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☆ I bought an abandoned house and tried to renovate it but failed. I'll never buy another fixer-upper.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Karie Fugett | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. The kitchen and bathroom were gutted, and the smell of rats' nests was so strong I could hardly stand it. The property was located in a town I'd never heard of with fewer than 1,000 residentsThe abandoned home. I had been sitting on some life insurance money I'd gotten after my Marine husband died of war wound complications. I got lucky with the saleThe silver lining was that housing prices had skyrocketed since I'd purchased the property.

Persons: —, Ivy, I'd, couldn't, Karie, Blackberries, Fugett, we'd, I, we're, We're Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Oregon, Philomath, Eugene, Alabama

☆ A 62-year-old employed 'peak boomer' in California makes too much for affordable housing but lives in her car: 'I'll work until I drop'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Cheryl Simmons, a parking lot attendant, lives in her car but makes too much for affordable housing. She lives in her car, even though she makes about $42,000 a year. She makes slightly too much for a single-room occupancy unit in affordable housing and exceeds the income limit for food stamps and other government assistance. AdvertisementSimmons is one of the 30 million "peak boomers" entering retirement age in the next few years, but most are not financially prepared to retire. A new report from the Alliance for Lifetime Income's Retirement Income Institute found that 52.5% of peak boomers have below $250,000 in assets.

Persons: Cheryl Simmons, Simmons, —, she'll, she's, ALICE —, ALICE, it's Organizations: Service, Alliance, Lifetime, Assistance, Food Locations: San Diego, Albuquerque, California, Texas

☆ I left my $90K job to take care of my mom full-time. Now I make less than minimum wage.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Alma Valencia, who once earned $90K in fashion, cares for her mom with dementia for $17.50 an hour. She is part of the "sandwich generation," simultaneously caring for her mom and her children. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . It made sense because we wanted the best for her — and our family struggled to afford full-time, outside help. I was stretched thin as a so-called "sandwich generation caregiver."

Persons: Alma Valencia, —, Mom —, Amelia, Daniel, texted, Alma Valencia I'd, Juan, Caregiving, what's, I've, I'm, Mom Organizations: Service, Social Security, Alma, Business Locations: California, Valencia, San Francisco

☆ Covid caused a ‘massive spike’ in yacht sales — now some of those boats are back on the market
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Poonam Binayak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The pandemic spurred a "massive spike" in yacht sales, said Richard Allen, chief operating officer of the Hong Kong-based yachting company Simpson Marine. "We've seen a lot of those people, that had their boats for two years, sort of now wanting to travel," he told CNBC. Prices in the pre-owned marketEnthusiasm for yachting remains high, even if sales have fallen since 2021, said Casani. Casani and Allen, who spoke to CNBC on April 26 while attending the second annual Singapore Yachting Festival, agreed that the continent's yachting market is growing. "We need to do a lot of lobbying with governments to make it easier to import boats," said Allen.

Persons: Richard Allen, we've, Paolo Casani, Allen —, Allen, Casani Organizations: Simpson, CNBC, Singapore Yachting Festival, International Council of Marine Industry Associations Locations: Hong Kong, Monaco, Asia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam

☆ How to save a pristine valley
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( David Gelles | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

As the helicopter lifted off and disappeared into the clouds, the roar of the whirring blades fell away and all that was left was the sound of the rain. I just had been deposited deep inside Cochamó Valley, a remote cathedral of towering granite in central Chile that was at the center of a decade-long conservation battle. I wanted to see this land for myself and hear firsthand from the people who had saved it. An avid backcountry camper, Condeza started a nonprofit organization called Puelo Patagonia in 2013. His goal was to stop a proposed hydroelectric power plant in the area, a project that would have entailed the construction of roads, transmission lines and electric generation facilities.

Persons: Rodrigo Condeza, Condeza Locations: Chile, Patagonia

☆ Demand for yachts 'still quite high' says Camper & Nicholsons CEO
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDemand for yachts 'still quite high' says Camper & Nicholsons CEOSales in the yachting industry are slowing down, mainly for brokerage firms, while the demand for new yachts remains high, Paolo Casani, CEO of Camper & Nicholsons tells CNBC's Monica Pitrelli.

