Americans are realizing that tariffs—dubbed “the most beautiful word in the dictionary” by former President Trump—are not leading to the promised prosperity. Instead, these increased duties on imports have created a ripple effect, raising prices across various sectors. As we witness the administration impose progressively higher tariffs on imported goods—especially on Chinese products facing tariffs as steep as 145%—it’s the everyday consumers who bear the brunt of these economic policies. The costs of essential goods have surged dramatically within just a month, with technology items being particularly affected. For instance, the price of the popular DJI Osmo Pocket 3 vlogging camera skyrocketed by over 50%, jumping from $519 to $799. Similarly, Microsoft raised the prices of its Xbox Series S and X consoles by $100, pushing game prices to $80. This situation has understandably led to widespread panic buying, as people scramble to stock up on not only essential items like pantry staples and toilet paper but also various products they anticipate will rise in price shortly.

Even the staff at Gizmodo are feeling the pressure of these impending price increases. Here’s a glimpse of what some of our team members have recently panic-bought to mitigate the financial impact of tariffs.

Kyle Barr, Consumer Tech Reporter:

Back in early April, I urged everyone I could reach to purchase their gadgets as soon as possible to avoid future price hikes. Taking my own advice, I bought two retro handheld gaming consoles, a TrimUI Brick and a BatlEXP G350, both priced under $50 when ordered via the dropshipping platform AliExpress. With the termination of de minimis exemptions on low-value imports from China and the lingering impact of the 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, I know these devices will soon cost significantly more. It saddens me how tariffs are adversely affecting the board game industry, so I’ve been actively supporting my favorite creators by purchasing Arcs: The Blighted Reach from Leder Games and Stonemaier Games’ Fishspan from my local shop. A nagging voice in my head cautions me against spending so much amid fears of an impending recession, yet tariffs compelled me to spend half of April 24 refreshing GameStop’s store page to preorder a $500 Switch 2 bundle.

Rose Pastore, Gizmodo Editor-in-Chief:

Japan’s sunscreen technology is significantly more advanced than what is approved by the FDA in the U.S., and my family, especially those with sensitive skin, has used Japanese SPF products for years. Typically, I can find my go-to sunscreens, such as Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence and Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel, for approximately $12 per tube at local Japanese markets. However, I am uncertain how the new tariffs will impact their prices or the availability of these products altogether. Consequently, earlier this week, I rushed over to Teso Life to stock up. Additionally, I picked up several ultra-soft Japanese toothbrushes from Lion Systema, which, while adult-sized, have bristles that resemble the gentle baby toothbrushes commonly found in the U.S.

Sabina Graves, io9 Staff Reporter:

Upon realizing that tariffs would affect the availability of party supplies just as Party City locations closed, I decided to proactively purchase items for my daughter’s first birthday celebration scheduled for August. I visited Shein to grab goodies from their Strawberry Shortcake collaboration for party favors, along with decor options from various retailers that fit the theme. The ongoing fluctuations with online retailers and their pricing due to tariffs made me feel relieved for planning ahead, yet the uncertainty surrounding resource availability continues to be a source of stress.

Raymond Wong, Gizmodo Senior Editor, Consumer Tech:

Unlike my colleagues, I haven’t succumbed to the urge to make panic purchases just yet. However, I am on the verge of buying a few Game Boy modding kits from FunnyPlaying. The boutique modding shop has not announced any price increases; only that shipping times may be extended for their popular DIY component swaps, which include IPS displays, lithium-ion batteries, and various shell and button replacements. Nevertheless, since these parts are shipped directly from China, they could be subject to the steep tariffs of up to 145%. Reports suggest that Trump’s administration is considering lowering these tariffs on Chinese imports to below 60%, according to Bloomberg, but the timeline for such changes remains uncertain. My concerns extend beyond just Game Boy parts; any niche DIY hobby—such as mechanical keyboard customizations—which often relies on small operations or individual sellers providing specialized, small-batch products, may also face untenable price increases. The most concerning scenario is that these small businesses might become unsustainable and be forced to shut down, resulting in the disappearance of unique products and the vibrant online communities built around them.

What about you, loyal Gizmodo reader? Have you found yourself panic purchasing anything in light of these economic shifts, and if so, what motivated your decisions? This year, more than ever, it seems prudent to tackle birthday, anniversary, or holiday shopping early due to the uncertainty surrounding tariffs, potentially saving you a considerable amount of money.