I’ve worked with people who are having tough times. There’s no more greater proportion of lazy people among those having tough times and need a helping hand than there are in any income stream.

BTW Brendan, I ain’t no guy.

We donate via a foster child

my questions

1. Are there any studies that shows these plans help thenext generation of kids without support?

2. More of a beef, but despite politely asking them not to continue sending glossy ads asking for more money they still do

On the tims and grocery store front. –> who gets the write off fromy $1 donation? If it is the store then I guess I will start my own charity

Likewise, I say to those trying to sell me $100 lotto tickets that if I wanted to give a financial donation, (heart/cancer,hospital) I would do so without helping to fund the winning prizes.

I give significant amounts to charities that I value – to me, it is a significant sacrifice and a significant percentage of my income. I research those charities and reject those who have high management expense ratios. Most of my charities are smaller organizations, including my church, the local food bank, and foreign relief aid and development. I also budget for overpriced food from school fundraisers (meat, cheese, chocolate), and for friends/family members/church members who are raising funds for a charity. I also encourage people to act in compassion towards others, but to do so as they are able.

On 2 different Christmases our family “bought” livestock through World Vision Canada. Much like Brendan’s statement of feeding them for life rather than a day.

Vote for your favourite charity and Best Buy will donate $20,000 to them.

As for sco’s comment….I don’t think governments should have anything to do with charities. There is too much corruption in government to properly distribute such donations. Most people would be quite against a forced charity donation.

No thanks, i’ll pass, and please never consider running for politics.

I prefer to spend my own money.

When he landscaped his yard he approached a local high school to “hire” kids from the sports teams to help with his yard.

He paid them in the 12-15 dollar an hour range for their work.

At the end of the day he saved money and the school teams got a nice check that went directly to the teams that put in the labour.
They purchased new uniforms, and equipment.

Capitalism they way it should work. Those that didn’t want to work, didn’t eat fish.
Those that were willing to work were rewarded.

Sorry, I’m just very skeptical of the need to publicize donations. Seems as though anymore it’s more about the person/entity giving than whoever it is intended to benefit.

We stopped participating in the fund raisers at school too. I do not need more chocolate in this house. Instead we write a cheque every year directly to the school. It’s win win. They get some money, we get a tax deduction and I can avoid the temptation!

When I am asked for personal information in the check-out line, I politely decline. Sometimes, the clerk can’t figure out how to proceed with the transaction or starts explaining the reasoning behind requesting my personal information, so I make up a postal code so I don’t hold up the line. I usually say K1M 1M4 as a friend of mine told me it is the postal code to Sussex drive.