When SHTF the concept of currency goes out the window with the rule of law and the comforts of civilization. In times like this, the barter items for SHTF are crucial, and if you need to acquire something, you better have something of value to trade.
It can help to keep this strategy in mind when refining your prepping strategy. That way when you do need to barter, you can trade away excess items without sacrificing your necessities.
Barter Items for SHTF: Stabilized Fuel
When SHTF viable fuel will have an enormous value. It can be used to fuel vehicles to get you out of the urban chaos, and power generators to give you electricity. However, normal fuel like you might find from siphoning a car’s gas tank or in a garage gas can will start to break down within 3 to 4 months.
Gasoline and diesel fuel with a cheap stabilizer additive mixed in can stay viable for 12 to 24 months. This lets you run vehicles and generators long after all other types of fuel have gone bad. It also means it will increase in value when you need to trade it to someone desperate to run their gas-powered equipment.
Common Firearms and Ammunition
Since the days of the old west, firearms and ammunition have long held their value, even in the most desperate of times. When SHTF people will need guns and the correct ammo to hunt and protect themselves.
Of course, there is a certain concern that when you barter guns and ammo, you might accidentally arm someone who could decide to take from you later. So, you’ve got to be very wise.
The smart move here is to never trade away rifles and handguns. Then keep additional 20-gauge and .410 shotguns to trade. This lets other people hunt and give them a sense of security but makes it very hard for them to turn on you later.
You could even take the ammunition bartering to the next level by investing in everything you need to make your own ammo and shotgun shells. You then trade someone a 20-gauge shotgun, with a handful of shells. When they need more, you have something of value for a second trade. All without compromising your ability to hunt and protect yourself.
Camping Equipment & Tarps
When SHTF the value of survival gear, camping equipment, and even humble tarps will become very high. Even people who have their own safe and secure shelter will need survival tools and camping gear to handle odd jobs around their property.
Once people return to hunting as a way to acquire protein, wild game in the area will quickly get pressured beyond a day’s walk. Anyone who needs to hunt for their meat will need camping gear to support them in the field.
All of these activities are made easier by the presence of a good tarp. It’s an improvised roof when you don’t have a tent. It can be turned into a water catchment system when you need to refill a canteen in the bush. It can even be put on the ground when butchering an animal to keep the meat clean.
Adding an extra inexpensive tent, and some basic camping gear to a dozen or so quality tarps is like having money in the bank when SHTF.
Hand Tools
When SHTF the quality hand tools needed for survival projects will always have value. This includes things like multi-tools, knives, hammers, hatchets, splitting mauls, shovels, sledgehammers, hand saws, vices, and whetstones. Just to name a few.
The trick here is to have quality hand tools that will last. So, you can use them vigorously for your own survival projects. Yet they’ll still be in good enough shape that someone else will be willing to trade for them when the opportunity arises.
This means prioritizing tools with fiberglass handles and epoxy-reinforced wedges. Hardened steel hammers and multi-tools from reputable manufacturers.
If you’ve got the budget for them now, stocking up on multi-tools, shovels, and hatchets wouldn’t hurt. If you never end up trading them for something of value, they’re still tools you’ll find yourself frequently using.
Non-Perishable Food Supplies
Canned goods, dried meat, MREs, simple beef jerky, and other non-perishable food items will hold their value long after SHTF. Most have a “Best By” expiration date of 3 to 5 years or more.
Foods that are high in protein will inevitably have higher value than canned beans, or vegetables people might be able to grow for themselves. Canned tuna and high-protein MREs will be the new gold standard in non-perishable trade items. Yet even cheap beef jerky and a can of SPAM will increase in value as other protein sources grow scarce after SHTF.
Water Filtration & Purification
The ability to source clean drinking water will always have value after SHTF. Everyone knows that dehydration kills, and clean water sources will dry up or become contaminated within days after the crisis strikes.
The highest-value water purification items like this backpack-sized water generator will always be in demand. We’re talking about an ingenious, safe, and easy-to-use method – even in a crisis. Water is an invaluable resource, so owning a device that can generate approximately 40 gallons of pure water per day out of thin air will give you an advantage from every possible angle. You’ll be able to generate clean water yourself – perfect for drinking and cooking – and you could even sell this vital resource to others.
