April 28, 2023 Mortgage Refinance Rates: Lower Rates

Ahead of the Fed’s meeting in May, the average interest rates for both the 15-year fixed and 30-year fixed refinancing rates have eased very slightly this week. However, the average 10-year fixed refinancing rates have been stable.

Amidst its ongoing battle to fight inflation, it has risen Federal Reserve It will meet next week to determine any further increases in the federal funds rate. If the central bank goes ahead with a rate hike, it will probably only be a quarter of a percentage point. What’s more, the The Fed indicated That continuous increases in interest rates will no longer be necessary to reach the 2% inflation target. Instead, the Fed will pause and keep rates where they are for an extended period of time.

Given that inflation has been steadily declining, there is a possibility that the Fed will halt its series of interest rate hikes as soon as next week. Refinance rates, like mortgage rates, fluctuate on a daily basis and could see more movement in response.

“Going forward, mortgage rates will likely continue to fluctuate as the housing market continues to respond to the uncertainty that permeates today’s economy,” he says. Jacob channelChief Economist at LendingTree Loan Marketplace.

With the Fed aggressively raising the federal funds rate in 2022, refinancing rates have picked up, but we’re seeing signs that rates may start to slowly rise as inflation eases.

For the first two meetings of 2023, the Fed has adopted a slower pace of increases as it waits to see the cumulative effects of policy changes on inflation.

While still high, inflation has been dropping steadily each month since its peak in June 2022. After the March meeting, it was The Fed indicated that “some additional policy assurance” may be necessary to reach the 2% inflation target.

look at me Average mortgage rate data for the past yearMortgage rates peaked in late 2022 and have been trending lower since then. We’re still a long way from record low refinancing rates for 2020 and 2021, but borrowers could see lower interest rates in 2023.

“With the backdrop of easing inflation pressures, we should see more consistent declines in mortgage rates as the year progresses, especially if the economy and labor market slow significantly,” says Greg McBride, CFA and Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate. (The bank, like CNET Money, is owned by Red Ventures.) It expects 30-year fixed mortgage rates to end the year near 5.25%.

No matter where prices are headed, homeowners should not focus on market timing and should instead decide whether refinancing makes sense for their financial situation. As long as you can get an interest rate that is lower than the current rate, refinancing is likely to save you money. Do the math to see if it makes sense for your current finances and goals. If you decide to refinance, be sure to compare rates, fees, and the annual percentage rate — which shows the total cost of borrowing — from different lenders to find the best deal.

Fixed rate refinancing for 30 years

The current average 30-year refinancing rate is 7.03%, down 1 basis point from what we saw a week ago. (a basis point equals 0.01%). One reason to refinance to a 30 year fixed term loan from a shorter loan term is to lower the monthly payment. This makes 30-year refinances good for people who are having trouble making their monthly payments or simply want a little more breathing room. However, interest rates for 30-year refinancing will usually be higher than 10- or 15-year refinancing rates. It will also take longer to pay off your loan.

Fixed rate refinancing for 15 years

For fixed 15-year refinancings, the average rate is currently 6.28%, down 3 basis points from what we saw in the previous week. A 15-year hard refinancing is more likely to increase your monthly payment than a 30-year loan. But you’ll save more money over time, because you’re paying off your loan faster. You’ll also typically get lower interest rates compared to a 30-year loan. This can help you save more in the long run.

Fixed rate refinancing for 10 years

The average 10-year fixed refinancing loan rate is currently at 6.38%, unaffected by what we saw in the previous week. A 10-year refinance typically features the highest monthly payment of all refinancing terms, but the lowest interest rate. A 10-year refinance can be a good deal, because paying off your home’s value sooner will help you save interest in the long run. But you must confirm that you can afford higher monthly payments by assessing your budget and overall financial situation.

Where rates are headed

At the start of the pandemic, refinancing rates hit a historic low. But in early 2022, the Fed began raising interest rates in an effort to curb runaway inflation. While the Fed does not directly set mortgage rates, the increase in federal interest rates has increased the cost of borrowing among most consumer loan products, including mortgages and refinancing. Mortgage rates hit a 20-year high in late 2022.

recent data It shows that headline inflation has been declining slowly but steadily since it peaked in June 2022, but is still well above the 2% inflation target set by the Fed. After raising interest rates by 25 basis points in March, A Federal Reserve indicated (PDF) It plans to slow the pace of rate hikes throughout 2023 — but not stop them. Both of these factors are likely to contribute to a gradual decline in mortgage and refinancing rates this year, though consumers shouldn’t either. We expect a sharp decline or return to pandemic-era lows.

We track refinance rate trends using information collected by Bankrate. Below is a table of average refinancing rates reported by lenders across the country:

Average interest rates on refinancing

ProductRate 1 week agoChange for 30 year fixed 7.03% 7.04% -0.0115 yr Fixed coefficient 6.28% 6.31% -0.0310 yr Fixed 6.38% 6.38% N/C

Prices as of April 28, 2023.

How to find the best refinance rate

It is important to understand that rates advertised online often have specific eligibility requirements. Your interest rate will be affected by market conditions as well as your specific credit history, financial profile, and application.

Having a high credit score, low credit utilization ratio, and a history of consistent and on-time payments will generally help you get the best interest rates. You can get a good feel for average interest rates online, but be sure to speak with a mortgage professional to find out what specific rates you qualify for. To get the best refinance rates, you’ll first need to make your application as robust as possible. The best way to improve your credit ratings is to organize your finances, use credit responsibly and monitor your credit regularly. Don’t forget to talk to several lenders and shop around.

Refinancing can be a great move if you get a good rate or can pay off your loan sooner – but think carefully about whether it’s the right option for you right now.

Is now the right time to refinance?

Most people refinance because the market interest rates are lower than their current rates or because they want to change the term of the loan. When deciding whether to refinance, be sure to consider other factors besides market interest rates, including how long you plan to stay in your current home, the term of the loan and the amount of your monthly payment. And don’t forget about fees and closing costs, which can add up.

With interest rates rising throughout 2022, the pool of refinance applicants has contracted. If you bought your home when interest rates were lower than they are today, there may be no financial benefit in refinancing your mortgage.

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How to get a (almost) free vacation in Europe just by paying the rent

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You can book a direct flight to Paris from several US cities with miles through Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France and KLM KLM.

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As a credit card editor, I see so many card deals—but it’s so rare that I find one I’m excited to jump on myself.

That’s why, when this Bilt Mastercard’s May Rent Day deal hit my inbox, I knew I had to share it… right after I checked my Bilt account to see if I had enough points to take advantage of.

On the first of every month (aka “Rent Day”), Bilt usually drops a new special promotion. For the month of May, Bilt Mastercard is offering a 100% flight bonus to Air France-KLM Flying Blue, only on May 1. If you bundle this deal with Flying Blue’s monthly promotional bonuses—discounted fares for select itineraries that change each month—you can book a flight to Europe for 6,000 Bilt Points one-way (or 12,000 points round-trip), plus taxes and fees.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Bilt Mastercard, the deal, the trips available – and tips and tricks for making the most of this card and reward.

About the card

Card highlights

Introduction view

See terms

Purchase an APRN/A introduction

Recommended credit: Excellent, Good

Rewards rates 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, 1x points on other purchases, earn up to 1x points on rental payments with no transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period with your Bilt Mastercard, you will earn points on net rental and eligible purchases.

Annual fees

Additional details

APR balance transfer, see terms

Balance Transfer Fee An introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% per balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.

Late payment fee up to $40

Foreign transaction fee $0

APRNONE PENALTY

Rewards and redemption details

3x points on dinner, 2x points on travel, 1x points on other purchases Earn up to 1x points on rental payments with no transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period with your Bilt Mastercard, you will earn points on net rental and eligible purchases.

Bilt Mastercard is a card with no annual fee that offers a unique value proposition: It allows you to pay rent with your credit card and earn rewards, while avoiding the transaction fees you’ll typically encounter when trying to pay rent with any other card. Credit card. When you sign up for the card, you’ll receive a unique routing number and account number associated with your card that allows you to pay your rent through an online portal as if you were paying through an ACH transaction, which is usually free. You will earn 1 point for every dollar spent (up to 100,000 points each calendar year). If your landlord or apartment complex only accepts rent payments by check, you can also get a check mailed to Bilt and still earn 1x points on the transaction.

In addition to earning points on rental payments, you’ll also earn 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel and 1x points on other purchases – a respectable rewards rate for a card with no annual fee. Then on the first day of each month, or “Rental Day,” you’ll earn double points on all non-rental purchases (up to 10,000 bonus points). This boosts your rewards rate to 6x points on dinner, 4x points on travel and 2x points on all other purchases for just that day. You will need to make five purchases each month with your Bilt Card to qualify for rental points and points on eligible net purchases.

Redeem BILT points

Bilt offers several points redemption options, including credit for rental payments, shopping with points on Amazon.com and exclusive merchandise, but there’s only one option worth spending your points on: transferring your points to travel partners.

BILT has 12 airline partners and 2 hotel partners. You can transfer your points to a partner in increments of 1,000 or 2,000 (depending Bilt Rewards Status) with a 1:1 transfer ratio. But sometimes, Bilt offers special transfer bonuses that offer even more value for your points: like the Flying Blue transfer offer that goes live on May 1.

Why is this offer such a big deal?

On the rental day in May, Bilt is offering a 100% carry-on bonus to Flying Blue – the rewards program shared by Air France, KLM KLM and partner airlines. This means that you can redeem one Bilt Point for two Flying Blue Miles (instead of the typical 1:1 conversion ratio), essentially doubling the value of your points. The 100% Referral Bonus is a rare deal, and much higher than the typical 25% Referral Bonuses we typically see for this rewards program (such as the one currently active from Chasing).

