View Full Version : Precious metals when the SHTF
zzzippper
09-12-2013, 14:39
I know the conventional wisdom is to amass precious metals, especially silver and gold, for when the SHTF. I do it along with most people. But One Second After brought up an important point: you can't eat silver and gold. The point may come when they have no value because no one will sell their last box of Froot Loops for even a pound of silver. What are your thoughts? What will become the new currency? I think as in OSA it may be bullets. I'll keep my silver against economic hard times but I won't count on it for physical emergencies.
diversify food stores ammo metals water treatment etc
Never put all of your eggs in one basket as my grandmother used to say
Shooters of liquor. $5 worth at every liquor store visit starts to add up. They are in a tradeable quantity already. Only issue is that you can't order in bulk on-line.
buffalobo
09-12-2013, 15:15
Water, food, ammo, liquor, hand tools, and TP.
Sent from my electronic ball and chain.
Lead will become a precious metal if we're talking Armageddon type scenarios. Vodka isn't a bad investment since people will want it to drink to drown sorrows and it can be used medicinally to sterilize.
ChunkyMonkey
09-12-2013, 15:31
Shooters of liquor. $5 worth at every liquor store visit starts to add up. They are in a tradeable quantity already. Only issue is that you can't order in bulk on-line.
I can help you with that if needed
ChunkyMonkey
09-12-2013, 15:34
I know the conventional wisdom is to amass precious metals, especially silver and gold, for when the SHTF. I do it along with most people. But One Second After brought up an important point: you can't eat silver and gold. The point may come when they have no value because no one will sell their last box of Froot Loops for even a pound of silver. What are your thoughts? What will become the new currency? I think as in OSA it may be bullets. I'll keep my silver against economic hard times but I won't count on it for physical emergencies.
There are so many level of shtf. In the USA I use the Great Depression as my baseline. Anything below is chaos and no civil order... Anything above, economic depression, etc
In short you cannot have one answer to all shtf scenarios.
I can help you with that if needed
Yeah I'm interested. I was thinking of hitting up a liquor store owner and seeing if they could help me out, but I didn't imagine that conversation going well... Even $100 worth at their price would be a great start IMO.
Rooskibar03
09-12-2013, 15:49
Bulk cheap vodka. Gotta be a place for that.
I keel cash around for short term use but me thinks if things go bad, the money will only be good in the first waves before the masses understand the magnitude of how bad its gonna get.
Food, water, bullets.
Barter is great until they want what you don't have.
Great-Kazoo
09-12-2013, 15:55
Lead will become a precious metal if we're talking Armageddon type scenarios. Vodka isn't a bad investment since people will want it to drink to drown sorrows and it can be used medicinally to sterilize.
Actually to disinfect, not sterilize. Lysol wipes do a better job of neutralizing surface contaminants. However any port in a storm.
ChunkyMonkey
09-12-2013, 15:56
Yeah I'm interested. I was thinking of hitting up a liquor store owner and seeing if they could help me out, but I didn't imagine that conversation going well... Even $100 worth at their price would be a great start IMO.
Uh dude.. I am a silent partner in one off broadway.
Actually to disinfect, not sterilize. Lysol wipes do a better job of neutralizing surface contaminants. However any port in a storm.
Vodka is flammable ....
Uh dude.. I am a silent partner in one off broadway.
I figured, but I wasn't going to post it! lol
JM Ver. 2.0
09-12-2013, 16:25
Uh dude.. I am a silent partner in one off broadway.
And you are now my new best friend.
Sent from my teepee using smoke signals.
You can make home brew easily enough with water, yeast and sugar. Stocks of alcohol does not seem like a good thing to tie money up in, neither does silver and gold.
Some ability to grow your own food, feed a goat and some chickens makes more sense for a longer term social breakdown if you are way out in the boonies. Being IN a major metro area...it just ain't going to be pretty if it happens. Mayhem will be breeding like rabbits.
Shelter, food, water and fuel is what you will need if the entire society is trashed.
