TexasFreedom
A True Doomsday Prepper
This topic came up in another thread & thought it deserved a separate discussion.
Yes, this is the economic collapse forum, but this topic is basically post-SHTF economics. How to buy/sell, what has value, etc.
There was an excellent presentation I heard a few years ago that hit on lots of good points.
First, post SHTF, it's best to have what you need, lock the gate and wait at least 6 months, preferably a year. During that year every nut and thug are going to be out stabbing each other in the back. Stay home, stay safe, let them kill each other. THEN, after that has settled down, go out. Now you should be out bartering today. You'll find people who will screw you and those who will be honest. Let them, but find out who is honest and keep that list. Post SHTF, post the year of slaughter, if those people are still around, you know you can deal with them. And you know who to avoid.
Currency will have value for a matter of days post SHTF. Not for long, buy whatever you can of value. But minimize risk as people will go crazy very quickly. Real 'currency' is what people will value. Never trade a bag of beans labelled "Beans, #14/103". That tells people you have LOTS of stuff and they will come after it.
Be ready to walk away from any 'deal'. If you can't walk away, you'll get screwed on the deal. If you have PM's, have small and medium sizes. Don't get a 1000 oz silver bar, what do you really think you'll be buying for $20k? 10 oz silver bars are great, $200 today. You can get a couple of goats for that. Have some silver quarters. $10 value, maybe some small stuff traded for that. You won't be buying a pack of gum needing spare change. You'll want to make key trades, minimal trades, and go home.
You need lumber to build a new chicken coop? You need wire to fix fences? Get what you need and go.
No need to brag about what you have. Those days will be filled with envy: guys happy to kill you to get what you have. Remember that there won't be any real 'law' around to stop anyone.
That's some of the points that come to mind, I'm sure I've forgotten far more than I recalled.
Yes, this is the economic collapse forum, but this topic is basically post-SHTF economics. How to buy/sell, what has value, etc.
There was an excellent presentation I heard a few years ago that hit on lots of good points.
First, post SHTF, it's best to have what you need, lock the gate and wait at least 6 months, preferably a year. During that year every nut and thug are going to be out stabbing each other in the back. Stay home, stay safe, let them kill each other. THEN, after that has settled down, go out. Now you should be out bartering today. You'll find people who will screw you and those who will be honest. Let them, but find out who is honest and keep that list. Post SHTF, post the year of slaughter, if those people are still around, you know you can deal with them. And you know who to avoid.
Currency will have value for a matter of days post SHTF. Not for long, buy whatever you can of value. But minimize risk as people will go crazy very quickly. Real 'currency' is what people will value. Never trade a bag of beans labelled "Beans, #14/103". That tells people you have LOTS of stuff and they will come after it.
Be ready to walk away from any 'deal'. If you can't walk away, you'll get screwed on the deal. If you have PM's, have small and medium sizes. Don't get a 1000 oz silver bar, what do you really think you'll be buying for $20k? 10 oz silver bars are great, $200 today. You can get a couple of goats for that. Have some silver quarters. $10 value, maybe some small stuff traded for that. You won't be buying a pack of gum needing spare change. You'll want to make key trades, minimal trades, and go home.
You need lumber to build a new chicken coop? You need wire to fix fences? Get what you need and go.
No need to brag about what you have. Those days will be filled with envy: guys happy to kill you to get what you have. Remember that there won't be any real 'law' around to stop anyone.
That's some of the points that come to mind, I'm sure I've forgotten far more than I recalled.