Stocking your kitchen with the basics — knives, pots, plates — is a rite of passage for any adult. But not everything you keep in your cupboards needs to be boring. 

There are loads of cool products that can spice up any stove, pantry or dining room, from new cooking gadgets to innovative utensil redesigns.

Here are a few affordable must-have tools. 

A shaker that holds both salt and pepper

The Bodum grinder lets you switch between salt and pepper, rather than buying two separate shakers.

Buy it here:$20

A pot that doubles as a strainer

This Bialetti pot has a strainer built into the lid. Just lock the top onto the pot, and you can easily dump the water straight into the sink.

Buy it: $29.88

A wine glass that won't spill

 
Source

This novel wine glass designed by Super Duper Studio has a rounded bottom, so it won't ever tip over.

Pre-order it on Kickstarter: $32

If you’ve ever wished you could flip a switch and slow down the world, you’re in luck.

“Old Europe” is alive and well in these 10 destinations, all steadfast holdouts of the simple, unhurried life.

Here’s where to find small villages, barely explored countries, and untouristed gems—the sorts of places where you’re likely to see more sheep than smartphones.

St. Sigmund-Praxmar, Valley of Sellrain, Austria

About a 30-minute drive from Innsbruck, the Valley of Sellrain is an unspoiled landscape dotted with mountain villages that have managed to preserve their authentic, rural character. Untouched by commercialism, clusters of traditional Tyrolean chalets are tucked between alpine meadows and rugged mountain slopes. In St. Sigmund-Praxmar (population: 170), there isn't a single shop, bank, or post office. The area is part of a "quiet zone" that for the last 30 years has been protected by the Austrian Alpine Club's strong sense of environmental awareness and motto: "Movement under your own steam." Here mountains are still climbed in the traditional way, without lifts or cable cars. Hikers can follow an extensive network of hut-to-hut trails; or ski and snowshoe pristine, undeveloped areas.

Canillas de Aceituno, Andalusia, Spain

A small, whitewashed village at the edge of Andalucia's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Canillas de Aceituno was settled 3,000 years ago by the Phoenicians. The original settlers brought with them olive and grape cultivation, and today the majority of residents still make a meager living from these crops. It really is a trip back in time—farming is mostly done by hand with mules pulling the plows, locals often have to pause as goats cross the road, and the local Andaluz dialect of Spanish is unintelligible even to many Spaniards. "Though the village is only about a 30-minute drive from the coast, many of the older inhabitants have still never been to the sea," says Alan Hazel, a local and owner of the Cortijo El Carligto villa. Wander the winding cobblestone streets and hidden alleyways to see Islamic-influenced arches and Moorish motifs from an earlier era. This is one of the villages on the Mudejar Route.

Aran Islands, Ireland

A 40-minute ferry ride from Rossaveel just outside Galway on Ireland's west coast transports you to the Aran Islands, one of the last sanctuaries of traditional Irish life. Vast stretches of farmland, sectioned off by ancient stone walls and ruins of 3,000-year-old Bronze Age stone forts, are reminders of the islands' rich history. Gaelic is still spoken here, and many residents get around by walking or cycling down the narrow grassy lanes. At the end of each day, fishermen on the two smaller islands return to isolated fishing villages in their traditional Curah boats with the day's catch. Lively pubs bring together this strong-knit community of islanders, who gather for nightly dancing and performances of traditional, unaccompanied Sean Nos songs.

There's a crazy new first-person-shooter in the works, and it looks insanely fun.

The developers behind the game "Morphies Law" describe it as "a body morphology driven 3D shooter in a robo 'Day of the Dead' setting."

You'll see what that means when you check out these photos, but in words, it means "play as robots that shoot each other to make their limbs and bodies bigger and smaller."

In "Morphies Law," you play as either a blue or red robot in an abandoned warehouse setting.

The objective of the game is to make your team avatar taller than the other team's avatar, which stand at each end of the map. They don't do anything but grow and shrink.

To make your team avatar bigger, you have to shoot the robots on the other team.

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For a long time, psychologists focused on the important bond between mothers and their children. But recent studies suggest that a child's bond with his or her father is equally as fundamental to a child's well-being.

Just being there will help a child's development, but some dads go above and beyond — like these gentlemen — from whom we can all learn something.

This dad designs amazing Disney costumes for his kids to wear.

Nephi Garcia was a couture fashion designer before turning his focus to making costumes. He started posting pictures of the insanely accurate Disney costumes he created for his wife and three kids on Facebook and Instagram.

