According to Expedia’s new 2026 Destinations of the Summer report, a handful of U.S. destinations deserve a spot on your travel radar this season. The list features everything from sunny beach escapes and outdoor-adventure hubs to charming smaller cities. And if you’re hoping to keep things easy with a road trip or a quick flight, you’re in luck—Expedia found that domestic destinations within driving distance or a short hop on a plane are the places travelers are flocking to this summer.

Read on to see which destination claimed the No. 1 spot and why it should be on your list too.

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How did the report determine the best summer travel destinations in the U.S.?

It wasn’t just a matter of picking a few pretty vacation spots. Expedia looked at where interest is surging the most by comparing accommodation searches for trips between May 22 and Aug. 31, 2026, with the same summer travel period in 2025. It also dug into social media conversations to see which U.S. destinations everyone has been talking about this year.

To round things out, Expedia partnered with the market research firm OnePoll, which surveyed 11,000 travelers across nine countries about their vacation habits. The result? A snapshot of the U.S. destinations that are generating the most excitement and bookings for summer 2026.

What is the No. 1 summer travel destination for 2026?

Drumroll, please … it’s St. George, Utah. The desert city took the top spot after seeing the biggest jump in accommodation searches compared to last year—by 125% percent, to be exact.

While many visitors use the city as a jumping-off point for nearby Zion National Park, St. George has plenty of reasons to stick around. Think: scenic hiking trails, dramatic desert views, golf courses surrounded by stunning landscapes and a growing food scene. Plus, you can spend the morning exploring red-rock trails—all without the crowds (or price tags) of some of the West’s bigger vacation hot spots.

What are the best things to do in St. George, Utah?

I’ve never visited St. George, but after visiting Moab, I understand why southern Utah has such a loyal fan club. Between the towering red-rock arches and dramatic canyon views, it feels like stepping onto another planet. (No wonder NASA tests its space rovers and trains its astronauts in the Utah desert.)

Like Moab, St. George gives you plenty to explore without having to spend your entire trip in the car. Start with Snow Canyon State Park, where fiery red cliffs, ancient lava flows, petrified sand dunes and scenic trails make it feel like a mini desert right outside town. For an easy adventure with a big payoff, head to Pioneer Park and Dixie Rock, where you can scramble around the red rocks and take in sweeping views of St. George.

Want to cool off after a day of hiking? You can swim, kayak or relax at Sand Hollow State Park. Then, explore Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, where trails lead through colorful rock formations and peaceful landscapes that showcase exactly why this part of Utah is so unforgettable.

What are the other best summer destinations in the U.S.?

If St. George, Utah, isn’t on your summer bucket list (yet), there are plenty of other destinations Expedia says should be on your radar. Here are the other U.S. destinations that earned top billing on Expedia’s report.

Tacoma, Washington

Located just south of Seattle, Tacoma makes a great home base for exploring some of the Pacific Northwest’s most jaw-dropping scenery. If you love basking in the outdoors, you can easily make the drive to Mount Rainier National Park for hikes surrounded by wildflowers and glacier views. Or head to Olympic National Park for rugged coastlines, forests and waterfalls. Don’t miss spots like Point Defiance Park, a waterfront escape with trails and views of Puget Sound, and the Museum of Glass for a dose of the city’s creative side. The closest major airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), about a 30-minute drive away.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is the kind of place where you can spend the morning chasing mountain views and the afternoon hopping between breweries. Take in the scenery along the Blue Ridge Parkway, or explore the sprawling gardens and architecture of the Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home. When you’re ready to eat and drink your way through town, Asheville’s River Arts District and lively downtown are filled with local restaurants, craft breweries and plenty of personality. Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) makes getting there easy.

Bradenton, Florida

If your ideal summer trip involves sunshine, water and a slower pace, Bradenton checks all the boxes. This Gulf Coast city is the gateway to Anna Maria Island, where you’ll find sugary beaches, turquoise water and old-Florida charm. Spend the day relaxing at Coquina Beach or explore the natural beauty of Robinson Preserve, where trails and waterways make it a favorite for kayaking and wildlife spotting. The closest airport is Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), which is only a short drive away.

Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz is the definition of a classic California beach getaway, with a laid-back surf scene, ocean views and loads of nostalgic charm. Spend the day riding the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, then watch surfers catch waves at Steamer Lane, one of the city’s most iconic surf spots. For a quieter side of town, take a stroll through Natural Bridges State Beach, known for its dramatic coastal views and tide pools. The closest airport is San Jose International Airport (SJC), about a 45-minute drive away.

Siesta Key, Florida

Famous for its powdery white-quartz sand, Siesta Key feels like the kind of beach destination made for doing absolutely nothing—and enjoying every minute of it. Spend your days swimming in the clear Gulf waters at Siesta Beach, or explore the nearby Turtle Beach area for a more relaxed vibe. When the sun starts setting, head to Siesta Key Village for restaurants, live music and a classic beach-town atmosphere. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is the closest airport.

Truckee, California

Who doesn’t love a good ol’ adventure? Truckee is the best year-round basecamp for Lake Tahoe, where outdoor activities are practically endless. In summer, hike trails around Donner Lake, spend the day swimming or kayaking at Lake Tahoe, or explore the charming historic downtown filled with local shops and restaurants. The closest major airport is Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), about a 45-minute drive away.

Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman is the kind of destination that makes you want to spend as much time outside as possible. It’s a popular jumping-off point for Yellowstone National Park. Closer to town, hike the scenic trails at Hyalite Canyon, or stroll through downtown Bozeman’s restaurants, breweries and boutiques. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is conveniently located just outside the city.

Prescott, Arizona

Prescott offers a cooler, more unexpected side of Arizona with pine forests and mountain views. Take a walk around Watson Lake, known for its unique granite boulders and bright blue water, or explore Thumb Butte, one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks with panoramic views from the top. The closest airport is Prescott Regional Airport (PRC), though you can also fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and make the drive.

Providence, Rhode Island

This New England city blends historic charm with a surprisingly lively arts and food scene. Take a walk along the Providence Riverwalk, catch the city’s famous WaterFire event or explore the colorful streets of the College Hill neighborhood near Brown University. Consider yourself a foodie? Check out Federal Hill, known for its Italian restaurants and local favorites. The closest airport is Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD), just minutes from downtown.

Sources:

• Expedia: “Where to Travel This Summer: Closer-to-Home Getaways Dominate Expedia’s Destinations of the Summer List”

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While many of us reach for classic favorites like juicy burgers and all-American hot dogs, you might be surprised to learn that grilling tastes vary from state to state. According to a recent study from Innerbody, Americans aren’t all putting the same foods on their grills. Some places can’t get enough of chicken wings, others fire up the grill for carne asada and some even have a surprising love for grilled onion rings (which, honestly, might need to make their way onto my next cookout menu).

Read on for the most popular grilled food in every state, and see if your go-to grill order made the list.

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How did this report determine the most popular grilled food in every state?

To uncover America’s favorite grilled foods, Innerbody analyzed Google Trends search data from the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The team started with a huge list of grilling favorites and looked at searches like “grilled rib eye” and “how long to grill corn” to make sure the results captured true grilling interest—not just general food cravings.

From there, they narrowed down the list to 57 popular grilled foods across categories like beef, chicken, pork, seafood, fruits and vegetables to find each state’s top pick.

What is the most popular grilled food in each state?

Not every state is known for burgers! Here’s what Americans are slapping on the grill.

• Alabama: Chicken wings
• Alaska: Flank steak
• Arizona: Carne asada
• Arkansas: Burgers
• California: Tri-tip
• Colorado: Rib-eye steak
• Connecticut: Cod
• Delaware: New York strip
• Florida: Chicken wings
• Georgia: Porterhouse
• Hawaii: Shrimp
• Idaho: Pineapple
• Illinois: Skirt steak
• Indiana: Chicken breast
• Iowa: Chicken breast
• Kansas: Mushrooms
• Kentucky: Peppers
• Louisiana: Tuna steak
• Maine: Sausage
• Maryland: Flank steak
• Massachusetts: Sausage
• Michigan: Burgers
• Minnesota: Green beans
• Mississippi: Chicken wings
• Missouri: Chicken wings
• Montana: Rib-eye steak
• Nebraska: Zucchini
• Nevada: Tri-tip
• New Hampshire: Sausage
• New Jersey: Filet mignon
• New Mexico: Rib-eye steak
• New York: Skirt steak
• North Carolina: Hot dogs
• North Dakota: Burgers
• Ohio: Chicken breast
• Oklahoma: Chicken legs
• Oregon: Flank steak
• Pennsylvania: Hot dogs
• Rhode Island: Cod
• South Carolina: Oysters
• South Dakota: Zucchini
• Tennessee: Chicken wings
• Texas: Onions
• Utah: Carne asada
• Vermont: Sausage
• Virginia: Tuna steak
• Washington: Flank steak
• West Virginia: Eggplant
• Wisconsin: Burgers
• Wyoming: Steak

Was there a clear winner across the country?

While burgers ranked No. 1 nationwide as the top grilled food of interest, steak stole the spotlight across much of the country. The study found that 17 states preferred a steak cut over any other grilled food, showing that plenty of Americans crave a perfectly grilled piece of beef.

Following close behind were chicken breasts, highlighting Americans’ continued love for another classic grilling favorite. Seafood fans also made their preferences known, with shrimp and lobster emerging as the top grilled seafood choices, while corn claimed the top spot among produce.

What states love grilling the most?

Minnesota came in first for the biggest grilling fans in the country, followed by Wisconsin and South Carolina. Minnesota’s love for the grill might come as a surprise to some, but the state is known for its outdoorsy vibes during warm-weather months.

Neighboring Wisconsin’s strong showing also makes sense, with its famous love for backyard cookouts and bratwurst. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s spot on the list may be tied to its deep barbecue traditions, where slow-cooked meats and outdoor cooking are woven into the state’s food culture.

Were there any big surprises?

Yes, quite a few! The biggest surprise was seeing pineapple on this list as the sole grilled fruit. I’ll admit, I’ve never thought to throw pineapple on the grill, but its natural sweetness and juicy texture apparently make a smoky, caramelized flavor combination that’s hard to resist.

Corn also made a major splash this grilling season. After analyzing search data from the three weeks leading into summer, Innerbody found that corn was the fastest-rising grilled food in 23 states, including California, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

But perhaps the most unexpected finding was that Texas—a state famous for barbecue and meat—ranked among the states with the least grilling interest. Plus, grilled onions took the top spot there! Who would have guessed?!

Source:

• Innerbody.com: “What’s on the Grill? America’s Top Grilled Foods”

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Oh, yes, it is. Since its June 18 launch on Netflix, the eight-episode series has become the TV smash of the summer, with more than 60 million viewers worldwide (and counting) hooked on the drama. Worthington stars as David Burroughs, a man languishing in prison for the murder of his young son. When David receives evidence that his boy may still be alive, he embarks on a prison break and goes on a quest to find him. No spoilers … except to say that the climactic reveal is a Reddit thread–worthy stunner.

“I’m your twists-and-turns guy,” says Coben, an executive producer on the show. “I love to play with your expectations and make you guess. But in many ways, it’s not necessarily about the cliff-hanger—it’s about the other side of that cliff-hanger, because we’ve seen all the shows where you can tell what’s going to happen next. I want you to trust me and see how it’s all going to work out.”

I Will Find You marks the author’s 13th project with Netflix since 2018. The list also includes Fool Me Once, Missing You, The Stranger and Run Away, while an adaptation chronicling his sports agent/investigator character Myron Bolitar recently started production in New York City. The appeal is no mystery: Coben’s twist-packed novels are usually built around ordinary people whose lives become upended because of a big secret. “Suspense is making you want to turn the page or click to the next episode,” he says. “I hope my books and shows deliver that.”

Coben, who’s currently working on his next novel, takes us down the dark and windy path of his writing process, what he loves in a book and why I Will Find You became the surprise hit of the summer. Read on to find out why we’re completely hooked.

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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Reader’s Digest: Of all your book-to-screen adaptations, why do you think I Will Find You, in particular, has drawn such a huge and rabid audience?

Harlan Coben: It has the thrills that people want, especially the gasping twist at the end of Episode 7. But what separates this one is the heart—you’re really with Sam Worthington as he searches for his child. A lot of us empathize with his pain. What if we had this second chance? We all want to protect our children, and I think that resonates.

Reader’s Digest: What kind of feedback have you been receiving?

Harlan Coben: People are genuinely moved, and I’m thrilled by that. I’ve gotten a lot of messages that people were crying and really welling up happily with tears at the end. That makes me very happy.

Reader’s Digest: In general, what makes a Harlan Coben story work so well on the screen?

Harlan Coben: You have the twists and turns, but I do I think it’s the heart, because you end up caring about the people. It’s like I bought the most expensive car in the world, but if it doesn’t have gasoline in it or electricity powering it up, it’s not going anywhere. In I Will Find You, you really care about the characters that Sam and Britt [Lower] and even Milo [Ventimiglia] played.

Reader’s Digest: How hands-on are you as an executive producer? What are you doing behind the scenes?

Harlan Coben: I’m very heavily involved in all aspects of all the production. I was rewriting the scripts and worked with the casting director for I Will Find You. I had meetings with all the major cast members before they took their roles. But when I got to the set and saw this cast and crew, I just looked around and thought, Man, I had this little idea in my house in New Jersey, and now all these wonderful people are going to bring it to life and it’s going to be sent out to the world. That feeling never gets old, you know?

Reader’s Digest: Let’s talk about writing. What’s the biggest misconception about the process of writing a juicy nail-biter?

Harlan Coben: Literally, everything. My next book, which comes out in early September, is called Plot Twist: Life, Craft and the Messy First Draft. It’s a memoir on writing, life, craft and message. I take on all of the sacred cows of writing and say why it’s wrong to get caught up in these rules. I think most people have tremendous misconceptions of how it all works. Writing is messy, and things bleed. There’s no neat formula in the process of writing a story—and if there is one, I haven’t found it.

Reader’s Digest: How do you know when you’ve nailed the right twist?

Harlan Coben: Oh, you don’t. A lot of it is just trial and error. For I Will Find You, the first thing I came up with is the concept. I wanted to write a book that started in the darkest place imaginable. David is a nightmare scenario. He feels that he’s failed as a father but now has a chance at redemption. Then I have to know the answer to the last twist before I start. It takes a long time, but I know the ending before I start the first word.

Reader’s Digest: You know the end in advance for your other books too?

Harlan Coben: Yes, I always know the ending before I start a book. But sometimes I’ve changed the ending a little bit for Netflix, just to mess with the people who have read the book and think they know what’s going to happen.

Reader’s Digest: What’s the difference between a satisfying twist and a shocking one?

Harlan Coben: I’m aiming for both, usually. If I feel the emotional resonance, that’s usually the sign I’ve done it right. You want to surprise but also play with the emotion. Otherwise, the story isn’t going to work and people won’t be telling their friends about it.

Reader’s Digest: Which one of your books really stuck the landing? Do you have a favorite?

Harlan Coben: The answer always changes, because every day, I have love-hate relationships with my books. I really do think I Will Find You has one of the better twists and endings. Run Away also has a number of big twists that no one sees coming. Those are two of my favorites, but I could change my mind tomorrow.

Reader’s Digest: What books are on your nightstand right now?

Harlan Coben: I’m reading two right now, which is unusual for me. Usually, I like one at a time. Michael Connelly is a longtime friend and one of my favorite writers, and I have his new novel, Ironwood. I’m also reading Lena Dunham’s memoir, Famesick. My daughter told me I would like it, and when my kids recommend something, I almost always have to check it out.

Reader’s Digest: Why do thrillers make such great summer reads?

Harlan Coben: I don’t think they make good summer reads; they make good reads, in general. I don’t look at thriller or mystery as a genre because within the form, I can do anything. I Will Find You is a story about fathers and sons. I’ve done redemption, I’ve done loss, I’ve done love, I’ve done family. You still have to remember to tell a story. If you name your favorite five novels from the past 100 years, I guarantee at least four will have a crime in them. So I’m following in a rich tradition.

Reader’s Digest: Given your impressive writing speed, will you go back to your laptop as soon as you’re done with this interview?

Harlan Coben: Oh, man. I know this sounds crazy, but I always feel behind. Right now, I’m working on my next novel, which is going to be another stand-alone thriller. Hopefully I will start writing as soon as we’re done. I need to be further along on it!

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Source:

• Variety: “How Harlan Coben and Netflix Found Record-Breaking Success Together—and What Comes Next for Their Mystery-Thriller Universe”

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The post EXCLUSIVE! Author Harlan Coben Reveals Why We’re Obsessed with Netflix’s <i>I Will Find You</i>—And the Secret to the Perfect Plot Twist appeared first on Reader's Digest.

But there’s one other thing I do that saves me major money, and it couldn’t be simpler. It’s something that I learned from more than a decade working at a major food-testing laboratory, but according to a new survey by NetCredit, not a whole lot of my fellow Americans are doing the same. And it turns out it’s costing the average person more than $700 a year.

Interested in keeping your hard-earned cash? I thought so. Read on to learn how to reduce your family’s grocery bill—potentially by thousands of dollars—and help your community and the planet while you’re at it.

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What common mistake could be costing you big bucks?

Americans are literally throwing perfectly good food straight into the garbage—and it’s happening in large part because we misunderstand the “best by,” “use by” and other stamped dates on our packaged food. That thing I do that other Americans don’t? I don’t automatically throw food away just because the date passed.

According to NetCredit’s survey, which combined EPA food-waste data with more than 2,000 respondents’ beliefs, nearly three-quarters of Americans (and an incredible 88% of Gen Z) think these dates tell them when food is no longer safe to eat. As someone who worked in this industry for years, I can assure you that this is not the case.

Hold on—what do these labels really mean?

You’re right to be confused. One of the most common questions we fielded at the lab was about dates on food. Of course this makes sense, because who wants to roll the dice on food poisoning when you’re not sure something is good?

But rest assured that most dates stamped on food packages have nothing to do with safety, and they’re often not required by federal law (the one exception is infant formula, which you should not use after the date). Here’s what the labels actually mean:

• Best if used by or before: A best-by date is a quality indicator, not a safety one. After this date, the product might not be at its freshest, crispest or most flavorful.
• Sell by: This date is an inventory-management code for stores so they know how long to keep the product on the shelves before swapping it out for newer items.
• Use by: Manufacturers stamp this date on food to tell you when they think the product will taste best. Unless it’s infant formula, this date has nothing to do with safety.
• Freeze by: Meats and other commonly frozen foods often have this date on the label. Freezing food by this date will preserve the food at its peak quality, but it’s not an expiration date.

So when should you throw food away?

Don’t go by the label—instead, go with your own senses and recommended food-storage guidelines.

Food stored at proper temperatures (under 40 degrees in the fridge, or in the freezer) will typically be safe after the date on the package unless there are spoilage indicators like bad odors, textures or tastes. Bread gets moldy, meat gets slimy and milk starts to smell funny due to the presence of spoilage organisms like yeasts, molds and bacteria.

One important note: Common foodborne pathogens, like listeria and salmonella, cannot be seen by the naked eye and do not typically change the quality of the food. To prevent pathogenic bacteria from multiplying, it’s important to cook foods thoroughly and store meat and prepared foods in the fridge for a limited amount of time before eating or freezing.

Which foods are people losing the most money on?

Bread is the big winner (loser?) here. According to NetCredit’s survey, Americans throw out nearly a quarter (22.7%) of the bread they bring home. Right behind bread is lettuce (22.6%), milk (22.4%) and chicken (21.3%). Potatoes, beef, bananas and deli meats are high on the throw-away list as well.

Interestingly, fish (16.7%) and pork (16.4%) are the two foods that are least likely to be tossed.

Which states are the worst offenders?

Utah throws away the most edible food per year, but it’s not because the Beehive State is more wasteful than any other—they simply have the biggest families. The average Utah household has 2.99 people, so the EPA’s $728-per-person finding means that Utahans could save $2,177 per year, per family, simply by throwing away less food.

California throws away slightly less food per household ($2,082), but because of the state’s enormous population (nearly 40 million people), they contribute $28.71 billion per year to America’s discarded food bill. Other high-volume food wasters—again, due to population—are Texas ($22.78 billion), Florida ($17.02 billion) and New York ($14.47 billion).

Maine comes in at the low end of the spectrum, with a household average of $1,653 in discarded edible food each year.

How else can you combat food waste and save money?

Besides taking those “best by” dates with a grain of salt and using smart storage strategies to keep food fresh longer, you can combat food waste in other ways. It starts with shopping smart.

• Only buy what you need. Instead of going to the store hungry or picking up stuff “just in case,” plan your meals for the week and only purchase items you can use within a reasonable time frame.
• Consider your family and storage options. I love Costco, but my two-person household is highly unlikely to rip through multiple pounds of fresh shrimp or chicken salad before it spoils. Make sure you have an appetite (and fridge and freezer space) for bulk buys.
• Check the label. Not because the food will go bad after the date, but because you might not be able to eat it before it finally does.
• Donate extra food. It’s perfectly OK to donate food that’s passed its expiration date—if you’ve stored it properly. (Never donate rotten food!) Look for food pantries in your area; many will take fresh produce and other perishable items.
• Compost extra food. Food is the No. 1 item taking up space in municipal landfills. As it rots, it releases massive amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas. Backyard composting is a great way to do your part for the environment.
• Do a sniff test. It bears repeating: If you reach for the milk and notice the date has passed, don’t just blindly dump it down the drain. Trust your senses.

Sources:

• EPA: “Estimating the Cost of Food Waste to American Consumers”
• NetCredit: “How Much Could Americans Save by Reducing Food Waste?”
• EPA: “Quantifying Methane Emissions from Landfilled Food Waste”
• USDA: “Keep Food Safe! Food Safety Basics”
• FoodSafety.gov: “Cold Food Storage Chart”

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The post This Common Kitchen Mistake Is Costing You More Than $700 Per Year appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Well, you might want to take a closer look at your Instagram settings. Meta rolled out a new AI feature on July 7 that changes how public Instagram posts can be used—and it has a lot of people very worried about their privacy. (And for good reason.)

So what, exactly, is going on with this surprise update? And will it also affect other Meta platforms like Facebook? Read on for the one setting you’ll want to check ASAP, plus a few other red flags to look for before you post.

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Why should you be concerned about posting on Instagram?

If you have a public Instagram account, this one affects you. Meta recently rolled out Muse Image, along with more than 30 new AI-powered creative tools for Stories, allowing users to generate entirely new AI images inspired by public Instagram photos and people’s likenesses. In other words, someone could use Meta AI to create AI-generated images based on your public content—not necessarily by copying your exact photo, but by using it as inspiration to generate something new.

And apparently, if you have a public account, you’re automatically opted in unless you manually change the setting. Yikes. That said, if you previously disabled certain sharing features, some of those restrictive settings may have carried over.

FYI, the policy is different for those who are under 18. Teen accounts have stricter privacy protections by default, and Meta says it doesn’t allow other people to generate AI images with these accounts. Even so, it’s still worth reviewing privacy settings on teen accounts to make sure everything is configured the way you want.

Hold on—is this legal?

Technically, yes. Meta updated its policies to allow certain public content to be used with its AI-powered features. Because the setting is built into Instagram’s terms and privacy controls, the company can automatically enable it for eligible public accounts. That’s another win for Meta and another loss for us.

How do you turn off this feature?

Thankfully, turning off this feature is easy to do. Here’s how:

1. Open Instagram, and head to your profile.
2. Tap the three-line menu in the upper-right corner.
3. Scroll down, and select “Sharing and reuse.”
4. Find “Allow people to use your content on Instagram and with AI features on Meta.”
5. Turn Posts OFF.
6. Turn Reels OFF.

What other features might you want to turn off while you’re on the back end of Instagram?

While you’re already poking around the back end of Instagram (because let’s get real, nobody hangs out in Settings for fun), there’s another privacy control worth checking. Under “Sharing and reuse,” look for “Who can create with your content.”

When I checked my own account, my AI settings were already turned off—but this option was still set to everyone. Yep, I changed that immediately.

This setting controls whether other people can use your public photos and videos in their own reels, stories or certain AI-generated creations. If it’s set to everyone, virtually any Instagram user can incorporate your public content into their own creative endeavors.

Does this also affect Facebook?

Sadly, yes. Facebook users aren’t exempt from Meta’s semi-secret update.

Since both Facebook and Instagram are owned by Meta, they have similar AI settings. If you post publicly on Facebook, it’s worth reviewing your privacy settings there as well to see whether your content can be used with Meta’s AI features.

You can check by heading to “Settings & Privacy,” then reviewing the sections related to AI features, privacy and sharing. The exact wording may vary depending on your device and location, but Meta has been gradually rolling out these controls across its apps.

The bottom line: If you regularly post publicly on any Meta-owned platform, take a few minutes to review your privacy settings. You may discover options you didn’t even realize had been switched on—and that’s five minutes well spent.

Sources:

• Instagram: “New Effects in Stories from Meta AI”
• Meta: “Introducing Muse Image: Image Generation Built for Your World”

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The post Warning! Don’t Post on Instagram Until You Turn Off This New AI Feature—Here’s Why appeared first on Reader's Digest.

