Millennials reveal their 105 favorite brands, from Gucci to Amazon

<ul class="summary-list"><li>We renovated a 1989 Jayco <a href="https://www.insider.com/first-long-rv-trip-mistakes-things-know-before-going-california-oregon-2022">pop-up camper</a> we found on Facebook Marketplace for $700.</li><li>The paperwork to buy and register the vehicle in our name was more complicated than we expected.</li></ul><p>After seeing how our neighbor's homemade <keyword id="12527023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="camper" source="Orion">camper</keyword>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lildreamercamper/">Lil' Dreamer</a>, came out, my partner, Amanda, and I were inspired to find our own.</p><p>Campers vary drastically in both size and price but we decided after minimal research that we wanted one around 20 feet that'd be <a href="https://www.insider.com/van-renovation-information-to-know-before-starting-2021-7">easy to maintain</a>.</p><p>So when we found a 1989 Jayco for $700 online, we hopped on the opportunity, despite having <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-to-know-before-traveling-in-a-camper-van-tips">little-to-no experience with pop-up campers</a>.</p><p>Here are the 10 things that surprised us most about the entire process.</p><h2>I was surprised we managed to get this camper in the first place </h2><div type="image" title="An old camper with a white exterior with brown clothe before renovations" height="3024" width="4032" msid="87743606" hostid="261"></div><p>When a <a href="https://www.insider.com/rv-information-you-should-know-before-buying-secondhand">road-ready camper</a> is listed at an affordable price on an online marketplace, it's typically swarmed with inquiries. Unless you are one of the first three to respond, the chances of scheduling a meeting time are slim.</p><p>One evening, I saw a 1989 Jayco pop-up camper on Facebook Marketplace for $700. Although we didn't really have concrete plans to buy a camper, I figured it was worth reaching out about.</p><p>I sent a message asking if the camper was still available and if there were a lot of inquiries. Within 10 minutes, the seller responded that she had over 10 requests, but I was second in line. </p><p>Five minutes later, she shared that the first person was unable to pick it up, so we exchanged info and set a time for the next morning. Fortunately, the seller was located less than 10 minutes away from our house. </p><p>It can almost feel like a lottery when you can get a really good deal for something, especially when the seller trusts that you will make the scheduled time instead of following a first-come-first-serve basis.</p><h2>The camper was actually in decent condition</h2><div type="image" title="The neutral-colored interior of the pop-up camper with seat benches and cabinets" height="3024" width="4032" msid="87743607" hostid="261"></div><p>Campers listed at this price are <a href="https://www.insider.com/van-renovation-information-to-know-before-starting-2021-7">typically gutted or have major damage</a> from a water leak but that wasn't the case with this one.</p><p>I researched what to expect from the camper with Google images and YouTube. I found floor plans, basic set-up guides, and possible problems to look out for. </p><p>When we checked out the camper, everything was intact, even a lot of its 1989 personality. The roof's metal coating had a mid-tone fade, the paint was dulled, and the vinyl graphics were cracked. </p><p>But after just 10 minutes of inspection, we were ready to make the transaction. </p><h2>The paperwork and buying process was complicated </h2><div type="image" title="White and brown renovated pop-up camper out in the dessert, surrounded by sand and blue skies" height="2048" width="2731" msid="87743608" hostid="261"></div><p>When buying something with wheels that'll likely have a title, I typically bring several generic bill-of-sale forms, pens, and registration paperwork in case I need a signature from the previous owner.</p><p>But the seller brought us a binder with paperwork and documents, including the original receipts dated over 10 years ago from an RV dealership and a title with the previous owner's name.</p><p>During the transaction, she explained she wasn't the registered owner, only a middle woman. This would normally be <a href="https://www.insider.com/rv-renovation-what-its-really-like-gross-expensive-photos-2021-5">a red flag</a>, as I usually like to buy something from the registered owner, but I felt comfortable working it out in this case. Plus the seller was able to help me get connected to the owner.</p><p>Although we wouldn't usually jump through these hoops, we figured that worst-case scenario, we'll have a camper that'll require more paperwork and trips to the registration office to get the title under our names, which is not a step you should overlook.</p><p>Not registering the title is like buying an Apple device with a locked iCloud account. It helps make the next ownership transfer easier, plus having proper documentation is important if you get into an accident or pulled over.</p><p>I was eventually able to go to the owner's house and have him sign the proper documents we needed to transfer ownership, like the bill of sale, the title, and a state-issued registration-transfer form. </p><h2>Our home vacuum and washing machine made a pretty big difference</h2><div type="image" title="The inside of the camper with wood cabinets and a plaid cushion" height="3024" width="4032" msid="87743609" hostid="261"></div><p>When we got back, we immediately got to cleaning. Assessing the smells and visuals, we realistically considered the <a href="https://www.insider.com/advice-for-buying-and-fixing-up-a-used-van">best ways to restore the camper</a> to its fullest potential without tearing everything apart. </p><p>We started by vacuuming all of the dirt and debris inside, plus cleaning out a few retired wasp nests and the signs of a mouse that used to live in there. It was nothing a basic industrial vacuum couldn't handle.</p><p>Every cushion still had its original, plaid upholstery, so we unzipped and disassembled all four rectangular cushions and washed the covers, which had the musty odor of a jacket that's been in a closet for too long. </p><div type="image" title="Interior of the renovated camper, with orange cushions and black and white tiles" height="3024" width="4032" msid="87743610" hostid="261"></div><p>There's only so much you can do with 25-year-old cushion covers without damaging them, but the washing machine restored them to about 90%. Amanda eventually created new covers to give the bench cushions a livelier look. </p><p>We also sprayed diluted detergent on the actual cushions and let them bake in the sun.</p><h2>Renovations can be expensive, but we were able to find some replacement parts online and at Goodwill</h2><div type="image" title="On the left, someone painting the cabinet around a mini fridge. On the right, someone fixing a sink faucet" height="900" width="1200" msid="87743692" hostid="261"></div><p>The camper's sink faucet was too old — they're vulnerable to breaking since the sink assembly is constantly flipped over for storage when in transit — but we were able to <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-i-save-money-on-secondhand-rv-repairs-2021-6">find a comparable replacement online</a>.</p><p>And when we removed the wood-vinyl box we suspected was a refrigerator, we discovered it was actually an old icebox. We ended up replacing it with a mini-fridge I had previously purchased from Goodwill for $20.</p><p>We had to slightly modify the original cabinet's sides, but luckily the dimensions were similar enough, and the power cord fed through a small compartment that allowed us to connect it to a basic 110-volt plug. </p><h2>We were able to patch the canvas instead of replacing it</h2><div type="image" title="Hands patching up a brown exterior cloth of a camper van" height="1082" width="1440" msid="87743693" hostid="261"></div><p>The exterior had some outdoor algae and other debris on it.</p><p>We had learned early on that the water pressure from a power washer would actually penetrate and tear through the fabric of canvas. Though, this also allowed us to test for leaks.</p><p>We were able to fix up the top with an RV roof sealer that cured fairly fast and was similar to a thick paint.</p><p>The canvas was old and had a few rips in several spots, but instead of replacing it, we used an awl and tried to sew some of the rips as well as create reinforced patches for certain areas. We also added a water-repellent spray over it.</p><h2>We didn't expect our <keyword id="12116164" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="renovation" source="Orion">renovation</keyword> process to get so much online attention </h2><div type="image" title="The camper mid-reno, with some of the old wood and cushions but with black and white tile and some green cabinetry" height="3024" width="4032" msid="87743694" hostid="261"></div><p>In the midst of our progress, Amanda made a <keyword id="11894125" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tiktok" source="Orion">TikTok</keyword> to share with her friends. Initially, her account had less than 100 followers, and she'd normally only get about 100 views per video. </p><p>But the first camper-progress video she uploaded got an abnormally <a href="https://www.insider.com/inside-alabama-sorority-mansion-tiktok-tour-2021-8">high number of views</a> — 10,000 in the first evening.</p><p>It was like a game. We would check back in and guess the view count that kept growing.</p><p>Over the next 24 hours, the video had over 100,000 views and her account had amassed close to 8,000 followers.</p><p>Viewers asked lots of great questions, gave helpful feedback and advice (like explaining why it's dangerous to paint a propane tank black), and really liked that we were restoring an old camper.</p><p>We've since posted other videos, and the original TikTok now has over 3 million views.</p><h2>Our homeowners' association has caused us some trouble, but everything is going well so far </h2><div type="image" title="The pop-up camper outside of a house in a residential neighborhood while down" height="2274" width="3024" msid="87743695" hostid="261"></div><p>As much as <a href="https://www.insider.com/woman-selling-her-nyc-wedding-at-discount-on-tiktok-2021-4">TikTok</a>, our community, and we enjoyed the camper, our neighborhood HOA wasn't a huge fan.</p><p>We would get notices from the homeowners association saying to "remove it from public view" or move it to the side of our house until we eventually got fines to order it "out of public view."</p><p>After checking our cameras, we found out a contracted ordinance officer in an unmarked vehicle would patrol our neighborhood every two to three weeks for abnormal things, like campers, cars in yards, overgrown lawns, or items over fence lines.</p><div type="image" title="Paper work laid out on a wooden table" height="3024" width="4032" msid="87743697" hostid="261"></div><p>Within two months, we racked up over $300 in fines, but with some calm negotiations with the HOA manager, they were waived after we moved our camper out of sight.</p><p>For now, it sits in our backyard, "out of public view," while we work on cosmetics tweaks and <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-road-trips-in-the-world-2018-7">plan our next trip</a>.</p>