This offer is only available May 1 from 12 AM ET to 11:59 PM PT, so be sure to convert your points within the window. After May 1, you can still convert your Bilt Points to Flying Blue, but it will be at the normal conversion rate of 1:1.

How to book your dream European vacation with 6000 points

The 100% conversion bonus is indeed a great deal, but Flying Blue is the same every month Promotional bonuses Sweeten the pot more. Each month Flying Blue offers discounts on select reward flights, usually for bookings within the next six months. May promotional fares include flights to Europe between May 1 and October 31 starting at 11,250 miles one way – which you can get for just 6,000 BILT Points if you take advantage of the 100% transportation bonus on May 1st.

Here’s a sampling of some of the promotional May fares to and from Europe and their prices at Flying Blue Miles (taxes and fees not included). If you are taking advantage of a BILT transportation bonus, divide the cost of the miles in half to determine how many BILT points you will need.

From the economy to Europe

To/from Boston starting at 11,250 Flying Blue Miles one way.

Premium economy class for Europe

To/from Houston starting at 30,000 blue flight miles one way.

Business class to Europe

From/to Newark to Paris starting at 41,250 Flying Blue Miles one way.
To/from Atlanta starting at 52,500 Flying Blue Miles one way.

For the full list of May promotional bonuses, check out Flying Blue website on May 1.

To book a flight, first link your Flying Blue account to your Bilt account in the Bilt app. Then you can transfer your BILT Points to your Flying Blue account and book your flight directly via the KLM or Air France website using your newly converted Flying Blue Miles.

Other tips for getting the most out of your Bilt Mastercard

If you don’t have enough Bilt Points to cover the full cost of the flight (and you probably won’t if you’re a new cardholder), you can also transfer points to Flying Blue via American Express Membership RewardsAnd Capital One milesAnd Chase Ultimate Rewards® And City Thank You Points. While you won’t get the same 100% conversion bonus as Bilt (although Chase is offering a 25% conversion bonus to Flying Blue through May 15), transferring your points from these issuers can still be a viable avenue. To increase your miles. And get the trip you want. If you don’t currently have a Bilt Card and are considering signing up, know that you likely won’t be able to collect enough points in time to really take advantage of the Flying Blue moving bonus on May 1, but this card offers great ongoing value even outside of these special deals come deals. New rent day every month, so you can get one of the following offers. If you have Premium travel credit card Like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardYou can use it to pay fuel surcharges, taxes and fees on your reward trip to take advantage of the card’s travel protection benefits. Flying Blue’s promotional fares last all month (subject to availability), so don’t worry if you can’t book your flight for exactly May 1. The program offers new promotional rewards every month, so if you’d like to fly with Air France or KLM (or one of its airline partners) but can’t find any flights you want at the moment, it might still be worth taking advantage of BELT’s offers. Transfer your bonus and bank miles into your account until you find the flight you want. (I usually recommend not transferring points until you’re ready to book, but a 100% conversion bonus may be one of the rare cases when it makes sense to credit your points for a future trip.)
You get 100 Bilt points for each travel partner you link to your account – that’s an extra 1,400 points you can get just by signing up (for free) to each hotel or airline’s loyalty program and linking your account to Bilt.
Also check out other Bilt Rent Day offers, including the chance to win a month’s rent or a free trip to Europe via the Bilt Rent Day Challenge, the chance to win an extra 250 points via the Point Quest Trivia, and more.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent evaluations by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It is not provided or authorized by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

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Best iPhone 12 Cases for 2023

$28 at Amazon

OtterBox Symmetry SeriesBest slim OtterBox case

Best slim OtterBox case

$28 at Amazon

Price alerts on for OtterBox Symmetry SeriesBest slim OtterBox case

$30 at Amazon

X-Doria Raptic Cases

Premium case for a little less

$40 at Amazon

Catalyst Vibe and Influence

Clean look, lanyard-friendly

$30 at Amazon

Smartish Crossbody Case

Affordable crossbody wallet case

Show more (23 items)

As advanced as phone screens are, it’s still frustratingly easy to break them. Sure, it’s a couple years old now, but you likely paid a lot of money for your iPhone 12, and that investment needs quality protection. Dents, scratches and cracks are your phone’s enemies. A great phone case is essential to keep them at bay. Here’s a list of the best iPhone 12 cases available today.

Read more: Best MagSafe and Magnetic iPhone Accessories for 2023

Watch this: iPhone 12 cases for every type of user

08:44

The iPhone 12 has what Apple describes as “an array of magnets” embedded around a charging coil that can pull up to 15 watts of power. That’s twice as powerful as wireless charging on previous iPhones, but on par with the power that many Android phones can draw from standard Qi wireless chargers. So, the best iPhone 12 case will support the 15-watt charging speeds while protecting your phone. 

To get the 15-watt charging speeds, you’ll need an Apple MagSafe charger or an Apple-approved MagSafe charger from a third-party accessory-maker, but your phone will still charge at up to 7.5 watts with standard wireless chargers that support that speed or higher. Most of the cases on this list are compatible with wireless charging and some are Apple-certified MagSafe cases with integrated magnets. Also, check out our list of best MagSafe and magnetic wireless chargers for the iPhone 12.

