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Mark Hamill and his wife, Marilou, have been married for 47 years, and a resurfaced set of throwback photos has people fixating on one particular detail: how much the couple actually resembles each other.

The photos, which trace the couple's relationship back to 1978, sparked an immediate wave of side-by-side comparisons. Commenters pointed to matching haircuts, similar facial structure and near-identical smiles, with several joking that the pair could pass as siblings rather than spouses.

The theory isn't entirely far-fetched, according to some who chimed in. Research has previously suggested that couples in long-term relationships can gradually begin to resemble one another over time, a phenomenon some attribute to shared expressions, similar lifestyles and even matching hairstyles adopted over the decades together.

Beyond the physical resemblance, the photos reignited appreciation for the couple's lasting relationship. Hamill and Marilou met beforeStar Warsturned him into a global star, and she worked as a dental hygienist at the time they first crossed paths. Several people noted how rare it is for a Hollywood marriage to survive sudden fame, let alone last for decades afterward without major public turmoil.

The couple's low public profile also stood out to many who saw the photos. Despite Hamill's decades-long career, which includes his iconic role as Luke Skywalker as well as extensive voice acting work in film and television, Marilou has largely stayed outside the spotlight, and their children have kept a similarly private presence over the years.

Some pointed to that separation from the entertainment industry as part of what's kept the relationship stable, suggesting that Marilou's life outside Hollywood may have helped ground the couple through decades of fame and public attention.

Throughout the comments, the sibling comparisons kept resurfacing, with many returning to the same observation: whatever the reason behind it, the resemblance is hard to unsee once it's been pointed out.

A viral Reddit taste test is reigniting one of the internet's most passionate grocery debates: Costco's Kirkland vanilla ice cream versus Aldi's Specially Selected version.

The original poster set out to settle the question after seeing claims that Aldi's ice cream was secretly better than Costco's. Their verdict landed firmly in Costco's favor, describing it as thick, rich and creamy, while calling the Aldi version thinner and more watery by comparison.

That take set off a flood of disagreement in the comments. Plenty of shoppers pushed back hard, arguing Aldi's version is actually the superior product because it skips the stabilizers and gums found in Costco's recipe. Several commenters said Costco's texture feels artificial or overly chewy as a result, with a few describing it as tasting closer to frozen pudding than traditional ice cream.

Other shoppers jumped in to defend Costco, insisting the gums are exactly what gives the ice cream its signature rich mouthfeel, and that the tradeoff is worth it. One commenter pointed out that "super premium" technically refers to higher butterfat content and less air in the mix, not necessarily a judgment on overall quality, adding another layer to the disagreement.

The debate didn't stop at just two brands. Commenters flooded the thread with their own favorites, name-checking Trader Joe's, Tillamook, Lidl, Häagen-Dazs and even Kroger's private-label vanilla as contenders. Several claimed Trader Joe's vanilla tastes nearly identical to Costco's, speculating the two may come from the same manufacturer, though that connection wasn't independently confirmed in the thread.

Price also came up as a factor. The original poster noted Aldi's container ran $5.49 for 48 ounces, while Costco's two half-gallon set cost $14.99, making the per-ounce price roughly comparable between the two.

For now, the debate remains unsettled, with shoppers split largely based on personal texture preferences: those who love a dense, creamy bite are sticking with Costco, while those seeking a "cleaner" ingredient list are firmly on Team Aldi.

After more than a decade of silence, Norther is officially returning to the stage.

The beloved Finnish melodic death metal band has confirmed its first live performance since disbanding in 2012, announcing that it will reunite for Wacken Open Air 2027. The news comes just days after the group sparked widespread speculation by posting a cryptic teaser on social media, leading fans to wonder whether a comeback was finally on the horizon.

The initial tease didn't reveal much.

Norther shared a brief Instagram post hinting that something significant was coming, immediately igniting excitement among longtime followers of the band.

"15 years of silence is over," the band captioned an Instagram post.

Given the group's absence for precisely that many years, fans quickly began speculating that the teaser pointed to a reunion rather than a simple archival release or merchandise announcement.

Those suspicions proved to be correct.

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Organizers of Wacken Open Air have now confirmed that Norther will perform at the legendary German festival in July 2027, marking the band's first concert since calling it quits in 2012. The reunion brings together members of one of Finland's most influential melodic death metal acts, whose combination of aggressive riffs, soaring melodies, and keyboard-driven arrangements earned them a devoted international following.

Formed in 1996, Norther built its reputation through albums including Mirror of Madness, Death Unlimited, Till Death Unites Us, and N. Alongside contemporaries such as Children of Bodom and Kalmah, the band helped define the Finnish melodic death metal sound during the late 1990s and 2000s, blending technical musicianship with memorable hooks and high-energy live performances.

Although Norther officially disbanded in 2012, interest in the band never disappeared.

Its albums continued to attract new listeners through streaming platforms, while longtime fans frequently called for a reunion. The recent resurgence of interest in classic Finnish melodic death metal has only fueled that enthusiasm, making the Wacken announcement one of the genre’s biggest surprises of the year.

Fourteen years after stepping away, Norther is finally returning where many fans hoped they would: onstage. With a reunion performance now locked in for Wacken Open Air 2027, the beloved metal band is set to write an exciting new chapter in its story while introducing its music to a new generation of metal fans.

Related: '80s Rock Legend Announces New Album 43 Years After Beginning Career

Actress Amy Sedaris has had many incredible roles over the years, but Star Warsfans will no doubt know her best as Peli Motto, the engineer who appears in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett and has a personal (and adorable) relationship with "Baby Yoda"—whose actual name is Grogu. Now, Sedaris has revealed what the Child is really like on set and why it caught her by surprise.

Speaking exclusively to Parade about her experience working with the puppet of Grogu on The Mandalorian, Sedaris said, "I didn't think, I was like, come on, it's a puppet. I didn't think, but it was incredible. That is the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life. Really adorable."

About the possibility of Peli returning in the future, Sedaris said, "I would want a bigger uniform. That uniform was so tight. My outfit was so tight. If we did it all over again, I kept having to get an extension on my belt to go around my waist, and it was just so hard to move in it, but, you know, I don't know if they'll do any more of those. But I would just look older."

"I never knew what I was saying," she continued. "It was the hardest thing I ever had to memorize. And then [Jon] Favreau would explain it to me, and it didn't make any sense. So, it was the first time I had to memorize everything word for word, not knowing what I'm saying. It's a very strange process."

While Sedaris isn't yet sure if she will return in Star Wars—or, at least, she can't say—she does have one recently-unveiled venture alongside Lindsay Lohan and Patricia Arquette. Namely, the three partnered on a brand-new ad spot featuring the Reese's Oreo cup. Arquette directed the video, with Lohan offering twins, both played by Sedaris, some guidance on how to get along, as a callback to Lohan's beloved 1998 movie The Parent Trap.

Remember the Titans star Ethan Suplee is issuing a warning about GLP-1s.

Suplee, 50, kicked off his career on Boy Meets World before hitting it big in the football classic Remember the Titans. But the actor has gained tremendous notoriety in recent years for his serious physical transformation, which included dropping 300 pounds. But in a new interview, Suplee issued a warning about GLP-1s like Ozempic and Mounjaro, saying that he doesn't believe they're a "one-stop shop." Instead, he believes they must be a part of a bigger conversation.

"As a kid, I wanted a magical diet drug so badly. And now we have what is a magical diet drug," he told Fox News Digital. "I think, unfortunately, it's also not a one-stop shop. I think you can hop on a GLP-1 and experience weight loss. You can see the scale go down week over week for a long time without having to do anything else."

Jeff Kravitz / Getty Images

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Is Suplee Against GLP-1s?

No. The star made it clear that if you're overweight, dropping some pounds will improve your health, no matter how you do it. However, he doesn't believe that people who truly want to transform their physiques should rely solely on them.

"By the way, a small amount of weight loss provides a huge health benefit," he noted. "So if you're just going into it, going like, 'I just want to be healthier. Let me hop on this GLP-1 agonist and improve my health.' Bravo to you. You're going to do that ... I'm not criticizing those people."

However, he made it clear that for people who want to reach their "ideal" weight, a GLP-1 can't be the only component of their plan.

"I think for those people, just hopping on a GLP-1 is not enough," Suplee added. "I think it also will require some resistance training to preserve lean tissue ... maybe increase protein a bit ... I just think [they] aren't a one-stop shop."

What Does Ethan Suplee Look Like Now?

After hitting around 500 pounds, Suplee has dropped 300. He's also gone through several skin-removal surgeries.

View this post on Instagram What's Ethan Suplee Up To These Days?

Suplee is the host of LifeLONG with Ethan Suplee, "a mix of powerful conversations, personal reflections, and selected scenes from Ethan’s film and television work, all centered around transformation, discipline, mindset, and the lifelong pursuit of growth."

Check out an episode below:

Related: Amy Schumer Shares Bikini Photos After 50-Pound Weight Loss— ‘Never Knew There Would Be Days Like This’

More than four decades after beginning his professional music career, Sebastian Bach is showing no signs of slowing down.

The former Skid Row frontman has announced a brand-new solo album, which is expected to arrive in 2026. The record will follow 2024's Child Within the Man and marks Bach's latest collection of original music as he continues balancing recording with an extensive touring schedule.

"I'm starting to get the itch to do a new studio album," Bach shared with Ultimate Classic Rock. My last one, Child Within the Man, came out in 2024 and I've made the first step, which is creating a Dropbox folder for Bruiser [Brody], my guitar player; Fede [Delfino], my bass player and Paris [Bach], my drummer, who's my son."

Bach has spent the past two years performing more than 100 shows in support of Child Within the Man, while continuing to write new material whenever time allows.

"The way I come up with songs is that I'm a bit of a hoarder," Bach told Ultimate Classic Rock. "I have a whole house full of rock and roll stuff, and I collect things. One of the things I collect are riffs and lyrics and titles. I have hundreds of them in my phone. And then if I'm collaborating with a guitar player like John 5 and he sends me the riff for 'Freedom,' I go, okay, yeah, that's a good one."

