Michael Shulman

[michaelshulman-blog]

Going uptown: Christie Brinkley lists second Hamptons property for $25M

Supermodel Christie Brinkley has relisted her Colonial home in Sag Harbor, N.Y. for $25 million. The former Sports Illustrated cover model originally put the beautiful beachfront property in the Hamptons on the market for nearly $16 million in 2010. The 5,500 square-foot home, built in 1843, features five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Earlier this year, put another property in the Hamptons up for sale for nearly $30 million. Click through the gallery, to see inside the Sag Harbor home. All figures in U.S. dollars.

Christie Brinkley puts another Hamptons property on the market for $25M

The Colonial home, built in 1843, boasts 5,500 square feet and sits on 4.5 acres in the Hamptons. (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Christie Brinkley puts another Hamptons property on the market for $25M

The property also features 327 feet of beachfront, which overlooks the Sag Harbor bay. (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Christie Brinkley puts another Hamptons property on the market for $25M

And the views are truly breathtaking. (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Christie Brinkley puts another Hamptons property on the market for $25M

The property is also home to beautiful gardens and a Gunite pool. (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Christie Brinkley puts another Hamptons property on the market for $25M

The grounds also have plenty of space for entertaining guests. (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Christie Brinkley puts another Hamptons property on the market for $25M

The home has been renovated since Brinkley last tried to sell it. But it still features many period pieces, such as wide-plank pine floors, multiple fire places, oak banister and built-up moldings. Here's the sitting room with a fireplace and homey decor. (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Christie Brinkley puts another Hamptons property on the market for $25M

The massive living room features beautiful French windows that let in plenty of natural light. (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Christie Brinkley puts another Hamptons property on the market for $25M

Here's the formal dining room, with wood floors and two chandeliers. (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Christie Brinkley puts another Hamptons property on the market for $25M

The living room also features a fireplace. (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Christie Brinkley puts another Hamptons property on the market for $25M

The mastersuite has its own sitting room, bathroom and a secluded terrace with panoramic views of the harbor. (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

[michaelshulman-blog]

How you can get your hands on your unclaimed cash

$4 billion to $7 billion.

That is the estimated amount of unclaimed cash belonging to Canadians that is locked away by companies and government agencies, and available for recovery.

The Bank of Canada alone is holding about $626 million, including one balance dating back to 1900.

So how do you know if you’re one of the millions of Canadians who could have assets sitting unclaimed in a vault?

To start, the Bank of Canada offers an online search tool that lets you track down any unclaimed balances that you are entitled to.

The central bank holds onto Canadian cash or negotiable instruments – e.g. banknotes, demand drafts or cheques – that were held by federally regulated banks or trusts after they were inactive for at least 10 years.

That includes the following types of balances:

Chequing and savings accounts

Credit card balances

Term deposits

GICs

Depository receipts

Bank drafts

Certified cheques

Money orders

Official cheques

Traveller’s cheques

If you find out it has been holding onto your money, you have to submit a claim.

If you’ve got a substantial amount of cash sitting in the Bank of Canada’s coffers there’s no need to rush. It will hold onto balances of $1,000 or more for 100 years.

It will also stash amounts under $1,000 for 30 years.

After that, the Bank of Canada will transfer the funders to the Receiver General for Canada and they will be gone for good.

But the good news is that for the first ten years, funds that were held in interest-bearing savings accounts, before being transferred to the Bank of Canada, will continue to rack up interest.

Meanwhile, other common assets are not held by the central bank, including:

Accounts in U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies

RRSPs and RRIF

Life insurance policies

Credit union of Caisse populaire accounts

Unclaimed balances at utilities and other companies

Gold or silver certificates

Safety deposit boxes

Stocks and dividends

These types of assets can be more difficult to track down, as Canada lacks comprehensive unclaimed property legislation, unlike many other developed nations.

On the provincial level, only British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec have legislation related to the issue.

Residents of those provinces can search for unclaimed balances using databases similar to the Bank of Canada’s here:

British Columbia’s Unclaimed Property Society

Revenu Quebec

Alberta Finance

Canada’s Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada also holds some unclaimed property related to bankruptcy.

The Bank of Canada advises people to contact provincial securities commissions about money they’re entitled to that were in stocks, dividends or securities.

LegacyTracker – a website that is geared towards helping people track their finance and estate documents – has also pooled a list of resources for Canadians to hunt down their unclaimed assets.

[michaelshulman-blog]

Considering quitting your job? Don't bother flipping a coin, just go for it

Considering quitting your job? Don’t bother flipping a coin, just go for it

When forced to make an impossibly difficult decision, such as accepting a job offer and leaving another, I’ve often resorted to flipping a coin and then going with my gut feeling that I got from results.

