I was talking with someone today and they asked me about whether I stockpile things like cigarettes, booze, or coffee for bartering purposes.
I actually do not. The biggest reason, for me, is that I simply do not use any of those products. Whether its inventory for resale or items for my own personal stash, I never acquire anything in bulk that I cannot use for my own needs. To do otherwise would risk wasting resources on something I can’t use.
However, there are things that I keep a rather large quantity of that is so large it could double as a supply of barter goods if it had to. And, if I got stuck with them, theyre things I use anyway. Such as? Well, medical supplies spring to mind. Same for food, batteries, toilet paper, silver, some ammo and guns, clothing, fuel, etc.
Bartering assumes that there is something I need or want that I do not already have. After all, no one exposes themselves (and their goods) to the risk of some sort of post-apocalyptic marketplace if they don’t need to. Would you? Would anyone? Why advertise to the world that you not only have something but you have enough of it that you can actually use it for trade?
Of course, we can’t think of everything. And something may happen that forces your hand. Maybe floss weevils got into your dental floss stash and you’re completely out of the stuff eve though you had stockpiled cases of it. Things can happen.
For my interests, I figure the things I already use (and have) in large quantity will have plenty of value. Will there be people who would kill for a drink? Or a cigarette? Or coffee? Absolutely. And thats why some poeple stock up on that sort of stuff. But there’ll also be people who’d kill to have food for their kids. Or themselves. And since I already am a user of food, it makes sense have that on hand as trade fodder if I decide to have a reserve of some kind for trading.
I suppose it wouldn’t kill me to throw $20 on the counter at WalMart and grab a couple dozen single-serve packets of freeze dried coffee. Or a couple airplane-sized bottles of Jack Daniels. And I might do that. But, for me, it simply makes more sense to stockpile things I can use since a) if I can use it someone else can too and b) if i wind up keeping it then I only wind up improving my situation.
Let me put it another way: which makes more sense..buying $100 worth of an item that may have some barter value but has no use to you individually, or buying $100 worth of an item that may have some barter value AND can benefit your stockpile if you wind up keeping it. Hmm.
Anyway, your mileage may vary but, no, no hoard of cigarettes and Mad Dog in the bunker.
I like your reasoning CZ, it makes sense. I would also add that stockpiling stuff like smokes and booze would probably add to the amount of risk you would have to deal with. If word got out that you had these types of barter goods, it would probably bring the sort of people who would rather cut your heart out and feed it to you then strike a fair deal.
Great words of wisdom as always. I don’t smoke or drink. So I won’t stock those items. I do drink coffee, but can and do without just to prove I can. Drink tea a lot. Have lots of tea squirreled away and can always make more using herbs, tree’s, etc. I do use these “coffee sticks” for camping, etc. Inexpensive, taste ok. Travel well. Could be useful as a barter item.
https://www.amazon.com/Maxim-Mocha-Gold-Mild-Coffee/dp/B003VD5SNC/ref=sr_1_3
Also for a long-term prepper, alcohol is just too bulky, and a fire hazard, to boot. Cigarettes are fragile, and eventually go stale.
Suspect in a true TEOTWAWKI, people will quickly re-learn how to make their own ‘booze’, and roll their own smokes.
Since we have a young child, I tend to stock up on puzzles, crayons, books, clothes etc. It is a challenge to think ahead of what a 7 year old will need and how they will grow. My nonessential is maybe ridiculous but I stock up vinyl records. Music always was a life saver while deployed. I love vinyl records. Weird I know.
I try to stock up extra on coffee, sugar, salt.
Salt is a smart one. I always think of Alas Babylon when it comes to stocking up on salt.
Don’t discount the fact that there will be a great profit opportunity for the person or group who establishes a functioning market system in a sustained emergency situation. The ability to facilitate trade of necessary goods and/or services has always been the surest means of increasing wealth in pretty much any culture throughout modern history. Personally, I think socialism is much more likely to CAUSE the collapse of society than to be the result of it. The post-SHTF world will be very capitalistic (once it gets past the anarchy phase).
There’s a reason the Olson family was the richest family in Walnut Grove.
The Olson reference took a minute, but it is true!
Haha, yep. It isn’t certainly wasn’t because they were the nicest or most capable, either!
LHotP is still a great show that stands the test of time. It’s been helpful to teach my kids the value of family, but also of self-reliance and grit.
That is a very good way of putting it. I have essentially done the same thing but didn’t think it through like that.
I agree about not showing what you have by trading if you can – who knows what could happen even attending a trade event; violence and illness are likely to be rampant if things fall apart.
Clothes pins, Real Clothes Line (non stretchable), Aluminum Foil, Parchment Paper, Hot Sauce, Syrup, Hotel Sized Sundries, Long Matches, Lantern Mantles, Tooth Brushes, Disposable Razors, Finger Splints, Coffee Filter (also good water filters), Lysol (I get the WM generic), Dish Soap, Lava Soap, Sunscreen, Chapstick, Soluble Fiber, Sprouting Seeds (such as mung or mustard) for fresh veggies, Curing Salt (pink salt), Cheap Kitchen Knives, .89c Handle Grill Scrubbers from WM, Paraffin Wax blocks, Butane Canisters, Air Gun Pellets, Rubber Bands, Wart Remover, O Rings, Cotter Pins, Hose Clamps, Hooks, Cheap Solar Pathway Lights (to use inside),Comet, SOS Pads, Green Scrubber Pads, Non Stick Spray, Stabil, Ant and Rat Poison, Canned Dog Food, Cat Litter, Flip Flops, Alum, Epson Salts, Canned Jalapenos, Yeast, Cream of Tartar (to mix w baking soda for baking powder), Pepper Corns, Thermometers, Tooth Picks, Tissues, Q Tips, Oral Rinse, Socks, Hats, Shoe Laces, Dried Onion Flakes, Cup of Soup packs, Zip Ties, Anti Diarrheal Pills, Saddle Soap, Temporary Dental Filling Compound, Pins and Needles, Aluminum Tape, Wire Nuts, Lithium Grease… No order here, just some things I stock which could be traded if needed but I would prefer not to, That’s why I stock a wide variety so I don’t have to.
Regards
alcohol can be used for medicinal uses as well as tobacco. scenario: you or a family member are sick and don’t know why. there’s a doctor nearby, but thanks to everybody paying him with chickens and eggs, he isn’t hungry. but maybe he’s thirsty? coffee, booze, cigs don’t cost much now, have other uses, and store wealth in a fairly small package. i know from deployment, some guys were willing to trade a kidney for a pack of smokes. then again EVERY joe was willing to trade one for a roll of tp, lol.
Aye nothing kills a stomach virus faster than a shot of whiskey.
“Booze, cigs don’t cost much” which shop do you use, I don’t know any one who uses then who does not go on about the price.
Stock up on items on the off chance that one day you may need a Doctor who wants them, you must have a very big bunker.
I work just inside a state with cheap cigarettes and my coworkers from across the line budget around buying here instead of their home state. The difference is well over a dollar a pack.
heck of a lot cheaper, and smaller than guns and ammo which can be turned on the trader quite easily. I get at least couple a quarts of the good stuff every Christmas free, lol. nice to have friends in low places, or dark hollows. cigs even better than cash in prison. I raised tobacco my whole childhood. pretty sure I can still pull it off. improvise adapt overcome.
Coeds. I don’t see anybody stocking up on Coeds. I would, but the boss won’t allow it. They are kinda expensive to maintain though.
They don’t store particularly well either, especially if you forgot to poke air holes in the packaging.
(Don’t ask how I know)
Great insight.
Thanks