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☆ 5 ways to maximize your vacation days
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

D3sign | Moment | Getty Imageswatch nowAbout 21% of Americans who work in the private sector don't get paid vacation, and 20% do not get paid holidays, according to the BLS. Here's how you can maximize your vacation time, whether paid or unpaid — both for efficiency and overall quality, according to experts. 'Play a little Tetris'Grouping vacation days with other guaranteed time off helps extend your time away without sacrificing additional paid time off, experts said. Pace PTO in a 'measured' wayPacing vacation days throughout the year in a "measured" way helps prevent burnout, Saunders said. Workers who don't get many days off (perhaps 10 total, for example) may want to consider taking one longer trip that requires four or five PTO days and bundling their remaining days with paid holidays, Saunders said.

Persons: Saunders, There's, Sally French Organizations: BLS, Westend61, Getty, Workers, Pace, Saturday

☆ I got remarried, and I'm raising 3 boys in a blended family. Kid-free travel helps us bond as a couple.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Sara Lyle | ) 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. My husband and I are raising a blended family with three boys — 8, 13, and 15 — who each go to a different school with slightly different start times. Once the boys are off, my husband leaves for work, and I get started on my to-dos from the home office. The couple being cringe-y, as their youngest says, on a trip to New York City last fall without the kids. Sara LyleWe weren't together, pre-kidsMy husband and I were never a couple before having kids; we were with other partners.

Persons: —, we've, Sara Lyle, It's Organizations: Service, Business, American Psychological Association, APA, New York City Locations: Colorado Springs, Caribbean, Denver, New York, Florida, New Orleans, New York City, France, Singapore, Southeast Asia

☆ I stayed at Disney World's most expensive hotel that costs $900 a night. Here's what it was like and why it was worth every penny.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Jenna Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I stayed at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, where rooms cost $900 a night on average. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . I was very excited to reserve a stay at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. I booked a one-night stay in a standard room that typically costs about $900 a night. But the resort also has larger suites and villas that range over $4,000 a night.

Persons: I'd, Mary Poppins, — Organizations: Floridian, Magic Kingdom, Disney, Service Locations: Magic

☆ She Spent Her Birthday at an Airbnb, and Never Left
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Rosalie R. Radomsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Angela Sue Lucas booked a two-day getaway for her 40th birthday in July 2020 at Club DLuxx, an Airbnb run by Dennis Peter Weisse in North Fort Myers, Fla. Or, so she thought. “I refused her reservation,” said Mr. Weisse, 70, who was nicknamed DLuxx by a high school buddy. “I have other guests staying at Club DLuxx and it wouldn’t be fair.” The house is Mr. Weisse’s home, out of which he rents two rooms. The next day, Ms. Lucas, 43, who goes by Angie, set him straight. “I was excited about my birthday staycation,” replied Ms. Lucas, who was looking for a quiet solo escape in early pandemic times.

Persons: Angela Sue Lucas, Dennis Peter Weisse, “, ”, Weisse, DLuxx, Weisse’s, Lucas, Angie Organizations: DLuxx, Lehigh Locations: North Fort Myers, Fla, Lehigh Acres, “

☆ I'm a New York City local who took a staycation in Times Square. Here are 4 big mistakes I saw tourists make.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Gabbi Shaw | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

This winter, I spent two days in one of New York City's biggest tourist spots: Times Square. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But I try to avoid Times Square — one of New York City's biggest tourist destinations — as much as I can. But this winter, I took a staycation there when I spent a night at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. I walked through Times Square, visited the M&M's store, the Disney store, and the Krispy Kreme flagship, and I ate a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Persons: —, I've, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Organizations: New York City's, Service, Times, Disney, Business Locations: New York, New York City, Manhattan

☆ I spent 3 days in the American Dream mall, the continent's 2nd largest. Malls are coming back — take a look inside this one.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Jenny Powers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

American Dream, the second-largest mall in North America, spans 3 million square feet. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. We spent a whopping three days in Rutherford, New Jersey, visiting the American Dream mall — the second-largest mall in North America. Economic downturns, the rise of online shopping, and most recently, the pandemic have all played their part in terms of crippling shopping mall revenue. When it came to American Dream, which opened its doors in 2019 and spans a jaw-dropping 3 million square feet, I'd heard lots of hype about its many activities.