The upcoming release builds on a productive stretch for the singer.

After ending a decade-long gap between solo albums with Child Within the Man, Bach has remained committed to performing both new songs and the classics that first made him famous.

"It's not oldies night," Bach said . "We do play old songs, but we play new songs too. We're doing songs in my set from the year 1987 to the year 2024 and that's a pretty good run."

Bach first rose to international fame in the late 1980s as the unmistakable voice of Skid Row.

With his soaring vocal range and charismatic stage presence, he helped the band become one of hard rock's biggest acts through albums including Skid Row and Slave to the Grind. Hits such as "18 and Life," "I Remember You," and "Youth Gone Wild" established him as one of the defining rock singers of his generation.

Since launching his solo career, Bach has continued to record, tour, and collaborate with a wide range of artists while maintaining the powerful voice that made him a household name. His recent work has demonstrated that he's just as passionate about creating new music as he is about celebrating the songs that first brought him success.

"My next focus is getting a new album out," he added. "And I'm not one of these guys that really wants to release like a song here and there. I like albums, and I don't I don't care what everybody else is into. I like albums."

Forty-three years after beginning his professional career, Sebastian Bach continues to look ahead instead of back. With another new album on the horizon, the beloved '80s rock legend is proving that his unmistakable voice and relentless creative drive remain as strong as ever.

Related: '90s Rock Legend Announces New Album 47 Years After Beginning Career

David Crosby famously discovered a young Joni Mitchell, who would go on to become one of the most prolific and talented singer-songwriters of the late 1960s folk-rock movement. The pair went on to have a brief romance, the demise of which Mitchell documented with a song (naturally) on her second album, Clouds. The song, about a cheating lover, remains a Joni Mitchell classic despite not becoming one of her biggest hits at the time. Crosby later shared a surprising response to both his breakup with Mitchell and the song that documented the end of their relationship.

The Song That Captured the End of a Romance @gafcr

“That Song About The Midway” by Joni Mitchell 1969 fyp othersideofyesterday

♬ That Song About the Midway - Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell wrote "That Song About the Midway" after her breakup with David Crosby. One of the most personal songs to emerge from the folk-rock movement that dominated the late 1960s music scene, it gave fans insight into the relationship between two of music's most influential artists. Released in 1969 on her second album, Clouds, "That Song About the Midway" offers a glimpse into a pivotal chapter in both artists' lives.

How David Crosby Discovered Joni Mitchell

Crosby first encountered Mitchell in 1967 after hearing her perform at a club in Florida. Instantly "gobsmacked" by her voice and songwriting skills, Crosby was convinced he had discovered a once-in-a-generation talent. He became one of her earliest and most passionate champions. Already a star with The Byrds, Crosby used his influence to introduce Mitchell to key figures in the music industry and helped produce her debut album, Song to a Seagull, which launched her career and led to widespread recognition.

The professional partnership soon became romantic, and Mitchell and Crosby dated for about a year between 1967 and 1968. Though their relationship was marked by creativity and mutual admiration, their romance eventually came to an end.

A Song That Endured Long After the Breakup

"That Song About the Midway," written during that period, is widely linked to the emotional complexities of their relationship. Rather than serving as a direct account of their breakup, the song reflects the uncertainty and vulnerability that became hallmarks of Mitchell's songwriting. Its poetic lyrics showcased the qualities that would establish Joni Mitchell as one of the greatest songwriters of her generation.

Related: 1969 Rock Classic, Written in Just 20 Minutes, Named the Greatest Protest Song of All Time

The Compliment That Spoke Volumes

Despite the end of their romance, David Crosby remained steadfast in his admiration for Joni Mitchell. Years later, he paid Mitchell one of the most remarkable compliments in rock history, declaring that she was "more talented than Bob Dylan." Coming from one of Dylan's contemporaries and admirers, the statement highlighted the extraordinary respect Crosby had for Mitchell's songwriting, musicianship, and artistry, even after the end of their relationship.

More than 50 years after its release, "That Song About the Midway" remains an enduring snapshot of the relationship between two music icons and stands as a beautiful reminder of the lasting respect Joni Mitchell earned throughout her career. One of her lesser-known songs, "That Song About the Midway" has become a classic, demonstrating that Joni Mitchell's work continues to be discovered and rediscovered by new generations.

Related: 1969 Hit Just Named John Fogerty’s Best Song of All Time

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I've always heard that dividing perennials at the end of the summer growing season is a great way to give yourself free plants for next year—but can it be done with any perennials?

Unfortunately, there are only certain perennial plants that can be divided and turned into new plants for the next growing season. That said, which perennials are the best candidates for division?

To find out, Parade spoke with two gardening experts: Karin Velez, a market farmer and the founder of the gardening podcast Just Grow Something, and Ryan Scanlon, Growth Consultant at Pittsburgh-based Dirt Works Excavation Inc.

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"Dividing perennials in late summer and even autumn is a surefire way to expand your garden," Scanlon explains to Parade. "If given a few months or even just a few weeks to take in their new spots, they can be cut back before winter or when they become unsightly and still thrive the next year."

Keep reading for nine perennials you should divide in late summer, as well as Velez and Scanlon's best advice for growing perennials!

Related: The 5 Perennials You Should Stop Deadheading in Late Summer, According to a Gardener

What Does It Mean to Divide Perennials?

Dividing perennials simply involves splitting a single plant to create multiple plants. Many gardeners employ this easy trick to essentially give themselves free plants for next year.

Why Should You Divide Perennials?

In addition to giving yourself free plants, there are a few other reasons you should divide perennials.

"Dividing perennial plants in general is a good way to maintain the health of the plants," Velez tells Parade. "Many perennials develop woody centers and that can reduce their production over time. In other cases too many bulbs or rhizomes leads to overcrowding that competes for resources. Removing some of the plants to a new location helps increase the airflow in the original location."

Scanlon also says that thanks to his mother's dedication to dividing her perennials in late summer, she "has won garden of the year in our community several times."

"If employed correctly, you will not have to buy flowers much at all," Scanlon adds. He also notes that you'll also "spend much less time on upkeep, since perennials are quite hardy."

The Perennials You Should Divide in Late Summer for Free Plants Next Year1. Purple coneflower

jokuephotography / Getty Images

Scanlon highly recommends dividing purple coneflowers in late summer.

"They're a native beauty that if given ANY soil, they can probably survive," he says. "I've planted them directly into clay before, and they're doing well!"

2. Irises

Olga Rolenko / Getty Images

According to Velez, you should divide your iris plants every three to five years to keep them productive.

"Overcrowding can cause them to stop blooming all together," she adds. "This should be done in the late summer, about 6 weeks after they’ve flowered, so the rhizomes have time to establish themselves in their new location. Dividing in fall allows them to rebuild their energy stores to be able to bloom in the spring."

3. Peonies

nitrub / Getty Images

"Peonies are huge, pink or magenta summer flowers that are mostly done blooming by the fall," says Scanlon. "They bush up to about 3-5 feet sometimes, and can form an inspiring area in a few short years."

That said, you should "wait as late into summer or early fall for this one as you can, after they’ve finished blooming but before the first frost," according to Velez.

"Be sure to trim back the stems to about 2-3 inches above the ground before dividing to reduce the stress on the plant," she advises.

4. Daylilies

Alex Manders / Getty Images

"Daylilies often bloom later and longer in some regions than irises but once that bloom is spent, it’s time to divide," explains Velez. "This should be done every four to six years to avoid overcrowding and nutrient deficiencies. Dividing too late in the season, however, can damage both the original stand and the divisions, so be sure to do this well before the threat of frost."

5. Lamb's-ear

anmbph / Getty Images

Lamb's-ear has "felty, fluffy leaves" that "are vigorous and spreading," "always gentle to the touch" and able to "make any area feel a bit lighter," according to Scanlon.

"These can be planted literally in mulch and will take," he says. "Be careful though, because they require considerable upkeep just to keep in check after a few years."

6. Lily of the valley

Cyril Gosselin / Getty Images

"Infamous in Breaking Bad, the lily of the valley spreads maniacally wherever you put it," says Scanlon. He adds that this flower thrives in the shade and "will multiply exponentially if you forget about it," thanks to its connected roots.

7. Hostas

Grace Cary / Getty Images

Velez recommends dividing the leafy hosta plant at the very end of summer.

"The later in summer the better, since the overnights begin getting cooler which helps cool the soil and allows the plant to focus on that root regeneration without the stress of heat," she explains. "And since they’ll be at the end of their growing period they will require less water and fewer nutrients."

That said, hostas "can be grown for many years without division and thrive, but if you want new plants from your existing plants you can divide once the plants are mature." Maturation usually occurs after three to five years for smaller varieties of hostas.

8. Yarrow

Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo / Getty Images

"If you live in a warmer climate, yarrow will benefit from a late summer division," says Velez. "If you live in a more moderate climate, you can either wait until they’ve finished blooming for the year and divide then, cut the blooms and divide earlier, or wait until spring. But in hot climates late summer is best, generally every two to three years."

9. Strawberries

Viktoriya Skorikova / Getty Images

"Little known fact: strawberries are perennials and can be transplanted and moved around all the same," says Scanlon. "They require attention and guarding from chipmunks and rabbits if you want to harvest them, but given the right conditions they will thrive and spread with their own runners."

How to Divide Perennials

According to Velez, dividing perennials is a pretty straightforward process for most plants. Here's how she recommends doing it:

1. "Be sure to water the plant thoroughly a day or two before you plan to divide or time your division for a day or two after a good soaking rainfall."
2. "Use a spade or garden fork to gently lift the plant from the soil, whether that’s roots or rhizomes, keeping it as intact as possible."
3. "Once you’ve lifted the root ball, gently pull apart the roots by hand. If you’re dividing clumps of fleshy roots ... gently break apart the clumps with your hands or carefully cut them apart with a spade or a sharp knife."
4. "Immediately replant the divisions into their new home, keeping them at the same depth in the soil as they originated, and water them in."
5. "Keep your new divisions well-watered, especially in late summer when the temperatures can still be quite warm, until the plants have gotten established."

