Options for 'small change' pm barter material

[keepitlow]

I am not a collector, speculator or investor in precious metals. My interest in PM is strictly for SHTF barter insurance.

If we look at the various options for 'small change' pm barter material each of these piles is more or less equal to the 1/10 oz gold eagle I am holding.



If Gold is $2000 an oz and Silver is $100 an oz...the 90% silver dime will be worth about $7.25. The 1/10 oz gold coin will be worth $235.

So, before you buy too much of one thing and not enough of something else, think about what will serve you best in an economic meltdown. Think about its intended use down the road and how will you make change for small transactions. How many times do we see no $50 or $100 bills accepted?

[Canadian-guerilla]

i traded my junk silver for .999 PURE SILVER, to make it easier for trade/bartering after TSHTF

i don't want to be arguing about coin silver %, with people who may be in panic/desparate mode

all i have now is .999 PURE SILVER 10oz / 1oz and 2 rolls of SILVER quarters ( for small items )

[keepitlow]

i traded my junk silver for .999 PURE SILVER, to make it easier for trade/bartering after TSHTF

i don't want to be arguing about coin silver %, with people who may be in panic/desparate mode

all i have now is .999 PURE SILVER 10oz / 1oz and 2 rolls of SILVER quarters ( for small items )

I got a mix of it all. .999 and lots of 90% as well as fractional gold.

Too bad Sunshine mint does not make 1/4 and 1/10 oz silver coins. But guess there is too much labor in it. They have a nice 1/2 oz coin though.

[phideaux]

JMHO: In unprecedented SHTF, a lot of PM Noobs will not be confident dealing with private label silver of any kind. Obviously dealers will, but not the general public.

There should be no question about the silver content of U.S. Goobermint issued Merc dimes, and Franklin and Walker halves.

I believe in diversification. Stock up on some of everything.

[TnAndy]

C-G,

You may be arguing with panic driven folks over whether 5lbs of wheat is a fair trade for their Ipod, but by the time silver comes out again for money, everybody will be educated.

[Irons]

A bag of silver dimes will cover small time bartering, I have a $50 face bag of Mercs just in case. You can always cut them in half.

[GoldWampum]

personally I think old US coin may be the best way to hold silver.

[obilly]

i suspect that when silver and gold become the preferred method of exchange,,,,,food will trump them both,,,,,JMO. what are you going to be trading your silver and gold for?

i am just asking. i am not condemning,,,,,. maybe you should have trade goods things like beads, hatchets, rubbers, ....etc. so you can obtain more silver and gold or food,?

[GoldWampum]

i suspect that when silver and gold become the preferred method of exchange,,,,,food will trump them both,,,,,JMO. what are you going to be trading your silver and gold for?

i am just asking. i am not condemning,,,,,. maybe you should have trade goods things like beads, hatchets, rubbers, ....etc. so you can obtain more silver and gold or food,?

and hand tools.

[Irons]

i suspect that when silver and gold become the preferred method of exchange,,,,,food will trump them both,,,,,JMO. what are you going to be trading your silver and gold for?

i am just asking. i am not condemning,,,,,. maybe you should have trade goods things like beads, hatchets, rubbers, ....etc. so you can obtain more silver and gold or food,?

I have a small tanker truck full of premium Vodka. I will have all the preps, gold and silver given to me in trade.
I suspect within 2 weeks I will have so many preps I will be selling them also.

[keepitlow]

When I first started private label was what I bought. Some of it didn't even have a maker stamped on them. Did not know any better. Also got some 100 oz silver bricks. OK if your an investor, but hard to break down. Bot them when silver was very cheap, so no big deal. But also could have bot 1 oz rounds very cheap back then too. Now stick with ASE and 90% pretty much.

[phideaux]

and hand tools.

I go on a shopping spree at Harbor Freight a couple of times a month. Stock up on the cheap Chinese stuff. For $20 I have half a shopping cart full.

[keepitlow]

i suspect that when silver and gold become the preferred method of exchange,,,,,food will trump them both,,,,,JMO. what are you going to be trading your silver and gold for?

i am just asking. i am not condemning,,,,,. maybe you should have trade goods things like beads, hatchets, rubbers, ....etc. so you can obtain more silver and gold or food,?

