• Eating fat does not make you fat.
• No matter how hard you try, you cannot make up for lost sleep on the weekends.
• If you think getting the flu shot will give you influenza, it’s time to reconsider where you get your information.

Do you ever feel like you’re on information overload when it comes to your health? Depending on what’s trending online, what’s good for you one day is considered pure evil the next. And with so many people weighing in on the latest nutrition, exercise, sleep, and overall wellness crazes, it can be hard to know who to believe.

That’s why INSIDER talked with four experts about some of the more common health myths that seem to be  scrapped more than others.

Myth: You can make up for lost sleep on the weekends.

Do you ever get to the weekend and think you can finally get caught up on all of the sleep you missed during your hectic week? Catching up on sleep sounds nice, but it doesn't work quite work the way you think it does.

"Short sleep all week followed by sleep binging on the weekends isn't ideal for your long-term health," sleep expertChris Brantner told INSIDER. In fact, although you might feel better on Saturday, it can actually mess you up for the rest of the week. What often happens, said Brantner, is that people barely sleep during the work week, then sleep in late on Saturdays and Sundays to try and make up.

Even though you're catching a few more Z's on the weekend, this method of sleepthrows off your entire schedule.

"The result is that you have a harder time to get to sleep on Sunday evening, which sets you up for a terrible Monday, not to mention for a totally messed up sleep schedule during the week," he explained. Brantner recommended setting both a bedtime and a wake time for yourself and doing your best to stick to it all week long, including the weekends.

Myth: Getting the flu shot can give you the flu.

You've probably heard this from your friend who is dead-set against getting the flu shot. But turns out they're mistaken because, "the flu shot cannot make you sick with influenza," Dr. Tania Elliott, board-certified Allergist and Internist and Chief Medical Officer at EHE, told INSIDER.

According to Elliott, vaccinations may contain viruses, but they've been inactivated and are incapable of making you ill. However, because the flu shot can lead to potential side effects like body aches and low-grade fever that may overlap with certain flu symptoms, people mistakenly conflate the two.

"It’s extremely important to be vaccinated against the flu, which makes this myth damaging to individuals and the community alike," she explained.The Centers for Disease Control recommend that most people without extenuating medical circumstances get an annual vaccination for their own health, and the public's.

Myth: Taking a nap during the day will interfere with your nighttime sleep.

It's not uncommon to hear people say that you shouldn't take nap during the day, especially if you want a full night's sleep. But the truth is,taking a nap can actually be good for your health. It’s the length of the nap that matters.

"The key to a good nap is to either take a short 20-minute power nap or go all in on a 1.5-hour nap. The short nap will keep you in light sleep, making it easy to wake up feeling refreshed, whereas the longer nap will get you through a full sleep cycle, which can really help you feel rejuvenated," explained Brantner.

Anywhere in-between those times and you risk waking up during deeper sleep, which can leave you feeling exhausted and groggy.

• Weddings can be extremely costly affairs, but it is possible to reduce spending significantly when it comes to decorations.
• Dollar stores offer a range of paraphernalia ideal for decorating a wedding space, at a low price.
• Items such as candles, jars, or false flowers can visually enhance a wedding venue without majorly affecting the overall budget.

Wedding guests won't notice that your centerpiece candles came from the same store where they buy air fresheners and batteries. Promise. So if you can cut wedding costs by buying decorations at a dollar store, why not?

Decor is the perfect expense to cut if you're up for beginner-level DIY, says Jessica Bishop, creator of The Budget Savvy Bride website and author of "The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner & Organizer."

"You don't have to be super crafty or artistic to pull together a really nice look without spending much money," she says. "You don't have to be Martha Stewart."

Unlike an off-key band or a bland meal, decorations probably won't make a lasting impression on guests. Bishop suggests spending more on "experience enhancers," like entertainment, food and drinks, and less on decor, which you can buy at a dollar store.

"[Dollar Tree] has a really great e-commerce website," Bishop says, adding that "there's way more product variety and selection" online than in the store. That's where you can find the items below for $1 — and other discount stores may stock them as well.

SEE ALSO: 9 things you should always splurge on

Candles and candle holders

You'll find votive and pillar candles in jars, including flame-less options. Add a case of candle holders to your cart, and you have matched centerpieces or favors for guests.

Vases and jars

Online, you'll find more than 50 kinds of glass vases, sold in units of four, six, 12 or 24. With a collection of these coordinating vases, you can achieve a cohesive look among your centerpieces and accent decor. There's also a range of jars for flowers — or for candles, succulents, colorful fruit or anything else.

Ribbon and twine

Jazz up those jars, vases and candle holders by wrapping them with colorful ribbon or twine. These items can also embellish bouquets, Bishop says.