I know a "Prepper" who had it all...for about 10 years worth...house burned to the ground. Got 120K for a 150K house and 60K in contents on probably $250K of contents with all his prepper gear. He now lives in a 3 bedroom townhouse with a water filtration straw. Being able to get away from people and live off the land is about the best long term solution, if there really is one.
Everything I've read said stock pile grain alcohol. It's like concentrated liquor, 80 proof vodka is only 40% alcohol. Grain alcohol can be used for fuel along with medical uses or diluted as consumable trade.
Actually to disinfect, not sterilize. Lysol wipes do a better job of neutralizing surface contaminants. However any port in a storm.
My mistake, I meant disinfecting wounds. Most people don't have a still if you make alcohol at home. Another problem is that if you don't keep your fermentation process at the right temps you'll get a stuck fermentation if it's too low or you get fusel alcohols if it's too high. Fusels are highly toxic to humans and stuck fermentations open the door for wild yeasts and bacteria to chow down on your wort. Pints of popov 100 proof are a good start too.
Aloha_Shooter
09-12-2013, 22:15
If SHTF, precious metals will be steel, lead, copper and brass. You want something you can really barter? Store good quality alcohol and pharmaceuticals, especially pain relievers and cold/flu medicines. People can get by without gold or silver but they'll sell you their children for some good whiskey when none is available or for Tylenol/ibuprofen when they have a splitting headache.
Zombie Steve
09-13-2013, 08:09
While I wouldn't mind a wee nip of the creature from time to time, do I really want it known that I'm the liquor guy? Probably not.
While I wouldn't mind a wee nip of the creature from time to time, do I really want it known that I'm the liquor guy? Probably not.
How about the pissed off, hates everyone, armed liquor guy?
Zombie Steve
09-13-2013, 15:56
Better.
Great-Kazoo
09-13-2013, 16:11
If SHTF, precious metals will be steel, lead, copper and brass. You want something you can really barter? Store good quality alcohol and pharmaceuticals, especially pain relievers and cold/flu medicines. People can get by without gold or silver but they'll sell you their children for some good whiskey when none is available or for Tylenol/ibuprofen when they have a splitting headache.
For those of us who have no plan to barter, screw them.
Basic example: decided to go shopping this morning. HEY I HAD a munchie for Chorizo. Juevos , chili verde and other item swere already on hand. NEEDED THAT CHORIZO. SO in to a packed grocery store, running the obstacle course of any and everyone who [panic][panic] OMG no food or water STOCK UP late to the party folks. Or as we label them SHEEP / VICTIMS. Loaded carts of food, water, water, water. .
Me, chorizo in hand, in and out 10 min tops. 7 of them spent standing in the self check out line.
Back on Topic. reason i mentioned the store trip. Fuck the, WE NEED SUPPLIES NOW, WHEN THE SHELVES ARE EMPTY?? YOU NEVER WAIT TILL YOU RUN OUT OF GAS TO FILL UP, NEVER.
cept for when i forgot i had the petcock on reserve[Mad]
What will become the new currency?
As probably already mentioned, things like salt, pepper, various spices really. Alcohol too. Its probably a good idea to constantly ask yourself, "What am I lacking in ability or possession?" If the SHTF hard enough, there is honestly very little if anything I'd "need" from anyone. Granted there are some key "items" I'd keep eyes open for if such an occurance took place that could potentially assist in building a sort of wasteland empire, but won't get into that on here lol.
Badger
Aloha_Shooter
09-13-2013, 21:11
You can make home brew easily enough with water, yeast and sugar. Stocks of alcohol does not seem like a good thing to tie money up in, neither does silver and gold.
There's a reason people pay tons more for high quality whiskey than for moonshine or rotgut and did even more during Prohibition. When times are tough, you can make money off the stuff that makes people feel good or at least takes their mind off their current troubles. Having said that, I'd rather be known as the crazy guy you don't want to be in firing range of than the guy who has good hooch when the SHTF.
lllRorlll
09-13-2013, 21:22
For those of us who have no plan to barter, screw them.
