I keep stumbling on things I need to do. It drives my wife crazy sometimes. We were in a store buying her some cloth and I brought up a couple of magnifying glasses for her to add to her purchases. She asked why. I said to start fires. She said she had put away some matches, I said that after the matches ran out the magnifying glasses would work. The amazing thing is that it is fun and sort of like detective work or solving puzzles.
Solving puzzles may be why I am a good prepper because I am a problem solver, have been all my life. I figure I can solve most anything - all I have to do is find the answer as it is somewhere. I am not a person who gives up if a problem arises. As you think of it, it is detective work/solving puzzles. Your purchase of the magnifying glasses gives you fire forever. Keep solving those problems.
This might be easier than a magnifying glass and depending on the reason for no power, there may be no sunshine. I spend time in the ‘backcountry’ and always carry 3 methods of making a fire with me ... this is one of them.
http://www.rei.com/product/407152/magnesium-fire-starting-tool
BTW, if you are looking for a ‘barter’ item ... how about a little firestarting kit .... one of these in a ziploc with some ‘kindling’ (a ball of dry cedar bark shreds for instance) and instructions. You could do the same with matches or cheapie bic lighters. If people are desperate for fire, this would be more valuable than gold ... just don’t let anyone know you have a ‘stash’.
It is fun - my Christmas wish-list to my DH this year is mostly prepping stuff. I am as excited about finally getting some mylar bags and a WaterBob as I would be if I'd asked for jewelry (which I didn't ask for).