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Barter Goods
Survival Blog ^ | 3/14 | C.Y.

Posted on 03/20/2014 7:03:59 PM PDT by Kartographer

This article is about identifying, stocking, and using the post collapse equivalent of a pocket full of dollar bills. It should be enough that if someone is trading eggs or socks you can buy a pair without having to run back to the house, but not so much that if someone robs you at gunpoint, you've lost a major part of your savings. That's barter.

I define trading being qualitatively different, because it involves much higher-value items. Trading involves some psychology on both sides, similar to buying a car or a house, as opposed to daily shopping. Also, it is less likely you will know the other person or people involved. Trading is the subject of another article, because you don't want to have a reputation for doing it (or, more precisely, doing it for a living). Professional traders have always been distrusted, even by those they know. House flippers, car salesmen, and traditional horse dealers are good examples. However, if you continually trade goods (services are different and safer, because the buyer has a stake in keeping you alive and happy), you'll also have to deal with people you don't know. This is a temptation for the opportunists among them to follow you home. You might drive them off with gunfire, maybe wound a few, but the rest will still be out there, and you and yours have to leave the house eventually.

(Excerpt) Read more at survivalblog.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: preparedness; preppers
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To: Kartographer

I like seeds.


21 posted on 03/20/2014 9:37:29 PM PDT by Ellendra ("Laws were most numerous when the Commonwealth was most corrupt." -Tacitus)
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To: posterchild
I recall a freeper a while ago mentioning whiskey as a barter item. It does have a long shelf life.

Not in my house.

22 posted on 03/20/2014 9:44:47 PM PDT by Veggie Todd (The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. TJ)
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To: posterchild

Not in My house. I’d have to hide it really well or someone would drink it all before I had a chance to barter it.


23 posted on 03/20/2014 10:01:48 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: Gluteus Maximus

Thanks for the post. That observation about the collapse of the Soviet Union, makes more sense to me that the nothing nowhere nohow scenario.


24 posted on 03/20/2014 10:20:06 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: Kartographer

In additon to stocking up, I try to move toward being as self sufficient as possible, and get the skills I need for that.


25 posted on 03/20/2014 10:21:56 PM PDT by greeneyes (Moderation in defense of your country is NO virtue. Let Freedom Ring.)
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To: Gluteus Maximus

Very good perspective.


26 posted on 03/20/2014 11:28:00 PM PDT by Obadiah (I Like Ted.)
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To: Lazamataz
I think that if the SHTF, the only way to survive will be to shoot anyone you see.

I think you might be right during the first 90 days.
27 posted on 03/20/2014 11:34:33 PM PDT by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the Occupation Media.)
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To: Old Sarge
If someone’s passing by and all they see is a trashy abandoned-looking place that looks like it’s been picked over, they shrug and move on.

I have considered both Ferfal and Selco in this scenario. Sometimes it is better to just look at a place that says keep moving.

It all depends on the scale of SHTF. If really the number 10, there will be no people passing without being stopped or diverted away.

JMHO. YMMV.

I have to do a post on proximity detectors. These fellows just work. I put them up for the deer problems we are having. They will drive you crazy. With Mr. Beams and wireless cameras you will not have issues with people sneaking up on you.

I am testing with deers and raccoons. Sadly, I am getting a bit of shadenfreude dealing with them. They just work. Long life with batteries. I can sleep at night.

A subject for another day.
28 posted on 03/20/2014 11:44:46 PM PDT by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the Occupation Media.)
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To: PA Engineer

If you post that, please ping me - I’d LOOOVE to see how it’s done...


29 posted on 03/21/2014 4:03:41 AM PDT by Old Sarge (TINVOWOOT: There Is No Voting Our Way Out Of This)
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To: Cold Heart
.22 ammo stored for a couple years can have a high fizzle factor.

That has not been my experience.
I have several thousand rounds of CCI Blazer .22 - the cheapest stuff I could get - that's many, many years old, and every time I take out a box to shoot I've have zero failures.

30 posted on 03/21/2014 4:51:47 AM PDT by grobdriver (Where is Wilson Blair when you need him?)
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To: Old Sarge
If someone’s passing by and all they see is a trashy abandoned-looking place that looks like it’s been picked over, they shrug and move on.

Sooner or later, someone's likely to come by who wants to burn it, just because it hasn't been burned yet.

31 posted on 03/21/2014 5:06:31 AM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: grobdriver

I’ve got most of a 500-round box I bought about 15 years ago, (Remington?), brass-plated bullets, and lubricated.

It still shoots 100%.

The problem is that the lubricant has dried-out somewhat, and in a pump-action rifle I’ve got, after 10 or 15 rounds the empty case won’t extract; I have to push it out with a cleaning rod and clean the barrel.


32 posted on 03/21/2014 5:10:22 AM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: DuncanWaring
after 10 or 15 rounds the empty case won’t extract

Huh.
I'm shooting a Ruger 10/22 and a Ruger MkII pistol.
No issues.

The only lubricant on a cartridge should be on the bullet, not on the case.
Have you checked the extractor on the rifle? I guess if new .22 (if you can find it) extracts flawlessly then the extractor's good... and you say it works OK until a dozen rounds are fired... still and all, crud in the barrel from dirty ammo (Blazer fits that description) shouldn't hinder extraction.

33 posted on 03/21/2014 5:17:58 AM PDT by grobdriver (Where is Wilson Blair when you need him?)
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To: grobdriver

I’ve taken it apart and cleaned the bolt/extractor assembly as best I can with spray cleaner (Outers?) and relubricated that mechanism.

Other, newer/nonlubricated ammo feeds/ejects much more reliably.


34 posted on 03/21/2014 6:38:20 AM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: DuncanWaring
Huh.

Different brands have different size case rims - could be a marginal rim size and a marginal (worn) extractor.
Stick with what works and good luck to you!

35 posted on 03/21/2014 6:41:52 AM PDT by grobdriver (Where is Wilson Blair when you need him?)
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To: Old Sarge; Lazamataz; All
“That’s where Marcella’s “Gray Woman” tactic comes in - right, darlin’?”

Yes. I'll move my car from in front of my place. No light will be seen coming from my place as I have black out blinds that go up quickly. No smell of food will come out of my house. I have a solar panel hooked to recharger and rechargeable batteries for power so there won't be noise from a generator since I don't have one and won't need it.

Someone on here is recommending a motion detector for long range notification of movement. I have a battery motion detector alarm for my back small garden and front window has vibration detector to go off if the window is touched enough to cause vibration and front door is hardened against being kicked open, and has battery operated motion detector under the door in case it moves even a tiny bit. I have “defensive” weapons to use in case any sensor sounds.

Everything I have causes no sound except for the motion and vibration detectors and defensive weapons.

If I have to be seen, my hair won't be combed and I have old lady type clothes bought for that reason that will be wrinkled and I'll dirty my hands so I won't look freshly washed.

I look at this like playing a part in a movie. I'll be playing an old lady with nothing and whatever it takes to play that part, I have it.

I have one fixation - every time I go to the grocery, I pick up a package of dried multi-bean soup mix and a box of instant rice. I have a fast way to cook dried beans and instant rice will cook with the beans. Those two items are so cheap and available, and would provide a lot of good tasting soup and be a complete protein with the added rice, that I just keep picking those up.

An extended family member who lives 5 hours away, knows I'm a prepper and he says prepping is a good thing to do but it costs a lot of money. So, he has nothing. All he has thought about is having many pounds of dried beans sealed in a trash can. He hasn't thought about how one would provide water and heat to cook those beans which would taste flat without any seasoning if he managed some way to cook them.

Prepping first requires a plan so one doesn't freak out at the thought of the magnitude of it. Then, action has to be taken to begin that plan and follow it until the plan is complete. Everyone’s plan will be different as needs are different from person to person. Shelter, water, food, power, protection, medical needs, sanitation, are basic needs but each of those needs are large within its category when you begin to prep for each one.

A person will never prep until he/she actually starts doing it. Thinking won't buy a bag of dry bean soup mix and a box of instant rice, but picking it up at the store will.

36 posted on 03/21/2014 7:32:16 AM PDT by Marcella ((Prepping can save your life today.))
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To: Kartographer
Spices...

In a true SHTF sit-u Spices will be at a premium because a majority of them are imported...

Sam's Club usually has a large assortment in large containers for cheap. They store well and the can be easily broken down to smaller amounts (old prescription pill bottles work great)

37 posted on 03/21/2014 7:39:06 AM PDT by Mad Dawgg (If you're going to deny my 1st Amendment rights then I must proceed to the 2nd one...)
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To: Marcella
After reading your excellent treatise, I am encouraged to share with you my plan. I will start with step 1:
1. I am so screwed.

38 posted on 03/21/2014 7:49:36 AM PDT by Lazamataz (Early 2009 to 7/21/2013 - RIP my little girl Cathy. You were the best cat ever. You will be missed.)
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To: Lazamataz

“1. I am so screwed.”

I have told you over and over, that woman is not going back to your house, so you might as well start prepping. :o)


39 posted on 03/21/2014 8:04:12 AM PDT by Marcella ((Prepping can save your life today.))
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To: Marcella

You are so right.

What people don’t realize is how quickly preps can be accumulated, even if you are just picking up one or two extras every time you hit the store.

With food prices continuing to climb, I look at it this way - there is no excuse for throwing away spoiled food, which is just money wasted. If you can afford to throw away food, you can afford to prep - you just have to shop smarter.


40 posted on 03/21/2014 8:28:47 AM PDT by LadyBuck (....and we're off to the rodeo......)
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