Top Post-Collapse Barter Items And Trade Skills

SHTF Plan ^ | 6-10-2011 | Brandon Smith

[blam]

"Any ideas of what to do if we are invaded or occupied after a collapse? "

I don't think than can happen. If we go down, many will go with us.

Besides, 80 million Americans own guns. That equals 80 million snipers..no army can withstand that.

[beebuster2000]

beekeeping and hunting. well at least i got something.

i also read pepper will be a big item to barter. i think in a sci fi book.

[beebuster2000]

Thats because they are staples

Yes, I think you would have to classify vegetables as staples.

[Thunder90]

You never know... If we are fighting among ourselves, we will be ripe for the pickings.

[William Tell]

blam said: "That equals 80 million snipers..no army can withstand that. "

That might understate the case if those 80 million American gun owners each owned more than one gun. Unfortunately, my guns were all lost in a tragic boating accident.

[tbw2]

A now rich Russian business man set up a similar exchange when their currency went to pot.

[meatloaf]

You too?

[ebshumidors]

Only 40 pct are effective marksmen beyond 100 yds without a rest.

[NVDave]

Came up with the same number of skills too.

Bring on the zombies, baby. I’ve done been schooled and is ready. ;-)

[djf]

I’ve been seeing that 80 million figure for a while now.

As a frequent visitor to one of the largest gun shows on the west coast, I’m inclined to doubt it.

120-140 million is probably more like it.

[NVDave]

There’s been a lot of those lately.

I’m thinking of dragging a big magnet across the bottoms of a bunch of lakes to see what I can find.

[cherry]

I think they're staples..not nails....

I'm saying it right now though.....OLIVES....good delicous OLIVES which I think last pretty much forever.....OLIVES being a luxury that people will pay for....

as far as Goodwill and garage sales....the funnies part of being a cheap skate is getting fantastic prices on things that are either brand new, gently used, or very sturdy and durable.....

[PetroniusMaximus]

ping

[Oshkalaboomboom]

Most welders nowdays run on electricity, which may not be readily available after the collapse.

[Tuketu]

Great article. I am convinced that should Obozo care survive current court cases, the inequities and cost will be born by the working class (those that work) thus subject to 1099s, W2s etc. The article reminds us that there is another way for hardworking people to work out their difficulties.

At least the welfare recipients, those that work for untraceable cash and others who do not want to pay taxes but hell bent on collecting their gimmee gimmees will not be the only ones circumventing the government’s tyrannical taxes. Barter etc., are ways to beat the dead beats...the half the population that do not pay any income tax but vote the money from others.

[Terry Mross]

I’m going to buy a C.B. radio. See if I can find a used one at a pawn shop or resale store. They’re pretty expensive at the truck stops.

[PA Engineer]

This part I found very troubling:

Firewood: Even with solar power, home heating will become a major concern for every household during and after a breakdown. If you can avoid running your battery bank out on inefficient space heaters, you will. The best way to do this is with a wood stove, or a fireplace.Those without any electricity will scour their immediate areas for loose wood, then move on to chopping down random trees for fuel. This is one of the few instances, ironically, that those in urban environments would have an advantage, being that dry wood for burning is literally everywhere in the city. During the Great Depression, families would often sneak into abandoned homes and apartment buildings to dismantle sticks of furniture, or even the walls, to use as firewood.

Everything is just wrong with this paragraph.

Where do I start? A good sized battery bank of 40 deep cycle L16 will provide only a couple hours of resistive heat during a typical northern winter day. In Western PA we average approximately 50 heating degree days (HDD) during the winter months.

Fireplaces are a no go from the start. If you are "lucky" you will operate at only 10% percent efficiency. Mostly, you will be losing heat up the chimney.

There is no advantage to living in an urban environment. Sarajevo is a much better model than the US great depression. The fuel is just not there.

In rural Western PA I can harvest a dead and "seasoned" chord (if I had to, but would prefer not) during even the winter months. In the city you will freeze.

Firewood should be seasoned (dried) for at least one year. Two years is preferable for optimum burn and reduced creosote build up. The wood should be split and sized for the most efficient wood stove you can afford. We have four. The primary unit is a medium size Dutch West. We have a reliant insert (more of a wood furnace) and two other Aspens. The other wood stoves are backup for very cold weather and to heat a greenhouse beginning in March.

Firewood cutting is an art. Learn it before the SHTF. There will be a lack of medical care afterwards. The best way to cut it is with a chain saw. I have found that my chain saw works quite well with old well preserved fuel. I try to stick with 16"Ø trees (hardwood including oak and hickory) and cut them in 48" sections. A semi-in shape person can carry a 48" section on their shoulders. I bring mine down from the back wood lot to a saw buck. You can build a decent saw buck with four 2X4X8 pressure treated boards. No matter what happens store at least five gallons of gasoline, 2-cycle mix and bar oil. This will get you through a couple of winters.

You will need tools for splitting. I cut the 48" logs into 16" cuts. From those I split with an electric splitter into quarters. Northern Tools has a fantastic manual log splitter. It just works and well worth the price if you do not have electricity. I thought of this device years ago. I didn't patent it though.



You will also need another splitter to make "splits". This will allow you to control the output of your stove and further season your wood. I have found the Woodwiz to be a fine product. Do buy extra retaining rings and files for sharpening. Also put down a piece of plywood to protect your garage floor if you split inside.



There are many other items from chain saw chaps, wedges, face protection, extra bars, blade sharpeners, gloves and other safety gear you will need to buy. Wood cutting is not something you can just jump into, but start now. It will take time to prepare.

Our house is large, but well insulated with a lean to greenhouse. We burn 5 chords (4x4x8) of seasoned hardwood during winter. We could cut back in a worse case scenario, but why? Part of prepping should be to continue with your comfort zone. In other words if the lights go out tomorrow you will seamlessly transition to your prep lifestyle. You will have heat, running water (including hot), food, laundry and everything else. This should be the goal of the preps. I never considered MREs and a loan wolf lifestyle as preparation. MREs and loan wolf survival are the end stage when all else fails. It is not a target prep.

For those living in the northern climates, please consider the proper methods to independently heat and cook with wood. It will also save you money even if the SDNHTF. Cutting and splitting wood can also be great exercise without the joint strain from traditional mauls and axes.

For those that are interested, I will be happy to assist with any questions. Please feel free to ping me.

[familyop]

Argentina: surviving without money
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDKeQ4IACJ4

[familyop]

On “scurvy,” there’s more than enough Vitamin C in potatoes, and potatoes are easy to grow. Look it up.

[PA Engineer]

On “scurvy,” there’s more than enough Vitamin C in potatoes, and potatoes are easy to grow. Look it up.

Also wild rose hips and highbush cranberry. Both plants thrive in Western PA.