If the Great Recession has taught us anything, it is to show extra caution with our spending plans and investment endeavors. Almost half of Americans show an acute lack of trust and comfort when it comes to discussing financial affairs, according to Yardi client TIAA-CREF’s second annual Financial Advice Survey.  Perceived cost and lack of time are also cited as major factors impeding the general population from accessing advised financial support. “As a mission-driven organization, TIAA-CREF is dedicated to helping our clients take meaningful steps to secure a strong financial future,” said Eric Jones, senior managing director, advisory solutions at TIAA-CREF. “In fact, those who receive advice from TIAA-CREF are five times more confident about their retirement than the average American worker. And more than 95 percent of clients participating in our advice sessions trust TIAA-CREF to provide sound financial advice.” Key findings of the study include: Forty-eight percent of Americans say it is hard to know which sources of financial advice can be trusted. Thirty-seven percent of Americans say they don’t like talking to anyone about their finances. Faced with financial insecurities and fluctuating markets, forty-six percent of Americans say that more than ever, they need a trusted place to go for financial advice. Two-fifths of Americans think good financial advice costs more than they can afford. One-third of Americans say they lack the time to get proper financial advice. More than half (58 percent) of Americans say they would prefer to get financial advice from a single point of contact or location. Generational differences Not surprisingly, Generation X leads all age groups in acknowledging the benefits of getting professional retirement advice. Eighty percent of those between the ages of 35 and 44 who seek financial advice are looking for more guidance about...