Earning money while homeless is difficult but it's not impossible. Depending on your health, skills, area resources, and circumstances it may be easier or more difficult for you.

What most of the homeless do to get money is panhandle, which is where you beg passersby for money. It may be illegal in your area, so if you do it, you could be forced to leave or get arrested. You will have to research the local laws in your city.

There are many problems with panhandling which is why I strongly discourage it and highly recommend you pursue the other methods on this list.

Ok, so what are the problems with panhandling: 

For starters it looks bad. Unfortunately, a lot of people who aren't homeless will look at those who panhandle as a nuisance. Such people lack sympathy and will say things like "go get a job".

Other people will be reluctant to give money because many homeless will use it to buy alcohol or drugs instead of buying food or trying to change their circumstances.

Another reason is that there are so many homeless and people in need, that there is just no way for those who care to actually help them all.

Then there's another problem. There are people who have been pretending to be homeless just to take peoples' money, then drive off in a nice car and live in a nice house. This increases the distrust people have for the homeless.

The money you get from panhandling is entirely unpredictable as you're relying on the sympathy and generosity of strangers.

When I was homeless, perhaps it was a bit of my pride or my refusal to seek help, but I never panhandled. I had only a few dollars, no where to go, and no way to buy food.

I thought back to my childhood looking for some kind of skill or talent to do something for money. What came to mind was a 5th grade class where I learned how to make a balloon giraffe.

I took the few dollars I had left and went into a dollar store and bought a bag of twisting balloons and a balloon pump. Then I found a location where people were walking by, especially with kids, and started making balloon animals for donations.

I sure didn't get rich, but I was doing something to earn the dollars I got and it enabled me to buy more and keep doing it for months. I watched YouTube videos to learn how to create more things and turned it into something fun and creative - it was so effective people started asking to hire me to do birthday parties.

Creating balloon animals was a lot of work and hard on my hands - especially at parks during good weather when there are lots of kids. But it was rewarding and helped me to earn respect and trust of others.

So I urge you - do not do what everyone else is doing!

So many homeless people beg people offline and online for money - do you realize how many people are in need of help? How do people prioritize the needs of one over another? There are a lot of factors, but earning respect, being honest, and being generous will bring people to you that will want to help you and insist on it.

Take the different road and stand out. Be a good person. Use your skills and talents - everyone has some!

If you truly want to get out of your situation, make money the right way, and get people to respect you do, then do these things instead:

Start a business

Think back through your past and figure out what skills, talents, and hobbies you had. Then try to think of how you can use those in your current situation.

Offer to work as an independent contractor or freelancer doing whatever it is you do best.

 

Day labor

Many cities have day labor centers where individuals can find temporary work on a day-to-day basis. These centers may have a variety of jobs available, including construction, landscaping, and cleaning.

 

Recycling

Some cities have programs that pay individuals for collecting and recycling materials like cardboard, paper, and aluminum cans. These programs can be a good way to earn a little extra money.

 

Street performance

Some homeless individuals earn money by performing on the street, playing music, singing, or doing other types of entertainment. This can be an unpredictable source of income, but it can be a way to earn a little extra money.

 

Online work

If you have access to a computer and the internet, you may be able to find online work through websites like Upwork or Fiverr. These websites offer a variety of freelance and remote work opportunities that can be done from anywhere.

One possible way to earn money is with stock photography. If you have a good camera on your smartphone, you may be able to take pictures and sell them online. If you are good at writing, you can work as a freelance writer.

There are a lot of different online gigs that you could possibly do if you have the right equipment and skills.

 

It's important to note that while these options can provide a way to earn money while living on the street, they are not guaranteed sources of income and may not be suitable for everyone.

It's important to explore all available options and to seek out assistance from local agencies and organizations that can provide resources and support.

 

Disclaimer: The information in this guide provides no guarantees and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice.