Posted by 101livescan on 8/31/13 7:19pm
Msg #482828

Coming soon...opportunities in Pandhandling Nationally

I haven't been idle. Been doing a lot of research, interviewing on the job panhandlers, getting photos, all kinds of verifiable data.

Opportunities abound: No start up costs, sky is the limit, average earnings $50 a day, $30K a year tax free, pay is per hour, make your own hours, flexible dress code, no fax backs or edocs, and job relocation any time you feel like it. You're not tied to your desk, or leashed to your steering wheel. Lots of mobility!

Now, I would say this is a pretty hot niche market, no cell phone or other electronic/PC tools are required, no prior experience, and you can bring your kids, your dog, your husband, Grandma for heavens sake. The more the merrier.

The best part! You can work on your tan, Florida in the winter, most of CA year round. No dress code, in fact, the older and dirtier, the better. Having a back pack with a yoga pad and sleeping pad is a nice touch.

Get your story straight! Rehearse it and know it for best results. Must be able to elicit sympathy from donors in order to be profitable. There are certain tricks of the trade I'm learning about every day from skilled panhandlers.

The numbers of homeless people in all 50 states is astounding, over 100,000 in Utah alone. Many people lost homes, jobs and all their dignity after the housing bust, to foreclosure, bankruptcy, companies folding or relocating to another state.

Interviewing contributors to my guide for panhandling is arduous as their are so many people out there on the street to speak with. Not enough time/energy/resources!

Reply by 101livescan on 8/31/13 7:33pm
Msg #482829

One mo thing. This is not a paid advertisement.

and I meant to write $50/hour, more than we can make on a $50 signing, and SLEEPING BAG, Not sleeping PAD.

Excuse the snafus....going to rest for a while. This is an exhausting task. So many candidates out there.

Reply by JeffC/CA on 8/31/13 7:34pm
Msg #482830

With all your new found knowledge, maybe you can start a NotaryRotary style web site for panhandlers. I'm sure someone here can think of a name for it. I can code/develop it for you. Resources and networking for panhandlers--borrow a dog, phrases for signs that get results, the best locations to set up shop, tag-team strategies and meetups. You get the idea.

Keep us posted!

Reply by Philip Johnson on 8/31/13 7:59pm
Msg #482832

I guess you could find a market for begging bed bugs.

How this has anything to do with notary work, is beyond me, but the poster seems to be oblivious to the "discuss work" heading.

Reply by Robert522TX on 8/31/13 8:25pm
Msg #482834

Pick Pick Pick...where's your sense of humor? n/m

Reply by Philip Johnson on 8/31/13 10:08pm
Msg #482843

According to the poster 100000 people in Utah

are on the outs, now that's a knee slapper eh Robert? Btw if that stat is true that means 3.5% of Utahans are on the down and outs, another reason to guffaw all over Salt Lake City.

If this belongs on this site at all, it should be in leisure, but like the poster I am just a guest on this site.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 8/31/13 8:28pm
Msg #482835

What part of HOLIDAY don't you understand, Philip? n/m

Reply by Philip Johnson on 8/31/13 10:15pm
Msg #482844

What holiday is it, that you follow that finds this

remotely funny? You've spent many a word questioning my humanity towards others, and now you ask me about my understanding of the word holiday?

Maybe "Mrs Potter" you should reexamine your use of the word holiday. Hey I got an idea. On 11 November, why dont' you come up to the Portland VA and we'll throw fireworks around the PTSD center, for giggles. What a grand time we'll have.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/31/13 8:33pm
Msg #482836

Re: I guess you could find a market for begging bed bugs.

Last time our industry had a slowdown (after the "mortgage meltdown"), there were lots more posts on here dealing with arm chair philosophising (sp?) and whatever humor we could dredge up. I suspect we'll be seeing lots more of that in the near - and perhaps not so near - future.

Sometimes it's what helps folks get through one more day - and when there isn't as much work going on, there isn't as much "discuss work" stuff to talk about. Personally, I'm OK with that, but obviously not everyone will agree, and I think that was probably true last time, as well.

Reply by Kat2857/CA on 8/31/13 9:50pm
Msg #482842

Ok, you just never .................

who that pan handler might be. Be kind there really are homeless people. And, there truly are not. Don't judge. You never know with the major slow down it could be you.

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 8/31/13 10:19pm
Msg #482845

Re: Ok, you just never .................

True, sobering indeed. The majority of those aren't fooling.

Reminds me of a time my brother and I were dining out at a D.C. up-district food avenue and a homeless man asks me for food. I was younger then - and completely out of touch - and asked my bro. something stupid, like, "Was he for real?" My brother gently gave me a "reality check;" I gave the homeless man my box of leftovers.

