Renting is more common than ever, but millennials still have hopes of owning a home. Business Insider explains why entering the housing market will be difficult for this young generation.

In this day and age, the 18- to 34-year-old crowd have lived up to their reputation as perpetual renters. Most blame the trend on the housing crisis, which led so many homeowners to downsize and stunted the home buying power of younger consumers.

But whatever trauma the Great Recession had on the minds of millennials, it hasn't stymied their hopes for owning a home of their own one day, a new study shows.

RELATED: Renters' Delusion Could Sabotage Any Apartment Hunt

Real estate tracker Trulia found more than 90 percent of millennial renters plan on buying a home in the next two years.

Read on for more.

Can you imagine living on $1 a day? Business Insider shares how some students went beyond the classroom to experience it firsthand.

An estimated 1.1 billion people in the world survive on just $1 a day.

It's a figure Claremont McKenna College economics students Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci couldn't get out of their heads.

Related: Here's What Living on $1 a Day Does to the Body

"What can I do? That's the hardest part about it. . . . There is no one answer," says Temple. "[The US] has poured $2.5 trillion dollars into international development trying to end poverty, and a lot of times it just made things worse."

Read on for more.

The holidays can be a big drain on the wallet, so read these tips by Business Insider to make sure you're not going into credit card debt.

Now that the dust has settled from the Black Friday frenzy, it's not hard to see why consumer credit took a major leap in the fall. 

A record 247 million people shopped in stores and online over the four-day weekend, with the average shopper spending $423 — up from $398 last year, according to the National Retail Federation.

7 reasons your neighbors might be richer than you

That news is a little frightening.

Ending the holidays steeped in debt is hardly worth the satisfaction of getting everyone in your family the hottest new holiday gadget.

"A lot of families watch their budget very closely throughout the year and spend far beyond their expectations during the holidays," says Paul Golden of the National Endowment for Financial Education. "This short period of major spending can lead to long-term problems such as credit card debt, which can cause a burden for years to come. Don't be afraid to say 'no' to gifts you cannot afford. The greatest gift you can give yourself is financial stability."

Here are five tips NEFE offers to keep debt at bay during the holidays:

Stop at one gift. While shopping, you may come across items that seem like a great fit for someone on your list that you've already bought for. Resist the urge. Once you buy for someone, check him or her off your list. If the new gift is even better, be sure to return the previous gift you purchased for him or her.

Don't let guilt rule your spending. Don't be afraid to kick people off your gift list, and don't feel guilty if you have to skip a holiday party or two to stay on track. Wrapping gifts and sending holiday cards can add up too, so avoid expensive wrapping and consider sending a letter rather than store bought cards.

Shop wisely. Consider online shopping to get the best deals, but be sure to figure in shipping costs. Also look for good deals on auction websites. Check sale ads regularly and be selective in your shopping. Don't wait until the last minute to do your shopping. Set a plan for your time and your spending.

Limit credit card usage. Dig around for extra cash where you can find it (check unused gift cards, cash in rewards points, or even consider doubling up on gifts with a family member or friend). Consider a layaway plan, but be sure you've read all of the fine print and don't agree to a plan riddled with hidden fees. If you are using credit, limit yourself to using one low-interest card and preset a limit that you will not exceed — and be sure you have enough to pay it off. Keep the rest of your credit cards at home when you go shopping.

Be realistic. Don't get too carried away with your spending this holiday season just because the economy is showing signs of life. It's important to stay mindful of your goals and the long-term outlook, and your plan for managing your finances.

Check out these smart Business Insider stories:

5 Mistakes Retailers Can't Wait For You To Make

50 Must-Have Holiday Gifts For $50 Or Less

It Took Me 13 Years To Pay Off A Week's Worth Of Holiday Shopping

Products That Will Make Your Next Hotel Stay Safer And Better

Many shoppers turned to the web for holiday shopping over the weekend. Business Insider shares the top products shoppers are looking for.

As the holiday shopping season kicks off, consumers are flocking online to gobble up all the hottest products.

Which products are they searching for?

