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Welcome back to our Saturday edition and the start of the busiest season for traveling. One mom who visited Rome last July has a few tips on maneuvering during its peak tourist season: Sightsee at night and splurge on travel insurance.

On the agenda:

• A doctor shared three things he avoids to keep his gut microbiome healthy.
• How Coach pulled off a comeback — and became Gen Z's "It-Brand."
• Kevin Costner learned that passion projects don't always make box-office hits.
• A Michelin-starred chef shared the red flags he looks for in Italian restaurants.

But first: Scammers are on the loose.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.

This week's dispatch

It's scammer season

"I was in shock and my heart dropped," Daniel Pietschnig told Business Insider's real estate reporter, Alcynna Lloyd. He and his wife had been scammed out of a $32,000 down payment for their first home.

The FBI said last year thousands of people lost $350 million to real-estate scams in 2021, an increase of 64% from 2020. In fact, BI has been reporting on scams and how they can wreck one's financial life and sanity for years.

Another man and his wife were scammed out of more than $31,000, which they thought they'd given to a pool operator. Turns out they'd been conned into sending thousands of dollars to nameless email addresses in a Zelle scam.

Last year, lifestyle reporter Monica Humphries found dozens of travelers had fallen victim to an Airbnb scam in which hosts use a different address in a more ideal neighborhood to boost rentals.

Now that we're in the slower months of the year, it's a good time to shore up ways to prevent yourself and your bank account from costly scams — from thoroughly checking your mail (yes, snail mail) to being wary of paying anything upfront.

Tips for a healthy gut

Gut health is a hot topic these days. Research shows a healthy gut microbiome is linked to numerous benefits, from improved mood to smoother digestion.

Dr. Max Nieuwdorp, an endocrinologist and internist, says it can also affect our hormones. He shared the lifestyle changes he's made to support his gut health and, in turn, his endocrine system. (Hint: Ease up on the red meat.)

See his lifestyle changes.

The second coming of Coach

Sometimes you need to flop before you slay. Coach's designer handbags, an It-Girl staple in the aughts, fell out of fashion by the mid-2010s. Its reputation took a serious hit as consumers increasingly saw the monogrammed bags as cheap or outdated.

That's why the Coach renaissance of the 2020s is all the more stunning. A successful rebrand, led by a Gen Z-oriented marketing campaign, has launched Coach to It-Bag status once more.

Inside Coach's renaissance.

Kevin Costner's bad movie bet

Actor Kevin Costner mortgaged his home to put $38 million of his own money into his passion project, the epic western "Horizon." Then the film bombed.

Even Costner's sizable "Yellowstone" following couldn't save it from the box-office bin. Remarkably, it's also not the first time Costner bet and lost big on a movie passion project. (Remember "Waterworld"?) As it turns out, self-financed auteur projects rarely deliver.

How Costner lost millions.

Also read:

• Kevin Costner's self-financed movie was a box-office flop. Experts say he's 'going to lose a lot of money.'

Veri ristoranti italiani (Translation: Real Italian restaurants)

Does the restaurant serve bread with butter? How about out-of-season ingredients? Is the pasta drowning in sauce?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, you might be dining at an inauthentic Italian joint. These are among the five red flags a Michelin-starred chef told BI he always looks for when dining at high-end Italian restaurants.

How to spot the gimmicks.

What we're watching this weekend

• "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F": Thirty years after the last movie in the franchise, Eddie Murphy returns as Axel Foley in a new sequel.
• "SPRINT": From the same team who made "Drive to Survive," Netflix has a new sports docuseries about seven elite Olympic-caliber sprinters.
• "Back to Black": Sam Taylor-Johnson's Amy Winehouse biopic is now streaming after its theatrical release earlier this year.

See the full list.

Deals we love

• Salon-styled hair from home: You don't need to spend $600 on a Dyson Airwrap — here are 11 dupes for the famous multistyling tool.
• If you're hot, they're hotter: Heatwaves are sweeping the country, so check out these cooling mats for dogs that can help keep your pup from overheating.
• Cheap TVs: Despite how affordable they are, these five TVs under $500 don't fall short in terms of performance, features, and color.

More of this week's top reads:

• Retirement-age boomers are flocking to Scottsdale.
• A Russian describes going to a North Korean summer camp as a teen.
• America is facing a lifeguard shortage.
• How rich art collectors protect their masterpieces from beyond the grave.
• Young people are joining running clubs to find love and friendship.
• Cut back on processed foods with these two heart-healthy snacks.
• My family stayed in a luxurious $827-a-night villa at Disney World.
• Staying at an all-inclusive resort while sober doesn't have to be boring.
• A couple who moved to Bali said making friends was one of the hardest parts.

The Insider Today team: Joi-Marie McKenzie, editor in chief of life, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.

• Russian children will attend a summer camp in North Korea in late July.
• The camp visit follows a strategic partnership agreement between North Korea and Russia.
• Songdowon International Children's Camp has regularly hosted international schoolkids.

A group of Russian schoolchildren will attend a summer camp in North Korea at the end of July.

Songdowon International Children's Camp has welcomed international kids in the past, but the latest initiative to host a group of Russian children comes amid deepening ties between North Korea and Russia, following the signing of a strategic partnership agreement last month between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jung Un.

Take a look inside the vast campground, which offers a rare glimpse into life in the hermit kingdom.

The summer camp in Wonsan has a maximum capacity of about 1,200 children.

According to Young Pioneer Tours, which leads tours to the campsite, a 2014 renovation led by North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un increased the Wonsan campsite's capacity to around 1,200 children.

