Should New Residents Contribute Equally to Community Funds?
Acknowledging building workers' helpfulness is always appropriate and welcome. But should all residents pay the same amount?

Q. A few days after I moved into my new apartment, a neighbor came around collecting from all the tenants in our small building for a retirement gift for the longtime janitor, who was apparently very popular. He said everyone was chipping in $200. I told him that I hadn’t met the man and, as a new tenant, hadn’t benefited from his service over the years, so I declined to contribute. Now the neighbor is telling everyone I’m a cheapskate. In fact, I’m quite generous to service workers, especially those who go the extra mile to be helpful. Who’s right on this?
See Also -- QUIZ: How Much Should You Tip?
A. Your position makes sense and is ethically sound, and your neighbor was out of line in saying anything negative about any tenant’s donation, whatever the amount. People have different means, and $200 isn’t chicken feed. (Don’t I recall an episode of Friends in which Ross faced this dilemma?) Your neighbor should also have contacted the previous tenant of your apartment—who did benefit from the janitor’s services, perhaps for a lengthy period, and should have contributed to the retirement kitty.
That said, it would have been diplomatic of you to make a small contribution as a neighborly gesture; after all, even new tenants get some benefit from the tidiness of the building under the retiring janitor’s watch.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
A similar quandary is faced by new tenants who move in at year-end and are approached to make a contribution to the employees’ holiday fund. An ideal solution is for them to make donations that are proportional to the amount of time they were residents of the building.
I’m pleased to hear that you are usually generous when you tip service employees, especially those with a genuine ethic of serving others. Many service workers are paid a small hourly wage and depend upon tips. Acknowledging their helpfulness throughout the year, and especially at year-end, is always appropriate and welcome.
Have a money-and-ethics question you’d like answered in this column? Write to editor in chief Knight Kiplinger at ethics@kiplinger.com.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Knight came to Kiplinger in 1983, after 13 years in daily newspaper journalism, the last six as Washington bureau chief of the Ottaway Newspapers division of Dow Jones. A frequent speaker before business audiences, he has appeared on NPR, CNN, Fox and CNBC, among other networks. Knight contributes to the weekly Kiplinger Letter.
-
Is Trump's Tax Plan Speeding Up the Looming Social Security Funding Crisis?
Social Security Social Security's combined retirement funds are running out of cash, and its insolvency date is expected to occur in less than a decade.
-
How to Keep Your Work Friends After You Retire
Work friendships can boost teamwork, lift your spirits, and make the job more fun. But when you retire, these friendships can fade. Here's a look at why that happens and what you can do about it.
-
Planning to Sell Your Home in Retirement? Downsize Costs Along With Space
Budgeting In this hot real estate market, consider the costs of buying and selling a house along with the expenses associated with your new digs.
-
Retirees, Make the Most of Your Home Equity
Budgeting A home equity loan or home equity line of credit may be perfect for your retirement finances. But don't delay; a fee increase is coming.
-
Choosing an Active Adult Community
Budgeting Smart tips to help you find the right place for you to land in retirement.
-
Credit vs. Debit Smackdown!
Budgeting Kiplinger.com general manager Robert Long joins the podcast to debate the merits of credit and debit cards. Plus, hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey break down strategies for paying off student loans.
-
Ways to Protect Borrowers From Predatory Home Lending
real estate Land contracts drain low-income communities of resources.
-
5 Financial Matters to Consider When Moving to a New State
Budgeting Whether you're relocating for work or another reason, take these financial and tax strategies into account before packing up.
-
Should My Neighbor Be Allowed to Turn His House Into a Short-Term Rental?
real estate It's a debate that is raging in all of America’s major cities.
-
Should Tear-Down Plans Be Disclosed by Home Buyers?
real estate When a house for sale is worth more as a buildable lot than as a small, outdated residence, expect the highest bids to come from buyers intent on demolition.