Item that jumped out at me was batteries being used for barter. I hope he’s purchasing rechargeables. Otherwise batteries have a shelf life and I’d guess within a year or so they won’t be worth their weight anymore. Am I wrong in that belief?
Batteries (non-rechargeable) have a shelf life of a few years. I buy a substantial supply each year and donate my year-old batteries to a local children's hospital, which is grateful to get them. I always have more than I can imagine needing, and they always have enough to last most of a year.
“Item that jumped out at me was batteries being used for barter. I hope he’s purchasing rechargeables. Otherwise batteries have a shelf life and I’d guess within a year or so they won’t be worth their weight anymore. Am I wrong in that belief?”
Buy rechargeables for your needs and a solar charger to recharge them. Buy cheap non-rechargeable ones for barter (and even those are not cheap now but are much less than rechargeable). The non-rechargeable ones have a longer shelf life now, they will still be viable after a year.
Selco also says matches are good for barter.