More Tips for Dividing Perennials

Velez recommends dividing your perennials on a cloudy day, as this can "avoid heat stress and minimize transplant shock."

She also suggests adding compost to the hole for your new planting and then topping it off with mulch, as this can help "keep the soil cool and moist while the plant is getting established."

Additionally, make sure to replant your divisions as soon as possible—ideally, right away or the next day. "Try not to allow the divisions to dry out entirely before transplanting or they’ll have a difficult time getting the roots settled before the cooler weather settles in," Velez advises.

Related: Fertilizing These 9 Plants in Summer Can Do More Harm Than Good—These 5 Still Need It

Scanlon also has a few tips for dividing perennials—most importantly, he warns that you should "be as careful as possible when uprooting a healthy group to transplant."

"Perennials grow deep roots, and just pulling them by the stem out of the ground usually won't be the safest route," he explains. "Dig deep at a 45 degree angle toward a point that's 6-12 inches under the mother plant, and crank it backwards. This will loosen enough roots on the edge that you're harvesting, and not displace the plant you're keeping in place too much."

From there, you should be able to insert a garden spade into the top of the mother plant, "and it will release the clones you'd like to transplant."

Furthermore, he recommends starting "the plant off right by loosening up the soil around the new location" and making sure to water it properly.

Up Next:

Related: The One Mistake That's Causing Your Basil to Flower Too Early, According to Gardeners

Sources:

• Karin Velez, founder of the gardening podcast Just Grow Something.
• Ryan Scanlon, Growth Consultant at Dirt Works Excavation Inc.

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If you grew up in the 1990s, you know it was a pretty special time. Kids who came of age in the '90s had access to some technological advances in the toy industry, sure. But they were also quite content with good old-fashioned toys that didn't require a battery. Imaginations ran wild when kids got their hands on the latest action figures or toy sets, and many of the brands that defined the toy landscape during the decade are still thriving today. As part of our ongoing Parade Rewind series, we consulted two toy experts to take a look back at the 25 popular toys every kid wanted in the 1990s.

We chatted with Bob Friedland, a toy expert who has experience running public relations for both Toys”R”Us and FAO Schwarz, and Blake Changnon, the founder, president and CEO of The Changnon Family Museum of Toys and Collectibles.

Whether you were a '90s baby and want a fun blast from the past, or your own children grew up during the decade and you remember all the hottest toy releases of the time, the list below highlights some of the most iconic 1990s toys that kids were obsessed with.

Related: 15 1980s Toys That Would Be Considered Way Too Dangerous Today

What Toys Were Invented in the 1990s?

When you think of the '90s, the holiday toy craze instantly comes to mind.

"With TV commercials playing during children’s television, kids wanted what they saw on TV and parents were willing to go to great lengths to get them," Changnon says.

The decade saw the emergence of more digital toys, including Game Boy Color and Tamagotchi, alongside analog toys.

"The 90s were a time where traditional toys still took first place with parents buying American Girl, Barbie and Pokémon cards," Changnon says.

Over the course of the decade, many collectible toys caused quite a stir.

"Collectibles became a bigger industry driver with Beanie Babies, Pogs and Pokémon cards acting as toys for kids and 'investments' for adults," Friedland tells Parade.

Overall, the '90s was a time of "incredible innovation," per Friedland, with many new toys and games invented over the course of the decade, including the Super Soaker, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers action figures and Zords, Beanie Babies, Tamagotchi, Tickle Me Elmo, Bop It, Furby, Pokémon and Razor Scooters.

Related: 25 Popular Toys Every Kid Wanted in the 1960s

25 Popular Toys Every Kid Wanted in the 1980s1. Tickle Me Elmo

James Keyser/Getty Images

"Elmo became a top-tier Sesame Street Muppet in the '90s thanks to his high-pitched laugh and primary-colored fur," Friedland tells Parade. "Tyco Toys, the company that had the Sesame Street license in 1996, decided that the attachment kids had to Elmo would translate well to a plush toy with subtle, vibrating animatronics. But they didn’t expect the incredible demand for the first Tickle Me Elmo."

When kids hugged or squeezed Elmo, he laughed hysterically and shook, much to the delight of children.

"Appearances on Good Morning Americaand Oprahcatapulted the toy into everyone’s list. By Christmas, parents were paying multiples of the retail price to get one," he shares.

Related: Where Can You Buy NeeDohs? The CEO Shares Everything To Know About the Viral Collectibles

2. Furby

Matthew Fearn - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

"Introduced in the late '90s, this robotic toy with owl-like features was covered in fur and became a massive holiday fad with children wanting one to take care of," Changnon explains. "Furbies could speak their own language known as 'Furbish' and open and close their eyes and mouth."

Each Furby came complete with Furbish-to-English dictionaries to help owners communicate with their new toy.

"They also had sensors that responded to light, sound and touch, so each Furby behaved differently depending on what was happening around it," Friedland adds.

3. Tamagotchi

Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

This egg-shaped Japanese import arrived in the U.S. in 1997 and caused quite a stir.

"It fit in the palm of your hand and acted as a virtual pet. And much like the real thing, you had to feed it, play with it, clean up after it and make sure it stayed alive," Friedland explains. "Because you had to give Tamagotchi pretty regular attention, it became slightly addictive. While it was very hot for a brief period, kids’ attention went elsewhere, and their Tamagotchis died."

Related: 90 Questions About the '90s You HAVE To Ask Gen Z

4. Beanie Babies

Pat Carroll/NY Daily News via Getty Images

"Launched by small toy maker Ty Inc. in 1993, these small, bean bag plush toys encouraged collectability due to only being sold in small independent stores and not big retailers like Toys 'R' Us," Changnon says.

There were Beanie Babies for practically every animal imaginable, and they were affordable enough that kids could own a bunch of them.

"When Ty Inc. announced retirements of certain Beanie Babies, it encouraged kids (or more so parents) to look and call everywhere. Soon parents began to think that buying Beanie Babies and selling them later could help them put their kids through college," he shares.

5. Pokémon cards

Evan Agostini/Liaison Agency/Getty Images

After launching in Japan in 1996, Pokémon cards hit the U.S. in 1998 and exploded in popularity in a matter of weeks.

"What made it all work was that there was an anime with a continuous storyline, a Game Boy game that was addicting and a trading card game that mixed collectability and playability," Friedland explains. "All of these hit the U.S. at the same time, offering multiple entry points into the brand."

The main character of the anime series, Ash Ketchum, was also quite popular.

"In a way, children could collect cards from a blind bag, similar to how Pokémon trainer Ash would collect them on the TV show. The Pokémon slogan 'Gotta Catch ‘Em All' encouraged kids to collect and complete their collection," Changnon says.

Related: 25 Popular Toys Every Kid Wanted in the 1970s

6. 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' action figures

Mario Ruiz/Getty Images

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers action figures were another example of a toy that was connected to a popular TV series.

"The brand and toys became a pop culture phenomenon with kids wanting the toys for the holidays. The toys were simple figures with a button on the back that flipped the Ranger’s helmet to its human face," Changnon says.

The Power Rangers TV series, which premiered in 1993, featured five teenagers with the ability to turn into Power Rangers and fly giant "Zords."

"While it felt similar to the '80s approach of a show as a commercial for toys, the show itself was focused more on martial arts, continuous storylines and combining Zords into a Megazord to fight giant monsters," Friedland shares. "The show was an immense hit when it first aired, and the toys were impossible to find because kids wanted to get all five rangers and all five Zords plus the Megazords."

7. 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' toys

James Keyser/Getty Images

Cue the catchy song in your head.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon may have premiered in the late '80s, but the characters and their pint-sized Playmates action figures exploded in popularity in the '90s after the first live-action film was released, per Friedland.

"What made the Playmates line work was that they did a great job of creating versions of each turtle that expanded on the base version every year," Friedland states. "Throughout the '90s, they also added new characters and variants tied to the sequels and the animated series, which gave kids constant reasons to buy new turtles, evil mutants, Foot Clan soldiers and my favorite, Baxter Stockman and his 'fly' version."

8. Barbie

Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images

By the time the '90s rolled around, Barbie had already been delighting children for three decades. But the doll's following only continued to grow during the decade.

"Barbie turned 30 in 1989 and spent the '90s evolving in a way that mirrored culture," Friedland shares. "Mattel leaned further into aspiration, introducing lines like Astronaut Barbie, Presidential Candidate Barbie and careers that reflected a changing cultural moment for girls."

Changnon notes that Totally Hair Barbie, which debuted in 1992, went on to become the bestselling Barbie of all time.

"Her hair reached her feet and came with a variety of accessories that children could use to style her," he says.

Related: 15 Vintage Barbies That Are Worth a Fortune Today, According to Doll Collectors

9. Barney

James Keyser/Getty Images

"I love you. You love me. We're a happy family." We dare you to get this song out of your head now. Kids of the '90s certainly couldn't, and the Barney & Friends TV series won Barney a place in their hearts.

"The purple dinosaur that sang about loving each other was all over the airwaves, and when toys based on the character were released in 1993, they were literally everywhere," Friedland shares. "The toys themselves were relatively unremarkable—they were just plush as far as I remember—but preschoolers couldn’t get enough of them."

10. American Girl of Today

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Every little girl wanted one of the core American Girl dolls in the '90s. Personally, I was a Samantha girl. But the brand also created a cool line of dolls that were originally called American Girl of Today in the '90s. Now, they're sold under the Truly Me line.

"Instead of focusing on history, the line focused on personal identity, allowing children to pick a doll that looked like them," Changnon tells Parade. "The dolls came with blank journals for children to write their own stories. Children could put on outfits resembling those they wore."

Related: We Ranked the 66 Best Movies of the 1990s, From 'Fargo' to 'Forrest Gump'

11. Game Boy Color

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Many classic gamers still have one of these iconic gaming devices in their collection.

