Useful skills that can make you an income before, during and after SHTF

[Black Spruce]

Ship worker. During and after SHTF, shipping is going to be more important than ever. You already make a shit load already for six month's work.

 

[Badungus Kabungus]

Being a smuggler can be profitable, both before and after shit hits the fan.

 

[ChefBourgeoisie]

and after shit hits the fan.

I was under the impression that after SHTF you weren't a smuggler anymore, just a freight hauler. But maybe I don't know the terminology nearly as well as I thought.

 

[Badungus Kabungus]

I was under the impression that after SHTF you weren't a smuggler anymore, just a freight hauler. But maybe I don't know the terminology nearly as well as I thought.

Freight hauling would be a good cover for your smuggling operation. There's always going to be some local authority that people occasionally need to bypass.

 

[Bummer]

Verrry basic skills that can transfer to multiple disciplines. Learn to read a blueprint, schematic, hydrologic diagram. Learn how internal combustion engine's and motors operate and how to repair them. Learn how to use basic diagnostic tools like volt meters and micrometers .
As far as actual jobs, it seems obvious the answer is any of the trades. Contractor (framing, roofing, siding, masonry pick your poison), metal worker (welder, machinist, forming), electrician (home as well as appliances), plumber, mechanic.
I want to think more about tech skills but I could see a lot of programming basic shit just to cobble together working systems post collapse.

Edit for retardation.

 

[${Sandy}]

Plumbing is gonna be a big fucking deal if shtf.

If we cant get clean running water and some sort of way to efficiently dispose of shit and piss, alot of people will die. Plumbers save more lives than doctors.

Carpentry too. I used to build wall frames and do dry walling. If shtf, I'd probably try to make myself useful as a handy man, people will always need housing and wood is the most widely used construction material in history.

 

[ChefBourgeoisie]

If we cant get clean running water and some sort of way to efficiently dispose of shit and piss, alot of people will die. Plumbers save more lives than doctors.

I've been looking at these - EcoJohn incinerating systems

This is pricey, but worse still it basically requires some natural gas. I'd also have to go through and install urine-diverting toilets and urinals, and plumb the yellow water away from brown (keep it, just compost or use it for irrigation).

I think the natural gas requirement is an absolute dealbreaker, aliens are more likely to show up and gift me a fusion reactor. Even lottery jackpots wouldn't be enough.

Septic is tough to solve. The county regulations in most places don't allow septic tanks except in the most outlandishly impossible location, there's juts no place you're allowed to put them in most real estate.

 

[${Sandy}]

I've been looking at these - EcoJohn incinerating systems

This is pricey, but worse still it basically requires some natural gas. I'd also have to go through and install urine-diverting toilets and urinals, and plumb the yellow water away from brown (keep it, just compost or use it for irrigation).

I think the natural gas requirement is an absolute dealbreaker, aliens are more likely to show up and gift me a fusion reactor. Even lottery jackpots wouldn't be enough.

Septic is tough to solve. The county regulations in most places don't allow septic tanks except in the most outlandishly impossible location, there's juts no place you're allowed to put them in most real estate.

Outhouses, bucket, giant hole a mile away, and a bit of fire wood

 

[AMHOLIO]

For weak ass mental kiwis like myself, I learned psychology knowledge has some payoff. You know how to deal with people and spot crazies, and how to monitor and handle crazies better. You can also endear yourself to others if you offer genuinely good advice to a problem. People like people who can or try to help them when they ask. Put yourself out there so you have opportunities for it.

Echoing everyone else: If you can do basic things like fix a door or equipment things like offer pressure washing, you can always find some olds who need the help. It won't pay much, but it works. Being able to fix minor house problems is important.

 

[High Level Rad Waste]

Knowing how to sew. It's incredibly easy to learn but most people never do. I bit the bullet after I ripped the ass of a pair of jeans open on an extended camping trip and had to hike a couple days back to the car with my ass out. Go buy like a 5 dollar kit, open youtube, and practice on your shittiest towel or pair of jeans.

 

[Moths]

Making drugs. Smackheads are gonna exist after the apocalypse too yaknow.

 

[Spiny Rumples]

I'd say storytelling is a handy one to have. Both telling a story to convince people of something (politics) and telling a story around a campfire can take people away into a shared dream. And it doesn't need electricity or special tools. Plus, when we are hiding from the murder patrols over our heads, the ability to stop and start a story faster than it takes to use a remote might be just quick enough to keep us alive.

 

[Archie's Pom-Chi Palace]

If shit were to hit the fan, I'd look for the most autistic group of "survivors" and gank their shit. Spergs love fantasizing about the day their Fallout vidya becomes real because their total lack of preparedness for normal life would somehow translate to the ability to make it in a world where laws are fake and gay, but all y'all niggas would be sold into slavery, preferably the sexual variety

 

[Medic]

If your in my position where your college degree is collecting dust and your skill is not being into good monetary use under Joe Biden, then shit already hit the fan for me already. I suggest going to Landscaping if you love the outdoors and sweating your ass off. I worked there for about two months including overtime and made about five thousand dollars till the Christmas break. Since its a semi large regional business it has dental, 401k and retirement benefits. Not this coming February but in 2026 I can apply to be a manager or Forman which pays 25 an hour. This coming February though I will get a raise promotion in my pay hopefully I can work here for about another one - two years to be a little loaded for my future well being. Hopefully I can put my degree in good use by starting an online business and make something out of my life.

 

[Lunarfag]

there's a video i have saved on my computer from a guy who talks about agriculture and ways of life after SHTF, which i think speaks for itself

 

[Obstacle]

I watched a documentary years ago about a sailor who was captured and "adopted" by Caribs.
In their society, all of the men knew how to make a boat, make tools and weapons, make fire, fishing and hunting, and how to build their own shelter.
Of course, their primitive level of technology meant that none of these tasks required a lifetime of devoted study to learn; a dugout canoe can only be made so complex.
After he learned enough of the language they questioned him about the metal tools and weapons of the Europeans, and refused to believe that he had no idea how they were made, because their society had basically no concept of specialized labour.
I mean, it makes sense also from the perspective that in a small community, there is less need for specialized labour, as the market cap for any goods or services extends only to the people immediately around you.
So whatever you do, learn to do two other things also.

 

[FedPostalService]

Prostitution. The elites don’t want you to know this, but there are women just walking around out there and you can take them and make them work for you for free!

 

[Dean Pentel]

Sharpening different edged tools and similar tool maintenance. This is an always valuable skill that surprisingly few people have.

Learning how to setup, maintain, and repair generators would always be useful.

Being a competent welder is another skill I'm sure would help keep one fed and safe.