Round up for charity?

Doesn't it seem like every time you go to the store they ask if you want to round up to the next dollar or flat out add a dollar to your total for a charity?  They put you on the spot and it makes you feel bad if you don't say yes, as there are usually customers all around who are listening to you.  I want to tell you in this blog post that it is okay to not round up your change and give into the pressure.  Here is my logic behind this:

1) Charity - You should donate to charity.  Find a cause or causes that you are passionate about and donate.  It isn't right to donate to the cause that the grocery store tells you to, unless you know about that organization and you feel comfortable giving.  For example, I always give at Pet Smart (in addition to other charities), as I know about Pet Smart Charities and their adoption services that they offer.  I don't really like the way they ask for money, the little credit card machine lights up and says "Do you want to donate to homeless pets?"  I would be a jerk if I didn't want to help homeless pets, but I would stick to my guns if I didn't know about their charity.

2) Change - Save your change!  When they ask for it, it makes you look at it as though it is worthless, why not donate 59 cents?  Because If you save that 59 cents, it really adds up!  We paid for a flight from Las Vegas to Chicago with maybe 6 months worth of change.  That is why they ask for it, as it adds up really quickly.

3) Pressure - You don't need to feel guilty about saying "no" to the cashier, they are required to ask every single person.  Very rarely have I been told that which ever cashier gets the most money they win something, and usually they were giving something with the donation.  If they do tell you it is a contest, don't give into the pressure (unless you really like the cashier), as you work very hard for each penny you earn.

4) People in line - Don't judge others or worry about being judged, I have so many friends who are so free with charity donations yet refuse to do it in a store.  You have no idea if the person in front of you just donated $100,000 to a charity, so don't judge them for not donating 25 cents!!

5) Write Offs - It is so much easier to write off one lump sum (to a charity you respect) than 50 receipts for 37 cents!  I don't know if everyone will write off their grocery store donations, but if you make them save your receipt.  (Which could become a lot of receipts!)

I am not saying charities at the store are bad, just be smart about how your give your money and don't succumb to the pressure.  Recently, South Park addressed this in their show and it was a hilarious take on this very same issue.


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