Default
Here are some great Alternative Post-SHTF “Currencies” that are NOT Gold

When preppers and even non-preppers think “alternative currency” they usually think about gold or silver (maybe Bitcoins). This is odd considering that gold and silver were synonymous with currency for 6,000 years.
At any rate, our modern fiat “currency,” that funny green paper (and 1’s and 0’s) backed up by a lot of … nothing, does not hold any value of its own at all. In times of crisis it will be worthless aside from starting fires, insulation, and toilet paper. You, also, cannot use gold for those simple purposes. Nor can you eat it.
Photo by Market Watch.
It may be that other alternatives may come in more useful. Good news. Great news! Alternatives abound, and this is mainly about things one can barter with. These are things everyone needs and will trade for. Tara Dodrill and Survival Sullivan have a huge list of 20 items you can use as currency with the going gets rough(er). Here’s a look at many of them:
Photo by YouTube.
“When society collapses after a SHTF disaster we all know the bills in our pocket will be worthless – as will the coins in the change jar on the dresser, unless any of them are old enough to have been made with real silver or copper.
So, what will become the SHTF currency? Gold is the most obvious and frequently discussed dollar bill alternative, but it has its drawbacks and many other realistic alternatives also exist. Like most preppers, the hubby and I have purchased gold, but it will not do us any good unless we are bartering for a substantial item worthy of a “high dollar” amount.”
-Dodrill
The List:
Water
Critical for all life, clean drinking water will be in high demand come the day after…
We kind of already see this phenomenon in the larger cities, where street vendors (even homeless people) sell bottles of water on the corners. A case of 24 goes for around $3 and they sell them individually for $1 each. And people buy them. It is proven to work.
Dodrill also mentions purification tablets. These are extremely valuable and much lighter than water itself.
Salt
Salt has many valuable uses beyond French fries. And it has historically been an actual form or currency. You can buy it in bulk now or collect it naturally if you live in the right area.
Alcohol
This means more than rubbing alcohol. Whiskey can be used for drinking, cleaning, disinfecting, and even for fuel.
Consider stocking mini bottles of rum, gin, or Scotch. Or a still….
Silver
The same eternal properties of gold but much more affordable – now.
Fur
Think about warm clothes and blankets. JC Penney might be closed for good after a permanent disaster. Years ago, fur trading was big money. It may be again.
This means hunting, trapping, and tanning skills will again be in demand. One could sell those skills in addition to or in place of the fur itself.
Herbs and Spices
These have much the same usefulness and history as salt. People will pay for the spicy, preserving, or curative properties of pepper, coffee, tea, and ginger, etc.
Precious Gems
They operate on the same principles as gold and silver. Some have technical uses. Most, however, are just a method of storing value and for trading for needed items – they are exchangeable for other needful items
Ammo and Gun Powder and Supplies
These will be in extremely high demand due to their various uses (security, hunting, etc.). In One Second After .22LRs became the defacto currency at Black Mountain.
Strongly consider a secondary ammo stash, one for bartering. That way you can trade for what you need while maintaining a separate supply for your own uses.
Sugar
Sugar will be needed for more than candy. See the properties, above, of alcohol and spices. People will trade for sugar, in packages or by the pound. If you have the ability, consider growing and making your own. There will be sweet rewards (sorry…).
Semi-Precious Metals
There’s a reason why, even now, thieves raid homes for wiring and pipes. The metals have value. Whether it’s copper, or steel, or aluminum, it can be used as currency or put to use for mechanical or technical purposes.
Candles and Lamp Oil
Lighting, heating, and cooking products will be in high demand.
Matches and Lighters
Any firestarter will be tradeable. These can be acquired cheaply today in mass quantities.
Seeds
People will be willing to trade for the ability to grow food when the stores empty of prepackaged edibles. Stock some in packets and/or dry your own from your garden.
Tools/Hardware
Think about non-powered hand tools and nails, fasteners, etc. Even after doomsday, folks will still need to build and repair.
Lumber/Materials
The builders will have to have something to work with.
Weapons
Guns, knives, bows, axes, and other weapons will have high value – always.
Be very careful in selling off weapons you may need yourself. And be very careful who you sell/trade them to or with.
Comfort Items
The often overlooked survival category which encompasses a very wide range of items and needs. Dodrill has a good starter list. Use your imagination here.
Propane
And other gases and fuels. Storable in tanks large and small.
Livestock
Some require more room and effort than others – cows vs. rabbits, say. If you have the land, time, and resources, then livestock will be an excellent commodity.
If you lack the above requirements, then consider stocking some of those things than people with livestock will need – feed, tools, salt, etc.
Again, this is a simply fantastic listing but it is really only the beginning. Someone will always need something. If you have it, they will either pay you or trade for what you need (or try to rob you…).
Look around and take stock of the items you could easily use in place of money. And don’t overlook your labor and skills as well.
*Tara Dodrill is a homesteading and survival journalist and author. She lives on a small ranch with her family in Appalachia. She has been both a host and frequent guest on preparedness radio shows. In addition to the publication of her first book, ‘Power Grid Down: How to Prepare, Survive, and Thrive after the Lights go Out’, Dodrill also travels to offer prepping tips and hands-on training and survival camps and expos.”
Perrin Lovett writes about freedom, firearms, and cigars (and everything else) at www.perrinlovett.me. He is none too fond of government meddling.

