• Early retirement isn't always feasible for some people.
• Instead of an early retirement or end-of-career retirement, they opt for a mini-retirement, a series of meaningful respites away from their job.
• Five people who have taken mini-retirements share why they did it, how they did it, and how they're spending their time.
• Ultimately, they were able to save money by sticking to a budget, living a minimalist lifestyle, and picking up side hustles.

For some people, early retirement just isn't feasible. But neither is the rat race.

That's where a mini-retirement comes in.

Coined by Tim Ferris in his book, "The 4-Hour Workweek," a mini-retirement is a series of meaningful respites throughout your life in which you take a break from your career, rather than taking one final retirement at the end. It's a time to step away from your typical routine and create a blank slate.

Most mini-retirements involve travel — not a holiday, but a relocation for at least one to six months before heading back to home base. But really, a mini-retirement can be whatever you need it to be.

The only challenge can be saving enough money to get there.

Take a cue from these mini-retirees below, who share why they took hiatus from work, how they saved money for it, and how they're spending their time.

SEE ALSO: If you want to retire early, follow these 6 savings life hacks from people who actually did

DON'T MISS: What a dream retirement plan looks like for 12 of the richest CEOs in America

Mark and Amanda Tew spent six years paying off debt, living frugally, and saving $30,000 to live in Nicaragua for a year — and they didn't miss out on anything at home while they were away.

Over the course of six years, Mark Tew of Tew & Fro and his wife Amanda lived fairly frugal lives, worked a few small side hustles, made detailed financial goals, and reviewed their budget frequently. This helped them pay off graduate school debt, build an emergency fund, and save $30,000 for their first mini-retirement, which they spent in Latin America.

"Waiting until I'm 65 when I'm likely less able or healthy enough to do the things I've always wanted to do doesn't make a lot of sense to me," Tew told Business Insider. "Since I'm not retiring early any time soon, a mini-retirement seemed like a great way to spend quality time and have a great new experience as a family."

They did everything from renting a house in Nicaragua, buying a car, and sending the kids to school to traveling around the country, visiting lakes, volcanoes, beaches, and historical sites.

"We wanted to immerse ourselves in a new culture and just live our lives," he said. "We also wanted our kids to learn Spanish."

After a year of living abroad, they returned home to America where they realized they didn't miss out on anything. After acquiring the travel bug and learning how to be a bit more flexible, Mark is considering building a virtual full-time business to give the family flexibility to live wherever they want.

"One thing I knew was that if I didn't just take the plunge and go have this experience with my family, I would regret it for the rest of my life," he said. "Given that I could be hit by a car tomorrow or die of cancer when I'm 42, a mini-retirement is an absolute no brainer. You just have to have a plan and be smart about it."

Dinah Chutz spent seven months hustling hard at work, saving $14,000 to travel around New Zealand and Asia. She feels even more productive than if she were working a full-time corporate job.

"As we grow up, we are always thinking about what's next and we end up rushing through life without stopping to really enjoy it," Dinah Chutz, who is taking a mini-retirement at age 24, told Business Insider.

"My mini-retirement is about slowing down, experiencing the world, getting to know myself and finding what I love while I'm still young," she said.

Chutz moved from San Diego to New Zealand, where she worked overtime at her full-time job, picked up a few freelance gigs, and saved every penny she could for seven months. Once she had $14,000 saved, she felt comfortable enough to buy a small van that doubles as a home, so she could travel without an income for 12 to 18 months. 

"My days are spent discovering hidden beaches, browsing local farmers markets, diving for abalone, making jewelry, playing way too much chess and photographing the sunset," she said. "I plan on taking my retirement back through Asia and onto India towards the end of the year."

Since she's been traveling, Chutz has taken on a remote freelance role with the same company she worked for back in the US and runs a blog, The Mini Retirement. She said there are many opportunities to work while abroad, from hostels looking to exchange work for accommodation to local families in need of nannies, which she did for several weeks.

Once her mini-retirement comes to an end, Chutz plans on returning to San Diego and putting all of her creative energy back into her work. Overall, she said taking the time to relax and clear her mind after rushing through college while working several jobs has been extremely rewarding and even more productive. 

"Taking this time off now has only better situated me for my future," said Chutz, who is already envisioning another mini-retirement. "I had a taste of the corporate lifestyle, enjoyed those challenges and then found a way to pursue another dream of mine before feeling ready to set down roots. I'm not sure when my next mini-retirement will be, but I am itching to see South America."

Jillian Johnsrud is on her fifth mini-retirement, traveling through national parks with her family. She's been able to afford so many in part due to passive income from buying and renovating homes with her husband.

So far, Jillian Johnsrud has five mini-retirements under her belt, ranging from a month to two-and-a-half years away from work. She and her husband, Adam, opted for mini-retirements because they didn't want to miss out on things if they waited until their sixties.

"Mini-retirements are perfect for capturing those experiences that might otherwise pass you by," Johnsrud told Business Insider. "They are also a great solution for people who want to investigate what to do as a second career or scale up a business they have started on the side but need more time and attention to grow into a full income."

She took her first mini-retirement, a month-long $2,000 road trip with her best friend when she was 24, after she and Adam paid off $55,000 in debt and saved their first $100,000.

The couple left their jobs two-and-a-half years ago and are currently traveling for 10 weeks to 10 national parks with their five children.

Previously, they've used mini-retirements to travel or buy and renovate homes, the latter of which has helped them generate a passive income that enables them to take mini-retirements more often. Johnsrud also runs her blog, Montana Money Adventures, for about three hours a day, eight months out of the year.

And after this latest mini-retirement, she plans to do full-time work while the kids are in school, but doubts that she and Adam will go back to a normal 9 to 5 job.

"After this one, the goal is to design a life we would never want to retire from because it's such a great fit for our lifestyle," she said. "Having a few months off a year and a modest work schedule seems about perfect for us in this season of life."

