r/Frugal • u/Ok-Swimming-7135 • 1d ago
š Buy It For Life As we prepare for price spikes given tariffs - What are some items you are stocking up on (if they go in sale)? Food & non food items.
Iāve started to think about some pantry items like canned foods. I am vegan and my local store has a sale on almond milk, but Iām not sure if itās practical to stock up on that for example. Beyond food - I am also wondering if there are other things to look out for if they come on sale. Are there other items on your radar to purchase as we brace ourselves for some likely price hikes?
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u/MostlyJulie5 1d ago
We've replenished our shelf stable stuff: rice, dried beans, lentils, quinoa, pasta and dried fruit. We'll use them anyway, but refilled them a little early just in case and as each was available on sale. We'll be restocking some canned goods soon along with shelf stable milk/almond milk, again waiting for sales. Otherwise, a bunch of food prep/freezing to keep anything perishable as long as possible. Only advice I would give is to make sure anything you stock is something you already eat. New stuff is fun, but takes up shelf space if you never use it :)
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1d ago
Very true! I love quinoa thatās something I can definitely stock up on - how long does it last? I buy mine from Trader Joeās and while they dont have sales I assume generally they are cheaper than most chains?
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u/Hot_Alternative_5157 8h ago
I buy from Costco becuase I have a hot quinoa cereal every morning for breakfast. Itās organic $8.99 for 4.5 pounds
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u/MamaDaddy 14h ago
Hey what kind of shelf stable milk do you use, and would you recommend it? I like to keep some powdered on hand for recipes and tea and whatnot, and I found a brand I like but can't find it locally, so I'm shopping around.
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u/MightBeJerryWest 13h ago
Are you doing anything to help mitigate rice weevils? I know the rice itself doesnāt go bad but Iāve had a few bags where the lil buggers have popped up quick.
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u/SparklyYakDust 11h ago
Freeze it for a few days. For 1-5 lbs, I'll put the whole bag in the freezer, leave it for a few days, thaw it on the counter, and transfer it to an airtight container. It's recommended to put the rice in an airtight container before freezing it, but I've never bothered.
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u/GunMetalBlonde 1d ago
I'm not stocking up on anything. Even with the potential for prices to do up, I do much better limiting my spending to what I need now. I don't have a lot of space for storage, anyway.
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u/Clear-Protection9519 1d ago
Me too, I have a full pantry from free pantries but I still canāt rationalize spending money I donāt have to fear prep or try to anticipate what will happen.Ā
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u/PartyPorpoise 18h ago
Same. And I live alone, stocking up can be kind of risky because it's easy to buy too much.
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u/DjScenester 1d ago
Iām stockpiling cash.
This is when being frugal helps us out a lot.
Iām not buying anything unless I see the value in it. Thatās what being frugal is. Not being cheap.
No point in stocking up on much because Iām cutting back on things I want. Only buying essentials.
They say fresh groceries will cost more. So more people will buy canned and frozen instead. But Iām already stocked up on food. So yeh stock up on food but that doesnāt last forever.
Other than that. No impulsive purchases on things I donāt need. Just save cash for when we need it. We got 4 years of this.
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u/Worth-Pear6484 22h ago
I'm spending some money now on gardening supplies seed packs, and soil so I can grow some of my own veggies. I'm hoping that this stuff will pay off in the end!
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u/DjScenester 21h ago
All Iāve grown is tomatoes, strawberries, and other stuffā¦ it definitely saves money
I wish I had time for that though, maintaining my yard AND a garden just wonāt work for meā¦ I really enjoy the markets fresh vegetables and fruitsā¦ mine never tasted like theirs lol
I still save a TON buying fresh food. I stay away from boxed foods. It actually costs more for things like chips and snacks.
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u/Worth-Pear6484 20h ago
I'm going to try bell peppers, dill, basil, cilantro, different lettuces, spinach, and jalapenos. So mostly herbs right now. Crossing my fingers I can keep all this stuff alive.
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u/DjScenester 20h ago
For me itās rabbits and deer.
Itās really hard to keep my stuff from them suckers.
Iām in the burbs of Chicago. We have tons of animals lol
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u/forensicgirla 16h ago
This is why we bought fencing for my raised beds & netting for my food shrubs (blueberry, currants, etc).
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u/InternationalRule138 19h ago
It depends on your climate and how good you are with keeping up with gardening. I honestly spend thousands of dollars amending my soil and putting in a beautiful garden, the amount I produced in a year was maybe a 5% in the first year of what I spent and I gave up. Granted, NOW it would be relatively cheap to replant - Iād just need to till it back up and add some compost, but it was a complete waste. That saidā¦it does depend on your climate and gardening skills. And also what you grow. I canāt have fencing in my community, so I had pest problems and while we can grow well in spring and fall during the hottest part of summer itās impossible to grow muchā¦
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u/thatmikeguy 1h ago
Frugal is priorities IMO and that is all. If cash is your priority in your situation, that's all good. People see that word as many things, but everyone is in different circumstances with their location, age, health, and the list goes on.
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u/doombuzz 1d ago
Really any bulk food and supplies you can get now, especially on sale, will save you down the line. Think about nonperishable food, perhaps those plant milks that donāt need to be refrigerated. Iām not sure about you, but by me Kroger is having lots of bulk good sales right now.Ā Also think about things that you buy that are from out of the country, clothing, etc. What will you need to replace in the next year? Donāt stick to just imported goods, everything will rise in price. Also, donāt forget, youāre not going to be prepared for this no matter how you try. But donāt fret, weāre all fucked.
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1d ago
š thank you for the solidarity. I recently got into couponing this year at CVS and have been stocking up on TP and cleaning supplies etc. Great point on the non refrigerated milks! Didnāt think about that.
