It's like being in the path of a cyclone, with every person having to fend for themselves. The forecasters have announced an imminent catastrophe and are tracking its progress on the radar. Will it be Category 2, Category 3? Whether they voted for Donald Trump or not, Americans know that the country has entered an era of change and turbulence. They have nine weeks, between now and the president's inauguration on January 20, to prepare for it.

Should they buy a car? Sell their bitcoin? Those with means will try to get ahead of the game. The period between the election of a president and their inauguration was shortened in 1933 from what was formerly four months. This was because newly elected members at that time had to also oversee the end of harvest. The time is usually spent quietly settling the new incumbents into office. This year, the frenzy of appointments to Donald Trump's cabinet is fueling a sense of urgency, prompting the need to safeguard what can be. But the question is, what exactly?

There's no shortage of advice on social media. The armchair financiers recommend "buy electronic appliances now," and the Washington Post advises on "How to save money with the Reduction Inflation Act, before Trump takes over." Tax credits on electric vehicles, heat pumps and solar panels will be heading for the scaffold, warns the Post.

Stockpiling

During the election campaign, Trump announced that he would impose tariffs of between 10% to 20% on all imported goods (toys, clothing and household appliances), 60% on Chinese products and 25% on imports from Mexico, unless the Mexican government agrees to cooperate on immigration. To hear him tell it, the customs barriers will first and foremost be borne by the exporting country. "It's not a tax on the middle class," he kept repeating in his rallies. "It's a tax on another country."

It is an untruth not unlike his 2016 campaign claims about the wall he was going to build on the Mexican border. Trump promised that the work would be paid for by Mexico. Of course, this was not the case, and the White House braggart had the greatest difficulty finishing the work. This time, he has convinced many of his voters that China will pay the "tariffs" – a term that has entered American households – and not the consumer. Those who voted for MAGA are likely to be surprised when the price of toasters, shoes and coffee starts to rise.

The solution is to go shopping, preferably before January 20. The Consumer Technology Association, an organization advocating innovative technology, anticipates price rises of up to 46% for laptops, 40% for games consoles and 26% for smartphones.

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