If you've ever wondered how your favorite star can look forever resistant to age, well, it turns out there's some technique behind it.

That actor may be getting digitally retouched.

Special effects aren't just used to create huge explosions or herds of dinosaurs that trample everything in their path. They also can and do take pimples off of teen stars, erase years off actors' faces, and elongate bodies to create slimmer physiques.

"Nobody looks like what you see on TV and in the movies — everybody is altered," Claus Hansen, a beauty-work pioneer at the video-retouching company Method Studios, told Mashable.

Many actors require the use of digital retouching (or "beauty work"), though it's done very secretly.

"For a top actress, it's usually non-contractual with us, so that that document never gets out," a top entertainment attorney said anonymously in Vulture's recent feature on digital retouching. "It's in everyone's best interest that she not look haggard and that her jowls don't look too old or whatever."

The article points to the "suspiciously plasticky" 2010 film "The Tourist," which starred Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.

Here's what Vulture and Mashable's stories expose about the secret use of digital retouching in movies and TV:

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 20 worst TV shows of 2016 so far, according to critics

SEE ALSO: 8 TV shows you're watching that are probably going to be canceled

Digital retouching isn't just for the ladies.

Michael Shannon, who played Zod in "Batman v Superman," said digital retouching could be a leading man's best friend, too.

"In postproduction, if they want your nose to be a little smaller or a little bigger, that's up to them, man," Shannon said. "Some attractive person gets out of a swimming pool dripping wet? Nobody wants to see how they really look: It's fantasy."

And at age 63, Paul Reubens was emphatic about casting a younger actor to play his iconic character Pee-wee Herman in Netflix's "Pee-wee's Big Holiday." But digital retouching made it possible for him to play the timeless character again.

"Pee-wee doesn't work, to me, with age mixed into it," Reubens told The New York Times. "So I knew I wanted digital retouching."

It sure isn't cheap.

"That was my biggest concern from the get-go, with [producer Judd Apatow], when it came to budgeting," Reubens explained of the cost of digital retouching for "Pee-wee's Big Adventure.""Because it costs a fortune. I could have had a face-lift and we would have saved $2 million."

The technique is also used to make the young and beautiful even younger and more beautiful.

Hollywood veterans don't hold the monopoly on digital retouching. Producers are using the tech on young actors as well. Pimples, for example, don't have to be an embarrassing situation. On "Glee," a director revealed, "There was a pimple pass on most episodes."

And even the best-looking people on the planet, models, get a helping hand from the tech. 

Visual-effects supervisor Jim Rider, whose credits include "Vinyl" and "Foxcatcher," said, "I've done beauty retouching on women who are practically supermodels."

A college education is a big investment of both time and money. All you can do is choose the right program, work hard, and hope it pays off.

"College is one of the biggest investments a person will make in their lifetime, so it's important to think of its financial implication," Aubrey Bach, PayScale's head of alumni analytics, tells Business Insider. "PayScale's College ROI Report gives students and their families access to this exact information so that they can decide which school is the best fit for their career goals and their financial situation. We want to help keep students from taking out loans they won't be able to pay back."

With average student-loan debt hovering around $35,000, students and parents can't afford not to consider earning potential postgraduation, she says.

PayScale says, however, that this doesn't mean students should pursue only majors with the highest earning potential or make decisions about where to attend school based solely off college ROI rankings. They need to do what will make them happy — but it doesn't hurt to be educated on their potential return. 

As it turns out, some schools are doing a much better job of setting their students up for success in the job market than others. 

The top schools for college return on investment (not taking into account financial aid) this year are the California Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvey Mudd College. 

All data used to produce PayScale's Return on Investment Package were collected from employees who successfully completed PayScale's employee survey. To calculate the ROI, PayScale looked at the investment in each college, which includes the cost of attending, as calculated by the cost for a graduate in 2015, on and off campus — and then looked at the 20-year return for each college, which is the expected future income stream. (Click here to read more about the methodology.) 

PayScale's list can be sorted by the best value colleges for various majors and career paths, as well as ROI at a school overall. You can see which colleges are providing the best monetary return for their alumni via low cost of attendance, high earning potential, or a combination of the two. 

See the full interactive list here, and keep scrolling for the top 25 colleges for your money. The "total cost" and "20 year ROI" figures are for students who live on campus.

