Bartering And Horse Trading (Part Duh)

This thread is a continuation of the over three years that it was running at the GIM website. Also, madfranks has graciously offered to sticky an archive of all the previous material. That’s coming but is a huge load to download.

So here we are on May 21, 2010. If you have been reading a lot of articles on the internet, you may have noticed that some writers of late have mentioned bartering as a necessity in the future. Actually, bartering and horse trading has always been a skill that has provided extras, or luxuries if you will. I believe that as time passes, it will provide necessities much more than luxuries. Hopefully, we are all pretty much aware of what the future holds. It ain’t gonna be pretty. However, there have always been opportunities throughout history and I see no reason why there will not be opportunities on the future. No matter how bad it seems to get. In fact, difficult times offer great bargains to those aware and prepared.

This thread is no armchair warrior advice. It is here, offered freely in order to enrich and empower lives. Your lives. If you read this thread and archives and do not change your life for the better, you have wasted your time. I am not altruistic but rather believe in what Ghandi said “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

I believe that the world cannot be changed from the top; it must begin at the bottom. That’s us, you and me.

So let’s get started.

My first personal observation in the last few months is that my customers have been increasingly asking if I had any good used transmissions rather than the higher cost rebuilt ones. This has been a fast developing trend that I anticipated years ago. I have been saving good used parts over the past 5 years. My cost has been nothing except for the storage space, of which I have plenty. This is an example of futurist thinking which by the way, Ponce is an absolute expert.

A few weeks ago I attended a garage sale where the owner was a carpentry specialist. He had a yard and house full of desirable items. I asked why he was selling all of these items and he said that there was no work and he had to move soon. I asked the price of a few items and learned that he was practically giving them away.

It was then that I set up a plan. I took the items I wanted and set them on the far side of the front porch deck. When done I must have had 80 or so items set aside. Other buyers wanted to look at my items but I told them that they were all sold. So they moved on. At the same time I was guarding my stash, I was going over the other for sale items a second time for anything I had missed.

When I finished I had the seller give me a price for all of the items. The price was so good that I paid without haggling. There is a sound reason for not haggling in some circumstances. When a purchase is already very cheap, it is unwise to try to get it for even less. You could create ill will; very expensive in the long run. Also, have some compassion for a seller who is in a financial bind. Sure, it is a judgment call. In this case it paid off handsomely. I asked if the seller had anything else he was going to sell later and he said that he had a storage container full of items that he was going to sell the next weekend.

I got his name and phone number. This is important. I called him on Thursday and confirmed that he was to begin the next garage sale on Saturday and not on Friday as he previously mentioned as a possibility. Nothing like getting to a garage sale to discover that the sale had started the day before and all that was left was what nobody wanted.

I was told that the sale the next Saturday would start at 8:00 and I made sure to be there when it was supposed to open. However, the seller had listed the sale in the papers at 9:00. So I was there an hour before others would arrive. By the time most buyers arrived I had already filled the porch with everything I wanted. Once again I went over the remaining items for anything I had missed. I asked the crucial question “What else do you have for sale ?” He took me in back to his garage and back yard where I picked up several more items.

At the end I asked him for his total price and he said “How about 50 bucks ?” I replied with “How about 60 ?” He smiled and said sure. Why did I offer more that asked ? Call me crazy. It felt good to be generous back to the seller who had been so generous to me. If I were to see him in the future, I would feel good about our dealings. What is 10 dollars in the whole scheme of things ? In this instance, it was powerful in my opinion. See, that’s one of the beautiful things about bartering and horse trading. We have the power to express ourselves in positive ways and spread goodwill toward our fellow man. I have always said that business is bad where anybody loses (except for the competition). Good buying and selling takes place without coercion or fraud.

So what were these bargain items of which I speak ? Picks, shovels, rakes, brooms, saws, pry bars for a dollar. Stanley and Craftsman chisels, pliers, wire cutters, tin snips for as little as a dime apiece. A roll of new three lead copper wire weighing over 60 pounds for $2. Forty pounds of heavy tow chain for $2. A new come along for $2. An 8 foot fiberglass Werner ladder for $2. A 6 foot fiberglass Husky ladder for $2. A tool box with 100 sockets, ratchets, extensions and more for $5. A 100’ extension cord with roller for 1$. A 12” Diamond brand Crescent wrench for $1. Ten table saw blades with two portable holding units for $2.

I also got 5 big boxes of nails for $2 each. They had been opened and didn’t weigh the original 50 pounds each but were still mostly full. I also got lag bolts, specialty items, etc. I still haven’t looked at it everything but I know that if I had to buy all of the items new from the store, it would have been well over $3,000. I spent about $140 in total. Looking back, I know I missed a few items. This always happens in a sale with so many items offered. If you didn’t get the seller’s phone number, be content with what you did get. There will always be more sales in the future.

You are probably asking yourself, “Yeah, a bargain. But what are you going to do with all that junk agnut ?” Well, some of it I need and some I will put away for the future. I don’t expect that a straight nail will be worth a dollar someday as Ponce says it is in Cuba right now. He was in Cuba a few years ago and had the money to repair his father’s house. Problem was, the materials were not available AT ANY PRICE. Will this happen here in the good ‘ol USA ? It could but I’m not counting on it. I’m buying with the belief that many things will dry up in time and the screaming bargains I get now will become in greater demand some day. That goes double for good quality American tools.

The other day I was cruising around and saw a sign for a garage sale. I drove by and it looked like a lot of baby clothes and toys. But I stopped there just to see if there was anything interesting. There wasn’t. But I did ask “What else do you have for sale ?” The husband piped in with “We have a barbecue out back”. So I looked at it and it was a medium size unit with three burners inside and one outside. It had a propane bottle with an expensive cover. He wanted $5. The only problem was that the plastic wheels were broken. But since I don’t move my barbecue around, I will saw off the lower legs and make it level. A nice unit that is $200 at Home Depot (plus sales tax of $17) The way I look at it, I got the barbecue for less than a third of the sales tax had I bought it new. Oh, and almost forgot; a propane tank and cover thrown in on the deal. The cover had a huge decal of the Florida Gators, from the University of Florida. I mention this because my daughter is visiting us in July and she worked at the University of Florida medical center for several years. Sort of a karmic thing, I guess. As Voltaire said, “God is a comedian playing to an audience that is too afraid to laugh”. I laughed when I saw the barbecue cover for the first time, knowing it was meant to be.

Gotta go; please post any experiences you may have. This thread is meant to be for all of us to share.

Best wishes,

Agnut

P.S. Always remember that you are a sane person living in an insane world. Rather than get upset (wasting valuable time and energy), get to understand it and make it work for you.

Welcome back, again. Looking forward to those priceless archives. They were my favorite threads. Simply priceless!

welcome back, agnut

:sun:

TSHTF is close . . . . .

This thread is going to be a great asset to this site, and I for one am really happy that agnut decided to continue his famous thread here. As agnut mentioned, I'm going to sticky this thread and help him upload the previous Bartering and Horse Trading thread from GIM1 so it's here for reference. Agnut and I have been in touch over the past few weeks, and as many of you know from GIM1, this thread is a true treasure trove of information, so much so that he could probably write a successful book with the knowledge he's shared with us. Thanks agnut for your work on this topic!

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Originally Posted by agnut

Gotta go; please post any experiences you may have. This thread is meant to be for all of us to share.

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Whew! I have been saving this photo for weeks now waiting for this new Bartering And Horse Trading thread:

:oo-->

Hey buddy, WELCOME.............

Day before yesterday I went to my favorite store "The Senior "Thrift Store" here in town.........looks to me that someone very very rich bought the farm not to long ago because I found two coats with matching pans and one coat by itself with a western motive, I would say one set alone is worth at least $125.00 if not more and then five more like new pair of pants, I would say that the whole thing is worth AT LEAST $400.00 if not more.........all that for $6.00.

All the clothing that I am collecting if for later because there will be very little in the way of clothing coming in from overseas and what there is will be very expensive.

What Do Silver and Gold Buy?

i was in a dollar store a few days ago and picked up a belt for $1.25

my new belt was packaged as a " Luggage Strap "

i got it home, took it out of the package and it fit perfectly ( adjustable to 67 " )
do i care what it's called, not really, i went back and bought 4 more
and if i never use these as belts, i have 5 ft of material ( and clips ) for $1.25


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/mj247/belt.jpg

opening a new GSUS quotes file with these two


“What else do you have for sale ?”

I’m buying with the belief that many things will dry up in time and the screaming bargains I get now will become in greater demand some day

agnut




futurist thinking

what will have value in the future ? / what will become more valuable in the future ?

salvaging, scrounging, whatever one wants to call it

don't be afraid to pick up roadside freebies
just a few of the items i've picked up while out on my bike
mainly along the roadway coming off the Ambassador Bridge

i even go for an early morning bike ride on recycling day

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...defreebies.jpg

Tag sales.... I always ask: Have any old coins or silverware for sale? Sometimes I get lucky.

In the pic, the top two items shown next to a quarter- spoon and spreading knife are 2.4 t.oz Sterling. I got them today for 25 cents each.

The knife at bottom has a Sterling handle. That was 75 cents.

Thanks all. So much to write about. Went to a Chinese buffet a couple of days ago and noticed that there was no shrimp being offered in any form. Usually there are three types offered.

Maybe there is a lesson to learn here. When something we have been used to getting all our life suddenly vanishes like shrimp, we adapt and eat more of the other dishes served.

But what happens when something like toilet paper or canned tuna or coffee suddenly disappear from the market shelves ? Or something for which there is no substitute ? This is the reason why we stock preps (not “hoard”; I hate that word).

Ponce’s post on the general section about a toilet paper bargain may well be a future necessity as well as a bargaining item. Think about it; trading food, liquor or bullets is a no no. But toilet paper used for bartering is about as safe as you can get. Think of the factories making toilet paper. What if they shut down in a collapse ? Toilet paper is something there is no equal substitute for. Used newspapers ? Sears catalogs ? A sponge ? Yuck !

And think of the ladies out there. Imagine the points you will make in their knowing that you had stocked a huge “load” of several years’ toilet paper. Boxes of Kleenex may become a rare luxury. Of course, you might have a hard time getting any away for trading material. Just saying.

A toilet paper scarcity would give new meaning to “three squares a day”.

And what other items that we take for granted would be very desirable trading material ?

And which items bought at X dollars now will be worth multiples in a few years ?

What did Ponce take to Cuba some years back ? Yep, you guessed it. TOILET PAPER. And large bottles of aspirin. His family acted as though it was Christmas morning. Do you know where their bathrooms are ? Well, you take a shovel and dig a hole in the back yard….. And pray you don’t hit pay dirt.

We are so incredibly spoiled with more conveniences than in any place or time in history. And I hear a lot of bitching about many inconsequential petty problems. When the wheels fall off the economy, I think millions will go into shock. I expect that we who have prepped will have enough difficulties to deal with but the unprepared will be overwhelmed. As Gerald Celente often says, “When people lose everything, they lose it.”

I’m writing this to tell you that we may have only a few months to finish getting ready. Don’t think so ? Well, I have reread the first bartering and horse trading posts about 3 ½ years ago (Jan 2007)and things were so different then. We had Bush jr as president and thought things couldn’t get worse. Hoo, boy were we wrong. Real estate hadn’t yet become unreal estate. Unemployment wasn’t on everybody’s minds. And we didn’t have an oil volcano going off in the Gulf of Mexico. And so on…

So if things have changed this much in the last 3 ½ years, just imagine what the next 3 ½ years will bring. Not to disparage anyone’s quantity of preps but we ALL, no matter how prepped, will come to the end of our preps at some time in the future. What then ?

Well, bartering and horse trading has the ability to lengthen the time of exhaustion of our preps. Remember, Cuba has been going through privation for several decades with no end in sight. Anyone thought of how many years it will take for us to recover ?