Most kids are North Korean, though some come from Russia, China, and other parts of the world.

Rowan Beard, a tour manager for Young Pioneer Tours, told Business Insider that the camp has previously accepted schoolkids from Russia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Mexico, and other countries.

A former camper told BI that the North Korean kids are largely segregated from international visitors.

Yuri Frolov, a Russian who went to the camp in 2015 and 2016, told BI that the North Korean children were largely "segregated" from the international campers.

He said they only met briefly on their last day of summer camp.

Some kids went because it seemed like a cheap beach holiday, a former camper says.

Frolov, who went to Songdowon to see North Korea with his own eyes, told BI that many others in his cohort were there for a different reason — a chance to go on a beach vacation for very little money.

The summer camp is heavily subsidized by North Korea, and he said it only costs visiting campers about $300 to $400 for the trip.

It also has a private beach area.

The dorms are supervised, but kids still get up to trouble, one ex-camper says.

Frolov, the former camper, said it was easy for kids to buy alcohol and cigarettes in North Korea.

Though the dorms were supervised, he said that it didn't stop his cohort, most of whom were about 12, from getting blind drunk during their first couple of nights of the camp.

There are relics from North Korea's former leader.

The camp was opened in 1960. Relics, such as a tent visited by Kim Jong Il, are on display.

The camp was set up to foster relations with foreign countries through hosting their children.

Kids sing propaganda songs about the country's former Supreme Leaders, an ex-camper says.

International campers are still expected to partake in patriotic rituals.

Frolov, the former camper, said they had to sing songs in Korean about North Korea's former leaders using Russian-language lyric sheets.

This would take place in a large concert hall called the International Friendship Children's Hall, he said.

He added that they also needed to polish a statue of North Korea's founder.

Another unusual ritual, Frolov said, was being made to polish the statue of Kim Il Sung.

Although it was professionally cleaned weekly, he said, they were expected to polish it for dust to show respect for the country's founder.

There are lots of facilities on the vast campsite.

The vast campsite has many facilities, including amusement park rides, an arcade room, a rock-climbing wall, and an aquarium.

The Sindok Aquarium has turtles and sharks.

The Sindok Aquarium was the first aquarium to be built in North Korea, according to aquarium company Marinescape.

By international standards, it is small, Marinescape said.

According to Aquamarine, which also worked on the construction, it has sharks and turtles.

There's also an aviary.

Songdowon also has an aviary. One visitor blogged that the birds, including love birds, lived in "very small enclosures."

As pictured, it also features some birds of prey.

As well as a show room for stuffed animals.

According to the Korean Friendship Association USA, Songdowon has an educational showroom of stuffed animals.

Those on display include a stuffed northern goshawk, North Korea's national bird, the group said.

Campers have an athletic track, as well as other sporting facilities.

Songdowon has an athletics track and playing field. It also has a basketball court and archery range so campers can stay active.

One camper said there are often swimming races.

According to North Korean state media, Kim Jong Un visited the summer camp in 2013 and ordered the construction of a new indoor swimming pool.

Frolov, who previously attended the summer camp, said campers often competed in swimming races.

There's a full-size waterpark, also supposedly requested by Kim Jong Un.

According to North Korea Leadership Watch, which analyzes North Korean news, Kim Jong Un instructed camp officials on how to improve the complex in 2014.

One request was to include sailboats so campers could enjoy marine sports.

Songdowon features a full-size water park with waterslides and a boating lake.

There are also cooking lessons.

Campers can learn how to cook traditional Korean food.

But the food is not good, said a former camper.

Frolov, the former camper, told BI he struggled to find food he wanted to eat. He said he mainly survived on rice, bread, and potato wedges.

He said that about once a week, seafood was on offer, but otherwise the food was bland or outright untasty.

Russian kids will get to experience Songdowong again this summer.

A group of Russian children is scheduled to stay at Songdowong from the end of July until early August.

This will be the first trip in a while, given that trips to the summer camp were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grigory Gurov, the chair of the Movement of the First, told Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti that conditions there will be "excellent."

• Eating lots of ultra-processed foods is associated with many health problems. 
• Dietitian and UPF researcher Linia Patel limits her intake by using what's known as the 80/20 rule.
• Her favorite minimally processed breakfasts include overnight oats and toast. 

A dietitian who researches ultra-processed foods and limits her intake shared her three go-to minimally-processed breakfasts with Business Insider.

UPFs contain ingredients you wouldn't find in a regular kitchen and are made using industrial processes. They're typically ultra-palatable, convenient, and highly manufactured. Over half of the average American's calories come from UPFs, and eating lots of them has been linked to health problems including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and depression.

Dietitian Linia Patel is part of a team at the University of Milan studying ways to address the limitations of how UPFs are classified and their links with chronic diseases.

Her view is that people eat "far too many" UPFs, but we shouldn't get too caught up with the UPF category itself as it does contain some dietary staples.

"It clumps breakfast cereals in the same group as sugary drinks and crisps," Patel, author of "Food For Menopause," said.

Instead, people should focus on simply making meals as nutritious as possible by eating lots of fruits and vegetables, whole foods, and cooking from scratch when possible.

To achieve this, Patel follows the 80/20 rule, which means she eats a healthy diet of mainly whole foods 80% of the time and whatever she wants for the other 20%.

"That might be added sugar, that might be ultra-processed food. But I do it completely guilt-free," she said. This helps her cut down on UPFs without limiting herself too much.

