• One of my go-to dinner recipes is a skillet with beef and sweet potato that's really easy to make.
• The dietitian-approved dish has enough fiber and protein to keep me satisfied long after eating it.
• It's great left over and is easy to customize with different meats, produce, and flavors.

I'm an early riser who works full-time, so by dinner, my brainpower is at a catastrophic low. (If you know, you know.) However, as a health and budget-conscious person, takeout isn't an option.

Instead, I keep a few quick, balanced recipes in my repertoire, ones that include protein, fiber, and multiple colors of the rainbow. Hence, I often end up with one-pan meals.

With fresh ingredients, pantry staples, and minimal prep, food blog Primavera Kitchen's beef-skillet recipe has worked its way into my rotation.

This dish combines ground beef, sweet potatoes, and veggies with spices and a few other basics. I pair it with cauliflower rice for more bulk and fiber.

Simple and satisfying, it doubles as a weekday lunch for my partner and me, and I find that it tastes even better the next day.

I've cooked versions of it every fall since discovering the original in 2018 — and I don't plan to stop anytime soon. Here's how I make this dish in under 30 minutes.

Here's how I make this easy, one-pan meal

1. Start by browning the ground beef in a sauté pan over medium-high heat with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. While that's cooking, dice the onion and chop up the sweet potato, bell pepper, and zucchini.

2. Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Add the onion and red bell pepper to the same pan and sauté for four minutes.
3. Then, add sweet-potato cubes and water, cover the pan, and let it steam for six minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Next, add the zucchini and cook for three minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Return the ground beef to the pan along with tomato sauce, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning. Stir for two minutes, then spoon into bowls.
6. Top with fresh parsley (for aesthetics) and serve with cooked cauliflower rice.

This skillet doesn't require a lot of prep, but there are a few key steps I follow

Typically, it takes me under 30 minutes to make this meal, and most of the prep involves chopping up produce. That step usually takes me about 10 minutes, though sometimes I dice my veggies on a Sunday to save time during the week.

One important tip is to cut the sweet potato into small cubes no larger than half an inch; otherwise, you'll spend twice as long waiting for them to steam.

I also make the cauliflower rice using frozen bags that I can steam in the microwave. That way, it's ready in a few minutes, and I have no extra dishes to clean.

Lastly, I recommend using a sauté pan instead of a skillet when making this dish to prevent the dreaded overflow, as the former has deeper sides.

I ran the recipe by a dietitian, who also gave it her stamp of approval

In my household, this recipe yields five to six servings. Whatever I don't finish that night, I divide into containers for my weekly meal prep.

The portions always keep me satisfied, which makes sense, given the roughly 30 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber per serving.

I eat most of the leftovers for lunch throughout the week, which is a solid move, according to registered dietitian Amanda Sauceda.

"This recipe gives a fair amount of protein per serving, so you'll definitely feel full and energized after lunch," she told me.

She said that, in addition to protein, the ground beef provides phosphorus, an important mineral for bone health; and the veggies are a good source of magnesium, which is critical for nerve function and helpful for muscle relaxation.

If nothing else, this recipe reheats like a dream.

You can adjust the flavors or fat and fiber content for more variety, too

The real beauty of this one-pan meal lies in its versatility. It's a blank canvas for whatever meat, produce, spices, and goals you have, and whatever flavors you're in the mood for.

"If you want to decrease the amount of fat, you could do a blend of ground beef with ground turkey," Sauceda said. "Personally, I don't love ground turkey, but when it's blended with beef, you get a good flavor with less fat and calories."

I've made this dish with ground turkey and butternut squash — a winning fall-flavor combo — but I find that sweet potatoes hold up better than squash the next day.

For another iteration, Sauceda suggested swapping Dijon mustard for salsa and finishing the dish with a dollop of guacamole. I'd also be tempted to add cumin, chili powder, cheddar cheese, and black beans for a Tex-Mex flair.

Another tip: Adding nutrient-dense legumes, like black beans or lentils, can boost the dish's fiber and protein content, make it more satisfying, and stretch it further.

Overall, this cozy recipe checks the important boxes for me

This all-in-one meal helps me hit my nutrition goals, save time, and stay on track throughout the week, and it's so crave-worthy that I forget it's pretty healthy.

If I ever get bored with this version (which is a big "if," considering I've made it for years), I'm excited to put the Tex-Mex theme into action.

• I've always been the planner and decider in my family. On a recent trip, someone else did the work.
• Being with my adult son one-on-one on a trip that I didn't plan allowed me to see a new side of him.
• Connecting with my son as an adult in a magical destination was priceless to me.

The sky was still ink black where we were in South Africa. My son Ben and I grabbed our flashlights, lighting our way along the walking path to the main building at the lodge where we were staying, ready for our last game drive with ranger Dion and tracker Bongi.

We were nervous after hearing a lion roaring outside our window the night before. We were watching for the little thief monkeys along the path who loved to jump out and scare us, hoping we might drop any food we carried. We were giggling and excited and happy, just plain happy.

We were, for the first time in our lives, adults together. And children together. Equals together. Because for the first time in our lives, I was a passenger on an adventure with my adult son.

I've been in charge for so long

Back in our real lives at home, I have always been the decider. The planner of parties, the organizer of road trips and weeks at the cottage, and the one who gives out birthday reminders. Back in our real lives, I am a single mother of four sons who has never handed the reins over to anyone. Back in our real lives, Ben is 30, now a husband. He is a man with his own life. He is trying to make his own plans. He has bills to pay. He is, I am just now realizing, my son in peripheral. I wanted to get to know this man. I wanted time with this man. To look him in the eye, to hear him.

And so, when I had the chance to go on a luxury safari thanks to my job, organized completely by a tour company, something in me released. An exhale. I could let them drive the car for our trip and just hop in the backseat with Ben. If someone else planned the flights, the packing list, the hotels, and all the other details, we could talk. Just the two of us. We could think about what snacks we want to eat, a constant conversation between us since forever.

I was able to learn a lot on this trip

Ben is braver than me. From our first game drive after arriving at our bush lodge, where we stayed in a two-bedroom villa bigger than our first home when he was a baby, Ben was surefooted.

We saw a family of rhinos on our game drive. A herd of curious elephants sidled up to the jeep, so comfortable and relaxed. A cheetah eating a recently killed impala. On our drive back in the evening, a female lion passed us on the road and looked us dead in the eye. I nearly had a heart attack. My son was steady, calming me down. A solid presence in the seat beside me. A shadow of the father he might become someday, on full display in the African wild. And I got to see it first hand.

Ben is friendly. And charming. He and our ranger Dion became friends on this trip. The same age, the same good smiles, the same open-hearted love of nature, bonding them fast and sweet. I watched him chat with fellow travelers, with the bartender, with Dion and Bongi when we had our sundowner cocktails out in the bush. After watching him struggle with shyness and anxiety as a boy, it felt like a miracle to see him now. A confident man.

If I had planned this trip, I would have been focused on the outcome. I would not have had the bandwidth to just sit by the bonfire with Ben at the end of the day, watching the local watering hole for hippos and giraffes, quiet in ourselves. I would not have been able to fall into bed with that particular giddy sleepover feeling I remembered from being a little girl. Because that was what this trip felt like. Some mom somewhere arranged a sleepover safari for Ben and me for a week. And we just packed our little bags and went off together.

Ben felt it too. As we left the bush for the airport, bumping along the back roads for our final ride in the jeep, the impala were leaping alongside us. He got a little choked up, told me, "I never thought I'd see anything like this."

I looked him full in his grown-up face, stubbly and happy and grown, and thought, "me neither."

• When my parents became foster parents, Nathaniel and his sisters were our first placement.
• He only lived with us for two years, but we stayed close long after he left our home.
• I named the main character in my novel after him to show him he'd always been my brother.

I was 10 years old when my parents decided to become foster parents. I was 28, married, and with a child of my own when they took their last placement.

Throughout those years, my parents adopted five of our foster siblings through the foster-to-adopt program.

But not every foster sibling stayed.

As a family, we mourned every placement's end, whether a child was placed with a different foster family or with biological relatives. Saying goodbye was one thing. Not knowing whether their next home would be safe and loving made it much harder, especially since we had no control over the court's decision.

Nathaniel was part of our first foster placement

One of my foster brothers, Nathaniel, lived with my family for only two years, from ages 7 to 9, or from second grade to fourth grade. He and his two sisters were our first placement, bumping us from a family of five to eight.

My parents bought an old blue minivan that was always breaking down. From the backseat, my brothers Mike and Nathaniel would belt out songs from the Backstreet Boys' cassette that played on repeat, earning them the title "The Backseat Boys."

I remember squatting on the floor in their room, trading baseball cards, and going to their soccer games. Nathaniel was one of those bright kids who somehow managed to get good grades and make friends right away in school, despite everything he'd been dealt in life.

I'll never forget how he and his best friend rounded up all the American flags from the neighbors' yards on one side of the street after 9/11 and went door-to-door on the opposite side, reselling them. The neighbors didn't even realize they were buying their own neighbors' flags. The boys each took home about $72, which my parents promptly made Nathaniel give to charity since it was exactly an honest business venture. Still, you had to hand it to him. It was pretty ingenious — and gutsy — for an 8-year-old.

That was Nathaniel. He wasn't dishonest, just a smart, scrappy kid who knew how to survive.

He left our home, but never our family

Nathaniel kept surviving long after he left our home.

We never lost touch with him or his sisters. When they went to another foster home, we took them for long weekends. After they moved to Watts, Los Angeles, to live with their aunt, we made the six-hour drive from Phoenix to them as often as we could.

When Nathaniel was a teenager, he and his close friend came to stay with my parents one weekend. They confided in my dad about how hard they were working to stay out of gangs in their neighborhood.

He kept his head down. Eventually, he found a mentor who took him under her wing like a son. She helped him apply for college during his senior year of high school.

And then he graduated from college, too.

Decades later, I gave my middle-grade book's main character his name

When I sat down decades later to write a middle-grade novel about a young boy, I knew exactly what I would name the main character: Nathaniel.

The Nathaniel in my book isn't my foster brother. The story is entirely fictional. But I made him a fourth-grade boy, the same age my brother was when he left our home.

Nathaniel and the Worst Project in the History of the Fourth Grade was published with a small traditional press this summer.

This week, my own family of five drove down to California from Arizona to attend Nathaniel's baby shower, as he's about to have his own first baby this October.

I brought a copy of my book with me.

Giving my character his name was my way of making sure my brother knew how important he is to me. Foster care meant a court decided where he would live after he left our home. But it didn't get to decide who we considered family.

At the party, I signed the book to Nathaniel and his daughter, just above the printed dedication I'd already written to him. Then we took a photo together.

All these years later, he still calls me his sister

The next day, Nathaniel called me to thank us for coming.

He told me everyone at the shower had been impressed that his sister was a published author and had named a book after him.

I was just glad to hear him call me his sister.

• My husband and I traveled with our son around the world since he was 8 months old.
• It wasn't always easy, but my son had access to a variety of people and cultures.
• I believe traveling with him has helped him become an independent and self-sufficient college kid.

My toddler son wasn't sure what to make of the situation.

We'd just finished touring Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park, and were strolling through the adjacent village of Naranjito. He had his trusty stuffed toy, Grover, in tow. It wasn't long before a group of local children spotted it and approached him.

"Elmo, Elmo," they gleefully shouted. My boy first looked confused, then beamed.

"It's not Elmo, it's Grover," he exuberantly explained.

A friendly conversation all about "Sesame Street" characters ensued. His dad and I watched the bilingual interaction, both bemused and proud.

Fast forward more than 15 years. Our then-3-year-old is now a nimble, independent young man attending college nearly 2,000 miles from home.

I'm firmly convinced that our early family travels helped shape the confident person he's become.

My son took his first trip at 8 months old

That Costa Rica adventure wasn't the first time we took our son overseas. He's had a passport since he was an infant, and it was first stamped when he was 8 months old. Friends and family thought we were crazy, but we couldn't imagine leaving him behind.

Honestly, that initial jaunt was a bit of a nightmare. Our little guy got sick on the transatlantic flight, and we went through an entire pack of diapers plus several sets of clothes to keep him and the folks around us as comfortable as possible given the circumstances.

When we arrived at our destination, we sent out our laundry and immediately hit the drug store for electrolytes and extra rash cream; thankfully, his symptoms resolved quickly. We washed his bottles in our suite sink, he tried new foods (including mushy peas at a London pub!), and peacefully napped in his stroller while we were on the go.

That first trip helped set the tone for my infant son's continued resiliency. During subsequent adventures, he saw firsthand the inevitable curveballs travel can bring. From flight delays and language barriers to ATM snafus and navigation challenges, he's come to understand that how you respond to what you can control tends to make or break most situations.

Traveling at a young age has cognitive, social, and emotional benefits

Travel taught him to adapt, and it's a skill that continues to serve him well. But he also learned so much more.

Children are naturally curious, and seeing different corners of the world was the perfect way to channel our son's inquisitiveness.

As he encountered each new place and learned about its customs, religions, and language, his mind opened. Our kid asked questions, made observations, and started to connect cultural dots between his everyday experiences and those of the people he met. He'd try to say "please" and "thank you" in the foreign language of the place we visited.

We could see him soaking up as much of the environment as he could, which nurtured a love of learning he retains today.

Every time he interacted with a new person, he learned how to see past his own background and truly consider others. He built empathy for others, deepening his emotional intelligence. Each journey lifted his confidence, boosted his brain, and made him a more compassionate person.

He's now a self-assured adult

Bringing our son along with us during our globetrotting meant he could experience travel's unexpected twists, but knew everything would be OK because his mom and dad were right there with him.

Now that our son is away at college, he moves through the world with a quiet maturity, knowing he can handle whatever comes up. He's become friends with classmates from around the world. He constantly, confidently explores his new hometown's many nooks, crannies, and neighborhoods. And he's recently started traveling internationally, all on his own. I couldn't be prouder.

It wasn't always easy for us to travel with a little guy, but prioritizing travel (and yes, budgeting for it) was one of the best parenting decisions we made.

Sure, there were occasional tantrums and minor mishaps when we hopped time zones or skipped routines. But the older our son got, the more he could roll with those proverbial punches with ease.

His assuredness was forged with every journey, and that's a benefit I know will continue to pay dividends for him.

Upgrading to a "big girl" work bag as the seasons change opens up an exciting world of style options. It makes sense to invest in a bag I can wear to the office or on the weekends, as long as it's streamlined for either occasion.

The main question is, where can I find an upgraded work bag that actually works? Most designer totes are a black hole with no real interior organization. The first place to look, it turns out, is KAAI. Its fine leather totes come in powerful shapes that when opened, reveal to us a trove of designated pockets for everything I carry to the office.

Below are more of the best luxury work bags for women we've tested— timeless, functional, and stylish enough to make every professional outfit feel just a little more stylish.

For more of our vetted picks, see our guides to the best work bags for women and the best travel totes.

Best overall: KAAI Voyager

The Voyager is a quiet luxury piece. You can tell it's expensive at a glance, yet the branding remains subtle. Beyond its obvious aesthetic value, I love how easily it is to pack full and still keep everything neatly stowed.

The East-West design is structured without feeling rigid or clunky. For instance, I can tuck the wings in for a more compact look, while they also expand out for when I have a full day's carry and need the extra space.

There are pockets galore, with interior drop pockets to keep all my little things I use at a moment's notice. I especially appreciate the zippered pocket that's tucked away under the flap, where I can store more delicate valuables. There's also a large zippered exterior pocket, so you can grab your phone or wallet quickly without having to dig through the main compartment.

Inside, the details make packing for work smooth. There's a detachable key leash, a padded laptop sleeve that Velcros shut, and a slot to keep my water bottle upright. Plus, the small metal feet prevent its base from from touching the floor, helping the bag stay clean. The one drawback is its thin straps, which can dig into my shoulder after a while. For a more even carry, I recommend the M.Gemi Laura.

I tested the suede espresso Voyager, which has a cool tone to complement its signature cerulean suede interior. This lining has come to be one of our team's favorite aspects about KAAI bags, as it's extremely plush and helps protects your tech from scratches.

The Mini Voyager is the crossbody version of this bag and is closer to the size of a handbag. See our full KAAI review for more of its luxury work bags we tested. — Gabrielle Chase, style editor, Insider Reviews.

Best for carrying a lot: Coach Brooklyn 39

Coach's Brooklyn 28 may be the internet's go-to everyday bag, but the Brooklyn 39 is its more polished, work-ready counterpart. With a larger silhouette and a refined finish, it is designed for long office days and packed schedules.

Despite its sleek, purse-like appearance, the Brooklyn 39 easily fits a 15-inch laptop — an impressive feat for a bag that doesn't read as overtly practical. In fact, it holds more than nearly any other tote on this list, earning its reputation as a true workhorse disguised as a luxury handbag.

The interior is so spacious that I've come to think of it as my Mary Poppins bag. It's ideal if you commute in sneakers and carry an extra pair of heels to work, and I've even managed to pack a full outfit change — shoes included — while still fitting my laptop and daily essentials with room to spare.

While the Brooklyn 39 doesn't have built-in organization like laptop sleeves or zip compartments, it makes up for that with its surprisingly lightweight design. The unlined leather interior keeps the tote from feeling bulky or overengineered, which is a major plus for a bag this size. That simplicity also makes it more versatile, allowing you to arrange your belongings however you like rather than being constrained by pockets you don't always need.

For a luxury work bag that prioritizes capacity, comfort, and understated polish, the Brooklyn 39 delivers.

Easiest to use: Parker Thatch Jack

If you love the effortlessly undone way Jane Birkin and Mary-Kate Olsen carry their bags, this is the luxury work tote for you. Made from richly distressed leather, the Jack from Parker Thatch has a slouchy, lived-in look that feels trend-forward without trying too hard. It's intentionally minimal on the inside — just one zip pocket and two slip pockets — but it makes up for that simplicity with sheer capacity and versatility. The bag is large enough to fit a 16-inch laptop, includes a leather tie closure to keep everything secure, and works just as well as a weekend carryall as it does a work bag. Just note that it's one of the pricier totes on this list.

What really sets this bag apart is how wearable the distressed leather is. With smoother, coated leather totes, I tend to baby them — my Polène Cyme, for example, feels more like a keepsake I'm constantly worried about scratching or staining. This bag inspires the opposite reaction. I've stuffed it with groceries, spilled iced tea on it, and carried it through the rain without a second thought. Each new scuff or mark only adds to its character, and the leather somehow looks better the more it's used. That mental shift — from protecting a bag to actually living with it — has made this one a constant in my rotation.

The Jack is also remarkably lightweight for its size, which is rare for a leather work bag. Most leather totes hover around 2.5 pounds, but this one weighs closer to 1.5 pounds — much more in line with heavy-duty canvas totes like L.L. Bean's Boat and Tote. Bags with rigid structure and lots of built-in organization tend to feel significantly heavier, but this pared-back design makes it easy to carry all day. Because of that, I reach for it not just for work, but also for everyday errands.

The bag also happens to be a perfect canvas for bag charms, one of the biggest accessory trends right now. Two discreet D-rings make it easy to add charms or swap in different straps, whether you're leaning into the bag charm craze or repurposing a necklace for a more personal touch. Parker Thatch also sells straps and charms directly on its site, making it easy to customize the bag and keep it feeling fresh season after season.

Best modular: Cuyana Easy Tote

Cuyana's Classic Easy Tote strikes a great balance between elegance, durability, and sheer capacity. At first glance, it looks like a simple, minimalist leather tote — but after extended use, it becomes clear just how thoughtfully designed it is.

The bag is made from Cuyana's signature Italian leather, which is soft and supple while still holding its shape. It has enough structure to look polished for work or travel, but it's flexible enough to expand when you need to carry more. Unlike flimsier totes, it doesn't collapse or look misshapen when partially filled — one of the hardest qualities to get right in a large leather bag.

One of its most practical design features is the dual strap system. Shorter handles allow you to carry it comfortably by hand or over your forearm, while the longer straps make it easy to wear over your shoulder, even with a coat on. Inside, the tote is intentionally unlined, which keeps it lightweight and lets the leather age naturally over time. There's a small interior pocket for essentials like your phone or keys, along with a discreet leather tie closure that allows you to cinch the opening slightly when you want added security.

Cuyana also offers modular accessories — like the Classic Easy Tote Insert — that are designed to fit the bag perfectly. These add organization and structure if you prefer designated compartments or want extra protection for tech, without compromising the tote's clean silhouette.

"I've owned this bag for about four years, and it's been everywhere with me — vacations, flights, weekend trips, long car rides, and everyday errands. It fits an almost unbelievable amount without ever looking bulky or sloppy. Even when I'm carrying just a laptop and a few essentials, it still looks intentional and streamlined.

On a typical trip, I can fit two pairs of shoes, a full-size Dyson hair dryer, a hairbrush, toiletry and makeup bags, a scarf or sweater, and snacks — with room to spare. I usually use the interior tie when I need to slide it under an airplane seat, though Cuyana also makes a zippered version of the Classic Easy Tote for those who want more security. Just keep in mind that the zippered style trades a bit of flexibility for closure, so it won't stretch to fit quite as much when fully packed.

Overall, the Classic Easy Tote is the kind of bag that quietly earns its keep over time — understated, beautifully made, and versatile enough to become a long-term staple rather than a trend-driven purchase." — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews.

Best convertible: M. Gemi Laura

The M. Gemi Laura Convertible Backpack is a great option if you want a luxury work bag that prioritizes ease and versatility over rigid structure. Made in Italy from soft, tumbled calf leather, the bag has an easy, slouchy shape that looks stylish without feeling fussy. It's relaxed, but still practical enough for everyday use.

There's plenty of room inside for a laptop, a makeup bag, a water bottle, and all your daily essentials. The lightweight linen lining helps keep the bag from feeling heavy, and there's a zip pocket for valuables along with two open pockets for things you want to grab quickly.

What really makes the Laura stand out, though, is how easy it is to switch up how you carry it. With a quick pull on the straps, it goes from a backpack to a shoulder or tote-style bag — no unclipping or awkward adjustments required. It's especially convenient if you like the hands-free feel of a backpack on your commute but want something more polished once you get to the office.

That said, there are a few trade-offs to keep in mind. The straps aren't adjustable, and the unstructured shape means it won't hold its form the way more rigid work totes do. Still, if you're looking for an Italian-made leather bag that feels luxurious, lightweight, and genuinely easy to use, the Laura Convertible Backpack delivers on all three.

For more of our favorite convertible picks, see our guide to the best convertible backpack totes.

Best suede: KAAI Horizon bag

The ultra-luxe Horizon bag from KAAI stands out for several thoughtful design details, but its size is what truly sets it apart. It holds an impressive amount without ever looking bulky or overstuffed — a rare feat for a bag this spacious — and maintains a sleek, polished profile whether you choose the leather or suede version.

The construction is seriously impressive. It's structured enough to hold its shape, but flexible enough to fit a 16-inch laptop along with a water bottle, lunch, a change of clothes, and everything else you tend to carry in a work bag. Bags this big can get uncomfortable fast once they're fully packed, which is why the reinforced handles really matter here. They're sturdy and long enough to wear over your shoulder, making the bag much easier to carry through a full workday or while traveling.

KAAI also clearly designed the Horizon with commuters and frequent travelers in mind. It includes a detachable suitcase strap that makes navigating airports easier, along with protective metal feet on the base to keep the bag off dirty subway floors or under-seat surfaces.

Security is another area where the Horizon excels. There are no visible exterior pockets — a detail I especially appreciate for subway commuting and travel — which helps keep personal items discreet. Instead, there's a concealed magnetic-closure pocket designed for a phone or passport that sits flush between the exterior leather and the internal zip panel. It's easily accessible when you need it, but virtually invisible to everyone else. The fully zippered top adds another layer of protection.

Inside, the organization is both intuitive and genuinely useful. The bag includes a dedicated laptop sleeve, multiple interior pockets in varying sizes, a key leash, and a water bottle holder that can also double as storage for a compact umbrella. It's a thoughtfully engineered interior that makes carrying a lot feel surprisingly effortless.

Reddit favorite: Strathberry Tote

The Strathberry Tote isn't designed specifically as a work bag, so it doesn't include features like a padded laptop sleeve or built-in tech organization. That said, it's still spacious enough to hold daily essentials with ease, and if you don't carry a laptop to work, it's also available in Midi and Mini sizes that offer the same refined look in a more compact silhouette.

Strathberry has earned something close to cult status online, particularly among handbag enthusiasts on Reddit. I first discovered the brand while browsing the r/handbags forum — a community known for its high standards and willingness to call out poor quality. Many users there are passionate about "holy grail" mid-tier luxury bags that match the craftsmanship of brands like Gucci and Hermès without the same level of markup, and Strathberry is consistently one of the most praised names in those discussions.

That reputation is backed up by the details. Each Strathberry tote takes a minimum of 20 hours to make, and the care is obvious the moment you examine it up close. The stitching is precise, the leather feels substantial and smooth, and the suede lining adds an extra layer of luxury every time you reach inside. The brand's signature hardware is weighty, polished, and looks unmistakably expensive.

This is also a work bag with serious pedigree. Strathberry is a known favorite of royals, including Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, giving it a level of prestige that few contemporary brands can match. While it's one of the more expensive options on this list, it's also among the highest in craftsmanship, making it a worthwhile investment for those who value quality and timeless design over built-in functionality.

Strathberry has also earned a spot on our list of the best purse brands you may not have heard of — a testament to its growing reputation as a quiet luxury standout.

Best top-handle: Oleada Marina

Top-handle bags often prioritize style over practicality, but Oleada's Marina Carryall manages to deliver both. It looks elegant and refined on the outside, yet it's surprisingly hardworking on the inside — making it a strong contender for a luxury work bag that doesn't sacrifice function.

The Mariana is designed to be worn multiple ways, thanks to two detachable straps. Attach both to the discreet D-rings on the back to wear it as a backpack, or use a single strap to convert it into a shoulder bag. That versatility makes it especially appealing for commuters who want the polish of a top-handle bag without committing to one carry style all day.

Inside, the bag is impressively organized. It has two main compartments: one with a narrower opening that functions well as a laptop section, and a second, roomier compartment designed for everything else. That larger section includes a zippered pocket, two open pouches, a water bottle holder, and a built-in key leash — thoughtful details that make a noticeable difference in day-to-day use.

The practicality doesn't stop there. The Marina also includes commuter-friendly extras like a luggage sleeve for travel days, metal feet on the base to keep the leather off the floor, and an exterior pocket with a magnetic closure for items you need to grab quickly.

What elevates the bag into luxury territory are the finishing touches. The suede lining, bright gold hardware, rich chocolate leather, and a small decorative pocket designed to fit Oleada's card-holder charms give it a look that feels both timeless and current. It's a bag that works hard behind the scenes while still looking impeccably styled.

Best minimalist: The Horse Teddy Tote

The leather quality is what makes the Teddy Tote such a standout. It's made from luxurious pebbled cowskin that feels substantial without tipping into overly heavy, with the kind of thickness that makes you trust it can handle a seriously full load.

The straps deserve just as much praise. They look deceptively simple, but they're incredibly comfortable even when the bag is packed to the brim. Heavier loads feel secure and surprisingly easy to carry, without the digging or shoulder strain you get from thinner, stiffer straps. I was genuinely impressed by how well they're engineered for real-life schlepping: they sit nicely on the shoulder, distribute weight evenly, and stay comfortable longer than you'd expect.

The design is intentionally minimalist, which will be a pro for some people and a drawback for others. The interior is unlined, with no compartments beyond one small zippered pocket, and it closes with a simple hook-and-D-ring clasp. So if you want the built-in organization of a commuter-specific work bag, this probably isn't the one. But if you want a versatile leather tote that works for the office just as easily as it does for travel, errands, or throwing in an extra layer and a few daily essentials, it's an excellent choice.

FAQs on luxury work bags

What makes a work bag "luxury"?

A luxury work bag stands out for its materials, craftsmanship, and longevity. These bags are typically made from high-quality leather — often full-grain or Italian leather — and feature precise stitching, durable hardware, and thoughtful construction. Unlike trend-driven bags, luxury work bags are designed to look polished for years, not seasons, making them long-term investments rather than impulse purchases.

Are luxury work bags worth the investment?

For many people, yes. A well-made luxury work bag can last for years of daily use, which often makes it more cost-effective over time than replacing cheaper bags every year. Beyond durability, luxury work bags tend to be more comfortable to carry, better balanced when full, and more versatile for work, travel, and everyday wear.

What should I look for in a luxury work bag?

Key features to consider include high-quality leather, reinforced handles or straps, a structured (but not overly rigid) shape, and enough space for your daily essentials. If you carry a laptop, make sure the bag can fit your device comfortably. Commuters may also want features like secure closures, lightweight construction, and protective feet on the bottom of the bag.

What size luxury work bag do most women need?

That depends on what you carry. Many luxury work bags comfortably fit 13- to 15-inch laptops, along with daily essentials like a wallet, makeup pouch, water bottle, and lunch. If you don't carry a laptop, a medium or midi-sized tote may be more comfortable and less bulky for everyday use.

How do I care for a luxury leather work bag?

Basic care goes a long way. Store your bag stuffed or upright to help it keep its shape, avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, and wipe it down regularly with a soft cloth. Some leathers benefit from occasional conditioning, while others — like distressed or scratch-resistant leather — are designed to develop character over time.

• Ira Galtman has been Amex's archivist for 30 years and has become an unexpected social media hit.
• His videos outperform most of Amex's content, and are especially popular with younger TikTokers.
• Galtman said he tries to "keep it real," forgoing hair and makeup for the nostalgia-tinged series.