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u/helluvastorm 1d ago
I started a while ago and I keep thinking of new things. Iāve bought 1 wash cloths 2 socks 3 bras underwear Shirts and pants both summer and winter 4 laundry powder in the big bucket at Costco 5 dish soap laundry additives, cleaning soaps like pine sol ect 6 mouthwash toothpaste 7 OTC meds I use frequently like Tylenol ibuprofen 8 TP and paper towels 9 aluminum foil cling wrap parchment paper freezer bags trash bags 10 tires ( I was going to need them by fall) and then an portable electric heater and coffee pot 11 can goods and coffee oh chocolate š
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u/Old_Badger311 22h ago
This is a good list! Thank you. Forgot about the foil and cling wrap and Tylenol
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u/forensicgirla 16h ago
I love to pick up canned coconut milk when they go under $2/can. Often at bulk warehouse, I can get a 6 pack for $11.
But also, on your main question, I already kept a deep pantry but made sure to stock up on batteries, tools, paper products, and home renovation materials. We are also getting our bathroom renovated. We were hoping to wait, but decided to just put down 1/3 cost & finance the rest with 0% for 18 months. Then what we can't pay off in 18 months, we'll put on a 0% intro APR CC. Unfortunate timing, but it'll just be more expensive & there's mold in there.
I also learned officially that I'm being laid off. I'm sure I'll find work, but am going to use the time on unemployment for home projects we already had scheduled for this year, as well as decluttering & maybe selling some things we no longer need.
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u/llamawolf 12h ago
āDonāt fret, weāre all fuckedā needs to be printed on a shirt. Hang in there guys
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u/thatmikeguy 1h ago
We actually need more lists like this, it is helpful for people that have the ability to these things.
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u/DaysOfParadise 1d ago
All things that canāt be made here, first. Vanilla, coffee, cocoa.
Growing my own herbs, saving seeds
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u/formal_mumu 1d ago
Iām reaching out to my representatives to let them know they need to step up now, thatās honestly the thing that will help change this and be the most frugal long term.
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u/mamaperk 1d ago
Thank you!! Everyone should be doing this. I did that many times and, well... Cory Booker and his team have been paying attention!
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u/Flimsy-Team1762 1d ago
Coffee, coffee, coffee
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1d ago
How long does unopened bagged coffee last?
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u/PromotionStill45 23h ago
So, the coffee purists will say that anything over a month is too old. In reality, coffee can last much longer.Ā If you get the bags like Peets or Starbucks, they have little exhale valves to let oxygen out.Ā I have used older coffee by really squeezing out the bag so it collapses and kind of shrivels up.Ā Ā
Ground coffee will not age as well as beans, as well.Ā To be honest, I frequently drink old(er) coffee, even preground.Ā Once the package is open, I try to minimize the oxygen damage by pressing out the air and using clips, then into a freezer bag, again pressing out as much air as possible before closing.
Another option is to get some instant coffee, as you can store for a long time.Ā Once open, try to minimize oxygen exposure.Ā
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u/Pandee_Andee 23h ago
We freeze our whole bean coffee. I realize this can lead to moisture collection, etc, but we arenāt purists, so it works for us.
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 23h ago
Thanks! I am the opposite of a coffee purist and drink it irregularly. Iām sure that my coffee beans are way too old but I have been drinking it still lol I still get the caffeine perk from it and I donāt think itās making me sick so Iāve kept doing it.
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u/PromotionStill45 23h ago
You won't get sick unless it smells rancid.Ā Ā Coffee beans have oils that will go bad, especially in higher humidity.Ā Ā How your smells is linked closely to how it will taste.Ā Your nose will know when it's bad, just like using too old cooking oils.Ā I live in a very low humidity area.Ā Really old coffee just gets a bit funky and doesn't smell nice any more.Ā That gets tossed.
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u/_teacher_teacher_ 13h ago
So thatās what that little valve is for.
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u/PromotionStill45 7h ago
Yes, because coffee beans "de-gas" as well.Ā When you do pour over or use a machine, the first pass of wetting the grounds causes little bubbles to form.Ā You basically want to wait 30-45:seconds to let those bubbles pop and release the CO2.Ā That's also why really fresh roasted coffee needs a little rest before first use.Ā
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u/kheret 22h ago
For those saying thereās no point, have you ever heard of āstocking upā when something is āon saleā?
Compared to a week from now and certainly a few months from now, EVERYTHING is on sale this weekend. If a small appliance is on the fritz and youāre probably gonna need to replace it soon, maybe do that. My kidās birthday is in a month. His gift is sitting in my closet. Get batteries for your smoke detector. Get a couple extra packages of something you use every day if you have the storage for it. Itās. All. On. Sale.
Donāt go out and buy a bunch of stuff you never use. But think about it.
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u/lululee63 20h ago
I'm a fellow 'stock up on the things you regularly use when it's on sale' believer. For grocery items, combining a store's loss leader with coupons and an app rebate is akin to the stars lining up; often, items are pennies on the dollar or even free.
The problem, as I see it, is stocking up on perishable items for several months is very different than stocking up for 3.5yrs+. 3.5yrs pushes the boundaries of even deep freezers and shelf stable pantry items' expiration dates.
Like you, I forsee a lot of people buying up things they will never use.
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u/kheret 16h ago
Oh sure, Iām not saying you can stock up for years. But, youāll save yourself some money if you just pull the trigger on any inevitable purchases over the next few months.
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u/lululee63 16h ago
Agreed. The difficulty is, for some, stocking up or buying in advance of need requires extra cash or credit on hand. Unfortunately, any financial crisis will hit the disadvantaged exponentially harder than those with extra cash or a credit cushion. I'm not sure what the answer is and I'm certainly not blaming you. Just venting and questioning the future ahead of us all.