"A healthy diet in the long term is all about a dietary pattern that looks at the diet as a whole," she said.

With that in mind, Patel has three go-to breakfasts she alternates between so she doesn't get bored.

Overnight oats

Patel is a big fan of oats because they contain lots of fiber and are slow-release carbohydrates, which gives her sustained energy, she said.

She likes to make overnight oats and load them with nutrients and protein. She mixes the oats with soy milk and adds Greek yogurt for protein and for her gut health, as it's a fermented food that contains probiotics.

On top, she sprinkles lots of chia seeds to boost the fiber content of her oats, and berries for micronutrients.

She said that swapping sugar-sweetened yogurt, which is typically ultra-processed, for Greek yogurt with fruit can be a good place to start reducing your intake of UPFs.

"Start thinking about how you could make a simple swap to maybe something that is less processed," Patel said.

Eggs and avocado on toast

Patel has recently gotten into baking bread, and because toast is quick and easy, she regularly has it for breakfast.

If she's buying bread, she'll go for sourdough as it's fermented, or something wholewheat with seeds.

"Sometimes I boil eggs while I shower, mash avocado with it, and then put it on toast," she said.

Eggs are a great source of protein and vitamins, and avocados contain healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants.

Nut butter and fruit on toast

When she's craving something sweet, Patel has toast with nut butter and fresh fruit. She chooses a loaf of bread and nut butter with the shortest ingredients list.

Nuts are a good source of protein and nut butter is considered processed, not ultra-processed, she said.

And instead of jelly, which is high in sugar, she tops her toast with sliced fruit or mashes some raspberries on it.

• These European towns want you to move there — and they're offering cash to help you do it.
• Several small cities across the continent have generous grant programs for would-be residents.
• Business Insider rounded up the European locales that are paying people to move there. 

If the high cost of living or toxic political climate in the United States has become too much, there are a handful of European countries that are more than happy to welcome new residents — so much so that they'll pay you.

Regions in Italy to cities in Croatia are offering a variety of cash incentives, as high as $32,000, to entice people to give their town a go.

More often than not, you won't be living in the more popular — or populous — parts of the country as these programs' concern is, generally, combatting a lack of residents. But that doesn't mean you can't end up in a picturesque part of the world with a brand new way of life.

Tuscany, for example, created a $3 million fund to motivate people to move to the countryside and help fix up some of the neglected homes there.

"The purpose of the intervention is to favor and encourage the repopulation and socio-economic revitalization of mountain areas, acting in contrast to the marginalization of these areas," a translated page from the program's website reads.

US cities have implemented similar programs to help positively influence and diversify the local economy with some success.

Business Insider found six European programs offering cash to movers.

Albinen, Switzerland

In an effort to replenish its aging population, the small Swiss village of Albinen is offering non-residents 25,000 francs (about $27,900 USD) per adult and 10,000 francs (about $11,100 USD) per child to move to the remote Alpine locale.

Albinen implemented its relocation program in 2017 after an influx of locals began leaving the small village in droves, resulting in a population of less than 300 people. Many of those who left were young or had families, Travel + Leisure reported.

The Swiss village, located in the Leuk district in the canton of Valais, is quintessential quiet living. There is no school, bank, or post office, and only one remaining pub.

Those who dream of leaving the bustle of city life behind in favor of remote relaxation must meet some requirements. Applicants have to be under 45, able to buy a house worth more than $200,000 francs (about $223,200) in the village, and willing to live in Albinen for at least 10 years and become Swiss citizens.

Those who don't stay the required 10 years will be required to fully reimburse the town's housing grant.

Albinen's relocation program briefly went viral last year, garnering about 100 inquiries a day, Albinen mayor Beat Jost told Swiss media in 2023.

The program is still up and running on the town's website as of July 2024.

Antikythera, Greece

The Aegean island of Antikythera is seeking families and willing to pay for them. This Greek paradise boasts crystal blue waters, rugged cliffs, and a score of historical charm.

Beginning in 2019, local authorities started a program that provides families with three or more kids with a monthly stipend of 500 euros (about $542), free accommodation, and free food if they permanently relocate to the island.

Population numbers in the small community, which is nestled between Crete and the Greek mainland, had fallen to just 24 as younger residents fled for better economic opportunities, Yahoo Finance reported in 2019. Local authorities told Greek media that fishermen, bakers, builders, and farmers would be especially welcome on the remote island.

Later that year, Lonely Planet reported that the island had ended the program after selecting five Greek families to make the move to Antikythera.

But four years later, the island appeared to restart its relocation program, this time teaming up with financial backing from the Greek Orthodox Church, according to Greek media.

Once again, families with three or more kids can pocket a monthly allowance of 500 euros for up to three years, totaling 18,000 euros (about $19,500).

The program is primarily aimed at Greek families, but non-Greeks will be considered, Express reported last year.

Legrad, Croatia

A tiny Croatian community is trying to woo more residents by selling 13-cent homes.

Legrad, a town located in northern Croatia, is home to about 2,000 people after years of declining population numbers.

Local authorities started an inventive program back in 2018 and announced earlier this year that a new crop of homes was available for less than a quarter, according to CNBC.

Applicants must be under 45 years old, in a marital or extramarital partnership, have a clean record, and cannot already own property.

Legrad Mayor Ivan Sabolic told Reuters in 2021 that the town was fielding inquiries from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Argentina, and Colombia following media coverage. However, because of Croatia's difficult immigration process, the town opted to keep the program focused on Croatian nationals "for now," the outlet reported.