My partner and I renovated a $700 pop-up camper we found online. Here are 10 things that surprised us most.

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Courtesy Quinisha Jackson-Wright</span></p><p class="caption">The author in Santa Barbara, California.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I moved from the midwest to Santa Barbara, California in August 2018.</li><li>I was shocked to discover my rent would more than double - from $800 a month to $2,000 - but my salary was higher than ever, too.</li><li>While I've loved living on the west coast and I have no problem making ends meet, I might be ready to leave Santa Barbara for someplace where I can accomplish my other financial goals.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/yourmoney?utm_source=bullet">Read more personal finance coverage.</a></li></ul><p>I've always been a bit of a wandering soul. Although I was born in Illinois and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, I spent a semester as a Disney intern in Orlando, Florida during my early college years. From there, I went to school and worked in Atlanta for a couple years, then lived in Virginia while serving on active duty in the military. </p><p>Although I've moved around quite a bit, I've never lived anywhere quite as expensive as my current residence of Santa Barbara, California. Since moving here over a year ago, I admit I've had some sticker shock. Here's what it's been like to transition to a new town with such a high cost of living.</p><h2>From the midwest to Santa Barbara, California</h2><p>The opportunity to move to California came about while I was searching for jobs after graduating with my BA in communications last May. I had recently visited family in California and fallen in love with the amazing weather and relaxed atmosphere. Plus, the west coast was the only part of the United States I had never lived in, so I figured why not give it a try?</p><p>Things worked out in my favor and I was offered a position working in communications at a nonprofit in Santa Barbara. I admit I didn't know much about the town, other than it was a couple of hours outside of the Los Angeles area. I started doing some research and began to have second thoughts once I looked through apartment listings.</p><h2>My rent was going to double</h2><p>Up until that point, the most I'd ever paid for rent was around $800. However, the starting price for a standard one-bedroom in Santa Barbara was double that at over $1,600. Not only that, but the housing market in a coastal city is pretty hot. A listed property can be claimed by an interested renter in a matter of hours. </p><p>Coming from a place where you can take a day or two to think things over when choosing a new home, this "first come, first served" renter's market was a bit intimidating for me.</p><p>Still, I had some savings set aside and the new job had offered a relocation stipend. With that in mind, I pushed past my doubts and continued with plans to make the move.</p><p>I moved to Santa Barbara in August 2018 and managed to secure housing just two days before starting the new job. Including utilities, the price for the new place came out to be around $2,000 a month. I still tear up a bit just writing that.</p><p>Aside from the price, though, it had everything I was looking for in an apartment: spacious, in a quiet neighborhood, with a private parking space, just minutes away from the new job, and came with a washer and dryer included.</p><p>Because I was making such a big move, I wanted most aspects of my housing to be as convenient as possible, and this place checked all the boxes.</p><h2>My paycheck was higher than it had ever been</h2><p>While the downside of a town with a high cost of living is the expensive rent, the upside is that salaries tend to be higher (in some cases).</p><p>My job started off at $60,000, which was more than I had ever made anywhere else I'd lived. Even after paying rent and other monthly expenses, I still had enough to put money in savings and contribute to a retirement plan. For me, that made the trade-off of paying more for housing a little more manageable.</p><p>I also realized that while my physical location had changed, my money-management habits were still the same. Before moving to California, I paid off my car and most of my <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-out-of-credit-card-debt">credit card debt</a> and was slowly starting to chip away at my <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-out-of-student-loan-debt">student loans</a>. While I enjoyed going out to restaurants or movies a few times a month, I was very intentional about spending and staying within my budget.</p><p>All of these factors helped me to adjust in a way I don't think I would have if I had tons of other financial obligations in addition to paying more than double in rent.</p><h2>I might be ready to leave Santa Barbara, but not because I can't afford it</h2><p>On that same note, those factors are what helped me feel comfortable enough to transition from my job to freelancing a few months ago. I now have more flexibility with my hours and, of course, location. Because of that, I find myself thinking about making another move in the near future. (There's that wandering soul coming into play again.) </p><p>Santa Barbara is a beautiful place, but there are other financial goals I'd like to accomplish, and I know I can accomplish them sooner if I'm not spending $2,000 a month in rent.</p><p>Still, I don't regret my decision to move to the west coast. It showed me that, while it takes some adjusting, living in an expensive city can be done, even when you're accustomed to the lower cost of living in the midwest.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>More <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/personal-finance-insider">personal finance</a> coverage</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-airline-credit-card-comparison-delta-united-american">What's the best airline credit card?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com//best-cash-back-credit-cards">The best cash back credit cards</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-cds-a-good-investment">Are CDs a good investment?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-to-save-money-in-high-yield-savings">When to save money in high-yield savings</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-rewards-credit-cards">Best rewards credit cards</a></li></ul>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/animation-rise-partisanship-congress-house-representatives-60-years-2016-4">This 60-second animation shows how divided Congress has become since 1949</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

I've paid more rent living in California than ever before, but I'm not sorry I moved here

