Saturday, June 9, 2012

How Much Does a Panhandler Really Make?


You've heard the stories, man panhandles and then someone sees him jump into his brand new BMW and drive away. Woman panhandles and someone followers here to her $500,000 home in the suburbs. A couple in Oregon make up to $800/day panhandling in a Walmart parking lot.

There are people that really believe people get rich panhandling. Like anything in life there are always those extreme examples but more often than not the people you see panhandling are not living the good life and I'll tell you why.

First let me explain how much money a panhandler can expect to make. When I'm panhandling I can expect to make between $15 to $30/hr. The average is closer to $15 than $30. Some days I have really good days. Some days I panhandle all day and barely make $60. Other days I make $10 in 2 hrs before I'm chased off by the police.

When you are panhandling you can't expect to make a certain amount of money. You will get disappointed. You can't expect people to give you money because once you do you get letdown. When the average person goes to work they pretty much know how much money they are going to make by the end of the day. With panhandling this is impossible to figure.

Just because I make about $15/hr standing in a desirable location in Seattle doesn't mean you will make $15 in Boise, ID. Location is everything. Ideally, you want to be in a high-traffic location where cars are going to have to stop if you're flying a sign. Off-ramps are ideal but are patrolled by cops often. Most states have laws banning panhandling within 500 feet of a freeway. If you are willing to risk the citation you can make decent money off a highway. I don't recommend it unless you are really desperate and you have a lookout.

You want to panhandle where there is some money but not in such a wealthy area that the cops are going to harass you. In general wealthy people are not as generous as your average blue collar worker. You also don't want to panhandle in the ghetto because it's dangerous and people aren't as likely to have anything to give you. You will also be competing against more ruthless and aggressive panhandlers in those areas.

The most money I ever made in one day was $250. This was Black Friday right across the street from a major mall and I made that money in a little less than 4 hours. Once I made $250 I decided not to press my luck and just call it a day.

The most money any one person has ever given me was $100. This happened on 3 different occasions, twice near Christmas. I have heard of other panhandlers getting over a thousand dollars. I once saw a couple get a used car from someone. It was actually a decent little car. I also saw someone give another panhandler an RV. These are very rare occurrences. On average most people give between $2 and $5.

It's all really a numbers game. When a person gives me a $20 bill that makes my day but I know that all the little donations add up quickly. I don't get mad if someone only gives me a dollar. At the end of the day it's all money.

There are some reporters that have dressed up and went undercover to work as panhandlers. Most of them made very little money. I believe the reason why is they usually only panhandle an hour or so at most. It's impossible to get an accurate picture of panhandling in the amount of time. Also, there is a skill or a method to panhandling. Unless you get lucky you have to know what locations are best, time of day, how to maximize donations, ect. It's not a simple as putting on some grubby clothes and holding out a cup.

On the flip side of that you have people that exaggerate how much panhandlers make. These people usually have their own agendas because they want your donations to go to them and not the guy on the street. They see the panhandler taking money out of their pockets. These organizations are usually churches, homeless shelters, soup kitchens and so-on.

The real answer is somewhere in between. You also have to remember, most panhandlers don't panhandle for 8 hours a day. Most just panhandle to get what they need, whether that's a drink, a fix, food, or bus fare. Some panhandlers will panhandle until they have $5 or $10 and call it a day. Most won't panhandle all day. It's nearly impossible to panhandle for 8 hours straight. You have to deal with the elements, the cops, other panhandlers harassing you, and exhaustion. It's not as easy as it looks.

Bottom line is this, most panhandlers are not getting rich. Some are homeless and some are not. Most of the ones with homes are struggling to get by. Usually they are collecting Social Security and they panhandle as a way to supplement their income. I have yet to meet another panhandler that is driving a luxury car. Does it happen? I'm sure those people exist but they are the exception rather than the rule.

37 comments:

  1. The best article about Panhandling! My experience is even less money but I only panhandle in Northampton MA and that's a small city but open minded which also mean tons of competition. Anyway good article!

