Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Jack Smith: “Why did you start campaigning in the middle of my investigation?!”

Trumpflation is an intolerable hardship for every American, and it’s Trump’s fault.

You passed on an opportunity to be offended? What are you even doing here?

There are no moderate republicans – only extremists and cowards.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

Republicans: “Abortion is murder but you can take a bus to get one.” Easy peasy.

Also, are you sure you want people to rate your comments?

You are either for trump or for democracy. Pick one.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

At some point, the ability to learn is a factor of character, not IQ.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

In my day, never was longer.

Damn right I heard that as a threat.

We can’t confuse what’s necessary to win elections with the policies that we want to implement when we do.

Tick tock motherfuckers!

The gop is a fucking disgrace.

Jesus watching the most hateful people claiming to be his followers

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

Second rate reporter says what?

How stupid are these people?

Make the republican party small enough to drown in a bathtub.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

You are here: Home / Politics / Tariff Preparations / Something Practical

Something Practical

by | 271 Comments

This post is in: 

Betty Cracker made a comment this morning that is along the lines of what I have been thinking.

What should we be purchasing now and what should we stocking up on because of the coming tariff and supply chain issues?

I don’t really pay attention to what comes from which countries, so I am hoping the BJ hive mind will know!

I bought a new MacBook Air M4 (that I love!) so probably yes on buying computers now?

I replaced my ridiculously old Apple Airport wireless system that I have had since before 2009.  So yes on other electronics, yes?

Vehicles?

I really don’t want to be stocking up on what was needed for the last crisis (Covid) if what will likely be hard to get this time is completely different.

For Covid it was:

  • Toilet paper
  • Paper towels
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Food
  • Cash in case the economy collapsed.

Beyond that, t’s all a blur for me.  What else was hard to get, and what will be hard to get because of the tariffs ?  What’s going to be an issue this time that wasn’t last time?

Maybe let’s stick to the topic on this post so we can use it for reference?

Reader Interactions

271Comments

  1. 1.

    Trivia Man

    I have been told coffee, anything bulk paper related, lumber will all be quickly affected

  2. 2.

    PatrickG

    Hear ye hear ye! Apple discounts for balloon juicers! 15% off pre-tariff prices! Act now before calamity strikes!

    glad you like the MacBook Air watergirl! Now let us never speak of the FIRST order again.

    for others, watergirl can put you in touch if you’re interested!

  3. 3.

    Soprano2

    I believe most of our toilet paper is made in the U.S., so unless people get crazy about it we shouldn’t have shortages of that.

    I figure if I want a new IPad I better do it quickly. Plus, I started looking at cars again. I think a lot of the stuff that will be scarce won’t be things that can be stocked up on, but who knows?

  4. 4.

    WaterGirl

    Running list suggested so far.  Please weigh in if you strongly agree or if you disagree.

    computers
    coffee
    bulk paper
    lumber
    vehicles
    athletic shoes
    other shoes?
    canned goods?
    dry goods
    pet food
    some nuts  (see link at #9)
    spice
    phone
    computer accessories

  5. 5.

    mali muso

    Well, one thing we did after the pandemic was install bidets on all of our toilets.  So if the TP shortage becomes a thing again, at least we’re better prepared.

    I bought a laptop for my husband for Xmas in anticipation of tariff fuckery, but I don’t think there are really any other electronics we need at the moment.  Stocking up on canned and dry goods seems like an evergreen good idea.

  6. 6.

    TEL

    I agree about buying things like computers. I’ve also read that a lot of athletic shoes are made in China, so I’m getting some next week. I’ve been meaning to get new ones for awhile.

  7. 7.

    Timill

    I don’t know what’ll be short, but when the next check hits I’m buying a month’s worth of pet food. We have stocks of human food. but the non-humans gotta have their Stuff.

  8. 8.

    suzanne

    I have already seen the price of coffee go up, so I bought an extra last time I was at Costco. My TP delivery comes next week. I replaced the 40-year-old refrigerator and furnace after the election, knowing I would regret it if I waited.

  10. 10.

    WaterGirl

    @suzanne: So we think appliances will be affected?   refrigerators, freezers, stoves, ovens, washer and dryer?

    That hadn’t even occurred to me.

  11. 11.

    bbleh

    Offhand I’d say
    — Major purchases that you really can’t delay and that would be affected by tariffs (electronics or other large items from China? cars?) cuz that could amount to some serious cash
    — Lesser imported things (like, I dunno, foods? wine?) you absolutely can’t live without, since they might not be available as easily or at all for a while

    which is to say, not much or maybe even nothing at all.  There will be various delays and shortages, but for day to day stuff like food and household goods, I have no idea how predictable those are, and I’d think panic-buying might be at least as difficult as simply economizing or substituting other things as and when necessary.  (Wasn’t most of the TP shortage due to panic-buying and hoarding rather than actual supply shortages?)

    Could be wrong, but I’m not planning on stocking up on anything.

  15. 15.

    debit

    I bought new appliances right after the election. New washer, dryer, range and fridge. Partly because of tariffs but mostly because I don’t want my money to help his economic numbers.

    I would add batteries, light bulbs and personal hygiene products to the list. Even if you’re not worried about tariffs, you should worry about the supply chain. There’s going to be shortages in mid May to June no matter what. If you need something, get it now.

  16. 16.

    laura

    @bbleh: the TP shortage was primarily due to there being two main types of big roll; home use rolls that we shop for and, large industrial rolls for the workplace and public spaces that are part of facilitiesmaintenance. In a working economy, we use the industrial rolls while we’re at work or school. If we’re working from home it creates an imbalance with steep increase in demand for domestic rolls and industrial rolls cannot be easily purchased or used in home. I hope that helps.

  18. 18.

    Percysowner

     

    Not because there will be a shortage, but buy a bidet. People often panic about supplies like that, even if there really isn’t a threat. Plus, bidets, are AWESOME.

  20. 20.

    WaterGirl

    New running list:

    electronics/TVs, home appliances(fridge, stove, dishwasher),
    cleaning appliances like vacuums
    kitchen appliances  like mixers, toaster ovens, etc
    home and law/garden power tools (drills/saws/lawn mower
     batteries, light bulbs
    personal hygiene product
    tablets / iPads
    microwav
    windows and siding
    clothing
    bra
    bidets (suzanne uses Greenco that don’t require electricity)

  21. 21.

    Matt McIrvin

    We just bought the car that my wife had been meaning to get so that my daughter at college can inherit hers (and we got that car fixed up too).

    Car dealer said they were doing crazy business in expectation of tariffs. I suspect that that is actually serving as a bit of artificial stimulus pumping up some markets in consumer goods, which means that they could crash soon even if there aren’t big price hikes or supply disruptions.

  22. 22.

    Van Buren

    Thanks to many impulsive Penzeys purchases im good on spices.

    OTOH I am very low on hope and optimism.

  23. 23.

    Geo Wilcox

    We bought all that stuff right after the election. Computer, tablet, phone, fridge, stove, dishwasher, microwave, garden gear, car. We  got it all. My husband was skeptical but I insisted. He withdrew his 401K from the stock market and put it into a money market that cannot be fucked with. It makes a good interest rate and has a LOT of cash in it. If we could have withdrawn it and stuffed it in a mattress we would have but the tax bite would have been horrendous.

  24. 24.

    Walker

    I have a contractor doing windows and siding this June. I made him use my deposit to prebuy all lumber back in Feb

  25. 25.

    suzanne

    @WaterGirl: I will note that washing machines got hit by tariffs during the previous FF Admin. So I think appliances are gonna be a big issue.

    We have now replaced all of the appliances in the house within the last 5 years, plus the HVAC.

  26. 26.

    Bupalos

    In general I don’t think tariff price shocks are likely to be all that wild, and I don’t think “stocking up” is really in order. What about just making investments now to do the things we all should be doing to reduce consumption?

    As far as timing I could make a really good argument for buying a new or used Chevy Bolt or other EV in the next month or two, selling stocks to do so if you have them. EV’s are likely to go up in price, an EV saves you money month to month, and it’s may end up that you’re beating coming legislation that will zap the tax credits to give billionaires tax breaks. Oh and there’s that little old thing that either we address climate change or we may as well put our kids in cages and hand them over to Elon Musk right now.

