News & Views
April 25, 2022
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How a 25-year Anniversary Celebrates Integrity and Servant Leadership
By Kara Knaack, Marketing & Communications Coordinator,
Syverson Strege
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How did two entrepreneurial financial planners who desired an educational culture, not a sales culture, turn their vision into a 25-year-old company? Johnne Syverson and David Strege formed what is now Syverson Strege in 1997 with their collective vision to start a fee-only financial planning company based on servant leadership and integrity.
Syverson Strege is elated to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year! But more than anything…
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Will the Social Security CAN Get Stomped?
By David G. Strege, CFP®, CFA, CKA®, Senior Financial Planner, Syverson Strege
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Many articles have been written about the Social Security shortage “can” getting kicked down the road. The question is, “Will this ‘can’ get smashed instead of being kicked along further?”
It is projected that the $2.9 trillion Social Security reserve will be depleted in…
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Announcing…Syverson Strege’s 25th Anniversary! |
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2022 is the year we are honored to celebrate Syverson Strege’s 25th anniversary!
We are grateful for the trust-based relationships we have formed with our clients, nonprofit partners, dedicated staff members, and the communities they serve.
This milestone celebrates 25 years of a commitment to each client to honor their values, their purpose, and the “why” of their legacy. We also celebrate Johnne Syverson’s and David Strege’s vision for a company based upon an educational culture, not a sales culture, which has allowed us to offer sound financial planning and investment management.
We humbly thank our clients for trusting us with their stories and allowing us to be a part of their legacies. Without their trust, this 25-year milestone would not have been possible!
As we celebrate, be looking for more articles, contests, and events. Join us in celebration of 25 years! Make sure to read the lead article above about the history and early vision of Syverson Strege.
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For the next five months, we will post two contest questions in each monthly News & Views newsletter. Please email Deb Longseth with your answers. The first person to respond with the right answer will win and be mailed one of our cool camper mugs!
The two contest questions for this month:
1) Guess the number of client families who have been with us for the entire 25 years.
2) Other than Johnne Syverson and David Strege, what is the name of the employee who has been with the firm the longest?
Good luck!
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Cryptocurrency: What is It and Should You Invest? |
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What is cryptocurrency and should you invest in it? Learn what you need to know on Thursday, May 19 at 2:00 PM with Jason Gunkel, Chief Investment Officer, and Lance Gunkel, Managing Director of Syverson Strege.
Learn about:
- Overview of cryptocurrency and how it works
- History of cryptocurrency
- The government and regulation of cryptocurrency
- Most popular types of cryptocurrency
- Ways to purchase cryptocurrency
- If investing in cryptocurrency is right for you
- And much more …
Also, at the event – prizes, refreshments, and Q&A with Jason and Lance!
Join us on Thursday, May 19 at 2 PM at our office or virtually through Zoom!
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10th Annual Shred-it Reminder
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Two days until Shred-it! Stop by this Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, April 27-29, from 9AM-3PM for our 10th Annual Shred-it event!
Shred-it is a free shredding service we provide as a way to help you keep your information private, secure, and confidential. We’ll have refreshments and prizes too!
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Financial Foundations … financial coaching for the next generation.
We're offering two free courses on June 2 and June 9 at 5:30 PM for clients' children and/or grandchildren ages 20-40. When they attend both courses, they'll learn about the purpose of money, spending, investing, savings, income taxes, insurance, estate planning, and charitable giving.
Financial Foundations is exclusively for:
- Children or grandchildren (and their spouses/partners) of Syverson Strege clients who are between the ages of 20-40.
- People who can attend both courses (June 2 and June 9 at 5:30 PM).
What you need to know:
- No cost
- Two courses - June 2 and 9 at 5:30 PM
- Registration limited to the first 25 individuals + their spouse/partner
- Offered in-person at the Syverson Strege office in West Des Moines OR virtual
Perks
- Complimentary, confidential private consultation with a Syverson Strege Associate Financial Planner after June 9
- Access to EMoney tool for financial data and tracking
Registration is limited to the first 25 individuals + their spouse/partner. The curriculum is designed for two sessions, so please sign up only if you can attend both days on June 2 and 9.
