Financial
Roadmap
A clear, personalised path to your financial goals.
20 June, 2018
Getting the Most out of Retirement Living
First Financial Team
We all want our retirement years to be fulfilling and stress-free. But if you’re having to count the pennies every week, those years begin to feel very different. A retirement plan will help alleviate that worry.
Seek financial support
With the support of an expert financial planner, you can create a roadmap to retirement.
Or you may already be in retirement but struggling to manage financially.
Whatever your starting point, an adviser can work with you to reassess your financial circumstances and deliver a plan that will provide you…
…with income for the rest of your life.
Start planning early
Too often people equate retirement with a drop in income. But this doesn’t have to be the case.
Everyone is different which means spending requirements will be different for each person too.
And the earlier you start planning, the more opportunity there is to make the best use of existing income and plan ahead.
Planning ahead means more opportunities to accumulate wealth along the way.
How to start?
Being ready for retirement is not just about money. It’s important to think about how you’re going to fill in your day.
What do you want to achieve and do during the years ahead?
You need to be informed and educated and that takes time.
The earlier you start the conversation about retirement, the better informed you’ll be.
And not just in terms of your investment options and finances, but in terms of your personal goals and your own lifestyle roadmap.
Five steps to success
Our five-step approach to setting a plan in place means we take the time to uncover your individual circumstances and goals which then form the foundation for a tailor-made plan.
Our Discovery session helps uncover your goals and aspirations. In our Fact Find session, we delve deeper into your current situation and financial position.
Next we assess and compare appropriate strategies and develop a dynamic, intensive and actionable plan that best suits your needs. Only once you’re happy with the plan do we begin the implementation process, making sure you understand exactly what is happening with your money.
The strong relationship we build with our clients through this approach means we continue to work in partnership. It’s important for us to stay in communication with you regularly.
Retire life ready
For us ‘retire life ready’ means working with you to ensure that, on retirement, you’re ready for the life ahead.
It means you retire with confidence, knowing you have a plan that best suits your needs and will deliver income for the lifestyle you choose.
Most importantly, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re working with someone who has your best interests at heart.
It’s never too early to start planning for your retirement, so get in touch and start the conversation with us today! Read more Retirement Planning articles.
YOUR FINANCIAL JOUNEY
Building your financial future
Every client journey begins with a conversation. We look closely at where you are now, what matters to you, and what’s possible. Then we structure our advice to match.
Financial
Tax
Efficiency
Proactive strategies to maximise your tax savings.
Personalised
Investing
Tailored plans aligned with your goals and risk profile.
Ongoing
Support
Regular guidance to keep your plan on track.
CLIENT STORY
Jan
Life Stage:
Retired
Background:
Jan's husband managed the finances until entering aged care. Jan gradually stepped into the financial picture with First Financial’s support.
- Needed financial guidance after business sale
- Lacked experience managing complex finances
- Sought consistent income and long-term structure
- Wanted a familiar, reliable relationship
- Provided long-term support through several transitions
- Helped structure income reliably for retirement
- Empowered Jan through education and reassurance
- Delivered calm advice through both grief and growth
“The money just comes in. I don’t have to think about it. And I know they’re always there. They’ve always been there in the background, just quietly making things work.”
CLIENT STORY
Tim and Adam
Life Stage:
Early retirement and working professional
Background:
When Tim received an overseas medical settlement, he and Adam had just 14 days left in a 90-day window. They needed clear guidance, fast. A referral led them to First Financial.
- Only two weeks left to meet urgent legal and financial deadlines
- Wanted to preserve capital while setting up income for the future
- Needed a plan that supported both retirement and ongoing work
- Hoped to find advice that felt personal, not transactional
- Managed every moving piece, from legal documents to super rollovers
- Designed a strategy that supported both Tim’s retirement and Adam’s career
- Offered clear guidance with steady follow-through, with no stress or pressure
- Built in ethical investing and flexibility, without sacrificing performance
“We’re in totally different life stages, but First Financial built a strategy that supports us both. From urgent legal steps to ethical investing, they handled every detail with calm, care, and real expertise. It’s financial freedom without compromise, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
CLIENT STORY
Larry and Virginia
Life Stage:
Newly retired
Background:
As retirement neared, Larry and Virginia were ready to enjoy travel, family, and freedom, without uncertainty. A friend recommended First Financial, and from the first meeting, they had a clear plan, a safety net, and people they trusted.
- Wanted to travel and enjoy retirement without second-guessing finances
- Needed a structured income plan with buffers for the unexpected
- Valued guidance that felt honest and human, not overcomplicated
- Needed people they could call and count on
- Created a reliable income stream with a set-aside safety net for the unexpected
- Gave them the freedom to travel and spend meaningfully with family
- Kept advice simple, thoughtful, and tailored to what mattered to them
- Built a lasting partnership based on trust
“We’ve travelled the world, Europe, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, without once stressing about the money. They made everything feel simple and gave us the confidence to live well. We feel secure because we know exactly where we stand, and that peace of mind means everything.”
CLIENT STORY
Lyn
Life Stage:
Retired widow
Background:
Lyn stepped into financial management for the first time after her husband's passing. With patience and care, First Financial supported her through grief, learning, and empowerment.
- Had never managed finances before
- Was overwhelmed after her husband’s passing
- Needed plain-English explanations and patience
- Sought emotional support and practical clarity
- Offered caring, respectful advice at her pace
- Rebuilt confidence with diagrams, stories, and reassurance
- Supported gradual decision-making around retirement
- Remained a trusted constant through major transitions
“After my husband passed, I was completely unsure where to start. First Financial gave me the space to learn, to ask questions, to grow confident. They drew a diagram that I still have. And now, I sleep well at night knowing I’ve got someone in my corner.”
CLIENT STORY
John
Life Stage:
Retired business owner
Background:
After decades of running a successful pharmacy, John sought financial guidance to simplify decision-making and support long-term planning.
- Navigated the sale of a long-held business
- Wanted simple, honest advice after burnout
- Needed a hands-on adviser he could talk to
- Desired financial guidance aligned with lifestyle goals
- Crafted a strategy that supports relaxed, post-work life
- Offered approachable, plain-English advice
- Maintained an ongoing, trustworthy relationship
- Provided flexibility with investments and cash flow
“I feel genuinely supported by First Financial. I can ask anything, and there’s no pressure, just clear advice and real care. The money’s growing, I’m not stressed about it, and I feel completely at ease for the first time. I don’t miss work, but I’d miss the support I get from First Financial.”
CLIENT STORY
Graeme and Craig
Life Stage:
Retired and semi-retired
Background:
Referred by friends helped through aged care, Craig sought secure financial guidance after inheriting funds.
- Invest inheritance securely without high risk
- Maintain a modest lifestyle with confidence
- Building trust for someone new to advice
- Accessible, personalised advice
- Provided a low-risk strategy with regular income
- Reassured with steady, market-aware updates
- Established trust through responsiveness and warmth
- Delivered calm, expert support through all transitions
“We feel very secure with First Financial, the income just comes in, and we know everything is being looked after. It’s not just safe, it’s smart. We’ve recommended them to others because we genuinely believe in the team.”
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