What Are Tariffs and Why Should We Care?

Ever grabbed groceries, a new phone, or an appliance only to realize the price seemingly jumped overnight?

New tariffs on imports mean electronics, food, and big-ticket items could get pricier than expected.

I saw this happen firsthand in 2018 during the U.S.-China trade war. My parents bought a washer and dryer in 2016. Two years later, they bought another set—but the price jump wasn’t normal. While an increase from inflation would normally range around 3%, their washer-drier unit jumped in price by nearly 12%! Even with the high inflation we’ve seen in recent years, it is never usually this dramatic in terms of a price jump.

The unfortunate reality? New tariffs could mean we start seeing this happening again more frequently.

Shopping is Likely to Get More Expensive

The U.S. is slapping new tariffs on imported goods—an extra tax on products from other countries. That means:

📱 Electronics → If you upgrade your iPhone every year, you may see a bigger price jump on your next trip to the Apple Store.
👕 Clothing → Eyeing a Canada Goose jacket or Adidas sneakers? You might need to save longer, as many are manufactured in countries hit with tariffs.
🚗 Cars & Appliances → Shopping for a new car, fridge, or washing machine? Expect higher prices.
🥑 Groceries → Avocados, strawberries, tomatoes—imported food is getting hit, so your grocery bill might feel it.

What Even Is a Tariff?

Have you ever been clubbing in New York City? Before you even order a drink, you’re hit with an entrance fee (AKA “cover charge”) at the door.

A tariff works the same way—but instead of partygoers, it’s added to goods entering the U.S. The government slaps an “entrance fee” on imported products, and businesses have two choices:

✅ Absorb the cost (unlikely—because businesses want to keep their profits).
✅ Pass it on to consumers (the more likely outcome).

Let’s be real—businesses don’t like price hikes any more than we do. But when faced with higher costs, they’re far more likely to pass them down to us. So even though tariffs target businesses, it’s our wallets that actually pay the price.

How Will This Affect Your Wallet?

Do you remember the price of your go-to grocery items every week? Probably not—I know I don’t! You don’t notice until you’re staring at the checkout total, wondering why it’s so high. That’s how tariffs hit: slowly, but noticeably.

📱 The laptop you’ve been saving for? Suddenly, it’s $100 more.
🚗 Car lease up? You realize prices have jumped—big time.
🛒 Groceries creeping up? Now you’re rotating “luxury items” weekly—but since when did strawberries become a luxury?! One week it’s avocados for my son, the next it’s strawberries for my daughter. How do you explain that to toddlers?!

The price jumps stack up over time, and before you know it, your budget is feeling the squeeze.

So What Can You Do About It?

Look, we can’t stop tariffs—but we can outsmart them. Here’s how I’m staying ahead:

1. Watch price trends for big purchases. Need a new car next year? Time it around a holiday sale.
2. Be a deal hunter. Impulse buys? Not in my vocabulary. Compare prices, stack discounts, and shop smart.
3. Rework your budget. I cut takeout from twice a week to once, turning the second meal into a fun family cooking night.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Panic—Plan.

Tariffs might seem like a policy issue, but let’s be real—the impact is personal. Understanding how they affect prices means we can stay one step ahead before they pinch our wallets.

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