RELATED: Why We May Never See the End of Branded Shopping Days Like Cyber Monday

The researchers over at Experian have crunched the numbers for us. It looks like the winners so far are Uggs, Apple and Amazon:

Top 10 Product Searches on Thanksgiving

1. Uggs
2. Kindle Fire HD
3. ASUS Transformer
4. Crayola Light Designer
5. Wii U
6. Dr Dre Beats
7. Atari Flashback 4
8. iPod Touch
9. Nook Simple Touch
10. Nabi 2

Top 10 Product Searches on Black Friday

1. Uggs
2. Wii U
3. Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
4. Vupoint Magic Wand 3
5. Shark Vacuum
6. iPod Touch 5th Generation
7. Nabi 2
8. Doc McStuffins
9. Keurig b40
10. Atari Flashback 4

More shopping stats after the jump.

Holiday shopping is in full swing, so Business Insider has created a calendar to find the best deals and relieve any (shopping) stress this season.

Black Friday 2012 is predicted to be bigger than ever, with stores opening doors hours before midnight and "leaking" their sales ads weeks in advance.

The best way to miss out on great deals, however, is if you only mark Nov. 23 on your calendar. The next 30 days will be packed with crucial opportunities to save on holiday essentials.

Related: The Ultimate Holiday 2012 Shopping Guide

Here are the dates you should keep in mind:

Before Thanksgiving: Look for early deals online.

Amazon.com: Get a head start with Amazon's Black Friday Deal Week, which kicked off yesterday and features a new deal each day. Subscribe to Amazon's daily email for updates.

BestBuy.com: Reward Zone Members get exclusive access to early online days beginning at 11 a.m. EST.

Read on for more.

Who knew a Starbucks opening would be indicative of a hot real estate investment? Business Insider shares more on this phenomenon.

"Wake up and smell the coffee," writes Michael Corbett, real estate expert and host of NBC's "Extra's Mansions & Millionaires!" in his book Before you Buy! The Homebuyer's Handbook for Today's Market.

RELATED: The Most Iconic American Houses On The Market

He's talking about big chains such as Starbucks and Whole Foods. If you see them opening in a new neighborhood, it's a sign that the neighborhood is up-and-coming, and therefore a smart real estate bet.

In his book he writes:

"One of the best ways to stretch your buying dollar is to find a neighborhood that is in transition. Called fringe or transitional neighborhoods, they are typically close to major metropolitan areas and were once neglected and less desirable. Is there a trendy restaurant where a tattoo parlor used to be? These neighborhoods are now beginning to enjoy a new life and your goal is the find them.

Has a Starbucks just opened on the corner or maybe a Whole Foods Market? These are all good signs that a neighborhood is on the upswing. You can bet that big chains like Starbucks spend a lot of money and time analyzing neighborhood potential before they open up a new store. So go ahead, tap into their market research and be their neighbor."

Check out these smart stories from Business Insider:

The Most Anti-Starbucks Menu Ever Created

Here's How You'll Use Square To Buy Coffee At Starbucks

Why Starbucks Baristas Have Higher 'Emotional Intelligence' Than Doctors

Starbucks Baristas Reveal Customers' Most Impossible Orders

If you travel a lot, you know that mileage plans can be a great way to save money on future travel. Business Insider introduces us to some impressive frequent fliers who have mastered the system.

Mileage runners are a subculture of frequent flyers who've found impressive ways to hack the system.

In online forums like Flyer Talk, they debate the best ways to rack up the most miles for the least amount of money.

RELATED: An Airline Giveaway Scam is Running Rampant on Instagram Right Now

But while each flyer has her own unique style and mileage goal, they can all agree on one thing: Elite status is the only way to fly.

"I know people who have a passion for new routes, new aircraft, new carriers, etc., but that's not me," says Scott Mackenzie, who runs the blog HackMyTrip. "If sitting on a plane for a day means I get an upgrade or a free flight in the future, that's a fair trade."

We reached out to eight mileage runners and asked them to share their best runs, travel tips and what they have in their carry-on.

Read on for more.

The travel industry is constantly evolving with ways to book trips, earn miles, and unfortunately, pay fees. Business Insider shares how travel agents are facing more and more competition when it comes to booking trips.

