No matter how much of a hardcore carnivore you are, the thought of eating a dog, a rat, or an insect might make your stomach churn.

But before you grimace, consider this fun fact: Insects are actually more nutritious than most forms of meat eaten in the US. Some say increased consumption of insects might help alleviate world hunger.

While cultures in countries throughout Africa, Asia, and South America swear by the health benefits of eating insects, rodents, and other odd animals, American restaurants will probably not be adding any of the following to their menus anytime soon.

[Editor's Note: Some of the images below may be offensive to some readers.]

In Mexico, where some insects are considered delicacies, a man garnishes his taco with maguey worms.

This seemly average-looking taco is actually made with grasshoppers.

This locust sits on the tongue of a “discovery lunch” attendee. Held in Brussels, this event aims to educate the community about how insects can be a good form of nutrition.

Quiz time: Can you name Newton's first law of motion?

No? (Don't feel bad, I had to look it up, too.)

Newton declared, "Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it."

In other words, if you are flying in the International Space Station and toss an apple out the window (come on, use your imagination), it will keep going in that same direction forever, unless something stops it (like a planet, gravity or alien life form).

Although Newton was talking about physics, little did he know he was also describing life.

People tend to move in the same direction as they always have unless some external force is applied. I don't know about you, but I don't want my life to be lived in a straight line. I want to change, to improve, to crush it.

Related: 50 Books That Transformed My Business and My Life

This is why I read. 

A book is a powerful external force that can completely knock your life off its mundane straight line and change everything about who you are. The following are five books that did just that in my life.

"Rich Dad, Poor Dad"

Something was eating me alive inside. (No, it wasn't a parasite.) It was an idea. 

Something about work, life, money, wealth and freedom — but I couldn't quite say what that idea was. For months it weighed on me, but I couldn't find words to express it.

Then came "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki.

Finally, there were words for the internal dialogue that was taking place every minute of my life. I could finally form my abstract thoughts about money into actual speech — and it changed my life forever.

It's hard to say exactly what "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" is because it means so many different things to so many different people. But the gist of it is this: The poor work for their money, but the rich make their money work for them.

It's a mindset book more than anything, but with enough stories and examples to keep you captivated. It's no wonder this book is hands down the most popular book recommended by guests on The BiggerPockets Podcast that I co-host each week.

Kiyosaki taught me to stop saying, "It can't be done," and start asking, "How can it be done?" in every area of life. He started me on a journey that led me to buy my first rental property, followed by dozens of other investment properties that got me out of the "rat race" by the time I was 27.

For the first time, I began to see that wealth is not an accident, but an action. (Yes, I expect you to tweet that! I worked hard on that line!)

Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" this week.

"The Total Money Makeover"

A year after reading "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," a friend from church recommended I read through Dave Ramsey's book "The Total Money Makeover," and once again, my life took a turn for the better after a rude awakening: my spending was out of control!

I was spending $1,000 a month more than I was making. How did I not realize this?

"The Total Money Makeover" helped me to look at my personal finances with more seriousness and gave me a passion to pay off debt, live more frugally, and save more money.

Suddenly, having a budget didn't seem like a chore, it felt like I finally had a reign on my wallet. I was in control of my spending. My spending was not in control of me.

As an entrepreneur, some months are financially better than others. However, because of the lessons I learned from "The Total Money Makeover," I'm better prepared to handle the difficult times because I have a strong personal finance foundation.

"The 4-Hour Workweek"

No, I don't work four hours a week. No, I don't travel to exotic countries to salsa dance. I don't even know what Chinese kickboxing is.

But Tim Ferriss' story and philosophy about business and life resonated with me in a powerful way that altered my life, my relationships, my free time and my purpose.

Whereas "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" taught me that wealth was mine for the taking, "The 4-Hour Workweek" taught me that life was mine for the taking. 

I don't need to wait until I'm 62 to enjoy the fruits of my labor. I don't need to have $1,000,000 in the bank to achieve the life that millionaires brag about. I don't need to slave away at a job I hate just to pay the bills.

