OT-another preparedness thread, if I can't afford gold . . .

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:39 am

What other commodities might be good to have on hand for barter in case the economy really goes down the tubes (such as a complete collapse of the dollar).

I know a lot of people think this sort of thinking is paranoid, but I'm not basing this on fear, but objective observation. It looks like we're headed for some real economic hard times, and I want to be as ready as possible. At $1000/oz, I simply can't afford gold. However, I'm thinking of investing in a stockpile of liquor, tobacco products, and possibly honey (with dwindling bee populations, it may soon be a commodity).

Any insights, or am I just overreacting?

jengel · Post by **jengel** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:43 am

Aw, come on, what are you talking about???? Don't you know that the Democrats will provide us with everything that we need and nothing that they think we shouldn't have.

To answer your question, I don't know. Sounds like your picks would be good wampum.

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:30 am

Brass and primers.
Cast bullets.
Gunpowder.
Lead.
Firewood.
Metal suitable for making hand tools and weapons.
Hand tools to make more hand tools and weapons.
Flint.
A forge.
Cloth.
Wool.
Leather.
Traps.
Medicines.
The knowledge to make any of the above.
Bonesetting and other healing arts.

Man, I could go on all day

.

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:21 pm

can openers

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:36 pm

Lead will get you gold more surely than gold will get you lead.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:36 pm

History through the ages has shown that cosmetics were the most highly sought after commodities. No joke.

If she aint happy.......

I know the local Kerr drugstore's cosmetics department will be emptied by me at such time tshtf. Can I write you a check?

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:37 pm

guns and their reloading components might be kinda desired by those that do not currently own them.

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:19 pm

Prophylactics.

tman · Post by **tman** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:34 pm

.22's; shorts and long rifle. 12 gauge #6 hibrass

rhead · Post by **rhead** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:02 pm

Silver coins
Bee Hives
tobacco seeds
veg. and grains seed
reloading supplies
extra guns for trading
fish hooks and line
Salt
Pepper
other spices
solar powered battery charger, batteries and an inverter
Use your imagination what would miss the most
The hardware for making a still. Don't assemble this just yet
Some of this may not be praticle for city dwellers

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:28 pm

The items with the highest desirability, in bad times, are those "hard to make" items which people (in general) have become accustomed to having easy access to (like booze, coffee, perfume, certain fabrics, gunpowder/primers - you get the idea) - but no longer have easy access due to circumstances (war, trade restrictions, credit crunch, gov't regulation) of the moment.

Stash away a lot of what you can financially afford now, that you can later afford to swap/barter for what you may need in the future.

Mojo · Post by **Mojo** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:32 pm

Coffee. I believe that unroasted beans will keep for quite some time provided they are protected from moisture.

Sugar. Raw, unprocessed would be best.

Rice (not instant) and dried beans. Kept in an air tight container or vacuum sealed bag will keep almost indefinitely.

Powdered milk.

Knives. High carbon and sharpening stones.

Water filters and/or purification tablets.

Blankets. Thermals could come in real handy in a cold environment.

Whiskey. There is a limit on how much you can have on hand for "personal use" so be careful.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:55 pm

Water.

Can never have too much clean water.

Can goods.
Preserves.
Medicines.

Cant think of anything else that hadn't been mentioned.

Johnny

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:39 pm

Gasoline & Afro-Sheen

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:44 pm

Sixgun wrote:gasoline

True story! If you have the space, buy a 500 gallon tank and keep her full, especially if you have a farm and want to use your tractors to grow crops...etc.

Sixgun..Afro-Sheen...what it is...Bro! Don't forget your Boom Box, Barry White and Al Green CDs

Jive A&S Turkey

Great

Sixgun

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:22 pm

Jarhead wrote:
Sixgun wrote:gasoline
True story! If you have the space, buy a 500 gallon tank and keep her full, especially if you have a farm and want to use your tractors to grow crops...etc.

