Airline baggage and reservation change fees hit record, but you can avoid them

As you shop for airfare for your summer vacation, don’t overlook the cost of fees for bags or changing a reservation that can add quite a bit to your travel bill.

Lululemon, True Religion coming to Mall in Columbia

Four new stores will be coming to The Mall in Columbia, including Lululemon Athletica and True Religion, mall officials said Thursday.

Nordstrom Rack opens today in Columbia

Nordstrom Rack will open its planned store in Columbia today at 9 a.m.

Retail sales edged up in April

Did you get out and shop in April?

Union Craft Brewing's flagship beers available in cans this week

The two flagship beers from Woodberry's Union Craft Brewing Company — Duckpin Pale Ale and Balt Altbier — will be sold in 12-ounce cans in Baltimore city retailers by Friday, according to co-founder Jon Zerivitz. The cans will be sold in other areas of Maryland and Washington in the next few weeks.

New barber shop opening as merchants in Hampden play musical chairs

A shave and a haircut of yesteryear cost the proverbial two bits, 25 cents. A shave alone at The Old Bank Barbers, a soon-to-open barber shop on The Avenue in Hampden, will cost $25.

Private college grants reach record as families become price sensitive

Apparently, private colleges are finding that there’s just so far you can push families to pay for tuition and fees. Schools have been increasing their grants to lure students.

Construction will start Tuesday on ShopRite of Howard Park

Klein's Family Markets will start construction Tuesday on a long-awaited supermarket in Howard Park in northwest Baltimore.

McCormick World of Flavors offers Cinco de Mayo cooking tips

A McCormick & Co. culinary expert will be on hand Saturday at the spice maker's Inner Harbor store to whip up Mexican cuisine for Cinco de Mayo.

DSW Shoe Warehouse will open at Canton Crossing

Southwest fined for late, incomplete action on consumer complaints

Southwest Airlines was fined $150,000 Wednesday for failing to respond to consumer complaints in a timely fashion, the Department of Transportation announced.

Under Armour launches women's fitness competition

Sports apparel maker Under Armour is launching its third "What’s Beautiful" online fitness competition for women, the company said Wednesday.

Survey says: How customers view Exelon, BGE

What do you think of Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. and its parent, Exelon Corp.? Customer-satisfaction survey results are mixed.

CardHub: Best credit cards for new grads

CardHub.com, the credit card comparison site, lists its top plastic for new college grads:

With Michael Phelps on hand, Under Armour pledges new jobs, growth

Under Armour plans to hire hundreds of workers at its Locust Point headquarters this year, expand facilities on its campus and bring its brand of sports apparel and footwear to new markets in the U.S. and around the world.

CFPB revises CARD Act rules, making it easier for stay-at-home mates to get credit

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has revised rules on the 2009 CARD Act, paving the way for non-working spouses and partners to qualify for credit cards.

BGE customers can get $25 for recycling old air-conditioning units

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. said it will give $25 to each residential customer who recycles a working room air-conditioning unit at an event this weekend.

Bobby Flay comes to Wegmans in Columbia

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay will come to Wegmans in Columbia on Wednesday for a food tasting and book signing event.

La Madeleine Country French Cafe plans Baltimore expansion

Dallas-based chain of bakery/cafes La Madeleine Country French Café is eyeing the Baltimore area, with plans to open up to eight new franchised locations.

Md. consumers made several gains in latest legislative session

Consumer advocates say they didn't get everything on their wish list during the latest meeting of the General Assembly, but the session produced several victories for Maryland consumers.

Beware of scams claiming to raise money for victims of Bostom marathon bombing

Americans' hearts going out to the victims of the marathon bombing in Boston, which means, of course, con artists will have to take advantage of that. The Federal Trade Commission is warning people to be leery of charity solicitations from telemarketers.

IRS grants taxpayers afffected by Boston bombings filing extension

The IRS says it will extend the tax deadline for filing and paying taxes to July 15 for Boston area taxpayers and others affected by the bombing on Monday, the tax deadline.

Pool supplier NAMCO closing four Md. locations

Pool supplier NAMCO LCC is closing four Maryland locations, the company announced Friday.

BGE warns customers about phone scam

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. is warning customers about scams in which people pose as BGE employees in person or over the telephone to steal money, valuables or credit card information.

Freebies offered for tax day

Feeling financially stressed as Tax Day approaches? Owe the government way more than you’d expected or getting too little back?

Caribou Coffee converting to Peet's Coffee in Baltimore area

Caribou Coffee is converting to the Peet's Coffee & Tea brand in the Baltimore area, and one of the four area locations, in Owings Mills, will close on Sunday.

First Pita Pit in Baltimore opens Wednesday downtown

Ritz Camera in Towson is one of only 13 in U.S. to stay open

Ritz Camera & Image in Towson will be one of only 13 Ritz stores left in the U.S., part of a company strategy to retain a limited number of locations while focusing on the camera chain’s online imaging business.

Easter spending trends

Spending on candy, food, decorations and apparel for Easter is expected to increase 11% this year over last year, to an average of $145.28, according to the National Retail Federation. Total spending could top $16.8 billion. See how the money breaks down in different categories.

Legg Mason: Investors' expectations don't reflect bond market reality

When it comes to generating income from investments, Americans' expectations for returns are significantly higher than what they are actually earning, according to a survey released this morning by Legg Mason Inc.