The Cost of a Comfortable Lifestyle in These Major Cities Will Blow Your Mind

Kat Armstrong
Apr 20, 2016

How much money do you need to make to live a comfortable lifestyle in major cities across the country? We often feel the pull of cities such as LA or New York City, which boast thriving restaurant scenes, arts and culture and nightlife. But it’s worth asking yourself whether you need to be, well, a rich Millennial to live without total financial stress in the city of your dreams. If you use the standardized 50-30-20 calculator created by Senator Elizabeth Warren to plan out where your paycheck is going every month (50 percent to living expenses/necessities for living, 30 percent for discretionary spending such as entertainment and shopping and 20 percent for saving), the answers may surprise you.

Financial planning website GoBankingRates has come up with a list of what 50 of the country’s biggest cities need in order to live a “comfortable” existence, and the list may surprise you. Of course, NYC and LA have higher incomes of $87,446 and $74,371 respectively, but would you believe that those aren’t even the highest incomes needed to live in a major city?

Not entirely surprisingly, San Francisco’s income need tops out the list at $119,570, while Tuscon, AZ is the lowest at $39,966. The good news is that the majority of US cities’ average income hovers around $40,000 a year, and the definition of “comfort” is so specific to each person that you could happily live in LA on an income of $39,000 per year depending on your lifestyle and desires.

Have a look to see if your city made the list, and if you are making it work with less (or more!).

Does income factor into where you live? Tell us @BritandCo!

(Photo via Getty)

12 Leather Tote Bags That Elevate Every Fall Outfit

As much as I love carrying a teeny-tiny itsy-bitsy lil' purse, I can't deny the sheer star power of a big leather tote bag. Leather tote bags are the ultimate statement piece for any season, but they feel especially fit for a busy fall. When you carry a leather tote bag, people are going to assume you're standing on business. You have places to be, people to see, important things to carry!

These 12 leather tote bags not only give you that elevated look, but they're pretty practical, too. Their large size obviously allows you to tote around more things, but many of these bags are suited with numerous pockets to maximize even more storage space. Scroll on for *the* leather tote bags you'll want to keep on your shoulder all autumn long.

Coach Outlet

Coach City Tote Bag

Coach is queen when it comes to leather bags, and this deep red wine color is absolutely stunning. I anticipate I'll be spotting this red shade just about everywhere this fall, especially when it comes to accessories like purses and shoes. Hop on the trend early with the City Tote – it can fit a 15-inch laptop, your phone, and so much more. Plus, it's 65% off right now.

Free People

We The Free Emerson Tote Bag

This leather tote bag feels so 'Serena from Gossip Girl'-coded. It's equal parts slouchy and structured, with plenty of real estate around the straps and pockets to Jane Birkin-ify the bag your way with keychains, tags, ribbons, and beads. You can take this tote virtually anywhere because of how casual it is, but you can also dress it up depending on your ideal fall outfit!

Nordstrom

Cuyana System 16-Inch Laptop Leather Tote

For a bit of a cleaner look, this Cuyana bag is the way to go. The cut of the tote is super seamless, most notably highlighted in the durable wide straps. It has a flat base for added stability when you set it down, which also makes the bag enjoyably roomy for all your necessities. This leather tote bag also comes in 4 more neutral colors like brown and ivory if this dark olive hue doesn't quite match your closet.

Nordstrom

Maison de Sabré Small Leather Soft Tote

Yas, pop of color! I am enamored with this cute grass-green tote. This design definitely lands on the smaller side of your traditional tote bag, but it's still surprisingly spacious. The bottom is wide, setting up structure for your phone, chargers, notebooks, and on-the-go makeup bag. Its compact size makes it a whole lot easier to keep on your shoulder throughout long travel days, all while maintaining a chic look! Plus, the inside of this colorway is lined in light pink leather. Adorable!

Reformation

Reformation Medium Vittoria Tote Bag

Reformation strikes again with all things cute! This deep cherry red leather tote is stylishly finished off with a bow tie at the straps, and I think it has the perfect amount of slouch without looking overly casual. It comes complete with a magnetic closure for added security (and, lest we forget, peace of mind), plus it has a small zippered section on the inside with a convenient card holder. You can snag this sleek bag in 9 other colors, too.

Free People

FP Collection Bushwick Leather Tote

Studs are so back – at least in this adorable leather tote from Free People! The gold accents give this bag a throwback vibe but still look oh-so elegant. These details make it an easy piece to pair with gold jewelry or even fall boots with gold hardware. It's definitely more edgy than polished, which I love for wearing with casual fall outfits.

Anthropologie

By Anthropologie The Woven Hollace Tote

Woven bags nearly broke the internet last year, and I'd love to keep the trend going strong with leather tote bags like this one from Anthropologie. The thin straps on this design make it all the more polished, and don't distract from the lovely weaving at all. This bag comes in three other colors (silver, brown, and olive green) so you can find your dream hue to wear this fall.

