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I traveled for a year and hiked in every European country I visited. There are 4 trails I’d revisit, and 3 I wouldn’t.

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  • I spent a year hiking in 11 countries, visiting some of the world’s most beautiful natural regions.
  • My favorite trails, including the Lago di Sorapis in Italy, had stunning views and less traffic.
  • Although I enjoyed every hike, there were some trails that I wouldn’t revisit because of the crowds.

Exploring the mountains is my favorite way to see a new place.

So, when I spent a year as a traveling winemaker and nomadic freelance writer in Europe and Oceania, I set out to hike in every country I visited.

I traversed narrow, rocky paths in the Dolomites, meandered through Scotland’s sweeping green valleys, and trekked past kangaroos in the Australian bush.

Now, over a year later, I can say I’ve hiked in some of the most awe-inspiring corners of the world. There are four trails I’d return to in a heartbeat, and three ticketed ones that felt crowded and overhyped.

I’d love to hike in Leutasch, Austria, again.

I hiked the Rotmoosalm-to-Wettersteinhütte loop, and found the experience so worthwhile.

Sierra Newell

In the Austrian Alps, just south of the iconic Zugspitze mountain, lies Leutash, a lush, pristine alpine valley with an immense network of trails.

The circular Rotmoosalm-to-Wettersteinhütte tour was tough — the full loop is around 9 miles with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain — but in my opinion, it condensed the most idyllic aspects of the Austrian experience into one hike.

I saw dense forests, stunning craggy peaks, green meadows, mountain streams, ice-blue lakes, and traditional mountain huts, all in one day.

My hike to Lago di Sorapis in Italy was worth the effort.


The writer standing with a backpack at Lago Sorapis in Italy, with a mountain in the background.

I’m still thinking about my hike in the Dolomites.

Sierra Newell

After traveling through the Dolomites last October with my boyfriend, I still dream about our 7.5-mile hike to Lago di Sorapis.

Carved into the rockface with a dramatic dropoff to the autumnal forest below, the technical out-and-back trail definitely required some steady footing on the ascent.

That said, the lake’s opaque turquoise waters, contrasted by pale rocky mountains, made it well worth the journey.

I’d definitely hike to the Kozjak waterfall in Slovenia again.


Icy blue water, mist, and trees in Slovenia.

I loved my experiences hiking in the Soča Valley.

Sierra Newell

My best friend and I road-tripped through Slovenia in the fall, traveling north to south along the Italian border. Deep within the magical Soča Valley is Slap Kozjak, a 49-foot emerald waterfall tucked inside an open gorge.

Just over 2 miles, the waterfall loop follows a scenic route along a cliff’s edge, over a wooden suspension bridge, and through ankle-high forest creeks.

Although I usually prefer longer, more challenging hikes, I loved that this route was easy enough that I still had energy to explore the area.

The iconic Hérisson waterfalls in France were stunning.


A waterfall and trees at the Cascades du Hérisson in France.

My hike to the Hérisson waterfalls was unforgettable.

Sierra Newell

Over the summer, I traveled to the Jura region of France and hiked the iconic 4.3-mile trail that tours past a steep succession of seven unique waterfalls.

I found that this was the perfect time to visit — I loved watching the dappled sunlight filter through the bright green tree canopy, and almost glitter against the trail’s flowing rivers.

It’s a popular hike, though. Next time, I would start earlier to avoid the crowds and enjoy the picturesque views in solitude.

On the other hand, I’d skip the Italian Dolomites’ Tre Cime di Lavaredo next time — or plan my visit more strategically.


The writer standing in front of the Italian Dolomites.

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo is a famous hike, but I was surrounded by tons of tourists.

Sierra Newell

Most famously known as the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, this UNESCO World Heritage Site lies in the heart of the Dolomites.

I thoroughly enjoyed my fall visit here, but I made the mistake of starting in the early afternoon, and the hordes of visitors made my €40 parking fee much less worthwhile.

Even during the Dolomites’ low season, the popular, 6.3-mile trail was already filled with hikers, climbers, and beer drinkers by the time I started it.

I found the Eisriesenwelt in Austria to be too overcrowded.


A view from the Eisriesenwelt in Austria, with other tourists and hikers visible.

This short ice-cave hike was memorable, but very crowded.

Sierra Newell

The Eisriesenwelt was the first — and arguably the most memorable — hike I completed after moving abroad in August 2024.

South of Salzburg, it’s a relatively short but steep climb along an open rock face that leads to the largest ice cave in the world.

Although this hike was a fascinating and unique experience, it’s also easily accessible by cable car, which — in my experience — meant large crowds and long wait times.

The Fairy Glen trail in Scotland’s Isle of Skye was beautiful, but I wouldn’t go back.


A view of people hiking to the top of Fairy Glen in Ireland.

The Fairy Glen was an easy, picturesque trail, but not one I’d necessarily visit again.

Sierra Newell

My sister and I walked the Fairy Glen trail on the Isle of Skye during our Thanksgiving road trip through Scotland.

It’s an easy, mile-long path up grassy hills, past unusual rock formations and herds of roaming sheep. The views were beautiful and fairy-tale-like, but the small paid car park became flooded with visitors as the day progressed.

