In a long-term SHTF scenario what would your top trade goods be? Things that are reasonably easily stored. My thoughts are, in no particular order-

1. Salt
2. Alcohol
3. Ammunition
4. Cigarettes
5. toilet paper
6. water purification tablets
7. MRE's
8. diesel?

What do you think?

In a scenario where a natural disaster has struck there is a long list of things that have been put forth as items good for barter in one of the previous threads. Things like tools, nails, tarps and so on. Search for it and see what else you can find. Remember, the SHTF needs to relate to natural disasters or accidents.

moBOB,
Why must it only relate to "Remember, the SHTF needs to relate to natural disasters or accidents."???
We are not so afraid of our own shadows that we cant envision, talk, plan for other scenarios??? Maybe I am missing something, but if it is a true SHTF, I dont care if it is terrorists, political, natural, war, weather or what! Any civil and adult discussion that would help me prepare is valuable. My 2 cents.

Back to the post...one I see as very useful for trade is tools and knives. I think edged instruments in particular will be needed and useful.

I agree that edged tools would be useful. I think they would be more easily found over the long run. Let's say, for argument sake, five years has passed (I do not spend my life envisioning this). I think it would be easier to find metal edged tools vs. soft goods or consumer items. A bottle of Jack Daniels will be worth more than a hammer or knife. Although, the hammer, knife, nails will not be worth less, they can be scavenged.

I am not a doomsdayer and only really speak of these things rhetorically.

thanks

Hmm... I read that differently. I thought moBOB meant that one needs to include natural disaster and accidents in the SHTF scenarios.

Whatever the cause, in a long term scenario, the things that will be good to trade are the rare things and those rare things that really have either use or are considered real luxuries. Of course, in order to have value, someone must want to buy the luxury.

I think 1, 2 and 3 on your list have both, value and use, and to some extent can be luxuries. But, they may not be rare. If people in your area can readily get salt, for instance by letting salt water evaporate or by mining, then it is worth less. If you can always find shell casings and sulfur, then the ammunition may be worth less in your area. It's going to be diffierent for every area.

My experience suggests the following items are likely to be popular(based on typical disasters, rather than long-term TEOTWAWKI scenarios):

1 Tobacco/lighters
2 alcohol
3 Toilet paper and disposable diapers
4 Feminine hygiene products
5 Plastic trash bags
6 paper goods-paper towels, plates, plastic utensils, cups, etc.
7 Bleach and general cleaning supplies, like brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning agents, especially Lysol brand spray
8 Batteries in common sizes
9 gasoline, rather than diesel
10 Plastic tarps, duct tape, and temporary repair/salvage supplies
11 Propane, Coleman fuel, charcoal briquettes
12 Borrowed use of satellite phones and internet access

Jeff

soap.


and maybe x rated magazines..............just kidding

maybe the mags then the soap.....

Thanks for the realistic take on it.