• The Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator are Detroit's kings of the large SUV segment.
• We sampled the aging Caddy and the all-new Lincoln.
• Believe it or not, even through the Navigator is clearly superior, I preferred the throwback Escalade.

Ford has endured some ups and down over the past year, but it's hit a home run with the redesigned Lincoln Navigator, the large-and-in-charge full-size luxury SUV.

The vehicle is so much in-demand that the company can't build them fast enough.

Navigator was really the first big luxury SUV, debuting in the 1990s. But not long after, crosstown Detroit rival Cadillac also jumped into the game with the Escalade.

Despite Navigator's recent surge, Escalade is still the segment leader. The SUV went into production in 2014 for its third generation, so it's longer in the tooth than the new Navigator. 

With that in mind, we pitted the Navigator — with which we were already mighty impressed — against the Escalade. Read on to find out who ended up the victor.

Photos by Hollis Johnson unless otherwise indicated.

SEE ALSO: We drove popular minivans from Toyota and Honda to see which we liked better — and the winner was clear

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

Our well-optioned 2018 Lincoln Navigator arrived in a 4x4 Reserve trim level and tipped the price scales at $90,000.

Read the review.

It looked sharp in an "Ingot Silver Metallic" paint job. And I mean really sharp. It's a challenge to make anything this big look sleek and stylish.

The Navigator really announces itself with its bold grille and front fascia: the grillework itself replicates the shape of the famous Lincoln star badge — which, by the way, lights up.

• INSIDER consulted Gabriella Risatti, owner of Gabriella New York, to find out what brides should be asking when picking a dress
• Start shopping 10 months to a year in advance
• Find out what type of gown is suitable for your figure
• Find out if the price fits within your budget. Search the website or call the store for more information.

Any woman who has ever thought about getting married probably has some idea of the dress she wants to walk down the aisle in. Maybe you've even bought a few bridal magazines over the years, just in case.

But, once it gets down with it, it can be downright daunting to narrow down what you want in a dress. INSIDER spoke with Gabriella Risatti, owner of Gabriella New York; a wedding dress shop in NYC. The company is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and has helped thousands of brides all over the world say yes to the dress.

Risatti gave us the scoop on what women should be asking when searching for their dream wedding dress.

When should I start dress shopping?

How you approach dress shopping depends on your wedding date. If you’ve got some time to spare, Risatti suggested getting started at least 10 months to a year in advance based on her experience.

"It takes about three or four months to make the gown," she told INSIDER. "And then you’d like to have three to four months to alter the gown. So if you do that we’re talking six to eight months for the process. That’s not leaving you any room to really shop. So that’s why we say ten months to a year is ideal."

That’s not to say an expedited process isn’t possible but the sooner the better.

Is the store reputable?

Such a major purchase can't be taken lightly so you want to make sure your business is in good hands. Risatti suggested asking friends and family for their own recommendations. Also, it's important to look for reviews. Of course, take some with a grain of salt, but what are the majority saying? And if there is a bad review, what specifically is the reason? And if you call to make the appointment, what is the experience you have? Finally, look at the designers they have and whether they match your wedding day aesthetic and price points.

Do I need to make an appointment?

It's highly unlikely that a store is going to turn you away without an appointment but setting one up comes with added benefits.

"The good thing about having an appointment is that you know you're going to have someone dedicated to you and when you call you can get as much or as little information as you want," Risatti told us. "If you have a certain style or price point they can have that set up before the visit or you can start from scratch."

• Selling yourself quickly and efficiently is key when you meet someone new. But crafting and delivering a solid elevator pitch can be harder than it seems.
• We asked marketing strategist Dorie Clark for her best advice on selling yourself.
• Clark's tips include: Personalize as much as possible and don't stick to a script.

"The best elevator pitch doesn't feel like an elevator pitch," says Dorie Clark. "It feels like a conversation."

Clark is a marketing strategist, an adjunct professor of business administration at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, and the author of multiple books, the most recent of which is "Entrepreneurial You."

The goal of telling someone about yourself, according to Clark, is simply to "achieve conversational liftoff." You don't need to cram in every detail about your life and career — that will come out over time.

We asked Clark for her best advice on crafting and delivering a solid elevator pitch, or "selling yourself," if you will. Read on for her top tips.

SEE ALSO: Here's exactly what to say and do when you're stuck in the elevator with your CEO

Consider your audience and personalize the pitch to them

You wouldn't send the same exact résumé and cover letter to every company where you're applying. The same logic applies to elevator pitches: You want to personalize as much as possible.

"You can make a better and deeper connection with people if you can be thoughtful about what elements would resonate," Clark said.

