Bartering

**many houseapes** · 01-31-2009, 07:46 PM

Just a question that I thought that I would throw out to everyone. I have been reading on various sites about our troubling economy, the art of bartering and how it may come down to having to barter to keep our families "comfortable" during the impending economic mess that we're facing.

What are your thoughts about bartering? Would you do it? What items would you/are you stockpiling to barter with??

**Contrary Housewife** · 01-31-2009, 07:57 PM

I really don't see us facing the shortages like we had in WW2 where people didn't have sugar or nylons or new car tires. And during the Depression the biggest shortage was cash. People have already begun hoarding gold and cash.

However, if it came down to it, I would like to have medicines, luxury goods like fine liquor or tobacco products, and plenty of ammunition.

By the way, bartered goods and services are taxable in the US, just as "sold" goods are.

"Bartering

Bartering is an exchange of property or services. You must include in your income, at the time received, the fair market value of property or services you receive in bartering. For additional information, Refer to Tax Topic 420 - Bartering Income and Barter Exchanges."

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/...117613,00.html

**monkeywrangler71** · 01-31-2009, 07:57 PM

I don't think that is going to happen, but if I did I would stock up on coffee, chocolate, and sugar.

**NewLeaf** · 01-31-2009, 07:58 PM

what barters well? Luxuries that might be scarce (like coffee,sugar...) or things we all have to have to survive (medicine, basic foods, protection). Homesteading skills (you could trade your skill for something you need). Just a few ideas.

**NewLeaf** · 01-31-2009, 07:59 PM

It sure would be nice to have a couple of chickens and a cow.....My town would allow the chicken in my backyard, but my husband won't (lol).

**mombottoo** · 01-31-2009, 08:39 PM

The obvious things that come to my mind are sugar, flour, rice, coffee, shortening & veg. oil, yeast, salt, dried beans and vegetable seeds. However, I would barter my services too...I can teach people how to can & freeze foods and bake from scratch (yep, I still remember how) or we could trade firewood, car repair services and the like.

**Momof3girls** · 01-31-2009, 08:50 PM

If it were me I wouldn't stockpile items to barter with. Dh and I both have skills that I will barter with though.

**CoCo** · 01-31-2009, 09:10 PM

Barter items in the yr 2009 ,will be food ,meds, and comfort items.

**rowdy35** · 02-04-2009, 04:24 PM

bottled water?

firewood

blankets

gasoline

**thefrug** · 02-04-2009, 06:06 PM

I would stock pile for barter:
feminine hygiene products
aspirin
bar soap
canned meat
canned fruit
canned vegies
knives - all kinds
matches and lighters

I have no skills to barter. I'm just a homemaker. But hubby is a Master Carpenter, so he would be able to barter his.

**momof2joys** · 02-04-2009, 06:47 PM

I think I would barter our skills vs. items persay. Just a couple months ago, a friend/sister's boyfriend of ours gave us his 51" tv for dh working on and getting his snowmoblie ready for riding!! I thought that was a pretty good trade!!

**Pemberleyan** · 02-04-2009, 07:36 PM

I was going to mention skills, but momof2joys beat me to it ;-).

Here's a list made by a Sarajevo War Survivor, of the "100 things to disappear first". I'm sure he had experienced dire circumstances. It can give you some ideas, though.

http://www.thepowerhour.com/news/ite...ppearfirst.htm

**sunshine** · 02-04-2009, 07:48 PM

Besides my skills (spinning, tanning hides, foraging, etc.). . I stockpile:

toothpaste
deodorant
aluminum foil
small containers of dry soup mixes (enough for one meal)
paperback books
decks of cards
small bottles of lamp oil
etc.