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZYLO2A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01LZYLO2A&amp;linkId=67c09c52da8c84738df2d9817de8d1c5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Amazon</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></strong></a></p><ul class="summary-list"><li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Doing laundry while traveling can be downright annoying - from pricey hotel laundry fees to finding a local laundromat.</strong></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>We've broken down the steps and products you need to make washing clothes while traveling hassle-free. </strong></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Start by packing low-maintenance, lightweight clothes that are quick drying, and bring along</strong><strong> few compact laundry supplies like a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HHYFE2K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01HHYFE2K&amp;linkId=44b5dbf1ba86997a6e49ab777d8a1575" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stain removal pen</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N32J44Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07N32J44Q&amp;linkId=f2aed4b47047cd532c78d4937ed91a70" target="_blank" rel="noopener">detergent sheets</a>, a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZYLO2A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01LZYLO2A&amp;linkId=67c09c52da8c84738df2d9817de8d1c5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">travel clothesline</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D58R1BE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01D58R1BE&amp;linkId=0c377f78c54b518872bf1a7496a22f4e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mesh laundry bags</a>. You'll be able to have fresh, clean garments for every leg of your journey.</strong></li></ul><p>The last thing you want to deal with when traveling, whether for vacation or business, is laundry. With baggage fees and restrictions on airlines and cruise ships, packing light is practically essential, but you still need clean clothes for an extended trip. </p><p>Start by making smart choices when you pack by choosing low-maintenance clothing. Darker colors will usually last better through multiple wearings than light colors. Choose separates in one or two color families so you can mix and match outfits. This will also make laundry more simple because the colors can be washed together. Always opt for lightweight fabrics like silk,  microfiber, and other synthetics that don't wrinkle easily and will dry quickly. </p><p>To avoid hotel or resort laundry fees, having a few laundry supplies on hand will allow you to pack lightly and have plenty of clean clothes. With travel restrictions on liquids, detergent sheets like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N32J44Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07N32J44Q&amp;linkId=f2aed4b47047cd532c78d4937ed91a70" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lucky FiJi LG Laundry Power Sheets</a> are perfect for handwashing clothes, and the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZYLO2A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01LZYLO2A&amp;linkId=67c09c52da8c84738df2d9817de8d1c5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hawatour Portable Clothesline</a> with attached clothespins will speed drying. Both are lightweight and small enough to tuck in luggage. Add a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HHYFE2K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01HHYFE2K&amp;linkId=44b5dbf1ba86997a6e49ab777d8a1575" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tide to Go stain removal pen</a>, and you have a laundry room in your suitcase. I find that packing clothes in a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D58R1BE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01D58R1BE&amp;linkId=0c377f78c54b518872bf1a7496a22f4e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Simple Housewares mesh laundry bag</a> keeps outfits together, and I can use the bag to separate clean clothes from dirty clothes during the trip. The bags are also handy if I make a stop at a laundromat.</p><p>If you are traveling by car, you can usually pack more clothes and take along more products that may help you skip laundry rooms altogether. While Febreze products have been around for quite some time, two new formulas are perfect for traveling. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PK17XSH/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07PK17XSH&amp;linkId=09588f71076f98a7731d1e2f45ca8213" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Febreze Professional Sanitizing Fabric Refresher</a> not only eliminates odors, the brand says that it can kill odor-causing bacteria on fabrics like socks, shoe interiors, and garment underarms, and disinfect hotel bedspreads and carpets. <a href="http://goto.target.com/c/196318/81938/2092?subId1=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fp%2Ffebreze-crisp-linen-fabric-refresher-15-fl-oz%2F-%2FA-76162004" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Febreze Clothing Odor Eliminator</a> is a super-fine dry mist that traps odors and helps release wrinkles without overwetting fabrics, so you can spray and go more quickly.</p><h2><strong>How to do laundry when traveling</strong></h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D58R1BE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01D58R1BE&amp;linkId=0c377f78c54b518872bf1a7496a22f4e" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><p class="source"><span>Amazon</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ol><li style="font-weight: 400;">Handwash soiled clothing each day, if possible, to prevent large loads.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Treat spills and stains as they happen or use a stain removal pen to treat stains right before washing.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">When washing small articles, cut detergent sheets into smaller pieces. One-fourth of a sheet will clean the clothes in a small bathroom sink. Use half of a sheet for a larger bathtub load of laundry.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">When handwashing clothes in a sink, fill the basin with warm water and add your detergent sheet. Squeeze the sheet with your hands so that the detergent is released into the water. Add your clothing and swish it through the water so it is thoroughly wet. Allow it to soak for 10 minutes and then agitate it with your hands. Drain the soapy water and fill the basin with clear water for a final rinse. Squeeze excess water from the clothes and hang to dry.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">If you have a larger load of laundry, do it right after your shower. Once you've made sure the tub is thoroughly rinsed, fill it with water and add your detergent sheet and dirty clothes. Use your clean feet to agitate the clothes in the water for several minutes. Drain the soapy water and add fresh water to rinse. Drain the rinse water and use your feet to press out most of the moisture before hanging clothes to dry.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Use a travel clothesline with clothespins to hang clothes so they dry more quickly. Draping wet clothes over a shower rod can slow the drying time.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">When doing laundry on a cruise or at a resort, plan to do laundry early in the morning or late at night for best laundry machines availability. Take a book and plan to stay with your clothing until it is done.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Use mesh laundry bags to transport your clothing to and from the laundry room. Use the bags when washing small items so they will not get lost in the washer or dryer.</li></ol><p>One final tip: Consider packing clothes that you are willing to leave behind. You'll have space in your luggage for souvenirs and no dirty laundry when you get home.</p><h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N32J44Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07N32J44Q&amp;linkId=f2aed4b47047cd532c78d4937ed91a70" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy LG Lucky FiJi Laundry Detergent Power Sheets 30-count  on Amazon for $10.99</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZYLO2A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01LZYLO2A&amp;linkId=67c09c52da8c84738df2d9817de8d1c5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Hawatour Portable Travel Elastic Clothesline with 12 Clothespins on Amazon for $7.49</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HHYFE2K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01HHYFE2K&amp;linkId=44b5dbf1ba86997a6e49ab777d8a1575" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover Pens in a 3-count pack on Amazon for $8.49</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D58R1BE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01D58R1BE&amp;linkId=0c377f78c54b518872bf1a7496a22f4e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Simple Housewares Mesh Laundry Bags in a 6-count pack on Amazon for $8.97</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PK17XSH/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07PK17XSH&amp;linkId=09588f71076f98a7731d1e2f45ca8213" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Febreze Professional Sanitizing Fabric Refresher  (32-ounce bottle) in an 8-count case on Amazon for $59.77</a></h3><h3><a href="http://goto.target.com/c/196318/81938/2092?subId1=biip_090519_how-to-do-laundry-when-traveling&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fp%2Ffebreze-crisp-linen-fabric-refresher-15-fl-oz%2F-%2FA-76162004" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Febreze Clothing Eliminator (15-ounce bottle) from Target.com for $4.99</a></h3><p class="tagline"><p><a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/insider-picks">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a><br><br>Find all the best offers at our <a href="https://coupons.businessinsider.com/">Coupons page</a>.<br><br>Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks</a> team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.</br></br></br></br></p></p>

How to do laundry when traveling and all the things you need to do it

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Business Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>LG held its annual press conference at the <span>International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) </span> in Las Vegas Tuesday.</p><p>The company is focusing on two major areas in the coming year: cars and the internet of things.</p><p>"You may ask, why is LG so interested in cars?" President and CEO of LG Mobile Electronics Skott Ahn said onstage Tuesday morning. "The amount of time spent in cars continue to increase...We can at least make it safer and more enjoyable."</p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">LG unveiled its LG Signature series onstage, a line of ultra-premium products like a washer that lets you wash two loads of laundry at the same time, and a smart fridge with a sleek, built-in screen display. They're really expensive-looking smart home products; it's LG's vision of the internet of things.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every year, LG, <span>one of the world's biggest makers of liquid crystal displays, shows off its newest, flashiest TV displays, and 2016 is no different. </span>Onstage, LG announced its Signature OLED G6 television - its best, sleekest television yet. It was designed </span>with one principle in mind - minimalism.</p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The television itself is only 2.57 millimeters thick - as thin as four stacked credit cards, the company boasted onstage.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span>LG also talked about its partnerships with Volkswagen and Google.  Gayathri Rajan, ‎VP of Product Management at Google, also spoke at LG's press conference about the company's partnership with LG.</p><p>Earlier this week, LG used CES to show off a couple interesting innovations: <span>an 18-inch display that can be "rolled up like a newspaper," and</span> a paper-thin 55-inch OLED TV display, and a pair of 65-inch OLED displays with "extreme" concave and convex curves. The OLED TV displays are part of LG's push into luxury, high-end smart home appliances.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/faraday-future-first-car-ffzero1-f-f-zero-0-one-1-batmobile-tesla-rival-2016-1">Tesla's rival just unveiled its first car -&#xa0;and it looks like a futuristic Batmobile</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="1tNTkwMDE6Dnj5rVvQjupmlKl3CjKnMe" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

