Don't let your lack of funds stop you from seeking help from a financial adviser

Stories about the impending retirement income "crisis" for many Americans are everywhere. Yet a recent survey conducted for CNBC and Acorns determined that less than 5% of Americans seek the guidance of a financial adviser.

This raises the question, why are so many people who need help with their finances not getting it?

The CNBC survey reveals that some feel too intimidated to talk with anyone about something they know so little about. To them, sitting down with a financial adviser feels like stepping into the ring with a 25-year-old Mike Tyson.

Others think, "Why talk with someone about how to manage something I don't have?" It's easy to understand why so many feel this way given the financial service industry's strong marketing of its "wealth management" services.

In my experience, it's the people with the least financial wealth who often benefit the most from even a few minutes spent with an expert who can explain how the financial game is played. Someone who can point out behavior, some of which may be subconscious, that undermines your ability to accumulate assets — behavior that, with a little coaching and practical advice, can be changed into habits that help instead of hurt.

Here are a few topics to consider discussing with a financial adviser when you are getting started:

Spending tips ­— control monthly spending by creating a simple budget you can live with.

Dealing with debt — prioritize which debts to pay first and fit these payments into your budget.

Buying your first home — often your best next move after you have control of your spending, saving, and debt.

Mastering these issues leads to financial independence at retirement and should be a priority for everyone. But finding an expert willing to have these conversations can be difficult.

The financial-services industry is huge and highly profitable. Tens of thousands of representatives from banks, insurance companies, brokerage firms, mutual-fund companies, accounting firms and wealth managers all compete fiercely to help the wealthy get wealthier.

But for the other 95% of the population without meaningful accumulated wealth, these advisers are generally not available. That's because most advisers are compensated based on the products and services they sell.

The good news is that employers are finally beginning to recognize two undeniable facts: first, that American workers are poorly prepared to make important financial decisions, and second, that financially stressed people make less-effective employees.

As more and more employers wake up to this reality, they are increasingly sponsoring programs designed to boost their employees' financial well-being.

This a huge advance in the battle to get professional financial advice to the people who need it most, but who often cannot afford to pay for it.

If you work for an organization that makes financial wellness or financial counseling services available, be sure to take full advantage.

Professional financial advice from an objective financial adviser can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the retirement savings of the average American worker.

For advisers, this business model is not nearly as lucrative as one that involves selling insurance or mutual funds, so these folks are harder to find. But seeking a paid-by-the-hour adviser is worth it so you don't have to worry about the advice you receive being driven by the adviser's personal profit motive.

To find an hourly fee-only financial planner near you, try these websites: garrettplanningnetwork.com or xyplanningnetwork.com

For self-starters, there is a tremendous amount of financial-planning resources and tools online. Some of our favorites include: bankrate.com, consumerfinance.gov, investopedia.com and saveandinvest.org.

If you need help getting your financial house in order, don't let your lack of accumulated wealth stop you from taking the important first step of sitting down with a financial adviser.

Make this a priority in the New Year. You will be amazed at what a difference a few adjustments can make.