The relocation funds have already resulted in rising population numbers — the town is building a new daycare because more children are living in Legrad today than there were five years ago, local Croatian media outlet HRT reported.

In addition to the cheap homes, the town has also offered extra monetary support for new residents. In 2019, Legrad gave incoming families about $3,500 to pay for necessary renovations, CNBC reported.

Ponga, Spain

For those who don't have three kids or tens of thousands of dollars to spare, the idyllic Spanish town of Ponga may be the best bet for a European relocation.

Ponga, a quaint town located in Spain's northern mountains, is offering 2,000 euros (about $2,100 USD) to every person who picks up and plans root in the village.

The program aims to kick-start the local economy, which serves a population of less than 600 people. Families with children who move to the town can score up to 3,000 euros (about $3,200 USD), and those who have a baby born in the village will get an additional 3,500 euros, TimeOut reported last year.

Those who make the journey must commit to staying at least five years in Ponga. But they'll have plenty to do with nearby hiking trails, beach access, and cities close by.

Sardinia, Italy

An Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea is willing to pay 15,000 euros (about $16,200 USD) for movers who want to live a rural lifestyle.

Sardinia's government has a fund of 45 million euros set aside for 3,000 people to each receive a grant. The island of Sardinia has a population of over 1.6 million, but the government expects you to reside in a less populated area.

According to a translated page from the Sassari Chamber of Commerce, the local government is implementing this plan to combat the island's depopulation and isolation.

Applicants must move to a town in Sardinia with less than 3,000 residents, live there full-time, and make Sardinia their permanent residence within 18 months. Also, according to CNBC, the 15,000 euros must go toward renovating your home.

Tuscany, Italy

Last month, Tuscan officials launched a residency program that will pay people to live in the rural Italian countryside.

The "too-good-to-be-true" program is drawing on a $3 million fund to support aspiring Tuscan residents in starting a life in the mountains of Italy. The incentive program is part of Italy's effort to stabilize its decreasing population numbers, offering people the financial backing to fix up old homes at the same time.

The grants will cover 50% of renovation costs for a home in one of 76 Tuscan cities, all of which have fewer than 5,000 residents.

Aspiring applicants could pocket up to $32,000 in renovation funds, according to the program's website. Italians, other European Union residents, and non-EU citizens with long-term residency can choose among several locales, including on the island of Capraia Isola or amid the natural beauty of Casciano dei Bagni.

But act fast. Applications for the program close on July 27, 2024.

• North Korean officials have been seen wearing lapel pins featuring their leader Kim Jong Un.
• Experts say the new pins reflect Kim's efforts to establish a distinct, lasting legacy.
• North Koreans have long been required to wear pins over their hearts, the Associated Press reported.

North Korean officials have been spotted wearing lapel pins featuring the image of the country's supreme leader, Kim Jong Un.

North Korean state media recently released photos showing officials wearing the pins at a Workers' Party meeting.

The country's citizens have long been required to wear pins over their hearts, but these have typically featured images of Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea, or Kim Jong Il, his son and Kim Jong Un's father, the Associated Press reported.

The new pins are likely an effort by Kim Jong Un to elevate his so-called "cult of personality" to that of his predecessors.

"Kim Jong Un wants to ensure he's not seen simply as a carbon copy of his grandfather and his father," Edward Howell, an expert on North Korea's domestic and foreign policy, told Business Insider.

"One of the things that Kim Jong Un has shown more explicitly in recent years is his desire to stamp his own legacy, put his own mark on North Korea in a way that differentiates his leadership," Howell said, adding that the pins showed "quite clearly that Kim wants to cement his legacy."

While Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il have been immortalized by national holidays marking their birthdays, statues, and portraits across North Korea, relatively few images featuring Kim Jong Un have been found in public since he came to power in 2011.

But the younger Kim has made a number of moves in recent years to change this, with his portrait seen up alongside those of his predecessors at a Workers' Party training school in May.

Kim also released a new propaganda song earlier this year, which experts said was a calculated effort to spread state propaganda to the masses.

The tune, called "Friendly Father," portrays Kim as a "father figure," much like his predecessors.

Peter Moody, a North Korea analyst at Sungkyunkwan University, told The Telegraph that the song was an attempt to "elevate his status and stature" to their level, noting that Kim had previously had to rely on their reputations to "indicate his legitimacy to be the successor."

North Korea, Kim, and Putin

North Korea was founded in 1948 under Kim Il Sung as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Its population of roughly 26 million people is cut off from much of the world, largely due to the country's guiding principle of "Juche," or self-reliance — the idea that North Korea should be able to function independently.

But North Koreans face severe economic difficulties, with much of the population struggling with high poverty levels and food shortages.

Many have sought to flee to neighboring South Korea. At the end of 2022, the number of North Korean defectors living in South Korea was 33,752, according to South Korea's unification ministry.

In recent years, the country's current leader, Kim Jong Un, has sought to develop increasingly strong ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

North Korea is believed to have supplied a number of munitions to Moscow to aid its invasion of Ukraine in return for economic aid and assistance with military technologies.

"We know that relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have been upgraded considerably," Howell told BI.

• "Upflation" describes how companies create new uses for personal care products and up-charge prices.
• While it's an expensive trend, overall shampoo and deodorant prices have trailed behind inflation.
• Inflation is up about 22% since January 2020, while prices for care products are up roughly 12%.

From consumers to the President, it seems everyone's aware of shrinkflation.

Now, upflation is the new strategy used by companies looking to increase profits on everyday products.