There is another way.

Part productivity handbook, part inspirational and part lesson in entrepreneurship, "The 4-Hour Workweek" refuses to be classified as anything but what it truly is: life-changing.

Related: 10 Great Autobiographies From the Brightest Minds in Business

I think critics of "The 4-Hour Workweek" tend to focus too much on the specifics of the book. "I can't do that in my job" or "I don't want to travel the world like Ferriss." They are missing the point and can't see the forest for the trees.

You don't need to hire a virtual assistant for $2 an hour to change your life (though, I did). You don't need to start an online business that generates passive income (though, I did). You don't even need to backpack Europe like a hippy (though, I did). However, there are ways you can improve your business and life through efficiency and optimization.

For example, I hate talking on the phone with tenants, so after reading "The 4-Hour Workweek," I hired someone part time to answer phones for me and show vacant units. The cost to me is tiny compared the amount of mental space it cleared up in my life, time that I could spend doing business activities I actually enjoy doing.

To sum up "The 4-Hour Workweek": Find things in life that make you passionate, pursue them with all your soul, and enjoy a glass of red wine while you are at it.

Tired of reading the standard frugality tips, author of "I Will Teach You To Be Rich" Ramit Sethi decided to launch a challenge to help people save $1,000 in a week.

He accompanied the challenge with a wealth of tips on his blog— from how to negotiate your car insurance to saving money while eating out — to help people achieve their savings goals.

We sifted through Sethi's advice and chose 13 of our favorites.

If you aren't up for an intense week, you can use these tips over the course of a month to similar effect.

1. Optimize your cell phone bill.

"Many of us (including me) pick a cell phone plan, then never check to see if it's the right one for us based on our usage," writes Sethi. "Because the average cell phone bill is about $50, that's $600 per year of money you can optimize."

When buying a new cell phone, Sethi likes to pay a little bit more upfront by choosing the unlimited data and text messaging plan. He then sets a three-month check-in on his calendar, and analyzes his spending patterns after a few months to see where he can cut back.

You can use this method for any usage-based services, he says.  

Estimated savings: $20 to $600.

2. Create a 'no spending' day once a week.

Choose one day each week and challenge yourself to not spend a single dollar.

"Technically, even if you don't open your wallet, you're still spending money on things like rent, car insurance, and subscriptions,"writes Sethi. "You just didn't count them. But that's even more of a reason to create a 'no spending' day on the money in your wallet: because you can actively control it."

The key to this tip is putting it in your calendar so it becomes a consistent system.

Estimated savings: $5 to $75.

3. Postpone a single large purchase until next month.

"It's very simple," writes Sethi. "New lawn mower — wait. New TV — wait. New dishwasher — wait. You can set a calendar reminder to check on it in 30 days. A couple of things will probably happen when you do this: First, prices will probably drop. Second, chances are you'll realize you didn't really need it." 

Estimated savings: $50 to $3,000.

Working at a startup and taking it to the next level can be a rewarding job.

With some luck, you might even be able to build the next Facebook or Google.

But startups are hard — and it could be a brutal experience if you're not prepared for the grind.

We went through some Quora threads to find out all the worst things about working at a startup.

There's so much work but only few people to do it.

"One thing I learnt very early on is that there's a lot of work to go around and very few people to do it. From something as menial as fixing (lots of) peoples' computers and printers to rushing off to make a corporate presentation (with no background whatsoever) because some sales executive got stuck up somewhere and the entire technical team of the client is waiting. One more thing, no matter how much work you take up, there's always more to follow. At times, it gets really tiring and distracting but then that's what you signed up for. No boundaries, no job descriptions."— Arnab Mitra, Director & Partner at p2power.com

You won't have the time to dive deep into something you're really interested in.

"Startups will have a faster learning pace in terms of setting up stuff and getting things done quick and dirty. But, you will not be able to spend too much time on research or trying to develop your own ideas. There is too much work on the plate, always...Big tech companies, on the other hand, can afford to spare time for research and you will generally be able to find time to experiment with your own ideas."— Anonymous

You're wrong 99% of the time.

