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19 April, 2022
How a personal financial adviser can make a difference in your life
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Some of the information in this article may be out of date.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.
The 2021 Financial Advice Report produced by research firm Investment Trends states that approximately 1.8 million Australians currently receive professional financial advice. At around 7% of the population, that is quite a small number when you consider just how helpful a financial adviser can be.
From managing investments, superannuation and retirement planning, to saving for a home, covering education costs or medical expenses… keeping on top of your finances can seem pretty overwhelming. But with a professional offering guidance and recommending useful strategies, you can comfortably set and achieve your financial goals.
Today we take a look at some of the ways a personal financial adviser can make a difference in your life and help you make the most of what you have.
Reach your financial goals
When you see a personal financial adviser, one of the first areas of discussion should be your financial goals. Do you have specific objectives you want to achieve? How are you working towards them? Do you have a plan in place that will help you reach them?
While having a plan is a solid start, you need to make sure that the plan suits your personal circumstances and is based on your earning potential and lifestyle needs. These two things can change significantly over time… so your strategy should be able to adjust according to your situation.
Your adviser will go through every facet of your life and help you make sure that your goals are suitable and achievable. Together you will formulate a plan that clearly outlines how you will reach your targets. But you will also work in partnership to alter the plan when your life changes.
Give you back your time
Another area that a financial adviser can really make a difference is by saving you time and energy. How many hours do you think it would take for you to try and navigate intricate wealth management strategies or work out how to maximise your superannuation?
A professional adviser has all that knowledge readily available, and their specialist training is designed to support you… rather than make you do all the leg work.
Of course you’ll need to spend time with them in meetings for them to learn about your needs, but once they understand your financial position and have a clear sense of your goals, they will be able to do the bulk of the complex financial planning work – leaving you to enjoy your days and have peace of mind that your wealth is well-managed.
Keep you on track
People who are left to follow a plan on their own often fall by the wayside… but when you partner with a personal financial adviser, they are there to keep you on track.
If something changes in your life – like you lose your job or separate from your partner, your adviser is there to discuss how it might impact your financial security. Having their professional input can provide you with much needed confidence when you feel uneasy about your future.
Plus, their insight can offer you relief during investment market fluctuations or instability. Your advisor is someone who knows your personal situation and can help you navigate the uncertainty with sound advice and professional assurance.
Talk to us today
Here at First Financial, our team of Financial Advisers can help support you now and well into the future. We have a unique client-first approach, and the relationships we cultivate with our clients are solid and not influenced by a corporate mentality.
Our size and scale allow us to respond to industry changes quickly and deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients. If you’d like to discuss your current financial situation, please contact us today.
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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
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
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
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
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.”
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