There's two big areas LG wants to push into this year

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><span style="color: #222222;">Four years ago, I <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-my-job-for-side-hustle-best-decision-2019-7">quit my job to travel</a> for as long as my meager savings would last me. </span></li><li><span style="color: #222222;">I now live in Costa Rica nearly full-time and am on track to make $85,000 from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/more-baby-boomers-retirees-freelancing-2019-9">freelance</a> writing this year.</span></li><li>I'm able to save 50% of my income because I control my three biggest expenses: housing, transportation, and food. I spend the most money on travel, which adds up to over $12,000 a year.</li><li>My life is unconventional, but I wouldn't have it any other way. By keeping major costs low, I'm able to spend more on the things that matter to me.</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</strong></li></ul><p>Four years ago, I quit my job to travel for as long as my meager savings would last me. I had vague plans of traveling for six months and then returning to the US to look for a new job, until I found myself in the middle of a cheesy romance plot I never asked for.</p><p>To give you the condensed version: I fell in love with Costa Rica ... and with the chef at an eco-lodge where I was taking Spanish lessons.</p><p>By the time I ran low on money, I'd realized I didn't want to go back to the US or a desk job. Going back would mean breaking up with my partner, who can't even get approved for a tourist visa to the US because of where he was born. It would also mean leaving a country I'd grown deeply attached to and applying for jobs I wasn't excited about. </p><p>So instead, I set out to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-my-job-for-side-hustle-best-decision-2019-7">build my own freelancing business online</a> so that I could work from anywhere. I decided to make a living doing something I'd dreamt of doing every since I was a kid: writing.</p><h2>Nearing six figures as a freelancer and increasing my savings rate</h2><p>My first year as a freelance writer was very difficult, and the second year wasn't much better. But by the third year, I had what felt like a reasonably stable income. Now, in my fourth year, I make more than double what I made in my previous career. I'm on track to make $85,000 in 2019. My goal for 2020 is to make six figures.</p><p>My income fluctuates a lot because <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/digital-nomad-wealthier-than-ever-2019-7">I take time off to travel</a>. My highest-grossing months this year were months in which I didn't travel and worked 40 to 50 hours per week - in February, I made $9,598, and in July, I made $10,478. My lowest grossing months were the three months that I traveled and worked more like 10 hours per week - in March I made $4,315, in April I made $4,522, and in May I made $2,201.</p><p>In 2018, I made <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/paying-off-debt">paying off all of my debt</a> a priority. After I did that, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-yield-savings-emergency-fund-2019-8">building an emergency savings fund</a> became my focus. For 2019, my goal was to save $3,000 per month to round out my emergency savings fund and start saving for retirement and potential mid-term savings goals like purchasing land or going back to school.</p><p>I managed to meet that goal most months. While my savings rate dipped lower during travel months, it skyrocketed during the months I spent at home.</p><h2>I spend less on rent, transportation, and food</h2><p>I don't believe that depriving yourself of the occasional latte is an effective way to save money. For one, that $3.50 doesn't add up very quickly, and it's hard to build sustainable habits when you feel deprived.</p><p>Instead, I've always believed that the best way to cut expenses and boost your savings rate is by cutting down on your <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-save-more-money-2017-8">three biggest costs</a>: rent, transportation, and food.</p><p>While my monthly income and spending fluctuate pretty drastically - for example, I took most of April off to travel around Japan and went from having a $9,000 month in February to a $2,000 month in May - here's what a typical month looks like:</p><h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></h2><h3><strong>Rent</strong></h3><p>My rent is where I cut costs the most. It's common for Americans who move here to rent or buy big American-style homes in gated communities with air conditioning, pools, and other amenities. Instead, I rent a typical Costa Rican home, a small two-bedroom house in a rainforest town. I pay $180 per month, so I save a lot of money, and I get to be part of the community there.</p><h3>Transportation</h3><p>For my first three years in Costa Rica, I was car-free. This isn't an easy feat when you live somewhere rural with limited bus service, but I made it work, and my boyfriend had his motorcycle for short trips. Last year, my boyfriend's motorcycle broke down, and I finally decided to get a car.</p><p>Cars are more expensive in Costa Rica, and I didn't want to eat into my savings, so I bought a 1995 Geo Tracker for $3,500 in cash. Most people wouldn't be comfortable in such an old car, but I don't mind it. I also still walk and use the bus whenever feasible, so we aren't putting too many miles on the car.</p><h3>Food</h3><p>For food, I do a lot of meal prep and try to buy lots of low-cost, high-nutrition foods like beans, bananas, oatmeal, and eggs. I also eat out at least a few times per week when I don't have any meals prepared. A plate of food at a typical restaurant is around $6, and the time I save not cooking or doing the dishes can be spent working and making more money. </p><p>Food is one area where I'm only willing to sacrifice so much - which you can tell from the fact that I spend $300 per month on groceries that are mostly for me. I still buy fancy nut and seed mixes for my oatmeal and coconut milk for my coffee, and I always keep a bottle of quality rum on hand for visitors. However, I've got some wiggle room here and will try to lower my food costs next year, both groceries and dining out, by doing more meal prep.</p><h2>Most of my money goes toward luxuries and purchases that save me time</h2><p>While I spend relatively little on necessities, I spend what many people would consider to be too much on things like travel and personal care. </p><p>For example, I spend more than $12,000 per year on travel. This includes travel for both me and my boyfriend. We don't have a strict method for splitting up our finances, but since I have the privilege of being able to make US dollars and thus a higher income, I usually pay all of our bills and major travel expenses like flights and hotels.</p><p>We also travel pretty heavily on this. By the end of 2019, I'll have traveled to over a dozen countries on four different continents this year. The two of us manage to travel on a low budget by collecting <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/credit-card-points-free-luxury-trips-2019-5">credit-card rewards</a> to pay for flights and hotels or staying in budget accommodations like hostels and Airbnb or with friends.</p><p>I also get my hair done three times per year, and it costs me $300 each time. Every two to three weeks, I get my nails done for $20 to $30. These are expenses most <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/super-savers-work-with-financial-advisors-2019-9">super savers</a> would advise against, but they're worth it to me.</p><p>Outsourcing tasks that are time-consuming might seem more expensive than DIY, but because I'm self-employed, I can make more money in the time I've freed up than I spend on outsourcing. For example, I still haven't purchased a washer for the house because I'd rather spend $30 per month to have laundry done at the corner store. I have a housekeeper come twice per month, which costs $40. I also outsource some of my business tasks to a Virtual Assistant and usually spend about $300 per month on that. All of this time saved is time I can spend building my business.</p><p>Despite "extravagant" costs like getting my hair or laundry done, my savings rate hovers around 50% and is creeping upward. That's because I've driven my big three costs as close to zero as possible. </p><p>People might think it's odd that I make $85,000 per year and spend $12,000 of it on travel. But they probably also think it's odd that I make $85,000 per year and drive a car that's 24 years old. My priorities are simply different than what's considered the "norm."</p><p>Living abroad also makes it easier to align my expenses with my priorities. In the US, even when I'm only visiting, I feel an almost instant pressure upon arriving to constantly spend money on things I don't need and upgrade my lifestyle, and that pressure just isn't as strong in many other places. I check in with myself frequently to make sure that my spending is still aligned with what I truly want and not what society says I should want. This helps me live a rich life on a limited budget.</p><h2>On my way to financial independence</h2><p>My goal is to continue <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-yield-savings-accounts-help-spend-less-save-more-2019-8">saving</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wish-i-listened-to-dads-money-investing-advice">investing</a> my money at an extremely high rate until I achieve some level of financial independence. </p><p>This is an important goal for me in part because I worry that there won't be demand for my work one day, and I'll have to find a new way to make money. But it's also important because I want to have the financial freedom to pursue personal projects and focus on doing good in the world.</p><p>I want to cut down on travel next year so I can focus on working more consistent hours. I plan to increase my savings rate by cutting costs on travel and eating out. At the same time, I plan to invest more in myself by taking courses that teach me valuable skills and attending conferences to network with people in my industry.</p><p>With this plan, my income should increase, and I should also have more time to work on projects that will <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-have-multiple-income-streams-2017-10">diversify my income sources</a>. Right now, most of my income comes from freelance writing, so I'm working on creating products, writing a book, and building up a consulting business so that I don't have to rely on one stream of income. This will increase my financial stability.</p><p>My life is unconventional, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Some people fear self-employment because there's no guarantee your job will be there next year, and that's true - but there's no guarantee that a traditional job will be there for you next year, either. </p><p>If I lose my main income sources, I've learned two very valuable skills through my first few years of hustling as a freelancer that would help me out: how to live off of very little, and how to market myself. I'm confident that I could pivot if I needed to and still earn a decent wage, and this lifestyle gives me the control over my time that I need to do that.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>More <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/savings">savings and retirement</a> coverage</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-retire-early-steps-for-early-retirement">How to retire early</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-save-more-money-2017-8">How to save more money</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-cds-a-good-investment">Are CDs a good investment?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-to-save-money-in-high-yield-savings">When to save money in high-yield savings</a></li></ul>

