In 2025, so many conversations revolved around saving money. And while we’re only a fraction of the way into 2026, it seems that we’ll still be having those conversations for the foreseeable future.Thankfully, we can take some lessons learned from the previous year and put them into practice today, knowing that they will actually help in the long run. Recently, someone on Reddit asked, "What frugal practice has saved you the most money in 2025?" They mentioned that their most impactful “frugal practices” included stocking up on meats that were on sale and doing at-home repairs on household items (apparently, a little “gluing and sewing can go a long way.) Pretty soon, other folks were sharing their own DIY fixes, grocery hacks, and other innovative strategies that quite literally gave them more bang for their buck. Check out some of our favorites below: 1. Shopping every 3 days A man at a grocery store in the produce aisle.Photo credit: Canva"I discovered that buying food for only three days at a time saves me money. If I buy a week's worth of FRESH food, I end up tossing at least half of it. By the time the fourth day comes around, I'm so tired of looking at what's still left. I call it visual fatigue, for lack of a better explanation. So, I buy only three days of fresh food. If needed, I restock the staples, canned goods, or freezer meats."2. No new health or beauty products"Last year, I didn't buy any health or beauty products until I was 100% sure I was completely out of it. I went from January to mid-November before I had to buy deodorant because I had so many partially used sticks stashed in my cabinets. I still haven't had to buy shampoo, conditioner, or makeup because of the sheer quantity I had that I would then decide to try the newest product out there. It's been a game-changer!"3. Forgoing unhealthy habits "I quit vaping. That saved $30-$60 per week.""I quit drinking alcohol. Since I bought most of it at gas stations, I didn't realize how much I would save on the other stuff I would grab while I was in there for beer. The chips, jerky, and other nonsense.""Reduced snacking. I didn't realize how much I snacked. Somehow it's easy not to snack when you don't buy any! Eventually, I found healthier alternatives like some fresh fruit, some toasted nuts (no salt), and making my own granola bars."4. Opting for at-home eats and treats A close-up of hands prepping baking ingredients. Photo credit: Canva"Only drinking water and making my own tea/coffee at home.""Baking from scratch. I started making all baked goods instead of buying them. Have saved a ton of money by not having to buy bread, hamburger/hot-dog buns, tortillas, pizza dough, bread crumbs, pie crust, etc. I didn't realize just how easy it is to make these things and so much better for you without all the added crap! And the taste difference is incredible! There's also a great sense of satisfaction in making it yourself! An added bonus is way fewer quick trips to the store because we're out of bread or we're having burgers and need buns!""Never go out to eat...ever...overpriced garbage should be free.""I eat before going out."5. Library > subscriptions"I read 60+ books last year and borrowed most of them from the library — it saved me hundreds of dollars. Because I was reading, I didn't have much time to watch streaming services, so I saved a bit of money there as well. I only ever had one subscription at a time."6. Grocery pick-up instead of shopping "Ordering my groceries for pickup. Started it when my toddler was in her feral stage, and it just eliminated the meltdowns while on long shopping trips. Now she's older, but I still use it. I only buy what's on sale/have coupons for, and it stopped all my impulse shopping. I plan the meals each week around the circular for our store or what we've already have in the freezer/cupboards.""Ordering for grocery pick up costs $4.99 at my favourite supermarket. Like you, I buy what is on sale and a few essentials I may need. I figured spending the $5 ends up saving me more in the long run because I'm not impulse buying and looking for those unadvertised 'manager specials.'"7. No more Amazon A warehouse full of stacked boxes. Photo credit: Canva"Cold turkey stopped using Amazon.""Whenever I think I need something from Amazon, I put it in my cart and leave it for a while. If I come into a little money, I go to my cart and buy the thing that makes the most sense."8. Cutting back on driving"I biked 144 times last year. Worked out to around $2,300 saved on cab fares.""We're retired and went to one car. I pay for a few annual delivery services; our senior center offers subsidized ride shares; Walmart Plus offers free shipping and return pickup; our area has discounted public transportation passes for seniors; and charities come around regularly for donations and e-waste pickup. Using all those, we only need one car, and even with that one car, our maintenance costs decreased from driving less."9. Creating—and sticking to— a meal plan"Setting up a meal plan for each day and sticking to it. Saturday: homemade pizza, Sunday: a stew, etc. It has brought my food bill for four people down from $650 a month to $320. We're also eating healthier, homemade food. Prior to this, we were eating processed frozen crap and always struggling to decide what to eat each evening. Now if I could just come up with a breakfast and lunch plan, I'd be set."10. Learning how to take care of what you already own A yellow shirt with a stain, lemon, and baking powderPhoto credit: Canva"Learned how to properly remove stains from clothes"11. At-home beauty treatments"Stopped getting my highlights redone every six to eight weeks and embraced my natural brown. I still get color treatments to match my natural color, but only every three or four months. I also stopped getting gel manicures every two weeks. Saves an insane amount of money."12. Alternative protein sources "Beans. I replaced meat as the main protein source in meal planning with beans."13. No spending Monday-Friday"I try to avoid spending money on the weekdays."14. Not using the dryer"Hang drying my clothing. It has cut my electric bill by 60%."And lastly…15. Vacuum sealing"I bought a vacuum sealer and Souper Cubes, and both have changed our grocery game. I love to cook, so I cook big (buying what's on sale) and then portion and freeze in Souper Cubes. Once frozen, I pop them out and vacuum-seal them. We have a chest freezer full of portioned homemade meals that we can either reheat in the oven or pop into the microwave."Here’s to a fruitful 2026, everyone.

