Travel is becoming so competitive in Baltimore. Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival on year-round cruises. JetBlue vs. Southwest vs. AirTran for BWI-Boston supremacy. And now, BoltBus is arriving to challenge MegaBus.com for road rights from Baltimore to New York.

BoltBus, a division of Greyhound, will offer seven daily roundtrip schedules between Baltimore and New York beginning May 7. Pickup is at the MARC Penn Station, just south of E. Lanvale Street, on St. Paul. Buy tickets in advance or from the driver. One-way fares start at $1 plus a booking fee of 50 cents. The highest fares will adjust based on demand, so booking early saves you money. Every seat on every schedule is available for $1 for May 7-10. BoltBus offers extra leg room, power outlets, free WiFi onboard and loyalty discounts for frequent travelers.

I haven't been on BoltBus, but I've read some reviews and most travelers seem to be pleased - for the price. Boltbus has been operating routes from DC for the past year or so. And I'm told folks in Baltimore won't have to climb over DC passengers to get to their seats. The route begins and ends in Baltimore. (For now - a company spokesperson says BoltBus may add a stop in College Park at some time in the future.)

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Travel
        

Auto warranty calls irritating you? Well, Consumerist has posted the phone numbers of some car warranty callers --- information gleaned from settlement of a suit filed by Verizon Wireless. Two companies will be donating $50,000 to victims of sexual and child abuse.

If you're getting repeated calls from the same number on your cell phone, some readers suggest this advice to avoid automated calls: assign them a name in your phone address book, and a silent ring tone.

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cars, Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet, Warranties
        

Make your own yogurt? Bagels? Granola?

Sounds like something an enterprising Martha Stewart acolyte might attempt, but numerous bloggers and writers have tested and confirmed that recipes for some of the basic prepared foods that Americans have grown accustomed to purchasing already made could be constructed from scratch.

And of course, the question isn't whether these items could be made at home ... 

... but whether they should be made at home. As in, "do I have the expertise and equipment to make my own Oreos --- Oreos that I would actually want to eat?"

Sometimes, the answer to these questions is yes. Sometimes you can make much better versions of what's available in stores, according to Jennifer Reese of Slate. And much, much cheaper --- at least when it comes to making your own yogurt and bagels.

Reese points out early that she doesn't factor the cost of her time into her equation, and that's a personal choice. But, she also warns not to overestimate the amount of time some of these projects would take. Yogurt does its thing on its own, she says.

That's a choice everyone has to make for themselves --- how much your time is worth. But! You might just enjoy the process, gaining the knowledge and experience to make your own food. And, you might save some cash.

Any other items that survive the cost-benefit analysis? Beer? Sausage? Twinkies?

(photo: Algerina Perna/Baltimore Sun)

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Food
        

Interesting factoid from the people at the Wilshire 5000 index:

Since President Obama's swearing in Jan. 20th, the Wilshire index gained 7.9 percent. That's better than the first 100-day return of all recent presidents except for one: George H.W. Bush.

The scorecard for the first 100 days:

Ronald Reagan first term 4.0%

Reagan's second term  3.8%

George H. W. Bush 9.1%

Bill Clinton first term 1.2%

Clinton's second term 0.5%

George W. Bush -2.3%

Bush's second term -1.2%

Barack Obama through April 28   7.9%

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Personal finance
        

Cheap ice cream Wednesday night! Free business cards and resume copying through June 13! Free greeting cards, just in time for Mother's Day!

Cheap Trick Thursday comes early this week. 

Tonight, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., participating Baskin-Robbins will sell a small ice cream scoop for 31 cents. 

Starting a job search? Staples offers 40 free instant business cards and 20 free resumes through June 13. The offer is available in stores only, although Staples is also posting job-hunting skills on its Web site.

UPDATE: Office Depot is offering 25 free resume copies AND free faxing of up to 25 pages to up to five domestic numbers through May 30.

... lets you design a free 5x7 greeting card (scroll down to the deal to find the promotion code) that you can mail to Mom for free. No postage stamps required! (via HRSavvyShopper)

Just sign up for Crown Rewards first. Order by Sunday to take advantage!

(photo: Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal
        

Cruise lines have second thoughts about continuing port calls in Mexico. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian changing their itineraries this week to avoid swine flu outbreak.

An AirTran flight from Cancun to BWI was briefly delayed last night after a couple passengers reported feeling ill. But health officials said their illness was not respiratory related. Turns out they were just tipsy.

A reminder that the borders remain open and there are no restrictions on travel to Mexico. However, the CDC has warned Americans to avoid non-essential travel to the country. "Border controls do not work. Travel restrictions do not work," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told the Associated Press.

And even though some passengers are changing their plans, airlines continue to fly into and out of the affected areas. As of late Tuesday, only Cuba and Argentina had imposed an outright ban on flights to Mexico.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 6:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Is Hoodia weight loss supplements a fat lie?

The Federal Trade Commission says they can be.

The agency yesterday said it charged suppliers of “Hoodia gordonii” with deceptive advertising for claims that their product would help you lose weight, suppress your appetite and even cut the amount of calories you take in by up to 2,000 per day. The FTC says not only were the claims false, but sometimes the product didn’t even have any Hoodia gordonii — an African plant — in it.

The FTC filed its complaint against Delaware-based Nutraceuticals International, LLC, New Jersey-based Stella Labs, LLC, as well as four individuals who run the companies.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 2:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection
        

Stuart Ritter teaches college students at Johns Hopkins University about personal finance. (His day job is being a financial planner with T. Rowe Price Associates.)

Most of his students are college seniors. Ritter says he wants seniors to leave the class knowing how to prioritize and think long term.

"Up until now, their lives are broken up in three month chunks. Now they have to make decisions for literally decades in the future," Ritter says.

Their lifestyle decisions, such as the kind of car they drive will or participate in an employer’s retirement plan, will have an impact on how much they can save for a house or even when they eventually will retire, he says.

Ritter sends his students off with a list of tips. It's good advice to anyone trying to get finances in order. We post them here:

Budgeting

1) Be patient. Biggest mistake is trying to replicate in a few years the lifestyle it took your parents decades to achieve.

2) Match your income to the three kinds of expenses: Fixed, Flexible, Unexpected

 Fixed are decided when you make one big decision (live alone or with roommates)

Flexible are controlled by the myriad small decisions you make (eating out)

Unexpected . . . aren’t. Something unforeseen will always come up (car repairs, gifts for a wedding, sudden trip), so include a “catch all” category in your budget.

3) Saving money means doing a little more or a little less of something – not all or nothing.

 For example, bring your lunch two days a week instead of eating out all five.

 Buying the first two years of a car can cost more than years three through ten combined.

4) Do the three month test – commit to the savings plan below for three months. After that, re-evaluate. Most people find that their budget adjusts – and they feel good about the savings!

5) Balance your goals

a) Pay off credit cards

b) Save in 401(k)

c) Build emergency fund

d) Get insurance.

Saving/Investing

1) Save 20% of your income – 10% for retirement, 10% for your other goals (car, vacation, house). The more you save, the sooner you can have it.

2) For retirement, use your employer’s retirement plan and/or a Roth.

a) Invest in a Retirement Date Fund.

3) Automate the process!

Credit

1) Don’t pay off student loans any faster than you have to. There are better things to do with your money.

2) The only proper way to use credit cards is to pay them off, in full, every month (it can add 20% to the cost of an item to borrow instead of saving for it ahead of time).

3) Pay what you’re supposed to, when you’re supposed to. Your reputation will be assessed by:

 Anyone considering you for a loan – car, house, credit card (you’ll pay more if you have a history of bad credit)

Potential employers 

Insurance companies

Prospective landlords

Insurance

1) Get renter’s insurance – provides liability exposure, as well as protection for your possessions (could you really go out and repurchase all your stuff if something happened?). Can cost as little as $20/month.

2) Get health insurance – even if it’s a catastrophic policy to tide you over after you leave school and before you pick up an employer’s policy. Can cost as little as $50/month. Ask your parents to do this for you.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Personal finance
        

U.S. officials are preparing a travel advisory warning Americans against non-essential travel to Mexico, according to the Associated Press. The advisory is being issued "out of an abundance of caution," according to the CDC. Airlines are reporting that some travelers have already switched their plans for vacations in Mexico, but the changes have been "minimal," an American Airlines spokesperson told the AP. Some countries overseas have already issued warnings against travel parts of North America. Meanwhile, cruise operators like Carnival Cruise Lines say scheduled stops in Mexico are going forward over the next few days.