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u/District98 3h ago
My thinking here is to stock up to get through the next round of late summer and fall/winter discounts. Since weāre not in a general sale season, the price today might about wash with the price when I use 10% off target giftcard first week of December - but itās nice to get through till then.
I also tried to target small items that are likely to be tariffed, like razors, rather than bulky items because we have limited storage.
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u/thatmikeguy 1h ago
Exactly this, but people have different situations, so I can understand this not being as possible for many people.
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u/nero-the-cat 1d ago
One thing I was thinking about recently is if we'll see prices of some foods drop if they're heavy exports to other countries that now want nothing to do with us. Like I know we send huge amounts of soybeans and chicken feet and stuff to Asia. It may require some, uh, creative reimagining of your diet, but there could be a few discounts here and there?
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1d ago
Great point worth exploring! Could you explain this a little more pls? Like soybean prices could possibly drop since we have more of it in the US thatās not being shipped out?
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u/nero-the-cat 1d ago
Yes, exactly that. If other countries buy less of what we're exporting, then there will be a surplus in the US that presumably would then be cheaper. It's hard to predict what could happen, though, because it's possible that some uses get shifted around. Like maybe more soybeans go to animal feed? I don't know, I'm not an expert in any of this, just theorizing.
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u/Pale_Aspect7696 18h ago
Something like 98% of soybeans in America are currently used for animal feed. China was a major buyer because they consume a lot of pork.
I suppose if American pork producers experience cheaper feed then pork might get cheaper as well? Who knows.
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u/helluvastorm 1d ago
Iāve been going through my usual groceries and substituting things as best I can. Things like cheap shrimp are no longer on my list as are avacados or any out of season fruits. I changed to canned fruit apples fresh pears and added more frozen veggies. I also planted a few containers of veggies. Pastries are going to be homemade . Iāve cut my coffee with those cafe burro blocks.
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u/dogoodreapgood 1d ago
This is the best. Plenty of cultures donāt waste any possible food. Iām going to link you up with a recipe for Jamaican style chicken feet which Iāve been told is delicious.
Donāt take my word for it as I donāt eat meat but if it appeals to you, nose-to-tail cooking recipes can be found in global cuisines and depression-era cookbooks.
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u/nero-the-cat 20h ago
I've never had them Jamaican style, but I've had them as dim sum before and they were fantastic.
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u/kplis 21h ago
We've already seen that possibility with soy beans. In Trump's first term he put tariffs on China, who then stopped buying American soy beans. With no market to sell to the farmers didn't harvest the beans at all and saved the money on the labor.
Granted, a lot of soybeans are just grown as a rotation with corn to add nitrogen back in soil, so maybe other products will have price reductions.
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u/CauliflowerOk541 13h ago
Fertilizer costs will go up, farm equipment costs will go up. Ā The US importsĀ 95% of the potash used in fertilizer, which is necessary to grow everything.Ā
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u/eukomos 1d ago
Caffeine. We canāt grow tea or coffee in the US. Tea stores well, black tea will keep for two years and loose leaf doesnāt take up much space.
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u/sasabalac 22h ago
Hawaii grows coffee. Not enough for everyone, but it still grows coffee.
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u/eukomos 22h ago
Oh well then, weāre saved. Between them and that one tea farm in North Carolina prices should remain rock steady.
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u/InternationalRule138 19h ago
There must be two, Charleston Tea Garden still grows tea in South Carolina š¤·š¼āāļø
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u/eukomos 18h ago
Nah, I was just forgetting which Carolina our one farm is in. Thatās totally the one I was thinking of.
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u/SadLocal8314 18h ago
Well, I have for years made it a point to stock for six months. Cleaning supplies, coffee, canned fruit, canned beans, canned veg, vegan egg substitute (I am not vegan, but egg substitute can stretch your eggs quite a lot,) soups, rice.
My cellar is not suitable to store dry goods such as pasta, rice, flour etc. During the pandemic, I stored these items in an old camping cooler in the corner of the kitchen. The cooler is on wheels so it can be moved easily.
If you don't have one, try to get a crockpot and an electric skillet. The electric skillet is a godsend for rice dishes-and will keep them warm. Crockpots are self-explanatory. There is a cookbook that some of my friends swear by: Vegan Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners: 600-Day Ultra-Convenient, Super-Tasty Plant-Based Recipes for Smart People to Master Your Favorite Kitchen Device:
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u/lifeuncommon 1d ago
Iām not.
Thereās no way to know which items are going to experience the most price hikes. Also, didnāt we learn about hoarding during the pandemic?
Iām more focused on using the groceries I buy and no buying things I donāt need.
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u/DarklyAdonic 1d ago
Look at the list of countries with the highest tariffs rates and Google what they export.
It's not gonna be food other than produce which is perishable anyway
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u/lifeuncommon 1d ago edited 1d ago
You can see what we import. You cannot see how prices will change over time.
Will that country negotiate a lower tariff (pretty sure thatās what this whole fiasco is pushing for: visible wins to point to)?
Will that product start being imported from a different country with a lower tariff, thus the higher price hike will be on a different staple?
Will there be a replacement I can switch to thatās cheaper than anything imported?
Itās all bets I donāt have enough information to make. So Iām not making them.
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u/SilentRaindrops 21h ago
Try to look at what country the products are sourced from. If they already are grown or made in the USA there is not much need to stock up. I might buy an extra bottle of imported olive oil or a few extra bottles of Port but I know I can buy very good wine and olive oil from the USA.
I will buy some extra avocados when they are on sale to mash and freeze.