SEE ALSO: People with these college majors get the biggest pay raises

22. Harvard University

Type of school: Private not-for-profit

Total cost: $235,000

Net 20 year ROI: $739,000

Graduation rate: 98%

21. Missouri University of Science and Technology (in-state)

Type of school: Public

Total cost: $87,500

Net 20 year ROI: $756,000

Graduation rate: 63%

20. Georgia Institute of Technology (out-of-state)

Type of school: Public

Total cost: $168,000

Net 20 year ROI: $756,000

Graduation rate: 82%

We're now just eight months away from the premiere of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," and Disney has finally released the first official teaser trailer for the standalone film.

Taking place before the events of the 1977 original film, "Rogue One" follows Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and a group of Rebel fighters on a mission to steal plans for the Death Star.

While the title for the first film in the "Star Wars" anthology series was announced in March 2015, little information has been released since then, but the new trailer provides a glimpse into the rebellion.

We've compiled what we know — along with a few popular rumors — to hold us over until more clips are released.

Here is everything we know about "Rogue One":

SEE ALSO: The first trailer for the next 'Star Wars' movie 'Rogue One' is here

The film is the first in the "Star Wars Anthology," a series of standalone films, which will include movies dedicated to Han Solo and bounty hunter Boba Fett.

Gareth Edwards, known for the 2014 "Godzilla" reboot, will direct the film.

The script was written by Chris Weitz ("About a Boy"), based on an idea from visual-effects supervisor John Knoll. Gary Whitta ("After Earth") was originally hired to write the screenplay, but he left the project after writing the first draft.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Would a Han Solo who's not Harrison Ford be the same sarcastic hero every "Star Wars" fan cherishes?

What would "Lord of the Rings" look like with Nicolas Cage in one of the main roles?

Characters become iconic thanks in large part to the actors who bring them to life, and it's often hard to imagine anyone else in the role after the fact.

But some actors are fired from a role, some leave because of other commitments, and some just don't accept the offer.

When an offer is first presented, it can be hard to see how successful a film might become. Some actors regret turning down a project, but others, like Jack Nicholson, know that it can be the right choice, no matter how popular or critically adored the film might become.

Here are 30 iconic characters that were almost played by different actors:

SEE ALSO: The 22 best political movies ever, ranked

Leonardo DiCaprio — Dirk Diggler in "Boogie Nights"

Played by: Mark Wahlberg

After watching him in "The Basketball Diaries," Paul Thomas Anderson wanted DiCaprio to star in "Boogie Nights." DiCaprio turned it down to appear in "Titanic," but recommended his friend and "Basketball Diaries" costar Mark Wahlberg.

DiCaprio told GQ in 2008 that he regretted turning down the role. "'Boogie Nights' is a movie I loved and I wish I would've done." When asked if he would reverse his decision if he could, DiCaprio said, "I'm not saying I would have. But it would have been a different direction, career-wise. I think they're both great and wish I could have done them both."

DiCaprio was also offered $20 million by Lionsgate to portray crazed serial killer Patrick Bateman in "American Psycho," even though director Mary Harron wanted Christian Bale in the role. She was replaced by director Oliver Stone, but DiCaprio and Stone couldn't agree on a creative direction, so DiCaprio left to film "The Beach." Harron returned to the project and Bale was cast.

Al Pacino — Han Solo in "Star Wars"

Played by: Harrison Ford

During the "An Evening with Pacino" event in 2013, the actor revealed that he could have played the iconic role of Han Solo in the "Star Wars" franchise.

"It was mine for the taking, but I didn’t understand the script," he said.

He also revealed that he turned down roles in "Apocalypse Now" and "Pretty Woman," eventually played by Marlon Brando and Richard Gere, respectively. 

Marilyn Monroe — Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

Played by: Audrey Hepburn 

Truman Capote, the author of "Breakfast at Tiffany's," wanted Marilyn Monroe to play Holly, but Monroe turned it down because she was warned that portraying Holly might be bad for her image.

Britain is finally getting some warm weather.

And you know what that means for the capital? Apart from inevitable T-shirt tans and possible sun stroke, Londoners will be flocking to every green space available, whether in parks or to rooftops to have a drink.

So, Business Insider decided to reveal some of the coolest, yet affordable outdoor spaces in London to get in a cool, refreshing pint.

Whether you prefer boozing in a park, by the river or sipping cocktail on a sunlounger, there's something for everyone.

Have a dose of decadence at Kensington Roof Gardens near High Street Kensington tube station without shelling out a month's wages on a booze bill. Whether it's a bite to eat at the Babylon Restaurant or a cocktail on the terrace, there will be sun — there are deals that include unlimited wine for 5 hours at only £48.50 per person if you get enough people together.

