20 Best Items to Barter with During or Following a Societal Collapse

Consider a day and age when cash is no king and resourcefulness is the kingpin. It sounds like the plot of some new, thrilling dystopian novel, but it’s exactly what smart preppers must be ready for! Forget all those doomsday prophecies; consider this an opportunity to be that rockstar in your survival group.

Stock up on these 20 must-haves and watch the bond blossom and alliances created.

Water Purification Tablets or Filters

Water is as essential as life itself. In a world where everything falls apart and clean drinking water becomes a precious commodity, purification tablets and filters serve as your first line of defense. Even today, billions lack access to safe water—so it’s wise to be prepared.

In the event of societal collapse, having the ability to provide clean water not only ensures your survival but also gives you a valuable resource for bartering. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that women consume about 2.7 liters (11 cups) of fluids daily and men consume about 3.7 liters (16 cups).

Non-Perishable Food

Stock up for life with canned food, freeze-dried meals, and staples of rice and pasta. With a selection of long-lived edibles, you can fill the void in your pantry and keep yourself barter-friendly during a crisis.

Heed FEMA’s advice: have at least 3 days’ worth of stash, and you will always be ready for those hungry times afterward.

Alcohol

Whiskey and vodka can be surprisingly valuable in tough times—whether for cleaning a wound, dulling pain, or simply breaking the tension with a drink as everything falls apart.

Alcohol or general antiseptics can be used to clean infected skin wounds. It has long been a reliable barter item, returning to the Great Depression, and it can still offer a brief respite and some human connection in a bleak scenario.

Batteries

Batteries are essential to any prepper’s supplies, keeping critical devices running when everything else shuts down. They ensure your flashlight can pierce through total darkness, and your radio might still deliver vital information amid the static.

Compact and versatile, they power essential tools, from medical devices to items that can be traded when resources are scarce. Stocking up on batteries of different sizes, whether AA or 9-volt, can provide stability, giving you a reliable power source when certainty is in short supply.

Lighters and matches

In the encroaching darkness of a collapsing world, the ability to create fire becomes vital. Lighters and waterproof matches are indispensable for lighting stoves or sparking campfires that provide warmth and serve as gathering spots.

The glow and crackle can offer comfort, both physical and emotional. While the ability to start a fire isn’t survival on its own, it can invite others in—a simple yet valuable currency of goodwill and connection. In uncertain times, the soft glow of a shared fire can bring a sense of unity and resilience.

First aid supplies

Health serves as a final line of defense in a world unraveling, and without a well-stocked first aid kit, that defense weakens. In a situation where even minor injuries can escalate, having bandages and antiseptics on hand becomes essential.

Each gauze pad, pain reliever, and adhesive strip becomes a crucial lifeline when professional medical help is no longer accessible. In times of crisis, your supplies offer not just relief but also a measure of stability. Protect those around you, ensuring they know that help, however modest, is still within reach.

Women’s sanitary products

With chaos lapping at the feet, dignity is a fortress. Cup tampons, menstrual pads, and menstrual cups—the sources of comfort in discomfort—become priceless valuables. Beyond their practical use, they hold significant value in a barter economy due to their necessity and scarcity.

Providing these items is more than just meeting a hygiene need; it expresses empathy and solidarity. Each exchange fosters a shared humanity, turning personal care into community support in uncertain times.

Soap and cleaning materials

As civilization frays, grime and germs become persistent threats, but soap, hand sanitizer, and detergent remain your best defenses. These essentials form a crucial barrier against illness in an upside-down world. While others struggle, maintaining hygiene ensures your resilience.

Acts of cleanliness become gestures of goodwill, reflecting foresight and solidarity. In this new reality, a clean community isn’t just healthier and carries a sense of hope driven by those who quietly prioritize sanitation.

Ammunition

Ammunition serves as both protection and currency in a world on the edge. Keeping a range of rounds ensures security while providing a valuable trade item. A single box of bullets can carry weight in negotiations, offering peace and protection.

Survival experts consider ammunition a reliable safeguard against potential threats, giving you peace of mind and readiness. In uncertain times, you become a protector of your safety and a source of stability for those around you.

