If you can’t already afford a financial advisor, there are plenty of places you can start looking for free or cheap financial advice. Here are some places to look.

Banks and credit unions sometimes provide articles to help their clients learn basic financial principles. This is a good option as you are probably already familiar with the organization and its website, apps, etc. If you’re not sure where to look for free financial advice, start there.

Do you have an IRA or brokerage account with an online broker? Similar to banks and credit unions, these companies often publish articles that break down the basics of personal finance. Since they are brokers, their training materials may also cover investing. They can even go a step further and offer financial planning tools and calculators to help you create a financial plan.

Using a budget or financial planning tool can help control your money. However, many of these apps provide additional material that can be used to understand personal finance. These materials can be in the form of articles, videos or even seminars.

According to its website, the CFPB is a U.S. government agency “working to ensure that you are treated fairly by banks, lenders, and other financial institutions.” To support its mission, it provides a variety of articles, guides, and news on credit cards, debt collection, mortgages, and more.

AFCPE is an organization that provides financial guidance, advice and education. The organization has partnered with the Yellow Ribbon Network to provide free financial advice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yellow Ribbon is an organization that provides various forms of support to military members and veterans. However, you don’t have to be affiliated with the military to use this free service.

FPA provides free financial planning to underserved and disadvantaged communities. The association has 80 active state chapters in the United States. She also has a list of CFPs that offer free financial planning to underserved communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Savvy Ladies is a network of 3,000 volunteers that provides free financial education to women. Its goal is to promote the advancement of self-responsible, economically educated women. In addition to hosting events and webinars, the network offers free financial help.

Touch other free financial resources

There are many resources you can turn to for free financial advice, depending on your financial or life circumstances. some examples:

credit counseling agencies offer help with problems ranging from bankruptcy to student loan debt to a review of your budget and overall finances. some services are free.

Xem Thêm : 10 nguyên nhân hàng đầu khách du lịch không quay lại Việt Nam

the foundation for financial planning offers pro bono financial planning services for financially vulnerable individuals, including injured veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and patients with cancer. Other organizations that offer free or discounted financial advice include USA. uu. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Financial Planning Association, and Financial Counseling Association of America.

some in person investment advisors offers a free consultation for potential clients. Of course, not all of your financial questions will be addressed in one meeting. the consultation usually focuses on your goals and what it would be like to work together. Make the most of that first consultation by coming prepared with questions to assess whether the advisor can address your current and future financial goals. (here they are 10 questions to ask a financial advisor if you need inspiration. ) remember that you are under no obligation to start working with the advisor after the meeting.

Free financial advice can be an extremely important resource, especially for underserved communities and people struggling financially. However, many of these organizations rely on volunteers and may not have the resources to help in any situation. If you need help with more advanced financial planning, it may be worth paying someone.

If you have complex estate planning or tax issues, they may be beyond the scope of typical volunteering. The same applies if you’re starting a business and need help organizing your business finances. Generally, volunteer or pro bono services are best suited to help with basic day-to-day financial planning.

Not everyone can afford to spend hundreds of dollars for personal help from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). This is often the case for underserved communities and even the middle class in an economic crisis. Fortunately, your bank, broker, volunteer group or government organization can provide free resources to help you get back on track.

However, in some cases, paying a financial professional can also be worthwhile. Complicated tax and probate issues can justify fees—and in these cases, pay off in the long run. It’s usually a good idea to start with free resources, but be aware that using them may have limitations.

You can also take advantage of Bankrate’s free beginner investing course, where we break down the different types of investing options available and how to build a smart portfolio. Or check out this beginner course budget.