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Follow these tutorials for DIY Valentine's Day wreath ideas. Big Kisses A second layer of rosette letters on top of a cherry-red base give this craft extra pretty polish. Get the tutorial at Little Birdie Secrets » All Wrapped Up This arts-and-crafts ribbon wreath gets glitzy with a final rhinestone accent. Get the tutorial from The Ribbon Retreat » Garden Party Ignore the fact that your V-Day might be snowy with an elegant garden-style wreath. There's no shame in ushering in spring a few weeks early. Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess » Heart on a String This bright yarn-wrapped wreath gets a modern punch with origami-style paper flowers. Get the tutorial from Me & My Scraps » Happy Hearts Pepper a willow branch with little bitty hearts for a celebratory spin on a minimalist natural look. Get the tutorial at The Cards We Drew » Bold Bouquet These blush-toned roses get their wispy, ethereal look from a surprising material; they're made of out coffee filters! Get the tutorial at The Bold Abode » Rustic Rounds This clever blogger sliced up fallen branches to create this piece of door decor, but you can mimic the look with wine corks. Get the tutorial at Pretty Handy Girl » Love Notes Find a book you can bare to part with to make this literary wreath. Paper flowers fashioned from a collection of love poems seems especially appropriate. Get the tutorial at Make Life Lovely » Paper Petals Crepe paper's bold hues and pliable texture give this wreath its lifelike look. Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built » Fuzzy and Friendly Pom-poms snipped from your favorite skeins give visitors the warm-fuzzies when they approach your door. Get the tutorial at Design Improvised » Cupid's Chalkboard This country-chic wreath gets an updated twist with gilded roses and an adorable chalkboard doodle detail. Get the tutorial at Up To Date Interiors » Ornamental Appeal Can't quite part with your holiday decorations yet? Recast your Christmas balls as a heart-shaped wreath to continue to show them off through February. Get the tutorial at Dime Store Thrift » Argyle Style Finish this string-wrapped piece with with just one more contrasting strand to give it a sweater-weather design. Get the tutorial from Eclectic Momsense » Love Buzz Layered coffee filters create a frilly feeling that's perfect for the lovey-dovey holiday. Get the tutorial from Our Pinteresting Family » Love You Berry Much Shh this berry-studded wreath is actually a Christmas wreath in disguise. Just gently bend it to give it a second life in the new year. Get the tutorial from A Little Claireification » Framed Up A vintage-style square offers an unexpected layer of formality to this cute craft. Get the tutorial from Naptime Journal » Kind Kindling A bunting of hearts strung between this twiggy wreath is an easy-to-add handmade touch. Get the tutorial from Making Home Base » You Got Me Twisted Yarn, pipe cleaners (to twist the rosettes), and sparkly hearts are all you need to recreate this project. Get the tutorial from Shaken Together » Cute and Cozy Use textured yarn to create a winter-white look that mimics fallen snow and warm mittens. Get the tutorial from Fox Hollow Cottage » Tie One On If you're a pink-loving gal (or have lots of extra ribbon lying around), this is the wreath for you. Get the tutorial from She's Kinda Crafty » Sweet Words A clever use of Valentine's candy make this craft a conversation starter. Get the tutorial from Crafts & Sutch » Twine Time This sweet wreath contrasts pearl stick pins and lace with rustic jute twine. Get the tutorial from Flamingo Toes » Hugs and Kisses Your neighbors will never guess you made this one out of a pool noodle. Get the tutorial from Positively Splendid » Hay There, Cutie One blogger had "wreath mental block" before she found this straw wreath on sale and got crafty with ribbon, washi tape, and poofy hearts. Get the tutorial from A Little Claireification » | 4 | 7,300 | lifestyle |
9 Credit Report Myths You Need to Know Credit reports can be hard to understand. Not only are there several credit bureaus tracking all your credit information, but each collects, analyzes and reports your data in different ways. Because the credit reporting system is somewhat complicated, numerous credit report myths circulate. Here are the top nine you should be aware of. Knowing these myths will help you understand how your credit reports are truly affected. 1. Checking my credit is unnecessary if I pay my bills on time. Many people think that just because they pay their bills on time, they don't need to check their credit reports. However, your credit information can become compromised due to an error or even fraud, and the fastest way to catch these issues is by regularly checking your reports. Just because you pay your bills on time doesn't mean that there aren't inaccuracies ruining your credit; or worse, that someone else hasn't stolen your identity and opened numerous accounts in your name. 2. I'll hurt my credit score if I check my own reports. The difference between a hard check and soft check is the reason why checking your own credit reports will not impact your score. A hard credit check is used by lenders and creditors to review all of your credit information; several hard pulls within a short period of time generally impacts your credit negatively. However, a soft pull does not soft checks allow individuals to review their own reports, as well as lenders, employers, landlords and others to review limited data from them. 3. Paying off a debt will remove it from my credit reports. Some borrowers are often frustrated to learn that after they've paid off a debt, it isn't automatically removed from their credit reports. Negative entries generally aren't removed for seven years, and as many as 10 years for serious delinquencies, foreclosure or bankruptcy (as long as the entry is correct, that is errors will be taken off once identified with the bureau). 4. Only one entry per debt will display on my reports. If you owe money to a company that has sold the debt to a collection agency, both accounts might show on your credit report. This means you could have two negative entries on a credit report for a single debt. 5. Canceling an old card will hurt my credit history. One of the most prevalent credit myths out there, canceling your oldest credit card will not reduce your credit history or negatively impact your credit. Closed accounts will remain on your reports, often longer than negative entries. However, closing a card with a big limit when you have outstanding debt could affect your credit utilization ratio, so be sure to close accounts only when you have a small line of credit or zero balance among all your cards. 6. Hiring a credit repair company will fix my reports instantly. While it is true that taking steps to work with a reputable credit repair agency can help improve your reports and score, especially if some information on your report is incorrect, a repair agency can't force a credit bureau to remove factual items that, by law, have every right to be there. 7. Bad debts will automatically fall off my reports in seven years. Another misconception about credit reports is that after the typical reporting period of seven years, negative entries and accounts in collections will automatically be removed. While credit bureaus often remove the information after the seven-year period, there is no rule that says they must and sometimes they don't. That's why it's always best to address outstanding debt immediately instead of hoping it will eventually disappear. Related: Why FICO Isn't the Only Credit Score You Should Care About 8. Little debts, like outstanding library fines and parking tickets, don't count. If you have unpaid library fines and parking tickets, they could be turned over to collection agencies and end up as negative entries on your credit reports. Even some utility companies are now reporting regularly to credit bureaus. It pays to stay debt-free, no matter how small the bill. 9. All credit reports are the same. Unfortunately, credit bureaus by no means include the same information on their credit reports. This makes keeping track of your credit information that much more complicated. However, this is not an excuse for not knowing what's going on with your reports because the three major bureaus (Equifax, Transunion and Experian) each provide a copy of your report for free once a year, by law, upon your request. | 3 | 7,301 | finance |
We all dream of jet-setting off to distant countries, but what if you could have the ultimate vacation right here in the US? As soon as you get the chance, throw a bag in the back of your car and plan a trip to explore what this nation has to offer. Adventure awaits! 32 Surreal Travel Spots You Won't Believe Exist in America We all dream of jet-setting off to distant countries , but what if you could have the ultimate vacation right here in the US? As soon as you get the chance, throw a bag in the back of your car and plan a trip to explore what this nation has to offer . Adventure awaits! Grand Prismatic Spring Within Yellowstone National Park lies the largest - and coolest - hot spring in the US. Skagit Tulip Fields This beautiful mass of tulips is in Washington. Cadillac Ranch This public art instillation attracts all kinds of visitors in Amarillo, TX. Devil's Tower Set in the Black Hills of Wyoming, it's a natural phenomenon. Longaberger Basket Building Next time you're in Ohio, go look at this massive basket. Antelope Canyon Few Americans get the chance to see these beautiful canyons in Arizona. Lucy the Margate Elephant Standing at six stories tall, Lucy hangs out in New Jersey. The Grand Canyon We've all heard about it, but have you actually gone? Make sure you take a trip to this eye candy in Arizona. Painted Hills These colorfully layered hills reside in Oregon. Northern Lights Gazing at the Alaskan sky will make you feel like you're in another world. Fly Geyser This man-made geyser in Nevada is massive. The Corn Palace South Dakota takes its corn so seriously, it's practically royalty. Hamilton Pool Who wants to take a dip in this little paradise in Texas? Taos Pueblo These homes in New Mexico have been around for 1,000 years. Now that's some history. Balboa Park Botanical Building Not only is the building in San Diego a spectacular sight, but you can marvel at the abundance of plant life as well. Golden Gate Bridge Seeing it in a postcard will never be good enough. You have to take a stroll down the San Francisco bridge for yourself. Lincoln Memorial Not only does this monument hold important American history, but the Washington DC building itself is also breathtaking. Glacier National Park Montana's most picturesque wildlife is here. Fenway Park An important piece of history for both the US and baseball, this Boston park will provide you with the ultimate American experience. French Quarter The vibrant part of New Orleans is filled with amazing food, architecture, and music. Salton Sea This extremely shallow lake rests in California. Niagara Falls Grab your raincoat and go dazzle at one of the world's greatest waterfalls. Multnomah Falls It may not be as big as Niagara, but this waterfall in Oregon is just as beautiful. The Heidelberg Project This outdoor art project is the most bizarre and captivating area of Detroit. Bottle Tree Ranch This extraordinary forest is in the Mojave Desert of California. Carhenge Why would you go see Stonehenge when you can see Carhenge in Nebraska? Prince William Sound This gulf in Alaska will give you chills. Central Park You can't go to New York City and not visit one of America's most treasured parks. Seattle Public Library This modern glass structure in Washington is hard to miss. Radio City Music Hall If there's one place to listen to music in New York City, this is it. Thor's Well We bet you didn't know Oregon has this surreal sight. Related These 18 Unreal National Parks Need to Go on Your Bucket List ASAP Leaf It to Us - 21 Places to See the Most Spectacular Fall Foliage in America Don't Waste Any More Time - Experience These Amazing Adventures Right Now | 2 | 7,302 | travel |
We all dream of jet-setting off to distant countries, but what if you could have the ultimate vacation right here in the US? As soon as you get the chance, throw a bag in the back of your car and plan a trip to explore what this nation has to offer. Adventure awaits! Grand Prismatic Spring Within Yellowstone National Park lies the largest - and coolest - hot spring in the US. Skagit Tulip Fields This beautiful mass of tulips is in Washington. Cadillac Ranch This public art instillation attracts all kinds of visitors in Amarillo, TX. Post Alley This gum wall in Seattle is so gross, it's mesmerizing. Devil's Tower Set in the Black Hills of Wyoming, it's a natural phenomenon. Longaberger Basket Building Next time you're in Ohio, go look at this massive basket. Antelope Canyon Few Americans get the chance to see these beautiful canyons in Arizona. Lucy the Margate Elephant Standing at six stories tall, Lucy hangs out in New Jersey. The Grand Canyon We've all heard about it, but have you actually gone? Make sure you take a trip to this eye candy in Arizona. Painted Hills These colorfully layered hills reside in Oregon. Northern Lights Gazing at the Alaskan sky will make you feel like you're in another world. Fly Geyser This man-made geyser in Nevada is massive. The Corn Palace South Dakota takes its corn so seriously, it's practically royalty. Hamilton Pool Who wants to take a dip in this little paradise in Texas? Taos Pueblo These homes in New Mexico have been around for 1,000 years. Now that's some history. Balboa Park Botanical Building Not only is the building in San Diego a spectacular sight, but you can marvel at the abundance of plant life as well. Golden Gate Bridge Seeing it in a postcard will never be good enough. You have to take a stroll down the San Francisco bridge for yourself. Lincoln Memorial Not only does this monument hold important American history, but the Washington DC building itself is also breathtaking. Glacier National Park Montana's most picturesque wildlife is here. Fenway Park An important piece of history for both the US and baseball, this Boston park will provide you with the ultimate American experience. French Quarter The vibrant part of New Orleans is filled with amazing food, architecture, and music. Salton Sea This extremely shallow lake rests in California. Niagara Falls Grab your raincoat and go dazzle at one of the world's greatest waterfalls. Multnomah Falls It may not be as big as Niagara, but this waterfall in Oregon is just as beautiful. The Heidelberg Project This outdoor art project is the most bizarre and captivating area of Detroit. Bottle Tree Ranch This extraordinary forest is in the Mojave Desert of California. Carhenge Why would you go see Stonehenge when you can see Carhenge in Nebraska? Prince William Sound This gulf in Alaska will give you chills. Central Park You can't go to New York City and not visit one of America's most treasured parks. Seattle Public Library This modern glass structure in Washington is hard to miss. Radio City Music Hall If there's one place to listen to music in New York City, this is it. Thor's Well We bet you didn't know Oregon has this surreal sight. | 2 | 7,303 | travel |
Looking for something little? These tiny homes are on the market. Maple Falls, WA This tiny Washington home comes in at 363 square feet, but it's built to entertain. Grab a seat on the picnic table on the expansive porchplenty of room for grillingand invite all of your friends to share a meal. There's even a finished bunkhouse if guests want to stay over.Location: Maple Falls, WA Square Feet: 363 Price: $39,900 Hardy, AR Looking for an Ozark getaway? Check out this 780-square-foot Arkansas charmer , which packs a full two bedrooms (plus closets!) into its small space. The home comes with a large storage unit, which hides an expansive underground storm shelter to keep you safe during tornado season. Location: Hardy, AR Square Feet: 780 Price: $49,000 Sugarloaf, CA This Sugarloaf starter cabin is advertised as a ski cabin, but it's great year-round use it as a base camp for hiking, skiing, or any of your favorite activities, taking advantage of the wood-burning stove to keep you warm even in the chilly winter. It even features a vaulted ceiling that makes its 708 square feet feel so much larger. Location: Sugarloaf, CA Square Feet: 708 Price: $99,000 Barre, MA Doesn't this little Massachusetts vacation chalet look like a charming retreat? Even better: It comes with its own hot tub, fire pit, and deck, and there's plenty of room to plant your garden. It's located on a resort, so you'll get all those amenities (swimming pool, golf course, tavern, bocce ball, and more) but be warned the home isn't accessible between December and April. Location: Barre, MA Square Feet: 700 Price: $23,000 Lyndon, VT Artists will love this charming Vermont A-frame , located on a self-proclaimed "island." With only 390 square feet of liveable space, it's certainly a squish but it's green and verdant with streams nearby and a small lofted nook for working and sleeping.Location: Lyndon, VT Square Feet: 390 Price: $65,000 Richmond, VA You can have the American dream of a white picket fence and a tiny house too with this small home , located in Virginia. There's a lot of room for personality in the recently remodeled interior, so get moving we'd snap this one up in a heartbeat.Location: Richmond, VA Square Feet: 740 Price: $80,000 Perrysville, OH This itty bitty Ohio one-bed A-frame has only 640 square feet, but there's plenty of room for a colorful garden. Kick back on the porch after a long day of work and watch the neighbors go by. Location: Perrysville, OH Square Feet: 640 Price: $54,000 Garrison, MN Looking for a log cabin? We've got your gas: This 336-square-feet Minnesota home is the perfect wooded retreat, made from solid pine logs and supposedly "bug and mouse proof" (Hallelujah!). It's even squeezed two beds into the tiny space.Location: Garrison, MN Square Feet: 336 Price: $44,900 Lakebay, WA Beachside getaways often charge a pretty penny, but this $63,000 wee Washington cabin is walking distance from the beach, offering fishing, boating, picnics, and all sorts of rest and relaxation. If you're looking for an opportunity to relax, here you go.Location: Lakebay, WA Square Feet: 480 Price: $63,000 La Pine, OR This little almost-A-frame is great for outdoorsmen and women of any stripe: Its Oregon location is close to hunting, fishing, golf, and skiing, and offers a full 800 square feet of room to stretch out when the day's done.Location: La Pine, OR Square Feet: 800 Price: $76,000 Is Sugarloaf, CA the new home of the tiny house revolution? This little 552-square-foot cabin has a rock fireplace, tiled bathroom, vaulted ceilings, and an expansive lot filled with oak trees. If you didn't know, you might not even realize this place was tiny. | 4 | 7,304 | lifestyle |
Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott has made the decision to return to school next year. Do you think Prescott should have declared for the draft? Our guys discuss Prescott's decision. | 1 | 7,305 | sports |
Some French Muslims say they are "not Charlie" because they feel the magazine stigmatises their religion. New issue of Charlie Hebdo features the Prophet Mohammed holding a "Je Suis Charlie" sign under the headline "All is forgiven." Duration: 01:06 | 8 | 7,306 | video |
@BgLou34 wants to know how Ohio State's National Championship affects Michigan. | 1 | 7,307 | sports |
It's never too early to look ahead at college football next season. Chris Doering joins us to break down who is the favorite in the SEC next year. | 1 | 7,308 | sports |
The key is to start preparing now As you fine tune your New Year's resolutions for 2015, there's a good chance that something related to personal finance is on the list. Taxes may not be on the agenda until the April crush, but it makes sense to start preparing now for the current tax year and perform maintenance check-ins periodically. Click ahead for 10 tips that can help individuals and small business owners lower their tax burden, avoid audits and feel a little better about the whole tax thing. Optimize Withholdings Although it's nice to get a big refund after sending in your return, it's even better to optimize tax withholdings and receive a little more money in every paycheck. "The IRS has a withholding calculator you can use," says Bill Hendricks, former TurboTax leader and co-founder of Common-form.com. "Once you figure out the right amount to be withheld, request your employer to change the number of withholding allowances." Save Receipts If you're looking for a new job this year be sure to save all the relevant receipts. You can take deductions for everything from buying resume paper to traveling for job interviews. This may not amount to a lot, and only applies if you itemize deductions, but it takes some of the sting out of the search process. Continue Your Education Is this the year you pursue the learning you've long wanted to acquire? If you (or a spouse or dependent) are enrolled in a post-secondary school, such as a two-year or four-year college or vocational school, you may be eligible for a Lifetime Learning Credit worth up to $2,000 a year. (Note: income restrictions apply.) Purchase Health Insurance In 2015, the penalty for not having health insurance increases to the greater of 2 percent of household income or $325. Although enrolling in a plan may be more expensive, the penalty is worth avoiding if you can. Individuals receive a subsidy towards their premium if their annual income is less than $46,680 and pay lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs if their income is below $29,175. Report Life-Changing Events Michael Raanan, a former IRS agent, reminds taxpayers that a major "life event," such as the birth of a child or a marriage, should prompt submission of a new Form W-4 to employers. Your new circumstances may affect the number of withholdings you're entitled to claim (see "Optimize Withholdings" above). Pay Estimated Taxes on Time If you're earning money on the side through a freelance job, your own business, or even from interest or rent income, remember to pay estimated federal and state (when applicable) taxes four times a year. Failure to do so can result in costly penalties. Maintain Separate Business Accounts If you're starting a business, open separate business credit card, checking, and savings accounts. Using a single account for personal and business expenses can get you in trouble during an IRS audit. Moreover, keeping the finances separate will help you stay organized all year while providing accurate real-time information. Track Your Travels Dr. Phillip Kochan, the creator of mileage-tracking software MileageWiz, says small business owners should track how far and when they drive for any work, medical, volunteer, or non-profit activity. Even short trips to the local drugstore to pick up a prescription or to a local charity to drop off a donation add up to a decent tax deduction. Record Other Expenses In addition to keeping an accurate mileage log, business owners should keep expense reports for all business-related travel as well as receipts for business-related meals (note with whom you dined and the purpose of the meeting). Document Everything If you're not sure if you need to keep a copy of something, or you expect to claim an exemption, deduction, or expense that might not be clear to the IRS, make notes and keep documentation. This is particularly important for events that occur early in the year, which may be long forgotten when it comes time to file your taxes in 2016. | 3 | 7,309 | finance |
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio State coach Urban Meyer says Ed Warinner has been promoted to offensive coordinator and Tim Beck, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Nebraska the past four years, has joined the staff as co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Meyer announced the hirings Wednesday. Warinner, co-offensive coordinator the past three years in addition to his offensive line duties, has been instrumental to offensive units that have set school and Big Ten records. Meyer confirmed the Beck hiring after it was reported earlier this week, before Ohio State won the national championship with a 42-20 victory over Oregon on Monday night. Beck, an Ohio native, has a 26-year coaching resume that includes 16 seasons in the college ranks and another 10 seasons in high school coaching, including nine years as a high school head coach. | 1 | 7,310 | sports |
Learn how to make a delicious easy noodle soup using creamed coconut and Asian aromatics. | 0 | 7,311 | foodanddrink |
Written by Charlene Kay Are they having a bad day? Were they featured on a worst dressed list? Or do they just want us to take their profession seriously? Whatever the reason is, some celebrities just refuse to show us their pearly whites. Read on to see how these glum celebs look when they're caught in the rare act of smiling! KANYE WEST When Kanye isn't rapping, producing, or otherwise being his fashion-forward, sunglass-wearing self (flashback to his trend-setting shades ), the music mogul loves not smiling with wife Kim Kardashian. The serious pair might be diving into some home projects soon, as they reportedly made a new purchase in January ( what'd they buy ?). BING: SEE KANYE SMILE Victoria Beckham Former Spice Girl ( watch videos ) Victoria Beckham has been asked numerous times why she is never pictured smiling ( her answer ?), insisting that she does smile for family photos. Her stern look, willowy frame and killer design skills have made for a successful fashion career at least! BING: SEE HER SMILE Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen Actresses-turned-fashionistas Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen share more than just their breakout role on "Full House" ( watch clips ). The two sport matching frowns but perhaps that'll soon change their fashion label recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. BING: SEE THEIR SMILES Kristen Stewart Serious actress Kristen Stewart keeps a straight face through good times and bad we're not even sure she cracked a smile when she married hunky vampire Edward in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" ( watch clips ). She might soon be smiling though, as her latest movie continues to get good reviews. BING: SEE HER SMILE Christian Bale He's a serious actor there's no doubt about that but just because Christian Bale played a serial killer ( in what film ?) and an insomniac machinist ( see how thin he was for that role ) doesn't mean he can't crack a smile in real life. BING: CHECK OUT HIS SMILE Ice Cube Rap legend Ice Cube ( what's his real name ?) tackles some serious issues with his tunes, including politics and protesting. The lyrical mastermind's latest album, "Everythang's Corrupt," is set to be released sometime this year. BING: SEE HIS SMILE Daniel Craig Of course James Bond has to keep his game face on, but Daniel Craig ( watch him in the iconic role ) could afford to crack a smile. The English actor is currently filming the twenty-fourth film in the series, "Spectre," scheduled to be released this year ( when, exactly ?). BING: SEE DANIEL SMILE Eminem Not smiling fits Eminem's gritty image, but he sure looks a lot more approachable with a grin on his face! The rapper-actor ( watch his recent cameo ) recently released a two-disc compilation album with other members of his hip-hop record label, Shady Records. BING: SEE HIM SMILING Rooney Mara Rooney Mara has starred in "uplifting" films such as "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (the 2010 remake) and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" ( watch clips ), so it's a wonder why she doesn't smile all the time! Thanks to her charity work , however, she's put smiles on the faces of many others. BING: SEE ROONEY SMILE Rose Byrne Australian actress Rose Byrne, who recently graced the big screen in the musical "Annie" ( watch clips ), usually goes for the sly half-smile. The 35-year-old is churning out films left and right these days and can be seen in "Spy" this May ( release date ?). BING: SEE ROSE SMILE Sean Combs With a net worth of more than half a billion ( how much, exactly ?), it's a wonder why Sean Combs doesn't smile more. Known again by his original nickname , the rapper recently referred to 2014 as his "vacation" year, suggesting he's got big plans for 2015. BING: SEE HIS SMILE Robert De Niro Despite being in the biz for decades ( his first big film ?), Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro still likes to keep a stern demeanor. He's known for roles in crime films like "The Godfather Part II" and "Goodfellas" but finds time for less serious projects as well, including an appearance on Sesame Street ( watch clip ). BING: SEE HIM SMILING Jay Z Beyoncé's other half has a lot to smile about these days, both personally ( see him with his adorable toddler daughter ) and professionally ( how many Grammys has he won ?), but chooses to keep a straight face instead. With rumors circulating that he's back in the studio, it could be he's just hard at work. BING: SEE JAY Z SMILE Johnny Depp Maybe they think they'll lose their street cred if they smile? Another leading man who likes to keep a straight face is Johnny Depp ( watch the trailer for his next film ), an actor who has made a living off of making other people smile ( watch his best "Pirates of the Caribbean" quotes ). BING: SEE JOHNNY'S SMILE Leonardo DiCaprio One of his earliest roles had audiences smiling ( watch clips ), but since then Leonardo DiCaprio has kept a pretty stiff upper lip. The 40-year-old, who has dated a string of models including this recent ex , will hit the big screen again soon in western thriller "The Revenant." BING: SEE LEO SMILE Angelina Jolie Former wild woman ( remember that vial of blood ?) turned global humanitarian Angelina Jolie puts on quite the serious face these days. The mother of six ( see her brood ) is set to star with hubby Brad Pitt in "By the Sea," a film she wrote and directed, sometime this year. BING: SEE HER SMILE Megan Fox She's gorgeous, there's no doubt about that, so why doesn't actress Megan Fox ( her next big film ?) smile? She's mentioned a possible reason in the past ( what ?), but maybe she's just tapping into her serious side. BING: SEE MEGAN SMILE Lady Gaga We get it. It's part of her eccentric façade. But it wouldn't kill Lady Gaga ( watch videos ) to crack a smile every now and then! The star has a lot to be happy about including an upcoming performance in "space" ( read more ). BING: SEE HER SMILING Sean Penn Academy Award winner Sean Penn is known for his serious roles in films like "Mystic River" and "Milk." Although he's been linked to a string of actresses in the past, it's a certain South African actress who's made him smile, and give up these , in recent times. BING: SEE SEAN'S SMILE Taylor Momsen Perhaps actress Taylor Momsen was worried about getting typecast after her role as adorable Cindy Lou Who in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" back in 2000 ( see clips ). These days, the now solemn actress-turned-rocker ( what band does she front ?) is rarely seen without two things black eyeliner and a frown. BING: SEE HER SMILE Ginnifer Goodwin She was on HBO's "Big Love" and in 2003's "Mona Lisa Smile" ( watch clips ), but Ginnifer Goodwin still can't seem to put on a happy face. Well, perhaps that's a bit harsh the actress ( her current show ?) might just go with a poker face to maintain an aura of mystery. BING: SEE GINNIFER SMILE Jennifer Lopez Though her usual expression could be called a "smize" at best ( who coined the term ?), Jennifer Lopez managed to find the humor in her recent Golden Globes attire ( watch the clip ). The singer-actress is set to star in a new series, "Shades of Blue," this year on NBC. BING: SEE HER SMILE Kate Moss Supermodel Kate Moss has long been known for her signature pout ( when was she discovered ?). The now 40-year-old has every reason to smile these days she's married to rocker Jamie Hince and continues to model for top magazines, included a recent, un-Photoshopped shoot for Vogue Italia ( see photos ). BING: SEE HER SMILE Charlize Theron Straight-faced actress Charlize Theron is known for her serious roles she's even won an Oscar for one ( who did she play ?). Unfortunately, the South African beauty might not be turning that frown upside down anytime soon she's up for a Razzie Award for her role in this western comedy . BING: SEE HER SMILING Edward Norton Cheer up, Ed! The straight-faced actor, producer and activist ( what crowdsourcing site did he help found ?) might soon be smiling he's getting award nods for his role in "Birdman," and the documentary he produced ( read reviews ) will soon be airing on Netflix. BING: SEE HIS SMILE Keira Knightley British leading lady Keira Knightley is due to become a mom this year ( see her pregnancy style ) so maybe that will turn her frown upside down! There'll be no extended break for this star, however, as she's signed on to take on Broadway ( in what production ?) this fall. BING: SEE KEIRA'S SMILE | 6 | 7,312 | entertainment |