Between that, the short trail length, and the wet, gray weather that turned the trails into mud, I’d prefer to explore Scotland’s more dramatic and remote long-distance trails.




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When I moved my family from the US to the Netherlands over a year ago, I wish I’d avoided these 5 mistakes

by with No Comment Xpandfy

The day my son burst into tears at our kitchen table in Utrecht, I realized my meticulous spreadsheets and research hadn’t prepared us for everything.

“Mom, I’m the only one who doesn’t understand anything,” he said, pushing away his untouched dinner. “Everyone else is so far ahead, and I can’t follow anything.”

That moment, hearing him talk about feeling behind in school, crystallized my first major mistake in our move from Atlanta to the Netherlands in May 2024.

Although our relocation has transformed our lives in incredible ways — offering everything from better healthcare to true work-life balance — there were several costly missteps I wish someone had warned me about.

For one, I hadn’t anticipated how challenging it would be for my kids in the first six months as they adjusted to everything in their lives being new.

Here’s what I learned the hard way, hoping to save other American families from the same expensive and stressful situations.

Assuming we didn’t need to rush learning Dutch was a mistake


Houses along water in the netherlands

Learning Dutch has helped us feel more at home in the Netherlands.

Alexander Spatari/Getty Images



“Je spreekt Nederlands?” (“Do you speak Dutch?”) became a daily reminder of my biggest oversight.

Yes, more than 90% of the Dutch people speak English, but that comfort led me to postpone our family’s learning Dutch. Big mistake.

Those casual chats at early honkbal (baseball) games or neighborhood parties just weren’t the same when we couldn’t participate in Dutch conversations.

My teenager also spent extra months in taalschool (immersive language school), missing out on crucial social connections. Had we started learning before our move, he could’ve completed language school in one year instead of the extended period he needed.

I learned an expensive lesson about taxes and timing

In the Netherlands, the 30% ruling is a tax advantage that allows eligible highly skilled immigrants to receive up to 30% of their salary tax-free for five years.

The catch? You must apply within four months of starting work. Now picture my face when I realized I’d missed the deadline, thus leaving over 30,000 euros on the table.

Though I eventually secured this retroactively, those six months without the full benefits taught me an expensive lesson about Dutch bureaucracy timing.

Not fully understanding the Dutch healthcare system also cost me

Back home in the US, I was used to navigating complex insurance systems and retroactive claims. The Dutch healthcare system operates with different rules, though, and my failure to understand them has cost us unnecessarily.

My American insurance mindset hit a wall when my son needed to have a cavity filled.

In the Netherlands, basic healthcare is universally accessible. I pay 156 euros a month for my policy, which includes my kids at no extra cost and a 385-euro yearly deductible.

However, you have to connect your child’s BSN (Dutch Social Security number) to your insurance for them to be covered, which I didn’t know I had to do at the time.

This meant I paid out of pocket for my son’s procedure — I couldn’t get reimbursed, even after calling my insurance company.

It took too long to ditch my American work mentality


Boats in the netherland in canals at night

It took me a bit to embrace the local attitude toward work-life balance.

Amith Nag Photography/Getty Images



While my Dutch neighbors enjoyed long family dinners and evening bike rides along the canals, I was still chained to my laptop at 10 p.m., taking calls with US colleagues.

My American work habits followed me across the Atlantic like an unwanted houseguest. The stress and burnout I’d hoped to escape caught up with me within months.

It took retiring from corporate America and starting my own business to finally embrace the Dutch approach to work-life balance — and my health has thanked me for it.

Not properly planning when to exchange currency got expensive

Watching the dollar-euro exchange rate swing from about 0.98 euros per dollar highs to 0.83 euros per dollar lows over the past year and a half taught me an expensive lesson about timing.

Each major transfer — housing deposits, US credit-card payments, moving expenses — became a gamble because I hadn’t developed a proper currency strategy.

Instead of planning strategic exchanges when rates were favorable, I made last-minute transfers whenever bills came due, often at the worst possible rates and with hefty fees tacked on.

Our missteps have become valuable lessons that shaped our successful integration into Dutch life


Lauren McDonnell smiling

I’m glad I moved my family to the Netherlands.

Lauren McDonnell



Despite our early mistakes, the Netherlands has given us exactly what we hoped for: a better quality of life, true work-life balance, and a fresh perspective on what’s possible for an American family abroad.

Now, a year and a half later, my sons can easily switch between Dutch and English, and those tearful kitchen moments are just memories that remind us how far we’ve come.

Moving abroad is complex, but having the right guidance can help you avoid these common pitfalls and create a smoother transition for your family.

So, if you’re considering a move to the Netherlands, learn from my mistakes.

Start preparing early (especially with language learning), understand the tax benefits available to you, research the healthcare system thoroughly, be ready to adapt your work mindset, and plan your currency exchanges strategically.

Your future self — and your bank account — will thank you.




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My grandparents are 87 and 90 years old. They still babysit my 7 kids, and host an annual cousin sleepover every year.