People will want food, water, warmth.

I grow lots of blackberry. Make counrty wine from it. Good to eat too. I got lots of f & v to trade in the growing season. You got lots of SPAM. Yes, food is on top of the list of desireables.








This list is based upon the "Top 100 Things that Dissapear First in a Crisis"
list which has been circulating in various forms for several years.

Members of Survivalretreat and JerichoCBS on yahoo groups added to this and catagorized them to make them easier to follow as an outline and shopping list to check against your preparations.


Water:
Water Filters/Purifier, Water containers, Bottled Water
Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)

Sanitation, Laundry, Cleaning:
Portable Toilets, TP, related supplies
Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite), Vinegar
Laundry detergent, soaps, cleaning products
Clothes pins/line/hangers

Energy/Heat.Cooking:
Generators, Solar Panels, Windmill generator
Gasoline containers, Stabil (or other additive for fuel storage)
Mini Heater head & Propane Cylinders
Seasoned Firewood (or fuel you use that can be stored)
Cook stove (Charcoal, Propane, Coleman & Kerosene) & Lighter fluid,
Matches (thousands)

Food Production/Gardening
Garden seeds (Non-hybrid preferred)
Garden tools & supplies, orchard pickers, etc.
Goats/chickens/rabbits (easiest animals to raise on small farm)
Fencing, chicken wire, animal feed in bulk, salt licks
Beer, wine making, syrup making (ie. maple syrup)

Pantry & Kitchen:
Milk - Powdered & Condensed
Rice - Beans – Wheat -Vegetable oil , Flour, yeast & salt
Tuna Fish (in oil)
Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.)
Honey (stores well) / Syrups / white, brown sugars
Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies, Baking soda, powder
Soysauce, vinegar, boullions/gravy/soup base, cooking oils
Teas, Coffee, Cigarettes, Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc.)
Chewing gum/candies
Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
Hand-Can openers & hand egg beaters, whisks
Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
Canning supplies (Jars/lids/wax)
Reusable Plastic food containers air tight
Aluminum foil Reg. & Hvy. Duty
Kitchen utensils, pots, pans, necessary for cooking from scratch
Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
Knife set and sharpener, butcher set, fish fillet knife

Defense
Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Archery, Bats &
Slingshots

Pharmacy, Health & Hygiene:
Stock up on your prescriptions as much as you can….
First aid kits and more supplies, cold and flu medicine, aspirin,
Tylenol, etc.
Vitamins, Food Supplements (such as fiber)
Alcohol (IsoPro), Hydro C, Iodine, witch hazel, etc.
Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula/ointments/aspirin, Baby Wipes
Soap (bar and other), shampoo, tooth paste and brushes, floss,
waterless & Anti-bacterial soap
Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products, tampons, oils, creams
Men's Hygiene: Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
Mouthwash, nail clippers, hair clippers and hair cutting products
Toilet Paper, Kleenex, paper towels
Reading glasses


Camping:
Insulated ice chests
Flashlights/LIGIITSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns underwear
Bow saws, axes and hatchets & Wedges
Mosquito coils/repellent sprays/creams
Fishing supplies/tools
Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
Backpacks & Duffle bags
Sleeping bags & blankets/pillows/mats, misquote netting
Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks...)
Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
Cots & Inflatable mattresses (for extra guests)
Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
Lantern Hangers
Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lampsm, Coleman Fuel
Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman

Clothing and Linens (appropriate for your region, esp. for winter):
Winter coats, boots, gloves/mits, hats, appropriate for your winters
or worse
Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc., hats, scarf
Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
Thermal underwear/sweat shirts and pants
Wool blankets, down blankets,
Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
Sunglasses/eye protection

Books and Reading:
Journals, Diaries & Scrapbook
Writing paper/pads/pencils/solar calculators
Home Schooling basics, books, etc.
Board Games Cards, Dice

Transportation:
Bicycles... Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, oil etc.
Wagons & carts (for transport to & from open Flea markets)
Compass, good maps (Gazettes, topo, showing great detail and
elevations)
Tools, parts, supplies to keep what you have working as long as
possible

Misc. Household and Supplies:
Batteries, Strike anywhere Matches (thousands of them), Long Burning
Candles
Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water transporting - if with
wheels)
Big plastic storage bins, as air and water tight as possible
Garbage bags; Duct tape
Fire extinguishers
Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
d-Con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
Lumber (all types)
Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts & bolts
Paraffin wax
Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

