We thought we'd planned for a successful early retirement — but we're picking up side hustles just a few years in

Tech Insider : Business
Man and woman sitting on bench staring out at water
We invested in savings plans and paid off most of our debts before retiring at 55 — but we've still run into issues.

sylv1rob1/Shutterstock

I took my family's grocery list to Walmart and Aldi. The latter saved me more money, but I'm not sold on going back.

Tech Insider : Business
A composite image of the exterior of an Aldi and the exterior of a Walmart.
My family of four usually spends about $150 a week on groceries. I took the same list to popular chains Aldi and Walmart.

Tada Images; Sundry Photography/ Shutterstock

I spent 4 nights at The Blue Mansion. Staying in the famous museum was incredible, but I wouldn't do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
Cheong Fatt Tze, The Blue Mansion in Malaysia with cobalt-blue exterior, covered porch, trees out front
My husband and I stayed at The Blue Mansion, a famous museum and hotel in Malaysia.

Sinseeho/Shutterstock

10 things you should never do at a golf course, according to PGA pros and employees

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
A golfer preparing to swing a club at a ball.
Golf has a few more etiquette rules and guidelines than other sports.

Mr.Somchai Sukkasem/Shutterstock

4 mistakes to stop making on a plane, according to an etiquette coach

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
People sitting on rows of seats on a plane, with one person reaching their hand up to call for a flight attendant.
There are several things passengers should avoid doing on a plane.

Alvaro Lavin Renteria/Getty Images

I spent 8 years living in big cities on the East Coast before realizing my ideal home was the smaller one where I grew up

Tech Insider : Business, Style
A woman smiling and posing with her arms up at the High Falls in Rochester, New York. She's wearing a green long-sleeved sweater.
I spent years living in major East Coast cities, and now I'm back in my hometown of Rochester, New York.

Emma Guillen

I bailed on my sister-in-law's destination bachelorette party. If she wanted me there, she should've paid for my trip.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Women in robes cheers-ing Champagne flutes
Destination bachelorette parties can be expensive and turning down an invitation can feel difficult.

David Tadevosian/Shutterstock

6 easy ways to upgrade a box of brownie mix, from a former pastry cook

Tech Insider : Business
Pan with brownies in it, spatula scooping one out
Although I think boxed brownie mixes are pretty close to perfect, there are a few simple ways I'd upgrade them.

iStock

I'm a travel planner who's been on over 25 cruises. Here are the 9 biggest mistakes I see cruisers make.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author posing on cruise, cruise ship
I've planned and been on many cruises over the years, and some people make the same mistakes.

Jennifer Greene

I tried one of Ina Garten's easy sandwich recipes. It took 10 minutes to make and tasted way better than takeout.

Tech Insider : Business
Lara taking a selfie holding a tuna-met made from Ina Garten's recipe.
I made Ina Garten's easy tuna melt recipe for a quick lunch.

Lara Walsh

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