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The best chain we ate at all year was a cult-favorite Texas taco chain that's trying to take over America

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Torchy's

  • After a year filled with fast-food consumption, a few chains rise above the rest. The one chain to rule them all: Torchy's, a taco chain with a cult following in Texas. 
  • As we look back at 2018, we decided we said it best the first time: "We weren't disappointed by a single thing, except for the fact that there is not one in New York City." 
  • Here is our review of Torchy's, first published in July. 

We believe tacos are our future.

For too long, the burrito has ruled supreme over the world of Tex-Mex, at least since Chipotle's tentacles spread across the United States with the promise of a mainstream Mission-style burrito. But now, the burrito's reign is coming to an end— if Torchy's Tacos has anything to say about it.

The taco chain started in a trailer in Austin, Texas, in 2006. Since then, it has grown a cult following in Texas and expanded to more than 50 locations.

Toppling "big burrito," however, will require more than some Texan pride. Torchy's needs to back its heady expansion goals with food that lives up to its enviable reputation.

We visited a Torchy's location in Dallas to see whether the chain lived up to the hype. What we found was a chain that could transform the Tex-Mex landscape forever:

We arrived at Torchy's near Southern Methodist University — a prime location for a chain built for hungry students seeking some reasonably priced tacos.



We were initially paralyzed with indecision while trying to take in the long list of tacos. Torchy's serves 20 traditional tacos plus breakfast tacos, sides, and a handful of other entrées. And, there's a full bar! Clink, clink.



Before noon, the restaurant was already packed. Hungover college students were inhaling tacos alongside families and World Cup fans sipping beers.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We drove an $87,000 Jaguar I-PACE electric SUV to see if it can take on Tesla, Mercedes, and Audi. Here's the verdict.

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Jaguar I PACE 12

  • The Jaguar I-PACE first luxury crossover SUV to hit the market.
  • The I-PACE is driven by dual electric motors that produce 394 horsepower.
  • According to Jaguar, its EV can do 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
  • The Jag has a 90kWh battery pack that and a range of 234 miles on a single charge. 
  • The I-PACE will be the only electric compact crossover available until the Audi E-Tron, Mercedes-Benz EQ C, and Tesla Model Y hits showrooms.
  • The 2019 Jaguar I-PACE starts at $69,500 while our top-spec HSE variant starts at $80,500. With options and fees, our test car came to $86,720.

Electric cars are the future. Even though people have been saying this for years, only recently have the world's mainstream automakers really taken this to heart. Sure, relatively affordable EVs have been on the road a decade now. But for far too many brands, going electric was more of a strategically prudent way to satisfy increasingly stringent emissions standards than a true commitment to electric mobility.

Things are different now. Tesla can't make enough of its electric cars to keep up with demand. GM and Nissan are fully committed to production EVs. While luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Porsche have all prepared purpose-built EVs set to hit the market in the near future. 

And then there's Jaguar.

Once the byword for stodgy British retro luxury, Jag is now all-in on electric. In fact, Jaguar beat out its rivals to become the first mainstream luxury brand to have an EV with enough range to legitimately compete against Tesla. 

Read more: We drove a $211,000 Porsche Panamera to see if it's a hybrid supercar with room for the whole family. Here's the verdict.

The Jaguar I-PACE enters the market in a unique position in that it's the only car in its segment. Including the I-PACE, there are only four luxury EVs on the market and three of them are the Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model 3.

With the Model X the only other SUV. However, it should be noted that the Model X is a larger, mid-size three-row crossover SUV and doesn't compete directly with I-PACE that is significantly less expensive. 

Specifically, the Jag will be the only electric compact crossover available until the Audi E-Tron, Mercedes-Benz EQ C, and Tesla Model Y hits showrooms.

Recently, Business Insider spent a week with a 2019 Jaguar I-PACE EV400 HSE test car in Corris Gray. The 2019 Jaguar I-PACE starts at $69,500 while the top-spec HSE variant starts at $80,500. With options and fees, our test car came to $86,720.

Here's a closer look at the 2019 Jaguar I-PACE EV400 HSE:

SEE ALSO: We drove a $50,000 Infiniti QX50 luxury SUV to see if it's ready to rival Audi, Acura, and BMW. Here's the verdict.

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

Earlier this year, we had the chance to drive the I-PACE at Jaguar Land Rover's North American headquarters in Mahwah, New Jersey. However, it was just for a few minutes and around a track in their parking lot.



So, we brought the electric Jag back for a more in-depth experience.



The I-PACE is currently the lone player in the in the electric luxury compact crossover SUV segment. However, it won't be for long.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

How to get the most out of your fancy new 4K TV

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LG CES 2018 wall of screens tvs

Whether you bought a fancy new 4K TV for yourself or received it as a gift (you have great family or friends!), making the switch from regular HD to 4K isn't as simple a switch as it might seem.

To make the most of a 4K TV, you need to make a few changes.

It's not difficult, per se, but it does mean signing up for different video streaming plans, checking out new gadgets that support 4K, and looking out for 4K content where it might not be so obvious.

Check out how to make the most of your 4K TV after upgrading from traditional 1080p HD setup:

 

SEE ALSO: The futuristic LG TV that rolls itself in and out of a box could hit living rooms in 2019 — check it out in action

1. Upgrade your video streaming service to the 4K plan, if it's available.

Most streaming services offer 4K video, but some charge you a little more for the extra resolution and sharpness.

Netflix, for example, charges $14 per month for 4K streaming. But others, like Amazon's Prime Video service, don't charge you extra for 4K streaming. 



2. You might need to get a faster internet speed plan from your internet service provider or a better WiFi router to stream and download 4K content.

Depending on the service, you need between 10 and 25 megabit-per-second internet to stream 4K video.

