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Best currency for the comming superstorm

Interesting posts, guys. Keep two things in mind, though.

1) The majority of people won't know where to start with surviving/finding food etc. Therefore, gold will be utterly useless to them. Gold will only be useful in a more structured society, say a few years after the SHTF. In the meantime, people will be desperate for canned food, etc...any way to stay alive.

2) Barter is only useful when YOU need something that someone else has. Anything you trade is something you can no longer use. Add to this the risk that barter brings to your supplies (it lets everyone know that you have stockpiles) and it seems to make more sense to me to simply stock all of the thing YOU need for YOURSELF, and keep barter at a minimum. Don't count on others having the foresight to stockpiling necessities which you can then barter for. (If they do stockpile, it will be much the same stuff that you have--ammo, knives, etc. OR GOLD, which you won't need.)

Bottom line is this: take care of yourself, and let other endanger themselves by bartering.
 
I bought and stored gold and silver until the early nineties. I noticed that I began to pay attention to the constant flux of the value, and the massive amount of money I eventually had invested in it. I came to the conclusion that I was headed down the wrong path. I thought to myself WHAT WOULD I WANT/NEED in the worst case scenarios. The hypothetical had some real world inflence due to I, and my family, going thru hurricanes, blizzards, earthquakes, and other experiences. I sold all the precious metals and decided to invest in books in which to both learn at the time, and in times of emergencies, tools, foodstuff, canning equipment, solar/propane/kerosene/butane/wood stoves. A good lesson for us was being without power and basically being isolated for three weeks during Fran. What people needed was water, food, clothing, bedding, gas, batteries, chainsaws, handtools, and knowledge. Does having these items on hand require that you protect it, Hell yes! Or, you can walk away from it and live on the land, as my basic backpack and skills would provide. At some point, retreat will no longer be an option. For the vast majority of us, nowhere provides more comfort, or access to more survival materials than home. There are certain situations that may force you out, usually mother nature, or in some cases, man-made. But by and large, your residence is your refuge. I still keep my vehicle prepared, and in my mind, I always plan on being on foot with what I have with me at the time. I am one of those people who carries a 1,000 - 2,000 backpack everyday with my basic supplies in it. And, I do mean everyday. This, combined with a relentless quest for knowledge gives me, and more importantly, those who depend on me, a far greater chance to survive. My goal is to make survival a non-issue, or non-survival.
 
A generator would be like a dinner bell for the barbarian hordes. I think it would be best to accumulate 19th century-style stuff - like in those catalogs full of Amish implements.

As for barter, I think it would be okay within a community but it would be wise to be cautious.

As for skills, I wish I had some that would be useful. I'd love to learn blacksmithing . . .
 
Frostyfingers said:
Interesting posts, guys. Keep two things in mind, though.

1) The majority of people won't know where to start with surviving/finding food etc. Therefore, gold will be utterly useless to them. Gold will only be useful in a more structured society, say a few years after the SHTF. In the meantime, people will be desperate for canned food, etc...any way to stay alive.

2) Barter is only useful when YOU need something that someone else has. Anything you trade is something you can no longer use. Add to this the risk that barter brings to your supplies (it lets everyone know that you have stockpiles) and it seems to make more sense to me to simply stock all of the thing YOU need for YOURSELF, and keep barter at a minimum. Don't count on others having the foresight to stockpiling necessities which you can then barter for. (If they do stockpile, it will be much the same stuff that you have--ammo, knives, etc. OR GOLD, which you won't need.)

Bottom line is this: take care of yourself, and let other endanger themselves by bartering.
Click to expand...

Thats the mindset right there, looking for Flea Market finds at the end of the world can be at your own peril.
 
It could happen that the man who could build and repair steam powered generators would be a very, very valuable man.
 
dawsonbob said:
It could happen that the man who could build and repair steam powered generators would be a very, very valuable man.
Click to expand...

After the first three major die offs, (the old and infirmed, those on maintenance meds and the first of the outbreaks) sure, until then; the guy who can hit the hills or reinforced structure tucked away from the interstates with a good water source is the person that lives...I would imagine if someone showed up with a field dressed hog and a stoked .44 magnum they could barter for beer and a place by the fire.

To stock up on things and just kind of hang out in the 'burbs would be alot like wearing a miniskirt to prison.
 
Then by all means. Stock up on US currency. That should be worth something in a SHTF scenario. Provided, that is, that the sucker you're trying to pass the notes off on doesn't know that the sh#t has hit the fan. And trading with someone that's pig ignorant is what we all hope for anyhow, right? Yeah, that's the ticket. Collect US currency and hope for the best.

(insert mentally disabled laugh soundtrack here). :jerkit:
 
Harry Callahan said:
Then by all means. Stock up on US currency. That should be worth something in a SHTF scenario. Provided, that is, that the sucker you're trying to pass the notes off on doesn't know that the sh#t has hit the fan. And trading with someone that's pig ignorant is what we all hope for anyhow, right? Yeah, that's the ticket. Collect US currency and hope for the best.

(insert mentally disabled laugh soundtrack here). :jerkit:
Click to expand...

Wrong answer, I'm afraid. Paper currency could be a valuable commodity. Paper money, of any denomination, can be used:

As tinder; it burns better than most bricks.

As toilet paper, which will be in short supply.

As insulation in your shanty/lean-to/hovel.

In fact, the list goes on. Yes, friends and neighbors, paper currency will be valuable when TSHTF. As a special one time offer, send me one $5 bill, and I'll send you Three genuine $1 bills. This is more than twice as much paper as you had before! Stock up now, while supplies last!
 
Everyone keeps mentioning toilet paper, I really don't see it. Lots of substitutes for good ole TP, after all charmin hasn't been around that long. Chris
 
bacman99,

One of the number 1 causes of death following the economic callapse of the S. American countries in the past few years. Good point.
 
Great site saxon, thanks, this is a great thread, I hope we can keep it going so everyone can learn.
 
I've been trying to gradually acquire tools that don't require electricity or gas. For instance, an old hand drill and hammer/nails verses electric drills. Shovel and garden fork verses tiller. Coffee / grain grinders -vs- electric blenders.


I would think fire starters like lighters and matches would have some value. As well as knowledge and materials to collect, filter and purify water.
 
August West said:
Everyone keeps mentioning toilet paper, I really don't see it. Lots of substitutes for good ole TP, after all charmin hasn't been around that long. Chris
Click to expand...

Either using the amount of TP supplied in a c rat or the instructions given on how to do so would have convinced me to stockpile, both made me a believer:mad:
 
angle iron said:
Either using the amount of TP supplied in a c rat or the instructions given on how to do so would have convinced me to stockpile, both made me a believer:mad:
Click to expand...

Don't forget to pinch that corner of TP once you fold it twice. That peice is used to wipe the shit from under your nail.
 
August West said:
Everyone keeps mentioning toilet paper, I really don't see it. Lots of substitutes for good ole TP, after all charmin hasn't been around that long. Chris
Click to expand...

Yeah, I find that Acer Pensylvanicum leaves (Snake bark maple) as well as any other large leaved tree leafs work quite well. :D
 
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