But the help that is most needed now is for overwhelmed state, local and nonprofit agencies that counsel beleaguered homeowners on how to renegotiate loans and how to get free or low-cost advice on tax and legal issues.
The change is intended to simplify the registration process and make it cheaper for such companies to provide low-cost advice "to the huge number of Americans who will approach retirement in the next 20 years," said Harvey L. Pitt, the agency's departing chairman.
There is also a plethora of no-cost and low-cost advice and information available via UKTI, says Ed Salt, managing director at Cheshire-based Dexports Dairy, which exports goat's and cow's milk products to China via an agent in Hong Kong.
And she isn't the only trainer lending free or low-cost advice online; many offer mini workouts or tips on www.exercisetv.tv.
If you're looking for the lowest-cost advice possible, you should be aware that the quality of service is also likely to be lower.
While the financial services industry spends millions lobbying the provisions, the robo-advisers (technology based advice providers) are growing by leaps and bounds -- providing unbiased, low-cost advice to retirement plan investors.
A reputable credit counseling agency can provide you with free or low-cost advice on how to manage your debt, and they can help you prepare a budget to get your finances under control.
The cost of advice from lawyers and accountants would be a dead-weight loss if your net worth is under the $3.5 million estate tax exemption.
The rules, which follow the FSA's retail distribution review (RDR) and come into effect on 31 December, are designed to make the cost of advice more transparent.
At the end of the year, following the FSA's retail distribution review (RDR), new rules will make the cost of advice more transparent and help consumers have a better understanding of what kind of service they are being offered.