Read more: Best Eco-Friendly iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Cases

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I have expensive tastes, and I personally like Speck’s Presidio2 Armor Cloud (white model on the right in the photo). But the Presidio2 Pro (gray case in the photo) is also excellent. If you want an apple clear case, Speck has several models for iPhone 12 case to choose from, including the Presidio Perfect-Clear with Grips. 

All the new models have very good drop protection (13 to 16 feet, depending on the model) as well as Speck’s Microban antimicrobial protection. 

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If you’re looking for a cheap clear case for your iPhone 12, Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid is a good value at around $12 to $15, depending on the trim color and which version of iPhone 12 you have (yes, there are a few color options).

No drop rating is listed for the case, but Spigen’s transparent cases feel like they offer reasonable protection. If you want a tough case with stronger protection, the Spigen Tough Armor case is an option for $17, but I personally prefer Spigen’s Ultra and Neo Hybrid cases. Note that a lot of these cheaper clear cases have a habit of turning yellow and degrading over time (and becoming less translucent), but they’re cheap enough that you probably won’t mind shelling out for a replacement case for your Apple iPhone if that happens.

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I’ve recently become a fan of Clckr’s cases, which feature a built-in stand and grip strap that folds out and clicks into place on the back of your phone. Clckr sells just the stand-strap accessory to stick on the back of your phone or on a case, but the case with the integrated stand accessory is better and comes in a few different styles, including clear (I like the Saffiano blue but it’s currently only available in black).

The cases aren’t rugged but they’re protective enough, with raised edges to protect the screen. The one I’ve used with my iPhone 11 Pro for the last four months has held up well. 

With the stand clicked in place, you can use your device hands-free in either portrait or landscape mode. Note that you can wirelessly charge your phone with this case on, though you have to be more careful about placing it in the right spot on a wireless charging pad for it to work. The new models have antimicrobial protection.

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There are plenty of inexpensive clear cases and iPhone 12 accessories on Amazon. It seems to be a perfectly good clear case that offers decent protection with raised edges. Whether it will yellow over time, I can’t tell you, but it seems like a good value.

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I only recently learned that Cyrill is a sister brand to Spigen and its cases are arguably slightly better, although they cost a few bucks more. We’re linking to the Leather Brick case, pictured here in tan and navy (it’s faux “vegan” leather), but the Silicone case (pictured in light blue) and transparent Cecile cases are also good. The Silicone case is basically a knockoff of the Apple Silicone case without the MagSafe feature.

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OtterBox’s super protective Defender series case is available for all the iPhone 12 models with Magsafe compatibility, but most people want something less bulky. The Symmetry series is slim with beveled edges, making it a good mix of sleek and protective. A raised bumper helps act as a screen protector. 

Multiple color options are available, including clear, and I’m digging the clear version of the Symmetry Plus Pop case, pictured in the middle, which integrates a PopSockets PopGrip and is wireless charging-compatible, which is important. 

OtterBox’s Commuter case offers slightly more protection and is also pretty slim and has grips on the back.

You’re receiving price alerts for OtterBox Symmetry SeriesBest slim OtterBox case

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Brooklyn, New York-based Casely makes “cute and protective” cases that have a variety of graphic artists behind their designs. The cases usually cost $25, but the online store often offers discounts.

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MagSafe accessories will still stick to your phone if you have a standard thin case, but not nearly as well as if you use one of Apple’s MagSafe cases, which have their own set of embedded magnets that line up with the magnets in your phone.

Apple’s Clear Case with MagSafe is nice because it allows you to show off your phone’s colored finish and the embedded markings tell you exactly where to attach the MagSafe charger for optimal charging speeds (you apparently need Apple’s 20-watt USB-C charging to get the maximum 15-watt wireless charging speeds). The only issue with the clear case is that it leaves the bottom of your phone exposed.

If that bothers you, the Silicone case (pictured, left) with MagSafe is the better option. It works the same way as the Clear case does, with an embedded magnet ring, you just can’t see it. The Silicone case is available in eight color options.

MagSafe stuff isn’t cheap, but it is fun to play with magnetic objects and they do offer some conveniences. The bottom line is that if you do want to try MagSafe accessories and to protect your phone with a case, you’re best off with one directly from the Apple Store, or another MagSafe-certified case.

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KerfCase has been making handmade wooden cases for a while, and its new Plywood case is not only more durable but less expensive than some, starting at $50, with 6-foot drop protection and a limited lifetime repair warranty. I like it better than other wood cases I’ve tried. It’s also worth noting that Apple’s MagSafe charger will stick to the back of it, and KerfCase sells matching charging docks for the Apple MagSafe charger (yes, it’s an accessory for an accessory).

