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The 17 countries with the highest level of government debt

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The World Economic Forum's recently-released Global Competitiveness Survey looks at the financial health and risks of countries around the world.

One of the most interesting and important rankings is actually the level of government debt.

By looking at level of gross government debt as a percentage of GDP, it can indicate how able a country is to pay back debts without incurring further debt.

Basically the lower the debt-to-GDP ratio the better.

In Britain, the level of government debt is used as a political football and it's regularly commented on about how high the country's debt is in relation to GDP.

However, if you look at WEF's rankings, Britain doesn't even come close to the top 10, with government debt as a percentage of GDP at 90.1%.

When you see who made the top 17, you'll understand why Britain isn't as bad as you think.

17. Iceland – 90.2%. Prior to the credit crisis in 2007, government debt was a modest 27% of GDP. Eight years on and the country is still dealing with the collapse of the banking system.



16. Barbados – 92.0%. The tax haven nation is the wealthiest and most developed country in the Eastern Caribbean but its growth prospects look weak due to austerity measures to combat the effects of the credit crisis eight years ago.



15. France – 93.9%. The eurozone's second-biggest economy has been recovering "in fits and starts," says country's statistical agency. But this month it put out some good news — PMI services came in better than expected and retail sales are rising.



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This new app gets your amazing predictions on the record so you can brag to your friends later

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woman cheeringIf you are a total know-it-all like myself, you know how sweet it can be when you get to look back on an unexpected outcome and say, “Called it!”

But the problem is that sometimes people don’t believe you. They scratch their silly heads, failing to remember that moment when you, in all your glory, called that Gerard Butler was going to be a Hollywood star after seeing him in a mediocre 2001 miniseries about Attila the Hun.

Now there’s an app for that — named fittingly “Called It!

First uncovered by The Next Web, this app lets you post a prediction about anything, and then gloat later to your friends when you're right.

You can also vote on other people’s calls to weigh in on whether they are inspired or inconceivable. And of course, you can share your triumph on social media.

Here’s how it works:

First you sign in with either Facebook or email.



You then choose which areas you're most interested in predicting.



You can vote on other people's predictions...



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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I paid nearly $50,000 of student loans in 6 months, and here are the 5 best pieces of advice I can give you about paying down debt

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Adrienne0515(40)

In the past six months, I've paid off all of my student loan debt — about $48,000 — quit my prestigious, yet passionless, corporate day job, and booked a trip to see my dad in Chenequa, Wisconsin (a 10-day trip, nonetheless!).

I left graduate school with almost $50,000 in student loan debt, and no clue what to do about it.

I launched forward on the typical corporate career path with a prestigious Fortune 500 company. I became president of the company's young professional group, obtained certifications in Six Sigma & Supply Chain as an efficiency expert, and in my spare time was racing as a USA triathlon competitor.

I did all the things I was "supposed" to do … and I still felt like I was drowning.

Like most people, I felt strapped to even make minimum payments on that debt for a solid three years after graduating. At $450 a month, it was an additional rent payment, and I knew I would carry it around with me like a small puppy in a purse for the next 25 years.

I was searching for a way to get rid of the debt that I felt was constantly hanging over my head. I felt tons of shame and guilt surrounding my debt and I wanted out. I decided it was time to get serious and took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class.  

Dave’s course is a nine-week program that shows you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, and save wisely. It’s the foundations of personal finance for people who have been avoiding their money problems or feel stuck and unsure on how to make things better (i.e. me). Dave covers topics about our relationships with money, cash flow planning, budgeting, dumping debt, insurance, and retirement in this class.

I created a budget, which showed me exactly what was possible when I got aggressive with this debt freedom goal. After trimming expenses, increasing my income, and purposefully giving every single dollar a place to go, I was able to put about 85% of my total income towards my debt each month. It took me from a 25-year repayment plan down to a one-year repayment plan when I factored in just my corporate income. Once I started the side business, things escalated quickly!

Six months later, I had started my own business, paid off all $48,000 of my debt, and quit my corporate day job. I now use my own experience and strategies to help other entrepreneurs grow their business, ditch their debt, and achieve real success through personal freedom and fulfillment — and on the weekends I teach Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University course locally.

