Rumors and urban legends have told us for centuries that beggars and panhandlers make more money than most blue collar workers around the world.
I decided to take a page from the Sherlock Holmes story, "The Man with the Twisted Lip," where Holmes encounters a man who gives up his career as a journalist to become a beggar because he can make more money that way. During a weak economy, as a journalist, I put the myth to the test and investigated the financial significance of the untaxed change cup.


I grabbed a sweat shirt and ripped a nice hole in the collar. Threw on some vintage, black, acid wash jeans and slapped some blue and white acrylic paint on the legs and pockets and put on some old black Reeboks. I used an old Papa John's, mesh, trucker hat as my collection plate and I set out into the streets of midtown and downtown Savannah.


As far as expectations go, I based my predictions off of some estimates that others have made.

Michael S. Scott, the director of the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, says,
"Estimates vary from a couple of dollars (U.S.) a day on the low end, to about $300 a day on the high end. Women, especially those who have children with them, and panhandlers who appear to be disabled tend to receive more money."


I didn’t want to fake a handicap, so instead I went to a few gas stations and used introductions like, "Hi, I am trying to get a bus ticket back to Memphis, any change you could spare will help me out a lot."
"Hello [ma’am/sir], God blesses you on this beautiful day. I am trying to get something to eat for my son and myself, if you could spare any change I would be gracious. I will pray for you regardless."
"Got change? Spare Change?"
"Help me get back on my feet; I need money for some clothes for a job interview."


The differences in the opening lines, as far as citizens reactions are concerned, were minimal. Most people pretended they couldn't hear me, while others shook their heads or said, "No, I'm sorry."


All photographs are from wordpress.com; Boro News takes no credit for these photos.

However, the money did add up. Of every 10 people I asked, an average of 2 would give me something. Sometimes a dollar, sometimes $2, most times pennies and nickels. But after 4 hours I had collected $29.23, not far from minimum wage after tax.

In a study of Toronto panhandlers conducted by Robit Bose and Stephen Hwang, panhandlers reported a median monthly income equivalent to US $190-$200. The authors also noted that some panhandlers were making that amount in just one day, but not a good representation for the average beggar.

I was making more than that at the rate I was going so I went back into the streets for 3 more days. After the 4 days I have collected $143.27. I spent an average of 4-6 hours panhandling, Friday through Monday.







After 17 hours, I averaged nearly $9 an hour, un-taxed. For the current struggling unemployed, begging may seem like a good idea, yet most obviously it is not.

Panhandling is protected by the freedom of speech; on the other hand, being on private property and panhandling is illegal and trespassing and leaving you at risk of getting shot or beat with little to no consequence for the property owner. Even further, the disgust, frustration and seemingly hair trigger tempers of the individuals I encountered while begging was enough of a deterrent in itself. The myth that panhandlers drive BMWs and live in nice apartments from panhandling is absolutely false. There is no guarantee of money as some days I made less than $20 while on one day I made close to $60.

The money I made was immediately handed over to a well respected homeless shelter in Savannah who chose not to be mentioned for their involvement in the report.



Kayvon Gerami