Air traffic from Mexico to BWI-Marshall Airport is fairly limited. There are no nonstop flights between Mexico City and Baltimore, according to a BWI spokesman. AirTran has one daily flight between Cancun and BWI and the airline is waiving change fees for travelers. USA3000 has thrice-weekly service from Mexico City and Cancun and will also waive change fees. BWI is coordinating response with state and federal authorities. It's the same approach they took a few years back with the SARS outbreak.

Meanwhile, here are 7 things you need to know about swine flu. And is it safe to fly during the swine flu outbreak?

Photo: Deserted Mexicana Airlines counter at San Francisco International Airport. Ben Margot, Associated Press

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 5:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Spent the afternoon touring the Carnival Pride ship - that's the one offering the new year-round cruises from Baltimore to the Bahamas, Florida and the Caribbean. There was a reception in the Butterflies Lounge where a welcoming committee made up of travel agents, city officials, media, tourism folks and state leaders flitted about, including U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, Baltimore County executive Jim Smith and state transportation Secretary John D. Porcari (of recent Obama fame).

Officials say Carnival's arrival will mean 1,500 jobs and $152 million added to Maryland's economy. We'll take it. As Rep. Elijah Cummings said: "Those jobs were goin to go somewhere. Those cruises were going to take off from somewhere. I'm glad it's Baltimore."

The ship is decorated with an artsy Renaissance theme - it's all dark and woody with coffered ceilings, elaborate paintings, glass staircases and an 11-deck-high atrium that made me dizzy. There's one deck of the ship that's totally dedicated to lounges and bars - a total of 16 of them. There's a spa, fitness center, huge two-tiered dining room and more. The 88,500-ton ship, while massive, is not the largest Carnival vessel, but it is among the fastest.

Photo: Associated Press

I talked to a few passengers - the first cruise sails out today at 5:30 p.m. - and they were nearly all giddy with excitement. I was there at lunch hour and the food and drinks were flowing like crazy - so maybe that explains it. Carnival says they serve some 5,000 pounds of chicken, 18,000 shrimp and 13,700 potatoes during a typical one-week cruise. Not to mention the more than 5,000 bottles of wine and champagne.

I met Sunil Kumar, general manager of a local Quality Inn, as he tested the appetizers. "Very good," he said between bites of shrimp and little vegetable purses. His hotel, which provides overnight stays and parking for some cruise passengers, is weathering the economic storm pretty well but he's looking forward to the travel boost from Carnival. 

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

We've told you before about businesses refunding or covering payments if you lose a job --- hoping to entice some customers to go ahead and make a purchase even if they're feeling insecure about their job situation. Ford, Hyundai and even menswear retailer Jos A. Bank have tossed out those offers with some caveats. The latest to join has been Virgin Mobile, offering to cover up to three months of payments for people on monthly plans (via Consumerist).

This week, Eileen Ambrose covers some practical tips on places to find financial support after losing a job. And remember, you're not alone --- lots of very successful people, including Harry Truman and Walt Disney,  have all found themselves in financial straits at some point in their careers, according to her column.

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Budgeting, Wages
        

Bought a ticket to Mexico and now you're thinking it's a no go because of the swine flu? You're smart. And you're lucky if you purchased your ticket from US Airways. The airline has issued a travel advisory for Mexico and will issue a credit to ticketholders, allowing them to book another flight to, presumably, a different destination, within seven days of the origination date. The airline is also waiving any change fees. Now, you must be holding airline tickets to Mexico City for travel through April 30. If you bought your tickets through a third-party site like Travelocity or Orbitz, call them to see what the policy is.

US Airways is the first airline I've heard of to offer this, but others will likely follow. Especially if the U.S. issues a travel advisory for Mexico - I can't see how they won't do that, possibly as soon as today, since cases of swine flu appear to be spreading. Some places are already checking travelers' temperatures before allowing them into the country. If I had travel planned for Mexico over the next 14 days or so, I'd certainly be calling the airline, hotel and checking out my options.

A few resources: check out Google's swine flu outbreak map. Also, CDC has some good travel health information that's being updated frequently. 

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Travel
        

Today and for the next three days, Southwest has an ongoing "Mystery Sale." Oooh. Each day, the airline unveils one destination where travelers can save 50% off "Wanna Get Away" fares. Not a bad deal, if it's someplace you wanna go.

Today's location is Philadelphia (use code LUVPHL to book the discounted flights) - not exactly a big draw for Baltimore travelers - but the sale continues through the weekend.

Southwest flies to 65 destinations and I'm hoping for a little mystery in California, LAX or SFO.

Here are the dings: Gotta travel May 1 -June 10. Seats are limited. Blackout dates apply May 21-25. And you have to purchase roundtrip tickets, but you can fly any day of the week.

Now, there's no mystery left except where we're going.

Photo by Associated Press

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airlines
        

Geez, talk about french fries. US Airways already charges a $15 fee for the first checked bag, but now the airline is tacking on an extra $5 if you don't prepay the $15 when you check-in online for your flight. The new fee means beginning July 9 passengers pay 20 bucks to check your first bag at the airport and $30 for the second. Does everybody check in online nowadays? I don't know that that's the case. (I do. But I fly Southwest and if you don't check in online you have to sit on the wings.) Aren't they in effect penalizing people like my grandmother?

At this point we're all numb to the litany of fees. Earlier this week, Delta said they would charge $50 to check a second bag on overseas flights. Yawn. But couldn't US Airways use a little cloak and dagger? Do they have to make it so obvious when they pick your pocket? Naturally the airline said it was all about the convenience for the customer: "save time and money." But let's note the company lost $103 million in the first quarter. They're obviously not alone - the travel industry is suffering big time. But so are consumers. 

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

At least one factor that led to recent skyrocketing electric bills will be eased next winter.

The Maryland Public Service Commission announced yesterday that electricity rates will be lower for next winter, based on wholesale prices from an auction this week.

Of course, that news comes with a caveat:

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Energy/Utilities
        

Here's another belated Earth Day tip: of the three Rs, "reduce" and "reuse" are most important. "Refuse" --- as in, turning people down when they try to give you junk --- is also key.

That's what I learned last week at the Urb Ag Gala, an event promoting the growing growing movement within Baltimore. We won't have room on the planet to grow food if we cover all available surface with trash.

And thankfully this concept is a frugal one. A reusable product costs less per use the more times you use it, and keeps trash out of the cycle, and keeps you out of stores where you might be tempted to buy things. Fixing broken things or repurposing them helps, too. And, if we turn down the "free" stuff that people try to give us that are really just a cost of business --- plastic bags, for example --- then perhaps shop owners will eventually pass that savings on to us.

So, how to consume less?

The frugal-est ones out there already employ the sneaky methods suggested this week by Erin Huffstetler at the Frugal Living blog to avoid wasting even the smallest amounts of useful product.

She recommends ...

... taking a pair of scissors to your toothpaste tube to scrape out the last lingering smears of Pepsodent. You could do something similar with scented lotion or anything else that is sold in a squeezable tube (Vegemite, mate?)

You could also scrape out the last remaining bits of lipstick or apply it with a lip brush rather than toss the tube when it's gone beyond swivel-able range.

I remember reading about freegans in the New YorkTimes, marveling how people could toss containers of liquid laundry detergent with at least one or two loads-worth of suds still in the bottle. Either cut a hole at the bottom of the hard plastic bottle or just add some water to the bottle itself and swish it around.

You could also wrap a rubber band around anything with a pump dispenser to prevent too much product from coming out of the container with any single pump.

Posted by Liz Kay at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal
        

Enjoy BaltiMORE for Less Weekend, and take advantage of free activities at the Inner Harbor sponsored by Carnival Cruise Lines and the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore.

Don't forget to print coupons for Baltimore attractions such as Ride the Ducks ($5 off adult and child trips), a half-price kid's admission with full-price adult to the National Aquarium and a free kids meal at the Lebanese Taverna with a paying adult.

It's not just museums at the Inner Harbor, either: the Jewish Museum of Maryland is offering half-price admission, the Maryland Historical Society is offering free admission and the Evergreen Museum is offering 2 for 1 admission.

There's even discounted parking near the Inner Harbor to further entice you to leave the house.

