Mortgage rates just got the best possible news they could get.
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been announced that also resulted in Iran declaring the Strait of Hormuz “completely open.”
This resulted in oil prices dropping into the $80s and 10-year bond yields falling closer to 4.20%.
As a result, 30-year fixed mortgage rates will also see a winning day, building on a winning month thus far in April.
Just be wary that conditions can change quickly, and the ceasefire only lasts 10 days.
Mortgage Rates Extend Winning Month on New Ceasefire
A new 10-day ceasefire has been agreed to between Israel and Lebanon, complementing the existing one between the U.S. and Iran.
At the same time, Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz was open for business again, leading to a big drop in oil prices.
This pushed 10-year bond yields a lot lower, as easing oil prices equate to reduced inflation concerns.
That will translate to lower mortgage rates today as well, and builds upon the strong month we’ve seen already.
Much of the increase in rates in March has been erased, though mortgage rates are still roughly .25% higher than their absolute lows seen prior to the conflict.
Whether they keep falling is another question, but it’s certainly good news for home buyers and even those looking at a rate and term refinance.
I checked out mortgage rates from a variety of big banks this morning and they’re all pretty much back to the lows we saw in February, perhaps just a hair higher.
So if you were shopping mortgage rates and gave up because of how bad March was, you might want to revisit and call some lenders for new quotes.
Beware of a Bounce in Rates If the Deal Falls Apart
While there’s a ton of optimism regarding mortgage rates right now, beware of a bounce higher.
It’s really no different than when the stock market rallies and then all of a sudden has a pullback or a down day.
While it’s great news to hear that negotiations and ceasefires are in effect, more so for the people actually affected by this conflict, it can change at a moment’s notice.
For example, the original two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran ends on April 22nd, which is next Wednesday.
And this new ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon only lasts for 10 days. The same goes for the Strait reopening.
It’s only open during the 10-day ceasefire. That’s not a ton of time to get ships moving again given the backlog, assuming it isn’t extended.
The U.S. is continuing its blockade until “our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” per President Donald Trump.
Trump also said, “Iran, with the help of the U.S.A., has removed, or is removing, all sea mines!”
In addition, “Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World!”
So if you believe all that, and the various parties cooperate during the ceasefire, we could see mortgage rates continue to drift lower next week and beyond.
But if something unexpected happens, or we see any sort of setback, mortgage rates could shoot higher again.
Lastly, remember that rates always take longer to fall than they do to rise. It’s an elevator up and a staircase down.
New tool: Easily compare rates with my mortgage rate calculator!
Before creating this site, I worked as an account executive for a wholesale mortgage lender in Los Angeles. My hands-on experience in the early 2000s inspired me to begin writing about mortgages 19 years ago to help prospective (and existing) home buyers better navigate the home loan process. Follow me on X for hot takes.
Oil prices dropped back to where they were in the early days of the Iran war, and U.S. stocks raced to another record Friday after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is open again for commercial tankers carrying crude from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.
The S&P 500 leaped 1.2% to an all-time high and closed out a third straight week of big gains, its longest streak since Halloween. A freer flow of oil could take pressure off prices not only for gasoline but also for groceries and all kinds of other products that get moved by vehicles. It could even ultimately help people pay less on credit-card interest and mortgage bills.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged as many as 1,100 points before paring its gain to 868, or 1.8%. The Nasdaq composite climbed 1.5%.
The U.S. stock market has jumped more than 12% since hitting a bottom in late March on hopes the United States and Iran can avoid a worst-case scenario for the global economy despite their war. Friday’s reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which may only be temporary, is the clearest signal yet for optimism, and President Donald Trump said late Thursday that the war “should be ending pretty soon.”
The price for a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude plunged immediately after Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, posted on X that passage for all commercial vessels through the strait “is declared completely open” as a ceasefire appears to be holding in Lebanon. He said it would stay open for the remaining period of the ceasefire, and the price for U.S. oil dropped 9.4% to settle at $82.59 per barrel.
Brent crude, the international standard, fell 9.1% to settle at $90.38 per barrel. To be sure, it remains above its $70 price from before the war, indicating some caution is still embedded in financial markets.
Several times since the war began, optimism on Wall Street has quickly deteriorated into doubt about a possible end to the fighting. That in turn has caused vicious and sudden swings of prices for everything from stocks to bonds to oil.
Minutes after the Iranian foreign minister’s announcement of the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening, Trump said on his social media network that the U.S. Navy’s blockade of Iranian ports remains “in full force” until both sides reach a deal on the war. He, though, also suggested that “should go very quickly in that most of the points are already negotiated” and emphasized it by using all capital letters.
Companies with big fuel bills soared to some of Wall Street’s biggest gains following the easing of oil prices.
United Airlines flew 7.1% higher, and Southwest Airlines climbed 5.1%. A day earlier, the head of the International Energy Agency had said that Europe has “maybe six weeks or so” of remaining jet fuel supplies.
Operators of cruise ships, which guzzle fuel, also steamed higher. Royal Caribbean Group gained 7.3%, and Carnival rose 7%.