Even some well-to-do friends sometimes get on my nerves complaining about what they've had to cut back on since the economy became so rough; and I'm thinking, "yea, but look at the house you live in. Poor you, can't dine out or see the movies as much as you could before; or canceled your gym memberships. Some others we know are choosing between healthcare and food or trying to find steady jobs or affordable housing.

My nieces spent time with Grandma a couple of weeks ago before school started for them and I was shocked at how kids have the idea that all revolves around them. We were going shopping, and of course, the pack backs weren't the right, this, that or other. Pleaasse! I told them when their father and me were their ages we didn't get a new bag with each school year, nor could our parents afford to let us be so picky. I adore these girls, but by the end of their visit, I'm going, "There is a reason why I decided not to have any of those."

I had that "reality" chat with them. Of course, they stared blankly and had no clue what Aunt Michelle was talking about. Sigh. We'll have to try again tomorrow.

btw, to any having to live the nightmare of homelessness, they might see the post in bad taste; but I know that is not what her point was

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 8/31/13 10:39pm
Msg #482846

Backpacks! n/m

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 8/31/13 11:08pm
Msg #482847

It was just 3 short years ago that we were facing

foreclosure and had no idea about where we we could afford to live. Hubby was out of work. That was very scary.

Reply by Robert522TX on 9/1/13 12:18am
Msg #482849

Re: Ok, you just never .................

That's right...her intent was not to slam anyone at all
No need to be so "heavy handed" ....
I'm sure many of us have gone through some hard times in our lives, and no one is trying to "make light" of someone in a bad situation, so don't try to act like they are.

Reply by Kat2857/CA on 9/1/13 12:37am
Msg #482850

Robert

If your post was directed at me "Heavy Handed" , I only made the post because she HAS made comments on it before. Enough so that I wanted to comment on it. Period.

Reply by Robert522TX on 9/1/13 12:39am
Msg #482851

Re: Robert

Not directed at you; don't disagree with you at all.
I just think that Cheryl was not trying to start anything, and there was no need to try and make an issue out of it.

Reply by Karla/OR on 9/1/13 12:58am
Msg #482852

Thank you Kat! n/m

Reply by 101livescan on 9/1/13 7:50am
Msg #482854

In the final analysis

I takes a whole lot less energy to be positive than to dwell on the negative. I suspect there are a whole lot of people out there these days who have nothing else to do now but to wait for the phone to ring, nothing, all day long at month end, and are focused on the negative instead of the positive.

Reply by Cheryl Elliott on 9/1/13 8:02am
Msg #482855

In the final analysis

It takes a whole lot less energy to be positive than to dwell on the negative. My point is that panhandling is a growing occupation. Homeless is on the rise. Especially in states that were hard hit by foreclosure, bankruptcies, job losses.

I'm currently in the process of locating a hotel venue for a group of 8-10 guests, and I hope I'm fortunate enough to choose a hotel that doesn't have bed bugs. If any one can tell me how I can be assured there are no bed bugs at a select hotel, I would love to know that. Of course, the hotel sales director isn't going to make that assurance, right? They want to sell rooms. How can I make sure the rooms are "bed-bug free"?

Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone, and if you have work be grateful.

Reply by 101livescan on 9/1/13 8:05am
Msg #482856

Oops. Fingers not awake yet.

Well, it's earlier than I thought. My first cup of strong Italian roast isn't enough to be posting.

Waiting for the sun to come up so I can resume my yard work. It will be cooler today so maybe I can get more done today! Too hot yesterday!

Reply by LKT/CA on 9/1/13 8:21am
Msg #482859

Yep...panhandlers can make good money!! n/m

Reply by CJ on 9/1/13 10:12am
Msg #482861

I see a connection between this thread and notary work . . .

. . . we might all wind up panhandling in light of the work slow-down.

I live in a ethnically diverse neighborhood. I would say about 50% white, 50% Hispanic. I few blacks, and a some Filipinos. But ALL the homeless I see are white.

I was homeless once. I had a boyfriend (whom I was living with for 5 years), and he was PROMISING to marry me, but really kept putting me off. I had a secretary job. One day, he found someone cuter, and dumped me. He threw me out and changed the locks. I was crying at work all day (many days). They fired me. I was so devastated about the boyfriend, that I didn't care. I wanted to die. I lived in my car. I trusted this guy completely and now I had nothing. (My car was an '84 hatchback.)

It was summer and I was getting and unemployment check of about $500 a month. (a old neighbor let me send it to her mailbox.) I slept in my car, and I would give myself a sponge bath at the grocery store every night. I ate cold cans of soup, fruit and granola bars. All I did was cry. My extended family situation was complicated. My parents would not take me in (they were both remarried and I don't think the step parents wanted me around with all my crying and drama). Since I had been living with this guy, I had cut off all my church friends. When I tried to re-connect and get help, they said I had been "turned over to the buffetings of Satan" and they didn't want to give me money or a place, because no one really knew me. I didn't need money. One friend asked his roommates if I could at least park my car in his driveway to sleep (for safety), but they said no. But really, what could anyone DO? All I did was cry. It was I would wander through the mall or hang out at the library. I did not look homeless.

