Buy Now or Pay More Later? ‘Macroeconomic Uncertainty’ Has Shoppers Anxious

Buying something before you absolutely need it isn't always affordable. But if there were ever a time to consider making an early investment, this would be it. President Donald Trump's tariffs are beginning to nudge prices higher on products from high-end strollers to cheap smartphone chargers. This is an essay from the latest edition of Steven Levy's Plaintext newsletter. SIGN UP for Plaintext to read the whole thing, and tap Steven's unique insights and unmatched contacts for the long view on tech. The Trump administration has suggested the tariffs are a negotiating tactic. Some could be eliminated as the US makes deals with other countries. That means US shoppers willing to wait out the current chaos could end up getting a better deal. I have been wondering what to do here myself. As a new dad, my family will need a new car seat early next year, and these plastic buckets, which generally must be bought new, don’t come cheap—even under normal circumstances. For clues on how to nav ... Read full article.