If you’re frustrated with being unable to buy a home today, you’re not alone. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, homeownership affordability has been near an all-time low since 2023. The deadly combination of both home prices and interest rates skyrocketing broke the housing market, but simply lowering interest rates today won’t fix it.To understand why, it’s important to know what caused this housing affordability crisis. Over the last several years, the federal government spent trillions of dollars it didn’t have in the world’s largest-ever borrowing binge. The money came from the Federal Reserve, which created those trillions of dollars out of nothing, depressing interest rates.The real solution is not to manipulate rates lower and spawn further inflation, but to get government out of the way so interest rates can come down naturally.The predictable result was a rapid devaluation of the dollar, manifesting as 40-year-high inflation, followed by the fastest rise in interest rates in just as long to cool off the inflation.Rates aren’t the problemNot only did home prices become stratospherically high relative to incomes, but financing costs became prohibitively expensive. Consequently, during the four years of the Biden administration, the monthly mortgage payment doubled on a median-priced home.For the housing market, this was a one-two punch that cratered affordability and consigned millions of Americans to renting for the foreseeable future.The Fed’s artificially low interest rates helped cause the problem in the first place. Home prices rose not only because the dollar lost value (taking more dollars to buy the same home), but also because lower interest rates meant potential home buyers could borrow more and bid up the price of homes.What’s most important to someone when considering buying a home is not the home’s price but the monthly mortgage payment. While the payment is clearly dependent on the whole price, interest rates are also a major factor. When those rates fell below 3%, people were willing to spend much more on the same home because the monthly payment didn’t change much.As the months passed, however, and the bidding wars continued, prices just kept rising. Once interest rates returned to more normal levels, everything fell apart as monthly mortgage payments exploded. It now takes over two-thirds of the median household’s take-home pay to afford a median-priced home.Historically, when interest rates rise, home prices fall, but that didn’t happen this time. So many people locked in home loans at interest rates below 4% — or even below 3% — that they can’t sell their homes today, because doing so would mean losing that interest rate and getting a new mortgage at 7%, 8%, or 9%.The only way to make the math work is if homeowners sell at a huge premium, giving a massive down payment on their next home, minimizing the amount borrowed at a higher rate, and therefore preventing their monthly payment from skyrocketing. The large and fast increases in interest rates pushed home prices even higher instead of lower.Get government out of the wayThe temptation today is for the Fed to simply lower the federal funds rate (its benchmark interest rate), under the assumption that such a move will push down interest rates throughout the economy, including mortgages. Sadly, instead of fixing the broken housing market, it would likely have the opposite effect.Last autumn, in a move that could only be described as blatant election interference, the federal funds rate was reduced when there was no empirical justification for doing so. But the move buoyed stock prices. Market participants saw through the charade and realized the artificially low rates would ultimately lead to more inflation, which prompted private market interest rates to rise.RELATED: Trump rips into Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates and suggests he'll be fired soon Photo by e-crow via Getty ImagesLenders don’t like inflation because it reduces the value of the money being repaid in the future. To compensate, creditors demand a higher rate of return. That’s why the yield on Treasury debt at the end of last year jumped 100 basis points after the federal funds rate fell 100 basis points, demonstrating the Sisyphean nature of the problem.Additionally, interest rates and home prices have recoupled. If interest rates fall one or even two percentage points, that will again prompt potential home buyers to borrow more, thereby bidding up home prices again. Unless rates drop substantially more, existing homeowners will remain trapped by the golden handcuffs of their 2% or 3% interest rates.The real solution is not to manipulate rates lower and spawn further inflation, but to get government out of the way so those rates can come down naturally. If the government spent much less, then there would be less demand for borrowed money. Reducing demand in turn reduces the price, and the price for borrowed money is the interest rate.Profligate government spending broke the housing market. Only fiscal restraint at the federal level will fix the problem.