That decision ended up shaping her entire career.

Since The Beach Club splashed onto shelves in 2000, Hilderbrand has built a remarkable 27-book universe around the picturesque Massachusetts island and turned its beaches, boutiques and close-knit community into a backdrop for irresistible drama. Now, that world is coming to life in a whole new way with the star-studded Peacock adaptation of her 2023 bestseller, The Five Star Weekend.

The narrative centers around Hollis Shaw (Jennifer Garner), a famed cook/food blogger left devastated by the sudden death of her husband. To help cope with the loss, she invites four girlfriends from each stage of her life—played by Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, Gemma Chan and D’Arcy Carden—to her coastal abode for a theoretically relaxing weekend. And while the eight-episode series (which premieres on July 9) is indeed an escapist confection featuring to-die-for production design, it also touches on themes of love, self-discovery and forgiveness.

“I’ve never wanted my stories to be cheesy or silly or easy-breezy, even though they’ve been called that,” says Hilderbrand. “I want them to have real things and real nuance. And The Five Star Weekend is complicated in a way that everybody can relate to.”

Hilderbrand, also an executive producer, reports that she had the “best, best, best” time during the production—especially because the entire 275-person cast and crew descended to Nantucket last fall. “There was a little pushback from the locals at first because they didn’t want anybody coming into their little village,” she recalls. “But by the end, most people were enormously delighted.”

The author was at her Nantucket home autographing tip-in sheet inserts for her upcoming novel The Thoroughbreds—co-written with her daughter, Shelby Cunningham—when she hopped on Zoom to chat with Reader’s Digest. Read on for some fun behind-the-scenes details about The Five Star Weekend (including Jennifer Garner’s new Nantucket hobby), what to expect from the series, and the books that should be on your summer reading list.

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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Reader’s Digest: The Five Star Weekend has an amazing cast. Do you picture certain actresses when you’re writing?

Elin Hilderbrand: I almost never do that. It’s so dangerous because then you’re writing for an actress and not for the story. I would say this to anybody thinking about having their novel adapted. It is always better to write for the book and let the actors fit into the narrative rather than write for the actors and have the narrative fit them.

Reader’s Digest: Jennifer Garner didn’t even cross your mind? Really?

Elin Hilderbrand: I was thinking of an Ina Garten type, because her fans feel like they’re in good hands with her in the kitchen. But she’s older than Hollis. And Hollis is a blonde. She looks a little bit like me.

Reader’s Digest: Was Jennifer Garner a regular presence around town?

Elin Hilderbrand: She threw herself into life on Nantucket. She went to hot yoga, she went to church, she went to the shops and boutiques. And she didn’t just shop! There’s a store called Nantucket Looms, and they weave blankets. She learned how to use the loom and wove a blanket. Then she ended up buying her Christmas gifts from Nantucket Looms—that’s an enormous boost to a small female-run business. She also went out on a sailing charter called the Endeavor, and she learned how to hoist the sails. She was very hands-on.

Reader’s Digest: Let’s hear the funniest story from the cast’s time on location.

Elin Hilderbrand: The night that they wrapped, the five lead actresses went out for a cast-only dinner. Then they went to this bar called the Gaslight that has live music and karaoke. So they stood up and did karaoke with a local tour guide. He had no idea who they were, and it was hilarious! The story was all over the Nantucket news, and it left everybody with a really good feeling.

Reader’s Digest: What was your reaction after you watched the whole series?

Elin Hilderbrand: I was amazed. I’ve watched all eight episodes multiple times. I think my favorite episode is Episode 4. That’s the spa episode, which is very ironic because we don’t have a day spa on Nantucket like that. That was fully a creation by our showrunner, Bekah Bruntstetter. But it’s so funny and poignant and memorable. And Episodes 7 and 8 are so heart-wrenching. I could not have asked for a more thoughtful, intentional and yet delicious and fun adaptation.

Reader’s Digest: What does this story say about female friendship at this stage in life?

Elin Hilderbrand: This show is made by women, starring women, about women and for women. So everybody brought their deep and wide experience with friendship—that goes from when we’re little girls on the playground all the way up through high school and then into college and then with our mom friends. It’s hardest to meet new friends when you’re in middle age because the kids are grown and maybe you work from home. That’s why we included the Gigi character (played by Chan). But female friendship is so varied and complicated, and I think that’s true in the show too. Everybody can relate.

Reader’s Digest: In your expert opinion, what kind of book makes for a good summer read?

Elin Hilderbrand: I mean, I’ve written 27 novels all set at the ultimate summer resort, right? We have this adorable, historically preserved downtown, and then we have 50 miles of pristine beach. When people come here, they’re coming for the quaintness. They want to stroll the cobblestones and go to a lovely dinner and eat the seafood. The experience can’t really be described, though I’ve tried, like, 30 times.

So l do like describing my novels as summer books. But I believe that any book can be a summer book—as long as it has a propulsive plot, it moves along and you’re invested in the characters. I personally don’t like anything that’s overly cerebral or heavy or dark, although I know lots of people who love really dark psychological thrillers at the beach. To each their own.

Reader’s Digest: Do you have an all-time favorite?

Elin Hilderbrand: I do. It’s The Vacationers by Emma Straub. It was one of her first books. I fell in love with her then. We’re dear friends now. I love her so much. The Vacationers is about this family in complete disarray, and they go away to Mallorca. It’s so funny and smart. You feel like you’re on vacation with this family.

Reader’s Digest: What are you reading right now?

Elin Hilderbrand: I read all the time—by which I mean I always have a book within arm’s range. See? I’m reading Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong. It is so good. I’m leaving for Los Angeles tomorrow and was trying to finish it before I got on the plane. I have another book packed in my bag that I will read in the airport and on the plane. I always make time during my workday to read because I think reading really good books is one way to become a better writer. Then I will also read before I go to bed. I try not to go on my phone. It’s just bad for you.

Reader’s Digest: Does that mean you don’t have a favorite reading spot?

Elin Hilderbrand: Every spot is my spot. The bed, the beach, the car when I go to the dentist. In L.A., I have an interview that is a 30-minute ride from my hotel, and I intentionally packed a purse that is big enough to accommodate my paperback book because I am not sitting in that Uber on my phone.

Reader’s Digest: You’ve retired from Nantucket-set books, but you’re still writing. Talk about the series with your daughter.

Elin Hilderbrand: So last year, I wrote a novel with my daughter called The Academy. It follows a group of students at a New England boarding school. She went to a very fancy and snobby New England boarding school. I went to public school. So we wrote it together. We have a sequel coming out in September called The Thoroughbreds. Right now, we’re both autographing 18,000 tip-in sheets that my publisher will insert into the books. It’s easier than signing 18,000 books.

Reader’s Digest: You don’t sign books?!

Elin Hilderbrand: I’m at the point where there are too many things going on for me to do it. Signing 18,000 books is not right!

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

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And the numbers back it up. While consumer prices have risen about 30% over the past decade, Chick-fil-A menu prices have increased by an average of 57% since 2014. That’s why one dad’s order has everyone talking: He managed to feed his family of five for under $25. Yes, you read that right—under $25! It sounds almost impossible these days, but his simple ordering strategy is something any family (or group of friends) can try.

Read on to see how he did it and how it could save you money on your next Chick-fil-A run.

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What is this Chick-fil-A ordering hack?

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A post shared by Jeff Johnson (@jeffejohnson)

Instead of ordering five separate chicken sandwiches, Jeff Johnson came up with a simple way to stretch his Chick-fil-A order: He bought a 30-count order of Chick-fil-A nuggets for just over $17 and buttered buns for 25 cents apiece ($1.25 total, for himself, his wife and their three kids). Then, the family turned the nuggets into their own Chick-fil-A-style chicken sandwiches. Each person had the chance to add as many nuggets to their buns as they liked, creating a sandwich that’s surprisingly similar to the classic Chick-fil-A order.

Double-checking your mental math? Yes, those makeshift sandwiches cost them less than $20.

Pro tip: To make them taste even more like the real deal, you can add a side of Chick-fil-A sauce for just 25 cents per packet. You’re welcome!

How much would it normally cost to feed a family of five at Chick-fil-A?

Johnson spent around $18.25 for his chicken sandwiches, but if he had purchased them individually, they would have cost around $5 to $6 apiece, depending on the restaurant’s location. That would have put him in the neighborhood of $25 to $30—before adding sauces, sides and drinks. So Johnson’s hack saved him—and could save you—roughly between $7 and $12 (again, depending on where you live).

If you use fewer nuggets for your sandwich, you could stretch those savings even further. It depends on how big your family members like their sandwiches—and how hungry everyone is!

How much extra would the meal cost with sides?

Of course, most people aren’t stopping at just the sandwich or the nuggets. Once you start adding Chick-fil-A’s famous waffle fries and a drink for everyone, the bill can climb pretty quickly.

Waffle fries usually cost between $3 to $4, depending on whether you get a medium or large order. So that could add another $15 to $20 to your order. Drinks for each person could add another $2 to $3.50, so that’s an additional $10 to $17.50. Don’t worry—we’ll do the math for you. You’re basically looking at about $50 to $70 for your entire Chick-fil-A order. (And in case you were wondering, a combo meal with the sandwich, fries and drinks for five people is equally pricey, as Johnson notes when referring to the $45 or so he’d normally spend.)

Our suggestion? Get two or three sides and drinks and split ’em up! You’re already getting scrappy, so keep it going to extend the savings. Because let’s be honest—who’s not ordering fries at Chick-fil-A? And that shared order will still land you under the $25 mark.

What are people saying?

Johnson’s video earned more than 23,000 likes and plenty of comments, with parents chiming in about their own fast-food hacks. Some people said they’d already been doing the same thing for years. One commenter wrote, “My husband does this (gets a smaller nugget count for just him) if he ever has to go out for lunch for work and it’s awesome.” Another shared, “My mom did this in the ’90s.”

For families trying to stretch their dining-out budget, many agreed it’s one of those ideas that’s so simple, you can’t help but wonder why you didn’t think of it first.

Sources:

• Instagram: @jeffejohnson
• The Street: “Chick-fil-A Keeps Quietly Raising Prices”
• U.S. Bureau of Statistics: “Consumer Price Index”

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As we stood amid the coal-black volcanic landscape snapping photos and watching lightning flash in the distance, several women’s long hair suddenly began to stand on end, reminding me of those mad-scientist Van de Graaff electrostatic generators that always got laughs in high school physics class. This was Mother Nature’s not-so-amusing way of warning us of the very real danger that lightning could strike nearby. Our guide rushed us back into the truck for safety, and we descended the volcano as the storm rolled through.

The experience really got me wondering: If our truck could shield us from dangerous lightning on the surface of a volcano, just how safe would I be aboard an airplane traveling tens of thousands of feet above Earth in unstable air, surrounded by storm clouds—and what would happen if lightning struck that plane mid-flight?

To find out the answer (and to proactively put my mind at ease for my next air travel involving bad weather), I spoke with Daniel Bubb, PhD, a former pilot and the author of Landing in Las Vegas: Commercial Aviation and the Making of a Tourist City. Keep reading to find out just how worried he says passengers should be when flying in and around storms.

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Could lightning hit an airplane?

Yes. Lightning strikes on planes can happen because aircraft must regularly fly near or through thunderstorm systems, where the air is charged. When a plane enters these regions, it can briefly disturb the electric field, making it easier for electricity to jump to the aircraft as lightning instead of passing through the less conducive surrounding air.

Airbus notes that in-service aircraft are struck by lightning about once per year, which works out, on average, to roughly once every 3,000 flight hours, according to the company. To put that into perspective, a plane would need to make about 250 round trips between New York City and Los Angeles (at 12 hours each trip) before it would statistically get hit.

How dangerous is this?

Even when lightning makes direct contact with a plane, it usually has extremely limited impact on the aircraft and no effect on passengers. “Passenger planes are designed to mimic a Faraday cage, which acts as a receptor to absorb the electricity,” Bubb explains.

In practice, a metal structure—such as the 4×4 truck on my trip to the volcano or the body of an airplane—conducts electricity along its outer shell, allowing the current to travel across the exterior surface before safely exiting rather than passing through the cabin and the people inside.

That same principle also explains why an airplane passenger touching something metal inside the cabin, such as a seat frame, would still be safe in the event of a lightning strike. The aircraft’s structure conducts the electrical current primarily along its metal skin, while the inside of the aircraft remains electrically balanced, so electricity won’t flow through it. Imagine lightning as water from a faucet and a plane as a sealed tin can under its stream. The outside may get wet, but everything inside stays dry.

When can lightning be a bigger problem?

“It is rare, but the electricity from the lightning can interfere with the avionics and instruments,” Bubb says. “That would prevent the pilots from being able to talk to air-traffic controllers and use certain cockpit systems.”

Thankfully, there are numerous backup instruments and system redundancies built into planes to avoid scenarios like this. “I think the biggest misconception people have about airplanes that get hit by lightning is that they will explode, or the engines will fail, and the airplane will fall out of the sky,” says Bubb. “I attribute part of this to Hollywood movies. The likelihood of that happening is zero.”

Do airline pilots take any particular precautions to avoid lightning strikes?

Pilots always take precautions when it comes to severe weather. “We do not know the severity of a thunderstorm until we enter one, which is why we try to avoid them,” Bubb says. He adds that despite pre-departure weather briefings and helpful cockpit radar instruments, “lightning can hit a passenger plane during any phase of flight.”

In the rare event lightning does do damage to the airplane—which is designed to withstand such strikes—the pilot would follow standard protocol by flying the airplane away from the thunderstorm and landing at the nearest airport.

What should you do if your plane has been hit by lightning?

If your plane is ever struck by lightning, you might see a flash and feel a bump—but that’s usually about it. In such cases, Bubb advises, “stay calm, because even though it might be startling, the plane is safe, and the pilots are well qualified to handle any issues that might arise because of the lightning.”

And if you’re worried your aircraft was damaged in a past electrical storm? Don’t be. “If an airplane is struck by lightning, a mechanic will inspect it to see if there is any damage before the airplane reenters service,” Bubb says. Airbus, for example, has guidelines that include multiphase post-lightning-strike surface and system inspections, as well as a strict maintenance process to ensure planes remain 100% safe to fly.

Sources:

• Dan Bubb, former first officer at Air Vegas Airlines, professor in residence at the University of Nevada and author of Landing in Las Vegas; email interview, June 2026
• Airbus Operations: “Lightning Strikes”

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The post Could Your Airplane Get Struck by Lightning? A Pilot Reveals Just How Dangerous Flying in a Thunderstorm Could Be appeared first on Reader's Digest.

But does leaving a fan on all day actually work? We consulted Marlon Chambers, a Thumbtack pro advisory board member and the owner of Climate Control Systems, a Maryland-based heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) company. He’s going to set us straight on this very timely debate and strategy.

Summer heat is cranking up, so read on to learn the truth.

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Should you leave a ceiling fan on all day?

If you’re not going to be in the room, the answer is no. Despite what you might think, a ceiling fan doesn’t really cool the air. “It’s actually creating the effect of cooling on your body,” Chambers says.

Here’s why: As air moves across your skin, it speeds up the evaporation of sweat. Chambers likens it to the way moisture-wicking athletic clothing helps pull moisture away from your body. The result? You feel cooler, even though the room itself hasn’t changed temperature.

Your air conditioner works differently. Rather than cooling your body, it’s removing heat and humidity from your home. A ceiling fan can help circulate that conditioned air while you’re in the room, but by itself, it won’t turn an 80-degree room into a 75-degree one. As Chambers puts it, “Your fans are not really cooling the house. You may feel cool because the fan air is moving over you, but the temperature is what it is in the house.”

What are the issues with leaving your ceiling fan on all day?

If no one is there to enjoy the breeze, leaving the fan running comes with a few downsides.

It increases your energy bill

Ceiling fans are efficient, but they’re not free to run. Most modern ceiling fans, including Energy Star models, use roughly 15 to 100 watts of electricity, depending on size and speed. That may sound small compared with an air conditioner, but it adds up over time.

If a mid-range fan runs continuously for a month, it can consume 50 to 100-plus kilowatt-hours of electricity. That’s enough to add roughly $10 to $20 per month per fan in many U.S. homes, depending on local energy rates. Run it all summer, and you’re easily looking at the cost of a couple of takeout dinners for a room no one is in.

It can actually warm the room (slightly)

It sounds counterintuitive, but every electric motor produces heat as a by-product of doing its job. A ceiling fan won’t turn your living room into a sauna, but it does gently offset some of the cooling you’re trying to maintain.

In a closed room, that small heat output—combined with constant air movement—means the fan is not actively lowering the temperature. Instead, it’s simply redistributing air that’s already there. “There’s no such thing as cool air being created by a fan … only heat being moved around or removed by air conditioning,” says Chambers.

So while you won’t feel the difference on a thermometer, the idea that the fan is “pre-cooling” an empty room doesn’t hold up.

It adds wear and tear

Like any appliance with a motor, ceiling fans have a finite lifespan measured in operating hours. Most residential ceiling fans are designed to last around 10 to 15 years under normal use, but running them continuously accelerates that clock.

Every hour of unnecessary operation adds up: more strain on bearings, more vibration over time and a greater chance of needing maintenance or replacement sooner than expected. In other words, it’s not that the fan will fail tomorrow; it’s that you’re spending its lifespan while getting no real benefit in return.

It can stir up dust

If blades aren’t cleaned regularly, they collect particles that get redistributed every time the fan spins. That’s more than a cosmetic issue. Dust in indoor air is a known irritant, and for people with allergies or asthma, it can make symptoms worse.

Chambers emphasizes that maintenance matters. “You definitely want to keep it clean,” he says. “The dirtier the fan blade gets, it uses more power to operate that fan.” In other words, dust gets blown around and makes the motor work harder, reducing efficiency.

Chambers recommends cleaning ceiling-fan blades about once a month, or more frequently in homes with pets or high dust levels. It’s a small chore, but one that keeps both air quality and efficiency in check.

What will actually cool down your room?

A ceiling fan is still one of the best tools for staying comfortable. You just have to use it correctly.

In summer, the blades should rotate counterclockwise to push air downward. Most ceiling fans have a small switch near the motor housing that lets you reverse the blade direction with the seasons. In winter, switching the fan to a clockwise rotation at a low speed helps recirculate warm air that collects near the ceiling.

To help your air conditioner work more efficiently, Chambers also recommends blocking heat before it gets inside. Blackout curtains or shades can reduce solar heat gain during the hottest part of the day, and UV-blocking window film (available at most home-improvement stores) can help keep sunny rooms from heating up as quickly.

What else should you keep in mind about your ceiling fan?

The right fan can make a bigger difference than many homeowners realize. Chambers says people often choose smaller, decorative fans based on looks, but a fan that’s too small for the room won’t circulate air effectively. Larger spaces need longer blades that can move air across the room, not just directly beneath the fixture.

If you’re tempted to leave the fan running while you’re out, you’re not alone. “Quite often we see people who just leave their fan running,” Chambers says. But the cooling they’re counting on isn’t happening. Save the breeze for when you’re actually in the room, and let your air conditioner do the job it was designed to do.

Sources:

• Marlon Chambers, Thumbtack pro and owner of Climate Control Systems in Maryland; interviewed, June 2026
• Energy Star: “Certified Ceiling Fans”
• Pick HVAC: “Ceiling Fan Electricity Usage”

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Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds, and don’t worry—we won’t keep it a surprise. Read on to find out exactly what’s in our party package, and celebrate all the wonderful things our nation is and can be. Happy 250th, America!

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America: Then and Now

• Here’s What Life Was Like in 1776 vs. Today
• 12 Totally American Foods That Didn’t Originate Here—And 8 That Did
• Not in a Celebratory Mood? America Has Overcome Hard Times Before, and These 5 Historical Facts Prove It

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• An Ode to Our Favorite Things That Are “So American”
• What’s Your Greatest Wish for America?
• Readers Share the Moments That Make Them Feel the Most American

All-American Trivia and Stats

• Can You Answer These Tricky U.S. Trivia Questions?
• Fun Facts About America You Never Knew
• Funny Stats About Americans
• Presidential Trivia for History Buffs

America the Tasty

• The Best Breakfast in Every State
• The Best Comfort Food in Every State
• The Most Iconic Diner Near You
• The Best Burger in Every State

Constitutional Quirks and Other Founding Facts

• Why Did the Founders Create the Electoral College—And Why Do We Still Have It?
• The Declaration of Independence vs. The Constitution: What’s the Difference?
• Here’s Why the U.S. Constitution Uses the F’s for S’s
• How Many Signatures Are on the Declaration of Independence?

The Best in Every State

• The Best Bucket-List Trips in Every State
• The Best Weekend Getaways in Every State
• The Most Historic Landmark in Every State
• The Coolest Hidden Gems in Every State

And that’s just the beginning. Click here to find even more great content featuring the best things in every state, so you can explore and eat your way through this great country of ours. After all, America is about all of us, and you deserve to be celebrated too.

Again, Happy 250th, America—and here’s to another 250!

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

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Speculation was running rampant before the big day, with both insiders and regular people like us left in the dark about the details. Would it even be at MSG? (Yes.) Would Stevie Nicks perform? (Yes again.) Was it going to be expensive? (Oh my gosh, yes times a million.) Rumors that seemed plausible—like that they were secretly already married—evaporated into the New York heat wave as soon as we saw the JUST&T MARRIED marquee outside the venue on Friday night.

Other details are emerging too: Adam Sandler officiated—raise your hand if you had that on your bingo card (you did not!)—and scores of A-list celebs that we didn’t even know were friendly with the couple attended the soiree. Paul McCartney even dusted off the Beatles’ mega hit “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” performing the cheery plea for the first time in more than 60 years.

But even if many of us whiffed on the details, one thing was definitely true: This wedding was off-the-charts expensive. Initial estimates put the price tag at close to $25 million, but that number has been revised up—way up. Only time (and someone spilling the details) will tell, so right now, let’s just say it was pricey. Just how pricey are we talking? Read on.

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What did the wedding cost?

The eye-popping numbers now range from a low of $10 million all the way up to $50 million, which is the estimate one high-profile wedding planner gave to People this weekend. Yes, that’s pricey, but it’s New York! And Taylor! When you start tallying the security and the food and the cost of renting the massive venue itself—plus transforming it into an emerald-draped garden paradise, complete with full-sized trees, as the Daily Mail reported—things can add up quickly.

How does this break down, exactly?

Venue: $8 million to $10 million

Rates for booking the Garden run anywhere from $1 million to $2 million per day, Today reports. But that’s just the baseline rent. You also have to factor in insurance and the fact that the couple likely had to buy out the MSG staging crew’s contracts for the weekend. It also seems that the couple brought in their own crew: One equipment operator was wearing a “Taylor Swift Carpenters” shirt from her 2011 tour.

Security: $3 million to $6 million

Security for the event and all the celebs in attendance could have topped $1 million to $2 million per day, according to multiple sources. CNN reports that the couple wanted a “hermetically sealed environment” away from paparazzi, stalkers and other prying eyes, and you can bet that kind of security was not cheap.

Flowers: $1 million

Flowers are one of the most expensive parts of any wedding, and it’s doubtful these two reduced costs by making their own arrangements—though snaps from the wedding show that Ashley Smith, sister of Kelce’s teammate Trey Smith, caught a rather understated (and slightly limp) bouquet. In addition to the trucked-in trees, there were tens of thousands of peach and white roses, both setting the scene and adding to the cost.

According to People, Kelce spent $38,000 transforming his backyard into a flower-filled garden for the proposal, so we know that at least one half of the couple has no problem shelling out money for blooms. A wedding planner quoted by CNN says that while $500,000 is not unheard of for high-end weddings, Swift’s flower bill could have easily hit the $1 million mark.

Food: $700,000 to $1 million-plus

Early reports were scarce on this aspect of the Swift-Kelce nuptials, though Page Six snapped tons of pictures of food, including lobster, chicken, eggs and fresh produce, being delivered to Madison Square Garden before the big day.

A source told NBC News that a high-end wedding with a three-course meal costs at least $600 per head, but since the couple opted for a buffet (TMZ reported that celebs stood in line for grub just like us regular people), food costs are a little hard to pin down.

Entertainment: Possibly $2 million-plus

Someone has to get the dance floor hopping, and Stevie Nicks and Paul McCartney were more than happy to oblige. According to a celebrity booking agency, Stevie Nicks commands roughly $2 million per event, but since she and Swift are pals, she may have performed gratis as a wedding gift. (Sir Paul, if paid, would not be cheap either!) In other words, this price tag is up in the air.

The couple also made charitable donations of $26 million

Yes, you read that right: The couple generously gave $26 million to charities working to combat food insecurity, including Kansas City’s Harvesters Community Food Network, New York’s City Harvest, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s The Store, which helps feed people in Nashville.

Others who received donations were the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Grammy Museum Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Dolly even posted a sweet thank-you message to the couple on social media!

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A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton)

Why $26 million? Swifties know that the number 13 has special significance to Taylor, so speculation is rampant that the charitable donations double that number.