Another answer is to have skills developed which will be in demand in hard times. Shoe repair ? Good idea but you better have tools and material set aside. Baking bread ? Better have ways of baking as well as a continual supply of wheat and sugar. And in my case, better have plenty of parts to repair transmissions. The critical factor in all skills is that, aside from the demand, there must be the raw materials to complete the job. Wise to think through possibilities from the beginning to the end and what materials it will require in order to carry through the years. Otherwise a skill to be offered will cease when you run out of “prep” material. Like food preps as opposed to growing your own food. Think renewable resources.

Best wishes,

Agnut

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Book

Quote:

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Originally Posted by agnut

Gotta go; please post any experiences you may have. This thread is meant to be for all of us to share.

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Whew! I have been saving this photo for weeks now waiting for this new Bartering And Horse Trading thread:

:oo-->

Hi Book; that is sooo wrong ! We all had a good laugh though.

Best wishes,

agnut

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Ponce <--------waiting to read Agnu's new post........get your butt moving, and I don't mean up and down ;D

Greetings all. I have been thinking about where we are on the timeline of general financial well being. There is a reason for this post which I will get into at the end. The following thread is chock full of points to ponder. Please read it in its entirety. But first, a couple of posts from this thread that are appropriate to bartering and horse trading :

“Yep, it's called the barter system.....and bartering will become more and more common as this depression deepens.”
Doctor fungcool (posted 12,522 times) post #16

And :

“People who denigrate bartering as impractical never needed a bag of potatoes to feed to their family that night, or the family would go hungry. They're still imagining a world where their lawn gets mowed every week, their 401(k) is intact ( if not very good ), they have medical care available somehow, they have an automobile or three, they have their eye on that new 5-iron or GPS device. They can't imagine how it would be possible to line up all those trades for the goodies they have always enjoyed. It gets a heckuva lot simpler in the worst of times.”
UncurledA (posted 3,733 times) post #18

“Yes we are in a Great Depression”

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=362526

And finally, Troke with 29,771 posts sums it up :

“Well folks, lots of (wishful?) thinking here.

Now we all know we cannot have the Big D until O declares a bank holiday. I have read that on this very forum.

Now the purpose of unemployment, FDIC etc was to prevent the Big D. And it has. So to run around claiming we are in the Big D is bullsh*t. Not yet, anyway.

How will you tell? Easy. No cars on the street, nobody at WallMart, half the restaurants closing, nobody at the car dealers etc etc etc. That is what happened in the 1930's. I was around at the end of it and I heard the stories.

We ain't there yet so it is stupid to claim we are. Kind of like those folks running around here claiming we were in the Big R at the precise time that Gov revenues were the highest in history.

Are we heading for the Big D? Sure looks like it to me but we are not there yet..

BTW, 40 million on food stamps? That is about 12% of the population. Yet everybody 'knows' that the real unemployment rate is 20-25%. If so, why is not 20-25% of the population on food stamps? One would surely think that.

Anyway, I tremble for my grandchildren. I don't see a way out of this because of the large number of people in high positions who want us further into it so they can consolidate their power.”

So after having read this thread, where are we on this financial being timeline ? Well, there are many things to consider before taking drastic action.

1. What is our individual savings situation in relation to our ongoing expenses ? In other words, how much money do we have socked away against our living expenses ? A month’s worth ? A year’s worth ? As stated in the above thread, 43% of Americans have less than $10,000 for retirement. How many months would that last ?

2. Can we reliably get this money when we need it ? Is it in stocks or bonds ? A 401K or IRA ? Let me know how that works out for you.

“If you don’t hold it, you don’t own it”
Ponce

Now is this quote becoming more starkly apparent to you as time passes ? In other words, are you losing confidence in what assets you believe you have that are NOT in your possession ? You should be. Bigtime too !

Years ago when the gold and silver funds GLD and SLV came into being, I had a gut feeling of foreboding because they were being created and run by two big banks. Banks that were heavily shorting gold and silver on the commodities exchange. And now, years later we learn that they have only 1 ounce of physical gold and silver for every 100 ounces they are supposed to have. Now it appears that there is naked shorting on the commodities exchanges as well as the GLD and SLV funds. Doesn’t that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck ? It should. The term “fractional reserve gold and silver” comes to mind. You know. Like fractional reserve banking where the banks keep only 1 or 2 percent (if that) of your/their money in cash. A sin to do with unbacked (or debt if you will) fiat paper currency but to do this with gold and silver…. I can’t even think of words to describe the depth of my disgust and revulsion.

Fractional reserve should be called fictional reserve.

And quantitative easing should be thought of a qualitative sleazing. (as in sleazy). By the way, have you managed to get any of the trillions of dollars created out of thin air ? Not even a buck ? Me either. This reminds me of a word I made up years ago to describe what I saw coming. Hyperstagflation. That is, a scenario in which wages are going nowhere or decreasing as taxes are rising, costs are rising, unemployment is rising, etc. The end result is the driving the middle class into poverty. Isn’t this happening now ? As I have written in the past, we are in the midst of WWIII. But it is a financial war so most are missing the impacts of the money/debt bombs being lobbed in. There are millions of casualties but hard to calculate. People aren’t actually dieing but a considerable portion of their happiness, security, health and futures have been destroyed. I also wrote about this years ago and called it “actuarial murder” This financial war leads to feudalism through central banking. The rich and powerful in their castles overseeing the serfs slaving away for crumbs.

3. Will we continue to increase unemployment ? Real unemployment, not the govt figures. With huge numbers to fall off the unemployment rolls, they will not be counted as unemployed thus making the govt figures look better than they actually are. Neat trick if they can get away with it. Figures don’t lie but liars figure.

4. Will inflation get worse ? As far as the govt figures, perhaps not. Remember, social security payments did not get a cost of living increase this year as they had in past years. Of course, govt workers got an increase. Cute, huh ? But when viewed from the perspective of the average retiree, the costs of damn near everything went up. So yes, inflation will continue to ravage by stealthy price rises, content downsizing, new regulations, tax increases, etc. A sort of backdoor method to take away what you receive as well as what you have to pay more for.

5. Will housing prices fall further ? As govt ends their temporary home buyer tax credit (government bribe), home sale volumes should fall noticeably, putting more unsold homes on the market.

And face it, if unemployment is high and going higher, who will be foolish enough to even think of getting into a long term debt nightmare ? In my view, the height of stupidity. A sort of Darwin’s law working in matters of finance.


6. Are food prices going to take a bigger “bite” out of our income ? Do I even have to go into this one ?

7. Are taxes going to go up ? Do I even have to go into this one either ? Aw, what the heck; I can’t help myself.

Federal, state and local govts are all deeply in debt. The federal govt has a credit card with the Federal Reserve and will continue to spend like a drunken sailor until Doomsday (which is closer than we think). But the state and local govts have no such credit cars and legally balance the books. So they will be forced to cut back drastically. And soon. Stata and local govt employees may soon be laid off by the droves unless the feds somehow give/lend them the many billions to kick the can down the road.

When the day arrives that the Federal Reserve takes the Treasury’s credit card and cuts it in half and says “No more”, that will mark the day that we go over the falls together. And at that time I do wonder what will happen to all of the stocks and bonds. For you see, 99% of all U.S. stocks and bonds are owned by an outfit called Cede and Co. And who owns Cede and Co. ? Why, none other than the Federal Reserve ! Is this to be the form of calling in on the trillions of debt to the Federal Reserve ? Hmmm… And where would that leave the average American ? Is this the planned end game ? We’ll see (or cede, as it is defined as “to yield, grant, assign, transfer“). But we should question why 99% of stocks and bonds are in the ownership of a subsidiary of the Federal Reserve.

American debt ? “Why, we owe it to ourselves. No problem.” Or is that a fantasy ?

8. Is your job becoming more or less secure ? And if you have a job, are you doing the work of two or three people to make up for all of the ones that were laid off ? Did the management double or triple your wages to compensate you for the increased workload ? No they didn’t; the savings went to the bottom line where they appeared more profitable. They actually were more profitable but on a smaller scale; not a good trend for the future. And many in management got fat bonuses for this. I have to wonder what they will do next as their volume of sales decrease. Lay off still more workers and the few remaining will be expected to work as much as 9 times harder as in the past ? No, the layoffs was a one shot deal as far as I can see. If management lays off workers they will have nothing to manage. Kaput. Shot. End of story and company.

Now we get to the reason for this post. What can we do individually in view of all this bad news ?

1. As contradictory as it may seem (especially on THE premier gold and silver website), gather cash in hand. Don’t have ANYONE between you and your money. “Sorry, we can’t do that” is a financial door slammed in your face. Could be a bank holiday, stock, bond, IRA 401K refusal of redemption.

And don’t be overly concerned that someone will rob you; the banks, govt., bond and stock markets have been doing that for years.

Additionally, don’t be overly concerned that the cash you hold will become worthless. The fiat dollar is all that 99+% of the populace understand and not until they know its true worthlessness, the fiat dollar will continue to hold purchasing power.

The two downsides to holding fiat dollars are inflation and govt. issuing new currency with a 100 to 1 old for new currency exchange. So don’t have so much cash as a proportion of your total assets that its loss could seriously damage you.

Ponce and I see advantages in holding cash in the form of coins, particularly in bricks of nickels. I have read that this year may be the last one for minting nickels out of 75% copper and 25% nickel. One way to dodge the bullet of a 100 to 1 paper dollar devaluation.

2. Sell anything that you don’t need or will need in the future. Could be an extra car, boat, snowmobile, trailer, collectables, etc. Most of it is going to become heavy baggage in the future.

3. Stock lots of canned food, especially canned tuna (Ponce just bought 1,440 cans of tuna to add to his preps), toilet paper (you can’t have enough), Jelly, etc. This is for long term storage and possible bartering material. Also, what will a can of tuna be worth in two or three years ?

4. Cut your living expenses as much as possible. Take a lunch to work or when you are going to be tempted to buy fast food while on the road. Roll your own cigarettes. Don’t laugh; a pack a day smoker could save over $1,500 a year by making his own cigarettes. And that’s after tax money. Probably have to gross over $2,000 in before taxes money. How many hours do you have to work in order to gross $2,000 ? Two weeks ? Four weeks ?

Lots of possibilities to save.

If you do cut expenses, know how much you saved and put it away or buy more preps. Make it a game for now because it won’t be a game after a collapse. Tight money management will then be an absolutely necessary skill to have.

5. Repair what you can yourself. Service your own car, machinery. Labor for car repair can run as much as $100 per hour.

6. For food, buy mostly sale items. And when there is a significant sale, stock up heavily. A while ago I bought half gallons of cherry ice cream for $1.29. I still have a few in the freezer.

7. Buy next winter’s clothes in the spring and summer. Garage sales are best. My closets are jam packed with clothes I have bought over the years from garage sales. Most was 5 cents on the dollar.

8. If you have payments on a car, sell it if you can and buy a good used car, preferably one that gets high miles per gallon. If gas prices go through the roof, you will have a bargain to enjoy for years to come.

9. Housing. Now this is a tough one and my opinion probably won’t fit in with your thinking. This is a highly subjective area, although it holds the potential for immense savings.

I have been advising a friend to sell his home for years. It peaked at $900K a few years ago; he just had an offer for $500K. What happened to the other $400K ? That is what accounting calls lost opportunity cost. He who hesitates is lost. There is a time to buy, a time to hold, a time to sell, a time to run away.

Although home prices have received a beating in the last three years, this does NOT mean that they are a bargain at this time. There is potential for them to fall much further. I would watch and wait; it is foolish to be anxious to buy a house. Impatience and rationalization are mental games that can get you into trouble, not out of trouble.

If you have a house or are thinking of buying one at this time in history, you should be weighing the pluses and minuses for the future, for the purchase and ownership of a house is the largest investment decision that most people will make in their lives. With that said, let’s look at the pros and cons. Feel free to add any I may have missed.

