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I found a Bottega Veneta bag at the thrift store. I paid $8, and it’s worth $3,000.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kristen Boelen, the founder of Lunch Break Vintage. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I have been thrifting since the moment I could drive. Back then, I was into higher-end things that were out of my budget, and I’d go thrift shopping to find similar items that I could afford. That habit carried on through college and beyond, including when I was most recently working as an art director for a wine and spirits company. While working there, I’d thrift on my lunch breaks.

I’d find stuff for myself, as well as one-of-a-kind items that didn’t fit. I wanted someone to take that stuff. So I began selling items on Whatnot.

I’d thrift on my lunch break from work, and then on the weekends I’d go live and sell my pieces. My business grew from there, and I named it Lunch Break Vintage, which I began full time in February 2025.

I scored a luxury designer bag during a recent shopping trip

In December 2025, I was at a thrift store in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was a normal Wednesday, which is the day this particular thrift store opens for the week, and when I always try to go. It was very empty that day.


Woman posing for photo on mirror

Kristen Boelen thrifts three times a week every week.

Courtesy of Kristen Boelen



Two woven leather bags caught my eye. You see woven leather bags all the time. There are so many Bottega Veneta dupes. I didn’t really think much about it, just that one of them looked exceptionally nice.

I first noticed the hardware, then the leather slouching and hanging. I could tell it was soft leather. When I picked it up, it was heavy — designer leather bags have a weight to them because of the hardware. I opened it up and saw the logo. You can see in the video that I posted that’s the moment my jaw drops. The leather inside was really soft and buttery too; that’s always a sign a bag is legitimate.

I know they sort through and send a lot of the higher-end pieces to an online audience. It seemed unrealistic that someone wouldn’t have set it aside. I thought, if they had put it out there, it must not be real.

I used technology to help confirm my suspicions

I took a photo of it and put it into Google Lens, and found on Vestaire Collective there was the exact same bag and color. That clued me into the style name and that it had been retired. There’s a video of me going, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” once I figured out where the serial tag was. I got out of there as quickly as possible, paying $8 for the bag.


Bottega Veneta purse

Kristen Boelen found a $3,000 purse for $8.

Courtesy of Kristen Boelen



I later had it authenticated through an app I use called Authentic Detective. It will give you a certificate of authenticity. Online research says the bag is valued at around $3,000.

I’m keeping the bag for myself. It’s something that will be passed down for generations. I had so many comments on the video saying that the bag was ugly, but I love it.

Scoring finds at the thrift store takes a little skill — and luck

I thrift all the time because I now do this for a living, but I think consistency is key. I thrift at least three times a week, every week. It’s also important not to just pick up what is trending. A good secondhand item has to check all the boxes for me, and I really care about quality, always looking for natural fibers. I focus on what makes people feel elevated and the kinds of secondhand pieces they can keep in their closets forever.

Don’t believe that middle-of-nowhere places are garbage. Some of my best, coolest, most unique pieces have come from middle-of-nowhere stores.




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I’m set to inherit my childhood home abroad. I’m not sure it will be worth the headache.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Katarina Polonska, a relationship scientist and coach who will be inheriting her childhood home in Slovakia. Vancouver-based Polonska, 36, said the home needs a lot of work, and it may not be worth managing renovations from abroad. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

I’m going to be inheriting my childhood home where I was born. I love it, and it’s very precious to me. But I don’t have any right to it yet.

It’s mostly used as a family holiday home, but ultimately when my mother passes, it’s going to be given to me.

My mother owns it, and there’s no plan to sell it — the value of the home isn’t very high, in fairness. It’s a two-bedroom, one-bathroom. It’s not worth much at all; maybe $80,000 CAD. I don’t think the money would go very far in Canada.

Also, selling it would require a lot of renovations. It’s very old school and needs a lot of TLC, and my mother doesn’t live in Slovakia, she lives in England. So from her perspective, she’s thinking, “Why would I invest 30,000 or 50,000 euros (about $35,245 or $58,742) in a property that I go to a few times a year max? What’s the point?”

She also knows it would to be really complicated to sell it from abroad, having to navigate viewings and trusting realtors and all of this stuff.

The reality is, I’m going to own this foreign property when she passes.

My husband is in a similar situation with a Barbados property

My husband is also waiting to inherit. His mother inherited a property in Barbados from her parents, though she never lived in Barbados.

His mother had to wait to take over the Barbados property, and by the time she took it over, it had declined a little bit and there are always complications with it.


A man and a woman taking a selfie with a mountain range behind them.

Polonska and her husband.

