Lukas M. Barthel, CPFA - Financial Advisor

01/12/2026

All eyes are on Tuesday’s Consumer Price Index report—the first timely read on inflation in months and a key signal for the Fed. Early signs point to upward pressure: potential payback from understated November data, strong holiday demand, and tariff-related impacts on imported goods prices. On this week’s , CIO Gene Goldman explains why this CPI report matters and what it could mean for rates and markets in 2026.

“Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

01/12/2026

NOW IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

Join us January 13 from 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM for an educational webinar session on Social Security.

We will be joined by former Social Security Administration employee and current partner at Social Security Informed, Elaine Simmons, to discuss:
• Eligibility and options for you, your spouse, and other beneficiaries
• Factors to consider when deciding to take your benefits
• How your decisions can impact your spouse and other beneficiaries
• Opportunities to help fill your current retirement income gap

This is your last chance to register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FRZWiLhbTLev_UiLym13XQ

*Required disclosures: This event is hosted by Chase Brakke, Senior Vice President. Chase is a registered administrative assistant at Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. This event has been sponsored in whole by Fidelity. Fidelity is not affiliated or registered with Cetera. Elaine Simmons of Social Security Informed is not affiliated or registered with Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Any information provided by Elaine is in no way related to Cetera Wealth Services, LLC or its registered representatives. This information may not be relied on for the purpose of determining your social security benefits or eligibility, or avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek advice from your own tax or legal professional. 2701 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414 | 612.617.6000

01/09/2026

Have you considered how Social Security will contribute to your retirement plan?

Join us for a no-cost webinar on Social Security and retirement readiness!

Key takeaways of the session:
• Eligibility and options for you, your spouse, and other beneficiaries
• Factors to consider when deciding to take your benefits
• How your decisions can impact your spouse and other beneficiaries
• Opportunities to help fill your current retirement income gap

Use the link below to register today! You won’t want to miss this no-cost, no-obligation webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FRZWiLhbTLev_UiLym13XQ

*Required disclosures: This event is hosted by Chase Brakke, Senior Vice President. Chase is a registered administrative assistant at Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. This event has been sponsored in whole by Fidelity. Fidelity is not affiliated or registered with Cetera. Elaine Simmons of Social Security Informed is not affiliated or registered with Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Any information provided by Elaine is in no way related to Cetera Wealth Services, LLC or its registered representatives. This information may not be relied on for the purpose of determining your social security benefits or eligibility, or avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek advice from your own tax or legal professional. 2701 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414 | 612.617.6000

01/08/2026

In your information ecosystem, you may hear a plethora of different viewpoints as to what you should prioritize for your finances. What kind of stocks should decorate your portfolio? Should you prioritize long or short-term gains? How early do you want to retire?

The truth is, nobody knows you like you!

Your financial strategy doesn’t need to come from what a stranger tells you to do. More importantly, your emphasis on short or long-term gains should be a product of your goals and priorities in life. Your financial priorities will be different depending on if, for example, you’re saving up for an upcoming trip, as compared to planning ahead aggressively for retirement.

If you need clarity on how you should structure your financial plan, reach out to me! We can cut through the noise together and establish your financial values.

01/06/2026

As you settle into the routine of the beginning of a new year, make sure that your records are in order. That can mean any income records, budget spreadsheets, or other important financial documents that will help you keep a record of your progress to cross reference with. Making sure that you have these in a handy place, either in a filing cabinet on paper or in a dedicated folder on your computer, will help you in the long run, even if just for the sake of convenience.

01/05/2026

This Quarterly Recap summarizes market performance, major events and news from Q4 2025. Read more here:

The S&P 500 advanced nearly 18% in 2025, marking three back-to-back years of double-digit gains, following returns of 25.02% in 2024 and 26.29% in 2023. Such a feat is rare for Wall Street, occurring only five times before, this time being the sixth. Moreover, taken together, the S&P 500’s “thre...

01/05/2026

With the government shutdown behind us, all eyes are on Friday’s non-farm payroll report—the first look at December’s economy and a key signal for the Fed. Early signs point to strength: jobless claims are down, manufacturing hiring is solid, and federal layoffs are easing. On this week’s , CIO Gene Goldman explains why this report matters and what it could mean for rates and markets in 2026.

“Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

01/05/2026

Join us on Tuesday, January 13, from 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM for a complimentary, no-obligation webinar on Social Security and retirement readiness!

This zoom webinar is designed to help you make informed decisions about Social Security benefits as part of your retirement income strategy.

We will be joined by guest speaker Elaine Simmons, a partner at Social Security Informed and former employee of the Social Security Administration!

Don’t wait—use the link below to register today!
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FRZWiLhbTLev_UiLym13XQ

*Required disclosures: This event is hosted by Chase Brakke, Senior Vice President. Chase is a registered administrative assistant at Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. This event has been sponsored in whole by Fidelity. Fidelity is not affiliated or registered with Cetera. Elaine Simmons of Social Security Informed is not affiliated or registered with Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Any information provided by Elaine is in no way related to Cetera Wealth Services, LLC or its registered representatives. This information may not be relied on for the purpose of determining your social security benefits or eligibility, or avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek advice from your own tax or legal professional.

01/03/2026

Do you dread the return to work after a long, restful holiday vacation? You’re not alone—January can feel like the Monday of the calendar after the festivities of celebrating the new year. Still, it’s important to pull yourself back together and try to start the year with some momentum. Whether you’re getting back to work or back to a postgraduate program, keeping your financial habits consistent is key. If you’re having trouble getting back into the flow with your finances, contact me! I can help you outline a path to financial success for 2026.

01/02/2026

The festivities of the new year have passed—now is the time to get back to business. Start the year off on the right foot by setting some goals for yourself and your finances for 2026. Make sure to make them quantifiable, as it will help you keep yourself accountable and track your goals consistently!

Not sure where to start? Reach out to me, and we can get started on a comprehensive financial plan for this year, with achievable goals that motivate you to succeed.

01/01/2026

2025 is old news. 2026 has officially arrived! North Star wishes you a happy new year. Here’s a toast to achieving your new year’s resolutions!

12/31/2025

Another year has come to a close. For many of us, the dawn of the new year as another one ends is a routine occurrence, with no real gravitas or need for celebration. However, it’s important to remember that each year coming and going is an opportunity: for change, for growth, and for reflection. When it comes to your finances, it’s a crucial benchmark, one to ask ourselves how we did and how we want to go forward. As you continue to grow older, make sure that you acknowledge the importance of a year going by, and treat it with the reflection and celebration that it warrants.