MOVING out of full lockdown last month began our journey towards a more normal life. It was a long time coming.

We can now travel to see family and friends, dine out, go shopping in town or take a trip to the gym or pool.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the amazing scientists around the world who developed the life saving vaccines against Covid-19 and the NHS professionals who've been rolling it out.

We'll find out this week if lockdown will ease further. It's expected Scotland will move to level 2 from next Monday - with further easing of the rules planned throughout June - assuming all goes well.

While this is fantastic news it's important to remember that a return to our new normal also signals an end to Covid-19 financial support and legal protections.

For example, if Scotland does move to level 2 next Monday the temporary ban on enforcing evictions against tenants and repossessions against homeowners is scheduled to come to an end.

Other protections run until the end of September. That includes the extended six-month eviction notice period for tenants in arrears with their rent, and the six month "debt moratorium" period - which places a freeze on debt enforcement action if you register an application with the Accountant in Bankruptcy.

The coronavirus job retention scheme is due to end in September too. The latest figures show 11.5m people have been helped during the pandemic, with some 4.2m workers still furloughed in the UK.

The furlough scheme will begin to taper down from the summer. From July only 70% of wages up to £2,187 pm will be covered and employers will have to pay 10% towards hours not worked.

From August only 60% of wages will be eligible for furlough up to £1,875 pm and employers will need to cover 20% of hours not worked. Sadly, this may nudge more businesses into looking at cost saving measures including staff redundancies.

Ultimately, much of the pandemic's economic impact on household finances has been shielded through government support schemes and Covid-19 legal protections.

When all of this support and protection ends serious financial problems will crystallise for many Scots and people will be at risk from debt enforcement.

With that in mind, Govan Law Centre (GLC) is launching a free online resource today for anyone in Scotland to navigate money worries and take steps to avoid problems later this year.

At debtnavigator.scot you can ask questions on any money worries through a chat box and find answers instantly with practical guidance and information.

The new site is fully secure, and you can chat to qualified money advisers and solicitors every weekday for free if you live or work in Scotland.

The service is funded by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

If an online adviser can't resolve your worries and you live or work in Glasgow, GLC or another Glasgow advice agency can take on your case for free.

For those outwith Glasgow in need of free advice or representation debtnavigator.scot advisers will endeavour to hook you up with a local advice agency.

If you're struggling with money you can find out all of the options available to you - including informal debt solutions, as well as statutory ones such as accessing the debt arrangement scheme or where appropriate sequestration or a protected trust deed.

Regaining control of household finances is essential, as it understanding how to deal appropriately with priority and non-priority debts.

If you're worried about losing your home as a tenant or homeowner there are different options available to you to prevent, defend or stop any eviction or mortgage repossession.

Help with managing council tax arrears, how to get reductions and discounts, and avoid debt enforcement are explained in simple terms. Likewise, solutions are provided if household gas and electricity bill are too high, as well as rights to pre-payment meters and other benefits.

If can no longer afford a car finance agreement you can explore what might be your best option, such as voluntary surrender or voluntary termination or a time order under the 1974 Consumer Credit Act.

If payday lenders or creditors are hoovering money out of your current account leaving you with nothing to live on, there are remedies available to fix that.

If you're being pursued under a credit agreement or guarantor loan you may have more solutions than simply accepting a demand for the full sum with punitive administration charges and expenses.

If you're worried about money the first step towards peace of mind is reaching out for help.

You can do that easily by visiting www.debtnavigator.scot and speaking in strict confidence to a free and qualified money adviser from the comfort of your home.

If in doubt, please reach out.