Bartering after TSHTF

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In the event that there is some type of cataclysmic situation that reduces society and the economy back to the stone ages (or close to it) – bartering will become a common method of commerce. With that in mind – I have been putting some additional items in my preps with “barter” in mind.

Here is a list of worthy additions to a “barter list”:

Seeds
Bottled water
Food of any kind – especially those in cans/jars in small quantities
Alcohol
Matches
Candles
Batteries
Flashlights
Blankets
Radio
Condoms
First aid kits
Soap
Tooth brush
Toothpaste
Water containers
Water filters or any kind
Propane
Mess kits/cookware
Tools of any kind – especially those most common (hammers, saws, hand drills, screwdrivers, etc.)
Nails and screws
Toilet paper
Aluminum foil
Rope/cord/string
Fishing line and hooks/lures
Bug spray/insect repellent
Duct tape
Tarps
Bleach
First aid kits & supplies
Knives & sharpening stones/supplies
Ammunition (be careful with this one)
Razors for shaving
Clothing of any kind – especially socks/underwear
Work gloves
Coffee/Tea/Flavored drink mixes
SPAM – I know its in the food category – but I feel like it deserves to be mentioned separately – great barter item
Cigarettes/Cigars
Gardening tools
Canning jars and supplies
Fire starting supplies – including fire-steels, magnesium, etc.
Spices

Something else to consider – bartering does not always have to involve some-”thing”. In many cases skills can be bartered as well. If you know how to get a garden going and another person can repair a roof – just do a swap and work things out. Maybe someone has some fuel that they will give you if you can fix their vehicle. After TSHTF the bartering of materials and skills may very well become the only method of commerce – as money will be worthless.

In the above list I mention ammunition and state to be careful with this one. Reason being is those seeking ammunition may trade for it – with the idea of using it to take the rest of your supplies. Not a good scenario.

Setting a tote or two to the side and filling with items for barter may be a worthy use of resources. If nothing happens – you still have these supplies for use yourself.

Have I left anything off the list?

Rourke

Tags: survival bartering, survival planning, survival supplies

Supplies, Survival & Preparedness | Rourke December 1, 2010

18 Comments to “Bartering after TSHTF”

By CM, December 1, 2010 @ 2:39 am

In barter, you want what you are bartering to be useful. In a SHTF scenario, it will need to be recognized and be desirable, so I may put batteries a bit farther down the list. How many times have you bought the ‘low cost’ batteries, but them in a flashlight or kids toy, only to have them have a very limited lifetime?

Batteries require specific storage conditions. On top of that, some of the ‘Better quality’ (read longer lasting) batteries cost more. Another alternative would be some of the newer rechargeable batteries. But, then, in a grid down scenario you will be limited in access to power to re-charge the batteries. So, I would suggest getting a solar battery charger. (More than one if you want to sell the chargers, as well). And here, some of the chargers have a higher wattage solar panel, reducing charge time, and may be worth the extra cost.

I have a stack of rechargeable batteries that I rotate through the wall powered charger on a month to month basis. The ‘older’ rechargeable batteries lose some of their power over time. But some of the newest, though more expensive (again), batteries don’t lose as much, and have a longer shelf life between recharges.
By Craig, December 1, 2010 @ 2:50 am

Feminine Hygiene products could trade as luxury items
By irishdutchuncle, December 1, 2010 @ 3:13 am

salt! even more important than spices.
By TIM, December 1, 2010 @ 5:16 am

AMMO AMMO AND MORE AMMO
By Nancy B, December 1, 2010 @ 1:44 pm

Needles/thread, fabric.
By preppermom, December 1, 2010 @ 2:47 pm

Dichloro-s-triazinetrione, in it’s 99% pure granular form, to make bleach and purify water. I’ve not tried it but was researching how to store bleach. I bought a ton of plastic bottles, but they started to leak when I left them in the garage w/ the texas heat. I needed a powder form to store. I read on Rawles site that this stuff will purify a 55 gallon drum of water with only a 1/4 teaspoon of product. Provided that the water to be treated was somewhat pre-filtered, that equals up to 4 million gallons of treated water from one 50 pound bucket.