Persons: Jenny Powers, Powers, —, we've, Disneyworld, I'd Organizations: Service, Economic Locations: North America, Caribbean, Europe, Rutherford , New Jersey, American

☆ I dreamed of the travel we'd do as a family of 4. Then came my youngest daughter's life-altering diagnosis.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Tatyana Leonov | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Tatyana Leonov and her eldest daughter take a trip alone together once a year. New dreams and new plansMy eldest daughter's first "Yes Day" at a theme park in Sydney. An hour later, she'd convinced me that the next day would be a "Yes Day." She still talks about this "Yes Day," and I know that we created a special memory. The joy of "Wants Nothing" timeMother and her eldest daughter bonding at the spa on deck the cruise.

Persons: Tatyana Leonov, —, we've, It's, she'd, I'm, I've, grandma, He's Organizations: Service Locations: Sydney

☆ When my mom's house burned down, I expected the man I was dating to leave me. Instead, the tragedy fast-tracked our relationship.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Rebecca Strong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Just as I began mentally preparing myself to face the fallout alone, Bryan began packing his things. Related storiesWhen the nurse finally ushered us into her tiny white room with no windows, my mother began weeping. One night, after my mom threw a tantrum in her hotel room, I told Bryan, "You can go back to Boston any time, you know." When she threatened to kick us out of the hotel, Bryan said, "I'll take care of it," and marched down to her office. Ultimately, the experience made our relationship strongerNot even two years into our relationship, Bryan and I began looking at houses together.

Persons: Bryan, johnny, hadn't, It's, —, we've Organizations: Service, luxe Boston, refills Locations: Connecticut, Boston

☆ Take a tour of my surprisingly modern $459-per-night room in Margaritaville Times Square
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Gabbi Shaw | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

I stayed at the Margaritaville Resort in Times Square in December 2023. I was surprised by how thoughtfully the room was designed and by some of the modern features. I recommend that any tourist who wants to stay in Times Square check out Margaritaville. The Margaritaville Resort Time Square opened in 2021 and has since become something of a meme online, with New Yorkers posting on TikTok that New York's hottest club is … Margaritaville? Here's what it looked like inside my deluxe room at Margaritaville Resort Times Square.

Persons: —, Jimmy Buffett, Buffett, I've Organizations: Service, Forbes, Hotels, Margaritaville Locations: Margaritaville, St, Nashville, Punta Cana

☆ This company lets you visit resorts for a day, and it's my new favorite travel hack
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I felt like I left experiencing Palm Springs — not just seeing it. AdvertisementI was itching not only to see Palm Springs, California, but to experience it. I hopped on the website where more than 15 Palm Springs resorts were listed. I could spend my day at familiar brands like the Hyatt Palm Springs or the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel. I told the worker at the reception desk that I had booked a day pass.

Persons: ResortPass, —, Monica Humphries, Rowan, cabanas, Barbie Dreamhouse, could've Organizations: Service, Springs Locations: California, Palm Springs , California, North America, Caribbean, Palm, Springs, Cody, daybeds, El, Colorado

☆ 82% of Americans are worried about the impact of inflation. Try these 5 strategies to save money and shore up your finances.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Navy Federal Credit Union | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Proactively saving money can yield the financial cushion you need to feel more secure. Try tracking money in and money out for at least one month. Savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs are ideal tools for reaping compound interest on short-term savings. "Your standard savings account will generally have a lower rate than a money market account but will allow more options for utility. Open a dedicated, high-interest savings account specifically for your fund.

