BARTERING & ECONOMY
BARTER - WHEN ? HOW ? WHAT ? HYPERINFLATION, MONEY, TRADE .
A basic spectrum of information in order to lay out the basics to give a brief introduction to the topic.
1400–50; late Middle English, apparently < Anglo-French, Old French bareter, barater (see barrator), with shift of sense
WHEN?
In the event of monetary collapse bartering will indeed be one way to obtain goods, although not only confined to goods, services too can be exchanged.
Circumstances prevailing will determine when this will come into play. Whilst marauding looters may roam the streets and further into the hills bartering will not be that much of an option, unless you intend to lose your intended bartering items, all your gear and possible your life in the process, perhaps the likelihood of already set up bartering circles may be a good idea prior to the approaching collapse.
Time factors to a start of trading ? no one can foretell, that is why its all important to not require the need to barter for a time, having a plan and stocking up is the answer on this, and not having to use your intended bartering goods for your own needs either ! Depending on reason of monetary collapse, ongoing situation and related events, where you are etc will all play a part in the eventual start and running of the very basic form of the barter trade.
My scales and some items, not purchased for bartering but useful should the event ever occur, many of us will have items to use as barter already.
Ever wonder what happens when the currency goes under ? In Zimbabwe inflation once exceeded 89 sextillion percent at one stage. Health workers have moved to South Africa and other countries , widespread shortage of basic medical materials and drugs, empty shelves, health facilities accepted only foreign currency fee payments. Estimates of annual price increases exceeded a mind-boggling 2,000,000 percent at one point, while the domestic currency lost practically all its value. Economic malaise robbed citizens of their savings and rendered incomes practically worthless the collapse in investor confidence , virtual breakdown in the rule of law (you may have had to pay for petrol for emergency assistance, foreign currency prefered) The "official" economy is irrelevant and a number of informal, barter systems developed, based on strong community networks. They allowed groups to purchase and barter essential commodities (like food and fuel) while hedging against inflation and currency depreciation. It is this informal economy that has forestalled full-scale economic collapse in Zimbabwe. Remember peoples within a third world country are far more resilient to change, hereby a situation presented in a first world country will see a starting process of decay in public security and services, fear, panic and eventual total social, public and economic breakdown.
Consider keeping some foreign currency, this is certainly worth a thought not only may your own currency be almost worthless it may well become unacceptables too, in Zimbabwe at the time heaps of cash were needed to buy the most cheapest items the £ , $ & SAR were spendable. One additional note on this, black market goods being obviously available bring risk and high prices, also some items during the collapse like sanitary pads when became available from time to time were imported, heavy import costs making very inflated prices.
Below, this during its day was just enough for half a loaf of bread, note it has to be spent by a certain date.
Money
Always keep some cash ! You may find a shop open, you may need petrol, while prices maybe extortionate it is wise to keep this consideration to hand, keep the Cash as part of your barter stores. Remember also as mentioned previously, in Zimbabwe foreign currency was an accepted form of purchase, Zim dollars o.k to some extent but you would need buckets of notes to make a purchase, perhaps consider that option of stocking a little of other major currencies.
What ?
Now you may well have a little stash of silver and gold dedicated to barter with (not to mention personal jewellery) but consider the start of barter at first after such a catastrophe that eradicates the current monetary system. Alot of people will not be looking for the shiney stuff ! gold and silver (some will have their own and too find it unpracticle to start with) what will be bartered will be water, food, medical items etc until batering gets well underway and people have the required necessities to maintain themselves and families.
It would be ideal to double up on some basic items but space and cost will come to bear on this. Consider a gold/silver test kit and scales.
Many professionals will indeed have the ability to trade a service, hobbyists, tradespersons the ability to trade practical help so bartering is not all about goods, alot know and indeed can do things others cannot, the things you do may not seem significant today but tomorrow it may well be a different story.
Basic Items
Here's pickings from a number of different sites listing just a few basic items to barter -
Toilet paper, matches, over counter medicines, water, food stuff, clothing, soap, candles, milk powder, tobacco and vape products, alcohol, fuel, candles, batteries, toothpaste, infant formula, salt, water bottles, feminine supplies, condoms, disposable razors.
A Few Basic Rules .
Offer knowledge or a skill you have as opposed to throwing goods into the barter first.
Never barter your equipment or tools away, barter the use of them and you can take an excess barter payment as a deposit if your unsure.
Only show a couple of items, if some unsavory people think your loaded with goodies you may loose the lot.
Until regular and safe trading posts are established be aware of who you barter with.
Silent bartering.
In some cases it might well be better to keep some bartering secretive, starting a barter group now might well be a good idea too, having some lines of supply and requirement already set up and running before the depths of hyperinflation arrive could indeed save future risk.
PRECIOUS METALS/STONES
In time some form of monetary unit will be in place, as in Zimbabwe a while after collapse it became several foreign currencies as mentioned earlier. Gold and silver etc may be recognised as a form of payment all the while it has a rate to set the value of them, how this can be established without a rate I cannot see much acceptance, plus the fact whether you will get someone to believe they are genuine even with proper test equipment (which could also be fake) I am not convinced.
Most of us have jewellery, some collect coins, stones, all these are could be on the barter table at some stage and might be accepted, be sure you have valuation certificates for gems etc.
CASH
As mentioned previous keep a little cash in your barter supplies, you may still find a few stores accept at the lead up of collapse especially independent convenience stores, expect inflation. Bartering aside a few pounds set aside could save you from a host of other dilemmas such as failing electronic banking systems due to fault, cyber crime, unrest turned off or run out.