Courtesy of Katarina Polonska



I’ve actually never seen it myself, but I know that there’s a lot of work to be done with the house. But his mother has been holding onto it saying, “You can inherit it and you and Kat can enjoy it.”

But he’s like, “We don’t go to Barbados enough.” It’s just more hassle having to manage and protect a property when you’re not physically in the country.

I think from my perspective, because I’m naive about it, I’m like, keep it, it’d be really nice to have it. But his argument is that the place isn’t in the area of Barbados that I would necessarily want to go to.

He’s really wary. He doesn’t want to be managing the property and he would rather sell it and then distribute the money within his family.

So we both know that there’s going to be this new responsibility on our heads and, candidly, I think life is difficult enough as it is.

The home in Slovakia needs so much work that I probably can’t rent it out as-is

I’m not going to rent the Slovakia home out because it’s from, like, the 1980s. It’s not been renovated. It’s ancient; the wallpaper’s faded.

While Slovakia is kind of an up-and-coming country from a tourism perspective, I don’t think anyone would want to stay in this place as an Airbnb unless it was literally advertised as a historical relic: “Come stay in this ancient old-school apartment!”


The exterior of a residential building in Slovakia.

Polonska’s property in Slovakia.

Courtesy of Katarina Polonska



My husband and I have talked about how we’re probably going to have to renovate it. We know that at some point, we’re probably going to have to take a couple of months to be there physically to renovate it. But when is that going to happen? We both work, and getting to Slovakia is like a 20-hour journey from here.

I think, more realistically, we could just keep the place and treat it as a little getaway to escape to. There is really lovely nature nearby and I don’t have any other properties, so there is merit psychologically to knowing that there is a place that’s home, even if it is halfway across the world.

There needs to be more dialogue between parents and children about inheritances

When it comes to inheriting property, I think there needs to be more dialogue between the parent and the child of, “What do you actually want to do?”

I think a lot of parents have this assumption that leaving a kid the property is the ultimate goal; we’ve made it, we’ve paid off the mortgage, we have this home, and now the kid gets it. Those days are kind of gone.

We don’t live in a world where everyone grows up and lives in the same town or city as their parents. We live in a really global economy. People are moving, people are more transient, and the world has become smaller. It’s also become a lot more expensive, and home ownership isn’t what it used to be.

Parents need to recognize that the world we’re in is very different, and Millennials are not an anxious generation for no reason. We have a lot of stresses. It makes more sense to have a dialogue with your kid around what they want.

I wish parents would ask, “What do you want? Where are you at with your life, and what kind of inheritance makes sense?”

Is it, in fact, a lump sum of cash, because maybe you’re a busy entrepreneur and you don’t have time to sell? Maybe you actually would prefer the parent to sell, which is annoying for the parents, but maybe the kid would prefer that.

Thank you for the inheritance — that’s very generous. But I think quite a lot of kids would probably say it’s not worth it. Either enjoy the money, mom and dad, or cash out, downsize, and just give us a down payment or something.




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I tried 14 high-protein drinks so you don’t have to. Here’s what’s actually worth buying.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

Just checking in — yup, it seems everyone is still obsessed with protein.

The new year means new health goals, and the government’s new dietary guidelines echoed what many have been calling a widespread protein obsession.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released Wednesday, emphasized the role of protein and dairy products in its recommended daily diet, although dietitians have cautioned against protein-maxxing at the expense of other nutrients.

Whether it’s thanks to social media gym bros or Ozempic, more people are reaching for ultra-high-protein products, and if you remember the 1990s’ meal-replacement milkshake craze, this might feel a bit familiar.

Nutritional shakes — whether they’re used by athletes seeking nutrients on the go, parents to supplement their growing children’s diets, or adults with dietary needs seeking to pack in as many nutrients in a compact, easily digestible form — aren’t new to everyone’s diets.

As high-protein products, from protein pasta to protein beer, continue to take over grocery stores, the list of high-protein drinks continues to grow.

To better understand the high-protein drinks on sale today, I visited two New York City grocery stores and picked up every drink that advertised its protein content, with the lowest having 12 grams of protein, which is as much as two eggs.

I tried every brand’s chocolate flavor to best compare their taste and ranked all 14 based on flavor, as well as taking into consideration their nutritional content.

In general, I looked for drinks that tasted chocolatey, were sweet enough to serve as a sweet treat without going overboard, and were overall enjoyable to drink on their own.

It’s worth noting that many shakes on the market are considered ultra-processed foods, which the new government guidelines recommend avoiding.

Here’s how I ranked them, from lowest to highest.

