How a content creator prepares for Trump-Tariffs price increases
Last week, my Malaysian friend asked me what the egg price is in America. From what I remember, I paid $6-$7 per dozen. He then replied that a dozen eggs in Malaysia cost him $0.50. I have been seeing price hikes everywhere since the beginning of 2024. As someone whose work often involves shopping and marketing, the Trump tariffs will unavoidably impact what I buy in the next four years. I never thought to say this, but as a shopping vlogger in the United States, I wouldn't think I would claim to be lucky that I was a shopping maniac and constantly overbuying and over-consuming. Since I can't control the politics in our country other than casting votes, I want to discuss, as a consumer, how we deal with intense price increases that are rolling out in every aspect of our lives.
Regarding the most basic, daily diet, it is limited how much we can manage the damage. Around half of the fruits and vegetables in the grocery store come from Mexico. Car manufacturers may be able to stock up on materials, but grocery stores can't do the same. I remember during COVID-19, when we experienced food shortages; I would stock up on items that had a long shelf life. I imagine with the price increase, we can do the same so that at least we don't have to pay a higher price for some of the ingredients in our kitchen. As I love to cook pasta, I would buy a few dozen because they last for years. I am unsure if we made it in the US, but those I love are made in Italy. I love having rice in my daily diet. Rice is my comfort food. I know most of the rice I buy is from within the US, either from Texas or California, but with the oil tariff, the price will increase because of transportation costs. Rice doesn't last as long as pasta, but to make it last longer, you can put a bulb of garlic in your rice bag or container to keep the pests away. Similar to rice, beans tend to last longer as well, and beans are full of nutrients. And then there are canned foods that we can consider stocking up since they are more stable and can last a long time compared to buying fresh. Canned fish and chicken are great options. You can find plenty of recipes for making tasty meals using canned food.
Before I proceed, I understand that not everyone has the budget to stock up on necessities. Unfortunately, many people live paycheck to paycheck. I encourage you to plan more before heading out with a giant shopping bag. Price increases often lead to less buying, and companies and stores must make some cuts. It is essential to consider your job stability and potential risk before spending your limited savings. If you are in the position of needing help, contact your state congressmen and senators, they need to make decisions based on people's needs and not their power agenda. Make sure they hear you loud and clear and don't let people tell you you don't have the power to change anything.
Apart from serious discussion, if you have been to my YouTube channel, you may know my interests are in bags, fashion, art, and journaling. I often make videos to share new products and review items I bought. I am fortunate enough not to be facing any financial crisis, but that doesn't mean I don't have to make changes. I have lived through many crises in my life, and I know it is important to be prepared.
My friends know how much I love Portland Leather. I started buying their bag in 2021, but the last time I bought a bag from them was three months ago. I admit, part of the reason why I haven't been buying is because of the direction of their bag designs. They have been constantly creating small-size bags that sell well with their customers. Unfortunately, when I go out, I carry a lot of things, and I need a large bag. Even though I am not six feet tall, I am not a short guy either. Regarding proportion, more oversized bags look more appropriate for my body size. I still love their products, and I will buy them whenever they put out new colors for their oversized tote.
All things may change depending on how the tariff situation is going. Like many companies in the US, Portland Leather does not make its bags in the US. Its bags are made in Mexico, and I am sure you know how the person in the office feels about Mexico. I know Portland Leather has a warehouse in Texas, and they probably have stocked up on some products, but in the long term, the price for their bags will inevitably go up unless something changes with our politicians. Personally, I have enough of their bags to last me a lifetime, so I don't feel the urgency to stock up on Portland Leather bags, but if you have been looking at their bags and haven't pulled the trigger, now may be a good time to pick something you need or love before the further price increase. In April, Portland Leather will have another C-grade sale and an extra 10% off for their Almost Perfect products if you want to take the opportunity to purchase their products at a lower price.
