The so-called trade war taking place between the US and China will cost the average US household an estimated $460 by the end of the year, according to economists. But it doesn’t have to. Sure, some of the costs that will come from new US tariffs on Chinese-made goods may be unavoidable, but you can insulate yourself from the trade war by choosing what not to buy.
The fact of the matter is many of the goods that are having US tariffs slapped on them are exactly the items that are fueling an environmental nightmare, from cheap furniture and fast fashion to children’s toys. In short, it’s stuff you certainly don’t need to buy.
If anything, the trade war provides a good incentive to close your wallet and scavenge your home for all the unused stuff you might have lying around that can either repurposed or sold off. You might just find that you have a lot more stuff than you once thought, making your “need” to buy new stuff seem obsolete.
With all this said, the new tariffs don’t mean you have to stop shopping; It just means you have to shop smarter. For instance, if you’re looking for some new additions to your wardrobe, visit shops or online retailers that sell secondhand clothing. These days, secondhand and vintage is no longer synonymous with a dusty pile of outdated sweaters in the corner of a church basement. Many retailers now specialize in selling used clothing that is certainly worthy of being worn again.
