What do you think will be the best bartering items when the SHTF?

[zany]

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I think that ammo, medicines & food will be big ticket items, but I would appreciate your input. Ex; exactly which foods, sanitary items & medications, also what creature comforts could be good 'currency'?

[Bue]

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22 lr ammo, spices & salt , most any add water soup or gravy mix, Bulky to store but toilet paper and sanitary napkins?? matches and pra cord and don't forget bailing wire!!!

[Skyowl's Wife]

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Why trade ammo?

Why trade something that can be used against you?

[Iron mike]

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I think comfort items will trade fast I was on cheaper than dirt and saw a load of military wool blankets selling in lots of 12 and thought it would be a good trade item

[monet861]

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Why trade ammo?

Why trade something that can be used against you?

If your family is starving, I would say trade what you must. I look at it like this, I have more than enough firearms and ammo, I might not trade items like these with the biker zombie horde, but a trusted neighbor, maybe. Hopefully they will not be used against me, there is eventually going to have to be some trust out there if we are to survive long term and rebuild, if not why are we surviving in the first place?

Besides meds, TP is the currency of the future. Ever try wiping with a roll of silver quarters, at least you would be able to make change of a silver dollar....

[johnnie l.]

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I think that ammo, medicines & food will be big ticket items, but I would appreciate your input. Ex; exactly which foods, sanitary items & medications, also what creature comforts could be good 'currency'?

The Large contractor grade trash bags I was with Red Cross those in shelters and out all wanted trash bags to keep stuff dry and easy to carry.a lot of those folks knew more about ruff living than I ever want to know.

[zany]

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Thanks for the ideas. Yes I agree that the ammo wasn't my best idea ever, that's why I asked. With a larger than most family to look out for, I am trying to make very wise decisions for what I store. There is so much more for me to learn but each day, with all of your opinions, I am a tiny bit smarter!

[Rage For Order]

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In no particular order:

Protection ( Me and my team) shelter

Smokes, chew, alcohol !

Seeds !

Mountain money, meds, girly stuff...

Building material (plywood, 2x4, nails, screws, tools)

[Bue]

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What we shoot carries a lot farther than a 22. Plus it's useful for getting small game. But you may have a point I'd have to consider who, I was trading to. Good thought.

[Skyowl]

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I think it all depends on where you are located; urdan, rural, BFE, etc. I would look through the following list for its application to the area where you are. Obviously not everything on this list is something you would stock for barter but then, I don't know where you are or how 'rich' you are. These are from a list of 100 things to disappear first that I posted in another thread here. You can also find the complete list in Rage for Order's thread, 13 Signs of Societal Collapse, though that is not where I got it from originally. Thanks to Rage for Order and his thread for reminding us what we need to prepare for.


5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
22. Vitamins
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches.
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils,
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
51. Fishing supplies/tools
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs