Charity

Sometimes I'm afraid to give to charity for the same reasons I'm afraid to give money to a person begging on the street. No, not because I can't trust that they'll use the money how they're telling me they will, but rather, once you give to them, acknowledge them, they get all excited and suck you in. In giving to a beggar, this finds you four hours later in an all night cafe listening to them go on about everything (only pieces of which are true and you'll never know what pieces at that). They think if they keep talking you'll keep giving.

I get mail from charitys asking for donations for whatever. I'm reluctant to give for the same reasons. Months down the road from donating a little something my mailbox is full of junk mail from both the charity and those the charity sold my address information to. I guess they think if they send twice as much mail the next year, I'll contribute twice as much. I try to not over analyze how much of each dollar I give goes to actually helping the charity's cause, but it becomes hard not to wonder as I look at the pile of junk mail, if my money simply went to buying more mailing supply, which has now made it back to me. Too bad investments don't run so smooth. Invest in one that tells his investment friends who all decide to throw dividends your way.