Choosing a baby name is both fulfilling and precarious. With more and more parents are experimenting with unique baby names and "old people" baby names, parents can feel pressure to to come up with the perfect moniker. Obviously, it's no easy feat picking a baby name. And when it comes to choosing a beautiful-sounding baby name, parents can actually rely on a scientific strategy called the Bouba-Kiki effect.As author Bill Sullivan, Ph.D., explained in an article for Psychology Today, the Bouba-Kiki effect can help ensure that a name remains appealing throughout a child’s life, simply because it will always be pleasant sounding. - YouTube www.youtube.com The term “Bouba-Kiki effect” emerged from a set of experiments in which people were presented with both a round and spikey shape, and asked to link the shapes to either the word “bouba,” or “kiki.” People consistently agreed that the rounded shape was “bouba” and the spiky shape was "kiki." This experiment showed that people inherently make image associations for certain words. Collective synesthesia, if you will.This concept applies to names as well. Sullivan cited a 2015 study that noted that "bouba," or round, smooth sounding names, like “Bob or Molly,” tend to get associated with "easy-going" personalities. Whereas "kiki" names, like “Kirk and Kate,” tend to sound more abrupt and could be more likely to be seen as “rude.”In 2022, Bodo Winter, an associate professor in cognitive linguistics at the University of Birmingham, and his team somewhat cemented this theory after asking hundreds of participants to listen to a list of the 100 most popular names in the U.K. and the U.S., and then analyzing emotional reactions. Choosing a beautiful baby name is easy with the Bouba-Kiki effect.Photo credit: CanvaThere was a clear winner: "Sophia," originating in Greece and meaning "wisdom." While one could argue that the list was somewhat limiting, the name spans many cultures, becoming "Sophie" in France and Germany, and even "Safiya" in Muslim communities.History and symbolism aside, what really makes Sophia pop comes down to the “soft start of ‘s,’ a roundness offered by the ‘o,’ and a smooth ending with the ‘ia,’” Winter said. This combination results in universal pleasantness.If you’re curious as to whether or not your name is audibly pleasing, below are the 50 most beautiful-sounding names for both boys and girls in the U.S., courtesy of My1stYears. - YouTube www.youtube.com 50 most beautiful baby names1. Matthew, Sophia2. Julian, Zoe3. William, Everly4. Isiah, Sophia5. Leo, Riley6. Levi, Ivy7. Joseph, Paisley8. Theo, Willow9. Isaac, Ellie10. Samuel, Emily11. Miles, Evelyn12. James, Eva13. Elijah, Elena14. Luke, Chloe,15. Noah, Nova Choosing a baby name for a newborn.Photo credit: Canva16. Santiago, Penelope17. Owen, Lucy18. Logan, Lily19. Liam, Olivia20. Roman, Naomi21. Ryan, Emma22. Cooper, Natalie23. Jack, Sofia24. Maverick, Eleanor25. Anthony, Violet26. Ezekiel, Bella27. Carter, Luna28. Benjamin, Ella29. Lucas, Victoria30. Henry, Isabella Choose a beautiful baby boy name based on the Bouba-Kiki effect.Photo credit: Canva31. Jacob, Maya32. Lincoln, Natalia33. Mason, Amelia34. Nathan, Savannah35. Asher, Charlotte36. Jackson, Stela37. Andrew, Hazel38. Cameron, Athena39. Alexander, Maria40. Theodore, Autumn41. Adam, Kennedy42. Gabriel, Aurora43. Kingston, Alice44. Daniel, Aria45. David, Harper46. Hunter, Serenity47. Dylan, Nora48. Muhammed, Grace49. Sebastian, Elizabeth50. Adrian, HannahIt probably goes without saying that our own personal preferences, among many other factors, might still influence what sounds appeal to us more (I for one prefer spiky names with a little gusto). But using the simple rules of linguistics could be an interesting, and perhaps less daunting, way for parents to choose a name that’s truly timeless.This article originally appeared last year.