There are 195 countries in the world, all with their own individual flags that represent a country's history, values, and culture. But even though those sound like very personal qualities, there are dozens of countries out there with flags that look incredibly alike.

Others are simply seen less frequently, and thus harder to identify. Others again are relatively new: one flag on this list comes from a country that was only established in 2011.

Keep scrolling to see how many you can recognize.

This flag is simple — which makes it all the more difficult to identify. Do you know what country this flag hails from?

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Hint: The country's name is also a common boy's name.

The answer is... Chad!

Chad's flag is extremely similar to Romania's — so much so that Chad's president has expressed concern to the UN about it. Romania's response? "The tricolor belongs to us. We will not give up the tricolor."

This flag belongs to one of the smallest countries in the world — do you recognize it?

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Hint: it belongs to the only country that's located completely within the Alps.

Whether it’s a 55-hour labor, a "routine" C-section, or anything in between, having a baby can be a long, arduous, downright painful event for most people. And, while you can sometimes eat food while having a baby, the first post-pregnancy meal is something a lot of people look forward to, understandably.

INSIDER spoke with nine moms who shared the foods they ate after having a baby. From quick hospital meals and at home celebratory burgers to some strangely-delicious postpartum cravings, these first post-baby meals are just too relatable.

One new mom craved In-N-Out.

“I craved In-N-Out animal fries like woah, both during and after my pregnancy, that was my favorite, and also bagel sandwiches with lots of cream cheese. I definitely had a big sugar craving!” - Kailee Hornstein

Another needed some shawarma.

“After I had [my baby], I was starving because I had ice chips for the 21 hours I was in labor. I had Lebanese food from outside the hospital from a restaurant called Basha. I ate a Shawarma. We BBQ’d as a celebratory dinner once we got home, nothing fancy: chicken, burgers, salad, and poutine.” - Candice Gaspari

Sometimes you just need a turkey sandwich.

“The first thing I had after having [my first child] was a turkey sandwich. After having [my second child] almost 6 weeks ago, the first meal I had was grilled chicken breast from the cafeteria. But, for pretty much the whole 6 weeks that he’s been here, I have been craving salad and chocolate rice cakes with peanut butter.” - Allyson Cromwell-Smith

• IHOP said on Monday that it had changed its name to IHOb to promote the debut of its new burgers.
• Chains including Wendy's, Burger King, and Whataburger have slammed the move.
• "If we have other people in the world of burgers commenting on our burgers, it can only help," IHOP's president told Business Insider.

IHOP's rebrand as IHOb — the International House of Burgers — has some rival chains slamming the pancake giant.

Last week, IHOP, the International House of Pancakes, announced it would change its name to IHOb, flipping the "P" to a "b." On Monday, IHOP announced that the "b" stood for burgers, sparking some backlash from other burger brands.

The announcement went viral, with customers freaking out over the rise of the burger over their beloved pancakes. And other fast-food chains were eager to get in on the action, roasting IHOP on social media.

IHOP's president, Darren Rebelez, told Business Insider on Monday that he was unconcerned by other chains' jabs. While he said he hadn't seen much of what the other burger brands had to say on Twitter, he considered the sass part of a successful campaign to relaunch burgers at IHOP.

"It's actually great," Rebelez said. "If we have other people in the world of burgers commenting on our burgers, it can only help."

Here's how other fast-food chains — and a few brands outside the restaurant industry — responded to the viral IHOb announcement.

Wendy's

Wendy's tweeted sarcastically on Monday, "Can't wait to try a burger from the place that decided pancakes were too hard."

IHOP — or IHOb — responded: "We don't want any beef with you, we just want to share our beef with the world."

Wendy's also tweeted what appeared to be a snide comment on IHOP's name change.

"Remember when you were like 7 and thought changing your name to Thunder BearSword would be super cool?"it said. "Like that, but our cheeseburgers are still better."

Burger King

Later Monday, Burger King also rolled out a new name: Pancake King.

The burger chain, which serves pancakes for breakfast, changed its name on its social-media channels and updated photos to put more emphasis on pancakes instead of its famous Whoppers.

When one Twitter user asked whether Burger King had a grill that IHOb could borrow, "Pancake King" responded with a Taylor Swift-inspired allusion to its new identity.

"Sorry, old Burger King can't come to the phone right now..." the chain tweeted — a clear reference to Swift's song "Look What You Made Me Do."

A&W Restaurants

"Inspired by the International House of Burgers announcement, we are also changing our name,"A&W Restaurants tweeted with an image of an upside-down logo. "(Please do not ask what it means — we don't know either.)"

Losing weight can seem challenging, but managing weight loss is no easy task either, as it takes unwavering dedication and steadfast diligence to make sure you keep those excess pounds off. To keep your hard-earned progress, INSIDER spoke to expert nutritionists, trainers, and fitness experts about weight management tips to keep in mind if you’re losing the battle with unwanted weight gain. Here are some things they recommend keeping in mind.

1. Ditch the diet mindset.

“Health doesn't come boxed in a package or in a 30-day plan,” Jenni Bourque and Mirna Sharafeddine, registered dietitians behind The Naughty Nutritionists, told INSIDER. The diet mindset can really hold you back, as restrictive fad diets come with the obsession of the scale, the counting of calories or points, and often the result, is a yo-yo back and forth between diets, they said.

Sustainable weight loss comes from a place of understanding that healthy eating is lifelong, they explained, and you have to learn that you can’t always restrict your food forever.

2. Make food your best friend.

“A lot of women who want to lose weight either have a fear of food, or an addiction to food, and neither one of those things creates a healthy relationship with food,” said Bourque and Sharafeddine. Having a healthy relationship with food is key, they said, as you’ll want to take the simplicity of whole food ingredients and look at them as nourishment.

This makes it easier to create a plan that encourages healthy whole foods, with some "cheat meals" every now and then.

