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Feeling like everything’s getting more expensive lately? You’re not imagining it, but don’t worry, we’ve got your back. This week, we’re breaking down what’s going on with Amazon and tariffs, why the news loves doom and gloom, and what smart, simple moves you can make to stay one step ahead.
What’s Going On With Amazon and Tariffs?
Amazon sellers are raising prices across hundreds of top-selling items, largely due to new tariffs on imports from China. Here's the scoop:
- Prices have jumped an average of 29%, especially on tech accessories, clothing, and household goods.
- About 25% of these price hikes are coming from China-based sellers, some of whom are considering pulling out of the U.S. market altogether.
- Tariffs on Chinese imports are as high as 145%, while most other countries face just 10%.
- Amazon CEO Andy Jassy put it bluntly: “You don’t have 50% extra margin to play with.”
Some U.S. sellers are now scrambling to find suppliers in countries like Vietnam and India—but that’s not an overnight fix.
*The Big News* Amazon says they're going to start showing exactly how much of an item's price is associated with tariffs, so consumers can see how much our administration's decisions are costing them.
Tariff Q & A:
As questions come in from our Bolder Members, our expert financial coaches will share their answers below.
Q: I'm worried about tariffs increasing costs and want to reduce my expenses as much as possible. Should I pay off my car loan early?
A: A car loan typically has an interest rate around 5-10%, which isn't something to be afraid of right now. In terms of rising costs, our general advice for everyone is to cut unnecessary expenses with the goal of adding more to short-term savings. In times of economic volatility, it's important to boost savings so that you are prepared for whatever comes next (job loss, rising cost of living, etc.). So with that in mind, the answer to your question requires another question!
Q: How will paying off your car loan help you add to savings?
A: For example, if you have 6-12 months of savings in a high yield savings account for emergencies, then by all means, focus on paying off the car loan if it will reduce your monthly expenditure. However, if you don't have at least 6 months in savings, focus on building that up instead, and then go back to the car loan.
Why We Don’t Hear As Much When the Markets Recover
You’ve probably noticed that when the market drops, it’s all over the headlines. But when it bounces back? Crickets. That’s not just media bias—it’s brain science.
Our brains are wired to respond more intensely to loss than gain. In fact, we process financial losses similarly to the loss of a loved one. No wonder it feels overwhelming.
But recovery does happen. It just doesn’t shout as loudly. Take this into consideration the next time you see a "market crash" headline.
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