Housing and auto-related companies likewise got some relief from the drop in oil prices.
With less threat of high inflation hurting the economy, a sustained drop in oil prices could convince the Federal Reserve to resume its cuts to interest rates to help the economy. The yield on the 10-year Treasury sank to 4.24% from 4.32% late Thursday, and lower yields can bring down rates for mortgages and other loans going to U.S. households and businesses.
Builders FirstSource, a supplier of windows and other products, rose 5.5%, and homebuilder PulteGroup gained 5% on hopes that lower mortgage rates will spur more people to buy houses. Carvana climbed 7% because lower loan rates can get more customers into new autos.
A strong start to the earnings reporting season for big U.S. companies has also helped support the U.S. stock market, and more financial companies joined the list delivering bigger profits for the start of 2026 than analysts expected.
State Street rose 2.5%, and Fifth Third Bancorp added 1.7% after both reported better results for the latest quarter than expected.
They helped offset a 9.7% slide for Netflix, which fell even though it delivered a better profit than expected. It did not raise its forecast for revenue growth for the full year, which analysts said may have disappointed some investors.
It also said Reed Hastings, cofounder and chairman of the streaming company, will step down from its board of directors in June when his term expires.
All told, the S&P 500 rose 84.78 points to 7,126.06. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 868.71 to 49,447.43, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 365.78 to 24,468.48.
In stock markets abroad, stock indexes leaped in Europe following Iran’s announcement about the Strait of Hormuz. France’s CAC 40 jumped 2%, and Germany’s DAX returned 2.3%.
In Asia, where trading finished for the day before the announcement, indexes were weaker. Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 1.8%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.9% for two of the bigger losses.
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AP Business Writers Chan Ho-him and Matt Ott contributed to this report.
Old-school frugality still works. Living frugally is all about small changes that add up over time.
While modern conveniences make it easy to overspend, many of the money-saving habits from past generations are just as effective today.
Whether it’s cooking at home, reusing what you have, or cutting out unnecessary expenses, these timeless tips can help you stretch your budget without sacrificing quality of life.
If you’re looking for simple ways to save money, these old-fashioned frugal living strategies are a great place to start.
Before we begin, I’d like to share a tip from my grandmother. When I asked her for some old-fashioned ways to save money for this article, she said, “When boiling water, only boil as much as you need and always use a lid. It will boil faster and save you money on your energy bill.”
Quick Wins for Frugal Living
Before getting into frugal habits, here are a few easy things you can try right away to start saving money and bringing in a bit extra.
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1. Cook at Home
Eating out adds up fast. Cooking simple, homemade meals saves a ton of money, and you control what goes into your food.
The main theme of the great depression was making the most of what you had. What you’re going to feed your family is one of the biggest concerns when times are tough.
You can bet that your grandparents weren’t eating out a lot during the Great Depression. They were always a dollar short and a day late in the pantry. To fill the gap, they often had to rely on whatever was on hand.
Being prepared involves much more than having a bunker of non-perishable foods. Truth be said, I fall into this trap more often than I want to admit.
The way to a great life can be found in the kitchen. Cooking from scratch is typically cheaper and much healthier than buying premade food items.
Cooking with minimal ingredients is something most Americans no longer do. You’ll be surprised at what you can do with a few sweet potatoes, a pat of butter, and a little brown sugar. When you miss an ingredient, you can make up for it with something else.
If you need some ideas, here are over 20 dirt-cheap recipes and the cheapest grocery list to help you out.
2. Grow Your Own Food
Even if you don’t have space for a garden, herbs, tomatoes, and peppers can be grown in small pots.
You can get fresh produce at a fraction of the cost and even cheaper if you get free seeds and free compost.
Gardening is another great lesson we can learn from the Great Depression. Almost every family had a “victory garden” where they grew whatever foods they could.
Victory gardens were typically small and highly efficient, as families had to make the most of the limited space and resources available.
The gardens were usually located in backyards or on vacant lots and were often planted in squares or other geometric patterns. In addition to fruits and vegetables, many families also grew fresh herbs and spices in their victory gardens.
These gardens were a source of pride for many families, as they represented a way of doing their part to support the war effort.
No matter the economic condition, growing your own fresh produce at home is a vital skill to learn.
Many foods are actually very easy to grow.
Consider learning to container garden delicious, nutritious and easy-to-grow herb garden, fruits and vegetables if you don’t have a backyard or inclination to do a full-blown garden.
3. Preserve Food
Freezing, canning, and drying food keeps it from going to waste and lets you stock up when prices are low.
In the past women canned everything, from meat to leftover produce. Learning how to can your own food is one of the best lessons you can learn about surviving. Due to the panic, it can become challenging to find viable food sources when disaster strikes.
It doesn’t matter whether you have money or not; stock up when you have the opportunity. When apples and berries are in season, they’ll be cheaper at both the grocery store and the farmer’s market.
Check YouTube tutorials if you don’t have the first clue on how to can food. In fact, your biggest challenge will be choosing which tutorial to follow. Local churches, colleges and community centers also offer canning classes.
