What would you barter with?

I agree with BJ on the ammo thing. Unless I knew somebody really well, I would be very hesitant to trade ammo with them. I would much rather keep my ammo because it can be used to hunt game, which the meat from the game could be traded.

Now, components to make ammunition might be another story, but I think I would still want to hold on to that, especially if the SHTF and no one knew when normal activities would resume.

Ryan

 

Bold used for those who are just skimming to catch the major points...

Since they don't take up much space, I would store extra vitamens and meds for the sole purpose of batering. I'm sure there's plenty who pack first aid equipment, yet forget simple vitamens and meds.

On top of regular over the shelf shit... I have some Perk left over from when I had a two inch cist cut out of me, it never really did any good other than make me sick on top of being in pain. Although I'm unsure of how safe it is when it gets older... I should probably look that up while I'm thinking about it; even in a SHTF I don't wanna screw anyone.

I also have a few Z-Packs that I was perscribed but never used cause I thought they were overkill, I'd never trade those off though.

I agree with Gallow on the salt.

However, I feel that where you'll be trading is just as important as what you'll be trading. I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this yet as I've been skimming, but I figured I'd bring it up. I would keep all bartering away from my camp too; trade at some known SHTF hubs, or make contact with potential business over radio and meet them somewhere.

In the event of a SHTF I would not say a damn word about my camp/shelter/supply location, no matter how nice they seem I would not tell them shit. I would simply mention that I was wandering, scavenging what I could; I would even dress the part and carry myself to look like I was in bad shape so they would not second guess it. If you don't want to trade it, and they can't see it... don't say you have it. I consider life in a SHTF a poker game... Watch your back after the trade, make sure you're not followed... I would also have a couple friends armed and in the treeline, or out of sight if possible.

 

Good point on location. We've had several discussions before about not letting anybody know your preps.

 

Yeah, I figured I'd be the noob trying to inform the experts haha.

 

That also brings up the point of WHO you would trade with though. IOW assumeing you are BI or at least in a static long term position, you may not want to be hanging out a sign at the corner that says you are the general store for anyone passing through, but the way one might barter and even what might be safe to barter (like say surplus decent weapons and ammo for instance) COULD be completely diffrent if you were bartering with neighbors who would come to your aid if needed and couold expect the same from you.

Im not sure about where a lot of the rest of you all are at but I know in the rural midwest in farming/ranching country it is VERY common for neighbors to help each other out with labor, use of expensive equiptment for just the price of the gas (say for instance a combine that costs $1/4M can be used by the neighbor just for the gas and because he came by to help put the roof on the barn). So my thoughts would be almost exclusively on the line of the farmers/ranchers andother locals who tend to stand by neighbors (armed friends is a good thing armed strangers may not be) where they have say all the corn harvested from 300 acres, or 100 cattle or a couple K pigs etc but say they only had 1 box of shells for their .22 on hand and need some more or need some soap or stuff you can make or use of skills you have as a --------. You trade with them, most especialy skills which cant be stolen so you stay and trade with them or they are out, now your valuable for them to protect even more than just as a neighbor or shop keep.

SOME goods to trade, especialy arms to 'trade' to allies who would come to your aid if needed, could be a good thing but I figure that in general being able to trade skills like the ability to sharpen tools, build from whats available, forge tools, butcher etc would be the best things to trade along with maybe some ecess that you can produce in the way of stuff like soap, vegies from the garden, and so forth.

 

Oh, no..... no, I'm sorry DD, I didn't mean to give the impression that your comment was old news at all, or the least bit unwelcome. Even those who already know it welcome the reminders.

I'm sure many on here had not ever thought about that.

I wouldn't ever want to discourage information being thrown out there.

Glad to have you among us.... keep on postin.

 

No offense taken at all bud, I was just joking about my expertise as compared to the rest of the community's.

 

I realize as I type this it sounds pretty low, but a still for liquor production, tobacco, pornography and other items that an addict would value above items that could actually keep him alive could come in awfuly handy in a post SHTF scenario...just a thought.

 

I don't know if I'd call it low..... there's a lot of truth in that statement. I don't know that porn would hold much value, but tobacco most certainly would, and a good still operation would be priceless considering ethanol is a great fuel on top of the moonshine thing.

 

I realize as I type this it sounds pretty low, but a still for liquor production, tobacco, pornography and other items that an addict would value above items that could actually keep him alive could come in awfuly handy in a post SHTF scenario...just a thought.

I jes kep me sis and 'da kids han'y. Das y I be getin' da' goats to. Dem poliroids camras be han'y.....Sheesh Me an' da boyz gunna cum on bi a sea 'yall reel soon.......[devilfu]

Them low grade mo'4s come by me and mine and we will be burning their clothes REALLY QUICK......Some booze, some 'taccy ok. I understand that value (as already stated)

snowbyrd the questionable

 

Rodge, Sounds like you are in, or planning to be, in the wrong neighborhood, with the wrong neighbors!!! - addicts?

 

Porn or perversion are things I'd not go near at all; I'd consider them as tools for sowing the seeds of your own destruction as well as your neighbor's.

From Leviticus 18:28-30 (ch 18 lists many perversions)
"...lest the land vomit you out when you make it unclean, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. For everyone who does any of these abominations, the persons who do them shall be cut off from among their people. So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God."

 

well, like I said: I know it sounds low. You've got to realize that you're going to have a lot of overflow of city folk who just don't realize it is for real..."you'd trade a pack of smokes for a couple SHOVELS and some SEEDS!?!" you know, that type. Beav as far as being "cut off from among the people"....that's my plan A to begin with. I'd much rather be in the middle of nowhere with just me and mine and not near degenerates that would trade their livelyhoods for instant gratification, but I'm in the military and don't have much say over where I live!

 

My own personal preps are not nearly where I'd like them to be. However, I did put an extra $20 into 50 pounds of salt and 4 pounds of yeast. These are over and above the amount of salt and yeast that is appropriate for my level of preparedness.

It's a small step, but it's better than nothing.

I won't trade ammo, except with two close personal friends.

I don't think I'd trade porn, liquor or drugs either. If someone wants those items, what would they have that would be of value to me? Where would they have acquired that valuable item? Stolen from other preppers like me? No thanks, I'd rather not get involved.

As for tobacco... if I stocked that, my dh would probably smoke it.

 

Rodge, I hope you end up in a good place with good neighbors. The folks you're talking about aren't going to have "a couple SHOVELS and some SEEDS!?!".
Pru and RightHand, Both apples and potatoes have certain types of yeast on them that can be used for bread and fermenting spirits.

 

Dry yeast for baking - from Costco, 2 pound vacuum sealed package, two of them in the fridge, expiration date 2 years away, and rotated, as I bake frequently. Remember, I'm just at baby preps.

 

I did a search, but didn't much more than this:

I agree that smaller increments would be better for barter. I also have mylar bags and dessicant available for re-sealing... and O2 absorbers, but I don't know that they'd be beneficial to yeast.

I know that with refrigeration (which is available right outside some people's doors) yeast lasts a LOOONG time. It might be possible to seal yeast in a canning jar with a dessicant and bury it in a shady spot.

Wish I had a root cellar...