The five main things that you must do to become financially free include:

SEE ALSO: How one couple paid off $100,000 of debt in 2 years

1. Make a decision.

If you want to achieve any big goal you set in your life, you need to get focused. That means making a decision and understanding the real why behind your goal. This creates real internal motivation that's going to keep you moving in the right direction. This means making a decision to not take any more debt on, to tighten the budget, to stay focused when you’re frustrated and to make some sacrifices in the short term to live free for the long term.

I made a decision that I wanted to pay off my debt, and I made another decision that I desired to leave my corporate day job. I didn't worry so much about the how, it was more about the what and the why. I wanted the freedom to have more than five vacation days per year. I craved the financial stability to hop on a plane to see my dad without stressing about overdrafting my bank account. And I desperately wanted to do something I really felt passionate about.



2. Believe you can.

You need hope. If this article does nothing more for you than give you hope that this is possible, then mission accomplished. You must believe you can do this or you'll lose focus quickly.

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t — you’re right. 

— Henry Ford

Belief is a powerful tool. At first, I totally didn’t believe this was possible. Who would?! But when I actually listened to other people’s debt freedom stories on Dave Ramsey’s podcast, and worked out the numbers for myself, I saw that I actually could do this!

When you don’t believe things are possible, you won’t take the action to make it happen. You must believe in yourself and in the goal, if you want it to become a reality.



3. Create a budget.

Every dollar needs to have a place to go. If you've been avoiding looking at your bank statements, it's time to pull your head out of the sand and give each dollar real intention. You can spend money while you get out of debt, but make sure you're spending it intentionally on things you really value.

For months … okay, years … I thought I was living on a budget because I wasn’t overdrafting and I had real dollars in my account at the end of every month, but what I realized after putting together a real budget was that there were some leaks in my bank account that needed to be plugged. I was letting my money control me instead of the other way around and the budget allowed me to take that control back.

If you’re not sure where your money is going, it’s difficult to make it go where you want it to go. Paying down my debt was not rocket science. I was just in avoidance mode for a long time.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best thing to eat in every state

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pastrami burger

From sea to sea, America is jam-packed with amazing foods and local specialties.

From regional delicacies to to-die-for dishes, we found the one food you should eat in every US state.

We chose the most iconic and famous dishes, taking local recommendations into consideration, and picking items you simply can't get anywhere else.

Whether you have a sweet tooth, a preference for spice, or love biting into a succulent piece of steak, we've got you covered. 

SEE ALSO: The best bakery in every state

SEE ALSO: The best fries from every state

ALABAMA: Fried green tomatoes are an iconic Southern side dish consisting of unripe tomatoes fried in cornmeal, and were made famous by the 1987 novel “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café” and its subsequent movie.



ALASKA: They don’t call them king crabs for nothing: these prized crustaceans are rare and incredibly dangerous to catch, making king crab legs an expensive delicacy.



ARIZONA: Chimichangas—deep-fried and meat-filled tortillas—were allegedly invented in Tucson after a burrito was accidentally dropped into a fryer.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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The 15 creepiest ghost towns on earth

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There are hundreds of ghost towns around the world. 

Traditionally speaking, ghost towns are places that have been completely abandoned, left in piles of rubble and brick that have been weathered down over the decades.

Some are even known for having lots of paranormal activity and will totally give you the creeps. 

Luckily for those of us who are easily frightened, Instagram has curated a list of some of the creepiest ghost towns on earth. 

We've rounded up photos of those places — they're bound to send a chill down your spine. 

 

SEE ALSO: 17 eerie photos of abandoned Soviet spaces

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Terlingua, Texas

Terlingua was once the quicksilver capital of the world, with over 2,000 miners living and working there by 1890. The mine eventually flooded and mineral prices dropped, leaving the town relatively empty after World War II.

Exploring the ghost town of #terlingua in Texas. 👻 #roadtrip #texas

A photo posted by Arnaud Montagard (@arnaudmontagard) on



Bodie, California

Gold was discovered here in 1859, and the town had a population of 10,000 by 1880. However, as the mining boom came to a close, the final mine shut down in 1942. In 1962, the California State Parks System took over Bodie, maintaining it as a state park and official Wild West ghost town. Rumor has it that anyone who tries to take home artifacts from Bodie will have a curse put on them.

Bodie Ghost town was named one of the most haunted ghost towns in the USA …

A photo posted by @sammypierotti on



Tefelsberg, Berlin

During the Cold War, US government officials would use this station's big satellite antennas to listen in on what was happening in East Germany. This station was built on top of an old Nazi unit that had been battered and bruised during World War II. The remains of the American listening station domes are still standing today, and people can go up and visit them. 