4. Buy in Bulk
Staples like rice, beans, flour, and pasta are way cheaper when bought in bulk. Store them properly, and you’ll save big over time.
Hunt for outlets with discounts on selected foods. You can buy lentils, beans, flour, sugar, rice, coconut oil, oats, etc. in larger amounts.
Or maybe purchase a big bag of potatoes and split it with a friend. It’s worth mentioning that not all things are cheaper when purchased in bulk. So do due diligence before you purchase.
Here is how much you can save buying a quarter cow.
5. Use It Up, Wear It Out
Don’t replace things just because they’re old. Repair, repurpose, and extend the life of clothes, furniture, and appliances.
In fact, many of these things you can get for free:
6. DIY Cleaning Products
Vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap handle most cleaning jobs just as well as store-bought cleaners—at a fraction of the cost.
For example, at home we make our own all-purpose cleaner — and here’s how you can make it too!
You’ll need:
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
10–20 drops of essential oil (like lemon, lavender, or tea tree)
Just mix everything in a spray bottle, and that’s it! Give it a good shake before each use.
Btw, don’t use this cleaner on granite or marble — the vinegar can damage the stone.
7. Hang Clothes to Dry
Dryers use a lot of energy. Hanging clothes to dry saves money on electricity and makes clothes last longer.
8. Drive Less, Walk More
Gas is expensive. Walking or biking for short trips saves money and is great for your health.
9. Use the Library
Instead of buying books, movies, or even audiobooks, check them out for free from the library.
People shared a lot during the Depression. Even though there were not many libraries around, the concept of book sharing was already popular.
Follow this pattern set by our frugal Depression-era forebears. If you’re a book worm and willing to walk through those doors, getting a library card will save you a lot of money on board games, recipe books, movies, and CDs.
There are also different ways to get free books by mail.
10. Buy Secondhand
Thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces are goldmines for clothes, furniture, and household goods at a fraction of retail prices.
11. Repair Instead of Replace
Whether it’s mending clothes, fixing a leaky faucet, or repairing electronics, learning basic DIY skills can save a fortune.
These days, we’re always being encouraged to spend money. Whether it’s the latest must-have gadget or a new wardrobe for the season, there’s always something that we’re told we need. As a result, it can be all too easy to discard an old item when it breaks rather than trying to fix it.
However, this wasn’t always the case. During the Great Depression, many people were forced to make do with what they had. They couldn’t afford to replace things, so they had to learn how to repair them.
While it might take a bit more time and effort, fixing an old item can often be more economical than buying a new one. Plus, it’s satisfying to know that you were able to keep something going rather than just throwing it away.
12. Cut Your Own Hair
Haircuts add up, especially for families. Learn basic trimming techniques and handle simple cuts at home.
You might be interested in How Much Does It Cost to Dye Your Hair?
13. Use Cash, Not Cards
Paying with cash helps you stay on budget and avoid unnecessary spending. It’s easier to overspend with a card.
14. Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions
Streaming services, gym memberships, and subscription boxes add up. Cut what you don’t use often.
To help you out, here is the list of Useless Expenses, Unwanted Subscriptions and Recurring Charges You Should Drop.
15. Make Gifts Instead of Buying
Handmade gifts like baked goods, crafts, or personalized items are meaningful and budget-friendly.
Last month, I wanted to give my cousin something thoughtful but simple—something that felt a little more personal than buying something off a shelf. So I made her a DIY “Jar of Happy Notes”, and honestly, it turned out so sweet I might make one for myself too.
Here’s what I used:
A clean glass jar (I used an empty jam jar)
Some colorful paper (cut into small squares)
A pen
A bit of ribbon and a tag for decoration
I cut the paper into little pieces and wrote a bunch of short, uplifting notes—some were inside jokes, others were simple compliments, positive quotes, or fun memories we’ve shared. I ended up with about 30 notes, one for each day of the month.
Then I folded them up and filled the jar. I tied a ribbon around the top and added a little tag that said: “Open one whenever you need a smile.”
It was super easy to make, took less than an hour, and she loved it.
16. Use Less Electricity
Turn off lights, unplug devices, and use energy-efficient bulbs. Small changes make a big difference in your electric bill.
When you run the dishwasher multiple times a day or plug in the air conditioner all day, consider alternative ways to do these things that don’t need so much electricity. On a hot summer day, opening a few windows will help save you more money than you might expect.
Put on a sweater or layered clothing when it gets cold instead of jacking up the heater. A wood-burning fireplace is another great source of heat. Let your clothes and bath towels air dry instead of using the dryer.
Try being more mindful of your electricity usage for just a month and you’ll notice the difference it makes to your bill.
Need ideas? Here are 13 Simple Ways to Save Electricity at Home.
17. Barter and Trade
Swap services or items with friends and neighbors instead of always spending money.
18. Meal Plan and Avoid Waste
Planning meals ahead of time helps cut down on grocery costs and reduces food waste.
Check out our $50 Grocery List For 2 And Weekly Meal Plan.
