10 Best Barter Items: Cheap Stuff That Will Skyrocket In Value

By "Just In Case" Jack | Updated: 10/09/2023

Best Barter Items To StockpileToday I’ve got something really important to share…

A List Of The 10 Barter Items To Stockpile Before The Coming Collapse

Now, I want to make one thing clear out of the gate.

None of the items listed today will be Gold, Silver, or other rare metals.

It won’t include dried food or toilet paper.

EVERYONE already understands the value of rare coins, food and TP in a collapse.

Instead, I want to share the 10 overlooked barter items ANYONE can grab off the shelf.

Stuff that will be gone in a flash once everyone realizes a collapse is inevitable.

The following items are:

  1. Affordable now, before a collapse
  2. Will go up in value after a collapse
  3. Small enough that anyone can store them
  4. Have reasonable expiration dates
  5. Items you can barter in small portions

Let’s get started…

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↓ 10 Cheap Items That Will Go Up In Value After A Collapse

1. Survival Seeds

Get a bunch of heirloom, open-pollinated, non-GMO, and untreated seeds.

You can either buy them already sealed in Mylar bags.

Or you can buy Mylar bags and do it yourself.

Then keep them stored in a cool, dry, dark location.

I love survival seeds for four reasons:

  1. Don’t take up much space
  2. Have a reasonable shelf life if stored properly and
  3. Don’t cost much (at least in normal times)
  4. If you learn how to seed save – you’ll never run out of seeds ever again

Seeds are a potential future food supply.

THAT potential is worth a ton in a mass famine.

If grocery stores are bare for ANY time, seed demand will explode, and prices will follow.

Making seeds my all-time favorite items to stock up on now.

2. H20 Filters / Purification Tablets / Bleach

If your local water supply becomes suspect or contaminated, you must treat it.

If everyone around you must treat it as well (or risk getting severely sick) …. well, the math is simple.

Boiling water works to kill bacteria.

But boiling ALL your water before consumption will quickly become tedious.

And expensive (depending on the fuel used to boil).

So, get some extra water filters and lots of water purification tablets.

Heck, grab several gallons of bleach as well since a few drops can be used to purify in a pinch.

These great bartering items are affordable, have a long shelf life, and won’t take up much space.

3. Pain Medicines

People don’t realize this but pain meds are a modern day luxury item.

Our society is not accustomed to dealing with any pain (short-term or chronic).

And why would we?

We have plenty of magic pills over the counter to shut pain signals off.

It’s terrific IF you have them (and don’t abuse them).

But pain meds will be one of the first items to disappear in a collapse.

People will wipe out the stores, and if there’s no more coming anytime soon, what then?

Well, if you thought ahead, you might be able to pull off an excellent trade.

If someone suffers, they’ll be willing to trade a lot to reduce that pain.

Now, is this ethical? Probably not.

But I’d rather HAVE the extra pills and decide later how best to distribute them, rather than NOT have them at all.

And even if you decide NOT to price gauge, the people you help will be so thankful that they’ll pay you back.

Perhaps in sharing their resources or efforts.

4. Daily Multivitamins

A balanced nutritional diet will be tough to come by in an all-out long-term collapse.

For example:

What happens if your body gets carbs (i.e., calories) but no vitamins?

Well, you will slowly get weaker and sicker over time.

That’s why having a large stockpile of some multivitamins makes a lot of sense.

That way, even if you have to live off only rice and beans for months, a multivitamin will help keep your body healthy.

This one won’t have much value right away.

But over time, when folks realize their bodies are breaking down, the importance of vitamins will become clear.

Or perhaps even better, you can learn how to find and process wild lettuce as natural pain relief.

5. Gas Mask Filters

CBRN GAS MASK FILTER NBC-77Two things to note about buying gas mask filters; first, they’re not “extremely” cheap.

Gas mask filters do cost some money.

And second, not every collapse scenario will require a gas mask.

However, if a collapse does require a gas mask, having extra filters is a lot like stockpiling Gold.

It’s going to become something that there’s NEVER enough.

Gas mask filters are consumables.

So they run out over time.

And there’s already a minimal supply because most people have just 2 or 3 at most.

But if you have 30, you could trade a few away and get a king’s ransom.

Think of it as a higher risk but good bartering item.

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6. Ammo

Another reasonably priced, small consumable with a super long shelf life is ammunition.

You should already have an excellent supply of ammo for your firearms.

But even if you don’t own guns, ammo will be something folks who own guns will need.

And eventually, ammo supplies will dwindle.

Because a firearm becomes a paperweight unless you have the proper ammunition.

I also like that you can buy a TON of it.

And if you store it properly, with ammo cans, it won’t take up lots of space.

Plus, it can last decades, perhaps centuries, when stored properly.

It’s another alternative to rare coins for a total survival situation.

7. Ferro Rods / Fire Pistons

Lighters have one massive flaw.