"Released in 1998, the Game Boy Color was all that kids wanted because, for the first time, they could play these digital games in color. The Game Boy Color could also play black and white games from its predecessor," Changnon says.

12. Buzz Lightyear

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When the first Toy Storymovie hit theaters in 1995, kids fell for the main characters, Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Naturally, a talking Buzz Lightyear figurine with pop-out wings and a retractable helmet was an instant hit and was hard to find anywhere.

"What's interesting about this is that the major toy manufacturers passed on the Toy Story license because they weren't sure the movie would be a hit, so a smaller company called Thinkway Toys produced the first line in limited quantities," Friedland explains. "Retailers were cautious in their orders and were completely caught off guard by the demand, which meant there was no way to restock in time for Christmas since the movie opened so late in the year. Toy Story 2 actually referenced the shortage directly."

13. Sky Dancers

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For kids who loved dolls but wanted a little extra pizzazz, Sky Dancers were a great option.

"This toy, a static or non-movable doll, was designed to shoot into the air when pulled by a string, and the dancers' foam wings would spin like helicopters. Though a beloved toy, they were recalled due to injuries inflicted on their users," Changnon states.

14. Littlest Pet Shop

Etsy

Kids who dreamed of getting a pet of their own had endless hours of fun playing make-believe with Littlest Pet Shop toys.

"Introduced in the market in the early '90s, these particular toys were not cartoonish bobbleheads like their counterparts of the early 2000s," Changnon says. "The '90s toys were more realistic with wagging tails and blinking eyes. The brand encouraged collecting and allowed kids to care for a toy, rather than a real pet."

15. Polly Pocket

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"Though launched in 1989, Polly Pocket exploded in popularity in the '90s because the tiny compact cases allowed for many hours of imaginative play, either by yourself or with a friend," Changnon says. "Because of Polly’s small stature, you could take her and her compact with you anywhere your heart desired."

Over time, the Polly Pocket line expanded to include larger dolls. To this day, the brand is still thriving and includes many fun themed sets based off popular TV series and movies like Clueless, Friends and Bridgerton.

Related: 15 Popular 1970s Toys That Would Be Considered Way Too Dangerous Today

16. Super Soakers

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Friedland says Super Soakers are the perfect example of a toy that came out of science and engineering.

"Similar to how Silly Putty and Slinky weren’t originally designed as toys, the Super Soaker came out of the design for an environmentally friendly heat pump system," he explains. "When NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson combined a high-pressure water gun using a nozzle, PVC pipe and a two-liter bottle, he accidentally created a new type of high-capacity squirt gun. When Super Soakers hit the market, they made every other water gun look sad in comparison."

17. WWF Wrestling Figures

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Many kids were enamored with wrestling in the '90s and eagerly tuned into the sport on TV.

"Larger-than-life figures like Hulk Hogan, Randy 'The Macho Man' Savage and 'The Million Dollar Man,' Ted DiBiase, had rivalries and storylines that extended beyond the ring, offering kids drama that was familiar from morning cartoons," Friedland shares. "Combined with a slightly rubbery and posable action figure line that was different than other toys, Hasbro’s WWF figures became an iconic part of wrestling."

Since there was an ever-changing WWF roster, there were always fresh faces and personalities to transform into action figures.

18. Pogs

Xavier ROSSI/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Kids in the '90s were incredibly proud of their Pogs collections.

"Pogs started as a Hawaiian playground game in the 1920s using cardboard milk caps," Friedland states. "In the '90s, Pogs came back with licensed and branded versions that drove scarcity and collectability. The game itself is simple: each player stacks their Pogs face down, takes turns slamming the stack with a heavier disc called a slammer, and keeps any Pogs that land face up."

19. 'Jurassic Park' toys

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Jurassic Park was a box office hit, so an accompanying collection of toys was a natural fit.

"Kenner Toys capitalized on the movie’s magic with the Electronic Command Dinosaur, the vehicles and a line of action figures," Friedland explains. "What made this line stand out is that Kenner took the dinosaur designs seriously, which meant the toys looked as good as the film, rather than being a brand-licensed cash grab. Kids who had never seen the movie wanted the T-Rex because it was a great-looking dinosaur toy."

20. Hot Wheels

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

To this day, Hot Wheels are still a mainstay in kids' toy collections, and they're also popular with collectors.

"In the '90s, Mattel kept Hot Wheels fresh with new track sets and crash-and-stunt systems like Criss Cross Crash, but the core product never really changed. It always was, and likely always will be, a well-made, detailed die-cast car that is affordable for kids," Friedland shares.

Related: 25 Popular Toys Every Kid Wanted in the 1980s

21. Bop It

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"Bop It made its market debut in 1996 and challenged players to a rapid-fire game of commands. The game would speed up as you played it, and the different modes allowed you to play with others," Changnon says.

The small device instructs players to pull it, twist it, flick it, spin it or bop it, and the speed of the commands increases over time.

"If you do the wrong thing or hesitate, then the game is over. The interesting thing is that there is an endpoint to the game, meaning you can go through an entire sequence and beat it," Friedland says.

22. Mighty Max

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"Often called the 'boys’ version of Polly Pocket,' these compact cases featured monsters, aliens and other themes that toy makers thought boys would love," Changnon says.

Similar to Polly Pocket, the pint-sized toys and cases made them quite portable and let boys get in on the fun.

23. LEGO

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By the '90s, LEGO had already been popular for decades. However, several sets from the 1990s were a big hit.

"Pirates, Space, Castle, Technic and Mindstorms gave kids challenging builds that could be played with after construction," Friedland says.

Additionally, Star WarsLEGO sets were also a strong seller.

24. Bitty Baby

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"Launched by Pleasant Company in 1990 as Our New Baby, this 15-inch baby doll was designed to help young children prepare for the new arrival of a sibling to their family," Changnon says.

Bitty Baby was a durable doll that came with high-quality outfits and accessories.

"The dolls were inclusive of diverse skin, hair and eye color, allowing children to play with a doll that looked like them," he says.

25. Groovy Girls

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"Launched in 1998, these plush and soft dolls offered an alternative to plastic Barbie and other fashion dolls. Kids loved playing with the colorful, yarn-like hair and bright clothing," Changnon says.

Up Next:

Related: 10 Old-Fashioned Summer Activities Kids Still Love That Don’t Require a Screen

Sources:

• Blake Changnon is the founder, president and CEO of The Changnon Family Museum of Toys and Collectibles, a virtual museum featuring his extensive collection of Pleasant Company and American Girl items.
• Bob Friedland is a toy expert who has experience running public relations for both Toys”R”Us and FAO Schwarz. Throughout his career, he has supported several toy brands and companies, including Hasbro, Target, Bandai, Lionel Trains and more.

Lori Petty is looking back on filming the '90s surf classic Point Break.

Petty, 62, made her debut in Cadillac Man before skyrocketing to fame as surfer chick Tyler in 1991's Point Break alongsideKeanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. The beloved film, which returns to theaters with a new 4K restoration in August, told the story of an undercover FBI agent, Johnny Utah, who becomes enmeshed with a group of surfers who moonlight as bank robbers. While Petty found great success with films like A League of Their Own and Free Willy after Point Break, the surf staple is still a classic for audiences. And in a rare interview, Petty opened up about making the film.

“It was a dream, for real. It was so much fun. Come on, it was me and 20 wet dudes. It was just so much fun just playing football and training and surfing and kissing. It was just a blast,” Petty told PEOPLE.

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What Was It Like Working With Film Legend Patrick Swayze?

Swayze, who died in 2009, was a beacon of adventure on set who would “go skydiving before work.”

“He loved it. He loved riding motorcycles. He loved skydiving. He loved dancing. He loved anything he could do with his body. He was doing ballet in the air. That was really him. So he was someone who just loved to push himself at whatever he did and take it as far as he could. And he was just sweet as pie, and he smelled so good all the time,” Petty recalled, noting that it was “pretty easy to be in love with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze.”

Did Petty Know How Big Point Break Would Be?

Petty reflected that while the team had so much fun on the set of Point Break, she had no idea how much of a phenomenon the film would be.

“I knew Patrick Swayze and his talent and legacy, and I knew Keanu’s talent and stardom. But when you’re making a movie, you don’t really think about what it’s going to do,” she told PEOPLE.

What Is Lori Petty Up To These Days?

CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

Petty hit the small screen in 2014 for a role as Lolly in Netflix's Orange Is the New Black, and hit HBO in 2021 for Station Eleven. But these days, you can find her in the role of Dr. Lenora Friedman in NCIS: Origins.

Related: Keanu Reeves Is a Silver Fox With Shaggy Hair and a Gray Beard While Playing Chess Onstage

From fake cobwebs that brush against your face to motion-activated ghosts that suddenly spring to life, a silly Halloweenprank will take trick-or-treaters’ experience from good to great.

If you're looking for an easy way to add a spooky surprise to your front porch this year, this animated Halloween doorbell from Grandid Road might be the perfect finishing touch. It’s a creepy decoration that makes trick-or-treating even more fun—for both you and your guests!

A Halloween Doorbell Prank Hidden in Plain Sight

At first glance, the Animated Eyeball Doorbell looks like an ordinary vintage-style doorbell mounted beside your front door. But the moment a trick-or-treater presses the button, the fun begins.

Instead of simply hearing a traditional doorbell chime, a giant eyeball suddenly pops out, glows an eerie green, and looks from side to side as if it's watching your visitors. To make things even creepier, it delivers one of several spooky greetings—like "Enter at your own risk" or "You rang?"—along with eerie creaking door sound effects that make the whole experience feel like something straight out of a haunted house.

It's battery-operated and designed for covered outdoor use, so it's easy to hang by your front door without dealing with extension cords or complicated installation. And because everything is triggered automatically with the push of a button, you don't have to hide behind the door waiting for the perfect moment—the decoration does all the work for you!

A Family-Friendly Halloween Doorbell Prank Everyone Can Enjoy This animated Halloween doorbell prank is fun for all.

