I was thinking beyond the top 100 things that disappear in an emergency. I really like that list, but after things settle a bit, I always wonder what people are really going to miss. Perhaps when their socks start to wear out and there isn't a WalMart anymore (like that will ever happen....scary thoughts). I have been thinking about it since yesterday, and my husband and I came up with:
Dr. Pepper (neither of us drink it either, and I don't think people will care if it's a little flat)
Tampons (an in-law was in jail and said that was what women REALLY wanted)*
Tobacco (we don't smoke either, but it's a good currency)
Rolling Papers for loose/homegrown tobacco
Hard liquor
Chapstick (I can get cranky with chapped lips; likely a regional commodity...AZ, ya know?)
Canning jars and supplies
Salt
I hadn't thought of nails/screws aside from the supply we have for ourselves.
*Other highly desired jail items for women: #1 was tobacco,
good shampoo and conditioner, gum, good shoes. She said everyone talked about food all the time, good, familiar foods; tacos, fresh cookies, pizza, just regular foods that they were deprived of in jail. Illicit drugs were on the list too, but that doesn't concern me in my preps at all. I do think good prescription drugs are good to store.
I am not going to miss anything but convenience. We have several methods of preparing foods and thousands of recipes compatible with our food reserves. We have about 1200 square feet that we can store miscellaneous items.
AuntieEm AuntieEm
Forgot one more thing:
toothbrushes, the 3 for a dollar kind
toothpaste
3 for a dollar?! We have some that are 6 for $1. They lose a bristle or two every brush after the first five or six brushings.
How much salt do you have for just bartering? I always think that a ton would be good; I'm several hundred pounds short of that right now. Wars have been fought over salt. It makes the difference between wheat water and wheat soup.
Raven
Here, here! I've never been a fan of the bartering concept. It's hard enough to get yourself where you need to be.
Besides that...bartering will get you killed. Unless you have an army to protect you. Bartering lets everyone in need of something know you're the one who might just have it.
I think about people realizing that you've got the good stuff. I don't ever intend to open up house with an OPEN FOR BUSINESS sign up. I think about markets, but I also don't intend to travel just to trade when I already have the good stuff at home. That's why I want to know what else I may be overlooking, stuff I already need to have in stock.
Thanks for all of your input. I have always prepped with the idea that some day I am going to be well-off when it comes to living; the difference between begging and scraping by and have the upper hand in being able to stay put and not have to go out searching for things that I should already have on hand.