Bills – debt securities maturing in less than one year.
Notes – debt securities maturing in one to 10 years.
Bonds – debt securities maturing in more than 10 years.

Municipal Bonds
Municipal bonds, known as “munis”, are the next progression in terms of risk. Cities don’t go bankrupt that often, but it can happen. The major advantage to munis is that the returns are free from federal tax. Furthermore, local governments will sometimes make their debt non-taxable for residents, thus making some municipal bonds completely tax free. Because of these tax savings, the yield on a muni is usually lower than that of a taxable bond. Depending on your personal situation, a muni can be a great investment on an after-tax basis.

The only time I have hit people up for charity money is if they get something in return, like when the kids’ sports team is selling chocolate bars.

For people that can’t afford to donate money or are on a tight budget this is a great alternative and is often more rewarding.

As to the sticky situation:

As someone that grew up with sports teams, we tried very hard to make sure our fundraising efforts were unique and different. This often helped with the ability to speak to people in the neighbourhood for their help. I can remember doing [fill-in-the-blank]-a-thons at school that required us to fundraise – though back when I was smaller, it seemed easier to get this done, and people seemed more willing to help you out from your neighbourhood. Now I make donations directly to the charity of my choice, and only ask people to contribute to 2 charities a year – WWF (something I’ve been passionate about since I was 7, ans I request a donation because I do the CN Tower walk) and either the cancer walk or the arthritis walk. I alternate between these, since my grandfather has beaten prostate and bladder cancer so far, and my mother has psoriatic arthritis. Other than that I try to refrain from asking people for money.

Many different charities means you have a big heart, but makes people uncomfortable because it will seem like you are always asking for money for one thing or another. If you are really passionate about helping, there are many other ways to donate to the charity without requesting money from people – like giving of your time as a volunteer for something for the charity. This will help people understand you really are passionate about the charity, and perhaps prompt unsolicited donations.

With charities, it is staggering how many charities appeal to the schools to help them. We choose 1 a year to support in terms of collecting money and try to vary which one it is each year.

At home I finally learned to say no to the door to doors (unless you know the person – that is much harder). I simply say “I’m sorry, my sister was diagnosed with MS this year and that is the charity we are supporting’.

I would say don’t bug your friends more than twice a year…. they will avoid you permanently.

I also think that asking friends and family once a year is enough. Although, at our work we also do the “put the pledge form on the table” and whoever wants to donate can do so.

I get irate when friends ask me for fundraising money. I never ask friends for money – if I am given fundraising to do for my children I just buy the whole lot myself.

Everyone is in the same situation of having to give money to various fundraisers, and everyone can decide for themselves what charity to give their money to, without feeling pressure from an acquaintance/friend.

I despise being asked at the checkout counter for a donation. I get to explain to the girls why I am not donating (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).

I don’t personally go out and fundraise for anything. For the school if they are selling something that people can actually use I don’t have problems with it (like cheese, or christmas cards). When the neighbour comes by raising funds for the Cancer Society I am definitely stuck giving a donation, but again it isn’t like I don’t agree with that cause.

I had one phonecall at work, raising funds for some kind of cause, and I explained to the man our policies on giving. He went off on a tirade about how unfair our practices were! The company I work for is diligent about giving back to the community, I wanted to get his number and report him, I was furious.