It may be the best deal that you encounter all year.
In today's business section, I write about a free financial planning event happening at the Wilder Center in St. Paul Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The vast majority of Americans (79 percent) do not currently work with a financial planner, according to a Franklin Templeton survey in 2012. But nearly half of Americans not working with an advisor said that they would consider it.
What's holding them back? It's often too little or too much money. Some people who make big bucks manage it poorly and are too embarrassed to admit it to a professional. Those having difficulty making ends meet may think any attempt to save is futile.
Organizers at the event say that there is no situation that they won't try to help and they'll do it free. They can't magically fund a college savings plan or erase someone's $50,000 in credit card debt, but resources there can take the first step toward such a goal.
In addition to certified financial planners offering free one-on-one advice sessions, there will also be representatives from Habitat for Humanity, Neighborhood House, Family Means, AccountAbility MN, Goodwill Easter Seals, and the City of St. Paul mortgage foreclosure dept.
For more details, click on the link above. If you want help with refinancing, budgeting, retirement savings or choosing between a Roth 401(k) or a regular 401(k), no question is too small. Take a step to clean out the cobwebs from your financial house.
And let me know if you don't find it worthwhile, but I think you will. I'll be there too.
