Abercrombie has grown well beyond its old mall-store reputation. These days, it's a reliable place to shop polished everyday clothes, from versatile jeans and tailored pants to dresses, sweaters, outerwear, activewear, and easy work-to-weekend staples. Before you order, check the latest Abercrombie promo codes, coupons, and sale offers for a possible discount.

Denim remains one of the retailer's biggest strengths, with a wide range of cuts, inseams, and sizes designed to suit different preferences. Abercrombie appears in our guide to the best jeans for tall women, and our Abercrombie jeans review takes a closer look at how several popular fits stack up on comfort, sizing, and quality.

The retailer tends to run rotating promotions throughout the year, so paying full price is rarely your only option. We've gathered the best Abercrombie coupons and deals available now below to help make your next wardrobe update a little less expensive.

Today's best Abercrombie promo codes

Previous Abercrombie discount codes

Are there any other Abercrombie sales running at the moment?

You can find a full list of sales and markdowns any time on Abercrombie's "Sale" page. As of the time of writing, Abercrombie is running the following promotions.

• Follow our Instagram page and WhatsApp channel for more deals and buying guides

How to use Abercrombie discount codes

Start by adding qualifying items to your cart. Once you're on the "Shopping Bag" page, you can apply a promo code by clicking the "Promotions" dropdown, pasting the code into the "Promo Code" text box, and clicking "Apply." From there, continue to checkout to enter your shipping and billing information.

Can you stack Abercrombie promo codes?

Abercrombie does not allow discount codes to be stacked together. Only one code may be applied per purchase.

Abercrombie discount code frequently asked questions

Does Abercrombie offer discounts for students, teachers, and the military?

At this time, Abercrombie does not offer special discounts for students, teachers, or the military, so your best bet is to take advantage of their other coupons and deals.

If you're a student or educator, check out our roundups of the best student discounts and best teacher discounts to save more from your favorite brands.

Can Abercrombie promo codes be used in-store?

Abercrombie discount codes can be used both online and in-store. To use one in person, simply show the cashier the promotion offer on Abercrombie's website.

Does Abercrombie offer free shipping?

Abercrombie offers free shipping on all orders over $99. However, gift card-only orders ship for free with standard shipping. For other orders that don't hit the $99 threshold, standard shipping costs $7. If you need faster delivery, you can pay higher shipping fees. Learn more about shipping rates and times on Abercrombie's website.

What is Abercrombie's return policy?

Shoppers can return items in-store or by mail within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. VIP members of the myAbercrombie rewards program can return items for a full refund within 60 days of delivery. Learn more about how to make returns and exchanges on Abercrombie's website.

Can I reuse an Abercrombie promo code?

Most Abercrombie promo codes are designed for a single use only. That said, there may be exceptions, so be sure to check the terms and conditions for the specific promo code you want to use.

Still shopping? Check out our guide to the best work dresses. Also, read our roundup of the best Spanx coupon and promo codes for more style deals.

• Ray Dalio sees bitter political fighting ahead between Democrats and Republicans.
• The hedge fund billionaire says the fights could spill over into bond markets.
• He's worried about liquidity and credit risks rattling Treasurys.

Ray Dalio isn't optimistic that the 2026 midterm elections will bring the change the US economy needs.

The billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates has been warning about a looming US debt crisis with wide-ranging implications unless policymakers take action. Now, he sees fresh fiscal issues hanging over the bond market that could send short-term yields higher as Democrats get ready to take power and spar with Republicans over spending.

"It is likely that the fights over these funding issues will be brutal and that the fighting and uncertainty will probably raise Treasury bill and similar short-term yields because investors will want to avoid payment uncertainty," Dalio wrote on X.

Dalio signaled that he's concerned about Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren taking over as head of the Senate Banking Committee, predicting it will lead to more fights that could spill over into markets.

He noted that the brief period before the new House and Senate members are sworn in will do much to determine if investors can expect bipartisan gridlock or the sort of fiscal compromise that, as he sees it, would help address government spending in an effective way. Dalio expects this to come to a head in one month.

"That issue will resurface on December 11 when President Trump's temporary funding expires, then again in March 2027 when the Federal debt is projected to hit its limit, and again in the fall of 2027 when the Treasury is projected to run out of funds options," Dalio said.

Dalio also said that he also sees liquidity and credit risks ahead, and investor confidence in Treasurys as a safe haven asset could decline, weighing further on the fiscal outlook.

He pointed to other economies that have been plagued by bond market volatility lately, including France and the UK, noting that he sees one possible solution for the US and its European peers.

"That is to have smart and strong moderates of the left and the right work together against the extremists to deal well with the difficult issues, which will require them to agree and get the government and the people of the country to do the difficult things that will make them strong again," he said.

Dalio made it clear that he doesn't see this as a likely scenario, though he also said he views some newly elected Democrats as similar to their moderate Republican colleagues, which seems to give him some hope for a compromise on fiscal policy.

"If they can keep this single most important thing top of mind, agree that they need it, understand what produces it, and then work on delivering it, everything will be a lot better," he noted.

Verizon has plenty of unlimited-plan options, but shoppers can generally choose between its customizable myPlan lineup and the newer flat-rate Simplicity Plan. With myPlan, you can mix Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, and Unlimited Ultimate across a family account, then add optional perks only where they make sense.

Simplicity takes the opposite approach: every line gets the same unlimited plan, including 5G Ultra Wideband access, 10GB of high-speed hotspot data, Mexico and Canada use, satellite texting, and other included features. It costs $45 per line a month with Auto Pay and paper-free billing, or $30 per line for eligible customers who qualify for the temporary switch discount — regardless of how many lines you add.

Verizon remains one of our picks in the guide to the best unlimited data plans, thanks to its broad coverage and flexibility. Whether you want a straightforward unlimited plan or prefer to tailor each line's speed, hotspot allowance, and travel benefits, there's room to build a plan around your needs.

Verizon plans compared

*Bulk line prices are based on the lowest possible price per line. This is achieved by signing up for four lines on your plan.

All of Verizon's plans include unlimited 5G data, but the speed and performance vary by tier.

Verizon's Simplicity Plan costs a flat $45 per line per month with an Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount, or $55 without. Newcomers can also currently lock in $10 off every month when they switch from another carrier, bringing it down as low as $30 a month. It includes unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband data, 10GB of mobile hotspot data, talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada, satellite texting, Verizon Family, and discounts on eligible connected-device plans. One important caveat: after 500GB of smartphone data in a billing cycle, speeds are reduced to 4 Mbps, while hotspot speeds fall to 1 Mbps after the included 10GB is used.

Unlimited Welcome is Verizon's most basic myPlan option, with unlimited talk, text, and smartphone data on its 5G and 4G LTE networks, plus usage in Mexico and Canada, international texting, and satellite messaging. It doesn't include premium hotspot data or full 5G Ultra Wideband access by default, though Verizon offers those features as optional add-ons. Video streams at up to 480p over standard 5G or LTE, and up to 720p over 5G Ultra Wideband on a compatible device.

Unlimited Plus adds 5G Ultra Wideband and 30GB of premium mobile hotspot data each month, along with premium video streaming and discounts on eligible watch, tablet, and other connected-device plans. After the 30GB hotspot allowance is used up, speeds drop to up to 3 Mbps on 5G Ultra Wideband or to 600 Kbps on standard 5G and 4G LTE. The plan also includes unlimited talk, text, and data usage in Mexico and Canada, international texting, and satellite messaging.

Verizon's top myPlan tier is Unlimited Ultimate with 5G Ultra Wideband, 200GB of premium mobile hotspot data, 4K video streaming on compatible devices over 5G Ultra Wideband, and international service in more than 210 countries and destinations. Travelers get 15GB of high-speed international data a month, followed by unlimited data at speeds up to 1.5 Mbps, while hotspot speeds drop to 6 Mbps after the first 200GB. The current version of the plan also includes Verizon Family Plus, Identity Secure, Global Choice, and up to 50% off two eligible watch or tablet plans.

Verizon myPlan vs. Simplicity

If you're initially confused by the difference between Verizon's myPlan and Simplicity offerings, you're not alone. I dug into the details to identify the specific features that set them apart, so you can choose the best one for you.

The biggest difference between Verizon Simplicity and Unlimited Welcome is what you get for the base price. Simplicity costs a flat $45 per line with Auto Pay, regardless of how many lines are on the account, and includes full 5G Ultra Wideband access plus 10GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data. Qualifying customers switching to Verizon can currently get Simplicity for $30 per line with an eligible discount. Everyone on the account must move to Simplicity at the same time.

Unlimited Welcome is more bare-bones, but its per-line price drops as you add people. With Auto Pay, Verizon currently charges $65 for one line, $55 per line for two lines, about $40 per line for three lines, and $30 per line for four lines. It includes unlimited talk, text, and smartphone data, including usage in Mexico and Canada, but it doesn't include high-speed hotspot data by default, and data may be temporarily slowed during congestion. Unlike Simplicity, myPlan also gives households more flexibility to mix Unlimited Welcome with higher-tier Verizon plans on different lines.

For individual customers or smaller households, Simplicity generally offers more for the money, particularly if you use your phone as a hotspot or want Verizon's faster 5G access included. That said, you may find Verizon's MVNO, Visible, a more flexible, affordable, and pared-down solution for your needs. Learn more in my Visible review.

Unlimited Welcome can make more sense for larger families focused on keeping the base bill low, especially once you reach three or four lines and don't need much hotspot data. It's also the more flexible choice if different family members need different levels of service.

See more: Best unlimited data plans | Simplicity plan deals | Verizon free phone deals | Visible deals | Visible review

Follow our WhatsApp channel and Instagram for more deals and buying guides.

• Web Summit 2026 canceled Day 2 in Lisbon after Portugal's government warned of Storm Charles risks.
• Officials cited risks of tidal flooding and high winds.
• The event brings together over 70,000 attendees annually.

The second day of Web Summit, one of the world's largest technology conferences that brings together over 70,000 attendees from more than 150 countries, has been canceled.

The event, which is being held in Lisbon, from November 9 to 12, was canceled due to risks posed by Storm Charles, including high winds and tidal flooding, said an emailed event update.

Read the email about the cancellation below:

Web Summit 2026

Important event update

The Government of Portugal has formally advised Web Summit that, due to the risks posed by Storm Charles, including tidal flooding, severe disruption to public transport and the impact of high winds on external structures, Day 2 of Web Summit should not take place. This follows discussions with the Portuguese Government, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), and the Public Security Police (PSP).

Web Summit will of course respect the Government's direction, and accordingly, Day 2 (Wednesday, November 11th) will not take place.

The safety and security of our attendees, staff and contractors is always our absolute priority.

Web Summit aims to proceed with Day 3 (Thursday, November 12) as planned, following the passing of Storm Charles. We will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and emergency services, monitor conditions and provide further updates as soon as confirmed information becomes available.

Web Summit will communicate directly with those impacted.

— the Web Summit team

• What makes Anthropic unique is the number of founders with huge stakes and how evenly those stakes are divided.
• One cofounder, little known outside the company, owns more shares than CEO Dario Amodei.
• Each founder's stake is worth roughly $17.8 billion to $18.1 billion at the expected IPO price.

Editor's note: This post was updated November 10th after Anthropic said it expects to price its IPO at between $70 and $78 a share.

It pays to be a founder of Anthropic, and there are seven of them, all of whom soon stand to become multibillionaires.

Anthropic's amended S-1, filed Tuesday, says it expects to price its IPO between $70 and $78 a share. At the $74 midpoint, each founder's stake is worth roughly $17.8 billion to $18.1 billion before accounting for the shares they plan to sell in the offering. One cofounder, little known outside the company, owns more stock than CEO Dario Amodei.

Large founder allocations are not unusual in Silicon Valley. Snap's Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy, for example, retained enough super-voting stock to control about 89% of the voting power after the company's 2017 IPO. What makes Anthropic unique is the number of founders with huge stakes and how evenly those stakes are divided.

Anthropic cofounder and Chief Compute Officer Tom Brown owns about 244 million shares of the AI startup, according to its S-1. That narrowly tops the stakes of Anthropic's six other cofounders, who each own roughly 232 million to 243 million shares.

At the $74 midpoint of Anthropic's expected IPO range, Brown's stake would be worth about $18.1 billion. The filing shows that Brown plans to sell 3.38 million shares in the offering, worth roughly $250 million at that price, leaving him with stock worth about $17.8 billion.

Brown co-founded Anthropic with the Amodei siblings and four others in January 2021. He now serves as chief compute officer, where he leads the technical organization responsible for "securing, scaling, and effectively using" Anthropic's computing resources, according to the filing.

Brown also played an important role in the technology that led to today's generative-AI boom.

Before Anthropic, he worked at OpenAI, where the S-1 says he led the engineering of GPT-3. Brown and Dario Amodei also co-invented what Anthropic calls "deep RLHF," which the company said was central to transforming base large language models into conversational assistants such as Claude.

After Brown, Sam McCandlish has the next-largest disclosed stake, with about 243.4 million shares, worth roughly $18 billion at the midpoint. Christopher Olah holds about 242.9 million shares, followed by chief science officer Jared Kaplan with 242.4 million shares and Jack Clark with 242.3 million shares. At the midpoint, their stakes are each worth about $17.9 billion before their planned IPO sales.

Anthropic president Daniela Amodei owns 241.4 million shares, worth about $17.9 billion at the midpoint. CEO Dario Amodei owns 240.6 million shares, worth about $17.8 billion, and also controls voting proxies over another 4.6 million shares.

The founders' influence will extend far beyond their economic stakes. Immediately before the IPO, Anthropic plans to issue a special Class F share to an LLC controlled by the seven cofounders. That single share will carry 50.1% of Anthropic's total voting power on matters submitted to stockholders generally, including the election of directors other than those selected by Anthropic's Long-Term Benefit Trust.

In another unusual twist, Anthropic says each of its cofounders has pledged to dedicate 80% of their personal equity in the company to philanthropic causes.

Other winners in the IPO include Google and Amazon

Some of Silicon Valley's biggest companies and venture firms also stand to make huge windfalls from Anthropic's public-market debut.

Amazon and Google will each own more than 5% of Anthropic after the IPO conversions, making them two of the company’s largest strategic shareholders. At the midpoint of Anthropic's expected IPO range, Amazon's 1.92 billion shares would be worth about $142 billion, while Google's stake would be worth about $132 billion.

Among traditional venture firms, the filing provides unusually detailed numbers for Spark Capital because Spark partner Yasmin Razavi sits on Anthropic's board and was the first firm to invest when Anthropic was valued at $4.5 billion in 2023. Spark-affiliated funds have invested across at least six Anthropic financings since 2023.

Menlo Ventures led a round in 2024 when Anthropic was valued at about $18 billion. They have now invested over $1.3 billion in the company, also earning them a stake between 1.5% and 2%, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Lightspeed Venture Partners is the largest venture shareholder, owning almost 2% of Anthropic, according to a person familiar with the matter. They led a round at a $61.5 billion valuation in late 2024 and continued to double down.

Iconiq also amassed a large stake by investing $6 billion in the company, according to a person familiar with the matter, giving the firm an ownership stake between 1.5% and 2%.

Bessemer Venture Partners first invested in the Series D in 2024 and continued to write checks in every round since. It has spent around $800 million on Anthropic, making it the firm's largest investment to date. Bessemer has an almost 1% stake in Anthropic, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Other major winners include Coatue, which has invested $4.75 billion, and Sound Ventures, which invested more than $400 million, according to people familiar with the matter.

Other major shareholders include Altimeter, Dragoneer, Greenoaks, Sequoia Capital, Salesforce Ventures, Mubadala and Founders Fund.

Please send along your tips. Email Ben or Katie anytime or contact them on Signal at benbergman.11 and kroof.26. Sign up for Business Insider's weekly VC Insider newsletter here.

• I built Mad Gab's from a homemade lip balm recipe into a brand sold at major retailers.
• When I had children, I stopped pursuing rapid growth and created a flexible work schedule.
• Years later, my sons are grown, and the business is preparing to double in size.

I never planned to have a company. I was a 19-year-old anthropology major who successfully failed math and largely rejected the idea of capitalism when I found a recipe for lip balm.

I made some in my mom's kitchen using beeswax from her neighbor and shared them with friends, who told me I should sell them. I considered it an adventure, not an enterprise.

Yet I couldn't stop. I poured Mad Gab's Lip Lube by hand, scavenged wood for displays from a coffin factory, and peddled to natural food stores from the trunk of my car using Yellow Pages and maps.

Demand followed, confirming my path. I appeared on QVC in the home-shopping heyday of 1997 and sold out. L.L.Bean, Nordstrom, and Anthropologie became customers. A scrappy marketing mailing of 80 envelopes yielded coverage in Vogue, Elle, and Seventeen.

What began as a trickle of interest became a flood that consumed my life.

I had babies and stopped growing my company

As my business grew, life happened. When I got pregnant shortly after my wedding, I assumed I'd fold a baby into the mix. A few hours after giving birth to Silas, I was on the phone with my tin supplier, handling a packaging emergency. I put a pack-and-play and changing table in my office, slapped my hands together, and figured I had everything covered.

But as I nursed from my office chair, surrounded by chaotic success, I heard the voice of a wise older woman I once met on a panel. "The idea of balance for working mothers is ludicrous. You pick the priority of the moment, the day, the month. Do that well. Work the rest around it."

She was badass, and I trusted her advice the way I'd always trusted my gut. There was only one shot to be the mother I had dreamed about. I had to admit I couldn't do it all. I had to pick my priority. Easy.

I let things drop. I didn't raise capital. I only did some trade shows. I kept overhead low. I brought my second son, Jasper, to a show at the Javits Center when he was 4 months old, where I fielded mixed comments, some supportive, some blatant judgement. My small staff of students, artists, and moms worked for wages I could afford in exchange for uber-flexible schedules, a novelty in the early aughts. Everyone's children were welcome. I left every day to meet the bus and was unavailable until the next morning.

I designed my own schedule

As a dual-income household, I was able to prioritize my kids over profits. Mad Gab's potential was obvious, and our growth slowed and then plateaued. I signed up for exhaustion instead of guilt. I had the luxury to design my schedule; I wouldn't waste energy feeling guilty about things I couldn't. I felt grateful to have a place to be myself, to be creative, to work in community.

When I divorced at 41, I had to figure out if Mad Gab's could provide for us or else stop and get a job. It was another option that I, a reluctant businesswoman and fierce mother, didn't take. With support from family, friends, and mentors, I decided to grow the business seriously. By the time the boys were in high school and college, Mad Gab's was profitable and thriving.

This year, I said goodbye to a recently graduated Jasper as he headed off to Europe, and Silas will graduate from nursing school. Mad Gab's will double in size this year, and I sleep well at night knowing my boys have become good men. I'm proud of what I managed to keep alive while the kids were growing amidst chaotic, serendipitous, creative, and painful circumstances.

But most of all, I'm proud of the relationship I have with the boys, and how their upbringing has shaped them. Someone recently made a comment about growing up with a mom who had her own company, guessing, "She must have been at work the whole time!"

Jasper responded with a puzzled look. "No way, Mom was always there."

• Venmo launched receipt scanning, which itemizes bills and calculates tax and tip, splitting them evenly.
• It's especially useful for Gen Zers, who rarely carry cash and disagree on how much they owe each other.
• I tested out the new function to see if it helped me get paid back faster.

A wise housewife once proclaimed the power of "Receipts, proof, timelines, screenshots." You'll know this if you've ever been the person who put down their card to end an awkward standoff at the end of an expensive meal, and then fretted about whether you'd be paid back.

But the days of stressing over covering group expenses are about to get a little easier: Venmo just added receipt scanning to its app.

The feature, which is rolling out to Venmo users this week, lets you snap or upload a picture of your receipt and itemizes it for you. Venmo then calculates how much proportionate tax and tip everyone owes (which I, as a math-averse person, have always found to be the most tedious part) before sending out the requests.

The function helps make Venmo a one-stop shop for bill splitting and repayment — and especially handy for Gen Z, the group that's least likely to carry cash and who struggles with murky repayment etiquette.

Gen Zers don't even agree on how much each person owes when they share meals: Venmo's own survey of 5,000 18- to 22-year-olds in the US found that 20% prefer to have everyone pay exactly what they ordered, 15% would rather divide evenly, and 12% take turns or have different people cover different costs.

By allowing users to split by item on the receipt, Venmo is making it easier to share costs — but I wanted to find out exactly how much easier. So I tested the new function with two of my colleagues (Disclaimer: Neither of them is Gen Z) on Monday to see how it stacks up against two other popular receipt-scanning apps, Tab and Splitwise.

Here's how it went.

(Robot) Literacy isn't dead

In the Pay/Request tab of my app, I selected the "Scan Receipt" function and uploaded a picture of the bill from Monday's lunch at Blue Park Kitchen, a fast-casual joint we frequent in downtown New York City.

Dan, Grace, and I each got bowls with veggies, grains, and varying degrees of protein.

Venmo's function accurately transcribed the totals from the picture.

Tab, the receipt-scanning app I've used for years, sometimes misreads the date or check number as the amount paid, resulting in an inaccurate balance. That reading error didn't happen in Venmo's new function.

I reached out to Tab for comment, but didn't hear back.

Extra protein, please

After uploading the receipt and confirming the totals, I selected Dan and Grace as the people I wanted to request money from. Then, I assigned who ordered what.

Grace and I each ordered a seasonal specialty bowl, while Dan opted to DIY his, adding extra protein. Because of that, Dan's subtotal was a little higher than mine and Grace's.

Venmo then calculated the proportionate tax and tip we each owed. Once I reviewed and confirmed these totals, I hit "send" to request repayment.

Getting a second opinion

To check Venmo's math, I went ahead and loaded the same receipt into Splitwise, a popular bill-splitting calculator. That app turned out the exact same totals as Venmo's did — but without the ease of settling up within the same app.

That's the biggest value-add that Venmo's function brings: It lets you outsource the math, send requests, and, hopefully, get repaid faster, without ever leaving the app.

Adding a receipt-scanning function probably won't solve Gen Z's confusion about etiquette, but it might reduce some of the friction around it. I'd rather have a neutral, third-party app like Venmo tell me what I owe in tax and tip than a friend who might be overcharging me.

And though the function could cut down arguments over what everyone owes, it doesn't guarantee that your friends will respond to — or even see — your requests any faster.

Although Grace repaid me as soon as I sent the request, I didn't get my money back from Dan (who was presumably #lockedin writing Business Insider's newsletter) until I verbally asked him if he'd seen it.

• Microsoft stock was rattled by Anthropic's reveal of tools that could rival Office on Tuesday.
• Anthropic unveiled Claude Sheets, Claude Whiteboards, and Claude Data.
• Commercial and consumer revenue from Microsoft 365 rose 16% in the last year.

Microsoft stock dropped on Tuesday, pressured by Anthropic's reveal of a suite of tools that could rival the legacy tech giant's Office products.

Anthropic rolled out a suite of new AI tools that rival similar services in Microsoft Office, including Claude Sheets, Claude Whiteboards, and Claude Data.

"Starting today, Claude can build spreadsheets, whiteboards, and dashboards with your team. These work with its existing abilities to create documents, slide decks, and designs," the company said in a release on its website.

Microsoft 365 makes up a significant portion of the tech giant's total revenue, with consumer and commercial products and cloud services revenue in that segment of the business rising 16% in the last fiscal year, according to Microsoft's 2026 investor letter.

Tuesday's stock decline adds to the pressure on the stock stemming from broader volatility hitting the AI sector recently. Tech stocks led last week's stock rout following the midterms, as investors feared Democrats could slow data center development.

The tech space was rattled again this week as investors digest hot inflation data and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affiar and the future trajectory of the AI chipmaker.

Anthropic is forging ahead with its IPO, bucking the recent volatility in the AI trade and beginning a roadshow this week as it aims to price its deal on November 18. The Claude parent unveiled a suite of new tools earlier this year that sparked panic for software-as-a-service companies, sparking a major sell-off and a rerating of software stocks thought to be exposed to disruption from AI.

• Toyota announced on Tuesday that its tiny Kei truck is coming stateside.
• The small trucks are popular in Japan. After a 2025 trip to Asia, Trump called them "AMAZING!!!"
• It's another fresh bet that Americans want a cheaper truck alternative in a pricey market.

The kei truck is coming to the US.

Kei vehicles (short for "keijidosha," roughly translated to "light car") are extremely popular and cheap in Japan. The average price for a kei car is typically between $6,000 and $11,000.

On Tuesday, Toyota announced plans to assemble a tiny pickup, the Kei-01, at its Indiana plant in the second half of 2027. It will revive Toyota's low-cost Scion brand, which the automaker discontinued in 2016, and will initially be reserved for commercial fleets.

