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<ul><li>The <keyword id="242110" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="valve">Valve</keyword> <keyword id="11651484" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="steam-deck">Steam Deck</keyword> is a new handheld gaming device with powerful hardware.<br /></li><li>Designed like the Nintendo Switch, the Steam Deck is capable of running most games available on Steam, including the latest AAA titles.<br /></li><li>The Steam Deck reservations begin July 16, and it is priced at $399.<br /></li></ul>Valve, the US-based game developer company and the maker of Steam has announced its own dedicated handheld gaming device, the Steam Deck. This portable gaming device promises to pack a punch, too, bringing the power of dedicated gaming consoles into your hands.<br /><br />The Steam Deck sports a 7-inch display and runs on a quad-core AMD Ryzen Zen 2 processor. This is paired with the RDNA 2 graphics, with up to 512GB storage and 16GB of memory. If that isn’t enough to make you feel giddy, there’s more.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Steam Deck price and availability" comment="subhead" text="Steam Deck price and availability"><span data-til="noop">Steam Deck price and availability</span></cmsannotation><br /><br />The Steam Deck is priced starting at $399 (approx. ₹30,000) and reservations begin July 16, however, reservations are not open in India just yet. Don’t lose hope, though, as Valve says that expanded regional availability is coming soon.<br /><br />The Steam Deck will start shipping in December this year.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Steam Deck features, specs and design" comment="subhead" text="Steam Deck features, specs and design"><span data-til="noop">Steam Deck features, specs and design</span></cmsannotation><br /><br />The Steam Deck is loaded with controls and features. It uses a similar form factor as that of the Nintendo Switch, except it packs in a much more powerful punch.<br /><br />It runs on a tweaked version of Valve’s SteamOS, with an interface designed to enhance the ease of navigation. It sports a 7-inch HD resolution display, with a 60Hz refresh rate.<br /><br /><div type="image" title="Valve Steam Deck 1" msid="84464540" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Steam Deck&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />Thanks to the Zen 2 processor paired with RDNA 2 graphics, the Steam Deck is powerful enough to run almost everything on the Steam store. Valve says that it is capable enough to run the latest AAA games as well.<br /><br />Beyond the powerful hardware, the Steam Deck also promises a complete gaming experience thanks to the abundant controls on hand – it has all the buttons you’d need, including full-sized joysticks. It also has four buttons on the back that can be mapped to do whatever you want.<br /><br />Valve says the 40 watt-hour battery should offer “several hours of play time for most games,”. For lighter games or streaming, the company says you can expect 7-8 hours of battery life. This will likely vary based on real life usage, but it does offer an approximate idea of what you can expect.<br /><br />But beyond gaming, the Steam Deck is actually a full-blown Linux computer. You can even attach a mouse, keyboard and connect the device to a monitor and download other software, app store or simply browse the web.<br /><br />And if the Steam Deck succeeds, Valve would consider launching future models, said Gabe Newell, the company’s co-founder in an <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/steam-deck-hands-on-impressions-details-valve-handheld-gaming-pc">interview</a> with IGN.<br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/from-a-new-aposhaloapos-game-to-the-long-awaited-aposstarfieldapos-xbox-just-showcased-a-huge-slate-of-new-games-coming-to-its-consoles/slidelist/83495242.cms">From a new 'Halo' game to the long-awaited 'Starfield,' Xbox just showcased a huge slate of new games coming to its consoles</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/forget-about-the-xbox-microsoft-is-all-in-on-its-netflix-for-gaming-subscription-service/articleshow/83520826.cms">Forget about the Xbox: Microsoft is all-in on its 'Netflix for gaming' subscription service</a><br /><br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/the-game-console-inside-the-new-tesla-model-x-and-s-is-powered-by-the-chipmaker-behind-the-playstation-5-and-xbox/articleshow/83158106.cms"><strong>The game console inside the new Tesla Model X and S is powered by the chipmaker behind the PlayStation 5 and Xbox</strong></a><br />

Valve’s Steam Deck handheld gaming device promises to bring the power of consoles in your hands

<ul class="summary-list"><li><em>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</em></li></ul><p><strong>Happy Friday! </strong>As someone who often sports Crocs, I shouldn't be offering fashion advice. But I don't get the hype around <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/controversial-mesh-flats-popular-summer-shoe-2024-7"><u>these fishnet flats</u></a> being the shoe of the summer.</p><p>In today's big story, Tesla insiders detail how it needs to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-car-sales-slump-salespeople-commission-2024-7"><u>rethink its sales strategy</u></a> amid a shift in the EV market.</p><p><strong>What's on deck:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Markets:</strong> Chip stocks look juicy these days, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/watch-out-for-semiconductor-super-cycle-before-buying-nvidia-stock-2024-7"><u>but it won't be that way forever</u></a>.</li><li><strong>Tech:</strong> Apple just got <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-bought-itself-some-time-after-quarterly-results-2024-8"><u>more time to prove itself</u></a> after its hefty AI investments.</li><li><strong>Business:</strong> The newest sports streamer's coverage <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venu-sports-streamer-cost-43-nfl-youtube-tv-2024-8"><u>leaves much to be desired</u></a>.</li></ul><p>But first, what can I do to get you in this car today?</p><p><strong><em>If this was forwarded to you, </em></strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today"><strong><em><u>sign up here.</u></em></strong></a></p><h3 id="0642bd0e-e971-4663-bff4-7c413bf24f3d">The big story</h3><h2 id="8e8b25cf-af5c-4ba5-823b-ade7efe8b096"><strong>For sale</strong></h2><div type="image" title="Photo illustration of a Tesla Car." height="1334" width="2000" msid="112227144" hostid="261" sizebytes="238774"></div><p><strong>One of Tesla's biggest assets is its willingness to try new things, but its unique approach to sales is also what's giving it headaches.</strong></p><p>It's been a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-stock-tsla-earnings-call-report-live-updates-2024-7"><u>tumultuous year for the EV maker</u></a> and its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-legal-list-tesla-x-spacex-court-cases-investigations"><u>CEO Elon Musk</u></a>. Tesla's delivery numbers dropped for two consecutive quarters, and its market share dipped below 50% for the first time in company history.</p><p>A key issue is Tesla's inability to evolve its sales tactics as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-vehicle-misconceptions-about-the-ev-transition-market-sales-2024-5"><u>the EV market rapidly changes</u></a>. Business Insider's Grace Kay spoke to more than a dozen current and former employees in Tesla's sales division about how the company <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-car-sales-slump-salespeople-commission-2024-7"><u>has tried to kick-start its sales unit</u></a>.</p><p>Not unlike its cars, Tesla's sales approach is innovative compared to the rest of the automotive industry. It doesn't rely on third-party dealerships and keeps most of its inventory off-site. There's also no haggling on price, and online sales make up a good chunk of the business.</p><p>It's a great strategy when the cars sell themselves — which Teslas did for a while — since you don't need to maintain a traditional sales structure. But Tesla's approach has fallen flat <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-cant-impress-new-ev-buyers-thats-a-problem-2024-7"><u>among mainstream car buyers</u></a>, leaving it scrambling for a fix.</p><div type="image" title="Tesla superchargers" height="1281" width="2000" msid="112227147" hostid="261" sizebytes="361628"></div><p><strong>Tesla's sales conundrum represents a common mistake tech companies make: pushing for innovation in unwanted places.</strong></p><p>The tech industry loves to find inefficiencies in businesses to streamline them, and we love them for that. After all, the result can often be great for customers.</p><p>We have on-demand music, movies, and television at our fingertips. You can place a food delivery order in seconds from your couch, and the love of your life might be a few swipes away. What a time to be alive.</p><p>But for certain things, people don't mind a more old-school approach.</p><p>Fintechs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/robinhood-add-more-customer-support-after-congress-grilled-ceo-2021-2"><u>learned this the hard way</u></a> when they offered chatbots instead of humans. As much as younger people might hate talking on the phone, they don't mind it when their money is on the line.</p><p>Shopping is another example. Retailers would love to have you make quick, impulsive purchases from your phone. But when it comes to big-ticket items, customers often pivot to their laptops, much to the chagrin of retailers, for what they call "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/retailers-hate-that-you-buy-big-things-on-your-laptop-57cf403c"><u>big-screen purchase</u></a>."</p><p>This gets us back to Tesla. Sure, if your customer base is full of Musk acolytes, you can rely on low-pressure salespeople. But once that well runs dry, you're going to need someone to pitch apprehensive shoppers.</p><h2 id="e7ad5a04-e409-4b8e-a5a6-9c0198f1ef94">3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="Semiconductors in a circle" height="1500" width="2000" msid="112227146" hostid="261" sizebytes="159064"></div><ol><li><strong>Thinking about buying chip stocks like Nvidia? Timing is everything.</strong> The world's most valuable company — and its peers — won't be on the up-and-up forever. Investors need to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/watch-out-for-semiconductor-super-cycle-before-buying-nvidia-stock-2024-7"><u>account for this key factor</u></a> so they aren't left hanging with ill-timed purchases.</li><li><strong>The three most important letters on Wall Street: CTO. </strong>Chief technology officers are finding themselves in the spotlight as finance firms try to leverage AI to drive productivity and save costs. Tech leaders at Citadel, Goldman Sachs, and AllianceBernstein <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cto-cio-top-jobs-wall-street-goldman-sachs-citadel-2024-8"><u>discuss how the job has changed</u></a>.</li><li><strong>This economist sees multiple rate cuts in our future. </strong>Economic data shows we're on shaky ground and the Fed needs to act fast, according to ING Economics' James Knightley. Rising jobless claims and a drop in the manufacturing index point to the Fed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-economy-slowdown-signal-flashed-interest-rate-cuts-accelerate-fed-2024-8"><u>cutting interest rates more than expected this year</u></a>.</li></ol><h2 id="62bb4334-a805-49b4-89b9-d7825f87b766"><strong>3 things in tech</strong></h2><div type="image" title="Amazon CEO Andy Jassy" height="1000" width="2000" msid="112227143" hostid="261" sizebytes="135614"></div><ol><li><strong>Amazon disappoints investors.</strong> The e-commerce giant <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-stock-amzn-quarterly-earnings-call-report-live-updates-2024-7"><u>reported Q2 earnings</u></a> below expectations. Investors reacted swiftly: Amazon's stock sank as much as 7% in after-hours trading. Amazon Web Services is a bright spot for the company, though it took customers and employees by surprise by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aws-deprioritized-cloud-services-surprising-customers-salespeople-2024-8"><u>quietly deprioritizing seven cloud services</u></a>.</li><li><strong>Apple just bought itself some time. </strong>Despite reporting a decline in iPhone revenue for its third quarter, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-aapl-stock-quarterly-earnings-call-report-live-updates-2024-7"><u>Apple's overall profits</u></a> still beat Wall Street's expectations. That gives it a little more time before <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-bought-itself-some-time-after-quarterly-results-2024-8"><u>it has to prove its big AI investments were worth it</u></a>.</li><li><strong>Meet the 21-year-old behind the AI necklace the internet hates.</strong> Avi Schiffmann, founder of the AI friendship necklace Friend, launched a "Black Mirror"-style commercial and spent $1.8 million on a website domain. He smokes a lot of cigarettes, is guided by "personal vibes," and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-zer-behind-friend-creepy-new-ai-necklace-interview-2024-8"><u>thinks the haters are just "yappin'</u></a>."</li></ol><h2 id="3c244a91-acbf-4e23-8cde-90d1f2a8f4a7"><strong>3 things in business</strong></h2><div type="image" title="Mark Cuban photo illustration." height="3000" width="4000" msid="112227151" hostid="261" sizebytes="333010"></div><ol><li><strong>Mark Cuban's mission to upend Big Pharma.</strong> The billionaire "Shark Tank" investor runs a low-cost online pharmacy that offers more than 2,000 mostly generic drugs. Now the company is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-cuban-cost-plus-strategy-disrupt-drug-pricing-big-pharma-2024-7"><u>expanding into imports</u></a> and competing directly with big names like Pfizer and Novo Nordisk.</li><li><strong>A world of sports streaming, sans football.</strong> Venu is a new sports streaming bundle that costs $43 a month — but it doesn't include most coverage of the biggest sport on television. With a massive hole from missing NFL coverage, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venu-sports-streamer-cost-43-nfl-youtube-tv-2024-8"><u>is there still an audience for this type of thing</u></a>?</li><li><strong>Some TikTok career coaches give really bad advice.</strong> Shocker! Here are some of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-worst-career-advice-on-tiktok-2024-8"><u>worst tips and hacks</u></a> creators have shared, which you should ignore. (The white font trick for the bottom of your résumé will almost certainly backfire.)</li></ol><h2 id="b691d3d2-a3d7-4ee3-8890-aa84cf68a80c"><strong>In other news</strong></h2><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-frees-political-prisoners-including-massive-exchange-2024-7"><u>Russia frees WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan in a major prisoner swap</u></a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reddit-acquires-artificial-intelligence-adtech-startup-memorable-ai-2024-7"><u>Reddit has acquired an AI startup to beef up its ad business in a deal worth around $40 million</u></a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/federal-judge-overturns-jury-verdict-nfl-billions-damages-likely-appeal-2024-8"><u>The NFL just got a $4.7 billion win — for now</u></a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/immigration-customs-enforcement-ice-agents-deadly-force-shootings-2024-8"><u>Immigration and Customs Enforcement has kept its use of deadly force secret. Until now</u></a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-doj-investigation-runai-big-tech-crackdown-antitrust-acquisition-competition-2024-8"><u>Even Nvidia can't escape the government's crackdown on Big Tech</u></a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-ipad-quarterly-earnings-revenue-2024-8"><u>Apple's iPad is having a moment</u></a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-tiktok-talent-managers-agents-social-media-creators-influencers-2024-8"><u>20 TikTok talent managers and agents helping creators navigate a changing social-media world</u></a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-new-ai-chatbots-are-getting-weird-and-erotic-2024-8"><u>Meta's new AI chatbots are already getting weird — and horny</u></a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/don-lemon-sues-elon-musk-over-x-deal-2024-8"><u>Don Lemon sues Elon Musk over axed X partnership</u></a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/silicon-valley-billionaires-investors-kamala-harris-mark-cuban-reid-hoffman-2024-8"><u>Meet the Silicon Valley billionaires, founders, and investors backing Kamala Harris</u></a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/we-asked-ai-chatbots-about-trump-shooting-chatgpt-meta-claude-2024-7"><u>Meta's AI apparently said the shooting at the Trump rally didn't happen. Here's what ChatGPT and Claude said</u></a>.</li></ul><h2 id="265f2581-0e55-4ab6-8ce7-1a67b2d79f37"><strong>What's happening today</strong></h2><ul><li>US Department of Labor releases an employment report, including data on the unemployment rate.</li><li>Chevron, ExxonMobil, and <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/earnings-calendar"><u>other companies</u></a> report earnings.</li><li>It's International Beer Day. Grab a pint!</li></ul><p><strong>The Insider Today team: </strong>Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Annie Smith, associate producer, in London. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.</p>