He says cosplay brings his entire family together. Check out out video about Designer Daddy.

This dad invented a workout tool so he could spend less time at the gym and more time with his kids.

Brent Kruithof was tired of always going to the gym to workout, so he invented the Flyup, a home fitness grip that would allow him to still get a good workout while also spending more time with his family, including his two kids, Gio and Decker.

A clip he posted of his new family workout went viral. Check out our video about Kruithof here.

This dad started "breastfeeding" his baby girl when his wife returned to work.

When Chris Allen’s wife went back to work shortly after giving birth, he cut a whole in his tank top and inserted his new daughter’s bottle to create the illusion of breastfeeding.

Check out our video about Allen's innovative way of "breastfeeding" his baby here.

Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for "Finding Dory."

"Finding Dory," which debuted in theaters on June 17, is the highly anticipated sequel to Pixar's 2003 classic "Finding Nemo."

The star-studded cast for "Finding Dory" features many familiar voices for those who saw the first underwater adventure film. Plus this time around there are new voice actors and fresh sea creatures appearing on screen.

Scroll down for a look at the "Finding Dory" ensemble in real life.

The movie's eponymous character Dory is a forgetful "blue tang" fish.

Ellen DeGeneres is anything but forgettable as she returns to voice Dory once again.

Nemo himself is back for this adventure, small fin and all.

If the BMW Vision Next 100 concept car is a glimpse of the future, then we like what we're seeing.

The Vision Next 100 was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, but BMW has been adding cars to its line that is celebrating the automaker's 100th birthday. Each car is meant to give a taste of what we can expect in the next 100 years.

Here's a closer look at the BMW Vision Next 100.

SEE ALSO: Rolls-Royce made a stunning driverless concept car

The BMW Vision Next 100 has two different driving modes. Boost Mode is for classic, manual driving, but Ease Mode will make it a self-driving car.

If you go with Boost Mode, a heads-up display will show the ideal route on the windshield, and other notifications like oncoming vehicles.

But if you click into Ease Mode, that heads-up display will show content you want to see like your email, and the steering wheel will retract.

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There's nothing worse than feeling lethargic and irritable while you're trying to get work done.

But even with the availability of air conditioners and fans, 25% of employees say their office is too hot, according to a recent CareerBuilder survey. And 70% of workers think this negatively impacts their productivity.

If your office manager is unable or unwilling to adjust the thermostat, there are a few counterintuitive strategies you can use to keep cool in your sweltering office. At the very least, they may draw attention to the situation:

SEE ALSO: The majority of Americans are making this huge mistake that can hold them back at work

DON'T MISS: 4 ways your freezing office is sabotaging your success

Drink hot coffee or tea

Hot coffee is king in Brazil, a country that surrounds the equator, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a café willing to sell you iced coffee there. Could the locals also be onto something?

Some researchers think so.

According to Ollie Jay, a researcher at the University of Ottawa's School of Human Kinetics who has studied hot fluid ingestion's effect on body heat storage, drinking hot coffee or tea will result in a lower amount of heat stored inside your body as long the additional sweat you produce can evaporate.

"What we found is that when you ingest a hot drink, you actually have a disproportionate increase in the amount that you sweat,"Jay told Smithsonian. "Yes, the hot drink is hotter than your body temperature, so you are adding heat to the body, but the amount that you increase your sweating by — if that can all evaporate — more than compensates for the added heat to the body from the fluid."

While your neighbors may not love you for it, increasing how much you sweat is an effective strategy for staying cool. When sweat evaporates from your skin, energy is absorbed into the air, and this cools your body significantly.

Eat spicy food

"It's commonly thought that the hot drinks raise your core temperature, but we found that that isn't the case,"Jay also told Smithsonian."What we think is that it's the thermosensors that line the throat and mouth that elicit the additional sweating response."

And, as it turns out, those thermosensors can be triggered by more than hot liquids.

As Peter McNaughton, a neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge, told NPR, the same receptors that respond to hot heat also respond to chemicals in chili peppers. So eating a spicy curry for lunch will cause you to sweat more, thereby cooling you down.

Relocate

Even if you company has a no-work-from-home rule, during the hot summer months you may still want to ask if you can work remotely — from the lobby.

If you work on the 8th floor (remember that heat rises) in a room full of computers (each of which generates heat) and people (who also generate heat), it's fairly likely that the journey from your downstairs lobby area to your office is like changing temperate zones.

If your lobby has couches or chairs and wi-fi and you have a laptop you can work from, you might be better off working there during the hottest times of the day. Technically, you're still at work, even if your boss can't see you.

For many of us, staying in a luxury home or villa on vacation is a pipe dream — especially when those accommodations cost hundreds or thousands of dollars a night. 

Airbnb is known for being home to inexpensive rentals, but it also hosts a number of luxurious homes that are up for grabs. Many of these luxury listings are outside of most budgets, but just because you can't actually afford to stay at an English manor or an Italian villa doesn't mean you shouldn't get to see inside. 

Below is a round-up of some of the most luxurious homes for rent on Airbnb. For more, check out Airbnb's list of luxury rentals from around the world. 

SEE ALSO: Airbnb raises $1 billion in debt financing to create new travel services

Island Harbour, Anguilla

For a casual $2,100 per night, you can rent out Villa Amarilla in Island Harbor, Anguilla. The five-bedroom luxury villa can accommodate up to 10 guests and has an infinity pool, private gym, and offers stunning views of the ocean.

Cartagena De Indias, Colombia

Located in the heart of Barrio San Diego in Cartagena, Colombia, this home sleeps eight guests and offers an open-air terrace, pool, and piano salon. The house is available to rent for $721 per night. 

Penafiel, Portugal

Located in the city of Porto, this rustic home features an infinity pool, four bedrooms, and views of the Duoro river. This cottage is — comparably — a steal at only $301 per night. 

Favoritism is alive and well in the workplace.

"Given the complexities involved in relationships at work and the myriad of factors that determine how much we like someone or respect their talents, it's simply human nature that we are going to, no matter how subtly, and despite our best intentions, play favorites," says Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage."

Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," agrees and says there's often a fine line between bosses who appreciate an employee's good work and want to empower the person with more projects, and bosses who favor that employee to the detriment of others.

"If bosses are brazen in practicing favoritism, they can seriously hurt team morale and increase turnover — not to mention cause legal trouble by creating a hostile work environment," Taylor says.

Plus, she says, the more you're singled out and given special treatment, the more risk associated with securing the cooperation you need from your team. "It can put an overall strain on your productivity because your work should always be the focus," Taylor says. "Your office is not a popularity contest — and when it is, your days of glory can be fleeting."

If you suspect you're being favored, take a second to feel flattered, then stay humble, remain professionals, and talk to your boss if things get out of hand.

Here are 14 signs you're the boss' favorite:

SEE ALSO: 12 signs you're about to be promoted at work

They include you in more meetings than your colleagues

This is a key sign, as it shows they respect your judgment and wisdom, and they recognize that you have positive contributions to make, says Kerr.

"No one enjoys being in meetings with people they don't have an affinity toward, so it's a reasonably good sign they also like you as a person." 

You're chosen for all the plum projects

When you're elected the boss' "fave," you often feel like you're on a roll and can't lose; one great project follows another.

"Your boss feels like you have a proven track record and is almost doubling down each time you get more responsibility because you're a good bet," says Taylor.

You are their go-to person in a crisis

If you are the first on your boss' radar for getting things done or dealing with a crisis, it means they have an enormous amount of trust in your abilities, Kerr says. 

A recent report from the US Congressional Research Service details how China's navy, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), has undergone a stunning modernization push that puts it near parity with the US.

In fact, China's military posture and prowess in the Western Pacific presents the US with a challenge unseen since the end of the Cold War. 

By perfecting deadly ballistic and cruise missiles, by buying and designing submarines, planes, and surface ships, by cracking down on corruption and improving internal organization and logistics, the PLAN presents US naval planners with plenty to think about going forward.

Though few expect a military conflict to emerge between the world's two biggest economies, China's brinkmanship in the South China Sea has lead observers to describe their strategy of escalation as a kind of "salami-slicing," or steadily taking small steps to militarize the region without taking any one step that could be viewed as a cause to go to war.

However, the US military, with its global network of allies, doesn't have the luxury of choosing which conflicts to get involved in, and therefore must take every threat seriously.

In the slides below, see how the PLAN has shaped into a world-class navy capable of dominating the South China Sea, and even the entire Western Pacific, if left unchecked.