Say, for example, that the person you're speaking with works in finance and you used to work in finance. You might open the conversation by talking about the way your finance background still informs the work you do today.

Wait as long as possible in the conversation to give your pitch

Clark said she advises clients to give only a brief answer to "Tell me about yourself" at networking events. The next step is to draw the other person out.

"If you can find ways to engage the other person upfront and ask as many questions as possible about them, it will enable you … to find more hooks so that what you're talking about is relevant to them."

Keep the pitch to about 30 seconds

Brevity is key. Stick to about 30 seconds when you’re delivering your elevator pitch.

"The goal is not to stun people into silence with your amazing monologue," Clark said. "The goal is to engage them in a conversation."

There's long been talk about a foldable smartphone from Samsung, but now there's something tangible that brings a foldable smartphone closer to reality.

On May 2, Samsung was granted multiple patents for its foldable smartphone design and the way it'll work.

Samsung's latest patents show that the company is experimenting with a smartphone that can fold into thirds – not just a smartphone that can fold in half, as was originally rumored.

Being granted the patents isn't a guarantee that Samsung is making these devices. Many patented devices never see the light of day. Plus, there would surely be several difficulties for Samsung to overcome with a foldable smartphone.

But Samsung has clearly been thinking about and researching the concept, and there's always the chance the design ends up in a real product.

Check out Samsung's ideas for making foldable smartphones: 

SEE ALSO: Samsung's long-awaited foldable phone might release in 2018 — here are 7 things to expect from the Galaxy X

At first glance, Samsung's foldable smartphone will supposedly look like any other smartphone.

It'll fold right down the middle of the display.

You could either have the phone in a split-screen setting, with one app taking up half the display and something else on the other half...

• These puzzles aren't easy to solve and some of them will leave you seriously confused.
• From basic problem solving to tricky math, see if you can figure these out.

House number

Egg equation

Card question

People have been looking forward to "Avengers: Infinity War" for years. And now that it's finally in theaters, it has become a box office success. The film brings together characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe that you've seen over the past 10 years, all joining forces to try and stop Thanos.

Though the actors in "Avengers: Infinity War" are now huge names in Hollywood, it wasn't always that way. They started out in small film and TV series before earning a spot in the franchise. 

Here's what the stars of "Avengers: Infinity War" looked before they were famous. 

Long before playing Tony Stark/Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. landed his first role in the movie "Pound."

The movie was written and directed by his father. Downey was five years old when the movie was released, and played a puppy. 

Downey went on to star in movies like "Hail Cesar,""Home for the Holidays,""The Shaggy Dog," and "Gothika."

These days, he is known for his Marvel role as a genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist (Tony's words, not ours).

He made his first appearance as "Iron Man" in 2008, and his character has had three total standalone films. With the introduction of Tom Holland's Spider-Man, Tony has also taken on the role of a mentor to the teen webslinger. 

Before Mark Ruffalo became known for his reputation as one of the worst secret-keepers in the "Avengers: Infinity War" cast, he starred in a variety of films, from comedies to horrors.

When he was younger, Ruffalo was a bartender, navigated Los Angeles with a motorcycle, and participated in theater productions.

He also starred in movies like "13 Going on 30" and "Collateral."

Taiwan says it's a democratic, self-ruled country in East Asia. China disagrees.

Under the "One China" policy, Beijing considers Taiwan to be a province of China, one that will eventually be fully reunified — by force, if necessary. China is adamant about this and frequently seeks to assert its claim to Taiwan on the global stage.

In order to prevent international recognition of Taiwan as a country — which could diminish China's claim to it — the government even demands countries with which it has diplomatic ties to cut relations with Taiwan.

And now China has set its sights on a new target: foreign airlines.

On April 25, the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) of China ordered a number of international airlines, including several from the US, to change how Taiwan is described on their websites and promotional material.

The US State Department confirmed to Business Insider airlines received the letter and said it had raised "strong concerns" with Chinese authorities in Beijing about the order.

"Regarding websites, we object to Beijing dictating how U.S. firms, including airlines, organize their websites for ease of consumer use. Chinese companies’ websites operate freely and without political interference in the United States," a State Department official told Business Insider.

The agency also said it "will consider taking appropriate action if necessary in response to unfair Chinese actions."

But this is not the first time China has tried to exert its influence over foreign companies. Earlier this year, the hotel chain Marriott was forced to shut down the Chinese version of its website for a week. The fast-fashion retailer, Zara, was ordered to complete a "self-inspection" and turn in a rectification report for listing certain areas as countries. China's territorial claims to Taiwan have gradually become a confusing and diplomatically-fraught issue for foreign companies, and now air carriers. Keep scrolling to see how major airlines are dealing with China's attempts to get foreign countries to comply with its view that Taiwan is part of China:

SEE ALSO: One chilling story shows how far China will go to silence critics

American Airlines: Taiwan is a sovereign country

American Airlines confirmed to Business Insider it received the letter from China's Civil Aviation Administration last month.

