- This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.
Welcome back! It's officially spring break season — but this mom travels all year round with her family. Thanks to multiple streams of income, they've been to more than 57 countries!
If you're into the nomadic lifestyle, or if you'd rather stay put, keep scrolling for more of our best reads to live well — abroad or at home.
On the agenda:
Take a peek inside wellness queen Gwyneth Paltrow's longevity routine.
The best African safari to book, based on your budget.
From salads to cookie dough, here's what's in chef Duff Goldman's fridge.
Your real-estate agent may be keeping the best homes out of your sight.
But first: Shoppers are entering their basic era.
If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.
Dispatch
It's giving basic
The season's "must have" bag isn't Chanel, Dior, or even Gucci. Instead, it's (checks notes) a $2.99 Trader Joe's miniature tote that has shoppers in a frenzy.
We've been here before. Americans use consumer products as a source of connectivity, Business Insider's senior correspondent Emily Stewart writes.
As social creatures, we crave a sense of belonging and community. In a time when families are spread across the globe, and your best friends may live more in your group chats than your real life, items like Stanley Cups and tote bags make us feel connected.
They're also really fun. Plus, when you add in a dash of competition, you have a new status symbol worth less than a cup of coffee. Trader Joe's played into a scarcity model too, forcing consumers to scramble to find them.
There's good news for those who want to show off their own mini tote, however. TJ's said they'll be back in stock in late summer. Until then, the unlucky ones will have to collect their tears in their Stanleys, or wait for the next viral craze.
How Gwyneth Paltrow preps for a long life
For a woman known for selling items far out of reach of regular people — like a $1,049 gemstone heat therapy mat — Paltrow's longevity routine is refreshingly attainable.
The Goop founder told Business Insider she's focusing on sleeping well, minimizing stress, and consuming sugar and alcohol in moderation to help her live a long, healthy life.
Inside Paltrow's longevity plan.
Also read:
A tale of two safaris
The author has been on two glamping trips in Africa: A $1,100 lodge in South Africa, and a $4,000 all-inclusive experience in Tanzania.
Both stays were fun, and had their perks. But if your main objective is to see the animals, it's worth the splurge to be inside a private reserve. That way, you can get up close with the wildlife.
How the two experiences stack up.
Inside chef Duff Goldman's fridge
Ever wonder what celebrity chefs eat every day? Us too! That's why we asked the 49-year-old "Ace of Cakes" star to give us a tour of his fridge.
Goldman stocks his refrigerator with his "Jennifer Aniston Salad," chilling cookie dough, an assortment of condiments, and both oat and cow's milk.
See what else Goldman's eating.
Real estate's dirty secret
In a shady practice known as "steering," some real-estate agents may filter out listings with low commissions before passing them along to clients.
It's a tactic that may be keeping the cheapest homes out of your sight — and one that, thanks to a few multi-billion dollar lawsuits, could soon end.
The homes your agent doesn't want you to see.
What we're watching this weekend
"Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour": If you missed it in theaters — or want to relive the concerts — the movie is streaming on Disney+.
"Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV": The four-part docuseries, based on a 2022 BI report, investigates allegations of toxicity at Nickelodeon. It airs on Max.
"Trolls Band Together": For a family-friendly movie night, this is your best bet. Streaming on Peacock, it's got jokes for all ages.
More of this week's top reads
We tested out Texas de Brazil's $55 all-you-can-eat meat dinner.
Meet an "airline nepo baby" who's flown for free since birth.
Tour a room in a resort that comes with a private hot spring and nine-course meals.
Would you pay $2,000 to live with 15 roommates in Harlem
British Airways is upgrading its long-haul fleet to Club Suite business class.
After living in Finland as a student, this writer can see why it's the happiest country in the world.
One way to help American homebuyers? Do what the Dutch do.
She left a Michelin-starred restaurant to run a food stall in Singapore.
The Insider Today team: Joi-Marie McKenzie, editor-in-chief, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York.