05/21/2026
Have you noticed how crazy things are getting with mortgages lately? Rates for a 30‑year loan are now sitting above 6.7%, which is wild compared to just a few years ago. Buying a house feels almost impossible right now, and refinancing doesn’t even make sense unless you’re desperate. It’s like the dream of affordable housing is slipping further away. Honestly, it feels like the economy is squeezing us from every angle.
And it’s not just housing — inflation is hitting hard too. Gas is averaging around $4.50 a gallon, which makes every trip to the pump painful. Groceries are creeping up, with food prices rising more than 3% compared to last year, and experts say fertilizer shortages could make it worse soon. Producer prices are up 6%, so you know that means more expensive stuff down the line. Anyone else feeling like their paycheck just doesn’t stretch the way it used to?
The big driver behind all this? The war in Iran messing with oil supplies. Brent crude shot past $100 a barrel, and that ripple effect is hitting everything from transportation to food costs. Families are stuck dealing with higher mortgages, pricier food, and insane gas bills all at once. If this conflict drags on, inflation could stay high and mortgage rates won’t be dropping anytime soon. So the real question is: how long can we keep riding this storm before something gives?