Basic example: decided to go shopping this morning. HEY I HAD a munchie for Chorizo. Juevos , chili verde and other item swere already on hand. NEEDED THAT CHORIZO. SO in to a packed grocery store, running the obstacle course of any and everyone who [panic][panic] OMG no food or water STOCK UP late to the party folks. Or as we label them SHEEP / VICTIMS. Loaded carts of food, water, water, water. .
Me, chorizo in hand, in and out 10 min tops. 7 of them spent standing in the self check out line.
Back on Topic. reason i mentioned the store trip. Fuck the, WE NEED SUPPLIES NOW, WHEN THE SHELVES ARE EMPTY?? YOU NEVER WAIT TILL YOU RUN OUT OF GAS TO FILL UP, NEVER.
cept for when i forgot i had the petcock on reserve[Mad]
Jim, I'm gonna need you to go ahead and put your avatar back on. See... All is right with the world when I read your words of wisdom, glance over and see a bad ass with a mustache standing next to a motorcycle... It's a lot like a father figure.
... But without the avatar I read... And then just feel fear ..that your out there somewhere, waiting to kill all of us with our own femurs... I'm just sayin. (Please don't kill me)
Great-Kazoo
09-13-2013, 22:57
Jim, I'm gonna need you to go ahead and put your avatar back on. See... All is right with the world when I read your words of wisdom, glance over and see a bad ass with a mustache standing next to a motorcycle... It's a lot like a father figure.
... But without the avatar I read... And then just feel fear ..that your out there somewhere, waiting to kill all of us with our own femurs... I'm just sayin. (Please don't kill me)
I'll use the fibia and tibia. Femurs are over rated and heavy, once the swinging starts. Now where can i get a good haircut.
In reality the number of people i saw this morning with shopping cartS, was pathetic. I'd wager an easy 80%, easy have no back up power if the power went off ,to keep the shit they grabbed from spoiling.
There are so many level of shtf. In the USA I use the Great Depression as my baseline. Anything below is chaos and no civil order... Anything above, economic depression, etc
In short you cannot have one answer to all shtf scenarios.
I anticipate this, Argentina is a recent example, and for these kinds of economic events nothing is better than ammo, gold/silver, and other things you can trade or sell. I doubt society will breakdown to the point where gold/silver are not immediately relevant.
Remember, if you can't stand over it with your AR you do not own it.
zzzippper
09-14-2013, 15:43
7 of them spent standing in the self check out line.
I don't use self check out lines, I prefer to help people keep jobs. I was told that by a grocery cashier years ago and it made a lot of sense. Glad you got the chorizo though.[Dinner]
Great-Kazoo
09-14-2013, 16:48
I don't use self check out lines, I prefer to help people keep jobs. I was told that by a grocery cashier years ago and it made a lot of sense. Glad you got the chorizo though.[Dinner]
When the regular lines are 1/2 way back to the dairy area, i'm taking the path of least resistance.
Since i'm a fairly congenial guy, i figured why ruin it dealing with some tree hugging, obama voting, dipshit, who has their "husband" running back and forth, for "ONE MORE THING HONEY".
You're in line, you are in line, not standing there, while some limp dick, pansy ass spouse jumps at the crack of her massengil bottle.
But in the name of jobs, i'll keep your support for them in mind.
As probably already mentioned, things like salt, pepper, various spices really. Alcohol too.
Badger
He who controls the Spice, controls the universe! [Coffee]
ChunkyMonkey
09-14-2013, 19:20
I anticipate this, Argentina is a recent example, and for these kinds of economic events nothing is better than ammo, gold/silver, and other things you can trade or sell. I doubt society will breakdown to the point where gold/silver are not immediately relevant.
Remember, if you can't stand over it with your AR you do not own it.
Yep.. my parents had to fly out of Jakarta, Indonesia during the 1997 riot in Indonesia. The currency dropped 500% overnight, and banking system shut down. They used silver to bribe themselves out of there and for the tickets.
Yep.. my parents had to fly out of Jakarta, Indonesia during the 1997 riot in Indonesia. The currency dropped 500% overnight, and banking system shut down. They used silver to bribe themselves out of there and for the tickets.
