• Bridgewater Associates' Greg Jensen has listed Rogers Island for a cool $35 million.
• The property includes a 10-bedroom home, artist's studio, and putting green. 
• It's one of the Thimble Islands — an archipelago in Connecticut not far from New York City.

Want a chance at private island living just outside New York City? It'll cost you.

Bridgewater Associates' co-chief investment officer Greg Jensen, a top hedge fund executive, has listed his Rogers Island property in Connecticut for $35 million, The Wall Street Journal first reported.

The private island — purchased by Jensen for roughly $22 million in 2018, according to the Journal — is roughly 7.7 acres and has multiple houses, a tennis court, and putting green.

The main house, built in 1900 and recently renovated, according to the Journal, has 10 bedrooms. There's also a four-bedroom guesthouse, an artist's studio, and poolhouse.

There are three private beaches on the island, according to the property listing.

Rogers Islands is part of the Thimble Islands — a smattering of 365 tiny islands off the coast of Branford, Connecticut on the Long Island Sound.

A 1.1-acre property on Potato Island — also part of the archipelago — sold for $4.5 million in 2020.

"Rogers Island beckons as the ultimate symbol of achievement, awaiting its discerning new owner," the listing reads.

Check out more photos below:

• Elon Musk has created a range of products other than cars, rockets, and underground tunnels.
• Tesla recently added to the list a $450 bottle of mezcal.
• Here's a list of the weird merchandise Musk has sold, including flamethrowers and surfboards.

Elon Musk is known for building cars and rockets, but he's actually a man of many products, including tequila, surfboards, and flamethrowers.

Musk's latest innovation? A lightning bolt-shaped bottle of Tesla Mezcal that'll set you back $450. (Big missed opportunity to call it Tezcal if you ask us.)

Under Musk's leadership, SpaceX, Tesla, and The Boring Company have sold a number of quirky wares, oftentimes taking inspiration in name or design from Tesla vehicles or SpaceX rockets.

Perhaps the most famous are Tesla's red satin short shorts, designed to taunt short-sellers betting against his stock, and The Boring Company's "Not-A-Flamethrower."  The products — some of which are available in limited releases — often sell out and command sky-high resale prices.

Here's a look at some of the weirdest products Musk has sold to date:

For kids, Musk sells this onesie with the SpaceX logo on its shoulder.

The SpaceX onesie comes in sizes newborn to 5T, and costs $45.

Tesla has sold mini battery-powered cars for children for $600.

Tesla's Model S for kids can reach top speeds of 6 mph and comes with an MP3 sound system, headlights, and a horn.

The company also sold a Tesla for younger children between the ages of one and a half and four, called "My First Model Y."

The Boring Company sold thousands of its "Not-A-Flamethrower" in 2018.

The Boring Company, which builds underground transit tunnels, sold 20,000 limited-edition flamethrowers for $500 each in February 2018.

But the $10 million in quick revenue caused legal issues, with the machines showing up in weapon seizures and drug busts across the world. 

The company named it "Not-A-Flamethrower" to get past foreign laws and shipping bans on flamethrowers, Musk told Joe Rogan in 2018.

"It's dangerous, it's wrong. Don't buy it. Still, people bought it. I just couldn't stop them," Musk said on Rogan's podcast.

When red satin Tesla short shorts with "S3XY" printed across the back went on sale, the car company's crashed within minutes, Musk said.

The Tesla CEO posted on X, formerly Twitter, in July 2020 that his electric-vehicle company was selling limited-edition red satin shorts.

The shorts were priced at $69.420 on Tesla's website — a reference to one of Musk's favorite jokes and marijuana.  

"Dang we broke the website," he tweeted, three minutes after posting about the shorts.

The "S3XY" refers to Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles, while the shorts could be a mocking nod to short-sellers who bet against Tesla's stock.

Tesla briefly put 200 surfboards up for sale at $1,500 each.

If red satin short shorts weren't enough, Tesla started selling surfboards in 2018 for $1,500 each.

Only 200 were put up for sale — and they quickly became a collector's item, going for sky-high prices on resale sites like eBay.

The carbon-fiber surfboards were painted red and black in the same matte and gloss paints used on Tesla cars.

Tesla has launched its own brand of tequila for $250 a bottle. Musk dubbed it "Teslaquilla."

More than two years after Musk first referred to "Teslaquilla" in an April Fools' Day tweet, Tesla released its own tequila in November 2020. Hours after the product went on sale, it sold out.

The tequila came in a bottle shaped like a lightning bolt and cost $250 for a 750ml bottle.

Those who got their hands on the drink sold the empty bottle online for a hefty markup. Dozens of bottles sold on eBay for $500 to $800.

Off the heels of "Teslaquilla," Tesla released sipping glasses for $75.

The limited-edition set includes two glasses. Tesla said on its website that they were inspired by the company's tequila.

After SpaceX's first attempt at launching its Starship rocket was called off in April 2023, Musk tweeted about the company selling a new Starship-shaped torch.

The $175 Starship Torch sold out and was supposed to start shipping in the third quarter of 2023, according to SpaceX's website, but appeared to be delayed. It's named after Starship, the rocket that SpaceX wants to fly to the moon and Mars.

The windproof torch, which refills with butane canisters and comes with a safety lock, can light candles, melt cheese, sear steaks and meringues, and caramelize sugar, the company said, also clarifying that it was "100% not a toy."

SpaceX says the torch can be used as a statue of Starship when it's not in use.

 

Musk peddled a fragrance called "Burnt Hair" for $100 a bottle.

In 2022, Musk released a fragrance through The Boring Company, which he called "the finest fragrance on Earth."

The perfume cost $100 a bottle and was described as "the essence of repugnant desire."

Musk said he'd sold more than 10,000 bottles of the "Burnt Hair" fragrance — which would translate to $1 million in sales — within the first six hours of the product being listed.

And for your pets, how about a Cybertruck-inspired cat bed?

In August 2023, Tesla started selling a "multifunctional corrugated cat nest" exclusively in China.

The cat bed is made of cardboard with an angular shape inspired by the design of the Cybertruck, Tesla's electric pickup truck.

Also taking a cue from the Cybertruck's design is another alcoholic beverage sold by Tesla.

Last year, Tesla started selling a set of two beers and two ceramic steins, designed to mimic the look of the Cybertruck, for $150.

The 11-ounce bottles of Tesla CyberBeer have notes of herb, spice, tea, and citrus, Tesla says on its website.

Also in 2023, Tesla started selling a Cybertruck for Kids for $1,500.

It's currently out of stock but is meant for kids ages 6 to 12 and can comfortably seat two. 

It has LED head and tail lights, boasts up to 12 miles of range, and can go 10 miles per hour.

Musk's latest merch addition is Tesla Mezcal.

Tesla introduced a $450 bottle of mezcal this week. The taste is described as "smoky and floral with a smooth finish" on Tesla's website.

