We ordered a Mahjong set, added all the fun accessories, and figured we’d be playing in no time. Then a seasoned player gave us a reality check: Mahjong isn’t exactly a learn-as-you-go kind of game. Turns out, there’s a bit more to it than we expected—but that’s part of the appeal. Here’s what to know before you dive in.

What is Mahjong? (And why is it trending?)

Mahjong is a four-player, tile-based game that originated in Qing Dynasty China. It made its U.S. debut in 1920 and quickly became a popular pastime. In 1937, a group of women formed the National Maj Jongg League. Their goal was to standardize the game we now know as American Mahjong so that all players would abide by the same rules and play the same hands. Today, the National Maj Jongg League continues to be the arbitrator of all things American Mahjong. To keep things interesting, the League releases a new playing card with official standard hands and rules each year.

And it is indeed interesting! So much so that the game is seeing a major revival among younger generations. “Mahjong is having a real moment, and it makes sense. People are craving more face-to-face, screen-free ways to spend time together, especially ones that feel a little more intentional than just grabbing a drink,” says Megan Trottier, Founder and CEO of Oh My Mahjong. “Mahjong naturally lends itself to that. It’s tactile, communal, and has a built-in sense of ritual, which makes it feel like a whole experience rather than just a game!”

So why couldn’t we teach ourselves to play? In short, there are rules. Lots and lots of rules which can be tricky to memorize and master. “You can read the rules but putting them into play, learning the suits and what goes together, plus the smaller rules and etiquette—it’s a lot,” says veteran Mahjong player Bernice Beitman. “It’s helpful to have a teacher.” Bernice, who has been playing Mahjong for over 30 years, plays twice each week and has served as my group’s teacher for the past several months. Once you learn the rules, you can start to develop your own strategy.

According to Bernice, patience and good sportsmanship are crucial. “You have to have a lot of patience. Especially if you have a new player or a new card,” she explains. And while games can get competitive, that’s part of what makes Mahjong so fun.

What do you need to get started?

There are tons of Mahjong products on the market. Here’s what you need in order to play:

• National Mah Jongg League playing card: Every player needs an official card which is good for an entire year. New cards are released every April and cost $14 for a standard card and $15 for a large print card. I play with a large print card and it’s worth the extra $1. Cards can be purchased on the League’s website.
• American Mahjong tiles: There are several versions of the game, each with its own set of rules and tile counts. American Mahjong uses 152 tiles. Tiles are categorized into three suits, numbered one through nine:

• • Dots: Represented by circles
  • Bamboo (or Bams): Represented by bamboo shoots with the number one often being depicted as a bird
  • Craks (or characters): Features Chinese characters
  • In addition to the suits, there are Winds, Dragons, Flowers and Jokers

Mahjong sets vary in price. You can scoop up a budget-friendly set for around $100 or invest in a high quality set for a few hundred dollars. We’ve even seen designer sets priced at more than $15,000. In short, you can expect to spend a pretty penny on a good Mahjong set.

“Mahjong sets are inherently more complex than your average board game. You’re not just buying a box or a deck, you’re investing in a full set of weighted tiles, often made from materials like acrylic or resin, plus racks, dice, a case, mats, and more,” explains Trottier. “The craftsmanship, materials, and sheer number of components all contribute to the price point. But all of those pieces also make it feel like a beautiful, lasting investment, something you’ll bring out and use for years to come.”

Top Mahjong Picks

Oh My Mahjong Gemma Tiles

$400 at Oh My Mahjong

Purple is my favorite color, which is why I selected this stunning set from Oh My Mahjong. Yes, it’s an investment, but the acrylic tiles aren’t just pretty. They’re incredibly well made and I have no doubt they’ll stand the test of time.

Lilac Rack and Pusher Set

$60 at Oh My Mahjong

According to Beitman, racks and pushers are a must. While there are some who opt to play without them, I’m glad I ordered this rack and pusher set to match my tiles. It keeps all of my tiles neat and organized during setup and play.

Oh My Mahjong Amethyst Mat

$80 at Oh My Mahjong

Shop on Anthropologie

Okay, you don’t technically need a gorgeous Mahjong mat to match your tiles, but there’s plenty to love about this one. It’s made of smooth neoprene so your tiles can be moved effortlessly and quietly. And, as a relatively new player, I find the printed reminders about Jokers, Dragons and the Charleston to be especially helpful.

Mark & Graham Mini American Mahjong Set

Shop on Mark & Graham

Mahj on the go with this travel set from Mark & Graham. It includes 166 tiles, two dice, four mini racks and one tile bag that can be personalized for an additional fee.

Mini Mahjer Family Learn to Play Mahjong Set

Shop on Anthropologie

Shop on Uncommon Goods

Designed with the youngest Mahjong players in mind, this Mini Majer beginner set will walk the whole family through the basics. It includes 160 lightweight tiles, one neoprene game mat, four acrylic racks, four “Mini Mahjer” cards, one storage bag and one magnetic storage box.

American Mahjong Game Set

Shop on Amazon

If you want to try your hand at Mahjong without breaking the bank, then this affordable Mahjong set is for you. It comes with everything you need to play neatly packaged in a fabric carrying case.

Spools Floating Mahjong Tile Set

Shop on Anthropologie

A Mahjong pool party? Count us in! These lightweight tiles are splash resistant and designed to float. Just be sure to rinse them off in fresh water and let them air dry completely after use.

Weezie Signature Toiletry Bag

$73 at Weezie

Don’t have a fancy storage bag or box for your tiles? “Makeup bags are perfect for keeping tiles,” says Beitman. We love Weezie’s Mahjong toiletry bag. It’s perfect for toting your tiles and makes a great gift for your Mahjong loving bestie.

Mahjong Coasters

Shop on Uncommon Goods

Whether you’re hosting or looking for the perfect hostess gift, look no further than these Mahjong coasters. Each coaster features a different foundational element of the game as well as visual breakdowns of tiles and the Charleston for easy reference.

Lucky Mahjong Socks

Shop on Uncommon Goods

Shop on Walmart

We’re not saying these lucky Mahjong socks will help you win a hand or two, but we’re not not saying that either. Either way, donning a pair to your next game certainly wouldn’t hurt.

The post Mahjong Is Trending (Again)—Here’s What to Know Before You Start Playing appeared first on Reader's Digest.

So should you do it for health reasons, to have food on hand in case you get stuck on a runway … or for some other reason entirely? Well, there’s actually a wild scientific reason we all should pack a bite for the flight.

To get the full story, I reached out to Abby Thiel, PhD, a food scientist in Madison, Wisconsin, and Angel Luk, a registered dietitian and the author of You Can’t Out-Train a Bad Diet. Read on for the details on what foods to pack from home or grab at the airport—and why you’ll be glad you knew this insider tip before that cart wheels down the aisle.

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Why should you bring your own food on a flight?

Being on a plane affects your senses, making food taste more blah. “Flying doesn’t actually change the food itself—it changes how your body experiences it,” Thiel says.

Worse, airlines know food tastes bland in the air—Lufthansa even studied this effect using a flight simulator—and as a result, they overcompensate when preparing meals (more on this coming up). Bringing your own food will give you something tastier and healthier to eat.

How, exactly, does air travel affect our senses?

Being miles-high in the air seriously alters our sense of taste in several ways. “At cruising altitude, most people have a harder time detecting sweet and salty flavors,” Thiel says, citing studies that have shown those tastes can lessen by as much as about 30%. Other tastes, like bitter and sour, stay relatively unchanged, and umami—that savory taste—can actually become more noticeable.

“That’s why food can taste flat overall,” she says, “but something like tomato juice can still taste surprisingly good.” Here’s what’s going on.

Being on a plane alters our sense of smell

Here’s a (fun!) science lesson: Our sense of taste is strongly influenced by our sense of smell, Thiel says. But planes do you no favors on this front. The cabin is extremely dry (typically around 10% to 20% humidity), and that sucks the moisture out of your nose and mouth. Meanwhile, changes in cabin pressure swell your sinuses and nasal passages.

That leaves you with a temporarily diminished sense of smell and taste. In the air, “your ability to detect aromas drops, and everything tastes more muted,” Thiel says.

The low humidity makes our taste buds less effective

On top of all that, the low cabin humidity directly impairs our ability to pick up flavors. “Dryness reduces saliva, which under normal conditions helps dissolve taste molecules so they can interact with your taste buds,” Thiel explains. “But with less saliva, fewer of those molecules actually make it to your taste receptors.”

Cabin noise (yes, noise) alters our taste perception

Weirdly enough, our sense of hearing plays a role in how foods taste. Ambient cabin noise warps our sense of taste, according to a Cornell study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. The researchers had people taste sweet, salty, sour and umami flavors in a room with the background noise of a typical aircraft cabin (80 to 85 decibels) and in a quieter space. Eating in noisy conditions made umami taste stronger, while it made sweetness and saltiness less pronounced.

And, as it turns out, background noise can even dull our taste perception on the ground. “A loud, distracting noise, like in a busy restaurant, forces your brain to divert resources to processing that sound,” Thiel says. “The cognitive load can reduce the attention you pay to sensory input like smell and taste, making food seem less appealing or less flavorful overall.” Maybe that’s why you love eating in a quiet restaurant?

What does this mean for our food in the air?

Since flying affects our senses and makes food generally taste more blah, airlines tend to add excess sodium and flavoring, Thiel says. This can backfire, though, making plane grub taste too salty or faux-flavored (think: bad frozen pizza seasoning).

“The sodium content of airplane food may be higher to combat the altitude-related change in our taste buds,” Luk says. Still, no need to panic, she adds. “The portions are much smaller than a typical restaurant or even home-cooked meal, so the net difference in total sodium may be quite negligible.”

Is there any other reason to skip airplane food?

You definitely should BYO if you have special food needs (like food allergies) or want to make sure you get to enjoy something flavorful in the sky. But, you ask, if being in the air makes food seem bland, won’t your food from home taste that way too? It will … unless you tweak the flavorings.

“A good rule of thumb is that if something tastes perfectly seasoned on the ground, it’ll probably taste a little bland in the air,” Thiel says. So the trick is to bring umami-rich options (more on that below).

Bringing your own food on a plane also gives you complete control over your food. Airlines have gotten bad press on occasion for outbreaks of foodborne illness traced back to their water supply, and airplanes tend to be germy, so why not?

How can we actually enjoy what we eat in the air?

You have tons of options, though there are a few ground rules (or is it air rules?) to know about. First, on the TSA front: When it comes to liquid or gel food (jelly, peanut butter, cream cheese), you are limited to 3.4 ounces or less. And you can’t take fresh fruits and vegetables if you’re flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland, to prevent the spread of pests. Check in with your airline before flying to make sure it doesn’t have any further restrictions.

That still leaves plenty of choice. Overall, “umami-rich foods like tomato-based dishes, mushrooms or anything with soy sauce tend to hold up well,” Thiel says. “Adding some acidity, like lemon juice or vinegar, can also help brighten the flavor.” Another mile-high taste tip: Use grated ginger—it is umami, one of the reasons you may feel drawn to ginger ale on planes.

Don’t bother adding sugar, maple syrup, or salt to make up for the dull flavor—it won’t help much and will only make your food less healthy, Thiel says. Instead, lean in to savory. “You want foods that have a bit more intensity overall and are slightly tangy and well-seasoned, so that even after that in-flight ‘dulling effect,’ they still taste balanced,” Thiel says.

Homemade meals and snacks that will have great flavor in the air

• Pasta salad with lemon vinaigrette, olives and Parmesan
• Farro bowl with roasted vegetables, cubed cheddar cheese and balsamic vinaigrette
• Homemade berry and seed muffins made with almond flour or other high-protein flour
• Roasted chickpeas, crunchy edamame or broad bean (fava bean) snacks

Luk emphasizes that plant-protein snacks are “excellent options.” You can make them yourself or buy them in a variety of savory options.

Premade picks that will also be tasty on the plane

• Hummus with vegetables or whole-grain crackers
• Yogurt parfait packaged with granola and fruit
• Egg salad and lettuce sandwich on multigrain bread
• A boxed salad with chicken breast and vinaigrette

For that last one, Luk suggests pairing it with a bag of pretzels for some carbs if there are no croutons or dried fruit in the box.

If you don’t have time to prep a meal or buy one at an airport kiosk, here’s another tip: Order the diabetes or vegetarian option through the airline. “They can be good choices even for people who do not have diabetes or follow a vegetarian lifestyle,” Luk says. “They’re generally higher in protein and fiber, helpful in maintaining satiety and post-meal blood sugars, and lower in saturated fat, which is helpful if you’re watching your cholesterol levels.”

RELATED:

• The Scary Reason You Should Never Retrieve Your Phone If It Drops Between Airplane Seats—And What to Do Instead
• Here’s What to Do If You Get Stranded Abroad—And How to Prep Ahead of Time Just in Case
• A New United Airlines Rule Takes Aim at One of the Most Annoying Passenger Behaviors—Are You Guilty of It?

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Abbey Thiel, PhD, food science consultant who operates Abbey the Food Scientist; email interview, April 7, 2026
• Angel Luk, RD, co-founder of Food Mysteries and author of You Can’t Out-Train a Bad Diet; email interview, April 8, 2026
• TSA: “What Can I Bring: Food”
• Journal of Experimental Psychology: “A Crossmodal Role for Audition in Taste Perception”

This Rude Behavior Annoys Travelers

Why Pilots Wash Their Windows with Soda

The Most Punctual Airlines in America

The post Yes, You Can Bring Your Own Food on a Plane, and Here’s Why It’s Such a Smart Move appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Paying for rent, groceries and a used car hasn’t gotten any easier over the past two decades, and a new report from InvestorsObserver has the stats to prove it. People are actually working multiple days more than they used to every year just to afford basic necessities!

How many more days are we talking? Ahead, we dive into the report, and it’s not pretty. Read on to learn just how many more days you’re putting in to keep a roof over your head, your car on the road and food on the table.

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How did the report determine the number of extra days people needed to work?

InvestorsObserver compared what Americans earn per hour with the cost of three essentials—rent, groceries and saving for a used car—across all 50 states, looking at how those numbers changed from 2007 to 2025. Using government and industry data, it then calculated how many eight-hour workdays it would take to afford those basics in each of those years.

To do this, researchers pulled wage data from federal sources, rent estimates from housing agencies, grocery prices based on a fixed list of common staples and used-car costs from industry reports. They then combined yearly expenses (rent and food) with the amount someone would need to save annually for a car, using average vehicle ownership timelines.

The final extra-workdays figure shows how many more days the average American now needs to work to afford the same basic standard of living as in 2007.

How many extra days do you need to work to afford the basics compared with 20 years ago?

According to InvestorsObserver’s findings, the average American works seven more days per year than they did in 2007 just to stay in the same place financially. And in the hardest-hit state, workers need to log an extra 25 days per year!

If you’re scratching your head (because there are only so many days in a year, right?), here’s how to visualize this: Imagine a calendar on the wall where, starting on Jan. 1, you cross off the days you work with a big X. Today, it would take 66 days of X’s just to cover three basic necessities: paying rent, buying groceries and saving for a used car. That’s seven more days of X’s than the average American worked in 2007 to pay for the same things, and 25 more X’s in the most expensive state.

But haven’t wages gone up? They have, nearly 66% since 2007, but the cost of living has increased even faster, meaning essentials now consume a larger share of income. So even with higher wages, Americans have effectively lost ground because prices on essentials have risen faster than pay.

Which state’s workers need the most extra workdays to live like it’s 2007?

Delaware got the unfortunate top spot on this list. People here need to work 25.4 additional eight-hour workdays a year—more than five full work weeks!—just to maintain the same standard of living they had in 2007.

One of the main reasons is rising rent costs: With high demand and tight supply, Delaware’s rents jumped nearly 24% from 2007 to late 2022 and continued rising. In 2023, the state ranked among the top five states in the nation for housing costs, with a 14.5% year-over-year increase. Workers in Delaware now put in about 18 days a year just to pay for housing.

Used cars have also become significantly pricier, according to InvestorsObserver’s report. Back in 2007, the average passenger car in the U.S. was 9.2 years old, and a worker in Delaware needed about 35 hours a year to save for one. By 2025, that number rose nearly 75%, to over 61 hours. To add insult to injury, the typical car on the road got older, averaging 13 years old today.

What other states need the most extra workdays?

Many of the states topping InvestorsObserver’s list are located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the country, and all of them share a sobering reason: Skyrocketing housing costs, especially in major metropolitan areas where rent increases have significantly outpaced rises in hourly wages. West Coast states have also seen similar trends.

Here are the 10 states where workers need the most extra workdays to make ends meet:

• Delaware: 25.4 extra days
• Maryland: 18.5 extra days
• New York: 18.4 extra days
• New Jersey: 16.2 extra days
• California: 15.8 extra days
• Tennessee: 13.7 extra days
• Oregon: 13.4 extra days
• Florida: 12.9 extra days
• Massachusetts: 11.3 extra days
• Washington: 10.6 extra days

Which state’s residents work the most days to afford the basics?

Sorry, residents of Hawaii. You spend the most amount of time working to pay for necessities. According to the report, the people of the Aloha State put in 86.6 full eight-hour days each year just to afford the three basics.

Of course, it’s no secret that the cost of living in Hawaii is high in general, and that’s due to a few factors. Housing is the biggest expense, with the median price of a single-family home exceeding $1 million—the highest in the country. High taxes also don’t help things: Hawaii has one of the nation’s top individual income tax rates and an estate tax that ties for No. 1 with Washington.

Everyday goods are also more expensive in Hawaii because shipping to the islands can cost up to 300% more than routes elsewhere. This is largely due to the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, which restricts how cargo moves between U.S. ports.

What are the top 10 most expensive states?

The 10 states where people work the most extra days share a pattern: With the exception of Nevada, they are all densely populated coastal areas with sought-after cities and high costs of living. In these 10 spots, workers have to spend the most hours just to keep up—no matter how high their wages are.

Here are the states that made this top 10 list:

• Hawaii: 86.6 workdays
• New Jersey: 83.6 workdays
• Maryland: 80.9 workdays
• Delaware: 80.3 workdays
• Massachusetts: 76.5 workdays
• Rhode Island: 76.4 workdays
• California: 75.3 workdays
• Florida: 74.4 workdays
• Nevada: 74.2 workdays
• Connecticut: 72.2 workdays

So where in the U.S. can people work less but still afford the basics?

There are three states—Idaho, Arkansas and South Dakota—where you can work fewer days than you did in 2007 yet still afford rent, a used car and groceries. Not surprisingly, these three states also ranked high in affordability.

According to U.S. News & World Report, Arkansas is the No. 1 most affordable state, while South Dakota came in at No. 5. Idaho comes in a little lower, ranking 21st overall, but the cost of living in Idaho is 6% lower than the national average; housing is 14% lower, and utilities are 22% lower as well.

Here’s how many fewer workdays you need to afford the basics in these three states:

• Idaho: 4.9 fewer workdays
• Arkansas: 3.8 fewer workdays
• South Dakota: 0.2 fewer workdays

RELATED:

• Do You Live in a Cheapskate State? A New Report Says These States Give the Smallest Tips
• New Report: More Americans Want to Move to This State—And Out of This One—Than Any Others
• This Regional Accent Is Considered the Most Trustworthy in the U.S.—And the Results Will Really Surprise You!

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• InvestorsObserver: “State-by-state analysis: Americans now work up to 25 extra days a year to maintain 2007 basic living standards”
• Nerd Wallet: “Rent Growth Continues to Top Inflation— What That Means for You”
• Grassroot Institute of Hawaii: “Why is Hawaii so expensive?”
• U.S. News & World Report: “Affordability”
• RentCafe: “Cost of Living in Idaho”

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The post Here’s How Many Extra Days You Need to Work in 2026 to Afford the Life You Had in 2007 appeared first on Reader's Digest.

I had expected a decent turnout. But I ended up with a room packed full of middle-aged moms who had put their kids to bed early and come out on a school night—on a school night!—to squeeze into their old low-rise jeans, fold-over yoga pants and Juicy Couture tracksuits (butt bling and all) and absolutely lose their minds to their middle school jams. People were laughing. People were scream-singing the words. People were doing the “Toxic” slither with a level of commitment they probably haven’t brought to anything since 2003. It was one of the most joyful rooms I have ever been in.

Afterward, I kept wondering why a cheery playlist from 20 years ago hit so hard. Why did everyone leave glowing, even the ones who came in stressed, frazzled and running 15 minutes late? I had a hunch it wasn’t just the cardio. So I reached out to Sarah Hennessy, PhD, a cognitive scientist at the University of Arizona who studies music-evoked nostalgia for a living, and she confirmed that what happened in that room had a name: a nostalgic reset.

“When we feel nostalgic, we draw on typically positive memories of the past to enhance our present feelings,” she explains, “reminding ourselves that we exist within a continuous life story and that things can be better in the future because they have been better in the past.”

In other words, Britney Spears may have done more for our collective mental health that Thursday night than anything else we tried all month. Science says so! Read on to discover how it works in your brain and to get pro tips from Hennessy and three other psychologists about how to make it work for you—no red vinyl bodysuit required.

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What is a “nostalgic reset”?

The term nostalgic reset is taking wellness TikTok and Instagram by storm. The concept is simple: You intentionally listen to music, watch shows or revisit media from your past—particularly from your middle school or high school years—as a way to calm your nervous system when you’re feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed or just emotionally waterlogged.

So is nostalgic reset the clinical term? Not quite. “As far as I know, the term nostalgic reset is not a technical one,” Hennessy says. “However, the idea that it conveys—evoking feelings of nostalgia for the past to help regulate emotions in the present—has been studied for many years and certainly has existed for a very long time.”

Michael S. Valdez, MD, a medical director with a background in neurology and addiction medicine, agrees that the idea itself isn’t new even if the label is trending. “People have always used music, places and memories to reset how they feel,” he says. “What’s new is that we’re talking about it more directly.”

The history of nostalgia is wilder than you’d think. Hennessy explains that the term was coined in the 16th century by Johannes Hofer, a Swiss physician who believed it was a serious “cerebral disease.” He described it as a “neurological illness of essentially demonic cause.”

Intense! He came to this conclusion after observing that soldiers serving far from home developed symptoms (think: intense homesickness, malaise, crying, loss of appetite), often triggered by sounds from their homeland. Instead of comforting the poor soldiers, officials at the time advised them to avoid potential triggers—you know, terrible things like mothers’ lullabies—to prevent outbreaks.

So what was once classified as a military health crisis is now, effectively, a wellness trend. Truly, we’ve come so far.

What’s the science behind this?

It may seem silly to call nostalgic music “wellness,” but there’s real research supporting the idea that jamming out to the tunes that got you through middle school and high school can actually improve your mental health. So go ahead, press play on the Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” for a brief blast from the past, then read on for a breakdown of the science.

This is your brain on nostalgic music

The neurology behind this is genuinely fascinating. To find out what exactly is happening during that 47-minute ‘NSync spiral, Hennessy uses imaging technology in her research to see all the changes in the brain when someone hears a song that transports them back in time.

In a recent study, she and her colleagues asked participants to listen to personally nostalgic music while inside an fMRI machine. The results showed activity in the brain’s reward regions—the same areas that respond to food and sex—as well as in the default mode network, a sprawling web of brain regions associated with self-referential and narrative processing.

If that sounds confusing, think of the default mode network as the part of your brain that narrates your life story back to you. During nostalgic listening, it activates like crazy. Even more striking, participants showed activity in the visual cortex, despite keeping their eyes closed. So when you hear a song tied to a memory, you’re not just remembering; your brain is actually playing the scene back like a movie.

Crucially, none of this happened at the same intensity when participants listened to songs they merely recognized but didn’t feel nostalgic for. So the effect isn’t just about familiarity. It’s about that specific, potent, bittersweet, time-travel feeling of nostalgia.

“Nostalgia pulls on networks tied to memory and emotion at the same time,” explains Dr. Valdez. “When you hear a song or revisit something familiar, the brain links that input to a stored experience, often one that feels safe or meaningful. That can shift your emotional state pretty quickly and help reconnect to a state your brain already knows.”

The health benefits of music are well-established on their own, but nostalgic music appears to amplify those effects by adding that self-referential, reward-system layer on top. Licensed marriage and family therapist John Sovec, who incorporates nostalgic resets into his work with clients managing stress and anxiety, explains that familiar sounds and scenes signal safety to the brain, triggering the release of the feel-good neurochemicals dopamine and oxytocin while simultaneously counteracting cortisol and adrenaline, the stress hormones that love to ruin your Tuesday evening.

Fact: Your old playlist is basically a pharmaceutical-grade chill pill. Without the co-pay.

Teenage songs just hit different

You may have noticed that it’s almost never a song from the past year that sends you into that blissful, floaty, everything-is-fine state. Instead, it’s usually something from when you were 14 or 16 or maybe 19. That’s not a coincidence; it’s a documented psychological phenomenon called the “reminiscence bump.”

The reminiscence bump refers to our well-documented tendency to have unusually vivid and plentiful memories from roughly ages 10 to 30. This is the period when we’re forming our identities, experiencing many emotional “firsts” and making intense social connections, all of which makes memories from that window especially sticky in our brains.

When it comes to music specifically, research suggests the prime years may be even narrower. Studies point to ages 9 through 19 as the era when music becomes most deeply encoded with personal meaning.

This is why Hennessy recommends starting your nostalgic reset right there. “My advice is to find the music you were listening to between ages 9 and 19—or even just popular music from those years—and see what it feels like to listen to it and mentally time-travel.”

The songs from that era aren’t just songs. They’re psychological anchors tied to who you were, who you were becoming and how you felt in some of the most formative moments of your life. No wonder hearing them feels like being wrapped in a very specific, very cozy emotional blanket. (Or in the case of my dance class participants, a very sweaty Juicy tracksuit.)

So can listening to music from your childhood really help you feel better?