How does this compare to a normal wedding?

It’s just a smidge more. The average cost of a wedding in 2025 was $34,200, according to a survey by The Knot of more than 10,000 U.S. couples who got married last year. The biggest driver of the cost, whether you’re an international superstar or a regular person getting married in a church basement, is location, location, location—and New York City tops the list.

Is this the most expensive wedding ever?

No, but it’s definitely rubbing shoulders with some pricey unions. Here are the price tags for some other famous—and not-so-famous—nuptials. (Those two couples at the top of the list? Anant and Isha are siblings … and the children of the richest man in India.)

• Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant: $600 million
• Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal: $100 million
• Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez: $46 million to $55 million
• Prince Charles and Diana Spencer: $48 million
• George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin: $4.6 million
• Kim Kardashian and Kanye West: $2.8 million

Sources:

• Today: “So, How Much Does a Wedding at Madison Square Garden Actually Cost?”
• People: “Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s MSG Wedding Is a ‘Herculean Effort’ That Could Cost Up to $50 Million, Expert Estimates”
• Mediaite: “Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Creating a ‘Hermetically Sealed Environment’ for Their Wedding in the Middle of NYC”
• Daily Mail: “Inside Taylor Swift’s $50 million wedding of the century”
• TMZ: “Taylor & Travis’ Wedding Guests Waited in Line for Buffet, Struggled to Find Seats”
• People: “How Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Hand-Picked Charities Learned About $26M Donation: ‘Boy, Have I Got News for You’”
• The Knot: “Average Wedding Cost”
• The Knot: “The Most Expensive Weddings in History, Ranked by Their Eye-Popping Price Tags”
• People: “Taylor Swift’s Fairytale Engagement Flowers Likely Cost Up to $38K and Used Over 2,000 Blooms, Says Expert”

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Luckily for us, one of America’s favorite off-price department stores is getting even bigger, with 12 new locations on the way—some of which could be popping up surprisingly close to you. And if you’re anything like me, the thought of a brand-new store packed with fresh inventory is reason enough to get excited.

Fun fact: This retailer welcomes hundreds of millions of shoppers every year, making it one of the biggest names in off-price shopping. So if you’ve been hoping one would open a little closer to home or you’re just curious to see where it’s expanding next, you’ll definitely want to know if your area made the list.

Read on to find out whether a new bargain-hunting destination is headed your way.

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What discount department store is opening new locations?

Burlington is opening 12 new stores this July. The discount department store is part of the same off-price family as TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross Dress for Less and Century 21—meaning it’s the kind of place where you walk in looking for a pair of socks and somehow leave with a new handbag, throw pillows and a coffee maker.

Like its competitors, Burlington buys brand-name merchandise at discounted prices and sells it for up to 60% below traditional department-store prices. Inventory changes constantly, so the experience is less about shopping from a carefully curated collection and more about the thrill of discovering an unexpected bargain. One week, there may be shelves full of designer sneakers; the next, it’s kitchen gadgets, luggage or home decor. That’s exactly why so many shoppers treat every visit like a treasure hunt.

The new stores will also feature Burlington’s updated layout, designed to make browsing even easier. In a statement about the expansion, CEO Michael O’Sullivan said, “We look forward to giving shoppers the chance to explore great savings, find fresh brands and experience our new and improved store design no matter where they live.”

Where will they be located?

If you’re curious to see what all the excitement is about, you’ll have several new Burlington stores to choose from this month. Here’s where shoppers can expect the doors to open:

• Hillsboro, Oregon (July 3)
• Houston, Texas (July 3)
• Montclair, California (July 10)
• Quakertown, Pennsylvania (July 10)
• Paris, Tennessee (July 10)
• Austin, Texas (July 10)
• Forney, Texas (July 10)
• Lubbock, Texas (July 17)
• Keizer, Oregon (July 17)
• Moscow, Idaho (July 23)
• Salem, Oregon (July 31)
• Denton, Texas (July 31)

Is Burlington really more than just coats?

It is! If you’ve ever assumed Burlington only sells winter coats, you’re definitely not alone. That’s because the retailer actually started life as Burlington Coat Factory when it opened in 1972, building its reputation around outerwear. But over the years, shoppers kept coming back for much more than coats, and the company’s inventory grew far beyond its original niche.

Eventually, the name no longer matched what customers were finding inside the stores. Between 2014 and 2016, Burlington gradually retired the words Coat Factory from its branding and shortened the name to simply Burlington. So while the name may still make you picture racks of puffer jackets, that’s really just a throwback to where the company got its start.

Source:

• USA Today: “Burlington Opening 12 Stores Across These 6 States in July”

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If you ask me what I think of as “so American,” my brain short-circuits a little bit. Visions of flags, fireworks and all things red, white and blue on the 4th of July immediately pop into my head. But beyond that, I draw a blank. Everything else is pretty universal, as far as I can tell.

Well, my friends who live overseas would like a word.

They remind me quite how American something like football is. Not soccer—American football, which you don’t actually use your feet for. OK, I’ll give them that one. But then there are things like prom, homecoming and red Solo cups. Wide, open highways and cross-country road trips. Greasy-spoon diners, county fairs and trick-or-treating. And let’s not forget malls, where I spent the better part of my very ordinary and apparently very American teenage years.

While we know that life is different elsewhere, we don’t quite realize it until someone looks at us like we’re nuts and we have to explain why Black Friday is even a thing. (To be honest, I’m not sure if I can explain that one.) But when I look at that list above, I get an immediate feeling of being home. It’s all so familiar that simply reading about it feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket. The simple pleasures in our very American lives just may be the best—and that list is just the start. So on America’s 250th birthday, the Reader’s Digest editors decided to celebrate all of the little things that we tend to take for granted but our lives wouldn’t be the same without.

Read on for our favorite parts of American life—and see if your favorites made the list.

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S’mores

The first bite is always the best. The melty chocolate, the perfectly toasted marshmallow oozing out the sides and the satisfying crunch of graham crackers all come together in one sticky, sweet masterpiece. It’s gooey and impossible to eat neatly—which just might be why we love s’mores so much. One taste, and suddenly you’re transported back to smoky campfires and summer nights.

For me, s’mores are more than just a dessert—they’re practically a family tradition. I can remember having them at almost every family gathering growing up. Whether we were hanging out around a backyard fire pit or gathering with friends for bonfires, somebody always brought out the marshmallows and chocolate. While waiting for our turn to roast the perfect golden marshmallow (or accidentally setting one on fire—which I secretly don’t mind, because I like mine with a little crisp), we would tell scary stories and share funny memories that somehow got better every time they were told.

That sense of togetherness is part of what makes s’mores feel so American. The treat itself dates back to 1927, when a recipe called “Some More” appeared in the U.S. Girl Scout handbook, Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. One bite apparently wasn’t enough, and the name eventually became the shorter—and much cuter—s’more.

But what I love most is how customizable they are. Sure, the classic combination of milk chocolate, marshmallow and graham crackers is hard to beat, and it’s my personal favorite. But there are endless possibilities. Some people swear by dark chocolate, while others prefer white chocolate. Peanut butter cups, cookies, strawberries or even flavored marshmallows can completely transform the experience. No two people seem to make them exactly the same.

In a way, that variety reminds me of America itself. Our country is made up of different backgrounds, traditions and tastes, yet somehow those differences come together to create something uniquely wonderful. Pair that with the history of the ingredients themselves, and it’s easy to see why s’mores feel so quintessentially American: Graham crackers were born in the U.S., marshmallows have roots in ancient Egypt and chocolate traces its origins to Central America. Individually, they come from very different places, but together they create something far greater than the sum of their parts.

Maybe that’s why this humble campfire treat has endured for generations. It’s not just about the chocolate or the marshmallow. It’s about the stories told between bites, some that linger long after the last sticky fingers have been wiped clean. And honestly, who hasn’t looked at a perfectly toasted marshmallow and thought, I could definitely have s’more? —Mariah Thomas, Associate Editor

High school football

Tickets to NFL games are pretty astronomical these days, and not everyone lives in a great college town. But a few bucks will get you in the stadium to support your local high school team—and you’re guaranteed to feel a closer connection to that team than you’d expect.

As a kid who grew up watching professional and college football on TV, the players always felt more like superheroes than real people to me. But when I went to the local high school’s games, I recognized the players on the field. I spotted my friend’s older brother, a neighbor from down the street and, eventually, my classmates. Those kinds of connections make you root harder for your team, and they’re not limited to the parts of football that happen between the white lines. There are marching bands (some of which have more than 300 members!), plus cheer and dance teams.

I live in Texas, where football is like a religion and the local high school stadiums are our churches. Outsiders can view these facilities with suspicion, and that’s understandable. “Do you need a $40 million behemoth with 10,000 seats and a video board the size of a gas station?” they ask. To which we reply: “Don’t you want the best for your kids?”

All that emotional and financial investment in our high school football team makes sense to me at about 6:58 p.m. every Friday. That’s when the bleachers are packed and the team comes charging onto the field to the sound of the band playing the fight song at full volume. It gives me goosebumps every time.

High school football is the American melting pot, played out in miniature across countless fields in the fall. We may come from different backgrounds, disagree on politics and carry different beliefs. But after both teams take the field and the national anthem plays, it’s hard not to feel like we’re all Americans—even if I want my team to beat your team. —Cameron Songer, Newsletter Editor

Diners

Decisions, decisions. The pancakes are calling to me. But so is the massive BLT with the perfectly crisped bacon that is almost too big to take a bite out of. Oh, but wait—there’s also the rice pudding, scooped high into an old-fashioned ice cream glass. Even as I consider the options and glance at the picture-perfect cakes behind the glass display, though, I know what I’m going to choose.

“Fries with melted mozzarella and a side of gravy, and an egg cream, please.”

That was 16-year-old me, anyway. After three straight years of ordering this combo during late-night diner runs with my high school crew, I’m pretty sure I was half fries and egg cream by the time I graduated. I’m not going to lie, I still have a soft spot for that order, but since then, my palate has expanded to all the deliciousness offered at a diner.

It’s comfort food to the max—and not just because of the food itself. A diner has the same classic feel, no matter where you go, and a surprisingly similar cast of characters. And while I was born well after the Grease-style vibe of the ‘50s diners with their bright-red vinyl seats and the black-and-white checkered floors, some still have mini jukeboxes affixed to the booths. Whenever I see those, I get a flash of nostalgia remembering how I begged my mom for quarters so I could play music while we ate. (And, naturally, argued with my brother over the selections.)

The very first “diner” was actually a horse-drawn wagon, believe it or not. Created way back in 1872 in Providence, Rhode Island, it was a place for workers to grab a late-night bite. And even as the concept changed and expanded, it never lost that very normal, very casual, very American vibe. But maybe the best part was the community that formed around these little pop-up spots. They were the original “nicest places,” where the waitstaff knew the regulars and welcomed them at any time of the day or night.

For me, the diner, no matter where it was, was my first regular spot—one that was both wholesome and affordable. It was the place where my parents took us for a special splurge. The place where my high school friends and I recapped a Saturday-night movie. The place where my college friends and I stumbled into for hangover food the morning after. The place where I now take my kids when they want fries with melted mozzarella (and I really don’t want to cook).

And every time I go to a diner, I visit that in-between mental space of nostalgia and new memories that makes me feel like I’m home. Just with cheese fries. —Dawn Yanek, Deputy Editor

Country music

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love country music. I know some people think country songs are all about drinking beer and driving pickup trucks. And, yes, there’s a lot of that. But those tropes exist for a reason: Facing an empty glass or the open road lends itself to the vulnerable, confessional songwriting that country music is known for.

I first heard the phrase three chords and the truth in a Carly Pearce song called “Country Music Made Me Do It.” I thought this was Carly’s clever way of describing the genre, but it’s actually been around since the ’50s. Obviously, “the truth” reflects that candid, unfiltered honesty in the lyrics, while “three chords” gets at the simplicity of the arrangements—not “simple” as in unsophisticated, mind you. Rather, “simple” as in uncomplicated, easy, elegant even. Much like the cowboys who show up so often in them, country songs are unfussy and unpretentious.

Many country artists write or co-write their own songs, and almost all my favorites (Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie & Tae) consider themselves songwriters first. The stories they tell in their music are intensely personal yet incredibly relatable, because they’re singing about things we’ve all experienced: the magic of falling in love, the sting of losing it and the redemption of overcoming that. You don’t need to ride tractors, raise cattle or grow up in a small town to know how it feels to be in their boots. And because they’re so forthcoming about the lowest of their lows—their mistakes, regrets, disappointments and self-doubts—it makes the highs more rewarding. They’ve earned their newfound love, their self-worth and, yes, that cold beer on a Friday night.

I love country music for the compelling stories it tells, and those stories are largely (though not exclusively) American stories. And not just because they’re set along interstates in Fords and Chevies or at honky-tonks with Tennessee whiskey and Kentucky bourbon nearby. No, the most iconic piece of Americana found in country music is the freedom of forging your own path and the rugged determination to do it. —Emily Goodman, Senior Editor

Cowboy movies

If you polled a hundred random people and asked them what the quintessential American art form was, the Western would be right up at the top (though jazz might like a word). One of the earliest movies ever put to celluloid was a silent short called The Great Train Robbery (1903), and the genre has been floating in and out of the American consciousness ever since.

I am here for it. Urban Cowboy? I catch it at least once a month. The Electric Horseman? I never stop trying to find this no-longer-streaming gem starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. No Country for Old Men? Why did you go back for that money, dude?

Now, let’s be clear: Although I was raised in Oklahoma and now live in Texas, I am, at best, peripherally connected to cowboy culture. I grew up on a golf course, not a ranch, and while many people in this part of the country have a pair of boots and possibly a hat that they could pull on in a Western-themed emergency, I am not one of them.

But Westerns are for everyone, and they tell a story of a nation that is constantly reinventing itself. When reformed outlaw Will Munny (Clint Eastwood) comes to terms with his violent past in Unforgiven, we recognize our own story and things we’d rather forget. When Bud (John Travolta) leaves his tiny Texas town for Houston in Urban Cowboy, we totally get why he’d ditch his old life and head to Gilley’s.

Westerns do have negatives, especially the early ones that presented a decidedly sanitized version of American history. The violent westward expansion of the frontier and the forced removal of Native American tribes to my home state of Oklahoma have been frequently and shamefully underrepresented.

But one thing I love about the genre is that it lends itself to reinvention as easily as jumping on a horse and riding out of town. (To be honest, I don’t know if this is easy. Like Po Campo in Lonesome Dove, I prefer to walk.) The great Western director John Ford saw that the cowboy movie didn’t do justice to the depth of the American experience, and his The Searchers in 1956 ushered in a wave of revisionist Westerns—from The Outlaw Josey Wales to Little Big Man to David Milch’s more recent, and spectacular, Deadwood.

It’s this capacity for blunt self-criticism that makes Westerns great. To paraphrase (because this is a family website) Deadwood’s profane, brilliant Al Swearengen: We’re all of us haunted by our own thoughts. So make friends with the ghost—it ain’t going anywhere. —Ally Childress, Editor

Thanksgiving

There are a lot of things that come to mind when I think of Thanksgiving: buttery dinner rolls, a turkey we’re all worried might be dry, and football games on TV from dawn till dusk. The spread of food is something to behold, and we marvel at everything from the green bean casserole to a juicy ham that seems to get bigger every year. Don’t even get me started on the debate over fresh or jarred cranberries—sometimes it doesn’t even get touched!

We graze on appetizers for what feels like an eternity, and the cocktails keep flowing through dinner. If I’m around relatives I haven’t seen in a while, I’m answering questions, but in reality, I’m dodging a lot of them. Before we dive into the bounty of food, we take a minute and say what we’re thankful for and, of course, compliment the hostess.

In between servings of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing and glazed vegetables, we’re thinking about where we are on holiday shopping or if we’ll brave the crowds on Black Friday. And eventually, some guests decamp to the living room, while others take a turkey nap. There’s always a cast of characters lingering around the table causing their own type of entertaining chaos.

Before you know it, it’s time for dessert! These sweet treats have been passed down through generations, and the table isn’t complete without apple and pumpkin pies. Brownies and cheesecake are a must, as is the whipped cream. The men are usually lost to football at this point, and the women tend to reminisce about holidays past as they load the dishwasher and clear the table. Leftovers are a hot commodity, and I’m grabbing turkey legs, stuffing and whatever is left on the dessert table. Hey, you snooze, you lose!

At the end of the day, I head home with a happy heart and warm memories. —Lindsay Barton, Social Media Editor

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The post An Ode to Our Favorite Things That Are “So American” appeared first on Reader's Digest.

It’s all over the news: The president stands accused of raiding federal funds for personal projects. Members of Congress are caught paying and accepting bribes. Rival parties divide voters, then submit multiple conflicting sets of election results from the same state. Florida, predictably, is at the center of the mess. There are riots. The whole dispute ultimately gets handed to a special commission to sort out, and the country doesn’t have a new president for months after the election.

Sound familiar? This tale of electoral chaos isn’t from 2020. Brace yourself: We’re talking about 1876.

“It is unquestionably the most corrupt presidential election we have ever had,” says historian Greg Jackson, an associate history professor at Utah Valley University and the host of the wildly popular podcast History That Doesn’t Suck. “And by a margin that makes everything else pale.”

Jackson would know. He spent three years deep-diving into American history for his new book, Been There, Done That: How Our History Shows What We Can Overcome, published just in time for America’s 250th birthday—a milestone that, let’s be honest, a good portion of the country isn’t exactly throwing confetti about.

Why cynicism about our country is on the rise

The same day I interviewed Jackson, I interviewed a woman who is 101 years old. When I asked what she’d say to people who are nervous about these times, I expected her to say something reassuring. Instead, she told me this was “hands down the worst this country has ever been” and that people were right to be scared. This is a woman who lived through World War II, the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement.

When I told Jackson about my conversation with the woman, he didn’t miss a beat. “Oh, Thomas Jefferson said the same thing,” he said. In the years after the hyperpartisan print wars of the 1790s—wars Jefferson himself helped ignite, by the way—he dramatically lamented that men in Congress used to disagree on policy and then still go to dinner together. Now, he wrote, they crossed the street to avoid each other. “Why are people so cruel? Why is society so uncivil? Whyyyy?” he cried. (I’m paraphrasing.)

“It’s both hilarious and reassuring,” Jackson says, “that even Thomas Jefferson—primarily the author of the Declaration of Independence, one of the most brilliant minds in human history—fell into that same human habit of romanticizing the past while feeling, very viscerally, all the pains and woes of the present.”

But this cynicism, while understandable, may be misplaced. In fact, that is the whole premise of Jackson’s book: Nothing happening today is unprecedented, and not only have we been through worse, but we’ve actually come through it stronger and better. That’s the message Jackson has been carrying to audiences across 30 states with his live show and podcast, which has been downloaded tens of millions of times. At every stop, he hears echoes of my centenarian friend: People are despondent. They feel like things have never been worse.

So if you, too, aren’t feeling great about the state of things in America today, it’s not just you. And historically speaking, it never was.

But there were many reasons to be optimistic then, and there are just as many, if not more, reasons to be optimistic about our country now. To prove that to you, I asked Jackson to walk us through five stories in American history that parallel what is happening today. Read on to put the current political climate into perspective and better understand where we can go from here.

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Misinformation started with the Founding Fathers

If you’ve seen Hamilton, then you know that the Founding Fathers didn’t need social media to get into a battle of diss tracks. Before social media, before cable news, before algorithms, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson tried to destroy each other in public, often underhanded ways. “I can regale you with tales of this happening in the 1790s,” Jackson says, “with Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson doing their best to kill each other in the press—under pseudonyms, basically like someone taking social media today and using bots or fake handles to cover the tracks of what they’re saying.”

The print war Jackson chronicles in Chapter 1 of his book wasn’t just about partisan spin. Benjamin Franklin himself—Founding Father, statesman, flier of kites in lightning storms—printed an elaborate, completely fabricated horror story to gain leverage in negotiations with Britain. He forged an entire fake edition of a real Boston newspaper, complete with invented accounts of Native Americans scalping hundreds of women, children and infants—gruesome enough, he hoped, to shock the British public into supporting American demands for reparations. “The story was horrific, and it was pure fiction,” Jackson says. “It was a blunder, and Ben Franklin knew it. He felt it in his soul the moment he let go of the paper.”

The lesson isn’t that our Founders were hypocrites (though maybe a little). It’s that misinformation isn’t a product of the internet age. It’s a product of being human. “We’ve had fake news constantly,” Jackson says, noting that we are equipped to deal with it. “It is incumbent upon citizens and the republic to think, to learn, to study. You don’t get government by the people without the people doing a lot of work.”

Violence has always been a part of our politics, and things were really bad in the 1800s

If January 6th made you feel like political violence in America was something new and out of control, consider 1856. Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts gave a fiery speech denouncing slavery and mocked a South Carolina senator by name. Two days later, that senator’s cousin, Representative Preston Brooks, walked onto the Senate floor and beat Sumner so savagely with a metal-tipped cane that Sumner couldn’t return to work for three years.

The South celebrated Brooks as a hero. Admirers sent him commemorative canes. The North was horrified. The country felt like it was being torn apart.

Sound familiar? Jackson thinks it should. Political violence—including the kind that happens inside the halls of government itself—has been a recurring feature of American life, not an aberration. What changed wasn’t human nature. What changed, eventually, was enough Americans refusing to accept it.

Contested elections are as American as apple pie

The Hayes-Tilden election of 1876 is a particularly important chapter, according to Jackson. “By the time you get through this election, the investigation of the challenged results produced evidence of—and think about this—somewhere in at least the low hundreds, Black Americans being killed.” At the time, White supremacist paramilitary groups were murdering Black voters to suppress the Republican vote, and it worked. In South Carolina alone, an estimated 150 Black Republicans were killed. Had there not been voter suppression in the South, Hayes likely would have won.

And then there was the documented bribery. “We have the receipts, to use the 21st-century phrase on a 19th-century election,” Jackson says. Elected officials were offered cash to change their votes. Members of Congress literally carried money to contested Southern states, hoping to pay out bribes in person. Four states submitted multiple conflicting sets of electoral returns. Florida alone sent three. Congress ultimately punted the whole mess to a special 15-person commission, which voted along strict party lines. The winner was decided in February, four months after Election Day.

“In 2020, we had some questioning of the returns,” Jackson says. “But it’s so much uglier when Congress is facing more than one set of returns. This isn’t even a yes-or-no, are we going to count the state? It’s which set are we going to count from this state?”

History doesn’t repeat itself, Jackson likes to say, quoting Mark Twain. But it often rhymes.

We have abandoned our ideals before—and then reclaimed them

One of the most painful stories in Jackson’s book isn’t about an election or a riot. It’s about what almost happened … and then didn’t. After the Civil War, during Reconstruction, Black Americans briefly gained access to the ballot, to office, to the promises of America. Then, in a moment Jackson calls one of the most consequential failures in U.S. history, the country abandoned them to the Jim Crow laws, starting in the 1870s.

“This is not a happy story by any means,” Jackson acknowledges. “We came so close to truly bringing Black Americans into the promises of the American experiment, and then ultimately we abandoned them to this half measure. Better than slavery, but only just. And we walked away for nearly a century.”

But even here, Jackson insists on the fuller picture. Because embedded in Reconstruction—and in its ugly dismantling, which included real armed insurrections to overthrow elected governments in the South—are the heroes. The people who showed up. Voters who exercised their rights, despite violence and intimidation. Legislators who held the line as long as they could. Ordinary citizens who refused to simply comply.

“You don’t have heroes without the lows,” he says. “Even as we go into these dark moments, I’m pointing out where Americans can choose to engage.”

New tech has always disrupted democracy, and we’ve always adapted

If AI feels like an unprecedented threat to truth and democracy, Jackson has some useful historical context. In the 1890s, the introduction of the steam-powered printing press—which could crank out thousands of papers per hour instead of hundreds per day—created a media environment that felt just as chaotic and dangerous to people at the time.

Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst used the new technology to pioneer what became known as yellow journalism: sensationalized, often fabricated stories designed to inflame readers and sell papers. Some historians even believe their coverage helped push the country into the Spanish-American War.

“This is an absolute revolution, no question,” Jackson says of AI today. “But what we often forget about our previous revolutions is that those disruptions are always followed by an adjustment. The public figures it out. We learn how to operate with this new level of access to information.”

In other words: The printing press felt apocalyptic in the 1890s. Radio felt apocalyptic in the 1930s. Television felt apocalyptic in the 1960s. Each time, Americans eventually adapted.

“We’ve gone from writing with a quill to swiping with our thumbs,” Jackson says, “and we’ve managed every disruption, every massive industrial revolution, every technological revolution, you name it. I feel like we’re gonna do that again.”

Is anything actually unprecedented right now?

This is the question I pushed Jackson on the hardest, and his answer was nuanced. His instinct, as a historian, is to find the rhyme. He mentions reading a recent article about the current administration allegedly redirecting National Park Service funds for White House improvements—and immediately connects it to Chapter 3 of his book, where John Quincy Adams was accused of using public money to turn the White House into a “gambling den.” (His sin? Buying a chess board and a pool table. The outrage was roughly equivalent to what you might see on Twitter today.)