Pros Of Home Ownership

A. As long as you pay the mortgage payment and property taxes you will have a place to stay.

B. You can make changes without having to ask the landlord’s permission.

C. Mortgage interest can be written off against your income.


Cons Of Home Ownership

A. Price you paid for a house can fall enough that the mortgage owed is greater than what you can sell it for. In other words, upside down. In fact, this tragedy has been happening on a large scale for some time.

B. Many times, resale of a house can be difficult and take a long time. In other words, illiquid.

C. Mortgage cost with property tax and maintenance costs are typically much higher than renting a comparable house.

D. If you lose your job or income source, owning a house can become a heavy burden. I hear about this all the time.

E. The higher cost of ownership is lost opportunity cost. This is both in the down payment cost in the beginning as well as the higher costs paid out over time. And don’t delude yourself; the average house turnover is about 5 years. So thinking you are paying down the principal is an illusion since the principal pay down is back loaded. In other words, the first mortgage payment is practically all interest while the last mortgage payment is all principal.

This lost opportunity cost of buying rather than renting could have been wisely invested and potentially pyramided into a fortune. Having the power of liquidity (cash in hand) when others don’t is a tremendous advantage for profits as well as peace of mind.


Best wishes and JMHO,

Agnut

LOL Agnut, looks to me like if you had a good time with your fingers ahahahahahah, pretty good advice..........keep it up.......the writing I mean LOL.

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Originally Posted by Ponce

Hey buddy, WELCOME.............

Day before yesterday I went to my favorite store "The Senior "Thrift Store" here in town.........looks to me that someone very very rich bought the farm not to long ago because I found two coats with matching pans and one coat by itself with a western motive, I would say one set alone is worth at least $125.00 if not more and then five more like new pair of pants, I would say that the whole thing is worth AT LEAST $400.00 if not more.........all that for $6.00.

All the clothing that I am collecting if for later because there will be very little in the way of clothing coming in from overseas and what there is will be very expensive.

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Hey Ponce. As usual, you are buying items at borderline giveaway prices. A while ago I told my older son about the thrift store clothing you had been buying and he has been bringing home some great deals. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Thanks to you.

Lately I’ve been buying hoes, rakes, pickaxes and other hand gardening and manual working tools. Doesn’t hurt to have spares as well as enough to sell/trade later. Some would cost $20-25 each and I have been paying a dollar when I see them.

I remember years ago, a local guy was picking up broken shovels, hoes and rakes for free to 25 cents each. He found some light wall pipe and welded them up and sold them for $10 each. Those were the best hand tools I have ever owned. I heard that he was selling them like hot cakes.

I’m still wanting to get a large quantity of canned tuna for preps or bartering later. I wonder if many realize that the spawning ground for some Atlantic tuna is in the Gulf of Mexico. And with the current oilcano going off, there may not be as much tuna harvested in coming years. A price rise in canned tuna ? Hmmm…

Best wishes,

Agnut

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Originally Posted by JohnQPublic

What Do Silver and Gold Buy?

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Hi JohnQPublic. Wow ! I was about to answer your short question and then I realized that it was a heading to an article that you had written. I have hard copied it and will take some time to study it. Some great insight there. Thanks.

At the 2010 World Mining Investment Conference in London, James Turk gave a presentation in which he stated that “Over 60 years, the oil price which has risen sharply in all major currencies, has effectively been absolutely flat in terms of both gold and silver, apart from very minor short term fluctuations, as an indicator of the precious metals’ wealth preservation characteristics. “

There have been other writers alluding to the same thing recently; gold and silver may not make a “profit” in relation to purchasing power in the future. However, they will preserve purchasing power as they have through the centuries.

This reminds me of Warren Buffett’s quote, “It is not until the tide goes out that you discover who is swimming without trunks.”

Is this “naked shorting” ?

Point is, in a collapse of fiat currencies (and perhaps the whole damned system), almost everyone will be stripped naked (not a pretty picture). And the few with precious metals will be the only ones left clothed and financially powerful. Being rich is relative. When nobody around you has anything and you have the same as you had before a collapse, you will be relatively rich. Something to think about.

I never expected to become rich from precious metals. My goal has always been to be able to be left the Hell alone. And continue with my and my family’s life in a quiet, respectable manner. Along with being out of debt and having preps, physical gold and silver complete the picture.

And if that ain’t good enough, I don’t know what is.

Best wishes,

Agnut

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SHTF2010

opening a new GSUS quotes file with these two


“What else do you have for sale ?”

I’m buying with the belief that many things will dry up in time and the screaming bargains I get now will become in greater demand some day

futurist thinking

what will have value in the future ? / what will become more valuable in the future ?

---

agnut

===============================================

Good to hear from you SHTF2010. I like your website name; prophetic. I noticed you are Canadian. Any gorillas living up there ?

Some nice roadside freebies you got. That Snap On crescent wrench would cost a bundle if bought new off the truck. Instead, yours must have fallen off the truck.

I find plastic gas cans, chains and other goodies along the roadside.

Yeah, that question , “What else do you have for sale ?” has made/saved me a lot of money over the years.

How things have changed in the last few years. My focus has shifted from things I need to things that are a screaming bargain AND at the same time will be needed someday. Primarily because of Ponce, I have been collecting items that likely will become more in demand in the future. Nails, galvanized pipe, tico fittings, etc.

It appears to me that the money circulating around has been getting scarcer and scarcer. I am thinking that if this continues for too long, we won’t have hardly any money available for day to day dealings. I am reminded of my father who bucked hay for 25 cents to 50 cents for a 12 hour day. And he shoveled coal at the local high school for 50 cents a day. He told me that at the end of the day, he had worked so hard that he could brush the salt off his back. This was during the last Depression.

Will we experience a time when there will be so little currency circulating that people will work for a pittance ? Well, in our twisted world, anything is possible.

Last night I rented the movie “The Road”. My son and I watched it together. It was more grim than any movie I have ever seen. Survival and flight after a financial and social collapse. After watching it, I came to realize that it was about as accurate as you could get. And that realization was the scariest part.

The movie begs the question, “Would you rather be prepped with all the planning and sacrifice it demands or be on The Road ?

Best wishes,

Agnut

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spectrism

Tag sales.... I always ask: Have any old coins or silverware for sale? Sometimes I get lucky.

In the pic, the top two items shown next to a quarter- spoon and spreading knife are 2.4 t.oz Sterling. I got them today for 25 cents each.

The knife at bottom has a Sterling handle. That was 75 cents.

---

Hi Spectrism, thanks for the photos. Quite a score there. What is that; a 50 bagger ? HaHa

I’m always looking for sterling silver in my travels but rarely find any. As the spot silver price goes up, there will be less and less offered for sale. Also I think the public is/will be becoming aware of silver and gold prices. We may have a dip this summer but that is just a buying opportunity to me.

I suggest you look into catalytic converters. Sometimes they can be gotten for free or almost nothing except removing them from old derelict cars. Some of them are worth as much as $200 on eBay. You have to cut the ends off to sell them on eBay. There are professional buyers and they can be contacted for prices offered. You should know what model and year car the converters came from; it has a lot to do with the value.

Best wishes and happy hunting,

Agnut

P.S. I’m in the middle of writing a looong post about various types of buying opportunities. Summer is here and I believe the months ahead will be the best in years. I’ve already made two big scores, one I wrote about a few weeks ago and the second I did last Saturday.

Thanks, agnut. Well-written, sound advice. I didn't participate in the Bartering and Horsetrading thread at GIM, but I look forward to following along this time, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

I visited a drugstore (CVS) yesterday and noticed they have a green sticker for items that are 75% off. I bought a handful of nail/toenail clippers for about 47 cents each, and they are going into storage for bartering when TSHTF.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by k-os

Thanks, agnut. Well-written, sound advice. I didn't participate in the Bartering and Horsetrading thread at GIM, but I look forward to following along this time, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

I visited a drugstore (CVS) yesterday and noticed they have a green sticker for items that are 75% off. I bought a handful of nail/toenail clippers for about 47 cents each, and they are going into storage for bartering when TSHTF.

---

Hi k-os and thanks. I borrow a lot of my wisdom from my Cuban uncle Ponce.

I’ve been remiss in sending all of the bartering and horse trading archives. My older son said that he could help me; I’m still a computer idiot. These archives are quite long and may take you a couple of weeks to slog through.

Good deal on the nail clippers. Maybe nail files would be a good idea too. Neither age or go bad.

Best wishes,

Agnut

I’m writing this long post because the summer buying and selling season lays ahead like a financial banquet.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the changes in what I’ve been seeing at sales in the last year. I’ve dropped in on several that were more garbage than garage sales. Lots of Chinese junk floating about too.

So what to do.

Well, there are garage sales, moving sales, self storage auctions, estate sales and auction houses. Each one has their own characteristics (not to mention the characters milling about). You won’t see a grizzly bear waiting for a salmon run in an Arizona dry wash. He’s doing the right thing but in the wrong place. Not to mention the wrong time. So with this, let’s look at the various types of sales to determine the best for you.

Garage Sales

As mentioned above, garage sales appear to be trending toward folks trying to sell anything, even for a nickel. Items so sad that the sellers appear as though they are too lazy to take it all to the dump. Most of these sales are not advertised in the papers but have a sale placard on the corner with directions. However, these sales are not always a waste of time. There may be one or two items of value. They are at the bottom of the food chain for us barterers and horse traders.

The next step up are the garage sales listed in the classified ads. You can sort through these in the comfort of your home and set up a plan of attack. Always be aware that the first 8:00 AM sale you attend will preclude your attending other 8:00 AM sales. In other words, you can’t be in two places at the same time. However, you may find a prime sale starting at 9:00 AM with a less promising sale beginning at 8:00 AM. So attend the earlier sale as long as you can finish up and be there for the 9:00 AM prime sale. Just part of the battle plan.

Lately I’ve been seeing more people who are buying for the purpose of reselling at their own garage sales. A natural response to these dire times of high unemployment, high inflation and black swans coming home to roost unexpectedly (Ya like the way I mix metaphors ?).

Moving Sales

Moving sales are often better than garage sales because the sellers are motivated to lighten their load as well as need extra money for their move. For example, a riding mower for sale would be more likely at a moving sale due to its weight and size. Also a piano, boat, extra car, etc. Large and heavy items. Think of what the soon to be moving seller is thinking.

And the prices are usually lower and more flexible. If someone has to move in 10 days and they have a boat they want $2000 for, you may want to put in a lowball bid of $800. If they haven’t sold it before they move, they have the options of either taking it with them (maybe impossible), leaving it behind (foolish), or accepting your lowball offer. It isn’t your fault that they are between a rock and a hard place so don’t feel guilty. It is THEIR guilt and fault for not planning ahead.

The technique on such a situation is to get their phone number and call them a few days before they move. You can give them you phone number as you let them know you are interested but DO NOT at this time give them your lowball offer. Let time and events work for you.

You may not get the deal but isn’t it better to consummate half as many deals at lowball prices rather than twice the deals with a much lower profit potential ?

Yesterday my sons happened to be driving about and saw three bulls standing on a hillside looking down at a herd of heifers. They were laughing as they told me since I had earlier told them the joke about the young bull and the old bull standing on a hill. The young bull said “Let’s run down there and make love to one of them”. The old bull said “Let’s walk down there and make love to all of them”.

Patience is a virtue that pays off handsomely. Pace yourself. Be anxious for nothing; this is a business, not a roller coaster ride.

Self Storage Auctions

A few weeks ago I attended a self storage auction. There were the contents of 12 storage containers up for bid. There were about 25 bidders in attendance, three of whom I recognized as professional bidders. These three were buying for resale profits and set the tone for the auction.

Bidders are not allowed to handle the merchandise but only to briefly look into the container and guess at what all the boxes contain and estimate the value of what else they could see. It is like buying a pig in a poke. The other bidders usually enthusiastically bid like they’re gonna win the lottery. And bidding usually goes so high that you may laugh inside at the insanity of human nature.