19. Sew and Mend Clothes
A missing button or small tear doesn’t mean throwing away clothes. A little stitching keeps things wearable longer.
20. Live Within Your Means
The old-fashioned rule: If you don’t have the money, don’t buy it. Avoid debt as much as possible.
21. Drink a lot Water
Bottled water is expensive, and the costs add up quickly. Instead, drink tap water or use a reusable water bottle with a filter if needed.
Most tap water is just as safe and clean as bottled water, and switching can save hundreds of dollars a year.
22. Fix Things Yourself
Instead of calling a repair service for every little problem, learn basic home and car repairs.
YouTube tutorials can help with everything from fixing leaky faucets to patching drywall.
23. Make Your Own Coffee
Buying coffee daily adds up fast. Brewing your own at home saves hundreds of dollars a year.
24. Pack Your Own Lunch
Bringing lunch from home instead of eating out saves money and is often healthier. Simple meal prep can go a long way.
25. Limit Disposable Products
Using cloth napkins, reusable bags, and refillable water bottles reduces waste and saves money in the long run.
26. Use Coupons and Cashback Apps
Old-school coupon clipping still works, but now you can also use digital coupons and cashback apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, or Fetch Rewards to save on groceries and other purchases.
By planning your meals around items on sale, you can easily save a significant amount of money each month. Another way to cut down on your food expenses is to use coupons. Whether you clip them from the weekly circular or print them out online, coupons can help you get the items you need for less.
27. Keep a Budget and Track Expenses
Old-fashioned budgeting—writing down what you spend—helps you see where your money is going and where you can cut back.
28. Share and Borrow Instead of Buying
Need a tool, appliance, or special occasion outfit? Instead of buying, see if you can borrow from a friend, neighbor, or family member.
29. Avoid Fast Fashion
Buying well-made, classic clothes that last saves more in the long run than constantly replacing trendy, cheaply made items.
30. Use Cloth Instead of Paper Towels
Instead of constantly buying paper towels, use washable rags for cleaning. It’s a simple switch that saves money over time.
31. Get Rid of Cable
Streaming services, digital antennas, or free library DVDs can replace expensive cable TV.
No, grandma didn’t have cable in the Great Depression, but it wasn’t all doom. They figured out how to make their own fun. People played board games and had useful hobbies like knitting to distract themselves from what they were going through. This proves that you don’t have money to kill boredom.
How much is that cable television costing you each month? I calculated my cable bill when I first started becoming conscious of my spending, and boy, was I shocked! Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix are a few alternatives to cable. If you mostly watch one streaming program, why pay for 2 or 3? This is a waste of your time and money.
Stop spending money to entertain yourself. Rather than binge-watching Netflix, try afternoons at the park, backyard campouts and game nights. Cutting cable will give you more time to focus on more useful stuff like cuddling with your kids, exercising, getting lost in a good book and preparing those homemade meals I mentioned.
32. Make Your Own Beauty and Personal Care Products
DIY skincare like homemade scrubs, masks, and even deodorant can be just as effective as store-bought products at a fraction of the cost.
33. Use Public Transportation
If possible, taking the bus, subway, or carpooling can save on gas, maintenance, and parking costs.
34. Shop Off-Season
Buy clothes, holiday decorations, and household items when they’re out of season for the best discounts.
35. Do Your Own Manicures and Hair Coloring
Salon visits are pricey. Learning to do basic manicures, hair trims, and coloring at home can save a lot over time.
36. Grow Your Own Herbs
Fresh herbs at the grocery store can be expensive, but growing your own in small pots is cheap and easy.
37. Cook in Batches
Cooking large portions and freezing meals saves time, energy, and money by reducing the temptation to order takeout.
38. Make Your Own Baby Food
If you have a baby, making pureed food at home is much cheaper than buying pre-packaged baby food.
39. Avoid Late Fees
Paying bills on time prevents unnecessary fees. Setting up auto-pay or reminders can help.
40. Be Resourceful and Creative
Many old-fashioned habits, like reusing jars, upcycling furniture, or making homemade gifts, can help you save money and be more self-sufficient.
Living frugally doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort—it means being smart with your resources. These time-tested habits can help you save money while living a simpler, more intentional life.
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41. Make a Grocery List and Stick to It
Impulse buying adds up fast. Plan your meals, make a list, and buy only what you need to avoid overspending at the store.
42. Eat Leftovers
Don’t waste food! Repurpose leftovers into new meals or freeze them for later instead of tossing them out.
43. Avoid Name Brands
Generic and store-brand products are often just as good as name brands but cost much less.
44. Use a Budget Envelope System
Old-school but effective—separate your cash into labeled envelopes for groceries, entertainment, etc., so you don’t overspend.
45. Make Your Own Pet Food or Treats
Buying pre-made pet food and treats can be expensive. Some homemade versions are healthier and cost much less.
46. Cancel Auto-Renewal Subscriptions
Many services charge you monthly without you even noticing. If you don’t use it, cancel it!
47. Declutter and Sell What You Don’t Need
Sell old clothes, furniture, or electronics on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Poshmark to make extra cash.