3. Learn to read labels and remove highly-processed food.

“One of the most important things you can do when making food choices is knowing exactly what you're putting into your body,” explained Bourque and Sharafeddine.

Many highly-processed foods are filled with artificial ingredients, hidden sugars, trans fats, or allergens (wheat, corn, soy), they said. To avoid selecting processed food items, they recommended diligently reading the ingredient list to avoid any tricky label claims.

It's difficult to wrap up a television series, especially shows that have been on for so long that a planned ending isn't really possible anymore.

A good final episode should bring back the themes of the entire show and its season, while tying things up (but not too tight). Often it goes terribly, and even some of the most iconic, well-written shows in television history have terrible finales.

Here, we collected the absolute worst series finales that still make our blood boil. 

Here are 12 of the worst series finales in television history, from "Seinfeld" to "Dexter":

SEE ALSO: The 17 best TV series finales of all time, from 'The Americans' to '30 Rock'

"Gossip Girl"— season 6 episode 11, "New York, I Love You XOXO"

When it aired: December 17, 2012

Bart Bass, who is the Loki of the "Gossip Girl" universe considering how many times he dies, is truly dead at the beginning of this episode. Chuck Bass (Bart's son) and Blair Waldorf spend the majority of this final episode on the run from the law for pushing him off of a building. The big, stupid, desperate reveal that Dan is Gossip Girl leaves more plot holes than it closes, and the series ends with unbelievable endings for these awful characters. For example, the finale implies that Nate Archibald will become the mayor of New York City, but he has never taken the subway. 

"Roseanne"— season 9 episodes 23-24, "Into that Good Night"

When it aired:  May 20, 1997

The ninth season of "Roseanne" was such a mess that everything that happened in it got completely ignored for its brief tenth season and revival in March. In season nine, the Conners win the lottery, which completely changed the tone of a show that was praised for its depiction of blue collar Americans. The awful final episode reveals that Roseanne's husband, Dan, is dead, and that the majority of the events in the season were made up for Roseanne's memoir. It was a finale that focused more on wrapping up a bad season, rather than the show itself. 

"How I Met Your Mother"— season 9 episodes 23-24, "Last Forever"

When it aired: May 31, 2014

Unfortunately, "How I Met Your Mother" ended the show in a way everyone knew was coming, but convinced themselves wouldn't happen because it was so obvious: Ted and Robin end up together because the titular "Mother" dies of cancer. To make it even worse, Ted's kids are the ones who suggest that Ted hooks up with Robin, who they refer to as "aunt." The series finale caps a nearly decade-long tease that is a major deception to this show's characters. It instantly made the show difficult for many fans to revisit or recommend to friends. 

By now, even non-vegans have probably eaten some delicious and not-so-delicious meat substitutes. There are plenty of tasty options out there to satisfy any appetite, which is a definite plus.

Just because you’re eating vegan doesn’t mean that normal nutritional rules suddenly don’t apply. Deep-fried and breaded foods might taste good, but deep down, all of us know that they’re not very good for us — even if they’re entirely plant-based.

Here’s a rough guide to finding the vegan meat substitutes that are best for you, according to nutrition experts.

Vegan dietary concerns go beyond protein.

No matter how old you are, vegans need to make it a priority to get enough Calcium, Iron, Omega 3 fatty acids, Protein, and Vitamin B12.

From a young age, we’re taught that calcium helps us build strong bones. But from about age 35 — when our bodies stop building our bones up — we still need to get plenty of calcium in order to prevent osteoporosis. Soy is an excellent plant-based source of calcium — but there are others as well.

Plant-based sources of iron include soy-based products, peanut butter, dark green leafy vegetables, and whole grains including brown rice and whole oats, according to registered dietitian and nutritionist Jaime Rose Chambers of Eat Fit Food.

Omega-3s are found in great quantities in fatty fish — which you aren’t eating if you’re vegan. In the plant world, freshly ground flax-, lin-, and chia seeds contain omega-3s — as do walnuts.

What makes a protein “complete”

The one thing that animal proteins have over plant-based proteins is this: All of them contain all nine essential amino acids your body needs on a daily basis.

Plant proteins are healthy — but are mostly not complete. Buckwheat, quinoa, and soy are three complete plant protein exceptions.

Although you might have to work harder at it, getting your protein from plant-based sources has been linked to a 12% risk reduction in dying of heart disease, according to a Harvard Medical School study that took place over a 32-year period.

Hail seitan (and tofu, and legumes, and pulses) are great options.

Vegan dietary concerns are the same as those of meat eaters in at least one way: Less processing equals healthier food choices. Seitan, tempeh, tofu, legumes, pulses, nuts, and seeds are just a few of the healthiest vegan substitutions for the nutrients that are also found in animal products.

If you either don’t like to cook or don’t think you can cook, that can make things difficult. But it’s an essential skill if you want to control sodium and other additives in your food — no matter what you choose to eat. Here are some great vegan burger recipes to get you started.

Tourists and archaeologists alike travel to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico to view the region's famous Mayan ruins. In fact, the ancient sites are so well-known that there's a tourism district named for them: the Riviera Maya. Previously known as the "Cancun-Tulum corridor," the Riviera spans 80 miles along Mexico's Caribbean coast.

This increasingly popular destination includes a plethora of ruins, including iconic sites such as Chichen Itza and smaller areas like Muyil. Keep scrolling to see 17 incredible images of the Riviera Maya.

Also known as El Castillo ("The Castle") — the name it was given by Spanish conquistadors — the Pyramid of Kukulcan is the largest pyramid in the Chichen Itza temple complex.

Built on top of an existing temple, the Pyramid of Kukulcan was constructed between 800 and 900 CE. It measures about 79 feet tall, not including the temple that crowns the structure.

The pyramid boasts 365 steps to represent each day in the Haab, a Mayan cyclical calendar that was approximately based on the solar year.