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British case-maker Gear4, now owned by Zagg, makes cases that are right up there with OtterBox and Speck, all of them lined with the company’s D3O shock-absorbing material and featuring beveled edges to protect your phone. My favorites include (from left to right) the Wembley Palette, Crystal Palace Iridescent, Battersea and Piccadilly. All of them are rated for 13-foot drop protection and the Battersea is rated for 16 feet. 

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X-Doria’s Raptic cases come in a variety of styles and cost a little less than competing premium cases from Speck and OtterBox. The thicker Raptic Shield (pictured on left) costs $30 while the Raptic Air (pictured on right), which I personally like, is $30. The Shield has 10-foot drop protection while the Air is rated for 13-foot drop protection. Both have an antimicrobial treatment.

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Casetify is known for eye-catching designs on the back of a clear case. They’re relatively slim, sleek-looking cases that offer decent protection and come in a variety of design patterns, with some definite appeal to teenagers. Some of the designs are hit-or-miss but I liked the samples I got. I should note that prices appear to have gone up. 

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Rokform’s been making tough iPhone cases for years and aside from their durability, their key feature is the ability to use them with various mounts — including bike and motorcycle mounts — that are sold separately. I personally prefer the Crystal series but the Rugged case is slightly more, well, rugged. 

Rokform’s cases have removable magnets and they’re compatible with wireless charging if you remove the included center magnet. “With the lower magnet still intact, you can still wireless-charge while utilizing magnetic mounting and all of our mounts,” Rokform says.

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BodyGuardz was initially known for its screen protectors, but in recent years it’s put out some interesting iPhone cases. I personally like the $40 Harmony (pictured left), which has a more square bottom. The Stack (picture in the middle) is $20 while the Avenue (on right) is $45. They come in a few color options.

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Smartish’s affordable, simple, slim cases and wallet cases return for the iPhone 12. The Wallet Slayer 2.0 case (pictured on left and right) costs a little more now ($25) but comes in a variety of designs. It holds three credit cards plus cash and you can use one of your credit cards as a kickstand.

Smartish also sells a simple translucent case for $15.

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UK-based Torro makes some nice leather-clad cases that aren’t too expensive (a leather case typically tends to cost over $50). The Torro Leather Bumper ($38) is a pretty straightforward bumper case with a leather back while the leather Wallet Case ($40) is a bit swankier overall, has a magnetic clasp and multiple card slots and converts into a stand for video viewing. It’s one of the better folio wallet cases you’ll find for the money. Both leather case options are available in multiple colors.

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Like Lifeproof, Catalyst made a name for itself with waterproof cases, but it now focuses on standard protective case options and has two new models for the iPhone 12: the Vibe (left) and the Influence (right), which has a see-through frosted back. Both cases have perforations on the corners that allow you to attach various accessories (sold separately), such as lanyards and carabiners. The Vibe is rated for 10-foot drop protection while the Influence is rated for 15 feet.

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I’ve always liked Moshi cases and the company’s made versions of its iGlaze, Altra and Vitros cases (pictured from left to right) for the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max. The Altra is the most distinct-looking and has a geometric rubber finish that makes your phone nice and grippy. It also includes a lanyard. Not pictured is the Overture (coming soon), a two-in-one folio wallet case. You fit your iPhone into a slim shell case that then magnetically adheres to the cover, which has slots for storing credit cards and cash. Moshi’s cases range in price from $25 to $50.

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Nomad makes a line of nice iPhone 12 Horween leather case styles that are designed to develop a “rugged” patina as the oils from your skin interact with them over time. The new Rugged leather case options are available in black, brown and a lighter natural color that I like. They’re rated for 10-foot (3-meter) drop protection. 

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I’m personally not a crossbody case guy (meaning a case with a long strap so you can wear your phone like a purse), but some people love them. You can find some fancy ones out there that cost a lot of money, but if you’re looking for something simpler, the Smartish Crossbody case is around $30 and comes in multiple colors. The iPhone case design incorporates some faux leather and the case offers decent protection along with three slots for storing up to five credit cards and cash in the wallet compartment. You can choose to go with a shorter hand strap or the longer adjustable crossbody strap.

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Incipio has an assortment of cases for the iPhone 12 lineup, including the sturdy Duo with 12-foot drop protection, the Slim, the Grip and the Organicore, an eco case that’s 100% compostable. All are available in multiple color options, and the Slim comes in a variety of translucent options.

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You know all those compact discs you no longer listen to? Well, Nimble makes translucent iPhone cases out of them. They’re a little pricey at $40 but some of us like the idea of protecting the latest technology with recycled technology and don’t mind paying a little extra for that. They have antimicrobial protection, are scratch-resistant and aren’t supposed to turn yellow over time. While the Disc Case is slim, it’s rated for 6-foot drop protection. 

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Case-Mate makes a variety of color cases, some of which have glitter integrated into their translucent designs. I only got a look at the twinkle ombre iPhone case, but the iridescent soap bubble and tough groove cases also look cool.

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If selfies are your thing, then you’re probably aware of the LuMee cases that have built-in lighting. This Paris Hilton-endorsed Holographic version has an iridescent design. It charges via USB-C and gives you 30 minutes of “studio lighting” at full brightness. The case does allow wireless charging and you can adjust the brightness levels of the light.