Yes, definitely. And the research on it is pretty compelling. Nostalgia has been shown to alleviate loneliness, increase our sense of meaning in life and improve what researchers call “self-continuity”—our innate sense of being a coherent self across time. All of that, unsurprisingly, tends to make us feel better.

Hennessy says that we’re actually more likely to feel nostalgic when we’re already in a negative or lonely state, “likely because our brains and bodies know nostalgia can alleviate this discomfort.” Your brain is, in this sense, self-medicating with Christina Aguilera’s “Dirrty.” Which is either reassuring or slightly alarming, depending on your perspective.

Will all types of nostalgia give you a feel-good boost?

You bet! It’s not just music. The research on nostalgia and emotional well-being is well established with any type of nostalgia, including movies, books and even places. It’s been shown to counteract loneliness, boredom and anxiety, and even to make people feel more connected to others.

The effect makes sense when you consider what nostalgia actually is: a warm, bittersweet reconnection to the self you’ve been across time. It’s a reminder that you’ve survived before, that good things have happened and that more good things are possible. That’s genuinely useful when you’re having anxiety insomnia.

But if part of what you’re dealing with is loneliness or disconnection, nostalgic music may be particularly helpful, precisely because so many of the memories tied to it are social ones—the car rides, the basement parties, the dances, the summers. You’re not just remembering a song; you’re briefly being that version of yourself who felt so loved and connected.

How can you use throwback tunes to feel better?

The good news: This is not complicated. You don’t need a subscription service, a guided meditation or anything more sophisticated than a playlist and 10 minutes. Here’s how to make it work.

Start in your reminiscence bump

Hennessy recommends going straight to music from ages 9 to 19. Even if you don’t have a specific song in mind, searching for a “top hits of [any year between those ages]” playlist will likely surface something that stops you cold. That involuntary, full-body response—the gasp, the “Wow, I’d forgotten about this song!”—is exactly what you’re looking for.

Choose music tied to positive memories

This part matters. Hennessy notes that “the positive benefits of nostalgic experiences tend to be specific to memories for events that were positive at the time or that have some sort of positive arc associated with them.”

Music is powerfully tied to both happy and painful memories, so be intentional—and skip the heartbreak soundtrack.

Be deliberate about it

Valdez emphasizes that the most effective version of a nostalgic reset is an intentional one. “Pick something specific that you associate with a stable or positive period,” he says.

There’s a difference between stumbling into nostalgia while half-scrolling Spotify and actually sitting down, putting on headphones, closing your eyes and letting yourself go somewhere. The latter tends to work better. Think of it less like background music and more like a quick mental field trip.

Try pairing it with grounding techniques

Sovec suggests deepening the effect by combining nostalgic listening with focused breathing, body scanning or journaling about the sensations and memories that come up. The goal, he says, is to make the experience more than just an escape. Let it become an in-the-moment tool for calming your nervous system. Writing down what you felt, even briefly, helps you carry the reset forward after the song ends.

Do it with other people

This one is Hennessy’s emerging hypothesis, and it tracks with everything my dance class taught me. “So much of nostalgia is remembering moments of social connectedness and memories of loved ones,” she says. “I think it’s possible that listening to nostalgic music with loved ones may offer even greater benefits than solo listening, particularly when the music is associated with shared positive memories.”

If you want proof, just find a room full of Millennial moms, play “Crazy in Love” and watch what happens. (Or pop on “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls, the go-to soundtrack for the recent ’90s trend on social media.) I know my research isn’t official, but I’d say the data is pretty clear.

Keep it simple

The bottom line when it comes to any nostalgic reset is that you shouldn’t spend all of your time connected to your headphones and reliving your teenage years. “Keep it simple, and don’t overdo it,” Valdez says. “It’s meant to reset you, not keep you stuck in the past. If you come out of it feeling more grounded, it’s doing what it’s supposed to do.”

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an entire anxiety-reducing playlist to curate. It will be extremely 2003. I have zero regrets.

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Human Brain Mapping: “Music-Evoked Nostalgia Activates Default Mode and Reward Networks Across the Lifespan”
• Psychology of Music: “The psychological benefits of music-evoked nostalgia”
• Sarah Louise Hennessy, PhD, cognitive scientist at the University of Arizona; personal interview, April 6, 2026
• Michael S. Valdez, MD, medical director at Detox California; personal interview, April 4, 2026
• John Sovec, LMFT, therapist and coach in Pasadena, California; personal interview, April 4, 2026

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The post Pump Up the Jams from Your Childhood—It’s the Nostalgic Reset Your Stressed-Out Brain Needs appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Do they make candidates scrub and scour the candlesticks until they shine? Grill them on what kinds of old-school cleaning tricks they use? Maybe, but the ultimate test is far trickier, stranger … and sneakier.

So what is this quirky test—and would you pass it? Read on to find out.

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What test does the royal household give to potential housekeepers?

Prospective housekeepers have to pass the so-called dead fly test. Yes, you read that right! As Tracey Waterman, head of staff recruitment for the British royal family, revealed in Channel 5’s documentary Sandringham: The Royals at Christmas, she or one of her staff hides a dead fly in the fireplace or on the carpet of a royal room before welcoming every potential new employee.

“Once the dead fly is placed, I then bring the candidate into the room. I lead them into the room quite slowly, just giving them a chance to glance at the room, have a little look at what we’ve got inside the room. Bringing them to the fireplace, maybe highlighting that we’ve got a beautiful fireplace,” Waterman says in the doc. “At this point, I’d expect them to see the dead fly and hopefully pick it up.”

If the new housekeeper fails to notice the fly (or just leaves it on the carpet), well, that’s pretty much it.

What’s the point of the dead fly test?

It’s all about testing an applicant’s eye for detail and their ability to act quickly if something doesn’t look quite right. That, as Waterman says, is “the difference between a housekeeper in a five-star hotel and in a royal palace.” She adds that while half the candidates tend to notice the dead fly she’s placed, only “1 out of 10 will actually bend down and pick it up. That’s the special housekeeper.”

Of course, this raises the question as to whether some of the applicants might just be too polite to point out the fly because they don’t want to step on someone else’s toes or appear rude. (We’re talking royalty here, after all!) However, in this case, action is more important than tact. So if you ever happen to see a dead fly on a royal carpet (and are on the hunt for a fancy cleaning position), definitely dispose of it—in a discreet way, of course.

What do you get for passing the test?

If you pass the test, congratulations—you have just bagged yourself a pretty neat job! As a housekeeper for the British royal family, you’ll get prime access to the royal palaces and estates and a lot of perks. You’ll be based in either London or Windsor Castle, where you’ll keep the royals’ most private rooms neat and tidy, take care of guests and work front-of-house at functions and events. You’ll also occasionally travel to other palaces as part of your role.

You’re entitled to 25 days of annual leave (30 days after working at the palace for 10 years), bank holidays, a pension plan, maternity and paternity leave and pay, and volunteering days, as well as physical and mental health support. Now for the fun stuff: You’ll also get free tickets to all palaces and galleries of the Royal Collection Trust (including special arrangements for concerts or exhibitions) and a 20% discount at their gift shops. Lunch at the palace on work days is also included. Fancy!

Of course, no job is perfect, so here’s the catch with this one: Working for one of the world’s wealthiest families doesn’t mean you’ll get rich yourself. The palace housekeepers are paid £24,188 ($32,000) annually for a 40-hour week, with shifts spread across all seven days. This is equivalent to the minimum wage in the U.K. On the bright side, you have a high chance of bumping into senior royals once in a while (and will call them your bosses). You can also live in one of the royal palaces if you would like to—and, let’s be honest, who would say no to that offer?!

What other skills do you need to become a royal housekeeper?

Surprisingly, not many. Previous professional cleaning experience or hospitality roles are not essential. According to past job posts of the royal household, it’s more important to have a “proactive approach and ability to tackle new challenges,” along with attention to detail (not limited to dead flies!), team spirit, good time-management skills and an interest in learning new things. It also should go without saying that you’re expected to be 100% trustworthy and refrain from gossiping about the royal family or spilling any juicy details that go on behind closed palace doors.

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Sources:

• Sandringham: The Royals at Christmas
• Business Insider: “The Queen is hiring a housekeeper, but you’ll need to spot a dead fly hidden in Windsor Castle to get the job”
• Royal.uk: “Rewards and benefits”
• The Royal Household: “Working for us: Housekeeping assistant”
• Sky News Australia: “Buckingham Palace puts up housekeeping job advert offering below UK minimum wage, before amending salary ‘error'”
• Royal Collection Trust

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The post Would You Pass the Royals’ Cleaning Test? Check Out What They Make Prospective Hires Do! appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Well, you’ll never come across a Grade C or D egg. But Grade B eggs? Those are very real and still produced today under the same federal grading system. Yet most shoppers will go their entire lives without ever spotting a carton in the egg case.

So where are these B players hiding—and should you care? Turns out, those are egg-cellent questions. For the answers, I spoke to food science consultant Ed McCormick. Let’s get crackin’.

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What is egg grading?

Egg grading is a system used to evaluate egg quality based on appearance and physical characteristics.

Inspectors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assess both the outside and inside of the egg, including:

• Shell cleanliness and shape
• The size of the air cell inside the egg
• The firmness of the egg white (albumen)
• The appearance and position of the yolk

To examine the interior without breaking the egg, graders use a process called candling, which involves shining a bright light through the shell to reveal internal details.

According to the USDA, these factors determine the egg’s grade, which reflects quality and appearance—not nutritional value or safety.

What are the different egg grades?

In the U.S., eggs are divided into three main consumer grades. While most shoppers only ever encounter one or two of them, all are defined by the USDA:

• Grade AA: These are the highest-quality eggs. The whites are thick and firm, the yolks are high and round, and the shells are clean and unbroken.
• Grade A: The eggs are very similar to AA, but the whites are slightly less firm. These are the most commonly sold eggs in grocery stores.
• Grade B: These are lower in visual quality and appearance. The whites are thinner, the yolks are flatter and the shells may be stained or irregular (though not cracked).

McCormick puts it more vividly: “Grade AA eggs are firm and rounded with thick, tightly held whites that stand firm. Grade A eggs are a bit less firm. The whites spread a little more, but the yolk is still quite high. Grade B eggs reveal considerable thinning to the white, wider spread, while the yolk becomes flatter and more fragile.”

Importantly, Grade B eggs are still edible and wholesome; they just don’t win any beauty contests.

Why have you never seen Grade B eggs in a grocery store?

The short answer: They’re not typically sold in cartons like other eggs. Instead, Grade B eggs are diverted away from retail shelves and used in processed egg products. And a big reason is their looks.

“Grade B eggs don’t look fancy when they are cracked,” McCormick explains. “They simply spread, and the yolk doesn’t really have that old-school dome shape people expect.”

That matters more than you might think. “The retail business is primarily driven by visual expectations,” he adds, noting that even perfectly edible eggs won’t make the cut if they don’t look “fresh” to shoppers.

There’s also a practical angle: structure. Grade B eggs are, well, a bit floppy. “Thin egg whites and weaker yolk membranes equate to less structure,” McCormick says.

So if you’re frying or poaching (where you want a neat, Instagram-ready dish), Grade B eggs won’t hold their shape. But in other uses, that weakness is basically irrelevant.

Are Grade B eggs safe to eat?

Yes, Grade B eggs are safe to eat. Both the USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasize that egg grading is about quality, not safety. All eggs sold in the U.S. must meet strict safety standards regardless of grade.

“The grading system takes consideration of quality factors, such as texture and appearance, not factors of nutrient content or inherent safety,” says McCormick. The FDA also notes that proper handling—such as refrigeration and cooking to safe temperatures—is what determines egg safety.

That means:

• Grade B eggs are not more likely to make you sick than Grade A or AA eggs.
• They have similar protein and nutrient content.
• The differences are mostly cosmetic and structural.

In other words, Grade B eggs may be the “ugly ducklings” of the egg world, but they’re still perfectly usable.

So where can you find Grade B eggs?

Even if you’ve never seen them in a carton, you’ve almost certainly eaten them. Grade B eggs are primarily used to make processed egg products, such as:

• Liquid eggs (cartons of pre-cracked eggs)
• Frozen egg products
• Dried or powdered eggs

These products show up in:

• Baked goods
• Packaged foods
• Restaurant and food-service operations

Why? Because once the eggs are cracked, mixed or dried, looks aren’t important. “Processing removes the importance of structure,” McCormick explains. “When eggs are blended, pasteurized or dried, the differences in yolk height or white thickness no longer matter. Hence, Grade B eggs represent an easier and economical option.”

Turns out, not all eggs need to look egg-straordinary to be useful.

Why do cartons of Grade B eggs occasionally show up on shelves?

In rare cases, Grade B eggs may make a brief appearance in stores, usually during supply disruptions.

For example, during outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu), which reduced egg supplies in the U.S., lower-grade eggs were sometimes redirected to grocery stores to help meet demand. The USDA has documented how such outbreaks can significantly impact egg availability and pricing. Still, these situations are the exception, not the rule.

What’s the bottom line here?

Grade B eggs aren’t rare—they’re just hidden in plain sight. They don’t show up in cartons because they don’t meet the visual standards shoppers expect. But they’re still safe, nutritious and widely used in the foods you eat every day. I bet that’s not eggs-actly what you expected.

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Edmund “Ed” McCormick, food science consultant, founder of Cape Crystal Brands and author of The Food Questions America Is Asking; email interview, April 6, 2026
• USDA: “Egg Grading Manual”
• USDA: “United States Standards, Grades, and Weight Classes for Shell Eggs”
• FDA: “Egg Guidance, Regulation, and Other Information”

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The post Yes, Grade B Eggs Exist, but Here’s Why You Won’t See Cartons of Them in Grocery Stores appeared first on Reader's Digest.

I told someone.

Why? I was so excited for her that I couldn’t wait to share the good news. Her good news. Of course, that friend told another friend, and it wasn’t long before everyone knew. Brooke was crushed—and then, devastatingly, she forgave me. Graciously and quickly, which is honestly the worst possible outcome because it meant I couldn’t even wallow in my guilt. She should have made me grovel. I did not deserve that woman’s kindness.

I wish that were the only time I’ve done this. It is not. I’ve since reformed, partly because I kept watching people’s faces fall when their thunder got stolen and partly because becoming an etiquette columnist forced me to reckon with my own history of being rude. Humbling, truly.

But on the scale of texting your ex at 2 a.m. to skipping the tip screen at the bagel place, how rude is sharing someone else’s news, really? And is there ever a good reason to do it? Read on to find out.

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The case for sharing someone else’s news

The most defensible reason is that something wonderful happened—new job, engagement, big promotion, acceptance to grad school, inheriting a yacht, reaching quadruple digits on Candy Crush—and the other person is too shy to share it or doesn’t want to sound like they’re bragging. (By the way, it’s not rude to share your accomplishments, but that’s an article for a different day.) You, as a good friend, want to toot their horn for them.

Or, on the flip side, something terrible has happened—a death, a serious illness, a layoff—and they’re too overwhelmed to ask for help. Quietly reaching out to their inner circle to organize meals or support isn’t gossiping. That’s love.

There’s also a scenario most etiquette columns skip: What if the news directly affects a third party? If your friend just started dating someone another friend has deep, unresolved feelings for, a gentle heads-up, delivered with care and zero editorializing, could spare everyone a very awkward dinner party.

So, yes, these are all defensible reasons. But sharing any of this news without consent still doesn’t necessarily mean you are in the right.

The case for keeping your mouth shut

People hate having their news stolen. Hate it. And sometimes they hate you for it. Social media is basically a graveyard of well-meaning people who couldn’t hold it together: the mother-in-law who posted the pregnancy announcement before the parents were ready, the cousin who uploaded wedding photos before the couple could share the professional ones, the grandfather who congratulated the grandkid on the new job on LinkedIn … before said grandkid had told his own boss he was quitting.

And then there’s the more serious category: outing someone’s sexuality, gender identity, health condition or mental health struggle before they’re ready to share it. That’s not just rude—it can cause real, lasting harm. In case I’m not being clear, it is 100% never OK to share that kind of information about someone else.

There’s also the problem of mutation. By the time your news passes through three people, it’s unrecognizable. What started as “Brooke had a medical procedure” becomes “Brooke almost died in surgery,” and now Brooke is fielding panicked calls and correcting a story she never wanted told in the first place. I didn’t just steal her thunder—I handed her a cleanup job.

Finally, you might simply be wrong. You think she got the job. You think they’re engaged. If you’re not right, now someone else has to do damage control on a rumor you started with the best of intentions.

The gray areas

There are also a few other factors that affect how rude this is:

• How close you are: Counterintuitively, the closer you are, the more careful you should be. Closeness means they trusted you with something private. Betraying that trust stings more, not less. And if you’re wondering whether something counts as private in the first place, ask yourself how you found out. Did they tell you directly, one-on-one? That’s private. Did you watch them announce it to a room full of people? That’s fair game.
• Why they haven’t shared it: There’s a big difference between “she’s waiting for the right moment to announce” and “she hasn’t told anyone because she’s scared or ashamed.” The second category deserves extra protection. If someone shared something with you that they’re still processing—a diagnosis, a pregnancy loss, a relationship ending—sitting on it isn’t just polite. It’s the minimum of good friendship.
• What kind of news it is: Medical issues, mental health, sexuality, gender identity, early pregnancy, financial struggles—assume these are confidential unless you’re explicitly told otherwise. The person shouldn’t have to label their own vulnerability with a “do not share” sticker. And for any other type of news: It’s not your call to decide whether their news is significant enough to protect. If they haven’t shared it, that’s your answer.

The verdict

I rarely give an unequivocal answer in this column—usually I’m neck-deep in nuance and “well, it depends.” But today I’m firm: Sharing someone else’s news is rude. Often very rude. It doesn’t matter if the news is happy, if your intentions were pure, or if you’ve been sitting on the information so long, it feels like it should be public by now.

If you think you have a genuinely good reason to share it, ask first and then respect the answer. A simple “Is this something you’re sharing or keeping close for now?” asked the moment they tell you takes three seconds and saves everyone weeks of slow-burn awkwardness.

What you should not do is pull someone aside and whisper, “You cannot tell anyone, but Barbara’s IVF worked and she’s pregnant with quintuplets!” Because that information is not staying with that person. You also should not concern-troll: “I just feel so terrible about Galligan going to rehab—I know you care about him, so I thought you should know.” That is gossip in a wellness-check costume. And texting the group chat “I’m only telling you guys about Albert’s failed vasectomy because I know he’s interested in dating all of you” is still sharing someone else’s news. (OK, I could maybe make a case for that one.)

And to everyone I’ve hurt this way: I am deeply, truly sorry. You deserved a friend who could keep her mouth shut for five minutes. I’m getting better, I promise.

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

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The post Is It Really Rude to Share Someone Else’s News Before They Do?  appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Don’t. When it comes to data breaches, it’s an issue of when—not if—you’ll be impacted. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), nearly 80% of consumers received at least one data-breach notice in the past year, and many received several. If you’re tossing those cards in the recycling bin, it’s time to think twice about that. The ITRC calls this “breach fatigue” and urges people to take notices seriously.

What if someone got a credit card in your name and racked up a $25,000 bill in minutes? Or used your Social Security number to obtain medical care? It happens all the time. Just this past winter, a massive breach at a Washington-based benefits manager exposed the Social Security numbers of 2.7 million people. In 2024 alone, data-breach notices went out to 1.36 billion victims, according to the ITRC. In 2025, victim numbers were down but the total number of breaches went up—and they were serious: Social Security numbers were involved in two-thirds of incidents, and one-third involved either bank accounts or driver’s license numbers.

To get more information about these frightening data hacks, we talked to Sandra Glading, an online safety advocate at McAfee; Greg Oslan, chairman and CEO of the National Cyber Security Center; and David Trapp, CEO of ArmorPoint. Read on to learn what to look out for and how to stay safe from bad actors trying to steal your identity.

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What is a data breach?

A data breach happens when cybercriminals break into a company’s systems and steal personal information. “In the simplest terms,” Glading says, “it’s when your private data ends up in the wrong hands—often without you realizing it until later.”

What gets exposed can be basic, such as your name, email address or phone number. But it can also include more sensitive details, like your Social Security number, bank information or passwords. As Glading notes, “the more sensitive the data, the easier it is for someone to steal your identity or target you with convincing scams.”

Oslan adds: “A compromise of any of these independently is bad, but put together they can allow a bad actor to literally steal your life—your identity, your money or your personal information, including audio, video and pictures that are private.”

Just how common are data breaches?

All too common, unfortunately. According to the ITRC’s 2025 Annual Data Breach Report, 3,322 data compromises with more than 278 million victims were reported in the U.S. in 2025. That’s the highest total number of data breaches ever recorded and a 79% increase over the past five years.

Twenty years ago, data breaches were far less common, and Oslan says that even as recently as 2010, data was scarce because a full understanding of the threats was not yet available. The best information suggests around 600 breaches a year back then, he says, adding that scammers were less sophisticated and attacks more frequently targeted the government, the military and high-profile corporations.

“What changed is not just the number of incidents. It’s the scale and the economics behind them,” Trapp says, adding that the FBI reported $16.6 billion in cybercrime losses in 2024. “That tells you this is not some niche problem. It is a massive criminal economy, and ordinary consumers are in the path of it every day.”

How do you know if you’re a victim of a data breach?

In the United States, laws in all 50 states require private businesses to notify customers of data breaches involving personal information. If you’re a victim of a data breach, you’ll receive notice—in the mail, through email or through an identity-theft service if you’ve signed up for one. If it’s a large-scale data breach, you might even first hear about it in the news.

This sounds foolproof, right? Well, not exactly. “Unfortunately, you only receive a letter if it’s a major breach and it’s clear that your data has been compromised,” Oslan says. “This often takes months of research before you are notified, and by then, your data is already being exploited.”

It’s important to note that while data breaches are a serious concern, scammers love fear-based tactics—including sending out phony notices as a way to dupe you into providing info. If you receive a text message or email about a data breach and there’s a link for free credit monitoring or identity-theft protection or a number to call for more information, take a deep breath, don’t panic, and verify the information on the company’s official website before you click on any link.

What should you do after a data breach?

Act immediately. The experts we spoke with can’t overstate the urgency. “IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report found the average breach life cycle was 241 days, so by the time consumers hear about a breach, criminals may already have a head start,” Trapp says.

“After a data breach, the goal isn’t to do everything,” Glading adds. “It’s to do the right things quickly.” Here’s what to do:

1. Find out exactly what information was stolen

Why it matters

Different types of data create different risks. A leaked email address may lead to phishing attacks, while a stolen Social Security number could enable criminals to open credit accounts in your name.

How to do it

• Carefully read the breach notice.
• Look for the section that lists “information involved.”
• Contact the company if the notice is unclear.
• Use breach-check tools to see whether your email appears in leaks. The National Cybersecurity Center offers one, and Have I Been Pwned is another safe, free, reliable service to check your email.

2. Freeze your credit

Why it matters

A credit freeze prevents lenders from accessing your credit report, which makes it much harder for identity thieves to open new credit cards or loans in your name.

How to do it

Contact each of the three credit bureaus:

• Experian
• Equifax
• TransUnion

Freezing and unfreezing your credit is free and can be done online in minutes.

3. Place a fraud alert on your credit report

Why it matters

A fraud alert tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit.

How to do it

• Contact one of the three credit bureaus, and add a fraud alert to your credit file; that bureau will notify the others. You can do this on the web, by phone or via regular mail.

Alerts typically last one year, but extended alerts can last seven years for confirmed identity-theft victims.

4. Monitor your bank and credit card accounts

Why it matters

Fraudulent transactions often appear within weeks of a breach, but they could also show up after a longer period of time.

How to do it

• Review statements weekly for several months.
• Enable transaction alerts in your bank account settings to alert you when something is purchased.
• Report suspicious charges immediately.

Most banks offer zero-liability protection, but you must report fraud promptly.

5. Change compromised passwords immediately

Why it matters

Glading says that stolen passwords are often reused to break into other accounts, so start with email, banking and shopping accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for each one to limit the damage from a single breach.

How to do it

• Change the password for the breached account.
• Update any other accounts using the same password.
• Create long, unique passwords for each site.

6. Enable two-factor authentication

Why it matters

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second security layer to your password by requiring a code from a separate authenticator app. These codes are time-based, one-time login credentials generated right on your phone that are less vulnerable than other methods of validation (like text messages).

It may feel cumbersome and annoying at first to have an extra step, but it’s much better than trying to fix the financial damage of getting caught up in a scam.

How to do it

• Turn on 2FA in each of your accounts’ security settings.
• Download and use an authenticator app, like Google Authenticator or Authenticator by Microsoft, when possible, instead of relying on SMS (text) codes.

7. Consider placing a freeze on your Social Security number

Why it matters

If your SSN was exposed, criminals may try to use it for employment fraud, tax fraud or benefit theft.

How to do it

• Create a “My Social Security” account with the Social Security Administration.
• Monitor earnings records.
• Report suspicious activity immediately.

8. If your identity was stolen, report it

Why it matters

Filing an official report helps law enforcement investigate and allows you to dispute fraudulent accounts.

How to do it

• File a report at IdentityTheft.gov.
• Contact affected banks or creditors.
• Keep documentation of fraudulent activity.

What else can you do to protect your sensitive information?

After a data breach, you should put systems in place to protect you in the future. You can:

• Use a password manager. Password managers generate and store complex passwords so you don’t have to remember them.
• Turn on passkeys where available. Passkeys use biometrics or device authentication instead of traditional passwords, making them harder to steal.
• Sign up for identity-protection services. These services monitor credit reports, dark web marketplaces and personal-data leaks, and alert you to suspicious activity.
• Recognize phishing attempts. After a breach, scammers often send fake emails pretending to be banks, retailers or government agencies. Never click unexpected links or download attachments from unknown senders.