Tesla's unique approach to sales is giving it headaches

<ul class="summary-list"><li><em>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</em></li></ul><p><strong>Almost Friday! </strong>Nvidia's adding to its impressive lineup with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nvidia-new-blackwell-chip-cost-30000-to-40000-jensen-huang-2024-3"><u>new chip that'll cost at least $30,000</u></a>. But do you know what's arguably more impressive? CEO Jensen Huang's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jensen-huang-wardrobe-black-leather-jackets-signature-look-2024-3"><u>collection of leather jackets</u></a>.</p><p>In today's big story, we've made a March Madness bracket to decide the biggest topics in business, tech, and innovation, and <a target="_blank" href="https://forms.gle/c2VANLpbeGb2Ywx87"><u>we need you to vote</u></a>.</p><p><strong>What's on deck:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Markets:</strong> Goldman Sachs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-internal-memo-women-leaders-russell-horwitz-2024-3"><u>has some talking points</u></a> for criticism that it's bleeding women leaders.</p></li><li><p><strong>Tech:</strong> Reddit is going public, but advertisers say it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reddit-ipo-hinges-on-improving-performance-for-advertisers-2024-3"><u>still has to prove its worth to them</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><strong>Business:</strong> Workers are getting way more productive — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/employee-productivity-booming-workers-jobs-ai-stock-market-gdp-2024-3"><u>and it's not because of AI</u></a>.</p></li></ul><p>But first, who ya got in the bracket?</p><p><strong><em>If this was forwarded to you, </em></strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today"><strong><em><u>sign up here.</u></em></strong></a></p><h3>The big story</h3><h2><strong>Bracket bonanza</strong></h2><div type="image" title="A grid with images representing AI, weight-loss drugs, US-China relations, and interest rates." height="900" width="1200" msid="108685524" hostid="261"></div><p><strong>Welcome to the madness.</strong></p><p>College basketball takes center stage this weekend with the first rounds of the men's and women's championship tournaments kicking off today and tomorrow, respectively.</p><p>The tourneys, which include 68 teams in a win-or-go-home format, are largely viewed as one of the best sporting events in the US.</p><p>Insider Today is getting in on the fun with a business-focused bracket <a target="_blank" href="https://forms.gle/c2VANLpbeGb2Ywx87"><u>where readers determine a winner</u></a>.</p><p>Below are eight of the biggest storylines we're following in business, tech, and innovation. It's not an all-encompassing list, but these topics cover some of the top trends we're watching.</p><p>Just like the tournament, the topics are seeded. In each matchup, vote for the trend you feel is more important. We'll share the results next week and conduct another round of voting for the semifinals.</p><p><strong>[1] The AI race vs. [8] The Ozempic effect: </strong>Identifying the top seed wasn't tricky. Artificial intelligence is all anyone wants to discuss. The tech is all-encompassing, the top focus of the biggest companies in the world, and could upend everything we do. But weight-loss drugs are also projected to have some <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-economy-faster-growth-ozempic-glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-2024-2"><u>massive economic implications</u></a>. And they're reshaping people's relationship with food.</p><p><strong>[2] Interest rates vs. [7] US-China relations: </strong>The biggest question in the market is when the Federal Reserve will lower rates. A cut could open up the M&amp;A and IPO markets, boost stocks, and give consumers relief. China doesn't have as direct an impact on US businesses as interest rates, but it's not far behind. Just look at the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-xi-jinping-crush-tesla-elon-musk-american-ev-industry-2024-2"><u>EV market</u></a>.</p><p><strong>[3] US presidential election vs. [6] Boomers' retirement: </strong>This year's presidential election might be a rematch, but both candidates come with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/presidential-us-election-rematch-biden-trump-top-themes-for-voters-2024-3"><u>plenty of surprises</u></a>. Speaking of older people, boomers are entering their retirement era, which has many <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomer-wealth-transfer-myth-dont-count-on-inheritance-estate-planning-2023-10"><u>knock-on effects.</u></a></p><p><strong>[4] Future of social media vs. [5] Streaming wars: </strong>A potential TikTok ban. The future of X under Elon Musk. Instagram's comeback. Social media is at a unique crossroads. Another form of entertainment — movies and television — has also reached a tipping point. And it's not just about changing how we watch TV, but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/this-chart-shows-ads-streaming-netflix-hulu-max-hbo-disney-2024-2"><u>how advertisers reach us</u></a>.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqavyXrgj1KbpbwIBDFfwx1r4mhBXscuRrkahjjGQz_2liKw/viewform"><strong>Vote here</strong></a></p><h2>3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="US Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the headquarters of the Federal Reserve on January 31, 2024 in Washington, DC." height="2731" width="4096" msid="108685526" hostid="261"></div><ol><li><p><strong>The Fed holds the line on interest rates.</strong> The central bank continued <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/did-fed-cut-interest-rates-march-meeting-continues-pause-inflation-2024-3"><u>its pause on interest rate hikes</u></a>. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said he's not looking too far ahead and wants more data "that gives us higher confidence that inflation is moving toward 2%."</p></li><li><p><strong>How November's election will impact stocks. </strong>UBS<strong> </strong>mapped out how four different election outcomes — like a blue or red sweep — <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/biden-trump-presidential-election-stock-market-impact-tariffs-regulation-taxes-2024-3"><u>would affect stocks</u></a>. "While we are obliged to remind investors that portfolio construction is best treated as an apolitical exercise, the next eight months are likely to be exceptionally distracting," the bank wrote in its report.</p></li><li><p><strong>Goldman Sachs is in damage-control mode amid criticism that it's bleeding female leaders. </strong>In a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-internal-memo-women-leaders-russell-horwitz-2024-3"><u>12-point memo</u></a> obtained by BI, chief of staff Russell Horwitz admitted that the firm hasn't gone far enough to advance female employees' careers. He was responding to a Wall Street Journal story that detailed concerns about Goldman Sachs' lack of senior female leaders.</p></li></ol><h2><strong>3 things in tech</strong></h2><div type="image" title="Steve Huffman photo illustration." height="1334" width="1778" msid="108685529" hostid="261"></div><ol><li><p><strong>The "front page of the internet" is ready to go public. </strong>Reddit is set to list on the New York Stock Exchange today. It's priced its initial public offering at <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/reddit-ipo-price-stock-offering-social-media-retail-2024-3"><u>$34 a share</u></a>, valuing the social media platform at $6.4 billion.</p></li><li><p><strong>AI investments are getting too frothy for VCs. </strong>As the AI gold rush overtakes Silicon Valley, venture capitalists <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-investments-vcs-startups-valuations-2024-3"><u>are scrambling</u></a> to get in on the action. Some investors, however, told BI they're struggling to find viable deals as prices skyrocket.</p></li><li><p><strong>Microsoft's latest hiring spree came amid concerns about OpenAI. </strong>The tech giant said on Tuesday that it had snapped up Inflection CEO Mustafa Suleyman and cofounder Karén Simonyan to lead a new AI team. It's a sign <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-hired-inflection-team-amid-board-concerns-about-openai-2024-3"><u>Microsoft wants to be less reliant on OpenAI</u></a> after its CEO Sam Altman was dramatically ousted and then rehired in November, insiders told BI.</p></li></ol><h2><strong>3 things in business</strong></h2><div type="image" title="An illustration of a worker stepping up on a bar graph." height="1000" width="2000" msid="108685531" hostid="261"></div><ol><li><p><strong>America's productivity is soaring — and it's not thanks to AI. </strong>Strong economic growth and a stable labor market have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/employee-productivity-booming-workers-jobs-ai-stock-market-gdp-2024-3"><u>workers getting better and more efficient at their jobs</u></a>. That's great news for the US economy, companies, those worried about inflation, and even the stock market.</p></li><li><p><strong>Amazon is quietly developing a new AI search tool. </strong>Internally called <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/project-theia-amazon-ai-tool-shopping-inspiration-2024-3"><u>Project Theia, the new feature can create images</u></a> based on shopper queries and product photos. It's intended to help Amazon become a source of shopping inspiration.</p></li><li><p><strong>Elon Musk's Neuralink just revealed its first human trial patient. </strong>Noland Arbaugh, a 29-year-old quadriplegic, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/neuralink-first-human-trial-patient-quadriplegic-elon-musk-x-2024-3"><u>received a brain-chip implant</u></a> in January. In a livestream on X Wednesday he said the chip is "not perfect," but has already improved his life by giving him the ability to play video games for hours on end without having to rely on his family members.</p></li></ol><h2><strong>What's happening today</strong></h2><ul><li><p><strong>Today's earnings: </strong>FedEx, Nike, and other <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/earnings-calendar"><u>companies are reporting</u></a>.</p></li></ul><p><strong>The Insider Today team: </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/dan-defrancesco">Dan DeFrancesco</a>, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/hallam-bullock">Hallam Bullock</a>, editor, in London. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jordan-parker-erb">Jordan Parker Erb</a>, editor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/george-glover">George Glover</a>, reporter, in London.</p>

It's March Madness time &mdash; and we mean business

<ul class="summary-list"><li><em>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</em></li></ul><p><strong>Happy Friday! </strong>Oompa Loompa, doompety-doo. I've got a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/willy-wonka-experience-house-glasgow-who-is-the-unknown-2024-2"><u>new Willy Wonka character for you</u></a>.</p><p>This just in: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-sues-sam-altman-betrays-openai-mission-chatgpt-2024-3"><u>Elon Musk has sued ChatGPT-maker OpenAI </u></a>and its chief executive Sam Altman, saying they abandoned the company's original non-profit mission.</p><p><strong>What's on deck:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Markets:</strong> Bitcoin continues its hot streak with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/merill-wells-fargo-bitcoin-etf-mainstream-products-wealth-management-2024-2"><u>buy-in from some big banks</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><strong>Tech:</strong> An adtech giant is about to face <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-trade-desk-adtech-ad-cookies-uid-2024-2"><u>its biggest test yet</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><strong>Business:</strong> A change to the NFL's ownership rules could mean <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-ownership-rules-change-big-win-wall-street-private-equity-2024-2"><u>Wall Street takes the field</u></a>.</p></li></ul><p>But first, there's a new trend in AI.</p><p><strong><em>If this was forwarded to you, </em></strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today"><strong><em><u>sign up here.</u></em></strong></a></p><h3>The big story</h3><h2><strong>AI (literally) in your pocket</strong></h2><div type="image" title="humane's Ai pin attached to a white sweatshirt" height="2160" width="3840" msid="108145959" hostid="261" sizebytes="190530"></div><p><strong>What if you could wear artificial intelligence around your neck, hold it in your pocket, or pin it to your chest?</strong></p><p>AI-powered gadgets might seem like the opposite of progress — isn't the future supposed to be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-vision-pro-experiment-brain-virtual-reality-side-effect-2024-2"><u>virtual</u></a>? — but some don't see it that way.</p><p>In fact, heavy hitters like legendary investor Vinod Khosla believe that AI devices will completely change how we interact with technology.</p><p>It's a prediction that has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-devices-technology-user-experience-rabbit-humane-2024-2"><u>captivated and divided the tech scene in recent months</u></a>, Business Insider's Samantha Stokes and Vishal Persaud write.</p><p>Rabbit's portable AI assistant is an example of the trend. The pocket-sized device can <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-device-tech-replace-rabbit-r1-sold-out-2024-1"><u>perform tasks on users' apps via voice controls</u></a>. In January, its first batch of units — 10,000 devices priced at $199 a pop — sold out in just 24 hours.</p><p>According to AI-gadget evangelists like Khosla, these devices will flip the script on human-computer interactions. Instead of figuring out how to work the newest app or tool, the AI will learn how to navigate around <em>you</em>.</p><div type="image" title="Rabbit R1" height="2880" width="2880" msid="108145961" hostid="261" sizebytes="70898"></div><p><strong>Still, there are reasons to be skeptical about AI devices.</strong></p><p>Humane's Ai Pin, which can project text onto users' hands and translate voice messages, didn't get a warm welcome <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-pin-humane-draws-skepticism-tech-iphone-replacement-2023-11"><u>when it launched late last year</u></a>.</p><p>The hardware business is difficult, especially since the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/saas"><u>SaaS-ification</u></a> of the world means investors often prefer companies with recurring revenue streams, rather than ones that rely on one-off sales.</p><p>But the biggest criticism is much more straightforward:</p><p><em>Why do I need an AI gadget when I already have a very powerful device in my pocket at all times?</em></p><p>That was the perspective of one developer I texted, who said there wasn't much interest in the trend in their network. They also pointed to rumors that hardware giant Apple is set to make big announcements about AI, which CEO Tim Cook <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/28/apple-annual-shareholder-meeting-2024-ai-investments.html"><u>hinted at during the company's annual shareholder meeting</u></a>.</p><p>In the meantime, though, some of tech's biggest names clearly believe AI gadgets are the future. Salesforce's Marc Benioff and OpenAI's Sam Altman are both backers of Humane, while Khosla Ventures invested in Rabbit.</p><h2>3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="Paul Krugman" height="650" width="1300" msid="108145963" hostid="261" sizebytes="52608"></div><ol><li><p><strong>Don't trust the "vibecession." </strong>The bad vibes spreading through the economy are unwarranted, according to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-economy-outlook-recession-inflation-grocery-prices-vibecession-paul-krugman-2024-2"><u>Nobel laureate Paul Krugman</u></a>. Americans shouldn't be bitter about Bidenomics just because grocery prices have risen, he said.</p></li><li><p><strong>Baby boomers are driving the US economy.</strong> A hedge fund manager said we're in <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/baby-boomer-stocks-economy-investing-strategy-biotech-healthcare-tourism-cruises-2024-2"><u>a "boomer renaissance"</u></a> — and told investors to focus on tourism, healthcare, and biotech in order to capitalize.</p></li><li><p><strong>Bitcoin ETFs could go even more mainstream. </strong>Wells Fargo and Bank of America's Merrill have started offering <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/merill-wells-fargo-bitcoin-etf-mainstream-products-wealth-management-2024-2"><u>ETFs that invest directly in the cryptocurrency</u></a> to some of their clients, according to a report. Bitcoin has started 2024 on a tear and is now trading at $62,000 — just $7,000 shy of the record price it hit in November 2021.</p></li></ol><h2><strong>3 things in tech</strong></h2><div type="image" title="The trade desk logo as a moon and a cookie creating a lunar eclipse" height="1500" width="2000" msid="108145966" hostid="261" sizebytes="334744"></div><ol><li><p><strong>The Trade Desk is about to face its biggest test yet</strong>. The $40 billion adtech firm's future hinges on whether it can spread its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-trade-desk-adtech-ad-cookies-uid-2024-2"><u>cookie replacement technology</u></a> across the digital ecosystem, ad experts and former employees told BI.</p></li><li><p><strong>Shopify's ecosystem is becoming oversaturated with apps. </strong>The e-commerce giant's App Store has experienced rapid growth — and developers say <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/shopify-app-store-more-competitive-rising-costs-pressures-developers-2024-2"><u>it's getting tougher to stand out</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><strong>GTA RTO: </strong>Rockstar Games has reportedly given its staff a return-to-office ultimatum as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rockstar-games-employees-to-return-to-office-on-security-grounds-2024-2"><u>"Grand Theft Auto VI" enters the final stages of development</u></a>. Security is one factor driving the publisher's decision after <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gta-6-leaks-may-have-come-from-rockstar-employees-kid-2023-12"><u>the game's first official trailer was leaked</u></a> in December.</p></li></ol><h2><strong>3 things in business</strong></h2><div type="image" title="A bald eagle holding a football" height="900" width="1800" msid="108145968" hostid="261" sizebytes="112172"></div><ol><li><p><strong>The NFL could change its team ownership rules. </strong>The league is inching closer to opening its doors to a slew of institutional investors, including private-equity firms and venture-capital funds. That'd be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-ownership-rules-change-big-win-wall-street-private-equity-2024-2"><u>a massive win for Wall Street</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><strong>The New York Times has big plans for its Cooking app. </strong>NYT Cooking has helped the outlet become a digital success story at a time when other media companies are struggling. Editors plan to churn out more recipes and videos than ever before as part of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-ny-times-big-plans-for-nyt-cooking-app-2024-2"><u>the app's largest expansion yet</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><strong>Oprah is leaving WeightWatchers. </strong>The media maven <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/oprah-winfrey-left-ww-sent-stock-spiraling-spells-doom-diets-2024-2"><u>won't seek reelection to WW International's board</u></a>, according to a SEC filing. Shares in the diet company, which is already struggling to stay relevant due to the rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, tumbled 18% after Oprah's departure was announced.</p></li></ol><h2><strong>In other news</strong></h2><ul><li><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-community-bank-nycb-shares-turmoil-ceo-internal-controls-crisis-2024-3"><u>Real-estate lender NYCB is in turmoil, shredding nerves on Wall Street</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-menaced-west-nuclear-war-troops-ukraine-russia-nato-strike-2024-2"><u>Putin just made one of his most explicit threats of nuclear war yet</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-gemini-ai-chatbot-woke-bias-controversy-raises-question-2024-2"><u>Google's Gemini flop raises the question: What exactly do we want our chatbots to do, really?</u></a></p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dad-scam-fake-kidnap-ransom-2024-2"><u>My dad almost paid a ransom after being told I was kidnapped — but it was all a scam</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/onlyfans-ceo-tired-of-you-calling-it-porn-2024-2"><u>OnlyFans' CEO is tired of you calling it 'porn.'</u></a></p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-googler-fire-early-retirement-coworking-personal-finance-2024-2"><u>An ex-Googler retired at age 40 on a Friday. By Monday, she regretted it</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bet-founder-america-first-black-billionaire-robert-l-johnson-questions-2024-2"><u>America's first Black billionaire got rich from founding BET. He shares the moment he knew he'd made it</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/perplexity-raising-new-funding-generative-ai-2024"><u>AI startup Perplexity is in talks to raise more money at a significantly higher valuation just months after its last round</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-gates-mark-zuckerberg-among-expected-attendees-at-indian-wedding-2024-2"><u>Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are among the CEOs and celebs set to attend a 3-day pre-wedding party being thrown by an Indian tycoon worth $113 billion</u></a>.</p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-investory-reddit-stock-worth-value"><u>No, Sam Altman doesn't actually own half a billion dollars of Reddit stock</u></a>.</p></li></ul><h2><strong>What's happening today</strong></h2><ul><li><p>It's the first day of spring, according to the meteorological season.</p></li><li><p>Alexei Navalny's funeral will be held today.</p></li></ul><p><strong>The Insider Today team: </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/dan-defrancesco">Dan DeFrancesco</a>, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/hallam-bullock">Hallam Bullock</a>, editor, in London. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jordan-parker-erb">Jordan Parker Erb</a>, editor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/george-glover">George Glover</a>, reporter, in London.</p>

