Basically title. I’m a digital artist in the USA and not rich by any stretch. In fact, somewhat in debt. (Aren’t we all.)

I also try really hard to not be a mindless consumer. I use old equipment as long as I can, repair, refurbish, etc…

All this talk of upcoming tariffs has me worried that, rather than being able to get a day-job at newly opened US manufacturing for electronics or something, I’ll instead be paying +60% more on like everything.

I know tech is a depreciating asset, but should I try to upgrade now to hold out for the next ~5 years or so?

I was considering hunting down a motherboard/cpu/RAM combo for instance.

Are worries about tariffs overblown? Trying to figure out how to prepare as best I can with my meager resources before everything just…keeps getting worse.

I am getting paid for my digital art, it’s not living money though. My spouse has a more stable income that enables me to keep trying.

Thanks in advance. <3

EDIT: Thanks a ton for all the helpful replies! I’m glad I’m not being overly paranoid.

Some of you have asked for system specs so here they are for the curious:

System Specs:
  • OS: OpenSUSE Tumbleweed
  • Mobo: Z590 Aorus Elite AX
  • CPU: i7-10700k @ 5.1 Ghz
  • GPU: Nvidia RTX 3090
  • Mem: 32GB DDR4 (forget the speed…3000?)

I want to be clear: I don’t mean to sound too panicked and I’m more than happy to be content with what I have and see my blessings for what they are.

However, as I’m trying to break into being a 3D Blender artist and gamedev professionally, I’m trying to strategize whether standards will significantly increase and leave me behind in the next 5 years or so. (Game industry, not trying to do Hollywood VFX models on my home rig or anything lol)

I don’t game so much these days unfortunately. And if I do, like 5% of my library is particularly demanding. 😂

  • @[email protected]
    -9•19 days ago

    So, because you can point to one example where the worst-case scenario happened, we should live our lives constantly fearing the worst? Is that really what you’re arguing for here?

    • @lectricleopard
      6•19 days ago

      No, I’m not suggesting anyone live in fear.

      I work in tech, and have interviewed with companies that have texas offices. I won’t accept an offer if they expect I’ll relocate there.

      If someone were to ask me if they should buy a car, or a house, or change careers, or go back to school, or make an life decision of any consequence, I’d say it’s worth considering project 2025 and the news since the election.

      Some form of tariffs will probably happen. It’s worth considering how you might mitigate or avoid the cost if it’s substantial for you. This isn’t rocket science.

    • @FabledAepitaph
      3•19 days ago

      The people that have been put in charge have literally said that things are going to get worse and more expensive. Why not believe them?