Bartering is a valuable skill in a time of crisis. This skill allows a person to trade goods or services without using any currency. Communities have been using this technique for centuries now, but many people don’t know how to barter today.

To barter, a person must have goods or skills that are of value to others. However, they must also have working relationships with other people they can barter with. Fortunately, a person can build these skills and relationships prior to when they are needed or purchase desired items. When used with items purchased from Prepared Bee, a person will be better equipped regardless of the disaster.

Understanding Bartering

A person can meet their needs through the practice of bartering. While money has its role in the world, bartering allows for an exchange of energies or resources. A successful relationship relies on trust from both parties. Each person taking part in the agreement must keep their word, or the bartering system won’t work.

Bartering is limited in terms of its usefulness, but it has its place in the world. The problem lies in the goods and services available. A person can only barter with individuals who have things they want or need. However, a person can barter with one person for a product or good and then use that product or good to barter with another person for something they want or need.

When to Use Bartering

People often assume bartering only takes place when the currency isn’t stable or readily available. However, supply chain disruptions during the global pandemic showed that bartering has a place in other situations. Today, friends help each other, and this is actually a form of bartering. The system can be used with those who aren’t friends but are still trusted individuals when a good or service is needed. There is no need to reserve it for worst-case scenarios, as it can be helpful in everyday life. Consider using the bartering system to stockpile items for when a disaster occurs.

The Drawbacks of Bartering

This practice comes with risks. It’s best to barter with known individuals rather than strangers. Doing so allows each party to know the character of the other party and ensure they will stick to their word. Avoid dealing with people who have a history of not following through on things.

A person must share what they have to barter, which can be dangerous. Once their resources are known, they become a target for unscrupulous people. Certain resources will then need to be used to defend these assets. It’s best to keep any stockpiles quiet to reduce the risk of becoming a target.

Make trades wisely. Don’t barter something of value for something insignificant simply because it is desirable. Making an uneven trade puts a person more at risk of other people learning what they have and working to take advantage of this.

Only barter excess items. Keep items that will be of value in a disaster and never let the supply dwindle to nothing. Try to limit this practice to things that can be produced rather than those items that must be purchased in a store. Always consider each trade to ensure it is a need rather than a want.

Self-Reliance Remains Key

Create a plan that will meet the needs of the immediate family. Learn new skills and hone existing ones. It’s always best to rely on oneself rather than turn to others. The only time a person should barter is when they lack the skills needed to produce an item. Once the trade is complete, begin working to build that skill, so other people aren’t needed in the future.

Create a Bartering Community

Gather a group of trusted people to barter with and know what is needed. A quick Google search will provide a list of items every family should have on hand. Fine-tune this list to meet the specific needs of the family.

Learn what items are most in demand within the bartering community. Try to have those items on hand if disaster strikes. Not only will this ensure the family has what they need, but it makes it easier to barter for items that aren’t readily available.

People learned during the pandemic that toilet paper is essential in life. However, finding toilet paper presented a challenge. Items like that will always be in high demand. The same cannot be said for convenience foods.

Observe what others want and plan to provide those items in a time of crisis. Do the same for the family. Ensure the family’s needs are met first. Once this goal has been achieved, begin stockpiling items that others may also want.

The list of desirable items varies by community, so don’t rely on a list from the internet. While the internet list is a good starting point, use observational skills to see what others may request in this situation. Individuals who have these items increase their bartering power.

What Skills and Goods Remain in High Demand?

As previously mentioned, toilet paper was a hot commodity during the global pandemic. However, it was only one of many items people needed. When creating a bartering stockpile, think of basic survival items. This includes food, water, shelter, safety, and food. These items will be a priority for many when bartering.
In addition, develop skills that may be helpful during a crisis. These skills could include home repair, sewing, quilting, auto repair, and more. Many people will trade goods for services in a time of need, so the more skills a person will have, the more chances they will have to barter.

Once a person’s basic needs are met, the focus then turns to items that will increase their comfort. These items may include books, luxury foods, alcohol, cigarettes, and more. Have some of these items on hand to barter.

Bartering is a skill that takes practice. A person should know the value of the items they have on hand to ensure they make fair trade. People don’t like to be taken advantage of, particularly when they are in a desperate situation. When a person is fair with their bartering, other people will want to trade with them more often and treat them fairly. Keep this in mind and bartering opportunities will increase significantly.