First off, thanks for putting together this string of shows.  I am not in immediate danger of having to go camping but this is great preparedness info.  I practice my camping skills (cooking, shelter building, fire for warmth, washing clothes) in my back yard.  Wife thinks I'm crazy, but if it ever hits the fan I want to better my chances.  She lost her job so the inspiration is a little clearer in my head these days. 

I agree with you about how living a "normal" life really inflates the amount of $$$ one needs.  I have daydreams about living on much less and with much less.  One of those old Chinook microRVs would be neat.  Or an old breadtruck...

I wouldn't feel comfortable begging or misrepresenting my affllliation (ie, greenpeace).  My workaround, perhaps feeble, would be to provide some service (picking up trash in that area?  playing an instrument as you describe?) and putting out a hat for that.  

I will share that I really DETEST panhandling.  Around my area panhandling is an excuse to get up close and size one up for robbery.   I don't mind trashpicking, though.  I have retrieved many useful items from bins.  I always try to leave the area neater, not messed up.  

I once read a tip about diving for food;  said to make sure you could tell /why/ it was thrown out:  expired, damaged, etc.  If there was no clue to why it was thrown out that experienced camper said pass it by.