I started my own fashion brand, Ivanka Trump , to address the needs of the modern professional woman. She is often misrepresented in pop culture and the media (a recent advertisement I saw featured a woman in a black pantsuit, blown up to the scale of the buildings that surrounded her, as she straddles Park Avenue) and by fashion designers (you have the choice of purchasing either a luxury suit that costs a full paycheck or an ill-fitting skirt set in terrible colors). Women today are incredibly multidimensional. We don't look, dress, or think uniformly. We're building careers, yes, but we're also pursuing a multitude of passions outside the office and making them priorities. I'm the executive vice president of development and acquisitions at the Trump Organization and the founder of Ivanka Trump, the brand. But, I'm also a mother, a wife, an aspiring runner, and an improving (!) golfer. A few months ago, I launched an initiative on my website called #WomenWhoWork . It's an effort to celebrate the many different ways in which women work and to visually redefine, and break stereotypes around, what it looks like to be a working woman today. Read on for five of my (least) favorite stereotypes about working women. 1. Professional women are all the same, and stay-at-home moms aren't "working" women. The words "working woman" shouldn't evoke an image of a female in a pinstriped pantsuit. Women represent half the population, and obviously that means that work looks different to each of us. All women are working hard, regardless of their job titles. I have two small children, and I know that I am more exhausted on a Monday morning after a weekend at home than I am on a Friday afternoon after a long, hard week in the office. It's 2015. It's time to recognize each other as individuals with distinct values and aspirations and not make broad assumptions based on gender. We are all trying to be the architect of the lives we want to live. 2. Your life can be perfectly balanced you just need to figure out how. Every time I'm interviewed, I'm asked, "How do you balance it all?" My answer never changes: I don't, and I don't try to. In my mother's generation, life was strictly compartmentalized: There was work and there was home. Women were less inclined to talk about their kids in the office for fear of undermining their credibility and commitment. Today, the structures of society are less rigid. We are fortunate to live in the digital age for me, it means that I can call to check on my daughter between meetings during the day, and respond to emails from home at 11 p.m. because I was able to leave the office in time to put my children to bed and make dinner with my husband. It's less about balancing a "work life" and a "home life" and more about creating one rich, full life that's tailored to my specific goals and priorities. 3. Businesswomen with kids are either subpar parents or not fully committed to their careers. Having children has made me focused and efficient both in the office and at home in a way that I never realized was possible, pre-kids. I find my work very fulfilling. To be able to do something I love and make an impact in the world is incredibly gratifying. It makes me a better woman, and that makes me a better mother. I hope that my passion inspires my children and teaches them, by example, the value of hard work. Of course, it's difficult to leave them in the morning, but I am extremely productive during the day because I know I want to get home and be fully engaged during our time together. 4. Women are emotional. The idea that women are overly sensitive and need to be handled delicately because we're the weaker sex is archaic and offensive. I make smart, rational decisions. I'm passionate, yes, but I know plenty of men who are far more emotional than I am. 5. We are defined solely by our jobs . I am ambitious and passionate about my career, like many of the women I know. But, I'm not solely defined by my work. Women's professional titles are only one part of the story, which is why I'm asking women around the world to join this conversation by posting their "extended job titles" with the hashtag #WomenWhoWork. | 4 | 7,313 | lifestyle |
Two men have slowly been making their way up 900m of granite as they climb the Dawn Wall of El Capitan, a rock formation in California's Yosemite National Park. | 8 | 7,314 | video |
The Best Jobs of the Year Picking a job is personal, and there isn't one "best job" that would suit everyone. Still, our list of 100 outstanding occupations exemplifies what makes working worthwhile: good pay, manageable work-life balance and good job prospects. Before you send out your first application, check out which jobs top our list for 2015. No. 1: Dentist Median Salary: $146,340 Unemployment Rate: 0.9 percent Expected Job Openings: 23,300 The best dentists deftly balance patient care with turning a profit what good is the most nurturing dentist in town if he or she never sees any patients? But before getting to that stage, they endure rigorous technical and practical training in a competitive dental program. Learn more about dentists. No. 2: Nurse Practitioner Median Salary: $92,670 Unemployment Rate: 0.7 percent Expected Job Openings: 37,100 It's a nurse practitioner's array of capabilities, coupled with the fact he or she can work independently of physicians when treating patients, that makes this No. 2 job an attractive career choice. Learn more about nurse practitioners. No. 3: Software Developer Median Salary: $92,660 Unemployment Rate: 2.7 percent Expected Job Openings: 139,900 Software developers could work on the applications side, designing software, or on the systems side, building operating systems. Learn more about software developers. No. 4: Physician Median Salary: $186,850 Unemployment Rate: 0.7 percent Expected Job Openings: 123,300 Physicians are at the top of the health care food chain. Their responsibilities range from diagnosing and treating patients, to instructing on proper diet, hygiene and disease prevention. Learn more about physicians. No. 5: Dental Hygienist Median Salary: $71,110 Unemployment Rate: 1.7 percent Expected Job Openings: 64,200 In addition to cleaning teeth, dental hygienists educate patients on proper oral hygiene. Something else of note: Many dental hygienists work part-time, but the average salary for this job eclipses $70,000. Learn more about dental hygienists. No. 6: Physical Therapist Median Salary: $81,030 Unemployment Rate: 1.5 percent Expected Job Openings: 73,500 A physical therapist's job description might include helping someone who is paralyzed regain mobility or a cancer survivor renew his or her strength. The profession should grow 36 percent by 2022, which is much faster than the average of all occupations. Learn more about physical therapists. No. 7: Computer Systems Analyst Median Salary: $81,190 Unemployment Rate: 3.5 percent Expected Job Openings: 127,700 Applicants with a business background will have better chances of finding a position in this field, which involves consulting with organizations on the IT systems they might need and then coordinating the implementation of those systems. Learn more about computer systems analysts. No. 8: Information Security Analyst Median Salary: $88,590 Unemployment Rate: 3.5 percent Expected Job Openings: 27,400 If you've watched the news this year, then you probably have a good idea how important this No. 8 job is for companies and the government. These analysts plan and monitor the security of computer networks, and the occupations should grow 36.5 percent by 2022. Learn more about information security analysts. No. 9: Registered Nurse Median Salary: $66,220 Unemployment Rate: 2.0 percent Expected Job Openings: 526,800 Nursing is an indispensable profession in health care; one in which workers are almost always needed. This year is no different, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates 19.4 percent growth in this field by 2022. Learn more about registered nurses. No. 10: Physician Assistant Median Salary: $92,970 Unemployment Rate: 1.4 percent Expected Job Openings: 33,300 Working under the supervision of doctors, physician assistants interpret X-rays and blood tests, record patients' progress, conduct routine exams and treat a range of ailments. Learn more about physician assistants. No. 11: Web Developer Median Salary: $63,160 Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent Expected Job Openings: 28,500 Web developers are responsible for the sleek fonts and clean layout you love on your favorite websites, and the profession is one of the fastest-growing jobs this decade. Learn more about web developers. No. 12: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Median Salary: $66,410 Unemployment Rate: 2.7 percent Expected Job Openings: 27,000 These professionals must have the technical abilities to use medical equipment, as well the social savvy to deliver life-changing news ("It's a girl!") to parents and patients. Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers. 13. Occupational Therapist Median Salary: $76,940 Unemployment Rate: 0.6 percent Expected Job Openings: 32,800 Not all therapy involves evaluating clients reclining on Barcaloungers. Occupational therapists, for instance, help patients with physical, mental and developmental disabilities to assimilate in society. Learn more about occupational therapists. No. 14: Market Research Analyst Median Salary: $60,800 Unemployment Rate: 3 percent Expected Number of Jobs: 131,500 Market research analysts study our habits as consumers and use those observations to counsel companies on how to package, brand and sell products. Learn more about market research analysts. No. 15: Marketing Manager Median Salary: $123,220 Unemployment Rate: 3.9 percent Expected Job Openings: 22,900 Marketing managers are behind the advertising campaigns that sway consumers one way or another in "iOS to Android," "General Motors or Ford" or even "ChapStick or Carmex" decisions. Learn more about marketing managers. No. 16: Accountant Median Salary: 65,080 Unemployment Rate: 3.6 percent Expected Job Openings: 166,700 Whether working with individuals, corporations or nonprofits, accountants must be detail-oriented, organized and skilled with numbers. Learn more about accountants. No. 17: School Psychologist Median Salary: $67,760 Unemployment Rate: 2 percent Expected Job Openings: 16,400 This job's flexibility and potential for upward mobility help it claim the No. 1 spot in our rankings of the Best Social Services Jobs . It's also the only social services job that landed on this list of the best 25 jobs across all industries. Learn more about school psychologists. No. 18: Mechanical Engineer Median Salary: $82,100 Unemployment Rate: 2.7 percent Expected Job Openings: 11,600 This job is a perfect blend of right- and left-brain thinking: These engineers shepherd devices from the theoretical design phase to the technical production phase. Learn more about mechanical engineers. No. 19: Occupational Therapy Assistant Median Salary: $55,270 Unemployment Rate: 2.4 percent Expected Job Openings: 12,900 In this job, you'll work alongside occupational therapists, assessing patients' abilities and devising a plan of action to improve their quality of life. Learn more about occupational therapy assistants. No. 20: Operations Research Analyst Median Salary: $74,630 Unemployment Rate: 3 percent Expected Job Openings: 19,500 Similar to a market research analyst, this No. 20 job is an advisory position that involves helping businesses and organizations operate more efficiently. Learn more about operations research analysts. No. 21: IT Manager Median Salary: $123,950 Unemployment Rate: 3.5 percent Expected Job Openings: 50,900 IT managers are the go-to personnel when your email won't send or your word processor won't open. As head of the IT department, they triage the operations of an organization's technical network. Learn more about IT managers. No. 22: Civil Engineer Median Salary: $80,770 Unemployment Rate: 3.4 percent Expected Job Openings: 53,700 Part of the payoff to this job is looking around and seeing the fruits of your skills and labor. Civil engineers have a hand in building bridges, retrofitting buildings and damming reservoirs. Learn more about civil engineers. No. 23: Cost Estimator Median Salary: $59,460 Unemployment Rate: 1.9 percent Expected Job Openings: 53,000 These professionals coordinate the technical, mechanical and fiscal elements of construction projects. Relative to other U.S. News Best Construction Jobs , cost estimators are typically paid handsomely for their work, pulling in a salary that's second only to construction managers within the industry. Learn more about cost estimators. No. 24: Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist Median Salary: 28,940 Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent Expected Job Openings: 17,700 While estheticians don't get paid much compared to other U.S. News Best Health Care Jobs , they do typically enjoy flexible work schedules and the ability to improve people's appearance. Learn more about esthetician and skin care specialists. No. 25: Financial Advisor Median Salary: $75,320 Unemployment Rate: 2.5 Expected Job Openings: 60,300 No wonder financial advisors were able to slip into the top 25 jobs: The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 27 percent employment bump in the profession between 2012 and 2022, meaning more than 60,000 new jobs to go around. More interested in hiring a financial advisor than being one? Check out the U.S. News Advisor Finder . Learn more about financial advisors. | 3 | 7,315 | finance |
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- As he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery, Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Matt Moore will return to throwing from a mound soon. On Wednesday morning, Moore said he has thrown periodically throughout the past three months. So far, his throwing work has been completed on flat ground, with his distance capped at 110 feet. But he said he has plans to return to a mound in the coming weeks. "I throw again on Friday, throw four days next week, and then I'll get on the mound two times the following week," Moore said. "And then that will start the introduction to the mound." Moore, 25, had the ligament replacement procedure completed on his throwing elbow by Dr. James Andrews last April, and he was expected to be out 12 to 15 months at the time. Moore said a return to major-league play could come in June, though he admits that's a "conservative date" for a comeback. "We should know a lot more at the end of next month as I start to get on the hill and have a chance to respond," Moore said. Moore, named an American League All-Star in 2013, was placed on the disabled list last April after leaving with elbow soreness in his second start of the season, on April 7 against the Kansas City Royals. He's 29-17 with a 3.53 ERA and 339 strikeouts in 63 regular-season appearances (61 starts) with the Rays since his debut in 2011. You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at [email protected] . | 1 | 7,316 | sports |
Transport vehicle carrying prisoners and corrections officers skids off icy highway overpass | 8 | 7,317 | video |
Happy Birthday, LL Cool J -- there's no stopping you! | 8 | 7,318 | video |
Real Housewives of Miami stars Joanna Krupa and Brandi Granville have some real life drama! During an episode of Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, Granville decided to air out Joanna's dirty laundry on national television. She accused Joanna of sleeping with Yolanda Foster's ex-husband Mohamed Hadid while they were still married. On top of the alleged affair accusation, Brandi said Muhamed also dissed Joanna's lady parting calling them less than hygienic. Check out the video to get all the details. | 8 | 7,319 | video |
Landing on his feet Rex Ryan speaks at a press conference announcing his arrival as head coach of the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Scaling El Capitan Kevin Jorgeson, left, and Tommy Caldwell climb El Capitan on Wednesday, in Yosemite National Park, Calif. Caldwell and Jorgeson became the first to free-climb the rock formation's Dawn Wall. Carolina thriller Marcus Paige #5 and Kennedy Meeks #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels battle for a rebound with Ralston Turner #22 and Abdul-Malik Abu #0 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Wednesday in Raleigh, N.C. North Carolina won 81-79. IMAGES: COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON Boxing makes a comeback Boxing legends Sugar Ray Leonard, left, and Thomas Hearns compare their reach while posing for pictures during a news conference in New York, Wednesday. NBC plans to air boxing matches on broadcast television beginning with an event on March 7, 2015. Head over heels Renee McElduff of Australia competes in the Ladies Aerials Qualification in this multiple exposure during the FIS Freestyle Ski World Championships on Wednesday in Kreischberg, Austria. Asian Cup Zhang Linpeng of China competes with Igor Sergeev of Uzbekistan during the 2015 Asian Cup match between China PR and Uzbekistan at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday in Brisbane, Australia. Ducks knock off Leafs Mike Santorelli of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets knocked off his skates by Ben Lovejoy #6 of the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday in Anaheim, where the Ducks won 4-0. IMAGES: NHL SEASON Buddies Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) and Fernando Verdasco of Spain embrace following their match during Rafa's Summer Set at Melbourne Park on Wednesday in Melbourne, Australia. Home stretch Czech Republic's Veronika Vitkova celebrates on her way to win the women's 4x6 km relay at the Biathlon World Cup in Ruhpolding, Germany, Wednesday. Share a ride Mark Webber and Maria Sharapova pose prior to driving to practice at Rod Laver Arena in preparation for the 2015 Australian Open during a Porsche photo call in Melbourne, Australia. Pierce leads Wizards past Bulls Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce, right, reacts after being fouled by Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose on Wednesday in Chicago. Pierce scored 22 points as the Wizards won 105-99. IMAGES: NBA SEASON Starting young 11-year-old Tomokazu Harumoto competes in the Junior Men's singles game during day three of the All Japan Table Tennis Championships at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Wednesday in Tokyo. Fired up The Detroit Pistons dance team performs during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday. IMAGES: NBA DANCERS Smooth sailing Jamie Moore riding Top Gamble clears the water jump on their way to winning The Betfred Goals Galore Novices' Limited Handicap Steeple Chase at Newbury racecourse on Wednesday in Newbury, England. Staying focused Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce shouts instructions to his players during the game against Northwestern on Wednesday in Evanston, Ill. Illinois won 72-67. IMAGES: COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON What big feet you have Britain's Prince Harry, right, is presented with a basketball shirt and size 15 basketball shoe by NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, during a Coach Core Graduation event at St James's Palace, in London, Wednesday. The Coach Core model, a year's apprenticeship, aspires to produce well qualified sports coaches to work in the community. Cheering the Wildcats A Kansas State Wildcats cheerleader performs during a timeout of a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Wednesday. IMAGES: COLLEGE CHEERLEADERS UConn flies high Connecticut Huskies forward Breanna Stewart shoots against the Temple Owls on Wednesday. UConn won 92-58. IMAGES: COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON Getting ready for the Open Britain's Andy Murray reacts during a training session ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Wednesday. Heavyweights Mongolian Yokozuna Harumafuji (R) and Endo compete during day four of the Grand Sumo New Year Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Wednesday in Tokyo. Big kid, little kid Nine-year-old Melody Lee, right, strains to look up at her fellow ball kid Jakob Sutherland, 17, as they take their position on center court for the match between Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova the Czech Republic at the Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney, Wednesday. Flying to the hoop Monta Ellis #11 of the Dallas Mavericks goes for the layup against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday at Pepsi Center in Denver. IMAGES: 2014-15 NBA SEASON Back benchers Two racegoers watch the action from the lawn at Newbury racecourse on Wednesday in Newbury, England. It's a stretch Burnley's goalkeeper Tom Heaton dives in vain as Tottenham's Etienne Capoue scores his side's second goal during the English FA Cup third round replay soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at the White Hart Lane stadium in London, Wednesday. Tottenham won 2-0. No it's mine! Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart (36) battles for a rebound with Atlanta Hawks forward center Paul Millsap (4) during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on Wednesday in Boston. IMAGES: 2014-15 NBA SEASON Going over board Devin Harris #20 of the Dallas Mavericks dives over the scorers table as he chases a loose ball against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. IMAGES: 2014-15 NBA SEASON Super Dunk The Charlotte Hornets mascot "Super Hugo" performs during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday. IMAGES: 2014-15 NBA SEASON Wave calling Pro surfer Alastair Mennie makes his way towards the beach at Portrush in Antrim, Northern Ireland. IMAGES: PREVIOUS DAY'S PHOTOS | 1 | 7,320 | sports |
The "Internet of Things" has entered the kitchen space. Everything from an app to turn on your coffee maker to a pan that monitors heat on your iPhone to cook the perfect steak is so close we can (almost literally) taste it. Here are some of the top tech gadgets making their way to our cookery in the near future. 1. Palate Home Smart Grill This is not your average George Foreman grill. The Palate Smart Grill from Palate Home can cook almost any food perfectly based on weight, composition, and desired done-ness, all controlled through an iPad app. 2. Pantelligent Smart Frying Pan Temperature control and perfect timing in a pan. This gadget lets you check the exact temperature inside your salmon, steak or whatever else you've got sizzling and let's you know when it's ready without having to stick a fork in it. The Pantelligent app for iPhone monitors the cooking and lets you know the ideal time when the food is done. 3. Drop Connected Kitchen Scale This one aims to be an easy-to-use kitchen baking scale that guides you through select recipes connected to an iPad app. You pick out which recipe you want on the app and then place a bowl on the bluetooth connected scale, drop in each ingredient until the app says you have added enough into the bowl and follow along with the instructions to make the perfect cake, cookies or whatever else you desire. 4. LivBlends Smoothie Maker Y Combinator team LivBlends is mainly into juice delivery in the Bay area for now but it's in the middle of cooking up a Keurig-like smoothie maker that could put your old JuiceMan to shame. The picture above is a prototype of what it will look like. 5. Prep Pad from the Orange Chef Prep Pad tallies up nutritional info from the foods added to any bowl on its connected food scale. The information is then transferred to an iPad app so you know exactly how many carb, fat and protein calories are in your food. It then gives you an overview of every ingredient you put on Prep Pad throughout your week and logs that with your connected Jawbone Up to help you meet your health goals. 6. HAPIfork The HAPIfork is an electronic fork that helps you monitor and track your eating habits for weight loss. It measures how long it took you to eat, the amount of fork servings and the time in between servings. It then uploads that info to an app via USB or Bluetooth to show you what you are doing. 7. Siemens Connected Coffee Maker Siemens isn't in the business of making kitchen gadgets. It's creating the makeup of the actual kitchen infrastructure, itself. It has a slew of appliances that are connected to a single app. This coffee maker is a part of that. Push a button on your phone beside your bed and you've got your morning espresso ready to go. 8. LG's Smart Oven This connected kitchen appliance allows you to control cooking remotely from your smartphone. Click on the LG Smart Access Range app to set it and forget it. It also lets you send recipes to your range. | 5 | 7,321 | news |
You know pint-sized homes have hit the big time when thieves start nabbing the mobile ones. In recent months, bandits have made off with a 200-square-foot cabin in Canada's Yukon woods and a tiny house in Texas. The latter was recovered, and its owner now recommends a boot and a hitch lock for other owners of tiny homes. Here's a look at some homes measuring 600 square feet or less that aren't on wheels. Kitty Hawk, NC 5021 Virginia Dare Trl N, Kitty Hawk, NC For sale: $250,000 Size: 560 square feet North Carolina's Outer Banks provide the view for this 2-bedroom, 1-bath cottage that sits on new pilings and has a wide front deck. See other homes for sale in Kitty Hawk, NC . Chicago, IL 3150 N Sheffield Ave Apt 308, Chicago, IL For sale: $159,000 Size: 600 square feet This studio loft is a 10-minute walk from Wrigley Field and near many popular restaurants and shops. HOA fees are $218 a month. See other listings in Chicago's Lake View neighborhood. International Falls, MN 1775 Grindstone Island, International Falls, MN For sale: $284,900 Size: 400 square feet Located on an island in far northern Minnesota, this property includes three bedrooms spread across three small cabins that total 600 square feet. The main cabin has a living room, kitchen and "master" bedroom; each of the other two cabins is a bedroom. Separate buildings house a sauna, shower and outhouse. Check out what else is on the market in and around International Falls, MN . Miami, FL 770 NE 69th St APT 5E, Miami, FL For sale: $149,999 Size: 521 square feet Residents enjoy views of Biscayne Bay and Palm Bay Marina from this studio's entertainment area and extended balcony. A sleeping alcove big enough for a queen bed is hidden at the back of the unit. See more Miami, FL homes for sale. Emigrant Gap, CA 41027 Skyline Dr, Emigrant Gap, CA For sale: $169,000 Size: 480 square feet This tiny cabin in the Sierra Nevadas is near skiing, hiking, rivers and lakes and has a hot tub on the screened-in porch. Check out more homes for sale in and around Emigrant Gap, CA . West Point, TX 530 Justice Rd, West Point, TX For sale: $434,900 Size: 336 square feet The home is small, but its spread is Texas big. It sits on nearly 24 acres, including a 4-acre lake, between Austin and Houston. See other listings in West Point, TX . Boulder, CO 811 Main St, Boulder, CO For sale: $200,000 Size: 565 square feet Located in the former mining town of Gold Hill outside Boulder, this cabin was built in 1914 and has a sunny kitchen, sleeping loft and claw-foot bathtub. Check out more listings in Boulder County, CO . New Orleans, LA 526 Madison St APT 2D, New Orleans, LA For sale: $239,000 Size: 375 square feet A block from Jackson Square, this French Quarter condo has a kitchen and sitting area downstairs and a bedroom and bathroom upstairs. It also has lots of windows, exposed brick and hardwood floors. See more homes for sale in New Orleans . Rockport, MA 182 Granite St, Rockport, MA For sale: $154,000 Size: 400 square feet Built in 1850, this "micro cottage" in coastal Massachusetts includes a living room, kitchen area, sleeping loft and bathroom. And it's less than an hour from Boston. See more homes for sale in Rockport, MA . Portland, OR 709 SW 16th Ave APT 509, Portland, OR For sale: $189,900 Size: 517 square feet This corner condo studio in Southwest Portland has hardwood floors, a dining room with built-ins and a gas cooktop. View more real estate in Portland, OR . | 3 | 7,322 | finance |
And then there were 4. With the NFCCG and AFCCG just around the corner, Matt Ufford and the Uffsides crew preview the games | 1 | 7,323 | sports |
MINNEAPOLIS -- The NBA morning shootaround was invented in 1955, inside a high school gym in the Boston area. There, former Celtics guard and NBA head coach Bill Sharman would get some shots up the morning of game days. The Hall of Famer and one-time teammate of Bob Cousy identified spots on the floor he'd shoot from in a game. Five makes in a row from each area, and he'd be done for the morning. "I was always very nervous the day of a game," Sharman said in an ESPN Page 2 article from 2003. "I'd just walk around the house until it was time to go the arena." After performing the routine in a gymnasium near his home, Sharman felt looser and quicker. "I had a much better shooting touch, too," he said. Before long, some of Sharman's teammates began joining him. And when Sharman later became a coach, he established the shootaround as part of his clubs' game day routine. Today, it's commonplace around the league, except for the second morning of a back-to-back. But it could be dissolving. Or, at least, evolving. The Timberwolves are one of at least two teams to go away from the traditional morning workout and replace it with an afternoon walk-through. Minnesota's done it a handful of times since the start of 2015, and the Nuggets have abolished the practice outright. It's been done before, including by Wolves coach and president Flip Saunders during his first stint in the Twin Cities. He's done it again this year in the wake of a 15-game losing streak that was snapped Tuesday. For what it's worth, Minnesota did not hold a morning shootaround in Indiana that morning. The Wolves hadn't played since Saturday. "I've done that in the past," Saunders said. "We've done some afternoon-type walk-throughs and kind of a dinner. It's kind of a feel on where they're at. Sometimes, you need to just change it up a little bit. One thing is in the new age with our younger players, these guys stay up playing video games till 3 in the morning. The main thing is you want to get them some sleep somehow. Sometimes it can be counterproductive to get them up for a 45-minute shootaround just to make sure they're there." Typically, players are expected to rise at a reasonable hour, get to the gym, go through a pseudo-practice then kill the day's remaining hours until they report for the game, generally three or four hours before tipoff. Saunders and Denver coach Brian Shaw muse their players have a better chance of retaining information from an afternoon session when they're more awake and attentive and have less time to forget whatever they've been taught. The NBA's current generation of young players stays up late. The younger ones play video games "till 3 in the morning," Saunders said, while most of-age athletes enjoy a night on the town, even if there's a game the next day, according to Shaw. Plus, Shaw said, he and his coaches enjoy the chance for extra sleep and preparation time. "Our schedule is so crazy," the former Lakers mainstay said. "You have a game pretty much every day, and sometimes four in five nights. So moving that shootaround back to 3 o'clock, 3:30 definitely gives us more time. The players have responded to it well, and I've always kind of felt like if our games are at 7 o'clock, why do we get up at 10 and practice anyway? If your body's ready to go at 7, you should practice closer to that time." Denver has gone 0-4 since eliminating morning shootarounds. Minnesota's win Tuesday was its first on the road since the day after Thanksgiving. But whether Saunders and Shaw's practice will catch on around the league remains to be seen. Shaw says it could, but Saunders told reporters earlier this week he and his staff will continue to "play it by ear" when it comes to determining their practice slate. "Colleges do that a lot," said Saunders, a former University of Minnesota point guard. "When I played, you eat at 4 o'clock, go afterwards and walk through some things then play at 7:30. I think a lot of times it just depends on the situation that we're in." Follow Phil Ervin on Twitter | 1 | 7,324 | sports |
