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. 😂

  • Free_Opinions@feddit.uk
    3·
    28 days ago

    In life it’s generally safe assumption that the vast majority of things we worry about never happen or if they do it won’t be as bad as we thought.

      • Free_Opinions@feddit.uk
        1·
        28 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@lemmy.world
          6·
          27 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@lemmy.world
          3·
          27 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?

    • MonkeMischief@lemmy.todayOP
      3·
      28 days ago

      I do see where you’re coming from and appreciate your optimism. I have ADHD and I’m prone to catastrophism haha.

      But I feel like there’s actually substance and credibility to how much the very near future is gonna suck. :( I’m trying to stay optimistic though!

      • Free_Opinions@feddit.uk
        3·
        28 days ago

        The future doesn’t look too bright at the moment, but what’s the alternative? You’ve just got to play the hand you’ve been dealt. In Buddhism, they call it “the second arrow” when you’re in a bad situation but make it worse by overthinking it. Looking back on my life, I can think of countless times I worried about something that never even happened. I’d essentially tortured myself mentally for no reason - and that seems counterproductive.

        I try to live in a way where I don’t contribute to making things worse, and wherever I can, I try to nudge things in the right direction. Beyond that, I avoid worrying any more than I already do, because intellectually, I know it’s probably wasted effort and a form of self-harm.

        • stoy@lemmy.zip
          4·
          27 days ago

          The “playing the cards you have been dealt” metaphor for life is my favourite, it helps me understand what I can control and shifts focus from blaming circumstances to what you can do to improve the situation

      • Rekorse@sh.itjust.works
        3·
        27 days ago

        If it makes you feel any better, the times you were hopeful about the future were as much a matter of perspective as it is now. Pick any time you think things were going well and I can tell you how many numerous awful things happened at the same time.

        I’d recommend placing a lot less weight on national politics in general. Your state government and local governments affect your life far more day to day. Your immediate family and friends also do in a different way.

        Basically if you think on a large enough scale you can always find bad and good, there really is no “trend”. Youll find meaningful trends on a much more micro level in my opinion.