Persons: it's, Jaspreet Chawla, IRAs, Roth IRAs, Chawla, Russell Nelson, you'd Organizations: Navy Federal Credit Union, ESA, Federal Credit Union, Insider Studios, NCUA

☆ I'm 5'8" and for years, I struggled to find clothes that fit me in Asia. A $66-a-month clothing rental service helps me serve looks without breaking the bank.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Nidhi Pandurangi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I discovered a clothing rental service in Singapore after the lockdown. You can stretch six outfits over four weekends with careful planningStyle Theory clothing rental box Nidhi PandurangiIn August 2020, I decided to sign up for Style Theory. Style Theory clothing rental box Nidhi PandurangiIt turned out to be a good thing because while both the dresses were tagged as "large," the one on the right fit me better. Style Theory clothing rental box Nidhi PandurangiSadly, the other dress I'd ordered was not to my liking. Style Theory clothing rental box Nidhi PandurangiThough I've had some goof ups and misfits with the rented outfits, I think I'll continue renting.

Persons: it's, I've, I'd Organizations: Service, —, Capella Singapore Locations: Singapore, Wall, Silicon, London, Indonesia

☆ The Best Mattress and Bedding Deals to Shop Labor Day 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Madeline Diamond | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Keep reading for the best Labor Day mattress sales and bedding deals, including one discount that’s exclusive to Buy Side readers. Eco-friendly mattressSave 10% on mattresses, mattress toppers and pillows at Avocado now through Sept. 11 with the code LABORDAY during the brand’s Labor Day sale. The brand’s Staycation/Early Labor Day Sale includes some of our favorite pieces, including the All-Season Down Comforter, which was our top pick in our tested roundup thanks to its lightweight feel and down fill that stays evenly distributed. Foam and spring mattressCasper’s Labor Day Sale has already begun and runs through Sept. 12, and it includes a wide range of mattresses, pillows, beds and other sleep accessories. You can also save an extra 15% through Sept. 10 when you bundle a mattress purchase with a mattress protector, down alternative pillow set and sheet set with the code MATTRESS15.

Persons: Madeline Diamond, —, it’s, comforter Brooklinen, Staycation, you’ll Organizations: Madeline Diamond Labor, Cozy, Labor, GOLS, Luna’s Labor Locations: Luna

☆ The 20 Best Early Labor Day 2023 Sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Bellamy Richardson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +13 min

By Bellamy RichardsonLabor Day may not be until Sept. 4, but you don’t have to wait to take advantage of great Labor Day deals. Here are some of our early favorites; we’ll be continuing to add more early sales as they go live leading up to Labor Day Weekend. BrooklinenThe deal: 15% off sitewideHead over to Brooklinen’s Staycation/Early Labor Day Sale for 15% off bedding, bath and loungewear. There might be something for you at eBags during its Labor Day sale, running now through Sept. 12. LunaThe deal: 20% off sleep productsIf you’ve been craving a good night’s sleep, Luna’s Labor Day Sale might have just the thing to help you out.

Persons: Bellamy Richardson, we’ll, Staycation, unzipping, you’ll, Marigold, Casper, —, Luna, Luna’s, It’s, Spinner, puffiness, Stove’s Organizations: Labor, sitewide, Sage, Luna’s Labor, Sherpa, Cook Duo, Outer’s Labor, Navy, TSA, Stove’s Labor Locations: California

☆ The 8 Best Early Labor Day 2023 Deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Bellamy Richardson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

By Bellamy RichardsonLabor Day may not be until Sept. 4, but you don’t have to wait to take advantage of great Labor Day deals. Here are some of our early favorites; we’ll be continuing to add more early sales as they go live leading up to Labor Day Weekend. BrooklinenThe deal: 15% off sitewideHead over to Brooklinen’s Staycation/Early Labor Day Sale for 15% off bedding, bath and loungewear. DreamCloudThe deal: 50% off all mattressesDreamCloud is hosting a Labor Day flash sale, with 50% off all mattresses. LunaThe deal: 20% off sleep productsIf you’ve been craving a good night’s sleep, Luna’s Labor Day Sale might have just the thing to help you out.

