Bartering Post TEOTWAWKI

     I have had some thoughts about bartering in a POST-STHF world.

Setting up a home shop is a security risk.  Unless you have bugged in to a small town where the honest like-minded people are just a little short sighted, a shop is a target to rob.  

I have a few items, big ticket and bulky.  I will list them on Craigslist but they are stored at a storage unit full of bulky yard tools.  Nothing there to see.  When I get a call to look see, I will meet the person in public, under camera surveillance.  Post-TSHTF, I would never set up a barter station in my front yard.  Security is too important.

As much as I dislike the idea of posting items for sale on public internet forums like Craigslist, the idea of inviting strangers to my getaway home to look at my stock seems a terrible mistake, a threat to home and family. 


An offsite location would be needed to trade.  At powwows, we have a blanket trade time setup   Usually in the morning until noon, anyone who has something to trade sets out a blanket with items on it.  Trade begins.  No one comes to your camp, no one sees what's in your travel vehicle, no one knows where you live.   The trade is done when items are exchanged.  This method of barter trading (and, we do not scoff at trading for money) is also popular at Rendezvous, or frontier gatherings.

I think post-TSHTF, a best way to barter when it is safe would be the powwow style.  There should be a few rules.  

A group of people known to you, like neighbors or family, agree on items to barter and what is acceptable trade goods.  Not everyone needs gold. Someone will need a good buck saw or tomahawk or made goods. 

It will be agreed who will go to the trade site, where the trade site will be and how long the trade will take.  Perhaps other groups of well prepared neighbors will want to join in the trade day.

It should be agreed that those who go to trade are not all traders.  Some should be security.  Shoplifting will still be a problem among people without morals, traded goods will need to make it home without anyone following. 

Agreeing up front who goes and who stays also takes security at home into account.  If you empty your home of people, your home could be empty when you return.   

http://america.discovery.com/tv-shows/
hillbilly-blood/about-this-show/about-hillbilly-blood.htm

I have watched Hillbilly Blood on The Destination America Channel and the first step in any bartering trade is a well mannered approach.  Knowing your community is key.  Being known to be honest and trustworthy is better than money.  You might want to watch these guys and see people living the self sufficient life right now.  

Prepping Barter Items

www.manlyadventure.com 

     Barter Items have long been on my mind.  When I go shopping for specific items on my list, the avid bargain hunter in me sees all the other things on sale and the prepper in me wrestles to stick to the list. It is easy to justify spending budgeted money on a sale item because it is so low priced if you tell yourself it's for the barter bucket.  

     Don't fool yourself!  Stick to the list!  If you think you are going to be able to afford barter items for the things you may have forgotten to store or things that cannot be replaced, build a barter budget.  It makes sense to have something on hand you do not need to use to acquire things like medical services, or additional security.  

     If you budget for barter, consider first, only barter items that you do not use at all!  I don't drink coffee, ever.  I have stored coffee and coffee flavorings for the use as barter.  I can imagine a time when a physician would perform an appendectomy for a good cup of coffee!  I have several bags of coffee in rotation as I know, even vacuum sealed, it does not last forever.  I also have some extra medical supplies that would make a physicians life easier, like extra stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs.  

alt-market.com 

     The most popular barter items to collect and store are seeds.  Seeds will feed the future and everyone will need to plant their own.  Store non-gmo seeds.  They may not be as disease resistant as genetically modified seeds, so store more and store the types and varieties of plants that grow specifically in your region.  

www.solarcellideas.com

     Easily stored items for barter are solar power panels, the small ones that charge four batteries, phones, mp3 players and radios are lightweight and readily available online.

     
     Never put all your eggs in one basket or all of your prep items in the same bucket!  Fill a bucket half way with barter coffee or grain, wrap a solar charger in plastic, add some medical supplies and seeds.  This could be your go to bucket when someone comes knocking asking if you have something in trade for what they have.  Keep your reserves, reserved!  

This site has a good TOP TEN list for barter itemshttp://alt-market.com/articles/146-top-post-collapse-barter-items-and-trade-skills.

This site has a guide to learn how to barter now while it is easy to learn a new life habit.http://www.manlyadventure.com/how-to-barter/