The Kei-01 is very different from the rest of America's car market. It's nearly 4 feet shorter than a Corolla, gets a motorcycle-sized three-cylinder engine, tops out at 25 mph, and has a steering wheel on the right side.

More importantly, Toyota is joining a fresh set of bets that Americans want cheaper, smaller alternatives to today's big and expensive pickup trucks.

In October, the average transaction price for a new vehicle rose to $51,109, per Kelley Blue Book analysis. That's a record high.

Pickup trucks were the most expensive category, with an average price of $67,912.

America's menu for low-cost car options has been quickly vanishing from car dealership lots. Several sub-$25,000 options — the Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Versa, Kia Soul among them — have been discontinued since the end of 2024. Just five new-vehicle models now have an average transaction price below $25,000, according to Cox Automotive.

For years, Americans who wanted a kei truck have largely had to buy old ones. Federal rules allow vehicle imports — even if they don't meet US safety standards — if the car is at least 25 years old. That has created a small but devoted market of car enthusiasts who are looking for their own keis.

And now, Toyota is the first company to announce plans to build its little truck in the US. The automaker said its truck will have updated safety features, including modern seatbelts, and said it's eligible to drive in all 50 states.

The Kei-01 will be based on the Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo, which sells in Japan for around $9,000. While the company called its US-bound Kei-01 "affordable" in the press release, it hasn't released pricing figures for the American market.

The plan will likely pull on President Donald Trump's heartstrings.

After a 2025 trip to Japan, he has said several times that he wanted companies to start building them in the US.

"I have just approved TINY CARS to be built in America," he wrote on Truth Social in December 2025. "These cars of the very near future are inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING!!! START BUILDING THEM NOW!"

While Toyota is the only car company with concrete US kei truck plans, it's not alone in betting that there is an opening below the increasingly gargantuan full-size pickup. Ford plans to build its sub-$30,000 Fathom EV, while Slate Auto and Telo are developing roughly Mini Cooper-sized electric pickups for the US market.

• IBM said it is curtailing its sponsorships for foreign workers in its largest unit.
• IBM will discontinue visa and green card sponsorship "for the majority" of roles in IBM consulting.
• According to its website, IBM employs over 150,000 workers in its consulting unit.

IBM said it's ending immigration sponsorships for "a majority of roles" in its biggest unit.

"IBM Consulting participates in U.S. high-skilled visa programs to address skill shortages," an IBM spokesperson said in a statement. "That participation has been declining for a number of years and as skill availability and client need have evolved, we have opted to discontinue visa and green card sponsorship for the majority of such roles in IBM Consulting."

The news, which was first reported by Bloomberg, comes as the Trump administration has sought to crack down on tech companies' reliance on foreign workers. In September 2025, President Donald Trump introduced a $100,000 fee on some H-1 B applicants, though that proposal is tied up in the courts.

Last month, Vice President JD Vance announced that the Trump administration was suspending Microsoft from a federal program that companies use to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency. Vance said that the tech company had abused the Permanent Labor Certification process, often called PERM.

IBM Consulting is by far the largest unit of the tech giant. According to its website, there are over 150,000 consultants. In its 2025 annual report, IBM reported having 264,300 employees across IBM and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

According to federal records, IBM had just over 1,600 H-1B petitions approved in fiscal year 2026, compared to over 2,000 in FY 2025 and nearly 3,000 in FY 2024. The records are for IBM as a whole, meaning they alone wouldn't determine how many IBM Consulting employees are being sponsored. The figures may also not represent new workers, as they can refer to amended or extended applications for existing employees.

Bloomberg reported that employees affected by the change can continue working for IBM outside the US or leave the company by the end of the year.

• Anthropic's initial public offering could create a windfall in legal fees for elite law firms.
• The company expects to spend $41.5 million in related legal fees, according to a securities filing.
• That figure tops what SpaceX expected to generate in legal fees tied to its historic IPO.

Anthropic is betting its tech can help corporate lawyers rely less on outside counsel. Its own path to the public markets offers a reminder that law firms are not going anywhere.

The company expects to spend $41.5 million on legal fees for its stock market debut, according to paperwork it filed Tuesday for its initial public offering. It also disclosed costs tied to underwriting and a road show. Outside counsel was among its largest expenses.

That is a hefty sum even by IPO standards. A Nasdaq analysis of 1,239 market listings from 2016 through 2025 found that companies raising more than $1 billion budgeted an average of $4.9 million for legal fees. The figure may be rising as companies stay private longer and come to market as larger, more complicated businesses.

SpaceX's IPO offers one indication of the new scale. Its S-1 filing showed the aerospace giant budgeted $25.5 million in legal fees ahead of its Nasdaq debut, the largest offering on record.

For the law firms on either side of the deal, Anthropic's listing is an opportunity to share in the windfall. Wilson Sonsini is leading the offering, while Freshfields is representing the underwriters.

Orrick advised Anthropic on executive pay and equity matters. Cleary Gottlieb advised the company's Long-Term Benefit Trust on governance issues, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore advised Anthropic's cofounders on governance matters.

A spokesperson for Anthropic didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Anthropic is not just staffing up outside counsel. It's also reshuffling its own legal team ahead of a market debut.

The company promoted Elena Leichty to general counsel at the end of the summer, while Jeffrey Bleich transitioned to a new role as international special envoy. Brian Israel serves as chief legal officer.

• Zee Gustafson is a content creator and freelance hair and makeup stylist living in Chicago.
• She and her husband bring in $400k, but had racked up about $91k in credit card debt by 2026.
• Spending $14,000 monthly on fashion was normal, until a month in an RV changed everything.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Zee Gustafson, a 37-year-old fashion and finance content creator and freelance celebrity hair and makeup stylist. It has been edited for length and clarity.

As a celebrity hair and makeup stylist, I spent much of my early career surrounded by media personalities, lights, and glamour in the heart of New York City.

I loved it and am grateful for the profession I had worked hard to enter. Somewhere along the way, though, my lifestyle habits changed.

I left the busy city to move out west to Bend, Oregon, a small mountain town, to settle with my husband during the height of the pandemic.

We raised our child there, but we also raised something else: Our credit card debt.

Together, we make around $400,000 a year. I'm a freelance stylist, bringing in about $100,000, and I also earn roughly $50,000 creating social media content. My husband earns about $250,000 a year in passive income from his family's real-estate business.

In Bend, I was spending compulsively.

At our worst, I was shelling out an average of $14,000 a month on material items I didn't need, like clothes, luxury goods, and home items.

For a long time, I told myself I just loved fashion and nice things. Therapy helped me see that shopping had become a coping mechanism: I was unhappy, in debt, and buying things to create an image of the person I wanted others to think I was.

Once I admitted there was a problem, my husband and I moved to Chicago, where I'm originally from, and began changing how we spent, saved, and talked about money.

I escaped the mountains through shopping

My husband and I moved to Bend during the pandemic because we wanted a slower, outdoorsier life. We quickly realized it wasn't for us.

We missed our support system, being far from our work, and I was dealing with postpartum sadness. But instead of getting help, I went shopping.

I was buying anything and everything: Luxury bags, clothes, jewelry, home goods, and beauty products. When I was growing up, my family loved collecting, so having beautiful things around has always felt normal.

At its height, I had about 85 designer bags — including a $12,000 Hermès bag — clothes spread across multiple closets, coats in basement bins, and enough shampoo that I had 12 bottles at one point. My credit card debt was climbing near six figures.

I started therapy after having my daughter. Over time, I came to see that shopping was a way to cope with my unhappy feelings and a source of validation. I was buying items for a quick dopamine hit, only to realize I already had more than I could use in my closet.

By December 2024, I told my husband we needed to leave Bend. We moved back to Chicago in April 2025.

A cross-country RV trip made me confront my shopaholic habits

That summer, we took a monthlong RV trip that included Bend, Sun Valley, Idaho, and the drive to Chicago. I had to fit clothing for several different climates and activities into a tiny RV, plan our food around a small refrigerator, and account for every dollar we spent on gas, lodging, and activities.

I had never budgeted that way before. I had to get granular because I wanted the trip to work. It made me realize I could manage money if I stopped treating it as something scary or shameful.

During the trip, I read a personal-finance book by Mrs. Dow Jones that pushed me to think about how my family had handled money. It also helped me see debt as a number I could work through, not proof that I was a bad person.

By the time we got home, I had spent a month living with far less than I owned — and I loved it.

When I got home, I started decluttering my closet first, then my finances

I began decluttering in the closet I had built in my sunroom. I had spent money making it look beautiful and used it as a place to shoot content, but it had become overwhelming.

I worked in small sections instead of trying to clear everything at once. For each item, I asked myself why I had bought it. If it was because I wanted someone else to think it was cool but never wore it, it was gone.

I sent sellable pieces to consignment or The RealReal, used textile-recycling bags for worn-out items, and gave other belongings away through a local Buy Nothing group. I got rid of at least half of my clothing.

Selling items sometimes brought in $1,000 here or there, but the bigger benefit was seeing my closet shrink without being upset about it, and knowing that my items were now in the homes of more grateful owners.

Here's my debt-payoff plan

As of August 2026, we had about $91,000 in credit card debt — meaning we were still spending well outside our means, despite a $400k income.

I used a debt-payoff spreadsheet to stop keeping everything in my head and started attacking the cards with the highest interest rates first.

I'm putting as much extra money as I can toward the cards, but I'm also building an emergency fund so I don't have to rely on credit when something breaks.

My six-month emergency-fund goal is about $118,000, and I'm taking advantage of a high-yield savings account. I had about $10,000 saved when I started this plan and hope to have it fully funded in about 18 months.

I also contribute $100 a week to Acorns, a micro-investing app. I used to think luxury goods could double as investments. I would tell myself a bag, a diamond, or a piece of jewelry was worth buying because I could always resell it later.

Now, I separate enjoying something from investing in it. I can still want a beautiful bag, but it's not my retirement plan, and I'm building financial security for the money I may need in the next three to five years — not just the money I need now or decades from now.

• Travis Kalanick has shared tips for countering a "struggle session" amid the Jensen Huang scandal.
• As part of his advice, Kalanick said: "Own what you did but fiercely resist accommodating the mob."
• Huang, Nvidia's CEO, is facing scrutiny after he admitted to having an extramarital affair.

Uber cofounder and ex-CEO Travis Kalanick has shared a guide for combating what he called a "modern-day coup/psyop/struggle session" after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang became embroiled in scandal.

Kalanick did not name Huang or Nvidia in his X post Monday, but his message appeared as scrutiny intensified over Huang's admission that he had an extramarital affair.

At the center of the saga is Alice Huang, whom The New York Times reported last month was believed by US intelligence officials to be acting as a spy for the Chinese government.

In his X post, Kalanick detailed a 12-point list of "practical principles to counter" a reputational crisis.

"Own what you did but fiercely resist accommodating the mob, resist owning half-truths or actions/behaviors you didn't do," Kalanick wrote as the first principle on his list.

He followed that with, "The op is not about your past actions, it's about your enemies and this event as their opportunity."

Kalanick also suggested that any fallout may not be as dire as you think, writing, "No matter how bad it gets, nothing is as bad as it seems."

The Uber cofounder's advice included finding the "enemies at the very root of the op," cutting off anyone suspected of disloyalty, and building a team of "close and loyal patriots" with one who can run a "well-resourced war room."

"Your enemies aren't as smart or hard working as you," Kalanick wrote in point nine. "Outsmart and outwork them as a way of life until the op is over."

He also urged those facing such a situation to carry on with "business as usual," adding, "Continue on with optimism and joy in your everyday work and its mission."

Additionally, Kalanick advised downloading the encrypted messaging app Telegram for "all sensitive communications."

At the top of the post, Kalanick said he had "a little time on my hands this morning to do some writing" and encouraged followers to "send along to someone you know who may benefit."

Kalanick did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether he may have had Jensen Huang in mind.

Uber investors pressured Kalanick to resign as the ride-hailing company's CEO in 2017 after a series of scandals roiled the company.

Meanwhile, Jensen Huang's admission that he was "unfaithful" to his wife of over 40 years has prompted Nvidia to launch an independent investigation into whether he was the "target of a foreign intelligence effort."

Nvidia's board has said it has confidence in his leadership, though the scandal has raised questions about whether he will remain CEO of the $4.5 trillion AI chipmaker.

Alo's big sale is here early thanks to Singles Day, the November 11 shopping holiday that has become a major deal moment before Black Friday. For a limited time, Alo Access members can get 30% off sitewide, including newer leggings, sweats, matching sets, and outerwear, while select marked-down styles are 50% off.

The sale is technically for members, but joining Alo Access is free and takes just a minute — so there's no real reason to shop without the discount. It's a particularly good time to stock up on those expensive basics you've been eyeing, whether that's cozy sweatpants, Airlift leggings, or a gift for someone who lives in their workout clothes.

Get 30% off everything at Alo

Alo's most popular items, now 30% off

Alo 50% off deals on women's clothing

The luxe fitness brand has tons of women’s styles marked down even further than 30%, including leggings, exercise dresses, cozy layers, outerwear, and pieces that look more like real clothes than gym gear.

Alo 50% off deals on men's clothing

There are also more than 100 men’s Alo styles on sale, including long-sleeve tees, sleek trousers, track jackets, and elevated sweats.

FAQs on the Alo Singles Day sale

Do I need to be an Alo Access member to get the discount?

Yes, the Singles Day deals are exclusive to Alo Access members. Fortunately, the program is free to join — create an Alo account or log into your existing one, then enroll in Alo Access before shopping.

Can I return items from Alo's Black Friday sale?

Yes. Alo offers free returns, and purchases made through December 10 have an extended holiday return window through January 10, 2027.

Will Alo's Black Friday sale be better?

Alo's Black Friday sale was sitewide at 30% off last year, so its current markdowns — ranging from 30% to 50% off — are already competitive.

Do I need a promo code for Alo's Black Friday sale?

No. Once you're logged into your Alo Access account, the member discount should apply automatically to eligible items in your cart.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best early Black Friday deals.

• I tried following Aldi's under-$39 Thanksgiving dinner for 10 shopping list and plan.
• I was disappointed that mashed potatoes were missing and many essential items weren't on the list.
• However, the final meal turned out pretty good and felt like a great value, especially for 10.

My family always hosted Thanksgiving, which meant cooking our entire meal from scratch, from stuffing to gravy to pie crust. One year, we even made our own rolls.

But everyone is busier these days, and buying specialty ingredients adds up. So when I heard about Aldi's Thanksgiving grocery plan that, according to the retailer, includes everything you need for a complete, no-fuss, home-cooked feast for 10 for under $39, I knew I had to try it.

A few weeks before the holiday, I visited Aldi, bought the ingredients, and attempted to make its Turkey Day spread.

Here's how the shopping, cooking, and tasting experiences stacked up — and whether the budget-friendly menu felt worth it.

The 12-item list was available on the Aldi app and website.

To make things easy, I took a screenshot of the list before shopping. It was also available on Aldi's website and app.

The list featured mostly ingredients, a few ready-to-prepare items, and one ready-to-serve food, all inspired by the American Farm Bureau Federation's Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey.

A few essentials seemed to be missing from the list, which surprised me.

I'd never eaten a Thanksgiving meal without mashed potatoes, so I was surprised potatoes weren't on this year's list.

For reference, last year's list had 21 different products, including russet potatoes, green beans, gravy mix, marshmallows, and boxed mac and cheese for a $40 price tag.

Comparatively, the 2026 lineup, with 12 products, felt a little meager — even if it was $1 less.

I'd have to get creative to spruce up my sweet potatoes without marshmallows, find another way to make gravy, and skip both mashed potatoes and green beans.

I headed to Aldi on November 4, the day it began selling its turkeys.

By November 4, everything except the pumpkin-pie mix had hit Aldi shelves. (It was set to be released a week after I shopped, so I decided to grab a can of pumpkin purée instead.)

I imagined there'd be a dedicated Thanksgiving section inside the store. Instead, items remained in their usual aisles.

Even as a frequent Aldi shopper, I still took a while to find everything.

Luckily, I visit my local Aldi often enough to know the general layout.

However, since the items were pretty scattered, I ended up scanning almost every single aisle to find everything on my list.

A cute turkey icon was supposed to mark Aldi Thanksgiving items; however, only about half the price signs in my store actually seemed. to have it.

Early on, I realized I'd need an extra ingredient to make the stuffing.

Stuffing is basically buttery bread cubes, so I was surprised that butter wasn't on my Aldi shopping list.

Luckily, I checked the instructions on the back of the stuffing mix before I left the store. Lo and behold, I'd need half a stick of butter per box of stuffing — and I was buying three boxes.

So, I grabbed the cheapest butter I could find, a pack of four sticks for $2.89 per pound. I added it to my cart and started an "extra expenses" section in my notes.

The pumpkin pie also required extra ingredients.

According to the pumpkin-purée label, I'd need basic pantry staples, eggs, and evaporated milk to make pumpkin pie.

However, pumpkin purée was a stand-in for pumpkin-pie mix. To keep things fair, I checked the Aldi website to see what that mix would require (if it had been available). The label read "just add eggs and evaporated milk." Easy enough.

I grabbed eggs and evaporated milk and added them to my "extra expenses" section, too.

I enjoyed picking out my turkey.

Aldi's $39 figure assumed a 16-pound turkey, so I scoured the well-stocked freezer to find the closest match.

At $0.99 per pound, a 16-pound bird would have cost $15.84, but a 15.52-pound turkey called my name. It came to $15.36.

The 12 ingredients did cost me less than $39.

For all 12 items on Aldi's Thanksgiving grocery list, my order totaled $35.96.

Had I bought the soon-to-be-released pumpkin-pie mix for $1.99 instead of the pumpkin puree for $0.99, my order would have cost $36.96 — still under $39, though.

However, essential extra ingredients tipped the scale.

For the butter, eggs, and condensed milk required to prepare the ingredients on my list, I paid an extra $5.50.

So, I left Aldi with a $41.46 charge on my credit card.

I didn't count pantry staples — which, to me, meant oil, spices, sugar, and flour — toward my total, since most people have these on hand.

A few items had recipes on their packaging that I could follow.

As mentioned, the stuffing mix and pumpkin purée had recipes on their labels, as did the cranberries and heavy whipping cream.

I followed all except for the whipped-cream recipe. The carton suggested using powdered sugar and vanilla extract, but I used regular sugar instead since I had it in my pantry. I omitted vanilla because I didn't have any on hand.

For items without recipes, I leaned on my own knowledge and online tips.

I used one box of stuffing mix for the turkey and served the other two as a side.

Making homemade stuffing is a time-consuming venture, so I appreciated the stovetop shortcut. It took only 10 minutes from start to finish.

I cooked one box to stuff the turkey, then waited a few hours to make the other two boxes.

I desperately wanted to add onions and herbs to the stuffing. I even considered using the carrots and celery, but per Aldi's Q&A for this Thanksgiving offer, they were meant for a veggie tray.

Plus, I wanted to taste the stuffing as-is, prepared as instructed on the package. So, I left it alone.

The turkey had basic cooking instructions.

The turkey's packaging provided cooking times and tips. To my delight, the turkey was also already brined, so it wouldn't need much more salt.

I rubbed the skin with olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, dried rosemary, and dried thyme, added the stuffing inside, and popped it into the oven for about four hours.

The label on the bag of sweet potatoes felt like a tease.

The label listed 22 mouthwatering sweet and savory ways to top the sweet potatoes. Unfortunately, only cranberries were feasible based on my simple Thanksgiving shopping list.

I don't mind plain mashed sweet potatoes with a little cranberry sauce, but I know many people prefer honey, pecans, marshmallows, or all of the above as toppings.

I baked and then mashed the sweet potatoes with some of the gallon of milk from my list to keep them loose and moist.

I used less than a cup, though, so buying a smaller carton would've made more sense. I'm not sure what the rest of the milk was meant for.

I was able to make gravy using pantry staples and recipes I found online.

Aldi's list this year didn't include gravy mix, so I turned to the internet to see if I could pull one together using pantry staples and items I had on hand.

I was able to use the turkey drippings, some butter I'd bought for stuffing, and the flour in my pantry to make a quick gravy.

Overall, the turkey and pumpkin pie were highlights — especially the whipped cream.

Turkey is what you make of it, and with yummy seasonings and crispy skin, I'd say I did pretty well.

The beautifully spiced pumpkin pie was nostalgic; however, the real showstopper was the dollop of whipped cream on top.

Homemade whipped cream made all the difference and was silky smooth. The only thing that could have made it better? Vanilla extract.

I'd dress up the stuffing and the sweet potatoes next time.

The stuffing surprised me with its pleasantly herbaceous flavor, but in my opinion, you can't overdo herbs. I would have loved to add fresh sage and rosemary, plus chopped onion and celery.

I enjoyed the basic mashed sweet potatoes. However, if I were serving them to a group, I think they'd need a little something extra — even just butter. Any of the suggested toppings on the sweet-potato bag's label would have added a nice touch.

The same held for green peas. I didn't mind them plain, but a dab of butter turned them into more of a crowd-pleaser.

The cranberry sauce, which I made by simmering the berries in sugar and water, then letting it set, turned out decent. The Hawaiian sweet rolls, which were ready-to-eat, were also solid — though again, they'd pair well with some butter.

The veggie tray was a miss.

Honestly, a veggie tray felt like a left-field Thanksgiving pick. It seemed even more random without anything to dip the veggies in.

This might've made sense if a ranch mix or dressing was also on the Thanksgiving list. Ultimately, I served them plain.

Instead of spending $1.84 on carrots and celery, I would've preferred to buy an onion and herbs to spruce up the stuffing instead.

The final meal didn't feel like it was lacking much … except mashed potatoes.

Some might miss mac and cheese or green-bean casserole, which were both not included in this year's list. Personally, I just missed mashed potatoes.

Every Thanksgiving table needs creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. That's the only dish I'm still craving. If I had to swap them for one item, it would be the sweet potatoes — which pains me, because I do love them.

The value was here — but I wish the necessary ingredients were all on the list.

Ultimately, though, this felt like a great value for 10, even after I purchased additional ingredients. As Aldi promised, the cost per person came to about $4 for a whole Thanksgiving feast.

The meal had the perfect amount of turkey, pumpkin pie, cranberries, and rolls; plenty of stuffing; and just enough sweet potatoes and peas for a 10-person party.

Even the veggie tray, strange as it seemed, felt sufficient for a big group.

Overall, I wish Aldi's Thanksgiving under $39 list was a little more transparent about the extra items needed, or at least clearer about what customers should have on hand.

Spending a few extra bucks wasn't a huge deal, but had I not checked the recipes in-store, I would've needed to make another trip to Aldi.

When reached for comment, Aldi provided the following statement, attributed to chief commercial officer Scott Patton:

"We put a lot of thought into this year's ALDI Thanksgiving meal because we know how much goes into hosting the holiday. We took a different approach this year, building the assortment around the same Thanksgiving staples the American Farm Bureau Federation has tracked for 40 years. That's why the items look a little different from last year. We selected ALDI products that meet or exceed the quantities in AFBF's meal, so shoppers may have ingredients left to use beyond the meal.

We wanted to give shoppers a classic meal for 10 for under $39 and a meaningful way to compare prices. Over the last five years, ALDI shoppers have saved an average of 26% compared to AFBF's national average. Like the Farm Bureau's benchmark, common pantry staples are accounted for separately, since many of our shoppers already have them on hand. And because every family has its own Thanksgiving traditions, shoppers can add their favorite sides or ingredients while still getting the great quality and low prices they count on from ALDI."

Living in New York City means walking everywhere. On a typical day, I'll clock one to two miles just from walking my dog, running errands, and commuting to and from the train. For most people here, that kind of mileage automatically means sneakers. For me, it doesn't. I love the added height, elegance, and confidence that a great pair of heels brings — and yes, I firmly believe Carrie Bradshaw would never show up to brunch in sneakers.

That mindset led me to a very specific mission: finding heels that can actually keep up with a walking-heavy lifestyle. I tested dozens upon dozens of pairs across every category, logging miles, enduring blisters, and pushing past sore arches to see which ones truly delivered on comfort. After all that trial and error, I've narrowed it down to the heels that are genuinely wearable — even on city streets.

How I tested for the most comfortable heels

For the research part of my testing, I scoured the internet to find out which brands and styles of shoes people were raving about. I went deep on Reddit threads, asked my coworkers and friends for their recommendations, and talked to shoe experts. This gave me a starting list of over 40 individual pairs, with brands like Naturalizer, Inez, and Vivaia coming up over and over.