Grandin Road

What we love most about this Animated Eyeball Doorbell is that it’s spooky enough to catch visitors off guard without being so scary that younger trick-or-treaters are likely to run away in tears. Instead, it creates one of those fun "Did you see that?!" moments that makes Halloween feel a little more magical.

Plus, it makes trick-or-treating more fun for you, too! If you're watching from inside the house or through a nearby window, seeing everyone's reactions may end up being even more entertaining than handing out the actual candy.

More Halloween Pranks to Try This Year

Looking for even more harmless Halloween prank ideas? Here are a few easy ways to surprise trick-or-treaters this year:

• Place a fake hand inside the candy bowl for an unexpected surprise. 
• Dress as a life-size scarecrow and stay perfectly still until someone gets close.
• Fill your yard with glow-in-the-dark eyeballs that peek out from bushes after dark.
• Recruit a family member to pose as a Halloween decoration before suddenly coming to life.
• Use a motion-activated fog machine to create an eerie entrance to your porch.
• Set up a talking jack-o'-lantern that greets trick-or-treaters by your front steps.
• Add spooky sound effects that play as guests walk up your sidewalk.
• Hide a motion-activated skeleton behind a hay bale or stack of pumpkins.
• Sit on the porch and wear a spooky mask while pretending to scroll on your phone, then slowly look up without saying a word.
• Hide behind the front door and say, "Don't take all the candy!" just as someone reaches into the bowl.
• Hand out candy wearing Frankenstein or monster gloves.
• Tape a realistic plastic spider to the bottom of the candy bowl so it's revealed as the candy disappears.
• Put googly eyes inside your glasses so people do a double take when they first see you.

As far as cookie flavors go, it’s hard to beat the classic taste of a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. Snickerdoodles are great, and we can always make room for peanut butter, but there’s something about the rich, buttery taste of a chocolate chip cookie warm from the oven that just scratches that sweet treat itch. Thanks to crisp edges, soft centers and enough melty chocolate to make your mouth water, it’s one of those timeless recipes that reminds us of baking with grandma or cozying up on the couch on a rainy day. It’s like a memory distilled into a baked good. 

In fact, the chocolate chip cookie is so popular, it’s estimated that Americans eat a whopping 7 billion of them every year, according to Mrs. Fields. (Speaking for ourselves, we probably make up about half that number.) Clearly, the humble chocolate chip cookie holds a special place in our hearts, and if you’re looking for another excuse to eat your weight in cookie dough, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is just around the corner. That’s right, friends, an entire day dedicated to one of the most delicious cookies to ever exist.

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To help you commemorate the sweet occasion, we’ve gathered all the best discounts and freebies we could find in one place to help you celebrate with as many chocolate chip cookie options as you can get your hands on. We think a taste test may be in order.

When Is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day 2026?

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Not to be confused with National Chocolate Chip Day on May 15 or National Cookie Day on December 4 (two other holidays we love), National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is coming up on Tuesday, August 4. To be honest, we never needed a national holiday as an excuse to eat more cookies, but we’ll take it.

The Best Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Deals

These are the places that are giving away free chocolate chip cookies for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day this year.

1. Burger King @munchwithdes

First time trying Burger Kings chocolate chip cookies and I see I’ve been missing out 😅 @Burger King

♬ original sound - munchwithdes

Although it might be better known for its burgers than its cookies, Burger King is joining in on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day with a deal made just for Royal Perks members. On Tuesday, August 4, fans can redeem 150 crowns in the BK app for two free cookies. It’s a deal fit for royalty.

2. DoubleTree by Hilton View this post on Instagram

If you’ve ever stayed at a DoubleTree, then you’re well aware of the beloved complimentary warm chocolate chip cookie you get when you check in for your stay. It’s one of those little surprises that makes your stay that much sweeter. Fortunately for us, DoubleTree is celebrating National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day on August 4 by giving away free chocolate chip cookies—no reservation needed. Simply stop in to your nearest hotel on the day of to grab your dessert. 

3. Tate’s Bake Shop View this post on Instagram

You’re either a soft and chewy cookie person, or you prefer crisp and snappy Tate’s. If you go for the latter, then you might want to head to Butterfield Market in Manhattan on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day and grab a free froyo cup topped with a Tate’s Chocolate Chip Cookie. The two brands plan to give away 1,000 cups, so you’ll definitely want to get there early to make sure you snag yours if you're in the New York City area.

Related: I Tried Reese Witherspoon's Grandma's Corn Salad and It's the Refreshing Ode to Summer That I'll Be Making on Repeat

BOGO Deals and Sweet Discounts

These five places are offering can't-miss deals and discounts to celebrate the crowd-favorite chocolate chip cookie.

1. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse View this post on Instagram

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day and BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse may as well be synonymous at this point. Because the sweet holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, fans can grab any Pizookie for just $5. It’s almost like they were destined to go together. Normally, the shareable cookie skillet topped with ice cream clocks in at about $9, so this deal is one you don’t want to miss out on. 

2. The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company View this post on Instagram

There’s nothing sweeter than supporting a good cause, especially when chocolate chip cookies are involved. The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company in Philly is giving you a chance to indulge in both by offering chocolate chip cookies for $1 on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. All proceeds generated from the sales will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Philly. 

3. Insomnia Cookies

Courtesy Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies wouldn’t dream of missing out on all the fun on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, and as always, it’s celebrating in a big way. The late-night warm cookie delivery chain is giving customers who purchase a chocolate chunk cookie at full price a second one for free. You can choose between classic chocolate chunk, double chocolate chunk, or one of the vegan and gluten-free options. 

4. Maman  View this post on Instagram

Maman is celebrating National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day by offering a new Cookie & Coffee Happy Hour at all U.S. locations. Customers can grab a buy-one-get-one-free classic cookie (excluding the Martha) weekdays between 2 p.m and 6 p.m. through Sept. 2. You can also upgrade your drink from a small to a large during happy hour. The company is also running a buy-one-get-one-free offer on cookie boxes online between July 31 and August 5 with the code DOUBLEDOUGH.

5. Stater Bros. View this post on Instagram

Supermarket chain Stater Bros. Markets isn’t missing out on the National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day fun. To help you celebrate the sweet day, Stater Bros. is offering 2-for-$3 mini chocolate chip cookies from the in-store bakery. Just make sure to grab a gallon of milk while you’re there for a classic pairing.

How to Get Deals on Cookie Deliveries

These five cookie connoisseurs will delivery cookies directly to you—what could be better?

1. Cheryl’s Cookies View this post on Instagram

There’s truly nothing better than getting cookies delivered straight to your door, and Cheryl’s Cookies has been doing it for the better part of four decades. To celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, the brand is giving customers 20-percent off all orders of $49 or more through August 31 with code CCO20. Additionally, customers can order treats starting at $1 per cookie August 3 through August 6.

2. GoPuff

Smith Collection/Gado / Getty Images

In addition to offering delivery for a variety of sweets and goodies, GoPuff is also giving cookie fans more to love on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day with two sweet deals on its private-label brands:

• Buy two packs of Basically Cookie Thins for $8
• Save 20 percent when you buy two packs of Crave Shoppe Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

We'll take one of each!

3. Jacque Torres Chocolate View this post on Instagram

Famed chocolatier and Nailed It! mainstay Jacque Torres is also giving cookie fans a deal for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day by running a 25-percent off sale on chocolate chip cookies, cookie mixes and chocolate discs on August 4. You can take advantage of the deal in-store, or you can get your goodies shipped directly to your door. 

4. MyBetter Batch View this post on Instagram

If you’d rather make your own cookies instead of buying them, MyBetter Batch is a brand that makes baking mixes with no artificial flavors, preservatives or fillers, and it’s offering customers a free cookie mix with every $25 purchase through August 4 with the code COOKIECLASSIC. 

5. Sweet Loren's View this post on Instagram

If you’re gluten-intolerant and have been feeling left out, Sweet Loren’s is giving you a sweet deal too by offering 20-percent off all cookie dough products on Shopify between August 3 and 5 with the code SWEET20. You can also find some of its products in-store if you’d rather not wait.

Related: 8 Kitchen Gadgets Every 90s Mom Had On Her Counter (That Actually Worked Better)

Some birthdays call for cake. Red Baron is celebrating with 50 pizza toppings.

To mark its 50th anniversary, the frozen pizza brand has unveiled a limited-edition creation called the Pizza Supreme Supreme: an over-the-top pie piled high with 50 different toppings. "Celebrate the anniversary of RED BARON with the supremest supreme pizza of all time, topped with 50 awesome ingredients," the company says on its website. And yes, the box proudly assures customers that "50 toppings" is "not a typo."

The anniversary pizza takes Red Baron's classic Supreme and turns the volume all the way up. Among its towering list of toppings are caramelized onions, pineapple, spicy Italian sausage, bacon bits, roasted mushrooms, black olives, turkey pepperoni, beef pepperoni, mozzarella, white cheddar, cilantro, and dozens more.

Red Baron leaned into the milestone on Instagram, sharing a scrollable carousel that reveals the pizza getting more and more loaded with every swipe. "For our 50th anniversary, we supremeified our Supreme pizza, and then supremed it some more," the brand captioned the post. Fans, unsurprisingly, had thoughts. "Nothing has ever meant more to me," one commenter wrote, while another quipped, "Red Baron, go home, you're drunk." Others simply begged for a taste, with one comment reading, "Zoom this into my mouth."

View this post on Instagram

Unfortunately, you won't find the Pizza Supreme Supreme in your grocery store's freezer aisle. Instead, the pizza is only available through a sweepstakes running through Aug. 4. Winners will receive one Pizza Supreme Supreme along with a commemorative gold-colored pizza tray. The odds of winning depend on the number of entries received, according to the official rules.

Red Baron has been serving frozen pizza lovers since 1976, and today produces more than 100 million pizzas each year. After half a century in the freezer aisle, the brand clearly decided there was only one appropriate way to celebrate: by seeing just how many toppings could fit on a single pizza.