Scroll down in American Express' TikTok account, and you'll find a video of Ira Galtman popping up from behind a bison at the Bronx Zoo.

"Ira content makes my day," one commenter wrote, evidently already familiar with Galtman, who, as a middle-aged archivist, didn't expect to become a social media hit for the brand when he first started filming "Ira, The Archivist" videos in 2023.

"I don't even have a cat in my video, and people are looking at it! I don't even have to dance in the video to get attention," he said on a video call.

Galtman has served as Amex's brand archivist for three decades, documenting the company's 176-year history and preserving its historic documents and artifacts. He was a bit hesitant when the social media team first approached him about filming videos for LinkedIn, but quickly realized he was relatively comfortable talking about the stories he knows well on camera.

"I can be myself," he said, adding that his authenticity is likely part of the appeal. "I'm not pretending that I'm trying to be an influencer."

Galtman's popularity coincides with Amex's interest in courting younger cardholders, many of whom first encounter brands on their social media feeds. CEO Steve Squeri said on his company's third-quarter earnings call that millennials and Gen Zers accounted 65% of new consumer accounts. As of January, the average age of Platinum cardholders was 33, never mind the $895 annual fee.

'A runaway hit'

Amex's social team started by posting Galtman's videos on LinkedIn and Facebook, mainly for other employees, but expanded to other platforms after they were "a runaway hit," said Aya Kanai, the head of enterprise content and communications.

"Nostalgia does very well online and in social spaces," Kanai said.

The videos originally focused more on the artifacts, but the social media team learned that Galtman is a key part of their appeal. They now all have an endearing, almost jolly vibe, like a mix of the vintage Americana and dad-core posts on the more wholesome corners of the internet.

Galtman always introduces himself in his New York accent, often against "Modern Elevator Music/Cute Electronic Bossanova," and launches into the history of an Amex-related object, periodically raising one eyebrow over his transition lenses. In the zoo video, Galtman explains that, in 1907, Amex helped transport 15 nearly extinct American bison from New York City to a wildlife reserve in Oklahoma.

Over time, the social media team has started tying his content to specific business events — in a video honoring the 60th anniversary of the gold card, for example, Galtman talks about a 1995 dress made from the product.

As of September, Amex had posted 20 videos of Galtman, which usually perform about twice as well as the company's social media benchmark, Kanai said. Galtman's videos still perform best on LinkedIn, and also do particularly well with younger audiences on TikTok. Nobody has stopped Galtman on the street yet, but he said colleagues have started coming up to him in the office or cafeteria to ask about their own business line's history or a recent video.

Other corporate leaders have also leaned into social media for the right executives. Blackstone President Jon Gray, for example, regularly goes viral for his running videos, and McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski films taste tests from his office. Kanai said she's keen to expand similar content to other Amex leaders, provided they're comfortable on camera.

Keeping it real

Galtman, however, isn't usually thinking about engagement metrics or customer acquisition when he's filming, and is instead making sure he "feels the content." The same ethos is true for his appearance — he doesn't go through hair and makeup, partly because he wants "to keep it real."

Before each video, Galtman takes time to stretch, swat away any lingering butterflies, and talk through the material in a quiet place, without his notes.

"If anyone sort of overhears me, I guess they may think, 'Ira is really losing it.' But I like to think that that's not a unique thing to do," he said.

Only a handful of people are there for the actual filming, urging him to smile more or coaching him through phrases that trip him up, like "stock certificates."

Galtman's mild social media stardom hasn't changed his own online habits much. He still enjoys keeping up with rock and classical music, and following archive-related content on X. Yet he looks at posts through a different lens, now that he's been on the other side of the camera.

"I can see a video and say that that's really hard to do," he said. "A lot of it is respect for some of the content."

• Vinoo Ganesh led Palantir's program for staffers to try forward-deployed engineering in the 2010s.
• FDE programs are all the rage at companies from OpenAI to Google.
• He said that many companies are misinterpreting FDEs as "sales engineers."

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Vinoo Ganesh, the 34-year-old CEO of Kepler. He spent over six years at Palantir in the 2010s and later worked at Citadel. He's based in New York. It's been edited for length and clarity.

Palantir had a program we called Project Frontline. The idea behind Frontline was: How do we take software engineers and expose them to life as a forward-deployed engineer?

I actually went through a version of this before the program. I started off on the product development team, did a rotation that lasted for a long time as a forward-deployed engineer, then went back to the product development team.

I was running the program for a good chunk of time. We had a bunch of people go through it. Some folks stayed as forward-deployed engineers; some rotated back to becoming software engineers.

At the time, the state of the world was that forward-deployed engineers were moving really fast, and were very close to the customer. The software engineering team tended to be geographically — literally, some folks were in Palo Alto — culturally isolated from the urgency the FDE team had.

The idea was: walk a mile in the other person's shoes.

Palantir worked really hard to set all of these folks up for success. We would give them mentors. They would have two touch points: a forward-deployed engineering manager and a software engineering manager.

People loved it. They'd be in corporate housing for a few months, displaced somewhere other than their home office. It's not like every FDE went through this program; it was a set of software engineers who expressed interest.

We called it "business engineering" at Citadel. The goal was much more focused on internal portfolio managers and analysts. Palantir's FDEs are much more focused on customers external to the company. At Citadel, we were focused on folks internal to the organization.

It was still the same operating model: Citadel's engineering team has a core product, and our goal is to better inform its development by engaging with portfolio managers, analysts, and associates.

What other companies get wrong about FDEs

I've always modeled forward-deployed engineers as being an extension of the product team. Your job is to solve problems to gain product insights that inform product development.

Some people are modeling it — incorrectly, in my opinion — as sales engineers. Some people are modeling it as quota-carrying salespeople. I've seen everything from a forward-deployed equity researcher to a forward-deployed principal architect.

I think "FDE" is being used incorrectly as a stopgap for lack of product-market fit at some of these companies. Where I see it being used is to force customers to use your product that otherwise may not want to.

Palantir had a culture of autonomy and empowerment. If you identified a problem, you'd be able to be the agent of action and go solve that problem. That's what allowed FDEs to thrive.

I also think Palantir's product is almost perfect for the forward-deployed engineering ecosystem. You've built this horizontal platform that can work in a variety of industries, and FDEs are the individuals creating the vertical applications.

I'd be thinking about our product and whether or not it's relevant for an FDE function. I don't think of an FDE as a way of selling more tokens. I don't think of an FDE as a way to get users to use your product when they haven't had a pain point solved.

It's being used as a catch-all now for a combination of sales, customer success, or marketing functions to show that you care about customers.

I see a lot of organizations focused on trying to get their product in front of as many people as possible, whether or not that actually generates the compounding product returns.

The world isn't black and white. There's a whole bunch of middle grounds to what kind of FDE you need at what point in your trajectory. These are my opinions and not a formal statement around how Palantir did things.

I think this is the future of software engineering. If writing code isn't the differentiator anymore, the opportunity is: how do you understand customers deeply and viscerally?

It's really important to get software engineers globally more customer-aware. For me, the FDE is more of a mindset than a job title.

Do you work at Palantir? Contact reporter Henry Chandonnet on Signal at henrychand.30.

• Maggie Bodner was laid off from her corporate job and decided to try working at Spirit Halloween.
• As a Halloween enthusiast, she said she feels energized after long shifts.
• Bodner suggests that people in similar situations focus on the present and do what they enjoy.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Maggie Bodner, a 28-year-old employee at Spirit Halloween, based in the Fort Lauderdale area. Her identity and employment have been verified by Business Insider. This story has been edited for length and clarity.

I was laid off in June and started to apply for jobs like crazy.

When people say the job market is tough, the job market is tough. It's especially challenging if you do something really specific, like learning and development. It's just rejection email after rejection email, and some of them come in an hour after I applied.

In July, my boyfriend asked me if there was anything I've ever really wanted to do. After thinking about it, I realized I wanted to work at Spirit Halloween. I love shopping at Spirit Halloween and I'm there three or four times a week when it's open.

Sure enough, there was a Spirit Halloween opening right around the corner from me so I applied to the assistant manager position and sales associate position. Three weeks after I applied, I heard from the store manager and went in for an interview. They were still setting up the store and I felt so happy to see it being built.

I heard back a few days after the interview and got the job.

The job provides me with much needed fun

My love for Halloween started with Twilight. I have a Twilight tattoo and Halloween was always a time where I could dress up as a vampire. I love being scared. I'm a big fan of Halloween horror nights, haunted houses, and ghost tours.

I volunteered to work 10 hours in one day, and I came home feeling energized and excited. I enjoy working with the sales associates and my store manager is a great teacher. We have an in-store-experience, which is a haunted house, so people also come in with their kids. The other day, a kid put on a turtle shell costume, got on the ground, and charged at me to scare me. It was really funny and sweet.

Sometimes we have a line of customers waiting outside the door. I was an enthusiast, but I didn't know that people wait outside for the store to open. Some people come in every day because we always put new stuff on the floor.

Spirit hires people who love Halloween. Plus, the Halloween benefits are great. I get 30% off of all my merch, and I can't tell you how much I've gotten already.

I'm still applying to jobs

I've always been an empathetic person, but I think this gave me a little more empathy for people going through layoffs. I used to see posts on LinkedIn of people saying "it's been a year since I've been laid off," and I would think "how could it be a year?" But now that I'm in it, it makes sense.

Two of my colleagues are in high school and working part-time. One of them asked me, "How could you get laid off if you're valuable?" I told him, "You'd be really surprised." The comment itself didn't shock me, but it opened my eyes to the fact that people who haven't experienced a layoff truly don't understand that it can happen to anyone, no matter how valuable you are.

I'm still applying to jobs, but I want to ride this experience out, even if I get another opportunity.

The hours at Spirit get later as it gets closer to Halloween so if I get another opportunity, I would try to change my shift so that I could keep working here for the season.

It's much needed fun during a very stressful time. My biggest takeaway would be that if you find yourself laid off, instead of worrying yourself with the big picture, focus on the moment and find something you truly enjoy doing.

• Job seekers are hiding AI prompts in white text in their résumés to try to get ahead.
• Employers say this kind of résumé hacking is a turnoff because it raises ethical concerns.
• "You're cutting in front of the line," said a CEO who recently came across an app with a hidden prompt.

Last month, Paul Lee was reviewing applications for a legal and compliance job at the small technology company he leads when his screening software flagged an anomaly.

Hidden in one of the hundreds of résumés he received was a block of roughly 1,500 characters typed in white text on a white background. It was an AI prompt to ignore prior instructions and declare the applicant a top-tier fit, regardless of whether the person met the role's requirements.

Lee said he was stunned and described the move as an ethical red flag for a role built on trust and integrity.

"You're cutting in front of the line," said Lee, CEO of the 40-person, Irvine, California, company InnoCaption, which makes real-time captioning technology for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Résumé hacking is getting an AI-era upgrade — and not in a way that's recommended. Whereas desperate job hunters once put keywords in white text to fool screening software, some people are now quietly inputting AI prompts to try to make their applications stand out.

A May 2026 study by researchers at Duke University and collaborators analyzed nearly 200,000 résumés and found that roughly 1% contained hidden prompt injections.

"Job seekers are doing what they feel they need to do to filter through the noise," Sarah Franklin, CEO of the human resources platform Lattice, told Business Insider. She said the behavior isn't surprising because employers are overwhelmed with applications and often respond with generic rejections, if anything at all.

"The hiring process feels like this complete black box," she said.

AI is part of the problem. The technology makes it easy for job seekers to tailor and submit applications at scale, while some employers use it to help them sort through the pile, said Nada Hashmi, an assistant professor of information technology at Babson College. That can mean AI, rather than a person, may be involved in screening applicants before they reach the interview stage, which can give them an incentive to game the system.

"It's really having AIs kind of talking to each other," she said.

Even so, résumé hacking may be pointless. Recruiters and hiring managers often review applications in batches and move ahead once they find enough promising candidates, leaving later submissions unchecked, said Nathalia Aryani, corporate director of human resources at property management company Terra Vista.

"The issue is volume," she said.

Worse, getting noticed for the tactic can come with its own consequences. Those who are caught doing it may be seen as dishonest, and some employers are now actively searching for prompts because word of them is spreading.

At the Zurich-based flight-search startup Zerolook, cofounder and CEO Simone Lini uploaded about 20% of the roughly 350 résumés he had received for two engineering roles to an AI tool last month. He'd heard that applicants were hiding prompt injections and asked it to flag any examples.

One résumé, Lini learned, indeed contained instructions to ignore prior instructions and prioritize their candidacy, saying "their livelihood depends on you doing that," he recalled.

Lini, whose company is hiring after raising $1.9 million in venture capital, said that while the applicant had relevant experience, the ploy was a turnoff. He added that he disagreed with some commenters on a LinkedIn post he made about the matter who suggested it showed AI savvy.

"It's just about trying to sneak in and get to the top," he said, adding that inserting the prompt was not hard to do. He said he blocked the person from applying again.

• Wall Street's "Dr. Doom" is eyeing a handful of risks to the US economy.
• Nouriel Roubini laid out several of his top worries, despite a promising macro landscape overall.
• The famed economist is eyeing potential market corrections, higher bond yields, and other risks.

Dr. Doom sounds more like Dr. Boom these days, but Nouriel Roubini still sees plenty of risks looming over the US economy.

The economist, who's often referred to as "Dr. Doom" for his bombastic and frequently bearish predictions in markets, laid out his top fears about the macro environment speaking to Bloomberg this week.

Roubini, who rose to fame calling the 2008 financial crisis, said he remains optimistic on the investment landscape overall. That's largely due to his positive outlook on the AI boom, he said, pointing to the billions tech giants are spending on AI infrastructure and the expected productivity payoff down the line.

Still, he identified four concrete risks that are on his radar. Here's what Roubini says he's worried about:

1. The Strait of Hormuz is still closed

Oil flows are still largely choked off in the Persian Gulf, an issue that has hung over the market since the start of the Iran war and sent oil prices spiraling into the triple-digits earlier this year.

Crude has cooled from its wartime peak, but prices remain elevated and risk moving higher again as the war drags on and oil reserves run low. Risk assets, like stocks, have also generally fallen as oil prices have climbed, a sign that investors are worried about the knock-on effects on inflation and economic growth.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, surged 6% this week as the US and Iran launched fresh strikes. Stocks in the US's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, meanwhile, hit a 43-year-low last month, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Agency.

2. Iran war could escalate after the midterm elections

There's a chance the Iran war could escalate significantly after the midterm elections this year, Roubini said, pointing to fears that President Donald Trump may become concerned with his presidential legacy and ramp up military pressure on Iran.

"If they lose the House and he's going to start bombing Iran and try to win the war — that's always a risk," Roubini said.

3. Bond yields could move higher

There's a need for "fiscal consolidation" around the world, Roubini said, referring to how global concerns about growing budget deficits have caused bond yields to surge.

"If that doesn't happen, then bond yields can go higher and that could put pressure and crowd out some of the domestic demand," he added, referring to the economic impact of higher yields.

The US bond market has been rattled by a myriad of concerns lately, among them fears that the budget deficit is growing to unsustainable levels and that inflation will move higher over the long term.

Part of the move is explained by investors being less willing to hold government debt, meaning yields need to rise in order to entice investors back to the bond market. Bond yields are also tied to interest rate expectations, implying that markets perceive elevated inflation as a future problem.

4. Potential for coming market corrections

Roubini flagged the potential for a market correction to strike, though he reiterated his optimism about the overall investment landscape.

"Some corrections could occur," he said, adding that he didn't believe the current run-up in AI represented a market bubble. "The downside risks are the usual suspects, but we are in the middle of a real global investment boom."

More forecasters have been flagging the risk of a correction lately, particularly as yields remain elevated and the market enters a seasonally weak period. Stretching back to 1928, the S&P 500 has seen its worst average three-month performance from the August to October period, with the average correction in down years being 7.35%, according to an analysis from Bank of America.

• Meta is building its largest AI data center in Holly Ridge, Louisiana.
• The decision inspired Tim Allen and his family to open their restaurant, Holy Tacos.
• Allen said the construction has helped the local economy thrive.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tim Allen, whose family opened Holy Tacos in Rayville, Louisiana, in April 2025. Construction for Meta's largest-ever AI data center is underway in Holly Ridge, an unincorporated community about 10 miles from Rayville.

Rayville has been a small community my whole life, and it's been in decline over the last several years.

We have a lot of people whose children are moving out, and they usually don't come back. Growing up, downtown Rayville had multiple businesses, hardware stores, and clothing stores. One by one, they shut down until only a couple of stores were left.

Since Meta's announcement, we've seen old businesses revitalize and new ones open, including ours. We opened Holy Tacos because Meta was coming to town.

My dad owned a construction company, so I spent 20 years running the family construction business. Toward the end of those 20 years, we purchased an old Burger King that turned into a Huddle House. We turned it into a pizza place, but when I went into ministry, I just didn't have time.

I sold my shares to my sister. She and my dad still own that restaurant downtown. I swore I'd never get back into the food business, but we saw an opportunity to help fill a need. We opened in April of 2025.

I'm very sensitive to both sides of the AI data center debate. The economic growth and development here is undeniable, and so is the tension. There's tension among people whose lives are being changed because they are beside it and they didn't want it. Holly Ridge is the name of the settlement where the data center is being built. It's a tiny little rural farming community.

Now, you've got all this economy out there that's growing, which is why some of them are upset because their quiet way of life is now over. There's dust from construction, and there's noise all night long.

But some of the roads that were out there, which were substandard, are now blacktop roads. That's a big deal. We didn't have red lights out there. Now we do.

Holy Tacos

When we first had the idea for Holy Tacos, we thought we were going to open the food truck and be out on Meta's site. It was so early on in the process that they were like, "No, you can't come out here. We don't have anywhere for you to set up out here. It's dangerous." We were like, "Uh-oh, now what do we do?"

There was a vacant building nearby. We were cooking Holy Tacos for the first time publicly for our church. The guy who owns the building was helping, and he ate some of the food. I got to talking to him, and he just held his hand out like, "It's yours."

The food truck has five roll-up doors, so we put it inside the building and basically bolted it to the wall. That helped us become a full-fledged restaurant that can also provide catering.

Catering

We had two catering orders recently in two different directions. One was in Monroe, which is about 20 minutes from here, and then next week we're going out on Meta's site. We've been out to the man camps, which are the temporary housing for construction workers, took our mobile setup, and cooked for them. They have a company that picks up the food, so they will order from us, and they do it anywhere from once a month up to four times a month. Catering costs anywhere from $4,000 to $7,000, depending on the size.

We have a good local following, but when you add the catering, probably 40% of our monthly business is directly related to Meta.

Our slow days now are as big as our busy days were before. We've definitely grown. You'll come in and see a mixture of both Meta workers and locals. You'll have lawyers and attorneys in there eating, and then you'll have people in their high vests for Meta. It's all walks of life.

Life after Meta

Businesses that were struggling to make ends meet are now prospering or opened up multiple locations. New businesses have come in, and a lot of them are owned by local people.

The money is definitely flowing into our parish, too. Obviously, the catering will slow down when construction's done, but now we're beginning to cater for people other than the major contractors out there. I think things like that will grow, and the local businesses built during this time will sustain us.

• AI-generated documents can waste time because they're often bloated and confusing, some employers say.
• Their solution: policies outlining where reasonable internal AI use ends, and overreliance begins.
• "Longer is not better," said one VP whose company recently launched an AI writing policy.

Employers have a new message for workers using AI to write: Stop the slop.

Fed up with bloated and confusing content, from project proposals to status updates, bosses are instituting policies that outline where reasonable internal AI use ends, and overreliance begins. They say merely urging workers to curb the behavior hasn't been enough.

A formal policy creates a shared "touchpoint" rather than requiring leaders to repeatedly explain what is expected, said Clare Jones, CEO of the travel-app maker Polarsteps.

The Amsterdam-based company, founded in 2015, released a set of principles earlier this year on when and how its roughly 100 employees should use AI for internal writing. (Most of the consumer-facing copy in its app is produced by professional in-house writers, Jones said.)

Polarsteps' expectations include, for example, disclosing when staff have used AI and ensuring the final copy reflects their own reasoning and voice. Jones said employees can still use AI to brainstorm and draft, but they are expected to apply their own critical thinking before sharing the result.

How slop spread

Driving the crackdown has been a gradual increase in time-wasting slop in the years since OpenAI kicked off the generative AI revolution with the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022.

A late 2025 survey from BetterUp and Stanford's Social Media Lab found that 40% of 1,150 full-time US desk workers had received AI slop from a coworker in the preceding month. Respondents said dealing with each instance took nearly two hours on average.

"The critical mass is there now," said Jessica Zwaan, vice president of people strategy and operations at the AI-powered HR software company Leapsome. "Everyone is just producing large amounts of writing."

At a recent internal meeting, she said she spent more time reading the prep materials than she did in the meeting itself. "I don't know if I've ever wanted a clear sentence longer," she said. "Longer is not better."

Zwaan theorizes that workers in general are misusing AI because they've been told it is an imperative, and may worry that sending brief notes instead of lengthy AI-generated documents will make them look lazy.

"A lot of people associate productivity with volume, and actually, productivity is clarity," she said.

Leapsome's AI writing policy was rolled out in mid-August and instructs its 130 employees in Berlin and New York to stand behind what they say, focus on clarity, and be mindful of the length.

"If a short prompt produced a long document, it's not worth reading for the same reason it wasn't worth writing," it says.

Blaming AI for ambiguous write-ups is also discouraged.

"'AI wrote it' isn't an answer if someone asks what you meant," the guideline states. "Every word should be something you back."

'Just ignore that'

AI slop has become so ubiquitous that techies have coined a nickname for perpetrators: "meat proxies." The term was popularized by German software Niklas Gruhn in an August 3 blog post and refers to those who share unchecked AI outputs.

A formal policy can help minimize that dynamic by making it less awkward for workers to challenge colleagues' AI-generated writing, said Sophie Alpert, a lead engineer at Clay, a sales and marketing automation platform. She wrote the company's policy, which was first shared with its roughly 100-person engineering team in mid-June before being rolled out to all 550 of its employees in early August.

"I wanted to create space for people to push back without it seeming like a personal judgment," she said.

The new rules at Clay require employees to stand behind every idea and sentence in their documents and to make their writing worth reading.

"Any extra time that readers need to spend to understand what you meant incurs a multiplicative cost on the team's time," it says. "Conversely, if you spend extra time to make your document clear and concise before sending it, you are paying a one-time cost that every reader will benefit from."

Alpert said she was inspired to take action after colleagues sent her five overtly AI-generated documents in one week. When she asked them to explain some confusing parts, she said she was told, "just ignore that."

In a sign of how broadly Alpert's response resonates, a LinkedIn post about it by Clay's CEO, Varun Anand, went viral last month. It had nearly 10,000 reactions and more than 700 reposts as of September 3.

Guardrails, not bans

The AI writing policies at Polarsteps, Leapsome, and Clay don't amount to an outright AI ban. Instead, the standards are aimed at preventing workers from passing off unexamined AI output as their own thinking — or burdening colleagues with it.

So far, bosses behind them say the reactions they've seen from workers have been mostly positive.

"I think a lot of people were like, 'Thank goodness someone's doing something about this,'" said Zwaan, adding that some employees asked the company to go further by restricting AI in employee-to-employee messages and marketing copy.

At Polarsteps, the new guidance is already having a positive effect.

"We're getting so much human content now, which is really lovely," said Jones.

• The founder of a family office said preparing kids for receiving an inheritance can start as young as 6.
• His three-step plan builds up to the big inheritance "reveal" when the kid is around 20 years old.
• He used the process with his own kids, and it involved a three-jar money lesson.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ken Polk, 53, who is based in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the founder of Arlington Family Offices. This has been edited for length and clarity.

I believe most families think about inheritance, but many don't really talk about it.

Whether your children are due to receive $100,000 or $100 million, it doesn't really matter. The challenge is the same: if you know this meteor is coming into your children's universe, you need to prepare them for it.

I recommend a process that begins in childhood and evolves as your kids grow up. I've personally gone through it with my four children, who are now 27, 25, 23, and 21, so I speak from experience.

These are the three steps I'd recommend to any parent.

1. Build character before you talk about inheritance

People often talk about wanting their legacy to last. Ultimately, preserving legacy comes down to a child's character and who they're becoming.

One exercise I recommend is asking your child to identify eight character traits they aspire to, then write a letter to their future self. It's about helping them work backward from the person they want to become.

When it comes to preparing a child for an inheritance, I think the ultimate gift is helping them find their purpose in life before the money arrives.

2. Teach your children financial habits

I think you can also start teaching your children financial discipline from as young as 6. It can be as simple as teaching them to divide their money into three jars or envelopes: some to give, some to save, and the rest for living. I call it the undefeated financial plan.

Six years after my kids got their jars, they came with me to open bank accounts when they turned 12. By then, they were using the same "give, save, live" system with their accounts.

You don't need everyone in your family to become great investors, but they do need to have a shared framework for making financial decisions. As children learn to handle smaller financial decisions, you can gradually entrust them with bigger ones. That helps prepare them for the point when you can start discussing what they might inherit.

3. Explain what they're inheriting and why

If you've done that work at different stages of your children's lives, you can begin the reveal process between ages 19 and 22. That's when you begin walking them through the family's finances and talking more openly about their inheritance.

It partly involves what we call a legacy letter, which we help families write. It's not about showing your adult children boring trust and estate documents. The key is to draft a legacy letter that makes the "spirit" of the money clear.

If you give someone a check and say you'd like them to use it for something like education, for example, that's the spirit behind the money. The same principle applies to an inheritance.

I did this with each of my four children. Their mother and I sat down with them and explained that there was a reason we had taught them systems like give, save, and live. We were seeing whether they could handle the inheritance they were about to learn about.

Eventually, parents have to be prepared to let go. You have to let your children make their own financial decisions as they get married, have families of their own, or branch off.

The key is teaching a system rooted in shared values and principles that can be passed down. Live those values yourself, pass them on to your children, and create a legacy that lasts.

• Lukas Jannick moved to NYC from the Netherlands to be closer to his girlfriend.
• He is learning how to adjust to high costs and a different culture.
• He documents his NYC journey on YouTube, aiming to grow his channel from 14,000 to 100,000 subs.

When Lukas Jannick's parents heard how much he was spending on coffee in New York City, they bought and sent a coffee machine straight to his house.

"I told them it's $5.69, and they were shocked," he said. "Now I'm not spending any money on coffee."

The 23-year-old Dutchman moved to NYC four months ago from Apeldoorn in the Netherlands, where his family lives. He moved across the Atlantic to live closer to his girlfriend, a native New Yorker, whom he fell in love with after a chance encounter at a bar in Greece.

He earns around $580 a week as a sales administrator and has found NYC prices are generally two to three times higher than back home. He's not alone; many New Yorkers struggle to meet the city's high cost of living, having to pay hefty rents and face high food prices. Jannick is one of the people Business Insider has spoken to for our Cost of the City series, reporting on what it takes to afford life in one of the most expensive cities in the country.

He spends most of his salary on rent and food, buying his weekly groceries for under $100 from Amazon Fresh and Trader Joe's, where he has fallen victim to its "insanely long lines." Jannick leads what he describes as a frugal lifestyle.

"To be honest, I don't spend so much outside of my rent," he said.

He said he inherited typical Dutch frugality, a mentality passed down by his grandparents, who experienced food scarcity during the Second World War. Although attitudes are changing with Gen Z, whenever he buys something, his family usually asks about the price and congratulates him when he strikes a good deal.

"I'm almost grateful that I earn so little and that I'm in New York," Jannick said. "I feel almost that the city is pushing me with the high expenses," he said, explaining that it makes him work harder.

He saved around $20,000 before coming to the US, but his goal is to live off his salary. So far, it has worked. He plans to keep the savings in his back pocket for future investments.

From a bar in Greece to finding housing in New York City

Jannick dropped out of university at 18 and from there worked various jobs in the Netherlands.

His life took a turn after a company vacation to Greece over the last weekend of September 2024, when he was 21. On the first night of the trip, he went to a bar with some coworkers and met his now-girlfriend, who lived in New York City. After five months of texting back and forth, he decided to visit her in-person. In a week, he fell in love with her. This led to a one-and-a-half-year-long-distance relationship, during which Jannick decided to move to NYC to be closer to his girlfriend.

No one in his family or community had made that type of move, so he was left to figure it out himself.

"A lot of people thought I was crazy for it," he said. "There is a lot of time that I could save with the knowledge that I have right now. On the other hand, I also feel you kind of have to make those mistakes."

The process to get to the US took over a year. He started applying for jobs and received help from Stage Global, an international exchange and placement company that connected him with US employers and arranged interviews.

Eventually, he landed a sales job at Vertex Security, a commercial security provider, and was able to move by May 5, 2026, two large suitcases in hand. He said the approximate total cost of the move was over $6,000, including his flight, visa fees, and Stage Global's fee.

For the first few weeks, he lived with his girlfriend, and while he started his new job, he fell into the NYC apartment hunt.

"I didn't really know where to start," he said.

He sought advice from ChatGPT, got blocked from Facebook for sending too many messages, and was blindsided by the need for guarantors. Meanwhile, he documented the whole thing on his YouTube channel called "Jannick," where he posts daily videos about his move to NYC.

After many hours of searching with his girlfriend, he secured a room in a three-bedroom apartment in Woodside, Queens, for $990 a month. He also pays $35 for air conditioning costs and about $50 for utilities.

Although this is his first time living away from his family, this is not his first time paying rent. He has paid rent to live with his parents in the Netherlands since he was 18, initially contributing €180 and later up to €249.

