Just a year ago, millions of Americans were hooked on the thrill of getting cute tops from Shein, quirky gadgets from Temu, and discounted tech from AliExpress—all straight from China, often for under $10. For working-class families, students, and bargain hunters, these apps became essential. But now, the once-booming wave of ultra-cheap shopping is crashing—and it’s not by choice. The $800 Loophole That Made It All Work For years, Chinese companies capitalized on a U.S. customs rule that allowed goods under $800 to enter the country duty-free. By shipping directly to consumers in small packages, giants like Temu , Shein , and Alibaba bypassed traditional retail tariffs. It was a win-win: businesses saved money, and customers got rock-bottom prices. But the rules of the game have changed. Tariffs Go Nuclear: Up to 145% on Chinese Goods The U.S. government has recently imposed drastic new tariffs , with some rates reaching 125% or even 145% depending on the category. ...
It was August of 1994, a time when India was buzzing with excitement, not just because of Sachin Tendulkar’s cricketing prowess, but because Hum Aapke Hain Kaun..! , the Bollywood blockbuster, had just been released. But here’s the kicker—it was the first film in India with Dolby sound, and most theaters weren’t equipped to handle this futuristic marvel. In the entire state of Odisha, the movie was playing in just one theater, in Cuttack, 25 kilometers from the capital, Bhubaneswar. Enter our two heroes: two college students from Andaman, who were more broke than a dropped coconut. Living in Hostel 2 of OUAT, they spotted an ad in the newspaper about the movie and decided to embark on an epic quest to watch it. Why spend money like regular folks? They chose the path of adventure—and frugality. So, they set off at 10 AM, haggled their way onto a cycle rickshaw to the railway station, and, like true thrill-seekers, decided to hop on a train without buying tickets. “What’s life with...