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50 ways to save on stuff during tariff season

Author

Jeanine Skowronski
May 16, 2025

The tariff wars might be, maybe, possibly de-escalating, but they’re also still on, with retail analysts predicting price increases to ramp up this summer. And even if they end tomorrow, we’re still weathering a period of high inflation.

If you’re worried about the cost of things, here are 50 ways to save on stuff during this trade war and time of economic volatility.

1. Know what products are most affected

Even with recent changes, the Trump administration’s tariffs are quite sweeping and target our largest trading partners — Canada, China, and Mexico — so prices on pretty much everything could rise. Having said that, here are the categories considered most susceptible to significant increases:

  • Apparel, particularly fast fashion

  • Appliances, large and small

  • Cars and car parts

  • Children’s products, including toys and baby equipment

  • Coffee and chocolate

  • Construction materials for home repairs and renovations

  • Electronics, like phones, laptops, gaming systems, and accessories

  • Furniture

  • Fruit and vegetables

  • Wine and other spirits

2. Identify companies trying to keep costs low …

While the list can and will likely change if the trade war persists, several big-box retailers have said they’re committed to minimizing the tariffs’ effects on consumer prices at least for the immediate future. These retailers include:

Note: This list is obviously short and comprised mainly of mega-chains better positioned to weather a period of volatile trade policy, due to existing inventory. I'll update it as the situation changes.

3. … and ones advertising higher prices

A few big-name brands have already raised prices in response to the tariffs, while others have openly said or intimated in earnings calls that they'll have to do so shortly if the trade war persists. These brands include:

Note: This list isn't comprehensive and is restricted to brands that have already raised prices or confirmed in news articles, company memos, or earnings calls that price hikes are coming in the next few months. I'll update it, too, as the situation evolves.

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4. Plan purchases around sales cycles …

To avoid markups on big-ticket items, like electronics and appliances, “time your purchases around major sales events like Black Friday, end-of-season clearances, or other well-known discount periods,” says Katherine Read, senior financial writer at SovereignBoss. “These sales provide significant discounts, helping you avoid inflated prices while still purchasing the items you need.”

Note to self: Memorial Day sales are right around the corner.

5. … or buy off-season

So think winter clothes at the start of Spring. Or Christmas ornaments in January. Or luggage during back-to-school season and back-to-school supplies in May.

6. Stockpile select items

I’m not a big fan of panic-buying, mostly because I remember the Great Toilet Paper shortage of 2020. But given some companies are delaying price increases to see how this trade war plays out, there’s a decent argument for some hoarding. (Emphasis on some, of course.)

Lifehacker — whose personal finance coverage of the tariff wars rates is among the most helpful I've seen — has a breakdown of what to buy now vs. what to not bother with. (You might be surprised by which list toilet paper is on.)

7. Squeeze in that big purchase now

But only if you were already planning for it, can afford it, and have a stable source of income. Big-ticket items expected to face big price hikes if the tariffs persist include:

  • Baby strollers

  • Laptops

  • Mattresses

  • Refrigerators

  • TV sets

  • Vacuum cleaners

  • Washers and dryers

8. Take advantage of pre-tariff sales

Because, yes, they are a thing. Raymour & Flanigan, lingerie maker Bare Necessities, Fashion Nova, and outlet operator Tanger are among the brands promoting pre-tariff sales, discounts, or promotions.

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9. Tap price-tracking technology …

Use price trackers like CamelCamelCamel and FoxFinds to ensure sales are, in fact, deals.

10. … and automatic coupon code apps

My favorite is Honey, a free browser extension that searches for coupons at over 30,000 stores and applies them at checkout. The Honey app also has some price-tracking features.

11. Sign up for deal alerts

Sites like Slickdeals or Ben's Bargains let you sign up for or create deal alerts for popular products.

12. Bookmark this tariff calculator …

NerdWallet has a new free tool that helps business owners specifically estimate how much imported goods will cost, based on the applicable tariff rate, and how much to sell them for to earn a profit.

The calculator is also a great educational tool for non-business owners who want to better understand how tariffs might affect price points and purchasing power.

13. … and this one

Car insurance and repair marketplace Jerry offers a free tool to help you determine how tariffs can affect prices on over 500 vehicles.

14. Order early

Tariffs lead to product shortages and shipping delays, so avoid waiting until the last minute when online shopping, lest you want to pay extra for in-demand products or priority mail.

15. Recognize and avoid 'price-anchoring'

We all have our preferred brands, go-to deals, and shopping habits, but prices rarely stay consistent during inflation or tariff wars, says Wes Lewins, chief finance officer at Networth.com.

“Compare prices monthly for recurring essentials — groceries, pet food, cleaning supplies, etc.,” he adds. “Use tools like store apps or digital price trackers to identify shifts, and switch retailers or brands when necessary.”