But a new working paper says I may be going about this process entirely the wrong way, and that, in fact, I should probably opt to make a change regardless.

The research, titled “Heads or tails: The impact of a coin toss on major life decisions and subsequent happiness,” by University of Chicago economics professor and co-author of “Freakonomics,” Steven Levitt, found that people reported being “substantially happier” months after they went ahead with an important decision, such as quitting a job, ending a relationship or starting a business.

“If the results are correct, then admonitions such as ‘winners never quit and quitters never win,’ while well-meaning, may actually be extremely poor advice,” Levitt wrote in the paper.

To come up with the results, Levitt created a website asking participants who were struggling with a life decision to answer questions about their conundrums.

Then, options (e.g. quit or stay at your job) were assigned to two sides of a coin, with one being the final choice.

Participants were also asked to offer up a friend or family member who could verify if they went through with the results of the coin flip.

The outcome was randomized and they were shown the results.

Participants and their correspondents were then re-surveyed two and six months after the initial coin toss.

Over a year of data collection, more than 20,000 coins were flipped.

In terms of the questions that were rated as “important” by the study, the most popular were:

“Should I quit my job?” which received 2,186 tosses;

“Should I break up with my significant other?” which received 1,686 tosses;

“Should I go back to school?” which received 1,203 tosses;

“Should I start my own business?” which received 893 tosses.

And Levitt found that those who were told by the coin to make a change were not only more likely to go through with it but also more likely to feel better about themselves down the road than those who were instructed to maintain the status quo.

“When it comes to ‘important decisions’ … making a change appears to be not only correlated with increased self-reported happiness but also causally related, especially six months after the coin toss,” Levitt wrote.

“Those who were instructed by the coin toss to make a change were both more likely to make the change … and, on average report great happiness on the follow-up surveys,” he added, noting that about 63 per cent respondent adhered to the results of the coin toss after two month, including 56 per cent of those facing “important decisions.”

Levitt said the results suggest that people may be “excessively cautious when facing life-changing choices.”

In contrast, decisions designated “less important” – such as “Should I break my bad habit?” “Should I go on a diet” “Should I quit drinking” and “Should I try online dating” – in general, did not have a “measurable impact” on happiness after the fact.

The study does have some limitations: participants were recruited through Freakonomics-related social media and were likely to be aware and supportive of Levitt’s research; respondents tended to be young, male and highly educated; and the subject pool was limited to those facing dilemmas and were open to solving them with the flip of a coin.

But maybe next time you’re faced with making a tough life decision, keep the coin in your wallet.

[michaelshulman-blog]

Gender inequality starts with discrepancy in childhood chores

SANLIURFA, TURKEY – OCTOBER 28: (TURKEY OUT) A Kurdish refugee girl from the Syrian town of Kobani carries water in a camp in the southeastern town of Suruc, Sanliurfa province October 28, 2014. (Photo by Kutluhan Cucel/Getty Images)

The wage gap between genders may begin before women even enter the workforce, according to a new a report from UNICEF.

The disparity in pay can be linked back to childhood as many girls are being tasked with performing more household chores than their male counterparts.

According to the report, titled “Harnessing the Power of Data for Girls, ” girls around the world between the ages of five and 14 spend 160 million hours a day more than boys of the same age cooking, cleaning, shopping, doing laundry, fetching water or firewood, caring for their siblings and other duties.

Girls ages five to nine spend an average of four hours per week performing these chores, but that number rises to nine hours for those between the ages of 10 and 14.

These figures are 30 and 50 per cent higher than boys from the same respective age groups.

In the three countries where girls are saddled with the most of the domestic work – Somalia, Ethiopia and Rwanda – more than half of girls aged five to 14 can spend at least 14 hours a week, or at minimum two hours a day, picking up these duties.

UNICEF said this data is troubling because it shows how their childhood roles can dash girls’ hopes for the future and push them into gendered career paths.

“The types of chores commonly undertaken by girls – preparing food, cleaning and caring for others – not only set the state for unequal burdens later in life but can also limit girls’ outlook and potential while they’re still young,” UNICEF said in the report.

“The gendered distribution of chores can socialize girls into thinking that such domestic duties are the only roles girls and women are suited for, curtailing their dreams and narrowing their ambitions.”

According to Quartz, nearly 90 per cent of girls are growing up in low- and middle-income countries, most in parts of Asia and Africa, where physically-demanding chores are the norm.

And it is girls who are often asked to shoulder the majority of these household burdens and give up opportunities to “learn, grow and just enjoy their childhood,” Anju Malhotra, principal gender advisor at UNICEF, said in a press release.

“The overburden of unpaid household work begins in early childhood and intensifies as girls reach adolescence,” she said.

“This unequal distribution of labour among children also perpetuates gender stereotypes and the double-burden on women and girls across generations.”