That shouldn't be a problem for most people in the US. The average internet download speed in the US in 2017 was 64.17 Mbps, according to the internet speed testing site, speedtest.net. That's more than enough for 4K streaming. 

For downloading movies and TV shows you bought, faster internet speeds means faster downloads and less time between the moment you click "buy" and actually start watching. 

As for WiFi routers, if you're still using an old "N" router, it might be time to get something newer. You can usually tell what standard of WiFi router you have with the model number printed on the router itself. If there's an N in the model number, it means i'ts pretty old and could be bottlenecking your internet speeds. 

For newer routers, look for those with the "AC" WiFi standard. 



3. Upgrade to a game console that supports 4K resolution.

If you're a console gamer with an Xbox One or PlayStation 4, you'll only make the most of your new 4K TV if you get the 4K-capable Xbox One X or PlayStation 4 Pro, both of which cost $400 each.

Of course, you don't need to buy either of these consoles just for 4K video gaming. Your games will play and look just fine in 1080p HD resolution, even on a 4K TV. They just won't look quite as good. 

Xbox gamers are lucky to have the $200 Xbox One S as an option, which upscales 1080p HD video games to 4K resolution. It's not quite as good as true 4K resolution, but it's a little better than playing 1080p HD games on a 4K TV. Plus, the Xbox One S can stream video in 4K resolution from streaming services like Netflix.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Everlane’s biggest 'Choose What You Pay' sale event starts today — here are the top 10 best styles

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

everlane choose what you pay 11

While most retailers have a sale section, Everlane takes a slightly different approach to discounting products. Its 'Choose What You Pay' model doesn't mean you can pay any price you want, but it does offer up three tiered prices (low, medium, high) to choose from. 

This alternative sale section is usually available year-round for both men's and women's apparel, but the biggest Choose What You Pay sales event that Everlane has ever held starts today

From December 26 through December 29, a little over 200 styles in select colors enjoy this special pricing option. Some styles will even be discounted up to 50%. With popular styles like the Day Boot, silk shirts, and cashmere crew sweaters on sale, it's one of the nicer inventory cast-offs you'll find online at the end of the year. 

We've tried a lot of things from Everlane, and have collected many favorites over time, so we certainly won't be sleeping on this rare opportunity to save on its high-quality closet essentials. 

You can find our top 10 picks from Everlane's Choose What You Pay event below, or shop the sale directly. 

Shop the biggest Choose What You Pay sale of the year for men or women.

SEE ALSO: 19 styles from Everlane that we wear in our everyday lives — for both men and women

A soft, warm cashmere sweater

The Cashmere Crew in Black/White Mini Stripe, from $70 (originally $100) 

Read our review of the Cashmere Crew here



A thicker cashmere sweater

The Heavyweight Cashmere Crew in Heather Blue, from $98 (originally $140) 



A bright red cable-knit wool sweater

The Cable Mockneck in Red, from $78 (originally $130)



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We went shopping at Nordstrom and Macy's to see which was a better department store, and the winner was obvious (JWN, M)

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macy's 1900

  • Nordstrom and Macy's are two of the most popular department stores in the United States.
  • In November, Nordstrom reported that comparable sales were up 0.4% in the third quarter. Macy's reported that comparable sales were up 3.3% in the third quarter.
  • The stores have a lot of similarities, such as store credit cards, in-store pickup for online orders, and same-day delivery. But when we visited both, we found one store had much more to offer than the other. 

Nordstrom and Macy's are two of the most popular department stores in the United States.

But department stores are no longer in their heyday. The rise of e-commerce, declining foot traffic to malls, and a higher demand for off-price products are just some of the factors that have caused department stores to suffer in recent years. Several department-store chains, including Macy's and JCPenney, have recently closed locations across the country as they struggle to adapt to shoppers' changing habits.

When we visited Nordstrom and Macy's, however, the two department stores appeared to be in pretty good shape. Both were spotless, with extravagant displays and hardly anything out of place. In November, Nordstrom reported that comparable sales were up 0.4% in the third quarter. Macy's reported last month that comparable sales were up 3.3% in the third quarter, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of sales growth for the brand. 

The stores have a lot of similarities, both offering store credit cards, in-store pickup for online orders, and same-day delivery. Both also offer free shipping and returns, with Nordstrom handling returns on a case-by-case basis and Macy's accepting products within 180 days. 

Even though the department stores are very similar, one of them had a lot more to offer in-store than the other. Here's what we found when we shopped at each:

SEE ALSO: 13 things you probably didn't know about '2-buck Chuck,' Trader Joe's notoriously cheap wine

I went to the Nordstrom store in The Westchester Mall.



Immediately on the first floor were the shoe department and the men's department. Each of the departments took up half of the floor. The shoe department carried brands like Nike, Converse, and Vans, as well as designer brands like Gucci and Prada.



The men's department carried what seemed like an endless amount of formal wear from brands like Ted Baker London and Bonobos. There was also Topman shop within Nordstrom that carried more casual clothes.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 3 best places to travel every month of 2019

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greece tourist traveler

  • Business Insider has spent a year finding the best best places to visit in the world for each month of the year.
  • Now, we've taken the top destinations and compiled them into a travel guide for each month of 2019.
  • The best places to visit in 2019 include tropical paradises, rugged outdoor playgrounds, and vibrant cultural hubs.

The new year is right around the corner, which means there's no better time to start thinking about where you want to visit in 2019.

Over the course of 2018, I've compiled Business Insider's "Best Places to Visit" series, highlighting 13 destinations that are best for holiday travel for every month of the year.

Business Insider considered everything from airfare trends and climate data to local cultural events to determine the optimal month to travel to each destination. February, for example, offers the cheapest airfare to Hawaii, with November coming in a close second.