Whether you think it's delicious, outrageous, or both, one thing is certain: this may be the most supreme Supreme pizza Red Baron has ever made.

For some people, consistently feeling exhausted has become so commonplace that they just accept it as normal. PSA: It shouldn’t be. Sure, there are periods of life when fatigue is going to happen—such as after having a baby or during finals week in school—but fighting exhaustion on a daily basis should never be someone’s experience long-term.

Not only can feeling fatigued all the time get in the way of enjoying daily activities, but it’s also often a sign of an underlying health condition that shouldn’t be ignored. Dr. Michael Billington, MD, the chief science officer at PrimaryMD, says that when a patient comes to him about fatigue, he starts by ruling out the worst-case scenarios first. 

Related: If You Feel Chronically Drained, Psychologists Say These 9 Patterns May Be Why

“Anyone who has unintentional weight loss, fever or night sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain, abnormal bleeding, including heavy menstrual periods or blood in the stool, or new lymph node swelling needs to be worked up very expeditiously,” he says.

Fortunately, the majority of the time, the reason for fatigue is not as serious. In fact, Parade asked three primary care doctors what the most common reason for fatigue is, and they all said that it often comes from a specific nutrient deficiency. 

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The Common Nutrient Deficiency That Can Cause Fatigue

“Fatigue can indicate just about anything, and this is the reason that I do not immediately draw a conclusion,” says Dr. Alexander Acosta, MD,a primary care doctor with SonderCare, saying that one of the first questions he asks patients experiencing fatigue is how they sleep. After all, not getting enough sleep is one of the most straightforward reasons for feeling tired. Besides asking about sleep, Dr. Acosta says that he also asks patients about their diet and stress, two other factors that are greatly connected to energy levels.    

All three of the primary care doctors we talked to say that getting a basic metabolic panel and testing nutrient levels are key steps toward figuring out the root cause of fatigue. They say that, often, fatigue is caused by being deficient in either iron or vitamin B12. 

“In the United States, iron, vitamin D, B12, folate and magnesium are common deficiencies,” says Dr. Alexa Mieses Malchuk, MD, MPH, FAAFP, a family practice physician at Geisinger. She explains that iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies are most common among people who eat primarily plant-based and adds that menstruating women are also at higher risk for iron deficiency.  

Dr. Acosta adds that many people are deficient in iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D at the same time, which can certainly cause fatigue.

“B12 is needed for red blood cell formation, and red blood cells deliver oxygen to all tissues in the body. If B12 is too low, oxygen is reduced, which can lead to fatigue, brain fog and muscle weakness. B12 is also used to keep the myelin sheath around your nerves healthy, and, if your B12 levels remain low over an extended period of time, symptoms become more than just fatigue and begin to impact the nervous system,” he explains.

To this point, according to a 2022 scientific article, even vitamin B12 levels that are on the low side of normal can lead to fatigue and exhaustion. Scientific research has also shown that iron deficiency can lead to fatigue and trouble concentrating. 

Related: It's Not Just Hormones—Here Are 6 Sneaky Reasons You're Exhausted All the Time

How To Get More Iron and Vitamin B12

If your doctor tells you that you have low iron or vitamin B12, you’ve identified the potential cause for your fatigue. The next question is how you can get more of these nutrients. “Vitamin B12 is made only by bacteria. No plant, fungus or animal makes it, which is why it reaches us almost entirely through animal foods,” Dr. Billington says.

To get more iron and vitamin B12, he recommends eating more eggs, shellfish (such as clams, mussels and oysters) and oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel and sardines). Beef is another food source of these nutrients, he adds.

“For people eating vegetarian or vegan, fortified foods are non-negotiable,” Dr. Billington says, explaining that this includes fortified breakfast cereals, fortified soy or almond milk, fortified meat substitutes and fortified nutritional yeast. 

Related: How To Deal With Burnout, According to a Psychologist

Unfortunately, Dr. Billington says that fermented foods like tempeh, miso, kimchi and sauerkraut don’t produce enough vitamin B12 to matter. And unfortunately, spirulina, which is often marketed as being rich in vitamin B12, doesn’t have enough of the nutrient to really move the needle.

To get more iron while sticking to a plant-based diet, up your intake of dark leafy greens, beans, lentils and tomatoes. 

When To Consider a Supplement

“Sometimes, for people whose levels are already low, food alone isn't enough to get them back up and running and that's where supplements can be a more convenient way of getting it,” Dr. Acosta says. 

Dr. Billington adds to this, saying that if someone is deficient in vitamin B12 because they cannot absorb it, rather than because they are not eating it, no amount of dietary change will fix it. This, he explains, can include people who have had gastric bypass surgery or who have an autoimmune condition.

All three doctors say that many people who are vegan or vegetarian should consider taking iron and vitamin B12 supplements if their bloodwork indicates a deficiency because it can be hard to get enough of these nutrients without eating meat. 

“Anyone on long-term metformin, or on a proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker for years, should have their status checked,” Dr. Billington says. He explains that there are several other drugs associated with lower levels of vitamin B12 or iron, including colchicine, cholestyramine and oral contraceptives. “Patients on GLP-1 drugs are also at risk for deficiency due to appetite suppression,” he adds.

Dr. Acosta tells Parade that older adults may also want to consider supplementation. “Beyond age 50, individuals have reduced amounts of stomach acid and intrinsic factors, which are essential for the absorption of B12 from food, and even individuals with regular consumption of animal products can become deficient. In such instances, sublingual tablets or B12 injections are more effective as the vitamin is not affected by gut absorption,” he says.

As with all supplements, Dr. Malchuk issues a reminder that iron and vitamin B12 supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s important to only buy ones that are third-party tested. That way, you can make sure you’re getting the appropriate dose and there aren’t any toxic ingredients.

If you’re not deficient in vitamin B12, Dr. Billington says that taking a supplement won’t make you feel more energized. He emphasizes that it’s only people who are truly deficient who should consider a supplement.

What’s most important to remember is that it’s not normal to feel exhausted every day. “Patients normalize the fatigue for months to years before getting tested. They believe it is stress or aging and do not even consider their nutrient levels. It is important to have a blood test first, as there may be other problems that need to be addressed and supplementing may hide them,” Dr. Acosta says.

The secret to feeling more energized may simply require a change in what you eat. With this in mind, if you regularly feel exhausted, it’s worth it to get your nutrient levels checked.

Up Next:

Related: 5 Things To Do Before 10 a.m. To Have More Energy, According to Doctors

Sources 

• Dr. Michael Billington, MD, chief science officer at PrimaryMD.
• Dr. Alexander Acosta, MD, primary care doctor with SonderCare.
• Dr. Alexa Mieses Malchuk, MD, MPH, FAAFP, family practice physician at Geisinger.
• Herrero Pfnür, I. A. (2022). Vitamin B12 Deficiency as the Cause.Deutsches Ӓrzteblatt International. 119(12):216.
• Auerbach, M., DeLoughery, T. G. and Tirnauer, J. S. (2025). Iron Deficiency in Adults: A Review. JAMA. 333(20):1813-1823.
• Food Sources of Iron. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 
• Vitamin B12. National Institutes of Health.

If you've ever caught yourself staring at photos of Positano's cliffside hotels or Moroccan palace courtyards, only to wince at room rates pushing $3,000 a night, a huge new credit card update might finally put those bucket-list stays within reach. American Express has expanded its Membership Rewards program by bringing on The Leading Hotels of the World as a brand-new point transfer partner.

Beginning this summer, Amex cardholders can convert their Membership Rewards points directly into Leaders Club points at a 4-to-1 ratio (starting at 1,000 Amex points for 250 Leaders Club points). While four Amex points per hotel point might sound steep at first glance compared to standard chain transfers, Leaders Club points carry an unusually high value per point. More importantly, the partnership opens up award redemptions across a curated collection of more than 425 legendary, independent boutique hotels around the globe—properties that can't be found with major groups like Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt.

For travelers who prefer distinct character and historic architecture of a storied hotel, being able to turn credit card points into once-in-a-lifetime stay is a game-changer. Here's a closer look at three iconic properties now within reach through the new program.

Related: Amex Platinum Cardholders Are Getting Automatic Elite Status with This Major Global Hotel Brand

3 Legendary Hotels You Can Now Book with Amex PointsLe Sirenuse (Positano, Italy) Le Sirenuse perched along the cliffs of Positano overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

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Perched on the steep cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, Le Sirenuse is perhaps the most famous family-run hotel in Southern Italy. Opened in 1951 by the Sersale family as a summer residence, the property overlooks the tiled dome of Santa Maria Assunta and the pastel houses tumbling down toward the Mediterranean Sea. Inside, antique furniture and hand-painted Italian tiles lead out to private balconies where guests sip limoncello while watching the boats drift across the bay. With peak summer rates routinely commanding thousands of dollars per night, using point transfers through Leaders Club offers a fresh way to experience this Positano institution.

Related: How to Score Elite Hotel Status in 2026 (Without the 50-Night Grind)

Royal Mansour (Marrakech, Morocco) Marrakech, Morocco. Amazing ambience of Royal Mansour hotel in Marrakech. Luxury hotel, exceptional palace.

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Commissioned by King Mohammed VI, the Royal Mansour is less of a traditional hotel and more of an imperial sanctuary set inside the ancient walls of Marrakech. Guests stay in private three-story riads tucked along winding outdoor alleyways filled with tilework, fountains, and lush gardens. The estate features hand-carved cedar wood, intricate mosaic tilework crafted by local artisans, and underground tunnels that allow staff to deliver seamless, discreet service. It represents the pinnacle of Moroccan hospitality and architecture, making it a true once-in-a-lifetime reward redemption.

San Ysidro Ranch (Montecito, California) View this post on Instagram

Tucked into the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains near Santa Barbara, San Ysidro Ranch has served as a secluded hideaway for Hollywood legends and political figures for over a century. It was the setting for Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh's wedding, as well as the honeymoon destination for John and Jacqueline Kennedy. Spread across 500 acres of lavender fields and citrus groves, the resort consists of private vine-covered cottages featuring stone fireplaces, sunken hot tubs, and private garden patios.