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I wasn’t a fan of earlier Pelican cases, which were very protective but just a little too bulky (and ugly), but in the last couple of years (starting with the iPhone 11), the company, now owned by Case-mate, added some slimmer designs, including two that I like: the Protector (pictured, middle in camo color) and the Rogue (at left and right), which has a soft rubber bubbled pattern.

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Apple upgraded the cameras in its iPhone 12 models, with the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max offering step-up camera options (the iPhone Max is the best in the imaging department). But a select few accessory makers like Moment allow you to enhance your shooting with add-on lenses and filters. Sold separately from the case, the lenses aren’t cheap, but they are high-quality. 

Moment’s iPhone cases include an insertable mount that can be removed when you’re not playing around with any optional lenses, which are easy to attach. Its Thin Case is a simple but attractive rubberized case made of compostable bioplastic that’s rated for 6-foot drop protection. Cases with wood and canvas on their backs are also available. 

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Razer, which makes laptops and gaming accessories (among other products), also makes iPhone “gaming” cases. They have something called Thermaphene-Based Heat Dissipation that “redirects trapped heat through a thermally conductive lining adjacent to vented airflow channels to significantly improve cooling compared with traditional cases.” It’s a bit of a gimmick, but it seems to help a little when you’re playing graphics-intensive games for long periods. 

Razer had a slim Arctech case for the iPhone 11, but right now it only has the Arctech Pro for the iPhone 12 and 13 models. It was redesigned from the previous year’s Arctech Pro — it seems even more protective — and adds an antibacterial coating.

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Environmentally friendly smartphone cases are rapidly proliferating as more companies are making an effort to manufacture products out of recycled materials or materials that are biodegradable. The Torro Eco Cover for the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro falls into the latter category, and like many eco cases, it’s pretty simply designed. 

While it’s made out of renewable plant-based raw materials such as corn and cassava — no plastic is used — it feels similar to a firm plastic case and has a slight bit of grip to it. It also seems pretty protective and has raised edges to help protect your screen in the event you drop your phone face down. Torro says the Eco Cover is only biodegradable in a composting environment; you simply place it in your home compost bin and it’ll break down. 

It’s also available for the iPhone 12 Mini, but I didn’t see a listing for a version for the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

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Don’t miss these 7 Day Fair Way deals

Are you shopping for a new home or apartment plot? Well, you’re in luck. Furniture and home decor store Wayfair has extended its annual Way Day event (like Prime Day, but for Wayfair), which originally ended April 27, until midnight tonight.

We have highlighted the full range of Deals sale way of the dayUp to 70% off select items, including rugs, dressers, and kitchen appliances, through April 28. But if you’ve just moved somewhere new and are looking to add some personality to it, or if you’re exploring ways to freshen up your palette with small but impactful touches, we’ve highlighted some neat options below.

Screenshot by Nina Raymont/CNET

Is your new pillow tight on closet space, or are you looking for an entryway coat and shoe rack? Try a wardrobe rack. This reliable rustic framed garment rack can hold 48 standard hangers and 19 coat hangers for coats, along with its three open shelves for storing books or accessories and a lower shelf for shoes or boxes. The wardrobe is a Wayfair clearance deal, a daily deal at 63% off during Way Day.

Screenshot by Nina Raymont/CNET

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to shove half of my body into my kitchen cupboard to grab that elusive hand blender at the back of the shelf. A pull-out wire closet basket takes this hassle out. Consider buying this 2-tier cabinet at 46% off for hassle-free storage in the kitchen.

Screenshot by Nina Raymont/CNET

The multicolored and intricately patterned rug is one piece of home decor that instantly adds some cuteness and color to your space right after you move in. Hillsby performance rug at 69% off.

Screenshot by Nina Raymont/CNET

This mid-century style porcelain adds some character and subtle elegance to your bedroom. It’s made of a combination of mahogany and engineered wood, and accented with a woven rattan drawer top. Take 11% off wardrobe during Way Day.

Screenshot by Nina Raymont/CNET

Brighten up your space with this floor lamp with three globe glass shades that cast a lovely glow. It is modern, with a marble base and foot switch. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the flashlight is now 72% off.

Screenshot by Nina Raymont/CNET

In the market for a new vacuum? The Dyson Slim Ball Animal vacuum is 29% off its original price at $245. This meets—but doesn’t beat—Amazon’s price, but you might be able to combine it with another offer, like $40 Wayfair savings with a credit card signup for an even better price.

Screenshot by Nina Raymont/CNET

Are you looking for extra cabinet space in your new kitchen? Consider a pot holder to take those pots and pans out of your kitchen cupboards and put them where you can see them and grab them easily. This one, with a 25-pound capacity, 15 bowl hooks and sleek design, is 40% off during Way Day.