Big-name investors are betting AI gadgets could change the way we interact with tech

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="7612156" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="starlink">Starlink</keyword>, <keyword id="6360701" type="DEFINITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="spacex">SpaceX</keyword>'s growing network of internet-beaming satellites, is undergoing a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-wesbite-user-terminal-satellite-dish-pictures-beta-test-2020-7">private beta test</a>.</li><li>In mid-August, Starlink performance results from an internet-connection-testing website began appearing on Reddit.</li><li>The results impressed some users who lack access to affordable high-speed broadband internet.</li><li>But telecommunications-industry experts <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-unlikely-winner-fcc-rural-digital-opportunity-fund-subsidy-2020-8">see potential issues for Starlink</a> in the testing data if SpaceX is competing for $16 billion in federal <keyword id="113746" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="subsidies">subsidies</keyword> this fall.</li></ul><p>The first publicly available performance data for Starlink, SpaceX's new fleet of internet-beaming satellites, isn't impressing everyone.</p><p>In mid-August, people on the r/Starlink subreddit began <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink/comments/i8n1s5/here_is_a_summary_of_the_recently_found_starlink/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posting</a> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink/comments/i84klo/speedtest_21_ms_46_mbps_down_10_mbps_up/g17v5r6/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">links</a> to the first such results, hosted by an internet-connection-testing site called Speedtest. Speedtest anonymizes test results and displays them on a hidden page, but users can share links to them for others to see — likely in violation of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-wesbite-user-terminal-satellite-dish-pictures-beta-test-2020-7">nondisclosure agreements</a> with SpaceX.</p><p>The results showed download speeds ranging from 35 to 60 megabits per second and upload speeds ranging from 5 to 18 Mbps. Readings for pings — a latency-like measure of how long it takes data to go to and from a user's computer to a server on the internet — all sat below 100 milliseconds. (Ookla, which runs Speedtest, told Business Insider the results we shared "all appear to be legitimate.")</p><p>"That's nutty," one Reddit user <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink/comments/i84klo/speedtest_21_ms_46_mbps_down_10_mbps_up/g18za0u/?utm_source=reddit&amp;utm_medium=web2x&amp;context=3ontext=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>. "I'm honestly very impressed."</p><p>"I would give my left nut for any of those speeds," another <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink/comments/i8n1s5/here_is_a_summary_of_the_recently_found_starlink/g19fnht/?utm_source=reddit&amp;utm_medium=web2x&amp;context=3ontext=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p><p>While the numbers wowed some who lack access to broadband service, experts <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-unlikely-winner-fcc-rural-digital-opportunity-fund-subsidy-2020-8">recently told Business Insider</a> that it didn't appear to be fantastic <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news">news</keyword> for SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002.</p><div type="image" title="spacex starlink satellite internet ookla speedtest speed test results bandwidth upload download ping july august 2020" height="1388" width="1500" msid="77784068" hostid="261"></div><p>Given its extensive lobbying efforts, SpaceX is likely using Starlink to compete for a large pool of <keyword id="151072" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Federal-Communications-Commission">Federal Communications Commission</keyword> subsidies this fall, called the <keyword id="9834789" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rural-digital-opportunity-fund">Rural Digital Opportunity Fund</keyword>. (The <keyword id="160638" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="FCC">FCC</keyword> declined to share a list of entrants, and SpaceX did not acknowledge Business Insider's queries.)</p><p>The goal of the new $20.4 billion, two-phase program is to deliver high-speed, low-latency web access to parts of rural America without broadband service, which the FCC defines as a minimum of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds. The agency considers this <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/broadband-speed-guide">fast enough</a> to telecommute, do schoolwork, or stream 4K video, for example.</p><p>The FCC plans to pay up to $16 billion this fall to those providers that can bring the best broadband access to the most areas for the lowest cost.</p><p>Starlink might seem like a shoo-in for the subsidies, since its coverage would, according to Musk, eventually reach almost anywhere on Earth and far outperform the speed and latency of older satellite fleets. It also seems to clear important FCC thresholds of bandwidth and latency no greater than 100 milliseconds, leading <a href="https://www.fool.com/amp/investing/2020/08/23/fast-broadband-from-orbit-new-data-says-spacex-can/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one website to say</a> that "this looks very much like 'mission accomplished' for SpaceX."</p><p>However, the rules of the program stack the deck against satellite-based systems.</p><p>"My guess, looking at the numbers, is the satellites don't win anything," <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/experts/blair-levin/">Blair Levin</a>, a telecommunications policy analyst, nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institution, and former FCC chief of staff, told Business Insider.</p><p>What's more, telecommunications experts said they anticipated seeing higher performance out of the network, even in its beta phase.</p><p>"It's kind of concerning that you're getting these data rates so early in the game," <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pandit/">Shrihari Pandit</a>, a photonics engineer and CEO of Stealth Communications, which provides internet access to New York City businesses and researches new internet infrastructure technologies, told Business Insider. "I would suspect it should be a little higher than where it is, let's say a couple hundred megabits per second."</p><p><a href="https://www.eff.org/about/staff/ernesto-omar-falcon">Ernesto Falcon</a>, a senior legislative counsel at the Electronic Frontier Foundation who focuses on broadband access and competition policies, told Business Insider that in the context of FCC politics and the prospects of bidding for these subsidies, "it's not good" to see such performance results.</p><p>Subscribers can <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-unlikely-winner-fcc-rural-digital-opportunity-fund-subsidy-2020-8">access our full story</a> on why SpaceX might not win any FCC subsidies, who might earn them, and how things could work out for SpaceX in the long run.</p><p><em>This story has been updated.</em></p><p><em><strong>Do you have a story or inside information to share about the spaceflight industry?</strong> Send Dave Mosher an email at <a href="mailto:dmosher+tips@businessinsider.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dmosher+tips@businessinsider.com</a> or send him a Twitter direct message at <a href="https://twitter.com/davemosher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@davemosher</a>. You may also consider more secure communication options <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/dave-mosher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed here</a>.</em></p>

Starlink's speed tests may look impressive, but experts say SpaceX's satellite-internet project is unlikely to win any federal subsidies

