DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Early SpaceX workers got stuck overnight on an ocean barge with a toxic spaceship, new book reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

SpaceX workers got stuck on a barge with a spaceship full of toxic fuel in 2010, a new book reports. After the Dragon spaceship's first flight, a SpaceX crew retrieved it from the ocean. A Dragon spaceship approaches the International Space Station with astronauts on board in 2021. That's why SpaceX workers immediately checked for leaks, according to the book. The Dragon spaceship went on to become a staple of NASA's programming, transporting supplies and astronaut crews to and from the International Space Station.

Persons: —, Eric Berger, Elon Musk, Berger, Musk, Kevin Mock, Keegan Barber, Mock, Roger Carlson, Berger's, It's Organizations: SpaceX, Service, NASA, Ars Technica, International, International Space

☆ Grave cleaning videos spark fascination and outrage online
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Sophia Pargas | Sophia Pargas Is A News Associate For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

In a social media landscape often dominated by playful dances and aesthetic montages, one surprising trend remains steadfast: historical grave cleaning. Stacey Habecker, known as “The Clean Girl” online, caused intense controversy with her upbeat and vibrant approach to grave cleaning. Despite the outcry of comments, reaction videos and expert advice, “The Clean Girl” continued creating and re-uploading grave cleaning videos to YouTube, Instagram and TikTok — getting hundreds of millions of views across her platforms. In some cultures, grave cleaning is part of family duty and tradition, such as with Día de los Muertos in Mexican and Central American culture. For members like Justin Frost, the hobby of grave cleaning came as a natural extension of a desire to learn more about his family history.

Persons: Stacey Habecker, Habecker, Jason Church, TikTok —, Habecker hasn’t, “, ” Andra Berghoff, Día, Justin Frost, ” Frost, Frost, ”, it’s, Allyson Stephenson, Allyson Stephenson “, Stephenson, I’m, ” Stephenson, “ TikTok, they’re, “ They’re Organizations: Facebook, National Center for Preservation Technology, Training, NBC, Tuskegee University Locations: los Muertos, Mexican, Central American, Montgomery , Ala, unkept, Felts Mills, Jefferson County, gravesites .

A little over a year into running her cleaning business, Cool Aunt Cleaners, Anna-Marie Ortiz has learned a lot about the resilience and adaptability needed to succeed as a small business owner. Matt Wolcott | CNBC Make ItOrtiz started the business in July 2023 with her last $2,000 in savings. Despite the failure, running the shop gave Ortiz lasting insights she was able to apply to her cleaning business. To drum up business, Ortiz put up flyers and handed out business cards in targeted neighborhoods. Looking aheadOrtiz has ambitious plans to expand Cool Aunt Cleaners beyond Portland and turn it into a "seven-figure business."

Persons: Marie Ortiz, —, Anna, Matt Wolcott, Ortiz, she's, it's, I've, they're, recalibrating, Ortiz doesn't, she'd Organizations: CNBC, Butler Community College, Transportation, Amazon Prime, Spotify Locations: Portland , Oregon, Wichita , Kansas, Wichita, Kingman , Kansas, Lawrence , Kansas, Portland, West Coast, forbearance

We've tested several for our guide to the best espresso machines, and the Jura Z10 ranks as the best super-automatic espresso machine. The Jura Z10 stands alone in the sea of sub-par automatic espresso machines on the market — though not without a few shortcomings of its own. Read on for our thoughts on the Jura Z10 espresso machine. Owen Burke/Business InsiderIn the end, no fully automatic espresso machine we've tried competes with a quality semi-automatic machine and a perfectly dialed burr grinder. But if convenience is your primary concern and you have the budget for it, the Jura Z10 is the best automatic espresso machine on the market.

