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As the world celebrates World EV Day, <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s significant progress in adopting <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">electric vehicles</keyword> (EVs) across various categories is commendable, however, there is still a long way to go. The government of India's <keyword id="23096041" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vaahan-Dashboard" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Vaahan Dashboard" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Vaahan Dashboard">Vaahan Dashboard</keyword> data shows an increasing trend to shift towards green mobility solutions. The most notable trend in EV penetration has been witnessed in the three-wheeler category, where EVs have surged ahead in overall sales. According to the data, 53.61% of all new three-wheeler vehicles purchased this year (2024) were electric, making this segment the leader in <keyword id="20421629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EV-adoption" source="keywords">EV adoption</keyword>. The two-wheeler segment has also shown encouraging signs of EV adoption, with electric vehicles accounting for 4.97% of all two-wheeler sales so far in 2024. While the percentage is lower compared to <keyword id="20412606" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="three-wheelers" source="keywords">three-wheelers</keyword>, the two-wheeler category holds significant potential for growth, given its dominance in India's overall vehicle sales market. As more consumers seek cost-effective and <keyword id="20991927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmentally-friendly" source="keywords">environmentally friendly</keyword> alternatives, the penetration of EVs in this segment is expected to grow further in the coming years. However, in the four-wheeler segment, the adoption of EVs remains relatively low, with electric cars making up just 2.14% of total car sales this year. Despite this, the increasing availability of EV models and government incentives are expected to drive further growth in this segment. Interestingly, the penetration of electric buses is higher than that of electric cars, with 3.20% of all new buses sold in 2024 being electric. This trend highlights the growing importance of sustainable public transport solutions as cities aim to reduce emissions and promote cleaner alternatives in mass transit. "Electric vehicles offer a very compelling solutions because they do not emit any tailpipe emissions so that improves their air quality that reduces their air pollution. It also reduces the carbon emission so it helps India to meet with its climate goals and generally, electric vehicles have lower operating cost as compared to the IC engine vehicles," said Samhita Shiledar, Director RMI to ANI. On a state-wise level, the Vaahan dashboard data highlighted that Goa leads the country in EV penetration, with 14.20% of all new vehicles sold this year being electric. Tripura ranks second, followed by Chandigarh in third place. Delhi also stands out with a 10.72% penetration of EVs in total vehicle sales, showcasing the capital's push towards sustainable urban mobility. On the other hand, Himachal Pradesh reported the lowest EV penetration, with only 1.09% of new vehicles sold being electric. In terms of total number of EV sales across all segments in India, the two-wheeler category dominates the electric vehicle market in India, accounting for approximately 51% of total EV sales this year. As World EV Day highlights the global commitment to cleaner mobility solutions, India's data reflects a promising shift but a long way to go towards electrification across various vehicle segments.

World EV Day: 50%+ three-wheelers, 5% of 2-wheelers, and 2% of cars purchased in 2024 are EVs.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I met some of my closest friends living in Sydney, and most of us live scattered around the US now.</li><li>Each year, I prioritize taking two to four trips with them, about the same as I take with my family. </li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/10-days-of-vacation-for-working-parents-is-not-enough-2023-4">Vacation days are sacred</a>. Since I'm married with two children, it might be easy to assume that I spend all of my time off with them, but I've found that I spend almost as much time off on trips with my girlfriends. That's not to say that I don't love time with my husband and kids, but I would never see my best friends if I didn't make an effort to see them.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-deal-with-homesickness-loneliness-living-abroad-2023-11">I lived abroad</a> for four years in my late 20s and met some of my closest friends during that time. We've all scattered mostly across the US now and don't get to see each other on a regular basis. I really wish I could just pop over to watch TV one night or meet up for a glass of wine, but if I want to see them at all, it means traveling to do so. While we've got an insanely active text thread and video call each other, it just doesn't measure up to seeing each other in person.In the past 12 months, I've <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stress-experiment-friends-two-times-a-week-2019-3">used my time off to meet up with friends</a> four times, which is about as many times as I've used it to spend time with my family. My husband realizes how <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-feel-less-busy-happier-schedule-friend-family-time-2018-6">important it is for me to spend time with my best friends</a> and is supportive of how I use vacation time. We've agreed that it's a great way for me to illustrate what true friendships look like for our two girls. It's also healthy to get a solo break, and it makes me a better parent.<h2 id="5f32470b-fdbc-4dce-a06f-c5317f7d366a">My girls know how special my friends are to me</h2>My daughters have only met my best friends in person once or twice, but they know who they are and know how important they are to me. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-apples-group-facetime-video-chat-feature-2018-10">We FaceTime my friends</a> and send silly video messages often. When I get ready to go on a trip, they get excited. They love to call during the trips to talk to all of my friends and to see pictures when I get back.I want them to realize that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-make-new-friends-as-an-adult-arranged-friendships-2023-7">investing time in good friendships</a> is important and worthwhile, and I hope that they'll do the same as they grow up. I hope I'm showing them that it takes effort to maintain and nurture relationships and that friendships are a crucial part of life.<h2 id="9f35f772-828c-4243-b04d-f9923338c609">Using vacation days to get a true break is so nice</h2>I love vacation time with just my family. It's great to step away from work and to get dedicated time together. But my girls are both still young and require a lot of support. A vacation with them is just parenting in a different location right now, and that doesn't end up feeling like any sort of break for me. Parenting is stressful, and never getting time away from your kids isn't healthy.Some might disagree, but I don't feel guilty about taking so many trips with my girlfriends. I'm in full on mom mode the overwhelming majority of the year, so a handful of days where I don't have parenting responsibilities feels needed and justified to me.A trip with friends is usually two to three days long, during which I can sleep past 6 a.m., sip a hot cup of coffee, and have a conversation without being interrupted. I can also plan a day (or not plan a day) without worrying about naptime and schedules.I miss my family while I'm away, but getting time to recharge makes me eager to jump back in as a parent when I get back, and I think it makes me a better mom overall.Seeing my friends throughout the year is important to me. It shows my girls what investing in friendship looks like. It's so good for the soul, and it also leaves me energized, recharged, and ready to tackle parenthood when I'm back.