16. Monitor credit and debit card statements

I'm not a big fan of hardcore budgeting for these and other reasons, but keeping an eye on financial statements is a great way to spot bill creep and prioritize where and when to start Step 17 …

17. Proactively negotiate expenses

Call utility providers, phone companies, and insurers to see if they’ll agree to lower rates or better contract terms.

“Many of these companies have room to negotiate but will not offer better deals unless you ask,” Read says.

>>MORE: See how I saved $1,000 on my car insurance over the next six months.

18. Talk to your landlord

They could agree to lower your rates, given it's currently a renters' market.

If they are trying to raise your rent, “ask for longer lease periods at existing rates, trading landlords' stability for protection against price hikes," says Gagan Saini, CEO of We Buy Houses in Metro Detroit.

19. Look for ‘inflation-proof’ offers

Think of longer-term contracts for products and services where you can "lock in" a lower price before tariffs lead to increases.

Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert at Truetrae.com, cites her partner HP's All-In plan, a print services subscription that costs $6.99 to $12.99 monthly and lasts two to three years.

"This price will remain constant for the duration of the plan," Bodge says.

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20. Pay in advance

IInflation-proof subscription offers on your own by paying annually vs. monthly, as most providers offer a discount for doing so. (Case in point: Amazon Prime costs $139 if you pay for a year upfront vs. $179.88 if you elect to pay $14.99 each month.)

Plus, "this locks in your savings," says Prisca Benson, money coach and the founder of Our Green Life.

21. Sign up for auto-ship programs

These programs, run by retailers like Amazon, Chewy, and Life Extension, offer deep discounts and free shipping to customers who set up recurring shipments. While this seems like a daunting commitment, many programs let you cancel at any time.

22. Ask about budget billing

As an inflation-proof strategy for utilities, inquire about budget billing, which lets you pay a fixed monthly amount based on your historical usage.

"It can help stabilize monthly costs and protect against seasonal spikes," says Rose Jimenez, chief finance officer of Culture.org.

23. Make minor upgrades

"Upgrade to smart thermostats, replace lighting with LEDs, and caulk leaky windows," says Chunyang Shen, co-founder of blockchain-based marketplace Jarsy Inc. "These are modest upgrades that can cut your utility bill substantially, particularly under peak pricing caused by energy inflation or supply shortages."

24. Haggle

Even if you think an item falls in the "tariff-ed" category (like cars or furniture) and its price is non-negotiable.

"Many people don't realize that even large purchases are open to bargaining," Read says. "Doing so can lead to substantial savings and help counteract the effects of inflation."

25. Grocery shop at Albertsons

The supermarket conglomerate told suppliers it wouldn’t blindly accept price increases related to tariffs. Albertsons also sources 90% of its products domestically and owns multiple chains, including Acme, Safeway, Kings, and Balducci's.

26. Tap community resources

"Food co-ops, neighborhood buying groups, or local produce markets often offer better value than big-box retailers during supply chain disruptions," says Lewins.

27. Switch to home-grown produce …

"If you are buying perishable items like fruits, vegetables, and flowers, look for products grown domestically," says Bodge.

They'll be cheaper, though you'll need to pay attention to signage to identify what's coming from where, as not all categories are mutually exclusive. (For example, many tomatoes come from Mexico, but some are grown in the U.S.).

Still, commonly imported food items include avocados, tomatoes, roses, carnations, and cut greenery. Commonly home-grown roughage includes apples, oranges, corn, soy beans, sunflowers, and poppies.

28. … and store brands

They cost less than name-brand items, even though they tend to be of a similar quality. (Shout out to Costco's Kirkland products!)

29. Eat what's on sale

"If meat has become expensive, make it an opportunity to try cheaper foods like rice, lentils, and vegetables," says Justin Azarias. CEO and founder of Property Homebuyers CA.

30. Shop for versatility …

With shopping for apparel, "focus on versatile staples, such as neutral-colored shirts or durable slacks, which last longer and maximize value," says George Carrillo, chief executive officer at the Hispanic Construction Council and former director of social determinants of health for the state of Oregon.

When shopping for food, "focus on core ingredients that can be used in multiple meals to avoid any food waste," says Albert Varkki, a finance expert and CFO at the luxury leather goods brand Von Baer.

31. … and durability

Quality over quantity becomes extra-important during periods of high inflation, and spending a bit more for an item that can survive more than two or three passes through the wash is often worthwhile.

"You'll be surprised at how much you can save by choosing high-quality, long-lasting products," says Oliver Morrisey from Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers. "The key here is to buy things that won't need to be replaced frequently. Durable goods save you money upfront and eliminate the recurring cost of replacements."