One last tip: Oslan also told us about the National Cybersecurity Center’s Personal Cyber Advisor tool that is free to the public. “You will get tailored answers that are relevant to your specific situation,” Oslan says. “It provides alerts letting you know when your online life is at risk and an interactive session that will walk you through how to minimize the risk with a step-by-step, no-technical-jargon interaction.”

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Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece, Jaime Stathis tapped her experience as a tech journalist to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Sandra Glading, online safety expert at McAfee; email interview, April 2026
• Greg Oslan, chairman and CEO of the National Cyber Security Center; email interview, April 2026
• David Trapp, CEO at ArmorPoint; email interview, April 2026
• HIPPA Journal: “Navia Benefit Solutions Discloses Data Breach Affecting 2.7 Million Individuals”
• Identity Theft Research Center: “Identity Theft Resource Center 2025 Annual Data Breach Report”
• National Conference of State Legislators: “Security Breach Notification Laws”
• National Cybersecurity Center: “You’ve Probably Been Hacked and Don’t Know It”

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The post Caught Up in a Data Breach? Take These Steps ASAP to Stop Scammers from Stealing Your Identity appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Space travel as a concept can be a little overwhelming, so what many of us key in on are the logistical issues. How do astronauts eat? How do they go to the bathroom? Do they really drink Tang? (If that’s a little before your time, pause for a mini history lesson: Tang is basically powdered orange Gatorade, and … astronauts really drank it!)

We can’t answer all of the existential questions you might have about, say, life on other planets or what’s really going on at Area 51, but we can give you all the details of what the Artemis II crew ate on NASA’s return to the (neighborhood of) the moon after more than 50 years. Read on for all the delicious (and slightly creepy) details.

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What do astronauts eat in space?

All kinds of things! Hot coffee, cold mango salad and everything in between—including a strangely specific number of tortillas (58). The Orion is stocked with 189 different foods and drinks for the 10-day mission, and you know, that’s not bad. When’s the last time your fridge offered so much variety?

But there’s no refrigerator on Orion. All menu items must be shelf-stable. Some things are freeze-dried and rehydratable, like macaroni and cheese and shrimp curry with rice; other stuff is ready-to-eat, like granola, cookies and nuts. Heat-stabilized foods, including the salmon bites favored by Artemis crew member Jeremy Hansen, and irradiated foods (which are exposed to safe radiation to improve food safety and shelf life), like barbecue beef brisket, are also on board.

Astronauts can choose from more than 10 different drinks, including coffee (43 cups, to be exact), green tea, cocoa, lemonade, a mango-peach smoothie and three flavors of breakfast drink. Condiments are plentiful because, as it turns out, astronauts tend to get congested in space and have trouble tasting foods—which is probably why they have five different kinds of hot sauce to go with those tortillas.

How do astronauts prepare their meals?

It depends. Freeze-dried foods and drinks, which come in vacuum-sealed plastic pouches, must be rehydrated through a little port on the side of the pouch. These days, astronauts can add hot or cold water from the ship’s potable water system, which is a significant improvement over early space missions, when it was cold water or nothing.

Some foods, like tortillas and nuts, need no preparation, but other ready-to-eat foods, as well as heat-stabilized and irradiated items, typically come in flexible metallic pouches that can be heated in a special warmer if needed. About the size of a briefcase, the warmer plugs into the spacecraft’s power system and zaps (not the technical term) the food to serving temp.

Once their food is ready, astronauts use scissors to cut open the pouches and dig right in with a spoon or use a specialized tube to squeeze the food directly into their mouths. Drinks, of course, must be slurped through a straw to keep them from floating away!

How does NASA come up with a menu for the crew?

Carefully. The Orion has only so much room, so a major consideration when packing for space is mass, weight and volume. Foods must also be nutritionally sound, safe to store and transport and—this is a big one—things the astronauts actually like to eat. Every crew member gets to sample and rank foods before the flight, and their preferences are taken into consideration when the final menu is determined.

Astronauts have access to fresh water and are allotted two non-water drink choices per day. That’s good because space travel is dehydrating, and space food, particularly the heat-stabilized stuff, is high in sodium, which can contribute to bone loss in microgravity.

Finally: No crumbs allowed! Pilot John W. Young, sick of bland, rehydrated fare, smuggled a corned beef sandwich onboard the Gemini III flight in 1965. It did not go well. Although he and Gus Grissom gobbled it up, the rye bread disintegrated into floating crumbs, which could have harmed the ship’s instruments. The transgression caused a congressional incident, and it underscores another important menu consideration: whether the astronauts can easily and safely eat the food in microgravity.

When do the astronauts eat?

Artemis astronauts eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at specific scheduled times, except on launch and reentry days, when the crew works meals around the operational schedule of the spacecraft. Since the ship’s potable water system is turned off during these phases of the flight, food choices are limited to ready-to-eat options.

Is this what Apollo astronauts ate?

Not exactly, but many innovations developed during the Apollo missions, which flew between 1961 and 1972, are still in use today. The majority of the Apollo foods were freeze-dried and rehydratable (and squeezed right into the mouth through a tube), though a few, like brownie bites and cereal cubes, could be eaten as-is.

In later missions, Apollo saw the development of the “spoonbowl” concept, in which astronauts opened the package and ate right from it, like a walking taco. And Apollo astronauts were part of a major leap forward in the availability of hot potable water for rehydrating. No more cold beef paste like those poor saps in the Gemini program!

But the Apollo astronauts have nothing on today’s Artemis II crew, starting with the briefcase-warmer: Adding hot water and mashing your food into a slurpable gruel is a far cry from popping some real mac and cheese into a bona fide microwave-type (again, not the scientific term!) contraption. Likewise, today’s astronauts have much more choice and variety: Apollo had about 70 core items to choose from, compared with the hundreds of options available today.

And not to start a turf war, but the inhabitants of the International Space Station (ISS) are really eating well. Because the ISS is resupplied periodically, crew members have even more categories of food they can enjoy, including fresh fruits and veggies, which must be eaten within a few days of arrival.

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• YouTube: “NASA’s Artemis II Live Mission Coverage (Official Broadcast)”
• NASA: “Artemis II: What’s on the Menu?”
• NASA: “Crew Systems”
• National Air and Space Museum: “Apollo Astronaut Life”
• NASA: “Food in Space”
• BBC: “Apollo in 50 numbers: Food”
• NASA: “International space station food systems”
• Government of Canada: “Eating in space”
• NASA: “Food on the International Space Station”
• NASA: “Fallout from the Unauthorized Gemini III Space Sandwich”
• NPR: “50 Years After Apollo 11, Here’s What (And How) Astronauts Are Eating”

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Perhaps it’s not surprising, then, that the pair has joined forces in a new way: collaborating on a novel under the pen name Evelyn Clarke. It’s so buzzy that Stephen King declared on social media that “it’s clearly in the running for the best mystery of 2026.”

The Ending Writes Itself (out April 7) is the quick-witted story of six struggling authors who spend a chaotic weekend on a private Scottish isle vying to write the perfect last chapter of a deceased author’s final book. The winner gets fame and fortune, but not without first, ahem, making a killing. “Knives Out was a big inspiration in terms of the tone,” Clarke says, referencing the 2019 film. “I love mixing darkness and humor.”

Still, the satire-thriller-whodunit is a bit of a genre departure for the authors. Schwab—her first name is Victoria, but Clarke refers to her as V—is the bestselling author of fantasy favorites such as the Shades of Magic series, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil and the acclaimed The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Clarke started her career writing coming-of-age fiction before pivoting to screenwriting (Ten Percent, Good Omens).

But joining forces was truly one for the books. “V promised me it would be a lot of fun,” Clarke says. “It was hard, but it was fun. She kept her promise.”

These days, the onetime strangers live less than a mile from each other in Edinburgh. They both hopped on a Zoom call to talk to Reader’s Digest about being literary partners in crime.

This story has been edited for length and clarity

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Reader’s Digest: So how did this co-authorship come to be?  

Cat Clarke: V flourished in her authorhood and kept getting more and more famous and successful. I was plugging away at young adult novels and getting less and less successful, and decided to flee publishing in 2018. Then, a couple of years ago, V came over for dinner one night and said she had an idea for a book. At first, she was like, “Why don’t I write the book, and you write the screenplay when I’m done?” The next day, she was, “Oh, no, that’s a lot of work. You have to write the book with me!”

V.E. Schwab: I had this very tiny kernel of an idea that was a bit of a locked-room situation. But I thought it would be good for us because it involved publishing. Between the two of us, not only do we have 15 years of experience, we’ve seen every aspect of publishing and have been venting about it to each other. No one else could have done this project with me.

Reader’s Digest: Is it fair to say the storyline was therapeutic for you?

V.E. Schwab: Oh, it was a huge catharsis—I’d like to think for both of us, because Cat was like, “I left for a reason!” The thing is, the story is entirely fiction, but every single anecdote that the writers talk about at their dinner table has happened either directly to us or to one of our closest friends.

Reader’s Digest: Let’s hear an example.

V.E. Schwab: Millie talks about how the year that her debut novel came out, the publisher put in the same amount of money into three other books with the same premise and then waited to see which one took off so they could financially bail on the others. That happened to me in my debut class in 2011—I think Harper[Collins] bought six angel books for $100,000 each and then waited to see which ones had legs.

Reader’s Digest: What’s the story behind the pen name?

Cat Clarke: First we came up with “Evie Clarke,” which was sort of a combination of V’s first name and my last name. See what we did there? Then we decided it seemed like the name was too fun and light. Evelyn has a bit more gravitas.

Reader’s Digest: But why keep it a secret at all?

V.E. Schwab: When we first sat down to write it, we thought, Look, it doesn’t even have to be good. We just need to get something on paper that we can adapt. But we’re both perfectionists and take immense pride in our work. We are not psychologically capable of half-assing anything. Originally, the moniker was just there to give us freedom from the pressures of our own identity and to not feel beholden to anyone in the industry. Then we began to become really increasingly proud of the work we were doing. Do I wish we could have had an opaque pseudonym and the world would never have to meet actual Evelyn Clarke? Of course. It would have been delightful.

Reader’s Digest: Did Stephen King blow your cover when he gave that blurb?

V.E. Schwab: No, our reveal was always going to be three weeks later. But when he said that, I wanted to be like, “It’s me! It’s me!” I almost ruined the entire marketing plan.

Cat Clarke: It was very exciting. We celebrated that one, didn’t we?

Reader’s Digest: How did the collaboration work? Did you trade off writing chapters?

Cat Clarke: For the most part, we were sitting together at my kitchen table. We plotted it all out together and sort of came up with a blueprint. We didn’t want to, like, each take characters—we wanted to have our hands on all of it. So I would take a pass at a chapter, and V would go over it and change things, and then I would go back again.

V.E. Schwab: It wasn’t less work, but it was less lonely. I don’t really love when I read a co-authored book because I can tell who wrote what. It pulls me out. So we really wanted Evelyn to feel like a new voice that was an amalgamation of both of our voices. We each have specialties: Cat as a screenwriter is incredible at dialogue and the pacing of scenes; I’m extremely pedantic about prose.

Reader’s Digest: Tell me a little bit about your friendship.

Cat Clarke: This is a tough business, so we bonded over that at first. Then we grew closer. We have a shared humor—V is American, but she has a darker British sense of humor, like I do. So we like laughing at the absurdity of publishing and our journeys. When we hang out, V brings her dog over. My dogs get annoyed. There are a lot of pets.

V.E. Schwab: One thing I learned early about being friends with Cat is that we have to go into dinner dates with “an agendy.” We talk about publishing and headlines. Then we talk about food and cooking and exercise.

Reader’s Digest: How have you been there for each other?   

V.E. Schwab: Our business encourages isolation. That’s why creative friendships are so important, and it’s really rare when you can have a creative friendship with full transparency. We talk about contracts and royalties and “How much did you make for that?” It’s so nice to have someone who’s a really nice sounding board and can help you solve a problem. You don’t feel like you’re cheating on someone else’s paper, you know? We’ve just always been there for each other. And we’re going to toast each other when things are going great and when things are bad.

Cat Clarke: Our friendship is not transactional in any way. I knew V before she was V.E. Schwab, famous bestselling author. And I think when you gain the level of success that V has had, some people turn up suddenly wanting to be friends who weren’t interested in being your friend a few years ago. You have to be really wary of those people. There’s a value in having people who essentially don’t give a shit about anything. That’s what our friendship is based on.

Reader’s Digest: Does that mean Evelyn Clarke will return?

V.E. Schwab: She will! As we were finishing up the draft, I told Cat, “You know, we’re probably going to want to do a two-book deal.” Cat was like, “Absolutely not.” She left the room and came back five minutes later and was like, “OK, but what if?” And I was like, “We got this. I got her hooked in!”

Reader’s Digest: It’s time for your literary lightning round! Best book you’ve read recently?

Cat Clarke: Under the Hammer by Samantha Dooey-Miles. It’s a hilarious debut crime satire.

V.E. Schwab: How to Read a Tree by Tristan Gooley

Reader’s Digest: Describe your ideal reading spot.

Cat Clarke: Bed, cozy, hot water in a mug.

V.E. Schwab: Corner of a coffee shop, latte.

Reader’s Digest: What’s the last book that made you cry?

Cat Clarke: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Reader’s Digest: Which book will get anyone out of a reading slump?

V.E. Schwab: I don’t know if that exists.

Cat Clarke: I think that’s personal. But reading nonfiction gets me out of a reading slump.

Reader’s Digest: What is a book from another author you wish you had written?

V.E. Schwab: Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

Cat Clarke: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

Reader’s Digest: Which book do you recommend more often than others?

V.E. Schwab: The Count of Monte Cristo. For writers, it should be the closest thing to mandatory.

Cat Clarke: My current one is The Wedding Gift by Marlen Suyapa Bodden. I came late to the party, but it’s very big!

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Now, everything is expensive, even things that have a reputation for being cheap—including fast food. Remember when you could get a filling meal from your favorite fast-food restaurant for $5 or even less? These days, $5 won’t get you very far at all—unless you’re headed to McDonald’s, that is.

McDonald’s is dropping two new meal options that will make you think you traveled back in time to the days when fast food was actually cheap. Keep reading to find out all of the juicy details about McDonald’s brand-new deals, including when you can get your hands on them and how much they will set you back.

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What are the new McValue menu items?

In 2025, McDonald’s introduced $5 McValue Meals to the Golden Arches’ menu, and they were such a hit that the chain decided to add two exciting additions. An Under $3 Menu and a $4 breakfast Meal Deal are joining the $5 Meal Deals on the McDonald’s McValue menu, and franchisee Scott Rodrick is loving it: “This next evolution of McValue builds on what fans already love, and as franchisees, we’re excited to offer fans more options that fit their lives, routines and budgets,” he said in a press release.

Here’s what you can get for $3 and $4 at your local Mickey D’s:

Under $3 McValue Menu

McDonald’s brand-new Under $3 McValue Menu is one of the most affordable ways to enjoy McDonald’s, whether you’re craving breakfast, lunch, dinner or a midday snack. There’s no word on how far under $3 the prices will go, but throughout the day, there will be at least 10 menu items available at reliably low prices. Make a traditional meal, or get creative!

During breakfast hours, the Under $3 Menu includes:

• Sausage McMuffin
• Sausage Biscuit
• Sausage Burrito
• Hash browns
• Medium McCafé premium roast coffee

For lunch and dinner, you can get these popular items:

• McChicken
• McDouble
• 4-Piece Chicken McNuggets
• Small fries
• Medium soft drink

To sweeten the deal even more, McDonald’s is dropping prices on select Under $3 favorites throughout the year, each for a limited time. When the new menu kicks off, you’ll be able to snag a Sausage McMuffin for only $1.50 and a McDouble for just $2.50!

$4 Meal Deal

The second new value meal headed to McDonald’s is the $4 Meal Deal, which brings huge savings to breakfast time. The affordable combo includes a Sausage McMuffin or Sausage Biscuit, plus hash browns and a small coffee. Where else can you get such a hearty, piping-hot breakfast for only $4? Nowhere but the Golden Arches, that’s for sure.

Will the $5 Meal Deal be sticking around?

Yes! McDonald’s fans have been loving the (starting at) $5 Meal Deal, and thankfully, it’s not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. The deal, which is available during lunch and dinner hours, gives you the choice between a McChicken Meal Deal for $5 or a McDouble Meal Deal for $6.

Both meals come with 4-Piece McNuggets, small fries and a small soft drink.

When will the new McValue menu items be available?

If you’re ready to fuel up without breaking the bank, you won’t have to wait long. McDonald’s new value meals will be available at participating McDonald’s locations across the country starting April 21. There are no special steps to score these mind-blowingly low prices either: Just walk right in to the restaurant, order at the drive-thru or use the McDonald’s app.

How else can you get a deal at McDonald’s?

Of course, the McValue menu isn’t the only way to satisfy your McDonald’s cravings on a budget. Fan-favorite Snack Wraps are great for when you need a quick bite on the go, and they’re priced at roughly $3 each, depending on where you live (McDonald’s prices vary by location).

You can also score a Double Cheeseburger for about $5, and for a limited time, you can get the Daily Double Meal Deal, which includes a Daily Double sandwich, 4-Piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries and a small drink, for just $6.

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Source:

• McDonald’s: “McDonald’s USA Introduces New Under $3 Menu and $4 Breakfast Meal Deal to the McValue Menu”

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Then seek out the woman with the blond bob and glasses—she’s in charge. And tell her that she’s a wonderful author. (Not to mention a modest one. “My books are displayed but not in an impressive elbow room kind of way,” she says. “I could probably do better.”)

The bestselling author of five novels (including 2022’s acclaimed This Time Tomorrow), three picture books and a short story collection is living the childhood dream of every literary lover. Since 2017, Straub and her husband, Michael, have owned Books Are Magic in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and extensive selection, the shop is a favorite among locals and has proven so popular that a second spot opened nearby in 2022. “I just knew that we could do it,” she says. “And the neighborhood wanted it, needed it and supported it.”

And though Straub works in one of the locations on most weekdays, she also stays busy with her other great passion. In fact, her delightful new novel, American Fantasy (out April 7), revolves around another childhood vision coming to life: Its heroine, a newly divorced empty nester named Annie, decides to recharge by setting sail on a ’90s-themed cruise to see her favorite childhood boy band perform on the high seas.

Straub wrote American Fantasy as a form of catharsis following the success of the more melancholic and autobiographical This Time Tomorrow, which focused on a woman coming to terms with her father’s declining health. “I needed to do something that would bring me up and keep me happy,” she says. “And what makes me happy is boy bands. It’s been true since I was 8 years old.” To research this feel-good book, she even voyaged solo on a New Kids on the Block theme cruise. (Her all-time fave: Joey McIntyre, obviously.)

Hangin’ tough from her book-filled dining/living room in Brooklyn, Straub chats with Reader’s Digest about her literary loves and why indie bookstores aren’t just nice—they’re necessary.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity

Reader’s Digest: Tell me about your journey to opening Books Are Magic.

Emma Straub: So when I moved to Brooklyn in my early 20s, there was a neighborhood bookstore called Book Court. Eventually, I started working there as a bookseller. It was always my fantasy with my husband that when the owner retired, we would take over.

Many years later, I found out they were closing. We couldn’t actually take over for the owners, but they were very generous with us in terms of sharing information. So we signed the lease a few months later and opened in April 2017. We were young and stupid and optimistic and fresh-faced and ready for a challenge.

Reader’s Digest: What makes indie bookstores so special?

Emma Straub: They are totally unique and idiosyncratic. If you go into a chain bookstore, it will look the same at any location in the country and have the same giant quantities of the same books. Indie bookstores are not like that. They have personalities and quirks, and sometimes the people who work there are surly or opinionated.

I mean, if you need an SAT test-prep guide or a new dictionary, a chain is perfect because there’s a much bigger selection. But if you want to walk in and have a deep conversation with someone about books that you love, there is nothing like an independent bookstore.

Reader’s Digest: What’s your tip on how to browse one? There often seems to be no rhyme or reason to the shelving system!

Emma Straub: OK, so there’s often a “staff picks” section or a “staff picks” display. Start there because that will tell you where you are and what kind of books the booksellers are into. And eventually you’ll find your bookseller soulmate and your friend.

Reader’s Digest: Did indie bookstores shape your life as a young reader?

Emma Straub: Yes! So my dad [Peter Straub] was a writer, and my mom worked in early childhood literacy. Books were in every room, just like food was in every room. My parents were reading all the time—like, my father wouldn’t even go to the dentist without a book, and my mom was in all these book clubs.

There was this bookstore called Endicott Booksellers on Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, and I went there all the time with my dad. It felt like it was part of our small town. It was a safe, happy place for me.

Reader’s Digest: Are you now the bookstore lady creating a happy place for kids?

Emma Straub: I definitely am! I live in between our two stores, so I can’t tell you how often I will be walking down the street and a parent with a child will be like, “This is the lady who owns the bookstore!”

I absolutely love being the bookstore lady. Like, I love giving dogs treats and flirting with other people’s babies and giving recommendations. It does feel like you’re imprinting on these people. My husband and I have built something that children are going to remember, and that feels so meaningful.

Reader’s Digest: You’re basically the Meg Ryan character in You’ve Got Mail.

Emma Straub: I know. And I’ve got short blond hair and a goofy face. But that story does not end great for The Shop Around the Corner.

Reader’s Digest: Do you think the indie bookstore business has since turned the corner?

Emma Straub: I do. They’re having a major, major resurgence, and new ones are opening all the time. And a lot of them are doing great.

Reader’s Digest: Why is that?

Emma Straub: People have experimented with ordering books on the internet, but it doesn’t feel as good as buying them in person. And I think everyone understands that if you want to live in a beautiful and vibrant neighborhood full of independent businesses, you have to actually walk your butt in there and support them. If we don’t have something in stock, maybe you wait a day longer because we’ll order anything you want. And remember that for every dollar you spend at an independent bookstore, so much more of that money stays in your community. It supports people and pays rent and pays for these smart people interacting with you.

Reader’s Digest: Overall, what’s it been like to experience such success now? Has it been a little bittersweet following your dad’s death?

Emma Straub: Every day, something will happen, and I’m like, “Oh, my God. I wish I could tell my dad this.” But the good news was that he got to live to read This Time Tomorrow over and over and see it published and hit the bestsellers list. It was wonderful.

You know, it’s hard to talk about your feelings. The novel gave us this beautiful way to say everything that we needed to say and when. And so when he died, I felt satisfied. And that’s what ultimately matters.

Reader’s Digest: OK, let’s do a literary lightning round: What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

Emma Straub: Anne Patchett’s Whistler. It comes out in June.

Reader’s Digest: Describe your ideal reading spot.

Emma Straub: Quiet porch, couch, cat, blanket.

Reader’s Digest: What’s the last book that made you cry?

Emma Straub: Heart the Lover by Lily King.

Reader’s Digest: Which book do you recommend more often than others?

Emma Straub: It really depends on who I’m talking to. Middlemarch by George Eliot if I feel like they’re up to it. Or Colson Whitehead’s The Noble Hustle, which is his book about poker. I recommend that one a lot because not as many people have read his nonfiction.

Reader’s Digest: Which book will get anyone out of a reading slump?

Emma Straub: I’m going to say Kevin Wilson’s Nothing to See Here. It’s about a woman who works as a nanny for two children who occasionally burst into flames. They’re fine. They’re not harmed. They do sometimes burn down things around them. It’s really smart and funny and surprising and emotionally true. I would give that to anyone.

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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

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The post EXCLUSIVE! Author Emma Straub on the Joy of Getting Lost in a Good Book(store) appeared first on Reader's Digest.

As I went down an internet rabbit hole in search of the best way to repair her damaged do, I stumbled across kintsugi, or “golden joinery,” the traditional Japanese art of mending broken ceramics with lacquer mixed with gold powder. Rather than disguising imperfections, kintsugi quite literally illuminates them. The fracture becomes the focal point, with the idea being that flaws can add interest and even beauty to an object.

That resonated with me. I became obsessed with kintsugi, and last year, that battered bust from Mexico led me halfway around the world to Tokyo, where I found myself in a workshop mending shattered bowls under the guidance of a local master. I learned how to re-create something meaningful from what I might otherwise have discarded. The old saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” really rang true for me that day.

It turns out I’m not alone in wanting to scratch that curiosity itch with these kinds of deep-dive learning experiences when traveling—and now there’s even a name for them: skillcations. Read on to discover what these trips entail, why they resonate so much with solo travelers and how to plan your own, whether stateside or around the world.

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What is a skillcation?

A skillcation is a vacation designed for personal growth and, as its name implies, focused on developing an expertise. Instead of just lounging face-down on a beach or racing through an endless sightseeing checklist, travelers dive into a personal passion along the way, which could mean picking up a new skill or honing one they already have.

The appeal of skillcations is clearly resonating right now. Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report found that 72% of respondents would consider taking time off work to go on one.

Interest in these trips spans generations, but Gen Z, generally defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, is leading the charge. According to a study from Priority Pass, 40% of travelers in this age group seek out solo getaways centered on special experiences (compared with just 27% of Boomers). And 35% of these younger travelers are prioritizing wellness-focused travel that allows them to digitally detox, helping to explain why purpose-driven trips may be on the rise.

What’s so great about a skillcation?

One of the most obvious benefits of solo travel is that you get to do exactly what you want, when you want, and a skillcation ups the ante since it includes exploring and developing proficiency in an area of interest that’s uniquely your own. There are some other notable perks to these on-the-road self-improvement journeys:

Hands-on trips can deepen your connection to a place

Focusing on learning something while on vacation offers a nice opportunity to connect with both yourself and the locale. “Travel today is no longer just about seeing a destination but about engaging with it in a meaningful way,” says Lubosh Barta, regional vice president and general manager at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River.

At his property, guests can try their hand at everything from the art of folding lotus petals or creating jasmine garlands with a local florist to mastering the basics of calligraphy and writing their names in Thai script. “We create moments where guests can truly understand the culture, not just observe it,” he says.