Generation X, made up of those born between 1965 and 1980, has many claims to fame in the younger years game. Gen X brought the world Prince and Kurt Cobain. We were The Goonies and The Breakfast Club. We took down the Berlin Wall while watching MTV.But perhaps the most iconic thing about Gen X is our semi-feral childhoods of benign neglect. The standards of parenting and child-rearing have shifted significantly over the past 40 to 50 years, as has the technological landscape kids grow up in, so naturally, today's kids won't have the same childhoods as previous generations. But there's something particularly nostalgic about being a child of the '80s for those who lived it.Gen X had a very different childhoodIn fact, kids in the '80s were the products of the divorce boom and were raised by an increasing number of working parents. This has led them to be referred to as the least parented generation in American history. Gen X was raised in stark contrast to many in the Baby Boomer generation, many of whom had had a parent at home when they got home from school, and Millennials, who were raised by highly involved parents. So let me ask you Gen X… Would you want your kid being raised as Gen X was? Latch key. No notifications. No trackers to where your kids are? A tv commercial reminding you that you have kids and where TF are they?I LOVED and SURVIVED my childhood. Where do you stand? https://t.co/Vq5spSbOmf— Silver (@SilversMemez) April 2, 2025 One mom nailed the experience with a video reenactment of what it was like to come home from school in the 80s.Elizabeth Stevens (@BennettPeach on YouTube) arrives at the front door in her backpack, then pulls out a house key on a string around her neck. (Ah, the "latchkey kid" era when children were expected to come home to an empty house and let themselves in.)Then she goes into the kitchen in her Care Bears t-shirt and finds a handwritten note—in cursive, of course—on the back of an envelope. "Working late—make your own dinner, watch your brother and the dishes better be done when I get home from bowling. – Mom" - YouTube www.youtube.com That's right. Mom wasn't just working late, she was also going bowling while her kids were home caring for themselves.Then we see her washing the dishes despite barely being able to reach the faucet, even with a stool, and then her making a Gen X staple—the cinnamon-sugar and butter sandwich. On white bread, of course.In just one minute, Stevens managed to capture the essence of so many Gen X memories, as commenters shared:"The mom notes on an unopened bill is memories.""Nailed it! The best thing about growing up in the '70s/'80's was being ALLOWED to grow up.""Why this video made me almost cry?? How quiet it is inside the home. Lovely." A young girl doing dishes.via Canva Photos "Facts!!! No babysitter, go in the house, read the note, do the chores n not let anybody in!!!! I remember the homemade the 'cinnamon bun.'""70s and 80s … latch key kid here elementary, junior high and high school. we turned out self sufficient, independent and successful.""Just so frickin on point!!! All of it from the clothes to the key on the necklace to the note. Even what you chose to do for a snack. Too good!!! The windbreaker that's memories. It's all coming back to me now lol thank you for this. You have brought a huge grin to both me and my inner child." A young girl walking home form school.via Canva Photos"I was met with a note everyday, too. On the back of an envelope, my daily chores would be listed. If I was in trouble, I would cry as soon as I saw the note....lolol Love you momma. How I wished I could have saved those notes! They were historical treasures."Gen Xers loved being raised in such a free timeTons of people gushed about the nostalgia of the "good old days" when they were given both freedom and responsibility, many saying kids today have no idea. One thing that might surprise the younger generations was how young the theoretical kid in this video could have been. We're not talking about young teens here—kids as young as 5 or 6 could be latchkey kids, and kids any older than that were often given responsibility for looking after younger siblings. Even official babysitting jobs could start around age 11, or sometimes even younger.Gen X kids had learned to take care of themselves early on, which has its pros and cons. The rose-colored glasses many Gen X adults view their childhoods through can sometimes cloud the parts that were not so great about growing up in the 70s and 80s. Sure, that benign neglect resulted in resilience and independence, but for some that came at the cost of parental relationships and a sense of safety and security. We have more knowledge now about things like mental health support, parent-child attachment, and healthy relationship dynamics, and some of that learning is reflected in shifting parenting practices.As often happens, the pendulum may have swung too far from the absent parents of the 70s and 80s to the helicopter parents of the 90s and 2000s, of course, and the "right" approach (if there is one) probably lies somewhere in the middle. But it is still fun to look back on those iconic childhood experiences with joy and humor and appreciate that they helped us become who we are today.This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated.