The airline, which lists Taiwan as a country on its booking drop-down lists, said it is "reviewing" the letter.

Last year American Airlines became a minority shareholder in China's largest carrier, China Southern.

Delta Airlines: Taiwan is a region

In January this year, Delta Air Lines was censured by China's Civil Aviation Administration for listing both Taiwan and Tibet as countries on its website. The agency demanded an "immediate and public apology."

The airline responded by saying it had made a "grave mistake" 

"Delta recognizes the seriousness of this issue and we took immediate steps to resolve it," the company said in a statement.

"It was an inadvertent error with no business or political intention, and we apologize deeply for the mistake. As one of our most important markets, we are fully committed to China and to our Chinese customers."

Following the incident the company changed its destination list from being called "Country" to "Country/Region."

United Airlines: Taiwan is a country

When contacted by Business Insider, United Airlines referred questions to the US State Department.

But Foreign Policy reported the company did in fact receive a letter from China's aviation agency.

United is a big player on the US-China route with the airline providing one in five of all flights.

Last year when video of aviation officers dragging a passenger off a flight went viral, Chinese state-run media warned the incident could affect local sales.

The Las Vegas Golden Knights are one of the most compelling stories in sports right now.

In their first year, the expansion franchise has shown that it can compete with the best teams in hockey, rounding together a roster of players from every team across the league and quickly becoming a force in the NHL.

After winning the Pacific Division, the Golden Knights already have the best debut season for an expansion franchise in any major sport, but with a Stanley Cup berth on the visible horizon, Las Vegas is far from ready to settle.

Take a look below at how the team came together and turned a ragtag roster into one of the most dynamic teams in the NHL.

The Las Vegas Golden Knights' roster was initially put together through the expansion draft in June of 2017. All 30 NHL teams were allowed to protect one goalie, three defensemen and seven forwards, or one goalie and eight skaters. From there, the Golden Knights would build their team.

The protections prevented the Golden Knights from immediately nabbing most of the NHL's brightest stars, but the way that the draft was set up did allow for general manager George McPhee and majority owner Bill Foley to make some interesting and remarkably smart selections.

Probably the biggest get of the draft at the time for the Golden Knights was veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury had won three Stanley Cups with the Penguins during his storied career in Pittsburgh, but was available in the expansion draft after the team chose to protect his successor Matt Murray instead.

However long you've been alive, chances are you've heard a completely incorrect "fact" about the brain. The human brain is notoriously complicated, and despite many advances in modern science, much of the organ remains a mystery. 

That's probably why, when someone hears a rumour about how the brain functions, they spread it — regardless of whether or not it's true.

Here are 10 of the biggest and most widely believed misconceptions about the human brain, and why they're wrong. 

SEE ALSO: You shouldn't completely write-off brain training — not yet at least

1. There are 'left brain' and 'right brain' people

According to popular culture and quizzes on Facebook, logical, analytical people have a "left brain" while creative and artistic types think with their their "right brain."

But this isn't true. No scientific studies have really ever been able to prove people are dominated by either side of the brain.

In fact, in a study in 2013, researchers from the University of Utah examined the brains of more than 1,000 people, and found there was no significant difference among people in terms of their brain dominance. Essentially, by looking at MRI scans of brain activity, both sides of the brain were more or less equal in their neural networks and connectivity.

The "right or left brain" myth could have arisen from the work of Roger Sperry, who won a Nobel Prize for his research on patients with epilepsy. They were treated by having their corpus callosum cut — an area that connects the two brain hemispheres.

2. We only use 10% of our brain

It's pretty compelling to think that the human brain has mostly untapped potential. But in reality, the idea we only use 10% of our brains is totally untrue. This means the pill they created in the film and TV series "Limitless" would be essentially useless.

In terms of evolution, it would be a pretty terrible idea to spend so much time and energy growing such a large brain if most of it wasn't used. In fact, we use pretty much all of it — studies have shown how our brains are engaged in even the smallest cursory tasks.

There is evidence we do have brain reserves, though. For example, people can lose significant portions of their brains and still function relatively normally.

3. We all have a 'learning style'

Many people were taught they had a "learning style" at school, the idea that some people are better at retaining information orally, visually, or by listening.

There is actually very little scientific evidence the learning styles exist. A recent study from the Indiana University School of Medicine was the "nail in the coffin" for the theory.

Researchers Polly Husmann and Valerie O'Loughlin found that students who revised with their assessed "learning styles" didn't do any better in their end of year exams than others.