Or maybe you prefer a hipster vibe? Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch is perhaps the closest you'll get to feeling like you're at a festival. Think wigwams, cocktails, cider, and mushroom stools. Glasses of wine start as little as £3.10 and pints start from £4.40.

Staying in the East End, Dalston Roof Park offers incredible views, open space, and mattresses (for presumably when you get a little bit tipsy). You can get change from a £10 note when getting a beer and double spirit drink.

Although nearly every airport has Wi-Fi these days, using the airport's public internet puts you at risk of getting hacked. And private Wi-Fi services at airports can be expensive and sluggish.

One alternative is to simply use your smartphone as your modem when you're traveling. But depending on where you are, you might get frustrated with bad service, considering there are hundreds of other travelers at the airport trying to connect to the same cell towers. 

Root Metrics provides wireless carriers with measurements about how strong and fast their service is at various locations. Recently, they tested how reliable the cellular internet should be at any given airport.

Here's its ranking of the airports with the best wireless reception:

SEE ALSO: The 10 best airports in the world

11. Pittsburgh International (PIT)

Yearly passengers: 3,812,460

Best carrier: AT&T

Top download speed: 34.8 Mbps (Verizon)

Why it's great: AT&T and Verizon subscribers should both see blazing-fast download speeds at Pittsburgh International Airport. In the recent study, Verizon's median download speed was 34.8 Mbps and AT&T's was 30.5 Mbps. AT&T took the crown, though, because it was slightly more reliable than Verizon. Regardless: All four carriers will deliver internet faster than airport Wi-Fi. 

10. Cleveland-Hopkins International (CLE)

Yearly passengers: 4,375,448

Best carrier: T-Mobile

Top download speed: 28.7 Mbps (T-Mobile)

Why it's great: T-Mobile had both the fastest and most reliable wireless connection at Cleveland's top airport. According to the study, T-Mobile downloads came in at a median 28.7 Mbps, crushing Verizon, which checked in at second place with a median 11.3 Mbps download speed. 

9. McCarran International (LAS)

Yearly passengers: 19,946,179

Best carrier: T-Mobile

Top download speed: 48.7 Mbps (T-Mobile)

Why it's great: Nevada's busiest airport is also its best for getting a strong signal on your smartphone. T-Mobile subscribers should see downloads around a very speedy 49 Mbps, which means that streaming music or movies should be no problem. Reliability is good across all four carriers, and cellular download speeds across the board should crush the 3.1 Mbps the airport Wi-Fi provides. And the airport has slot machines in addition to Wi-Fi and speedy cellular connections. 

The rows of Cabernet Sauvignon stretch as far as the eye can see. This is my first visit to California's Napa Valley and like most first-time visitors, I am hopping from one storied winery to another, packing in as many tastings as I can in two days. But Napa isn't just about wine. It also offers a plethora of fine dining establishments, galleries, theaters and hotels. Tiny Yountville has become the choice destination in the valley. But it wasn't always this way.

In 1838, George Calvert Yount, a settler from North Carolina, planted California’s first vine in Yountville, the town that today bears his name. Soon other transplants, lured by the promise of fertile land and wide-open spaces, followed. For years Yountville, nee Sebastopol, was a sleepy little hamlet with a railroad depot, a small hotel and a veterans home. Many of the residents were migrant workers, living in the area and toiling in the vineyards. That all changed in 1994 with the opening of The French Laundry. 

"When I came here [in 1988] there were just a handful of restaurants," says Bob Hurley of Hurley’s restaurant. "That was at a time when people were coming up here for the wine. It was when the winemakers were having a renaissance. When I joined Domaine Chandon we were getting fish twice a week, produce twice a week. There were no services up here. It was like we were on Mars."

"When Thomas [Keller of The French Laundry] came he made it the preemptive restaurant in the valley. That was a big statement. Pretty soon, we were being recognized. People were fighting for our business. Purveyors were seeking us out. People were fighting to come to the restaurants, too. It got even more exclusive and the quality went up. Yountville became a destination for food."

Yountville is now the undisputed culinary capital of Napa Valley. Of course, much of that is due to The French Laundry, Keller’s culinary mecca on Washington Street. But let's face it: most casual travelers can’t get a reservation unless they've booked it months in advance. If you aren't one of the lucky diners, console yourself with a trip around the restaurant's culinary gardens. Missing out on a nine-course tasting at the Laundry doesn't mean you'll have to eat at McDonalds. On the contrary, Yountville has a number of fine dining options that, although not as unique as the Laundry, will still satisfy any gourmand.