You don’t need all the junk lying idle in your home. For example, do you really need two washing machines? There are many things you can sell to make money.
If you want to lead a frugal lifestyle, look for old items around the house collecting dust, rework them into something useful and resell or pawn them for a profit. This will simplify your life, home and living.
48. Make Holidays More Simple
Handmade gifts, potluck-style meals, and small gatherings save money while still making holidays special.
49. Unplug Electronics When Not in Use
Even when turned off, some devices still use electricity. Unplugging saves a little every month, and it adds up.
50. Learn to Sew and Make Basic Repairs
Instead of throwing out ripped clothing or worn-out items, repair them yourself with basic sewing or DIY skills.
51. Cut Down on Meat
Meat is one of the most expensive grocery items. Swap in beans, lentils, or eggs a few times a week to cut costs.
52. Plan Staycations Instead of Expensive Vacations
Explore local parks, museums, and free attractions instead of spending thousands on travel.
53. Use Rainwater for Your Garden
If you garden, collect rainwater in barrels to cut down on water costs.
54. Buy Used Appliances
Refurbished or secondhand appliances work just as well as new ones but cost much less.
55. Keep Your Car for as Long as Possible
Avoid car payments by maintaining your vehicle and driving it for as many years as you can.
56. Make Your Own Ice Packs
Instead of buying expensive gel packs, freeze water in reusable containers for cooling.
57. Swap Babysitting with Friends
Instead of paying for a babysitter, trade babysitting nights with friends or family.
58. Go to Matinee or Discount Movie Nights
Movies are expensive! Go to early showings or look for local theaters with discount days.
59. Use Cloth Diapers
If you have a baby, cloth diapers can save thousands of dollars over disposable ones.
60. Buy Discounted Gift Cards
Websites like Raise and CardCash sell gift cards at a discount, helping you save money at places you already shop.
61. Shop Farmers Markets at the End of the Day
Many vendors offer discounts right before closing to clear out inventory.
62. Use Freecycle or Buy Nothing Groups
Many people give away useful items for free in local Facebook groups or Freecycle communities.
63. Trade Skills Instead of Paying for Services
Need a haircut? A website built? Offer your own skills in exchange for what you need.
64. Learn Basic Car Maintenance
Changing your own oil, replacing air filters, and checking tire pressure can save money on mechanic visits.
65. Use Cold Water for Laundry
Washing in cold water reduces energy costs and helps clothes last longer.
66. Skip the Gym Membership
Use free YouTube workouts, go for runs, or invest in secondhand equipment instead of paying for a gym.
67. Buy Holiday Decor After the Holiday
Shop clearance sales for decorations, wrapping paper, and party supplies for next year.
68. Cut Down on Takeout
Meal prep, cook extra portions, and keep quick, easy meals on hand to avoid the temptation of ordering food.
69. Make Your Own Soups and Broths
Homemade soups are cheaper and healthier than canned ones. Save veggie scraps and bones to make your own broth.
70. Buy Used Books or Use the Library
Skip buying new books—borrow from the library or buy secondhand.
71. Use Leftover Soap Bits
Melt down soap scraps to make new bars instead of throwing them away.
72. Air-Dry Your Hair
Skip using a blow dryer to save electricity and keep your hair healthier.
73. Avoid Lottery Tickets and Gambling
Small bets here and there add up fast, and the odds are never in your favor.
74. Buy Generic Medicines
Store-brand medications have the same active ingredients as name brands but cost significantly less.
75. Don’t Buy Extended Warranties
Most products don’t break within the warranty period, and credit cards sometimes offer free extended protection.
76. Use LED Light Bulbs
They last longer and use less electricity than regular bulbs, saving money over time.
77. Turn Off the A/C and Use Fans
Ceiling and box fans use way less electricity than air conditioning.
78. Skip Bottled Water
Use a refillable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones.
79. Freeze Extra Bread and Dairy
Bread, cheese, and milk freeze well, helping you avoid food waste.
80. Make Your Own Salad Dressings and Sauces
Homemade dressings and sauces are cheaper and taste better than store-bought ones.
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles plans to sound out Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei about the artificial intelligence company’s new Mythos model, which has attracted attention from the federal government for how it could transform national security and the economy.
A White House official, who requested anonymity to discuss the planned meeting Friday, said the administration is engaging with advanced AI labs about their models and the security of software. The official stressed that any new technology that might be used by the federal government would require a technical period for evaluation.
The meeting comes after tensions have run hot between the Trump administration and the safety-conscious Anthropic, which has sought to put guardrails on the development of AI to minimize any potential risks and maximize its economic and national security benefits for the U.S.
President Donald Trump tried to stop all federal agencies from using Anthropic’s chatbot Claude over the company’s contract dispute with the Pentagon, with Trump saying in a February social media post that the administration “will not do business with them again!”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also sought to declare Anthropic a supply chain risk, an unprecedented move against a U.S. company that Anthropic has challenged in two federal courts. The company said it wanted assurance the Pentagon would not use its technology in fully autonomous weapons and the surveillance of Americans. Hegseth said the company must allow for any uses the Pentagon deemed lawful.
