The hard-money totals more than make up for recent bans on "soft money" contributions.

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We work hard and earn our money and are forced to make up for the mistakes of others.

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The big aid agencies are gearing up for an appeal, but fear it will be hard to raise money until there is evidence that people are starving to death.

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She decided that the convent should not accept money for Miss Bailey's work, even though it was hard up.

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Several charities have set up the logistics and special deals to turn the old money into hard cash, and hope for an extra euro windfall.

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"For folks that don't need all of the money up front, it's pretty hard to see how they are going to come out financially better with a lump sum, " she says.

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