Stephen Passaha

And this does have a huge psychological effect.

I mean, think about that big sign in front of gas stations, the one that you pass every day with that big four at the front.

Plus, it really has been a while since gas was north of $4 a gallon.

That was more than three years ago, and it was due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The PlayStation 5 Pro will cost $900 starting April 2nd.

That's a $150 increase.

Traditionally, game systems get cheaper as they get older.

But the nearly six-year-old original PlayStation 5 is also going up 100 bucks.

Sony blames the price increases on, quote, pressures in the global economic landscape.

That is likely referring in part to tariffs, since the systems are manufactured overseas.

This is also potentially the latest sign of AI making computers more expensive to build.

Data centers have gobbled up and raised the price of the memory chips that computers like video game consoles also need.

Microsoft also raised prices on its Xbox line in September.

Just days before the war began, mortgage rates fell below 6 percent for the first time in two and a half years.

But the wars disrupted the bond market, which raises the cost of borrowing.

So do investor concerns about fuel prices and inflation.

Mike Fredentoni is the Mortgage Bankers Association's chief economist.

He says this rise in mortgage rates comes just as the busy spring home buying season begins.

Mortgage rates now are at their highest level in six months.

Stephen Passaha, NPR News.