5 Things Mark Cuban Says To Buy Now To Save on Trump’s Tariffs

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Grocery shopping is already tough on your budget, and tariffs have added to the strain. In the past year, the White House raised tariffs on imported goods by about 17%, increasing government revenue but also driving up prices for consumers.

Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban warns that costs could rise further as retailers restock inventory affected by tariffs — and even some U.S.-made goods may see price hikes. If you have the space and budget, now may be a smart time to stock up on certain essentials before prices climb higher.

1. Toothpaste

One of the items Cuban suggested buying now is toothpaste. According to Crest, toothpaste usually has a shelf life of about two years from the date it’s manufactured. 

So, consider how much toothpaste your family is likely to use by then, and think about buying a few tubes to last you for a while. If you know you’re going to use it, there’s a case for locking in the price now and potentially saving a few dollars.

2. Soap

Soap is another item suggested by Cuban. Similar to toothpaste, soap tends to last a few years, though the shelf life varies a bit based on factors such as whether it’s liquid vs. bar soap. Still, if you know you’re going to go through several bottles or bars in the coming year or two, it might make sense to buy those now at current prices.

3. Laundry Detergent

Another household product that you might want to stock up on is laundry detergent. If unopened, liquid laundry detergent typically lasts around 12 to 18 months, while opened ones last around six months, according to Gain. 

Other formats can have different shelf lives, so consider that before stocking up. But in general, this is another product that you can potentially save a few dollars on in the long run since you know you’re going to use it in the coming months.

4. Over-the-Counter Medicines

You could also try buying over-the-counter medicines now. The expiration dates for these vary widely by product, but it’s not necessarily a bad idea to buy some common drugs like headache or cold medicine so that you’re not only prepared for getting sick, but also possibly sparing your wallet a bit.

While pharmaceuticals were exempt from reciprocal tariffs, it’s unclear exactly what will happen with this sector. Even if some tariffs are avoided, the cost of raw materials could go up for things like packaging. Or over-the-counter medicines could simply get caught up in the same potential price hikes that retailers could put on all items to spread out the impact of tariffs.

5. Toilet Paper 

You can never go wrong with too much toilet paper. It can last indefinitely and could get more expensive due to factors like timber tariffs.

Of course, you don’t want to go overboard and fill up every spare inch of your house with toilet paper, as you don’t need the tee-peeing to come from inside the house. Yet, stocking up on essentials might seem like the responsible thing to do, especially with prices rising and uncertainties still looming.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

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