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal
        

Happy Earth Day, folks!

First Data, which processes prepaid cards for businesses, offers these recycling tips for plastic:

Reload depleted cards, such as the one you get at Starbucks, instead of tossing them.

Or, if you don’t want to reload a card, don’t throw it away. Instead, throw it in one of the recycling kiosks located in more than 1,000 Best Buy stores around the country.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Greenies
        

How about a college education with your refried beans?

Taco Bell says it is giving away four $25,000 college scholarships to customers tomorrow. You’ll receive a code that you can enter at tacobellgraduation.com for a chance to win. No purchase required, but you must be age 13 or older to participate.

The fast-food chain says it also will donate 15 percent of its sales tomorrow to the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, a nonprofit created to reduce the number of high school drop outs and help teens prepare for college.

Taco Bell says a study in March 2006 found that every 26 seconds a teen drops out of high school. And nearly one-third of teens in the country, and up to half of Latinos and African Americans, won't graduate with their class.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 2:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: College/Financial aid
        

Whether you're driving or flying or cruising, if you're traveling - you're leaving a footprint. And that's OK, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't  do our part to leave our paths a little cleaner. You could buy carbon offsets at Terrapass - its calculator says just one person flying from Baltimore to Los Angeles is responsible for emitting 1,400 pounds of carbon into the environment. Or you could stay at a green hotel - several are opening in the Baltimore region. Either way, you should be greenwise about your travels - and many of us already are.

I used to love those little single size toiletries - Red Flower is my favorite - but they come in little plastic bottles that just add to landfills. Many hotels are switching to dispensers for shampoo and soap. A good move. When I do stay at a hotel with those travel size bottles, I take the half-empty ones home and refill them for the guest bathroom. Many hotels are eliminating plastic spoons and forks and replacing them with genuine silverware. Others are building saline pools to reduce chlorine use. Still more are using green cleaning supplies - or electrolyzed water.

You can find more tips for green travel here. And if you like to see your garbage going to a good cause, check out the trash museum.

Photo courtesy of Aloft, a new hotel at Arundel Mills that opens in May and uses refillable dispensers for in-room shampoo and soap.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Save money on insurance premiums with some nifty resources from the Maryland Insurance Administration.

With everyone trying to reduce their cash flow, it might be a good time to review and renegotiate fixed costs, such as insurance premiums.

At Maryland Insurance Administration Web site, which we feature today as our Consumer Web Site of the Week, you'll find ...

... consumer guides for auto, life, homeowners and health insurance. They also provide a comparison of auto and home insurance rates and information on how insurance companies react if you are late with payments.

For example, auto and homeowners insurance companies can cancel your policy if you are even one day late, whereas health and life insurance policies have a grace period under Maryland law. 

There's also a review of ways to shave $$$ off your premiums, including ensuring you've check out possible discounts for being a good driver or having low mileage or being a multipolicy account.

Plus, the MIA points out that homeowners insurance only covers your home --- not the land value. But, you should have enough coverage so that if your house is destroyed, you can rebuild it ... which can be a different number than the average selling price in your community.

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer Web Site of the Week
        

Consumer advocates are asking cell phone companies to waive early termination fees for customers who lose their jobs.

The Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition is among the consumer groups that signed a letter today to AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint Nextel, the Wireless Association and Verizon.

According to the consumer groups, the termination fees can cost as much as $150 per line. So families might have to pay several hundred dollars or more if breadwinners are laid off.

“Cell phones can play a vital role in people's lives, but consumers who are in perilous financial situations should not be penalized for their efforts to trim their expenses and get their household budgets in line,” says Charles Shafer, president of the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition in a prepared statement. “We urge the wireless industry to waive the ETF’s for those who have lost their jobs.”

So, do you think cell phone companies will budge?

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cellular/Landline/Voice over Internet
        

More than half of Maryland's auto insurance companies have had to pay hundreds of thousands in administrative penalties and restitution to their policyholders after mishandling claims when vehicles are declared a total loss, according to the Maryland Insurance Administration.

A year-long review has revealed that ...

"To date, the MIA has fined the offending companies $235,000.00 and has instructed them to pay a total of $442,590.38 in restitution to 4,120 Maryland citizens,” said Ralph S. Tyler, the state insurance commissioner in a statement. “We are still in the process of examining seven companies, but we are committed to getting vehicle owners what they are guaranteed under the law."

Everyone impacted has already received their cash, an average payment of $100. Click this link to see the list of penalized auto insurance companies.

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cars, Insurance, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Have you recently received a car insurance renewal? Did you get sticker shock?

We hear grumblings that insurance rates may be rising, thanks in part to poor investment returns with insurers.

We're interested in speaking with consumers that are now renewing their policies and want to hear what changes, if any, they are seeing.

Send your responses to me at eileen.ambrose@baltsun.com.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Insurance
        

Maryland’s three-month unemployment rate from December through February reached 6.1 percent, a level that allows unemployed workers in the state to receive an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits.

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation said today it is mailing notices to those who may be eligible for the extra benefits. The notice will explain how and when to file a claim. In other words, don't call.

The standard benefit is 26 weeks for Marylanders, but Congress last year twice extended benefits by an extra 20 weeks. The latest increase in benefits will start with the week ending April 18, the state agency said.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Economy
        

Anybody who's lived in Baltimore awhile has probably gotten a parking ticket and maybe even been impressed with how efficient the city's parking enforcement agents can be (they even ticket in residential neighborhoods on weekends.)

But there's also another wrinkle: If you don't pay your ticket, the city imposes a $16 monthly late penalty -- in perpetuity -- until you pay up. City officials say they send you three late notices to the last address on file connected to your tag registration.

Now, they're referring delinquent accounts to a collections agency, which shipped off notices in late February to more than 80,000 people who owe. Now comes the sticker shock: the average amount owed is $721. That's a huge percentage increase from the original fine, which is around $23.

Understandably, people are ticked. I wrote about the issue in today's paper, and the full story's on our site. There are many angry folks who wonder why they have to pay such high fines in connection with a little ol' parking ticket. One fellow, Jason Howard of Baltimore, starting a Facebook group called The Baltimore Scofflaws.

Howard also keeps a separate Baltimore Scofflaws blog, too. He's quoted in my story today and he's been pretty vocal in other local media too, including the Ed Norris Show and in some stories written on the topic by Investigative Voice.

If you recently got a collections notice from the city for way-overdue parking fines, we'd like to hear your story. Feel free to tell it to us in the comments below.

P.S. People have been complaining for years -- perchance decades -- about the city's right to impose unlimited late fines on unpaid parking tickets.

Posted by Gus Sentementes at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (30)
Categories: Complaints
        

Eileen's got an excellent column this week with savings tips for recent college graduates, helping them set financial priorities due to poor employment outlook and dismal economic climate.

One important piece of advice when weighing potential jobs: consider positions that might a. help you develop marketable skills that can aid your next employment search and b. benefits. A job that offers lower pay but adds health insurance can be a valuable bonus. 

Also, when talking about health insurance, did you know that in Maryland, uninsured, unmarried dependents up to age 25 ...

... can stay on their parents' insurance policy, in some situations? Check out Eileen's column for more details.

Eileen talked to a recent Johns Hopkins graduate who took a personal finance course at the school as a senior. It makes me think about what sorts of things people would do differently if they knew then what they know now. Personally, I would have tried to start saving for retirement earlier, to harness the power of compound interest.  

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal, College/Financial aid, Insurance, Student loans, Wages
        

Looking for a great vacation deal? The AAA Travel Expo this weekend at the Port of Baltimore Cruise Terminal should be a good place to find one. The expo - Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.- will offer travel information, seminars, bookings, prizes and giveaways.

Representatives from Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Hertz, Hyatt, Starwood, Disney World and Universal Studios will be on hand along with many others. Also, passport applications are being accepted here, including a free passport photo.

The event is free and open to the public, but bring a photo I.D. If you're a member of AAA, bring your card - they offer pretty good travel deals. I booked my upcoming summer cruise through AAA and got a terrific deal with membership discounts. A 7-day cruise for just over $500. Not bad at all.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Here's a tip from Multimedia Editor Mary, via ABC News: BJ's Wholesale is offering a free 60-day BJ's trial membership, valid through July 6. Normally the membership fee is $45.