Related:See the entire "Best Places to Visit" series, highlighting 13 destinations each month

Now, as 2019 approaches, I'm taking three of the best destinations from each month and presenting them below. The following guide can help you plan a year's worth of vacations and cover everything on your traveler's checklist, from famed historic sites to vibrant nightlife, tropical paradises to icy wonderlands.

Check out the best places to travel each month of 2019, and enjoy planning.

SEE ALSO: 13 places to visit in January for every type of traveler

DON'T MISS: 13 of the best places to visit if you're planning a vacation in February

January — Aspen, Colorado

What we said:"More than 200 inches of snow lure winter sports lovers to scenic Aspen, Colorado, each winter.

"Although December through February are the most expensive months to travel to this powdery haven, early January is when rates for hotels and ski lifts are the most affordable of the season. That's the sweet spot on the calendar between December holidays and the start of the annual X Games, which start in late January."

Find other places to travel in January here»



January — Harbin, China

What we said:"Winter temperatures plunge below zero in Harbin, China's northernmost major city. But there's a reason more than 10 million travelers flock there each December, January, and February — the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival.

"The festival — the largest of its kind in the world — centers on a surreal, neon-lit theme park with castles, sculptures, and replicas of monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Sphinx, all carved from ice. It's a scene that needs to be witnessed to be believed — just make sure you bring your warmest jacket."

Find other places to travel in January here»



January — Wanaka, New Zealand

What we said:"Wanaka is a picturesque town on New Zealand's South Island, and it's the perfect place for outdoor adventure. The town's mountain and lakeside setting, as well as its proximity to Mt. Aspiring National Park, make it the ultimate base for outdoor activities like hiking, bicycling, rock climbing and skydiving. Remember, January means warm weather in this part of the world.

"Back in town, you can take in the magnificent scenery from viewpoints, go wine-tasting, and while away the hours at quirky places like Puzzling World and the National Transport and Toy Museum."

Find other places to travel in January here»



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We tested the futuristic $349 oven that some say could replace every cooking appliance that you own, and we were blown away by it

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tovala 1020

  • Tovala has created a smart oven and meal-kit service intended to simplify home cooking.
  • The oven is a countertop machine that essentially combines four types of appliances: a broiler, a steamer, an oven, and a toaster.
  • We got a chance to test it out — here's what it was like.

Meal kits have become one of the biggest trends in food retail in recent years, with dozens of new companies cropping up and even traditional retailers jumping on the bandwagon, hoping to cash in on time-strapped consumers who are seeking easy, healthy meals.

But the backlash has already begun. Some say the market is oversaturated with meal-kit options, and industry innovators such as Blue Apron have found themselves losing customers.

Tovala, a gourmet meal-kit service that uses a smart oven, is hoping to swoop in and woo these customers on the assumption that they still crave good food and convenience.

The Tovala oven is a countertop machine that combines four types of appliances: a broiler, a steamer, an oven, and a toaster. The oven is Wi-Fi-enabled and connects to an app with hundreds of recipes. The user simply needs to select a recipe on the app or scan the barcode on one of the service's prepared meals, and the oven will then do all of the work.

In February, Tovala received an undisclosed amount of funding from the food giant Tyson Foods. The capital raised was to be used to support Tovala's growth, including adding staff across all departments, geographic expansion, and investment in product, operations, technology, and marketing, Tovala said in a press release at the time.

In November, Tovala launched its new and improved second-generation machine, which is lighter than its predecessor and has a new function that enables users to cook without using the app. The first machine was rolled out in 2017.

Find out how it works below:

SEE ALSO: These are the brands that blew up in 2018

The new oven works in the same way as the original version. There are two options: to cook independently using the machine or to subscribe to its prepared meal kits.

There are two main differences between the two models: The new model is 15% smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and users are now able to cook on the oven without having to use the app.

According to the company's CEO, David Rabie, not being able to use the oven without the app was one of the biggest complaints customers had about the original version. 



If you opt for the meal kits, you have the choice between three, four, six, eight, nine, or 12 meals a week.

Customers who sign up for 100 Tovala meals within the first 12 months of their purchase are eligible for $100 off the oven. 

The oven itself costs $349 and comes with a 180-day return policy. 

 



Each meal costs $12 and is meant to feed one person. If you're ordering as a couple or feeding a family, you'd need to order more of each variety.

Customers are required to pick which meals they want on a Wednesday for the following Monday. 

There are eight meals to choose from each week. 

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

54 photos of New York City microapartments show how tiny living can be glamorous — or disappointing

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New York City micro apartment

New Yorkers tend to cling to their apartments more fervently than most.

When the average apartment rent is $3,600 a month, many New York City residents aren't willing to give up a good deal when they find it. That leaves less room for apartment seekers, who are often forced to live in tiny spaces with multiple roommates.

Even then, there's a problem: Microapartments are technically illegal under the city's 1987 zoning laws, which require dwellings to have an area of at least 400 square feet.

Those who require a small space must find an apartment built before 1987, or turn to one of the newer developments that have secured a special waiver from the city.

Despite their minimal square footage, these newer apartments offer innovative design features like hidden drawers and closets, along with luxury amenities like butler services and rentable ice-cream makers.

But for the thousands of residents who live in older microapartments, the lifestyle can be somewhat dismal. Take a look.

SEE ALSO: 32 crazy photos of micro-apartments from around the world

READ MORE: Manhattan’s first micro-apartments just won a prestigious design award — here’s what it’s like to spend a night in one

If space isn't an issue, microapartments can lend a more glamorous lifestyle at a lower price.



This loft on the Upper West Side features multi-level platforms with a small bathroom hidden beneath the stairs.



The loft is at the top of a six-story brownstone, with access to a rooftop garden.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

8 photos of Donald Trump in high school

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  • President Donald Trump went to high school at the New York Military Academy.
  • He graduated in 1964.
  • These high-school photos of the future president from Classmates.com are over 50 years old.