Airlines are testing out a new ticket initiative to compete with websites that could go in effect by 2016.

Under the plan, airlines will solicit info to create a personalized ticket that folds in traditionally a la carte items like bag-check and meals. This could bode well for members of frequent flier clubs, but other consumers might be upset that it heralds the demise of travel agents.

Related: Going the Old-Fashioned Route is the Best Way to Save on International Travel

According to The Flight Deal, a blog that tracks fares, "consumers do not need travel agents for the traditional tonnage business of booking simple itineraries as airline websites and online travel agencies have filled that need."

Read on for more.

Want to know how to raise your credit score? Business Insider takes a look at people with high credit scores for some firsthand advice.

With the average FICO credit score estimated at 690 (the highest possible score is 850), chances are most Americans wouldn't mind some advice on how to improve.

Of all consumers, just 25 percent have managed to achieve a score of 785 or higher.

Why not ask them how they've done it?

A new report by myFICO analyzes the habits of the country's savviest debtors to find out just how they've achieved a stellar FICO score.

RELATED: Don't Get Too Excited About Wells Fargo's Free Credit Score Offer

Here's what they found:

1. They're not debt-free. On average, they carry an arsenal of about seven credit cards.

Read on for more.

Don't let debt weigh heavy on you, and take inspiration from this Business Insider profile of someone who managed to lose her debt in five months.

When Kristy Heinz moved to NYC last October, she had no couch, no TV, no mattress and $19,000 in debt.

She was the poster child for cash poor: Between the time she graduated law school and started her job at a firm, she'd been living on a diet of ramen and credit swipes.

RELATED: The 9 Steps I Took To Get My Finances Back On Track

With her student loans due for repayment in December, Heinz's survival depended on plugging that $20,000 black hole.

So, what did she owe?

$1,000 to a friend
$3,000 to parents
$10,000 salary advance from her firm
$6,000 in credit card bills

Heinz didn't freak out—at least not in public. She came up with a plan and got to work.

She talked down her rent

Heinz used negotiating skills to defer paying off her apartment deposit—which included first and last month's rent—until the end of the year.

"I explained to the landlord that I had a good job and good credit but that I was just cash poor at the moment," she says.

"The landlord knew I had a lot of things going for me, so striking the deal was just a matter of asking for it."

Heinz took the extra step of having the agreement written into the lease so neither party could backtrack.

"We did it the same way you negotiate other things, just like not using a bike in the hallway or paying a pet deposit."

Read on for more.

Did you know there are ways to improve your fast food experience? Business Insider shares a few tricks so you can enjoy fast food in a whole new way.

How can you make a fast food dinner even better?

By bypassing the menu and using these ordering tricks to get VIP treatment.

A Reddit forum revealed tips from fast food employees and savvy customers. We pulled out the best tricks that could enhance your next dining experience.

RELATED: The Fast Food World's Latest Trendy Buzzword Makes Things Seem Extra Fancy

We have tips for how to get the freshest fries at McDonald's, pay less for more food at Arby's, and make that Gordita Crunch even more delicious.

There are also tricks for better service at Chipotle, Starbucks, and Chick-Fil-A.

• Order your fries without salt at McDonald's. This will ensure you get the freshest fries, because they have to make them on the spot.
• Order absolutely anything you want at Outback. The company's "no rules, just right" culture means staff members have to meet your demands. One employee says he has seen people make custom omelettes at midnight or go to the grocery to get ingredients for a special request.
• You can incorporate a Dorito shell into your Cheesy Gordita Crunch at Taco Bell.
  It's just 30 cents extra for the delicious addition.
• You can customize your Jamba Juice. An employee says that you can order a smoothie with "light" or "extra" of an ingredient. You can also substitute any ingredient, and employees have to honor it.

Read on for more tips when ordering at restaurant chains.

The key to growing your wealth is to spend your money on what counts. Business Insider helps us make better money choices by sharing with us what we often waste money on.

Blame the government or blame the economy, but Americans should also blame themselves for their declining net worth.

We waste a whole lot of money. Seriously, over half a trillion dollars each year — and that's just for areas with available data.