Feel free to print it out and take it to customer service, but remember our warnings about  warehouse store shopping. Tightwad Tod at Consumer Reports broke down the pros and cons of a BJ's membership for us, because BJ's claims to sell more items in reasonably sized packages. They also accept manufacturer's coupons, as loyal commenter Holly has reminded us.

And ladies, there's a good opportunity Saturday to get some financial advice ...

The Baltimore County Commission for Women will hold a free Money Conference for Women from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Goucher College. Workshops will include how to get out of debt, money management, personal finance, retirement planning and investment strategies. Madeleine Green, a former University of Maryland, College Park professor, will be the keynote speaker. Information: 410-887-0000.

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Personal finance
        

We told you yesterday about skimming, just one of the potential threats users of credit and debit cards face with every swipe.

On the other hand, paying with plastic definitely offers users a lot of advantages: you get the convenience of not carrying cash (which can be stolen) as well as multiple records of your purchases. These forms of electronic payment allow you to take advantage of lower prices on the Internet --- although we've told you about alternate payment methods such as Billeo and BillMeLater that are also available.

In some situations, you need a credit card to secure a reservation --- for hotel rooms or rental cars, for example.

And with credit ... 

... card-issuing companies offer services such as price protection, some forms of insurance and the ability to issue a "chargeback" as a last-resort measure if a good or service is not delivered as promised.

But then again: there's that tricky problem of potentially racking up debt, something that should not be minimized.

Paul Stephens of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse advises those who like the convenience of a card to use a credit card rather than a debit card for everyday purchases, and to pay it off in full each month. If absolutely necessary, use a different card for bigger ticket items that you expect will cause you to carry a balance, he said (although in my book it's wiser to save up the money ahead of time and then charge it and pay it off in one fell swoop).

Stephens also suggests people ask their banks for plain-vanilla ATM cards that aren't backed by credit cards, so they can't be used anywhere other than at the bank.

Retailers pay lower fees for debit purchases than credit card purchases, so you might see incentives to choose debit. But the Banking pages at About.com point out that retailers such as gas stations will "authorize" a purchase when you pay before you pump that will block off a chunk of your money (say, $50) for a certain amount of time -- sometimes days. That could cause you to bounce checks or overdraft.  

What's your preferred default method of payment? How do you balance the need for ready access to accepted forms of payment with the importance of protecting your personal information? If you use a combination of methods, please share your strategy below.

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Banks, Cheap/Frugal, Credit cards
        

Well, you probably live some place nearby, so I guess you at least like Baltimore a little. So there's no reason you shouldn't click here to vote for our city in Travel + Leisure's annual America's Favorite Cities 2009 poll. The travel magazine is adding five new cities to the list and they're asking readers to choose among Anchorage, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Memphis, Providence, Salt Lake City and St. Louis. Vote by May 15.

Last year's number 1 favorite city was Boston. The magazine ranks the cities in various categories. For example, Washington DC ranked #1 in historical sites/monuments last time. Miami ranked #1 in attractive people. San Francisco was tops in notable neighborhoods. What category would Baltimore rank high in? (I'm afraid to ask, but I just did.)

Photo by Jerry Jackson, Sun Photographer

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Travel
        

With Earth Day fast approaching on April 22, readers, I want to know: what changes have you made to your lifestyle that save you money, and also help the environment?

Many commuters were forced to change routines and drove less in 2008 when gas prices skyrocketed. I'm sure a lot of people are bringing their own lunches and drinks from home in reusable lunch containers and travel mugs, rather than paying for sandwich bags, and some supermarkets offer discounts for using reusable shopping bags. And I told you last year how I stopped using clothes dryers in a cost-saving measure --- why pay to accelerate a process that will occur naturally?

Here's one quick and easy change you could try: Home Depot is giving away one free EcoSmart 14-watt CFL bulb to customers on Sunday, April 19, while supplies last. (Buxr via Consumerist)

Even if you can't take advantage of this promotion ...

... CFLs in your most-used light fixtures could really help you save money on electric bills. Just be sure to purchase the right CFL bulb for specialized fixtures such as recessed lights, or lights with dimmer switches.

And remember that you can pick up discounted CFLs at Home Depot, Giant, Costco and Sam's Club in many parts of Maryland as a result of a CFL subsidy paid for by customers of BGE, Pepco, Delmarva and other Maryland utilities.

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Greenies
        

Just to explain, as sites such as Consumerist and Gizmodo already have: some crooks tamper with ATMs and credit card machines, adding phony magnetic stripe readers and tiny cameras to record information as well as the keystrokes used to enter PINs. Once they've got the data, they "clone" the cards --- printing new ones --- and go on spending sprees.

Skimming is suspected but not confirmed in a debit card number theft "situation" that affected a number of customers at a South Baltimore Wachovia ATM, a bank spokesman said yesterday.

Well, you should review your bank statements as soon as you get them, and check your bank accounts online regularly and often.

While at the ATM, be sure to cover your hand as you enter your PIN to thwart anyone who might be surreptitiously trying to glean your information.

Of course, watch out for any shady alterations to your ATM. But, don't beat yourself up if you don't spot them --- the tampering could be pretty well done.

And let's keep this in perspective: this kind of work requires a lot of heavy lifting. ATMs, which often have security cameras, aren't the most vulnerable places where we use debit cards, according to Paul Stephens of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. He says criminals can steal these numbers from point-of-sale credit card readers more easily and just clone those. There are federal protections in place, and banks and the credit card companies that back these check cards voluntarily pledge to cover consumer liabilities due to fraud, but here's the big problem, Stephens said: the money is automatically deducted from your account, and they can't make up for your losses until they finish investigating.

By contrast, under federal law, credit card companies won't hold you liable for paying for debts you report as fraudulent while they investigate the potential crime.

UPDATED: Scroll down on this Redbox page about credit card skimmers to find pictures of how they were used on the DVD rental machines last year. And for more information about ways Marylanders can protect themselves from identity theft, contact the ID theft program of the Maryland Attorney General's office.

What do you think? Does this make you want to cut up your cards and only withdraw cash directly from a teller?

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Scams
        

Is United putting the squeeze on some passengers? Only if the passenger is: 1) Unable to fit into a single seat in the ticketed cabin 2) unable to properly buckle the seat belt using a single seat-belt extender and/or 3) unable to put the seat's armrests down when seated If any of those apply - count on paying for an extra seat. And, sorry, but that doesn't mean you get an extra carry-on bag. It's one bag per passenger, not per ticket. Plus, you're carrying on enough already, according to United.

Still, they're not the first to tack on the hefty fee for overweight passengers. Southwest and American have been doing it for a few years. The difference is that those airlines try to work it out by reseating passengers next to an empty seat if the flight isn't full. Sounds like United may be pretty strict about their new rule, though. What do you think?

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Airlines
        

We spent a ton of time answering your tax questions here at Consuming Interests, and we're happy to do it. Eileen shared last-minute filing tips and ways to avoid tax problems and I compiled lists of free or cheap Tax Day treats to help relieve the pressure. But some tax scofflaws haven't paid millions in taxes in years (although there might be ... other reasons why they haven't written their checks).

Doesn't it make you wonder whether filing a tax return has to be so stressful in the first place?  

Well, it turns out even Ordinary Citizens can make a difference.

Join the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, because they still need volunteers from Maryland. (There are only two Marylanders serving right now). To qualify you need to be a U.S. citizen, pass an FBI background check and, not surprisingly, be current in all your tax obligations. As well as commit to hundreds of hours of service.

If that seems too much, you could also pose a comment or suggestion to the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. 

But what if you're having problems right now?

If you need help with your taxes and haven't been able to resolve it through the normal procedures, the National Taxpayer Advocate, or her counterpart, the Maryland taxpayer advocate, might be able to help. The advocate, which I first learned about on a recent Marketplace Money, also help draw attention to systemic problems with the tax system.

Read her most recent Congressional report about the biggest problems facing U.S. taxpayers.

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer Web Site of the Week, Taxes
        

It’s hard to be optimistic about lots of things in today’s recession. So when the Employee Benefit Research Institute conducted its 19th annual retirement confidence survey, it’s not surprising that our optimism hit a record low.

The 2009 survey released today found that 13 percent of people said they were “very confident” of having enough money for a comfortable retirement. Last year, 18 percent expressed such confidence — which also was a record low since they survey started asking the question in 1993.

Workers say they plan to work longer and work in retirement to pad their income. The survey found that 28 percent changed their retirement date in the past year, and most of those expect to work longer to boost their nest eggs. About one in five plans to work into his or her 70s.

The survey also found that people who planned to continue working in retirement for extra cash rose to 72 percent this year. Just over one-third of retirees actually have a job in retirement.

The median age that people expect to retire is 65, the survey found. The median age they actually retired: 62. Nearly half of retirees said they left employment earlier than planned.

Among current retirees surveyed, only 20 percent — another record low — expressed high confidence of a financially secure retirement. Just two years ago, 41 percent were highly confident that their retirement would be financially fine.

Altogether, not a very optimistic picture. And it appears that what planned for retirement, doesn't quite fit reality. What do you think?

EBRI's survey is based on 1,257 phone interviews conducted in January.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Retirement
        

Maryland's General Assembly has finished its work, but there doesn’t seem to be very much passed to help consumers.

The House overwhelmingly passed a credit card bill that would prohibit card companies from raising your interest rate if you were late on another bill. But it didn’t gather much steam in the Senate where it languished and died. (Legislation is pending in the U.S. Congress to strengthen consumers’ protections on credit cards.)

Johanna Neumann, state director of Maryland’s Public Interest Research Group, tallied up the wins and losses for consumers this session.

Among the wins:

Creating a mandatory mercury recycling program for cars and trucks.

A commitment to move toward a paper record so voters can verify their cast ballots by 2010.

 Among the losses:

* $70 million cut in energy efficiency and clean energy programs.

* No advancement on public financing of elections.

* No phase out of certain toxic chemicals used in consumer products in the state.

Ah, well, there's next year.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection
        

Tax Day discounts, deals and freebies are popping up all over.

We told you about free McDonalds coffee on April 15, as well as free Tax Day ice cream, Cinnabon Bites and massages.

You can also enjoy cheap or discounted meals on Wednesday as well.

Check out these tips: 

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants are offering special $10.40 entrees as well as a $10.40 dinner certificate for a future visit. P.F. Chang's China Bistro is taking 15 percent off food and drink bills on April 15, according to the banner on its Web site. And T.G.I. Friday's will give away $5 and $10 Bonus Bites cards on April 15, depending on how much you spend  (via Baltimore Restaurant Examiner).

You can also get a large pizza with three free toppings for $10.40 from Papa John's now through Wednesday, April 15 by ordering online and entering the promo code "1040". (via Baltimore Holidays Examiner).

The Frugalista Files shares this tip: save 15 percent at Walgreens.com through April 20 with the code TAXED at checkout.

Posted by Liz Kay at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Taxes
        

After a woman suffered second-degree burns at a nail salon when a heated bowl of acetone caught on fire, both the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists as well as the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health program have launched investigations.

It's not clear whether there were any violations at the Nail Studio, in the 5400 block of Reisterstown Road --- a March inspection revealed no problems --- so let's reserve judgment on the business for the time being. The shop was apparently using a small appliance to heat the solvent to remove artificial nails, and other salons also heat acetone, according to one Twitter reader.

Still, be sure never to heat acetone in the microwave or put the container of acetone in a bowl of warm water, or, because it is very flammable. Some people cover fingertips with cotton balls soaked in acetone and wrap fingertips in aluminum foil to retain body heat to encourage the tips to come off using body heat alone, recommends Hannah Lee, editor of Nails magazine.

The incident is a good opportunity to review some basic salon safety tips:

* Check the license: Newsweek says you should look for licenses for both the salon and the cosmetologist to be publicly posted. Ensure that your salon professional's name matches the one in the license, recommends WebMD.

* Cleaning between clients: both Newsweek and WebMD say to watch the stylists and technicians to ensure that they're disinfecting between customers. Here are the Maryland sanitation requirements for beauty salons, esthetician regulations and nail technician services.

* Consider the tools: some tools such as emery boards can't be disinfected and thus should be tossed between clients, according to Newsweek. You can ensure that you're getting clean equipment by bringing these items along with you.

* Save the shave: don't shave until after a pedicure, according to the Newsweek article, because shaving creates tiny cuts in your skin, giving infectious agents a chance an opening (literally).

And no matter what, trust your judgment and say something or cancel the service if you're not comfortable with the conditions, recommended Lee of Nails magazine. 

(photo: Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)

Posted by Liz Kay at 6:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Consumer safety, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Free massages on Tax Day might help you relieve some of the stress of finishing your return by the April 15 deadline. Add that to the list of Tax Day freebies some companies are offering in 2009.

The makers of HydroMassage beds recommend you make an appointment ahead of time for a free Tax Day massage at the participating fitness center or chiropractic office nearest you. Check out their Web site to find locations. People remain clothed for the 10-15 minute session on the beds.

Can't make it on Wednesday? Never fear ... 

... I checked the Web site of one participating location, the Gold's Gym in Dundalk, and found out it is advertising free massages all month (until April 30) to show off their new bed.

And don't miss the other Tax Day freebies we told you about last week, or these Tax Day deals and discounts.

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal
        

First Priceline. Then Expedia. Travelocity. Then Orbitz. Now they're all on board with what I call the booking fee bailouts. It's a temporary move for most (through May 31) that some travel industry insiders say could become permanent as the sites battle it out for your business. The changes mean you won't have to pay the usual $7-$12 fee on airfare tickets. Yay. Well, wait a minute. I don't care. Why? Because I prefer to book my flights directly with the airline.

Priceline did away with their air booking fees a couple years ago and I'd make an exception for them because you can find good deals. Travelocity and Orbitz have good vacation package deals, too. But if you're just looking for a flight, I'd skip the middle man and go directly to the airline. (Note: Several airlines, including American, United, Delta and Northwest, have major stakes in Orbitz.)

That's not saying I don't use Travelocity or Orbitz for research, because I do. I also use SideStep. Kayak. And Vayama for international trips. There are occasions where these third-party sites will offer a fare that you can't find at the airline's site. And sometimes Travelocity or Orbitz will come up with options that you may have never thought of, mostly for international travel. But in general, I say do your homework and then book your flight with the airline.

UPDATE: An Orbitz spokesperson points out that the airlines no longer have any ownership stake in the company. My mistake.

AP Photo

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 9:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

It's that time of year again. When rental car companies work to shift their fleets from southern areas of the U.S. to the northeast for the lucrative summer car rental season.

Bestfares.com points out this deal from Hertz, which is offering an economy car rental for just $14.99 a week - or $3 per day if you don't want to keep it that long - provided you drive the car out of Florida and drop it off somewhere else.  Where? Pick a city. St. Louis. Dallas. Phoenix. New York. Baltimore. There are some exceptions: no drop-offs in California, Iowa, Nevada, West Virginia, Oregon or Washington state.

This is a quick offer though - you have to book by Sunday using the code 1WAY for travel through June 30.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Rite Aid, Barnes & Noble and Naturalizer coupons to use this weekend or beyond!

* Save $5 off $25 purchase with this Rite Aid printable coupon, via Spoofee. Expires April 30. 

* Take 10 percent off one item online or in stores with this Barnes & Noble coupon, through April 12. Thanks to daddyodeals.com.

* Save 30 percent off online with this Naturalizer coupon code from April 9 through April 12, via MrDealFinder.

* And it might be a little late for Easter or Passover crafts, but check out these JoAnn Fabrics coupons for 40 or 50 percent off a single item, courtesy of shoppingguru.com and stock up for next year. Expires April 11 through 15.

Posted by Liz Kay at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal, Shopping
        

Want free travel? Here's an idea: Get yourself over to tomorrow's casting call for Survivor, the CBS reality show that takes place at really cool destinations around the world. The show has sent contestants to Australia, the Cook Islands, China, Africa, Guatemala, Palau, Micronesia, Fiji, Brazil and many more exotic destinations.

The casting call is tomorrow, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Antwerpen Hyundai, 6631 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville. Each applicant gets two minutes in front of the camera to make their case to producers (If you're lucky, maybe Jeff Probst will see it eventually). Sure, it's a long shot, but it could also be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The only problem with the Survivor mode of travel is that you don't get food or lodging. But, hey, you get what you pay for.

Photo of Survivor: Cook Islands contestants building a shelter courtesy of CBS Television

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I don't like contests. Because I never win. (Mostly what I want to win is an HGTV Dream Home. I know I wouldn't be able to afford the taxes and I don't care. I still want to win.) Anyways, if you're fine with contests and possibly being deluged by the email that inevitably accompany many of these sweepstakes, here's another one: The Big Welcome from Hyatt is giving away 365 room nights to one lucky traveler and one free night to 10,000 lucky people. The contest is open through May 13 and requires signing up for the free membership to Hyatt Gold Passport. You can enter the contest here.

