Tariffs and 2025 consumer purchases

[RamStride]

My house needs new windows, but that can be delayed a year. I'll have it painted after the new windows are put in because I want to put 3 smaller windows in, which will require new siding. House needs painting anyway.

I also want to replace the upstairs carpet with vinyl planks, but that can be delayed too.

I don't feel like rushing either to beat the deadline. I've got cash ready to do both. I feel like the tariffs might not last, or we'll go into a recession and I might find contractors more hungry for work. Might not be the best choice but that's what I'm doing.

In the car tariffs thread I related how my son bought a new car a couple of weeks ago.

I left work last month and was planning on a doing a big renovation on the house. House was built in 1999. It needs almost all windows replaced and I have to replace some rotten wood, damaged HardiePlank and do a full paint job. Also, DW wants to renovate the MB bath and kitchen. I was thinking to spend about $120k. Now, I am thinking I will have to wait for all this tariff craziness to settle somewhat. But lately, the HOA is making things difficult sending letter to get some things done. I am concerned I will get caught spending more as the HOA keeps pressing.

 

[Closet_Gamer]

As Carvana hauled away DH's old car toda, I just realized we benefitted from the tariff chaos there. When we ordered his new car in January, I started tracking value thru Carvana and it had very recently increased by $2500. So our increased cost for the new car was a wash...we didn't benefit from price negotiation, however, did benefit from the increased value in his used car.

That is the very embodiment of inflation. This thing you sold cost the other guy $2500 more and the thing you bought cost $2500 more. In both cases it was the same thing producing the same economic value, they just higher price tags.

 

[old medic]

Not sure if this is tariff related.... But I was surprised.... Needed to replace our watering bucket... plastic springle can....
Lowes Made in China $9.98....... Wal-Mart Made in USA $4.98

 

[GravitySucks]

I did that recently, before the tariff show. Don’t be messin’ with my coffee. Them’s fightin’ words!

Otherwise, can't think of much I’ll be buying beyond the usual.

Coffee is one I was wondering about and did a little digging.

That $15+ approximately a kilo of Folgers at WalMart contains around $4.75 of green unroasted beans. The rest of the cost is roasting, grinding, canning, transport, and retailing costs.

Even a 100% tariff should only increase the cost to $20 or 33%. Still no where near the bump that will cover buying Hawaiian coffee.

 

[Closet_Gamer]

Coffee is one I was wondering about and did a little digging.

That $15+ approximately a kilo of Folgers at WalMart contains around $4.75 of green unroasted beans. The rest of the cost is roasting, grinding, canning, transport, and retailing costs.

Even a 100% tariff should only increase the cost to $20 or 33%. Still no where near the bump that will cover buying Hawaiian coffee.

Very interesting and helpful.

My demand for coffee is essentially unresponsive to price. It’s like oxygen … can’t live without it!

 

[joesxm3]

I just ordered a new Tesla Model Y to upgrade my 2023 model. Part of what tipped me over the edge was the worry that there might be price increases or part shortages when tarrifs kick in.

I also worried that FSD price might go up but not because of tarrifs.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Avocados are up at the Kroger, $1,50 each.

 

[NewEnglander]

The majority of bicycle frames and bicycle parts are made in Taiwan or China.
One of the largest brands Specialized, recently added a separate line for the tariffs , currently at 10%. Trek bikes is increasing the cost of most bikes by 10%, I'm not sure if this will be a new price for each model or it they will be doing as Specialized with the tariff as an added line item? Other brands are following. The tariffs are already causing a major disruption to the bike industry. Many brands are holding off introducing new models until the situation stabilizes. Even US produced high end models where the frames are made in the US are impacted due to all bike parts being made in Asia.

 

[KarenF]

I don't understand this, since coffee (even whole beans) has a fairly short shelf life after being roasted. I've never kept coffee beans more than about 2-3 months before they start to smell and taste stale. Is there a secret to keeping them fresh for much longer?

Keep coffee beans in the freezer for freshness.

 

[GravitySucks]

Very interesting and helpful.

My demand for coffee is essentially unresponsive to price. It’s like oxygen … can’t live without it!

My demand for the quantity of coffee won’t change, however if import price go much higher I might buy 12 oz of instead of 8 oz of Maui beans each year.