SEE ALSO: A Hong Kong bookseller revealed explosive details about his 8-month detention in mainland China

China's naval mission

Those who observe China's specific modernization goals, as well as their expressed intents in their actions, have determined that the PLAN's mission most likely focuses on the following goals:

1. To possibly curb Taiwan's continued attempts at independence militarily.

2.  Asserting or defending China's territorial claims in the South China Sea and East China Sea and generally exercising more control over the South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars of trade passes every year.

3.  Enforcing China's assertion that it has a legal right to regulate foreign military activities in its 200-mile maritime exclusive economic zone, despite the protestations of their neighbors in the region.

4. Defending China's commercial sea lines of communication with military and trading partners.

5. Usurping the US as the dominant regional power in the Western Pacific, and promoting China as a major world power.

Source: Congressional Research Service

Ballistic missiles

China's DF-21D "Carrier Killer" ballistic missile is the cause of much concern for US naval planners. The missile has a tremendous range of about 810 nautical miles, far beyond the range of a US aircraft carriers' highest-endurance planes, effectively denying them the luxury of lurking off China's coast in the Western Pacific while in striking range.

The DF-21D uses a range of sensors to adjust its course during firing. This means that it can hit a moving target at sea in sub-optimal conditions and presents difficulties to any missile trying to intercept it. The DF-21D can deliver a high-explosive, radio-frequency, or even cluster warheads, which all but guarantee a kill, even against a formidable target such as a US aircraft carrier.

Source: Congressional Research Service 

Submarines

The PLAN's submarine fleet continues to undergo a modernization push that focuses on "counter-intervention" tactics against a modern adversary. The force has acquired 12 of Russia's Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines and launched no fewer than four new classes of indigenously made submarines, all of which are vastly more capable than the Cold-War era vessels they're replacing.

The PLAN has launched two diesel-electric (Song and Yuan class), and two nuclear classes (Jin and Shang class). But the Shang class was stopped after only two hulls were produced, which led the DOD to speculate that the PLAN may be exploring an updated version of this class.

As the DOD states:

Over the next decade, China may construct a new Type 095 nuclear powered, guided-missile attack submarine (SSBN), which not only would improve the PLA Navy’s anti-surface warfare capability, but might also provide it with a more clandestine, land-attack option.

Additionally, the Jin class can be armed with 12 JL-2 nuclear-armed submarine-launched ballistic missiles, which, given the submarine's range, could potentially hit any of the 50 states in the US from locations in the Pacific. 

Source: Congressional Research Service

Money is serious business.

That's never more apparent than when you see taxes come out of your paycheck, or calculate the price tag on the European vacation you want so badly, or watch your credit card payment get deducted from your checking account.

In fact, it's often when money doesn't feel real that we find ourselves in financial trouble. That's where you encounter people who rack up thousands in debt before realizing or lottery winners who spend what seems like an endless supply of cash. When you don't recognize the truth, you can get in trouble ... fast.

Below, find nine hard truths every adult should learn to accept about money.

SEE ALSO: 15 lifelong money lessons you're never taught in school

You don't get what you don't ask for

Personal finance journalist and author Farnoosh Torabi puts it succinctly: "You don't get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate."

The first step to negotiating is simply asking. See a job you want? Ask for it. A discount you should get? Ask for it. A project you're dying to work on? Ask.

Lee E. Miller, co-author of "A Woman's Guide to Successful Negotiating" with his daughter Jessica, finds that women in particular have trouble asking for what they want. 

One tactic Miller has seen among women is to accept a position without negotiating, with the intention of proving their worth and then approaching their employer for a raise.

But, he explains, there's a flaw in that approach. "If you start too low, your raise is on that too-low base. Aren't you better off getting an additional $10,000 up front and then getting the same 10% raise down the road? You should always be negotiating the best possible deal that you can."

He acknowledges that sometimes an employee isn't in the best position to get more than the initial offer right off the bat. That's fine, he says, but go in with a strategy. "It's very typical if you're changing fields or you need new skills, to get the experience and then ask for the raise. If you can't get it after all that, be willing to change jobs, because someone will be willing to pay you."

Your wealth is in your hands

Many of the richest, most powerful people in the world are self-made. Take Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who grew up in a poor Chicago neighborhood before going on to start a company that's earned him an estimated $49 billion net worth. Or John Paul DeJoria, who spent time living out of his car before founding John Paul Mitchell systems and amassing an estimated $3.1 billion net worth.