I spend almost as many vacation days on trips with my friends as with my family. I want my daughters to know the value of friendship.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>China's KFC and Pizza Hut CEO said that she sits and watches her customers eat.</li><li>This is one way she gains important consumer behavior insights, she said at a Fortune conference.</li></ul>Joey Wat, the head of KFC and Pizza Hut in China, has an unusual approach to designing new products: She sits in restaurants for hours, watching her customers eat.Wat is the CEO of Yum China, the company that owns KFC, Taco Bell, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-pizza-hut-durian-yum-import-fruit-2024-11">Pizza Hut</a>, and other fast-food brands in the country.Speaking at the 2024 <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://fortune.com/2024/11/17/the-ceo-of-kfc-and-taco-bell-china-sits-for-hours-and-watches-customers-eat-its-led-to-popular-menu-items/">Fortune</a> Global Forum, which was held in New York City last week, Wat said that she stakes out Yum China restaurants and spends "two, three hours" watching people eat. That time leads to new product ideas, like KFC China's "mash potato burger.""So apparently, when kids eat the fried chicken, they eat it with the mashed potato," she said to Fortune, explaining that Gen Z diners dipped their fried chicken into mashed potatoes and then into the gravy."What we can do with that insight is get rid of the bone," she added saying that this made them launch the boneless "mash potato burger" in China."Just watch with heart," Wat added to Fortune. "Some things you can observe directly from the customer and sometimes talking to the store manager helps."According to Yum China, KFC is China's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-popular-fast-food-chain-in-china-kfc-photos-2018-4">most popular fast-food chain</a>, with over 11,000 outlets in the country.Wat is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-mark-zuckerberg-tim-cook-ceos-unusual-habits-routines-2024-4">not the only CEO</a> who swears by going onto the shop floor.Walmart founder Sam Walton, an experienced pilot, used to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-founder-sam-walton-store-visits-plane-2024-10">travel the country in a small private plane</a> and sometimes visited different cities on random visits to inspect stores.Starbucks' former CEO Laxman Narasimhan, during his short stint as the company's head, went through barista training and said in a memo to staff in March that he would <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-ceo-laxman-narasimhan-first-annual-letter-to-staff">work behind the counter</a> for half a day monthly. Starbucks' new CEO said he also <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-new-ceo-wants-customers-spend-more-time-coffee-chain-2024-9">plans to spend time</a> in stores.Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel visits the supermarket "at least twice a day, every single day," Fortune <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://fortune.com/2024/08/15/whole-foods-markets-ceo-grocery-shops-at-least-14-times-a-week-even-on-vacation-im-probably-very-abnormal/?queryly=related_article">reported</a> in August.A self-proclaimed "foodie," Buechel told Fortune that he usually checks out the cheeses and salad bar and likes to pick up new products to try out different recipes.Fortune reported that his twice-a-day shopping even extends to vacation. Buechel's office is located above Whole Foods' flagship store in Austin.And Bernard Arnault, the founder and chairman of French luxury giant LVMH, visits the stores of his group's brands, such as Celine, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Tiffany &amp; Co., on Saturdays.He makes detailed notes of any issues he sees in the stores, his son Alexandre Arnault said to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-lvmh-bernard-arnault/">Bloomberg</a> in June.Representatives of Yum China didn't respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

China's KFC and Pizza Hut CEO said she spends hours watching her customers eat     

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ukraine is set for another fierce winter as Russia is expected to keep up the pressure.</li><li>It'll come at a cost for Moscow: Over 1,000 wounded or dead troops per day, the UK MOD said on Monday.</li></ul>The UK Defense Ministry expects Russia to lose 1,000 or more troops per day in the coming winter, saying Moscow will likely keep trying to overwhelm Ukraine in the next months despite difficult conditions."Russia's casualty rate will likely continue to average above 1,000 a day for the rest of 2024 despite the onset of winter," the ministry said in an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/DefenceHQ/status/1843198787097124968/photo/1">update posted on Monday,</a> referring to soldiers who are wounded or killed in battle."To date, winter conditions have not resulted in a reduction of offensive operations or attrition rates due to Russia's reliance on dismounted tactics and a lack of maneuver warfare, which requires better conditions," it added.The ministry has for several months flagged that Russia is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-losing-about-1000-soldiers-daily-not-stop-mass-attacks-2024-4">suffering a far higher casualty rate</a> compared to previous years as it relies on mass to grind its way to victory in Ukraine.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/27/us/politics/russia-casualties-ukraine-war.html">The New York Times</a> reported in June that Western intelligence agencies estimated Russian daily losses to have <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-losing-1000-soldiers-a-day-against-ukraine-report-war-2024-6">averaged 1,000 wounded or killed troops in May.</a>Ukraine had also reported that May was one of Russia's worst months, saying the Kremlin suffered over 1,200 casualties per day.In a separate note on its Monday update, the UK defense ministry cited this data and said Ukrainian forces now estimate that Russian losses in September were even higher, at 1,271 killed or wounded per day."Since the start of the conflict Russia has likely suffered over 648,000 casualties," the ministry wrote.Officials posted a chart of Russia's monthly daily average losses since the war began, indicating a progressive increase year on year. They wrote that the sharp jump in losses is likely due to Russia and Ukraine opening new fronts in Kharkiv and Kursk, along with intensified fighting on the eastern front, where Russia has been pushing hard to take the key towns of Pokrovsk and Vuhledar in Donetsk."Russian forces highly likely continue to attempt to stretch Ukrainian forces by utilizing mass to overwhelm defensive positions and achieve tactical gains," the ministry added.Russian troops <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-vuhledar-seize-key-town-ukraine-2-years-fighting-war-2024-10">took Vuhledar</a> in early October after two years of fighting. Some of the war's bloodiest clashes unfolded at the Ukrainian stronghold, including a failed assault by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-155th-brigade-destroyed-ukraine-poor-reinforcements-vuhledar-bucha-pavlika-2023-3">elite Russian marines who were nearly wiped out</a> and an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-battle-tactic-failed-bucha-vuhledar-loses-critical-tanks-2023-3">ill-fated tank column rush</a> that ended with Moscow losing over 130 armored vehicles.<div type="image" title="An aerial view of Vuhledar, a small town that had its buildings been ravaged by continuous Russian assaults and shelling." height="3262" width="4892" msid="114037972" hostid="261" sizebytes="1519950"></div>But Russian troops managed to seize nearby towns and surround Vuhledar in June, in a sign of heightened pressure against the Ukrainian forces this year as Russian leader Vladimir Putin focuses his country's economy on the war.The Kremlin has been aggressively recruiting fresh troops to offset its losses and, in some areas, paying top dollar in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-sign-up-bonuses-reaching-on-par-with-us-military-2024-7">sign-on bonuses that rival the US military.</a>Draft documents <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://en.thebell.io/russia-on-track-to-set-new-military-spending-records/">reported by Russian media</a> in September indicate that authorities plan to spend up to 40% of the nation's overall budget on its military and national security.It's unclear how long Russia can sustain that effort. Still, some economists say such war spending is the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-ukraine-war-moscow-military-spending-currency-inflation-budget-2024-9">only thing keeping the country from a recession</a>, as it becomes increasingly isolated from the world economy and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-blocked-access-cern-shows-ukraine-war-damaging-its-science-2024-10">suffers a brain drain</a>.Russia's defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Russia is set to lose over 1,000 troops a day through the winter as it fights a war on three fronts: UK MOD