It's available in select states and starts shipping in three to six weeks.

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

The best cellphone plans offer enough data for your needs. Beyond that, a plan can also include perks and features that are relevant to you, whether it's a discount for a streaming service, multi-line discounts, a discounted separate plan for a connected device, or international features. But remember, an ideal plan becomes useless if the carrier that offers it doesn't cover your area well. 

After extensively researching and testing the best cellphone plans from major carriers and budget-friendly providers, we've concluded that Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan is the best overall. It offers the most data with the best overall coverage at an unmatched value, especially with more lines on the plan. The best budget option among major carriers is T-Mobile's Essentials plan, which includes a generous amount of premium data for a lower monthly bill that will mean big savings in the long term.

Our top picks for the best cellphone plans

Best overall: Verizon Unlimited Plus – See at Verizon

Best budget plan: T-Mobile Essentials – See at T-Mobile

Best true budget plan: US Mobile Unlimited Starter – See at US Mobile

Best international plan: Verizon Unlimited Ultimate – See at Verizon

Best overall

Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan offers the best balance of data and coverage for the vast majority of people. It costs $80/month for a single line, but the monthly cost per line is less with every additional line, up to five lines.

With Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan, you get unlimited premium prioritized data, so your data speeds won't slow down after you've used a certain amount of data when the network is congested. It also includes Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network, which runs on the super fast mmWave and C-band spectrums. Verizon also offers a 50% discount for a single connected device plan, whether for a connected smartwatch or tablet.

On top of core wireless services, Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan includes discounts on various other services. Among them, you can save $9/month on the Disney streaming bundle, which includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus, or save $7/month on Netflix and Max. Check out Verizon's website for other perks to pick from. 

As for international use, the Unlimited Plus plan gets you unlimited talk and text and 2GB of daily high-speed data (before it's slowed to 3G speeds) in Mexico and Canada. It also allows unlimited talk and text from the US to Mexico and Canada and unlimited texting to over 200 countries. 

Verizon says video streaming quality on the Unlimited Ultimate plan is limited to 720p, but their fine print says 4K quality is available in 5G Ultra Wideband areas when you activate the 4K streaming option through the My Verizon app or with Verizon's customer service. It also says 1080p resolution can be activated in standard 5G and 4G areas. 

No other carrier offers as much for the price, and importantly, Verizon generally has the best-mixed coverage between rural and urban areas.

Verizon Fios internet users who also use Verizon Wireless will also get a discount on their internet service, so it's an especially good choice for Verizon Fios customers.

Best budget plan

We hesitate to use the word "budget" here, as this plan could also apply to people who simply don't use their phones away from a WiFi connection very often and don't need to spend much on a plan that offers more data.

When it comes to more affordable plans, you forfeit unlimited premium prioritized data, and your data speeds can be affected after reaching a certain limit when your data becomes deprioritized.

Among the three major carriers, T-Mobile's Essentials plan easily offers the best deal in the more affordable, or lower data usage, category thanks to its generous 50GB of premium prioritized data. That means data won't become deprioritized until you've used 50GB of data, even when the network is busy. Meanwhile, AT&T and Verizon don't offer any premium data in their equivalent plans in the same price range.

T-Mobile's Essentials plan starts at $60/month for a single line, with the price per line reducing with every additional line. The Essentials plan supports up to six lines; if you can manage four or more lines, it's a steal.

T-Mobile's Essentials plan includes access to the carrier's full and extensive 5G network, including its Ultra Capacity 5G network (mmWave and C-band) and its Extended Range 5G (Sub-6). Despite the inclusion, it's worth noting that data speeds for Essentials customers may be slower overall than other customers on more expensive plans, even when you're using premium prioritized data. Still, data speeds should be fast enough for pretty much anything you do on your phone.

T-Mobile offers unlimited mobile hot spot functionality on its Essentials plan, but only at 3G speeds. It limits you to basic tasks, like emailing, but 3G speeds might be dubiously slow scrolling down photo and video-heavy social media apps or video streaming. If you're looking for at least some flexibility to use your phone as a mobile hot spot, AT&T's Unlimited Starter plan will be the better option. It has 3GB of mobile hot spot data at faster speeds, which can better serve you for light use or in an emergency. 

Finally, T-Mobile offers some international perks with its Essentials plan. You get unlimited texting, $0.25/minute calls in 215+ countries, and unlimited international texting from home. In Canada and Mexico, Essentials offers unlimited talk and text but up to 128Kbps data speeds, which is so slow you may even struggle with an email. T-Mobile Travel is also included.

For those who only need up to three lines, we recommend checking out T-Mobile's Essentials Saver plan. It's identical to the standard Essentials plan, but pricing is more favorable ($10 less per line) for single and dual-line accounts. 

Best true budget plan

A "true budget" cellphone plan typically comes from a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which delivers data and connectivity to your phone by piggybacking off a major carrier's network. Worthy plans from these providers offer data at notably lower monthly costs than the least expensive flagship plan from a major carrier — the $50/month T-Mobile Essentials Saver plan. 

Overall, US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan is the best "true budget" plan comparable to offerings from major carriers. It starts at $29/month for 35GB of high-speed data. You can get even better value by signing up for US Mobile's annual payment option, which reduces the price to $23/month (totaling $450/year). 

There are less expensive plans from various MVNOs and budget-friendly carriers, albeit with less data. However, what makes US Mobile unique and an excellent option is that you can run on either Verizon's or T-Mobile's networks, which US Mobile nicknames "Warp" and "GSM," respectively. That's unrivaled flexibility, especially since you can switch between the two networks up to twice a month, and the Verizon-backed network offers prioritized premium data, as our US Mobile review details. 

Even if you pick one network option and never have to switch, you at least have the option, which no other carrier we've encountered can offer. 

Beyond the choice between two networks, US Mobile only reduces your data speeds to 1Mbps if you exceed the 35GB of data allocated to you in the Unlimited Starter plan. That's slow, but unlike most budget options that reduce speeds to 0.25Mbps or less, it's still usable for basic uses like messaging and web browsing. However, you might struggle with slow loading times on photo and video-heavy apps.

Additionally, US Mobile is one of the few MVNO and budget-friendly carriers that offer multi-line discounts, making it a great option for groups and families at a more affordable price than flagship plans from major carriers.

If you need less data or are looking to spend less, Mint Mobile's new customer promotion is an option that we equally recommend among the best cheap cellphone plans. The promotion sets its three-month plans for 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, and "unlimited" (40GB) monthly data at the same low cost of $15/month, but each plan's data is subject to deprioritization behind T-Mobile customers. 

Best international plan

Without adding a separate international add-on plan, Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan offers the most connectivity overall for those who often travel abroad, make calls abroad from the US, or both. It just edges above T-Mobile's Go5G Next and Plus plans. Most AT&T plans don't include international features and require additional $10/day plans for some of the same international features included in Verizon's and T-Mobile's plans.

