Gathering supplies is one of the hallmarks of the modern prepper and survivalist. We are going to suggest a few that have dual roles: for barter (primary) and for use (secondary). That being said, many of us are short on storage space and are looking to find preps that serve multiple purposes will help you make the most of the space you have. Now, there are some of you that may not agree with adding these preps, but then again, that is your choice. They are being presented here as another option for you to pursue. We’re going to list those reasons behind each: primary will be “barter” with an explanation, and a secondary (your personal use) will be explained.
6 Multi-Purpose Preps You Need In Your Prepper Supplies
- Cigarettes: About 5 to 10 cartons, staggered between your most popular types (such as Marlboro, Camel, etc. You can also purchase tobacco in bulk qualities and repackage it in Mylar bags for long-term storage. Primary: For use as barter. Especially for those who do not smoke, they can be a “gold mine” to obtain something from those who do smoke. Secondary: Tobacco has medical use as an anti-helminthic (fights worms) and also a peripheral vasoconstrictor. It can be used as a bug repellant on plants when the nicotine is extracted by soaking it in alcohol and then sprayed.
- Alcohol: Stagger the amounts: minimum of (5) fifths of grain alcohol, (5) of Scotch, (5) of Vodka, and (5) of Gin. Many preppers suggest finding smaller bottles (Similar to the ones used on airplanes). As well, consider adding an alcohol still to your preps to make your own. Primary: For use as barter in small increments for those who need it for a responsible reason, or as a fifth for a “big” trade…something that someone has that you really need. Secondary: All of these spirits can be used for tincturing, and the grain alcohol especially can be used as an emergency disinfectant. All can be used as an anesthetic as a last resort (and with patients who are conscious and not compromised from a respiratory or a cardiovascular perspective. Read more about the uses of alcohol.
- Coffee: Big “cash crop,” and your best bet is vacuum-sealed in metal cans or in aluminized bags of about a pound to half a pound at a time. I recommend picking up about a hundred pounds of it, if possible. Don’t “X” out good instant coffee, either, as there will be many people who don’t have the time to brew it up. Here are some pointers on how to store coffee for long-term use. Primary: As mentioned, it will be in big demand about six months down the line, and you’ll never have trouble trading it for something. Secondary: Coffee has many advantages – including naturopathic and also helps to restore mental alertness, to help in cases of prolonged nausea and diarrhea, and (as you may know) it tastes great!
- Sundries: This would include soaps, deodorants, toothbrushes, and personal care items, such as razor blades, dental floss, and so forth. Good sources can be found in flea markets and thrift stores…especially with sundries from hotels…. individual small bars of soap and shampoo as are found in motel rooms …these are excellent to stock up on. Primary: They will be worth their weight in gold to barter, as they are of a pretty convenient size. Secondary: For your own personal use, they won’t go unused if never traded…they are excellent sizes for your own teams/units when patrolling and out in the woods for several days, or when conducting a reconnaissance.
- Fire starting materials: Matches, lighters, flints, wicks for lighters, and higher-end lighters, such as Zippos that can run off white gas or gasoline. Primary: for barter, just as has been mentioned. Secondary: you’ll always have a use for them
- Small First-Aid Supplies: to include Band-aids, alcohol prep pads, gauze bandages, medical tape, etc. Many of these items can be purchased frugally at discount stores. Primary: can be bartered effectively in small amounts. Secondary: for personal use.
We could continue, have fifty pages, and need a tractor-trailer to haul it all, but you get the point. There is the potential to have in your supply room such items set aside dedicated primarily to barter and then able to be used by you in some capacity if the need arises. I give you my personal rule on ammunition: I wouldn’t barter it or sell it under any circumstance. Your “friendly traders” will trade for ammo, and then at nightfall, they’ll return and assault your position…and give it back to you the hard way.
You’ll have to use your own judgment and discretion with these items. Obviously, if a gang of roughnecks wants to trade for booze? It may behoove you not to have any if you catch my meaning. Whatever problem you may have with any item on the list, that is your decision. This piece was meant to stimulate thought and give you a few ideas. In the long run, your survival and your family’s will depend on how proactive you are to this end. JJ out!
(Sign up for our FREE newsletter to get the latest prepping advice, gardening secrets, homesteading tips and more delivered straight to your inbox!)
