A good way to minimize unwanted intrusions is to always need (or have) what they want from you. The guy calling on the phone, soliciting for rug cleaning or a new roof? "Gee, I wish you had called last week. I just did that!" The guy asking for the 20 buck loan? "Gee, I was just going to ask you the same because I need to buy/pay for XYZ." Be charitable for things that make you feel better for donating the coin.... Booze, sex and drugs ???