We went to Teufelsberg and it was pretty fucking weird... in a good way. #Berlin #Teufelsberg

A photo posted by Daisy Aylott (@daisyaylott) on



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DICTATORS' WIVES: Meet 15 women married to the world's biggest despots

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Kim Jong-un and Ri Sol-ju, North KoreaBehind every great man is a great woman, as they say. But who stands behind the world's dictators?

In good times and in bad, the ladies of the Dictators' Wives Club sure put up with a lot: corruption, political uprisings, and often other wives.

Some, like Rwandan First Lady Jeannette Kagame, use their position to advocate for important charitable causes in their nations.

Others, like the president of Syria's wife, Asma al-Assad, are pros at looking the other way and smiling for official Instagram photos.

For this list, we defined a dictator as a near-absolute ruler known for human rights abuses, restrictions on freedom of the press, and oppression of opposition.

SEE ALSO: 9 billionaires who plan to give away the majority of their fortunes

Ana Paula dos Santos, wife of Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos

The first lady: A former fashion model, Ana Paula dos Santos knew her husband from her time as a flight attendant on the Angolan version of Air Force One. She now has a degree in teaching and law, and is a member of the International Steering Committee.

A diplomat once described the president and first lady as "a handsome couple, elegantly and expensively dressed, looking for all the world as though they're living in southern California." The first lady received a lot of flack from the public when she announced that her son would be attending the Portuguese school in Luanda because of the "bad quality" of state education — something for which many people hold her husband responsible.

Her husband: During President dos Santos' 36 years in office, he has consolidated all political power under his control. Countless atrocities, including torture and mass murders, occurred under his watch during a 27-year-long civil war. There are still reports of torture and repression of ethnic minorities going on in Angola today.



Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

The Queen Consort: Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa is the first wife of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Aside from being a devoted mother to their four children — one of whom is the crown prince — Ibrahim Al Khalifa is an outspoken activist for women's and children's rights, both in Bahrain and around the world, having addressed the U.N. General Assembly about these issues.

She serves as the head of the Supreme Council for Women in Bahrain, encouraging women to vote in the country, and is also the chief patron of the Society for Women and Children in Bahrain.

Her husband: The country has been run by the Al Khalifa dynasty since 1783. Hamad declared himself king in 2002, previously holding the title of Emir, meaning "commander." After an uprising against him in 2011, Amnesty International condemned the failure of the Bahraini government amidst "spiraling repression," including banning all public gatherings and rallies, revoking citizenship of those who speak out, and torturing both adults and children. Bahrain remains backed by support from the US, though the State Department has encouraged political dialogue.



Chantal Biya, wife of Cameroonian President Paul Biya

The first lady: Known as a trendsetter (there's even a Tumblr devoted to her famously tall hair-do), the first lady of Cameroon is very social and has met Michelle Obama, Paris Hilton, and Pope Francis. Biya has been quoted as saying that her favorite European designers are Dior and Chanel, and many of the pieces in her wardrobe are custom-made.

Thirty-eight years her husband's junior, Biya is also a member of African Synergy, a club that addresses solutions to HIV and AIDS in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. 

Her husband: President Biya has been in office for more than 30 years, and in 2008 he removed restrictions on term limits so that he could run for office indefinitely. His state security forces have been accused of executing protestors and using other means of violence and oppression to prevent political opposition. A recent report from Africa Review found that Biya has a salary that is nearly 229 times more than the average for his country. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, and 5 other successful people share their best productivity tricks

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Some of the world's most successful people make getting more done in less time look so easy.

But as many of us common folk know all too well, the path to productivity often feels like a never-ending journey.

Thankfully, LinkedIn recently asked the top minds in business to reflect on their tricks for getting it all done as part of its #ProductivityHacks series.

Here's what Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, and five other super-successful people had to say.

SEE ALSO: 8 TED talks that can help you become insanely productive

Richard Branson: Be committed to punctuality.

"If you want to be more productive, then start at the start: get there on time,"the Virgin Group founder writes on LinkedIn.

Branson says being punctual is both a sign of respect to others and has helped prevent him from falling hopelessly behind on the rest of his day for more than five decades.

"Being punctual doesn't mean rushing around the whole time," he explains. "I always find the time to exercise — kitesurfing, tennis, or cycling — and to spend time with my loved ones. It simply means organizing your time effectively."

