Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

[labasta]

Just read Don's post on gold coins being too conspicuous.

I had thought of that too as to what coins to get. The half soverign is a good choice but I live in a town in Ireland with 17K pop. I am probably the only one or one out of a handful who could have some gold coins if the shtf.

If I produce one to buy a load of groceries, 1. they are hardly any in the local community so can it be used as a currency at all? 2. Everyone will realize I have gold and if it is deemd valuable, I will need a lot of pepper spray and "security" if you know what I mean.


Manufactured goods are a good bet, but then if you get too many and there is no collapse it'll be 20 years before you get through them all lol.

If I were to hedge with manufactured goods, which ones? I don't think ciggies are the best as most people don't smoke these days. My anaysis is:

1. Toilet paper - Everyone has to use it. The alternative is doable but least attractive. Disadvantage is that it is bulky to store.

2. Tampons - 50% of the pop need them, although a cloth will do if food is short.

3. Nappies - not enough babies

4. Ciggies - 20% demand, a luxury item

5. Alcohol - similar to ciggies.

6. Razor blades - I don't change them often enough anyway. Some people might.

7. Shampoo and soap - keeping clean is just one step up from food. Everyone does it and is easy to store.

8. Washing up liquid and washing machine powder - Similar to soap.

9. Toothpaste - not quite as necessary as soap, but not far removed and similar. (already have 2 years supply)

10. Water filters - I already have those (31 months supply). Could be a good purchase as everyone needs clean water, but what is the chance the water supply deteriorates in a crisis. It might not, then the filter becomes a luxury item. Easy to store though.


So, on those grounds I would say detergents and then toilet paper and maybe water filters to be the best currency, plus this stuff lasts forever and can be got cheap in bulk.

Next things could be machine parts for heating/electricity and such, but I am not knowledable in that area so those are ruled out.


This weekend I will be stock piling on the above things, and more, for around 1 to 2 years supply. ( I already have 2 to 3 years in waterfilters and toothpaste). Could be thinking of over doing it on one or two items as a hedge if and when a crisis becomes more apparent.

Off to Lidl I go.

If I had a lot of money (which I don't) I would still allocate at least 20-25% of it in physical gold coins and 15-20% physical cash just in case.

Who knows how it could pan out.


Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[sadsack]

Re: Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

This blogger has been mentioned before on iTulip. He chronicles the challenges he's dealt with since the implosion in Argentina. For true SHTF intelligence, "It's gold, Jerry, GOLD!"

http://ferfal.blogspot.com/

My take from reading his posts is that in a SHTF scenario, those with means fall prey to those without means. You'll be painting an awfully big neon target on your back once people know that you're a BM trader/hoarder.

It's better to invest in the equipment and skills that you think will be most critical once TSHTF. That way, you're more valuable alive than dead. If you have more capital available, then another idea is to coopt the people around you by enabling them to produce for themselves; e.g., bartering the use of your land for a share of the produce, or selling seeds for planting. This way, they have more to lose if someone takes you out - your interests will be their interests - more guns on your side in a firefight is always a good thing . . .

[globaleconomicollaps]

Re: Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

One of the reasons I frequent Itulip is that FerFal and his ilk are notably absent from the community. The forums and the content had scrupulously avoided the survivalist mentality. "The Scene" is full of un-closeted fascists. This place on the other hand is all about a reasoned non-armageddon like end game for the collape of the dollar and the economy. Please don't recommend this guy or his ideas here.

[GRG55]

Re: Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

...Manufactured goods are a good bet, but then if you get too many and there is no collapse it'll be 20 years before you get through them all lol.

If I were to hedge with manufactured goods, which ones? I don't think ciggies are the best as most people don't smoke these days. My anaysis is:

1. Toilet paper - Everyone has to use it. The alternative is doable but least attractive. Disadvantage is that it is bulky to store.

2. Tampons - 50% of the pop need them, although a cloth will do if food is short.

3. Nappies - not enough babies

4. Ciggies - 20% demand, a luxury item

5. Alcohol - similar to ciggies.

6. Razor blades - I don't change them often enough anyway. Some people might.

7. Shampoo and soap - keeping clean is just one step up from food. Everyone does it and is easy to store.

8. Washing up liquid and washing machine powder - Similar to soap.

9. Toothpaste - not quite as necessary as soap, but not far removed and similar. (already have 2 years supply)

10. Water filters - I already have those (31 months supply). Could be a good purchase as everyone needs clean water, but what is the chance the water supply deteriorates in a crisis. It might not, then the filter becomes a luxury item. Easy to store though.


So, on those grounds I would say detergents and then toilet paper and maybe water filters to be the best currency, plus this stuff lasts forever and can be got cheap in bulk.

Next things could be machine parts for heating/electricity and such, but I am not knowledable in that area so those are ruled out.


This weekend I will be stock piling on the above things, and more, for around 1 to 2 years supply. ( I already have 2 to 3 years in waterfilters and toothpaste). Could be thinking of over doing it on one or two items as a hedge if and when a crisis becomes more apparent.

Off to Lidl I go.

If I had a lot of money (which I don't) I would still allocate at least 20-25% of it in physical gold coins and 15-20% physical cash just in case.

Who knows how it could pan out.


Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Manufactured goods? Here's a one-decision, "buy America" suggestion...:cool:...Buy used, of course. We need everyone to help out their friendly, local, newly-bankrupt hedge fund manager...

[Thailandnotes]

Re: Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

One of the reasons I frequent Itulip is that FerFal and his ilk are notably absent from the community. The forums and the content had scrupulously avoided the survivalist mentality. "The Scene" is full of un-closeted fascists. This place on the other hand is all about a reasoned non-armageddon like end game for the collape of the dollar and the economy. Please don't recommend this guy or his ideas here.

Agreed!


Hard cheese, goats, fishing tackle, crock pot, guitar, firewood, goose down, salt, plant identification book, rain barrel, seeds, shoes, eyeglasses, boomerangs, brandy, and bras.

[santafe2]

Re: Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

From Arthur Cashin: "Do not bet on the end of the world, it only happens once."

[aa]

Re: Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

If I were to hedge with manufactured goods, which ones? I don't think ciggies are the best as most people don't smoke these days.

Earlier this year I stocked up on about 2 years worth of toilet paper and nappies.

I figured that you have to buy these eventually anyway, they don't go off and it just means you have less expenses to worry about later if things get tough.
Just stock up on stuff for you own use. If you start trying to sell stuff if things get bad then you would draw attention. Nobody will know you have years worth of toilet paper if you just use it.

[c1ue]

Re: Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

I'd suggest buying spices.

Spices are going to get even more expensive; almost all of them are imported.

Secondly spices were valuable because they could be used to make food taste better - especially somewhat spoiled food.

And in good packages spices are both light and portable, and can last a reasonably long period of time.

[labasta]

Re: Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

Thanks for the suggestions people.

I'm not sure about that feral guy. I'm not sure if he is kosher. His written English is perfect and he mentions Amercian weapons and euphemisms. You would need a couple of other first hand experiences from Argentinians at the time.

As aa says, there's no harm in stocking up on a couple of years of stuff you would use anyway. It would affect my cashflow a little, but not too drastically.

Other than that, I'm leaving it to a "let's wait and see" kind of thing.

[*T*]

Re: Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

Careful with spice. Going bulk in an Indian cash & carry they cost a tiny fraction of supermarket prices.

[bam]

Re: Which manufactured goods would you buy to hedge a collapse?

By denomination....
bullets
cans of tuna
can openers
guns