  27. 27.

    WaterGirl

    @debit: That’s an excellent point about supply chain issues.  I was thinking of that but I had only written tariffs, so I just updated up top.

  28. 28.

    suzanne

    I really want to buy a good backpack vacuum but need to stop spending money! We bought a very efficient furnace.

  31. 31.

    Matt McIrvin

    @Percysowner: We have a Japanese toilet for which Japanese-style bidet seats are available, and having gone there and experienced a world where those are everywhere, I have to say I am tempted. But I think it does involve electrical hookups, which we’re not used to needing for toilets, and I’m suspicious of the extra maintenance/complexity overhead. Still, man. Love those Japanese toilets. 

  32. 32.

    EmbraceYourInnerCrone

    @WaterGirl: The tariffs on goods imported from Asia, especially China/Korea/Vietnam will probably affect any large appliances such as washer/dryer/stove/refrigerator.  Most clothing is made overseas, much of it in China/India/Vietnam/Bangladesh.

    As my cell phone(I have no land line its my only phone) was almost 7 years old and in rough shape, I replaced it with a new one before the inauguration.  As I plan on doing some traveling now that I have retired, I use a tablet a lot when not at home.  I purchased a new iPad at the same time as my old Amazon tablet was about 8 years old.  I have purchased a good, small travel wardrobe about two months ago in order to have things that are travel friendly and easier to pack ( even if my trips may have to be changed as to destinations)

    Living in an apartment I can not buy too much in bulk, as far as food is concerned as I have not much storage space

  33. 33.

    WaterGirl

    @Percysowner: @mali muso:

    Here’s what I always wonder about and  don’t understand about a bidet.

    Don’t you have to clean it constantly????  because if you’re spraying when you’re spraying, doesn’t some of the spray get on to whatever part is going to be spraying the water at your private parts the next time?

  35. 35.

    trollhattan

    @Soprano2:

    IIUC the pulp processed into toilet paper in part is sourced from Canada, so either the cost goes up or pulp will be in short supply.

    During covid the shortage stemmed from the big jump in household TB use while commercial (the awful stuff at work) use plunged, and they come off completely different incompatible production lines.

  36. 36.

    danielx

    @Matt McIrvin: ​
     Dealer from whom we bought a Mazda CX-5 has been hounding us to trade it in on a new vehicle “before tariffs hit”. I totally understand, it’s a very popular vehicle – all US-bound CX-5s are built in Japan, no domestic production at all. So much for Mazda sales.

  37. 37.

    Layer8Problem

    I purchased this badly needed laptop I’m typing on soon after the inaugural.  I’m in the process of scoping out the parts of a server of some kind that my partner thinks is probably self-indulgent.  And a trip to the running shoe store this morning for just this situation had to wait for someone else’s impromptu grocery visit.  I’m too easygoing.

  38. 38.

    WaterGirl

    @Walker: I am installing hardwood floors in my sunroom, which i have been thinking about for a year, because I knew the lumber would be going up.

  39. 39.

    trollhattan

    @Matt McIrvin:

    Yeah, a fancy Japanese toilet sounds…fun? Wrong word but running an extension cord to the loo just sounds wrong. No outlet near the thing.

  40. 40.

    Bupalos

    Heat pump is another recommendation along the lines of EV. Though maybe they’ve already gone up, I don’t know.

    The guts of these are pretty much all made in China, whatever the brand. The credits are definitely in short-term jeopardy. It can reduce your consumption save you money month to month in many cases, and again help save the planet and not empower the fossil fuel oligarchs at the head of this global authoritarian push.

  41. 41.

    hotshoe

    @Soprano2: ​ Toilet paper is made in US but made out of Canadian softwood lumber — which is affected by tariffs.

    So expect steep price rise, but not necessarily empty TP aisles in stores.
    Maybe not a high priority to stock up, but easy to add to the Costco list if you’re going there soon.​
    As trollhattan said :)​​

  42. 42.

    Nancy

    I don’t see bras on the list. Major brands don’t seem to be made in the US. Some of us might want to have a few on hand.

  43. 43.

    trollhattan

    @suzanne:

    We replaced our old gas-electric HVAC with a Japanese heat pump just two years ago, so should be good to go there.

    Most worried about the water heater, which is going on year nine.

  44. 44.

    JoyceH

    @laura: I saw a piece on television about the toilet paper thing back during the shortage, so I went on Amazon and bought a lot of a dozen rolls of the commercial grade toilet paper. I still have half of them left – those things last a while!

  45. 45.

    chemiclord

    I’ll admit I did something I haven’t done in years, wade into console preorder nonsense, because while I had every intention of EVENTUALLY buying the new Switch system, who knows what the price of it will be this time next year.

  47. 47.

    Bupalos

    @WaterGirl: You turn the switch the other way and run it to clean it every time. Although I actually am out of the habit of doing it, because what you’re describing in my experience doesn’t really happen. It sounds like it would, but the jet of water is keeping, um, the material, away from itself.

  49. 49.

    RevRick

    @WaterGirl: Trump’s tariffs have already caused a 44% decline in container shipping at the Port of Los Angeles. And yes there will be shortages on retail shelves. But the far greater concern is how this will affect supply chains for all sorts of goods. A cutoff of, say, a part in the steering wheel assembly, means that automobile production will halt, even if every other part for the car is available. Very few high value products are solely manufactured in one country.
    Trump’s tariffs have heaved a wrench into so many different industries, that we won’t know the effect until that industry’s production grinds to a halt.
    A few days ago, the Mack Truck plant nearby announced the layoffs of 250-350 workers as demand for new trucks slumps. And the executive declared that it was due to the tariffs.

  50. 50.

    Jackie

    @Soprano2:

    I believe most of our toilet paper is made in the U.S.

    True, but the trees the US uses to make TP come from Canada? That’s what I was told, so may not be factual.

  53. 53.

    Matt McIrvin

    With all this potential Apple business I guess Tim Cook did good to suck up to Trump. Here I was feeling guilty for pulling the trigger on a new MacBook late last year. I did hear they didn’t cave on DEI.

  56. 56.

    brendancalling

    Coffee

    Toilet Paper

    Rice

    Olive oil

    Vegetable oil

    Make sure my Chinese, Japanese, and Indian cooking supplies are full.

    It’s not time for new running shoes yet, but I should get that done ASAP, because my shoes are made in Vietnam and are gonna cost as much as $250.

  57. 57.

    Terraformer

    Best thing we bought during COVID re: TP was one of those add-on bidets. Saves *a bunch* on TP use

    We now have one in every bathroom

  58. 58.

    Layer8Problem

    @Layer8Problem:  Oh yeah, and new cell phone, because years old, amortized, and flaky USB-C connector.  But headphone jack?  No no, we don’t do that anymore, buy Bluetooth earphones, we’re sure you’ll be much happier.  Jerks.

  59. 59.

    WaterGirl

    What do people think about having cash on hand?  (which I never usually do)

    If you think that’s a good idea related to what’s coming, is there an amount that would be good to think about?

  61. 61.

    ColoradoGuy

    HVAC, whether individual window unit or whole-house. Modern, efficient units with variable-speed fans and compressors use high-power inverters to power the fans and compressors, and those inverters use Asian-made parts. The Federal rebate program takes $2000 off your taxes if it’s a whole house unit, and there are often rebates from your utility company as well.

  62. 62.

    Percysowner

     

    @WaterGirl: They have a splash guard and a self clean mechanism, where you run clean water through the sprayer into the toilet to clean it after every use.

     

    @Matt McIrvin: I have an attachment that goes under the toilet seat. The inexpensive ones attach through the water supply and are easy to install. The spray is tap water temperature, but it’s not bad. There are more expensive models that plug into an electric outlet. It needs to be within like 4 feet of the toilet, but a lot of people use a heavy duty extension cord if necessary. You can get all kinds of bells and whistles if you go high end.

  63. 63.

