, but remember, when it comes to your choice of intimate partner, it is your life to live. Money matters look favorable but don’t hand over the pin number for your card to anyone. Look after your own affairs.



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15 popular jobs that didn't even exist 20 years ago

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  • The internet as we know it changed the jobscape significantly.
  • Jobs like app developer or social media manager did not exist 20 years ago.
  • Marijuana getting legalized also gave way to a host of new jobs.


Technology is constantly changing the way we work, live, and play — emphasis on "work." While technology has rendered many jobs people had back in the '90s obsolete, it also created a host of new positions that never before existed.

From making a living off selling artisanal candles on Etsy to managing social media, the career options available today are nothing like they were 20 years ago.

Keep scrolling to learn about 15 popular jobs in 2018 that weren't even conceivable 20 years ago.

Apps weren't invented until the late 2000s, so app developers weren't a thing yet.

In 2018, there are apps for everything. At INSIDER, we've rounded up the best travel apps to make your life easier, the most helpful apps you should use every day,  and apps that will help you save money— among many others.

All of these apps (short for applications) require developers who saw a need, thought of an idea, and made it a reality. And since we use apps every single day, the industry is huge. According to Fueled, in 2016 the global app revenue hit an estimated $52 billion.

In the same vein, tech-y jobs like web analyst, SEO specialist, and coder, all didn't exist.



While drones have been around for a while, commercial companies like Amazon have only started using drones in the past five years. Those drones need operators.

In addition to delivering packages for PrimeAir, the film industry is increasingly taking advantage of the unique shots a drone can get. To start making money off your drone, you'll need to pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Test, obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate, and pass a background check.



Content moderators weren't around in '98, because there wasn't any content to moderate.

Content moderators are people who are hired to sift through the things that get uploaded to sites like Facebook or YouTube by users, and make sure that they're compliant with the terms of the site. They also weed through items that have been flagged as inappropriate.

While the internet can be a great place for people to share their artwork, speak their mind, and connect with people across the globe, it takes content moderators to make sure that its various platforms remain a safe and pleasant place to spend time.



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15 insider facts about working at Walt Disney World only cast members know

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Walt Disney World princess

• Walt Disney World employees are all referred to as "cast members."

• This includes everyone from the costumed character performers to the ride operators to the people working in retail.

• The park also reflects a show business-like environment by requiring cast members to stay "in character" while in the presence of guests.



Walt Disney World has a rep for being the "most magical place on Earth."

But what's it really like to be one of the people responsible for making the magic happen?

Walt Disney World employs 70,000 "cast members"— the term the company uses to refer to all employees. They all help to run a world-famous park that attracted a record 68 million visitors to Orlando in 2016, according to The Orlando Sentinel.

It's fair to say that these thousands of cast members come to learn a number of secrets about the park that the rest of us tourists might miss.

Business Insider spoke with a number of former Walt Disney World cast members, as well as authors who've written extensively about the park.

Here's what they had to say about the secrets of working at Walt Disney World:

SEE ALSO: 20 cities are left in the running for Amazon's second headquarters — and the story of Disney's secret hunt for land nearly 60 years ago could predict how Amazon's HQ2 will change its home city

You learn quickly that it's all about the guests

The guest experience is everything at Disney. That's drilled into you from day one.

Former Disney College Cast program attendee and "Devin Earns Her Ears: My Secret Walt Disney World Cast Member Diary" author Devin Melendy told Business Insider that, even though her job consisted of working in retail in Frontierland, she was encouraged not to stand behind the register whenever possible.

Instead, cast members are directed to spread some magic by passing out stickers, fast passes, birthday pins, and free bags and shirts.

Mike Fox, author of "The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Walt Disney World,""Disneyland Details: The Magical Hidden Secrets & Story Elements of Disneyland," and "Disneyland In-Depth" and founder of the site Disney-Secrets.com, told Business Insider that a "deep commitment to the guest experience" is "instilled within the company.

"So it always impresses me, especially at the cast member level, the training that goes into helping these folks to provide that superior experience and to see it out on stage and see it executed," he said.



Name tags are an absolute must — even if you're using an alias

Melendy said it's considered "bad show" for a cast members to not wear a name tag. But if you lose your tag, no worries. There's a whole stockpile of gender neutral names like Chris, Sam, and Pat to choose from.

"I lost my first name tag, so I was Chris from New York for two weeks while I waited for my new one," Melendy told Business Insider.

"It's a major deal if you don't have one," Chantelle Judd, a former cast member who worked in Frontierland, told Business Insider. "If this happens — it's easy to forget sometimes — you have to make sure you can borrow one — costuming has spares."



If you want to play a Disney character, you'd better be good at charades

Melendy said she auditioned to become a costumed character but ultimately didn't make the cut. She said that these performers must go through loads of auditions and costume fittings in order to land the role.

People who are good at improvising have a leg up. During the process, you're asked to pantomime activities, like making a sandwich and washing a dog.

"You were supposed to make these gestures big and dramatic, because if you're in a costume you have to parlay what you're saying without saying anything," she said.



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