| > | | | | ITEMS THAT ARE USEFUL FOR MORE THAN |
| When currency is in short supply, trading for | | | | ONE PURPOSE |
| goods (bartering) is another method by which you | | | | Look for things which can be used for more than |
| can secure goods. Bartering can also be used to | | | | one purpose. This will increase your trading |
| generate goodwill and secure services from | | | | opportunities and save storage space. Blankets, |
| others. Being prepared to barter is the first step | | | | buckets, twine, rubber bands, basins, assorted |
| towards a successful trade. | | | | fabrics, soap and duct tape all fall into this |
| If you haven’t money on hand, bartering | | | | category. |
| for necessities can enable you to secure the | | | | MAKE YOUR OWN TRADE GOODS |
| items you need. Bartering can also be used to | | | | It’s a good idea to learn a skill that will |
| generate goodwill and secure services from | | | | allow you to make your own goods for trade. |
| others. However, in order engage in a successful | | | | One valuable skill is the ability to produce |
| trade, you will need to be prepared. | | | | ammunition. For further information on the tools |
| When determining the best items to have on | | | | required for this you should research bullet |
| hand, consider these guidelines. | | | | swaging. Creating your own products for trade |
| REMEMBER THAT THIS IS AN INVESTMENT | | | | allows you to make items as they are needed |
| Remember that you are not purchasing items for | | | | using skills such as masonry, metalworking, |
| your personal use when you shop for bartering | | | | pottery, candle making, foraging, sewing, soap |
| merchandise. Trade items are an investment | | | | making, and foraging. |
| designed to get you a good return — a | | | | KNOWLEDGE |
| maximum profit. Don’t purchase junk, but | | | | Reference books on self-sufficiency are good |
| look for good prices on good products that are in | | | | trade items. Add entertaining fiction to your |
| the mid-range of quality. | | | | collection. Valuable literature will be that which |
| An example of this may be tools. When | | | | offers both an entertaining story AND an |
| purchasing for yourself, you’ll want the | | | | education. Shop discount outlets for used books. |
| best tools you can afford, but when purchasing | | | | Creativity is your most valuable commodity. The |
| for trade, good quality at a discount price is | | | | ability to use something and then refit that item |
| preferable. Collecting junk won’t help you | | | | for other uses will serve you well. These things |
| secure good trades so you should learn the art of | | | | can be practiced now, training your brain to spot |
| finding quality products at consignment shops, | | | | opportunities. Debi Pearl has written a wonderful |
| garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, yard | | | | work of fiction called THE VISION that promises |
| sales and other outlets. | | | | to get your imagination reeling with possibilities. An |
| WHEN NEEDED, REPAIRED ITEMS ARE JUST AS | | | | adventure novel, it is set during a time of social, |
| GOOD AS NEW | | | | economic, and political unrest where the main |
| Take inventory of your skills as you consider | | | | characters must draw upon all they’ve |
| items for trade. If you know how to make simple | | | | learned in order to survive. Get your copy today |
| repairs, you could purchase slightly worn items at | | | | and consider the possibilities. |
| a deep discount and refurbish them yourself. | | | | |