    Anyway

    @Layer8Problem: Oh yeah, and new cell phone, because years old, amortized, and flaky USB-C connector.

    What kind (of cellphone)?

    I don’t need a new one but am looking for someone else

  64. 64.

    brendancalling

    @WaterGirl: Athletic shoes, absolutely. Mine are gonna be close to $250 after tariffs. I’m saving up for a pair out of my next paycheck.

  66. 66.

    chemiclord

    @WaterGirl: ​
     Nintendo announced a new upgraded video game console to be released in June this year.

    Normally, I like to wait about a year before I buy such toys for the hype to die down… but waiting a year could possibly mean spending God knows how much more if Widdle Donnie has another temper tantrum. So this time around, I waded into the chaos.

  67. 67.

    Socolofi

    @Geo Wilcox: Moving money out of the market in retirement accounts was a _very_ good call. It may still be a good call. Need to think about that.

    I’m a bit deer in the headlights on investments in the market currently… pulling them out means a tax hit I’d rather not take, and trying to time the bottom never works out. Trump 1.0 had two golden rules: Look Good on Fox, and Don’t Fuck the Market. Unclear if that second rule still applies (I like to think all the rich fuckers who run things won’t let things go to shit for that long… but… )

  68. 68.

    no body no name

    I wouldn’t go purchasing computers or phones.  Most of us trash them way before we should.  The iPhone sort of turned Apple into a buy every year fashion status icon and you don’t need that.  People dispose of these way too quick.  I only buy a new phone if there are real improvements.  The X for the OLED screen, the 12 pro for 5g, and then the 16 pro for AI were my last upgrades.  Any 5g phone is fine now.  Real computers packing nvidia GPUs have been massively screwed up for years.  If you are on a for fun toy computer any MAC m1 on out is fine.  Any Windows device running 11 is fine.  If you do need GPU power any RTX nvidia 2000 series or later is fine unless this is a must for work.  I game but I don’t define gaming as a must but I need the GPU for work.

    I bought UPS systems.  These are great if the power goes out and keep your electronics from breaking.  They are not cheap.  These are going to get hit hard.  Most people never bother with their basic power systems but now is the time to.  Get a generator while it’s cheap and all the floor fans one would want.  We bought a bunch of new power tools before that goes up.

    Canned and frozen foods are great as well.  Frozen food is picked at it’s peak and retains more nutritional value than often even fresh food.  Canned foods may have preservatives but last.  Stocking up on fruits and veggies might be prudent.  We use frozen veggies to make soups and the fruits to make smoothies.  They taste great and nothing is lost when using them for that purpose.  Freeze dried is also fine.  Dried mangos are great snacking and that’s going to go up.

    New clothes.  I like a good boot and those are going to go up so I blew 300 on a new pair right now.  Pricey but the brand I bought from has gone through a decade and a few resoles so the cost works out.

  69. 69.

    suzanne

    @WaterGirl: I don’t get the thinking about having cash on hand, either….. but I’m open to being convinced. I either think of it as being for a collapse of the transaction system, which seems remote, or for wanting one’s purchases to be untraceable. I can appreciate that in theory, but practically, it doesn’t matter to me that much.

  70. 70.

    no body no name

    @Layer8Problem:

    Get a USBC DAC and problem fixed.  The ditching of the dongle was an Apple thing to force people into Airpods which are crap.  A cheap USBC DAC is 20 dollars.  A great one is hundreds.  What you need depends on the headphones you have.

  71. 71.

    suzanne

    I will note that the hair dye that I typically buy both went up in price and changed the formulation, and they no longer will have my exact shade. I am U N H A P P Y.

    I don’t know if it’s due to tariffs, but very possible — lots of beauty stuff comes from Asia. I am going to hope that “coffee bean” is similar to “iced espresso”.

    I dye my hair at home and mix it myself because it’s much cheaper!

  72. 72.

    cckids

    Remember, everybody – stocking up on food is good, as long as you have proper storage and ROTATE YOUR STOCKS so you don’t have stuff going bad in the back of your pantry. Having lots of food that has become inedible is just a waste.

    Most canned foods are good past their “best by” dates, as long as the cans aren’t compromised in any way. Flours will keep longer in the freezer, as will nuts. Frozen veggies are good, but their freezer life is generally about 6 months before freezer burn sets in. Then they are safe, but less tasty.

  73. 73.

    Doc Sardonic

    One suggestion I have is to install a pressure washer  bidet on your toilets. Cuts paper usage considerably.

  74. 74.

    Layer8Problem

    @Anyway:  A (yeah, Google) Pixel 9a, now with added Gemini!  That last bit will be neutralized in some manner.  I can’t quite make the break to Iphoneland, but Google’s just about run out of goodwill here.  No Samsung; too much of a reputation for larded-on extra stuff.  I really should consider giving up on the Star Trek tricorder fun but I’m too addicted to the Wikipedia application on the thing.  Maybe some overseas phone I can overlay with a less-Google OS, or just bite the bullet and go old-school flip phone with buttons and all.

  76. 76.

    suzanne

    Can I say….. the bidets that we installed are one of the better pandemic advancements. LOL. Paper feels so medieval. The bidets (and a few other modifications) make it a gold-star experience.

  77. 77.

    NotMax

    Off the top of the noggin.

    Chocolate and cocoa, coffee, sugar, rice, quality canned tomatoes, imported (read: Italian) tuna, some spirits and wines. frozen shrimp, lamb.

    Batteries, shoes/sneakers, underwear and lingerie, swimwear/gymwear.

    In anticipation of the fall, school supplies.

  79. 79.

    Layer8Problem

    @no body no name:  I got one (maybe two) of those, which came extra with previous phones.  My earphones are whatever Wirecutter recommended as the best cheap ones a couple of years ago, probably Panasonic.  But an extra two-inch cable because of design esthetics or engineering cheapouts?  Phooey.

  81. 81.

    PattyP

    Surprised nobody has said alcohol that comes from outside of the US. I stocked up on Aperol and some red wines from Spain & Portugal.

  82. 82.

    Layer8Problem

    @Baud:  Thanks, I forgot them.  Open to any and all suggestions going forward.  This is probably my last Google.

  83. 83.

    CaseyL

    It doesn’t have to be new.

    I know buying used isn’t for everyone, and certainly not every item (earbugs, ewww) and if you buy used you might have to get some repairs, but just about everything can be bought second-hand, including computers and phones.

  85. 85.

    FastEdD

    Good suggestions all. I was heavily into Project Get The Hell Out Of The Stock Market last year. CD’s don’t pay much but they are stable and a good idea is to spread them around, not too much in one place. FDIC insured is nice but what happens if those greedy bastards sink some of those banks?

    I’m so grateful that my teacher’s pension is through the State of CA. The feds can’t fuck with it. It ain’t much but it isn’t going away.

    I replaced most of the rest of that stuff except for the refrigerator which is 30 years old. Need to look into that.

  86. 86.

    ArchTeryx

    @Percysowner: In a very real way, bidets saved my life.

    I have Crohn’s. Not to put too gross a point on it, but TP does not do the job when you go to the bathroom up to 20 times a day, and what comes out is loaded with inflammatory hormones. It’s a guaranteed way of torturing yourself in the LAST place anyone wants to be tortured.

    Bidets solved it completely. They wash the inflammatory hormones away every time, so they can’t get a grip and start chain reactions. Office days are very hard for me because no bidet, but once I get home, I get relief

    Bidets take some getting used to and require minor plumbing to put in, but they are absolutely WORTH it. And that goes triple for when you suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

  87. 87.

    ArchTeryx

    @Bupalos: From dead thread:

    Used the term because Micki is second generation Latino. He’s got a lot of family members looking very nervously over their shoulders for ICE goons. He’s got a whole lot to worry about, but so do we all, and the number of people that decide underbussing beats solidarity is shockingly high. That includes, now, Micki.

  88. 88.

    Another Scott

    Disposable gloves and masks were a big problem last time.  :-(

    Now?  Who knows.  47 loves chaos, because he thinks it will make everyone come begging him for their own bilateral “deals”.

