Young people are doom spending. Here’s what it is and how to stop it

Westend61 | Westend61 | Getty Images Some young people are splashing out on luxuries like travel and designer clothes instead of saving, in a trend that’s being characterized as “doom spending” on social media. Doom spending is when a person mindlessly shops to self-soothe because they feel pessimistic about the economy and their future, according […]

A beginner’s guide to Crete – including how to avoid all the other Brits

If that sounds too much like hard effort under the Mediterranean sun, Inntravel (01653 617 001; inntravel.co.uk) looks to the opposite end of the island, and at a far slower pace, with “Crete’s South-West Coast” – a seven-night self-guided getaway which wanders the hillsides above Paleochora, taking in the Lissos Gorge and the ancient ruins […]

How to find a hidden camera in a hotel room or house? We tested 5 ways

Hidden cameras are being found in hotel rooms, house rentals, cruise ships, and even airplane bathrooms, leaving many travelers to wonder: “Could a hidden camera be watching me?” Spycams, as they’re called, are getting smaller, harder to find and easier to buy. From alarm clocks to air fresheners, water bottles and toothbrush holders, cameras come […]

Cabbing in Italy can be a gnarly affair. Here’s how to navigate it

I knew something was amiss when the taxi meter read 10.50 euros as we pulled away from the Roma Termini train station. While negotiating the evening rush hour traffic and typing into a translation app on his cell phone, the cab driver suggested the starting fare included a surcharge for all rides from Rome’s main […]

How To Make Your Holiday Party Merrier

Cheerful positive family small little brother sister sitting having house event party talking … [+] communicating tell story in loft industrial interior room getty Among the many joys of holiday parties is meeting and greeting old and new friends and engaging them in stimulating conversations. Unfortunately, the opposite often occurs. Andy Kessler described just such […]

How to be the best gift giver

Are you a good gift … receiver? My school has this program that gives students “high fives.” These are at a boys and girls teachers send to kids to acknowledge any area of their growth and success. I took advantage of sending a few fivers a month ago to a student in French one that […]

How to exit an uncomfortable conversation

The end of the year brings with it a seemingly endless parade of holiday parties. While some gatherings can be perfectly pleasant, many are riddled with uncomfortable situations. One particularly tricky scenario you might encounter is being cornered into a conversation you don’t want to be having: distant relatives chiming in on world politics, a […]

How to serve a filling and festive Christmas meal on a budget

Christmas is a time for love, joy, family and — just as important — food. But between lavish roasts and decadent desserts, the budget for your festival meal budget can blow out fast. While food inflation has simmered down from its eye-watering peak of 9.6 per cent in December 2022, customers are still paying more […]

How to Respond to Relatives Who Feel the Need to Comment on Your Food and Body

She suggests trying something like: “I think you meant that as a compliment, but this is a sensitive topic for me that I’d prefer not to discuss. What have you been up to lately?” Or maybe: “I’m working really hard to focus less on my body right now. Let’s talk about something else.” 2. “All […]