Default
Excellent Ideas from an Experienced Survivalist to Homestead in an Apartment

After watching the 1999 romantic comedy, ‘Blast from the Past,’ I had always wondered about the genius of Dr. Calvin Webber who managed 35 years in an underground shelter. His wife gave birth to an only child Adam, who ventured out into the outside world for the first time in his 35th year. The point is the film convinced its viewers very realistically that it is possible to live isolated for at least 35 years if we make meticulous plans.
History is overloaded with numerous examples of self-sufficient lifestyles. Many communes had developed their norms to survive and maintain law and order within their secluded lands. There are many anecdotes about people living their lives without interacting with the external world. The “Lena and Ole” compilations are based on Norwegians who chose the upper lands of the Midwest as their foster homes. Here is a one-liner,
“Ole painted the barn in July and had put on two jackets because the user manual of the paint said- Put on two coats!”
This is an inadvertent simple joke that has no ill intentions. Will Rogers once said, “Everything is funny as long as it’s happening to someone else.” Homesteading is no easy task. At the same time, it is a style that has no substitute once you get used to it.

The Age of Information
Our generation is blessed with information at our fingertips, I mean, literally. Today a shepherd boy living in a remote African village has more information on his smartphone than was available only to the President of the United States at a certain age. My point is that the film ‘Blast from the past’ could not be conceived today nor would Ole put on two jackets to paint the barn. Homesteading is fine for people who live on “land,” but what about the inhabitants of apartments?
The Homesteading Lifestyle
What happens in a homestead that is independent of the outside society? The inhabitants have the necessities within the confines of their boundaries for a decent existence. Let us have a look at the methods used by homesteaders to live. First we need to define the term in simple language.
An individual, a family, or a whole society can live within the set geographical limits of a designated area. We are talking about homesteading in an apartment, so let us focus on an individual or a small family.
Definition of Homesteading in an Apartment
A single-family existing within the household compound of an apartment building to live, work, and earn can be defined as homesteading.
This layman’s definition will give rise to a lot of questions which we shall be attempting in the content that follows.
OK, let us now get on with living our dream life homesteading in our apartments.

A Farm Inside the Apartment
I will begin by growing my food and advance on to sophisticated produce along the way. Start small by growing your salad bowl.
i. Get hold of enough grow bags or containers. Search the net for required sizes and DIY ideas.
ii. Prepare the soil by using proper potting mix.
iii. Tomato is a good option- cherry tomato would be my suggestion.
iv. Other plants for our salad bowl should be lettuce and basil plants.
v. Take care of the plants with good nursing practices. Place them on the balcony where there is enough sun.
vi. Carrots can be grown inside car battery covers in the interior of the apartment.
vii. You can make organic fertilizer at home.
You are now the proud owner of an organic farm.
Tip: Grow lights can substitute for the sun.
Other Items I Can Grow
Once you get the hang of interior farming, we can move on to other crops.
Strawberries: They can be grown in containers or grow bags, but need a hydroponic watering system. We will discuss that later.
Herbs: Mints, lavender, and rosemary are good choices. They will come in handy to prepare a good cup of hot tea. They can also be used to make soaps and oils. Herbs will add flavor to many dishes.
Micro Greens: With some quality seeds you can begin. The first harvest will provide seeds for the next.
Sprouts: With a jar and some cheesecloth or mess top we can grow our sprouts for a stir fry or sandwich.