Sometimes, all we really want for dinner is…breakfast. Here's our dream Breakfast-for-Dinner menu, from a spiked coffee cocktail to the perfect scrambled eggs. Espresso Old Fashioned At Everyman Espresso, they serve this sans alcohol, but feel free to add a splash of brown before stirring. Recipe here. Browse: More Old Fashioned recipes Carrot, Ginger, and Lime Juice The classic carrot-ginger combo gets extra zesty with lime juice. Recipe here. More great juicing recipes Bloody Beers Juice too virtuous for you? Try this: Bloody Mary meets Michelada. Recipe here. Browse: More fun Bloody Mary recipes Parmesan Bread Pudding with Broccoli Rabe and Pancetta Okay, we'd eat this for any meal, any time. Recipe here. Browse: Bread pudding recipes for everyone Smoked Salmon Breakfast Salad with Crispbread Everything good about a lox and bagel sandwich (minus the bagel). Recipe here. Browse: Great breakfast recipes Onion Frittata The key to making this dish is to have all the ingredients prepared before you begin sautéing the onions. Recipe here. Check out more frittata recipes Scrambled Eggs with Spinach & Parmesan Prefer your eggs scrambled? Pull the pan off the heat when they still look a little loose; carryover cooking will do the rest. Recipe here. Browse: Scrambled eggs and other egg recipes Shrimp with Fresh Corn Grits Liquid from the grated corn enriches and helps thicken the grits in this hearty dinner that's equally at home in the morning and evening. Recipe here. Browse: Recipes for grits Classic French Toast Seal the deal with something sweet. This French toast recipe is custardy and rich. Recipe here. | 0 | 7,325 | foodanddrink |
Winter can be treacherous, but there are a few cold weather misconceptions you should know. Krystin Goodwin (@krystingoodwin) debunks a few common cold weather mythes. | 8 | 7,326 | video |
January World Economic Forum - 1/21-1/24 - Davos, Switzerland - The average cost to attend Davos is about $40,000, half of it being the cost of an attendee's ticket, but it's not a problem for hedge-funders Steve Cohen and George Soros or Indian billionaires who gather every year to brainstorm with leaders including Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. If debating the big issues of the year isn't your thing, you can always head to the Snow Polo World Cup in nearby in St. Moritz or to Singapore to Art Stage, the leading Asian art fair focused on contemporary art. - See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2015/01/08/Billionaire-s-2015-Social-Calendar#sthash.GDxX3kLS.dpuf World Economic Forum - 1/21-1/24 - Davos, Switzerland - The average cost to attend Davos is about $40,000, half of it being the cost of an attendee's ticket, but it's not a problem for hedge-funders Steve Cohen and George Soros or Indian billionaires who gather every year to brainstorm with leaders including Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. If debating the big issues of the year isn't your thing, you can always head to the Snow Polo World Cup in nearby in St. Moritz or to Singapore to Art Stage, the leading Asian art fair focused on contemporary art. - See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2015/01/08/Billionaire-s-2015-Social-Calendar#sthash.GDxX3kLS.dpuf World Economic Forum - 1/21-1/24 - Davos, Switzerland - The average cost to attend Davos is about $40,000, half of it being the cost of an attendee's ticket, but it's not a problem for hedge-funders Steve Cohen and George Soros or Indian billionaires who gather every year to brainstorm with leaders including Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. If debating the big issues of the year isn't your thing, you can always head to the Snow Polo World Cup in nearby in St. Moritz or to Singapore to Art Stage, the leading Asian art fair focused on contemporary art. - See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2015/01/08/Billionaire-s-2015-Social-Calendar#sthash.GDxX3kLS.dpuf World Economic Forum - 1/21-1/24 - Davos, Switzerland - The average cost to attend Davos is about $40,000, half of it being the cost of an attendee's ticket, but it's not a problem for hedge-funders Steve Cohen and George Soros or Indian billionaires who gather every year to brainstorm with leaders including Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. If debating the big issues of the year isn't your thing, you can always head to the Snow Polo World Cup in nearby in St. Moritz or to Singapore to Art Stage, the leading Asian art fair focused on contemporary art. February Venice Carnival - 1/31-2/17 - Venice, Italy - Extravagant parties and balls dot the two-week carnival, but if there's only one event billionaires attend, it's the wild, glamorous and very expensive Gran Ballo Della Cavalchina at La Fenice Opera House. If you don't feel like dressing up and dancing, you can catch an early glimpse at 2015 movies at the Berlinale, the Berlin International Film Festival, or head to one (or all) of the fashion weeks happening in New York City, Paris, London and Milan. March World Economic Forum - 1/21-1/24 - Davos, Switzerland - The average cost to attend Davos is about $40,000, half of it being the cost of an attendee's ticket, but it's not a problem for hedge-funders Steve Cohen and George Soros or Indian billionaires who gather every year to brainstorm with leaders including Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. If debating the big issues of the year isn't your thing, you can always head to the Snow Polo World Cup in nearby in St. Moritz or to Singapore to Art Stage, the leading Asian art fair focused on contemporary art. - See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2015/01/08/Billionaire-s-2015-Social-Calendar#sthash.GDxX3kLS.dpuf World Economic Forum - 1/21-1/24 - Davos, Switzerland - The average cost to attend Davos is about $40,000, half of it being the cost of an attendee's ticket, but it's not a problem for hedge-funders Steve Cohen and George Soros or Indian billionaires who gather every year to brainstorm with leaders including Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. If debating the big issues of the year isn't your thing, you can always head to the Snow Polo World Cup in nearby in St. Moritz or to Singapore to Art Stage, the leading Asian art fair focused on contemporary art. - See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2015/01/08/Billionaire-s-2015-Social-Calendar#sthash.GDxX3kLS.dpuf World Economic Forum - 1/21-1/24 - Davos, Switzerland - The average cost to attend Davos is about $40,000, half of it being the cost of an attendee's ticket, but it's not a problem for hedge-funders Steve Cohen and George Soros or Indian billionaires who gather every year to brainstorm with leaders including Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. If debating the big issues of the year isn't your thing, you can always head to the Snow Polo World Cup in nearby in St. Moritz or to Singapore to Art Stage, the leading Asian art fair focused on contemporary art. - See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2015/01/08/Billionaire-s-2015-Social-Calendar#sthash.GDxX3kLS.dpuf Dubai World Cup - 3/28 - Dubai - This Thoroughbred horse race is the world richest, with total prize money of more than $29 million, and is attended by most of the oil-rich billionaires of the Gulf. In mid March, billionaires also have the option to return to Asia for more art at the Art Basel Hong Kong. April Antigua Sailing Week - 4/25-5/01 - Antigua, Caribbean - It's not all about boating. The Antigua Sailing Week, one of the most exclusive yachting events of the year especially popular with British billionaires, also has a week packed with parties and social gatherings. If billionaires would rather not go to the Caribbean tax haven, they can stay close to home and attend the U.S. Masters of golf in Augusta, Ga., or go to Asia to the Singapore Yacht Show . - See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2015/01/08/Billionaire-s-2015-Social-Calendar?page=3#sthash.aS5mIrgO.dpuf Antigua Sailing Week - 4/25-5/01 - Antigua, Caribbean - It's not all about boating. The Antigua Sailing Week, one of the most exclusive yachting events of the year especially popular with British billionaires, also has a week packed with parties and social gatherings. If billionaires would rather not go to the Caribbean tax haven, they can stay close to home and attend the U.S. Masters of golf in Augusta, Ga., or go to Asia to the Singapore Yacht Show. May Monaco Grand Prix - 5/21-5/24 - As warmer days return, billionaires head to Europe to see the best of Formula One racing in Monte Carlo, another famous tax haven, and mingle at the after parties including the one at the Fairmont hotel where the trendy Billionaire Club's exclusive fêtes. The Cannes Film Festival in France is another opportunity to rub shoulders with celebrities and movie stars. If you decide to stay in the U.S., there's always the Kentucky Derby the first weekend of the month. June Art Basel - 6/18-6/21 - Basel, Switzerland - Art Basel, which has become the number one destination for art collectors, is also a place where billionaires spend millions on contemporary art. In 2014, a huge Andy Warhol self-portrait was sold there for around $34 million. For sports fanatics, go to Paris to attend Roland Garros, the French tennis open, while billionaires can also head to Bavaria in Germany to attend the G7 Summit . - See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2015/01/08/Billionaire-s-2015-Social-Calendar?page=5#sthash.158Z3mpH.dpuf Art Basel - 6/18-6/21 - Basel, Switzerland - Art Basel, which has become the number one destination for art collectors, is also a place where billionaires spend millions on contemporary art. In 2014, a huge Andy Warhol self-portrait was sold there for around $34 million. For sports fanatics, go to Paris to attend Roland Garros, the French tennis open, while billionaires can also head to Bavaria in Germany to attend the G7 Summit. July Wimbledon - 6/29-7/12 - If you've missed Roland Garros, you can always catch tennis superstars at Wimbledon, the British tennis open. While in Europe, billionaires usually don't miss the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, where they can hear some of the best musicians. In the U.S., billionaires can mingle at the Allen & Co. Sun Valley Conference in Idaho, where business, political and cultural leaders meet annually. - See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2015/01/08/Billionaire-s-2015-Social-Calendar?page=6#sthash.7qiSjNOp.dpuf Wimbledon - 6/29-7/12 - If you've missed Roland Garros, you can always catch tennis superstars at Wimbledon, the British tennis open. While in Europe, billionaires usually don't miss the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, where they can hear some of the best musicians. In the U.S., billionaires can mingle at the Allen & Co. Sun Valley Conference in Idaho, where business, political and cultural leaders meet annually. August PGA Championship - 8/10-8/16 - Kohler, Wis. - At the PGA Championship, which will take place in posh Whistling Straits, the billionaires are usually both on and off the green considering the purse last year was $10 million, including $1.8 million for the winner. If you're more of a culture lover, the Venice Film Festival in Italy may be your thing. September Monaco Yacht Show - 9/23-9-26 - Monaco - If you're in the market for a yacht, or two, head to Monaco in the fall to attend the world's largest yacht trade show featuring custom-made megayachts ranging from 80 to 330 feet long, which typically cost more than $150 million and requires about 10 percent of this price tag in annual maintenance. Or there's always the Singapore Grand Prix, another major Formula One race. - See more at: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2015/01/08/Billionaire-s-2015-Social-Calendar?page=8#sthash.X0djc6ho.dpuf Monaco Yacht Show - 9/23-9-26 - Monaco - If you're in the market for a yacht, or two, head to Monaco in the fall to attend the world's largest yacht trade show featuring custom-made megayachts ranging from 80 to 330 feet long, which typically cost more than $150 million and requires about 10 percent of this price tag in annual maintenance. Or there's always the Singapore Grand Prix, another major Formula One race. October Rugby World Cup - 9/18-10/31 - England and Cardiff - United Kingdom - Members of the British royal family, Virgin founder Richard Branson and Prince Albert II of Monaco are all regular attendants of the Rugby World Cup's final, which will take place in the U.K. this year. You could even squeeze some arts during your trip by attending Frieze Art Fair in London, one of the world's leading contemporary art fairs taking place around the same time. November Argentine Polo Open - 11/15-12/6 - Buenos Aires, Argentina Billionaires from the Middle East along with celebrities such as Will Smith, who is only a millionaire, like to attend the unofficial world championship of polo, which takes place every year in the Paris of the South, as Buenos Aires is often called. If redecorating one of your mansions is what's one your mind, then head to New York to attend the fall Pier Antique Show to snag some vintage furniture. December St. Bart's New Year Celebrations - 12/31 - St. Barts, France - Billionaires and celebrities alike flock to warm St. Barts. in the winter to soak the sun as well as to celebrate the new year, usually on a yacht. Russian mogul Roman Abramovich used to hold an annual New Year's Eve party in the ritzy Caribbean island. This year, actress Salma Hayek, who is married to French billionaire François-Henri Pinault, partied on a yacht there. If you want to ring in the new year with a more European flair, head to Vienna to the annual Imperial Ball. | 3 | 7,327 | finance |
A 'Spider Dress' combines fashion and robotics to protect your personal space, with spikes that extend if someone approaches too aggressively. Jen Markham (@jenmarkham) explains. | 8 | 7,328 | video |
More than 300,000 patents filed last year The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued 300,678 utility patents in 2014, many of them to just a handful of companies. More patents were issued in 2014 than in any other year in the history of patent filings. IBM (NYSE: IBM) was the global leader for innovation in 2014 for the 22nd consecutive year, with 7,534 patents. Last year was also the first year any company received more than 7,000 annual patent grants. Based on data from global patent data compiler, IFI Claims Patent Services, these are the world's most innovative companies. The most innovative companies are not always the most financially successful ones. While IBM was the global innovation leader in 2014, its stock price fell 13.3% last year. In the case of several other companies, however, innovation has accompanied financial success. Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), for instance, appears on our list of most innovative companies for the first time after a dramatic increase in patent filings over the last several years. The company has reported substantial revenue increases as well as research and development (R&D) spending increases since at least 2011. In order to innovate, a company needs resources. IBM had a relatively poor year in terms of revenue in 2014, but this did not prevent the company from investing heavily in R&D. IBM invested more than $6.3 billion in R&D in fiscal 2013, one of the highest figures among all companies worldwide. Similarly, the economy can affect a company's capacity to invest. Larry Cady, vice president of product marketing at IFI Claims Patent Services, suggested that a few years ago, when companies filed many of the applications for the patents awarded last year, "there was probably some cost-cutting" brought on by the recession and other "cyclical economic factors." This partly explains the slowdown in growth of U.S. patent grants. The number of patents issued in the United States increased by just 8.2% from 2013. This was down from a 9.7% growth in 2013 and from a 12.8% growth in 2012. Despite the growth slowdown, the United States is still far and above the most innovative country worldwide. "[This slowdown is] probably more related cyclically to the economy than it is to any other underlying change in technology," Cady said. "I don't think it's the case that people are running out of things to patent." There were 19 U.S.-based companies among the 50 most innovative companies, and four of the top-10 are based in the United States. According to Cady, the perceived stagnation in U.S. patents is likely temporary. Cady explained that a range of factors contribute to high numbers of patent grants. Incentive structures at these companies and corporate culture are key among them. "If you provide someone with an incentive to patent their idea, they will patent more," Cady said. For instance, Google employees are permitted one day per week to focus on whatever they want, according to the company's website. This encouragement is part of Google's eight pillars of innovation. IBM, too, has a long history of such incentive structures. Patent grants are a reliable measure of how innovative a company is. However, in an interview with 24/7 Wall St., Cady said that "a fairly small number of the patents granted fall under the category of significant innovations that really change the landscape." Not only are many patents representative of extremely incremental developments, but they are often filed for a variety of reasons. A key innovation, for example, will often require a range of different patents to protect it from challengers. Companies will also deliberately bolster their patent portfolios in order to take a "defensive posture," Cady explained. In particular, especially in the extremely competitive electronics and software industries, patent trolling has become a common occurrence. Patent trolls will purchase patents on the market without any intention of releasing the product, and they sue other companies for attempting to do so. The increasingly defensive strategies adopted by companies can be attributed in part to the rise of such patent trolls. Cady added that intellectual property laws have become especially vague in these industries. "What's patentable is a contentious issue," Cady said. Methods of doing business, or an intangible invention like software, are entering patent courts more often than ever. Historically, inventions such as these were deemed far too abstract for patent protection. To identify the 10 most innovative companies, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the companies with the 50 highest total number of patent grants in 2014 from IFI Claims Patent Services. Patent data from previous years also came from IFI Claims Patent Services. When available, financial data came from the companies themselves or Google Finance. Sales figures from non-U.S.-based companies were converted to U.S. Dollars using exchange rates current as of the publication of this article. Click ahead for the five most innovative companies in the world, and then visit 24/7 Wall St. for the list complete . No. 5: Microsoft (MSFT) > 2014 patent grants: 2,829 > Country: United States > Sales: $91.5 billion Microsoft Corp. spent far more on R&D than the vast majority of companies. In fiscal 2014, Microsoft spent nearly $11.4 billion on R&D, a substantial increase from the year before, when it spent roughly $10.4 billion. The company's routinely large investments likely contributed to the company's large number of patents 2,829 were awarded to Microsoft in 2014, a 6% increase from 2013. (Microsoft owns and publishes MSN Money.) Microsoft is known for its near ubiquitous software products Office and Windows. However, the company is also part of the rapidly growing cloud computing industry. With cloud computing giants like IBM, Samsung, and Amazon.com already well-established in the sector, it may surprise some that Microsoft has reported dramatic growth rates for its cloud products. Microsoft's Xbox has meanwhile become one of only a few dominant gaming consoles. No. 4: Sony (SNE) > 2014 patent grants: 3,224 > Country: Japan > Sales: $66.6 billion Japanese electronics giant Sony Corp. was awarded more than 3,200 patent grants in 2014, up nearly 50% from 2010. The company's smartphone shipments have continued to decline, falling further behind its major competitors Apple and Samsung. As a result, Sony recently announced it would scale back handheld production to focus on components such as sensors, camera parts, and memory storage units. Sony was also among those hit by the recent onslaught of IT attacks from hackers. While these setbacks may slow the number of future patent filings, Sony is still among the world's most innovative companies. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, Sony unveiled a slew of new products, including most notably demos of its ultra high-definition technology and its SmartWear the company's version of wearable technology. No. 3: Canon (CAJ) > 2014 patent grants: 4,055 > Country: Japan > Sales: $30.9 billion Known primarily for its cameras, Japan's Canon Inc. makes a variety of other products, including photocopiers, printers, and medical imaging tools. On the company's website, Canon characterizes its strategy as a "relentless pursuit of innovation." The tactic is primarily one of diversification, both in terms of geographical presence, and technology. The company recently announced it would attempt to expand its presence in both the United States and Europe. In addition, the company's patents include a diverse array of technology often unrelated to its focus on optical-based instruments. One patent, for example, described a two-way touchscreen device. Canon was issued more than 4,000 patent grants last year, a substantial growth from 2010, when the company reported 2,552 patent grants. No. 2: Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) > 2014 patent grants: 4,952 > Country: South Korea > Sales: $195.7 billion Mobile giant Samsung Electronics has been among the world's most innovative companies since at least 2010, when it was awarded a total of more than 4,600 patents. Last year, the company trailed only IBM with nearly 5,000 patents issued. Like most of the world's most innovative companies, Samsung is a major semiconductor producer, which helped the company dominate the smartphone market. According to Samsung CEO Boo-Keun Yoon, however, his company will soon move well beyond smartphones and onto the Internet of Things (IoT) technology that seeks to connect the Internet to virtually all everyday objects, rather than just to a cell phone. Yoon asserted earlier this year that 90% of Samsung's products will be IoT devices by 2017. No. 1: International Business Machines (IBM) > 2014 patent grants: 7,534 > Country: United States > Sales: $9.45 billion For the 22nd consecutive year, IBM was the global leader for innovation, with more than 7,500 patents awarded in 2014. According to the U.S. patent office, no company has ever surpassed 7,000 patents in a single year. The company's revenue fell slightly in its most recent fiscal year, and its stock price dropped by more than 16% in 2014. Yet, IBM has routinely had among the largest R&D investments, spending well more than $6 billion each year since at least 2010. However, the company may need to change its strategy to maintain its position at the top, as its R&D investment was only 6% of sales, versus Google, which spent 16% of sales on R&D. Visit 24/7 Wall St. for the complete list of the world's most innovative companies | 3 | 7,329 | finance |
By Braden Gall Generally, any championship in any sport is a long, arduous tale of adversity and perseverance filled with unpredictable success and joy. Ohio State's journey to the first college football national championship via a playoff is improbable and well deserved all at the same time. But the dominating championship in which Ohio State lost the turnover battle (minus-three) but still totally controlled the game didn't just fall into Urban Meyer's lap. It was well earned throughout an entire season of hard work, difficult decisions and brutal injuries. Had any of the following moments not taken place, who knows, maybe Ohio State wouldn't be the '14 National Champions. Here are the 10 biggest moments of one of the most historic seasons in college football history. Aug. 18: Braxton Miller Lost for the Season This injury cannot be overstated. Miller was a Heisman Trophy front-runner who had totaled 2,094 yards passing, 1,068 yards rushing, 36 touchdowns and just seven interceptions the year before. Miller and Meyer were 24-0 in the regular season together and the Buckeyes' expected starting QB was lost for the year before it even got started. Aug. 30: J.T. Barrett's First TD In his first career start and the season opener for the team many considered the favorite in the Big Ten, J.T. Barrett and the Buckeyes were trailing Navy 14-13 with just 4:10 minutes left. But the redshirt freshman then found Devin Smith for an 80-yard, go-ahead touchdown. It was Barrett's first career touchdown and it led to an eventual 34-17 win. Sept. 6: The Pick-Six In just his second start behind an offensive line that had yet to gel, Barrett is harassed all night long by the Virginia Tech Hokies. Down by seven with a minute to play, Barrett and the Bucks still had a chance to come back. However, the OSU quarterback was intercepted by Donovan Riley, who returned the pick for a game-clinching touchdown with 46 seconds left. Most (myself included) left the Buckeyes for dead. Oct. 25: The Overtime Sack Joey Bosa, who would go on to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, made his presence felt with 3.5 sacks against Penn State in front of a sold-out "White Out" home crowd in Happy Valley. With the season hanging in the balance in double overtime, Bosa recorded his third and final sack to clinch the win on the game's final play. Nov. 8: Barrett's Final Blow In the biggest game of the year and with the East Division title hanging in the balance against then-No. 8 Michigan State and one of the best defenses in the land, Barrett put on a show. The QB threw for 300 yards, rushed for 86 yards and scored five touchdowns the last of which was a seven-yard TD toss early in the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach. The Bucks won 49-37. Nov. 15: Wintry Record-Breaker In what appeared to be the slowest 86-yard touchdown run in the history of football, Barrett outran the Minnesota secondary to give the Buckeyes a critical road win over a ranked opponent. It was one of three records Barrett broke in the game long run by a QB, rushing yards in a game by a QB (189) and most TDs in a season (38). It was OSU's second straight and second overall win over a ranked foe at the time. Nov. 29: First Play of the Fourth Quarter An emotional week that featured the tragic loss of teammate Kosta Karageorge ended with a costly victory in "The Game" over archrival Michigan. On the first play of the fourth quarter of a one-score game, Barrett broke his ankle putting an end to his breakout season. Cardale Jones takes his place and in his first full drive as a starter, led OSU to a touchdown when Ezekiel Elliott broke a 44-yard touchdown run on a fourth-down call. The Bucks go on to pull away and easily defeat the school from up North. Dec. 6: Jones adds a new dimension Less than two minutes into the Big Ten Championship Game, Jones, making his first career start, connects with Devin Smith for a 39-yard touchdown. The throw shows off Jones' arm and his ability to stretch the field vertically. Ohio State would score 52 more points in the title game rout that would eventually land the Buckeyes in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Jan 1a: Evan Spencer-to-Michael Thomas Trickey After falling behind 21-6 halfway through the second quarter Ohio State made it a one-score game after a short Elliott TD run. Then with 12 seconds left in the half, Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman dialed up the best trick play in the history of the Sugar Bowl. An apparent end-around with an added wrinkle resulted in wide receiver Evan Spencer throwing a dart to Michael Thomas to make the score 21-20 at halftime. Jan 1b: Zeke Seals the Deal Nursing a scant six-point lead with just over three minutes left in the game on a critical third down, Elliott breaks through a stacked box and rumbles 85 yards to seal a trip to the national title game. Jan. 12: Final 11:33 of the Third Quarter After a solid start to the first drive of the second half, Jones is picked off by Oregon's Danny Mattingly with 11:33 left in the third quarter. The Ducks promptly score on the next play, as Marcus Mariota finds Byron Marshall for a 70-yard score. Six plays into the ensuing drive; Jones does his best Jameis Winston impersonation by gifting the Ducks the football on the OSU 32-yard line. The Ducks use five plays to eventually kick a field goal and cut the lead to 21-20. But Ohio State finishes the heated third quarter with a dominating 12-play, 75-yard, drive that eats up 6:39 on the clock and ends with Ezekiel Elliott touchdown run on the final play of the quarter. The exchange gives Oregon every chance to take control but the Buckeyes survive two turnovers and answer back with a heavy-weight counterpunch. The rest is history. | 1 | 7,330 | sports |
People of the world have so many excuses, reasons, and justifications for dressing up in just about anything. (Ugly Christmas sweaters, anyone?) And truly, many of us have excuses, reasons, and justifications for dressing up our pets purely for our own enjoyment, and today is one of those days. It's Dress Up Your Pet Day! So wrangle Kale and Coconut into a sweater and bow tie and snap a picture for us! Cowboy Kitty Ballerina Baby Teacup Treasure Eccentric Angels Feline Farmer PJ Pal Ferocious Lion Buncha Grapes Dino Cata Canine Cook Not-So-Buzzy Bumblebee Faithful Reindeer Man's Best Friend Star Wars Fans | 4 | 7,331 | lifestyle |
If you're trying to watch what you eat at Super Bowl parties, the fun celebrations can turn into a nightmare. But Gillian Pensavalle (@GillianWithaG) shows you how they don't have to be. | 8 | 7,332 | video |