14. Remedy Organics Cacao Essentials Protein Shake

Remedy Organics Cacao Essentials Protein Shake had my least favorite flavor in the ranking.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $4.99 for 12 fluid ounces

Calories: 210 calories

Protein: 16 grams

Added sugar: 7 grams

The taste of the Remedy Organics Cacao Essentials Protein Shake was what I could best describe as healthy.

The date-sweetened drink is packed with plant-based ingredients, including adaptogens like ashwagandha and maca root powders as well as tapioca prebiotic powder.

But taste-wise, they weren’t as sweet-treat-like as some of the other shakes. It tasted strongly of cacao, but it felt a little chalky, and seemed saltier than it did sweet.

While I liked the drink’s ingredients, I really disliked the taste. If you’re looking for a plant-based, adaptogen-full drink that will also help you reach protein goals, this could be an option for you — but don’t go into it expecting a sweet chocolate milk type of drink.

Flavor rating: 1/10

Overall rating: 6/10

13. Muscle Milk Zero Sugar Chocolate Protein Shake


muscle milk zero sugar taste test

I found the Muscle Milk Zero Sugar Chocolate Protein Shake to be overly sweet.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $3.99 for 14 fluid ounces

Calories: 170 calories

Protein: 25 grams

Added sugar: 0 grams

When I first poured the Muscle Milk Zero Sugar shake, I noticed just how dark and thick it was. Tasting it, I found that it was way too sweet for my taste. This, combined with the thick texture, made for a pretty interesting drinking experience — I had to wash down the shake with some water to follow up the sweet taste left in my mouth.

Although I couldn’t finish drinking the small taste I’d poured myself, it also had the fewest calories and grams of sugar in the ranking, the highest fiber, and I felt like the protein payoff was great, which made the overly sweet taste feel more like a trade-off.

If you’re trying to get half of your daily protein in as few calories as possible while also watching out for sugar content, this drink might be good to have on your radar … but you’ll have to remind yourself of the nutrients in every sip.

Do it for the protein, bro.

Flavor rating: 3/10

Overall rating: 6/10

12. Koia Cacao Bean Protein Shake


koia protein drink taste test

I also did not love the taste of the Koia Cacao Bean Protein Shake.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $4.99 for 12 fluid ounces

Calories: 190 calories

Protein: 18 grams

Added sugar: 4 grams

Compared to some of the other protein drinks, I found Koia’s Cacao Bean protein shake to be very thin and light in color when I first poured it.

Its flavor, as the name would indicate, is very cacao-bean forward. To me, it tasted exactly like cacao nibs, which can lean more nutty and earthy than chocolate-y.

In a statement to Business Insider, Koia said the Cacao Bean protein shake is “crafted to highlight cacao’s naturally bold, slightly bitter profile rather than masking it with excessive sweetness or artificial flavoring,” resulting in a flavor that “may be less sweet than traditional protein shakes.”

The almond-based, monk-fruit-sweetened drink, which isn’t too sweet and packs in plant-based ingredients like rice, pea, and chickpea protein and a prebiotic blend, wasn’t one of my favorites for taste, although it was fairly competitive with the other options in terms of nutrients.

Flavor rating: 4/10

Overall rating: 5/10

11. Chocolate Sport Shake


sports shake protein drink taste test

Although enjoyable and tasty, Sport Shake’s high sugar content wasn’t a worthy trade-off for me.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $2.00 for 11 fluid ounces

Calories: 350 calories

Protein: 12 grams

Added sugar: 39 grams

I found the flavor of the chocolate Sport Shake to be one of the most enjoyable in the ranking, and it reminded me a lot of plain chocolate milk — it was very, very sweet. I also liked that it didn’t taste too much like dairy, something that bothered me with other drinks in the lineup.

However, the drink’s sweet and tasty flavor was overshadowed by its ultra-high added sugar content of 39 grams, or more than 9 teaspoons.

While the drink has some fiber in it, coming in with 3 grams, and it was the cheapest of the ranking, I couldn’t justify that much sugar. I will probably not reach for this again.

Flavor rating: 8/10

Overall rating: 1/10

10. Nesquik Chocolate Low Fat Milk


nesquik drink taste test

The Nesquik Chocolate Milk was a fun and nostalgic add to this lineup, although it wasn’t the best for protein.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $2.50 for 14 fluid ounces

Calories: 250 calories

Protein: 14 grams

Added sugar: 18 grams

I was shocked when I learned that Nesquik’s classic chocolate milk could be considered a nutritional drink.

At 14 grams of protein, as advertised on the bottle, the drink has more grams of protein per serving than other drinks labeled as protein drinks.

Tasting it was just as nostalgic as expected. Compared to some of the other drinks, however, I noticed it had a stronger dairy taste and was very sweet, with a total of 18 grams of added sugar.

