NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
Is 'Made in the USA' Still Worth It with Tariffs? Plus: Best Accounts for Your Home Repair Savings
May 15, 2025
Anna Helhoski, a senior news writer at NerdWallet, joins the hosts to tackle the complexities behind 'Made in the USA' labels. They delve into how tariffs shape consumer prices and the challenges of identifying truly domestic products in a global market. The conversation then shifts to practical advice on managing finances for home repairs. They discuss how to choose between high-yield savings and money market accounts, smart savings strategies, and the importance of financial flexibility when juggling multiple home repair costs.
26:08
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Quick takeaways
- Understanding the complexities of 'Made in the USA' products is essential as regulations allow for foreign components, complicating consumer choices.
- Effectively managing savings for home repairs involves budgeting strategies and automating contributions to rebuild financial resilience after significant expenses.
Deep dives
Understanding 'Made in the USA' Standards
The definition of products labeled as 'Made in the USA' is overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which mandates that for a product to be marketed as such, it must be made of 'all or virtually all' U.S. materials. This standard allows companies to use foreign components, making it challenging for consumers to find goods that are truly American-made. A prime example is Crayola, which produces some of its products domestically while still relying on imported materials. This reliance on global supply chains highlights the complexities surrounding the sourcing and manufacturing of U.S. products.