Sixgun..Afro-Sheen...what it is...Bro! Don't forget your Boom Box, Barry White and Al Green CDs Jive A&S Turkey

Great Sixgun

Gasoline is good to have, but if you have a big tank, you better have a way to secure it, very well, as theives will darned sure steal it, or waste it, by letting it run on the ground after they get what they want. Just a lock on the valve or hose will not get the job done. Still I have been considering it, myself. Might need two tanks and rotate, so as to keep fresh, or add stabil to it.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:06 am

Afro-sheen?????????

Jeeps · Post by **Jeeps** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:01 am

If you do get some gold take great pains that NO ONE knows about it.
Except for those you wish to barter with for goods.

If the bad times you can use lead to get gold, but you can have your gold taken
by a lead infusion also. It goes both ways.

I like to keep freeze dried foods http://www.mountainhouse.com/index.cfm
on hand, I like to bring them camping and backpacking. The 10 lb. cans have
a 25+ year shelf life.

But whatever you have on hand to help YOUR family through a rough time please
don't allow people around you to know about them. Your neighbors may be
friends but when their children are starving that friendship won't amount to a hill of beans.
Unless you have made plans with a friend and he also has been preparing.
It's good to have allies.

If all the gasoline is gone and can't be had, yet you are seen cultivating a plot
people WILL show up to get some gas. Or to pillage your veggies.

Me personally, I would think the two most important things for survival would
be water and tools (axe, gun, shovel, etc.). A source of water is the most
important thing to keep alive, period. I would recommend a way to distill it
also, in case your supply isn't clean.

Just remember the will to survive humans have, if they don't have the means
they will take them by force. Be discrete to stay on your feet.

Scott64A · Post by **Scott64A** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:17 am

Do a little history seaching and see what the mountain men listed as "necessities".

I would bet if you show up to someone's camp with bullets and primers, you couldn't be that bad off. Especially if you're good at slinging it around.

Teach your kids to make do with what nature provides.

Go get a copy of that guy's journey into Alaska with a simple set of hand tools from the 60's. He builds a cabin and all he needs are a few simple supplies. Worth watching.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:51 am

I was laying in bed last night thinking about this subject.

If you have land? Animals. A milk goat/cow and chickens will go far if can goods/stock piles run low.

A garden is another thing that will go far. Canned items would also be a good thing to have on hand. Seeds can be stored rather easy too. Plant fruit trees now if you can.

Also, if you have land. Dig or make a root cellar and/or smoke house. Meats can be salted or cured but those items maybe scarse.

Johnny

Idahoser · Post by **Idahoser** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:15 pm

Buy non-perishable things you won't be sorry for if the sky doesn't fall. Or you can stockpile perishables, but only as much as you can use before it goes bad.

Lead.
Gunpowder.
Primers.
Pinned & recessed S&Ws.
Pre-safety Winchesters and Marlins.

Any of which will ALWAYS be easier to re-sell than gold.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:32 pm

The New Mexico place has water gravity fed from an underground spring.
This was a BIG consideration when buying it ( what seems like a hundred years ago ) 4 seasons, a good long growing season, elk, deer, turkey down a few hundred feet a nice plateau, with antelope, quail, dove.
Remote, any one who goes there does so purposely; or they are seriously lost.

gary rice · Post by **gary rice** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:48 pm

Jason_W wrote:What other commodities might be good to have on hand for barter in case the economy really goes down the tubes (such as a complete collapse of the dollar).

I know a lot of people think this sort of thinking is paranoid, but I'm not basing this on fear, but objective observation. It looks like we're headed for some real economic hard times, and I want to be as ready as possible. At $1000/oz, I simply can't afford gold. However, I'm thinking of investing in a stockpile of liquor, tobacco products, and possibly honey (with dwindling bee populations, it may soon be a commodity).

Any insights, or am I just overreacting?

one ounce silver rounds are highly marketable.

Gobblerforge · Post by **Gobblerforge** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:21 pm

Learn an ancient craft. Folks like the Potter, the Weaver, the Carpenter, the Gaffer, the Candle Maker, the Blacksmith and so on are always going to be in demand when goods are not available. This makes for an interesting hobby for now and can produce barter-able goods if needed.
Personally I am a Blacksmith and a Carpenter.
"Yes Sir, I'd be happy to make a set of hinges for your barn door. That'd be fair for, say, ten pounds of flour, (and with a wink) and maybe a loaf or two the next time your misses does some baking."
It's difficult to stock everything you would need. Just make plans on how to get what you need when you need it. The best way is to have something to offer that others come to you with a need. Then it's just a matter of price.
Frankly, if times get tough, CEOs are gonna be a hungry lot. Craftsmen will be fine.
Gobbler

505stevec · Post by **505stevec** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:28 pm

What is the Afro-Sheen for... to barter with potential looters?

cfplinker · Post by **cfplinker** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:23 pm

Toilet paper, kids clothes, an electric generator and extension cords.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:52 pm

mescalero1 wrote:Afro-sheen?????????

Why sure! Not only does it rhyme with gasoline, but you can: You can use it for differential fluid. You can spread it on a flat surface and use it for a mirror. You can use it to ward off dry skin. You can use it for lubricating your knives before cutting up your watermelon. If someone is chasing you, you can throw out a handful and make 'em slip and fall. Great for lubricating your 25 autos and 32 shorts. Stuff is great. -----------------------Sixgun

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:31 pm

Sixgun wrote:
mescalero1 wrote:Afro-sheen?????????
Why sure! Not only does it rhyme with gasoline, but you can: You can use it for differential fluid. You can spread it on a flat surface and use it for a mirror. You can use it to ward off dry skin. You can use it for lubricating your knives before cutting up your watermelon. If someone is chasing you, you can throw out a handful and make 'em slip and fall. Great for lubricating your 25 autos and 32 shorts. Stuff is great. -----------------------Sixgun

Sixgun,

I was just Jiven' ya bro...when I saw your post Afro-Sheen....It took me back to my time in the Corps....very funny. I didn't relize you could use it on anything other than an Afro hair doo...

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:40 pm

Jarhead wrote:
Sixgun,

I was just Jiven' ya bro...when I saw your post Afro-Sheen....It took me back to my time in the Corps....very funny. I didn't relize you could use it on anything other than an Afro hair doo...

Jarhead,
Its taking me everything I have to keep myself together.

My wife wants to know what is so funny "in there".

hey, 'ya like the part about 25 autos and 32 shorts?

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:44 pm

Sixgun wrote:
Jarhead wrote:
Sixgun,

I was just Jiven' ya bro...when I saw your post Afro-Sheen....It took me back to my time in the Corps....very funny. I didn't relize you could use it on anything other than an Afro hair doo...
Jarhead,
Its taking me everything I have to keep myself together. My wife wants to know what is so funny "in there". hey, 'ya like the part about 25 autos and 32 shorts?

Love it

What is is?

I just put an Al Green Cd on and I'm shuckn' and jiven

I may even go out tomorrow and buy me some big white wall tires and a TV atenna for my Dodge 3/4t 4WD, but not before I PU some Afro-Sheen for that bald spot on my head

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:35 pm

You guys have been out in the sun too long

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:38 am

Y'all could get a guy fired if he was readin this stuff at work. My company ain't got a sense of humor. It's a good thing I don't use a computer at work.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:02 am

Rusty wrote:Y'all could get a guy fired if he was readin this stuff at work. My company ain't got a sense of humor. It's a good thing I don't use a computer at work.

Rusty,
Nothing derogatory here. Just a couple of good ole boys havin' a laugh.

When the day comes that a company (or anybody or anything) supresses my humor or inner thoughts, its time for THEM to go.

No company will ever hold me hostage. Let the revolution begin

----------Sixgun

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:33 am

Sixgun wrote:
Rusty wrote:Y'all could get a guy fired if he was readin this stuff at work. My company ain't got a sense of humor. It's a good thing I don't use a computer at work.
Rusty,
Nothing derogatory here. Just a couple of good ole boys havin' a laugh. When the day comes that a company (or anybody or anything) supresses my humor or inner thoughts, its time for THEM to go. No company will ever hold me hostage. Let the revolution begin ----------Sixgun

Amen! Brother!

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:35 am

mescalero1 wrote:You guys have been out in the sun too long

Still winter and raining where I'm at...sure wish the Sun would come out. My Hog is crying to get out of her pin.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:25 am

Oh, sorry; cabin fever?

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:41 am

mescalero1 wrote:Oh, sorry; cabin fever?

Not as bad as when I lived in Alaska though...

Peter M. Eick · Post by **Peter M. Eick** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:43 am

22 lr ammo in bricks
water filters and purification
good books
Rope and twine

Just a few thoughts.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:57 am

I've started picking up inexpensive top break shotguns when I see them for $100 or less. Gotta figure they'd make good trading material.

Coldfingers · Post by **Coldfingers** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:29 pm

One of my ol buddies said that when TSHTF the richest man in Alaska is going to have a garbage can full of matches...

I doubt he was too far off.

Gold? Ya can't eat it and it is hard to get lit to keep the fire going.

On the water thing...I used a Steri-Pen for the first time on last fall's moose hunt. Am sold on it. Filter the chunks out and the Steri-Pen will kill everything else (Anthrax included) The make em solar powered now too. Good idea since freezing weather will knock holes in the filter type purification systems.

Don't forget good ol fashioned bleach. Treats water and wounds when diluted. Knicked myself skinnin an old wolf while isolated in the Wrangles one winter. Got one heck of an infection. Soaked the cut a dozen times or so in a mild bleach water and it sucked the infection right out. My lymph gland in my armpit was the size of a golfball and the wife and I were TOTALLY isolated with no way to get help.

When life gets "simple" again only a few things will matter...Will it burn? Can I eat it? Can I keep it safe?

Heck, a depression will do nothing but raise my standard of living!

Scotty/ North Pole, AK

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:40 pm

Coldfingers wrote:One of my ol buddies said that when TSHTF the richest man in Alaska is going to have a garbage can full of matches...

I doubt he was too far off.

Gold? Ya can't eat it and it is hard to get lit to keep the fire going.

On the water thing...I used a Steri-Pen for the first time on last fall's moose hunt. Am sold on it. Filter the chunks out and the Steri-Pen will kill everything else (Anthrax included) The make em solar powered now too. Good idea since freezing weather will knock holes in the filter type purification systems.

Don't forget good ol fashioned bleach. Treats water and wounds when diluted. Knicked myself skinnin an old wolf while isolated in the Wrangles one winter. Got one heck of an infection. Soaked the cut a dozen times or so in a mild bleach water and it sucked the infection right out. My lymph gland in my armpit was the size of a golfball and the wife and I were TOTALLY isolated with no way to get help.

When life gets "simple" again only a few things will matter...Will it burn? Can I eat it? Can I keep it safe?

Heck, a depression will do nothing but raise my standard of living!

Scotty/ North Pole, AK

Coldfingers,

You are a wealthy man

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 3:22 pm

On the gold thing boys,
I need to be careful here,
As I have 40 acres of the most prolific placer gold in the state;
you first have not let yourself be overwelmed by it.
You use it to buy the things you need before the fact
you HIDE it, in a remote location
You write the code to find it again ( in Mescalero ) and hide it
You use it as a negotiating tool
It is manageable, but you must keep your wits about you

OT-another preparedness thread, if I can't afford gold . . .

OT-another preparedness thread, if I can't afford gold . . .

Re: OT-another preparedness thread, if I can't afford gold .