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  2. Why spend your time panhandling when you could use it to make yourself more employable? This country was built off of people who knew that cash was not going to be handed to them and chose to make a buck instead of an excuse. Regular panhandling is pathetically unAmerican to a point that is far far beyond words.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Some of us are disabled and don't get enough from SS to make it month to month...We do the best we can. Please don't judge someone who you know nothing about. I pray no one is ever in my situation and has to resort to this.

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    3. Some of us are disabled and don't get enough from SS to make it month to month...We do the best we can. Please don't judge someone who you know nothing about. I pray no one is ever in my situation and has to resort to this.

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    4. Trying to fill the gap while waiting on social security I am trying to not become homeless while also trying to manage a very disabling disorder. If you can't help, please don't judge. I am doing the very best I can with what I have.

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    5. you trolls are funny! Let's get to REALITY......you are just letters on a screen, typed by some fat, lonely person, if a dude, you sit with your keyboard resting on your pot belly, as you eat taco bell delivered to you( but you didn't tip) dropping cheese and lettuce all over your sweat ridden dirty white shirt, cargo shorts with black socks and sandals, waiting to get a hard on from your kiddie porn window shrunk in the corner, or someone to CRY over your latest, heartless comment!


      If you are a woman, you are sitting there with your tablet that your skinny husband (Because you horde all of the food) bought you for Christmas with his bonus, kids in the other room (Because you can't use your trolling time to spend any QUALITY time with them) as you fill yourself into believing that ONE DAY, your husband who works overtime to get away from you, will be able to afford to move your family into a apartment with a pool for you to troll by, because the one bedroom trailer isn't cutting it anymore!
      So taking your shit lives, and conjuring up the next trolling comment putting someone else down, and focus on the flies that swarm your fucking bubble because you can't get to talking that shower you have been meaning to take since you started reading this blog yesterday morning!

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  3. Some of the homeless people are felons having a hard time finding work because a lot of companies will not hire convicted felons. So panhandling is the only way of getting money for some of those people. Don't be so quick to judge, get your facts first.

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    1. Well put. I've seriously considered panhandling after losing my full time job over 2 years ago, endless job searchse, only 2 interviews in 2 years, I lost my home, my car and my self-esteem. I'm so depressed but I did find some free counseling. Which is great-but it doesn't put food in your mouth or pay room & board. :(

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    2. Well there's a lesson to be learned then isn't there? DON'T BE A FELON! Actions have consequences. Someone once told me "if you're going to want what you want, you'd better want the consequences".

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    3. The American justice system was meant to make free men when they pay the consequences for the crime they did in the form of incarceration, not a lifetime of discrimination.

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    4. You don't even have to be a felon to be condemned by employers. Misdemeanors considered "crimes of moral turptitude" like shoplifting can leave a person jobless or underemployed for many years. I served deferred adjudication with no conviction on a shoplifting charge 7 years ago and am still failing background checks... for WASHING DISHES, because a charge is looked at the same as a conviction by employers. I was even denied hire for delivering pizza in the 'hood... you know those people don't even tip!

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  4. Sounds easierthan getting up at 7 on the morning to collect cans. Sounds easier than washing dishes. Sounds easier than having to shave and put on(after buying )a uniform. Sounds eadier than having to punch in 40 + hours a week. Yea...I don't think its easy. As far as someone not getting a job based on their record...society has paid to clothe, feed and give you shelter..now we have to pay again because you've made poor decisions?

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    1. There but for the grace of God go I. You've never been in a felon's shoes or so I assume, and neither have I. That doesn't make it okay to let them starve or not have shelter after they've paid their debt to society. Pretty cold.

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    2. Dale Carnegie reference? How to Win Friends and Influence People? =)

      I'd be curious to the author's thoughts on handing out food and clothing instead of money?

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  5. We are all one dire situation away from being on the street. This comes from a 50 something who works for a struggling company. If they go under, I would be out of a job and basically unemployable because of my age. Would I panhandle? Probably not, because I am too timid, proud and lazy. And I have family and others to help. Not everyone does.

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    1. The best job I ever had I got at 53. Worked there until I retired. Earned $28 per hour, 10% retirement, health and dental and flexible hours when I got sick. 50 is not too old unless you don't have any skills.