The report added that household chores are not valued as much as jobs, which renders the societal contributions of girls less visible and has “lasting effects on their self-esteem and sense of self-worth.”

The global pay gap between men and women remains firmly entrenched, despite progress in recent years.

A 2015 report by the World Economic Forum found that the difference in wages will not be closed until 2133.

It also ranked countries in terms of their efforts to level the playing field. Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Ireland led the pack, while Yemen, Pakistan, Syria, Chad and Iran finished at the bottom of the 145-nation list.

Canada came in 30th, just two spots behind the United States.

A study from earlier this year by Oxfam Canada and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives looked at the most up-to-date data from Statistics Canada on the issue and found that women earn roughly 72 per cent of their male counterparts’ salary.

[michaelshulman-blog]

Man spends 11 hours trying to make cup of tea with Wi-Fi kettle

[A waitress pours tea at Bettys Tea Room, Harlow Carr on February 12, 2009 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)]

Mark Rittman’s Tuesday morning was no cup of tea.

The Englishman waited 11 hours for his new, Wi-Fi-enabled kettle to boil the water for his drink.

Rittman, who is a data specialist from the town of Hove on the south coast of England, began his attempt at making a cup of tea at 9 a.m., but three hours later he still hadn’t produced a drop.

Still haven’t had a first cup of tea this morning, debugging the kettle and now iWifi base-station has reset. Boiling water in saucepan now. pic.twitter.com/lC3uNX5WTp

— Mark Rittman (@markrittman) October 11, 2016

3 hrs later and still no tea. Mandatory recalibration caused wifi base-station reset, now port-scanning network to find where kettle is now. pic.twitter.com/TRQLuLzLpx

— Mark Rittman (@markrittman) October 11, 2016

According to the Guardian, the crux of the issue stemmed from the fact that the base couldn’t seem to communicate with the kettle itself.

Now my wifi kettle is basically taking the p*ss. Told me it had found network, now you need to recalibrate me, oh btw I didn’t rly connect pic.twitter.com/WbGsIrzBio

— Mark Rittman (@markrittman) October 11, 2016

The key problem seemed to be that the new-age kettle didn’t come with the software that would allow for it to be integrated with other devices in Rittman’s home, including the Amazon Echo, which he was using for voice commands.

It is, and OK apart from flaky WiFi connectivity; main issue is that there’s no IFTTT or HomeKit integration, so hacked that together myself https://t.co/0IjD7q4wzM

— Mark Rittman (@markrittman) October 11, 2016

So the data specialist went about integrating the technologies himself.

After 11 hours of troubleshooting, the kettle finally started responding to voice control.

Well the kettle is back online and responding to voice control, but now we’re eating dinner in dark while lights download a firmware update pic.twitter.com/yPTDoUkM9Z

— Mark Rittman (@markrittman) October 11, 2016

And shortly after, Rittman got his oolong-awaited cup of tea.

My work is done. And now onto everything else I meant to do today, after that first cup of tea. pic.twitter.com/bJPuJ85TCT

— Mark Rittman (@markrittman) October 11, 2016

In response to Rittman’s tweets about his tea troubles, some social media users expressed their worries about the integration of technology in the kitchen.

@markrittman At this point, I’m desperate to avoid this future at all costs.

— Michael Laccetti (@mlaccetti) October 11, 2016

Because you don’t mess with English Breakfast.

[michaelshulman-blog]

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

This week's picks for unique Airbnb accommodations are for those who rather be in the water than on dry land. If you're going to stay somewhere memorable while on vacation, what could be better than staying on a boat surrounded scenic views and the soothing sound of water? Featured in this week’s slideshow is a luxurious houseboat that looks out onto the Eiffel Tower, a yacht off the coast of the Italian island of Sardinia and a romantic ship in Paris' scenic Seine River. 

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

This luxurious house boat in the Paris suburb of Puteaux can be all yours for $453 a night. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The massive vessel is moored on the beautiful Seine just 10 minutes away from the Champs-Elysees and the Eiffel Tower. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The ship's interior is positively spacious, especially compared to the microscopic accommodations that are commonplace in Paris. The massive living room is open-concept with a rustic wood-beamed ceiling and wood floors. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The boat has a full-sized dining area, which is perfect for entertaining guests. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Take a seat at the ship's beautiful bar for some wine and hors d'oeuvres. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The full-sized kitchen has everything you need to serve up your own French cuisine. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

There's also a cozy den with a fireplace. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The bedrooms are pretty roomy, too. This one has a work space. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's one of the two washrooms. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The second bedroom has plenty of natural light. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's another bathroom with a full shower. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The third bedroom is also spacious with modern decor. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