Persons: We've, Owen Burke, sudsy microfoam, Lily Alig, Alig, it's, Dylan Ettinger, burr Organizations: Business, Jura Z10, Z10, Amazon, Williams, Espresso Locations: Switzerland, Jura, Siri

That’s why I’ll continue updating this article throughout October Prime Day, which is halfway over — if you haven’t started shopping, what are you waiting for? SKIP AHEAD Best Prime Day deals | More Prime Day sales | Best sales at other retailers | How I found the best Prime Day deals | Why trust NBC Select? Best Prime Day salesHere are the best Prime Day sales to know about. Best Prime Day home essentials salesBest Prime Day beauty and wellness salesBest Prime Day tech salesBest Prime Day grocery salesBest Prime Day home salesBest Prime Day kitchen salesBest Prime Day pet supplies dealsBest sales at other retailersHow I found the best Prime Day dealsAll of my recommendations above are based on NBC Select’s previous coverage and reporting. I’m an associate updates editor for NBC Select who's covered deals and sales for five years.

Persons: I’ve, ”, Sadhana Daruvuri, “, Lindsay Schneider, shea butters, Rosalie Sparaco, You’re, It’s, Rebecca Rodriguez, Alexa, you’ll, Bianca Alvarez, deodorant, Ashley Morris, TikTok Organizations: NBC, Deal, Bath, Alexa, AA, Wellness, Giftable Tech, Facebook, Twitter Locations: —, New York City

I combed through Amazon’s many deal pages — through thousands of discounted products — to find the best October Prime Day deals. SKIP AHEAD Best Prime Day deals | More Prime Day sales | Best sales at other retailers | How I picked the best deals | Why trust NBC Select? 4.6-star average rating from 7,532 reviews on AmazonThese are some of the best wireless earbuds I’ve tested. Best Prime Day salesHere are the best Prime Day sales to know about. Best sales at other retailersHow I found the best Prime Day dealsAll of my recommendations above are based on NBC Select’s previous coverage and reporting.

Persons: I’ve, I’ll, Rosalie Sparaco, you’ll, ”, Lindsay Schneider, shea butters, You’re, Alexa, Rebecca Rodriguez, It’s, TikTok Organizations: NBC, Big Deal, tote, Alexa, Wellness, Bath, Giftable Tech, Deal, Facebook, Twitter Locations: New York City, —

☆ Teenagers who turned $400 into a six-figure business share 4 strategies that helped them scale
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewJacob Shaidle started cleaning barbecues in the summer of 2021 to fund his education. AdvertisementShaidle started cleaning barbecues in 2021 to pay for his university tuition. Over the past year, the teens, who are heading into their third year at the University of British Columbia, have grown Shaidle Cleaning to six figures in annual revenue. One is a small business called Strodes, a butcher shop deli that makes its own all-natural, chemical-free degreaser that Shaidle Cleaning buys in bulk. Go digitalDuring his first two summers in business, Shaidle acquired clients through door-knocking and word-of-mouth.

Persons: —, Jacob Shaidle, he'd, Shaidle, Aran Giffen, Lean, Giffen, it's, Aran, Jake, They'll, they're, you've Organizations: Service, Business, University of British, Insight, Hamilton Spectator Locations: Hamilton , Ontario, University of British Columbia, Ontario, We've

☆ 19-year-old friends run a six-figure business cleaning barbecues. How they started with $400 and scaled to 20 employees.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Buying a car, notching his first five-figure month, and partnering with a friend to bring the business onlineAfter a year of school, Shaidle restarted his cleaning business in June 2022. AdvertisementAran Giffen joined the Shaidle Cleaning team in 2023. He and Giffen spent their second year at university planning for what they expected to be a busy 2024 season for Shaidle Cleaning. Shaidle Cleaning is completely student-operated. Giffen, who's on a full university scholarship for accounting, isn't technically under contract as a Shaidle Cleaning employee.

Persons: Jacob Shaidle, Shaidle, —, that's, Aran Giffen, He'd, didn't, Jake, Giffen, they've, you've, who's, I'd Organizations: Service, Business, Home, University of British, UBC, Hamilton Spectator, Shaidle Locations: Hamilton, Canadian, Ontario, University of British Columbia, Canada

☆ Airbnb executive hints at coming perks that could convince travelers not to book hotels
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Dave Stephenson teased massages, personal chefs, and other add-ons in an interview with Bloomberg. It's the latest tactic the company is considering to woo travelers who might otherwise book hotels. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! While attending the Olympics, Airbnb executive Dave Stephenson told Bloomberg that the short-term rental giant is considering an array of new offerings for guests. In his remarks, Stephenson mentioned massages, personal chefs, and more frequent cleanings — amenities that mimic those found in many luxury hotels.