Here are a few we recommend (sans The French Laundry):

SEE ALSO: 16 of the most delicious things you can eat at Smorgasburg, New York City's massive open-air food market

DON'T FORGET: Follow Business Insider's lifestyle page on Facebook!

Ad Hoc

If dining at a Keller establishment is a must, two other options exist in Yountville. Ad Hoc is much less expensive than the Laundry but still gets stellar reviews for its four-course menu of ever-changing selections featuring local ingredients.

Keller opened Ad Hoc in 2006 as a casual dining venue to showcase the American comfort food of his childhood. The name Ad Hoc literally means "for this purpose," and derives from Keller’s original purpose for the restaurant — to temporarily fill a space while his team developed a different restaurant concept. Yet from the start, Ad Hoc was loved so much by the locals and visitors to the wine country alike that it stuck around and is now one of the most popular restaurants in the valley.

The daily-changing four-course menu, featuring classic American dishes like fried chicken, pot roast and barbecue, is handwritten nightly on chalkboards throughout the restaurant. All courses are served family-style to increase both the conviviality of the Ad Hoc experience and to further recreate the casual comfort of home. The wine list also features many of the local vintners — many of whom can be seen frequently dining at the low key restaurant.

Ad Hoc
6476 Washington St.
Yountville, Calif. 94599
(707) 944-2487

Bouchon

Four years after opening "The Laundry," Keller followed up with Bouchon, which offers authentic French bistro fare with Keller’s unfailing attention to detail in both ingredients and presentation.

The seasonal menu and raw bar selections change throughout the year, while staples like roast chicken, leg of lamb, and trout amandine remain as consistent. The Vin en Carafe program at Bouchon features selections made exclusively for the restaurant from top wineries in Napa Valley and France.

Bouchon
6534 Washington St.
Yountville, Calif. 94599
(707) 944-8037

Redd

Yountville has perhaps the world’s highest per capita concentration of Michelin stars – the Napa Valley town has only 3,000 residents but six stars. One belongs to chef Richard Reddington, whose REDD restaurant has, since its opening in late 2005, been a favorite of those looking for innovative cuisine in a casual setting. Before REDD, Reddington had stints at San Francisco’s Masa’s and Jardiniere, as well as Napa’s Auberge de Soleil. The menu is contemporary American, though with decidedly international influences: pork belly is served with a soy caramel sauce, while the braised and roasted lamb is seasoned with garam masala.

The restaurant eschews the formality of the town’s most famous restaurant, the French Laundry, for a sun-filled room in minimalist white and a courtyard where the sounds of a fountain accompany meals. It is no wonder that while the French Laundry has made a name for itself as a "special occasion" restaurant, REDD is a favorite of locals, where you may find yourself seated between a vintner and a chef on his night off when you pull up to the bar and order some fish tacos.

REDD
6480 Washington St.
Yountville, Calif. 94599
(707) 945-0447

On April 12, the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association announced the seven winners for the 2016 AIA/ALA Library Building Awards.

They aren't your run-of-the-mill nondescript libraries.

For a library to be considered a beautiful new building, it has to display a unique and stunning reinvention of the traditional library design.

And the awards go to ...

Ryerson University Student Learning Centre, in Toronto, Canada, officially opened in February of 2015.

The eight-floor, open-concept building was inspired by ancient Greek architecture that prized a social atmosphere to exchange ideas.

The renovated Sawyer Library, opened at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts in 2014, uses a restored facade that was first built in 1921.

The Syrian Civil War is continuing to grind on, with both Russia and the US-led West aiding various sides of the conflict.

Part of US support to various Syrian rebel groups includes sending arms and armaments through Turkey. 

And, according to IHS Jane's based on documents released by the US's Federal Business Opportunities website, the US passed an exceedingly large amount of munitions into Syria in December 2015.

Here is a sampling of what the US sent to the Syrian rebels. 

SEE ALSO: Here's who'd win in a dogfight between Russia's and the US's top fighter jets

7.62x39 mm

Total weight: 134,188 kg (295, 833 pounds)

The US sent close to 300,000 pounds of 7.62x39 mm ammunition to the Syrian rebels.

These rifle cartridges can be used for older models of the AK-47.

Source: IHS Jane's

7.62x54 mm

Total weight: 67,404 kg (148,600 pounds)

The 7.62x54 mm cartridge is an older variety of ammunition that was first created by the Russian Empire. It has since been adapted multiple times, and can be used in a variety of weapons. 