U.S. District Judge Rita Lin issued a ruling in March that blocked the enforcement of Trump’s social media directive ordering all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic products.
Anthropic declined to speak about the meeting in advance.
The San Francisco-based Anthropic has said the new Mythos model it announced on April 7 is so “strikingly capable” that it is limiting its use to select customers because of its ability to surpass human cybersecurity experts in finding and exploiting computer vulnerabilities.
And while some industry experts have questioned whether Anthropic’s claims of too-powerful AI technology were a marketing ploy, even some of the company’s sharpest critics have suggested that Mythos might represent a further advancement in AI.
One influential Anthropic critic, David Sacks, who was the White House’s AI and crypto czar, said people should “take this seriously.”
“Anytime Anthropic is scaring people, you have to ask, ‘Is this a tactic? Is this part of their Chicken Little routine? Or is it real?’” Sacks said on the “All-In” podcast he co-hosts with other tech investors. “With cyber, I actually would give them credit in this case and say this is more on the real side.”
Sacks said, “It just makes sense that as the coding models become more and more capable, they are more capable at finding bugs. That means they’re more capable at finding vulnerabilities. That means they’re more capable at stringing together multiple vulnerabilities and creating an exploit.”
The model’s potential benefits, as well as its risks, have also attracted attention outside the U.S.
The United Kingdom’s AI Security Institute said it evaluated the new model and found it a “step up” over previous models, which were already rapidly improving.
“Mythos Preview can exploit systems with weak security posture, and it is likely that more models with these capabilities will be developed,” the institute said in a report.
Anthropic has also been in talks with the European Union about its AI models, including advanced models that haven’t yet been released in Europe, European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said Friday.
Axios first reported the scheduled meeting between Wiles and Amodei.
When it announced Mythos, Anthropic said it was also forming an initiative called Project Glasswing, bringing together tech giants such as Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft, along with other companies like JPMorgan Chase, in hopes of securing the world’s critical software from “severe” fallout that the new model could pose to public safety, national security and the economy.
“We’re releasing it to a subset of some of the world’s most important companies and organizations so they can use this to find vulnerabilities,” said the Anthropic co-founder and policy chief, Jack Clark, at this week’s Semafor World Economy conference.
Clark added that Mythos, while ahead of the curve, is not a “special model.”
“There will be other systems just like this in a few months from other companies, and in a year to a year-and-a-half later, there will be open-weight models from China that have these capabilities,” he said. So the world is going to have to get ready for more powerful systems that are going to exist within it.”
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O’Brien reported from Providence, R.I. AP business reporter Kelvin Chan contributed to this report from London.
In this video, I show how to build finance dashboards with AI in minutes by moving beyond simple chart generation into structured, reusable dashboard systems. Instead of creating one-off visuals, we walk through how to design fully interactive, self-contained dashboards that are consistent, auditable, and ready for real financial analysis across reporting cycles.
You’ll learn how to build five core finance dashboards: P&L, revenue, cost centers, pipeline forecasting, and cash flow. Each dashboard is generated as a reusable HTML file with defined calculations and validation, so you can refresh it with new data every month without rebuilding anything.
All prompts, datasets, and resources used in this video are available in my free community in the description.
Timestamps:
00:00 How To Build Finance Dashboards with Claude
01:08 P&L Dashboard
05:29 Revenue Performance Dashboard
09:01 Cost Center Dashboard
11:59 Sales Pipeline Dashboard
15:10 Cash Flow Dashboard
At a time when property values are faltering around the country, New Jersey is experiencing something unique for a cold, high-tax state: soaring house prices.
The Garden State saw 6% price growth in February compared to the same month in the previous year, far outstripping the national average of around 0.5%, according to real estate data and analytics company Cotality’s house price index. In gritty Newark in Essex County, the price growth was even more pronounced, at 6.7%.
So what gives?
Supply and Demand + Proximity to Manhattan
New Jersey stands out for several reasons. There hasn’t been the rampant development seen in the Sunbelt states, which has heightened demand, and in Newark, its close proximity to Manhattan ($3 for a one-way trip on the PATH train) and heavy investor buying have caused a rapid increase in house prices.
“What we kept bumping up against is what you see in the news and experts focusing on the supply side,” Katharine Nelson, associate director of Rutgers Center on Law, Inequality, and Metropolitan Equity (CLiME), said regarding a recent report exploring the 30% increase in housing costs between 2021 and 2023.
Nelson added:
“Yes, it’s a problem. But there is no single individual solution to the rental affordability crisis. We need to attack this on many fronts at once. That means building more homes, certainly. But the homes we are producing must be homes we need—very low-rent units and starter homes. At the same time, we need to address the consolidation of landlords and homebuilders, which are driving up prices, and find creative ways to assist very low-income households as federal subsidies disappear.’’