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are getting married on May 19.
• The couple's honeymoon is reportedly taking place in Namibia, in West Africa. 
• We talked to a travel agent who specializes in luxury travel throughout Africa to find out what Markle and Prince Harry might do during their time in Namibia.

After the royal wedding on May 19, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will jet off for their honeymoon — and according to Travel + Leisure, the destination of choice is Namibia, in South West Africa.

Neighboring Botswana, which the couple most recently visited for Markle's 36th birthday celebration, Namibia offers incredible views and ultimate privacy.

To find out what a honeymoon itinerary in Namibia may look like, Business Insider talked to Marisa Lassman, a travel expert and founder of Another Africa, a luxury travel agency that specializes in unique and tailored trips across the continent.

"We go to great lengths to profile our clients and understand their interests, travel preferences, and requirements," Lassman told Business Insider. "No two itineraries are ever the same."Lassman also noted the best time of year to visit Namibia is in May. With the royal couple and their tastes in mind, she drafted an eight-day itinerary for their honeymoon.

From horseback riding, to private tours led by a wildlife documentary filmmaker, to witnessing stunning views of the Skeleton Coast, see how the royals could be spending their time together in Namibia. 

SEE ALSO: People are hoping Meghan Markle's wedding dress could include pieces of Princess Diana's dress from 1981 — here's what that could look like

DON'T MISS: Meghan Markle's engagement ring has a diamond from the second biggest supplier of conflict-free diamonds — here are the best countries to buy diamonds from

After flying into Windhoek's international airport, it's a 50-minute flight to the Wolwedans Private Camp airstrip. Located within the NamibRand Nature Reserve, Wolwedans Private Camp is a remote and beautiful retreat, and can be booked only on an exclusive basis.

Two nights would be spent at Wolwedans. The first day would include activities such as a scenic walk while getting acclimated to the area and in-suite massages.

While there, tours would be given by Hayden Turner, an expert guide who has dedicated much of his life to filmmaking and photography in the surrounding areas for clients such as National Geographic and the Discovery Channel.

• Social Security benefits for retirees grew by an average of 2.54% every year over the last three decades.
• If this growth continues, the average Social Security benefit for retirees will grow to $2,318.89 per month by 2038.
• However, that amount will be offset by a higher cost of living. 

For many American retirees, paying their monthly bills is possible because of their Social Security retirement benefits — but the program's future isn't exactly clear.

Several factors will determine what happens to Social Security benefits going forward. The US has an aging population with many people nearing retirement age. Combined with longer life spans and fewer workers contributing to Social Security, retirement funds may feel a crunch in the future.

As it stands now, the Social Security Administration makes a cost of living adjustment to increase retirement benefits by a certain amount every year. Over the past 30 years, from 1989 to 2018, the average cost of living adjustment was 2.54%. But not every year sees the same increase. Social Security benefits increased by 2.0% in 2018, 0% in 2016, and 3.6% in 2012.

Business Insider calculated what Social Security benefits could look like in 20 years if this trend continues. Using the 2.54% average cost of living adjustment, the typical retiree could expect to receive a monthly check worth $2,318.89 in 2038. Currently, the average monthly retirement benefit is $1,404.15.

While that may sound like a more reasonable amount, don't change your retirement plans just yet. The increase in retirement benefits will be nominal because overall cost of living will increase at the same rate. Meaning, the benefits retirees receive in 20 years will be worth about the same amount as they are now, in terms of spending power.

Below, see the average Social Security retirement benefit in 2018 compared to the estimated benefit 20 years from now for every state and Washington DC, ranked from the lowest to the highest.

SEE ALSO: 50 places in the US where retirement is affordable, healthcare is excellent, and life is good

DON'T MISS: Harvard researchers say you'll have more money in retirement if you choose the right savings account

51. Louisiana

Average Social Security benefits in 2018: $1,311.72

Estimated Social Security benefits in 2038: $2,166.24

50. Maine

Average Social Security benefits in 2018: $1,314.22

Estimated Social Security benefits in 2038: $2,170.37

49. Mississippi

Average Social Security benefits in 2018: $1,319.06

Estimated Social Security benefits in 2038: $2,178.37

• For the first time in ten years, a Tesla bankruptcy is being seriously discussed.
• Tesla is currently under enormous financial stress.
• There are several ways that Tesla could end up in Chapter 11.

Bob Lutz watched General Motors go into bankruptcy in 2009, and for several years, he has been deeply critical of Tesla and CEO Elon Musk.

"I've been totally consistent on this,"he told CNBC last week, following Tesla's first-quarter earnings and after a surreal Muskian performance on a conference call with analysts. Lutz then did what he often does, praising Musk as a visionary before pointing out that his "costs are way higher than his revenues" and that he's been keeping Tesla going by returning to the capital markets for funding. 

