How to make money by panhandling
When you think about panhandling you probably picture the homeless or the desperate. A white collar professional wouldn’t engage in this. If you think the answer is “No,” here’s a story for you. Joe’s Story
There’s a man that panhandles near my workplace and I walk by him almost every day. He asks for money while standing on the corner with his dog. The sign on his door simply reads “Need Money.” He is not scary and always polite. He has been there for nearly a year. I must admit, I was curious about him. He seemed like a decent, intelligent guy — not what you would expect from a panhandler. One day, my curiosity won out and I asked him if he’d talk to me for just a moment. He agreed. Joe is the name I will use for this article. I don’t know his real name (don’t say anything). I was surprised to learn that he had been an engineer. He was laid off two years ago, and soon got tired of job searching and filed for unemployment. His business didn’t grow as fast as he had hoped. He realized that the 9-to-5 grind was not for him during this period of unemployment or underemployment. He tried to find other jobs, but was unsuccessful. My Conversation With Joe
“I loved being outdoors and meeting people. I liked being able to set my own schedule and work when I wanted. The freedom was wonderful.”
“But you don’t make much money, do you? The freedom was wonderful.”
“But you don’t make much money, do you? “How can you survive on this?” I asked.
“In a good tax-free year, I make around $55,000.” Because I pay everything in cash, there are no taxes. This job is close to being equivalent to $80,000 per annum. I live in
. I don’t think it is a bad way to live. I just have to buy my own health insurance.”
Wow. I didn’t know panhandling was so profitable. “What do your neighbours think?” I inquired.
They don’t have a clue. Joe replied, “I tell people I’m a self-employed and they assume that it is in my previous profession.” The kids are okay with it. My wife is just happy that the money comes in.” My wife is just happy that the money comes in.”[here he named a neighborhood in town that’s not super wealthy, but it known for it’s well off residents]”Will you ever go back to a real job?” I asked.
“Probably someday. It’s fun now, but it won’t last forever. “When the economy improves I might try to restart my business.”
I asked, “Why the dog?” It’s cute, a mutt. He is very loving and friendly. He is friendly and loving. He’s friendly and sweet. People love to talk to him. After they pet the dog, people end up giving money to me. It’s like they’re paying to play with the dog.”
(Personally, I think there’s a sympathy thing going on where people think he can’t feed the dog so they give money, but Joe didn’t admit to this and I wasn’t there to push him into confession. Joe said that successful panhandling depends on having an attractive lure. Offer something other panhandlers do not. Joe has a dog. There’s also the window cleaner. On the news, I saw a guy who would tell you a joke if you gave him money. Another person I saw will read you a Bible passage. Joe told me of a former counsellor who gave advice. I asked Joe about the oddest thing he had ever received. Since not everyone gives money, I was curious.
“I’ve gotten food, gift cards, dog food for the dog, handmade crafts, and bags of toiletries. The tools were the most bizarre. The guy got out of the car and pulled this old toolbox from his trunk. He handed it to me. He claimed to have found it while cleaning out the garage of his father. He gave it to someone else because he didn’t want it. I thought it was funny, but those tools have come in handy.” I thought it was funny, but those tools have come in handy.”
Should You Take Up Panhandling?
If you want to take up panhandling, here are some more tips from Joe.
Don’t lie: Don’t put up a sign saying you’re homeless if you’re not. Do not say that you have six children if you do not. You can ask for money, but people are free to say no. Don’t be rude or hostile: If you get pennies or a small amount of money, do not make rude comments or flip the bird. Say “Thanks” or “Have an enjoyable day” and then move on. There may be restrictions on when and where you can panhandle. You might also need to register as a licensed begging. Dress well but not too much: you don’t want people to be scared off by your appearance. If you appear too nice, people may ignore you and assume that you don’t need money. Joe says that jeans and tee-shirts make good choices. Ask politely if the person will donate and then leave it there. You can give away liquor at Christmas if you receive it (it does happen). Cash is great, but other things have value so don’t turn anything away. Cash is great, but other things have value so turn nothing away.
Never panhandle when drunk or high: Not only is it illegal in many places to be publicly under the influence, it scares people off and may make you say or do something that can get you in real trouble.
Panhandling isn’t for everyone and there are some questionable ethics involved in pursuing this when other options as available to you. Not to mention tax. One could argue that someone with a degree and the ability to work shouldn’t panhandle. But I could also say that many educated people should not be doing their professions. Joe has the right to panhandle in a free-market economy as long as he doesn’t force people to give him any money. I don’t think Joe has a right to panhandle. On the one hand, I believe he should find a job. On the other hand, I think that as long as he is making money, enjoys what he does, and doesn’t harm anyone or do anything illegal, there’s no problem. It’s like starting any business. It’s like any other business. You do what the people want and they pay you. I would never have imagined that panhandling would become a career. But it is.
