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Post by thereth on Aug 7, 2014 16:38:39 GMT 10
Hey Everyone,
After looking at some of the things i want to make and seeing the projects some of you have in the works, i have been wondering what, in a STF scenario, would be good items to have for barter.
I am not talking your traditional cash, or precious metals, i am referring to good old fashioned barter.
I have a small list of things that I think would be great for bartering and will be updating as more ideas come to me, I would love to see what you guys think.
1) Tobacco + Pipe - To me tobacco will be a massive bartering tool as the physically addicted will give up just about anything to get their hands on it, they are relatively cheap as well @ about $25 for a tin of tobaco (tins seem like they would last a lot longer) and a cheap corn cob pipe ($3-5).
2) Power - After looking at making a small power unit with a 10w solar panel and battery, similar to the one pheniox and ausprep are looking at, I figured having 1 or 2 extra would be fantastic for high end bartering, giving somone the ability to have lights, or charge radios etc could very well sway them to part with whatever it is they have that you want
3) Lifestraw - only $30 and you can have drinking water, these are fantastic (as you all know) for any prepper and having extra is never a bad thing, especially for such a light item, but keeping one or 2 aside for trade could very well give you an edge in any prospective SHTF scenario
I'll keep it at that for now, I am sure some of you will not agree with some of my choices and I would love to hear why,
Thanks and keep safe
Reth
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Post by Ausprep on Aug 7, 2014 18:41:38 GMT 10
Great post Reth!
I think the things you have here are great ideas, just to add my 2C.
Look for the basic things. These are usually the cheapest to buy and will possibly the most sought after.
Soap. Takes up little to no room, comes in those little 4pks. You could have 6-8 even 10 lots of those in a cupboard and they will take up (and cost) next to nothing. Can be bartered per bar.
TeaBags.Comes in them long pkts of 50 or 100, again cheap to by with bugger all space taken up by 6 - 8 again, even 10pkts. These can also be traded as above, as individual bags. Giving you a few hundred items for barter.
Coffee.Large tins of homebrand coffee, divided into small ziploc bags, single or two/three cups per bag.
Rice.Bags of home brand rice are like $0.99C and again take up next to no room. Not sure on long term storage though, im not a foodie sorry lol.
Bandaids. Simple, cheap and *could* be worth something post shtf?
Toiletries. Look for the small travel items. Ive seen things like Detol, hand sanitizer, Shampoo/Cond, Mouthwash etc etc at the discount variety stores, all ex motel stuff for less than $1/item. Even eBay has surplus motel items in bulk...very cheap.
just a few examples of things i could think will be valuable post shtf.
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remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Aug 7, 2014 18:51:25 GMT 10
Toothbrushes, underwear, socks!
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Post by Ausprep on Aug 7, 2014 18:55:01 GMT 10
Just thinking...how long does a tin of tuna stay good for?
These are always on special, at Coles $0.59c for home brand. Small, stackable tins?
Or we could go full mad max and eat dog food lol
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Post by StepfordRenegade on Aug 7, 2014 19:27:35 GMT 10
Condoms
Pads/tampons
First aid stuff
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myrrph
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Post by myrrph on Aug 7, 2014 19:32:50 GMT 10
I told SR that she could build mini first aid kits with ziplocks.
Bandaids of various sizes
a packet of antiseptic solution
4 aspirin
Bandage Tape
Bandage
Cheap and good. Make 10 or so, you have enough for trading.
Hotel Soap would be another good one.
Agree with the life straw. How about water purification tabs?
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Post by Ausprep on Aug 7, 2014 19:38:58 GMT 10
I think you need to aim a little smaller. Life straws are great, but at $20 a pop? I would like a few, but they would be for my family..not trading. Ammo would be a great item? .22 ammo can be purchased in 1400rnd buckets for $70. Thats $0.05 a hit. In 10rnd lots @ $0.50c...they would be ideal for trade. The "mini" FAK's that myrrph mentioned is also great. Using homebrand items could see 10 kits made for around $5.00-$8.00 |
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Post by thereth on Aug 7, 2014 19:47:33 GMT 10
even a 50rd pack of cheap ass hollow point ammo is only 4-5 over here and people would be happy to pay that i would think if there was nothing else
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Post by Ausprep on Aug 7, 2014 19:55:15 GMT 10
even a 50rd pack of cheap ass hollow point ammo is only 4-5 over here and people would be happy to pay that i would think if there was nothing else Agree'd. Thinking that a bucket could be broken down much easier than the small 50rnd pkts. |
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Post by thereth on Aug 7, 2014 20:03:37 GMT 10
oh for sure, and they are usually cheaper per round, ammo over here is so bloody expensive, we literally pay nearly double for some.
Cleaver has 10 boxes of 525 federal 22 for $275
The cheapest I can find it in perth is $480
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myrrph
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Post by myrrph on Aug 7, 2014 20:10:11 GMT 10
i can't buy guns, much less ammo.
more inclined with mini FAK, alcohol, stuff I can grow as barter items.
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Post by thereth on Aug 7, 2014 20:53:47 GMT 10
cayenne pepper and alow vera would be invaulable as trade items, both have many many medicanal (sp) uses
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Post by Ausprep on Aug 7, 2014 20:55:14 GMT 10
cayenne pepper and alow vera would be invaulable as trade items, both have many many medicanal (sp) uses In saying that...Any spice, in bulk, broken down into smaller zip-loc bags. |
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remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Aug 7, 2014 21:02:33 GMT 10
Small packets of coloring pencils! (not essential but good for morale boost for kids)
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Aug 7, 2014 21:03:34 GMT 10
I like Reths idea of small power stations, but I wouldn't trade the station, just some of the amps it produces.
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Frank
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Post by Frank on Aug 7, 2014 21:04:32 GMT 10
Can't add to much to what has already been suggested.
Booze - Scotch, Rum, Vodka
Tobacco/Ciggies/Cigars
Sugar/Tea/Coffee/Salt and Pepper or anything comfort food related like chocolate
Anything medical/first aid related
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Post by Ausprep on Aug 7, 2014 21:09:48 GMT 10
Ahh yep. Forgot that. Macca's sachet's OR again, bulk, broken down into smaller qty's. Great thinking Frank! |
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Post by thereth on Aug 7, 2014 21:13:57 GMT 10
In regards to the trading of power stations, that would be a very high end item, im talking in exchange for firearms, or water purification or something life giving that would require a lot of persuasion to get someone to part with.
I agree for general trade just charging devices would suffice, especially if you have a lithium battery that should last 2-3000 charges
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Aug 7, 2014 21:15:30 GMT 10
oh yeah, $7.50 for 25kg of salt at any pool shop, it's just sodium chloride "NaCl"
Also great for weed control on a gravel driveway.
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wolfstar
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Post by wolfstar on Aug 7, 2014 21:19:58 GMT 10
I'm pretty leery about trading away ammo. Never give someone something they can kill you with. Fishing hooks and line would be ideal. And things like tea tree oil, metho. Antiseptic wipes. Baby wipes. Salt. Manual tools like drills, nails and screws.
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