Even though we all know it's inevitable, aging has a way of sneaking up on us, and often in ways we don't expect. The best people to speak on the truths about aging, of course, are Boomers (those born 1946 to 1964) and Gen Xers (those born 1965 to 1980). With decades of life under their belt, these folks possess wisdom and insight into what it's actually like to grow old that they can share with younger generations.A Reddit user posed the following question to Boomers and Gen Xers on the hilariously named /AskOldPeople channel: "What’s something about aging that no one warned you about, but you wish they had?" Folks did not hold back. Gen Xers and Boomers opened up about their first-hand experiences and let their good, bad, and ugly experiences fly. Aging comes with ups and downs.Photo credit: CanvaHere are the best responses to the warning signs about aging from Gen Xers and Boomers:"The slow loss of everything, your abilities, your health, your friends, relatives, places you loved, etc. Just the eroding away of everything." —@ BreadfruitOk6160"All the loss you endure." —@southerndude42"I wish they had warned me that it's OKAY 'not to do anything' when you retire. My husband and I have been retired about two years now, and it's been wonderful. But we're not jetting around the world. We are just relaxing, enjoying being home. And that's okay, it doesn't mean we have a worse life now." —@slenderella148 You may want to just chill at home, and that's okay.Photo credit: Canva"The invisibility." —@TimeSurround5715"Aches and pains don’t go away in a day. Sometimes it takes a week." —@OscarTravolta"Start appreciating the smallest things… like a quiet morning, or when a friend texts u a meme outta nowhere. those tiny moments hit diff now." —@quietswoon"It’s so much harder to gain muscle once you age." —@GroundAndSound"That eventually you will end up in that CVS aisle you always skipped because it didn’t pertain to you." —@IntentionAromatic523"How fast time goes by. I was 21 yesterday. Now I'm 69. Time went by way to quickly." —@Dry-Cause2061 There's a freedom that comes with getting older, too.Photo credit: Canva"That I would feel this great. And content. And so much more in love with my SO, decade after decade. That there would be as much joy in walking fast laps as there was in running full court basketball. That for all the travail I've had a wonderful life. That it would become so easy to understand Robinson Jeffers:"Still the mind smiles at its own rebellions,Knowing all the while that civilization and the other evilsThat make humanity ridiculous, remainBeautiful in the whole fabric, excesses that balance each otherLike the paired wings of a flying bird."—@Own-Animator-7526"All the napping! I've never needed so many naps..." —@Familiar_Collar_78"Menopause. I knew so little about it beyond hot flashes, but what absolutely NOBODY told me was: after 40+ years of mostly painful, heavy periods, it is a GLORIOUS feeling not to have a period anymore.

