Gaye Levy
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I believe that community will be important in a post-SHTF society.
It is also my belief that each member of a community will need to contribute in one way or another to the group as a whole. It is easy to think of those contributions as something physical that you can touch and feel such as food, medical supplies, fuel, firearms, ammunition and cash. The problem, of course, is that depending on economic circumstances and logistics, even experienced preppers may have very little extra in the way of tangible assets to contribute to the community as a whole.
Today I would like to move beyond the need for Prepper’s to have physical and monetary assets. Instead, I would like to suggest five uncommon skills that will be needed by every post-SHTF community. These are skills that do not take a lot of money to learn and yet they will be extremely valuable and in high demand if the SHTF. These are skills you may not have thought about, but important skills none-the-less.
FIVE USEFUL SURVIVAL SKILLS YOU MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF
1. Sewing
Anyone who was a child during the Great Depression will know that new clothes were a luxury afforded by very few. Clothes were worn until they were literally threadbare and even then, they were patched and mended, usually by hand. In those days, one of the very first domestic skills learned by a young child was how to sew on a button. After that, they were taught ironing, hemming, and darning. The common opinion was that darned socks were lumpy, but they were better than no socks at all and lumpy or not, they kept your feet warm.
These domestic skills were not limited to just the girls. As the Survival Husband will attest, little boys were also taught to sew, iron, hem, and darn.
In a world where new clothes and even bolts of fabric are precious, if available at all, sewing skills will be needed to create new garments out of old. Such things as sanitary pads for the ladies will need to be fashioned out of discarded pieces of cloth and even washable TP from old rags may be needed. But most of all, clothes will need to be repurposed and made usable again. And for that, someone with sewing skills will be invaluable to the community.
2. Barbering and Hair Cutting
How often do you get your hair cut? Once a month? Every two months? When there is no salon around the corner or worse, no money for a salon, the next best thing is a good set of shears and someone with a modicum of hair cutting knowledge.
At the risk of sounding frivolous, no matter how bad things get, I know that I am going to feel better if I am well groomed and look nice. I am not talking about a fancy hairdo and salon highlights (which, by the way, I do not have). I am talking about a nicely trimmed hairstyle, nothing fancy, that keeps hair out of my eyes and is short enough to wash and keep clean using only a modest amount of water. The same applies to men although, for many, a shaved head will be a viable option.
To get started in home barbering and haircutting, you need some barber shears and a trimmer. I happen to use a Wahl Peanut that also does double duty for dog grooming. A portable trimmer will run off of solar power so the lack of electricity should not be a problem although there are plenty of battery operated models to choose from as well.
The other thing you need are some warm bodies that will let you practice on them. Note that I am not suggesting that you set up shop; States have strict licensing requirements when it comes to cutting hair and barbering. What I am suggesting, however, is that you acquire some basic skills practicing on family and friends so that when the time comes, you can perform basic hair cutting for other members of your survival community.
3. Cooking and Baking for a Crowd
When the pioneers traveled across the country in their wagon trains, certain individuals were designated “Cookies”. These individuals were responsible for cobbling together family style meals from whatever provisions happened to be available.
Cooks, or “Cookies” will also be sought after in a post-SHTF community. The reason for this may not be obvious but in truth, there will be so many chores to do that for the sake of efficiency, it will be useful to have a central kitchen, where communal meals are prepared, perhaps even outdoors over an open fire.
People need to eat and anyone who has the skill to cook and especially to bake for a crowd will find a welcome place in the survival community.
4. Teaching
Young people are going to need to learn the basics of reading, writing, and science. As I wrote in Education After the Collapse – A Journey Back to Little House on the Prairie, the schoolhouse of old was likely the kitchen table, with Mom and Dad pitching in to teach their children the basics.
In a post SHTF society, there will not be traditional schools to educate children. Instead, children and their parents will be on their own unless someone is willing to step up and teach them not only the basics but also how to solve problems and how to think critically when solving problems.
What will it take to teach? Some textbooks, paper, writing materials and flashcards will be good to have but even more important, is a willingness to share knowledge and to exhibit patience when dealing with children who have been displaced or may be confused by the scary world changes taking place around them.