I bought nothing but learned that this was not where I want to invest my time and money. Years ago I bought many storage containers’ contents. Overall, the work and money yielded at best a small profit. Sure, you may hit the jackpot. But not often enough to be worth the time. I do recommend that you attend such an auction, if for nothing other than the experience. Just don’t get swept up in the excitement.

By the way, these containers have usually been picked over by the last owners as well as the staff of the storage company. You are bidding on what they didn’t want. And worst of all, it may be a setup container. That is one that is made to look like it holds promise of lots of valuable items but ends up with broken down furniture and empty boxes. I know, I was once suckered into one by my inexperience. You see, the highest bidder price is used to first pay the storage bill against it and then the previous owner receives the rest. A profitable scam. Be careful.

Estate Sales

There are basically two types of estate sales. The first is where a professional has priced all of the items, usually at no or little profit for you.

The second type is where the still breathing family members are getting rid of some old geezer’s possessions. Hey, I’m getting to be an old geezer myself but the difference is that my family knows what my things are worth. They are all proficient barterers and horse traders. So don’t expect any screaming deals after I croak (That salmon mousse DID taste funny. Was it supposed to be green ?)

Last Saturday I attended an estate sale; it was listed in the local Saturday paper. Only problem was, it had also been listed in the Wednesday edition and the sale actually was for Friday and Saturday. I can only guess at what I had missed.

Anyway, there was still a house and garage full of items. I got a new in the box ½ ton trailer for $40, about $240 retail. A Yamaha keyboard with a heavy box of sheet music for $40, retail well over $200. A leather computer chair for $20, retail $130. My old plastic carpet pad was shot and I had priced a new one; it was $54. So being the cheap bastard that I am, I had been dragging my heels in getting a new one. Well, guess what showed up ? Yep, a new heavy duty pad. I casually asked the seller what she wanted for it and she said, “How about a dollar ?” My heart skipped a beat; a 54 bagger. Think about it; I saved $53 of after tax money !

I got a new in the box 500 watt surround sound audio receiver for $35. I can only guess at the retail price (an eBay ad said that it had cost $1000 new). There were scores of smaller items I also got like a power meat slicer for $2. And there were several boxes of free items such as scrap aluminum, wiring, coffee cans of nails, screws, etc. Honestly, I haven’t had the time to go through it all yet.

Soon after I arrived at the estate sale I found an area to put all of the items I wanted. That way, all of the items wouldn’t have other buyers taking my bargains. I told the seller that I wanted to buy a truckload of items and asked her if she would make a package deal. She brightened up at the prospect and said that would be fine. When I was done, she discounted the total price about 20%.

I loaded the truck and headed home. I had been there about 3 hours and all that time there had been other buyers aimlessly poking around, buying little. Not a professional buyer in the bunch. I think I spent $240 and my 1 ton truck was loaded; even the passenger seat and floor were piled up with goodies.

Auctions And Auction Houses

When I was at that storage container auction, a professional buyer let slip that the best deals were at an auction house in a nearby town. I looked at their coming auctions online and will have to get there when time permits. Might be a goldmine or a bust. At least it would be educational.

I don’t have much experience with auction houses with all the garage and estate sales going on. Besides, my favorite dealing situation is on a one on one basis. Having to outbid someone, possibly with an ego problem or brain dead, could raise the winning price too high. So be very, very careful; we are not hunting rabbits, ya know.

Best wishes,

Agnut

maybe i just haven't noticed before, but i'm noticing now
more people seem to be putting out items by the roadside

today i brought home a bamboo 60 inch wide blind, works fine
went back a couple hours later, and the other items out with the blinds were already gone


the fact that something was thrown away has no bearing on it's worth to it's finder

The Scavengers' Manifesto

Hi SHTF2010. So true; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Many of the garage and estate sales have a box or area of free items. Scrap aluminum and scrap copper are sometimes in there too.

Best wishes and keep on pickin' the bargains.

Best wishes,

agnut

Sorry I haven’t posted for a while. With the oil mess I’ve been feeling like a deer frozen in the headlights.

What to do, what to do…

Somehow reminds me of a Stephen Wright story. Seems there was a guy who had an itch in his brain and the only way he could relieve it was to THINK about sandpaper.

With news being so limited, it is hard to get a clear picture and therefore how to react/prepare (or scratch that itch). I’ve been watching the oil spill every day since it happened on April 20. I believe that it will not stop and will even become much worse as the pipeline ruptures even more. I also believe that its continuing to spread will have life changing consequences on everyone. Doesn’t matter if you are in the arctic or South America or a tropic island. If this continues, no one will be immune. There is direct damage and there is collateral damage. We are all living on the same Earth.

Now this oil leak continuance isn’t a 100% certainty but whenever I am faced with a problem I ask myself what it will take to remedy the problem. I don’t see the relief wells currently being drilled as a solution. In fact, they may only increase the problem. I have read that about 40% of what is coming out is methane, a gas. Okay. And the other 60% is oil, a liquid. Now I’m no scientist but isn’t a liquid compressed to 100,000 PSI only a tiny bit compressed in volume ? But how about methane gas under 100,000 PSI ? How many multiples does it expand when released under our normal atmospheric pressures ?

In other words, released methane gas weighs almost equivalent in comparison to our atmosphere. But what does a cubic foot of methane weigh when under 100,000 PSI ?



It is said that nature abhors a vacuum. Well, we who are living above the ocean level are the vacuum relative to the tremendous pressure below. The oil and methane and God knows what else spewing out is nature equalizing that pressure. How long and how much is unknown but the sheer volume under pressure down there implies that this leakage has the capacity to destroy sea life on an epic scale. I have read that about 70% of our oxygen comes from the ocean. I look around at all the tall pine trees and other plants and am suddenly appreciative of their ability to produce oxygen.

In my shop I have a 20 ton hydraulic press. That’s 40,000 pounds per square inch. And THAT is its maximum capacity. I can squash copper pennies with this press. Now imagine 100,000 pounds per square inch; that’s 50 tons pressure. That is one amount of pressure I have read that the oil and methane gas are under in the oilcano in the Gulf of Mexico.

So do you really believe BP or the government will be able to stop the flow ? As Dirty Harry said, “Do you feel lucky, punk ?”


A thought provoking thread about bartering :

What About Bartering?
Apr 26th, 2010
Timebomb2000

Bartering. As the economy has worsened, there has been more talk of bartering. Bartering always grows in popularity in tough times, and there’s no doubt bartering will have a role in a post-collapse situation.

Bartering isn’t complex; it simply represents trading of goods and services where there is no common medium, such as money. You barter when you want or need something that someone else has. A lot of survivalists think that bartering is bad, because you should prepare to have everything you need and thus never be in a situation where you need to barter.

Well, that’s simply nonsense. No single family, let alone an individual, can possibly prepare themselves for an indefinite period of survival and anticipate every need, let alone wants. By all means you should prepare as well as possible, but pretending that you’re fully prepared is even worse, because then you’re turning a blind eye to opportunities that will arise that you can capitalize on for the benefit of yourself and your loved ones.

Food and shelter are the most basic necessities, and thus they are at the top of any preparedness list. It also means that in an emergency, these will be the items most in demand, and therefore, the best items to barter with in terms of getting an advantageous exchange.

Bartering shelter is a risky proposition. Let’s say you have lots of room and someone else needs it, but unless you know that person well and can gauge how they will act in a crisis, AND unless they have something that you want or need, bartering for shelter can be an extremely difficult proposition.

Bartering for food, on the other hand, is easy. Everyone needs it, and not everyone will have it. Just look at the crises around the world, be they man-made or natural. Getting food to survivors is always a top priority. It will be no different when the collapse happens here, and because so many Americans are woefully unprepared, there is going to be substantial demand. (Keep in mind how far most of us are from food sources and you can begin to imagine how severe the food crisis will be.)

Perhaps you have done a great job of stockpiling food and you have an excess, and you come across a family that is going without. It would be great to simply be charitable and give them food, and perhaps that’s what the situation will warrant, but in survival situations you have to be extremely careful with charity. What happens when the food runs out? If the family has something to exchange-even their labor-then you should seek to find a just exchange of goods and services. (For example, an individual might benefit from having the combined work force that a strong young family can add to a retreat location or safe house, or even just in the garden).

Of course, if you have a survival garden, livestock or another replenishable source of food that exceeds your personal needs, then you’re in a great situation because you have an unending supply of tradeable goods that will be in demand. However, be discreet with this because anyone who is perceived as having surplus in a time of need could be a target for theft or worse.

On a related note, some Christian thinkers have taught that storing excess while others suffer is immoral. The idea of having years worth of food stored away in your garage while children and the elderly are starving at the front door does present a challenge. On the other hand, I’m reminded of the instruction Joseph received to prepare Egypt for the coming famine by storing up the bounty from the seven years of plenty. Remember that in Genesis people (including Joseph’s family), came from all over to buy the grain that Egypt had so prudently stored up. I think we can conclude that there is nothing wrong with preparing for a coming disaster and even trading for goods with those that are in need. When it comes to charity, each person must decide what he is capable of doing.

Of course, you can trade all sorts of things. Many of your emergency supplies will be in demand, be those books, tools, communications equipment, medical gear, tools and basic supplies. Most of us are probably not making preparations to store things specifically with barter in mind, and very few of us will likely have enough of these items to last indefinitely anyway. However, I do know people who are now adding to their core survival stockpiles with luxury items, such as alcohol and tobacco, because of their barter value.

Finally, don’t overlook the skills you have or could acquire as a source of bartering. The wonderful thing about bartering a skill is that once you have traded it for something else, you still have it! On the other hand, you can’t store up your skills like you can a commodity. If you have a skill that will be useful in a survival or post-collapse situation, then give some consideration to how you might be able to employ that to help others and receive in exchange something you want or need. If you don’t have a skill, perhaps you should work on developing one or more that will be valuable. If you’ve been working at a desk, pushing paper around all your life, now might be a good time to develop a hobby or interest that could prove valuable later on.

Of course, those with medical, agricultural, mechanical, carpentry and construction skills will be in great demand. It will serve you well to develop some skills in these areas, and possibly another area. For example, I recently visited a third world country where they are making permanent water filter systems out of locally available materials, principally rock, gravel and sand. These water filters can take the nastiest water from a creek or river and turn it into potable water, using materials found virtually anywhere in the world. When the city water stops flowing, knowing how to produce drinkable water will be an extremely valuable skill.
Posted by ElkHollow

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=364875

=================================
There has been much written about a one world currency and a cashless society. In such an environment bartering may become a necessity rather than an optional benefit.

With this oil spill catastrophe, most are not aware that the Atlantic bluefin tuna spawn in the Gulf of Mexico. You know, where that canned tuna comes from. So, do you think the price of tuna will go up or down with what has happened ?

How long do we have before the prices begin to rise ? And the quantity available lessens ? I can only guess but even if this oilcano hadn’t occurred, the price of a can of tuna would have gone up anyway. I believe that this catastrophe will accelerate price rises and possibly limit availability.

Canned chicken and canned beef probably won’t accelerate but only rise in price as the fiat dollar loses purchasing power. Personally, I would buy cases of tuna first and the canned chicken and beef second.

Remember what happened with the rice shortage and the consequent price rises and lessened availability ?

Ponce told me that he had read that in the past in Cambodia (I think), a can of tuna was traded for an ounce of gold. Now before you go screeching out of the driveway to the local supermarket, stop and think about all the ramifications of such an action.

In the first place, that was an extreme time with its own set of unusual circumstances. Don’t count your cans of tuna as if they were ounces of gold (Silver ? Well, maybe).

In the second place, you probably won’t be trading your cans of tuna for cash or other items. Why ? Well, you want to keep on eating and living, dontcha ? However, trading for other food items may be feasible. I just don’t think that trading food for nonfood items would be wise in many cases.

Food inventory is potentially special, a highest and best use item, and to be set apart from normal bartering and horse trading. Hmmm…how can I make it more clear ?

Food and toilet paper have I neither.
Can still wipe my ass but can’t eat grass

King Midas would have agreed. All the gold in the world and can’t eat makes Jack a dead boy.