Of course, things like traffic can't be helped, but even then, Branson says he'll do whatever it takes to get where he's going on time.

He recalls being stuck in Manhattan traffic a few years ago on his way to a live Fox News interview: "As I peered out of the car window into the immobile queues, I jumped out of the front seat and sprinted down Sixth Avenue. I spotted the Fox sign, hopped across the lobby, and began banging on the window. I made it with a minute to spare."

Being on time doesn't mean your schedule needs to be rigid, he says. "It means being an effective delegator, organizer, and communicator," he writes.

Read his full post here.



Tony Robbins: Ditch your to-do list.

"The biggest problem with to-do lists is that focusing only on what you need to get done does not guarantee that you’re actually making any real progress,"the author and motivational speaker writes.

"To-do lists can keep you busy, of course, and there is a certain sense of satisfaction you get from checking off a series of tasks. But have you ever crossed off everything on your list and still felt like you had not really accomplished anything?"

Instead, Robbins suggests shifting your thinking by focusing on the key results that are most important in your life rather than an activity or to-do list.

"You have to get crystal clear about what it is that you want," Robbins writes. "The clearer you are about what it is you want, the easier it is to achieve it, because then you can design all of your activity around making progress toward achieving it."

Next, Robbins says you need to figure out the reason you want to achieve this result. "If you’ve got a strong enough reason and a strong enough purpose, you will find a way to pull it off," he writes.

With these in place, Robbins says you can now develop your Massive Action Plan, or MAP. "Your MAP is simply the specific steps, or actions, you need to take in order to achieve your result." And if one set of actions doesn't work, then another will, he says.

Read his full post here.



Neil Blumenthal: Banish bad meetings.

"Given that meetings dominate the modern office schedule — particularly among executives — my No. 1 productivity hack is all about making meetings as purposeful, efficient, and productive as possible. For everyone involved," writes the Warby Parker cofounder and co-CEO.

Blumenthal says he averages about 15 meetings per 11-hour day, logging miles racing from one conference room to the next.

He says that last year, he and cofounder Dave Gilboa noticed Warby Parker's meetings weren't the most efficient, and so the two organized a month-long company-wide overhaul of meeting protocol.

"We adopted a mascot — the Meeting Meerkat — and drew a picture of this furry creature on the whiteboard of every conference room as a reminder of the new rules. (We chose the meerkat for three reasons: meerkats function in groups, they communicate constantly, and they are cute)," he writes.

Warby Parker's new meeting rules are simple:

1. No more update meetings — only decision meetings.

2. Relevant information must be shared with meeting attendees in advance.

3. Everyone must do their homework before entering the conference room.

4. No devices.

"Anyone caught checking Instagram on their phone will be sentenced to six hours cleaning the office microwave with a Q-tip," Blumenthal jokes.

"We've found that all of the above practices ensure that team members (including me!) spend meeting time actually engaging our brains rather than 'getting on the same page' — which, after all, should be a prerequisite of any meeting, and not a result," he writes.

Read his full post here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

11 brand new songs that ‘will make your life more awesome,’ according to Taylor Swift

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Taylor Swift is using her massive following on Instagram to highlight some of her favorite artists and songs.

The mega pop star posted a list of 11 songs last Thursday entitled, “New Songs That Will Make Your Life More Awesome (I promise!).”

One million likes later, her fans have heard the call and are downloading all the songs from lesser-known artists, like Frankie’s “New Obsession” and Alessia Cara’s “I’m Yours.”

 

A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

Keep scrolling to see Swift’s recommendations for new music.

1. “No Words” by Erik Hassle

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2. “Mine” by Phoebe Ryan

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3. “Poetic” by Seinabo Sey

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See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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Take a tour of the luxurious bunker where billionaires can escape the apocalypse

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vivos europa one

When it comes to the end of the world, underground shelter company Vivos is betting that it's better to be safe than sorry.

The Vivos Europa One shelter in Rothenstein, Germany, claims to be the world's largest and safest underground survival bunker. It's also one of the fanciest. Available by invitation only, a spot in the bunker will set future residents back about $5 million each. Buyers can then have their chambers decorated and customized to fit their preferences.

Once it's complete, the massive bunker will be set to protect against everything from natural disasters to war.

Originally built by Soviets during the Cold War and used as a fortress for military equipment and munitions, the incredible 76-acre property was recently revealed by Vivos founder and CEO Robert Vicino. 