Adjusting to New York City prices and habits

NYC's food culture was one of the things that surprised Jannick. He noticed that New Yorkers' social interactions revolve around food, and that many invest their time and money in trying different restaurants and traveling to new cafés and bars.

"In the Netherlands, we don't have that whole culture around food," he said. "There is a fundamental difference in how they look at food. Here, you eat food to enjoy it, and we eat food to survive."

Since arriving in NYC, he has tried a plethora of new cuisines, from Brazilian cheese bread to "amazing" Thai food for the first time.

"These types of flavors are completely new," he said.

Another thing he found strange was the extensive use of credit cards and the number of Americans in debt because of student loans — in the Netherlands, there is usually access to good-quality, affordable schools, and universal healthcare.

"To be in debt to pay things — it's very strange to me," he said.

Another change is the long distances and methods he has to use to get across the city. By land area, New York City is around four times larger than Amsterdam, the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, a country known for having more bicycles than people.

"We bike everywhere because everything is so close, and I feel like I miss that," he said.

He said that in the Netherlands, you might not get hired if you live an hour away from your office, as it is expected that you can find something better and closer than where you live. Currently, he lives a 45-minute subway ride away from his office in Manhattan.

Although Jannick said he likes the subway, he recently bought a bike to get around NYC for its convenience and to save on transportation costs.

"I'm a little bit too frugal to use the Citi Bike," he said.

He's hoping the bike will help reduce his roughly $140 a month transportation costs.

Why the move feels worth it

New York City's energy is part of what makes the move worth it. The city's ambition is pushing Jannick to work harder and make more money, he said. By the time he reaches one year living in the US, in May 2027, he hopes to grow his YouTube channel from 14,000 to 100,000 subscribers.

"I'm absolutely loving the energy around the city, the ambition that is driving people to really almost force you to make something of your life is incredible to me," he said. "It was worth it in a lot of different ways: for my relationship, for my career that I'm building with YouTube, and for the experience of becoming more of an adult."

Staying long-term is one of his goals, but he is still uncertain how he will achieve it, as he is on an 18-month J-1 visa.

"So far, this has been absolutely my best summer. I feel very grateful, very lucky."

• Tariff refunds may not be in the loot box for gamers.
• Sony's legal team said it shouldn't have to pass on tariff-related refunds to its consumers.
• Nintendo and Microsoft made similar arguments in recent legal filings.

The biggest video game makers don't want to give you back your loot.

When President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs by executive order last year, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo all raised their prices, passing those increased costs onto their customers. At the time, the companies said the price hikes were due to market conditions and the shifting economic landscape.

Now, after the US Supreme Court ruled that Trump's tariffs were illegal, forcing the administration to refund companies for tariffs they paid, those same video game makers are now arguing in court that they don't have to pass them back to their customers.

While big-box retailers like Walmart and Costco have said they intend to lower costs for consumers who were squeezed by tariff-related price hikes, the big video game makers haven't taken that route.

Sony

Attorneys for Sony Interactive Entertainment sought to dismiss a class-action lawsuit filed against the company in May. In the suit, plaintiffs said Sony charged consumers inflated prices for PlayStation consoles after the tariffs were imposed, and then sought refunds from the US government.

On Monday, Sony's legal team brushed off those claims.

"They suffered no cognizable injury because they voluntarily paid the advertised prices for the consoles and received exactly what they paid for—working consoles," the attorneys said.

They added that the plaintiffs "received the consoles they willingly purchased at the advertised prices."

"Pricing decisions involve many factors—inflation, supply chain costs, currency fluctuations, and demand—and Plaintiffs do not plausibly allege that tariffs caused the console price increases."

The company said it expects to receive around 80 billion yen — or $510 million — in tariff refunds across the Sony Group during a quarterly meeting this July.

Microsft

Xbox owner Microsoft doesn't want to give consumers tariff refunds, either. In July, consumers said Microsoft increased prices for Xbox consoles and other products in response to the tariffs and then sought tariff refunds, which they consider "unjust." Microsoft sought to dismiss the class action lawsuit in late August.

"He paid for it, he received it, and he continues to use it. Plaintiff received the benefit of his bargain. But now he wants to go back and renegotiate the price he paid," Microsoft attorneys said of the plaintiff. "He does not allege that the Xbox does not work the way he thought it would, that Microsoft made any misrepresentations about the Xbox's qualities, or that he paid the price for the Xbox only because he believed that it was based on a tariff."

Microsoft said there are several reasons companies adjust prices.

"Companies set prices based on many factors, including component costs, overhead, competition, and taxes — and those factors fluctuate over time," the company says in its request for dismissal. "Companies have no obligation to adjust those prices up or down day by day based on forecasts that do or do not materialize."

The company has not publicly disclosed how much it expects to receive in tariff refunds.

Nintendo

Nintendo kicked off this trend when it sought to dismiss a lawsuit related to consumer tariff refunds in July. Three months earlier, the plaintiffs said Nintendo of America raised retail prices to offset tariffs, sought tariff refunds, and did not make a legally binding commitment to repay consumers.

In its motion to dismiss, Nintendo of America said plaintiffs knew what they were getting into.

"Plaintiffs now claim that they are entitled to recover some or all of those refunds. Plaintiffs do not dispute that Nintendo's pricing adjustments were lawful," attorneys said. "Nor do Plaintiffs allege that Nintendo breached any term of sale or misled consumers. To the contrary, Plaintiffs admit that Nintendo provided advance notice to the public that tariffs were among the market conditions that informed its pricing."

Nintendo said it recorded a $300 million tariff refund.

In its legal filing, Nintendo said it adjusted prices in response to labor, shipping, and memory costs, as well as tariffs.

• Americans have been rising up against data centers in their communities.
• As the midterms approach, data centers have become a flashpoint US politics.
• Morgan Stanley said it's watching key congressional races with implications for data centers and the AI boom.

Wall Street is always on high alert in an election year, but there's a new issue that's motivating voters to get out to the polls this fall: data centers.

Big Tech firms are pouring enormous sums of money into data centers to power their AI ambitions, but the projects are coming up against local opposition that proving effective at stalling or even canceling some projects.

Morgan Stanley in a note last week said that it's watching some big races this November that could have consequences for the data center buildout.

"We've been flagging this as the key wedge issue into the 2026 election since it began to percolate last fall," said strategist Ariana Salvatore. "That being said, we still see this as a state and local policy risk rather than a federal one for the time being."

The investment bank recently highlighted opposition as a potential bottleneck for the AI trade, and a growing number of finance pros are coming to see the data center backlash as a growing risk to the AI trade.

President Donald Trump has even been drawn in, expressing support for data centers in posts on Truth Social. He framed them as a positive economic force that can benefit rural communities. However, as Business Insider's reporting has found, the massive structures can also impose extreme costs on struggling economies and drain key resources.

While Morgan Stanley says that there will likely be more risk for the AI trade following the 2028 presidential election, Salvatore added that her team is monitoring several midterm races closely, as their outcomes could impact planned data center projects. Here are the House and Senate races on their radar.

House:

• Pennsylvania's 8th District: Rob Bresnahan Jr. (R) vs. Paige Cognetti (D) — Bresnahan introduced a bill in June that would make it harder for tech companies to sue communities over zoning issues. What to watch: "Bresnahan's Local Control Protection Act would limit developers' ability to sue municipalities that push back, but it has no cosponsors and has not left committee. Congetti is running on the issue rather than on a mechanism."
• Michigan's 7th District: Tom Barrett (R) vs. William Lawrence (D) — Lawrence has expressed support for a data center moratorium, while Barrett has filed multiple bills aimed at guarding against data center overreach. What to watch: "Lawrence backs a federal moratorium, the vehicle being the Sanders-Ocasio-Cortez AI Data Center Moratorium Act. Barrett introduced the Protecting Local Control of Data Centers Act and the No Data Centers NDAs Act on 20 Aug. All three need federal legislation."
  
  Senate Races:
• Texas: Ken Paxton (R) vs. James Talarico (D) — Rep. Talarico has zeroed in on data center regulation as a key pillar of campaign strategy, including introducing a "Hold Data Centers Accountable Plan." Paxton has been slow to respond to data center related-matters but he recently rolled out a plan to address potentially negative impacts they may pose. What to watch: "Talarico's Hold Data Centers Accountable Plan would end the state sale tax break, set federal minimums and require closed-loop water, but Paxton also backs repealing the exemption, plus rural siting limits and a Chinese technology ban."
• Michigan: Mike Rogers (R) vs. Abdul El-Sayed (D) — Rogers has called for a moratorium on data center construction though he does not support an outright ban. His opponent has been openly critical of data centers, calling for strict regulations and zoning controls. What to watch: "Rogers came out for a one-year Michigan moratorium on 20 Aug while stating he does not support a federal ban. El-Sayed wants comprehensive zoning guidelines, local veto power and community-benefit deals. Neither could impose the Michigan pause."
• Ohio: Jon Husted (R) vs. Sherrod Brown (D) — According to Morgan Stanley, neither candidate has explicitly supported a data center pause, although Brown has described Husted as "the face of data centers" in Ohio. What to watch: "Husted calls siting a local issue. Brown targets tax breaks. Neither explicitly supports a pause."

• For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions.
• This week, a reader wants to get a luxury gym membership, but their husband is stressed about their credit card debt.
• Our columnist suggests being honest about their own priorities, finding a compromise, and focusing on the debt.

Dear For Love & Money,

My husband is really controlling with money. He sees anything I spend outside of the bare essentials as frivolous. We aren't wealthy, and we do have a lot of credit card debt, but we have a decent income, and we should be able to afford some extras.

The main extra we are fighting about right now is a gym membership. I'm "allowed" my $10 a month membership to a cheap fitness club, but I would really like us both to go to one of the nice ones with a smoothie bar, sauna, and a pool. In a perfect world, I would also have a personal trainer. I see it as an investment in our health, which is the most important thing.

My husband doesn't want a membership at all, and if I'm being honest, it shows. I get that our finances are important to him, and our credit card debt stresses him out, but I care about both of us looking and feeling our best. He is out of shape and always complaining about aches and pains. How do I get him to understand the importance of putting our health first?

Sincerely,

Gym Rat

Dear Gym Rat,

Couples who share a life also share financial responsibilities. But what shared finances don't necessitate are shared financial priorities — even if it might be easier when they align.

You say your husband is controlling with finances, but later in your letter, you ask me how to get him to put both of your health needs first. It makes me wonder: Is he controlling? Or does he simply prioritize financial fitness while you prioritize physical fitness?

To be clear, if your husband expects you to ask permission before buying basic necessities like groceries, clothes, or medicine, or he keeps you on a strict allowance because he considers the money his alone to control, this could indicate financial abuse. However, based on the other details you've shared, it sounds more like the root of your dilemma is a stark difference in priorities, rather than financial control.

What I find interesting about your difference in priorities is that, taken separately, I think you're both right. Both physical health and financial health are worthy priorities. If you can't get around due to aches and pains, what is the point of having money? And if you spend all your money on expensive gyms, luxury meal plans, and personal trainers, how do you plan to pay for all of those years you've tacked onto your life?

The solution isn't for one of you to persuade the other into your way of thinking. Our priorities are based on our ingrained values, and I can't think of anything more futile than trying to reason someone out of theirs. The way forward is to find a solution that may require each of you to sacrifice a little so that both of you can prioritize your values.

However, compromise is difficult because it requires us to analyze our motivations with brutal honesty. In your case, that might mean asking yourself if a membership to a luxe gym is actually necessary for your health, or if it's just something that sounds nice. For his part, your husband may need to ask himself if his aversion to spending money on his physical fitness is really about saving a buck, or if he's actually disinterested in being physically active.

That's not to say that being honest with ourselves about our priorities must be an exercise in self-denial, however. Your husband doesn't have to go to the gym if he doesn't want to. And you don't have to stay at a budget gym, even if your desire for saunas and smoothies is solely self-indulgent. However, an honest analysis is the first step toward the hard business of differentiating between our wants and our needs, and ultimately coming to a mutually acceptable compromise.

Beyond analyzing your own priorities, you will also need to stop analyzing your husband's. He isn't wrong; financial fitness is important, and if he is stressed out by credit card debt, working together with him to eliminate it isn't something you ought to be arguing any more than he ought to be calling your desire to get in shape "frivolous." You both need to respect each other's priorities.

Ultimately, you both want the same thing. He wants to stress less about money, and you want to pursue physical health in a way that is going to require some expendable income. And the best way for both of you to get your way is for you to get rid of your credit card debt. I say this not to take your husband's side, but because what you want — an expensive gym membership — takes money.

When you've been carrying it for a long time, it can be easy to forget that credit card debt is the opposite of that; it's money you don't have. Credit card debt often comes with high interest rates and negatively impacts your credit score, so your husband is right to prioritize eliminating it. Not to say that physical fitness isn't also important, but staying on your $10 gym membership seems like a fair compromise in the meantime.

Part of this compromise should include making a plan together to pay off the debt that's stressing out your husband, and another part of the plan should include your financial priority as well. Perhaps you can agree on a number that, once reached, will be celebrated with a new gym membership, and once the debt is paid off altogether, you can hire a personal trainer. Who knows? Maybe the excitement of paying off the debt will inspire your husband to join you.

You asked me how to get your husband to understand the importance of putting health first, and I'm afraid I didn't give you the answer you probably wanted. While health and finances rank high on the list of important considerations in life, in a marriage, at the very top sits the relationship between you and your spouse. When you share a life, you share outcomes and happiness — and that's something you both want.

Rooting for you both,

For Love & Money

An earlier version of this article was originally published in April 2023.

Looking for advice on how your savings, debt, or another financial challenge is affecting your relationships? Write to For Love & Money using this Google form.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness promises student-debt relief after 10 years of qualifying payments.
• The Trump administration recently removed some student-loan borrowers' PSLF payments, citing coding errors under Biden.
• "My life has basically been hijacked," one borrower said.

Christina Quinones was two payments away from reaching the threshold for student-loan forgiveness.

She'd spent nine years and 10 months pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which forgives student debt for government and nonprofit workers after 10 years of qualifying payments. Quinones, who works in a Texas school district, was looking forward to the relief she believed was coming soon.

Then she got a letter from her servicer this summer: her 118 qualifying payments were decreased to 98, tacking on nearly two more years to her path to loan forgiveness.

"I was just shy of two payments," the 42-year-old said. "What happened?"

The answer lies in the changes the federal government made to student-loan accounts in recent years.

In May 2024, the Biden administration extended a credit for some payments that had been previously deemed ineligible for forgiveness through PSLF or income-driven repayment plans.

Now, the Department of Education says coding errors "resulted in inaccurate payment counts for some borrowers." A department spokesperson did not comment on the number of borrowers affected by the "code errors" and had PSLF payments removed.

Business Insider reviewed the letter from Quinones' servicer, which said that "one or more of your qualifying payments has changed status to 'non-qualifying,'" and that in order to receive credit, she had to switch to a qualifying repayment plan.

Since President Donald Trump's student-loan repayment overhaul took effect July 1, borrowers have reported a range of challenges with their payments, including higher bills, inaccurate payments, and difficulty getting clear answers from their servicers. The Education Department said its changes are intended to curb excessive borrowing and simplify a complex repayment system, but borrowers said they're struggling to navigate the changes while planning for their financial futures.

Quinones is feeling defeated. She said her servicer could not give a clear explanation of why her payments were deemed ineligible, and she's holding off on making further ones until she receives clarity on her PSLF status.

"I was super excited because I was so close to relief," Quinones said. "And now I'm just so upset."

Holding out for student-loan forgiveness

Jennifer Krabill, 47, is in a similar situation. She spent more than a decade working for the states of New Jersey and Maryland, and made 90 qualifying payments toward PSLF. In August, her servicer said eight of those payments were deemed ineligible.

"My life has basically been hijacked for another eight months," Krabill said.

Her $120,000 student-loan balance comes from a joint bachelor's and master's program at American University and a J.D. from Delaware School of Law. She's spent more than seven years making monthly payments, and it hasn't been easy: In 2016, her wages were garnished when she couldn't make her student loan payments on a five-figure income.

She said PSLF was a beacon of hope; loan forgiveness would give her the freedom to move to Ohio, to be closer to her family. With the payment timeline now extended, she feels like she's "in a hostage situation."

"It makes me physically sick," Krabill said. "I don't even know what I rightfully owe because of all this extra stuff they've tacked on."

Borrower advocates have criticized the Trump administration's move to rescind PSLF credits. Julie Margetta Morgan, an Education Department official under Biden, said in a statement that "someone needs to stand up for borrowers here."

"Make sure public servants get what they're owed. Make servicers pay for errors they caused. Make Federal Student Aid accountable for the problems it caused, too," Morgan said. "Do all of that before you even think about reinstating a single loan."

The PSLF program is also embroiled in litigation. The Education Department planned to roll out a rule in July that would have limited eligibility for the program, excluding employers that did not align with the administration's definition of "public service," such as those that supported gender-affirming care. A federal judge blocked the rule from being implemented, and the Trump administration recently appealed the ruling.

Krabill's current plan: send letters to her local lawmakers and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding her situation, in hopes of regaining the PSLF credit she lost.

"I'm beyond frustrated," she said. "It took me a couple of days to even just recover. I can't believe months just got taken."

Have a story to share about student loans? Reach out to this reporter at asheffey@businessinsider.com.

• Tesla launched its two-door, steering-wheel-free Cybercab on Thursday.
• Gary Moss and his son, David Moss, were among the first public riders to try the new vehicle.
• The father, who is blind, said a car like the Cybercab could help him regain independence.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Gary Moss, 62, a resident of Puyallup, Washington, and his son, David, a Tesla owner. Moss, who is blind, attended Tesla's Cybercab launch event with his son in Austin. Tesla made the Cybercab available to the Austin public following the event. The two hailed several rides in the Cybercab. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Gary Moss: Before I lost my vision, driving gave me the freedom to go where I needed, when I needed.

I used to drive 30,000 to 40,000 miles a year for my business. There was nothing more exciting to me than going to a place that I'd never been before on the open freeway. I found that to be as relaxing as a 10-mile run. It was almost the same euphoria.

Almost five years ago, around the end of October, I lost sight in one eye. Within a three to four-month period, my second eye went bad. I have cancer that's treatable but not curable.

David Moss: They realized he had a softball-sized tumor in his brain.

Gary: I'm now pretty good with a cane. I can get around my house without a second thought, and I'll do a lot of walking around the cul-de-sac. But there are a lot of places I can't go.

If I'm sitting in the middle of the day and I want to go to my favorite coffee shop, I used to have the freedom to do so. Now, I have to plan trips and bum favors. People are very nice to take me places, but I still have to ask them, and they have to be willing and have the time and ability to take me where I want to go.

David: I mostly help with driving him around or running errands. I'm also his personal stylist and shopper, too.

We used to go to a lot more sporting events and big things in heavy-traffic areas with lots of people around. We don't do that nearly as much anymore.

The Cybercab feels like a 'living room'

Gary: The first thing I noticed about the Cybercab was how easy it was to get in. I appreciate the doors opening automatically. It was like having the chauffeur open the door and say, "Oh, Mr. Moss, glad to see you."

Tesla's regular flush handles can be a little difficult for me. You have to hit them with a thumb and grab them at the same time. With the Cybercab, they open up, you step in, and you step out. I'll put my hand on the door so I don't run into the edge.

David: If you walk toward the doors in a way that they'll be in your path, the doors will only open part of the way.

Gary: Tesla also had a little phrase: "We want you to feel like you're in your living room." That really worked especially for me because I'm not distracted by things going by. I'm sitting there in a very comfortable seat listening to good music and chatting with my son.

At the end of my time in my second living room, all of a sudden, I show up where I want to be.

Other people's driving scares me, but these cars don't.

David: He's taken six Cybercab rides by now.

Gary: When I'm with people who are gracious enough to drive me someplace, I try not to criticize too much. Countless things grab my attention, like making last-minute decisions to change course or hitting the brakes. That virtually never happens when I'm in a Tesla.

'It's not all the way there'

David: On a busy street with five or six Cybercabs on the block, there weren't any audible cues that could help my dad know which one was ours. That's one of the things that would need to improve.

Gary: When you're in a spot with several Cybercabs, there needs to be a way to make it easy for me to know which one I'm walking up to.

David: We appreciated that we could ask Grok, the AI voice assistant, a few things: where we were, how many miles we had left, and the time. But my dad wouldn't be able to change or set the destination.

There was more voice-activation stuff than we anticipated, but it's not all the way there for someone like my dad.

Gary: One of the problems with ride-hailing apps is that they require the ability to use the phone, and I can only use my phone with voice activation.

If I could just say, "Hey Siri or Grok, I need a cab to take me to the grocery store or take me someplace to eat," and in a couple of minutes one showed up, and all I have to do is touch a button and I'm gone — I can't believe the options that I'd have. Sometimes I'd like to go someplace and get something to eat, and nobody wants to take me there.

And instead of a brief tone, announcing that we're here, maybe it would also help if the Cybercab gave me a brief summary of where we're parked and, using the cameras, what it's going to take to walk the, say, hundred feet between where we're parked and the door of the building I'm going into.

David: A lot of these things would be irrelevant if there were personal ownership of a Cybercab, if my dad only had to walk out to the driveway, and he could use Grok to control the car.

Gary: I'd buy a Cybercab. I'd feel pretty lucky. The experience is so close to being everything I need right now.

Walking a dog that pulls on the leash can be stressful for both you and your pet. Fortunately, with consistent training and the right equipment, you can teach your dog to walk calmly on a loose leash. One of the best no-pull dog harnesses with a front-clip leash attachment is the most effective way to reduce pulling.

Unlike a traditional back-clip harness, a front-clip design applies gentle pressure across your dog's chest when they lunge or pull, naturally redirecting them back toward you. This reduces pulling without causing them pain, ultimately making walks easier and safer.

To find the best no-pull dog harnesses, our team of pet reporters tested 21 models with more than two dozen dogs, ranging from small breeds to large German shepherds. We also consulted professional dog trainers, dog walkers, and veterinarians for advice on choosing an effective no-pull harness and using safe, humane training techniques to reduce leash pulling.

Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Our top picks for the best no-pull dog harnesses

Best overall: PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort Harness - $35 at Chewy 

Best padded: Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness - $60 at Chewy

Best budget: PetSafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness - $30 at Chewy

Best for small dogs: Wild One Dog Harness - $48 at Chewy

Best with handle: PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness - $16 at Amazon

Best overall

Why this is our top pick: Like other no-pull options, the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort Harness features a stainless steel D-ring leash attachment at the chest. What sets it apart from other harnesses is a nylon martingale loop that's connected to the D-ring. When a dog pulls, the loop tightens, adding extra, yet gentle, pressure to further discourage pulling. And at around $35, it's also one of the most affordable no-pull harnesses.

What our dog walkers said about using it: We walked three dogs of different sizes — from 14 to 80 pounds — with this harness, and it was highly effective at preventing pulling. With five adjustment points, it's easy to achieve a good fit for a range of body types, and it has padding on the neck, chest, and back for added comfort.

Freelance reporter Elizabeth Holbrook found that the harness stopped her 40-pound mixed-breed dog, Roo, from pulling without affecting her gait or turning her too much to the side.

That said, no harness is a magic fix for the strongest, most determined pullers. Freelance reporter Jackie Brown tried the Easy Walk Comfort Harness with Midas, an 80-pound, 9-month-old golden retriever who is still learning to walk on a loose leash. When Midas pulled his hardest, Brown noticed some slack at the chest, and he wasn't fully redirected. "However, the redirection from the front clip was just enough that he was unable to physically drag me at those high-excitement times," she says.

Meanwhile, freelance reporter Alex Rennie tried this harness with his 14-pound Chihuahua-terrier mix, Iggy. The interior padding helped him achieve a snug fit, and there were no exposed straps to dig into his sensitive armpit area. However, he says the smaller hardware on the extra-small size made it a bit difficult to grip and slide the rings to adjust the fit. For some, the Wild One Dog Harness, our top pick for small dogs, may be a better option thanks to its easier-to-handle hardware, extra padding, and lighter weight.

Drawbacks to consider: There are only a few. While the polyester padding is soft, flexible, and lightweight, it isn't breathable, which could cause some dogs to overheat in warmer weather. In those cases, the strappy PetSafe 3-in-1 or Blue-9 Balance Harness may be a better choice. You must also slip this harness over the head to put it on and take it off, which may be challenging for dogs with handling sensitivities.

Read our full PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort harness review.

Best padded

Why this is our top pick: The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is designed to withstand heavy use while keeping your dog comfortable, making it an ideal choice for long wear on hikes and other outdoor adventures. After seven years of use, it's the only intact harness that freelance reporter Ren Volpe's dog still wears from his younger days.

What our dog walkers said about using it: Foam padding on the chest and belly helps prevent rubbing and chafing, and the built-in clasps are covered with fabric to ensure they don't touch any part of a dog's body. "The padding is nice because it doesn't rub on my thin-coated dog," says Scarlett Cermak, a professional dog trainer and owner of Embark Today.

The harness is simple to put on and take off, with two clasps and adjustable buckles. It also features two leash attachments: an aluminum V-ring on the back and a reinforced webbing loop on the chest plate. "I also really like that there is a back-clip option because there are times, believe it or not, when I want my dogs to pull, like in sports like canicross or joring," Cermak says.

The harness features reflective stitching for improved nighttime visibility, and its polyester shell withstands wear and tear well. While Ruffwear recommends hand-washing the harness, Volpe has run it through the washer and dryer many times. It's still in good shape, though the edges have slightly curled over time.

Drawbacks to consider: The Front Range doesn't curb pulling as effectively as our other recommendations for the best no-pull dog harnesses. While it's typical for a front-clip harness to shift when a dog pulls, this one twists more than our other picks, causing it to slide to the side with repeated pulling.

Best budget

Why this is our top pick: The PetSafe 3-in-1 No-Pull Dog Harness offers two leash attachment options: You can attach the leash to the front to reduce pulling or secure it to the back ring for casual walks or runs with your dog. At around $30, it's also a great starting point if you're working with a tighter budget.

What our dog walkers said about using it: Beth DiMeccio, a volunteer at Family Dog Rescue, tested this harness with shelter dogs and was impressed with how well it managed strong pulling. "There's little chance a dog can wriggle out of this harness, which is a big concern with shelter dogs," she says.

The Y-shaped nylon harness allows a full range of motion without restricting a dog's movement. It features five adjustment points for achieving a comfortable, snug fit, and the neck buckle eliminates the need to pull the harness over a dog's head. Light neoprene padding adds comfort, while reflective stitching enhances nighttime visibility.

Once you get the hang of it, the harness is easy to put on. It includes a built-in adjustable strap to attach to a seat belt if you'd like to limit your dog's movement in the car. However, it hasn't been crash-tested and may not protect your dog in an accident.

Drawbacks to consider: This harness is heavier than similar styles, which can make it too bulky for smaller dogs. While the lightly padded straps help prevent chafing, the plastic clasps aren't padded and may cause discomfort when worn for extended periods.

Best for small dogs

Why this is our top pick: Pulling is mostly associated with large dogs, but smaller dogs can tug hard on leash, too. As with their larger counterparts, a no-pull dog harness can help lessen pulling with pint-sized pups. The Wild One Harness performed the best of the three harnesses freelance reporter Alex Rennie tested with his 12-pound dog, Iggy.

What our dog walker said about using it: When the leash was attached to the front D-ring, the harness redirected Iggy whenever he tried to pull. Thanks to its snug fit, the harness remained secure and didn't shift when Iggy lunged. Rennie achieved the correct fit with three easy-to-use adjustment points, each connected to a buckle (one at the neck and two at the back). You can also fasten the buckles without lifting the harness over your dog's head. This is a great feature for dogs who are uncomfortable with anything being placed over or around their head, says Nicole Ellis, a professional dog trainer and owner of Tails With Nicole.

No matter how snug the harness was after adjustment, our dog didn't experience any chafing, thanks to extra padding around high-friction areas, particularly the armpits. A layer of stretchy polyester lines the inside of the harness, reducing the likelihood of discomfort and chafing. However, the material sometimes caused the harness to shift, even after adjusting the straps to get a perfect fit.

Drawbacks to consider: On the Wild One website, it says some richer color options may bleed onto lighter-colored fur. To prevent this, wash the harness by hand before using it. We found the harness dried quickly after washing.

Best with handle

Why this is our top pick: The PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness is a versatile harness that shares several key features with the best no-pull dog harnesses, including a front leash attachment to prevent pulling, but its substantial handle sets it apart. Former reporting fellow Sophia Carlisle relies on the wide, horizontal handle to quickly secure her 50-pound dog.

What our dog walkers said about using it: Carlisle's dog, Lyla, has a habit of rolling in burrs during forest walks, and she frequently uses the handle to pull her away from spiky plants. It can also be tough to see Lyla during evening hikes, as her black coat blends in with the surrounding trees. The reflective strips on this harness are an excellent safety feature that makes it easy for other hikers, dogs, and even people in cars to see her at any time of day.

Reporter Elizabeth Holbrook tried this harness with 40-pound Roo, who has a barrel chest and longer torso. She found the harness fit Roo like a glove. Additionally, she likes the extra buckle for the neck strap. "Roo doesn’t mind harnesses going over her head, but it’s nice to have the option to unbuckle it," she says. "I found I was able to get a nice, snug fit without worrying about it getting stuck over her head when taking it off." The harness also has a locking buckle on the neck strap, an excellent safety feature for dogs prone to bolting.

