$$-Something of Value-SHTF??

[BigJim #1-8]

Morning All,
How have some of you prepared for money/barter in a SHTF situation.
PM's,Ammo,Guns....?

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!

[snellkid]

For long term, Money probably will have little or no value, Food,Fuel, Ammo & "other things" will be supplies that are highly sought after and will be the New Currency.

[Mac5.56]

The only reason money has any value to begin with is because we place value on it. Therefore I think money (cash) will be utilized for a the short term simply out of denial by the majority of people in a situation like this. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think people will be able to deny the urge to take a worthless piece of paper initially because they will see it as something of value in the future.

But items are critical, as are skills. I have a wide variety of both, and feel comfortable with being able to get by with bartering.

Of particular value though would be rolling tabaco (why can I never spell this word), and smokes. Being able to grow the plant itself would be even better, but I have heard it is a pain in the butt, and may not be worth the pay off in a barter situation.

[ffusaf23]

Silver has been used for a few thousand years as a means to barter, it has intrinsic value unlike fiat/paper currencies. It might be a good idea to keep some for SHTF situations and it's currently under $20/ounce making it relatively affordable for most.

Of course primary concern is food, water, shelter, safety, etc., but I think holding on to some fractional amounts of silver could be quite practical as well.

[geminidglocker]

I live in Vermont. We have long cold winters, maybe not this year, but typically we do. I bought my home on 13.5 acres of woodland. I've got Birch, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Beech, etc; and some White Pines and Cedars. I did this because I could not really afford to invest in Preps otherwise,ie; Gold, precious metals etc;. This makes my small forest worth more than Gold in a SHTF situation. Heating your home up here can be the difference between life and death. I also wisely chose a home that lies between a few Farms. Without oil or wood to heat their homes, they go cold. Without food to feed my Dog and Myself, we starve, save for my Garden and Hunting. All of my Neighbors are good folk, and most of them Reload and shoot often, so we should be fat, happy and warm in my neck of the woods.

[RAM Engineer]

I would be very hesitant to use ammo or guns as barter items, depending on the person. Why give someone the means to take your stuff by force?

I'm leaning towards things that are cheap to buy now, but are difficult to duplicate in a non-industrial society.

Some items I'd considered:

Inexpensive knives (Opinel No. 6, Victorinox Classic, Frosts Mora of Sweden)
Sewing Needles and Pins/Safety Pins
Sewing Thread
Buttons
Shoe Laces
Socks
Twine/Rope
Nails
Whiskey
Tobacco
Coffee

[Noodle]

I live in Vermont. We have long cold winters, maybe not this year, but typically we do. I bought my home on 13.5 acres of woodland. I've got Birch, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Beech, etc; and some White Pines and Cedars. I did this because I could not really afford to invest in Preps otherwise,ie; Gold, precious metals etc;. This makes my small forest worth more than Gold in a SHTF situation. Heating your home up here can be the difference between life and death. I also wisely chose a home that lies between a few Farms. Without oil or wood to heat their homes, they go cold. Without food to feed my Dog and Myself, we starve, save for my Garden and Hunting. All of my Neighbors are good folk, and most of them Reload and shoot often, so we should be fat, happy and warm in my neck of the woods.

I live in Vermont also. The good news is that we should be able to take care of ourselves. The bad news is that half of Boston and New York will try to make it north for "safety". Better have lots of arms and ammo to protect the limited resources in our Vermont towns and villages. Setting up appropriate armed road blocks will be key to keep outsiders from raping and pillaging.

[K.L. Davis]

Food: No one has ever figured out a way to live without it.

[fixer]

it would depend on the scale of the problem. if it's something like a blizzard, quake or hurricane, ie regional, short term event cash will still have value.

gold and silver have value, but you can't eat 'em. but they are dense and easy to transport.

trading guns and/or ammo seems like a VERY bad idea... even tho many people consider ammo to be post-shtf bartering wampum.

i'd be most concerned about getting MY stuff squared away instead of stocking goods for barter.

now, if you have a skill that can be bartered... for example if you're a blacksmith, vet, doctor, welder, gunsmith, mechanic, plumber, carpenter, cooper, or just a general "jack of all trades" you should be good to go.

[dashotgun]

stock up on salt. The word salary comes from salt. because people used to be paid in it.
It is essential element has medical uses and can be used to preserve food as wll as give taste. If you do not live near the coast it can be hard to come by. Bulk salt will store easily and has an indefinite shelf life. Get some of the iodiazed kind as well with out it you are looking at a goiter before long.