"What's it like? Well, 99% of the time you're wrong. Your product is harder to build than you think, fewer people like it - even fewer want to pay for it. That is a big blow to your ego. Most people have an inflated opinion of themselves and their ideas. Reality hurts."— Peter Johnston, runs Develop Oxford, Developer Startups and DataScience Oxford

Sabotage, espionage, succession battles, and sibling rivalries — it sounds like a season of "Game of Thrones." But it's the real-life drama of the Lee family, the Korean dynasty that founded Samsung with wealth equal to 17% of the country's GDP, according to Bloomberg.

The sprawling Samsung empire, which does far more than just make phones, has grown into its third generation of leadership, with current chairman Lee Byung-chul's son, Lee Jae-yong, poised to build on top of his father's foundation.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Someone figured out the purpose of the extra shoelace hole on your running shoes — and it will blow your mind

Living in a bustling metropolis can be a thrilling experience.

But with this excitement often comes exhaustion.

Traffic jams, train delays, long workdays, little personal space, a sense of disconnection from nature — all among the more commonly cited aggravations that come with city living.

For those urbanites living in large metros, tranquility can be found in public parks — think London’s Hyde Park and New York City’s Central Park.

But for those who live in these ten international cities, there’s another getaway option for them that few other places in the world can offer: the urban beach.

Here are 10 urban beaches from around the world that are as great as the cities that surround them.

More from Blueprint: 

• Foreign investors play a different game in Tokyo's real estate market 
• Demand for tech talent surging in smaller US Cities
• Is India on the cusp of a great real estate rebound?

Tel Aviv boasts one of the word’s most vigorous business start-up scenes — and one of its most captivating seashores. The city’s eight major beaches offer natives and visitors alike majestic views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Situated in the Jumeriah district of Dubai, this beach really takes after its namesake (Jumeirah means “beautiful in Arabic). Beachgoers can sit on the white sand and gawk at the Burj Khalfia, the world’s tallest building (for now).

With its festive nightlife, explosive New Year’s fireworks celebration and legion of sunbathers, Copacabana is a sexy alternative to Rio de Janeiro’s famous Ipanema Beach.

If you want to see how astronauts will mine the Moon, anchor an asteroid, or drive rovers on Mars, then look no further than the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations, or NEEMO.

NEEMO is the only undersea research station in the world, and astronaut crews have been training with it ever since the facility was first established in 2001.

Resting on the Atlantic ocean's seafloor, 62 feet below the surface and 3.5 miles off the coastlines of Key Largo, Florida, NEEMO offers astronauts the closest environment to outer space they can get without strapping themselves to a rocket.

When they're under the sea, these astronauts train for NASA's most prestigious upcoming missions — in some sense, you need to learn to be an aquanaut before you can become an astronaut.

Here are some of the incredible things these sea-faring explorers do while they're getting they're feet wet for space.

First thing's first: The aquanauts have to get to their undersea station. They do this, naturally, by plunging into the Atlantic.

As they approach their new home, each astronaut crew will see the main base, called Aquarius, loom into view through the clear-blue waters.

Aquarius only has enough room to accommodate up to 7 people at a time and each mission lasts no longer than 3 weeks. Shown here are four members of the NEEMO 10 crew who stayed from July 22 through 28 in 2006.

This photo shows NEEMO 10 crewmembers they reach Aquarius. From front to back are Karen Kohanowich, deputy director of NOAA's Undersea Research Program, Silver Spring, Md.; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut/aquanaut Koichi Wakata; and NASA astronaut/aquanauts Karen L. Nyberg and Andrew J. Feustel.

Some people take the bus. Some people take the train. Many drive their own cars, while some privleged folks are driven.

But when Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis — aka the most interesting man in the world— goes to work, he takes his motorcycle.

Even as he and Greece's leaders negotiate a deal to unlock bailout funds to prevent their country's banking system from collapsing, Varoufakis prefers his two-wheeled ride.