Persons: Dave Stephenson, massages, —, Stephenson Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, Business

☆ Costco just increased its membership prices — here are 8 things that make the annual fees worth it, as an employee
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Veronica Thatcher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

From saving money by bulk-buying groceries to taking advantage of executive membership rewards, there are tons of reasons it's beneficial to shop at the warehouse. AdvertisementThe warehouse has a very flexible return policy on most merchandiseCostco has a flexible return policy with guaranteed customer satisfaction. The executive membership, in particular, offers great perksI love the rewards I earn through my Costco executive membership. On the other hand, the executive membership gives customers 2% cash-back rewards on qualified purchases. I'd say my family of four saves almost $1,000 each year, not including the 2% cash-back rewards I accumulate through my executive membership.

Persons: —, Veronica Thatcher, Veronica Thatcher Costco Organizations: Service, Costco, Business

☆ I'm remarried but still have the instincts of a single mom. I always ensure I make enough money to support my son on my own.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Ashley Archambault | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

We've been married for almost three years, and my son is 10, but I still feel like a single mom in many ways. I know a lot of this comes from my experiences growing up with my dad, who was a single parent himself. Related storiesNow that I'm a single parent myself, I never want my son to feel that way. Even though I have a partner in many aspects of my life, I still feel the mental toll of being a single parent. I want to ensure that I will always be able to take care of my son and that he knows that, whether I'm married now or not.

Persons: We've, It's, I've, I'm Organizations: Service

☆ 6 in 10 Americans are uncomfortable with their emergency savings—but you may need less than you think
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Some 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they're uncomfortable with their level of emergency savings, according to a recent survey from Bankrate. Financial planners generally recommend stashing three to six months' worth of living expenses away in an emergency fund. More than half of Americans — 56% — say they have less than three months of expenses saved, including 27% who say they have no emergency savings at all. Why you need emergency savingsWhen it comes to your financial priorities, establishing an emergency fund should be close to the top of your list, which may feel counterintuitive. And when it does, having an emergency fund prevents you from taking money away from your other financial goals.

Persons: Alyson Basso, Greg McBride Organizations: Financial, Hayden Wealth Management, Bankrate Locations: U.S, Bankrate, Middleton , Massachusetts

☆ I'm single and childless and I can't afford to retire in California. To afford the life I want, I'm moving to the South.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( L.A. Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I'm afraid because California, where I live, is just too expensive, and I can't afford to retire here. I can't afford CaliforniaI considered staying put in Los Angeles, in the apartment I've lived in for the past 20 years. The decision was made, I then had to determine what part of the US I'm willing to move to. I like the Midwest, but after 30 years in California, I can't do long winters anymore. Having a comfortable retirement is important to me, and I'm willing to explore other parts of the country to ensure it.

Persons: It's, Black, it's, — Organizations: Service, AARP Locations: California, Los Angeles, Southern California, Detroit, East Coast

☆ 3 surprising things people think are OK to do on planes, according to a poll
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Benjamin Zhang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The seatbelt light. Pete Syme/Business InsiderKeep your seatbelt onSpeaking of unbuckling seat belts, 47% of respondents said it is acceptable to do so when the seatbelt light is switched off. AdvertisementI think there's a fundamental disconnect between what switching off the seatbelt light means to the flying public and what it actually means. Switching off the light means passengers may now safely get up to use the lavatory or retrieve something from the overhead compartment. Even though aircraft are vacuumed in fairly frequent intervals, their carpets see a lot of passengers between more thorough cleanings.

Persons: —, Pete Syme, it's, Ming Tung Organizations: Service, Business, Air, Toronto Locations: Air France

I tested the Shark Matrix Plus in my 1,650-square-foot home over the course of six months. Read on for my full experience testing the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum. Lauren Savoie/Business InsiderThe Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum has four main components: the robot, its self-emptying docking base, a vacuum attachment, and a mopping attachment. I notice a significant difference in how the carpeting looks after a 15-minute standard clean versus a 45-minute Matrix clean. AdvertisementThe bottom lineI've been using the Shark Matrix Plus for weekly cleanings for nearly a year now.

