Who can I speak to about my finances?

It’s a question I’ve heard countless times, both professionally and in everyday conversations.

And the honest answer?

For many people, it’s not actually that clear.

That’s surprising when you think about it. Money affects almost every part of our lives, yet when it comes to talking to someone about it, the options can feel limited, confusing, or out of reach.

Keeping it simple, there are four main avenues people use when they want to speak to someone about their finances:

1. Informal Advice from Family & Friends

For many people, this is the first place they turn.

It’s not surprising. Speaking to the people around you, those who know you and your situation, can feel like a great place to start. It can be immediate, and there’s no cost.

But there are some important limitations.

Unless you’re speaking to someone with real experience or knowledge in this area, the guidance you receive will be shaped by their own knowledge, experiences, and relationship with money. As well-intentioned as it may be, what’s worked for them won’t always be right for you. 

There’s also another challenge.

Money is something many of us find difficult to talk about openly. Even with the people we trust the most, conversations often stay at the surface level. You might hear the odd comment or pick up bits of anecdotal advice—but rarely do people feel comfortable getting into the real detail of their financial situation.

So, whilst family and friends can be a helpful sounding board, they’re likely unable to provide the clear, structured, and personalised guidance you are actually looking for.

2. Banks and Building Societies

Banks play a vital role in our financial lives. They provide the products we rely on every day, such as:

• Bank accounts

• Mortgages

• Credit cards

  
  

However, when it comes to guidance and personalised support, their role is more limited.

They can explain their products, but they typically won’t:

• Offer holistic unbiased financial guidance

• Help you compare options outside their own offerings

• Explore in an unbiased way your broader financial goals

  
  

In short, they’re great at delivering financial products—but generally not designed to help you make personal holistic financial decisions.

3. Money Guidance Services

The UK is very fortunate to have free, impartial support available through organisations like MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and debt charities such as StepChange Debt Charity and National Debtline. These services do an incredible job.

They can:

• Provide clear, trustworthy information

• Help you understand your options

• Offer support, especially in difficult situations

But there are limits.

For many people, these services are:

• More information-led than conversational

• Often focused on specific issues (such as debt or benefits)

• Less geared towards ongoing, personalised guidance

So while these services are hugely valuable, they tend to focus on specific areas of your finances—providing helpful information and guidance—rather than taking a more holistic view of you, your life, and your money as a whole.

4. Financial Professionals - Accountants & Financial Advisers

Accountants tend to focus on tax, compliance, and financial reporting. They can be valuable for business owners, self-employed individuals, or those with more complex tax situations. However, for the majority, an accountant may not be necessary and they would be unable to help guide for other areas of your finances.

Financial advisers usually work with clients who have significant assets, often £100,000 or more to invest. Their services are typically centred around investments and long-term financial planning, with fees often based on a percentage of the money they manage, alongside potential upfront costs. Due to this, financial advisers may not be accessible if you have less to invest, or even relevant, if you want to manage your money yourself.

With the rise of low-cost investment platforms and easy access to tracker funds, it’s now possible to start investing with very small amounts. As a result, more people are choosing to take control of their own finances.

Whilst it’s easier than ever to manage your own money, knowing what to do, when to do it, and how everything fits together is still far from straightforward.

So where does this leave most people?

Without a clear option to speak to someone, many people go online.

There is an abundance of helpful information, courses, and videos available. And while this can be great for building knowledge, it often creates a new problem—overwhelm.

The information is fragmented. It’s generic and not tailored to your life. And most importantly, it doesn’t help you confidently decide what to do next.

This often leaves people feeling stuck—unsure which options are right for them, and lacking the confidence to take action.

What Is Financial Coaching?

This is exactly where Financial Coaching can help.

Financial Coaching gives you the opportunity to speak with a qualified financial expert, who can provide unbiased guidance and support, personalised to your circumstances.

The aim is to empower you with the knowledge and the confidence to take control of managing your own finances in a way that optimises your life and helps you achieve your dreams.

Financial Coaching helps you:

• Get clear on your personal financial situation and what you’re looking to achieve.

• Understand all the financial options you have available to you.

• Build a plan combining the most important things in your life, both now and in the future, with a strong financial foundation to help you get there.

  
  

There are no specific product recommendations, income and/or savings eligibility you need to meet to access the service, or someone else managing your money on your behalf. You stay in control.

Why This Matters to Me

It’s for this exact reason that I chose to become a financial coach.

In my experience, too many people are left trying to figure this out on their own—unsure where to turn for support, and often putting off sorting their finances until it becomes something they wish they had addressed sooner.

I’ve seen the difference that talking about money can make.

When people feel confident and empowered with their finances, it changes everything. They stop second-guessing their decisions. They stop wondering if they’re doing the right thing. And instead of looking back with regret, they move forward with clarity and control.

That’s what financial coaching is about.

Not just making sense of your money—but using it as a tool to build the life you actually want.

If this resonates with you, and you’re looking for someone to talk things through with, financial coaching could be a great place to start.