Kukulcan, a snake deity, is the Mayan equivalent of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl.

Legend has it that the feathered serpent god Kukulcan — known as Quetzalcoatl in Aztec mythology — returns to his namesake temple twice a year, on the equinox. His appearance is said to bring a full harvest and good health.

There are several watchtower-like structures throughout Chichen Itza — and they served an important purpose.

In 2012, experts on Maya culture surmised that the watchtower-style buildings were used to observe the equinoxes and solstices.

The structures' bases were built into the walls of a ceremonial court where Mayans would play a ritual ball game that mimicked the sun's movement through the sky. After reconstructing the stone-roofed buildings, archaeologists realized they featured narrow slits which aligned with the sun's rays during the winter solstice.

History was made in Singapore when U.S. President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first time the leaders of the two countries had ever met before. 

Also in Singapore during the time of this historic summit was NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, courtesy of the cryptocurrency Potcoin. 

"I'm just happy to be a part it because I think that I agree with it," Rodman said to reporters when he arrived to the airport in Singapore. "I think that I've brought a lot of awareness to things around the world."

Rodman has a prior connection to Trump, stemming from an appearance on celebrity apprentice. He also has a long relationship with Kim, having previous called the North Korean leader "a friend for life." 

Here's look at Rodman's progression from basketball star to unlikely figure of U.S. diplomacy:

SEE ALSO: Dennis Rodman's trip to North Korea is sponsored by PotCoin, a digital currency for weed

Rodman began his basketball career with the Detroit Pistons.

Rodman was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 1986 draft. He became a crucial piece of the "Bad Boys" Detroit Pistons teams, who won back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. He remained with the Pistons through 1993.

Source: Basketball-reference

Rodman was later traded to the Chicago Bulls in 1995.

Rodman joined future Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, then coming back from his first retirement to play baseball, and Scottie Pippen in Chicago. In his first season Rodman helped the Bulls to a then NBA-record 72-10 regular season record as well as another title, as well as two more NBA titles in 1997 and 1998 to pull off back-to-back-to-back NBA championships. 

Rodman has remained in the media spotlight since retirement, including in two stints on Celebrity Apprentice.

Rodman appeared on the Trump-hosted reality series as a cast member in 2009 and again in 2013. He was fired from the show in 2013 for misspelling Trump's wife Melania's first name. 

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• Tablets are ideal for kids, travelers, and professionals — it just depends on which one you buy. The best tablet for most people is Apple's 2018 9.7-inch iPad, but we've also included a number of other excellent tablets that are best for different uses.

When I was a kid, and our family went on a long car ride, my parents would keep us entertained by making us play games like I Spy, Don’t Hit Your Brother, and Who Can Stay Quietest the Longest. These days, though, kids are just as likely to have a tablet screen in the backseat, watching movies or playing games while wearing headphones.

Tablets have contributed to the parental bliss of silence in the car like few other inventions.

Beyond that, tablets are interesting pieces of technology, giving you a nice mix of computer processing capabilities and entertainment on a touchscreen. 

If you already own a laptop and a smartphone — and you don’t have the need to entertain kids in the backseat — you may wonder whether you also need a tablet. Depending on how you use your current pieces of tech and based on what else you’d like to do, a tablet can be a great addition.

We've picked the best tablets you can buy in several different categories, including ones that are best for kids, professionals, and travelers. We've tested all but one of these tablets personally, so you can trust our recommendations. If you need more guidance before you choose, read the last slide for everything you should know about buying a tablet.

• Best overall: Apple 2018 9.7-inch iPad  
• Best Android tablets: Huawei MediaPad M5
• Best affordable: Amazon Fire HD 8 
• Best with a stylus: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 
• Best iPad Pro: 10.5-inch iPad Pro 
• Best for work: Microsoft Surface Pro 4 
• Best with a huge screen: 12.9-inch iPad Pro 
• Best for kids: Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition

Updated on 06/12/2018 by Malarie Gokey: Added the new Huawei MediaPad M5 tablets. Also updated prices.

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

SEE ALSO: The best iPads you can buy

The best tablet for most people

Why you'll love it: The 2018 9.7-inch iPad is an absolute steal at $330 with a gorgeous sharp screen, high-end metal design, and support for the Apple Pencil.

Apple's iPads have always been the best tablets you can buy, but the high price tags made it tough to find an iPad on a budget. All that has changed with the 2018 9.7-inch iPad. It costs a mere $330, and it offers nearly all of the same high-end specs and features as the top-of-the-line iPad Pros.

If you own an aging iPad or iPad Mini, the new 9.7-inch iPad is an excellent upgrade. Obviously, if you have an iPad Air 2 or an iPad Pro, you don't need to get the new one. The 2018 iPad is for anyone who has always wanted an iPad, but couldn't afford the $500+ price tag. It's an absolute steal at $329.99.

We compared it to Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet, and there was no doubt that the iPad is the better buy.

The 9.7-inch screen is sharp and clear with its 2,048 x 1,536-pixel resolution, the A10 processor is very capable (even though it's not the iPhone X's A11 chip), the battery life should be great, and you can even buy things on it with Apple Pay, thanks to the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

Best of all, it supports the Apple Pencil, an incredible stylus with virtually no lag. You will have to pay $100 extra for the Pencil, but if you like to take notes or draw on your iPad, it is well worth it. Naturally, any Bluetooth keyboard also works with the iPad, so if you want to use it as a quasi-laptop, you can pick up a great keyboard.

You simply can't beat those specs at that price point. Comparable Android tablets cost hundreds of dollars more, and the iPad still has a better app library and accessory support. 