I also noticed that the bottle recommended a portion of half a bottle, probably due to the drink’s high sugar content, which would also result in half the protein intake overall.

I probably wouldn’t have reached for this in adulthood if not to compare it here, and I probably won’t really reach for it again.

Flavor rating: 6/10

Overall rating: 4/10

9. Muscle Milk Pro Knockout Chocolate Protein Shake


msucle milk protein taste test

The Muscle Milk Pro packs an impressive 40 grams of protein.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $5.99 for 14 fluid ounces

Calories: 220 calories

Protein: 40 grams

Added sugar: 0 grams

Like its low-sugar version, the Muscle Milk Pro looked dark and thick. Taste-wise, the drink was sweeter than chocolate-y, and I didn’t love the flavor.

Although the drink packs an impressive 40 grams of protein in 14 ounces and 220 calories, has the highest ratio of protein to fluid ounces, and also has the highest fiber content in the list, the taste was one of my least favorites, and I had to wash it down with some water after tasting, as it had such a lingering flavor on the tongue.

When considering the nutritional aspects of the drink, however, I felt like the taste was a solid trade-off for one of the most protein-efficient drinks in the ranking, having the second-highest amount of grams of protein in a single bottle.

But if you’re strictly going for the ultra-high-protein option, the Fairlife Core Power Elite — which comes later in this ranking — might be a better bet for flavor.

Flavor rating: 4/10

Overall rating: 7/10

8. OWYN Pro Elite Chocolate Protein Shake


owyn protein taste test

I felt that the plant-based OWYN Pro Elite tasted a bit weird for my taste.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $4.49 for 12 fluid ounces

Calories: 200 calories

Protein: 32 grams

Added sugar: 0 grams

When I first poured the OWYN — which stands for Only What You Need — Pro Elite Protein Shake, it looked much thicker than some of the other drinks in the ranking.

It tasted vastly different from the others, too. The ingredients gave some clues as to why: The main ingredients — water, pea protein, pumpkin protein, and flaxseed oil — were completely different from the other shakes.

The plant-based, dairy-, soy-, and wheat-free drink, which contains 3 grams of prebiotics, uses monk fruit extract to sweeten its cocoa-heavy flavor, and also has a greens blend that includes spinach, kale, and broccoli.

I figured that the odd flavor I experienced was perhaps due to some of its most health-forward ingredients, like the greens blend.

In a statement to Business Insider, OWYN said that the exclusion of artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols in the formula “sometimes means a more natural, earthy taste profile,” when compared to their regular shake, which uses a blend of organic cane sugar and monk fruit.

Ultimately, I wasn’t a fan of the taste and probably wouldn’t reach for this drink again, although nutrition-wise, it was a solid ultra-high-protein plant-based option.

Flavor rating: 5/10

Overall rating: 6/10

7. Fairlife Core Power Elite Chocolate High Protein Milk Shake


corepower elite shake taste test

I found the Fairlife Core Power Elite to have a very strong dairy taste that I didn’t love.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $5.99 for 14 fluid ounces

Calories: 230 calories

Protein: 42 grams

Added sugar: 0 grams

One of three protein shakes in Fairlife’s line, the Core Power Elite shake was a bit thinner than many of the other drinks I tried.

It was less sweet than Fairlife’s regular chocolate milk, which I didn’t mind. However, it had a much stronger dairy taste — I don’t love the taste of dairy milk, so this worked against the drink for me.

Still, its insane amount of protein — as much as a whole chicken breast — earned it extra points in my ranking.

This drink was something I didn’t mind drinking, even if I wouldn’t usually go for it. Even as a non-gym-bro, I would probably reach for this drink if I were trying to get well over half of my needed protein for the day in a single serving.

Flavor rating: 5/10

Overall rating: 8/10

6. Chocolate Nutrament


nutrament protein drink taste test

The chocolate Nutrament was tasty, although packed in added sugar.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $2.50 for 11 fluid ounces

Calories: 330 calories

Protein: 15 grams

Added sugar: 29 grams

When I poured the chocolate Nutrament, I noticed its consistency was among the runniest in the ranking.

The drink, the second-cheapest drink in the lineup, tasted just like chocolate milk, although it was still a bit too sweet for me.

I also noticed it had a long ingredients list with many unfamiliar terms, but on closer inspection, some seemed to be added vitamins and minerals. The drink also had the second-highest added sugar content at 29 grams.

The high sugar and comparatively low protein knocked this drink down a few points for me, and although I enjoyed it, I probably wouldn’t reach for this.

