[MikeyPrepper]

Im asking this cause i want to know.... Do you think it will come to that where we have to trade?? I mean i see some people do it now but do you think it will become a way of life?

 

[WoadWarrior]

It's still a way of life in many communities. And... if you think about it... we do it now. Money has no intrinsic value. We accept it from others knowing we can trade it to someone else for the items we want. Money merely formalizes it and somewhat establishes an assumed fair value. But... I still trade on a daily basis... a high end mountain bike for a pistol... an older TV for a BBQ grill, etc... Barter is still alive and well. The problem is trying to figure out a good trade from a not so good trade. And... you can't always base it on the "value" of the object in terms of US dollars. Need, age, availability, method of delivery, etc... all play into it. And... most people think in terms of this for that. Instead... you have to learn to think in terms of this for that for that for that.... until you manage to trade something you can afford to lose for something you need. It's sort of like trading some deer hides for a knife from one person... then trading the knife to someone else for some ammo to shoot more deer. The idea is to know your market... not just what you need, but what all of your potential trade partners need.

 

[AsteroidX]

I trade on barter for many things already. I would do more if it was more widely accepted.

 

[yzingerr]

I think it is funny how society was built on bartering yet it has died off (at least in my neck of the woods).
Im all for it and I think in any long term /shtf scenario, bartering will be the currency.

 

[inceptor]

Im asking this cause i want to know.... Do you think it will come to that where we have to trade?? I mean i see some people do it now but do you think it will become a way of life?

That really depends on the type of scenario that play's out. In most cases I do believe barter will become the standard. As you and others have mentioned, barter is somewhat used now. But if there is an economic collapse, civil war, etc. people will be willing to barter simply because it would be easier. You got something I need, I got something you need.

 

[Smitty901]

If we go to a full scale SHTF. Barter will be a good way to get killed at first. But after a bit of time when small groups located near each other build some trust and the need arises it will be a way of life.

 

[LunaticFringeInc]

That really depends on the type of scenario that play's out. In most cases I do believe barter will become the standard. As you and others have mentioned, barter is somewhat used now. But if there is an economic collapse, civil war, etc. people will be willing to barter simply because it would be easier. You got something I need, I got something you need.

Another advantage I see to bartering is that you can reduce your tax liability becuase your not spending government printed money at the normally accepted places of business or as much of it when you barter. Most folks have no idea to the extent they are being raped on taxes daily. For a little mental masterbation...look at some of your bills and look at all of the hidden taxes, surcharges, regulatory fees and straight up taxes you get charged on every service for which you exchange money for. I am pretty sure you will find your self absolutely enraged to nth degree and blown out of your socks at just how much you really pay in taxes. I think the harder times become financially and the higher taxes become the more you will see people start to barter. When you barter you can potentially get far more for your efforts than you could if you worked another job or made a little more money. Like Inceptor said..."You got something I need, I got something you need", now lets make a deal.

To address Smitty901's concern, yeah Batering might make you a target, but if you own a business now your the target of criminals and the government too. If your the area Big Ol' Food Bartering Pimp in the area and folks rely on you I bet you will find a lot of folks willing to protect that valuable resource, YOU, to keep that resource coming day in and day out so they can continue to exist. Most folks are smart enough to not bite the hand that feeds them.

I dont do as much bartering today as I have done in the past. Thats primarily because I am more self sufficient these days than I used to be. While I am still dependent on a paycheck every two weeks I can get by on a lot less income than I could have years ago. If things get tougher, I wont hesitate to add more raised beds to my garden or add some more rabbit hutches to my Rabbit Operation and trade some of my excess for other things I need.

 

[Desert Marine]

I trade on barter for many things already. I would do more if it was more widely accepted.

I agree wholeheartedly. I have recently barter advertising space with a Prepper's Magazine. We get a nice 1/2 page ad placement and they get Heirloom Seeds on a regular basis. We also sell to them at wholesale rates as well.

We too have bartered with several people even here on this forum. Bartering does exist but at a low level in the USA. For the life of me I can't understand why it is not done on a larger scale. I've seen television program whereby there are flea market like places but all transactions are handled by bartering. This was done in Mexico or Cuba I can't quite remember which country I do know it was a Spanish speaking country.