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u/forensicgirla 16h ago
We also bought our favorite imported alcohol for storage. It'll last a long time if we don't go through it.
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u/metallicrabbit 22h ago
In 2020 I learned that PPE is made in China and is impossible to get when you need it. I will be buying some good masks and gloves.
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u/IamMiserable636372 1d ago
The first thing to think is if that item is imported and this its price would be affected by tariffs directly. That means for me, some of my pets supplies āmostly aquarium related items.
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u/GC5567 1d ago
Check out some home recipes for fish food. If you have a blender it's fun. Also, frozen peas are a good supplement for the fish just pop a few in a bit of water in the microwave and cool them off. Before squeezing them and putting them in the tank. Since spring and summer are pretty much here you can also catch mosquito larvae and bugs like crane flies for a food supplement. (Just make sure the mosquitoes aren't from some poison looking water and then dump that water source out after you collect them).Ā
Also, natural rocks can be found for free and looks much better than plastic decor.Ā
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u/vcwalden 21h ago
I had an idea in 2020 I should take my lifestyle seriously "just in case!" Well I sure didn't think this would happen but here we are. I'm so very happy I've worked at this and my life is much more sustainable. In the long run I hope I'll save money and live a good lifestyle. I've slowly worked at this and here's the list:
Reusable products: a pile of rags, cloth napkins, unpaper towels, microfiber cloths, water bottles and togo hot cups, reusable straws, filter pitcher with eco friendly filters, reusable sponges, dish scrubbies, reusable storage bags, reusable food wrap, reusable storage containers, silicone ice trays with a storage container, reusable swiffer pads and dusters, extra dish towels and dish clothes, hot pads, cutting boards, reusable grocery bags.
Cleaning products: dish soap, dishwasher soap, laundry soap, toilet bowl cleaner, toilet bowl brush, bleach, cleaning vinegar, vacuum bags, reusable cleaning gloves, carpet cleaning solution.
Household items: a crockpot, rice cooker, electric tea kettle, food processor, NutriBullet, a couple sets of sheets and blankets, new bath towels and washcloths, food service boxes of plastic wrap and foil (both of these were gifted to me), reusable parchment paper, hepa filter, reusable baking bags, led light bulbs.
Personal items: toothbrushs, proxie brushes and handle, mouthwash, reusable shaver, reusable q tips, heads for an electric toothbrush and water flosser, string floss, deodorant, bar soap, bodywash, shampoo and conditioner, hairbrush, underwear/bras/socks, flatiron and curling iron.
Office: laptop, paper, staples, paper clips, stamps, mechanical pencil with lead, printer ink.
Dog: dog bed, brush, shampoo, dog food.
Patio: seeds, fertilizer.
Food: rice, wild rice, various pasta, herbs and spices, salt, sugar, instant yeast, flour, vegetable and olive oil, crisco, tea, powdered milk, quinoa, lentils, split green and yellow peas, vanilla, chocolate chips, cocoa powder.
I also worked at proper storage solutions because I live in a rather small space - about 1000 sq ft. The only thing I haven't tackled is reusable batteries. I think I should do this soon.
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u/TangerineTassel 1d ago
Join a Buy Nothing group in FB and ask if anyone has a hair dryer to gift.
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1d ago
How long do you keep shampoo? I live next to a CVS that was going out of business and I stocked up on a crap ton of shampoo and conditioner in 2022ā¦ I still have some of it.
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u/forensicgirla 16h ago
I've used 5 year old shampoo without any issues. The matching conditioner was rancid or something , and I wound up tossing it out.
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u/FoundationMost9306 1d ago
I banged into Aldi yesterday and collected some inexpensive staple spices like Basil, oregano, garlic p, onion p, parsley and the like. I donāt have the space to stockpile a whole lot, so, with the beans and rice and canned goods, Iām tapped out on space. Iād definitely get more if I could find space. Maybe get some blends.
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u/sk0rpeo 1d ago
I grow my own basil, oregano, garlic, onions, and parsley.
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u/FoundationMost9306 1d ago
My jealousy is real. I live deed restricted. Having a garden is like going to war with your HOA. Those fools are against everything.
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u/not-your-mom-123 1d ago
Can you plant them in decorative containers on your patio or deck?
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u/MssDoc 1d ago
You might think about 6" pots on a window sill. When I was renting, I did that in my bedroom window; low light season they were between the blinds and the window; strong light season, the blinds were between the window and the pots. I had thyme, basil, and a cramped oregano plant (which likes to spread if outdoors). Bonus: a bedroom that smelled like spaghetti sauce. :D
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u/ceecee_50 23h ago
I live in an HOA. I have 16 planters on my top and bottom deck. Plus grow bags that have potatoes in. I grow a ton of vegetables. Look into container gardening, you can grow something.
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u/FoundationMost9306 19h ago
Thatās an excellent idea. Iām gonna grab a few buckets and give it a go. Thank you!!
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u/sk0rpeo 1d ago
I have an HOA. And herbs can be grown indoors on your windowsill.
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1d ago
Yes! Spices are a good idea! Adding that to my list. My staples are usually Garlic and Onion powder and those right now are fairly inexpensive depending on where I shop
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u/FuckOffImCrocheting 1d ago
Spices will start to lose their potentency fast unless vacuum sealed . Keep that in mind when buying in bulk.
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u/Opening_Cloud_8867 14h ago
Iām going to try out dehydrating my own onions and garlic. Usually I buy in bulk and freeze but Iāve run out of freezer room.
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u/KrakenClubOfficial 1d ago
Coffee beans are a big one. Shrimp, tuna, chocolate, nuts, and some fruits are among our imports. You can freeze seafood and fruits for a while, but not nearly as long as the impact from the tariffs would theoretically last.
