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New York Post
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- New York Post
If you buy one thing during the Nordstrom sale, make it this $300 Le Creuset oven
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. I have a rule about cookware: if I wouldn't carry it into battle or leave it in my will, it doesn't belong in my kitchen. Which is why, after years of flirting with cheaper dupes and vintage Craigslist finds, I finally caved and bought the Le Creuset Dutch oven. This thing isn't just cookware; it's an heirloom disguised as a casserole vessel. Right now, the iconic 8-quart oval version is a wild 36% off during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, which almost never happens. That brings it down to under $300 — still an investment, but the kind that pays for itself every time you braise short ribs, simmer bolognese, or bake sourdough and suddenly feel like Julia Child. I'm a part-time private chef, and I didn't get mine on sale. You? You're smarter than I. If you've ever picked up one of these babies, you know: it's heavy. In a good, you-could-fight-a-bear-with-it kind of way. The enamel is silky smooth, the colors are stupidly gorgeous, and the lid fits like a vault door. I use mine for everything from slow-cooked coq au vin to panic-week pasta sauce. It distributes heat like a dream and looks stunning doing it. Add to cart, write it off as a personality upgrade, and thank me later. Nordstrom This kitchen icon combines beauty and brawn, with a cast iron body that retains and evenly distributes heat and a chip-resistant enamel coating that's both non-reactive and easy to clean. The oval shape is ideal for roasting whole birds or slow-braising large cuts of meat, and the tight-fitting lid locks in moisture for maximum flavor. Oven-safe up to 500°F and available in a range of stunning colors, this is the one-pot wonder you'll reach for over and over again — and it's 36% off at Nordstrom right now. This article was written by Kendall Cornish, New York Post Commerce Editor & Reporter. Kendall, who moonlights as a private chef in the Hamptons for New York elites, lends her expertise to testing and recommending cooking products – for beginners and aspiring sous chefs alike. Simmering and seasoning her way through both jobs, Kendall dishes on everything from the best cookware for your kitchen to cooking classes that will level-up your skills to new dinnerware to upgrade your holiday hosting. Prior to joining the Post's shopping team in 2023, Kendall previously held positions at Apartment Therapy and at Dotdash Meredith's Travel + Leisure and Departures magazines.
Entrepreneur
10-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
What My First Failed Startup Taught Me — and How I Finally Got It Right 20 Years Later
Launching a startup two decades after a failed first attempt brought clarity, humility, and a deeper understanding of what it really takes to build a sustainable business. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. They say timing is everything — and that's a lesson I've learned the hard way. Today, I'm building a startup I truly believe in. But the truth is, this journey didn't start last year. It began more than 20 years ago — with a big idea, the wrong timing and some painful but necessary lessons that would shape everything I'm doing now. How it started In 2007, inspired by platforms like Craigslist and LinkedIn, I set out to bring a new kind of online platform to life. I had a strong concept, but not the technical skills to build it alone. So I partnered with a close friend who could fill that gap. At first, we were excited. But over time, cracks formed — our visions didn't align, our strategies drifted, and financial pressure mounted. Eventually, we had to walk away. It was disappointing, even devastating. But I never stopped believing in the core idea. Instead, I paused to reflect on what went wrong, what I'd learned, and what I needed to do differently next time. That reflection helped shape both who I am and how I operate today. Related: When My Startup Failed, I Was Hopeless and Left in Tears. Here Are the Lessons That Helped Me Restart and Launch Three Successful Companies. What I learned (the first time around) Learning never stops: Your best insights often come from others. Lean into your network — mentors, peers, even critics. Learning from others and sharing your own experience creates a powerful loop of growth. Your best insights often come from others. Lean into your network — mentors, peers, even critics. Learning from others and sharing your own experience creates a powerful loop of growth. Be willing to adapt: Even with a great idea, you have to stay flexible. Whether you're launching or scaling, being able to pivot when needed isn't a weakness — it's a survival skill. Getting it right the second time Start with clarity: A shared vision is critical. Before launching, make sure you and your co-founder(s) are aligned on goals, roles, and long-term expectations. Misalignment early on will cost you later. A shared vision is critical. Before launching, make sure you and your co-founder(s) are aligned on goals, roles, and long-term expectations. Misalignment early on will cost you later. Be honest with yourself and your team: Ask the hard questions up front: Why are we doing this? What problem are we solving? Who are we solving it for? If your answers don't match, it's time to regroup. Ask the