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This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lauren Brusie, mom of seven. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Last year, my 87-year-old grandmother, Doris, and 90-year-old grandfather, Jerry, hosted nine of their 14 great-grandchildren for a Christmas sleepover at their house. It’s an annual tradition they started several years ago that involves a night of eating cookies and ice cream, kids playing, boys wrestling, and movie watching, all culminating in Doris and Jerry waking up bright and early the very next day to cook breakfast for everyone, smiling and chipper as ever.

As their 34-year-old granddaughter, I’m not sure how they have the energy they do.

They are the most joyful, generous, busy, and amazing people I know, and they have been a constant presence in my life. They were always there. For all six of us grandchildren, for every game, every school event, they were there. We spent our weekends with them, holidays with them, and summers at their cabin.

They’ve definitely helped shape my cousins and me, and they continue to maintain that loving presence and involvement with all their great-grandchildren, including my seven children.

My grandparents have been there for my kids since day one

Just like I can’t remember a day in my own life without my grandparents in it, neither do my kids. They were waiting outside the door for their first great-grandchild, my daughter, to be born, and they’ve been there for everything, just like they were for me.

We even lived next door to them for a few years, and we spent every day with them. They are two of the people my kids are most comfortable with, and because of that, they are often our first choice for babysitters on a quick errand. The kids just love to be with them.

We have since moved, but they still stop by at least once a week, call the kids, attend their sporting events, and even help me with running them to and from practice or school.

One of their most beloved traditions is taking out each great-grandchild for a birthday lunch/shopping trip to spend one-on-one time with them. They had a rule that the child needed to be 4 years old, but they have bent it twice now for two of my younger children, taking them on their third birthdays because they were just so excited about it.

Both of my grandparents are in great health, and while some of their longevity and energy is probably genetic, I think their overall joy and love of people has kept them going. They always have something going on with others, whether it’s hanging out with their camping club, golf leagues, bowling leagues, card nights, casino trips, or following us kids around. They’ve always just worked hard and enjoyed life.

They are the biggest blessing in our lives

I’m not sure how to put into words what our relationship with my grandparents means. I’m aware of how unique this is, and I’ve never taken a moment with them for granted. I don’t think my kids will understand it all until they’re older, so for now, I just try to take as many pictures as I can so they’ll know how truly blessed and loved they were by these amazing people.

As life has gotten busier and the kids have gotten older, we make it a priority to continue our relationship with my grandparents. For instance, we’ll stop in to visit, and we try to do malt nights on the weekends with them, just like I did as a kid.

I also try to make them my first call if I do need help with the kids. It gives them purpose, and it really does help me too!

I don’t know anyone who has great-grandparents so involved in their family’s lives

When I try to think of anyone who, like my kids, has not just their grandparents, but their great-grandparents so actively involved, it’s not even a close comparison. And it’s not just my kids — Doris and Jerry still travel all over the state to attend events and visit my cousins and their kids, too. I know my cousins feel the exact same way I do about our grandparents: they are the most incredible people we know, and we’re so lucky to have them.

I am not sure I even appreciated how amazing they were when I was a kid. It took me having my own kids to realize that the relationship I had with them wasn’t necessarily normal either. They are truly one of a kind.

There is so much that inspires me about my grandparents, like their joy and how they’ve dealt with all the ups and downs of life. And let’s be honest: I’d love to have their energy too, but I’ll never count on that!

My grandparents are also so humble about their involvement. Doris simply says that the reason they spend so much time with all of us is because they love us, so why wouldn’t they want to be with us?

Both of them attribute their energy and longevity to being “lucky” and hope that all their grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember that they were good to them and loved them. I’d say mission accomplished!




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A woman in glasses wearing a blue dress standing in front of a bush.

I found dozens of recurring charges on my credit card. I had been wasting $1,600 a year on subscriptions I didn’t even use.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

My 17-year-old daughter told me that she’d been offered a special deal at the Verizon store: access to Apple Music for up to six people for $10 a month. She was desperate to take advantage of the promotion and said the streaming service had an amazing selection of songs.

I said no, not only because we have Spotify, but also because I’d had a rude awakening after New Year’s.

My husband and I were worried about how much we were charging to our credit cards, especially during the holiday period.

We decided to do a financial tune-up, and I was responsible for reviewing the Mastercard statement. We only used it as a secondary payment method if a merchant didn’t accept American Express.

I thought I’d been subject to fraud

As a result, I rarely looked at the bill. This time, however, I printed the statement covering November 11 to December 12, 2025, when we did most of our Christmas shopping.

There were a few transactions for items like coffee at a little café that doesn’t take Amex and some co-pays for doctors’ visits, but there were others I didn’t recognize.

What on earth was Uexton? I’d paid them $19.99 on November 11. Then there was Sportelx, to whom I’d paid $29.55 on November 21. I’d never heard of it.

I Googled to find that Uxeton was a gaming website and Sportelx was a sports news service.

I’d been a victim of fraud on several occasions, and assumed it had happened again.


Subscription mailers

The author accidentally signed up for services she never used.

Lam Kraker/Business Insider



Then, I looked over the rest of the bill and saw payments of $29.99 to ESPN New York, $14.99 to Canva, and $11.95 to Audiobookstore.com. As far as I was concerned, neither my husband, kids, nor I had used any of them.

