Salt and soap will be good items for bartering if the worst comes to pass (hopefully not).
Spices of all kind are a good item to stock. ITSHTF trade with countries where spices are harvested might dry up or if they are harvested and processed here in the states they may be stopped to focus those factories/farms on food stuffs instead.
Spices can be bought in bulk at places like Sam's Club really cheap compared to those little packages you get at the grocery store.
Ever since I was a kid we lived in the rural part of wherever we were, always had a well and septic and usually a few acres to call our own.
I now live on a nice 100 acre plot with a 12 acre lake surrounded by our property, not far from town but still in the country. I know not everyone can live like this, but I have never felt comfortable having to rely on all my basic needs coming from, and being controlled by, someone else.
I have a tank of diesel, a nice tractor and on the back a 25KV generator that I can hook up to the house if I need it. I use it mostly around the property, having power anywhere I can get my tractor to is handy as hell, and I really think it is going to come in handy when the poop finally hits the fan here.
My biggest fear is having to defend what I have against people who want it in desperation, I am not a violent person by nature but I know that to some I will be sitting on a goldmine if things turn really nasty.
I really pray that I never need all the stuff I’ve accumulated, but I fear that either I or my kids will someday need it and it makes me hate the idiots in charge of this nation even more.
I’ve heard that the hottest items are salt, sugar and oil.
I found that old (failed) deep freezers are good for storing items out in my shed. They keep out bugs and varmits and are good against humidity and severe temperature swings.
I found that old (failed) deep freezers are good for storing items out in my shed. They keep out bugs and varmits and are good against humidity and severe temperature swings.