Drawbacks to consider: The padding is on the thinner side. The underside is reinforced with a webbed mesh, which helps the harness move with the dog but doesn't protect against chafing. Holbrook says the Rabbitgoo Classic Fit No Pull Harness offers more padding, which may be better for thin-coated dogs. It performs equally well, but the added padding could lead to overheating in warmer temperatures.

The best no-pull dog harnesses compared

What else we like

Rabbitgoo Classic Fit No-Pull Dog Harness: This harness with a handle is as effective at restraining a lunging dog as our top pick with a handle: the PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness. In fact, the harnesses are so similar that only a couple of key differences need to be noted.

If your dog is thin-coated, an extremely tough puller, or sensitive to chafing, the Rabbitgoo may be the best choice since it offers a bit more padding than the PoyPet. Just keep in mind that in warmer weather, your dog may get too hot in this harness. Holbrook also found that the buckles were easier to operate with one hand than the PoyPet.

Ultimately, the PoyPet beat out this harness because its lighter weight may be better year-round, and it's the most reflective of the two options.

Blue-9 Pet Products Balance Harness: This harness was our top pick for the best no-pull dog harnesses until we tested the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort harness. The Balance Harness earned high marks from dog walkers and trainers, but we found it has a steeper learning curve and isn't ideal for some body shapes. At Family Dog Rescue, an animal shelter in San Francisco, our testers were impressed by how much easier it was to walk untrained shelter dogs with the Balance Harness. It features a Y-neck design that prevents the straps from crossing over the dog's shoulders or pinching under their armpits. "It is great for daily performance, and it doesn't interfere with the dog's shoulder movement," says Robyn Socarro, a professional dog trainer.

The buckle on the neck strap is helpful for dogs who resist putting their head through a harness, but this design can make it tricky to put it on. To simplify things, the harness features a colored top strap on the back to help you easily identify the correct placement. Additionally, the top strap of the all-black harness includes a printed logo for easy identification.

With six adjustment points and straps that fit around both the neck and torso, the Balance Harness can be customized to fit wide necks and round bellies. However, the harness may sit too far back on dogs with shorter torsos, leading to gaping of the back strap and sagging of the belly strap. For those dogs, the PetSafe Easy Walk Comfort or PetSafe 3-in-1 harnesses are good alternatives, as their straps are significantly shorter.

Read our full Blue-9 Balance Harness review.

What to look for in a no-pull harness

The following considerations will help you choose the best harness to stop your dog from pulling on leash.

Design: A dog harness should not impede or restrict movement. Look for one that doesn't sag, and make sure the straps don't lay over your dog's front legs and shoulders, which can interfere with movement. Y-shaped no-pull harnesses are less likely to restrict movement than T-shaped styles. Additionally, harnesses with leash attachments on both the front and back offer more versatility.

Ellis says a proper fit is essential regardless of the style you choose. If you can comfortably fit two fingers under the harness without tugging it forward, it's likely to be both comfortable and secure for your dog.

Ease of use: A harness that's easy to put on and take off reduces the risk of error. Look for one with multiple adjustment points to ensure the best fit.

Padding: Extra padding provides comfort and helps prevent chafing and rubbing, which is especially important for dogs who tend to pull.

Machine washable: A harness that's easy to clean is less likely to accumulate odors and will look good for years to come.

Warranty: No-pull harnesses can be a bit pricey, so having the option to return a defective one or receive a replacement is a valuable perk.

How we tested no-pull dog harnesses

We published this guide in 2020 after freelance reporter and professional dog trainer Shoshi Parks interviewed dog walkers and trainers to learn about their favorite no-pull dog harnesses. She also consulted veterinarians and dog behaviorists to gather insights on what to look for in a harness.

The following year, freelance reporter and professional dog trainer Ren Volpe tested our top picks with untrained shelter dogs at Family Dog Rescue in San Francisco over an eight-week period. Three shelter staff members and two volunteer shelter walkers used the harnesses during walks with more than two dozen medium- and large-sized rescue dogs, all of whom were challenging to walk because of overexcitability, lack of training, or reactivity. The dogs were walked for 30 to 60 minutes on city streets and in local parks.

In 2024, pets editorial fellow Sophia Carlisle tested handle harnesses with her 50-pound pitbull mix, while freelance reporter Alex Rennie tested small harnesses with his 12-pound terrier mix. They both walked their dogs for at least 30 minutes on city streets and in local parks. Now, freelance reporter Elizabeth Holbrook continues testing harnesses with her medium-sized dog.

Below are the key factors we've considered when evaluating the best no-pull dog harnesses.

Prevents pulling: We evaluated how effectively each harness prevented dogs from pulling on leash during walks. We walked for at least 30 minutes on 4-foot leashes.

Does not impede or restrict movement: We tested the harnesses on dogs of various sizes and shapes to ensure they didn't sag or have straps that obstructed the dog's front legs or shoulders. The PetSafe Original Easy Walk and Wonder Walker harnesses were disqualified due to significant sagging during testing.

Does not chafe or rub: We tested harnesses on both long-haired and short-haired dogs to ensure they do not cause chafing or rubbing.

Dog cannot slip or back out of the harness: This was a key factor in our testing, as the shelter dogs we walked were more likely to be flight risks.

Easy to put on and take off/ease of adjustment: Putting on or adjusting a dog's harness should be simple. Our shelter volunteers and testers recorded their experiences fitting the harnesses on our tester dogs.

Durability and washability: We asked professional dog walkers for their opinions on how well these harnesses hold up over time and after multiple washes.

Initial and replacement costs: We evaluated whether the price of a harness is reasonable and how easily it can be replaced if it gets chewed.

We did not test head halters, as most dogs initially find them uncomfortable and may resist wearing them. The no-pull harnesses in this guide are a better option for those choosing the least intrusive, minimally aversive (LIMA) approach to dog training and behavior modification. For more information about head halters, check out our guide to the best dog harnesses.

Meet the expert behind this guide

Lisa Sabatini, pets editor: As the former guardian of an enthusiastic puller, I know that a good harness can make walks easier, especially along chaotic city sidewalks or in busy parks. I found that with the right no-pull harness, positive reinforcement, and consistency, my dog and I could enjoy our walks together more. Since publishing the first version of this guide in 2020, I've recruited several more reporters to find the best options for dogs of all body types and needs.

No-pull dog harness FAQs

What is the best harness to stop a dog from pulling?

A no-pull harness with a front leash attachment is the most effective tool for teaching a dog to walk without pulling. It takes harmful pressure off the neck while gently limiting your dog's ability to pull ahead.

Are no-pull harnesses good for dogs?

Yes. A well-designed no-pull harness can help protect a dog's neck and joints by reducing pressure when they pull on the leash.

Is a harness or collar better to stop pulling?

A harness is the safest option for walking a dog that pulls — and any dog, really. Using a dog collar to restrain or control a dog can put unnecessary strain on their neck. "Dogs that pull on leash are at an increased risk of choking," says Dr. Lillian Baker, veterinarian and owner of Baker's Mobile Veterinary Services in Texas. She says that tracheal collapse is another potential risk. A 2020 study using canine neck models with pressure sensors found that all types of dog collars can potentially cause neck injuries. For this reason, flat collars are best reserved only for holding ID tags or for decoration. A well-fitted body harness is a safer, more effective choice for walking a dog that pulls.

How does a no-pull harness stop a dog from pulling?

No-pull harnesses with a front leash attachment help reduce pulling by gently turning your dog back toward you when the leash tightens. They generally come in two styles: a Y-shaped harness with a vertical chest strap and a T-shaped design with a horizontal chest strap. Y-shaped harnesses allow for better range of movement. "Any product that forms a Y shape around the dog's neck and under the chest is non-restrictive," says Dr. Chris Zink, a veterinarian specializing in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation.

Why do dogs pull on leash?

"Dogs may pull on a leash due to hypersensitivity to all that is going on around them as well as a lack of proper leash training as a puppy," Baker says. Dogs are not born knowing how to walk on a leash, and they naturally walk faster than people. Additionally, they may be eager to get to the park, say hello to another dog, or sniff something interesting. Over time, pulling can become a habit if it consistently gets them where they want to go.

How do I fit a no-pull harness to my dog?

Finding the best harness for your dog is a lot like finding the right pair of running shoes for yourself: A good fit is essential. If a harness is too loose, your dog may slip out or back out of it, while one that's too tight may cause discomfort from rubbing or chafing. A sagging harness may also restrict a dog's shoulder or leg motion. A properly fitted harness should feel secure without being restrictive, leaving enough room to slide two to three fingers under each strap. Always follow the manufacturer's measuring instructions and size chart. When ordering online, double-check your measurements and review the return policy before buying.

Will a no-pull harness teach my dog to stop pulling?

A front-clip no-pull harness is not a magic solution, but it can be a useful training aid. The most effective approach is teaching loose-leash walking with positive reinforcement, such as rewarding them with the best dog treats for training. For dogs with an established pulling habit, no piece of gear will solve the issue on its own. However, a well-designed harness can make walks more manageable while you work on leash manners. If you continue to walk when your dog pulls, you not only miss the opportunity to train loose leash walking but also reinforce the behavior.

What's the best leash for a dog that pulls?

Baker recommends a standard leather leash that's between 4 and 6 feet long. She advises against retractable leashes, which can create safety risks for both dogs and their walkers. For excellent leather and fabric options, see our guide to the best dog leashes.

Why don't we recommend prong, choke, and e-collars?

We focused exclusively on no-pull gear that prioritizes comfort and doesn't inflict pain. Prong, choke, and shock collars punish a dog with pain around the neck when they pull. In addition to being aversive, prong collars and choke chains can injure a dog's neck. "As a general rule, I don't like anything that puts too much pressure on the neck," says Dr. Carlo Siracusa, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and professor of clinical small animal behavior and welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. "Definitely no prong or shock collars," he says. "Even a martingale-type collar, which I do like, will not prevent the dog from pulling [and] will apply pressure on the neck."

Is there a humane alternative to no-pull harnesses?

Head halters are another humane option, and Baker recommends them for dogs that pull. "If you lead the head, the body follows," she says. However, head halters are not right for every dog. Siracusa says dogs that are easily overaroused or highly reactive on leash may be at risk of whiplash or neck or spine pain if they're wearing a head halter.

Is there such a thing as a chew-proof harness?

Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a chew-proof harness. Damage from chewing isn't a sign of a manufacturing defect, poor design, or low-quality materials. Determined dogs and teething puppies can destroy a harness in less than 30 seconds. Always remove your dog's harness when they're unsupervised, and take it off when dogs are roughhousing to prevent injury. This helps prevent injuries caused by teeth or limbs getting caught in the straps.

Finding clothing that fits flawlessly has never been easy for me. Tops slide off my narrow shoulders or bunch at the wrists, and jeans and trousers almost always need hemming — I'm 5-foot-3, after all. Fortunately for me (and all the other shorties out there), plenty of brands now offer petite lines designed specifically for frames like mine — no expensive alterations required.

If you're petite, you probably know the struggle. Standard tops and dresses can feel boxy, sleeves look cartoonishly long, waistlines and knee breaks hit too low, and pants bunch awkwardly at the crotch or drag on the ground. I used to joke that I looked like a kid who raided her mom's closet. While petite clothing is generally made for people 5-foot-4 and under, it's not just about shorter inseams and hemlines. The best pieces also include thoughtful proportion adjustments — like shorter rises, scaled-down sleeves, and higher, smaller armholes that keep your bra from peeking out.

I've been genuinely thrilled to see more brands expand their petite offerings, and I've tested nearly every one I can find. Below are the petite clothing brands that truly stand out for their quality, fit, and versatility.

Best overall: Petite Studio

Shop all clothing at Petite Studio

There are tons of retailers that have a petite section. But lots of times, these are full of standard-sized garments that are simply shortened — which means you're getting garments that will be the right length, but aren't necessarily tailored to fit the petite body. Petite Studio solves this problem by fitting all of their garments on real petite fit models, so they're designed from start to finish for short folks.

"You can absolutely tell the difference. I've tried all the tricks for buying clothing, like looking for cropped cuts or hemming standard sized bottoms, but nothing fits better than a piece that was designed especially for someone my height.

I'm a huge fan of the brand's outerwear. There are tons of trendy coats that have been designed with a lot of finesse to be perfectly oversized on a petite person. I also love the petite basics, like jeans and white button-downs that are perfectly sized." — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Business Insider Reviews.

Best for basics: Quince

Shop Quince's petite-friendly clothing

I already knew I loved Quince — I've owned countless of this brand's high-quality, affordable, and sustainable pieces from washable silk skirts to merino sweaters and have consistently been impressed with how well they hold up over time. Until recently, however, I didn't know that Quince has a ton of petite-friendly clothing.

The first thing that impressed me here is the sheer volume: there are just under 100 different items suitable for petite frames, ranging from jeans and jackets to linen dresses and leggings. To be clear, these pieces aren't part of a dedicated petite line. Rather, the brand offers a curated selection of items that just happen to work well on petite frames — and pants and leggings in multiple shorter inseam options (26 and 28). These items are generally available in sizes 24 to 33, or XS to XL.

The Bella Stretch Straight Jeans may be the comfiest pair of jeans I've ever owned — thanks to the high percentage of elasterell-p (an eco-friendly version of spandex). They're also ultra flattering, hugging my hips in all the right ways, and the shorter inseam hits at the perfect length for flats, heels, and boots alike.

For workouts and casual errands alike, I can't stop wearing the Ultra-Soft High-Rise Leggings in the 25-inch inseam — the material has a buttery, almost suede-like feel against my skin.

Another winner is the Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pants in the 26-inch inseam — they feel like leggings, but they look polished enough to be dress pants, meaning I can dress them down with tees and sneakers or up with a blazer and pumps. (Plus, they come in nearly a dozen colors.) These ponte pants are also available in flare, boot-cut and wide-leg options, too.

Best for work: Ann Taylor

Shop all petite clothing at Ann Taylor

In my early 20s, I practically lived at the Ann Taylor in my local mall — but I'll admit that until recently, I hadn't shopped this brand in over a decade. But while hunting for the perfect blazer, Ann Taylor kept popping up in my search results, and I was reminded why this brand has stood the test of time: timeless silhouettes, top-tier fabrics, and reasonable prices. Another reason Ann Taylor stands out? The brand takes petite clothing very seriously, with a dedicated line that features shorter sleeves, torso lengths, rises, and inseams.

Since it launched in 1954, Ann Taylor has been synonymous with workwear. To that end, the company offers hundreds of clothing options that are suitable for the office, from silky patterned blouses and dressy trousers to classic shift dresses. Best of all, these items are available from sizes XXS and 00 up to XL and 16. And in my experience, most of Ann Taylor's pieces contain at least a hint of stretch, making all of them supremely comfortable to wear from 9 to 5 (or longer).

My go-to ensemble for professional meetings and events is the Petite Fitted Double Breasted Blazer in Bi-Stretch with the Petite High Rise Skinny Trouser in Bi-Stretch. This set fits like it was custom tailored, and conveniently, happens to be wrinkle-resistant, too. And thanks to the four-way stretch, it's not at all restrictive like a lot of suiting tends to be. I've even mixed and matched these for non-work occasions — dressing the blazer down with jeans and a concert tee, and pairing the trousers with a bodysuit and heels for date night.

Best for denim: Madewell

Shop all petite clothing at Madewell

Madewell has long been one of my go-tos for jeans — they're extremely well made, look even better with time, and come in so many unique vintage-inspired washes. Not only that, but Madewell is famously size inclusive — and the brand just happens to offer dozens of petite styles made for those who are 5-foot-3 and shorter, spanning classic straight-leg and pencil jeans to stretchy flares and trendy barrel legs. (By the way, Madewell also occasionally has a few other petite offerings outside the denim category, including dresses.)

All of Madewell's petite jeans feature proportional rises and 2-inch shorter inseams (ranging around from 25 inches for crop and ankle styles to around 27.5 inches for regular styles). So far, I haven't had to get any of them altered, which saves me about $20 per pair.

What I love about Madewell's jeans is that they strike a perfect compromise between providing enough structure while also packing plenty of stretch for the sake of comfort. With 2% elastane, the Petite Jules Slim-Straight Jean still feels like it holds me in without restricting my movement. The mid-rise hits right where I want it to — directly below my navel — and I totally get the hype now around Madewell's Magic Pockets. These reinforced front-pocket panels, which are cleverly sewn right into the zipper construction, have a super flattering smoothing effect..

The bestselling Petite Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean, meanwhile, is made with premium stretch denim and 3% elastane, giving these a leggings-like level of comfort and remarkable recovery to their original shape after stretching with wear. The Petite Longline Straight Jean has slightly less stretch — but still enough that I know I can enjoy a full meal without regretting my outfit choice.

Best for formalwear: Reformation

Shop all petite clothing at Reformation

Years back, I first discovered Reformation when I kept eyeing the brand's effortlessly chic dresses at various weddings, and mustering up the courage to ask guests where they got them. Reformation has a reputation as a cool-girl brand, not only for its influencer army and sustainable practices but also its silhouettes that fuse vintage-inspired charm with modern appeal. And lucky for all of us who are under 5-foot-4, Reformation's petite collection features well over 100 different styles — including pants, dresses, coats, jumpsuits, blazers, and even maxi skirts (which are hard to come by for us shorties).

Where Reformation really shines, though, is dresses for special events — and their petite offerings don't overwhelm my shorter torso, arms, and legs or narrower shoulders. Luxe fabrics like silk, satin, and linen drape and move like a dream, and hold up well with many wears and washes. And there are styles for every body type and occasion, ranging from ankle-grazing satin bustier dresses to floaty floral midi dresses.

Read our full Reformation dress review to see how the pieces hold up at a wedding.

Best budget: Old Navy

Shop all petite clothing at Old Navy

With over 1,000 different items available in petite sizing, you could easily build an entire wardrobe with Old Navy. The best part? The prices generally range from around $16.99 to $54.99, making it a cinch to stay within your budget. Old Navy has petite clothing in casual basics like cotton tees and jeans, there are also plenty of cute going-out dresses and jumpsuits to choose from, too.

I've been super impressed with the fit and quality of Old Navy's petite clothing, especially considering the reasonable price tags. I've been reaching for the lightweight, versatile Seaside Cotton Open-Knit Raglan Sweater regularly — the mesh-like open knit design has an edgy feel, and it can be layered over anything from a nude tank to a black bodysuit.

Don't sleep on Old Navy's petite activewear sets, either. The ultra-cozy Bounce Fleece Half-Zip Pullover Sweatshirt is the perfect match for the High-Waisted StudioSmooth 7/8 Leggings — but it can also be mixed and matched with joggers and jeans for laid-back looks.

Best splurge: Eileen Fisher

Shop all petite clothing at Eileen Fisher

Well before sustainability became trendy, Eileen Fisher was prioritizing these practices — but that's not all to love about this brand. The brand also boasts muted, earthy palettes that are seasonless, timeless, and flatter everyone; uses natural fibers that are as durable as they are comfortable; and offers unrestrictive silhouettes that work for a wide range of body types. Those are just a few reasons why Eileen Fisher is on our lists of the best luxury workwear for women, and the best women's basics clothing brands. We also named Eileen Fisher one of the best plus-size clothing brands, because pieces are available in sizes XXS to 3X.

With well over 100 different product options, this brand happens to have one of the most extensive petite lines. The Eileen Fisher petite collection encompasses everything from work-ready trousers and button-downs to casual tees and knit dresses.

I found that the Striped Cozy Brushed Terry Long Top lives up to its name — the fleecy terry feels like a warm hug. It's an ideal top to pair with leggings due to the slightly longer length, and I love that it fits closer at the shoulders (which is great for petites who tend to have narrow shoulders) and wider at the hem with added side slits to accommodate my hips.

The Italian Cashmere Crew Neck Top is the quintessential Eileen Fisher piece — it looks and feels expensive, with a relaxed fit that drapes beautifully, and it goes with everything from jeans and leggings to silk skirts and trousers. Another pick that's undeniably versatile is the best-selling Washable Flex Ponte Slim Pant — with a 26.5-inch inseam, these are truly the perfect length for petites, and they feel sturdier than leggings but far comfier than most dress pants.

Best activewear: Athleta

Shop all petite clothing at Athleta

There's a reason why Athleta remains one of the most popular athleticwear brands: The company prioritizes sustainability, the environment, and ethics in production; many of the products are made with practicality-minded performance fabrics, and around 70% of the line is available in extended sizes (petite, tall, plus).

Athleta's petite collection features more than 300 items — including leggings, joggers, tees, sweatpants, sweatshirts, jackets, and more — which are designed with shorter rises, sleeves, and inseams.

Whether I'm taking a Pilates class or grabbing coffee with a friend, one of my go-to sets is the Elation Ultra High Rise Legging and Move With Ease top. What I love about these leggings is that the petite version is available in four different lengths: ⅞, full, capri, and crop. The fabric is buttery soft, and provides plenty of compression without compromising comfort or restricting my movement in the slightest. The top drapes nicely, hits right at the perfect spot on my hip, and is made with breathable fabric that wicks sweat away and keeps me comfortable in all climates. The Unstoppable Fleece Lined Full Zip Jacket in another one of my favorite products that comes in petite sizes. Hoodies almost always look too boxy on me, and I usually have to roll up the sleeves — but that's not the case with this one, which tapers in at the waist and has cleverly placed seams for an ultra-flattering fit.

Best trendy: Marcella NYC

Shop all petite-friendly clothing at Marcella

Ever since I tested Marcella NYC's edgy basics last year, I've been a huge fan. All of the pieces are modern, minimalistic, and absurdly versatile. Did I mention that this brand also sources solely sustainable materials, employs mainly female production teams, and sticks to ethical and eco-friendly production practices? So, naturally, I was thrilled when I found out that Marcella also offers dozens of products in petite sizes. Marcella's petite collection includes jeans with shorter inseams, and an array of trendy yet timeless dresses, tops, tunics, and pants adjusted for petite proportions.

Lately, my Petite Waverly Pants are getting a lot of wear. Truthfully, a skirt with built-in leggings is the essential cold-weather piece I didn't know my closet needed: I still get style points from the open midi skirt with a double-ring buckled sash belt, while the leggings underneath offer coverage to keep my legs warm and cozy. Plus, it's made with ultra-soft and stretchy sustainable European jersey, so I kind of feel like I'm cheating looking so chic while feeling so comfy.

(Read more about my experience testing this brand's bestsellers in this Marcella review.)

Best plus-size: Universal Standard

Shop all petite-friendly clothing at Universal Standard

With an impressive size run that ranges from 00 to 40 (and 4XS to 4XL), Universal Standard has quickly become known as the most size-inclusive brand in the world. The company also developed its own sizing model — since the average woman in America wears a size 18, Universal Standard calls that a Medium. So, it should come as no surprise that we named Universal Standard one of the best plus-size clothing brands, best plus-size jeans for women brands, and best brands for plus-size work clothes. It also happens to be an excellent option for petites: In fact, Universal Standard has a dedicated petite-friendly collection for people 5-foot-4 and under. And the brand didn't just shorten inseams on these pieces — the fit on tops and dresses are adjusted proportionally to accommodate the petite frame.

In our Universal Standard jeans review, we noted that the brand's denim is "surprisingly sturdy and stretchy," offers quite a confidence boost, and is actually comfy enough to wear on an airplane. The Petite Cigarette Pants are what won me over: These have the stretch level of leggings but look like work pants and they're wrinkle-resistant, so they're a godsend for traveling — when I need to arrive looking polished and professional but also don't want to sacrifice my comfort on a long flight.

V-neck tees are ideal for petites because they visually elongate the neck and overall silhouette — and the Petite Tee Rex is by far the best-fitting option I've ever owned. T-shirts often look awkward on me, with sleeves that are too long, and hemlines as well as shoulder seams that fall below where they should. But this tee — which is made from Peruvian cotton that gets softer and softer every time I wash it — features a stovepipe sleeve that doesn't look too bulky, and a cleverly curved hem that hits at the perfect spot.

Best for elevated basics: Modern Citizen

In our guide to where to shop for women's workwear, Modern Citizen won the award for best elevated basics. Take one peek at the line's impressive selection of high-quality, universally flattering pieces — at fairly accessible price points no less — and you'll get why.

"Whether you're a self-proclaimed wardrobe minimalist with a penchant for fashion, or you're just looking for an affordable place to shop for workwear that isn't boring, I cannot recommend Modern Citizen enough," writes Business Insider Reviews Executive Editor Sally Kaplan in her Modern Citizen review.

We named the Modern Citizen Fei Tie-Front Organic Cotton Dress the top "business casual" option in our guide to the best work dresses — because it's shockingly comfy, the flattering tie-front detail cinches the waist, it's versatile enough to dress up or down, and it comes in a range of classic neutral and earth tones. And here's the good news: There's a petite version of the Fei that's a couple of inches shorter. For anyone who's 5-foot-3 and under, this dress will hit right where it's supposed to — at the mid calf.But beyond the Fei, there are lots of other options in the Modern Citizen petite collection. A couple of my personal favorites are the Cass Front-Split Ponte Stretch Pant and Manon Asymmetric-Neck Ruched Dress. The Cass pants, which come in a 29-inch inseam for the petite sizes, feature flattering split hem and center seams which visually elongate the legs — a major pro for those of us who are shorter. And the petite Manon Dress is one of those pieces I'll have in my rotation for many years to come — not only because it's well made, but also because it'll never go out of style and can easily transition from the boardroom to the cocktail bar. The wrap front, ruched sides, and midi length ooze sophistication while the asymmetric gives this dress a distinctly modern edge.

How to shop for petite clothing

1. Know your inseam, rise, and torso length.

As a general guideline, 26 inches is the best inseam for petites — that said, this can depend a bit on your height and the style of the product you're buying. If you're on the shorter side (5-foot-1 and under) or you're buying ankle length pants or jeans, 25 inches may be a better bet — whereas if you're closer to 5-foot-4 or plan to wear heels, you might opt for a 28 inch inseam. A mid-rise is the most universally flattering and versatile, because you don't have to worry about it hitting at an awkward place on your shorter torso. That said, as long as you're buying a petite-specific piece, you can rest assured that even high-rise and low-rise options have been adjusted to accommodate the proportions of your frame.

Torso length is worth considering, too: Petite-sized tops and dresses are generally designed with higher waistlines and raised hems, but knowing your exact measurements can help you select styles that are more appropriate for your body. For instance, long, tunic style tops may not work for those with particularly short torsos — even in petite sizing.

2. Know when hemming makes sense and when it doesn't.

Sometimes, all you need is a good tailor to make a piece of clothing fit your petite frame flawlessly. Assuming that the only fit issue is that a piece is too long, hemming makes sense for:

• Straight-leg/skinny pants and jeans
• Shift dresses, sheath dresses, and other simple silhouette dresses
• Straight miniskirts and midi skirts, as well as pencil skirts

However, taking up certain styles at the hem — like flared and boot-cut jeans, structured wide-leg trousers, dresses with belts or multiple ruffled tiers, and A-line dresses — can throw off the overall proportions. For example, the flare might not start at the right spot on the leg, or the belt on the dress might not sit at the natural waist.

3. Use tricks when there is no petite sizing.

Just because you're petite doesn't necessarily mean you have to wear clothes that are specially designed for petite frames. If your favorite brands don't have petite lines, you can still use smart shopping strategies to find clothes that fit well. Cropped sweaters and jackets, ankle-length leggings and jeans, and ¾-length or "bracelet" sleeves are usually a safe bet.

FAQs

How do you know if you're petite?

As a general rule, many people who are 5-foot-4 and under are considered petite. That said, petite doesn't just mean short. Some people can get away with just hemming pants and jeans, but you'll know you need to buy petite clothing if tops also run too long in the torso and sleeves, rises are too high, dresses and outerwear tend to overwhelm your figure, and straps and shoulders often fall off. If you often find yourself rolling up or cuffing your sleeves and pants, that's another good sign that you could benefit from buying petite clothing.

Keep in mind, too that you can be any size and be petite — because petite isn't about your body size, but your body proportions.

Does petite sizing mean the garments run small?

Petite sizing doesn't necessarily run smaller. So, if you always wore a medium in traditional clothing, you'll likely find that a medium petite fits perfectly. That said, this can vary a bit from brand to brand, so always check the size chart for more guidance on the specific item you're buying.

How should petite clothing fit differently?

With petite clothing, you'll find that everything lines up better — seams hit right where they should on your shoulders and waist, and sleeves fall at the perfect spot on your wrist. With pants, there should be no bunching or sagging in the crotch or knees, and the length should graze your ankle (or lower calf for cropped styles) without having to be hemmed. You'll probably find that overall, petite clothing is just more flattering — dresses, skirts, sweaters, blouses, and jackets don't overwhelm your frame.

After a few recent near misses and, relatively speaking, a disappointing 2025, there's a feeling from many college football pundits that this could finally be the year that Steve Sarkisian brings the National Championship Trophy back to DKR—Texas Memorial Stadium at the sixth time of asking. To see how their season progresses as it happens, you can follow our guide on how to watch Texas Longhorns college football below.

As you might expect, there's a plethora of broadcasters showing regular-season games on US TV (full list below), with online options including ESPN Unlimited and OTT providers such as YouTube TV and Fubo, while DAZN is the college football host streamer across the pond in the UK.

Much rests, of course, on the shoulders of Arch Manning. They are shoulders that bear the weight of that very significant surname and gridiron legacy, with the not insignificant careers of grandfather Archie and uncles Peyton and Eli — just the four Super Bowl rings between them! — looming over the 22-year-old. Despite notching up 3,163 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, his first year as starting QB was a little underwhelming, not helped by the fact that the no. 1-ranked team failed to reach the CFP under his stewardship. Likely to have a prominent spot in the 2027 NFL Draft, it's now or never for Manning to lead the Longhorns to top NCAA honors.

But Texan prospects don't begin and end with Manning. There's the small matter of their summer acquisition of wide receiver Cam Coleman, for starters, who took 56 catches for 708 yards and five TDs last season for Auburn. And don't underestimate the defensive importance of Colin Simmons, Justin Cryer, and Kobe Black to their success. Can they deliver the championship? Follow on at home and on the road with our advice on how to watch Texas Longhorns college football, no matter where in the world you are.

Where to watch Texas Longhorns football in the US

Anybody who has watched college football for any length of time knows how complicated the broadcasting picture can be — and it's no different for the Texas Longhorns, with games going out across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and the SEC Network on TV and cable. ESPN+ will also host exclusive NCAA games through the online-only ESPN Unlimited platform, which costs $32 a month or $36 a month if you like the idea of adding it through one of the Disney Plus bundles.

Are you a cord-cutter, but don't want to miss out on the televised Texan games? You still have options in the form of OTT cable alternatives like YouTube TV, which has a specific Sports plan that includes local ABC channels, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and the SEC Network, as well as access to ESPN Unlimited streams. It costs $65 a month, but you can currently get $20 off each of your first six months. Plus, newcomers to YouTube TV can try it free with a generous trial period.

Fubo is another comprehensive option. Its most affordable relevant plan is its Sports + News package, costing $65 a month after a free trial. All of the networks mentioned above are included, together with a complimentary subscription to ESPN Unlimited.

Where to watch Texas Longhorns football in the UK and other regions

Sports streaming specialist DAZN is providing international coverage of up to 25 college football games live every week for the 2026-27 season. So while there's no guarantee that the Longhorns will be among them every week, you can expect their biggest games to be selected. Subscription prices vary by region and contract length.

How to watch Texas Longhorns football from anywhere

Despite its popularity stateside, college football isn't broadcast in every territory the world over. That means if you're away from the US, you may find it hard to locate a Longhorns stream and will be blocked from doing so through your usual platforms. The only surefire way around this is to use a VPN, which spoofs your location and makes your device think you're back at home.

NordVPN is the reigning MVP of VPNs. It's fast, secure, and really easy to use for unblocking those college football streams when overseas. Our NordVPN review explains all you need to know about the software and, when you're ready to give it a try, you can subscribe in confidence knowing that there's a 30-day money-back guarantee included in case you decide later that you don't want it.

Texas Longhorns college football schedule

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• I found 20 under-the-radar Labor Day deals hiding in plain sight at QVC, Le Creuset, and Joybird.
• Skip generic big-box sales to save 42% on the Dyson PencilWash or 37% on premium cast iron.
• Shop secret bundle hacks at Quince and score up to 45% off sleeper sofas at Joybird.

If you have mega-sale fatigue from scrolling the same generic deals, you're in the right place.

While our team is already tracking the massive, big-box markdowns in our guide to all the best Labor Day weekend sales, this list highlights the hidden gems. I bypassed the standard clearance pages to find 20 under-the-radar deals hiding in plain sight — including a massive 42% off a Dyson at QVC, a rainbow of deals on Le Creuset premium enameled cast iron, and secret bundle hacks to save up to 25% off bedding at Quince.

QVC Labor Day sale

Dyson PencilWash Cordless Wet Floor Cleaner

While standard big-box sites are pushing the same old clearance vacuums, QVC quietly dropped the best deal we've seen on the brand's newest hard floor cleaner. The Dyson PencilWash (often referred to as the wet companion to the Dyson PencilVac) is an ultra-thin, highly maneuverable wet vacuum that washes away spills and stains using a high-density microfiber roller and an eight-point hydration system.

More Labor Day deals from QVC

• KitchenAid 7-Speed Digital Hand Mixer with Flex-Edge Beaters - $125 $69.98

• Le Creuset 5.25-qt Signature Enameled Cast- Iron Roaster - $315 $189.98

• Ninja Blast MAX 22-oz Cordless Portable Blender - $99 $69.98

• Le Creuset 3.5-qt Signature Cast Iron Round Wide Oven - $355 $219.98

Le Creuset Labor Day sale

Beloved by home cooks, Le Creuset's Dutch oven has tons of user-friendly features like roomy handles, a (relatively) light weight, and straightforward lifetime warranty. The olive green shade is now 37% off on the brand's website, along with deals on nonstick cookware. When Le Creuset discounts its premium enameled cast iron this steeply, home cooks take notice.

More Labor Day deals from Le Creuset

• Vancouver Pinch Bowls, Set of 6 - $45 $29.99

• Toughened Non-stick PRO 10-Piece Cookware Set - $1,002 $675.99

• Heritage 3-Piece Rectangular Baking Dish Set - $207 $139.99

• Straight Wall Ramekin, Set of 2 - $38 $26.99

• Demi Kettle and Mugs Set - $144 $99.99

• Signature Round Deep Oven - $460 $289.99

Quince bundle hacks

Quince European Linen Deluxe Bedding Bundle

Quince doesn't do holiday sales, but using their built-in bundle tool is an open secret to saving 20% on this complete European Linen bedding set. Woven from 100% European flax, the pre-washed fabric offers a luxurious feel that hits somewhere between Brooklinen and Sijo — complete with handy top-and-bottom tags on the fitted sheet. If you want a cozy layer for cooler fall nights, this is the perfect bedding refresh. (If you sleep hot, opt for the organic percale bundle.)

More bundles from Quince

• Flowknit Breeze Tee 3-pack bundle - $63 $50.40

• Organic Cotton Micro-Rib Turtleneck 3-pack - $74.70 $59.76

• Cotton Cashmere Modern Mama Summer Tank Set - $79.80 $67.82

Joybird Labor Day sale

Joybird Wilder Sleeper Sofa

While Joybird is a well-known name in custom furniture, their Labor Day event — which knocks 45% off the Wilder Sleeper Sofa alongside sitewide savings of 35% off — is the kind of direct-to-consumer markdown I look for. The Wilder seamlessly conceals a pull-out bed within its plush, contemporary frame, allowing you to maximize your living space without making overnight guests uncomfortable.

More Labor Day deals from Joybird

• Wilder Twin Sleeper Sofa - $2,756 $1,598

• Amelia Grand Chair - $1,541 $925

• Eliot Twin Sleeper Sofa - $1,913 $1,010

• OpenAI says it needs better standards for disclosing rogue-agent incidents.
• The pledge follows reports that its agents hijacked an old German wiki site.
• OpenAI says it's developing a framework with regulators to better inform the public.

OpenAI says it's time to come clean about what happens when its AI agents go rogue.

The ChatGPT maker on Saturday confirmed earlier reports that a swarm of its AI agents hijacked an old German wiki site, turning it into a bot message board.

This "incident," the latest in a series of uncovered examples of rogue agents escaping closed testing environments and breaking into the open internet, led OpenAI to reconsider how transparent it is with the public when its agents go off the rails.

"It's past time for us to define standards for when and how we share misalignment incidents," OpenAI said on X, using the techie term for when agents do things their human minders don't want them to.

"Our misalignment disclosure practices need to expand for this new phase of model capabilities," OpenAI added.

The German wiki hack, news of which was first reported by Reuters this week, took place in May and June, according to a report by independent investigators, who didn't have access to internal OpenAI data, released publicly on Friday.

The hack preceded the better-known "Hugging Face incident," which took place in July. In that hack, thousands of agents who referred to themselves as "the collective" broke into the open-source AI platform's servers, using them to communicate while seeking to cheat on an internal OpenAI test.

OpenAI disclosed that its agents were responsible for the breach five days after Hugging Face reported it. The company said it didn't disclose the hijacking of the German site earlier because it "considered the wiki incident to be an instance of misalignment similar to the ones we'd shared."

Cormac Slade Byrd, one of the authors behind the new report, said on X that the incident went unnoticed by OpenAI "for a month."

"It feels like AI companies (and specifically OpenAI) are playing whack-a-mole," he wrote. "They keep fixing the problem, but the blast radius keeps getting bigger."

Slade Byrd described the latest misbehavior as less severe than the Hugging Face hack because the German wiki site was unused by people and "running on 2000s software."

Nevertheless, he said that as AI models become more advanced and theoretically better at hiding their tracks, it's never been more important for AI frontier companies to disclose breaches as soon as they learn of them.

"Things are moving quickly, multi-month delays are costly," Slade Byrd wrote.

In its X post, OpenAI said it is "working on a framework" to report instances of misalignment, whether they occur internally or break out into the wider internet, "and will share it in upcoming weeks."

The company said it is working with government regulatory agencies on the framework, and it called on other AI companies to join it.

Tyler Tracy, an AI safety researcher at Redwood Research, one of the third-party firms that investigated the Hugging Face breach, criticized OpenAI for failing to disclose the wiki incident until after the independent investigation was leaked to Reuters.

"I like that we have third parties investigating things like this, but I wish OpenAI didn't need to be forced into transparency," he wrote.

Now that college football is back in season, fans of the Dogs can tune in to catch every game live. Read on to learn where to watch the Georgia Bulldogs college football games from home.

To keep it simple, the best way to catch every team game in the US is with an ESPN Unlimited subscription. If you're tuning in internationally, you can stream via DAZN in the UK and other regions — or choose your preferred platform from anywhere by using a VPN.

Where to watch Georgia Bulldogs in the US

All of the Bulldogs' games will be available on an ESPN-owned channel or service. The exact network varies by game, with later events still to be determined. For each of the 12 games, you'll be able to tune in through ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, or ESPN's streaming service.

This keeps things pretty easy for fans of the team — or followers of any team this season. Signing up for an ESPN Unlimited subscription will cover all of the provider's networks, including ESPN+ and SECN+ exclusives. To join, it's $32 a month and grants access to a vast library of the hottest live sports, like the US Open.

Looking for more than just sports? A live TV streaming service is an excellent option for catering to your entire household's interests, whether you're fans of reality TV, international programming, or breaking news. We recommend YouTube TV and Fubo for the job, both of which offer affordable sports packages and include ESPN Unlimited for no additional cost.

YouTube TV's Sports and Main plans include all the channels needed to catch every Bulldogs game. The Sports plan is more budget-friendly, starting at only $65 a month (but newcomers can get $20 off monthly for their first six months after a free trial). Main plans start at $83 a month (also on sale for $15 off every month for your first five months).

Another live TV streaming service we like, Fubo, carries all the ESPN-owned channels where college football will be broadcast. Most of its plans will do the job, except for Fubo's Latino plan. Starting at $89 a month for Pro, new customers can get $25 off their first month following a free trial. There's also a budget-friendly Sports + News option in select markets, which costs at $65 a month. Fubo unlocks ESPN Unlimited access.

Where to watch Georgia Bulldogs in the UK and other regions

If you find yourself across the pond this season, fret not: college football will be available to watch on DAZN in the UK and other regions. Games will only be available with a DAZN NCAA College Sports subscription, which varies in price by region; a select few games will be free to watch.

How to watch Georgia Bulldogs from anywhere

In the event that you're not in any of the above regions to catch Georgia's next game, a VPN will save your day. Virtual Private Networks are popular cybersecurity tools that allow users to temporarily change their virtual location, enabling access to region-locked websites and services from anywhere in the world.

Our favorite is NordVPN, one of the best VPNs you can choose from. Fast, secure, and backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can't go wrong giving it a shot.

Georgia Bulldogs Football Schedule

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• Carla Bacon, 69, juggles full-time work and caring for her husband recovering from a stroke.
• Bacon's role involves managing medical debt, daily care, and navigating insurance challenges.
• Bacon has stayed optimistic about her husband's recovery, though she works to pay off medical debts.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Carla Bacon, 69, who is caring for her 70-year-old husband while working a full-time job in Oklahoma. Bacon's husband has slowly been recovering from a stroke, and they've had to go into medical debt to make ends meet. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

I worked for much of my career as a public health director, and I was working on my doctorate until the pandemic hit.

I am also a stroke survivor. Four and a half years ago, I experienced a pontine hemorrhage while at work. Thankfully, the hospital was located across the street, and I was in the ER within 15 minutes. My recovery took several months, and I'm still improving. Our situation is that we have one stroke survivor caring for another.

My husband wanted to be home

My husband and I always had separate homes, but we would travel back and forth and stay with each other. I owned a home in Colorado Springs, where I recovered, but I moved back to Oklahoma. He was working on well water projects in Durango, Colorado.

My husband is 70, and he experienced a severe stroke two and a half years ago while staying at his cabin in Durango. He was life-flighted to a hospital with dim prospects of survival. I drove 14 hours nonstop to get to him in a mobility van.

We sold his cabin to pay for medical expenses, and I brought him home to live with me in Oklahoma.

He was initially in a skilled nursing facility in Enid when I brought him here, but the cost became too much after 21 days, and he hated it there. He just wanted to be home. He received therapy, which was absolutely great, but it wasn't covered by insurance at all.

While he was there, I bought him an appropriate bed and whatever equipment we needed to care for him. He's lived with me since June 2024.

We found an outpatient therapy facility a mile from our house, and insurance approved it. It's helped him strengthen his upper body. He has pusher syndrome, where his body moves over to the one side that is weak, and he's been going twice a week with a copay of a couple of hundred dollars a month.

I care for him on evenings and weekends

He's bedbound and requires CNA care daily. The minute he could get an Advantage plan in 2025, we started with home health services. I care for him in the evenings and on weekends. Therapists for home health repeatedly marked him as not making progress, and many appeals got me nowhere.

I went back to work to help pay for much of what we both need to sustain us and to make sure our debts and credit cards are completely paid off. I had found work for the National Guard in Oklahoma City, but I lost my job during the DOGE cuts. I worked as an online tutor for students. I was out of work for a while, but I recently got hired again and am working in an office doing finance tasks.

Monday through Friday, I wake up at 5 a.m. I usually have a long list of things to take care of. I have to make sure the dogs are fed. I water the plants outside. I fix myself breakfast, shower, get dressed, and do other mini chores until 7. My husband sleeps in a separate part of the house because he has a special bed, so I wake him up and get his pills out for him. I change him, take his blood pressure, and help him go to the bathroom.

I'm at work by 8, come home at 4:30 p.m., and then check up on him. I'm able to take two hours off during the day to accompany him to therapy, and I put in the extra hours before or after work. Then starts the rest of the night, preparing dinner, cleaning up, and getting him ready for bed. I try to sleep by 9, and I keep my phone near me because he sometimes calls me in the middle of the night if he needs me.

I do it all as the full-time caregiver on Saturdays and Sundays. That's when I do bike therapy with him. There is never a break in my schedule. There's a lot I can't do, such as lift him.

His Social Security doesn't cover his supplies

We pay about $5,000 a month for a CNA, Monday through Friday. Medical supplies include diapers and a diaper pail with liners, which are changed daily; wipes; gloves; bedsore pads; creams, such as bedsore cream; hydrocortisone to help with itching; and Tea Tree soap to wash his back. Those supplies run about $500 a month. His Social Security doesn't cover it.

He has a wheelchair that took over 250 days for his Medicare plan to reimburse him for, a mobility van, a Hoyer lift, a therapy bike, a special shower and bathroom chair, hand weights, and various therapy items to help with his hand and foot mobility. Because he's bedbound, he also has subscriptions to a dozen streaming services for his daily entertainment.

He is making progress, but it's just taking longer than "normal" post-stroke survivors. He can stand up from his wheelchair, and we're hoping that in six months, he can use a walker. I'm optimistic, though he, from day one, has said I should have just let him die. He does have an inkling of hope, and it's slowly coming out, despite years of fighting our insurance and caregivers who didn't see that he's worth the time. I'm hoping we won't need a CNA by the end of the year.

It's not cheap, and Medicare just doesn't cut the mustard. Neither do any of the Medicare Advantage plans. Denial is the norm. I'm lucky that I had studied healthcare systems and had the knowledge to actually fight those denials. I can't even imagine what the average person goes through.

I keep reminding myself that I'm 69. What's life going to look like over the next five years? My three children have been very supportive. They've made a pact to come and help me at least once every three months with some of the tasks I can't handle, like mowing the lawn or trimming trees. My stroke has left me rather weak, and I can't haul heavy stuff.

I operate on a hope and a prayer. If I make it to the five-year mark since my stroke in December, I'm going to count myself incredibly lucky. I'm looking forward to life and have the drive and willingness to keep pushing.

• I was convinced I could never live in a tiny home. Then I stayed in one.
• I booked a 250-square-foot home on Airbnb and was surprised by how big it felt.
• I wasn't expecting to find a maximalist decor style that didn't look cluttered.

A 100-square-foot tube in Germany, an Airstream trailer in Austria, and a converted wine barrel in Switzerland — these are just a few of the tiny homes I've crashed in during my travels in a quest to discover how to make the most of a small space.

But I'll never forget my first tiny home stay. In 2021, I booked two nights in an Airbnb on wheels in Miami for about $200.

At 250 square feet, the home was half the size of my NYC apartment. And my stay was full of surprises.

Since it was advertised as being on wheels, I figured the Airbnb would feel like a mobile home, but this house didn't look like it was going anywhere.

The tiny home I stayed in had wheels meant to be pulled by a trailer, but it didn't look like it had been moved recently.

Located in the hidden yard of a larger home, the Airbnb stood on cinderblocks against a wall. Its wheels were not visible from the accessible side, and I thought moving it would be no easy feat since it was far from the street.

This didn't deter me from the lifestyle, since I wouldn't want to move my hypothetical future tiny house, even if I had the option.

Inside, the house felt bigger than it looked from the porch.

From the outside, the tiny home looked to be the size of a bedroom.

But the inside had a bed, a kitchen, a bathroom, and storage space, all without feeling cramped. High ceilings made the space feel even bigger. I was especially surprised that there was enough room for me to do yoga.

I definitely didn't think I'd find eight windows on such a small building. I realized they made the home feel more spacious when light poured in.

I arrived at my Airbnb at night. The next morning, the room felt much larger with the window curtains drawn, which made me realize that windows can make a small space feel more open.

I found clever space-saving hacks that I'd never considered.

I expected to find some of the space-saving hacks I saw in the tiny home, like a mounted TV and a table that doubled as storage.

But the sliding bathroom door was surprisingly clever. The sliding feature saved space that a swinging door would take up. I thought the door's vibrant mosaic surface made it double as a piece of art.

Similarly, next to the shower, a storage closet had a curtain rather than a door, which I thought looked better while saving more space.

I was sure the bathroom in a tiny home would feel cramped. I was wrong.

The bathroom felt spacious because there was no furniture in it, thanks to clever wall storage for toiletries and towels.

Back in the main room, I wasn't expecting to have a queen-sized bed.

Since the square footage was so limited, I expected to have to sleep in a full- or twin-sized bed. But seeing this queen-sized mattress made me realize I wouldn't necessarily have to compromise on my bed size in a smaller space.

While a smaller space means less to clean, I wasn't prepared for how quickly and easily the inside can start to look messy.

Every mess can quickly feel like a big one when you're in a tiny space. Something as small as an unmade bed, dishes in the sink, or clothes on the floor can be enough to make the room look chaotic.

Because of this, I cleaned up between every task. Since this isn't something I normally do, I thought tiny living could help me build better home habits.

I used to think tiny living was reserved for minimalists, so this home's maximalist style surprised me.

This home's liberal use of color, unique storage spaces, and wall art gave it character. I thought the Airbnb had an inviting, lived-in feel that I often miss when staying in a minimal space. Paintings, prints, and sculptures extended to the ceiling, drawing my eyes up and elongating the space.

Admiring the interior design made me realize that filling a small space with decor doesn't have to make it feel cluttered.

The home's yard was full of plants and furniture, and it was much more important to me than I thought it would be.

I realized during my stay that having additional outdoor space to work, relax, and host guests outside would be crucial for me to live happily in a tiny home.

I pictured myself working in the lush backyard and thought this outdoor space made the tiny home seem more livable.

Overall, the tiny space felt large enough to live in — and that was the biggest surprise.

I didn't think I'd leave this tiny home sincerely considering the lifestyle for my future. But seeing how storage hacks, sliding doors, and outdoor furniture made the home feel larger made me think I could downsize without sacrificing my love for decorating.

The Buckeyes are back at No. 1. We've compiled absolutely everything you need to know about where to watch Ohio State Buckeyes college football, including global streaming options.

If you don't want to scroll any further, we've got you covered. You can live stream games through a combination of a live TV streaming service (like YouTube TV or Fubo) and Peacock in the US, and DAZN in the UK and other countries. You can access your favorite watch options from anywhere with a VPN.

Where to watch Ohio State Buckeyes in the US

The Ohio State Buckeyes play in the Big Ten conference, and their games will be spread across ABC, CBS, FOX, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), NBC, Big Ten Network, and Peacock. The best way for cord-cutters to ensure they can watch every game is by subscribing to a live TV streaming service and Peacock.

Two of the top live TV streaming services that carry all of these networks (and more) are YouTube TV and Fubo. YouTube TV carries ABC, CBS, FOX, FS1, NBC, and the Big Ten Network in both its Main and Sports plans. The Main plan (100+ channels) costs $83 a month, but first-time customers can get $15 a month off their first five months. The Sports plan (30+ channels) costs $65 a month, but new users can get $20 a month off their first six months. YouTube TV also offers a free trial for new customers, and ESPN Unlimited is now available via YouTube TV.

Fubo also offers ABC, CBS, FOX, FS1, NBC, and the Big Ten Network across all of its plans (except Fubo Latino). Fubo Pro plans cost $89 a month, but new users can get $25 off their first month after a free trial. Fubo also unlocks access to ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost.

Sports-friendly Peacock plans start at $13 a month for a Premium subscription. This tier will cover fans for the Peacock exclusives (which sometimes also air on NBC Sports Network), but those looking to live stream NBC games will need the $20 a month Peacock Premium Plus plan.

Where to watch Ohio State Buckeyes in the UK and other regions

In the UK and other international markets, DAZN holds the rights to college football games. Prices for a DAZN NCAA College Sports subscription vary by region, but some games will be available for free. The platform shows up to 25 games each week.

How to watch Ohio State Buckeyes from anywhere

College football fans who find themselves traveling abroad don't need to worry about missing out on any of the action. A VPN (virtual private network) can help people keep using their usual streaming services from anywhere. VPNs let people temporarily change the virtual location of their devices, so websites and apps work just as they would back home. This option will work best for fans who are just traveling away from home since the services we've highlighted require country-specific forms of payment.

NordVPN ranks among the best VPNs our team has tested. It's fast, easy to use, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Ohio State Buckeyes Football Schedule

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using a VPN to access region-locked streaming content may breach the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• Paddy Pimblett is a UFC fighter and the dad of 2-year-old identical twins.
• He tries to have breakfast with his daughters even during weeks of intensive training.
• After fights, he goes on vacation with family to make up for time he missed.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Paddy Pimblett. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Straight away, when my wife Laura got pregnant, I said, "We're gonna have twins." Her mom and my dad are both twins. I was right, but it turns out our girls are identical, so there's no genetic component. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if we have more twins. Laura says I'm speaking it into existence.

Starting off with twins, not having one baby first, was probably a good thing. We didn't know anything else. There were times it was really hard, with night feedings for two. Betsy and Margot turned 2 in April, and now it's easier because they play together. They're hilarious. There's not a day that goes by that they don't put a smile on my face.

I see my dad most days

I learned how to be a father from my dad. He's my hero, and we've always been extremely close. People assume that the mom is the more emotional and caring parent, but in my family, it's the dad.

Even today, my dad brings me to the gym every morning and picks me up most afternoons. When I'm in the US for fights, I know I could call him at any minute, and he'd hop on a plane from our home in England. He's always been there for me, and that's how I want to be for my kids.

This career is easier without a family

Sometimes, my schedule makes that difficult. For 10 weeks before I fight, I train all day, every day. My life is incredibly regimented, right down to what I eat. I can't just enjoy afternoon tea with Laura and the girls.

Even on those days, I try to see my daughters as much as I can. I have breakfast with them in the morning, because when I get home from training, I'm sometimes so tired I can't move. Being a fighter is definitely easier if you don't have a family. Having kids is the best thing in the world, but they consume so much of your time, without you even realizing.

After every fight, we go on a family holiday to make up for the time I've missed with them. We've gone to Oman, the Maldives, and Tenerife. After my next fight, we're going to Spain for eight days.

Success is having a happy, healthy family

There are two sides to success for me. I want to be a UFC champion. That's the ultimate goal for my career, and I think I'll be fighting another five or six years to get there.

On the other side, there's having a happy and healthy family. In the long term, that will bring me more happiness than any championship.

My finances have been significantly impacted by fighting on the biggest stage in the world. I have financial freedom now. I don't have to fight again if I don't want to. But I love it: punching and being punched. I have a goal, and I want to achieve it.

After that, I'm putting my feet up. I'll probably have a few more kids by then, and I'll be able to enjoy spending time with them. But I'll also be teaching them how to fight. Whether I have boys or girls, I want them to know how to defend themselves.

• I compared chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A, KFC, Burger King, Wendy's, McDonald's, and Taco Bell.
• Chick-fil-A and KFC's nuggets were similarly sized but had distinctly different textures.
• Taco Bell's crispy chicken nuggets stood out for their crunch and innovative sauce flavors.

Before the chicken tender became the hottest fast-food must-have, there was the humble and hearty chicken nugget.

Its small size made it the perfect side dish, post-work snack, or, as millennials will recall, the perfect drunchie (drunk munchie).

One way fast-food brands are attempting to capitalize on chicken's popularity, especially among Gen Z diners, is by adding — or upgrading — chicken nuggets on their menus.

Most recently, on September 1, Burger King released an updated version of its classic chicken nugget in response to customer feedback that its originals were "rubbery," "dry," and "disappointing." The same day also saw the return of McDonald's Spicy Chicken McNuggets, which will be available for a limited time.

Here's how six fast-food chain chicken nuggets ranked, from worst to best.

My least favorite nuggets came from Wendy's.

Cost: $7.49 — excluding tax and tip — for a 10-piece serving at a Wendy's in New York City.

All prices listed here may vary in different markets.

The chicken nugget was crispy, but instead of being juicy, the chicken tasted a little chewy.

Like Burger King and McDonald's, Wendy's is primarily a burger chain. So, it should come as no surprise that its chicken nuggets are pretty unremarkable, in my opinion.

They were decently seasoned, and the breading had a lot of flavor, but they were also pretty small. Wendy's nuggets definitely act more as a side dish than a reason to go to the chain.

KFC's nuggets were a little bare-bones.

Cost: $7.31 — excluding tax and tip — for a 10-piece serving at a KFC in New York City.

KFC's nuggets were the least breaded out of the ones I tried.

They were a little bland, but I thought the chicken itself tasted higher quality than the nuggets from Wendy's, Burger King, and McDonald's. It was more shreddable and paired well with the chain's comeback sauce, but I would have liked more breading to give it that crunch.

I'd probably recommend the chain's chicken tenders or fried chicken over its nuggets.

McDonald's nuggets were a classic.

Cost: $2.39 — excluding tax and tip — for a four-piece serving at a McDonald's in New York City, or $5.79 for a 10-piece serving.

The nuggets from McDonald's were predictably good.

McDonald's chicken nuggets are the stuff of legend. They've been around since the early '80s, and there's something about the tempura-style fried chicken nuggets that keeps me coming back for more.

They're always crispy, always salty, and always consistent — I know what to expect with a McDonald's nugget. That being said, I thought they were a touch too salty.

Burger King recently upgraded its chicken nuggets.

Cost: $5.19 — excluding tax and tip — for a 10-piece at a Burger King in New York City.

The nuggets were crispy and paired well with the chain's sauces.

Released September 1, the new chicken nuggets are crispier than the original nuggets, and were updated to include a more flavorful marinade and new packaging, Burger King said.

I thought the nuggets had just the right amount of crunch and flavor, and held their own as a stand-alone entrée on the Burger King menu.

While they were very similar to McDonald's nuggets, they were slightly cheaper, giving them the edge.

Chick-fil-A

Cost: $9.19 — excluding tax and tip — for an eight-piece serving at a local Chick-fil-A in New York City.

The nuggets were flavorful and juicy, with just the right amount of seasoning in the breading.

While some of the other nuggets leaned on the drier side, these nuggets were moist and would likely pair well with practically any dipping sauce.

Each nugget was on the smaller side — despite being the most expensive of the ones I tried — but packed a lot of flavor into a small bite.

Taco Bell's nuggets may not be on menus right now, but they were my favorite.

Cost: $3.99 — excluding tax and tip — for a five-piece order and one dipping sauce. However, I was invited to taste the chicken nuggets at an early preview hosted by Taco Bell in New York City in December 2025, and I received complimentary samples.

The exterior felt hard. However, when I bit in, the chicken was extremely juicy and flavorful.

These chicken nuggets, coated in a blend of breadcrumbs and crunchy tortilla chips, stood out from the competition with their well-balanced flavor.

They were salty, with a subtle corn taste from the tortilla-chip breading. They reminded me more of a boneless wing than a chicken nugget.

Paired with the chain's Hidden Valley fire ranch sauce, a standard creamy ranch sauce with a slight hint of heat, and jalapeño honey mustard, an unusual combination of tangy mustard and strong yet balanced jalapeño flavor, these nuggets blew me away.

The nuggets were initially rolled out as a limited-time offering, but Taco Bell continued to bring them back in 2025 and 2026 as it expanded its crispy-chicken menu.

Here's hoping they'll be back again soon.

College football is officially back. We've rounded up everything you need to know about where to watch Alabama Crimson Tide football.

The easiest way to live stream every Alabama Crimson Tide college football game is via ESPN Unlimited in the US. Coverage is available through DAZN in the UK and other regions. You can access your streaming options from anywhere with a VPN.

