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Post by USCGME2 on May 4, 2013 16:11:30 GMT -7
Wanted to do a thread and generate discussion on bartering and stocking up for trade. To my mind, fragile as it is  , I think some of the top things to that will be useful for trade will be: Cash Spices Alcohol Fuel (butane, petrol, kerosene, LP, diesel, etc) Ammo (and guns) Tobacco Silver Seeds Things I personally shy away from would be gold, diamonds (and other stones) antiques, art, and bartering with my food supply unless I had no other choice. The only reason I listed cash is because in the initial days of an event, if power goes out your cards do too. People will still take cash in trade until the reality sets in. Given the stupidity of most folks, that could be a little while before that reality sets in! Love to hear about what you guys think and how you prep for making the trade. |
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Post by Cwi555 on May 4, 2013 16:46:22 GMT -7
Cash Would only have cash if traveling. Not worried about the initial phase if it happens while at home base.
Spices
Alcohol
Fuel (butane, petrol, kerosene, LP, diesel, etc)
Ammo (and guns) Don't feel like getting shot with a gun or ammo I provided
Tobacco
Silver
Seeds
To add to that list.
Bolts of cloth with copies of patterns.
Sewing string
Fishing line
Rope
paracord
Tools
Gasket material
Antifreeze
Oil of multiple kinds
Flashlights
Eating utensils
Feminine hygiene products
toiletries
leather
nails multiple sizes
thermometers (medical, cooking, and chemical)
Assorted over the counter drugs
Bandages
Pen type PH testers
PH strips
Sugar
Salt (food and tanning)
Cheap stainless knives, forks, spoons etc from the dollar store
It's a rather long list come to think of it. I'll leave it with those examples.
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Post by olebama on May 4, 2013 17:38:27 GMT -7
How about some fairly simple services?
Knife sharpening. I still don't do a very good job of that myself.
Tool sharpening. If you had a foot powered stone.
Miller. Of course, that would only be useful after people had started growing corn or grains.
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Post by USCGME2 on May 4, 2013 19:50:17 GMT -7
CWI, you make good points but why not use silver for "currency"? Like to hear out your thoughts on this. Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2013 2:47:35 GMT -7
I have thought about this and changed my mind a few times....the things I have come up with the most repeatedly as barter items include:
cloth diapers with pins
desitin diaper rash ointment
cornstarch
baby powder
baby soap
powdered formula
powdered baby electrolytes
infant cold medicine
baby clothes for ALL seasons
baby blankets
basically anything having to do with infants
Garden seed with directions (grow, harvest, etc)
bar soap
disposable razors
wash rags
hair brushes
ponytail holders
small hand mirrors
foot powder
deoderant
hand/body lotion
tampons/pads
fingernail clip/file kit
bandaids
gauze pads
medical tape
rubbing alcohol
triple antibiotic ointment
hydrocortizone cream
eye drops
cough drops
ibuprofen
acetamenophen
nasal spray
cold/flu pills
allergy pills
handkerchiefs
tooth filling repair kits
denture repair kits
denture adhesive
toothpaste
tooth brushes
surgical gloves
medical face masks
hand sanitizer
Epson salts
thermometer
First aid pocket handbook
local plants handbook (edible & toxic)
survival handbook (info I have gathered and put together)
multi-state geographical and road maps
assorted compasses
magnifying glasses
vision glasses from the dollar store (different strengths)
sun glasses from dollar store (different styles/sizes)
fire tender kit
disposeable lighters
magnesium bar with firesteel and striker
mini fishing kit
snare wire
rat traps
rope
salt
sugar
flour
corn meal
sesonings
cured meat
salt pork
salt fish
canned fruit (store bought, none of my own stuff)
canned veggies (store bought, none of my own stuff)
fresh fruits or veggies in season from my orchard/garden
seining nets
squirrel size live traps
assorted backpacks (like kids use for school)
socks
underwear
long johns
gloves
mittens
hats
scarves
sweat shirts
duct tape
cloth material
some sewing supplies
wet stones
lock blade pocket knives (for processing food caught)
tube tents
tarps
emergency blankets
blankets
eating utensils (hobo style)
cooking utensils (over sized spoon & fork)
metal bowls (campers type)
metal cups (campers type)
metal plates (campers type)
cooking pots (stew type with handle)
gallon jugs for carrying water (tea jugs and such recycled)
Water purification pills
I will not be trading ammo, gun parts, money, food, or any supplies I think could be used against me to that I may have serious or dire need for that I cannot improvise without. I figure to keep it simple. As for the clothes and such...shoes, pants and coats for adults will be needed and put to use by those with me...however, the items listed can go a long ways towards helping someone else. It will also be pointed out that homeless folks stuff bags with wadded newspaper and crawl inside them to keep warm, as well as stuffing them in their cloths for insulation.
I think a few necessities as well as a couple handbooks on "Do it yourself" will go a lot farther towards helping someone than not. I would also be VERY careful about when and where to trade fresh foods from the orchard or garden. Those would mostly be used for neighbors and those near by in exchange for help and services.
My biggest barter/trade items will be for infants, children, medical needs and being able to provide for ones self.