Your family has had first hand experience, most of us only have decades of investing in paper created by Wall Street.
The money in our pockets now, those 1s, 5s, 20s, etc., is not backed by anything physical at all, except the force of government. Those bills only hold their value on the government's say-so, and the government can change it anytime they want.
BushMasterBoy
09-14-2013, 22:23
If Washington DC got nuked, it could be possible that the US dollar could be worthless. I'd rather have $20,000 in silver bullion than $20,000 of Federal Reserve Notes.
Great-Kazoo
09-14-2013, 22:43
If Washington DC got nuked, it could be possible that the US dollar could be worthless. I'd rather have $20,000 in silver bullion than $20,000 of Federal Reserve Notes.
IF, key word IF a scenario like that happened. The repercussions of counter strikes would mean most of us would be dead within 6 month's from fallout / radiation sickness. The rest wouldn't give a shit how much silver, gold, food or water you have. Either join a group of like minded folks, try to survive as a sheepdog, or fall victim to the predators.
I had listed this book as a should read. They have now grouped books 1-3 in to 1 reader. I just noticed #5 is out. A different EOTW scenario than 1 sec after or Lights Out. But just as possible.
http://www.amazon.com/Life-After-War-Books-ebook/dp/B004GUSHB4/ref=pd_sim_kstore_8
ChunkyMonkey
09-14-2013, 23:12
If Washington DC got nuked, it could be possible that the US dollar could be worthless. I'd rather have $20,000 in silver bullion than $20,000 of Federal Reserve Notes.
Japanese insolvency is 100x more likely to happen than that and the result is the same. Gold, Silver, OIl will skyrocket.. paper money will tumble. Japan's debt is @ 230% of GDP.. its aging population's retirement funds are cashing out on the bonds.. they are net seller now. It's not a matter of if anymore.. Scary stuffs once you get into the numbers.
electronman1729
09-15-2013, 00:07
Another great barter item would be condoms!
Yep.. my parents had to fly out of Jakarta, Indonesia during the 1997 riot in Indonesia.
-sounds nice....I spent the same period of time in the hospital with a prolonged case of malaria/typhoid in Indonesia. The flight out sounds more fun.
Another great barter item would be condoms!
And don't forget the cigarettes!!!
Japanese insolvency is 100x more likely to happen than that and the result is the same. Gold, Silver, OIl will skyrocket.. paper money will tumble. Japan's debt is @ 230% of GDP.. its aging population's retirement funds are cashing out on the bonds.. they are net seller now. It's not a matter of if anymore.. Scary stuffs once you get into the numbers.
You're watching that too, I don't pay a lot of attention but it is on my radar. Japan is an interesting situation.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesgruber/2013/08/10/a-japanese-crisis-nears/
From my uneducated POV there is too much information in the article to quote a high point, only to say that Japan is in deep trouble.
Don't forget about Cyprus and the haircut that large depositors took, then there is the Greek problem, and Spain, and Italy.
If you don't think the USG is working on a plan to tax your 401K/Roth/tax-fee whatever then you're living in la-la land. The USG is broke and they need money for the Free Shit Army.
electronman1729
09-15-2013, 08:35
And don't forget the cigarettes!!!
That too, dont forget to vacuum seal. There is nothing worse than a stale cigarette
Aloha_Shooter
09-15-2013, 09:04
Another great barter item would be condoms!
Huh? How do you figure that one? If SHTF with massive casualties all over, I would think preventing pregnancies would be the last thing people would be concerned about ... and as far as STDs go, you better worry more about that random gal you met in the forest being a plant trying to get info on your resources and defenses for her buddies in hiding than about what diseases she may have.
aside from the above which is opinion based the fact is condoms expire.
The willingness to castrate a man who violates an unwilling woman has no expiration.
zzzippper
09-15-2013, 14:19
Maybe he meant for water storage.[ROFL2]
And don't forget the cigarettes!!!