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/consumer-spending-decline-how-retailers-respond-inflation-prices-walmart-costco-2024-6">Consumers have been pulling back spending</a> lately on a range of goods.</li><li>But they're still having lots of stuff delivered, <keyword id="20026068" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="DoorDash" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="DoorDash" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="DoorDash">DoorDash</keyword>, <keyword id="20579876" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Instacart" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Instacart" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Instacart">Instacart</keyword>, and <keyword id="19895382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uber" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Uber" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Uber">Uber</keyword> earnings show.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/shoppers-spending-less-retailers-brands-cutting-prices-economy-explained-why-2024-7">Shoppers are cutting back spending</a> on everything from snacks to washing machines. But when they do buy something, they're still willing to have it shipped right to their doorstep, earnings from the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/golden-age-gig-work-instacart-doordash-delivery-jobs-over-2023-12#:~:text=The%20golden%20age%20of%20working%20for%20Instacart%2C%20DoorDash%2C%20and%20other,apps%20is%20over%2C%20workers%20say&amp;text=Delivering%20groceries%20and%20takeout%20as,said%20in%20dozens%20of%20interviews.">major delivery companies</a> suggest. During Uber's second quarter, "the number of first-time consumers on Uber Eats in the US was higher than at any point over the past 5 quarters," CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said during a call on Tuesday. Later in the day, Instacart reported a 10% jump in the value of transactions on its platform during the second quarter. Most of that increase came as customers placed more orders, CEO Fidji Simo said on a call with analysts. And Instacart's average order value during the quarter was $116 — the highest in about three years, Robert Mollins, a Gordon Haskett analyst, wrote in a research note on Wednesday. The two reports follow similar results from DoorDash last week. Total orders rose 19% during the company's second quarter, it said on August 1. Shoppers are also still dealing with historically high prices, especially for food, even though inflation has slowed over the last few months. And delivery, especially through third-party services, often costs customers extra compared to picking something up at a store. One <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/instacart-shoppers-forbidden-from-giving-customers-paper-receipts-2023-8">Instacart customer posted on TikTok after finding out that she paid nearly $100 more</a> in markups ordering groceries through the service than she would have if she had gone to the supermarket herself, for instance. Before the latest round of earnings, "investors were concerned about softening <keyword id="20139791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-spending" source="keywords">consumer spending</keyword> at restaurants," Mollins wrote in a note last week. That could impact delivery companies. Those fears were eased once DoorDash reported another strong quarter of order growth, he added. "We're not actually seeing some of the challenges that you may be hearing about or reading about in other headlines," DoorDashCEO Tony Xu said during an investor call. To be sure, part of Doordash's growth has been due to expansion beyond its traditional restaurant delivery realm. This year, for example, the company <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/doordash-instacart-challenging-ups-fedex-for-retail-deliveries-2024-7">started delivering orders for Lowe's</a> and added to its partnership with beauty retailer Ulta. "Increasingly, we're seeing customers coming to us for the first time actually for non-restaurant use cases," Xu said. Customers who have their purchases delivered aren't a perfect proxy for the broader economy, too. Uber's Khosrowshahi said that his company is "not seeing any softness or trading down across any income cohort." However, he acknowledged that the company's consumers "tend to be higher income" than the general population. Still, the delivery companies are offering deals for customers who want to get the best bang for their buck. "The cost of groceries continues to be top of mind for consumers," Instacart's Simo wrote in a letter announcing the quarterly results. She pointed to several Instacart efforts to keep prices low for customers, such as creating digital versions of circulars traditionally found in newspapers as well as offering free delivery windows meant to attract new customers. Do you work for DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats, or another gig delivery service and have a story to share? Reach out to this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com Correction: August 9, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated Instacart’s average order value in the second quarter. It was $116, not $106.

Americans are still having a lot of stuff delivered from DoorDash and Uber, and it shows how much we'll pay for convenience

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/traveling-full-time-not-worth-it-wouldnt-do-again-2024-4">travel around the world</a> at least two weeks a month, and food tours never get old.</li><li>They are a great way to see the city, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tried-making-three-course-meals-for-a-week-takeaways-2023-12">try new dishes</a>, and learn about the destination.</li></ul>I love to travel. Luckily, between work and personal trips, I'm on the road for about two weeks of each month.I've had the opportunity to visit multiple <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-european-cities-according-to-frequent-traveler-2024-4">destinations in Europe</a>, Asia, and the United States, and there's one activity I try to book everywhere I go: a food tour.The tours, which usually cost around $100 or $150 a person, may seem gimmicky. But I think they're an incredible way to see major sites, try new foods, and learn about a city.Even if you don't consider yourself to be a foodie, here's why I think you should book a food tour on your <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/travel-slowcation-holiday-work-vacation-destress-summer-2024-8">next vacation</a>.<h2 id="de42bbf0-0f79-49a1-a07f-f3e26535e288">Food tours are a nice way to kick off a trip</h2>I tend to book food tours on my first day in town because the guides are often gold mines of information about the city.It's also a nice way to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-over-jet-lag-multiple-time-changes-2023-5">keep jet lag at bay</a> on international trips since the tours are active and help me adjust to the local meal schedules.<h2 id="2f6230d2-d9a8-4688-8439-dcea85728aff">Instead of ordering one dish at a restaurant, I can try a variety of delicacies</h2><div type="image" title="icelandic-style hot dog" height="3024" width="4032" msid="112950940" hostid="261" sizebytes="396738"></div>Most of the tours I've booked include four to six stops, and each place showcases something different.On a recent tour in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iceland-first-visit-what-surprised-me-no-trains-mcdonalds-population-2024-1">Reykjavik, Iceland</a>, I tried fermented shark and the iconic Icelandic hotdogs, which are topped with three different sauces, raw onions, and fried onions.In <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-things-to-do-savannah-georgia-what-to-skip-2023-9">Savannah, Georgia</a>, I tried everything from fried pork chops to a scoop of ice cream from the local parlor.While sampling in Budapest, Hungary, I munched on multiple types of strudel plus a sharable <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aldi-best-things-charcuterie-board-couple-on-a-budget-2024-7">charcuterie board</a> filled with local meats and cheeses.Even if I ate out at a nice restaurant for every meal (which would be much more expensive), I don't think I'd get such a broad taste of the local cuisine.<h2 id="377b2b92-2956-4c3a-a2eb-4d876777db3e">The tours usually give a glimpse into the city's history</h2><div type="image" title="strudel shop in budapest" height="3024" width="4032" msid="112950935" hostid="261" sizebytes="829744"></div>The best food tours I've been on weren't just about the food — the guides also made sure to give a glimpse into the destination's history.For example, in Budapest, our guide shared a bit about World War II and its impact on the city. And on a tour in Savannah, I learned a lot about the history of the South and its role in the Civil War.To me, that's like combining a museum with a meal, so I'm <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-maximize-weekend-las-vegas-itinerary-two-nights-2024">maximizing my time on a trip</a>.<h2 id="7232d7c5-5ff4-463c-9626-92d37645c0b2">Walking between destinations helps me get a lay of the land</h2><div type="image" title="rainbow road in iceland" height="2267" width="3022" msid="112950937" hostid="261" sizebytes="692396"></div>Learning a new-to-you city can be a challenge. I like that all of the food tours I've booked have been walking tours (as opposed to using buses or trolleys).They give me a chance to explore the streets on foot and ask the guides about the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/travel-hacks-tips-easy-cheap-fun-vacations-2023-12">easiest ways to get around</a>.In Budapest, my guide even gave me a few spare tram tickets. And in Reykjavik, we helpfully learned that the city's famous Rainbow Road is never too far away from anything — making it a great North Star.<h2 id="a5a2bd64-6f4e-4407-8e6b-c1be678a37b5">I already think food tours are a good value, but it's also easy to find discounts</h2>I genuinely think $100 or so for multiple dishes, a history lesson, and a tour of a city is a pretty great deal. But I'm still always looking for ways to save money on vacations.It's easy to skim through different food-tour options on platforms like TripAdvisor or Viator, but I've found better prices by booking directly with the company.I also always scour social media for discounts. In Reykjavik, I found an active 10%-off code on Facebook.