Those examples are probably outliers, but the truth is that in most cases, whether you aspire to great wealth or simply the ability to pay your monthly bills without stress, the financial fairy isn't going to swoop down and grant you net worth. It's up to you.

There are plenty of ways to learn about money — but you have to seek them out. Start with some of our favorite websites to bookmark, books to read, and online courses to take.

Credit cards aren't money

It's a fine line: Credit cards are a tool to spend money, not a source of funds.

You could argue that a line of credit is, technically, a source of funds in the form of a temporary loan from the credit card company, but that's a slippery slope. When you're using credit cards as money, instead of as a vehicle to spend the money you actually have, it's alarmingly easy to spend beyond your means.

(And in case it's unclear, spending beyond your means is the most basic financial misstep a person can make. It can lead to dings on your credit score, more expensive loans in the future, and the hideously stressful state of knowing you're responsible for hugely expensive debt.)

LinkedIn founder and chairman Reid Hoffman commended Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's "bold" leadership style in a 2014 interview with Motley Fool, and soon the two will be working closely together.

Their companies announced Monday that Microsoft will be acquiring LinkedIn for $26.2 billion by the end of the calendar year.

Hoffman is known as one of the wisest minds in Silicon Valley, and in his 2014 book "The Alliance" he rethinks the relationship between managers and employees.

In it, Hoffman and entrepreneurs Ben Casnocha and Chris Yeh explain how employers can attract and retain the best employees through the formation of alliances where everyone wins.

The authors sent Business Insider a presentation outlining their book's main principles, which we've included below.

SEE ALSO: Meet the top 100 business visionaries creating value for the world

Those who work in media cross paths with a lot of interns.

Business Insider, for example, has an extensive internship program, which not only gives burgeoning reporters job experience and guidance but also provides editors and reporters with the experience of managing people.

To help readers glean lessons on what not to do as they begin their own internships this summer, I asked my colleagues who have managed or worked with (or as) interns about the worst mistakes they have seen interns make (or made themselves) at Business Insider and beyond.

Their stories don't disappoint. Here's what my coworkers had to share:

SEE ALSO: 33 things you should never say to your boss

DON'T MISS: 18 unprofessional habits that could ruin your job interview

Oversharing

"I had an intern a couple of jobs ago who told us on his first day that he was psychic and could predict our requests, and then he made us sit down to listen to his divination podcast."

Complaining

"I had an intern request a meeting, and they had a prepared a long list of complaints and grievances.

"I understand that sometimes things do not work out exactly as you expect. But this is the worst way to handle it. If you are struggling early on, go to your manager with a list of questions, not complaints. It is way too early to become a problem employee. And looking for the problems will only keep you from seeing the opportunities."

Assuming

"I once worked at a magazine where another intern committed a cardinal sin of journalism: She didn't understand the difference between transcribing an interview and paraphrasing it. Her script butchered the source's quotes and nearly got the writer in loads of trouble. So, whether you work in media, finance, or law, you may be asked to transcribe something someday. Ask how the person likes it prepared."

Few travel moments inspire that feeling of “we’re not in Kansas anymore” quite like visiting a city tucked into a scenic hillside.

Unlike cities with streets in a grid pattern, these destinations evoke nostalgia thanks to their historical architecture and awe due to the natural geology that made development challenging.

From the seaside towns of Italy’s Cinque Terre to the colorful homes of Valparaíso, Chile, these Pinterest-worthy places are what wanderlust is all about: iconic vistas, architectural gems, rich history, and discovering the new, the old, and the in-between.

When it comes to these 11 hillside destinations, you’ll want to have your camera ready.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Technically a string of five separate villages (hence the cinque—meaning “five”—moniker), this Italian vacation spot is beloved by both locals and tourists. Located on the coast of the Italian Riviera in the Liguria region, Cinque Terre is known for its rocky beaches, colorful homes, and seaside culture—locals have traditionally worked as fishermen. 

The five towns—Monterosso al Mare,Vernazza, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, andManarola—can be traversed by train, by boat, or, in what is perhaps the most popular tourist activity in the area, by hiking trails that run through the scenic cliffs overlooking the sparkling waters.

Santorini, Greece

Though Santorini is a province and not an individual town, white-and-blue hillside villages are emblematic of this Greek island. The destination’s two largest cities, Fira and Oia, are most popular with visitors and offer the quintessential Santorini experience—including the cliffsides that won over viewers of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants back in 2005.