Persons: Paolo Casani, Nicholsons, CNBC's Monica Pitrelli Organizations: Nicholsons, Camper

☆ A millennial couple considered hundreds of houses — then spent $150,000 on a falling-apart Victorian sight unseen. They think it's worth it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Samantha Grindell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewEvy Rivera and Jacob Evans were looking to put down roots when they found their dream fixer-upper. AdvertisementAfter watching the series, Rivera and Evans fell in love with the idea of renovating a dated property while maintaining its integrity. "We had seen quite a few Victorian homes already in other parts of New York," Rivera said. Evy Rivera and Jacob Evans bought a Victorian home from the 1800s. Evy Rivera and Jacob Evans"It's not a glamorous life at all," Rivera said of restoring their home.

Persons: —, Evy Rivera, Jacob Evans, Rivera, Evans, Jacobs, Dwight Reynolds, It's, They've, They're, it's Organizations: Service, Business, HGTV Locations: Denver, Florida, Instagram, New York, Pennsylvania, Earlville , New York

☆ Electric vehicles are changing how America goes camping
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

While still a small minority, campers are more likely to own an electric vehicle than those who don’t go camping, according to a survey by Kampgrounds of America, the nation’s largest campground operator. Only about 1% of Americans currently have an electric vehicle, according to KOA, but about 4% of regular campers do. “We’ve had customers cross coasts, all the way up to Canada, all the way across Canada and back down, all with an electric vehicle,” said Bowlus CEO Geneva Long. Courtesy RivianThe physical layout of most EV chargers can be a challenge for campers. The vast majority of EV chargers are placed at the ends of parking spaces so vehicles have to either pull in, nosing the front bumper up to the charger, or reverse back in.

Persons: I’m, ”, Matt Linn, Linn, Mike Kowal, McKay Featherstone, They’ve, Bowlus, “ We’ve, Geneva, It’s, Toby O’Rourke, KOA, O’Rourke, it’s, Rivian, Sara Eslinger, ” Linn, Rivian’s Elsinger Organizations: CNN, Ford, Rockwood, Thor Industries, Designers, Airstream, KOA, don’t, EV Locations: America, Texas, Central Coast , California, Canada, Yosemite, Big Sur , California, who’s

☆ I'm a millennial mom who's visited 57 countries with my kids thanks to many income streams, including $4,000 a month blogging and extra cash from flipping homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Karen Edwards has traveled to or lived in 57 countries with her husband and four children. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karen Edwards, who blogs about her family's life abroad. Karen Edwards' son and the camper van they lived in. My kids played with Peruvian children — it was really, really special. AdvertisementKaren Edwards' husband and children.

Persons: Karen Edwards, —, I've, Edwards, Karen Edwards I've, It's, We've, it's, Karen Edwards ⁠, they've, we'll Organizations: Service, Sri Locations: Sri Lanka, Dublin, London, Abu Dhabi, London Borough, Croydon, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Canada, Argentina, US, Mexico, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Belize, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombo, Peru, Bolivia, Europe, Central Asia

☆ We spent over $900 to go on a bucket-list hike hidden in the Grand Canyon region. It was unlike anything I've ever experienced.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Bernadette Rankin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A quick internet search led me to pursue my dream bucket-list trip at Havasupai Falls. The first step in the journey was securing reservationsThe first part of planning my trip was securing permits to visit Havasupai Falls. We crossed the bridge one by one and ventured on until we got our first jaw-dropping look at the cascading Havasu Falls. AdvertisementOur favorite hike of the trip was on the Havasu Falls Trail, which stretches from Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls. We consoled each other by swearing that we'd be back again to see Havasupai Falls, a place we'd fallen hopelessly and insatiably in love with.