I spend most of the year traveling, and there's one thing I always try to do on the first day of a trip

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hilary-swank-is-happy-to-be-older-mom-2024-9">Hilary Swank</a> has always followed her own rules, whether she's beating the odds to become an Oscar-winner or building a family and expanding her career in her 40s and 50s.She knew she wanted to be an actor from the age of eight, and was undeterred by her humble beginnings in a trailer park.After her sophomore year of high school, Swank and her mom moved from small-town Washington to LA so she could pursue her dream. They <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rich-and-famous-people-who-once-lived-in-car-2016-12">lived in her mom's car</a> for the first month, and then in a one bedroom apartment."A lot of people will say, 'Well, I have this idea, but it just seems so far-fetched.' And I just say, 'keep going towards it,'" Swank told Business Insider.At 25, she <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hilary-swank-hollywood-gender-pay-gap-salary-2016-10">won her first Oscar</a> for 1999's "Boys Don't Cry," beating out both Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore. Five years later, she received her second Oscar for "Million Dollar Baby."<div type="image" title="Hilary Swank gives an acceptance speech at the Oscars in 2000." height="1024" width="615" msid="114325564" hostid="261" sizebytes="90320"></div>"I never had an alternate like, 'well, look, if this doesn't work out. I'll do this,'" Swank said.At 48, she embarked on what she considers her biggest role yet — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hilary-swank-pregnant-with-twins-at-48-2022-10">motherhood</a>. She's now 50 and her twins, Aya and Ohm, are 18 months old.Swank spoke to me on a video call from the Manhattan headquarters of HealthyBaby, where she has been the chief innovation officer since February.She first discovered the brand that makes sustainable diapers, baby wipes, and skincare products with minimal chemicals after learning that some mainstream products can contain traces of carcinogens. She resonated so strongly with the brand's mission that she asked to help expand their product line.Swank said she prioritizes jobs with the flexibility that allow her to take breaks when she needs, so she can spend as much time with her twins as possible. Outside of working hours, Swank's priority is her family and self-care."The time that I'm taken away from my babies, I want to make sure that it's utilized well and that there's actually a reason for being away from them," she said.In this installment of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bear-grylls-daily-routine-barefoot-walks-cold-plunges-plenty-meat-2024-9">Business Insider's "5 to 9" series</a>, where celebrities and high-flyers share how they spend the hours they're not working, Swank shared how she keeps fit, what she eats, and how she recharges.<h2 id="7e7a4e8e-d0f7-4dc7-8eaa-3d33a00af6dd">Meditating in the morning </h2><div type="image" title="A pregnant Hilary Swank and husband Philip Schneider posing at the Golden Globe Awards." height="4000" width="6000" msid="114325560" hostid="261" sizebytes="361952"></div>Talk me through your morning routine.When I wake up in the morning, if I have the energy, I meditate. Even if it's just for three minutes, I try to sit quietly and settle into my day.Then my husband and I get the bottles ready and wake the babies up. When I'm not on set, I can usually work from home, so the first few hours of the day is family time.We eat breakfast together, which I believe is really important, we play, we hang out, and then my husband and I put the twins down for a nap.What are your eating habits?My husband is definitely the main cook, I struggle to make toast!But I'm a big eater, I eat every hour and a half, and think of food as fuel. I definitely like to have protein with every meal — whether it's beans and rice or eggs or a small piece of fish — and I make sure that I'm eating the right fruits and vegetables.I was vegetarian for 23 years, but now I'm mainly plant-based except for eggs and fish.I don't like to restrict myself but I listen to my body. If, for example, I'm <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-eat-carbs-without-blood-sugar-spikes-2024-9">craving sugar</a>, I know that I'm either tired or I'm not getting enough vitamins. And once I get some rest and eat something nutritious then I feel better. But if I want sugar, I do eat it.<h2 id="cc2b5f82-95c6-4bb5-b944-93bc3d2b3e1e">Walking every day</h2><div type="image" title="Hilary Swank and Philip Schneider applaud at the French Open." height="682" width="1024" msid="114325563" hostid="261" sizebytes="43600"></div>As a mom to two babies, are you able to find the time to exercise?I love to exercise. It is air that I breathe, but I don't have as much time to exercise at the moment. Being a new mom of twins makes that a little more challenging.But I do make sure that we go for a walk everyday, and I love to play tennis whenever I can.How do you decompress when you're stressed?Ultimately working out for me is about stress relief. I really like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/invest-day-exercise-boost-longevity-aging-expert-physiologist-2024-8">resistance training</a> and I try to do it twice a week. It really helps me cope with stress and I find it also makes me sleep better.And now there's the added element of wanting to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/essential-healthy-habits-for-your-twenties-thirties-longevity-advice-2023-12">stay strong and healthy for my babies</a>. I want to be able to pick them up and throw them around. I want to play and be outside with them. And eventually I want to be playing tennis with them.Do you have a nighttime routine?If I can get home in time to bathe the babies and put them down, then I win. That's my ideal evening.I totally believe in the ritual of self-care. I always make time for skincare before I go to bed. I wash my face, moisturize, use eye cream, and neck cream.It's something that makes me sleep better. I could never go to sleep with a dirty face.This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

How Hilary Swank spends her 5 to 9 — from meditating to eating every hour and a half