But the history of this popular tourist destination goes back much further, to when the island’s active volcano helped form its now-iconic crescent shape. Today, tourists flock to Santorini for its romantic sunsets, warm beaches, and renowned culinary scene.

Rocamadour, France

More than just a tourist destination, the hillside village of Rocamadour is considered a sacred site for religious pilgrimages. Located in the south-central region of France about 100 miles north of Toulouse, Rocamadour is home to the Cité Réligieuse complex, a series of spiritually significant sites including the Chapelle Notre Dame, which is home to the Black Madonna shrine, and the ancient Basilique Saint-Sauveur.

Rocamadour is also home to La Foret des Singes, a monkey forest where visitors can get up close and personal with the town’s furry residents.

While Pixar has made a number of sequels that have gone the traditional route with their leads — putting characters like Woody, Buzz, Mike, and Sully back in the spotlight — both "Cars 2" and "Finding Dory" are different, in that they almost could be considered spin-offs. In each case, a popular supporting character from the first movie winds up getting their own special adventure. This got us thinking — what other supporting characters from Pixar history could carry their own film?

That thinking turned into a list that you can read below.

SEE ALSO: Pixar's most and least successful movies at the box office, ranked

Dug

Of all the characters on this list, Dug from "Up" is the one character with which I'm honestly surprised Pixar hasn't done more. Beyond his part in the Pete Docter movie, he had the titular role in the home video short "Dug's Special Mission," but that isn't much more than an explanation as to what happened to the dumb-but-lovable dog in the run-up to his run-in with Carl Fredricksen and Russell. The Bob Peterson-voiced golden retriever is a great and inventive take on the classic talking dog cliché, and the reality is that he's a character you could watch on any kind of adventure and enjoy. Dug stuck in a western? Sure. Dug in a space ship stuck in space? Why not. Dug and his bird pal Kevin paired up in a take on buddy cops. We'll take it.

Eve

In the same way that "Finding Dory" shifted character focus after "Finding Nemo," Eve would be a pretty easy sell as the central protagonist of a future "Wall-E" follow-up. The Andrew Stanton film certainly gave her a great, classic arc, transforming from an emotionless (literal) robot to being more open and free, and a sequel could take that even further. After all, Wall-E really knows his way around on Earth, while Eve would potentially lost in the re-growing world. She has just as much protagonist potential as her little trash compactor companion, and just because of the nature of the character, it would be great to see what the minds at Pixar could come up with in terms of a unique and fitting storyline.

Rex

Rex is actually one of the few characters not named "Woody" or "Buzz" to get his own lead part in a "Toy Story"-related project — landing his own little short in the form of 2012's "Partysaurus Rex" — and we wouldn't say no to more. The Wallace Shawn-voiced dinosaur is classically known as the most timid and excitable member of the Toy Story gang, and that makes him a perfect candidate for an adventure with high stakes that pushes Rex to his limits. We got a taste of the potential with his video game antics in "Toy Story 2," and the series has also already introduced a perfect companion for him in Kristen Schaal's Trixie. We know that he will be back in action with a supporting role in the upcoming "Toy Story 4," but who knows what the future could hold.

At some point in our lives, many of us will be buying a home.

It's never too early to start saving.

Ideally, you'll want to make a 20% down payment— anything lower and you will have to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI), which is a safety net for the bank in case you fail to make your payments.

We looked at the median price of homes in 15 major metro areas from the National Association of Realtors, and calculated how much it would cost you to put a 20% down payment on a median-priced home.

We then determined how much you would have to save each day over the course of five, ten, or 15 years to reach that goal.

It's less than you might think.

Our calculations assume this money will go into a savings account with negligible interest. While investing your savings might make them grow faster, experts generally advise against investing money you'll need in the near future. Bear in mind, also, that accumulating enough for a down payment doesn't necessarily mean you can afford a house— aside from closing and moving costs, you should be prepared to pay a mortgage, taxes, and maintenance on a monthly basis.

Here's how much you need to set aside each day to put a 20% down payment on a house in 15 major metros:

SEE ALSO: How to buy a home you can afford, in 9 steps

Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land

Median home price: $208,000 

20% down payment: $41,600

How much you'd need to save for a down payment:

5 years: $22.80 / day

10 years: $11.40 / day

15 years: $7.60 / day 

Chicago-Naperville-Joliet

Median home price: $208,600

20% down payment: $41,720

How much you'd need to save for a down payment:

5 years: $22.90 / day

10 years: $11.45 / day

15 years: $7.60 / day 

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington

Median home price: $222,800 

20% down payment: $44,560

How much you'd need to save for a down payment:

5 years: $24.40 / day

10 years: $12.20 / day

15 years: $8.15 / day 

Buying a laptop is a big investment, but the right choice can make you happy for years.