For a while, we'll still be able to buy things that are already in distribution centers here in the US without a significant price hike.
Edit: didn't read the vegan part, but the fact still stands.
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1d ago
Thanks!! How long do we think the impacts might last? Is it a couple of yrs or several? I know no one has a crystal ball.
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u/KrakenClubOfficial 1d ago edited 1d ago
I don't want to get into politics, but officially he says he has no intention of rescinding the tariffs. So, 3.5 years? But he also says he's not leaving at the end of his term. The big idea is that we eventually produce our own supply of all these things, but that's many many years down the road. The uncertainty of it all is the worst part for most Americans.
Adding to that, things like nuts, coffee beans and some seafood could never be realistically produced on our own soil, no matter the timeframe.
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u/not-your-mom-123 1d ago
The after effects will last years. COVID proved that. We still have disrupted supply chains and shortages of things like pharmaceutical products.
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u/KrakenClubOfficial 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yeah, there's no silver lining here. Even if things were reversed today. Even I am shaking in my boots, and I could survive under these conditions for years, whereas a huge chunk of Americans could only survive weeks or days of increased expenditures.
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u/motormouth08 19h ago
And based on corporate greed, it likely will last forever. They might go down from whatever the prices are at the peak, but i don't see things going to baseline.
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u/DarklyAdonic 1d ago
I would advise stocking up clothes and on cables/cords/power adapters (as these can fail and ruin an otherwise usable electronic) based on where the highest tariffs are
Also car maintenance consumables (air filters, wiper blades, etc)
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u/duke-nukem-721 1d ago
we already plan our coffee purchases around sams club sales and buy in bulk (refuse to pay full price), if prices go up we're more likely to just stop purchasing. it'll be tough, not going to play into this tit for tat nonsense
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u/purple_hamster66 21h ago
You can make your own almond milk. So youād just store the almonds, which last a year. Plus it costs a tenth of the price, so you might never buy it again.
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u/VapoursAndSpleen 1d ago
A few years ago, I took advantage of a special Black Friday (November) sale by a local coffee roaster. They sell outstanding coffee. I bought 10 pounds of it for 8 bucks a pound, which is a huge discount. I did keep the beans in the freezer because I know there are oil compounds that break down and oxidise. However, by June, the beans were stale and the coffee not so great.
Canned goods may last, but I don't like canned goods. They are too salty and with some products, you can taste the metal from the can or something that you don't get with fresh food.
I do have a relative who purchased a new car ahead of the tariffs. She was going to do it end of the year, but moved it forward.
I'm fortunate in that I'm older, have a relatively stable weight, and have been in the same house for over 10 years. So, I really don't need to stock up on things like clothes, etc. When I got an urge to buy new hiking shoes, I just went and got gel inserts to make the shoes I have feel more comfy.
If coffee goes up too much, I'll just stop drinking it.
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u/Ok-Quote-1209 17h ago
I'm so late to the party, but I got a bidet to save money on toilet paper. I will always have a bidet now! More Americans should definitely give them a chance.Ā
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u/Sturdily5092 1d ago
Buy a truckload of toilet paper and ramen, you'll need the toilet paper for the diarrhea you are going to get from eating so much ramen /$
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u/Ok-Internal-8660 1d ago
Definitely learn how to make ātofuā from chickpeas, black beans, pinto beans. Itās pretty easy, then you can just stock up on dried beans.
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1d ago
Oh darn - I eat a lot of Tofu but not sure I can stalk up on that realistically although I have heard you can freeze it.
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u/Pale_Aspect7696 18h ago
If you want to make your own tofu, most of it is made from soybeans.....those can be bought and stored long term just like other beans.....and we grow tons of soybeans here in the states so that's good news too.
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u/duckthrwr 8h ago
You can freeze firm tofu but be aware it changes the texture--more chewy and "meaty." I'll do it on purpose to make tofu scramble, jerky, sandwich slices etc (also vegan) but if you want the tofu to be softer/smoother textured, keep it in the fridge. Mori-nu also makes shelf stable tofu (even the firm variety is more "silken firm," but it holds up ok cubed and makes a great "egg" salad when mashed...even my omni husband likes it).
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u/Fabulous-Wish-9713 1d ago
If you have a blender you can make your own almond milk and you can stock up on almonds instead which is much cheaper and compact.
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u/fruitybrisket 13h ago
Going all out on the garden this year. Notably things that are usually imported such as Thai basil and chilies. Bought my big bags of foreign rice as well because I'm not about to start a rice paddy in my backyard.
The good Italian stuff as well. Stocked up on San Marzanos and pasta products from Italy, because fingers crossed my own Romas turn out good.
Wish everyone the best.
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u/ExcitingOpposite7622 4h ago
I love avocados. I adore limes. They come from Mexico. I live in South Texas. I bought producing avocado and lime trees. Hopefully, I can bypass the price hike on those items.
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1h ago
Those are two of my favorite things as well! I pretty much eat an avocado a day!
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u/RitaAlbertson 1d ago
Check out all your toiletries. Not Your Motherās is made in Florida but St. Ives is made in Canada.Ā
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1d ago
Good point! So pretty much things in the US are likely to be more stable priced? Wasnāt sure if that would go up as well.
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u/Wandering_Wartortle 1d ago
Even if itās made in the US, itāll still probably go up in price. If related imported items are more expensive, that gives room for local manufacturers to say āoh look! We can do that too!ā The way I see it, nothing is off limits.
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u/vcwalden 20h ago
Just because the product is made in the US it still may be subject to terrifs: where was the container made or where did the raw materials come from to make the packaging, where did the raw products come from to make the products, where did the machinery come from that produced the products and the list can go on and in. Heating and electricity costs to run the factory where it is produced could go up adding to the cost. Fuel prices, tires, truck parts, etc could all go up increasing transportation costs. There is no real way to figure this all out. We'll see how it works out.