Tools:
Chain saws, Wood saw, axe, wood splitter
Basic tool kit, and auto tool kit
Bolt cutter, crow bar, jack, winch


TIPS FOR THE FRUGAL:

Buy in Bulk – Sam's, Costco, Big Box Stores
Shop Discount Stores
Watch for sales, coupons, clearance
Be a pack rat – save your old stuff that may not look perfect but is
still useful

Consider:
Good Will Stores
Local Garage and rummage sales
Auctions and Estate sales
Ebay.com (or similar)
Craigslist.org
Freecycle.org
And finally, other's people's trash…..

[GoldWampum]

I go on a shopping spree at Harbor Freight a couple of times a month. Stock up on the cheap Chinese stuff. For $20 I have half a shopping cart full.

Yard sales too. Never know what you'll find.

[Unclad Lad]

Benzodiazepines, and Ambien. Because stress kills.

[minimus]

Antibiotics, buy online without prescription.

So how bad do you want that infection to go away ... ?



All kinds of things become money when shtf.

[Canadian-guerilla]

All kinds of things become money when shtf .

another quote for my GIM2 quotes file

[AceNZ]

I suspect that using PMs during a SHTF period will be difficult at best. It might be possible, but most people won't understand or be willing to accept them at their full value.

My view is that their primary purpose is to make sure you have something real when things start to return to normal again -- to never have to wait in "that line" again.

[keepitlow]

2nd hand pills? Nah, who know what people would put in them nor what they really are?

Some people may use animal meds from the Co-Op though.

I think most stress reduction will be from booze and drugs.

[keepitlow]

Sewing needles, fishhooks and 22 LR can't be made easily at home...possible good barter material.But I would not trade any ammo away myself.

We go through tons of seeds in a year and they would make good barter items and we get em for free in our food. Especially the high seeds yielding squashes and melons seeds.

Traders of goods throughout history have always taken PM in trade for goods. Really, nothing that convenient to use is there? Carry around a sack of wood saws, hammers or wine?

Now if it is a Katrina? Of course, PM wont be of much use. They wanted food, dry clothes and drinking water. Just depends on what type of SHTF we are talking about.

But bartering should be a backup to your first hand preps of food, food production, security, etc. You will run out of barter material if that is all you depend on.

Panic is for those not prepared. We develop self confidence by mastering the skills needed to overcome any situation that arises to threaten our life

Sometimes we jump the gun with survival mania and do it in an unbalanced way.

The way I work my survival preparedness is to do the footwork, prepare, educate and hold it on the back burner unless needed. Until that need, I just live life the best I can.

Without that mindset one cannot be at peace with life, as we are always looking for doom and gloom every day...every hour...every minute. And some survivalists seem to be disappointed if the don't get disaster!

With some areas of preparedness the time to start was yesterday.

Take growing fruit trees for instance - they take a few years to get established and produce some meaningful fruit. But many problems can occur during that time and the trees may have to be replaced before established which will add more time to the equation. Some fruit trees are biennial in their production...they only produce fruit every other year. But you would not know that unless you went through a few seasons of growing...would you?

With vegetable gardening it takes 3 or 4 seasons to learn the basics and produce quality and meaningful amounts of food to 'try' and live on.

And I can tell you from experience, it is hard to live just on what you grow...especially if you live in the cold zones of the US where you have to grow in short seasons.

So, as I said, the time was yesterday to get started in some areas and the longer you wait the more behind you are.

[Unclad Lad]

2nd hand pills? Nah, who know what people would put in them nor what they really are?

ALL pills are secondhand, unless you mixed the herbs yourself. What is important is WHICH hands. I'm not talking about feeding an addiction, but I'm trying to emphasize that antibiotics aren't the only useful pill to trade. Aspirin and antihistamines will be needed too.

[keepitlow]

ALL pills are secondhand, unless you mixed the herbs yourself. What is important is WHICH hands. I'm not talking about feeding an addiction, but I'm trying to emphasize that antibiotics aren't the only useful pill to trade. Aspirin and antihistamines will be needed too.

I have numerous first kits in pelican cases. Always travel with 2 of them min. One for base camp one for on foot.

