Money Matters: It's 2025, and while the political circus continues its never-ending tour, your grocery bill has taken on the role of a silent pickpocket. Tariffs—those stealthy taxes on imports—are infiltrating every corner of your budget.

From bananas to Bluetooth speakers, prices are inching up, and it's the middle class that's feeling the squeeze.

But fear not! You don't need a Ph.D. in economics to navigate this. Let's break down how you can identify which items are most affected and what you can do about it.

Survey says: Current tariffs are set to cost the average U.S. household $1,190 in 2025, rising to $1,462 in 2026. These increases reflect higher prices on everyday goods - effectively a hidden tax. Any new tariffs will drive these costs even higher, putting added pressure on middle-income families.

Here is what on that portioned plate today:

😎 Our Favorite Resources
👍 6 Moves to Beat Tariff Taxes
👌 Tariff-Proof Your
🤷‍♀️ What’s up for next week

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Our favorite resources

💵Online Tools:

CamelCamelCamel - An online price tracker for Amazon.

Honey - An online tracker for Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other large box stores.

👀ICYMI

Looking to beat back price increases due to tariffs, check out our issue on thrift culture here: The Secret Economy Smart Families Use to Stay Ahead

📜Quote

“Tariffs are taxes, pure and simple.”
- Ron Paul, former U.S. Congressman and presidential candidate

Today’s Main Event

7 Smart Moves to Shield Your Family Budget from Tariff Shock

Tariffs are quietly driving up prices, hitting middle-class families hard. But you don’t have to take it lying down.

This issue delivers six practical tactics - from auditing spending to buying domestic and secondhand - that help you protect your budget and stay ahead in 2025’s shifting economy.

Stay smart, stay flexible, and keep more of your hard-earned money where it belongs: with you.

1. Audit Your Spending: Identify Tariff-Heavy Items

When reviewing your spending, focus on the big three where tariff-driven price hikes are hitting hardest:

• Groceries: Imported produce, specialty foods (like olive oil, cheese, and chocolate), and out-of-season fruits are seeing noticeable increases. Even everyday staples can creep up if they rely on global supply chains.

• Clothing: Many apparel items are manufactured overseas, and recent tariffs on textiles have pushed up prices across the board—especially for brand-name and fast fashion.

• Electronics: Laptops, phones, chargers, and accessories often contain tariffed components. If it plugs in or powers up, it’s worth checking.

2. Shift to Domestic Alternatives: Buy Smart, Buy Local

Tariffs don’t touch what’s made at home—so choosing American-made products can help you sidestep inflated prices and support local jobs.

Here’s how to do it:

• Groceries: Shop at local farmers’ markets or subscribe to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box. Look for “Product of USA” labels on meat, dairy, and produce at the grocery store. Skip the imported blueberries in January—grab apples or citrus from domestic growers instead.

• Clothing: Check out brands like American Giant, Todd Shelton, or All American Clothing Co., which manufacture in the U.S. You’ll pay a little more upfront, but the quality often outlasts cheaper, tariff-loaded imports.

• Electronics: While it’s harder to find fully domestic tech, you can look for refurbished products (which often dodge tariff markups), or shop from companies that assemble in the U.S., like HP’s U.S.-made desktops or Apple’s Mac Pro (assembled in Texas).

Bonus Tip: Use filters like “Made in USA” on Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy to find local alternatives without leaving your couch.

3. Delay Non-Essential Purchases: Time Is on Your Side

Thinking about buying a new fridge that syncs with your phone or a TV big enough to block out the sun? Hold up. Tariffs have jacked up prices on big-ticket imports, and unless your current appliance is actively on fire, waiting might be your smartest move.

4. 4. Embrace the Secondhand Market: Score Deals, Skip Tariffs

Why pay full price when someone else’s “like-new” couch or barely-used gadget can save you a bundle—and dodge those pesky tariffs? The secondhand market is a goldmine for quality goods without the tariff sticker shock.

Here’s how to get started:

• Browse Smart: Check out platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and apps like OfferUp or Letgo. Set alerts for items you need—like a washer, TV, or kids’ bikes—and snag deals as soon as they pop up.

• Thrift and Vintage Shops: Don’t underestimate local thrift stores and consignment shops. You’ll find everything from gently used furniture to home goods that beat new-tariffed prices every time.

• Inspect Before You Buy: Always ask for detailed photos, ask about the condition, and if possible, test electronics or appliances before handing over cash. It’s not a yard sale; it’s a strategic budget win.

• Be Patient and Persistent: Great deals don’t always show up overnight. Make secondhand hunting a regular habit and celebrate when you snag a “steal” that keeps your budget intact.

5. Reevaluate Your Budget: Cut the Waste, Fund What Matters

Let’s be blunt: when the economy tightens and prices jump, you can’t afford to coast on autopilot. Most people think they have a budget. What they actually have is a vague idea of what they hope not to overspend.