    Are any of these tariffs actually being collected yet??

    As for possible shortages, it depends on the duration of the “dealmaking” process and what they actually charge.

    CNBC (from 4/24):

    […]

    Apparel and footwear are one key consumer product area to watch. In 2024, imports from China accounted for about 37% of all U.S. apparel imports and approximately 58% of all U.S. footwear imports.

    “These prohibitively high new tariff rates operate as an import ban,” said Steve Lamar, president of the American Apparel and Footwear Association.

    […]

    Armstrong warned the first signs of empty shelves would show up where price-sensitive imports dominate the shelf — like toys, games, and budget home goods, in addition to apparel. “These are the canaries in the coal mine of a disrupted supply chain,” he said.

    Armstrong thinks toys and seasonal kids’ goods, including back-to-school items, will disappear first because of the shortened lead times and the timing of tariffs.

    Fast fashion and apparel — basics, tees, leggings, socks, and some kids’ clothing — would follow. “There is often fast turnover on apparel, and thin margins mean low buffer stock,” Armstrong said.

    Low-cost home goods and the consumer electronics supply will be constrained because even though many products in these categories are not “final-assembled in China,” their components often are, according to Armstrong. “Also, many products are refreshed frequently (phones, earbuds, etc.). Some Amazon sellers and big-box stores may have gaps in cheaper electronics and accessories,” he said.

    […]

    So much winning.

    Grr…

    Best wishes,
    Scott.

  89. 89.

    Layer8Problem

    @NotMax:  ” . . . OnePus Android phone.”

    Thanks!  The name speaks to my delicately balanced whimsical nature.  :-)

    I will definitely keep them in mind for the future, but I’ll bet they’ll be tariffed to a fine paste.

  90. 90.

    Trivia Man

    @cckids: just moved my mom out if her house. Most notable food storage (mormon family!) was about 1,500 pounds of wheat. Sealed in metal cans, purchased about 1975, moved cross country once and cross town once. Plus 3 steel 55 gal drums with bags if rice, beans, more wheat. I took the 25# of honey, i expect that has a little shelf life left.

    The rest was unclaimed when i left, i assume siblings and niblings put them in the dumpster

  91. 91.

    H.E.Wolf

    At the beginning of the 2020 pandemic, our 9-year-old neighbor drew a heart and flower message on our sidewalk in chalk. I promptly ordered a batch of sidewalk chalk for myself, and left the 9-year-old a heart and a flower on their family’s sidewalk. That family moved away to be closer to grandparents, or we’d still be corresponding via low-tech emojis. :)

    I still have plenty of chalk, and I recommend it. One thing that is sometimes low in inventory is momentary pleasant connections with neighbors, acquaintances, the mail carrier, etc. Chalk flowers (badly drawn, in my case) and the occasional hopscotch grid are one way to stock the metaphorical shelves.

  92. 92.

    Trivia Man

    @suzanne: Or disruption in banking hours/ temporary network outages.

    I got a bug out bag from my mom when she moved, it had $500 cash she’d forgotten about. I used it for her moving expenses.

  93. 93.

    Spanky

    Just got to this thread and did a search for “95”, and it looks like no one already mentioned masks, specifically N95 or KN95.

    You definitely will need masks in the coming viral hellscape.

  94. 94.

    no body no name

    @Layer8Problem:

    It’s mostly apple wants to get rid of all physical ports.  Which is funny as nobody doing anything real in any area is going to be using wireless for any of it.  Some Android phones do sell as gaming or audio grade phones and bother with a good DAC and AMP at a premium.  But nobody who cared about audio was using Apples stuff for a long time.  Outside of all but gaming grade laptops everyone was wiring up a DAC to them regardless for some time.

    You just have to keep in mind most phones and laptops now are fashion and cultural statements now regardless.  You can’t expect sanity there.

  96. 96.

    arrieve

    I replaced my ridiculously old Apple Airport wireless system that I have had since before 2009.  So yes on other electronics, yes?

    Oh God, I need to do this too. That was such a great technology and mine is still limping (barely) along. Can I ask (suggestions from the hive mind also welcome) what you replaced it with?

  97. 97.

    arrieve

    I’m also replacing my air conditioners (two through the wall models). The old ones still work but it’s probably going to be much more expensive to replace them in a few years if I wait until the old ones really need to go.

  99. 99.

    Jackie

    @no body no name:

    I wouldn’t go purchasing computers or phones.  Most of us trash them way before we should.

    Or as in my case, keeping so long that many of my apps stopped working… but it was being told I couldn’t download new apps on my phone because it was too old lol

  102. 102.

    Michael Bersin

    If you haven’t already, start prepping.

    Shelf stable food.

    Hollow fiber membrane water filter(s).

    Tools.

    Medication.

    Cash.

    Keep your car(s) fueled.

    ID.

    Power supply with solar panel(s).

    Read between the lines.

  104. 104.

    Spanky

    I’ve been thinking about getting an e-bike. Low fuel consumption (chargeable by solar if you’re not in a hurry), fast enough, off-road and somewhat stealthy if the need arises.

  105. 105.

    Layer8Problem

    @no body no name: ​ My wants and caprices when it comes to laptop computers are Linux, virtual machines, and enough CPU and memory to make those two happy, with the occasional video. My gaming is only the occasional nostalgic Myst on Scummvm and maybe trying Riven someday.

  106. 106.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Percysowner:

    Not because there will be a shortage, but buy a bidet. People often panic about supplies like that, even if there really isn’t a threat. Plus, bidets, are AWESOME.

    The problem is installation.  If there is neither hot water nor an electrical connection near one’s commode, one or the other of those presumably must be addressed unless you don’t mind having your butt washed with cold water.

    When we get around to finishing the basement, we’ll make sure it has a bidet with warm water from the get-go, and assuming we like it, we can redo the ground floor and upstairs bathrooms.  But no way I’m modifying the existing electric and plumbing for a bidet without ever having tried one.

  108. 108.

    JMG

    This one is a minor purchase easy to stock up on — toothbrushes. It seems like 90 percent of the world’s toothbrushes are made in one city in China. The tariffs would so impact the profit margin in the US that the makers just won’t go to the expense of shipping them here, or at least not in the usual volume.

  110. 110.

    Emily B.

    I’ve been pretty happy with reconditioned iPhones. One I’ve had for three years, the other for a year and half. I did replace the battery on the second because it had only 81 percent of capacity, and the guy at the Genius Bar said that aside from the battery, the phone was like new.

    You are rolling the dice a bit when you buy used electronics—about a fifth of the reviews on Amazon are from unhappy customers—but I can’t bring myself to pay more than $200-300 for a phone.

  111. 111.

    Rachel Bakes

    @H.E.Wolf: i started drawing mazes on our driveway to keep our son somewhat entertained during breaks from remote schooling. Still in large demand. We also drew all over the access road to entertain anyone out for walks. Small glimmers of happiness and connection helped all of us.

  112. 112.

    Percysowner

    @ArchTeryx: ​
     I totally understand. I bought my first bidet on a lark, pre-COVID. The add ons were on sale on Amazon and I had heard good things. Just this year I developed colitis, and boy have they gone from a good idea that I missed when I went somewhere that didn’t have them to a blessing. It’s so refreshing and comforting. I’m trying to talk my kids into getting them, since I take care of their kids in their home.

  113. 113.

    Doc Sardonic

    @lowtechcyclist: You quickly adapt to tap water temperature out of the bidet, after the first few usages. Unless, you are on a well and your tank is outside, water hits your backside at 68 degrees will get your attention, fortunately in Florida that doesn’t happen often. One suggestion is if you do a bidet for the warm water part install either a remotely controlled hot water circulation pump or an under sink tankless heater. If the bidet has it’s own heater no need to worry about water heating.

  115. 115.

    Rachel Bakes

    For Covid we also stocked up on ingredients for baking and different cuisines to make our home cooking projects more interesting. Lots of soy, ginger, garlic, Asian sauces and such.

    Made sure we renewed our CSA this year and I plan to prep and freeze as much as we can. With migrant workers under threat produce costs are going to increase, I would think.

    where are household batteries and lightbulbs produced?

    we just picked up a new laptop with our new Costco membership.