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  6. I am an older (55) woman, disabled and unable to work most jobs but ineligible for disability, living with a roommate who makes twice as much money as I do but has now stiffed me for his share of the rent twice. I work a part time job because that's all that's available to someone like me. And I'm about an inch & a prayer away from being homeless. I've never accepted charity or been on welfare in my entire life. But, I'm seriously considering panhandling as a second job because I am going under fast and there's no life raft in sight...

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  7. i find small towns30k n under to be quite productive when i fly signs in them. the police are usually cool with me being there cause they know i ain't gonna be there long

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  8. Since When is Begging Considered a Job?

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  9. Some people panhandle because they have a real hard time getting along with others. For example, social anxiety disorder. This person has a hard time being around others all day while panhandling is a 30 second interaction.

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  10. You know? For a homeless guy, you write pretty darn good. I think everyone is different, and different people panhandle for different reasons. I've never had the desire to do it. I've always had a good job, and I am now retired. But, I must admit that I have wondered about the different people I've met who are panhandlers. All I have to say is good luck. We are all different.

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  11. Best place to panhandle is on Park Avenue in the 50's You can make about $85-120 a day during Holiday Season From Thanksgiving to New Years ... it will slow down a lot after the

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  12. Poor excuse for a man , you call him? What makes you a good excuse ? A man wouldn't slander and bully another man when he is down, . a MAN would lift his fellow MAN with ideas to help, encouraging words to boost his esteem and motivation .
    So I ask you again , what makes you a good excuse of a man? I don't see one for you .

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  13. I have been homeless for 10of the past rt 12yrs I will fly a sign and I love screamers they no clue!vone day I putvup the following sign homeless ADHDv/Bi-Polar corporate sales executive available. Nobody said a word nor gave a $. Nobody can judge me nor can I judge but to those that won tr tr I've I don't want to be you when God ask why?

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  14. I am 61 and unable to find employment. 3 more months before I can apply for Social Security. I can't stand for extended periods so that negates jobs such as McDonald's or Home Depot. I put in at least 3 resumes per day at my local library. My rent is $500 per month, car insurance $60, food, etc. So I have to stand on a corner and fly a sign. I hate it but there it is. I am a vietnam vet and I need help. I have the VA fr healthcare but that don't pay the rent. Just saying. I do odd jobs here and there and I get by. It's a tough life but there it is.

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  15. You need to read your bible dude because you know nothing about life. I'll pray for your soul.

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  16. I am too ashamed to panhandle even if I was broke. 95% of people ignore you and don't acknowledge your existence and pretend you are invisible!! So tell me what is so great about panhandling and having everyone ignore you?

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  17. I'm 65 yr old woman, grandma, mother, sister, daughter. Big loving family..but not much wealth to go around. My daughter(31) and I were sharing a rental house. She worked I cared for her 2 young girls. She recently moved her' boyfriend'(46)in, who lives off of us for free!
    He tells her he's Uncomfortable around me and my little dogs, so she booted me out! Yes, homeless am I! Iam gonna go stand on the corner tomorrow to get enough money to put my things in storage!! Merry Christmas Ya'll♡♡

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  18. There is a guy who is always at an intersection in my area. He looks 60, but being homeless is hard, so he could be younger. He mutters to himself and acts like he hears voices. He stands out there in all weather and it honestly looks exhausting. I'm not sure what else he could do, though I do think he self-medicates with alcohol. I know he is homeless because he was asking around our neighborhood if anyone had a shed they'd let him stay in when the weather is bad. He is not committing any crime and I don't think he could do any other type of job with the issues he has to face.

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  19. I MAKE GOOD MONEY ,I HAVE A SIGN SAYING,NEED WORK ANYTHING WOULD HELP.EVERY TIME THE LIGHT TURNS RED I MAKE 2 OR 5 BUCKS.ITS GOOD MONEY .TRY IT OUT.BRET

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  20. Wow you kiss your kids with that nasty mouth??

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  21. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

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  22. My husband and I travel for work and there are a few times that because of drastic rising gas prices that our cash doesn't take us as far as we need it to. We are not drug addicts or homeless just in need of some help to get us where we need to go and it's usually not much (usually one to one and half tanks). So take into consideration people's situation because you never know. How would you feel if you ran out of fuel and had no help and no cash? Quit judging.

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