I didn’t watch the inauguration. I couldn’t. I’m sick. Literally nauseous. And knowing that people are cheering for this guts me.
We could have had joy and competence in the White House. Instead we have a felon. And a bunch of tech bros. And literal billionaires. A broligarchy, if you will.
Did I Prepare Enough?
I’ve spent the last few days wondering if I have prepared enough. I spent the time between the election and yesterday determining what was most likely to be impacted by tariffs. We were fortunate to have money saved that we were able to use for purchasing these items.
The items I figured would be impacted included home and kitchen appliances, food that is imported from other countries, and food that comes from the United States but that is certain to be impacted by mass deportation of undocumented workers, for example.
Home and Kitchen Appliances
While we had been temporarily living in an apartment following our relocation to California from Texas, in early January we moved to a more permanent home. As part of the move, we had to purchase a new washer, dryer, and refrigerator. So, at least we got those taken care of before potential tariffs hit.
I also considered what other small appliances (that would likely be subject to tariffs) we would need in an effort to reduce our food waste (because food is going to get more expensive and probably less available if produce is left rotting in the fields) and to preserve food that we can purchase at today’s lower prices — as sort of a hedge against price increases and inflation.
To this end, we got a FoodSaver vacuum sealer, a Presto electric pressure and boiling canner (to home can foods that are in season or purchased at a discount or good price, this I purchased at the end of September), and a Cuisinart bread machine. We also hit up Facebook Marketplace to purchase two pre-owned upright freezers for our garage.
The bread machine might have you scratching your head, but it will become necessary for our family for 2 reasons. First, we are a celiac family and cannot eat wheat, rye, or barley. Even now, a loaf of gluten free bread is crazy expensive. My goal is to learn how to make this at home for less. Second, I have a disability and battle significant pain stemming from an injury. Making these things completely by hand takes too much of my energy, so a machine that does the majority of the work for me is necessary.
Food Purchases
I also spent quite a bit of time really thinking through what food items will get more expensive.
Imported Food Items
It’s insane how many food items we use every day that are imported from other countries. Especially food items that are absolutely essential. Like coffee. And chocolate. And spices. Okay, I’m being dramatic, but these things definitely make life more enjoyable.
Life would be pretty sad without those three things. So I stocked up on coffee from Costco and through sales I found on Amazon. I tried to choose items from Costco with the oldest expiration date. Fortunately, the coffee I ordered off of Amazon had even later expiration dates than what I bought at Costco. Although, honestly, at our current rate of consumption, the coffee we stocked up on won’t last the year.
For chocolate, there is a special family cake we make for birthdays that is made with Baker’s German Chocolate baking squares. So, I followed Thanksgiving and Christmas sales on this chocolate and bought enough to make 2 cakes per year for 4 years. I can store these in the freezer to extend their shelf life. I also stocked up on chocolate chips and other baking chips.
As for spices, I stocked up on them through Azure Standard, which is a natural organic health food co-op in Oregon that has drop-offs throughout the United States. Their website identifies from where items are sourced, so I used that as a guide for what to stock up on.
Domestic Foods That Are Likely to Get More Expensive
As for foods that are grown here domestically, there are plenty that will likely increase in price due to mass deportations of undocumented agricultural workers, for example.
I focused on more expensive fruits, such as berries. I purchased these frozen and turned them into jams, jellies, and pie fillings that I canned at home.
I also took advantage of some great Black Friday sales on beef, chicken, pork, and seafood. I purchase the majority of these items through Butcher Box, which is a Certified B Corp that allows consumers to purchase grass fed, grass finished beef, pasture raised chickens, humanely raised pork, and wild caught seafood from local farmers. In my experience, the prices through Butcher Box (even when items are not on special) are less expensive than purchasing the same at Whole Foods.
I’m not sure how much longer we will be able to afford to buy these items, so I took advantage of the Black Friday sales and bought a bunch. For example, I was able to purchase grass fed, grass-finished beef for about $5/pound. I was also able to purchase 10 pounds of wild caught shrimp for $5/pound. Those are really, really good prices.
And given that there is a current bird flu thing going on, impacting egg supply, I also bought some freeze dried eggs from Auguson Farms, along with some other items. (If you want 10% off of your first order, either use my affiliate link or promo code FRUGAL FORWARD).
I am hoping I’m scared for nothing or overreacting, but I don’t think I am.
Conclusion
The way I grocery shop is about to get very, very different. I used to buy what we needed or wanted without too much thought. Now? I’m going to be a sales shopping queen. My goal will be to reduce food waste as much as possible. And to use every single part of whatever we buy.
I think I’m pretty creative and resourceful in the kitchen, so I’m hoping that not only will this be helpful for my family, but that it provides inspiration for yours.
*Some links in this post may be affiliate links. For links to products on Amazon, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You are not charged for using an affiliate link. If you use my link, I earn a small commission, which I can use to offset the administrative costs of this blog. If you use my links, thank you.
Frugal Forward 
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