[NTBKtrader]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NiKfUrY69', '
')Perhaps trade LEAD for the gold and silver?

Later - NiK in Oklahoma

[Dustin]

Believe it or not, but i will not need to trade for lead because i allready have a lot of it. I beleive in also having control of raw materials needed for stuff, and when you need something heavy, you cant beat a lot of lead, well you can but that is depleted uranium...

later

[sventvkg]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Kingcoal', 'T')he problem with gold is that the government (master) can make it illegal all of a sudden to own gold. It's happened before (1933, I believe), so it will happen again.

You're best bet is to be in good with rich people. Kiss up to the man and you can ride their coat tails through it. You'll see all kinds of things happening to keep the average joe (slave) from profiting off of collapse.

[savethehumans]

That was a good one, sventvkg!

Unfortunately, there will always be Rich People. The only thing that differs is what they possess that MAKES them rich.

It's not gonna be me, of course! I'm sticking to having barterable skills--they're easier to keep track of, and no one can steal them from you!

[Unclesneaky]

I have been frequenting the local flea markets and garage sales, buying up a variety of hand tools. Pickaxes, mauls, shovels, rakes, hoes, saws, wood drills, yankee screwdivers, wedges, hammers, etc. I have also found sickels, brush cutters, even old rotary push mowers for relatively cheap. The other tools that I try to buy are old metal working tools, punches, chisels, measuring tools, and files. The best thing about the tools I'm buying is that while they are typically quite old, they are not considered antiques (without the high cost premium) and they really are better made than the ones you can buy today new. It's amazing what people will sell for a dollar or two. I just bring them home, sharpen them up if necessary, often not, and coat them with some precious oil and wrap them in newspaper. These items will be quite necessary in the upcoming years, and they don't attract attention now, people just think I'm a collector.
I will probably start putting them in caches around my property once I figure out a way to bury them without them getting all trashed, harder with files and cutting tools. I never really thought about hoarding ammo, .22 LR shells are cheap and probably easiest to store, and 12 Ga shells are pretty common and cheap. Guess it's time to start thinking about getting rid of/trading the oddball caliber guns.
22., .308, 12ga, and .38 will probably be in highest demand.

[katkinkate]

There's been a few mentions of seeds as barter goods. They would be very useful for barter, but you must be aware that most seeds have a limited shelf life. They need to be grown and new seed harvested on a regular basis. So if you have no facility to farm the seeds, I would suggest you keep seeds to a minimum and renew your stocks of what you want for yourself regularly.

[gonin02]

I think barter will be increased in a post PO world...but there will always be a demand for money. Money as a store of value, and a medium of exchange. Barter is cool and all, but it has its limits.

..."The two basic problems are "indivisibility" and "lack of coincidence of wants." Thus, if Smith has a plow, which he would like to exchange for several different things—say, eggs, bread, and a suit of clothes—how can he do so? How can he break up the plow and give part of it to a farmer and another part to a tailor?"....

http://www.mises.org/money/2s2.asp

[savethehumans]

Thing is, barter IS a kind of money...best to see what would be considered "money" post-crash before relying on it!

[katkinkate]

A town here in Australia I know of set up their own 'currency' based on a barter system for the local area. They barter their goods and services using a medium of 'IOU's. If you work as a hairdresser and want to buy something from a local farmer, you have the option of paying with a set value of hair dressing service recorded on specially printed slips. The farmer can either redeem the iou at the hairdresser or pass on parts of it to pay for things from other people/businesses.

If the conventional economy collapses enough there will probably be some sort of similar system set up to take over in most areas. We are all used to the concept of money. It only makes sense we would re-invent a currency to take over if the one currently in use loses its value.

[Blacksmith]

Primers are small, light weight, long shelf life, easily concealed and can always be traded.