How to Maximise the New Partnership

For travelers who already carry the Platinum Card from American Express, this new transfer option stacks especially well with existing card benefits. Amex Platinum members receive complimentary Leaders Club Sterling status upon enrollment, which adds valuable on-property perks during your stay—including daily complimentary breakfast for two, flexible early check-in and late checkout options, pre-arrival room upgrades when available, and a 5% point bonus on eligible paid nights.

If you've been accumulating Membership Rewards points and saving them for a truly memorable escape, moving those points into Leaders Club brings some of the world's most sought-after independent hotels into realistic focus.

Related: Amex Is Giving Eligible Cardholders 20,000 Bonus Points for Flying Air France or KLM

Phil Collins first saw Taylor Swift perform 15 years ago. When speaking to Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2’s Tracks of My Years, he recalled meeting the star at a Songwriters Hall of Fame event before her fame skyrocketed. He revealed that he was blown away by her performance of an underrated song from her album Fearless.

As reported by Billboard, the singer said, "I was at an event, Songwriters Hall of Fame. This was way, way back. And Taylor Swift, I met her. And [my daughter] Lily introduced me, funnily enough, because she knew her. And I met her, and I'd kind of known the name, but she wasn't anywhere near the star she is today.”

Related: 1988 No. 1 Funk Song, From an Iconic Supergroup Member, Topped the Charts 38 Years Ago

He continued, “This very nice lady then got up on stage with a guitar and sang ‘White Horse,’ and it blew me away completely. Not only was the song great, and the sentiment of the song really got me, but she sang it beautifully. And it was just so simple, you know, her on a guitar.”

“White Horse” reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It won Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 2010 Grammy Awards. The music video that accompanied the song became the first video to debut at number one on CMT’s countdown.

When speaking about Swift, Collins said, “I've always had a soft spot for this song since then, and I'm so pleased that she's the hugest thing in the world now because she kind of feels like she deserves it. I mean, it’s easy to knock someone that’s got so much success, but I think she really deserves it.”

Related: 1972 No. 1 Soul Hit, Sung by a Group of Siblings, Topped the Charts 54 Years Ago Today

Collins is set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist this year. He was previously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 as a member of Genesis, the English rock band that created hits like “I Can’t Dance,” “Invisible Touch,” and “That’s All.”

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" — words enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.

But how far do you need to go to actually pursue happiness?

According to WalletHub's 2026 study, there are a lot of options on the table. That said, is first-place Fremont, California or second-place Bismarck, North Dakota enticing enough to visit solely to find your inner Zen?

Scottsdale, Arizona, ranked third in WalletHub's insightful study, a city known for year-round tourism, even though you might literally melt into the pavement if you venture away from your resort pool during summer.

Here's how Scottsdale fared for the following categories out of 182 cities in WalletHub's study:

• Emotional & Physical Well-Being: 11th place
• Income & Employment: 14th place
• Community & Environment: 2nd place

South Burlington, Vermont and Fargo, North Dakota rounded out the top 5.

Scottsdale is home to an array of celebrity-owned and award-winning restaurants, such as Café Monarch, ritzy hotels with shimmering pools beneath swaying palms, world-famous architecture, and a shop-'til-you-drop atmosphere throughout the storied streets of Old Town.

Related: You Can Book a Rare Free Private Tour of Stonehenge This Summer

Neighboring Phoenix may be a sprawling city, but Scottsdale is the region's vacation hotspot. And rightfully so.

The truth is, people love living here just as much as tourists love visiting. For example, when NBA teams visit the Suns, Scottsdale's resorts, restaurants, golf courses, and nightlife have long made it a favorite stop around the league.

Yes, the weather may be triple digits right now, so hiking the unmissable Camelback Mountain isn't the best idea — plus, it's rattlesnake season. However, it's August now. That means PSL season is only a month away, and come the fall, average daily high temperatures decrease from 101°F to 69°F, per Weather Spark.

Scottsdale is sun-drenched all year, making it an ideal fall getaway while being able to enjoy all the sights — not just ones involving shaded patios and poolside cocktails.

Related: Popular Budget Airline, Known for No Layovers, To Offer Free Drinks for All Passengers

Standing in the Walmart grocery aisle choosing between the name brand and Walmart's own Great Value brand usually comes down to your wallet. With food prices what they are right now, grabbing the store brand feels like the easiest way to shave $20 or $30 off your total at checkout.

Still, most of us hesitate before putting the cheaper box in the cart. You look at the price difference and wonder if the generic cereal will taste like cardboard, or if the cheap frozen pizza is going to end up in the trash because the kids refuse to eat it. No one wants to waste money on a bad knockoff just to save a buck.

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But, here's the thing: you aren't actually buying a dramatically inferior product. Walmart doesn't grow fields of wheat or run dairy farms; they pay other companies to do it. Big food brands have huge factories that need to stay busy, so they use their regular setup, machines and basic ingredients to pack items for Walmart under the Great Value name.

The companies don't publicize these deals because they still want people to buy their premium lines, but the connection is easy to spot if you know where to look. Public safety recalls and the factory plant codes printed directly on the packaging make it easy to see exactly which major brands are making your everyday budget buys.

Why Store Brands Taste Exactly Like Name Brands

Jeff Greenberg / Getty Images

The reason a store brand tastes so close to a name-brand favorite comes down to shared infrastructure. Setting up an industrial food facility costs millions of dollars, so instead of building its own factories, Walmart simply rents time on the advanced assembly lines that major brands already own.

When a factory shifts from running a premium label to a Great Value batch, the core processing machinery and basic agricultural sourcing stay the same.

However, to protect their main brand's reputation, companies rarely use their exact, trademarked recipes for the generic version. Instead, they change the formulation slightly—maybe adjusting the spice blend, sugar ratios or cooking times.

This is why a store brand might taste a tiny bit different if you sample them side-by-side, but the foundational texture, quality and mouthfeel remain nearly the same. You are essentially getting a minor variation made by the exact same experts.

Related: 12 Generic Store-Brand Items That Are Secretly Made by Major Brands

The Big-Name Brands Hiding Behind Great Value Labels

From the dairy case to the freezer section, these are the major brands behind Walmart's Great Value budget line.

1. Great Value Bread

Bloomberg / Getty Images

Swapping your usual sandwich loaf for Great Value white or wheat bread is a quick way to trim your total at checkout, but you aren't actually downgrading your lunch.

Bimbo Bakeries USA, the commercial bread giant that owns household names like Sara Lee and Arnold, is the manufacturer baking these sandwich loaves for Walmart.

Because these commercial bakeries use their regular facility equipment and regional flour supplies to fulfill Walmart's orders, the cheaper loaf matches the exact softness and quality of the premium names.

In fact, bakery employees have revealed that the main difference is simply a machine switching out the plastic bags at the end of the conveyor line. You end up saving over a dollar a loaf simply by skipping the Sara Lee logo.

2. Great Value Frozen Pizza

Walmart

Picking up a budget frozen pizza is usually a quick way to feed a crowd, but you might hesitate if you are worried about getting a low-tier product. If you buy a Great Value Thin Crust or Stuffed Crust pie, you are getting a recipe made by Palermo Villa Inc.—the manufacturer behind Palermo’s Pizza.

The supply chain connection came to light earlier this year when a federal public health alert regarding a third-party ingredient supplier named Palermo Villa as the processing facility handling Walmart's pizzas.

3. Great Value Ice Cream

Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers / Getty Images

Paying a premium for name-brand tubs isn't always necessary when stocking up your freezer. Walmart’s Great Value ice cream cartons are made by Wells Enterprises, the Iowa-based creamery behind major brands like Blue Bunny and Halo Top.

Unlike most private-label deals that are kept under wraps, Walmart actually features this partnership directly in product spotlights on its corporate site. Because the creamery uses its regular local milk supplies and facility machinery to churn the ice cream, the cheaper tubs match the creamy texture of their main labels.

Related: 5 Best Produce Items To Buy at Trader Joe's (and 4 To Skip)

4. Great Value Butter

Walmart

Buying butter for baking and cooking has gotten surprisingly expensive, but choosing the store brand is a quick way to keep your bill in check. If you grab a four-stick package of Great Value salted butter, you are very likely taking home dairy products made by Land O'Lakes.

As a giant, farmer-owned cooperative, Land O'Lakes handles an immense volume of cream, meaning they regularly contract with major retailers to package private-label butter batches.

While the brands don't publicize these supplier deals, a factory mix-up completely exposed the relationship to consumers. Multiple shoppers posted viral videos showing that when they opened their factory-sealed boxes of premium Land O'Lakes butter, the individual sticks inside were accidentally wrapped in Great Value paper.

5. Great Value Complete Pancake & Waffle Mix

Walmart

Whipping up a batch of fluffy pancakes on Saturday morning shouldn't require buying expensive name-brand boxes. If you regularly pick up Walmart’s Great Value Complete Pancake & Waffle Mix, you are baking with a blend crafted by The Krusteaz Company.

Long known in the baking world as a pioneer of simple, just-add-water mixes, the company uses its huge commercial mill infrastructure to package store-brand lines right alongside its flagship boxes.

This breakfast partnership became common knowledge during an official federal food safety recall. The manufacturer, then operating under its historical corporate name, Continental Mills, was forced to issue an FDA product notice after a cable fragment on the factory line accidentally snapped.

The official safety filings explicitly listed Great Value right alongside their core national production runs.

6. Great Value Cottage Cheese

Walmart

Finding a good tub of cottage cheese for a quick breakfast or snack usually comes down to trusting the texture.

If you save some money and pick up the Great Value tub instead of the name brands, you are eating dairy products made by Saputo Cheese USA. While you might not know the corporate name Saputo, you may know their flagship consumer labels like Frigo, Dragone and Treasure Cave.

The definitive paperwork linking the two brands together came from a major multi-state safety notice issued in February 2026. A routine factory pasteurization check forced Saputo to pull its regular name-brand lines along with Great Value's 16-ounce and 24-ounce tubs across 24 states.