The winter Olympic viewership numbers don't lie: Figure skating is one of the most beloved sports in the world. Honestly, is there anything more beautiful and graceful? It's got the gorgeous aesthetics of gymnastics and dance combined with an almost other-worldliness as the skaters glide and fly around the ice. There's a reason people can't seem to look away from the rink when the Olympics roll around every couple of years.However, the sport of ice skating comes with certain expectations or even stereotypes of what the skaters body should look like. For women, most high level skaters are almost always extremely petite and slight. It stands to reason that this body type must be a requirement to perform at a high level, right?Wrong. Laine Dubin is one skater who's out to prove that there's no "right way" for an athlete to look. There's no one right way for an athlete to look. Photo by Kelli McClintock on Unsplash Dubin, most recently a student at Quinnipiac University where she was a standout on the skating team, began posting videos of her routines online in 2018. Believe it or not, she didn't set out to start a body-positive revolution—she just wanted to document her progress and free up some space on her phone.But almost instantly, she began to develop a following. No one had ever seen anyone like her pulling off the moves that she could, all with so much personality and showmanship that sucked people in. Not only that, but Dubin displays outstanding power and grace on the ice. If you've only ever watched the "prototypical" Olympic skaters perform, what Dubin does almost looks impossible. It's really amazing to behold.One clip in particular recently went mega viral to the tune of over 30 million views: @lainedubin THE WINNER TAKES IT ALLLLLLLLL

Cat owners are a special breed. Sometimes when dealing with feline friends, they have unique questions that even Google can't seem to answer. This is probably the sole reason cat forums exist, but in 2021, one kid who needed a 6th grade science project decided to skip the cat forums for answers and instead use the scientific method. Kaeden Henry, then a sixth grader, bravely pondered a question few (if any) have been brave enough to ask: do cat buttholes touch every surface they sit on?Since cats do whatever the heck they want, training them not to jump on kitchen counters is a feat even Hercules struggles to complete. These fierce felines don't care if you're cooking dinner or trying to get comfy in bed. If they want to sit somewhere, they're going to do it. The thought of cat butts on that expensive Serta pillow designed to feel like you're sleeping on a cloud can gross people out, but thanks to Kaeden, you no longer have to wonder if the butthole itself is also making contact. The scientific method as it was meant to be used. Courtesy of Kerry Hyde The curious sixth grader was homeschooled and well-versed in the scientific method thanks to his mother's PhD in animal behavior with a concentration in feline behavior. And, since they own cats, the science experiment was pretty straightforward (and directly impactful).The experiment To complete the experiment, Henry and his mom, Kerry Hyde, bought non-toxic lipstick and applied it to each of their cat's anuses. Then, the cats were given commands. What are you planning on doing with that lipstick?Courtesy of Kerry Hyde "Non-toxic lipstick was applied to their bum-bums, they were then given a series of commands (sit, wait, lie down, and jump up. Side note: Both cats have been trained since kittenhood with a variety of commands, they also know how to high-five, spin around, and speak.), they were compensated with lots of praise, pets, and their favorite treats, and the lipstick was removed with a baby wipe once we collected our data in just under 10 minutes," Hyde wrote in a Facebook post.The results? Turns out that, no, cat buttholes do not touch every surface cats sit onNow, let's all take a collective sigh of relief while we go over the details. Kaeden's experiment covered long-haired, short-haired, and medium-haired cats (if your cat is hairless, you better stock up on Clorox wipes just in case). "His results and general findings: Long and medium haired cat’s buttholes made NO contact with soft or hard surfaces at all. Short haired cats made NO contact on hard surfaces. But we did see evidence of a slight smear on the soft bedding surface. Conclusion, if you have a short haired cat and they may be lying on a pile of laundry, an unmade bed, or other soft uneven surface, then their butthole MAY touch those surfaces!" Hyde shares.Now every curious cat owner can rest easy knowing that, as long as their cat has hair, their bare bottom balloon knot is not touching the majority of surfaces in their home.Huzzah, science! You want me to sit on that?Courtesy of Kerry Hyde The amusing experiment caught the Internet's attention. People laughed and commented, with one person writing, "This is probably the most useful information I’ve learned from a science fair project.""Good to know!...I can now eat my sandwich left on the counter with confidence!" another writes. High five for an A+! Courtesy of Kerry Hyde "A+++!!! Whew!! I am very grateful for your sciencing on this subject. My fears from walking in on my cat sitting on my laptop keyboard and subsequently being grossed out and cleaning furiously in a hyper-ocd manner have been somewhat allayed and now maybe I won’t have to use QUIIITE so many wipes." someone chimes in."Finally.. Someone answers the important questions!!"The best part of the story? Even with her Ph.D. in animal behavior, specializing in feline behavior, Kerry learned something new. The power of science!This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated.