How to screw up your insurance in 2015: A step-by-step guide We often hear from people who seem hell-bent on paying higher insurance rates or getting their policies canceled. So in the interest of time we've compiled this step-by-step guide to bungling your coverage. 1. Don't pay your premiums on time. Let's start off with possibly the shrewdest way to ruin your insurance prospects for 2015: Don't pay your insurance bills. This strategy is particularly clever because it involves no action on your part whatsoever, and in fact opens up extra time for viewing "Dancing with the Stars" and updating your Facebook page. When you don't pay your premiums you'll face cancellation or policy lapse, depending on the insurance type. For example, if you car insurance lapses you'll be facing higher rates when you want to buy another policy. Losing your life insurance coverage due to nonpayment would be especially inconvenient. "You're talking about a product that you must qualify for," says Marvin Feldman, CEO of Life Happens, an Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit foundation. "If your health has changed, you neglect to pay the premium on time and the policy lapses, you may not be able to replace the policy, or replace it at the same price." 2. Don't tell your life insurance beneficiaries what company has your policy. Many people regularly employ this strategy, resulting in "lost" life insurance policies. Like nonpayment of premiums, it is sublime in its simplicity: If you don't tell your beneficiaries who your life insurer is, they'll have a heck of a time trying to dig through your files and old paperwork to find out. Or better yet, simply don't tell them you have a policy at all, and leave them wondering what to do after your death. If this has happened to you, here's how to find lost life insurance policies . 3. Forget to take your ex-spouse off your life insurance policy. Here's a way to not only enrage your current spouse if you pass away but also muck up his or her finances: Don't change your life insurance beneficiary Here's a way to not only enrage your current spouse if you pass away but also muck up his or her finances: Don't change your life insurance beneficiary after you remarry. Too many people think that if their will names their current spouse as the heir, all assets will pass to their spouse as an "operation of law." "What they don't realize is operation of contract supersedes, or overrides, operation of law," says Kurt Cambier, senior partner at Centennial Capital Partners in Littleton, Colorado. Since a life insurance policy is a contract, the life insurer is obligated to pay the benefits to whoever is listed as beneficiary - regardless of whether you remarried. "Beneficiary designations should be part of a consistent review process, and this is true for primary beneficiaries and contingent beneficiaries," says Cambier. See these life insurance strategies during divorce . 4. Neglect to make a home inventory. Many people live blissfully for years, even decades, without any sort of home inventory. But in the bad year when you have extensive house damage, lack of an inventory can cost you dearly. If you have a large homeowners insurance claim - from a fire or tornado, for example - and have no home inventory, you'll probably have a hard time reconstructing from memory a list of everything you owned. This ultimately means you won't be able to receive reimbursement for everything to which you're entitled. After all, you won't make a claim for items you forgot you had. When State Farm Insurance agent Ted Ferry in Salem, Oregon, does customer insurance reviews, policyholders are encouraged to use technology to create a home inventory. "Take smartphone pictures or videos of your home, then email them to yourself and don't delete the email," Ferry says. "This is easy to do and will really help in a time of loss." 5. Don't bother to review your insurance policies every year. Here, too, inertia is an easy pathway to insurance debacles. If you are ignorant of your current coverage limits, you may be underinsured. Or you may be unaware of coverage options that could prove useful. For example, municipal codes are much more rigorous than they were 15 years ago, Cambier says. "If your home has a fire in its kitchen, and you need to redo the kitchen, your municipality is going to make you bring your entire home up to code, with new insulation, plumbing, electrical and maybe larger windows, or they won't give you the permit to fix the damage," he advises. "An ordinance or law rider on a policy would pay for those upgrades, but I'd guess 90 percent [of people] don't know that. Review annually what you pay in premiums and what you get in coverage, because things change and laws change." 6. Blow off open enrollment for health insurance. Here's a fun way to make your family furious at you: Forget to add or remove "dependents" from your health plan at open enrollment time. Open enrollment is your chance during the year to make changes like this. For example, say your daughter graduated from college and got a job with benefits - you'd want to drop her from your plan. Or maybe your daughter lost her job and needs insurance - you can add her until she's age 26. It's also the time to change deductibles and other coverage options. Some life events will make you eligible to make changes any time of year; for example, if you get married, you can add your wife to your health plan even if it's not open enrollment time. Avoid these 5 big mistakes when buying health insurance at work . 7. Have a baby but don't add the little one to your health insurance plan within 30 days of birth. Boy, babies are expensive. Why not add to the expense by paying all their health care out of your pocket? That's what you'll be doing if you don't add your new child to your health plan within 30 days - or the deadline outlined by your plan. If you miss that window you'll have to wait until your plan's next open enrollment period to add the child as a "dependent." "Nothing is more disruptive to even the most financially organized household than the arrival of a newborn," says Gregory De Jong, financial advisor with Savant Capital Management in Naperville, Illinois. "Just as a pilot uses the quiet cruise segment of a flight to prepare for the high workload of the approach and landing, parents would do well to gather the information and paperwork they'll need a month prior to the baby's due date, then leave it in an obvious place to finish up shortly after the birth. In addition to junior's name and date of birth, a Social Security number will often be required," says De Jong. 8. Get a DUI. Drinking and driving can fast-track you to an insurance nightmare. A driver who receives a DUI conviction will likely experience a rate increase at renewal time, says Loretta Worters, spokesperson for the New York City-based Insurance Information Institute. "Your driving record plays a major role in determining what you pay for car insurance," she explains. "A prior conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) suggests a risky driving history. "If insurers see you as high risk, they will either charge you more money or may drop you as a policyholder." 9. Buy a new car but don't tell your insurance company. 9. Buy a new car but don't tell your insurance company. While most car insurance companies will extend some form of automatic coverage for new vehicles, the time period is typically limited, says Eric Roethe, product research specialist with American Family Insurance. "Make sure you don't wait too long after bringing that shiny new car home before you give your agent a call," he advises. If you don't, you'll likely be driving without coverage within a few weeks. Insure.com has average rates for new cars . 10. Drive for Uber. A personal automobile policy is designed to cover only the traditional uses of private passenger vehicles, Worters says. It is not designed to cover the commercial use of a vehicle - including making money via a ride-sharing service. This exclusion extends beyond ride-sharing to any business use of a vehicle, such as delivering newspapers or using a pickup to plow snow. "Before agreeing to be a ride-sharing driver, a motorist should talk to [his or her] insurance representative and get a commercial insurance policy that provides appropriate insurance protection," Worters says. 11. Loan your car. Trying to be Mr. Nice Guy by letting a friend borrow your car could wreck your rates. You're responsible for what happens to and with your car. "When you loan your car, you're loaning your insurance, too," says Roethe. If your pal hits someone or something and is at-fault for the accident, the liability claim goes on your record and could cause a rate increase at renewal time. And if you don't have collision coverage, your car damage isn't covered at all. 12. Make claims for every little scratch and dent. You pay good money for your insurance, so you might as well use it, right? But here's the rub: Actually using your insurance could bungle your rates. Your car insurance policy is not a car-maintenance policy, Ferry says. It's intended to protect you from unforeseen accidents. Definitely don't bother to make a claim for damage that's less than your deductible. And don't pile up small claims, which could provoke a rate increase down the line. | 3 | 7,333 | finance |
Get ready to take your workout to the next level with Jessica Alba's CrossFit trainer, Yumi Lee. This workout is excuse-proof: you don't need any equipment, and it's only 10 minutes long, but it will definitely get your heart pumping. No need to be intimidated by CrossFit either: Yumi provides level-appropriate variations for every move. Press play and get ready to work! More workouts you will love: Feel the Burn: 10-Minute Tabata Workout The Hard Core, Look-Good-Naked Workout 40-Minute Metabolism-Boosting Workout | 8 | 7,334 | video |
Joel and Rachel pulled out all the stops for their big day, from hand-crocheting all the yarmulkes and sewing all of napkins to the groom surprise-serenading the bride. He even knit the ring box himself! The couple chose the Ace Hotel Palm Springs to celebrate their love, and The Melideos captured every moment. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. Joel and Rachel pulled out all the stops for their big day, from hand-crocheting all the yarmulkes and sewing all of napkins to the groom surprise-serenading the bride. He even knit the ring box himself! The couple chose the Ace Hotel Palm Springs to celebrate their love, and The Melideos captured every moment. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. Rachel and Joel worked with Good South to set the tone for their wedding, beginning with the invites. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. The Ace Hotel Palm Springs was the perfect setting for the intimate dinner-party vibe the couple wanted for their wedding. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. Baked goods were plentiful, as were carefully chosen colorful flower arrangements. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. The couple's matching wedding bands were simple, yet stunning. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. Helping set a casual atmosphere, this board displayed the delicious-sounding menu. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. There was no shortage of picture-perfect moments on this gorgeous, celebratory day. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. Amy Clarke perfected Rachel's hair and makeup, keeping things simple and fresh. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. Instead of opting for traditional round tables, Rachel and Joel went with a square setup. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. Simple party favor: wax candle in a jar labeled with wedding details. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. The "Eat, Drink, and Be Married" sign matched the day's sweet theme. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. The Melideos really captured the laid-back feeling the couple wanted for their wedding. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. The Ace Hotel offers ample photo opportunities among the city's palm trees. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. No wedding album would be complete without a kiss photo. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. The bride wore a white dress, but opted for a unique pair of shoes to go with her gown. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. Both Rachel and Joel chose to wear J.Crew. She wore a simple, strapless white dress, and he wore a gray suit. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. Root 75 worked with the couple to design unique florals for the ceremony and the reception. The blooms played on the Moroccan color scheme, which was intended to enhance the natural desert setting. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. It's all about the details, as exhibited by this cheery table marker. Photo: The Melideos/Courtesy of Carats & Cake. The couple worked with Beau & Arrow Events to come up with the perfect overall feel for the evening. | 4 | 7,335 | lifestyle |
Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed challenges facing sales in China during the fourth quarter. Jon Steinberg, Daily Mail North America CEO, and Mike Santoli, Yahoo! Finance senior columnist, discuss. | 3 | 7,336 | finance |
There's something liberating about decluttering your home, and there are a few tricks and items that can help. Krystin Goodwin (@krystingoodwin) has the best simple tips to help you get motivated and organized! | 8 | 7,337 | video |
Online security is increasingly an issue rich for headlines as everyone from movie studios and celebrities to major retailers and CENTCOM find themselves the victims of digital infiltrators. However, "hacking" is also a very technical issue and, like many technical issues, one the media often gets wrong. So as a citizen of the 21st century, it's increasingly important to arm yourself with some basic facts about hacking, cybersecurity, and the real threats they pose, as well as those they don't. With that in mind, here are seven common misconceptions you might have about hacking. 1) Taking down a site is akin to hacking that site One of the most common headline-grabbing moves by so-called hackers is to take down their site through a DDoS attack. A group calling itself Lizard Squad has been using this method to take down the networks of Playstation and Xbox Live. It's a common method of protest by the hacker collective Anonymous , which has used it against such varied entities as the Westboro Baptist Church and, most recently, French jihadists . These are not "hacks," however, in the traditional sense of the term. A "hacker" is defined by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity as "an unauthorized user who attempts to or gains access to an information system." Taking down a website or even a server does not take so much effort and certainly doesn't demand infiltrating the host of the target. All you need is a simple distributed denial of service, or DDoS. A DDoS is a network of computers all sending data packets towards one server with the goal of overloading said server. Far from many individuals sending data from their computers, however, the most common form of DDoS consists of networks of computers typically hacked for this purpose without their owners knowing all being used to flood a particular target. These networks of pirate zombie computers are typically open for business: You can special order a DDoS attack on the black market for about $150 a week , similar to hiring a hitman. The attacks on PSN and Xbox, for example, are believed to have been a publicity stunt for Lizard Squad's very own network-for-hire of home routers it has hacked for the expressed purpose of large-scale DDoS attacks. But it's important to remember that a DDoS site takedown is very different from hacking a site. Being able to overload a site or server is a far cry from ransacking the databases of a company, like what happened to Sony last November. To paraphrase a popular xkcd comic , it's the difference between robbing a store and tearing down a poster the store put up. 2) A hijacked Twitter account means that company has been hacked In January, the Twitter and YouTube accounts for CENTCOM the Central Command of the Pentagon were disrupted by hackers claiming to be fighting in the name of ISIS. While that sounds scary, it's actually far more common and far less frightening than a successful attack on CENTCOM or any defense agency. So let's say you have a Twitter account. As it has happened to many of us, a friend contacts you and asks why you're tweeting about this great new weight loss method you found. You think: "Crap! Someone hacked into my Twitter account!" Do you then think: "Crap! They must have all my files on my computer?" Of course not. That's all that has happened with CENTCOM. This is not to say the CENTCOM hijack isn't important or doesn't have grave implications for the Pentagon. Social media accounts are a good judge for password security as a whole, and if your password and username for Twitter is the same as it is on Instagram , there's a good chance that, if one is compromised, so is the other. This is why you should be forgoing choosing your own passwords altogether and using a password manager. Third party apps within sites, however, can threaten the stability of a service. The Syrian Electronic Army, a hacker collective of uncertain origin, has redirected hundreds of URLs by hacking software used to manage banner ads and comment boards. Still, this is a far cry from accessing sensitive data hosted by, say, Forbes or CNN . 3) Hacking takes skill and high-tech software When a massive cache of nude photos of celebrities hit the Internet last August, the media made the perpetrators into cyberterrorism masterminds. It's a common mistake to assume "hacks" like the Celebgate leak are done by modern-day wizards, fingers rushing over a keyboard as they coordinate some massive operation. In reality, all this kind of infiltration takes is some simple assumptions. One of the purposes for security questions on any website is to help the site verify your identity, asking for answers about you (so you won't forget them) but impersonal enough a stranger couldn't easily learn them. But when you tell the site the name of your favorite pet, your mother's maiden name, or your elementary school, you might not think about how easy that information is to find. Have you ever mentioned your elementary school on Facebook? How about a childhood photo where you've tagged your favorite pet? Maybe a memoriam to your late mother wherein you use her maiden name? All of that information can be used by someone to access any account using this information as a "Forgot Password" measure. Now, instead of just the information you put on social media, imagine you're a huge celebrity with a Wikipedia page, hundreds of interviews, and a fanbase ravenous for any and every detail about you. What information is so private it can be trusted as a security question? This is part of a too-often overlooked part of hacking, known as social engineering. Some of the most notorious hackers in history were best at manipulating people into revealing enough data about themselves or their systems. And it's not just your passwords that are at risk: In 2011, security firm Bancsec showed how, with little more than an email and a phone call , you could rob a bank of $25,000 with no one the wiser. So with just a little bit of googling and an understanding of human nature, you, too, can be a master hacker like 4chan . Popular culture often gives people the impression that computers and security systems are complex mechanisms that only an engineering whiz can understand. But these portrayals forget that humans are often the weakest part of any system and, therefore, the easiest target. 4) Anonymous is a well-organized group of genius hackers Perhaps no group has gotten more press for its cyber exploits than Anonymous. As noted above, they often choose high-profile targets for largely simple attacks with explosive results. In the wake of the Sony Pictures hack, for instance, they managed to disrupt the entire North Korean internet with a single DDoS attack. Far be it for anyone, however, to perceive them as some elite squadron centrally controlled and spread throughout the globe. While their cyberactivism is often impressive, they are purely an opt-in organization. This means that anyone who does anything representing Anonymous is, ipso facto, representing Anonymous. While there does appear to be a core group of organizers, they lack much power over their army of uncertain numbers. As Gabriella Coleman of the Atlantic wrote back in 2010 , "it may be impossible to gauge the intent and motive of thousands of participants, many of whom don't even bother to leave a trace of their thoughts, motivations, and reactions. Among those that do, opinions vary considerably." This apparent organizational uncertainty and lack of "true" hacking methods has made the group more of a band of merry pranksters than some digital warrior elite. Their reliance on otherwise harmless methods like DDoS are why CNN once called them "the graffiti artists of the Internet." But that's not to say fairly sophisticated hacks haven't been carried out by people claiming to represent Anonymous. Back in 2011, Sony's Playstation Network was compromised by Anonymous, revealing the personal and financial data of over 100 million users. After that, they moved on to more serious prey, releasing the personal data of the security firm the FBI had hired to help investigate Anonymous. LulzSec, an Anonymous spin-off group, likewise purged information from security contractors and the U.S. Senate. Still, the vast majority of Anonymous actions amount to little more than temporary vandalism. 5) China is the biggest source of hacks against the U.S. While fighting for the memory of murdered satirists like Anonymous or taking down huge gaming networks like Lizard Squad are good for headlines, they are far afield from the typical large-scale hacking incident. Real hacks attempts to steal personal and financial data actually most often come from low-key targets in Eastern Europe. According to security firm Gartner, 8 percent of all noted hacks come from within Russia. U.S. ally Taiwan, curiously, comes in at second with 3 percent of hacks and Germany and the Ukraine come in at 2.6 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. For all the hubbub about Chinese hackers, only 0.5 percent of hacks directed at the U.S. or U.S. companies have come from China. There's also the problem of finding where a hack came from in the first place, the primary job of firms like Gartner, Norse, and Mandiant. As Gartner Research Director Lawrence Pingree noted in the above blog post, "It is fairly well known by most security professionals that the best hackers on the planet often originate from Russia." You wouldn't know this from looking at the headlines. The idea of Chinese cyberespionage, for whatever reason, often finds its way into the news media while Russia's status as our primary cyberwar antagonist goes mostly unknown among laymen. 6) Cyberattacks by countries are rare and equivalent to an act of war Despite the notoriety of the supposedly North Korean attack against Sony Pictures, attacks against the U.S. government and American businesses by other countries are astonishingly common. Every industry is suspect to cyberespionage by nation-states, usually in an attempt to gain an economic advantage. As DJ Summers wrote for Fortune last October , "Pilfered research from the biomedical, energy, finance, software, IT, defense, and aerospace industries creates not only economic gain but state-related advantage." Such varied data as medical patents and the source code for Microsoft applications have been stolen by Chinese and Russian hackers in the interest of competing against US firms. Just last September, a Senate panel found 20 intrusions by Chinese hackers of defense contractors specializing in the movement and deployment of US troops. The agency that coordinates these efforts, U.S. Transportation Command, only knew about two. Moves like these, however, are the new face of spying. And much like the cloak-and-dagger tactics of the Cold War, everybody's doing it. Despite government claims to the contrary , NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has implicated the U.S. in the same sort of corporate intellectual theft it has decried China for. "If there's information at Siemens [a German manufacturer and conglomerate] that's beneficial to U.S. national interests even if it doesn't have anything to do with national security," Snowden said in an interview on German television, "then they'll take that information nevertheless." The drama surrounding the Sony Pictures hack might confuse some people into believing cyberattacks will ultimately reach the front page because they're so rare and damaging. However, the more salacious attacks are the ones that happen to U.S. companies every day but never make the front page of the paper. 7) Companies have to disclose if they've been breached This is probably the most important misconception to have about cybersecurity as it provides a dangerously false sense of protection. In actuality, most cyberattacks are not merely underreported by the press but never publically disclosed in the first place. Huge data breaches of credit card numbers and other data at retailers like Home Depot and Target sound the scariest, but most credit card breaches go completely unnoticed . A presentation at last year's Blackhat Convention (a meeting of the cybersecurity industry) showed how small, point-of-sale companies can be hacked with relative ease. Even though they hold sensitive data, such companies can rarely afford the type of software and staff necessary to thwart a concerted effort by determined identity thieves. But that's not to say larger companies with sizable budgets and staff will always report the extent which they've been hacked or even be aware that they are currently victim to a hack. Last October, the New York Times reported hackers had free reign on the computers of JPMorgan for two solid months before anyone noticed. Retailer Neiman Marcus had a similar situation for five months and non-profit Goodwill allowed hackers into their system for a year and a half . But even the hacks that reach the press cannot possibly represent all the hacking that is being done. As Bitsight cofounder Stephen Boyer told Forbes , "The math does not add up between public disclosure and what is actually going on. We know that the problem is much worse than is communicated by breach disclosure." There is no law forcing companies to reveal when customer data has been breached and many might avoid doing so to save face and profit. Such disclosures, experts believe , are actually crucial to the future of cybersecurity and a central part of President Barack Obama 's new push for increased cyberdefense. Such measures could further illuminate the real risks companies, governments, and citizens face online. Cybersecurity, like any complex topic, is often subject to oversimplification and misguided half-truths. In the wake of the Sony Pictures hack, it is clear breaches, leaks, and attacks will continue to be a popular news item, making it more important than ever that every news consumer arm themselves with even a basic understanding of what's really happening online. Photo via Skley /Flickr ( CC BY-S.A. 2.0 ) | 5 | 7,338 | news |
Casey Stegall reports on the downside of cheaper gas prices | 3 | 7,339 | finance |
Oregon junior defensive lineman Arik Armstead filed paperwork Tuesday making himself eligible for the 2015 NFL draft. Our guys discuss if this is a good move for Armstead. | 1 | 7,340 | sports |
Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman is leaving Florida State for the NFL draft, but is he ready for the league? Our experts discuss Goldman and his decision to go pro. | 1 | 7,341 | sports |
Glitter may not sound like the perfect revenge, but as Gillian Pensavalle (@GillianWithaG) explains, it gets everywhere and stays there forever. | 8 | 7,342 | video |
CNN's Carol Costello talks with Boston Marathon survivor Heather Abbott who started a foundation to donate prosthetic devices to amputees. | 5 | 7,343 | news |
Check out these pictures of converted barns you can spend the night in, from HomeAway. Kingsley Barn | Exterior Location: Woodstock, Vermont Cost per night: Starts at $200 Sleeps: 6-8 people RELATED: 10 Tiny Vacation Homes You Can Rent Across America Kingsley Barn | Interior This circa-1850 historic barn features miles of nearby hiking trails, a play loft for children, and spectacular views of the Vermont countryside. Rent it! Adaven Farm Cow Barn | Exterior Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Cost per night: Starts at $300 Sleeps: 5 people RELATED: 12 of the Most Impressive Tiny Homes You've Ever Seen Adaven Farm Cow Barn | Interior Built on a 144-acre horse farm, this cozy estate is filled with charming country details. Rent it! RELATED: Take a Look Inside This 160-Square-Foot Home Lake Superior Barn | Exterior Location: Brule, Wisconsin Cost per night: starts at $600 Sleeps: 20 people Website: LakeSuperiorBarn.com Lake Superior Barn | Interior Planning a family reunion? This 4,250-square-foot, six-bedroom, three-bathroom barn comfortably sleeps 20 and houses a stone fireplace, game room, and 1,600-square-foot deck. Rent it! Green Gate Barn Home | Exterior Location: Biwabik, Minnesota Cost per night: Starts at $199 Sleeps: 6 people RELATED: Peek Inside America's First Tiny House Hotel Green Gate Barn Home | Exterior Featuring a booth-style dining room and a bathroom in the silo area, this barn is one of the most unique vacation spots we've ever seen. Rent it! Barmouth Cottage | Exterior Location: Barmouth, Wales, United Kingdom Cost per night: Starts at $93 Sleeps: 4 people RELATED: Explore This Quaint Connecticut Cottage Barmouth Cottage | Interior The coolest feature of this Welsh cottage? Heated flooring runs throughout the residence to keep guests warm during the cooler months. Rent it! The Tudor Barn | Exterior Location: Luddington, Michigan Cost per night: Starts at $140 Sleeps: 5 people RELATED: Tour This Rural Colorado Farmhouse Filled With Fall Decorating Ideas The Tudor Barn | Interior This restored 1920s, 1,800-square-foot barn includes sky-high ceilings, Gothic-style rafters, and a fully-furnished kitchen. Rent it! Peaceful Countryside Retreat | Interior Location: Walla Walla Valley, Washington Cost per night: Starts at $250 Sleeps: 4-5 people RELATED: 14 Ways to Decorate Your Mantel for Fall Peaceful Countryside Retreat | Exterior In its former life, this barn housed horse stalls and hay lofts. Now, it's a rustic retreat, perfect for a quick weekend getaway. Rent it! The Barn at Witten Pond | Exterior Location: Woodstock, New York Cost per night: Starts at $300 Sleeps: 3 people RELATED : 22 Cozy Ways to Decorate Your Home for Fall The Barn at Witten Pond | Interior This estate showcases large windows throughout the barn that look out across a surrounding forest preserve. Rent it! New England Barn | Exterior Location: Hancock, Massachusetts Cost per night: Rates vary Sleeps: 11 people RELATED: 18 Quotes That Will Make You Fall in Love with Autumn New England Barn | Interior With five bedrooms, a wraparound deck, and a rooftop cupola, this barn can comfortably fit a large family. Rent it! | 4 | 7,344 | lifestyle |
Head to one of these bars or cafes around the U.S. that are all fun and games, literally. Let the games begin! GameHäus Cafe; Glendale, CA It's a good thing this popular LA County spot serves hearty fare, such as sandwiches and pizza, alongside the usual cafe drinks and pastries. For just $5, you can play board games all day and night, from classics like Risk and Monopoly to more obscure European titles, like Agricola and Carcassonne. And with over 900 games to choose from, you might be there a while. gamehauscafe.com Punch Bowl Social; Portland, Denver, Austin, and Detroit Billing themselves as a gastropub with games, each Punch Bowl Social location serves up some seriously good food in a giant space where you can socialize with friends over games from pool to foosball, darts to shuffleboard, and even bowling. They also offer alcoholic punch for up to eight people in, yes, punch bowls. Hey, they don't call it Punch Bowl Social for nothing. punchbowlsocial.com Related: Punch Bowl Party: Festive Big-Batch Cocktails The Uncommons; New York City Whatever your stilo, this board game spot can help you win NYC. Need a a break from The Big Apple hustle? Then repair to this spot near NYU for a rousing game of Scattergories or Cards Against Humanity. Too New York to relax? It's okay. You can also sharpen your strategic edge over a game of Battleship or Dominion. uncommonsnyc.com Barcade; New York City, Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Philadelphia If your Atari 2600 was your most prized childhood possession, then you'll feel right at home at Barcade. Whether you're more Pac-Man or Space Invaders, Galaga or Tron, you'll find all the arcade games your nostalgic heart desires, with the adult beverages your older self loves. barcade.com Shoe's Cup & Cork; Leesburg, VA Whether you like to play your games sitting down or standing up, this spot has 'em, from classics like Yahtzee and Candy Land to the bocce ball court on the back patio. Housed in a former shoe repair shop, Shoe's (get it?) serves a full menu, breakfast through dinner, as well as standard coffee shop beverages and beer and wine. shoescupandcork.com Best Restaurants for Music Lovers Game X; Atlanta, GA Ever wish there was a version of Chuck E. Cheese for grownups you know, with more drinks and far fewer kids? Well Game X in downtown Atlanta has made it happen, combining pub food, such as buffalo wings and burgers and a broad beer and cocktail menu with bigger, better games. (Think Fruit Ninja played on a 60-inch screen or a 10-foot high Connect 4 board.) And yes, you earn prizes by playing games, just like at old Chuck E's, but you earn them by gathering electronic tickets. After all, those paper ones are for kids. gamexatl.com Meeples Games; Seattle, WA Gaming enthusiasts unite at Meeples Cafe to gather around board, card, and role-playing games while sipping coffee or local beers and snacking on healthy, shareable eats. You can organize your own game with friends at Meeples Cafe or join in one one of their organized, competitive play events. Either way, you win. meeplesgames.com Related: Inns and B & Bs with with Farm-Fresh Food 16-Bit Bar; Cleveland and Columbus, OH Prefer your fashions from the 1980s? Then revisit your favorite era at 16-Bit's two locations, where you can while away the hours with a little Frogger, Asteroids, DigDug, and all your favorite arcade games. It'll be just like when you were a kid, except this time accompanied by booze. (Or, legally, anyway.) 16-bitbar.com | 0 | 7,345 | foodanddrink |