Before he was a real-estate mogul, a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, or the president of the United States, Donald Trump was an unruly teen whose parents sent him to military school.

Trump's parents sent him to the New York Military Academy when he was 13 because of his acting up.

His father, Fred Trump, hoped "the discipline of the school would channel his energy in a positive manner," according to The Washington Post.

Trump graduated in 1964 and went on to study at the University of Pennsylvania.

Thanks to Classmates.com, we found photos of Trump from his time at the school.

Here are some pictures of Trump that are over a half-century old:

SEE ALSO: It took Trump just 69 days to accomplish something that the country's most unpopular presidents took years to achieve

This is Trump's senior picture, from the New York Military Academy's 1964 yearbook.



That year, Trump was voted the "Ladies Man" of his class in a likely tremendous "popularity poll." We're guessing it was the first of many polls Trump would win.



Here's Trump in his military attire.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

5 signs you're probably not part of the middle class

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young woman smart smiling smile listen listening speech crowd presentation

  • Over the last 50 years or so, the middle class has been on the decline.
  • Because of this, fewer people are self-identifying as middle-class than they did ten years ago.
  • Here are five signs that you're probably not in the middle class, including your age, marital status, and the healthcare costs you face.

 

The middle class is shrinking. If you look at Pew Research data over the last five decades, the numbers are somewhat striking: middle-income Americans represented about 61% of the country in 1971, while only 52% of American adults classified as middle-income in 2016.

And people are acutely aware of this fact, which is why just 44% of Americans said they are middle-class in 2014, compared to 53% in 2008, according to the Pew Research Center.

Even though it's easy to put an economic-class label on yourself, it's still difficult to say where you stand exactly since there are many ways to define the middle class.

But to help you start figuring out where you are, here are five indicators that you're probably not in the middle class:

SEE ALSO: See inside the 104-square-foot tiny house that helped a Canadian photographer 'house-hack' his way into living for free

1. You're a millennial

If being middle class means being financially comfortable, then millennials have a bit of work to do on that front. While they have been accused of killing many industries and businesses with declining expenditure — Canned tuna, American cheese, even the restaurant chain Hooters— a lot of millennials are simply struggling.

Part of that is because they both aren't making as much money as their parents did at the same age, and they aren't making enough of it, according to new analysis from the Federal Reserve. They're also less likely to own their home than previous generations, the Federal Reserve noted — a common benchmark for the middle class.

 



2. You don't stress about your health care costs

If your own health care costs aren't a particular source of stress, congratulations! That's probably because you're sitting comfortably in the upper echelons of the economic classes.

The middle class, on the other hand, is increasingly feeling a financial squeeze when it comes to medical expenses, as reporting from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal has shown.



3. You're single

Sorry to those who enjoy the freedom that comes with a single lifestyle, but according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual, it's statistically less likely that those individuals would identify themselves as middle class (about 55%) compared to those who are married or have a partner (upwards of 75%). The survey also found that men are more likely to identify as middle class than women (74% versus 64%, respectively).



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

13 experts share their favorite tips so you can make 2019 your most productive year yet

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  • We asked experts for their best productivity advice, in the interest of helping you make 2019 your most productive year yet.
  • The advice covered email, to-do lists, creativity, and more.
  • Tips include: associate something you love with something you want to accomplish and "timebox" your email routine.

If you pay close attention to Business Insider's Strategy and Careers sections, you'll notice we frequently share productivity tips from an expert we've just interviewed, a book we've recently read, or new research we've just scoured.

And we admit it can be a little daunting to keep up with all the productivity advice out there.

So since you're here to learn how to make better use of your time, we thought we'd save you some and round up the best productivity tricks.

To do this, we asked some of the experts we trust to share how they get it all done.

Here's their favorite advice on being more productive:

SEE ALSO: 13 unforgettable insights from a year reading about relationships, time management, and getting ahead at work

Immediately do any task that would only take one minute to complete

"Follow the 'one-minute rule' and do any task that can be finished in one minute. Hang up your coat, read a letter and toss it, fill in a form, answer an email, note down a citation, pick up your phone message, file a paper ... and so on.

"Because the tasks are so quick, it isn't too hard to follow the rule — but it has big results. Accomplishing all those small, nagging tasks makes us feel both calmer and more energetic because we're not dragged down by the accumulated weight of a mass of tiny, insignificant tasks."

Gretchen Rubin, author of "Better Than Before" and "The Happiness Project"



Keep your phone out of sight while you're working

"I leave my phone in another room until lunch each day. It doesn't work for every job, but if you can manage it, then it can really make a difference.

"When my phone is next to me, I'm like everyone else: I check it every three minutes. But when I leave it in another room, I'm less likely to get distracted and I get a block of three to four hours in the morning where I can work on my own agenda rather than responding to the interruptions that come via text, email, and phone."

— James Clear, author of "Atomic Habits"



Associate something you love with something you want to accomplish

"Pick a ritual that you love — for me this ritual is the morning coffee — and connect it to a productivity-related activity. In my case, it has to do with writing.

"So I connect something I love, which is the coffee ritual, to something else that I love in principle, but not every moment of it, which is writing. It's an almost conditioned response, where I start working and I'm enjoying the coffee and the writing at the same time."

Dan Ariely, a professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University and author of "Payoff"



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A safety law that truckers hate is driving up prices for consumers on everything from groceries to Amazon Prime. Here’s what you need to know about it.

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  • In 2018, the trucking industry went through an upheaval because of the implementation of the electronic logging device mandate.
  • The ELD mandate enforces the hours of service law, which how much truck drivers can drive and when. They cannot drive for more than 11 hours during a 14-hour period.
  • Many truck drivers have told Business Insider that they hate ELDs, which make their jobs too inflexible. Industry experts say the law helps promote safety.
  • The ELD mandate has also helped make products more expensive for regular consumers.

