Welcome to today's episode where we discuss a pressing issue affecting American hobbyists: the rising costs due to tariffs. As we know, hobbies can be a great escape, but new tariffs threaten to make our beloved pastimes more expensive and less accessible.

Take the story of Frank Vaughan, a retired pilot who is refurbishing a Catalina 18 sailboat. He initially wanted to spend around $400 on sails, but due to tariffs, the price surged to $1,200 each. “It would be a terrible loss,” he remarked about the possibility of giving up sailing, which he has enjoyed since the 1980s.

This isn’t just Frank's battle; the blanket 10 percent tariff on most imported goods, along with a staggering 145 percent tax on some imports from China, will hike prices for items essential to hobbies—from model trains to trading card supplies. These tariffs could squeeze the budget of hobbyists, pushing some to reconsider their passions altogether.

As Frank put it, he’s faced with a tough choice: continue pouring money into an increasingly expensive hobby or walk away. Stay tuned as we explore how these economic shifts are affecting people’s lives and leisure activities.
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