<ul class="summary-list"><li>With bonus season coming, BI asked industry insiders what Wall Street's current status symbols are.</li><li>These 10 trends reflect a move away from loud displays of wealth to experiences and personalization.</li></ul>With bonus season just a quarter away — big banks like Goldman and JPMorgan typically communicate the numbers in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-goldman-jpmorgan-morgan-stanley-other-banks-will-announce-bonuses-2024-1">early January</a> — Wall Street rainmakers may soon be thinking about what they want to spend this year's extra check on. And though investment bankers may not be quite as ostentatious as in the heyday of the '80s and '90s, there are still plenty of ways they choose to express their wealth and power.BI spoke to four industry insiders who have eyes on what's trending at all levels of Wall Street, including a junior banker turned private-equity employee and a personal stylist who dresses managing directors and partners. To be sure, status symbols vary by seniority: what's impressive to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jpmorgan-ryland-mcclendon-oversee-junior-bankers-wellness-80-hour-weeks-2024-9">junior bankers</a> may be cringe to senior MDs, for example.That said, everyone seemed to agree that the days of logo-forward purchases and other conspicuous signs of wealth are over — even on Wall Street. The industry's movers and shakers are still into name brands but are leaning into those that exude <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/status-symbol-item-sales-show-quiet-luxury-changing-americana-corporate-2024-9">"quiet luxury."</a> They are also spending money on personalization as well as experiences — think big trips, luxurious secondary homes, and posh sporting events.Here are 10 of the top status symbols on Wall Street in 2024.<h2 id="5642aec8-1b24-4045-876f-3fadc91a63ac">Posh sporting events</h2>Attendance at exclusive sporting events like the Paris Olympics, the US Open, and Formula 1 races has become a surefire sign of status on Wall Street, insiders told BI.Indeed, Bloomberg declared the 2024 Paris Olympics "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-02/wall-street-descends-on-paris-olympics-jpmorgan-citadel-executives-attend?embedded-checkout=true">Summer Davos</a>" for Wall Street in a story that reported sightings of CEOs Ken Griffin of Citadel, David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-succeed-at-blackstone-schwarzman-gray-career-advice-2024-8">Stephen Schwartzman of Blackstone</a>, to name just a few.Last month, the US Open in Queens took the spotlight online as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-open-popular-as-tennis-interest-surges-2024-9">the hottest place</a> for New York socialites to see and be seen. And where there are celebrities and influencers, there tend to be Wall Street dealmakers."All my clients went to the US Open," said Jessica Cadmus, a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-streeet-styles-investment-banker-wardrobe-for-women-and-men">personal stylist</a> whose clients are almost exclusively managing directors and partners at finance firms in New York.Even junior-level employees said the famous tennis tournament was the place to be to mark the end of summer."I know at least three people in the finance community who were at the Open last night," a young private-equity employee told BI in August after attending the tournament with friends.Of course, the most elevated version of this status symbol is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/richest-sports-billionaire-owners-nfl-nba-premier-league-cricket-wealthy-2024-5#10-steve-cohen-1">owning your own sports team</a> — or getting access to private box seats.<div type="image" title="Crowd watching the 2024 US Open Tennis Championships in New York City." height="5341" width="8011" msid="113882292" hostid="261" sizebytes="5175806"></div><h2 id="f1c8e1a4-389c-4fae-aa3f-80984327170d">Home organizers</h2>Wall Street executives have no shortage of personal assistants and staff, said Cadmus, because every moment of their time is worth thousands of dollars."Everybody that I work with has at least one person, if not multiple people, in their home all day long attending to X, Y, or Z," Cadmus told BI. "There are assemblies of nannies, home cleaners, and chefs."Lately, there has been a new trendy addition to the usual in-home lineup — that of the "home organizer."Think Marie Kondo — someone who comes into your home, takes a good look around, and crafts a custom organization plan to make your space user-friendly and effortlessly neat."I would say over the last five years, I've seen people leaning into that sort of service more, and I'd never really seen a ton of that," Cadmus said.This person might, for example, put custom inserts for your kitchen cabinets so your Le Creuset pots fit seamlessly. But an organizer tackles just about any space you could conjure up, from a pantry to the coat closet or your kid's playroom."People do want to feel more connected to the items in their home, and they do want to feel a sense that things need to have a purpose and they need to be organized," Cadmus said.<h2 id="843bc59e-8506-437f-91ef-333d3d8e2db4">Zegna sneakers</h2>A PR expert who works in the industry said they have seen a trend in one particular shoe recently among very high-ranking execs in the office: Zegna's "triple stitch" sneakers. The leather version (pictured below) costs about $1,300 per pair and come in a ton of colors. An espadrille version of the shoe was also a hot summer pick, this person said, and costs about $1,100.Cadmus likes Zegna for men's off-the-rack suits, but for office-friendly sneakers she recommends the Tom Ford nylon and suede sneakers in black and white, which she described as "heavy lifters" for her clients.<div type="image" title="Man wearing Zegna triple stitch sneaker." height="1058" width="1410" msid="113882291" hostid="261" sizebytes="135370"></div><h2 id="e65e11f4-c4c8-4313-bfe9-b5642fa8f456">Big trips and experiences</h2>Cadmus has seen a notable uptick in senior bankers going on extravagant and foreign getaways. "I feel like the shift, especially with the younger, up-and-coming rising stars is not stuff — it's experiences, it's travel," said Cadmus.This is leading to more safari adventures in Africa and, this past summer in particular, family vacations to Costa Rica. To be clear, we're not talking about an all-inclusive Sandals resort situation here. They're highly bespoke, private, and personal trips."Whether it be a Four Seasons or whether it be a super fancy boutique hotel, every bit of the travel is going to be a first-class situation."For example, you might have a personal tour guide to take you on adventure experiences away from the throngs of tourists, a chef to cook your family private dinners each night, as well as a personal driver. And when one person at a firm loves a place or experience, it tends to spread like wildfire in popularity."The culture is so strong and the word of mouth is so strong that if one thing or experience is vetted by someone and recommended, that recommendation is golden because everybody has the same sort of expectations," said Cadmus. "Things really get passed from person to person. It's a pretty tight community that way, especially in the bigger banks."<h2 id="59f49c7e-9e86-4708-8a6a-820c40beabb8">Van Cleef necklaces and Cartier bracelets</h2>Van Cleef is a high-end jewelry brand, and one type of necklace in particular has taken over the necks of Wall Street women (and the wives of male rainmakers): the Alhambra. It has an unmistakable nickel-sized pendant in the shape of a four-leaf clover, comes in various colors, and, depending on the model, costs about $3,000."I distinctly remember that my first day of banking training there were three or four girls with them on their necks, and I was like, what is that necklace?" said the private-equity junior.This person, along with the other insiders who spoke to BI for this story, laughed at the mention of the brand because it has become so ubiquitous. But cliché or not, they agreed the brand has an undeniable presence in investment banking."I think they're sort of perpetual," added Cadmus. "And beyond Wall Street too. It's just kind of a favored wealthy person brand."Another popular piece for Wall Street women is the Cartier "love" bracelet — a bangle with the brand's iconic circular screws that sells for $7,350.Cadmus loves Cartier as a choice for fine jewelry staples, but for her clients, she often opts for the slightly less popular "Juste un Clou" line."The Love bracelet has been 'the one' for a while now," she said.<div type="image" title="cartier love bracelet" height="765" width="1020" msid="113882296" hostid="261" sizebytes="31484"></div><div type="image" title="Woman on street wearing a green and gold Van Cleef &amp; Arpels Alhambra necklace." height="1854" width="2472" msid="113882295" hostid="261" sizebytes="157932"></div><h2 id="54b85fbd-3321-4add-85f4-248311f7bc54">Personal Jewelers</h2>There's another option for those who want more unique pieces: handcrafted jewelry. Cadmus said she has seen an uptick in clients who prefer to have their jewelry customized."A lot of my clients have a jeweler with who we discuss what will be made for them," said Cadmus. "We'll see something, and a lot of times we will riff on that and be like, 'oh, that's cool, but it'd be better with this stone' or, 'I like that necklace, but I would prefer it as a bracelet.' Then we talk to the jeweler, and we have it made."Depending on the materials you choose, she said, you can often have items made for 30% to 40% less than designer prices.<h2 id="e6b25c55-c06f-44c3-978b-ab654531873f">Quiet luxury clothing brands</h2>"<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-streeet-styles-investment-banker-wardrobe-for-women-and-men">Quiet luxury</a>" is the new protocol for looking chic on Wall Street versus the ostentatious brand flexing of the past. The term refers to wearing pieces that are very high-quality and expensive but don't sport conspicuous logos and aren't necessarily made by household luxury names."The bonuses aren't as outsized as they used to be, and when they are, that's not something your institution really wants you to advertise in any way," Cadmus said. "So there is this quiet rule, and especially with the big MDs, which is just don't be ostentatious about your wealth. It's very frowned upon."The private-equity junior agreed. "No guy walks around with a Hermes or Gucci belt," this person said.Pop culture phenomena, like the popular HBO TV series "Succession," have put the quiet luxury trend in the spotlight. Leading actor Jeremy Strong wore a coat from the brand Loro Piana (pictured below) in an episode of the show."Loro Piana is probably the preeminent quiet luxury brand," Cadmus said of the label, which she has used for years.Other quiet luxury brands Cadmus reaches for when styling clients include Armani and Tom Ford for men and Akris and Max Mara for women. For quiet luxury bags and accessories, Cadmus recommends brands like Hermes, Celine, Bottega Veneta, and Khaite.<div type="image" title="Jeremy Strong Succession" height="1152" width="1535" msid="113882299" hostid="261" sizebytes="83210"></div><h2 id="f1c37838-120b-49dc-82ab-a82d9efc4d7c">Overhauling the homestead</h2>Cadmus has also observed an uptick in clients going all out to make their homes truly their own."Most of my clients have apartments that were originally two or three separate apartments that they had renovated to become one," said Cadmus.The same goes for their other properties. It's not surprising that high-earners on Wall Street would have second homes (or, in many cases, multiple). But it's not just buying a great place that's a status symbol — it's having a whole team behind every facet of its construction and design, said Cadmus. That means, for example, hiring a renowned architect for the project and a best-in-class interior designer to outfit the home with luxurious furnishings."It's a major production. It's not like, 'Okay, we're just going to snatch this thing up and live in it as is.' It is a major overhaul."<h2 id="93455364-2851-41bd-9d67-0fb75739c2e6">The Hamptons</h2>The beach towns of the Hamptons have long been a Wall Street favorite thanks to their proximity to Manhattan. They remain a popular spot for summer trips and second homes, Cadmus said.Even juniors tend to rent out homes in Montauk and split the cost to get in on the fun, said a former banking analyst who recently quit. Indeed, in the summer, the train from Manhattan to Montauk is "full of finance people on their phone arguing about a deal and legal docs and clacking on their laptops," added the private-equity junior.Nantucket and Cape Cod, according to Cadmus, are also popular but less cliche choices for second-home locations.<div type="image" title="Atmosphere at Midsummer Night Drinks Hosted By Lisa &amp; James Cohen at Private Residence on July 20, 2024 in East Hampton, NY." height="2400" width="3600" msid="113882289" hostid="261" sizebytes="915674"></div><h2 id="cb085dd3-e9bc-42d7-aecf-8c8c3569f7b2">Equinox memberships and personal trainers</h2>For young Wall Streeters, having an Equinox membership is par for the course, said the two ex-investment banking analysts.Equinox is a "luxury" gym that has "innovative group fitness classes, luxurious spas, and exclusive boutiques," as described on its website. A membership costs hundreds of dollars a month, varying by perks package and location access. The top-tier membership is $500 a month plus a $750 initiation fee.There are about 30 Equinox gyms in Manhattan, but "having access to the Equinox Hudson Yards location is a status symbol," said the former analyst who recently quit.As BI reported in 2019, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/equinox-membership-prices-reviews-nyc-guide-2019-5#equinox-hudson-yards-expands-equinox-into-the-lifestyle-brand-its-been-trying-to-break-into-48">Hudson Yards location</a> has — among other amenities — views of the Hudson River in nearly every part of the gym, both indoor and outdoor pools, and is complete with its own cafe and bar.To be sure, this is a status symbol unique to younger people. Senior bankers don't want to be part of a gym scene, Cadmus said. Among their aforementioned lineup of domestic staff is usually a personal trainer who comes to their in-home gym."Yes, a younger person is going to enjoy that — there are social perks to that. But senior people do not want to be looked at when they're working out," she said. "They want somebody tracking it for them — their progression and all that kind of stuff. It's just totally different."<div type="image" title="Equinox Hudson Yards." height="3024" width="4032" msid="113882300" hostid="261" sizebytes="833048"></div>