On top of its luxurious interior, there are also two terraces with a barbecue, where you can kick back and admire the City of Light's famous skyline. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

It doesn't get much more luxurious than this yacht off the island of Sardinia. For $6,041 a night you can stay in this seven bedroom vessel, which comes with a professional crew. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The ship's interior is warm and relaxing with wood and leather decor. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's the dining area with beautiful ocean views. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The massive cabin boasts a king-size bed. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

There are also VIP suites with double beds and private bathrooms, and this cabin with two beds. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's one of the lavish washrooms. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

You could captain this ship. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

There's also a private deck perfect for a drink or meal in the sun. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's the flybridge, for entertaining guests, and a large sundeck with comfy couches. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The yacht also comes with a tender for guests who want to go on other adventures. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

For just $227 a night, you could wake up with this spectacular view. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

This romantic one-bedroom house boat in Paris rests minutes away from the Eiffel tower. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The Bir-Hakeim bridge is hardly an eyesore either. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The ship boasts a private entrance and deck, perfect for a meal of wine and cheese in view of Paris' gorgeous skyline. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The two-level studio boasts unique decor with elements such as a workspace in an old fireplace and beautiful wood furniture. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's another look at the studio space. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

You can't escape the breathtaking surroundings. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The upper level features a private washroom. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's a closer look at the tub. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

And here's the houseboat's cute bed. (Airbnb)

[michaelshulman-blog]

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

Besides Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the names that cracked Forbes’ list of 400 wealthy Americans before the age of 40 are unrecognizable — for now. They range from wildly successful tech industry entrepreneurs with newfound riches to the heirs of massive fortunes. Click through the gallery to see which billionaires have rocketed to the top of the ladder of success. All figures in U.S. dollars.

Close-Up Of Hand Holding Banknotes Over Black Background

Who leads the way as the richest people under 40? Click through to find out.

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 14: Co-founder and CTO of Snapchat Bobby Murphy Age: 28 Net worth: $1.8 billion (Wikimedia Commons / Leandroapbatista)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 13: CEO and co-founder of Snapchat Evan Spiegel Age: 26 Net worth: $2.1 billion (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Time Inc)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 12 (tie): Co-founder of Napster Sean Parker (right) Age: 36 Net worth: $2.4 billion (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 12 (tie): Julio Mario Santo Domingo III is the grandson of Julio Mario Santo Domingo (seen here) who was the owner of Santo Domingo Group, which controlled more than 100 companies. Age: 31 Net worth: $2.4 billion (AP Photo/SABMiller)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 10: Robert Pera founder of Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. Age: 38 Net worth: $3.2 billion (AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, William DeShazer)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 9 (tie): Co-founder of Airbnb Nathan Blecharczyk Age: 33 Net worth: $3.3 billion (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 9 (tie): CEO and co-founder of Airbnb Brian Chesky Age: 35 Net worth: $3.3 billion (Photo by Kimberly White/Getty Images for Fortune)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 9 (tie): CPO and co-founder of Airbnb Joe Gebbia (right) Age: 35 Net worth: $3.3 billion (Wikimedia Commons / Drew Altizer photography)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 6 (tie): Alejandro Santo Domingo, son of Julio Mario Santo Domingo Age: 39 Net worth: $4.8 billion (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 6 (tie): Andrees Santo Domingo, grandson of Julio Mario Santo Domingo Age: 38 Net worth: $4.8 billion (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 4: Scott Duncan is the son of Dan Duncan co-founder of Enterprise Products Age: 33 Net worth: $5.2 billion (Yahoo Finance India)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 3: Co-founder of Facebook Dustin Moskovitz Age: 32 Net worth: $10.4 billion (Photo by Kimberly White/Getty Images)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 2: Lukas Walton, grandson of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart Age: 30 Net worth: $11.2 billion (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Top 14 youngest billionaires under 40

No. 1: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Age: 32 Net worth: $55.5 billion (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

[michaelshulman-blog]

Top 10 wealthiest women in America

In total, women make up 14 per cent of Forbes' list of 400 wealthiest Americans in 2016. While the discrepancy between the number of women and men on the list remains vast, their share of members of the list is actually up 1 per cent from last year. Click through the gallery to see the top 10 prominent female entrepreneurs and heiresses who cracked the rankings. All figures in U.S. dollars.

