Stocks fell and the 10-year yield hit 5.2%. What it means for you

On Monday, September 28, the S&P 500 closed down 0.77 percent, the Nasdaq fell 0.92 percent and the Dow slipped 0.67 percent. TheStreet reported that investors pulled back after President Trump rejected an Iranian peace proposal, and U.S. crude oil rose about 4 percent to around $96 a barrel.

The bigger number for household budgets may be the 10-year Treasury yield, which climbed to about 5.2 percent, its highest level since 2007. Yahoo Finance noted that mortgage rates were near 7.5 percent, and that higher borrowing costs have weighed on homebuilders and home-improvement retailers. When long-term Treasury yields rise, rates on mortgages and other loans often follow.

A drop of less than 1 percent in one day is a normal part of investing, even if it feels uncomfortable to see. This post is general information and not financial advice. What seems useful for most people is to separate the headline from the parts of their own plan they can actually act on.

If you are shopping for a home or thinking about refinancing, today's rate environment is worth asking a lender about directly, since quotes can change quickly. If your money is invested for goals that are years away, a licensed financial professional can help you decide whether anything in your plan needs to change.

This afternoon, write down the one money decision you have coming up in the next few months, such as a loan, a move or a savings goal, and bring that question to someone qualified to answer it.