    A thought we had was stocking up on OTC drugs and HABA products where there’s likely to be a decline in production regulations. Maybe we’re paranoid but I can just see some idiot saying if bleach is good and ammonia is good, why not mix them?! (If we hit injecting bleach and taking horse dewormer for a virus, this doesn’t seem far fetched now)

    Need to hit a garden stand to get herb plants growing in window boxes this summer and beyond.

  117. 117.

    Doc Sardonic

    @Percysowner: Spouse found a rechargeable portable bidet, not as good as the toilet mountable one but it works for travel or being in a location without a bidet. It is about the size of a large water bottle so is fairly discrete.

  118. 118.

    Percysowner

    @lowtechcyclist: ​
     Cold water isn’t bad actually. You can also run a heavy duty electric cord to a nearby outlet.

    I would say, give a really basic model a try. You may not may the cold water. The model I have Lux is like $39 and Amazon has them as low as $25. Installation is simply a case of putting in a splitter on the water supply to your toilet and connecting one to the bidet. It’s simple and doesn’t require any plumbing change. If you hate it, being cold, you don’t have to use it and you haven’t spent that much.

  119. 119.

    trollhattan

    @lowtechcyclist: But no way I’m modifying the existing electric and plumbing for a bidet without ever having tried one.

    “Sir, SIR, what are you doing?”

    —Showroom manager

  120. 120.

    frosty

    Tires? I just replaced them on three cars but not because of supply issues. I’m pretty sure they don’t come from Akron any more.‎

    This purchase could be a safety issue. Better to do it sooner.

    ETA 63% of tires are imported.

  121. 121.

    Almost80

    @WaterGirl: No. You are over thinking it. I bought a $50 bidet about 10 years ago that I installed on a regular toilet. It has a self-cleaning setting. I hooked the thing up myself. You just switch out the two pipelines involved.  Best thing I ever bought. (I am not a plumber, rather an old woman with no expertise.)

  122. 122.

    Soprano2

    @suzanne: I saw that too, the bag of coffee I bought for work at Aldi was over $5! I know I didn’t pay that much last time I bought it.

  123. 123.

    TB Hill

    “Stocking up” is the easiest and fastest way to create shortages for everyone else.

    F*cking people with money depriving everyone else of a chance to buy the basics.

  131. 131.

    WaterGirl

    New running list:

    Sugar
    other alcohol from foreign countries besides wine
    disposable masks
    disposable gloves
    toothbrushes
    maple syrup
    home equity loan?

  132. 132.

    lowtechcyclist

    @suzanne:

    We have non-electric bidets and the water is lukewarm and it’s fine. Warmer might be…. weird.

    How does it get the water up to lukewarm? After the water in my house has been run a bit, it’s at least cool, but first thing in the morning, the tap water here is pretty damn chilly.

    I could deal with room temp water hitting my butt, but water coming from the cold water pipe would have to be heated to get up to that temp.

  133. 133.

    tobie

    So many good suggestions here! I guess I should replace my cell phone and laptop now.

    I’ve been freaked out about food safety with the goons at HHS and Dept of Ag, so I’ve been meaning to buy a case of Parmalat since I don’t know what inspections we’ll have for dairy.

    I don’t really eat meat, so that doesn’t worry me but it may be time for some to buy cuts that can be frozen and defrosted.

  134. 134.

    Gloria DryGarden

    Isn’t hand sanitizer basically vodka w some aloe added? I know some of the alcohol producers in Denver started distributing hand sanitizer that was based on booze; they had lots of bottles of it for the census workers.

  136. 136.

    debit

    @tobie: there’s a lot of food I’m just going to do without for the next few years. Milk is on the top of the list.

  141. 141.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Rachel Bakes:

    where are household batteries and lightbulbs produced?

    Get rechargeable batteries.  I’ve been using Panasonic Eneloop AA and AAA rechargeables for eons now (15-20 years), and only a few of them have gone bad in that time.

    And LED bulbs last forever, so you don’t need but a few extras.  I remember when I had to have half a shelf of 40W, 60W, 75W, 100W, etc. lightbulbs because incandescents burned out so often. I don’t miss those days.

  143. 143.

    bluefoot

    @WaterGirl: as far as I know, nearly all sneaker/running shoes are made abroad.

    i think it’s hard to predict what domestically produced food is going to get hit, between effects on farm labor (ICE, bird flu, measles, worsening working conditions due to lack of regulatory state), wild fires, floods, transportation and lack of food safety infrastructure.

  144. 144.

    WaterGirl

    @frosty: I called me car guy this morning because I had a vague recollection of him telling me last year that I would want to get new tires this year.  We have a date for next Tuesday for me to call him and he’ll tell me what time to stop by on Tuesday, check out the tires.

  146. 146.

    Mary Richman

    If you’re a wine lover, anything from outside the US, particularly Europe. I know it’s essentially a luxury but it’s time to stock up.

  147. 147.

    trollhattan

    @lowtechcyclist: ​
     
    Can only speak to our water supply, which in winter is damn cold but by mid-summer I barely need to move the shower knob into the warm zone.

    My bum would NOT go for a December rinse at the line temp. (Also participate in zero Jan 1 polar bear swims. Just nope.)

  149. 149.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Spanky:

    I’ve been thinking about getting an e-bike. Low fuel consumption (chargeable by solar if you’re not in a hurry), fast enough, off-road and somewhat stealthy if the need arises.

    I’ve been thinking of getting one too.  I’m 2-3 miles from a whole bunch of things: grocery, pharmacy, post office, bank, library, hardware store, and an e-bike would be perfect for all those short-hop errands.  Let me know if you’ve got any insights!

    Same with you, @trollhattan:

  150. 150.

    trollhattan

    @Mary Richman:

    Honestly wonder what happens to our domestic producers who have significant export sales. Countertariffs are going to ding these sales.

    Living close to a bazillion wineries am not too concerned about prices, more hoping they don’t start folding.

    Champagne, though….

  152. 152.

    WaterGirl

    Running list, all together but un-sorted. If you see that something you suggested is not on the list, it’s an oversight, so please call it to my attention.

    computers
    coffee
    bulk paper
    lumber
    vehicles
    athletic shoes
    other shoes?
    canned goods?
    dry goods
    pet food
    some nuts  (see link at #9)
    spice
    phone
    computer accessorieselectronics/TVs,
    home appliances(fridge, stove, dishwasher),
    cleaning appliances like vacuums
    kitchen appliances  like mixers, toaster ovens, etc
    home and law/garden power tools (drills/saws/lawn mower
    batteries, light bulbs
    personal hygiene product
    tablets / iPads
    microwav
    windows and siding
    clothing
    bra
    bidets (suzanne uses Greenco that don’t require electricity)
    eyeglasses and frames (often made in China)
    rice and beans
    Sugar
    other alcohol from foreign countries besides wine
    disposable masks
    disposable gloves
    toothbrushes
    maple syrup
    home equity loan?
    passport up to date
    passport card
    tea

  154. 154.

    debit

    @WaterGirl:  the FDA is being dismantled and food inspections will be a thing of the past. Park rose permaculture did a video about this a few days ago.

  157. 157.

    debit

    @lowtechcyclist: I have an rei electric cargo bike and love it. Could totally go car free for 3 seasons if I needed to. They don’t have that model anymore, but Tern makes very nice ones, if a bit more pricey.

  158. 158.

    Trivia Man

    @They Call Me Noni: Ive read that honey and wheat from ancient egyptian tombs have been safely eaten – im confident in my honey. Mrs trivia is gluten sensitive so i passed on the wheat

  160. 160.

    Doc Sardonic

    @Gloria DryGarden: Vodka isn’t high enough proof to safely use as hand sanitizer. Needs to be at least >120 proof or 60%. The distillers were selling what’s known as the heads and tails, otherwise known as the stuff that will make you sick if consumed, but works real well as cleaner and sanitizer because it is a mix of pure alcohol, acetone, benzenes and a few other things.

  161. 161.