He told Business Insider that the opportunity to buy a space in the massive Europa One bunker is being marketed exclusively to "global industrialists" and billionaires, though his company also constructs underground shelters for those on a slightly tighter budget. 

"We don't know when 'the accident' is going to happen. For those who haven't secured a solution yet, it's already too late," Vicino said to Business Insider. "It's expensive, but it's an investment in your life and in real estate."

Keep scrolling down to see where billionaires could live out the end of the world. 

SEE ALSO: Forget mega yachts — this mobile private island just upped the ante on billionaire toys

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The massive underground bunker is located in Rothenstein, Germany, deep below a limestone mountain.



The property is a whopping 76 acres in size and claims to be the world’s largest underground shelter for long-term protection. Guests will only be allowed to enter via helicopter, which will be provided by Vivos.



Complete with blast doors and protective corridors, the shelter is said to be able to withstand nuclear blasts, direct plane crashes, biological and chemical agents, earthquakes, and any armed attacks.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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7 things rich people never say, according to a nearly 20-year-old personal finance classic

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wealthy

One big difference between rich people and average people is what happens between the ears.

"Being a product of two strong dads allowed me the luxury of observing the effects different thoughts have on one's life," Robert Kiyosaki writes in the personal finance classic, "Rich Dad Poor Dad."

The two dads he refers to are his real father — his "poor dad," who struggled financially his whole life and died with bills to pay — and the father of his best friend — his "rich dad," who started with little before becoming one of the richest men in Hawaii.

"I noticed that my poor dad was poor, not because of the amount of money he earned, which was significant, but because of his thoughts and actions." 

Even the way he spoke was tremendously different from Kiyosaki's rich dad. Here are seven things the author heard his poor dad say often — but rich dad never did. 

SEE ALSO: A self-made millionaire says a single choice could be part of the reason you aren't getting rich

'I can't afford it.'

Rich dad would say, "How can I afford it?"

"One is a statement, and the other is a question. One lets you off the hook, and the other forces you to think," Kiyosaki writes. "By automatically saying the words 'I can't afford it,' your brain stops working. By asking the question 'How can I afford it?' your brain is put to work."

This doesn't mean you should buy everything, he emphasizes. The point is that you should constantly exercise your mind, because the stronger your brain gets, the more money you'll make.



'I work for my money.'

Rich dad would say, "My money works for me."

There is a critical difference between how rich people and average people choose to get paid: Average people choose to get paid based on time — on a steady salary or hourly rate — while rich people generally own their own business, work on commission, or choose stock options and profit sharing over higher salaries.

"If you work for money, you give the power to your employer," Kiyosaki writes. "If money works for you, you keep the power and control it."



'When it comes to money, play it safe. Don't take risks.'

Rich dad would say, "Learn to manage risk."

Rich people play to win, which requires an element of risk taking and a level of comfort with uncertainty

As important as it is to take risks to accumulate wealth, it's equally important to be smart about risk-taking, which is why rich dad emphasizes "managing" risk. Blind risk won't get you anywhere, but intelligent risk — in which education and experience play a key role — is the mother of reward.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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The best dessert in every state

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Sugar Factory

A delicious dessert is the ultimate, cherry-on-top ending to any meal. And just as we pick our own go-to sweets, each state has iconic favorites as well. 

We decided to take a look at the best desserts from around the US, from rainbow-brite shave ice in Hawaii to maple-bacon donuts in Oregon to classic apple pie in Utah.

We scoured high and low for the ultimate treats in every state, using reviews, recommendations, and of course, our own sweet tooth. Did we miss your local favorite? Let us know in the comments.

This is an update of an article previously written by Alyson Penn and Sara Bower.

SEE ALSO: The best bakery in every state

SEE ALSO: The 50 best tacos in America, ranked

ALABAMA: Alabama is proud of its moon pies, and Felix's Fish Camp in Mobile takes the graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate-dipped dessert a step further, pairing it with ice cream in a Moon Pie Sundae.

Felix's Fish Camp



ALASKA: Alaska is famous for its plentiful, fresh berries. You can sample them with the Triple Berry Pie, filled with local raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, from A Pie Stop in Anchorage.

A Pie Stop



ARIZONA: Phoenix's Urban Cookies may have spectacular cookies, but the bakery gained fame for its award-winning cupcakes, which took home the crown on the Food Network's "Cupcake Wars."