There was also a $25 fee to Rockin’ Jump, where my son went once a week before getting too old for a trampoline park. Why were we still paying for his membership?

I reviewed the last two months’ statements and realized the suspicious payments had occurred before, on the same day each month.

It wasn’t fraud. The recurring fees were subscriptions we’d signed up for before switching banks and credit cards. Some went back years. We had failed to cancel Rockin’ Jump. I didn’t know how the rest had come about.

Over the next few hours, I racked my brains trying to figure out where they came from. The only thing I could think of was that my spouse or I must have shared our credit card information at some point to get a trial subscription.

We’d wasted almost $1,600 annually

We must have forgotten to cancel at the end of the free or discounted period. The total of our unnecessary payments was $131.88 a month, the equivalent of a family cellphone plan.

Over the years, I calculated that we’d spent almost $1,600 annually on streaming and other services we didn’t touch. It was hard to blame the companies that use subscription models when I had been the one to drop the ball. I felt dumb and ashamed.

I sprang into action, canceling as many fees as I could. In most cases, I found it much more difficult to unsubscribe than to subscribe because of the hoops you have to jump through.

Still, the experience taught me a lesson. It’s no thank you to tempting — but ultimately useless — offers from now on.




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10 new EVs priced below $50,000 that launch this year

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  • The EV industry has some problems: tax credits were cancelled, US sales dipped, and prices are still too high for many car buyers.
  • Automakers are readying a new slate of new EVs — including 10 with base prices below $50,000.
  • Four out of the 10 upcoming more affordable EVs are a result of a joint venture between two Japanese behemoths.

It’s expected to be a difficult year for electric vehicles.

Federal tax credits ended months ago, US sales have cooled, and automakers are shelving models that lost billions.

But there’s a new guard of EVs priced at less than $50,000 right around the corner that could test that prediction.

Major automakers are launching or re-releasing roughly 30 EVs in the US this year, Business Insider found — and yes, there’s plenty of higher-priced luxury offerings in the lineup, from a high-powered Ferrari to Jaguar’s controversial new coupe.

But 10 of those new or refreshed EVs start below $50,000 — the average price of a new vehicle in the US in December.

“The price for EVs has been too high,” Kevin Roberts, CarGurus’ director of market intelligence, told Business Insider. “As you see more practically-priced EVs, that’s where you’ll see growth in demand.”

These more affordable vehicles will test if lower prices are enough to convince Americans to jump on the EV bandwagon, or whether the market will continue to fizzle.

Slate Truck — mid-$20,000s, expected late 2026

Slate’s sales pitch is an ultra-customizable pickup truck with bare-bones features. Pricing is expected to start in the mid-$20,000s.

Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Slate is selling a stripped-down modular car that owners can design for themselves. It’s like if IKEA got into the car business.

The car company is entering the market with a deliberately bare-bones truck: we’re talking two cloth seats, no infotainment system, no speakers, crank windows, and only enough juice in the battery for 150 miles of range.

From there, buyers can add an extra row of seats, an SUV-style bed cover, or brightly colored exterior decals to cover up the slate gray exterior.

Expected to start in the mid-$20,000s, the Jeff Bezos-backed startup is pitching minimalism as an alternative to the expensive, feature-stuffed EV market.

Kia EV3 — $35,000, expected early 2026


A grey Kia EV3 at the Munich Auto Show.

Kia’s diminutive electric SUV is finally coming stateside. It blends design cues from its older siblings, the mid-sized EV6 and the three-row EV9.

Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Kia already sells a broad lineup of electric vehicles globally, but only a small handful have reached the US so far. The EV3, expected to arrive in early 2026, has already been on sale in Europe and Asia for nearly two years.

It could be the company’s most important American addition yet.

Roughly the size of a Toyota RAV4, the EV3 blends the sporty proportions of the EV6 with the boxy, upright design language of the three-row EV9.

Pricing will start around $35,000, and the five-seater is expected to cover roughly 300 miles with a full battery.

Rivian R2 — $45,000, expected early 2026


A white Rivian R2 on stage during the car's press launch in March 2024.

Rivian shrunk its popular three-row luxury SUV and slapped on R2 badging. The 5-seater with a $45,000 price is the company’s biggest bet.

PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Rivian faces a critical 2026, and the lower-cost R2 is at the center of its bet.

Since 2022, the startup has introduced itself through the high-end R1S — a powerful, three-row SUV with a starting price north of $70,000.

The R2 is meant to pull Rivian into the mass market.

Like Kia’s EV3, R2 promises roughly 300 miles of range and seating for five, putting it squarely in RAV4 territory. But, unlike the Kia, its outdoorsy, gear-forward aesthetic targets a different buyer: more REI than retro-modern.

Whether that identity can drive real sales — despite Rivian’s $10,000 premium compared to other cars on this list — is the question hanging over the R2.

Toyota C-HR — $35,000, expected early 2026


A red 2026 Toyota C-HR driving down a street at dawn.

Toyota is rebooting the C-HR in the US market this year. This time, it’s a $35,000 EV.

Toyota Motor USA

Toyota’s next EV comes with a familiar name.