“I’m not absolving the accusation,” Jackson is careful to say. “But the American people thinking, questioning, wondering, doubting whether the president is taking privileges? It’s history rhyming.”

Are there things happening today that have genuinely never happened before? Certainly, but his concern isn’t really about whether any given action is unprecedented. It’s about whether Americans care enough to respond.

“The real question is less about whether it’s truly unprecedented and more about how much Americans care—are we going to actually push back, or are we going to shrug?” Jackson says. “Because if we shrug, we are basically ringing the dinner bell to all corrupt politicians. We are signaling to our public servants what they can get away with.”

He pauses, then adds: “There is no greater threat to this nation than cynicism.”

What to do with this info

Jackson doesn’t want you just to feel better. He wants you to do something. In his book’s conclusion, he leans heavily on the Founders’ concept of “public virtue”—the idea that a democracy requires active, engaged citizens to survive. Here’s how he says to practice it.

1. Become a perpetual learner—but pick your lane. Learn about the issues that concern you. “Don’t get intimidated and feel like you have to know everything,” Jackson says. “Pick a thing you’re into. Get a decent grasp of two or three issues, and those become your litmus test. When a politician starts sounding off on whatever it might be—are tariffs really taxes, or aren’t they?—you’ll know. And then you’ll know whether you can trust them.”

2. Show up beyond Election Day. “Voting in November is like getting a gym membership in January,” Jackson says. “You feel good, you’ve got your membership card, you can convince yourself you go to the gym even though it’s been months. But if you want better candidates, you have to be in the vetting process—the caucuses, the primaries, the local races. That’s where we actually pick who’s on the ballot. That’s how we stop ending up in November going, ‘How did we end up with a choice between Tweedledee and Tweedledumb?'”

3. Curate your own information diet. “People saying the internet is only full of fake news is like saying ‘There are so many fast-food joints, how can I eat healthy?’ Well, you drive past them. You go to the grocery store. No one is forcing you to get french fries and shakes for every meal. People are terrified of algorithms, and I understand that. But at the end of the day, we decide what we consume,” he says. “You have never had more ready access to better information. Stop using doomscrolling for your news. Curate your own. Follow reputable sources, including ones you disagree with.”

His own reading list: Foreign Affairs for national-security context, the Washington Post and New York Times for left-leaning reputable coverage, and the Wall Street Journal for the right. Plus, his local newspaper—which he subscribes to and considers essential. “That’s what checks corruption,” he says. “When the mayor knows everyone in a county of 600 will hear what happened, it keeps that mayor on his or her toes.”

Meet William Barney, the most underrated hero in American history

But perhaps the best way to strengthen public virtue is to look at all of the small heroes throughout our history and decide to be like them. When I asked Jackson for his favorite character in the book, he didn’t hesitate: William Barney, a militia commander during the Baltimore Riots of 1812.

Baltimore in 1812 was a powder keg. A mob of Jeffersonian Republicans (not the modern GOP—the party of Jefferson and Madison) was turning on Federalist opponents with terrifying violence. The mob had gotten its hands on a cannon.

William Barney was a Republican. The Federalists were his political enemies. But when the mob moved toward the cannon to fire it into the crowd of Federalists, Barney walked forward and pressed his chest against it. He stood between the cannon and its target, willing to die to stop his own side from killing people he disagreed with.

“He doesn’t move,” Jackson recounts. “The man with the match is moving toward the cannon, it’s clear they are going to light it—and it is barely avoided. But here’s a man who’s ready to die not just for his fellow partisans but for his fellow Americans with whom he disagrees, who are being threatened by those with whom he does agree.”

Jackson pauses.

“If they existed then, those people still exist now. We can find them. We can be them.”

Be the change you want to see

There are many ways you can participate in the political process, especially at the local level, and Jackson points out that is where you can have the biggest effect. He himself volunteers helping in local elections.

At the end of a book-tour stop in Nashville, someone asked Jackson if he’d ever consider running for president. “That made me laugh heartily,” he says. “I’m mildly embarrassed to even admit it, and it definitely caught me most off guard.”

But would he consider running for office? (After spending the better part of an hour chatting with him, I would vote for him. He’s that smart.) “I think that’s a question of where someone is most useful,” Jackson demurs. “I can’t fathom that I would be doing more good for the country holding office right now than having written this book over the last few years.”

For a country that could use a little more faith in itself right now, that might be exactly right.

“I’ve stared into the deepest darkness of our history,” Jackson says. “I’ve looked at our absolute lowest moments. And it has done nothing but show me the resilience of this nation, of this people. And I believe that resilience is still here today.”

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Source:

• Greg Jackson, associate professor of history at Utah Valley University, senior fellow in the Center for National Security Studies, host of History That Doesn’t Suck and author of Been There, Done That: How Our History Shows What We Can Overcome; interviewed, June 26, 2026

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Not in a peaceful, ergonomic way. More in the “has anyone seen her blink lately?” way. I had answered emails, edited copy, opened the same tab three separate times and ignored my water bottle so thoroughly that it may as well have been decorative. My body was technically present, but my brain had started giving me the spinning rainbow wheel.

This is the part of the workday when I usually make one of two bad choices. Either I keep pushing through and call it discipline, or I take what I insist is a “quick break” and somehow end up 45 minutes deep in a Reddit thread, wondering how I’m supposed to reenter normal society, let alone my inbox.

So when I heard about microbreaks—short, planned pauses that are supposed to help you work better by briefly not working—I was skeptical in the way only a person with insane deadlines can be skeptical. Lovely idea. Very cute. But was a three-minute break really going to help when my current options seemed to be “never stop” or “accidentally disappear into my phone”?

Still, the promise was appealing: less stiffness, less brain fog, maybe even better focus. Plus, there’s plenty of research behind the idea. A 2022 review published in PLOS One found that short breaks of 10 minutes or less can help reduce fatigue and improve well-being. And a 2023 study by Columbia University researchers found that five-minute walking breaks every half hour can help offset some of the physical effects of sitting too long.

That was enough to make me try microbreaks for a week. I did not expect a few minutes away from my desk to change my day in any meaningful way. But my usual approach of staying put until my brain gets fuzzy and my shoulders creep up to my ears was clearly not a winning strategy. So it couldn’t hurt. What I found, though, made me rethink my entire approach to work and life.

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Are we really getting up from our desks less these days?

In a word, yes. Many of us are spending long stretches at our desks without meaningful breaks—and even lunchtime is not safe from the laptop. According to ezCater’s 2024 Lunch Report, 98% of employees recognize that lunch breaks can help job performance and productivity, but only 38% take a break away from their desk every day at lunchtime. Another 2024 survey conducted by Opinium Research for Little Leaf Farms found that 76% of non-remote corporate workers eat lunch at their desks at least half the time.

Desk lunch is one of those habits that feels efficient right up until you are answering emails with a fork in one hand and end up with salad dressing on your keyboard.

But the issue is also bigger than lunch. We sit down, lock in and expect our brains to perform like machines that do not require movement, daylight or the occasional look at something that is not a screen.

David Strayer, PhD, a professor of cognition and neural science at the University of Utah who studies attention, says the problem is not just that sitting all day makes us stiff. It’s that our brains are not built to stay locked onto demanding work for hours without recovery. Over time, performance can start to drop, a pattern researchers call a vigilance decrement. “There’s a lot of literature on this,” Strayer says. “When people had to stay on task for a long period of time, there’d be this initial drop from higher levels of performance, and their performance degraded.”

What are microbreaks, exactly?

Microbreaks are short, intentional pauses during the workday that usually last just a few minutes and no more than 10 minutes.

That sounds almost too small to matter, which is probably why I initially underestimated them. I hear the word break and picture something more substantial: lunch, a nap, a two-week silent retreat where no one can ask me to “circle back.” But microbreaks are more like punctuation marks. They interrupt the workday before it becomes one endless sentence with no commas and a lot of lower back pain. The point is not to cram in another task; it’s to stop doing the main task long enough for your brain and body to reset.

Strayer points to the Pomodoro Technique as a useful starting point. The classic version of this time-management strategy involves focused work periods followed by short breaks—usually 25 minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break—though he says the exact timing can be adjusted. “I would start with that and then customize it to your own needs,” he says. “But the whole goal of it is to be thoughtfully driven as opposed to just stimulus driven by whatever things bombard you.”

That was the part I’d gotten wrong in the past. I had been treating any moment away from the main task as a break, even if I was still feeding my brain more noise. Emails, texts, headlines and social media all gave me something new to react to, not a reset. A microbreak is different because it has boundaries: You stop on purpose, do something simple and return before the pause turns into a detour.

What do microbreaks do for your brain and body?

Microbreaks give your brain and body a chance to recover before they start sending increasingly dramatic warning signs.

Strayer points to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that helps with problem-solving and decision-making. It relies on energy reserves of glucose and glycogen, and when you concentrate for too long, those reserves can start to dip. “Taking little microbreaks helps because it lets those resources, those reserves that supply and energize the brain, to replenish,” he says.

That can show up as feeling, as Strayer put it, “brain dead.” When I try to push through that feeling, I eventually reach the point where my brain is technically on but not especially useful. Everything takes longer than it should. Small choices start to feel strangely difficult. I keep working, but I’m slower and my judgment is less reliable.

During the week I took microbreaks, I did not come back from them suddenly brilliant. But I did gain a little more perspective. A problem I had been circling for 10 minutes looked more manageable. I finally realized why something I was editing felt “off.” The work did not get easier, exactly, but it got clearer.

Strayer says that may be especially true when your microbreaks get you outside, even briefly. “The research suggests that short walks out into a garden boost those neural reserves,” he says. In his own work on nature and attention, he has found that “the prefrontal cortex tends to settle down and not be so agitated or active in those natural settings. And then, when you come back to a cognitive task, your performance is better.”

That does not mean every microbreak has to be a romantic little stroll through an arboretum. During my experiment, I walked to the coffee shop on the corner. I stretched on my balcony. I sat in my building’s courtyard, staring longingly at the shifting waters of the pool. And, unsurprisingly, my body liked those little moments of release.

Hold on—aren’t long periods of focus supposed to be better for productivity?

Long periods of focus can be great for productivity, but the problem is that many of us are not actually getting long stretches of focus. We are getting fake focus: working for a while, checking email, glancing at a text, opening a headline, then trying to remember where we left off.

Strayer says that is exactly why a structured break routine can help. When you’re forcing yourself to get through hours of work at a time, “it’s really tempting to check your email or your social media or the news feed,” just for a brief distraction, he says. But those little checks are not harmless. “The research really shows we don’t multitask very well, and we don’t come back on task as well.”

That is the difference between a planned microbreak and a random interruption. When I took an intentional microbreak, I usually came back refreshed. When I “took a break” at my desk by checking email or doomscrolling, I came back with three new things to think about and the vague sense that society was crumbling. Not exactly restorative.

So how well did taking microbreaks work for me—really?

It worked better than I expected, but only after I took Strayer’s advice literally: Start with the Pomodoro idea, then customize it.

At first, I was not great at either part. I set a timer and immediately treated it like a suggestion from someone I did not respect. The timer would go off, and I would think, I’ll stop after this sentence. Then the sentence became a paragraph, the paragraph became an email, and the email became me realizing I had not moved in 90 minutes, so I might as well keep pushing. Which is usually how my days go anyway.

So instead of trying and failing to follow a perfect schedule, I used my favorite wellness technique and lowered my expectations. I treated the timing as a framework, not a mandate, aiming for short breaks every 30 to 60 minutes depending on the task. Sometimes I took five minutes away. Sometimes I took two. Sometimes I simply stood up and looked out a window like a woman in a period drama waiting for news from the front. Allowing myself that flexibility was crucial for me.

I did often feel myself resisting the microbreak when I knew it was coming. Every time the timer went off, my first instinct was: Absolutely not. We are busy. But when I actually let myself step away, the work did not fall apart. No deadline burst into flames. No Teams message popped up demanding why I had abandoned my sacred duty to wiggle a toy in front of my impassive cat for five minutes. By halfway through the week, the breaks started to feel less disruptive and more like a rhythm: work, pause, move, return. I was not doing less; I was just wasting less time pretending to work after my brain had clearly left the premises.

Did I feel more productive? Yes, though not in some grand way. I felt sharper, though. I caught myself before I slid into fake productivity. I had fewer stretches where I was technically at my desk but mentally wandering through a fog machine. I also felt better at the end of the day. Not “ready to run a 5K” better. Let’s remain grounded. But less drained, less stiff and less personally victimized by my laptop.

What mistakes should you avoid so you don’t mess up your microbreaks?

The biggest mistake is treating microbreaks like extra time to be productive, because that turns a break into just another task. Here’s what helped me get them right.

• Don’t turn your break into another work task. Strayer says to do something other than what the primary task is. If you stop writing to answer an email, that may be a task switch, but it is not a break.
• Don’t let your phone hijack your microbreaks. Social media and news feeds can spark rumination that follows you back to your desk, Strayer warns. Personally, I do not need a five-minute break that ends with me thinking about a stranger’s bad take for the rest of the afternoon.
• Don’t wait until you’re already fried. Microbreaks worked best when I took them before I hit the wall. Once I was running on fumes, the recovery period had to be longer.
• Don’t make the timing another thing to stress about. Some tasks need longer focus blocks. Some days are chaos. The point is to build in breaks thoughtfully, not turn your timer into a tiny tyrant.
• Do use a timer as a reminder. I would love to be the kind of person who simply remembers to take restorative pauses. I am not. A timer helped me notice when I’d been sitting too long, but I treated it like a nudge, not a commandment.
• Do move if you can. Walking outside worked best for me, but stretching, standing or walking around indoors can make a difference too.

So am I now a microbreak evangelist?

I do think the experiment changed how I look at my workday. Before, breaks felt like something I had to earn after enough productivity. Now they feel more like part of the productivity itself.

That does not mean every day goes perfectly. I still ignore timers and then realize I haven’t taken my microbreak an hour later. I still occasionally convince myself that “just one more thing” is a plan rather than a trap. And I definitely still eat lunch too close to my keyboard.

But when I do take microbreaks, the day feels less exhausting. Instead of getting into a staring contest with my laptop for eight hours, I blink, just a bit. And I really do feel the difference.

As Strayer reminded me, trying to “just slog through it all” may feel productive, but it ignores what our bodies actually need. “It just isn’t the way we work,” he says. “We’re physiological beings that need breaks.”

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• David Strayer, PhD, professor of cognition and neural science at the University of Utah; interviewed, June 2026
• PLOS One: “‘Give me a break!’ A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance”
• Columbia University Irving Medical Center: “Rx for Prolonged Sitting: A Five-Minute Stroll Every Half Hour”
• ezCater: “ezCater’s Third Annual Lunch Report Reveals Lunch Breaks Are Losing Ground to Busy Schedules”
• PR Newswire: “Three-Quarters of U.S. Corporate Workers are Eating Lunch at their Desk—and They’re Not Sad About It”

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The post I Tried “Microbreaks” to Be More Productive—And They Changed My Day in Ways I Didn’t Expect appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Fine! Great! Easy! Except the closer the party got, the more I spiraled. It just feels wrong to show up to a gift-giving occasion without a gift. What if everyone else brought something? So I pulled into a grocery-store parking lot on the way there, stared into the middle distance for approximately 45 seconds and then decided to get a bouquet of flowers. It felt like a good middle ground between a hostess gift and a birthday gift. Just in case.

It was the right call. At least half the guests had brought something. The birthday girl did the requisite “Oh, you shouldn’t have!” while visibly being delighted that we had. The rest of the party was fine, and I went home feeling vaguely relieved but also vaguely bewildered. What exactly was the etiquette rule here? Why ask for no gifts when it appeared the expectation was gifts? And do I really want to be friends with people who require mind-reading as a social skill?

This, it turns out, is the “no gifts” dilemma in a nutshell. It’s one of those gift-etiquette situations where everyone is trying to be polite and somehow everyone just ends up confused. Let’s discuss.

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Why people say “no gifts”—and whether they mean it

People put “no gifts” on invitations for all kinds of genuinely good reasons. Maybe their kid is the fourth child and they wanted a baby shower to celebrate, not accumulate more onesies. Or they’re thinking about guests who might feel financial pressure. Perhaps they’re trying to avoid the chaos of watching a 5-year-old tear through 40 presents while the adults stand around eating sheet cake. And don’t we all want to reduce clutter, waste, plastic or all of the above?

For adult parties, especially, “no gifts” is often a sincere attempt to take the transactional pressure off a celebration. When you’re celebrating a big birthday or hosting a low-key dinner, you might genuinely just want people to show up and enjoy themselves. Gifts can feel like a cover charge, and a thoughtful host doesn’t want guests to feel obligated.

The “no gifts” trend has been building for years, and it’s becoming more common at kids’ parties. According to a 2024 poll of more than 400 parents, about 1 in 8 birthday invitations now say “no gifts,” and yet roughly 3 in 10 parents still bring one anyway, with the average gift running around $28. Which means the “no gifts” instruction is more of a social suggestion than a hard rule. Whether you think that’s good or bad probably depends a lot on whether you’re the host or the guest.

The case for following the “no gifts” instruction

It’s pretty straightforward: It’s the person’s party, and they told you what they wanted. Respecting that is, at its core, what good manners are about.

There’s also a practical argument for compliance. When some guests bring gifts and others don’t—because some followed the instructions and some didn’t—you create a two-tier situation where the rule followers look like they skimped and the rule breakers look like they are showing off. The host then has to quietly manage a pile of gifts while pretending there’s no pile of gifts. It’s awkward for everyone, including the people who brought something.

And gift-giving creates reciprocal obligation. You bring something, so now the host feels like they need to get you something for your next birthday. Repeat this pattern enough times across enough social relationships and suddenly everyone is on a gifting treadmill that nobody signed up for. Sometimes “no gifts” is the host trying to do everyone a favor.

The case for bringing something anyway

Humans have been giving one another gifts at celebrations since approximately forever, and that instinct doesn’t disappear just because someone printed two words on the bottom of an invitation. Gift-giving is a love language for a reason. It’s a way of showing up, of saying “I see you and I wanted to honor this moment.” For many people, and across many cultures, arriving at a celebration completely empty-handed feels genuinely wrong, not just socially awkward.

There’s also the matter of your specific relationship to the person. If this is your best friend’s birthday and you always exchange gifts, “no gifts” probably doesn’t mean you two specifically have to stop; it means the general guest population is off the hook. Close relationships carry their own norms that supersede the invitation language.

The other issue, as I discovered at that fancy party, is that there’s no reliable way to know in advance whether other guests are also going to comply. You might be the only person who took the instruction seriously. Or you might be the only one who didn’t. Feeling like you got the memo wrong in either direction is its own special kind of uncomfortable.

The gray areas

The good news is that “no gifts” doesn’t actually have to mean “show up with nothing but your smile and hope for the best.” There are middle-ground options that let you honor the spirit of the request and still be the thoughtful person you are.

A card is always welcome. A sincere, handwritten note doesn’t count as a gift for these purposes, and it’s a genuinely lovely gesture. If you want to tuck in something small, a gift card to a local restaurant or bakery hits differently than a wrapped present and is easy for the host to tuck away without fanfare.

Flowers can work, but there’s an important caveat. If you go this route (as I did), bring them arranged, not as loose stems that require the host to locate a vase and find scissors while juggling 12 guests and a round of appetizers. Like holiday-party etiquette, the goal is to bring something that doesn’t create more work for the host at the critical moment they’re trying to host.

A bottle of wine or nice chocolates framed as a “hostess gift” rather than a birthday gift is another solid option. It’s a gesture of appreciation for having you, not a statement that you ignored the invitation.

If you want to do something more meaningful, consider making a small donation to a charity that matters to the person. Some people genuinely love this; others find it a bit impersonal. Know your audience.

What you should absolutely not do is bring a large, wrapped gift that requires public unwrapping and puts the host in the position of performing surprise and gratitude while making every giftless guest feel like they made the wrong call. If you are determined to give a real gift to someone who asked you not to, send it beforehand or drop it off afterward.

The kid factor

I want to specifically address children’s birthday parties here because the calculus is different. With adults, you can weigh your relationship to the host, the formality of the event, and your own comfort level. With kids’ parties, there’s a small human at the center of it all who has been looking forward to this day for months and does not fully understand why adults keep having feelings about it. The parents understand their child best, so if they say “no gifts,” then I would take that seriously.

I’ve also personally seen this turn into a family power struggle—with the parents trying to limit the massive amount of things that come with children, and grandparents feeling like it is their right to spoil the grandchildren with massive amounts of things. In which case, you should definitely follow the parents’ instructions to not bring a gift.

You can still bring a fun card if you’d like. Kids love getting mail and being seen. Again, what you want to avoid is the large-production gift—something that requires the birthday child to stop and open it in front of other guests who followed the rules and brought nothing. That creates the exact awkwardness the host was trying to prevent.

What if you disagree with the “no gifts” policy? This party isn’t about you. But if you really can’t go against your culture or nature, you are allowed to quietly bring something small and hand it directly to the parents for the child to open later. Just don’t make it a whole thing.

A handy cheat sheet

When to skip the gift entirely:

• Work events, office parties, professional contexts
• Large celebrations where you don’t know the guest of honor well
• Any event where the language is emphatic (“Absolutely no gifts, please!”)
• When you’re confident others will comply and a gift would be conspicuous

When a small gesture is appropriate:

• A close friend or family member’s birthday
• Intimate parties where a hostess gift makes sense regardless
• Kids’ parties where you want to acknowledge the child
• When you’d feel genuinely rude arriving without anything

What works: A heartfelt card, a small gift card to a restaurant or local spot, wine or chocolates as a hostess gift, flowers already in a vase, or a charitable donation

What doesn’t work: A large wrapped present that demands public opening, anything that puts the host in an awkward spot, or ignoring the request entirely and bringing the exact thing the host asked you not to

The verdict

The “no gifts” dilemma has an interesting twist compared to most of my columns. Technically there is a correct etiquette answer (honor the request), but the reality is so chaotic and the gray areas are so big that the verdict is genuinely ambiguous.

Here’s where I land: Not bringing a gift when the invitation says “no gifts” is not rude. It is, in fact, the technically correct and etiquette-approved choice. But bringing something small and low-key is also not rude, as long as you do it thoughtfully. A sincere card, a small consumable, flowers that are already in a vase are all fine. A lavishly wrapped present that demands acknowledgment and makes other guests feel bad is not fine, regardless of your intentions. The ruder move, honestly, is making it everyone else’s problem. Bring a gift or don’t—just don’t make it A Thing.

And if you’re the host? Know that some people will ignore your request, and that’s usually coming from a good place. The most gracious response to receiving something you didn’t ask for is always “Thank you so much.” Set the gifts aside, open them quietly later, and trust that your guests were trying to celebrate you. Even if they definitely should have read the invitation.

In the meantime, feel free to join me in the metaphorical parking lot as we stare into space and wonder if we should have just stayed home.

Have a social situation you can’t stop ruminating on? Email us at advice@tmbi.com, or message Charlotte on Instagram at @CharlotteHiltonAndersen.

Source:

• Deseret News: “Should you send a gift to a ‘no-gift’ birthday party?”

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This is your sign to join the conversation, because there’s a video going around that’s got the internet completely split, and the comment section is doing what it does best: overanalyzing every second of it. Some people are calling it the sweetest, most intimate proposal moment. Others? Not exactly.

Read on to find out why this proposal has the internet so divided, and decide for yourself: Is it a proposal yay … or a proposal nay?

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What happened in the viral proposal video?

@burgerqueen1016 I can’t believe there was ever a world where I thought I was gonna look pretty at my engagement #fyp #engagement #thatsmyfiance ♬ original sound – Patrick Bateman’s Headphones

A TikTok video posted in early June, now with more than 835,000 views, has made New York couple Joe Fromer and Sydney Burger’s engagement viral—not for a picture-perfect travel moment but for what happened after their 10-day romantic getaway to Italy.

Instead of proposing abroad, he waited until they were back home in their apartment—just after a 10-hour flight—when she was in sweats, had her hair in a bun, wasn’t wearing any makeup and was completely in post-travel comfort mode.

His goal? To completely catch her off guard. And he really committed to the misdirection. In an interview with ABC News, Fromer mentioned that during their time in Italy, he bought Burger a pair of shoes as a red herring, briefly convincing her that a ring might be hidden inside them and a proposal might happen then. (It didn’t—it was just a very strategic shoe drop.)

Behind the scenes, Fromer enlisted two close friends to transform their apartment into full proposal mode. The space was filled with Burger’s favorite flowers, sunflowers, along with candles and a carefully staged setup the group actually practiced multiple times to get right.

To make the moment even more real-time, they set up a webcam so family and friends could watch live as Fromer finally got down on one knee after returning home.

What are people saying?

The comments section has been pretty split, and pretty blunt. Many viewers focused on the timing choice, with one viral comment reading, “He forgot the ring at home?”—a line that picked up around 190,000 likes on its own. Others were more critical of the whole situation, with one person writing, “Not too be a negative Nancy but this really isn’t funny, I’d truly be heartbroken.”

