Tariffs and the Cost of Living

Long before the tariffs went into effect, the media had been harping about how high prices will rise.

Here we are, nearly two months since the tariffs officially started and I haven't seen much change in prices.

As a matter of fact, of all the things I keep on my Wish List on Amazon, only one item has gone up. It was a window opener for greenhouse windows, and that's made in the UK.

Curiously, the tariff to the UK is 10%, but the cost of this opener rose 75%. Someone is doing funny math again.

I was surprised, but glad Amazon had canceled many Chinese goods due to tariffs. Let's face it, Chinese products tend to be made from substandard materials unless it's overseen by a company insisting on quality control.

I've got nothing against imports, but not if I have to replace them again and again.  I learned my lesson from shoddy garden hoses. I buy quality whenever possible. In the long run, it's cheaper than replacing the item.  

Because of an unfortunate diagnosis, I did have to buy very expensive sneakers. They've been on my Wish List for over a year, and the price never wavered one way or the other. When my podiatrist said the reason I couldn't walk was because of severe arthritis in my feet, I finally caved and bought a pair of Brooks shoes at the same price they've held for over a year. 

By the way, Brooks shoes are fantastic! I'm sorry I waited so long to get them. I've been in pain a very long time. I thought maybe it was flat feet. I never suspected advanced arthritis. But Brooks helps, so I'm grateful. 

In my opinion, the tariffs are temporary. It looks as if Trump is trying to move businesses back to the US, which many have already done so. I also think it's a leverage tool to get other countries to treat us more fairly. We do seem to bear the burden of cost whether it's consumer goods or climate change treaties. 

The other thing I suspect is that it's his way of negotiating, which is no different than what I do if I'm buying a house or car. You never show all your cards at the table. You've got to see what the other guy is willing to concede first, and then bluff.

It's uncomfortable for the US to reposition itself when the world is so used to us picking up the tab, but if it works out like I hope, it will benefit us in the long run. We'll see. 

Meanwhile, I hope people will stop buying Chinese imports for a while. If history is any indicator, nothing will tame China like consumer upset.

During covid, when China shuttered a huge portion of its population, imports all but disappeared from Amazon for nearly a year. It was a unique circumstance that I followed with morbid curiosity. The US seemed to weather the shortages pretty well, but the Chinese economy suffered greatly. I doubt they could've lasted one more year of isolation. 

The only thing I missed was rubbing alcohol. I found out later, my vet could've ordered me alcohol by the gallon.  But...I wasn't out, just running low.

Which brings me to my mantra of always keeping a full pantry (and medicine cabinet). 

If you're reading this and think you can't afford to keep a full pantry, look over your credit card statements and receipts.

Did you order home delivery, stream television, video, or music, or still paying for subscriptions you don't use? Do you hire people for chores you can do yourself?

It's easy to fall into that rut. Sometimes we subscribe to something or start a membership, but as the months go by, we stop using that service. That happens to all of us.

It's important to assess these charges regularly to see if it's still worth it. Get yourself in the habit of scrutinizing bills. 

Meanwhile, don't sweat the tariffs. We're kind of spoiled as a society and used to getting instant gratification for every little whim. It wouldn't hurt us to go without for a while. We did it during covid. We can do it again.

Note: As of today's publish date, China agreed to temporarily slash tariffs for 90 days. I'm telling you, they were hurting. It was biting them in the wallet, just like covid.

Stay frugal, my friends. 

 

On the home front: I had the most delightful visit with Marianne, co-owner of Goddess Fish.  We've known each other online for nearly twenty years, and here she was at my house. She was just as kind and down to earth in person as I had known her online.

The visit was short, just dinner and some chatting, but it was like visiting with an old family friend. 

Best of all, my dogs were relatively well behaved. I'm trying to get more people to come into the house and get them used to company.  I was lucky that M and her Plus One are dog people, so they were very understanding with my problem children.

 

**If you're shopping Amazon, start from this link.