Barter Currency

Barter Definition – To trade goods or services without exchanging money.

Barter Goods – Those items that one may have that another wants or needs.

Barter Items – In a SHTF (“stuff” hits the fan) situation, items that are manufactured such as soap and toilet paper, matches and batteries will be much in demand, as will ammunition and medicine.

Barter of Services – Having a skill or ability that someone else doesn’t have.

Barter History – Barter or trade was used long before the coining or printing of money. Salt was once a highly valued trade item, as were shells. Those people living on the coast would trade with people living inland for furs and other items common to the inland area, but rare on the coast.

Even in the early days of western expansion in the United States, trade goods were also included for those explorers leaving the civilized east to go west of the Mississippi. There they would trade knives, needles, beads and metal cooking utensils for furs or other items produced by the natives of the area. They even exchanged goods for services when “hiring” a guide to take them further west or to show them the best area to trap.

In any time in history, when there has been a downturn in the economy, then people have turned to barter currency as a way of exchanging goods and services. This is especially seen in times when the economy is very unstable or during times of hyperinflation. With the value of the dollar falling at its current rate, Americans could once again experience a return to bartering for goods and services.

Here’s a note of warning from Wikipedia: “if money were to be severely devalued in the United States, most people would have little of value to trade for food.” This should serve as a wake-up call to those who are considering survival preparedness; don’t forget the barter currency.