A Free Falling Economy Makes Bartering Go Boom
by Tess Pennington
Ready Nutrition
Recently
by Tess Pennington: Meet
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One thing is
for sure, bartering for goods and services boom during tough times.
Many situations can cause a person to barter for goods. It could
be as simple as neighbors exchanging skills and services to help
each other out, or it could be due to economic turmoil, currency
inflation, a bug out situation or natural disaster.
It is safe
to say that America is in a full fledged depressionary
period and as the people are starting to feel the effects of
the economic dead fall, they will look for alternate ways of obtaining
products. We are in a bartering economy. In fact, many residents
in Massachusettes are turning to bartering
goods and services in order to fight off the tight finances of this
day and age.
Recently
in an article in USA
Today, Craigslist postings in the bartering section have
gone up 100% according to Craigslist spokesperson, Susan MacTavish
Best.
Whatever the
case may be, bartering for goods or services, in a SHTF scenario,
will be more valuable than the paper dollar. People will need goods
to keep them a float, and maintain their survival supplies, as well
as to have simple, yet affordable indulgences. Initially, a person
will want to acquire the basic survival needs in a bug out situation.
Initially, in a dire situation where people are unprepared to leave
they will need survival goods (food, clothing, shelter, clothing
and protection). In an economic crisis, skills of knowing how to
find food, fixing cars, gardening, making items such as animal pens,
etc will be useful in a bartering situation. Having some extra of
these items in your long
term storage could be used for bartering and trading:
- Baby
Formula/Cloth Diapers – In a bad situation, Mama Bears
will do just about anything to take care of their cubs.
- Seeds
– I cannot stress how important having seeds is to survive. A
true prepper is not only prepping for short term situations, but
on long term situations and supplies to sustain a family for as
long as possible.
- Micro
Livestock – Livestock that are small, produce and do
not take much to room to thrive such as chickens, ducks, pygmy
goats and rabbits can provide food and manure for farming.
- Weapons
– In a bad situation having weapons to protect yourself,
family and property is priority #1. Having extra weapons and accouterments
that go along with weapons will be one of the top bartering items.
Items such as: Knives, Hunting Knives (heavy bladed knives for
hunting), Ammunition/Guns. When purchasing extra bullets and guns,
stick with the most popular models.
- Mason
Jars – Preserving your garden foods, meat, etc will
provide food during the cold, winter months. Many people, especially
in the city no longer preserve their foods on their own. They
will need canning jars.
- First
Aid Kits – In any article regarding bugging out,
and preparing for a given emergency, a first aid kit full of supplies
is always mentioned. These days, people are not prudent and do
not prepare for the worst. First aid supplies, such as suturing
needles, thread, saline solution, gauze and celox
will be in high demand.
- Vitamins
– Keeping your self healthy and illness free is a top
priority. If a person becomes vitamin deficient, ailments such
as scurvy will become prevalent.
- Tools
– Simple hand tools are an essential on any supply list. Pick
axes, hand saws, shovels, hammers, wrenches, and screw drivers.
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the rest of the article
January
25, 2012
Copyright ©
2012 Ready
Nutrition
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