<p>Our readers are the first to know the latest industry trends and hear from thought leaders who are innovating the business landscape. 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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Pokémon card prices are on the rise and scalpers are becoming an issue in the collector community.</li><li>Card prices soared over the course of 2020 due to nostalgia and YouTuber influence.</li><li>Target recently stopped selling the cards in their stores. </li></ul><p>Over the course of 2020 and 2021, Pokémon card scalpers have been waiting for hours at stores to buy up large numbers of cards that they can flip for a profit. The scalpers are profiting from a new wave of trading card hysteria, stemming from a pandemic spike in interest in profitable collectibles and a sense of nostalgia hitting Millennials with disposable incomes.</p><p>Tins, starter decks, and expensive playsets containing cards can be sold for quite a bit more on auction sites and third-party retailers than in stores. For example, an Elite Trainer Box of the February expansion set Shining Fates, featuring 10 packs and exclusive cards, costs <a href="https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/shining-fates-elite-trainer-box/">$49.99 at retail.</a> On eBay, those same boxes can go for <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/363393675645?epid=21042959428&amp;hash=item549bf3717d:g:mgAAAOSwPKNgJaxYJaxY">$80 to $100</a> with the rarest card in the set, a shiny holographic Charizard, going for hundreds of dollars on the <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/154455186831?hash=item23f63f1d8f:g:UEoAAOSwTI5goGvK">auction site.</a></p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@cozy.resales2/video/6921869190445960454?_d=secCgYIASAHKAESMgowKNA46NUnZEHCM44SCnnV3OqyqOkYFEmplGTVs7o72trYL1PGwobK8AnYncB2MhiyGgA%3D&amp;language=en&amp;preview_pb=0&amp;sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAuJ5QyRdaBGKglmubNpQA0PY04WA4b6hlsZSQGZpCz3pGeLyPNdnop6UE2Xf9t6TN&amp;share_app_id=1233&amp;share_item_id=6921869190445960454&amp;share_link_id=34ac67ca-a336-4855-86a1-d7fab43dd33e&amp;source=h5_m&amp;timestamp=1620926250&amp;u_code=de58577ldbagfc&amp;user_id=6864382489071256581&amp;utm_campaign=client_share&amp;utm_medium=android&amp;utm_source=copy&amp;_r=1hare&amp;utm_medium=android&amp;utm_source=copy&amp;_r=1">Videos on TikTok</a> of scalpers waiting hours in line just to get product have gone viral, some with comments full of vitriol and anguish. Others, showing scalpers waiting in long lines only to fail in <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@zer0isurher0/video/6949673394543561990?_d=secCgYIASAHKAESMgowb60iDohqWxm5VHF5OpUjqGl2hdTInEoL7HxxgWq1wtDXCNG%2BAU48tH3EnFAOoux0GgA%3D&amp;language=en&amp;preview_pb=0&amp;sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAuJ5QyRdaBGKglmubNpQA0PY04WA4b6hlsZSQGZpCz3pGeLyPNdnop6UE2Xf9t6TN&amp;share_app_id=1233&amp;share_item_id=6949673394543561990&amp;share_link_id=0ce6f665-774e-4724-8154-b6c45e36d296&amp;source=h5_m&amp;timestamp=1620926371&amp;u_code=de58577ldbagfc&amp;user_id=6864382489071256581&amp;utm_campaign=client_share&amp;utm_medium=android&amp;utm_source=copy&amp;_r=1hare&amp;utm_medium=android&amp;utm_source=copy&amp;_r=1">purchasing the entire stock,</a> have inspired comments full of schadenfreude.  </p><p>"Thanks for ruining the hobby for collectors," wrote one TikTok user. "This is why there's nothing at Target, because of people like this." </p><p>The resale issue has become so contentious, that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pokemon-target-trading-cards-nfl-mlb-nba-resale-fights-2021-5">Target</a> stopped selling Pokémon cards on May 14 after massive lines appeared and fights broke out over the shiny cardboard.   </p><h2><strong>Pokémon card scalpers are making product hard to find</strong></h2><p>Scalpers, who oftentimes purchase items before anyone else has the chance, have thrived during the coronavirus pandemic, capitalizing on a general decreased willingness to purchase products in real life.</p><p>Scalpers "have taken something already in short supply and made it even more inaccessible," Lee Steinfeld, who opens Pokémon cards on his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/Leonhart54/videos">YouTube channel</a> for over 1 million followers, told Insider. "The worst thing about it is that it's not allowing people to continue collecting, build their competitive decks, or simply play for fun due to lack of supply."</p><p>The YouTuber, who goes by Leonhart online, has found it difficult to get "product" and has stopped opening newer expansions and sets on his channel. </p><p>Like game consoles, trading cards have seen a massive rise in popularity and scarcity, though Pokémon cards have always had some popularity - <a href="https://www.alphr.com/life-culture/1007038/with-21-billion-cards-sold-last-year-the-pok-mon-trading-card-game-is-still">in 2016 2.1 billion cards were sold. </a></p><p>Online card retailer <a href="https://www.insider.com/pokemon-card-opening-day-celebration-video-logan-paul-elite-box-2021-2">TCGplayer told Insider</a> that they shipped over 16.2 million single Pokémon cards over the course of 2020 and that some older cards have tripled in value over the past 12 months. </p><p>"We have a lot more serious collector money influencing the market than what we had previously," John McDonald, Senior VP of Product at TCGplayer said in February. </p><h2><strong>Scalpers know what value cards have and are capitalizing on their demand</strong></h2><p>Demand in Pokémon card sales is increasing because of a number of factors.</p><p>The franchise just celebrated its 25th anniversary, with over a dozen games, movies, and television shows featuring these pocket monsters. That nostalgic feeling from older players, combined with a new abundance of content creators and videos focused on the market has created a renewed level of hype around the cards. Without disposable income going towards travel and other pre-pandemic activities, owning the fanciest Charizard from your childhood could seem like a worthwhile purchase. </p><p>In October 2020, YouTube star <keyword id="2199400" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Logan-Paul">Logan Paul</keyword> hosted a live stream opening up vintage Pokémon cards, pulling in millions of views. Soon, other internet denizens and celebrities like Steve Aoki started to buy up old supplies to collect. <a href="https://blog.psacard.com/2020/10/12/charizard-psa-10-sells-for-220574-to-former-rapper-logic/">A PSA 10 Charizard</a> from the original 1999 cards sold for over $200,000 to rapper Logic and Paul has said on his Instagram that he's spent over $2 million on vintage cards. Though these old sets can't be purchased by scalpers at big-box store, their influence on scarcity of current products remains unmatched.</p> <p>Teddy (who asked not to disclose his full name for privacy concerns), who runs a Pokémon investment TikTok channel with 80,000 subscribers where he visits stores to search for products and opens card packs, believes that there's no single reason for the recent boom in popularity, but that scalpers will take advantage of any market that they know they can capitalize on.</p><p>"There are always going to be people that buy products, strictly for reselling, that's everywhere and it's life," Teddy said. "I've met people that don't even know what they are buying, they just know what the price on eBay is." </p><p>The pandemic has created new challenges for manufacturing and obtaining new products. Items like Sony's highly anticipated console the PlayStation 5 have had massive demand but low stock, caused by hype and<a href="https://slickdeals.net/article/news/semiconductor-shortage-explained/?utm_source=verizonnews&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=verizonnews&amp;utm_term=171313&amp;utm_content=article_content=article"> a shortage of semiconductor chips.</a> This hiccup hasn't stopped the console from flying off shelves, selling 11.5 million units since launching in late 2020. </p><h2><strong>Wholesale retailers are changing how they sell cards because of the demand</strong></h2><p>This demand has created a new breed of scalpers who comb the shelves of big-box <keyword id="6354851" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="retail">retail</keyword> stores in an attempt to find a rare card that they can flip for a profit on sites like eBay and TCGPlayer. When General Mills ran a promotion in March with Pokémon to include cards in cereal boxes, people started ripping open Lucky Charms in the <a href="https://www.polygon.com/22417628/pokemon-cards-cereal-general-mills-lucky-charms-cinnamon-toast-crunch-walmart-resell-scalpers">supermarket just to find a Pikachu.</a> A month earlier, McDonald's included cards with their Happy Meals that led to a collector-driven shortage of children's meals which caused the fast-food chain to encourage <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2021/2/9/22274841/mcdonalds-pokemon-cards-anniversary-25-scalpers-ebay-prices-resell-happy-meal">franchisees to limit what they sell.</a></p><p>"Pokémon could not keep up with the ever-growing demand and with their limited printing functions eventually ran into a point where they could not meet distribution demands for stores, big or small," Steinfeld said.  "Scalpers decided to take advantage of the limited supply but growing demand and thus left us in the situation we are in." </p><p>Lines outside of stores like Target, became commonplace for collectors. Signs posted from social <keyword id="6354777" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Media">media</keyword> users claiming to be from Target stores showed that some locations were only restocking at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExWm9Z--g6o&amp;t=5st=5s">8 a.m. on Fridays, causing massive lines to appear overnight. </a>According to Vice, other Target locations had to limit the amount of product to three pieces per person before changing it to <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/7kv9dd/target-is-prepared-to-call-the-cops-on-frantic-pokemon-card-hunters">one piece on April 30.</a> Just two weeks later, Target announced that they would be discontinuing sales of all Pokémon and sports trading cards inside their stores "out of an abundance of caution." </p><p>The news comes after a fight broke out over "sports cards" and a gun was pulled out at a Target parking lot in Brookfield, Wisconsin on Friday according to <a href="https://www.wisn.com/article/fight-starts-in-target-parking-over-sports-trading-cards/36366167">WSIN.</a></p><p>Still, Pokémon resellers are flourishing online.</p><p>Twitter accounts like Pokémon Drops, chronicle when certain items go on sale and when stock is available, allowing those with a pulse on the industry a chance to buy first. The <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/PokemonTCG/">Pokémon TCG </a>and <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/PKMNTCGDeals/">TCG Deals Reddits</a> are flooded with tips and stories. Discord groups with thousands of members discussing where they can purchase and flip product, as well as showing off their massive collections, have become go-to spots to keep the community stitched together. </p><p>On Friday, <a href="https://support.pokemon.com/hc/en-us/articles/360056644571-Update-on-Pok%C3%A9mon-Trading-Card-Game-Product-Availability">the Pokémon Company posted an update</a> on their website about the scarcity of their product, noting that they are "aware that some fans are experiencing difficulties purchasing...due to very high demand and global shipping constraints impacting availability." To support the demand, they are "actively working to print more of the impacted Pokémon TCG products as quickly as possible and at maximum capacity to support this increased demand." </p><p>"Once we have more supply, thus able to meet the demand, then scalpers will go away," Steinfeld said. "People are tired of not being able to walk into a store to be able to get a pack to open." </p>

