Thanks To Trump’s Tariffs, Grocery Shopping Will Feel Like A Luxury — Here’s How People Are Coping

Posted by author February 26, 2025 Shopping

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People’s pockets are only starting to feel the impact of MAGA. The White House has been increasingly chaotic since Trump returned to office, especially regarding international affairs.

Man wearing a hat with "Make America Great Again" text — Man wearing a hat with “Make America Great Again” text

The tariff situation, specifically, raises concerns. Not only abroad, but for all Americans who will ultimately shoulder this burden financially.

Thus, his claims that grocery prices would go down after his inauguration ultimately feel like an empty promise. While not surprising, it’s the combination of tariffs along with budget cuts to Medicaid and other social services that will undoubtedly leave the average American without the support necessary to get through the troubled waters ahead.

Person in a jacket reaching for a box on a grocery store shelf filled with various types of crackers

As you could expect, people feel increasingly hopeless as the days pass. Last week, I asked the BuzzFeed Community how they plan to save on groceries if a potential recession strikes. Some responses felt rather dystopian, while others were just flat-out hilarious.

However, at its core, Americans are bracing for the worst in the foreseeable future. From stocking up on non-perishable items to growing their own produce, here are a few ways people plan on budgeting as tariff talks persist.

1.“I just bought 20 pounds of coffee beans.”

Larry David casually using a yo-yo while standing on a runway next to large burlap sacks of coffee beans.

—edgycat84

2.“I’ve been stocking up on pantry-stable stuff for a while now — only the very cheapest stuff on sale. I only spent $5 per fortnight on things like canned fish or vegetables, dried beans and legumes, pasta, etc. Over time my stash of food has gotten pretty decent, and I can make meals from it often. I also grow my own tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkins, celery, watercress, and lots of other stuff from scraps.”

A variety of unopened tin cans are displayed on a rustic wooden surface alongside limes, tomatoes, garlic, chili peppers, and herbs

—bougiedolphin27

3.“Not just groceries. We are not buying or spending. Only local.”

Man holding "Support Your Local Farmer" sign in front of historic buildings — Man holding “Support Your Local Farmer” sign in front of historic buildings

“No Target, Kroger’s, WM, or any of the sniveling cowards. We are traveling outside of the country or only visiting blue states. We will not lift a finger to help out the economy.”

—casualking314

4.“I really don’t know. We are older adults on a fixed income. If social security is stopped or reduced, we’ll be in serious trouble.”

“I truly believe that presidents Trump and Musk, Governor Ron DeSantis, and Senator Rick Scott don’t care about the people of this country. All they value is money and power.”

—prosedan2154

5.“I bought a bidet to cut down on toilet paper costs and I’m planning a low/no buy year.”

Close-up of an advanced bidet control panel with buttons and symbols for stop, rear wash, front wash, dryer, and position adjustments

—monikap6

6.“Stop these men.”

People at a protest holding signs with messages like "Deport Musk" and "Impeach Trump." A rainbow flag is in the background — People at a protest holding signs with messages like “Deport Musk” and “Impeach Trump.” A rainbow flag is in the background

—Anonymous, 56, New York, NY

7.“We will be foregoing super fancy practice meals. I love to cook and have gotten pretty good at it, but if prices keep going up and I lose my job (I work in higher education), we will be cutting out wine, eating out, and eating more struggle meals like we did in our 20s.”

“Our bill is always high though because we have an egg, dairy, peanut, tree nut, and soy intolerant kid so we have to buy a lot of special kinds of milk and foods for him that are really expensive.”

—kitty73990

8.“Starve.”

Skeleton in driver's seat of car, holding phone to its ear while gripping the steering wheel, creating a humorous scene — Skeleton in driver’s seat of car, holding phone to its ear while gripping the steering wheel, creating a humorous scene

—fightingbadhabits

9.“Not buying much. Started ordering meat from local places. I refuse to pay grocery prices. Shopping at Aldi’s, and giving up things we used to buy, like chips and snacks.”

— Anonymous, 71, Poynette, WI

10.“Costco Membership, get better at DIY, and increase the size of my garden.”

People at a Costco membership counter with a large sign listing membership options: Executive $130, Gold Star $65, Business $65, credit card info

—Anonymous, 28, Charlotte, NC

11.“In addition to generally spending less on non-essentials, I’m taking a contrarian approach. I am going to specifically look to purchase items made outside the US, from companies based outside the US, where I can.”

Store shelf with jars labeled "Made in Canada" adorned with a maple leaf symbol — Store shelf with jars labeled “Made in Canada” adorned with a maple leaf symbol

—Anonymous, 40, North Carolina

12.“I have been stocking up on canned goods, paper products, and imported grocery items since November 2024. I have also paid off all my credit cards except for one. I bought a washer and dryer. I don’t have to prepare for a recession. MAGA was warned. MAGA was given evidence. They chose to ignore it. I am confident that I have enough groceries stocked up that fresh produce and meat should be the only items I have to spend my money on. Trump is a moron who doesn’t care about his voters. Now we all will be paying the price for voter stupidity.”

—Anonymous, 67, Savannah, GA

13.“Only buying what I absolutely need. No extras and NO EGGS!!!”

Cartons of large brown eggs stacked on a grocery store shelf, labeled "1 Dozen." Price tag below reads $10.59 — Cartons of large brown eggs stacked on a grocery store shelf, labeled “1 Dozen.” Price tag below reads $10.59

—Anonymous, 63, Barton City, MI

14.“Gardening! I’ve always been a big gardener, but I will be planting double the edible produce that I normally do this year.”

Community garden with lush vegetable plots, green pathways, and surrounding trees, showcasing a vibrant and productive urban agricultural space

—purplechair1823

15.“My plan to save on groceries is to ‘slip and fall’ in a supermarket aisle, consult with a ‘witness’ beforehand, and then sue the supermarket. Part of the proceeds from said lawsuit would be paid to my ‘witness.’ Only then will I be able to ‘save’ on my grocery bill!”

Better Call Saul scene where Saul slips and falls.

—witchypepper71

16.“Just steal essentials from your local Walmart.”

“I’m not even joking a little bit here, if you willingly fall in line with austerity, it’s gonna keep happening. If a convicted felon and his unelected handler have free reign to strip away consumer protections, it’s up to consumers to protect themselves.”

—the_toast_of_you

17.“Become a vegetarian, avoid spending money on anything nonessential. Why doesn’t our government help us? Why do they let this go on? When are they gonna stop? What president in the past has ever done anything like this?”

Three men visible through glass. The left man wears a suit and red tie; the middle man is partly obscured; the right man wears a suit and burgundy tie

“I understand doing some house cleaning, but Elon Musk has nothing to do with our government and he should not be there. Trump lied to the public about how he was going to help the voters and it’s just lie after lie after lie. It’s all about people who have money and the people who have money, don’t worry about us little people.”

—Anonymous, 70, Cleveland, OH

18.“I’m going to get needed knee surgery and take care of family needs. No major purchases or trips. Maybe a new desktop computer, though. Mine is as old as me. Lol.”

—Anonymous, 79, Parma,Ohio

19.“I’ve been using my Excalibur dehydrator and my Harvest Right freeze dryer to preserve food for myself, my adult children, and my grandchildren. As I renew my cottage food license, I plan to sell these items to my community to help them also have a reserve of ‘fresh’ produce.”