In the third place, bartering with food could get you killed if the circumstances were extreme. Just the rumor that you have food for sale could spread like wildfire. And you could have a hungry mob at your doorstep. So think about what others are feeling and thinking before you act.

Obviously the above possibilities are ones that we are most reluctant to ruminate upon because they force us to consider actions that go against the grain of all we have believed normal and just. The fact is, we are facing a world in which the good guy doesn’t win and the guy doesn’t get the girl and he doesn’t ride into the sunset and he doesn’t live happily ever after.

No, this is and has always been a world in which the most adaptable to change will have the best odds of survival and prospering. It is just that we who live in the developed world have had it too easy for too long and are now in the process of being thrust into the world on a more level playing field. Competing with others who have had to live on less than $2 a day will be devastating for many. Maybe a new TV show for the masses called “American Idle Meet The Reality Show”.

Anyway, there are some good ideas in the above Timebomb2000 thread. A desirable profession and the ability to grow food will be more important in the future than we have ever known. So having these along with bartering and horse trading skills will make the difference between penury and prosperity.

Best wishes and JMHO,

Agnut

P.S. Went to an estate sale Saturday. Had mixed feeling when I left. You see, the sale had started on Friday morning and I was only seeing what others had not wanted although many items were at giveaway prices. I did get a Proto torque wrench for 6 cents. That’s not a misprint. I also got a couple of Crescent wrenches for 6 cents each. One was a Craftsman and the other was made by Proto. Twenty new carbide cutters of various sizes for a total price of $5. Probably cost $6 to $8 each in a hardware store. Not sure; I just needed them.

There was a double axle trailer for sale for $700 that was the best construction I have ever seen. I am considering buying it and selling my smaller single axle trailer which is probably worth $600 and nowhere near as good as the new trailer. See, this is a potential trade up for a $100 cost plus registration. These trade up deals work in cars too. I have worked up into a nice car from a couple of fixer uppers.

Hope you don't mind this addition to your thread agnut:

21 Things You Should Never Buy New

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/21-Thi...62080.html?x=0

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MNeagle

Hope you don't mind this addition to your thread agnut:

21 Things You Should Never Buy New

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/21-Thi...62080.html?x=0

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Hi MNeagle. Ya beat me to it. I was going to post your article and had already copied it. There is an additional article that ties in :

20 Things You Should Never Buy Used
By Amy Lu


http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/...never-buy-used

Should make for some interesting thoughts. I've never bought used underwear but heard that Hillary donated some of Bill's for a tax writeoff. I have to wonder who the heck would want them (or to handle them without a pair of rubber gloves. Probably in a glass display belonging to some sickie).

Best wishes and your posting is most welcome. Thanks,

agnut

Hi all. This is a continuation of my post #25 where I ran on and on about the oilcano in the Gulf of Mexico. What is happening is a process and I feel that we have to watch it as well as prepare for its possible consequences.

This relief wells tapping into the main pipelines do not sound feasible to me. With that, here is a thread addressing it (particularly note post 5 and 7 by LoupGarou, a long time member of TB2000):

BP containment cap is bouncing and wobbling

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=365272

I just refilled my diesel truck and filled another 20 gallons into 5 gallon cans. I have 9 of the 55 gallon drums and have been slowly filling them. Why slowly ? Well, that costs over $1,300 and I’ve been buying more food preps and may be facing having to pay for a couple of steers (preps on the hoof; however I don’t look at my dog as a prep as some macabre person once wrote).

So my money is being allocated to what I feel is most pressing for the next few months. It is NOT precious metals. Even cash is, although I hate to say it, preferable to acquiring more precious metals at this time in history. I would have to say that food comes first, fuel second, cash third, and precious metals a distant last. Funny how time through the years has changed my thinking. But this oil catastrophe has greatly accelerated my focus on what may well become scarce or unavailable in the near future.

We have but to imagine gas and diesel becoming expensive or God forbid, unavailable in the coming months. How much do we have stockpiled and how long will it last ? How many miles do we anticipate driving for our necessities. Additionally, I have been thinking of buying a Detroit diesel generator. How much will it consume per day ? Even running it for 2 hours will use 2 gallons of diesel. That’s just to run the freezers and recharge the batteries (that I don’t have yet; or the inverter either).

So after all these years, I’m still not fully prepped for where I want to be. My heart goes out to those who have done their best and are still woefully inadequate to face a collapse.

I feel that there is some time (until there ain’t, of course) to make a concerted effort to fill in the prep gaps I see. I hope you who read this will take this advice to heart and act on it.

After all, what have you got to lose ?

Do you think that fuel will become cheaper in the coming months ?

Do you think that food will become cheaper in the coming months ?

Do you think it is going to get any better in the coming months ?

Fuel and food are powerful investments. Ponce’s saying “If you don’t hold it, you don’t own it” applies here in the way that if you hold cash or precious metals, that means that you don’t hold what they MAY buy in the future. And I say MAY because in a calamitous time, you may not be able to get what you assumed you could get when you were living in peaceful times.

Remember, I wrote a while ago that we are in WWIII right now, but it is an economic war. A battle for winning a future for yourselves and loved ones.

By the way, I have extended an invitation for 6 people living in Florida to stay with me if they need to evacuate. I don’t know if any of them will act before it is too late. And I don’t know how bad it will be. I just cannot for the life of me see how this oil gusher will stop without immense damage to the southeastern states. If what Ponce has told me is true that only 1% of the oil spilled is on the surface of the ocean, that 99% lurking below the surface will have to be dealt with in the future.

If 100,000 barrels are gushing out each day, that is about 4,200,000 gallons. And 4,200,000 gallons divided by 24 hours is 175,000 gallons per hour. And 175,000 gallons per hour divided by 60 minutes is 2,917 gallons per minute. And finally,2,917 gallons per minute divided by 60 seconds is 48.6 gallons per second.

Hey ! 48.6 gallons doesn’t sound like much now, does it ? Wouldn’t even fill one of my 55 gallon drums. But THAT is PER SECOND !

And this 48.6 gallons per second isn’t going into a storage tank; it is going into the ocean. Can you imagine what the govt would do to you of you dumped even one barrel of oil into the ocean ?

Yeah, it’s that bad !

Be aware that those few who see a potential danger and act upon it preemptively will face ridicule in the beginning but become regarded as prescient afterwards. It is merely learning to think in terms of future possibilities and weighing their likelihood against the cost of acting or not. This is why we prep in the first place, isn’t it ?

Bartering our cash for fuel and particularly food preps may be the most valuable passive deal in our lifetimes. I don’t know for sure but am not willing to take the risk of being wrong.

This post is a heads up that I hope will help us all in putting into perspective the magnitude of the ongoing catastrophe.

Best wishes,

Agnut

Thanks Agnut!

I thought I'd post an upcoming Huge Yardsale for anyone in the area. It is 675 miles from Hudson, Michigan to Gadston, Alabama. It's always the first weekend in August. This year is Aug. 5-8. The sale includes entire towns, big fields, any open spots. Some of the route is much better then others. You can find almost anything at this sale.

www.127yardsale.com

I also thought I'd mention a few tips from a Seller to all you Buyers out there. This goes for any paid booth, gunshow, fleamarket, yardsale, or consumer trade show. Take what you like, it's just from my experience:

• Don't approach a vendor with a low-ball offer if another Customer is standing right there. I may sell you that item for that price, If we're alone. Be patient for deals.

• Don't offer a ridiculously low price and then only want One of them. If I have 500 of them, I'm more likely to give you a Deal on several. If you see a specialized booth or table, not a bunch of random stuff, this is where you can get some good quantity Deals. Get on your cell phone and find your friends to share with, to get your price way down.

• Think before you talk with the vendor. If you "used to" make your own and tell that to the vendor, they'll immediately think "So? (assole)". If you're thinking of buying some of what you "used" to make, then compliment them on the Quality while you mention making your own.

• Nice goes a long way. I'm more likely to cut a deal to someone that really needs/wants/likes something then someone that walks up and throws cash and growls. Sometimes someone darts in with a low offer, gets a no and darts out. We call them Kamikazes. Stand there, talk and negotiate!!

• Talk in a low voice when you're asking for "no tax" at some of these venues. The tax people are all around actually checking the vendors. Of course it's negotiable!

Have fun at the summer sales!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EdgeCrusher

Agnut, after reading this entire thread I felt compelled to give thanks to you for providing your insight and profound depth of knowledge on preparedness as well as the overall global picture we are all facing.

I am also in the camp that believes the most valuable commodity at this time is food. Also, everyone should own a Katadyn Pocket water filter or something in equivalent quality. That unit alone is capable of filtering over 10k gallons of water in favorable conditions.

A good quality (coleman) portable propane stove/grill w/griddle attachment and atleast 50 canisters of 16.4oz of propane will be priceless in the coming future. One of the best choices for cooking low key combined with a Stainless Steel thermos for efficiency.

I always keep my vehicle filled up with gas. If it goes below 3/4 of a tank, it's time to hit the gas station again.

As far as bartering is concerned, I will be taking the advice in this thread and stocking the most essential supplies that I can find at discount.

One last note. I hear a lot about toilet paper as a necessity but no one is mentioning baby wipes. Not only are they more space efficient, but the better quality kind is also useful for cleaning multiple items due to being more resistant to tear apart. No water needed to clean greasy hands if you are mechanically inclined as well.

And by all means.. people...whatever you do...do not forget to buy a fly swatter.

---

Hi EdgeCrusher; good advice. Food preps are at the top of my list at this time. Now when I do my local shopping, I buy by the case. The Costco trips are by the truckload or as much as I can afford.

I have the AquaRain unit and have used it for years. Also a couple of the Katadyn pocket water filters for backup, even though I have a good well on my property.

Like saying “Buy enough food for as long as you will want to eat”, “Buy enough T.P. for as long as you want to wipe”. I would expect that it will be great trading material later. But you would have to have lots and lots since you would need it yourself. If not, you would surely experience “seller’s regret”. Butt of the joke or joke of the butt ? Your call.

You’re so right; the baby wipes are good for a quick cleanup, especially where water is scarce.

Many years ago I bought a Coleman stove that works with unleaded gasoline. A Y2K prep. I still have it new in the box. Ya never know what fuels will be available in the future. Also got a solar oven but have only tested it a couple of times. Boiled water but don’t know how it will perform in winter. Used in conjunction with a thermos, I could slow cook beans or rice. No fire, no fuel needed.



This article appeared the other day. In past months I’ve been seeing some warnings that food prices will be going up dramatically soon. So my harping on food accumulation doesn’t seem so iffy now. Especially with the oilcano in the Gulf of Mexico and what it portends for future food production. A win-win action; that is, if you ACT !


“Lack Of Food Is Going To Start Playing Havoc”

USDA Reports Food Shortages: Wall Street 'Caught Off Guard' by Severity
Published on 07-02-2010


By Eric Blair - BLN Contributing Writer

Several recent headlines indicate that food prices will continue their swift climb upward. These troubling new reports show that agriculture production and stored grains are critically low and experts are now predicting food shortages.

Look at a few of today's mainstream headlines: Drought threatens global rice supply in the India Times; VA farmers say heat taking toll on crops, Associated Press; Severe food shortage follows lack of rainfall in Syria; and, finally, Corn prices bolt as USDA downsizes crop estimates, which states that, "Commodity professionals were caught off guard Wednesday by a U.S. Department of Agriculture report showing 1 million fewer acres of corn planted this year than earlier projected, and almost 300 million fewer bushels of corn in storage." And these articles don't begin to address crops being damaged by the toxic rain from the Gulf oil disaster.

We are back to recession economics and rapidly heading toward a deeper, longer “Third Depression.” With all recent economic indicators setting new record lows and deficits at record highs, this ship is only going one way folks, down, down to Chinatown. This WTC-Building 7-style-controlled-demolition of the U.S. economy has long been engineered by the borderless banksters and will likely continue to collapse at the rate of free-fall gravity. With all of the manufactured confusion it may be difficult to know where best to invest your limited assets, but it seems to be clear that Food is on the march.