Then, I tested the heels for myself. Armed with my phone's step counter, I tried to walk a mile in each of the recommended heels. In some heels, I could scarcely walk down my street without getting pain or blisters. None of those made the list.

But after months of testing, I came up with a list of stellar heels that were comfortable for the entire mile walk and more. Over the past two-and-a-half years, I've tested over 90 heels and counting. I'm constantly trying out new brands and new styles that promise comfort.

These are the heels that have past the mile walk test with flying colors.

For more of our rigorously-tested shoe coverage, see our articles on the most comfortable dress shoes and best walking shoes for women.

The comfortable heels matrix

Because "comfortable" can mean different things depending on the occasion, I mapped each heel on two axes: classic to trendy, and everyday easy to event-ready. Every pair here passed my comfort test, but this matrix shows where each one shines.

A: M.Gemi Lizza Due | B: Ally Classic Pumps | C: Reef Sunset Ibiza | D: Naturalizer Joy Dress Sandal | E: Inez Mia | F: Nomasei Baghera Sandals | G: Birdies Kiwi Kitten Flower | H: Margaux Ada | I: Naturalizer Elaine Slingback | J: Inez Camilla | K: Elizee Fiorella Sandal | L: Margaux Platform | M: Bared Footwear Towhee | N: Vivianly Clear Heels | O: Dream Paris Low Heel P: Calla Margot | Q: Naturalizer Grace Sandal | R: Naturalizer Tressa Sandal | S: Oasis Society Celine T: Vince Camuto Paigey Mule U: Frankie4 Coco

A quick look at some of my favorite comfortable heels for fall 2026

Which brands make the most comfortable heels?

From least to most expensive, here's what we would recommend:

• Dream Paris makes budget-friendly heels that are famous on Amazon. They're staggeringly low-priced, with most costing between $25-$40. You get somewhat more than you pay for, because these are much more comfortable than other brands at the same price point — but the quality doesn't compare to any of the other brands on this list.
• Naturalizer makes high-quality, versatile heels that are wearable (think simple block heels, classic pumps, etc.). Most of their shoes cost around $150, but there are tons of sales on seasonal colors. We trust this brand for details like padded arches, stabilizing straps, and walkable silhouettes.
• Vivaia is known for heels that are all made with a stretchy knit fabric that cradles the foot. This makes them great for people with wide feet, since the fabric is more accommodating than materials like leather. Most heels cost about $150, but they also have frequent sales.
• Frankie4 is an Australian-based, podiatrist-founded footwear brand that we keep coming back to. Despite the emphasis on podiatry, the styles are all cute and wearable. Expect to spend about $200 a pair, but you'll be able to feel the attention to comfort details.
• Inez is a luxury pick with careful Spanish craftsmanship to back up its slightly higher prices (at least $250 a pair). The designs are sophisticated with a contemporary flair. I've been wearing shoes from the brand for years, and each pair has held up beautifully in both construction and style.

Best overall: Naturalizer Joy Dress Sandal

What we love: With a heavily padded footbed and a super versatile silhouette, these are the ultimate wedding guest heels. These beloved shoes come in over 40 colors (check multiple links if you're looking for a specific shade), so you can find one to match your outfit perfectly.

Not ideal for: People with narrow feet, since these only come in a regular and wide fit.

First of all, can I just say how impressed I am with Naturalizer? Over a decade ago, I remember following my grandmother into the store while she picked out loafers that you could tell were a podiatrist's dream. But now, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything like those orthopedic loafers on their site.

Instead, they've incorporated all the comfort that they're known for into shoes that are actually cute. So while the inside of the shoe might still be a podiatrist's dream, the outside will be trendy and chic — exemplified by the bestselling Joy Dress Sandal.

You can see how thick the padding is by just looking at it. The insole is contoured to your foot, providing arch support and taking pressure off the balls of your feet. The heel itself is a whopping three-and-a-half inches, but they absolutely do not feel that high when you have them on.

I've recommended these to tons of friends as the perfect wedding guest (or even wedding day!) shoes, and have gotten countless post-event texts about how amazingly painless these are. I've personally danced the night away in these heels at least half a dozen times.

Check out our article on the best bridal shoes for more of our top picks for heels for your big day.

Best slingbacks: Elaine Slingback Pointed Toe Pump

What we love: These extremely comfortable slingbacks have a high vamp that provides extra stability and a foam footbed that feels great to walk on. The shoe also comes in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide fits.

Drawbacks: Certain colorways are prone to scuffing.

Shoes with a high vamp have been an under-the-radar trend that's slowly seeping into the mainstream. In case you're unfamiliar, the vamp of a shoe refers to the upper section that covers the top of the foot, starting at the toe. Most of the slingbacks on this list give me a little bit of "toe cleavage," but these extend farther up my foot. And while I was initially skeptical about the look and fit of the Elaine Slingback, it took me almost no time to be sold.

The higher vamp actually adds a lot of stability that other slingbacks lack. It keeps your foot from wiggling in the shoe and provides a stable base for walking. Plus, these have the cushioned footbed that I've raved about in other reviews of Naturalizer shoes. The heel on these shoes is almost three inches high, but they feel much lower than that.

I got these in the medium width, but they also come in narrow, wide, and extra wide fits. And these come in a ton of colorways — both basic leather shades and some unexpected seasonal designs like a shiny black pick coverd in silver studs and plaid fabric pattern.

Best budget: Dream Paris Chunky Low-Heel

What we love: These Amazon ultra bestsellers get heaps of praise for their good value. For under $40, they're a great, comfortable block heel that isn't too high.

Drawbacks: Though these are a great budget option, they lack premium comfort features like a padded footbed or contoured construction.

I knew that I needed to test these shoes because they have a whopping twenty-four thousand reviews on Amazon and four-and-a-half stars. People in the reviews rave about wearing these all night, walking miles in them, and how they feel like they cost way more than the under-$40 price tag.  Plus, they have nearly thirty colors available. 

After walking over a mile in the Dream Paris Low Heel Sandals, I understand what the hype is about. The heel is a perfect everyday height and you can't beat the simplicity and versatility of the silhouette. Plus, they are absolutely everything that Amazon reviewers claim them to be — super affordable and very walkable. 

However, if you're committed to the single-strap silhouette and want shoes that will last you through every summer wedding you attend, I would still recommend our best overall pick, the Naturalizer Joy Dress Sandal. It has an almost identical silhouette, but the Naturalizer pair has far more footbed padding. Plus, the padding is brilliantly contoured to your foot. This Dream Paris pair is great for getting pretty comfy heels at a good price, but you might face some issues with the toe strap rubbing and your foot feeling fatigued if you're planning to wear these all the time. 

Best pumps: Ally Classic Pumps

What we love: These are available in four different widths, providing a near-custom fit. They're also perfect for wearing to work.

Drawbacks: Higher price point compared to other options, since these are meant to be an investment piece.

Even if you're a pump enthusiast, you probably haven't felt pumps like these. Ally's shoes feel custom since they're available in four (yes, you heard right, four) different widths. And you can absolutely feel what a difference it makes to have a shoe in your exact size. 

I took Ally's fit finder quiz to nail down which width would fit me best and was blown away when I received the shoes. Inside, there are layers of padding that perfectly cradle the arch of my foot. And there's even toe box contouring to support the balls of your feet. Seriously, these have all the comfort bells and whistles that you could ask for. 

The only drawback of these Ally pumps is that they're a touch expensive, but compared to actual custom shoes, these are a steal.

Best for walking: M. Gemi Lizza Due

What we love: It's a notably comfortable platform heel thanks to its shallow pitch, which keeps your foot from sitting at too steep an angle, and the wide ankle straps make it feel especially stable and secure while walking.

Drawbacks: It has the heft of a platform heel, and the wider straps may feel a bit bulkier than those of a more delicate sandal silhouette.

After testing the Lizza Due, what impressed me most was how much more stable and wearable it felt than a lot of platform heels I have tried. One of the biggest reasons is the fairly shallow pitch (the angle at which your foot sits). That makes a real difference in comfort over time, since the shoe does not have that steep feel that can leave the balls of your feet aching after just an hour or two. I tested the suede version rather than the metallic leather, and in that finish, it felt especially easy to wear — polished and dressy, but a little softer and more versatile than a high-shine party shoe.

The fit also feels especially secure on foot, which adds a lot to the overall walkability. The wide ankle straps help keep your foot stable, so you feel more supported and less wobbly than you might in a strappier or more delicate-looking heel. That combination of a platform sole, shallower pitch, and grounded ankle support makes this a strong option for anyone who wants height without the usual tradeoff in comfort. It still looks elevated and occasion-ready, but what makes it stand out is that it actually feels practical enough to wear for a full event, not just for photos.

For more of our thoughts on the brand, see our M.Gemi shoes review.

Best leather slingback: Frankie4 Coco

What we love: These beautifully constructed slingbacks support your whole foot. They've solved the problem of squished toes in pointed shoes.

Drawbacks: No narrow or wide fits are available.

These slingbacks come from Frankie4, one of our favorite brands ever for podiatrist-designed shoes that are actually cute.

When I've tested uncomfortable pointed-toe slingbacks, the common theme is that they squish my toes together at the point. This gets even worse when you walk for a distance because the forward motion pushes the front of your foot deeper into the narrow toe. And don't even get me started on the damage this does to pedicures.

But the Coco slingbacks don't give me that issue. They work because the toe box is wider, and the insole's structure cradles your foot so it stays in place. The shoes even come with gel forefoot cushions to help with this support, but I have never even needed them. Plus, they even have a strap across the toe, which I previously thought was just a design choice — but the strap is adjustable and also helps stabilize your foot.

All in all, these are the perfect fall heels. I've worn them with tights and a dress, with jeans and a tee, and with everything in between.

Best for summer: Reef Sunset Ibiza

What we love: These shoes have a 3.7 inch heel but are so lightweight and squishy that you won't feel the height at all. Plus, they're under $100.

Drawbacks: The detailing on the outside is not raffia but foam painted to look like fibers. This is actually a plus for me since real raffia would make these heavier, but it won't stand up to up-close inspection.

The Sunset Ibiza heels from Reef just became my new summer go-to sandals. They're super high — nearly four inches! But you don't feel the height at all. You just feel like you're walking on foam.

Despite the stilt-level height, I can't stop wearing these. Since I'm five-foot-two, so many of my pants and maxi dresses drag on the floor without heels. But I slip these on with about as much care as I would slip on a Birkenstock — no worries about eventual foot aches or blisters.

Best for a wedding: Inez Camilla

What we love: These platform heels come in wedding-ready colors like silver, nude and black. They're comfortable enough to dance in and high enough to keep your maxi dress off the floor.

Drawbacks: Unlike many of Inez's shoes, this style only comes in a standard width.

I've worn the Camilla shoes to three different weddings and have danced the night away every time with no issues. The high platform means that these shoes have a relatively shallow vamp, but your foot is still at an elegant, leg-lengthening angle.

They're also almost four full inches high, which is great for me since I'm petite and tend to have an issue with long dresses dragging on the floor. These keep the hem firmly off the ground.

I also appreciate that these are available in formalwear neutrals — like silver and shiny black. Part of the reason I love these so much is that they go with anything, no matter the dress code.

Read more in our full Inez Camilla review.

Best for work: Antonia Saint NY All Occasion Heel

What we love: The brand's SoftSurround System is fantastic. It keeps your foot stable and makes it feel like your foot is surrounded by a foamy cushion.

Drawbacks: Some people report that the shoes run a little larger than expected.

If your office dress code is a little more formal, these pumps will be your new best friend. They pair perfectly with the best suits for women or formal work dresses.

The All Occasion Heels from Antonia Saint New York have an internal cushioning system that surrounds the whole foot rather than just padding the footbed. I love the comfort and, crucially, the support this offers. Instead of sliding around, my foot is firmly braced by the shoe. This is especially helpful for safety since instability can cause ankle injuries.

Usually, I size down a half-size in pumps because the pitch of the heel tends to push my toes deep down into the toe box, leaving extra space at the back. But I opted not to size down in these, and I'm glad I did. The brand's proprietary SoftSurround System keeps my foot enveloped in foamy support so my toes don't slip down.

The shoes are also made from soft, shiny leather that looks great and photographs well. The brand also claims that the heel is made from materials that won't nick. I know I'll be wearing these a ton, so I'll report back if I experience any damage, but so far, so good!

Best strappy: Bared Footwear Towhee

What we love: Walkable summer heel with a shallow pitch, contoured footbeds, and optional gel cushions for those prone to pain in the ball of the foot
Drawbacks: Not ideal for extra-wide feet or long toes

I've seen similar versions of this modern strappy sandal from like Quince, Vagabond, and Marcella — but I highly doubt any are as comfortable as the Bared Footwear Towhees. These come with podiatrist-designed footbeds that are highly cushioned and contoured, with raised arch support and subtle notches to even out the pressure heels put on your metatarsals. This pair feels perfect for special occasions in warm weather that require standing all day.

Their heel cups keep you from sliding forward and help relieve weight from your forefoot. And the smooth, adjustable straps are made of rolled leather, so they don't cut into your skin even if your feet swell. I also love that they don't make much noise when I walk (sometimes I would rather not click-clack with every step), and the rubberized heel caps are softer and grippier than most heels.

The narrow block heels have a wide base to make up for the thin straps, so I wasn't teetering any time I had to pick up the pace. I tested them on a 20-minute walk to break them in ahead of a family wedding. A while in, I had to adjust the straps to keep my toes from sliding forward over the edge, but this was more of a fit preference, not a major discomfort. If you have long toes like mine, a sandal with a platformed toebox like the Inez Camillas may work better. —Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, Business Insider Reviews.

Best for bunions: Calla Shoes Margot Heel

What we love: Made especially for people with bunions, these shoes are built with a wider toe box and a stretch lining to accommodate mild to moderate bunions.

Drawbacks: The ankle strap is a little too thin to offer extra stability.

If you have bunions, you have to check out Calla. The brand makes heels, sneakers, flats, and more designed to accommodate mild to moderate bunions. And for particularly large ones, they even have picks with extra-wide toe boxes.

But these shoes are a far cry from the orthopedic loafers that you might expect from a comfort-focused, bunion-solution shoe brand. Instead, you'll find silhouettes on par with most trendy footwear retailers. Chief among them, in my opinion, are the Margot Heels that look like a stylish platform heel on the outside, but have tons of comfort features on the inside.

To accommodate bunions, these have a stretch lining, a wide toe box, and lots of interior padding. They're incredibly comfortable despite being over four inches tall. Plus, they're built for stability — I would have no issues dancing the night away in these. However, my only minor critique is that the ankle strap is a little thin; I would have preferred a thicker, cushioned strap like the one across the toe box.

Bottom line: these are best for anyone who wants a dressy heel that feels more wearable — especially if you're sensitive in the forefoot, want extra toe room, or prioritize stability over a delicate silhouette. Before you check out, it's worth double-checking the measurement guide if you're between sizes, then taking advantage of the brand's exchange/return options if you need a tweak.

Best slingbacks: Inez Mia

What we love: A sleek standout from one of our favorite comfortable heel brands, these slingbacks are beautifully crafted and come in narrow, standard, and wide widths.

Drawbacks: The elastic is a little flimsy; we would have much preferred a buckle.

Slingbacks are the style of the season and there's no style more comfortable than this pick by Inez. It's available in a bunch of colors — and it comes in narrow, standard, and wide fits.

Inez is one of our favorite brands ever for comfortable heels — which is why you'll find a bunch of their shoes on this list. In our Inez review, we raved about the brand's commitment to only the highest quality of craftsmanship. They are made in Spain and have proprietary plush insoles, which you can absolutely tell make a huge difference. When you slip them on, you can feel immediately how they cradle your foot for maximum stability and comfort.

The Mia slingbacks, especially in the beautiful orchid color, got me tons and tons of compliments. I cannot recommend them enough.

Highest heel: Elizee Fiorella Sandal

What we love: For a heel this high (and a pitch this steep), it's incredible how comfortable these are. I highly recommend them as some of the best bridal heels around.

Drawbacks: At over $600, they're definitely a splurge.

At nearly four inches with a three-inch pitch, the Fiorella Sandals from Italian brand Elizée look a little intimidating — but don't let that fool you. They're super lightweight, with a cushioned insole and a thick strap that wraps around your ankle for stability. 

When I wore them for the first time, I was blown away by the construction. This is a true stiletto heel. And yet, I didn't feel any of the discomfort of basically walking around on my tippy-toes for hours. 

It's a little on the pricier side, but it's a perfect choice for a wedding, whether it be yours or one you're attending as a guest. It has the rare combination of being a classic, formal stiletto while also being a shoe that you can dance in all night. 

Just not that when I first tried this, I had buckled it too loosely around my ankle. It felt much less comfortable because my foot was wiggling around too much. Make sure you fasten these on tightly (even tighter than you think you need to) for the best fit.

Best heeled flip-flop: Naturalizer

What we love: This is the rare heeled flip-flop that actually feels walkable. The cushioned sole, arch support, and sculpted shape help keep your foot in place, so you're not constantly pushing against the sensitive area between your toes. It also has a manageable 2.5-inch covered heel and Naturalizer's Contour+ Comfort Technology, which gives the trendy silhouette more support than most.

Drawbacks: The thong-sandal silhouette can be tricky in general, so this still may not be the best choice if you know you hate any pressure between your first two toes.

The heeled flip-flop is the shoe silhouette of the summer, showing up everywhere from runways to street style. But as effortless as the trend looks, it can be surprisingly hard to wear. I tried tons of heeled thong sandals while testing comfortable heels, and almost all of them put too much pressure between my first two toes.

The Naturalizer 27 Edit Tressa Dress Sandal was the only one I could actually walk a mile in comfortably. It still has the clean, open-toed look of a minimalist thong sandal, but the construction makes it much more wearable than most versions of the trend. The cushioned sole, arch support, and curved floor of the shoe cradle the foot so it stays in place instead of sliding forward with every step.

That extra stability makes a huge difference. Rather than feeling like I had to grip the shoe with my toes or brace against the thong strap, my foot felt supported from underneath. The 2.5-inch covered heel gives it enough lift to feel dressy without pushing it into true high-heel territory, and the slip-on design keeps the whole thing easy and casual.

The Tressa also has a more fashion-forward shape than your average comfort sandal. It gives you the runway-adjacent, street-style look of a heeled flip-flop, but with enough cushioning and support to make the trend feel realistic for actual walking.

Best lightweight: Crocs Brooklyn Heel

What we love: These are hands down my most-worn pair of heels. I slip them on to do errands, walk my dog, and even wear them out to dinner. They're incredibly lightweight and have such a shallow pitch that you barely feel like you're wearing heels at all.

Drawbacks: Though it's small, the Crocs logo does appear on the outside of the shoe. Plus, the white color has some issues with scuffing.

Yes, that's right, these are Crocs. They're made of the same lightweight, foam-like material that made the clogs famous. And if you're wondering if they feel the same; they really do. 

Like the clogs, the Brooklyn Heel footbed is cushioned and has bumps on it that are like little massage beads. At first, I was dubious about this feature, but I like how the little bumps stop my foot from sliding around. And they're lightweight like the Crocs clogs, too. 

These chunky heels lean into the '90s vibes and give you a full extra three inches of height. Plus, unlike other chunky heels, these don't feel like you're lugging around rocks on your feet. And they're just cute. I really enjoyed shocking my coworkers by telling them I was wearing Crocs. 

The only issue I foresee with these is scuffing. I got the Brooklyn Heel in white, so it's hard to not get little black marks on them. If I were to do it again, I would probably get the black color to avoid this issue. 

Best heeled ballet flat: Margaux Ada

What we love: With a shorter heel and a slightly square toe, these elegant shoes fit like a glove.

Drawbacks: Finding the correct size and width can be difficult.

We've long admired Margaux's commitment to beautiful leather and chic silhouettes. The Ada looks like an elegant ballet flat, but it has a little heel that adds slightly over an inch of height.

I got it in the color Espresso Crinkle Patent, which is a shiny brown color that feels like the epitome of fall. The leather is supple and molds to your feet for a glove-like fit. Plus, the insole has a memory foam-like padding that cradles your foot.

But sizing is a little tricky to get right. I've always characterized my feet as being on the wider end of typical, but I very rarely find myself having to opt for a wide fit shoe. In almost all situations, a regular width works just fine. But with Margaux shoes, I've learned to always go for the wide.

The shoes come in three widths: narrow, medium, and wide. If you're on the fence about which would work for you, opt for the more generous fit.

For more of our favorites from the brand, see our Margaux review.

Best velvet: Birdies Kiwi Kitten Flower

What we love: The velvet flower makes these shoes really stand out — and the arch support and padded footbed make them comfortable to stand or dance in.

Drawbacks: The sole of the shoe is completely smooth, so it takes some breaking in to prevent slipping on tile floors. Also, the heel isn't as stable as I would like.

We've reviewed Birdies' loafers, sneakers, and more throughout the years, but heels are somewhat new for the brand. The Kiwi Kitten Flower is a style standout, with a statement rose and a delicate heel.

Comfort-wise, the details that matter are built in. Birdies uses a memory foam comfort insole with full arch support and a contoured footbed for that plush, cushioned feel underfoot. The sole is also designed to flex, with the brand's signature rubber front pod that can help with grip where you actually push off when you walk.

These aren't perfect — I do wish the heel was a little more stable. And when I first tried them, I felt myself sliding around because the sole lacks traction; this got much better once I had worn them a bit and broken them in by walking on concrete.

But they're so cute that some flaws are easy to overlook. I got an overwhelming amount of compliments on these, and it's easy to see why.

Best sculptural: Nomasei Baghera

What we love: These were surprisingly comfortable right out of the box. The leather feels soft and flexible, almost like a second skin, and the memory-foam padding helps prevent the usual ball-of-foot pain that can come from hours in heels. The block heel is also a big plus for weddings — sturdy on grass and wide enough that it won't get stuck between patio slats.

Drawbacks: The V-shaped design is really flattering, but it doesn't give you the same locked-in feel as an ankle strap. They also caused one small heel blister after a full night of wear, so they're not totally immune to break-in pains — just much better than expected for a brand-new pair worn to a six-hour wedding.

The Nomasei Baghera sandals prove that a statement heel doesn't have to come at the expense of comfort. With their sculptural silhouette, soft leather, and sturdy block heel, they're the kind of shoes you can actually stay in for hours.

Gabrielle Chase, a senior associate style editor for Insider Reviews, wore them straight out of the box for a long day and night on her feet — a gamble she doesn't usually take with heels. "I packed six Band-Aids, assuming I'd need them all," Gabrielle said. "Reader, I'm happy to report that I shuffled and slid to my heart's content and only sustained one tiny heel blister the entire night."

The sandals have a flattering V-shaped upper that creates a leg-lengthening effect, along with soft, flexible leather that molds comfortably to the foot. "They're made with a leather that's so soft and flexible that they feel like a second skin," Gabrielle said.

Comfort-wise, the memory-foam padded insoles are a standout feature. Gabrielle said they helped prevent the metatarsal pain she usually gets after spending too much time in heels. The block heel also adds stability, making these easier to walk in than many dressier stilettos.

"These are the kind of heels that look special but don't punish your feet for wearing them," Gabrielle said. She also appreciated how well the block heel handled different surfaces. "When the wedding moved outdoors, their block heels were sturdy enough for grass and too thick to get caught in the slats of the patio," she said.

These are a great choice if you want a fashion-forward sandal that's still comfortable enough for hours of wear. The only caveat is that the V-shaped design doesn't provide the same locked-in feel as a traditional ankle strap, so they may not be ideal if you prefer extra support around the ankle.

And while they're dressy enough for formal occasions, they're versatile enough to style more casually, too. "I loved them so much that next I'm excited to dress them down with some ragg socks and jeans," Chase said.

Best with a bow: Oasis Society Celine

What we love: It combines several comfort-friendly details — a stable block heel, cushioned insole, adjustable ankle strap, and a more manageable 3.75-inch height — that make it easier to walk in.

Drawbacks: The textured woven floral textile and textile-wrapped heel look beautiful, but they may be more delicate and harder to keep pristine than smoother materials. Plus, they run a little narrow.

After testing the Oasis Society Celine in Rose Garden, I was impressed by how comfortable and walkable it felt for such a cute, dressed-up heel. The floral fabric and oversized bow make it feel especially charming and feminine, and it definitely reads as a statement shoe — the kind of pair that can instantly dress up a simple, solid-color outfit and make it feel more styled. Comfort-wise, the padded footbed gives it a softer feel underfoot, while the block heel adds stability that makes it easier to walk in than a lot of similarly decorative occasion heels.

