Would you quit your job if you could make $400/day?

[fskimospy]

I sincerely doubt the average panhandler there averages $50 an hour.

 

[brycejones]

OP digs up a decade old article with cherry picked data and runs with it.

Sounds legit.

 

[hal2kilo]

Would you quit your job if you could make up to $400/day by panhandling?

Judging from this 2008 Associated Press article:



I think it's fair to say that $400 should be possible 11 years later if you're doing it in a rich area. Plus, it's all in cash, so you have no taxes on it. And you're probably also maxed out on all government benefits which provides an additional income stream.

Moved from OT. OP, you have to stop trying to advance your socio-political view on OT. We have a separate forum for that.

Perknose
Forum Director

Both posting problems and panhandlers can be handled similarly. Don't feed the trolls.

 

[purbeast0]

Exactly.

This is non-taxed. So, it's in essence like making $510 a day. 7*400= $2800 non-taxed. In addition, they can do what the hell they want to do. IMO, that's freedom. Freedom is being able to do what you want whenever. The only issue is if they're not panhandling then no money.

The big issue is if they are happy to do it. If so, then that's all that matters.

And you won't have any retirement or health insurance.

I already make more than $400/day after taxes, and I also get to contribute some of that to my 401k and I get free health insurance.

But hey, who needs those. Saving for retirement is not the American way.

I think I'll stick to my day job though.

 

[pauldun170]

...panhandlers outside a Wal-Mart here can make $300 a day

What that mean is they have potential to make $300 on one day. Like a lucky day around Christmas.
They should also mention that they have the potential to make $0 dollars a day too.

So the answer is no.
I would not quit my day job if I could make $400 a day.

 

[nakedfrog]

Not living where the temperature gets below zero in the winter and over 100 in the summer...

I'd find a way to outsource the panhandling. I'd have an army of panhandlers loyal to me through very coercive means. There would be a 20% cut for each of them to keep. I'm just generous like that. A good heart and all.

I saw something in Indianapolis that made me suspect someone was doing this, saw panhandlers, then later in the day, saw someone with a cart that had a few of the cardboard signs in it, one of which I'm pretty sure I saw a panhandler holding earlier that day.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I already make $400 a day and I don't have to stand outside and sweat/freeze (depending on weather.)

So no.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Freedom is being able to do what you want whenever.

Bwahahaha

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I call bullshit I know there are limited stories of people being able to do this at specific locations of a limited amount of time.
I ask all the believers if this were true why don't market forces work for pan handling? Assuming someone could make 50+ or 100+ or 200+k per year doing it why don't more people do it?

 

[Commodus]

An intellectually dishonest question using an ancient article with data that's hardly representative of what panhandlers experience.

The OP is basically trying to wage war against the poor by pretending they're leeches getting rich off of "hard working 'Muricans." If you really think that's how it works: quit your job and try living that way for a month or two. You'd be happy working at McDonald's by the time that stint is over.

 

[Jaskalas]

I'd find a way to outsource the panhandling. I'd have an army of panhandlers loyal to me through very coercive means. There would be a 20% cut for each of them to keep. I'm just generous like that. A good heart and all.

Hey Mister... be a shame if something happened to your cart...

 

[Jhhnn]

Painting the down & out as scammers serves to reinforce that good old FYGM attitude.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Half of ATOT doesn't have the ability to do the job of panhandling. You have to do it outdoors and, you have to interact with the public.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

So searching the article contents finds it's from 2008. Only appears on a couple extreme right wing sites. Seems like something urgent that needs to be addressed.

 

[thraashman]

Would you quit your job if you could make up to $400/day by panhandling?

Judging from this 2008 Associated Press article:



I think it's fair to say that $400 should be possible 11 years later if you're doing it in a rich area. Plus, it's all in cash, so you have no taxes on it. And you're probably also maxed out on all government benefits which provides an additional income stream.

Am I the only one bothered by terrible math here?

 

[Jhhnn]

Cheaters! Scammers! Lazy! They probably live better than I do! Fuck 'em!

 

[clamum]

$400/day? Wow that would be fricking awesome. Even $300/day like the article states is great. But panhandling? Bleh. I'd rather continue writing software.

 

[brycejones]

So searching the article contents finds it's from 2008. Only appears on a couple extreme right wing sites. Seems like something urgent that needs to be addressed.

Where else would the OP have found it?

 

[digiram]

How do you know the panhandler is not a wealthy retired former ceo?

 

[hal2kilo]

Half of ATOT doesn't have the ability to do the job of panhandling. You have to do it outdoors and, you have to interact with the public.

I lol'd.

 

[jmagg]

Begs the question if the 400pr day panhandler doles out to less fortunate panhandlers.
or
Are there conservative panhandlers.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Sure. I'm a corporate America employee. Lost my dignity years ago.

300 per day is a nice pay raise. And no weekends or holidays mandatory.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Begs the question if the 400pr day panhandler doles out to less fortunate panhandlers.
or
Are there conservative panhandlers.

Strictly FYGM, real Americans.

 

[jmagg]

Modern day "Treasure of the Sierra Madre"

 

[nickqt]

If the numbers were remotely correct for more than a tiny fraction of panhandlers, it'd be cheaper to just give everyone a (UBI - Earned Income).

Is this a pro-UBI thread, or a dog whistle that some poor person, somewhere, is getting more than you, rabble rabble rabble angry!