I work for myself, save 50% of my income, and still have money left over to travel. Here's how it breaks down.

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Hawaii is one of the most popular vacation destinations, but it's not always the most budget-friendly.</li><li>Thankfully, there are several options for using points and miles to book award flights and hotel stays. </li><li>Using cards like the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chase-sapphire-preferred-card-review">Chase Sapphire Preferred Card</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amex-gold-card-review">American Express® Gold Card</a>, and <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-american-express-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card</a> can help you earn enough rewards to book flights and hotels.</li><li>You can also use points from cards like the Sapphire Preferred and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/capital-one-venture-card-review">Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card</a> to cover activities like snorkeling tours.</li></ul><p>Hawaii is one of those destinations that's perfect for everyone: Couples looking for a honeymoon, adventurous single travelers, and families alike can find the perfect vacation spot in the Aloha State.</p><p>Vacationing in Hawaii can also get expensive, especially for families of four or more. Three's the cost of airfare, hotels, activities, and meals. It can add up substantially and make it difficult to afford for the average family. Luckily, there are ways to substantially reduce the cost of a Hawaii vacation for families. Here are the cheapest ways to get a family to Hawaii on points and miles.</p><h2>Airfare </h2><h3>1. United </h3><p>Flying to Hawaii has gotten much cheaper in recent years, especially on points. The last time I flew to Maui, I redeemed 45,000 United miles for a round-trip flight. Now, the same ticket can be booked for just 15,000 Turkish Airlines miles.</p><p>If you're confused as to how to get ahold of Turkish Airlines miles, it's actually pretty easy. Pick up a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/citi-thankyou-premier-sign-up-bonus-offer-2018-8">Citi Premier<span>℠</span> Card</a>, and complete $4,000 in spending within three months to earn the 60,000-point sign-up bonus.</p><p>Then, transfer the Citi points to Turkish Airlines at a 1:1 ratio to book award flights on its Star Alliance partner, United. With that 60,000-point sign-up bonus, you can fly a family of four to Hawaii.</p><h3>2. American Airlines flights booked with Avios</h3><p>If you live on the West Coast, British Airways Avios are a great option for getting you to Hawaii. The distance-based program partners with American Airlines. You can book a one-way flight within a distance of 2,001-3,000 miles for just 12,500 Avios. Travel during off-peak dates will set you back just 10,000 miles each way. The great thing about this program is that the points are easy to earn.</p><p>British Airways is a transfer partner of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-2018-1">Chase Ultimate Rewards</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-express-membership-rewards-best-ways-to-use-points-2018-9">Amex Membership Rewards</a>. You can transfer points earned from <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/chase-sapphire-reserve/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Chase Sapphire Reserve</a> or <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/the-american-express-gold-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">American Express® Gold Card</a> to top off your Avios account.</p><p>The <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/british-airways-visa-signature-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">British Airways Visa Signature Card</a> is currently offering up to 100,000 Avios to new applicants: Earn 50,000 Avios after spending $3,000 in three months and another 50,000 after spending $20,000 total within the first year. If you're planning your trip far in advance, this is a bonus worth picking up.</p><h3>3. Southwest Airlines</h3><p>Southwest Airlines operates flights to Honolulu, Maui, and Kona out of Oakland (OAK) and San Jose International Airport (SJC). Redemption rates depend on the cost of paid fares, but you can book a Wanna Get Away Fare between Oakland and Maui for as little as 8,0967 points one-way. At this rate, you could book at least two round-trip tickets with the 40,000 point sign-up bonus (after you spend $1,000 in the first three months) from the Southwest personal credit cards:</p><ul><li><a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/southwest-rapid-rewards-plus-credit-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card</a> - $69 annual fee</li><li><a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/southwest-rapid-rewards-premier-credit-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card</a> - $99 annual fee</li><li><a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/southwest-rapid-rewards-priority-credit-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card</a> - $149 annual fee</li></ul><p>Southwest is an especially great option for Hawaii flights if you have the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-earn-southwest-companion-pass-2018-9">Southwest Companion Pass</a>. You can book yourself a flight on points and your companion will fly for free, minus taxes and fees. I know couples who each earn the Companion Pass and then designate their children as their companions. As a result, they save 50% on airfare when traveling as a family.</p><h2>Hotel credit cards that cover hotels for four</h2><p>Hyatt, Hilton and Wyndham are the best options when it comes to booking free family hotel stays in Hawaii. Their redemption rates, paired with credit card sign-up bonuses, make them attractive options.</p><h3>Hyatt</h3><p>The <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/the-world-of-hyatt-credit-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">World of Hyatt Credit Card</a> currently offers 25,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, plus another 25,000 points after you spend $6,000 total within the first six months. That's enough for up to four nights at a Hyatt Hawaii hotel.</p><ul><li>Hyatt Residence Club Maui, Ka'anapali Beach - 30,000 points per night</li><li>Andaz Maui Wailea - 30,000 points per night</li><li>Hyatt Regency Maui - 25,000 points per night</li><li>Grand Hyatt Kauai - 25,000 points per night</li><li>HR Waikiki Beach - 20,000 points per night</li><li>Hyatt Centric Waikiki - 15,000 points per night</li><li>Hyatt Place Waikiki - 12,000 points per night</li></ul><p>If you're looking for a bigger bonus, the <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/chase-sapphire-preferred-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Chase Sapphire Preferred Card</a> is currently offering 60,000 points after $4,000 spent within three months. With this bonus, you can book two nights at a high-end Hyatt hotel or up to five nights at the Hyatt Place Waikiki. The great thing about Hyatt Place hotels is that they tend to have spacious rooms with sofa beds and free breakfast for everyone - a great value for families looking to maximize points and save on meals.</p><h3>Hilton</h3><p>For the highest Hilton credit card welcome bonus, look no further than the <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/hilton-honors-american-express-aspire-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express</a>. It pays out 150,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months. That's enough for two to three nights at one of Hilton's many Hawaiian resorts:</p><ul><li>Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay - 50,000 points per night</li><li>Hilton Waikoloa Village - 60,000 points per night</li><li>Hilton Waikiki Beach - 60,000 points per night</li><li>Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach - 50,000 points per night</li><li>Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort - 60,000 points per night</li></ul><p>The card comes with Hilton Diamond elite status, entitling you to space-available room upgrades, free breakfast, and executive lounge access (where available). If the card's $450 annual fee is out of your budget, consider the <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/hilton-honors-american-express-surpass-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card</a> instead. It offers a free weekend night and 130,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 within four months. (This offer is available until August 28.)</p><p>The Surpass Card does come with free Hilton Honors Gold elite status, so you'll qualify for free breakfast. If you manage to spend $40,000 on the card in a year, you'll get upgraded to Diamond elite status.</p><h3>Wyndham Rewards</h3><p>Wyndham Rewards is probably the best rewards program for families. Free nights range from just 7,500 to 15,000 for standard award nights. Best of all, most of their resorts are actually condos. That's ideal for families looking for amenities like an extra bedroom, full kitchen, and washer/dryer.