Insider Today: Vacation-rental red flags
Luxury Retreats
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Welcome back to our Saturday edition! Looking for something to do that the whole family would enjoy? BI's movie reviewer said that "Wicked," starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, is worth the two hours and 41 minutes.
On the agenda:
- RFK Jr.'s plans to 'Make America Healthy Again' could shake up the weight-loss industry.
- A frequent traveler shares the questions she uses to avoid booking a bad vacation rental.
- Luxury-watch sellers laid out the steps for purchasing a coveted Philippe Patek watch.
- A retired Navy SEAL shared his simple go-to exercises for longevity.
But first: It's time to host.
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This week's dispatch
GMVozd/ Getty Images
How to win Thanksgiving
No matter how you try to slice it, hosting Thanksgiving dinner is a task. That's why I'm here to remind you of some helpful tips to get you through one of the most joyous (but also stressful) dinner occasions this year.
Whether you're hosting family or your chosen family, here's what you should remember:
- It's not too early to head to the grocery store to pick up your turkey, ingredients for macaroni and cheese, and whatever staples you like. Don't forget to ask guests if they have any dietary restrictions.
- If you'd rather not cook (like me!), outsource it. One mom paid $180 for Costco to take care of Thanksgiving dinner, and she had no regrets.
- Don't forget to prep an appetizer or two. It can be as simple as a bowl of popcorn or a fancier hors d'oeuvre. In case your turkey takes too long, it'll ensure you won't have grumpy guests.
- If you're mixing groups of friends, think about an icebreaker to play. Perhaps encourage everyone to go around and say what they're thankful for. It'll get people in the holiday mood.
- Lastly, if you're a guest, don't come empty-handed. One friend on social media said she's getting the host of her Thanksgiving meal an Uber Eats gift card because, let's face it, we'll all get sick of those leftovers soon enough.
Happy hosting!
RFK Jr. in the age of Ozempic
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made big promises to fight obesity with nutrition instead of popular weight-loss drugs. As Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, he's positioned to shake up the booming weight-loss industry.
Kennedy's ire for Big Pharma could be an opportunity for startups in the food-as-medicine space. It could also affect who gets access to drugs like Ozempic and put pressure on drugmakers.
The plan to "Make America Healthy Again."
Vacation-rental red flags
Martin Puddy/Getty Images
As a full-time traveler, it's fair to say Tammy Barr knows what she's doing when it comes to finding a good vacation rental. Over the course of two years, she's stayed in 40 unique rental units for a total of more than 380 nights across 16 countries.
Barr has encountered a few duds along the way. Still, she advises to look out for certain things in listings, like comically elongated photos of furniture, when deciding where to book.
These are the five questions she uses.
How to score a Patek
Harold Cunningham/ Getty Images; iStock; Rebecca Zisser/ BI
Patek Philippe watches are some of the most coveted in the world due to their high quality and industry-leading features. Not only can one cost hundreds of thousands of dollars — or millions on the resale market — they're also tricky to nab even if you have the funds.
Reid and Craig Karger, professionals in the watch industry, shared with BI the "stepping stone system" a prospective buyer might have to take in order to land one of the timepieces on their wrist.
Here's what that path can entail.
Back to the basics
Olga Rolenko/ Getty Images
Retired Navy SEAL and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Jocko Willink wakes up at 4:30 a.m. everyday to workout for up to three hours. He varies his workouts so he can stay healthy long-term and avoid athletic weaknesses.
Willink has his own massive garage gym, but it's not a necessity for meeting your fitness goals. When it comes to getting the most out of your workout, tried-and-true movements, like pull-ups or squats, require minimal equipment, he said.
His go-to exercises for getting stronger and living longer.
What we're watching this weekend
- "Alien: Romulus": The latest sequel in the long running "Alien" movie franchise was a hit in theaters earlier this year, and now it's available on Hulu.
- "The Merry Gentlemen": Netflix's latest Christmas movie stars Chad Michael Murray as a small-town handyman who joins an all-male dance revue to help save his love interest's family bar.
- "Outlander": Jamie and Claire Fraser are back! The beloved Starz historical drama returns for the second half of its 7th season this week.
iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI
What to shop
- Black Friday is coming: Black Friday is less than a week away, and the deals are already ripe for the picking. It's an especially good time to shop for pricey, big-ticket items, so we've rounded up the best early furniture deals here.
- It's cold outside: Pick up one of our top space heaters to help heat things up. Whether your room is drafty or poorly insulated, these units offer personalized comfort while you escape the cold weather.
- Cardigans, crewnecks, and cashmere, oh my!: Finally, sweater weather has arrived. Don't waste your money on just any outerwear — check out our roundup of the best sweaters for women.
More of this week's top reads:
- Patrick Schwarzenegger told BI the upcoming season of 'The White Lotus' is 'insane.'
- Why so many women are swearing off marriage — and even dating.
- Billy Bob Thornton ad-libbed his famous 'Friday Night Lights' speech after being betrayed.
- Meet Victoria Kjær Theilvig, the first Miss Denmark to win Miss Universe.
- A writer visited 3 Bavarian-style villages in the US — but she said only one made her feel like she was in Germany.
The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.