"We're only hiring part-time employees" might seem like a poverty pronouncement to some. But jobs that allow you to work less than 34 hours a week (the definition of part-time employment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) are ideal for parents, students and retirees. Here are 10 part-time jobs from the U.S. News Best Jobs rankings that will help pay the bills or even cover all your expenses. Part-time prospects "We're only hiring part-time employees" might seem like a poverty pronouncement to some. But jobs that allow you to work less than 34 hours a week (the definition of part-time employment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) are ideal for parents, students and retirees. Here are 10 part-time jobs from the U.S. News Best Jobs rankings that will help pay the bills or even cover all your expenses. Dental Hygienist Average hourly wages : $34.39 Next time you're getting your teeth cleaned, consider the fact that more than half of dental hygienists work part time. And despite their lean work weeks, dental hygienists earn nearly $72,000 a year, on average. Learn more about dental hygienists . Massage Therapist Average hourly wages : $19.42 A massage therapist's average yearly salary of $40,400 might seem puny compared with the meaty paychecks of other health care professionals. But that figure is significant when you consider that 2 out of 3 masseuses worked part time in 2012. Learn more about massage therapists . Fitness Instructor Average hourly wages : $18.17 The BLS reports that most fitness instructors teach classes in addition to their full-time jobs, so what better way to complement eight hours of sitting in the office than by teaching some downward dog? Fitness instructors rack up health benefits and nearly 20 bucks an hour with one extra gig. Learn more about fitness instructors . Sports Coach Average annual salary : $37, 610 "Sports coach" is a blanket job title that covers both full-time workers on the professional-sport level as well as those who manage a kiddie tee-ball league part time. Coaches who work in elementary, middle and high school systems earn a little less than the average of all coaches roughly $32,000. This type of coaching is typically part time, seasonal work , meaning you may only think about the Springboro Lady Panthers during soccer season but lay low the rest of the year. Read more about sports coaches . School Bus Driver Average hourly wages : $14.12 Outside of field trips, a school bus driver might only make two runs a day: one to shuttle kids to class in the morning, and the other to return them home in the afternoon. Still, the average driver earned $29,380 in 2013. Learn more about school bus drivers . Security Guard Average hourly wages : $13.12 Working in surveillance is often a round-the-clock responsibility that's split into eight-hour shifts. But some security guards choose to earn their living working less than five shifts a week. Learn more about security guards Janitor Average hourly wages : $12.09 Janitorial work can be pretty sweet you can learn the ropes on the job, and can typically choose a flexible schedule to fit your lifestyle. Good news for you if that sounds enticing: The BLS predicts 280,000 new job openings for janitors by 2022. Learn more about janitors . Retail Salesperson Average hourly wages : $12.20 The BLS estimates that retail salespeople pull in about $25,370 per year and that a third of them work part time. While schedules for these hourly positions may be flexible, they're also often varied. Retail salespeople may be pulled in for an early shift one day and for closing shift the next. The BLS also points out that holidays are typically all-hands-on-deck situations for folks working the busy stores meaning more hours (and money), but possibly less flexibility. Learn more about retail salespeople . Taxi Driver and Chauffeur Average hourly wages : $12.12 Know your way around the city? Take advantage of your know-how and make about $25,200 a year by becoming a taxi driver or chauffeur. The BLS reports that many drivers work part time and have little to no supervision. Location matters, too. Drivers in the Stamford, Connecticut, and Trenton, New Jersey, areas make the most, bringing in more than $16.50 per hour. And those famous New York City taxis? Drivers in the Big Apple averaged hourly wages of $16.06 in 2013. Learn more about taxi drivers and chauffeurs . Bartender Hourly wages : $10.46 Sam Malone, manning the bar where everyone knows your name. Moe, dispensing Duff Beer to regulars on "The Simpsons." The "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" crew, holding down the fort at Paddy's Bar. If you want to be like one of these famous albeit fictional bartenders, you could work part or full time . The BLS says it's about a 50-50 split and points out that these professionals will likely log hours during late-night and weekend shifts. Learn more about bartenders . | 3 | 7,346 | finance |
There's little more infuriating than going to a store, buying a product and then seeing it on sale the next day or learning that you could have bought the same thing cheaper elsewhere. Unfortunately, your old-school shopper's intuition and instincts are no longer all you need to find the best deal, especially as more retail stores and online merchants employ sophisticated price-optimization software that tracks competitors' prices and then adjusts their own. To get an idea of just how hard it is to get the best price on a product consider this: Amazon.com, the mega-retailer, makes as many as 2.5 million price changes per day on its tens of thousands of products. The upside to these practices is that you're more likely to get a better, more competitive price, especially on products that aren't selling well. The downside is that it's hard to know if you're getting the best price possible, or only the best price at any given moment in time. Use these 9 free apps that will help you snag discounts and deals. Retailers are doing more than just changing prices. They are also using software to examine your shopping habits to figure out if you're a casual shopper or a serious bargain hunter. If your shopping habits and behaviors red-flag you as a smart shopper, the retailer might target you to receive special prices and promotions in your email or right on your smart phone while you're standing in an aisle making your purchase decision. If you're a casual shopper who isn't necessarily looking for the best deal, there is a greater chance that you would be willing to pay top dollar, and the store's pricing strategy will take full advantage of that. The goal of all this is not only to maximize sales, but also to wed you to the store brand. If you're a tough cookie who demands the best price and you trust that a particular store is consistently competitive in terms of prices, you'll be "less likely to shop around for a deal," according to Planet Retail, a market research consulting firm. If you value convenience over price, you'll buy a bargain if you see it, but at times, also accept a higher price. To be a smart shopper, you should sharpen your high-tech shopping skills polish your image as a demanding, price-conscious customer so all of those computer-tracking programs treat you accordingly. Here's how: Preshop Before setting foot in any store, shop online to see the range of prices for the items you know you want to buy. Use comparison-shopping engines such Google Shopping and PriceGrabber, which did well in a ShopSmart magazine evaluation earlier this year. These search engines aggregate product information in a standard format and show prices from multiple retailers, and they ultimately link you to the merchant's website if you want to close the sale. Others include Bing, Shopping.com, and the advertised search results on Amazon. The Price and Shop function on ConsumerReports.org also allows you to comparison price shop while researching. Price-shopping online is also a good way to check what the stores around town are charging because "prices on the retailer's websites often match their store prices more than they used to," says Mary Weinstein, content director at CPC Strategy, a digital marketing firm in San Diego. While price shopping, become familiar with the key features of the product you are considering, compare the value of items, and assess whether a favorite brand is really the best deal. Check Consumer Reports' Ratings on products of interest that we've tested independently. Consider closing the sale online Because of the stalled economy and Internet-savvy shoppers, competition is intense, so you might find the lowest prices at an online merchant. If your preshopping gives you sufficient information about prices at physical stores, you might have enough information to decide to buy online and save a trip. Don't forget online shipping costs. To properly compare online and in-store prices, add any package delivery service costs to the Internet price. Look for free shipping, of course. FreeShipping.org offers coupons that do what its name implies. Many retailers, including Best Buy, Macy's, and Walmart, also allow you to order online and pick up your purchases at a local store. Plug into technology Sign up for your favorite retailers' e-mail newsletters, coupons, and special sale alerts. Check for coupons and coupon codes for hundreds of retailers on sites such as Coupons.com,DealScience.com, and RetailMeNot.com. Ibotta, a leading mobile shopping app, will deliver cash-back offers to your cell phone when you're near specific products that analytics have determined are of interest to you in more than 175,000 store locations. And put your smart phone to work to compare prices offered by competitors on Amazon, Overstock, Zappos, and your favorite shopping search engines while you're in a store considering a purchase. Many consumers already do this, but "the majority of shoppers are still coming in with the paper coupons that retailers like Macy's sent them in the mail," says Candace Corlett, president of WSL Strategic Retail, a retailing consulting firm. Be vigilant after the sale Because prices can drop after you make a purchase, keep your receipts. If you see a price reduction on something you've bought, get evidence of the competing lower price, ask the original seller to match it and refund the difference, or return the item and buy it cheaper at the other store. And, of course, sharpen your haggling skills, and always be ready to bargain for a better deal. Jeff Blyskal (@JeffBlyskal on Twitter) This article also appeared in the December 2014 issue of Consumer Reports Money Adviser. More from Consumer Reports: Top performing kitchen gear at rock bottom prices 5 food label claims that can fool you Kitchen floors that stand up to foot traffic Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S. | 4 | 7,347 | lifestyle |
A Disney trip is the quintessential family vacation, but it can seriously drain your bank account. After spending hundreds of dollars for tickets, buying gas or airplane tickets for the journey, and paying for a hotel room, you might start to wonder how anybody could consider visiting the Disney parks more than once in a lifetime! However, with a bit of theme-park savvy, you can save enough money on your trip to truly make Disneyland (or Walt Disney World!) the happiest place on earth. Here are the best ways to save money on your family's next Disney trip. Collect free souvenirs before buying: Did you know that you can get a few free items throughout the Disney parks? Ask your Jungle Cruise guides for a map, and they'll happily present your kids with one, and most Tom Sawyer's Riverboat captains will give a certificate to guests who ask to pilot the boat. Hang on to your receipts: Some receipts from park restaurants include same-day discounts for Downtown Disney retailers in the fine print, so be sure to inspect yours before tossing it. You can use these discounts to buy marked-down toys and costumes for your kids! Get discounted tickets for various memberships: Disney offers discounted rates for military members, D23 fans, AARP members, and AAA users, so never buy your passes before checking your eligibility. Have your picture taken for free: While the Disney Photopass photographers are there to sell professional pictures, they're happy to take a cell phone snap of your family if you ask politely. Disney Vacation Club members eat cheaply: If your family is big on Disney, you might want to consider sharing property through the Disney vacation club. While it's not cheap, the membership means that you'll enjoy discounted meals, tickets, and even spa treatments every time you visit a Disney resort. Use the Disney shuttle to skip parking fees: If you're staying at an off-site hotel, there are plenty of shuttle options to get you to and from the parks. Plenty of families use these buses to avoid the $17 parking fee at the resort. Enjoy the perks of D23 fandom: D23, the largest Disney fan organization in the world, distributes cards to its members that can result in discounts from local establishments. Your family can eat and see films on the cheap because of your die-hard Disney fandom! Get your sundae on: A Mousesavers user suggests that families with a sweet tooth split the Earthquake sundae at Florida's Downtown Disney Ghirardelli ice cream shop. "It's an 8 scoop sundae. Not only can you choose the flavors of ice cream, but also all the toppings," the user states, adding, "When we figured the cost of 6 individual sundaes, the Earthquake at $29.95 is a real bargain. We all had fun and made a mess at the same time." Locals get cheaper tickets: If your family resides in Florida or Southern California, you can get discounted tickets at your local Disney resort. Simply prove your residency and enjoy the perks! Visit the parks during Summer for longer hours: To get the most for your money, visit the parks during the Summer season. Because it's light later, the Disney parks stay open longer! However, the lines will be longer due to peak season. Eat breakfast before entering the park: Whether it means choosing an inn that serves continental breakfast or keeping milk and cereal in the hotel room, your family can save tons of money by avoiding the pricey breakfast options at the Disney parks. Check the Disney site for discounts before arriving: On occasion, Disney will offer deals for savvy visitors. Check the discounts and deals page before planning your family's trip, because there might be some lucrative options to save. Open a Disney Rewards Visa card: By joining Disney's credit card program, you'll get discounts throughout your vacation process. From no-interest vacation packages to percentages off resort dining and amenities, it's worthwhile to snag one of these cards. Buy your kids' souvenirs in advance: While coming home with new Disney gear can be superexciting, prices within the parks tend to be exorbitant. Try buying your kids new Disney toys and clothes from inexpensive retailers, packing them, and surprising them with new stuff at the start of your vacation! You'll save money, and they won't feel left out. Skip the stroller rental fees: Be sure to bring a stroller that falls within Disney's size parameters (36 inches by 52 inches) so that you're not forced to pay $15 per day for a rental. Try annual passes: If you visit Disney with your family often, it quickly becomes reasonable to acquire annual park passes. In addition to more visits, pass holders also receive substantial discounts on food and merchandise throughout the park during their visit. Avoid data charges on your cell phone: If you're taking the kids to Disney World, you'll want to post photos on social media. Skip the data fees for large uploads by utilizing WDW's free WiFi network, Disney-Guest. Spring for inexpensive memories in the park: The cheapest Disney souvenirs are by far the pressed pennies - encourage your kids to collect every one! It's a fun (and cost-efficient) activity that they'll remember forever. Check Costco for gift certificates: As Costco members know, one of the best ways to save in the store is by purchasing restaurant gift cards at a discounted rate. Before visiting Anaheim or Orlando, check your local Costco to find gift certificates at Downtown Disney restaurants like Rainforest Cafe and Bubba Gump. Dress the kids up yourself: While Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a favorite of little girls everywhere, the princess makeovers offered are quite expensive. Make your kids feel special by bringing out their Halloween costumes and some face paint for the park visit! Evaluate the benefits of a resort hotel: Usually, off-site hotels are a better bargain than Disney's offerings. However, if your family desires a bit of magic every night, you should consider the benefits of resort lodging. Rooms usually come with extended park visiting hours, free parking, and even the option to send park souvenir purchases back to your suite at no charge. Bring your own food: While you'll definitely want to enjoy some snacks in the park (Dole Whip, anyone?), you can save tons of money by bringing your own water bottles, sandwiches, and snacks. The cash you can save this way is astounding! Make your own autograph book: Instead of springing for official Disney autograph books, get crafty with your little ones to create unique pamphlets that their favorite characters can sign. You'll make memories before even entering the park! Rent a house for large groups: Travel and Leisure recommends that big families consider rental homes instead of multiple hotel rooms during their vacation. Often, you'll pay the same for a four-bedroom home as you would for a night in the Grand Californian hotel! Budget your kids: A great way to avoid overspending while teaching your kids the value of a dollar is to budget them. Mousesavers suggests that before your trip (even for birthdays or holidays), you should give each child a Disney gift card. Make it clear that they can spend theirs how they please in the park, but once they're gone, they're finished buying things during the vacation. | 4 | 7,348 | lifestyle |
Car skids into path of train in Illinois | 5 | 7,349 | news |
Jamal Rutledge was handcuffed when Officer Foulks fell to the ground because of heart attack but managed to alert other officers to save Foulks' life. | 8 | 7,350 | video |
From Sweden to Canada, here's how eight towns and cities celebrate the endless twilight. Stockholm, Sweden Sunset on the longest day of the year: 10:08 p.m. Hours of sunlight: 18 hours, 37 minutes After the long, cold winter, Scandinavians go all out to mark their mild summers, when the skies stay reddish-gold all night. Dining spills outdoors whenever possible. Skansen, the city's giant open-air museum, is open until 10 p.m. on Midsummer Eve, for folk dancing around the Maypole (er, Junepole). St. Petersburg, Russia Sunset on the longest day of the year: 11:25 p.m. Hours of sunlight: 18 hours, 50 minutes St. Petersburg holds the world's oldest White Nights festival, with a month of ballet and opera performances that can start as late as midnight during the summer solstice. The party culminates in the Scarlet Sails, a massive high school graduation party in which a million people throng the city's embankments to watch spectacular fireworks and a mock pirate battle in the harbor. Helsinki, Finland Sunset on the longest day of the year: 10:50 p.m. Hours of sunlight: 18 hours, 55 minutes For making it through the dark, gloomy winter, Finnish children are rewarded with months of impossibly flexible bedtimes. Bars and cafés stay open late, and a bike ride or a picnic in the park can start at any hour. On the summer solstice, families typically enjoy a sauna together, followed by a midsummer bonfire. Iqaluit, Canada Sunset on the longest day of the year: 11:01 p.m. Hours of sunlight: 20 hours, 49 minutes In this capital of Canada's Nunavut territory, long days don't always mean warm days. On sunny summer evenings, you'll see young people playing soccer or enjoying a campfire on the beach, but there might also be freshly fallen snow on the ground, and the bay might still be under more than six feet of ice. Dawson City, Yukon, Canada Sunset on the longest day of the year: 12:52 a.m. Hours of sunlight: 21 hours, 3 minutes Hop a ferry across the Yukon River for a one-of-a-kind challenge: an all-night golf tournament. Tee off at midnight in broad daylight, of course amid the rusty hulks of Klondike-era mining equipment. Then gather at the clubhouse in the morning for beer and eggs. Reykjavik, Iceland Sunset on the longest day of the year: 12:04 a.m. Hours of sunlight: 21 hours, 8 minutes In Icelandic folklore, the shortest night of the year is an enchanted time when cows talk, seals turn into humans, and elves and trolls venture down from the mountains. Revelers at the Secret Solstice music festival, held close to an active volcano, enjoy dozens of bands and a never-ending geothermal pool party. Fairbanks, Alaska Sunset on the longest day of the year: 12:48 a.m. Hours of sunlight: 21 hours, 50 minutes The Alaska Goldpanners, a local collegiate summer league team, celebrate the shortest night of the year by playing midnight baseball in the endless twilight. The first pitch is thrown at 10:30 p.m., more than two hours before sunset. Even for extra innings, no stadium lights are ever necessary. Longyearbyen, Norway Sunset on the longest day of the year: The sun never sets between 1:52 a.m. on April 20 and 12:49 a.m. on August 22 Hours of sunlight: 3,094 hours, 56 minutes The world's northernmost town is on the Norwegian island of Svalbard, far above the Arctic Circle. In northern Norway, your neighbors may invite you over for a coffee party in the middle of the night. But if you're going to drop by, leave your rifle at the door. (Carrying a high-powered rifle is required by law in most of Svalbard. Polar bears, you see.) Riga, Latvia Sunset on the longest day of the year: 10:22 p.m. Hours of sunlight: 17 hours, 52 minutes Jani, the summer solstice, is so popular inRiga that the city takes three days to salute this light mystery. Musicians from all over the world come to Mezaparks to offer modern takes on this ancient celebration of nature and fertility, while dancers perform "Lec, Saulte!" or "Rise, Fair Sun!" The beer flows, and caraway cheese and smoked foods are on hand as craftspeople ply their wooden items, knitwear, and tabletop games. The sauna, integral to ancient solstice celebrations, is also part of the festivities. It all ends in an all-night ball, which begins at 1 a.m. -- two days later. Salisbury, England Sunset on the longest day of the year: 9:26 p.m. Hours of sunlight: 16 hours, 33 minutes Stonehenge, about eight miles north of Salisbury, has long been destination central for summer solstice worshipers -- each year tens of thousands of self-proclaimed druids, pagans, and overall revelers gather at the 5,000-year-old stone circle to mark the day. Some come to party (more subdued in recent years -- the gathering has become more family-friendly), some to pray, dance to the beat of drums, or salute the sun with yoga. Not that things were always so peaceful -- clashes with police caused the site to be closed at solstice for 16 years, with partial access granted in 2000. Paris, France Sunset on the longest day of the year: 9:58 p.m. Hours of sunlight: 16 hours, 10 minutes Public squares, parks, opera houses, castles, and best of all, the streets of Paris fill with nonstop music in all its forms -- jazz, salsa, steel bands to choirs -- on this longest day of the year. There might be one big concert with a big name, but it's still free, with the requisite dancing, eating, and drinking. | 2 | 7,351 | travel |
On Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills officially announced Rex Ryan as their new head coach, replacing Doug Marrone. Ryan, who spent the last six years in the same role with the New York Jets, takes over a franchise long on talent but short on results. Buffalo finished 9-7 in 2014 under Marrone, only to see him bolt town on Dec. 31 by way of his opt-out clause, activated by the team's sale to Terry Pegula. Marrone brought the Bills back to respectability but was never able to reach the playoffs. Buffalo has not made the postseason since 1999, the longest current drought in the NFL. So the question becomes can Ryan make the Bills relevant after so many years of being out in the cold? Ryan came to the Jets in 2009 to take over for Eric Mangini and immediately had success with a roster similar to Buffalo's. New York had a terrific ground game with the duo of Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones, a young and unproven quarterback in Mark Sanchez, and a stellar defense. The Bills can certainly relate to that type of team, bolstered by C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson in the backfield, EJ Manuel under center and the league's fourth-ranked defense. Of course, the Bills face some challenges with Ryan's arrival. The former defensive coordinator has always run a 3-4 defense. Buffalo is built for a 4-3, with the best portion of its defense being up front with Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams on the interior with Mario Williams and free-agent-to-be Jerry Hughes on the outside. Outstanding middle linebacker Kiko Alonso is also returning from a torn ACL, after making 159 tackles with four interceptions as a rookie in 2013. If Ryan forces a change to the 3-4, it could cause an elongated transition period. Offensively, Ryan hired former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman for the same position. Roman loved to run the ball with authority and utilize the tight end. Throughout his four years in San Francisco, the 49ers' offense ranked 26th, 11th, 24th and 20th with Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick at the helm. Can Roman get better results with Manuel, or will he need to acquire another signal-caller to run his offense? Following Kyle Orton's retirement and being without a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Buffalo will likely roll with Manuel for another year. The only other realistic option is to sign a journeyman quarterback such as Jason Campbell or Brian Hoyer, but is that option more appealing then trying to develop Manuel, the team's 2013 first-round selection? Ultimately, Ryan has the chops to build Buffalo into a serious contender. The pieces are there at most positions, but expecting much more than another 9-7 record in 2015 is wishful thinking. | 1 | 7,352 | sports |
These small space decorating ideas, storage solutions, and smart finds will help you maximize each square foot, regardless of the size of your house. 1. Think up, not out. For a book-loving client bound by tight quarters, Washington, D.C.-based designer Lauren Liess doubled her storage space by adding a bank of extra-tall shelves that slides open to reveal a bathroom door. 2. Put your pantry on display. No space for a pantry? No problem! Just outfit a utilitarian shelving system with breathable baskets that can corral everything from various types of produce to bulky bags of dry goods like flour and sugar. For even more versatility, try a wire basket storage cart equipped with casters, which make it possible to roll it out of sight when not in use. 3. Utilize the area under the stairway. This overlooked part of the house has tons of pack-it-in potential. Here, Chicago architect Tom Stringer cleverly incorporated drawers for a family of four that wanted to maximize the often-overlooked space. RELATED: 29 Stunning Staircases That Wow 4. Hang your draperies as high as you can. Here's a little designer secret: The hands-down easiest way to make ceilings look higher is to place a drapery rod really close to the ceiling roughly 2 inches below the crown molding will do the trick. While you're at it, be sure to extend the rod at least 4 inches on either side of the window so that the window appears wider and allows in more light. 5. Consider retro appliances. Generally speaking, vintage (and vintage-inspired) appliances have a smaller footprint than modern-day behemoths. They can also add decorative charm and a welcome pop of color! in a small space. This 50s-style Smeg refrigerator is just under 24" wide (compared to the 36" width of many standard modern models). ($1,999; westelm.com . Smaller sizes also available.) RELATED: 11 Vintage Appliaces We Want in Our Kitchen 6. Invest in smart furniture. With nooks and crannies everywhere you look, the Beadboard Storage Bed from Pottery Barn Teen adds ample storage to a bed-room. Bonus: It looks decidedly not teen-like. ($1,699 for a full; pbteen.com ) 7. Double your space with mirrors. While it sounds like a vanity project, surrounding yourself with mirrors creates the illusion of more room. (Tip: A mirrored backsplash in a small kitchen will also work visual wonders.) 8. Find a foolproof neutral. You can do a bold color in a small space (a dark brown library can be so cozy!), but a predominantly neutral palette generally makes the flow of a house feel less choppy. Here are four of our go-tos. White Dove by Benjamin Moore (top left): This no-fail cream adds warmth without going too yellow. Sage Bud by Valspar (top right): More versatile than it seems. It's classic in a kitchen, soothing in a bedroom. Barn Owl White by Ralph Lauren Paint (bottom left): This taupe-y shade adds a comfy, not cramped, vibe. Amazing Grey by Sherwin-Williams (bottom right): A medium gray that has a subtle hint of green. 9. Swap your sofa for a settee. Yes, a large couch will work in a space-challenged house (see this living room for proof), but some rooms call for something less intrusive. RELATED: 35 Ways to Sneak Storage Into Your Home 10. Let there by (wall-mounted) light! Table lamps call for a table, so try a sconce instead. Industrial (top left): This pick provides a happy pop of yellow. ($108; affordablelamps.com ) Modern (top right): Try it on walls painted the same shade for a seamless effect. ($65; shop.onefortythree.com ) Barn (bottom left): You can't argue with this country classic. ($60; barnlightelectric.com ) Striped (bottom right): The brass base gives it a sophisticated vibe. ($159; schoolhouseelectric.com ) 11. Put a closet in plain sight. This stack of vintage luggage adds decorative oomph to a hallway while providing 12 "drawers" of storage for out-of-season pieces. 12. Make your walls work overtime. This space-saving, schoolhouse-red desk folds up when not in use and can be repurposed in multiple ways: as a cocktail bar, craft station, or, if you equip it with a mirror, a vanity. For a similar look, try the "wallbanger" shelf at Bobby Berk Home ($399; enter code CL10 for a 10% reader discount). RELATED: 26 Great Home Office Ideas 13. Use double-duty finds. Yellow clock: Strike a cheerful note with this clutter-concealing find. ($40; ikea.com for stores) Framed shelf: This 6-inch-deep hand-carved piece adds vintage charm. ($69; rhbabyandchild.com ) Medicine cabinet: Made of weathered wood, this is a smart piece for a compact bathroom. ($259; overstock.com ) 14. Use every inch of storage space. Maximize efficiency in a small kitchen by installing a wall-mounted shelf to keep baking supplies off the counter but within easy reach. Double the shelf's utility by adding hooks to hang towels, pot holders, and tools. Inside cabinet doors, pin up items to be kept out of sight, such as rubber gloves, sponges, and plastic bags. Using hot glue, affix magnets to the back of plain clothespins, then glue the opposing magnets directly to the door. 15. Hang an expandable rack. To maximize space in a small laundry room, put a front-loading washer and dryer beneath a counter so you have work space, and utilize flexible space savers like a folding drying rack. 16. Consider installing sliding drawers. Another great solution for not having space for a dedicated pantry? Cabinet manufacturers offer slide-out units that fit into standard base-cabinet openings, or gaps between cabinets. This mini pantry, from KraftMaid , is just nine inches wide. 17. Swap extra chairs for built-in seating. 