5. Entertaining
This last skill is something I have rarely, if ever, seen mentioned in prepping circles. In a world where there are no movies, no TV, no video games and no mall, staying pleasantly occupied during leisure periods will be a challenge. The risk, if there is no entertainment, is that you will either work yourself to death because you are bored or you will become depressed due to the lack of imaginative stimulation.
Entertaining in a post SHTF world may include singing or playing the harmonica, guitar or accordion. It might also include teaching a group to dance, play charades or even to play a rousing round of canasta. Knowing how to entertain others and bring a bit of fun into their lives is a special trait that can be honed now and put into use over and over again, regardless of how bad things get.
THE FINAL WORD
Let’s face it. In a post-SHTF society, there are going to be the haves and the have-nots. As a matter of fact, one of the fears that many of us have is that someone will come knocking on the door empty-handed and will ask or even demand to join your community of preppers. This could be a family member or neighbor or even a stranger who has done little if anything to prepare in spite of the many warning signs.
Although you may have some charitable handouts at the ready, inviting someone to be accepted into your home or community is going to require some tough scrutiny. Part of that scrutiny will be to evaluate whether they have a useful and needed skill to bring into the mix. And by useful skill, I mean a skill that will enhance the lives and lessen the burden of the others that are already there. The five skills I have outlined today are the types of skills that will be sought after in such a situation.
My recommendation is that even if you do not think you will need them, it is a good idea to become proficient at one or more of these skills now. After all, if you need to bug out with simply your bug-out-bag and the clothes on your back, you may be the one knocking on a stranger’s door with nothing but your skills to offer.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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Bargain Bin: I put some thought into the things I would want to have if or when there is another Great Depression. I own all of these items.
Wahl Professional Peanut Classic Clipper/Trimmer: This little clipper is easy to use on both human and doggie hair. I know since I am the official household haircutter. Of special note is that this clipper runs great on solar power! There is also a battery operated version: Wahl Professional Peanut Cordless Clipper/trimmer.
Lodge Logic 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet: Cast iron items were at the top of the list. My readers love cast iron and so do I. Also at the top were Lodge Set of 2 Pan Scrapers and the Lodge Max Temp Handle Mitt.
Clara’s Kitchen: Wisdom, Memories, and Recipes from the Great Depression: If you don’t know about Clara, be sure to read Depression Cooking: A Visit to Clara’s Kitchen.
Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking: At an average cost of 50 cents a loaf, this bread is easy, delicious and inexpensive to make.
How to Live on Wheat: Everything you need to know about wheat.
Fiskars 7855 8-Inch Hatchet: The Fiskars products are easily sharpened and will last a lifetime. Oh, and while you are at it, you might also like the Fiskars Axe & Knife Sharpener .
Kaito Voyager KA500 Solar/Crank Emergency AM/FM/SW NOAA Weather Radio: A lot of different hand crank radios were sold but this was by far, the most popular.
Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets (Pack of 10): I do believe in helping my neighbors in the community so a supply of these will be handy to hand out to those in need. You will be surprised at how warm these will keep you. Be sure to test one out in advance so that you have the confidence to trust the blanket in an emergency.
Holding Your Ground: Preparing for Defense if it All Falls Apart: This book, by Joe Nobody, is the book you need this book if you care about defending your homestead.
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41 Responses to “5 Uncommon Skills That Will Be Useful After the SHTF”
I think I have these covered. I am an expert seamstress with plenty of machines, even a treadle. I can cut hair and cook for a crowd–delicious and healthy food. I am a teacher and can be counted on for entertainment, if my guests are telling the truth. I had a party once a month for three years. We entertained each other and I organized fun games that adults wanted to participate in. Plus, I have lots of board and card games.
It sounds like you are in good shape. I am not too certain of my own teaching skills – at least when it comes to the kiddos – but like you, I feel I have everything else covered.
So many folks focus on food and water preps plus of course, self-defense. I think that someone that is more well-rounded will prevail.
i too have compiled games, books, cards, crayons and paper,color books, little toys and such.
Good job!
With very little effort, it’s possible to learn to cut your own hair into a standard men’s haircut. It can be done with scissors from the dollar store alone, without even a mirror, and can be done while sitting in front of your own computer. I used to pay serious money for haircuts and nobody seemed to care, and for the last several years I’ve cut my own hair using this method. I’ve received complements on my hairstyle, and don’t bother to tell anyone how it got cut.
The only danger is that you get carried away if too stressed, and cut too much. Even that fixes itself after a month or two.