Pokémon card influencers explain how scalpers, nostalgia, and YouTube have boosted the value of the collectables to hundreds-of-thousands of dollars

<p>Some of the most useful items are inexpensive. </p>
<p>A <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0jlk8">recent Reddit thread</a> asked for the most useful items you can buy for under $20. </p>
<p>We picked some of our favorites. </p>
<h3><strong>1. Small set of screwdrivers </strong></h3>
<p>"With them and the Internet, you'll be surprised how much you can fix stuff, which saves you a lot of money in the long run," writes <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0fukg">Reddit user candydaze</a>. </p>
<p>We recommend the Stanley <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000950PN/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0000950PN&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=XOSBNDS7T2AEQML7">10-piece screwdriver set</a> at Amazon for $14.31. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>2. Fire extinguisher</strong></h3>
<p>"If you do need it someday, it will be well worth the 20 bucks," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0cqwf">writes DaNinjaKitten</a>. </p>
<p>Try the First Alert Fire Extinguisher available for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009H4RK4O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B009H4RK4O&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=BMZKCNU7ATZBOW5O">$19.95 on Amazon</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>3. Carbon monoxide detector </strong></h3>
<p>"When my sister and I were younger, the carbon monoxide detector went off in our house. She heard it, I did not. My parents were not home, so she ran up to my room and grabbed me and told me to come outside. We went across the street to our neighbors and they called the fire department for us. My sister saved our lives," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0lh8d">writes DoctorCrouchJrWho</a>. </p>
<p>Try this First Alert battery-powered detector for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FDLFLK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B000FDLFLK&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=YHXX232BQUYEZPDF">$18.88 at Amazon</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>4. Jumper cables</strong></h3>
<p><span>"</span><span>When I first moved for college, my car broke down the first week of school in the Wal-Mart parking lot," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0f3ap">writes halfwaythere88.</a> "I had to stop a ridiculous amount of people before I found one with jumper cables." </span></p>
<p>Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030D0T2S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0030D0T2S&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=3YKRHOK4JD43REI4">has them</a> for $11.82. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>5. Spray bottle</strong> </h3>
<p>"You can buy them at the dollar store but in my family (and now in my dorm) mine is getting constantly borrowed. It's used for cleaning, ironing, doing hair, and more. The lack of people who have them astounds me!" <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0d1uu">writes bgaigalas</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008VXNE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00008VXNE&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=EJI4NXS4EJCYXGH6">Amazon has a pack of 3 for $8.20.</a></p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>6. Car cell phone charger</strong></h3>
<p>This suggestion <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0ja8v">by sauce480</a> is self-explanatory. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZ5OIFE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00OZ5OIFE&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=O6TCPF3MLPAUBFYS">Amazon has this Omaker USB car charger for $16.99</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>7. Rechargeable batteries </strong></h3>
<p>"I love my Eneloop batteries," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0dn3v">writes CaptPikel</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00339NINQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00339NINQ&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=L57DL7FO5UUO5AT4">Energizer's rechargeable batteries are $9.99</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>8. Lodge cast-iron skillet</strong></h3>
<p><span>"All the fancy, expensive, 'high end' cookware can not touch the magic that this $15 gem can bring to your cooking," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0ipb9">writes hvonn</a>. </span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008GKDJ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00008GKDJ&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=JKH4J6HE3X7ITMJ4">Buy one here for $14.97</a>. </p>
<p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div><br /></span></p>
<h3><span> </span><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">9. Dry shampoo</strong></h3>
<p>"Do you like to sleep in? Dry Shampoo lets you do that," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0d2kx">writes Hello_nerds</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008D5HAHU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B008D5HAHU&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=VN7W5PHRTMFERDXF">Here's some for $10.25</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>10. Salad spinner</strong></h3>
<p>"Instead of using a paper towel for drying lettuce, herbs, berries or heck just about anything food related you can dry, just throw it in the salad spinner basket rinse and spin," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0l5cb">writes imjoshua</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0086UR0UO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0086UR0UO&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=SU5EBYY55B3IIXN7">Get one on Amazon for $16.22</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>11. Tongue scraper</strong></h3>
<p>"I know, I know. I thought the idea was nasty at first too. And, yes, I <em>also</em> thought that my toothbrush did a perfectly fine job. Then I actually used one," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0crj0">writes MyReligionIsPhysics</a>. "Uncannily clean-feeling mouth, no more dental problems, fresher breath." </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00064JGBO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00064JGBO&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=AHRTJZMGSQSWMOFY">Amazon has one for $5.19</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>12. Sink plunger</strong></h3>
<p>"It's got a flat bottom to match the drain on your sink," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0gkdv">notes kidl33t</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UJLVGI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B005UJLVGI&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=SS5DHWBKE3GMUDOZ">Get one for $7.87</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>13. The right pillow</strong></h3>
<p>"Pillows for under $20 can be of good utility and quality if you buy the right firmness pillow for your sleep style and follow the care instructions carefully," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0dwbc">writes MmeLaRue</a>. </p>
<p>This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029LHHRC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0029LHHRC&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=5NSN4VHH5DIEBESK">memory foam pillow works for most and is $16.86</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>14. Fresh pepper grinder</strong></h3>
<p>"Freshly cracked black pepper corns will blow your mind," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0doc1">writes edeneleven11</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L0OOQM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B003L0OOQM&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=QCGPDDBHXZ2R6HTQ">Amazon has this one from OXO for $11.95</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>15. Micro-chip for your pet</strong></h3>
<p>"The police and local shelters have the equipment to scan you pet. If they find the chip number, they call the company and you are notified," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0h03l">writes jpsrv</a>. "You go pick up your pet. Without a microchip, in most animal shelters throughout the US, your pet is euthanized."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HEVIC5S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00HEVIC5S&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=YSJ3LJ6X6577A4OO">Here's one for $9.98</a>.</p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>16. Zip ties</strong></h3>
<p>"Life saver at my job and at home!" <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0kz4e">writes autumnjoy</a>. </p>
<p>Get 100 of them <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001IMMJI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0001IMMJI&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=CCLS4OGKVBN47CBO">on Amazon for $12.75</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>17. Deck of cards</strong></h3>
<p>"Learn some easy tricks to blow minds," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0cf3l">says M99Syringe</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JAZ9GY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B002JAZ9GY&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=6TUUO32X4YIVVH3J">Bicycle's classic cards come in a pack of two for $6.42</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>18. Swiss Army Knife keychain</strong></h3>
<p>"I find a use for it almost every day," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0jc3q">writes Meath77</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009KF4H0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0009KF4H0&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=4FZV7QXFDW53MQHF">Get the classic Victorinox version for $19.99</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>19. French press </strong></h3>
<p>"It makes your coffee much stronger and tastier," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0i9bh">writes Deetz_Z. </a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJBQMI6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00IJBQMI6&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bi20under20-20&amp;linkId=IQP2CS72B4RTDEV2">Get Primula's 6-cup Press for $10.99</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>20. Spotify</strong></h3>
<p>"The most convenient way to listen to music," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0dw1g">writes Mikey193</a>. </p>
<p>For about $10 a month you get a <a href="https://www.spotify.com/us/">premium membership</a> that includes offline syncing and streaming songs with no ads. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></p>