Most major carriers, except AT&T, support unlimited talk, text, and a set amount of data while traveling in 210-plus countries in their plans. Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan offers more monthly data (10GB) than T-Mobile (5GB). AT&T only supports 20 Latin American countries if you don't add a supplemental international plan. 

Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plans also include 300 minutes/month of calling time from the US to a country of choice from a list of 140 countries. Verizon charges a country-specific rate for all other countries. AT&T and T-Mobile charge a country-specific rate when calling any country from the US and don't have the free 300-minute calling option on Verizon's plan.

All major carriers support unlimited calling and texting to Mexico and Canada from the US. If you're in Mexico or Canada, AT&T's plans actually offer the most with unlimited talk, text, and the same amount of data as your domestic US plan. Verizon and T-Mobile also offer unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada, but Verizon has a 2GB/day data limit, and T-Mobile has a 15GB/month data limit.

If you rarely or just occasionally travel or communicate internationally and don't need pricey plans that include international features, you could simply add an international add-on plan to a more affordable plan. These usually range from $5 to $10 per day, which seems pricey in the short term, but they're likely cheaper in the long run, at least for those who don't need international features as often.

How we test cellphone plans

Our testing procedure involves general day-to-day personal use, like making calls, sending messages, and using data-light and data-heavy apps, from browsing the web to streaming videos and scrolling through content-rich social media apps. We also test data speeds in various locations on different networks, including LTE, basic 5G, and high-band 5G. For data speed testing, we also conduct tests in varying signal strengths. 

We've experienced every major carrier ourselves in personal use and testing scenarios to assess data speeds and coverage, and we compare them to the carrier's claims. Coverage and data speeds differ so much in different locations that we can't accurately claim that one network is better for specific areas. However, based on our experience with the major carriers in rural, suburban, and urban areas, we are confident in making a general assessment. 

After assessing a carrier's overall quality based on coverage and data speeds, we look at a plan's offerings and monthly price. This includes data amount, whether premium-prioritized data is used or deprioritized, what happens after reaching a data limit, mobile hotspot features, whether a plan includes fast high-band 5G connectivity, multi-line discounts, international features, and extra benefits. 

We've also tested several MVNO and budget-friendly carriers but haven't tested them all. Having tested all major carriers, we generally know how MVNOs and budget-friendly carriers perform in terms of coverage and data speeds, as they operate on major carrier networks. See our guide to the best cheap cellphone plans for other top options we've tested in the MVNO landscape. 

What to look for in a cellphone plan

The perfect plan doesn't make sense if the carrier has poor network coverage in your area. First, you might narrow your options by determining which carrier has good coverage wherever you frequent and use your phone the most. One way to do so is by asking neighbors and locals in person or on social media like Nextdoor.

After you've figured out which carriers have the network coverage you need, the core plan feature to look for is sufficient data for a worry-free experience when using your phone without WiFi, especially when scrolling through data-heavy social media apps, streaming video, or video calling. 

We like plans that offer you the most "premium data'' with no data limits before a carrier slows down your speeds. We also like plans where your data isn't affected when a carrier's network is congested. That way, you can do whatever you want on your phone without thinking about the time of day, like rush hours.

After that, it's a question of your monthly budget. Pricier plans offer unlimited premium data, but you may have to settle for a plan with limited premium data if your budget doesn't allow it. One way to reduce your monthly bill is to join a plan with friends and family, as the monthly cost per line gets lower as more people are on a plan.  

The following plan features are more subjective.

If you often work on your laptop away from a familiar or secure WiFi connection and use your phone as a mobile hot spot, you'll want a plan that offers as much mobile hot spot data as you need. If this feature is incredibly important to you, it could dictate which plan you get.

If you often travel or communicate with friends and family abroad, you'll want to consider a plan's international features. Alternatively, carriers offer international add-on plans at an extra cost on top of your usual monthly bill. You can apply these as needed. 

Perks are nice add-ons that could tip you toward a specific carrier as long as that carrier has good coverage in your area. Things like discounts on streaming service bundles, your home internet service, or discounts on separate plans for data-connected smartwatches or tablets could make the difference. 

Best overall

Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan offers the best balance of data and coverage for the vast majority of people. It costs $80/month for a single line, but the monthly cost per line is less with every additional line, up to five lines.

With the Unlimited Plus plan from Verizon, you get unlimited premium data, so your data speeds won't slow down after you've used a certain amount of data or when the network is congested. It also includes Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network, which runs on the super fast mmWave and C-band spectrums. Verizon also offers a 50% discount for a single connected device plan, whether a connected smartwatch or tablet.

On top of core wireless services, Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan includes discounts on various other services. Among them, you can save $9/month on the Disney streaming bundle, which includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus, or save $7/month on Netflix and Max. Check out Verizon's website for other perks to pick from. 

As for international use, the Unlimited Plus plan gets you unlimited talk and text and 2GB of daily high-speed data (before it's slowed to 3G speeds) in Mexico and Canada. It also allows unlimited talk and text from the US to Mexico and Canada and unlimited text to over 200 countries. 

Verizon says video streaming quality on the Unlimited Ultimate plan is limited to 720p, but their fine print says 4K quality is available in 5G Ultra Wideband areas when you activate the 4K streaming option through the My Verizon app or with Verizon's customer service. It also says 1080p resolution can be activated in standard 5G and 4G areas. 

No other carrier offers as much for the price, and importantly, Verizon generally has the best-mixed coverage between rural and urban areas.

Verizon Fios internet users who also use Verizon Wireless will also get a discount on their internet service, so it's an especially good choice for Verizon Fios customers.

Best budget plan

When it comes to more affordable plans, you forfeit unlimited premium data, and your data speeds will be substantially affected after reaching a certain limit. We hesitate to use the word "budget" here, as this plan could also apply to people who simply don't use their phones away from a WiFi connection very often and don't need to spend much on a plan that offers more data.

Among the three major carriers, T-Mobile's Essentials plan easily offers the best deal in the more affordable category thanks to its generous 50GB of premium data. That means T-Mobile won't slow down your data speeds until you've used 50GB of data, even when the network is busy. Meanwhile, AT&T and Verizon don't offer any premium data in their equivalent plans that are less expensive.

T-Mobile's Essentials plan starts at $60/month for a single line, with the price per line reducing with every line, up to four lines. If you can manage four or five lines in a plan, $25/month for T-Mobile's Essentials plan is an absolute steal.

T-Mobile's Essentials plan includes access to the carrier's full and extensive 5G network, including its Ultra Capacity 5G network (mmWave and C-band) and its Extended Range 5G (Sub-6). Despite the inclusion, it's worth noting that data speeds for Essentials customers may be slower overall than other customers on more premium plans, even before the 50GB data limit. Still, data speeds should be fast enough for pretty much anything you do on your phone, including video streaming and calling. 