The New Jersey suburbs, particularly in North Jersey, around New York, have seen a rampant appreciation in house prices. According to the New York-centric data and analytics company Property Shark, which analyzed 387 suburban markets around New York City, the median home sale price in NYC suburbs has increased 86% between 2016 and 2025, double the 43% increase in New York City.
Rampant Appreciation in the Poorest Areas
New Jersey accounted for 74% of the 100 markets in which median sales prices at least doubled over the last decade. According to the report, 43% of these suburban markets have prices between $500,000 and $750,000, while only 8% are below $500,000.
“Consequently, what was once a suburban ecosystem with a wide range of price points in which NYC buyers could still find relatively affordable communities has since consolidated into a far more expensive market, dominated by mid- and high-priced suburban communities,” the report said. It shows that New Jersey’s once-affordable, largely rental communities in Newark, East Orange, Orange, and Irvington saw astronomical increases in median sales prices over the last decade:
596% (Irvington)
509% (East Orange)
407% (Orange)
“In the last decade, NYC’s suburban housing market has shifted structurally: Communities that once made up the affordable and mid-priced tiers have moved into higher brackets, leaving a suburban market now centered on mid-six- and seven-figure home prices,” the report said.
Why High Taxes and High Prices Are Not As Much of a Factor in New Jersey
New Jersey gets a pass on its increasingly high taxes and prices, simply because of its location. It’s close to Manhattan, where house prices and rents swamp the suburbs, and close to the heavy, high-paid job sectors throughout New York and North Jersey.The Wall Street Journal reported last year that the Northeast is defined by “tons of demand and low supply,” in contrast to the Sunbelt, where zoning restrictions are less prevalent.
The rapid price increase has displaced Newark’s longtime residents, many of whom can no longer afford to live in the city. Consequently, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has called on developers to complete 3,000 new affordable housing units over the next four years.
“If you have a credible plan to help us in this effort, then we will expedite your projects and make them our priority. Any project that has greater than 30% of affordable housing, we will help you get it done,” Baraka said, as reported by Homes.com, adding that the state was short of 224,000 affordable housing units.
Delving Into The Details: The Investor Take
Newark, New Jersey, has been a hotbed of investor activity for the last two decades due to its close proximity to New York City and the price disparity between the two cities. However, Newark and New Jersey in general are not monolithic.
Traditionally, much of Newark, particularly in its various wards, has been renowned as a high-crime area with a poverty rate that still hovers around 22%, which is 1.5 times the U.S. average, according to Census data, meaning that around one in four residents lives in poverty. Traditionally, investing here has not been easy because of the labor-intensive property management required.
However, in the heavily Brazilian and Portuguese-inhabited area of the Ironbound section of the city, the incomes are generally higher, and many landlords from Portuguese families have owned real estate here for decades, passing it down to family members or selling to community members, resulting in something of a closed shop for investors looking to get involved in one of the city’s better rental areas. Thus, new developments in the area have been met with robust community and activist opposition.
Final Thoughts: Buy-and-Hold Strategies for Emerging Markets
I once owned close to 20 units in Newark, New Jersey. I had the right intentions, but my timing was way off.
This began two decades ago, when gentrification was just a gleam in a developer’s eye. The proximity to New York made it an obvious place to invest, but it was a war zone, and the stress and headaches of owning rentals here made it impossible for me to preserve my sanity and turn a profit. It seemed like I was in landlord/tenant court every week. Every time my phone rang, I feared another disaster.
It’s a classic case of “coulda, woulda, shoulda”: Had I managed to hold on to those units, I would be swimming in equity now. But I don’t regret offloading them—some back to the bank after the housing crash—or eliminating the stress from my life.
That is a classic scenario that many real estate investors face when trying to get into an emerging market early. Here are some tips on how to do it:
However, I did run into other (Portuguese) investors whose families had owned in the Ironbound for decades, and that income, paid by loyal, hardworking tenants, put their kids and grandkids through college and made the patriarchs multimillionaires through equity.
It’s an important lesson about investing in emerging markets. Buying in the more stable sectors might cost you more in the short term, but it will ultimately pay off.
