Finally, we know how the parents from 'Home Alone' were able to afford that lavish house

Putting an age old internet debate to rest once and for all.

It’s a question that’s plagued us since November 10th, 1990: how the heck did the parents from Home Alone afford their massive, luxurious house nestled in the picturesque suburbs of Chicago? (Not to mention a Christmas vacation to Paris for nine people) Seriously, what impressive job title could Kate and Peter McCallister possibly have to make all this happen? In a recession, no less.

There have been several memes dedicated to this headscratcher, along with a few theories—including one arguing that Peter McCallister must have been involved in organized crime—but finally, we now have a definitive answer.

Woman says flight attendant's 'hot cup' trick saved her from excruciating airplane ear

Save this helpful air travel tip immediately.

Many, if not most of us have experienced “airplane ear” at some point. As soon as the aircraft takes off or descends, there’s that weird feeling in your ear. Maybe even some ringing and muffled hearing. You quickly begin trying to yawn, or maybe you were extra diligent and packed some chewing gum, and eventually the annoying sensation subsides.

For Shelby Heiskell, a mom heading back to Kentucky after spending Thanksgiving in California, things became a little more dire as she began feeling immense pain in her eardrum. As Heiskell (@babygriffin) shared with Fox News Digital via email (according to The New York Post), she “wasn’t a very experienced flyer,” and didn’t know that the congestion she had as a result of a recent virus infection spelled out some serious danger during her travels. And unfortunately, as the airplane descended, her ear “popped,” and it felt like her “ear was going to explode.

5 things that made us smile this week

People supporting thousands of local charities? Yes, please.

Good news—you know we love it. And we know you love it, too. Which is why we’ve searched the internet high and low for things guaranteed to brighten up your work week. 

For more reasons to smile, check out all the ways Subaru is sharing the love this holiday season, here.

Benedict Cumberbatch reads Kurt Vonnegut's ultra-timely letter to people living in 2088

Cumberbatch's delivery and Vonnegut's words are a match made in literary heaven.

Back in 1988, writer Kurt Vonnegut was tasked with writing a letter to the planetary citizens of Earth in 2088 as part of Volkswagen’s TIME magazine ad campaign. And that he did, using his signature blend of dark humor, simple, conversational tone, and a poignant, enduring wisdom that’s almost medicinal—difficult to swallow, but oh so necessary.

In the letter, after quoting Shakespeare, St. John the Divine, and the well known Serenity prayer used in Alcoholic Anonymous groups, Vonnegut then dived into more somber matters—how “violent and heartless nature can be.” He argued that “Nature was no conservationist. It needed no help from us in taking the planet apart and putting it back together some different way, not necessarily improving it from the viewpoint of living things.” Therefore, it is ultimately humanity’s responsibility to ensure our well being remains preserved.