Corporations like Procter & Gamble are finding creative ways to market new shampoo and deodorant items, often charging twice the original price, according to reporting by Bloomberg.

For example, P&G's all-over body deodorant costs $14, double the price of standard deodorant. P&G's Head & Shoulders Bare — an anti-dandruff shampoo with fewer ingredients — costs $12, roughly double the standard Head & Shoulders. And Gillette is marketing products like a "tricky areas" razor that costs $5 more than the standard Venus razor.

As companies reckon with declining sales in the $100 billion personal care and beauty industry, new marketing strategies — like emphasizing unique product uses — create new revenue opportunities.

But as companies roll out these newfangled and more expensive products to try to cultivate sales, it can feel like another instance of unappealingly high prices — similar to lingering grocery prices or the cost of eating out.

Yet, how are care product prices really affecting consumers? Business Insider analyzed price data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics since 2020 to determine how expensive shampoo, deodorant, and other items have become on average.

While inflation has risen about 22% since January 2020, the prices of deodorant, hair products, face wash, and other care products have trailed behind, rising between 6% and 18% across the same period.

Relative to overall price increases, products in the care aisle might not be as expensive as they feel.

That's not to say customers should feel completely relieved.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of hair, dental, shaving, and other care products, which are considered their own category, rose 2.3% year-over-year in May.

Still, those prices are behind the general trend. Overall inflation increased 3.3% year-over-year in May.

Nonetheless, it can feel hard to get a good deal right now. In May, consumers acknowledged inflation had cooled since 2022, but many still felt burdened by high prices, according to the University of Michigan Survey of Consumers.

While new, expensive razors and shampoos can be easy to pass on, the price of groceries and other goods might trouble shoppers.

In some industries, businesses are catching onto consumers' concerns. Food chains like Taco Bell, McDonald's, and Wendy's are competing to offer the best value meals. What's more, Starbucks launched $5 and $6 breakfast combos in June.

For shoppers in the shampoo or razor aisle, it's ultimately up to preference.

P&G sees new shampoo and deodorant as products people interested in innovation will pay for, according to Bloomberg.

For consumers looking to keep it simple: they'll be able to find care products at a more relaxed price.

Do you have shopping hacks to save money on personal care products? Or have you cut certain items out of your routine because of costs? This reporter wants to hear from you. Please reach out at jtowfighi@businessinsider.com.

• Members of the FIRE movement grow their wealth so they can retire early.
• But research suggests working can provide health benefits, depending on your job. 
• An expert on work and aging shared the pros and cons of retiring early with Business Insider.

Being part of the financially independent / retire early movement sounds like the dream. But if it's realistically unlikely that you'll achieve it, you may find comfort in the fact that working for most of your life could at least boost your longevity.

Members of the "FIRE" movement prioritize living frugally to save and invest as much of their income as possible, creating a huge nest egg that enables them to retire early. As BI has reported, some have retired as early as 29 and enjoy traveling, writing books, and spending time with their children instead of working.

FIRE has grown in popularity as millennials and Gen Z reject traditional work culture, and look to grind hard now to live well later, instead of living to work their whole lives.

Longevity is also a buzzy topic, and research suggests that people who live longer tend to have a strong sense of purpose. As many people get this purpose from work and their careers, could retiring early be detrimental to our health?

Karen Glaser, professor of gerontology at Kings College London and lead researcher in a study on work, health, and life expectancy called WHERL, told Business Insider that data on the pros and cons of retiring early specifically is skewed because people only retire early for two reasons: either they are wealthy enough to retire or their health is too poor for them to work.

But she said that evidence suggests the potential benefits of working or retiring vary from person to person. It's easy to see why it's better to spend retirement finally doing the things you didn't have time for while working, instead of vegetating in front of the TV.

Work can be source of fulfillment

Retiring tends to give our mental and physical health a short-term boost, because it removes stress, meaning people may in turn smoke or drink less, and have more time to rekindle friendships and for healthier habits such as exercising, Glaser said.

For instance, a 2020 study by WHERL found that women who worked high-strain, manual jobs late into life were much more likely to feel depressed, partly because of the toll it can take on the body.

On the other hand, people can lose their main source of social connection when they leave work, which could have "a huge impact" on longevity, Glaser said. A 2023 study by researchers at the University of Glasgow found that people who were socially isolated had a 77% higher risk of dying of any cause.

A job that you're happy in can also provide satisfaction and improve self-worth, so it can be better to keep working if you don't have anything outside work that bolsters your identity, she said.

"Working at older ages does seem to have some kind of protective effect on your cognition," Glaser added. Studies suggest that retirement can be followed by a drop in cognitive function, especially memory skills, although this depends on the person's job, how long they've been retired, and how they spend their retirement.

For example, a retired office worker's cognitive abilities may decline if their work was their main source of intellectual stimulation, according to a 2022 paper published in The Journal of the Economics of Ageing.

A hybrid FIRE model could be best

However, what we lose from work could be made up with the right hobbies, such as classes, going back to university, or reading, Glaser said. And of course, many members of the FIRE movement spend their time traveling, pursuing passion projects, or continuing to work on things they enjoy without financial pressures.

One 2021 study published in Psychology and Aging suggested that people who keep up mentally stimulating activities can maintain their cognition in retirement.

A hybrid model may be best for those on the way to FIRE — if you're financially stable, working part time or volunteering could provide the benefits of working and retiring.