They turn a vacation into something that’s meaningful and lasting

In Mexico, I discovered the art of making mojigangas—giant, whimsical puppets traditionally used in celebrations, parades and festivals—alongside one of the craft’s foremost experts at Casa de Sierra Nevada in the artsy town of San Miguel de Allende. That day remains etched in my memory, more vividly than almost any other part of the trip. As we shaped and painted these figures, we talked for hours about the area: its history, its art and everyday life there.

Later, seeing mojigangas in the town square took on an entirely new significance; having made one myself, I felt a deeper connection to what they represented, and my own experience became intertwined with their cultural story.

Skillcations cultivate long-term creativity and overall wellness

Science backs up the long-term benefits of taking a skillcation. Most people would probably agree that just about any time spent away from work can help you relax. But one study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that routine-disrupting novelty and hands-on challenges—what psychologists often refer to as “mastery experiences”—during a vacation boost creativity, confidence and overall well-being in ways that stick with you well past your scheduled days off.

Jeanette Lorandini, a licensed clinical social worker in New York who specializes in dialectical behavior therapy, explains that when someone practices a skill, even in a low-pressure environment like travel, they create a sense of competence and capability. “That feeling tends to last longer than passive relaxation because it changes how people see themselves and interact with their surroundings,” she says, adding that when stepping out of your usual environment, you’re more open and willing to try something new without the same level of self-judgment or self-invalidation. “That combination of novelty and skill-building can increase confidence and creativity in a way that carries back into everyday life.”

What’s the best way to organize a skillcation?

Planning a skillcation can be fun and rewarding—and just as easy as setting up a standard sightseeing trip. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Choose your focus

You can pick a location first and see what local experiences spark your interest. Or choose a skill you want to explore—like I did with kintsugi—and find a destination that offers it.

I once became fascinated with Stradivarius violins after learning that one worth millions of dollars had been stolen. Digging into the instruments’ history, I discovered that they were crafted centuries ago by Antonio Stradivari in Cremona, Italy. Say less. I booked a ticket and headed to the town in Lombardy, immersing myself in its many artisan workshops and the Academia Cremonensis, an international school for violin- and bow-making housed in an 18th-century palace that offers beginner and advanced courses.

Do your research

Once you have your skill and location set, there are a lot of ways to find the right experience. Check specialized tour companies that offer immersive learning opportunities, such as Viator or Booking.com. Many hotels and resorts curate excursions and in-house workshops. You can also look for private lessons with area experts or specialized schools offering classes for travelers.

Consider timing and seasonality

Some skills-based experiences are dependent on the time of year, so plan accordingly. A great way to enrich your trip is to align it with seasonal festivals or artisan fairs connected with your skill. For me, going to San Miguel de Allende during its Day of the Dead celebrations would have made the mojiganga experience come alive even more.

What are some skillcation ideas to jump-start a learning adventure?

Remember, skillcations are all about diving into a destination, exploring a new skill and growing personally along the way. Here are some fun skillcation ideas to inspire your next learning getaway:

Photography

Professionals guide photographers of all skill levels on Aurora Expeditions polar voyages, helping them capture some of the planet’s most dramatic scenery during their Through the Lens Photography Expeditions to Antarctica, Iceland and Greenland.

Travel specialists at Untamed Travelling can organize photography-focused journeys to places like Patagonia in Argentina or Arctic Canada, designed to help participants develop and elevate their skills.

Beekeeping

At the Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island in Michigan, a local beekeeper invites guests to pick up some sweet honey-making know-how through hands-on lessons in the property’s orchard.

For something even further afield, travelers can help harvest honey from wooden hives and learn about conservation alongside expert beekeepers at Segera, a 50,000-acre wildlife sanctuary in Kenya.

Sailing

At the Inn at Perry Cabin on the Chesapeake Bay in St. Michaels, Maryland, the Sailmate Experience is a private captain-led session on the Miles River designed for beginners. It covers navigation, rigging and other sailing fundamentals.

Meanwhile, The Moorings, a yacht charter adventure company, gives more advanced sailors the chance to learn by doing at sea in over a dozen locations. Options range from chartered boats, where you can take the helm as much or as little as you like, to fully skippered vessels, where an experienced captain shows you the ropes.

Music

Regional music is a powerful way to experience a destination, and many hotels help novices tap into the local rhythm. Grand Wailea and Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort celebrate Hawaiian culture and the aloha spirit with ukulele lessons.

For a more immersive experience, North Carolina’s John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown provides hundreds of weekend and weeklong courses, including how to build and play a three-string guitar or banjo.

Frontier skills

What better way to go wild than by dusting off some cowboy skills out west? Arizona Cowboy College in Scottsdale runs multiday sessions that teach attendees what life is like as an American cowboy, from practicing skills as varied as roping and horseshoeing to setting up a traditional cow camp.

Further north, the Rocky Mountain Folk School in Grand Lake, Colorado, gets technical with functional crafts like saddle making, blacksmithing, leather tooling and woodturning.

On the East Coast, travelers can tap into their creative side with an Art of Whittling workshop at the Inns of Aurora in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

Culinary arts

Foodies seeking a genuine cultural exchange can join a locally run, immersive Exodus Signature Collection excursion with Exodus Adventure Travels. Recent itineraries include Signature Vietnam, where travelers master culinary traditions—everything from foraging forest botanicals to cooking alongside a guide in their family’s mountain home.

For a taste of French gastronomy, Ritz Paris invites chefs of all ages to elevate their skills at Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

In the U.S., resorts in Las Vegas are a winning bet because of their top-tier culinary experiences: at Paris Las Vegas, students at The Bedford by Martha Stewart Cooking Class work with the executive chef to prepare the domestic diva’s signature Big Martha’s Pierogies. At Connoisseur by Wynn, Winnie Yee—one of only a handful of female pitmasters in the country—teaches her unique barbecue techniques, blending Chinese, Malaysian and American traditions.

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Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Collinson Group: “From Stadiums to Spas: Unlocking the Explosive Growth of Sports and Wellness Travel”
• Hilton: “Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report”
• Frontiers in Psychology: “Well Recovered and More Creative? A Longitudinal Study on the Relationship Between Vacation and Creativity”
• Lubosh Barta, regional vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River; email interview, March 2026
• Jeanette Lorandini, founder and director of Suffolk DBT; email interview, March 2026

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The post I Take Skillcations on My Own—And They’ve Totally Changed the Way I Travel appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Big mistake. Huge. (Mine, I mean.)

Thirty minutes later, I was nodding along at the projected 20-year return on investment for a solar panel installation at my house. He was charming. He was persuasive. He had charts. I was half-convinced that, yes, obviously, I should be generating my own electricity—didn’t I want to be energy independent?—and also vaguely wondering how I had ended up here when I just came for paper towels.

The only thing that saved me was a text to my husband, who replied within seconds with the kind of grounding financial reality check only a patient spouse can deliver: “That makes no financial sense for us right now, as we’re not staying in this house much longer.” Right. Yes. How did I forget we were planning to move? “What do I tell him?” I typed back furiously. “Lie and tell him we rent,” my husband answered. Yes, I chose the lie to escape an awkward social situation.

The good news: There’s a better way out—a polite, graceful, socially acceptable way to exit a sales pitch without being rude. Or lying about your homeownership status. “One should never allow a salesperson to ‘trap’ them in a pitch. This is, essentially, what they’re trained to do,” says etiquette pro Jo Hayes, founder of EtiquetteExpert.org. “The skill, ability and confidence to politely decline a sales pitch is one everyone should develop, for a multitude of life situations.”

How? Read on.

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What is up with chatty salespeople?

“The reality is that as soon as one shows even a skerrick of interest, the salesperson latches on to the prey with the goal to keep you trapped in the conversation,” says Hayes. (Skerrick is an Australian word for a tiny amount. I have immediately added it to my vocabulary and will be using it constantly.) And this can leave you looking for an out, fast.

I totally get it. I have stood frozen in Sephora while unasked-for products were applied to my face and been shuffled along a Macy’s fragrance counter while a rep followed me with a perfume bottle like we were doing a slow-motion tango. And my all-time favorite impulse buy ever—a Vitamix blender that I still use and love to this day—came from another Costco demo.

So I am not immune to the charm of a skilled sales pitch. But before we get to the escape hatch, it helps to understand why salespeople do this in the first place—because there are actually a lot of legitimate reasons:

They’re working on commission

A financial incentive to be chatty is an obvious reason we find ourselves buying ridiculously fancy granola bars from an enthusiastic brand rep, and the pay can be quite lucrative. Good salespeople can make impressive amounts of money on top of their base salary, so there could be a paycheck attached to getting you to stop walking.

People are just friendly

For some chatty salespeople, it’s not purely mercenary. Some people genuinely love talking to strangers. Others enjoy it because it’s a stable job in a place with heat, air conditioning and $1.50 hot dogs—the talking is just a bonus.

It’s part of their training

True story: In college, I worked a phone sales job calling people during the dinner hour. (Yes, I’m still ashamed.) Our training required us to get three explicit nos before we were allowed to hang up. Or take Target’s “10-4” policy—rolled out in late 2025—that requires employees to smile, make eye contact and wave when a shopper comes within 10 feet, and to offer a warm personal greeting within 4 feet.

The logic, according to Target’s chief stores officer, is that when guests feel welcomed and get the help they need, it translates to loyalty. Which is genuinely true! (Of course, I used to pray customers would just hang up on me. A few times, I cracked and blurted out, “If you say no three times right now, I legally have to end this call.”)

In other words, sometimes the script keeping a salesperson talking is not even their choice.

The company is tracking analytics

Many retail environments track “conversion rates,” or the percentage of browsers who actually buy something, which creates an incentive to engage every single person who walks in. And in some stores, greeting customers is also a mild theft deterrent: Eye contact is a quiet announcement that says, “I see you.” Which, depending on your mood, can range from welcoming to slightly ominous, but in either case, it could be an indication that the store’s corporate overlords are tracking every move.

Why does this bug us so much in the moment?

Being sidetracked by small talk is just annoying, especially if you’re in a hurry. But being approached by a salesperson, in particular, triggers a cascade of small social pressures that we are not especially well-equipped to handle on the fly, Hayes says. There’s the guilt of knowing they’re trying to do their job. There’s the discomfort of saying no to someone’s face. There’s the creeping awareness of other people watching the interaction, which makes it feel vaguely like a performance you didn’t audition for.

The truth, she says, is that salespeople are specifically trained to capitalize on these social “polite” instincts: actively listening, making eye contact, not interrupting, being agreeable, making small talk and not walking away while someone is talking. In other words, your discomfort is not accidental; it’s engineered.

“Salespeople usually let loose with a verbose pitch designed to prevent interruptions, which can make one feel as though they need to linger, and not walk away, while the person is still talking,” Hayes says. And most of us were raised to be polite people who listen when someone is talking to us and don’t wander off midsentence—and salespeople know this. It’s not an accident; it’s a strategy that relies on your good manners to keep you standing there.

There’s also the physical space factor. Anyone who has been shadowed through a boutique or found a salesperson materializing beside them every single time they pause knows that proximity matters. The closer someone stands, the more trapped you feel—even if nothing explicitly threatening is happening. It’s just hard to think clearly when someone is 3 inches from your elbow, asking if you’ve heard about their loyalty program. (Fun fact: Getting hounded about the loyalty credit card was why I stopped shopping at Old Navy.)

What can you say to shake a salesperson without being rude?

Here it is, the magic phrase, according to Hayes: “No, thanks. I’m just looking, but I’ll find you if I need anything!”

This is simple, effective and, most importantly, doesn’t give the salesperson anything to argue with. Here’s why it works so well: It’s complete. It contains a polite decline (“no thanks”), an explanation that doesn’t invite follow-up (“I’m just browsing”) and a gracious exit that gives the salesperson something to hold onto (“I’ll find you if I need anything”). That last part matters—it signals that you’re not rejecting them; you’re deferring. They’ve done their job by introducing themselves. You’ve acknowledged it. Everyone can move on with dignity intact.

You can even go with a shorter version of this polite shopping response: “Thanks, but I’m good!” Hayes says the formula is simpler than people think: warmth, brevity and forward movement. A smile plus a quick “no, thanks” while you’re already in motion is a complete, socially acceptable exit—no explanation required.

And crucially, she says you don’t have to wait for the pitch to end before you go. You’re allowed to start walking even if they’re still midsentence. Read that again: even if they’re still midsentence. In other words, it’s not rude to keep walking! The solar panel guy and I could have both gotten our Tuesday afternoons back a lot sooner if I’d known this.

What else can you do to get your point across?

Words are only part of the equation; Hayes is emphatic that body language does most of the heavy lifting. Prevention matters as much as the exit: Don’t pause, don’t tilt your head, don’t let your gaze linger on the display. Once interest registers—even a flicker—it’s much harder to disengage. Keeping your head down, avoiding eye contact and staying in motion are all legitimate tools, not rudeness.

Pulling out your phone is also a legitimate deflection technique, partly because it signals “I am occupied” and partly because it gives you something to look at that isn’t the salesperson. Same with obvious headphones or earbuds. Avoidant? A little. Effective? Very.

A few other moves worth keeping in mind: Keep your cart moving, maintain distance from display tables if you’re not genuinely interested, and if you’ve made accidental eye contact, a quick, friendly nod before looking away is enough acknowledgment to avoid seeming rude.

The salespeople I have talked to, for what it’s worth, are not personally offended by any of this. In fact, I would argue that a friendly wave and a “no, thanks” while passing is genuinely the dream exit for most salespeople.

How can you make sure you’re not venturing into rude territory?

The line between assertive and rude is thinner than we’d like but also clearer than we fear. Hayes says the ability to decline gracefully is not a niche skill but a genuinely useful life tool that applies everywhere from street markets to car dealerships. “Declining is not inherently rude. Declining rudely is rude,” she says.

The difference usually comes down to tone. A brief, warm “no, thanks” with a smile is not rude. Ignoring someone entirely, snapping at them, arguing with them or cursing at them is rude.

Another rude habit many people don’t consider? Anything that creates more work for the salesperson or store staff, like taking the product or brochure just to be nice and then tossing it on a random shelf later. This just makes more cleanup.

For a full rundown of scripts and strategies, I wrote the Reader’s Digest guide to saying no politely, and it is worth bookmarking—the same principles that apply to declining social invitations apply surprisingly well to escaping a kiosk pitch.

When should you make an exception?

Sometimes the chatty salesperson is actually worth your time, and a little openness can genuinely improve your day, or your bank account. This is, after all, how I got my Vitamix. That blender has made approximately 7,000 smoothies and shows no signs of stopping. If I had deployed the magic phrase and kept walking, I would not have it, and I would be worse off. Sometimes the deal is genuinely good. The pitch exists because, occasionally, the product is worth knowing about.

Plus, it may be good for you. Research on what psychologists call microconnections—brief, warm exchanges with strangers—found that even a short positive exchange with someone you’ve never met has been shown to boost mood and a sense of belonging, which is not nothing.

Hayes sums up the overall principle in a way that applies well beyond any single shopping trip. She describes navigating street vendors—some of them children—on a recent business trip in Asia and notes that even in a high-pressure sales environment, the same approach holds: “Be kind, calm and clear.”

That’s it. Kind, calm, clear. Plus, use that forward momentum when needed. You don’t have to buy the solar panels. But you also don’t have to be a jerk about it.

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Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on chatty salespeople, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who specializes in etiquette and communication for Reader’s Digest. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Jo Hayes, etiquette expert and the founder of EtiquetteExpert.org; in-person interview, March 30, 2026
• Today: “Target’s ’10-4′ policy”

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Well, that day is finally here! Costco just dropped a brand-new dessert and brought back a fan-favorite cake, and let’s just say they’re going to make your Costco membership worth it. They’re also going to make you the hit of any get-together you bring them to, including your Easter celebrations.

Read on to discover the two sweet treats destined to become your favorites this spring.

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What new sweet treat is debuting at Costco this spring?

Raspberry-filled cookies, which already have a cult following. These oversized, bakery-style treats have a soft, almost cake-like base with a swirl of sweet-tart raspberry filling, and they come in a 15-count pack for $10.99. Translation: They’re perfect for sharing … or keeping all to yourself for the week (no judgment here).

So how do they taste? One TikToker summed it up simply, saying, “They taste like Pop-Tarts.” And another confessed, “Those are SO good that I literally ban myself from buying them. I’ll eat the whole box in one sitting.”

Shoppers are even comparing them to the Crumbl-style cookies that disappeared from Costco shelves around 2021 and fans still pine for. So grab a box of these before they disappear and become the next thing everyone wishes they’d stocked up on.

Which returning dessert is everyone excited about?

@anidaslajaunie Ok I loved this tiramisu cheesecake from @Costco Wholesale #cheesecake #tiramisu #costco #costcofinds ♬ original sound – Anidas | Foodie

Costco’s tiramisu cheesecake, a fan favorite that’s back after more than a year off shelves. Priced between $22.99 to $23.99, depending on location, the cake is a full-on showstopper: a graham cracker and cocoa crust, a cold-brew cheesecake layer and a mascarpone whipped topping finished with cocoa powder.

TikToker Anidas couldn’t hide his delight in a taste-test. His main reaction to the “really nice coffee flavor” and “crunchy” crust? Mmmmm. The man looks like he’s in heaven!

And commenters on his video agree. One person wrote, “Omg tried this the other day and it was SOOO GOOD!” Another immediately made the case for an anytime treat: “Omg yum! And since it’s coffee flavored, it’s perfect for breakfast.” We love a good rationalization … and we’re in!

When will these items be available—and how long will they be sticking around?

Lucky for you, they’ve already started popping up in Costco bakeries, but don’t expect them to stick around for too long. While Costco hasn’t shared an official end date, seasonal bakery items like these typically last for just a few weeks or months, depending on demand and how quickly stores sell through inventory.

If you can’t find these desserts, what are good backups?

Can’t snag those seasonal sweets? Try one of these crowd-pleasing dessert standbys instead.

• Kirkland Signature Cheesecake: This ultra-creamy cheesecake is one of Costco’s most reliable bakery staples. Typically around 10 inches wide and weighing several pounds (!), it’s designed to serve a crowd of 12 or more, and rings in at just $16 to $20.
• Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake: This rich, layered chocolate cake is a year-round favorite. It weighs a little over 2.5 pounds, and inside, you’ll find layers of chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, white chocolate mousse and brownie chunks, all finished with a glossy ganache.
• Bakery Dessert Bars: These oversized dessert bars are often sold in large, mix-and-match-style packs or as bar cakes. Flavors rotate, but you’ll commonly see chocolate-chunk brookies and pecan-caramel brownies. Yum!

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

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The post Costco’s New Sweet Treats Will Make You the Most Popular Person at Easter Brunch This Year appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Enter the gift registry. Long before we all became hooked on online shopping, registries helped guide our more taste-challenged friends and relatives toward the gifts we really want. As technology and shopping habits evolved, Amazon Wish Lists filled that space, though their utility goes far beyond weddings and graduations. In fact, many people use them as personal, well, wish lists that can be shared with friends and others for more everyday occasions.

But now, there’s news that this popular service changed a major privacy setting—and it could expose your home address to complete strangers. Ahead, we talked to Aaron Engel, the chief information security officer at ExpressVPN, a global cybersecurity company, to find out more about the change and what you can do to protect yourself against unsavory characters. Read on to learn what’s happening with Amazon Wish Lists.

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What are Amazon Wish Lists?

Amazon Wish Lists are just what they sound like: Lists of things you really want!

You can use them as a formal registry or personalized shopping list, as an organizational tool or to keep tabs on items you’d like to buy later. Many users set up a Wish List or registry for people they know, such as a beloved colleague who’s about to retire, or to compile under-$20 options for the office Secret Santa gift exchange.

Others set up Wish Lists so that complete strangers can fulfill their wishes. For example, online influencers, Twitch streamers and even sex workers might have a list so their fans can purchase and send them gifts from afar. Charities, like homeless shelters and animal rescues, also compile wish lists so that generous donors can purchase items the charity will then use or distribute to needy recipients.

One reason these lists are so popular is that Amazon makes organizing easy. Lists are a snap to share, items are marked as purchased so you can avoid getting (or sending) duplicate items, and certain registries offer perks like group gifting, discounts and generous return policies.

What change did Amazon recently make to its Wish Lists?

Starting March 25, 2026, Amazon made a significant change to its Wish List feature by removing the option to restrict purchases to items sold only by Amazon. If you’ve bought anything on Amazon, you’ve probably noticed that some things are “sold by Amazon” while others are “fulfilled by Amazon” and sold by a third party. This change prevents you from keeping your list completely within Amazon.

For wish-list makers and buyers, you’ll have more options because it opens your list to a wider selection of products. Registering for third-party gifts means you can include more unique items, handcrafted goods (from platforms like Etsy) or other harder-to-find items. It’s also good news for sellers that aren’t part of Amazon, as they will have a bigger pool of people who will see their offerings.

But as Engel explains below, this change opens you up to more than just a wider variety of products. It’s actually a huge privacy risk—and this feature is on by default.

What makes this change so dangerous?

Engel says preventing a Wish List user from restricting purchases from third parties “increases the chances that someone buying from your list could gain access to delivery details connected to the shipment”—details like your address, which will no longer remain under the control of Amazon and could even be shared with people who buy things from your list. In an email sent to Wish List users, the company stated this outright.

Here’s why this is a problem, in plain terms: “Someone could purchase an item specifically to gain access to delivery information and potentially figure out where you live,” Engel says. “This is especially relevant for online creators, influencers or public figures who share Wish Lists with large audiences. In more extreme cases, the information could be used for harassment or doxxing, where someone deliberately tries to uncover and publish another person’s personal details.”

I contacted Amazon to verify the shift, and Maxine Tagay, an Amazon spokesperson, said it’s part of the shipping process: “If a customer has a public list and connects a delivery address to that list in their settings, gift purchasers may receive the recipient’s address through sellers and delivery partners fulfilling those orders, as delivery updates and tracking information are shared as part of the shipment process.”

Don’t like this? You have some options.

So what can you do?

The simplest step, for those who want to continue using Amazon Wish Lists, is to limit who can see your registry. “For people sharing Wish Lists privately with friends or family, the risk may feel relatively small—but it becomes more concerning when a Wish List is shared publicly or circulated online,” Engel says.

Engel says if you don’t need the gift registry to be public, change the settings so it’s private or only accessible through a direct link you share with trusted people. “Another option is to remove your address from your Wish List entirely and only share it directly when needed,” he says. “That way, if someone wants to send you a gift, they’ll need to contact you for your address, giving you control over who has your information.”

How to change your Wish List settings

Here’s how to change your Wish List settings, straight from Amazon:

1. Log in to your Amazon account.
2. Navigate to your Lists page.
3. Click or tap the three dots in the upper right (…) of each list to manage list settings.
4. Select “Manage list” and adjust your privacy setting to Private or Shared (not Public), to limit who has access.
5. Alternatively, remove your shipping address entirely by tapping the “Shipping Address” field and selecting “None.” This keeps people from seeing your address automatically if your list is public.

What else can be done?

If you want to keep an address attached to a public Wish List, something many online creators may prefer, Engel says to consider using a P.O. Box rather than your home address. In fact, in the email sent to Amazon Wish List users, Amazon suggests this option, which is not going over well online. Not only do you have to pay for it, it’s less convenient to pick up gifts from a location outside your home. And while unlikely, a stranger could be there waiting for you too.

As an added layer of protection, Engel says to check the seller information when adding items to your list: “On the product page, look for the ‘Ships from’ and ‘Sold by’ sections, and if they both say Amazon, the shipping process typically stays within Amazon’s system and poses less of a risk.” One caveat: “However, it’s not recommended to rely on this, since third-party sellers can always start shipping their products directly later on,” Engel says. Another idea? “For added privacy, consider using initials instead of your full name in the shipping details,” he says.

Finally, there are other online retailers to consider, as well as platforms like Throne, which says it allows you to create a “privacy-first” wish list, which lets people send gifts without accessing your personal information.

RELATED:

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• Warning: Google’s Gemini AI Is Reading Your Emails—Here’s How to Get It to Stop
• Amazon Is Making Delivery Even Better for Millions of Customers—Here’s Who Will Benefit

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece, Marc Saltzman tapped his 30-plus years of experience as a technology journalist, the author of several books and the host of the syndicated Tech It Out radio show and podcast to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Aaron Engel, chief information security officer at ExpressVPN; interviewed, March 2026
• X: “Zach Bussey”
• Amazon: “Registry & Gifting”
• PCMag: “Got a Public Amazon Wishlist? Upcoming Change Could Reveal Your Address”
• Mashable: “Amazon Wish List changes its shipping policy — and some are worried”
• Reddit: “Amazon Wishlist/Gift List, r/SexWorkers”
• Throne: “Wishlist & Gifting Platform for Creators”

What an Amazon Email Scam Looks Like

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These Apps Might be Spying on You

The post Warning! Amazon Quietly Changed This Popular Feature, and Now Strangers Can Access Your Address—Here’s What to Do About It appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Enter Reddit user Kismai, whose detailed approach to laundry has earned him something of a cult following. He’s not a professional spokesperson or a detergent-brand insider—just someone who spills a lot and has spent years refining a laundry system that fans say completely transformed the way their clothes look and feel.

At the center of his method is an often overlooked ingredient that most of us never think about adding to laundry, if we’ve even heard of it at all. I took a closer look at how it works with Jennifer Ahoni, a principal scientist at Tide, and put it to the test myself. Here’s what to know, including easy steps to use this method yourself.

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What detergent ingredient is an absolute must for cleaner laundry?

Lipase is what people are chasing when they want their laundry to actually be clean, not just look the part. At the risk of making your laundry sound like a biology lab, let’s cover the basics. For starters, lipase is part of a broader class of detergent ingredients called enzymes.

“Enzymes, which are biological catalysts, are a class of ingredients in detergents used to break down complex stains into smaller, water-soluble pieces that can be more easily washed away,” Ahoni says. Lipase, in particular, accelerates the breakdown of greasy substances, so she says it’s especially useful for tackling body-oil buildup on clothes, as well as cooking fats like oils and butter.