hard questions up front: Why are we doing this? What problem are we solving? Who are we solving it for? If your answers don't match, it's time to regroup. Culture matters as much as code: Yes, you need technical talent. But you also need people who share your values, collaborate well, and grow with the company. Don't underestimate cultural fit — it makes or breaks teams. If you build it, will they come? This time around, I approached things differently. I didn't just assume the idea was good — I tested it. I asked: Are we solving a real problem? Does the market need this now? What's our unique value proposition (UVP)? Why would anyone choose us? Customer-first thinking became the foundation. Instead of building what we thought was valuable, we built what the market actually needed — and made sure our solution stayed relevant. Getting tactical: what every founder needs to consider Do your homework: U nderstand your industry, track trends, study user behavior and know your competition. nderstand your industry, track trends, study user behavior and know your competition. Create a strategy: Write a business plan. Forecast your finances. Know your funding options. Write a business plan. Forecast your finances. Know your funding options. Formalize the business: R egister your company, get your EIN, licenses, permits, and build your legal foundation properly. egister your company, get your EIN, licenses, permits, and build your legal foundation properly. Build the right team: Use your network to find people who align with your mission and culture. Use your network to find people who align with your mission and culture. Sell the vision: Know your customer, refine your message and create a product or service they actually want. Related: 10 Lessons I Learned From Failing My First Acquisition Final thoughts Be both sales-driven and market-aware. Know your audience — where they get information, what problems they face, what resonates with them. Your customer acquisition strategy should be informed by real data, not just instinct. And most importantly, keep an open mind. Inspiration can come from anywhere — a conversation, a failure, a new connection. The more you listen, the more likely you are to spot those game-changing ideas. Building something meaningful takes time. For me, it took over 20 years. But every setback, misstep and restart has made this journey — and this version of the startup — infinitely more grounded and more real. Ready to break through your revenue ceiling? Join us at Level Up, a conference for ambitious business leaders to unlock new growth opportunities.
Buzz Feed
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
37 Former Sex Workers Share Their First Time Working
Recently, Reddit user drowning_fish_101 asked, "For those who worked (or still are) as a sex worker, what was it like having your first client?" and the responses were super fascinating. Here's what former sex workers, strippers, and others in the sex industry had to share about their first times working. "I was about 20/21 at university and worked in a cafe run by these two funny gay guys. They told me one day that they knew a lot of older women who were looking for sex and willing to pay for it. All I needed to do was turn up, be dressed nicely, have dinner and drinks, maybe a river cruise through the city and back to their hotel for sex. This was before smartphones, so not once did I get a photo of these women beforehand, and I was always worried about what I was walking into and if I could perform." "I remember my first client wanted a foot job. I was in no way prepared for giving that type of a repeated movement with my legs. It was so physically exhausting. I was in my early twenties at the time. I just remember the client looking really young. I wore lingerie the whole time and did the foot job. After he came, he just wanted to talk for the rest of the session. He asked me a lot of questions about the job I was doing. It was not a bad experience; the client was respectful." "I was 19, and I was told I would be taking a woman to a wedding. There was no talk of sex. Just the promise of a bonus from the woman who set up the date if the woman I escorted gave me a good review. The mark was a 32-year-old divorcee who was absolutely gorgeous. The wedding was for her ex' sister, who was also her best friend. I played the part through the ceremony, where she pointed out her ex. He was skinny, short, and had no muscle — totally the opposite of me. We went up to change for the reception. That's where I learned what it would take to get the bonus, and I obliged. She was exaggerating and screaming since the ex was in the next room. We were all over each other at the reception. Back to the room where we performed all night, and she would get digs in on her ex. The morning, she pushed me out of the door naked in front of her ex, whom my manhood must have dwarfed, by the look on his face." "My first sex work experience was with a man I met through SeekingArrangement (a dating website that facilitates 'mutually beneficial relationships' between 'sugar daddies/mommies' and 'sugar babies'). We had an ongoing thing where he genuinely helped me to get off drugs and encouraged me to do better. He became my sugar daddy and even offered me a job in his company if we agreed not to mention our past. I turned him down, and sadly, he passed away months later. He had cancer and never told me. I think about him often, especially when setting and