12 December, 2023

The gift of financial security

First Financial Team

Some of the information in this article may be out of date. We are currently in the process of updating our content to reflect FY26 details.

As sleighbells jingle and friends mingle with clinking champagne flutes this Christmas and New Year season, it’s important to remember that the most meaningful gift you can give yourself and your family can’t be wrapped in a box. The gift of financial security is something to savour not only today but throughout the holidays and every day for the rest of your life.

At First Financial, we are passionate about helping our clients retire with confidence and certainty. We offer customised plans to attain financial independence and security. Wealth, to us, is more than just monetary value. It’s the freedom to live life on your terms and the peace of mind that comes from ensuring wellbeing for you and your family both now and in the long term.

The true meaning of wealth

Financial security transcends finances alone. It unlocks a lifestyle aligned with personal values and aspirations. It empowers people to invest in meaningful experiences. True prosperity comes from creating a balanced, fulfilling life where you don’t have to worry about how you’ll finance the things you really want and need.

Life is inherently complex, and financial security acts as a buffer, enabling you to face challenges without the added weight of financial uncertainties. By alleviating stress and anxiety, it creates space to prioritise both mental and physical health.

Stable finances allow you to seize opportunities, explore new ventures and adapt to change without the hindrance of financial constraints. This flexibility not only opens doors to unforeseen possibilities but also enhances your ability to make sound financial decisions aligned with your personal values and future aspirations.

Investing in your future

Start investing in your future today by building your savings. They’re more than numbers in an account. Savings enhance your overall wealth and financial position. They provide a buffer for minimising debts, covering emergencies or realising long-held dreams like a family getaway or a fairytale wedding.

Long-term savings are investments. Successful investors craft, execute and oversee their plans. First Financial specialises in active investment management, offering market intelligence and sound financial advice. This equips you to make decisions aligned with your investment profile, personal ethics and goals.

Securing financial stability early in life is advantageous, but it’s particularly important when considering life after work. Retirement planning requires ensuring financial readiness to sustain your desired lifestyle long after you conclude your career. It’s never too early to start building wealth and preparing for a comfortable retirement.

Securing your legacy

Over the years, you have likely invested significantly in your financial security and your family. Now, it’s time to safeguard both for generations to come. You can fortify and protect the life you’ve built with good estate planning and insurance.

Estate planning is more than a will—it’s strategically deciding how your assets pass to beneficiaries. The process includes will writing, nominating executors and power of attorney, tax considerations, superannuation, businesses, trusts and dispute planning. We recommend that you consult a financial adviser for optimal execution.

Insurance plays a vital role in protecting your assets and securing the well-being of your loved ones.

At First Financial, our experts provide various insurance solutions, including life, business, trauma, income protection and total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance. We can help you ensure financial security and lifestyle maintenance in the face of life’s uncertainties.

A blueprint for the New Year

While financial security is the ultimate destination, it often requires a journey. If you haven’t devoted enough thought to this journey in recent years, it’s time to start. Commence the New Year with a blueprint for success. Begin by reflecting on the financial milestones, accomplishments and challenges of 2023, using these insights to inform your financial strategies for 2024.

Take a fresh look at your financial priorities. Are there new goals or adjustments to existing ones based on any changing circumstances? Reassessing your priorities ensures that your financial plan remains in alignment with your current needs and aspirations.

Finally, explore practical ways to enhance your financial efficiency in the New Year. This might include investigating investment opportunities, reviewing and optimising your budget and identifying areas where you can save and streamline expenses. It’s a good idea to discuss these strategies with your financial adviser to ensure a comprehensive and well-informed approach.

Talk to the experts in building wealth and financial security

Unlike your childhood requests to Santa for toys like the latest Barbie, a red BMX bike or a pony, set your heart on financial security not just for the festive season but for the year ahead. With the right guidance, careful planning and disciplined efforts, this objective is achievable for anyone.

Contact our experienced advisers at First Financial for expert guidance on financial planning, retirement planning, investment management and more.

Read more financial planning articles.

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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

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.”

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

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

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

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.”

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