Persons: —, van, Hilltop, Bernadette Rankin, I'm, Beyoncé, we'd Organizations: Service, First, Business, Las Vegas Locations: Havasupai, Las, Peach Springs , Arizona, Hilltop, Supai, Supai Village, Havasu, Little Navajo Falls, Navajo, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, Beaver Falls, Mooney, Havasu Creek

☆ 2 friends who sold everything to move off-grid together say prioritizing friendship over a romantic partnership has been a relief
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

They didn't want to put their life on hold waiting for a romantic partner to buy land and a home. Casey and Savannah are bucking the traditional path — both by moving off-grid and by making friendship the center of their lives. Savannah added that moving off-grid has been challenging, especially because they are doing nearly all the work themselves. How the 2 friends fund their off-grid lifeCasey and Savannah did a lot of research before taking the leap into off-grid life. A nontraditional pathSavannah said they both knew they'd really be "sealing the deal" on a life together by moving off-grid.

Persons: Casey, —, it's, they'd, Savannah Organizations: Service, Business, Savannah, YouTube Locations: Savannah, California, Casey, there's

☆ A couple who converted a $7,000 school bus into their dream home breaks down the cost of living a nomadic life
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Sasha Weilbaker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

When Josh Scherrer started a fully remote job in late 2020, the couple started thinking about working and living on the road. Courtesy of Josh and Emily ScherrerThe couple bought their bus for $7,000 from a company that sells used school buses for conversions in Phoenix. "We don't have to pay for plane tickets or hotels, so we can experience more for our money," Emily Scherrer said. "Our expenses depend on where we park and the amenities we find," Emily Scherrer said. Being able to travel in our 20s has been really fun," Josh Scherrer said.

Persons: —, Josh, Emily Scherrer, Josh Scherrer, they're, van Emily Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Idaho, Aurora, Phoenix, Alaska , New Mexico , Texas, Colorado, US, Alaska

☆ What it's like to take the Cybertruck camping
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Tesla owner Ben Levin went camping in Texas with the company's newest EV, the Cybertruck. AdvertisementTesla's rough-and-tumble Cybertruck might be perfect for camping, at least according to one owner, but it's missing one key feature — enough heat in the truck's bed for chilly nights. Levin identified several Cybertruck features that made it ideal for camping, including the spacious design of the truck. Cybertruck owner bought a truck tent to go camping. AdvertisementTo combat the cooler temperatures, Levin said he'd recommend Cybertruck owners consider bringing a heated blanket or portable heater for camping trips in colder weather.

Persons: Ben Levin, Levin, —, It's, VoyageATX, Elon Musk, Tesla, he'd Organizations: Service, Tesla, Campers Locations: Texas, Pace, Spicewood , Texas, Mode

☆ The Lascivious, Decades-Long History Behind That Calvin Klein Ad
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Soraya Roberts | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Calvin Klein has always trafficked in high and low — in classic all-American athleticism, shot through with an untethered primal lust. Some other Calvin Klein ads fail to have the same friction, the right wrongness. There are faintly fascistic undertones in the form Calvin Klein valorizes. (How surprising is it that Calvin Klein has worked with the estate of the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, who used his models to engage the viewer sexually?) ?” — as though a touch of discomfort isn’t precisely what creates a hit Calvin Klein ad.

Persons: “ I’m, I’m, ”, Calvin Klein, Brooke Shields, Mark Wahlberg —, Marky Mark, peekaboo, —, Justin Bieber, Jacob Elordi’s, Kate Moss’s, Calvin Klein valorizes, Leni Riefenstahl’s “, sleaze, Dominic Fike, Travis Fimmel, Robert Mapplethorpe, Wahlberg, Bieber, White, Jamie Dornan’s, Jeremy Allen, Ayo Edibiri, incredulously — Organizations: Stone, Golden Globe Locations: The, Chicago

☆ I tried Dolly Parton's full Taco Bell order and found a new favorite menu item
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Dolly Parton is a huge Taco Bell fan. Dolly Parton is a huge Taco Bell fan. I brought up the chain when Parton and I sat down together on Zoom, and she was happy to share her usual Taco Bell order. Parton is also a huge fan of the Mexican Pizza, and joined forces with Doja Cat in May 2022 for "Mexican Pizza: The Musical," which celebrated its permanent return to Taco Bell menus. "I was just one of many, many people that had missed them," Parton told me.