    WV Blondie

    We just bought a new king bed – frame, mattress, mattress pad, sheets, pillows – in a bundle from Nectar. We’d planned to get a new bed anyhow, but I definitely wanted to get it before any tariff impact! Saved a bunch of money, too. The bamboo bedframe comes from Asia, pretty sure all the rest does, as well. Think about it – I don’t think there are any cloth mills left in the U.S.

  163. 163.

    Nelle

    @WaterGirl: We replaced the washer, dryer, stove, and dishwasher right after the election.  They were nearing the end of viable life and November is traditional for appliance sales, but the election was the catalyst.

  164. 164.

    Rachel Bakes

    @WaterGirl: Isn’t bird flu also hitting dairy herds?
    we have a supply of dried milk that I’ll start using for baking to keep the fresh for my son who drinks milk over all other choices.

  167. 167.

    H.E.Wolf

    @Rachel Bakes: The chalk mazes sound fabulous! You are giving me ideas. :)

    @WaterGirl: I vote for adding “sidewalk chalk” to the list. Handy not just for games and good vibes between neighbors, but in case of needing to write a very visible outdoor message. And as pointed out earlier in the thread, toys and playthings may be affected by tariffs.

  169. 169.

    Kristine

    The bamboo paper products I’ve been buying through a US source (Grove Collaborative) have already gone up in price, but if you happen to buy them anywhere else, maybe consider stocking up.

  170. 170.

    H.E.Wolf

    PS: Yesterday I bought a couple of years’ worth of postcards for GOTV. Republicans oughta be runnin’ scared at that news.

  172. 172.

    gvg

    Get your house insulation up the the max, check for air leaks around the doors and window. Get insulated curtains and blinds. Make sure everything runs properly. Everything. Check for slow plumbing leaks. Update your smoke detectors, gas leak detectors, etc. Possibly buy spares. Do careful winterization of things this year, gas treatments or run the gas tanks down, drain howes etc. I think it may be harder to get home repair parts and service. Remember all kinds of immigrants are being driven away.

    Make sure your passport is updated.

    Install more shelves in the garage and clean out things that take up room that you don’t need so that you can stock up on what you do need, but this is tricky because you may be doing repairs yourself.

  173. 173.

    NotMax

    Doesn’t hurt to have a rock bottom inexpensive mouse and/or keyboard in the house as emergency back-up for when a nicer unit decides to join the choir eternal (always at the most inconvenient possible time).

  174. 174.

    Shana

    @Matt McIrvin: We bought Toto Washlet bidets last year. They do require electricity but are almost maintenance-free. From Costco BTW, reasonably priced.

  176. 176.

    Shana

    @trollhattan: We had outlets installed near the toilets for that purpose. Your electrician needs to check your local building codes though for placement near showers. We almost had a real problem but our contractor (we were also having the bathroom remodeled) took care of it.

  177. 177.

    Planetjanet

    I think I have already been dinged by tariffs.  I ordered some stationary from one of those drop-ship sellers shortly before the tariffs were announced.  The tracking said it arrived in New York.  A week later the order was cancelled.

  180. 180.

    frosty

    @WaterGirl: ​I got Continental True Contact Tour 54. 2nd highest rated by Consumer Reports. Much cheaper than #1 Michelin. Also 2nd highest rated by cartalk.com. See if your car guy agrees.​

  181. 181.

    frosty

    @lowtechcyclist: ​
     If you want short-hop errands and you’re not going to be carrying it around check out what Joelle got; I think it was a Lectric trike. Lectric 2-wheelers are under $1,000 and folders but *heavy*.

  184. 184.

    Motivated Seller

    How about brushing up on home canning?  I’ve dusted off my mother’s old kit and I’m trying some for myself.

  185. 185.

    CODave

    @arrieve: After a massively buggy NetGear mesh, I switched to Eero, yes from Amazon.

    A piece of cake to set up and I never have to reboot the system when I get up in the morning. All updates are automatic and basically perfect, that is, I figure out that it happened a couple of days prior to me noticing.

    I got the Eero 6E, because it was on sale prior to WiFi 7.0. The only complaint is that the outdoor speaker drops out every now and then. But it IS outdoors, so I’m more tolerant

  188. 188.

    suzanne

    @WaterGirl: All kinds of beauty supplies come from overseas and are going to be hit. I read an article a few days ago in which a Black woman who had opened a beauty supply store was interviewed, and she said that she was expecting large price increases on things like wigs and weaves, shampoos and conditioners, etc. I don’t know how far that rabbit hole goes….. skincare, hair care, makeup….. I bet a lot of that comes from Asia and Europe.

  190. 190.

    lowtechcyclist

    @frosty: ​

    If you want short-hop errands and you’re not going to be carrying it around check out what Joelle got; I think it was a Lectric trike. Lectric 2-wheelers are under $1,000 and folders but *heavy*.

    I thought about that but I’d be nervous about the extra width on the streets I would be riding on. (Well really just one of the streets in particular, but most of my errands would involve that street.) Easy enough for a car to get past a bike, but I don’t want cars piling up behind me because someone’s nervous about squeezing by a trike.
    I think I’m going to buy a very low-end e-bike: I don’t need it to go fast, I don’t need more than 10 miles’ range, I don’t need it to carry more than ~200 lbs., the only thing I’m particular about is having a rear rack that I can attach a basket to. Amazon has a number of them available for prices in the mid three figures, including shipping. I’m probably just going to buy one of those, take my chances, and if necessary, learn from the experience.​
    ​
    ​

  194. 194.

    Michael Bersin

    @WaterGirl:

    In the Dark Ages, those of us who did backpacking used Halazone tablets for water “purification”. Technology has given us these filters.

    “…Hollow fiber membranes are ubiquitously used in industrial separations, especially the filtration of drinking water.

    Industrial water filters are mainly equipped with ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes. Domestic water filtration systems have microfiltration hollow fiber membranes. In microfiltration a membrane pore diameter of 0.1 micrometers cuts-off microorganisms like germs and bacteria, Giardia cysts and other intestinal parasites, as well removing sediments. Ultrafiltration membranes are capable of removing not only bacteria, but also viruses….”

    You can acquire a small personal filter for around $30. One manufacturer states they are good for up to 100,000 gallons.

  195. 195.

    trollhattan

    @lowtechcyclist: ​ Three-wheel means having to watch for bad pavement, debris, hazards on three paths and not just one. Unless puttering around a golf course I just can’t imagine.
    I assume unless one lives in Switzerland the roads and streets are as crappy as they are here.​

  197. 197.

    VFX Lurker

    @thedeadcanary: I had not thought about it but … chili crisp?

    Here in Los Angeles County, a husband-and-wife team makes a lovely garlic crunch oil called Zindrew. However, I do not know where all of their ingredients are sourced.

    After November 5th, I pulled the trigger on upgrades I would have put off until Summer 2025 under a Harris Administration:

    — Phone replacements (both phones had stopped receiving security updates)
    — Computer workstation replacements
    — iPad Air 11″ to replace an ancient iPad Pro (FaceTime had stopped working on my older model)
    — (splurge) iPad Pro 13″ + Magic Keyboard

    I anticipated tariffs on China, but I did not foresee tariffs worldwide. Starting to wonder if I should have looked into getting a new car, though. My 23-year-old Toyota Prius has the heart of a Corolla, but it’s a bit long in the tooth.

    I left my investments as-is in a self-rebalancing fund-of-(index)-funds with a fixed 60/40 stock/bond allocation. If I’m lucky, I can still work another 20 years.

    Most of my emergency fund is in I-Bonds; I regularly contribute to a Treasury money market fund. Checking/savings are at NCUA-insured credit unions. Only my credit cards come from FDIC-insured banks.

    I will be revisiting this useful thread to see if there’s anything I overlooked. Thank you, WaterGirl, for starting this discussion.

  198. 198.

    Michael Bersin

    @TB Hill:

    And that’s why one buys a little extra over a long time span.

    I would suspect that most people around these here parts are a bit more altruistic than average – they might indeed be “sharers” in a crisis.

  199. 199.