To help you find your perfect laptop, we've assembled a list of the best laptops for all preferences and budgets.

We've included high-end powerhouses with stunning displays, gorgeous works of design, and inexpensive options that give you the basics without breaking the bank.

Here are the 11 best laptops on the market that give you the most value:

SEE ALSO: The 11 best smartphones you should seriously consider buying this holiday season

If you're looking for a high-end laptop but also love tablets, Microsoft's Surface Book is the perfect all-in-one.

Microsoft turned plenty of heads with the announcement of the Microsoft Surface Book, its first laptop.

What makes it so special? The screen actually detaches to become a powerful, lightweight tablet on its own. And some models of Microsoft Surface Book go so far as to include a dedicated graphics unit right in the keyboard base, making it a gaming and video-editing powerhouse. In fact, Microsoft says it's twice as powerful as an Apple MacBook Pro.

Price: Starts at $1,499

If you want a taste of the future, Apple's gorgeous new MacBook is the perfect choice.

Apple's newest MacBook is a departure for the company. It only has one port, for USB-C, meaning you'll need adapters and USB hubs to use most of your existing accessories. And its performance can't stack up against beefier laptops.

But it's also razor-thin, light, and fast — and gets amazing battery life. The new MacBook's track pad also supports Apple's new "Force Touch" feature that detects how hard you're pushing down and reacts accordingly.

Most of all, it's gorgeous and actually thinner than a MacBook Air. It's a great, stylish choice for those who need it for basic everyday tasks like reading email, browsing the web, and watching video.

The company refreshed the line in April, adding sixth-generation Intel processors and a "Rose Gold" color option. 

Price: Starts at $1,299

If you want the best business laptop, Lenovo's ThinkPad T460 is a reliable fan favorite among professionals.

The successor to Lenovo's fan-favorite T450 line are the T460s. These laptops are sturdy, fast, and reliable, and come with tons of ports that those using their laptop for business-oriented tasks will appreciate. 

The T460 (unlike the T460s), also comes with a swappable battery, which makes it easily serviceable. The T460 gets a reported 14 hours of battery life from its dual-battery setup, and is currently getting better reviews from users than the other laptops in the line.

Price:Starts at $809.10

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As smartphones have become more ubiquitous, the number of things they can actually do has expanded.

There's a whole industry devoted to making add-ons for the computer in your pocket, and while a good chunk of them aren't exactly necessary for day-to-day life, they're often fun and creative enough to be worth it for the right niche of people.

No one device gets more of these weird little add-ons than the iPhone, so here are a few accessories for Apple's flagship device that we enjoy, even if they aren't totally practical.

SEE ALSO: Bose’s latest Bluetooth headphones are one of the most well-rounded pairs you can buy

SEE ALSO: Amazon has slashed the prices of its newest Echo smart speaker and Kindle e-readers

External camera flash

If you find the flash of the current iPhone camera to be subpar, Concepter wants to help with the iBlazr 2. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth and integrates right into the default camera app on iOS — all you have to do is point and shoot.

You can adjust the iBlazr 2's light temperature and power on the device itself, and activate the flash by double tapping its back. Its creators say the light created by the iBlazr 2 is comparable to a "small but powerful flashlight." So while you shouldn't expect the same results you'd get in broad daylight, the iBlazr 2 will provide significantly more light than the standard iPhone camera's flash.

Concepter iBlazr 2 LED Wireless Flash, $59.95, available at Amazon.

Attachable shutter button

If you're looking for a way to protect your phone and bring back memories from your old point-and-shoot camera days, consider the SNAP! PRO by bitplay. The case is made out of shock-absorbing material to help your iPhone from the perils of the laws of physics, and the physical shutter button works with the default camera app. The SNAP! PRO also has a grip, which should help cut down on your number of blurry photos.

bitplay SNAP!Pro, $53.10, available at Amazon.

Attachable camera lens

Speaking of interchangeable lenses, Loha Life's solution lets you take macro and wide-angle shots on the go with a level of detail that the iPhone's default shooter can't quite match. This is a newer entry in the add-on market, but it's got stellar reviews on Amazon, it comes with a lifetime warranty, and it works with Android phones too. 