She adds that removing these types of stains is particularly important for “modern synthetic fabrics, which tend to trap these body soils and greases more than natural fabrics.” (If you’ve ever had workout gear that seems clean but soon starts to stink again—yeah, lipase can help.)

Is lipase a common detergent ingredient?

Nope, lipase isn’t in every detergent, and it’s not always easy to find. That’s because in the United States, we tend to use liquid detergent, and enzymes are more stable in powder form. (That said, you can find lipase in select liquids and pods, as well as powders.)

“The most common detergent form [in the U.S.] is liquid, where manufacturers historically have leveraged advanced surfactants for grease and oil cleaning,” Ahoni says. “These surfactants work by lowering the surface tension of water and surrounding grease molecules, allowing them to be more easily lifted and suspended in water.”

If you’re not using lipase now, don’t despair. “A robust system of anionic and nonionic surfactants is also highly effective at removing greasy soils,” Ahoni says, referring to detergents with negatively charged ions (anionic) and uncharged ions (nonionic). “However, we are indeed seeing a growing inclusion of lipase in detergent formulas, likely driven by a consumer demand for a deeper clean and for odor removal,” she says.

Where can you find lipase-based detergents?

You don’t need to go to a special store to find lipase-based ingredients, but you can’t just grab any old product off the shelf. Because the U.S. market heavily favors products that are less likely to contain lipase, Kismai created what he calls the “Lipase List,” a public Google sheet of detergents, pretreaters and boosters sold in North America that contain lipase.

A few popular detergents on the list include:

• Tide + Ultra Oxi (and other Tide powders)
• Ariel (2X, Ultra Oxi)
• Gain (powder formulas)
• ECOS Laundry Detergent with Enzymes
• Everspring Ultra Concentrated
• Dropps (Odor + Stain or 4-in-1 Plus Oxi)
• 365 by Whole Foods Concentrated Detergent

How do you use lipase-based detergent in the wash?

You use lipase detergent like you would any other, but Kismai’s method is really about stacking the odds in your favor to get the best results.

It’s not complicated, but it’s not the “stuff my clothes in the machine and hope for the best” laundry routine. If you want to follow in the footsteps of the internet’s laundry folk hero, here’s what Kismai does:

1. Separate your laundry. Cotton sheets, towels and regular, everyday clothing (even synthetics) must be washed separately from delicates like wool and silk. Separate lights and darks for best results.
2. Group items based on soil level. Kismai says this gives you more control over how each load gets washed.
3. Treat visible stains. Use an enzyme-based pretreater before washing. Kismai calls this his “not-so-secret weapon,” especially for food and body soils, and recommends letting it sit for at least 30 minutes so it has time to work.
4. Treat heavier, greasy messes. Pretreat spills like motor oil or thick, waxy buildups with a liquid detergent rich in surfactants, as Ahoni suggests. (Enzymes alone may not cut it.) Work it into the fabric before tossing it into the wash.
5. Don’t overload the machine. Clothes need room to move so the detergent can actually do its job. Aim for a full but not crammed load—something I am very guilty of!
6. Wash in warm water. Kismai leans toward warm water, using a normal cycle and longer agitation, along with extra rinses to help fully remove detergent and any loosened grime.
7. Dry on a gentle cycle. Kismai recommends gentler settings for most clothing, saving higher heat for sturdier items like towels.

So what happened when I put this seemingly magical ingredient to the test?

Guess what: Lipase works!

I used the Kismai-approved 365 by Whole Foods Concentrated Detergent, which comes in a liquid form. I ran multiple loads throughout the week, and I found it especially effective on gross and greasy food stains, as well as my workout gear, just as Ahoni and Kismai said.

Here’s what I tested lipase detergent on, and what I found:

Stained kitchen towels

I like to think I’m a sustainable girlie, so in my kitchen, I use reusable “paper towels,” which are really just a pile of neatly folded, aesthetically colored rags. Sometimes one of those little cloths can last me all day long. But when I’m cleaning counters or cooking dinner (I’m a messy cook!), I’m running through five or more of those suckers in an hour. So there is usually a fat stack of greasy, grody towels piling up in my sink—and they all need a deep clean.

The verdict: I washed my reusable towels using Kismai’s method, and the food stains—from a blob of oil to the remnants of a puddle of sauce—lifted noticeably, no lingering crunchy spots or shadowy discoloration.

Workout clothes

After my grimy towels, I tackled my grubby workout clothes (I am, unfortunately, a heavy sweater). So I had plenty to test this method on! Fellow athletes, you probably know that even if you immediately toss your gear into the wash after a strenuous session, it’s really difficult to get body-oil-based grime out of synthetic materials. And workout clothes can sometimes hold onto that faint, baked-in sweat smell, no matter how quickly you get them into the wash.

The verdict: My workout gear came out smelling neutral and clean, with no lingering odor. And since I went for an unscented detergent, there wasn’t any perfumy scent either.

Any bad news?

There was one clear drawback: Finding a lipase-based detergent wasn’t exactly easy. The 365 detergent was one of the more accessible options near me (thanks, Whole Foods down the street), but depending on where you live, you may have to order online or hunt around a bit.

Will I keep using lipase detergent?

Yes! Lipase detergent is officially being added to my laundry rotation.

At around $12 for 100 fluid ounces, it was a bit more expensive than the detergents I usually go for. But if it continues to keep my kitchen rags from getting permanently gross and my workout clothes from holding onto the scent of sweat, I’m willing to pay a little extra.

It’s not a miracle cure, though. As Ahoni points out, no single ingredient can tackle every type of stain, so a well-rounded routine still matters. But for greasy buildup and body oils, which often stick around no matter how many times I wash, lipase made a noticeable difference.

So if your biggest laundry frustrations involve oil, odor or that “why doesn’t this feel clean?” problem, it’s absolutely worth a shot. Just be prepared to do a little digging to find the right formula—and don’t expect it to solve every laundry problem overnight.

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• You’re Probably Not Cleaning This Part of Your Washing Machine, but You Really Need To

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Jennifer Ahoni, principal scientist at Tide; interviewed, March 2026
• Vox: “The mysterious Redditor who’s changing the way we do laundry”
• Dirty Laundry: “Laundry 101 With Kismai”
• AAPS PharSciTech: “Stability Improvement of a Liquid Enzyme Product”

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The post People Are Going Absolutely Feral for This Secret Laundry Ingredient—I Tried It Out, and My Clothes Are Cleaner Than Ever appeared first on Reader's Digest.

So wear it I did. To church. On a completely ordinary Sunday. Was I slightly overdressed? Absolutely. Did multiple women stop me to compliment me? Also yes. Did I feel, for the first time in a long time, like a human being who takes care of herself rather than someone who hoards nice things for a hypothetical future that never quite arrives? Um … more on that below.

If you’re honest with yourself, you probably have a version of this same dress in your life. Maybe it’s the china your grandmother left you, still in the cabinet. The cashmere wrap still in the bag. The fancy olive oil you’re “saving” for a special recipe. The perfume you’re rationing like it was distilled from a rare alpine flower that blooms once a decade. We save our best things for the “right moment,” and somewhere along the way, we stop living in the moments we actually have.

“The skill we learned as children to delay gratification becomes counterproductive to prioritizing joy during adulthood,” says clinical psychologist Melissa Gluck, PhD. She adds that this is ironic because adulthood is the time when we actually have the money to buy nicer things and our free time is at a premium, so it makes even more sense to enjoy them.

She’s right, and the psychology backs her up. As it turns out, there are some very real, measurable benefits to using your best stuff on a regular old Tuesday. Keep reading, because it’s time to set the table with the good china—even if you’re just eating pizza.

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What’s the problem with saving your “best” items for special occasions?

Just like my nonexistent black-tie event proves, the special occasion rarely comes, and the items you’ve been saving go unworn, unused and eventually out of style, expired or guiltily given away. That’s a lot of waiting for something that may never materialize, as well as a lot of wasted money and lost storage space.

There’s a genuine mental glitch happening here, according to Jenny Martin, PhD, a Chicago-based clinical psychologist. “People imagine a future moment that will be more meaningful than the present one, so the item stays in waiting,” she says. “But the perfect moment rarely arrives. Instead, people end up living alongside things meant to bring joy without actually experiencing them.”

Here’s a closer look at how that plays out.

It’s a waste of money

Look at it through a cost-per-use lens. Consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch says to think of “buying a designer handbag that you only use for a special occasion once a year versus one that you use on a daily basis. The latter offers a better value given the amount of use and enjoyment you’ve had from it.” The math is hard to argue with: A $300 item used once costs $300 per use. Used 60 times? $5. Suddenly, that feels like the smartest purchase you’ve ever made.

It takes a mental toll

Over time, things you’re “saving” begin to create quiet pressure and guilt because they represent something meant to be enjoyed that isn’t actually being enjoyed. Psychologically, Martin says, the habit “reinforces the idea that ordinary life is not worthy of pleasure.”

That sentence stopped me cold, because I genuinely have a box—a full cardboard box—of gifts people have given me over the years that I’ve decided are “too nice” to use yet. Expensive skin care. Fancy teas. Decadently soft socks. You guys, I’m a daily journaler, and I’ve been writing my precious thoughts on a generic spiral notebook left over from my kids’ school supplies, when this whole time I could have been using a leather book embossed with gold cabbage roses and actual lines to write the date, given to me by a beloved friend.

Now I understand why I feel so sad every time I see that box. It’s not a collection of nice things. It’s a collection of moments I’ve quietly decided I don’t deserve.

What are the benefits of using these items more regularly?

Here’s the upside, for me and for all of you with your own box of delayed dreams: The fix is both free and immediately enjoyable. Here’s what happens when you stop saving your best for later.

It signals to your brain that you’re worth it

This isn’t a shampoo commercial platitude; it’s actual psychology. “The primary benefit is creating the notion that you are worthy of the best and what you crave,” Gluck says. Martin echoes this: “When people start using their favorite items regularly, something subtle shifts. It signals to the brain that everyday life is allowed to contain beauty and enjoyment. That mindset is linked to greater life satisfaction because it encourages people to engage with the present rather than constantly postponing enjoyment.”

And research consistently shows that small sensory pleasures woven into daily life are more effective for sustained well-being than big, infrequent rewards. There are plenty of small, science-backed ways to be happier, and it turns out that using your nice stuff is a really easy one.

It makes everyday moments feel like occasions

On stressful days, which can feel like almost every day, this is the mental reframe you need. Gluck suggests “trying to find moments of indulgence and luxury throughout the day. This might look like brushing your hair with that nice boar-bristle brush or using your best silverware just for yourself.” She’s careful to clarify: “A life that prioritizes quality does not mean a life of overspending, but rather encourages the belief that one is worthy of luxuriating in moments to oneself with some favorite items.”

I normally drink out of mason jars. I’m not trying to get all cottagecore Instagram aesthetic; I just somehow ended up with a lot of mason jars, and I drink a ton of water. This week, I used my actual nice glasses. Water tasted fancier. Dinner felt more intentional. The glasses survived. What I noticed most was how little effort it took to make an ordinary meal feel like more of an event—not because anything changed about the food, but because I decided the moment was worth honoring. I’m learning that the thing that makes a moment special isn’t the occasion; it’s the attention you give it.

It can actually save you money (and energy)

This sounds backward, but stick with it. Woroch explains that when you regularly use what you already own and love, you’re far less likely to spend money hunting for substitutes. Gluck adds that people who use their best items “may spend less time and money trying to find more affordable substitutes.”

Think about how many “good enough for now” versions of something you’ve bought while the nicer version sat untouched at home. I bought three “normal” olive oils in the time my fancy one was waiting. Three. The math is not in my favor.

How does using your “good” items help you declutter?

When you start using the things you genuinely love, you can suddenly see, with striking clarity, what you don’t love—and you realize you’re allowed to let it go.

“Once people stop treating objects as sacred artifacts for some future moment, it becomes easier to see what they actually value and what they do not,” Martin explains. That perfectly adequate $12 mug looks very different sitting next to the mug that makes your morning feel like a ritual. One of them is going in the donate pile, and it’s not the one you love.

This is the opposite of the decluttering spiral where you feel guilty getting rid of things because they’re “nice.” You’re not getting rid of nice things—you’re using the nice things and clearing out the placeholders, the backups and the “good enough for now” substitutes. The result is a home that actually reflects your real taste rather than a house full of contingency plans and deferred decisions.

Can this help you declutter mentally too?

Yes, and the mental decluttering might be the biggest payoff of all. Saving things you love but aren’t using creates a low-grade psychological weight that’s easy to dismiss until it isn’t. Every time you open that cabinet, closet or yes, cardboard box full of things that are “too nice” to use, you’re receiving a quiet signal that you’re not quite there yet—that the good stuff is for a future, better-deserving version of you.

Martin offers a beautifully simple reframe: Treat nice items as “tools for living rather than things to preserve. If something is meaningful to you, the most respectful way to honor it is to actually use it.” She also suggests a question worth sitting with whenever you find yourself “saving” something: “What am I waiting for?” Often, she says, “the answer reveals that the imagined moment is already here.”

That shift—from preservation mode to living mode—tends to ripple outward in ways you don’t expect. It changes how you approach your wardrobe, your home and your daily routines and habits in ways that make ordinary life feel genuinely richer and you feel less stressed. Which is truly the whole point.

Ready to start using your fancy stuff?

Good. Then it’s likely time to start purging some of those placeholder items that are not actually worthy of you. How do you like that mindset shift? Once you’ve committed to using what you love and releasing what you don’t, you may find the whole process feels less like loss and more like making room.

As for me, I’m not stopping this experiment. The fancy tea is steeping on my counter right now. The journal is open. The dress has been worn twice now—to church and a Tuesday lunch—and I’ve decided that “overdressed” is just a word people use when they’re a little envious of your choices. Use your good stuff. Life is the special occasion.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Melissa Gluck, PhD, psychologist and founder of Gluck Psychology Collective; interviewed, March 14, 2026
• Jenny Martin, clinical psychologist and founder of Gemstone Wellness; interviewed, March 14, 2026
• Andrea Woroch, consumer savings and budgeting expert; interviewed, March 15, 2026

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The post Here’s Why You Should Eat Dinner on Your Fanciest China Tonight appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Thankfully, Netflix has a solution to ensure your next work trip or vacation doesn’t get in the way of your must-watch TV. It’s a little-known Netflix trick that you’re probably not taking advantage of, and it lets you binge even without Wi-Fi or a data network. Read on for all the details.

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What little-known trick should you use for your favorite Netflix series?

It’s called Smart Downloads, and if you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out.

Smart Downloads lets you automatically download content to watch while you’re offline. Now, downloading stuff to watch later isn’t new (and you’ll find the option on many streaming services), but Netflix’s Smart Downloads is a little different. First of all, it’s more of a “set it and forget it” solution, and it handles downloads in two different ways:

• Download Next Episode: This feature automatically downloads the next episode in whatever series you’re watching. It also deletes the episode you just watched to prevent you from using up too much storage space on your device. You can’t choose which episodes to download, nor can you download an entire series at once, but you can have “next episodes” for multiple shows downloaded at once.
• Downloads for You: Netflix automatically downloads TV shows and movies it thinks you will enjoy based on your viewing habits. You don’t have to do anything; Netflix simply downloads them right onto your device, so you’ve always got something to watch even when you’re not online! Netflix doesn’t ask before downloading, but you can specify how much storage space Downloads for You is allowed to use.

What’s great about these features is that you don’t have to remember to download your shows when you’re running around trying to get out the door for your trip. With these features enabled, you’ll always have something waiting for you.

How do you enable Netflix’s Smart Downloads feature?

The first thing to know is that the Smart Downloads feature is available only on mobile devices, not on computers or smart TVs. This makes some sense, as you probably don’t take your television with you when you travel—but you’re out of luck if you want to enable Smart Downloads on your laptop.

Luckily, the process for setting it up on your phone or tablet is straightforward. Here are the steps:

1. Open the Netflix app.
2. Tap “My Netflix” (in the bottom-right corner).
3. Tap “Menu” (in the upper-right corner).
4. Tap “App Settings.”
5. Tap “Smart Downloads” (located under “Downloads”).
6. Toggle the switch next to “Download Next Episode” and/or “Downloads for You.”

You can enable either or both of these, depending on which feature you want to use. Additionally, when Downloads for You is toggled on, you can select how many gigabytes of storage it’s allowed to use on your device. You can change this for each profile on your Netflix account.

But wait—don’t you need Wi-Fi to watch Netflix?

Smart Downloads still requires a Wi-Fi connection in order to download anything. (And it will not automatically download over your cellular network, so you don’t have to worry about Smart Downloads using up your data.) But while you need Wi-Fi to download shows and movies, you don’t need Wi-Fi to watch them once they’re on your device.

That’s useful for when you are disconnected from Wi-Fi for brief periods—think airplane rides, road trips or any place where the public Wi-Fi might be spotty or unavailable. However, this means that Smart Downloads may not be a viable solution for binge-watching when you’re going to be offline for a while.

Smart Downloads has some other limitations too. Most notably, Smart Downloads is not available on the ad-supported subscription, which isn’t great news for users on the cheapest Netflix plan. And naturally, you can only download content if you have sufficient storage space on your device.

Finally, some shows and movies have limits on how many times you can download them for offline viewing, and others may not be downloaded at all due to licensing restrictions. Additionally, downloaded content eventually expires after you start watching—even if you haven’t finished it yet—meaning you’ll need to re-download it or watch it online.

How else can you download Netflix shows and movies to watch offline?

Smart Downloads is not the only way to view Netflix content offline. Netflix also allows you to manually download movies and shows (including entire seasons), even on the ad-supported plan. This is useful when you know you won’t have internet access for a long stretch.

As with Smart Downloads, offline downloading is available only on mobile devices. It’s not on smart TVs or computers, except for Chromebooks, which can install the Netflix app via the Google Play store.

Here’s how to download Netflix shows and movies for offline viewing:

1. Open the Netflix app.
2. Tap “Downloads.”
3. Tap “See What You Can Download” (on Chromebook, click “Find More to Download”).
4. Select the show or movie that you want to download.
5. Select “Download.”

Note that for shows, you can either tap the download button next to an episode or tap “Download Season” to put it all on your device in one go. That’s very handy for future marathon sessions of your favorite sitcom, K-drama or true-crime series.

How many shows can you manually download?

Manual offline downloads also have some limits. If you’re on the cheapest, ad-supported plan, you’ll get only 15 offline downloads per month. Users on ad-free plans have no limits to offline downloads but can have only 100 active downloads going at any one time. That’s a lot, so you’re unlikely to exceed that limit. Still, it’s something to be aware of.

Furthermore, unlike Smart Downloads, manual downloads can use your cellular data network. If you’re not on an unlimited plan, make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi when doing this so that you don’t blow through your monthly data!

How should you manage all of these downloads?

After downloading a show or movie, you can find it in the “My Netflix” menu under “Downloads.” You can manage your offline downloads only within the Netflix app. They’re not stored in your device’s photo app or file browser.

My Netflix is also where you can delete stuff to free up space on your device. Storage is definitely a bottleneck to be aware of with offline content. Don’t underestimate how quickly this can eat up your storage, especially if you’re downloading shows and movies in HD!

How do you delete your downloaded Netflix shows and movies?

Remember that only episodes downloaded via the “Download Next Episode” feature get automatically deleted; you’ll have to delete everything else yourself. To do this, simply go to Downloads, tap the download status icon next to the content you want to delete and select “Delete Download.”

You can delete all of your downloaded content in one sweep using your phone or tablet too. This requires a few extra steps:

1. In the Netflix app, select “My Netflix.”
2. Tap “Menu” in the upper right.
3. Tap “App Settings.”
4. Tap “Delete All Downloads” (located under “Downloads”).
5. Tap “Delete” on the confirmation screen that appears.

That’s a quicker way to do it if you have a lot of downloaded content you want to delete. If you take advantage of offline viewing a lot, you’ll want to do this regularly to free up storage space.

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Netflix: “How to download titles to watch offline”
• Netflix: “How to use ‘Download Next Episode'”
• Netflix: “How to use ‘Downloads for You'”

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Some of that gap has narrowed over the years, but not by as much as you might think, and not in the same ways across every task. New data from the Pew Research Center takes a closer look at how those hours break down, tracking how much time men and women spend on housework each day. And no, it doesn’t all come out in the wash.

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How did Pew researchers determine time spent doing housework?

To get a clear picture of daily life, researchers at Pew analyzed data from the American Time Use Survey (ATUS), a long-running dataset from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that tracks how Americans spend their time over a 24-hour period. Participants log everything from paid work to child care to chores, creating one of the most detailed portraits of daily routines available.

What is housework? In this case, it includes tasks like cleaning, cooking, laundry, yard work and household management. While the data is self-reported, it’s widely considered a gold standard for time-use research because it captures behavior in real time rather than relying on memory or perception.

Pew averaged data from the three most recent ATUS surveys (2022, 2023 and 2024). One important nuance: The survey captures a single day in the lives of participants. But when aggregated across thousands of people, consistent patterns emerge. For example, recent data shows that, on any given day, 86% of women and 71% of men report doing some form of household work—and that’s before you even start the clock on individual tasks.

How much time do American men and women spend doing housework?

The short answer: Women still do more—and by a meaningful margin. On average, women spend 2 hours 19 minutes per day doing housework, while men spend 1 hour and 34 minutes, according to Pew.

While that gender gap has narrowed over the years, it hasn’t disappeared, and it’s a statistically significant difference that adds up to several extra weeks of unpaid labor for women a year. Long-term research shows the ratio of women’s to men’s housework has gone from roughly 1.8-to-1 in the early 2000s to about 1.6-to-1 today, so it remains persistent.

Some of the imbalance comes down to longstanding expectations around gender roles. Even as women’s participation in the workforce has increased dramatically, their share of unpaid labor at home has not declined at the same rate. Research shows that women still spend more time on housework and caregiving, while men spend more time on leisure activities.

There’s also a broader time gap at play. Research from the Gender Equity Policy Institute finds that women spend twice as much time as men, on average, on child care and household work, which results in women having 13% less free time than men. Unpaid labor has real economic value as well. The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that unpaid care and household work performed by women alone amounts to roughly $10 trillion globally each year—about 13% of global GDP.

In other words, it’s not just about who does the dishes tonight. It’s about who keeps coming back to them day after day.

How does housework differ across generations?

Younger men are doing more housework than previous generations, marking a shift that researchers have tracked steadily over the past two decades. In fact, the gap in core tasks like cooking and cleaning has shrunk by roughly 40% since the early 2000s, driven largely by men increasing their participation, according to a recent report in Science News.

But even among younger groups, the balance isn’t equal. Traditional roles established decades ago often remain in place, and women still spend more time on chores overall, according to the Pew report. Here’s how the data shakes out by age:

• 20s: Women (1:43), Men (1:02)
• 30s: Women (2:17), Men (1:25)
• 40s: Women (2:21), Men (1:29)
• 50s: Women (2:30), Men (1:41)
• 60s: Women (2:49), Men (2:05)
• 70s: Women (2:53), Men (2:15)

Interestingly, time-use data also shows that younger women are doing less housework than women in previous generations, but not enough to fully offset the imbalance.

What counts as “housework,” and what doesn’t?

Not all chores are created equal, and not all are distributed the same way. Studies like Pew’s consistently find that men and women tend to take on different types of tasks. Men are more likely to handle intermittent or outdoor work, like yard maintenance, home repairs or car care. Women, meanwhile, are more often responsible for daily, recurring chores like cooking, cleaning and laundry.

And as seen in the ATUS data, those daily tasks add up quickly: Women spend nearly twice the amount of time on food preparation and cleanup than men—about 52 minutes per day versus 28 minutes—and nearly three times the number of minutes doing laundry (14 minutes a day versus 5 minutes).

There’s also the question of “invisible labor,” which means the planning, remembering and staying one step ahead of what needs to be done next. While harder to measure, studies suggest women are more likely to carry that mental load as well, from tracking grocery lists to scheduling appointments.

Why does this even matter?

Most people don’t think of housework in terms of hours. It’s just part of the day that gets folded in alongside everything else. But if you want to better divvy up household chores—or highlight the invisible labor you do—this breakdown can help. Put numbers to it, and it stops feeling invisible. The work has always been there. The difference is seeing it.

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: “American Time Use Survey”
• Pew Research Center: “How Do U.S. Men and Women Spend Their Time?”
• Socius: “Who’s Doing the Housework and Childcare in America Now? Differential Convergence in Twenty-First-Century Gender Gaps in Home Tasks”
• Gender Equity Policy Institute: “The Free-Time Gender Gap”
• Science News: “Married men are doing more cleaning and laundry than in the past”
• Pew Research Center: “Among U.S. couples, women do more cooking and grocery shopping than men”
• McKinsey: “For mothers in the workplace, a year (and counting) like no other”

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Part of Orlando’s allure is that it caters to tourists, making a trip here easy and budget-friendly (especially if Disney isn’t on your itinerary). You can fly direct to Orlando International Airport from 118 different U.S. cities and, depending on where you’re flying from, may be able to book a budget airline to Orlando Sanford Airport or nearby Lakeland Airport. With nearly 500 hotels to choose from, it’s also easy to find lodging that fits your style and budget.

I recently traveled to Orlando with my husband and two tweenagers without visiting Disney, and—spoiler alert!—we had an absolute blast. Read on to find out which super fun, family-friendly Orlando attractions should be on your must-visit list.

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Orlando Auto Museum at Dezerland Park

Best for: Car enthusiasts and those in search of rainy-day fun

Believe me when I tell you that the Orlando Auto Museum at Dezerland Park is one of the best things to do in Orlando. It will delight everyone in your family, including skeptical dads, hard-to-please teens and even active toddlers who need plenty of space to run around. Housed in a former shopping mall, the museum houses real-estate tycoon Michael Dezer’s private collection of more than 2,000 vehicles. The self-guided tour starts off with a bang in the world’s largest collection of James Bond vehicles and memorabilia. You’ll see cars ranging from the original 1064 silver Aston Martin from Goldfinger to the Land Rover Defender from No Time to Die.