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The five ways Apple could bring it to life in VR

It is expected Apple will unveil a new product in JuneA mixed reality headset that includes virtual reality and augmented reality. Reports suggest it could cost around $3,000 — and Apple will need to show the world why wearing this technology on your head is worth the cost.

It is said that the headset was on for seven years. If Tim Cook finally shows his show on stage June 5 at the WWDC, the company’s developer conferenceApple could offer a long list of its uses and features. Bloomberg reported this week Apple will take a scattershot approach to headphone placementBecause more choices may lead to more interested people.

The Bloomberg report includes some potential VR features that are easy to mock as useless. (Do you read books in VR? No, thank you.) But on this week’s episode of One More Thing, I wanted to explore potential areas where Apple could turn the conversation around how we use VR and AR.

In the video embedded above, I take you through five areas that I think Apple can shine in creating experiences beyond what’s available right now, specifically in mental health, fitness, gaming, sports, and FaceTime photorealistic avatars.

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Should you expect another Fed rate hike on Wednesday? 5 experts share their predictions

There are only a few days left to know if the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates for the tenth time in a row since March 2022.

The next meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee is set for May 2-3. Although some experts believe the Fed may raise interest rates again, inflation is slowing and The unemployment rate is stable. So there is a chance that the Fed will temporarily push to raise interest rates.

What does this mean for your savings? We spoke to five experts to find out what they think will happen next and how you should prepare.

Read more: The clock is ticking to close in on a long-running CD: why experts say you shouldn’t wait

Will the Fed raise interest rates again?

Experts are divided on whether the Fed will raise interest rates again or pause their hikes. But some experts think the Fed may raise interest rates once last May.

Last Consumer price index report It shows that inflation rose just 0.1% from February to March – a smaller increase than in previous months. But inflation remains high, at 5% year on year. Since we are not at the Fed’s 2% target range, there is a possibility that we could see another rate hike, but not as significant as last year’s 50-75bp increase.

said Lawrence Sprung, certified financial planner and author Financial planning got personal. “This is likely to cause banks to adjust interest rates higher than we are today.” While Sprung expects rates to rise a bit more, he doesn’t expect them to go above the high levels we’ve seen for several weeks.

said Chelsea Ransom Cooper, Managing Partner and Director of Financial Planning Zenith Wealth Partners. It does not go down as easily as it goes up.

“Inflation goes up like a rocket, but it comes down like a parachute,” Cooper said.

The Federal Reserve has raised the federal funds rate several times since 2022 to combat inflation, indicating how long it could take to balance the economy and inflation. She believes it will take some time to reach the target rate of 2%. “The next meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee in May could be the last rate hike this year,” she said.

What can be expected if the Federal Reserve does not raise interest rates?

While some experts believe the work of taming inflation is far from over, Powell noted that the US economy has slowed significantly The Federal Open Market Committee meeting last month.

“We no longer state that we expect continued interest rate increases to be appropriate to suppress inflation; instead, we now expect that some additional policy may be appropriate,” Powell said. Based on Powell’s comments, last month’s CPI report, and signs of slowing inflation, some experts believe that the recent series of rate hikes is over for the foreseeable future.

said Kari Carbonaro, a certified financial planner and director of the Women’s Wealth Division at The Financial Times Capital management advisors. “We’ll have to wait for the dust to clear from all the rapid and violent spikes we’ve already seen.”

There is a possibility that the Fed will do nothing next week, said Ligia Vado, a senior economist at The Ligia Vado. National Association of Credit Union. There are several reasons it could happen:

First, banks are feeling pressure from the tightening of underwriting standards that they have sparked Recent bank failures and other factors. Moreover, there is already a decline in access to credit and borrowing. “It could be argued that the influence of Silicon Valley makes Fed action unnecessary,” Fado said.

If the Fed doesn’t raise rates, you can expect one of two things to happen: Rates will remain flat, which can be good if you want more time to pick the right savings account option or continue to earn a decent return from the high-yielding savings account you already have. . On the other hand, rates may decrease slowly, and any variable rate account may see a decrease in APY, which means you will earn less on your savings. In this case, fixed-price options, such as CDs, may be worth considering, so secure a high price now.

How to prepare for the Fed’s next move now

said Tim Doman, certified financial planner and CEO Top mobile banks.

Whichever way the Fed goes, banks will respond to the Fed’s move by adjusting their rates accordingly, whether it pushes interest rates higher or keeps them stable for a while. Watch what the Fed says and be prepared to adapt your savings strategy if necessary, Doman said. Flexibility is key in the current economic environment.

For now, think about how you plan to allocate your savings to determine the best savings account option. It’s generally a good idea to focus on it Build an emergency fund First, then putting away extra savings in accounts that might pay better interest rates, like CDs. An all-liquid savings option, such as A High yield savings or Cash sign accountAllows you to access your funds in the event of a trial unexpected expenseOr you face layoffs or find a price hike that lowers your paycheck even further.