From 2018 to 2022, the automaker sold the C-HR as a small, angular gas-powered SUV in the US — before pulling it after weak sales.

Now the nameplate is back, reimagined as an electric vehicle.

Arriving in 2026, the electric C-HR is a five-seat SUV expected to deliver about 290 miles of range.

It will become Toyota’s second EV in the US, following the bZ4X — recently renamed the bZ — which has quietly emerged as a surprise hit in the EV market.

But, like the other cars on this list, the lower price could make the C-HR the mass-market play.

Subaru Uncharted — $35,000, expected early 2026


An orange Subaru Uncharted stands on a turntable during the car's US unveil.

The Uncharted is Subaru’s lowest-cost EV. It’s a re-skinned Toyota C-HR.

Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images

Look familiar?

Since 2019, Toyota and Subaru have been locked in a joint development contract for all EVs. When Toyota’s bZ4X launched in mid-2022, so did the nearly-identical Subaru Solterra.

The EV equivalent of twinning continues with the Uncharted. It’s essentially the same as the Toyota CH-R, but with Subaru badging.

Pricing, range, and seating are all the identical, too: $35,000, 290 miles, room for five butts.

Subaru Trailseeker — $40,000, expected early 2026


A blue Subaru Trailseeker on stage at the LA Auto Show.

Subaru debuted the Trailseeker, a wagon-like EV SUV, during the New York Auto Show in 2025

Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images

Subaru’s Trailseeker looks like a throwback.

The company has been building all-wheel-drive wagons for the US market since the mid-1970s. That tradition continues with the Trailseeker in 2026: but now, it’s powered by electricity, not gas.

Priced in the low-$40,000s, it’s slotted above the Uncharted, and still has seating for five.

But the athletic numbers show off the Trailseeker’s improvements.

The Trailseeker’s battery makes 375 horsepower, jolting the car from standing to 60 mph in just over four seconds — that’s nearly a second quicker than the lower-priced Subaru.

Toyota bZ Woodland — $40,000, expected early 2026


A gray Toyota bZ Woodland at the LA Auto Show.

Toyota’s bZ Woodland also comes out of the joint venture with Subaru. It’s a re-badged Trailseeker.

Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images

Does this also look familiar?

Like the Uncharted and the C-HR, Toyota’s bZ Woodland comes out of the company’s joint venture with Subaru.

The new EV is nearly identical in size, price, and capability to Subaru’s wagon-like Trailseeker.

The differences are subtle: a Toyota-specific front design, and a badge that lacks Subaru’s long history selling wagons in the US. Whether that matters to buyers remains the car’s main question.

Nissan Leaf — $30,000, already available


A light blue Nissan Leaf on a carpeted floor at the Silicon Valley Auto Show.

The Nissan Leaf was re-imagined as a crossover SUV with a $30,000 starting price and 300 miles of range.

Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

When the Nissan Leaf launched in the US in December 2010, it was a breakthrough as the first modern, mass-market electric vehicle sold nationwide.

But the Leaf aged quickly. In 2020, Tesla introduced the Model Y, a similarly priced electric crossover with far more range. Leaf sales collapsed as the EV market moved on.

Now, Nissan is giving the Leaf a long-overdue reset. For around $30,000, the redesigned 2026 Leaf returns as a fast-charging, five-seat electric SUV with an estimated 300 miles of range — finally aligning the once-pioneering nameplate with today’s EV expectations.

Chevy Bolt — $30,000, expected mid-2026


A red orange Chevy Bolt at the LA Auto Show.

The Chevy Bolt is returning with the same silhouette and price — but now it gets more electric range.

Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images

Like the Leaf, Chevy is also returning the once-iconic Bolt in 2026.

For years, the Bolt was America’s entry-level EV. Drivers were able to nab the five-seater for as little as $30,000. But, it was discontinued in 2023.

Now, the diminutive, low-priced SUV is expected to relaunch in Chevy showrooms this summer. It looks nearly identical to its outgoing version, but comes with an upgraded battery that can propel the car for 260 miles.

Lucid crossover — high-$40,000s, expected late 2026


A darkened image of Lucid's blurred-out mid-size SUV.

Lucid has remained tight-lipped about its lowest-cost SUV. It’s likely hitting US dealerships in the back half of the year.

Lucid Motors

Like Rivian, Lucid has also rushed onto the scene with two luxury-priced cars — the high-end Air sedan and lofty Gravity SUV.

This year, it’s expected to release its first mass-market vehicle: likely a five-seater crossover SUV with a base price in the high $40,000s.

Details remain sparse. But Lucid released the image above with the rumored car’s silhouette darkened out. It’s also trademarked the name “Earth” for a potential upcoming vehicle.




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The list of companies laying off staff this year includes Citi and Angi, with dozens of others like Meta warning of job cuts

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The year 2026 is just getting started, and layoffs are already underway.

Companies, including Angi, the company formerly known as Angie’s List, and the popular web tool Tailwind, have cut staff, citing the impact of artificial intelligence among the reasons for the layoffs.

More than 100 other companies, from Amazon to Nike to Verizon, have filed legally mandated WARN notices about job cuts to come in 2026, according to WARN Tracker. Some of the cuts are part of previously announced reductions.