Most likely, based on the other items the US is sending to the Syrian rebels, the ammunition is intended to be used with the PK machine gun, which the US is also sending to the rebels.

Source: IHS Jane's

14.5×114mm

Total weight: 369,681 kg (815,007 pounds)

The 14.55 mm cartridge is a Soviet ammunition that is primarily used for heavy machine guns. The ammunition can also be used for anti-aircraft fire and for taking both armored and unarmored vehicles. 

Source: IHS Jane's

Believe it or not, dogs have been fighting beside their human counterparts in military conflicts for the better part of the last 3,000 years.

Greeks, Egyptians, Persians, Romans, and yes, Americans.

We here at BI Military and Defense do a lot of slideshows about jets or tanks or patrols, but not much about our literal dogs of war.

So now's your opportunity to ...

The United States War Dogs Association estimates that, since the beginning of their service, dogs have saved approximately 10,000 American lives.

Dogs have been in service and seen combat with Americans in every conflict since the birth of the nation, but have only served officially since WWI.

Dogs were mostly used as message carriers during the first few conflicts.

HBO threw a star-studded premiere screening for the sixth season of "Game of Thrones" in Los Angeles on Sunday.

It was the only chance for press to see the premiere episode ahead of its airing, as the network decided not to release early screeners to the press, presumably to avoid spoilers and pirated copies.

Media at the screening were asked to hold their reviews and plot-point revelations until the episode premieres on HBO, according to Entertainment Weekly (EW). But reporters and critics were still able to divulge their "general impressions."

The main cast was present, but there were two obvious no-shows: Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow, and writer George R.R. Martin, who wrote the novels the series is based on but which it has now surpassed in plot.

Here's what we learned from the coverage that came out of the screening:

SEE ALSO: Here's the odd way 'Game of Thrones' actors find out their characters are about to be killed off

DON'T MISS: A former 'Game of Thrones' star has harsh things to say about his time on the show

"Game of Thrones" shot an insane amount of footage for the new season.

"We shot 680 hours of dailies, which translates to 3.7 million feet of film," co-showrunner David Benioff said. "We shot in five different countries — Northern Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Iceland, and Canada. We employed 900 crew members in Belfast; 400 in Spain. We issued 140 script revisions. We two shot units a day for 22 weeks straight, three units a day for 10 weeks straight, four units for two weeks straight. And none of that would be possible without the greatest producing team on the planet."

Source: EW

The story jumps right back into what happened at the end of season five.

The action picks up right away, without any kind of time jump. And the first episode is more fast-paced than usual.

Source: EW

Not every main character makes an appearance in the premiere.

The episode spends a lot of time at Castle Black, the primary headquarters of the Night's Watch. Jon Snow theorists certainly have a hunch about why that is.

Source: EW

In 2014, we left Canada for a life of full-time travel. Our first stop was Prague, where we would spend three months.

I had been planning for this for 10 years, even before meeting Lissette. But in 2013 it was as if everything conspired against us leaving. We had some major dental expenses, a bad business investment, and renovation costs (for our Montreal condo) that went way over budget.

We went from cash rich to having about $46,000 of debt.

Only two years later, we're debt-free and have traveled all over the world. Here's how we did it:

SEE ALSO: A couple who quit their jobs to spend 7 months traveling the world explain how they stretched $8,000 across 13 countries

We didn’t let our debt stop us. We had investments, including the Montreal condo and some locked-in retirement savings, so we knew we had a good base. Our goal was to leave that untouched while finding a way to pay off our debts.

We left Montreal with Lissette being able to continue her position as Director of Marketing (for a Montreal-based company) and me renting out the condo.

All together, it added up to $125,000 of annual income, about half the income we used to have when we were both working (I was previously a CFO for a Canadian exporter).

Lissette being able to continue her work from overseas was a major plus, but we also had to reduce our cost of living if we were going to cut into our debt. One of the cost factors was helping my son from a previous marriage with his university lodging and tuition.

We chose Prague as our first base because of cheap accommodation. We knew someone who taught English there and she had to leave Prague with three months left on her lease. The apartment came out to $500 a month. We were incredibly lucky and jumped on it.

You likely already know you need some version of Tax Form 1040 to file your personal taxes, and you’ll also be needing your W-2 from your employer to help you fill it out.

But you might be overlooking some of the other forms you’ll need if you, say, won big on that trip to Las Vegas or started paying back your student loans last year.

Here are some of the tax forms you might not have known you needed.

