Wealthy people aren’t the only ones who need sound financial advice. And they’re not the only ones who can afford it either. Previous Next Related Benefit 1 Related Benefit 2 Related Benefit 3 Related Benefit 4 Related Benefit 5 Traditional financial advisers earn money by charging clients a percentage — say, 1 percent — of the assets they manage, a model called AUM, or assets under management. Some also earn commissions by selling products such as annuities or life insurance.