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The Most-Overlooked Tax Deductions Years ago, the fellow who was running the IRS at the time told Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine that he figured millions of taxpayers overpaid their taxes every year by overlooking just one of the money-savers listed here. We've added several new reminders this year and updated key details throughout this item for 2014. State sales taxes You may hear that this tax break expired . . . which it does regularly, only to be just as regularly revived by Congress. That's exactly what happened for purposes of 2014 returns. The break expired at the end of 2013 and then was revived retroactively in December 2014 to cover 2014 returns. And then it died again on December 31. Right now, we don't know what the rule will be for 2015. But for 2014 returns, the state sales tax deduction option is alive and well. This is particularly important to you if you live in a state that does not impose a state income tax . You see, Congress offers itemizers the choice between deducting the state income taxes or state sales taxes they paid. You choose whichever gives you the largest deduction. So if your state doesn't have an income tax, the sales tax write-off is clearly the way to go. In some cases, even filers who pay state income taxes can come out ahead with the sales tax choice. The IRS has tables that show how much residents of various states can deduct, based on their income and state and local sales tax rates. But the tables aren't the last word. If you purchased a vehicle, boat or airplane, you may add the sales tax you paid on that big-ticket item to the amount shown in the IRS table for your state. The IRS even has an online calculator that shows how much residents of various states can deduct, based on their income and state and local sales tax rates. Reinvested dividends This isn't a tax deduction, but it is an important subtraction that can save you a bundle. And former IRS commissioner Fred Goldberg told Kiplinger that missing this break costs millions of taxpayers a lot in overpaid taxes. If, like most investors, you have mutual fund dividends automatically used to buy extra shares, remember that each reinvestment increases your tax basis in the fund. That, in turn, reduces the taxable capital gain (or increases the tax-saving loss) when you redeem shares. Forgetting to include reinvested dividends in your basis results in double taxation of the dividends--once in the year when they were paid out and immediately reinvested and later when they're included in the proceeds of the sale. Don't make that costly mistake. If you're not sure what your basis is, ask the fund for help. Funds often report to investors the tax basis of shares redeemed during the year. In fact, for the sale of shares purchased in 2012 and later years, funds must report the basis to investors and to the IRS. Out-of-pocket charitable contributions It's hard to overlook the big charitable gifts you made during the year, by check or payroll deduction (check your December pay stub). But little things add up, too, and you can write off out-of-pocket costs incurred while doing work for a charity. For example, ingredients for casseroles you prepare for a nonprofit organization's soup kitchen and stamps you buy for a school's fund-raising mailing count as charitable contributions. Keep your receipts. If your contribution totals more than $250, you'll also need an acknowledgement from the charity documenting the support you provided. If you drove your car for charity in 2014, remember to deduct 14 cents per mile, plus parking and tolls paid, in your philanthropic journeys. Student loan interest paid by Mom and Dad Generally, you can deduct interest only if you are legally required to repay the debt. But if parents pay back a child's student loans, the IRS treats the transactions as if the money were given to the child, who then paid the debt. So as long as the child is no longer claimed as a dependent, he or she can deduct up to $2,500 of student-loan interest paid by Mom and Dad each year. And he or she doesn't have to itemize to use this money-saver. (Mom and Dad can't claim the interest deduction even though they actually foot the bill because they are not liable for the debt.) Job-hunting costs If you're among the millions of unemployed Americans who were looking for a job in 2014, we hope you were successful . . . and that you kept track of your job-search expenses or can reconstruct them. If you were looking for a position in the same line of work as your current or most recent job, you can deduct job-hunting costs as miscellaneous expenses if you itemize. Qualifying expenses can be written off even if you didn't land a new job. But such expenses can be deducted only to the extent that your total miscellaneous expenses exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income. (Job-hunting expenses incurred while looking for your first job don't qualify.) Deductible costs include, but aren't limited to: • Transportation expenses incurred as part of the job search, including 56 cents a mile for driving your own car plus parking and tolls • Food and lodging expenses if your search takes you away from home overnight • Cab fares • Employment agency fees • Costs of printing resumes, business cards, postage, and advertising. Moving expenses to get your first job Although job-hunting expenses are not deductible when looking for your first job, moving expenses to get to that job are. And you get this write-off even if you don't itemize. To qualify for the deduction, your first job must be at least 50 miles away from your old home. If you qualify, you can deduct the cost of getting yourself and your household goods to the new area. If you drove your own car on a 2014 move, deduct 23.5 cents a mile, plus what you paid for parking and tolls. For a full list of deductible expenses, check out IRS Publication 521 . Military reservists' travel expenses Members of the National Guard or military reserve may write off the cost of travel to drills or meetings. To qualify, you must travel more than 100 miles from home and be away from home overnight. If you qualify, you can deduct the cost of lodging and half the cost of your meals, plus an allowance for driving your own car to get to and from drills. For 2014 travel, the rate is 56 cents a mile, plus what you paid for parking fees and tolls. You may claim this deduction even if you use the standard deduction rather than itemizing. Deduction of Medicare premiums for the self-employed Folks who continue to run their own businesses after qualifying for Medicare can deduct the premiums they pay for Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D, plus the cost of supplemental Medicare (medigap) policies or the cost of a Medicare Advantage plan. This deduction is available whether or not you itemize and is not subject to the 7.5% of AGI test that applies to itemized medical expenses. One caveat: You can't claim this deduction if you are eligible to be covered under an employer-subsidized health plan offered by either your employer (if you have a job as well as your business) or your spouse's employer (if he or she has a job that offers family medical coverage). Child-care credit A credit is so much better than a deduction; it reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar. So missing one is even more painful than missing a deduction that simply reduces the amount of income that's subject to tax. In the 25% bracket, each dollar of deductions is worth a quarter; each dollar of credits is worth a greenback. You can qualify for a tax credit worth between 20% and 35% of what you pay for child care while you work. But if your boss offers a child care reimbursement account--which allows you to pay for the child care with pretax dollars--that's likely to be an even better deal. If you qualify for a 20% credit but are in the 25% tax bracket, for example, the reimbursement plan is the way to go. (In any case, only amounts paid for the care of children younger than age 13 count.) You can't double dip. Expenses paid through a plan can't also be used to generate the tax credit. But get this: Although only $5,000 in expenses can be paid through a tax-favored reimbursement account, up to $6,000 for the care of two or more children can qualify for the credit. So if you run the maximum through a plan at work but spend even more for work-related child care, you can claim the credit on as much as $1,000 of additional expenses. That would cut your tax bill by at least $200. Estate tax on income in respect of a decedent This sounds complicated, but it can save you a lot of money if you inherited an IRA from someone whose estate was big enough to be subject to the federal estate tax. Basically, you get an income-tax deduction for the amount of estate tax paid on the IRA assets you received. Let's say you inherited a $100,000 IRA, and the fact that the money was included in your benefactor's estate added $40,000 to the estate-tax bill. You get to deduct that $40,000 on your tax returns as you withdraw the money from the IRA. If you withdraw $50,000 in one year, for example, you get to claim a $20,000 itemized deduction on Schedule A. That would save you $5,600 in the 28% bracket. State tax paid last spring Did you owe tax when you filed your 2013 state income tax return in the spring of 2014? Then, for goodness' sake, remember to include that amount in your state-tax deduction on your 2014 federal return, along with state income taxes withheld from your paychecks or paid via quarterly estimated payments during the year. Refinancing points When you buy a house, you get to deduct in one fell swoop the points paid to get your mortgage. When you refinance, though, you have to deduct the points on the new loan over the life of that loan. That means you can deduct 1/30th of the points a year if it's a 30-year mortgage. That's $33 a year for each $1,000 of points you paid--not much, maybe, but don't throw it away. Even more important, in the year you pay off the loan--because you sell the house or refinance again--you get to deduct all as-yet-undeducted points. There's one exception to this sweet rule: If you refinance a refinanced loan with the same lender, you add the points paid on the latest deal to the leftovers from the previous refinancing, then deduct that amount gradually over the life of the new loan. A pain? Yes, but at least you'll be compensated for the hassle. Jury pay turned over to your employer Many employers continue to pay employees' full salary while they serve on jury duty, and some impose a quid pro quo: The employees have to turn over their jury pay to the company coffers. The only problem is that the IRS demands that you report those jury fees as taxable income. To even things out, you get to deduct the amount you give to your employer. But how do you do it? There's no line on the Form 1040 labeled "jury fees." Instead, the write-off goes on line 36, which purports to be for simply totaling up deductions that get their own lines. Add your jury fees to the total of your other write-offs and write "jury pay" on the dotted line. American Opportunity Credit Unlike the Hope Credit that this one replaced, the American Opportunity Credit is good for all four years of college, not just the first two. Don't shortchange yourself by missing this critical difference. This tax credit is based on 100% of the first $2,000 spent on qualifying college expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 ... for a maximum annual credit per student of $2,500. The full credit is available to individuals whose modified adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less ($160,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return). The credit is phased out for taxpayers with incomes above those levels. If the credit exceeds your tax liability, it can trigger a refund. (Most credits are "nonrefundable," meaning they can reduce your tax to $0, but not get you a check from the IRS.) College credits aren't just for youngsters, nor are they limited to just the first four years of college. The Lifetime Learning credit can be claimed for any number of years and can be used to offset the cost of higher education for yourself or your spouse . . . not just for your children. The credit is worth up to $2,000 a year, based on 20% of up to $10,000 you spend for post-high-school courses that lead to new or improved job skills. Classes you take even in retirement at a vocational school or community college can count. If you brushed up on skills in 2014, this credit can help pay the bills. The right to claim this tax-saver phases out as income rises from $54,000 to $64,000 on an individual return and from $108,000 to $128,000 for couples filing jointly. Deduct those blasted baggage fees Airlines seem to revel in driving travelers batty with extra fees for baggage, online booking and for changing travel plans. Such fees add up to billions of dollars each year. If you get burned, maybe Uncle Sam will help ease the pain. If you're self-employed and travelling on business, be sure to add those costs to your deductible travel expenses. Credits for energy-saving home improvements There's no longer a tax credit to encourage homeowners to save energy by, for example, installing storm windows and insulation. But the law still offers a powerful incentive for those who install qualified residential alternative energy equipment, such as solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines. Your credit can be 30% of the total cost (including labor) of such systems installed through 2016. Additional bonus depreciation Business owners--including those who run businesses out of their homes--have to stay on their toes to capture tax breaks for buying new equipment. The rules seem to be constantly shifting as Congress writes incentives into the law and then allows them to expire or to be cut back to save money. Take "bonus depreciation" as an example. Back in 2011, rather than write off the cost of new equipment over many years, a business could use 100% bonus depreciation to deduct the full cost in the year the equipment was put into service. For 2013, the bonus depreciate rate was 50%. The break expired at the end of 2013 and stayed expired until the end of 2014 . . . when Congress reinstated it retroactively to cover 2014 purchases. (That reprieve ended on December 31, when the provision expired again . . . but it does apply to 2014 returns.) Perhaps even more valuable, though, is another break: supercharged "expensing," which basically lets you write off the full cost of qualifying assets in the year you put them into service. This break, too, comes and goes. But as part of last-minute 2014 tax legislation, for 2014 purchases, it applies to up to $500,000 worth of assets. The $500,000 cap phases out dollar for dollar for firms that put more than $2 million worth of assets into service in 2014. For now, the limit for purchases made in 2015 is just $25,000 and it phases out once more than $200,000 of assets are placed in service. (There's a good chance Congress will sweeten this break, again, before 2015 returns are due in 2016.) Break on the sale of demutualized stock In 2013, the IRS finally found a court that agrees with its tough stand on the issue of demutualized stock. That's stock that a life insurance policyholder receives when the insurer switches from being a mutual company owned by policyholders to a stock company owned by shareholders. The IRS's longstanding position is that such stock has no tax basis, so that when the shares are sold, the taxpayer owes tax on 100% of the proceeds of the sale. In 2009 and again in 2011, federal courts sided with taxpayers who challenged the IRS position. Shortly after the IRS won its case in early 2013, the court in one of the earlier cases came up with a complicated method to pinpoint a basis. Rather than agreeing with experts who say the basis should be 100% of the stock's value at the time of the demutualization, the court's method set the basis in the case at hand at between 50% and 60% of the stock's value when the taxpayers received it. Sooner or later, the Supreme Court may have to settle things. In the meantime, if you sold stock in 2014 that you received in a demutualization, you have a couple of choices. Claim a basis and, if the IRS rejects your position, file an appeal. Or use a zero basis, pay the tax on the full proceeds of the sale and then file a "protective refund claim" to maintain your right to a refund if the matter is eventually settled in your favor. Social Security taxes you pay This doesn't work for employees. You can't deduct the 7.65% of pay that's siphoned off for Social Security and Medicare. But if you're self-employed and have to pay the full 15.3% tax yourself (instead of splitting it 50-50 with an employer), you do get to write off half of what you pay. That deduction comes on the face of Form 1040, so you don't have to itemize to take advantage of it. Waiver of penalty for the newly retired This isn't a deduction, but it can save you money if it protects you from a penalty. Because our tax system operates on a pay-as-you earn basis, taxpayers typically must pay 90% of what they owe during the year via withholding or estimated tax payments. If you don't, and you owe more than $1,000 when you file your return, you can be hit with a penalty for underpayment of taxes. The penalty works like interest on a loan--as though you borrowed from the IRS the money you didn't pay. The current rate is 3%. There are several exceptions to the penalty, including a little-known one that can protect taxpayers age 62 and older in the year they retire and the following year. You can request a waiver of the penalty--using Form 2210 --if you have reasonable cause, such as not realizing you had to shift to estimated tax payments after a lifetime of meeting your obligation via withholding from your paychecks. Amortizing bond premiums If you purchased a taxable bond for more than its face value--as you might have to capture a yield higher than current market rates deliver -- Uncle Sam will effectively help you pay that premium. That's only fair, since the IRS is also going to get to tax the extra interest that the higher yield produces. You have two choices about how to handle the premium. • You can amortize it over the life of the bond by taking each year's share of the premium and subtracting it from the amount of taxable interest from the bond you report on your tax return. Each year you also reduce your tax basis for the bond by the amount of that year's amortization. • Alternatively, you can ignore the premium until you sell or redeem the bond. At that time, the full premium will be included in your tax basis so it will reduce the taxable gain or increase the taxable loss dollar for dollar. The amortization route can be a pain, since it's up to you to both figure how each year's share and keep track of the declining basis. But it could be more valuable, since the interest you don't report will avoid being taxed in your top tax bracket for the year--as high as 43.4%, while the capital gain you reduce by waiting until you sell or redeem the bond would only be taxed at 0%, 15% or 20%. If you buy a tax-free municipal bond at a premium, you must use the amortization method and reduce your basis each year . . . but you don't get to deduct the amount amortized. After all, the IRS doesn't get to tax the interest. Don't unnecessarily report a state income tax refund There's a line on the tax form for reporting a state income tax refund, but most people who get refunds can simply ignore it even though the state sent the IRS a copy of the 1099-G you got reporting the refund. If, like most taxpayers, you didn't itemize deductions on your previous federal return, the state tax refund is tax-free. Even if you did itemize, part of it might be tax-free. It's taxable only to the extent that your deduction of state income taxes the previous year actually saved you money. If you would have itemized (rather than taking the standard deduction) even without your state tax deduction, then 100% of your refund is taxable--since 100% of your write-off reduced your taxable income. But, if part of the state tax write-off is what pushed you over the standard deduction threshold, then part of the refund is tax free. Don't report any more than you have to. Legal fees paid to secure alimony Although legal fees and court costs involved in a divorce are generally nondeductible personal expenses, you may be able to deduct the part of your attorney's bill. Since alimony is taxable income, you can deduct the part of the lawyer's fee that is attributable to setting the amount. You can also deduct the portion of the fee that is attributable to tax advice. You must itemize to get any tax savings here, and these costs fall into the category of miscellaneous expenses that are deductible only to the extent that the total exceeds 2% of your adjusted gross income. Still, be sure your attorney provides a detailed statement that breaks down his fee so you can tell how much of it may qualify for a tax-saving deduction. | 3 | 7,359 | finance |
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1. Have sex. This is something we'd love to do on Valentine's Day. It's also something we'd love to do on other days, like all of them. 2. Just watch something on Netflix together. This is great because it involves not spending any money on a holiday that is only kind of "eh." 3. Go to a restaurant where there is steak. If we've got to go to a fancy restaurant in the name of love, they better have good steak. 4. Have sex again. We just need some time to recover from the first session, is all. 5. Give and receive chocolate. Chocolate is pretty good. Ideally, though, we would exchange steak instead of chocolate. 6. Not cry when we think about how much we've spent on jewelry. It's so expensive and it doesn't even do anything. Like a scarf made of tissue paper, or like a scarf made of regular stuff. 7. Have a day off work. If Valentine's Day were really important, we'd have the day off to lie around in bed all day. 8. Have sex while eating steak. Ultimate V-Day achieved. 9. Play video games. Something co-op, obviously, because that's romantic. No switching off the controller on Valentine's Day. 10. Nap. This can involve cuddling. It doesn't have to. We can just take a nap and see each other in our dreams. Or whatever. 11. Ignore the fact that it's Valentine's Day and just do something fun. Labeling it ruins everything. 12. Go to White Castle. If a girl lets you take her here on Valentine's Day, you wife her. You wife her immediately. 13. Get super-drunk on something romantic, like Champagne. So having more than one two three eight glasses of Champagne isn't classy, but it's fun . 14. Promise not to feel forced to write awkward notes about how much we love each other in our cards this year. It's physically painful, having to make yourself that mushy. Follow Frank on Twitter. | 4 | 7,362 | lifestyle |
Actor and dancer Alex Pepper produced a short Doritos commercial with a shoestring budget of $80. He is now one of 10 finalists out of a pool of nearly 5,000. The winner will get $1 million and the ad will air during the 2015 Super Bowl. | 8 | 7,363 | video |
The LED lightbulb display at the home center wasn't helpful and the clerk who worked in that section was down on LEDs too much money, he said and didn't seem to know a lot about them. Can't blame him. LEDs, with their semi-conductor chips and electronic circuitry, are a lot more complicated than the lightbulbs we grew up with. But LEDs are really impressive if you buy the right ones, as Consumer Reports discovered in its lightbulb tests. LEDs are better than CFLs and use about 80 to 85 percent less energy than the incandescents they replace. They cost a lot more up front but can trim your electric bill by up to $240 per bulb over their lifetime. You'll save even more if you live where electricity is expensive, such as California, Hawaii, New York, and New England. Here are five ways that make buying LEDs a whole lot easier. 1. Bring your old bulb with you. Sounds goofy, but it's a sure way to know that the LED fits your fixture since some LEDs are bigger or heavier than incandescents and CFLs. Replace bulbs that are on the most and use the most energy. Typically they're the main lighting in the kitchen, dining area, and living room. 2. Bring our Ratings. We've tested dozens of LEDs and the lightbulb Ratings will come in handy as you stare at shelves lined with hundreds of LEDs and can't find sales help that's helpful. 3. Focus on lumens. They're stated on the Lighting Facts Label on the back of the LED box and tell you how bright the bulb is. You'll want at least 800 lumens when replacing a 60-watt incandescent; 1,100 and up for a 75-watt replacement, and 1,600 or more for a 100-watt replacement. And if you're wondering about watts, they tell you how much energy a bulb uses. 4. Check light color. Okay, here's where it starts to feel like work, but it's not hard once you get used to it. If you like light that's a warm yellow, similar to an incandescent, then you want an LED that has a color temperature around 2700K. You'll see "Light Appearance" noted on the Lighting Facts Label. For white light pick a bulb that's 3000K or so. Bright white light is 3500K to 4100K and bluer white light is 5000K to 6500K. But don't worry, you'll see this spelled out on the Lighting Facts Label. 5. Look over the box. You'll need a dimmable LED if you're using it with a dimmer. It's smart to buy one LED and see if it's compatible with the dimmer you have. Note whether the bulb can be used in an enclosed fixture if that's what you're planning on. It matters because when heat builds up inside the fixture it can change the LED's light color and shorten its life. Our lightbulb Ratings also provide this information. Consider these CR Best Buys The Great Value 60W Soft White A19 Dimmable LED from Walmart is $10 and replaces a 60-watt incandescent, casting a bright, warm yellow light. So does the Cree 9.5-Watt A19 Warm White Dimmable LED and it's even better at casting light in all directions. It's $8.50 and comes with a 10-year warranty. Both work in fully enclosed fixtures. Claimed life is about 23 years when used 3 hours a day. The Philips A21 19W 100W Soft White 432195 LED is dimmable and replaces a 100-watt incandescent so it's even brighter than the 60-watt replacements. The Philips gives off a warm yellow light in all directions. It's $15 but always look for rebates from your utility. Claimed life is nearly 23 years but you can't use this LED in fully enclosed fixtures. These BR30 LEDs replace 65-to-75 watt incandescents and can be used in recessed and track lights. Claimed life is around 23 years when used 3 hours a day. Walmart's Great Value 65W BR30 Soft White Dimmable LED is $11 and provides a bright, warm yellow light. Other CR Best Buys include the Utilitech 13-Watt (75W) BR30 Soft White Outdoor Flood from Lowe's, $12, the Feit Electric BR30 Dimmable LED, $9, and the $11 MaxLite 10-Watt BR30. For more choices, including top-performing CFLs, see our full lightbulb Ratings and recommendations. Kimberly Janeway More from Consumer Reports: Top performing kitchen gear at rock bottom prices 5 food label claims that can fool you Kitchen floors that stand up to foot traffic Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S. | 4 | 7,364 | lifestyle |
What do you do when you have the Sexiest Man Alive on your show? Play a round of Water War! | 8 | 7,365 | video |
CNBC's Dominic Chu reports Chipotle is suspending pork sales at a third of its restaurants. The "Fast Money" crew discusses the impact to its stock price. | 3 | 7,366 | finance |
Trash: High-calorie dips, spreads, and condiments You see that mayo, blue cheese dressing, and French onion dip taking up space in your fridge door? Dump them. They might appeal to your taste buds, but they're not doing your body any favors. Instead, stock salsa, vinaigrette dressing, and mustard along with other low-carb steak, barbecue, and cocktail sauces that are free of added sweeteners. Trash: Fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt Fruit and yogurt sound healthy, because they are, but when they come mixed together, they're a sugar bomb. Instead, stick to plain varieties and mix in your own fresh fruit and nuts for flavor. Grab some Greek yogurt if you're looking for an extra protein boost. Trash: Extra Beer If you've got anything beyond a six-pack chilling in your fridge, you've got too much. Unless you're having guests over, keeping too many brews on-hand will only tempt you to drink more during the week. Only cool a couple at a time and you'll be less likely to overdo it. Stock Up: Lean proteins like chicken or turkey breast, fresh fish, and red meat Always try to have lean protein available. It can be expensive at times, but buy it in bulk at a wholesale grocery or split up family-size packages into smaller containers and freeze to save a little cash. Stock Up: Lots and lots of produce If it doesn't require a food label, then load up. Whole foods like fruits and veggies should make a major portion of your diet. Don't go overboard at the grocery store though. Buy only enough for one week at a time so the excess doesn't go to waste. Stock Up: A giant water pitcher Ditch the plastic bottles and keep a good water pitcher in your fridge so you always have good, cold water within reach when you're thirsty. Top it off every time you pour a glass so you never run out. Squeeze a little lemon in your water for added health benefits. Trash: Anything with trans fat You should know this by now, but just in case you don't, we will remind you: Anything with trans fat, even products that claim to be "trans-fat free" but contain partially hydrogenated or fully hydrogenated oil, should be tossed. Period. Trash: Kids' breakfast items Kid's breakfast foods are unfortunately notorious for high sugar content. A quick rule of thumb: Never buy a cereal with more than 10 grams of sugar or less than 3 grams of fiber per serving. Also, stay away from the Pop-Tarts! Some flavors contain more than 40 ingredients, which leads us to our next point: If you can't pronounce something in your food, then you shouldn't eat it. Trash: Cheap snacks and sugary drinks Clear your pantry of all chips, pretzels, cookies, and candy. Don't forget to trash bottles of sweetened soda or tea, too. All these treats are nutritionally void and have no place in a clean diet. Stock Up: Rolled oats and canned beans Pair rolled oats with eggs for a hearty, healthy breakfast and have beans as a side to your protein of choice at lunch or dinner. Aim for one serving (at least) of lean, high-fiber, nutrient-dense foods like these each day. Stock Up: Smart snacks Snacking throughout the day doesn't have to undo your diet. Keep smart choices on hand like raw almonds, walnuts, pecans, and pistachios for some healthy fats and protein. Make sure to stick to small serving sizes. Plain microwave popcorn (without butter) isn't a terrible option either. Stock Up: Tea Always keep a great selection of teas in your kitchen. Compounds in tea may fight cancer, heart disease, depression, and fatigue. Drinking tea has also been found to improve brain functioning and help ward off hunger and firing up your metabolism. Just don't add sugar. Green, black, white and oolong teas are all good, potent choices. | 7 | 7,367 | health |
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh get most of the headlines. Chris Andersen, James Ennis and most recently -- Hassan Whiteside -- have become fan favorites at AmericanAirlines Arena. But perhaps the most important player that holds the key to this season for the Miami Heat is Luol Deng. Unassuming, humble, but one of the hardest-working players on the team, the versatile forward's impact is two-fold with his skills on both offense and defense. When head coach Erik Spoelstra was asked what he was impressed by the most with Deng after being around him now for a few months, it was his hard work on and off the court that stood out the most. "His professionalism and his commitment," Spoelstra said. "You can count on him. That's what we've learned through our research about him. He's an everyday guy." Perhaps no other player on the roster can swing a game as much as Deng can when he's plugged in and scoring in bunches. For the season, he's putting up 13.8 points per game. But in the Heat's 17 victories his scoring average increases to 16.3 points. In their 21 losses his scoring dips down to 11.8 points, with the difference between the two averages second only to Bosh by a small margin. It's also clear that when he struggles with his shot, the Heat are in trouble as evidenced by his 42.9 percent field goal shooting in losses. It goes up to 55.7 percent when they win. But his game is much more than that of a scorer. Off the ball he is in constant motion shaking free of his defender. He has solid offensive skills but is a willing passer that always looks to get his teammates involved. Of particular usefulness recently has been his dribble-drive penetration towards the paint, where he has linked up with Andersen and Whiteside for alley-oop dunks. On defense, the lanky 6-foot-9 forward can defend a variety of positions. In one extended sequence during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, he capably defended point guard Chris Paul out on the perimeter. His wingspan and excellent footwork have bottled up many great players this season, including LeBron James on Christmas Day. Much like the Heat as a team, however, it's been an up-and-down season for Deng as he gets used to the system and a new city with the starting lineups and rotations constantly changing around him. Though the team has won three of their five games in January, Deng has struggled from the field and is averaging just 8.2 points this month. "I'm getting there," Deng said in regards to his comfort level in Miami. "I think it's taken a while. You never really expected the way things are going with guys going in and out. You try as hard as you can to get used to guys like (Josh) McRoberts -- and even without him when he was hurt, we would put in sets that it would be him (playing). Then he goes out and is done for the season and then you have Wade missing games and Bosh. It's just been unexpected. "With guys in and guys out, your role changes. Really, the goal is we are a better team when we try to get everybody involved." After spending his first nine years in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, he was traded midway through the 2013-14 season to the Cleveland Cavaliers where he never fit in and his statistics plunged. Now, Deng, who has started a team-leading 36 games, is trying to be the steady anchor for a team looking for consistency and a clear identity at a crucial juncture of its season. "I just do whatever I've got to do to get ready for the game," he said. "I play as hard as I can." You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at [email protected] . | 1 | 7,368 | sports |