Top 10 wealthiest women in America

No. 10: Christy Walton Net assets: $5.6 billion Source of wealth: inherited her husband, John Walton's share of Walmart riches. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

GettyImages-484406198

No. 9: Ann Walton Kroenke Net assets: $6.2 billion Source of wealth: Heiress to Walmart fortune (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Top 10 wealthiest women in America

No. 8: Pauline MacMillan Keinath Net assets: $6.4 billion Source of wealth: great granddaughter of W.W. Cargill founder of America's largest private company (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Top 10 wealthiest women in America

No. 6 (tie): Margaretta Taylor Net assets: $7.2 billion Source of wealth: granddaughter of James M. Cox, founder of Cox Enterprises (Taylor2646 / Wikimedia Commons)

Top 10 wealthiest women in America

No. 6 (tie): Katharine Rayner Net assets: $7.2 billion Source of wealth: granddaughter of James M. Cox, founder of Cox Enterprises (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Top 10 wealthiest women in America

No. 5: Blair Parry-Okeden Net assets: $10.8 billion Source of wealth: granddaughter of James M. Cox, founder of Cox Enterprises (Taylor2646 / Wikimedia Commons)

Top 10 wealthiest women in America

No. 4: Abigail Johnson Net assets: $13.2 billion Source of wealth: CEO of Fidelity (AP Photo/Fidelity Investments)

Top 10 wealthiest women in America

No. 3: Laurene Powell Jobs Net assets: $17.7 billion Source of wealth: Widow of Steve Jobs and founder of Emerson Collective (Photo by Stephen Lam/Getty Images)

Top 10 wealthiest women in America

No. 2: Jacqueline Mars Net assets: $27 billion Source of wealth: daughter of Forrest Sr. Mars, founder of Mars Inc. (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for National Archives Foundation)

Top 10 wealthiest women in America

No. 1: Alice Walton Net assets: $35.4 billion Source of wealth: daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images)

[michaelshulman-blog]

E.U. considers giving free InterRail passes to 18-year-olds

[A visitor descends from Austria into Switzerland while hiking from the Tilisunahuette to the Carschinahuette mountain huts in the Raetikon mountain range on August 3, 2016 near St. Antoenien, Switzerland. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)]

Backpacking in your youth has become a bit of a cliché, with university-age travelers from around the world voyaging off to distant countries in attempts to “find themselves.”

But the European Union is hoping to tap into this wanderlust for different reasons: to combat the region’s staggeringly high youth unemployment and its deepening divisions along national and political borders, especially in light of Britain’s recent decision to leave the union.

That’s why Brussels is proposing giving away free one-month InterRail passes, which allow European residents unlimited travel in 30 countries across the continent, to teens on their 18th birthday.

According to Quartz, the proposal was discussed at the European Parliament’s session in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

Manfred Weber, a centre-right member of European Parliament who brought the issue up for debate at the plenary session, said the free pass could “become a true lighthouse project for the development of a common European identity in diversity.”

Transport commissioner Violeta Bulc voiced her support of the “excellent idea,” saying she would explore it further.

Giving away free InterRail passes was first proposed by two German campaigners who hoped to repair some of the continent’s growing fissures in identity by fostering “international relations and cultural exchange,” and strengthening a “unified European community.”

The E.U. has seen a rise in skepticism towards the union among its citizens, with 47 per cent having “unfavourable views” and a further 42 per cent saying some powers should be returned to national governments, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center, prior to Brexit.

There has also been a resurgence of ultra-nationalist, right-wing populist parties, which often have strong anti-immigrant and Euroskeptic views, across the continent.

In Denmark, Switzerland, Hungary and Austria these types of parties received more than 20 per cent of votes, with the latter’s Freedom Party leading the pack with 35.1 per cent.

The free InterRail initiative is also designed to tackle the Eurozone’s floundering economy, in particular, the lingering issue of youth unemployment.

In countries such as Greece and Spain about 50 per cent of citizens under 25 are out of a job, while Italy’s youth are in similarly dire straits with 40 per cent of them being unemployed.

[michaelshulman-blog]

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

Has your office become your home? Perhaps it is time for a career change to something that doesn’t require you working 24/7. Glassdoor has compiled a list of jobs, based on employee feedback over the past year, that have the best work-life balance. Click through the gallery to see what jobs topped the list. All figures in U.S. dollars.

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 15: Social media manger Median salary: $54,908 (sturti / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 14: Library assistant Median salary: $28,929 (Hill Street Studios / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 13: Substitute teacher Median salary: $25,178 (Hero Images / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 12: Scrum master Median salary: $89,428 (shironosov / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 11: Marketing analyst Median salary: $65,000 (Monty Rakusen / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 10: Research engineer Median salary: $103,029 (Monty Rakusen / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 9: Devops engineer Median salary: $110,000 (DragonImages / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 8: Mobile Developer Median salary: $101,318 (Georgijevic / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 7: Technical account manager Median salary: $75,000 (Hero Images / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 6: Recruiting co-ordinator Median salary: $48,000 (FangXiaNuo / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 5: UI designer Median salary: $84,500 (Hero Images/ Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 4: Strategy manager Median salary: $110,487 (Hero Images / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 3: Data scientist Median salary: $112,000 (Monty Rakusen / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 2: UX designer Median salary: $95,000 (Hero Images / Getty Images)

Top 15 jobs for work-life balance

No. 1: Corporate recruiter Median salary: $65,000 (shironosov / Getty Images)

[michaelshulman-blog]

These are the G20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

The International Monetary Fund has released its half-yearly world economic outlook. While the report projects global growth to slow to 3.1 per cent in 2016, it expects it will recover to 3.4 per cent in 2017. Here are the G20 countries that are expected to carry some of that growth next year.

