A free financial planning event sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Financial Planning Association of Greater Phoenix will take place Oct. 17.

“Personal financial planning, it’s an essential need for everybody regardless of age or income,” said Bud Heintz, who helped plan the event. 

The event taking place at the Rio Salado Conference Center can service about 150 people, Heintz said.

“They should expect to sit down for about half an hour,” said Heintz. “During that time we’ll have different worksheets that are available to go over either budgeting items or important financial checklists perhaps.”

Less than half of American adults have a set financial plan for their future, and only 20 percent have that plan written down, according to a 2015 study.

For more information visit FinancialPlanningDays.org.