For people living on the road...what do you do for money? I can deal with going without most things, but I can't go without food and the occasional resupply for gear (if stolen or broken). So, how does one make money? Can you get a job without a residence? Is picking fruit, for example, worth the time? I'm not incredibly artistic, so I'm not sure making crafts would be worth the trouble (or the time). This is one of the main things that worries me. I plan to strike out on the road in the relatively near future, but don't know how to get food. Stuff in dumpsters, it would seem, would mostly be perishables, whereas I'd need stuff like rice or something. Any ideas are welcome.
Carnivals. they're everywhere this time of year and they'll hire anybody. One good fair and you're set fo a cpl weeks easy. (note; you can always get a job helping set up or tear down the rides but it's some hardass work for not much money. You're much better off trying to get a job in one of the game booths and working the whole fair. Working for the food vendors or novelty sellers can be a good gig too) Day labor at construction sites; Just walk up to one in the am, ask for the forman and tell him you'll work cheap. Flea markets; get there as the vendors are pulling in in the morning and offer to help set up. It's an easy $20.
These are better tryed in small towns Churches; go to the church office and ask if they have any work they need done around the grounds, or if they have any contractors in their congragation who might be able to give you a cpl days work. AA meetings; find out when and where the morning meeting is and try to get there just before it ends (unless you want to sit through the meeting). Check to see if there are any work trucks in the parking lot (there usually are) and when the meeting breaks up ask the guys headed for the trucks, or hanging out in the parking lot (contractors usually hang together after the meetings) and let them know you need a day or two or whatever of work. Diners; small towns and even some big ones usually have a diner where the contractors stop for coffee or breakfast in the morning. Look for work trucks in the parking lot. Go inside, order a some coffee and let the waitress know your a loborer looking for work (note; it's best to feel the situation out first. If you get alot of dirty looks when you walk in with your gear, better get your coffee to go and try somewhere else).
I lived on the road many , many years back for a few months..... these are all great tips and do , indeed, work
well, i've got some buddies that have been on the road for quite some time, and periodically they'll stop back in for a while. they've been asked this question a million times.....basically they sell/trade drugs at shows and festivals for a large part, but they'll also do things for a few bucks. but basically their philosophy is "life is free if you're willing to fly a sign" if you're in a more leave-it-to-beaver small town or someplace a bit more uptight and conservative, you may do best working for pity saying you're on the road and hungry, out of gas, etc. if you lie, don't be obvious. if you're in a big city, a place with a lot of "freaks" (hippies, ravers, goths, whatever) or just a generally cool place, try stealing their attention instead. good signs i've heard of include "rival ninja clan killed parents, need change to save up for kung fu training" and the up front, honest, and widespread "need spare change for pot/booze/whatever" wierd signs reoprtedly are far more common out west. i don't know, personally. that may mean they work better there, or it may mean that people out there are just more laid back and "wierd." wierd things or really out-there things tend to get people's attention. even if they dont sympathize with you and wouldnt give you money otherwise, if you can make someone laugh you're a lot likelier to get money from them. i bet the guy with the ninja sign made a killing. similarly, people realize that panhandlers are often lying to you about why they want money. even if they dont like it, saying you need money for drugs or wine or whatever may be honest enough for people to go ahead and give you money anyway. theres also always dumpster diving, too, but thats really a severe last resort for most people, in terms of food. but you can sometimes find decent merchandise in dumpsters behind stores that you can use yourself or sell/trade to someone else for something of more use to you. you can always check open shelters and things about their policies, and see if you may be able to get a place to sleep for a little while. hmm....hope this helps
most recent signs i seen that i like were "conquering the world, short on funds" and "will take verbal abuse for a donation"
grocery stores throw out tons of fruit and veggies that dont look quite right. if its fresh, and your pride can handle it, they can be a good score. dont go for the steaks tho'.
A buddy of mine has been living on the road for 3 years now and has never had problems finding money. Right now he's living on the roof top of a restaraunt (free food), and walks around at the beach with a sign that says "will tell jokes for spare change". He made $40 in one day that way. If your a people person and you can make people lauph I guess that's always an idea.
try busking, if you play an instrument or whatever. i made a few bucks traveling between ohio and wisconsin, would've made a lot more if i needed that money to survive.. luckily, i didnt. but im sure ive got a lot of traveling ahead of me (hopefully), and thats my main plan. and if nothing else works, you can always whore yourself out.