 

At the end of 2017, Dalton Jackson's job suddenly became unbearable.

"Everything got worse due to the ELD law enforcement in December," Jackson, who lives in Chestertown, Maryland, told Business Insider in May 2018.

The 57-year-old has been trucking for 18 years. He's one of many long-haul truckers who have told Business Insider that the electronic logging device mandate made their jobs hauling freight more dangerous and decreased their pay in 2018.

While America's 1.8 million tractor-trailer truck drivers are quite aware of what ELDs are, few consumers understand how the ELD mandate has affected their own lives this year. 

Here are some common questions about the safety law, and how it's played out for drivers, industry leaders, and Americans who aren't in trucking: 

SEE ALSO: Truck driver salaries have fallen by as much as 50% since the 1970s — and experts say a little-known law explains why

DON'T MISS: The US has a major truck driver shortage — but the co-founder of a trucking startup that's attracted $80 million in funding says there are 3 other issues that are making the shortage seem worse than it is

What is an electronic logging device (ELD)?

Electronic logging devices (usually called ELDs or E-logs) record driving hours by monitoring a  vehicle's engine. 

Using that, companies or truckers can ensure they're following the hours of service (HOS) law, which mandates how much a driver can work in a day. (We'll explain that next.)

Some companies used ELDs for years.

Others only started in December 2017, when the ELD rule came into effectunder a larger act passed by former President Barack Obama in 2012. Called MAP-21, the act was the first highway legislation with long-term provisions since 2005.

Previously, truckers may have logged their hours by hand with paper logs. 



What is the hours of service (HOS) law?

The ELD by its own merely logs how much a driver has been working. What gives the ELD mandate teeth is the hours of service (HOS) law.

Under HOS, truckers may drive a maximum of 11 hours in a consecutive on-duty window of 14 hours. After that, they must take 10 consecutive hours off-duty. 

They must also take a 30-minute break at some point in that 14-hour window. (The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering changing that part of the law.)

These stipulations ensure drivers do not become exhausted and therefore more prone to accidents. In 2016, 4,440 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes.



What is the ELD mandate?

The HOS law has existed since the federal government first started regulating trucking in 1938. But, the only way to ensure that drivers were following HOS was to review their paper logs, which are easily fabricated. As a result, many truckers could lie about their hours and work more than legally allowed.

The ELD mandate required that most trucks implement logging devices by December 2017. This enforces the HOS law in an unprecedented manner.

The law is one of many provisions in a larger act passed by former President Barack Obama in 2012.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 10 least affordable San Francisco neighborhoods in 2018, ranked

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san francisco

  • The San Francisco housing market is so expensive that it's now commonly referred to as being in a crisis.
  • PropertyShark and Business Insider teamed up to take a look at the top 10 most expensive San Francisco neighborhoods in 2018.
  • The median home sale price in the top 10 neighborhoods ranged from $2 million to $4.4 million.

The San Francisco housing market is notoriously expensive.

In fact, as Business Insider previously reported, rent is so high that four-person households making under $117,400 qualify for low-income housing and even tech workers are abandoning the city in search of lower prices.

To take a look at how prices compare across the city, Business Insider teamed up with PropertyShark and ranked the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in the city by median sale price.

Read more: This $45 million San Francisco home could shatter the city's real-estate record — take a look inside the gorgeous complex

The median sale prices in San Francisco's most expensive neighborhoods range from $2 million to $4.4 million. A look at the most expensive neighborhoods in LA, meanwhile, reveals a far broader gap: The median sale price ranges from $3.2 million all the way up to $10.6 million.

Below, check out the most expensive neighborhoods in San Francisco in 2018, ranked from least expensive to most.

SEE ALSO: The San Francisco housing market is so dire that people are leaving in droves — here's where they're headed

READ MORE: San Francisco is so expensive that waiters can no longer afford to live in the city, and it's changing the way restaurants are serving food and hiring workers

10. Monterey Heights

Median sale price: $2,007,750 



9. Parnassus Heights

Median sale price: $2,050,000 



8. Lone Mountain

Median sale price: $2,180,000 



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I exchanged a crusty old iPhone for $75 in store credit at Apple — and it only took 30 minutes (AAPL)

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Kif used iPhone

  • Earlier this year, Apple debuted a new website that will let you check the value of your old Apple products.
  • Apple will give you store credit for working devices, or simply recycle them if they can't be resold. 
  • Here's how it works. 

Over the years, I've collected a fair amount of older computers. Obsolete laptops, phones, and accessories are simply collecting dust and growing even more out of date in a series of drawers and boxes.

Earlier this fall, the time of year when Apple usually announces new iPhones or laptops, I thought it was a good time to clear out some of my older gadgetry. 

But you can't just throw old electronics away in the trash. They contain lots of toxic materials that shouldn't end up in landfills. And sometimes, your old phones and laptops retain a little bit of value and can be cleaned up and used again. 

I had an old iPhone 6 that I hadn't used in a year. I brought it into an Apple store without an appointment, and about 30 minutes later, I left with a $75 gift card to Apple. 

Here's how it works: 

SEE ALSO: 5 myths about iPhone battery life you might mistakenly believe — and what you should do instead

I started at Apple's website, which can estimate how much your old devices are worth.

Visit the site here



It guides you through and asks you a series of questions about your device — does it boot up? Is the screen cracked?



My iPhone 6 was in pretty good shape, so they gave me an estimated value of $75, which would be paid in an Apple gift card. The website offered to send me a shipping slip so I could mail my old iPhone in.



