The firms in which she serves as chairman, including building-products company Johns Manville Corp. and paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore & Co., total more than $4 billion in annual sales. In March, a few weeks after Berkshire and Brazilian investment firm 3G Capital said they would buy ketchup maker H.J. Heinz & Co. for $23 billion, Mr. Buffett sent Ms. Britt to Brazil, according to people familiar with the matter.

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By Laura Stampler

In spite of struggling stock prices and loud public uncertainty over Tim Cook's innovative capabilities, Apple (AAPL) is once again the most valuable brand in the world, for the year 2013.

Every year, BrandZ and Millward Brown Optimor calculate and rank brands based on their global value. And even though Apple's growth rate decreased by 95%, the tech giant's brand value still increased by 1% from 2012 to a a whopping $185 billion.

Millward Brown VP Oscar Yuan told Business Insider that this is because the company ranks brands based not only on publicly available financial information, but "the second half, which is the unique part, is that we take in the consumer sentiment." Millward Brown polls more than 200 million consumers from 43 countries annually. In spite of everything, "Apple, in the eyes of consumers, is the gold standard."

The brands that really won this year were those tied to emerging mobile capabilities - be it AT&T for servicing tablets and smartphones, Visa for dominating online payment methods, Amazon for simplifying mobile shopping, or UPS for physically delivering said online purchases.

Gallery: The 20 Most Valuable Brands In The World

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Whether you realize it or not, a brand's logo speaks to its viewer on many levels.

There's the recognizability factor-if a logo is too complex or unrelated to its brand, it risks being glanced over without communicating its brand's message. And companies risk annoying their consumers when they make drastic changes to logos people love.

But a closer look at some logos reveals subtle, barely there marketing tactics.

You may have noticed the subliminal features of some of these designs in the past. But have you looked hard enough to see them all?

Gallery: 15 Corporate Logos That Contain Subliminal Messaging

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By Megan Durisin

In the day and age of online swap meets and the ubiquity of reseller sites like Craigslist, eBay, and Etsy, there's hardly anything you can't get secondhand anymore. But should you?

For some items, saving a few bucks by buying them secondhand isn't worth the potential safety or health risks involved.

We've put together a list of 17 products that you should always buy new.

Gallery: 17 Things You Should Always Buy New

Bike helmets

When it comes to your safety, you should never shop secondhand. Minor scratches or dings in helmets that you might be unable to spot right away can cause their safety rating to fall.

Buying tip: According to Bicycling Magazine, some of the best bike helmets include the Giro Atmos, Louis Garneau Quartz and Bontrager Oracle.

Cribs

Cribs can stand a lot of abuse from cranky toddlers, but you want to make sure your children aren't put in danger by a potentially damaged bed. According to The New York Times, issues with unsafe cribs led to 150 deaths between 2007 and 2010.

Buying tip: Squidoo recently put together a list of the top ten baby cribs for 2013.

Laptops

Any small defect in a secondhand laptop will only get exacerbated over time. You also don't have the luxury of a warranty or customer service guarantee if you don't buy it new yourself.

Buying tip: If you are looking to buy something on the cheaper side, most retailers offer refurbished products that are still covered by warranties. And major electronics stores like Best Buy offer steep discounts on display models. Call around to ask beforehand.

Footwear

Many websites advise against buying shoes used because they've probably already been formed to the foot of the person who wore them before you. Especially with running shoes, this could lead to discomfort or injuries.

Buying tip: Duke Health recommends taking a good look at the sole and arch of your next pair of athletic shoes to make sure you get the best fit.

Cookware

Non-stick cookware especially is something you want to invest in on your own. The coatings break down over time, making them more difficult to clean and potentially releasing harmful chemicals.

Buying tip: No matter what brand you buy, take extra care of your non-stick cookware to make sure it lasts. But be prepared to replace them every three to four years, on average.

Hats

Hats can be difficult to clean, and that means the previous owner's lice and hair could still be lurking inside. Purchase your next baseball cap somewhere other than a garage sale.

Buying tip: As with any product, Amazon has a list of the best-selling caps and hats.

Blenders

Blenders require their blades to be super sharp to be functioning at their best. If you buy one secondhand, it might take longer for the duller parts to puree the berries and bananas going into your smoothie.

Buying tip: Good Housekeeping touts blender brands like these as some of the best.

Upholstered furniture

Bed bug risk aside, odors in upholstered furniture can be difficult to get out, no matter how much Febreze you use. If you buy furniture used, it might be best to reupholster it yourself.

Buying tip: If you do buy used upholstery, make sure you hire an expert to do the cleaning. It's likely it will be worth the money.

Camera lenses

A tiny scratch on a used lens could wreck your next photo shoot. Lenses are a big investment, so it's probably wise to spend the money to ensure you're buying a quality product.

