Could You Survive in a Bartering Economy? Here’s What You’ll Need Post-Collapse…
Remember the Great War of 1985? If you’re scratching your head on that one, I’ll admit it… it wasn’t so great.
The media called it the “Pasta War.” It started when Europeans refused to respond to U.S. complaints of discrimination against American citrus products.
President Ronald Reagan retaliated by raising tariffs on our pasta exports. Europe then countered by raising tariffs on their lemon and walnut exports.
In essence, “free trade” was turning into a bartering system. And everybody ended up paying more for products than they were worth. Or they just did without.
More recently, Ukraine has been forced to barter due to its war with Russia. They’ve had difficulty shipping the large supply of grains and sunflower oil they’re known for.
Your money’s no good here
What does this have to do with today? Or the future? Well, one of the reasons some people don’t bother thinking about or preparing for a disaster is because they believe they have enough money to get through it. No matter how bad it becomes.
They’re used to drawing upon their wealth to take care of problems. So, they assume their finances will come to the rescue again if necessary.
But if we ever experience a total financial collapse – and some believe the signs are pointing in that direction – no amount of money in the world will help.
Any number of events could thrust America into that horrific situation. Including an EMP attack that could keep funds locked inside banks for weeks or months.
First focus on food
It’s important to remember that we may find ourselves in a scenario where money is meaningless. Regardless of your financial status.
In a post-collapse society, it’s possible the only things of value will be the goods we have stockpiled and the skills we possess. Both of which we’ll probably use for bartering.
Of course, the most essential items you can store now are food and water for yourself and your family. Start with a 72-hour supply. Then, as you’re able, graduate to supplies representing one month, three months, six months, a year, and longer.
In addition, stockpile as many non-food items as you can. These would include a crank-operated radio, a fixed blade knife, a solar-powered flashlight, paracord, fire starters, a first-aid kit, and much more.
Consider your return on investment
Once you have those emergency items stockpiled, it’s time to start thinking about which items you can hoard and which skills you can acquire. They’ll both be useful in a society that has reverted to the bartering system for everyday personal commerce.
There are a countless number of items you could decide to hoard for bartering. But you’ll never be able to stockpile everything.
The key is to choose items that will give you the biggest return on your investment.
In other words, the items for which there is the largest difference between what they cost you now and what they will bring in trade later. Another important consideration is shelf life.
Food for bartering
Food and water will probably be the two most sought-after items in a post-collapse society. People will be interested in securing many of those types of items. If you possess the ones listed below, you’ll be able to use them for bartering.
- Eggs
- Pasta
- Canned meats
- Canned vegetables
- Peanut butter
- Dried beans
- . Powdered milk
- White rice
- Bottled water
- . Coffee
- Chocolate
- Cigarettes
- Alcohol
- Candy
High-demand bartering supplies
But you won’t want to trade away too much food. It will be your sustenance for a possible long-term disruption in the food supply.
For your main bartering supply, you should choose items others don’t think to stockpile, but which will be in high demand. Including those listed below:
- Water filters and water purification tablets
- Fire-starting devices
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Paracord
- Non-GMO seeds
- Gasoline and oil
- Precious metals
- Clothing
- Medicines
- Bug repellent
- Soap
- Candles
- Toilet paper and other paper products
- Tools/nails/screws/work gloves, etc.
- Gardening tools
- Manual can opener
- Reading glasses
- Garbage bags
- Laundry detergent
- Baby products
- Hygiene products
- Pet supplies
- Musical instruments
- Books
- Ammunition
Valuable skills for bartering
Now think about the types of skills you could hone or learn that will have at least as much value and maybe more in a post-collapse society than today. Among them could be:
- Small-engine repair
- Gun repair/cleaning
- Appliance repair
- Medical services
- Construction/building
- Welding
- Farming
- Hunting
- Blacksmithing
- Sewing/mending
- Protection/defense
- Psychology/counseling
One final thing to consider. Don’t let those with whom you barter know the extent of your supplies.
If they learn you possess many more supplies in which they’re interested, they may just use that ammo they acquired from you to come back and try to relieve you of them.
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Does Your Vehicle Emergency Kit Include These Items?
With summer in full swing, it will be at least four months before we have to concern ourselves with the possibility of getting stuck in a snow-covered ditch or finding ourselves in a gridlock of vehicles due to wintry weather.
And that means you don’t need an emergency kit in the car, right? Wrong. There are many factors other than blizzards that could cause you to get stuck or stranded somewhere while you’re driving this summer.
Whether you drive a car, van, or truck, you could experience a number of roadside issues that could leave you waiting hours for help.
Violent storms can cause accidents. Accidents can cause major delays on roadways with the nearest exit miles away. Then of course there are mechanical issues, flat tires, and so on.
So wherever you are, wherever you’re headed, it’s important to always have an emergency roadside assistance kit on hand.
Keeping an emergency kit in your car is a no-brainer no matter what month of the year it is. Today I want to share what I feel are the 17 most important items to include in that kit. Of course, always keep your gas tank as full as possible and your cellphone charged up.
- Water. If your car stops running, it’s going to get very hot this summer when you’re stuck somewhere. Staying hydrated until help arrives is essential. Keep your water in pouches that can withstand the heat.
- Non-perishable food. Granola bars and trail mix come to mind immediately, but you also want to make sure you have food bars that can handle high temperatures.
- First-aid kit. The more comprehensive this kit is, the better. Make sure it includes bandages of different sizes, alcohol pads, scissors, pain relievers, hygiene items, and a lot more.
- Blankets. If you’re stuck for a long time, you’ll need some sleep, and it could get chilly in your car overnight.
