A portable sign system suitable for advertising signs removably inserted into the earth, such as real estate signs, has a display frame for holding a sign placard, frame sides, and separate ground stakes. Each of the ground stakes can be releaseably connected to one of the frame sides or bottom frame in one of two positions. In the first position, the ground stake is extended from the respective frame side so that the ground stake can be inserted into the ground; in the second position, the orientation of the ground stake is reversed when connected to the frame side or is laid parallel to the bottom frame, so that the overall length of the portable sign system is reduced from that of the first position. The reduction in length allows the portable sign to be easily loaded into the trunk of a vehicle, for example.