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Mississippi Mud Potatoes have all the flavors of a baked potato but it’s all thrown together and made in a casserole dish. So easy to make and the flavor is outta this world good! A CHEESY SIDE DISH No idea why they call this Mississippi Mud Potatoes but I do know they’re just as delicious as those other Mississippi named dishes (Mississippi Sin Dip, Mississippi Pot Roast and all those other Mississippi recipes.) Whatever the story on this one, these roasted potatoes with bacon, cheese, and green onions are going to be your new go-to side dish! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:  Are these potatoes creamy? I don’t think I would describe these as creamy like my Baked Potato Casserole or Funeral Potatoes, but they are super delicious nonetheless with just a hint of creaminess. Can I use precooked bacon? It is best to use fresh bacon. It really is going to give you the best flavor and texture. You can certainly use precooked bacon through if that is what you have on hand. I ain’t telling what to do in your own kitchen. ? How can I kick up the spice in this dish? To add heat, you can add red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, or diced jalapenos would all be good options. You could also use hot sauce if you would like.  Can I use frozen diced potatoes? There shouldn’t be an issue in using frozen diced potatoes, but you will want to use about the same amount called for here (it’s ok if it is a little less than – for example, a 2 pound bag will still work.) I don’t think you would need to thaw them first because the frozen potatoes are diced so small that they should cook about the same amount of time as fresh. What to serve my Mississippi Mud Potatoes with? BBQ Pork Chops Grilled Bacon CheeseburgersAir Fryer SteakCrock Pot Pork Loin How to store leftovers? Mississippi Mud Potatoes should be stored in an airtight container. Once completely cooled, place in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. You can reheat in the microwave for 30-45 second intervals until thoroughly heated. I do not recommend freezing, as the texture can become grainy once defrosted. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE) yellow potatoes– peeled and diced. I like to use Yukon gold potatoes. They hold up well and have a slightly creamy flavor. A Russet or Idaho potato would also work.  yellow onion– You could use a Vidalia or a yellow onion.  garlic – I really prefer fresh garlic for the best flavor. It really makes a huge difference – I promise! But if all you have is the jarred stuff and you really want to use it then go for it! bacon– It would be best to use regular and not thick-cut bacon (unless that is all you have.) You could also use finely diced ham. mayonnaise – If you want to half this with sour cream to add a little tang, you could.  shredded cheddar cheese– You can change it up with some Pepper Jack, Mozzarella, or even blend cheeses for a different approach.  onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper – even though we are adding onion and garlic to this, this is going to add another layer of flavor. green onions HOW TO MAKE MISSISSIPPI MUD POTATOES Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place the potatoes, onion, garlic, bacon, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the 9×13-inch dish. Stir well to combine (note: this can be done in a bowl then transferred to the baking dish.) Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender. Top with the sliced green onions and enjoy. I like to stir it up a bit before serving. CRAVING MORE RECIPES?  Baked Potato Casserole Funeral Potatoes Cowboy Butter Potatoes Southern Fried Potatoes Crunchy Roasted Potatoes Bacon Cheddar Potatoes Scalloped Potatoes Crock Pot Mississippi Roast Chicken Crock Pot Mississippi Pork Roast Crock Pot Mississippi Pork Chops Crock Pot Mississippi Meatloaf Print Mississippi Mud Potatoes Diced potatoes with cheese, bacon, onions, and seasonings all roasted together. Course Side DishCuisine American Prep Time 10 minutes minutesCook Time 1 hour hourTotal Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes Servings 6 Calories 833kcal Author Brandie Skibinski Ingredients3 pounds yellow potatoes, peeled and diced (like Yukon gold)1 small yellow onion, diced2 teaspoons minced garlic1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled1 cup mayonnaise1 cup shredded cheddar cheese1 teaspoon onion powder1 teaspoon garlic powdersalt and pepper, to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon each)2 green onions, sliced sliced InstructionsPreheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.Place 3 pounds yellow potatoes, peeled and diced , 1 small yellow onion, diced, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and salt and pepper, to taste into the 9×13-inch dish. Stir well to combine (note: if easier, this can be stirred together in a bowl then transferred to the baking dish.)Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender. Sprinkle the top with 2 green onions, sliced and enjoy. Note: I like to stir it up a bit before serving. Notes Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions. NutritionCalories: 833kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 65g | Sodium: 876mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g

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