LOHA Premium Camera Lens, $26.99, available at Amazon.

They don't call it the Netflix "library" for nothing. Netflix has a wide range of titles that take complex issues — the food industry, homelessness, sweatshops — and breaks them down in accessible, interesting ways.

The reason these are the best of Netflix's many "brainy" entries is they all share a multifaceted approach — looking at the economics, social, and cultural angles of each problem while also keeping us tied to a single, compelling narrative.  

Six incredible, stimulating documentaries, all streaming on Netflix, will make you smarter by not just introducing you to new ideas, but complicating each idea and revealing their many connections to the world at large. 

"Bottled Life: Nestlé's Business with Water"

The business of bottled water can seem strange: Water is everywhere. so why should we have to pay for it? But sadly, water's abundance is a myth. As "Bottled Life" reveals, more children in the developing world die from drinking contaminated water than from conflict, traffic accidents, or HIV.

Clean water is a matter of life or death for millions, but Swiss company Nestlé, the worldwide leader in selling bottled water to the global poor, makes millions as people across the globe exhaust their few resources for mere sips of water.

Rethink water, poverty, and the surprising international consequences of something as simple as bottled water in this documentary. 

Watch the trailer | Watch the film  

"Lost Angels: Skid Row is My Home"

Can justice exist in a place like Skid Row?

This documentary takes viewers to Skid Row, Los Angeles, an extremely impoverished area in downtown LA with a huge number of homeless people. Mixing interviews with activists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, as well as Skid Row residents themselves, "Lost Angels" humanizes the people that society would rather forget: criminals, the mentally ill, drug addicts, and the homeless.  

What exactly causes widespread homelessness and drug addiction? "Lost Angels," if nothing else, helps viewers understand exactly the scope of such a question. The documentary looks at how an exploding population of the unemployed led to a city of strife.

Rampant unemployment and extremely cheap substandard housing led to an underground economy of drugs and petty crime. Attempts to "clean up" the area led to widespread arrests. But those arrested, once released, would only return to Skid Row with even fewer job prospects and little else to do but continue the cycle of petty crime. Learn what brings a city to its knees, and what might save it, in "Lost Angels."

Watch the trailer | Watch the film  

"The Square"

"The Square" follows the 2011 Egyptian revolution against then-president Hosni Mubarak in Tahrir Square. A site of huge cultural and religious significance, Tahrir Square was the site of violent clashes between soldiers, demonstrators, revolting citizens, and pro-Mubarak forces.

Winning three Emmy awards and an incredible 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the documentary remains tightly focused on Tahrir Square itself and its status as an essential part of the Egyptian identity. Any student of history should enjoy how "The Square" presents audiences with a nuanced, prismatic look at a radically changing national identity.

Watch the trailer | Watch the film 

Many people today don’t often use coins or paper money anymore, preferring instead the convenience of a credit card, debit card, or even a smartphone. But the history of currency in the United States is actually (surprisingly) very fascinating.

For example, did you know that there were redbacks before there were greenbacks? And that after the Revolutionary War our currency was so worthless that the phrase “not worth a Continental” was a regular part of everyday language?

But beyond these interesting tidbits, the evolution of American currency helps to frame the history of finance in the United States, as our rapidly expanding nation struggled, failed, and ultimately succeeded in creating a reliable monetary and banking system. Creating trust in paper notes has been an enduring theme in the history of American finance, banking, and currency.

So, read on below for a brief glimpse of America’s – and your wallet’s – financial history.

1. Continental Currency (1775-1790)

To finance the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress issued paper money, backed by the “anticipation” of tax revenues. It was the first federally issued paper money. Without solid backing and easily counterfeited, the Continental currency notes quickly became devalued, giving rise to the phrase “not worth a Continental.” Continental currency depreciated rapidly, becoming practically worthless by the end of the war.

2. Silver Coins (1792-1863)

Congress passed the first Coinage Act in 1792 giving the United States Mint responsibility for creating coins for public use. Silver coin is usually 90% silver with the remaining 10% of copper for strength. The law directed money to be made from copper, silver, and gold. Today, these coins (quarters and dimes) are comprised of 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy.

3. Gold Coins (1795-Present)

In 1795, the first official gold coins were minted in the United States. When gold was discovered in California in 1948, two new denominations were struck, the gold dollar and the double eagle. Popular among collectors, modern gold coins are used primarily for investment purposes.