The National Financial Educators Council recently put a single survey question to 1,001 American adults: "When you have a financial question, who do you personally turn to for trusted financial guidance?"
Forty-one percent of respondents said they look to parents, family, friends or co-workers for answers to financial questions; 33.4% said they turn to financial professionals; and 25.8% said they do not have anyone they trust to turn to.
The NFEC considers this question important because when people have trusted professionals from whom they can seek advice when making money decisions, they are better able to consider options that align with their short- and long-term needs.
"Clearly people who are not yet financially prepared to invest in real estate, equities or insurance lack access to well-qualified professionals who could help them with those decisions," Vince Shorb, the NFEC's chief executive, said in a statement.
"Having access to solid guidance is essential at an early age, because the decisions people make while they're young adults will significantly affect their futures as they mature."
The council reported that those who do turn to qualified professionals for guidance in making major financial decisions become better able to choose options that align with their personal finance goals, both in the short and long term.
