(for the warmer months) Because most places in north america are fairly humid and have plenty of bugs from March thru September, or even all year. Mosquitoes in particular can become a major health concern.

Generator (to run window AC and/or fans)
Gasoline
Insect repellent
Mosquito netting
Insect Coils (permethrin)

I think Jeff's probbaly got a good short term list. As far as long term, I think by the time it is longer term, many of the things listed people will have by necessity learned to live without. Bleach is an awesome thing for trade, but you might do better storing calcium hypochlorite, i.e. pool chlorine with which you can make your own bleach or trade the cal-hypo. Read up on cal-hypo as a chemical if you store it.

A search on the net of "D.G. Harmony" might give you an idea of what can happen. It was a ship that had 150-200 tons on board, and the cal-hypo went into runaway decomposition, blew up and soon had flames shooting 100 feet into the air.

It has a shelf life too, as it is always decomposing. But so does bleach, I think.

I agree with Jeff's line of thinking and that's a good list. A few other things that came to mind:

* Baby formula
* Cheap flashlights (that $2 flashlight is far more valuable than just $2 when you're stuck in the dark)
* Bottled water
* Blankets/bedding
* Dust masks
* Sand bags

Bleach has a shelf life, too.

Ammo, I have lots of it.

I'd worry about number one and not count on my neighbors to have anything worth bartering for.

You'd look pretty funny sitting on a ton of cigarettes and TP if everybody around you didn't have anything but junk to trade.

That’s true, but at the same time if space and money allow you could speculate on trade items to store.


I would never buy items you don’t feel you personally could use. Like Halloween candy to pass out, only buy candy you like to eat…

mattnum,

Several bottles of aspirin would likely make a good candidate for the use you describe. It takes relatively little space, does not cost much in the generic brands, stores fairly well, addresses muscleaches, headaches, toothaches, may help out in certain heart related issues (see disclaimer below).

Having it in a variety of standard manufacturer package sizes would likely provide additional flexibility as it can be left factory sealed in the different sizes for bartering of different value items.

Disclaimer: NOTE: I'm not a doctor, nor do I profess to be, or even pretend to play one on TV. Always be sure to discuss your health and medical issues / concerns with your doctor or medical professional before using any medicine.

Regards,
Comanche7

I would be curious to know if anyone has a fair idea of the shelf life of most over-the-counter medicines beyond their posted expiration dates.

Most of the time I can't find basics, like asprin, Tylenol, Motrin, Cold/Allergy medications with an expriration date beyond 12 to 15 months. And, usually I don't finish the bottle I purchase before is has expired. I know these are comfort dates that the FDA and/or manufacturer knows that the item will be at full strength, but how far beyond these dates will a common OTC pill be effective?

It won't due much good to have a jumbo case of Costco/Sam's Club asprin if you'ld be lucky to use one bottle yourself and barter a few away - again assuming that you purchased this case the day before the tsunami flushed the west coast into the Pacific.

No disclaimer needed. Unless you insist that you do know it all, I will assume that you are speaking from personal experience and will value your good judgement

Thanks in advance for your imput.

In the civil war the south found the lack of salt a crippling deficiency. With no way to feed their animals in the winter and no way to keep the meat till then. And it's something that is cheap now, but might be expensive in a long term crisis. Depending of course. as someone has already said, if you are in an area that will have a shortage. The good citizens of Jericho for instance had a salt mine. And it was their main trade goods.
The Sock