Hi preppers!
In a true SHTF situation will money have any value? I think we'll all have to put much more reliance on barter in the traditional way, swapping goods each party needs. With this in mind I've started stockpiling items that are cheap and available now - but will be rare and valuable when the good times are over. Things like bars of soap can be used for washing, cleaning clothes, disinfecting wounds...incredibly cheap now (Tesco value soap 10p a bar) so why not stock up!
I'd be interested to hear anyones ideas on other good barter items.
Stockpiling barter items
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preppingsu
Re: Stockpiling barter items
If you type bartering into the search facility (top right) you will get a selection of other times bartering has been discussed, looking at not just items but skills as well. 
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moocher
Re: Stockpiling barter items
how you going to barter?
last thing i would want is someone knowing i stockpile goods or have surplus items to trade,
you may end up with losing everything.
last thing i would want is someone knowing i stockpile goods or have surplus items to trade,
you may end up with losing everything.
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Bear86
Re: Stockpiling barter items
That does raise the question if you did have a stock pile how and where would you trade and who to?
As you can't let them trade at your house as then they will know what you have, you would need a trading post of sorts run by our majestic overlords who take a 15% cut
for providing safety.
If you tried to traded outside an empty supermarket say people could get anry seeing you have large amounts of an item to trade won't you get mugged.
Anyone thought of a safe way to trade as we all seem to be prepping alone wouldnt you need some sort of armed trade caravan with a few people for safety.
As you can't let them trade at your house as then they will know what you have, you would need a trading post of sorts run by our majestic overlords who take a 15% cut
for providing safety. If you tried to traded outside an empty supermarket say people could get anry seeing you have large amounts of an item to trade won't you get mugged.
Anyone thought of a safe way to trade as we all seem to be prepping alone wouldnt you need some sort of armed trade caravan with a few people for safety.
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Ogre
Re: Stockpiling barter items
From what I've read (admittedly PAW fiction ) there seems to be a consensus amongst authors that eventually Barter Markets will be established as a means to get rid of your excess and a chance to get what you may need. Obviously done initially on a locally this will hopefully strengthen community ties.
Anyway. My box of toothpastes, brushes, ladies essentialls and other necessities will be added to when I get the chance. It takes up little room, doesn't eat and may come in damn useful one day.
Anyway. My box of toothpastes, brushes, ladies essentialls and other necessities will be added to when I get the chance. It takes up little room, doesn't eat and may come in damn useful one day.
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Chef
Re: Stockpiling barter items
I think alot of these barter ideas are dependent on what happened to necessitate a culture where barter once again became the norm.
Are we talking an REM event or just something like a monetary collapse with some kind of government in place, still wringing the very sweat out of everything they get their hands on?
There's a vast difference in what would happen depending what kind of S HTF?
Are we talking an REM event or just something like a monetary collapse with some kind of government in place, still wringing the very sweat out of everything they get their hands on?
There's a vast difference in what would happen depending what kind of S HTF?
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preppingsu
Re: Stockpiling barter items
My local transition group has started a barter market, using their own currency too.
We also locally have a programmes where you earn 'time' for something you offer eg hairdressing, painting etc. You have up these 'time tokens' to be able to 'purchase' another skill. (This all has a name but I can't remember - Time Bank or Skills bank, I think)
So some communities are already making head way with this.
We also locally have a programmes where you earn 'time' for something you offer eg hairdressing, painting etc. You have up these 'time tokens' to be able to 'purchase' another skill. (This all has a name but I can't remember - Time Bank or Skills bank, I think)
So some communities are already making head way with this.
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moocher
Re: Stockpiling barter items
there was a scheme in the forest of dean when i moved there in 2004 as we had letter arrive for previous resident.preppingsu wrote:My local transition group has started a barter market, using their own currency too.
We also locally have a programmes where you earn 'time' for something you offer eg hairdressing, painting etc. You have up these 'time tokens' to be able to 'purchase' another skill. (This all has a name but I can't remember - Time Bank or Skills bank, I think)
So some communities are already making head way with this.
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Squirrel hunter
Re: Stockpiling barter items
Items for barter.
Needles
thread
buttons
Zips
Matches
Candles
Lighters (gas)
Lighters (wet fuel)
Lighter gas refils
Lighter fluid
Candle wicks
Shoe laces
Hair Combs
Hair brushes
Tooth brushes
Bicarbonate of soda
Hint and tips cards (How to make stuff)
Air gun pellets
Pencils
note paper
Lamp wicks
Nails scissors
Nail files
boot polish/dubbin
All small and easily stored in bulk without going off.
How do I plan to trade these without getting mugged/beaten or killed, always have a trading post that moves from week to week, never carry too much stock, never have it to hand until after the person who needs the item has their trade item to hand.
Two extra persons as security would be helpful as well
Needles
thread
buttons
Zips
Matches
Candles
Lighters (gas)
Lighters (wet fuel)
Lighter gas refils
Lighter fluid
Candle wicks
Shoe laces
Hair Combs
Hair brushes
Tooth brushes
Bicarbonate of soda
Hint and tips cards (How to make stuff)
Air gun pellets
Pencils
note paper
Lamp wicks
Nails scissors
Nail files
boot polish/dubbin
All small and easily stored in bulk without going off.
How do I plan to trade these without getting mugged/beaten or killed, always have a trading post that moves from week to week, never carry too much stock, never have it to hand until after the person who needs the item has their trade item to hand.
Two extra persons as security would be helpful as well
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Bladerunner
Re: Stockpiling barter items
Wouldn't be better to buy items you need rather than stuff you can barter. My main priorites would be food. If it is a situation where people are still relatively civil you will be bugged in. You have shelter over your head, clothes for cold weather and everyday items. Just make a list of what you use on a regular basis and buy them.
Just think what you might want to barter for, and then buy more of that. Simples.
If you are going to barter then go for spirits that never go off. Some people are still going to want to drink after their world collapses.
And don't forget the bog roll. It is impossible to have too much. (well virtually) Me and wifey get through 4.5 rolls a week. 225 rolls a year, 2,250 for ten years supply. Double that for a family of four and an attack of monty's revenge.
Be lucky
Just think what you might want to barter for, and then buy more of that. Simples.
If you are going to barter then go for spirits that never go off. Some people are still going to want to drink after their world collapses.
And don't forget the bog roll. It is impossible to have too much. (well virtually) Me and wifey get through 4.5 rolls a week. 225 rolls a year, 2,250 for ten years supply. Double that for a family of four and an attack of monty's revenge.
Be lucky