I finally met another guy who said I could live with him. (He was living with his mom, who was elderly and needed care. It was her house, but she needed his help. He didn't want sex, but he was lonely and an outcast, so he gave me the bedroom and he slept in the couch. It worked out for a while. I was happy to be "loved" again, so I started to get on my feet. I got a minimum wage job at a retail place. He turned out to be a yeller, and I knew I could not be with him forever (he wanted to get married, but I was not sure), so I got another job out of town and left him. It took a few years.

I straightened out because I said to myself, "What am I doing wrong that gets me into all this trouble with guys? Why can't I sort out the good guys from the bad guys?" I went to 12 step groups (because they were free) and I figured it out. I never did do drugs or drink, but I was using guys as a drug. I learned how to stop that, and rely on myself.

Now my sister, after living with her lying guy for 15 YEARS (and not insisting on getting married), has left her guy. No one in the family ever liked him. He literally has millions, but he treated her like a pet. (The "bird in a gilded cage"). He always told her it was "just like being married", and "it's just a piece of paper" (But he is a smart business man, and he always got signatures on any paper that has to do with HIM). Anyway, now she does not have a DIME, and I said she could live with me. (I know that no one else in the family will help her.) She is going through it, just like I was: crying, no job, and no idea what to do. But already, instead of figuring out how not to make this mistake again, she is throwing herself at the next lying looser. I SEE what she is doing because it's EXACTLY what I was doing. But she can't see it because she is already addicted to the next guy. When she moved in, she said (while crying), "How did I do this AGAIN? How did I get trapped AGAIN? Do I have 'STUPID' written across my forehead?" She won't listen to me and what I learned. Instead, she tarts up and goes out to see him. I don't want to throw her out because then she WILL be trapped with this new guy.

I changed my thinking and my dysfunctional behavior, and now I am happily married to a guy who LOVES me, and not USING Me. And I have my notary job.

I don't know why I told everyone all of this. I guess I meant to say, not all homeless people are addicts. I've been there. It's hard to get out of. It took a lot of poor life decisions to get there, and once you are here, it's hard to wise up and change it, since they can't usually figure out how it happened in the first place.

The guy who took me in is now homeless himself, and has been living in his car for a few years. His mom went into a care facility, and he kept yelling at work and losing his jobs. His rich brother (a programmer) says he can't help because he has a wife and a family. Come on: you can't fix up the garage? I know he does not do drugs or drink, but like me: his family is not there for him, and the church is not going to just hand him money all the time (but I am very glad that a local pastor is keeping in touch with him.) And he can't figure out how he got into that mess (yelling), so he can't fix it. I send him money once in a while. I think he gets some government help.

Thanks for listening.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 9/1/13 10:22am
Msg #482862

Re: I see a connection between this thread and notary work . . .

TY for sharing CJ, sometimes it takes a moment to tell a story to free yourself. Also I appreciate, respect and admire you for taking responsibility and moving forward. Sometimes we have to hit the bottom of the barrel before we can start the climb up. Your story proves that although the road can be rough sometimes the rewards are huge. Maybe your family realized the issues, maybe not but I have to wonder how much longer it would have taken you to change within had someone constantly picked you up. You are proof positive that where there is a will there most definitely is a way.

Reply by 101livescan on 9/1/13 10:50am
Msg #482863

Carolyn, I have total admiration for you!

I am happy you shared your story, CJ. I know another notary who became homeless in 2008 when she lost her job and the housing/liar loans debacle was in full swing. She lived in her car with her dogs and slept at the Santa Barbara Mission parking lot, where other homeless women slept at night. There were no toilet/shower facilities so everyone had to take care of these needs before they pulled into the parking area, and they had to leave by 7am.

This lady was on 60 minutes, in People magazine and made all the local newspapers and TV 6oclock news. People on this board donated generously to her cause. She was 65 then. .

I've never been homeless, yet, but it is a total possibility if I slip on a hillside, get into a car accident, have a stroke or any other unforeseen, unplanned event, at my age, could be rendered incapacitated and my family would willingly and lovingly see to my needs (hopefully), unless they couldn't themselves. It could happen to any of us.

If I had known about your dilemma, Carolyn, you wouldn't have been homeless. I would have helped you too over the rough spots.

I admire your work ethic and your perseverance, as I know one title company who thinks you walk on water. I'm glad you're in a better place and married to a good man.