RELATED: Negotiate Step by Step When You're Dead Set on Getting a Bargain

So what counts as a waste of money? We included fines, bad investments like lottery tickets, and unhealthy consumption items like cigarettes and alcohol. We're not telling you how to live your life — but we are identifying costs that everyone should consider cutting.

$6 billion in unused gift cards each year

$41 billion in gift cards went unused from 2005 to 2011, worth $6 billion a year, according to TowerGroup. Most of these are considered lost or discarded.

But don't ditch those unused gift cards just yet — you might be able to turn them into cold, hard cash.
Last year, deals site CouponSherpa launched a movement called Gift Card Exchange Day, during which consumers could sell their unwanted or slightly used gift cards for cash.

Read on for more.

It's so hard to figure out how to buy your plane ticket these days, with no right or wrong answer. Business Insider shares a unique way some experts score the best deals.

Travel has gotten insanely expensive, so when a blogger tipped us off to a site called The Flight Deal, we were eager to learn what they're up to.

Rather than round up a bunch of cheap deals, the site goes much further by providing tips and tricks for maximizing and redeeming frequent flier miles and rewards points.

What's more, they only highlight fares that meet one quirky criteria (emphasis ours): all deals cost 6 cents per mile. Curious as to how this golden rule came about, we emailed the team to learn more.

RELATED: 23 Secrets to Booking Cheap Flights

"We looked at routes and fares we flew regularly, such as New York to San Francisco/Los Angeles," they told Business Insider. "At 6 cents per mile, it would cost about $300 to fly to either destination. At 8 cents, it's closer to $400. If you look at the trend for these routes, $300 and under is the sweet spot, so to speak."

The other reason they like this criteria is that it works like a rebate.

"Let's say you want to go to Europe from the United States. It takes 60,000 frequent flier miles with most carriers," they said. "Using 6 cents per mile as a guide, you would need to spend at most $3,600 to acquire those miles. With Europe fares from the US hovering around $1,000 for most destinations, you would effectively get a 28-percent rebate for your money spent. No other form of rewards give this much back!"

Beyond the 6 cent rule, the Flight Deal team chooses flights based on the fare, not the destination.

"Yes, we publish great deals, but we don't want [our readers] to be fixated on a destination. Chase the fare, not the destination," they said. "We have gone to some awesome places that we wouldn’t have normally visited — like Lima for $270 or Stockholm for $150. The world is vast, so go explore."

Check out these smart stories from Business Insider:

Travel Guru Shares How to Get Into the Best Airport Lounges

Tour an Extraordinary Floating Cabin in the Wilds of British Columbia

10 Sites That Will Help You Outsource Your Life

Reddit Users Present 25 Real-Life Cheats

Paying for college can be a tricky financial situation, but Business Insider shares a way to put away money for college tuition.

What might be the most accessible and simplest way to save for college — a 529 savings plan — is typically one of the most widely misunderstood financial tools among consumers.

That all might be changing, however, given a new report by the College Savings Plans Network.

Related: Parents Are Using Rewards Credit Cards to Help Pay For College

Contributions to 529 plans have reached record growth levels, with a total of $179 billion saved in 11 million open accounts so far this year.

Growth has doubled since the same period last year, from $7.43 billion to $14.16 billion in new assets, the group says. The average account holds about $16,300.

This is exciting news and most likely a result of soaring tuition costs that look unlikely to drop anytime soon. A 529 plan is a simple tool parents or relatives can use to tuck away a college nest egg for high school graduates to use on related expenses after enrolling.

If you're in need of a 529 savings plan refresher, here's what you need to know:

What it is: In short, a 529 plan is a tax-free savings fund that can be set up for anyone heading to college. There are two main types: a prepaid tuition plan (the only kind higher education institutions can offer) and a savings fund, according to the College Savings Plan Network. Head over to CSPN's site to try their handy tool to compare the benefits of various plan features.

Read on for more.

Love your car? Well, now you don't have to get rid of it — ever. Check out these tips from Business Insider to keep your car in tip-top shape and running smoothly for years to come.

OK, so you probably won't drive the same car forever, but you can definitely keep it alive for the next ten to 15 years.