Persons: vacuums, Lauren Savoie, I've, Rosie, It's, I'm, it'll, it's, We've, We're Organizations: Business, Brands, Omni

☆ How to fight dementia, according to neurologists
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

What about diabetes, cancer, thyroid disease, high blood pressure or heart disease? Some of the questions might seem unexpected to those who don’t write about brain health. However, my risk of developing vascular dementia, the second most common type after Alzheimer’s disease, is elevated. "Such spikes cause brain inflammation, disrupt brain metabolism and increase shrinkage of the thinking part of the brain," Isaacson said. The National Institute on Aging currently supports nearly 500 active clinical trials on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Persons: Louise Dittner, Krysta, Ryan LaMotte, It’s, ”, Natalia Rost, “, Rost, ” Rost, Richard Isaacson, ” Isaacson, mockingbird …, birthed, it’s, I’ve, Isaacson, Sandee LaMotte Organizations: CNN, Comprehensive, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, American Academy of Neurology, Boca Raton, Weill Cornell Medicine, Presbyterian, Mayo Clinic, Volunteers, Alzheimer’s, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health Locations: Massachusetts, Boston, neonatologists, Florida, United, New York, New York City, Nature

☆ 5 red flags to look for when choosing a new home, according to a professional cleaner
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Ryan S. Gladwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She shared five red flags for people to look out for when moving into a new property. DaSilva said common red flags were water damage and mold, while missing caulk is often overlooked. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Failing to see red flags when you're viewing a property to buy or rent might set you up for financial, mental, and physical stress. Water damage and moldThe first and most common red flags are water damage and mold.

Persons: Lina DaSilva, DaSilva, —, cleanings, I've, Caulk, I'm, it's, It's Organizations: Service Locations: Toronto

☆ Everything we deep cleaned in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Alisa Shodiyev Kaff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

From wading in the 9/11 Memorial pools in New York City to sanitizing the train cars of Tokyo's famous metro system, we've traveled the world to take a look behind the scenes at experts who are responsible for some of the most intricate deep cleanings. Watch all the cleanings in this 2023 "Deep Cleaned" marathon.

Persons: we've Locations: New York City

☆ Las Vegas hospitality unions ratify 5-year contract with Caesars
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino is seen on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. February 26, 2018. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 20 (Reuters) - Unions representing hospitality workers in Las Vegas said on Monday that thousands of members employed at Caesars Entertainment (CZR.O) have voted to ratify a new five-year contract. loadingThe Culinary Workers and Bartenders Unions had earlier this month reached a tentative deal with Caesars for a "historic" new contract for 10,000 employees. The unions had also reached agreements with Wynn Resorts (WYNN.O) and MGM Resorts International (MGM.N), the ratification votes for which are due in the next few days. The casinos reached the agreement with the unions just in time before the strike on Nov. 10, which had threatened to shut down the Las Vegas Strip.

Persons: Darrin Zammit Lupi, Baranjot Kaur, Nivedita Bhattacharjee Organizations: Las, REUTERS, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Workers, Bartenders, Caesars, Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Las Vegas, Bengaluru

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas hotel union workers voted overwhelmingly Monday to approve their contract agreement with casino giant Caesars Entertainment, signaling an end to lengthy labor disputes that had brought the threat of a historic strike to the Strip. The Culinary Workers Union announced on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that 99% of the vote favored the new five-year deal. The breakthrough deals were tentatively reached earlier this month, just hours before the union had threatened a massive walkout at 18 hotel-casinos on the Strip, including Bellagio, Paris Las Vegas, MGM Grand and Caesars Palace. By the end of the contract, Pappageorge said, union workers will be earning on average $35 hourly, including benefits. Union workers currently make about $26 hourly with benefits.

Persons: Ted Pappageorge, Pappageorge, —, Long Organizations: LAS VEGAS, Caesars Entertainment, Culinary Workers Union, BEST, Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International, Paris Las Vegas, MGM Grand, Caesars, MGM Resorts, Union, ”, MGM Grand Detroit Locations: Las Vegas, Bellagio, Paris Las, Casino, Nevada, Hollywood

The new five-year agreement covers 5,000 employees at two Wynn Resorts properties and follows similar deals for 35,500 workers with rivals Caesars Entertainment (CZR.O) and MGM Resorts International (MGM.N) earlier this week. The deal with Wynn and the Culinary Workers and Bartenders Unions marks the end of negotiations between the unions and the largest casino operators in the city. Casino resort operators in Las Vegas have been earning record profits from a steady post-pandemic recovery. Visits to the city in September were 4% lower than in the same period in 2019, according to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The city will be hosting the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix this month and the Super Bowl, which is scheduled to take place in February.