My main caveat is that while the cushioning helps, I wish the padding were wider and extended across the full footbed for more complete support. Even so, it still felt notably comfortable in testing, and the secure ankle strap and grounded heel shape make it feel practical enough for events where you actually plan to be on your feet. It is a great option if you want a heel that feels romantic and standout, but is also genuinely wearable.

Highest pump: Inez Alta

What we love: If you want the highest walkable pump possible, this is it. It's steep, but Inez is great at making steep shoes comfortable.

Drawbacks: These do get uncomfortable after a while of walking.

Another winner from a brand that we love. Here's what I said about these stellar pumps in our Inez Review:

Pumps are difficult to get right. Unlike platforms or other kinds of creatively-designed shoes, there's no way of getting around the steep pitch. In fact, these are particularly steep. Aptly called the Alta, they have a towering heel height of 3.5 inches. You can get the style in a lower-height heel, called the Lola, if this sounds a little too tall for you. But don't be afraid to go with the higher heel. The shoes are far more comfortable than they look.

And while I probably wouldn't recommend these for running around, they are the ultimate secret weapon for feeling authoritative and stylish at work. Paired with one of the best suits for women, the Alta pumps make the ultimate power outfit.

Best mules: Vince Camuto Paigely Mule

What we love: These leg-lengthening mules have a thick footbed padding that makes standing in heels this high much less painful.

Drawbacks: The steep pitch means that you can't walk much more than a mile in these, and the toe box might be too narrow for some.

These Paigey Mules by Vince Camuto are miraculously leg-lengthening. Since there's no ankle strap and the vamp is low and flatteringly curved, it gives the illusion that your legs go on forever. In fact, if I'm ever taking a full-body mirror selfie, I love throwing these on for the pic at home — even if I'm wearing other shoes out.

The best part of these is that the footbed is among the thickest of all the heels I tested. It's not cloud-soft, more like a firm mattress that still offers support. The significant cushion does prevent these from being suitable for people with high-volume feet, since the toe box can be a bit narrow.

However, the leg-lengthening effect comes from your feet being at a steep angle in these. The pitch is dramatic, so they'll never be the shoes that you can walk across town in — a mile is probably the max. But they're perfect for wearing to events where you're doing a mix of sitting and standing.

Best platform: Margaux The Platform Sandal

What we love: These chic sandals are beautifully constructed, and Margaux's signature "X"-shaped toe strap design provides plenty of stability.

Drawbacks: We've had some issues with Margaux's sizing, so we highly recommend ordering the wide width even if you normally order regular width shoes.

Margaux makes an amazing selection of carefully designed comfortable heels. This one is a slightly higher version of their City Sandal — another winner when it comes to construction. But at a full three inches high, The Platform takes the cake for the best heel overall when it comes to combining height with walkability. 

There are lots of features that contribute to the comfort of this fabulous heel. First, it has five millimeters of cushioned padding on the sole that makes it feel like you're putting on a slipper. Plus, the toe straps form Margaux 's signature "X" which adds stability that you wouldn't get from a narrow, single strap. And finally, these shoes are handmade in Spain, meaning that there's a ton of effort focused on the construction of the shoes that you won't find in just any shoe made on an assembly line. 

Overall, I found these to be so walkable that I started using my pair as an everyday shoe — and not just the pair of cute heels that I only pull out for special occasions. In fact, I'm going to pack them for walking around and sightseeing when I'm in Italy, which is a huge testament to this heel's top spot as the most comfortable heel.

Make sure you check out Margaux's other shoes (like The Heel, a pump) for similarly stellar construction. We even reviewed Margaux's Demi Flats and loved those too. 

Though I found it super comfortable on my typical-to-wide feet, some reviewers note that the heel area is a little wide for people with narrow feet. Also, there are reviewers who note that the ankle strap is a little bit loose. If that's an issue for you with these (or any shoe), I suggest getting a leather hole puncher to add extra holes for the buckle. I have one and use it on everything from purses to belts and more!

Best clear heels: Vivianly Transparent Stiletto Heel

What we love: These under-$40 heels make you look like you have legs for days.

Drawbacks: Since they're made of clear plastic with no give, it's not a good idea to wear them for long walks.

If you haven't heard about the miracle of clear heels, allow me to educate you. There are certain features of shoes that make your legs look shorter: an ankle strap cuts your leg off, and platforms don't create the leg-lengthening tippy-toe shape that traditional heels do. But clear heels are the holy grail of making your legs look like they go on for days. 

I've had these clear heels from Amazon for over two years and I take them out whenever I wear a cute minidress. They're comfortable enough that you can dance in them at night, but I wouldn't recommend wearing them for long walks since the repetitive motion can make the plastic cut into your feet. One mile was fine, but anything over that might be a little dicey. 

But for $40 Amazon shoes that I've had for years, they really do the trick. And don't just take my word for it — these shoes have six thousand reviews on Amazon and nearly five stars, with people in the comments amazed at how comfortable they are. 

FAQs

What are the most comfortable types of heels?

The shape of the heel will definitely affect how comfortable it is. Here are a few common types.

• Platforms are typically the most comfortable because they reduce the angle of the pitch (the incline between the heel and the toe). You can even get platforms (often called 'flatforms') that have no pitch at all and are completely flat.
• Block heels are also pretty comfortable because the thick heel offers stability that thinner heels don't. If you want the look of a block heel but the comfort of a platform, look for shoes that have a platform under the toe.
• Kitten heels are thin and typically two inches or lower. Most shoes with kitten heels are aesthetically delicate, so they have a much different look than chunky block heels or platforms.
• Stilettos are the hardest to pull off, comfort-wise. The heels are thin and tall, often tapered to be thinner at the point where the heel hits the ground. If you like the look of a stiletto but find it hard to balance, try looking for "spool" heels, which are flared at the top and bottom to offer more stability.

What heel height is best for all-day comfort?

Here's the secret: It's not about how high the heel is — it's about how steep the pitch is. For example, a five-inch platform with a one-inch pitch will be loads more comfortable than a two-inch kitten heel.

When you're looking for heels, look at the angle of the pitch and prioritize a shallow incline over a lower heel.

What features make a heel comfortable?

In addition to a low pitch, here's what you should look for when shopping for comfortable heels.

Cushioned insoles: Prioritize shoes that have padded insoles. Walking on a surface lined with foam is infinitely better than walking on unlined wood or plastic.

Arch support: Without arch support, your feet will get tired quickly. You want to avoid flat insoles, even if the heel is low.

The right toe box: Wider toe boxes and open-toed shoes will be easier on your feet. Pointed-toe shoes can force your foot into a position where your toes get squished, especially if you're walking all day.

What heels are good for people with wide feet?

If you have wider feet, we highly recommend looking for brands that have specific wide-foot fits, like Naturalizer.

But we also recommend checking out brands that use stretchy material, like Vivaia. Since Vivaia's signature stretchy knit construction gives a lot of wiggle room in terms of width, it's a great choice for people with wide feet.

• Boeing is cutting 5% of employees in its commercial division, which makes airliners like the 737.
• Division CEO Stephanie Pope said it was "overstaffed" due to issues increasing plane production.
• The cuts will likely impact around 2,500 people. Read the full memo Pope sent to staff below.

Boeing announced Monday that it will cut 5% of staff in its commercial division, which makes the 737 and other airplanes used by millions of travelers worldwide.

The layoffs stem from Boeing's inability to increase production as quickly as hoped, meaning it is "overstaffed," the division's CEO, Stephanie Pope, said in an internal memo obtained by Business Insider.

Boeing has been ramping up production of its most popular aircraft, the 737 Max, as it recovers from a quality and safety crisis sparked by the Alaska Airlines blowout in January 2024.

While it had hoped to produce 47 of the 737 Max a month this year, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told investors on an earnings call in October that increasing production was taking longer than expected.

That sent the company's share price down 10.7%. The stock is 25% lower so far in 2026.

Boeing will make the cuts through "a combination of attrition and involuntary layoffs," Pope said in the memo. Affected staff will be told beginning in December.

The commercial airplanes division, known as BCA, is Boeing's largest business, employing about 50,000 people, meaning the planned 5% reduction is equivalent to roughly 2,500 employees.

BCA accounted for 44% of the company's revenue last quarter but made a $697 million loss. Boeing's Defense & Space and Global Services divisions were profitable in that period.

In a statement released after the cuts were announced, Boeing said it is working with staff to "minimize the impact" of the layoffs by "supporting their career transition through company-sponsored outplacement services, layoff benefits, and employee assistance program support."

Read Pope's full memo to staff below:

Team,

Over the past two years, we have made significant investments in talent, training, and infrastructure across BCA to stabilize our business and strengthen our foundation for the future.

In addition to your hard work and dedication, these investments have contributed to meaningful improvements in our recovery including quality and delivery performance, 737-7 and 737-10 certification, and positive changes to our culture.

While we have made substantial progress, we have not yet fully recovered.

As shared in our third-quarter earnings, we need to reset the pace of our production rate ramps to provide our factories and supply chain partners additional time to achieve stability. Adjusting our production schedules and reducing aircraft output puts us in an overstaffed position.

Unfortunately, that means we need to align our staffing levels to our revised business plan, resulting in a reduction of approximately 5% through a combination of attrition and involuntary layoffs, with notifications beginning in December.

I know how difficult these actions are and the impact they will have on all of us, our families, and our communities. We will never take that lightly. We will do everything we can to minimise the impact by supporting career transitions through company-sponsored outplacement services, layoff benefits, and Employee Assistance Program support.

Throughout this process, we will remain true to our Values & Behaviors, including our steadfast commitment to safety and quality and our responsibility to ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Thank you for everything you do to support each other and our customers. The progress we have made demonstrates what is possible when we remain focused, resilient, and committed to one another. By continuing to care for one another, uphold our standards, and work together with purpose, we will complete our recovery and build a stronger future for BCA.

Stephanie

• After my husband got a job in Sweden, our American family relocated and put down roots here.
• When my husband's game studio closed a few years later, we saw just how fragile those roots were.
• Now we're fighting to stay in the country we've made our home, while preparing to say goodbye.

I've never had a problem with commitment.

I got married at 18, and our relationship is still going strong 23 years later. Ten years ago, I started my own business and never looked back.

When something feels right, I don't waste time keeping my options open. I go all in. So when my husband, Jarrod, got a video-game development job in Sweden in 2022, we committed.

We bought a home, enrolled our son in school, registered my business, and started learning the language. We made friends, shopped local, and got Swedish driver's licenses.

Unfortunately, none of that matters much when your visa is tied to an employer.

At first, moving to Sweden felt like a smart plan — and we adapted well

To be clear, uprooting our lives to live in another country wasn't a willy-nilly decision.

Before agreeing to the job and the move, we visited Skövde in person and met with several founding members of Jarrod's prospective studio. It seemed as well-managed and stable as any game studio can be, and Jarrod was excited to jump into the role as art director.

Plus, there were several other video-game studios in town. Video games can be a fickle business, and this meant there could be other local employment opportunities if something went sideways.

We also checked out the schools and the housing market. We ended up buying a great home on Billingen Mountain.

It's big enough for two home offices, a playroom, and a guest room for our American family and friends — but with a small yard, so the maintenance isn't overwhelming.

The yard even has an apple tree with a swing that's the perfect size for our son, and he stops to play on it every day when he gets home from school.

As much as we missed our friends and family back in the US, we spent the next few years settling into a lovely life in Sweden.

We continued practicing the language and building community — and got very accustomed to the affordable childcare and accessible healthcare.

We adapted to the seasons and local quirks, too. I created a sunset coffee routine to survive the winter when the sun sets shortly after 3 p.m. And I bought blackout curtains for when the sun sets after 10 p.m. in the summer.

Sweden truly became our home; a place we could imagine living in for the long haul.

My husband's job loss reminded us that the life we had here was built on fragile ground

A few years later, when Jarrod's studio closed with little warning, we were reminded that our life here was contingent on that job.

As Americans here on a work visa, even homeownership doesn't grant us the right to stay in Sweden. And with his particular permit, Jarrod was given three months to find a comparable position or leave the country.

Unfortunately, the economy has shifted since we created our contingency plan. A large percentage of local game studios had closed, and none of the remaining ones had art-director positions available.

So, Jarrod's job search extended to surrounding cities, like Gothenburg and Stockholm.

Unfortunately, finding another position in an already struggling industry has proven harder than we'd anticipated. Plus, hiring a non-citizen feels like a big ask because of the bureaucratic red tape and costs that can come with it.

Thankfully, my business earns enough to cover our expenses. So even before Jarrod's job search began, I contacted the Swedish Migration Agency office to let them know we are self-sufficient.

Meanwhile, Jarrod began working with several former colleagues to launch a new game studio, creating their own employment opportunities in an industry where jobs were disappearing.

However, until the studio can pay him a salary, that work doesn't qualify as employment for immigration purposes. Ultimately, the agency has asked us to leave, and we have formally appealed that decision.

I began wondering if it was naive of me to think we could build a life in Sweden — maybe even entitled.

We'd come here legally, paid taxes, learned the language, and bought a property. It was frustrating to feel like all of the ways we've integrated into the country over the past years didn't seem to matter.

We're fighting to stay, but preparing to leave

For now, I'm continuing to run my business in Sweden; my husband is trying to build his; and we're working through the appeal process with the help of our local attorney to see if we can remain here.

Each time I check the mail, I hold my breath. Best-case scenario: I get notified that our visa has been renewed for two more years. Worst-case scenario: I find a notice of denial and a legal demand that we leave by a certain date. Most likely scenario: our Telia phone bill.

Despite everything, I don't think the lesson here is to live with reservations moving forward. Committing less wouldn't have made the last four years any better.

I don't know whether we'll get to stay in this country — but I do know that when our son gets home from school tomorrow, he's going to stop for a swing under our apple tree.

And even if our time here ends up being temporary, buying a home and assimilating to life in Sweden has been an unforgettable adventure for all of us.

• Tesla hasn't built a car with a movable sunroof for years.
• During a walkaround of the Model Y L with Jay Leno, the EV maker's top designer explained why.
• Leno compared sunroofs to hot tubs.

Do you love a little highway wind blasting through the top of your car and ruffling your hair?

Then a Tesla may not be for you. The EV maker's current consumer models — the Model 3, Model Y, and the soon-to-be-discontinued Cybertruck — offer glass roofs that are fixed in place.

During an episode of "Jay Leno's Garage" released on Monday, Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla's chief designer, explained why the movable glass roof panels once offered on the Model S are no longer available.

First, Tesla thinks the novelty wears off on drivers.

"I mean, we're a very data-driven company," he said. "We looked at the data and realized that people use the sunroof when they maybe first get the car."

Second, nixing the sunroof makes cars easier to build.

Von Holzhausen said Tesla's old motorized sunroofs were "really complicated" and that Tesla saw the features "in service quite a bit." It was heavy, he added, and required a lot of parts to build.

Manufacturing simplicity is one of Tesla's core strengths. Its cars require fewer parts and fasteners to build than its competitors.

This year, Tesla has taken some striking steps to make vehicle assembly lines even more efficient: In April, the company stopped making the Model S and Model X (the latter of which CEO Elon Musk once called a "Fabergé egg," because of its complicated design, including its signature falcon-wing rear doors).

Last week, Musk posted on X that it was winding down production of the Cybertruck. On Monday, Musk said part of that rationale was the "opportunity cost of the complexity of Cybertruck."

Leno, while walking around a 2027 Model Y L with a fixed glass roof, compared tilting and opening sunroofs to a home hot tub: an exciting feature owners might use at first, but one that quickly loses its appeal.

"It's just, you know, a lot of parts to build it," von Holzhausen added. "If people aren't using it, why go through the hustle?"

• Lexi Larson used her TikTok following and savings to launch Sunday Cherries, her loungewear brand.
• She learned inventory planning and manufacturing fixes as demand outpaced her first stock.
• Looking back, she's grateful for her email list and for keeping her followers involved with the brand.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lexi Larson, the 30-year-old founder of Sunday Cherries, a loungewear brand based in Denver. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Before launching my loungewear brand, Sunday Cherries, in early 2024, I worked remotely for a marketing agency. I needed a creative outlet, so I started posting TikToks about my life and working from home.

I was always interested in video and social media, and I knew social media was a powerful tool I could use to launch my own project, but I wasn't sure what kind of business I wanted to start.

Then I noticed that when I wore a cute, cozy outfit in my videos, people would ask where they were from. That gave me the idea to create loungewear that was comfortable but still made you feel put together.

I kept making vlogs, and in early 2024, I quit my job to focus on building my brand. My first two years were mostly about figuring everything out. Thankfully, my followers were along for the ride.

I now feel like I found my groove. Here are the lessons I've learned along the way.

I started the brand with $50,000 from my savings

I put it into a separate business bank account, which became the Sunday Cherries account. The brand has been entirely funded from my savings. I've gotten a few offers from investors, but I quit my job because I didn't enjoy having people tell me what to do, and taking on investors felt like having a boss again.

I was so nervous about my first launch. I ordered about 300 hoodies and 300 sweatpants, and I thought there was no way I would sell them all. That first order cost around $24,000, which was a really scary invoice to pay.

I did about $35,000 in sales that day, and everything sold out, which was crazy. It made me feel like there was a market for the brand.

I sold out my first launch by including my audience

Being a content creator helped a lot. I brought my audience into the process by sharing clothing samples and asking what colors they liked, which made them feel invested.

I think my followers enjoyed seeing someone so transparent and open about the process of starting a brand and what it takes. Many brands present a perfect image, and you don't see anything behind the scenes.

I've learned how much stock to buy

After my first launch, I realized it would be about two months before I had more stock. People would then visit the website and be unable to buy anything.

That taught me a lot about inventory planning and forecasting. When I first started, I would order the minimum quantity because I didn't know what would happen. I've since learned more about what sells on my website and what colors, fabrics, and fits people want. I also take seasonality into account.

Now, I'm more confident about ordering extra stock when I think something will do well.

I've learned you can't control everything that goes wrong

Manufacturing has probably been my biggest learning curve. In the beginning, I spent hours searching and found my manufacturer's website on roughly the third page of Google search results.

For my first drop, I ordered hoodies that were supposed to have a vintage, acid-wash finish. When they arrived, a lot of them were stained with bleach. I had to go through every hoodie and send back the damaged ones. It was very time-consuming, but the manufacturer fixed the damaged products.

I've also had production delays. Recently, a pants order was supposed to ship out, but when the manufacturer sent me pictures of the finished products, I noticed the inseams were several inches too long. I had to halt the shipping process and have them go back and update the inseam measurements, which pushed the launch back by a couple of weeks.

A couple of years ago, something like that would've really stressed me out. I would've thought the business was over and that I was going to lose all my money. Now, when something like that comes up, I'm more likely to think, let's deal with it and move on.

I've learned to outsource

When I started, I rented a 250-square-foot warehouse space and would go there every day to put inventory on the shelves, pack orders, and ship them out. It was a full-time job in itself. Eventually, I realized I couldn't work on anything else because I was spending too much time in the warehouse.

In March 2026, I switched to a logistics company that handles receiving inventory, picking and packing orders, and shipping them out. It's saved me a lot of time.

I've never hired anyone as a salaried employee, but I work with several freelancers and contractors. I'll find inspiration pictures of a design I want to create and send them to my tech pack designer. She takes my design, creates a CAD model, and compiles the measurements so the manufacturer knows how to make the garment.

I also have someone locally who helps me with content. I focus on my page, and she helps me with filming and editing for the Sunday Cherries pages.

One thing I'm glad I did is build an email list

I watched videos about how to start a business, and one thing I kept hearing was that your email list is one of the few things you own. On social media, your account could be deleted tomorrow, and you'd lose everything.

Before launching my products, I built my email list to about 15,000 people. From the very beginning, I was posting about it and trying to get as many people as I could to sign up.

The biggest lesson I learned: You don't have to know everything before you start

I held myself back for a long time because I felt like I needed more experience, but I realized you're never going to feel 100% prepared, and there's no way to avoid every issue or mistake. You just have to decide, start, and be confident in yourself to keep going.

Some months, I bring in $50,000 to $60,000 in sales, and the next month it could be zero. It's been very up and down.

Thankfully, my social media income is enough to pay my bills, so I'm not taking any money out of the brand yet. I'm reinvesting everything into ordering more products, improving the website and fit, and creating new products.

• Paul McCartney's net worth has officially reached $1 billion, according to Forbes.
• Much of his $1.4 billion fortune comes from The Beatles and his music publishing company.
• He joins seven other musicians in the elite club, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift.

Even though he famously once sang that money can't buy him love, Paul McCartney can pretty much buy anything else — Forbes officially estimates his net worth is now at $1.4 billion.

He joins a small group of musicians whom Bloomberg or Forbes have estimated to be billionaires, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z. Before Jimmy Buffett's death in September 2023, he was also part of this club thanks to his Margaritaville empire.

Here's how the wealthiest living musicians made their fortunes.

Paul McCartney is not only a knight, but a billionaire.

In the first issue of Forbes' newsletter, "The Billie," in November, the outlet said that McCartney, 84, is worth $1.4 billion.

The former Beatle has been very open about how the band's first contract was akin to a "slave contract" and "no matter how successful we made the company, we didn't get a raise."

Since he knew more money was in music publishing, he formed the music licensing company MPL Communications in 1969. McCartney holds the licensing rights to thousands of songs, not just his own.

You can search the company's mammoth database to see where the music it owns has ended up — in everything from "The Kardashians" to "Fellow Travelers" to Ford commercials. Forbes estimates the business is worth about $250 million.

Of course, The Beatles' catalog is also a money maker, which he has spent years getting back under his control. He splits that money evenly with Ringo Starr and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison.

Those two huge components, plus the millions he's made from decades of touring, a substantial art collection, and property throughout the UK, have made this kid from Liverpool the third-richest musician in the world, only behind Jay-Z and Taylor Swift.

Dr. Dre is equal parts musician and businessman.

Forbes reported that musician Dr. Dre became hip-hop's second billionaire in April 2026, with a reported net worth of $1 billion.

In addition to his decades of rapping and producing under his label Aftermath Entertainment, Dr. Dre is also known for cofounding the consumer-electronics brand Beats by Dre, which makes headphones and earbuds. He sold Beats to Apple in 2014 for $3 billion in cash and stock.

The former N.W.A member has also dabbled in acting, had a production company called Crucial Films, and has an alcohol brand with collaborator Snoop Dogg, called Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop.

Beyoncé is the latest female musician to reach billionaire status.

Less than 10 years after Beyoncé famously sang, "I just might be a Black Bill Gates in the making," she was named a billionaire.

Beyoncé's already-formidable net worth surged after a pair of successful tours: The 2023 Renaissance World Tour, which grossed nearly $600 million, and the 2025 Cowboy Carter Tour, which Forbes described as "the most successful concert tour" in the history of country music.

In addition to live performances and lucrative merchandise sales, Beyoncé has spent decades building her business empire. She founded Parkwood Entertainment in 2010, followed by a clothing line, Ivy Park, a hair-care brand, Cécred, and a whiskey label, SirDavis.

Nevertheless, as Forbes reports, the bulk of Beyoncé's fortune remains rooted in her music. Beyoncé controls the rights to her valuable album catalog, from 2003's "Dangerously In Love" to 2025's "Cowboy Carter" and beyond. All production costs for her music, documentaries, and concerts are handled in-house through Parkwood.

"When I decided to manage myself, it was important that I didn't go to some big management company," Beyoncé said while promoting her 2013 self-titled album. "I felt like I wanted to follow the footsteps of Madonna and be a powerhouse and have my own empire and show other women when you get to this point in your career, you don't have to go sign with someone else and share your money and your success — you do it yourself."

Beyoncé's husband, Jay-Z, accumulated wealth through a variety of ventures.

Jay-Z has been pursuing mogul status for over three decades. As of November 2026, Forbes estimates Jay-Z's net worth to be $2.8 billion, making him the richest musician on this list.

The East Coast rapper founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995. Since then, Jay-Z has started his own sports agency, Roc Nation Sports. He bought and sold the music streaming platform Tidal, netting himself $149 million, according to a 2021 Forbes report.

He owns stakes in the Champagne brand Armand de Brignac and the Cognac brand D'Ussé. His umbrella company, Roc Nation, has inked a multimillion-dollar partnership with the NFL. The list goes on.

All that, in addition to his extremely popular discography, has contributed to his vast wealth.

Swift's longtime best friend, Selena Gomez, was named a billionaire by Bloomberg.

In September 2024, Bloomberg estimated Selena Gomez's net worth to be $1.3 billion, largely thanks to her makeup brand, Rare Beauty.

However, Forbes has estimated Gomez's net worth at roughly $700 million, citing reported cash-flow issues with Wondermind, the startup Gomez cofounded in 2021 with her mother, Mandy Teefey, and entrepreneur Daniella Pierson.

Still, Forbes reports, "Gomez's biggest asset is her estimated 51% stake in Rare Beauty." The vegan and cruelty-free brand is widely recognized as one of Sephora's biggest money-makers and most popular celebrity beauty lines; the cult-favorite blush alone generated $70 million in 2022.

In addition to her success as a businesswoman, Gomez is a celebrated actor. She has been nominated for several Golden Globes for the hit Hulu comedy series, "Only Murders in the Building." She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her supporting role in the 2024 film "Emilia Pérez."

Gomez executive produces many of her own projects, including "Only Murders," HBO Max's "Selena + Chef," and Disney Channel's "Wizards Beyond Waverly Place," a sequel to the show that made Gomez famous as a teenager.

Gomez began releasing albums while starring on "Wizards of Waverly Place" via Disney's Hollywood Records. Since signing a new contract with Interscope in 2014, Gomez has released several solo albums and a handful of top-10 hits. Her latest album, "I Said I Love You First," is a collaboration with her husband, Benny Blanco.

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour was the first concert tour in history to gross $2 billion.

Bloomberg reported that Taylor Swift became a billionaire in October 2023. Forbes corroborated this report in April 2024, about halfway through her record-smashing Eras Tour. By the end of its two-year run, the Eras Tour became the first in history to gross $2 billion.

Swift redistributed a significant portion of her touring profits to her crew, reportedly handing out $197 million in bonuses alone. She continued to donate millions to charitable organizations through 2025, including Feeding America, the American Heart Association, MusiCares, ACM Lifting Lives, and the CMA Foundation.

Unlike many of her peers, Swift's wealth comes solely from her — she doesn't have any lucrative side hustles. Swift's sizable net worth estimates are largely based on the value of her musical catalog, which she owns outright. Swift's 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," sold over 4 million copies in its debut week, smashing the single-week album sales record and finishing the year as the top-performing album on the Billboard 200 chart.

As of November 2026, Forbes estimated Swift's net worth to be $2 billion.

Bruce Springsteen earned $500 million from the sale of his music catalog to Sony in 2021.

Over 50 years after The Boss released his first album, "Greetings from Asbury Park," the New Jersey legend was named a billionaire by Forbes. As of November 2026, Forbes estimates Bruce Springsteen's net worth to be $1.2 billion.

As Variety reported, much of Springsteen's wealth comes from the 2021 sale of his music catalog to Sony for $500 million.

In addition to that mega-sale, Springsteen is constantly on the road, earning money from his packed touring schedule with the E Street Band.

Rihanna has made most of her fortune with Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty.

Forbes estimates Rihanna's net worth to be $1 billion.

Despite Rihanna's decadelong reign as a hitmaker, she hasn't released an album since 2016's "Anti," which means that most of her wealth is from her two eponymously named brands: Fenty Beauty, which she co-owns with the French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, and Savage X Fenty, a lingerie brand.

Since its initial launch in 2017, Rihanna's Fenty portfolio has expanded to include Fenty Skin, Fenty Hair, and Fenty Fragrance. Rihanna was also named Puma's creative director in 2014.

• I tried cheesecake from Whole Foods, Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe's to see which was the best.
• Although I'm typically a fan of Trader Joe's products, I thought its cheesecake was bland.
• Costco's cheesecake was delicious — dense, creamy, and tangy — with a classic, buttery crust.

I'm a big fan of New York-style cheesecake — a classic dessert known for its dense, tangy cream-cheese filling, typically set atop a graham-cracker crust.

However, baking one at home can easily take hours, and a trip to a small bakery isn't always an option.

So, I picked up four grocery-store versions from Whole Foods, Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe's to find out which ones actually deliver that classic cheesecake taste. Here's how it went.

The Trader Joe's cheesecake came frozen.

Trader Joe's 30-ounce New York-style cheesecake cost just under $8 and was the only one in the bunch that came frozen.

This was a bit of a bummer because I waited two hours for it to defrost before trying it. However, I was eager to see if this would affect the taste at all.

Unfortunately, I didn't think this cheesecake had much flavor.

When I took a bite, I thought the flavor was faint at best, with none of the tang or richness that makes New York-style cheesecake so iconic. I even had other family members try it with me, and they weren't impressed.

Plus, I thought the crust-to-filling ratio was off, and there wasn't enough of the actual filling for my liking.

Even though it was the cheapest option by ounce, I wouldn't buy it again.

At first glance, the Whole Foods cheesecake looked the best.

The 40-ounce Whole Foods cheesecake cost $27, and had flecks of vanilla bean throughout. It was also beautifully topped with berries and cream.

The crust seemed thin, but the cake itself looked delicious, and I was excited to dig in.

However, I was disappointed by the taste.

Once I took a bite, I thought the filling tasted more sweet than tangy, and it lacked the dense creaminess I expect from a New York-style cheesecake. Instead, it was light, mousse-like, and not at all that cheesy.

The crust wasn't bad, but it didn't have a strong graham-cracker taste, either.

Because this cake was the most expensive on a per-ounce basis, I expected more flavor. So, ultimately, this cheesecake was a miss for me.

The Walmart cheesecake looked promising.

I enjoy most of Walmart's food products, so I was excited to try this presliced 40-ounce New York-style cheesecake, which cost $13.

The filling was pretty good, but I didn't love the crust.

The texture of the cheesecake filling seemed heavier than the others I tried, and I thought it was a decent option for the price. The flavor was a bit mild, but overall, it was pretty good.

My biggest issue here was the crust. It was thin, floury, and left some visible grease at the bottom of the pan.

Costco's cheesecake came with frosting on top.

The Costco cheesecake was the only option that came with frosting, complete with a ruffled, piped border. It also came pre-marked for perfect slicing, though it was tricky to get a clean cut.

At only $20 for a whopping 72 ounces of cheesecake, I thought the price for such a massive cake was hard to beat.

I loved how dense, creamy, and tangy this cheesecake was.

The Costco cheesecake was also the only option not specifically marketed as New York-style, but I thought it tasted authentic. It was dense, creamy, and tangy.

The crust also nailed the classic, buttery, graham-cracker flavor. Although it was a little thin for my liking, it held the filling well, which impressed me.

The only drawback was the sugary frosting on top, which felt unnecessary and distracted from the actual cheesecake filling.

However, it was definitely my favorite option overall, and for the price, I thought it was a great value.

This story was originally published on February 26, 2026, and most recently updated on November 10, 2026.

• AI agents aren't taking off on apps like Uber and DoorDash.
• The AI tools have generated hundreds of food and ride-hailing orders, the companies said.
• Shoppers have said that agents can make mistakes and need guardrails to be useful.

AI agents aren't getting much love from restaurant patrons or ride-hailing passengers.

Despite predictions that agents will revolutionize ordering stuff online, both Uber and DoorDash mentioned on their latest earnings calls that they've received hundreds of orders through AI agents like Meta's Muse or Instinct.

Those are tiny numbers compared to the millions of rides and deliveries that the companies complete each day.

For example, Uber provided 320 million ride-hailing and delivery trips during the last week of October, CFO Balaji Krishnamurthy said on Uber's third-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. It was "one of our largest weeks" thanks to Halloween orders, Krishnamurthy said.

Only about 500 of those Uber Eats orders came from AI agents, he said. And agents were the source of four ride-hailing trips during the week.

"It is very, very early, and very limited traction that we have seen so far," Krishnamurthy said.

The comments came a week after DoorDash CEO Tony Xu said that his company had received "several hundred orders in total" from AI agents. That's a sliver of the billions of orders that DoorDash delivers annually.

Some AI users have put agents in charge of buying everything from plane tickets to groceries for them. Shoppers have also said the tools are useful for monitoring prices. Ordering errors and fears about the agents going rogue with credit card details have led others to use them more cautiously, Business Insider previously reported.

Even with limited usage, both Uber and DoorDash are moving ahead with AI tools on their own apps.

DoorDash said in September that it was testing a text-to-order feature that allows users to bypass the company's app, for instance.

Do you have a story idea about the gig economy? 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.

• Italian restaurants nationwide are often rich in history and beloved by their local communities.
• Fior d'Italia in San Francisco is widely recognized as the oldest Italian restaurant in the country.
• We found iconic Italian restaurants based on customer reviews, their reputations, and local history.

Few meals feel more suited to a cozy autumn night out than dinner at a beloved local Italian restaurant.

From red-sauce institutions to hole-in-the-wall pizza joints, Italian restaurants remain some of the most enduring gathering places in communities across the US.

We identified an iconic Italian restaurant in every state, weighing local legacy, longtime popularity, cultural impact, customer feedback, and the signature dishes that have earned each spot a devoted following.

The list includes historic institutions like Fior d'Italia in San Francisco — widely believed to be the oldest Italian restaurant in the country, dating back to 1886 — and beloved neighborhood staples like Mystic Pizza in Connecticut.

Here are the most iconic and enduring Italian restaurants in every state.

ALABAMA: Gianmarco's Restaurant in Birmingham

Gianmarco's Restaurant is a Birmingham staple founded by a father-and-sons trio who have brought generations of Italian family recipes to the city for nearly 20 years.

The upscale yet welcoming spot is known for handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and signature dishes, such as veal Parmesan and house-made gnocchi, all served in an intimate, old-world setting.

ALASKA: In Bocca Al Lupo in Juneau

In Bocca Al Lupo is led by six-time James Beard award-nominated chef Beau Schooler and brings a modern, handmade approach to Italian cooking in downtown Juneau.

The restaurant has earned a loyal following for its fresh, house-made pastas, creative small plates, and seasonal ingredients, offering a refined take on Italian cuisine in Alaska's capital.

ARIZONA: Marcellino Ristorante in Scottsdale

Marcellino Ristorante is led by Italian-born chef Marcellino Verzino, who brings decades of culinary experience to his Scottsdale establishment.

The intimate restaurant is known for fresh pasta, seafood, and rotating regional dishes that showcase authentic Italian cooking methods.

ARKANSAS: Bruno's Little Italy in Little Rock

Bruno's Little Italy has been a Little Rock institution since 1949, founded by Italian immigrants who helped shape the city's dining scene.

A longtime local favorite, the restaurant serves generous portions of red-sauce staples — including spaghetti and meatballs and baked lasagna — in an old-school dining room with red-and-white checked tablecloths.

CALIFORNIA: Fior d'Italia in San Francisco

Fior d'Italia, founded in 1886, is widely recognized as the oldest Italian restaurant in the United States.

The historic San Francisco institution is famous for classic dishes like cioppino, veal parmigiana, and house-made pasta, served in a space that reflects more than a century of Italian-American dining tradition.

COLORADO: Gaetano's in Denver

A fixture of Denver's historic Northside since 1947, Gaetano's was once reportedly associated with the infamous Smaldone crime family, according to a local radio outlet.

Today, the restaurant serves Italian-American favorites such as spaghetti and meatballs and chicken Parmesan, pairing hearty red-sauce dishes with a setting steeped in neighborhood history.

CONNECTICUT: Mystic Pizza in Mystic

Mystic Pizza was a neighborhood pizzeria for 15 years before it inspired the 1988 Julia Roberts film of the same name.

After screenwriter Amy Jones visited the Mystic, Connecticut, restaurant, she used it as the backdrop for the movie, which was filmed there and turned the longtime local spot into a destination for fans eager to try its signature "A Slice of Heaven" pizza slice.

DELAWARE: Mrs. Robino's in Wilmington

Since 1940, Mrs. Robino's has welcomed Wilmington diners with the kind of Italian cooking that feels like it came straight from a family kitchen.

Still family-owned generations later, the longtime local favorite serves comforting plates of lasagna, ravioli, and meatballs based on recipes passed down over the years.

FLORIDA: Christini's Ristorante Italiano in Orlando

Christini's Ristorante Italiano has been a fine-dining destination in Orlando since 1984, founded by restaurateur Chris Christini.

The elegant, old-school restaurant is known for tableside service, handmade pastas, and signature dishes like veal saltimbocca, as well as a vast wine cellar, nightly music, and roses given to every female customer.

GEORGIA: La Grotta Ristorante Italiano in Buckhead, Atlanta

La Grotta has been a Buckhead favorite since 1978 and is known for its refined, romantic atmosphere and garden area.

The upscale Italian restaurant is celebrated for Northern Italian dishes such as lobster ravioli and veal scaloppine, as well as an extensive wine list and a celebrity clientele.

HAWAII: Arancino in Honolulu

Arancino opened in Waikiki in the 1990s and has grown into one of Hawaii's most beloved Italian restaurant groups.

The restaurant is especially known for its signature pasta dishes — including uni pasta and dishes finished in a large Parmesan cheese wheel — blending Italian tradition with high-quality island ingredients.

IDAHO: Luciano's Italian Restaurant in Boise

Luciano's Italian Restaurant is a longtime Boise favorite known for its classic Italian-American comfort food made from scratch.

The welcoming restaurant draws regulars for hearty dishes such as fettuccine Alfredo, chicken Parmesan, and baked pasta, served in a casual, family-friendly setting.

ILLINOIS: The Village in Chicago

The Village opened in 1927 in Chicago's Little Italy and has remained a landmark for nearly a century.

The historic restaurant is known for traditional dishes like chicken cacciatore and house-made pasta, along with its old-world dining rooms that reflect generations of Italian heritage.

INDIANA: Iaria's Italian Restaurant in Indianapolis

Iaria's Italian Restaurant has been serving Indianapolis since 1933. It was founded by Italian immigrants in the city's historic Italian neighborhood, and has remained on the same street corner ever since.

It's known for its signature meat sauce, spaghetti, and veal dishes, along with a retro interior that hasn't changed much in decades.

IOWA: Tumea & Sons in Des Moines

Tumea & Sons dates back to the late 1990s, when the Tumea family opened their own Italian restaurant, drawing on family recipes and knowledge gained from previous jobs at other restaurants.

The longtime Des Moines institution is famous for its handmade pasta, baked lasagna, and family-style meals that reflect generations of Italian-American tradition.

KANSAS: Garozzo's in Kansas City

Garozzo's has been a Kansas City staple since 1989, founded by a local Italian-American family and rooted in traditional recipes.

The beloved restaurant is best known for its signature chicken spiedini — a Kansas City favorite — along with classic red-sauce dishes served in a warm, old-school setting.

KENTUCKY: Pompilio's in Newport

Pompilio's has been serving Northern Kentucky since 1933 and is one of the region's most historic Italian restaurants.

It's known for hearty classics like lasagna, ravioli, and seafood dishes, and gained national attention after appearing in the film "Rain Man."

LOUISIANA: Pascal's Manale in New Orleans

Pascal's Manale opened in 1913 and is a cornerstone of New Orleans' Italian-Creole dining tradition.

The historic restaurant is credited with popularizing barbecue shrimp — its most famous dish — along with classic pasta and seafood served in a timeless dining room.

MAINE: Via Vecchia in Portland

Via Vecchia is a newer addition to Portland's dining scene, offering a stylish take on Italian cuisine in the city's Old Port. It's known for its ivy-covered red-brick building and romantic, trendy interiors.

It serves up handmade pastas, wood-fired dishes, and fan-favorite menu items like short rib ragu.

MARYLAND: Il Pizzico in Rockville

Il Pizzico has been a Rockville favorite for decades, known for bringing refined regional Italian cuisine to the suburbs of Washington, DC.

The intimate restaurant is celebrated for its house-made pastas, fresh seafood, and rotating specials.

MASSACHUSETTS: Regina Pizzeria in Boston

Regina Pizzeria first opened in Boston's North End in 1926 and is one of the most iconic pizzerias in the country.

The legendary spot is known for its brick-oven pizzas with charred, chewy crusts and classic toppings, drawing lines of locals and tourists every day.

MICHIGAN: Buddy's Pizza in Detroit

Buddy's Pizza, founded in 1946 as Buddy's Rendezvous, is widely credited as the birthplace of Detroit-style pizza.

The iconic restaurant is known for its square, deep-dish pies with caramelized cheese edges and sauce layered on top — a style that has become famous nationwide.

MINNESOTA: Yarusso Bros in St. Paul

Yarusso Bros has been serving St. Paul since 1933, making it one of Minnesota's oldest Italian restaurants.

The family-run institution is famous for its signature baked mostaccioli pasta, classic red-sauce dishes, and old-school charm that has endured for generations.

MISSISSIPPI: Giardina's Restaurant in Greenwood

Giardina's Restaurant dates back to 1936 and is one of the most historic restaurants in the Mississippi Delta.

The elegant yet nostalgic spot is known for its steaks and Italian-influenced seafood dishes that also reflect its Southern heritage.

MISSOURI: Jasper's Italian Restaurant in Kansas City

Jasper's has been a Kansas City institution since 1954, founded by a Sicilian immigrant family.

The longtime favorite is known for authentic Italian dishes like lasagna and linguini with clams, as well as a lively dining room and generations of loyal customers.

MONTANA: Lucca's in Helena

Lucca's in Helena, Montana, is a fine-dining restaurant specializing in Italian cuisine.

The eatery serves Italian and Italian-American staples, including baked ziti, spaghetti, risotto, and chicken. TripAdvisor has ranked it among the best eateries in the state, and Business Insider previously named Lucca's the best restaurant in Montana.

NEBRASKA: Orsi's Italian Bakery & Pizzeria in Omaha

Orsi's Italian Bakery & Pizzeria dates back to 1919 and remains one of Omaha's most historic Italian establishments.

The bakery-turned-pizzeria is famous for its thick, square-cut pizzas and fresh-baked bread, served in a no-frills, old-world setting.

NEVADA: Piero's Italian Cuisine in Las Vegas

Piero's Italian Cuisine opened in 1982 and has long been a power-dining destination just off the Las Vegas Strip.

The upscale restaurant is known for Northern Italian dishes like osso buco and veal Parmesan, as well as its history of hosting celebrities and mob-era figures.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: The Rosa in Portsmouth

The Rosa, previously known as Rosa's Restaurant, is a modern Italian restaurant in downtown Portsmouth that blends tradition with contemporary flair.

The stylish spot has served customers since it opened in 1927 and is known for handmade pasta, seasonal ingredients, and refined dishes.

NEW JERSEY: Chef Vola's in Atlantic City

Chef Vola's has been a hidden gem in Atlantic City since 1921, operating out of a small house in a residential neighborhood.

The famously hard-to-book restaurant is known for classic dishes like veal Parmesan and rigatoni, as well as its old-school, cash-only charm and loyal following.

NEW MEXICO: Trombino's Bistro Italiano in Albuquerque

Open since 1979, Trombino's Bistro Italiano has been a longtime favorite in Albuquerque, founded by a family with deep Italian roots.

The welcoming restaurant is known for generous portions of classics like baked lasagna and chicken Parmesan, all served in a warm, neighborhood setting.

NEW YORK: Lombardi's in New York City

While New York has no shortage of iconic Italian establishments, from Carmine's to Carbone, Lombardi's is widely recognized as America's first pizzeria.

Established in 1905, the Nolita landmark — previously located in New York's Little Italy neighborhood — is famous for its coal-fired, thin-crust pizzas with charred edges and simple, high-quality toppings that helped define New York-style pizza.

NORTH CAROLINA: Amedeo's Italian Restaurant in Raleigh

Amedeo's opened in 1963 and has become a Raleigh institution, especially among NC State University students and alumni.

The longtime favorite is known for hearty Italian-American classics like lasagna and baked ziti, as well as its sports-themed décor celebrating Wolfpack history.

NORTH DAKOTA: Spaghetti Western in Fargo

Spaghetti Western brings a creative, modern take on Italian cuisine to downtown Fargo.

The popular spot is known for house-made pasta, inventive dishes, and a lively atmosphere that blends Italian flavors with a contemporary Midwestern twist.

OHIO: Guarino's in Cleveland

Guarino's, founded in 1918, is the oldest restaurant in Cleveland and a cornerstone of the city's Little Italy neighborhood.

The historic eatery is known for classic dishes like gnocchi, manicotti, and wedding soup, served in a charming, old-world setting with an expansive garden patio.

OKLAHOMA: Pete's Place in Krebs

Pete's Place dates back to 1925 and was founded by Italian immigrants in the coal-mining town of Krebs, once known as Little Italy.

The beloved institution is famous for its family-style meals, including spaghetti, ravioli, and fried chicken, served alongside its signature house salad and garlic bread.

OREGON: Nostrana in Portland

Nostrana has been a Portland staple since 2005, known for its focus on seasonal, farm-driven Italian cuisine.

The acclaimed James Beard-nominated restaurant is especially famous for its wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and simple, elegant dishes that highlight high-quality ingredients.

PENNSYLVANIA: The Victor Café in Philadelphia

Established in 1918, The Victor Café in Philadelphia specializes in Italian food, offering customers ravioli, risotto, and steak.

However, the restaurant isn't known only for its food. Victor Cafe's claim to fame is its appearances in the "Rocky" franchise: The restaurant appeared in "Rocky Balboa" in 2006, and its spinoff, "Creed." In the movies, the restaurant is called Adrian's.

RHODE ISLAND: Camille's in Providence

Camille's has been a fixture on Providence's Federal Hill since 1914, making it one of the city's oldest Italian restaurants.

The historic spot is known for its romantic atmosphere and classic dishes like veal Parmesan and seafood pasta in the heart of Rhode Island's most famously Italian neighborhood.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Villa Tronco in Columbia

Villa Tronco dates back to 1940 and is widely considered South Carolina's oldest Italian restaurant.

The family-run institution is known for recipes passed down through generations, including lasagna, baked ziti, and rich tomato sauces, as well as for its unique location inside a historic firehouse.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Maribella Ristorante in Sioux Falls

Maribella Ristorante offers an upscale Italian dining experience in Sioux Falls.

The restaurant is known for refined dishes like house-made pasta, seafood specialties, and elegant presentations, making it a go-to for special occasions and a favorite among locals, who've consistently awarded the restaurant highly rated reviews on Google and Yelp.

TENNESSEE: Caffé Nonna in Nashville

Established in 1999, Caffé Nonna is a seven-time winner of Nashville's Best Italian Restaurant and is known for its cozy, intimate atmosphere and for featuring recipes from Chef Dan's grandmother or "nonna."

The restaurant is especially beloved for its signature lasagna — often cited as one of the best in the city — as well as other classic Italian comfort dishes.

TEXAS: Rosie Cannonball in Houston

Rosie Cannonball is a modern Italian-inspired restaurant in Houston that has quickly gained national attention and is even featured in the Michelin Guide.

The stylish spot is known for wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and Mediterranean-influenced dishes, along with an extensive wine list and vibrant atmosphere.

UTAH: Valter's Osteria in Salt Lake City

Valter's Osteria was founded by Italian-born chef Valter Nassi, who became a local legend and a famed Italian restaurateur in Salt Lake City after 20 years of owning and operating restaurants there.

His namesake restaurant is known for tableside service, handmade pasta, and signature dishes like pappardelle and osso buco, all served with theatrical flair.

VERMONT: Sarducci's in Montpelier

Sarducci's, located along the Winooski River in the heart of downtown, has been a Montpelier favorite for decades.

The cozy restaurant is known for classic Italian dishes such as seafood pasta, risotto, and wood-fired pizza, served alongside scenic waterfront views.

VIRGINIA: Luigi's Italian Gourmet in Roanoke

Luigi's Italian Gourmet has been serving Roanoke since 1970, making it one of the city's most enduring Italian restaurants.

The casual, family-run spot is known for generous portions of classics like spaghetti, baked ziti, and subs, along with a loyal local following.

WASHINGTON: The Pink Door in Seattle

The Pink Door opened in 1981 and is one of Seattle's most iconic restaurants, hidden behind an unmarked entrance in Pike Place Market.

The restaurant is known for its Italian-inspired menu, including handmade pasta and seafood, as well as live entertainment like cabaret and trapeze performances.

WEST VIRGINIA: Fazio's Italian Restaurant in Charleston

Blessed with the tagline of "the most famous Italian restaurant in West Virginia," Fazio's Italian Restaurant has been a Charleston staple for decades, founded by a family with Italian roots.

The longtime favorite is known for classic dishes like veal Parmesan, spaghetti, and house-made sauces, served in a welcoming atmosphere.

WISCONSIN: Calderone Club in Milwaukee

Calderone Club has been a Milwaukee institution since 1945, and is even credited with introducing pizza to the city.

The beloved family-owned restaurant is known for its thin-crust pizzas, homemade pasta, and classic Italian-American dishes.