The trick is to stay on top of routine maintenance and not be too proud to replace a busted part here and there.

"These days, cars have become more reliable than ever before," says Phil Reed, senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds. "Even though there's encouragement to turn your car over quickly from the media, keeping your car for a long time is an incredible way to save money."

We asked Reed and Jack Nerad, executive editorial director at Kelley Blue Book, to spill their longevity secrets.

Related: The 10 Cheapest Cities in America

Change the Oil Religiously

The days when mechanics told drivers to change their oil every 3,000 miles are long gone.

"Today, cars are going for longer and longer intervals," says Reed, noting that some German-manufactured vehicles are using more quarts of oil, and synthetic oil at that.

A Porsche, for example, has a 20,000-mile change interval because it uses so much.

Short of reading the owner's manual, drivers should mind the change oil light on their dashboard.

Continue reading for more great tips!

With gas prices on the rise Americans are constantly looking for ways to minimize their transportation expenditures. This interesting article from Business Insider discusses the many benefits of biking rather than driving.

Although the US has seen 40 percent growth in the number of bicycle commuters since 2000, their numbers have yet to even surpass one million.

That's a shame.

Not only do bicycle commuters have the potential to improve their own health, wealth, and standard of living, but the ripple effect of more cyclists coupled with fewer cars on the road could give the entire country a much-needed boost.

After digging through years' worth of research and government data, it's clear that the pros of biking to work far outweigh the cons.

Related: Bank of America Is Giving Me Cash to Go to Happy Hour

1. It is vastly cheaper than driving

Due to rising fuel costs and tire upkeep, the cost of owning a car increased nearly two percent in 2012 to $8,946, according to American Automobile Association.

It costs just $308 per year to keep bikes in shape — nearly 30 times less than cars.

Per the Sierra Club: "If American drivers were to make just one four-mile round-trip each week with a bicycle instead of a car, they would save nearly two billion gallons of gas. At $4 per gallon, total savings would be $7.3 billion a year."

2. It's a free gym on wheels

Rather than taking out an extra two hours per day (and a chunk of your paycheck) to hit up the gym, cycling gives you the same cardio benefits as aerobic exercises like jogging or dancing.

"[Bike commuting] can be a very effective cardiovascular benefit," says Lisa Callahan, MD, medical director of the Women's Sports Medicine Center at the Hospital For Special Surgery in New York City.

"If you're overweight and start an exercise program, sometimes it's harder on your joints because you are overweight . . . so something like swimming or biking that's not pounding on the joints can be a good thing." Continue reading for more on how biking to work can change your life, for the better.

It's so hard to figure out where to buy your ticket with so many mediums available. Business Insider shares it's the cheapest to book flights directly through the airline.

Online travel agents like Orbitz have become incredibly popular in recent years, offering travelers a way to compare airfare among multiple carriers.

But it's not necessarily the smartest way to go, says travel specialist Brett Snyder. You may end up paying a much higher price for your low-cost ticket.

RELATED: 23 Secrets to Booking Cheap Airfare

Snyder offered us a few reasons why you should always book through a carrier:

Fees are hidden. Let's say you're about to buy a ticket and want to check the baggage fees for your flight. "If you go on Expedia and click on baggage info, it just opens up a huge, long list of airlines and what their fees are," says Snyder. "On some sites you don't even have that option." Not only is it time-consuming to wade through these lists, there's the risk of mistaking a fee and not having enough to pay. What's more, some sites don't let users tack on fees to their fare.

All airlines look equal (but aren't). Take Spirit Airlines, a carrier that's notorious for slapping fliers with fees. On a site like Kayak or Orbitz, Spirit's fare may seem like a bargain. But travelers may be in for a rude awakening when they go to check their bags at the airport. On metasearch sites, "people don't really know what's going to be different about flying Spirit, and that's frustrating," Snyder says.

No true price comparison. Consumers have a hard time seeing the "true price" of a fare not only for the reasons listed above, but due to the fact that there's no true apples to apples comparison between carriers. For example, Spirit may charge $227 for a flight while Jet Blue is charging $280. But that doesn't account for checked bag fees or anything else.

