‘No-buy’ momentum grows as Trump’s tariffs squeeze shoppers
This trend is emerging alongside a surge in secondhand shopping, as consumers seek affordable alternatives amid rising costs.
Hello, dear readers,
Like many of you, I’ve been rethinking how — and where — I spend my money.
I haven’t stepped foot in or purchased anything from Target since early January after the company cut its DEI efforts.
For someone who used to visit several times a week just to browse, it’s been a bigger shift than I expected — and honestly, I don’t miss it.
At the same time, Trump’s new tariffs have sent prices soaring, making me even more mindful of purchases.
Aside from necessities, I’ve hardly bought any tangible items.
It’s been surprisingly freeing to step away from constant consumption.
Less shopping means fewer impulse buys, less clutter and a little more peace of mind.
The growing "no-buy" movement sort of mirrors how I’ve been feeling, too — a quiet but powerful decision to be more intentional in a world that keeps telling us to spend more.
Here’s a quick mid-week newsletter read.
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‘No-buy’ momentum grows as Trump’s tariffs squeeze shoppers
As the economy grapples with Trump’s escalating tariffs and inflation, a grassroots movement known as "No-Buy 2025" is gaining momentum, encouraging Americans to curtail nonessential spending.
Trump's imposition of tariffs up to 145% on Chinese imports has significantly impacted the retail sector, particularly clothing and other goods.
These tariffs have led to increased prices for new items, prompting some people to turn to thrift stores and online resale platforms like Poshmark and online marketplaces like Facebook and eBay.
While the secondhand market offers a cost-effective alternative, experts caution that increased demand could lead to higher prices for used goods.
Additionally, supply chain disruptions and potential adjustments to tariffs may affect the availability and affordability of secondhand items.
In Philadelphia, Bonnie Arbittier and Kacii Hamer have embraced no-buy lifestyles.
Arbittier, who has refrained from purchasing new clothing in 2025, said she has saved over $1,000. She hasn’t even shopped in thrift stores.
Hamer, who splits her time between Philly and Scranton, has implemented strict spending rules, resulting in savings of approximately $5,000 since January.
Hamer canceled paid streaming subscriptions and grows most of her food, including lettuce and tomatoes. She also makes her own butter and bread. She spends no more than $35 a week in the grocery store.
Both Arbittier and Hamer cite benefits beyond financial savings, including reduced screen time and improved mental health.
This, of course, is not the first time a less-is-more trend has piqued the interest of those looking to make a change.
Marie Kondo’s decluttering fad kicked off more than a decade ago in America with her book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.”
As the New York Times notes:
Social media has long encouraged people’s spending — or overspending — habits. The apps are rife with videos of influencers hawking everything from press-on nails to kitchen strainers.
But online platforms also have the power to give a face to this latest wave of minimalism.
The Times also noted, though:
For what it’s worth, just as some U.S. consumers are declaring a “No Buy” year, some are leaning into “reckless consumerism” with the mind-set of “Nothing even matters anymore, why not finally book that vacation to Greece?” Others, in a bid to beat the tariff price bumps, are panic buying items to stockpile.
This “no-buy” trend is emerging alongside a surge in secondhand shopping, as consumers seek affordable alternatives amid rising costs.
If cutting purchases completely isn’t a possibility, secondhand shopping is an alternative.
One of the perks of secondhand shopping is that it reduces waste.
A whopping 11 million tons of textiles ended up in landfills in 2018, according to EPA data.
Fabrics don’t decompose, and they release climate-warming greenhouse gases. Toxic chemicals and dyes from textiles can seep into soil and groundwater.
Much of the waste produced in the U.S. is shipped to countries like Chile and Nigeria, where it contributes to environmental pollution.
Trump said he’d bring prices down on ‘day one” (spoiler alert: he hasn’t, he’s just made prices higher)
Trump ran on the lie that on his first day, he would lower prices.
“When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on day one,” Trump said in August 2024.
At about 100 days in office, he’s failed to follow through on this, and, due to his tariffs, has caused the opposite effect to happen — with the worst yet to come.
“The new administration is a big reason why I’m doing this because I don’t want us to contribute to Trump’s economy,” Rylee Marcum, a stay-at-home mom in Central Florida, told CNN. “That’s just a petty reason… but I don’t think things are going to get any better at all, and I’m scared for the future.”
If you’re looking to join the “no-buy” movement, there’s a Reddit thread where users offer tips and personal stories.