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 10: Germany Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 1.4 2016: 1.7 (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 9: Canada Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 1.9 2016: 1.2 (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 8: Saudi Arabia Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 2.0 2016: 1.2 (Photo by Jordan Pix/ Getty Images)

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 7: United States Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 2.2 2016: 1.6 (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 6: Mexico Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 2.3 2016: 2.1 (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 5 (tie): Argentina Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 2.7 2016: -1.8 (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 5 (tie): Australia Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 2.7 2016: 2.9 (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 4: Korea Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 3.0 2016: 2.7 (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 4: Turkey Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 3.0 2016: 3.3 (Photo by Kursat Bayhan/Getty Images)

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 3: Indonesia Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 5.3 2016: 4.9 (Photo by Dimas Ardian/Getty Images)

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 2: China Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 6.2 2016: 6.6 (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

These are the g20 economies that are projected to grow the most in 2017

No. 1: India Projected percentage change in growth of real GDP: 2017: 7.6 2016: 7.6 (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

[michaelshulman-blog]

Job seeker delivers resume with doughnuts to stand out — and it's working

[A creative young professional in San Francisco is putting a tasty twist on handing out resumes. (Twitter)]

Standing out from the hundreds or even thousands of applications that job recruiters get is no easy task, especially in San Francisco’s hyper-competitive tech industry.

But marketing professional Lukas Yla is hoping to get an edge thanks to his secret weapon: doughnuts.

Yla, who is originally from Europe, told The Next Web that he has been dressing up as a courier and delivering a box of what is ostensibly tasty treats, but also includes a note with a link to his resume.

@Kirasw I was trying to deliver donuts to you, but wasn’t able to hand them personally. Hope you received th package pic.twitter.com/k3rNffSDje

— Lukas Yla (@LukasYla) September 12, 2016

“Most resumes end up in trash. Mine – in your belly,” reads the note.

The young creative told The Next Web that he’s handed out about 40 boxes of doughnuts since he started his job search, which has led to 10 interviews.

With a success rate of 25 per cent, it might not be long before boxes of goodies from job seekers start showing up at your office.

[michaelshulman-blog]

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

There's nothing quite as special as leaving the bright lights of the city behind while on vacation and being able to take in the breathtaking views of the stars. With that in mind, our unique Airbnb picks of the week are all perfect places to escape for a celestial light show. Whether you're an astronomy buff or a casual stargazer, you'll appreciate stunning views from this astronomic hotel in Chile, a wood cabin in Costa Rica's rainforest or an off-the-grid home near Joshua Tree National Park.

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

If you want stargazing, then look no further. the ElquiDomos in Chile claims to be one of the seven astronomic hotels in the world. A room beneath the stars at the scenic property costs $257. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Guests are housed in two-storey domes with detachable roofs that are perfectly designed to allow them to gaze into the heavens. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's the view you could have at night. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Each dome has a cozy living room on the first floor (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

And a bathroom. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

They also have ample terraces. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The hotel also has other amenities, including a pool. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

To complete the experience, the hotel offers specialized astronomy tours, nighttime horse rides, and bike rentals. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Where better to gaze up into the stars but from a wood cabin in the middle of the rainforest? This secluded property near the city of Atenas, which is said to have the best climate in the world, in Costa Rica can be yours for $169 a night. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The home, which was built on top of a lake, is also surrounded by fruit trees and there are three coffee farms nearby. "This is the real Costa Rica," the owners write. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The wooden house sits on a four-acre property surrounded by lush greenery. Thanks to its completely open concept, you're never too far away from the outdoors and the beautiful night sky. Costa Rica is also one of the cleanest countries in the world, meaning your view will never be obscured by smog. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The first floor features a central living/dining area constructed of beautiful tropical wood floors. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The home also has a small kitchenette, with a mini-fridge, microwave oven and sink carved from wood. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

On the second floor, is the cozy bedroom. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The natural bathroom is also one of the highlights of the property. It boasts 20 foot stone walls, which are made from black lava rock, while the floors are made of flag stone. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The bathtub is also a unique creation, it is carved out of a tree trunk. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's a look at the wood sink. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

In addition to the property being perfect for star gazing, it is also a birder's paradise. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