Here's Varoufakis arriving at the Maximos mansion in Athens on Sunday for a governmental council meeting with Prime Minister's Alexis Tsipras.

Some say he's reckless. But at least he wears a helmut.

Varoufakis doesn't carry a briefcase. He's got a backpack. Wasting no time, Varoufakis has his backpack in hand before he even enters the building.

21-year-old Jacob Catalano felt like Snapchat was doing a poor job highlighting all the amazing talent that has flocked to the app in the last few years.

To fix this problem, he created the site Snap Stars to keep track of all the funniest and most creative Snapchat personalities. 

We scoured the site and rounded up a list of the top Snapchatters to follow, with an example of some of their best Stories.

Sara Hopkins

Username: @Sayhop

Why follow: The infectiously enthusiastic Sara Hopkins has racked up more than 600K followers on Vine, but her sassy Snapchat Stories — which often include her adorable Pomeranian pup Chico — are just as entertaining. When's she not poking fun at herself or doing her frighteningly accurate dolphin impression, Hopkins works as a reporter for a local North Carolina news station. 

You can watch one of her Snapchat Stories below.

Sallia Goldstein

Username: @Salliasnap

Why follow: Goldstein, who says she's been devoted to drawing since the day she could put a writing utensil in her hand, will impress you with her intricate artistic skills. 

"Snapchat's drawing feature makes my procrastination more productive than ever!" Goldstein told Business Insider. "But really, Snapchat let's me showcase my two only talents: drawing and storytelling. No other social media app lets me do that."

You can watch one of her Snapchat Stories below.

Cyrene Quiamco

Username: @CyreneQ

Why follow: One of the most unique things about @CyreneQ's Snapchat Stories is how she asks viewers to contribute. For example, sometimes she'll ask a question and then include a bunch of the hilarious Snaps she receives in her story. 

Thanks to her amazing artwork and huge following, Quiamco has made as much as $10,000 on a single Snap through brand partnerships.

Bonus: She runs a website called The 11th Second where she also highlights the work of other Snappers.

You can watch one of her Snapchat Stories below.

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Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Take a tour of the $367 million jet that will soon be called Air Force One

Silicon Valley is no stranger to weird behavior.

So it comes as no surprise that the home of numerous tech giants would produce some of the strangest interview questions out there.

To find these odd queries, we sifted through hundreds of reviews on Glassdoor submitted by people who interviewed in Silicon Valley in the past year.

Below are some of the weirdest ones we found.

"Why is the earth round?"

Asked by Twitter for a software engineer position.

Source: Glassdoor

"You're wearing a nametag, tell me what you think about it."

Asked by Yahoo for an associate product manager position.

Source: Glassdoor

"Choose a city and estimate how many piano tuners operate a business there."

Asked by Google for a project manager position.

Source: Glassdoor

The older you get, the harder it is to change your habits.

But in your 30s, there's still time to adopt new, positive behaviors.

To help you pinpoint the changes you'll want to make, we consulted recent Quorathreads on this critical decade and highlighted the most compelling responses.

Read on for the best ideas.

1. Start laughing at yourself.

"Laugh at yourself, laugh at the absurdity of life, laugh at the goodness and the badness of every situation,"writes Quora user Cyndi Perlman Fink.

Being able to find humor in your own struggles may be important for your overall health and happiness. Research suggests that people who are able to laugh at themselves are generally more cheerful.

2. Start appreciating your family and friends.

In your 20s, you may be so busy getting an education and launching your career that family and friends fall by the wayside. Your 30s are a good time to get back in touch and remember how much you love spending time with them.

As for family, "if you can find a way to make a connection with them, you may find some things in common with them, more than you expect,"says Robert Walker.

And as for friends, Nan Waldman says: "Nurture them. Laugh with them. Be silly too. Contribute to their survival and enjoyment of life. Take the time every week to be in touch."

3. Start keeping a journal.

"Journal your life! Your written records will entertain and endear in your future,"writes Mark Crawley.

You don't necessarily have to keep a secret notebook under your bed — a digital photo album with captions works just as well.