Bleach is good for several things. Water purification. I have a daughter with severe eczema and i can put a little in her bath water to fight skin infection. it will also be useful in cleaning during a pandemic. A bucket of this stuff will be over $100, but very cheap per ‘serving.’

For bartering, you could sell these in smaller quantities with ziplock sandwich bags.
By carl, December 1, 2010 @ 3:16 pm

Pepper was used as Money once. A spice I know, but Perhaps it will be in great demand.

I once saw a list of the 100 items that will disappear post SHTF. I am going to look for it.
By carl, December 1, 2010 @ 3:20 pm

This is the llink

http://www.thepowerhour.com/news/items_disappearfirst.htm
By Rourke, December 1, 2010 @ 3:29 pm

Good one!

Rourke
By bill greene, December 1, 2010 @ 6:09 pm

my top barter items i’m stocking up on are:

ammo……22 and 223
pre 64 silver dimes and quarters.
cheap chinese led lights.
By Ty S, December 1, 2010 @ 6:41 pm

Knowing how to build and install solar panels and knowing how and where to get the materials could be quite an invaluable asset, especially if the power grid is hit.

Plus, to add to the tools list, bits. Like drill and screw bits.
By CM, December 1, 2010 @ 7:23 pm

Another thought . . . what would you trade? What would you trade it for? When would you consider trading?

We don’t know now, and probably won’t know then, while in the collapse, what the entire situation will be. Will there be external interference via the UN or ??? Will this go ‘grid down’? Will we have power, but restricted travel capacity due to fuel restrictions? Will this be for a year? or 5 years? Will people with specific technological skills be targeted for some forced ‘assistance’ to rebuild systems? Or will people ‘disappear’ as they do in Iran, and other less than hospitable places in the world?

Without some estimate or educated guess to answer some of the above questions, when would you decide to trade? With whom? Your neighbors? Friends? Outsiders? Travelers? Do you trade based on just getting what you need? Or to make a profit in the process or take advantage of others?

If this is REAL LONG TERM, might you trade out of your stores with nothing left to trade, only to find you have nothing to work from / with to maintain the lives of your family, friends and neighbors?

I think having items to trade is somewhat beneficial, but only if you gain LONG TERM benefit. Acquire tools, skills, knowledge. Hammers and nails do little to make you more secure if you don’t have the skills to build a home or cold storage system that works. You MUST have more than just trading items. There is time, now, today, to learn new skills that our grandparents, and great-grandparents knew and used to live through tough times and long, cold, subzero winters.

Trading can help, but, do it wisely. And learn all you can in the mean time.
By Rourke, December 1, 2010 @ 8:05 pm

Excellant thoughts CM. A quick thought on what you wrote……For me – I do not think I would trade/barter anything unless I felt like I was on the winning end of the deal. Now – the person I am trading might feel the same – and that is fine. I would not trade something that I valued more than for what I was getting. The only exception of couse would be food. If I was desperate and starving – I would probably trade anything I had for food. Let’s hope it never gets to that.

Thanks – Rourke
By casey, December 3, 2010 @ 2:06 pm

i would also include instant coffee and instant coco.
By Leah, December 4, 2010 @ 12:02 am

Hopefully we will have prepped well enough that we won’t need to barter. That’s why we need to prepare now.
By huggy bear, December 4, 2010 @ 8:16 pm

I have really started paying more attention to the survival forums. I am concerned for the future of my family and the world. I have started getting things together that i can around the house and from local vendors. Where do you store survival kits and goods? What is a safe place from disasters and thieves? Thanks for any info, books, etc. that will help. I am new to all this.
By Rourke, December 4, 2010 @ 10:24 pm

Welcome to MSOnline and welcome to the cause.

Hope I can be of help.

Rourke
By chief2dogs, January 23, 2011 @ 1:05 am

On a lighter note, my wife reminded me that we are all missing one thing! After food and water as most important, sex! Except my wife of course! Lol!