Special offer
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041, Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ  (ReMax Realtec Group)

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Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I get that feeling, as well, Annette. But don't know why I should.

Dec 17, 2015 09:41 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I don't always give but will always smile and acknowledge them. I am sure they don't always give to every one collecting at every store doorway either.

Dec 17, 2015 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

That I have it better than someone else.

Dec 17, 2015 11:16 AM
Rainmaker
530,966
Gary Coles (International Referrals)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

I see so many organizations and individuals -  but I do not feel guilty.  I do what I can.  I volunteer -- we are planning on more times helping feed the needy and handing out clothing.  I know where it goes because I can see and visit with the people who receive things.

I also pick two or three causes to help.  I have always felt good about the Salvation Army, Shriner's Childrens Hospitals, KIVA and deported US Veteranas

Dec 17, 2015 09:52 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I don't contribute to the bell ringers.  I do in other areas of my own choosing and I don't feel guilty.  They are ringing those bells to try and make you give and feel guilty if you don't.

Dec 17, 2015 03:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

You should not feel guilt. You do what you can within your budget and owe no one an explanation nor apology.

Dec 17, 2015 02:17 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

I only carry plastic and they typically don't have a method to accept plastic - so I can't "contribute"...

Dec 17, 2015 01:40 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,113
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Wrong choices are the core. If you become a person of conscience, then guilt has no claim on you. To get to that level, change or repentance is required sort of like cleaning house. Heavenly help takes the reins after that. Begin when ready....

Worthy Note: failure to correct guilt leads to complications known simply as compound guilt which makes it harder for people to see what is ordinarily/easily see-able

Dec 17, 2015 01:36 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

That is part of the allure, but I give a large amount and done

Dec 17, 2015 12:55 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

We can only do so much.  You should not feel guilty.

Dec 17, 2015 09:25 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

I hardly ever carry cash.  I do contribute, but I have a set amount and when its gone that's it.

Dec 17, 2015 08:21 PM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

I walked past the bellringer and then turned around to drop $ money in.

I did feel guilty which is why I turned around.  I had a cartload of food that I did not even check the prices on...I thought of all the people that cannot afford even any food.

Eve

Dec 17, 2015 06:30 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good morning Annette. We can only give so much. If he dropped a dollar in every time we passed a bellringer, you'd drop in a lot.  No need to feel guilty.

Dec 17, 2015 05:27 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Annette. It would be very hard for me not to leave something, no matter how many time I was there, but is no reason the think badly of anyone that doesn't.

Dec 17, 2015 05:24 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I don't feel guilty. I give generously once and whenever I see another bell ringer I smile and hope others are giving generously too.

Dec 17, 2015 04:56 PM
Ambassador
6,392,919
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

No guilt here, I know that I give plenty in my community so for the greeters, I just say hello and wish them a Merry Christmas.

Dec 17, 2015 12:44 PM
Rainmaker
855,474
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Are we giving out of a sincere desire to give?  Or feeling guilty that we should and do not most of the time?

Dec 17, 2015 12:21 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

This reminds me of the way the nuns could make us feel in Catholic schools.

Dec 17, 2015 12:11 PM
Rainmaker
4,935,567
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Boy I feel the quilt if I do not drop in something.

Dec 17, 2015 09:12 AM
Rainmaker
4,160,270
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041  I give as much as I can to the bell ringer. Excellent post.

Dec 17, 2015 08:51 AM
Rainer
417,181
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Salvation Army is perhaps THE BEST charity- management lowest salaries, many volunteer. 

Let yourself free of guilt. When you give pat yourself on the back and smile.

Dec 17, 2015 07:36 AM
Rainer
61,641
Renee Paray
Coldwell Banker Realty - Blue Bell, PA
REALTOR

I do support the Salvation Army, and three other causes. However, I do not donate every time I go to the grocer store during the holidays. I have considered giving a smaller amount so each time I go to the grocery store I do donate, maybe next year. 

Dec 17, 2015 07:24 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Annette,
I give a money and time year round to specific people or causes I know about first hand. Very few people do that to any extent. I consider the bell ringers are to give those who don’t give during the year the chance to help.

 

One source: that most of us would cut off an arm before we would disappoint someone.

Dec 17, 2015 07:00 AM
Rainer
42,670
Fred Hafdelin
Weichert Realtors - Mountain Lakes, NJ

I support St. Judes Children's Hospital when I can. 100 % of anything I contribute will go to the kids and their families not to administrators. If I have a few extra bucks I will give it to the bell ringer. If not, I just keep walking and have no guilt what so ever.

Dec 17, 2015 04:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,156
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Wow, that is a very good question. Do you not want to disappoint people?
I don't think you should feel guilty at all. My favorite saying is 'Give till it feels good, not till it hurts'. And if that doesn't help, look up the CEO salaries of some of these charities, and the percentage of donations that actually make it to the needy. At this time of year, the ASPCA and Humane Society commercials drive me nuts. I do not want a DIME of my donations to make tote bags, T-shirts or calendars! So I donate needed items to our local shelters instead . . .

Dec 17, 2015 02:55 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

You have no reason to feel guilty as you did give.

Remember a nickel giver here and there soon adds up to do;;ars.

Dec 17, 2015 02:55 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,313
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

You should feel blessed to have the ability to help others who are less fortunate.

Dec 17, 2015 02:26 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I carry a bunch of quarters this time of year. It's the thought that counts. If you give generously through the year to other charities there would be no reason for guilt. Could that be the source?

Dec 17, 2015 01:50 AM
Ambassador
2,178,533
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I have similar feelings in those circumstances.  I suppose it comes from knowing the bell ringer doesn't know the extent of giving in other places, times, ways.  

Dec 17, 2015 01:39 AM
Ambassador
5,048,748
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I don't geel guilty as I support a number of other organizations

Dec 17, 2015 01:09 AM
Rainmaker
953,617
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

Though Salvation Army is a good organization I prefer to give to other causes. I have zero guilt passing them.

Dec 17, 2015 01:01 AM
Rainmaker
1,209,215
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Unworthiness.  

Dec 17, 2015 10:12 AM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

If I got change at the store I'll help, I don't feel guilty if I can't due to not having change.

Dec 17, 2015 08:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

You feel guilty because you do not contribute on a regular basis?

I gave at road intersection to homeless cash. Even I know many are fake but they can use the money....

Dec 17, 2015 03:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,878
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

By policy I don't donate to street people (for charity or not).  I want a donation receipt, to make sure it is a 501c3 company and to know where the money goes.

Dec 17, 2015 03:22 AM
Rainmaker
900,108
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Guilt because we don't give enough or because that is the intention of those asking and they are good at it?

Dec 18, 2015 05:51 AM
Rainmaker
32,051
Amelia Robinette
NoVa House and Home - Frankly Realty - Falls Church, VA
Education, Innovation, Service

I commend your attempts at self awareness here, it's hard to face down feelings.

My twinge of guilt in similar situations is that I could do more, but I choose not to. I choose vacations and expensive dinners out, when I could instead give more to the less fortunate.

I give money and time to a number of different causes throughout the year, but the holidays and bell ringers make me think of cold, hungry children. I do think some of that is vestigial of my upbringing and some of it is just reminding myself to reverse the negative guilt thought to a positive gratitude thought. Sometimes you just have to retrain your brainwaves.

Dec 17, 2015 11:40 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,337
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

No guilt, give at my preference and make it count!

Dec 17, 2015 10:28 PM