The History of Bartering for Goods: The Great Depression is a Great Example of Why Bartering is a Necessary Post-Collapse Skill.
When it comes to preparing for disasters,
especially long-term economic disasters where paper currency either loses its
value or even worse, becomes completely unusable, bartering is a preparedness
skill that could come in very handy. Those who like to dicker and know how to negotiate
are going to have a valuable skill that helps ensure their ability to thrive in
a post-collapse world.
While some may dismiss the need for stocking up
on goods for trade, a quick look back at our history will show you the very
real value of being able to barter during times of crisis. In fact, it wasn’t so long ago that people in
this country got by simply by bartering for goods in their local communities.
And during the Great Depression, basic items became more valuable than currency itself.
The history of bartering systems can be traced back to biblical times. In fact, numerous
passages mention people trading things like livestock in exchange for
food or other services.
Genesis 47:17
So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses and the flocks and the herds and the donkeys, and he fed them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year.
But in terms of bartering during times of
crisis, there is no better recent example than that of the Great Depression.
During the Great Depression, a great number of
American families relied on the barter system to pay their bills, feed their
families, and survive. While some bartered goods, others who had valuable skills
to offer traded their knowledge and their time.
But if the 1930s is too far back for you, and
you believe something like that could never happen in today’s society, just take a look at what has been going on in Venezuela over the last couple of year.
In the hyperinflationary South American country,
where their currency is extremely unstable and scarce, many have reverted to a
barter economy. Paying for even the
cheapest goods literally requires piles of
banknotes, of which there simply aren’t
enough circulating. It’s estimated that hyperinflation
in the country has reached 42,000%.
Once one of most prosperous Latin American counties,
socialist policies have transformed Venezuela into an apocalyptic-style,
dystopian novel.
To survive, businesses have started trading their services
for things like loaves of bread and canned goods. People have even started private
Facebook groups to barter goods with others in their country and have taken to
various social media channels using the hashtags #Trueque (barter/exchange) and
#Vzla to find others to trade with.
If you’re fully stocked and prepared to survive,
then you need to put some serious thought
and effort into stockpiling some popular bartering items for those times when paper currency becomes worthless.
What bartering supplies you choose to start
stockpiling will depend on the situation you’re planning for; but in general,
the following items will all probably be in high demand after a total collapse
situation:
Most people don’t realize how hard finding clean
drinkable water will become in a post-collapse situation. When the water
treatment plants stop running, people are going to be scrambling to find a way
to purify their drinking water. Iodine tablets, bleach, water filters,
canteens, and even cooking pots will all be needed and in very high demand.
1 out of every 3 Americans owns a gun, but how
many of these gun owners stockpile an adequate amount of ammunition? After the
economic collapse in 2008, ammunition became very scarce. Some types of
ammunition, specifically .22lr, were impossible to find, and those that had it
were selling it for 10-20 times its original price.
During a long-term disaster or collapse, ammo is
going to be a highly sought after and will quickly become a very popular barter
item. I recommend stocking up on calibers that you actually use, followed by the most common calibers (.22lr, .223,
9mm, .45, 30-06, 12ga, & .308)
If the SHTF, those two out 3 Americans who don’t own guns are going to be wishing, they did. That means guns and firearm
accessories are going to be in high demand. From people looking for parts to
repair broken guns, to those who are currently anti-gun and will quickly change
their position when the chaos hits, I can almost guarantee that firearms will
become one of the most wanted items after a collapse. Even pellet guns might be
good items to stock up on; They’re cheap, easy to find, and would be easier to part
with.
The history of using alcohol as a bartering tool
is long and complex and dates back probably to the beginning of alcohol itself.
For early American moonshiners, making and selling alcohol wasn’t a hobby; it
was how they survived.
Let’s not beat around the bush here; during hard times there is always a market
for alcoholic beverages. And during an apocalyptic SHTF scenario, there’s going
to be a huge number of people who will want to drink their sorrows away. Hard
liquors like Whiskey and Vodka are going to be the best option because of their
long shelf life.