Where to watch Alabama Crimson Tide in the US

Like the rest of the major college football teams, Alabama games are spread across several different channels throughout the season. Since Alabama plays in the SEC, all 12 Longhorns games will air or stream on ESPN-owned networks and services, like ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPNU, the SEC Network, and the ESPN streaming service.

This means that fans will be able to live stream all of the action through an ESPN Unlimited subscription, which carries live streams from flagship ESPN networks and ESPN+ and SECN+ streaming-exclusive content. Subscriptions cost $32 a month and unlock a wealth of live sports programming, including comprehensive US Open coverage.

A live TV streaming service can also help you tune in, and it might be a better fit if you're hoping to watch other teams that are available on non-ESPN networks and services. YouTube TV and Fubo are two of the best options in the game, and both platforms offer budget-friendly sports packages.

YouTube TV carries ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and the SEC Network in both its Sports and Main plans. The Sports plan costs $65 a month, but new users can get $20 a month off their first six months after a free trial. The Main plan costs $83 a month, but first-time customers can get $15 a month off their first five months after a free trial. ESPN Unlimited is now available through YouTube TV.

Fubo offers ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and the SEC Network in all of its plans (other than Latino). The Pro plan costs $89 a month, but first-time customers can save $25 on their first month after a free trial. These Fubo plans also unlock access to ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost.

Where to watch Alabama Crimson Tide in the UK and other regions

College football coverage will be available on DAZN in the UK and other international markets this year. A DAZN NCAA College Sports subscription shows up to 25 games each week. Subscription prices vary by region, but a few games will be available for free.

How to watch Alabama Crimson Tide from anywhere

If you're traveling abroad, you can still keep up with every game with the help of a VPN. VPNs, or virtual private networks, are easy-to-use cybersecurity tools that let people temporarily change their virtual location. This way, they can still access their favorite websites and apps from anywhere in the world. Since the services we've highlighted require country-specific payment methods, this option will work best for fans who are just traveling away from home.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market. It's speedy, secure, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not what you're looking for.

Alabama Crimson Tide Football Schedule

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• My husband and I own and run a large business together, while also raising three kids.
• We learned early on that work-life balance doesn't work for us, and we can never split things 50/50.
• We practice radical prioritization, which means we cut out everything except for work and kids.

Just 21 days after my third child was born, I was taking VC calls. We were mid-Series A, and a fundraise does not pause for a newborn. The investor I pitched that day ended up leading our round.

I'm not telling you this to inspire you. I tell you this so you know I'm speaking from experience when I say: work-life balance is fake.

My husband Roy and I are the co-founders of BodySpec, a 125-person healthcare company that makes DEXA scans affordable. If you're on a GLP-1 and want to know whether you're losing fat or muscle, that's what we track.

We've been busy these last couple of years. We're also raising three children: ages 7, 5, and 3. This is not the life I expected.

As a millennial, I thought my marraige would be 50/50

I went to a blue-stocking all-girls private school in Manhattan that raised us on feminist ideas. Senior year, as we prepared for college, alumni came back to tell us what it was like to take classes with insufferable boys who loved to hear themselves talk.

Six months later, at Harvard, I was dating one.

As we approached adulthood together, I was certain our marriage would be 50/50. I had read "Lean In." I knew that doing your boyfriend's laundry in college was a gateway drug to doing everything, forever. But that wouldn't happen to me, I thought. I would have my own career, supported by an aligned partner who was equally competent at changing diapers, making lunches, and getting children through bedtime.

For the record, Roy is that partner. He moves the kids through their schedules faster than I can.

But as co-founders, our lives are not 50/50. We discovered years ago that 50/50 is a lie.

My husband and I threw 'work-life balance' out the window

The reality is that we take turns covering 90%. When I am fundraising, traveling, or attending evening events, Roy carries the family. When he is deep in a product sprint or an expansion problem, I do. Some weekends that means a three-on-one Mama marathon, or months when I'm the one doing both mornings and bedtimes.

Beyond that, there was no 50/50 option available when the children were babies. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery were patently unfair. Roy was the one who set up my breast pump and showed me how to use it, but he still did not have to spend hours attached to it. Biology effectively gave him another 20 or 30 hours a week to think about the company. I could not compete.

Did I resent it? Yes. But at some point, I realized that keeping score was useless. Resentment didn't actually put dinner on the table or finish the pitch deck. At worst, left to fester, it could end a marriage.

So I became the external founder, doing work that mostly happens during business hours. Roy took on product and technical work that could happen at night.

Work-life balance also assumes that work is the draining part and "life" is where you recover. Anyone who has cared for multiple children knows this is not true. Childcare is many wonderful things. Restorative is usually not one of them.

Comparatively, solo work trips feel like self-care. I can have pad thai all to myself, enjoy stimulating intellectual conversations with other adults, and even sneak in a massage on a lighter day.

We use 'radical prioritization' instead

We genuinely like working on Saturdays. The team isn't in, so the office is quiet and we're more productive. One of our older children comes along, usually our son. He is the middle child, bossed around by both his older and younger sisters. At the office, he can build LEGO sets without anyone destroying them and enjoy a peaceful one-on-one lunch with Mama.

This is what we call radical reprioritization: we cut out everything else in our lives and blend the two most important facets to succeed in both. It's accepting a lopsided, demanding life to be both a successful leader and a deeply involved parent. Not everything will be 50/50. There will be sacrifices along the way — and you'll often have to blur the lines between work and life.

Radical reprioritization does not feel like work stealing from family life.

We do not talk about the company as the thing Dada or Mama is always choosing over the family. It is our family's company. Our children have grown up alongside it, and they beam with pride when they see our vans or stores.

Finally, this life comes with sacrifices. Neither of us has personal hobbies. Whatever marginal free time we can find usually goes toward chasing our own wellness: lifting, walking, sleeping. There is not a lot of slack in the system, and I do not want to pretend otherwise. We are, in a traditional sense, wildly unbalanced.

But both of us get to be serious founders and deeply involved parents.

This is not the life I pictured at 17. It's lopsided, it's ours, and it's better than the one I was promised.

• I was very involved with school activities when my son was in elementary school.
• Personal challenges changed how I prioritized time with my child and made me rethink my efforts.
• After the first band booster meeting, I elected not to join. I have no regrets.

I am the mom of an only child, and my 17-year-old son is a senior this year. I've always tried to volunteer and get involved to help out and enrich his school experience, but in recent years, I've scaled back.

When he started high school and joined the marching band in ninth grade, I no longer wanted to be scurrying around on the sidelines, taking care of things for everyone else's kids. I wanted to focus on my kid. So that's what I did. I took a step back and actually enjoyed watching my kid do something that he loved.

Now, he's a senior, and I have no regrets.

I've put in my time

I was very active in the PTA when he was in elementary school. I organized the twice-yearly dinners for teachers and staff during parent-teacher conference nights, arranging food and desserts and soliciting volunteers to help set up, serve, and tear down.

Then came middle school and COVID-19. My focus shifted to my kid and how to get him through tough times. I created "Mom's Summer Camp" when his camp was closed, and I wanted to focus on being there for him during these transitional years.

When he started high school, I was going through a rough time personally, and I had to fight to find time and energy to show up for him. My mom, who had previously been enjoying an independent retirement life, started having some medical issues that required a lot of continued assistance from me.

The PTA mom has left the building

The mom I had been in elementary school was gone. I felt guilty at first for not joining the Band Boosters, the parent group (mostly moms) who run every band event and fundraising activity.

I went to the first meeting, and they described the enormous amount of work each year — chaperoning bus trips, running raffles, working the twice-yearly hoagie fundraiser, and manning the parking lots. While there are a few moments when even the booster moms get to watch the halftime show, the rest of the time they are working, cleaning up the bleachers, passing out food to the kids after the halftime show, or hawking raffle tickets in the stands.

I couldn't do it. Not with everything going on with my mom. Plus my son is my only kid. I simply wanted to be there, to show up to the football games, sit in the bleachers, cheer for the team, and scream as loud as I could when the best band in the land took the field at halftime. Home, away, rain or shine, I wanted to show my son that even during chaotic personal times, I was the mom he could count on to show up.

Fighting for time

I had to fight hard to be there for him. With emergency after emergency related to my mother's physical and mental health, I haven't had a perfect record. I had to miss a whole game one year while I was in the ER with my mom.

I called in favors from friends to make sure he got to school in time for the games I had to miss or when I would have to arrive late. But I showed up. After crying in the car about my mom, I'd fix my makeup, speed walk to the stadium, buy a soda and popcorn, and scream with delight during the halftime show.

I always sit in the same area. He knows where to look for me. All I see is the pure joy of what he's doing, and I'm so glad he's able to have that and count on me.

The booster parents do great, important work, but I know my kid needs my attention from the stands. Every first is a last when you have an only child. These are the only years I get to be a band parent.

This final year as a band mom will be bittersweet. Each year, after the last home game, outside the band room, the underclassmen and parents of seniors form a pathway for the senior band members to run through when they exit for the last time, one by one. They line both sides of the path as the seniors run, dance, strut, or simply walk out the band door that final time, and into their future.

My heart caught in my throat watching the 2026 seniors exit, knowing that the next time I see this happen, it will be my son's turn. I don't know how I'll get through it emotionally, but I can tell you this much. When he exits that band door for the last time, I won't be inside counting raffle tickets or directing cars in the parking lot. I'll be outside that door cheering him on (and let's admit it, probably crying). For me, that's my job.

• US Army soldiers simulated an urban assault against a formidable adversary.
• Drones and new software played a role, but basic combat skills remained central.
• Testing new tech during regular training brought both opportunities and complications.

The US Bradley Fighting Vehicles were visible on the horizon as they raced toward the city. Smoke, deployed to conceal movement, formed wisps around the outskirts. Assault forces, preparing to storm the enemy stronghold, gathered on the northern edge, navigating barbed wire, cars, and concrete blocks — enemy obstacles meant to slow the assault down.

The urban assault, part of a simulated conflict against a formidable peer adversary, followed days of combat.

The US Army exercise tested soldiers on moving through a city caught in conflict, pushing them to clear streets and buildings while fighting. The fight also had another layer. Though not at scale the way combatants in Ukraine are, soldiers were integrating new technologies, including drones and software, to determine whether these systems made a difference in how they saw, sensed, and engaged the enemy.

Traditional warfighting skills remain central to combat operations though.

At the Army's Project Convergence Capstone exercise at Fort Irwin in California this summer, close to 10,000 soldiers gathered to experiment with new weapons and technology while fighting a mock war. Enemy forces consisted of troops from Irwin's 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, known as "Blackhorse."

Across the hot, dusty Mojave Desert, soldiers grappled with the heat's effects on themselves and their equipment.

A little over an hour before assault forces breached the training city, Blackhorse drones were flying above, scouting the area.

Inside a building, a unit commander asked a drone operator flying a Black Widow quadcopter to use it to assess vehicles pushing into the city. The drone could fly up to four kilometers away, extending the unit's view beyond what soldiers could see from the ground.

"I'm able to find with my UAS [uncrewed aerial system], I'm able to fix with fires, and then I finish with my AT [anti-tank] weapons systems," Capt. Mohamed Elmaola with the 4th Infantry Division told Business Insider.

While remotely piloted uncrewed aircraft proved advantageous for early surveillance operations, they were used only sparingly once the fighting moved into the city, occasionally flying above to scout positions, terrain, and movement. Soldiers said that the use cases for the drones had changed as the exercise went on, with the focus shifting toward the on-the-ground fight.

One ground robot, an uncrewed ground vehicle called the NOMAD, had been put to use outside the city limits earlier that morning, but it didn't see use in the assault.

"What we really want to be able to do is not just saturate the environment with a bunch of technology" because "that becomes so distracting" that soldiers can't train efficiently and effectively, Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, head of the Army Joint Modernization Command, told Business Insider.

The simulated city, which the Army calls Razish, was sprawling, with winding streets, buildings of different heights, underground tunnels, and hidden positions. During the training exercise, two key objectives for the assault forces were the jail and a large palace at the center of the city.

As the two opposing forces clashed inside the training city, troops dismounted from their fighting vehicles and began checking buildings for enemies. Dismounted infantry and Bradley crews work together in combat, with each protecting the other as they advance.

Bradleys equipped with heavier weaponry engage threats farther away while soldiers on foot armed for close-in combat clear buildings and eliminate threats to the vehicles nearby.

"You don't want your Bradleys to outpace your dismounted infantry," one soldier told Business Insider, explaining that dismounted enemy troops armed with anti-vehicle weaponry will "just shoot your Bradley."

Enemy forces hid in alleys and on the top floors of buildings, occasionally taking a shot at a gunner exposed atop a Bradley vehicle or a dismounted soldier running across the street. At one point, enemy forces successfully hit a Bradley. The turret shot up, signaling that the vehicle had been destroyed. In many respects, this kind of fighting wouldn't have been unfamiliar to veterans of the Global War on Terror.

The sounds of the fighting came in waves, loudest when assault forces raided the jail and palace. Even in quieter moments, bursts of gunfire could be heard in the distance.

Soldiers positioned on rooftops or in windows would peek up, aim, and fire their weapons before ducking back down. If "killed," soldiers would stop fighting and sit or stand where they were.

Hours into the fight for the city, some of the assault forces gathered inside and alongside a low building just across the street from the gates surrounding the palace. They were assessing whether they had enough ammunition to keep fighting.

One asked where they were located and whether any friendly forces were around them. Another opened his End User Device, a smartphone mounted to his chest, and checked out a map, reading off the building number aloud.

The soldier was using the Army's prototype Next Generation Command and Control, or NGC2, a software- and artificial intelligence-enabled battlefield network.

At Project Convergence Capstone, troops were examining how NGC2 performed in a large-scale combat scenario, marking the latest iteration of a series of tests. Prior tests had taken place at Fort Carson in Colorado, where the Army's 4th Infantry Division developed NGC2 with industry partners.

One soldier said he was using NGC2 to see where friendly forces were located within the city and where enemy forces might be hiding. Another soldier said that connection issues, either problems with the NGC2 system or the result of electronic warfare and jamming, had left it mostly unusable.

That mix of success and failure was exactly what Army leaders said they wanted to see at the exercise, characterizing it as a chance to gather feedback on what worked and what didn't.

"We're gonna have some failures out here in the desert, and that's good," Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army vice chief of staff, said on a call days after the exercise concluded. "If there is something out here that's not living up to what has been advertised, we're going to walk away from that."

The urban assault showed both the advantages and the challenges of training while experimenting with new technology.

Soldiers had to answer big questions about whether experimental systems were actually useful while still being judged on basics such as whether they properly cleared or marked buildings.

The training environment gave the Army a demanding place to test new technology, but the experimentation also gave soldiers one more thing to manage while trying to win a fight.

• Ukrainian troops' battlefield adaptability is "astonishing," a Western commander said.
• Western trainers are learning from Ukraine while helping fill gaps in conventional skills.
• Some combat veterans still lack basics like rifle marksmanship after being mobilized quickly.

Experienced Ukrainian soldiers are showing their Western instructors their battlefield creativity forged by years of war, even as some of these same troops still need help with basic military skills like shooting straight.

Ukrainian soldiers are learning Western ways of war at Camp Jomsborg in Poland. The Norway-led training aims to strengthen fundamental fighting, leadership, and planning skills. But the exchange runs both ways. Trainers say the Ukrainians also bring innovative modern warfare solutions to the table.

Brigadier Atle Molde, the commander of Task Force Legio, the multinational command supporting the training of Ukraine's armed forces, told Business Insider that the Ukrainian ability to "improvise in a very pressed situation is nothing but admirable."

"It's astonishing," he said. "It's how they're able to improvise, adapt, fix things, develop, evolve, change."

He said those talents are "something to bring back home and learn from," as Norway studies Ukraine's battlefield experience for lessons it can apply to its own military. Other Western partners are increasingly working directly with Ukraine for the same reason, looking to improve parts of their own warfighting ability as they prepare for the possibility of a wider conflict with Russia.

Jørgen, a Norwegian Army instructor for the camp's platoon leader course who asked to be identified only by his first name, said that "in general, they are much more creative than we are able to be." He attributed that in part to Ukraine having fewer standardized procedures than its partners. "I think that's a strength."

Officers with other training programs, such as the UK-led Operation Interflex, have likewise praised Ukrainian creativity, saying that they often have "much greater tactical imagination."

But that battlefield ingenuity at times coexists with gaps in basic military skills.

Needing the fundamentals

"I'll give you one specific example," Molde said. "We have had soldiers from Ukraine with two years of battlefield experience that cannot shoot their rifle straight

Some were mobilized quickly without the kind of foundational training that Western militaries typically provide. Small arms also play a much more limited role on the battlefield dominated by artillery and drones, so real-world experience may not be high.

Maj. John, the S3 Operations Officer who helps coordinate training at the camp, told Business Insider that the Ukrainians "have shown us a lot of different creative methods."

But, "at the same time, that conventional knowledge in some units has not been that great," he added, speaking on the condition that only his rank and first name be used.

"Ukrainian soldiers who arrive at Jomsborg have varying levels of skills and experience," NATO said in a description of the camp. Some are "hardened combat veterans looking to learn advanced tactics," while others are troops who need "infantry combat skills."

"At the very least, trainees receive thorough instruction in marksmanship under stress, effective combat communication and platoon- and company-level infantry movements," it said.

Concerns have long been raised about the level of basic training given to Ukrainian soldiers, especially early in the war as masses of inexperienced troops were mobilized and surged toward the front, putting much of the training burden on front-line commanders. They found that many of the newly mobilized soldiers lacked fundamentals, such as marksmanship and maneuver.

Ukraine extended its basic training to 51 days last year, with an emphasis on shooting and counter-drone tactics. "It is worth noting the level of marksmanship training: 137 hours of practice and 56 firing exercises with various weapons," the Ministry of Defense wrote in its description. "Mandatory training also includes countermeasures against enemy UAVs."

Still, basic skills may be unevenly distributed.

An exchange of skills

The Ukrainians, John said, "are innovative. They use new technologies. We try to learn off that. And then we try to give them competencies with regard to the conventional methods, planning methods, military decision-making processes, and so on.

Together, he said, that "creates a good result."

John said that while Ukraine excels in many areas, the extensive military experience that Western partners bring "still has a value."

Ukraine's combat experiences are built into the camp training because, as Molde said, it would be "stupid" not to. Ukraine has been at war with Russia for years, intensely since the 2022 full-scale invasion but even before that in the Donbas. They understand Russian tactics, and they understand modern warfare.

John said the camp is considered a Ukrainian facility, with Ukraine determining its training needs and Ukrainian instructors work alongside Western ones.

Molde said it makes sense that Ukraine is often more creative than its partners. War forces rapid innovation. Throughout military history, "the innovation wheel goes very slowly in peacetime. And when a war occurs, then suddenly this rotation is 10 times, 100 times as fast," he said.

That leaves Camp Jomsborg with an unusual training dynamic. Ukrainians bring lessons learned from a fast-changing war, while Western partners offer conventional military expertise that some Ukrainian units never had time to build.

Molde said both groups can "evolve in parallel."

• My 9-year-old daughter is in 4th grade.
• Her elementary school encourages parents to volunteer.
• I decided not to, and I have no guilt about it.

When my daughter, now 9, started kindergarten, I was very surprised that her school asked parents to take time off from their busy schedules to help in the classroom, during field trips, or at special events like book fairs.

Coming from France, I was accustomed to a different approach. There, schools are viewed as strictly professional environments where only trained and certified individuals participate. Parents receive little encouragement to interfere in school activities.

Upon realizing that American schools are more community-oriented and value volunteer involvement, I decided to give it a try. It turned out that volunteering was not a good fit for either my child or me, and I never did it again.

I felt useless when I volunteered during a field day

I volunteered once during a field day. There was nothing special to do, just standing on the sidelines and cheering for the children, which made me feel useless and uncomfortable. Most of the other volunteers were moms, closely supervising their kids, while others chatted on the side of the field. I didn't see the point of taking some time off to make an appearance, especially since my daughter didn't seem to care.

I also noticed that not everyone can be a good volunteer. The best ones know how to engage with all the kids, not just their own, and do so patiently, even if children behave poorly. I found the experience overwhelming, and helping behind the scenes, such as by giving money for a party, is a better solution for me.

School is my daughter's territory, not mine

Giving my child independence is essential to me, as it fosters self-confidence and resilience. I view school as the perfect place to be separate from parental presence and to be more independent.

Since I'm not a volunteer, my daughter knows I won't be physically there to help her navigate her school life. Relationships with her peers and teachers are her responsibility. If one classmate behaves obnoxiously, she needs to develop her own coping skills and try to solve the problem independently.

She can also express herself more freely at school without my involvement. If I were there volunteering, she would act differently and seek my approval instead of being her true self. By letting the school be her personal space, I show her that I trust her to figure things out. This makes her proud, confident, and happy.

I'm involved in my daughter's education in many other ways

Not volunteering doesn't mean that I don't care about my child's education. It's quite the opposite. I believe in education, having earned a master's degree from a renowned French institution. I have high expectations for my child, but I prefer to step back.

I participate in parent-teacher conferences and open houses. For the rest of the year, my interactions with the teacher are minimal. I let her do her job and trust her to inform me if she has any concerns. When I speak about her or the school, it's always in a positive way, as we are on the same team.

Each day, my daughter and I discuss school. By showing interest in what she chooses to share, even if it's just a game at recess, she sees that her school life is important to me. While she manages homework independently, I provide her with a quiet place and time to do it properly. Missing school is rare, usually due to illness or other uncontrollable factors, not dentist appointments or extra vacation time. This sends her the message that education is the priority.

I appreciate parents who volunteer, but my choice not to do so doesn't make me a bad mom, simply a mom who knows what works best for her and her child.

• Lloyd Enbom and his wife paid $22,000 for a home in Hakuba, Japan, a rural ski town.
• Their home was less expensive than it would have been elsewhere, but it requires a lot of work.
• The couple intends to keep traveling with their young daughter while living in Japan half the year.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lloyd Enbom, 40, a content creator who purchased an abandoned home in Hakuba, Japan, a ski town in Nagano Prefecture, with his wife, Mandy Rutherford. Enbom, who is from Australia, plans to continue traveling with his wife and two-year-old daughter while making Japan their home for half the year. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

We've been doing YouTube full-time for nearly five years. Our full-time work is travel content.

In 2021, we were locked down in Australia until the 11th of November, which was the exact day we left.

At the time, a lot of people, especially in Australia, thought you couldn't travel to Bali or Southeast Asia, so we were documenting our experience of doing it, and sharing tips and advice. That's when it really dawned on us that travel content was a viable business, because people tend to watch other people travel to get advice on where to go, what to do, how to get visas, and how to earn money online so that you can travel full-time.

So we fell into the role of educators for people on how to live this sort of life.

We started in Bali, then traveled around Southeast Asia. We did all of Vietnam in one month, which was really incredible; we went to Thailand, Singapore.

Then we made it over to North America; we spent six months in Mexico, and then we bought an RV and traveled around basically the entire Western United States. We drove our RV through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, and back up. We got married in Las Vegas and had our honeymoon in New York City.

Then we settled in Thailand for two years, where we had our daughter, Lyla.

We had reached what we wanted: get a full-time income and live wherever we want. We decided Thailand would be a really good option for us as digital nomads; it's cheap, has really good healthcare, and amazing private hospitals that are cheap.

We were renting a place in Thailand, but as foreigners, you can't own land in Thailand. You have to rent property for 25 or 30 years. If you buy a house in Thailand, you're basically renting the land that you live on.

It works for some people — a lot of retirees go and do the long-term lease thing, and I think it works out financially to be pretty good. But we were in Thailand, and Mandy started seeing these cheap houses in Japan when she was pregnant.

Apart from that time in Thailand, we were fully nomadic. It's great to be able to move around, but the biggest challenge is that you live out of a suitcase. At some point, you really start craving a home base, somewhere to go back to, and that's one of the things that drew us to buying a home in Japan.

We fell in love with a Japanese ski town — and the cheap houses

While we were in Thailand, we went down a YouTube rabbit hole. We learned a lot, and the more we learned, the more we realized that buying a home in Japan was actually really possible.

My first concern was, "How are we going to buy a house if we don't have residency in Japan?" In most countries — like Thailand — you have to be a resident to buy a house.

The biggest surprise was that you don't even have to set foot in Japan to buy a house there. If you find the right house and the right real estate agent, you can buy a house from your home.

We read up on it and went back and forth with the idea for two years. In March 2026, we came to Japan on a road trip and decided to check some houses out. We decided then it was pretty much a no-brainer for us.

We ended up finding a house within 15 minutes of an amazing ski town called Hakuba. They co-hosted the Winter Olympics there in 1998. There are a lot of Australian expats who come here to snowboard and they end up staying, so it's got a bit of a multicultural vibe.

It's still very Japanese, but it doesn't feel like you're such an outsider being in a ski town like this. When we found it, we thought this could answer a lot of our problems.

We got lucky that somebody was selling this property that we were interested in, and the real estate agent had lived in Canada at one point, so she was Japanese, but spoke fluent English.

The property had been listed a month earlier, and we happened to be here on a road trip, so we emailed them and were able to set up a viewing, and everything went pretty smoothly.

The total closing price was 3.6 million yen, which at the time was $22,000. After all of the fees that we had to pay, it totaled 4.1 million Japanese yen.

We signed everything at the end of March 2026, and they gave us a window of about almost five months to actually settle it, which was great because we needed to figure out all the paperwork and the logistics. We moved in July.

I don't want to sugarcoat it and make it seem like you're buying a $20,000 completed house that has everything in order. There's a lot of stuff you have to take on yourself.

When we signed the contract to buy the home, we bought it as-is, which meant if the electricity doesn't work or if the water pipes are all rusted and everything, that's on us. We have to fix that.

We didn't know if we were going to have running water, electricity, or if anything was going to work. Thankfully, the electricity and the water did. But the boiler didn't work, so the biggest thing for us right now is having a hot shower and renovating the bathroom.

The bathroom is just a cold bath at the moment, which doesn't really work when you've got a two-year-old and two adults living there.

We're anticipating spending about the same amount on renovations as we spent to actually buy it. We may even go beyond that if we want to make it really, really nice.

We want to keep traveling, but Japan will be our home base

This is only our second time in Japan. We came for a road trip for about a month this spring, and we fell in love with the country.

The culture is extremely friendly and polite. It's clean, it's safe, it has four seasons, and it's surprisingly affordable. You can eat out in Japan for half the price that we pay in the United States or Australia.

We're not going to live full-time in Japan. There's a difference between purchasing a property and getting citizenship or residency.

Our visa statuses allow us to be in Japan for up to six months of the year, which has always been the lifestyle we prefer; being able to move between two places — whether that's Thailand or Bali for six months, then Japan for six months.

We're here and treating it as a permanent holiday home. We get to come and enjoy the area and have our house that we own, that we've renovated ourselves and has our furniture in it. We don't have to find a new rental every time we want to come back here.

We own forever in Japan for the price of what wouldn't even cover a house deposit back in Australia. And no one can ever take it off us.

• The next Miss America will be crowned on September 6 in West Palm Beach.
• More than 50 women will be competing for the title this year.
• The contestants include a medical student, a professional ballroom dancer, and a karate instructor.

It's almost time to crown the next Miss America.

On September 6, 52 women from around the country will gather at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the chance to win the coveted title.

The winner will be crowned by Miss America 2026 Cassie Donnegan and will take home a $50,000 scholarship.

Before you watch the competition — which will stream on PageantVision.com at 7 p.m. ET — meet the 52 women competing for the crown.

Alabama: Ruby Tilghman

Ruby Tilghman, 22, graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in chemistry. She is an incoming student at the university's Heersink School of Medicine. Tilghman previously represented Florida at the Miss America's Teen competition in 2021.

Tilghman is an avid hiker who has visited 28 national parks. She is also a recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award.

Alaska: Nora Andrews

Nora Andrews, 20, is a senior at Grand Canyon University, where she is studying psychology and professional writing. She is hoping to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and a certification in sex and relational education and therapy.

Andrews is also an advocate for suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

Arizona: Victoria Vredevoogd

Victoria Vredevoogd, 25, is a law student at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

The pageant queen founded and serves as president of The Gender Violence Project, an organization at ASU that advocates for survivors and provides free legal resources. She also wrote and published her own fantasy novel, titled "A Legend of Golden Shadows."

Arkansas: Ava Weeks

Ava Weeks, 20, is a student at Ouachita Baptist University. She hopes to become a secondary English teacher.

Weeks became an advocate for passenger safety after witnessing a terrible car accident when she was a teenager, according to her Miss America bio. Her community initiative is "Every Seat. Every Ride. Buckle Up."

Weeks has won over $50,000 in scholarships from competing in the Miss America system.

California: Sharlize True Trujillo

Sharlize True Trujillo, 22, is pursuing a degree in gender studies and a minor in film and television from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is planning to attend law school and study entertainment law.

The pageant queen is also a dancer, actress, and content creator. She has more than 2 million followers on TikTok.

Colorado: Gabrielle Burns

Gabrielle Burns, 23, is pursuing a master's degree from the University of Colorado Boulder. She is studying to become a speech-language pathologist.

Burns is an advocate for communication disorders and disabilities. She's also a professional ballroom dancer.

Connecticut: Christa Steiner

Christa Steiner, 27, graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, where she earned a degree in vocal performance and musical theater.

Steiner is a professional singer and voice teacher. She is using her Miss America platform to advocate for increased access to mental health treatment.

Delaware: Anaya Harrison

Anaya Harrison, 24, earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Biden School of Public Policy at the University of Delaware. She plans to attend law school.