</p><p>Unfortunately, the Wyndham Rewards Visa currently only offers 15,000 points after first purchase or balance transfer. However, a couple could apply for one card each and cover two nights at the following resorts where each room sleeps up to four people:</p><ul><li>Kona Coast Resort</li><li>Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village</li><li>Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort</li></ul><h2>How to redeem points for activities in Hawaii</h2><p>Hawaii can be a pricey destination, and activities on the islands are no exception. Whether you're looking to go on a family diving excursion or parasail outside your resort, it can get expensive for families. There are many ways to off-set these expenses using credit cards. My favorite? The Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, which offers some really great deals on activities.</p><p>I often book tours and activities using <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-2018-1">Chase Ultimate Rewards points</a>. In addition to competitive rates, you get pretty good value for your points. If you have the <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/chase-sapphire-reserve/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Chase Sapphire Reserve</a>, your points are worth 1.5 cents each while the <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/chase-sapphire-preferred-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Sapphire Preferred</a> gets you 1.25 cents per point in value.</p><p>You can also utilize miles from the <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/capital-one-venture-rewards-credit-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card</a> to cover the cost of activities. Points can be redeemed for 1 cent each as a statement credit.</p><p>One final tip for activities: If you're traveling to Maui, I highly recommend getting the Shaka Gold Card. Membership costs just $30 and covers up to four people. In turn, you'll receive discounts of up to 50% on activities like jet skiing, snorkeling tours and everything in between.</p><h2>Credit cards that help you cover incidentals, meals, and resort fees</h2><p>Airfare, hotels, and activities may be the biggest expenses for most people, but once you step foot in the hotel, there are other costs that can add up. There are daily resort fees to contend with, not to mention meals and incidentals. Luckily, there are ways to offset these expenses with the right credit cards.</p><p>My favorite option? Pay these rewards with your <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/capital-one-venture-rewards-credit-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referralhttps://thepointsguy.com/card-details/capital-one-venture-rewards-credit-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Capital One Venture card</a> and redeem miles toward statement credits. If you have the <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/hilton-honors-american-express-aspire-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Hilton Aspire Card</a>, you won't even have to worry about many of these charges to begin with. For starters, the card offers a $250 annual Hilton resort fee credit that you can use toward dining, spa purchases, and more. Additionally, if you're paying for a 2-night minimum stay at HiltonHonors.com/aspirecard, you'll receive up to $100 in credits at participating Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels.</p><p>The <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-american-express-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card</a> offers $300 in annual statement credits that can be used to cover extra charges at Marriott resorts. The $300 annual travel credit from the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-credit-card-review">Sapphire Reserve</a> is probably the best option, since it can be applied toward any travel purchase. Whether it's resort fees at a Hilton hotel, car rental charges, or a SNUBA diving adventures - if it's coded as a travel purchase, the credit will be automatically applied.</p><h3><a href="https://thepointsguy.com/card-details/chase-sapphire-preferred-card/?utm_campaign=bi_08152019_aa_best-ways-hawaii&amp;utm_source=referral">Click here to learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card from our partner The Points Guy.</a></h3><p class="tagline"><p style="font-size:14px;"><em>Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Personal Finance Insider team. We occasionally highlight financial products and services that can help you make smarter decisions with your money. We do not give investment advice or encourage you to adopt a certain investment strategy. What you decide to do with your money is up to you. If you take action based on one of our recommendations, we get a small share of the revenue from our commerce partners. This does not influence whether we feature a financial product or service. We operate independently from our advertising sales team.</em></p><p style="font-size:14px;"><em>Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.</em></p></p>

The 3 cheapest ways to get to Hawaii on points and miles

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>I recently relocated to Los Angeles from New York City and took the opportunity to draw up a laundry list of things to <em>finally </em>get around to doing. New city, new goals, (almost) new year.</p><p>As I settled into my apartment - which, at a slightly higher cost than my NYC apartment, is much bigger and equipped with a washer/dryer <em>and </em>dishwasher - I checked in on my to-do list progress and noticed the one item I'd been putting off for years was still incomplete: signing up for renters insurance.</p><p>I've heard enough horror stories from acquaintances over the years to know that it's a silly, and potentially dreadful, mistake to skip out on renters insurance. Yet, according to <a href="http://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/renters-insurance">a 2015 Insurance Information Institute poll</a>, only 40% of American renters said they had insurance. Interestingly, California, my current state of residence, had the highest percentage of insured renters among all the states at nearly 54%.</p><p>To be clear, your landlord typically covers the cost of any damage to your building (if you live in an apartment) in the event of a fire, leak, break-in, or weather-related catastrophe. Renters insurance covers the belongings inside, including electronics, furniture, clothing, and jewelry. Actually, your belongings are covered whether they're in your home, car, or hotel room - everything you own is protected.</p><p>And while fires and break-ins (hopefully) aren't regular fare, if and when they happen, <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/06/25/should-you-buy-renters-insurance">they could put you in deep financial ruin</a> if you're not insured.</p><p>Business Insider's Libby Kane <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insurance-for-every-age-2014-6">describes it best</a>: "Having insurance is a lot like carrying an umbrella with you at all times: Most of the time it feels burdensome, but boy, are you glad to have it when the rain comes."</p><p>Suffice it to say, I'm happy to fork over $20 a month for peace of mind.</p><h2>Twenty minutes or less</h2><p>After leaving a browser tab open on the State Farm homepage for a few days, I eventually sat down to fill out the form and get a quote. I chose State Farm in part because they ranked highly on <a href="http://www.jdpower.com/ratings/study/U.S.-Home-Insurance-Study---Renters-Insurance/1502ENG">J.D. Power's 2016 renters insurance survey</a>, but I'll admit their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foHqdleEuvc">commercials</a> are pretty good.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>I entered in my name, address, social security number (optional), the number of roommates I live with (two), and the amount of coverage I want (I don't own expensive clothing or jewelry, and I'm buying a policy for my belongings only, not my roommates', so I chose the lowest coverage option at $18,500).</p><p>I also checked off boxes for whether or not my apartment has specific security measures, like deadbolt locks, a fire extinguisher, sprinkler system, alarm system, and smoke alarm. Because I do have several of these, it translates into a $58 "discount" annually.</p><p>Within seconds, I got a quote for a premium of $17.25 a month, or $207 a year, with a $500 deductible. That price also includes $100,000 of personal liability protection, meaning I'll have coverage if someone is injured in my apartment.</p><p>What it <em>doesn't</em> include, however, is earthquake insurance, which I'd have to sign up and pay for separately. Thankfully, I grew up in California and know that earthquakes of home-destroying magnitude are extremely rare, so I'm OK to hold off on that for now.</p><p>I entered my credit card information on the spot and set up my effective date for January 1, 2017. A<span>fter I stopped dragging my feet, the whole process took me less than 20 minutes to complete. </span></p><p>Now, I'm paying less than $20 a month - really, less than 60 cents a day - for peace of mind and protection. </p>

