However, the danger for many is that they fall prey to the quick sell from adverts for payday loan firms. Around a million people in Britain use short-term loan companies every year and more than 10,000 are from Glasgow, so it is vital that these consumers are properly protected.
Payday loans can offer a useful, short-term, way for people to borrow money. However, there are multiple problems within the industry.
Companies do not share enough information on borrowers and this allows people to take out multiple loans in a single day which they can't afford to repay.
There are also problems with lenders allowing borrowers to "roll-over" loans which allows the interest pay-ments to get out of hand.
Glasgow City Council's announcement last week that it will block adverts from around 100 payday loan websites on all its computers is a welcome step in reigning in the industry.
This will protect around 20,000 council employees and the thousands of members of the public who use computers in the city's libraries every day.
It is an important first step, but thankfully the UK Government has recognised that much tougher protection must be put in place to better protect the consumer.
My colleagues in the Westminster government have announced the creation of a new body to oversee the industry, with strong powers to crack down on any companies who do not obey the rules.
Language used by companies in adverts is to be more tightly controlled, which should hopefully see an end to misleading or irresponsible phrases such as "Instant Cash" and "No Questions Asked".
The number of TV adverts each company can run is likely to be limited and will have to show the interest rate more clearly.
Companies will also have to share information on applications to prevent people talking out multiple loans which they cannot afford.
Fifty of the largest lenders have been given 12 weeks to clean up their act and when the new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) comes into force in April next year, they will have the power to cap interest rates.
In the longer term, the new authority will have the power to impose unlimited fines on companies who mislead customers and to force companies to return money to customers who have been mistreated.
The FCA will also scrutinise firms entering the market to ensure that only firms which treat borrowers fairly are allowed to trade.
Such a wide package of measures, along with the initiative announced by local bodies such as Glasgow City Council, will help to protect consumers in the future.
People should have the freedom to access short-term loans when they need to, but with clear and transparent terms and conditions.
We must allow people to access credit when they need it but it must be fair credit.