Madewell

Madewell The Essential Bucket Tote

Madewell does accessories so right. This deep-set bucket tote holds all the space for your things inside while remaining seamless and sleek on the outside. I like that you can customize the strap length using the durable gold buckle in order to best complement your fall looks. There's even an interior pocket and magnetic closure at the opening to make sure all your stuff's secure. You can shop it in 8 other colors, too!

Nordstrom

Rag & Bone Passenger Leather Tote

For the hardworking gals that work from an office, you'll absolutely be making a style statement (and feeling good doing it) from the moment you walk in the door to when you set this tote down at your desk. The spacious interior is divided into two parts, so you can section out your work items and personal items super easily. More than anything, the contrasting straps are the real stars of this tote. I think the mixed colors make it all the more chic.

Anthropologie

By Anthropologie The Love Knot Slouchy Bag: Buckle Edition

I'm truly obsessing over the unique buckle shape on this leather bag. It just brings forth that extra flair you wouldn't necessarily get from a traditional buckle. Plus, this tote's silhouette is fairly basic, so it gives it all the oomph. The slouchy shape of this bag can be shaped in plenty of different ways, depending on how many things you're carrying in it. I obviously cannot get enough of red leathers right now, but this pick also comes in 4 more nuetrals to match any 'fit!

J.Crew

Bembien Jeanne Bag

Another woven look for the tote lovers, this Bembien bag has a fun curved shape along the opening. I think this leather tote bag makes the perfect summer-to-fall transition piece, since its texture feels like a suitable fit for summery farmer's markets and autumnal fall outings alike. The braided straps are everything. It's also shoppable in a light brown color!

L.L. Bean

L.L. Bean Stonington Full-Grain Leather Tote

This leather tote bag from L.L. Bean has a nice earthy vibe to it, thanks to the textured full-grain leather material that only gets better with age (and use). The sturdy straps are reinforced along the bag's sides, making ultra-durable enough to last you years and years. The basic design allows you to pair this tote with your best fall outfits!

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OMG! Starbucks Changed Their Iced Coffee Recipe For The First Time In 18 Years

It’s true – Starbucksvery quietly changed their iced coffee recipe this year. According to TODAY, the coffee chain rolled out a major update on May 7, 2024, though it’s not as obvious as you’d think.

Starbucks

Per TODAY, Starbucks started making their iced coffee with entirely different coffee beans in May. The recipe leverages “sun-dried and washed” Latin American coffee beans that, according to Starbucks, yields an “approachable and refreshing” flavor “with notes of malted milk chocolate and a brown-sugar sweetness.”

Starbucks

This was the first time Starbucks’ iced coffee method has changed in a whopping 18 years. But the type of coffee beans isn’t the only thing that was updated.

Starbucks

Before the changes in May, the standard recipe for Starbucks’ iced coffee included pumps of classic syrup to sweeten each sip. Many customers were ordering the drink without classic syrup – enough to warrant a change to the default drink construction. Now, unsweetened iced coffee is the standard.

Starbucks

The majority of orders placed at Starbucks are iced drinks like iced coffees, cold brews, Frappuccinos, iced teas, and the like, so it’s no surprise that they’d want to improve the recipe for their iced coffee.

Starbucks

Die-hard Starbucks fans took to social media to share their thoughts about the change when it happened in May. The difference in taste was obvious to some.

A Reddit user noted that their regular iced coffee order tasted “burnt.” Another thought it definitely tasted “soured” after the reported change. “I am devastated,” one user wrote.

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This post has been updated.

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Blake Lively Let An Emotional Fan Wear Her Designer Coat At The 'It Ends With Us' Premiere

Blake Lively never — and I mean never — misses when it comes to a red carpet look. Whether she's "Mary Kate & Ashley matching" with Gigi Hadidfor the July 22 New York premiere of Deadpool & Wolverineor she's "method dressing" with It Ends With Us outfits, Blake Lively's red carpet looks are always gorgeous. And they're even more beautiful when you remember she styles herself!

The actress isn't afraid to go all out with her 'fits in honor of her movie's theme (remember all the suits she wore for A Simple Favor?) and her latest floral looks prove it. Here are the actress' best premiere & press day looks of 2024 so far — including the Britney Spears dress she wore at the It Ends With Us premiere in New York!

'It Ends With Us' New York Premiere

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

On August 6, Blake Lively wore a vintage Versace dress to the It Ends With Us pink carpet that Britney Spears wore in 2002. "It is Britney's actual dress," Lively, a self-proclaimed proud millennial girl, tells PEOPLE. "It should be in the Smithsonian or the Met. But it's on me. I feel so lucky!"