"That may work one more time, and then he's going to run out of money again, and then he's cooked," Lutz said. "At this rate, Chapter 11 [bankruptcy] is a certainty."

Lutz could be right, and Lutz could be wrong, but he's been around the car business long enough to know when the endgames are afoot.

I've been covering Tesla for a decade, starting at about the same time the company evaded its previous brush with Chapter 11 in 2008. Lutz is right. Tesla is close to the edge. Investors need to start thinking not just about the stock tanking from its current height, nearly 1,000% of the 2010 IPO price — they need to start thinking about being how they could get wiped out.

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

Tesla never moves revenue ahead of costs.

Tesla increased automotive revenue year-over-year in Q1 by almost 20% — but the company still lost $710 million. 

Musk thinks that by the second half of 2018, this will reverse and that automotive revenue will dramatically increase as the Model 3 mass-market vehicle seriously ramps up production and Tesla can reel in an average purchase price that will be around $50,000-$60,000. Costs will remain steady, and presto! No more losses, cash piling up on the balance sheet, and Tesla is out of the woods.

A rosy scenario that would imply Tesla gets Model 3 on track — and then doesn't spend significantly more money on anything else. No new factories, no new models, no new technologies. From his comments on last week's earnings call, it sounds as if Musk is gently pushing some objective farther off into the future. Such as the Model Y, a forthcoming crossover SUV.

If it doesn't work, then Tesla keeps losing money and has to beg for new funding, perhaps on onerous terms. I think Lutz is right that the markets will give Musk one more shot. And then, unless he sells off a chunk of Tesla to a deep-pocketed investors or partners with somebody, it's time for the portly lady to sing.

Model 3 reservation holders get tired of waiting for their $35,000 car.

Tesla has something like 400,000 pre-orders for the Model 3 and is now delivering the $44,000 premium version. The price can rise to $60,000, once various options are added.

That's not crazy far from the cheaper trim levels of the Model S sedan that have sold in Tesla history (the least expensive Model S is about $75,000). So Tesla's first Model 3 buyers aren't hugely different from its prior customers. 

Knock the price down to $35,000 and you open up the mass-market. But you also make less profit per car. And you cut into revenue. All negatives for Tesla in its current predicament. So Tesla could continue to hold off on producing the base Model 3, perhaps so that it preserves a $7,500 federal tax credit for wealthier customers.

That incentive phases out after Tesla sells 200,000 vehicles in the US, and because it's a tax credit, it's of use mainly to richer folks who might actually owe the IRS something on April 15. 

Tesla's go-to-market has always been to start with upscale models and roll out the cheaper stuff later, but Tesla needs to sell hundreds of thousands of Model 3s to make the business work, and as Lutz has noted, the market in the US for $60,000 cars isn't big enough to support Musk's deliveries goals. 

Thus, Tesla must have customers who will buy the cheaper Model 3. But Tesla is making them wait and wait. If they doubt that Tesla will ever deliver their car, they could bail en masse and then it's curtains for Elon.

Tesla is cut off from the debt and equity markets.

As a growing public company, Tesla has since 2010 benefitted by steady access to equity and debt markets. It's been able to sell new stock, issue convertible debt (debt that's turned in equity at some point), and even offer some high-yield junk bonds. Running out of cash hasn't mattered; Wall Street has been happy to finance Tesla's expansion.

Musk has declared that Tesla won't need to raise new funding in 2018, and maybe it won't. Lutz thinks another capital raise is on the horizon. The economy is seemingly pretty stable at the moment, but if things get rocky and a recession arrives, Tesla's scary balance sheet ($10 billion in debt, less than $3 billion in cash) could land it in major financing trouble.

It's important to remember that like Tesla, GM and Chrysler were saddled with debt and failing to make money prior to the financial crisis. But nobody was seriously predicting Chapter 11 — until both carmakers had their access to debt funding cut off. Then bankruptcy arrived like a raptor swooping down on its prey.

Tesla is playing chicken with its balance sheet and has gotten away with it while the economy has been bubbly. In the car business, that works until suddenly it doesn't.

• The Porsche 718 Boxster S and the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider are two of the best sports cars to ever emerge from Europe.
• Both the Porsche and the Alfa are powered by turbocharged, inline-four-cylinder engines located behind the driver.
• The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider costs about $74,000 while our Porsche 718 Boxster S carried a price tag of just under $90,000.
• The Alfa Romeo delivered a more raw and evocative driving experience than the Porsche.
• But, we found the Porsche to be an all-around better car.