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We took an $81,000 Porsche Macan GTS on a road trip to see if it's a sports car in an SUV body — here's the verdict

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Porsche Macan GTS

  • The Porsche Macan GTS is one of the six versions of the Macan compact SUVs available in the US.
  • The GTS sits in the middle of the Macan line up. It slots in above the Macan, Macan S, and Macan Sport Edition but below the Macan Turbo and Turbo with Performance Package models.
  • The base 2018 Porsche Macan starts at $47,800 while the top-spec Macan Turbo with Performance Package starts at $87,700. 
  • The Macan GTS starts at $68,900. With options and fees, the as-tested price came to $81,310.
  • The Macan GTS impressed with us with its traditional Porsche sporty demeanor and solid feature content.

The Porsche Macan is one of the great automotive success stories in recent memory. The Macan is Porsche's best selling model and accounted for 39% of the German brand's US sales last year. In fact, the only thing keeping the Macan's sales growth in check is the pace at which Porsche can churn the SUVs out at its factory in Leipzig, Germany.

At the 2018 Paris Motor Show, Porsche launched an updated version of its hot-selling SUV. However, that car won't appear in US showrooms until the middle of next year. In addition, the only variant of the "new" Macan we've seen is the base model with a turbocharged inline four-cylinder.

As a result, higher performance versions of the current Macan will remain on sale even after the new Macan debuts.

Read more: We drove a $152,000 Porsche 911 GT3 to see if it's still the greatest sports car of all time — here's the verdict.

This brings us to the Macan GTS. It sits in the middle of the Macan line up in terms of price and performance. 

The Porsche Macan can be had in six different flavors. They range from the relatively tame four-cylinder base Macan to the top of the line Macan Turbo with Performance Package, which boasts a stout 440 horsepower.

In between, there's the Macan S, Macan Sport Edition, Macan GTS, and Macan Turbo.

Recently, Business Insider had the chance to experience the 2018 Macan GTS first-hand road trip from Jacksonville, Florida to Savannah, Georgia. 

The base Porsche Macan starts at $47,800 while the Macan Turbo with Performance Package starts at $87,700. Our Carrera White Metallic 2018 Porsche Macan GTS starts at $68,900. With options and fees, the as-tested price came to $81,310. 

Here's a closer look: 

SEE ALSO: We drove a $50,000 Infiniti QX50 luxury SUV to see if it's ready to rival Audi, Acura, and BMW. Here's the verdict.

SEE ALSO: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!

The Macan is one of the most successful compact luxury crossovers on the market. Since its debut for the 2015 model year, the Macan has become Porsche's most popular model.



Recently we took a 2018 Porsche Macan GTS on a road trip from Jacksonville, Florida to Savannah, Georgia.



The road from Jacksonville to Savannah consisted mostly of highway driving. Although there were a few winding country roads to keep things interesting.



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90+ of the best end-of-year sales on the internet — from big-box retailers to your favorite small startups

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

Nordstrom

After Christmas, many retailers have huge sales with close-to Black Friday pricing. Instead of heading to the brick-and-mortar locations in order to find deals, there are plenty available online — so you can stay curled up in your pajamas eating Christmas dinner leftovers.

Below, you'll find a list of stores with the best post-holiday sales on the internet including sites like AmazonNordstrom, Target, and more.

Whether you're looking for something to spend Christmas cash and gift cards on or you're shopping for a belated gift, this is where you'll want to look.

Here are the top 10 end-of-year sales we're shopping:

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best end-of-year deals online, below:

To potentially save more, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

SEE ALSO: Nordstrom's huge Half Yearly Sale is officially on — here's what to buy

Amazon:

  • Save big on Amazon devices and tech from top brands like Bose, Sony, Sonos, and more. Shop amazon.com.

Best Buy:

  • Save up to 40% on clearance and open-box items until January 12. Shop bestbuy.com.

Dell:

  • Save up to $300 on clearance and overstock computers. Shop dell.com.

JBL:

  • Save up to 60% on speakers, headphones, and more audio devices and accessories. Shop jbl.com.

Microsoft:

  • Save up to 65% on digital download XBOX games. Shop microsoft.com.


Avocado:

  • Now through January 7, save $15o on any Avocado Green Mattress or Avocado Vegan Mattress using the code "HOLIDAY150" at checkout. Verified military, educators, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, doctors, and nurses are all eligible to receive an additional discount of $50. Save $150 on reclaimed wood bed frames using the code "BED150" at checkout. Get two free pillows with a mattress purchase using the promo code "2FREEPILLOWS" at checkout. Shop avocadogreenmattress.com.

Bear:

  • Save $125 on orders over $500 with promo code “NYS125” or save $225 on orders over $1,200 with promo code “NYS225” at checkout. Plus, get two free Cloud Pillows. Shop bearmattress.com.

Brooklyn Bedding:

  • Save 25% on mattresses using the promo code "WINTER25" at checkout until January 1. Shop brooklynbedding.com.

Casper:

  • Take 10% off mattress orders when you use the promo code “2019” at checkout until January 1. Shop casper.com.

Dreamcloud:

Eight Sleep:

  • Take $100 off smart mattresses and get two free pillows with your order. Shop eightsleep.com.

Helix:

  • Save $100 when you spend $600+, $150 when you spend $1,250+, and $200 when you spend $1,750+ with codes “NEWYEAR100”, “NEWYEAR150”, and “NEWYEAR200”, respectively. Shop helixsleep.com.

Leesa:

  • Save $150 on a Leesa or $225 on a Sapira, plus get a free pillow ($75 value) for the New Year. BI readers can save an extra $10 with code “BUSINESSINSIDER”. Shop leesa.com.


Alpha Industries:

Andrew Marc:

  • Save an extra 20% with the promo code "DOYOU" until January 1. Shopandrewmarc.com.

Ann Taylor

  • Get 60% off sale styles and 40% off full price items using the promo code "REFRESH" until January 9. Shop anntaylor.com.