Some defended Fromer’s decision, pointing out how “stressful it is trying to travel with an $8,000 ring in your pocket.” For one supporter, though, the proposal wasn’t about the destination at all—it was about the thought behind it: “You went on a beautiful vacation, I bet you guys had the best time. Then you come back to your home (that I’m assuming you share) where you are comfortable and get proposed to. He clearly thought this out and wanted it to be intimate and [it] even shows how much he loves you in your truest form.”

How did the fiancé respond?

Burger was joyfully surprised. She posted a follow-up video that featured behind-the-scenes clips of Fromer’s preparation for the proposal, captioning it: “THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR FEEDBACK BUT I LOVED MY ENGAGEMENT AND I WAS TOTALLY STUNNED!!!! It was perfectly us and unfortunately (or fortunately) an aesthetic Italy proposal just isn’t!”

She also shared that the celebration didn’t end there. Fromer booked a professional photo shoot in Central Park to capture the engagement moment in a more styled setting.

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• ABC News: “Couple Speaks Out After Wedding Proposal Following Italy Vacation Goes Viral”
• TikTok: @burgerqueen1016
• TikTok: @burgerqueen1016

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This question feels particularly high stakes to me because watermelon is my favorite food. I craved it so much during my fifth pregnancy that I could eat an entire melon in a day, and then when people joked, “Are you pregnant, or is that a watermelon under your shirt?” I could say yes to both.

Thankfully, it turns out that there is a right way to eat watermelon in polite company. On a less positive note, a lot of us have been winging it for years … with varying degrees of success. Whether you’re the guest nervously eyeing a platter of wedges or the host wondering whether to put out forks (spoiler: yes, always put out forks), there’s more to watermelon etiquette than you might expect. I asked etiquette expert Jo Hayes, who wrote her Master’s research thesis on table manners, to break it all down.

Read on to get the lowdown on everyone’s favorite melon so you don’t embarrass yourself at your next get-together.

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Should you even be eating watermelon in public?

Yes, Hayes gives you full permission to eat watermelon anywhere and anytime you like … just not in any way you like. Watermelon is perfectly acceptable at everything from a backyard barbecue to a fancy event. The key is preparation and presentation, both on the host’s side and your own.

“I wouldn’t say there is any situation where one should actively avoid eating watermelon,” says Hayes. “When served and cut the correct way, it can be a very non-messy fruit to eat. I can imagine watermelon even being served at a black-tie gala—so no, there’s no ‘avoid watermelon’ situations. It simply comes down to serving, preparing and eating according to the situation.”

“According to the situation” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence. At a super-casual backyard gathering, a bit of juice dribbling down your chin is practically a feature, not a bug. But at anything more formal, the expectations (and the utensils) change accordingly. The mistake most people make is treating every watermelon situation like it’s the same—it’s not.

What’s the right way to eat watermelon?

The short answer: It depends on the slice and the setting. Hayes has very specific opinions about this, and once you hear them, you won’t be able to unsee people doing it wrong. Here’s what you need to know about the dining etiquette rules for watermelon.

Always have a napkin

This is nonnegotiable. “A napkin should always be handy, as these are watermelon,” Hayes says. “Juicy flesh means juice, so have a napkin ready to dab any dribbly bits and, of course, to wipe your hands after you’re finished eating.” Consider the napkin your watermelon insurance policy. Get one before you reach for a slice. Maybe get more than one. Do not lick your fingers. (Napkins also provide another essential service, as you’ll see below.)

Opt for triangles, and avoid half-rounds

Hayes is very clear on this: Skip the half-round cuts in social settings. “I discourage people from eating half-rounds, as it’s very difficult to do this in a non-messy manner without getting red flesh onto your face,” she says. Triangles are far more manageable. They give you something to hold, the rind provides structure, and a small-to-medium triangle can be eaten from the rind without turning your face into a crime scene. Cubes are better for nicer situations. So if you’re the host, cut accordingly.

Feel free to use your fingers (sometimes)

Watermelon is the ultimate finger food. And at a super-casual outdoor gathering, eating a triangle of watermelon with your fingers is perfectly fine—but hold a plate or napkin underneath and keep things civilized. “At anything indoors or anything above a super-casual outdoor event, one should use utensils,” Hayes says. The rind is helpful here: It keeps the flesh intact and gives you a natural handle. If tongs are provided, use them to serve yourself. Don’t reach into a shared platter with your bare hands.

Use a knife and a fork—not just a fork

At more formal settings, utensils are a must. “Use a knife and fork, not just a fork. I despise seeing people use a fork to both cut and spear food—such poor manners,” she says. (Um, oops?) The correct approach: Use the fork to hold the piece in place, use the knife to cut a small-to-medium bite, and then bring it to your mouth with the fork. Simple, clean, elegant.

Spit the seeds into a napkin

Yep, this is what you do with them. “Bring the napkin to your mouth and spit into it,” Hayes advises. “This is more polite than disposing of them from your mouth onto your plate.” Fold the napkin politely to prevent the seeds from falling out.

This method also works at a formal event, but another option there is to discreetly (and gently) spit the seeds onto a dessert spoon (the larger the spoon, the better, for catching them), then deposit them onto your plate. Never, ever spit them directly into your hand—no matter how casual the setting is.

Dispose of the napkin

If you’re able to, dispose of the napkin in the trash ASAP. Otherwise, leave it neatly folded on the side of your plate.

Watch how much you take

Don’t pile your plate high with watermelon. “Because you ought to be cutting the fruit with a knife and fork, you’ll need the plate surface to cut on, so you shouldn’t have more than a few pieces on your plate,” Hayes advises. Go back for more. That’s what the platter is there for.

Is spitting out seeds actually rude?

It depends entirely on where you’re spitting them. The old childhood standby of sending seeds airborne across the yard? That stays in the yard (and only your own yard with your own family). As Hayes noted above, you should be spitting them into your napkin subtly and with little fanfare.

But here’s where Hayes drops a genuinely surprising food fact: You don’t actually have to spit out the black seeds at all. “Who told you you shouldn’t eat the black seeds?” she says. “Unless you don’t like them, the black seeds—and the white ones—are a nutrition powerhouse! They’re actually sold by themselves as edible products, rich in protein, magnesium, zinc and healthy fats. And you can roast them, making them extra delicious.”

The little white seeds in “seedless” varieties? Just eat them. Sure, if they’re sitting on the surface of the fruit and you can easily scrape them off with a knife onto your plate without making a production of it, go ahead. But again, you can just eat them. And picking at seeds with your fingers is a big, fat no.

Should you ever eat watermelon with a fork and knife?

Yes, and more often than you think. This feels like it should be a fiery debate in the pizza-with-a-fork tradition, but Hayes is pretty definitive: The formality of the setting determines the utensils. At a super-casual outdoor event with triangles and tongs? Fingers are fine. At anything indoors, anything upscale or anywhere you’d use utensils for other foods? Reach for the knife and fork. “Utensils like forks and knives are ‘extensions’ of our fingers and hands,” Hayes explains. “We use them so we don’t need to use our fingers.”

If the watermelon is still in the rind, you can cut the flesh into small bite-sized portions right there and bring them to your mouth with a fork. No need to wrestle with it. And if you’re serving watermelon at a more formal event as a host, consider cutting off the rind entirely and presenting it in cubes—it’s cleaner and easier, and your guests will quietly thank you.

As a host, how should you serve watermelon?

Serving watermelon well is actually the best thing you can do for your guests’ dignity. “Serving the fruit in small-to-medium triangles, still in the rind, is usually the least messy way,” Hayes says. “Keeping the fruit in the rind ensures it retains a level of strength and structure that can be lost if you cut the rind off.” It also looks better on a platter.

Beyond the cut, Hayes has a nonnegotiable list for hosts: Always provide tongs, plates, napkins, knives and forks. Even at a casual backyard gathering. Even if you think people won’t use the forks (they will, once they see them). Giving guests the tools to eat politely means they won’t have to improvise—which is when things go sideways.

And if you’re hosting something more formal, consider presenting precut watermelon in small, rind-free cubes so guests can simply spear a piece directly.

Is the seed situation similar for cherries?

Pretty much, yes, though the little stem can be used to “hold” the fruit. “The fruit should be put into your mouth in its entirety rather than taking several bites—otherwise, it gets really messy,” says Hayes. “Then dispose of the seed discreetly in [your] napkin.” The whole-bite rule is key: Once you start nibbling at a cherry in multiple bites, you’ve lost control of the situation and the pit.

Other small pitted fruits—like lychee and rambutans—are a different story. Hayes says these fall into the category of fruits you should think twice about serving at anything above a casual gathering. “There’s really no polite way to eat such fruits (if served with skin on) than to use one’s fingers,” she says. Her advice for hosts: If you want to serve rambutan or lychee, pre-peel them so guests can enjoy the fruits without the struggle. This is the kind of hosting move that makes people think you really have it together.

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Source:

• Jo Hayes, etiquette expert and founder of EtiquetteExpert.Org; interviewed, June 6, 2026

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The post Is There Really Any Polite Way to Eat Watermelon? Here’s What Etiquette Experts Say About Those Seeds appeared first on Reader's Digest.

My first thought was that it had to be another one of those internet hacks destined to create a bigger mess than the problem it was trying to solve. But judging by the comments, plenty of people had already tried it and were surprisingly impressed by the results.

Of course, the internet isn’t exactly known for separating good advice from bad. For every genuinely useful household trick, there are a dozen others that leave you wondering who volunteered to test them in the first place. But as it turns out, that can of shaving cream sitting in your bathroom cabinet may have more uses than just shaving.

To find out whether this mattress hack actually works or if it’s just another viral cleaning myth, I spoke with cleaning expert Isabella Flores, the co-owner of Sparkly Maid San Diego. She explained the science behind the trend, the situations where it could fall short and the biggest mistake people make when trying the trick at home.

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Why are people putting shaving cream on their mattresses?

The short answer: to remove stains.

According to Flores, the hack became popular because it’s simple, inexpensive and uses a product most people already have at home. It gained traction on TikTok and other cleaning-focused social media platforms, where users shared before-and-after videos showing stained mattresses looking noticeably cleaner after treatment.

Flores says a big reason for the hack’s popularity is that many people feel more comfortable using shaving cream than stronger chemical cleaners on a surface they spend hours on every day. “That comfort, combined with a low barrier to entry and real results, is why the shaving cream mattress hack started off as a tip in the cleaning community and became a widely shared hack,” Flores says.

Shaving cream works particularly well on two common categories of mattress stains:

• Protein-based stains, including sweat, urine, blood and other bodily fluids
• Oil-based stains, including body oils, lotions and food oils

This cleaning trick works particularly well on the yellow discoloration that develops over time from accumulated sweat and body oils. That stubborn discoloration is among the top complaints Flores says she hears from clients.

Why does this hack work?

The secret lies in the chemistry. “Shaving cream is made from the same basic chemistry as a lot of commercial upholstery cleaners, but it’s less expensive,” Flores explains.

“The major component profiles of a typical white foaming shaving cream are surfactants, mild alcohols, emulsifiers and glycerins,” she adds. “These components are very similar to those found in spray-on fabric and upholstery stain removers sold for that exact purpose.” It turns out the biggest differences typically come down to ingredient concentrations and product marketing rather than entirely different cleaning chemistry.

Surfactants are particularly important because they can bind to both water and oils. Flores explains that these molecules contain “water-loving heads and oil-loving tails,” allowing them to break apart and lift greasy stains from fabric surfaces. Many shaving creams also contain denatured alcohol, which acts as a solvent, and glycerin, which helps loosen oily residue.

The foam itself provides another advantage. “Because liquids drop right into a mattress before they even start working, the thick foam will remain on the surface of the stain until it breaks down,” Flores says. That means the active ingredients have more time to work on the stain instead of immediately soaking into the mattress.

Will this work on all stains?

No, and that’s where many viral videos leave out important details. While shaving cream can be effective on many fresh protein- and oil-based stains, Flores says it has limitations.

You may not see good results on the following stains:

Red wine, tea and coffee stains

These tannin-based stains can form complex bonds within fabric fibers as they age. Once that happens, surfactants alone often aren’t enough to break them apart.

Ink and dye stains

Pigments from inks and dyes can chemically bond to mattress fibers, often requiring specialized stain-removal treatments.

Old blood stains

Fresh blood stains may respond to the shaving cream treatment, but blood that has been allowed to set for an extended period becomes much more difficult to remove. According to Flores, “old blood stains that have had time to set up are resistant to this method due to the proteins having cooked into the fabric fibers during the setting process.”

What’s the right way to remove a mattress stain with shaving cream?

Using shaving cream incorrectly can leave behind residue or, worse, introduce excess moisture that could contribute to mold growth. Before you begin, make sure you’re using the correct product: plain, unscented white foaming shaving cream.

“Only white foaming shaving creams will provide consistent results,” Flores advises. Avoid gel shaving creams, heavily scented formulas, products with extra ingredients like moisturizers and numbing agents, and specialty products with additives of any kind.

“The cleaner the formulation, the better the results,” she says.

How to clean a mattress stain with shaving cream

Follow these steps to fight a winning battle against mattress stains. Before you start, it’s always a good idea to test a hidden area just in case there are any unforeseen color changes or reactions.

1. Apply a moderate amount of shaving cream to the stain. Cover only the stained area. Avoid soaking the mattress or applying shaving cream over a large section of the surface.
2. Work it in gently. Using a clean cloth or soft-bristled brush, massage the foam into the stain using gentle circular motions.
3. Let it sit. For fresh stains, allow the shaving cream to remain on the mattress for 15 to 30 minutes. For older stains, Flores says you can extend the treatment time to up to one hour.
4. Blot away the residue. Using a clean, damp cloth and cold water, blot the area. Do not scrub. “Blotting pulls the stain upward toward the surface, while rubbing spreads it downward into the mattress fibers, creating a larger problem,” Flores says.
5. Follow with a vinegar solution. Blot the area again using a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. This helps remove remaining residue and can assist with deodorizing.
6. Allow the mattress to dry completely. Proper drying is critical to avoid mold growth. (More on this important aspect coming up.)

How to dry your mattress properly

Flores warns that moisture-related problems are among the most overlooked aspects of the shaving cream hack. “Mattresses are not intended to become wet, and neither interior foam nor fiber materials tend to dry rapidly once moistened,” she says.

Here are three ways to make sure your mattress dries completely, according to Flores:

• Run a fan near the mattress to increase airflow
• Use a window fan to bring in fresh air
• Prop the mattress upright, if possible

And the most important tip? Wait until the mattress is fully dry before replacing bedding. “Do not replace bedding on any wet or cool-to-the-touch mattress,” Flores says. “Wet mattresses covered underneath fitted sheets are essentially how mold starts.”

How can you protect your mattress from stains in the first place?

The easiest stain to remove is the one that never happens, or as Flores tells her clients: “The best stain is none.” Her top recommendation to prevent stains is to cover your mattress with a high-quality waterproof mattress protector as soon as you bring your new mattress home.

Here are other helpful habits Flores says will keep your mattress looking great:

• Shower before bed.
• Clean up spills immediately.
• Don’t bring food into bed.
• Change out of dirty clothes before lying down.

What should you look for in a mattress protector?

Not all protectors offer the same level of protection. Flores recommends looking for:

• “Waterproof” wording: Water-resistant materials don’t have the same level of protection.
• Breathable materials: Look for bamboo, TENCEL or cotton-poly blends. Flores suggests avoiding protectors with solid plastic or PVC backings, as they can trap heat and humidity.
• Machine-washable construction: You should be able to toss the mattress protector in the laundry.
• Certifications: Organizations that certify mattress-protector materials include OEKO-TEX and CertiPUR-US.
• A secure fit: Make sure the protector covers the entire mattress.

A quality mattress protector is a bit of an investment, but it’s money well spent. “Quality protectors priced between $50 and $150 can reasonably increase the useful life of a mattress by half,” Flores says. That’s because you’ll have fewer stains, less moisture damage and less allergen accumulation. Overall, a mattress protector is “a high return on investment for virtually any household.”

So should you try the shaving cream hack?

Sure! Despite its unusual appearance, the shaving cream mattress hack isn’t pure internet nonsense. The ingredients found in traditional foaming shaving cream share similarities with those found in many upholstery and fabric cleaners, making it surprisingly effective against common mattress stains caused by sweat, body oils and other biological messes.

The key is using the right product, applying it sparingly and drying your mattress completely afterward. And while shaving cream can help tackle existing stains, a quality waterproof mattress protector remains the best defense against future mattress mishaps.

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Source:

• Isabella Flores, cleaning expert and co-owner of Sparkly Maid San Diego; email interview, June 17, 2026

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But here’s the funny thing: Despite all the time I’ve spent wandering those aisles, digging through the racks and proudly showing off my latest bargains, I never once stopped to wonder what those strange little codes on the price tags actually meant. I’d glance at them, assume they were just random numbers and move on to the next great find. As it turns out, those mysterious markings aren’t random at all. TJ Maxx has been quietly hiding a secret language in plain sight, and chances are you’ve been overlooking it every time you shop.

Read on to discover the hidden codes that could completely change the way you hunt for deals at TJ Maxx.

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Why does TJ Maxx have secret codes on its tags?

They’re there to help TJ Maxx track its inventory. But over the years, former employees and shopping experts have shared that some of those codes can also hint at where an item came from or what stage it’s in during the markdown process.

The fun part? TJ Maxx isn’t the only retailer with hidden tag secrets. Stores like Costco and Target also have little pricing clues that bargain hunters swear by.

What secret codes should you be on the lookout for? 

@amintips TJ Maxx secret price tag codes 🤯🛍️ #lifehacks #savemoney #shopping #tjmaxx #tjmaxxfinds ♬ original sound – Amin Tips

According to TJ Maxx fans, including Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Amin Shaykho (better known as @AminTips on TikTok for his shopping tips and everyday life hacks), the codes have specific meanings.

Here’s what the most talked-about codes represent:

• 1: This means the item was made specifically for TJ Maxx or other TJX stores.
• 2: This is the code bargain hunters get excited about. You’ll see it on the tags of discounted items that were originally sold through the brand itself.
• 7: This typically refers to discontinued items or “packaway” merchandise—items held over from a previous season and brought back to sell later.

One important thing to know: TJ Maxx hasn’t publicly confirmed every meaning behind these numbers, so much of this information comes from former employees and experienced shoppers rather than official company guidance.

Hold on—do name brands make items exclusively for TJ Maxx?

Yes, sometimes they do, but it’s a little more complicated than that. Many of the recognizable brands you see at TJ Maxx are the real deal. They’re often overstock items, products from previous seasons, canceled orders or merchandise the original retailer simply needed to clear out. That’s why finding a “2” code is so exciting for deal hunters.

However, some brands also produce merchandise specifically for off-price retailers like TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods. These products are designed to hit a lower price point, so they may use different materials or fewer design details than versions sold at a department store or the brand’s own boutique. (I’m now officially questioning my recent Steve Madden bag purchase.)

Luckily, this doesn’t mean they’re poor quality—it just means they’re not always identical to the higher-priced version you might see elsewhere.

What other hidden tag components should you pay attention to?

The secret numbers aren’t the only clues hiding on TJ Maxx tags. Here are a few more details worth checking before you toss something into your cart:

Tag color

There are five colors to look out for before your next trip.

• White tag: Regular TJ Maxx price.
• Red sticker: The item has already been marked down once.
• Yellow sticker: Final clearance—this is usually the lowest price an item will reach.
• Purple tag: Premium designer merchandise from the Runway collection.
• Blue tag: The item is part of a matching set.

The little boxed number

You’ll also notice a small number inside a black box on the tag. This typically indicates when the item entered the store’s inventory cycle. If it’s been hanging around for a while, it could be closer to another markdown.

Of course, none of these clues guarantee an even lower price is coming. But if you’re debating whether to buy now or wait, knowing how to read the tag can definitely give you a better idea of whether you’ve stumbled across a hidden gem—or whether it might be worth checking back later.

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

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We declared our freedom from Britain on July 2

Say what? Then why don’t we celebrate Independence Day on July 2nd? Well, the 4th of July is when the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the Second Continental Congress in 1776, but the initial vote took place on July 2. (John Adams thought this date would be our national holiday, but it was not to be.)

This momentous event capped a busy year for our nation’s Founding Fathers. Early in 1776, Thomas Paine’s famous call to action, Common Sense, whipped up sentiment for independence that carried through the summer. On June 7, delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced an independence resolution, and Thomas Jefferson began writing the Declaration of Independence on June 11, 1776.

Thomas Jefferson wasn’t the first choice to write the Declaration

Thomas Jefferson is famous for his writing skills, producing hundreds of documents, letters and books that we still read today. But he wasn’t the first choice to write the Declaration of Independence. Of the Committee of Five (Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, New York’s Robert Livingston and Connecticut’s Roger Sherman), which was tasked with drafting the document, Benjamin Franklin was the best writer—but he turned it down.

In a letter to a friend, John Adams recalled a conversation he had with Jefferson in which they each proposed that the other write the Declaration. Known for being a curmudgeon, Adams said that he would do it but that it should be written by a Virginian, and besides, no one liked him (he said this, not us!). Clearly, Adams’s case was more compelling.

It took Jefferson 17 days to complete the document, and he later said Congress “mangled” some of his wording once they received it. He was also upset that they took out some of his more pointed references to Britain’s King George III, though as we’ll see coming up, plenty remained.

Only 26 copies of the original Declaration exist today

After Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, it sent the document to a printer named John Dunlap to make approximately 200 copies. On July 5, these copies were distributed to various assemblies, conventions, committees and leaders of Continental battalions, but they were all unsigned. Only John Hancock, the president of the Congress, and Charles Thomson, the secretary, had their names printed on the bottom to prove authenticity.

Of these 200 copies, known as the Dunlap Broadsides, only 26 remain—though they occasionally pop up in odd places. In 1989, someone paid $4 for an old picture at a flea market only to find a copy of the Declaration hidden inside. In 2000, TV producer Norman Lear purchased this copy for $8.14 million!

The Declaration’s signing didn’t take place until August 1776

Once the Dunlap Broadsides were distributed, Congress got down to the business of making the Declaration permanent. On July 19, they decreed that it be “fairly engrossed on parchment,” which meant written down and signed in a large, clear hand. A man named Timothy Matlack, who was an assistant to Secretary Thomson, is credited with writing the document.

On Aug. 2, 1776, most of the Continental Congress got together to sign the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock signed first, and his signature is the largest. The other delegates then signed, generally grouped by state from right to left and north to south. Delegates who were not present on Aug. 2 signed later, wherever they could fit their signature in.

And some did not sign at all: Robert Livingston was a New York delegate, fervent patriot and member of the Committee of Five. But he was in New York at the time, so he sent his cousin, Philip Livingston, to sign in his place.

New York rioted when news of the Declaration spread

On July 9, 1776, George Washington read the Declaration of Independence to a jubilant crowd at City Hall Park in New York City. The call for freedom instantly fueled excitement among the revelers, and a riot broke out in the streets. The crowd charged down Broadway to Bowling Green Park and toppled a statue of King George III. Later, the statue was melted down and made into musket balls used by the American army in the Revolutionary War.

A woman printed a key version of the Declaration of Independence

John Dunlap’s broadsides aren’t the only existing printed copies of the Declaration of Independence. In 1777, a woman named Mary Katherine Goddard, who was Baltimore’s first postmaster general, printed the very first copies that included the signatures of the signers—55 of 56 of them, anyway. (Remember that the Dunlap copies had Hancock’s and Thomson’s printed names only.)

Between Dec. 20, 1776, and Feb. 22, 1777, the Continental Congress evacuated to Baltimore after British troops got too close to Philadelphia. Goddard was tasked with making copies of the document to distribute to the 13 states. This was a big risk, because it was the first time the signers became publicly known and because printing (and signing) such a document would have been an act of treason to the British crown.

Nine copies of the “Goddard Broadsides” exist today, and her name is listed on the bottom.

One Congressman recanted his support for the Declaration

Richard Stockton was a trailblazing patriot and the first member of the New Jersey Congressional delegation to sign the Declaration of Independence. A member of a prominent early-American family, Stockton served in various governmental roles and was sent by Congress to inspect northern Revolutionary War outposts like New York’s Fort Ticonderoga.

While returning to Philadelphia, Stockton was captured by the British. In prison, Stockton faced starvation, cold temperatures and harsh treatment, and after five weeks behind bars, Stockton accepted a pardon from a British general and was released to his family. The one condition of his freedom? He had to renounce his allegiance to the revolution and swear his loyalty to the king, which he did.

Upon his release from prison, Richard Stockton resigned from the Continental Congress and died at the age of 50 in 1781.

There really is a message written on the back

No, it’s not the secret map that Nicolas Cage hunted for in National Treasure. In reality, the words “Original Declaration of Independence dated July 4th 1776” is written on the back of the document at the bottom. If you can imagine someone rolling the Declaration from the top like a movie poster, the label is visible on the bottom back side when rolled in a tube shape.

