What Barter Items are you keeping on hand?

I would use food, ammo and/or medicine though I would rather not give any of those items away.

Cigarettes and hard liquor

A case of Ambasol or oragel..What people would do and give when they have a tooth ache...lol

Vegetable seeds.

Everybody can grow veggies from seed, but how many people know how to harvest and store them?

I don't have the ability, but, depending on the situation, bowmaking would be useful.

A good bow with nearly unlimmited ammo (as much as you can make), would seem like a good barter item in a time when ammo is scarce and hunting becomes less sport and more survival.

reply to post by spines


Very true, spines. I always wanted to learn how to shoot a bow. It would be awesome to know how to make a good long bow that is made from things in your local area. Like which tree is the strongest to create the base and what can be used as string that is just as resilient.

reply to post by nrky


Yes, nrky. A big store of seeds would help. Only challenge is having the land, supplies and manpower to properly grow them. Better be prepared to defend your garden/farm. As soon as people get wind you have food, they'll be on it like a fly on seductive poo.

Great so in review of all the posts so far
tobacco
liquor
tooth topical pain gel
seeds
lard
honey
hydroponics
antibiotics
meds
ammo
spices (indian spices suggested)
paper
books any kind
vitamins
salt
gas
Gold
sugar
Fresh vegi`s
being able to purify water
Bow making is a great idea

Thanks for all the good suggestions and liks for my reloader.

I think also chocolate, can not leave this out. Maybe i can get a roll of TP for a almond joy!

Every idea helps....


Saralee

Well to me i think, if you could make and distribute generators, or solar panels, that would be very useful.

But if you are talking basics, Knives and maps.

can't get anywhere in the bush without a good knife.
having maps of the area can help.

Also Candles and soap. Both easy to make, hard to find.


One more Pornography... think about it.

reply to post by KingAtlas


Good Ideas, I will have to look up how to make soap. Candles I know how to make but need the wax.
Thanks

This is something I've discussed with my other half and a like minded friend a few times. Below is our list.


1) Ammo - I picked up a variety of common calibres of ammo for trading but I would be really concerned about who I traded with given that a lot of people may think that they can then take from you.

2) Hygene supplies - I travel a lot and I always take the various shampoo, soap, lotion and sewing kits etc that they give away free. I now have a box with over 100 of each of the first three and 25 or so sewing kits.

3) Matches - I have hundreds of packs of matches stored in plastic and sealed to keep them dry.

4) Seeds - Easy stuff and things that can be eaten as sprouts.

5) Knives - I picked up a case of knives a while back, they are 2.5" long with a stainless blade, very sharp point and a serrated edge. The blade locks and the handle is black plastic. They are big enough to be useful, but not good for throwing or hunting.

6) Spear tips - I have a dozen spear tips that just need a shaft to be used.

7) String - shock cord small enough to be used as a shoe lace or for tents etc.

8) Water - We have a 300GPM water processing unit, that is trailer mounted. We can fill jugs with purified water for people.

9) Fabric - We have about 12 or so large bolts of fabric for clothes etc. 3 are water proof for shelters or tents.

10) Tents - Over the years I've acquired 5 little mini tents (2 man dome type) that I paid under $20 for each on sale. They make a good shelter or storage place to keep gear dry.

lots of primers, 50#'s or more of powder "black" I keep-em inn 3-5 lb bags.... lead and molds.
Of course this would need to be stashed and only small quantities, shown or available for barter.......OHHH and all the 45 long colt brass I can hord.
Which still shoots 800-1000 FPS evan with black powder

Originally posted by KingAtlas
One more Pornography... think about it.

Actually birth control such as condoms would be a great idea. Wives are going to start cutting off husbands because they don't want to get pregnant in a SHTF situation. I know lots of guys who would give away the farm for a couple of condoms if it was the only way to get 'lucky'. Hate to be crude but I'm sure we all know people like that.

OH and a car batterie, and an altornater off of an old chrysler or large SUV or even a big rig, water or wind can easily charge your battery, and run a 1500 watt inverter for your basic needs such as melting pot for pouring lead, and many other things....

Hmm, well I do have a few things I could trade. I have acess to plenty of water and water purification tablets etc.... I have plenty of canned foods and what not.

I also have services I can trade as well. I am a half way decent carpenter. I am not much of a mechanic but I do get lucky sometimes when tinkering with an engine. I am young and strong and can provide manual labor.

Other than that, I guess I would have to see how it goes.

Originally posted by Redpillblues
A case of Ambasol or oragel..What people would do and give when they have a tooth ache...lol

I'd also add to that some of the strongest painkillers you can get over the counter, Anbesol is good, but it does absolutely NOTHING to help with the pain of something like an abscess.

If I'd have been in the wilds with one I would have traded away pretty much anything to get my hands on some co-codamol. Worst pain I have ever been through!

Co-codamol is now included in my bag of medical supplies.

[edit on 14/7/09 by AngelInterceptor]

reply to post by saralee


Rabbits and chickens are great for barter and low cost to house and maintain as they can just eat whatever is on the ground.

reply to post by warrenb


Speaking of rabbits. I opened up a thread about using rabbits as a source for food in the Survival board:

Rabbits : Source of Food

There were some good contributions, including how to raise and clean rabbits and some mouth-watering recipes.

[edit on 15-7-2009 by guppy]

[edit on 15-7-2009 by guppy]