Do you want my blood, too?

Apparently my business isn’t enough. Have you noticed the increased presence of beggars in businesses lately? And by beggars, I mean the staff trying to get you to give money to charity.

Hey, don’t get me wrong, I’m all about helping those in need, but it’s become ridiculous how many “extras” we’re suckered into.

At a local fast-food restaurant it’s up-up-upsell. No, I don’t want gravy on the side. No, I don’t want apple pie for dessert. No, I don’t want to donate a dollar to support local schools. I would like my meal if we’re done wheeling and dealing here.

The reason I say no to the donations in these places is because a dollar here and a dollar there from customers is one thing. But now “Restaurant XYZ” makes a generous donation to a local charity and the company is touted as being a saviour, meanwhile it’s the patrons that made the difference. And is this considered a tax writeoff for these places? Might be something to think about.

Again, I’m just as generous as the next person, but with the scare-tactic reports our economy is doomed, I’m going to try hang onto every penny I have for the next little while.

While watching my expenses and cutting costs, I recently cancelled a service I’d had for 12 years. I was an AOL Canada member but didn’t use the service anymore. At the time I subscribed, local Internet companies weren’t common. Rather than cancelling my membership years ago, I scaled it back to $6 per month and the connection would piggyback on my local Internet.

I finally came to the conclusion this was $72 per year I was wasting. To call and cancel, well, that’s another story.

Testing out the response time, calling to sign up for a new account was speedy fast. To cancel, it was a wait and a hassle dealing with the operator.

The operator threw all these, “Did you know that for…?” and “What I can offer you is…” My response? “No, no, no. Cancel it.” Still with a few more roadblocks thrown at me, I kept cutting off the assumed script reader and said, “It’s done. No subscription. Cancel now.”