The '90s were a decade like no other. With TV psychics, parachutes in gym class, and iconic TV shows binged during sick days, the era was packed with uniquely memorable moments that Generation X and Millennials still feel nostalgic about today.Beyond the epic CDs and cartoons, the '90s were also defined by specific scents. Gen Xers and Millennials on Reddit recently discussed the nostalgic smells of the decade—from specific foods like banana-flavored Runts to the distinct scent of roller-rink carpet and classic Bath & Body Works fragrances. Here's what they had to say: @jennaabarclay ‘90s bath & body works scents WITH the ‘90s label

Sometimes, you can't tell how brilliant a screenplay is until you have two dudes acting out a scene from it in the middle of a public setting. Such was the case for a heartbreaking dialogue from the hit 2003 film How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, originally starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. Hearing it from the mouths of these two brilliant guys makes it hit just a little bit harder in the heart.First, a little backstory on these men. Comedian Chad Kroeger, whose real name is Tom Allen (@chadgoesdeep on social media), has been collaborating with a handful of friends for years to make hilarious content. Mainly, fellow comics Strider Wilson, AKA Michael Klimkowski, and JT (John) Parr, the latter with whom he had a Netflix series called Chad and JT Go Deep. They also have a popular podcast, Going Deep with Chad and JT, where they discuss "major current events, honor legends, explore ongoing beefs, and give advice to fans." See on Instagram The "rom-coms in public" bit has been a fan favorite. Recently posted on both Kroeger and Wilson's socials is their rendition of a turning point scene in How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. Standing near one another on a crowded platform at a train station, Wilson (in the McConaughey role) holds up a rolled up paper and asks, "Is this true or are you just trying to sell magazines?" Kroeger summons his inner Kate Hudson and answers, "I meant every word.""Where are you going?" Wilson asks. Kroeger throws his hands up in frustration and says, "I've got an interview!" Wilson seems to have known that as he replies, "In Washington, I know! Where are you going?" Again, Kroeger commits to the bit, delivering his next line passionately: "It's the only place I can go and write where I want to write."Onlookers watch and some even laugh nervously, but many seem to try and avoid eye contact. Wilson continues, "You can write anywhere! I think you're running away." Kroeger answers, "Why don't you save your mind games for the next fantasy draft? How 'bout that, bro?"At this point, a bystander in a hoodie comes over to make sure everyone is okay, asking, "Yo. He bothering you?" While Wilson keeps reciting dialogue, Kroeger answers the man: "What? No, we're bros. And we had a falling out." The man earnestly mimes a hug. "Y'all hug each other and make up. It's your bro. Hug each other and make up, bro." Kroeger and Wilson can't refuse. They hug and point to the stranger as he walks away, chorusing, "Thank you, dude!"The comments are equally funny. "Dude walked over, assessed the situation, fixed the problem, and walked away like a boss. What a legend."Another believes that this kind of action could solve a lot of world issues, writing, "This is how all public arguments should be resolved."This Instagrammer is both laughing AND crying, commenting, "Laughing out loud, then streaming tears, healthy masculinity all around." Chad Kroeger and friends try out "pick up lines" using romcom dialogue. www.youtube.com, Chad and JT Go Deep This wasn't the first time these comedians displayed their acting chops. The gang just recently posted a compilation of themselves trying out "pick-up lines" on random people at the beach—all inspired by popular romantic comedies. At one point as some cyclists ride by, one paraphrases Julia Roberts from Notting Hill: "We're just some dudes, standing in front of some cyclists, saying what up?"They then show clips from movies before showing their beach version of the same dialogue. We see Tom Cruise tearfully crash the all-women's support group in Jerry Maguire with his "You complete me" line. Then, Kroeger randomly relays the same speech to a surfer, who just kind of goes along with it until she doesn't. "This isn't sincere, honey," she says.They soon switch over to the famous scene in When Harry Met Sally, wherein Billy Crystal yells at Meg Ryan about loving all of her quirks. This time, Wilson pops in with the same woman and gives her the same speech, which makes her laugh. She throws him off a bit when she says, "I don't do any of those things," but he never breaks character. Chad Kroeger and friends act out scenes from the film Good Will Hunting in public. www.youtube.com, Chad and JT Go Deep The rabbit hole of bits goes deep with these guys. Before they landed their Netflix deal, Kroeger and Parr became popular by attending Southern California city council meetings, often bringing real issues to light. (And sometimes just having fun in the best way.) California City News reported, "The comedic surfer bro duo has crashed city council meetings across Southern California, delivering ridiculous remarks and requests in character. After numerous viral videos, the gadflies have now made it to the big leagues."They also note that they didn't expect that they'd garner such fandom. California City News continues, "The show features plenty of footage of city council sessions we’ve covered, including a San Clemente meeting where they pleaded for a Paul Walker statue." 'We didn’t expect it [our activism] to blow up like it did,' Allen—remaining in character as Chad—told CBS in 2022. 'We're just following our passions, and the world is responding.'” @chadandjt We brought him to the council to overcome heartbreak. FULL VIDEO IS NOW LIVE ON OUR YOUTUBE! LINK IN BIO. #chadandjt #citycouncil