It took me less than 20 minutes to make a $20 money decision I'd been putting off for years

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Universal Pictures</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>How you communicate with others at work plays a big role in how you're perceived, your capacity to move projects, how quickly you advance in your career, and, perhaps most importantly, <span>your ability to generate trust.</span></p><p>That's according to Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tame-Your-Terrible-Office-Tyrant/dp/0470457643/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1248186483&amp;sr=8-1&amp;tag=bisafetynet-20">Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job</a>."</p><p>"We sometimes fall into a trap of using trite phrases that engender frustration and mistrust," she explains. "But trust is the cornerstone of any sustainable business relationship, so it's worthwhile to find ways to be authentic and professional with your team and managers.</p><p>"Of course a lot depends on the audience, frequency, context, and environment. Still, you should spend some time examining the level of honesty, originality, and emotional intelligence you convey."</p><p>No one is immune from this jargon, Taylor says. "However, if you avoid these words and phrases, you'll foster greater credibility, cooperation, and motivation, while advancing your career prospects."</p><p>Here are 30 words and phrases that make you seem untrustworthy, with commentary from Taylor:</p><h2>'Secret agents'</h2><p>There is a vast contingent of workers that seem to live in a virtual corporate underground of "in the know." "How do <em>you</em> know? They'll tell you," says Taylor.</p><h3><strong>"This is a secret, but ... "</strong></h3><p>So it's okay if everyone in the office knows the secret, just as long as it's called a "secret?" correct?</p><h3><strong>"I'm not supposed to tell you this ... "</strong></h3><p>Pretty darn discreet and comforting.</p><h3><strong>"I swore I wouldn't repeat this."</strong></h3><p>Swear a lot?</p><h3><strong>"If you repeat this, I'm going to deny I ever said it."</strong></h3><p>This one says, "I'll lie as necessary."</p><h3><strong>"I really don't want have to do this, but ... "</strong></h3><p>Then please don't and we'll <em>both</em> be much happier!</p><h2><strong>'Liar, liar'</strong></h2><p>"Some of these phrases are just overused and annoying, but for some, they can leave a trace of doubt, depending on the user," says Taylor.</p><h3><strong>"I'm not gonna lie."</strong></h3><p>So if you <em>don't</em> preface a comment with this, I should assume that's the "lie dialog?"</p><h3><strong>"Do you want me to be honest?" </strong></h3><p>No, I hate that; stop it now!</p><h3><strong>"Do you want to know the truth?"</strong></h3><p>It depends.</p><h3><strong>"To tell you the truth ... " or </strong><strong>"Honestly ... " or </strong><strong>"Truthfully ... "</strong></h3><p>So up until this point, everything you said was fabricated ... got it.</p><h3><strong>"Trust me ... " </strong></h3><p>I did that once, then joined a large army of prior suckers.</p><h2>Wishy washers</h2><p>"When they leave you guessing, you've entered the flim flam zone," she says.</p><h3><strong>"I believe so."</strong></h3><p>Acceptable: "Wow, I believe it's going to rain." Unacceptable:<strong> "</strong>I believe I sent the $10 million dollar transfer."</p><h3><strong>"For now, yes ... "</strong></h3><p>Please define "now," i.e., the layoffs won't happen this quarter … or this morning?</p><h3><strong>"I can't promise this, but ... "<br /></strong></h3><p>That's funny, because I <em>also</em> can't promise I believe what you're about to tell me.</p><h3><strong>"I'll try... "</strong></h3><p>This is part of a flimsy package of lingo that comes with: " should be able to," "It should be okay," etc.</p><h3><strong>"This is unofficial."</strong></h3><p>Also not okay: "I'm just telling you what I heard," and "It's just my opinion, but ... ." These are often indigenous to the break room and water cooler.</p><h2>'Passive aggressors'</h2><p>It hard to trust a passive person because you never really know what they <em>actually</em> want or how they <em>really</em> feel.</p><h3><strong>"Good luck!"</strong></h3><p>Did they mean,"Good luck with that!" when they walked off tossing their head?</p><h3><strong>"You know best."</strong></h3><p>This is really a "CYA waiver." It really means, "mess up and you're on your own."</p><h3><strong>"I'm not saying that … "</strong></h3><p>But you just said it.</p><h3><strong>"I'm sure you'll do something for me someday."</strong></h3><p>Sure. I'll be right back with a scorecard.</p><h2>'Remorseless ranters'</h2><p>When people offer genuine apologies, that engenders trust, versus the deflective, "anti-apology," Taylor explains.</p><h3><strong>"If I offended you, I'm sorry."</strong></h3><p>Are you taking a wild guess here, or apologizing?</p><h3><strong>"My bad."</strong></h3><p>This is okay for very minor goof ups, but not for major infractions. Examples: "I meant to say, both Sam and Emily; my bad." (Doesn't really sound bad.) "I dinged your car." (Baaad).</p><h3><strong>"S--t happens."</strong></h3><p>Like UFOs and paranormal activity happens ... not anyone's fault.</p><h3><strong>"Sorry, but … "</strong></h3><p>Meaning, "not sorry."</p><h2><strong>'Blusterers'</strong></h2><h3>"<strong>I'll get back to you</strong>."</h3><p>Without giving specifics on when, especially to a new acquaintance, that's tantamount to saying: "I <em>might</em> get back to you ... ."</p><h3><strong>"Don't over-think it."</strong></h3><p>This can be well meaning, but it can make you want to blurt out, "Actually, <em>please</em> - rethink it; thanks!"</p><h3><strong>"I'm not worried."</strong></h3><p>Well, now <em>I</em> am!</p><h3><strong>"Everyone thinks that you are ... "</strong></h3><p>You mean you, right?</p><h3> </h3><h3>"You're lucky things turned out the way they did this time."</h3><p>Is this a threat?</p><h2>It's not always what you say; it's how you say it</h2><p>"It's not just the phrases you use that can trigger mistrust, but <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FKx7yut9rM">your delivery, too,</a>" adds Taylor. "When someone says, 'Thank you,' are they smiling and making eye contact, or looking away and mumbling? Does the person tend to whisper some of their conversations, as if you're cloaked in secrecy? Or are they straightforward and transparent? And, there's much merit to the phrase, actions speak louder than words' when it comes to trust."</p><p>Here's a quick checklist of tips to foster greater trust:</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">• Communicate honestly, frequently, and clearly</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">• Demonstrate empathy</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">• Be accountable and reliable</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">• Illustrate a commonality of goals</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">• Be consistent, concise and original</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">• Choose meaningful words</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">• Support your words with action</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">• Consider your delivery - body language and intonation</span></p><p>While you can't be <em>too</em> measured in what you say (that will create distrust, too!) - your "trust quotient" is worth exploring, she says. "It can be a critical factor in your career success."</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/useful-hard-adopt-early-morning-rituals-productive-exercise-2016-9">4 morning rituals that are hard to adopt but could really pay off</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="RiZTd2NTE6xn9xYKy7vyiaC_zwlTLxVj" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