[Juristic Person]

When you say TUNA - why "in oil" as opposed to water? Longer shelf life?

People will want food, water, warmth.

I grow lots of blackberry. Make counrty wine from it. Good to eat too. I got lots of f & v to trade in the growing season. You got lots of SPAM. Yes, food is on top of the list of desireables.








This list is based upon the "Top 100 Things that Dissapear First in a Crisis"
list which has been circulating in various forms for several years.

Members of Survivalretreat and JerichoCBS on yahoo groups added to this and catagorized them to make them easier to follow as an outline and shopping list to check against your preparations.


Water:
Water Filters/Purifier, Water containers, Bottled Water
Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)

Sanitation, Laundry, Cleaning:
Portable Toilets, TP, related supplies
Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite), Vinegar
Laundry detergent, soaps, cleaning products
Clothes pins/line/hangers

Energy/Heat.Cooking:
Generators, Solar Panels, Windmill generator
Gasoline containers, Stabil (or other additive for fuel storage)
Mini Heater head & Propane Cylinders
Seasoned Firewood (or fuel you use that can be stored)
Cook stove (Charcoal, Propane, Coleman & Kerosene) & Lighter fluid,
Matches (thousands)

Food Production/Gardening
Garden seeds (Non-hybrid preferred)
Garden tools & supplies, orchard pickers, etc.
Goats/chickens/rabbits (easiest animals to raise on small farm)
Fencing, chicken wire, animal feed in bulk, salt licks
Beer, wine making, syrup making (ie. maple syrup)

Pantry & Kitchen:
Milk - Powdered & Condensed
Rice - Beans – Wheat -Vegetable oil , Flour, yeast & salt
Tuna Fish (in oil)
Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.)
Honey (stores well) / Syrups / white, brown sugars
Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies, Baking soda, powder
Soysauce, vinegar, boullions/gravy/soup base, cooking oils
Teas, Coffee, Cigarettes, Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc.)
Chewing gum/candies
Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
Hand-Can openers & hand egg beaters, whisks
Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
Canning supplies (Jars/lids/wax)
Reusable Plastic food containers air tight
Aluminum foil Reg. & Hvy. Duty
Kitchen utensils, pots, pans, necessary for cooking from scratch
Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
Knife set and sharpener, butcher set, fish fillet knife

Defense
Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Archery, Bats &
Slingshots

Pharmacy, Health & Hygiene:
Stock up on your prescriptions as much as you can….
First aid kits and more supplies, cold and flu medicine, aspirin,
Tylenol, etc.
Vitamins, Food Supplements (such as fiber)
Alcohol (IsoPro), Hydro C, Iodine, witch hazel, etc.
Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula/ointments/aspirin, Baby Wipes
Soap (bar and other), shampoo, tooth paste and brushes, floss,
waterless & Anti-bacterial soap
Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products, tampons, oils, creams
Men's Hygiene: Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
Mouthwash, nail clippers, hair clippers and hair cutting products
Toilet Paper, Kleenex, paper towels
Reading glasses


Camping:
Insulated ice chests
Flashlights/LIGIITSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns underwear
Bow saws, axes and hatchets & Wedges
Mosquito coils/repellent sprays/creams
Fishing supplies/tools
Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
Backpacks & Duffle bags
Sleeping bags & blankets/pillows/mats, misquote netting
Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks...)
Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
Cots & Inflatable mattresses (for extra guests)
Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
Lantern Hangers
Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lampsm, Coleman Fuel
Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman

Clothing and Linens (appropriate for your region, esp. for winter):
Winter coats, boots, gloves/mits, hats, appropriate for your winters
or worse
Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc., hats, scarf
Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
Thermal underwear/sweat shirts and pants
Wool blankets, down blankets,
Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
Sunglasses/eye protection

Books and Reading:
Journals, Diaries & Scrapbook
Writing paper/pads/pencils/solar calculators
Home Schooling basics, books, etc.
Board Games Cards, Dice

Transportation:
Bicycles... Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, oil etc.
Wagons & carts (for transport to & from open Flea markets)
Compass, good maps (Gazettes, topo, showing great detail and
elevations)
Tools, parts, supplies to keep what you have working as long as
possible

