Walking past the stack of 15 bags of top soil that’s been in my garage since spring 2021, I thought of parallels to our current economic uncertainty and urges to “buy now” or wait. If you’re thinking about making purchases as a buffer against tariffs, price increases, and overall inflation, here are a few things to consider.
What is Your Need
My 15 bags of dirt were going to be used within three months. My sister and I had a grand plan to improve our back yard. We also purchased several 40-pound bags of bark nuggets and some edging, and we intended to start our project as soon as conditions were right.
If you are debating to buy now or buy later, consider your timeline. If you’re expecting to need something in the near future and buying it now would help you prepare, then it falls into the category of reasonable.
What is Your Cost Outlay
My purchase was literally dirt cheap, so I had no apprehension about buying the dirt before we started digging. Plus, by combining my landscaping purchases, I got volume discounts and free delivery.
If your purchase is affordable and within your budget, then it’s probably reasonable.
What is the Product Lifespan
Unlike the plants we did not buy in advance, the dirt would not require water, sunlight, or any maintenance. In fact, although a “load” of loose dirt is cheaper, we chose bags so it wouldn’t be piled in the driveway until we shoveled it to its destination.
If your product has specific storage requirements, then you need to make sure it can be safely and conveniently stored until you’re ready to use it. If not, then it could waste more money than it saves.
What is Your Pivot
The last thing to consider is this – what happens if you have to change your plans? For us, that was the spring when my sister starting getting sick, so we postposed our grand plan for a few months, which turned into indefinitely. I was able to use the bark in the front yard later that year and the next spring, so it was a convenient investment I still used in a timely manner. The 15 bags of dirt remain fine where they are, awaiting a suitable project in the future.