Because Money Doesn’t Come With Instructions
Welcome to Sterk Financial Services, a financial planning practice in the Dakota Dunes suburb of Sioux City, Iowa. Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team of experienced professionals to help you live your best life. That’s where we come in. You have doctors, attorneys, and tax professionals you rely on to keep your life running smoothly, and we are prepared to do the same for your financial future. Sterk Financial Services has programs specifically designed to help you manage investments and strategically plan for life changes such as retirement, divorce, job changes, or entering a caregiving role. We can help you preserve and grow your portfolio to help set yourself up for a successful financial future. Our goal is simple – to provide advice and strategies that aligns the money you have with the life that you want to lead.
Our team of professionals has years of experience in strategic financial planning. We are ready to address your needs today and guide you through every phase of life. Let us help you take the complexity and uncertainty out of financial planning, and help create clarity and confidence as you move forward.
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We offer specialized programs that center around managing money and planning for life’s crucial financial events. Your needs & goals. Our advice & strategies.
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As your full-service financial partner and guide, we are here when you need us. Every situation. Every time.
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There are no do-overs in retirement. You need a path. You need a strategy. You need a guide you can trust. Mary’s latest book will arm you with the essential knowledge to create a strategic plan so you can retire with confidence.
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Forecast
The market is as unpredictable as the weather. We’d love to help you prepare.
Comparing Mortgage Terms
Estimate the total cost in today's dollars of various mortgage alternatives.
Inflation & Retirement
Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.
Budget Check Up: Tax Time Is the Right Time
Tax preparation may be the perfect time to give the household budget a check-up.
The Cost of Procrastination
Don't let procrastination keep you from pursuing your financial dreams and goals.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
The Most Overlooked Item of Any Home Improvement
The item most homeowners forget on their home improvement project checklist is insurance.
The Lowdown on Those Free Credit Scores
What’s the deal with your yearly free credit report?
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How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
What Is My Current Net Worth?
Use this calculator to estimate your net worth by adding up your assets and subtracting your liabilities.
Historical Inflation
This calculator shows how inflation over the years has impacted purchasing power.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
Disability Income
This calculator estimates your chances of becoming disabled and your potential need for disability insurance.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
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Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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The Richest Man in Babylon
In good times and bad, consistently saving a percentage of your income is a sound financial practice.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
Risk Tolerance: What’s Your Style?
Learn about what risk tolerance really means in this helpful and insightful video.
Retiring the 4% Rule
A portfolio created with your long-term objectives in mind is crucial as you pursue your dream retirement.
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
To Buy or Not to Buy
The decision whether to buy or rent a home may have long-term implications.