achieving my goals." "Former stripper here. ... It was absolutely terrifying. I will say that I had really no idea what I was walking into. I saw an ad on Craigslist, sent in a bikini picture (smart), received an email from the owner, and went in that night. I thought I would just get some information and go from there, but they convinced me to do a short shift then and I had never done anything like that before." "I was extremely nervous. I knew nothing about my client, and I was worried about whether or not she would enjoy herself. I arrived at the hotel and knocked on the specified door. She ended up being a perfectly average middle-aged woman. I followed my instruction manual to the letter for all the introductory stuff. She warned me that she doesn't get off easily and requires a lot of warmup." "I was absolutely terrified. I entered the industry for the first time as a mature woman, surrounded by young girls with long legs and perky tits. I had always been a very sexual person, so I thought that I'd be like a fish to water, but I was not prepared for the emotional toll of trying to sell myself to every man who walked in. My first booking was a man in his early thirties, and it turned out he was high on coke. ... He couldn't even get hard. I thought it was me. I never doubted my oral skills but assumed he wasn't attracted enough to me. It was some of the more experienced girls who later explained coke dick to me." "I've had issues with sex and being emotionally connected, so I thought I'd be great at stripping and sex work in general. The first shift was my last because I found the aggressiveness of the girl who was supposed to be helping me out to be unpalatable. It was day shift on a weekday, so hardly anyone was in there aside from a small handful of people. One dude who seemed ready to buy a dance kept getting followed around by the other girl. He kept trying to get away from her to talk to me, and I had no idea what I was doing and didn't want to step on any toes. After my first dance, he finally was able to approach me and told me to watch out for her and that they just returned from her aggressively giving him a blowjob in the parking lot, and that, apparently, she wouldn't stop complaining about me." "Does phone sex count? Many moons ago, there used to be phone numbers in little sleazy magazines with pictures of pretty girls and women. Phone 18-year-old Missy now! Talk to 33-year-old Karen, the single mum, now! 55-year-old granny Rita is ready for your call now! Ring Gina, the transgender 24-year-old, for a chat! None of these people actually existed. All but one of us on the phone lines were ex-working girls. I was the exception. We signed into the phone system on our own home phone. We heard a code when calls were connected, and then we knew which character we were to play." "I'm technically in the industry. I work as a lingerie barmaid — called Skimpys in Australia. My first day was terrifying. I'm confident and always wear tiny bikinis on the beach and post pretty revealing photos on my Instagram just for fun. But the first day, I was shaking, fixing my outfit, and being awkward. I realized my job was less about what I wore and more about the conversations I had. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to have a job with such a good hourly rate that put me through a degree, but it was so emotionally exhausting. It's called surface acting in psychology — constantly being on and in a good mood, laughing at dumb jokes, smiling at creepy compliments, and men double your age drooling over you, barely looking into your eyes. The half-naked part is honestly the easiest part of it. It's the constant pretending and the character you put in that's exhausting." "I was a sex worker. My first client was actually nice; I was absolutely terrified, though. It hadn't been long since I had my daughter, so my body wasn't 100%, but he thought I looked amazing. It built my confidence up." "I'm a former OnlyFans girl. I'm well-educated, but I'm from a poor country, and I'm a breadwinner. I was so, so lucky; my first client was a sweet man — a widower. He just wanted company and some playtime. For my second client, I was even luckier. She was a lovely woman. She was just lonely. It was her first time ever on OnlyFans, trying it out. Everyone else after that were pigs. I really felt like an object. I was dissociating a lot and hated my body. But I stayed on for the money to pay for school (Master's, mind you) and my parents' hospital my second client (the woman), whom I had gotten close to, offered me a large sum so I could leave the business and focus on finishing my degree and getting another job where I was safer." "I started stripping on my 18th birthday. My first lap dance was a $200, 15-minute private dance. The guy was 25 and from the UK (this was in the USA). I cried while sitting on his lap because I had no idea what to do. He was so nice and just hugged me and told me it was okay, even though he had just spent $200 to have some girl cry on his lap. I hung out with him the rest of the night (with one of his friends and one of mine)." "I was a 22 y/o crossdresser at the time, and I found a guy (let's call him Kevin) on Grindr. He said he liked spoiling people and said he'd pay me to have sex with him. He was a ... not my type, but I wasn't bothered by it. I let four people know exactly where we were going to be and who he was before I did it. I dressed up in a cute fit, and he complimented