It’s almost time for the Erin Express, and dozens of other St. Paddy’s Day bar crawls. Are any worth the money? And how can you tell the scammy from the legit? Plz read the words but also enjoy the throwback pictures from 2010 to 2012. inquirer.com/business/erin-…

Millions of Comcast customers have faster download speeds than they did a week ago, though some need to switch their routers to see the full benefit. I swapped out mine, and answered all your questions about the upgrade and internet in general. inquirer.com/business/comca…

“I will always tap my phone before I pull anything out of my pocket.” If you’re a 20- or 30-something who still uses physical cards to pay for things (like I do!), you’re in the minority. Philly consumers of all ages weigh in on how they tap or swipe. inquirer.com/business/techn…

Philly workers said the increased popularity of midday appointments has become an open secret at remote and hybrid workplaces. And if the boss calls during a manicure? “I’m like, ‘Hey I’m getting my nails done, can I call you back in 20 minutes?’” inquirer.com/business/hybri…

At a Philly bar, 150+ will be on the edge of their seats tonight for the season finale of The Bachelor. It's an Eagles game vibe but for reality TV, part of a larger trend that is a weeknight win-win for business owners and connection-hungry customers. inquirer.com/business/phill…

Consumers still love the idea of "earning" a holiday ham just by grocery shopping, and they're reaching spending thresholds quicker than ever due to higher prices. inquirer.com/business/shopr…

Only about a quarter of consumers 60 and older use digital wallets. These Philadelphians who do so can't imagine going back. Paying with a phone or watch “comes easier to us than some of our kids.” inquirer.com/business/baby-…

There's a reason that table for eight or 10 isn't on OpenTable or Resy, say some Philly restaurant owners. “We want all these parties. We just can’t have them at the same time or no one is going to have a good time.” inquirer.com/business/birth…

U.S. Rep Mary Gay Scanlon started her primary morning by voting and then stopping by other polling places in her native Swarthmore.

More volunteers than voters out here at Chester High School in Delaware County. “It’s time to vote. Let’s go!” yells Zulene Mayfield, with state Rep. Carol Kazeem’s campaign, as she rings a cowbell at passing drivers and pedestrians. “No excuse, it’s a beautiful day.”

Some Philly-area parents are spending $20K+ a year on childcare. That's more than in-state tuition at Penn State or Rutgers. The cost is “not the only reason we’re not having any more kids, but it's a factor," said one Delaware County mom. inquirer.com/business/expen…

Childcare costs went up roughly 30% from 2019 to 2023. Parents are left with tough decisions about whether it's worth the money to keep their jobs, reports Erin McCarthy inquirer.com/business/expen…

Also playing into childcare struggles is a shortage of available care, caused by a shortage of daycare staff. Why? Because childcare workers are vastly underpaid, and centers are struggling to give raises without increasing prices for families inquirer.com/jobs/labor/chi…

About 25,500 The Philadelphia Inquirer subscribers, employees, former employees, and employees’ family members on company benefit plans may have had their personal information exposed in the attack last year. inquirer.com/news/philadelp…

La Colombe workers got raises and perks after Chobani bought the company. But will the iconic Philly coffee brand stay the same? with Ariana Perez-Castells inquirer.com/business/retai… via @phillyinquirer

Scammers are "aggressively" targeting Peco's 2.2 million customers, telling them their service will be shut off due to an issue with payments and their new account members. inquirer.com/business/energ…

In the Philly suburbs, consumers are experiencing a rare kind of retail mourning. The upcoming closure of a nearly 73-year-old hardware store feels "like the loss of a family member." inquirer.com/business/small…

The breastfeeding billboards were, for a time, deemed too controversial for Times Square. They're now greeting drivers on the Vine Street Expressway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. inquirer.com/business/lacta…