World Busines and Finance news

Only about a quarter of the responders to last week's Business Pulse survey are giving more to charities this year.

We ask, "Are you giving as much to charity this year," and 26 percent said more, 23 percent said less, 40 percent said the same amount, 5 percent said they had stopped giving anything and 2 percent said they did not know.

Some of your comments:

• "Same percentage of my income as last year, but that's more total $$."
• "Increasing the amount because it is required. Otherwise I would donate less."
• "Maybe not as much to charity, but lots more to political campaigns."
• "There is not as much money to go around. Costs are higher and we have kids in college."
• "Nonprofits need it more than ever and I will be giving more."
• "Most charities will need more; those of us who are lucky enough to have a job and their health should give more."
• "No cash, unemployed, but I will still clean the garage and visit Goodwill."
• "No free credit report instantly. 1 charity has to be me and I don't foresee any crumbs falling from the table this year."