A tariff win. /s

 

[joesxm3]

The new Tesla I picked up yesterday had a vehicle fact sheet with a total vehicle price more than $10,000 higher than the MSRP they charged me. Maybe related to past expected tariff price increase or to a future expected price increase?

 

[surfFL]

This thread gave me an idea. I have a gigantic Google Sheets with all the 'Upgrades' I've added to my new 2024 SFH; that includes appliances, small electronics, power tools, etc...
I've just added 2 columns:
- Year purchased
- Purchased price
And added everything that I moved to the house (so purchased before 2024). Here are my conclusions and action items:

My toaster is 2015 / 10 years old, time to replace... I'd just purchased the same one (Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster™ (Remanufactured)) for $99, new it lists for $150, that's 33% off, (I had paid $130 for a new one in 2015 LOL). It only has the tray crumb that broke couple of years ago, I -crazy glued- it and it is still good. The toaster is 100% working, couple of dents and scratches; but I'm not willing to pay X% tariff (or whatever, as it changes everyday).

My cable modem / router is 2018 / 7 years old, time to replace... I'd just purchased the newer version Netgear ORBI CBK752 for $269 (you can get 10% off 299 if you just search for 'Promo Codes'). New it lists for $649; that's 59% off... The cable modem is 100% working, but I'm not willing to pay X% tariff (or whatever, as it changes everyday).

My bread machine is 2021 / 4 years old. I have to replace the pan and paddle and it's showing its age (the cover hinge is broken, the glue does not hold, it makes some unhealthy noises). I'd just purchased a Breville for $299 with Amazon 5x Payment Plan. I paid $96 for the Cuisinart (open box on eBay); so it's quite some more money... Hopefully it's a better brand and will last 10-years like the toaster (yeah I read the horror stories about the collapsible paddle, but this is a feature I wanted; and with the Cuisinart, you have to lubricate the paddle mechanism every month for a smooth operation; I expect to do the same with the Breville). Note: I make 2 lbs bread 2-3 times a week, so it gets some mileage; and I'm not willing to pay X% tariff (or whatever, as it changes everyday).

The LG Washer / Dryer combo, LG TV, Apple TV 4k and HomePod Mini are 2020 (those were moved to the new house). They all work great and I had many LG Washer / Dryer combo; in my experience (1 load a week) + regular Tub Clean Cycle + regular drain clean-up; they last at least 10-years. I never like the LG picture quality (compared to a Panasonic Plasma I had before), but I'll keep it (It's just on 2 hours a day). The Apple TV 4k, if there is something interesting this year, I may change it. I don't like the sound quality of the HomePod mini, but it's just for TV; so if they go; I'm not going to replace them. I listen to music on a HQ headset and 24bit / 96kHz D/A interface.

That's it, everything else is new 2024 / 2025 (except the Mac 2022, iPhone 2023 and iPad 2022; but I usually keep those several years). I also pay an extended warranty (Apple Care+) on the Mac, for ~$6/month; so if there is a problem, it'll be covered.

The car is new 2024.

And I have already saved to purchase / replace big tickets items (AC, roof and car), so even if the tariffs impact them, this money is invested and hopefully will grow to cover those.

Good exercise!

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

My bread machine is 2021 / 4 years old. I have to replace the pan and paddle and it's showing its age (the cover hinge is broken, the glue does not hold, it makes some unhealthy noises). I'd just purchased a Breville for $299 with Amazon 5x Payment Plan. I paid $96 for the Cuisinart (open box on eBay); so it's quite some more money... Hopefully it's a better brand and will last 10-years like the toaster (yeah I read the horror stories about the collapsible paddle, but this is a feature I wanted; and with the Cuisinart, you have to lubricate the paddle mechanism every month for a smooth operation; I expect to do the same with the Breville). Note: I make 2 lbs bread 2-3 times a week, so it gets some mileage; and I'm not willing to pay X% tariff (or whatever, as it changes everyday).