Tea and coffee

A cup of coffee or tea on a challenging day is more than just a drink—it’s a moment of solace, a small source of comfort. These familiar brews can lift spirits when everything feels heavy, transforming each sip into a simple yet grounding ritual.

By keeping a supply of these aromatic staples, you’re boosting your mood and creating opportunities for connection, fostering warmth and goodwill. Throughout history, these beverages have proven their ability to bring people together, making you a beacon of morale and comfort during tough times.

Solar chargers

In a future where power outlets are a thing of the past, solar chargers shine as modern-day miracles. They harness sunlight to keep your gadgets running. They ensure constant connectivity and access to vital communication when conventional power grids go down.

By embracing solar technology, you become a beacon of information, maintaining open lines and championing sustainability. During lean times, you link isolation and community, keeping people connected.

Over-The-Counter Medication

Over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers, antacids, allergy pills, and cold remedies, become invaluable during a societal collapse when access to medical care and pharmacies is severely limited. These medications can alleviate discomfort, treat minor ailments, and prevent conditions from worsening, making them highly sought-after in a crisis.

As resources become scarce, OTC medications transform into powerful bartering items, valued not just for their practical use but also for the sense of relief and security they provide.

Toilet paper and baby wipes

In chaotic times, the humble roll of toilet paper becomes more than just a household item—it’s a symbol of sanity. Baby wipes, with their versatility, become indispensable. Their scarcity during crises proves their high value.

By keeping a good supply on hand, you’re not just prepared; you’re a guardian of cleanliness, ready to restore comfort and a touch of civilization amidst unpredictable challenges.

Fuel and cooking oil

When resources dwindle, having a supply of fuel and cooking oil is a lifeline that sustains daily routines. These essential allies ensure that meals can still be prepared and warmth maintained, offering a sense of normalcy in uncertain times.

Without them, simple tasks become insurmountable obstacles. With them, you hold the key to comfort, keeping fires burning and meals nourishing, turning scarcity into sustenance.

Tools and Hardware

In times of crisis, the ability to make repairs, build shelters, or maintain equipment can be a matter of life and death. Tools like hammers, saws, and drills allow individuals to address immediate needs and become highly sought after for their practicality.

As communities rely on self-sufficiency, those with the right tools can offer essential services, making them a valuable resource in trade. Stockpiling tools ensure one’s survival and position one as an asset within one’s community, fostering connections and strengthening collective resilience.

Salt and sugar

Salt and sugar are essential kitchen staples far beyond their delicious taste. Salt is versatile—it can preserve food and replenish electrolytes, ensuring good health and extending food storage. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults consume less than 2 grams of sodium per day, about 5 grams of salt.

Sugar, on the other hand, sweetens life’s bitter moments and can be a valuable trade item. Historically, these commodities were as helpful as currency. As highly sought-after resources, they’ll enhance your bartering options and keep the flavors of life alive when things get tough.

Clothing and footwear

When times get tough, the well-prepared don weather-resistant, durable clothing and reliable footwear. These items are more than just protection against the elements; they serve as the first line of defense in a world where adaptability is crucial.

With thoughtful layering and sturdy gear, you’ll conquer changing seasons with style and practicality. As you navigate challenges, your wardrobe becomes a badge of resilience, showcasing your readiness to thrive against nature’s tests. According to the Hot or Cool Institute, a sufficient wardrobe is 74–85 garments, depending on the number of seasons in your country.

Fishing gear 

In uncertain times, having fishing gear is like holding a lifeline. Equipped with rods, hooks, and nets, you’re ready to tap into nature’s bounty, turning aquatic resources into nutritious food. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that most adults eat at least 8 ounces, or two servings, of fish per week.

Fishing doesn’t just feed the body; it nourishes the soul and strengthens community bonds. With each catch, you cast a ripple of hope, proving that self-reliance can transform necessity into opportunities for connection.

Candles and lanterns

Candles and lanterns become invaluable currency during a societal collapse, offering light in a world of darkness. When the power goes out, these simple tools are essential for safety, navigation, and basic tasks. Easy to stockpile and in high demand, they’re perfect for bartering when other resources are scarce.

A foot-candle equals one lumen per square foot. By keeping extra lighting supplies on hand, you ensure your readiness and become a key player in your community’s survival, trading light for essential goods and services.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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