This Is What You’re Spending the Most Money On

According to the funds being passed around Venmo, researchers at Quartz pinpointed what we’re all spending our money on. Quartz says the app processed $700 million in transactions during the last quarter of 2014. And we can proudly say it came down to pizza, wine and beer. We know that we personally love sharing booze and pizza, so it makes sense.

This data comes with two caveats. This information is most likely representing the spending habits of millennials, since the 30 and under crowd is the apps’ biggest user base. Another catch is this survey only includes public transactions. Venmo is the Facebook of our transaction history where we choose what to hide, what to share and when it’s best to untag ourselves and pretend we were never there. What we’re all doing with our private spending habits could look like a much different story altogether.

No doubt, some of us are paying rent or mortgages for our homes. But apparently not nearly as often as we kissy face, dance in red dresses and show love with our emoji hearts.

Are you on Venemo? What do you spend money on the most? Let us know in the comments below!

It’s no secret that Amazon is packed with some real wacky and wild products. From aesthetically-pleasing sprayable hand sanitizers to “game changing” coffee-powered under eye creams, I scoured the retailer’s (virtual) shelves for these 15 best self-care finds to make your 2025 way easier – and filled with plenty of ‘you’ time.

You’ll find some pretty weird (but amazing) skincare products and bedtime essentials in this list, too, so get ready to put on the best, most relaxing self-care sessions ever in the new year!

Scroll through for 15 of the best “weird but amazing” self-care products that’ll totally transform your 2025!

Amazon

Kiehl's Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask

This face mask made with avocado delivers results that are just as fun and satisfying as applying it is. It promises "soft and hydrated skin in just 15 minutes."

Amazon

Lifelines Flameless Candle / Essential Oil Diffuser

Essential oil lovers will love this flameless diffuser since it's compatible with any kind of essential oil. There's no flame, smoke, or spilled wax to clean up after use, plus it's gonna look beautiful on any bookshelf or bedside table.

Amazon

Touchland Glow Mist Revitalizing Hand Sanitizer Spray

This hand sanitizer has got to be one of the weirdest (but most amazing) formats for a beauty product I've ever seen. One tiny container delivers 500 sprays full of rose petals, blackcurrant buds, and rosewater to replenish your skin's moisture, all while fighting common germs and smelling delish.

Amazon

Starument Portable Hand Vacuum Cleaner

This "ultra-powerful" cordless vacuum easily sucks up dirt, dust, and other particles off of any surface. It's insanely compact and portable, perfect for cleaning up smaller spaces like your car or work cubicle!

Amazon

Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask

Good sleep is the first step to true self-care. This weighted sleep mask provides even pressure and blocks out 100% of light to really help you wind down. You can even pop it in the freezer before use to help tackle pesky mid-day headaches!

Amazon

Alleyoop Tip Off Liquid-Filled Makeup Removing Swabs

These makeup remover-filled cotton swabs are great to keep in your purse for those random makeup mishaps or smudges. The formula is effective but equally calm, so it won't irritate your sensitive eye area or other parts of your skin.

Amazon

COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence

Made with snail mucin (yes, real snail mucin), this skincare essence has a surprising cult following for its ability to repair dry skin and provide long-lasting hydration. It's a must-have addition to level up your 2025 skincare routine!

Amazon

Good Weird Cold Brew Undereye Cream

Wake up! This under eye cream is powered by caffeine to help de-puff the under eye area, essentially working like an "espresso shot for your face," per the brand. Its unique formula smooths, blurs, diminishes fine lines, brightens skin, and promotes collagen production all at once.

Amazon

Feierdun Adjustable Dumbbells

If you're strapped for space when it comes to at-home workouts, these weird but amazing dumbbells provide the perfect solution, so you don't have to keep multiple sets lying around. They range from 2 to 10 pounds, and are adjustable in 2-pound increments to suit your personal goals.

Amazon

Goshi Exfoliating Shower Towel

Exfoliation is key in retaining healthy, glowing skin! Keep this shower towel on-hand to lather up and clean your skin, all while scrubbing away dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.

Amazon

Viozon Tablet Stand Pillow

Resting can be just as productive as working out, journaling, or locking in on your self-care routine are. When it's time to wind down and let your body and mind catch up, this tablet or phone stand pillow comes in super handy with a hands-free design. Simply grab some snacks and post up with this pillow to veg out and watch your fave TV shows or YouTube vids!

Amazon

Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick

Aquaphor... in stick form? I'll take 10 of them, thank you! This is the only formula to truly nourish and heal my dry lips, skin, and cuticles, especially in the winter. The stick format looks so much more convenient than their traditional squeezable tube.

Amazon

Bee's Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps

These food wraps made from beeswax will help you eliminate (or simply just diminish) your use of single-use plastics in the kitchen. Made entirely of organic materials, you won't be crossing paths with any microplastics or toxic chemicals any time soon. When the wraps no longer retain their shape, they can be easily composted or used as a fire starter!

Amazon

Monstake Automatic Soap Dispenser

This automatic soap dispenser just seems like such a fun purchase, plus it'll upgrade any bathroom or kitchen sink setup. It's compatible with any foaming hand soap, dish soap, or body wash for a luxe feel.

Amazon

LED Light Therapy Face Mask

We adore red light therapy tools over here. This face mask makes reaping the benefits super easy, since you can rock it hands-free. It even has four different modes to target specific skincare concerns like dullness, redness, and acne.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Eating out as a vegan can be a true challenge, especially if you don’t exactly know that what you’re ordering is 100% vegan. Fast food faves like McDonald’s and Taco Bell are secretly packed with vegan items, and Starbucks is no exception. From oat milk coffees to satisfyingly savory snacks, you’ve actually got plenty of plant-based choices when you pull up at your local Starbucks.

Scroll on to explore every vegan Starbucks drink and food item you can add to your order!

Vegan Starbucks Drinks

Starbucks

1. Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado

This new-to-the-menu espresso drink combines brown sugar syrup and oat milk to balance out the punchy coffee notes.

Starbucks

2. Latte (Iced + Hot)

You can totally enjoy a latte at Starbucks if you're vegan. Their oat, almond, coconut, and soy milks are vegan, plus many of their syrups qualify as vegan, too, if you want to flavor up your drink. According to this Starbucks supervisor, all of Starbucks "clear" syrups are vegan and dairy-free. Starbucks' regular and white mocha sauces and caramel drizzle are also vegan and dairy-free.

Starbucks

3. Americano (Iced + Hot)

Starbucks' Americanos are just water and espresso, so you don't have to worry about any dairy being in there. Optionally, you could ask for a splash of non-dairy milk and pumps of your fave syrup.

Starbucks

4. Brewed Coffee (Iced + Hot)

Same goes for their brewed coffees, including iced coffee. Easily ask your barista to add in some non-dairy milk and a few pumps of syrup if you desire!

Starbucks

5. Nondairy Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew

This vegan cold brew drink is crafted with non-dairy cold foam that's flavored with salted caramel – and it's delish!

Starbucks

6. Nitro Cold Brew

A plain nitro cold brew from Starbucks is fully vegan and dairy-free. You can choose to add a splash of non-dairy milk, if you wish your sip to be a bit smoother and creamier.

Starbucks

7. Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

This one's a classic: shots of espresso get shaken up with ice and brown sugar syrup to create a frothy foam, then the drink is topped off with oat milk to cut the bitterness. It's quite a delectable order, even if you're not eating fully vegan.

Starbucks

8. Starbucks Refreshers

All of Starbucks' fruity Refreshers are vegan. Plus, you can can add lemonade, tea, other flavor inclusions like strawberry and peach to add some extra oomph.

Starbucks

9. Iced Black Tea

Their refreshing iced black tea is certifiably vegan, too.

Starbucks

10. Iced Green Tea

If you prefer green tea, Starbucks' offering is vegan-friendly. If you tend to take your tea a bit sweeter, just order it with however many packets of your preferred sweetener, and your barista will add it in.

Starbucks

11. Lemonade

You truly can't go wrong with a lemonade!

Starbucks

12. Hot Teas

Starbucks' hot teas are totally vegan, too. If you want to make them fancier, ask for an additional splash of your go-to non-dairy milk!