me, and I felt affirmed at a time when I was questioning my gender. He asked if $100 was okay. I was only expecting half that, so of course, I said it was okay. We had sex outside, and he was really sweet. We cuddled and talked more than we had sex. He told me his nephew was transitioning and started living with Kevin because he was escaping his bigoted parents. Kevin asked for advice on how to make his nephew feel safe and stuff. Kevin even respected my boundaries as far as what I did and did not want. He was a really caring guy who was just lonely." "It was stressful AF. Meeting someone new and then having sex as a service instead of for fun was definitely anxiety-provoking. ... For me, I think most of the jitters came from the fear that I would disappoint the client in some way. What if he sees my body in real life and doesn't like it? What if I'm too awkward? What if I'm not as good at tomfoolery as I thought? What if he wants me to ride him, but I lose my balance and break his dick and accidentally punch him in the face while trying to catch myself??" "He was a prominent Canadian businessperson, and I was a college student in Indiana in my twenties. He was married and used a fake name, but I figured out who he was. He was kind and generous, and we saw each other several times whenever he came into town. He really liked to see himself as a mysterious benefactor and had a weird breeding kink, but he was a lovely man. Then he died of cancer and had a big plaza named after him, and sometimes I see it mentioned and think, 'Huh. That was a weird time.'" "I got into being a sugar baby and a sex worker not from financial need but more so curiosity and desire. I found it hot that people would pay me for something I already wanted to do. I'm not romantically attracted to men, but I have a good time sexually and enjoy their company, so it was very easy for me to not have any emotional messiness. The first client started up during the pandemic, so we actually ended up talking on the phone for months before we were able to meet up. By the time we did, I was very comfortable with him and was already receiving monthly funds. I left the scene when I started dating my girlfriend more seriously, but I have no regrets!" "I met him on SeekingArrangement. I was 19 years old. We had a drink at a dive bar I was familiar with in the downtown part of my hometown. I blew him in the backseat of my car for $200. I had sex a bunch, so I was 'experienced,' but I never did it in a straight-up transactional way. I had worked some shifts at strip clubs, though, so I wasn't SO green on taking the money. But the money actually changed my life. I needed it badly for some bill. I went immediately to the bank right after he finished to deposit and pay the bill. I didn't use a condom because I'm an idiot, but yeah, that was the first time. He was kinda lowkey good-looking. ... The guys on SeekingArrangement are super weird, though. I had various weird interactions with different guys after him, but he was actually pretty chill." "I was pressured by my then-husband, of all people, to become a sugar baby at the ripe age of 38. I went on my first sugar date, and the sugar daddy and I instantly got along. We fell in love over the course of a year. We're together for life now. 🤷🏻♀️ I believe I've won the sugar life lottery." "I was 18 and anxious as could be! I showed up to the hotel room. The guy let me inside and then started questioning me. 'How do I know you're not a cop?' I decided to get things started by telling him, 'Maybe you should check me for a wire.' It was pretty simple from there." "My fiancé and I started doing it six months ago. I was pretty nervous for the first five minutes until we realised it was a normal guy, and then it was super chilled out and easy. We're no stranger to threesomes, so no confidence issues there, but we'd never done it for money before." "I was in my late twenties, had lost my job, a parent had died, I was about to be evicted, and my cards were maxed out. I knew a ton of gay escorts and porn models. I pretty much kept it to referrals only, as for a quick minute, I was on Rentboy. It mostly was that either someone wanted a three-way or the friend couldn't do it (usually out of town). So I wasn't nervous the first time I did it on my own. The first time I did one alone, it was pretty fun, and I earned a bit of money. He was in his late fifties and pretty good-looking, but nothing super wild. He came six times. It lasted like 30 minutes, and it was four figures. And when I stopped, I still hooked up with him." "This guy liked to buy custom videos of me, and he asked me if I would make a video for him of me fucking some college student. I found a guy who I already wanted to fuck but who just lived an inconvenient distance away, and it turned out he was down to be filmed. I drove to his place, had an AMAZING time, took a video, edited it together nicely, sent it to the buyer, and got $3600. So, it really couldn't have gone better." "The first time was purely just to say I had done it. I was 19 and went on Craigslist and answered a post from a guy asking for a threesome with two women. We messaged back and forth for a while, but our schedules didn't line up right away. He had a woman text me to verify he wasn't dangerous and actually paid. He lived a bit away, and I didn't drive, so he eventually ended up driving to my city, picking me up, and getting a hotel. I brought a bottle of wine and some weed because I