In an emergency, cash and barter items are essential. Keep small bills handy for buying necessities when cards or ATMs don’t work. For bartering, stockpile items people need or want, like vices (coffee, alcohol, cigarettes), first-aid supplies, hygiene products (toothpaste, soap, wet wipes), and comfort items (diapers, candy, matches, candles). Use small, trade-friendly portions from places like Dollar Tree. Never reveal your full stockpile and keep off-limits items—like weapons—secure. Bartering can get you what you need while keeping your essentials safe.
There would have to be a dire need for me to trade away something I paid good money for. I prep for my own household, not for someone I don’t know that may never arrive at my door needing who-knows-what.
I understand where you’re coming from. Most of us prep to take care of our own households first, that’s the priority.
I don’t see it as giving things away to strangers… more about thinking ahead and knowing where my own boundaries would be if situations changed.
Everyone approaches preparedness a little differently, and that’s okay. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to make sure our families are covered:)