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Author Topic: Bartering with alcohol and cigs  (Read 5246 times)
reformedneocon
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Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« on: July 28, 2009, 10:15:27 PM »

I'm starting a stash of barter goods.  Where is the cheapest place to buy cigs and booze?  The cheapest stuff is okay, yes?  Also, cigarettes go stale, but that won't matter to a fiend, right?
Thanks,
Alex
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SoundTheBell
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2009, 11:33:51 PM »

I don't know about alcohol, but when you're jonesing for a cigarette, ANY cigarette will do.
As long as it's not menthol.  Don't bulk up on menthol cigs, only a few people smoke them and those that don't might just turn down a menthol even if they're jonesing. Menthols are nasty and give you one hell of a headache if you're not used to smoking them. In my experience though, menthol smokers will gladly take a non-menthol cig when they're jonesing.

Indian reservations are great for cheap cigs if there's one near you.
Cigarette companies usually run lots of sales or coupon deals. Check ebay for coupons, check the cig manufacturer's websites.
Mother Earth News this month has a full-page ad for $20 in coupons for "Natural American Spirit" brand if you go to their website, www.americanspirit.com

Cigs can go stale eventually (more quickly once the pack is opened) but you could probably slow that down by putting them in an airtight container. Post-SHTF scenario though, folks won't care if they're stale. You'll want to put them in an airtight container anyway. Rodents go crazy over tobacco. It's like catnip to them.
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2009, 11:39:11 PM »

I'm starting a stash of barter goods.  Where is the cheapest place to buy cigs and booze?

Wouldn't know, I don't buy either.

Quote
The cheapest stuff is okay, yes?

Probably.  Then again, some of the smokers I've known won't touch certain brands no matter how bad they're jonesing.  I mean, how bad off do you have to be before you consider smoking Basics a good idea?  And as far as booze goes, it depends on who you're trading with.  I wouldn't spend a whole lot, but get at least a little bit of booze that's not absolute bottom dollar, just to hedge your bets.  Besides, the better quality stuff will probably trade for more than the cheap stuff later on, too.
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2009, 02:03:43 PM »

Well, in my experience, when I used to smoke and was desperate, I would smoke ANYTHING. I would take the butts sitting in the ashtray and re-smoke them. Yeh. Desperate. / As for alcohol, I would think cheap would be okay, too. Think how many people drink NyQuil and I've known some who drank rubbing alcohol, when they're desperate. Just saying...
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2009, 03:58:21 PM »

The Natural American Spirit cigs are quite pricey; I used the $20 off coupon to get them and they were still more expensive than name brands.  Before the big tax increase I had been buying pipe tobacco; if properly stored, it may last longer than cigs (less surface area on the tobacco, I suppose; just guessing here--I don't smoke!). 

On booze:  The little airplane-type bottles are good "small change" for barter, and a lot of liquor stores will put them on sale on a rotating basis, as an impulse item near the cash register.  Larger bottles may be purchased as they go on sale.  Alcohol has several uses in addition to its inebriating effects; it can be used to make herbal tinctures and as a painkiller--not very effective, but better than nothing. . . .
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Pirate King Luffy
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2009, 04:26:57 PM »

I've been growing tobacco for friends in my garden, and adding herbs(not herb), and making pipes out of corn cobs and short hollowed out twigs. American Sweet Gum works the best. The variety of tobacco is Niccotiana spp. 'Lime'. It is a native small-leaf variety. The kind used by large tobacco companies is the large-leaf variety from South America and the Caribbean.The small leaf is a smoother smoke and less harmful, because it creates less tar.
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2009, 09:20:18 PM »

I would think a good cheap vodka would work for barter and medical uses, such as sterilization.
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2009, 09:45:29 PM »

I would think a good cheap vodka would work for barter and medical uses, such as sterilization.

I use cheap vodka to clean house. It has orange oil in it and both that and the alcohol are good degreasers.
It is called Burnet's Orange Flavored Vodka. Don't drink it, it's crappy.
Cleans the stove good though, and our teapot, and it even gets the smell out of spaghetti sauce jars!
It gets the tea stain out of enamel cups & sanitizes counter tops after cutting meats.
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SoundTheBell
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2009, 11:55:44 PM »

Ooh. I've got a brown stain on the white inside of my enameled cast iron dutch oven that refuses to go away, I'm going to try vodka on it. Thanks!
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Pirate King Luffy
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #9 on: July 31, 2009, 01:16:53 AM »

You gotta let it sit for a while on stains, and I only have used this specific kind and It got the stain out of my coffee pot and tea cup, but IDK about other kinds of stains, so no guarantees.
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2009, 04:41:41 AM »

If your gonna use tobacco/booze for barter, buy it in bulk.Bugler/Tops and clear liquors-vodka/gin ect.Don't forget ones habits may make them chose ta turn a "sale" bad.Also along those lines lighter fluid/tons of uses and FLINTS are very worthwhile things ta store.I plan and have supplies ta keep Zippo lighters up and running.Rolling papers and pipes will bring a premium. Ought 7.
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2009, 04:53:45 AM »

It gets the tea stain out of enamel cups & sanitizes counter tops after cutting meats.

Reeeeeally...

If you'll excuse me, I have a handful of mugs to see to! laugh
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mutti
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2009, 09:32:55 AM »

You gotta let it sit for a while on stains, and I only have used this specific kind and It got the stain out of my coffee pot and tea cup, but IDK about other kinds of stains, so no guarantees.

Vinegar works as well and it is a bit less expensive. Why not try that first?
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Ooh. I've got a brown stain on the white inside of my enameled cast iron dutch oven that refuses to go away, I'm going to try vodka on it. Thanks!

I don't know if it would affect the seasoning, but have you tried Baking Soda? I use that to remove "spot" areas, however I don't know if it would work.

Good luck all. mutti



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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2009, 01:37:19 PM »

MUTTI - I wouldn't think that baking soda would affect it ~ it's such a neutral product, right? I agree about the vinegar, too
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Re: Bartering with alcohol and cigs
« Reply #14 on: July 31, 2009, 02:55:23 PM »

MUTTI - I wouldn't think that baking soda would affect it ~ it's such a neutral product, right? I agree about the vinegar, too

Having messed up many a seasoned Dutch Oven, I tend to error on the side of "better safe than sorry". 

While baking soda is a base product - it is slightly abrasive.  I'd hate to have someone headed my way with a unseasoned Dutch Oven to smack me with  cheesy.

mutti
(to make this on topic, Baking Soda can be purchased animal grade in 50# sacks. It does have the benefit of a deodorizer and cleaner - but for less $ A 50# sack will run one about $12)
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