Urban Cookies



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10 things every modern gentleman needs in his medicine cabinet

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man in bathroom

The medicine cabinet is an often-overlooked aspect of a man's life. 

But having everything you need (and a few luxuries) neatly organized in one place will help you develop a routine and keep your appearance on point. 

Toothpaste and deodorant are givens. What we're recommending are the essentials you never knew you needed, upgrades to current staples, and those little extras for special occasions. 

Keep scrolling to check them all out. 

SEE ALSO: 16 things every modern gentleman should have in his bathroom

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Every man needs a good face wash in his cabinet.

The harsh surfactants in most bar soaps are not your friend.

Avoid tight, dried-out skin by reaching for a mild cleanser like Baxter's Daily Face Wash, which is fragrance-free, gentle, and effective. 

Pictured: Baxter of California Daily Face Wash ($17)



The pre-shave scrub is an important step.

True, you shouldn't scrub your face every day.

But a scrub before you take the razor to your whiskers can loosen up dirt and dead skin hiding in your beard and get your hairs ready for their cutting.

Pictured: Every Man Jack Face Scrub ($9.95)



Shaving cream is out. Shaving foam is in.

Barbasol works fine for plain old lubrication, but we've advanced beyond that.

A shaving foam is richer, denser, and overall a more pleasant product to put on your face. 

Pictured: Nivea Men Shaving Foam ($7 for a three-pack)



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Here's what it's REALLY like to be an embalmer

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cornoer

Preserving dead bodies for a living might seem weird or creepy or depressing. "But it's actually one of the most rewarding jobs in the world," says John "Jack" Mitchell IV, a sixth generation funeral director and embalmer.

After graduating from Lehigh University with a bachelor's in business management in 1993, Mitchell returned home to start serving his apprenticeship at his family's funeral home while attending the Mortuary Science program at Catonsville Community College outside of Baltimore. 

"I attained an Associate in Arts degree in Mortuary Science there, completed my apprenticeship, passed the state and national board exams, and became a licensed mortician in 1995," he tells Business Insider. "In Maryland, the license was all-encompassing. Once you have a mortician's license, you are able to conduct funeral arrangements, direct funerals, and embalm."

Today Mitchell continues to run the family business, which opened in Baltimore in 1837, and knows a thing or two about the embalming process. 

We were curious, so we recently asked Mitchell about a typical day at work, the best and worst parts of the job, and the biggest misconceptions. Here's what he said:

SEE ALSO: Here's what it’s REALLY like to work for the FBI

What is an embalmer, exactly?

"An embalmer is someone who takes the measures necessary to preserve a human's remains for a period of time. This may be done so that the deceased will be preserved and make a comfortable appearance for a viewing, or sometimes because state laws simply require that embalming, and the resulting preservation, must be done due to the length of time between the death occurring and the final disposition of the remains. There are also situations when even absent an open casket viewing, a family simply feels better that their loved one's remains be embalmed and preserved prior to disposition."



When you know you wanted to be an embalmer?

"Growing up, I always knew I had the family business to go into. I have an older sister who never had much interest in the family business, so I knew it was mine to run one day if I so chose. During that time, I never found anything, any other vocation, that appealed to me so much that I considered doing it instead of going into the family business. So I didn't really have a "moment" when I decided to become a funeral director/embalmer. It was just the underlying possibility all through my upbringing."



How does one become an embalmer?

"There is a specific schooling and certification process to become a licensed embalmer. Each state has its own laws as to the level and type of schooling required. The laws also vary on apprenticeship requirements. Once all of those requirements are met, the National Board Exam must be passed and then a embalmer/mortician/funeral director's license may be applied for."



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The 25 best restaurants in the US, according to travelers

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Per SeTripAdvisor recently released its list of the best restaurants in the US based on millions of reviews and ratings from travelers.

Of the top 25 restaurants, seven are in New York City, four are in California, and three are in Chicago.