I tend to agree with Lunatic in that if you're the big dog in bartering and supplying need goods to people in your local area. The locals will be looking out for your/there interest and that means ensuring that the constant flow of good continue to take place. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Watercanlady]

I am sure everyone has bartered at some point in their lives. I see it becoming more and more with the economy being so bad. For instance we had an Amish guy watch our Outdoor wood burner while we were on vacation. In return my hubby will plow his driveway this winter. I for one am stocking things I feel will be good barter items. And get some barter skills. You can never have too much knowledge or skills.

 

[-=TIECHIMAN=-]

If the monetary system falls then yes, bartering will become the norm. What other choice do we have?? Money has not been anything but little pieces of paper and junk metal for a very long time and with that being said, has no real gold value (what money used to be). With no precious metals comes no actual monetary value. With no government saying that your monopoly money has monetary value, it won't have any value. With no monetary value people don't want your monopoly money and with that comes no helpful, lifesaving goods. Really it's unfortunate but that's how it will have to be. That lifetime of hardwork and saving up, gone in an instant. Don't you love the government??

 

[MikeyPrepper]

Yea i was wondering i know craigslist.com

 

[MikeyPrepper]

I can see bartering being big again

 

[Watercanlady]

Barter should be part of your preps. Not just items skills are very good for bartering too......

 

[kevincali]

I am sure everyone has bartered at some point in their lives. I see it becoming more and more with the economy being so bad. For instance we had an Amish guy watch our Outdoor wood burner while we were on vacation. In return my hubby will plow his driveway this winter. I for one am stocking things I feel will be good barter items. And get some barter skills. You can never have too much knowledge or skills.

I agree

Also, KNOW what is needed. If water is scarce (like where I am), stockpile extra water for barter, even if its a bottle or so. Thirsty people will barter a LOT for a bottle of water. Think outside of the norm. Think comfort items ie Extra cheapo razors, deoderant, toilet paper, even hand tools. People will want to try and live as close to pre SHTF times as possible

 

[jc-hunter]

I agree

Also, KNOW what is needed. If water is scarce (like where I am), stockpile extra water for barter, even if its a bottle or so. Thirsty people will barter a LOT for a bottle of water. Think outside of the norm. Think comfort items ie Extra cheapo razors, deoderant, toilet paper, even hand tools. People will want to try and live as close to pre SHTF times as possible

Nostradamus said that one day, an ounce of clean water will be worth more than an ounce of gold.

 

[Scotty12]

I keep several cheap knives on hand just for that purpose. They have value, too. If in a situation, they may have something you need. I bought a Rock River arms M4 last year for around 1000.00 Its worth a lot more than that now. After this assault ban scare goes away, it won't be worth as much as it is now the operative question is, how bad do you need it or want it?

 

[Hardknocks24]

Do you think that copper is high trade asset ? If so I have lots of it . I see that there a lot of copper bars!!! Any info our suggestions!

 

[randy grider]

Traded a nice cruiser motorcycle last year that I no longer rode , for a yamaha rhino, that is very usefull on the farm, and gets used about every day, mostly cutting and hauling firewood. Even swap, and i'm glad I did it. Have traded a hay baler for a couple of guns and cash, was happy with that deal. I trade as much as I can, every time you handle money the gov. gets their share in taxes. You work for moneey to buy something, and the money you earn you give 40% away in taxes, so trading gets you more. Bartering is a perfectly legal way of avoiding taxes too, at least that s what my accountant says.

 

[JPARIZ]

Im asking this cause i want to know.... Do you think it will come to that where we have to trade?? I mean i see some people do it now but do you think it will become a way of life?

Absolutely. I've been doing it for years.

 

[Ripon]

There was a pretty cool story about a year ago about a "kid" who started trading items through Craigslist; I believe he started with a cell phone and worked his way up - to a pretty nice car. That being said I've done pretty well bartering guns and ammo. My M1A came as a result of an AR that I build through components aquired in trade over the last 24 months; the only element of the trade I bought was a spam can of 223/5.56 that went with it and I got that 2 years ago at about $139, my equivalent for it was $300 in the trade for the rifle.

I love trading up.

BTW I was at Costco with some family over the weekend and picked up some advil. Their "knock off" advil is 2 bottles of 500 ct for $8.99. Even with sales tax that is less than $9 for 1000 pills and in a SHTF head ache world that's going to be better than gold - in weight.