T-Mobile offers unlimited mobile hotspot functionality on its Essentials plan, but only at 3G speeds. It limits you to basic tasks, like emailing, that don't involve video streaming or even loading photos. If you're looking for at least some flexibility to use your phone as a mobile hotspot, AT&T's Unlimited Starter plan will be the better option with 3GB of mobile hotspot at faster speeds, which can better serve you for light use or in an emergency. 

Finally, T-Mobile offers some international perks with its Essentials plan. You get unlimited texting, $0.25/minute calls in 215+ countries, and unlimited international texting from home. In Canada and Mexico, Essentials offers unlimited talk and text but up to 128Kbps data speeds, which is so slow you may even struggle with an email. T-Mobile Travel is also included.

Best true budget plan

A "true budget" cell phone plan typically comes from a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which delivers data and connectivity to your phone by piggybacking off a major carrier's network. Plans from these providers offer data at significantly lower monthly costs than major carrier offerings. 

Overall, Mint Mobile has the best "true budget" options, with prepaid plans starting at $15/month for a range of monthly data, from 5GB to "unlimited" data (40GB). Mint Mobile's plans offer incredible value, especially if you know how much data you typically use monthly and can pick a plan with limited data. We recommend starting with Mint Mobile's new customer promotion, which gives you a discounted rate of $15/month for any of its three-month prepaid plans. 

As we detail in our Mint Mobile review, one of the best things about Mint is its user-friendly app and web-based platform, where you can manage your plan and check how much data you've used for a given month. The overall experience is simpler than major carriers, as it's not as congested with extensive fine print, conditions, features, or perks that you may not want. 

Mint is an MVNO that runs off of T-Mobile's network. As such, Mint has the same coverage as T-Mobile, which is excellent in cities, many suburbs, and along many highways but can become limited the further away from populated areas you go. Check Mint Mobile's coverage map to ensure Mint Mobile covers your area.

It's also worth noting that Mint Mobile doesn't include premium data on any of its plans, which means data speeds can be reduced when T-Mobile's network is congested.

For other alternatives that offer excellent value relative to the big three major carriers, check out our guide to the best cheap cell phone plans.

Best international plan

Without adding a separate international add-on plan, Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan offers the most overall for those who often travel abroad, make calls abroad from the US, or both. It just edges above T-Mobile's Go5G Next and Plus plans. Most AT&T plans don't include international features and require additional $10/day plans for some of the same international features included in Verizon's and T-Mobile's plans.

Most major carriers, except AT&T, support unlimited talk, text, and a set amount of data while traveling in 210-plus countries in their plans. Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan offers more monthly data (10GB) than T-Mobile (5GB). AT&T only supports 20 Latin American countries if you don't add a supplemental international plan. 

Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plans also include 300 minutes/month of calling time from the US to a country of choice from a list of 140 countries. Verizon charges a country-specific rate for all other countries. AT&T and T-Mobile charge a country-specific rate when calling any country from the US and don't have the free 300-minute calling option on Verizon's plan.

All major carriers support unlimited calling and texting to Mexico and Canada from the US. If you're in Mexico or Canada, AT&T's plans actually offer the most with unlimited talk, text, and the same amount of data as your domestic US plan. Verizon and T-Mobile also offer unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada, but Verizon has a 2GB/day data limit, and T-Mobile has a 15GB/month data limit.

If you rarely or just occasionally travel or communicate internationally and don't need pricey plans that include international features, you could simply add an international add-on plan to a more affordable plan. These usually range from $5 to $10 per day, which seems pricey in the short term, but they're likely cheaper in the long run, at least for those who don't need international features as often.

What to look for in a cell phone plan

The perfect plan doesn't make sense if the carrier has poor network coverage in your area. First, you might narrow down your options by figuring out which carrier has good coverage wherever you frequent and use your phone the most. One way to do so is by asking neighbors and locals in person or on social media like Nextdoor.

After you've figured out which carriers have the network coverage you need, the core plan features to look for is sufficient data for a worry-free experience when doing anything on your phone that uses data, especially when it comes to scrolling through data-heavy social media apps, video streaming, or video calling. 

We like plans that offer you the most "premium data'' with no data limits before a carrier slows down your speeds. We also like plans where your data isn't affected when a carrier's network is congested. That way, you can do whatever you want on your phone without thinking about the time of day, like rush hours.

After that, it's a question of your monthly budget. Pricier plans offer unlimited premium data, but you may have to settle for a plan with limited premium data if your budget doesn't allow it. One way to reduce your monthly bill is to join a plan with friends and family, as the monthly cost per line gets lower as more people are on a plan.  

The following plan features are more subjective.

If you're often working on your laptop away from a familiar or secure WiFi connection and use your phone as a mobile hotspot, you'll want a plan that offers as much mobile hotspot data as you need. If it's an incredibly important feature for you, it could dictate which plan you get.

If you're often traveling or communicating with friends and family abroad, you'll want to consider a plan's international features. Alternatively, carriers offer international add-on plans at an extra cost on top of your usual monthly bill. You can apply these as you need. 

Perks are nice add-ons that could tip you toward a specific carrier as long as that carrier has good coverage in your area. Things like discounts on streaming service bundles, your home internet service, or discounts on separate plans for data-connected smartwatches or tablets could make the difference. 

• The US added 272,000 jobs in May, blowing past consensus estimates by a wide margin.
• The red-hot data all but eliminates the possibility of a July interest-rate cut.
• Some analysts are questioning the Fed's ability to lower rates this year at all.

The latest jobs report has all but confirmed the Federal Reserve won't cut interest rates in July.

While the highest-probability scenario coming into the report called for an initial cut in September, July was still considered to be on the table. Odds had crept higher after a series of recent economic data suggested a cooling labor market and subsiding inflation.

That's off the table now after the US added a blowout 272,000 jobs in May, rocketing well past the consensus estimate of 182,000, and exceeding all 77 forecasts collected by Bloomberg. Wage growth also surprised to the upside, with average hourly wages rising 0.4% last month.

"Today's data undermines the message that other recent economic data have been giving of a cooling U.S. economy, and slams the door shut on a July rate cut," Principal Asset's Chief Global Strategist Seema Shah said, adding: "We still expect the Fed to cut rates in September but another set of prints like today's would likely also take that off the table."

Investors now indicate just a 9% odd chance of a July cut, down roughly half from where it was before the jobs report. What's more, for some experts, doubt is creeping in over the Fed's ability to lower rates in September.

Jeff Schulze, head of economist market strategy at ClearBridge investments, is taking it out of play.

"Combined with an upside surprise to wages, this effectively takes a September rate hike off the table as there is no concern on the full employment side of the Fed's dual mandate at the moment," he said.

The hot jobs number was also felt in stocks, which declined sharply amid the decreased prospects of an imminent rate cut. Treasury yields spiked more than 10 basis points.

