Insider Today: No More Hallways

iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI

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Happy end of 2024! It's our last Saturday edition of Business Insider Today, so we're doing something special. Instead of a regular dispatch from me, here's a look at some of our favorite lifestyle reads from the year. Until next year.

On the agenda:

• Rob McElhenney is already on to the next thing.
• American homes are shrinking, and hallways are getting left on the cutting-room floor.
• Young men are getting testosterone boosts to feel stronger, sharper, and anxiety-free.
• Boquete, Panama, was once home to rainforests and coffee farms. Now, thousands of expats call it home.

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Rob McElhenney is betting on himself

Sheryl Nields for BI

Rob McElhenney is an actor, writer, showrunner, and entrepreneur. In today's entertainment landscape, multi-hyphenate celebrities are everywhere, but not every workhorse can create the longest-running live-action American sitcom, as McElhenney did with "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

To McElhenney, every story is a business and every business is a story. As his "Welcome to Wrexham" costar and co-owner Ryan Reynolds told BI this year, "If you need to overcome a problem or manifest a miracle, tell Rob it's impossible."

The many hats he wears.

Disappearing hallways

Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

The costs of buying and building a new home have skyrocketed in the past decade. In 2024, houses in the US were both smaller and more expensive than those built 13 years ago, census data show.

As they downsize projects, homebuilders are trying to maximize essential living spaces. That means the usual connective tissue between rooms — the hallway — has gotta go.

Why your next home might not have one.

All T'd up

Edmon De Haro for BI

Once taboo, it's now become a point of pride for men to proactively track their testosterone levels and confront dips. Prescriptions for testosterone-replacement therapy have dramatically increased across the US over the last two decades, rising 20% from 2016 to 2019.

The trend tells a story of a new kind of gender-affirming care — but for cisgender men. Testosterone is prescribed to treat a set of vague symptoms for men hoping to feel "better," though it's not exactly clear what it does or who needs it.

Inject to perfect.

A retiree's paradise

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

It's not uncommon to see Americans — especially those around retirement age — in Boquete, Panama. The town's year-round cool temperatures and affordable cost of living have given it the reputation of being one of the best places to retire.

However, Boquete was once known for its coffee plantations and annual flower festival. Situated about 4,000 feet above sea level, the quiet town was a getaway for Panamanians living in nearby towns, where temperatures can reach the 90s.

Then came the expats.

What we're watching this weekend

• "Squid Game": Netflix's Korean-language series is back with season two this week, three years after it debuted on the streamer and became a pop culture phenomenon.
• "Your Friend, Nate Bargatze": Grammy-nominated comedian Nate Bargatze returned to Netflix for his third stand-up comedy special.
• "Doctor Who: Joy to the World": The latest installment of the annual "Doctor Who" Christmas special is available on Disney+, starring Ncuti Gatwa and "Bridgerton" actor Nicola Coughlan.

See the full list

iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI

What to shop

• Below-freezing outerwear: Canada Goose's puffer coats are expensive for a reason, and it's because they can stand the test of extreme cold. We used the brand's Cold Room to try them out — here's why they're worth the hype.
• Laptop backpacks: Backpacks are best for posture and overall back health because they distribute weight more evenly than totes or messenger bags. These are the best laptop backpacks for workday warriors.
• Best hair dryers: Spoiler alert: our top pick is the Dyson Supersonic. But you don't have to pay hundreds to score a worthwhile model — we've rounded up the best hair dryers across a wide range of price points.

More of this week's top reads:

• Where the richest people in the world spend the December holidays.
• A writer has been to 15 European countries. She said to skip the crowds in Italy and Spain — go to this less-visited gem instead.
• First time flying first class? Here are etiquette tips to avoid being the most annoying person in a premium cabin.
• Everything we know about Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' film.
• BI's Mikhaila Friel and her family of eight spent $25,000 on an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. She said they ended up disappointed.
• A gut-health scientist and trained chef shares four easy, tasty ways she eats more fiber.
• Meet the people living in famous homes from movies and TV shows, from 'Home Alone' to 'Breaking Bad.'
• The six red wines a sommelier is buying right now.

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York.