The aluminum build looks and feels premium, and the 9.7-inch screen size makes it a very portable device that's easy to stow away in your bag. It's quite light, too, so you can happily binge-watch Netflix in bed on your new iPad. Tech nerds will say it's a boring old design, but it's tried and true. Plus, the aluminum build is durable. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Incredible price for an iPad, powerful A10 processor, slick aluminum design, Touch ID for security and Apple Pay, gorgeous screen, supports the Apple Pencil, iOS 11

Cons: Not the latest A11 processor found on the iPhone X

Buy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad from Best Buy for $329.99+ (price varies by storage and connectivity) 

Buy the Apple Pencil from Best Buy for $93.99 (originally $99.99) 

Buy the 9.7-inch Apple iPad from Apple for $329+ (price varies by storage and connectivity)

The best Android tablets

Why you'll love them: The 8.4- and 10.8-inch Huawei MediaPad M5 tablets are excellent high-end Android devices with sharp screens and a slick aluminum design.

If you want a high-end tablet that runs Android, your choices are fairly limited — or at least, they were. Huawei recently introduced two new MediaPad tablets that have slick aluminum builds, sharp screens, and solid processing power. If you want an Android tablet that's more or less on-par with the iPad, Huawei's are the best.

We tested both tablets for several weeks to put them through their paces, and they excelled at all the tasks we expect a tablet to handle with ease: streaming video, playing games, and handling web browsing.

The 8.4-inch MediaPad is the most portable of the two and the easiest to hold one-handed. Its slim design, light weight, and aluminum casing make it the perfect tablet to stash in your bag when you travel or commute. It's also very comfortable to use at home on the couch or in the bed when you want to kick back with Netflix.

Huawei's larger 10.8-inch MediaPad is also very high-end with the same sturdy aluminum casing as the smaller model. The larger screen is an obvious plus for people who love to watch video on their tablets, and it's not so large that you can't travel with it. 

Both the 8.4 and 10.8-inch versions of the tablet have crisp 2K screens with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. We watched Netflix on both tablets and the colors, contrast, and overall image quality of both tablets' screens was impressive. You can also download quite a few movies and shows from Netflix or Prime Video for offline access, thanks to the 64GB of storage onboard.

The audio quality on the 10.8-inch MediaPad was quite a bit better, largely because it has four speakers versus the two found on the smaller version. However, both tablets sound quite good, thanks to Harmon Kardon's tuning and Huawei's inclusion of the AK4376 audio chip and its Histen technology for Hi-Res audio.

The great screen quality combined with these speakers make both the new MediaPads ideal for watching video or playing games — the two main reasons why people buy tablets. Beyond looking good and sounding great, the MediaPad tablets also perform well, thanks to Huawei's speedy Kirin 960 Octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM.

As far as battery life goes, the 8.4-inch tablet has a 5,100mAh battery that's good for about 11 hours of video playback, while the 10.8-inch tablet has a 7,500mAh battery that should last you about 12 hours when playing video.

When it comes time to juice the tablets back up, Huawei's Quick Charge tech fully charges the 8.4-inch tablet in about 2 hours and the 10.8-inch tablet in about 3 hours. Not too shabby!

Although a tablet isn't a necessity, it's a nice thing to have for entertainment while you travel, commute, or relax at home. The 8.4-inch MediaPad will cost you $320, which is just $10 less than the new 9.7-inch iPad. However, you do get double the storage on the Huawei tablet, so it's a good deal.

Of course, the 10.8-inch MediaPad costs more at $359, but it's a reasonable price for such a large high-end tablet. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Great screen, solid metal build, fast processors, good audio, 64GB of storage, 10-12 hour battery life during video viewing

Cons: Bit pricey

Buy the 8.4-inch Huawei MediaPad M5 on Amazon for $319.99

Buy the 10.8-inch Huawei MediaPad M5 on Amazon for $359.99

The best tablet under $100

Why you'll love it: The Amazon Fire HD 8 is super affordable, but it still delivers a good set of features that you’ll enjoy using for watching videos and running apps.

Normally, you get what you pay for when it comes to technology. Once in a while though, you receive more than what you expect with a bargain-priced piece of tech. 

The Amazon Fire HD 8 is going to surprise you with its sub-$100 price tag and great performance. This certainly isn’t a tablet that’s going to compete with high-end iPads, but it has a good set of features for those who need only the basics from a tablet.

Insider Picks reporter Brandt Ranj tested the new Fire HD 8 and couldn't believe how good it was for the price. If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you get access to tons of popular TV shows, movies, and music on the tablet. The app selection is also very good, and if you read Kindle ebooks, this tablet is just the perfect size.

CNET says the Fire HD 8 is one of the best cheap tablets you can buy, although PC Mag says this tablet doesn’t work as well unless you have a subscription to Amazon Prime services. But it’s still a good value among tablet options.

The Amazon Fire HD 8 also offers good parental controls, so it's a great tablet to give an older kid.

One Amazon buyer calls this tablet an amazing value that will perform all of the basic functions most people need from a tablet. However, a few other Amazon reviewers say the Fire HD 8 doesn’t last very long.

Pros: Extremely low price point, performs basic functions of a tablet well, offers expandable storage with a memory card slot, good for kids, works especially well for those with Amazon Prime accounts

Cons: Can’t compete with powerful iPads, battery charges very slowly, display size of just 8 inches

Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 on Amazon for $54.99 (originally $79.99)

While some of the richest people in the US have an Ivy League degree under their belt, others didn't even graduate.

Using Forbes' annual "World Billionaire" ranking, INSIDER determined which colleges the wealthiest Americans attended.

From siblings that made it big, like Charles and David Koch and the children of Walmart founder Sam Walton, to tech innovators such as Bill Gates and Larry Ellison, here's where 21 of the richest Americans went to college.

SEE ALSO: The best college in every state to help graduates find a job

Jeff Bezos: Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey

Estimated net worth: $112 billion

Amazon CEO and founder Jeff Bezos — the richest person in the world, according to Forbes' 2018 "World's Billionaires" list — attended Princeton University. He graduated in 1986 with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science.

