Bartering

Many items come to mind... I will mention two obvious ones:

Matches. Whenever I hit the local grocery store I grab a some of the small (pocket size) boxes of ‘strike anywhere’ matches. I pay $.70 for a package of ten boxes. In no time we have a few hundred boxes stored. Who knows how valuable a box may be to someone in need of a light? NOTE: I have read that ‘strike anywhere’ matches can combust if handled very roughly... dunno how true that is... they are delivered by trucks, right? Also, I do not store them all in one place (small fire better than big fire!).

Moist towellets (sp?). Two types... one is the single-use ‘freebie’ style in the paper/foil wrapper you get w/ your kung pao pork. The other is the ‘travel’ version ($.99) with a dozen or so in a re-closable pouch. Another example of something that might mean a lot to someone.

They need to be things that I am going to use myself at some point or other in time in case I never actually need to barter with them.

They need to be very storable. It may be years, decades, before I have an opportunity to need to barter with them or to use them myself.

They need to be not too big in volume so that it's not a major hassle trying to find places to put them.

Their storage requirements should not be more exacting than my available storage space allows. The ubiquitous cool, dark, dry place that is protected from insects and animals is often at a premium.

Lastly whatever the item is it should be difficult to replicate in home setting, particularly if there is no grid power or other central utilities.

This is where surplus military storage cans that have good gaskets in them can really come into their own because they provide for excellent weather and rodent proof storage at a fairly cheap price.

Among the various items that meet this criteria (for me) are:

Sewing needles, all sizes, particularly craft needles.

Sewing thread, stout,strong stuff.

Matches. Doesn't necessarily have to be strike anywheres, but if you can get a good brand of them they're the ones to go with.

Ammunition.

Liquor (if you drink)

Consumable tools such as drill bits, hacksaw blades, and other such.

Nails and screws.

All of those can be stored in pretty fair quantity without using up too much premium storage space.

If space is less of an issue I'd also consider storing soluble fertilizers (Peters, Miracle Gro, etc) if you can seal the stuff up tightly. It's hygroscopic.

Actually, cheap Swiss Army knives are what I was thinking as I read this thread. Although they aren't cheap new, I was at a gun show last year and one of the dealers had a large box of used Swiss Army knives for $2 or $3 each. I didn't buy any but I did look at a few and all the ones I looked at were serviceable with all the tools and knives intact. They just looked a little worn on the outside.

Most of them were the medium size like a hiker or tinker model. I was thinking great trade item as I was examining them.

Pawn shops might be another good source for good, cheap used Swiss Army knives.

I would look for these rather than buy cheap new knives. Cheap knives usually aren't very good and I don't think they would be as good as a used Swiss Army knive that was completely functional.

PS Get ones with a can opener. Most of the medium size knives have one. Could be a good bartering point in some circumstances.

I wouldn't spend a whole lot of money stocking up on "cheap Swiss Army knives". I'm willing to bet that most people have several better knives in their kitchen. It might be a handy prep item for yourself (in glove compartment, etc., where you might not have another knife). But in a disaster situation, I doubt if very many people will want to part with their hard earned "money" to get one, since they probably have a better knife at home. On the other hand, having a few of them probably isn't a bad idea.

One item that wouldn't be particularly valuable "between waves" would be pencils, since I suspect most people have a few year's supply of writing instruments under the cushions of their sofa. On the other hand, if you're preparing for TEOTWAWKI, pencils are extremely cheap at "back to school" sales. You could probably buy a lifetime supply for under ten dollars. The pencils will last essentially forever, although the rubber erasers won't be any good after about ten years. Most of the ten year old ballpoint pens I've found around the house are no good. So if you want cheap writing instruments that will last forever, spend $10 and get a few hundred pencils.

Don't worry about sharpeners. You can sharpen them on a rock. I suspect that even in the worst SHTF scenario, there will be plenty of rocks available.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I wasn't refering to "cheap Swiss Army" knives, but genuine Swiss Army knives that are inexpensive due to not being brand new.

It also meets the criteria of fitting in a pocket, which most kitchen knives won't do comfortably . I find a pocket knive extremely handy and a valuable tool to always have on my person.

I agree that most people probably already have one, but depending on the situation, someone that doesn't have one might consider it a valuable barter item.

Salt, yes, but don't forget pepper. It was once worth its weight in gold.

Pepper lore and legend

During the Middle Ages, peppercorns were worth their weight in gold. Wealthy aristocrats kept stores of peppercorns as collateral, since all recognized their value as currency. Peppercorns were accepted as payment for rents and debts. Original exploration voyages to the Far East were initiated in search of valuable spices such as pepper. Pepper was considered one of the five essential luxuries upon which foreign trade with the Roman empire was based, the others being African ivory, Chinese silk, German amber, and Arabian incense. The term "peppercorn rent" is often used to denote a pittance, but in medieval times, a pound of pepper was the equivalent of a pound of gold or up to three weeks' labor for trade purposes. When the king of the Visigoths put forth his demands for release of the city of Rome in 408 A.D., three thousand pounds of pepper were on his rations...

I live in the city and we have many Mom and Pop stores around here. I was thinking barter items would be useful to use in these stores (if they remain open). The stores may have items that I want, and they may be interested in exchanging them for my barter items which they will then sell or trade. Some items I thought of:

* safety pins

* tweezers - on sale at Walgreens last week $0.40 each

* nail clippers- many uses, $0.40 Walgreens last week

* twist ties- that come with Baggies, I save these now instead of tossing

* string- could be cut up into smaller packages for barter

* gastrointestinal remedies- with many folks on new type diets (beans,

canned, etc.) there may be a big need for anti-diarrheals, constipation

meds, heartburn meds, gas meds

* paperbacks- get used books from the thrift stores, yard sales

* bandages- when the activities of daily life become more physical you can

expect a lot more cuts and scrapes

* fish hooks and a large spool of fishing line- the fish line can be cut

shorter and packaged with a few hooks and maybe some sinkers

* epoxy glue- I have found this very useful for all kinds of odd jobs. It's

expensive though, don't know if it ever goes on sale

* reading glasses- save your old ones, scoop up a bunch if you ever find

them really cheap

* toothpowder- instead of toothpaste I was thinking powder might have

a longer shelf life and store more compactly.. But I haven't found a good

source for this yet.

* bootlaces and shoelaces

* mink oil- or other like items used for waterproofing shoes. If folks are

caught without good outdoor shoes at least they could waterproof them

with this.

* old prescription bottles- I tear off the labels and wash them. They make

really nice little containers for all kinds of things. I don't know if some

bottles are not good to keep such as those with Propecia which women

of child bearing age should not be exposed to. Does it leave residues?

Also, prescription bottles could be used to nicely package the fishing

kits mentioned above.

* small, cheap can openers and bottle openers

* heavy duty plastic scour pads. These are often on sale. If there is no or

little soap they are very useful. And they don't rust like steel pads do.

* ponchos- I got a "Coleman" emergency rain poncho for $0.89 last week at

"Target'. I think this is their usual price