Persons: Dolly Parton, Bridget Bennett, Parton, Taco, Carl Dean, Carl, we're, Andy Cohen, I'm Organizations: Taco Bell, Getty, Bell, Taco Supreme, Doja

☆ A woman shared her Airbnb nightmare on TikTok, saying the trailer she rented was so cold she could see her breath
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A woman shared her "nightmare" experience with Airbnb on TikTok. AdvertisementA woman has shared her "nightmare" experience with Airbnb on TikTok, saying her host was unwilling to help when the rental was so cold she could see her breath. On January 11, she complained to Airbnb about the trailer in Portland, Oregon where she was staying, saying it was freezing cold, with no insulation or proper heating. "The first night I was here I was so cold, so cold," she said. AdvertisementShe ended up getting refunded $1,600, and she was also given a $1,300 voucher for her next Airbnb stay.

Persons: Lexi, —, Airbnb, I'm, she'd, Hilton, 🫠, hank y, ong Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Portland , Oregon

☆ The 5 levels of financial freedom, according to married money coaches, who say they've reached level 3
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

It's not hard to see why people find the concept of FIRE — short for financial independence, retire early — alluring. The Ficks, both age 36, have identified five stages of financial independence, and say they're currently in level three, known as "Coast FI." Debt freedomThe first step toward financial independence: freedom from debt. "The dream is location independence and being able to achieve that well before we reach financial independence," Corey says. Financial independence

Persons: It's, doesn't, Jessica Fick, Corey, Jessica, they're, They've, Here's, you'd, you've Organizations: FIRE, FI, Financial Locations: Boston, Madison

☆ A South Carolina man killed his son in 1989, then staged a scene discovering his body and walked free for 34 years, police say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Michelle Mark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Justin Lee Turner was strangled in 1989, and news footage captured his father discovering his body. Sheriff S. Duane Lewis said the Turners created a "staged scene" after killing the child. Archival footage shot on March 5, 1989, by the local NBC affiliate WCBD showed Victor Lee Turner emerging from a camper and sobbing in apparent grief after purportedly discovering his son's corpse. Lewis told reporters that initially, the Turners told authorities that Justin got on his school bus on the morning of March 3, 1989, and never returned. BI could not immediately reach an attorney representing Victor Lee Turner.

Persons: Justin Lee Turner, Sheriff S, Duane Lewis, —, Victor Lee Turner, Megan Renee Turner, WCBD, Berkeley County Sheriff S, Lewis, Justin, he'd Organizations: Sheriff, Turners, Service, Authorities, Sheriff's, NBC, Berkeley County Sheriff Locations: Caroline, South Carolina, Berkeley, Berkeley County

☆ A backpacking millennial discovered he craved a slow and simple life, so he built a tiny house in France for himself and his cat
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-04 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Geoffrey Celard, 29, lives in a DIY tiny house with his pet cat in Valence, in southeast France. The tiny house took over a year to build and he estimates he spent $21,000 on the project. AdvertisementWhen Geoffrey Celard returned to France in 2020 from a six-month-long backpacking trip in Colombia, he needed a place to live. Geoffrey Celard/La Cabane — Mini Habitat"I built it in a warehouse-like place, which is shared with other builders of tiny houses. Tucked away in the countrysideCelard's tiny house is parked on a piece of land he rents with another friend who also has a tiny house.

Persons: Geoffrey Celard, Celard, — Organizations: Service, They're Locations: Valence, France, Colombia, Drôme, Paris

☆ How to get back into an exercise routine: 6 tricks from a former fitness coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Louisa Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I'm a former fitness coach with a home in Mexico and a home in California. When I travel, I often get out of my exercise routine. AdvertisementAs a former fitness coach, I often have to remember to use the very strategies I once recommended to my clients. A common challenge they — and I — faced was how to get back into an exercise routine after a life interruption. I make sure my routine is funTo make exercise as easy as possible, I focus on what I enjoy doing most.

Persons: I'm, —, I've Organizations: Service Locations: Mexico, California, Mexican, Guanajuato, Eureka, Humboldt Bay

☆ I stayed in a 250-square-foot trailer on a gorgeous property for $80. I'd choose it over a motel every time.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Lucien Formichella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

My friend and I spent the night in a 250-square-foot RV in West Virginia. For only $80, we had access to comfortable beds, a shower, a kitchen, and beautiful scenery. The camper was big enough for one night but is better-suited for a couple or small family. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . We paid $80 to rent the 250-square-foot trailer for one night through Airbnb.