"To those who are worried about inflation — especially the Federal Reserve — the report should raise concerns that wage pressure and sticky inflation is more likely to persist than be transitory," said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer for Independent Advisor Alliance. "We believe that the Fed is on hold at least until the election and may very well skip rate cuts for the entire year (our base case is still one 25 bps rate cut in December)."

• Uber Eats workers can't deliver orders on foot anymore in New York City.
• Uber made the change last week, citing the city's new pay law for gig delivery workers.
• One Uber Eats worker said walking can actually be faster than fighting traffic in the busy city.

Uber doesn't want its delivery workers running — literally — around New York City anymore making deliveries.

As of last week, the delivery service no longer allows gig workers to deliver orders on foot in the city, according to an email shared with Business Insider. Its reason: walking workers don't deliver enough orders to be compatible with New York's recently enacted pay law, which mandates that workers who make deliveries through a gig work app make at least $19.56 an hour before tips.

"Because New York City's Minimum Pay Rate encourages apps to use workers' time more efficiently, and walkers have fewer delivery opportunities that take more time to complete, as of May 28th we are removing the option to deliver as a walker," Uber wrote last month in an email sent to couriers in the city.

The email directs workers who previously made deliveries by walking to use other means, such as a car, motorcycle, moped, or bike. It also contains a link to a company called Zoomo, through which Uber contractors can pay to rent e-bikes by the week.

Uber spokeswoman Freddi Goldstein confirmed the change in an email to BI.

Despite Uber's efficiency claim, Makeda Charles, who started delivering food for Uber Eats in New York City last year, said walking can be faster than fighting through traffic in America's most populous city.

Charles focused on delivering orders in Midtown Manhattan and the Financial District, and her trips usually involved walking no more than a few blocks, she told BI. She credits her Uber earnings for helping her stabilize her life after experiencing homelessness.

"It makes sense for a city like New York where everybody walks," she said of Uber's walking delivery option. Since Uber ended the walking option, she has gotten a fulfillment job at Amazon.

Goldstein did not respond to a question from BI about how Uber determined that deliveries made on foot were less efficient than alternatives in New York City.

Delivery services have made other changes over the last several months in the name of New York City's minimum wage law for gig workers. Uber Eats was one of multiple services that added a fee earlier this year to offset the higher wages for delivery workers.

Uber Eats and DoorDash also took away the option for New York City customers to tip their delivery person when paying for their order. Now, they can add gratuity only after an order has been completed or picked up.

Delivery apps have also been pushing back on a minimum pay law for gig workers in Seattle.

There, the companies have pushed workers to testify against the law and have sent them miles out of the way to avoid paying the higher wage.

Do you work for Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, Walmart Spark, or another gig delivery service and have a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com

• As the 2024 race heats up, Trump is getting support from various billionaires and wealthy business leaders.
• Some are true believers, while others backed Trump's GOP rivals before coming around to him.
• Here are some of the billionaires who are contributing to Trump this year.

As former President Donald Trump seeks a second term in the White House, he's increasingly turning to billionaires to power his campaign.

Some of them are longtime associates and supporters — true believers who know the former president from his days in the business world — while others are relative newcomers, such as longtime GOP megadonors who backed his 2024 rivals or even previously supported Democrats.

The backers represent diverse industries, from traditional red-state oil titans to formerly left-leaning Silicon Valley elite.

Each lists different reasons for their choice: Some take issue with Joe Biden's proposed "billionaire tax," while others prefer Trump's tough stance on immigration.

"I share the concern of most Americans that our economic, immigration and foreign policies are taking the country in the wrong direction. For these reasons, I am planning to vote for change and support Donald Trump for President," Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman said in a statement to Axios.

In 2022, the finance billionaire had said he would not support Trump in the primary and called on "the Republican Party to turn to a new generation of leaders."

Here are some of the most notable billionaires who are contributing to Trump's 2024 campaign, including to his "Trump 47" joint fundraising committee, which splits proceeds between the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee, and the MAGA Inc. super PAC.

Steve Schwarzman

Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman seemed to rebuke Trump following the 2022 midterm elections when he said the Republican Party needed "a new generation of leaders."

But last month, he said he will vote for the former president in November. Axios, which first published the news, reported that he will donate to Trump. In 2020, Schwarzman, who is worth $37.9 billion, per Forbes, contributed millions to his reelection campaign.

"The dramatic rise of antisemitism has led me to focus on the consequences of upcoming elections with greater urgency," he said in his statement.

A long-term Republican donor and powerful influence on Wall Street, Schwarzman's endorsement could inspire other business leaders to consider the candidate.

Miriam Adelson

Miriam Adelson — the widow of casino mogul Sheldon Adelson who received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump — has officially announced she would once again back the former president — a coup for his campaign finances.

Her endorsement comes with quite a bit of cash: Adelson, whose net worth stands at $29.3 billion, according to Forbes, is bringing back her Preserve America super PAC and will donate more than $90 million to reelect Trump.

In 2020, she and Sheldon were Trump's biggest donors, contributing more than $120 million to his campaign, as well as to other Republican causes and candidates.

Harold Hamm

Harold Hamm, an oil and gas magnate worth $18.5 billion, per Forbes, has contributed $614,000 to the Trump 47 Committee and $200,000 to the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. super PAC.

Like several other billionaire donors, Hamm wasn't always convinced Trump was the right man for 2024. He contributed thousands to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Ambassador Nikki Haley in the primaries.

It's even been reported that he told Trump to end his presidential campaign last year, citing the "chaos" the former president caused.

Hamm's support may give some insight into how Trump is doing with oil and gas money, which he has been courting for months.

"Republican, Democrat… I'm an oilocrat," he told the Financial Times in 2022.

Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein

Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein — who are worth a combined $13.6 billion, per Forbes, thanks to their packing and shipping company Uline — have long been reliable donors to a variety of conservative causes and candidates, including bankrolling an effort to make it harder to amend the Ohio constitution in 2023.

The Uihleins started this cycle supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's presidential bid, and each gave $1.5 million to DeSantis's super PAC, Never Back Down.

Elizabeth told the Financial Times in March that she and her husband would donate a similar amount to Trump — while also bemoaning the fact that she and her husband had to spend money on the presidential race at all.

"These two guys are very well-defined. I don't understand why everybody has to give all this money," she told the outlet, referring to Trump and Biden. "Neither of them have to spend a penny. We all know who they are. It's ridiculous."

Their support came at a critical time, providing Trump with news of a much-needed boost.

Douglas Leone

Venture capitalist Doug Leone, a partner at and former head of Sequoia who Forbes estimates is worth $8 billion, announced earlier this month that he'd once again be backing Trump — despite saying in 2021 that the former president had lost his support after the January 6 attack on the capital. In 2020, Leone donated about $700,000 to Trump's reelection campaign.