Persons: Bellamy Richardson, we’ll, Brooklinen, Staycation, unzipping, Casper, Luna, Luna’s, It’s Organizations: Labor, sitewide, Luna’s Labor, Sherpa Locations: California

☆ Hawaii-Tok Wants Tourists to Stay Home
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Madison Malone Kircher | More About Madison Malone Kircher | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

TikTok’s algorithm shows you videos based on other videos you’ve interacted with. So this week, after I watched a video or two about the fires sweeping through Maui, my For You Page was nearly all content from creators in Hawaii. One central topic kept coming up: Should tourists stay away from the island of Maui after last week’s deadly fires? Kate Ducheneau, a TikTok creator from Lahaina whose family evacuated during the fires, told me it had been hard seeing tourists around the area. “I was in line, just trying to get a Starbucks coffee,” she said, when she spotted a couple who appeared to be tourists.

Persons: Kate Ducheneau, ” Organizations: Target Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina

☆ The 6 Best Early Labor Day 2023 Deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Bellamy Richardson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

By Bellamy RichardsonLabor Day may not be until Sept. 4, but you don’t have to wait to take advantage of great Labor Day deals. Here are some of our early favorites; we’ll be continuing to add more early sales as they go live leading up to Labor Day Weekend. BrooklinenThe deal: 15% off sitewideHead over to Brooklinen’s Staycation/Early Labor Day Sale for 15% off bedding, bath and loungewear. LunaThe deal: 20% off sleep productsIf you’ve been craving a good night’s sleep, Luna’s Labor Day Sale might have just the thing to help you out. Head over to Tuft & Needle’s Labor Day Sale to save up to 20% off the Original and Mint Mattresses, up to $700 off the Mint Hybrid Mattress, 20% off all bedding and more.

Persons: Bellamy Richardson, we’ll, Staycation, unzipping, Casper, Luna, Luna’s, It’s Organizations: Labor, sitewide, Luna’s Labor, Sherpa Locations: California

☆ How to Save for a House
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Michele Lerner | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +10 min

By Michele LernerThe need to save looms large in the home buying process. 5 strategies to save for a houseZillow estimates that it would currently take the typical household saving 5% of their income close to nine years to save a 10% down payment on a typical house. For example, if you’re aiming for $50,000 down on a $500,000 home in three years, you’ll need to save nearly $1,400 a month. That means the fastest way to save is often to cut costs on the place you live. However, he says you should at least save the minimum to earn any 401(k) matching contributions your employer offers and have a plan to increase your contributions after you buy a house.

Persons: Michele Lerner, you’re, ”, Isabel Barrow, Barrow, Cash, Tom Mathews, Matt Steenson, ” Barrow, Mathews, —, you’ve, “, ” Steenson, Steenson Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, Edelman, News Corp, The, Street, PNC Bank, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp Locations: Alexandria, Va, Atlanta, Pittsburgh

☆ Reconsidering the Staycation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Melissa Kirsch | More About Melissa Kirsch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

I’ve always been skeptical of the staycation. So I was intrigued to discover, thanks to my colleague Catherine Pearson, that I have been staycationing all wrong. Evidently, my tendency to stumble into time off without a plan is unlikely to produce a restorative effect. This weekend, you could, for instance, seek out some vegan ice cream that doesn’t taste terrible. You could try running in a pool, which is easier on the joints but as effective as running on land.