The National Archives says that because the Declaration of Independence actually traveled with the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War, and even after the war as the U.S. capital moved around, it’s thought that the label was added to easily identify the document when it was rolled up in storage.

Benjamin Franklin was the oldest person to sign the Declaration of Independence

Benjamin Franklin was 70 years old when he signed the Declaration of Independence. For comparison, the youngest signer of the document, a South Carolina delegate named Edward Rutledge, was just 26 years old. For those of you who don’t enjoy mental math, Franklin was 44 years older than Rutledge. His many years of experience as a political leader are likely the reason Franklin was appointed to the Committee of Five to help draft the Declaration. Here’s another fun history fact: Franklin also signed the Constitution.

Providing your “John Hancock” comes from the Declaration of Independence

John Hancock was a jack of all trades, as far as early American history is concerned. He was the first and longest-serving president of the Continental Congress, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence and the first and third governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

And thanks to his stylish and very large signature, he’s also why we “give our John Hancock” when asked to sign our names. This colloquialism didn’t get started until at least the mid-1800s, but today, it is universally recognized whenever a signature is requested. Interestingly, the statesman’s signature as a youth did not yet have his recognizable stylistic flourishes.

We hid the Declaration of Independence during World War II

Although the Civil War was fought on American soil, it was during World War II that leaders of the United States were more fearful for the Declaration’s safety. Following the Pearl Harbor bombing in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized that Axis powers could potentially attack the U.S. capital, so he ordered important founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, to be secretly relocated until the end of the war.

In December 1941, the documents, under heavy security, were transported to Fort Knox, where they remained until September 1944. Even though the war wasn’t formally over until 1945, the tide of the fighting had turned enough by late 1944 that the Declaration of Independence was returned to its permanent shrine in the Library of Congress.

The Declaration of Independence is a list of 27 individual grievances

Americans have been learning about the Declaration of Independence for hundreds of years, and what most of us probably remember is the preamble: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

But do you know what else is in there? A very long list of very specific grievances. You may have skipped over them because the document looks like one long run-on sentence, but Jefferson, Adams, Franklin and the rest of the signers endorsed a litany of complaints about King George. Many of the issues raised revolved around self-governance, but the founders got in some broadsides as well: “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.”

Sounds like a revolution was in order.

Additional reporting by Kelly Kuehn.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on facts about the Declaration of Independence, Carley Lerner tapped her experience as a journalist to ensure all facts are accurate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• National Archives: “The Declaration of Independence: A History”
• Colonial Williamsburg: “Principles of Freedom”
• New Yorker: “Was the Declaration of Independence Better Before the Edits?”
• New York Times: “The Boston Tea Party Was More Than That. It Was a Riot.”
• History: “After Pearl Harbor: The Secret Plan to Hide America’s Iconic Documents”
• National Archives: “Travels of the Charters of Freedom”
• Politico: “The Secret Plan to Protect America’s Founding Documents During WWII”
• Constitutional Walking Tour: “Richard Stockton—One of America’s Founding Fathers”
• National Constitution Center: “10 fascinating facts about the Declaration of Independence”
• Time: “Remembering the Woman Who ‘Signed’ the Declaration of Independence”
• Stanford University: “Signed by John Hancock”
• The Franklin Institute: “Benjamin Franklin and the Declaration of Independence”

The post 12 Interesting Facts About the Declaration of Independence That You Never Knew appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Ah, ballpark food. Is there anything better? I’m not sure if you can even get a basic hot dog anymore, but if you happen to want a giant bucket of nachos that weighs as much as a newborn baby, which is a real thing you can get at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, this list of outrageous ballpark foods is for you.

Ahead, I’ll give you a preview of six absolutely on-the-level new foods you can get right now at Major League Baseball stadiums across the country. And if you’re headed to the ballpark this summer, make sure to bring an extra set of hands … or maybe a forklift. Read on to find the weirdest, wildest baseball food around.

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An 8-pound nacho bucket

You and a friend have 9 innings to complete this 128 oz nacho bucket at a D-backs game 😮

Who are you picking to take this on? pic.twitter.com/GBbGzdHW3Z

— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2026

Where you can get it: Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona

Since I’ve already brought it up, let’s start here. Nachos are standard ballpark fare, and often one of the simplest: liquid neon cheese and handful of tortilla chips in a paper tray or, sometimes, a team-branded batting helmet. But this year, the Diamondbacks have seriously upped the size and topping stakes.

No clever names here—this is simply titled “Nacho Bucket” on the official menu, and you can get it topped with barbacoa beef, Southwestern chili, pork carnitas or a fajita-veggie blend—plus beans, cheese, pico de gallo, jalapeños, sour cream and heck, throw in the kitchen sink while you’re at it.

Diamondback fans over on Reddit say the bucket o’ nachos is tasty, if a little messy and soggy at the bottom. (“If I had been at home I would of lapped it up like a golden retriever,” said one.) When you’re done, use it for mopping or trick-or-treating, or clear off a large shelf to house a shrine to the memory of when you ate 8 pounds of nachos.

The Machete, a 2-foot-long quesadilla

The Marlins’ new “Machete” menu item is served in a custom carrying case 😳

This TWO-FOOT homemade flour tortilla is griddled on the flat top with melted mozzarella and Oaxaca cheeses, house-marinated carne asada, smoky guajillo pepper sauce, salsa verde and cilantro 👀

(via… pic.twitter.com/NnpIiFXIsP

— MLB (@MLB) March 19, 2026

Where you can get it: LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida

Continuing the south-of-the-border theme (as well as the wow-this-is-big theme), the Miami Marlins’ stadium introduced a 2-foot-long quesadilla this year. Have fun balancing this monstrosity while carrying a few beers, which is what you will need to wash down the tortilla-wrapped mountain of carne asada, melted mozzarella and Oaxaca cheeses, guajillo pepper sauce, salsa verde and cilantro.

While the LoanDepot Park machete is new this year, the machete concept is far from it. Machete quesadillas are a Mexico City street food going back to at least the 1960s, and they’re named machetes because that’s what they they look like.

Fans have been generally enthusiastic, if a little acerbic:

• “Honestly, if I’m in Miami I might go there for dinner, a ticket and that is probably cheaper than most places in Miami anyways,” said a Redditor.
• “It should come with its own health insurance too,” said another.
• “Not sure there’s ever enough people at any given Marlins game to eat a whole one of those,” said a third. Ouch.

Mini Dessert “Chicken” Bucket

The Mini Dessert “Chicken” Bucket is back in stock this homestand! 🍗🍦

Try the viral drumstick-shaped ice cream at Sections 125, 205, & 318 😋 pic.twitter.com/iLtMmt2ZqR

— Yankee Stadium (@yankeestadium) April 30, 2026

Where you can get it: Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York

Yankees fans are going crazy for this bucket, which is not filled with nachos but chicken-leg-shaped ice cream novelties. I repeat, these are vanilla ice cream bars formed into the shape of a chicken drumstick—complete with a chocolate-covered pretzel “bone” inside—then coated with what looks like Shake ‘N Bake but is actually corn flakes and white chocolate.

I don’t know about you, but aside from the white chocolate, this one sounds delicious, if a little weird. Yankee fans agree:

9th Inning Rally Sombrero

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KENS 5 News (@kens5)

Where you can get it: Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas

What is it about nachos and extreme-food enthusiasts? If you’re at a Texas Rangers game this year, pick up this absolutely ridiculous concession that you can wear on your head as you walk back to your seat. Yes, really.

The 9th Inning Rally Sombrero is a sturdy paper sombrero with crispy tortillas nestled into the brim. Toppings are heaped on the tortillas, and the crown is filled with tortilla chips. You pick up the entire thing and, if you’re feeling adventurous, put it right on your noggin. Mmmm … nachos and hair.

Fans on Reddit immediately drew comparisons to a similar item from the world of entertainment: “Homer Simpson’s been rocking that since the ’90s,” said one, sharing a gif of Homer eating an edible nacho hat.

Another was looking forward to trying before buying: “If this guy was sitting in front of me, I’d be hard pressed not to sneak a couple bites.”

Schwarbomb Sundae

The Phillies are changing the game with their new “Schwarbomb Sundae” 🤯

It’s a mini helmet filled with soft-serve ice cream and topped with a funnel-cake-fried strawberry Uncrustable, fresh strawberry sauce and fruity cereal pieces 🤤 pic.twitter.com/xpKPwzyGxn

— MLB (@MLB) March 19, 2026

Where you can get it: Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Named for Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber, this sugar bomb in a batting helmet combines several ballpark and carnival staples in one. The centerpiece is a peanut-butter-and-jelly Uncrustable that’s been dunked in funnel cake batter and deep-fried. That goes into a plastic Phillies helmet filled with vanilla soft-serve ice cream, then the whole thing is drizzled with fresh strawberry sauce and—blood sugar alert—Fruity Pebbles cereal.

Fans are delighted by the idea, if a little worried about self-control and health impacts: “I’ll eat 600 of these in one sitting,” said one person on Reddit. “Diabetes in a helmet,” said another. The fresh strawberry sauce counts as health food, right?

Lobstah poutine

Boston, you’re going to love this one 🦞

The Red Sox will be serving “Lobstah Poutine” at Fenway Park this year! This ballpark food features crispy fries, lobster meat, clam chowder and crispy bacon all served in a custom lobster boat 🤤

(Via: @Aramark) pic.twitter.com/zaNMMPHAlf

— MLB (@MLB) March 24, 2026

Where you can get it: Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts

If you’re a fan of the Canadian import poutine, which is French fries and cheese curds smothered with a hot brown gravy (it’s delicious, we promise), think of this dish as an even more indulgent version. Fenway’s lobstah poutine starts with a pile of French fries in a cute paper fishing boat. But instead of cheese curds, you get chunks of lobster, and instead of gravy, it’s doused with clam chowder. Oh, and bacon.

“It’s the least fancy lobster I’ve ever had,” an employee of Boston’s WBUR said during a taste test, adding, “You know, when you’re eating something like this, it’s either going to be a weirdly elevated ballpark food or this is somehow going to drag lobster down into the gutter. And I think that’s what’s happening, but in a wonderful way.”

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Reddit: “The Marlins are now introducing the machete …”
• Texas Monthly: “Gather Your Friends and Try a Two-Foot-Long Machete Quesadilla at These Four Austin Trailers”
• Reddit: “This actually looks pretty good to eat while watching a Rangers game, ngl”
• Instagram: “Our NEW Mini Dessert ‘Chicken’ Bucket”
• Reddit: “[MLB] The Yankees will have a Mini Dessert ‘Chicken’ Bucket”
• Reddit: “The Phillies are introducing their new ‘Schwarbomb Sundae'”
• MLB: “Phillies’ massive new sundae comes with a fried PB&J”
• WBUR: “Is Fenway Park’s new ‘lobstah’ poutine actually … good? We reviewed the ballpark’s new food”

Sports Terms That We Use Every Day

The Best Ways to Care for Baseball Gloves

Sports Quotes for On and Off the Field

The post The 6 Weirdest Foods You Can Get at a Baseball Game This Summer appeared first on Reader's Digest.

It sounds like a debate that belongs in the same category as “should you hang toilet paper over or under?” and “is it acceptable to wear shoes in the house?” And yet, there is actually some science behind the morning-versus-night shower question. A shower can wake you up, help you unwind, support better sleep, rinse away allergens and protect your skin and scalp. But when you take that shower could make the difference between getting those benefits and missing out on them.

Interestingly, Americans do seem to have a preference: A 2024 Harris Poll found that 60% of Americans typically shower in the morning, while 33% shower at night and 36% shower in the afternoon or evening. Yes, that adds up to more than 100%—some people shower more than once a day, which is either deeply admirable or extremely exhausting, depending on your feelings about hair styling or laundry.

Ahead, we talked to five experts in trichology (aka scalp health), dermatology and sleep habits to get to the bottom of this longtime debate. So before you automatically turn on the water at your usual time, read on to see what they had to say.

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Does it really matter what time you shower?

It can, but not always for the reason you might think. From a basic hygiene standpoint, the best time to shower is when you need one: after a sweaty workout, a humid commute, a day outside, a sunscreen-heavy beach afternoon or an evening spent around smoke, dust or other irritants.

But when you are trying to achieve a specific goal—better sleep, fewer allergy symptoms, healthier skin or a cleaner scalp—timing can make a difference. “There isn’t one perfect time to shower for everyone,” says Christine McMillan, a board-certified trichologist and the founder of Scalp Garden. That’s because your own biology, schedule, skin type, scalp type and sleep habits all matter.

So the short answer is: Shower timing can matter, but only when you match it to your goal.

What is the best time to shower?

For a more productive day: Morning

If your shower is less about getting clean and more about becoming a functioning person, morning may be your moment. The water, steam and built-in routine can help create a mental shift from sleep mode to day mode, especially if you wake up groggy, sweaty or oily.

McMillan says morning showers can be a good choice for people who use them as a wake-up ritual. “If a morning shower helps you wake up and feel ready for the day, great!” she says.

And that may be reason enough. When a shower helps you feel cleaner, calmer and more pulled together before the day begins, it can become less of a hygiene habit and more of a productivity cue.

For better sleep quality: Night

If sleep is the goal, night showers have the strongest scientific case.

Eric Zhou, PhD, a researcher and clinician at Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine, points to a 2019 meta-analysis showing that a shower or bath of 10 minutes or longer, taken about one to two hours before bedtime at a temperature of 104 to 108.5 degrees, improved sleep quality and sleep efficiency. The reason is tied to body temperature.

“Our body starts to naturally cool down in the hours leading up to bedtime,” Zhou says. “The shower potentially helps this process along because the hot water stimulates blood to flow to your extremities, thereby allowing your body to cool faster.”

A second benefit of an evening shower, says Zhou? If it occurs at a consistent time before you head to bed, it creates a predictable routine that your brain learns, and then it begins to associate the shower with beginning to wind down and get ready for sleep. One caveat: You’ll want to avoid climbing into bed overheated and damp. Give your body time to cool down after the shower.

For better health during allergy season: Night

“If someone has seasonal allergies, sensitive skin or eczema, showering at night can help wash off pollen, dust, sweat and outdoor irritants before bed,” says Shamsa Kanwal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and a consultant at MyPsoriasisTeam. “This may reduce irritation on the skin and also keep allergens off pillows and sheets.”

That’s important, says David Puyandayev, founder of the BiohackBeast brand of products that promote healthy breathing during sleep. “Pollen, dust and dander collect on your skin and hair and transfer to your pillow, sitting right next to your airway all night,” Puyandayev says. “That drives nighttime congestion, and congestion forces mouth breathing, which fragments sleep.”

The steam helps too, he adds. “A warm shower temporarily opens your nasal passages, so you breathe more easily through your nose as you fall asleep.”

For better skin: Night

The best time to shower is before bed, as this washes the dirt and sweat off your skin, explains Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Associates in Tennessee and Mississippi.

Another benefit of the nighttime shower? Skin-care products work better at night, since they’re on the skin for the longest amount of time. Plus, your body temperature spikes at night, which helps increase absorption. Applying them to post-shower damp skin helps trap moisture.

For better hair: It depends

Hair is where the morning-versus-night debate gets more personal. “From a scalp-health perspective, I’m honestly less concerned about whether someone showers in the morning or at night and more concerned about whether they’re cleansing often enough for their scalp type, job or lifestyle,” McMillan says.

People with dandruff, psoriasis, folliculitis, excess oil or hair loss may actually under-wash because they have heard that washing less is healthier. “But in many cases,” she says, “a consistently cleansed scalp is a happier scalp.”

One key rule: Try not to sleep with soaking-wet hair. “Hair is at its most fragile when it’s wet, and keeping the scalp damp for hours overnight can sometimes make scalp conditions worse,” McMillan says. “As long as you dry your scalp and hair most of the way before lying down to sleep, you’ll be fine.”

If you love night showers but have thick hair that takes forever to dry, consider showering at night but washing your hair in the morning—or using a blow-dryer on the roots and scalp before bed.

For less stress: Night

A warm shower can feel like a reset button, and nighttime is often the best time to press it. It creates a transition between the demands of the day and the quieter rhythm of bedtime, says Dr. Kanwal.

“From a skin perspective, the main caution is to keep it warm rather than hot,” she says. “Very hot showers may feel relaxing in the moment, but they can strip natural oils and leave the skin dry, itchy or more sensitive.”

What else is important to keep in mind when showering?

The timing of your shower gets all the attention, but your technique matters just as much. A perfectly timed shower can still leave your skin and scalp unhappy if the water is too hot, the cleanser is too harsh or the shower goes on forever.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Keep it short. Dr. Kanwal recommends showers of about five to 10 minutes. Long showers may feel luxurious, but they can dry out the skin.
• Use lukewarm water. Super-hot water can be rough on the skin and scalp barrier. “Lukewarm water is usually the sweet spot,” McMillan says.
• Choose a gentle cleanser. If you have dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin, Dr. Kanwal recommends a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
• Skip aggressive scrubbing. Dr. Kanwal recommends avoiding harsh loofahs or exfoliating gloves every day, especially if your skin is sensitive or irritated.
• Moisturize quickly. Pat skin dry, then apply moisturizer within a few minutes to help seal in hydration.
• Cleanse for your lifestyle. If you sweat a lot, work outside, use heavy styling products or have an oily scalp, you may need to wash more often than someone with a dry scalp or less-active routine.
• Don’t chase “squeaky clean.” Skin that feels tight after showering may be a sign that your routine is too harsh.

The bottom line: Showering at night may have the most benefits, but consistency and comfort matter too. The best shower is the one that fits your life, supports your skin and scalp, and helps you feel like a clean human being—whether that happens at 7 a.m. or 9 p.m.

RELATED:

• Debate Settled! Find Out If It’s Better to Dry Your Hands with Dryers or Paper Towels
• This Is the No. 1 Spot You’re Missing When You Apply Sunscreen
• Debate Solved! Here’s Whether You Should Leave the Toilet Lid Open or Closed 99% of the Time

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Shamsa Kanwal, MD, board-certified dermatologist with MyPsoriasisTeam; email interview, June 17, 2026
• Christine McMillan, BCT, board-certified trichologist and founder of Scalp Garden; email interview, June 17, 2026
• Eric Zhou, PhD, researcher and clinician at Harvard Medical School; email interview, June 17, 2026
• David Puyandayev, founder of BiohackBeast; email interview, June 17, 2026
• Purvisha Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs and cosmetic surgeon, email interview, June 17, 2026
• Harris Poll: “Examining Americans’ Shower Habits”
• Sleep Medicine Reviews: “Before-Bedtime Passive Body Heating by Warm Shower or Bath to Improve Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

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The post You Might Be Showering at the Wrong Time—Yes, Really. Here’s When Experts Say You Should Suds Up appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Aries: Han Solo

March 20–April 19

Because you were born under Aries, the cardinal fire sign, you move through life with a tough, reluctant, impulsive and daring personality like Han Solo, who’s equal parts charming and self-focused. A master of survival who doesn’t shy away from being in the heat of the most adrenaline-pumping action, Han Solo acts first and thinks later.

His confidence and directness—like when he replies “I know” to Leia’s “I love you” in The Empire Strikes Back—as well as his sense of loyalty and protectiveness, exudes the energy of the first sign of the zodiac. His cool exterior also mirrors your tendency to want to be seen as ahead of the curve, even in moments when you might not be 100% sure of the path forward. (Also, for the record, Han shot first, no matter what George Lucas remastered later on.)

Taurus: Chewbacca

April 20–May 20

As a Taurus, you’re known for being steadfast, grounded, deliberate and deeply invested in taking your sweet time … which means your spirit best mirrors Chewbacca’s. Han Solo’s perpetually devoted best friend, confidant and co-pilot, is fiercely loyal, has a long fuse (but will lose his cool and enter a state of primal rage when pushed to the brink) and expresses himself in a physical way with his iconic roar.

He’s also a gentle giant who loves to give hugs, and these qualities are among the Bull’s signature traits. Chewie’s ability to stand strong against the Empire and remain devoted to Han Solo for years reflects your innate tenacity and devotion to the people you hold most dear.

Gemini: Luke Skywalker

May 21–June 20

If you came into the world when the sun was moving through Gemini—the curious, expressive, enthusiastic, information-gathering air sign—you’re most like Luke Skywalker, whose adaptability is the key to his success. Being born under the sign of the Twins lends itself to an innate restlessness and, at times, painfully frustrating boredom. That’s more likely when you’re not able to pivot quickly enough or find exactly the right mental stimulation. Of course, that’s something Luke Skywalker experienced when staring at the twin suns on Tatooine and also when waiting for Obi-Wan to tell him what he was capable of.

But Luke’s Gemini-esque insatiable curiosity also turned out to be his superpower: His desire to gather information and understand the Force on his own terms led him to become the last Jedi, ultimately inspiring the entire galaxy.

Cancer: Obi-Wan Kenobi

June 21–July 22

Family-oriented, funny, deeply nurturing and able to feel, understand and express your emotions in a way that few other people are able to, you are very much like Obi-Wan. His most heart-wrenching losses, such as Anakin’s fall, sit with him for decades, which is something you can relate to, given your sensitivity and ability to feel deeply about experiences from the past.

Although Obi-Wan appears stoic at times—something you’re also capable of, as you can be super self-protective—it’s a cover for his deep sentimentality. Talk about being a softie who takes cover in a hard shell! His wittiness is also a powerful character trait, as is his innately caregiving side, seen as he raises Anakin from childhood, mentors Ahsoka and watches over Luke from a distance for years.

Leo: Lando Calrissian

July 23–Aug. 22

If you’re a Leo—charismatic, upbeat, action-oriented and spotlight-loving—you’re most like Lando Calrissian, Han Solo’s old comrade and fellow smuggler and gambler. The original owner of the Millennium Falcon before he lost the ship to Han Solo in a game of sabacc, Calrissian first flaunted his smooth-talking, magnetic ways in The Empire Strikes Back, later leveraging his adoration of the spotlight to become the administrator of Cloud City.

And unsurprisingly, given that bright, bedazzling MO, he’s able to charm Leia, rally the Rebel fleet at the Battle of Endor and deal with conflict while keeping his head held high. His confidence and charm mirror your ability to move through life believing in the bright side and in your own ability to power through.

Virgo: Princess Leia

Aug. 23–Sept. 22

As someone born when the sun was moving through Virgo, the mutable earth sign ruled by Mercury, you’re whip-smart, self-possessed, detail-oriented, resourceful, strategic and a talented wordsmith, just like Princess Leia, aka General Leia Skywalker Organa Solo. Having been given a great amount of responsibility at a young age—becoming a senator at 19 and a Rebellion leader by the time she was in her early 20s—she proves that she can channel her cerebral nature and intuitive strength toward any challenge she’s up against, which is truly Virgo-coded.

Her ability to manage tough trials (such as seeing the love of her life get frozen and handed to a bounty hunter) by putting her nose to the grindstone mirrors your own. And her ability to match Han’s sharp wit is also an example of braininess that goes hand-in-hand with claiming the Maiden as your sign.

Libra: Padmé Amidala

Sept. 23–Oct. 22

Born when the sun was moving through elegant, beauty-seeking, conflict-abhorring Libra, you care deeply about diplomacy, justice and bringing more balance into every space you occupy and every situation you experience. As a teenage queen who becomes a senator and seeks the truth and justice for all, Padmé’s personality is representative of the cardinal air sign. Her stunning, striking, wow-worthy costumes—think: the elaborate headdresses and white battle suit—can’t help but resonate with the sign ruled by Venus, the planet of style.

Padmé is also conscious of speaking with care, which you can relate to as a person who aims to be precise with your language in an effort to keep the peace. You’re also beauty-loving and eager to ensure your environment is harmonious, which is also quite true of Padmé, whose home on Naboo, famously known as Varykino, the Lake Retreat, is a Libran fantasy.

Scorpio: Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

Oct. 23–Nov. 21

Fearless, mysterious, magnetic, on a lifelong mission to seek transformation and capable of feeling intensely and deeply, Scorpio is the water sign co-ruled by a Mars, the planet of war, and Pluto, the planet of power. Your astrological identity most aligns with Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader, the enforcer of the Galactic Empire. Like Scorpio, Darth Vader is a master of secrets who withholds information from even his nearest and dearest—most consequentially, concealing his true identity from his son.

Anakin is also relentless and obstinate, doggedly pursuing power (something Scorpios perpetually strategize to command) and enforcing the Emperor’s will with an iron fist. And in love, even before his fall, he was all-in, telling Padmé as a 19-year-old that he had never stopped thinking about her since they were kids. That’s something you can understand, given that you’re emotionally intense and deeply devoted in your intimate relationships.

Sagittarius: Poe Dameron

Nov. 22–Dec. 21

The best words to describe you, Sag? Direct, unfiltered, jovial, bold, occasionally reckless and even philosophical. For you, it’s all about going big or going home, and that vibe best aligns with Poe Dameron, a confident, irreverent ace pilot who becomes a key leader of the Resistance. With an insatiable appetite for adventure and even danger, he tells it like it is to whomever he believes needs to hear it, such as when he boldly and loudly disagrees with Vice Admiral Holdo in The Last Jedi.