WYOMING: Calico Restaurant and Bar in Jackson

Established in 1966, Calico Restaurant and Bar has been a Jackson Hole favorite for decades, offering Italian-inspired cuisine just a stone's throw from local tourist attractions.

The restaurant is known for wood-fired pizzas, hearty pasta dishes, and a cozy, cabin-like atmosphere near Grand Teton National Park.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published in April 2026 and most recently updated in November 2026.

• Graphon has raised $35 million to enhance AI data mapping for businesses and developers.
• Graphon says it creates a “fabric” of information, rather than retrieving data in individual pieces.
• Check out the pitch deck it used to secure the new funding:

AI agents can write code, search databases, and carry out multistep tasks. But they can still lose track of past conversations and struggle to make sense of huge, changing troves of company information.

San Francisco-based Graphon is trying to solve that problem with software that lets agents store and retrieve information over time. Now, it has raised $35 million to further build and sell its technology.

The company’s name comes from “graphons,” a mathematical framework founder and CEO Arbaaz Khan used during his Ph.D. research into coordinating swarms of robots. Rather than treating a company’s documents, videos, and images as isolated snippets, Graphon maps the connections among them — including where information came from and when it changed.

Khan compared common AI search systems to tearing pages out of a book, crumpling them up, and tossing them into a bin.

“Now when you go searching that trash can, you’re just trying to find the pieces to answer,” he told Business Insider. “You’ve basically lost all that information because each piece is living on its own.”

Graphon, he said, instead creates a connected “fabric” of information.

The company says it has two groups of customers in mind: individual developers and companies with enormous stores of technical and operational data like industrial businesses, financial services, and healthcare companies.

“You can basically point your Claude or GPT or whatever to Graphon,” Khan said about the product being compatible with any off-the-shelf agents. “You can push in any amount of data in this, and we literally mean any.”

Graphon says its software is already used by the San Francisco 49ers and HP.

The company's $35 million Series A round was led by RRE Ventures, with participation from Energy Impact Partners, Hitachi Ventures, Gaia VC, and HP. The company closed a roughly $8 million seed round earlier this year.

Graphon, which has 20 employees, plans to use the cash injection primarily to hire engineers and researchers, as well as some sales and go-to-market staff. Khan said the company expects to remain focused on enterprise customers before moving further into personal devices and consumer products.

Check out the pitch deck Graphon used to secure fresh funding:

• Markets were hit on Tuesday by new inflation fears after hot October CPI data.
• Stocks were slightly lower, but bond yields soared, with the 10-year Treasury yield up 13 basis points.
• Comments from a top Fed official hinted at a jumbo rate hike to combat inflation.

Inflation was back in the picture on Tuesday after a hot October consumer price index report.

Stocks dipped and bond yields spiked after last month's CPI data showed prices rose slower than they did in September, but still at a faster pace than forecasters expected.

Data showed a 0.4% increase, above expectations for 0.3%. Meanwhile, markets were shaken ahead of the CPI report by a comment from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, who indicated he would support a jumbo rate hike if the inflation picture didn't improve.

Waller said the if October inflation looked similar to past months, "a 50 basis point hike in the policy rate should be considered at the December meeting. Hiking only 25 basis points would put our credibility at risk, a risk I am not eager to take."

The rate hike odds for next month's policy meeting surged. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, traders see nearly 90% odds of a 25 basis point hike and 10% odds of a 50 basis point move.

Bond yields surged following Waller's comments and the October CPI report. The 10-year spiked 13 basis points to 4.99%, climbing back toward the key 5% level after weeks of stock volatility sent investors fleeing back to bonds.

The 2-year Treasury, which is most sensitive to Fed policy expectations, climbed 19 basis points to 4.73%.

Here's where major indexes stood around 10:45 a.m. ET:

• S&P 500: 7,497.79, down 0.7%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: 52,075.42, down 0.6% (-314.33 points)
• Nasdaq 100: 27,701.12, down 0.74%

Daniel Siluk, a portfolio manager at Janus Henderson, said that the outlook has dimmed, as inflation is still moving in the wrong direction in the last three months.

"For the Federal Reserve, we think this cements the case for a December rate hike, particularly following Governor Waller's comments earlier this morning around the risks from persistent inflation," he stated.

Jeff Schulze, head investment strategist at the Franklin Templeton Institute, also said that Waller's hawkish comments make it clear that a December rate hike is a done deal.

"Today's release will be a headwind to risk assets as investors price the possibility of a 50bp hike in December and additional hikes beyond," Schulze stated, "with higher front-end yields and a stronger dollar weighing on equity valuations."

• Nvidia would be worth 25% to 30% less without Jensen Huang at the helm, Dan Ives says.
• The tech bull said Huang cannot be easily replaced, pointing to "key-man" risk at the company.
• Nvidia stock tumbled again on Tuesday, extending Monday's losses as traders react to the scandal.

Jensen Huang is worth about 30% of Nvidia's total value.

That's according to prominent tech bull Dan Ives, who said on Tuesday that Huang's departure from the AI chip titan would whittle its value by nearly a third.

Huang is embroiled in a scandal related to an affair with a suspected Chinese spy. The woman, Alice Huang, has been an executive at Singaporean data firm Megaspeed, a company with ties to big Chinese tech firms.

If Huang were to depart, Ives said that Nvidia stock would fall 25% to 30%, implying a drop to around $122 per share.

"We believe if Jensen was removed as CEO, Nvidia is worth a lot less (25%-30%) as a company/stock and would change the future direction of the company and create a dramatically different competitive environment around AI GPUs both in the US and globally especially for China," Ives, a senior managing director at Yorkville Ives, wrote in a note.

Nvidia shares were hit by a broader panic in the AI trade last week, with Huang's affair the latest headwind pushing against the price. The stock has tumbled 25% from its early October peak, and is down 8% year-to-date.

Ives pointed to the "key man risk," the idea that much of Nvidia's value is pegged to the visibility and image of Jensen Huang. There is no publicly known succession plan at Nvidia.

"Jensen is the core DNA of Nvidia and its AI success and ambitions are heavily tied to him staying on as CEO. Jensen is not replaceable," Ives said. "There is no other person on the management team bench that can step in seamlessly as CEO."

The dilemma extends to the broader stock market and the economy, as well. Nvidia, which was the world's largest company by market-cap before the recent stock slide, has been a pillar of the AI-led bull market.

The chipmaker was overtaken by Apple as the world's most valuable company, with its market cap falling below $5 trillion amid the post-election rout and Huang's affair.

CEOs have sometimes weathered relationship scandals that public. Jeff Bezos, notably, stayed on as Amazon CEO after his affair with Lauren Sanchez was exposed in 2019, though former leaders at Astronomer, Nestlé, Kohl's, Intel, and McDonald's have been outed after similar developments. Huang's episode differs, as his relationship with a Chinese national has potential national security implications.

• John Turturro looked back on the start of his career in the 1980s.
• He recalled working with directors he described as "borderline beyond abusive."
• "There was a lot of violence done to the actors in those movies," he told Business Insider.

Legendary actor John Turturro is best known for crafting memorable characters through his collaborations with directors like Spike Lee and the Coen brothers. But earlier in his career, Turturro's work with certain directors made him feel less like a collaborator and more like a punching bag.

Turturro got his start in movies in the fast-and-loose era of the 1980s, landing parts in films made by established names like William Friedkin ("To Live and Die in L.A."), Woody Allen ("Hannah and Her Sisters"), Martin Scorsese ("The Color of Money"), and Michael Cimino ("The Sicilian"). But not all his memories from this time are positive.

"A few of the people you mentioned — not Marty — were really rough," Turturro told Business Insider. "They were borderline beyond abusive sometimes. There was a lot of violence done to the actors in those movies."

He still remembers filming one scene in particular.

In Friedkin's 1985 neo-noir thriller "To Live and Die in L.A.," Turturro had a bit part playing a man who's caught using counterfeit money at an airport and is pursued by a Secret Service agent (William Petersen), who finally tracks him down in a bathroom and throws him against a wall.

"Oh, I got jacked up for real," Turturro said, thinking back on the scene. And he didn't take kindly to it.

"My father was a builder, so where I came from, if someone did something to someone, even if it was the boss, it got physical," Turturro said. "On a movie set, you don't think you have to take it there. But I learned some things from some of those movies."

One thing he realized was that he would have to speak up for himself. He'd find his voice on the set of the indie crime drama "Five Corners" (1988).

"For me, that was the first time that I really asserted myself, speaking out and saying I'm not going to do certain things," Turturro recalled. "That was the first time, at that stage in my life, that I gave a full performance that really landed the way I wanted it to."

The performance would also grab the attention of Spike Lee, who would go on to cast Turturro in "Do the Right Thing." The duo have collaborated on eight other movies since.

Decades after his early foray into film, there's one kind of project that's an instant pass for Turturro: one that's "violent for violence's sake."

"I feel like the world has enough of that," he said. "I'm really not interested in that."

• The UK's newest aircraft carrier uses small drones for logistics and surveillance roles.
• They can be used instead of helicopters, said a flight deck officer aboard the HMS Prince of Wales.
• Britain is pushing to integrate aerial drones into its two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.

ABOARD THE HMS PRINCE OF WALES — Small drones are taking on some jobs once reserved for helicopters aboard the UK's newest aircraft carrier, from ferrying supplies to conducting surveillance.

The HMS Prince of Wales is equipped with what the Royal Navy calls a "state-of-the-art" air wing that consists of F-35B stealth fighter jets, a mix of Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, and quadcopter drones.

Speaking to Business Insider during a visit to the Prince of Wales last week off the coast of Norway, a flight deck officer said the drones — made by British company Malloy Aeronautics — can carry up to 150 pounds. They take off from a space on the flight deck called the "graveyard," next to the ski-jump ramp where fighter jets launch.

The officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the Malloy drones can be used instead of helicopters for logistics and for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and that their use will only become more prominent over time. They won't completely replace crewed aircraft for these missions, though.

The $4 billion Prince of Wales was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 2019; however, it wasn't until 2025 that the UK first used a Malloy T-150 quadcopter to deliver supplies from the aircraft carrier to a nearby warship.

The Royal Navy said at the time that the goal of the trial was to find a "cheap and efficient alternative" to helicopter and boat deliveries. The T-150 flew just over a mile, but it has a maximum range of roughly 23 miles, according to Malloy.

The helicopter squadrons aboard the Prince of Wales are equipped to take on a variety of missions. The Merlin Mk4 Commando, for instance, can move troops from ship to shore and transport heavy cargo, while the Merlin Mk2 variant and the Wildcat offer advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

But there are new opportunities in uncrewed systems. Britain is pushing to integrate drones into its two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers as part of broader efforts to make the military — at sea, on land, and in the air — more autonomous.

On Thursday, the Royal Navy announced that a strike drone was launched from the flight deck of the HMS Queen Elizabeth in the North Atlantic last month, the first such trial aboard one of the UK's aircraft carriers.

The trial marked an important step toward the Royal Navy's development of a "hybrid carrier air wing," a concept in which the UK is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to develop jet-powered drones to fly alongside its F-35s.

The mid-October trial also saw an AR-5, a fixed-wing drone made by the Portugese-British defense company Tekever for surveillance and logistics missions, operate from an aircraft carrier for the first time.

Similar drone trials could eventually be extended to the other carrier in the class; the Prince of Wales has already tested similar uncrewed systems from its flight deck.

Militaries around the world are increasingly integrating aerial drones into their naval operations, even constructing purpose-built ships and systems for at-sea missions.

NATO ally Turkey, for instance, as well as China and Iran, have converted vessels into drone carriers, and South Korea has tested the launch of uncrewed aircraft from an amphibious assault ship. Meanwhile, the US Navy has experimented with using a variety of drones for naval logistics and support missions.

In September, the US Department of Defense awarded Boeing Co. a $562 million production contract for the MQ-25A Stingray, a drone designed to refuel Navy fighter jets. The Pentagon has described this system as "the world's first fully integrated, carrier-based" uncrewed aircraft.

NATO militaries like the US and UK are also integrating other uncrewed systems into their surface fleets. Britain, for instance, recently launched its first squadron formed entirely of autonomous surface vessels to work alongside traditional warships.

• About a year ago, I moved into a van with my 4-year-old dog, Maple.
• There have been logistical challenges, and I've also dealt with loneliness at times.
• However, I've gotten to explore so much of Europe and learned a lot about my own resilience.

Traveling wasn't how I originally pictured spending my 30s. But when I found myself single, without the commitments I'd expected to have at this age, I started thinking about what I could do with the freedom.

I'd always wanted to see more of the world, and with my 4-year-old dog Maple beside me, I decided to stop waiting.

Up until then, I'd worked as a financial advisor, spending my days in the corporate world, helping people plan for their futures. It made me think about all the things I wanted to do before I retired.

I wanted to travel while I was fit and healthy enough to climb mountains and enjoy the places I'd dreamed of visiting.

So, I sold my belongings, packed up my car, and set off with Maple in April 2025. We spent three months traveling between Greece and my native UK. I was nervous about going alone, but that experience showed me I could manage more than I'd given myself credit for.

By the time we got back, I wanted to keep exploring.

A trial trip convinced me to buy a van, but our early days were tough

I'd seen people on social media post about van life, and I knew that was the freedom I was looking for. Two months after our first trip, before committing fully, I rented a van for two weeks and traveled around the Welsh coast.

I really enjoyed living in a van; traveling with Maple was much easier when we had somewhere familiar to sleep, cook, and retreat to at the end of the day. I decided to bite the bullet and buy our very own.

I ended up spending more than I intended, but comfort mattered if this van was going to be our home. I picked it up in September 2025 and drove straight to Scotland, excited about what was ahead.

The first few days weren't what I imagined.

The electrics failed, the boiler broke, and the skylights leaked, all while I was dealing with Scottish storms alone. I kept driving back and forth from remote parts of the Highlands, trying to find someone trustworthy who could help.

Instead of enjoying our new home (and the beautiful sights of Scotland), I worried about what might go wrong next. There were moments when I genuinely wondered whether I'd made an enormous, expensive mistake.

Traveling alone means handling the difficult days yourself

Despite those early challenges, I kept going. After driving the entirety of Scotland, we decided to venture back into mainland Europe. We drove across France, Spain, Italy, and down the Balkans to Greece again, and I learned a lot about my own resilience.

Before moving into the van, I'd thought about freedom much more than the responsibility. Now, if something breaks, I have to work out what to do, find someone who can help, and handle repairs wherever we happen to be.

Everyday jobs take more planning, too. I have to think about water, electricity, laundry, and where we'll spend the night. Those worries don't disappear just because I'm parked somewhere beautiful.

Safety is always another consideration. If I arrive somewhere and feel uncomfortable, I move. I've learned to trust that feeling rather than persuade myself to stay because a view is good. Luckily, I haven't had any bad experiences so far, but I am definitely conscious of my surroundings.

Finally, there are times when I feel lonely. Maple is wonderful company, but she can't help me make a difficult decision or talk through a stressful day. Sometimes, I'd love someone beside me to share both the practical load and the experience.

The ordinary good days make it worthwhile

Now, a year later, we've explored much of Europe, from deep winter snow in the Pyrenees to summer heat on the Albanian Riviera.

Some of my favorite moments have been the simplest: opening the van door to mountains, taking Maple for a swim at the beach, or finishing a hike knowing our little home is waiting nearby.

I love having the time to stay somewhere because we like it. We can revisit a favorite place or change direction whenever a new one catches my attention. Maple gets to be part of almost everything I do, which was a huge reason I chose this way of traveling. Watching her live her best life brings me so much joy.

Over the past 12 months, I've gotten better at handling the tough parts of van life, too. I'm more practical, more resourceful, and more willing to ask for help. Problems still upset me, but I have a growing collection of experiences that remind me I can get through them.

I still think about the life I imagined having by now. Traveling hasn't erased my hopes for a family or a settled-down future someday, but it's given me a way to enjoy my life while I work out what comes next.

There are days I miss the ease of a house, then I wake up somewhere beautiful, Maple ready for her walk, and I am so glad we took the leap.

• A change in high-altitude jet streams is propelling airliners to super speed this week.
• On Monday, a United Airlines flight from Singapore to San Francisco was boosted by 200 miles per hour.
• Supercharged jet streams can lead to quicker flight times, but also more turbulence.

Some international airline passengers are in luck this week as a supercharged jet stream helps flights land over an hour ahead of schedule.

Numerous transpacific flights from Asia to the US clocked ground speeds around 750 miles per hour on Monday, according to data from Flightradar24.

For example, United Airlines Flight 2, from Singapore to San Francisco, reached a ground speed of 767 miles per hour. That's 200mph faster than the Boeing 787's normal cruising speed, and equivalent to the speed of sound at sea level.

Flight 2 touched down in California at 7:50 a.m. — 1 hour and 25 minutes before its scheduled arrival time.

While airlines build padding into their timetables to absorb delays, there's still a sizable boost. The total flight time is 26 minutes faster than Sunday's flight, and an hour faster than Saturday's.

However, the plane wasn't actually flying supersonic. Ground speed measures how fast it moves relative to the Earth, and this was propelled by the North Pacific jet stream.

The North Pacific jet stream has since accelerated, too. It reached 246 miles per hour at typical cruising altitude on Tuesday morning, according to European weather data displayed by Windy.

United Airlines Flight 876 from Tokyo reached a ground speed over 785 miles per hour as it crossed the ocean on Tuesday, per Flightradar24.

For passengers flying from the US to Europe later in the week, the North Atlantic jet stream is also set to accelerate, with speeds of 200 miles per hour forecast for Saturday.

However, the jet stream is further south than usual, below the flagship New York to London route, Guy Gratton, professor of aircraft test and evaluation at Cranfield University in England, told Business Insider.

As of Tuesday, the jet stream is ideally positioned for flights from Florida to Spain.

"They are basically getting 150 miles an hour of free speed, which is absolutely brilliant from their viewpoint," Gratton said.

By the weekend, the jet stream is forecast to move further north, boosting flights from Washington, DC, and the Carolinas to northern Europe. And as the jet stream is an ideal place to fly, air traffic control can help re-route airplanes.

"Things are much more flexible than they used to be, so you're going to see captains and operations departments asking for specific routes to take best advantage of the speed," Gratton said. "Apart from anything else, that keeps the fuel burn down and makes the flights cheaper."

It isn't going to be plain sailing for everyone, though.

Gratton pointed out that the jet stream is forecast to be split rather than a continuous current.

"I would think that you probably are going to see more turbulence in those regions where you're crossing the edges of the jet stream," he said.

• Cold weather is expected ahead of a potential nor'easter across the eastern US.
• The weekend's weather is more difficult to predict so many days out.
• Snow could pile up in northern New England, upstate New York, and the Appalachians.

A potential nor'easter later this week could bring the season's first snowfall, with rain, coastal flooding, and freezing temperatures possible from the Great Lakes to Florida's Gulf Coast.

Meteorologists at The Weather Channel predict daytime high temperatures from Chicago to Atlanta will fall 20 degrees between Wednesday and Friday.

Rain is also expected from Georgia to Michigan by Wednesday night, and the interior Northeast could see rain by Thursday night, which could mix with or become wet snow.

By the weekend, meteorologists say temperatures could fall into the 30s and spread as far south as the Florida Panhandle.

Usually occurring between September and April, a nor'easter is a type of storm that forms along the US East Coast and typically brings winds from the Northeast, per the National Weather Service.

The weekend is harder to predict

Meteorologists said the weekend is more difficult to predict so many days out.

Some forecasts indicate strong winds and coastal flooding along parts of the East Coast, as well as heavier rain near the coast and snow farther inland. Other forecasts suggest lighter precipitation and winds, but with some risk of coastal flooding.

The mountains of northern New England, upstate New York, and the Appalachians could see accumulating snow, marking the season's first snowfall in many areas.

The Weather Channel's forecast indicates that major cities along the East Coast, such as New York and Boston, are not expected to receive any snow, as temperatures will remain above freezing.

The last nor'easter occurred in September and brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, causing coastal flooding and power outages for tens of thousands of households.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

• I spent 30 years raising four children, and being their mom became the center of my identity.
• When my last child moved out, I cried over the memories, mistakes, and years that had passed.
• At 57, I'm learning to put myself first and figure out what I want from the next chapter.

It was a morning like most others. Rise with the sun, kiss my husband, feed the cat and dogs, make my coffee, and sit out back to greet the day. Except that this morning, the house was empty for the first time in 30 years.

As I sat down to drink my coffee, I whispered, "I can't believe it's actually here."

Fat, warm tears began making their way down my face, and my heart felt like it was breaking into a thousand tiny pieces.

I closed my eyes, took a slow, deep breath, and reflected back through the years that now felt like one long, beautiful dream that I was trying not to wake from.

I raised 4 kids

I saw each of their four faces at different ages and seasons, felt the warmth of their snuggles, heard the echoes of their little voices bouncing off the walls of our home, and remembered rocking them to sleep and kissing away their tears.

I smiled, thinking of the giggles and knock-knock jokes, the farts at dinner that made at least one of us spit out our food, the endless silly games and stories meant to distract them on long car rides, and the refrigerator covered with their drawings.

Memories of the teenage years held a different tone of overriding fear and worry in the midst of helping each of them navigate learning to drive, friendships and dating, substance use, grades, college prep, and a few excruciatingly traumatic experiences that at one point I was sure would destroy us all.

The tears that came from these memories were those of deep relief and gratitude that we not only survived, but we also raised four children into adulthood who were now out in this big world creating their own amazing adventures.

Unfortunately, I still judged myself for the moments I felt resentful, irritated, and exhausted from the endless needs and responsibilities of raising four children and of my deep insecurity of not feeling good enough as a mom. As I sat in these memories, regret churned in my gut and the tears turned into sobs.

This sadness was not just because I hated thinking about how I had hurt my children in these moments, but also for the younger version of myself that believed she was never good enough.

As this wave of emotion moved through, I felt grateful and even proud of myself that I had learned to heal and take responsibility for my pain, trauma, and the many mistakes I made along the way. So many messes and mistakes over the years, but I had been committed to making sure my children knew they felt safe coming to me about any hurt I had caused. I assured each of them that I would always listen, accept my responsibility, and do what I could to grow and change.

I wanted them to experience and learn from a parent who was willing to take responsibility for their pain rather than pass it on to their children.

I'm now an empty nester

Once the tears and memories began to subside, I took another deep breath and got up to start a day that was, for the first time, all about me. It was strange not to have a child to think about or arrange my schedule around. I didn't have to remind anyone to clean the litter box or put away their dirty dishes, and although I felt relieved about this, I also felt directionless.

Who was I now that I was not responsible for taking care of children? I had left my career as a physician when my first child was a baby, and although I had done a myriad of things throughout the years, raising children had remained my primary work.

There was a mix of anger and excitement at the fact that, at 57 years old, I was literally starting over. I had just completed the most beautiful, challenging, never-ending job that was also unpaid, undervalued, and had deeply affected my mental, emotional, and physical well-being for the past 30 years. I had no retirement plan or 401(k) from my work, no big retirement party to celebrate all I had accomplished, and no résumé that would impress potential employers.

And yet, I felt a rising excitement about a similar question I had asked myself in my late teens: "What do I want to do with my one wild and precious life?"

On this first empty nest day and every day since, my answer to both my younger self and the woman I am now is this — "I want to finally choose myself without shame, guilt, or fear. I want to listen to my heart, honor my body, and open myself to brand new adventures every single day."

• WhiteMatter has raised $20 million to keep a company's AI agents in check.
• The startup spawns "guardian agents" for every AI agent in an enterprise to ensure it does what it's supposed to.
• Business Insider got an exclusive look at the pitch deck WhiteMatter used to raise its Series A round.

A startup using AI agents to keep rogue AI in line has raised $20 million.

WhiteMatter, founded in 2024 and formerly known as QuilrAI, has built agents that oversee what a company's existing AI agents can access, do, and share.

The startup spawns one "guardian agent" for each AI agent in an enterprise, which ensures the original agent acts as intended.

Before a company lets an agent access files, use software, make a decision, or trigger an action, WhiteMatter's agent checks whether that's allowed. The so-called guardian also monitors outcomes.

Guardian agents scale automatically — when an enterprise creates a new AI agent, a new guardian agent pops up, too.

"Our existing stack wasn't built for agents being the main actor in the story," Vidit Arora, the startup's 35-year-old founder and CEO, told Business Insider. "Organizations are going now from humans being the core actor to agents being the core actor, and our entire tool stack wasn't built for that."

Arora said that his company has helped customers transition from human-first to agent-first organizations. He says we're "not even at the tip of the iceberg" when it comes to agent attacks and compromises, both from external and internal agents.

