Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller says more rate hikes are needed, but the timing should stay flexible. Here is what that means for you.

The Fed’s policy rate is currently 3.75 to 4 percent. Waller, one of the board’s more hawkish voices, wants to keep raising rates to squeeze out remaining inflation, but he signalled a likely pause at the October 27-28 meeting, with December back in play.

For borrowers, the message is that relief is not imminent. Mortgage rates, car loans and credit card rates tend to follow the Fed’s lead, so costs are likely to stay elevated into next year.

For savers, higher rates are a mixed blessing. Savings accounts pay more, but bond prices fall when yields rise, which has rattled markets in recent weeks.

For investors, Waller’s ‘flexibility’ is the key word. It means the Fed will move meeting by meeting, reacting to jobs and inflation data rather than following a preset path.

The bottom line: expect rates to stay high, with the next move most likely in December if inflation data cooperates.