A Homesteader's Guide to Bartering | Homesteading Simple Self Sufficient Off-The-Grid

Want to know what priceless bartering chips you should have? I’m no survivalist but homesteaders should be prepared for any situation. Find out what you need to know about bartering.

A Homesteader’s Guide to Bartering

With homesteading, you acquire skills that make you self-sufficient and ready for almost any situation. You learn how to grow your own food and preserve them. But have you ever considered what might happen in case of a catastrophic event? Life as we know it may change and all your homesteading skills may be tested.

I’m no survivalist but I like to be prepared at all times. I can’t help but wonder some times what may happen in case of an economic collapse. All money will be worthless. What then? I guess civilization would resort to a system they’ve been using before money was invented, barter.

In case your wondering what is barter, it’s a system where people don’t use money but trade goods or services for other goods or services. In case the inevitable happens and we need to resort to this system from the olden days, better be prepared. That’s why I’m sharing to you these 16 priceless bartering chips you should have. It pays to be self-sufficient but you have to remember you still have to deal with other people to grow.

1. Cigarettes

I don’t smoke but a lot of people do. This is something you have to consider. When times get tough, cigarettes would be hard to come by that’s why it’s such a great bartering chip.

2. Alcohol

Like cigarettes, it’s a vice many people just love since it offers a temporary “relief” to the situation. Whatever kind of alcohol would be good to stock since most of it have a long shelf life. It’s also useful for its other uses such as an antiseptic or to start fire. If you’d like to brew your own beer you can follow some recipes here. And for those wine lovers, we have some wine making basics you can also try in your backyard.

3. Antibiotics and Medicine

Medicinal plants are good but people would want something they can just swallow for any pain or sickness.

4. Sanitation and First Aid Supplies

Any survivalist will tell you that they have their own first aid supply. But it always pays to have extras.

5. Bullets

I prefer peace not war but you’ll never know when you need protection especially in times of chaos. If you’re planning to stock on guns, first thing you need is proper training.

6. MRE’s or Meal, Ready-to-Eat

It’s light to carry around and offers a complete meal for a hungry person. MRE is a must have for any survival situation since you can store them up to three years.

7. Coins

These aren’t the coins that we have in circulation but those old coins that are made of silver and other metals. Since these are precious metals, you may not be able to barter using them immediately after the onset of a disaster but it will come in handy in the first phase of restructuring.

8. Laundry Detergent

This may not be the first thing that comes to mind but after wearing the same clothes day in and day out, washing them will be a luxury. You can find out how to make homemade laundry detergent here.

9. Water Bottles

Having clean water is always a necessity. You can live weeks without food but only three days without water.

10. Fire Starters

Everyone needs fire to cook food and boil water for drinking. A match box can be very important to someone who needs to keep warm in a cold night. If you’d like to do a little DIY fire starter, you can check out the tutorial here.

11. Sugar

It may not be as good as chocolates but with someone who has a sweet tooth, sugar is the closest thing you can get in difficult times.

12. Toilet Paper

I think this one is pretty much self-explanatory.

13. Water Filters/Purifiers

Water bottles can relieve your thirst, but just imagine having a supply of clean and filtered water.

14. Bleach

In a pandemic crisis, this is a major bartering item. You can use it not only for disinfecting water but also to keep clothes and living quarters sanitized. Learn how here.

15. Batteries

When the power goes out batteries kick in. You’ll need this to power flashlights and pretty much anything mobile.

16. Candles

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When there’s no power or batteries, people will need light when night comes. Emergency candles will be so important for anyone who wants to function properly in the dark. Learn how to make DIY candles with this tutorial.

Want a more in depth idea of what these bartering chips are used for? Head over to Survival Life!

What do you think of this list of bartering chip ideas fellow homesteader? Let us know in the comments section what your thoughts are on these self-sufficiency ideas. Have any homesteading projects you’d like to share? Share it with us an we’ll give it a try. We’d love to know what you think!

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A Homesteader’s Guide to Bartering