And if you're not only in love with contests but in love with someone else, the two of you could win a free wedding in the Bahamas. All you have to do is write an essay and get lots of people to vote for you. The contest, the Bahamas Bridal Bailout, is open for entries until April 24. Voting begins April 25. I checked the site today and see a few folks from Maryland have already signed up. Check it out.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Save some money when buying trees with coupons, just in time for Earth Day on April 22 or National Arbor Day on April 24.

Tim Wheeler over at the Bay & Environment blog highlighted a few great discounts on trees, including a $25 coupon off the purchase of a native tree worth $50 or more from participating nurseries. 

Then I spotted ...

... a $10 tree coupon through the mayor's TreeBaltimore program. Baltimore and Harford county residents can also download it the tree coupon through the Growing Home program. Trees that are worth more than $25 are eligible for the discount.

Trees help save your money by lowering energy bills and save tax dollars by reducing stormwater runoff, according to Growing Home. 

The state coupons expire on Nov. 30, and the Growing Home coupons on Dec. 31, so you can save them for fall plantings as well. Diana Cohen, the Baltimore County coordinator of Growing Home, said homeowners could even use the discount on balled and burlapped Christmas evergreens that you could later plant after the holiday season is over.

Remember to check each site to see which tree varieties are eligible and to find the participating nurseries, as well as tips on how to plant. Rowhouse owners can even buy potted trees. And there's no limit on the number of coupons you can redeem!

Posted by Liz Kay at 2:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal, Greenies, Home/Real Estate
        

Snap up Tax Day freebies to reward yourself for completing the task by April 15!

We told you Tuesday about free McDonalds McCafe coffee on Tax Day.

But the folks at Walletpop.com have compiled a list of other free April 15 stuff, including:

* enjoy free ice cream at Maggie Moo's, as part of their "e-cone-omic" ice-cream stimulus plan. Try the Maggie Moo's store locator to find participating "treateries." 

* Cinnabon is holding an essay contest about tax woes in addition to giving away free Cinnabon Bites from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 15 at participating mall-based Cinnabon stores.

Should any other deals cross your radar, please give us a shout --- last year there were offers of free photocopies and other tax-related specials.

I'm curious: do these freebies affect your buying habits? Does it make you more aware of these brands or prompt you to find the nearest locations to you? Are you more likely to spend money at these retailers on other items while taking advantage of one of these offers?

And don't forget: send us your tax questions and tune in for our live tax chat at 11 a.m. Friday to get answers to everything from the economic stimulus plan credits and rebates, the first-time homebuyer credit and COBRA. If you've already filed your 1040, you can ask about potential problems for next year, like how to pay quarterly estimated taxes.

Posted by Liz Kay at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal, Shopping, Taxes
        

Put your haggling skills to work in these three situations and you might get what you need for a lot less.

What's the key to negotiating? Be nice, respectful and realistic, said one business owner in a Marketplace Money story about bargaining in retail stores:

She says start by asking if there's any flexibility on the price. And don't forget to smile and maintain eye contact as you wheel and deal.

But where is it wise to negotiate a price? Americans are accustomed to haggling when it's clear there's a commission involved, such as on a new car or furniture. But what about ...

in the doctor's office?

The ConsumerWorld blog posted a link to this March New York Times story about bargaining your medical bills. CBS News confirms that yes, you can negotiate bills with your doctor.

And remember, doctors and hospitals are already negotiating with insurance companies all the time. The fee schedules for procedures can vary widely depending on what health insurer is footing the bill. So, why should uninsured patients not negotiate their bills as well?

And, frankly, it can take months for doctors to get reimbursed. If you're uninsured but can offer even a partial payment up front, in cash ... well, that is valuable to them --- or ask about payment plans. But this is not the place to try to get a price match.

Where else can you negotiate? Jim Wang over at Bargaineering.com recently discovered via Bankrate.com that you can negotiate with banks for a better CD rate. True, not every bank will play, according to Bankrate's survey, but it's worth a try --- especially if you've spotted better rates elsewhere. Ask your bank if they will beat or match the competition's rate. 

And the final place you could negotiate? Anywhere else: with anyone who provides a service or to whom you pay a bill, according to Lifehacker. If you've lost a job or work in an industry badly affected by the economy (*cough*), call up and tell them you can' t afford what you're paying.

Cell phone and cable and internet companies may have unadvertised rates or promotions they can offer you. Home contractors and wedding vendors and travel companies (hotels, cruises, etc.) may be able to extend some savings to you, because business is slow.

Posted by Liz Kay at 7:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Banks, Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal, Healthcare, Personal finance, Shopping
        

Fatwallet coupon search now lets you sort through the site's great deals to find the discounts you need. It will come in handy the next time you hit "proceed to checkout" and gaze longingly at the box to enter a promotion code. Thanks to Lifehacker for the tip, which points out the search is similar to the one over at RetailMeNot.

I found another useful resource ...

... within Fatwallet's FAQ: a list of coupon site acronyms. If you've checked out forums at Fatwallet or comments at retailmenot, you might think the posters are speaking a different language. Click the link to figure out how to translate the terms if like me you have trouble using context clues to figure them out.

Posted by Liz Kay at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Shopping
        

Baltimore area McDonalds will be giving away small hot McCafés or medium iced McCafé Coffee throughout the day on April 15th.

The free coffee will be at outlets in Baltimore and the surrounding counties of Howard, Baltimore, Cecil, Carroll, Harford and Anne Arundel. Stores that don't offer McCafes yet will offer other types of coffee for free.

You could probably use a jolt of caffeine that day if you're planning on filing your tax return near the midnight deadline.

Also on April 15, McDonalds will be giving out free McDonald's customized stamps at three area post offices in Baltimore, Columbia and Annapolis for the first 2,000 people.

The stamp giveaway starts at noon at 900 E. Fayette Street in Baltimore, 1 Church Circle in Annapolis and 6801 Oak Hall Lane in Columbia.

UPDATED: Don't miss out! Click here for even more free stuff and cheap treats on April 15.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 9:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal
        

Whatever was going on with Southwest's pricing for their new flights from BWI Marshall to LaGuardia - and there was a ghost in the machine - has been fixed.

After receiving a comment from reader Jean, a dedicated Southwest fan, I went back to their Web site moments ago and tried again. This time, the $49 fares magically appeared for both inbound and outbound flights. And for lots of dates in July and August. I used the exact same dates from before - July 28 and 29 - and got a roundtrip flight for $119.20. Sweet. And such a deal.

So to all you Southwest lovers - I love them too, actually - their halo is once again shining brightly. Though I was worried there for a minute. Must have been a glitch in the system.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 5:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airlines
        

Southwest's announcement today about the new Baltimore to LaGuardia flights made me curious about what other airlines are charging for that same route. So I checked out United and USAirways, both of which have nonstop BWI-LGA trips, and their prices were over $200. I was thinking, boy, Southwest is going to eat your lunch, guys. Either that, or airfare along that route is gonna drop like a stone.

So I went to Southwest.com to check out what the total roundtrip cost of their flight would be including tax. I was surprised to find - well, it's what I didn't find, actually. I didn't find the $49 one-way rates. The price was listed at $48 - cool, a buck less - but when I clicked on that fare, I was taken to a new screen which shows a "new price" of $105 each way. $105? Twice the price I was expecting? Not possible. There must be a mistake. But I did it over and over and over again for both July and August and could not get the lower fare to show up.

Now. It is the first day of Southwest's "Hello New York" promotion. It's possible that fares are changing that rapidly due to incredible demand. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. But the $105 each way fare works out to $231 roundtrip, not much better than the other airlines. So what's the point?

UPDATE: So I did finally find a single inbound flight for $49 on July 18, a Saturday. I had been checking weekday flights only since I figured that's when business travelers travel. Go figure. Still, I continue to get a range of prices, which is not that unusual, except when you're launching a big promotion for a brand new route.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 2:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Travel
        

If you’re delinquent on your mortgage or facing foreclosure, you’re likely desperate for any lifeline.

But federal and state regulators are warning consumers against a growing number of mortgage modification and foreclosure rescue schemes that have been on the rise.

