Best currency for the comming superstorm

[udtjim]

If it really hits the fan, only food, clothing and shelter will be worth anything.

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

End of the world type stuff. Besides cigarettes, illegal drugs, ammo, and gold... what is the best way to pay for things when society breaks down?

With bullets.

Andy

 

[99f250]

Unless you have a warehouse (and the funds to stock it) and a way to defend it, sooner or later the supplies we stock pile will run out. We need to learn how to survive on a lot less than were used to now. I have a family of five and a large dog, say we drank three bottles of water (20 oz) a day each, that's 18 a day, 126 a week or about 5 cases, just for one week, I have a few weeks of supplies on hand as well as a small generator, even the 50 gals of gas won't last long, kerosene heater w/30 gal., propane cooker w/4 tanks, all this takes up a lot of space, I try to keep the basics, mostly food and water and hope that society will reach some kind of stability soon, cause if it don't we'll all be learning a new tune quick.

 

[87Burban]

What good does all this do for you if you have no hope......

Hmmmmm

 

[Rib Salad]

Since this scenario happened in the very modern country of Argentina back in 2001, I highly recommend this excellent summary from a guy who lived through that:

http://ferfal.blogspot.com/2008/10/thoughts-on-urban-survival-2005.html

Ferfal won't be new to many here, but it's worth re-reading. In the scenario he lived, there is a total economic collapse, yet people are still trying to work, study, etc. It matters there that there was still a large prosperous world outside Argentina. For example, there were many people willing to buy gold. If the US collapses, it will make a difference to us (in valuing things like gold) if the world economy still offers a future hope versus a total collapse of world trade.

 

[Dantor]

I don't think any form of money, paper or metal or gem will be worth anything, think of how people are and what they need/want, think about history.

alcohol (like from a still, moonshine/ethanol) and any kind of medicine, anti-biotics etc.

machines will break down, bullets will run out, food and water you will have to grow/find/store for yourself and family, but the rest is barter-able big time.

 

[udtjim]

It would or will depend on the nature of what comes. If it is bad enough you won't dare even try to barter. It may come down to having to survive far from ayone else.

 

[Dantor]

true udtjim but I think eventually you will have to barter. you will run out of things or you or a loved one will get sick and you will want/need meds to help them.

booze is for fuel, fun/escape (human nature) and safe drink like beer used to be.

 

[udtjim]

We all have hope, starting with the hope that it never happens. Hope and change? just what we need.

 

[DH1]

Be skilled and be mobile. Make due with much less "misc. gear"...which is part of being mobile. Keep things SIMPLE I guess is my philosophy.

 

[SGP]

I think prescription glasses would be a very handy trade item.

 

[mcjhrobinson]

water desalination. ever watch waterworld?

 

[MSCantrell]

Here is a place that I've thought about going to learn some valuable skills.

http://www.tillersinternational.org/

I've spent some time at Tillers, and yes, it is as wonderful as you imagine.

 

[Helle]

It would or will depend on the nature of what comes. If it is bad enough you won't dare even try to barter. It may come down to having to survive far from anyone else.

That's my thought on it.

When people that are used to having everything have nothing my trust factor in humanity is going to get pretty slim and I'll be looking to distance my family from it as much as possible.

Either way skills is the ticket, IMO. A gun and lots of ammo wouldn't hurt either.

 

[jimh0220]

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

Golod, ammo, generators... yeah, yeah, yeah. Wait until your butt is either raw from the leaves, or itching like crazy from, shall I say, a lack of cleaning ability, and TP will BE gold!

 

[Fonly]

I have one philosophy, when in doubt, more bullets, seriously, think about it...

Can't get that can of soup open, more bullets. Cutting a sandwich, no knife? more bullets.

In a sticky sh'stf situation and you need more food, more bullets.

 

[JCavSD]

In SoCal I think water would be about as valuable as it gets. We basically have ocean and imported water. When the supply of imported water stops, and damaged infrastructure severely depletes water stored locally, things could get thirsty very very fast.

After water medication would be the most valuable commodity to me personally. Although I stockpile certain meds as best I can, if I run out I'm good for maybe two weeks before I become so weak that I can barely climb a flight of stairs. No meds = no survival. First stop for me, after securing water, would be the Walgreens pharmacy.

 

[August West]

Golod, ammo, generators... yeah, yeah, yeah. Wait until your butt is either raw from the leaves, or itching like crazy from, shall I say, a lack of cleaning ability, and TP will BE gold!

Over half the world right now, with no SHTF situation, makes it just fine with no TP. Maybe we Americans are just a wee bit spoiled, you think. Chris

 

[ROCK6]

I've seen several of these posts on different forums. It's always something to ponder. Stocking some items is difficult due to expiration dates, etc. Think of simple items that are easy to get now, have indefinite storage if stored properly, don’t take up too much space and will be easy to barter with later. For me:

Salt
Sugar
Honey
Coffee
Nails
Candles
Matches
Canning jars/lids

Those are some of my main items I pick up extra when I go to the store. I often have a good stock of batteries which have a decent shelf life and they get rotated...not enough to use for normal barter, but good for emergencies.

Having a trade or even a hobby that can turn into one is probably your best bet.

Blacksmithing
Gardening/Canning
Meat processing and possibly curing/smoking
Cutting firewood
Gunsmithing
Carpentry
Plumbing
Electrical Work
Wood Working
Metal Working
Beer Making
Reloading
Bicycle repair (may be a big asset once gas is too expensive to get)
Raising Livestock (chickens, goats, pigs, rabbits)
Volunteer EMS
Amateur Radio (important for news outside the area/communication)

Livestock and gardening can be replenishable trade goods. You will never be able to stock everything for yourself for long term, so you'll need something that you can trade and barter with in the long term. I don't plan to use ammo for trading, but if it was a medical emergency, you bet. I have plenty of knives, guns, flashlights, tactical gear and other toys that could be used, but it would be very select and last-resort bartering.

We have a garden to get set up and plan to raise chickens and possibly rabbits. Now that we have a nice stocked lake, water and fish are tremendous assets...especially since water was a big concern in TX where we lived previously. I also have my beaver population for fur and meat
We also have a farm up the road that has cows (trading for milk), horses (manure for the garden), and there's a fish hatchery down the road a ways...

Average income is quite low where we now live. A lot of locals make their living off of selling simple goods and trade work. Bartering stored consumables is a short term plan; having a trade or replenishable goods (eggs, canning garden harvests) is a long term strategy. Knowing the local neighbors can be a big asset when it comes to just lending a hand with manual labor. If a tree damages a neighbor’s house, helping fix it and seal it up; helping mend a fence, etc. You’ll have to get involved in your local community, neighborhood as you’ll need to eventually find a doctor, dentist or other critical service that may be beyond your own skill sets.

ROCK6

 

[saxon]

I've spent some time at Tillers, and yes, it is as wonderful as you imagine.

I'm glad to finally find someone that's been there. This art of raising proper oxen is a valuable thing to know. I have a background in leather, blacksmithing and woodworking so I'd like to learn to make the rigging.