From the start, it’s apparent that when Poe does anything—from cracking jokes with Finn mid-dogfight to leading an unauthorized assault on a First Order Dreadnought that costs the Resistance its entire bombing fleet—it’s to the max, a philosophy that people born under the sign of the Archer embrace. His warmth, sense of humor and ability to make friends out of nowhere are also reflective of the mutable fire sign.

Capricorn: Rey Skywalker

Dec. 22–Jan. 19

Capricorns are goal-oriented, serious, hardworking and pragmatic, and you’re wired to put your nose to the grindstone in an effort to achieve recognition. In a very Capricornian fashion, Rey, whose deepest wound is having been left on Jakku as a child, sees hard work as a way to feel worthy.

Her pride in being self-made is also representative of the sign of the Sea Goat, as is her scrappy, industrious nature that’s seen in how she survived solo by scavenging and bartering. Her earnestness and desire to make decisions based strictly on what’s concrete versus abstract also mirrors the cardinal earth sign. As an old soul, Capricorn reveres tradition, and we see that in Rey’s desire to restore the Jedi Order.

Aquarius: Finn

Jan. 20–Feb. 18

Don’t deny it, Aquarius: You love being contrarian. You’re also future-minded, group-oriented, humanitarian, friendly and innovative—and rebellious, much like Finn. A former First Order stormtrooper who strikes out against the Order following his first combat mission, Finn frees imprisoned Poe Dameron, ultimately pairing up with him and Rey to take on the First Order to push for the Resistance’s survival.

Finn’s initial bold, altruistic and out-of-the-blue move is very Aquarian, given that the air sign is co-ruled by Uranus, the planet of sudden change. That same shocking energy also informs other moves, like when he charges into Maz Kanata’s castle without a combat plan because Rey is in danger. He’s expressive, quirky and endearing (like when he shows delight just by being included), as well as funny and loyal—all traits that you can relate to as a Water Bearer.

Pisces: Yoda

Feb. 19–March 20

And last but not least, Pisces—a sign that’s spiritual, dreamy, mystical, psychic, emotionally astute and deeply healing to others. Sounds a lot like Yoda, doesn’t it? Attuned to the Force, Yoda’s investment in dispelling the dark side and fully owning the light side goes hand-in-hand with his innate spirituality, a trait that’s quite Piscean. Given Pisces’ innate wiring to be such an empath, it’s crucial that you find ways to ground yourself in your emotions and inner knowing.

That’s something Yoda is well-versed in, like in Revenge of the Sith, when he absorbs the pain of the Jedi being slaughtered across the galaxy, processes the weight of the experience and then stands back up. He’s also a therapist, healer and spiritually gifted mentor to Luke, Anakin, Obi-Wan and Dooku—roles many people born under Pisces can’t help but step into.

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Growing up near historic Morristown, New Jersey, I often felt very close to the early American era. I worked for a summer at the local Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, where I handled, categorized and labeled artifacts from the daily lives of Colonial Americans. My sister worked as a docent just up the road in Jockey Hollow, now a national historic park, where George Washington and his troops spent a bitter winter in 1789 and 1790.

At Jockey Hollow’s Wick House, the home of the farmer on whose land Washington camped his troops, my sister would don an old-timey outfit and tell visitors about the Wicks while performing daily activities of Colonial life. Some of her responsibilities? “We used a Dutch oven to cook in the fireplace, and I made cornbread, soup, biscuits and cookies,” she says. “I would wash the dishes by pumping water into two basins: one with soap to scrub, one to rinse them off. We made candles by dipping string into melted wax. There was a kitchen garden we sometimes tended. The beds were made with woven rope underneath, which sometimes had to be tightened—and that’s apparently what the phrase ‘sleep tight’ meant!”

Yes, a lot has changed since this whole American experiment started on July 4, 1776 … or has it? In some ways, people’s lives are surprisingly similar. “Persistence, advocacy, sacrifice and dedication by ordinary Americans helped achieve the independence of the United States,” says Matthew Skic, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. “Today, we employ those same attributes as we support causes, improve our communities and strive to achieve ideals we believe in.” And then there’s the price of butter, which, believe it or not, has not changed all that much over the past 250 years!

Ahead, Skic and our other experts—Cathleene B. Hellier, PhD, senior historian at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and Robyn Schroeder, PhD, an affiliate history faculty member at William & Mary and the assistant director of the college’s National Institute of American History and Democracy—tell us what it was really like to live in 1776 vs. today, just in time for America’s birthday.

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How different was America in back in 1776?

America itself was vastly different than it is today, comprised of only the original 13 Colonies. Many Colonies were also smaller in size than their corresponding states today, totaling just 430,000 square miles along 1,000 miles of Atlantic coastline. Now, the U.S. spans from coast to coast across 3,809,525 square miles, about nine times larger than it was in 1776.

Of course, the population was also much smaller: In 1780 (the closest Census Bureau estimate to 1776), around 2.8 million people lived in the Colonies. Today, at 342 million people, the population of the U.S. is almost 123 times greater.

With no modern conveniences or technology in 1776, it’s hard to imagine how different life was. Homes were smaller, particularly for the average “middling” class, as it was known. And many people grew their own food, made their own clothes and even made their own soap to clean them. We probably wouldn’t last a week in 1776 with all the things we’d need to learn how to do!

Life in 1776 vs. today

While we have a vague sense of how different things were back then, direct comparisons really drive home that point. Just how big were those homes? How much were people paying for groceries? What did they eat, and how did they spend their free time? Get ready to take a trip back through history with these facts about America in its early years.

Homes

1776: The average rural home might include two rooms and a sleeping loft measuring 18 x 20 feet (about 360 square feet), with no indoor plumbing and only a fireplace for heat (which required lots of wood chopping!). “Average, yeoman houses would have been very different from places like Mount Vernon or Monticello, the houses that come to mind when you imagine this era, and different, too, from urban dwellings of tradespeople,” Schroeder says. “Several hundred thousand dwellings, most of them modest, would have populated the Colonial landscape of the 1770s.”

2026: Today’s average suburban home is a whopping 2,447 square feet, with three or four bedrooms and at least two bathrooms, in addition to a living room, dining room, kitchen and, often, family room. Today’s homebuyers also crave an office, finished basement, laundry room, pantry and more.

Average family size

1776: In the late 1770s, the average family consisted of 5.7 people. “Who made up a household in Revolutionary America varied, as it does today,” Skic says. “Back then, households could include a nuclear family but also extended family, including multiple generations under one roof, indentured servants and enslaved people.”

Blended families were also normal, Hellier says, as they are today. But instead of being due to divorce, they were a product of shorter lifespans and parental death, particularly the death of women during childbirth.

2026: Although today’s homes are way bigger than in the Colonial period, families are much smaller, with households averaging just 2.5 people. That’s the result of families having fewer children, of course, as well as more people living alone. “The size of the average American household today is nearly half the average size of an American household at the time of the Revolutionary War,” Skic says.

Personal space and privacy

1776: With a large family and a small living area, personal space really wasn’t a thing. There were no parents saying, “Go to your room!”—unless they were wealthy. And it’s hard to imagine how families were so big when parents had no privacy! “Living with many people in such small quarters was possible because of the array of outbuildings they would have had: granaries, summer kitchens, timber supply, necessaries (outhouses), brew-houses, laundries and stables, and more successful families might have dairies,” Schroeder says. “We can also surmise that most people spent more time outside their houses.”

Even when not at home, today’s social rules of personal space didn’t really exist. During the Continental Congress in September 1776, delegates John Adams and Benjamin Franklin had to share a bed—and apparently argued about whether to keep the window open or shut!

2026: Privacy is a much bigger deal for modern Americans. Spending “me time” is a priority, and even when we’re connecting online with others, we’re often physically alone. Our houses are big enough to spread out, and kids as well parents get their own bedrooms. The first time we might have to share our sleeping space with a stranger is in a college dorm room.

Travel

1776: The average person in Colonial America didn’t take vacations. “Some people never left the county they were born in because they had no reason to travel,” Hellier says. People, mostly men, mainly traveled for business. But the time it took depended on how you traveled and what the conditions of the roads were. For example, walking, the most common way of getting around, from Washington, D.C., to New York City would take about three weeks in the best-case scenario; on horseback, one to two weeks.

During the Revolutionary War, delegates traveled to attend the Continental Congress and to join the army, often followed by their wives. “Many ‘regular’ men who fought in the army traveled far from home to places they would not otherwise have visited,” Hellier says. Still, it was a lot easier to travel by water, which was why maritime trade was big. “[Traders] traveled extensively by sea—along the American coast, to the Caribbean, to Britain,” Hellier says. In addition, travel inland along rivers and canals was quicker than over land for transporting goods.

2026: Our main road-trip gripe these days is traffic, which slows us down—but in a very different way! Cars can travel on the highway (legally) at 65 or 70 miles per hour, compared to 4 to 5 miles per hour on horseback, and a measly 2 miles per hour walking over rugged roads in 1776. We can make it from D.C. to New York in three to four hours, without traffic, on I-95.

The cost of everyday items

1776: This is a hard one for historians to estimate, because although the Colonies used pounds, shillings and pence, the value of each was different from Colony to Colony and from British currency, so there was no standardization. In addition, goods were often bartered or traded instead of using money, and economic records and statistics weren’t kept on a larger scale. That said, historians have come up with some comparisons. For example, a pound of butter in 1776 cost around 4 pence, or about $3 today.

2026: The cost of groceries has been notoriously high lately, but butter is actually not that much more expensive today. The national average is around $4 a pound.

The most popular jobs

1776: By far, the most popular job in 1776 was farming, with the first census in 1790 finding 90% of Americans in agriculture. “Farmers and plantation owners primarily learned agriculture from parents or other relatives, and they also continued to learn by experimenting with different methods for fertilizing and controlling pests,” Hellier says. Even George Washington, a wealthy landowner, considered himself a “farmer first” and learned new agricultural methods to improve the industry.

Next on the rung of popular jobs were merchants and skilled tradesmen, such as blacksmiths, coopers (barrel makers), tailors, printers and dressmakers. “Trades here focused on producing the goods and services needed for daily life,” Hellier says. The Revolutionary War also brought new job opportunities for women. “Perhaps 10% to 15% of the armies were women laundresses, cooks, artisans and merchants, many of them wives of enlisted men and officers,” she says.

2026: Home-health and personal-care aides comprise the most common jobs of 2026, followed by retail salespeople and fast-food workers. Health care is one of the fastest-growing fields today and, as a result, very in-demand. Theoretically, today you can have just about any job you want, provided you can afford the right education and training.

The most popular book

1776: The most popular book in Colonial America was Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, published in January 1776. In modern terms, it went viral. Paine’s “pamphlet” argued in plain, easily accessible language why the Colonies would be better off with independence from the British king. Half a million copies in 25 editions were produced within the first year, making it the nation’s first bestseller.

2026: Novels, which hadn’t yet fully emerged as a genre in 1776, are generally the most widely read books today. The New York Times bestselling fiction book in 2026 so far is Allen Levi’s Theo of Golden, a heartwarming story about a mysterious man who makes unexpected connections with townspeople in present-day Georgia. The most popular nonfiction New York Times bestseller so far this year is Stranger, a memoir by Belle Burden looking back over 20 years at what led to the demise of her marriage.

Favorite foods

1776: This was the original “farm to table” movement, with average Colonists’ diets affected by what was locally grown and available, as well as influenced by their various European heritages and the Native American knowledge of crops. In New England, fish dishes were common, as were corn-based meals in the Northern states and rice-based in the South.

“Meals were typically breakfast in the early morning; dinner, the main meal of the day in the mid-to-late afternoon; and supper in the evening,” Hellier says. “Meat, fowl or fish was typically a featured part of the main course.”

2026: Our favorite foods to cook at home today are just as varied as they were in Colonial times, with influences from immigrants and locally abundant ingredients. Although the concerning trend of ultra-processed and fast food has been growing, in recent years Americans have rediscovered their love of a home-cooked meal—especially as prices rise.

In what will come as no surprise, chicken dominates our dinner plates, and according to reports, it’s consumed around twice as much as other meats. Hamburgers, of course, also have a prominent place in our diets, along with french fries and other potato products. As for dessert, they don’t say “as American as apple pie” for nothing … even if it didn’t actually originate in America!

Health and medicine

1776: Life was precarious in 1776. Without modern medicine or antibiotics, a simple cut could potentially kill you. “Illnesses and medical conditions that we might take for granted today or those that are easily managed nowadays could end up being deadly,” Skic says. Doctors at the time also didn’t believe in germs, which didn’t help. “The idea that diseases spread via ‘miasma’ or noxious air was more widely believed,” he says. “Doctors treated patients with medicines derived from plants and other organic materials, but this was a time before disinfection and penicillin. Those with formal medical training in Europe could perform surgeries and inoculations.”

Interesting fact: George Washington was a major proponent of the smallpox vaccine to keep the disease from spreading among his troops.

2026: Although some evidence-based medical treatments are still looked at with skepticism, scientists and doctors have made huge strides in understanding and treating disease. We now know that washing our hands and avoiding close contact with sick people can help keep us healthy, and we have a whole new world of antibiotics and other medicines to treat infections and diseases. That first antibiotic, by the way, hasn’t even celebrated its 100th birthday yet. Penicillin was (accidentally) discovered by Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming in 1928.

Life expectancy

1776: Because treatments for sickness and injury weren’t very good, it’s no surprise many people didn’t live as long as they do today—or even survive childhood. Back then, the average life expectancy was 35 to 38 years old. “Average life expectancy in the United States today is roughly double what it was in 1776,” Skic says. “Higher infant mortality and childhood death rates compared to today’s rates are major factors in this difference.”

So if you lived past the age of 5 or 10, chances were much better you’d make it into older age: Ben Franklin, for example, was 84 when he died in 1790.

2026: Thankfully, today’s kids don’t face the same risks from disease as they did 250 years ago. The average life expectancy in the U.S. hit an all-time high in 2024 (the most recent year for stats) at 79 years old. But that number still lags behind other comparable countries, which have an average life expectancy of 82.7 years, about 3.7 years longer than the U.S.

School

1776: Many kids received an education back in the 1700s, but not necessarily in the way we think. “The general goal was to prepare children for the work they would do in life and their position in society,” Hellier says. “While public education was available in New England, it was typically a private matter elsewhere.” Children might be educated at a small private school, at a charity school for poor children, by tutors, by their parents, in a minister’s school, at a grammar school and college, as an apprentice or a combination.

“Most girls of middling status learned the basics: reading, writing and enough arithmetic to run a household or keep accounts,” Hellier says. “Girls of higher status might learn music, dance, French or other genteel accomplishments. Boys of higher status might learn Latin, history or geography, besides training for a profession. Enslaved people who performed trades or domestic duties received education that would enable them to do their jobs, such as literacy and numeracy skills.”

The records on how literacy rates varied among different races, genders and class are scarce. Historians estimate that around 90% of White men in New England could read in 1787, but only 48% of women; the numbers were slightly lower in the Southern states.

2026: Today, we’ve largely accomplished Thomas Jefferson’s goal of public schools that would teach “reading, writing and common arithmetick” to “all the free children, male and female,” with public schools nationwide. Still, national literacy rates are actually less than they were among White male New Englanders in the early years of the United States, with an overall literacy rate of U.S. adults today at 79%, according to the most recent data (2024).

Clothing

1776: Fashionable clothes were all the rage among the wealthy class, as they are today. “Historians call this period a consumer revolution, when the Atlantic world saw a vast increase in available goods and a hankering after fashionable items,” Hellier says. “Colonists imported vast amounts of textiles, from utilitarian to luxurious. Like today, some consumers went into debt to buy the goods they craved.”

Wealthier men wore short pants, or breeches, paired with waistcoats. Average middlings, though, dressed for practicality. “People did not only or primarily wear sleeves and long pants or skirts for modesty,” Schroeder says. “Lightweight clothing that protected the skin from sun and bug bites were functional necessities.”

With the Revolution, Colonists also came to dislike fancy British silks, which couldn’t be imported during the war anyway. They replaced these items with American-made linen and wool.

2026: Today, “fast” fashion has taken over. Clothes are produced quickly and cheaply for ravenous consumers, but they’re also poorly made, which means they have to be replaced often. Our clothes are simpler than they were in Colonial times, with comfortable clothing like T-shirts, jeans and athleisure worn most often. (We’re guessing all the men who wore breeches would be horrified!)

Cotton is the most popular fabric for clothing in the U.S. today, and our country is one of the world’s biggest producers of it. Modern synthetics like polyester, mainly imported from Asia, are also commonly sold and worn because they don’t wrinkle, they dry quickly and they’re cheap.

Leisure activities

1776: People in Colonial times weren’t so different than us when it came to their need for fun. “Vocal and instrumental music was popular, but you or your friends had to make it yourselves,” Hellier says. “Traveling troupes of actors performed in theaters. Reading, aloud or to oneself, was a form of leisure activity. Horseback riding and ball games were outdoor amusements.”

As for indoor fun, people played simple board games, including the Royall and the Most Pleasant Game of the Goose; card games like cribbage, loo and whist; and dice games like Hazard. People also whiled away their time with dancing, shopping and good, old-fashioned conversation. However, unlike us, “daily life and activities were also highly dependent on the weather and available light, either sunlight or candlelight,” Skic says.

2026: Just about everything on 1776’s list of fun activities is still true today, with a modern twist. But the biggest change in leisure activities has been the result of the internet and the constant presence of devices such as tablets and phones. Scrolling, playing video games and posting on social media are the new popular pastimes—although gossip was passed around communities nearly as easily in 1776 as it is online today.

What’s surprisingly similar about life in 1776 and today?

Yes, some aspects of daily life back then are inconceivable to us, but there are some very American throughlines in our history. For one, many people weren’t tied to their job and could even switch careers with the same industrious spirit Americans have today. “This was a very hierarchical society, but among the ‘middling sort,’ there was a lot of fluidity—what you might call mobility,” Schroeder says.

Like today, the soon-to-be United States was diverse, made up of immigrants from different cultures and classes who sometimes misunderstood one another, but they could come together when they recognized their similarities. The Revolutionary War itself helped do this, as people from all over ended up in army encampments together. “They were meeting each other across preconceptions that were engulfed by lifestyle divides—something about this feels familiar, doesn’t it?” Schroeder says. “The war created so much close-quarter contact between people who otherwise would never have met that you have to say it helped to create an American identity.”

And the same American optimism that’s shaped our culture was also present in the fledgling nation. “There’s another way people in this era were just like us: They were oddly confident, given how much was in flux and all the privations and problems they were up against,” Schroeder says. She quotes a letter from a woman in Williamsburg writing to her sister in England: “You see, my sister, I talk like an American; and well I may; she has been kinder to me than my native country; to her I owe everything I possess, and I will most cheerfully comply with whatever may be thought for the general good.”

This attitude represents the best that Americans can be, as we continue to fight for our rights as laid out in the Declaration of Independence of 1776 and later the Constitution. “I recognize this country that welcomed strangers and earned their loyalty through fights for expanding liberty and civil rights, quite well,” Schroeder says. As should we all.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Matthew Skic, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia; email interview, June 2026
• Cathleene B. Hellier, PhD, senior historian at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; email interview, June 2026
• Robyn Schroeder, PhD, affiliate history faculty member at William and Mary, and assistant director of the college’s National Institute of American History and Democracy; email interview, June 2026

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The good news? If you haven’t locked in your summer travel plans yet, or you’re hoping to squeeze in one more international getaway, there’s still plenty of time to save. Expedia analyzed millions of flight searches, bookings and data from the past year to identify two of the cheapest days to travel this summer—and they just so happen to be in August. Ahead, Melanie Fish, Expedia’s travel expert, gives us the scoop on the newest report so you can plan your trips strategically and keep more money in your travel budget.

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What are the two cheapest days to fly?

Circle Aug. 11 and Aug. 17 on your calendar. According to Expedia, those are the two cheapest days to fly internationally in 2026.

What makes these two days the cheapest?

It’s all about timing. “Mid-August is when international demand begins to ease as families return from summer vacation and back-to-school season starts,” says Fish. “It creates a sweet spot before the back-to-school travel surge fully dissipates.”

In other words, many travelers have already taken their big summer trips by this point. With fewer families booking vacations and students preparing to head back to school, airlines often lower prices to fill seats. Fish adds that early June and mid-August tend to offer better value on both flights and hotels than peak summer weeks.

What is the cheapest month to fly overall?

Despite summer travel being associated with sky-high prices, Expedia found August to be the most affordable month to fly in 2026.

And the savings can be substantial. According to Expedia’s data, travelers can find round-trip flights to destinations like Atlantic City, Fort Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach and Orlando for under $500, on average, in August. Looking farther afield? International destinations including Mykonos and Santorini, Greece; Toulouse, France; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, can be reached for under $1,000, on average.

The report also identified some particularly affordable booking windows, including the week of July 6 for domestic travel and the week of July 27 for international travel.

When is the most expensive time to travel?

“December is the most expensive, given it’s the holiday season—no surprise there,” says Fish. “Across both domestic and international routes, December remains the peak of high airfare, as holiday travel surges spike prices across nearly all markets.”

Between Thanksgiving carryover travel, Christmas vacations, Hanukkah celebrations and New Year’s trips, millions of travelers are competing for the same flights. So if your schedule allows, traveling before or after the holiday rush can lead to significant savings.

What are the peak summer travel times?

The most expensive stretch of summer isn’t August—it’s actually much earlier. According to Fish, peak family travel occurs in late June and early July, particularly around Juneteenth weekend, Independence Day and the first weeks of summer vacation. That’s when schools are out, families are eager to travel and demand for flights reaches its seasonal high point.

Luckily, waiting just a few weeks can make a big difference. As summer winds down and back-to-school preparations begin, demand drops and airfare often follows. That’s a big reason why mid-August has emerged as one of the best-value travel periods of the entire year.

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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Melanie Fish, travel expert at Expedia; email interview, June 24, 2026
• Expedia: “Expedia 2026 Air Hacks: Friday Takes Off as the New Cheapest Day to Depart and Book”
• Expedia: “Smart Planning and Value Take Center Stage in Summer Travel, According to Expedia “

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Personally, I’m partial to chocolate, cookies and cream, and dulce de leche, but that’s the beauty of ice cream—there’s a flavor for everyone. And people can get surprisingly passionate about their favorites. That’s what makes Innerbody’s recent study on the most popular ice cream flavor in every state so much fun. Some states stick with the classics, while others favor flavors you might never expect.

Before you decide what to order at your local ice cream parlor, read on to see if your state’s favorite scoop matches your own. You might find yourself feeling validated or shocked by what your neighbors have been putting on their cones.

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How did this report determine the most popular ice cream in every state?

This wasn’t decided by a nationwide taste test (as fun as that sounds). Instead, Innerbody analyzed Google Trends search data from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., looking at which ice cream flavors people were searching for most often. From there, researchers compared interest levels to identify each state’s favorite flavor, along with broader trends in ice cream brands, regional preferences and America’s overall ice cream habits.

What is the most popular ice cream flavor in each state?

Some states stuck with beloved classics, while others went all-in on trendy picks, local favorites and a few flavors you probably won’t find in every grocery-store freezer aisle. Here’s the most popular ice cream flavor in every state:

• Alabama: Birthday cake
• Alaska: Cookie dough
• Arizona: Rocky road
• Arkansas: Strawberry
• California: Strawberry
• Colorado: Chocolate chip
• Connecticut: Strawberry
• Delaware: Birthday cake
• Florida: Boba
• Georgia: Butter pecan
• Hawaii: Coconut
• Idaho: Vanilla
• Illinois: Chocolate
• Indiana: Peppermint
• Iowa: Birthday cake
• Kansas: Matcha
• Kentucky: Strawberry
• Louisiana: Birthday cake
• Maine: Blueberry
• Maryland: Strawberry
• Massachusetts: Cookie dough
• Michigan: Strawberry
• Minnesota: Strawberry
• Mississippi: Strawberry
• Missouri: Chocolate chip
• Montana: Cookie dough
• Nebraska: Strawberry
• Nevada: Strawberry
• New Hampshire: Cookie dough
• New Jersey: Chocolate chip
• New Mexico: Pistachio
• New York: Pistachio
• North Carolina: Birthday cake
• North Dakota: Caramel/Salted caramel
• Ohio: Strawberry
• Oklahoma: Neapolitan
• Oregon: Lavender
• Pennsylvania: Chocolate chip
• Rhode Island: Strawberry
• South Carolina: Peach
• South Dakota: Cookies and cream
• Tennessee: Strawberry
• Texas: Strawberry
• Utah: Vanilla
• Vermont: Peanut butter
• Virginia: Strawberry
• Washington: Neapolitan
• West Virginia: Pumpkin
• Wisconsin: Chocolate
• Wyoming: Vanilla

Was there a clear winner across the country?

Strawberry claimed the national crown, having been labeled as the top flavor in 15 states, including California, Texas and Michigan. Even more surprising? Chocolate chip and cookie dough are the second most popular flavors, each holding the top spot in four states. Apparently, Americans still love the classics—we just like a few extra ingredients mixed in.