Click here to register - first come, first served. Registration closes by May 19 or when registration is full.
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Ultramarathon Running – Lance Gunkel |
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Who would celebrate by running his first 100-mile race on his 40th birthday? Lance Gunkel, our Managing Director.
Watch our new video as Lance compares ultramarathon running to financial planning … how achieving little wins along the way, course corrections, preparation, commitment, consistency, step-by-step goals, and the importance of family support are all part of both. Lance says, “Running and financial planning both require a level of commitment and your ability to stick with a plan even when you may not want to.”
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Money Memory – Matt Roberts |
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How did Matt’s dad serve as the banker for his first loan?
Tune into our new money memory video to learn:
- the value of getting a job and paying for something, and not having something just be given
- how having a money plan in place = security
- you don’t always have to make a lot to save a lot
Matt’s money memory video is a must-see!
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Meri Grogan, Lance Gunkel, Jerin Young, David Strege, Mike Murkins, Wayne Johnson, Jennifer Scheck, and Matt Roberts all spent time on April 11 helping Norwalk, Iowa students at JA Finance Park®. JA Finance Park® is a program of Junior Achievement of Central Iowa.
To improve the financial literacy of our future business leaders and employees, Junior Achievement has created JA Finance Park®, an exciting reality-based learning environment for middle and high school students. JA Finance Park® allows middle and high-school grade students to see, touch, and live the experience of personal finance by basically becoming "an adult for the day."
Watch this one-minute video to learn more about JA Finance Park®.
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This month’s Charity Discovery is Meals from the Heartland. The mission of Meals from the Heartland is “empowering people to save starving children.”
Meals from the Heartland shows love for less fortunate brothers and sisters throughout Iowa and the world by packaging meals to be distributed to those in need. Every dollar donated, every volunteer hour given, and every packaged meal is helping to break the chain of hunger and save lives. Since 2008, Meals from the Heartland has provided over 170 million meals to the hungry in Iowa and around the world.
The Syverson Strege team has volunteered several times to package meals for Meals from the Heartland.
Watch this video to learn more about Meals from the Heartland.
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Meals from the Heartland has a special drive for a Ukraine relief effort. To donate, click here.
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Check out Syverson Strege’s own, Matt Roberts, in the latest Farm Journal Magazine article, “Build an All-Star Team to Guide Your Succession Plan.” Matt was recently an instructor at the DIRTT Project LIVE! where he spoke on the importance of having a collaborative team in farm succession planning. Click here to read the article.
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It was an honor to sponsor a table at the 61st Annual Iowa Prayer Breakfast! The Iowa Prayer Breakfast is a long-standing tradition where Iowa’s Governor, legislators, community, and religious leaders join together to ask God’s direction and blessing upon our state.
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Syverson Strege is dedicated to providing rewarding career experiences for its employees. Meri Grogan, Director of Finance and Administration, manages all of Syverson Strege Human Resources and hiring activities. Meri had the opportunity to lend her skills by volunteering to organize 40 different presenters for Career Day at Indian Hills Junior High. Great job, Meri! |
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18 people from 13 Central Iowa nonprofits attended Syverson Strege’s Educate to Give Summit. Chief Planning Officer Matt Roberts and Chief Investment Officer Jason Gunkel presented ideas to help nonprofit leaders best educate their donors about tax-avoidance charitable giving strategies. To learn more about Educate to Give, click here. |
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Managing Director Lance Gunkel was invited to address a group of fourth-year Drake University pharmacy students. Lance talked about the generational differences in investing and how long-term investment strategies are best. |
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"Investing in the financial markets can be a bit of a roller coaster ride,” says Chief Investment Officer Jason Gunkel. Listen to this Finance Moment podcast for more insight on the ins and outs of market downturns and recoveries.
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Market Update – 1st Quarter
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How high will inflation go? Has the stock market had an official correction? Did the 1st quarter offer any positive economic news? Find out the answers and more by watching Chief Investment Officer Jason Gunkel in our Q1 Market Update video. |
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Syverson Strege
4125 Westown Parkway, Suite 104
West Des Moines, IA 50266
515-225-6000
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