Check out these business-savvy teens G. Hannelius G. Hannelius is an incredibly talented actress and singer/songwriter. Now, at the age of 15, she's the co-founder of Make Me Nails, a custom nail-wrap app. She combined her love of nail art and her entrepreneurial spirit and launched a completely user-driven app experience that totally blow us away. In a nutshell, you upload any photo you want, they design the wraps and ship them to you within three days for the most bespoke nails possible. The sky is the limit for design options and they're a breeze to apply. Kendall and Libby Glazer Sisters Kendall and Libby are the creative geniuses behind Stoney Clover Lane, a jewelry line of brightly colored, sparkly, stackable pieces that are as much fun to collect as they are to wear. Their creations have been spotted on the wrists of multiple Kardashians, Miley Cyrus and even Michelle Obama. From keychains to Emoji bracelets, it's easy to add a little love to your arms, keychains, backpacks or to just about anything you can find. Julianne Goldmark and Emily Matson Inspired by a passion for fashion, Julianne and Emily set out to create high-quality, modern hair ties and started Emi-Jay. With unlimited colors, patterns and even glitter options, their hair ties can coordinate with any outfit, all without you ever having to experience the dreaded ponytail bump. Their recently launched cheeky T-shirts are pretty awesome, too. Madison Robinson Fifteen-year-old Madison Robinson spent her days at the beach and was inspired to draw charming sea creatures. One day she drew them on flip flops and dubbed them Fish Flops. Fast forward a few years later, and her Fish Flops by Madison Nicole are now at Nordstrom. Using a mix of old-school marketing techniques and social media, Robinson has had success with every buyer she has approached. She inspires us to keep a no-quit attitude and to pursue our dreams. Melissa Jade Aiello It started with a sketchbook and a quick drawing of Karl Lagerfeld. Within days, Tees by Missy X was founded. Melissa's ability to blend her unique drawing style with an incredible sense of likeness is too cool. With collaborations with Wiz Khalifa, it's impossible not to covet one of her tees for yourself. Bella Weems Bella Weems was just your average 14-year-old, and all she wanted was a car when she turned 16. When her parents told her she had to work for it, she started selling customizable glass lockets you could fill with your own charms. Now, a new Jeep and a few million dollars later, she is helping other entrepreneurs reach their own goals through the company she started, Origami Owl. Henry Kilpatrick Henry Kilpatrick grew up going to a lot of estate sales, and when he found a mid-century fiberglass armchair at his grandma's house, he knew he had a find. His online mid-century furniture resale business is Magic City Finds, and we love his strong sense retro appreciation that helps him find the perfect pieces. From sleek lines to vintage posters, the ultimate mid-century decor can now be yours. Isabella Rose Taylor When department store giant Nordstrom orders your line to be featured in their stores, you know you've made it. But imagine making it at just 13! Fashion designer Isabella Rose Taylor's eponymous collection is full of chic juniors apparel with smart tailoring and a modern edge. With her big debut at New York Fashion Week this year, there's no telling where she'll end up next. Fraser Doherty Fraser Doherty first learned how to make jam from his beloved grandmother when he was 14. From humble beginnings in his neighborhood to becoming one of Scotland's most iconic brands, SuperJam, his multi-million dollar business still uses Gran's original recipe with no sugars and no additives. They now also sell teas (SuperTea) and Honey (SuperHoney) for the ultimate "Super" afternoon tea experience. Hart Main Hart Main was 13 when he created Man-Cans, a line of scented candles with scents that men would like. The novelty scents like bacon, new mitt and cigar box are flying out of their e-commerce site by the thousands. He later launched She-Cans, in delicious scents featuring flowers, herb, and spices. Best of all? Sales of candles help provide meals to people in need. Willa Doss Willa Doss is the teen beauty mogul behind the Willa skin care line. When she was disappointed by the available lines on the market because they were all heavily scented and bubblegum pink, she created her own line of products for tweens and teens. Her "Start Young, Stay Young" motto is great advice, and we love that she encourages good skincare and sun protection at such a young age. | 4 | 7,369 | lifestyle |
If your exposure to sweet potatoes is limited to the Thanksgiving table or your favorite diner's healthier french fry option, now's the time to open your eyes to the weight-loss wonders of the tuber. Here are three reasons sweet potatoes help you drop pounds. They're naturally sweet: No refined sugar overload here - sweet potatoes make for a healthy, lower-calorie treat. Satisfy any morning sweet/salty cravings with these sweet potato apple pancakes , and get your healthy dessert fill with these sweet potato desserts . They regulate blood sugar: Sweet potatoes may have their fair share of carbs ( about 33 grams per cup ), but they contain a compound that increases levels of adiponectin, the blood-sugar regulating hormone, in the body. Sweet potatoes have a relatively low glycemic index rating (50), which can also help prevent blood sugar spikes after you eat. Regulated blood sugar levels can help get rid of those sugary cravings you get when your levels dip. And while studies have been conflicting, some research has shown that low-glycemic foods stay in your digestive tract longer, helping you control your appetite . To maintain sweet potatoes' low-glycemic properties, boil or steam them instead of roasting them (which destroys some of these properties). They contain fiber: High-fiber foods are another foolproof way to control hunger. Fiber helps you feel fuller for longer, and one medium sweet potato (about one cup) contains four grams of the nutrient. Sweet potatoes don't just help you trim your waistline, however. They're powerful sources of vitamin A, which helps boost immunity and promotes good eye, skin, and bone health, as well as high levels of anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Regardless of whether you're trying to lose weight or not, sweet potatoes' seemingly superfood status isn't a license to order all the sweet potato fries you want - a 2011 study found that those deep-fried sweet potato fries may not be as healthy as you think ! | 7 | 7,370 | health |
Kelsey Nixon whips up a guilt-free, foolproof cookie recipe your kids will love. | 0 | 7,371 | foodanddrink |
It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future, is a line has been credited to Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and two of baseball's most quotable philosophers, Yogi Berra and Casey Stengel. Whoever said it first, they've got a point. But in the middle of the winter, what else do we have to go off of besides projections? Steamer's forecast of the Braves' offense isn't generous, with the offense projected to generate 548 runs this season. That figure, in 2014, would have been 29th in MLB and 25 less than Atlanta had a year ago with the likes of Jason Heyward and Justin Upton. It's abundantly clear that in '15, this team is going to go as far as its pitching staff takes it. With Julio Teheran and Alex Wood at the top and Shelby Miller and Mike Minor behind them, this has a the potential to be one of the National League's better staffs, especially if the latter two perform like they did late last season. The real issue though, is that fifth spot. That chase that added another contender Tuesday as the Braves reportedly inked Wandy Rodriguez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The team has not confirmed this deal, which is pending a physical. Barring any further additions, which are a distinct possibility, that has Rodriguez contending with Manny Banuelos, David Hale, James Russell and non-roster invitee Chien-Ming Wang to be No. 5. While Benuelos -- whom Atlanta acquired from the Yankees for David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve and who a few short years ago was one of the top-rated prospects in that farm system -- may ultimately be that guy, word is the Braves would rather him get more time in the minors first. That prompts an intriguing question: can Atlanta once again use its magic elixir to revive another veteran in Rodriguez or Wang? That elixir, to be clear, is pitching coach Roger McDowell and he's on a staggering run. Here's the impact he had on Freddy Garcia: • 2006-12 (White Sox, Phillies, Tigers, Yankees): 4.56 ERA, 1.331 WHIP, 2.44 SO/BB • 2013 (Braves): 1.65 ERA, 1.024 WHIP, 4.00 SO/BB Now, Garcia's was a small sample size as he appeared in six games and made three starts. But the 37-year-old also got the ball to open Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers, allowing two earned runs in six innings with six strikeouts and two walks. McDowell also had a major impact on Ben Sheets, who made a comeback in '12, pitching nine games in Atlanta after missing all of '11 following Tommy John surgery: • 2010 (A's): 4.53 ERA, 1.391 WHIP, 1.95 SO/W • 2012 (Braves): 3.47 ERA, 1.318 WHIP, 2.69 SO/W Then, of course, there's the crown jewel of McDowell's tenure, Aaron Harang. • 2010-13 (Reds, Padres, Dodgers, Mariners, Mets): 4.36 ERA, 1.412 WHIP, 2.04 SO/BB, 1.1 HR/9 • 2014 (Braves): 3.75 ERA, 1.400 WHIP, 2.27 SO/BB, 0.7 HR/9 You could even add Ervin Santana to that list as he had a 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings in his one year with McDowell, though that was basically what the Braves thought the were paying for as he did it on a $14.1 million deal. Atlanta got Harang for $1 million, Garcia from the Orioles for cash considerations and Sheets earned a pro-rated portion of $2.2 million, which translated to a little more than $1 million after joining the major league club. The bottom line is McDowell has been The Pitching Whisperer and as Chip Caray, who has been in the FOX Sports South/SportSouth booth for more than a decade of Braves baseball, points out, the success is rooted in McDowell keeping up a tradition. "For so many years, the Braves, with Leo Mazonne, and it's carried through with Roger McDowell, stressed the down and away strike, the down and away strike," Caray said. Like Harang and Garica before them, Rodriguez and Wang are low-risk signings and like those other two pitchers before McDowell got ahold of them, Rodriguez and Wang could use a rebirth. Between 2009-12, Rodriguez was a solid piece of the Astros' staff, winning a combined 49 games, including '14 in '09 and in that span had a 3.48 ERA and averaged 7.8 strikeouts per nine. Rodriguez, who will be 36 on Jan. 18, missed much of last season with a knee injury, making six starts with a 6.75 ERA and 2.50 SO/BB over 26 2/3 innings and the previous year he was shut down after 12 starts, a 3.59 ERA and 6-4 record with tightness in his forearm. That final start that year came against June 5 against the Braves when Julio Teheran flirted with a no-hitter. The left-hander has long been a ground ball pitcher, with a career 44.9 percent GB rate, but his fly ball rate has been steadily rising, sitting at 42.4 last season and was at 38.8 in '13, the last time he saw extensive innings. Wang turns 35 before Opening Day and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2012. He spent last season in Triple-A for the Reds and White Sox with a 4.12 ERA in 28 starts and had 73 strikeouts to 57 walks in 173 innings. That's a world away from the guy who, in 2006, went 19-6, posting a 3.63 ERA and 1.46 SO/W and finished second in the American League Cy Young voting. When last we saw the right-hander in the big leagues he was with the Blue Jays, going 1-2 with a 7.67 ERA over six starts and 27 innings in '13. He no longer has the velocity on his fastball that he once did, dropping from 93.7 mph to 89.3 and his splitter, once at 83.4, was last clocked at 78.7. Wang has had just one season, 2011 at 2.3 when his wFB wasn't in the negatives since '08. McDowell has his work cut out for him if either Rodriguez or Wang is going to claim that fifth spot. But from what we've seen these past two seasons, is anyone willing to be that he can't do it again? Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney | 1 | 7,372 | sports |
Goodbye Eugene, hello Tampa Bay? Heisman winner Marcus Mariota is heading to the pros where he could be the top pick in the draft. Campus Insiders' Pete Fiutak and Doug Chapman evaluate his talent and discuss how his skill set will translate to the next level. | 1 | 7,373 | sports |
When told that men desire full-bodied, voluptuous figures, women felt better about their own weight, say researchers at Southern Methodist University in the US. "A woman's body image is strongly linked to her perception of what she thinks men prefer," says lead author and social psychologist Andrea Meltzer of SMU. Heterosexual women, says Meltzer, tend to believe that men prefer the dieted-down, ultra-thin bodies that dominate the media. "Consequently, this study suggests that interventions that alter women's perception regarding men's desires for ideal female body sizes may be effective at improving women's body image," she says. This would be an important step for women's health and well-being because prior research has shown that women with a positive image of their physique tend to eat healthier, exercise more and have a superior overall self-image. On the flipside, those who are unhappy with their body have less sex, less sexual satisfaction and less marital satisfaction. "It is possible that women who are led to believe that men prefer women with bodies larger than the models depicted in the media may experience higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of depression," says Meltzer. Together with her team, Meltzer conducted three separate studies that led her to this conclusion, working with a total of 448 women. Spring-boarding on past research that says women who watch TV and read fashion magazines are likely to have a poor body image, they asked participants to look at pictures of plus-sized models wearing a variety of clothing including bathing suits. Only their bodies were visible to keep participants from being influenced by their facial attractiveness. Several control groups were included and their tasks included looking at pictures of full-figured women that were not portrayed as being considered attractive to men. Another control group was shown pictures of very thin women and they were told that these are the kind of women men desire. In all three studies, women were more positive about their bodies after looking at pictures of voluptuous women who were portrayed to being attractive to men. Despite the positive results of her studies and their potential to improve women's health, Meltzer admits it's not clear how long the resulting positive body image lasts and the media remains a pervasive threat to un-doing them. The research was published in the journal Social Psychological & Personality Science. | 7 | 7,374 | health |
Oregon QB and 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. | 1 | 7,375 | sports |
Freddie Jacobson, founding partner of GolfBeer, talks to CNN's Lara Baldesarra about its new line of craft beer. | 5 | 7,376 | news |
Whiskey, whisky, or even bourbon makes the winter taste better and the cold disappear. Make one of the brown liqueur cocktails and your friends will be begging you to become their live in bartender. Brown Sugar Cinnamon Bourbon Cocktail Brown sugar, bourbon, and cinnamon come together to create this winter warmer. Get the recipe from Freckle and Fair. Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon and Whisky Hot chocolate helps us all get through the cold winter months. This year, take it up a notch with this whiskey spiked recipe! Get the recipe from A Brown Table. Maple Syrup Old Fashioned Maple syrup pairs perfectly with a classic old fashioned. Get the recipe from Nerds with Knives. Milk Punch If you want to warm up quick, make this luxurious whiskey and milk cocktail. Get the recipe from The Little Epicurean. Chai Honey Old Fashioned Chai tea is a real treat on a cold winter day. Make this spiced whiskey cocktail for an especially chilly night. Get the recipe from Artful Desperado. Buttered Bourbon Cider Hot buttered rum gets a sophisticated bourbon makeover in this irresistibly classy cocktail. Get the recipe from The Proper Drink. Irish Hazelnut Cream Irish coffee meets its match in this drink topped with fresh, fluffy hazelnut cream! Get the recipe from The Spice Train. La Marquita Bring a little fruit into your winter cocktail line up with this fresh pomegranate drink. Get the recipe from Solid Gold Eats. Aged Eggnog Aged eggnog is a perfect winter go-to, even once the Christmas tree has hit the curb. Get the recipe from Salt & Wind. Winter Bourbon Smash Try a fruity take on a whiskey drink with this raspberry and bourbon beverage. Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker . Milk Punch Milk punch is a truly unparalleled way to indulge in whiskey this winter. Get the recipe from Smitten Kitchen. Wassail Spice up your whiskey and cuddle up around the fireplace with this comforting cocktail. Get the recipe from Cookie and Kate. Clementine, Whiskey & Wine Cocktail Both beautiful and delicious, this cocktail is sure to turn a whiskey hater into a whiskey lover. Get the recipe from Foxes Love Lemons . Honey of a Whisky Sour Make his and hers whiskey drinks with this customizable recipe! Get the recipe from Bake at 350. The Bee Keeper Punch This winter treat your guests to a big-batch whiskey cocktail that everyone is sure to fall for. Get the recipe from Domestikated Life. Spiked Maple Apple Cider Recipe This whiskey drink has all the makings of a classic. Get the recipe from A Beautiful Mess. Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cocktail Looking for an extra-fun whiskey cocktail? Try this whimsical Cinnamon Toast Crunch drink. Get the recipe from A Night Owl Blog. | 0 | 7,377 | foodanddrink |
Virtual reality can be used for a lot more than casual fun. | 8 | 7,378 | video |
Kevin Jorgeson and partner Tommy Caldwell celebrate after completing the first free climb ascent of El Capitan's Dawn Wall in Yosemite National Park, California in this January 14, 2015 handout photo. The two climbers completed a historic 19-day ascent to the summit on Wednesday after scaling the rock formation's 3,000-foot (900-meter) sheer granite face without bolts or climbing tools, representatives said. Tommy Caldwell, top, raises his arms after reaching the summit of El Capitan as Kevin Jorgeson, not pictured, watches on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, as seen from the valley floor in Yosemite National Park, Calif. Caldwell and Jorgeson became the first to free-climb the rock formation's Dawn Wall. They used ropes and safety harnesses to catch them in case of a fall, but relied entirely on their own strength and dexterity to ascend by grasping cracks as thin as razor blades and as small as dimes. The effort took 19 days, as the two dealt with constant falls and injuries. People watch as two climbers vying to become the first in the world to use only their hands and feet scale a sheer slab of granite and make their way to the summit of El Capitan Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, in Yosemite National Park, California. Kevin Jorgeson, 30 of California, and 36-year-old Tommy Caldwell of Colorado reached the top of the 3,000-foot peak Wednesday evening. The two men began their ascent of the half-mile of sheer granite on Dec. 27, 2014. The first climber reached its summit in 1958, and there are roughly 100 routes up to the top. Kevin Jorgeson of California, wearing green, and 36-year-old Tommy Caldwell, wearing blue lower right, climb near the summit of El Capitan Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, as seen from the valley floor in Yosemite National Park, Calif. The men have been "free-climbing" to the 3,000-foot summit for 17 days, meaning they don't use climbing aids other than ropes only to prevent deadly falls. Each trained for more than five years, and they have battled bloodied fingers and unseasonably warm weather. Shown is El Capitan where two climbers vying to become the first in the world to use only their hands and feet to scale a sheer slab of granite made their way to the summit Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, in Yosemite National Park, Calif. Kevin Jorgeson of California, wearing green, and 36-year-old Tommy Caldwell, wearing blue, near the summit of El Capitan Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, as seen from the valley floor in Yosemite National Park, Calif. The Jacqui Becker, center, girlfriend of Kevin Jorgeson, and Kevin's father, Eric Jorgeson, watch climbers Kevin Jorgeson and Tommy Caldwell as they attempt to ascend the Dawn Wall of El Capitan Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 in Yosemite National Park, Calif. Climbers Kevin Jorgeson, left, and Tommy Caldwell attempt to ascend the Dawn Wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, Calif. In this January 12, 2015, photo provided by Tom Evans, Kevin Jorgeson climbs what has been called the hardest rock climb in the world: a free climb of El Capitan, the largest monolith of granite in the world, a half-mile section of exposed granite in California's Yosemite National Park. In this January 12, 2015, photo provided by Tom Evans, Tommy Caldwell, center, stands with a photographer at a base camp before continuing to climb what has been called the hardest rock climb in the world. In this January 12, 2015, photo provided by Tom Evans, Tommy Caldwell, bottom, watches as Kevin Jorgeson climbs. In this January 9, 2015, photo provided by Tom Evans, Kevin Jorgeson climbs the face of the mountain. In this January 8, 2015, photo provided by Tom Evans, Tommy Caldwell, in red, climbs pitch 19 while cameraman Brett Lowell records at lower right and another unidentified cameraman shoots from above during what has been called the hardest rock climb in the world. In this January 8, 2015, photo provided by Tom Evans, Kevin Jorgeson elebrates his finishing the climb of Pitch 15 while two photographers shoot video and stills from above. In this January 7, 2015, photo provided by Tom Evans, Kevin Jorgeson climbs Pitch 15. In this January 7, 2015, photo provided by Tom Evans, Tommy Caldwell, top, climbs what is known as Pitch 17 with Kevin Jorgeson handling the line during what has been called the hardest rock climb in the world. In this January 5, 2015, photo provided by Tome Evans, Kevin Jorgeson grips the surface of the Razor Edge. In this January 3, 2015, photo provided by Tom Evans, Tommy Caldwell works what is known as pitch 15 as he and Kevin Jorgeson, not shown, attempt their summit. In this December 29, 2014, photo by Kevin Jorgeson, Tommy Caldwell eats dinner on the side of the mountain. In this December 28, 2014, photo provided by Tom Evans, Kevin Jorgeson ascends what is known as Pitch 8. In this December 27, 2014, photo Kevin Jorgeson, 30, of Santa Rosa, Calif., left, and Tommy Caldwell, 36, of Estes Park, Colo., prepare their climbing gear before beginning their ascent. Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson climbing on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in 2010. Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson working on climbing El Capitan in November, 2010. The team had been already training for three years by 2010. Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson sleep on a portaledge on El Capitan in April, 2010. Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson sleep on a portaledge on El Capitan in April, 2010. | 5 | 7,379 | news |
The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based craft e-tailer Etsy is prepping for one of the most corporate moves of all: an initial public offering and not all of its local merchants are thrilled. The company, which competes with the local marketplace of eBay Inc. , filed for an initial public offering on Wednesday to raise $100 million, according to documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. On Etsy merchant forums, dozens of local sellers buzzed about the IPO, some expressing concern that Etsy is selling out and turning into a mirror image of larger publicly traded e-commerce companies like Amazon.com Inc. and eBay Inc., which they fear could lead to a shareholder-first mentality and hurt local sellers. Fees are a major focus of sellers, since Etsy's take directly cuts into their bottom line. Last year, gross sales among Etsy sellers was $1.93 billion, with Etsy pulling out $200 million in revenue, a year-over-year increase of 56.4%, according to the securities filing. Local merchants on the forums went back-and-forth about the potential implications of an IPO, although Etsy seller bertiecloset, which makes laptop sleeves, tried to calm everyone down by saying that Etsy will want to focus on user growth, not just higher fees. "Etsy benefits from rising fees and costs to sellers, but they'll probably want to impress potential shareholders with growth first," bertiecloset said Thursday in a forum. "That means more users and sellers and not higher fees." Other forum discussions ranged from whether eBay might be a better listing choice for sellers, to whether or not they'd invest their own personal money in the platform. Many said they would not. In January, when reports about a potential Etsy IPO first surfaced, Etsy seller Erica Holt, whose MistyMountainForge shop makes handcrafted bohemian jewelry, said she would not invest in Etsy. "They're too wishy-washy and haven't stood up for anything they said they were founded on in a long time," she said, though Holt maintains that Etsy is a good place to build out her business. In fact, a look through Etsy's forums show a thriving community of small-business owners who rely on one another's positive feedback and support. Other sellers were much more optimistic about an IPO, pointing to the inevitable publicity boost IPOs give to brands. More awareness could translate to higher sales, they said. "For all the potential bad things, I think there would also be a much larger pool of buyers," said Jamil, owner of the AtomicRestorations shop that sells antiques. Etsy was founded in June 2005 after former CEO Rob Kalin struggled to find a viable online marketplace to sell his handmade wooden computers. It has grown rapidly since former Yahoo Inc. executive Chad Dickerson took the reins in 2011, with Etsy's 580 employees now overseeing 19.8 million active buyers and 1.4 million active sellers. Dickerson, who has been with Etsy since 2008 and CEO since 2011, first hinted at an IPO in 2014. "We're not the traditional Silicon Valley type of company, where we just have this bloodthirst to go public, but it's definitely a possible outcome," he said at the time in an interview with the Associated Press. At $100 million, Etsy would be the biggest technology listing to come from New York since On Deck Capital Inc. raised $230 million in December 2014. Just 13 New York-based tech companies have gone public since 2010, according to Dealogic. | 3 | 7,380 | finance |
Step aside Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. There's some new, real-life wedding crashers in town. | 8 | 7,381 | video |
After being drafted 12th overall by the New York Giants, the LSU product went on to break franchise rookie records with 91 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. To see more Giants videos download the Giants DeskSite. | 8 | 7,382 | video |
A quick-thinking teen being processed for an arrest at a Florida police station is being credited for saving the life of his booking officer. Jen Markham (@jenmarkham) has the video. | 8 | 7,383 | video |
Now that Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston have declared early for the 2015 NFL Draft, we have our first clear quarterback debate, one that is likely to continue for years. The wild support for Mariota at No. 1 has waned after Oregon's loss to Ohio State in the CFP National Championship game, but he remains one of the safest quarterback choices in this draft and could blossom into one of the league's best QBs. Even if teams have concerns about certain areas of his development, they'd be foolish to pass on him. MORE: Mariota turns pro | Jameis Winston scouting report | Mock Draft | Underclassmen tracker Why he's special Mariota has drawbacks, but he also has had few off-field issues (just a speeding ticket in November) and there are no concerns about his leadership ability. He mastered his college offense (never mind what that offense asked him to do) and he meets the size, arm strength and athleticism thresholds. All of that should ease teams' fears about his ability to last in the pros. Mariota's character is one of his more comforting traits. Some Oregon players believe Mariota's leadership and demeanor, not coach Mark Helfrich, kept the Ducks on track after Chip Kelly's departure. Mariota controlled a high-tempo offense that requires ample pre-snap decisions and confidence in his teammates. Post-snap, Mariota is one of the deadliest passers in recent draft history. He combines tremendous athletic ability and running skill with plus arm strength. Last season his deep ball improved greatly. His placement outside the hashes downfield still needs ample improvement, but Mariota has the skill set to become better in that area. Mariota's mental makeup, his improvement as a college QB despite a coaching change, his ideal body type (6-4, 219 pounds), his arm and his decisiveness as a passer should have scouts thoroughly excited about his future. Why teams will have pause Detractors can point to the fact Oregon's system didn't force Mariota to make NFL-level progressions, but the biggest concerns him are his footwork in the pocket and his vision when forced off his first read. Both areas are coachable, but the transition won't be easy for a passer who was more focused on tempo and less on technique. Mariota is certain to win teams over in the interview room, but offensive coordinators will still need to be sold that he can make the transition from Oregon's offense to an NFL offense in a year, which is the new timeline for first-round quarterback development. Bottom line NFL clubs take a risk-averse approach to drafting a quarterback, yet they still haven't had a great track record with drafting quarterbacks the past 10 years. Mariota is the rare player who offers safety and potential. He far exceeds the requirements to be considered a first-round quarterback. His comparison as a more athletic, stronger-armed Alex Smith doesn't shout "first-overall worthy," but he still is the top quarterback in the 2015 class. Mariota will have a chance to cement that position with teams during the next three months. Eric Galko is the owner and director of scouting at Optimum Scouting and OptimumScouting.com, as well as a Sporting News contributor. Follow him on Twitter: @OptimumScouting . | 1 | 7,384 | sports |
Anderson Cooper speaks with the father of Chris Cornell, the Ohio man arrested by the FBI for an alleged plot targeting the Capitol. | 5 | 7,385 | news |
By Larry Brown The New York Giants look like geniuses for selecting Odell Beckham Jr. at No. 12 overall in the 2014 draft, but even they are not quite as smart as they appear. Beckham put up best rookie season by a wide receiver since Randy Moss and was the most productive receiver in the league over the second half of the season. His 91 catches, 1,302 yards and 12 touchdowns are stats that could blow you away. Though the Giants could not be happier with Beckham, even they will admit that they were a little surprised by how good Beckham turned out to be (regardless of whether Tom Coughlin wants the receiver to tone things down ). Giants GM Jerry Reese joined WFAN's Mike Francesa on the radio Wednesday for an interview and talked about the team's 2014 draft. Francesa praised Reese for the Beckham pick and asked him to elaborate on the team's first-round pick. "We really liked [Beckham] and we had him ranked up there really high," Reese said. "I can tell you this: we had him ranked inside our top 10 picks. We liked (Mike) Evans, we felt like (Sammy) Watkins would be gone, (Zack) Martin was there, he was a guy that we liked as well. But we took the best player on our board at the time, and it was Beckham. We thought he could be a game-changing type of player and he's been that for us." The Cowboys ended up taking Martin a few picks later. "We liked (Martin) as well. We had those guys ranked close together. We would have been happy taking him if he was the best player up there available, but anytime, I am speaking for myself, not just for our personnel department and our organization, anytime there is dynamic playmaker and a guard, I am taking the playmaker." Reese saying they felt like Watkins would be gone seems to indicate they preferred the Clemson product, who was drafted fourth overall by the Bills. Francesa later followed up on that point and Reese confirmed that was the case. "We did not have Beckham ahead of (Sammy) Watkins," Reese admitted. Well, at least Reese isn't that much of a genius. Still, we give him and his staff plenty of credit for taking Beckham when they had so many other players to choose from. From Beckham to Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, Reese sure knows how to scout his wide receivers. | 1 | 7,386 | sports |
