I often think about the possibility of a crisis so massive that our civilization simply will not come back from it. We’ll have to work hard to survive and rebuild, as well as trade and pass on knowledge to future generations.
The movie Waterworld comes to mind and I can’t help but imagine what things will be like. There will be no banks, and while I believe that we won’t have money in its traditional sense, we will be using various currencies to trade. Prepping some items now will put you ahead of the curve by leaps and bounds if an event like this ever occurs.
So, here’s what I stash…
- Ammo. Ammo is going to be a huge bartering point throughout the collapse. Eventually, someday, it will run out. But that won’t stop people from trading for it.
- Precious metals. It’s silly, because who needs gold when there’s a food shortage? But you’ll be surprised. Throughout history, society has been known to revert to using precious metals, because it is a common medium to which we can assign value.
- Thread and needle. This is another interesting currency that has stood the test of time. People can repair many different items with needle and thread.
- Tools. Everybody needs tools. And the best news about tools is that they are not exactly disposable. I have stocked extra hammers, saws and woodworking tools; because I know I will not miss them if I trade them.
- Shoes. While there are ways to fashion some type of clothes post-crisis, shoes are much more difficult, so stock several good pairs of hiking boots if you can afford to do so. Be sure to buy them in the sizes of your family members. This way, if your spouse or kids need shoes and there is no crisis, you can simply use them.
- Knowledge. Perhaps the best currency around, knowledge has been, is, and always will be prized by all. Capitalize on the time that you have, while the libraries are still open and the internet is still on. Buy how-to books that deal with hunting, trapping, and fishing gardening and building, tool-making and repair, as well as vet science and medicine. Believe me, if there’s one thing people will want – it’s knowing how to do things they didn’t have to know how to do prior to the collapse. This is the stuff we will have to teach our kids.
- Seeds. Another good option is to buy a couple of extra cans of long-term storage seeds. People want to eat, and there is nothing better than fresh organic fruit, herbs and vegetables.
- Toys. People go to great lengths to keep their kids happy. While people will likely have toys immediately post-collapse, sooner or later, they will want more. You can make some good trades for LEGOs.
Invest into creative things people might want, too, such as musical instruments and art supplies. Life after a crisis is about survival, but it doesn’t have to be boring and I don’t mind being the “cool guy” once in a while. If you wonder what else you should or shouldn’t stash, or if you have some particularly interesting barter items of your own you want to share, feel free to drop me a line!
To your survival,
Joseph Wilkinson
