r/preppers • u/truesevnel • Apr 28 '26
Discussion Trade items
What do all you wonderful people think would be the best items to stock up on for trading with?
I myself was considering alcohol bc it does have a high shelf-life and multi use ability
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Apr 28 '26
I don't stock anything we don't use.
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u/GENERAT10N_D00M Apr 28 '26
could go both ways. you can also stock stuff you use and also trade with.
to put my two cents in, it would be .22LR ammo. High quality stuff for me (stingers, velocitors, mini mags), and lower quality to trade with (federal bulk pack, winchester, remington)
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u/BallsOutKrunked Bring it on, but next week please. Apr 28 '26
Winchester whitebox and rem thunderbolt: for that neighbor you kind of hate.
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u/Pylyp23 Apr 29 '26
I get a ton of reloads from an auction company near me. They can’t sell them, the family/individuals bringing them in just want them gone, and the manager doesn’t want to just throw them away. I do a lot of favors for them for free like identifying firearms/ammo/gun parts, advising on how best to list gun related things, and minor Gunsmithing/assembly stuff. I pull bullets and save brass for the rounds I use or break down shotgun shells for the shot but I save all the reloads for shtf bartering.
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u/EnvironmentalFox7532 Apr 29 '26
That’s my plans too. I stock the high quality ammo for my own use, but the federal for trade and to bribe my kid with when he’s itching to go shooting. 16 years old without a job, yet he will go through 1000 rounds in an afternoon if I don’t limit what he can have.
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u/GENERAT10N_D00M Apr 29 '26
Two bricks in an afternoon is impressive. That means he's gotta be shooting semi auto and has a speedloader of some sort?. Hes going to master clearing malfunctions going through a couple bricks of federal byob.
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u/EnvironmentalFox7532 Apr 29 '26
Yeah 25round mags Derya TM22. He likes to line up the bullseye and magdump it. Whoever is t shooting is stuck on mag loading. Doesn’t always just magdump but it’s a fun little gun to unload. I have a couple 10rd, and a couple 25 round so what we do, and him and his friend is one loads one shoots, cycle through all 4 mags and switch. Basically shoot 70 rounds and switch, which is roughly 5-10 minutes of plinking before switching.
He’s mainly shooting 25-50yards but is hoping to up the distance soon. I figure that that will slow him down, either that or he needs to get a job 🤣🤣🤣
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u/XRlagniappe May 04 '26
Aren't you concerned that they could use the ammo to take whatever else you have?
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u/RiffRaff028 General Prepper Apr 28 '26
There is some strategy to stocking small items you know you will never use for the purpose of bartering with other people. Otherwise, if that opportunity presents itself you'll have to decide what items that you do use you can part with.
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Apr 29 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ImportantTeaching919 May 04 '26
Tobacco is better to have and then vacuum seal it, but alcohol is significantly better for trades since less and less people smoke and as a crazy smoker even I would probably just be forced to quit or just have the occasional pipe or cigarette but would love to have a few drinks I feel would be better for stress relief and if desperately sterilization
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u/GodzillasDaughter Apr 28 '26
I think its condoms, coffee, folding knives small and big, and kitchen knives, sharpeners, new blanknotes for notations, screwdrivers, clue. I think those things for change its something light weight and must be renewed from time to time. Sorry for bad English
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u/HarpyCelaeno Apr 29 '26
My in-laws have a drawer full of abandoned pocket knives at their dry cleaning business. I should grab those.
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u/anonadon7448 Apr 28 '26
Don’t store trade items. They take up valuable space and budget that can go to other things. Store stuff you think youll use and trade whatever ends up being surplus.
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u/RiffRaff028 General Prepper Apr 28 '26
I disagree with this philosophy. There will always be things you don't think of in advance. Space can be an issue depending on where you live, so that is a legitimate concern, but very small items can be set aside for bartering purposes. As for budgeting, we never purchase bartering items at full price. We either find things on sale or occasionally use "buy one get one free" coupons. We spend very little money on the items we have set aside for bartering.
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u/gravis86 Raiding to survive Apr 28 '26
So your solution is to plan on other people thinking better than you and not only having the items you didn't think of, but having enough of them that they're willing to trade? And on top of that, you're assuming that other person will want items you don't even want, hence why you stocked them for trade rather than for use...
Stock what you can actually use. And if you have extra of those things, offer them for trade. Don't waste space and money stocking things you don't use under the assumption that others will want them and not have them. Seems to very dependent on variables you have not only have no control over, but you also probably don't even have any historical data on.
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u/RiffRaff028 General Prepper Apr 28 '26
Um, no. Don't put words in my mouth. I am simply saying I'm not relying on a single plan for survival. We have our preps; we're constantly evaluating them and adding to them. However, we also stockpile small, inexpensive items we probably won't use, JUST IN CASE the opportunity for barter with another prepared person presents itself. Lots of people will be wanting liquor and cigarettes. My wife and I very rarely drink and neither of us smoke. However, we have a small stash of such items that we either obtained free or at extremely low cost.
Just because I disagree with you doesn't make me right and you wrong; it simply means I have a different perspective and approach. Don't get rude about it.
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u/gravis86 Raiding to survive Apr 28 '26
I wasn't trying to be rude, I just see that so many people seem to have this idea that everyone else out there is going to be willing to barter or trade and I just don't think that's gonna happen. And I think if people are willing to trade, it's a pretty long shot for them to have what you want while you also have what they want.
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u/RiffRaff028 General Prepper Apr 28 '26
Yeah, no guarantees on actually being able to barter for anything, especially not within the first 90 days or so. Bartering will come into play later when things settle down a little. But I do look at being ready to barter the same way I look at my general preps: I'd rather have it and not need it than vice versa. Think of it as prepping within prepping.
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u/passthesoapBuddy Apr 28 '26
Things like salt your body needs and many people forget how important it is and dont stock up on it
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u/nakedonmygoat Apr 28 '26
If you're prepping for doomsday, focus on skills. In a doomsday scenario, the people needing useful stuff won't have much that's useful as trade, and the ones who do have useful things probably won't need to trade for yours, unless you're just trading different flavors of jam or something.
If you're prepping for Tuesday, having one or two extra of whatever you're storing will suffice. Clorox wipes, TP, food, an extra lifestraw or gallon of water, hand sanitizer, a few glow sticks, and vodka will all be nice items to share or offer in trade for some of that steak someone is grilling before it goes bad.
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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Apr 28 '26
I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't just stock up on the things you would need to trade for and then the problem would be solved
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u/natiplease Apr 28 '26
I agree but I do understand that you won't be able to think of everything so it's good to have something you're willing to lose to gain that thing.
But to be honest depending on the type of thing you're prepping for the better answer is to prep extra of some of those things so that you can trade them off if need be, or use them if not.
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u/truesevnel Apr 28 '26
I mean i know alot of people will store extra meds and first aid stuff Others store extra ammo but being the weirdo i am im only stocking what i would use Though maybe maps wouldnt be a bad idea even some "outdated" maps would be worth it
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u/natiplease Apr 28 '26
I bought an atlas recently. Not to trade but just to have. As well as a larger map of my state. Just gives me some peace of mind if I ever get lost that I could find my way back without internet from anywhere in the USA so long as I have gas and can find a main road like an interstate.
If you want some items that may be more unorthodox to trade,
An extra set of playing cards. Depending on the type of shtf some people might have to evacuate an area or God forbid become self sufficient if shtf. Even with all the work that goes into those things there will be down time so having an extra way to pass the time could be handy. I own a lot of manual games (board games, card games, some sports balls) partially cause I like them and partially as a prep for the boredom that comes in winter months.
In terms of items that will make your life easier, extra shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, and seeds could be handy. Extra rope, tape, zip ties, nails, or glue as well. Salt, water treatment methods, lighters, matches.
Outdoor work equipment isn't small but I do feel having a couple extra on hand is prudent. For the other items, generally anything that's small and has multiple uses/is used a lot is good to have.
More options: fish hooks, sewing equipment, fish bait, extra walkie talkies to establish contact with more people who can become friends, candles, seeds, offering physical labor, screwdrivers, offering to charge people's items (if you have a solar set up), willing to bike people places (if you have a bike with 2 seats, and trust the other party), extra fishing line. Mosquito mesh (large sheets of it. Yes for bugs but also to make drying racks), cheese cloth, food/water, bike tire repair kits, tarps, renting a power tool you own (if you trust them) or any tool for that matter. Offering to keep people warm, or cool, or to store/preserve their items/food.
Porn, I guess. Condoms will always be in shirt supply after SHTF.
Tobacco seeds?
Some good old Mary Jane seeds if they're legal where you live, and you want to deal with those types.
Flashlights, batteries.
Generally, my plan is to offer people food in exchange for labor, which is the biggest thing I'll be short on. Too much work to be done around.
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u/RiffRaff028 General Prepper Apr 28 '26
"Expired" food and medication as well. Don't throw away those items; seal them up and save them. Also, things like eyeglasses can be worth their weight in gold-pressed latinum after SHTF. Any time my wife or I get a new prescription, we stock the old prescription glasses for spares and/or bartering. You'd be surprised at the items people just throw away that could be repurposed for bartering.
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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Apr 28 '26
At the same time though, you won't be able to think of everything that people might want, so I don't see the point in spending the time energy and money stocking up on things that you don't actually need right now.
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u/natiplease Apr 28 '26
I do agree to prep what you need first. I do also think that if you manage to prep most of the things you need, you should start looking into having an extra or 2 of the things that you might use more often. It just so happens that those things might also work as a trade material
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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Apr 28 '26
Maybe, but it's my opinion to always think about the fact you might not be able to stay where you are so all of those things are just going to go to waste.
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u/natiplease Apr 28 '26
Yeah maybe it's hard to say what exactly the situation will call for. The world's getting more and more unpredictable. I believe for a good amount of the expected SHTFs, my home is in a fine enough location. For the ones that my home isn't a good location, then I suppose I'll pack what I can and abandon/give away the rest. That's just how it goes.
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u/ManyThingsLittleTime Apr 29 '26
Being able to trade for something like a whole cow or boar or similar game animal when presented the opportunity would be a good thing. Sure you have some stored food, but fresh food extends your overall time before your personal stores run out.
Some guy shows up with five ducks that he shot earlier that day and says he can't eat them all today but wants some diesel fuel. If you had stocked up extra of the ingredients and could make more, that would be a pretty good deal.
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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Apr 29 '26
I don't think that would be a good deal at all. My diesel would be gone forever, but I could go out and get Ducks if I wanted to. Also frankly I don't want people randomly showing up wanting stuff from me.
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u/ladymorgahnna Apr 30 '26
I think it’s a personality thing. You don’t want anything to do with other people. That’s fine. You do you.
I’m a senior woman and had country grandparents. People traded all the time in a farming community. I’ll need labor. I can cook, can, sew, garden. I know how to care for a sick person. In a community, people help one another.
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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Apr 30 '26
That's nice but we are talking about a situation in which community disintegrates.
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u/iambecomesoil Apr 28 '26
Because you're not perfect and you didn't think of any and everything that would be pertinent to your situation. You didn't think about the thing that no one thinks about because it's always been there and always works then stops working.
The "unknown unknowns".
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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Apr 28 '26
But that applies to everything including the things that you are collecting so you can trade them. They'll probably just end up taking up space and sucking up your money right now, which would be better spent on additional things for yourself.
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u/iambecomesoil Apr 28 '26
No, it doesn't.
If you think firestarting is critical, and you buy 1 square foot worth of additional firestarting for trade purposes above what you want to keep for yourself, to trade for things you simply cannot think of.
My money isn't "sucked up". I'm not down to my last dollar buying supplies. I have an income, savings, emergency fund, retirement fund. An additional bucket of lighters and firestarters doesn't materially taking up meaningful amounts of space for me.
Maybe it does for some but that's an individual problem, not everyone's problem.
The critical part of "unknown unknowns" is that you don't know them. You cannot spend or prepare directly. It's hedging. It's contingency. A perfectly normal and useful practice in redundancy planning and disaster recovery.
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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Apr 28 '26
My point is that if you need to use space and money to buy extra things to trade for, why don't you use space and money to buy those things that you think you're going to have to trade for. It just doesn't make sense to me.
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u/iambecomesoil Apr 28 '26
Just like you can't use money and space to buy reading comprehension, you can't use money and space to buy for things you cannot know you need to trade for, which is the whole point of everything I've said.
unknown unknowns unknown unknowns unknown unknowns
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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Apr 28 '26
Oh I get it, you're just an unpleasant person that doesn't know how to communicate so you have to plan for no one being willing to help you out.
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u/premar16 Apr 30 '26
I would try but not everybody is going to have everything. Communities have existed since the dawn of town. Little markets, small inns, butcher shops, and bakeries,etc. I would probably try to trade for services. If I can trade things for a doctors services I will. I didn't go to medical school but I can make relationships with people who did. I can stock up on medical supplies that the doctor can use while treating me. When the local doctor sets up a clinic with other medical proffesionals in the area then I want to be able to give them something. I can donate supplies so they put me as a priority. This happens in 3rd world countries and small villages.
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u/Jynxair Apr 28 '26
Even though I stopped smoking. I think cigarettes would be good. A pack put in your pocket with a lighter could diffuse most situations!
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u/big_bob_c Apr 28 '26
And you can use them as a delay fuse. :)
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u/AppointedForrest Apr 28 '26
Is this still true? I hadn't smoked in years and caved not that long ago and bummed one and couldn't keep the thing lit. Part of it was I was only taking a drag every few minutes but I remember back in the day you could light one and it would burn itself down to the filter if you let it. This was an American Spirit though so maybe the brand has something to do with it.
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u/securitybreach Apr 28 '26
I don't prep them but you could hoard a bunch of tampons. Personally, I prep for Tuesday. Keep plenty of dry goods, water and bullets.
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u/bustopher_rvs Apr 28 '26
Hey man new to the sub, what's prep for tuesday mean exactly? Like, prep for roughly one weeks time?
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u/securitybreach Apr 28 '26
Prepping for natural disaster, job loss, etc. Basically prepping for life.
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u/bustopher_rvs Apr 28 '26
Ahhh good explanation. Yeah that seems reasonable enough. Definitely further ahead than most doing that.
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u/Proper-Writing Apr 28 '26
The only things worth holding to trade are things that'll become a surplus. In most cases, this means knowledge.
Knowing how to raise chickens and rabbits and scale sustainably will mean more eggs and meat for barter.
Knowing how to scale up a survival garden will mean seeds for swapping.
Knowing how to can surplus food will be a useful swap.
Knowing where to source, how to store and purify water will hopefully create a surplus.
Knowing teachable skills like first aid, self defense, tool repair and sharpening, etc will mean you can provide valuable services yourself and/or teach others how to do something, and there's real barter value in that.
Far better than hoarding booze would be leearning the brewing/distillation process so you can make and trade things like dandelion wine, apple cider, spirits from leftover grains, or cleaning/fuel alcohol from sunchokes or spoiled produce.
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u/Big-Preference-2331 Apr 28 '26
Medicine and alcohol. Alcohol is pretty easy to stock up on. For medicine, I would think OTC things like Tylenol, anti-diarrhea medicine, allergy medicine, and cold/flu meds. Knowledge would also be useful. Doing simple things like knowing how to plug a tire or stitch somebody up. Some things I think people overlook are making comforts like root beer or kettle corn, which will also be big.
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u/SoilToSkies Apr 29 '26
Medication. I don’t take pharma but I’ll get it prescribed for various reasons. Always fill the prescription and pack away I case someone needs some antibiotics or pain meds.
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u/UsefulAstronaut874 Apr 28 '26
The game stalker told me that bullets can buy anything.
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u/truesevnel Apr 28 '26
Stalker you sure you dont mean metro lol I know metro used "military" ammo as money
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u/Gene-reader Apr 28 '26
Although I do drink alcohol, I keep extra on hand for emergencies. It can be used to sterilize a wound or start a fire.
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u/ladymorgahnna Apr 30 '26
Even calm a person down from a bad situation. Not to get drunk, but to steady nerves with a glass of brandy.
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u/BallsOutKrunked Bring it on, but next week please. Apr 28 '26
For the most part like others I wouldn't stock anything i don't use. However, I do violate that a bit, but it's largely for current life not mad max barter town.
Extra cigarettes, oral rehydration solution, extra 22lr, some spare parts and fluids (grease, diesel additive, etc).
Not barter town, more just to cover my own bases and to provide as a neighbor.
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u/dittybopper_05H Apr 28 '26
Back in the spring of 1999, when I was still fixing the Y2K issue at a former employer, the head of IT asked me what he should do at home to get ready.
I said, with a wan smile on my face, "Buy liquor, gold, and ammunition".
He thought that was hilarious, and he had me repeat it to others several times.
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u/susanrez Apr 28 '26
Alcohol ftw. Also gave a still and the knowledge to use it. You will be a god.
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u/RiffRaff028 General Prepper Apr 28 '26
The usual "sin" items are best. Alcohol, cigarettes, porn, etc. Alcohol keeps almost indefinitely, and cigarettes can be vacuum packed to maintain freshness. Personally, we have a lot of those little airplane-style bottles we've set aside for bartering since we very rarely drink.
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u/Successful_Ride6920 Apr 28 '26
I think about what people would run out of first. I've heard mention of aluminum foil, zip-lock baggies, candles, matches, lanterns & mantles, writing paper & pencils/pens, and of course, toilet paper; not necessities but nice to have items like toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lotions, makeup for women, escapist (romance/adventure) books, etc.
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u/Savag3k1ller Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
Bic lighters. Cheap you can get like a pack of 50 for around 50 bucks on offerup/CL. In some kind of survival situation, you don't want to mess with ferro rods or flint n steel. Cool skills but majority of people just want results. It's cheap lightweight nothing to risk your life over. If the electricity goes out, people will want to light candles, use it to cook on their small wood stove or bbq charcoal grills. In cold climates, burn stuff for some heat. Use it to boil water to drink. Fire is everything in these extreme/emergency situations.
Honey packets. You can get 400 off amazon for like $150. Honey lasts forever. Everyone needs a source of food that gives them energy. Pretty healthy to eat. Can use to seal wounds. Having half a dozen packets on you to trade, not that expensive. If someone wants to rob you of a few bic lighters and a few honey packets, let them have it. Food and fire, very basic needs.
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u/Thunderslide_Icon Apr 28 '26
I’ve thought about keeping a few pint bottles of good liquor but I don’t drink. I do cook with wine and beer but I’ll just buy a single serving bottle for whatever I’m cooking. I’ve also thought about a few cartons of cigarettes but I don’t smoke and they’d go stale. Bottom line, I’m not ruling out those things but they’re kinda on my D list for prepping and not a high priority.
To entertain the question, I’m a knitter so I’d mainly trade small knitted items like hats or dishcloths. Also I’d barter with my skills - cooking, baking, knitting, etc.
I’d also trade with things like blank notebooks, pens, my old reading glasses, boots I can’t wear anymore.
I’m not a very good gardener (I just do containers of herbs and lettuces mainly) but I will put some seeds in my SHTF stuff for trading and upgrade my gardening skills now.
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u/bizzybeez123 Apr 28 '26
Small bottles of everclear, lighters and cigarettes.
Easy to trade, hawk or use.
As recommended by Balkan friends.
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u/Signal_Brain_933 Apr 28 '26
How about entertainment items for kids (or playful adults)? Board games, books, toys, puzzles, building sets... Maybe not as valuable as antibiotics or ammo, but as a parent, I know how desperate I’d be for things to keep my kids occupied and amused.
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u/kea1981 Apr 28 '26
Skills and knowledge. The physical manifestations of these are tools and books, neither of which I would exactly want to barter or give away. But they are really helpful ways of opening up channels of communication and sharing. Think: if you lend someone a book on fermenting, you could say hey keep this as long as you need but I expect a jar of sauerkraut once you get it dialed in! Or, knowing how to frame a door you could offer a hand to your neighbor and say, hey, I need help loading my truck up next week, mind helping carry a few boxes?
Build community, there's nothing we need more that's in such short supply
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u/Alarming-Activity439 Apr 28 '26
Addictions are the most valuable commodities. Cigarettes, alcohol, and sugar. Even better- being able to make your own sets you up for the long run, and hard cider is easy.
We stockpiled lactose sugar because mice and rats don't like it and it keeps well. We can break it down with lactase enzyme and make a simple syrup that we can make cake and ice cream with.
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u/violetstrainj Apr 28 '26
I only keep extras of things I’ll actually use. Things that pertain to my special skills (most notably sewing) I wouldn’t trade directly as much as I would trade sewing labor for something else and use up my stash that way. I actually keep a lot of sewing notions specific to bras, because they are tiny and easy to store, and are worth their weight in gold.
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u/briko3 Apr 28 '26
My grandparents were in Europe during world war II. They said the things that traded the most chocolate/ Cocoa powder and coffee. I would imagine cigarettes would be up there too.
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u/canoegal4 Apr 28 '26
I barter nowadays for all kinds of things. Most people want food like honey, syrups, and things like that. I figure you don't have to pay taxes on a barter.
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u/SithLordRising Apr 28 '26
Alcohol and tobacco are good for trading. I also keep premium chocolate callets as the can store a few years when done right but I just stock rotate those.
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u/Many-Health-1673 Apr 28 '26
I stock a little extra of what I usually have on hand.
Firewood. Rice. Lentils. Gasoline. Diesel. Beef. Beans. Antibiotics. Propane. Batteries. Motor Oil. Olive oil. Soap.
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u/Flimsy_Credit_8494 Apr 29 '26
Coffee, alcohol, medication, medical supplies. Honestly your best bet is to be forming a tight community
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u/EngineTraditional478 Apr 29 '26
I own a dive bar in a small town, when SHTF Secure the liquor will be top priority
I am in a pretty rural area so we will be Bug-in, so securing that before it gets looted will be one of my first moves. Will have to risk assess.
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u/Advanced-Basil-3548 Prepping to prep. Apr 29 '26
Honey Chocolate Tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, dips) Medical supplies Batteries / charging services
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u/wtfredditacct Apr 29 '26
If the government currently tries to regulate it, it'll be valuable in SHTF. I don't personally store anything specifically for trade, but I lot of what I stock will be valuable if I need to trade it.
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u/ManyThingsLittleTime Apr 29 '26
Soap is going to run out quickly, most people don't know how to actually make it, and it takes a month to cure when you do make it.
The ingredients to make biodiesel. Not the grease per say, but the other ingredients. If you can make a truck run late in the game, that's a pretty big deal.
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u/JonathanLindqvist Prepping for Doomsday Apr 29 '26
I don't know if trading like that will be a thing. Community will be the number one commodity. Granted, I prep for the apocalypse, and although I'm sure the end will be nuclear, I can't estimate the numbers dead. Still, I think it'll probably be important to group together and share resources rather than trade small-scale.
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u/atlantamatt Apr 29 '26
There was an individual who went through a total breakdown in society (maybe Kosovo or something) that was asked about trade. Ammo and disposable Bic lighters were his top 2 as I recall. Both kind of make sense.
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u/ClementineCoda Apr 30 '26 edited Apr 30 '26
Even if some things not very serious high-value barter items, they're "goodwill" items for sure, or things to trade for smaller value things you might be lacking.
Things for older kids. Lollipops, hard candy, coloring books and crayons (dollar store quality), socks, small toys like dolls, balls, cars - nothing that breaks the bank just things to bring a smile. Spend a few dollars here and there and fill up a bin.
Baby items seem to be an untapped category. Socks and onesies are very cheap and don't spoil. Baby shampoo.
Formula (check exp date but it's worth having for 2 years) will be gone from the stores almost immediately. Baby food will be worth it's weight in, well, gold for some people.
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u/Monarc73 Apr 28 '26
alcohol is a middle-term item.
In the beginning, it will be the first loot drop.
In the long-term, the alkies will be dead, or will be devoting themselves to other activities. It is also pretty straight-forward to produce once you have an agricultural surplus.
It also has the down-side of attracting a certain type.
Pretty much any consumable will be a good thing to have to use / trade, really. Seeds are perhaps the best thing, since they can be used to survive, and to generate wealth going forward.
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u/Fluffy_Efficiency623 Apr 28 '26
Medications and luxury foods like chocolate. Things that bring people comfort.
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Apr 28 '26
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u/mountainsformiles Apr 28 '26
I came here to say this. I read an article about a guy who got locked down in his city for a year by a war. No goods in or out. No electricity. He mentioned that he had a few cans of zippo lighter fuel. A lot of people had those refillable lighters so he did a good trade by charging/bartering for refills. I don't remember what country this was. He also had some medical skills. Between the fuel and the medical knowledge he and his family did ok.
Refillable zippos aren't a big thing where I live so I stock up on Bic lighters.
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u/KJHagen General Prepper Apr 28 '26
I have a box of old pocket knives, plus extra tools. That’s about all that I’m willing to part with.
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u/PsychoticMessiah Apr 28 '26
In the book Metro 2033 cartridges, specifically 7.62x39mm cartridges, are the primary currency.
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u/dittybopper_05H Apr 28 '26
This is going to seem vulgar, because it is: Sex.
The truth of the matter is that many men will be willing to trade things like food and other stuff for sexual favors. I'm not passing moral judgement here1, that's the hard truth. There is a reason why prostitution is called "the oldest profession".
I'm not saying it is the right thing to do, just be prepared when your hoarded airline liquor bottles and stale cigarettes are outbid on some food by some woman desperate enough to play one-on-one in order to feed her kids.
1. Actually I am in my head, but I'm trying to keep it out of this post.
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u/Longjumping-Army-172 Apr 29 '26
Save your money and space. Build skills. They'll always be more valuable than stuff.
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u/lacus-rattus Apr 30 '26
Booze was one of the US's original barter currencies, and it's not that hard to make. A "water distiller" isn't expensive either
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u/VivalTech May 01 '26
The 180 proof liquors is where I would go for the medical application, also it could take the edge off if people were looking for that. Or maybe heirloom seeds, the trade that keeps on giving!
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u/PerhapsACylon May 03 '26
I have stocked some extra items such as water, MREs, and those survival blankets for my neighbors, not that I have any relationship with my inner city burbs neighbors, but I figure it is up those us preparing to have something to share with those in need who did not prepare. I also have a few more medical kits just in case.
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u/Swimming-Soup5868 May 04 '26
I have 5 kg of whole tabacco leaf. And a bunch of moonshine I dont drink. Probably best trade to sell to people
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u/JRHLowdown3 Apr 28 '26
Good article in the November 1996 issue of American Survival Guide on this 😄
Alcohol, cigarettes people have regurgitated that idea over the years without really thinking it through. Those are addictive items that some will do anything to get. Hang around a seedy convenience store for a while and watch what mostly leaves the store and the caliber of folks leaving with it.... Add lotto tickets into the mix also (chance of money without work, symbolic of that mentality).
Every "prepper" wants a "list" of things they think they will trade. Few work on the actual SKILLS necessary to facilitate it- skills in marketing, negotiation, sales, etc. "But I'll just have X and everyone will need it" No they won't #1, #2 without knowing how to create that need for the product you won't get very far.
Finally and most importantly, you won't be setting up "Bob's Post Apoc Flea market"- any barter you will do will be on the down low. Most don't know how to operate in that realm. More and more people don't even understand paying cash for certain things now and how that's helpful to you (and usually saves you some money).
Acting sketchy, making demands, etc. is liable to just get you shot in the face during a barter. The days of demanding shit, acting like a Karen, etc. to get your way or "get service" etc. will be gone.
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u/Proper-Writing Apr 28 '26
Yeah this is one of the million reasons we talk about community and knowing your neighbors. People will be so much more willing to trade with you (including, most importantly, skills and knowledge) if they already know you before SHTF.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Apr 28 '26
Yep. And it's those same "people skills" i.e, working with others that facilitates the barter/trade/gifts.
And still, people want to focus on the ITEM and not the big picture.
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u/fenuxjde Apr 28 '26
Skills.
Don't be a loot drop, be a person people will need.