4. Start maintaining a healthy weight.

Several Quora users noted the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in your 30s. "Keep your weight at a normal level that's good for your body,"writes Fink.

To do that, it's important to stay active and eat right. A growing body of research suggests that if you're looking to lose weight, your diet makes more of a difference than your exercise habits.

5. Start saving money.

One of the most important financial habits to start practicing in your 30s is spending less than you earn. "Make it a habit to live below your means,"writes David Leon. "I know way too many people who live hand to mouth at 50 due to excessive spending at 30."

Bonus: If you start saving for retirement early, you'll reap the amazing benefits of compound interest.

6. Start chasing a big goal.

Up till now, you may have only dreamed about starting a family, buying a house, or earning an advanced degree. Now's the time to go for it.

"It's easy to put things off,"says Bill Karwin. "But it's really true that time starts accelerating as you enter your 30s, and it keeps accelerating. The time that you'll get around to those dreams should be now."

7. Start learning from your mistakes.

You probably made plenty of mistakes in your 20s. That's OK — as long as you grow from your experiences. That requires accepting responsibility for what went wrong and understanding why it went wrong.

After all, as Amanda Frisk says, "everything in life is a way for us to learn, to be better."

SEE ALSO: 10 changes to make in your 30s that will set you up for lifelong success

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 15 things you should do before you turn 30

Last week, Apple took the wraps off iOS 9 — the next major software update for the iPhone and iPad.

Big changes include an improved version of Siri, an iPad split-screen mode, and new Maps features.

But there are tons of tidbits Apple didn't mention. Now that developers with early access to the trial version have played with it, here are some other key features. 

(These are based on the iOS 9 beta and could change before the final version is released). 

The keyboard's new shift key makes it easier to tell if caps lock is on.

Some iPhone users have complained that the iOS keyboard's current shift key makes it difficult to tell if you're typing in caps or lowercase since it blends in with the keyboard. But in iOS 9, when you tap the shift key the keyboard will appear in all capital letters.

When you tap it again to return to lowercase, all of the letters will change to lowercase as well. In iOS 8, the keys remain in caps on the keyboard even when you're typing in lowercase, which can be confusing. 

You'll be able to download apps faster and with less data.

One of the biggest things developers seem to be excited about is the idea that app bundles are getting a lot smaller, which is known as app thinning. This means that you'll be able to download apps quickly while using less data to do so.

Instead of downloading a really big app all at once, iOS 9 will download a condensed version quickly at first and then continue to install the rest of the app in the background. This will be especially important in emerging markets where internet connections are sluggish. 

In iOS 9, you can search for certain settings in the settings menu.

Apple is making a lot of improvements that make iOS even easier to use, and one way it's doing that is by making settings searchable. There's now a search bar in the settings menu that lets you easily find and access anything. 

How do the most successful people start their days?

Whether through getting up early or exercise routines, the mornings are an important time to reflect and get your mind and body ready for the day ahead.

This includes getting the fuel you need to face the world.

From Richard Branson's morning fruit salad and grains to the Whole Foods CEO's healthy smoothie, here is what 12 successful people eat for breakfast every day.

Vivian Giang contributed to an earlier version of this article.

Richard Branson eats an old-fashioned, high-fiber morning meal.

Every morning Branson eats a fruit salad and muesli, a granola-like dish popular in Germany and Switzerland.

On occasion Branson will eat kippers, an oily fish that has been unpopular for decades, reports Christine Lagorio-Chafkin at Inc.

Al Roker makes a mean protein smoothie.

When the "Today" show weather forecaster is in between television segments — typically between 7:40 and 8:15 a.m. — he drinks a protein smoothie, according to Bon Appétit.

It consists of protein powder, fiber powder, 8 ounces of almond milk, frozen berries, ginger, and a little agave nectar. Sometimes Roker throws in almond butter.

John Mackey, founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, drinks green smoothies.

A well-known healthy eater, Mackey makes a smoothie every morning.

It includes almond, oat, rice, or soy milk, fresh fruit, and kale or spinach leaves, he tells The New York Times.

Usually when an automaker produces an amazing concept vehicle, it won't ever be mass produced.

Mercedes has reversed this trend, responding to consumer demand for a concept they unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show this year. 

The new Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4² is a new addition to the G class of off-road SUVs already produced by the German luxury automaker.

It's quite a car. And it comes in a whole bunch of cool colors.

The Mercedes G-Class has developed an impressive reputation.

The "Gelandewagen"— German for "SUV"— has been produced by Mercedes since 1979.

Since then, the class has grown to include 4 models, all of which are notable.

We won't know exactly what Apple has in store for its next iPhone until September.

Even though that is still a few months away, various leaks and notes from analysts have painted a picture of what we might be able to expect from the successor to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Based on what we have heard, it sounds as if the changes will focus more on enhancing features such as the camera than on redesigning the phone's appearance.

It will probably be called the iPhone 7 or iPhone 6S.

The next iPhone may be so significantly different from the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus that Apple could call it the iPhone 7, not the iPhone 6s. At least that's what Ming Chi-Kuo of KGI Securities believes, which he wrote in a note earlier this month. Other reports, however, have referred to the next iPhone as the iPhone 6s, and many still expect Apple to continue its trend of waiting two years before the giving the iPhone a new number.

It may launch on September 25.

Apple may release its next iPhone on September 25, according to the blog Mobile News, which claims to have obtained an internal staff email sent to employees of the British carrier Vodafone. The email reportedly outlined launch plans for the next iPhone, saying the phone would be released on September 25 with preorders starting September 18.

Apple will almost certainly launch the iPhone 7 in September, as it has done with new iPhones in the past, but there's no telling exactly when. Even if Mobile News' email is legitimate, there's no evidence to prove that Vodafone has any knowledge of Apple's iPhone launch plans.

It may come in two sizes, just like the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Kuo also believes Apple will stick to the sizes it introduced in September and will offer the next iPhone in 4.7- and 5.5-inch variants. 

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed its equity index futures pits and the DJIA ($10) and NASDAQ-100 options pits on Friday.

The S&P 500 futures pit and all other futures pits will close on July 2. 

The closure will usher in a completely electronic era for one of the most iconic exchanges in the world.

Here's a look at everything that made this organized chaos great. 

The trading pit is where all of the screaming and yelling takes place.

The trading pit was first introduced at the Milwaukee Grain Exchange in the 1870s as a way to concentrate market participants.

A Chicago man attempted to patent the concept in 1878, but his patent was invalidated after requesting licensing fees from the major exchanges. However, his patent filing describes the purpose of the pit's function:

"Thus constructed the pit may be filled without inconvenience in the way of crowding. It also furnishes sufficient standing-room, where persons may stand and conveniently trade with persons in any other part of the pit or platforms. It has great acoustic advantages over a flat floor for trading, and it furnishes superior facilities for heating and ventilation."

Traders wear jackets to help identify who you are doing business with.

The riot of color that characterized trading floors came from the traders' trading jackets. 

These jackets were communication devices in themselves, designed to be sufficiently eye-catching to stand out visually from the rest of the crowd. 

The standard red was given to traders (also called locals) and brokers on the floor, but many opted for their own distinct jacket designs worn by their entire group. 

Clerks, runners, and trade checkers received yellow coats while exchange employees were given light blue or dark blue coats.

Clearing firms employ runners, trade checkers, and desk brokers but also handle customer funds and clear trades.

Role: In addition to employing runners, trade checkers, and desk brokers, a clearing firm provides the processing infrastructure for trades and also handles the customer’s funds. Most prominently, clearing firms are responsible for risk management of traders and assume the liability if a trader doesn't have sufficient funds.  

Impact of electronic trading: Increased purpose and remain even more relevant than before as services increased by offering technology alongside trade clearing and processing.

The fight for a well-paid job without a degree is a tough one but there are still a handful of roles out there where you can earn serious money without a degree level qualification.

