Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Lisa Vargas
Picture this- you find yourself in a bug-out scenario where you have to leave your home and go out on your own. Maybe it’s a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a collapse of society. Whatever the reason, you need to be prepared to survive with limited resources, and that means being ready to barter.
Cash and credit cards won’t help you much in a post-collapse world. According to experts, in order to survive this kind of shutdown, we would have to resort to bartering. Since there will be no money in a post-apocalyptic world, trading items of value without exchanging money is known as bartering.
It’s something you can plan for, just like you would stock up on the items your family will need in a disaster. Here is a list of 21 of the top barter items for a post-collapse society to get you started.
1. Water
Water is essential for survival, and in a post-collapse world, clean water may be difficult to come by. Stock up on water purification tablets and portable water filtration devices such as the Life Straw, which will be in high demand. Consider also having a way to collect and store rainwater.
2. Sewing Supplies
Sewing supplies are an often overlooked but incredibly valuable item to have in a bartering situation. People can stay warm and dressed with the use of needle and thread, knitting needles and yarn, and other sewing equipment.
Many people will not have the skills or resources to repair their own clothing, making sewing supplies a valuable commodity. Another benefit of having sewing supplies in a bartering situation is that they can be used to create new clothing and fabric items.
3. Seeds for Growing Crops
People will need to grow their own food in a post-collapse world, and seeds for quick-growing vegetables and herbs will be valuable for bartering. Consider stocking up on a variety of seeds for different weather and soil conditions. There are several survival seed buckets you can get online that will make this task much easier.
4. Clothing
People will need clothing to stay warm and protected in a post-collapse world. Coats, jackets, jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, socks, and gloves will all be valuable items for bartering. Consider stocking up on durable and versatile clothing that can be worn in different weather conditions.
5. Tarps and Large Trash Bags
These supplies can be used for a number of things, such as shelter, ground protection for sleeping bags, and rain gear. Additionally useful for organizing and categorizing objects and protecting them from water damage are smaller zippered plastic bags.
6. Food
This may seem obvious, but it’s important to choose the right survival food when prepping for disasters. Non-perishable, calorie- and nutrient-dense foods will be valuable for bartering. Foods that are freeze-dried, dehydrated, canned, and smoked are all excellent choices. Additionally, healthy options include dried fruit, almonds, MREs, protein bars, survival ration bars, and protein powders.
7. Fuel
All types of fuel will be necessary to run everything from vehicles to heaters. Consider stockpiling gasoline, diesel, propane, butane, and kerosene. Store fuel safely and away from any ignition sources.
8. First Aid
Since it’s possible that prescription and over-the-counter medicines won’t be available, having supplies like antibiotic ointment, painkillers, calamine lotion, bug spray, bandages, gauze, medical tape, alcohol wipes, and examination gloves will be useful for bartering. You can even buy small first aid kits to make sure you have all of the necessary items you need.
9. Spices
Making your emergency meals more flavorful will benefit from the use of salt, sugar, herbs, sauces, and seasonings. Additionally, stock up on long-lasting honey, which serves as both a sweetener and a vitamin.
10. Cleaning Supplies
In addition to antibacterial wipes, stock up on bleach, which can be used for disinfecting and cleaning. Have enough of baking soda and white vinegar on hand for more gentle all-purpose cleaning.
11. Tools
Basic hand tools like hammers, screwdrivers, saws, shovels, and hatchets will be essential for building and repairing in a post-collapse world. Investing in quality tools will ensure they last longer and retain their value. There are also several different types of multitools on the market that have several different tools in one. These can be extremely sought after when people don’t have what they need to do basic projects.
12. Personal Hygiene Products
Stock up on items like toilet paper, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, mouthwash, disposable razors, feminine products, condoms, and diapers. These items will be in high demand and can also improve your own quality of life.
13. Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are useful for wound healing, pain relief, and people will trade for them to consume during stressful times. Stockpiling a range of alcoholic drinks, such as wine and liquor, is something to think about.
14. Lighting
Candles, lanterns, flashlights, and other lighting options will be essential for lighting your home and workspace in a post-collapse world. Stock up on batteries and chargers of all kinds, as well as solar chargers and batteries.
15. Entertainment
People will need activities to occupy their time while the internet is down and the electricity is down. Books, periodicals, cards, board games, paper, crayons, pencils, and pens will all be useful for leisure and as a method to escape the strain of a post-collapse world.
16. Hunting and Fishing Supplies
With fresh food in short supply, people will need to rely on hunting and fishing to provide for themselves. Fishing gear, hunting equipment, and tools like knives and axes will all be valuable for bartering. This also includes trapping supplies such as wire and snares for catching small game. Small game will be one of the most valuable sources of food when forced to deal with starvation or scarce food resources.
17. Cigarettes and Tabacco
There will be plenty of tobacco users dying for a cigarette to help calm them during tough times. Similar to alcohol, tobacco provides a calming effect for many people and helps them calm their nerves. These items will be valuable for bartering.
18. Self-Defense and Weapons
In a world after collapse, personal safety will be a concern, and compact, transportable self-defense tools like pepper spray and bear spray will be helpful for protecting against wild animals, dogs, and whatever comes your way. A good survival knife will be extremely valuable as well. Handguns that can be easily carried with you at all times is a must-have as well.
19. Outdoor Equipment
In order to survive in a post-collapse world, you will need tents to sleep in, sleeping bags, Mylar blankets, winter gloves, outdoor stoves, and other outdoor goods. These items will be valuable for bartering.
I will also put duct tape in this category because I personally have always carried a roll of duct tape in my camping box as it can be used in million different ways. Duct tape is incredibly versatile and can be used for everything from fixing a hole in your tent to repairing a broken tool. It will be valuable in a post-collapse world.
20. Paracord
Paracord is incredibly versatile and can be used for everything from building shelter to securing supplies. It’s a multi-use survival item that will be worth its weight in gold in a post-collapse world.
21. Tea and Coffee
When services are shut down for an extended period of time, folks who miss their daily cup of coffee will be in great demand for the taste of something hot and comforting. Purchase plenty of coffee, tea, and other hot drinks.
Final Thoughts
Having valuable items such as described above after a societal collapse can make a huge difference in your chances of survival. Don’t worry if you don’t have stockpiles of these items yet. That’s what prepping is all about. Start a little at a time and budget each month to buy new prepping gear and supplies. After time, you will be way ahead of most people in the country!