Meanwhile, there are benefits to be reaped for those who have control over what they do at work, have jobs that aren't too stressful, and derive satisfaction from their job, Glaser said.

• Apple is preparing to supercharge iPhone with Apple Intelligence.
• Samsung is readying a counterattack with Galaxy AI.
• The South Korean company is about to reveal fresh AI features as it goes into battle with Apple. 

For more than a decade, the leaders of South Korea's grandest chaebol could take pride in their company's edge over Silicon Valley's most powerful smartphone maker.

From the city of Suwon, Samsung — the family-led titan of Korean industry — has been the world's top smartphone seller, beating Apple.

While Americans generally prefer iPhones, the rest of the world has preferred Samsung's Android-powered devices sold for competitive prices. However, all that changed last year.

By the end of 2023, Apple overtook Samsung for the first time in 12 years with a 20.1% share of global smartphone market, per figures published in January by data firm IDC.

In part, Samsung was hit by forces affecting the wider smartphone business. Shipments fell 3.2% in 2023 to 1.17 billion units, IDC found, suggesting consumers were less willing to upgrade, especially against a backdrop of higher inflation.

Samsung has also been grappling with difficulties closer to home.

Lee Jae-yong, executive chairman of its most important division, Samsung Electronics, and South Korea's richest man with a net worth of $11 billion according to Bloomberg, has been wrapped in bribery and financial crime scandals since the mid-2010s.

In 2017, he was found guilty of bribery involving then-president Park Geun-hye but was pardoned in 2022 after serving a short prison sentence. Earlier this year, in a separate case, Lee was acquitted on charges of stock price manipulation and accounting fraud.

With that drama now behind its leadership, Samsung is focusing on the sector's most important development in years: artificial intelligence and the new smartphone wars it's about to trigger with Apple.

Samsung gears up for the AI era

The South Korean company hopes all eyes will be on Paris on Wednesday as it prepares to reveal the "next frontier" of its AI ambitions at an event dubbed "Galaxy Unpacked."

The timing couldn't be more important.

Last month, Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence, a vision of generative AI that will give its devices a total refresh. In doing so, Apple hopes to inspire consumers to upgrade their iPhones so they can access its suite of AI features.

Such features include a revamped Siri, tools to boost emails and messaging, image creation support, and the integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into the operating systems of iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

For Apple, which is facing tough competition in key markets like China, Apple Intelligence represents a huge bet that its take on AI will be so enticing to consumers that they're willing to upgrade their phones to gain access. (Only newer models like the iPhone 15 Pro and upcoming iPhone 16 line-up will offer Apple Intelligence).

For Samsung, it means needing to get serious about AI too. It debuted Galaxy AI, its first take on generative AI features for its devices, at the January launch of its flagship Galaxy S24 range.

Galaxy AI includes features such as "circle to search" from Google, which allows users to search for whatever they see on their screens, as well as live translator tools for calls and enhanced photo editing capabilities.

While Apple is pushing users to upgrade to new devices if they want to gain access to top AI features, Samsung appears to be taking a different approach.

Galaxy AI has already been rolled out to older phones, such as the S23 and Z Fold5, as Samsung aims to make its AI features as widely available as possible — as early as possible. That will give existing Samsung users a chance to assess the value of AI and buy another Samsung device when they next upgrade.

There are signs that Samsung is already making a comeback.

On Friday, Samsung Electronics estimated a huge boost in its operating profit to about 10.4 trillion won ($7.54 billion) for the second quarter, up from 670 billion won ($485 million) a year ago.

Samsung overtook Apple again in the first three months of the year as the world's top smartphone seller, per IDC figures, with the caveat that it was boosted by the launch of a flagship phone in a quarter when Apple did not launch a new phone of its own.

The South Korean company's hope now will be that its vision of AI keeps it on top of Apple for the entire year.

Samsung says Wednesday's launch is about entering "a new phase of mobile AI" — one it hopes will crown Samsung as king again in the smartphone's AI era.

• Socks from Alo and sneakers from Asics are some of the most coveted items by men right now.
• They also can't get enough of expensive lounge chairs, home golf simulators, and cold-plunge tubs.
• These items have become status symbols of sorts, showcasing men's wealth and style.

What makes a man cool right now? As it turns out, a few items help men tap into their rizz.

Since the start of this year, men — from Gen Z to boomers — haven't been able to get enough luxury items like Arc'teryx outerwear, $7,000 lounge chairs, and Dior cologne.

But there are also some more affordable pieces — like Asics sneakers and trendy socks — that have also become status symbols for men.

Here's a look at the most popular items of the year so far and why men are obsessed with them.

It seems like every man's wardrobe includes Alo accessories, especially socks and hats.

Alo has become the go-to fitness fashion brand in recent years — even surpassing LuLuLemon.

The brand's athleisure pieces are loved by celebrities and quiet luxury fans, and its high price points have pushed Alo to reach more than $1 billion in sales. The company is also expected to have 100 retail locations by the end of 2024.

But two Alo accessories have become especially popular with men: the brand's $24 half-crew socks and its $68 baseball caps.

The appeal, of course, is that both are extremely simple in design, featuring nothing but the brand's buzzy, three-letter name.

When it comes to sneakers, men are choosing "ugly" options that cost less than $150 each.

The "ugly shoe" trend is nothing new, especially among Gen Z fashion fans, but one old-school sneaker brand has reigned supreme for men.

Asics shoes have become a staple of men's street style, pushing the brand to record sales and profits last year, according to Footwear News.

