As concerns over economic instability and potential price increases loom, many Americans are reevaluating their spending habits amid the uncertainty created by Trump’s trade policies.
Dane, a 73-year-old retiree from South Carolina, has started stocking up on essential items, including cases of paper towels, toilet paper, and even “piddle pads” for his shih tzu.
He and his wife also made a significant purchase, with Dane’s wife upgrading from an iPhone 8 to an iPhone 14.
Dane, reflecting on his recent shopping habits, expressed concerns that prices will rise due to tariffs, stating, “It’s scary. Prices are going to go up because of tariffs… It’s going to be messy.”
His apprehensions echo the feelings of many Americans who remember the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when they scrambled to buy basic necessities like masks and toilet paper.
During his campaign last year, Donald Trump touted his commitment to tariffs.
However, the real impact was felt following “liberation day” on April 2, when the President announced sweeping duties on incoming goods, causing significant upheaval in global financial markets and triggering fears of inflation and stagnation.
In the wake of a sell-off in US government bonds, Trump temporarily postponed some of his more severe tariffs for 90 days, except for those on China, which will face an imposing 145% levy.
The Guardian reached out to hundreds of Americans to understand how these uncertainties are influencing their purchasing decisions.
Currently in Paris, Dane plans to bring home consumer goods that may soon be subjected to a 10% tariff on European Union imports.
“I’d love to bring back eggs, but that would be a disaster. I’d have scrambled eggs in my suitcase,” he humorously noted.
Heather, a 61-year-old college professor in Texas, similarly feels the pressure of an unstable economy.
While she and her husband can generally manage fluctuations in food prices, they encountered a significant enough concern to accelerate the purchase of a new car.
With their 14-year-old Mini Cooper running on gas, they decided to replace it with a hybrid vehicle sooner than planned to avoid rising costs.
“The economic instability of the Trump administration certainly gives one pause,” Heather remarked.
“It’s just so much instability, chaos and [the] unknown.”
For Stefanie, a 56-year-old educator and former tech worker in Nevada, planning for tariffs has been part of her strategy since Trump’s election.
Having recently purchased a Toyota Tacoma to replace her old Jeep, she is also converting some of her investments into cash.
“I learned in the first administration to believe him: he says bizarre things, and then he does bizarre things,” she explained.
Stefanie is proactively cutting back on subscriptions and future travel plans while stockpiling essential kitchen staples such as rice, cooking oils, vinegar, and flour, along with replacing worn clothes.
“The supply chain is so globalized that tariffs really hit everything,” she added.
In contrast, Ishaan, a 51-year-old engineer also from Texas, has opted to abstain from major purchases altogether.
“I am cutting out unnecessary expenses, cancelled my gym membership, focusing on savings,” he said.
With fears of rising prices and an economic slowdown, Ishaan’s focus is on building up his cash savings.
“I’m scared to invest in any stocks or bonds right now,” he explained, citing the volatility of the market.
Jonathan, a 70-year-old from New Jersey, has similarly curtailed his spending as a result of the uncertain economic climate.
He reported that his individual retirement account (IRA) had been “decimated,” despite a slight uptick after Trump paused tariffs.
Currently down about 15%, Jonathan has decided to postpone plans to redo the carpet in his home and replace two old televisions.
“In short, we’ll buy only necessities and pay bills until this stupidity ends,” he stated.
Russ, a 35-year-old physicist in New Mexico, has begun to reconsider his spending habits due to the restrictive policies from the Trump administration.
He has chosen to hold off on replacing his eight-year-old phone and nine-year-old MacBook computer that still function adequately.
“Do I really need this, or do I just want this?” he pondered.
He has also been boycotting larger retailers such as Amazon and Target, preferring to shop at local, independent businesses despite the higher costs and time involved.
“As an American citizen and registered voter, nobody really cares what you think until November of every other year; you feel kind of voiceless,” Russ lamented.
He believes that spending can act as a form of expression, saying, “If dollars are the only tools we have anymore, then damn it, I’m going to cast those votes and allocate my spending accordingly.”
In a similar vein, Christine, a 41-year-old small business owner, expressed that the current disruption might lead to widespread change in consumer habits across the country.
She has been stocking up on supplies for her Miami acupuncture business, while also purchasing her son’s birthday gift earlier than usual to avoid potential price hikes.
However, she has noticed a decline in demand for her services as well.
Christine’s self-reflection on consumerism has led her to question the amount of “stuff” she truly needs.
She has even started participating in clothing exchanges with friends, escaping the fast fashion cycle.
“I really resent being drafted into this mad trade war,” she lamented.
“Maybe it’s that at least some people like me will question their unsustainable capitalistic practices.”
As the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and economic policies continues, many Americans are finding new ways to adapt and reassess their relationships with consumer goods.
image source from：https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/12/americans-spending-habits-trump-tariffs