From there, you can get up close and personal with more famous cars from TV and film, including the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo, the Batmobile from the original Batman TV show, the Ectomobile from Ghostbusters and the Buick Grand National driven by Vin Diesel in The Fast and the Furious. Sign up for a private VIP tour, and you’ll be allowed to sit in the cars for photo opps.

The museum houses more types of outlandish cars than you even knew existed, including the world’s largest limousine with seating for 75 (just don’t make any tight turns), an Elvis car with a hood shaped like a guitar and a Bugs Bunny car shaped like a giant carrot. On a more serious note, history buffs will appreciate the “Jeanette,” a DUKW driven by the 818 Amphibious Truck Company, an all-Black unit that landed at Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1945. The vehicle was named after the driver’s girlfriend, and the couple wed after World War II was over.

When you’re done looking at cars, play a round of paintball, drive go-karts or bowl a few frames. The fully indoor park is perfect for rainy days or super hot summer days, when you need some air-conditioned fun.

Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures

Best for: Outdoorsy types

When I signed up for the Boggy Creek airboat ride—essentially a barge that can reach up to 50 mph with a giant fan attached to the back—I was expecting to see alligators and take a ride through wetlands. I wasn’t expecting to be wowed by the natural beauty of the Everglades, while spotting more bird species than I could count. But that’s exactly what happened.

It’s hard to imagine that something that fast and loud (we donned noise-protection headphones) could be peaceful, but it was. Surprisingly, the airboat didn’t scare the wildlife, which has grown accustomed to the boats. As Captain Dave skillfully maneuvered our boat through the water, he paused to point out osprey and bald eagles. Yep, we saw the promised gators too—from a safe distance, of course.

And there’s more than just rides at Boggy Creek’s 32-acre park. Kids can mine for gems, and everyone can visit the butterfly garden. My 11-year-old daughter particularly loved feeding the Highland cows, which are a new addition to the park. The shaggy cows were friendly—and hungry—and the boldest one let her pet it.

Discovery Cove

Best for: Lovers of aquatic life

For anyone who wants a day at the beach without having to leave Orlando, Discovery Cove is the answer. It’s billed as an “all-inclusive tropical paradise,” and for my family, it lived up to that lofty expectation. In fact, it reminded me of being on a cruise ship’s private island. Discovery Cove sits across the Central Florida Parkway from SeaWorld Orlando (which we did not visit), and the two share a parent company.

We parked ourselves at our cabana (available for an additional charge) and explored the park from our home base. I appreciated having a shady, secluded spot throughout the day with lounge chairs and a hammock. Bonus: It has a locker, so we could leave our valuables behind while we toured the park.

One of our first stops was the Explorer’s Aviary, home to more than 250 exotic birds, including macaws and flamingos. The more adventurous can feed the birds fruit (provided by the park) right from their hands. But we spent most of our time on the Wind-Away River, a lazy river on steroids. The river winds through the aviary, into caves and under waterfalls. The park provides pool noodles rather than inner tubes, and some parts were so deep that I couldn’t stand, which may make it challenging for inexperienced swimmers, though life vests are available.

We signed up for two extra animal encounters, SeaVenture and Swim with Dolphins. SeaVenture is like scuba diving lite: You don a dive helmet that allows you to breathe normally and walk on the bottom of the tank, and even my water-hating hubby enjoyed it. And how could he not? You get to walk by lemon sharks and through schools of tropical fish all while manta rays glide by overhead!

Unfortunately, our Swim with Dolphins experience was canceled, but for a good reason. Discovery Cove is respectful of the animals, taking their cues for what they do—and don’t—want to do. Our group of assigned dolphins decided they weren’t up to performing that afternoon. All guests were offered the option to rebook or get a refund.

Universal Orlando Resort

Best for: Theme-park aficionados

As most folks know, Disney isn’t the only game in town when it comes to theme parks. Orlando is also home to Universal Orlando Resort, which doubled in size in 2025 with the opening of Universal Epic, its fourth park. We opted not to visit Epic on our trip, because the lines are reportedly still long, and instead focused our day trip on Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. (The fourth park is Volcano Bay, a water park.)

We started our day at Islands of Adventure because on the day we visited, it opened at 9 a.m., an hour earlier than Universal Studios. Our first stop was a visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade, and our first ride was its signature Hargrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. On the “storycoaster,” as Universal calls its themed rides, riders hop in a charmed flying motorcycle before being thrust into the Forbidden Forest, where Hagrid shows off his favorite magical creatures, including Fluffy, the three-headed dog. The roller coaster was fast, fun and not too scary, and it deserves all the accolades that riders have heaped on it since it debuted in 2019.

Next, my kids essentially forced me to ride the Jurassic World Velocicoaster. I try to say yes to everything on vacation, but the 155-foot drop, four loops and a max speed of 70 mph were downright scary! Still, I’m happy I did it. Yes, my heart was pounding, and I screamed the entire time, but it was exhilarating!

Before I knew it, it was time for lunch (burgers at The Burger Digs), and we were off to Universal Studios, a short walk from Islands of Adventure. We started with a stroll through the gift shop in Hollywood, where the costumes from Wicked were on display. As impressive as they were on the big screen, they were even more beautiful up close, where you could appreciate the delicate lace, intricate beading and textured fabrics. Then it was time to refuel with a “flaming Mo” and a “Big Pink,” a giant donut at Moe’s Tavern from The Simpsons.

Our favorites at Universal Studios were Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley and Harry Potter’s Escape from Gringrots, as well as the family-friendly Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, a motion simulation ride that turns you into a Minion. All in all, it was a very fun—and very exhausting—day.

Where to stay

Just like folks are Team Disney or not, there are two camps of hotel guests: those who don’t care where they stay because they don’t plan to spend much time in their room aside from sleeping, and those who like to stay somewhere with loads of amenities and plenty of room to spread out to fully enjoy the downtime. While I was in the first camp when I was younger and traveling solo, now that I have kids who run me ragged—and who occasionally get tired themselves—I appreciate a nicer hotel. On our trip, we stayed at two fantastic options, and they were perfectly located for all the things we wanted to do in Orlando.

Caribe Royale

Caribe Royale is an all-suite hotel, located 1.5 miles from Disney’s EPCOT (you know, if you wanted to go there). We stayed in one of the property’s villas with two bedrooms, a separate living room and a full kitchen, plus a dining table and washer/dryer. The resort boasts a pool with a 75-foot water slide, on-site fishing and cycling (loaner gear is available at no extra charge) and seven restaurants and eateries. My crew were big fans of the Stadium Club, a souped-up sports bar with pro-level sports simulators. We tried our hand at ice hockey, golf and—our favorite—zombie dodgeball.

Villatel Orlando Resort

The townhouse-style villas that make up the Villatel Orlando Resort boast four to nine bedrooms that can sleep up to 26 people. Each villa comes with its own private pool, fully stocked kitchen, outdoor gas grill, ample big-screen TVs and a washer/dryer. The decor is modern chic, and the beds are super comfy. The pièce de résistance for us was the Barbie-themed room with bunk beds and an actual twisty slide to exit the top bunk. Oh, and did I mention that there was an arcade-style game in our room? My kids were ready to move in!

The resort has an on-site waterpark, but it has limited food options, including poolside dining and a 24-hour market. Because we had a rental car, we picked up our own groceries for breakfasts and snacks and got take-out sushi one night when we were too tired to eat out. It’s centrally located, just under two miles from Universal Orlando Resort.

Where to eat

Speaking of dining options, when you think Orlando and restaurants, you may think of the world’s largest McDonald’s or picture a Rainforest Cafe overrun with loud children. But Orlando’s food scene has really come into its own, and as of 2025, the city was home to nine Michelin-starred restaurants, beating out other well-known Southern foodie cities such as Charleston and New Orleans.

That’s not to say there’s nothing in between fast food and fancy restaurants. We loved our evening at Café Tu Tu Tango, which serves traditional (and delicious) Spanish-style tapas. It’s also a maker’s space and gallery, with artwork for sale and a stage with flamenco dancers twirling through the restaurant. It’s located near ICON park, so get there early and take a spin on the Orlando Eye, the giant Ferris wheel right on the promenade.

Another fave was JoJo’s Shake Bar, with burgers and milkshakes served alongside a walk down memory lane. Don’t miss the ladies’ room plastered in old magazine covers, including Jane, Cosmopolitan and the like, which transported me back to my childhood bedroom.

Last, if you’re willing to take a detour for the best biscuits ever, I would highly recommend Se7en Bites in Orlando’s Milk District. Not only does it have the flakiest biscuits ever, but it also serves creamy mac and cheese, crispy fried chicken and decadent brownies, pies and more. I’m still dreaming about the house-made pimento cheese. Note that it’s only open for breakfast and lunch.

Disney can wait … at least for now

Did we miss going to Disney on our Orlando trip? A little, especially when we saw all the billboards and highway signs reminding us how close we were. But our trip was filled with so much fun and so many amazing new experiences, it was well worth it.

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on the best things to do in Orlando, Anne Fritz tapped her experience as a longtime journalist and editor who frequently covers travel. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• AAA: “AAA Shares Top Spring Break Destinations and Travel Advice”
• Flymco.com: “Domestic (U.S.) Service”
• VisitOrlando.com: “Places to stay”

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And they’re shaving years off our lives. No, really: A 2026 study has found that these negative social relationships not only take a toll on our emotional well-being but also on our physical health.

To learn more, we turned to the study’s lead author and two therapists who know how to handle annoying people. Here’s what you need to know about the long-term effects of difficult relationships and what you can do to diminish the damage.

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What did the study investigate, exactly?

“Our study looked at how the difficult people in our lives get ‘under our skin’ in a biological sense,” says Byungkyu Lee, PhD, an assistant professor of sociology at New York University and the lead author of the paper.

Published in February in the journal PNAS, the study analyzed data on more than 2,300 people between the ages of 18 and 103. Participants answered questions about their own health and shared information with researchers about their closest social contacts, including whether these contacts hassled them or made life difficult in some way. Turns out, nearly 30% of the study participants had at least one “hassler” (as the research team dubbed them) in their lives.

Next, the researchers calculated biological aging—which results from cellular and molecular damage—by taking saliva samples from each participant. This allowed them to compare the DNA of the participants who did and did not have hasslers.

“We measured biological aging using DNA-based tools called epigenetic clocks, which can estimate how biologically old your body looks compared to your actual age and how fast you’re currently aging,” Lee says.

So what effects do annoying people have on us?

More than just being briefly annoying or eye-roll inducing, hasslers can actually make us age faster. Yep, you read that correctly.

The researchers weren’t necessarily expecting that result. “What surprised me most was that these negative ties showed up not just in emotional well-being but in biological aging itself,” Lee says.

But what was not a surprise to the researchers was that our relationships impact our quality of life. That’s because the effects of difficult relationships are comparable to work or financial stress, and chronic stress can have a profound impact on us. “Social relationships are not only a source of support,” Lee says. “They can also be a source of long-term stress, and that appears to have real consequences for health.”

The cumulative mental and physical strain that stress causes over time (called the allostatic load) can negatively affect the immune, cardiovascular and metabolic systems, says Kathy Richardson, PhD, assistant professor of clinical mental health counseling at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania. Stress is already a major risk factor for many diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, mental-health disorders, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. When biological aging is faster than normal—thanks, in part, to lifestyle factors like smoking, poor diet and, yes, chronic stress—our cells sustain greater damage sooner, and those diseases can develop earlier.

How many years do hasslers take off our lives?

It depends on how many annoying people we deal with. “Each additional hassler is associated with roughly a 1.5% faster pace of biological aging and a body that appears about nine months older than expected,” Lee says.

A pace of 1.5% might not sound like much, but the effects can add up quickly if we have multiple friction-filled relationships. If you have one hassler, that means that chronologically you’d turn one year older at your next birthday, but biologically you’d age 1.015 years. If you have three people who really bug you, that number ticks up to 1.045.

“Biological aging is a cumulative process, and small amounts can turn into larger aging gaps over time,” says Richardson.

Who are the hasslers in our lives?

The study found that the closer someone is to you—literally or figuratively—the bigger their effect. Family hasslers, especially parents or children, were more detrimental, likely because there’s a sense of obligation, dependence, a shared living space or a combination of the three.

Interestingly, while other family and nonfamily hasslers had a negative impact on participants’ biological age, spouses did not. One explanation presented in the study is that these relationships likely contain a more balanced mix of positive and negative interactions.

Co-workers and roommates had more of an effect than friends and neighbors, likely because of power dynamics, some dependence and shared physical space.

Who’s most likely to have a hassler in their life?

The study found that women, caretakers and those who’ve had significant childhood trauma are most likely to have a hassler (or a few) in their lives. Other vulnerable groups include daily smokers and people in poorer health.

“Exposure to hasslers tends to cluster around individuals who may already be under strain,” says Krista Norris, a licensed marriage and family therapist and the owner of Conscious Connection Therapy Services in Texas. “Those individuals who have internalized roles as caregiver, over-functioner or ‘the strong one’ might be especially vulnerable. These roles often develop early and can unconsciously shape adult relationships, making it more likely [you will] attract or tolerate draining relationships.”

It’s worth noting: A woman may assume the role of caretaker even if she’s technically not one. “From a social standpoint, traditional gender roles presume women to be caretakers,” Richardson says, “and even if this is not a women’s role in a relationship, she may be pushed into that role by social norms.”

What should you do if you have hasslers in your life?

Many of us likely have at least one difficult relationship that stresses us out or makes us downright miserable sometimes. Here’s how the experts recommend you handle the hasslers.

Identify them

The first step is recognizing which of your connections fall into this category and how they affect you. “By identifying who they are and the impact they have, you can begin to better manage your response to them,” Richardson says.

Set limits

Depending on the nature of the relationship, it might be difficult to limit the time you spend with them. But boundaries can also come in nonphysical forms.

“It’s imperative to set and maintain boundaries,” Norris says. “Boundaries protect our emotional and physiological energy. It’s a signal to both yourself and others that your capacity is not unlimited.”

Accept that they (probably) won’t change

Attempting to change someone or hoping they’ll do it on their own is most likely a losing battle and a waste of energy, the experts say.

“Sometimes being able to say to yourself ‘This is just who this person is’ can allow you to have more compassion for yourself for dealing with them and more grace for them,” Richardson says. “We cannot change other people, but we can change how we react to them.”

Is there any way to counter the effects of hasslers on your well-being?

The good news is that there are ways to de-hassle your life—or at least minimize the effects. Certainly cutting ties with the person or limiting your interactions with them is one way to do this. Therapy or other support can also be helpful.

“When stressful relationships cannot be avoided, the goal may be to reduce their impact,” Lee says. “That can mean setting firmer boundaries, limiting repeated conflict where possible, seeking counseling or outside support, and investing in relationships that are more supportive.”

Focus on and nurture the positive relationships in your life, particularly ones that are balanced with equal give-and-take. “It’s important to invest in relationships where you feel seen and valued,” Norris says. “This study implies that feeling significant to others, not just needed, may be protective. These relationships support emotional regulation and resilience over time.”

Lee suggests getting involved in community-based activities, like volunteering or joining a hobby- or cause-based group, to connect with like-minded people. Plus, you’ll also get a boost from helping or working with others.

This is particularly beneficial for people with a small social circle. “Expanding and diversifying one’s network may reduce the biological toll of being stuck with one or two highly stressful ties,” Lee says.

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Why trust us

For over 100 years, Reader’s Digest has explored the nuances of relationships, working with such luminaries as Dr. Ruth Westheimer, John Gottman, PhD, and Leo Buscaglia (“Dr. Love”). We ran a decade-long relationships column and have published a compendium of features, Love and Marriage: The Reader’s Digest Guide to Intimate Relationships. We support this information with credentialed experts and primary sources such as government and professional organizations, peer-reviewed journals and our writers’ personal experiences where it enhances the topic. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Byungkyu Lee, PhD, assistant professor of sociology at New York University and lead author of the study; email interview, March 19, 2026
• Kathy Richardson, PhD, LPC, NCC, assistant professor of clinical mental health counseling at Lebanon Valley College; email interview, March 23, 2026
• Krista Norris, LMFT, licensed marriage and family therapist and owner of Conscious Connection Therapy Services; email interview, March 23, 2026
• PNAS: “Negative social ties as emerging risk factors for accelerated aging, inflammation, and multimorbidity”
• Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics: “Allostatic Load and Its Impact on Health: A Systematic Review”
• Nature Research Intelligence: “Allostatic Load and Chronic Stress in Health Outcomes”
• Biomedicines: “The Link Between Chronic Stress and Accelerated Aging”
• Nature Aging: “Nonlinear dynamics of multi-omics profiles during human aging”
• International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: “Comprehensive Review of Chronic Stress Pathways and the Efficacy of Behavioral Stress Reduction Programs (BSRPs) in Managing Diseases”

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But almost immediately, you’re reminded that you are indeed alone: There’s no one to watch your bags while you run to the airport restroom or commiserate with you after TSA rummages through that perfectly packed carry-on. No shoulder to sleep on in-flight. No travel mate to split hotel costs with or help you meet the two-person activity minimums. Everywhere you turn, it seems like you’re surrounded by couples, families and friend groups sharing meals and laughs. And, of course, there’s the dreaded question repeatedly asked by hotel receptionists, guides and restaurant hosts: “Is it just you … or will someone be joining you?”

Solo travel certainly has its challenges, along with moments when you might feel pangs of sadness or regret. Like the time I took a solo trip to Costa Rica and found out only after I checked in that the rural eco-lodge I was at would be closed for Christmas—no other guests on site, and even the owners and staff left the property that day! I spent a drizzly Christmas alone. Still, after more than 20 years of traveling and dozens of trips by myself around the world, I can confidently say the rewards of solo travel far outweigh the challenges. And there are tricks to traveling by yourself without feeling totally alone.

Read on for some of my tried-and-tested tips for creating connections while solo traveling, as well as advice on what to do in those moments when loneliness strikes.

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You can make connections that will change your trip (and your life)

Despite setting out on your own, you’ll be in good company. Solo travel is very popular: A quick search on Instagram reveals more than 11 million #solotravel posts, and that number is growing. The solo travel market was valued at $94.88 billion in 2024 and is expected to continue the upward trend. And a recent Skyscanner survey found that 62% of respondents are planning to take two to five solo trips within the next year. So, in addition to interacting with locals along the way, you’re likely to cross paths with solo travelers like yourself.

Connecting with others, even in small ways, can keep loneliness at bay and ultimately lead to more meaningful experiences and possibly lifelong friendships. According to Hostelworld’s 2025 State of Solo Travel Report, 71% of solo travelers actively seek connection, and 68% reported forming meaningful friendships. But how, exactly, can you meet these future travel friends? Here are some tips to get you started.

Follow your passion

Incorporate your hobby or interest into your itinerary, and you’re guaranteed to meet people with whom you have at least one thing in common. You could go all in and build your whole itinerary around a hobby, like the time I spent 40-plus days hiking across Jordan, or simply include a related activity on your agenda. Like literature and film? Hop on the growing set-jetting and readaway trends, and you’re sure to find other lit and film fanatics traveling to famous locations. Enjoy history and culture? Join a walking tour—one of my favorite ways to meet people and get acquainted with a new place on arrival.

Try something new

One of the things I love most about solo travel is that I am a braver version of myself when I’m alone and away from home. There’s freedom to be anybody you want to be when no one knows who you are. You’ll never catch me at a group class in my own town. But a class where I’ll learn to weave baskets, dance salsa, paint a portrait, make pottery or downward-dog with perfect strangers when I’m traveling solo? Sign me up!

Participating in a class or workshop connects you with local experts and possibly other travelers. Step out of your comfort zone and take a language lesson, join a cooking class or learn a new skill in a hands-on workshop. At the very least, you’ll walk away with more knowledge (and possibly a good meal or handmade souvenir), but you also might emerge with a new friend or two.

Attend a retreat

Like to be around people but not always with them? My fellow occasionally extroverted introverts, I recommend a retreat! This type of setting tends to provide a balance of solo time and expert-led group activities, so you can embark on your own journey while also getting a bit of structured human interaction and support.

And the possibilities are endless. You’ve probably heard about wellness retreats, yoga retreats and assorted skillcations. But there are also options like darkness and sleep retreats—yes, that’s a real thing! Sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins helped me address sleep issues and get better rest at a Castle Hot Springs retreat in Arizona. I also went on an eye-opening “life purpose” retreat in Hawaii with spiritual healer Tammy Adams, and it was truly transformational. The bottom line? You can find getaways suited to almost any interest or goal.

Join a small group tour

If you’re itching for a group trip but your besties aren’t ready to hit the road, it’s time to find some new friends! Well, sort of. You’ll leave home technically solo, but then you’ll join an organized group of travelers at your destination, complete with a guide and driver. I’ve gone the solo-but-not-alone route many times with a hybrid trip like this, including an Intrepid women’s expedition in Turkey and a G Adventures small group trip to Bhutan, where I was one of the first foreigners to set foot on the newly reopened Trans-Bhutan Trail. The ease of leaving the logistics to someone else combined with the safety of traveling with an organized group is hard to beat, especially as a solo female traveler.

Choose a destination where hospitality is rooted in the culture

When you’re traveling solo, you’ll inevitably need to ask for help, directions or recommendations. There will be days when you feel anxious, lost or lonely. I’ve found that those challenging moments are infinitely easier in places where there’s an ancient culture of care and respect for guests.

In Japan, for example, where I had my very first solo travel experience, there’s the omotenashi concept of hospitality; it originated from traditional tea ceremonies and involves wholeheartedly taking care of guests. On that trip, I was young, alone, inexperienced and traveling without all the tech and apps we now rely on. I arrived during a typhoon, so my plane landed in a different city in the middle of the night. I had no one to meet me and no idea how I was going to get to my intended destination, but strangers immediately stepped in and helped me book a train.

Similarly, in Jordan, where I have been traveling solo for nearly 10 years, the warm hospitality and sense of community is rooted in Bedouin traditions and Jordan’s longstanding role as a place of refuge. On my first trip there, I lost count of the number of times I was greeted with “Ahlan wa sahlan. Welcome to Jordan,” and invited into people’s homes for coffee or a meal. On one of my return trips, I accidentally left my laptop in an Uber, and the driver insisted on bringing it back to me rather than letting me pay for another taxi to meet him! If you’re traveling solo in Jordan, you never have to worry about getting lost or being alone; the people there are some of the kindest and most generous I’ve met in all of my travels.

Put yourself out there

If you want to meet people, make sure that’s the message you’re sending. Join solo traveler groups on social media to connect pre-trip with others headed to the same destination. Skip the stand-alone Airbnb-style rentals and go for accommodations geared toward solo travelers, such as hostels and boutique hotels. Attend solo traveler events. (Check with the hostels where you’re traveling. They often host meet-up activities and events that you can join even if you’re not staying on-site.) Put your phone away. Sit at communal tables in cafes and restaurants. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but like many things, it gets easier the more you do it!

And you never know where a new connection might lead you. I don’t typically stay at hostels, but after my lonely Christmas in rural Costa Rica, I booked a hostel in a livelier area for a few days just so I could meet other travelers. We shared some meals, traded stories and spent an evening soaking in a thermal river—a much-needed reset I would have never had on my own.

Take small steps

Not ready or interested in putting yourself out there in a big way, yet also not keen on complete isolation? Start small. Brief interactions, called microconnections, can have big, positive impacts on mental health. And these interactions, such as chatting with a shopkeeper, aren’t just quick conversations that can alleviate loneliness; they can open the door to sharing a moment and learning more about each other. Many of my most cherished solo travel memories and friendships have started with small conversations with shopkeepers, waiters and other residents—and then led to coffee chats, dinner plans and even wedding invitations!

You can learn from loneliness

Confession time: Now that I’ve offered advice on creating connections to alleviate loneliness, I have to admit that I think it’s equally important to just let yourself feel lonely sometimes. I know that doesn’t sound appealing, but hear me out!

After dozens of solo trips, I’ve learned that feeling lonely from time to time is a completely normal part of the solo travel (and overall human) experience. Instead of being a hindrance, it can be an opportunity for personal growth. I noticed a few years ago that even though I loved traveling by myself, I was always afraid of the feeling of loneliness. Not just a little afraid, but like panic-attack-level afraid. So when loneliness started creeping in, instead of trying to avoid it or find a distraction, I started to sit with it and play detective, asking myself what triggered it and what I was actually afraid of. Answering those questions helped me address deeper issues, and ultimately, it eliminated the fear I had.

If you can reframe lonely moments as opportunities to sit with yourself, feel the loneliness, journal about it (and discuss with a therapist, if needed) and let it pass, you are likely to learn about yourself in the process.

A solo trip might actually make you less lonely

It might sound counterintuitive, but if you’re feeling lonely, traveling solo may actually help. Here’s how.

It can improve your mental health

Ash Shah, a therapist and the clinical director of Empower Your Mind Therapy, explains that “opposite action” (a dialectical behavior therapy skill that teaches you to act opposite to your urges if those urges hurt more than help) can be beneficial. “People often retreat and isolate more when they feel lonely,” Shah explains. “Therefore, taking a solo trip can be conceptualized as a way to push through loneliness.”

And this doesn’t apply only to younger people. “Studies show that older adults can especially benefit from travel,” she adds, with travel being a potential catalyst for improved cognitive and mental health.

It can lead you to your people

If you don’t feel seen or understood in your day-to-day life, traveling to new places can help you find others who share your passions, especially if you’re planning a trip around a specific interest or hobby. “A change of environment is incredibly therapeutic,” Shah says. “Spending most of your time at home with limited social interactions can lead to an increase in depressive symptoms. Traveling helps you find perspective and build social connections, which in turn reduces depressive symptoms.”

