One of the best sources of information about what you really need when times are really tough for a long time is the people who have gone through it. I really learned a lot about survival in difficult times from reading the experiences of the people of Bosnia, who once enjoyed, but survived the loss of most all we take for granted today. One sentence echo's in my memory. "You could trade an egg or many other things for one wooden match, we ran out of them and they became all important." Reconsider how many you will use for candles, cooking, heating, smoking(if you got 'em) and stock up! I also bought some lenses to supplement my emergency fire making capability.

-- Ann Fisher (zyax55b@prodigy.com), December 02, 1998

Answers

Funny you should mention it. I just bought more matches today to add to my supply. It will be a good bartering item if we have enough to spare. The problem is, you just don't know what "is" enough... there's that word again!

Texas Terri

-- Texas Terri (TYSYM@AOL.com), December 02, 1998.

Go to a local camping supply store and get a flint-like fire starter, then running out of matches won't be such a concern.

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 02, 1998.

In addition to matches, I bought 50 butane lighters at Sam's for $10.

MVI

-- MVI (vtoc@aol.com), December 02, 1998.

Maybe I am just cheap but a lot of times when I go to a bar or restaurant I pick up a couple matchbooks with their logo on it.

Free matches... Can't beat that...

scholty

-- scholty (scholty@waymark.net), December 02, 1998.

When I last went to Pizza Hut (a while ago, now I just get delivery), they had a basket full of little pencils. I think they were for kids to do the activity sheets or something. Anyway, if pencils are going to be of value post y2k, stop ordering pizzas and start doing takeaway. And every time you do, also take away a big handful of those pencils.

Btw, if you're a jerk.. I have a friend who goes to restaurants and buys food. When the counter guy's back is turned, he puts his hand into the tips jar and takes most of the money; he uses it to pay for his meal and pockets the surplus. I *don't* condone that, but if you're a scumsucking cheapskate dirtball, it's an option.

--Leo

-- Leo (leo_champion@hotmail.com), December 03, 1998.

Why do you hang out with "scumsucking cheapskate dirtball(s)"?

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), December 03, 1998.