20 Items Under $20 That Everyone Should Own

<p>Some of the most useful items are inexpensive. </p>
<p>A <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0jlk8">recent Reddit thread</a> asked for the most useful items you can buy for under $20. </p>
<p>We picked some of our favorites. </p>
<h3><strong>1. Small set of screwdrivers </strong></h3>
<p>"With them and the Internet, you'll be surprised how much you can fix stuff, which saves you a lot of money in the long run," writes <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0fukg">Reddit user candydaze</a>. </p>
<p>We recommend the Craftsman <a href="http://www.sears.com/craftsman-8-pc-screwdriver-set/p-00947136000P?prdNo=4&amp;blockNo=4&amp;blockType=G4">8-piece screwdriver set</a> at Sears for $11.69. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86639298@N02/8559735387/sizes/l/in/photolist-e3oT7B-7JgQEc-7JgRtk-bGJgsD-awEXPR-8trnD9-8mfVxA-8piQhc-8pn1X3-8pn1Z5-8pn21Y-8piQvT-8piQtv-8piQAc-8piQy4-8m8paW-9UD1PX-8rX8yr-f8JQcH-f8ZabY-f8ZbjQ-f8ZbLL-f8JZ22-f8JRKx-f8ZcFS-f8JZsK-f8JRfz-f8JSf4-f8Z97W-f8JPD8-f8JVLV-f8JQKr-f8ZaKs-f8Z9D3-dq5Wny-9cu9Dq-9cu9zA-8cVpRa/">Via Flickr</a></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>2. Fire extinguisher</strong></h3>
<p>"If you do need it someday, it will be well worth the 20 bucks," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0cqwf">writes DaNinjaKitten</a>. </p>
<p>Try the Kidde FA110 Multipurpose Fire Extinguisher available for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kidde-FA110-Purpose-Extinguisher-1A10BC/dp/B00002ND64/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1383329406&amp;sr=1-1">$18.98 on Amazon</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Shutterstock</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>3. Carbon monoxide detector </strong></h3>
<p>"When my sister and I were younger, the carbon monoxide detector went off in our house. She heard it, I did not. My parents were not home, so she ran up to my room and grabbed me and told me to come outside. We went across the street to our neighbors and they called the fire department for us. My sister saved our lives," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0lh8d">writes DoctorCrouchJrWho</a>. </p>
<p>Try this First Alert battery-powered detector for <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/First-Alert-Battery-Powered-Carbon-Monoxide-Alarm-CO400/202433876?N=bmgkZ12ky%3FNCNI-5#.UnPv85TBLkk">$19.97 at Home Depot</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Shutterstock.com</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>4. Jumper cables</strong></h3>
<p><span>"</span><span>When I first moved for college, my car broke down the first week of school in the Wal-Mart parking lot," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0f3ap">writes halfwaythere88.</a> "I had to stop a ridiculous amount of people before I found one with jumper cables." </span></p>
<p>Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Motor-Trend-MT1012-CCA-12-Foot-Aluminum/dp/B0030D0T2S/ref=lp_15719941_1_3?s=automotive&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1383329819&amp;sr=1-3">has them</a> for $11.10. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Shutterstock.com</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>5. Spray bottle</strong> </h3>
<p>"You can buy them at the dollar store but in my family (and now in my dorm) mine is getting constantly borrowed. It's used for cleaning, ironing, doing hair, and more. The lack of people who have them astounds me!" <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0d1uu">writes bgaigalas</a>. </p>
<p>The Container Store <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/?productId=10006426">has a nice bottle</a> for $4.99. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Shutterstock.com</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>6. Car cell phone charger</strong></h3>
<p>This suggestion <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0ja8v">by sauce480</a> is self-explanatory. </p>
<p>Best Buy has a <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dynex-153-vehicle-charger/7046436.p?id=1218826436642&amp;skuId=7046436">Dynex charger</a> for $19.99. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Shutterstock</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>7. Rechargeable batteries </strong></h3>
<p>"I love my Eneloop batteries," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0dn3v">writes CaptPikel</a>.</p>
<p>B&amp;H Photo Video has <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&amp;sku=758663&amp;is=REG&amp;Q=&amp;A=details">them for $7.99</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Shutterstock</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>8. Lodge cast-iron skillet</strong></h3>
<p><span>"All the fancy, expensive, 'high end' cookware can not touch the magic that this $15 gem can bring to your cooking," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0ipb9">writes hvonn</a>. </span></p>
<p>Buy one at Macy's <a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/lodge-logic-cast-iron-8-skillet?ID=798621&amp;cm_mmc=Google_DMA_Home_Cookware_PLA-_-PLA+Home+Generic+-+Cookware_PLA+-+Cookware-_-31118134700_-_-_mkwid_gsSdSIF5|d{device}_31118134700%7C-%7CgsSdSIF5">for $19.99</a>. </p>
<p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65428595@N00/5010093415/">Flickr/ I Believe I Can Fry</a></p></div><p></p></div><br /></span></p>
<h3><span> </span><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">9. Dry shampoo</strong></h3>
<p>"Do you like to sleep in? Dry Shampoo lets you do that," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0d2kx">writes Hello_nerds</a>. </p>
<p>Ulta has some <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod2040049">for $7.99</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><a href="http://emilysfrugaltips.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/653fea6c3eba0dfc3f465546fb9be621e068bd6e.jpg">Batiste </a></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>10. Salad spinner</strong></h3>
<p>"Instead of using a paper towel for drying lettuce, herbs, berries or heck just about anything food related you can dry, just throw it in the salad spinner basket rinse and spin," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0l5cb">writes imjoshua</a>. </p>
<p>Get one <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/salad-spinner.do?camp=ppc%3AGooglePLA%3Anone%3A40004162219adwords_groupingColanders&amp;device=c&amp;network=g&amp;matchtype=&amp;gclid=COWDoIKbxLoCFU6Y4AodKUwA4Q">at World Market</a> for the low price of $19.99. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Shutterstock</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>11. Tongue scraper</strong></h3>
<p>"I know, I know. I thought the idea was nasty at first too. And, yes, I <em>also</em> thought that my toothbrush did a perfectly fine job. Then I actually used one," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0crj0">writes MyReligionIsPhysics</a>. "Uncannily clean-feeling mouth, no more dental problems, fresher breath." </p>
<p>Soap.com has a highly-reviewed GUM brand <a href="http://www.soap.com/p/gum-tongue-cleaner-34952?site=CA&amp;utm_source=Google&amp;utm_medium=cpc_S&amp;utm_term=ASS-062&amp;utm_campaign=GoogleAW&amp;CAWELAID=1323114047&amp;utm_content=pla&amp;adtype=pla&amp;cagpspn=pla">cleaner for $4.85</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Shutterstock</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>12. Sink plunger</strong></h3>
<p>"It's got a flat bottom to match the drain on your sink," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0gkdv">notes kidl33t</a>. </p>
<p>Get one at QCI direct for $10.99, or <a href="http://www.qcidirect.com/mini-sink-plunger.html?utm_source=GoogleShopping&amp;utm_medium=cse&amp;utm_campaign=mini-sink-plunger&amp;gclid=CLWktbibxLoCFUGd4AodqDUAiQ">buy two for $20</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.qcidirect.com/mini-sink-plunger.html?utm_source=GoogleShopping&amp;utm_medium=cse&amp;utm_campaign=mini-sink-plunger&amp;gclid=CNbJ2eD0wboCFU6Y4AodKUwA4Q">QCIdirect.com</a></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>13. The right pillow</strong></h3>
<p>"Pillows for under $20 can be of good utility and quality if you buy the right firmness pillow for your sleep style and follow the care instructions carefully," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0dwbc">writes MmeLaRue</a>. </p>
<p>This radial memory foam <a href="http://www.target.com/p/radial-memory-foam-pillow/-/A-10136462#prodSlot=medium_1_16">pillow at Target</a> works for most people and is $19.99. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/revstan/4447545030/sizes/o/in/photolist-7M1QbS-8PuKLT-a6f4wW-91Zmub-9bPwdn-8H1JLq-83HhTw-7TGZhk-b1Z2He-dUr4vC-8j5NZa-9WLWZi-89FQt1-8EGA5n-egs4zi-8tm1SW-bexxBi-8qhks9-aRSa9e-dgiGNU-ct8xFw-8fkHc9-9BgRze-7HhZHq-drxVcN-bw1BHu-aw7ioH-8tfDiw-9fcqFd-7VAqsy-7Vxbxt/">Via Flickr</a></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>14. Fresh pepper grinder</strong></h3>
<p>"Freshly cracked black pepper corns will blow your mind," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0doc1">writes edeneleven11</a>.</p>
<p>The WEBstaurant Store <a href="http://www.webstaurantstore.com/18-tall-dark-finish-pepper-mill/583PM18.html?utm_source=Google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&amp;gclid=CMGy5pqcxLoCFYSd4Aod-XIAgg">has a fancy-looking on</a>e for $14.99. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Shutterstock</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>15. Micro-chip for your pet</strong></h3>
<p>"The police and local shelters have the equipment to scan you pet. If they find the chip number, they call the company and you are notified," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0h03l">writes jpsrv</a>. "You go pick up your pet. Without a microchip, in most animal shelters throughout the US, your pet is euthanized."</p>
<p>ValleyVet.com has a <a href="http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=2e87c336-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5&amp;ccd=IFP003&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;mr:trackingCode=1955C464-3C81-E211-BA78-001B21631C34&amp;mr:referralID=NA&amp;mr:adType=pla&amp;mr:ad=14698119403&amp;mr:keyword=&amp;mr:match=&amp;mr:filter=34417072123&amp;gclid=CKWv67icxLoCFcuZ4AodrkgATw">microchip for $16.99</a> that comes with a 15-digit code and syringe.</p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>16. Zip ties</strong></h3>
<p>"Life saver at my job and at home!" <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0kz4e">writes autumnjoy</a>. </p>
<p>Get 100 of them <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Zip-Tie-100-Bag/dp/B0001IMMJI">on Amazon for $12.95</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Cable_ties.jpg">Wikimedia commons</a></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>17. Deck of cards</strong></h3>
<p>"Learn some easy tricks to blow minds," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0cf3l">says M99Syringe</a>. </p>
<p>Bicycle <a href="http://www.shopbicyclecards.com/Street-Art-P205.aspx">has an awesome</a> street artist-designed deck for just $3.99. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Bruno Vincent/Getty</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>18. Swiss Army Knife keychain</strong></h3>
<p>"I find a use for it almost every day," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0jc3q">writes Meath77</a>. </p>
<p>Swiss Knife Store <a href="http://www.swissknifeshop.com/swiss-army-classic-sd?zmam=18093142&amp;zmac=25&amp;zmas=1&amp;zmap=SA53005&amp;gclid=CJGTjMCdxLoCFcid4AodV04AvQ">has one for $15.95</a>, and you can choose from a variety of colors and designs. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">AP</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>19. French press </strong></h3>
<p>"It makes your coffee much stronger and tastier," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0i9bh">writes Deetz_Z. </a></p>
<p>Get a top-of-the-line Bodum french press <a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/bodum-brazil-8-cup-french-press?ID=432167&amp;cm_mmc=Google_DMA_Home_Cookware_PLA-_-PLA+Home+Generic+-+Cookware_PLA+-+Cookware-_-31118134700_-_-_mkwid_AQSkg2zp|d{device}_31118134700%7C-%7CAQSkg2zp">at Macy's for $19.99</a>. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Robert Libetti/ Business Insider</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<h3><strong>20. Spotify</strong></h3>
<p>"The most convenient way to listen to music," <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1pa9dg/reddit_what_is_one_product_under_20_that_you/cd0dw1g">writes Mikey193</a>. </p>
<p>For about $10 a month you get a <a href="https://www.spotify.com/us/">premium membership</a> that includes offline syncing and streaming songs with no ads. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><p class="source">Spotify</p></div><p></p></div></p>

