Many pessimists say there is no such thing as a free lunch.

But how about free financial advice?

More and more financial advisors are dishing it out with no charge to you.

A big life change like retirement may sound like a never-ending vacation, but it can be overwhelming as well.

“We're about two years from retirement. I have these fears and I wanted to just talk to somebody about it,” said Margaret Valdes.

When Valdes learned that her library was bringing in a certified financial planner and offering free financial counseling, she was thrilled.

“We just started focusing on first things first and some specific questions that I needed to answer,” said Valdes.

From libraries to call-in radio shows to Web sites, free financial guidance that could cost upwards of $150 per hour is readily available to consumers.

Radio show host Rick Bloom has been giving free financial advice over the airwaves for nearly 20 years. He said people are more than eager to get free help.

“They can get a variety of information. Even if they go to see a professional after that, they're going in being a smarter consumer,” said Bloom.

The Financial Planning Association said thousands of its members now offer regular, free financial consultation nationwide.

“The advice that's asked for is a real wide range; everywhere from very specific to the very general, everything from basic budgeting 101 to retirement planning,” said Edward Gjertsen II of the FPA.

Experts said free advice should be for education only and urge consumers to not give out account numbers.

Consumers are also advised to check credentials of those offering financial advice. Experts said consumers should be getting advice and not a sales pitch.

“There's no reason why all the people my age, all the boomers, shouldn't be able to just take an hour out and take advantage of this,” said Valdes.

All FPA members must sign a letter of agreement saying they won’t try and sell consumers anything during consultations.