One of the best places to stargaze in the U.S. is Joshua Tree National Park, and this beautiful home is just over 20 minutes away from the park. This off-grid itHouse with two bedrooms and spectacular views of the surrounding desert is available for $514 a night. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

The 1,100-square-foot home is "100 per cent off-grid," powered by solar panels for energy and hot water. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

It boasts glass walls that let in natural light and let guests enjoy views of the spectacular surroundings. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's the home's dining room. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

There are beautiful vistas in all directions. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

Here's the home's modern bathroom. (Airbnb)

Checking in: Unique Airbnb picks of the week

And the cozy, yet modern living room. (Airbnb)

[michaelshulman-blog]

Leonardo DiCaprio selling California property for $2.5 million

Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio has listed his second California property in a month. The star of “The Revenant” and producer of the upcoming climate change documentary “Before the Flood” has put his modest home in Studio City on the market for $2.5 million. This comes just a week after he put his Malibu bungalow on the market for $10.95 million. Click through the gallery to get a peek inside the California ranch-style home, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, which DiCaprio purchased for $2 million in 2014. All figures in U.S. dollars.

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 09: Producer Leonardo DiCaprio attends the 'Before the Flood' premiere during the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 9, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

From the outside, you would never know that this California ranch-style home belongs to one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. (Realtor.com)

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

But the interior is nothing to scoff at. The home boasts 3,407 square feet of open-concept space, including this den with wood floors, high ceilings and a fireplace. (Realtor.com)

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

The living room also boasts a stone fireplace and bamboo floors that continue into the dining room. (Realtor.com)

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

The dining room with its wood floors is simple, yet elegant. (Realtor.com)

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

The long and narrow kitchen has all amenities you could need, including modern appliances and granite counters. It also has a vaulted ceiling. (Realtor.com)

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

Here's one of the four bedrooms, this one features French doors and wood floors. (Realtor.com)

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

Here's another bedroom, this one with even more natural light and larger French doors. (Realtor.com)

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

One of the home's three bathrooms has two sinks and a soaker tub. (Realtor.com)

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

The backyard features a pergola that's perfect for entertaining. (Realtor.com)

Leonardo DiCaprio selling another California property

And there's also a stunning swimming pool. (Realtor.com)

[michaelshulman-blog]

Seven cool concept cars that debuted at the Paris Motor Show

With more than 1.25 million visitors, the Paris Motor Show is the most popular exhibition for cars in the world. And because of this massive platform, many automakers use it to show off their latest gadgets and unveil their visions of the future. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of coolest concept cars that debuted at this year’s Paris Motor Show.

Seven cool concept cars from the Paris Motor Show

Volkswagen I.D. This concept was one of the many electric vehicles on display at the exhibition. Volkswagen plans to power the car with a 167-horsepower electric motor, which has a range of 400-600 km, according to Autoguide.com. (REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen)

Seven cool concept cars from the Paris Motor Show

Hyundai RN30 Lacking a performance car in its lineup, the Korean automaker unveiled the sleek RN30 concept, which is powered by a high-performance turbocharged 2.0 liter, four-cylinder engine, according to Autoguide.com. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Seven cool concept cars from the Paris Motor Show

BMW X2 The German automaker unveiled the X2 prototype, which is closer to hitting the assembly line than the other vehicles mentioned here. According to Motoring, it is a spinoff of the X4 and X6 and could begin production in 2018. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)

Seven cool concept cars from the Paris Motor Show

Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ The Generation EQ is one of the 10 electric cars that Mercedes plans to have available by 2025. Motoring said the car could be hitting the market in 2019, with a pair electric motors, which can produce 300kW. Its 70kWh Lithium battery pack should also be good for roughly 500 km. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)

Seven cool concept cars from the Paris Motor Show

Lexus UX With its hyper angular design, the UX looks more alien than SUV, and its interior is reportedly even stranger than the outside. The concept drew mixed reviews at the show, and it is likely that a toned-downed version will hit the market in the next year or two. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)

Seven cool concept cars from the Paris Motor Show

Citroen CXperience The concept wagon (yes, that’s a wagon) unveiled by the French automakers looks more sports car, with its suicide doors, than family utility vehicle. The plug-in hybrid also features 300 horses under the hood. (REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen)

Seven cool concept cars from the Paris Motor Show

Renault Trezor The Trezor is a stunning concept from the French automaker. The all-electric car can be driven autonomously and boasts 350 horsepower. But perhaps its coolest feature is that you get in through a retractable roof, much like the Batmobile. (REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen)

[michaelshulman-blog]

Pollution is making it harder for office workers to be productive: study

[A worker wearing a mask rests at a tile product line in a workshop of Monalisa Ceramics Company which was shifted from China’s largest ceramics production centre Foshan due to environmental pollution, at the Yuantan Township on October 28, 2008 in Qingyuan County of Guangdong Province, China. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)]

Most people know that smog can pose health risks — from coughing and difficulty breathing to increased risk of heart attack — but a new study shows that air pollution may also have a detrimental on our brains and how much workers can accomplish at the office.

