When a crisis strikes, the money in your bank account will almost certainly become either worthless or worth very little.
It might happen gradually, or it might happen overnight.
Either way, it’s good to have everyday items on hand that will act as a store of value with which to trade, barter and survive.
With that in mind, below are sixteen everyday items worth their weight in gold during a crisis.
16 Ordinary Items That Become Priceless When SHTF
1. Clean Water
Water is the most essential resource for human survival.
In a crisis, clean water almost invariably becomes scarce, whether due to the collapse of municipal water systems or contamination (accidental or deliberate).
Without water, severe dehydration sets in and death can occur in at little as 72 hours. You will also need water for cooking, sanitation, and hygiene.
Having a reliable source of drinking water will make it one of the most sought-after commodities in any emergency situation.
2. Water Purification Tools
Whether we’re talking about portable water filters, purification tablets, or iodine drops, all of these become invaluable when clean water is not readily available.
Fortunately, I’ve never had to find out, but I imagine that I would empty my bank account without hesitation for a drink of water if I was slowly dying of thirst.
Rivers, ponds, or rainwater might be accessible to you when SHTF, but they could contain harmful bacteria, parasites, or pollutants.
Water with the giardia parasite in it, for instance, could be a death sentence in a survival scenario.
Water purification tablets and portable filtration systems let you turn unsafe water into something drinkable, which is certainly worth its weight in gold.
3. Non-Perishable Food
Would you rather have a million dollars or a year’s worth of beans, rice, lentils and canned fruit in a SHTF situation?
Food becomes priceless when the supply chain collapses, and fresh produce or meats are no longer available.
Canned goods, freeze-dried foods and things like dried beans can last for years and provide much-needed sustenance during a crisis.
These foods are also compact, easy to store, and nutrient-dense, making them perfect for long-term survival situations.
They are also highly tradable and can be used to barter for things you might not have on hand.
4. First Aid Supplies
When SHTF, medical help will probably not be readily available, and first aid supplies will be crucial. Bandages, antiseptics, gauze, and pain relievers can treat injuries that could otherwise become life-threatening.
A well-stocked first aid kit ensures that minor injuries don’t escalate into serious infections or illnesses, especially when hospitals and doctors are out of reach.
5. Over-the-counter Medications
Simple medications that you don’t need a prescription for aspirin, ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal tablets, and antihistamines can become lifesaving when pharmacies are shut down (or looted).
Pain relievers, fever control or treating minor allergic reactions are critical to maintaining health in a crisis.
These medications might seem common now, but you could be very hard-pressed to find them in an emergency and are, thus, worth their weight in gold.
6. Batteries
Your ability to power flashlights, radios and other essential electronic devices becomes priceless during a grid-down scenario.
With the grid down, rechargeable devices might not be feasible, making traditional batteries essential for communication, navigation and staying informed.
Stockpiling various types (AA, AAA, D-Cell, etc.) can ensure devices stay functional when needed most. Batteries are also useful fire-starting tools if other traditional fire-starting tools and materials take time to come by.
7. Flashlights
I’ve spent a lot of time in the woods at night and I like to think I’m fairly comfortable in the dark.
That said, whether I’m at home or walking around the forest in the dead of night, I still feel a slight twinge of panic when the lights go out and I’m not ready for it.
Now imagine you don’t have any access to light when you need it.
When power grids fail, light sources are critical to maintain safety and productivity after dark. Flashlights, especially LED models with long battery life, allow for movement at night, searching for supplies, and signaling for help.
Their portability and durability make them more versatile than candles or lanterns.
8. Solar Chargers
In a long-term crisis where electricity is unavailable, solar chargers offer a renewable way to power small electronics like phones, radios or flashlights.
Having the ability to recharge devices using only sunlight ensures that communication and information-gathering tools remain operational.
A solar charger is going to be worth its weight in gold not only to you and your family, but if you have more than one, you’ve got an extremely high-value tradable item that you can barter with for something equally life-altering.
9. Lighters and Matches
Fire lies at the core of the story of human evolution.
Modern life has basically done away with the need to be able to manually create and control fire, but as soon as that lifestyle disappears (anyone who camps can attest), fire, along with water, becomes a primary concern.
It’s essential for warmth, cooking, purifying water and sterilizing medical tools. Lighters and matches become invaluable when there’s no easy access to power or heating.
Stockpiling these items ensures you can start a fire quickly and easily, which is obviously something others will find extremely valuable in a SHTF situation as well.
10. Firewood and Fuel
If heating and electricity systems fail, firewood or other fuel sources will be the primary means of staying warm, cooking food, and boiling water.
Without access to electricity or gas, homes will need alternative fuel for warmth, making firewood a critical resource for surviving colder climates and seasons.
Billions of people around the world, in fact, still rely on wood as their primary fuel source.
11. Manual Tools
In a world where power tools become useless without electricity, hand tools like axes, saws, wrenches, and screwdrivers will be essential for making repairs, building shelters, or gathering firewood.
Manual tools allow self-sufficiency, especially in rural or off-grid environments where maintaining basic infrastructure becomes critical.
These are definitely things that will be worth their weight in gold when self-reliance becomes a must.
12. Warm Clothing and Blankets
Being cold is kind of like being hungry; when you’re in that state, alleviating it tends to be all you can think about.
Now, imagine you have no idea how you’re going to keep warm.
When heat sources are limited or unavailable, warm clothing and blankets become life-saving items, particularly in colder regions.
Layered clothing, wool blankets, and thermal wear can prevent hypothermia and help conserve body heat in freezing conditions.
As heating becomes scarce, these items will be vital for both warmth and comfort.
13. Bar Soap and Sanitizers
In any crisis, maintaining hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of disease.
Without access to running water, bar soap and hand sanitizers become priceless for keeping hands, dishes and other surfaces clean.
Simple sanitation measures can significantly reduce the risk of infection, making these items essential in preserving health.
The longer you can maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene, the longer you can stay healthy, fighting and surviving.
14. Toilet Paper
Have you ever been in a situation where you needed toilet paper, only to realize there was none to be had?
A daunting feeling, right?
Now imagine that there is none around for a hundred miles.
Often overlooked until it’s gone, toilet paper becomes a high-value commodity in prolonged emergencies.
You probably remember the panic buying of toilet paper at the beginning of COVID.
With stores depleted, hygiene needs persist, and having a supply of toilet paper will keep basic sanitary conditions manageable, preventing the spread of disease caused by poor hygiene.
15. Duct Tape
I think duct tape has to be one of the most versatile tools in any survival kit.
It can be used for repairing shelter, patching clothing, sealing food containers, or even creating temporary fixes for injuries (like improvised bandages).
Its durability and flexibility make it invaluable for quick repairs in nearly any situation.
If you’ve got duct tape on hand, you’ve got the solution to a lot of problems and something others will be very eager to trade for.
16. Paracord
Paracord can be used in countless ways, from building shelters to securing loads, tying down tarps, or even making traps and snares.
Its strength and versatility make it an essential survival item for anyone needing to build, secure, or repair things in an emergency.
Paracord can also be broken down into its individual threads to make a high-strength fishing line and thread for sewing and suturing.