The guys take a closer look at Jack Nicklaus' influence on the game of golf. | 1 | 7,387 | sports |
A few Miss Universe contestants tried their best to golf in heels. It's harder than it looks! | 1 | 7,388 | sports |
Two US climbers - who spent more than two weeks scaling the sheer face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park - have finally reached the summit of the 3,000ft (914m) rock. | 8 | 7,389 | video |
Kevin Durant poured his heart out on Twitter recently. Durant addressed how social media has changed the way we communicate. The Oklahoma City Thunder star and reigning NBA MVP took to Twitter to ask a series of questions aimed at understanding why we use Twitter. | 1 | 7,390 | sports |
Obamacare is about to collide with the U.S. tax-filing season, adding frustration for millions of taxpayers trying to figure out how to comply and how much they will owe the government. Tax filing for 2014 opens Jan. 20. The biggest change for most taxpayers is on Line 61 of Form 1040: a box to check if you have health insurance and a tax to pay if you don't. Millions who received insurance through Obamacare's exchanges will have a more complicated set of calculations to complete. "There's going to be tons of questions and confusion and uncertainty and complexity," said Kathy Pickering, executive director of the Tax Institute, the research and analysis division of H&R Block Inc. "We still have a lot of questions." The added strain on taxpayers will increase burdens on the Internal Revenue Service at its busiest time of the year. The IRS is already warning that about half the people who call its toll-free phone lines won't be able to get through. "Use our phone lines only as a last resort," IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said Thursday. Taxpayers who receive information from the IRS web site, he told reporters in Washington, will be making a "contribution to the public good" by letting others get through on the phone. 'Hard Year' "Because it's never happened before, it's a learning experience for everybody," said Roberton Williams of the Tax Policy Center, a Washington research group. "This will be the hard year. Next year will be easier. Five years down the road, nobody will remember this was anything strange." The tax agency also says it will complete fewer audits this year because of a smaller enforcement staff. Congress passed Obamacare in 2010 to expand health- insurance coverage, and the law relies on the tax system for two important functions. First, the IRS polices the requirement that individuals have health insurance, which can be satisfied with an employer- provided plan, a government program such as Medicaid or insurance purchased on the exchanges established under the law. Failure to have health insurance in 2014 generates a penalty of $95 per person or 1 percent of household income, whichever is greater. Those thresholds will increase to $325 and 2 percent for 2015. Major Intersection The second major intersection between Obamacare and the tax system applies to about 8 million people who purchased policies through the exchanges. About 85 percent of the people who initially enrolled received subsidies, which went directly to insurance companies during 2014. Those subsidies were typically based on 2012 income and now must be reconciled with the taxpayers' actual 2014 income and household size. Some taxpayers will owe the government money, with caps on the amount they have to repay. Others will get money back. Both the individual mandate and the subsidies present complications for tax filing. One issue with the mandate is that workers won't get statements from employers that say whether their insurance met the law's requirements for minimum coverage. The IRS delayed that requirement until the 2016 tax filing year, and the lack of information will limit the government's ability to enforce the law. Health Law Koskinen said the IRS would enforce the health law like any other part of the tax code. Some people who get audited randomly or for other reasons will be asked to provide documents to verify that they had health insurance. The other complication is figuring out whether any of the exemptions to the penalty apply. They include the unavailability of affordable coverage, membership in a religious sect with objections to insurance, or a long list of circumstances under which the government can issue a hardship exemption, such as domestic violence and homelessness. The subsidies affect substantially fewer people than the mandate -- and could be trickier to navigate. People who didn't update their family status and income during 2014 will have particular difficulty. A bonus or a move to a higher-paying job could cause some to owe the government money that they never actually received -- because it was sent straight to the insurance company. 'Absolutely' Blindsided "People are going to absolutely be blindsided," said Steve Mankowski, a partner at EP Caine & Associates in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, who is chairman of the National Conference of CPA Practitioners' tax-policy committee. "It can take someone from getting a refund to owing money." Koskinen said taxpayers who received subsidies should wait to file their returns until they have gotten information from the exchanges on Form 1095-A. One plus for taxpayers is that the IRS doesn't have some of its usual tools to enforce the law. Congress prohibited the tax agency from using liens and levies to make people pay the individual mandate. The IRS can still reduce refunds. The IRS is also going to be shorthanded this year, which will mean less customer service and less enforcement. The administration says the Obamacare changes shouldn't complicate things for most taxpayers and is directing people to the IRS and Health and Human Services websites for information. "For the vast majority of Americans, tax filing under the Affordable Care Act will be as simple as checking a box to show they had health coverage all year," Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew said in a statement. "We are working to ensure that whatever their experience, consumers can easily access clear information since this is the first year they will see certain changes to their tax returns." Budget Cuts The IRS budget is $10.9 billion this year, down 3 percent from last year and 12 percent below what the administration requested. The tax agency also must continue working on a problem it has struggled with for several years -- criminals who steal others' refunds through identity theft. That's especially an issue early in the tax season, when criminals can file tax returns and get refunds before legitimate taxpayers even know what happened. The IRS has taken steps to address identity fraud, including on the number of refunds that can be sent to a single bank account or prepaid debit card. "They have a much better handle on it, but it is still a problem," said Edward Karl, vice president for taxes at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. --With assistance from Alex Wayne in Washington. To contact the reporter on this story: Richard Rubin in Washington at [email protected] To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jodi Schneider at [email protected] Mark McQuillan | 3 | 7,391 | finance |
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While excusing yourself from sugary celebrations is no fun, neither is dealing with a post-sugar-binge hangover. And on top of it, the more sugar you eat, the more you crave - it can take a few days to weeks to get over an addiction to refined sugar once you start. Not only that, but studies have shown that eating too much refined sugar can speed up your body's aging process . If you know you can't resist sweet temptations, read on to learn nutritionist-approved strategies that will keep you on the right track. Choose wisely: If you're going to indulge, go for seasonal sweets that you know you can't get when it's not the holidays. "You can have chocolate any time of the year," says registered dietitian, nutritionist, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson Tamara Melton. Go for a seasonal dessert you crave all year, like a treat from an ice cream truck in the Summer or pumpkin pie in the Fall. Just remember that just because these treats are only available for a limited time doesn't mean you should go overboard. Practice portion control by having a plan, Tamara advises. Think positive: Set yourself up for success by telling yourself that you got this. "Words are powerful," says Kathie Dolgin, author of Sugar Savvy Solution: Kick Your Sugar Addiction for Life and Get Healthy . "If you think resisting sugar is going to be hard, it will be hard. Change that negative self-talk if you are going to take control of your diet and your health. Believe you can do this!" Not being hungry is key: Don't want to chow down on the entire candy bowl? Set yourself up for success by eating a balanced meal or snack every three to four hours, Tamara says. Simone Gloger, a registered nutritionist and Dukan Diet nutritionist, recommends three protein-rich meals and two protein-rich snacks every day to help you resist cravings. "I usually pack my lunch and snacks each day so I don't give into the temptation that is all around me," Simone says. Know that cravings might be something else: Before you reach for that peanut butter cup, think about what you really need. "People mistake thirst for hunger or cravings," Kathie says. "That dip in energy that sends you hunting for a snack is often just a sign of dehydration. So hydrate and hydrate and drink water, not juice or soda." Kathie recommends spa water - water infused with your favorite fruits - to hit sugar cravings the natural way. If you are craving a treat, opt for a small piece of dark chocolate or a single-serving yogurt that comes with sweet mix-ins like chocolate or granola, Tamara advises. Don't dwell: Tried your best, but couldn't resist the siren song of holiday treats? Don't beat yourself up about it. "Forgive yourself and get back on track," Kathie says. "Forgiving and being kind to others (as well as yourself!) boosts self-esteem and gratitude for what you have (thus combating the negative self-talk that can send you running for the cookie jar) and gives you the same endorphin rush as sugar." Afterward, make sure your next meal is only when you are hungry, Tamara says. "Resolve to eat healthier at your next meal, then load up on plenty of fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains. Be sure to also include lean sources of protein, which help to keep you satisfied." Related video: Myths About Sugar You Should Stop Believing (Provided by Wochit News) | 7 | 7,393 | health |
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Look outside the window. Do you want to go out there? Neither do we. It's cold, wet, slippery, and dark. The rare glimpse of spring 50-degree day just serves as a reminder of how far we have to go until May. While we may not be able to break Mother Nature's dreary spell quite yet, there is one item that can lift our spirits and get us actually excited to head out into the winter wonderland: a colorful coat. Fellow fashion folks know all too well the correlation between a killer outfit and a sky-high mood. Just think what a truly vibrant topper could do to brighten your day. Ahead, we rounded up 30 of our favorite jackets from shiny, red puffers to deep, violet parkas. Click through to wear the rainbow. 30 Colorful Coats To Brighten Up The Coldest Day Look outside the window. Do you want to go out there? Neither do we. It's cold, wet, slippery, and dark. The rare glimpse of spring 50-degree day just serves as a reminder of how far we have to go until May. While we may not be able to break Mother Nature's dreary spell quite yet, there is one item that can lift our spirits and get us actually excited to head out into the winter wonderland: a colorful coat. Fellow fashion folks know all too well the correlation between a killer outfit and a sky-high mood. Just think what a truly vibrant topper could do to brighten your day. Ahead, we rounded up 30 of our favorite jackets from shiny, red puffers to deep, violet parkas. Click through to wear the rainbow. Red The fold-over detail is extremely flattering. Red These sleeves are just short enough to highlight the cuff of a beautiful blouse. Red A throwback style for sure. Just picture it with dope wide-legged jeans and a beanie so rad. Red The cool girl's plaid coat. Red Just enough colorblocking to make a subtle statement. Orange Elegant and upbeat. Orange You'll never want to peel this orange. Orange Shine bright. Orange Practical and fashion-forward. Orange Like a fourth-grade art project that's outdone itself. Yellow The black cuffs and lining toughen up this soft yellow. Yellow You won't be fur-reezing in this fluffy option. Yellow For those days when the forecast says "wintry mix." Yellow Yes, it's black and yellow. But there's nothing else bumblebee about it. Yellow The sporty silhouette balances out the highlighter yellow hue. Green Zippers and buckles are welcome additions to this femme style. Green Hello, 2015. Green Watch out, polar vortex. Green Looks like your grandma's afghan got a chic makeover. Green The metallic bands at the bottom give this camo iteration a high-concept spin. Blue The style name pretty much sums this baby up. Blue The perforated sleeves and leather collar make this blue stunner special. Blue Not your average faux-fur coat. Blue This looks way more expensive than it actually is. Blue Top this over a suit, and you've got the job. Purple Oh, how sweet. Purple Mother Nature ain't got nothing on you. Purple It's like a zebra rolled around in some seriously pretty paint. Purple Rugged but feminine don't you love the berry-hued pockets? Purple Sometimes, a classic style is all you need. | 4 | 7,396 | lifestyle |
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Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. We're always being told to cleanse, tone, and moisturize. We're also told to microneedle, use eye cream, peel, exfoliate, and slap on face masks. Sometimes, the beauty world makes blanket statements about skin-care without realizing that people are different. One woman's expression lines are another's dark circles, you know? This especially goes for problems that are so complex they could warrant a hefty investment at the dermatologist's office or even time with a surgeon. Ahead, we outlined some of these serious skin-care issues, and then talked to an aesthetician (Kerry Benjamin), a dermatologist (Sejal Shah, MD), and a plastic surgeon (Chia Chi Kao, MD) to find out their recommended solutions.But, let's just get one thing straight: Nothing can replace a healthy and responsible skin-care routine, especially when it comes to preventing many of the problems ahead from forming in the first place. Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page! Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Acne "Acne is the most common skin condition diagnosed in the United States," explains Dr. Shah. (You're not alone!) Many things can cause it, including excess sebum (oil) production, an increase in skin cells lining the hair follicle, overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria, and inflammation.But, that's not all acne can vary from the mild (but annoying) blackhead to the deep and painful cyst. That makes sweeping statements about treating it rather problematic there's no prescription or miracle face wash that's just going to get rid of it; it's almost always a multi-pronged approach. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat It "The treatment of choice always depends on the severity of the acne," Dr. Shah says. If you're on the mild end of the spectrum say, with regular or recurring whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples you should try seeing a facialist and adjusting your skin-care routine before committing to any sort of medication. "I recommend patients with acne get treated every two weeks with a series of deep-exfoliation treatments that are designed to slough off the dead skin, pull out debris, kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and repair the barrier function," says Benjamin. "I usually combine chemical and physical exfoliation methods, along with an infusion of key ingredients to kill the bacteria, moisturize the skin, and calm inflammation." Benjamin recommends twice-daily cleansing with a Clarisonic, following up with products that contain either salicylic acid or retinol (we love Verso Skincare), and wearing a daily SPF to avoid scarring. If your acne is more severe, the treatment is different: "For severe or nodulocystic acne, I would recommend topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoids, or antibiotics, plus oral medications," Dr. Shah says. (This is where spironolactone comes into play.) "Individuals often require a combination of treatments." Medical options are also available. "Steroid injections are best for nodules and cysts," Dr. Shah says, "and I typically reserve laser and light treatments for patients who have failed other treatments." If you're seeing a dermatologist and are using topical or oral medications, then you should go easy on the at-home routine: "I generally recommend the Cera Ve line initially, but once a patient has been on the regimen for a while, I add in more targeted products," she says. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Acne Scars "Acne scars come in a few varieties," explains Dr. Shah. "People often refer to dark marks that occur after acne as 'scars,' but this is really just discoloration that we call post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. True scarring, where there is change in the skin texture, can either be depressed or raised. The depressed versions are further divided into ice-pick, boxcar, and rolling scars."Ice-pick scars are small, deep holes that look like the skin has been punctured with a sharp object. Boxcar scars, on the other hand, are round or oval depressions that are referred to as "craters." "Rolling" refers to bands of scar tissue under the skin that has an uneven appearance. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat Them Your treatment entirely depends on what kind of scarring you have. "Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or dark marks, generally just need a broad-spectrum sunscreen and topical lightening agents, along with maybe a chemical peel," says Dr. Shah. She often prescribes hydroquinone to her patients, but OTC options generally also contain vitamin C and other brightening components. (We like Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector.) If your scarring goes beyond dark marks, you should see a professional to assess exactly how severe the damage is. "Atrophic acne scars are best treated with resurfacing laser treatments," Dr. Shah says. For deeper scars, she will perform a subcision (where a needle goes into the dermis under the scar to release fibrous bands) before lasering. Laser treatments could generally be done every two weeks for up to a 12-week period, and could continue beyond that to ensure the healing is progressing. Benjamin and Dr. Kao recommend microneedling treatments to supplement the laser. (You can book these through your derm or even a local spa.) Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Sun Spots "Sun spots are created from overexposure to the sun, resulting in sunburn," says Dr. Kao. "They're often seen on the left side of the face, due to driving.""We call them solar lentigines," Dr. Shah adds. "They are similar-looking, bigger, more persistent freckles, and are caused by an increase in melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells. Even though they're a cosmetic concern, it's important to have them checked out by your dermatologist regularly." Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat Them Our doctor friends recommend lasers, naturally, but Benjamin insists these guys can be handled without (dramatically) pricey procedures. "I treat them with a series of deep-exfoliation treatments to lift the pigment, and then supplement with topical actives that are designed to block the production of melanin," she says. This means your facialist should be booking you in for a combo of slightly scary procedures, like microdermabrasion, peels, dermaplaning, and microneedling. When combined, all these act like a detox of UV damage, lifting the spot. "To lift the pigment totally, you should be seen every three weeks, typically for a minimum of six treatments." Oh, and load up on vitamins C and E, and retinol. Benjamin favors PCA Skin C & E Strength Max. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Melasma "Melasma is a hyperpigmenting skin condition that causes brown to gray-brown patches on the face cheeks, nasal bridge, forehead, chin, and upper lip," explains Dr. Shah. "It can also appear on other parts of the body that have excess sun exposure, and it's more common in darker skin types. The exact cause is not clear, but exposure to UV radiation is the most important factor in its development. Hormones may also play a role, as we often see it in women who are pregnant or taking birth control." Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat It If you have melasma, here are three key letters to remember: S-P-F! Dr. Shah recommends searching for broad-spectrum sunscreens with physical blockers, like zinc oxide, such as Drunk Elephant's.Melasma can vary pretty severely in how it covers the face, but the treatment doesn't tend to change much. "It's challenging, because it's hormonally driven and can be deeper than UV damage," Benjamin says. "The safest way to treat it is with medium-depth peels and SilkPeel microdermabrasion they're gentle enough to exfoliate without causing undue trauma to the skin." Above all, protect yourself from the sun, wear protective UC clothing and wide-brimmed hats, and be diligent about your SPF application. "Also, consult your gyno or endocrinologist, because they might be able to pinpoint your hormonal imbalance and eliminate whatever's causing the flare-up," Benjamin adds. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Skin-Sagging "This is exactly as it sounds," Dr. Shah says. "One area where sagging is most noticeable is the lower face and neck you may feel that your laugh lines or jowls are more prominent. You may also see it in the upper face, in the brow and eyelid area. As we age, the underlying bone structure changes, further contributing to sagging of the skin." Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat It "Those who protect themselves from extrinsic factors sun exposure, alcohol, smoking, and environmental pollutants at a young age can significantly reduce many of the avoidable visible signs of aging," Benjamin says. For the rest of us, there are…other options. No, in all seriousness, being diligent about SPF, starting a monthly or bimonthly microdermabrasion session, and using serums with peptides will help prevent sagging. If it's already present, however, needles are a good option for milder cases. "For the fine lines, instead of using fillers, which are temporary, we use micronized fat, which is longer-lasting, to fill the fine lines from the top of the head to the bottom of the neck. We go over every wrinkle in the skin of the face and neck," Dr. Kao says. "We'd use super-condensed fat with regenerative cell isolation to give the skin more structural support and to add regenerative cells to the skin to enhance and stimulate collagen production." Severe sagging, however, requires plastic surgery to be corrected. Dr. Kao suggests a "ponytail lift his "facial rejuvenation procedure that simulates the lifting effects on the face while wearing a high ponytail." (Instead of cutting the upper eyelids or around the ears, like traditional lifts, this procedure leaves tiny scars behind the hairline.) Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Facial Redness "People with sensitive skin are typically plagued with redness," says Benjamin. "This can be due to rosacea, an impaired barrier function, psoriasis, eczema, acne, allergies, and a condition called perioral dermatitis, which causes redness around the mouth, chin, nose, and even up near the eyes." Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat It "Since there are so many causes of facial redness, it's important to have a dermatologist examine and diagnose you," Dr. Shah insists. Sure, it's likely rosacea or broken capillaries, which are cosmetic concerns but it could also be lupus, and that'd be pretty difficult to treat with soothing face wash. "There's a prescription topical medication called Mirvaso that temporarily treats persistent redness due to rosacea," Dr. Shah explains. "Laser treatments can also help rosacea, as well as redness and broken capillaries. They would be the most likely course of treatment." However, your at-home regimen is equally important to the treatments you get inside the office (if you opt for treatments at all). "You should exfoliate, but gently, using peels," Benjamin suggests. "Also, look for hyaluronic acid, which absorbs 1,000 times its molecular weight in water. You would also benefit from humectant moisturizers, which contain things like shea butter, silicones, plant oils, and squalane." Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Undereye Bags You may be thinking this is what happens when you wake up in the morning, but it's actually a much more serious concern. "When they're hereditary, undereye bags are due to the anatomy of the lower orbital and cheekbones. As we age, the cheek tends to descend, and if the cheekbone is shallow, the descent is earlier in life," explains Dr. Kao. "The muscle of the lower eyelid then gets thinned out, so the intraorbital (read: fat in-between the cheekbone) herniates out, creating visible bags." Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat Them You can try all the de-puffing, rolling, and massaging you want but usually, undereye bags are persistent, which means they require more than a topical solution."A skin-tightening treatment, like Thermage, might be helpful to less severe cases," Dr. Shah says, but she points to surgical correction to truly get rid of the issue. "Traditional treatment for bags is a lower eyelid surgery from the inside of the eye to remove the fat," Dr. Kao explains. "But, that tends to hollow out the intraocular fat, which you need as you get older and your eyes grow more sunken. So, fat redistribution moves the fat into the cheek area, but also reduces the volume of intraorbital fat." Translation: You take out the fat from one part of your eye and put it somewhere else, which fills it but then leaves you looking skeleton-like later on in life. Dr. Kao recommends a "multimodality approach," which lifts the fallen cheek, tightens the muscle, and then pinches a little of the excess skin. "By tightening the muscle, the fat bag is hoisted back into the orbit, and micronized fat is injected to blend in the eyelid and cheek junction." Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Dark Circles "Dark circles under the eyes may have a few different causes," Dr. Shah explains. "The skin there is very thin, so the blood vessels and blood is more visible, which results in a blueish hue. As we age, the skin thins, which worsens the appearance. Hyperpigmentation is another cause, which is often genetic." Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat Them "An increase in circulation is needed," Benjamin says. "I use a high-frequency device to promote circulation, and then apply a layer of a light peel with a Q-tip, following up with a Clarisonic Opal with eye cream to help drain the lymph and drive product deeper to moisturize, smooth out fine lines, and brighten under the eyes." She recommends using the Opal twice a day to apply your eye cream, and following up with an ice roller to reduce puffiness and encourage circulation. "You could also consider fillers for the area, since volume loss worsens the appearance of dark circles," Dr. Shah suggests. She also recommends brightening eye creams, such as Peter Thomas Roth Power K. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Enlarged Pores "Your pores are enlarged due to several factors, including bacteria and sebum trapped in the follicle; aging, since we lose elasticity when we get older, which causes pores to look bigger; and, simply genetics," explains Benjamin. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat Them "Most patients' pores are enlarged due to bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells that are trapped in the follicle," Benjamin explains. "So, I suggest deep exfoliation and extractions." But, she cautions, this could take several treatments and at-home compliance before you start to see a significant change. "You could also consider a retinoid, preferably prescription-strength," says Dr. Shah of the more severe cases (or a quicker fix). You can also consider an OTC retinol (Benjamin recommends PCA Skin Intensive Clarity Treatment.) On top of that, our pros recommend properly cleansing with a skin brush and a wash that contains alpha-hydroxy acid (if you're sensitive, skip the latter part). "Regular use of an AHA product can help," Dr. Shah says, recommending Dr. Gross' Alpha Beta Peel. Finally, Dr. Kao notes that microneedling can also help supplement deep exfoliation and peels. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Dullness "This is when your skin lacks glow," Benjamin says. "This can be due to several factors, including a buildup of dead skin, dark spots, or uneven pores. As we age, our cell-renewal factor reduces by half, so it's super important to encourage cellular turnover with advanced exfoliating treatments." Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Fix It If you're worried that skin appears flat, ashy, or dull, the derm's office is the quickest fix: "A chemical peel combined with the Clear and Brilliant laser treatment is my favorite treatment for dullness," says Dr. Shah. Luckily, this is one issue that you can treat at the spa. "Exfoliate and hydrate," Benjamin says. "As we age, it's so important to get professional exfoliation treatments monthly to speed up your cellular turnover to reveal your fresh, healthy skin." (She recommends the usual: microdermabrasion, peels, microneedling, and oxygen.) Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Forehead Lines "These are caused by strong muscle movements with facial expressions, [which causes the] collapsing of the collagen fibers," Dr. Kao says. "Dynamic lines are there only when animating, and static lines are visible at rest." Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat Them Sure, wrinkles and lines can (and should!) be treated by your regular microdermabrasion and peel appointments, which become essential after a certain age to maintain cellular turnover and skin health. But, there's really only one way to lessen wrinkles. "Botox works great in this area," Dr. Shah says, specifically for dynamic lines. "I may also recommend laser resurfacing if the lines are deeper, and present both with movement and rest." For static lines, Dr. Kao also suggests facial detailing with micronized fat injections it's not enough to just weaken the muscle movement, but restoring volume also becomes important. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Crow's Feet Yep, you guessed it! "Crow's feet are wrinkles that develop around the eyes," says Dr. Shah. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat Them "My first line for crow's feet is botulinum toxin, like Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin. I will often discuss resurfacing laser treatments if the lines are very deep, or if there are other areas of concern on the face," says Dr. Shah. Regularly hydrating with a great eye cream and using microcurrency in the area will only help matters consider a denser product, like Sisley Sisleya Eye and Lip Contour Cream. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Frown & Laugh Lines "These are deeper lines that we see in the lower face as we age," Dr. Shah says. "Laugh lines are the natural fold that runs from the nose to the mouth nasolabial folds and as the skin ages, it can be come more prominent. Frown lines are the vertical lines that often develop between the eyebrows as we age. People often refer to them as the '11's.'" Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. How To Treat Them "For frown lines, the best method of treatment is still Botox," Dr. Shah says. "But, for laugh lines, I would recommend fillers with or without a resurfacing laser, like Fraxel, and a skin-tightening treatment, like Thermage." This all depends on the severity of the issue: "If the lines are still mild, we can usually start with just the fillers. But, if there's a lot of wrinkling, I like to start with a resurfacing laser treatment," Dr. Shah adds. Illustrated by Mallory Heyer. Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page . Like us on Facebook we'll see you there! | 4 | 7,398 | lifestyle |
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