Yesterday, the Federal Trade Commission announced it launched enforcement actions against five companies for deceptive practices. Those are:

Federal Loan Modification Law Center or FedMod The FTC accuses FedMod of charging consumers $1,000 to $3,000 in fees but failing to get the mortgage modification relief it promised consumers. It also, the FTC says, misrepresents that it is affiliated with the federal government.

Bailout.hud-gov.us The FTC accuses defendant Thomas Ryan of registering two sites – bailout.hud-gov.us and bailout.dohgov.us – to lure consumers into thinking that they were associated with the government when they weren’t.

Home Assure, doing business as Expert Foreclosure The FTC claims that the company guarantees it can stop foreclosures because it has a special relationship with lenders. It charges an upfront free as high as $2,500, but offers little or no relief to avoid foreclosure, the FTC says. And it won’t give the money back when a foreclosure happens, the agency says.

Hope Now Modifications LLC and New Hope Property LLC, doing business as New Hope Modifications LLC The companies misrepresented that they were part of the federal HOPE NOW program to help homeowners, the FTC alleges.

Besides the FTC, regulators in more than 20 states, including Maryland, are part of a nationwide crackdown on mortgage- and foreclosure-related schemes.

If you need help, you can get round-the-clock free assistance from government-approved housing counselors by calling 1-888-995-HOPE.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

You got questions about your April 15th filing or the economic stimulus package or anything else in the monster tax code?

We'll get you answers.

Participate in a live online chat with Jim Dupress of the IRS on Friday at 11 a.m. on this blog. You can submit questions to Jim then, or post them now in the comment section and the answers will be posted on Friday, too.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Taxes
        

No, not Long Island. Closer. Beginning June 28, Southwest is putting to use those former ATA slots at La Guardia that they paid more than $7 million for and opening up flights from Baltimore to New York and Chicago to New York. According to the Washington Post, Southwest will offer three daily nonstop flights for $49 one-way in a bid to gain more business travelers.

Just doing the math reveals the potential for packed planes. Roundtrip on the Acela, a popular mode of travel from Washington or Baltimore to NYC, is upwards of $200, typically. So for $100 plus tax, you can get there for half the cost and in half the time, minus the inevitable flight delays. Now you also have to add 30 minutes for the $20-25 cab ride into the city, whereas Amtrak drops you off in Midtown. (If you travel light, I think MTA buses also serve LGA, with transfers to the subway.)

Maybe it's a case of the tortoise and the hare, but either way, Baltimore travelers have another option on the table for the Big Apple. Bus, train or plane - take your pick.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 5:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airlines
        

If you haven't seen the latest customer service study, airlines in 2008 gave their best performance in four years, according to researchers who analyzed Transportation Department statistics to come up with the annual Airline Quality ratings. Surprised? I was. But then I kept reading to the part where it says the 2007 ratings were the worst in a decade, so essentially - compared with last year - the airlines had no place to go except up.

Passenger complaints dropped from 1.42 per 100,000 in 2007 to 1.15 in 2008. Airlines did a better job of handling luggage, getting you there on time and also making sure you had a seat (less bumping). Good for them, but there's still room for improvement - I'm talking about you, American Eagle, losing nearly 10 bags per 1,000 fliers, the worst of any airline. And only three airlines were on-time more than 80 percent of the time - and just barely.

So, congratulations to Hawaiian, AirTran, JetBlue, Northwest and Alaska - the top 5 airlines in the study. Now back to work.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airlines
        

Maybe not today - but one day this week when the sun comes out or even next weekend, you can make a break for fun at one of the region's many theme parks offering a sneak peak of their summertime fun. Most parks don't open for daily hours until May, but a few have a short window of opportunity during spring break or on weekends in April. Check out what's new at the parks here.

And while this isn't a new idea, it's still a good one: if you're headed to a crowded theme park, beach or even the mall and want to make sure your kid doesn't get lost - other than having eyes in the back of your head - you can try Spot Me I.D., a fun series of lanyards, bracelets and temporary tattoos.

You write your cell number on the items along with your kid's name and if they happen to wander, at least they're tagged! Of course, this doesn't replace keeping tight grip on the wee ones but it is a small comfort. And it's been given a seal of approval from the blogging moms over at Traveling Mamas.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Travel
        

Improve your home's energy efficiency and save money with tax rebates and credits while feeling more comfortable, too.

Sun columnist Jacques Kelly invested $260 in a home energy audit and spent about $3,000 in improvements to shave $75 off his monthly energy bill.

But he and others who invest in their homes could enjoy tax rebates and credits on home improvements like new windows or doors, which Consumerworld.org reminds us about. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act, homeowners are eligible for tax credits for up to 30 percent of the cost of insulation, efficient hot water heaters and more. The maximum for these improvements is $1,500 for purchases between Feb. 17, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2010. 

With construction slow, it might be a good opportunity to negotiate with contractors for this kind of work.

Plus, Jacques says he gains something else that's just as important as saving money: "I might also have a more comfortable home," he wrote. 

UPDATED: Check out more info on energy-efficiency improvements and tax benefits in Jay Hancock's column.

Posted by Liz Kay at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Energy/Utilities, Greenies
        

The April 15 tax deadliine is fast approaching. If you have any nagging questions before filing your 1040, get your answers here on Friday, April 10.

Join us for a live chat then with Jim Dupree of the Internal Revenue Service at 11 a.m. Jim will spend an hour on the blog answering your questions.

You can post your questions during the hour, or submit them in advance here in the comment section.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Taxes
        

The Pikesville Target was cleared to reopen Friday morning after Baltimore County environmental protection inspectors determined that the store had resolved a severe rodent infestation.

WBAL-TV reported Thursday that the Target had closed due to rodents.

Baltimore County environmental protection officials ordered the Reisterstown Road store to close Wednesday after an anonymous (anonymouse? hee) tip about the problem led them to discover rodent carcasses and droppings throughout the store, said Jonas Jacobson, the Baltimore County environmental protection director.  Pet and human food containers were also chewed open, he  said.

... Target company officials contacted Baltimore County to find out what steps were necessary to resolve the problem, Jacobson said.

The store developed an integrated pest management plan with pesticides and traps and cleaned the store, removing affected products. 

The Target is inspected twice a year, and no problems were detected during a January visit, Jacobson said.

The store was expected to reopen on Friday afternoon, a Target spokeswoman said.  

If you need a laugh, the readers over at Consumerist have some wonderful one-liners about this unfortunate situation.

Posted by Liz Kay at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer safety, Food, Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Walgreens is offering free health services for patients at its Take Care Clinics who lose their jobs after March 31, according to Consumer Reports.

It's one of a number of businesses offering help to people who lose their jobs, although most are designed as encouragement to make a major purchase, such a new car, suit or airline flight.

Here's who is eligible: 

... free coverage is available through the remainder of 2009 for any existing Take Care clinic patient who loses his or her job – and health benefits -- on March 31 or thereafter. Individuals who visit a clinic from here on out – and subsequently loses their job and benefits in 2009 – are eligible for coverage, too.

according to Consumer Reports.

To learn more, call 1-866-Take-Care (1-866-825-3227) and press 3 for Take Care Recovery Plan information.

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

On our request for tips to cut dry cleaning costs, Joni and Ray started discussing "green" dry cleaning. I'm wondering if it's really worth it.

It seems like it's tough to determine which cleaning process is truly "green", according to this New York Times article about 'green' dry cleaning. Anyone advertising "organic" cleaning may be pulling a fast one, since the most toxic chemicals used for dry cleaning are technically organic (meaning carbon-based) compounds.

I'd ask some tough questions before paying a premium for a dry cleaning service that's advertised as environmentally safe.

Based on Joni's suggestion, I called Sparks Cleaners and discovered ...

... they use GreenEarth Cleaning, with a liquid silicone solvent. According to the New York Times article, little is known about the toxicity of liquid silicone but it is potentially less toxic than the perchloroethylene (known as PCE or "perc") used by traditional cleaners.

Mostly, perc has the biggest impact on people who have had a long exposure to perc (typically people who work in the industry) and it's not clear what impact low levels of perc will have on humans or animals, according to Treehugger.com. Consumer Reports recommends airing out your dry-cleaned clothes before bringing them inside your home on this list of indoor air quality tips. 