Flavor Rating: 9/10

Overall Rating: 5/10

5. Fairlife Chocolate Ultra-filtered Milk


fairlife protein drink taste test

Fairlife’s chocolate milk has 23 grams of protein in a 14-ounce bottle.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $3.29 for 14 fluid ounces

Calories: 250 calories

Protein: 23 grams

The second in Fairlife’s line, its chocolate ultra-filtered milk, was another nostalgic offering.

It was very sweet, but if I were craving chocolate milk, this is definitely the option I would choose.

While it’s not marketed as a protein drink, it contains 23 grams in a 14-ounce bottle and has the second-lowest cost per gram of protein.

Flavor rating: 7/10

Overall rating: 7/10

4. Rich Chocolate Boost Plus Nutritional Drink


boost protein drink taste test

Aimed at weight gain or maintenance, Boost Plus is a tasty and enjoyable option.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $18.99 for a six-pack of 8-ounce bottles (or $3.17 for 8 fluid ounces)

Calories: 360 calories

Protein: 14 grams

Added sugar: 18 grams

While some of the drinks in this lineup are aimed at the ultra-protein-efficient crowd and others are more directed at children, the Boost nutritional drink line is marketed toward adults with specific nutritional needs. The Boost Plus product, specifically, is aimed at adults hoping to gain or maintain weight.

Taste-wise, this was one of my favorites. The sweet and rich drink was very chocolatey, and it felt like a nice sweet treat.

With the product’s purpose in mind, the drink’s higher calories didn’t bother me, and I was pleased to see its nutrition label flooded with vitamins and minerals.

Out of many of the options, this is one I could see myself reaching for solely based on its taste, even though I wish it had a higher protein content.

Flavor rating: 9/10

Overall rating: 7/10

3. Nesquik Protein Power Chocolate Milk Beverage


nesquik protein taste test

I liked the taste of Nesquik’s Protein Power more than its classic chocolate milk.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $3.00 for 14 fluid ounces

Calories: 290 calories

Protein: 23 grams

Added sugar: 18 grams

When I poured this drink, I was surprised by how runny it was compared to some of the other options. I really enjoyed the taste, even if it wasn’t exactly the same as the nostalgic chocolate-milk flavor of Nesquik’s classic option.

In fact, I actually liked this one more, even before factoring in the added nutritional value. It was adequately sweet, not too dairy-tasting, and it didn’t have the aftertaste that had put me off the classic option.

With 23 grams of protein, this drink could compete with some of its more nutrition-leaning counterparts. At $3 for a bottle, it was also one of the cheapest options with the highest protein content.

I could totally see myself reaching for this.

Flavor rating: 8/10

Overall rating: 8/10

2. OWYN Dark Chocolate Protein Shake


owyn taste test protein

The OWYN Dark Chocolate Protein Shake was my favorite plant-based drink and my second-favorite overall.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $4.29 for 12 fluid ounces

Calories: 180 calories

Protein: 20 grams

Added sugar: 4 grams

Compared to the higher-protein drink on OWYN’s line, the regular protein shake wasn’t as dark or as thick when I poured it.

While the OWYN Pro Elite had a taste I didn’t like, the OWYN Dark Chocolate Protein Shake had a simpler flavor that reminded me of chocolate milk.

It was very tasty and chocolatey, and I liked that it also had 3 grams of fiber.

Overall, this felt like a very solid option that I could see myself reaching for. It was also my favorite plant-based drink.

Flavor rating: 8/10

Overall rating: 10/10

1. Fairlife Core Power Chocolate High Protein Milk Shake


core power protein taste test

Fairlife’s Core Power shake was my favorite overall.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

Cost: $4.99 for 14 fluid ounces

Calories: 170 calories

Protein: 26 grams

Added sugar: 0 grams

While this drink didn’t exactly feel like a dessert or chocolate milk since it leaned more chocolatey and cocoa-tasting than sweet — and it did have somewhat of a dairy taste — I still found it very enjoyable and a very nice pick for both taste and protein.

Tied with the Muscle Milk Zero Sugar for the lowest calories in the ranking, I found the Fairlife Core Power shake much more enjoyable and even winning by a gram in the protein category.

Overall, this drink had the best balance between flavor and nutrition, and I can see myself reaching for it whenever I need a quick post-workout pick-me-up or just want to get a significant portion of my daily protein on the go.

Flavor rating: 8/10

Overall rating: 10/10




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I tried on coats at Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy. The experience reminded me that a great piece is worth investing in.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

  • I tried on similar black peacoats at Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy.
  • I compared each winter coat based on the design, fabric, price, and overall quality.
  • I wasn’t a fan of how the Gap coat felt, but really loved the option from Banana Republic.