Water purification tablets will also have lasting value. However, people might be skeptical if they’re in an open package or poorly labeled. Even a jug of bleach or a tin cup to boil water in could have value in arid areas where water is scarce.
Medical Supplies and Stable Antibiotics, Essential Barter Items for SHTF
When SHTF antibiotics to treat infections and medical supplies to care for serious injuries will always have a high value. This is also true for preventative medications for common medical problems such as high blood pressure medication.
Some medications like insulin will have high value early on. Yet the longer the crisis goes on, there will be fewer insulin-dependent people who need it. Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and antihistamines will maintain a modest-to-low value. Yet something like acetaminophen might actually have a higher real-world value as a fever reducer than an analgesic.
If you want to learn more about the most important antibiotics you should have when things go south – and how to get these 4 essential antibiotics without needing a prescription – I highly recommend The Home Doctor guide. It has already helped tens of thousands of preppers around the world secure crucial treatments in times of crisis, as well as bartering items that could become priceless.
Alcohol and Tobacco
Just like in the old West, alcohol and tobacco will always carry value. People who have addiction issues will assign them a higher value than the average person. Depending on how scrupulous you feel, you can factor this into your bartering negotiations after SHTF.
Yet alcohol can also be used as a pain reliever. In a pinch, strong spirits also have some value as a topical antiseptic. This usually requires them to be 80 proof or higher.
Beer and other fermented products will have a more limited lifespan and dwindling value over time. They’re really only recreational and tend to develop off flavors over time. Especially in glass bottles that are exposed to sunlight.
Proper Footwear
After SHTF the value of a good pair of boots can’t be understated. The amount of walking and plain working on your feet will be staggering for many people. The unfortunate reality is that most people these days have shoes, flip-flops, and other forms of footwear that are more decorative than functional.
Boots made from waterproof leather will have the highest value. Features like a reinforced heel and a steel toe will only add to the asking price. Even an old pair of quality work or hiking boots can feel refurbished with the addition of a simple orthotic insole to pad it for the wearer.
The average foot size of a male in the US is 10.5. If you stock up on extra pairs of boots larger than that, you should have an easy time negotiating their value for something else you need.
Warm Clothing
People will realize the value of a good hat, gloves the socks with the first cold snap after SHTF. Just like footwear, most modern-day warm clothing is usually more cosmetic than it is functional.
People can wrap themselves in old blankets and cheap coats to keep their bodies warm, but they’ll trade high-value things to end the suffering of cold feet, hands, and heads. You see this all the time with homeless people living on northern streets in the wintertime.
The hats with the highest value will be made from wool or an insulating microfiber. Gloves with a Thinsulate warmer will also be in high demand. Waterproof choppers with a leather exterior or made from ice-fishing-grade fabric will also have a high value for people who need to work outside.
Socks should be full length to prevent snow from getting at the bare flesh of the ankles. Wool or microfiber fabric with moisture-wicking properties will also carry a high value especially after people realize that their normal cotton socks make their feet colder!
👉 This Cloth Provides 98% Military-Grade Protection Against EMP
Buckets, Wheelbarrows & Sleds
A simple five-gallon bucket and a sturdy wheelbarrow will always have value once SHTF. People need to move dirt, carry grain to the chickens, and collect apples in something.
These simple containers might seem pedestrian today. Yet when SHTF, you and your neighbors will need them to maintain your property.
Arguably, people aren’t going to be beating down your door for that snazzy 5-gallon bucket that still has the grip on the handle or a wheelbarrow that doesn’t have a slow leak in the tire. However, it’s the sort of thing you could add to a bartering deal to sweeten the pot if someone won’t budge on your original offer.
Underrated Barter Items for SHTF: Precious Metals
Precious metals like gold and silver will always have some value. However, the nature of the SHTF disaster and how long it takes to recover to a stable “New Normal” will impact just how much you can negotiate with them.
If there’s a reasonable chance that the world economy can return to some semblance of normal, precious metals will continue to have a high value. They tend to go up in value during inflation, and once the world stabilizes, you can still trade them in for whatever passes as the new form of currency.
If the SHTF disaster seems to leave the world in permanent chaos, such as a nuclear war; With no return to a sense of normalcy in the distant future, the value of precious metals will be low. Afterall, gold and silver can’t help treat radiation sickness or deal with nuclear winter.
The Biggest of The Barter Items for SHTF: Knowledge
When the crisis hits, there will be a lot of things you’ll wish you had known and used to be better prepared. The truth is, no matter how ready you think you are, there are many things that can spiral into the unpredictable. But you’d be lying to yourself if you said there’s no point in gathering more than just a few cans of food and maybe some spare clothes.
As you’ve seen earlier, there are plenty of things that could prove to be true treasures in a post-SHTF world. But the most important tool you’ll have in tough situations – including as a bartering item – is none other than the knowledge you possess. Learning as much as you can about survival is essential. Because there will be unprepared people willing to give you anything they have in exchange for an answer that might seem trivial to you but could save their life.
The sources you rely on can make all the difference. My recommendation is to get the guide written by someone with top-tier survival experience — Joel Lambert. Choose A Navy SEAL’s Bug-In Guide and discover, among other things:
- Must-Have Survival Foods You Didn’t Know Existed
- How to Stockpile a Ton of Water for 365 Days
- Why Bleach Is Not the Best for Purifying Water (and what to use instead)
- Ingenious, Violence-Free Ways to Keep Looters off Your Property
- What Items Vanished Immediately After Hurricane Katrina
Final Thoughts on The Best Barter Items for SHTF
So, these are some of the most valuable barter Items for SHTF. They’re things you could own in a crisis situation. In some cases, items retain their inherent value – like precious metals. But even seemingly ordinary things like buckets, clothes, or a hammer could end up becoming incredibly valuable.
Make sure to keep this in mind when planning your survival strategy, and get ready to trade and benefit from the wisdom you show by following the tips presented here. Anyways, do you have other ideas? What else do you think could skyrocket in value post-SHTF? I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section.
Discretion is a very important asset you must have when you are a prepper. If you have curious neighbors or friends you suspect might betray you in times of crisis, you need an effective solution to protect your property. Invest in a complete anti-looter kit, which will keep away any looter who tries to target your resources.
You may also like:
Bartering Items You Need to Stockpile for the Next Financial Crash
Make Your Own Weapons with Natural Materials (Video)
10 Most Sought-After Bartering Items in Venezuela
Howdy from high in the desert swamp,
I read through this and thought about being prepared and bartering. My thought is no matter where you live or where you find yourself in a survival situation you still should go by the sacred order.
Shelter
Water
Fire
Food
I thought for a minute on this and anyone beginning to be prepared or the veteran. If you look at where you are, this may be where you are for a couple days if roads are impassable or someone has an injury? While going about your business of collecting the necessary items you may give thought to getting two of several items just for the purpose of barter. I have to take into consideration my storage ability. I thought what if I stumble on someone. What would I want? The sacred list. A tarp, water, something to light a fire.. As far as I am concerned you can keep your gold and silver. I don’t want an obvious attraction for looters. My coin jug can be used to melt them down for bullet molds or making arrowheads if needed. I would want shelter and water. This also depends on where you are. Urban may be dicey. Suburbs might be safer. Rural is safest although this is no guarantee. Tarps are flat and easily stored. They are also very useful if you are not bartering. Small hand tools. Hatchets, fixed blade knives mostly. Buckets and lids are stackable. Depending on the event and how bad off the person is will change the equation and the same for you. If you are in need, what can you barter? Work? Chop wood for water? Clear some debris away for a tarp? You can practice bartering at garage sales or with a neighbor. I traded a compound bow I got for ten dollars at one garage sale for a wool blanket at another. None of us live in teepees or primitive log cabins. Our home might still be there more or less to pick through or use even though damaged. If it’s destroyed, you are on your own which should have been a what if…? part of your planning. I have enough blankets now for my peeps to have two. I have said on here and in person, clean water will make a criminal out of many people. Desperation is a terrible and conflicting emotion. People by nature are opportunistic and will try to scam you or dominate you. Be prepared for a calm barter or violence in a flash. My advice on lessening anxiety is don’t listen to the radio or watch TV if you are able. The reports will be the worst case found, and it will be trumpeted. Chaos is already the order of the day after storms or riots. Don’t add to it by listening to doom seekers. You already know enough. If you can’t communicate electronically, haven’t left or can’t get home, what other information do you need? A local official or a hard set time limit on devices is advised.