The gel-soled, stripe-covered sneakers are also a major talking point on TikTok. Creators regularly show their collections of Asics Kayanos and give glowing reviews to other styles from the brand.

It also helps that Asics running shoes typically retail under $150, so they're as affordable as they are trendy.

The most popular athletic shorts come from Vuori.

For men, the brand's sport shorts are worn not only during workouts but also as a fashion status symbol.

Its popular Kore style, for example, costs $68 and is sold in at least 14 colorways. They were highlighted in Vuori's most viral TikTok video of the year so far, which was posted in late February and has gotten 7.2 million views.

Since launching in 2015, California-based Vuori has held a steady role in the athleticwear industry. It's been valued at $4 billion and is on track to have more than 100 storefronts by 2026, according to Forbes.

Publications like Business Insider, Forbes, and New York Magazine have also cited Vuori as one of the best athleisure brands for men this year.

Arc'teryx continues to dominate the fashion landscape.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you're likely familiar with Arc'teryx. The brand was formed in 1989 and has sold high-quality outerwear that's said to protect from strong weather elements ever since.

But it's just as likely that you've discovered Arc'teryx on social media. Its Instagram is especially buzzy, with 1.4 million followers, and TikTokers regularly make content about the brand.

That's because Arc'teryx sits at the intersection of fashion trends and luxury. Its popular jackets typically cost upwards of $300.

Add to the mix that musicians like Lil Yachty and Frank Ocean regularly wear the brand, and it becomes pretty obvious why Arc'teryx clothes remain a style status symbol for men in 2024.

Many men are rocking vintage-style Casio watches.

When you think about men's watches, luxury brands like Rolex might be the first that comes to mind. But in 2024, it's actually all about affordable pieces from Casio.

The brand is especially big on platforms like TikTok, where male creators regularly make videos (and garner over a million views each) that showcase the Japanese company's timepieces.

Variations of Casio's AQ-230A design — which features both analog and digital clocks — are especially popular, typically retailing for less than $50. The trendy style was inspired by a similar watch Casio sold in the mid-'80s.

Others have their eye on a statement timepiece from Patek Philippe.

If you prefer expensive designer watches, you're probably familiar with Patek Philippe's Golden Ellipse designs.

Publications like Forbes have named the $60,000 Rose Gold variant, which has 300 hand-crafted links and 18-karat gold pieces, as one of the year's best watches.

And according to Google Trends, searches for Patek Philippe reached their highest peak since 2018 in May.

Everyone is buying their three-piece sets from Suitsupply.

When you search "#suitsupply" on Instagram, you're met with more than 361,000 posts — many of them being "fit checks" posted by men this year to show off their designer garments.

That's because pieces from the brand have become major fashion status symbols as of late. Some customers have chosen to mix SuitSupply pants with other pieces from their wardrobe, while others are rocking full monochrome outfits, like the $859 Havana set, from the brand.

Speaking with Business Insider, a representative for SuitSupply said the company "is breaking sales records in stores worldwide" and that demand for suits is especially "accelerating in the USA."

And the scent of Dior Sauvage is everywhere.

Calabrian bergamot, vanilla, and patchouli are the top notes of Dior Sauvage — arguably the most popular fragrance for men in 2024.

Sephora's website lists the designer cologne, which is sold in five sizes between $85 and $270 each, as one of the best-sellers for men.

Dior has also gone viral with Sauvage advertisements, like one extremely short "film" narrated by Johnny Depp. Since being uploaded to YouTube in early March, the video has been viewed more than 11 million times.

Corporate guys love expensive lounge chairs from Herman Miller.

In particular, the expensive Eames lounge chair has become the ultimate status symbol for wealthy men. It's covered in leather, features a matching ottoman, and has been a staple of the designer brand since 1956.

Its regular model costs $6,895, while the tall version is priced at $7,395. However, depending on the wood and leather you choose, the chairs can actually cost closer to $10,000 each.

"The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is consistently one of our bestselling products," Jennifer Nield, the vice president of lifestyle at MillerKnoll, Herman Miller's parent company, told BI.

She also added: "Although the word "icon" is overused, it's exactly the right word in describing the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman."

What man doesn't want a golf simulator in his home?

Indoor golf simulators seem to be popping up everywhere, from office spaces to breweries.

But some men prefer having golf tech added to their homes — something Larry Olmsted cited in a Forbes piece earlier this year. The quality of at-home simulators is improving, and price tags are becoming relatively more affordable.

Some of the most popular options from FlightScope and Skytrak, for example, retail between $3,995 and $6,298. The technology is still expensive but not as pricey as the $50,000 set-ups that some professional golfers use.

The ultimate wellness status symbol is cold-plunge tubs.

Everyone seems to be into cold plunges, from influencers to celebrities like Mark Wahlberg. And this year, many folks are opting to take the plunge at home.

According to Google Trends, searches for "cold plunge tubs" peaked in January and are back on the rise this month.

A $132 tub from The Pod Company is one popular option, as is the more luxurious $8,490 tub from Plunge.

Every guy who wants to try rucking needs a strong backpack.

Rucking, or the practice of carrying heavy weight over long distances, is a huge fitness trend this year.

So naturally, many men are now purchasing rucking bags to participate in the activity. Those from GoRuck, which can cost up to $585 each, are especially popular.

The brand also experienced a peak in online searches this month, according to Google Trends.

• Young professionals in China are sharing their "naked resignations" on social media.
• The term refers to quitting your job without having another one lined up.
• Younger people in China appear to be more open to taking time out of their careers to travel.

Gap years haven't traditionally been the norm in China.