I recently moved from Southern California to the more chilly and gloomy Bay Area. In other words, I was in dire need of a good winter coat.

So, I turned to three trusted Gap Inc. retailers — Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy — to find a one that’ll keep me warm throughout this season and beyond.

I compared similar styles based on the design, fabric, price, and overall quality. Here’s how it went.

I started my day with a trip to Gap.

I had no trouble finding what I was looking for at Gap.

Chloe Caldwell

I started my search for a stylish and well-constructed peacoat at Gap.

When I walked in, I appreciated that the store was easy to navigate and neatly organized. Plus, I found the coat I was looking for almost immediately.

However, I wasn’t blown away by this option.


Chloe wears a long black peacoat in a fitting room.

I thought this coat looked a bit like a bathrobe.

Chloe Caldwell

I tried on the wool-blend wrap coat and could tell right away that it offered a nice shape and structured fit that would fit easily over layers.

I liked the thick-notch lapels, and thought the material (52% recycled wool, 40% recycled polyester, 8% other) felt warm without being overly bulky. However, the wool blend felt a bit itchy, especially around the neck area where it directly touched my skin.

Plus, there were no buttons and the pockets were hidden, making it look somewhat like a bathrobe.

Although it was a good, basic option, I wanted something with a little more flair. I also had a hard time justifying the price of $248 for a coat that was 40% polyester.

Next, I went to Banana Republic.


Coats, jeans, and shirts hanging at Banana Republic.

The Banana Republic store I visited was well-organized.

Chloe Caldwell

After striking out at Gap, I decided to try Banana Republic for another option. The store was neatly organized, and I was able to locate a black peacoat easily.

This coat was pricey, but I think it would be worth the investment.


Chloe wears a long black peacoat in a fitting room.

The coat was made of a blend of wool and cashmere.

Chloe Caldwell

When I saw the $550 price tag on the Italian-wool cashmere wrap coat, I thought, “There is absolutely no way I would pay that much for a coat.” But after trying it on, I reconsidered.

I could immediately tell that the quality of the material (made with 91% wool, 6% cashmere, and 3% other materials) was thick and warm, with no polyester in sight. The inside lining was also silky and smooth, and the overall fabric felt soft and comfortable without itching.

I also loved the overall design of this coat. The pointed collar and large pockets added chic touches that were flattering yet functional.

This try-on reminded me that it’s important to invest in pieces that will actually last a long time. I know this coat is something I would wear every winter for years.

I made one last stop at Old Navy before heading home.


Racks of coats, pants, and dresses on display at Old Navy.

It took me a few minutes to find a peacoat at Old Navy.

Chloe Caldwell

I’m a big fan of Old Navy because it offers both basic and trending styles for an approachable price.

However, my local Old Navy was less organized than the other stores I visited, so it took me a bit longer to find a black peacoat. Thankfully, I was able to find one and brought it to the fitting room.

I didn’t love how the Old Navy option felt.


Chloe wears a long black peacoat in a fitting room.

I wish this coat had a waist tie to add some shape to it.

Chloe Caldwell

The first thing I noticed when trying on the oversized twill overcoat is that it didn’t have a waist tie, which, to me, feels like a must for adding shape and style to any peacoat.

The coat was also made of 100% recycled polyester, so I’m not sure how warm it would actually keep me during winter. The fabric also felt less flexible than the others I tried on, leaving less room for layers underneath.

I did like the overall style, though — it had a spread lapel and the buttons featured an eye-catching texture.

This was my least favorite coat out of the three, but for $90, I think it’s a solid option for anyone shopping on a budget.

I’d be most likely to buy the coat from Banana Republic.


A composite image of Chloe wearing three different long black peacoats.

The Banana Republic coat checked all my boxes.

Chloe Caldwell

Overall, the Banana Republic coat impressed me most, thanks to its durable fabric blend, comfortable fit, and elegant design.

This shopping day reminded me that high-quality staple pieces are worth investing in.




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I booked a business-class ticket on the new Amtrak Acela train. It wasn’t worth the $180 price tag.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

  • I paid $180 to ride in business class from NYC to Washington, DC, on the new Amtrak Acela train.
  • The train had modern amenities, like 5G WiFi, high-tech bathrooms, and ergonomic seating.
  • Despite upgrades, the high price outweighed the benefits of traveling in business class.

I’ve spent 26 hours riding the rails in business class around the world. My most recent Amtrak trip was the best business-class experience I’ve ever had in the US — but it still wasn’t worth the price tag.

In September 2025, I booked a business-class ticket from New York City to Washington, DC, on the Amtrak NextGen Acela train for $180.