What were the regional trends?

Some states wear their local pride on their waffle cones. Maine searches for blueberry, Hawaii prefers coconut and South Carolina leans peach, proving local flavors still matter. Another part of the study also labeled the Northeast as America’s biggest ice cream fan club, with seven of the 10 most ice-cream-obsessed states landing in the region. So much for cold weather ruining dessert.

Were there any big surprises?

Absolutely! While strawberry and cookie dough were busy winning over the masses, a few states decided to do their own thing. Florida’s top flavor was boba ice cream, Oregon preferred lavender and Kansas searched for matcha more than anything else. Then there’s ube, the vibrant purple yam flavor that’s been popping up everywhere lately but still ranks among the least popular nationwide.

Personally, I was shocked that only three states favored vanilla and two favored chocolate. In other words, Americans are getting a lot more adventurous with their ice cream choices, even if not everyone has caught up yet.

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Innerbody.com: “Which States Love Ice Cream the Most, and Who’s Eating What Flavors?”
• International Dairy Foods Association: “Ice Cream Sales & Trends”

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A lot has changed in the United States over the past 250 years, including in our government. But the country is still clinging to one arguably outdated relic from its Founders: the Electoral College. Every four years, during the presidential election, we stare at our screens and bite our nails as pundits predict which candidate will get enough electoral votes to win the entire state—which isn’t necessarily the same as the candidate who gets the most votes.

That, of course, has put the Electoral College squarely in the crosshairs of some very angry voters, especially over the last two decades. As the argument goes, the Electoral College may have made sense in 1776, but in 2026, it may need to be tossed into the proverbial dustbin of history. Plus, let’s be honest: It’s just flat-out confusing.

“The world is very different now than it was then, so I understand how people feel frustrated,” says Lindsey Cormack, PhD, an associate professor of political science at Stevens Institute of Technology. “The Founders were dealing with a new, small republic, limited communication, weak development of national parties and a very restricted electorate. Today, we have mass parties, national campaigns, universal adult citizenship voting rights, instant communication, polling, television, the internet and a much stronger expectation that the person with the most votes should win.”

So why was the Electoral College created in the first place, and what (the heck) where the Founding Fathers thinking when they established it? We spoke with Cormack and three other constitutional scholars and political experts to find out. Read on to learn more about the history of the Electoral College—and if it might be on its way out.

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What is the Electoral College, exactly, and how does it work?

The Electoral College is the mechanism in the United States for deciding who will be president. It was the brainchild of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, devised as a compromise. (More on that in a minute.) “Instead of having direct elections of presidents, we add this additional step,” explains Tristan M. Hightower, PhD, an assistant professor of political science at Bryant University. “States are allocated a number of ‘electors’ based on congressional representation, which is, in turn, partly based on population.” Every four years, American citizens vote to determine which presidential candidate those electors will select.

Each state’s number of electors is equal to its total number of members of Congress. “Even the smallest states have at least three electors, since every state has two senators and at least one representative,” says Rodney A. Smolla, a constitutional scholar and professor at Vermont Law and Graduate School. Today, California has the largest number, 54, because it has two senators and 52 members of the House of Representatives. State legislatures determine how their electors will be awarded, Smolla adds.

Who are the electors, and how are they chosen?

For that honor, you have to be nominated by your political party. Typically, these positions go to people who have demonstrated loyalty to their political party. (Think: party leaders and activists, as well as state and local elected officials.) Members of Congress and other federal officials are not permitted to be electors. Electors pledge to vote for their party’s candidate, and in some states, like New Mexico and South Carolina, they’re required to do so by law.

The number of electoral votes in the U.S. has changed 24 times since this system was created. We started off with 69, then increased as the country grew and more states joined the union. In the 1960 election, the U.S. went from having 531 electoral votes to 537. Since the 1964 election, there have been a total of 538 electoral votes in the country, with a majority of the votes—270—needed to elect a president.

Why did the Founders create the Electoral College?

Now back to that compromise we noted above. The Founders needed to find a solution to major disagreement: how the president was selected. At the time, no other country voted directly for their head of state, so the Founders didn’t have a blueprint to work from.

One of the debates at the Constitutional Convention was whether to elect the president by a direct popular vote or an indirect system of election, like having Congress pick the president. “It’s important to remember that the Founding Fathers were not a single ideological bloc,” Hightower says. Founders James Wilson and Gouverneur Morris were in favor of having a popular vote, while James Madison and George Mason were in favor of a congressional vote.

Here’s what ultimately led to the creation of the Electoral College.

They didn’t trust the majority of Americans

While some Founders worried that election by Congress would make the president too dependent on Congress, others worried that direct election by voters was risky in a large, spread-out country with limited information. “Those Founders were also elitists who doubted that average persons were sufficiently well-educated or informed enough to be trusted,” Smolla notes. The Electoral College compromise was the result.

“After deliberating during the summer, [the Founders] created an Electoral College for an indirect election,” says historian Tony Williams, a senior fellow at the Bill of Rights Institute. “They wanted to protect the interests of less-populous states and have a president who represented the national will, rather than one who just won a few large cities. They also feared that a demagogue might appeal to passions and lead voters astray.”

One of the biggest concerns that led to the creation of the Electoral College was a worry about “tyranny of the majority,” Hightower says. “At the time, this type of democracy was largely experimental, and some were worried that too much direct control residing in the masses could lead to mob rule,” he explains. “This indirect selection process could also theoretically limit the possibility of populist leaders who would want to retain power once they got it, since their ability to appeal directly to the people would be limited.”

Racism played a disturbingly large role

Universal suffrage was not a feature in the early days of American democracy. “If you weren’t a White man who paid taxes or owned land, you probably did not have the right to vote,” Hightower says.

In 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were confronted with the question of how the hundreds of thousands of enslaved people living in the country would affect its systems and constitution. More specifically, there was a debate over if and how they would be counted when allocating seats in the House of Representatives, which was based on population.

The Founders came up with the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted an enslaved person as three-fifths of a person. “The compromise artificially inflated the political power of the slave states, giving them extra representatives in Congress, and thereby also in the Electoral College,” even though enslaved people weren’t given the right to vote or any political rights, Smolla says.

Why do we still have the Electoral College today?

The main reason we still have the Electoral College is because it can only be changed via a constitutional amendment and that would be very difficult. It has changed a little, though, over the years through various amendments.

“The 12th Amendment [passed in 1803] fixed the early problem where electors did not vote separately for president and vice president,” Cormack says. Previously, the runner-up in the presidential electoral vote would become the vice president, instead of a president and vice president running together on a designated ticket. Then, the 23rd Amendment, passed in 1961, gave Washington, D.C., three electoral votes.

But aside from these changes, the Electoral College is structurally very similar to how it was originally designed, Hightower says. “The biggest change has been the size and diversity of the voting population,” he notes. “America looks much different than it did at the founding.”

Does this 1787 decision still make sense in 2026?

It’s debatable.

According to Smolla, who believes that the president and vice president should be determined by popular vote, “the Electoral ollege makes absolutely no sense whatsoever today.” For one, it’s responsible for the artificial influence of a handful of swing states, which often determine the election. “This tends to render irrelevant the votes of many voters in other states, in which it is clear who will likely win the popular vote within that state,” he explains. “If the nation went to a national popular-vote system, every single voter’s vote would be of equal weight—and matter.”

Williams, on the other hand, says the system created in 1787 still makes a great deal of sense because it helps to preserve federalism and the interests of the states. “It also continues to protect smaller states and make the president a national leader of the different interests and geographical regions of the country,” he says. “The new government in the early American republic faced similar challenges in terms of partisan divisions, passions and regional interests. So the Electoral College continues to serve its original purposes.”

Additionally, voting rights have improved exponentially since 1787. “America is a much more diverse place than it was at the founding,” Hightower says. “And, conceivably, that diversity means that popularly elected leaders must appeal to a broader base than they originally would have.”

How has the Electoral College been problematic over the last 250 years?

The main issue is that the winner of the popular vote hasn’t always come out on top. There have been five presidents—John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, George W. Bush and Donald Trump (in 2016)—who did not win the popular vote but were elected through the current system. “There is no logic or justice to support these outcomes,” Smolla says.

There have also been a few other instances where the Electoral College wasn’t the most effective way of choosing a president. “We have some 19th-century examples where the Electoral College either produced a tie, failed to produce a majority winner or generated serious legitimacy disputes, but I think the issues today are more about democratic equality rather than institutional bugs,” Hightower says.

An argument that persists today is the need to protect the rights and voices of small states. “[In 1787], New York and Virginia were powerhouses in terms of population that could, in theory, bulldoze through the interests of smaller states,” Hightower says. “Today, some people contend that many of those states that fill out the middle of the country are vulnerable to the larger states because of their small populations.”

Could the Electoral College ever be abolished?

Sure—but it will probably never happen. It would take a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College, and those are virtually impossible to pass.

“I don’t see it coming,” says Cormack. A constitutional amendment would require two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states. “The swing states benefit very much from the Electoral College in that they get the bulk of campaign dollars and attention, so they would be less likely to agree to such a change,” she adds.

The other possible solution is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. “Under this proposal, if states with enough electoral votes to win the Electoral College—which is 270 total electoral votes—pledge to devote all of those states’ electoral votes to whichever candidate gains the most popular votes nationally, then the president would effectively be chosen by whoever wins the national popular vote,” Smolla explains. So far, 18 states plus Washington, D.C., have joined, adding up to a total of 222 Electoral College votes—48 short of the compact going into effect.

“I don’t think that we’ll see a sufficient number of states sign on, and even if they did, there would be thousands of challenges in the courts, so it’s sort of amend-the-Constitution-or-bust on this one,” Cormack says. Plus, at any given time in history, adds Smolla, one party perceives the current system to be an advantage, and that discourages reform.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece why the Electoral College was created, Elizabeth Yuko, PhD, tapped her experience as a professor, bioethicist and longtime journalist who often covers history and knowledge for Reader’s Digest. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Lindsey Cormack, PhD, associate professor of political science at Stevens Institute of Technology; email interview, June 8, 2026
• Tristan M. Hightower, PhD, assistant professor of political science in the department of politics, law and society at Bryant University; email interview, June 10, 2026
• Rodney A. Smolla, professor at Vermont Law and Graduate School; email interview, June 2026
• Tony Williams, historian, educator and senior fellow at the Bill of Rights Institute; email interview, June 9, 2026
• The Conversation: “Who invented the Electoral College?”
• League of Women Voters: “The Three-Fifths Compromise and the Electoral College”
• National Archives: “Electoral College History”
• U.S. House of Representatives: “Electoral College Fast Facts”

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Are some people just plain sweeter? Is it true mosquitoes target women who are expecting, as I experienced? And, most importantly, what can we all do to escape these pests and their itchy bites this summer?

Bite prevention matters because mosquitoes can cause serious health problems. “Most mosquito bites are simply an annoyance that causes itching and discomfort, but some mosquito species can transmit diseases including West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis and, in some parts of the world, dengue fever, malaria and others,” says Daniel Parker, PhD, an expert in mosquito-borne illnesses and an associate professor at UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health.

To understand why some of us feel like we’re always getting eaten alive and to learn how to dodge mosquito bites, I spoke with Parker and insect-brain researcher Gabriella Wolff, PhD, an assistant professor of biology at Case Western Reserve University. Here are the wild reasons you may be a mark for mosquitoes—and what to do about it.

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Is it your imagination, or do mosquitoes find some people particularly delicious?

It’s not your imagination. “Some people appear to be more attractive to mosquitoes than others,” Parker confirms. Mosquitoes use carbon dioxide, body heat, skin odors and other factors to find hosts, he explains, which is why some of us end up covered in bug bites.

These little buggers are picky, and they put all their resources into finding the perfect targets. “Mosquitoes use their sense of smell, vision, taste, heat sensing and water sensing to find people to bite,” Wolff notes. (On the positive side: They went to an awful lot of trouble to pick you!)

Why do mosquitoes bite some people more than others?

Here are the main reasons why mosquitoes may be drawn to you.

The carbon dioxide (CO₂) you breathe out

Here’s some fascinating science: “Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and follow plumes of this gas to find people to bite,” Wolff says. But wait—don’t we all exhale carbon dioxide? We do, but some of us breathe at a faster rate, so we expel more CO₂ than others due to differences in metabolism, she explains.

Your body heat

Mosquitoes are also drawn to your body heat, Wolff says. In fact, a 2015 study found that the type of mosquito that can spread dengue fever seeks out human body temperature over much higher and lower temperatures. Other research suggests being a little warmer—as you get when exercising—may bring these suckers your way.

Pregnancy

I am not the only woman who finds herself extra yummy to mosquitoes while expecting. “Pregnant women have higher body temperatures and breathing rates, so they emit more heat and carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes,” Wolff says. “[And] their skin tends to contain more of a chemical called 1-octen-3-ol, which is attractive to some species of mosquitoes.”

Your sweat

When we work up a sweat, we give off lactic acid and other by-products. And while you may not love the scent of that post-workout funk, mosquitoes sure do. They’re drawn to components in your sweat, including lactic acid, according to a 2019 study published in Current Biology. But everyone who goes for a run or does hot yoga isn’t equally delicious. “Humans can have subtle differences in chemicals in their skin, breath and sweat that make them more attractive,” Wolff says. How lovely.

Exercise

Working out or playing sports outdoors achieves the trifecta for bug bites. As Wolff explains, “while exercising, people exhale more carbon dioxide, have higher body temperatures and build up lactic acid—all of which make them more attractive to mosquitoes.”

Your blood type

Among the weirder reasons for mosquitoes playing favorites: They may prefer a certain blood type. Some research suggests that people with type O blood get bitten more frequently. And a 2019 study looking into whether a certain blood type encourages the spread of dengue fever found that mosquitoes did prefer type O, though the mosquitoes that feasted on O didn’t produce more eggs (which is a good thing).

As a type A+, I kind of love this research. The only problem is, it isn’t settled science. “The studies are contradictory,” Wolff explains. “It’s still unclear if any blood type is the most attractive to mosquitoes.” You know what that means, right? All of us A’s, B’s and AB’s still have to apply our OFF!

Drinking beer and eating bananas

Do you love a cold brew on a warm night? You might want to rethink that if you’re in a buggy area. Same goes for munching on a banana. Turns out, drinking beer or eating bananas can make you mighty attractive to mosquitoes. “Eating these foods may increase the amount of ethanol and lactic acid released from skin, though the direct link hasn’t been found yet,” Wolff says.

Still, if you have a choice at that outdoor restaurant, you may want to go with a crisp white wine and dodge the beer-crazy mosquitoes.

Wearing basic black (yes, seriously)

Everyone loves black … even mosquitoes. Apparently, some mosquitoes may be more attracted to darker colors such as black and red, particularly after they’ve detected your carbon dioxide. When mosquitoes smell CO₂ from our breath, it prompts their eyes to scan for certain colors that they associate with potential hosts, according to a 2022 study by University of Washington researchers published in Nature Communications. They are drawn to black, cyan (a deep blue-green), red and orange. But there’s no need to ditch your summer LBD or blue romper, Parker says, since other factors are more of a lure to mosquitoes.

What can you do if you’re a mosquito magnet?

First, don’t panic if you see a few zipping around. “There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes, and only some bite humans,” Wolff says. “Some prefer other mammals, birds or amphibians, and some do not feed on blood at all and only drink plant nectar.” So you can file that with all the other weird-but-true insect facts that you never imagined could be true.

But what about the mosquitoes that prefer humans to plants and mammals? You need to think about prevention. Here are some pro strategies to mosquito-proof your summer.

• Use mosquito repellent every time. “Bug sprays with DEET or picaridin have the strongest evidence behind them,” Parker says. There are several formulations to choose from, including sprays and wipes. OFF! Clean Feel Insect Repellent has picaridin—which is made from chrysanthemums. With DEET, you can choose from low concentrations (OFF! Family Care has 7% DEET) to higher ones like Ben’s Tick and Insect Repellent (with 30% DEET) if you’ll be somewhere especially buggy.
• Swap in these essential oils. Prefer to avoid DEET or picaridin? Clove, cinnamon or lemongrass essential oils have a repellent effect on mosquitoes, Wolff says. “DEET should only be sprayed on skin once a day, but essential oils can be reapplied when you no longer smell them.” It’s a strategy this pro uses herself: “I personally mix a little cinnamon oil in my lotion or sunscreen,” she says. Finding alternatives to DEET is actually becoming an urgent issue. A 2026 study by Virginia Tech scientists published in the Journal of Experimental Biology found that mosquitoes can learn to like the smell of DEET, as their brain rewires itself to link that bug-spray smell with a real reward (i.e., your tasty flesh).
• Wear proper clothes. To keep mosquitoes (and ticks) away, wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt in a light color, Parker advises. If you work outdoors or frequently hike in mosquito-laden areas, you may want to invest in special mosquito-resistant clothing. “Permethrin-treated clothing can provide additional protection for people who spend a lot of time outdoors,” Parker says. It comes in everything from tops and pants to socks and workout tights.
• Skip the flowery and fruity perfume. You’ve probably heard bugs like scented lotions and figured that’s just some old wives’ tale. Surprisingly, it’s true. “Mosquitoes feed on flower and fruit nectar for energy, so floral or fruity scents may be attractive to them,” Wolff says. If you’re hoping to turn them off, you may want to skip floral and fruit notes in your fragrance, as well as scented hair and body products.
• Shower after exercising. Post-workout, hop right in the shower, and suds up to remove traces of sweat.
• Run a fan. If you’ll be sitting outside, turning on a porch fan or other outdoor fan can help. “Mosquitoes are relatively weak fliers, and moving air can make it harder for them to find and land on you,” Parker explains.
• Consider a Metofluthrin-based spatial repellent (like Thermacell). These gadgets disperse a vapor of metofluthrin—an insecticide—about 15 feet into the outdoor air, deterring mosquitoes. “They are currently one of my favorite approaches,” Parker says.
• Get rid of any standing water. Parker calls standing water the biggest factor in contributing to mosquito problems. “Mosquitoes can breed in surprisingly small amounts of water, including buckets, plant saucers, birdbaths, clogged gutters and even bottle caps,” he says.
• Be alert for symptoms. Most bug bites are harmless. (Phew!) But Parker recommends keeping an eye out for symptoms of a mosquito-borne infection. If you develop a fever, severe headache, unusual fatigue, neurological symptoms or other significant symptoms within days to a couple of weeks after heavy mosquito exposure, contact a health-care provider. “Many people won’t remember a specific mosquito bite,” he says, “so the exposure history can be more important than recalling an individual bite.”

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Gabriella Wolff, PhD, assistant professor of biology at Case Western Reserve University; phone interview, June 12, 2026
• Daniel Parker, PhD, associate professor at UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health; email interview, June 15, 2026
• Nature: “Mosquito taste responses to human and floral cues guide biting and feeding”
• American Journal of Entomology: “Blood Feeding Preference of Female Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes for Human Blood Group Types and Its Impact on Their Fecundity: Implications for Vector Control”
• Journal of Experimental Biology: “Associative learning switches DEET valence from aversive to appetitive in Aedes aegypti”
• Virginia Tech News: “Think DEET keeps mosquitoes away? They may be learning to love it”
• PubMed Central: “The cation channel TRPA1 tunes mosquito thermotaxis to host temperatures”

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Luckily, Independence Day isn’t just about fireworks and backyard BBQs—it’s also one of the biggest shopping weekends of the summer. Still, not everything is open. To help you avoid any holiday hiccups, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular stores across the U.S. that will be open on America’s birthday. We’ve got supermarkets, gas stations, big-box stores and other major retailers, plus the places you can expect to find closed on July 4. Bonus: Along the way, we’ve highlighted some of the savings and special offers you may spot this year.

Just keep in mind that hours can vary by location, and since Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year, some locations observe the holiday on Friday, July 3, too. So while our list does the heavy lifting, it’s always a good idea to double-check with your local branch before heading out.

Read on to see which stores are open on the 4th of July and get ready for some star-spangled shopping.

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Grocery stores open on the 4th of July

• ACME: ACME stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, typically from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fourth of July sales usually include BOGO (Buy One, Get One) soda, chips and hot dogs, plus up to 50% off select meats.
• Albertsons: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. You’ll find digital coupons and summer BBQ promotions for the 4th.
• Aldi: Aldi locations are usually open on the 4th of July with limited hours, typically 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stores offer produce and seasonal food discounts on July 4th.
• BJ’s Wholesale Club: BJ’s locations are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. On July 4, members can save on bulk beverages, meats and grilling supplies.
• Costco: Costco stores are open on the 4th of July, typically with reduced hours from around 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Food Lion: Food Lion stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, usually from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Fresh Market: Stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. You’ll usually find 4th of July deals on premium steaks and meal bundles.
• Giant Food: Stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• H-E-B: Stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, typically from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Hy-Vee: Stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, typically from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Jewel-Osco: This store’s locations are typically open on the 4th of July during regular hours, from 6 a.m. to midnight.
• Kroger: Kroger stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, typically from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. For the 4th of July, they usually offer Buy 5 Save $5, extra fuel points and soda sales (sometimes 4 for $12).
• Lidl: Stores are open regular hours, typically from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Market Basket: Stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, typically from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Meijer: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 6 a.m. to midnight. Past 4th of July sales have included up to 50% off patio furniture, plus grilling specials.
• Publix: Stores are open regular hours, typically from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. On the 4th of July, Publix offers BOGO deals and discounts on deli platters and meats.
• Safeway: Stores are open regular hours, typically from 5 a.m. to midnight. Past 4th of July deals have included up to 50% off meat packages, as well as soda deals.
• Sam’s Club: Sam’s Club stores are open on the 4th of July with reduced hours, typically from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. You’ll find TVs from $100 to $600 off, as well as savings on bulk foods.
• ShopRite: Stores are open during regular hours, typically from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sprouts Farmers Market: Stores are open regular hours, typically from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Expect produce and organic-food promotions.
• Stop & Shop: Stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, typically from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Trader Joe’s: Stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, typically from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Vons: Stores are open during regular hours, typically from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. You’ll find barbecue and beverage promotions.
• Wegmans: Wegmans stores are open regular hours, typically from 6 a.m. to midnight.
• Whole Foods Market: Stores are open during regular hours, typically from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fourth of July deals have included 20% to 30% off burgers, sausages and seafood.
• Winn-Dixie: Stores are open regular hours, typically from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. You’ll find 4th of July BOGO promotions and special discounts on meats and produce.
• Walmart: Walmart stores are open regular hours on the 4th of July, typically from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Past deals have included 50% off patio furniture and 30% off grills.
• Target: Target stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, typically from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Major retailers open on the 4th of July

• Kohl’s: Stores are open regular hours on the 4th of July, typically from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Lowe’s: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sales have included up to 40% off appliances and $300 off grills.
• Home Depot: Stores are open, typically from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with 4th of July deals on outdoor power equipment and appliances.
• Macy’s: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Macy’s usually offers a weeklong sale with savings up to 60% across all departments.
• Marshall’s: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• T.J. Maxx: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Target: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Shoppers usually get 50% off outdoor furniture, plus discounts on electronics and home goods.
• Best Buy: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Shoppers can expect TVs up to $1,000 off, and laptops and appliances up to 40% off.
• JCPenney: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Expect up to 70% off apparel and home goods.
• Old Navy: Stores are open regular hours on the 4th of July. Locations typically offer 30% to 60% off the entire store.
• Gap: Stores are open regular hours on the 4th of July, with discounts usually up to 50% off sitewide.
• American Eagle: Stores are open regular hours on the 4th of July. You can expect major discounts on your favorite jeans and shorts, often 25% to 50% off.

Pharmacies open on the 4th of July

• CVS Pharmacy: Stores are open on the 4th of July during regular hours, so check your local CVS. Pharmacy departments may have reduced hours.
• Walgreens: Stores are open regular hours on the 4th of July, with many locations open 24/7.
• Rite Aid: Stores are open regular hours, although the pharmacy hours are generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Walmart Pharmacy: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Publix Pharmacy: Publix pharmacies are open on the 4th of July, typically from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Kroger Pharmacy: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gas stations open on the 4th of July

• 7-Eleven: 7-Eleven stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• BP: Stores are open on the 4th of July,  typically 24/7.
• Chevron: Stores are open on the 4th of July, often 24/7.
• Circle K: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• Exxon: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• Love’s Travel Stops: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• Marathon: Marathon stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• Murphy USA: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• Pilot Flying J: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• QuikTrip: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• RaceTrac: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• Shell: Shell locations are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• Speedway: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• Sunoco: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• Valero: Stores are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.
• Wawa: Wawa locations are open on the 4th of July, typically 24/7.

Places closed on the 4th of July

• Banks: Banks are closed on the 4th of July, and because Independence Day falls on Saturday in 2026, banks will also be closed on Friday, July 3.
• U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USPS locations are closed on the 4th of July, and because Independence Day falls on Saturday this year, banks will also be closed on Friday, July 3.
• Federal offices: Federal offices, including federal courts and passport agencies, are closed on the 4th of July as well as Friday, July 3.

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