BUCKHORN CLIFFS

Kits and Planning · Guide

Barter items to stock

A category-by-category list of easy-to-trade goods to stock for a time when money loses value, from food and medical supplies to compounds.

Quick facts

Very high value
  • ammunition
  • gasoline and diesel
  • cigarettes or tobacco
Medical
  • first aid kits
  • OTC medications
  • antibiotics
  • bandages
Hygiene
  • soap
  • toothpaste
  • feminine products
  • diapers
  • toilet paper
Comfort
  • instant coffee
  • tea
  • alcohol
  • chocolate
Compounds
  • calcium hypochlorite
  • vinegar
  • baking soda
  • activated charcoal
  • salt

Stocking up on key bartering items now can ensure your survival and comfort in such a scenario. These items will become invaluable, allowing you to trade for what you need and stay resilient when money loses its value and practical goods become everything.

Remember: these items are for trade (easy to trade material items).

Food and Water Supplies

Having a reliable stockpile of food and water is critical in a collapsed society. These essentials will not only sustain you and your family but can also be traded for other necessities.

Canned GoodsLong shelf life and easy to store. Trade for fresh produce or other essentials.
Dehydrated or Freeze-Dried FoodLightweight and long-lasting. Ideal for trading with others needing emergency food supplies.
Bottled WaterEssential for survival. Trade for medical supplies or other necessities.
Water Purification TabletsEnsures safe drinking water. Highly valuable for trading, especially in areas without clean water.
Seeds for GardeningAllows for sustainable food production. Trade for immediate food or other long-term survival items.

Medical Supplies and First Aid

Medical supplies are always in high demand during a crisis. Stocking up on these items ensures you can address health issues and have valuable trade goods.

  • First Aid Kits: Complete sets for treating injuries. Trade for food, water, or other necessities.
  • Over-the-Counter Medications: Pain relievers, antacids, antihistamines. Highly valuable for trading with those in need.
  • Prescription Medications: If possible, stock up on critical prescriptions. Trade for high-value items due to their scarcity.
  • Bandages and Wound Care Items: Essential for treating injuries. Always in demand and good for trading.
  • Antibiotics: Critical for preventing infections. Highly valuable in trade for any essential goods.
Personal Medication Supplies

Hygiene and Personal Care Products

Maintaining hygiene is crucial for health. These items will be in high demand and are excellent for bartering.

Soap and ShampooBasic hygiene products. Always needed and easy to trade.
Toothpaste and ToothbrushesEssential for dental health. Trade for food, water, or medical supplies.
Feminine Hygiene ProductsCritical for women’s health. High-demand items for trading.
Baby Wipes and DiapersEssential for families with infants. Trade for other necessities.
Toilet PaperBasic hygiene necessity. Always in demand for trading.

Clothing and Shelter Essentials

Keeping warm and having adequate shelter is vital. These items will help you and others stay protected from the elements.

Warm Clothing and BlanketsEssential for staying warm. Trade for food or other necessities.
Tarps and TentsProvides shelter in emergencies. High-value trade items.
Sleeping BagsCrucial for warmth and comfort. Good for trading in cold climates.
Waterproof BootsProtects feet from the elements. High demand for trading.
Sewing Kits: Allows for clothing repairs. Trade for other essential goods.

Tools and Equipment for Survival

Tools and equipment are necessary for various survival tasks. These items are valuable for personal use and bartering.

Multi-Tools and KnivesVersatile and essential. High-value items for trading.
Fire StartersLighters, matches, ferro rods. Crucial for warmth and cooking, always in demand.
Hand ToolsHammers, screwdrivers, saws. Necessary for repairs and maintenance, good for trading.
Fishing GearProvides a sustainable food source. High-value trade item.
Cooking Utensils and Portable StovesEssential for preparing food. Always needed and valuable for trading.

Fuel and Energy Sources

Having a reliable source of fuel and energy is crucial in a collapsed society. These items are always in high demand.

Propane TanksFuel for cooking and heating. High-value trade item.
Gasoline and DieselEssential for generators and vehicles. Very valuable for trading.
BatteriesAA, AAA, and other common types. Always in demand for electronics and tools.
Solar ChargersProvides renewable energy. High demand and valuable for trading.
Candles and LanternsProvides light during power outages. Good for trading.

Communication Devices

Staying connected can be crucial. These items help you stay informed and communicate with others.

Two-Way RadiosEssential for communication. High-value trade item.
Batteries for Communication DevicesKeeps radios and other devices operational. Always needed for trading.
Solar or Hand-Crank RadiosProvides information and news. High demand for trading.

Personal Defense Items

Ensuring personal safety is a priority. These items can help protect you and can be valuable for bartering.

AmmunitionEssential for personal defense. Very high-value trade item.
Pepper SprayNon-lethal self-defense. Good for trading.
Non-Lethal Self-Defense ItemsStun guns, tasers. Valuable for personal safety and trading.

Luxury and Comfort Items

In tough times, comfort items can boost morale. These items can be highly desirable for trading.

Coffee (freeze dried, instant) and TeaComfort drinks. Always in demand, valuable for trading.
AlcoholSpirits, wine. High-value trade item for comfort and bartering.
Cigarettes or TobaccoHighly addictive and in demand. Very valuable for trading.
Chocolate and SweetsComfort foods. Always desired and good for trading.

Knowledge and Skills Resources

Having the right knowledge and skills can be invaluable. These resources can be used for personal use or traded for other goods.

Books on Survival SkillsGuides on essential survival techniques. High-value trade item.
Guides on Medicinal PlantsInformation on natural remedies. Good for trading.
Manuals for Repair and MaintenanceGuides for fixing and maintaining equipment. Valuable for personal use and trading.

Long-Lasting Chemical Compounds

Having a stockpile of long-lasting chemical compounds can be incredibly valuable. These chemicals have numerous practical uses and will be in high demand for bartering.

Check out this post: Long-Lasting Chemicals for Emergency Preparedness & Home Supply

  • Calcium Hypochlorite: Used for water purification, ensuring safe drinking water. High-value trade item for food, hygiene products, or other essentials.
  • Vinegar: Versatile for cleaning, preserving food, and medicinal purposes. Always in demand. Trade for food, hygiene products, or other essentials.
  • Baking Soda: Multi-purpose use in cleaning, deodorizing, and cooking. Essential for various tasks. Trade for food, hygiene products, or other necessities.
  • Activated Charcoal: Useful for water filtration and odor control. It binds some swallowed poisons but not alcohols, metals, lye, or fuels, so call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) before using it that way. Trade for food, medical supplies, or water purification items.
  • Salt: Essential for food preservation and seasoning. Always in demand. Trade for food, hygiene products, or other necessities.

Questions this answers

Tap a question for the short answer.

What are the best items to stock for bartering?

The items I rate as very valuable for trade are ammunition, gasoline and diesel, and cigarettes or tobacco. Close behind are antibiotics, prescription medications, water purification tablets, multi-tools and knives, propane, solar chargers, two-way radios, alcohol, and calcium hypochlorite. Pick goods that are easy to trade.

What will be valuable to trade if money loses its value?

Practical goods become everything when money loses its value. That means food and water, medical supplies, hygiene products like soap and toilet paper, fuel and batteries, tools, fire starters, ammunition, and comfort items such as instant coffee, alcohol, tobacco, and chocolate.

What should I stock up on for trade in a collapse?

Stock across categories: canned and freeze-dried food, bottled water and purification tablets, seeds, first aid and medications, hygiene products, warm clothing and shelter items, tools and fire starters, fuel and batteries, radios, defense items, comfort goods, survival books, and long-lasting compounds like salt, vinegar, and baking soda.

Is ammunition a good barter item?

Yes. Ammunition is a very high-value trade item because it is essential for personal defense. Only a few goods on my list rate that high, the others being gasoline and diesel and cigarettes or tobacco.

What chemical compounds are good for bartering?

Five long-lasting compounds stand out: calcium hypochlorite for water purification, vinegar for cleaning, preserving food, and medicinal uses, baking soda for cleaning, deodorizing, and cooking, activated charcoal for water filtration and odor control, and salt for food preservation and seasoning.

Keep going

Read nextWhat to stock: the long shelf life master listEvery item from my Stockpile Essentials checklist, the 33 compounds, and the long-keeping foods, sorted by need, with the real shelf life of each, how to store it, and the products I buy.Kits and Planning · Guide

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