There are few things as evocative in western society as the convertible sports car. With the top down, it's the automotive embodiment of fun, freedom, and the open road. Pretty much all the good parts of driving. Cliche? Absolutely. But get behind the wheel of a great sports car and you'll find out very quickly that there is a whole lot truth behind the cliche. 

Two of the best to come out of Europe is the Porsche 718 Boxster and the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. 

The Porsche 718 is the latest in the company's highly successful Boxster line of mid-engine sports cars. For years, it was seen as the 911's adorable little brother. But lately, Porsche has loosened the reigns on its entry-level sports car with the addition of turbocharging and a host of performance goodies. 

The Alfa Romeo 4C paved the way for the brand's return to the US market back in 2014. Now, Alfa Romeo is powering forward with a lineup led by its stunning Giulia sports sedan and Stelvio crossover SUV. The 4C is a bit of an odd-duck. There's really nothing else like it in the world. It's part pint-sized Ferrari, part Italian Lotus. And it's 100% fun.

So the question must be asked? Which one is better? The raucous Italian or Stuttgart's finest? 

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First up is the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. Our Alfa 4C Spider test car started at $64,000, but after $10,000 worth of options, ended up with an as-tested price of around $74,000. Since our test, the 4C Spider's based price has gone up to $65,000.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is unique. Not since the departure of Alfa's front-engine Spider a quarter century ago have we had a small, nimble, pure-bred Italian sports car on offer in the US.

Aesthetically, the 4C is stylish, but not quite classically beautiful. Its mousy front-end is juxtaposed to its overall muscular proportions.

• In times of market turbulence, it can be helpful for investors to pinpoint stocks that will offer reliable cash distributions.
• Goldman Sachs has identified the 14 S&P 500 companies poised to return the most cash to shareholders via buybacks and dividends.

For investors uncertain about the future of the market, it can be comforting — if not downright lucrative — to seek out companies that can be counted upon for regular cash payouts.

That means firms offering both dividends and buybacks, and there's serious value in knowing which ones are the most likely to engage in either activity.

That's where Goldman Sachs comes in.

The firm maintains an index of S&P 500 companies spanning nine sectors that have offered the highest yield from share repurchases and dividend payments over the past 12 months. 

It's worth noting, however, that while investing in companies for their cash distributions is a relatively risk-averse way to grind out returns, it's not necessarily a strategy that will keep pace with the broader market. It can actually struggle in a rising-interest-rate environment as bond yields get more competitive, says Goldman.

Still, knowing which companies fall into the high-cash-return category can be valuable when constructing a portfolio. So without further ado, here are the 14 companies best positioned to return the most money to shareholders going forward:

14. Seagate Technology

Ticker: STX

Industry: Information technology

Market cap: $17 billion

Year-to-date return: 45%

Trailing 12-month yield: 11.6%

13. Humana

Ticker: HUM

Industry: Healthcare

Market cap: $41 billion

Year-to-date return: 19%

Trailing 12-month yield: 11.8%

12. XL Group

Ticker: XL

Industry: Financials

Market cap: $14 billion

Year-to-date return: 59%

Trailing 12-month yield: 12.2%

The 2018 Kentucky Derby field is set.

On Saturday, 20 horses will step into the gates at Churchill Downs, with one winning the "Run for the Roses" and making the first step toward Triple Crown immortality.

After the official draw determined the post positions for the 20 horses in the field this year, the morning line was set, and bettors began to consider where they'd put their money down before the starting gun sounds on Saturday.

It's an incredibly talented field this year, with reasons to doubt some of the favorites and love some of the underdogs. Justify is the current favorite at 7-to-2, but will have to overcome over 100 years of history if he is to win at Churchill Downs, while a few horses with longer odds have gone their entire careers having never missed the money in a race.

Take a look below as we go post by post to give you the rundown on every horse racing this weekend at the Kentucky Derby.

*Odds current as of Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST.

1. Firenze Fire (61/1)

Trainer/Jockey: Jason Servis/Paco Lopez

Career wins: 4

Recent result: 4th at Wood Memorial Stakes

One thing to know: Having the inside track is good once the race is underway, but horses have struggled in recent years coming out against the rail at Churchill Downs; the last horse to win from pole position was Ferdinand in 1986.

2. Free Drop Billy (41/1)

Trainer/Jockey: Dale L. Romans/Robby Albarado

Career wins: 2

Recent result: 3rd at Blue Grass Stakes

One thing to know: Earlier this week it was announced that Free Drop Billy would be heading to Spendthrift Farm to stud once his racing career is over. He may still be racing in this year's Derby, but I'm not one to bet on a horse whose eyes are already on retirement.