Taking a year off work to travel and explore new passions isn't necessarily associated with a fast climb up the career ladder or the pay scale.

But in recent years, young professionals in China have been more willing to share their struggles dealing with long hours and poor pay on social media. The facade of corporate life seems to be lifting as people come to terms with the reality of working exhausting hours without time for themselves.

For more young people, the ultimate luxury is to take time off to escape the grind.

'Naked resignation'

One popular phrase on Chinese social media is "两点一线," which translates to "two points, one line." It refers to the endless commute from home to work and back again without the opportunity to see anything new, Jack Porteous of China-focused consultancy firm Tong Global told Business Insider.

This feeling of monotony and overwork has inspired unsatisfied workers to push back and start videos online of themselves "loud quitting" — publicly sharing news of quitting your job on social media to explore China or further afield for a period of time, Porteous said.

It's a trend similar to the QuitTok social media trend in the West, where China's young workers aren't being shy about resigning from their jobs.

And discussion is rife on Chinese social media about 裸辞 — a term that translates, quite literally, to "naked resignation." And it means just that — quitting one's job without a backup plan to rely on.

Take, for instance, a viral post penned by a 28-year-old on Weibo, China's version of Twitter. The person, who wrote the post on July 5 under a pseudonym, said they resigned without a backup plan right after getting a raise because they wanted to "stop for a while."

"In the last two years, my pay has risen once every half year, but I always thought that the most important thing in my life shouldn't be work," read the post. Business Insider was unable to verify the identity of the social media user.

The post's author also lined up a bucket list of what they intended to do after leaving their job — learning English, getting fit, becoming a better cook, and going on a trip to "see all the great scenery I never had the time to see."

"I don't know if my life will be better after this 'naked resignation.' But I think that if I stay the same, then the things that I don't dare to do at 28 will become things that my older self would simply never attempt," the person wrote. "Life is short. There's no time like the present."

It isn't just this one person who has "naked resignation" on the brain. Weibo is also chock-a-block with trending topics — akin to hashtags — expanding on the topic. Examples seen in BI's search of the keyword included "how much to save before naked resignation," "three things to consider before naked resignation," and "20 jobs to try after naked resignation."

Over on Xiaohongshu, a platform akin to Instagram, people also post stories of their lives after "naked resignation." Some posts detail the pros and cons of "naked resignation." Others read like travel diaries, advocating for a slower, more fulfilling life outside the corporate rat race.

Taking a career break

Porteous told BI that some people are taking the opportunity to spend quality time with family and visit parts of China they never had the opportunity to explore.

He added that activities related to crafting and spending time outdoors have been especially popular with those looking to learn a new skill or reconnect with nature.

A gap year is also an opportunity to visit somewhere outside the traditional bucket list destinations like big cities in Europe.

"There is a preference for niche destinations and unique experiences, aiming to escape reality and immerse themselves in authentic local cultures," Laurence Lim, founder and managing director of branding agency Cherry Blossoms Intercultural Branding, told BI.

For younger people, gap years can allow for personal growth and exploration often before they embark on their careers.

"They want to travel, learn new skills, or engage in volunteer work before committing to long-term career paths," Sally Maier-Yip, the founder of China-focused communications consultancy 11K Consulting, told BI.

"A gap year can provide a much-needed break and help young people enter the workforce more refreshed and motivated," she said.

China's tough work culture and economic downturn

It's no secret that China's job market has been less than favorable for its young graduates and early career professionals.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the unemployment rate of people aged 16 to 24 was 14.9% in December, compared to 6.1% for those aged 25 to 29 and 3.9% for those between 30 and 59.

The recent economic downturn and the pandemic have led many young people to rethink their careers and try to find new meaning in their lives.

Viral social media trends like "lying flat" are examples of this disillusionment with work, Lim told BI. "It reflects a shift away from traditional definitions of success, focusing instead on freedom, happiness, and health rather than career achievements," she said.

And many of those opting to take gap years come from the tech sector, Porteous said.

It's an industry notorious for the highly competitive "996" work culture," which demands workers clock in from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week.

Alibaba CEO Jack Ma once endorsed the grueling schedule, calling it a "huge blessing" for young professionals. Qu Jing, a former PR lead at Chinese tech giant Baidu, stepped down earlier this year after posting videos online ripping into staff who disagreed with her extreme approach to work.

"Finding a decent job in big techs is a dream shared by young aspirants from elite universities," Jenny Chan, an associate professor of sociology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, told BI. But succeeding in China's tough tech industry requires full devotion of time and effort, which blurs the boundaries between work and home, she said.

The economic turndown and tough work culture can leave people feeling like mere cogs in the machine of larger corporations, Lim told BI. "They are often disillusioned and demotivated."

Generational divides

With the help of social media, the younger generations are more inclined to question the status quo regarding careers. But older generations haven't felt so favorably about taking time out of work.

"Older Chinese generations are generally suspicious of the concept of gap years," Lim told BI.

"There are articles on Chinese social media criticizing gap years," she said, "arguing that it is a Western concept that does not adapt well to Chinese society."

She said older generations may see it as a hindrance to career progression, while Gen Z is perhaps more open to prioritizing self-awareness and self-care.

"There's a popular internet buzzword among Chinese young people, "Gai溜子," which can be roughly translated to "drifter" on the street," Lim added.

It's a term used to poke fun at themselves for not having a plan and wandering through life. "It reflects a laid-back attitude where they're proud to step back from the traditional hustle and simply enjoy life", she said.