32. Check the label

U.S.-based manufacturers aren't necessarily positioned to keep prices perfectly intact. Many get at least some parts or materials from overseas. However, the "Made in the U.S.A." label does suggest a certain amount of tariff insulation.

33. Make car maintenance a priority

That way, you’re less likely to have to buy a new car during peak tariff season. Critical car maintenance includes regular oil changes, tire rotations and pressure checks, brake and battery inspections, air filter replacements, and fluid checks.

34. Repair, don't replace

Especially if the project requires imported materials (commonly used for appliances, high-end cars, and building supplies).

"I pulled back from replacing my firm's office HVAC system when the supplier quoted a 14% surcharge due to metal tariffs," says Michael Benoit, founder of California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services. "Instead, we serviced the unit for $180 and bought time."

35. Think about where you can forego ownership

Depending on your habits and needs, consider borrowing instead of buying through services like car-sharing or clothing rental programs.

"These reduce the financial burden of ownership, especially when maintenance or replacement costs are inflated," says Jimenez. "It's a practical shift when prices for new items are unpredictable or unusually high."

36. Do-it-yourself (DIY)

Improve your DIY skills through YouTube videos and other online tutorials so you can make small fixes to your car or home without having to call a pricey repair service.

37. Use a rewards credit card

If you're stuck paying higher prices, you might as well get a little kickback. Rewards credit cards let you earn points, cash back, or travel miles on each dollar you spend. My favorite for everyday expenses (not paid endorsements BTW) include:

Big caveat here: Rewards credit cards only really work if you pay off your balance. Otherwise, you’ll lose those points (and more) to interest.

38. Try a cash back app

If you’re credit-averse, you can still get some bang for your bucks using a cash back app that lets you earn rewards and other promotions on online and in-store purchases at partner retailers. Examples include Ibotta, Rakuten, and Fetch Rewards.

39. … or gas-saving tech

Apps like Gas Buddy, Fuelio, and Waze help you find the cheapest gas stations in your immediate vicinity and find other ways to save on fuel.

40. Join loyalty programs

Many big brands have a loyalty program that offers discounts on your first purchase, exclusive promotions, shipping discounts, and membership rewards. Most of these programs simply "cost" your email address.

41. Spend like you’re in your tariff era

"Most people are buying for the version of themselves they think they should be," says Andreas Jones, founder and editor of KindaFrugal. "Do you actually need to buy that gym gear when you haven't been to the gym in months? Now is not the time to motivate yourself by spending beyond your means. Fewer impulse purchases make a huge difference."

42. Buy secondhand …

“Used items will be tariff-proof for a while, and buying used is a great way to save money and keep products out of landfills,” Bodge says.

43. … refurbished …

Be sure to patronize an authorized dealer, though.

“[I] got my laptop for 40% less than retail, and it came with the same warranty,” says Andrew Lokenauth, founder of the Fluent in Finance blog.

44. … or opt for last year's model

“The technology difference is minimal, but the price gap can be huge,” says Lokenauth.

45. Delay the upgrade

“You don't need to buy a new phone, TV, or sofa just yet,” says Azarias. “Waiting six months might get a better deal, or it might turn out not to be necessary at all.”

46. Swap

“I recently had a clothing exchange with a group of friends and found things I genuinely needed that I would have purchased,” says Ellen Forrest, co-founder of the Accountable Budgeting App.

47. Unsubscribe from marketing emails

Or stay off of social media for a while if you're extra-worried about pricey impulse buys.

"You'll be surprised that the impulse to make impromptu purchases will fade away," says Forrest.

48. Institute a '48-hour' rule

As another way to curb impulse-buying, consider putting a longish pause between seeing and purchasing.

"Any purchase over $100 gets a 48-hour waiting period," says Lokenauth. "Sometimes the urge passes, and that money stays in their pockets."

49. Nourish your emergency fund

Higher prices mean you have less purchasing power and can run through paychecks and savings more quickly, so it's extra-important to maintain and boost your emergency fund during tariff season.

"I set up recurring transfers into high-yield savings accounts right after payday — even during inflation," says Firdaus Syazwani, founder of Dollar Bureau. "This pay-yourself-first habit ensures I'm building buffers, not just reacting to rising costs. It's amazing how consistent saving, even in tough times, builds peace of mind."

50. Open a high-yield savings account

Make a bit back on your savings by opening a high-yield savings account to bank your emergency fund. Some of the better ones on the market include:

Tough times call for tougher measures. If you're worried about a job loss or a prolonged period of economic uncertainty, here are 50 ways to survive the next recession.

This article is for educational purposes only. We don’t recommend or advise individuals to buy, not buy, sell, or not sell particular investments or other assets, as everyone’s circumstances are different. Also, it’s your money and ultimately up to you to decide the best use for it.