Have a wonderful weekend, CJ, and thanks for sharing your experience.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/1/13 12:27pm
Msg #482866

I remember that story, Cheryl, and if memory serves me

correctly it was you that had posted about her dilemma & some of use made donations to help her situation.
I've come close to ending up homeless. I had an abusive husband, and was forced to leave my home several times because of his threats. I was looking at homelessness straight in the face. In the end, I refused to leave my condo because I knew what was out there. I have health issues, but thanks to this biz has been able to keep things going the last 8 years.
We never know what anyone is dealing with.
What get's me about the new breed of panhandlers is that most of them are young & able-bodied.
I have too much pride to allow myself to stoop to that level.

Reply by 101livescan on 9/1/13 5:07pm
Msg #482876

Barbara Harvey, Surviving the Recession in AARP Magazine

Barbara is 72 now, living in a home, thanks to many of you who donated to her cause. Most of you gave anonymously.

http://www.aarp.org/work/retirement-planning/info-11-2011/surviving-recession.html

She's been there done that. Barbara was completely down on her luck. Honda even stepped up to fix a factory defect mechanism on her SUV, which was her home for a while.

The point of my original post is that there are many people who aren't homeless but are panhandling and making just as much money as some notary signing agents! Fathom that.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/1/13 5:37pm
Msg #482878

Glad to know she is doing ok. Things happen to so many

people, and women are always especially vulnerable.
I wouldn't know the exact figures, of course, but I'm sure panhandling is very lucrative. You earlier mentioned $50/day & I'd think they're pulling much more than that. I'm a Christian & always believed in giving, but I'm no sucker. I don't have any problem ignoring the new breed of panhandlers. Our local laws don't make it illegal, either. Frankly, I think it should be. IMO, it's a public nuisance.

Reply by CJ on 9/2/13 6:49pm
Msg #482979

Re: Carolyn, I have total admiration for you!

Hi 101 Livescan.

You are so sweet, but I was a basket case back then. I just cried and I was hopeless. But it's good to know that there are people out there, like you, with a big heart. I'm glad the Mission let your other friend stay at the Mission. That is really nice.

I was thinking, in a way, being homeless made me stronger. I used to be afraid of being kicked out by a boyfriend, which just got me groveling. But now I'm like, "Treat me bad: I got my toothbrush and I'm outta here". (But I don't need to say that, now that I am with a good man.)

Thanks also for letting me know that someone thinks I walk on water. I'm glad I'm doing something right and it's paying off.

Reply by rolomia on 9/2/13 6:28am
Msg #482922

Awesome posts/replies to this thread. I AM impressed!

I was once homeless, too, for a brief moment, back in 1991-1992. I never pan-handled, though. I never even thought to do so. It's not my personality type. I'm very introverted. I was homeless b/c of my own ignorance/lack of wisdom. At the time, I wasn't very savvy with my money. It was completely my fault. I probably would have been paying more attention to my money if I hadn't allowed foolish emotions to interfere with common sense.

At the time, I had thought that I was in love with a neighbor who later became my friend. She was in an abusive relationship with a man who she claimed was spending their income on drugs & alcohol. Since we had the same landlord, I helped pay her rent. I also helped with her utilities. Eventually, they were able to get back on their feet. I guess he sobered up, a little.

She did eventually leave him. But, she was never very good at relationships, having been married 4 or 5 times. Once I realized that she didn't respect me as a person nor appreciate our friendship, I quit calling or visiting her. In a way, I sobered up, if you know what I mean?! I never did drugs nor smoked nor drank. But, SHE was like a drug to me, she WAS smoking hot and I drank in her beauty, every time I saw her. She eventually died from lung cancer. I do still miss her. But, I don't miss ALL the drama. JMHO

Reply by CJ on 9/2/13 6:55pm
Msg #482980

Hi Rolomia - I TOTALLY relate.

Hi Rolomia: the guy who I was with who resulted in my homelessness, I believe I was addicted to him. I did everything for him, and nothing for me. I got involved in 12-steps, because it was free help, and I realized that I was treating "falling in love" like a drug. It took me a long time to turn it around, but I TOTALLY understand what you are talking about.

And like other addictions: the addiction takes all your time, energy, and money, and it return, instead of giving you the payoff, it destroys your life. Gotta get clean and sober, one day at a time, even from the drug of infatuation.

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 9/1/13 3:18pm
Msg #482871

Re: I see a connection between this thread and notary work . . .

You are a courageous lady, CJ! I know you're very Glad you didn't "settle."

You told this heartrending experience in your *own* words; a candid account (the only thing "heavy handed" was the message). It did what it was supposed to do: Make one Think.

Congrats for getting it - the "connection," that is

Reply by CJ on 9/2/13 6:56pm
Msg #482981

Thanks NVLSlady :) n/m