3. Promises Fulfilled (47/1)

Trainer/Jockey: Dale L. Romans/Corey J. Lanerie

Career wins: 3

Recent result: 9th at Florida Derby

One thing to know: Fast out of the gate and with a sound path to the inside, Promises Fulfilled is a good bet to be leading out of the first turn. That said, we don't bet on which horse is leading into the first turn, and endurance is just as important as your burst when looking to pick a Derby winner.

Samsung already confirmed the Galaxy Note 9 in October 2017. 

It's a similar move as OnePlus, where the co-founders often publish blog posts revealing certain details and features before their new models are released.

However, Samsung didn't reveal very much at all about its upcoming device in its own post. I suppose it acts as a reassurance that Galaxy Note fans can expect a follow-up to the Galaxy Note 8.

Unfortunately, the rumor mongers out there don't have very much to reveal about the Galaxy Note 9, either. Still, a few hints show us where we can expect the biggest improvements in the upcoming Galaxy Note 9. I'd still be wary about any rumors or hints that don't come from Samsung itself.

Check out what we know about the Galaxy Note 9:

SEE ALSO: LG's newest G7 'ThinQ' smartphone looks great, but it has a short list of features that makes it stand out

1. The Galaxy Note 9 could have an invisible fingerprint sensor embedded underneath the display.

This is the biggest rumor about the Galaxy Note 9 so far. Various sources, including a historically reliable gadgets leaker only known as "Ice Universe," have said the Galaxy Note 9 will feature an invisible fingerprint scanner underneath the display. 

However, Korean news site The Investor doesn't support these rumors, saying "It is not, however, expected to feature an in-screen fingerprint sensor."

Contradicting rumors suggests the feature is still in the air for the Galaxy Note 9.

2. A new Samsung skin over Android.

Ice Universe mentioned a "Crown UX," which suggests the Galaxy Note 9 might come with a brand-new skin, which Samsung uses to differentiate its smartphones from other Android devices. 

It's not clear if the Crown UX will be a major overhaul of the current Experience UX skin that Samsung uses on the Galaxy S9. The Galaxy Note skins are usually a little different to Galaxy S skins to accommodate features designed around the S-Pen stylus.

3. Samsung said the S-Pen will be improved.

Samsung said in an interview (with itself in its own newsroom blog) that it's looking to improve the S-Pen in the Galaxy Note 9. The company didn't go into specifics, which is unfortunate as we'd expect improvements in any new model. 

For over two centuries, presidents and first ladies have welcomed guests to the White House for lavish parties. Some first families have been known for hosting awe-inspiring gatherings, while others were not expert entertainers.

But the presidential couple that stood out from the rest was former President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan. The 40th President of the United States and his wife were known for throwing elegant, star-studded soirées.

Given his Hollywood connections, Reagan's parties were filled with some of the biggest Hollywood celebrities, in an era when fabulous people reigned supreme.

Step inside the Reagan White House parties:

SEE ALSO: Inside Number One Observatory Circle, the often overlooked but stunning vice president's residence where the Pences live

DON'T MISS: See inside the swanky party where the Trumps celebrated New Year's Eve

As the nation saw an increase in millionaires and billionaires, the Reagans hosted parties in gilded surroundings with superstar guests, such as Frank Sinatra.

Source: AP

In this famous photo of Sinatra, Reagan cut in to dance with his wife.

Source: Town & Country

Keeping with tradition, the Reagans hosted foreign heads of state and dignitaries for special dinners at the White House. But some did criticize the Reagans fancy parties for being elitist.

Source: Reagan Presidential Library

• Dollar Tree is opening 650 stores this year in the midst of the biggest wave of retail bankruptcies and store closures in decades. 
• The company is largely immune from the threat of Amazon due to the combination of value, convenience, and "treasure hunt" shopping experiences that it offers customers, according to Moody's.
• We visited a Dollar Tree store in Richmond, Virginia, and it was in total disarray.

Dollar stores are thriving and opening hundreds of new locations in the midst of the biggest wave of retail bankruptcies and store closures in decades.

The stores' success boils down to a combination of three factors that are nearly impossible to replicate online: low prices, convenience, and a "treasure hunt" shopping experience, according to Moody's Investors Service.

We visited Dollar Tree, one of the top dollar stores in the US, to find out how it's luring so many shoppers when other retailers are in decline.

We were expecting to find a no-frills shopping experience, but we were shocked to find the store in total disarray: 

SEE ALSO: America's 'permanent underclass' isn't going anywhere — and that's great news for stores like Dollar General and Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree is the biggest dollar chain in the US in terms of locations, with more than 14,700 stores.

When we visited one of the company's stores in Richmond, Virginia, we found one of the doors at the entrance boarded up with cardboard.

Inside, we found more cardboard. Dozens of boxes lined the aisles.