Depressions are caused when capital is removed from the economy and that large sucking sound you hear is your money being vacuumed out of your pockets into the banksters' coffers. The shakedown went like this: they bet big, got fat, then lost thousands of times more than everything real on earth combined, then representatives of the serfs gave them all of the serfs’ money they need (including bonuses) to re-stimulate the economy.

Well, our money is NOT flowing back into the economy as promised, and it will not be flowing back into the economy anytime soon. With nothing but crumbs left for the peasants, deflation is happening to durable goods and paper assets (of which real estate has become), while the cost of human necessity is rapidly inflating.

There were several trend forecasters and financial firms predicting upwards of $200/barrel of oil before the Gulf oil gusher. The “analysts” said this would occur because of the perception of scarcity and a weakening dollar. The oil disaster and the subsequent outrage at Big Oil will surely take care of selling the perception of scarcity, while the Federal Reserve and Congress will surely take care of weakening the dollar.


We’ve seen this Beta test before when oil prices reached their peak of $147 in 2008 sending the price of food to the stratosphere. Food staples like rice nearly tripled in six months and at times increased 50% in just two weeks primarily because of record oil prices and a weak dollar in 2008. During this run up on prices, big box stores like Sam's Club and Costco were rationing the number of bags of rice customers could buy. You can bet that Food Crisis Beta 2.010 will be far more severe.

This third factor of actual Food Scarcity, coupled with high oil prices and a feeble dollar, will multiply the severity of increasing food prices. Whether this scarcity is being engineered to further cull the population or is a genuine imbalance in supply and demand is not important. The fact is that this reality that is playing out in the matrix and this triple-threat to food costs creates an opportunity for the serfs to soften the recessionary blow, and perhaps offer some economic freedom.

You don’t have to be an “End Times survivalist” to believe storing food is a pragmatic practice. Everyone with expendable cash can and should design a good food storage and rotation system and buy bulk food as an investment. Many rationalists are touting guns, ammo, and gold as good small-scale investments given the despicable agenda unfolding in our matrix. Certainly those are critical investments in an economy dwindled to the rationing of necessity, but not everyone is into guns or can afford bundles of gold. And gold, at the end of the day, can only be traded for necessity.

These recent food alerts seem to indicate that food may be the best short-term investment for the “Average Joe.” It's simple, if the retail price of rice doubles as it did in 2008, then you (the investor) make 100% return in something that's immediately tangible. It’s time to pay the tax penalty to cash out your mediocre "I-bought-in-to-the-American-Dream" 401K and invest in Food!

http://www.roguegovernment.com/USDA_...17/17/Y/M.html

Gotta run; a family get together.

Best wishes,

Agnut

P.S. I would like to post all of the past years of the bartering and horse trading thread from the old GIM website but have been overwhelmed lately. And reviewing it all in order to post it is a huge task. I think life will slow down after I am dead; I hope so.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BabushkaLady

Thanks Agnut!

I thought I'd post an upcoming Huge Yardsale for anyone in the area. It is 675 miles from Hudson, Michigan to Gadston, Alabama. It's always the first weekend in August. This year is Aug. 5-8. The sale includes entire towns, big fields, any open spots. Some of the route is much better then others. You can find almost anything at this sale.

www.127yardsale.com

I also thought I'd mention a few tips from a Seller to all you Buyers out there. This goes for any paid booth, gunshow, fleamarket, yardsale, or consumer trade show. Take what you like, it's just from my experience:

• Don't approach a vendor with a low-ball offer if another Customer is standing right there. I may sell you that item for that price, If we're alone. Be patient for deals.

• Don't offer a ridiculously low price and then only want One of them. If I have 500 of them, I'm more likely to give you a Deal on several. If you see a specialized booth or table, not a bunch of random stuff, this is where you can get some good quantity Deals. Get on your cell phone and find your friends to share with, to get your price way down.

• Think before you talk with the vendor. If you "used to" make your own and tell that to the vendor, they'll immediately think "So? (assole)". If you're thinking of buying some of what you "used" to make, then compliment them on the Quality while you mention making your own.

• Nice goes a long way. I'm more likely to cut a deal to someone that really needs/wants/likes something then someone that walks up and throws cash and growls. Sometimes someone darts in with a low offer, gets a no and darts out. We call them Kamikazes. Stand there, talk and negotiate!!

• Talk in a low voice when you're asking for "no tax" at some of these venues. The tax people are all around actually checking the vendors. Of course it's negotiable!

Have fun at the summer sales!

---

Hi BabushkaLady. Excellent advice; you sound like an old hand at bartering and horse trading.

We don’t have swap meets closer than an hour’s drive from here. I used to attend them when I lived in southern California several years ago and I miss them. Actually, you have made me think about going to the extra effort and seeing what is offered; could be some great bargains I am missing. I wish I had more time but I have my dance card filled with the last three times when I was at a moving sale and an estate sale from a home, I had my one ton truck loaded to the gills. The last sale I was so loaded that even the passenger seat was stacked with goodies that I could hardly see out of the right side mirror.

Not to take anything away from swap meets but I have never bought many items at one time. Look at what others leaving swap meets have and many are empty handed and others have only a few items in hand or in their pull wagons.

Perhaps selling your acquired items at a swap meet would be the place to get the best prices. And buying a few bargains from other sellers before the meet begins could increase your profits. I have done this and it works well.

My point is, time is money and the time spent at a swap meet is far greater than at a moving sale or estate sale. Sometimes I am able to get used items that would cost $2,000 if they were new for as little as about $100. And do this in a matter of a couple of hours.

I’m 63 years old and am still learning to use my time wisely. Much of my activities are guided by compressing my time in bartering and horse trading so that I have as much free time to relax and think and plan. And goof off. A favorite old cowboy saying/observation of another person is, “He’s going so fast that he’s passing up more than he’s catching up to”.

In my opinion, there is another opportunity that is even better than moving sales and estate sales. And that is buying out inventories of defunct companies. I have done it a few times and the percent return has been phenomenal. Problem is, it isn’t that easy to find these sales. Sometimes word of mouth or an ad in the paper. But I believe that if one were to search out where these inventory sales occurred, one could make a fortune.

One way may be to advertise in the newspapers that they are buying business inventories and see who calls. Most of them could be qualified on the phone without having to leave home.

Another may be to advertise “Buying Estates, Have cash”. Old folks are passing on or moving to a retirement home all the time and their children often just want the property cleaned out so that they can either rent or sell the place. Not that you have to be searching the local obituaries like a vulture but someone HAS to clean up the piles of a lifetime accumulation. It might as well be you. This sounds like a full time business and it may be if you get well known in your area. Maybe it would be a good idea to read the obits and contact the family and let them know that you are in the business of cleaning out a house and garage. I don’t know; I’ve never tried it. In such questionable situations we must turn the tables and ask ourselves how we would feel if our parents had just passed away and if we were contacted by someone offering to buy and clean out the old homestead. Some may be upset and some may be grateful; I don’t know. A matter to be handled delicately.

Another source would be to talk to a local realtor and ask them what they do when an inherited/foreclosed property is placed in their hands and who cleans out the contents and who cleans up the place and gets it ready for sale or rent. I understand that house cleanup that includes painting, patching drywall, yard work and other repairs pays very well in such situations. Banks taking foreclosures could be another opportunity. Contact them; what have you got to lose ?

Here’s a great thread on bartering items :

“Pseudo-Currency: Items You Can Trade Like Cash Or Use Yourself if the Balloon Goes Up”

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showt...c9b81&t=365804


There are events happening throughout our lives. Most are relatively innocuous; that is to say, challenging events from which we can and do deal with in order to continue. And once in a great while there are those events that are insurmountable; there seems to be no viable solution. Our unbacked fiat currency collapsing could be one, the ongoing oil disaster in the gulf of Mexico could be another. The thing is, we must adapt to whatever happens with all the knowledge and wisdom that we can.

Now if I were living near the gulf of Mexico I would have already made plans and be in the process of getting away from the area. Not just a couple of hundred of miles away because if this spill continues, there will be millions of evacuees. I would expect most of them to not move more than a couple of hundred miles away. No, I would relocate somewhere as far away as I could. Somewhere like Oregon, Northern California (not my favorite), or Washington. I would be thinking of these millions evacuating and putting an incredible strain on the resources of the adjoining couple of hundred miles area. Think about it; will these newly overcrowded areas be happy areas in which to live ? Will there be jobs available ? Water ? Sewage ? And what evacuating family would have the resources to buy a house or even rent a house and continue their lives. I envision millions of refugees. And as their name implies, they will need a refuge in which to live. I have read it estimated that there may be as many as 40 million who will have to evacuate. That is about one eighth of the U.S. population !

Are you getting the picture of the enormity of the situation ? Well, since the well blew up on April 20, we are in the 12th week with perhaps 5 more weeks until the relief wells supposedly stop the leak. And do you really think they will be successful ? Sadly, I don’t. Besides, there are fissures on the sea floor leaking oil also, some as much as 10 miles away from the blown out well. Will they be able to stop these one mile undersea leaks too ? How do you stop a volcano on land ? Right ! You don’t because you can’t.

My point is that we should be preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. BUT let us not rationalize that this disaster will go away. That would be an extreme case of hope and change (for the better). Wiser to think of it as hopeless and change for the worse. No apologies to campaign promises of hope and change. A politician’s promise is mere flatulence.

I know most folks don’t believe that this oil disaster will destroy the U.S. as we have known it. I am only stating that it has the potential to destroy the U.S. as we have known it. If mass evacuation becomes necessary or mandatory, it will mark the beginning of serious changes for us all. We live on a spider’s web of interconnectivity and a vibration goes out to all areas. And a tear in the web (such as diminished food production) decreases our security, even though it occurred all the way on the far side of the web. Ask not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

As I wrote before, I have an open invitation for 6 people (4 family and two friends) in Florida to stay here with my family. I am surprised that none of them see the potential danger as I do. Maybe I am premature in my concerns but I know that if evacuations are enforced, it would be chaotic and dangerous. The best way to avoid a fight is to not be there in the first place.

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 27:12

On a personal note, my transmission business has been totally dead for the last few weeks. Not even a phone call. And this is supposed to be the busiest time of the year. I’ve talked with others in the business and it is dead all around. In my 40 years I’ve never seen anything like it. So beware that we may have fallen off the cliff and haven’t felt the impact coming. If this be the case, cash may be becoming very hard to come by; much harder than usual. This may be the time to gather all the cash in hand that you can. I don’t trust fiat cash (no duh) but it is a necessary evil for now and all that the general population understand.

Best wishes,

Agnut


P.S. Here’s another nickel metal content change article. The following months may be the last chance to acquire bricks of real nickels at face value. Much better than holding paper dollars in my opinion.

Obama Plan to Make Cheaper Coins Criticized by Businesses

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/05...inesses/print/

Hey Agnut, I am glad you started this thread up again. It is nice to read something that makes you think as opposed to reading something that tells you what to think.

The USA as we know it is over. The crash started so slowly that it couldn't be seen and is now escalating towards terminal velocity. A couple of recent signs that I don't think you mentioned that show the acceleration of the crash are:

unemployment insurance not being extended for millions of people
cops being fired

Both of these events are big news. Both mean an increase in crime. It will be like a
pebble dropped in a pond, the ripple will affect many more than those from the initial event.

Cops being fired is one of the last things TPTB want to do, because they know what the cops job really is.

Another thing to consider, is that there is now a new group of unemployed people on the street. A group that is aggressive, trained, and is already dabbling in crime to a small degree. How much will it take for them to go feral?

Hi Agnut! Check out this story of a teen bartering his way from a cell phone to a Porsche!

Teen Trades up on Craigslist from Phone to Porsche in 2 Years

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bullfrog

Hey Agnut, I am glad you started this thread up again. It is nice to read something that makes you think as opposed to reading something that tells you what to think.