Posted by Liz Kay at 6:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Try this Sports Authority coupon for $25 off a purchase of $100 or more, valid through April 4, whether you're stocking up for spring or summer sports or just need a new pair of sneakers or workout gear. Read the fine print to find a code valid for online purchases as well.

 Thanks to twitter user willyredeemed for sharing the tip.

Posted by Liz Kay at 4:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal, Shopping
        

The Colonial Williamsburg Summer Saver special is a good bargain for traveling families. For $599 (plus tax), a family of four can get five days and four nights at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites, plus - and this is the really good part - breakfast daily, admission passes to Colonial Williamsburg, a $200 resort credit (say what!) good for use at the spa, the golf course or restaurants, and a 20-25% discount on evening programs and some stores. Parking is free and so are the shuttle buses to/from the historic area.

I haven't had a chance to go do the hard math and I'm not sure I even need to. I know that normally, a 4-night hotel stay, including admission passes, is probably close to $500. So it's the $200 resort credit that really tacks on the savings.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Be sure to check out Recession Tales, The Sun's look at how people are cutting back during these tough economic times. They'll be archived on the Riding Out the Recession page (just scroll down).

Take a look at the story by Patrick Gutierrez about golfers who are saving cash but still hitting the links and Bill Ordine's story about families cutting costs of athletic gear.

I'd missed this story ... 

... about repairing your old clunker/hoopty rather than buying another one, new or used.

And as always, we'd always like to hear about changes you're making to adjust to this new fiscally conservative era. It's cool to be cheap! 

Posted by Liz Kay at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal, Shopping
        

Don't get taken to the cleaners by your trips to the cleaners, whether you're just dusting off your interview suit or packing away your winter sweaters and coats.

The easiest way to cut dry cleaning costs, of course, is to limit purchases of clothes that require it. Other items, such as cotton or cashmere sweaters, could be hand-washed carefully and rolled in a dry towel to squeeze out excess water, according to Consumer Reports' laundry guide.

But what about the stuff that's already in your closet?

Some items with interfacing and lining, like suit jackets, require the sans-water treatment, according to Consumer Reports.

So, kind readers ...please share tips about which cleaners in your community offer discounted services, perhaps on low-traffic days of the week or for large loads.

(photo: Elizabeth Malby/Baltimore Sun)

Posted by Liz Kay at 5:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Budgeting, Cheap/Frugal
        

Need help paying your utility bills? Consider stopping by the Energy Assistance Expo in Laurel tomorrow. Here are the details:

The Community Action Agency will hold an Energy Assistance Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Resurrection of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, 8402 Brock Bridge Road, Laurel.

Low-income residents in need of help paying their gas and electric bill can apply for assistance at the expo. Aid is available to households with a monthly income ranging from $1,516.65 for a single resident to $4,141.65 for a family of six.

Applicants need to take photo identification, proof of residence, copies of Social Security cards for all family members, income verification, name and account of their utility supplier and last bill.

Information: 410-265-4103.

If Laurel is too far to travel ...

... here are directions from the Fuel Fund of Maryland for applying for energy assistance.You could also contact the state Office of Home Energy Programs or by calling 1-800-352-1446.

Posted by Liz Kay at 4:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cable/Satellite/TV/Comcast/FiOS, Energy/Utilities
        

Give a hand to Jackson Hewitt’s Mark Steber, vice president of tax resources, for answering this round of questions:

Q. I qualify for the 2008 tax credit, which you must pay back. If I sell my house before the 15 years are up but I do not make a profit on the sale, do I still owe the balance of the loan?

A. If you sell your house to someone not related, you must repay the lesser of the credit recapture remaining or the gain on the sale of the house. For example, you bought your house for $75,000 in 2008 and sold your house for a $7,000 gain 2009. The credit recapture, the amount you will pay back, is limited to $7,000 ($7,500 credit minus the $500 profit).

Q. My parents took out a line of credit against their home in 2006 to purchase a condo. The condo is paid off and the mortgage is against their house. Two years later they added me to title, but I was not originally on the loan or the purchase. Now I am getting ready to buy a home. Am I still considered a first time home buyer since I have never even applied for a loan?

A. You do not qualify for the first-time homebuyer’s credit because you owned a home within the three years prior to purchasing a home.

Q. I have a question. My income was $90,000 in 2008. My boyfriend's income was $60,000 in 2008. We are buying a single-family home for over $100,000 together in April 2009. Is there some way we can do it where we can each claim half of the income tax credit ($4,000)? Neither one of us has ever bought a home. I'm wondering what our options are for getting the tax credit.

Here is what I have thought of. 1) My boyfriend gets the entire $8,000 tax credit. However, that feels unfair to me!

2) What if I put $15,000 or so into my 457 DCF plan in 2009 to reduce my taxable income down to $75,000? Then would I qualify for half of the income tax credit on my 2009 tax return?

A. You are correct. The credit can be split anyway you wish. The $75,000 phase-out is applied to each taxpayer so your boyfriend is eligible for the entire credit amount allowed him and you are in the phase-out range for the credit amount allowed you. If you put the max contribution into your retirement account and your income is no more than $90,000, you would not have to reduce the eligible credit under the phase-out rules.

Q. I own the home my boyfriend and I have lived in since 2005. I want to sell this home to both he and I as we love this home. He is a first time homebuyer. Would this qualify for the $8,000 tax credit?

A. As long as you sell the house and he is the purchaser or co-purchaser, he would qualify. If you just add him to the loan or the title, he does not qualify for a purchase.

Q. I bought a house in 2006 and got married in 2007. My husband lived there for 1 1/2 years, but I never added him to the house. In November, 2008, we sold that house a bought a new one. Would he qualify as a first time home buyer if we file together? What if we file separately?

A. Married taxpayers must both be eligible first-time homebuyers to qualify for the credit regardless of filing status.

Q. My father and my husband are buying a home together. My husband has never owned a home but my father has. Can my husband still claim the credit or not? (Not sure if this makes a difference, but my father will be living in the new home.)

A. If you currently own the home you and your husband live in, your husband would not qualify for the credit since married taxpayers must both qualify for the credit to claim the credit. However, your husband could qualify for the credit if all of the following conditions are met:

• You do not own a home, and

• Your husband and father purchase a home together, and

• Your husband is living in the home as his principle residence

UPDATE: Got more questions about the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit? E-mail them to Eileen.ambrose@baltsun.com before Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, and then tune in at noon on Sept. 8 for her live chat with IRS spokesman Jim Dupree to get the answers.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Taxes
        

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 50 percent off when you rent a car Friday through Monday. The special rate applies to most cars - economy to full-size - and is available weekends until May 20. But here's the catch: the sale is 50% off normal weekday rates. And it's not available at airport locations.

Since weekend rates are typically lower anyways in most places (except NYC), especially at the airport, the savings compared with normal weekend rates is only about 20%. I compared Enterprise rates at a Baltimore location, here's what I found: standard size car was $40.84 per day during the week and $20.42 on a weekend. The weekend rate at BWI Airport was $25. And when I checked CarRentals.com, I didn't find a rate lower than $20.42 for a standard size car, but I did find some rates that were within a few pennies of the Enterprise offer.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Travel
        

Is the recession keeping you healthy? Statistics cited by health reporter Meredith Cohn in her story about the recession being good for your health suggests that people are smoking fewer cigarettes and drinking less alcohol --- perhaps because they can't afford them.

And people drove 3 percent less in 2008 than in 2007, so one could assume some people are walking or riding bikes. Even taking public transportation probably requires more physical exertion than hopping in your own car.

On the flip side ...

What do you think --- how is the recession impacting your health? Are there fun (but not necessarily healthy) habits you're avoiding to save a buck? 

UPDATED: Even more reason to quit ---- Federal cigarette taxes are going up from 39 cents to $1.01 starting today. According to USA Today, the total levy on a pack purchased in Maryland will therefore increase to $3.01 (via Consumerist). 

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Healthcare
        

We've all done it --- stood at the fridge poking at some mysterious product, wondering how long it's been in there and whether it's still good to eat.

On one hand, you don't want to waste food you spent good money to buy, but you also don't to risk the health of your family or yourself by serving it to them.

Still in doubt? Why not check the recommendations over at StillTasty.com? 

Touted by such fine sites as Consumerist and Unclutterer, StillTasty offers guidelines for when to keep some shelf-stable product and when to toss that aging dairy product.

And while you're at it ...

Posted by Liz Kay at 6:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Food, Greenies