Similar to Portland Leather, I now rarely buy Coach bags. I am benefitting from the time when I was overbuying. I am not like other content creators who are good at managing what they have, constantly buying and selling. Other than gifting a few to my friends, I haven't sold a single thing. Coach bags are continually trending, and they are doing much better than many other fashion houses. Still, since most of their bags are made in Southeast Asia, I can't imagine they can escape from the effect of the Trump tariff. I haven't visited their warehouse in person, but as a big company, I believe they do stock up a good amount of products. From years of buying Coach products, I often see past-season bags on the Coach outlet website. I always look at those items and ask, where have you been all these years? Perhaps in Coach's Florida warehouse?
With all that said, it doesn't mean Coach won't increase their price. With their excellent marketing and trending status, they will likely follow suit on price increases. As a company, you may now need to have a price increase, but it is always smart to follow the market and make a bigger profit before the market crashes. If you have the budget, and the bag you love is on sale, it may be wise to pick one up now rather than later. I won't suggest overbuying, either. Knowing their pattern, when the economic crisis hits hard, we may see a big sale before the price goes up from the tariff effect. One thing that separates Coach from Portland Leather is that Coach is a much bigger company, and their product price point is higher and may have more wiggle room for them not to go crazy so that the brand can remain relevant. Currently, you can still find good deals on the Coach Outlet website, but please focus on higher-quality products that can last longer. I won't recommend anything that is made with paper-weight leather. Unless weight is your concern, my gut feeling tells me those won't last.
It is challenging to make suggestions for art supplies and stationery since most of the things we love are made elsewhere. Let me go through the list. My favorite Traveler's Company Notebook has its leather covers made in Thailand, and the refill inserts are made in Japan. For journaling lovers, Hobonichi makes most of its products in Japan as well. Even though Field Notes are made in the US, some of the paper they use is made in Canada and France. Blackwing is in a similar situation since this beloved American company's pencils are made in Japan.
For art supplies, the American company Prismacolor doesn't manufacture in the US. From my purchase, it says made in Mexico on the case. The rest of the list is long. Derwent is a UK company, and many paint companies are based in France or Italy. If you want the budget option, you may be able to find them on Temu, but since they are Chinese products, we won't be able to get cheap supplies either.
If the price of journaling and art supplies increases exponentially, how will we be affected? If people are not buying as much, local stationery and art supply stores will not last four years. Also, if you have multiple kids in school, the budget for school supplies will increase as well. When it comes to stationery and art supplies, it is challenging to stock up. We may be able to stock up on paper products, but for items like watercolor paper, the quality will change over time and may not be the best option. I won't suggest you buy a lot of pens and markers because marker pens will dry up, and gel pens may stop working once you remove the protective cap. Some art supplies may last longer if you have an appropriate temperature and humidity all year around. I have experienced paint drying and colored pencil wood barrel cracking from my storage condition, even though I try to keep the storage environment as stable as possible.
As I write this, this is simply the beginning of things crumpling down unless something is changed. Tariffs are equal to price increases; there is no other way to look at them or interpret them. Recently, I heard that Walmart is asking their Chinese manufacturers to decrease their pricing by 20% to accommodate the tariffs, which were ignored. Understandably, most countries won't accommodate us and can't because 20% is a lot, and now we are paying it from the decision of a single person. When the person in the office is throwing the tariffs to everyone's face, we are alone as a country; it is the US against the world. Essentially, this trade war started without the consent of the citizens. As a regular insignificant shopping content creator, I like to think that regardless of what faith or values we hold in life and what parties we voted for, none of us love inflation and price increases, right? Despite who you voted for, when promises are not being delivered by politicians, you need to question them and keep them accountable before your life is majorly affected. They do not pay your bill or your mortgage, and they sure won't be there to hold your hands when you lose your business, your house, or your car. For a little guy, I just don't want to pay an extra %25 on everything. I paid $3 for a dozen eggs last year, and now the price is double; even Dollar Tree has announced their price increase. Has America been great now? Why am I not seeing it in Pennsylvania?