Just like a real bouquet, the dress features multi-colored florals, and Lively accessorized with Lorraine Schwartz rings & earrings to match the colors of the dress. And just like Lily Bloom's flower shop in the movie, the carpet was full of floral designs thanks to UrbanStems.

'It Ends With Us' London Premiere

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

For the London premiere of It Ends With Us, Blake Lively wore a gorgeous Tamara Ralph Couture sequined gown with green, red, and pink roses around the bodice. She paired the dress with a red feathered coat — and even lent the item to an emotional fan!

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Lively went a more minimalist route for the photo call, opting for a white suit with wildflower detail and open-toed heels. It also looks like the actress paired the suit with floral panty hose or boxers peeking up above her trousers.

'It Ends With Us' Press Days

Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures

On June 14, Blake Lively attended the Book Bonanza in Grapevine, Texas with co-star Brandon Sklenar and It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover. The little black Balmain dress features beaded flowers in all different colors (including orange, pink, blue, and green leaves) and Lively paired it with Christian Louboutin strappy heels.

Blake Lively/Instagram

Dauphinette designed this stunning floral minidress, which Blake Lively paired with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, Louboutin heels (I'm sensing a theme!) and a Katy Perry-designed Judith Lieber mushroom top bag.

Blake Lively/Instagram

We can also thank Dauphinette for this floral and feathered midi dress. This is exactly the kind of chic, fun dress I'd buy for Easter weekend and I'm having major closet envy! And in true Blake Lively fashion, she chooses Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Louboutin heels. The hand-painted floral nails from Elle Gerstein feel like their own accessory.

Blake Lively/Instagram

Blake Lively's pink floral ensemble for the Betty Buzz x Betty Blooms launch party is made up of a Dauphinette dress, p é r o coat, and bright pink Malone Souliers heels. It's giving Lily Bloom meets Rapunzel from Tangled!

Blake Lively/Instagram

This Blake Lively outfit — with a Chanel set & bag and Louboutin heels — proves you can never have too many florals.

Blake Lively/Instagram

I will never say no to a '90s dress! Blake Lively wore a vintage Vivienne Westwood from 1994 to Live With Kelly & Mark in New York.

Guy Aroch for Sony Pictures

For an August 3 dinner & celebration at Élysée's in Hotel Barriere Fouquet, Blake Lively wore a gorgeous floral mini dress from Oscar de la Renta that I can't stop thinking about.

Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

Lively's floral cutout, Valentino jeans might be $19,000, but you can DIY your own cherry blossom jeans for way cheaper ;).

Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures

Aside from the Britney dress, this is my favorite outfit from the press tour! To film videos with Isabela Ferrer (who stars as young Lily in the movie), Lively wore a Bode tutu and beaded top with embellished Louboutin heels, as well as Inez Stodel, Jacquie Aiche, Chanel, and Brent Neale jewelry. I cannot get enough of this look!

Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures

Bode pulled out all the stops again for this floral short suit. She also says Ryan Reynolds, Gigi Hadid, and young Atlas all inspired the look. "Feminine and masculine. Maximalist and minimalist. Excessive and utility. A woman who is all things, all at once," Blake Lively says on Instagram.

Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures

"Stretchy dark denim with iron on crystals is back. Thank you gen z for your contribution to bringing back my middle school dream clothes," Lively says on Instagram. This Cinq à Sept set and Louboutin heels are a standout on their own...

Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures

...but they also look amazing with the matching jacket!

Jade Greene/Sony

I'm a sucker for mix-and-match textures, and I swooned when I saw this sheer top + tweet trouser combo! Thank you, Elie Saab.

Deadpool & Wolverine Red Carpet

Noam Galai/Getty Images for Disney

Blake Lively and Gigi Hadid channeled their inner Deadpool and Wolverine for the red (and yellow) carpet. Blake wore an embroidered latex catsuit from Atelier Versace (in the same shade of red as Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool costume, I might add!) while Gigi opted for a bright yellow Miu Miu ensemble that captures the playfulness of the franchise's third installment.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Ryan Reynolds was clearly a big fan of Blake Lively's outfit of choice. He posted a photo on his Instagram story captioned "Sweet Jiminy Marvel Jesus And Mary Chain."

And he wasn't the only one cracking jokes at the premiere! After Blake told Entertainment Tonight that Ryan's a "hen" at heart, Gigi added that "he loves a girls' night and to hear all the goss."

"The amount of millennial girl references in [the movie], you don't expect that," Blake adds. "You think [of a] male superhero movie [and] they're all kind of about action and testosterone, but not this one."

Ryan & Blake — you are welcome to hang out at our girls' nights anytime!

Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds Finally Revealed The Name Of Their Fourth Baby — and it's too cute NOT to check out. Read up on the latest It Ends With Us news for more!

Lead image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

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