Misc. Household and Supplies:
Batteries, Strike anywhere Matches (thousands of them), Long Burning
Candles
Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water transporting - if with
wheels)
Big plastic storage bins, as air and water tight as possible
Garbage bags; Duct tape
Fire extinguishers
Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
d-Con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
Lumber (all types)
Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts & bolts
Paraffin wax
Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

Tools:
Chain saws, Wood saw, axe, wood splitter
Basic tool kit, and auto tool kit
Bolt cutter, crow bar, jack, winch


TIPS FOR THE FRUGAL:

Buy in Bulk – Sam's, Costco, Big Box Stores
Shop Discount Stores
Watch for sales, coupons, clearance
Be a pack rat – save your old stuff that may not look perfect but is
still useful

Consider:
Good Will Stores
Local Garage and rummage sales
Auctions and Estate sales
Ebay.com (or similar)
Craigslist.org
Freecycle.org
And finally, other's people's trash…..

[stAGgering]

Benzodiazepines, and Ambien. Because stress kills.

Those pills will only temporarily suppress stress from the position, or mindset one chooses to operate in. Choosing stress kills, as it is a choice.

Western culture loves the heightened sense of awareness (repetitive fight or flight triggering) gained from crisis based stress. Thus the addiction to, and ramifications of.

[minimus]

If you smile at me, I will understand
'Cause that is something everybody everywhere does
In the same language

I can see by your coat, my friend
You're from the other side
There's just one thing I got to know
Can you tell me please, who won?

Say, can I have some of your purple berries?
Yes, I've been eating them for six or seven weeks now
Haven't got sick once
Probably keep us both alive

Wooden ships on the water, very free and easy
Easy, you know the way it's supposed to be
Silver people on the shoreline, let us be
Talkin' 'bout very free and easy

Horror grips us as we watch you die
All we can do is echo your anguished cries
Stare as all human feelings die
We are leaving, you don't need us

Go, take your sister then, by the hand
Lead her away from this foreign land
Far away, where we might laugh again
We are leaving, you don't need us

And it's a fair wind blowin' warm
Out of the south over my shoulder
Guess I'll set a course and go



Wooden Ships , CSN

[AceNZ]

When you say TUNA - why "in oil" as opposed to water? Longer shelf life?

Higher calorie content. Survival requires calories.

Plus, all regular fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids -- which is great for your health, but unfortunately they also go rancid (and therefore very unhealthy) quickly. Putting the omega-3-rich fish in something like olive oil will extend it's shelf life by helping to protect the omega-3.

[Juristic Person]

Higher calorie content. Survival requires calories.

Plus, all regular fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids -- which is great for your health, but unfortunately they also go rancid (and therefore very unhealthy) quickly. Putting the omega-3-rich fish in something like olive oil will extend it's shelf life by helping to protect the omega-3.

Ok, that makes sense. My only question is, what kind of oil are they using? I doubt it's olive oil...

[argentos]

In UK it's almost always sunflower oil.

[reloader]

Antibiotics, buy online without prescription.

So how bad do you want that infection to go away ... ?





All kinds of things become money when shtf.

Can you buy antibiotics without a scrip? how do you know who to trust.

[AceNZ]

Ok, that makes sense. My only question is, what kind of oil are they using? I doubt it's olive oil...

It varies by manufacturer. I've seen olive oil, as well as canola and sunflower.

BTW, where I live in New Zealand, canned white (albacore) tuna is very hard to find, regardless of how it's packaged.

[AMforPM]

i suspect that when silver and gold become the preferred method of exchange,,,,,food will trump them both,,,,,JMO. what are you going to be trading your silver and gold for?

i am just asking. i am not condemning,,,,,. maybe you should have trade goods things like beads, hatchets, rubbers, ....etc. so you can obtain more silver and gold or food,?

I'm in the some of everything camp. Gold ounces for real estate perhaps, barter goods like perhaps ammo for cleaned meat. I like junk silver especially for the dimes. Hard liquor for who knows what. I got lots of extra garden seed too. Not only to grow my food and make next year's seed, but for those who did not buy seed if suppliers run low, which Monsanto will engineer if it can, and the sudden need to grow food by inexperienced gardeners will be seed intensive.

Not meaning to stray too far: dimes may not stay really small change if silver is as short in supply as some say.