SEE ALSO: The best MBA programs for less than $15,000 a year

Form W-2G

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, except if you win money — then you might have to tell the IRS about it. Form W-2G, Gambling Winnings, is used to report gambling winnings (direct wager only) of $600 or more in any one session and 300 times the buy-in or wager.

Tax Form 1040X

Need to correct your tax return? Whether it’s reporting additional withholding, changing your tax deductions or personal exemptions, adding or removing dependents or reporting additional income, this is the form to use.

Remember, though, you do not need to file a 1040X if you are only correcting errors in math ― IRS computers automatically check the math and make those corrections for you.

Form 8822

Did you move? Well, the IRS would like to know. Form 8822 is used to report your change of address.

Mental strength is just like any other skill: It takes time to develop.

In her book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," psychotherapist Amy Morin writes that your genetics, personality, and life experiences all play a role in your mental strength.

Since we know what mentally strong people don't do, we asked Morin about the key habits they do follow.

Here are nine things mentally strong people do every day.

This is an update of an article originally written by Steven Benna.

SEE ALSO: 13 things mentally strong people don't do

DON'T MISS: The 27 jobs that are most damaging to your health

1. They monitor their emotions.

People often assume mentally strong people suppress their emotions, Morin says, but they are actually acutely aware of them.

"They monitor their emotions throughout the day and recognize how their feelings influence their thoughts and behaviors," she says. "They know sometimes reaching their greatest potential requires them to behave contrary to how they feel."

2. They practice realistic optimism.

Having a positive outlook all the time is impossible, and too much negativity is counterproductive.

Mentally strong people "understand that their thoughts aren't always true, and they strive to reframe their negativity," Morin says. "They replace exaggeratedly negative thoughts with a more realistic inner monologue." 

3. They solve problems.

To put it simply, "mentally strong people refuse to engage in unproductive activities," Morin says. Instead of sitting there complaining about your bad day at work and wishing bad things wouldn't happen, evaluate why something went wrong and fix it. Learn how to calculate risk and move forward from there, she says.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" season six, including events from the books.

Anticipation is building for the sixth season of "Game of Thrones." Following the Los Angeles season-six premiere, HBO released a second full-length trailer packed with a ton of new footage.

If you haven't watched it yet, do that now. Since we already did an extensive breakdown of the first trailer, this time we left out any repeating footage and are showing you new material.

Keep reading for a full analysis of this amazing second trailer:

The trailer opens on Castle Black. Men with crossbows are aiming at the door Alliser Thorne and company were trying to break into.

Jon Snow's body is inside that room.

He's there along with Davos, Ghost, and some Snow-loyal Night's Watch brothers. They're preparing to fight.

This is a good year to be a budget traveler—now is an exceptional time to take advantage of the strong US dollar around the globe.

Favorable exchange rates and overall affordability can get you more for your money everywhere, from easy-to-reach places like Canada to bucket-list destinations like South Africa and Australia.

Here’s where you can score cheap hotels, stretch your dollar sightseeing, and even indulge in bucket-list trips for a lot less than usual.

SEE ALSO: 18 countries where you don't have to leave a tip

Canada

Last year, for the first time since 2004, the Canadian dollar tumbled below 72 cents. It’s slowly making a comeback, but still hovers at a bargain 75 cents, low enough to justify a cross-border shopping spree where your mental math can happily mark down everything at 25 percent off.

Canadian stores near the border fly American flags, heralding the arrival of Yankee neighbors and their strong-dollar pocketbooks. Americans are catching on—border crossings are up and cities have seen an influx of U.S. visitors.

Lower hotel prices complement the favorable exchange rate: In both Montreal and Toronto hotel rates have dropped significantly in price, according to Hotels.com.

Australia 

If Australia is on your bucket list, this is your year.

The Australian dollar took a hit in 2015, dropping to a six-year low. By December it had plunged almost 12 percent against the U.S. dollar, and is now at about 76 cents.

Although flights to Australia can eat up a sizable chunk of your budget, you’ll save once you hit the ground with the strong U.S. dollar. And increased direct flights from major U.S. cities make it more convenient than ever to get there.

Daunted by the flight time? Don’t be—at just under 15 hours from Los Angeles, it’s about the same length as a flight to Rome. In December, American Airlines and Qantas both added daily service between LA and Sydney, and Qantas also added daily nonstop flights between San Francisco and Sydney.

Russia 

A deep recession and plummeting oil prices continue to prolong the fall of the Russian ruble. The country’s currency has recently hit historic lows, losing more than half of its worth as of the end of last year. For travelers, this means paying around 50 percent less for nearly everything from hotel rooms to cappuccino.