Harrison works as a congressional aide in the US House of Representatives, where she "helps constituents navigate federal agencies," according to her Miss America bio.

District of Columbia: Evelyn Smith

Evelyn Smith, 25, graduated from Oklahoma City University with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and minors in political science and studio art. She was the first Black woman to win Miss Oklahoma's Teen, and she made it to the top nine at the Miss America's Teen 2018 competition.

Smith has certified more than 1,000 individuals in CPR. She used her own skills to save her mother's life during a heart attack, according to her Miss America bio.

Florida: Alexandra de Roos

Alexandra de Roos, 23, is an honors student at the University of South Florida, where she is studying psychology. She plans to attend medical school and become a neuropsychiatrist.

The pageant queen was previously a student at the School of American Ballet, but her dancing career was cut short after a traumatic brain injury. She founded The Blue Project nonprofit to advocate for brain injury education and healing through the arts, according to her Miss Florida bio.

Georgia: Sophia Wootten

Sophia Wootten, 21, is pursuing a degree in communication sciences and disorders at the University of Georgia. She is planning to become a pediatric audiologist.

Wootten made history as the first Miss America contestant with a cleft lip and palate. She has undergone 20 reconstructive surgeries and wears hearing aids. The pageant queen wants to use her platform to "redefine what representation looks like for children with disabilities," according to her Miss America bio.

Hawaii: Carly Yoshida

Carly Yoshida, 26, earned a degree in social sciences from the University of Hawai'i - West O'ahu and plans to pursue a professional meteorology degree.

Yoshida is a field reporter, digital content producer, and on-air weather personality for KITV 4 Island News, an ABC affiliate in Honolulu. She previously won Miss Hawaii's Teen in 2016.

Idaho: Déja Fitzwater

Déja Fitzwater, 21, is studying communications at the University of Idaho. She is an avid 4-H volunteer and won Miss Oregon's Teen in 2022.

Fitzwater, an advocate for agricultural literacy, is using her platform to "help young people better understand the people, science, and industries behind their food and natural resources," according to her Miss America bio.

Illinois: Kate Dimmett

Kate Dimmett, 23, graduated from both the Kelley School of Business and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. The pageant queen is a professional violinist.

Dimmett is the president of Notable Measures, a nonprofit she launched at 13 to expand access to music education. According to her Miss America bio, she has raised over $90,000 and provided 170 grants through her organization.

She previously won Miss Indiana's Teen in 2021.

Indiana: Ellise Edwards

Ellise Edwards, 22, graduated from the University of South Florida. She is a content creator with over 127,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares videos of her curly-hair routine and her experience as a postgrad.

Edwards wants to help businesses grow their online presence "through strategic social media marketing," according to her Miss America bio.

Iowa: McKenzie Kerry

McKenzie Kerry, 27, graduated from the Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has been involved in organizations including Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates and Big Brothers Big Sisters Workplace Mentoring.

Kerry was recruited into Principal Financial Group's three-year leadership development program. She currently serves as a learning and development consultant.

Kansas: Sophie Lewis

Sophie Lewis, 23, graduated with honors from the University of Kansas with a degree in biochemistry and a minor in business.

Lewis works as a medical sales consultant and is helping expand access to biomarker blood testing for early lung cancer detection, according to her Miss America bio.

The pageant queen made history as the first Asian American woman to win the title of Miss Kansas.

Kentucky: Reagan Earlywine

Reagan Earlywine, 24, is a third-year dental student at the University of Louisville. She is a recipient of the Excellence in Dental Gross and Neurological Anatomy award.

Earlywine plans to become an orthodontist someday. She is using her platform to advocate for access to preventive oral healthcare.

Louisiana: Shelby Bordelon

Shelby Bordelon, 24, is pursuing her master's in strategic communication at Southeastern Louisiana University.

She founded Claire's Promise, Inc., a nonprofit organization that works to prevent impaired driving, after her friend was killed by an impaired driver. She is also a spokesperson for MADD Louisiana.

Maine: Ruthie Gusler

Ruthie Gusler, 19, is studying business administration at the University of Maine at Farmington, where she plays soccer. She hopes to become a real estate agent.

Gusler created the Wonder Kids community service initiative to advocate for children who survive abuse.

Maryland: Gianna Romero

Gianna Romero, 21, is a student at Stevenson University, where she studies business communication. She wants to work in sports marketing after college, interning in the athletics department at Calvert Hall College High School.

Romero advocates for healthy relationships, sharing her own experience of being in an abusive relationship for two years to help others.

Massachusetts: Ashlyn Mercier

Ashlyn Mercier, 25, is a police officer. She earned her undergraduate degree in national security from the University of New Haven in Connecticut and her master's degree in criminal justice from Boston University.

Mercier created Nick's Courage: One Smile Goes a Mile, an initiative designed to support children with cancer. Her brother had cancer twice as a child, so the program is close to her heart.

Michigan: Grace Hanke

Grace Hanke, 19, is studying mechanical engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy, participating in the school's accelerated master's program.

She wants to ensure other young women have access to STEM opportunities, so she created the Engineer Her Future US initiative. Hanke has also partnered with several organizations to promote STEM education and access nationally.

Minnesota: Anna Brennan

Anna Brennan, 20, hopes to become a news anchor, so she is studying journalism at the University of St. Thomas. She is also a professional ballerina.

Brennan created MediaWELL, an initiative that aims to provide media literacy education to people of all ages.

Mississippi: Jane Granberry

Jane Granberry, 23, is a student in the MBA program at the University of Mississippi. She used her integrated marketing and communications degree from the school as an influencer marketing and PR coordinator at Tarte Cosmetics.

She launched Literacy Without Limits, which provides literacy education and tools to people in Mississippi. She was first runner-up in the Miss Mississippi pageant in 2024 and 2025 before being crowned queen.

Missouri: Tabitha Crain

Tabitha Crain, 24, is a law student at the University of Missouri. She wants to use her degree to advocate for survivors of domestic violence. According to her Miss America bio, she has raised over $500,000 to support survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.

Crain is passionate about fitness, as she is a former cheerleader and gymnast. She teaches spin classes in her free time.

Montana: Adella Harris

Adella Harris, 19, studies political science at Montana State University, where she is an honors student. She wants to go to law school after college and hopes to run for office someday.

Harris created the Made for More initiative, encouraging children to chase their dreams.

Nebraska: Lexi Nolda

Lexi Nolda, 22, earned a bachelor's degree in nutrition and health sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After skin cancer affected members of her family, Nolda hopes to someday become a dermatology nurse practitioner.

Nolda advocates for skin cancer prevention, and she hopes to expand that work if she is crowned Miss America.

Nevada: Mariah Larronde

Mariah Larronde, 27, got her bachelor's degree in digital audiences and media analysis at Arizona State University. She plans to pursue a master's in data science while working toward her goal of becoming an actress.

Larronde wants to support children who lose a parent or have a parent struggling with an illness, so she created the Hidden Caregiver Network.

New Hampshire: Lauren Plank

Lauren Plank, 21, is a student in an accelerated master's program at the University of New Hampshire. Her goal is to become an elementary school teacher.

She believes in the power of volunteering, so she created a program to encourage children to get involved with service work.

New Jersey: Kylie Gene Wright

Kylie Gene Wright, 23, is studying business administration. She also works at AmeriKick Karate Studio, where she uses her second-degree black belt to teach classes.

Wright is an advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, and she serves as the East Coast Chapter President of T.A.K.E. Defense, a role in which she has raised over $10,000, according to her Miss America bio.

New Mexico: Katarina Blakeslee

Katarina Blakeslee, 26, got her bachelor's degrees in public health and theater performance from Tulane University and holds an MFA in screenwriting from the University of Southern California. She has worked on films and TV shows for studios like A24 and Netflix.

Blakeslee is pursuing a Master of Anesthesia program at the University of New Mexico and works in her state's only Level One Trauma Center.

She is also passionate about literacy advocacy and wrote the children's book "Valiant and the Bubble."

New York: Madison Oh

Madison Oh, 21, studies English, dance, and business management at Columbia University. She would love to dance on Broadway someday.

She advocates for the Minds Matter: Education Empowers initiative, which supports students applying to college and seeking career opportunities.

North Carolina: Lauryn Mallard

Lauryn Mallard, 26, has a bachelor's degree in nutritional science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an MBA in healthcare management from High Point University. She wants to become a physician assistant.

Mallard has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for almost 20 years, raising money for pediatric cancer care and research.

North Dakota: Emma Tong

Emma Tong, 23, studied biology at the University of Alabama and will attend the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences to become a doctor. She wants to be a radiation oncologist.

She was previously named Miss North Dakota's Outstanding Teen 2021.

Ohio: Lexie Miller

Lexie Miller, 23, is a cardiovascular ICU nurse who graduated from the University of Akron.

Her career was inspired by her parents, who work as a first responder and a healthcare professional. Miller hopes to raise awareness for cardiovascular health.

Oklahoma: Jaselyn Rossman

Jaselyn Rossman, 22, has a bachelor's degree in accounting with a minor in finance from Oklahoma State University — but she's not stopping there. She plans to pursue a master's degree in the field.

She's also passionate about creating work opportunities for people with disabilities and has worked with Special Olympics and The Bridges organization.

In her free time, she volunteers as a presenter for Oklahoma Cares for Children and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Control.

Oregon: Allyssa Defillipo

Allyssa Defillipo, 26, has dreams of becoming a holistic nutritionist. She works as both a manager of a chiropractic and wellness business and as a women's nutrition and fitness coach.

She was inspired by her childhood in a low-income home to expand nutrition education and access to healthy foods. Defillipo has also written a children's book.

Pennsylvania: Stephanie Skinner

Stephanie Skinner, 21, is an advocate for children who have nontraditional upbringings. She herself was raised by a single mother who served as a US Army Major.

Some of Skinner's recent accomplishments include graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and performing at the FIFA World Cup Fourth of July ceremony.

Puerto Rico: Annika Schneider

Annika Schneider, 21, is a dancer, cheerleader, and graduate of Pfeiffer University. She has a bachelor's degree in business management and leadership.

She was the first Hispanic woman to be crowned Miss North Carolina Teen, and now, as Miss Puerto Rico, she aims to advocate for the benefits of reading.

Rhode Island: Mia Daley

Mia Daley, 19, is an arts student at Salve Regina University. She dreams of performing on Broadway and is passionate about storytelling onstage.

She's also an advocate for improving mental health through dance. She believes it has the power to heal and serve as a tool for self-expression.

South Carolina: Lindsay Jones

Lindsay Jones, 26, works as a national sales manager for a world-renowned tool company, where she leads a multimillion-dollar territory, according to her Miss America bio. She has an MBA and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in business.

In her free time, Jones works with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and serves on its board.

South Dakota: Kianna Healy

Kianna Healy, 23, is a performer. She first took the stage at age 7 and has since participated in vocal and theater productions across the country.

She graduated from Pace University with degrees in film and arts and entertainment management. Healy is also passionate about animal welfare.

Tennessee: Makalyn Heaslett

Makalyn Heaslett, 27, has brought business to the sports world. She graduated from Auburn University, previously worked for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, and is now an account executive for the Tennessee Titans.

Heaslett is also pursuing a master's degree in sport administration at Belmont University.

As a volunteer, she works with Girls Inc. to provide mentorship and leadership to young girls. She's helped raise more than $23,000 for its various organizations, according to her Miss America bio.

Texas: Regan Hutsell

Regan Hutsell, 25, is a former Radio City Rockette and ballerina who now aims to become a physical therapist for dancers.

She's working toward her bachelor's degree in health sciences and is an advocate for self-confidence and mental health.

Utah: Erika Dalton

Erika Dalton, 26, is the first Japanese American to be crowned Miss Utah.

She's also a Juilliard scholarship recipient, a professional violinist who's performed at Carnegie Hall, and a University of Michigan graduate with degrees in violin performance and business.

Dalton also serves as a state-certified crisis advocate and volunteer for the Sexual Assault Hotline.

Vermont: Hannah Roque

Hannah Roque, 26, has a deep history with Miss America. Her mom was Miss Vermont 1996.

Roque works in higher education and has a bachelor's degree in English and secondary education. She's also an advocate for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement.

Virginia: Maddie Marchant

Maddie Marchant, 22, is a media and communication student at East Tennessee State University. She plans to become a journalist.

She's also the founder of the Buddy Bunch Club, which provides people with disabilities the chance to learn social, academic, and professional skills.

Washington: Natalie Worthy

Natalie Worthy, 23, graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a music degree and is now working toward a master's degree in arts policy and administration at Ohio State University.

She founded Amplify the Arts, a nonprofit organization, to merge her passions for vocal instruction and performing with her commitment to helping others.

West Virginia: Elizabeth Romanek

Elizabeth Romanek, 24, was a competitive dancer and D1 athlete, so she's passionate about exercise and movement.

She is an ambassador of the West Virginia Physical Activity Plan. Romanek is also a master's student at Bethany College and the assistant director of admission and recruitment events at the school.

Wisconsin: Jordenne Butler

Jordenne Butler, 27, was inspired by her father's experience with stage four throat and neck cancer to write "Bentley Bounces Back," a children's book.

She's also an advocate for resilience education and support of kids who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. Butler has a bachelor's degree in marketing and a minor in creative media from Viterbo University.

Wyoming: Alyssa Medina

Alyssa Medina, 22, is a sixth-grade teacher who earned her degrees in elementary and special education from the University of Wyoming.

She has a sister, Briana, who's inspired Medina to support and bring joy to children who have disabilities.

• Maria Diaz Valdez has been dating her partner, Emil, since he became a founder about four years ago.
• She says she put her dreams on the back burner to help him grow, but she knows it will be worth it.
• Diaz Valdez says dating a founder requires a strong sense of self, boundaries, and a support system.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Maria Diaz Valdez, a 29-year-old based in Spain. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I feel like a relationship with a founder is a relationship on steroids because it's so intense in the trust and patience it requires. I've had to be committed to his journey, but I'm not in charge of it, and that's very scary.

My partner, Emil, and I met as roommates in a shared household in Norway, and we've been together for four years. I was lucky enough to get to know him so well as a friend before we started dating because we had all sorts of honest conversations about our goals without trying to impress each other. That level of honesty and communication has been the foundation of everything we've built in our relationship.

It's been strange to take a backseat role to build my career to help him build his, and there are times we feel more like business partners than life partners, but I'm in this for the long haul. I trust this journey, and I know he'll support me the same way as I build my own entrepreneurial journey.

We created a contract toward the start of our relationship

Emil didn't start his current entrepreneurial journey until right before we started dating, so I've kind of been through everything with him. I was even his first client. I was building a jewelry brand at the time and hired him to help me develop my website.

At the start of our relationship, we had a lot of conversations about his vision for the company, my role in it, and whether he saw this future with me. Our discussions made me feel confident that he'd actually pursue his goals, but I still had to put a lot of trust in him. I lent him money those first couple of months, which was scary, but I believed in him.

We wrote a contract that tracked the money I was sending him and established a deal that there would come a day when he'd need to support me in return.

I've had to take a backseat to his dreams, but I know he'll return the favor

I've always been a career person — someone with direction who works very hard. Now I'm with someone who's outperforming me in that area. I'm not blindly trusting everything will go well; we have conversations about this constantly.

It's strange, but it's a conscious choice I've made because I view this person as somebody I want to experience my whole life with. I write a lot in my diary, trying to figure out what I truly feel and want. The biggest challenge to wrap my head around is that his passion and project are taking priority, and I must remember that things will change as I figure out what I'm most passionate about.

Emil and I have very compatible skills and knowledge; I focus on design, marketing, and branding, while he is in tech and business development. With his help, I've even started creating my marketing platform, CrazeAI.

Work sometimes comes before the relationship, so we focus on presence with each other

Emil is the type of person who really values quality time. If we watch something on Netflix, for example, we're not going to be on our phones. We're in this together. I think we're very conscious of the distractions we have around us.

Because of that, I'm very lenient in times when he has to step away for something at work. There are times we'll be on a walk together, and one of his partners calls, and he suddenly forgets he's on a walk with me. He'll just walk away.

I don't worry about it too much because I've been in that position before. When I was building the jewelry brand, I would wake up in the middle of the night having to answer emails. I have a lot of understanding that he's in a position where these moments can make it or break it for his business.

Our baseline is one of presence, so when something comes up, it's OK.

Most of our conversations go back to business

It's very hard not to talk about the development of the business because that's the stage we're in. We're both very passionate about it, and we work together on it, so it doesn't feel like a dragging conversation.

There are times we go out to have a drink and try not to talk about business, but then we start dreaming and saying things like "Imagine when we get to this level or through these things." It feels supportive to talk through these things.

We also try to play chess every once in a while and take salsa classes. That's a time when we're not talking or thinking about work at all.

We set aside moments to remind each other we're life partners, not business partners

We're often in a mode where we have to buckle down and figure issues out about the business, and those conversations aren't happening in a candlelit dinner setting. We're sitting down with an Excel sheet, sourcing out financials. It's not very romantic.

Recently, we've been trying to get out of our usual environment, whether for a day trip, a hike, or a trip back home to Norway to see family, to remind us that we have identities outside of being a doer and fixer. That's when we usually find each other again and remember, "Oh wait, I'm also a girlfriend."

I'm also very persistent about spending two minutes before we go to bed without distractions to just be together and settle. It's very important to have routines like that.

You need a strong sense of self to date a founder

If you're entering a relationship with a founder, you need your own strong support system and lifestyle. Your whole life cannot be the relationship, because it's not theirs.

Founders can be so focused on chasing their dream that they can forget your needs or your dates. You need to have your own life so those moments don't feel too heavy, and find a balance between forgiveness and setting boundaries.

Founders are dreamers, and they often dream about what their life will look like when their business succeeds. Are you a part of that dream? Are they saying "when we get to that point.." or is it "when I get to that point.."? Little things like that are so important.

We dream a lot together, so I know his success is my success.

Do you have a story to share about what it's like to date a founder? If so, please reach out to the editor, Manseen Logan, at mlogan@businessinsider.com.

• I pulled my three kids out of school during the first week of the year for a family trip.
• They missed only two days of in-person classes and learned about history, nature, and family.
• I didn't make the decision lightly. I believe some things are worth a few days away from school.

I planned a road trip to attend my brother's baby shower in Corona, California, the same week my three kids — entering preschool, third grade, and eighth grade — started school.

Since I'm based in Phoenix and my brother lives about 6.5 hours away, driving there is a commitment. I wanted to make the trip count by tacking on some beach time and adventuring, too.

I debated the decision.

School started on a Tuesday. My kids attended the first day, then I pulled them out on Wednesday morning to drive to California, with plans to return late Monday evening. Since they attend a hybrid school and learn from home on Fridays and Mondays, they only had to miss two days of in-person learning.

Still, I debated it. Those first few days of school are important for establishing routines and setting the tone for the year. But ultimately, I decided to let them miss two days.

I'm far from the only parent willing to make that trade-off. A new survey of 1,000 parents found that 91% of parents would or have pulled their kids out of school to travel. More than a quarter (28%) said it's just as educational as traditional classroom time, while 44% said missing a few days is worth it for the meaningful family time. And I wholeheartedly agree.

The Channel Islands were our first stop.

While researching for this trip, I discovered Channel Islands National Park off the coast of Ventura, an island chain sometimes referred to as "Galapagos of the West" because of its unique wildlife, including the little red island foxes found nowhere else in the world.

The islands are also connected to one of my favorite books from when I was growing up, "Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O' Dell. Before we left, my daughter read O' Dell's book, and I told her the account of Juana Maria (also known as the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island), the Nicoleño Native American woman who inspired the story.

We took an hour-ish boat ride to the islands and stood at the bow nearly the entire time, watching for whales and sharks. We didn't see either, but two pods of dolphins swam up to the boat.

We saw dolphins from our boat and enjoyed a long hike.

Once on the island, my third grader was fascinated by the information about the Nicoleño people in the visitor center because she'd just finished the book.

My older son, meanwhile, was thoroughly entertained by the Island Scrub-Jay, a rare blue bird found only on the island of Santa Cruz. He loved giving me a play-by-play of what one was doing, marveling that the birds are native to the islands.

We also talked with other visitors from around the world and hiked two miles — a lesson in endurance and observing the natural world.

We visited other coastal cities, too.

After the islands, my husband flew in to join the trip, and we headed for Santa Barbara for a day. As we walked around, we talked about the city's Spanish architecture, the history of colonization, and the California mission system.

Connecting our visit back to the Lone Woman, who was eventually brought to Santa Barbara after living alone on San Nicolas Island for 18 years, but died only about seven weeks later, opened up another conversation about the devastating effects European diseases had on Indigenous populations.

In nearby Montecito, we visited Godmother's, a charming bookstore where we settled into the children's section to read about another local woman who cleaned up a beach daily and inspired others to do the same, a lesson on how small actions can protect the environment.

The baby shower itself was important, too. Showing up for our family, celebrating together, and staying to clean up afterward modeled to our kids that this is how we "do" relationships.

Afterward, we drove to Huntington Beach, known as Surf City USA, for two nights, where my eldest son took a surf lesson. Watching him catch waves and learn a new skill felt surreal.

I'll keep pulling my kids out of school for experiences like these.

Yes, my kids missed two days of traditional classroom learning. In exchange, they connected literature to real life, learned about history, encountered wildlife found nowhere else in the world, persevered through a long (by their standards) hike, and learned to surf.

I don't take missing school lightly. But for moments like these? It's worth it.

• This post originally appeared in the BI Today newsletter.
• You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.

More than tennis 🎾

The US Open has long morphed from a simple tennis tournament into a two-week experience in one of the best boroughs in New York.

With merch drops, celebrities in the stands, and viral food items on-site with eye-popping price tags, it's become the social event of September in New York. This year, which runs til September 13, is no exception, despite the drama at the suite level inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Influencers, some of whom are being paid six figures to recap the US Open, have turned the tournament into a high-stakes, high-payout event. On Monday, a few were spotted inside a suite, ring lights in hand, creating content. It disrupted the match between Naomi Osaka and Anastasia Zakharova so much that by Wednesday, a sign had been posted on the grounds telling onlookers, "Please refrain from the use of flash photography or other lighting."

Brendan McIntyre, a spokesperson for the US Open, told me that they're excited a lot of "new fans" are attending the tennis tournament, but want to remind attendees that they shouldn't "interfere with the action and competition on the court."

McIntyre added that despite what you've seen on social media, disruptions haven't happened a lot throughout the Open.

Either way, it hasn't deterred tennis lovers from making the trek to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in droves. BI was also on-site, detailing the best of what the tournament has to offer — aside from seeing our favorite players, of course.

We stopped by every single retail store to ask store clerks what the most popular items were, and I chose my favorite; we stopped by the Heineken suite to see the iconic black and silver outfit Serena Williams wore in 2022 on display; we tried the $38 sandwich attendees can't stop ordering; and watched while a billionaire heiress volleyed for a chance to win her first US Open.

And the fun continues next week. See ya in Queens!

• Vertical Aerospace's chief engineer says he'd tell his younger self to "discover and embrace the discovery."
• David King said it's important to embrace learning new things and not be afraid of the unknown.
• It's a handy perspective for the air-taxi firm, which performed the first public transition flight.

David King is the chief engineer at Vertical Aerospace, a British company developing an eVTOL — an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft — intended to work like a flying taxi.

If he could give his 25-year-old self one piece of advice, King said, it would be: "Don't be afraid of the unknown."

"Just discover, and embrace the discovery, and learn as you go, but get to discovery safely and effectively," he told Business Insider.

King, who has more than 35 years of experience in aerospace, spoke to Business Insider at July's Farnborough Airshow, where Vertical's VX4 prototype became the first eVTOL to publicly perform a transition flight. Its wing-mounted propellers tilted so it could fly like an airplane, before transitioning back to land like a helicopter.

King began his career after earning a graduate degree from MIT in 1989. He later became the chief engineer on programs at Bell and Leonardo before joining Vertical in 2023.

Looking back, he said he had come to appreciate "how much of a rewarding experience it is to learn something new every day."

That's a handy perspective for a company building a new type of aircraft. eVTOLs are designed to function like helicopters but make much less noise, so the hope is they could be used over cities more frequently.

The goal is to transform commutes and other short trips. For example, Vertical says its Valo air taxi could fly the 22 miles from Miami Airport to Fort Lauderdale in 11 minutes, compared to an hour by car.

Most manufacturers have said they expect a seat on board to cost about the same as a luxury rideshare option like an Uber Black.

However, there is still work to be done for air taxis to be certified by aviation regulators.

"When you test it at the next higher level of integration, you're going to have some level of discovery," King said. "Get there quickly, then you learn, adjust your models, and then go test it."

For King, the key is making those discoveries without taking unnecessary risks. He said young engineers should put "guardrails" around testing so that they can learn safely, but move quickly enough to avoid becoming stuck trying to make a model perfect before testing it.

He recalled getting discouraged by unexpected results when he was younger, but embracing this has been a huge help.

"Once people get energized by discovery as opposed to discouraged by discovery, you can see the iterations happen quickly," he said.

Vertical is targeting entry into commercial service in 2029.

• A SAP executive anticipates a recovery from the SaaSpocalypse, driven by advances in business AI.
• SAP is using AI to solidify its competitive edge against Palantir and other tech giants.
• SAP is shifting more to consumption-based pricing to align AI costs with business outcomes.

A SAP executive says the "pendulum will swing back" from the SaaSpocalypse.

Like many software companies, the German software giant has seen its stock hit hard over the past year amid competition from AI tools. This stock sell-off of software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies, known as the SaaSpocalypse, has hit companies like Salesforce, SAP, and Workday as Anthropic and OpenAI have introduced tools that could threaten their businesses.

SAP's stock has been down about 20% over the past year, though it's been on an upward trend over the past month.

When SAP reported its earnings in late July, investors responded positively to the company's cloud-led growth and advances in its business AI. Jan Gilg, SAP's global president of customer success and Americas, told Business Insider that the sell-off was "a bit of an overreaction on the entire industry."

"As usual, I feel the pendulum will swing back," Gilg said. "There will be users. There will be losers and winners. I truly believe SAP will be on the side of the winners."

To get on the winning side, Gilg says SAP has been reinventing itself with AI, investing in its data capabilities, and changing its pricing models.

"Everybody has AI on the agenda right now," Gilg said.

SAP bounces back from the SaaSpocalypse

SAP's stock has jumped roughly 40% since it reported earnings in late July.

There's a reason for that, Gilg says. SAP isn't easily replaceable through a vibe-coded tool, though Gilg does expect companies to leverage AI to build software much faster. Internally, SAP has also used AI to improve its output and build its own software, and it sees AI as an opportunity to improve its tools for customers.

"It's really multifaceted. On the one side, there was the idea that customers will vibe code their software themselves rather than buying packaged software. We don't see that frankly," Gilg said. "We don't see that, especially for mission-critical purposes. It's not just about features and functions. It's about auditability, governance, and the maintenance of the software."

While Gilg says he hasn't seen customers replacing SAP software, he has seen competition over tech budgets—especially with token spending, or how companies pay for AI. SAP has a "good position" for this because customers rely on SAP data to run their business processes and can demonstrate its value, Gilg said.

"Customers are seeing token costs go through the roof already," Gilg said. "How do you measure and control that, and how do you show an outcome for that? Budgets won't necessarily increase. It will still have to come from somewhere. Therefore, the scrutiny will become much, much bigger."

SAP is competing more with Palantir

Lately, Gilg has been focusing on explaining to customers how they can benefit from AI and what SAP can offer. Customers have spent a lot of money on AI, though many haven't seen the business outcomes, profit, or productivity gains they're looking for.

"Customers have not yet seen the benefit of AI," Gilg said. "That is certainly something they are digging deeper into now."

To address that, SAP built its first foundational model, Tabular AI, which can help make predictions based on business data. In the future, Gilg expects people to interact with SAP products through natural language and voice.

SAP has also been investing in its ontology capabilities to allow customers to audit their systems and work with AI agents to help make decisions. Ontology is a favorite Palantir buzzword, and these capabilities put SAP in more direct competition with the AI data company.

While SAP competes with Palantir, they also partner to move data between systems. SAP says its advantage over rivals is its data from over 10,000 customers, which allows it to build more useful capabilities.

"We do see new players out there from Anthropic, OpenAI, Palantir, and so on," Gilg said. "That's going to be the battlefield of the future."

Internally, SAP uses AI across departments such as finance, human resources, and more. For example, employees can use an internal chatbot to ask questions or AI tools to write code. Sales employees can use AI to help with customer briefings or to study markets.

"We are definitely pivoting the company all in on AI," Gilg said. "We're doing this in a position of strength. Frankly, it's an evolution for us as well."

SAP is overhauling how it charges for AI

Gilg says AI will help SAP grow as it changes its business model. For example, it's moving from some subscription models to consumption-based models, meaning customers pay for what they use. The market has been shifting toward this pricing model, especially as high AI usage can drive up costs.

"What outcome are they driving?" Gilg said. "That's how we charge the consumption of those agents, which is very transparent to customers. Also, it's much easier to justify why they would actually pay for it. That's the current model many are following."

SAP still has a large subscription business, and many large customers use a hybrid model between subscription and consumption-based pricing.

More SaaS acquisitions could be coming

This year, SAP acquired Prior Labs, Reltio, and Dremio to boost its AI and data capabilities. Across the industry, Gilg expects to see a wave of acquisitions, especially with more AI-native startups and talent coming out of these companies.

"There's going to be a camp of losers and winners," Gilg said. "We have seen valuations go down quite significantly. That's an opportunity and interest for companies like that to look at wide spaces."