This year’s cuts follow three years of significant workforce reductions across a broad range of industries, including tech, media, finance, and retail.

The moves come as artificial intelligence, public policy, and broader economic conditions present sweeping changes to the business landscape.

A World Economic Forum survey last year found that some 41% of companies worldwide expected to reduce their workforces in the next five years because of the rise of artificial intelligence. The survey also found that jobs in big data, fintech, and AI are expected to double by 2030.

Last year, Business Insider tracked layoffs at around 65 major companies, such as Amazon, Meta, Paramount, and Starbucks. In 2026, we’ll continue to track additional job cuts based on company announcements, WARN notices, and our own reporting.

Here are the companies with job cuts underway in 2026, listed in alphabetical order.

Angi is cutting 350 jobs

Angi, a contractor listing platform, was previously known as Angie’s List.

Donald King/AP

Angi, the popular contractor listing site once known as Angie’s List, said in January that it was cutting around 350 jobs “to reduce operating expenses and optimize the organizational structure in support of long-term growth.” The company also said it’s making the cuts “in light of AI-driven efficiency improvements.”

In a January 7 SEC filing, Angi said that the cuts would save between $70 million and $80 million in annual spending. The layoffs will cost the company between $22 million and $30 million, according to the filing.

Citi’s job cuts continue this year


Citibank logo

Citibank said it will continue to cut jobs in 2026.

Kevin Carter/Getty Images

Citi will cut more jobs this year as part of its plan to reduce its workforce by 10%, or 20,000 employees.

In a statement on January 13, the bank said that it will continue to reduce head count in 2026.

“These changes reflect adjustments we’re making to ensure our staffing levels, locations and expertise align with current business needs,” a spokesperson for Citi said.

The plan was detailed in the company’s January 2024 earnings report and could save the bank as much as $2.5 billion.

Meta is preparing for layoffs


The Meta Quest 3s, the standalone virtual reality headset developed by Reality Labs, a subdivision of the American company Meta Platforms, is exhibited at the Qualcomm pavilion during the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, on March 5, 2025. (Photo by Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Meta is preparing to slash jobs within its Reality Labs division as the branch’s cash burn continues.

Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Meta is preparing to slash jobs within its Reality Labs division, the unit responsible for Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse ambitions, three people familiar with the matter told Business Insider.

Two employees said that teams working on virtual reality headsets and Horizon Worlds, the company’s VR social network, will be disproportionately affected. The New York Times reported that roughly 10% to 15% of the division’s 15,000 employees are expected to be laid off, with announcements coming as soon as this week.

The cuts coincide with a high-stakes division-wide meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Meta’s CTO and Reality Labs chief Andrew Bosworth described the upcoming gathering as the “most important” of the year and urged employees to attend in person.

Tailwind cut 3 of its 4 engineers

Tailwind, a popular web tool, said it cut three of its four engineers in January, citing an AI-driven decline in revenue.

“75% of the people on our engineering team lost their jobs here yesterday because of the brutal impact AI has had on our business,” CEO Adam Wathan wrote in a GitHub comment on January 6 that made waves in the tech community.

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How much are Bon Jovi tickets? The band returns for a US and UK tour next year

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Legendary rock band Bon Jovi is returning to the road in 2026 with the Forever Tour, marking their first full concert series following front man Jon Bon Jovi’s vocal cord surgery and extensive rehabilitation. The tour officially kicks off on July 7, 2026, with a multi‑night residency at Madison Square Garden in New York City, featuring several back‑to‑back shows through mid‑July. After the US leg, the band heads to Europe with performances at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Croke Park in Dublin, and Wembley Stadium in London. Keep reading to learn how to get Bon Jovi tickets below.

Formed in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey, Bon Jovi rose to global fame with a string of arena‑rock hits that defined the 1980s and ’90s. Their third album, Slippery When Wet, produced massive hits like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name,” which helped the record reach No. 1 in multiple countries. Following that success, the band continued their mainstream dominance with albums like “New Jersey” and “Keep the Faith,” blending rock anthems with heartfelt ballads that have endured enduring popularity.

Over a 40‑plus‑year career, Bon Jovi has sold tens of millions of albums worldwide, earned a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and maintained a loyal global fan base with tours that regularly sell out arenas and stadiums alike. The Forever Tour not only celebrates the group’s legacy but also showcases their resilience and connection to fans after overcoming significant health challenges — particularly Jon Bon Jovi’s recovery from a serious vocal procedure. Find tickets now on StubHub and Vivid Seats.

Bon Jovi’s 2026 tour schedule

Bon Jovi’s 2026 dates are among the most anticipated shows of the year, drawing fans eager to see the band live after a several‑year hiatus caused by Jon Bon Jovi’s vocal challenges. Concert tickets for the Forever Tour can vary widely in price, depending on the venue and seating, and fans are encouraged to secure seats early once official ticketing opens — especially for high-demand stops, such as the Madison Square Garden residency and the European stadium shows.

