Tag: Tariffs

March 2025 Wrap-Up

Another Month Passes By

March 2025 contained a variety of weather from balmy to frigid. Moisture was on the light side, but the last few days look promising for April showers. Travel, gardening and quilting took up quite a bit of time. Books were read and reviewed. All in all, it was a productive month.

On the economic front, tariffs are eminent, and the outcome is uncertain. Naturally this translates into an unsettled market. Young stock market participants need not panic but I am sure retirees and fixed income individuals are as jittery as the stock exchanges. I have added a New Market Basket to track how the coming tariffs will impact prices. The Misery Index fell slightly to 6.9%. This is opposite of what I expect going forward.

Politics in the United States continues to be acrimonious. Our united front after 9/11 is all but gone. There is plenty of blame to go around and none of it is helpful. Personally, I only know of a few people planning to locate outside of the country. But others may be entertaining the thought of moving abroad. The parallels to the 1930s and 1940s have the elderly population shaking their heads.

In the Library-March 2025

While only two books were reviewed, several more were read. Some will be reviewed in the coming weeks. Deciding what to review is easy for the most part. I try not to have too many of the same author. I also refuse to review those I did not enjoy and, in some cases, don’t even finish. Furthermore, I often read for fun. Those books tend not to get reviewed. However, the next review will be an exception. Check back in a few days.

Starting Seeds

Seedlings planted in trays March 2025March is a good time to start seeds. So, the cool-weather crops were started in early March 2025 while the tomatoes were planted toward the end of the month. Lettuce, kale, spinach and Swiss chard make up most of the plants. Six different tomato varieties were planted. The Genuine Heirloom Marriage Hybrid tomatoes took longer to emerge, and the germination rate was about half. But the seeds were from 2023. Viability decreases over time.

Additionally, repairs were made to the raised rows in the Big Garden. Early March brought tropical storm and even Cat. One winds to the Great Plains. Dust storms still exist in this part of the country in the early spring. Fortunately, by the end of the month the wheat stands turned green and helped mitigate the dirt-filled air. Hopefully, April will bring rain.

March 2025 Quilts

Work continues on the king sized bargello quilt. Once pieced, the quilting can begin, and piecing of the baby quilts can start. Quilts are a labor of love as well as an expression of art. I also find quilting a stress reliever.

I hope March 2025  was productive for you.

New Market Basket

Stagflation or Just Inflation?

It is time to look at a new market basket. The inflation check challenge focused primarily on food with a few other items thrown in. The United States government excludes food and energy costs from their price index because these items are so volatile. But food and other everyday items are key in the minds of consumers. If food costs go up, more of the household budget flows to this essential. Other items take a back seat.

However, tariff driven price increases will impact a variety of items. Food does come into play. And so, we will keep food goods in the market basket. But other goods come to mind.

One of the problems in tracking goods is that many items manufactured in the United States use parts from overseas. Thus, the goods will be impacted by a trade war. We will look at some goods made in the United States primarily with imported parts.

Finally, we will include non-edible direct imports. For example, I use a Samsung laptop for my work. Other items would be tougher to track due to multiple variables. Think of gemstones or furniture or even light fixtures. For a market basket to work you need comparisons that are exact.

Original Market Basket

When I first looked at inflation, supply chain shocks due to disruption from Covid was the culprit. The items were mostly food based with a few outliers. I revisited this market basket recently and the prices jumped quite a bit in the intervening years. I have included a table for those of you who participated in the Inflation Check Challenge.

 
Item Amount January 2021
Price
Regular/Sale
April 2021
Price
Regular/Sale
July 2021
Price
Regular/Sale
October 2021
Price
Regular/Sale
January 2022
Price
Regular/Sale
March 2025
Price
Regular Sale
Planet Oat Extra Creamy Original Oat Milk 52 OZ. $3.49 $3.99 $3.99/$2.99 $3.99 $3.99/$3.79 $4.99/$3.49
Small bag Signature Select Sugar 4 LBS. $2.99 $2.99/$1.99 $2.99 $2.99/$2.49 $3.29 $5.49
Signature Select Cream Style Corn 14.75 OZ. $0.69 $0.79 $0.79 $0.79/$0.65 $0.89 $1.99/$1.50
Fleischmanns Active Dry Yeast 4 OZ. $6.99 $6.99 $7.19 $7.49 $7.49 $6.99
Bananas 1 LB. $0.59 $0.55 $0.59 $0.59 $0.69 $0.65
Kraft Real Mayo 30 OZ. $4.99/$3.79 $4.99/$3.99 $4.99/$3.79 $5.29/$3.99 $5.29/$3.99 $5.99
Meow Mix 6.3 LBS. $7.78 $7.78 $7.78 $8.22 $8.22 $13.99
Morton Salt 26 OZ. $1.19/$0.94 $1.19/$0.99 $1.19/$0.99 $1.29/$0.99 $1.29/$0.99 $2.99
Crest Pro Health Toothpaste 4.6 OZ. $5.99/$4.99 $5.49/$3.99 $3.99/$3.49 $3.99/$2.99 $3.99/$1.99 $3.99
Align Probiotics 28 Count $26.58 $26.58 $26.58 $26.58 $26.58 $32.99
Tide Botanical Rain Detergent 92 OZ. $11.97 $11.97 $11.97 $11.97/$11.39 $11.97 $15.99

Now 84 0z.

Kerr Regular Mouth Canning Lids 12 Count $3.18 $2.88 $2.88 $3.38 $2.28 $4.99 @ Safeway
$8.99 @ Walmart
3M Ad. Allergy Furnace Filter 1 Count $15.88 $15.88 $15.88 $16.38 $17.47 $20.50
Dunkin Donut Boston Cream 1 Count $0.99 $1.09 $1.17 $1.09 $1.17 $1.79
Regular Unleaded Gasoline 1 Gallon $2.36 $2.79 $2.79 $2.79 $3.05 $2.89

New Market Basket

I am keeping quite a few items from the old market basket while adding a few new ones.

Among the additions are eggs, whole milk, Samsung laptop, Aluminum Foil, Hamilton Beach 4-slice Toaster and a G.E. Microwave. It will be interesting to see what if any impact occurs. Between the New Market Basket and the Misery Index we will get a feel for which direction the economy is headed.

 
Product Price Reg./Sale
1Gal Whole Milk $3.69
1 LB. Bananas $0.65
1 Can Cream Style Corn $1.99/$1.50
Dozen Eggs $6.49
1 Dunkin’ Donut $1.79
1 Gal. Reg. Unl. Gas $2.89
Dozen Reg. Mouth Kerr Lids $4.99
Scott’s Step Fertilizer $104.00
Hamilton Beach 4 slice Toaster $48.95
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook $624.99
G.E. 2 Cu Ft 1200 Watt Countertop Microwave @ Lowes $239.00