At McDonald’s in Russia, a Big Mac costs 114.00 ruble ($1.53) compared to $4.93 in America. The Economist magazine’s Big Mac Index, comparing the cost of the McDonald’s burger in cities around the globe, names Russia as one of the world’s most undervalued currencies right now.

Whether you're just starting out in your career or making a transition, odds are there's some part of the job search process that's at least a little mystifying.

From interviewing to negotiating your salary, there are a lot of factors at play when looking for a new job, and one mistake could put the kibosh on the whole thing.

To master the art of the job search, here are eight books that can guide you through the process:

SEE ALSO: The 18 best books for someone just starting out in their career

SEE ALSO: 24 books that will make you a more well-rounded person

Richard N. Bolles' 'What Color is Your Parachute?'

Great book for: getting started

If you're only going to read one book on the list, you may want to choose this one. Why? It covers a little about everything when it comes to a job search.

The first half of the book talks about how to create an eye-catching résumé and cover letter, as well as how to improve your networking, interviewing, and negotiating skills, while the second half focuses on how to find your ideal career.

Find it here »

David Allen's 'Getting Things Done'

Great book for: staying organized in your job search

Considering all the moving parts that come with getting a new job, this book is a must-read because it teaches you the basics of time management and organization.

It can also help you through the transition of finding a new job by teaching you how to reassess goals and stay focused. 

Find it here »

Dale Carnegie's 'How to Win Friends & Influence People'

Great book for: networking

There are a number of lessons you can learn from Carnegie's classic that will help you in your personal and professional lives. Importantly, especially when it comes to networking (and also the job interview), you'll learn how to make people like you and win them over to your side.

Carnegie's advice focuses on maximizing your interactions with other people, and he instructs readers, for example, to encourage people to talk about themselves, instead of dominating the conversation, emphasizing the things you both agree on.

Find it here »

There was a time when I had a job.

I had a boss to report to.

I was required to wear shirt and tie.  <shudders>

If it wasn’t for my old brokerage firm selling I’m not sure if I would have ever crossed over into the realm of self-employment and owning my business.

Let’s just say I don’t even want to contemplate it because I’m so thankful they did.

Being self-employed is A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!

Do you want to start your own business, but don’t know exactly which business to go into?

Here’s a list of some of the best self-employed jobs available right now.

And if you find one you like, jump into it.  Even if it’s on a part-time basis.

Each will cost you very little to enter, can start as a part-time way to make money fast, and could be the kind of work you’ve been looking to do all your life.

We’re going to focus on business ideas that are skills-based, and cost little or nothing to start.

Oh – even though these are numbered, it’s not a ranking – it’s just for easy organization.

What will determine the value of a self-employed job is whether or not it’s right for you.

SEE ALSO: I'm a financial planner, and here are 21 ways I know you're financially unstable

1. Social media consultant

If you’re under the age of 30, you probably have a built-in advantage for a business like this. If you spend a lot of time on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, Instagram, or any other of the social media outlets that are popping up all the time – you may be able to find some clients who are in need of a social media consultant.

What started out as a social game just a few years ago, is rapidly becoming important in the business community. The social media is an important way for businesses to connect with ordinary people, without having to go through all channels.

It’s also a way to market businesses, products and services. If you know how to promote events, products, and even concepts, using the social media, then this can be the perfect business for you.

2. Academic tutor

This can be a natural business for you if you are at least above average in one or more academic subjects. English, science and mathematics are prime subjects for tutors. Since they are required course curriculum in virtually every school, and many students struggle with them, you can create a business out of helping kids improve in these subjects.

You can market your tutoring business just by creating a professional looking flyer, and distributing it to the local schools.

3. Music tutor

Academic courses aren’t the only subjects were tutors are in demand. If you can play an instrument, and are reasonably good at it, you can create a business teaching kids – or even adults – how to play.

A lot of people just learn better in a one-on-one environment, rather than in a classroom. You don’t have to be an accomplished musician either. If you know the basics, and you have the patience to teach them to students, this can work very well for you.

Day care is expensive.

In fact, educating your preschooler may be pricier than sending your teenager to college.

"In nearly half the country, it's now more expensive to educate a 4-year-old in preschool than an 18-year-old in college," Eric Morath at the Wall Street Journal reports.

The cost of child care outpaces the cost of a four-year college education in 23 states.

The data comes from a new report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).

The cost of full-time day care or preschool is most expensive in Massachusetts — $12,781 annually, about 20% more than the average in-state college tuition of $10,702.