The better bet

The best way to book a fare online is through the airlines' site, says Snyder. Though online travel agents are great for seeing an airfare's price point, a carrier's site is the better place to view fees and customize fares with meals, seats, checked bags, and so forth. You'll also save yourself time—no sorting through lists—and might find a deal that's unique to the site.

— Jill Krasny

Check out these smart stories from Business Insider:

Travel Guru Shares How To Get Into The Best Airport Lounges

Tour An Extraordinary Floating Cabin In The Wilds Of British Columbia

10 Sites That Will Help You Outsource Your Life

Reddit Users Present 25 Real-Life Cheats

Don't you just love it when you find a trick that makes your life easier? Business Insider shares some of the greatest life tips.

Life Pro Tips is a section on Reddit where users share ideas for making life more efficient.

The tips are so savvy, they can be used anywhere.

We've rounded up 25 of our favorites and are sharing them here.

RELATED: Reddit Users Present 25 Real-Life Cheats

• Slick antiperspirant on your feet before hiking and running. It will cut down on blisters and keep your feet warm in the winter.
• When camping, strap a head lamp to a gallon jug of water. The tent will be filled with ambient light.
• Unscented dental floss can be used to cut cakes, cheeses, and other soft foods perfectly.
• Use a clean dustpan to fill a container that won't fit in the sink.
• Use Windex to remove carpet stains.
• Use toothpaste to clean dirty headlights.
• Use a pair of scissors instead of a Phillips-head screwdriver in a pinch.
• Apply cayenne pepper directly to a toothache to lessen the pain.
• Wrap a wet paper towel around a beverage and stick it in the freezer to make it ice cold.

Read on for more.

Don't have time or too lazy to do chores? Business Insider found 10 websites that will do the work for you.

Life is short, so why waste your time on boring chores? Especially if you can pay someone else to do it.

Whether you're chained to your desk or feel too lazy to lift more than a finger, we've picked out 10 sites that do the dirty work for you.

Get ready to kiss laundry day, dog walking and more buh-bye.

RELATED: Find Better Deals Online By Misspelling Search Terms

Fresh Direct

• Why you want it: After a long day of getting chewed out by your boss, the last thing you're up for is a trip to the grocery store.
• What you'll get: Just like it says, "groceries delivered to your door."
• What it costs: A minimum of $30, plus a $5.99 or $6.99 shipping fee, depending on your area.

Shoedazzle

• Why you want it: Your shoe game is looking more LiLo than Diane Kruger these days.
• What you'll get: After taking the 3-minute style quiz, users get a "personalized showroom" of high-fashion accessories and shoes to choose from. From there, they can pick what they like.
• What it costs: From $29.99 and up, plus shipping.

Virtual Dating Assistants

• Why you want it: You're too shy to write about your favorite color and dog breed.
• What you'll get: ViDA will write a profile that makes you sound cooler than you are, and email matches for dates.
• What it costs: From $360 a month on up to $1,440, depending on the package.

Care.com

• Why it's convenient: Fido's not going to walk, clean, or board himself.
• What you'll get: Someone to walk Fido, and ways to find quality pet sitters, groomers, boarders, etc.
• What it costs: Varies by service.

Read on for more.

If you love Trader Joe's (and who doesn't?), then you're well aware of the ridiculously good prices the chain has on some of your favorite staples. Whether you are a loyal customer or not, you'll agree there are just some things you've got to go to Trader Joe's for. But, have you ever wondered what exactly best deals there are? Well, you've come to the right place. Business Insider reveals 15 of our friend Joe's best deals.

The Trader Joe's in Union Square is always packed.

The store, privately held by the founders of German discount chain Aldi, packs in customers with a fun atmosphere, good quality, and low prices. How they keep prices so low is a company secret, though it has something to do with vertical integration.

We asked the customers, who stood in one continuous line wrapped around the store, to name their favorite deals.
To understand how good these deals are, you have to realize that the food is better than anything you'll find at most supermarkets.

Related: New Law Puts an End to Moving Scam

• Bananas For $0.19
• Three Bagels For $1.99
• Frozen Indian Food For $1.99-$2.69

Find out 12 more cheap eats from Trader Joe's after the break!