Stein Financial Group

08/27/2026

A gas station convenience store may not sound like an obvious place for a weekend destination.

But in Lakeville, Minnesota, The Farmer’s Cellar has turned an empty storefront next to a gas station into an upscale restaurant and hidden speakeasy.

The business, which includes the speakeasy, convenience store, and gas station, brought in almost $5 million in revenue during its first year. The speakeasy alone generated just over $1.7 million from its opening in May 2025 through April.

The concept stands out at a time when restaurant costs remain elevated, and many consumers are treating dining out as more of a special occasion.

For small businesses, the story highlights the value of location, creativity, and customer experience, even in unexpected places.

Tony Donatell turned an empty storefront next to a gas station into a sophisticated speakeasy, The Farmer's Cellar. Inside, it's still the "roaring twenties."

08/19/2026

As artificial intelligence reshapes the future of technology, a growing community of collectors is looking back.

Vintage computer enthusiasts are restoring and preserving the machines that helped launch the digital revolution, including classic Atari, Commodore, IBM, and Apple systems.

For collectors, these machines are more than old hardware. They are artifacts of computer history.

At the Vintage Computer Festival in Mountain View, California, more than 3,500 people gathered to see restored systems, celebrate Apple’s 50th anniversary, and explore the early technology behind today’s laptops, smartphones, and wearable devices.

Some rare machines can carry significant value. The Apple-1, Apple’s first product, can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

But for many collectors, the appeal is also personal: the sounds, games, interfaces, and hands-on repairs that make early computers feel understandable from the inside out.

In an age of invisible algorithms and cloud-based tools, vintage computers offer something different: a tangible connection to how modern technology began.

As Silicon Valley invents the artificial-intelligence future, a growing community of hobbyists is preserving the classic computers that helped launch the digital revolution.

08/14/2026

What if some of the biggest retirement mistakes are the ones you don’t realize you’re making? From Social Security and taxes to investments and retirement income, small decisions can have a lasting impact. Join us for 5 Retirement Mistakes to Avoid in 2026 and learn what to watch for. Register today: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/1017858629565/WN_WliqdYM7SWSlP2Li8QdmwA

08/14/2026

Inflation impacts more than prices at the grocery store–it can shape interest rates, mortgages, loans, and investment returns. In this episode of Power Points, we explain what the Federal Reserve is watching, why rates may stay steady for now, and what higher inflation could mean for your bond portfolio. Watch here:

Inflation doesn’t just affect the cost of everyday goods, it also i...

08/12/2026

A record number of U.S. adults under 35 are living with their parents, according to a recent Realtor.com study.

In 2025, 25.2 million adults under 35 lived at home, a higher share than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many are working, but wages are not always keeping up with the cost of living. Among adults ages 25 to 34 who live at home, roughly 7 in 10 have jobs.

Housing affordability is a major factor. Higher home prices, elevated mortgage rates, rent, student loan payments, car payments, and everyday expenses can make living independently harder to sustain.

For some families, moving back home may be a way to reduce expenses, rebuild savings, or create more breathing room before taking the next step.

The broader takeaway is that financial independence does not always follow a straight timeline. Cost-of-living pressures are reshaping what adulthood, housing, and household decisions look like for many families.

One woman in her mid-30s said her $60,000 annual income wasn't enough to cover all her bills after a breakup, leading her to move back home.

08/10/2026

A Monday reminder: we can’t always control what happens, but we can control how we respond!

08/07/2026

Layoffs often grab the headlines, but they don’t tell the whole story. This week’s Power Points video examines today’s labor market, why unemployment remains historically low, and how millions of open jobs continue to support the economy despite widespread concerns about where things are headed.

Layoffs may be making headlines, but the broader labor market tells...

08/05/2026

Back-to-school season is bringing higher costs for many families.

A new analysis found that a typical basket of school items, including notebooks, lunch boxes, and index cards, is up nearly 8% compared with last year.

School lunches are also more expensive, with the cost of a typical packed lunch up 11%.

The analysis estimates families may spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, including about $175 on school items and $3,800 on packed lunches.

Some items have seen especially sharp increases. Lunch boxes are up 27%, one-subject notebooks are up 23%, and index cards are up 22%.

Higher tariffs, imported school supplies, food prices, and energy costs are all contributing to the increase.

For families, back-to-school shopping is a reminder that seasonal expenses can add up quickly, especially when everyday costs are already stretching household budgets.

U.S. households will spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, a new analysis found.

07/30/2026

Mortgage rates are rising again, but some buyers may be finding a little more room to navigate the housing market.

The average contract interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a conforming loan balance rose to 6.69%, up from 6.65% the previous week.

That was the highest level since last August.

Even so, purchase mortgage applications rose 6% for the week. One reason may be that more inventory in some markets is giving buyers additional options.

Some sellers also appear more willing to cut prices as the market moves through its typically slower summer season.

Higher borrowing costs still matter. Mortgage rates can affect monthly payments, affordability, and how much buyers feel comfortable spending on a home.

For buyers and sellers, the broader takeaway is that multiple factors shape housing conditions. Rates, inventory, home prices, competition, and timing can all influence the market at once.

Mortgage rates last week rose to the highest level since last August, but homebuyer demand climbed as well, as buyers see more supply.

07/24/2026

Investor confidence is near historic lows, yet many major Wall Street firms have raised their market forecasts. In this episode of Power Points, we explore why professional outlooks and public sentiment are moving in opposite directions and why separating emotions from market data can lead to better financial decisions.

Despite headlines and widespread economic concerns, many major Wall...