# Savvy Soliciting Signage 10 Hilarious Signs of Homeless Cleverly Competing for Coin By Cecilia Biemann | Published 2009-08-19 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/savvy-soliciting-signage-homeless References: [holytaco](http://www.holytaco.com/25-awsome-homeless-guy-signs) With the recession in full swing, [homeless people](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-makeshift-traveler-backpack) have to compete harder than ever for the donations of cash-strapped passersby. As such, the signage they use to solicit cash from people are becoming ever more creative and attention-getting. Some opt to spin hilarious, ludicrous tall tales such as:“Wife has been kidnapped! I’m short 98 cents for ransom!” Others resort to [brutal honesty](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/underpaid-women) like the wizard who admits: “Why Lie!! I need a cold beer.” It’s good to see that some of these people still have a [sense of humor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creative-promotional-campaign) despite their difficult circumstances. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Humor](https://www.trendhunter.com/humor) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Creative Homeless Signs:** The trend of homeless people using creative and attention-getting signs to solicit cash from people. - **Hilarious Tall Tales:** The trend of homeless individuals incorporating humorous and ludicrous stories into their signage to capture attention and increase donations. - **Brutal Honesty:** The trend of homeless people resorting to brutally honest messages on their signs, such as admitting they need money for a cold beer. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Marketing and Advertising:** Opportunity for marketers and advertisers to explore creative strategies and storytelling techniques to engage and capture attention from target audiences. - **Nonprofit and Philanthropy:** Opportunity for nonprofit organizations and philanthropic initiatives to study and learn from the effective tactics used by homeless individuals to maximize donations and support. - **Graphic Design and Signage:** Opportunity for graphic designers and signage companies to collaborate with homeless individuals to create visually impactful and attention-grabbing signs that effectively communicate their messages. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Space-Saving Retail Signs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-outdoor-signs.md) - [Lazy Cereal Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-cereal.md) - [Need-Based Public Fundraising Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/public-support.md) - [Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lifesaving-outdoors.md) - [Charitable Live-Marketing Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-billboards.md) - [Cheeky Inaccurate Language Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-of-wonky-english.md) - [Humorous Losers-Focused Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/league-losers.md) - [Unusual Food Waste Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-waste-campaigns.md) - [Cheesestring Trading Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheesestring-trading-ad.md)