  • July 7, 2026 — New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
  • July 9, 2026 — New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
  • July 12, 2026 — New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
  • July 14, 2026 — New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
  • July 16, 2026 — New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
  • July 19, 2026 — New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
  • July 21, 2026 — New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
  • July 23, 2026 — New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
  • July 26, 2026 — New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
  • August 28, 2026 — Edinburgh, UK at Murrayfield Stadium
  • August 30, 2026 — Dublin, IE at Croke Park
  • September 4, 2026 — London, UK at Wembley Stadium

Browse Bon Jovi tickets on StubHub and Vivid Seats.


Recording artist Jon Bon Jovi performs during a campaign rally with Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, at the PNC Music Pavilion on November 02, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. With only days to go until Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris is campaigning in Georgia and North Carolina

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images



How to buy tickets for Bon Jovi’s 2026 concert tour

Tickets are available from verified resale vendors such as StubHub and Vivid Seats. As tickets have just gone on sale and demand is high, you may find more favorable seating and pricing options from these sites. We recommend reviewing all available options for the date and location you wish to attend before making your purchase.

How much are Bon Jovi tickets?

Prices vary for Bon Jovi’s upcoming Forever tour depending on the date, location, and demand for each show. On Ticketmaster, original standard tickets, particularly for the New York residency, are in incredibly high demand, with remaining options ranging in the high hundreds to over $1,000 for some premium seating options. In general, the high prices seem to be a result of most affordable seating options having already sold out during the current ongoing presale.

Vivid Seats and StubHub, on the other hand, currently offer a wider variety of seating and pricing options, providing more affordable choices overall for those looking to attend the shows on a budget. Both sites have affordable options ranging from $237 to around $300 for the New York performances. Please note that, as of the time of writing, the July 19 New York show, which was most recently announced, has not yet gone on sale. International shows are more affordable on StubHub, starting at £151 for both UK performances, with Vivid Seats offering prices starting at $394. Generally, Vivid Seats tends to offer more limited options for international performances, whereas StubHub often provides a wider variety. The Dublin show is presently not available on either platform.

There are several VIP packages being offered on Ticketmaster for Bon Jovi’s upcoming Forever tour. Full details of all four packages, the “Legendary” Front Row & Side Stage VIP experience, “Forever” VIP experience, Premium Superfan VIP fan package, and Superfan VIP fan package, can be viewed on Ticketmaster. All packages include premium tickets as well as various perks such as signed merchandise, dedicated VIP staff, VIP lounge access, exclusive gifts, and early entry. Ticketmaster also has limited quantities of VIP packages that include hotel stays as well. We were able to find one Superfan VIP fan package ticket for the July 9 show listed on Ticketmaster for $686 (at the time of writing); however, other shows appear to have no options remaining.

Who is opening for Bon Jovi’s tour?

Openers for the coming Forever tour have not yet been officially announced. In the past, Bon Jovi has regularly supported other artists, including local ones, as openers for their concert tours. Previous years have seen One Republic, Skid Row, Cinderella, Van Halen, Queensrÿche, Daughtry, Kid Rock, and Nickelback support Bon Jovi onstage. With the tour set to start next July, it is expected that more information will become available as the kick-off grows closer.

Will there be international tour dates?

The Forever tour will include a five-show residency in New York, followed by three international performances in Edinburgh, Dublin, and London.

Does Bon Jovi still tour?

Bon Jovi’s tour, the Forever tour, is the first in four years and is set to kick off in July 2026. The coming tour marks the first for Bon Jovi since lead singer Jon Bon Jovi underwent vocal cord surgery in 2022.

What songs will Bon Jovi perform in concert?

Since the Forever tour has yet to start, we can’t say for certain what songs the band will perform as part of their setlist. Based on their last tour in 2022, here are some songs that might be included in the performance:

  1. “Livin’ on a Prayer”
  2. “You Give Love a Bad Name”
  3. “The Radio Saved My Life Tonight”
  4. “We Weren’t Born to Follow”
  5. “It’s My Life”
  6. “Beautiful Drug”
  7. “Born to Be My Baby”
  8. “This House Is Not For Sale”
  9. “Just Older”
  10. “Let It Rain”
  11. “Keep the Faith”
  12. “American Reckoning”
  13. “Whole Lot of Leavin'”
  14. “Do What You Can”
  15. “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”
  16. “Lost Highway”
  17. “Roller Coaster”
  18. “Who Says You Can’t Go Home”
  19. “Wanted Dead or Alive”
  20. “Bad Medicine”
  21. “I’ll Be There For You”

See more: Is StubHub legit? | Kenny Chesney tickets | Eagles tickets | AC/DC tickets | Iron Maiden tickets | Morrissey tickets | Dolly Parton tickets

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Nicole Berardi

Freelance Writer




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Meta’s Reality Labs chief is calling the ‘most important’ meeting of the year and says employees should show up in person

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Meta’s Chief Technology Officer and head of Reality Labs, Andrew Bosworth, has called an all-hands meeting for January 14, describing it as the “most important” of the year.

Bosworth is also strongly recommending that Reality Labs employees attend the division’s meeting in person, two Meta employees told Business Insider.

The emphasis on in-person attendance is unusual for the division, which oversees the company’s wearables, virtual and augmented reality initiatives, and a nascent robotics unit, these employees said. Some managers have told employees to “drop what they’re doing” to attend the all-hands in person, one employee told Business Insider.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the meeting.

While the division has seen some success, such as its Ray-Ban smart glasses, Reality Labs has been a costly venture for Meta, incurring losses of more than $70 billion since 2020.

Last year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shifted the company’s strategic focus toward AI and away from the metaverse. In 2025, Meta invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI and hired its CEO, Alexandr Wang, as part of the major reset of the company’s AI efforts. Meta then embarked on a multibillion-dollar hiring spree, poaching top-tier AI researchers and engineers from rivals such as OpenAI and Google DeepMind.

Reality Labs has faced repeated rounds of cuts over the past year. In December, Business Insider reported that Meta was planning budget cuts up to 30% and considering job cuts in Reality Labs.

Last April, Meta laid off employees in Oculus Studios, its in-house gaming division, and the team behind Supernatural, the VR fitness app Meta acquired for over $400 million. Those cuts followed Meta’s broader January 2025 layoffs that eliminated nearly 4,000 roles companywide, with at least 560 affecting Reality Labs employees.

In a memo obtained by Business Insider earlier last year, Bosworth referred to 2025 as “the most critical” year in his eight-year tenure at Reality Labs.

“This year likely determines whether this entire effort will go down as the work of visionaries or a legendary misadventure,” he wrote.

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Photos show the Pacific Palisades one year after the Los Angeles wildfires, from empty lots to rebuilt storefronts

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  • The Palisades and Eaton fires began in Southern California on January 7, 2025.
  • They destroyed over 16,000 structures and burned 38,000 acres.
  • One year later, photos show the remaining devastation as rebuilding work continues.

In January 2025, the Palisades and Eaton fires burned 38,000 acres across Southern California.

Over 16,000 homes and businesses were destroyed as windstorms propelled the flames, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. At least 31 people died in the fires.

One year later, some of the damaged areas have been rebuilt and repaired, while others remain scorched shells.

Here’s what the Pacific Palisades looks like one year after the devastating fires.




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Trump’s sweeping student-loan repayment overhaul goes into effect in the new year. Here’s what’s changing.

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The new year is bringing a host of new changes for millions of student-loan borrowers.

Beginning in July 2026, the student-loan provisions signed into law in President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful” spending legislation are set to begin taking effect. Those provisions include rolling out new student-loan repayment plans, new borrowing caps, and eliminating existing income-driven repayment plans, which could result in higher monthly payments for borrowers.

Here’s what the Trump administration has in store for student-loan repayment in 2026.

New student-loan repayment plans

Beginning in July, the Department of Education plans to begin its process of eliminating existing income-driven repayment plans and replacing them with two options: a standard repayment plan and a new Repayment Assistance Plan.

The standard repayment plan would set fixed payments for borrowers over a 10 to 25-year period based on the borrower’s original balance. The Repayment Assistance Plan would serve as the income-based option for borrowers; it would set payments at 1% to 10% of the borrower’s income, with a minimum monthly payment of $10 and forgiveness after 30 years.

It’s less generous than the existing income-based repayment plan, which forgives balances after 20 or 25 years, and former President Joe Biden’s SAVE plan, which would forgive balances after as few as 10 years of payments.

Borrowers who took out loans before July 1, 2026, will have until 2028 to enroll in RAP before the other plans phase out. Borrowers who take out loans after July 1, 2026, will only have RAP and the standard repayment plan as available repayment options.

Borrowing caps for advanced degrees

In addition to new repayment plans, Trump’s spending legislation eliminated the Grad PLUS program, which allowed graduate and professional students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance for their programs.

It also implemented new borrowing caps for borrowers seeking advanced degrees. Graduate students would have a cap of $20,500 a year or $100,000 over a lifetime, and professional students would have a cap of $50,000 a year and $200,000 over a lifetime.

The Department of Education also proposed instituting a revised definition of a “professional” program, which included 10 programs that would qualify for the higher borrowing cap, including medicine, law, and dentistry. The new definition was a key point of contention with stakeholders who negotiated the terms with the department because the revised definition leaves out advanced programs like nursing, some of which have tuition that is above the proposed caps.

Eliminating the SAVE plan

Trump’s spending legislation included eliminating the SAVE plan as part of its phase-out of existing income-driven repayment plans by 2028. However, his administration announced a proposed settlement with the state of Missouri in December that would end the SAVE plan as soon as the court approves the settlement.

It means that the 7 million borrowers enrolled in SAVE would have a limited period of time to find a new repayment plan and restart their monthly payments at a higher amount. Additionally, the department said that it would deny pending applications to SAVE, which would include 450,000 borrowers who have expressed interest in enrolling in the plan.

Expanding eligibility for income-based repayment

The Department of Education is expanding eligibility for income-based repayment plans by removing the requirement of partial financial hardship. Prior to Trump’s spending legislation, borrowers seeking to enroll in an IBR plan were required to have a monthly payment based on their income that was less than the amount needed to pay off their full balance over 10 years.

Removing that requirement, which the department said would be completed in December 2025, means that borrowers with higher incomes would be eligible to enroll in IBR. Additionally, the department said that servicers would hold IBR applications that would otherwise be denied, and the applications would be processed once the updates to IBR were completed.




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