"When you are 80 years old, and in a quiet moment of reflection narrating only for yourself the most personal version of your life story, the telling that will be the most compact and meaningful will be a series of choices you have made," Bezos told Princeton students in 2010 during the university's Baccalaureate ceremony. 

Bill Gates: Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Estimated net worth: $90 billion

Bill Gates, who co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen, went to Harvard University — but dropped out in 1975 before graduating. Degree or not, he's still one of the wealthiest people in the world.

During a Q&A with Harvard students in April, Gates said if he could go back to school, he would choose to study artificial intelligence. 

"Today, I would go into software, which today that means going into artificial intelligence," he said, as quoted by CNBC. "Computers still can't read. They cannot take a book of information and, say, pass an AP test on that book. And that's a solvable problem."

Warren Buffett: University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska

Estimated net worth: $84 billion

Nicknamed the "Oracle of Omaha," investor Warren Buffett attended the University of Nebraska — Lincoln as an undergraduate in the 1940s before pursuing a Master of Science in economics at Columbia University's business school. He transferred to Nebraska from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, where he had matriculated at age 16. 

Buffett is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, which owns numerous companies ranging from Geico to Duracell. According to Forbes, he got an early start in investing, buying his first stock when he was just 11 years old. 

• McDonald's' menu has tons of options for fast-food fans.
• And McDonald's crew members themselves have their own favorites.
• Business Insider spoke with a number of current and former McDonald's employees about their go-to menu orders.

The McDonald's menu offers a pretty extensive overview of what the fast-food giant has to offer.

But, if you really want to know what's good and what's worth skipping, you can turn to McDonald's crew members for their insight. They make the food, after all.

And, according to Quora users who previously worked at the chain, many crew members choose to use their employee discounts — which vary from restaurant to restaurant — to buy McDonald's food during their meal breaks.

So what orders do crew members gravitate toward, whether they're on their lunch break or off-duty?

Business Insider spoke with several current and former crew members to find out. A number of McDonald's employees have also shared their favorite orders on Reddit and Quora.

Some crew members favored classic menu items, while others got more avant garde with signature-crafted selections.

Here's a look at some of McDonald's employees' favorite orders:

SEE ALSO: McDonald's employees share 11 annoying things they wish customers would stop doing

DON'T MISS: McDonald's employees share the 14 strangest orders they've ever gotten

SEE ALSO: 11 insider facts about McDonald's that employees know and most customers don't

The chicken nuggets and tenders are quite popular ...

When asked about their favorite order, a former McDonald's crew member told Business Insider that they went for the chicken McNuggets and fries. Chicken McNuggets were first introduced in a limited capacity in 1981.

"They're the best," the ex-crew member added.

A Minnesota-based McDonald's crew member told Business Insider that they frequently eat at the restaurant, as they can order meals at a "discounted price."

"The best thing to get is by far the tenders, but we do run out every now and again, so the next best thing is either nuggets or a cheeseburger," the crew member said.

Another crew member from Georgia told Business Insider they enjoyed the chicken tenders, as well.

... As are the chicken sandwiches.

In a 2018 Reddit thread, a current McDonald's crew member said they favored the chain's buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich.

"A chicken sandwich meal is my go to," a former crew member from Virginia told Business Insider.

Meanwhile, a crew member who participated in a 2018 Reddit thread wrote that the McChicken was "the best fast food sandwich."

A number of crew members love the breakfast options ...

Breakfast is popular wth some crew members.

One crew member wrote in a 2018 Reddit AMA that they craved the sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddle.

Another employee in the same thread said they favored the egg McMuffin. And a third crew member wrote that they most enjoyed the steak, egg, and cheese bagel.

E3 2018 is here, and the game announcements have been fast and furious.

E3 is the biggest gaming convention of the year, where the top gaming companies from around the world showcase what's coming for popular game consoles like the PlayStation 4, the Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.

Though big companies like Microsoft and Bethesda made waves over the weekend during the first two days of E3, the announcements on Monday were similarly huge. We finally got to see the big press conferences from Sony PlayStation, Ubisoft, and Square Enix, to get a glimpse at what's coming down the pipe from these top-tier publishers.

Sony kicked off its big press conference with one of its most anticipated games, "The Last Of Us II"— and fans went wild for it.

It's been two years since fans were treated to a very bloody demo of "The Last Of Us II," the sequel to the critically-acclaimed game from Naughty Dog, the developer behind the gorgeous "Uncharted" games.

At Sony's E3 presser on Monday night, an all-new trailer introduced us to new characters, plenty of action, and a surprising amount of emotion, too. From a technical standpoint — from the facial animations to the way enemies track you and interact with each other — it looks like Naughty Dog's once again created one of the most realistic-looking video games we've ever seen.

Don't miss the new trailer for "The Last Of Us II," which Sony debuted last night:

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"Ghosts of Tsushima" is the open-world samurai game you've always wanted.

The second big announcement from Sony's E3 press conference was "Ghosts of Tsushima," which featured samurai, gorgeous scenery, and sword fights that looked straight out of a movie. This will satisfy your inner urge to travel back in time to feudal Japan (looking at you, fans of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Turtles in Time").

Fans of Ariana Grande were left speechless Monday afternoon when reports broke out that the pop singer had gotten engaged to her recently official boyfriend, comedian Pete Davidson.

While two celebrities becoming engaged is far from shocking, what confused many on the Internet was the fact that Grande and Davidson had only been dating for a few weeks before reports were leaked. 

Grande and Davidson would certainly not be the first celebrity couple to get engaged at a fast pace. In fact, some of the biggest names in Hollywood popped the question after a few short months.

Here are six celebrity couples that got down on one knee soon after their relationship was made official.

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom got engaged and married quickly.

In the fall of 2009, reality star Khloe Kardashian met basketball player Lamar Odom and quickly fell in love. In fact, within a few short weeks, the couple was already engaged. One month in and Kardashian and Odom were tying the knot in a beautiful ceremony documented on "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." The couple split in 2016. 

