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ORIGINAL: OsideGirl

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ORIGINAL: MercTech

As to commodities and the mention of MREs.

A MRE diet is, if I remember correctly, about 6000 calories a day. Works well for intense physical activity for young bodies but a bit excessive for emergency rations if you are hunkered down after a disaster.

Our packages say 1200 calories each.

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Mountain House makes backpacking foods but they are pricey and not all that palatable.

And again, highly processed, loaded with salt and contain preservatives.

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ORIGINAL: DomKen
silver is a dumb thing to stockpile.

If you are really worried about the collapse of society stockpile goods you can barter. non perishable food stuff, ammo, tools, liquor, spare parts, nails, screws etc.

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ORIGINAL: DesFIP
Lead for water pipes? It leaches into the water. Not a good idea at all.

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ORIGINAL: Paladin9

When I said armed gangs I wondered if anyone would get what I meant.
EVERY town and city has it's own taxpayer funded armed gang. Our govt is currently equipping them with the latest high tech military grade arms and vehicles. When the govt falls, if you have something they want, they are gonna take it. Who is going to help you stop them, most Americans are so apathetic now it's scary. The amount of police brutality happening every day is staggering and getting worse. Their 00 license is "I was in fear for my safety and the safety of my partner." Even with extensive video of them breaking the law few are fired, less are tried, convictions are as rare as hen's teeth and most get a paid vacation while on suspension during the "investigation". They have murdered law abiding citizens for holding a cell phone or Wi controller.

The safest place will NOT be the cities.

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ORIGINAL: ARIES83

At the height of the economic crisis when some people were fearing the worst and beginning to prepare for a government collapse. A lot of people started to stockpile silver with the hope that it would enable them to trade for goods after paper money became useless.

To all you Preppers, I was wondering did you go this route? Or what were your ideas about commodities and trading in the event people were unable to just go to the store and buy things.

What commodities ideally would you wish to have to trade/ what would be those commodities you think would have the most utility in those kind of situations?

Guns and Ammo? grains?

And what if anything have you done to date in terms of preparing down that path?

On the same kind of note. What do you believe would be solid basis for a barter/ basic commodities economy?
Say a community that was self-sufficient.

I don't know much about Amish people but I'm assuming their way of life would be a good model.

Just became curious about this stuff all of a sudden... No idea why.

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ORIGINAL: MalcolmNathaniel

On the other hand, hard candy, while not directly a wealthy commodity, will help with winning over the parents of children you give them too. It's actually quite a clever idea.

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ORIGINAL: Runningkc

In five years I hope to be self dependent for 90% of my food sources. Raising my own poultry, beef, and pork. Growing all my own fruits, veggies, and spices.

This is strictly for prepper reasons, it's also very important to me health wise. That's about as far as my prepper tendencies go, for now.

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I don't know how useful they'd be for trade, but I would want a major stockpile of sanitary towels/tampons, and some reliable method of birth control. Those are two modern comforts I would not willingly go without. I'm guessing other women would feel the same so they would maintain some value, albeit not at the level of food and fuel.