AYR:

  • Get 20% off final sale items with the promo code "BUTTERBEER" at checkout. Shop ayr.com.

Backcountry:

Ban.do:

  • Save 20% sitewide until December 28. Shop bando.com.

Brooks Brothers:

Clarks:

  • Save an extra 20% on select sale styles with code "SAVE20" at checkout. Shop clarksusa.com.

Club Monaco: 

  • Take an extra 30% off sale styles for a total of up 60% savings. Shop clubmonaco.com.

Coach:

Cole Haan:

  • Save an extra 40% on sale styles with the promo code “SAVE” at checkout until January 2. Shop colehaan.com.

Columbia Sportswear:

  • Save up to 50% on select styles until February 28. Shop columbia.com.

Dagne Dover:

Everlane:

EyeBuyDirect:

  • Save up to 50% on over 700 glasses styles until December 31. Shop eyebuydirect.com.

Fossil:

  • Save up to 50% on sale styles until January 27. Shop fossil.com.

Frank and Oak:

  • Save 26% sitewide with the program "BOXING26" at checkout from December 26-27. Shop frankandoak.com.

Frilly:

GREATS:

  • Save 50% or more on select styles while supplies last. Shop greats.com.

Happy Socks:

HATCH:

J.Crew:

  • Save an extra 50% on sale styles with code "BIGGERSALE" at checkout. Shop jcrew.com.

JCPenney:

  • Take up to 70% off sitewide, plus get an extra 25% off orders of $100+ or an extra 20% off orders under $100 with code "SALE4". Also, get free shipping on orders over $49. Shop jcpenney.com.

Jomashop:

Levi's:

  • Save an extra 30% sitewide using the promo code "WINTER30" at checkout. Shop levi.com.

Linjer:

  • Save up to 25% in-stock watches sitewide. Shoplinjer.co.

L.L.Bean:

  • Until January 3, save an extra 25% on sale styles. Shop llbean.com.

Mackage:

  • Save up to 50% on select styles from December 26-27. Shop mackage.com.

Macy’s:

  • Save up to 70% off clothes, home goods, jewelry, and more. Plus take an extra 20% off select departments with the promo code “JOY” at checkout. Shop macys.com.  

Madewell:

  • Save an extra 40% on sale styles using the promo code "GOBIG" at checkout. Shop madewell.com.

MeUndies:

  • Save up to 30% on Packs, plus save 15% on onesies with promo code "ONESIE15" at checkout. Shop meundies.com.

MVMT:

  • Save 20% on watches and sunglasses with the promo code "MVMT20" at checkout. Shop mvmtwatches.com.

Need Supply Co.:

Nike:

  • Save an extra 25% on select styles with the promo code "SAVE25" at checkout until January 25. Shop nike.com.

Nordstrom:

Nordstrom Rack:

Ramy Brook:

Reebok:

  • Save 30% sale styles with the promo code "LASTCALL" at checkout. Shop reebok.com.

REI: 

  • Save up to 50% off on outdoor apparel and gear. Shop rei.com

Rhone:

  • Save an extra 10% on surplus items using the promo code "UNBOX10" at checkout. Shop rhone.com.

Richer Poorer:

Scotch & Soda:

SCOTTeVEST:

  • Save 30% on most items with code "HAPPY2019" now through January 3. Shop scottevest.com.

Senreve:

  • Get a free limited-edition bracelet pouch with purchases of $500 or more, starting December 26. Shop senreve.com.

Shoes.com:

  • Save 25% sitewide with code "BYE2018". Shop shoes.com.

Shopbop:

Skagen:

  • Save up to 60% on select styles until January 14. Shop skagen.com.

Soia & Kyo:

  • Save up to 50% on select styles from December 26-27. Shop soiakyo.com.

Soludos:

  • Save 30% on select styles with the promo code "HAPPYSHOEYEAR" at checkout. Shop soludos.com.

STATE Bags:

  • On December 26 only, save 26% with code "XMAS26" at checkout. Shop statebags.com.

Sweaty Betty:

Theory:

Timberland:

Timex:

United By Blue:

  • Save 30% on all apparel with the promo code "TREATYOURSELF" at checkout. Shop unitedbyblue.com.

Uniqlo:

  • Shop deals on down, flannel, HEATTECH products and more, plus free shipping on all orders. Shop uniqlo.com.

Warby Parker:

  • Shop four classic styles in an exclusive color, only available on Cyber Monday, starting at $95. Shop warbyparker.com.

Zappos:

  • Get big savings on footwear and apparel. Shop zappos.com.

Zenni Optical:



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The 20 best deals from Backcountry's 'Happy New Gear' sale — including tents, skis, winter coats, and more

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

Backcountry

The new year is almost here, and if your resolution is to be more active, you'll need the right equipment. Fortunately, you can save up to 35% on outdoor apparel and accessories at Backcountry's "Happy New Gear Sale."

The sale runs through January 1 and includes hundreds of deals on everything from winter coats that will keep warm on a hike, to three-person tents to pack for your next camping trip.

To save you time, we looked through all the sale items and rounded up the 20 best deals we could find. Consider this cheat sheet a great jumping off point before exploring the parts of the sale that interest you the most.

Shop Backcountry's "Happy New Gear Sale" here.

SEE ALSO: 90+ of the best end-of-year sales on the internet — from fashion to electronics to bedding

Marmot Minimalist Jacket (men's)

$132.27 (originally $188.95) [You save $66.68]



Columbia Bugaboo II Pant

$69.76 (originally $98.99) [You save $29.23]



Stoic Maroon Bells Flannel Shirt

$19.97 (originally $39.95) [You save $19.98]



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How 21 of your favorite '90s celebrities have changed over the last 20 years

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Olsen twins mary kate and ashley olsen

  • Celebrities like James Van Der Beek, the Olsen twins, and Macaulay Culkin dominated the pop culture world in the 90s.
  • Some of these celebrities have since lived a more quiet life while others are making a comeback.
  • In the 20 years since in the 90s, here is how these celebrities have changed.