It can build confidence

Nearly 78% of the travelers surveyed by Hostelworld reported that solo travel boosts their confidence, mental health or both. I agree! When you get home and realize everything you experienced, learned and accomplished on your solo trip—including confronting your loneliness—you’ll naturally feel proud of yourself, more comfortable on your own and maybe even ready to plan your next solo trip.

Sources:

• Ash Shah, therapist and clinical director of Empower Your Mind Therapy; interviewed, March 2026
• Grand View Research: “U.S. Solo Travel Market (2025–2030)”
• Skyscanner: “Solo travel statistics: Survey shows Americans take up to 5 solo trips a year”
• Hostelworld: “2025 State of Solo Travel Report”
• International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: “Exploring the Relationship of Leisure Travel with Loneliness, Depression, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults”

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After more than 20 years of traveling and living around the world, I have a pretty good sense of cultural no-nos in other countries. But according to an etiquette expert, there’s one specific behavior that is the worst—and chances are, you might be engaging in it.

So what is it, and how else can you tidy up that “rude American” reputation—at least for yourself? Read on to find out and save yourself from some accidental embarrassment on your next trip.

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What behavior brands you as rude when traveling abroad?

“The rudest behavior is being unaware in shared spaces,” says etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts, author of A Traveler’s Passport to Etiquette in a Post-Pandemic World. Now, you might not even realize you’re interacting with strangers as much as you are in public places, but think about it: You’re doing that everywhere from airports and hotel lobbies to restaurants and museums. And if you make yourself the main character in every scenario and disregard the people and environment around you, chances are you’re coming across as both rude and selfish.

Even worse? This etiquette misstep—a lack of consideration in shared spaces—is the root of pretty much every rude travel behavior.

What behaviors stem from this major travel faux pas?

Oh, so many. And brace yourself, because you will likely recognize yourself in a few of them. The good news? You are in the proverbial driver’s seat, and a little tweaking will go a long way. Here are the behaviors to avoid, and what to do instead.

Thinking everyone speaks English

Although you’ll likely meet some people who speak English, it’s rude to expect everyone to. “It tells the person on the other end of the conversation that their language, their culture and the place they call home isn’t worth five minutes on Google Translate,” says Daniel Grainger, the founder of Ranking Atlas.

Raising your voice won’t help either (though it will certainly attract attention). Growing up in multiple countries, Grainger regularly observed this. “American tourists would walk into a shop in Prague or a market in Ho Chi Minh City and just start speaking English at full volume and full speed,” he says, “often getting louder when they weren’t understood, as though volume were a universal translator.”

What to do instead: Learn phrases in the local language, be patient and show an interest in communicating with people in their language rather than at them in yours.

“When you learn even a few words, something shifts,” Grainger says. “You go from being a tourist extracting an experience, to being a guest who showed up with respect. A clumsy ‘xin chào’ (hello) in Vietnam or a butchered ‘dobrý den’ (good day) in Prague opens more doors than a perfect English sentence ever will.”

Expecting everything to be like home

It’s natural to notice differences between the U.S. and the country you’re visiting, but highlighting those differences in a disparaging way is, of course, rude. “I hear this sort of thing all the time: how you’ve had better pasta at your hometown chain restaurant, or that your beaches back home are just so much better,” says Mary Jane Cuyler, an archeologist and a tour leader for Limelight Arts–Travel. “If you are in a public place surrounded by people, it is extremely rude to complain loudly about the country or city you’re visiting.”

What to do instead: Be open to experiencing life in a new way. This, to me, is one of the biggest joys of travel, so don’t miss out because you’re too busy comparing and complaining! For example, rather than worry about the pace of dinner service, says Ralston, “soak in the atmosphere, take your time with the menu and contribute some sparkling observations to the conversation.”

And if you want to chat with your travel mates about things that are different or challenging, don’t do it in public. “You’re allowed to have those opinions,” Cuyler says, “but keep them to yourself until you’re in a place where you won’t be overheard by others.”

Taking up too much space

This includes talking too loudly in quiet settings, crowding an airport gate or standing too close to people in the checkout line. “If you’re the loudest person in the room, you’re usually the rude one,” says Brooke Morrison, a travel expert and content creator known as JetSetBrooke. “And it reads as entitlement almost anywhere—for example, in Japan, Finland, Korea and Switzerland, where quieter public behavior is the norm.”

What to do instead: Watch and learn. Grotts recommends putting on your “situational awareness” cap, which we may forget to do when our brain is in vacation mode. Morrison offers a simple approach that can be used anywhere: “Dial it down, observe first, then match the room,” she says. “Do a little research from quality sources before you go, and practice those habits before your trip.”

Treating everything and everyone as content

When you see baby turtles hatching on a beach in Trinidad, cruise among giant icebergs in the Arctic or watch the perfect cotton-candy-pink sunset in Thailand, of course, you want to capture the moment. (I get it—I’ve done all those things!) But being too snap-happy in some scenarios can be disrespectful.

“In Moroccan culture, for example, especially among the Amazigh people, they value discretion. Photographing a colorful vendor display without buying or asking first is disrespectful to them,” notes Alexandra Dubakova, a travel expert at FreeTour. “For indigenous groups, landmarks and ceremonies that are sights for us are sacred secrets for them.”

And no, turning the camera on yourself is not necessarily the answer. “When travelers move through a place as if it exists for them, rather than understanding they’ve stepped into someone else’s everyday life, that’s a big red flag,” says Amanda Persi, founder of travel company The Getaway Co.

What to do instead: As I remind people coming to Hawaii: These places are not just a playground or tourist destination; they are someone’s home. “Be aware of the flow around you, which can make a big difference for you and for the people living their everyday lives,” Persi says.

And if you’re ever unsure whether it’s OK to film or photograph, listen to the locals. I’ve been invited to several places and gatherings around the world where I was advised in advance not to take photos or videos. In some instances, it was due to privacy or cultural norms, and in other cases, it was for my safety (in places where capturing content could be illegal or seen as a threat).

Dressing inappropriately

Grotts says that dressing inappropriately for the setting is one of the rudest things you can do while traveling. Morrison adds: “When what you’re wearing is in direct opposition to local norms or the tone of a public space, it can draw attention in a way that feels disrespectful. For example, places with clear dress expectations, like the Vatican in Italy.”

What to do instead: Research in advance to find out how locals dress in that setting. I’ve noticed in my travels that clothing norms in a capital city are often very different from those in the countryside or at a religious site. So be sure to research dress codes for specific sites and the regions you’ll be visiting. “Take advice from travelers who’ve been there multiple times,” Morrison says, “not just someone who visited once.”

Disrespecting sacred sites

Sometimes what’s perceived as rude or inappropriate may very well be unintentional, such as pointing your feet at a Buddha statue in Thailand. Other times it’s overt. The Radical Storage report revealed that a third of Americans surveyed have posed inappropriately with a statue when traveling—yikes!

What to do instead: Research sites and customs so you can arrive prepared. Always respect local signage and instructions. This may involve removing your shoes or wearing a special covering, putting away your camera, speaking in hushed tones or not walking in certain areas. And be especially considerate at sites of worship.

That said, keep in mind that some sacred sites outdoors may not always be well-marked (for example, what appears to just be a stack of rocks in Hawaii could be part of a traditional heiau), so it’s best to always err on the side of respect, stick to designated trails and never remove rocks or leave rubbish behind. “Honor the land, the culture and the people who call it home,” Grotts says.

How can you avoid the “rude American” stereotype?

If the rudest behaviors stem from a lack of awareness in shared spaces, the solution is simple: Be aware—of yourself and your surroundings. Do some research about the culture and language in advance. Stay open to the experience. And my personal fail-safe: Hire a licensed local guide. You’ll learn so much from spending time with a person who knows the place so intimately.

Other than that, be flexible, be open to new experiences and be grateful for the opportunity to encounter new-to-you places, people, cuisine and culture. “Take any and every opportunity to show your gratitude to the people who are welcoming you into their country,” Cuyler says. “Let them know how much you enjoy the food, the landscape, the friendly people, the architecture—whatever it is that you truly admire. People love to know that you appreciate their country.”

And, overall, just be considerate. As Grotts says simply: “Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your manners should take one too.”

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources: 

• Radical Storage: “Tourist syndrome: Do people behave worse on vacation?”
• Lisa Mirza Grotts, etiquette expert known as the Golden Rules Gal and author of A Traveler’s Passport to Etiquette in a Post-Pandemic World; interviewed, March 2026
• Daniel Grainger, founder of Ranking Atlas; interviewed, March 2026
• Mary Jane Cuyler, archeologist, Latin scholar and tour leader for Limelight Arts–Travel; interviewed, March 2026
• Jeannie Ralston, travel expert, author and founder of travel company NextTribe; interviewed, March 2026
• Alexandra Dubakova, travel expert at FreeTour; interviewed, March 2026
• Brooke Morrison, travel expert and content creator known as JetSetBrooke; interviewed, March 2026
• Amanda Persi, founder of travel company The Getaway Co.; interviewed, March 2026

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The post This Is the Rudest Thing You Can Do When Traveling Abroad, According to an Etiquette Expert appeared first on Reader's Digest.

I was sitting pretty and settling in nicely when things took an ugly turn. During a patch of turbulence mid-flight, my phone slipped off the wide armrest and disappeared into the seat. I tried to reach down to grab it but cringed when my fingers brushed against all the metal gears and moving parts I couldn’t see. The thought of getting my fingers mangled made me yank my hand back really fast.

As unsettling as that was, there’s an even more important reason to never go fishing for a lost phone, laptop or other electronic device that has been lost in a seat during a flight. Hint: It poses a threat to everyone on the plane—and has actually forced multiple flights to divert and make emergency landings.

I spoke with two experts to find out exactly what to do if this happens to you. Read on to learn why following the right steps could help prevent a serious safety risk.

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What’s so scary about dropping a phone between airplane seats?

Any device with a lithium-ion battery (such as a cellphone, laptop, tablet, gaming system or even an electric toothbrush) that falls into a plane seat can be damaged in the seat’s internal mechanisms. If that happens, the battery could overheat and ignite. The worst-case scenario: There’s a fire midflight.

Wait, how does a battery catch fire?

It has to do with a cycle of ever-increasing heat. Paul Christensen, a professor of electrochemistry and a globally recognized expert in lithium-battery safety, explains that if a battery is crushed, punctured or otherwise compromised, it can increase the probability of a chain reaction known as thermal runaway.

An overheating battery can set off “a number of different chemical reactions that are highly exothermic and generate very large quantities of gas,” he says. As heat builds, he explains, the process accelerates, producing even more heat and more gas in a dangerous feedback loop.

Translation: The damaged battery gets hot. That heat releases energy, which increases heat, which releases energy and increases heat … on a loop. “Temperatures rise, and reactions become self-sustaining,” says Christensen. “At some point, the battery could ignite.”

That’s a potentially catastrophic event on an aircraft. Christensen adds that a failing battery that is ablaze has flames that rocket from the device.

This potential disaster is why the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns travelers to keep all spare lithium batteries and portable chargers in carry-on baggage. The FAA allows only certain lithium-ion-powered devices in checked baggage—and only if they are completely powered off, protected from damage and unable to accidentally activate.

Have these batteries ever caused airplane fires before?

Incidents involving lithium-ion batteries on planes are not rare, especially because so many of the devices we use daily require the power source. On March 25, 2026, a passenger’s lithium-ion battery began to smoke on a United Express flight operated by Mesa Airlines bound for Houston, prompting pilots to declare an emergency and divert to San Antonio.

Just a month earlier, on Feb. 22, a cellphone and power bank overheated and ignited aboard an Alaska Airlines flight en route from Wichita to Seattle, filling the cabin with smoke and burning a passenger. The plane safely returned to Wichita.

What should you do if your phone or laptop falls between airplane seats?

If your phone, laptop or other device containing a lithium-ion battery falls into an airplane seat, don’t force it out. Instead, notify a flight attendant for help right away. Crew members are well-versed in the peculiarities of different seat designs and know how to safely access tight spaces.

It’s just as important to alert the crew if a device shows signs of trouble. “Flight crews are trained to recognize and respond to lithium-ion battery fires in the cabin,” the FAA notes. “Passengers should notify the flight crew immediately if their lithium-ion battery or portable electronic device is overheating, expanding, smoking or burning.”

Flight attendants often handle these precarious situations by placing the compromised item into specialized thermal containment bags, which happened on a recent Delta flight from Los Angeles to New Orleans when a passenger’s wheelchair lithium-ion battery began to overheat.

As for my phone? When I dropped it into the seat, I flagged down help. A crew member was able to remove part of the seat structure to retrieve my device without risk. At the time, I had no idea that asking a flight attendant to help get my phone was exactly the right move—and for a far more serious reason than I realized.

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Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Paul Christensen, professor of electrochemistry at Newcastle University and senior advisor to the U.K. National Fire Chiefs Council; email interview, March 2026
• Federal Aviation Administration: “Airline Passengers and Batteries”
• Department of Transportation: “Lithium Battery Air Incidents”
• Fox 26: “Houston-Bound Flight Diverted to San Antonio After Battery Starts Smoking”
• KOMO News: “Alaska Airlines Flight Returns to Wichita After Passenger’s Phone, Power Bank Overheat”

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The post The Scary Reason You Should Never Retrieve Your Phone If It Drops Between Airplane Seats—And What to Do Instead appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Mattresses

Here’s a tempting secondhand purchase. The best mattresses are expensive new, and it’s not uncommon to see “barely used” options for sale online or at resale shops.

The problem: Mattresses are extremely difficult to clean thoroughly. Maldonado, who is also a chemist and biologist, says old mattresses can harbor everything from allergens to bacteria to pests (I mean, just think of the possibilities!). Dust mites—microscopic creatures linked to allergies, asthma and skin conditions like dermatitis—thrive in mattresses because they provide an ideal habitat: warm temperatures, humidity and a steady supply of their favorite food, human skin cells.

Mattresses can also harbor bed bugs, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says can cause severe itching, sleep loss and secondary infections from scratching. And once you have bed bugs, you are in for a massive amount of time and expense getting rid of them. If you absolutely must buy a used mattress, inspect it carefully for signs of infestation: reddish stains, dark spots, shed skins or live bugs.

Pillows

Pillows may look perfectly fine on the outside, but like mattresses, inside they can contain years of dust mites, sweat, skin cells and allergens. And pillows are difficult to clean and disinfect, Maldonado says, because they are bulky and hard to fit in a washing machine (though it is doable). It’s also a huge challenge to dry them fully, so many people just don’t bother cleaning them at all.

And because they absorb moisture and organic material, pillows can also support mold growth. For anyone with allergies or asthma, bringing a used pillow into your home can trigger symptoms ranging from sneezing and itchy eyes to more severe reactions. For your health and a good night’s sleep, buy new pillows.

Upholstered furniture

That stylish thrifted couch might look like the perfect statement piece, but like mattresses and pillows, upholstered furniture can hide a host of problems.

You know by now that fabric and foam cushions can trap bacteria, allergens and moisture. But did you know that these creepy-crawlies can linger long after their last use or cleaning? A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that pathogens can survive for at least a week in fabric seating, and other research published in the Eurasian Journal of Medicine found that some bacteria and fungi can survive on fabrics for nearly a month (or even longer!) under the right conditions.

Maldonado also warns that used couches and chairs may contain pests such as bed bugs, cockroaches or even rodents. If you see an old couch that you simply must have, look for warning signs of infestation before hauling it home: musty odors, stains, pest droppings or tiny dark spots along seams.

Space heaters

Few thrift-store finds are as risky as used space heaters. “These draw heavy [electrical] loads, and I’ve seen melted receptacles because the previous owner ran them on a loose circuit,” Halberg says. And how would you know there’s a problem until you plug it in at home? Unless you’re bringing a set of tools to the thrift store (and know what you’re looking for), it’s unlikely that wiring issues can be fully diagnosed before purchase.

It’s a risk you don’t want: Space heaters are one of the leading causes of home heating fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters and heating stoves caused 30% of residential fires, but a whopping 73% of deaths and 70% of injuries due to those fires. Older heaters may also lack modern safety features like automatic shut-off systems and proper grounding, increasing the risk of electrical fires and shock. For the safety of your home and loved ones, skip the used space heaters.

Baby car seats

Baby gear is expensive, which makes secondhand car seats seem like a practical, appealing option. But when it comes to crash protection, buying new can make a critical difference. That’s why safety experts encourage caution when purchasing this essential equipment.

First, you may not know if an older car seat has been in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends replacing car seats after any moderate or severe car crash, and it’s not easy to tell by looking at them if they have been damaged in a prior accident. That means your great bargain might not offer enough protection should you get in an accident—truly the last thing you want to worry about, considering it’s your kids that car seats are protecting.

The second reason not to buy a secondhand car seat is that they have a relatively limited shelf-life anyway: about six to ten years, according to Consumer Reports. That’s because the materials making up the car seat (mostly plastic) can degrade over time. If you must buy secondhand, the NHTSA offers a used car seat safety checklist to help you decide if it’s OK.

Cribs

A vintage wooden crib is a charming addition to your nursery, but it can pose serious risks. Modern crib safety standards changed dramatically after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned drop-side cribs in 2011 due to multiple infant deaths, but even if you buy a different type, it may not be obvious whether the crib was made before or after safety standards became stricter.

Older cribs may have slats spaced too far apart, which could lead to your baby becoming stuck or strangled, or missing hardware, which could make the crib unstable. Because it’s hard to verify whether used cribs meet current safety regulations, buying new is usually the safest choice.

Plastic food containers

It’s easy to find cheap plastic food storage containers at thrift stores. But Maldonado says plastic containers with visible wear—scrapes, discoloration or opacity—should be left on the shelf or discarded because they’re difficult to sanitize properly.

Those scratches may seem minor, but they create the perfect hiding place for pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria that cause foodborne illness. And you definitely don’t want these germs, which can lead to symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. And because small scrapes and scuffs aren’t always visible at a glance, even containers that look “clean” can still carry lingering contamination.

There’s also another concern: As plastic breaks down over time, it can shed tiny particles known as microplastics, which may end up in your food, especially when containers are heated or heavily used. Instead, look for new containers made from durable, non-porous materials like glass, which are less likely to degrade and easier to clean thoroughly.

Cutting boards

Wooden or plastic cutting boards, like plastic food containers, can also trap bacteria, especially after repeated knife use. Every slice and chop leaves behind tiny cuts in the surface, and over time, those grooves can harbor pathogens commonly linked to foodborne illness. Heavily worn boards are hard to fully clean, even with hot water, soap and sanitizers, and lingering bacteria from raw foods (like meat or unwashed produce) increase the risk of cross-contamination.

There’s also growing concern about plastic boards in particular, as research suggests that frequent chopping can cause plastic boards to shed microplastics, which may end up in food (and in you!) over time.

When considering used kitchen tools, Maldonado recommends avoiding porous or heavily worn materials altogether: Buy new cutting boards, and if one of your own boards shows deep grooves, cracks or discoloration, it’s best to replace it rather than risk lingering contamination.

Stuffed animals

A secondhand stuffed toy may seem like a sweet gift, but unless you’re also looking to deliver a bonus prize of allergens and microbes, it’s best to proceed with caution here. All soft fabrics and plush, porous materials—even the cute and adorable kind—collect dust mites, mold spores and other itchy irritants.

Fortunately, due to their size, stuffed animals are one item that can be safely cleaned. Maldonado recommends washing them in hot water (at least 130 degrees) before throwing them in the dryer until fully dry. As an alternative, if you can’t wash and dry the stuffies on hot, you can freeze them in a sealed plastic bag for at least 24 hours to kill dust mites.

Rugs

Secondhand rugs hold more than just history: Rugs act like filters, grabbing particles from everything they come in contact with—your shoes, pets and even the air itself—and trapping dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and allergens deep within their fibers. Unlike hard surfaces, rugs are difficult to fully clean without specialized equipment.

If you do buy a used rug, experts recommend having it professionally cleaned before bringing it into your home. Professional rug cleaning services use high-powered extraction methods and specialized treatments that go far beyond standard vacuuming. Costs can vary depending on size and material, but expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars for larger or delicate rugs.

That added expense is worth factoring into the purchase price. In some cases, the cost of cleaning may approach or exceed the price of buying a new, budget-friendly rug. If the rug is high-quality or antique, professional cleaning can be a worthwhile investment. But for lower-cost finds, it may make more sense to buy new.

Window air conditioners

Like space heaters, used window air conditioners can be hazardous. They draw a large electrical load, and Halberg says repeated heating and cooling cycles over time can cause wire insulation to crack and break down. If the insulation fails and exposed wires come into contact with each other or the metal housing, they can short-circuit or cause an electrical arc, which is a sudden discharge of electricity that generates intense heat and can ignite nearby materials.

There are also practical concerns beyond electrical safety. Older units may be less energy-efficient, more prone to mold or moisture buildup and more likely to have worn seals that reduce performance. Because it’s difficult to assess the internal condition of a used unit, buying a window air conditioner secondhand can be a gamble. When possible, purchasing a newer model with updated safety features and better energy efficiency is the safer bet.

Power strips and surge protectors

Surge protectors keep your sensitive electronics safe by absorbing electrical spikes from lightning and other electrical disturbances. Unfortunately, surge protectors have a limited lifespan. “You never know if they’ve already taken a hit from a surge,” Halberg says. Once internal components wear out, the strip may no longer protect your electronics and could become a fire hazard.

The problem? A worn-out surge protector doesn’t necessarily stop working; it just stops protecting. That means your electronics are no longer shielded from power surges, even though everything might appear normal. In some cases, a failing surge protector can also overheat, increase the risk of electrical damage or even fire. Since there is no reliable way to tell how much wear a secondhand surge protector has endured, experts recommend buying them new and replacing them on a schedule recommended by the manufacturer.

Vintage lamps

Another popular thrift-store find, vintage lamps can come with serious electrical problems. One major issue is the wiring. While today’s electrical wires are covered with a fire-resistant plastic insulation, cloth-covered wires common in mid-century and older lamps are particularly prone to deterioration.

“Those cloth wires are accidents waiting to happen,” Halberg warns. Cloth-insulated cords can become brittle and fray over time, exposing the inner wires. That damage can lead to short circuits or even electrical fires. Luckily, if you have your heart set on a vintage lamp from a previous decade or century, there is a solution: Have it rewired by a professional electrician before plugging it in.

Small kitchen appliances

Old toasters, blenders and coffee makers flood the shelves at secondhand shops, but be careful bringing these gadgets home. (Remember my blender story!)

Halberg says he has opened appliances where the internal wiring had deteriorated so badly it was “literally crumbling to dust.” As insulation breaks down, the internal wires can become exposed, and in some cases, a live (hot) wire can come into contact with the appliance’s metal housing. “It’s a quick way to get a nasty shock,” Halberg says.

If you must buy used, it’s best (but not often possible) to open up the appliance to check the wiring. Also look for other warning signs like frayed cords, electrical tape repairs, loose plugs or melted plastic. Any of these signs could point to internal damage or unsafe DIY fixes. Have a pro refurbish it if it’s economically feasible, or just wait for a sale at Target or Walmart.

Vintage dishes and cookware with unknown coatings

Underneath the charm of vintage cookware could be materials no longer considered safe. For example, antique ceramic dishes and cookware sometimes contain lead in their glazes to enhance color and durability. Unfortunately, these glazes can wear down over time, especially if the item is chipped or cracked. When that happens, lead can leach into food and drinks.

Lead is a toxic metal with no known safe level of exposure, affecting people of all ages, not just children. Even low levels of exposure can cause health problems, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If you can’t confirm the materials or condition of secondhand cookware, it’s safer to pass.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Humberto Maldonado, chemist and biologist and Director of Safety & Compliance at Organically Grown Company; email interview, March 2026
• Mark Halberg, licensed electrician and generator installation manager at Prairie Electric; email interview, March 2026
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “About bed bugs”
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: “Used Car Seat Safety Checklist”
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: “Car Seat Use After a Crash”
• American Journal of Infection Control: “Persistent contamination of fabric-covered furniture by vancomycin-resistant enterococci: implications for upholstery selection in hospitals”
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: “FDA Issues Warning About Imported Cookware That May Leach Lead: August 2025”
• National Library of Medicine: “Cutting Boards: An Overlooked Source of Microplastics in Human Food?”
• National Fire Protection Association: “Home Heating Safety”
• Consumer Reports: “When Should You Switch Car Seats?”
• Time: “U.S. Sets Rigorous New Safety Standards for Cribs”
• Nationwide Children’s: “Your Child’s Dust Mite Allergy”

The post 15 Things That Are Dangerous to Use Secondhand appeared first on Reader's Digest.

The latest find, spotted at a shop in Baltimore by Thea Lenna, was a chair beyond compare, and when DelFavero saw it, she just about fell out of hers. It had pastel polka dots along its frame, bright stripes on the seat cushion and, at its back, two giant fish carved out of wood. She recognized it right away.

This was the hand-painted handiwork of well-known designer Victoria MacKenzie-Childs. More relevant, it was the image inked onto Del­Favero’s own right calf. On a whim, she had gotten a tattoo of this exact chair nearly two years earlier, based on a dollhouse version of it that caught her eye at the MacKenzie-Childs studio in Aurora, New York, near DelFavero’s childhood home. “I stood in front of that dollhouse for 40 minutes,” she says. DelFavero didn’t know that the little chair she had gotten tattooed also came in a full-size version until she saw the picture of the secondhand find on Facebook.

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A viral post sparks an unlikely mission

DelFavero felt this coincidence was too mind-bending to keep to herself, so she posted a picture of her tattoo to the group. Within moments, the Facebook page was in a frenzy. Many of the women felt this was a sign. DelFavero needed to have that chair. Several of them took it a step further and started a new Facebook group, From Baltimore to Emily D., to make a plan to get it to her—even though the chair cost $700.