30 words and phrases you're using at work that make you seem untrustworthy

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/9539644052/in/photolist-fkSdJj-EUrS6-5PgE7K-5PkPaL-kAyMng-axC4jE-DdgXB-bzpHXy-cG3cZE-fwZ6e9-fwZbXW-fwJSTr-fwZaPA-fwJQGc-fwZ5LC-fwZ9DS-fwZa9m-fwZ4UW-fwZ6Sd-fwZ8z1">Flickr via Scott Beale</a></span></p><p class="caption">Rick Webb, at his wedding in August 2013.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Rick Webb came into wealth a few years ago, when his company Barbarian Group was acquired. Or, as Webb describes it, he became "wealthy. ish." </p>
<p>"Like rich people wouldn't consider me rich, but I did some research and I'm in like the top .5% or something now, well into seven figures, won't have to work ever again," he wrote in <a href="http://www.quora.com/What-does-it-feel-like-to-be-financially-rich/answer/Rick-Webb?srid=3Cp&amp;share=1">response to a question on Quora.</a></p>
<p>Webb didn't always have money. He worked tons of odd jobs before he became a successful entrepreneur and investor. Webb has since backed startups such as Foursquare and Tumblr.</p>
<p>This week, Webb turned 42 and he listed all the jobs he's ever made a salary from. The list begins with "berry and rhubarb farmer" and ends with "house cleaner." In the middle you'll find things like "pooper scooper" and "guitarist/singer in space rock band," to more recent roles, "board member" and "COO."</p>
<p>Even now that Webb has money, he doesn't spend it in a crazy fashion. He wrote a really thoughtful post about what it was like to come into wealth, <a href="http://rickwebb.tumblr.com/post/63011055721/on-wealth">here.</a> </p>
<p>Below is his <a href="http://rickwebb.tumblr.com/post/85054650419/on-my-42nd-birthday-i-give-you-a-list-of-jobs-that-i">full list of jobs</a>. </p>
<ul>
<li>Rhubarb &amp; Berry Farmer</li>
<li>Bartender on a roving karaoke palace</li>
<li>Christmas tree decorator in a christmas shop (the trick is to individually wrap every branch with lights from the trunk outward and back, one branch at a time. Use about 10 strings. Looks amazing)</li>
<li>Railroad car cleaner on the Alaska Railroad</li>
<li>Guy who waves those paddles for airplanes</li>
<li>Baggage handler at the airport (notable for being allowed to play on baggage claim belts)</li>
<li>Founding music director of a commercial radio station</li>
<li>Dishwasher</li>
<li>Busboy</li>
<li>Line cook</li>
<li>Copy shop lackey</li>
<li>Offset press man</li>
<li>Bus washer</li>
<li>Bar owner</li>
<li>Club promoter &amp; host of illegal raves</li>
<li>Designer of annual reports for genomics companies and microchip manufacturers</li>
<li>Video editor for startups and ad agencies (dot com boom 1)</li>
<li>Record label owner</li>
<li>Rhythm guitarist and keyboardist in a country band</li>
<li>Guitarist and singer in a space rock band</li>
<li>Power electronics operator in a noise band</li>
<li>Purveyor of corn dogs at the Alaska state fair</li>
<li>Seller of admissions tickets to the Alaska state fair, 3 years running</li>
<li>Paperboy (boy that one did not last)</li>
<li>Lawn mower</li>
<li>Driveway snow shoveler</li>
<li>Hotel Housecleaner at Sophie's Station hotel in Fairbanks, AK</li>
<li>Photographer of bands, fetish nights, etc. </li>
<li>Macromedia Flash animator and actionscript programmer</li>
<li>Pre-press operator for financial reports at a major printing press (FRAMEMAKER)</li>
<li>Tour manager for goth bands</li>
<li>Merch boy</li>
<li>DJ</li>
<li>PA</li>
<li>PowerPoint expert for audit and financial firms, including Putnam, KPMG, Deloitte, Fidelity. </li>
<li>Web designer</li>
<li>Web developer</li>
<li>Macromedia Director Lingo programmer (Coincidentally I met one of the authors ofLingo last night!)</li>
<li>Photoshop production artist</li>
<li>Color corrector of photos of automobiles</li>
<li>Copywriter</li>
<li>Art director</li>
<li>Bookkeeper (oh man do NOT hire me as a bookkeeper I am terrible)</li>
<li>Columnist</li>
<li>Book Author</li>
<li>COO</li>
<li>Web producer</li>
<li>"Mechanical Supervisor" (whatever that means. I am still not sure)</li>
<li>Information Architect</li>
<li>Quark and Pagemaker Page layout designer</li>
<li>Film producer</li>
<li>Agfa Accuset Imagesetter Operator</li>
<li>Full time designer of record covers</li>
<li>Bed and Breakfast breakfast preparer and housekeeper</li>
<li>Professional decorator of techno/electronica nightclubs</li>
<li>Venture Capitalist &amp; angel investor</li>
<li>Co-working space owner</li>
<li>Advisor</li>
<li>Board Member</li>
<li>Revenue consultant</li>
<li>Advertising product designer</li>
<li>Salesperson</li>
<li>Account manager</li>
<li>Vague, undefined "strategist"</li>
<li>Design studio owner</li>
<li>Advertising agency owner</li>
<li>Proposal lackey</li>
<li>Professional buyer of tickets to concerts for resale via a legal scalper</li>
<li>Attendant at a pop up store for the Nintendo Game Cube (actually this might have been the best job I ever had)</li>
<li>Alaska state legislature campaign manager (man it's crazy there is NOTHING about this on the web)</li>
<li>Parade pooper scooper</li>
<li>Subway busker (for one day, bauhaus covers only, harvard square stop)</li>
<li>Professional speaker</li>
<li>MacTemp</li>
<li>Game designer</li>
<li>Recruiter</li>
<li>Ebay seller</li>
<li>Gas station attendant</li>
<li>Guy standing on a street corner handing out flyers</li>
<li>Envelope stuffer</li>
<li>House Painter</li>
<li>House cleaner</li>
</ul>

You Searched For "best car washer" and got 12 results

Millennials reveal their 105 favorite brands, from Gucci to Amazon

Mary Meisenzahl,Natasha Dailey

My partner and I renovated a $700 pop-up camper we found online. Here are 10 things that surprised us most.

James Christenson

I've paid more rent living in California than ever before, but I'm not sorry I moved here

Quinisha Jackson-Wright

How to do laundry when traveling and all the things you need to do it

Mary Marlowe Leverette

There's two big areas LG wants to push into this year

Maya Kosoff

I work for myself, save 50% of my income, and still have money left over to travel. Here's how it breaks down.

Elizabeth Aldrich

The 3 cheapest ways to get to Hawaii on points and miles

Ariana Arghandewal

It took me less than 20 minutes to make a $20 money decision I'd been putting off for years

Tanza Loudenback

30 words and phrases you're using at work that make you seem untrustworthy

Jacquelyn Smith

From Pooper Scooper To Millionaire: Here Are 82 Odd Jobs A Tumblr Investor Had Before He Struck It Rich

Alyson Shontell

10. The Macy's Home Department

Dan Bobkoff,Anna Mazarakis,Cl…

Prematurity Rates Are Too High - And Children's Hospitals Are Cashing In

Alex Halperin