Interested in learning more about multipurpose preps? Check out some of these informative articles!
Six Kinds of Currency That Might Emerge after the Collapse
11 Emergency Food Items That Can Last a Lifetime
7 Kitchen Essentials That Deserve To Be On Your Preparedness Shelves
Vaseline: A Multipurpose Prep Item
Coffee is a fruit and needs to be kept in the freezer. 100 lbs? Really, that’s a lot of wasted money!
maybe, I don’t use it myself, however once on one of my submarines we ran out about 1-2 weeks before surfacing, and man let me tell you there are some coffee junkies out there.
Spot on JJ. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
It is foolish and dangerous to barter in drugs that destroy health such as caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. Who wants to be trading with unstable drug addicts? Better to get things that are helpful to people such as herbs, seeds along with the above mentioned sanitary and first aid supplies.
Wow, you must be a REALLY unhappy person, to be ranting that all consumers of alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine are “drug addicts”. Terrified much that other people are having too much fun?
Truth hurts when reality is faced. Caffeine would be classed as a Class 1 narcotic along with methamphetamine, cocaine, etc. if it came onto the market today. Preppers who are addicted to caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco are going to have some real problems when SHTF and will probably do stupid things and end up dead all because they are jonesing for a fix.
Gee Don, I sure hope your monastery has a big generator. 😉
‘Drug addicts’ will be the least of your problems. You need to be much more concerned with those addicted to greed, money & control.
SamFox
Foolish to be pushing booze and cigs when addicts with nothing to trade could be willing to die for a fix.
Philly is trying to ban bulletproof glass at Asian owned stores so black voters can loot them.
I’d store up Bic lighters. cigs, .22lr ammo, .38spl ammo, 9mm ammo amd silver dimes and quarters…US coins b4 1965. Strike anywhere matches, 1/2 pint bottles of real American whiskey..all these things KEEP for decades if kept dry and cool. Also lighter flints, small knives, small compasses. medical supplies, etc,
How about 5-10 lbs of pot? 😉 Ok Don, you can go off now.
Anyway, the real take over of the planet will most likely occur when digital ‘currency’ replaces cash. Then NO ONE will have control of their lives any longer. Driverless cars won’t be out from under big bro control for very many years either, once the rest of the public thinks they are a great idea.
SamFox
Here is a Multi purpose item. Those alcohol based Hand Sanitizers are made with DRINKABLE alcohol…70% is 140 Proof.
Great for normal hand cleaning or some minor wound care..OUCH.
I made a tin can stove and put about TEN pumps into it and ignite it to cook a can of food, heat coffee or as a hand warmer.
Great for camping or barter or alcoholics.
The ones with Aloe would be easier on the tummy.
Also good to claen greasy tools etc.
It is true that most smokers or drinkers will not have anything worth trading for, but i think some of them would chop wood or do other big chores for the stuff they crave.
But you also do not want to bring losers to your location.
A vital prep or barter item will be motor oil, brake fluid, etc. Radiator stop leak and epoxy putty to plug holes.
Pick up a GALLON of 2 Cycle oil for chain saws, ATV etc…it also is a great fuel additive for diesel and gas vehicles…keeps injectors running smooth. Add it like you would like Lucas oil or Marvel Mystery oil.
When the SHTF most preppers will not have 2 cycle oil in the pantry. Outboard motors are another use as well as many MoPeds.
Per Don’s concerns, if someone is a crazed addict, high on whatever, you wouldn’t be trading with him. You’d be running him off.
If, however, he’s someone inordinately fond of something (coffee, alcohol, etc.) he may well want another taste of his favorite and willing to trade some of his amoxacylin or 12 ga. wire, or something YOU want.
No one is suggesting that you’d supply enough of (whatever) to keep an addict high or drunk. Just a taste they hanker for. If he’s got nothing you want, you don’t trade.
You mean that we are not going to be able to survive on our Bitcoins?
The most powerful barter item you can posses are your skills, welding, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work automotive repair etc. A skill takes no room, costs no money and never runs out. That being said the items mentioned in the article will all obviously have value However they are all of finite supply so should really be used to get what you need for emergencies. I can certainly see a bottle of vodka, pack of cigarettes or pound of coffee helping you to make a situation go more smoothly. Everyone who smokes or drinks or enjoys coffee is not some crazed maniac, addict or hooligan.