Hey everybody, I am still pretty new to these forums, came here for the guns and happily saw the Prepiing page. Not sure if there is a topic like this but I didnt find anything specific.

Thought I would share some some tips and tricks I have learned that I know many, MANY people do not follow. Chime in if you also have some neat tips.

1. Money! No power means no banks or CC/DC or ATMs. And if you can use the ATM, dosent mean the store has power. So my advice is to keep any small bills you get from recycling or the change in your pocket at the end of the day. Just stash them away in your BOB/disaster kit.  Dont want to be paying $20 for a can of SPAM cause that is all the ATM spits out do you?

2. Cigarettes. Lots of people smoke, and in a disaster it could be use for trade. Or even helping people relax and start a conversation, may end up helping you find what you need.

Let me know if this is a redundant topic or if you also have some simple tips for being prepared.

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in the event I run out, please stock up on some phillies chocolate flavor for me. lol

Will do!  haha. I was mostly thinking of what to do after something like a tsunami or hurricane. But I agree that things like gold and silver would be good to hold onto just in case of an economic collapse.

Where would you buy stuff like that anyways?? Coin stores?

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get US silver coins from back in the day
or order cheap silver/gold rings off of amazon or ebay
you need smaller amounts of gold or silver
an ounce of gold cannot be traded for a loaf of bread or some alcohol/ammo

I buy online from dependable sources like APMEX.com . Premiums can get a little bit pricey, but its not too bad, and they have a good reputation. There are cheaper places to buy from, but you need to search them out and be extremely careful.

Coin shops would be ok, but I don't even bother to look at the premiums they charge you at the local shops. I might be wrong, but if everything else in the islands is 10x the price, I wouldn't doubt

If you do decide to invest for the 'coming economic collapse', just buy stock silver/gold coin or bullion; no need to buy custom coins like American eagles, kurrands, etc. When the time comes, silver will be silver, and gold will be gold, regardless of the design or shape of a coin/bar.

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1. Money! No power means no banks or CC/DC or ATMs. And if you can use the ATM, dosent mean the store has power. So my advice is to keep any small bills you get from recycling or the change in your pocket at the end of the day. Just stash them away in your BOB/disaster kit.  Dont want to be paying $20 for a can of SPAM cause that is all the ATM spits out do you?

2. Cigarettes. Lots of people smoke, and in a disaster it could be use for trade. Or even helping people relax and start a conversation, may end up helping you find what you need.

Forget about small bills...If things get bad enough paper money would be worthless or devalued to a point where a $20 can of spam is the norm.  Cigarettes (or any tobacco products) are a good idea as a trade item. You might consider stocking up on alcohol too.

get US silver coins from back in the day
or order cheap silver/gold rings off of amazon or ebay
you need smaller amounts of gold or silver
an ounce of gold cannot be traded for a loaf of bread or some alcohol/ammo

If silver is your thing, then coins are definitely a great option. But forget about eBay or Amazon. Just go to your bank and order a few rolls or bags of coins (whatever you can afford) and sort through them. It's basically free (because you deposit back what you don't want)...all you need is time and patience.


While I have some (mostly coins and old jewelry), personally I don't believe in stocking up on precious metals for survival because you can't eat or defend yourself with gold and silver. Sure you can trade for things, but ask yourself who sets the value a barter situation? The guy with a starving family and a sack of gold? Or some well fed guy with stockpile of food?

Gold is at $1300/oz and silver at $23/oz...the smart thing to do is spend that money on beans and bullets.

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It is June first! That means the beginning of hurricane season for the Central Pacific (Hawaii)!! Everyone should make sure they are good to go and maybe take this weekend to stock up on stuff they are short on.

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