Persons: — Organizations: Service Locations: West Virginia, Airbnb

☆ The woman who travels around the US in an Airstream with her husband and a goat
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“We didn’t know how well she was going to do with traveling,” Cate tells CNN Travel. Kid on boardPet goat Frankie spends several months of the year traveling around the US in and Airstream with her owners Cate and Chad Battles. “We’ve been all over the country and we’ll pass someone on a trail and they’ll be like, ‘Is that Frankie?’” Cate recalls. “So it’s really, really funny.”She particularly enjoyed getting the chance to speak with other goat owners to “talk goats,” while appearing on the program. And it ended up working really, really great.

Persons: Frankie, Cate Battles, Chad, who’ve, ” Cate, they’ve, Cate, ”, “ I’ve, she’d, “, they’d, they’d “, Woody Guthrie, Maggie, it’s, they’ll, that’s, “ We’ve, ’ ” Cate, ” Airstream, I’ll, they’re, We’re, haven’t, They’ve Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Chad Battles, Argosy, ”, Discovery Locations: United States, Midwest , Montana , Wyoming, Idaho, Antarctica, Tennessee, Asheville , North Carolina, Chad, Southern Oregon, Western North Carolina, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Utah, California , Nevada , Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North Carolina , Kentucky , Ohio , Indiana , Illinois , Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Canada, Arizona, Southern California, Baja , Mexico, Airstream

☆ Boomers seem to have traded in the child-raising village for traveling. Now millennial parents say they have no one to support them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Julie Gerstein | Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Many millennial parents say they can't get the support they need from their parents. "If Mom and Dad ran out of town, we were at Grandma's," the 33-year-old told Business Insider. AdvertisementStill, many millennial children, including Dobson's own, would prefer time spent — and not necessarily money. Some millennial parents feel aloneThis distance from their parents, Cox said, is a part of other shifts that have made millennial parents feel more alone. What millennial parents really need is someone who can help relieve "the parenting pressure," Cox said, a trusted extra person who's available to pick up some of the slack.

Persons: Millennials, —, Kristjana Hillberg, Dad, Grandma wasn't, there's, Leslie Dobson, Ted Dobson, they've, Dobson, millennials Dobson, hasn't, he's, he'd, They've, It's, Daniel Cox, Cox, Nella Hanson, Hillberg, Roxanne, Kurt, Lily, we'd, Stone, Hanson, Norman, Boomers Organizations: Service, Business, Boomers, Bank of America, Federal Reserve, —, Isla Espiritu Santo, Survey Center, Google Locations: Los Angeles, California, Mexico, Costa Rica, Europe

☆ How my partner and I live on $2,000 to $3,500 a month while living full-time in a van
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Donna Paul | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementWhile traveling North America in our camper van, my fiancée and I have learned that van life extends beyond Instagram-worthy moments. Stealth camping (camping in urban areas for a brief period of time) or boondocking (camping on public land) is a cost-free alternative. Managing fuel costs is essential for budget-conscious travelFuel is one of the most significant expenses of van life. AdvertisementHygiene on the road is important, but it comes with a costIn van life, staying clean can impact your budget. Setting finances aside, we value van life for the freedom it provides, the adventure it brings, and the lasting memories we create together.

Persons: —, Donna Paul, aren't, We're, we've, van Organizations: Service Locations: North America, Instagram

☆ ‘I Carried Him, Screaming, Through the Night Streets of the Village’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

ImageOne Last ThingDear Diary:I moved to New York City in 1976 from my home in South Carolina with the goal of becoming a freelance photographer. I packed all of my worldly belongings in a U-Haul truck and headed north. Eight months later, our son, Nicholas, was born at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village. We lived first in the Village, on Jones Street. Nicholas was a colicky baby, and I endured many disapproving stares as I carried him, screaming, through the night streets of the Village in hopes of calming him.

Persons: Nicholas Organizations: VW, Vincent’s Locations: New York City, South Carolina, St, Greenwich Village

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