6 Smart Ways to Avoid Tariffs to Save Money on Essentials

Between inflation, supply chain issues, and President Trump’s tariffs, the cost of everyday essentials keeps going up. Whether it’s your weekly grocery haul, household staples, or back-to-school supplies, it’ll be like paying more but getting less. And while we can’t exactly rewrite trade policy, we can shop smarter.

So, as consumers caught in the middle of all this uncertainty, let’s find ways to avoid extra costs from tariffs as best as we can. We’ll break down exactly how tariffs affect prices and, more importantly, how you can work around them to stretch your budget further!

What Are Tariffs And Why You Should Care

To break it down, tariffs are essentially taxes on imported goods and services. When companies import products from other countries, they sometimes have to pay a fee. Since the United States is the world’s largest importer of goods, those fees will get passed down to us, the shoppers. 

What products will be affected? Well, probably more than you think. Here are just some items:

• Electronics (for example, 90% of iPhones are produced in China)
• Cars and auto parts (estimated increase ranges from $2,500 – $20K per car depending on size and type)
• Coffee (80% of unroasted beans are imported from Brazil and Columbia)
• Chocolate (The U.S. climate is unsuited to growing cocoa beans so we import from Latin America)
• Nuts (Cashews are imported from Vietnam, and macadamias are produced in South Africa)
• Rice (Expect to see more expensive jasmine and basmati rice from Thailand and India)
• Wine & Spirits (80% of wine is imported from the European Union)
• Clothing (Large American retailers source their apparel and footwear from China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, as well as Indonesia and Sri Lanka. 
• Toys (Almost 80% of toys sold in the U.S. are imported from China
• Seafood (70-80% of the U.S. seafood is imported, with the top countries being Chile and India)
• Aluminum & steel (this will affect canned goods, appliances, industrial goods, and even beer cans)

It’s…a lot. 

So, if you’re wondering why your favorite coffee or shoes suddenly cost more, tariffs are most likely the culprit. It will impact everything, and the effects will be baked into the price tag. 

By understanding tariffs, you can now make more informed choices about where to shop to start saving some money because no one knows how long the tariffs will last. 

Look for Tariff-Free or Local Alternatives

One of the “easiest” ways to avoid paying extra due to tariffs is to shop locally or shop smart. Products made domestically in the U.S. are immune to import taxes, so you can save when choosing items manufactured closer to home. 

1. Thrift Shop or Buy Pre-Owned

Shop your local thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Mercari, Poshmark, etc, to look for tariff-free savings. You could find higher-quality products that’ll last you longer, which is important in a potential recession.

2. Buy American-Made Products

Easier said than done for sure, and it’ll cost more, but you can try to support local businesses, check the label for “Made in USA,” and buy from small or regional businesses that won’t be affected by the global trade drama.

Here’s an eye-opening news segment on “Buying ‘Made in America:’

3. Shop at Warehouse Clubs or Bulk Stores

Costco or Sam’s Club may have tariff-resistant bulk pricing. Start pooling with friends and family to share bulk items and split the cost. It’ll help you save space and money from stocking up on too many items! Some great examples are toilet paper and paper towels, especially if you’re in smaller households.

4. Search Local Freebie Groups or Swapmeets

Groups like Buy Nothing Groups, Nextdoor, and Freecycle will have listings of items that people don’t need or want anymore. Just be careful of potential scams, have a buddy system if meeting with strangers, and avoid giving out too much personal information.

Ask your family and friends if there are items they don’t want either. You’ll be helping each other spring clean!

Local swapmeets will also have affordable items that you can browse and shop for.

5. Ask Yourself: “Do I Need This?” And Use the H.A.L.T. Method

This is the time to lock down good budgeting habits even more, so ask yourself if the item you’re eyeing is absolutely necessary or if it can wait. Physically touching items makes you more likely to purchase, so avoid holding on to things too long. If it’s online, you can add to cart and just hold. The brand may offer a discount if it notices you didn’t complete the purchase.

Also, use the H.A.L.T. method. Just avoid shopping when you’re Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.

6. Try Generic/Store-Brand Options or Look for Domestic

You may need to consider generic options instead of brand-name items, as they’re usually made locally or sourced from tariff-free zones. Look at the ingredient list, and you’ll see that there may not be as many differences as you think. 

In general, just be open to alternatives! There could be high-quality domestic versions of your item as well.

Bonus Hack to Cut Costs on Essentials

One thing you should be doing, even before all the tariff drama, is using cash back apps to help you save money on the stuff you’re already going to buy. We like Fetch, a free cash back app where you can earn gift cards just by uploading your receipts, even digital ones! 

You can also double-dip and use Rakuten to get cash back on online and in-store purchases.

The Money Move

The tariffs are out of your control, but how you spend isn’t. A little strategy goes a long way, and making small, consistent changes in how you shop will help keep your budget intact. 

Since we don’t know how long these tariffs will last, it’s best to stay more on the frugal side of spending in case any emergencies pop up to upend your finances. If you need help saving additional money, check out how to save $1,000 fast. You got this!