Vegan Starbucks Foods

Starbucks

1. Rolled & Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Now onto the food! First up is Starbucks' oatmeal, which you can fancy up with nuts, berries, and brown sugar. Make sure to order it with water to ensure it stays vegan.

Starbucks

2. Plain Bagel

Surprisingly, Starbucks' bagels are also vegan.

Starbucks

3. Everything Bagel

The plain and everything bagels will work for any vegan eater.

Starbucks

4. Avocado Spread

Plus, you can order your bagel with a side of this delicious avocado spread for a nutritious boost!

Starbucks

5. Spicy Falafel Pocket

This 100% vegan snack pocket is new to the Starbucks menu, but it's already become a fan-favorite amongst vegans and non-vegans alike.

Starbucks

6. Chipotle Almond Dip

You can order the Spicy Falafel Pocket with a side of this fully-vegan Chipotle Almond Dip (AKA Bitchin’ Sauce). Yum.

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2025 already has a nice ring to it – the new year always offers a fresh start, a nice chance to make improvements in all areas of your life. Technology is undoubtedly one of those things that’ll always make our lives better (well, depending on how you look at it), so the new year is the perfect time to revisit what your devices are doing for you. If you can think of more ‘cons’ than ‘pros,’ it might be time to upgrade your outdated tech gadgets.

Tip: do not throw your devices away – instead, turn them into an authorized recycling facility or sell them to a repair shop, because your old stuff may just be someone else’s treasure.

These 5 outdated tech gadgets are totally worth replacing in 2025.

Axa Crown / PEXELS

1. Wired headphones

It feels weird to say, but wired headphones are so outdated, especially considering the vast variety of hands-free, wire-free bluetooth headphone options on the market now.

Not only are wired headphones outdated, they’re also not very practical. They aren’t very workout- or travel-friendly, since they can fall out (or rather, get ripped out) of your ears easily.

A lot of today’s bluetooth headphone options – from AirPods to over-the-head designs – also have way better audio quality than wired ones.

Jéshoots / PEXELS

2. Anything older than an iPhone 12

The iPhone 12 launched in 2020, making it a whopping 5 years old in 2025. It doesn't sound that long, but Apple's made a ton of upgrades and improvements to their iPhone models since.

Due to the mass amounts of upgrades and improvements, snagging the newest iPhone may just surprise you in what it can do – and make your life easier all the while.

Anna Tarazevich / PEXELS

3. Chunky old speakers

My family’s owned the same stereo speakers for, like, 20 years. I mean, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it, but music, TV shows, and movies could sound so much better on a modern speaker.

If you or your family tend to hold on to older technology like chunky old speakers, it’s time to convince them that a hi-fi sound bar is the right upgrade. Sound bars often display much richer bass sounds, clearer dialogue, and provide a more immersive audio experience overall!

George Milton / PEXELS

4. Clunky printers

If you’ve entirely worn out your 2000s-era printer, shopping for a sleeker model could save you so much money, time, and result in higher-quality prints, no matter what you’re printing out.

Newer models often use less ink than older ones and can handle larger print jobs with ease. Plus, they don't take up nearly as much space in your home office.

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

5. Y2K-era PCs

If you’re still using a big ol’ PC, you’re way past due to treat yourself to a new iMac or Macbook. Get with the times, y'all! Apple models are the only computers I can recommend, based on my experience. They’re sleek, clean, fast, easy to use, and have great security measures.

It feels like everyone has at least one Apple device these days, so if you’re looking for a splurge moment, this is your sign.

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What is it about family sagas that seem to make book clubs more interesting? Maybe it's because we know interpersonal relationships can be a little dysfunctional. It could be that we still don't know how to communicate with the people we love the most. Even if we love our parents and siblings, reading about other families' fictional twists and turns gives us a rush of adrenaline.

So it's no wonder Jenna Bush Hager's January book club pick feels like something we can read without putting down. It's full of complicated relationship dynamics, love, and reconciling one's identity with their past. You can say it's the perfect read to kick off your 2025 reading goals!