    VFX Lurker

    @WaterGirl: Please add tea to this list. I am an avid tea-drinker, and I like to drink green tea, black tea and oolong tea. All of my tea comes from abroad.

  200. 200.

    jonas

    Is Mexican tequila covered under the USMCA? Or is it going to get the shit tariffed out of it? Asking for a friend.

  202. 202.

    Michael Bersin

    @Ned F:

    We took a “stop the bleed class”

    Large First Aid kit:

    Band-aids, wrap bandages, surgical dressings, N-95 masks, nitrile gloves, over the counter pain meds, alcohol wipes, Narcan, tourniquets, etc…

    The kit (in a large canvas bag) is stored next to the go bags. We take it to public demonstrations – leave it in the vehicle, but easily accessible.

  203. 203.

    Trivia Man

    @Jackie: fun fact: in salt lake city the mascot for Jordan HS is the Beet diggers. Pioneers wanted to cut luxury imports to zero, so alternatives for sugar and coffee were found.

  205. 205.

    EmbraceYourInnerCrone

    @WaterGirl: Some cash is a good idea, always.  I have gotten in the habit of always getting some cash back at the register when I am buying groceries.  I keep a small stash of cash now.  We went through several week plus long,  no power experiences where we did not take out enough cash and no place had power.  These included multiple tropical storms, one really bad snowstorm, and one earthquake.  Between climate change increasing the chance of bad weather events and Trump and company determined to destroy government agencies that were created to help people, I figure the chance of experiencing another extended, widespread, no power situation is pretty likely.  Its why we kept our camping equipment even though we live in an apartment.  I can cook a lot on my campstove, on my patio if I have to.

  208. 208.

    What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?

    @danielx: Actually there’s a CX-5 plant in Huntsville AL that makes them for the Canada market. They’re laying folks off because the retaliatory tariffs are killing sales in Canada. So factory workers in Ala-fucking-bama lost their jobs thanks to Trump.

  211. 211.

    narya

    Because my current consulting gig is way more lucrative than I expected, I replaced both the phone and the laptop. The old ones might have gone on a bit longer (phone battery needed replacement, laptop was 8 years old), but I figured I’d use the cash to just replace. A ton of my food is locally sourced–CSA, friend who hunts, dairy from the farm share, available local meat, grain direct from King Arthur, fish from small boats in AK–so I feel like a lot of what I consume is covered. Paper goods, maybe, and coffee, up on which I will stock a bit, and running shoes all will be affected, as will the glasses and contacts I’ll need to buy later this year.

  212. 212.

    no body no name

    @EmbraceYourInnerCrone:

    Get a physical safe not one of those electronic ones.  Put 10k in it, a passport, back up ID, weapon, and gold.  I’ve had one of these for years and it’s a good thing to keep.  I’m not a gold bug but you can get a few thousand of gold and it’s easy to liquidate.  I wouldn’t recommend this to most but as you age it’s not a bad idea.  Put everything important in it.  It’s a 50k go box if you need it.

  213. 213.

    NutmegAgain

    @Percysowner: Tell me that you don’t live in a northerly clime! If there were a reasonable way to add a bidet feature with warmed water, that would be great. But I live in an old house in New England, and the basement where all the water pipes live is effing cold in the winter. Above freezing, but not a temperature you want to spray on your privates.

  214. 214.

    Cheryl from Maryland

    @WaterGirl: I replaced my AC/furnace with a heat pump and the washer dryer last fall.  Yes, it was before the election, yes it was because all needed it, so I was not prescient,  but I got major rebates on the heat pump, most of which were not federal but local/state (so they be still around) and those appliances have reduced my electric bill by 1/3 at least.

  215. 215.

    mvr

    @suzanne: Bought more unroasted beans because they keep longer and are cheaper than roasted and because I took up roasting a few years back anyway.  First in a cast iron skillet, now in a roaster.

  217. 217.

    cckids

    @thedeadcanary:

    I had not thought about it but … chili crisp?

    You’re right! I mean, technically you can  make it yourself, but . . . would not want to be without it!

  220. 220.

    WaterGirl

    (check my work, here’s what I’ve got from the thread)

    Planning for Potential Tariff and Supply Chain Issues

    Vehicles
    repair or replace

    Electronics
    computers
    computer accessories
    tablets / iPads
    phone
    TVs

    Food
    coffee
    tea
    some nuts
spices
    canned goods?
dry goods
    sugar
    dry goods like rice and beans
    wine
    other alcohol from foreign countries
    maple syrup

    Apparel
    athletic shoes
other shoes
    clothing

    Personal Items
    eyeglasses and frames (often made in China)
    toothbrushes
bras
    personal hygiene products

    Paper Products
    toilet paper
    paper towels

    Home Improvement & Repair
    lumber
    bidets (suzanne uses Greenco that don’t require electricity)

    Pets
    pet food
    pet meds

    Appliances
    appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher)
cleaning appliances like vacuums
    microwave, toaster oven
    mixers, etc

    House & Yard
    power tools (drills, saws, screwdrivers etc)
    lawn & garden power tools (lawn mower, edger)
batteries, light bulbs
    windows and siding

    Safety
    passport up to date
passport card
    disposable masks
disposable gloves

    
Financial
    stash of cash on hand
    home equity loan?

  224. 224.

    Matt McIrvin

    @WaterGirl: A brilliant Chinese hot sauce with fried pepper bits in oil with Sichuan peppercorn and other stuff. The most famous brand is Lao Gan Ma which I think literally means “Old Grandma’s” or something along those lines. You can put it on anything though I suppose Asian dishes are most thematically apropos.

  225. 225.

    Doc Sardonic

    @jonas: It used to be. Mango Mussolini tore up the USMCA that his “brilliant” ass negotiated during his first term, so it no longer applies. So stock up on tequila and any other Mexican alcohol products you like.

  230. 230.

    VFX Lurker

    @WaterGirl: For the “Financial” category, consider adding Series I Savings Bonds. One can purchase an I-Bond from Treasury Direct for a $25 minimum ($10,000 annual maximum per resident). First things first:

    THEY LOCK UP YOUR MONEY FOR ONE YEAR

    …but after that, they’re an inflation-proof source of cash. I use them for my emergency fund, and I’m crossing my fingers that the idiots in charge don’t break our Treasury.

  231. 231.

    VFX Lurker

    @WaterGirl: I just proposed adding “I-Bonds” to the Financial section, but I think my post got caught by the spam filter. Whoops.

  232. 232.

    coin operated

    Found out that mrs. coin’s laptop had a M2 slot, so we upgraded both the memory and the hard drive just before inauguration day. That’ll keep her system speedy for a while.

    We upgraded iphones and ipads a couple of years ago, so were good in that department.

    Consumables are a little harder. We live full time in the RV…we’ve stocked up on coffee (that which keeps the planet safe from mrs coin in the morning) and some RV toilet paper but don’t have room for much else.

  233. 233.

    no body no name

    @Matt McIrvin:

    If you’re into this sort of thing you should just get the raw dried ingredients and powdered broth.  Then get one of those electric (or better gas or flame) powered monsters you put on the table.  Then make hotpot.

  234. 234.

    Miki

    Yeah, no. No new appliances, no new car, no new phone, no new HVAC, no bidets, no new stash of spices or toilet paper or beans or rice or coffee beans or olive oil, etc.

    Ima gonna have to suck it up and pay retail when/as I run out of/absolutely need to replace those things. That’s life on a fixed income. Even Aldi is going to be a tough place to shop.

    I am not alone.

  236. 236.

    Taliesin WW

    You folks have covered a lot of bases! it’s been an informative read for this long-term lurker. But I don’t think anyone has mentioned vitamins/nutritional supplements?

    I am not an advocate of trying to cure cancer by mega dosing on whatever the snake-oil man bought in bulk on sale, but it may be that in a world where food chains are getting rocked and FDA inspections become sketchy and rare, a simple, bog-standard  multi-vitamin, or b-complex, or calcium supplement  (whatever is appropriate to your biological demographic) makes all the difference for your health.
    Just because the clock is rolling back is no reason to die of scurvy, ya know? Or anemia. Or rickets.

