Sometimes it can seem like every time you answer the phone you get asked for money. Especially when it's a charity collector, some people find it hard to say no (which is why so many charities operate this way).
 The Simple Dollar suggests a couple of strategies for people who find that they get easily talked into parting with their cash:

• If you like to support charity, by all means go for it. But do it in a planned way - budget your giving for the year, and stick to your budget.
  
• When a telemarketer calls you raising money for a different charity, tell them the truth:

"I've already decided my charitable giving for the year. I'll keep you in mind for next year." Then - hang up!

• Learn to politely but firmly end the conversation - the more you chat, the more opportunity you give to the salesperson to talk you into the sale or donation.

Note that you can add your number to the Do Not Call register to avoid sales calls - but charities are exempt, as as businesses with whom you already have an existing relationship - so your telco can still call trying to upsell you to a more expensive contract, for example.

The Sucker Factor - The Cost of Being Unable to Say No and How to Get Out of it [The Simple Dollar]

US-centric: Next time you miss a call from an unknown number, check if it's a telemarketer on the CallerComplaints web site. CallerComplaints maintains a user-submitted database of telemarketer phone numbers and even rounds up the worst offenders. Registering with the Do Not Call list is your best defence against unsolicited calls, but for those telemarketers still pushing through, CallerComplaints could come in handy.

AU - in Australia the relevant bodies are the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman which oversees telcos/ISPs and the Do Not Call Register

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US-centric: Tired of all those unwanted catalogs jamming your mailbox? Try Catalog Choice, a free service that you can use to opt out of junk mail. Signup is free; once you've created a simple profile you can go in... Read More »