What screams 'status' on Wall Street? Here's how the movers and shakers of finance are spending their money.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Wendy Altschuler left her home state of Montana in her early 20s after finding love.</li><li>She has rarely returned — a few times when her mom was dying and later for her dad's second wedding.</li></ul>At 19, I fell in love with a long-haired musician wearing a white linen shirt dotted with wooden buttons. He caught my eye while strumming an acoustic guitar and singing his heart out at an open-mic-night dive bar in Montana.It only took two years before I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/left-hometown-seeking-job-opportunities-au-pair-travel-europe-backpacking-2024-2">packed up everything I owned and moved</a> across the country to build a life with him in Chicago, leaving the weathered mountains, coniferous forests, and wildflower-filled meadows of my childhood forever in the rearview mirror.Later, I'd marry that music man. Together, we weathered the vicissitudes of life through the challenges of working and paying for college, moving multiple times, and going through career changes. And, just as I was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/parental-stress-is-a-public-health-crisis-2024-9">becoming a mother</a>, I'd lose my own through a lengthy and painful struggle with breast cancer.Even though we could barely afford it at the time — with three little boys to take care of — we made the journey back to my home state to spend time with my parents and to give my children a chance to feel their grandparents' love.After <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/only-child-dealing-alone-mom-illness-2024-4">my mom died</a>, the worry about my father's health and welfare grew. How would he endure, all alone without my mom? What was my responsibility in all of this, living several states away and raising my own family?<div type="image" title="Grandpa with three grand sons seated on a wooden bench" height="2330" width="3262" msid="114231912" hostid="261" sizebytes="560444"></div><h2 id="c663ac73-ff61-40ea-9e0a-f566d53edd99">My dad had no interest in leaving Montana</h2>But my father had created his own life, surrounded by horses and wide-open spaces. The fact that the only time he had ever visited me was for my wedding — something I told him he was obligated to do — was incredibly telling for where he'd want to spend his remaining years.When my dad found love again and chose to get <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-remarried-accept-relationship-wedding-letting-go-2024-6">remarried</a> a few years later, it was a great relief. I was proud of him for fighting for his existence and for deciding that he deserved happiness — even at his mature age. I knew it was challenging to be vulnerable and put yourself out there again after so many decades of marriage.When we arrived in Montana for his wedding, I popped in a local coffee shop before the big day, while my husband and boys waited outside. As soon as I spotted the bold brush strokes, I knew it was hers, my mother's painting hanging on the wall.Unbeknownst to me, the owners had bought it from an antique store, where my mom sold some of her outsider art before she died. Gutted, all of it came rushing back — the pain of watching my <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-goldman-sachs-to-take-care-of-mother-no-regrets-2024-5">mother get sick </a>and lose her hair, her vibrancy, as she withered and suffered and eventually didn't know who or where she was anymore. The sting of seeing the faraway look in my dad's tired eyes when he told the young men setting up the hospital bed in his living room, "you'll be back to pick this up, she'll be dead soon."I ran out of that coffee shop, sobbing into my hands as I struggled to explain to my husband what I had seen, trying like mad to pull myself together because my three little boys were looking up at me, and we had a wedding to get to.Two of my sons stood next to my dad, properly dressed in cowboy hats and boots, with the Bridger <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-left-family-celebrate-40th-birthday-alone-switzerland-travel-solo-2024-8">Mountains in view</a>, while my youngest walked down the aisle with the real rings stacked on his thumbs, pointing up to Montana's big sky.<div type="image" title="Man in cowboy hat dancing with woman with a band in the background" height="5197" width="3469" msid="114231913" hostid="261" sizebytes="635810"></div>My father and I would slide our boots in tandem on the dance floor while my husband played with the band on the stage behind us. That day, I experienced a kaleidoscope of emotions, ultimately landing on gratitude for a full life, where love was the golden thread weaved throughout.A handful of months later, at Christmas, I opened the best present I'd ever received: my husband had bought me my mother's painting from the coffee shop.As the years go by, flowers sprout, bloom, and return to the soil. Ponderosa pines still smell like kettle corn and vanilla. My <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-left-kids-home-took-middle-son-travel-alone-greece-2024-9">sons continue to grow</a> and mature and find their own passions and footing. Eventually, they will also flee the nest.<h2 id="6a592a0b-2c85-4c72-a8f9-88cb2be5c300">It had been 3 years since they'd seen Grandpaw</h2>This past summer, just before my three teenagers would start high school together, we took one more <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/took-teenagers-on-roadtrip-everyone-enjoyed-it-2024-10">family trip</a> back to Montana. This time, it would be a surprise — nobody would know we were coming. It wasn't a holiday, birthday, or special occasion. It was just because we love my dad.Laying the groundwork, I made sure to call him more than normal for several months prior, gently teasing out information to be sure he'd be home during our visit. Nearly every day, he visits a country coffee shop near his house, the same one we would ride horses to when I was a kid. My plan was to show up there and send my boys in to casually sit down next to him. Would he recognize them after three long years? Would this timeworn cowboy cry?When he wasn't there, however, we had to amend our plans and show up at his house. We drove back and forth before pulling into his long driveway, parking out of view. The five of us shuffled past dozens of chickens to reach his door, unobtrusive and quiet to avoid being spotted.I was a bit nervous when I knocked, heavy with the hopes of pulling off something I had been planning for so long. My old man opened the door, and we all screeched, "Surprise!"He stumbled back a step and then reached for my kids, delight stretching across his face. He said nothing and everything at the exact same moment.Got a personal essay about reconnecting with family that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: <a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com">akarplus@businessinsider.com</a>.