Once the contingencies are covered, A.J CD It is another option worth exploring. Most CD terms offer more than 4.00% APYs right now, even for shorter periods. Just make sure you don’t need the money before the term expires – or you’ll face early withdrawal fees. And if you want more flexibility but also like the idea of ​​a fixed interest rate, you can Building a CD ladder Instead, invest in CDs that come at different times to make it easier to access your money.

If you are carrying high-interest debt, eg credit card balancesYou’ll want to focus on paying off these accounts. As the Fed raises interest rates, saving rates go up, and so does the cost of borrowing — making your credit card balance more expensive. If you can calculate a payment plan, focus on putting as much high-interest debt as possible each month, while still setting aside some money for savings. If you’re paying too much interest to affect your debt, consider a Balance transfer credit card or a debt consolidation loan. a Balance transfer card It can offer 12 to 18 months to process your debt, without interest, while a debt consolidation loan usually has lower credit requirements, a lower interest rate than credit cards and can help stretch your payments over several years.

Whether your goal is to save more or get rid of credit card debt, now is the time to act. Experts agree that the tipping point for interest rates is coming soon, so you’ll need to take advantage of higher rates to maximize your savings. And with interest rates expected to remain high for the foreseeable future, it’s also imperative to pay off high-interest credit card debt sooner rather than later.

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HIGH-TECH TRASH: This kitchen basket turns food scraps into fodder

food waste It is probably not the first or even the second image that is conjured up when we think about our impact on the environment and Climate change, but maybe it should be. The sheer amount of food being thrown away is depressing. 119 billion pounds annually In the United States alone – more greenhouse gases are emitted and food resources are wasted. but millan organic-based food disposal system developed by Google nest Co-founder Matt Rogers is looking to flip the script. Just don’t call it a Fertilizer Wastebasket.

The grinder is an electric kitchen waste bin that shrinks and deodorizes the typical kitchen Leftovers Within several hours, turn them into usable leftovers. These pellets are returned to a mill, processed into chicken feed and distributed to farms. The idea is to keep the food out of landfills, where it produces harmful greenhouse gases, and also to recycle it back into the system so that the total that is produced goes further.

Read more: Lumi Countertop Composter Review: An easy and clean way to compost at home

“Food in landfills is one of the most solvable climate problems facing us today,” Mill co-founder and president Harry Tannenbaum said in a statement announcing the launch last week. “At Mill, we’re building a pathway to connect what people can’t eat at home with farms that benefit from more sustainable forage ingredients.”

How does the treadmill kitchen basket system work?

$33 each month covers the cost of shipping leftovers to the mill to be processed into chicken feed.

mill

Do you have excess leftovers and uneaten food? Throw them in the mill’s kitchen basket, and overnight, the mill breaks up leftovers and turns them into usable condensed earth. You can monitor progress from your mobile app or visually. When the container starts to fill, empty the container into a prepaid shipping crate and send the granules to a mill.

The big advantage is that you can grind just about any food, including some foods that are not suitable for composting, such as meat, dairy, and cooked foods. Mill also aims to remove odor from discarded foods as they decompose, leaving you with something more like crumbly soil than funky compost.

The Mill Kitchen Basket turns leftovers into usable grounds to be processed into chicken feed

mill

In theory, if you wanted to use the land in your garden, you could. But Mel does not produce nutrient-rich compost; Rather, it produces dried and ground food. Prospective composters will need to repack the material before use, and it still may not provide the same results as traditional composting. Additionally, any food not normally suitable for composting—dairy, oil, and meat—can have adverse effects on radishes and rhododendrons.

You’ll pay $33 a month to go green

For $33 a month, you’ll get a Mill Kitchen basket, free return shipping on your processed land and eco-friendly bragging rights.

mill

This part may give pause to those looking to use this healthy and sustainable system. While the device itself has no upfront cost, the Mill carries a $33 monthly subscription fee when you pay for a year in advance — $396 total. This covers the box, shipping boxes, and delivery costs to Mill for processing, but it’s a steep price for something with no immediate or tangible benefits. Go month to month, and the Mill will cost you $45 a month, plus $75 upfront for trash shipping.

For the current composter or those looking to get started, Mill probably doesn’t make sense since you already have a food waste solution that costs nothing and benefits your garden. For those who can’t or aren’t used to composting, Mill offers an eco-friendly option to reduce your pesky carbon footprint and Reduce food waste.

mill Currently accepting memberships. Locations are “limited,” according to the site. We have a plan to test the new kitchen basket and will release our full take once we do.

The environmental cost of food waste

Each year, approximately 119 billion pounds of food is wasted and sent to landfills. Mel has other plans.

mill

According to data from Environmental Protection AgencyFood waste is the single most common material landfilled and incinerated in the United States, making up 24% of landfill waste and 22% of incinerated municipal solid waste. All that food waste in landfill leads to some pretty ugly emissions, including carbon dioxide and methane. This uneaten food means wasted resources too, including agriculture, water, land, pesticides, fertilizers and energy.

If you are interested in composting, we have it Step by step guide to building a worm farm – It’s less gross than you think and has a lot of benefits.

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