20 Items Under $20 Everyone Should Buy 

<p dir="ltr"><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>Two years ago, 21-year-old Diego "Quas" Ruiz flew from Venezuela to Los Angeles for a job playing video games. It was a drastic move. Ruiz had no friends or family in LA, and he didn't know how long his newly formed team would last. But for him America promised more stability than his native country.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"Back in Venezuela, you worry every day about what you are going to do, what job you will get, how you are going to keep yourself going," Ruiz recently told Business Insider.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span> "I thought life in the United States would be easier, more advanced, less stressful."</span></p><p dir="ltr">These days, Ruiz gets paid to play "League of Legends," the world's most popular competitive video game. He's a star on Team Liquid, <a href="http://www.teamliquidpro.com/">a professional team in the North American League of Legends Championship Series</a> (LCS). He earns about $100,000 a year from salary, sponsorships, and revenue from the streaming website Twitch.</p><p dir="ltr"><span>Like all of his teammates, Ruiz practices 10 hours or more a day with few breaks. He spends his little off-time browsing Reddit, binge-watching Netflix, hanging out with his girlfriend, or video-chatting his family in Venezuela.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>On a recent Monday, Ruiz sat hunched on an air mattress in his team's cramped duplex in Santa Monica. Dressed in athletic shorts, a T-shirt with Team Liquid's stenciled horse logo, and rimless glasses, Ruiz looked more like a studious athlete than the slacker-gamer stereotype.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>As he fidgeted with his hands and rubbed his knees, the quiet gamer recounted his improbable journey to the US. It started with a game.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Obsessed with games from the start</span></h2><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><br>Ruiz grew up in Maracaibo, a colorful coastal city in Venezuela. Like <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/10/14/venezuela-needs-international-help-to-tackle-crime/">much of the country</a>, his hometown struggled with crime and poverty. Ruiz, who never knew his father, grew up comfortably middle-class by Venezuelan standards. His mother supported the family with a pharmacy she owned in the heart of the city, where she also managed several apartments.<p dir="ltr">As a child, games fascinated him. The first one he ever owned was the classic Nintendo 64 game, "Super Mario 64." He was 5 <span>years old.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"Every day after school I would play it - I would sit there for hours," Ruiz says.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Ruiz associated gaming with the US because most of the games he played - including "Super Mario 64" - were in English. He taught himself to understand English so that he could know "what the hell was going on" in the games.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>As Ruiz got older, he desperately wanted to try computer games. There was one problem: Computers were expensive and rare in Venezuela. Luckily, Ruiz's mother had purchased an internet café adjacent to the pharmacy. He persuaded her to bring one of the older units home.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"I told my mom, 'Every kid has one at school. It's important for your grades,'" Ruiz says with a smile.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The computer was a hand-me-down Pentium IV. He was amazed and hooked it up to the internet. The first thing he did was download a popular strategy game, "Age of Empires 2." The 47-megabyte file took a week to download.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"I didn't realize how slow the computer was until we got another one years later. I just thought that was how all computers were," Ruiz says.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Finding a community of gamers</span></h2><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Being one of the first kids on the block with a computer was exciting, but the real thrill came when the soft-spoken teenager started visiting his mother's internet café. There he found a community of gamers who shared his enthusiasm. The kids stayed for hours playing games he hadn't heard of. The commute to the café was an hour long, but Ruiz began making it every day after school. For a kid very much in his shell, the café gave Ruiz a social outlet.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The most popular games at the café were multiplayer online battle arena games, or MOBAs, like "Defense of the Ancients" and "Heroes of Newerth." Unlike most games of that time, MOBAs were free and downloadable.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>When Ruiz was 17, the café gamers introduced him to "League of Legends," a new MOBA that became the next game of choice at the café. He hated the game at first. While League was similar to the other MOBAs, </span><span>Ruiz thought it wasn't as freeform as other MOBAs, and required strategies he didn't like using. Ruiz is an impatient person, he says, and if he doesn't get a game at first, he quits.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>It wasn't until a year later that Ruiz started playing "League of Legends" seriously. He began by exploiting a loophole.</span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><p dir="ltr"><span>The game's ranking system is designed to match players with others with equivalent skills, by progressing them through a ladder of leagues ranging from Bronze to Challenger. Rather than climb the ladder, Ruiz played multiple accounts. He'd practice on an account until he reached a difficult level where the game forces players to fight at a disadvantage against much higher-level players. Instead of battling through, he'd abandon the account. He preferred crushing players below his skill level.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"I liked being able to outplay people and to abuse the mistakes that people make," Ruiz says.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>As Ruiz got better, he began competing in online tournaments but had a tough time because of his shoddy internet connection, a constant problem in Venezuela. Often, on the day of the tournament, his internet connection slowed and delayed his actions mid-game. For a game relying on speed and reaction time, it was a huge disadvantage. Sometimes, his slow connection prevented him from playing at all.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Around the same time, Ruiz began attending college to study engineering. He took to the new environment with vigor and stopped playing games for his first semester. For a time it looked as if he might put games behind him.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"I was getting good grades. I socialized a lot. I was excited about the career," Ruiz says.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>After the semester ended, he received a dose of reality about the job market in Venezuela. Former engineering students told him that, if he was lucky, he would get a low-paying government job and, if he wasn't, he'd end up driving a taxi.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"Why would I spend six years studying engineering just to become a taxi driver?" Ruiz says.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>A 'cheat code' for life</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>The realization killed Ruiz's enthusiasm for school. While he didn't drop out, Ruiz returned his attention to gaming. He'd heard about a lucrative side job for skilled "League of Legends" players called ELO-Boosting. Top gamers could earn a fee by playing on other people's accounts to help them attain high ranks. </span><span>Ruiz was exceptional at the game. He figured he could make a lot of money as a booster.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>His reputation as a top player created a lot of demand for his services. Before long, he was making $2,000 a month boosting accounts for Americans who paid in US dollars. This was a big deal in a country as dollar-hungry as Venezuela. When he sold the dollars to locals for bolivars, he made three or four times what he would make in an engineering job.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"It felt like a cheat code," Ruiz says.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>At first, Ruiz would boost for a couple of hours a day in between classes. As he gained more clients, he played more and more. His grades slipped. He was making so much money that he decided college wasn't worth it anymore.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"My mom wasn't OK with it. She told me I was crazy and didn't understand what I was doing. When I started supporting the family [with my earnings] she understood," Ruiz says.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Ruiz quickly ascended the game's ranks when he was playing on his own account. It didn't take long for the pros to notice him.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>A risk<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></span></h2><p dir="ltr">In 2013, Ruiz <a href="http://arieslol.tumblr.com/post/76330529815/new-world-eclipse-it-lived-for-the-moment">was approached by ex-gamer Kevin "Aries" Gao</a>, who was starting a team called New World Eclipse for the Challenger Circuit, a training ground for young players.</p><p dir="ltr"><span>Gao asked Ruiz to get on a plane to Los Angeles to join the team and take a shot at winning Challenger and eventually playing in the more prestigious League Championship Series.</span></p><p dir="ltr">Ruiz had already quit the university and gamed full time with his "boosting" business and a few side gigs as a coach for new players. In his mind, he had already committed to the new gaming industry. Going pro was the next step. Venezuela had <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/02/venezuela-economic-crisis_n_4373021.html">sunk further into an economic crisis</a>, and that was making life difficult.</p><p dir="ltr"><span>"It was ridiculous. There were massive lines in the supermarkets for people to get basic necessities like milk or chicken. The supermarkets would run out, and you wouldn't be able to buy anything," Ruiz says. "Not even toilet paper."</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>While Ruiz knew many new teams could be short-lived, the US never looked more attractive.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>A generous investor flew Ruiz to LA on a tourist visa. With the rest of the team he moved into a small house in the suburbs that was decked out with the most elite computers Ruiz had ever seen. For a kid used to playing on hand-me-down internet-café desktops, the new equipment was a revelation.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>When asked to describe the difference between playing in Venezuela and playing in LA, he directed me to a scene from '90s anime "Dragon Ball Z." In the video, the main character Goku trains for a martial arts tournament with giant weights attached to his body. When he takes them off for the actual battle, he's faster, more agile, and stronger than he ever could have imagined.</span></p><div><div></div></div><p class="embed-spacer"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br>At first the team dominated, beating many of the top Challenger teams and taking a game or two off of an LCS team</br></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. The hot start didn't last. T</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">he players began blaming one another after they started losing, and new recruits were replacing the original members.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The team lost its investor funding and, without the investor paying rent, were evicted from the house. Gao secured new investors and a small apartment in a nearby area, but the damage was already done. The team got steamrolled at the big qualifying tournaments for the LCS.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"We got destroyed. We hit a brick wall, and the team disbanded," Ruiz says.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><h2 dir="ltr">Finding his way in the promised land</h2><p dir="ltr"><span>At that point, Ruiz wasn't sure he had the skills to make it in the competitive circuit. He did know one thing - he wanted to stay in the US. He had a few months left on his tourist visa and was determined to make it work.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"I liked being in the US more. All I wanted was to qualify for the LCS and find a way to stay here for good," Ruiz says.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>In September, Gao arranged a deal that put Ruiz on Gold Gaming LA, an underperforming Challenger team that was turning over its roster. However, Ruiz didn't think they were good enough to make it to the LCS. He knew what happened to teams that don't perform.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Just weeks after Ruiz joined Gold Gaming, Team Curse, a pro team in the LCS, posted a video calling for tryouts. Ruiz posted on the forum even though his contract forbade him from joining another team. The team's owner, Steve "Liquid112" Arhancet, contacted him but was initially put off by his contract and expiring visa. A few weeks later, Arhancet reconsidered. Ruiz was too good to pass up.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>A skilled businessman, Arhancet helped Ruiz get out of his contract and apply for a P1 athletic visa, which had just been extended to gamers. Ruiz joined Curse just days before Gold Gaming was set to compete in a major qualifying tournament. It left the team scrambling.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"It was a tough decision. I still feel bad about the position I put my teammates in," Ruiz says. "It was the better decision for me."</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>He was right. Gold Gaming lost the tournament and disbanded soon after. Now, over a year later, Ruiz is one of the longest tenured players on third-place Team Liquid (Team Curse was renamed to Liquid in December). He's also solidified his place as one of the top players at his position in North America.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Life in the fast lane</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"League of Legends" has given Ruiz a lot. It was his ticket into the US and got him a job with a lavish salary many times what he would earn in Venezuela. As the economic crisis in Venezuela has deepened, his earnings have also helped support his family. He met his girlfriend through the game and has become friends with tons of players and fans.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>There have been drawbacks. Ruiz hasn't been home since leaving Venezuela two years ago. He still talks to his family often, but there's a huge gulf between the comfortable life he leads now and the world he left behind in Venezuela.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"You forget about your life. There's always something going on here," Ruiz says. "When I think about it, it's hard to remember how life was back home."</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Ruiz may not have many years left in the fast lane. Now, at 23, he is approaching the age that most pro gamers retire: 25. As he begins to think about life post-gaming, he's set on staying in the US.</span></p><p>He's looking into going back to college for programming or video-game design. He's ready to make video games instead of playing them for a living.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-use-video-games-cure-aids-proteins-contenders-2015-5">These scientists are using video games to help find a cure for AIDS</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="Z0dThydDqtYQ5M3G7pWN15mNei0EVmcJ" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div></br>

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