Lux Wealth Advisors

10/05/2026

📌 Higher rates sting borrowers, but they can be a real win for savers.

As rates rise, banks may increase the yields they offer on savings products to attract deposits. The average U.S. savings account still pays just 0.64% annual percentage yield. Some high-yield accounts are paying more than six times that, up to 4.2%, for the exact same deposit.

🔎 Certificates of deposit, or CDs, can offer even higher rates, but the tradeoff is access: your money is locked in for a set term, and pulling it out early usually costs a penalty.

Higher yields don’t erase the effects of inflation, and they won’t necessarily transform household finances. But if your savings account is still earning close to that 0.64% average, that gap alone might be worth a second look.


Source:

The Federal Reserve recently raised interest rates for the first time since 2023.

10/02/2026

Shane Hafner, Financial Advisor recently had the opportunity to help recognize some of the area’s outstanding educators at the Annual Celebrate Bismarck Mandan event, hosted by the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC at the Bismarck Event Center.

With more than 600 business professionals in attendance, the event was a wonderful opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations making a positive impact throughout the community.

As Chairman of the Excellence in Education Committee, Shane had the privilege of presenting the Teacher of the Year awards and helping recognize these outstanding educators once again. Their dedication to students, families, and the community is truly worth celebrating.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees, and thank you to the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC for hosting such a meaningful community event!

09/29/2026

Championship weekend! 🏆⚽

Congratulations to the LUX Regional Elite players, coaches, and families on another incredible weekend!

We’re proud to support a group of young athletes who continue to demonstrate teamwork, perseverance, and commitment—both on and off the field.

Congratulations to the entire team, and thank you to the coaches, parents, and supporters who help make opportunities like these possible.

09/25/2026

📦 Wholesale prices moved higher in August, with the Producer Price Index rising 0.4% for the month, right in line with expectations.

On an annual basis, headline PPI was up 5.4%, while core PPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.2% for the month.

Energy was one of the biggest drivers. ⚡ Final demand energy prices increased 4.2%, while goods prices overall rose 1.1%. Services prices increased just 0.1%.

The latest report adds another piece to the inflation picture as the Federal Reserve weighs its next interest-rate decision.

For consumers and businesses alike, wholesale price trends are worth watching because they may eventually show up in the cost of everyday goods and services.


Source:

The producer price index was expected to rise 0.4% in August, according to the Dow Jones consensus forecast.

09/23/2026

Tune into ND Today on KFYR-TV tomorrow morning at 9am to catch Financial Advisor, David Wald.

David will be discussing how to "Why It’s So Hard for Young Adults to Own a Home".

David Wald is a Registered Representative offering Securities through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. 4431 Memorial Highway, Mandan, ND 58554.

09/21/2026

A carton of milk 🥛. A set of golf clubs ⛳. A bottle of perfume 🌸. All three just got pricier to send north into Canada. 🍁

Canada's new tariffs on $20 billion in American goods took effect this week, ranging from 15 to 50 percent depending on the product.

It's the latest move in a trade dispute that's dragged on for more than a year between two of the world's largest trading partners.

The ripple effects won't directly affect most household budgets. But they're a reminder that global headlines and everyday costs are more connected than they seem.

That connection, and what it might mean for your own situation, is exactly the kind of thing we're keeping an eye on for you.


Source:

Canada's steep retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion in U.S. goods took effect just after midnight ET on Tuesday, deepening the trade war between the two countries.

09/17/2026

🏦 Bond yields may sound like something only investors need to watch, but they can also show up in everyday financial decisions.

The 10-year Treasury yield recently climbed to 4.78%, its highest level since January 2025. That matters because movements in Treasury yields can influence borrowing costs across the economy.

🏠 Higher yields may contribute to higher rates on mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and personal loans. They can also have an upside for savers, since rates on high-yield savings accounts and CDs may rise as well.

So when Treasury yields move, the effects can reach well beyond the bond market.

If you’re borrowing or keeping money in interest-bearing accounts, it may be worth paying attention to where rates are heading and how they’re affecting the options available to you.


Source:

The U.S. bond market influences how much American consumers pay for loans and the interest they can earn on their savings accounts.

09/14/2026

🏠 Higher mortgage rates are pushing some homebuyers to look for lower-cost alternatives.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.79%, while the average rate for a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 5.94%.

That gap is drawing more attention to ARMs, which made up 8% of mortgage applications last week, their highest share in five weeks.

🔑 The tradeoff is that an ARM’s rate can change later, which means the lower initial rate may come with more uncertainty down the road.

For buyers comparing mortgage options, it’s worth looking beyond the starting rate and understanding how the loan could change over time.


Source:

Mortgage rates continue to rise, pushing some buyers to riskier, adjustable-rate loans in order to find savings. Rates are at the highest level since June 2025.

09/10/2026

The price you see on the shelf may not be the exact amount you pay at checkout.

With penny production ended, some merchants have started rounding cash purchases up or down to the nearest nickel. Depending on the total, that could mean a few cents more or a few cents less.

Paying by credit card may come with another wrinkle. Some retailers and service providers are adding surcharges to help offset card processing costs, which may increase the final price.

That means the same purchase could cost slightly different amounts depending on whether you use cash, debit, or credit.

Before you pay, take a second to compare the total for cash, debit, and credit so you know which option makes the most sense for that purchase.


Source:

More merchants are rounding change for cash purchases to the nearest nickel due to the end of penny production, or adding surcharges to credit card transactions.

09/08/2026

A lot of retirees say the same thing lately: “I’m not doing anything differently, but things feel more expensive.”

That’s because costs often increase gradually, not all at once. Property taxes, insurance, repairs, and healthcare tend to creep up over time.

A helpful habit is to revisit your spending once a year, just to see what has changed. You may not need to cut back, but having a clear view of where your money is going can make it easier to stay in control.