Buying tip: Salon has a list of the best camera lenses for your buck.

Mattresses and pillows

Never buy these -- or bedding or pillowcases -- secondhand. It's not worth it when you consider the risk of bedbugs and other molds or critters that could be lurking inside.

Buying tip: Spine-Health.com recommends buying a mattress that has at least a 10-year warranty. And be sure to give it a test nap in the store for at least 10 minutes before buying.

Swimsuits

Besides the hygiene issues that come with a secondhand swimsuit, these garments tend to wear out very quickly. Your bikini won't do a good job covering you up if it starts to get saggy the first time it's hit by a wave.

Buying tip: If you're looking to invest in a bathing suit that won't go out of style in one season, look at style guides like these to help you make a wise purchase.

Wet suits

Wet suits need to fit well and they often wear out over time, making them less likely to keep you warm underwater. The suits aren't cheap, but don't risk getting chilly on your next scuba trip with a used one.

Buying tip: SportDiver.com has a list of 36 good wetsuit brands to help you find one that's best for your next aquatic adventure.

Vacuum cleaners

Vacuums are one of the most-used appliances and they don't last forever. If you need something that still has the suction power to clean the dust around your whole house, it might be best to buy a new one yourself.

Buying tip: If you do want to save money by buying used, make sure you test it beforehand and follow these other tips, too.

Child car seats

Safety is a major player here, too. In the event of a crash, you don't want a potentially damaged car seat to put your child in danger.

Buying tip: Consumer Reports has a great list of highly-rated car seats, depending on what style you're looking to buy.

Automobile tires

Buying tires used is never a good idea, since the tread could be worn and it may put your safety in danger. Tires wear out as they age, and it's best to buy them straight from the store.

Buying tip: Popular Mechanics has a helpful article about what to look for the next time you're hunting for new tires.

Computer software

Software usually only has codes to be used on a limited number of computers, and there's a chance you could get ripped off if you buy a used copy. It's best to buy straight from the manufacturer to make sure you get a working version.

Buying tip: If you're buying a piece of software for your whole family, you can often find a software subscription with enough codes to load it on everyone's laptop.

Digital cameras

This also applies to video cameras. Since you'll be using this to capture important life moments, you want to make sure you're not getting a faulty product.

Buying tip: February is usually a good time to buy a new camera, since they often go on sale before new models come out around President's Day.

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Gallery: The $849,000 Penalty for Being Born Female

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By Vivian Giang

Is getting a bachelor's degree still worth the cost?

Payscale, a salary data provider, answered this question by comparing the average cost of education to predicted income over 30 years for graduates at 1,060 schools in the United States.

It turns out that most schools are good investments -- though Payscale economist Katie Bardaro warns that students should consider individually whether college is worth it for their intended career.

At around 3 percent of the schools, however, the return on investment over 30 years is negative, due to some combination of high tuition and low graduate pay.

We've highlighted the worst of those schools here:

Gallery: 13 Colleges That Aren't Worth The Money

Location: Fayetteville, N.C.
School type: state
Cost (2012): $113,400
30-year net ROI: -$82,600

Location: Fairfield, Ala.
School type: private
Cost (2012): $92,280
30-year net ROI: -$136,000

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By Mandi Woodruff

At 21 years old, NYU undergrad Scott Gamm is not your typical co-ed. Since the ripe age of 17, Gamm has been an avid student of all things finance.

He launched a blog, HelpSaveMyDollars.com, soon after the recession took hold as a way to help people his age grow into conscious, responsible spenders and savers.

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"You know, my parents' finances were one of the main causes of their divorce, and right after that [happened], there was the recession," Gamm told Business Insider. "Those were two reminders within a few years of each other that finance is a serious topic and it's not something I want to leave up to trial and error."

Gamm released his debut personal finance book, "More Money, Please: The Financial Secrets You Never Learned in School," last week. We asked him to share a few tips that every 20-something should learn to master their finances early:

Gallery: 7 Top Money Tips from Scott Gamm

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• Almost all Americans (85 percent) consider themselves a part of an expanded definition of being middle class that includes upper middle class (12 percent), and lower middle class (26 percent)
• Americans believe a typical middle-class family makes between $60,000 and $65,000 per year - actual estimates indicate the median income for an average family of four is $68,274.
• More than half (52 percent) of Americans say the biggest risk factor for falling out of their economic status is losing a job or income source
• 50 percent of all Americans and 51 percent of the middle class consider higher education to be the most effective way to protect and earn middle-class standing
• At least 40 percent of middle class Americans believe paying for a child's college education, retiring comfortably, and having enough money to weather a health or income emergency. only realistic for the upper class.

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