If you're fortunate enough to live long enough to stop working and enjoy your golden years in retirement, you may start to wonder where you want to spend them. When you're no longer tied to a place by a job or family obligations, and you're looking for the best bang for your buck along with the amenities you want and need, it's natural to begin searching for the best places to retire.Many people's first thought when it comes to retirement is "south," which is why some of the places on the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 list of "Best Places to Retire in the U.S." may come as a surprise. While the rankings are dominated by Florida and Texas, those two states account for only a little over half of the Top 20. Many of the remaining cities, including the No. 1 spot, are located in the northern part of the country, in places that are decidedly not warm come wintertime.The list was compiled using criteria such as quality of life, overall value, tax rates, senior population/migration trends, and health care quality. Let's go through the Top 10:1. Midland, Michigan If you've never heard of Midland, that's probably because it has a population of less than 43,000 people. However, the median home price is just north of $200,000 and rent isn't even $800, so your retirement dollar would go pretty far there. The small city sits at the confluence of two rivers and is also the home of Dow Chemical. Do with that information what you will. 2. Weirton, West VirginiaWe're going even smaller for No. 2. Weirton has less than 19,000 people and a median home value of just over $124,000, making it uber affordable. Rent will set you back around $550. And it's only about a 40-minute drive to Pittsburgh, so if you get bored, you can always hit the bigger city.3. Homosassa Springs, FloridaEver heard of this one? It has a population of about 15,000 (they're really pushing the small-town retirement angle here) and a median home value of around $219,000. Located in western Florida between Tampa and the Panhandle, the town is home to a state wildlife park, and is undoubtedly warmer than the first two places on the list.4. The Woodlands, TexasThe Woodlands is a bit bigger, crossing into six-figure population territory at just over 116,000 residents. We also see a jump in home prices in this suburb of Houston, though, with a median price of $474,000 and average rent a bit over $1,400. The city's website refers to it as a "destination whose culture and offerings rival the nation's largest and most vibrant cities," so that sounds promising.5. Spring, Texas With a population of around 68,000, Spring is close to, but more affordable than, The Woodlands, with a median home price of about $251,000. Rent isn't much lower, though, at just over $1,300. Definitely look into buying a house instead of renting if this is where you choose to spend your retirement. 6. Rio Rancho, New Mexico Rio Rancho, New Mexico.G. Edward Johnson/Wikimedia Commons Moving west, Rio Rancho is a northern suburb of Albuquerque. It's home to about 108,000 people, and the median home value is about $310,000. Rent runs about $1,200. If that classic Southwest feel is your thing, this is where to go. 7. Spring Hill, FloridaLost of springs on this list, eh? If you're looking for a 100,000+ population without a significantly higher cost of living, Spring Hill gives you the best bang for your bigger-city buck. (Not that 100,000 is a big city by most standards, but it's not a small town either.) The median home price is just over $300,000, and rent comes in a little above $1,100.8. Altoona, PennsylvaniaAltoona is the least expensive place to live among the Top 10, with a median home price under $115,000. (Did anyone know there were still places with home prices like that anymore?) The city has a population of about 43,000, and median rent sits around $660. Not too shabby, price-wise. Not sure what people do in Altoona, but it's probably affordable. 9. Palm Coast, Florida Palm Coast is on the eastern coast of Florida.Wikimedia Commons/Lance Asper Palm Coast just sounds like a place to retire, doesn't it? Located on Florida's east coast, north of Daytona Beach, Palm Coast has a median home price close to $380,000 and rent approaching $1,500. It's not the most affordable spot in the Top 10, but hey, palm trees, right?10. Lynchburg, VirginiaNamed for Quaker John Lynch and founded in 1757, Lynchburg is the oldest city in the top places to retire, so if history is your thing, this would be a good option. With about 80,000 residents, it's neither a small town nor a large city, and with a median home price under $224,000 and rent just over $900, it's affordable, too.Here's how the rest of the Top 20 rounds out: 11. Bismarck, North Dakota12. Victoria, Texas13. Palm Harbor, Florida14. Rochester Hills, Michigan15. Troy, Michigan16. Sioux Falls, South Dakota17. Pearland, Texas18. Naples, Florida19. Pensacola, Florida20. Conroe, TexasAgain, lots of Florida and Texas, but a surprising showing from Michigan and the Dakotas, too. Retirement looks different in different places. Photo credit: CanvaWhat should people consider when they're looking for a place to retire?U.S. News & World Report used its own criteria to compile this list, but what should the average person look for when thinking about where they might want to retire? Kiplinger's "A New Guide to Choosing Where to Retire" shares five considerations to keep in mind:1. Local tax