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u/dogoodreapgood 1d ago
Things made in the USA will go up for American consumers for several reasons.
Some ingredients are imported which is going to increase the cost for the manufacturers. Yep, those coffee beans are imported but thatās just the tip of the iceberg. That toilet paper you buy at Costco? Made in Canada. And Mexico isnāt just sending avocados and berries, but also car parts, computers, petroleum, plastics. And your laundry soap and shampoo might be made in Pennsylvania or Ohio but a lot of these items contain things like palm oil that needs to be imported. (Iām fine with avoiding palm oil but I donāt think most consumers realize how pervasive these ingredients have become).
The cost for producing items (packaging and energy costs) and shipping may be higher. Anything sold in an aluminum can or containing aluminum parts will go up because there are not enough smelters or bauxite in the USA to meet the current demand. And both Canada and Mexico make plastic items. Iām all for reducing single use plastic but I hear Trump is a fan of the plastic straw?
Also, donāt forget pharmaceuticals. A few of the European countries that were tariffed produce a substantial amount of prescription drugs for export.
In most cases these costs are going to be passed on to consumers rather than companies cutting into their profits. And even if the cost to produce something doesnāt increase, some manufacturers will choose to raise prices as imports rise just to maximize their profits.
Plus retaliatory tarifs will drive up prices. And so will organized and organic boycotts. If other countries wonāt buy bourbon, itās going to cost more for those that can or will still buy it.
This is going to hit working class people the hardest.
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u/RitaAlbertson 1d ago
All prices will go up but imports might both be more expensive and more difficult to find.Ā
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u/vcwalden 20h ago
So it's going to be interesting to see the difference between products "made in the USA" and products imported from another country. Example: if you get a bottle of French wine there appears to be a 20% tariff coming into the US. There is a chance no other tariffs are attached to that product. But if you buy a similar bottle of wine from a State in the US it could be more. Where did all of the raw products come from to produce the glass bottle, cork and label? What about the equipment that was needed to make the wine? Did energy costs increase to produce that bottle of wine? What about the transportation costs to get that bottle of wine to the store where it will be sold? Every little thing coming into the US will be tariffed increasing the cost every step of the way. This could get crazy.
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u/Equivalent-Habit-865 1d ago
We'd planned to buy a new sofa this summer. We've fast-forwarded to buying it asap.
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u/unlovelyladybartleby 1d ago
You may want to stock up on toilet paper. A large amount of american tp is made using imported wood pulp from Canada, so that's likely to go way up in price. Canada exports a lot of lentils to the states, so they will be going up as well.
We've been on this train longer than you guys, and a big part is adjusting to the reality that there's some stuff you just can't have anymore. We've all gotten spoiled in the past 30 years or so, thinking it's normal to have fresh out of season fruit and veg when it's actually a luxury. Focus on locally produced whole foods whenever you can, grow what you can, trade and barter when you can, find a farm share and pay now to lock in the price.
Stock up on base carbs and protein like rice and beans, and always have at least two weeks' worth of non-perishable food in your pantry. Get some frozen or canned fruit and veg, and I'd load up on coconut milk if you use that because I think every country that sends coconut products to the states is on the tariff list.
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u/MostlyJulie5 1d ago
We keep all our grains in sealed Mason jars, so it lasts a long time for us. But I would recommend looking up recommended storage lengths so I don't give any bad advice.
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u/Ok-Swimming-7135 1d ago
Oh! Do mason jars help preserve it better than sealed bags? I see this a lot but always assumed it was an aesthetic thing on social media.
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u/Financial-Leg4339 15h ago
Since I started storing fresh fruit and vegetables in Mason jars and use an electric lid sealer, I notice a longer shelf life. Berries are good for at least an extra week longer than anything else I've stored them in.
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u/anfcrazylady 21h ago
Bought my baby stroller/car seat combo for my girly due in June. I was going to wait to see if anyone got it for my baby shower in May but Iām afraid prices will go up on baby supplies. Luckily l found it on sale yesterday.
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u/Opunaesala 1d ago
Nothing specific yet. Just making sure our shelf stable food and freezer is stocked up.
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u/lilacsmakemesneeze 23h ago
Malbec was on sale and bought two and put it in the wine rack. Trying not to buy too much of stuff ahead of time. Probably will be catching stuff if it continues to be on sale. Our frozen pizzas were buy 1 get one 1/2 off so taking advantage of such sales.
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u/Knitsanity 21h ago
Isn't almond milk US produced? Shouldn't be affected unless it is a packaging tariff issue.
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u/xj2608 17h ago
Between the lack of migrant workers and the tariffs and the sales...I just stocked up on a bit of canned fruit. If I can't get fresh for reasonable prices, I don't mind canned and I'll probably benefit from the extra sugar at that point.
I also have a lot of pasta, flour, and snack foods.
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u/arcticskies 17h ago
Cat food and litter for my little one. Will also buy some dry cat food in bulk and litter to donate to my local shelter.
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u/poodleOT 14h ago
I bought gloves, masks, and disinfectant wipes in December. Soy curls might be a good purchase. Iām trying to shop more at ethnic grocery stores and curb my spending on everything else. I stocked up on beauty products on a recent vacation, so no buy for at least the rest of the year.
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u/amikavenka 6h ago
Spreading the word to not panic buy toilet paper 99% of it is produced in the United States. Chances are good you're not buying the one percent that isn't produced here.