From a steakhouse in Texas to upscale palaces of gastronomy in New York City, these 25 restaurants will turn dining into a meal you never forget.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best restaurants in the world, according to travelers

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25. Rasika, Washington DC, District of Columbia

"I have been to Rasika several times, and I have never been disappointed. The service is fantastic, and just adds to the dining experience. The palak chaat is a must have. We had three for our table of seven! The Toffee and Date pudding was a perfect ending!"-TripAdvisor reviewer Ellie M



24. Joel Robuchon, Las Vegas, Nevada

"Robuchon was awarded the title of "Chef of the Century" and with dishes like truffled langoustine ravioli, caramelized black cod, king crab with caviar and Chateaubriand with foie gras will give you an idea why. The pampering service and the jewel-like mansion setting smother you in elegance and luxury." -TripAdvisor reviewer Rebekah H



23. The River Café, Brooklyn, New York

"Besides the beautiful garden and skyline, the staff at The River Cafe, really go out of their way to treat you special. If you want to celebrate a special event, this is the place to go. The portions are small but delicious and the chef treated us to an amuse-bouche and then we got chocolates in addition to our desserts!" -TripAdvisor  reviewer montymamma



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Want to intern at a Wall Street bank? Here's the first thing they'll look for on your résumé

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Wall Street internships are insanely competitive.

Last summer, Goldman Sachs had 59,000 applicants for roughly 2,900 intern positions.

So if you're going to drop your resume in a stack with thousands of others, you want it to look good.

We spoke with a former analyst at a bulge-bracket bank who's been through the process both as an applicant and, on the other side, as an analyst screening candidates.

He said there were only a few things the banks really look at on your résumé — and it's important to get them right.

Here's what you need to know.

SEE ALSO: The key to scoring a top internship on Wall Street

The most important thing on your résumé is your GPA.

Your grade point average is "the first thing you look at on the résumé," the former analyst said. And it should be 3.6, preferable 3.7 or higher.

If it isn't quite as impressive as you'd like, there is a workaround: "Show it to 2 decimals if the decimal is under 5," the person said. "But if the second decimal of the GPA is over 5, round to the nearest 10th."

So if your GPA is 3.83, don't round down. But if it's 3.65 or 3.66, then round up and show it as 3.7.

Also, if you have a good GPA in your major, you can include that too — but there is no substitute for the overall GPA, the analyst said.



The next most important thing? Experience.

If you're a college junior applying for a summer internship, it's really important that you have some relevant experience from your previous summer.

The analyst said that even though sophomore-year internships were usually "soft" internships, the point is that you have something finance- or business-related on there.



Learn how to write about experience.

Don't just write what you did at your past gig. Point to the impact your work had.

The analyst gave an example of a weak experience line: "Used DCF, comparable companies, and precedent transactions to value Coca Cola."

Versus a strong one: "Used DCF, comparable companies, and precedent transactions to value Coca Cola; analysis showed that the company was undervalued by 15%."

But don't exaggerate! "It's so obvious to tell if someone is exaggerating," the former analyst said.



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FANTASY GIFTS: Neiman Marcus' annual holiday gift guide for the super rich has arrived

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Neiman Marcus has released its 2015 Christmas Book, an annual collection of unique gifts from the storied department store. 

Included in its list is a "Fantasy Gifts" category reserved for the ultra-wealthy. These are one-of-a-kind products, travel packages, and experiences that will set you back thousands — and in some cases, even hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

A portion of the proceeds from purchases of Fantasy Gifts will go to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation, which funds art programs in communities across the US. 

We've rounded up some of the most insane gifts Neiman Marcus is suggesting this year, from a 12-day trip to India to a California motorcycle trip with Keanu Reeves.

SEE ALSO: Take a tour of the luxurious bunker where billionaires can escape the apocalypse

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ARCH MOTORCYCLE & RIDE EXPERIENCE ($150,000)

The KRGT-1 is the first bike made by Arch Motorcycle, the company founded by Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger in 2014. The limited-edition performance bike comes with a 124-cubic-inch twin engine, special racing-inspired trim, and performance suspension.

The Neiman Marcus package comes with a two-day ride down the California coast, hotel and airfare included. Joining you will be Reeves and Hollinger themselves. 

Price: $150,000



THE ORPHAN BARREL PROJECT ($125,000)

The buyers of this gift will get a trip for six people to the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky. The goal of the Orphan Barrel Project is to unearth previously undiscovered bottles of bourbon and release them to the public. 

The package includes a tour of the distillery, a bourbon barrel hunt and tasting, plus 24 bottles of eight different kinds of Orphan Barrel bourbons. You'll also get a hand-crafted whiskey cabinet and a leather-bound book that describes your collection.