Almost half of all Americans are currently
taking at least one prescription medication. In a post-apocalyptic world,
prescription medications will be another highly sought-after item. From people
who need to treat life-threatening illnesses with antibiotics, to those that
will just want to forget everything
that’s happening and dull their senses, medications will be worth their weight
in gold.
Check out our list of top
medical supplies; everything
on the list will be helpful in a barter economy.
This category is really
a no-brainer. During a long-term crisis, food and water will be the most traded
items on the market. Historically, these are some of the most-values items
for trade:
Check out our list of some of the most important foods to
stockpile. These will all be in high demand and are all good
items to start stocking up on before things go bad.
Having a good stockpile of tools, combined with
the knowledge of how to use them, is not only a sound investment but can also
ensure you have a method for generating income when things go bad. If things
ever completely collapse, those who can fix things are going to be some of the
most sought-after people in the new economy.
Plumbers, carpenters, and handymen are all going
to be able to trade their services for almost anything they need. That means
the best thing you can do to ensure your survival is to start learning skills
that will be important during a collapse.
The great thing about this category is you’re not giving away anything that you might need in the future.
Never barter with something that you may need.
While bartering may become a real part of life
in a post-disaster world, you really need
to consider what items you can and can’t do without.
That means when it comes to bartering, the only thing you should be trading are
items that you have a surplus of or items
that you are sure you won’t need in the future.
I would think that hand tools might pull in a “premium” price in a SHTF barter situation, even cheap crappy ones as long as they are functional. I would also say any type of “luxury” commodity such as cigarettes and coffee would also pull in top trade value.
I only wish I had the problem of being fully squared away and thinking of barter items! Anyway, I might also consider small items that can be bought in bulk such as bic lighters, gauze pads, small candles, batteries, salt, and maybe cigarettes.
Right now, Kmart has a sale on bulk “Dum-dum” pops, I bought a couple bags myself, each has 180 of them in there, so that can be good for trading. That reminds me, I need to get some more batteries. I also get sugar cubes for barter as well, seems more effective than normal sugar for bartering purposes. Also, this seems kind of random, but from my experiences working as a vet tech, using Karo corn syrup is useful for malnourished animals. So maybe it works the same way for people?
Any chance of a list of medications, with they shelf life?
The US Military recently tested out of date drugs and found out that after 12 years 99% tested at 95% still good, the drug companys don’t want you to know this as they want you to buy more…
Very good point. I believe the government removed that from the Internet so us dumb civilians wouldn’t know that about drugs. One drug to be very careful with is Doxycycline (spelling?). Once it passes it’s expiration date do not take it. It will destroy your kidneys. Doxy should be FROZEN in an airtight, sealed bag and once taken out of the freezer it should last about 6 months IIRC. Still, Doxy is probably one of the drugs you may not want to stock up on unless absolutely needed.
Hi, what is that for? Also Antibiotika medicine can be bought from pet shops and are the same thing. Check into it people. They are very important, iodine, sea salt which is cheap. The regular salt could have glass sand and salt mixed together because it is cheaper.
Most antibiotics have a shelf life of 10 more years than the date given. They are at the later time period just a bit weaker and only 10% so 90% is still very good. Keep all in dry and dark areas. The cooler the better but not freezing or mega hot. Room temperature is fine. The basement of dry is the best for many things.
One of my prep stategies is to include barter items and the way I purchase certain items. Although it is cheaper to buy a fifth of alcohol, I will occassionaly purchase in pint or 1/2 pint quantities. Anytime I go to a hotel, I always take the complimentary shampoo, mouthwash, lotion, etc. and put it in a storage container when I get home for later use. Additionally, I’ve purchased a couple of cartons of the cheapest cigarettes and just store them in the freezer. When I have leftover beans and rice, I put them in leftover soda or water bottles for use as barter as well.
alcohol can be purchased in mini-bottles; with a minimal investment of as little as $5, a cig-rolling machine can turn a bag of tobacco and box of tubes into gold for the possessor; butane Bic” lighters are 3/$1 @ the local dollar store and matches even cheaper; coffee can be purchased “tea-bag” style in boxes and broken down into 2 or 3 bag groups; sugar/sweetener packets can be obtained for the same; 3-4 ft strips of duct tape wound around any non-tearing article, ie, popsicle stick; individual-dose packets of pain relievers, antacids, anti-diarrheals; i even have a few spare fish hooks and short lengths of line;
the possibilities are limited only by the imagination…
keep your powder dry – and close
Sorry but ammo and guns are not smart barter items.