The three-hour ride felt extremely comfortable and a tad luxurious. In the end, though, I couldn’t see myself splurging for it again.

I rode from New York City to Washington, DC, on the Amtrak NextGen Acela train.

The exterior of the Amtrak NextGen Acela train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The Amtrak Acela is an express service between Boston and Washington, DC. The train line introduced a new fleet on the route in August 2025, known as NextGen Acela.

In addition to being the fastest Amtrak train with a top speed of 160 miles per hour, the NextGen Acela has modern interiors and high-tech amenities.

I booked a business-class ticket for $180.


An aerial view of an Amtrak NextGen Acela pamphlet opened on a tray table

A brochure on the train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The Amtrak Acela trains only have two classes — business and first. I booked my business-class ticket for $180.

Out of curiosity, I looked at the pricing for coach seating on the regional Amtrak train, which is 30 minutes slower than the Acela. It was $40.

When I arrived at Penn Station in NYC, I sat on the floor to wait for my train.


Passengers stand in line to board trains inside Penn Station in NYC.

The line to board the author’s train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My train was scheduled to leave at 10 a.m., but there was a 90-minute delay. Since I was stuck at the station for longer than anticipated, I briefly considered going to the Metropolitan Lounge, an elevated space overlooking the train hall with cozy seating and complimentary refreshments.

First-class passengers and those traveling in sleeper accommodations can get into the lounge for free, but other Amtrak riders have to pay $50 to access it.

Since I’d already splurged on the business-class ticket, I decided to skip the lounge and head to the standard waiting room instead, but it was full. I finally settled for a seat on the floor against the wall until it was time to board.

Since I wasn’t in first class, I didn’t get priority boarding.


A composite image of people going down an escalator and boarding a train on an underground platform

Passengers board the train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I got in line to board, I was reminded that business class is just a standard ticket on the Amtrak Acela. Unlike business-class rides I’ve taken that also had coach seating, this trip didn’t include the perk of priority boarding.

The business-class car had a sleek, modern look.


Inside a business class Amtrak car with two passengers on the right

Inside the business-class car.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Retractable window shades, exposed overhead bin space, informative screens, and ergonomic seats made the car feel like a step up compared to business-class Amtrak trains I’ve booked in the past.

The seat was much more comfortable than most I’ve booked on Amtrak trains.


A composite image of an empty window seat on a train and the back of the seat in front of it

The author’s business-class seat.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Soft, cushy, spacious, supportive — these are the words that popped into my head when I settled into my business-class seat. A reclining function and footrest made the ride even more comfortable.

Power outlets, USB ports, and a reading light were all conveniently located on the side of the seat. In front of me was a tray table and a fold-out cupholder.

I spent most of the ride streaming YouTube videos.


A hand holds a phone playing a music video in front of a train seat back

The author watches music videos.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Most Amtrak trains I’ve been on have had WiFi, but in my experience, the connection has typically been too weak for much more than a Google search.

I was stoked when the NextGen Acela’s 5G WiFi was fast enough to stream YouTube videos without any issues. I passed the time by watching live sessions of my favorite bands.

The bathroom was spacious and clean with modern touches.


A composite image of a blue door leading to a business-class train bathroom and inside the bathroom with red accents, the author takes a mirror selfie

Inside the business-class bathroom.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I’ve learned to set the bar low for train bathrooms. Stocked toilet paper, soap, and paper towels are not a given. Cleanliness and extra space aren’t either. In my experience, some business-class bathrooms are no different from those in coach.

So I was ecstatic when I stepped inside the lavatory on the NextGen Acela. The automatic door opened into a spotless space that felt big enough for two people to do jumping jacks simultaneously.

I found it aesthetically pleasing too, with bold red accents and trendy touches, from the shelf to the mirror.

I also appreciated the touchless water, soap, and dryer functions on the sink.

Although it was much more comfortable than sitting in coach, I didn’t think a business-class ticket was worth the high price point.


Inside an empty coach cabin on an Amtrak train

A coach car on another Amtrak train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

“Amtrak travelers always have their preference,” an Amtrak representative wrote in an email to Business Insider. “If they want to experience these premium trains with enhanced amenities, they can. Or, if they prefer convenient and affordable downtown-to-downtown service up and down the Northeast Corridor, Northeast Regional trains offer a comfortable and enjoyable way to travel throughout the Northeast Corridor and points beyond.”

The next time I take an Amtrak train, I’ll miss the cozy seat, elevated bathroom, high-speed WiFi, and shorter travel time. Still, these perks weren’t enough for me to consider Acela’s business class to be worth more than quadruple the price of a coach ticket.




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What is Elon Musk’s net worth? Find out the wealth of the Tesla, SpaceX CEO

by with No Comment Xpandfy

Elon Musk has a net worth of around $638 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.

His net worth is closely tied to Tesla’s share price, but the tech mogul’s wealth comes from several sources and often fluctuates. He crossed over the $600 billion threshold in December following an $800 billion valuation of SpaceX.

That means Musk regularly trades places with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison for the title of world’s richest person.

How has Musk’s net worth changed over time?

Musk, who was born in South Africa, moved to Canada and dropped out of a Ph.D. at Stanford, became a millionaire before he hit 30. Musk started Zip2, a website that provided city travel guides to newspapers, with his brother Kimbal Musk, and sold it to Compaq for more than $300 million in 1999. Musk, then aged 27, is believed to have got $22 million from the deal.

He went on to cofound online bank X.com in 1999. It soon merged with Peter Thiel’s Confinity to become PayPal, and the company was bought for $1.5 billion by eBay in 2002. Despite having been ousted as CEO, Musk walked away with around $165 million. 

Musk cofounded space-exploration company SpaceX in 2002. In 2004, he became an investor in and the chairman of EV company Tesla.

During the financial crisis in 2008, he saved Tesla from bankruptcy with a $40 million investment and a $40 million loan. That same year, he was named Tesla’s CEO.

Musk said 2008 was “the worst year of my life.” Alongside problems in his personal life, Tesla kept losing money and SpaceX was having trouble launching the first version of its Falcon rocket. By 2009, Musk was living off personal loans.

Tesla went public in 2010, though, and Musk’s estimated net worth steadily climbed. In 2012, he debuted on Forbes’ Billionaires List with an estimated wealth of $2 billion. 

In 2016, Musk set up the tunnel-digging business, the Boring Company.

The next year, he founded the neurotechnology startup Neuralink.

Musk’s net worth began a rapid ascent at the start of the pandemic as Tesla stock prices soared. Musk started 2020 with an estimated net worth of just under $30 billion and was worth around $170 billion just a year later — a more than five-fold increase in just a year. His estimated fortune peaked at around $340 billion in November 2021.

Musk also bought Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022, serving as its CEO until he stepped down in early June 2023.

The stock is known to be volatile and has had its ups and downs since then.

The morning of Trump’s reelection on November 6, 2024, which Musk heavily campaigned for, Tesla’s stock was up about 15%, for instance.

Following an insider share sale at SpaceX, which boosted the startup to a $350 billion valuation, Musk’s wealth surged again in December 2024 by about $50 billion in one day, making Musk the first billionaire to reach the $400 billion mark.

But in the months following its election highs, Tesla’s stock dropped by over 50% following a number of factors, including a vehicle sales slump, a rising Tesla boycott movement, and Musk’s stint in the US government, which some investors felt took him away from his day-in-day-out Tesla CEO duties.

Tesla’s stock rose back up following the CEO taking a step back from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency, but it continues to have big swings. Musk had one of his single-day highest net worth losses in June 2025 following a public spat on social media with the President, in which Trump floated the idea of having his government contracts revoked, and Musk repeatedly criticized Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”

The stock has since rebounded and was up over 25% in 2025 as of December.

Musk’s net worth reached unprecedented heights in December 2025, as Musk confirmed SpaceX was planning an IPO. After an insider share sale valued the private company at $800 billion, Musk’s estimated net worth surpassed $600 billion.

Musk was the first billionaire to have reached a net worth of over $500 billion, according to Forbes, making him one step closer to becoming the world’s first trillionaire.

Where does Musk’s fortune come from?

Musk’s wealth is largely dependent on Tesla shares. Though he takes no salary from Tesla, he’s awarded stock options when the company hits challenging performance metrics.

Musk’s previous $55 billion compensation plan was voided in January 2024 on the grounds that Musk had undue influence over the package and its approval due to close ties with several board members. At its annual shareholder meeting in 2024, investors voted to approve Musk’s pay package. However, the judge upheld the original ruling, and the company has since appealed the decision.

A compensation package Tesla proposed for its CEO in September 2025 could turn Musk into the first trillionaire. The unprecedented plan included a new set of 12 milestones to be completed over a 10-year period, such as boosting the company’s valuation to $8.5 trillion, selling 12 million cars, getting a million robotaxis on the road, and coming up with a succession plan.

A large part of Musk’s net worth comes from Tesla shares, while roughly over 20% comes from SpaceX stock.

The rest of his wealth comes from shares in Twitter and The Boring Company, as well as other miscellaneous liabilities.




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