ratesStates tax retirement income differently, and property taxes vary widely from place to place. Because retirees need to stretch their retirement funds carefully, taxes are an important factor to look into and understand before settling somewhere.2. Health careAs we age, our health care needs often change and increase. Additionally, health insurance for retirees may have local limitations, so it's important to make sure your plan lines up well with wherever you end up. The quality of doctors and specialists, along with access to medical facilities, are also big considerations.3. Lifestyle suitabilityAre you active and adventurous? Do you want easy access to cultural experiences and the arts? Do you desire peace and quiet? Is sunshine and warmth important to you? Do you want to garden year-round? Do you plan to travel and want to live near a major airport? All you have is time when you're retired, so thinking through how you'll want to spend it is key. What kind of environment do you want to be in when you retire?Photo credit: Canva4. Climate risksIn the 21st century, the way climate change affects different regions is a major consideration. Places prone to natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and hurricanes may be less appealing as those events become more frequent and intense.5. Sense of communityWho you spend time with matters, and having a sense of community can make a big difference in how your days feel. In retirement, having a community can also help you have a more regular schedule as you set up routine times to get together with others, volunteer, or otherwise be socially active.Whether you're close to it or just thinking ahead, there's a lot to consider when it comes to where you retire.

One of the most challenging things to do as a communicator is to convince someone you disagree with to listen to you. You’re fighting against a host of psychological phenomena that prevent people from changing their minds or listening to those with whom they disagree. Persuasion is incredibly difficult because we’ve evolved to cling to our views no matter what.One of the most pronounced psychological blockages is the backfire effect, which states that when people are confronted with information that challenges their opinion, even if it is indisputable, they will hold onto their views even more strongly than before.So, what are we to do in a world where there is so much misinformation and zombie lies flying around? Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, a professor at Harvard Business School who studies conversation and emotion, shares the key to having a constructive dialogue with people we disagree with is: Don’t invalidate them. Couple arguing during therapy.via Canva/PhotosThe moment we invalidate someone by saying, “I disagree,” we’ve killed our chance at persuading them. Dr. Books believes that changing people’s beliefs is important, but it only happens over time. So, it's pointless to disagree at the onset of the conversation. “The only way that we change our beliefs is usually across many conversations and we're around someone we like talking to and respect and have admiration for. And then over time, we sort of bend to the gentle pressure of their differing viewpoint,” she told Bartlett.Dr. Brooks shared her strategy in a recent appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett. - YouTube www.youtube.com Three steps to disagreeing with someone without invalidating them1. You don’t need to be certain“Even if you're right, like it's not about being right or wrong in that moment. The goal here is to keep the conversation in an emotional place where it can continue. So, you can continue to engage. And that's what these researchers find in this receptiveness recipe,” Dr. Books said. The receptiveness recipe is a research project by Harvard and the University of British Columbia that created a formula for the most effective way to disagree with someone.2. Hedge your claims“I think often people think of these types of things as weakness because it's like our instinct is to try to win and be right. And instead, what I'm saying is no, hedge your claims. Show that you're uncertain about stuff. Validate their feelings. Divide yourself into disagreeing parts because you're not certain about anything, in order to keep the conversation going, so that you have any shred of hope of persuading them over the longer term.”If they say the sky is purple:“That’s interesting. I'd love to hear more.”“As a painter, who knows a bit about color, that is so intriguing.”The key is to make it an emotionally safe dialogue and show you’re interested in what they have to say. In turn, they'll be more receptive to your thoughts. Two coworkers debate each other.via Canva/Photos3. Hold back your disagreement “I wrote this chapter in my book called 'Do Not Disagree.' It's an intentionally provocative chapter because people think, ‘What do you mean, never disagree with anybody?’ But I mean, don't make the first thing you say 'I disagree,'" Bartlett adds. “That's right. It can come later,” Dr. Books added. “It can come later, but first has to come like ‘Oh, it's so intriguing that you said that. I'm so fascinated, and it makes sense that you might feel that way. I wonder if…’ and then you can go on instead of ‘I disagree.’”Ultimately, the key is understanding that changing someone’s mind takes time and is nearly impossible if we shut down the conversation by invalidating them. By delaying the instant gratification of saying, “You’re wrong! I got you, here are the facts,” you can create a space where they are more open to listening to what you have to say. You've validated their beliefs, so they'll be more likely to consider yours.