"I have become increasingly concerned about the general direction of our country, the state of our broken immigration system, the ballooning deficit, and the foreign policy missteps, among other issues," he wrote on X. "Therefore, I am supporting former President Trump in this coming election."

Leone represents a small but growing Silicon Valley sect that has turned to the former president. Venture capitalists David Sacks and Chamath Palihapitiya, as well as Leone's fellow Sequoia partner Shaun Maguire, have endorsed Trump for the first time this election cycle.

Kelcy Warren

Kelcy Warren, the chairman and former CEO of the pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners with a net worth of $6.1 billion, according to Forbes, has given $814,600 to the Trump 47 Committee. In 2020, he contributed $10 million to a pro-Trump super PAC.

Warren's company is the owner of the Dakota Access Pipeline, the construction of which spurred major protests by environmental activists and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in 2016.

Though he was a major Trump donor in 2020, he donated $26,400 to a pro-DeSantis super PAC in June 2023. By May, Trump had his full backing. He co-hosted a fundraiser for Trump in Houston that month that, along with another event in Dallas, brought in $15. million for Trump, the campaign told Reuters.

Ike Perlmutter

Isaac "Ike" Perlmutter, the former chairman of Marvel Entertainment, has long been an informal advisor and friend to Trump, including on veterans' affairs.

The Mar-a-Lago member, who has a net worth of $4.3 billion, per Forbes, and his wife each gave $5 million to Right for America, a pro-Trump super PAC, in March, making them some of the former president's biggest backers so far this cycle.

Nelson Peltz — Perlmutter's fellow billionaire and partner in a failed Disney takeover — told the Financial Times he would also vote for Trump, despite apologizing for backing the candidate in 2020 following January 6.

Joe Ricketts

Joe Ricketts, the founder and former CEO of TD Ameritrade, is worth $4.1 billion, according to Forbes. He has given $824,600 to the Trump 47 Committee, and his wife, Marlene, gave $814,600. They are big-money donors, giving more than $20 million to GOP causes in 2020, Forbes reported.

In 2019, Ricketts — whose family owns the Chicago Cubs — was found to have sent racist and Islamophobic emails during the 2012 election, for which he later apologized.

"Christians and Jews can have a mutual respect for each other to create a civil society. As you know, Islam cannot do that," Ricketts wrote in one 2012 email. "Therefore we cannot ever let Islam become a large part of our society. Muslims are naturally my (our) enemy due to their deep antagonism and bias against non-Muslims."

Last year, one of Ricketts' sons — former Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts — was appointed to the US Senate after former Sen. Ben Sasse opted to retire. The younger Ricketts will likely be elected to the remainder of Sasse's term in November.

John Paulson

John Paulson, a hedge fund manager with a $3.5 billion net worth, per Forbes, has contributed $806,300 to the Trump 47 Committee.

He's long been an associate of the former president and has advised him on economic matters. Bloomberg recently reported that he could serve as Treasury Secretary under a second Trump administration.

In April, Paulson hosted Trump and his wife, Melania, for a fundraiser at his Palm Beach home. That event, attended by several other billionaires on this list, raised more than $50 million, according to the campaign.

Steve Wynn

Casino mogul and real estate developer Steve Wynn has given $806,300 to the Trump 47 Committee this year.

Wynn, a longtime GOP megadonor with a $3.4 billion net worth, according to Forbes, served as the vice-chairman of Trump's inaugural committee in 2017. In 2020, he donated at least $12 million to various Republican races and causes.

He has been accused of both sexual misconduct and of acting as a foreign agent on behalf of China, though a judge tossed out the latter charge.

Woody Johnson

Woody Johnson, an heir to the Johnson and Johnson pharmaceutical fortune and a co-owner of the New York Jets with his brother, has used his $3.2 billion fortune, per Forbes, to become one of Trump's biggest backers.

He's given $1 million to the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. super PAC, and both he and his wife Suzanne recently contributed $806,300 apiece to the Trump 47 Committee.

Johnson served as the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom during Trump's presidency.

Geoffrey Palmer

Geoffrey Palmer, a Los Angeles-based real estate developer worth $3.1 billion, according to Forbes, has given $2 million to Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC and $814,600 to the Trump 47 Committee.

Palmer has rallied his rich Los Angeles friends to donate to the former president, hosting multiple fundraisers, including one in September 2023.

Phil Ruffin

Phil Ruffin, a casino magnate worth $2.6 billion, per Forbes, has contributed $2 million to Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC and $814,600 to the Trump 47 Committee.

Ruffin is a longtime associate and business partner of Trump's — he co-owns the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas alongside the Trump Organization.

Ruffin also accompanied Trump to Moscow in 2013 for the Miss Universe Pageant.

That trip figured prominently in the largely unverified Steele Dossier, which alleged that the Russians may have blackmailed Trump by filming him being urinated on by Russian prostitutes.

Linda McMahon

Linda McMahon, who founded World Wrestling Entertainment with her husband Vince — whose net worth is $2.9 billion, according to Forbes — has given $10 million to the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. super PAC, along with $814,600 to the Trump 47 Committee.

She gave millions to Trump in 2016 and more than $15 million to his 2020 reelection super PAC.

Her generosity served her well: Under Trump, McMahon was appointed head of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019. She's also the chair of the board of the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned think tank.

Kelly Loeffler and Jeff Sprecher

Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler and her husband, Jeff Sprecher, who was worth $1 billion in 2022, according to Forbes, have each contributed $824,600 to the Trump 47 Committee. In 2020, he wrote a $1 million check to Trump's super PAC.

Loeffler was appointed to the Senate by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp at the end of 2019 after Sen. Johnny Isakson's death. She later lost in a runoff election in January 2021 to Democrat Raphael Warnock, who won a full term in 2022.

Sprecher, meanwhile, is the CEO of Intercontinental Exchange and previously served as the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange.

Robert and Rebekah Mercer

Robert Mercer, a former hedge fund CEO who, according to The New York Times, is a billionaire, has given $814,399 to the Trump 47 Committee.

Both Robert and his daughter Rebekah have been major contributors to pro-Trump and influential anti-establishment conservative causes, including funneling money to the right-wing Breitbart website and the conservative social media app Parler. In 2016, they helped connect Trump to his campaign team, and while they were not vocal supporters of the former president in 2020, they have reemerged as fundraising hosts in this cycle.

Robert Bigelow

Robert Bigelow, the hotel chain mogul who launched a spaceflight company in 2018, was originally a major DeSantis donor this cycle.

"I will give him more money and go without food," Bigelow told Time after pouring more than $20 million into the Florida governor's "Never Back Down" super PAC in March 2023.

The billionaire, per the Las Vegas Sun, has since pivoted, donating more than $10 million to Trump-aligned PACs since February 2024. He told Reuters in January that he would also contribute $1 million to pay Trump's mounting legal fees.

"I was just sympathetic. They didn't solicit anything from me," Bigelow told the outlet.

