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[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
President Donald Trump has enacted a 90-day delay on many of the new tariffs that were expected to roll out this spring.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. But if we’ve learned anything from the past couple of months, it’s that our trade policy situation can heat up and change very quickly.I’m thinking of this 90-day pause as a window of opportunity. Knowing hefty tariffs will be imposed soon, this is a great time to plan ahead and get your financial ducks in a row. Here are three immediate moves you can make.1. Put your emergency fund to work (seriously, now)If your emergency fund is earning 0.01% in a plain ol’ checking account somewhere, you’re missing out on some serious interest. Potentially hundreds of dollars each year.That’s money that you could be using to offset higher costs when tariffs kick in, or helping beef up your emergency fund.Switching to a high-yield savings account takes minutes. Personally, my emergency fund sits in an HYSA, and I earned $798 in interest last year.Start earning more than 10 times the national average savings account rate today. This week: Compare the best high-yield savings accounts and start earning up to 4.40% APY on your cash2. Pay off high-interest debt ASAPMost people don’t realize that credit card interest compounds daily. This means every day you delay in paying off credit card debt, more interest accrues against you.Come July, when tariffs likely raise your overall expenses, managing high-interest debt balances will become a lot harder.Start tackling your debt seriously today. Here’s what to do:Stop buying unnecessary things with your credit cardsMake a list of all your debt balances and interest ratesUse the avalanche method (pay off highest rate first)Consider a balance transfer card if you qualify (usually requires good credit)The faster you eliminate high-interest debt, the more breathing room you’ll have.3. Continue investing for the long termTariffs have certainly rattled the stock market. But for long-term investors, this is amazing news because turbulent times provide great buying opportunities.Think back to the great financial crisis in 2008, or COVID-19 pandemic in 2020… These market slumps were excellent times to buy stocks and hold them for the long term.For those who would prefer to stay more conservative, or have a shorter term investing horizon, CD’s might be a great fit. CDs currently offer rates above 4.00%, which is a great, risk-free return right now. Check out our list of the best CDs to lock in a competitive rate today.Focus on what you can controlI’ll be honest. Reading the ongoing tariff news and trade war situation really gets me a little depressed. Makes me want to pack up and move to Australia.But the truth is all that policy stuff is way out of my control.So instead of worrying about upcoming tariffs and the overall economy, I’m focusing on what I can control. My goal is to beef up my savings, build my resilience, and prepare for a year of increasing expenses.No matter what happens with tariffs in the end, I’ll be in a better spot financially.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Person with laptop, bills, paperwork

Image source: Getty Images

President Donald Trump has enacted a 90-day delay on many of the new tariffs that were expected to roll out this spring.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

But if we’ve learned anything from the past couple of months, it’s that our trade policy situation can heat up and change very quickly.

I’m thinking of this 90-day pause as a window of opportunity. Knowing hefty tariffs will be imposed soon, this is a great time to plan ahead and get your financial ducks in a row. Here are three immediate moves you can make.

1. Put your emergency fund to work (seriously, now)

If your emergency fund is earning 0.01% in a plain ol’ checking account somewhere, you’re missing out on some serious interest. Potentially hundreds of dollars each year.

That’s money that you could be using to offset higher costs when tariffs kick in, or helping beef up your emergency fund.

Switching to a high-yield savings account takes minutes. Personally, my emergency fund sits in an HYSA, and I earned $798 in interest last year.

Start earning more than 10 times the national average savings account rate today. This week: Compare the best high-yield savings accounts and start earning up to 4.40% APY on your cash

2. Pay off high-interest debt ASAP

Most people don’t realize that credit card interest compounds daily. This means every day you delay in paying off credit card debt, more interest accrues against you.

Come July, when tariffs likely raise your overall expenses, managing high-interest debt balances will become a lot harder.

Start tackling your debt seriously today. Here’s what to do:

  • Stop buying unnecessary things with your credit cards
  • Make a list of all your debt balances and interest rates
  • Use the avalanche method (pay off highest rate first)
  • Consider a balance transfer card if you qualify (usually requires good credit)

The faster you eliminate high-interest debt, the more breathing room you’ll have.

3. Continue investing for the long term

Tariffs have certainly rattled the stock market. But for long-term investors, this is amazing news because turbulent times provide great buying opportunities.

Think back to the great financial crisis in 2008, or COVID-19 pandemic in 2020… These market slumps were excellent times to buy stocks and hold them for the long term.

For those who would prefer to stay more conservative, or have a shorter term investing horizon, CD’s might be a great fit. CDs currently offer rates above 4.00%, which is a great, risk-free return right now. Check out our list of the best CDs to lock in a competitive rate today.

Focus on what you can control

I’ll be honest. Reading the ongoing tariff news and trade war situation really gets me a little depressed. Makes me want to pack up and move to Australia.

But the truth is all that policy stuff is way out of my control.

So instead of worrying about upcoming tariffs and the overall economy, I’m focusing on what I can control. My goal is to beef up my savings, build my resilience, and prepare for a year of increasing expenses.

No matter what happens with tariffs in the end, I’ll be in a better spot financially.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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