Gilg says SAP will also consider this if it makes sense for its business, though it would avoid companies that can be easily replaced by AI. If it's costly and time-consuming to switch from that software, customers are less likely to replace it with an AI-built application, Gilg said.

"I do see that there will certainly be a level of consolidation from my perspective, especially with vendors focused on single products," Gilg said. "Maybe niche areas, like legal contract management. Those are spaces that probably will be disrupted quite significantly."

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at rmchan@businessinsider.com, or Signal at rosal.13. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Walmart's move into restaurant delivery is another expansion from selling general merchandise.
• Since Sam Walton, the retail giant has placed big bets on new lines of business inspired by others.
• Here's a look back at some of the strategies that worked well for Walmart — and a few that didn't.

Walmart got its start in 1962 selling general merchandise as a discount store in Rogers, Arkansas.

Founder Sam Walton was constantly on the lookout for new retail concepts to try, and he wasn't shy about borrowing ideas from other successful entrepreneurs.

"He just tried things, and he would learn, and if it didn't work, it wasn't a failure," CEO John Furner said during a conversation with reporters at Walmart's headquarters in June. "We just learned from it."

Last week, Walmart moved to grow its delivery service in a partnership with Dunkin', putting the company on a collision course with delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats. The retailer will eventually offer delivery from most of the 10,000 Dunkin' locations across the US, moving onto turf long dominated by DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Walmart described itself as "a rapidly emerging contender in the restaurant delivery business."

That delivery experiment is a continuation of a pattern that Furner says is part of Walmart's DNA.

"We constantly want to learn. We see where the world's going. Some things apply, some things don't," he said. "We'll learn from it and figure out the best way that we can accelerate the business."

Here are eight bets Walmart has placed over the years in its bid to grow beyond traditional discount retailing.

Home improvement

One of Walmart's first attempts at branching out came in 1975 with the launch of the Sav-Co Home Improvement Center chain. The brand didn't take off, and Walmart shifted its focus to adding new features to its stores.

While local hardware stores were common in this era, large-store formats were relatively uncommon. Home Depot didn't open its first stores until 1979.

Pharmacy

One of Walmart's early in-store experiments was in the pharmacy business, which began in 1978 and has since grown into one of the company's key business lines.

Walmart dispensed an estimated $36.8 billion in prescriptions last year, making it the fifth largest pharmacy in the US, according to the Drug Channels Institute, which tracks the pharmaceutical industry.

More recently, Walmart has stepped up prescription delivery speeds, with some orders filled in 30 minutes or less.

Auto service

Walmart opened its first auto care center in Oklahoma in 1979 and the service has expanded to nearly 2,600 locations across the US.

Walmart's auto centers have also served as a testing ground for the company's expanding third-party marketplace, with customers able to order products like tires online that are shipped to a local store for scheduled installation.

Warehouse club

The 80's were a busy decade for Walmart and Sam Walton in terms of experimentation.

"'82, '83 I think he opened four different formats in that two year period," Furner said in June. "Sam's Club came out of it and was really successful, and the others we decided not to go forward with."

Walton's approach to the wholesale club was modeled on Saul Price's concepts FedMart and Price Club, the latter of which also inspired and eventually merged with Costco.

Sam's Club now has more than 600 US locations with $90 billion in sales last year.

Grocery

The Walmart supercenter is a quintessentially American phenomenon, but Walton famously modeled the concept off the European hypermarket format, which combined general merchandise retail with groceries under a single roof.

"It took probably five or six years until there was a store in Washington, Missouri, that worked," Furner said of Walton's attempts to adapt the hypermarket concept to the US.

It still took Walmart opening about a dozen more supercenters for the idea to really gain traction, he added.

There are now more than 3,500 supercenters and more than 650 neighborhood market grocery stores in the US. Walmart is the largest grocery chain in the country, pulling in roughly one in five dollars spent in the category, according to consumer analytics firm Numerator.

Specialty retail

About a decade ago, Walmart embarked on a flurry of merger activity, snapping up specialty retailers Bonobos, Moosejaw, and Modcloth in a bid to expand the company's reach with specialty brands and e-commerce customers.

All three chains remained independent of Walmart's core operations and were subsequently sold off to other owners as the company refocused on its own offerings.

Advertising

In 2019, Walmart brought its advertising business in-house with what would become Walmart Connect, which sells ad space for the company's physical and digital properties.

Combined with a growing third-party e-commerce marketplace and the acquisition of TV-maker Vizio, Walmart's ads business has delivered significant revenue growth in recent years.

Restaurant delivery

Walmart's latest bet puts the company on a course to compete more directly with food delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats.

After letting grocery-delivery customers add meals from in-store Subway shops, Walmart said in September it would bring thousands of off-site Dunkin' locations to the service.

Walmart has already established itself as a powerhouse in fast delivery for merchandise, groceries, and medicine — now it's set to fulfill more of what other chains sell too.

• Horizon3 CEO Snehal Antani spent two decades building the skills he believed he'd need to be a founder.
• Antani said that experience helped the startup survive a funding crunch and the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.
• There was one skill, though, he hadn't learned and got a crash course in: fundraising.

Earlier this month, the AI hacking startup Horizon3 achieved a rare milestone: a $250 million funding round pushed its market valuation above $2 billion, making it a so-called double unicorn.

CEO Snehal Antani said he spent nearly two decades acquiring the skills he needed to build the business, which simulates cyberattacks on companies' systems to identify vulnerabilities before real hackers can exploit them. The knowledge he gained turned out to be crucial, first when the tech funding market tightened and, later, when the bank where Horizon3 held all its money collapsed.

"I wanted to make sure I built the right experiences," Antani, now 46, told Business Insider.

After graduating from college, he said he learned about launching products at IBM, organizational management at GE Capital, scaling a hypergrowth company at software maker Splunk, and leadership at the US Joint Special Operations Command, or JSOC. It was also at JSOC where Antani met Air Force veteran Anthony Pillitiere, his Horizon3 cofounder.

A different path

Antani's path runs counter to the familiar Silicon Valley image of the college-dropout founder, embodied by figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, who started Facebook and Microsoft, respectively, as teenagers. Yet research suggests successful founders are often older than startup-culture stereotypes imply. An MIT Sloan study published in 2020 analyzed 2.7 million US entrepreneurs and found that the average age of founders behind the fastest-growing 0.1% of new ventures was 45.

For Antani, the value of a later start was quickly put to the test. Three years after he founded Horizon3 in 2019, the tech funding environment abruptly changed, and the company suddenly had to make the cash it had raised last much longer than planned.

Antani said he recalled a lesson from the CEO of one of his former employers about how to weather an economic downturn: Rather than cut your way through it, sell your way through it. He said Horizon3 did both. The company found about $3 million in costs to cut or redirect, including changes to benefits, hiring plans, and other operating expenses. Then it reinvested that money in sales and marketing, which Antani said helped grow revenue nearly fivefold year over year.

Flirting with disaster

In 2023, Horizon3 came closer to disaster. As Silicon Valley Bank was collapsing, Antani said he got a text from an investor asking how much of the startup's money was held there. His answer: "100%."

By the time federal regulators took it over, Horizon3 had opened an account at another bank. But its funds in Silicon Valley Bank were frozen, and missing payroll could have triggered about $750,000 a day in California penalties — enough, Antani said, to put the company out of business within a week.

To prevent that from happening, Antani said he drew $1 million from a personal line of credit. He and his executive team then agreed to tell employees what was happening and what they were doing about it.

After regulators restored access to Horizon3's Silicon Valley Bank funds, the company repaid Antani. He said the episode put to use the leadership lessons he learned at JSOC, particularly the importance of dealing with crises.

"It's all about being steady, calm, controlled," he said. "You can't be panicked."

One learning curve

For all the experience Antani brought to Horizon3, there was one part of the founder's job he had never done before: fundraising. To overcome that gap, he said he treated his early investor meetings as a crash course, repeatedly refining his pitch deck, financial model, and market case in response to the questions he was asked.

"The first time, you kind of suck," said Antani. "You have to invest in being a good storyteller."

After dozens of investor meetings, Antani said he mastered his pitch and received two term sheets, one of which he chose for Horizon3's $3.5 million seed round — the venture-capital firm SignalFire. (The company's latest raise was co-led by NightDragon and NEA.)

Today, Horizon3 is far larger than the small team Antani started with, made up of former intelligence, special operations, and enterprise software veterans — mostly people he knew through his past work. The company, one of the earliest companies to bring the concept of an AI hacker to market, has about 7,000 customers globally and 550 employees. Antani said the experience he gained across different companies, roles, and environments made that possible.

"You don't want to learn how to deal with HR issues for the first time as a founder," he said. "You want to have learned that stuff ahead of time."

• Erin Piacenti, who was killed in Times Square on Monday, was known as a mentor at Bank of America.
• Colleagues remembered her not only for her sharp legal mind, but love of books, Disney, and family.
• Piacenti's boss remembers describing her as a 'superstar' to senior management before her death.

When Erin Piacenti walked into Bank of America on Monday after five months on maternity leave, she found pink daisies sitting on her desk. Welcome signs were strung around the office she shared with a few teammates. Piacenti showed them photos of Madison, her newborn daughter, before settling in to read case law.

That afternoon, Piacenti was fatally stabbed in Times Square in what police described as an unprovoked attack. She was 32.

Though Piacenti only started as a vice president in the firm's Americas Business Selection and Conflicts group around 18 months ago, she'd already made an impact on the small team. Hallie Ziesmer, the head of the roughly 20-person group, described Piacenti as a "superstar" in conversations with senior management before her death, and remembers interviewing Piacenti at the end of 2024.

"It was probably one of the shortest interviews, because I think within three minutes I wanted to hire her," Ziesmer, who was Piacenti's direct boss, said on Friday. "She was obviously very intelligent, very capable. She was polished but down-to-earth."

Piacenti was attacked by Pamela Cisneros, 49, who also injured another victim before officers shot her and killed her at the scene.

There's been a wave of support on and beyond Wall Street since the event, and a GoFundMe to help her daughter has raised more than $800,000. Many Bank of America employees have contributed, a spokesperson for the bank said.

Before joining Bank of America, Piacenti worked at the law firm Davis Polk for more than three years, focusing on mergers and acquisitions for part of that time. She started her career as a buyer at Bloomingdale's and graduated magna cum laude from Fordham Law. Piacenti had a niche focus at the bank, helping investment bankers prepare disclosure documents for companies gearing up for an M&A transaction and clients navigate a thicket of regulations. A colleague remembers her as resourceful, always finding creative solutions on her own.

Piacenti would mentor more junior teammates who didn't have the same legal expertise, Ziesmer said. Many of them have spent time in Ziesmer's office this week, remembering how detailed and caring Piacenti was with her help. One junior employee who sat across from Piacenti said in an email that she reviewed much of their work, and had offered personal advice on top of professional tips during their occasional coffees.

"She could have, on some days, left the office to be home, but she would spend time with juniors. She wanted them to understand and share a passion for what she was doing. She really enjoyed it," Ziesmer said.

Piacenti would often talk about visiting her four younger siblings, or books, or Disney. When the team attended a cooking class last year, the same colleague who admired Piacenti's resourcefulness said she made the best dish (and helped save them, an inadequate chef). When another colleague ran into her on the Q train one morning, she was thrilled to introduce them to her husband, Frank, whom she talked about all the time.

Around the holidays, Piacenti brought dozens of cookies into the office after she and Frank hosted the family's Christmas cookie party at their new home in New Jersey.

Ziesmer says the team now plans to bring in cookies every year.

• Toyota wasn't a big player in the early-2020s all-electric game. It only launched one EV: the bZ4X.
• Suddenly, there's an influx of Toyota EVs for 2026, when competitors are leaving the market.
• I drove a new entrant to see if it works — and I think I'm in love.

Let's go back to 2023. GM is rolling out a dozen EVs, Ford has borrowed the iconic F-150 and Mustang nameplates for all-electric vehicles, Polestar looks like a potential up-and-comer…

And Toyota — long heralded as one of the more environmentally conscious automakers after the runaway success of the Prius hybrid — isn't really competing. Its single EV, the bZ4X, is a little weird-looking, charges slowly, and won't reach 300 miles on a full battery.

Toyota's slow approach surprised industry watchers. Environmentalists blew up my phone at the time, complaining that the world's largest automaker was leaning heavily on hybrids that still got most of their power by burning dinosaur juice.

Fast-forward three years. The industry's rosier EV predictions have succumbed to billion-dollar write-downs, a big graveyard of discontinued models, and Polestar's removal from the US market.

Simultaneously, and almost inexplicably, Toyota's consumer EV lineup in 2026, fresh off a partnership with Subaru, has more nameplates than Tesla.

That reversal is what made me particularly curious about the new C-HR.

Handsome. Efficient. Kinda… super sporty?

I drove about 200 miles through New York City traffic and New Jersey's highways in a 2026 Toyota C-HR XSE. And man, oh man, did I like my time in the driver's seat.

Let's start with pricing. Starting at $37,080, the C-HR isn't Toyota's most affordable EV — that distinction goes to the bigger, $34,980 bZ.

The C-HR is, however, the cheapest way to get into an all-wheel-drive Toyota EV. AWD comes standard on the base $37,080 C-HR, while it's a $5,000 upgrade on the bZ. My tester, with two-tone exterior paint, oomph-ier speakers, and some other goodies, topped out at $43,429.

The car was wildly efficient. The EPA says the XSE can squeeze 273 miles from a full battery.

I would have easily outperformed that during my week. I grabbed the EV with its battery at 89%, and after driving about 170 miles without charging, it never dropped below 40%. That suggests I would have gotten around 400 miles on a charge.

On several drives, the car reported efficiency in the high-5s and low-6s in miles per kilowatt-hour. Those numbers, if true and consistent, are phenomenal. It reminded me of my time in Lucid's cars, a high-end EV maker practically obsessed with engineering every possible mile from a battery.

Efficient is not a synonym for boring, and the C-HR makes that super clear. Toyota says the car can jump from a standing start to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, which would make it the third-quickest car in Toyota's lineup, matching the time of the sport-oriented GR Corolla.

Once it merged onto the highway, though, it acted more Toyota-like: composed, comfortable, and whisper-quiet.

A Tesla Model Y owner joined me for about two hours, riding mostly in the back seat.

They entered the C-HR deeply skeptical that an EV from a legacy automaker could hold a candle to their Tesla — and also walked away impressed with the airy interior and back-seat comfort.

Lastly, aesthetics. I think the C-HR looks like it's about to pounce, even when parked. Its smoothed-out edges make it easier on the eyes than Toyota's larger bZ, without falling into the look-at-me-I'm-a-weird-EV styling trap that has befallen plenty of battery-powered cars.

My demerits list was small, though potentially substantial for some buyers. There's no glovebox, cramping front-seat storage. My Model Y-owning passenger is about 5-foot-8 and had plenty of headroom in the back, but anyone who regularly lugs tall adults around may have to do some cramming. The trunk is smaller than the bZ's, there's no frunk, and the infotainment occasionally lagged while the car booted up.

Still, by the end of the week, I did something I've rarely done after reviewing around 75 cars in my career: I imagined my own life with the C-HR.

I was genuinely sad to see the car go. That's not common.

Was it worth the wait?

Showing up late did have advantages.

The biggest is charging: The C-HR comes standard with a NACS charging port, the widely accepted charging standard developed by Tesla. That lets Toyota skip some of the awkward charging port transitions other automakers have had to navigate.

It also helps Toyota avoid some of the costly EV bets that led rivals to their billion-dollar write-downs. The C-HR, like all of Toyota's other EVs, was jointly developed with Subaru, allowing the companies to share development costs in a period of auto industry decluttering.

Most of what makes the C-HR so good feels very Toyota: strong efficiency, a comfortable ride, solid initial quality, and an easy-to-live-with interior. Those are not new competencies for the company.

The wait paid off with a great EV.

Did Toyota need to wait this long to build it? Maybe not. I'm still glad we got here.

• I bought a used car one year ago and compared the costs with using Uber and Lyft.
• The car was much more expensive, even though I made choices to save money.
• It shows why Uber says that its service competes with car ownership.

No one had ever been this excited about a used Toyota Yaris.

That was my thought as my wife and I picked up the keys to the car we found on Facebook Marketplace one morning in August 2025. For the first time in seven years of living in the Washington, DC area, we were car owners.

It was also a rebuke of sorts for one of the companies I write about most often. For years, Uber executives have said that the company's gig-worker drivers — and, increasingly, the self-driving cars on its app — compete with car ownership.

Uber President Andrew MacDonald told a podcast last month that the rising cost of a new car makes owning one a worse deal than several years ago. And CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said last year that the rise of robotaxis will reduce car ownership over the next two decades, making driving a car yourself look "something like horseback riding."

So, did I make a horrible mistake spending just over $6,000 on a used sub-compact car that's effectively the next draft horse?

Last month, one year after buying my Yaris, I decided to add up all my expenses and compare them with the previous year, when I was car-free and relied on Uber, Lyft, and public transportation.

Your milage my vary. Your own calculation will depend on where you live, the cost of your car, how fast it depreciates, and the current price of gas (or charging, if you drive an EV).

My results showed that Uber might have a point.

The costs of a Toyota Yaris add up

My wife and I decided we wanted a car last summer when we realized that parking at our apartment complex was free.

Owning a car never made sense to us in Washington. DC is one of about a dozen US cities with a rapid transit system, and a parking spot can cost up to $300 a month. Plus, wait times for rides on Uber and Lyft are rarely more than a few minutes.

Parking is just one of the costs of owning a car these days. The average sticker price of a new car is above $50,000, according to Kelly Blue Book, a Cox Automotive brand that tracks car prices. Used cars, while more affordable, have become more expensive, too. There's also maintenance, insurance, and, for many of us, the elevated price of gas.

When my wife and I found our used Toyota Yaris L — that's "L" meaning the lowest-trim model — we thought that we were being as thrifty as possible. We could buy the car without a loan. And my research suggested that, even when it needed repairs, they wouldn't be that expensive on a small, simple vehicle. If any car had a chance of rivaling the cost of Uber, this was it.

But it didn't.

After buying the car for $6,000, one year of car ownership cost us another $5,000.

That's more than three times as much as the $1,600 we spent on ride-hailing trips and rental cars in the year before we bought the car.

Some of the expenses were optional, like $250 to have my transmission fluid drained and replaced as a preventative maintenance measure. But most of those costs were the basics: Oil changes, gas, registration fees, insurance, and tolls.

I also didn't quit using Uber or Lyft. I took rides to plenty of weekend bar hangs with friends, either because parking was a hassle or because I wanted to drink.

Suddenly, free parking started to lose its shine. Our little sub-compact was more expensive than I had expected.

Maybe, though, there's more to it.

'Ready to be driven at a moment's notice'

I'm merely the latest person to compare whether owning a car makes sense in the era of ride-hailing apps. Even Sam Altman made the comparison in a blog post back in 2014.

His conclusion: Using Uber was cheaper than driving his Tesla Roadster — at least, back when the millennial life subsidy made fares on the app cheaper than they are today.

Doing a strict cost comparison isn't how most of us think about car ownership, though, according to David Keith, associate professor of strategy at the Melbourne Business School in Australia.

Keith is one of the authors of a 2021 study that asked drivers from major US cities how much they would need to be paid annually to give up their car.

The exact number — $11,197 on average — wasn't as interesting as why people said that they valued owning a car. More than half of that amount, Keith and colleagues found, was "non-use value," which includes having the option to take a car whenever you want, and a perceived status boost from owning a car.

In other words, drivers are okay if their car sits unused most of the time. "I can walk outside, and there's this box of metal sitting there on the street, ready to be driven at a moment's notice," he said.

I knew exactly what he meant.

For weeks after buying my car, I had to change how I thought about transportation. Questions like "How much are Uber rides?" and "Is my destination accessible by Metro?" were replaced by a single statement: "Just drive there now, stupid!"

There were also places I would never have visited without a car: For example, Fredericksburg, Virginia, for a day of antiquing, or rural Maryland to search the site of a Civil War camp with my metal detector. Being able to hop in a car whenever you want feels great. Those are trips that would have been difficult or impossible with Uber, and they're the main reason that my wife and I plan to keep our car, extra costs and all.

Recreating that freedom with modes of transportation that you don't own is an important aspect of reducing car ownership in the US, Keith told me.

Some places have tried it. A company called MaaS Global — that's "Mobility as a service" — operated an app called Whim, which offered taxi rides, bike shares, and public transit as a bundle for a monthly subscription. Whim operated in several European cities, including Helsinki and Vienna, before MaaS Global filed for bankruptcy in 2024 and ceased operations.

Meanwhile, in the US, car ownership has stayed steady over the last couple of decades, even as alternatives from Uber and Lyft to local bike-sharing programs grow.

"All of these things are fantastic, but none of them have really led to there being fewer cars in cities," Keith said.

Do you have a story idea about Uber? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Some Gen Z investors view sports betting as part of their investing portfolio, according to a survey.
• Trading and betting apps can encourage similar behaviors, contributing to some blurred lines.
• Daniel Crosby, who studies investor behavior, explains how to recognize when investing veers into betting.

For young investors, the line between investing and gambling has never been easier to blur.

You can place a bet or make a trade on the same device, and almost instantaneously know exactly where you stand.

A recent survey from financial services firm Betterment inspired a flurry of headlines about how 26% of Gen Z investors view sports betting as a legitimate part of their long-term financial strategy.

Even more alarming, 52% of Gen Z investors told Betterment that they'd redirected money intended for long-term investments toward sports betting.

The survey included just 250 Gen Z respondents, so its findings only go so far. But that doesn't mean it isn't pointing to a real phenomenon, said Daniel Crosby, a psychologist who helps financial advisors understand how psychology affects financial decision-making.

"There's clearly a larger issue here," he said, even if he wasn't sure if 26% of people under 29 even have a "long-term financial strategy."

Since it was legalized in 2018, US sports betting has grown from $6.6 billion to nearly $167 billion in 2025, according to the American Gaming Association. The same time period has also seen the rise of retail investors taking increasingly risky trades as access to esoteric financial instruments becomes as easy as opening your smartphone.

The confusion for the Gen Z investor who's been raised with both is that "they run on the same machinery," said Crosby, who is the chief behavioral officer at wealth tech company Orion Advisor Solutions.

"What unites sports betting apps, options, crypto, and meme stocks isn't their legal wrapper but the reward structure underneath: rapid feedback, variable outcomes, and a scoreboard you can check any moment," Crosby said. "The product changes from a same-game parlay to a call option on a meme stock; the behavioral reward is remarkably similar."

This is no accident, and the migration between gambling and trading was "accelerated by the apps themselves," said Crosby. Robinhood's design choices, including confetti animations and scratch-off stock rewards, have earned criticism from the House Financial Services Committee and a $7.5 million fine from the Massachusetts securities regulator.

And while it's important to "address the design, not just the discipline," he said, Crosby gave some tips to help investors identify if they're crossing the line from investing to gambling.

Harm reduction

First, it's important to define the terms. An investor asks what an asset is worth, a trader asks when to buy and sell an asset, and a speculator asks which direction an asset is going to go next, Crosby said.

"A bettor asks only what happens next; that's a question stripped of any reference to underlying value," he said.

If you're worried, don't focus on dollar amounts, which can be "poor predictors," said Crosby.

The most "reliable" sign that someone is moving from investing to gambling, or toward problem gambling, is that they are escalating the size, frequency, or intensity of their trades, Crosby said.

"Loss chasing," or following a loss "with an urge to make the position bigger rather than smaller," is one of "the better predictors of eventual serious harm," he said.

The shift is gradual and rarely surfaces through someone admitting they have a problem, but instead through "rationalizations," said Crosby, such as these:

• "It's only 5% of my portfolio" (the position may be immaterial; the behavioral pattern isn't)
• "I know what I'm doing"
• "It's entertainment"
• "I can afford to lose it"
• "I'm investing in what I understand" — borrowing Fidelity Investments legend Peter Lynch's strategy of "invest in what you know" to justify what is, on closer inspection, a hunch.

Crosby also gave two "self-checks" that someone can use to evaluate their own behavior: "Am I making the position bigger after a loss? Can I defend this on what it's worth, not what it might do next week?"

The single most impactful change one can make is to change how often they gamble.

"Checking frequency measurably warps risk perception — someone seeing green or red daily experiences the same volatility very differently than someone checking quarterly, and is likelier to treat short-term noise as long-term meaning," Crosby said.

It's also important to normalize that gambling has a pull, instead of shaming it. After all, in "different arenas" sports stars like Pete Rose, Michael Jordan, and Phil Mickelson all felt the 'same pull," he said

"The thrill is the anticipation, not the win or loss; the moment before the outcome is revealed is often more exciting than the outcome itself," he said.

Even I, the author of this article, a very occasional sportsbook user, casual sports fan, and extremely boring index investor, felt the escalation firsthand when I was reporting a story this summer about how to gamble responsibly during the World Cup. Curiosity led to one, then two, then more bets, and by the end of the Cup, I was placing multiple bets on each match, even dipping my toes into same-game parlays and other higher-stakes plays.

Luckily, I stuck to my budget, and of the $100 I deposited during the Cup, $56.21 remains. (Don't ask me how high it got, please). I haven't touched it since the Cup ended, but MLB Playoffs are coming up soon, and I might be feeling that pull again.

Do you invest and gamble? Do you have a story to tell, or an informed opinion on the overlap between investing, trading, and gambling? Reach out to Alex via encrypted messaging app Signal at @alexnicoll.01 using a non-work phone, email at anicoll@businessinsider.com or alexonicoll@protonmail.com, or Twitter DM at @nicollsanddimes.

• A majority of Gen Z and millennials use target-date funds for retirement savings, data shows.
• But some retirement experts argue they are too conservative.
• Alternatives to target-date funds include lifestyle funds and hiring financial advisors.

Target-date funds are astoundingly popular, especially among younger investors.

According to Fidelity data, 81% of Gen Z investors have all of their 401(k) balance in target-date funds as of Q2 this year. For millennials, it's 70%. Total assets under management in the funds grew to a massive $4.8 trillion in 2025, according to Morningstar.

It's easy to see why the investment vehicles are so commonly used. Besides the fact that they're the default option for many workers who enroll in their employers' savings plans, they're a convenient set-it-and-forget-it approach to retirement investing. The fund auto-allocates your investments to stocks and bonds as you approach retirement to ensure you're taking on an appropriate level of risk.

But speaking with Business Insider last month, Bill Bengen, the creator of the famed 4% rule for retirement savings, criticized the funds, and said investors would be better off using other approaches.

His argument essentially boiled down to the assumptions on risk that target-date funds make. They're far too conservative for his liking.

"I don't believe in the target-date concept," Bengen said. "I think it creates poor allocations for retirees."

Let's dive more into the nuts and bolts of target-date funds and their potential pros and cons, and why Bengen thinks there's a better approach for investors.

What target-date funds actually do — and Bengen's preferred approach

When deciding to go into a target-date fund, you choose a year that is likely to generally line up with your retirement age.

For example, someone starting work today at 22 who might expect to work until age 67 would retire around 2071. So, they might choose a 2070 target-date fund like the Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund (VSVNX) or the Fidelity Freedom Index 2070 Fund (FRBVX).

The funds will then allocate roughly 90% of your money to US and non-US stocks, with the remainder in bonds.

As you get closer to your target retirement date, the fund will reduce its stock exposure and increase its bond allocation to preserve capital and dial back risk. Bonds are generally less risky than stocks, though they tend to offer smaller average returns.

At the retirement date, the fund ends up with a 50% allocation to stocks and has 50% in bonds. The fund then gets even more conservative: several years after the target date, it eventually ends up putting 70% of your money into bonds and just 30% into stocks.

For Bengen, it's simply far too small an allocation to stocks, especially as people live longer and retirement years stretch on into decades.

Bengen's preferred allocation for retirees is 65% stocks and 35% bonds. Given recent stock outperformance, retirees can safely withdrawal 4.7% of their portfolios per year, he said, and that money should last you around 30-35 years, if not longer. Pre-retirees should have a 100% allocation to stocks, he said.

"Retirees need returns almost as much as pre-retirees do," Bengen said. "You shouldn't be afraid of committing 65% stocks, which for some people sounds very high, but it's what you need to do if you're really going to get the maximum out of your retirement savings."

Another criticism Bengen has of target-date funds is that they sell indiscriminately at a pre-determined date, ignoring the context of market conditions.

For example, if you were approaching retirement and stock valuations were at historically high levels, you would want to reduce your exposure sooner rather than later, he said. But if a crash just happened and valuations are cheap, you probably wouldn't want to sell at the bottom.

It's an observation shared by Pam Krueger, the founder of Wealthramp, which pairs investors with fee-only financial advisors.

Krueger said that while target-date funds will get the job done for most people in the end, especially if they don't want to manage money, it's not a tool that can be exact in meeting one's needs.

"It's clunky," she told Business Insider. "It's not going to be precise."

Potential alternatives

Despite the criticisms, target-date funds aren't necessarily bad options. They get an investor to retirement age with a sizeable allocation to stocks most of the way. If a retiree then wants to be more aggressive with their approach, they can change their strategy.

For investors who do want to take an alternative route, there are a few other options.

One of them, of course, is hiring someone to manage your money for you. While that costs money every year, it may help you generate better returns that can offset that cost.

There are also what are called "lifestyle funds" from the big asset managers. They essentially keep you at a fixed allocation to stocks and bonds, and rebalance automatically.

For example, the Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund (VSMGX) keeps you at an allocation of 60% stocks and 40% bonds. For those that want to take on more risk in stocks, there are more aggressive funds like the BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund (BAAPX).