Job search engine Adzuna has pulled data on hundreds of thousands of job listings over the past year to find which careers offer the highest average wage — even if you have never been to university.

Check out the top 10 below.

10. Journalist

Average pay: £30,998 ($49,117).

Current vacancy: Deputy head of editorial, digital, MNA Media.

While many more hacks have degrees these days than they used to, it's still possible to break into the industry without a qualification — all you need is a good story and the ability to write.

Times columnist and author Caitlin Moran, pictured, had no formal education, let alone a degree, but began her career writing for music magazine Melody Maker at the age of 16, after winning several writing competitions.

9. Military security

Average pay: £35,144 ($55,687).

Current vacancy: Enforcement officer, Dagenham.

The top level of security is dominated by ex-military. Employers value not only the level of threat intelligence gained in the armed forces, but also the organisational and logistical experience.

British Military Security, founded by two officers involved in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq, does security work for large festivals like Glastonbury and Reading, as well as guarding high-profile clients like the British Athletics team and West Bromich Albion Football Club.

8. Hazardous waste manager

Average pay: £36,684 ($58,127).

Current vacancy: General operations manager, hazardous waste.

Firms like Veolia and Suez Environment get rid of the nasty byproducts that are generated everywhere from hospitals to pesticide factories and petrol refineries.

Because of the level of skill and care required when handling these types of products, as well as the potential danger hazardous waste poses to those disposing of it, jobs in this sector are well paid.

Foreign Policy magazine has released its annual ranking of the world's least-stable countries, now known as the Fragile State Index. 

The rankings are based on 12 metrics, including access to public services, the prevalence of refugees and internally displaced persons, human rights conditions, and the legitimacy of the state. 

Scandinavian countries round out the bottom of the ranking. Surprisingly, Syria — which has suffered four years of a brutal civil war that's displaced 12 million people — isn't the most fragile state in the world, according to the survey.

Here are the countries Foreign Policy says are the most fragile in the world.

25. LIBYA: The north-African country has continued to splinter over the past year as two rival governments have fought for control. ISIS has also gained a foothold amidst the country's chaos and its oil exports are down to a fraction of what they were in 2013. A lack of state legitimacy, security, and human rights has caused Libya to drop 16 places from 2013.

24. ERITREA: A small country in the Horn of Africa, Eritrea improved slightly in the index over the past year. But Eritrea still suffers under some of the world's strictest authoritarian rule and has a terrible human rights record. The country is also the subject of several UN Security Council resolutions imposing military and economic sanctions in response to the government's support of armed groups throughout the region.

23. UGANDA: Uganda faces many of the same challenges as the previous year, with factionalized elites, demographic pressures, and group grievances contributing to the country's low score. Uganda also faces a number of rebel movements, the infamous being the Joseph Kony-led Lord's Resistance Army.

One in four Britons is looking to buy a new home in the next five years but, interestingly, being close to family or having more space aren't the most important factors, says Santander Mortgages.

According to a survey by the group, more and more people are becoming less concerned about the house itself and more about what the property is close to.

The findings show that the average Brit would be willing to pay £6,297 ($9,966) extra to live closer to work or £6,900 ($10,920) more to move to a safer neighbourhood.

“We are becoming a recreation nation as we look to minimise the amount of time we spend travelling to and from work, and maximise the time we can spend enjoying ourselves playing sports, enjoying green spaces and socialising in bars and restaurants,” said Miguel Sard, Managing Director of Mortgages, Santander UK.

“Homebuyers are increasingly sacrificing space for location. Some of these sought-after features come with a big price tag, so it is important that they seek advice from experts to better understand what they can and can’t afford.”

16. Safer neighbourhood — surprisingly low on the list, only 7% say this is a top priority when buying a new home.

15. Being close to sports facilities — around 5% of homebuyers really value being next to gyms, leisure centres, and other sports venues. It has grown increasingly more important as this is number has risen from 2% last year.

14. Space for pets — around 7% of people are willing to pay the average £7,532 ($11,917) extra for finding a place to accommodate their pets.