Persons: Wynn, Daniel, Ananta Agarwal, Shivansh, Anil D'Silva, Arun Koyyur, Rod Nickel Organizations: Hospitality, Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, Culinary Workers, Bartenders Unions, Hilton Worldwide, Hilton, Las, Vanderbilt University, Las Vegas Convention, Visitors Authority, Las Vegas, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas, United States, Bengaluru, Doyinsola, New York

“Las Vegas needs to be full service," he said last month. But by dawn Friday, the union had secured tentative labor deals with MGM Resorts, Caesars and Wynn Resorts, narrowly averting a sweeping strike at 18 hotel-casinos along the Strip. Before the pandemic, daily room cleanings were routine. Some companies say it's because there are environmental benefits to offering fewer room cleanings, like saving water. A spokesman for Wynn Resorts said they already offer daily room cleanings and did not cut back on that service during the pandemic.

Persons: Ted Pappageorge, —, Wynn, weren't, Pappageorge, bellman, ”, David Edelblute, Rory Kuykendall, Jennifer Black, “ Organizations: LAS VEGAS, Las, Culinary Workers Union, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts, Caesars, MGM, Associated Press, Flamingo Locations: Las Vegas, Vegas, —, Flamingo Las Vegas

☆ How to Care for Your Kid’s Teeth
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Melinda Wenner Moyer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Pop quiz: At what age should kids first see a dentist? Mott Children’s Hospital, roughly half of parents who responded said they believed they could wait until children were 2 or 3 before going to the dentist. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children first see a dentist within six months of the eruption of their first tooth, or by age 1. After that, the organization suggests children see a pediatric or general dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups. Because kids retain some of those teeth until the age of 12 or 13, it’s important to keep them healthy, said Dr. Judy Yip, a pediatric dentist in Garden Grove, Calif. Untreated cavities can lead to serious tooth infections, she said, and can even harm incoming adult teeth.

Persons: Mott, Judy Yip Organizations: Mott Children’s Hospital, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, for Disease Control Locations: C.S, America, Garden Grove, Calif

☆ I made $136,000 on Airbnb last year renting out homes I don't own. Here's what I tell others who want to try it too.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Alyshia Hull | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementHow to find Airbnb properties to manageWhen you think of Airbnb, you might think of someone who rents out their own home. AdvertisementAdvertisementFrom there I scaled up to five properties and I thought I had made it: With my five rental properties, I made $136,000 in 2022. Sometimes people have really good units, but because they are on the fourth page of Airbnb their homes aren't easily found. The process of renting out other peoples' homes is not easy, but with the right mindset, you can do it. If you have an Airbnb and would like to share your story, good or bad, email Alyshia Hull at ahull@insider.com.

Persons: Monica Lee White, That's, Monica White I'm, I'm, I've, Monica White, Alyshia Organizations: Service, Alyshia Hull, ahull Locations: Wall, Silicon, Atlanta

☆ I can make $1,300 a day cleaning roofs and gutters. It's one of the easiest and highest-paying side gigs out there — here's how I got started.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jenna Gyimesi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

He says that power washing, roof and gutter cleaning are easy side hustles. There is so much demandClaeys likes to use a leaf blower to help clean gutters. But people still needed their homes maintained, so I ran a Facebook ad with four different services; roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, pressure washing, and roof and gutter combo. But I got it done, and now I teach people how to clean roofs on YouTube, so it has come full circle. It's a young man's gameI'm 27, so I'm not old yet, but roof cleaning is more of a young man's game.

Persons: Spencer Claeys, Claeys, I've, we're, Jack Daniels, Clayes, I'm, It's, Jenna Gyimesi Organizations: Service Locations: Northwest, Wall, Silicon, Washington State

Search resuls for: "cleanings"

25 mentions found