Im going to set aside a small cache of various booze and tobacco products. Batteries and then cheep extras like compasses, binos, some of my knives and bic lighters.

I figure its stuff I can use except tobacco so no hardship stocking up on it.

Guess you have to think what the unprepared folks would forget/neglect to pack and what vices are needed to calm nerves.

Hi Greenghost, I'm not a smoker, but my understanding is that tobacco doesn't keep !

I'm sure a smoker can correct me on that ?

For bartering I think a combination of essentials and luxuries would be good. Anyone who has been “away from civilization” for an extended will have experienced the surreal feeling of being in a big shop again and the desires for all the goods on the shelves. You may have your shopping list of “essentials” but then you see all the “must have” extras; or “wouldn’t that be nice...”; I think this mentality would push folk to desire some of your non-essential items and perhaps value them quite highly as luxuries ?

An additional consideration is to think about what do you may want yourself.
You want to be sure that you have things which people will want, and which will command a high enough price to enable you to get what you want too ....

Say you stock up on matches and TP, how many packets would you need if you wanted to barter for axe, or a bike ? If I had a bike, I’d want more than just a box or two !

I haven’t really considered in depth enough to have a list of actual items, but the list would be determined by the duration and depth of the situation anticipated.

What about the basic morality of stocking something like tobacco, one of the most toxic, unhealthy, dangerous, and debilitating products available? Wouldn't it be better to stock something else of real utility and value?

Spices, salt, pepper.

Pepper used to be worth it's weight in gold. Roman Legionaires were paid in salt (salary). Spices per pound are worth more than gold/silver.

Easy to keep, easy to store, easy to buy - now.