Agentic security has become an increasingly important topic as enterprises grant more non-technical employees access to AI agents capable of completing tasks. A recent string of agent-powered security incidents has pumped new urgency into the cybersecurity space that WhiteMatter operates in.

Other startups have pounced on the business opportunity in agent security, and WhiteMatter's competitors include Onyx Security, Zenity, and Noma.

The guardian agents don't run on customers' tokens, but rather on WhiteMatter's self-hosted AI model and GPUs. The company charges customers a flat rate based on a techy version of AUM: agents under management.

Business growth is organic, Arora said, since companies continue to invest in more agents and therefore need more guardian agents. Current customers include Fortune 200 and Fortune 500 companies, such as the asset management firm Alter Domus. Whitematter, whose new name is a nod to the brain's connective tissue, says it has 2.25 million agents under management to date, and has overseen more than 116 billion AI interactions.

Blumberg Capital led WhiteMatter's $20 million Series A funding, and existing investors Crew Capital and Sprout & Oak also participated. Arora plans to use a big portion of the money to hire for go-to-market and sales roles, and expects his 80-person team to grow by 50% in the next 12 months. He also intends to use the fresh capital to invest in his research team.

Read the pitch deck WhiteMatter used to raise its Series A round.

WhiteMatter oversees the whole agent lifecycle.

The startup has a roughly 80-person team.

Many AI agents take actions they're not meant to.

Guardian agents oversee every action an agent takes.

WhiteMatter measures AUM: agents under management.

Customers include companies in highly regulated industries, like healthcare.

WhiteMatter has governed 116 billion AI interactions to date.

• This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter.
• You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.

Is Jensen Huang too important to lose his job?

That's the key question tech insiders and market watchers are asking as Nvidia's board prepares to investigate whether its CEO was the target of a foreign intelligence effort. Some, like President Donald Trump, are supportive of Huang. Others, like The Future Fund investor Gary Black, think his days are numbered. (Meanwhile, the internet is just having fun roasting Huang.)

BI's Sarah E. Needleman recapped the back-and-forth debate over Huang's job security.

There are a lot of names to keep straight. Here's who's who in the Nvidia scandal.

In the meantime, details continue to emerge about the woman at the center of the saga — Alice Huang. US intelligence officials reportedly believe Alice Huang (no relation) developed a close relationship with the Nvidia CEO and passed information to Beijing.

Photos show the pair together at industry events dating back to 2024.

The New York Times reported the Commerce Department halted an investigation into Megaspeed, the company Alice Huang has been an executive at, after an email from Nvidia's general counsel asking about the probe. And the Financial Times reported that Alice Huang and a business partner bragged to China-based investors they'd have "no problem securing GPUs."

In a vacuum, the scandal reads damning for the average executive. But Jensen Huang isn't your average executive.

How do you replace someone who's the face of your company AND an entire industry?

That's the other big question tied to Jensen Huang's future. With dozens of direct reports, Huang isn't a figurehead-type leader. He's heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of Nvidia, a company he cofounded more than three decades ago.

And then there's the wider position Nvidia holds in the AI ecosystem. Whether it's supplying chips, providing financing, or cutting deals, all roads lead back to Nvidia in the AI trade.

So you're not just replacing a CEO. You're replacing the key person at the key company in an industry the economy is betting big on. (But no pressure.)

Our Nvidia beat reporter, Geoff Weiss, has some analysis on who could succeed Huang if Nvidia decides to send him packing.

Monday's market reaction was a bit convoluted. Nvidia finished down 4.3%, but the three major indices (S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq) were all up over 2%.

On Chinese social media, users have been tallying the cost of the fallout, from Nvidia investors to Huang's own fortune.

Are investors confident Huang isn't going anywhere? Or do they think a Huang-less Nvidia won't upend the wider market?

BI's Alistair Barr and Eugene Kim explain why Huang's scandal won't be a death knell to the AI trade.

Don't expect Huang to weigh in anytime soon. He dropped out of two tech events he was scheduled to speak at this week.

But he can't hide for long. Nvidia's next earnings report: November 17.

• I've been to all 50 states and have found that my favorite places to visit aren't major cities.
• Instead, I tend to gravitate toward under-the-radar cities, towns, and villages.
• Some of my favorites include Wickford Village in Rhode Island and Charlevoix in Michigan.

Earlier this year, I visited my 50th state after decades of travel.

Since then, when people ask me for domestic travel recommendations, I rarely point them to cities like Los Angeles or Miami. Instead, my brain goes to places that fly under the radar.

That mindset lines up with my travel style, too. I'm naturally drawn to the places most people wouldn't typically consider — like a weekend outing to Anchorage, Alaska, in the dead of winter.

Here are six underrated American cities, towns, and villages I can't wait to revisit.

If I could, I'd move to Wickford Village in Rhode Island.

Located about 30 minutes south of Providence in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Wickford is a gorgeous, walkable harbor village.

It's full of quality, independent shops like World Store — a nature-inspired gift shop — and local restaurants like Wickford on the Water.

I'm always so impressed by how well maintained it is, too. The landscaping always seems to be immaculate, and everything feels well preserved.

Next time I go, I want to visit in July for the Wickford Art Festival. The event takes over the village every summer, and I remember a local gallery artist telling me about how much fun it is to attend.

Clinton, New York feels like a postcard for small-town America.

Clinton is a small village in upstate New York, right outside Utica. The main square is lined with independent shops and cafés, and it looks like a scene from a Hallmark holiday movie set.

I love the coffee shops in particular. I'm a big fan of maple lattes, and one of the best ones I've ever had was at Utica Coffee of Clinton.

Clinton Cider Mill, which is open from late August until Thanksgiving weekend, is another big draw. The fresh cider doughnuts are absolutely delicious.

I think Charlevoix, Michigan, is one of the prettiest towns in the Midwest.

Charlevoix is a city that sits on a strip of land between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. There are water views in almost every direction, which makes it incredibly scenic.

The downtown drawbridge regularly rises to let boats pass from lake to lake, and an iconic red lighthouse is positioned at the end of the pier. During my visit, I remember relaxing on a bench in the area and just taking it all in.

I also loved walking past the city's mushroom houses, a set of cute stone cottages built by local builder Earl Young. They look like they're straight out of a fairytale.

I underestimated Fargo, North Dakota.

Admittedly, I judged Fargo, North Dakota, too early. I expected it to be a sleepy prairie town, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much it has to offer.

For example, the city has everything you'd expect from a much bigger city, like a walkable downtown anchored by the Fargo Theatre.

My favorite stop was Brewhalla, a brewery and food hall in an industrial part of the city. The service was great, and there was a real community feel.

I love visiting Columbia, South Carolina.

Although it's the state capital, I feel like Columbia, South Carolina, doesn't get the same attention as Charleston or Hilton Head Island. After a couple of visits, though, something about the city keeps calling me back.

Columbia has all the attractions you'd expect from a midsize city, from a great zoo to plenty of restaurants and parks. The zoo's koalas and giraffes, in particular, really captured my attention.

What sticks with me most, though, are the people I met. Strangers complimented my outfits on the street, I saw people helping older pedestrians across crosswalks, and restaurant servers seemed genuinely happy to help.

I've been to plenty of Southern cities known for their hospitality, but in my eyes, Columbia takes the cake.

Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is one of my favorite places in the state.

As a Colorado native, I've been to plenty of small mountain cities. However, Glenwood Springs is my favorite.

If you're coming from Denver, getting to Glenwood Springs is an attraction in itself. I-70 cuts through the Glenwood Canyon just east of town, and I typically lose cell service along the way. But honestly? It's great because I have no choice but to look out the window and admire the scenery.

Once you arrive, downtown Glenwood is easy to explore on foot. There's also a convenient pedestrian bridge over the Colorado River that connects to the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool.

I was most impressed by the size of the primary pool, but the spa and facilities are great, too. My favorite time of year to go is winter, during or right after a light snowfall.

• Jensen Huang is no longer one of the world's 10 wealthiest people.
• The Nvidia CEO's net worth fell $6.5 billion on Monday after an affair and spying scandal emerged.
• A broader fall in Nvidia's share price in recent weeks has seen Huang drop five places on the rich list.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is no longer one of the world's 10 richest people.

Huang's net worth has been sliding in lockstep with Nvidia's share price in recent weeks, but revelations that he may have been targeted by a "foreign intelligence effort" in recent days pushed the stock even lower.

Nvidia stock fell as much as 9% on Monday, before paring the loss to end 4.3% lower at $178.67 per share. At the same time, Huang's net worth dropped $6.5 billion to $148 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The index ranked Huang as the world's 12th wealthiest person after markets closed on Monday — one spot below Rob Walton, the former Walmart chair.

Huang was 10th when markets closed on Friday, and as recently as October, he was ranked 7th, with a net worth roughly $60 billion higher.

Huang's net worth is tied to Nvidia's stock, as he owns over 870 million shares, according to the company's latest annual report. The company's stock has been hit hard by the recent tech sell-off, dropping 21% over the past month and nearly 27% from its October 6 peak of $243.37.

Tech's sell-off has been driven by investor worries that AI infrastructure won't be developed as quickly as hoped. This was first sparked by neocloud companies' high debt levels, and then by last week's election of several Democrats at the state and federal levels who have spoken out against data center construction.

Last week, Huang briefly dropped out of the top 10 during the worst of the sell-off before returning by the end of the week.

Huang scandal compounds Nvidia's stock fall

Monday's Nvidia slide was triggered after Nvidia's board of directors said on Sunday that it had opened an investigation into whether Huang was the target of a "foreign intelligence effort."

The CEO also sent a note to staff apologizing for being "unfaithful" to his wife of over 40 years, Lori Huang.

It followed a New York Times report in late October that said American intelligence agencies found that the Nvidia CEO had a close relationship with Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and one-time executive at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based data center company.

US officials suspected her company was steering Nvidia's advanced AI chips to China, and concluded that she was a Chinese intelligence asset, the report said.

As its longtime CEO, Huang is seen as instrumental to the firm's success, so investors are likely pricing in the risk that the board's investigation could trigger his departure from Nvidia.

• A major overseas war could leave governors short of National Guard troops for emergencies.
• National Guard leaders warn that hurricanes and other domestic threats won't stop for war.
• Some states are preparing separate forces to fill gaps left by Guard deployments.

A major war overseas could leave US governors without enough National Guard troops to respond to hurricanes, cyberattacks, and other emergencies at home, senior Army National Guard leaders warn.

Several generals raised that concern at the Association of the United States Army's annual meeting in Washington last month, where they discussed how the Guard's more than 329,000 soldiers could face competing demands in a war against a major military power.

"Hurricanes will not take a break for great power war," said Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, according to an Army news release published Friday.

The National Guard is different from the rest of the US military. Its forces respond to emergencies under the authority of state governors and also serve as a combat reserve for the military. In a major conflict, large numbers of Guard troops could be called to active duty, leaving governors with fewer personnel to respond to disasters or protect critical infrastructure.

Army leaders described the dilemma as "simultaneity," warning that the military could face enormous demands for troops overseas just as threats to the homeland intensify.

It's not uncommon to see the Guard facing competing demands.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan made the National Guard a key part of US combat operations, with Guard troops accounting for about 20% of Army deployments and 11% of Air Force deployments between 2001 and 2015. A 2005 watchdog report warned that overseas deployments were straining the Guard's ability to respond to domestic emergencies.

Today, thousands of Guardsmen are deployed to the US southern border, and there are thousands more in the nation's capital supporting an anti-crime initiative. This year, National Guard troops have also supported overseas combat operations, such as Operation Epic Fury against Iran, while also responding to domestic ice storms, hurricanes, and flash floods.

A major war could stretch the Guard even further, forcing tough choices.

Maj. Gen. Larry Muennich, Indiana's adjutant general, questioned what capabilities governors would have left to respond to domestic threats if their National Guard forces were mobilized for war. "What's left for the governor in a contested homeland?" he asked.

Some states are already taking steps to address the potential shortfall.

Maj. Gen. Bob Carruthers, commander of the Florida Army National Guard, said Florida had revived its State Guard, a separate, state-controlled volunteer force, in part to fill potential gaps left by federal mobilizations. The force, which Carruthers said has been "on the books" since World War II, can include up to 1,500 volunteers to respond to emergencies at home.

Other generals suggested establishing a process to resolve competing demands for troops between state and federal authorities, improving civilian emergency response capabilities, and streamlining mobilizations, a notoriously burdensome administrative process, for certain home-defense missions.

Maj. Gen. Brey Hopkins, the deputy commanding general of US Army Western Hemisphere Command's Reserve Component, warned that America's adversaries are closely watching how quickly it can mobilize for war and how it handles critical missions.

If "you don't think they have a stopwatch on it," he said, "you got another thing coming."

• Anthropic has unveiled plans to raise as much as $90 billion in its record-breaking IPO.
• The AI startup said in a filing it expects to price its shares between $70 and $78.
• It means Anthropic's IPO could outstrip the $75 billion initially raised by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Anthropic has set a price for its much-anticipated IPO that could give the AI startup a valuation of up to $1.4 trillion.

In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, Anthropic said that shares for the upcoming public offering would be priced between $70 and $78, indicating that it intends to raise between $56 billion and $63 billion.

Anthropic did not give a date for the IPO, but some reports have said it could come as soon as mid-November.

The filing also said that Anthropic has entered into an agreement with investors including Broadcom, Google, and Nvidia to purchase $26 billion in shares at the IPO price, taking the total amount the company expects to raise up to around $90 billion.

At the high end, that would make Anthropic's public offering the largest of all time, outstripping the $75 billion initially raised by SpaceX's record-breaking IPO in June. Elon Musk's rocket company ultimately sold more than $85 billion worth of shares.

If Anthropic prices its shares at $78, the top end of its planned range, that would value the company at just over $1 trillion. Its market capitalization could reach $1.4 trillion on a fully diluted basis, which includes shares that could be issued through employee awards, convertible notes, and other commitments.

Previous reports had suggested that Anthropic could seek a valuation as high as $2 trillion, while later reporting said some investors had lowered their expectations to about $1.5 trillion.

Anthropic's IPO price range comes amid uncertainty over the wider AI economy. Last week, major US indexes and tech stocks plummeted in the aftermath of sweeping Democratic Party victories in the midterms, before recovering, as investors worried that the blue wave might lead to a slowdown in data center construction.

It marks a dizzying rise for the red-hot AI startup behind Claude, founded in 2021 by CEO Dario Amodei and other former OpenAI members.

Anthropic was valued at $965 billion following its $65 billion Series H funding round announced in May. Business Insider reported in July that Anthropic had soared to a $1.2 trillion valuation on secondary markets amid surging demand for shares.

Anthropic's November 10 regulatory filing also disclosed that some members of the company's board of directors and others affiliated with them have "indicated an interest" in buying up to $303 million worth of shares in the offering.

The company's seven founders are set to each hold roughly 240 million shares after the IPO, giving their stakes an implied value of about $17 billion to $18 billion apiece at the midpoint of the range.

In Anthropic's S-1 filing, which was released last month, the company disclosed a total net loss of about $42 billion in 2025 against revenue of $4.6 billion.

In an amended filing submitted earlier this month, Anthropic said it generated nearly $17 billion in revenue in the third quarter, and a $567 million operating loss.

The AI firm also disclosed $895 billion in committed spending on compute and infrastructure, nearly half of which is expected by the end of 2030.

• A new Urban Institute analysis showed nearly a quarter of Americans have debt in collections.
• The analysis includes borrowers behind on student loans, credit cards, and medical bills.
• Borrowers have reported financial strain due to high inflation and interest rates.

Americans are struggling to keep up with their monthly bills.

Affordability was top of mind for voters in the midterm elections, and new data from the Urban Institute illuminated just how pressing an issue it is. An analysis from the think tank, using US Census Bureau and credit bureau data, showed that 23.5% of Americans with a credit history have debt in collections, with a median amount of $2,913.

And some corners of the country are struggling more with outstanding debt than others. In rural Jim Hogg County in south Texas, over half of those with a credit history have debt in collections. Who holds debt is also unequal: The Urban Institute found communities of color — zip codes where at least half of the population is non-white — were around 50% more likely to have debt heading to collections than white communities.

The time it takes to go to collections varies by product. A borrower behind on credit card payments would typically go to collections four to six months after a missed payment, while medical debt is around three to six months. The analysis said that the median credit card delinquent debt is $680, compared to $1,492 for those behind on medical bills.

The collections process for student loans depends on whether the loan is federal or private. A federal student loan typically defaults after 270 days, and a borrower would then have the opportunity to work with their servicer to rehabilitate their loan and return to good standing.

The Education Department paused involuntary collections on federal student loans, including the consequences of wage garnishment and the seizure of federal benefits, while it implemented its repayment overhaul. It has not specified when the pause will lift. Private student loans, meanwhile, typically default after 180 days of nonpayment and are subject to standard collection procedures.

Urban Institute's data showed that 16% of federal and private student-loan borrowers were behind on payments in 2026, with a median defaulted amount of $5,078.

Across the board, Americans owed $18.8 trillion in debt as of the second quarter of 2026, according to the New York Federal Reserve; 4.7% of debt had transitioned into some form of delinquency at the end of June, with 10.6% of student loan debt 90 days or more delinquent.

From inflation to rising grocery prices, Americans' wallets have been strained, leading some to pick and choose which bills to prioritize. High interest rates on products like credit cards and student loans also deter borrowers' ability to stay on top of their payments. For example, Susan Cannon, a 73-year-old, previously told Business Insider that she has nearly $40,000 in debt spread across 19 credit cards with interest rates ranging from 12% to nearly 35%.

"I've always tried to put some in savings, but it's gotten to where it's all going toward interest," Cannon said. "I just cannot get ahead."

• It's been a tough year for apple growers, after a spring freeze decimated crops.
• Some growers pivoted, incorporating entertainment and food to bring in visitors.
• Others shuttered for the season, hoping more apples will grow next year.

New Jersey apple farmer Kurt Alstede says running his business this year has been torturous.

"Everything is just ugly this year," the first-generation orchard owner said.

April freezes decimated crops from the Midwest to the Northeast, leaving trees bare and orchards — which often rely on revenue from autumn apple-picking tourists — scrambling to stay afloat. At the same time, farm costs have been skyrocketing; the cost of operating a farm has grown by nearly 44% since 2018, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation, a farmers' advocacy organization. And in the Northeast, rainy weekends kept crowds away on key Sundays.

For the orchards trying to get by, that's meant diversifying their portfolios with new crops and entertainment — or just hitting pause altogether.

"As a farmer in New Jersey, I think given everything that's occurred, we can't wait for 2027," Alstede said. "We've had enough of '26."

Vegetables, hay rides, and pumpkin patches

In the past, farms wouldn't have to worry about temperatures dipping below 25 degrees during apple bloom. "Now it's a thing that seems to happen every few years," said C.J. Walke, the orchard program manager at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

Alstede, a first-generation farmer, has spent his year pivoting. When summer camps came to tour an apple orchard, they learned about the joys of picking pumpkins and vegetables instead — something the kids also found fun, if not as iconic as apple picking. Even so, "it's been a tough grind this year," he said.

"People really want to pick apples, and when you don't have enough apples, there's only so many pumpkins…and other things you can sell," Alstede said.

Josh Morgenthau, the third-generation owner-operator of Fishkill Farms in New York, said the farm lost all its cherries and 90% of its peaches and nectarines to the freeze. Around 60% of the apple crop was viable. With that dreary outlook for summer fruit, Fishkill leaned into live music, wagon rides, and festivals.

"It really made a huge difference, and I credit it with why it's not going to be the worst season ever despite the cards we were dealt," Morgenthau said.

Beyond fun programming, Fishkill Farms has diversified its crops. Morgenthau said they now grow strawberries, blueberries, cherries, nectarines, and pears — all of which have slightly different seasons and sensitivities, so that it's "very, very unlikely for all of our crops to fail in one year."

Of course, pivoting and diversifying isn't possible for every orchard; some orchards might not have the space, while others might not be able or willing to deal with the logistics or expenses of creating a concert or kitchen on their premises. Running a farm in the US is already expensive without investing in a business transformation. Farmers are taking on record debt, with 2026 debt forecast to hit $605 billion, and that borrowing has gotten pricier as interest rates increased. Alstede said that he's been borrowing more money to get through the year, and most of his loans are variable rate — meaning they're beholden to Federal Reserve moves.

For smaller hobby farms, the apple juice isn't worth the squeeze. Monte Marti, who owns Big Apple Orchard in Iowa, has closed it for the season. They lost almost all of their apples in April, Marti said. It's been a quiet fall without their usual visitors and high school staffers. For him, the orchard and farm operation is entirely a hobby; for him, it pays more dividends in community than revenue. He hopes they'll have more apples next year: "We can't have any less!"

For Fishkill Farms, which was battling the apple crop loss and rainy Sundays in the early fall, this season wasn't a total wash, especially with all of the programming they added in to supplement their crops.

"The weather in October really turned out beautifully, and we wound up having a pretty decent apple season," Morgenthau said. "I call this season the best bad season possible."

And Jared Buono, the director of Cornell's Hudson Valley Research Lab, said that apple lovers should support their favorite orchards by buying local. Even with freezes and high costs, the art of the orchard is still very much alive.

"It's not going anywhere," Buono said, "and the growers are as innovative as ever."

• Have you ever wanted to boss around robots? This hourly job may be for you.
• Figure AI is hiring a night-shift coordinator to oversee its robots and human operators.
• Figure envisions robots eventually replacing human labor, but for now, it still needs people in charge.

A new kind of babysitter is wanted in Silicon Valley.

The robotics startup Figure AI is looking to hire a night-shift coordinator in Santa Clara to oversee its humanoid robots alongside the humans who operate them.

The contract-to-hire job entails scheduling and coaching the team, troubleshooting robot failures and safety issues, and sometimes operating the machines themselves, according to a recently posted ad for the position. It pays $40 to $45 an hour, runs from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m., and includes a weekend shift.

The role is also physically demanding. The coordinator will be on their feet most of the time and must be able to safely lift, carry, and maneuver equipment or humanoid hardware weighing up to 50 pounds, the posting says.

The unusual career opportunity comes as a growing number of startups race to bring humanoid robots into homes and businesses. Last week, one of Figure's rivals, Agility Robotics, went public through a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company.

Investors poured $33.4 billion into robotics and physical AI companies worldwide in the first half of this year, data from PitchBook show. That is well above the $28.7 billion that the sector raised in all of 2025, and a huge jump from 2020, when such companies raised just under $5 billion.

Figure's opening for a night-shift coordinator isn't the only human role that it's advertising to keep its robots humming. The company is also seeking humanoid robot operators to work directly with its machines to test and validate new behaviors and skills.

Founded in 2022, Figure said a little over a year ago that it was valued at $39 billion after securing $1 billion through a Series C fundraising round led by Parkway Venture Capital.

Its website says Figure is focused on providing resources for jobs that humans don't want to perform. It's starting with roles in industries such as manufacturing, shipping and logistics, warehousing, and retail, where it says labor shortages are especially acute. The company expects its machines initially to handle structured, repetitive work before eventually taking on more complex tasks.

"Robots that can think, learn, reason, and interact with their environments will eventually be capable of performing tasks better than humans," Figure's website says. "Over time, humans could leave the loop altogether as robots become capable of building other robots — driving prices down even more."

For now, though, Figure still wants a night-shift coordinator with a pulse.

"You'll set priorities, keep robots running for real commercial use cases, solve problems as they come up, and hand the day team a clear, accurate picture of what happened overnight," the job posting says. "You'll be the one making the calls."

• Scandal-stricken Nvidia got left behind as major stock indexes and chipmakers rebounded.
• Wall Street is still bullish, but the scandal could complicate Nvidia's China growth escape hatch.
• Sign up for First Trade, Business Insider's daily markets newsletter.

"So you built your model, but forgot to account for the CEO getting honeypotted by a Chinese spy in your downside case?"

That was an X post I saw yesterday — one of many that made me chuckle as social media was engulfed with memes, GIFs, and jokes centered on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair-with-an-alleged-spy bombshell.

Out of all the things that could've derailed the stock of the world's second-largest company, romance-linked corporate subterfuge was pretty low on the list.

But it happened, and Nvidia shares fell 4% on Monday, tumbling as much as 9% in the first few minutes of trading. Major US indexes, meanwhile, sped past hobbled Nvidia in the other direction, rising more than 2%.

Nvidia's fellow chipmakers added insult to injury, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) surging nearly 7%. It marked a much-needed rebound for a sector that was an outsized loser during last week's post-election sell-off, given its central exposure to the data-center buildout.

The response sent the message that investors see this as an Nvidia-specific destabilization event. The rest of the AI trade — and the demand driving it — remains intact.

