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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Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

Global vs. International: What’s The Difference?
International funds invest in non-U.S. markets, while global funds may invest in U.S. stocks alongside non-U.S. stocks.

Put It in a Letter
A letter of instruction provides additional and more personal information regarding your estate.
Insurance Needs Assessment: For Empty Nesters and Retirees
Do your insurance needs stay the same when the nest empties?
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
Not only can D&O insurance provide financial protection, but it can help improve an organization’s decision-making.
Insuring Your Business With a Buy/Sell Agreement
It may help your business be better prepared in the event of the death of a principal or key employee.
Fixed or Variable Mortgage, Which Should You Pick?
When selecting a mortgage, one of the most critical choices is between a fixed or variable interest-rate mortgage.
Tax Deductions You Won't Believe
Here are some examples of deductions from the IRS that were permitted and some that were, uh, too creative.
Is Term Life Insurance for You?
Term insurance is the simplest form of life insurance. Here's how it works.
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A Look at Systematic Withdrawals
This calculator may help you estimate how long funds may last given regular withdrawals.
Inflation & Retirement
Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
Interested in a Fuel Efficient Car?
Estimate how many months it may take to recover the out-of-pocket costs when buying a more efficient vehicle.
What Is My Current Net Worth?
Use this calculator to estimate your net worth by adding up your assets and subtracting your liabilities.
How Much Home Can I Afford?
With a few simple inputs you can estimate how much of a mortgage you may be able to obtain.
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Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
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.
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Where Is the Market Headed?
We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, “What’s next for the financial markets?”
Exit Strategies of the Rich and Famous
Estate conservation is too important to put off. Do you have a smart exit strategy?
How to Retire Early
Retiring early sounds like a dream come true, but it’s important to take a look at the cold, hard facts.
To Buy or Not to Buy
The decision whether to buy or rent a home may have long-term implications.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
Keeping Up with the Joneses
Lifestyle inflation can be the enemy of wealth building. What could happen if you invested instead of buying more stuff?