José "Pepe" Fanjul

José "Pepe" Fanjul, a sugar magnate, has given $814,600 to the Trump 47 Committee. A billionaire, according to NBC, he hosted a fundraiser for the former president the same day Trump's guilty verdict was announced.

While Fanjul has long been a GOP megadonor, his brother Alfonso has a history as a major Democratic megadonor.

• This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.
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Happy Friday! Yes, there are awards for funny photos of people's pets. And yes, they are hilarious.

In today's big story, we're looking at the startups attempting to do the impossible: take on Nvidia.

What's on deck:

• Markets: Meet the best young equity researchers in the game.
• Tech: Check out the top people leading Microsoft's new AI group.
• Business: How lifestyle creep can sneak up on high earners.

But first, you come at the king, you best not miss.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.

The big story

The impossible fight

The house always wins in Las Vegas. But in Silicon Valley, it's Nvidia holding all the chips. Literally.

Nvidia's dominant position as the AI chipmaker is undeniable, but that hasn't stopped some optimistic entrepreneurs from taking a shot at the crown. Business Insider's Alistair Barr has a rundown of the AI chip startups looking to challenge Nvidia.

For many experts in the space, it's a fool's errand. Put more bluntly, a VC told Alistair that betting against Nvidia is "a very stupid investment." OK, but tell me how you really feel.

The pessimism for newcomers in the space isn't unwarranted, as they face plenty of headwinds.

The AI chipmaking process requires lots of money — some startups have raised well north of $100 million — and time. That's a tough equation when the competition you're chasing is growing market share and making money hand-over-fist while its CEO is treated like a rock star.

So why even bother?

A tiny fraction of a $3 trillion business — roughly Nvidia's market cap — is still a lot of money. So even if a startup can't go head-to-head with Nvidia, carving out a small portion of its market share isn't too shabby.

The biggest threat to Nvidia isn't startups, though.

When your stock looks like a vertical line, it gets people's attention. For Nvidia, that reportedly means regulators are taking a closer look.

The Justice Department is preparing to investigate Nvidia's dominance and whether it violates antitrust laws, according to a recent report from The New York Times. That could enable upstarts to gain some ground.

As much as Silicon Valley loves to denounce regulation, it has, in a roundabout way, led to some innovation. Take the DOJ's antitrust case against Microsoft in the late '90s, a turning point for tech companies like Google and Apple.

You'll be hard-pressed to find tech companies cheering on regulators, but they probably wouldn't mind Nvidia facing some competition. Some have already teamed up to break Nvidia's stranglehold on the market.

Even if these AI chip startups eventually fail, they could still do the industry good. A little competition can keep those in front from getting too stagnant…or greedy.

3 things in markets

1. They've got the research to back it up. BI identified 16 analysts ages 35 and under as part of its annual rising stars of equity research list. The group is known for providing reliable info and context to investors looking to suss out winners and losers in the market.
2. Roaring Kitty is coming to you live. The king of meme stocks is scheduled to livestream on his YouTube channel at noon ET today. The announcement sent GameStop's stock soaring more than 40%.
3. The real reason for copper's sky-high rally. It's not just supply and demand — the metal's massive bull run is likely due to expectations of interest-rate cuts, according to trading firm Trafigura. Prices swung to an all-time high last month, but the firm says copper's low inventory isn't new.

3 things in tech

1. A new "dark age" could be on the horizon. One legal expert told BI artificial intelligence could usher in a period of societal decline if the industry isn't regulated. Don't believe them? Look how the largely unregulated social media turned out.
2. Leaked org chart shows who's running Microsoft's new AI organization. We got a look at who's behind Mustafa Suleyman's new AI group. One interesting hire: Suleyman's ghostwriter.
3. Tesla shareholders criticize Musk's latest move. Musk recently admitted that he delayed a shipment of Nvidia chips for Tesla. Now, shareholders are telling BI that decision is further proof he doesn't deserve his roughly $46 billion pay package, up for a vote on June 13.

3 things in business

1. Six of Satya Nadella's best tips for running a company. This year marks a decade with Nadella at Microsoft's helm. He has said listening in meetings, being decisive, and having empathy can help build a successful company.
2. Lifestyle creep can cause HIFIs to spend "every cent they make." HIFIs — high-income, financially insecure people — tend to spend more than they earn, a financial planner says. She shared small spending changes that can boost HIFIs' future wealth.
3. Why teachers are excited about AI. Big Tech is looking to get into education, and while some are worried, many educators are actually optimistic. One major reason: it can help them maximize their time.

In other news

• The woman who says she's the real-life version of Martha on 'Baby Reindeer' just sued Netflix for $170 million.
• Goldman just released its annual report detailing pay equity, diversity goals, and more. Here are the most notable stats.
• He quit OpenAI, branding it reckless. He hopes outside pressure can now force change.
• Did Google fix its AI answers? Or did it just stop showing us AI answers?
• Europe's central bank cuts interest rates for first time in 5 years.
• Tesla can exist without Elon but the company needs him right now, board chair says.
• Hunter Biden may be doomed to lose his trial. His best bet is appealing a 'vindictive prosecution.'
• More young people are having strokes. A doctor shares 3 ways to help prevent them.
• Home prices are cooling nationwide. These 4 cities are leading the declines.
• Oracle engineer helps lead US to historic cricket win against Pakistan.

What's happening today

• The monthly employment report comes out today.
• Nvidia distribution date for its 10-for-1 stock split.
• Saudi Aramco is expected to announce the final pricing of its secondary public offering.

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Jack Sommers, deputy editor, in London. George Glover, reporter, in London. Annie Smith, associate producer, in London.

• My family often told me that I would find my life-long friends during my first year at college.
• As a Yale freshman, I found that idea ridiculous, but I still felt pressure in my first year. 
• I'm worried I didn't make long-lasting friendships, but I am trying not to rush it.

When I started college at Yale a year ago, I had one worry: I might not meet my best friends for life the second I got to campus. It's an unrealistic expectation, but it sticks with you when you grow up hearing stories about how your parents or older siblings met their best friends during freshman orientation.

Thankfully, I found Yale students who laughed at this idea. While some people tried to find their lifelong friends immediately, most of the people I met at college joked about how ridiculous that expectation was.

Whether it's true or not, however, that pressure weighed heavily on me throughout my freshman year. I just don't think it's realistic.

Yale is a very social school, and I've found it easy to meet new people. I've been lucky to make many good friends, but sometimes, I still worry I haven't made as many deep friendships as I should have in my first year.

I felt pressure to make immediate, lifelong connections

While I and many people on campus relentlessly satirized and made fun of the concept, it was still omnipresent. It was hard to escape the appearance that other people have found their core group for life.

At Yale, little weekend excursions are common. I often heard that another group of first years went on a trip to New York City together; it rang in my southern ears as a big deal — even though it just takes a free Sunday, $34, and a few hours on the Metro North. Still, it felt like people were connecting in ways I wasn't.

