Ground rules
- Trade with people you know. Your neighbors are your best trading partners.
- Never show your whole stockpile. Bring out only what you're trading.
- Store barter goods in small units, like single lighters and small bags of salt, so you're not trading a whole case for one thing.
- Stock things your own family would use anyway. Nothing goes to waste.
- Skills often trade better than stuff.
Goods that trade well
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Fire | Lighters, waterproof matches, candles |
| Kitchen comforts | Salt, sugar, honey, spices, instant coffee, tea |
| Hygiene | Toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, period products |
| Medicine & first aid | Pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medicine, bandages |
| Power & light | AA and AAA batteries, flashlight bulbs |
| Clothing | Wool socks, work gloves, reading glasses |
| Fix-it | Duct tape, zip ties, paracord, sewing kits |
| Food production | Heirloom seeds, canning lids, fishing line and hooks |
| Water | Purification tablets, unscented bleach |
Skills worth more than stuff
- Making herbal remedies, salves and teas
- First aid and basic nursing care
- Gardening and seed saving
- Canning, dehydrating and preserving
- Sewing and mending
- Small engine, plumbing and electrical repairs
- Cooking from scratch on a fire or stove
- Fishing, foraging and food prep
Barter kit checklist
Small, useful, always wanted
Barter & trade kit
0 of 17 done
Barter goods
Waterproof matches
Fire in any weather.
My pick: UCO Stormproof Match Kit with Waterproof Case
Reading glasses multipack
Surprisingly valuable when stores are closed.
My pick: Foster Grant Reading Glasses, 10 Pairs Assorted
Wool socks
Warm feet trade well.
My pick: Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock Merino Wool, 6-Pack
Sewing kit
Repairs extend everything you own.
My pick: SINGER Beginner's Sewing Kit, 130 Pieces
Heirloom seed packets
Food for next season.
My pick: Burpee Heirloom Vegetable Seeds Variety Pack, 35 Varieties
Instant coffee singles
Comfort in small portions.
My pick: Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Pike Place, 50 Packets
Water purification tablets
Light and useful.
My pick: Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets, 50 ct
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