Time to fix that.

• Print your last month’s bank and credit card statements. Circle every purchase that didn’t move your life forward. That’s your first cut.

• Eliminate the fluff.

  • Drop the subscriptions you’re not using.

  • Cut back on takeout—it’s not a necessity, it’s a habit.

  • Hit pause on any “nice-to-haves” you wouldn’t miss a week from now.

• Fund your essentials first—and in this order:

  • Shelter.

  • Utilities.

  • Groceries (real food, not luxury snacks).
    Anything outside that? It waits.

• Set a weekly spending cap for non-essentials—and stick to it. This isn’t about suffering. It’s about control.

Want to track it? Use a tool like YNAB, EveryDollar, or even a basic spreadsheet. What matters is you know what’s going out and what’s coming in.

When chaos hits, the disciplined win. And this - right here - is how you stay in control while everyone else is scrambling.

6. Stay Informed and Adaptable

The economy is changing rapidly, and staying informed is essential to protecting your family’s finances.

• Subscribe to podcasts focused on personal finance and the economy—examples include Planet Money, The Indicator, or The Dave Ramsey Show—to learn on the go.

• Take advantage of free workshops offered by libraries or community centers to deepen your understanding of how economic shifts affect your budget.

• Engage with your community—whether neighbors, coworkers, or online groups - to share insights and practical tips on managing rising costs.

• Follow credible economists or financial experts on social media (like Twitter or LinkedIn) for quick updates and insights from professionals in the field (Mark Zandi - Moody’s and Kristin Forbes - MIT Sloan School of Management )

By staying informed and flexible, you’ll be better equipped to make timely decisions that keep your budget steady and your financial goals on track.

The No-Tariff Shopping Power List

Below is your no-nonsense Tariff-Resistant Shopping Checklist—a list designed to help you zero in on essentials that won’t get swallowed by sneaky price hikes. Stock up smart, spend smarter, and give those tariff-driven price jumps a swift kick to the curb.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

• Made in the USA
  Look for products clearly labeled “Made in USA” or “Product of USA.” For example:

  • KitchenAid appliances (assembled in Ohio)

  • New Balance shoes (many made in U.S.)

  • Pendleton Woolen Mills clothing

• Fresh or Frozen Produce from Local Farms
  Shop farmers’ markets or grocery stores with local produce sections:

  • Seasonal fruits like Washington apples or California strawberries

  • Vegetables such as Idaho potatoes or Vermont sweet corn

  • Frozen veggies from brands like Green Giant (some products sourced domestically)

• Dairy Staples
  Domestic dairy brands:

  • Horizon Organic Milk (U.S.-sourced)

  • Tillamook Cheese (Oregon)

  • Stonyfield Yogurt (New Hampshire)

• U.S.-Sourced Meat and Poultry
  Brands emphasizing domestic sourcing:

  • Tyson Foods (chicken and beef processed in U.S.)

  • Smithfield Foods (pork, mostly U.S.-raised)

  • Local butcher shops with clear sourcing

• Bakery Items Using Domestic Grains
  Bread and baked goods brands:

  • Pepperidge Farm (many products use U.S. wheat)

  • Local artisanal bakeries using American-grown flour

  • Dave’s Killer Bread (uses U.S. grains)

• Canned and Frozen Vegetables
  Domestic crop-sourced brands:

  • Del Monte canned vegetables (U.S. grown varieties)

  • Birds Eye frozen vegetables (many U.S. sourced)

  • Store brands labeled “grown in USA”

• Household Cleaning Products from U.S. Manufacturers
  Examples include:

  • Seventh Generation (Vermont-based, many products made in U.S.)

  • Clorox (manufactured domestically)

  • Method (some products made in U.S. factories)

• Paper Goods
  Brands with domestic manufacturing:

  • Charmin (made in U.S.)

  • Brawny paper towels (U.S. production)

  • Local paper mills’ products, often sold regionally

• Infant Formula
  Popular U.S.-made formulas:

  • Enfamil (manufactured in the U.S.)

  • Similac (U.S. production facilities)

  • Gerber Good Start (U.S. sourced ingredients)

Tips for shoppers:

• Always check the product label or packaging for origin info.

• When possible, build relationships with local farmers and producers.

• Use store apps or websites that highlight locally sourced or U.S.-made items.

Until Next Time

What’s Up Next Week

The tariff shuffle can shake up the market, but it doesn’t have to shake your budget. Focus on smart spending, supporting local products, and keeping flexible to safeguard your family’s financial footing. Every smart decision today builds a stronger financial tomorrow.

Coming up next week: Nico shares practical tips for tackling debt repayment while caring for aging parents.

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Email us with any questions!

Until next time—keep more, spend less!

Jim and the Hootsquad

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.