    The other item I can think of that I have not seen addressed is bedding. Do you have a good stash of bedding? Congrats, move along. But if your means of climate control goes on the fritz because repairs need parts that take weeks to replace, or energy consumption is not part of the budget, etc. then having good sheets to keep you cool and comfortable in summer and good blankets to keep you toasty in winter makes a tremendous difference to your quality of sleep, and therefor life.

    I no longer have central air, and I have lived in houses that were in the low 50’s at night, and one of the investments I intend to make in the next weeks  is buying a good linen sheet set before summer hits. My old linen sheet set is getting a little thin. I don’t need to invest in warm bedding, because the feather duvet I bought on Black Friday of 2016 is still just fine. Both the real linen and the real feathers are luxury items that pay for themselves.

  237. 237.

    zhena gogolia

    @Miki: Yes, there’s privilege in the talk of stocking up.

    I understand this is helpful for some in the community, but . . .

  238. 238.

    Kelly

    @Michael Bersin: Hollow fiber membrane water filter(s).

    I’ve been using a Katadyn gravity feed hollow fiber water filter when camping  for over 10 years. I’ll be shopping for a spare filter.

    The reservoir is a bag. Pour 2 gallons of raw river water in, hang it up, lead the outlet tube into a clean jug and 2 gallons of safe water in about a half hour. I’ve only dealt with cloudy water a few times. Colorado River. I’d fill a couple buckets as soon as we arrived at a camp spot, set them aside and most the silt settled out in a few hours. I also have an easily cleaned MSR ceramic filter. It works better in cloudy water but is a more work. A couple of minutes to pump a liter through.

  240. 240.

    schrodingers_cat

    @zhena gogolia: IDK hoarding is exactly what exacerbates shortages.

    My advice would be buy the stuff that you were already considering buying. I always buy spices by the pound at the Indian grocery store. I always have lentils, dals and beans  stocked up.

  241. 241.

    Miki

    @zhena gogolia: It’s a bit overwhelming, TBH.

    Gotta admit/confess I finally, belatedly, embarrassingly, apologetically get the privilege and ostracism talked about by the POC who post here.

    Thank you for noticing.

  243. 243.

    frosty

    @WaterGirl: ​ Tires, if they’re close to the wear bar. You don’t want to have to replace them in 3 or 4 months. Do it now. If they’re good for a couple of years, gamble and wait it out.​
    Also vehicles. Think about an inspection by your mechanic. Mine will do a one on a car you’re thinking of buying for 1/2 or an hour of labor. You might find things that need repair that you could take care of now.​

  245. 245.

    no body no name

    @Matt McIrvin:

    So the trick is the sichuan peppers numb ya.  And a lot of people do not like the taste or effect of them.  The other stuff burns ya.  You can also go over on garlic.  There is no perfect!  There is just what you and yours like.  It’s always best to make it atomic level hot and use sparingly and let others add it later to spice things up.

  246. 246.

    Almost80

    @WaterGirl: Yes. Take a look online at them…it will all become clear! The simple ones, that don’t require electric or anything. I think someone has mentioned a brand or two of those……And if you live in a relatively warm climate, temperature is not a big problem. Though mine is definitely colder in the winter, I’ve gotten used to it.

  249. 249.

    H.E.Wolf

    @Miki: ​
     Thank you for the reminder (and the reality check).

    As those who can afford to stock up are doing that, it would be useful to buy some good items for the local food bank at the same time.

    We can’t help everyone. It needn’t stop us from helping where and how we can.

  253. 253.

    WaterGirl

    @frosty: I kind of did that a year ago when I was toying with getting a new vehicle, and then decided to just spruce up my current vehicle, get the rust-proofing touch up underneath the car, etc.

    I don’t drive enough that I wear the tires down, so for me it’s dry rot, and he said it was happening last year but I didn’t need to replace them just yet.

    Love my car guy.  He has been having trouble with getting parts since Covid – still! – so he’s feeling overwhelmed by what’s coming.

  254. 254.

    MoCaAce

    I make my own wine so I have that covered.  Better stock up on corks and sugar though.

  255. 255.

    1,000 flouncing lurkers (was fidelioscabinet)

    @Emily B.:  I second this—and if you have old devices lying around, see what can be done to make sure they’re in good working order. Knowing you’ve got a backup you can use is a great relief at times.

  256. 256.

    David Collier-Brown

    @TEL: I recently bought a US-and-Taiwan-made computer, a Framework.  One of the very few where you can actually replace parts. https://frame.work/ca/en/products/laptop16-diy-amd-7040

    It wasn’t because of the tariffs, though, but I was exceedingly lucky when they came on!

  258. 258.

    1,000 flouncing lurkers (was fidelioscabinet)

    Just in case that one gets caught by the filters, as it’s been so long since I posted—here’s another comment!

    if you have a preference for specific toiletries, buy extra now—maybe not a 5-year supply, but enough to get you through the summer.

    Here’sa link to a Bluesky post by Max Boot, quoting someone who’s been watching the whole trade/tariff shenanigans closely, for business reasons.
    To sum up:
    Trade from China stopped in the US 4/10/25.
    It takes around 30 days for a container ship to get from China to the US West Coast; about 45 days China to Houston/US Gulf Coast, and 50 days China to NYC ports.
    That’s your timeline for local storages of imported goods—plus transit time from the ports to your regional distributors.
    They go on to discuss the secondary effects on ground shipping & warehousing, as well as how long it takes to get those systems up & running.

  260. 260.

    Gvg

    @EmbraceYourInnerCrone: a grill outside can cook when you have no power. Common after hurricanes. Also a lot of people in Florida prefer to cook outside I hot weather so the kitchen doesn’t heat up. If energy costs get high, it’s something to consider.

  261. 261.

    1,000 flouncing lurkers (was fidelioscabinet)

    @EmbraceYourInnerCrone:  Seconded on the reasons for keeping some cash—especially in smaller bills.
    Even if you have power, there can be circumstances where the data to process electronic transactions is limited or absent altogether.

    Make sure your emergency kits are good, too.

  262. 262.

    Ramalama

    @Miki: I hear you. Almost everything I have is gently used including electronics. I have a pixel 3xl phone that I love but need to upgrade due to no more security updates. I have found phones for my wife, cousins, nieces, and myself on Swappa.

    We have Couches from rich people who spend 3 weeks a year in their vacation house in my village. And they renovate regularly due to boredom.

    Computers donated to a non-profit I volunteer for. My MacBook Pro 2912 is a beast, though I also have an M1, also donated.

    Look for wealthy pockets of people and look for their castoffs. Even second hand stores in wealthy areas have above average stuff.

    I have rechargeable batteries and rechargers.

    I recently got my haircut so I can pass as someone with means. Or at least not living in a bus shelter.

  263. 263.

    Mm

    @lowtechcyclist: my bidet (about $35 from Amazon) hooks up to the toilet tank supply between it and the tank which obviously is the cold water. No electrical hookup.

    I first used a bidet in Japan and wanted to buy one here. The warm water and hot air was great. However it was way past my budget. 

    You don’t need warm water. The water has been inside and is room temperature. Think about wading into a pool. You start to feel that the water is too cold once it gets above your waist. It works the same way “down there”.

  268. 268.

    Kayla Rudbek

    @EmbraceYourInnerCrone: I keep on telling Mr. Rudbek that I prefer to buy gas with cash (many of the local gas stations have problems with skimmers being installed on the credit card readers on the pumps).

  269. 269.

    Trivia Man

    @Kayla Rudbek: I read that if you use the TAP card read insted of swipe it is much more secure. Easier to install a skimmer than a fake tap screen I guess.

  270. 270.

    Kayla Rudbek

    @WaterGirl: crafting supplies if you use them (a lot of knitting/crochet yarn is made/spun outside the USA even if the dyers are in the USA, paper would include drawing/painting supplies, pens, colored pencils, embroidery thread is mostly from DMC so I think made in Europe as DMC I think is French, glass beads tend to be Czech or Japanese, fabric is often made outside the USA as well)

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