It's also hard to ignore the role social media plays in creating the impression that everyone has more and better friendships. As a result, I found it difficult to fully shake the uncomfortable impression that I should've been making deeper connections faster.

But on the other hand, I also didn't want to force the connections in my first year. I told myself that deep friendships cannot be willed into existence. I learned this lesson early on. While I connected with the people I met before we even got to campus, the experience of trying to force those friendships always fell flat.

Good friendships take time to find and grow

I've probably met over 100 people I could see as potential lifelong friends. Between the people I've made in my residential college, improv group, moot court team, political union, and just wandering around campus, I've probably met my best friends already. But I can't be sure.

We have a long road ahead. A lot could happen, so I don't want to rush anything. Friendships take time to nurture and grow.

While I felt disappointed with myself because I haven't made many truly soul-to-soul deep connections with many people, I accept that takes serious time. Even for people I've been close with for years, our relationships took a long time to develop. Now should be no different, and I must remind myself of that.

I still haven't taken that friend group trip to New York yet, and that's fine. I'll get to it eventually.

• I started working when I was 13 and haven't stopped since. 
• I'm in my early 50s and been wanting to have more time to do things I love. 
• I started planning for retirement, and while it makes me a little nervous I'm excited. 

Julia put down her fork and blinked across the table at me, lids fluttering as rapidly as a hummingbird's wings. "You're what, now?" my closest friend asked.

"Retiring," I repeated around a mouthful of roasted beets. "End of this year, maybe the beginning of next."

She waved away the server refilling water glasses and pelted me with a series of questions. "How will you pay for things? Won't you be bored? What if the next administration tanks the economy? Why now, when you've had the most successful run of your career?"

The answers to her questions were: I've got it covered. Nope, never. That's a legitimate concern. And even though success has been rewarding, I want to live more now that I'm in my mid-50s, not spend whatever years I have left in front of a computer screen.

I started working when I was a teenager

Thanks to a "work till you drop" ethic instilled by second-generation Italian-American parents, I first joined the workforce as a babysitter at 13. By 15, I was cashiering 20 hours a week in a local supermarket.

Fast-forward through an advanced college degree and three decades of struggles, rejections, and career shifts in publishing, and I was back where I'd started: journalism, where I landed bylines in some of the world's top publications.

It felt easy — for a while. But three summers ago, as darkness fell and crickets began their chirping courtship, I was still answering emails. My cat head-bumped me, begging for attention. Annoyed, I glanced up at the clock: 9:17 p.m. The entire day had passed, and I had little recollection of it beyond lunch, a walk, and a deadline. I felt the world shrink around me.

I wanted more time to do the things I love

That fall, while out kayaking — a favorite activity that freelancing should give me regular opportunities to indulge in but rarely does — my husband, Floren, and I started talking seriously about retirement. In an industry ravaged by closures and layoffs, I was now toiling twice as hard on the unpaid work of pitching stories just to get the same number of assignments. The pay had dropped in journalism to the point that my side hustle, yoga instruction, had outpaced its hourly rate.

Floren and I kicked our planning into high gear. Inspired by a 2016 episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on retirement planning, we'd already moved our retirement savings from mutual funds managed by financial advisors to index funds — and had comparable growth without forking over 2% a year in commissions and fees.

We took a deep dive into other helpful tools for saving, investing, and cutting corners on spending, like "The Simple Path to Wealth" by J. L. Collins, the Mr. Money Mustache blog, and the Choose Fi site and podcast. The latter yielded opportunities to connect and learn from, via Facebook groups, other people, some as young as 40, who have already achieved financial independence.

Knowing I will retire soon has made working more enjoyable

Knowing retirement is happening in a couple of months has made present career circumstances more bearable and has given me something to look forward to. I'll spend at least a few years working 10 to 15 hours a week, most likely a mix of yoga classes, writing, and book editing and coaching for independent authors.

I anticipate filling the rest of my time with home projects, plus sketching, wildlife watching, biking, and improving my Spanish. Some days I'll enjoy doing nothing at all.

While exciting, the thought of throwing in the job towel occasionally makes me nervous. What if the stock market nose-dives? What if Floren or I wind up with massive medical bills? If I don't achieve all of my career goals before exiting, will I feel unfulfilled?

There's no crystal-ball answer for the first three, but I know our financial planning is sound. I've also made peace with the fact that I might not reach every career goal I've set.

As a society, we talk a good game about working with purpose, traveling with purpose, and even exercising with purpose. For me, living with purpose is the ultimate expression of success.

• Russia is sending four warships to Havana, Cuba announced this week.
• A US official says it's part of efforts to show Putin's navy is still a global power, per Reuters.
• Russia's navy has suffered major losses to Ukraine in the Black Sea.

Russia sending warships to Cuba next week is an attempt to show its navy is still a global power after losses in the Black Sea, an unnamed US official told reporters, according to the Associated Press.

On Thursday, Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Russia was deploying four warships to Cuba, including a nuclear-powered submarine, with the vessels expected to be in Havana between June 12 and 17.

The visit of the ships, none of which will carry nuclear missiles, does not represent a threat to the region, the Cuban statement read, but was instead part of the historically cordial relations between the two countries.

But according to the US official, the deployment is an effort by Russia's navy to flex its muscles on the world stage, after suffering losses in the Black Sea.

"This is about Russia showing that it's still capable of some level of global power projection," they said, per Reuters.

Russia's navy has suffered a series of embarrassing setbacks in the Black Sea, where Ukraine claims to have destroyed a third of its fleet.

Ukraine has used drones, missiles, and other weaponry to take out many Russian warships, and has forced its fleet to seek safer ports further away from Crimea.

In March, the UK's defense ministry declared Russia's Black Sea Fleet "functionally inactive" after Ukraine claimed to have struck another two of its vessels.

"Russia has sailed the Black Sea since 1783 but is now forced to constrain its fleet to port," UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps wrote. "And even there Putin's ships are sinking!"

This week, it was reported that Ukraine was using its exploding naval drones to go after smaller Russian vessels after Moscow pulled back its larger warships to reduce their vulnerability to attacks.

Russia also shuffled its naval leadership earlier this year.

According to the unnamed US official, while the US expects "heightened" Russian naval and air activity this summer, and more going forward, deployments like those to Cuba incur costs for the Russian navy, which is "struggling to maintain readiness and conduct deployments with an aged fleet."

Not everyone agreed on Russia's motive.

In a military assessment on Thursday, the Washington DC-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War said it was likely part of an effort to bring back memories of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and dissuade the US from offering further support to Ukraine.

The deployment also comes after Putin threatened to send long-range weapons to "regions around the world" that want to strike Western targets.

Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defence said its goal was to keep a Russian naval presence in operationally important areas of the "far ocean zone," RBC-Russia reported.