was nervous. We ended up talking for about an hour. Then, we eventually moved on to the deed. He basically had a micro penis, and that was my first time ever seeing such a sight. But I keep it professional. At some point, probably because I was tipsy, I started making out with him. That caught him off guard." "I didn't even realize it was happening until he paid me. I sneaked into the Bike Stop in Philly at the age of like 17 or 18, back in like 2002. Immediately, older dudes are offering me drinks and chatting me up. It was so much attention. I'm a chubby nerd, and it's new and flattering as hell. I wound up talking to this dude for a while. He was talking about how he was a lawyer. I was asking him about cases and shit. Finally, he was like, 'Are we going home?' and I was like, 'Yeah, alright.' So we got back to his place, we did some stuff, and it was all fun. I hopped in the shower for a minute, and when I got dressed and came back out, he handed me like $100 and said, 'For the cab,' with a wink." "I was on the SeekingArrangement website for not very long, and there were some genuinely nice men, looking for their taste, I guess (IDK a better way to put it), but there were also some straight-up creeps. I will admit I slept with a guy 30 years my senior, and we had arranged a monthly agreement where he'd pay me $2000. It didn't work out, but the men I met on there beforehand made me question society. They were blatantly cheating on their wives, not even trying to hide it, saying you will get this amount if you have a place I can fuck you, or this amount if I have to rent a hotel." "He asked to be humiliated. I smiled and made him confess everything and saved the receipts. Now, he tips extra just to keep them hidden. First client. Still my favorite toy." "I was 18, fresh out of high school, and wanted to make money for Christmas, but nowhere 'normal' was hiring. I got work at a brothel/parlor that I didn't realize at the time had a horrible reputation. It had known gang-affiliated clients. The owner would collect her 'room fees' in the morning (of a $200 one-hour booking, we would get $125 for ourselves, and $75 would go to her for using the room) and have a general vacuum and tidy up before leaving for the day; whatever girls were working that day were also the 'receptionists,' answering the phone, doing all the laundry, collecting money from clients, cleaning rooms, and locking up at the end of the night. We had no security on site. It was run out of a residential house, and it was JUST us girls for the whole day: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m." "I tried only twice, but it was weird, so I stopped. My first time was with an older man. I showed up on time, but he was finishing his salad, so I sat at his dinner table, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for him to finish. Most awkward 10 minutes of my life! Finally, we went to the bedroom; he got undressed and laid on his tummy. I offered a brief massage, but he was so frail I thought I was going to hurt him. Then he turned, and I started playing with him. He liked it but said he couldn't get hard because he had cum once already that day. ... I know he was old, but it still hurt my self-esteem a little." "I was a sugar baby to different successful men for three years. My first sugar daddy had 800K followers and 'public figure' in his Instagram profile bio. He smiled and told me not to be nervous because I was just his type. When I asked him what that was, he said, 'Scared skinny European girls who don't talk.'" "When I was 19, I was stationed with the US Air Force near Tokyo. One time, at a local gay bar, I was essentially recruited by a local massage was expected to end with extra services. I was young and enlisted, not making a lot of money. So the amount of money they told me I could make with my clients seemed really attractive. My first time working was a Friday night. I got off work, dressed, and went to the massage parlor. Clients could come into the shop, or we could be called for an out-call to a hotel. Clients would choose us in person or from a website. The boss came in and told me I had been 'reserved' for a hotel meet-up. I cleaned up and took the subway to the nearby hotel. I was so nervous. My Japanese was very weak, and I felt like everyone in that hotel lobby was staring at me and knew why I was there. ... The short elevator ride up, I almost bailed. I was about to have sex with a total stranger." "I did a solo OnlyFans for about three months as an experiment. I made $1K+ but felt empty; as a guy, I think I did well, but it just didn't feel right. My first client wanted a lot, and I gave in. I probably sat there texting for an hour because I had such a large bit of dopamine getting my first sub, but it wore off after realizing how much time I spent for $4." "I have only had three shifts at a brothel, so I'm not super experienced. I was very lucky. Had this guy come in who specifically asked for me. He made me orgasm by eating me out, then we cuddled, and he gave me a great massage. Thanks, Mike!" "I was looking for something high-paying and kind of stumbled upon my shop's recruitment ad. I applied, thinking nothing of it, and was surprised to be contacted regarding an interview. I live in Japan, so in my case, I needed to have the right residence/visa status, which I do. I was also fortunate to pick a shop willing to take a chance on me, as I think the majority of shops would not be open to allowing