The largest discrepancy is in Florida, where child care is 73% more expensive than college.

"High-quality child care is out of reach for many American families — not just those with low incomes," the EPI reports. "Child care costs are one of the most significant expenses in a family’s budget, largely because child care and early education is a labor-intensive industry, requiring a low student-to-teacher ratio."

Of course, in-state college tuition is usually the cheapest available option for college — keep in mind that out-of-state tuition and private schools could be much more expensive than child care. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2015-16 school year was $32,405 at private colleges in the US, while public universities cost an average of $23,893 for out-of-state students.

Below, find the 10 US states with the biggest discrepancy between day care and in-state college costs, or visit the Wall Street Journal for the full list of 23 and to see where your state falls:

SEE ALSO: Here's how much it costs for a family to live in 20 major US cities

10. Utah

Annual cost of child care for a 4-year-old: $6,612

Annual in-state college tuition: $5,656

Child care as a share of tuition: 116.9%

9. New Mexico

Annual cost of child care for a 4-year-old: $7,098

Annual in-state college tuition: $5,973

Child care as a share of tuition: 118.8%

8. Massachusetts

Annual cost of child care for a 4-year-old: $12,781

Annual in-state college tuition: $10,702

Child care as a share of tuition: 119.4%

On Wednesday, the US Department of Labor announced a new fiduciary rule, which will require investment advisers to put client interests above their own when it comes to investment choices for retirement accounts.

"The DOL regulation attempts to 'level the playing field' for everyday investors who hold some $12 trillion in IRA and 401(k) plans when it comes to their dealings with financial advisers," reports Business Insider's Elena Holodny.

A 2015 report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) estimated that fees and conflicted advice costs American middle-class families about $17 billion per year, and decreases annual returns on retirement savings by 1 percentage point — an effect the new rule is meant to mitigate.

Here's how the new rule may affect you:

SEE ALSO: The Obama administration is about to unveil a new rule that affects $12 trillion of your money

Your financial advisers are now subject to the fiduciary standard when it comes to overseeing retirement accounts

Before the rule, financial advisers were subject to a looser suitability standard when overseeing retirement accounts, meaning that they were obligated to recommend investments suitable for your situation. Now, brokers, registered investment advisers, insurance agents, or other types of advisers are subject to the fiduciary standard, meaning they must put your best interest first.

As Liz Davidson, founder of Financial Finesse and author of "What Your Financial Advisor Isn't Telling You," says:

Instead of investment advisers recommending an investment that is suitable for you, meaning it's not unsuitable — it's not something egregious or wildly inappropriate — the financial planner you have, as it relates to your retirement plan accounts, will have to recommend what's in your best interest. That standard is much tighter than the suitability standard.

This means that if there are comparable investments to choose from, advisers will be focusing more on lower-fee funds. The DOL estimates that this could save investors up to $40 billion in fees over the next 10 years.

You shouldn't expect immediate changes

The rule will be phased in over time in order to give financial institutions time to adjust and alter their business models accordingly, Davidson says. The full requirements will go into effect January 1, 2018.

It can't guarantee perfect financial advice

As NPR's Chris Arnold reported, the proposed rule is over 100 pages long, which means loopholes could wind up in the final version.

Business Insider's Elena Holodny writes:

According to WealthManagement.com's Diana Britton and David Armstrong, the DOL "tweaked the final version to 'minimize' the compliance burden on firms and throw open the window to allow for a broader range of investments, including non-traded REITs and variable annuities, as long as advisers guarantee they are putting their client's interests ahead of their own."

That being said, the basic premise of the rule is pro-investor.

You still have to verify that your financial adviser is bound to the fiduciary standard in regards to other investments

The new rule means that advisers must put your interests ahead of their own when it comes to overseeing retirement accounts, which include 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and other tax-deferred accounts, such as health-savings accounts.

When it comes to other financial advice, if you're paying a professional, you'll want to make sure you're dealing with a fiduciary. As Chris Carosa, chief contributing editor to FiduciaryNews.com, tells Business Insider, it can be difficult to tell, since more advisers are dually registered as brokers — subject to only the suitability standard — and fiduciaries. Dually registered advisers can switch roles, thereby blurring the broker-fiduciary line.

"Identify whether your service provider is dual registered — a broker and an adviser — or just an SEC registered investment adviser," Carosa says. "Work with just the SEC registered adviser."

You can also look at the DOL's guide for consumers on how to tell if your adviser is working in your best interest.