Americans could all benefit from financial advice, but most don't want or can't afford to pay for it. But free assistance from financial planners -- who ordinarily may charge $150 or more per hour -- is available to just about anyone.

Thousands of financial planners nationwide spend anywhere from a few hours a year to a few hours a month participating in seminars, clinics and even one-on-one consultations without charging a dime.

With financial how-to books and magazines jamming the shelves of bookstores, the scores of personal finance Web sites and the 24-hour parade of talking heads spouting advice on CNBC, you'd think we'd all be wizards when it comes to managing our finances. But by most measuring sticks, Americans are increasingly a mediocre bunch at saving and planning for immediate financial needs, much less future ones.

Financial-advice sessions conducted by financial planners are happening in places as small as libraries and community halls to giant civic centers and hotel ballrooms. In some cases those seeking advice must meet income restrictions, but, for the most part, the services are free for the general public.

These free sessions present a unique opportunity to ask questions specific to your needs. While some planners may ask that you stick to general questions, many will try to help you with information tailored to your situation. You won't walk away with a complete road map to financial bliss, but you could get on the right path to overcome one or, perhaps, more of the things that are tripping you up moneywise.

No pitching allowed
Don't expect to be fed and watered at these events. What we're talking about shouldn't be confused with offers you may receive in the mail: "Enjoy a steak dinner on us while we show you how to plan for your financial security!" No. By and large, the experts who present at these free seminars must pledge to not try to sell anything or to sign up participants as clients. In some cases they're prohibited from even handing out business cards.

"Our speakers are purely educational," says Heather Almand, spokeswoman for the Financial Planning Association, or FPA. "The planners sign a letter of agreement that they won't sell products and that they'll speak in an objective manner."

Ed Gjertsen, a Certified Financial Planner and vice president of Mack Investment Securities in Glenview, Ill., spends two hours each month at the local library doing two one-hour, one-on-one planning sessions.

"People can come in with any questions they want," he says. "That keeps me on my toes. Questions range from 'What's the importance of investing in a 401(k)?' to 'I have a sick mother, what do I do?'

"I enjoy it. You meet a lot of interesting people and it reinforces my mission, if you will, of trying to get financial planning out there as much as possible. The fact that everyone needs it is never more clear than when you sit and talk with people."

Gjertsen, who is president of the Illinois FPA chapter, says people are often cynical when they hear something is free and figure they're in for a sales pitch. Nevertheless, people are taking him up on his offer of free one-on-one sessions at the library: He's booked four months in advance.

Library patron Gus Christ was perusing financial journals when he noticed a bulletin for the free sessions. He signed up and asked Gjertsen for advice on charitable donations.

"We discussed it and he didn't have a couple answers, but he said he'd get back to me and he did. He sent me a nice letter explaining things," Christ says. "I thought it was wonderful. The nice thing was the gentleman wasn't there to solicit business. You get that at other places where they try to hustle you to buy financial products. But he told me upfront he wasn't there to do that. I mean, how can you beat that?"

Every subject covered
Erika Safran, a CFP with Financial Asset Management Corp., in New York, participates in seminars held by the New York Public Library.

"I think I've done every seminar they've had. There's one every month and we usually get 20 to 40 people. I talk on every subject imaginable -- they range from managing your retirement plan to how to make money in the coming year to fundamentals of mutual fund investing.

"After Sept. 11, we reached out to the community. Anyone who had a loved one who died at the Trade Center or who was financially affected -- lost their job -- we offered seminars. We had a huge response; it was great for everyone involved."

When management at the CFP Board of Standards decided to hold a free financial planning clinic in 2006, they had no idea how successful it would be. More than 1,500 people showed up at the Los Angeles Civic Center to take advantage of the free one-on-one counseling and the breakout sessions on topics from mortgage loans to the psychology of spending.

Spokeswoman Jina Martingano says they've had so many calls about their 2007 free clinic, which will be held Aug. 4 at Boston's Sheraton Hotel, that they're wondering if there will be enough volunteers. So far, more than 100 CFPs have volunteered their services. This year's clinic will consist of an orientation session and one-on-one counseling. People who walk in off the street can see a planner, but people who register in advance will have priority.

Help for first-time homeowners
Radio call-in shows are another way some Americans are taking advantage of free advice. For years, people in southeastern Michigan have listened to "The Rick Bloom Show" and pummeled Bloom with questions on a wide variety of financial issues. He also holds free seminars at the local public library.

"People are intimidated by money. They don't understand," says Bloom. "I think they feel comfortable talking to me, asking me if they're in the right direction. I like people to ask questions and not be intimidated. They should be able to ask anyone in the financial world and they should expect answers in plain English."

While everyone needs financial planning, for some the need may be more critical. The Illinois FPA chapter recently teamed up with Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity to teach financial planning to families selected to receive a home.

"We want them to have an understanding of what they're getting into," says Jeff Barrett, Fox Valley's executive director. "Among other things they need to know how to budget for contingencies. When you rent, you call the landlord when something breaks. But when you own, it's different. The FPA has been great. They developed this program and they did it pro bono."

The course, which was given to five families last fall as a pilot project, is now required for homeownership.

How to find free advice
Finding free advice may take a bit of your time on the phone or the computer. One of the best places to start is your public library. If they don't have anything scheduled, ask them to contact the local chapter of a financial planning organization. (We've compiled a list in the article "Where to find free financial planning.") Once you find a planner who does volunteer work, you may find they're willing to hold seminars on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Talk to your boss or the human resources director at work. Some financial planning organizations are happy to send volunteers to talk to employees. The same goes if you have a child in high school. A financial planning seminar or two could go a long way toward helping your child and his or her classmates handle upcoming financial responsibilities. Another place to check for free financial planning seminars is your local community college.

When you find a free session, check the credentials of the planner. The CFP Board of Standards has a helpful list of the various designations you might come across.