My 3 kids spend little time with their grandpa. So, we flew across the country for a surprise visit.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>My family spent three days at Foxwoods Casino Resort for my grandma's 92nd birthday.</li><li>There was a lot to do other than gamble, including go-karting, hiking, and shopping.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/multigenerational-family-trip-las-vegas-best-parts-2023-11">All three generations of my family</a> spent three days at Foxwoods Casino Resort in Connecticut, celebrating my grandmother's 92nd birthday.The resort casino is one of the largest in the world, with six casinos, over 2,200 hotel rooms, and dozens of restaurants. Plus, at the beginning of the year, the property announced it was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/foxwoods-announces-30m-in-new-renovations-to-hotel-table-games-addition-of-live-music">investing $30 million</a> in new renovation projects — including the luxurious Grand Bar that opened last month.Although it might not be the first thing that comes to mind, a casino can be a great destination for a multigenerational family vacation.<h2 id="f63db81b-0f76-4a5b-aee3-a46116f27e87">There was something for everyone — whether you wanted to gamble or not</h2><div type="image" title="exterior shot of Foxwoods casino resort in Connecticut" height="5333" width="7111" msid="115059001" hostid="261" sizebytes="2301780"></div>Gambling is the primary activity at a casino, but the Foxwoods property also had a zip line, go-karts, axe-throwing, a smash room, bowling, an arcade, and more.With a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zillennials-are-caught-between-generations-in-the-workplace-2024-10">big group of different age ranges</a>, we were conscious of how people wanted to plan their days: spending time at the casinos, shopping at outlet malls, relaxing by the spa, hiking, or trying one of the many interactive games and activities.Most days, we broke up into groups based on what people were interested in — and were delightfully surprised when we ran into each other along the way.Although there was more than enough to keep us entertained on the property, we also wanted to get some fresh air. It was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-fall-foliage-in-us-photos-winter">peak New England fall</a>, after all.We tested some nearby <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-fall-hikes-in-the-us-2018-10">hiking trails</a>, taking in the gorgeous foliage. There are a few different trail options, and one took us right to the Mashantucket Pequot Native American Museum, one of the largest Native American history museums in the world.The trails also looped back to the property, so we could easily check multiple activities off our list in one afternoon.<h2 id="6967e417-4048-4994-bde0-912189642ca6">At dinner, we'd reunite to celebrate our matriarch</h2><div type="image" title="meredith's grandma holding a slice of cake with a birthday candle" height="884" width="1179" msid="115058997" hostid="261" sizebytes="49346"></div>At the end of each night, the family reunited to celebrate my grandmother's birthday at different restaurants on the property.Because we were a group of nine, we made sure to have reservations.After dinner, my family split up once again — some enjoying more casino time and others trying their hand at bowling or arcade games.<h2 id="7b4d86fe-d1e5-4c57-a892-047af34a86af">The property was huge, but luckily, it was accessible for all of us</h2>The property was huge. It took us at least 10 to 15 minutes to get from our hotel to the various Foxwoods restaurants where we had dinner.However, the resort had clear paths, elevators, escalators, and walkways for mobility. Our hotel also provided motorized chairs upon request.Accessibility is important to my family, especially while <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/grandmother-longevity-secrets-international-travel-social-life-2024-3">traveling with someone in their 90s</a>. It was easy to navigate the long hallways with the motorized walkways and the long flights of stairs with clearly marked elevators.<h2 id="5211659a-8fb2-447d-a9bb-fc01a0acd7de">Foxwoods Casino was the perfect destination for a multigenerational trip</h2><div type="image" title="sculpture and trees inside foxwoods casino resort" height="884" width="1179" msid="115058999" hostid="261" sizebytes="89366"></div>No matter your age, there's something for everyone to do at Foxwoods. Even families with younger children could have a nice getaway — just without the gambling.Whether you're seeing a show, propelling yourself down a zip-line, trying your luck at <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gambling-young-men-sports-betting-crypto-meme-stock-market-addiction-2024-4">casino games</a>, or walking around the massive property, there are thrills all around.I cherished the opportunity to travel with so many relatives and celebrate my grandmother's birthday. We were a big group, but we all found plenty to do throughout the short trip.

We stayed at a casino for my grandma's 92nd birthday. All three generations of my family found things to do.

<ul><li><keyword id="719382" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="airbnb" source="Orion">Airbnb</keyword> contributed over USD$920 million to India's GDP and supported over 85,000 jobs in FY2023.</li><li>During these 12 months, Airbnb guests spent a total of $815 million in India, more than double of the 2019 levels.</li><li>Report also explores dispersal of tourism away from urban areas, and long-term stays driven by the emergence of flexible work arrangements since the pandemic. </li></ul> Indians are not done with <keyword id="17097331" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="revenge-spending" source="Orion">revenge spending</keyword> it seems. And they are travelling like there is no tomorrow. Research done by <keyword id="637984" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="oxford-economics" source="Orion">Oxford Economics</keyword> has found that Indians spent a total of $815 mn on stays at Airbnb in the financial year gone by. Not just this, the platform for homestay has contributed over $920 million to India’s Gross Domestic Product and supported over 85,000 Indian jobs over 12 months ending March 2023. The GDP contribution and jobs supported in India has more than doubled since 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic struck resulting in lockdowns and international border restrictions. The report also highlighted the powerful multiplier effect Airbnb guest spending has within local communities. In 2022-23, Airbnb guests spent a total of $815 million in India in areas like purchases on transportation, restaurants, retail stores, and retail stores. The spending has more than doubled from 2019 levels. In India, Airbnb’s presence was the highest in <keyword id="826" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="goa" source="Orion">Goa</keyword>, where Airbnb guests spending amounted to almost $190 million, this was followed by Bangalore and Delhi, Mumbai and Manali. It details the significant contribution made by Airbnb guests to domestic tourism across the nation. In 2022-23, domestic Airbnb guest spending totalled $670 million, and accounted for approximately 82% of total Airbnb guest spend in India, around a three-fold increase from 2019. The report also explores two profound changes in travel behaviour since the pandemic: the dispersal of tourism away from urban areas, and long-term stays driven by the emergence of flexible work arrangements. James Lambert, Director for Economic Consulting in Asia for Oxford Economics said, Airbnb has clearly played a major role in the resilience and rebirth of the Indian travel and tourism sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Airbnb has been at the heart of some of the trends reshaping the nation’s travel and tourism industry, including the shift in travel away from cities and towards more rural communities, and the increase in demand for long-stay trips, exemplified by the live and work anywhere phenomenon, Lambert said. Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan said, “Travel is now more dispersed, and so the economic benefits are being shared across more destinations, enabling a valuable economic contribution to rural and regional areas. This dispersal is being driven by Hosts on Airbnb and in turn creating economic opportunities for various communities. The report explores the twelve months to March 2023 — representing a year since travel restrictions started to be removed across India.