The USA as we know it is over. The crash started so slowly that it couldn't be seen and is now escalating towards terminal velocity. A couple of recent signs that I don't think you mentioned that show the acceleration of the crash are:

unemployment insurance not being extended for millions of people
cops being fired

Both of these events are big news. Both mean an increase in crime. It will be like a
pebble dropped in a pond, the ripple will affect many more than those from the initial event.

Cops being fired is one of the last things TPTB want to do, because they know what the cops job really is.

Another thing to consider, is that there is now a new group of unemployed people on the street. A group that is aggressive, trained, and is already dabbling in crime to a small degree. How much will it take for them to go feral?

---

Hi Bullfrog thanks and welcome here. Yes, I have been reading about the police layoffs, the most recent the 80 layoffs in Oakland. Getting more obvious that we citizens are on our own, isn’t it ?

The huge number of unemployed who are now about to cease receiving their checks will next be running out of any backup resources (if they have any, that is ). So the first to go into financial shock will be those hanging by their nails. And the rest as they run out of savings. It is much like having preps stored away. The more you have, the longer the time until you are in desperate straits too. This is why 3 years of preps is advised; and that may not be enough for 3 years and one week. So much depends upon how long and deep this financial disaster continues. Reports of late have been very depressing and downright scary; at least for the masses of folks who haven’t a clue of what is in store.

These unemployed folks of whom I have read that they number from a million to 1.3 million (not sure) will be desperate and looking for any opportunity to continue. Many will double up with family or friends. Some will find part time work under the table in order to feed themselves. These people knew that their checks wouldn’t continue forever so they developed a plan (or should have); whether to find a job or to find sources of income under the table or to live so frugally that they needed little income. I don’t mean to sound trite but there is a number of possibilities and those who are not resourceful enough will devolve to their level of facing their financial situation. Not all of them but many will become an outward reflection of their inner being.

Apparently it has been voted to continue their unemployment for a while longer (until the elections ?). So the above scenario won’t be taking place now. But it is instructive to be aware of the effects afterwards so that we can anticipate and prepare for when it does happen.

The unemployed are different as a group than the welfare group. Now think if there were millions of welfare folks suddenly not receiving their checks. I would expect them to go feral, and quickly too, rather than the newly cut off unemployed. Also, the welfare group have been living under the belief that the government will take care of them forever. And that the world owes them a living. Not all of them; I’m just saying that many of them have a dangerous attitude and will be taking out their being cut off welfare on the surrounding populace. First a looting within their areas and next a spilling out into the suburban areas. This is why it is wise to have a bug out place when the shit hits the fan. And even that is not guaranteed since martial law may be declared and travel restricted. Nobody knows for certain how this will play out since there are so many variables. Who knew 6 months ago that the Gulf of Mexico would become a disaster zone ? And possible war in the middle east.

Here’s a short blurb about what is going on in the minds of American shoppers :

Full-Fledged Disciples of the New Frugality

Deloitte KnowledgeCo LLC and Harrison Group are out with a new report, "The 2010 American Pantry Study," detailing the results of a recent poll of U.S. consumers. Contrary to the expectations of Wall Street traders and ivory tower economists, it doesn't look like average Joes (and Janes) will be returning to their old ways anytime soon. According to Deloitte/Harrison,

over 40 percent of all American consumers in our survey have been directly affected by the recession – lost jobs, pay cuts or reduced hours. Furthermore, it seems as if everybody in America knows several other people who have been affected directly. The effect of these events over the 28 months of the Great Recession have bit deep into the American psyche.

In fact, if the following key findings are any guide, it appears that a sizable majority of Americans are now full-fledged disciples of the new frugality:

* 93% expect to continue spending cautiously even when the economy improves
* 92% have made some kind of change in their pantry-related shopping habits
* 89% feel they have become more resourceful because of the economy
* 84% have become a lot more precise in what they buy
* 81% find it fun to see how much they can save with coupons or loyalty cards
* 55% of those cutting back suffered no decline in income, but simply felt they “should be” cutting back


http://www.financialarmageddon.com/

Look carefully at those statistics and notice that the general population has already dramatically changed how they spend money and save. Big ticket expenditures such as appliances, autos and cruise vacations have dropped considerably.

Within the last year or so I have noticed a huge increase in garage sale and estate sale attendance. Late model cars and well dressed buyers too. And dealers and resellers are showing up early to scoop up the best bargains. The whole playing field has changed and consequently some of the rules. For instance, group buying of items for a discount may not work as well. But keep on trying anyway. Also, attending a sale just before closing time may not pay off as before. Why ? Because many of the good items have been picked over by a larger number of buyers. The oft offered “half prices on everything an hour before closing time” may yield only a pile of junk that nobody wanted. So get there early and often. And be ready to buy on the spot. He who hesitates loses.

Last week there was a nearby community garage sale. I went to several and picked up some bargains but the best one was a professional model Stihl weed wacker. The owner said that it ran well but slowed down and stopped. He was right, it does. Probably something simple like a return vent from the fuel tank. I got it for $5 and the retail new price is $392 with tax. How could I go wrong ?

Today I got a diesel generator. It is powered by a 4 cylinder engine made by Isuzu (C210). I have to wire it up but it cost only $230 delivered. Just a project toy for when I get the time.

Another recent project is the cow and steer out in the field. They are beefalo, half cow and half buffalo. Their father weighs 2,400 pounds so they should be getting huge in a couple of years. Preps on the hoof, I guess.

Recently got a 1972 VW poptop camper with 2 engines. It has 98K original miles and is straight and rust free. It needs paint and mechanical work but the basics are there. Price ? How about $300 worth of my labor in a trade out ?

And to top that, my son got a Reinell 18 foot boat with an 80 HP Mercury outboard and an almost new galvanized trailer. It even had an anchor. Price ? How about free ? The old owner just wanted it out of his yard. Seems unbelievable but true.

I’m not bragging here; my purpose is to get you motivated to look around for your own hot deals. Now is a time of great changes and as a result, many items that wouldn’t ordinarily be offered are up for grabs.

Best wishes,

Agnut

15 Things You Shouldn't Be Paying For

So much money and energy is wasted on things we could get for free. If you're into new, shiny things and collecting stuff, this is not for you. But if you want less clutter in your life and want to keep more of your money, then check out these 15 things you shouldn't be paying for.

[Slideshow: 8 Painless Ways to Save Money.]

Basic Computer Software - Thinking of purchasing a new computer? Think twice before you fork over the funds for a bunch of extra software. There are some great alternatives to the name brand software programs. The most notable is OpenOffice, the open-source alternative to those other guys. It's completely free and files can be exported in compatible formats.

Your Credit Report - You don't have to pay for your credit report. You could sign up for one of the free credit monitoring services online to get a quick look at your credit report. You just have to remember to cancel the service before the end of the free trial. Or you could do one better and visit www.annualcreditreport.com, the only truly free place to see all three of your credit reports for free once a year.

Cell Phone - The service plan may be expensive, but the phone itself doesn't have to cost a thing. Most major carriers will give you a free phone, even a free smart phone, with a 2 year contract.

Books - There's a cool place in your town that's renting out books for free: the library. Remember that place? Stop by and put your favorite book on reserve. And if you don't feel like getting out, visit www.paperbackswap.com and find your books there (small shipping fees apply).

Water - Besides the monthly utility bill, there's no reason to shell out $1 for every bottle of water you drink. Bottled water is so last decade anyway. We're over it, and into tap, filters, and reusable water bottles. It's cheaper for you and better for the environment.

Credit Card - With as many credit cards as there are available on the market today, it's easy to avoid a credit card with an annual fee. Unless you're dead set on a particular perk that a fee card brings, skip the annual fee card and pocket that money yourself.

Debt Reduction Help - Speaking of credit cards, if you're in over your head with credit card help, there are many free sources you can turn to for help with your debt. No one is going to be able to magically wipe away your debts, but there is help out there that will set you up on a debt reduction plan you can handle. Start with a visit to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Basic Tax Preparation - If your tax situation isn't that complicated, then you should probably be preparing your own tax return using one of the many free online services. It's now common for e-filing to be free as well with many services. You won't even need a stamp.

The News - Leave it to a blogger to try and kill off traditional print. I'm not anti-newspaper. I just don't find them practical anymore. Skip the daily .50 cents and get your news online. And for you dedicated coupon clippers, you can get most of your Sunday coupons online now too.

[Visit the US News Personal Finance site for more insight and money management tips.]

Budgeting Tools - There are many budgeting tools (both online and desktop) that offer up the service for free. Don't ask me how they do this, but who cares. If you're looking to reign in some of your spending, the good news is you can do it for free.

Pets - This is a controversial one, I know. But there are likely many pets down at your local animal shelter that could use just as much love as the pure-bred types. There may be a small fee due to the shelter for shots and basic care, but you'll have your pet home without paying a mini-fortune.

Shipping - If you like to buy online, you probably use coupons to get a percentage off of your purchase. Take your skills to the next level and look for coupons or promotion codes that offer free shipping. If in doubt, visit a site like www.freeshipping.org.

Checking Account - Isn't it nice when a bank takes your money, lends it out to earn money, and then has the audacity to charge you for the service? What a joke. Checking should be free. If yours isn't free then move to one of the many banks that offers a checking account for free. And the same can be said for ATM fees, teller fees, and checks.

DVD Rentals - Did you know that you can rent DVDs from RedBox locations for $1 a night? And better yet, if you use one of the coupon codes from www.insideredbox.com you can avoid the $1 charge. Free DVD rentals! Most libraries now have free DVD rental as well.

Exercise - Skip the expensive gym memberships. Visit your local park for a walk or run. Do basic push-up and sit-up programs in your living room. Rent a workout DVD from the library. There are many free workout programs you can download online as well.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20100...dntbepayingfor

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Originally Posted by DMac

Hi Agnut! Check out this story of a teen bartering his way from a cell phone to a Porsche!

Teen Trades up on Craigslist from Phone to Porsche in 2 Years

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Hi Dmac and thanks for the great article. Obviously it shows what can be done with determination and effort. This young man is not a rocket scientist; just a high school student with a dream. I wonder how many who read the article have reflected what THEY are doing with their dreams; or if they have even identified their dreams. I think we all have dreams from time to time but with all of the distractions in today‘s world, most everyone allows themselves to devolve rather than evolve. It is so much easier to come home after work and sit down and watch the boob tube until passing out. It has been said that the TV is a most effective tool to turn gray matter into brown matter.

To succeed we must change habits and prioritize what is centrally important. Sure, there are lots of things we can and must do in our daily lives. But once you have your bartering and horse trading skills down pat, you can pick and choose when you want to make and save money. If life is temporarily too demanding, you can plan for a day in the future when you have the time to go forth and seek. I know it sounds all too simple but it actually is all too simple and that may be the reason that so many reject just how it will open up their lives. The “too good to be true” syndrome.

Here’s a recent example of how things can open up in the course with dealing with people. We recently got the contract to pick up fruits and vegetables from a local supermarket. It is about a 500 pound load three times a week. We have two beefalo and a dozen chickens and we feed them what we can’t use. And boy, are they getting spoiled rotten (though the veggies and fruit aren’t). The rest we use ourselves and give away to folks who can use the financial relief, especially families with children.

What I can’t understand is that what we pick up is in large shipping boxes and the fruit is usually at its peak ripeness. The vegetables are also excellent. I heard that this has been going on for many, many years but suspect it will end in the not too distant future. Too much of a good thing doesn’t usually last for long. And that is why we are prepping and freezing as much as we can right now.

Anyway, one of the people we began giving the fruits and veggies to mentioned that he was working on a friend’s boat and needed an outdrive. I happen to have the one he needs and he plans to pick it up later this week. Deals sometimes seem to come out of nowhere. But that is not entirely true. What is foundational is that you have to be out there, meeting with folks and taking notes. And the more you do, the greater your opportunities will be. Enough lecturing Agnut; you’re starting to sound like a pushy parent. It is just that I am so excited and happy to have found such a fun and profitable activity that I can’t help myself in trying to pass it on. As I have written before, this is life changing stuff.

