We used to have a couple of fairly high profile "buskers" downtown... being a merchant, I had conversations with both of them at various points and they both admitted that a "good day" during tourist season could bring them $80-120... cash, tax free, off the books. Compared to working somewhere for minimum wage, less withholding. They'd sleep outside or at the American Legion hall when it was raining...

In ONE of their defense, he was saving up to buy a used RV so he could have a place to live and travel. But that's an exception, not the norm.