Why start the conversation

If you find yourself struggling to keep up with bills, meet essential costs, or have accrued debt, starting a conversation with a free and impartial money adviser is the first step to regaining control of your financial situation.

It’s understandable that the thought of speaking to a money adviser about debt and other financial worries can be daunting, but the money advice sector in Scotland is full of wonderful people who will welcome you with compassion and help you without judgement. A free sector money adviser will assess your financial situation by taking account of your income, expenditure, and debts; determine if there are any ways to increase your income (e.g. by helping you identify any benefits you are entitled to); and recommend the best course of action to help you manage your debts and set you on the path to a fresh start. They can also speak to your creditors on your behalf, and put in place legal protections against creditor action if appropriate.

Hear from some of our members in their own words about how they can help and why advice is important:

“I have a saying for Money Advisers – that we always find a way. No matter the situation, the problem or the person sitting in front of us, we will always find a way to help.”

“What an honour it is to do a job that helps people have a better life.”

“We help people regain control, reduce stress, and find a way forward. Whether it’s negotiating with creditors, setting up repayment plans, or simply providing a listening ear, our role is to offer practical solutions and reassurance.”

“What I value most about this sector is its focus on empowerment. We don’t just give advice – we help people understand their options, make informed decisions, and build resilience.”

“Seeing the relief, they may feel after speaking to you & the worry off their chest once they have accessed a solution is the best feeling.”

 

Finding a free money advice agency

If you’ve never sought money advice before, you may not know where to go or how to get in touch with an adviser. Our interactive find an adviser tool will help you do just that. All you need to do is type in your postcode or local area and a list of local, free, and impartial money advice agencies will be displayed. Simply click on an agency to get their contact information to make an appointment.

Click here to access our find an advice agency tool

There are also several national organisations you can contact, as well as housing associations that offer money advice if you are one of their tenants. 

 

Before your first appointment

Before you speak with a money adviser (whether in person or over the phone), there are a few small but important steps you can take to help make the first appointment as straightforward as possible. This guide sets out how to prepare for money advice and covers what to expect as well as setting out the main steps an adviser will take to help you. Reading the guide will allow you to feel prepared and hopefully alleviate any concerns you may have.

Things that you can do to make the first appointment more productive include gathering:

• Proof of income: recent payslips, benefits statements, pension statements, or self-employment records
• Bank statements: bringing at least 2-3 months’ for all the accounts you use will help your money adviser get a clear picture
• Bills and debts: Recent utility bills (has, electricity), council tax statements or arrears letters, rent or mortgage statements, credit card bills, personal loan statements, hire purchase, store card, payday loan details, and/or letters from any debt collection agencies will help your adviser determine the best next steps for you

 

Don’t worry if you can’t bring everything, just bring what you have and your adviser will help identify any gaps.

 

Questions about debt and the advice process

If you want to know anything about the different options available before you speak to an adviser, this guide answers some frequently asked questions, and this guide is a useful glossary that introduces you to some of the terms surrounding debt and the advice process that you are likely to hear. 

You can also watch our video below that sets out what to expect from the debt advice process