a foreigner to work for them." "I still work in the same brothel I began sex work in. I was so nervous as I barely knew what the routine was and what to do. He was a regular, and we sat in the hot tub and talked before getting into it. He was very understanding and nice. I look back and realize I got super lucky as there is a whole range of men who come in, and for the most part, they aren't all kind, easy, clean, or not gross." "My first client was a very nervous cutie who didn't seem to know where to start with explaining or doing. It was nice to know how to help someone feel relaxed, and that didn't need to perform or feel pressured. It reminded me how to be clearer with my own language/profile, though — that I only accept older clientele, and how I view/accommodate first timers. :)" And finally..."It was a blast. I got tossed and flipped around like a doll. She was a 6ft Slavic woman. Mira, wherever you are, I miss you so." If you've worked in the porn, stripping, or sex industry, we want to hear your story — share in the comments below or via this anonymous form. Submissions have been edited for length/clarity.
Newsweek
07-07-2025
- Newsweek
Secret Service Agent Raises Two Daughters, Their Life Lessons Go Viral
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Growing up, most parents teach their children basic safety rules—like looking both ways before crossing the street or never talking to strangers. But the daughters of a former Secret Service agent have shared more advanced safety advice that has gone viral on TikTok, racking up 1.2 million views. The video, shared by Ashley Hicks (@ flips between safety tips from her and her sister featuring things they never and always do to protect themselves. Newsweek spoke to Hicks, 36, via email. She explained: "My sister and I made this video not to stoke fear, but to bring awareness to common-sense safety tips we grew up with that made us feel more in control of our personal safety." (L-R) Hicks, and her sister, who doesn't wish to be named, can be seen speaking to the camera. (L-R) Hicks, and her sister, who doesn't wish to be named, can be seen speaking to the camera. TikTok/@ The clip comes at a time when public confidence in the agency itself has sharply declined. A September 2024 Gallup poll shows Americans' rating of the Secret Service's job performance has plunged 23 points to a new low, with just 32 percent now calling its work "excellent" or "good," amid high-profile security lapses, including two assassination attempts on Donald Trump in nine weeks. The 36-year-old recalls her father sharing these lessons when she became more independent, such as driving alone or going off to college, to help ensure her safety while living alone as a single woman. "I'm not sure I'd consider myself street smart, but it has made me more aware. Growing up with a dad whose career was based around security, it was hard not to consider worst-case scenarios and be prepared for the unexpected as I entered adulthood," she said. Safety Tips They'd Never Do Sit with their back to the door in a restaurant or public space. Invite a stranger to their home to pick up an item sold on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Instead, they meet at a fire or police station. Skip a security system without deterrents. If they can't afford one, they buy security signs and window stickers to make it look like they have one. Safety Tips They'd Always Do Create the illusion of not living alone. When living alone as a woman, they'd always places a pair of men's shoes outside the door so passersby think a man lives there. Stay aware when approaching their car. Put your phone down, get in quickly, and lock the doors—especially at night. Sleep with the bedroom door closed and locked. Early Safety Lessons Hicks, who lives in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, also remembers her father teaching them basic safety strategies from a young age. She told Newsweek: "I do remember him educating us on simple safety tips about stranger danger, code names for pick-up, etc. He likely drilled these into us from early on, and I've just forgotten some. "He always emphasized taking 15 seconds when you enter a room to locate the exits and the importance of being aware of your surroundings. And to always follow your gut—it's a powerful tool." While his career gave them invaluable lessons, it also came with sacrifices. She added: "I look back on his time in the Secret Service with mixed feelings—his work was demanding, stressful, and it took him away from us frequently. He missed holidays, birthdays, and graduations. "But we got to experience things most people never will, and I learned a lot about hard work and true sacrifice from him. I don't think I truly appreciated what his job entailed until I was older. Now I look back on it with such pride in him and all that he accomplished." TikTok Reacts As of now, the video has over 165,000 likes and more than 1160 comments, with many users sharing their own safety tips. One user wrote: "When you live alone, always say 'Bye' as though there's someone inside. When arriving home, always say 'I'm home' as though someone is inside." Another advised: "Never wear two earphones. Always keep one ear free so you can hear what's going on around you." If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@ We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work and your story could be featured on Newsweek's "What Should I Do? section.