A Hydroponic System
Even if you are growing food using containers and potting soil, a hydroponic system will let you increase the quantity. It avoids a lot of mess as it advocates a system of soilless farming. They come in compact designs or vertical configurations.
They can be bought or constructed by learning the numerous DIY strategies available online.
Manufacture Manure at Home
Organic fertilizer can be made at home by the clever utilization of food waste. Get a container with a good lid. Put some gravel and soil at the bottom. Introduce worms for worm composting. Empty all bio-degradable garbage into the container. You will get enough environment-friendly fertilizer for the farm. This method frees you from the chore of taking out the garbage.
Tip: Do not expose the manure cans to sunlight. It can cook worms.

Grow Mushrooms
Did you know mushrooms are grown only indoors for industrial farming? Get an edible mushroom kit to begin your first batch in a dark corner of your apartment.
Meat On The Table
Did you wonder for a moment what crazy idea I was going to put forth? Quails!
They are very silent birds that need only very little space. They give a lot of eggs and quail meat is way above chicken, beef, and pork in its health advantages. Quails being small birds, need only a little feed, and kitchen scraps go well with them.

Mini Solar Power House
Did you know solar panels don’t require direct sunlight? They need good lighting and it is advised to install the panels at a good spot on the patio or balcony.
Depending upon the capacity of the panels, you can increase the number of appliances that run on solar power. They can be used for grow lights and also for pumps used in the hydroponic system.
A Self-Reliant Life
Once we have become self-sufficient in food matters, we can think about cutting out other purchases. This will also involve income creation. Do your homework to get as many DIY ideas as possible. We can begin the process by gaining ideas by:
i. Visiting other homesteaders or communes.
ii. Joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) venture.
iii. Visiting farmer’s markets.
We can enrich our homesteading experience within the confines of an apartment by progressing on to a more autonomous lifestyle by integrating the following activities:
i. Do own baking for bread and other items.
ii. Learn and engage in carpentry.
iii. Do your own electric and plumbing jobs.
iv. Learn to stitch to make your garments (trust me, it is far easier than you believed.)
Before Going Shopping
Whenever the need to buy something comes up, take a few moments to ponder whether it is something you can create using your potential. Not only will you be learning a new skill, but also it may help you earn. Remember, the Wright brothers had never flown an airplane till they became the first humans to become airborne on a machine.
Default
Prepper News Weekly, Friday, April 6, 2018

Prepper News Weekly, Friday, April 6, 2018
A big, busy, crazy week in prepper land! Spring has sprung and it has sprung forth all manner of issues to keep us on our toes. Here’s a review of the bigger stories bearing down on preppers and freedom lovers. Please enjoy (and subscribe!):
Video by Perrin Lovett/FPTV/YouTube.
Perrin recently learned that something called “airplane mode” stops incoming debt collection calls and hate texts from interrupting our recordings! Will wonders never cease?
Quality will improve immediately…
In the news:
The Caravan
Mass migration
Troops out of Syria, to Rio Grande?
More Snow?!
YouTube shooting
China and tariffs
UK/US/Russia
Mueller
…
And, we’re in full swing at The Masters!
Thank you, as always. Don’t forget to check www.freedompreppernews.com every day for all the stories that affect preppers, survivalists, and the rest of the sanity crowd. Well, check it now – rumor has it the news will soon be incorporated into the new, new revised and improved FP.com. Stay tuned.
Have a great weekend!
Perrin Lovett writes about freedom, firearms, and cigars (and everything else) at www.perrinlovett.me. He is none too fond of government meddling.
-
Breaking News1 week ago
PREPPER POST NEWS – Feb 18, 2021 – Black Ice
-
Breaking News1 week ago
PREPPER POST NEWS – Feb 19, 2021 – Plans of a Madman
-
Breaking News5 days ago
PREPPER POST NEWS – Feb 22, 2021 – Gone But With Us Forever
-
Breaking News4 days ago
PREPPER POST NEWS – Feb 23, 2021 – Homeschool Or Else
-
Breaking News3 days ago
PREPPER POST NEWS – Feb 24, 2021 – Mask On, Gloves Off
-
Featured2 days ago
11 Things to Do Immediately Following a Blackout
-
Breaking News2 days ago
PREPPER POST NEWS – Feb 25, 2021 – The Trophy Hunt
-
Breaking News1 day ago
PREPPER POST NEWS – Feb 26, 2021 – Slouching Towards Ameriqueer