Start off your barter bag with, what would you want? Think kids. Maybe some coloring books and basic box of crayons would get you something in return. What is useful and easily stored? Filters, buckets, spigots. Trade to give them their own water.
This is a very thought provoking article. One not easily kept to an article or comments section. Good job AAP.
Remember the Alamo
Remember 9/11
Remember North Carolina
Remember to have your soul prepared
Howdy!
You’re absolutely right: the sacred order (Shelter, Water, Fire, Food) is something every prepper, whether just starting out or seasoned, should always come back to. All the gold in the world won’t keep you warm or hydrated when it really counts.
Your take on bartering practical items like tarps, buckets, hand tools, and even coloring books for kids is not only wise, it’s grounded in empathy and experience.
I especially appreciate your reminder that bartering isn’t just about stuff, but it’s also about skills and service. And knowledge. Never forget about that! That insight is gold (no pun intended). Clearing debris, chopping wood, or fixing something could mean the difference between surviving and thriving, and it’s something many overlook.
Your words on desperation, human nature, and staying mentally grounded are spot-on as always. In a world gone sideways, a calm head can be just as valuable as a loaded pack.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and hard-earned wisdom. Comments like yours make the prepping community stronger, more prepared, and more united.
Have a blessed day!
The caveat here is that bartering when SHTF can also make you dead and not rich, if the unscrupulous decide to simply take what you have.
Please barter responsibly.
if someone comes to mu house looking for something i will say “thank God you are here i’m out of everything”
that would discourage them from comming back. never let anyone know that you have anything.
The best strategy can shift depending on the scenario. If you’re later into a post-SHTF timeline, and you’ve either gained a position of strength or built trust within a small, functioning community, bartering might become not just safe, but beneficial. In that case, you might be the one choosing who to trade with, under your own terms.
The key is timing, trust, and control. Thanks for sharing your perspective. After all, survival isn’t just about gear, but knowing when and how to act.
That’s true. Bartering isn’t without risk, especially when desperation is high and morals are low. Situational awareness, trust, and timing become critical when deciding if and when to trade. Sometimes, the smartest move is to walk away rather than engage.
That’s why discretion and preparation go hand-in-hand. Trade from a position of strength, ideally with people you’ve vetted or in neutral, controlled environments if possible. And never put all your cards (or supplies) on the table.
Do your trading with an overwatch.
I would suggest to Wood Stock and everyone else that
all bartering must be conducted under a well armed
over watch.
If our world has resorted to a barter system it will dangerous
beyond words.
Context matters. The level of danger will vary depending on location, timing, and who you’re dealing with. In chaotic, early-stage collapse scenarios, bartering should be done cautiously or avoided altogether if you can’t control the environment.
But later on, or in tight-knit communities with shared values and some stability, bartering can become a valuable survival tool. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution but it’s definitely a strategy worth keeping in the toolbox.
Thanks for commenting and sharing your perspective, it’s very appreciated!
Wood Stock agrees, but notes that the ambush not attended is the ambush avoided,
DO NOT!!!! Under any circumstance use cheap fuel
stabilizer.
PRI-G or PRI-D is the very best available. Add to cans on
the initial fill and then a little more every few months.
Start out with non ethanol gasoline and winter mix diesel
if you live in a cold climate.I am currently using 3-4 year
old fuel with PRI-G/PRI-D.
That’s easy to remember. G Or D = GOD.
On another note: I purchased a 2 wheel cart that is a trailer made for a bicycle.
Hmm, that’s a very interesting topic to explore. We’ll be taking a closer look at the best long-term fuel storage practices in an upcoming article, including stabilizer options, ethanol concerns, and climate-specific tips like the ones you mentioned.
Thanks for contributing! This kind of real-world experience is what makes our prepping community stronger.
Don’t forget entertainment items. A few deck of cards, simple toys for children, maybe a board game or two. Also, hard candy might not be high on your list, but it may pacify a child, or help a smoker that doesn’t have access to tobacco.