Travel Boom: India spends 2X of pre-pandemic level on Airbnb with Goa leading the charge

I'm used to interviewees logging onto Zoom everywhere from gyms to cars. But it was a first when Bear Grylls joined our call while hiking in rugged, rural north Wales where he lives. I shouldn't have been surprised. Only seeing him abseil down a mountain with his phone in one hand would have made the set-up any more classic "Bear Grylls."It's been almost two decades since Grylls, 50, became synonymous with such white-knuckle adventure. The son of a politician who attended <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eton-college-exclusive-boarding-school-boris-johnson-prince-william-photos-2019-7">Eton College, the British boarding school</a> favored by the royal family, Grylls quickly decided that the white-collar life wasn't for him. After joining the elite Special Air Service (comparable to Delta Force in the US) reserves and serving in the military for three years, Grylls carved out a reputation as an adventurer, including becoming one of the youngest people to scale Mount Everest in 1998.All this primed Grylls to become the world's most famous survivalist. By 2014, he had enough star power to convince Barack Obama to chow down on bloody salmon in the Alaskan wilderness and Zac Efron to sleep in an Appalachian cave on his show "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/barack-obamas-taster-on-running-wild-with-bear-grylls-2015-12">Running Wild with Bear Grylls</a>."<div type="image" title="Bear Grylls and Barack Obama on a mountainside." height="683" width="1024" msid="113347160" hostid="261" sizebytes="97504"></div>But there's another side to Grylls: the father of three trying to live as normal and healthy a life as possible while juggling a career spanning TV, books, and speaking events. Well, as normal as you'd imagine for Bear Grylls.In the first installment of Business Insider's new "5 to 9" series, where celebrities and high-flyers share how they spend the hours they're not working, Grylls explained how he keeps fit, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bear-grylls-said-embarrassed-he-used-to-be-vegan-2023-5">what he eats</a>, and how he recharges.As Grylls told me, "That forms a foundation of everything else, doesn't it?"<h2>Weight-lifting and outdoor walks each morning</h2><div type="image" title="Bear Grylls against a backdrop of mountains." height="5504" width="8256" msid="113347158" hostid="261" sizebytes="1303150"></div>I imagine every day is different, but how do you typically start the day?I always have a big glass of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-jack-dorsey-drinks-salt-juice-every-morning-2019-5">salted water</a> in the morning, just a pinch of good sea salt and water.Then wherever I am in the world, whatever I'm doing, whether we're filming or just at home, I get up and I resist the urge just to go on my phone. I try to just get outside. If I'm at home, I'll take the dogs — here up in North Wales, it's often windy and rainy — but I just try to get out and walk for 10 minutes, nothing crazy, just to get outside. I always try to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-barefoot-influencers-interview-lifestyle-safety-concerns-2023-1">go barefoot</a> as well, even in the winter — unless it's zero degrees, in which case it really hurts.I use that time to say my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/102-year-old-tiktoker-shares-the-secrets-of-her-longevity-2023-9">morning prayers</a>, which I like to do when I'm walking. I like to try and start the day right — call it meditation, whatever, but it's just thinking about the day ahead, saying sorry for the many mistakes, asking for help for the day, and being grateful.Do you work out in the morning?After my morning walk, I stretch and do a workout for about half an hour, outside if possible. I used to do weekly yoga and then I started to dread it because I found it boring, so then I decided it was easier to do 10 or 15 minutes every morning instead of one massive session a week.I do a quite high-intensity <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/strength-training-better-cardio-burning-fat-2023-10">weight-lifting</a> workout, but again, nothing too crazy. I don't want it to be vomit-inducing until you dread it. I've had so much of that in my life, so I go short and sharp, but definitely weights-based.The first 15 minutes of every workout is the same: 25 pull-ups, 50 press-ups, 75 squats, and 100 sit-ups. I've done it for years and it took me about three years to be able to get to do all of those in one go. But now I'm there, I actually <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rucking-buzzy-workout-busy-fit-efficient-daily-walk-challenging-2024-7">add a weighted vest</a>. So I start the same way and then just do a 15-minute weights circuit.<h2>Cold plunges to train the mind</h2><div type="image" title="Bear Grylls saluting in an army uniform." height="683" width="1024" msid="113347154" hostid="261" sizebytes="35182"></div>Is that when you're done and ready for work?Not quite. The final thing I do in the morning is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/start-day-cold-plunge-reduce-grogginess-stress-mental-sharpness-2023-4">get cold</a>. Whether it's a cold shower, whether it's five or 10 minutes in the sea… we have a little river nearby so I'll jump in that.Every day of the year, I try and get cold just for three minutes: I think that shocks the system, keeps you honest. I've done this for years, long before it was trendy to do <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cold-water-swimming-booming-during-pandemic-risks-benefits-winter-bathing-2021-2">cold water swimming</a>.The only thing that puts me off cold water nowadays is that everyone's doing it.For me this goes all the way back to SAS selection — but whenever we're getting really tough physically, I just remember this guy always used to say with a smile on his face, "This is now good mental training."And I think you can't just wait for crisis times in your life to deliver on mental strength. You've got to train it. And the cold water is your way of doing that?Yes. There's nowhere to hide and it actually doesn't really get easier. So therefore it's a bit of a discipline, isn't it? Nobody really likes the idea of discipline, but I think it's important to have a few things in your day that are not massive but are enough to keep you honest.It is hard, but once you're in, it's three minutes. You can do anything for three minutes. But actually it's amazing how many people decide to join me, and they literally can't. They have to get out after 10 seconds.That's your subconscious telling you, "Get out, this is dangerous." But actually, you can override that.If we sit in our comfort zone all the time, we rot. It's like stagnant water in a jungle, in a stream. If it's dammed up, it starts to stink. You've got to get out of that comfort pit and do little challenging things, and then when the crisis times come in your life, you're strong.So, did your time in the military play a big role in developing that mindset?There's a great phrase carved in wood at the training center in the barracks where all the Royal Marines go that says: "Comfortable with uncertainty." I never used to understand that.But actually, it is key to life. Things happen. Life hits you sideways. If you're not ready for change and you're not familiar with uncertainty, you get run over in life.<h2>Eating like our ancestors</h2><div type="image" title="Bear Grylls stands in the wilderness." height="4128" width="5504" msid="113347153" hostid="261" sizebytes="1547060"></div>Tell us about your eating habits.I eat two meals a day, so I have an early lunch and an early supper.I aim to eat really naturally, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/real-paleo-diet-plants-little-meat-study-early-human-remains-2024-1">how our ancestors ate</a> 5,000 or 10,000 years ago. I have a lot of grass-fed, good red meat, I'm definitely not scared of blood and red meat.I have a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/surprising-benefits-of-eating-eggs">lot of eggs</a>. It's pretty obvious that an egg is a totally complete survival food. The yolk is beautiful, the richest part, just packed full of nutrients. All this stuff we've heard for years about egg yolks being bad and meat being bad, I get more and more skeptical of it. If I just look at it with fresh eyes, it's like, of course this is a natural, beautiful food that we're designed to thrive on. So I avoid the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/some-ultra-processed-foods-may-be-healthier-than-homemade-scientist-2024-6">processed stuff</a> like pasta and cheap bread — that to me just feels a bit more like cardboard — and the crappy sugars as well. But I have a lot of honey and a lot of fruit. I have veggies in real moderation.I try and find good Greek yogurt and I just avoid all those crappy oils — I make my own mayonnaise with eggs, olive oil, and sea salt.And if I want something sweet after a meal, I have a couple of DIRTEA mushroom gummies [Grylls is an investor and partner in the functional mushroom brand].<h2>Winding down with 'insanely good' hot chocolate</h2><div type="image" title="Bear Grylls speaks to his wife Shara at Wimbledon." height="683" width="1024" msid="113347156" hostid="261" sizebytes="56306"></div>Who's the main cook in your household?Probably me. We all do our bit, but I quite like cooking. But our three boys are obsessed with cooking — not fancy stuff, but they're always fighting to get the frying pan to cook a massive T-bone steak.We also make some really good healing mushroom cacao hot chocolates with raw milk and honey, and it's just insanely good.If you get home at a reasonable hour, talk me through your ideal evening. Do you have a strict wind-down routine?Well we eat early and maybe go on a little walk afterward, just five or 10 minutes. Then I'll hang out with my wife Shara and watch a bit of telly, but she also really loves her reading. I'm quite partial to an early night. But we do like eating out actually too.I'm really lucky, I sleep really well. I know I must never take that for granted. I'm always a bit envious of people who only need three hours' sleep a night. But whenever I meet those people, they hate it. I definitely try and get a good eight-hour sleep.This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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