I Asked ChatGPT How I Can Dodge Tariffs and Save My Budget — Which Tips Are Legit?
Tariffs can make everything from groceries to household goods more expensive, putting extra pressure on a monthly budget.
MoneyLion asked ChatGPT for legitimate ways to reduce the financial impact of tariffs and save money. Take a look at these surprisingly practical suggestions.
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Check Prices and Purchase Before They Increase
ChatGPT suggested purchasing large-ticket items sooner to avoid price increases in the future. It also said that some retailers have price-tracking tools, which allow individuals to receive alerts when an item is on sale.
Checking prices is a great way to look for potential sales, especially during holidays, according to Prosper. Keeping a pulse on prices can help save money before prices increase.
Compare Prices
Comparing prices on regular purchases by checking seasonal sales, using sites that search for deals, online coupons, cashback apps and keeping track of weekly sales helps to find the best price on products with tariffs, ChatGPT advised.
Slickdeals is a site that helps find lower prices by searching for promo codes, sales, coupons, offers and discounts on items that may have tariff prices. Also, look for sites that have printable or digital coupons like CouponFollow.com.
Purchase Secondhand Items Instead
ChatGPT recommended purchasing used items in good condition, such as furniture, sporting goods and electronics, as these cost much less than brand new items.
Major department stores offer refurbished electronics online, thrift stores sell many used products and many other online sites specialize in selling secondhand items, according to . Some popular sites include Sideline Swap for used sporting goods and Reverb, which sells used musical instruments.
Delay Purchases
If prices are higher than normal on certain items such as vehicles, tires or major appliances, ChatGPT suggested waiting a few months to see if manufacturers adjust prices or better deals are available.
According to People First, before making a major purchase like a new vehicle, wait for prices to stabilize and watch the manufacturer's website for price drops, rebates or incentives.
Choose Local
By choosing to purchase locally made products, ChatGPT said high tariffs could be avoided. Not all local products have lower prices, but comparing values of domestic and imported items can help save money.
Support the community where you live by buying local. Local goods are usually cheaper than imported products and can help save money, per People First. Spending some time researching what products are locally sold in your community can help spot items that compare in price or cost less than imported items, according to AARP.
Build an Emergency Cushion
Keeping several months of expenses in savings can help cover temporary cost increases without relying on credit cards and help build an emergency cushion, ChatGPT advised.
Even a small amount of savings can add up over time. Setting aside a little from each paycheck for an emergency fund can provide a financial cushion when prices rise or unexpected expenses occur, according to People First.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice. It was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy. However, AI-generated content may be inaccurate, incomplete or outdated. You should independently verify important information through reliable sources before making any decisions based on this content.
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