Some might not consider a slingshot as a valuable tool/weapon, but it can bring down small game, or be used to create a diversion.
Barter items are no good if you don’t have what people want or need. I see most of those seeking items will be looking for food, you know – McDonalds, Sonic, ice cream, donuts – useless food that won’t be available, but the entitled people will still crave. Protein rich food is what they will need, but it is not what they will want. Modern day conveniences and beliefs about gluten free, non-gmo, “untouched by human hands”, will be ignored by a starving person. I believe some of our health issues will disappear when people have no choice but to eat healthier food.
Shoes/boots were mentioned in the article, and something that may extend the usefulness of the shoes would be sole inserts. It may make the new normal of walking a little less painful.
I personally do not want a travelling band of needy people knocking at my door looking for handouts or trade items, but I hope I have enough on hand to help the most deserving. Just because a person has a need, doesn’t mean they deserve the help from a well-intentioned person. If a need is self-inflicted due to lack of preparedness, then knowledge is all they deserve; not stocks designed for my family’s survival, or those that may prove useful in the coming conflicts.
May the “Karens” of the world never bother you.
May the government never attack you.
And most of all, May you find peace in the Lord.
Great points all around. Entertainment items (especially for those with children) will become priceless. Thanks for sharing your perspective! All the best!
It makes you think about what you have, what you want and what you need.
Time to watch the dooms day documentary.
The walking dead.
How would Darrell handle this???
Yep, sometimes the best prepping mindset starts with a simple question: What do I actually need? Shows like The Walking Dead might be fiction, but they do a good job of making you think about survival priorities, human behavior, and group dynamics in a crisis.
As for Darrell… well, he’d probably grab his crossbow, stay mobile, and trust no one. Not a bad approach. At least in the early days post-SHTF!
Rat traps and BBQ sauce plus decks of playing cards with stone age living skills printed on them should be hot item’s during TEOTWAWKI .A lot of people will say…..What TEOTWAWKI ? I think TEOTWAWKI has been going on now for hundreds of thousands of years..take care of your self so you can take care of others .
Now that’s creative thinking! Rat traps and BBQ sauce might just be sleeper hits in a real barter economy. And I love the idea of playing cards printed with survival skills. Entertainment + education + utility = smart prep.
Thank you for sharing that with us!
IMHO you should NEVER barter away anything to do with firearms. Because at some point they will be turned against you. “But it’s only a .22 rifle”. Guess what? In my 28yrs as a cop I have seen more people killed by .22 firearms than any other caliber. If you have one of those hand cranked “getting gun” type .22’s nobody wants to try to get through a buzz saw of .22 rounds like that. They make them in many popular calibers these days but they aren’t cheap. Even an old .22 short gun will kill you.
As far as the actual bartering PLACE never do the trading where you live. And as 1 person pointed out make sure you have someone to back you WHILE you are bartering. If you are the person wanting to trade FOR ammo then go for it if YOU need the ammo. But you should have already made a stockpile BEFORE SHTF!!! Remember it’s called “prepping ” for a reason.
That’s a very important warning, especially coming from someone with real-world law enforcement experience. Also, your point about never bartering at your home and ensuring you have backup during any trade is crucial. In a high-risk barter environment, location, backup, and OPSEC matter more than what you’re trading.
That said, I’d add one nuance: bartering for ammo might make sense, if you’re stocking up BEFORE things fall apart. Thanks for your input!
my sentiments exactly Bubba!!!
I’m planning to attempt to use gold and silver for barter
if we end up in a severe SHTF world.
Fractional coins( one tenth ounce) will be best suited for
metals deals.
Junk silver ( pre-1964) U.S. half dollars,quarters,or dimes
may get what you need.
You will need a metals test kit to authenticate any transaction.
It’s all expensive so get fractional coins or junk silver ASAP
If this interests you.
99% of people have never touched a gold coin of any kind
so expect healthy skepticism.
It’s likely any dealing will be conducted under the watchful
eye of someone with one of those nasty black rifles.
FYI: Except for a brief period during WW2 there has never
been any silver in a nickel.
Indeed, you shouldn’t expect everyone to value metals right away. Early on, survival goods (clean water, food, tools) will likely outweigh precious metals in value. Still, gold and silver may gain traction again later, once things stabilize a bit and people look for a durable medium of exchange. Thanks for your input!
