Got a financial question nagging at you? (And these days, who doesn't?) Between job losses, investment losses and peace-of-mind losses, we're all a little unnerved about our financial futures.

To get some answers, this Saturday you can speak face-to-face with a certified financial planner to get personal advice. And it's completely free.

It's the "Greater Sacramento Financial Planning Day," co-hosted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. (For details, see box.)

"We're trying to promote financial literacy," said Debbie Grose, a Folsom-based CFP who's chairing the event. "A lot of people think financial planning is only for people who have a lot of money … but it's so much more than that."

The need for financial guidance, she said, ranges from new parents who need a will to those struggling to recoup after a job loss to those who are fiscally fit but want some unbiased advice about retirement options.

The last category fits Jackson resident Bob Foley, who sought guidance from a certified financial planner a few years ago. A former human resources director for Nestle foods in Missouri, Foley took an early retirement at age 57 and moved with his wife to California to be closer to her parents.

After building a "dream home" in the foothills that cost more than expected and seeing the recession eat into their investments, the couple realized they might outlive their retirement savings. To stretch their income, both went back to work part time – and hired a certified financial planner.

Although a "reasonably financially astute" investor with savings, a 401(k) and a pension account, Foley admits, "I made mistakes. I was overly optimistic too long and always assumed that my mutual funds would keep going strong."

Now 62 and working part time as an executive recruiter, Foley said the couple chose a fee-only financial planner, who charges a percentage based on the total amount of their investable assets.

"They're not selling you any kind of financial product … You're only paying for their wisdom," he said.

Sitting down with a planner, he said, helped the couple map out a comfortable financial plan that should last them into their 90s.

His only regret: "I wish I'd done it sooner. If I'd had their advice in my 40s, my financial picture would be better now."

According to a recent Harris Interactive poll, the top financial goal among U.S. adults (47 percent) is saving enough for retirement. Next in line:

• Owning a home (17 percent).

• Retiring early (5 percent).

• Funding a child's college costs (5 percent).

• Paying off college loans (5 percent).

• Starting a business (3 percent).

• Owning a car (3 percent).

• "Something else" or "no important goals to achieve" (12 percent).

In years past, similar financial-planning events have been held at the state Capitol and elsewhere. At Saturday's event, Grose said, the volunteer CFPs from Davis, Folsom, Roseville and Sacramento hope to help several hundred adults, who can get free advice on a walk-in basis.

In addition to one-on-one sessions, 12 classroom-style workshops will be offered on various financial topics. Among them: "Building a Retirement Fund" and "Financial Fire Drill," which covers how to cope with an unexpected drop in income, such as from a layoff, expensive medical bills or caring for elderly parents.

This month, the free Financial Planning Days are taking place in 31 cities across the country, including San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego and Los Angeles.

What you won't find at the events: a hard sell.

According to Grose, the financial advisers will not give out business cards, take down people's names or sell financial products or services.

"There is no selling of any products. It's forbidden," she said.

Last month, the CFP Board of Standards, which licenses and disciplines CFP professionals, unveiled a new online consumer tool for choosing a financial planner. On its "Let's Make A Plan" website (www.letsmakeaplan.org), you can select a certified financial planner by city, by specialty (retirement, debt management, tax planning, investments, etc.), by language (24 listed), by amount of your investable assets or by type of compensation (fee vs. commission, etc.).

For more on selecting a financial planner, see accompanying box, "What to Ask When Hiring a CFP."

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Have a personal finance question? Call The Bee's Claudia Buck at (916) 321-1968.

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