Price: $125,000



WORLD VIEW EXPLORATION AT THE EGE OF SPACE ($90,000)

Space enthusiasts will love this twofold gift. In 2016, the buyer will get to go behind the scenes of a test flight with World Views, a company that is planning balloon rides to nearspace, more than 100,000 feet above the Earth's surface. You'll get a three-night stay at the Miraval Resort in Tucson, Arizona, and a tour of World View's facilities with CEO Jane Poyter.

In 2017, you'll get to take a ride in the luxury pressurized balloon, hundreds of thousands of feet off the ground. 

Price: $90,000



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This dad will draw your face using nothing more than pancake batter

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Brady Phelps never claimed to be an artist. But his Instagram suggests otherwise.

The self-named "pancake dad" has a knack for drawing cartoons, sports team logos, and incredibly lifelike portraits using only pancake batter.

Recently, Phelps helped raise over $38,000 for Charity: Water— a nonprofit aimed at bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries — by creating original flapjacks for anyone who donated $100 or more to the campaign. He's now going to continue until he raises $50,000.

And it all started from his inability to make a perfectly round pancake.

Tech Insider caught up with Brady to learn the tricks of his morning masterpieces.

Breakfast is quite the affair in the Phelps household.



Every Saturday morning, Brady Phelps gets up and prepares stunning pancake art for his two kids.



His portraits include a wide cast of characters, from Anna and Elsa of Disney's "Frozen" ...



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4 ways Facebook is going to get you to watch more videos in its app

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Expect to see more videos when you open up Facebook on your smartphone.

On Tuesday, the social network announced some big changes to how it plans to show videos in its mobile app.

One notable addition is a dedicated video tab where the shortcut to Messenger used to be located.

The added emphasis on video isn't surprising given how video is quickly becoming Facebook's most shared type of content — the company has said that it expects the News Feed to consist mostly of video within a year or two.

Here are the main changes to you'll see:

Facebook is testing a full screen player that suggests more videos based on what you're viewing.

Pull down with your finger on the screen to see more videos you may like.



You may notice that you can shrink a playing video into a tiny thumbnail that floats on top of the News Feed.

It's a similar idea to Apple's "Picture in Picture" interface on the iPad that lets you play videos while using another app.



You'll be able to save videos you come across for viewing later in the "Saved' section of the app, just like you can already do for articles.



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6 popular 'Star Wars' costumes you can DIY this Halloween

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Halloween is just around the corner and the coming release of "The Force Awakens" means Star Wars fans are dusting off their costumes.

But let's face it: not everyone has the wherewithal to make a perfect replica Darth Vader helmet, or recreate Boba Fett's armor. 

While you can purchase those items for a pretty penny, some find it easier to stick with the classic Jedi robes and Princess Leia dresses. 

We've gathered the most popular "Star Wars" costumes you can make with some simple sewing or resourceful online shopping.

Let's take a look. 

 

The go-to Princess Leia costume is her "senatorial gown" with the iconic side-buns.



To recreate Leia's senatorial dress, P&S Costume Creations has a full dress pattern and sewing instructions.

Check out the step-by-step instructions.



And who wouldn't want to be Han Solo for a day?



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Meet Staz Nair, the model and 'X Factor' singer who just became a secret new 'Game of Thrones' cast member

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Model, actor, and singer Staz Nair has joined the sixth season of HBO's "Game of Thrones," an HBO representative confirmed to Business Insider.

The pay cable network wouldn't reveal any information on Nair's character, though.

So what's the deal with Nair?

He will be part of the scenes shot in Spain for Season 6, which returns in Spring 2015.

In the mean time, here's more about him. He's a Gemini, singer, model and self-proclaimed nice person.

SEE ALSO: This favorite 'Game of Thrones' couple reunited for a very touching photo

MORE: 'Game of Thrones' star Maisie Williams says 'sorry' but she knows Jon Snow's fate

Meet Staz Nair. He plays the piano, writes and sings and is a self-proclaimed "nice guy!" Below, he is posing with a fan on Instagram.

SOURCE: Watchers on the Wall



Apparently, the news of his casting was broken in September in a press release for a film Nair stars in titled "Bazodee." It's directed by Todd Kessler, the co-creator of Nickelodeon's "Blue's Clues." Nair plays a man whose fiancee is falling in love with another man. Watch the trailer below.

SOURCE



Clearly a man of many talents, Nair competed as part of a boy band called Times Red on UK's "X Factor" in 2012. During that time he was very fond of showing off his abs. Who can blame him?



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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