Time Business News
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time Business News
How I Almost Bought a Flood-Damaged Car—and the VIN Check That Saved Me
A few years ago, VIN Decoder saved me. I was in the market for a used car. I had just started a new job, moved into a new city, and the last thing I wanted was to overspend on transportation. Like many people do, I browsed listings on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, hoping to find something affordable, reliable, and ready to go. After a few weeks of searching, I found what looked like the perfect deal: a 2015 Honda Accord with just over 70,000 miles. The seller said it was in great condition and listed it well below market value. The pictures were clean. No dents, no rust, no warning signs—or so I thought. I scheduled a meeting and test drive. The car started fine, the brakes felt good, and the A/C blew cold. On the surface, everything checked out. But something didn't feel right. The price was suspiciously low, and the seller seemed in a rush to close the deal. 'I've got a couple of other buyers interested,' he told me. 'If you want it, we should do this today.' That urgency is what gave me pause. I told him I'd sleep on it and get back to him. He wasn't thrilled, but I knew I needed to do my homework. That night, I looked up how to check if a car has been in an accident or damaged by flooding. I had heard horror stories about hurricane-damaged vehicles being cleaned up and shipped across the country for resale. Could this be one of them? I found a free car history check that let me enter the vehicle's VIN and get a full report. Thankfully, I had taken a photo of the VIN plate earlier. I plugged it in, and within seconds, the story unfolded. The car had been registered in Florida for most of its life—right up until Hurricane Irma. It was declared a total loss by an insurance company due to extensive flood damage. The title had since been branded as salvage, then rebuilt, and now it was sitting in front of me in another state, priced to sell. That report probably saved me thousands of dollars—and untold hours of frustration. Flood-damaged vehicles often suffer from long-term electrical problems, mold, corrosion, and failed sensors. Even if they look good today, the problems can start within weeks or months. Out of curiosity, I ran the VIN through a more detailed VIN decoder and accident history tool. The second report confirmed everything: the car had been written off, and repairs were limited to cosmetic fixes and a few electrical replacements. There was no documentation showing a full restoration or manufacturer-level recall repairs. I politely messaged the seller the next morning to say I'd passed on the car. He didn't respond. Looking back, that situation was a turning point for me. I realized how easily I could have ended up with a dangerous and devalued vehicle—all because I didn't verify the information up front. What surprised me most was how easy it was to check. I didn't have to pay hundreds of dollars or call in a mechanic. I just needed the VIN, a few minutes of time, and access to the right tools. Why You Should Always Run a VIN Check Every car has a story. Some are clean and uneventful, others are filled with red flags. A visual inspection or quick test drive might catch obvious problems, but it will never tell you everything. With just a VIN, you can uncover: Accident history Salvage or flood titles Odometer fraud Airbag deployments Theft records Open recalls For buyers, this information is critical. For sellers, it builds trust and credibility. Whether you are purchasing from a dealership, a private seller, or even a family friend, knowing the vehicle's history empowers you to make a smart decision. Conclusion Buying a used car can be exciting—but it's also a process that requires diligence and patience. My experience taught me that no matter how good a deal looks, it's never worth skipping the basics. If I hadn't paused to run a free car history check, I might still be dealing with the consequences of flood damage today. Thanks to that one step, I avoided a serious mistake and eventually found a better vehicle—one with a clean title, proper service records, and no hidden surprises. So if you're in the market for a used car, learn from my near-miss. Take the time to check the VIN, run a proper report, and look past the price tag. Because peace of mind is worth more than a bargain. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