They’ll eventually run out of fuel.

Then, once empty, those devices are worthless (if you can’t get more fuel).

Matches are even worse. Sure, you may have a large box of them, but day after day, they will get consumed – then what?

Yes, starting a fire with sticks IS possible, but;

  1. It’s more complex than it seems
  2. It’s a major calorie burner.

So it’s not a good option for long-term survival scenarios.

Instead, stock up on extra Ferro rods and fire pistons.

These devices are much easier to use than starting a fire with sticks.

And they will last much longer than other fire-starting devices.

Heck, with a fire piston, no “fuel” is necessary.

You use physics (pressure to create heat) using just a tiny wad of tinder.

8. Antibiotics, Hydrogen Peroxide, Neosporin

neosporin tubeBefore the invention of antibiotics, even a small scratch or cut could turn deadly.

Historically, infections were hard to beat, especially if they entered your bloodstream.

In a worst-case scenario, emergency rooms and doctors may not be available when you need them most.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to load up on prescription antibiotics.

Doctors and pharmacists control the amount each patient can purchase.

So, the next best thing for stockpiling is to get a variety of fish and bird antibiotics.

Do your research on which varieties to buy.

But I’d rather take animal antibiotics to TRY and fight a deadly infection than be a helpless soul.

And in a worst-case scenario, your neighbors will likely feel the same way.

But if you’re not comfortable buying animal antibiotics, stock up on hydrogen peroxide instead.

This liquid helps clean a fresh wound, PREVENTing infection instead of treating the infection.

If an infection can kill, hydrogen peroxide will become a prized possession.

The only problem is it has a somewhat short shelf life.

For example:

Most labels claim about three years.

So, you’ll want to create a First In, First Out rotation.

But with that said, I repurchased extra hydrogen peroxide in 2013.

The bottle states it should have expired in 2016.

Yet, it still bubbles if I pour some out into my sink.

So, it has yet to expire after nine years! That’s why I think it’s something you should add to your prepping stockpile.

I feel the same way about Neosporin, but I cannot easily “test” its remaining effectiveness…

But in a post collapse world, I’d rather use “expired” Neosporin than apply nothing.

It can’t hurt to try, and it might save a life – I’m sure most folks would feel the same way if push came to shove.

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9. Soap

Zote Soap Stack Of 4 BarsIn third world countries, lack of cleanliness and hygiene are MAJOR problems.

These poor folks don’t have access to soap and clean water to maintain basic hygiene.

Diseases can run rampant when humans live in filthy conditions for long stretches.

So, if soap becomes limited and you have extra, you can trade it easily.

Making it an excellent item to stockpile.

Zote soap is one of the best for stockpiling.

10. Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of those items most people overlook when stockpiling.

But it has at least 50 survival uses, is very affordable, and easy to store.

It also has a extremely long shelf life and can be sold in any increment you’d like.

So it’s a perfect item to get today, before a disaster situation.

11. Duct Tape

The potential uses for duct tape are limitless.

I mean, in a pinch, this stuff can safe your life.

It’s extreme utility, affordability and long shelf life make it a perfect bartering chip.

Dispelling 5 Of The Most Common Bartering Myths

There are a lot of misconceptions out there about how bartering works.

I’m here to set the record straight.

Myth #1: “I can just trade my useless junk for valuable supplies.”

In a survival situation, folks are gonna be smart about what they trade for.

Nobody’s gonna give up their precious food, water, or medical supplies for your old comic book collection or broken-down lawnmower.

You better have something of real value to bring to the table.

Myth #2: “I can rely on bartering for all my needs.”

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

While bartering can be a useful skill, it’s no replacement for good old-fashioned preparedness.

You should always have a stash of essential supplies like food, water, and first aid, so you’re not dependent on finding someone to trade with when times get tough.

Myth #3: “Bartering will always be peaceful and fair.”

Sure, we’d all like to think that, but the reality is that desperate times can bring out the worst in people.

Be prepared for the possibility of encountering folks who want to take advantage of you.

It’s essential to stay vigilant and protect yourself and your family.

Myth #4: “I don’t need to learn any skills; I’ll just trade for everything I need.”

In a survival situation, skills are just as valuable as goods.

You’ll be in a much better position if you have skills like hunting, fishing, first aid, or even basic carpentry.

These skills can not only help you survive but also make you a more attractive bartering partner.

Myth #5: “I don’t need to worry about the value of items; I’ll figure it out as I go.”

Bartering isn’t like haggling at a flea market.

You need to have a good understanding of the value of items in a post-collapse world.

Stockpile some knowledge about what’s in demand and what’s not.

It’ll save you from getting the short end of the stick in a trade.

Final Thoughts

The above trade goods or services are a wise way to improve you family’s resiliency.

The best next step is to join my 30-day prepper challenge.

Once you’ve completed this challenge, you’ll be more prepared than most.

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