They just may use them on you!
Never would this be smart to do if you are smart.
If I ever bartered a gun and ammo I would make it clear if I ever saw them come around with it they would be shot on site!!!
I am going to revisit the topic of drinkable water – too many preppers that I know and that I read are counting on useing the liquid bleach they have set back to chemically treat their water to make it safe to drink. I, too had this plan until I made a startling discovery last year. According to the Clorex bleach site, liguid bleach begins losing it’s effectiveness as soon as it is manufatured! By the time 8 to 12 months have passed, even a whole gallon will not be able to make your water safe to drink. The only viable alterniative is to secure some form of chlorine dioixde or calcium hypochlorite in powder or tablet (like for a swimming pool) form. CAUTION: These chemicals arre dangerous, not just thru ingestions, but in handling so do you research well! There are several recipes online on how to utilize and store them in a safe mannner, as well as what kinds to use and which one to avoid due to other active chemicals. 1 lb of the right kind can purify up to 10,000 gallon of questionsable water and would make a good bartering items for a minimum investment. Again – exercise extreme cautions in storing, handling and mixing these, and any other chemicals. Good luck!
“The only viable alternative is to secure some form of chlorine dioxide or calcium hypochlorite in powder or tablet (like for a swimming pool) form.” Would you like to specify which ones you have seen to be the best option? I am new to this but I knew that bleach lost it’s usefulness just not sure what else to use.
Have you guys never heard of water distilling???? Look into that.
As for barter items, consider what the dollar store and other stores have for a dollar: antidiarrhea meds, pain relievers, cold meds ( decongestants, mucus thinners, cough drops,etc) vitamins, cheap lighters, matches, cough syrup, canned foods (hash, spagetti, chili),energy bars, soy milk,tea, coffee (packets), sugar, vinegar, spices, rubbing alcohol, coffee filters, work gloves, cheap LED flashlights, batteries. As far as water purification, some of the survival stores sell the backpacker survival straw for about 9.95. and some of the 5 gal containers with a built in filter. Something else, alot of people miss …condoms, usually available for free at most health depts. Birth control will be very important in a meltdown situation. They have other uses as well. In short, think like a trader of the early 1800’s: items cheap, yet necessary for cooking, health, and chores.
The Dollar Stores have a very nice 8″ high candle that is supposed to burn for 80 hours. Get some!
For me I’m only going to barter with people at the beginning while all the unprepared people are still “around”. So once they are all gone I am only going to trade when I need something not because I just want another gun to put in my closet.
Why aren’t precious metals mentioned here? Silver coins (pre 1965 or current silver proof sets) would be great for bartering since they are small, light and relatively cheap. How about copper pennies (ie before they took the copper out of them in the ’80s)? You would care about the face value but some one might need the metal. Stamped silver or gold rings or earrings would also be good bartering items. Again, small and light and it has enough value to purchase a more expensive item like a gun.
I hear this mentioned alot and in certain situations it may be a good idea. But my opinion (not worth much) is that in a true collapse situation they will be usefulness (in a literal since). As society rebuilds, and it always does, they will regain their value. If you are starving, thirsty, alone, need medical attention, and your stranded somewhere, those shiny coins in your pocket can’t save you. Many people will not want to carry them around much less take them on trade for something that can keep them alive.
i have been buying (a little at a time)1 oz silver bars..easy to trade/barter for items or even bulk items… as to copper pennies..anything pre 60’s should be good to use..good copper content instead of zinc like the new ones are.
Pennies are copper before 82. Some of the 82’s are also copper but you would have to have a scale to measure which ones are which.
when it comes to acl. you can make your own i know how to make it and wines some thing any one can make back in the old days our founding fathers used to drink acl becouse of the ? they had about the water. and you can make it out of just about any thing , and theres a lot of books that you can use to get ideas from. it could be a good sorce of income if needed and it lasts for years. you can make i think 500 gallions per adult in your house so its worth looking into
the c.d.c. recomends 8 drops of bleach to 1 gallon water. 16 if water is cloudy,let solution stand 5 mins. i work with fema.
Bleach immediately beings breaking down after manufacturing. Bleach has an 8 month shelf life after two months a whole bottle is not effective enough to purify a gallon of water misinformation leads to cholera and death. Look up proper survival plans and look up myths. This is why I don’t trust fema.
If you work with FEMA then you know the recommended time to allow bleach treated water is a MINIMUM of 1/2 an hour, much longer (1 – 2 hours) if you have added a double dose.
Medicine droppers will be valuable to count the drops of bleach and/ or other solution used for water purification. I never see them on any list, anywhere. Check recycling bins of families for infant medications and take the dropper out. Free barter items.(or ask family with children to save them for you. I blame needing to medicate the chickens when I ask my family members. LOL)
Guys, as far as water purification goes, bleach doesn’t really work well. Iodine works, but not completely, either. We used Sterasyl ceramic filters for about 20 years overseas in ‘the boonies’, and they worked very well for our family. They are made for run-off water, for pond water, for river water, for rain water… not so much for water that’s polluted with organic pollutants or radiation or things like that.
I’ve developed a US-version of what we used to filter our water, and it’s shown at facebook.com/WaterForMyKids – I’ve got a large size unit (the ‘Base Camp’ unit) available right now for $125, and am working on several smaller sizes as well. The Base Camp unit has 2 filters inside, and is good for about 1500 gallons of pure water. The filters should last you up to a year, depending on how much crud you pour into the top bucket, and extras only cost about $30 each. Not too expensive, and certainly very simple. Only one moving part – the spigot – and the rest is just gravity fed. No electricity, no need for running water… simple, cheap, and they work. We used them for 20 years – they work.
Water may well become a thing to barter, as well – if we can produce pure, drinkable water for our families and then some extra to sell/trade, I think these units would pay for themselves in a short time!
I am storing condoms. We don’t need them anymore…. but perhaps my married children will want them or great for barter. Just a thought!
Condoms can hold roughly a liter of water before breaking. Just want to make sure you have a non lubricated condom if you are drinking it.
Sawyer water filtration systems are great but pricey , does any body have another idea that’s just as good but cost a little less ?
TOILET TISSUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I suggest that folks should educate themselves on greenhouse gardening and hydroponic gardening.I also suggest th take up winemaking as a hobby.It is a fun hobby and a great bartering tool as well
I really don’t think using pool chemicals is very safe. I would go and buy purification tablets or water straws. They have water straws that are good for up to 1,000 gallons for each straw, that is a lot of water. That is my opinion. I never ever would use chemicals that I would use in my pool, never !!!!! The internet has many ideas for water filtration, such as Biosand water filtration…very interesting. Just do your homework. Believe me in the past month I have learned A LOT !!! and I thank everyone who has posted “how to’s” on Youtube and websites. They have really educated me on just about everything. Just doing the best I can so I can survive SHTF situation.
Bleach is bleach. What do you think municipal water treatment plants use? Just make sure that the “pool chemicals” do not have any other additives. The powdered and cake formalist indefinitely if sealed, unlike the liquid “toilet chemicals” stuff you use to clean your toilets and would rather use. Otherwise, same chemical, same result.
hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds that potentially could kill you if antibiotics are inaccessible. Old backpacks, most people have these but carrying lots of weight could ruin one easily. maps related to where you live. people recently have been relying on gps on their phones and if your phone isn’t charged and you have somewhere to go you could be SOL. Specifically honey. it can be used as an antiseptic also it is edible obviously. long shelf life (found in Egyptian tombs for the most part still good). lastly wet wipes, while in Afghanistan, if you had wet wipes you could feel more clean than most since showering wasn’t available.
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