Extra books or even hand written lists of wild edible plants might be a good thing to trade with or just give freely. If
you have a copy machine at home a small booklet with pictures of plants would be easy to make and not take up very much room to store. Might help people feed themselves a bit at least……
I couldn’t agree with you more! Knowledge can be just as valuable as food or gear. Educational barter items (like guides, how-tos, or even skills training) might become some of the most respected forms of trade in the long run. Great thinking!
I always see tobacco and alcohol on these barter lists. I was just thinking about this today and I think it is better to learn to make high quality drinking alcohol rather than simply trying to store it. Where I live, it’s not far from where they used to grow tobacco so if I wanted to barter it, I would learn to produce that too from seed rather than storing it. That way I can maintain a perpetual supply.
That’s an interesting point. Production beats storage in long-term scenarios, indeed. Alcohol and tobacco are high-demand barter goods, but they can also run out quickly. If you can make your own, you’ve got a renewable source and a major advantage.
Plus, distilling knowledge or seed-saving for tobacco could be valuable trade skills themselves. Just remember that local laws around distillation and cultivation may still apply pre-collapse, so prep responsibly.
Thanks for your insight!
ALL GOOD POINTS !
But,
it depends on how up the creek we are, as always.
a “new start on society” gold silver GOOD, worse conditions – maybe the Hun wants 2 for earrings, you know what he plans to trade them for, and with Who.
a month into it, you will trade gold ounce for ounce with me for Rice, and you wont trade your water filter.
CLEAN water, good to trade. KNOWLEDGE, like a BSA field guide, or simply teaching a skill, GOOD. The ability to fix things, excellent way to get rich – like a cow in trade for a running truck. Broken things, will basically be given away by people that CANT fix things. After you fix, trade for what you need.
Yes, I will buy your gun, that I will use to then get from you what I wanted and you said NO AND get back what I gave you for the gun, AND what ever else I want. OVER watch is always needed for strangers. After, SHTF, everyone will be Stranger than they were the day before SHTF
Yep, it all depends on how far down the spiral we go. The idea that knowledge or repair ability could trade for high-value goods is spot-on. Fixing a generator, a pump, or even a pair of boots might get you further than shiny metal ever could.
Your final line hits hard: “everyone will be Stranger than they were the day before SHTF.” That’s very true. Prep and act responsibly! Thanks for your input!
I have personal first hand knowledge that stabilized gas is still viable in modern fuel injected cars for about 5-7 years. As long as you stored it in real Jerry cans or military scepter cans with good gaskets. In small simple engines like a lawnmower or generator, it’s probably more like 10 years. If you have some gasoline that’s gone off, mix it with 2 stroke oil and blend it with diesel and it’ll run fine in a diesel engine.
During a spring cleaning of my garage I had come across about 6 completely full and stabilized scepter cans of gasoline I had forgotten about after moving. I set them aside to figure out what to do with them. Well, one day I drove home (out in the boonies) without paying attention and my fuel lamp came on to tell me I was almost out and didn’t have enough to get back to town. I dumped 5 gallons of that old gas in the tank with whatever was still in there and drove back to town to fill up. There was absolutely no noticeable difference in the way the truck ran (Chevy 3500 with the 400ci V8). No smoke. No lag. No smell. No gummed up fuel filter. It ran fine.
The other full cans I added to my tank whenever it was about half down so the old gas would blend with fresh gas. Now I’m being much more careful about rotating it, but I am confident that it lasts much longer than 1-2 years like most people say.
300 million people will flee to the woods and wilderness just like you. Fighting over nothing and ending it quickly, only one walks away. Everything will be extinct in a month. Then begins the raids and slaughter. You and your family can’t stay awake on watch 24/7, too tired, too hungry, too emotionally drained. You have a cabin bunker? It will be conquered quickly. Tens of thousands of forest fires will erupt turning you into a crisp. Cold will kill you. Mosquitos will kill you. Ticks Lymes will kill you. Bad water will kill you. Want to drive somewhere on your saved gas? Roads all closed and snipers everywhere. Want to run a generator? They will hear you and they will come. We do not return to civilization after four weeks. It’s over.