But the intense period of scrutiny for Nvidia and Huang is far from over. Here are a couple of storylines to watch going forward:

China expansion hurdles

Here's where it gets tricky. Nvidia has spent years trying to convince US officials that it should be allowed to sell more chips to China. Now the company could face awkward questions about an alleged intelligence effort involving a business executive tied to an Nvidia cloud partner.

Even if the situation doesn't impact future numbers, it could make Nvidia's China lobbying effort more difficult. That matters greatly within an AI trade already worried about the limits of America's data-center buildout. China was supposed to be a potential release valve for growth, not another policy headache.

Investors will have to contend with "potential governance implications, increased regulatory scrutiny, and export-control compliance of the flow of H200 chips into China," Citi analyst Atif Malik wrote in a client note on Monday.

Wall Street remains bullish

But Malik — like the vast majority of Wall Street — still has a "buy" rating on Nvidia stock, even though it's negative year to date and has lagged the Magnificent 7. Not a single analyst downgraded the stock in response to the probe. Instead, a wave of firms including RBC, Bernstein, Citi, Wedbush, and Mizuho published new research reiterating their bullishness.

There was acknowledgment of the key-man risk surrounding Huang, but not enough to put a dent in the company's long-term AI-spending thesis. Hyperscalers still need compute, data centers are still being built, and Nvidia is still the biggest maker of the chips at the center of it all.

A bottom for the AI trade?

Did I mention that, outside of Nvidia, the rest of the AI trade thoroughly dominated on Monday? After a moderate bounce on Friday, dip-buying, calmed nerves, and — always critically — a drop in oil prices kicked in.

If the trend holds, that could mean last Thursday's meltdown in tech stocks — the worst since 2020 — marked a market bottom.

It would be a strange way for AI to find its footing, with Nvidia embroiled in tabloid-style headlines as everything else connected to the trade finds new life.

• Target is taking a higher-cadence approach to the holidays this year.
• With the season starting earlier, the retailer is aiming to keep shoppers coming back more often.
• Business Insider toured a store in Wisconsin to see the team in action.

Target is looking for a big win this holiday season, and it's coming fast out of the gate.

Christmas Day is still more than six weeks away, but the trees, stockings, and gingerbread houses have already started popping up at Target stores across the US.

"Two weeks ago, this was still very much Halloween," said Ben Kossack, the store director at Target's West Madison location in Wisconsin, as he led Business Insider past the seasonal section near the back of the store.

"Then over here was very much transitioning into Christmas," he continued, saying that Target has gotten much better at staying relevant to the current season while also letting early shoppers get a jump on the next one. "I think that's where the company has really figured out how to win."

Earlier in Kossack's career with Target, store teams would have just a few days to get a store set for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In recent years, Target has taken more of a phased approach, with Halloween costumes and candy facing off against tree ornaments and twinkle lights.

Of course, two months is a long time in retail, and the increasingly early start to the season can leave stores looking a bit tired as they near the finish line.

Target says it's planning to finish strong by having a steady cadence of fresh merchandise and store displays to keep shoppers interested.

"Typically, like we set this and we set this, and this lasts till Christmas," Kossack said of a featured section of faux fur apparel near the front of the store that will only be up until Thanksgiving, after which something new will come in. "That would be the first time in my recollection that we'll have two things of newness post-Halloween for this specific space. So really excited about that."

Kossack said he's already seeing shoppers at his store respond positively to the quick turnover, even if it might seem too early for some folks.

Kossack has also been steadily hiring over the past several months to build his staff and help make everything work. Even the seven green chandeliers near the front of the store took most of a shift for one of his team leaders to assemble.

There's still a lot of work to do, but Kossack says he's excited to create a memorable holiday experience for the families who shop at his store.

"If we do a good job with that as a company, and then we execute it well as a store, that's what creates that inspiring moment," he said. "It's that extra piece. And if we do it right, we do it well."

• I never expected to be raising my daughter in the same place I grew up, but life had plans for us.
• I'm building strong community ties with neighbors and local moms.
• I love experiencing the pool days and snowy hills of my childhood through the lens of motherhood.

On a weekday afternoon this summer, I threw my 2-year-old in the air as she landed back in the pool, and we erupted in laughter. Feet away, cars and trucks whizzed by on the highway overpass.

Four decades earlier, I'd swum in the same sparkling blue, New York City Parks pool. Amidst the surrounding chaos of the city. I pretended to be a mermaid as the sun hit my red hair, and tanned my shoulders. Now, at 45, I'm rife with freckles, likely a result of those carefree summer days spent happily splashing in the sun.

Moving back to my childhood neighborhood as an adult wasn't my plan. The Craigslist apartment listing was vague. Once there, I realized I was in the new leasing office of the complex where I'd grown up.

The 80-acre property, with meticulously manicured green space, was built in the 1940s as middle-class housing for returning World War II veterans. Now, the complex is a multi-generational space that houses original renters, new families, and recent college graduates.

Before I knew it, I'd rented an apartment, just steps from the building where I'd been raised. Culturally, moving back to your hometown can have a negative connotation. In movies, it's often shown as a step backward, or failure. For me, it was the opposite.

There was comfort in living where I'd been raised

This place, where I'd lived for four decades, had seen every version of me. A 30-year-old daughter mourning the loss of her mother. Later, as a wife, desperate for a baby. Tortured by the green spaces that seemed like the perfect place to raise a family. Then finally, as a parent.

I'd grown up with my single mother as a cliché New Yorker who barely knew her neighbors. Now, as a mom myself, everything looked different. The community I'd always known was a new exploration.

The metal jungle gym I climbed was long gone. Replaced by a modern, blue slide and climbing walls. The well-kept lawn, once restricted from use, was now a hub for gatherings, movie nights, and slow, summer days.

My daughter already had certain privileges I never experienced like air conditioning and a dishwasher. As well as leisurely walks with our Goldendoodle, on a property that just 15 years ago didn't allow dogs.

During last winter's historic snowstorm, we took a walk to the same spot I ran to for sledding on a snowy morning in the 90s. Gleeful kids came flying down, igniting memories of when I did the same, in my own modest saucer. I'd once deemed this hill scary. Now it appeared almost miniature to me.

I'm reliving parts of my childhood with a new perspective

Returning to my old neighborhood has given me a chance to do things differently on the other side. As an older toddler mom, I've formed micro-connections that have provided healing and comfort, even in the big city. I don't just know my neighbors, I consider some of them good friends.

I also utilized something my mom never had, social media. I've lurked in the local virtual city hall to read daily gripes and connected with other moms about tips for getting our kids to eat dinner, the best carriers, and babysitting resources. I'm more engaged in my neighborhood than I ever was as a kid or young adult, and that's giving me a completely new appreciation for where I live.

Leaving the pool with my daughter, I was flooded with nostalgia for the summers of my youth. After a day of swimming, my mom would sometimes take me to a nearby McDonald's as a special treat. Instead, my daughter and I headed to the nearby deli for a turkey sandwich. It's been a local mainstay for more than five decades.

"I knew your mommy when she was a baby!" the owner told my daughter. Later, we'd walk by the fountain. A spot I'd passed by many times without a thought. Now, it's become a pitstop for whimsy and curiosity.

My daughter isn't yet old enough to understand the significance behind these spots, but forging her childhood — in the same place I experienced mine — has been an indescribable joy. One I never expected, but am fully embracing.

• Phil Boissierie is a Silicon Valley therapist who works with couples in high-profile careers.
• He said news like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair causes clients to worry about their own indiscretions.
• Boissierie, who has never met Huang, has seen many couples survive infidelity; he urges connection.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Phil Boissierie, a 50-year-old marriage and couples therapist at The Relationship Therapy Group in Silicon Valley. His words have been edited for length and clarity.

I've been a therapist for almost 20 years, and cofounded The Relationship Therapy Group with my wife about 10 years ago. I specifically work with couples and high-powered individuals in Silicon Valley.

The news of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admitting to an extramarital affair broke over the weekend. People have affairs and work through them all the time; sometimes it makes the relationship stronger in the end.

But this particular story has a lot of nuances; the geopolitical trade and government involvement mean this isn't your run-of-the-mill CEO who has an affair, gets caught, and tries to do damage control.

Like any business center, I think people in Silicon Valley need to be smart about the relationships they have and how they treat others, because it reflects who you are as a leader and how your company will look, too. And for the most part, people around here do — but mistakes are made; that's for sure.

I've been a therapist in Silicon Valley for almost 20 years

A story like Jensen Huang's hitting the news can make clients think of past scenarios of their own — things like, "Hey, I had this indiscretion X amount of years ago, and now I'm really worried. What if something gets out about what I did? What should I do?"

What someone should do in that situation varies from person to person. My straightforward advice is, if you're actively in something and worried or feeling bad about it, stop right away.

If a couple is going to get anywhere positive following an affair, it has to be addressed and prioritized by both individuals, and they need to create a bubble around them of support so they can do that.

At the end of the day, all of these high-powered tech folks are just people; they just happen to be in a special position in life. I see people all the time come out the other side of an affair with a better relationship because it forces the couple to look at things and see, maybe he wasn't present, maybe they lost their connection along the way, etc.

I think Jensen Huang did the right thing telling his Nvidia staff

If you think about a typical affair, what are the things that make it complicated? The relationship itself, the kids and family, and then any sort of business piece. With Huang and his wife Lori Huang's two kids also working at Nvidia, you've got all of those factors all together here.

I'm not aware of it being typical to have a rumor of an affair, and then a CEO sends an email to the whole company or their key staff to let them know it happened. My hunch is that it was an effort to get a handle on this thing because it broke in the media and because of all these really complicated geopolitical and security factors.

But when something salacious breaks in the media, you have two choices: bury your head and hide, or address it head-on, and he did the latter. In this scenario, for him, addressing it with the staff, apologizing publicly, and showing that he's working to repair things is the right move.

I can't give advice to someone I don't know, but I feel for his wife because I can't imagine how stressful it is for her amid the public scrutiny. I think right now it's important for her to have someone close to her who can advise her and help her take care of herself to get through this stressful time. (Editor's note: Lori Huang has not commented publicly about her husband's admitted affair.)

My advice for couples in high-profile careers

If you're a C-level individual at a Fortune 500 or Fortune 100 company, time is a real thing. If you're married, you're married not only to your partner but also to your job, and that's hard.

Time away from home and feeling disconnected from your spouse are real issues I see all day long. When I talk to especially busy couples about, "Look, you need to find time to connect," their minds immediately go to, "I don't know when I can take a weekend or a week off or a night off because someone's traveling." There's probably a hundred rom-coms that have something to do with business travel.

The key thing I tell spouses is to stay in contact; nowadays it's easy. Send a text that you miss them and are thinking of them, check in in the evening when you get back to your hotel, things like that. If you're only in town for a day here and there because you're constantly traveling internationally, make those days count.

If you only have 10 minutes together because of the pressure between work, the kids, all of it — stop, put the phone and screens away, and use those 10 minutes to connect. Make eye contact, engage with your partner, feel them, and be felt. We're incredibly social creatures and we need that undivided attention.

Staying connected is more than just asking your partner about how their day is; it's also about sharing. I tell my busy clients to share about their work, their day, their ups and downs; it brings your partner into your life. Connection is a two-way street; both people share or the whole thing breaks down.

Remember: Your business is important, your investors are important, but your partner is more important.

Do you have a story to share about your relationship affecting your career? If so, please reach out to the reporter at aapplegate@businessinsider.com.

• Morgan Stanley says the AI stock sell-off after the blue wave is overdone.
• The bank laid out a 3-part investing plan for playing an AI rebound.
• It highlights data center supply chain stocks, hyperscalers, and AI adopters.

AI stocks are back in favor after last week's plunge, and Morgan Stanley says it sees "multiple buying opportunities" for investors following last week's midterms.

The blue wave election outcome spooked AI bulls, who worried that Democrats' control of Congress and governorships in states like Texas would significantly slow the data center buildout. Chip stocks, neoclouds, and hyperscalers sold off hard on Thursday, with the Nasdaq 100 seeing its worst day since April 2025.

But in a client note on Monday, Morgan Stanley said the pullback was too extreme and argued that a potentially slower pace of the buildout as a result of the election would elongate the AI capex cycle and help smooth out supply chain hiccups.

"We believe the market's reaction to the midterms is overdone," wrote Stephen Byrd, an equity analyst, in the note. "Over the past week, the market has undergone an earthquake event, with significant uncertainty around the impact of the midterms on the data center build-out, the trajectory of the cycle, and implications for global stocks."

"We are recommending a selective 'Buy the Drop' strategy," Byrd added.

The bank broke down its strategy into three buckets: hyperscalers, data center and supply chain stocks, and software enablers and AI adopters.

Let's unpack each of them, and how Morgan Stanley says to capitalize on each opportunity.

1. Hyperscalers

In this realm, the bank said it puts an emphasis on firms with scale, access to capital, and those able to capitalize on advances they make. In other words, the bigger the better.

Hyperscalers that Morgan Stanley's analysts rate overweight include Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, and SpaceX.

"In a world with multiple constraints on the growth in AI infrastructure, we believe the largest, most sophisticated AI players are well positioned to gain share and grow margin," Byrd wrote.

2. Data center and supply chain stocks

This is the AI infrastructure trade — all the picks and shovels involved in the data center buildout. With a potential buildout slowdown ahead, the bank urged selectivity in this space, and shared stock picks for each part of the supply chain.

To identify opportunities, Morgan Stanley looked at firms with high current profit margins and low valuations relative to their past levels.

They include:

US powered shell providers (the exterior shell of a data center): Terawulf, Riot Platforms, Hut 8, and Applied Digital are all "less exposed" to regulatory risks in Texas.

Behind-the-meter power generation companies: Bloom Energy, Solaris Energy, Liberty Energy, Vistra, Talen Energy, Constellation Energy, and BorgWarner are all more immune to slowing data center growth.

Energy: Williams Companies, Clearway Energy, HA Sustainable Infrastructure, Ormat Technologies, and Fervo Energy.

Semiconductor and hardware firms: Nvidia, Broadcom, Taiwan Semiconductor, Seagate Technology, Western Digital, Lumentum, Coherent, Arista Networks, and Keysight Technologies.

3. Software enablers and AI adopters

Morgan Stanley said that every technology cycle in the past has seen outperformance first by semiconductor firms, then infrastructure, and then software enablers and adopters.

The bank listed stock picks for each the software enabler and AI adopters categories. We've listed below the US stocks from each that have the highest upside to Morgan Stanley's price target as of Monday morning, which are also rated "Overweight" by the bank's analysts.

Upsides to price targets are shown in parentheses.

Software enablers: Snowflake (74.4%), Datadog (54.6%), ServiceNow (53.6%), Cloudflare (51.3%), Palantir (50.3%)

AI adopters: Devon Energy (54.7%), Grindr (48%), GXO Logistics (41%), Citigroup (38%), Blackstone (38%), Citizens Financial Group (38%)

• The Education Department said it would involuntarily move SAVE borrowers to a standard plan.
• Borrowers still haven't received information on that transfer, a new legal filing said.
• It asked the department for clarity on how it will move borrowers off SAVE.

A new legal filing is pressing the Department of Education for clarity on its transition of student-loan borrowers off a key repayment plan.

On Monday, the law firm Public Goods Practice filed a request for information in its ongoing lawsuit to restore benefits for borrowers enrolled in the Biden-era SAVE plan, which allowed for cheaper payments and a shorter timeline to debt relief.

Beginning in July, the Education Department started sending notices to the 7.5 million borrowers enrolled in SAVE, informing them of their 90-day timeframe to transition to a new repayment plan. The department said in multiple notices to borrowers that if they did not transition within their timeframe, they would automatically be placed on the standard plan, which would result in the most expensive payments.

However, since those initial notices, the timeline has shifted: after borrowers reached their 90-day deadlines, they began receiving a "final notice" granting an extra 30 days to transition. Those 30 days have now passed for some borrowers and they're still on forbearance, with no information on new payments. The latest legal filing asked the department to provide details on what comes next.

When Public Goods Practice asked the Education Department's counsel when borrowers would be involuntarily moved off SAVE, the counsel said, according to the legal filing, that it doesn't "'know when borrowers whose 30-day period has expired will be moved to new plans.'"

The Education Department has not responded to repeated requests from Business Insider on the timeline for transferring borrowers from SAVE to a standard plan. In July, the law firm filed a motion seeking to block borrowers from being involuntarily transferred off of SAVE. The department disputed the motion at the time and encouraged borrowers to enroll in "a lawful repayment option."

Over the past few months, borrowers have been navigating President Donald Trump's student-loan repayment overhaul, which included a new Repayment Assistance Plan. Borrowers have reported higher monthly payments under RAP, compared to SAVE, and have said they're worried about the consequences of defaulting, like wage garnishment and seizure of federal benefits.

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

• Jensen Huang joins a long list of tech execs whose relationship scandals have been thrust into the spotlight.
• The Nvidia CEO wrote a memo apologizing for an affair. The company's board is investigating the matter.
• From Bill Gates to Astronomer's former CEO, here is how various business leaders have dealt with relationship drama.

Jensen Huang is far from the first CEO to navigate a relationship scandal in public.

The Nvidia CEO's disclosure of an affair has captured the tech industry's attention. Now, the scandal is calling into question whether he will keep his job. The memes are flowing.

From the decision by Amazon's Jeff Bezos' to throw down the gauntlet while risking the release of intimate texts, to the viral Coldplay "kiss cam" scandal involving Astronomer's former CEO, here's how executives have navigated relationship drama while in the public spotlight.

Jeff Bezos went on offense

In 2019, the National Enquirer published a series of text messages detailing Jeff Bezos's relationship with former TV host Lauren Sánchez. The report showed Bezos sent the texts while still married to MacKenzie Scott.

Bezos dealt with the situation by going direct.

In a lengthy post on Medium, Bezos accused the publication's parent company of "extortion and blackmail" and published emails in which the company threatened to release intimate photos of the Amazon founder if he didn't agree to say that their reporting wasn't politically motivated.

"I prefer to stand up, roll this log over, and see what crawls out," Bezos wrote.

American Media Inc., the company that owned the Enquirer, has said that it acted lawfully.

Amazon itself never became a protagonist in the fight, and Bezos remained CEO for roughly two more years. Still, the episode ignited broader conversations over privacy, tabloid media, and Bezos's split with Scott.

Scott and Bezos filed for divorce in 2019 after a "long period of loving exploration and trial separation," per a joint statement. Bezos married Sánchez in 2025.

Bill Gates left Microsoft's board during an investigation following affair revelation

The Wall Street Journal reported that a Microsoft employee told the company in 2019 that she once had an extramarital relationship with former CEO Bill Gates that started around 2000.

That story — and the company's response — were notable for their timelines. While Gates remained on Microsoft's board, he had stepped down as the company's CEO in January 2000.

Microsoft hired an outside counsel to investigate the claims, the Journal reported in 2021, the same year that Gates and Melinda French Gates were divorcing.

Microsoft's board governance committee received a confidential briefing on the investigation that November. Four months later, Gates left the board.

Representatives for Gates said at the time that the affair had ended amicably and denied that his move off the board was tied to the investigation.

Astronomer's CEO resigned after Coldplay "kiss cam" cuddle went viral

In July 2025, Astronomer, a software and data management company, suddenly found itself in the middle of a high-profile scandal.

Its CEO, Andy Byron, and its chief people officer, Kristin Cabot, went viral after their embrace during a Coldplay concert was projected onto big screens during a "kiss cam" segment.

Before the concert, Byron, Cabot, and Astronomer were not household names. Videos of their cuddle went viral on TikTok, inspiring several days' worth of headlines.

The company's board opened a formal investigation into their relationship — and Astronomer found itself debunking viral statements falsely attributed to Byron. These included a fake statement that ended on Coldplay's own lyrics: "Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you."

The CEO resigned a few days later, and Pete DeJoy, the company's cofounder, was appointed to the position on an interim basis.

"As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding," the company posted on LinkedIn. "Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met."

Intel replaced its CEO

Intel's former CEO, Brian Krzanich, resigned in 2018 after outside counsel investigated his relationship with another employee.

In a press release at the time, the company said Krzanich had a "past consensual relationship with an Intel employee" that violated the tech company's non-fraternization policy, which applied to all managers.

Krzanich resigned as CEO and from the Intel board. The company's then CFO, Bob Swan, took over as interim CEO.

Intel's story is perhaps the most cut-and-dried example of how a company can respond to a relationship scandal.

• Sondre Pettersen earns around $78,000 a year and owns a one-bedroom apartment in Oslo, Norway.
• He budgets for his mortgage and loans while saving $1,000 a month in index funds and company stock.
• He spends on ski trips and hair treatments, has universal healthcare, and is paying student loans.

This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation for our video series, The Pay Check, with Sondre Pettersen, 25, who lives in Oslo, Norway. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I live alone in a one-bedroom apartment in Oslo, Norway, on a $74,700 annual base salary.

Buying an apartment has been a big financial goal of mine for a long time. I saved money working throughout high school, university, and internships. I used to live with seven people, so I've been getting used to living alone, but I mostly enjoy it. It's really nice to own my own place.

I bought my apartment for $465,000. My down payment was $50,000, and I pay $2,060 a month on a 30-year mortgage with a 4.29% interest rate. I pay $496 a month in building amenities fees, which cover my heating, water, and maintenance. For utilities, I pay $57 a month, with $32 for electricity and $25 for streaming services.

I work as an incident response analyst in the financial sector. My base annual salary is $74,700, but with my annual bonus, it can range from $78,000 to $79,000. I also have access to my employer's stock purchase program, which allows me to buy company stock at a 25% discount once a year, paid through an interest-free salary advance.

I get a few perks from my job: financial counseling, affordable company cabins in Norway and abroad, a subsidized canteen for $5 lunches, discounted insurance, a higher interest rate in my savings account, and lower interest rates on my mortgage, subject to tax. During the summer, our working week is shortened to 35 hours a week. In Norway, there are 25 statutory vacation days, and my company gives us 3 more, for a total of 28 days a year.

I have $88,000 in student loans. However, since I've finished my degree, the government will pay 40% of my student loan debt, leaving me with $53,000 to repay at a variable rate of 4.6%. I will start paying around $400 a month in January 2027.

I pay $1,380 in taxes each month. If I didn't have a mortgage or student loans, I would pay $1,700 instead. This is because locals get a 22% tax deduction on any interest we pay on debt in Norway from our income. I also pay $71 for benefits per paycheck. That includes $31 for my employer-preferred mortgage, $9 for my employer-paid mobile plan, and $31 for my comprehensive group insurance. This leaves my net monthly income at around $4,774.

I save around $1,000 a month. I have an automatic $400 transfer set up from my salary, which is invested in index funds. In stocks, I have $3,700, and in my index funds I have $14,000. My employer pays 7% of my pre-tax income into my pension, which equates to $5,230 a year, and it is 100% employer-funded, meaning I don't have to save anything myself or match it in any way.

I consider myself reasonably financially disciplined. I try only to buy things I really need and really want. If I want something, I usually wait a week or two, which filters out a lot of bad purchases.

I connected an AI agent to a grocery app, which plans my weekly meal plan and creates a shopping list. I then use an app that tells me which grocery store is the cheapest for those items, where I budget around $295 on groceries. Besides that, I spend $112 on my workplace canteen and $100 dining out a month.

I don't own a car. It would be expensive and impractical here in Oslo, especially because of parking. I budget around $32 a month for single rides, bus tickets, and city bikes, since I can bike to work in 10 minutes. To me, a car is a depreciating asset here.

I also pay $40 a month to avoid being bald. Unfortunately, I inherited some bad genes from my dad, so I pay $30 a month for minoxidil, which is like a serum I rub into my scalp, and $10 for another medication. I've been on medication for one and a half years, and I am very happy with how it turned out.

Usually, I spend around $100 a month to go out clubbing or to bars about twice a month, which is way less than when I was a student.

Skiing is my most expensive hobby. I do downhill skiing and ski touring, where I walk up the mountain and ski down. A weekend ski trip could cost anywhere between $200 and $400. I've spent up to $5,000 on ski equipment in the last seven or eight years. My skis, bindings, and boots have been worth around $2,400.

I pay $0 a month for healthcare; it is 100% funded by the National Social Security scheme here in Norway. If I see a doctor for any reason, I will pay $25 out of pocket each time; this amount is capped at $330 a year, and it also covers medicine.

I take vitamin D supplements because it gets very dark in Norway during the winter. I also take omega-3 supplements because fish is quite expensive. I spend around $12 a month on those supplements; my dentist appointments cost me around $20, but they are heavily subsidized for young adults.