In a paper published earlier this summer, U.S.-based researchers analyzed how nearly 5,000 workers at call centres for Ctrip, China’s largest travel agency in Shanghai and Nantong, functioned on days when pollution levels were elevated.

By combing the company’s personal records, the researchers found that on average a 10-point increase in the local Air Quality Index readings, which measure the concentration of pollutants over a specific period of time, resulted in a 0.35 per cent decline the number of calls handled by Ctrip workers.

“We found a surprisingly robust relationship between daily air pollution levels and worker productivity,” the authors wrote in the Harvard Business Review.

Ctrip’s extensive details outlining its workers’ productivity that made the research possible, including daily completed calls, the length of breaks and time logged in.

Overall, the researchers suggest that findings show workers are five to six per cent more productive when pollution levels fall within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “good” range of 0-50 Air Quality Index (AQI) than when it qualifies for the “unhealthy” range of 151 to 200 AQI.

Furthermore, it didn’t take much air pollution to cause a decline in worker productivity.

The authors said they found “significant” effects even when air quality levels were in the range of 101 to 150 AQI, what EPA deems “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” which is commonly seen in many major U.S. cities.

In 2014, Los Angeles had 13 days with AQI readings higher than 150, while Phoenix had nearly triple that number at 33 days, half of which topped 200.

The authors said these workplace effects from pollution could also have massive financial consequences.

They estimated that smog could be cost Shanghai alone “billions of dollars” each year in lost productivity.

While they admit “more work needs to be done,” they say the findings may indicate that pollution is causing a decline in the cognitive function of workers .

They pointed to research indicating that pollutants are small enough to enter the bloodstream, travel into the central nervous system and become embedded deep in the brain stem.

This, in turn, can cause inflammation of the central nervous system, stress on the cerebral cortex and damage the blood vessels in the brain.

The authors also said exposure to pollutants has also been connected to lower intelligence and “diminished performance” in cognitive tasks.

“If the negative impact on productivity that we found in our research are the result of diminished cognitive function, it could mean that the negative impact of pollution on productivity may be greatest in higher-skilled jobs,” the authors warn.

The authors suggest that business might be able to offset the negative effects of pollution by installing high-efficiency particulate air filters, which must remove 99.97 per cent of particles that are 0.3 micrometres in diametre according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

[michaelshulman-blog]

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No matter how dependable your car may be, at some point, your old faithful will break down and you’ll have to take it in for repairs. But there are some vehicles that may save you from having to give up an arm and a leg when you go to the garage and others that could cause you to take out a second mortgage. Here’s a list of the 10 most expensive and 10 most affordable cars to repair, according to RepairPal.

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 10 most affordable: Ford Focus Average repair cost: $1,064 (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 9 most affordable: Honda Accord Average repair cost: $1,060 (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 8 most affordable: Ford Explorer Average repair cost: $1,052 (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Ford)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 7 most affordable: Mazda6 Average repair cost: $1,026 (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images for Mazda Motor Co)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 6 most affordable: Mazda CX-7 Average repair cost: $988 (AP Photo/Mazda)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 5 most affordable: Nissan Altima Average repair cost: $986 (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 4 most affordable: Nissan Sentra Average repair cost: $931 (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 3 most affordable: Toyota Prius Average repair cost: $784 (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repairTop 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 2 most affordable: Ford Fusion Hybrid Average repair cost: $768 (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 1 most affordable: Nissan Altima Hybrid Average repair cost: $673 (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 10 most expensive: Chevrolet Malibu Average repair cost: $1,633 (Photo by Kevin Hagen/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 9 most expensive: Infiniti G37 Average repair cost: $1,725 (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 8 most expensive: Mitsubishi Lancer Average repair cost: $1,931 (Photo by Keith Tsuji/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 7 most expensive: Mercedes Benz C300 Average repair cost: $1,960 (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 6 most expensive: BMW 328i Average repair cost: $1,965 (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 5 most expensive: Volkswagen Passat Average repair cost: $2,087 (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 4 most expensive: Volkswagen Jetta Average repair cost: $2,114 (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 3 most expensive: Lexus IS250 Average repair cost: $2,234 (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 2 most expensive: Audi A4 Average repair cost: $2,259 (Photo by Alexander Heimann/Getty Images)

Top 10 most expensive and affordable cars to repair

No. 1 most expensive: Lincoln MKZ Average repair cost: $2,649 (Photo by Todd Oren/Getty Images for Lincoln)