BEGGING FOR $100 A DAY

Near the end of the holiday season, when thousands of well-intentioned folks had shared their good fortune by donating to dozens of charities, there was a story about a man claiming to be homeless who held up a pleading sign near I-55 in Cape Girardeau and took more money from even more well-intentioned folks.

"Homeless. Need help. God bless," the sign said. The man said his take averaged between $75 and $100 a day. Not bad for a down-and-out man who plays on the emotions and sympathy of motorists.

When it comes to giving, it is probably better to know a little more about your intended beneficiary or the charity to which you are contributing. In the end, panhandlers who can rake in more than $35,000 a year by holding up a tear-jerking sign probably don't need that much help in the first place.