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Post by USCGME2 on May 5, 2013 6:08:33 GMT -7
Dink, when you become a nurse that will be a whole barter skill unto itself
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Post by Cwi555 on May 5, 2013 6:14:52 GMT -7
CWI, you make good points but why not use silver for "currency"? Like to hear out your thoughts on this. Thanks! This will likely take a few paragraphs to explain, so remember you asked. We don't bother to prepare for anything that cannot be survived, such as an earth shattering meteor, a solar kill shot, or anything on the extreme such as that. What would be the point? In the worst case scenario, it's the end of everything as you know it, but not the end of all life. At the onset, no one is going to care about PM's except maybe the survivalist out there, and even then, it will not have as much recognized value as say antibiotics, food, etc. to anyone with their priorities set right. It's hard to fix your tractor, plant it, sew up a wound, or feed a starving child with it. Most of us have read the stories out of Sarajevo and heard a similar argument against PM's among survivalist. Problem is, that is a short sighted argument. It has been over a millennium since the last major world conflict (read Roman Empire) took place that there was not an assumption of a society either outside the area of conflict, or one that will return when the conflict was over. An argument could be made based on Chinese history, Euro history, and middle eastern history, that the date would extend back over 4 millennium. For the areas not involved in a conflict, PM's still held value, and in most cases, that value went up due to the conflict. Once the area of conflict switched from fighting for survival mode to structuring or restructuring of it's society mode, it to began placing value in PM's as the parts of the world that still recognized it's value would not take any proverbial wooden nickles for trade. PM's would then be traded/sold for what passes as currency at that time. Fiat currencies require a society to recognize them to have any value. That is the value of PM's, they are effectively currency independent as a store of value. Once a society returns (whatever that society may be), there is no promise of any fiat currency surviving along with the people. However, as along as even one major society in the world survives, PM's will retain their status as a store of value. My opinion for what it's worth. |
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Post by USCGME2 on May 5, 2013 20:31:51 GMT -7
Thanks for the follow up CWI. Thats why I mentioned cash. I totally get if you are not traveling you may not need money. I was referring that for the short period the grid may still be grinding to a halt or the disaster is localized and the fiat is still perceived to have value (actually now that Im thinking, this isnt really bartering but purchasing) Anyway by no means would I want to depend on paper to get me anything for long. I was thinking of that also in terms of how our Spec Ops guys carry a wad of cash with them so they can bribe their way out of local troubles or hire a coyote to smuggle them out. I just see value of cash and PM for those non TEOTWAWKI disasters.
For the other barter items I appreciate everyone input. Basically, Im gonna think in terms of a country general mercantile store and if I would find it there then I might too want it on hand.
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Post by Redneckidokie on May 5, 2013 23:47:03 GMT -7
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Post by Cwi555 on May 6, 2013 4:22:22 GMT -7
Thanks for the follow up CWI. Thats why I mentioned cash. I totally get if you are not traveling you may not need money. I was referring that for the short period the grid may still be grinding to a halt or the disaster is localized and the fiat is still perceived to have value (actually now that Im thinking, this isnt really bartering but purchasing) Anyway by no means would I want to depend on paper to get me anything for long. I was thinking of that also in terms of how our Spec Ops guys carry a wad of cash with them so they can bribe their way out of local troubles or hire a coyote to smuggle them out. I just see value of cash and PM for those non TEOTWAWKI disasters. For the other barter items I appreciate everyone input. Basically, Im gonna think in terms of a country general mercantile store and if I would find it there then I might too want it on hand. In that particular case, gold/silver/cash in that order would be your best bet imo. |
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2013 9:38:10 GMT -7
Dink, How BIG is your warehouse for all that stuff?  ;D Being single in a 4 bedroom house with a full basement, I really don't need a warehouse, especially if you keep everything organized and put away in rubber totes, closets, dressers, cabinets, shelves, etc. Where there is a will and a woman...there is a way! ;D |
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Post by missasip on May 7, 2013 17:30:22 GMT -7
Most of the items you mentioned are good ones. I still hang with what I have in past conversions.
1. Shoes, mainly boots in many sizes. Thift stores have shoes unbelievable cheap and many times in near new shape. I have two large tubs full.
2. Blue jeans. Many sizes. Same thing, thrift stores.
3. Socks. Bought them knew at salvage stores in 10 packs for a buck...
4. Coats. Again, thrift stores.
5. Candles. They can be purchased very cheaply. Store them carefully though.
6. 5 gallon plastic buckets. I get them everywhere for free a lot of times. I have more than the law allows...lol
7. Powdered fertilizer that is water soluable. It stores easier and safer. I have 2 tubs worth. That would be the same as a couple of pickup loads of tradional pelletized ferilizer.
8. Rope. I just really got stocked up on it lately. A salvage store has miles of it for cheap.
9. Matches and cigg lighters. I have a very large stock of them.
10. Engine oil. I have oil from 30+ years ago still.
Jimmy
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2013 18:06:16 GMT -7
Dink, when you become a nurse that will be a whole barter skill unto itself I never thought of that...just that I would be able to help people better. |
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, I think some of the top things to that will be useful for trade will be:
