10 ways shoppers can still score deals despite tariffs

Your household budget might start feeling the impact of tariffs soon, if it hasn’t already. Since President Donald Trump took office, steep tariffs on imported goods from most countries have

been imposed — only to then have some lifted, paused, scaled back or increased. Case in point: On April 9, Trump raised America’s tariffs on most Chinese imports to 145 percent, only to

reach a deal with China on May 12 that reduced the levies on Chinese goods to 30 percent for 90 days. The administration’s on-again, off-again trade policies have left many consumers

scratching their heads, wondering how everything will impact their wallets when they go shopping. There’s reason to be concerned: A number of companies have already begun passing on some of

the increased costs to customers, and more price hikes could be coming, as U.S. retailers respond to the current and impending tariffs. For consumers, especially retirees living on fixed

incomes, rising prices may require making changes to their shopping habits. “Shoppers will have to adjust because so many products are made outside of the U.S.,” says Jim Wang, founder of

personal finance resource WalletHacks.com.  That doesn’t mean deals will disappear entirely, though. “Retail competition is still there, and stores may be willing to take much tighter

margins on some products to get you in the door,” Wang says. The key is knowing how to find deals in today’s tariff-rattled retail landscape. These 10 shopping strategies can help you save

money, even with prices rising from tariffs. DON’T WAIT TO BUY BIG-TICKET ITEMS YOU NEED Products that were shipped to the U.S. before tariffs kicked in should not be subject to price

increases yet. “We are in a unique, small window where we could make purchases pre-tariff,” says Trae Bodge, a shopping expert at TrueTrae.com. That doesn’t mean you should rush out to buy

things you don’t need because you’re worried about future price hikes. But you might want to purchase the big-ticket items you were thinking about sooner rather than later, while supplies of

pre-tariff items are still in stores. “If your laptop is on its last leg, or your dishwasher is getting funky, look for those things now,” Bodge says. Certain electronics, including

computers, are currently exempt from Trump’s new tariffs, but that could change on a whim. If your budget doesn’t allow for a big-ticket purchase now, Bodge suggests considering “buy now,

pay later” loans that don’t charge interest on payments made over time. This option might enable you to make a big purchase before prices increase due to tariffs. SHOP SEASONAL SALES Bodge

says some spring apparel that shipped to the U.S. before tariffs were enacted is already on clearance, and select retailers are beginning to offer discounts on certain summer apparel,

outdoor gear, and furniture. For example, Lands’ End has marked down winter and spring clearance items and some swimsuits by as much as 70 percent.