Group members started pooling their money. In less than 48 hours, they had more than enough, which raised the question of what to do with the surplus. And this is where the fish chair took on an almost mystical aura. As they traded messages and got to know each other, the women realized they had more in common than just their passion for funky furniture. “All of us had experience with domestic violence,” says DelFavero, who, as a teenager, followed her mom out of the house when she left an abusive boyfriend. “The National Domestic ­Violence Hotline helped us get back on our feet,” DelFavero says. She suggested donating the excess funds to this organization, and the others readily agreed.

A journey of connection and healing

DelFavero is quick to point out that she has sweet memories of her childhood too. Emblazoning a crazy chair on her leg actually was a way to reclaim that history. “It reminded me of the happy times,” she says. “We had MacKenzie-Childs pieces in my house growing up. My mom was a collector.” DelFavero remembers eating dinner off colorful plates shaped like fish and lilting in the light of a brightly painted lamp. It was those recollections that left her mesmerized in front of the dollhouse—and now inspired strangers to bring her the chair’s full-size version.

With the donation made and the chair paid for, the only remaining matter was getting it across the distance “from Baltimore to Emily D,” more than 300 miles. Some volunteered to transport it while others mapped out the route into equal parts. Jen Garrard led things off. She picked up the chair in Baltimore and drove it to Meredith Skyy, who brought it to Maryann Wetzig. As fate would have it, the exit Skyy had to take for the exchange also took her to the cemetery where her grandmother had been buried just months earlier. Because of the pandemic, her family couldn’t hold a service. Skyy told Wetzig she was making a detour.

Wetzig’s mother was buried at the same cemetery—yet another connection she had with a woman she hadn’t known just days prior. When Skyy gave Wetzig the chair, Wetzig had something to give Skyy: flowers. “For your grandmother,” she said.

From there, Wetzig brought the chair to Jacqueline Sergent, who drove it to Rhae Blumer, who took it to Cyndy ­Buiniskis, who delivered it to Sarah Edwards.

Edwards’s trek to Syracuse was the last of the seven legs of the fish chair’s journey. It had gone from sold to Syracuse in just one week. As Edwards presented DelFavero with the chair, the two laughed and celebrated, but they also shed a few tears. “I was drawn to your story,” Edwards told DelFavero, “because your mom’s story was not my mom’s story.” Edwards lost her mother to domestic violence. Being part of this effort, she said, “gave me something that I needed, and I didn’t know I needed it.”

None of these women knew each other before the sighting of the chair in that Baltimore shop. Today, they talk regularly. DelFavero, Lenna, all seven drivers and the four women who mapped out the route now refer to themselves collectively as The Fellow­ship of the Fish Chair. “At first, I couldn’t believe that all these women wanted to come together for what seems so silly,” DelFavero says. “But now it makes sense. Knowing them, of course, they’re the kind of people who would do this.”

As for the chair, it has become her “guitar throne.” DelFavero started playing at 13, but as she got older, she didn’t practice as much as she once did. “This chair gave me a reason to sit down and play every night,” she says. Sometimes she films her strumming sessions and shares the videos with the rest of the fellowship. “It really is a gift,” she says. “This chair has changed my life.”

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

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But that familiar system is starting to change—and not everyone is thrilled about it.

A new technology rolling out in Walmart stores across the country could transform how prices are displayed—and potentially how they’re set. Critics say it may even open the door to higher prices. Here’s what you need to know before your next trip down the aisles.

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What change is Walmart making in all its stores?

Walmart is rolling out digital shelf labels (DSLs)—small electronic displays that show prices, promotions and product details in real time. These are replacing the traditional paper tags that usually sit under each product.

These labels look like simple screens, but they’re connected to a central system. That means store employees no longer need to manually swap out paper tags. Instead, prices can be updated instantly across entire departments—or even the whole store—with just a few clicks.

Walmart has already introduced DSLs in hundreds of locations and plans to expand them across thousands of U.S. stores in the coming years, with a bigger nationwide rollout expected before the end of the decade.

So why make the switch? Walmart says the move is about efficiency and accuracy. Digital labels reduce labor, eliminate pricing errors between shelves and checkout, and make it easier to roll out promotions quickly. They can also support features like QR codes, helping shoppers access more product information on the spot.

Why are shoppers so worried?

The concern isn’t with the screens themselves—it’s more about what could happen next. Because DSLs allow instant price updates, they could pave the way for what’s known as dynamic pricing (also called surge or algorithmic pricing), or prices that fluctuate based on demand, time of day or even customer behavior.

Regulators, including the Federal Trade Commission, have been examining how data-driven pricing models could impact consumers, especially if companies begin tailoring prices in ways shoppers don’t fully understand.

Think of how ride-sharing apps increase fares during busy times, or if you happen to be going to the airport or home from a late-night concert. Now imagine something similar happening in a grocery aisle: Prices could rise during peak shopping hours, like evenings or weekends, or high-demand items could cost more right before a holiday or big event.

And if there’s a run on a particular product due to local demand or reduced inventory? Yep, stores could jack up the price in real time. The bottom line: DSLs make rapid price changes easier—and it has shoppers on edge.

What does this mean for Walmart shoppers?

Right now, Walmart says there’s no need to panic. The company has stated that its digital shelf labels are not being used for dynamic or surge pricing in stores. Instead, they’re focused on improving efficiency and making sure prices are consistent between the shelf and the register. That’s an important distinction. Pricing changes already happen in retail—typically overnight or between seasonal store updates. DSLs simply make those changes more quickly and accurately.

Still, there’s cause for skepticism, since the technology could be used for dynamic pricing in the future—even if it isn’t today. Notably, Walmart already has a patent for updating item prices on its e-commerce platform “dynamically and automatically.” While patents don’t necessarily reflect current practices, they do show what’s technologically possible—and what could be in the works.

Are other stores using surge pricing?

Yes. Walmart isn’t alone in exploring digital pricing tools.

Major retailers and platforms—including Amazon and Kohl’s—already use dynamic pricing online, where prices can change frequently based on demand, competition and browsing behavior. Some grocery chains, like Kroger, have also begun experimenting with DSLs, though most say they’re using them for operational efficiency rather than real-time price fluctuations.

However, data-driven pricing will probably become more common as retailers invest in automation and analytics. The question isn’t just whether prices can change quickly—it’s how companies choose to use that capability.

What do lawmakers say—and how can consumers protect themselves?

State and federal lawmakers are starting to pay attention to DSLs. At least 12 states, including New York and Pennsylvania, are considering legislation that would limit or regulate certain types of dynamic pricing, especially if it’s based on personal data.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union has also launched a campaign against surveillance pricing on groceries. There’s also a growing national conversation around transparency—ensuring shoppers know when and why prices change.

In the meantime, there are a few practical steps consumers can take:

• Track prices of your staples: If something seems higher than usual, make a note of it. If it fluctuates based on the time of day or day of the week, it’s worth timing your shopping to get the best deals.
• Use store loyalty apps and price scanners: Use your Walmart store app or in-store price scanners to confirm the price you’ll pay at checkout, and combine with coupons and promotions to score discounts.
• Shop at off-peak times: Shopping when there are fewer crowds can be helpful if you’re concerned about potential price fluctuations based on demand.
• Speak up: Consumer feedback often influences how companies roll out new tech.

For now, digital shelf labels are simply a new tool—not a confirmed shift to surge pricing in stores. But as retail technology evolves, it’s worth staying informed. Because that little paper price tag you’ve always trusted? It might be another relic of the past before you know it.

RELATED:

• This Is the Highest-Paying Hourly Job at Walmart—And They Definitely Deserve It
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• New Report: These Are the Most-Ordered Grocery Items of 2025, According to Grubhub

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Walmart: “How the Shelf Got Smarter and Our Jobs Got Easier”
• Walmart: “New Tech, Better Outcomes: Digital Shelf Labels Are a Win for Customers and Associates”
• Sales Force: “What is Dynamic Pricing? How It Works, With Examples”
• Federal Trade Commission: “FTC Surveillance Pricing Study Indicates Wide Range of Personal Data Used to Set Individualized Consumer Prices”
• Retail Brew: “Walmart says new digital labels won’t be used for dynamic pricing”
• Google Patents: “System and method for dynamically and automatically updating item prices on e-commerce platform”
• Forbes: “Walmart, Kroger And Whole Foods Use Digital Pricing. What Customers Should Know”
• Grocery Dive: “Grocers face state and federal lawmakers’ scrutiny over ‘surveillance’ pricing”
• Gizmodo: “These States Are Joining in the Push to Ban Surveillance Pricing”
• UFCW: “UFCW Launches National Campaign to Ban Surveillance Pricing on Groceries”

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The post Walmart Is Making a Major Change to Its Price Tags, and Shoppers May Pay the Price appeared first on Reader's Digest.

And she isn’t alone. Solo travel has surged in popularity in recent years, with the global solo travel market projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, according to Solo Traveler World. In fact, according to Airbnb’s 2026 travel predictions, “solo travel is experiencing a renaissance, fueled by online conversations that encourage self-discovery over relationship status.” And that’s just one of the many benefits of solo travel.

Here are eight of the biggest benefits of solo travel, according to research, experts and travelers who have experienced it firsthand. Read on to find out why you just might want to make your next trip a solo vacation.

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What are the benefits of solo travel?

What you get out of a solo adventure depends, in large part, on your personality and travel style. But there are a few benefits of solo travel that most people will experience, no matter who they are or where they go.

Total freedom to travel your way

One of the most obvious benefits of solo travel is the freedom to design your trip exactly the way you want. Research backs this up: An analysis of more than 1,000 Tripadvisor forum posts from solo female travelers found that the ability to make decisions independently was one of the most rewarding aspects of traveling alone. Without needing to compromise with travel companions, you can choose your own pace, interests and schedule.

For Brandon Gurr, 39, who likes to take his trips with solo travel company Flash Pack, that freedom is a major reason he enjoys going it alone. “It means less time managing others’ comfort and more time immersing yourself in the moment,” he says. It also eliminates the struggle of coordinating with friends’ busy schedules.

Traveling alone can also allow you to pursue experiences you might skip if someone else’s comfort or schedule were involved, adds Gurr. “I love traveling with my dad, for example, but I often hold back to ensure I’m not putting him in a position that strains him,” he explains. “When I’m on a solo adventure, I can head to the top of every temple.”

And sharing those experiences later can make the memories even sweeter. “I actually find that bringing those stories and photos back home to share with family afterward is often one of the best parts of taking the trip,” he says.

A major boost in confidence

Survey data compiled by travel platform Atlys found that 28% of travelers say solo travel increases their confidence and sense of independence. “It’s a guaranteed result of traveling solo,” insists Janice Waugh, the founder of solo-travel site Solo Traveler and author of The Solo Traveler’s Handbook. “In my 50s, traveling solo, I realized how much I had grown. When traveling with partners, growth is not apparent. Traveling alone, I discovered skills and abilities I didn’t know I had because I had to use them.”

Whether navigating transportation or handling unexpected travel hiccups, “we have no opportunity to sit back and let someone else figure it out for us,” says Charlotte Russell, a clinical psychologist and the founder of the travel blog The Travel Psychologist. She notes that stepping outside your comfort zone can also change how you approach future challenges. “We learn that we are stronger than we think,” she says, “and this makes us more equipped and confident to deal with unexpected challenges in the future.”

Anderson agrees. “Although I’ve been highly independent my whole life, solo travel has boosted my confidence immeasurably,” she says. “At age 62, I can travel the world solo—with a fearless spirit, a joyful strut that says my adventure is just beginning.”

Gurr experienced that confidence boost during a snorkeling excursion in Belize that involved jumping into a sea of sharks. “Standing on the edge of the boat, looking into water roiling with gray fins, I felt queasy,” he says, noting that he saw another traveler jump in and pushed himself to try. “Seeing her do it inspired my own confidence, and I took the plunge.”

Moments like that can stay with you long after the trip ends. “Overcoming that fear to be in the water with creatures that large was an unreal experience that words can’t fully capture,” Gurr says.

Stronger independence and adaptability

Trying new things doesn’t just give you a bump in confidence; when you have new experiences while traveling alone, you get a greater sense of independence as well. Russell says that by facing unfamiliar situations, whether navigating a new city or communicating in a different culture, you gain even more benefits of solo travel—namely, resilience and adaptability.

Gurr experienced that firsthand while exploring Petra. “The moment this really clicked for me was in Jordan,” he says. “I asked our ‘pack leader’ for a challenge, and he pointed me toward a rugged trail in Petra that climbed high above the crowds.”

He decided to climb the trail alone. “Standing there, I realized I never would have dragged a travel companion up that steep path in the heat,” Gurr says. That sense of independence made the experience unforgettable. “That total freedom was addictive.”

Renewed motivation and energy

Tourism psychology research suggests that navigating unfamiliar environments alone can strengthen independence, sharpen decision-making skills and leave travelers feeling energized with a fresh perspective on daily life. It might also give you a health boost, as an AARP travel survey suggests. It found that of the 73% of Baby Boomers who noticed health benefits after a trip, the most unexpected perks were better sleep (51%), more energy (50%) and increased productivity (46%). “You return to your day-to-day life with a completely different perspective,” says Gurr. “I’d almost describe it as a solo traveler’s high.”

After days spent exploring new places and meeting new people, you may hang on to the energy even once the trip has ended. “For me, there is a burning desire to keep that momentum going after I return,” he says.

A deeper sense of self

Many travelers say solo trips allow them to reconnect with themselves in ways that everyday life doesn’t. Russell explains that being alone removes the social cues that often influence how we behave. “When we are alone, it’s possible to listen to and go along with our own needs and preferences,” she says.

Stepping away from everyday roles and expectations can make it easier to reflect on what truly matters and who you truly are. “I feel like my whole life, I’ve been someone’s daughter, someone’s wife or someone’s mother, and even now, someone’s grandmother,” Anderson says. “When I travel alone, I become Jenny Lynn Anderson again, and I become me and do it my way. If I want to eat chocolate for breakfast, I do.”

Better mental health

Travel itself is often linked to improved mood and life satisfaction. According to a study published in Nature Neuroscience, it can increase happiness. “Our results suggest that people feel happier when they have more variety in their daily routines—when they go to novel places and have a wider array of experiences,” explains Catherine Hartley, PhD, an assistant professor in New York University’s Department of Psychology and one of the study’s co-authors.

Solo travel may amplify those effects. “It can also provide what we consider to be the psychological building blocks of well-being, which include providing positive emotions, engagement and both a sense of meaning and accomplishment,” says Russell. “I’ve traveled solo a couple of times after experiencing difficulties at work [that] have knocked both my confidence and sense of self.” The results? “Gaining distance from the challenges I’ve faced, having some space to reconnect with myself and taking some rest in beautiful places.”

Reduced stress

“When we are burned out, it is important to rest and to have some space away from the demands that led to us feeling this way,” explains Russell. And a solo trip can do just that.

“It’s not that this leads to particular changes in the brain,” she says, “However, when we believe in our own abilities, our nervous system is less likely to be disregulated by unexpected challenges in the future.” To put it another way, building confidence in our own ability allows us to feel calmer when dealing with future challenges, and we are usually more effective at problem-solving when we feel calmer.

A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health confirms that short, three- to four-day vacations can significantly reduce stress and improve well-being, with positive effects lasting up to 45 days post-trip. And according to the research review Psychology of Solo Travel: Mental Health Benefits and Personal Growth Outcomes, further studies suggest that the increased autonomy and reduced stress from social obligations that come with solo travel may lower stress levels even more.

A healthier brain

Yup, traveling alone may actually make you smarter in a way. According to Universitat Oberta de Catalunya faculty of psychology and education sciences instructor Sílvia Sumell, solo travel can stimulate different cognitive areas. Navigating new environments forces the brain to adapt, improving decision-making and strategic thinking.

It also exposes us to new cultures, languages and surroundings, and it encourages the brain to build new neural connections. Plus, encountering unfamiliar sights and experiences can act as a workout for the brain, enhancing creativity and cognitive flexibility.

Are solo trips for everyone?

Solo travel can be transformative, but it may not be the right fit for everyone. Those who are uncomfortable with exploring the unknown, navigating unfamiliar places or managing their own safety may experience increased stress and mental distress. “I would never advise someone to push themselves beyond their comfort zone if they feel particularly anxious or are unsure that they have the skills to manage traveling alone,” Russell cautions.

Personality also plays a role. “People who are introverted tend to feel energized by spending time alone, and so naturally, solo travel may feel appealing to them,” she says. “That’s not to say that people who are extroverted can’t benefit, but it will be important for them to think about how they might meet their own needs for social interaction.”

How can you prepare for a solo trip?

If you’re curious about traveling alone but nervous about trying it, Russell advises easing into solo travel rather than pushing too far outside your comfort zone. Some tips:

• Start slow: “Stay within your own country or at least a country that speaks the same language as you,” says Waugh. “Go for a minimum of four days—it’s long enough to get past the ‘What was I thinking?’ stage and get into the groove of solo travel.”
• Practice logistics: “Use public transport and see whether you are able to navigate this by yourself,” says Russell. If that feels manageable, it may be a sign you’re ready for a bigger adventure. If you struggle, spend more time getting comfortable with this step, or travel with someone else in the first instance.

How can you choose the right solo trip for you?

Before you book that ticket for one, make sure you’re planning a solo trip that suits your travel style, experience and comfort. Here’s what the experts suggest:

• Match the destination to your energy level. If you like constant activity and stimulation, a big city with museums, restaurants and walkable neighborhoods may be ideal, says Anderson. If you’re craving rest or reflection, a beach town, mountain retreat or spa destination might be a better fit.
• Think about how much structure you want. Some solo travelers enjoy having plans, while others prefer to wander freely. If you like structure, look for destinations that offer guided tours, classes or excursions you can easily join, advises Gurr. “I’m so busy in my day-to-day life that planning a vacation can feel like just another big project at work,” he says. “That is why Flash Pack was so incredibly convenient; I knew once I stepped on the plane, everything else was on autopilot.”
• Choose a place that fits your comfort level. If it’s your first solo trip, you may feel more relaxed somewhere that’s easy to navigate and culturally familiar. As you gain confidence, you can branch out to more adventurous destinations.
• Consider how social you want the trip to be. Spontaneity and an opportunity to meet locals and other travelers were key for Waugh when planning her solo trips. If you’d like to meet people, choose destinations with group-friendly activities, like food tours, cooking classes or outdoor excursions where it’s natural to connect with other travelers.
• Start with a shorter trip if you’re new to traveling alone. A long weekend or short getaway can help you figure out what you enjoy about solo travel before planning a longer adventure.
• Decide what you want to get out of the trip. Whether it’s relaxation, personal growth, cultural experiences or adventure, knowing your goal can help you choose a destination that delivers the experience you’re hoping for, says Anderson. “Go into the travel open and approachable,” she says, “and some of the most unexpected connections can occur!”

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Charlotte Russell, clinical psychologist and founder of The Travel Psychologist; email interview, March 9, 2026
• Janice Waugh, founder and publisher of Solo Traveler, author of The Solo Traveler’s Handbook and member of the Travel Media Association of Canada; email interview, March 6, 2026
• Jenny Lynn Anderson, travel advisor and blogger at Jenny Lynn on a Journey; email interview, March 11, 2026
• Brandon Gurr, frequent solo traveler; email interview, March 6, 2026
• Current Issues in Tourism: “Understanding online tourist–tourist interaction in solo female travel: a self-determination theory perspective”
• Nature Neuroscience: “Association between real-world experiential diversity and positive affect relates to hippocampal–striatal functional connectivity”
• New York University: “New and Diverse Experiences Linked to Enhanced Happiness, New Study Shows”
• Universitat Oberta de Cataluna: “11 Benefits of Travelling Solo”
• International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: “Short Vacation Improves Stress-Level and Well-Being in German-Speaking Middle-Managers—A Randomized Controlled Trial”
• ResearchGate: “The Psychology of Solo Travel: Mental Health Benefits and Personal Growth Outcomes”

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But Queen Elizabeth II was built differently. According to biographies of the late monarch and staff who worked with her, she loved rolling up her sleeves and doing a very ordinary chore that you probably hate.

So what household job is fit for a queen? Read on to find out.

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Which cleaning task did the queen do herself?

The late queen loved nothing more than taking off her jewels, popping on a pair of rubber gloves and washing the dishes after a meal. Think the image of the queen up to her elbows in dishwater sounds absurd? You’re not the only one. The late monarch threw a few prime ministers for a loop with her dishwashing.

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was famously ticked off by the monarch after a barbecue at Balmoral, during which Prince Philip had cooked and the queen began cleaning up.

“She couldn’t bear the queen waiting on her,” writes biographer Matthew Dennison in The Queen. “She kept leaping up. Finally, the queen was heard to say, ‘Could someone tell that woman to sit down?’ After one trip, the prime minister even felt impelled to send the monarch a pair of washing-up gloves.”

A few years later, another prime minister, David Cameron, found himself in the suds with the queen. “I’m not making this up,” he told Gyles Brandreth for his book Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait. “You sat down, and Prince Philip and Her Majesty the Queen served your dinner and cleared it away and washed it up while you sat talking with the other guests.”

After about five years of this, Cameron thought he’d join in. Big mistake. “I thought, ‘Well, I now surely can help,’” he said, explaining that he donned rubber gloves and started washing up. “I remember Her Majesty saying, ‘What on earth is the prime minister doing?’ I’d broken with the protocol and rapidly sat back down and did what I was told.”

Was this a regular thing?

No, the queen mainly liked to clean up when she was at her favorite getaway, Balmoral Castle in Scotland. (So you can stop feeling so bad about your disdain for the chore. You have to do it daily.)

Former press secretary Dickie Arbiter, who worked with the queen for many years, also witnessed her washing the dishes at her Highland home. He’d recently joined the palace and was invited to an intimate lunch at Balmoral to meet the queen and Philip. The 45-minute meal with the royal couple and the queen’s lady-in-waiting featured china plates, silver cutlery and Tupperware containers of food for the foursome.

“At the end of it, the queen said, ‘We’ve got to clear up,’ and I took it as my cue as the junior flunky to do the washing up. So I went into the kitchen and started washing up. I heard this footfall behind me and assumed it was the lady-in-waiting coming to give me a hand,” the royal commentator told True Royalty TV. “I said over my shoulder without even turning, ‘OK, I’ll wash, you dry.’ This very familiar voice behind me said, ‘No, I’ll wash, you dry.’ It was the queen. So she plunged her hands into the Fairy Liquid—no gloves—and I did the drying up. It was quite an experience to actually do a bit of domesticity with a head of state.”

Why did the queen like doing this?

Washing dishes may feel like drudgery, but it’s a very normal activity for most people in the world—and that’s what made it so appealing to the queen.

It gave her a sense of normalcy

By getting her hands wet and sudsy, Elizabeth could feel like a regular person, if only for a moment. And it’s no surprise she most often cleaned up at her Scottish estate. Balmoral was the one place she truly felt like herself, according to her family.

“It’s the most beautiful place on earth,” Princess Eugenie said in the 2016 documentary Our Queen at 90. “I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands … Walks, picnics, dogs—a lot of dogs! There’s always dogs. And people coming in and out all the time. You just have room to breathe and run.”

But it wasn’t the only place the queen liked to live “normally.” She also did that in Sandringham, a sprawling royal estate in Norfolk, England, where Philip would later spend his retirement. Instead of staying in the main house, the couple regularly stayed in the homier five-bedroom Wood Farm. Philip loved to cook—his specialty was omelets—and the queen enjoyed cleaning up.

“I was once at a shooting lunch,” a courtier told journalist Harry Mount. “At the end of lunch, I heard someone say, ‘I’ll do the washing up.’ I turned round, and there was the queen in her yellow washing-up gloves.”

It hearkened back to her childhood

At Balmoral, she got a glimpse of the life she thought she would live when she was a child. The young Princess Elizabeth once told her riding instructor that she envisioned herself in the future as “a lady living in the country with lots of dogs and horses.” But when her uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936, it changed the trajectory of her life.

She’d always loved playing house—for her sixth birthday, the people of Wales gifted the little princess a miniature thatched cottage called Y Bwthyn Bach, which was placed on the grounds in Windsor and came complete with running water, electricity and a fully functioning kitchen. She loved “dusting and washing up there,” Dennison wrote.

She was also scrupulously tidy. Her governess, Marion Crawford, reported that she would line up “her shoes quite straight, her clothes arranged just so.”

What other very normal household tasks did the queen do?

We’re not saying the queen could be found vacuuming the red carpets of Buckingham Palace on the regular—she had a vast staff employed to do that. But she showed interest in a few household tasks, including:

• Caring for corgis: The queen adored corgis and would feed and breed them. After receiving Susan the corgi for her 18th birthday, Elizabeth began breeding a doggie dynasty. Susan’s offspring were by the queen’s side until 2009.
• Caring for horses: Elizabeth loved horses and received her first Shetland pony, Peggy, as a fourth birthday present in 1930. Throughout her life, she groomed and bred the animals. She was never happier than when she was with her horses, clad in a waxed jacket and headscarf.
• Gardening: The queen was patron of the Royal Horticultural Society for 70 years and had a wide knowledge of plants and a passion for roses. Although not a hands-on gardener, she took an avid interest in her palace gardens.
• Maintaining a car: She may never have changed the tires on her Land Rover, but she could have, if necessary, thanks to her wartime service. In 1945, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service and learned how to maintain army vehicles.

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Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of stories on the British royal family, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating facets of the monarchy. We regularly cover topics including the latest royal news, the history and meaning behind time-honored traditions, and the everyday quirks of everyone’s favorite family members, from Queen Elizabeth’s daily snack to Prince William’s confessions about his home life. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• The Queen by Matthew Dennison
• Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait by Gyles Brandreth
• True Royalty TV: “A poignant memory from Dickie Arbiter”
• The Queen at 90
• The Telegraph: “The secrets of Wood Farm – the Queen’s favourite retreat”
• The Times: “Queen Elizabeth II obituary”

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