Update 4/17/26: Bonus has gotten significantly better with this link. You can now get a $1,000 bonus for opening an HSBC Securities account, adding $50,000 in assets and maintaining those until September 30, 2026. The best part is that the $50,000 from that can also counts towards the checking bonus. Terms specifically states ‘The Net New Assets you add may also count towards the Tiered Cash Bonus, so you could earn both bonuses when you meet all qualifying activities’. Existing customers are also eligible. As RM points out there are three variations of the offer currently. Hat tip to Tikky
Offer at a glance
Maximum bonus amount: $5,000
Availability: Nationwide
Direct deposit required: No
Additional requirements: None
Hard/soft pull: Soft
ChexSystems: Unknown
Credit card funding: None
Monthly fees: $50, avoidable
Early account termination fee: $25, 180 days
Household limit: None listed
Expiration date: March 31, 2026
The Offer
Direct link to offer
HSBC is offering a $1,500 or $2,500 bonus when you open a new Premier checking account. Bonus you receive depends on the amount you deposit or invest the following until June 30, 2026:
$1,500 bonus for depositing/investing $150K–$249K new money (note the referral offer is better as it only requires $100k)
$2,500 bonus for depositing/investing $250K–$499K new money (same as referral bonus so please consider using a referral)
$3,500 bonus for depositing/investing $500K–$999K new money
$7,000 $5,000 bonus for depositing/investing $1,000,000+ new money
Earn a $1,000 cash bonus when you open a Eligible HSBC Securities account
Add New Assets of $50,000+ to your Eligible HSBC Securities accounts, subject to program minimums as applicable, by June 30, 2026
Keep those assets in the accounts through September 30, 2026
Opt in to HSBC marketing emails through November 30, 2026
The Fine Print
All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
This account has a $50 monthly fee, this fee is waived if you do any of the following:
Maintain balances of $75,000 in combined U.S. Dollar personal deposit accounts and investment* balances OR
Recurring direct deposits totaling at least $5,000 from a third party to an HSBC Premier checking account(s) per calendar month OR
Any HSBC U.S. residential mortgage loan with an original loan amount of at least $500,000. Business owners may use their qualifying HSBC U.S. Dollar commercial balances to qualify for a personal Premier relationship
Early Account Termination Fee
$25, 180 days
Our Verdict
Referral bonus is better for the $1,500 tier and same for the $2,500 tier. Referral bonus requires three full months of deposit, whereas this requires the funds in there until June 30, 2026. So this bonus really only worth considering for the $3,500 and $7,000 bonuses.
It does say you can have the funds invested. Some options:
Premier Savings relationship APY: currently ~3.3% (requires $5k monthly DD or $500 monthly debit spend to maintain relationship rate, DPs suggest a $5k ACH from an external account works for the DD requirement to earn the relationship rate, YMMV)
Self-directed brokerage sweep options: HGDXX (HSBC Investor U.S. Government Class A): ~3.39% 7-day yield; HTDXX (HSBC U.S. Treasury MMF): ~3.37% 7-day yield (yields as of 12/31/25, per Yahoo Finance)
Will add this to our best bank bonuses.
Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
Introduction To ChexSystems
Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
Bank Bonus Posting Times
Post history:
Update 3/12/26: Portal 55haitao is offering a $240 portal reward in addition to the baseline HSBC Bonus. https://us.55haitao.com/deals/4519716. Probably stacks with referral offer as well, but not guaranteed. Zero experience with 55haitao. Hat tip to reader RM
Every four years, Bitcoin(BTC +5.10%) experiences a halving, a loosely predictable event that cuts the block reward that miners earn in half. Each halving so far has kicked off a price cycle with a familiar arc, where the coin rallies, peaks, and then experiences a brutal correction. The most recent halving occurred in April 2024, and we’re now close to the midpoint before the next one, which is expected around April 2028.
Right now, Bitcoin is down by 43% from its most recently set all-time high near $126,000 in October 2025. That decline fits the pattern that’s played out three times before, so here’s what the data suggests about what comes next.
Image source: Getty Images.
Learn to read the halving clock
Bitcoin’s halving reduces its new coin issuance from mining by 50%. Tighter supply of coins has historically preceded price surges, but the correction that follows those surges has also been consistently harsh, and the entire process has been taking a total of four years to play out in full.
In each of its prior halving cycles, Bitcoin marked a new all-time high roughly 12 to 18 months after the halving, then declined severely. The coin’s crash in early October 2025 fits neatly within that dynamic.
Today’s Change
(5.10%) $3792.79
Current Price
$78184.00
Key Data Points
Market Cap
$1.6T
Day’s Range
$74045.00 – $78194.00
52wk Range
$60255.56 – $126079.89
Volume
58B
After the 2012 halving came a collapse of 80%, starting from late 2013 and lasting until mid-2015. The 2020 cycle shed 75% on approximately the same schedule, bottoming out in late 2022. By this time in the prior halving cycles, the good times were over, and the bad times were well underway.
In other words, the historical pattern is that the second year after the halving is pretty much always extremely painful. We’re currently in that year.
What if the script has flipped?
However, there is an argument for Bitcoin not following the same pattern as before.
Spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) holding Bitcoin have been buying Bitcoin since their approval in early 2024, creating a demand floor for the coin that didn’t exist before. Corporate treasuries and sovereign governments are also accumulating unlike before, locking up supply. The idea is that those new classes of holders will be less likely to dump or gobble up coins as aggressively as the market participants of the past, thereby moderating Bitcoin’s downtrends (and perhaps its uptrends too).
Separately, some investors argue that Bitcoin’s slide from $126,000 to around $62,000 already constitutes the correction, making now a reasonable time to start buying it. But the truth is that nobody knows with certainty whether the coin’s rock-bottom prices are behind or still to come in the near term, even if the long-term picture is still strong.
That’s why dollar-cost averaging — investing a fixed amount at regular intervals no matter what Bitcoin is doing at the time — makes sense. If Bitcoin falls further, you buy it cheaper for as long as those cheaper prices are available. Patience will always beat trying to time the inflection points of the market, so be sure to use the time on your side.