7. Great Value Vienna Sausages

Walmart

Stocking up on canned staples like Vienna sausages or potted meat shouldn't mean guessing whether the product inside is safe and reliable.

If you choose the Great Value option over the name brands, you are buying canned goods packaged by Conagra Brands. While Conagra is the giant corporate umbrella name, you may know their flagship canned meat label, Armour Star.

The paper trail connecting these two pantry items came from a multi-million-pound USDA food recall. Conagra had to pull its standard Armour Star cans right alongside Walmart's Great Value batches because of a mechanical packaging defect discovered at its processing warehouse.

Related: The 11 Best French Groceries to Buy at Costco (and 3 to Skip)

8. Great Value Soup & Oyster Crackers

Walmart

Tossing a handful of oyster crackers into a hot bowl of chili or chowder is a classic comfort, and grabbing the Great Value box is a great way to skip the name-brand markup.

If you take home the store-brand box, your crackers are baked by Shearer's Foods. While it might not be a household name on its own, Shearer's is a big snack manufacturing powerhouse that bakes chips, pretzels and crackers for some of the biggest food brands in the country.

Shearer's connection to the Walmart cracker aisle became public record during an official FDA Class II recall. The manufacturer had to pull more than 15,000 cases of crackers off store shelves due to a machinery wire contamination issue at one of its main baking facilities.

The federal enforcement filings explicitly named Walmart’s Great Value Soup & Oyster Crackers right alongside premium regional brands as coming from the exact same production lines.

9. Great Value Nuts

Walmart

Grabbing a canister of mixed nuts or cashews for a quick snack can give you sticker shock, making the lower store-brand price tag look highly tempting.

If you opt for Great Value, your snacks are coming from John B. Sanfilippo & Son—the parent company behind Fisher Nuts. The manufacturer operates a huge processing network that supplies premium private-label nuts alongside its flagship national line.

This hidden partnership came to light during a voluntary product safety recall involving Great Value honey-roasted cashews. The official company announcement explicitly tied the processing run back to the same facilities that roast and pack the Fisher brand.

10. Great Value Frozen Chicken

Walmart

Picking up a budget-friendly tray of raw poultry shouldn't mean worrying about woody texture or poor trimming. If you buy the fresh Great Value chicken breasts instead of the brand-name alternatives, you are getting poultry supplied directly by Tyson Foods.

As one of the single largest meat processors in the world, Tyson runs massive regional packaging operations that handle raw distribution directly for Walmart's private label.

The proof is located entirely on the packaging trays. Food safety laws mandate that raw meat must feature a stamped USDA establishment number. If you check the fine print on a tray of fresh Great Value chicken, it frequently displays the exact facility codes belonging to Tyson's processing network.

Because they come from the exact same regional facilities, you are taking home the identical USDA-grade standards as the more expensive Tyson-branded packages down the aisle.

Related: 5 Chefs Reveal the Best Frozen Pizzas They Actually Buy Themselves

11. Great Value Chicken Broth

Walmart

Pantry staples like chicken broth are essentially identical ingredients, so paying double for a label rarely makes sense. Walmart’s Great Value broth cartons are manufactured by TreeHouse Foods, a big private-label company that processes food for major national brands.

This supply chain detail was revealed during a food safety recall when a batch of Great Value Chicken Broth had to be pulled from shelves due to a packaging seal defect. The FDA enforcement report named TreeHouse Foods as the responsible party, confirming that your holiday soups and weeknight gravies are being handled by a top-tier national supplier.

12. Great Value Slider Freezer Bags

Walmart

Saving money on your weekly grocery trip isn't just about the food itself—it’s about how you store your leftovers and handle meal prep too. If you grab the Great Value Slider Freezer Bags, you may be using kitchen plastic manufactured directly by Reynolds Consumer Products—the giant corporate force behind Hefty and Reynolds Wrap.

The potential relationship is hidden right in the packaging details. The Great Value boxes feature "Stand 'N Store" pleated bottoms and "Snap 'N Click" tracks, which are the exact design names registered to Reynolds' product lines.

Because these features match up so closely with the name-brand versions, grabbing the cheaper box lets you preserve your food with that same dependable leak protection while skipping the premium price tag.

How to Spot a Secret Name Brand at Walmart

Roberto Machado Noa / Getty Images

You don't need to be an industry insider to figure out who made your food. The easiest trick is checking the stamps on dairy products like butter or cottage cheese.

Food safety laws require a tiny factory code printed right on the container. If you drop those numbers into a quick online search, it will tell you the exact regional dairy plant that packed it—and which major brand owns it.

For the rest of the grocery aisles, just look at the shapes of the containers. Making unique plastic bottles or jars is incredibly expensive. To save money, major food brands use the exact same plastic bottles and jar shapes for Great Value as they do for their premium lines.

If the Great Value bottle has the exact same ridges, curves and cap as the name brand right next to it, they may have come from the same place.

Final Thoughts

Swapping to the Great Value brand does not mean you are forcing your family to settle for low-quality food or bad duplicates. Most of the time, you are just skipping the markup on a premium logo.

Once you know which major brands are actually filling the packages, buying generic stops feeling like a gamble and just becomes a smart way to save.

Related: 10 Costco Brands That Are Secretly Made by Major Brands

For the millions who grew up alongside Ron Weasley, watching that familiar red-haired face crumble in a blood-slicked delivery room has got to be a shock. That is exactly the discomfort Rupert Grint is chasing in Nightborn, the Finnish horror film that arrived on Shudder on July 31, and he says that, to some extent, it mirrors a fear he has in real life.

Grint plays Jon, a British husband who moves with his wife Saga (Seidi Haarla) into her isolated childhood home deep in the Finnish forest to await the birth of their first child. The pregnancy dream turns bad fast. Their newborn, Kuura, is something monstrous, and only Saga senses the truth as doctors and relatives wave away her panic as postpartum stress. The film draws on Finnish folklore in which forest trolls exert a dark pull on newborns, and Bergholm shoots the couple's dilapidated woodland house as a place already reclaimed by nature. Steeped in body horror, the story treats parenthood itself as the scariest thing in the woods.

The role reached Grint at a probably unfortunately timed moment. He learned he was expecting his second daughter shortly before filming, and he told UPI that fatherhood colored the shoot, calling the experience "very triggering." Bringing a newborn home, he added, can feel like welcoming something alien into the house. Grint and partner Georgia Groome now have two young daughters, Wednesday and Goldie.

Nightborn is the English-language debut of director Hanna Bergholm, whose 2022 breakout Hatching showed her fixation with the cracks beneath the picture-perfect family. The film premiered in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival in February, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear, then took top honors at the Fantasia Film Festival, winning the Cheval Noir Award for Best Film, with Haarla named Outstanding Performance, ahead of its streaming release.

Related: Mark Hamill's Villain Role Helps Send Stephen King Movie to No. 1

Reviews have been somewhat split. IndieWire found the film more primal than frightening, and ambivalent about whether it wanted to be metaphor or monster movie. Others praised its raw intensity and singled out Grint for keeping the horror grounded, playing the steady spouse against Haarla's unraveling. Most agreed on the strength of the creature effects and the queasy honesty of the first act, leaving it with a divided critical score.

For Grint, the project extends a horror résumé that already includes M. Night Shyamalan's series Servant and the thriller Knock at the Cabin. Fifteen years after the final Harry Potter film, he has built a career on choosing roles that sit as far from Hogwarts as possible, and Nightborn ranks among the furthest yet.

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If you've been using your Priority Pass membership to access Chase's ultra-plush airport lounges once a year, you'll want to take note of some big upcoming changes. Starting August 15, Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations will officially drop out of the Priority Pass and LoungeKey networks, ending both the complimentary annual visit and the $75 pay-as-you-go entry option.

While that might be disappointing for non-cardholders, it’s being welcomed as a massive win for core Chase cardmembers who have grown tired of long lines and packed waiting rooms. As personal finance expert and NerdWallet Smart Travel podcast co-host Sally French (known on Instagram as @SavewithSally) pointed out, the move hits right at the heart of why people pay for top-tier cards in the first place:

"A 'premium' perk stops feeling premium when you’re stuck on a waitlist or fighting for a seat. If you’re paying a steep annual fee for a top-tier credit card, you shouldn’t have to battle for space against one-off Priority Pass walk-ins who possibly have never banked with Chase in their life," French noted in her recent Instagram Post.

Related: Chase Is Making Major Changes to Its Top-Ranked $95 Travel Credit Card

Instagram / @savewithsally

What’s Changing (and Getting Upgraded) for Cardholders

For eligible cardmembers—including those holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business, J.P. Morgan Reserve Card, or Ritz-Carlton Credit Card—unlimited complimentary access remains completely intact, along with the generous policy allowing up to two free guests per visit. In fact, Chase is actually improving the experience for cardholders on connecting flights.

Beginning August 15, travelers on layovers can enter Sapphire Lounges up to five hours before departure—up from the previous three-hour limit.

This extra breathing room, combined with capping entry strictly to Chase's own card network, aims to solve the severe crowding issues that have plagued locations like Phoenix and Boston. French even thinks Chase could go a step further if lines persist: "My even hotter take? If these lounges are still crowded after August 15, I wouldn’t be mad if Chase tightened guest policies next—even though I’m usually the guest!"

Related: The Best Travel Credit Cards of 2026, According to The Points Guy (Exclusive)

The Bottom Line

Building airport lounges that travelers genuinely want to visit is only half the battle; card issuers also have to protect the space for the primary cardholders paying hundreds of dollars in annual fees.

By closing the Priority Pass door and expanding layover windows, Chase is clearly prioritizing its most loyal cardmembers. If you still have an unused Priority Pass visit left for the year, just make sure to drop into a Sapphire Lounge before August 15 while you still can!

Related: Citi's Premier Credit Card Is Offering Exclusive Dinners at New York Fashion Week, F1, and Art Basel