I know more people who wear Borat swimsuits in public than smoke.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/hatidua/Borat_quad_beach-2_zps82142216.jpg
Zundfolge
09-15-2013, 20:08
The point of converting a portion of your wealth to gold or other precious metals before SHTF is not so you have something to buy food with during the chaos, its so that you can carry a chunk of your wealth from the current system to whatever replaces it after the chaos subsides.
Eventually the chaos will subside and when it does you don't want to have spent your entire life's savings on basic survival and then have to start from scratch when the world gets back to normal (or establishes a "new normal") especially since after a major SHTE/EOTWAWKI the dollar will likely not exist.
Great-Kazoo
09-15-2013, 21:51
The point of converting a portion of your wealth to gold or other precious metals before SHTF is not so you have something to buy food with during the chaos, its so that you can carry a chunk of your wealth from the current system to whatever replaces it after the chaos subsides.
Eventually the chaos will subside and when it does you don't want to have spent your entire life's savings on basic survival and then have to start from scratch when the world gets back to normal (or establishes a "new normal") especially since after a major SHTE/EOTWAWKI the dollar will likely not exist.
Down side is , who determines the set value of gold, silver, platinum ? Your 25oz of gold could be devalued to zero, or inflated beyond reason.
I've never bought the concept of saving precious metals for SHTF.. Economic collapse as in a local (single country vs worldwide) recession/depression yes, SHTF no.. Zundfolge has a point but I guess much of it depends on how longs things are not normal and what kind of a new system comes out of it.. A horde of gold and silver is something you likely wouldn't want to be carrying around with you over a long period of time.
Basic staples such as those listed above, food, alcohol, ammo, batteries and even simple things like toilet paper will likely be the most important trade items.. gold doesn't do much for you if you can't eat it..
gold doesn't do much for you if you can't eat it..
Actually, gold can work wonders in getting you on that overbooked last flight out.
This notion won't do much for those convinced that "it can't happen here", but for those of us that have lived abroad, having something other than the national currency can (and has) proved invaluable. It's why every expat I ever met kept something other than the local currency 'just in case'. Some of us have had the unfortunate occasion to need those other forms of currency.
My girlfriend was on the second to last flight out of iran in the late 70s. Her dad had to bribe several people to get them the seats.
Zundfolge
09-16-2013, 11:22
Down side is , who determines the set value of gold, silver, platinum ? Your 25oz of gold could be devalued to zero, or inflated beyond reason.
Gold, silver and platinum have never been worth zero. Thing is your paper money, stocks, bonds, etc have no intrinsic value in and of themselves where as precious metals will always have some value. It's all a gamble but your odds are better with precious metals than with paper.
Anyway, my point is that whenever people bring up investing in precious metals in case of TEOTWAWKI or SHTF there's always a chorus of people saying you can't eat gold or during a crisis nobody is going to give you a loaf of bread for your gold/silver and I'm just saying that's not the reason for investing in precious metals.
If you're really worried about everything going to shit, stock pile food, water, ammo and other supplies to survive DURING the crisis ... invest in precious metals to thrive AFTER the crisis.
BushMasterBoy
09-30-2013, 22:32
34647
Limited GM
10-05-2013, 15:26
Better stock up on tampons. Nothing's as bad as your leaking harem leading zombies to the house.
Better stock up on tampons. Nothing's as bad as your leaking harem leading zombies to the house.
Better get an assortment of pads to...
Great-Kazoo
10-07-2013, 09:29
34647
I cannot engage an object out to 400 let along 25yds with gold or silver, successfully. Planning financially has merit as do food, water and firearm planning. How you prioritize is up to you.
sellersm
10-07-2013, 09:33
I cannot engage an object out to 400 let along 25yds with gold or silver, successfully.
What? You don't have a precious metals wrist rocket? <insert smiley of your choice>
Sent from my fat fingers using Tapatalk
Great-Kazoo
10-07-2013, 09:44
What? You don't have a precious metals wrist rocket? <insert smiley of your choice>
Sent from my fat fingers using Tapatalk
I do, but to date it has been successful with copper plated only.
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