Kaley Cuoco and Ryan Sweeting got engaged after three months of dating.

Kaley Cuoco, star of "The Big Bang Theory," started a romantic relationship with tennis player Ryan Sweeting in the summer of 2013. After three months of dating, it was revealed that the couple was engaged and would be married on New Year's Eve of that year. Two years later, however, in September of 2015, the couple announced their split.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon got engaged quickly and married after weeks of dating.

The romance between Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon has been followed very closely by the media and fans since they said "I Do." But at first, the romance came as a surprise. In April of 2008, only six weeks after they started dating, Carey and Cannon tied the knot. In 2014, however, they separated.

• College in the United Kingdom looks very different than the United States, despite a shared language and history.
• UK college students pay less for education, have a different grading system, and spend less time completing their degrees compared to American students.
• Whether you’re preparing to study abroad or are just curious about the cultural differences, here are six ways college is different in the UK and US.

Although they share a language and parts of history, the United States and the United Kingdom are still very distinct countries with a number of cultural differences. The difference in higher education is particularly pronounced.

I’m an American who studied abroad in Scotland, so I learned a lot about these differences firsthand. In addition, I’m married to a Brit, and my husband and I constantly confuse one another when regaling each other with our college stories, or in his case, “uni stories.”

Here are six ways college is different in the UK than in the US:

SEE ALSO: 7 unique parenting styles from around the world

1. For starters, it’s ‘university’

In the UK, higher education (what Americans call "college") is known as “university.”

“College” actually has another meaning in the UK — it’s where many students go for two years after completing compulsory schooling at 16 in order to prepare for exams to get into university. You can also take vocational courses at college.

University, or “uni” for short, is where British people go for a bachelor’s degree.

2. The three-year degree

British students only go to uni for three years to obtain a bachelor’s degree, unlike the common American term of four years, according to US News and World Report. The shorter timeframe has its pro and cons — sure, you’re done faster, but think about all of the fun and lack of responsibility you’re missing out on for that last year. Personally, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

This might explain the popularity of the “gap year” among UK students — a year off before starting uni to travel, find themselves, and have fun. A gap year often leaves students with a rolodex of crazy party stories and, at least in my husband's case, an oddly large collection of bar crawl tank tops — or as the Brits call them, “vests.” 

3. Major pressure early on

In the UK, students apply to a university and a course (or in US terms, a major) at the same time, US News reports. So, there’s no great existential debate over what you should study while in school. It’s already settled before you move out of mom and dad’s.

I may not have finished school on time in the UK, with my shift in major from music to international studies to French to communications. I have to side with the US on this one. What 18-year-old really knows what they want to be when they grow up?

• Astana was named the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997, and has undergone a massive transformation since then.
• The city is filled with futuristic skyscrapers that resemble a science-fiction movie.
• But Astana's streets are suspiciously clean and quiet, leading some to comment on its eerie atmosphere.

Twenty years ago, Kazakhstan's president Nursultan Nazarbayev made a radical move by moving his country's capital to a little-known town in the middle of barren grassland.

He renamed the town "Astana," meaning "capital," and hired a world-famous Japanese architect to plan every aspect of the city, from its eye-popping skyline to its grandiose government buildings. Today, the city is compared to other planned capitals like Canberra, Brasilia, and Washington, DC.

Yet between Astana's architectural marvels are streets that are perfectly manicured and eerily quiet, contributing to a surreal atmosphere that permeates the city. CNN called Astana"the world's weirdest capital city," while the Guardian called it"the space station in the steppes."

Israeli photographer Tomer Ifrah recently documented life in Astana, from its nearly empty and suspiciously clean streets to its futuristic skyscrapers that look like something out of a science fiction movie.

Read on to see what life is like in Astana, a planned city like no other.

SEE ALSO: A photographer spent 3 months following commuters on the Moscow Metro to see what life is really like in the capital of Russia

DON'T MISS: There's only one women's prison in Israel — and a photographer documented the inmates in harrowing detail

Astana was declared Kazakhstan's capital city in 1997. Before that, it was a small provincial town named Aqmola, best known for being a former gulag prison camp for wives and children of enemies of the Soviet government.

Source: CNN,Dark Tourism

"Astana" simply means "capital" in the Kazakh language. President Nursultan Nazarbayev moved the capital there from Almaty to breathe life into northern Kazakhstan and move the heart of the country farther away from China.

Source: Science Direct

Astana's master plan was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, who detailed the construction of skyscrapers, roads, housing units, government buildings, and man-made forests.

Source: Kisho

• IHOP's decision to rename itself IHOb, or the International House of Burgers, infuriated many customers. 
• We were skeptical of IHOP's ability to craft burgers that matched its pancakes in quality. 
• But after trying the new burgers (with a side of pancakes), we were IHOb converts. 

IHOP's rebrand as IHOb — International House of Burgers — left many customers skeptical. 

Last week, IHOP, the International House of Pancakes, announced it would change its name to IHOb, flipping the "P" to a "b." On Monday, IHOP announced that the "b" stood for burgers,

"Burgers are really kind of unexpected for us, so we had to do something creative to get everyone's attention," IHOP president Darren Rebelez told Business Insider. "But the pancakes aren't going anywhere."

The renaming, while temporary, sparked backlash from customers. Many remained unconvinced that IHOP's burgers could ever compare to its pancakes. 

So, we at Business Insider decided to try out the new burgers for ourselves. Here's the verdict on IHOP — or IHOb's — controversial new menu item: 

SEE ALSO: We compared Target's new $5 wines against Trader Joe's cheapest options — and the winner is obvious

IHOP changed its name to IHOb to promote the launch of the chain's Ultimate Steakburgers menu, a seven-burger lineup that includes options like the Big Brunch Burger, the Cowboy BBQ Burger, and the double-decker Mega Monster Burger.