I have been cutting my dear 83 year old Dad’s hair now for over 4 years…what I love about my Dad is no matter how he ends up looking (sometimes like a monk, sometimes a little sheared around the ears military style, sometimes a little too short all over), he takes one look and says, ‘you did a beautiful job.’ And thank God his hair grows back so in 3 or 4 weeks I practice again…the truth is – cutting someone else’s hair is a LOT of fun….I have only cut my bangs in the past, so wouldn’t dare try to cut the back, but I might let you do it! I also give him a shave, nose trim, ear hair trim, and mustache trim…he loves the attention as he can no longer do these things for himself and it makes me feel like a million billion to give back to this wonderful man, who really cut all of his 9 kids hair when they were young….he used a bowl…
When we were kids, those were called “Rose Bowl” haircuts. Thanks for the memory!
I cut Shelly’s hair – actually I mostly shave it with the Wahl peanut but unlike you, I hate doing it. On the other hand, I feather it nicely so it looks good and the price is right.
Two months ago I gave up sending Tucker the Dog to the groomer. It was a hassle to drive to town plus it cost $65. Now I do it myself and although it may not be perfect, he sits nicely and seems to enjoy the process. No one other then me knows that it is uneven. And besides, like you say, it fixes itself after a short period of time goes by – in his case, in a week or two.
I cut my own bangs but am chicken to do the rest of my hair.
Grow a ponytail.
It could be used for bartering, ropemaking, wigs, etc.
I am sorry to burst your bubble, but when the SHTF, some of this will not be possible. You will have to be constantly mobile. Why? Because TPTB are going to hunt you down.
I love this article. I have pondered each of these categories as well. I bought a treadle sewing machine 2 years ago specifically so I would be able to sew/repair clothing without electricity. I am able to cut my families hair and have all the tools to do so. I’m a certified teacher and have made plans to teach the children in my community if necessary. (This will be no small undertaking since security could be a paramount issues with children gathered together.) We have taken measure to be sure that we can entertain ourselves. We’ve purchased astronomy books, other great books to read, a piano, 2 autoharps, 3 recorders (simple flute-like instruments), board games, playing cards, etc. SO much to consider. Thanks for the great post.
Oh my gosh – we could all learn a lot from your extensive preps!
Good points, Having been in a survival/rough environment I can attest that morale is extremely important and in the long term crucial to not giving up.
I know that when I get bored I keep working until I crash from exhaustion. After doing that for a week or two, it is easy to want to simply give up. (LOL writing a blog will do that too!) Hopefully we will never get to the point where things are so bad that we want to give up.
Good thoughts. Repairs will be much bigger than they are now in our throw-away society. Repairing of clothing/shoes, bicycles, small engines, electrical systems and electronic items will see huge resurgence and employment or barter ability for those that can.
Luckily my brother is a barber … he has his own shop, so I may not have to worry about that… of course I dont have has much hair as I use to, so all I really need are good clippers 🙂
I do agree though that certain skills are a must, and never thought about sewing. I can’t use a sewing machine to save my life, but I can sew by hand and was something I learned, albeit my mom forced me to learn, at an early age. Sewing buttons on, fixing shirts etc. My mom made us always fix our own. I didn’t understand why then, but I do now. Thanks Mom!
My husband, Shelly, basically said the same thing about his Mom. She also made him learn how to iron but one thing she did not do is teach him how to cook. I had to do that LOL.
Excellent points. Useful skills will prove useful for bartering. Knowing how to repair or make things will be invaluable, too.
The sad thing is that so many modern tools are not repairable. Making things or re-purposing things is going to be important and folks with those types of skills will be in demand. It will not matter how much money they have or how much “stuff”.
Absolutely. Too many people today are too technologically inept even to put a new plug onto a lamp.
LOL My Mom is no longer here, but she was self sufficient before it was cool 🙂 She had every one of these skills and then some. She passed most of them on to me, just dont ask me to cut your hair anytime soon 😉 A potential SHTF situation has given me a better reason to hoard yarn! On a serious note, I cannot imagine going into this without some of the skills our grandparents didnt consider skills, just maybe chores that needed doing. I think its important to sharpen the skills we have, and to learn a new one every chance we get.
I know what you mean. On the other hand, leaning some of these skills now has become a hobby and for me at least, rewarding and fun.