My suggestion (as someone who has made a LOT of bread over the years): Instead of a bread machine, buy (if you don't already have one) a good mixer and a pizza baking stone. Use the mixer to knead the bread (the only PITA part of bread making). Sprinkle corn meal on the baking stone and do the rise in a oven that has been pre "warmed" to about 80 degrees F. (The optimal temp is between 75-78 but the temp will slowly fall but be good enough if you keep the door closed.)

Doing this you can make real, awesome looking loafs of bread.

I miss this immensely (as I do making beer) as alas I need to watch my carb intake.

 

[joesxm3]

I just realized I might need another Midea dehumidifier and freaked out thinking "tariffs". I ordered one on amazon for the same price as two years ago. Maybe I beat the rush and got one that was already in stock.

 

[surfFL]

My suggestion (as someone who has made a LOT of bread over the years): Instead of a bread machine, buy (if you don't already have one) a good mixer and a pizza baking stone. Use the mixer to knead the bread (the only PITA part of bread making). Sprinkle corn meal on the baking stone and do the rise in a oven that has been pre "warmed" to about 80 degrees F. (The optimal temp is between 75-78 but the temp will slowly fall but be good enough if you keep the door closed.)

Doing this you can make real, awesome looking loafs of bread.

I miss this immensely (as I do making beer) as alas I need to watch my carb intake.

Thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate it. I know what you described would most certainly provide a better shape, texture (and possibly taste), but I want to push 1 button and forget it. That's why I went with the Breville collapsible paddle. On the Cuisinart, I had to remove the paddle (unless it would get stuck in the crumb, very difficult to remove the bread from the pan; and damages to the bread when I removed the paddle).
Here is my preferred recipe ingredients (after 4 years with the Cuisinart)
- French Bread / 2 lbs / Dark Crust Mode.
- 1 cup of warm water
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 2.5 cup to 3 cups of White Lily Bread Flour
- 1.5 cups to 1 cup of Carolina Ground Einkorn Flour or 75 Bread Flour or Whole Wren’s Abruzzi Rye Flour (to make it a total of 4 cups).
- 2 to 4 teaspoons of Fleishmann's Bread Machine Instant Yeast (2 when the container is new, 4 when the container gets old in the fridge or if using Rye).

 

[Out of Steam]

My bread machine is 2021 / 4 years old. I have to replace the pan and paddle and it's showing its age (the cover hinge is broken, the glue does not hold, it makes some unhealthy noises).

Our bread machine was received as a wedding gift in 1994. While we don't use it often, it has gotten fairly steady use.

It's nearing the point where the inside surfaces of the paddle will no longer engage.

 

[Chuckanut]

Bit the bullet a purchased a new phone the other day. While the tariffs on phones are delayed for 90 days, there is another tariff on all electronics coming in the country that is not being delayed. It’s less than the one aimed at goods from China, but would still add significantly to the cost of the phone. In any case, the old SE, was showing its age in several ways. And it will soon need a new battery. It’s given me 5+ good years.

 

[Chuckanut]

My suggestion (as someone who has made a LOT of bread over the years): Instead of a bread machine, buy (if you don't already have one) a good mixer and a pizza baking stone. Use the mixer to knead the bread (the only PITA part of bread making). Sprinkle corn meal on the baking stone and do the rise in a oven that has been pre "warmed" to about 80 degrees F. (The optimal temp is between 75-78 but the temp will slowly fall but be good enough if you keep the door closed.)

Doing this you can make real, awesome looking loafs of bread.

I miss this immensely (as I do making beer) as alas I need to watch my carb intake.

Another alternative is to learn to make No-Knead bread. I have been doing that for years. I get great loaves that taste very good. There is something about that long slow overnight rise, the just makes bread taste better.

20 Tried-and-True No-Knead Bread Recipes

No-knead breads work like a charm. They provide easy and delicious bread with half the work. Here are 20 no-knead bread recipes to use when you want a fresh, easy loaf. Recipes include no-knead dutch oven bread, ciabatta, cinnamon and raisin, and so much more.

www.allrecipes.com

 

[Badger]

I have been making "no knead" bread for a few years. The bread is so much easier when you have arthritic wrists and allows me to frequently make a loaf. For a couple of decades I have kept four 8 inch quarry tiles on a lower rack to make a 16 inch pizza stone. At the time it only cost 40 cents/tile and works just as well as the $25 -50 pizza stone.