We didn't have room in our stomachs to down all seven burgers, so we settled for two: the Cowboy BBQ and Big Brunch Burger.

The Cowboy BBQ Burger was a mighty beast, stacked high with onion rings. This was no quiet entrance into the burger business for IHOb. The Cowboy BBQ enters the menu with its deep-fried onion guns blazing.

• The Boeing 737 is the best selling airliner of all time.
• Through May 2018, Boeing has taken 14,725 orders for the plane.
• Since 2011, the new 737MAX has won more than 4,500 orders making it the fastest selling airplane in Boeing history.
• Since its debut in 1967, the 737 has become a mainstay for airlines around the world in a multitude of roles ranging from short-haul flights to work as a trans-Atlantic long-haul airliner.
• The 737 is also deployed as a freighter and in military applications. 

The Boeing 737 is ubiquitous. If you've taken a commercial flight in the last 50 years, there's a good chance it was on a Boeing 737.

That's because Boeing has sold a whole lot of them. Since 1965, the American aviation giant has taken orders for a whopping 14,725 737s. In April, Boeing delivered the 10,000th 737, a new MAX 8 model, to Southwest Airlines. To put that into perspective, Boeing's second best-selling plane, the wide-body 777, has received a little less than 2,000 orders. However, it should be noted that the long-haul Boeing 777 costs several times more than the 737 and is used in different segments of the airline market.

Over the years, the Boeing 737 has proven itself to be a faithful workhorse for airlines around the world. Its versatility is nothing short of astounding. What debuted in 1967 as a 50-seat regional jet has now spawned 220-plus-seat variants capable of trans-Atlantic travel.

With the introduction of the MAX, Boeing's long-serving 737 is set to fly on well past its 70th birthday.

However, the Boeing sales team will have to work hard for the 737 to maintain its crown. The rival Airbus A320 is nipping at its heels. Through May, Airbus has orders for 14,228 A320 family jets. 

Here's a closer look at the incredible history of the Boeing 737:

SEE ALSO: How Airbus became Boeing's greatest rival

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In 1964, Boeing began work on a 50-60 seat, narrow-body airliner designed for trips between 50 and 1,000 miles in length. It would also be roughly half the size Boeing's smallest jet at the time, the 727.

Source: New York Times. 

At the time, Boeing was best known for it larger jets like the 707 and...

... The eight-engine B-52 bomber.

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.

Here at Insider Picks, we've written about a lot of amazing watches. From affordable timepieces under $100 to stylish luxury options under $1,500 — and everything in between — we've done it all.

With a huge selection of watches from all the top designer brands and amazing prices, Jomashop has been one of our favorite sites to shop for every style and price-point imaginable. Right now, the brand is making their deals even more worthwhile with a sitewide sale of up to 75% off, making it the best time to shop for dads and grads.

You can also receive free delivery by Father's Day when you order by Tuesday, June 12 at 4 p.m. EST and use the promo code "DADSHIP" at checkout.

Even with a wide selection and an unbeatable sale, picking out a watch that's just right can still be difficult — especially if you're shopping for someone else.

To help you find an amazing Father's Day or graduation gift, we asked Jomashop's marketing director Chaim Posen what the best-selling men's watches of the spring 2018 season (so far) have been. He helped us put together a list of options under $500. As best sellers, you can't go wrong gifting any of these.

Shop the Jomashop Sitewide Sale now, or read on for the best-sellers below.

If you're considering dropping money on a luxury watch, as with any other major purchase, be sure to compare prices and do some research first. While all of the watches are guaranteed to be 100% authentic, they do not come with a manufacturers warranty. If you have any concerns at all, you can view Jomashop's full warranty policy here.

Seiko Diver's Automatic

$199.99 (Originally $450) [You save $250.01]

The Seiko Diver's Automatic features a classic diver style. Its silver bracelet and case is contrasted by a black bezel and dial. The dial uses large white hour markers, thick hands, and a day and date display at 3 o'clock.

Tissot Luxury Automatic

$345 with promo code "SMZT150" (Originally $1,050) [You save $705]

The Tissot Luxury is perfect for guys who like a minimal amount of contrast. With the exception of the minute markers and Tissot branding, the entire watch is done in a classy stainless steel silver. With automatic movement and an 80-hour power reserve, the watch is also very functional.

Casio G-Shock GG1000-1A5

$195 (Originally $320) [You save $125]

Built to withstand a beating, Casio's G-Shock line includes some of the most durable watches you can buy. The GG1000-1A5 makes the list in an extremely stylish black and olive colorway. What makes this watch stand out is its analog and digital display. You'll find functions like month, day, date, world time, alarm, and stopwatch, and countdown timer, all on its face. It's also water resistant up to 660 feet, which is a nice touch.

It's official.

"Avengers: Infinity War" reached a box-office milestone this week, as it crossed $2 billion globally as of Monday after just 48 days in theaters. 

Marvel's superhero blockbuster is currently the fourth highest-grossing movie of all time (for now). It broke a number of records when it debuted, including the record for the biggest opening weekend of all time with over $258 million — it was previously held by "Star Wars: The Force Awakens.""Infinity War" was also the fastest movie to ever reach $1 billion worldwide. 

"Infinity War" is one of only four movies to ever reach $2 billion at the global box office. Below is every movie that has achieved that, along with how much they actually made based on unadjusted numbers from Box Office Mojo.

Can "Infinity War" reach the rest of the pack? 

Below is every movie that has reached $2 billion worldwide:

SEE ALSO: Superhero movies will wipe out Oscar contenders unless the theater business changes, according to the producer of 'Get Out'

4. "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018)

Worldwide gross (so far): $2,001,136,398

3. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (2015)

Worldwide gross: $2,068,223,624

2. "Titanic" (1997)

Worldwide gross: $2,187,463,944