Last Saturday I had lined up 4 garage sales to attend. The first one turned out to be a huge estate sale run by a group of ladies that just wanted as much out of there as possible. The ad in the paper made no mention that it was an estate sale (my favorite type). I got power saws and an industrial drill and several tool for a pittance. I happened to ask if they had any vinyl records. The lady brightened up and took me inside the house where the other buyers had not yet entered. There were over 150 old albums in racks. Mostly country western but several old rock and roll albums. I asked her how much for all of them and she said, “How about $20 ?” I said fine. Then she said she had to clear it with another doing the selling. She came back and said that he wanted $50; would that be too much ? I didn’t answer but my body language spoke for me. She then asked if $30 would be okay. I said sure and she helped me load it into my truck. When I got home I checked out the values in one of my record catalog. One was $100 and several were anywhere from $60 to $20. The rest were from $10 to $20. A few I couldn’t identify. Now I know I won’t be able to just put these records on Ebay and make a fortune. Anything for sale needs a buyer; there may be no buyers. Also, the catalog prices are way, way above what I would expect to get for my albums. But I believe that someday they stand a chance of being in demand. Some of the records are over 60 years old and the only other way to have the music is on tape or CDs. I wonder how many vinyl records have survived for 60 years in good condition. Remember, vinyl records are somewhat delicate and can be ruined easily and then they lose all of their value. Well, except for skeet shooting maybe. So to acquire over 150 albums for 20 cents each didn’t seem to be much of a risk. Besides, my family and I will enjoy them before selling them; if we ever do sell them, that is.

Also got 28 DVD movies for 75 cents each. I’ve seen others selling their DVDs on Craigslist for about $3 each. Could be a moneymaker for you; I don’t know.

A brand new waffle iron for $5. A thousand feet of small nylon cord for free. Garden tools for 25 cents. And the list goes on.

Best wishes,

agnut

“Making money is a hobby that will compliment any other hobbies that you have, beautifully.”
Scott Alexander

“Living in the lap of luxury isn't bad, except that you never know when luxury is going to stand up”
Orson Welles

Hi Mneagle, great post. I always love seeing ways to save the money we DO have in our hot little hands.

It seems as time passes, there are more and more passive deals and less active deals to be had, so my focus has been changing to keep on top of this.

For some of you who haven’t read my past posts, passive bartering and horse trading is in the form of saving money when we buy things we need and want. Active horse trading is going out there in search of deals that we may resell and make a profit.

By the way, the free fruits and vegetables I wrote about in my last post are piling up in my truck and kitchen (over 600 pounds). And tomorrow we have to pick up another 500 pounds. And Saturday, about another 1,000 pounds. Some problem, eh ? I have been thinking about getting another heifer beefalo (for breeding) but I don’t know how long this cornucopia will continue. If it stops suddenly and I have three cows to feed I will have to buy much more feed. By the way I just heard from someone who raises Alpacas that the big commercial hay fields are in a bad way and some are predicting that hay this winter could rise to $18 a bale. I just paid $4 a bale for 90 bales so I am okay but what about the folks who aren’t stocked up with hay by now ? Just another case of seeing potential future problems and addressing them NOW.

Now look, I am most certainly NOT writing about this bounty dropped in our laps to brag but rather to show you who read this that the very same opportunity may be available in your neighborhood. I don’t know; that is for you to research out. Be sure you tell the produce manager that you have animals to feed. I have cows and chickens. Pigs and goats would be good too.

You may be able to talk to the produce manager of you local supermarket and strike a deal. You might even kick him a few bucks or a gift to sweeten the deal. With what we have spent in the past on fruits and vegetables, I figure I save about $1,500 per year or more. And that’s in AFTER tax dollars which means I would have to make about $2,000 in wages before taxes. Something to think seriously about. Also as a result of this, we are eating a lot more fruits and vegetables, therefore a much healthier diet. Hard to put a value on that but it is huge in my book. Our freezers are already packed to the top and we need another freezer if we are to keep any more fruits and veggies.

Even the many heavy card boxes we get may be flattened and sold to a recycler. I haven’t checked that out yet. We had been throwing away our steel to a local wrecking yard but have lately discovered that we can get about $150 per ton for short steel. Not a lot for a truck load but when we have to drive into the city, might as well load up and at least make it pay for gas, wear and tear on the truck and lunch. See, like the steel, the cardboard may also work similarly. More to think about.

MNeagle, some great suggestions. But if I may, I’d like to comment on them and give my viewpoint.

Computer software. I’m not into computers and am a self proclaimed idiot where they are concerned. I’m a big help here, huh ?

Your credit report. Good advice for many. But I avoid credit like the plague and have no debts. Cash and carry or bartering.

Cell phone. I have a 2 year contract and got a second phone for $10 extra a month. Still a great bargain.

Books. True, the library is a wonderful resource. And with the library network, you can order books from other libraries. For free, too ! I have hundreds of books and refer to them from time to time but they do take up space and require caring for. I bought most of them for a quarter to a dollar. So if I want to sell them at a garage sale, I may even make a profit. Probably a wash though although some folks make a living selling books online. Check out ABEbooks.com where there are millions of books for sale. I bought a book for $2 that was listed for over $150 on ABEbooks. Something to think about if you have a mind to. HaHa, I just wrote that and realized that it could be taken either way. Simple minds are easily amused (especially mine).

Water. I have a well and we fill old 2 liter Coke bottles for when we travel. And our water has no chlorine or fluoride. You might find someone who has a well and fill up at their place. Just a suggestion.

Credit card. I only use a debit card. No fees or interest. If the money isn’t in the bank, I don’t spend it.

Debt reduction help. That sounds like a good one. I have read that some debts can be negotiated for a far lower payoff.

Basic tax preparation. Good idea if your financial life is simple. If complicated however, a good accountant can be worth his weight in gold (or silver at least).

The News. I get the local paper, about $50 a year. Comes twice a week and has many bargains in the classifieds, free items and garage and estate sales. So in my case, it is highly profitable.

Budgeting tools. I’m 63 and if I can’t run a tight budget by now, I never will. But for those just starting out, a strict budgeting plan may set them on the right path at an early age. Good for them if they do.

Pets. We got our dog at the animal shelter and she is an absolute gem. Couldn’t ask for a smarter or more lovable dog. And so protective; she thinks she owns the property and chases off the deer and birds. Also a good gopher getter.

Shipping. True, like on Ebay when the seller offers free or cheap shipping. And if you are bidding on multiple items, email the seller beforehand if they will offer a package price for multiple items won. I have done this for years, both buying and selling. When selling, I have learned that buyers will bid up items higher and more aggressively if your sale stated that you do not charge any extra for multiple winners. I used to do this with antique jewelry and it worked like a charm (pun intended). By the way, if you are selling books, the post office rate is dirt cheap. You have to let them know that it is books of course.

Checking account. My bank doesn’t charge for a checking account, only for the check printing. I don’t keep much money in there anyway so if we have a “bank holiday” I wouldn’t lose much. Don’t you just love that expression ? A holiday for whom ? What a steaming pile of propaganda. But I digress…

DVD rentals. Good idea; we use Redbox for the recent releases. But in my last post I mentioned that I had just bought 28 DVDs for 75 cents each. This winter we will be watching them and afterwards we can either add them to our library or sell them for a profit. They sell for $2 to $3 at garage sales. I get mine cheap because I negotiate with the sellers for a quantity buy. They are glad to get rid of many at a time rather than wait to sell in dribs and drabs. Their loss; my gain. My last two big buys I got over 150 DVDs and paid less that a dollar each. Some great stuff in there too; I only buy what I want to watch. I must have over 800 DVDs and hundreds of prerecorded videotapes. Don’t discount the videotapes either. I get them for 50 cents to a quarter. They aren’t as good to resell but at that price, you could even give them away after you are through watching them. I get lots of Disney videotapes and give then away to friends for their children. Good PR and fun to do.

Exercise. Good advice but I get all the exercise I can handle building transmissions and taking care of our acreage. Lots of walking, feeding animals and hauling stuff around.

I hope this helps. I am an opinionated SOB (almost as much as Ponce HaHa) and have learned that there aren’t many money saving ideas that cannot be improved upon. YMMV

Now I know that dental work can be very expensive. You may be in a low enough income bracket to qualify and not know it, so check it out. I pay $40 for a cleaning or Xray or tooth filling. Sometimes my dentist will fill two teeth for the appointment, costing me only $20 per filling. They don’t do root canals, crowns or dental plates but do refer patients to specialists who work for cheap rates. Check and see if there is such a deal in your area.

Next I’d like to talk about a small savings; a very small savings. Twice a year we haul our trash to the dump. It costs 7 cents a pound. The last time I had over a half ton and had to pay over $70. Now if I were to burn my paper trash and collect the glass jars for recycling I could probably cut my bill in half. And perhaps have to go to the dump one time a year. So I would save $70 per year and one trip to the dump which blows most of the day. Is it worth it ? Well, it is to me because a whole day saved to do something else is precious; you can’t buy time itself unless you really use your head for something other than a hat rack.

Most of you probably aren’t as stupid as me and don’t smoke. But if you do you can make your own cigarettes for as little as about $2 a pack. If you smoke a pack a day which costs about $5, that would work out to a savings of $1,095 per year. You’d probably have to make about $1,400 to $1,500 in before tax wages to pay for your addiction. So roll your own and take a trip to Hawaii once a year on the savings. To paraphrase the Mogambo Guru, “Whee, this money saving stuff is easy”.

If you smoke cigars, here’s a website for cigar deals : http://www.thompsoncigar.com/

There are many possible so-called small savings that can add up to a large savings. And always be mindful that this is after tax money you are saving.

Ponce says that it is not what you have, it is what you DO with what you have.

There is so much waste and carelessness in America. But I believe that it is going to tighten up before too long. Even if I am wrong, doesn’t it make sense to change spending habits now so that you can enjoy the benefits of your changes ? See, change can be really good for cleaning out the cobwebs of a financially neglected attic (your brain). Even the first change you make can open your quest for more changes until you (and me too) have taken control of your finances and therefore your life. And in the process you will increasingly obtain peace of mind. Priceless.

Best wishes,

Agnut

"There is only one success....
to be able to spend your life in your own way."
Christopher Morley

And a few for grins :

"You ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know"
The Grateful Dead

"There are two places only where socialism will work; in heaven where it is not needed, and in hell where they already have it.”– Winston Churchill

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. "
-Mae West

“When all the experts and forecasts agree, something else is going to happen.”
Bob Farrell’s Rule number 9

“I want to die in my sleep like my Grandfather... Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.”

City Council members propose $25 fee for garage sales in Dallas

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Two Dallas City Council members have proposed charging a $25 fee next year to anyone who wants to have a garage sale in city limits.

City managers have floated the idea of charging $5, as a way to help balance next year's tough budget.

Council members Delia Jasso and Dwaine Caraway upped the ante today in a memo to City Manager Mary Suhm.

"We recommend the fee should be $25," the memo said.

Jasso and Caraway estimate the fee could bring in $500,000 next year, and they recommend the money go toward senior dental services, cultural affairs programs, graffiti removal and animal services.

I'm not sure how they estimated the $500,000, but I think one relevant question is: will the number of garage sales go down significantly if a $25 fee is attached? Will that decrease the revenue estimate?

What do you think?

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http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/a...9/post-11.html

Additionally, I have been thinking of buying a Detroit diesel generator. How much will it consume per day ? Even running it for 2 hours will use 2 gallons of diesel. That’s just to run the freezers and recharge the batteries (that I don’t have yet; or the inverter either). quoted from AgNut


A Detroit diesel of the 71 or 92 series is one of the most inefficient diesels ever made.Originally used in Sherman tanks, they are a two cycle and VERY LOUD. keep the gen head and use a different engine.