Morning All,
How have some of you prepared for money/barter in a SHTF situation.
PM’s,Ammo,Guns…?
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!
For long term, Money probably will have little or no value, Food,Fuel, Ammo & “other things” will be supplies that are highly sought after and will be the New Currency.
The only reason money has any value to begin with is because we place value on it. Therefore I think money (cash) will be utilized for a the short term simply out of denial by the majority of people in a situation like this. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think people will be able to deny the urge to take a worthless piece of paper initially because they will see it as something of value in the future.
But items are critical, as are skills. I have a wide variety of both, and feel comfortable with being able to get by with bartering.
Of particular value though would be rolling tabaco (why can I never spell this word), and smokes. Being able to grow the plant itself would be even better, but I have heard it is a pain in the butt, and may not be worth the pay off in a barter situation.
Silver has been used for a few thousand years as a means to barter, it has intrinsic value unlike fiat/paper currencies. It might be a good idea to keep some for SHTF situations and it’s currently under $20/ounce making it relatively affordable for most.
Of course primary concern is food, water, shelter, safety, etc., but I think holding on to some fractional amounts of silver could be quite practical as well.
I live in Vermont. We have long cold winters, maybe not this year, but typically we do. I bought my home on 13.5 acres of woodland. I’ve got Birch, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Beech, etc; and some White Pines and Cedars. I did this because I could not really afford to invest in Preps otherwise,ie; Gold, precious metals etc;. This makes my small forest worth more than Gold in a SHTF situation. Heating your home up here can be the difference between life and death. I also wisely chose a home that lies between a few Farms. Without oil or wood to heat their homes, they go cold. Without food to feed my Dog and Myself, we starve, save for my Garden and Hunting.
All of my Neighbors are good folk, and most of them Reload and shoot often, so we should be fat, happy and warm in my neck of the woods.
I would be very hesitant to use ammo or guns as barter items, depending on the person. Why give someone the means to take your stuff by force?
I’m leaning towards things that are cheap to buy now, but are difficult to duplicate in a non-industrial society.
Some items I’d considered:
Inexpensive knives (Opinel No. 6, Victorinox Classic, Frosts Mora of Sweden)
Sewing Needles and Pins/Safety Pins
Sewing Thread
Buttons
Shoe Laces
Socks
Twine/Rope
Nails
Whiskey
Tobacco
Coffee
I have thought the same thing. Though some of it will have to take place. I like your idea on the things on your list. Not something I had thought of for barter.
I think after awhile when commercial foods run out many who did not have prior stores will be willing to trade items such as ammo, med’s or other things of use for basis food rations. With that in mind I have laid in a few cases of the Datrex (DX2400F) Emergency Rations were each ration has enough calories to cover a single person 72 hours. Now I would really have to be in the hurt locker to come out of my seclusion to trade but depending on the duration of the event there is a possibility I may need to location certain common med’s after six months time. But to this end if the event lasted more then a few months then I think we would see looters more then traders and the greater risk of fire fight would curtail what if any trading I would do.
Plan now or be a victim later.
Food: No one has ever figured out a way to live without it.
it would depend on the scale of the problem. if it’s something like a blizzard, quake or hurricane, ie regional, short term event cash will still have value.
gold and silver have value, but you can’t eat 'em. but they are dense and easy to transport.
trading guns and/or ammo seems like a VERY bad idea… even tho many people consider ammo to be post-shtf bartering wampum.
i’d be most concerned about getting MY stuff squared away instead of stocking goods for barter.
now, if you have a skill that can be bartered… for example if you’re a blacksmith, vet, doctor, welder, gunsmith, mechanic, plumber, carpenter, cooper, or just a general “jack of all trades” you should be good to go.
stock up on salt. The word salary comes from salt. because people used to be paid in it.
It is essential element has medical uses and can be used to preserve food as wll as give taste. If you do not live near the coast it can be hard to come by. Bulk salt will store easily and has an indefinite shelf life. Get some of the iodiazed kind as well with out it you are looking at a goiter before long.
Weapons and Ammo I think are going to be a few of the hottest barter items going post SHTF. Regardless of how good or bad the idea is. An exercise in caution could be used by maybe removing the firing pin and having them return for it the following day. It’ll be sought after enough that folks will be willing to play ball.
I totally agree on:
+1 on Salt.
+1 on Tobacco and Booze.
+1 on Nails and hardware.
+1 on Sewing Supplies.
+1 on Rope, Twine, etc.
Other considerations could be:
*Clothing. Jackets, Denim & Footwear.
*Basic Hand Tools. Chisels, Hammers, Saws, etc.
Medications and Antibiotics are a big one that will be hard to come by. I was reading somewhere that feed stores sell most antibiotics over the counter for live stock. These are essentially the same thing as pharmaceutical grade. I have been meaning to check into this once I return to CONUS as a possible route for a SHTF stash. Anyone hear about that one?
Additionally, the biggest thing you can barter is learning a skill. That is something you may always be needed. I am thinking some may pay you several meals or essential supplies to either be taught or provide a service.
Interesting, didn’t give much thought at all on bartering before reading this
TP.
I would hire out for TP if I was out.
seeds
canning jars
books on diy type stuff
fishing gear
water purification tablets
hard candy
chicken boulion or beef
tea and or coffee
all fairly compact items which will store well and be worth their weight in gold
I can barter my medical skills
agree on t he TP corn husks do not beat charmin. Ever wonder why people shake with their right hand and no it is not because they are rightys
Actually bouillon usually has a marked shelf-life of a year or less. No idea what actual is.
My guess? FUEL of any type, Food, Potable water, Ammo, and Firearms…would be the currency of an economic collapse.
I agree.
along the same line, think of screws, nails, and bolt/nuts.
ever try to whittle a screw out of a stick? 
drywall screws nails of all sizes, and other small construction fasteners will be mighty handy when you need to board up that window or fix the hole in the roof from that big storm.
Seems kinda silly, if you are going to prepare for SHTF why stockpile stuff to trade? If you use the same money and space why not just prepare for yourself so you do not have to trade?
Last situation I want to be in is needing to trade for stuff. I do not want anyone know I have anything they want, or be in a situation where they might try to take my stuff from me.