- Ponchos. Fixing a flat or walking to the nearest shelter in the rain won’t be fun. But at least with a poncho most of your clothes can stay dry.
- Tools. Including screwdrivers, wrenches, cordless drill & bit set, and socket & ratchet set.
- Fix-a-flat sealant and air compressor
- Road flares
- Flashlight. Tactical is best because of its many features. If all you have is a standard flashlight, make sure to include extra batteries.
- Jumper cables
- Glow sticks
- Work gloves
- Duct tape
- Copies of important documents including insurance papers and health information
- Emergency radio
- Reflective vest
- Windshield washer fluid
What’s the best thing about having an emergency car kit? Peace of mind. You know that no matter what happens, you’ll be prepared.
A vehicle emergency kit is an absolute must if you’re planning to leave your driveway this summer. And the more useful items you can include in it, the better your chances of dealing effectively with any problem you encounter.
How to Prepare for the Next Inevitable Blackout
Sometimes a power outage occurs when you least expect it. Like on a perfectly sunny day or a calm evening. Often these types of blackouts are caused by an automobile accident, an animal or an equipment failure.
Other times an outage is no surprise at all. Such as when your area is experiencing severe thunderstorms or excessive heat. Or something even worse happens. Like a tornado or hurricane. Our aging infrastructure is no match for these types of weather events.
There are even times when you’re absolutely certain a blackout will occur. Including when local officials have announced a planned outage to try to keep the electric grid from failing.
Regardless of which scenario leads to the next time your neighborhood goes dark and your food starts spoiling, there’s one common denominator. And that’s your need to prepare.
9 things to do
There are a number of things you can – and should – do to be as ready as possible for the next power outage. I’m going to give you 9 of them today. Plus a 23-item checklist and 4 additional tips and tricks.
And then I’ll let you in on a brand-new offer that might blow your mind but won’t blow your fuses.
The better prepared you are for a blackout, the greater the odds you’ll be able to handle it. Here’s what you can do prior to a blackout.
- Put together a supply of emergency food and water for your family. Start with 72 hours’ worth, then build it up.
- Build an emergency kit or bug-out bag. Store your kit in an easily accessible place. Consider having an additional emergency kit at your place of business in case a blackout occurs while you’re at work.
- Make a family communications plan and discuss it with family members. Conduct a dry run every few months to make sure everyone is ready to carry out the plan.
- Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer. Leave an inch of space inside each one, as water expands as it freezes. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold during a temporary outage.
- Be aware that most medication requiring refrigeration can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with your physician or pharmacist.
- Keep your car tank as full as possible. Gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps. In addition to being your emergency transportation, your car could also be your charging system and the only air conditioning or heating you’ll have.
- Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it.
- Keep all your electronic devices fully charged. You may soon be counting on their batteries.
- Get a good supply of cash. Some stores may not be able to process credit card and debit card purchases. Cash machines may not work.
Your blackout checklist
Here’s a list of items you should stockpile to be ready for a power outage. Hopefully you can ride out this crisis at home. But be prepared to bug out if necessary.
- Back-up power. A portable, solar-powered generator will help you keep some lights on and power some appliances. Power banks are perfect for smaller electronic devices.
- Nutritious non-perishable food with a long shelf life. Make sure to include plenty of variety, which is especially important in a longer blackout.
- At least 1½ gallons of water per person per day. And a water purification system.
- A hand-crank emergency weather radio
- Flashlights kept in various places in your home and extra batteries
- First-aid kit and instructions
- Personal hygiene items
- Special needs items for children, seniors and those with disabilities
- Pet supplies, including food, litter, etc.
- Manual can opener and cooking supplies, plus disposable utensils and dinnerware
- Warm clothes and rain gear for each family member. Blankets, pillows and sleeping bags.
- Heavy work gloves and boots
- Plastic sheeting, duct tape and a utility knife
- Tools, including a crowbar
- Heavy-duty plastic bags and a plastic bucket for waste and sanitation
- Whistle
- Dust masks
- Cash in small denominations. Banks could be closed and ATMs might not be working in a blackout.
- Photos of family members and pets for re-identification
- Contact lists with phone numbers
- Topographic maps of the area
- Books, games, playing cards and other items to keep you entertained during a blackout
- Surge protectors for when the power suddenly comes back on
Tips and tricks for handling an outage
In addition to stockpiling the above items, here are a few tips for dealing with a blackout.
Using flashlights rather than candles will help reduce the risk of fire.
Unplug sensitive electronic equipment such as computers, televisions, stereos and printers. When the power comes back on, power spikes could damage delicate electronics.
Only open your refrigerator and freezer doors when necessary. Food will stay good for several hours after a blackout. But not if you keep letting warm air in. Keep a food thermometer handy.
Fill up your bathtub with water immediately after a blackout. Fill pitchers as well and place them in the refrigerator and freezer.
Backup power and emergency food
As promised, I’d like to tell you about a new offer. If you don’t own a Patriot Power Generator 1800, you know you need one. But if you’ve been putting off that purchase for one reason or another, I think I can convince you to delay no longer.
Because for a very limited time – or until supplies run out, whichever comes first – 4Patriots is offering free gifts worth more than $1,000 with your generator purchase.
And those free gifts include a 3-Month Survival Food Kit. Have we lost our minds? Maybe, but we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure smart and proud Americans such as you have the peace of mind that comes from being prepared for the next inevitable blackout.
Our solar-powered Patriot Power Generator 1800 and 3-Month Survival Food Kit are two of the most popular items we sell. Toss in a convenient payment plan and a money-back guarantee and this becomes a no-brainer.
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