Learn more about Jenna Bush Hager's 2025 book club pick and fall in love with one character's journey of self-discovery.

Amazon

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight

Penn should be excited about advancing her education at the University of Edinburgh, but she can't stop thinking about the secret her parents have been keeping from her. For some reason, she believes she'll uncover it while she's in Scotland because Lord Lennox — her father's friend — is in the area.

Her hunger for the truth leads her to Lord Lennox's estate where she she starts mingling with his family and even discovers love in this moving novel.

@readwithjenna/Instagram

Jenna Bush Hager's Thoughts About The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus

Jenna Bush Hager thinks readers will love The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus because "it's a rich novel" with themes of "friendship and motherhood" (via Instagram). It's so good, she's sure "it will sweep you off your feet (via Instagram).

We hope you enjoy reading about Penn's journey in The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus and encourage you to check out Reese Witherspoon's January book club pick next!

Trader Joe’s loves to keep us on our toes when it comes to their new arrivals. We’re constantly monitoring the aisles to discover all the new TJ’s sweet treats and savory snacks they launch – and these 7 new picks for January 2025 are not to be missed! All of these Trader Joe’s products will run you less than $5, which only makes sealing the deal on your grocery bill easier.

From delicious dips to a very enticing new frozen meal, these are the 7 best new Trader Joe’s finds you absolutely need to try in January 2025.

Trader Joe's

1. Teensy Candy Bars

These tiny little candy bar bites ($2.99) resemble Snickers in the best way possible: layers of nougat, caramel, and peanuts are enveloped in a delicious chocolate coating for maximum snackage. We're gonna have to resist eating the whole bag! TJ's even suggests using these bits as decoration for other desserts, like sprinkling some on a scoop of ice cream or baking them into some cookies.

Trader Joe's

2. Olive Tapenade Hummus

Trader Joe's array of dips is simply too good to resist, and this newcomer hummus ($3.49) is no exception! It's a tub of "smooth and nutty" hummus topped with a tapenade comprised of black olives, manzanilla olives, capers, and olive oil to give it a salty effect. It's gonna taste so great as a dip for crackers or as a spread on a Mediterranean pita wrap.

Trader Joe's

3. Organic Concord Grape Jelly

This squeezable grape jelly ($3.49) is nothing short of nostalgic. Trader Joe's says it's "super smooth, joyously juicy, and potently purple," which immediately has us sold on making PB&Js every day now.

Trader Joe's

4. Spicy Chicken Nuggets

Oh, yeah. Bring on the spice with these spicy nuggs ($3.99) that make the perfect easy meal no matter the time of day! Made from all-natural chicken breast and rib meat, breaded with wheat, rice and corn flours, then covered in hot sauce and lightly fried, TJ's has their texture down to a tee. You can easily cook 'em in the air fryer, oven, or microwave before chowing down!

Trader Joe's

5. Crispy Potato & Poblano Pepper Tacos

These halved and fried frozen tacos ($4.99) will totally crush your Taco Bell cravings, since they come together super quickly and contain flavors with mind-blowing authenticity! Each taco is filled with a blend of seasoned mashed potatoes and some "ever-so- slightly spicy" poblano peppers that'll work so well with any dipping sauce, from TJ's salsa to their creamy Jalapeño Sauce.

Trader Joe's

6. Strawberry Mini Hold The Cone!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Trader Joe's is debuting a new flavor ($3.99) of their classic Hold The Cone! frozen dessert: strawberry! These tiny, chocolate-covered cones are lined with even more "rich" chocolate on the inside, then packed with strawberry ice cream, which TJ's says is crafted with plenty of strawberry purée.

Trader Joe's

7. Caesar Salad Dip

Trader Joe's shoppers have said this new Caesar Salad Dip ($3.69) makes a perfect girl dinner addition– which, if you get it, you get it! The tub starts with a "creamy" base that's then loaded up with Caesar-seasoned sour cream, mayo, anchovy paste, Parmesan, and finely shredded Romaine for the crunch. It's best enjoyed with crackers or veggie sticks to dip, but you could also smatter fried chicken or seared steak in it for some ahh-mazing flavor!

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