Persons: I’ve, van, Catherine Pearson, Jaime Kurtz, “, ”, we’re Organizations: James Madison University

☆ How to Make a Staycation Feel Like an Actual Break
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Catherine Pearson | More About Catherine Pearson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

It’s just a “little mental flip,” Dr. Kurtz said, but one that “can make the time feel precious.”Figure out what you crave from travel and try to recreate it. She recommends asking a similar question before a staycation: What can I bring into my home that can help give me those feelings? If you are spending your break with kids in tow, perhaps alternate who chooses activities so everyone has something to enjoy. So do what you can to heighten your sense of anticipation, Dr. Lyubomirsky said. “You don’t want to have an experience and immediately forget about it,” Dr. Lyubomirsky said.

Persons: It’s, Dr, Kurtz, Rose De Vore, De Vore, Sonja Lyubomirsky, ”, “, Lyubomirsky Organizations: Travel, Network, University of California Locations: Riverside

☆ 12 things to do when you get the Venture X Card
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Ariana Arghandewal | Add An Authorized User | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card made quite a splash when it launched in 2021. Getty ImagesWhile you’re moving monthly bills to your Capital One Venture X card, don’t forget your cell phone bill. Getty ImagesThe Capital One Venture X card offers a $100 application fee credit towards Global Entry or TSA Precheck. As a Capital One Venture X card holder, you can claim a free PRIOR subscription by navigating to your accounts benefit tab. Join Gravity HausAs a Capital One Venture X card holder, you’ll receive a $300 discount on an annual Gravity Haus membership every 12 months.

Persons: you’ll, it’s, Hertz, you’re, Hilton Organizations: CNN, American Express, Venture, Capital, Hertz, Global, TSA, Getty, Reebok, Bloomingdale’s, GameStop, IHG, Booking.com, Entertainment, The, Francisco’s Legion, Royal Academy of Arts, Gravity, Gravity Haus Locations: New York, London

The Drift Palm SpringsCapital One will launch a new hotel booking program for Venture and Spark Miles cardholders later this year. Hotels in the Capital One Lifestyle Collection will offer benefits that include early check-in, late checkout, room upgrades, and a $50 hotel experience credit. This program will complement Capital One's existing Premier Collection luxury hotel program for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business Card cardholders. More recently, the bank unveiled its Premier Collection, a luxury hotel booking program for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business Card cardholders. Intro Offer Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Persons: Miles cardholders, Read, —, it's, We're, Miles Organizations: Venture, Hotels, Capital One, Service, cardholders, One, Capital, Business, Business Chevron, Chevron, Finance, Partner, Reading Chevron, Resorts

☆ I'm a beauty influencer who's gone on several brand trips. It may look glamorous, but they can be loads of work and I've experienced inequality on the job.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I grew up watching YouTube beauty gurus go on brand trips, and now it's my job to do the same thing. I started creating beauty content for the free makeup, but I found a full-time career instead. So far, I've been to Florida, Turks and Caicos, and more on brand trips with beauty companies. While most believe the whole point of brand trips is to produce content, some companies invite us on trips with no strings attached. In your daily life it's easy to pace yourself, but there's pressure to optimize your time on brand trips.

☆ Can AI answer your money questions? We put chatbots to the test
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

NEW YORK, April 13 (Reuters) - Face it, we could all use a little help with our money. So who better to ask for personal finance advice than a couple of the most powerful chatbots on the planet? Each has far more processing power than, say, any individual personal finance writer (ahem). That in mind, we asked our AI assistants-slash-overlords these classic personal finance questions:What is one great business idea? I couldn’t leave our new AI friends without asking a deeper question about money and its role in our existence.

☆ Big tech companies continue cost cutting
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Paayal Zaveri | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Tech companies have chased short-term fads in a desperate attempt to win the favor of Wall Street investors — and it's making the online experience worse. As tech companies continue to focus on efficiency, it's clear that one metric is the most important: revenue per employee. After years of over-hiring, tech companies are now looking to squeeze the most efficient performance from each worker, my colleague Hasan Chowdhury reports. But it's another sign that tech companies are drifting away from pro-remote work policies. Google, Meta, and Microsoft have all failed to make their AR and VR devices into mainstream successes.

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