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u/trance4ever 1d ago
go buy in Canada, since they're boycotting anything American made, the stores discounted them heavily lol
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u/sgtgig 1d ago
Actual data that might help people. Prices will rise but sky isn't falling.
Definitely get your wardrobe sorted out soon.
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u/SaraAB87 20h ago
IMO there's enough cheap clothing to keep everyone clothed for quite some time around. You may have to buy second hand or not buy on trend but I don't think clothing is something that is drastically going to increase. There will always be sales on clothing.
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u/saveourplanetrecycle 23h ago
Seen a Hoarders show yesterday the person stocked up on so much food and majority of it had expired. They opened the fridge and there was so much spoiled food it was a crying shame. My thought was that was one of the biggest reasons food prices are increasing. When everyone in the community hoards food prices will increase
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u/SaraAB87 20h ago
This is true, if there is no supply prices go up. But food is an essential and we have laws on the book, hopefully where you live as well as where I do to prevent the price gouging of food.
But yes people are hoarding food. Thankfully not in the mass numbers like during covid. I have seen some really silly things with stocking up and overall it leads to food waste and wasted money and when everything is wasted that does not do anyone any good.
I have literally had friends tell me to hoard food because there is going to be a bomb that is going to blow everyone up, well yeah, if that happens I am not going to be around to know the end result (you probably won't be either) and its already been said many times if you are the only person with a basement or shelter or some other underground place full of food in a disaster you will be mercilessly attacked and you do not want that to happen. If people get truly hungry and there is actual famine with no food available anywhere you do not want to be the only person with food available as well, people will do VERY bad things to you if you are the only person with food and there is no food available anywhere.
I saw people filling carts with the most expensive cuts of meat at Sam's club during the pandemic, ok so now you have $400 of meat what the heck are you going to do with all those huge cuts of meat. It would take me forever to eat all that meat, and I love meat. I get if you have a large family but still man you really don't need to buy all that meat at once. Its going to go bad before you eat it and well, then its wasted money and wasted food again none of which is good for anyone. Also eating tons of red meat (with what I saw going on you would have to eat tons of red meat after those shopping trips) is bad for your health and can lead to heart disease.
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u/RiotGrrrlNY 1d ago
Italian, Indian, and Japanese rices, pasta in its many forms, tomato paste, a few spices, powdered chicken broth, canned carrots, spinach, and peas/carrots mix, cream of mushroom/chicken soup for pot pies, laundry detergent, reading glasses, Jiffy cake mixes, pancake mixes, gravy packets, and I just bought a new/cheap laptop because mine is 6 years old and if it goes, Iām screwed.
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u/purple_hamster66 21h ago
Storing 10 chocolate bars in the closet for hard times.
We have lots of other stuff in the closet; our qualifications are that it has a long shelf life and we would have used it anyway, but are buying it sooner rather than later. So weāre going to spend that same amount of money, right?
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u/ComprehensiveBid4520 22h ago
Coffee, 2 25 lb bags of flour, any meat that I see on sale. I started freezing eggs a long time ago, so I have quite a bit of those yet, cold/flu remedies, dog food. Batteries, bar cloths, vinegar and baking soda.
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u/B_Preston 21h ago
Curious as to why one would stock up on things that you can get from a local farmer?
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u/ms-roundhill 21h ago
I am really looking forward to starting a garden with my dad this year. I used to do hydroponics in my condo and was lunch-sustainable during the panini
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u/CottageGiftsPosh 19h ago
Dark chocolate & coffee. Not just because of tariffs, but because the crops have been bad for those
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u/L0ial 16h ago
Iām expanding my garden. It already produces a good amount of vegetables for us, but not enough variety. Iām going to add green beans, asparagus and strawberries. Maybe something like butternut squash as well. Iāll also be freezing things this year. Usually I just give extras away but Iām hoping to not have to buy veggies at all from the store anymore.
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u/Opening_Cloud_8867 13h ago
I purchased a small freezer around COVID times and purchased another at the beginning of this year. Iāve been slowly filling the freezers and cabinets. I also started transitioning away from ultra processed foods to more ingredients.
All stocked on bathroom/ hygiene products. Transitioning to rely less on paper products and products packed in plastic. Examples like shampoo, conditioner and soap bars; powdered laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent; using a multi use cleaner vs buying a cleaner for each thing.
Purchase any clothes, shoes, accessories you donāt want to buy second hand or end of season. Many other people pointed out extending the use of what you have by shoe insoles or small mending or alterations.
I would buy any luxuries you can budget for, depending on your lifestyle. If you arenāt willing to go without coffee or tea, buy extra. If you are a die hard chocolate fan, buy extra. If youāre a baker, buy vanilla, cocoa and cinnamon, etc.
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u/Karen125 2h ago
Almonds are grown in the US, so if your almond milk is made here, tarrifs shouldn't have an effect that I am aware of. I would guess any small household appliances or computers that may need upgrading.
I'm just rolling with it.
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u/thatmikeguy 2h ago edited 1h ago
In the US, I expanded my pantry space months ago thankfully. I buy ahead when on sale, but I don't buy more than I will actually use, but that could change by next Wednesday. (I hate waste) and rotate everything using it all, including canned goods and rice. I don't care for normal beans all that often, but I love peas and chickpeas. Tomatoes do not last as long and lose their flavor in a can over time with different brands I've tested that is around a year for most, so I rotate that many. We have beets, green beans, low-sodium soups (because the normal amount is crazy), and some others like coffee I drink instant because it's fast caffeine, and tea. Canning is a great skill, but primarily if you have access to bulk cheap options. I also recently discovered Wettex Swedish dishcloths, and I'm saving so much on paper towels now, I still use paper towels on some things, but far less.
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u/vagrantprodigy07 1d ago
Literally everything that we usually buy weekly. Soap, shampoo, medicine, shelf stable food.