One of the reasons 1990s nostalgia is so big is because there are so many great things to look back on. This decade gave us too many good TV shows and movies to count, along with a slew of pop stars that will always be iconic. It was truly a great time to be alive.

With so much going on in Hollywood back in the '90s, it's no surprise that everyone had an endless amount of celebrities to pay attention to and sometimes become obsessed with. Many of these stars are still enjoying thoroughly successful careers, while others have stepped back a bit. Either way, it's always interesting to see how your favorite '90s celebrities have changed over the last 20 years:

Jennifer Love Hewitt was the lead in many of your favorite teen movies.

Back in the '90s, you probably knew Love Hewitt from her role as the female babe in classic teen films like "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Can't Hardly Wait." Today, she's still acting, but she does more television roles than anything else — you may have spotted her in series like "Criminal Minds" and "9-1-1." A few years ago, Love Hewitt married Brian Hallisay, her co-star from "The Client List," and the two have since had two children together.



Ryan Phillippe was an actor and was also known for his relationship with Reese Witherspoon.

You probably remember Phillippe from his roles in movies like "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and the iconic "Cruel Intentions." Phillippe also married Witherspoon, his "Cruel Intentions" co-star, in the late '90s, and the couple had two kids together before announcing their separation.

Since the '90s, Phillippe's career and personal life have both been a lot more quiet, although he has appeared in several small movies and done some stints on shows like "Damages" and "Secrets and Lies." He's currently the producer and lead in the show "Shooter."



Julia Stiles was best known for her starring role in "10 Things I Hate About You."

In the '90s, Stiles acted in a slew of popular teen movies, including "Save The Last Dance,""Down To You," and "Hamlet." Today, Stiles is still a successful actress with roles in movies like "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Jason Bourne." She earned Golden Globe and Emmy awards for her role in the TV series "Dexter" and is currently the lead in the web series "Blue." In 2017, Stiles gave her birth to her first child with her husband, camera assistant Preston J. Cook.



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The 16 TV shows coming in 2019 that we're most excited about

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Shrill on Hulu

  • A lot of great shows, both new and returning, are coming in 2019.
  • We put a list together of the shows we're looking forward to watching the most, from HBO's final season of "Game of Thrones" to Hulu's new original comedy "Shrill."

2019 is a new year, and with it comes a handful of new and returning shows we look forward to watching. 

With countless series heading to networks and streaming services coming up, INSIDER collected a list of the programming we're looking forward to the most. 

From returning favorites, including "Jane the Virgin" and "Game of Thrones"" to highly-anticipated premieres, like "I Am the Night" and "Shrill," here's the shows you should add to your watch list in 2019. 

New shows:

From Netflix's "Carmen Sandiego" reboot to TNT's limited series "I Am the Night" starring Chris Pine, these are all the new series coming in 2019 that we're looking forward to watching. 



"Sex Education"— Netflix

Drops Friday, January 11

This show, which follows an awkward high schooler who begins using what he's learned from his mother's work as a sex therapist to his advantage at school, stars Gillian Anderson of "The X-Files," who honestly belongs in everything. 



"Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened"— Netflix

Drops Friday, January 18. 

The disastrous Fyre Festival was one of the most captivating news stories in years. This Netflix documentary follows the festival that was promised to be the most luxurious music experience filled with social media influencers on a posh island, but reality was far from what was promised. 



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The 25 worst movies of 2018, according to critics

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fifty shades freed

  • The movie review website Rotten Tomatoes collects film reviews and creates a critics consensus based on "fresh" and "rotten" ratings.
  • Any movie on the website that has a rating below 60% is considered "rotten."
  • 2018 films like "Gotti" and "Breaking In" were rated as rotten for numerous reasons.
  • Sometimes critics and audiences disagreed on how good or bad a movie was. 

With awards season fast approaching and speculation swirling about which films will be nominated at the Academy Awards, there are a number of films that will be left out of the awards circuit due to low ratings from critics.

This year Rotten Tomatoes pulled reviews from countless film critics to create fresh and rotten ratings for newly released films.

Here were the 25 worst reviewed movies of 2018, according to the movie review site.

Reviewers loved Gabrielle Union but hated "Breaking In."

Gabrielle Union ("The Birth of a Nation,""Love and Basketball") is the lead of the summer action flick "Breaking In." In the movie, Union plays a mother determined to save her two children from a dangerous hostage situation by breaking into her own house.

Many critics called it campy and ill-plotted, giving it a rating of 26%. Even Louisa Moore of Screen Zealots, who gave it a fresh review, said it was a "good bad movie."



Critics said that "Forever My Girl" had too much schmaltz for its own good.

Accused by many as attempting to duplicate the success of Nicholas Sparks' romantic films, "Forever My Girl" is a romance based on a novel that stars Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe.

Film critics mostly found the country romance superficial and overly sentimental, but the audience score is significantly higher than the critical rating; critics gave it 26% and filmgoers gave it a fresh rating of 83%.



Critics adored Anna Faris but praised little else in "Overboard."

A remake of the 1987 comedy of the same name, "Overboard" is a comedy starring Eugenio Derbez and Anna Faris. In the original film, a rich woman (Goldie Hawn) falls off of a ship and gets amnesia, resulting in a comedy of errors when Kurt Russell convinces her that they are married.

In the remake, it is Derbez who falls overboard and Faris who tricks him. Despite an outpouring of support for Faris' performance, most critics found little redeemable in the rest of the movie, resulting in a score of 25%.



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