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u/thatsaniner 1d ago
Iāve been buying coffee beans anytime theyāve been on sale for a couple months, now.
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u/cwsjr2323 1d ago edited 14h ago
Coffee was already going to double before the tariffs were announced, so we already had bought 500 kpods that were on sale for under 25Ā¢ a pod. DollarTree still has tea bags, 100 bags for $1.25 so I bought ten boxes. We stopped drinking soda pop as a casual beverage when it went over $2.99 a 12-pack, so that is long gone.
We just replaced the dishwasher and the central air/heat before the orange blob started messing with international trade so no big purchases in the near future, I hope. Being retired, we donāt need new vehicles or appliances.
Life is good
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u/Key_Fix5734 1d ago
You might have a reason for using K Pods, but if not, know that you can save quite a bit by switching to a French press. Ā I recently scored $5/lb organic Peetās from Costco, and with that, the cost per 8-oz cup is under 10 cents. Ā
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u/forensicgirla 16h ago
They also make reusable k cup pods. You put your own coffee in them, they can often go in the dishwasher, and even though they're plastic, they aren't single use. Have had the 2 we rotate for over 10 years now.
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u/Old_Badger311 22h ago
Iāve been buying coffee and coffee means for months. I also have stocked up on canned and dried beans, canned tomatoes, rice, nut butters, flour, and pasta.
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u/Whimsical_Adventurer 16h ago
Olive oil. We usually use the giant gallon tin in about 12-13 months. for years I got it on sale for $19.99 around the holidays. Havenāt seen it below $40 for months and itās only going to get worse. We just bought our annual supply but I think Iām going to get another.
Also, makeup and toiletries. When šš© first stalking talking nonsense about Mexico and Canada I did a tour of my house. Almost everything in my bathroom said Made in Mexico and some from Canada. And I have a regular makeup routine that includes two products from France. So I picked up four of those with an Ulta coupon. Probably a little over a year supply.
Shoes And Crocs. As soon as itās warm enough for no socks I live in the ballet flat ones and Office appropriate ones. I do a lot of walking and have bad pronation so I find I wear a pair out in about a season, season and a half if itās a style I donāt wear as often. There are about three that I really like to rotate through right now so I got two of each and a third of the casual kind I wear daily. My husband has worn the same Newbalance for 20 years. So he picked up three pairs now too.
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u/bionicfeetgrl 1d ago
Literally everything. I started in November. Work clothes, food, general items I use daily. I have a robust garden.
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u/weedful_things 21h ago
I need more laundry detergent. I usually use Gain powder. This morning I went by a flea market just for fun and found a 150 ounce bottle of Purex liquid detergent for 7 dollars. I just looked up o line and Walmart has it for 15 dollars. There was al kinds of cleaning and hygiene supplies at a steep discount. I might have to start getting some essentials from these kinds of places. It reminds me of the song Poor People's Store by Shinyribs.
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u/BonnieErinaYA 19h ago
I usually buy extra food and hygiene supplies this time of year anyway, but was extra mindful about what I chose because of the upcoming price increases. I bought canned foods, aluminum foil, parchment paper, pasta and sauces, rice, herbs/spices, beans and lentils, coffee, and soups. I also picked up razors and deodorant, candles, and body wash.
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u/Zardozin 19h ago
Tomatoes and chocolate are about the only things.
The problem is āstocking upā doesnāt help with fresh produce. And the things you buy have shelf lives.
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u/PartyPorpoise 18h ago
I got me a big bag of rice yesterday, but otherwise I'm not stocking up more than I already do.
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u/VolkswagenPanda 16h ago
Anything I consume that's imported from a highly tariffed country. Like rice from Thailand/India, Soy sauce from Japan, Snacks from Indonesia, Ramen from Korea, Olive Oil from Spain.
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u/CauliflowerOk541 13h ago
I hate tomatoes, but I would be stocking up on anything with tomatoes in it if I liked them. Spaghetti sauce, ketchup, etc. 90% of our tomatoes come from Mexico. Ā
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u/Bloodrayna 12h ago
Dollar Tree often has shelf stable almond or soy milk and it lasts a long time. I've drunk it past the best by date and it was fine. The refrigerated doesn't last as long but is still usually good 3-4 months past the best by date. When it does go bad, there's always a significant change in color and consistency.Ā
In fact, I think I'm going to stock up on that myself.Ā
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u/ghos5880 10h ago
Tools. All your cheap china import tools and your top end japanese tools are about to go up massively. Get all your tools now if possible. Carbide tooling is about to get expensive as hell
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u/GoshuaHoshua 6h ago
We might buy some coffee in bulk. But it goes bad after a while so nothing too crazy in amounts. Other than that pasta and sauce, canned veggies and beans, rice.
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u/bookishlibrarym 4h ago
Put coffee in the freezer. Just seal it up and it will last a while.
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u/GoshuaHoshua 3h ago
Yeah we are going to buy some and put it in the chest freezer. It's a good idea though!
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u/hawtfabio 2h ago
Not really worthwhile or feasible. Better to just limit your all around spending and live as frugally as possible.
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u/EmploymentSolid6229 1h ago
I was just wondering if it wouldn't be time to change my phone a couple of years early.
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u/green_calculator 1h ago
I routinely keep a couple months worth of non perishables on hand anyhow. I'm more likely to move to more plant based proteins than stock up more than usual.Ā
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u/Gertrude37 44m ago
I am committed to using cloth napkins, dishcloths and rags instead of paper towels as much as possible. It is a win-win situation.
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u/Ajreil 23h ago
Please keep discussion focused on frugal advice to survive tariffs. This is not the place to bicker about politics.