Financial
Roadmap
A clear, personalised path to your financial goals.
23 October, 2025
Roel Burghouwt – Financial Planner – Certified Financial Planner® Bachelor of Business Administration
First Financial Team
When people first meet me, they often say, “I just want to know that I’ll be okay.”
And that’s really what financial planning is about, peace of mind. Whether you’re five years from finishing work or already thinking about what comes next, I help you step into retirement with a clear plan and the confidence that you will be okay.
Retirement isn’t just about finishing work. It’s about changing how you live, think about money, and what gives your life meaning. I specialise in helping people through this transition, turning years of saving and investing into a reliable, sustainable income so you can enjoy the next chapter without financial headaches.
Many of my clients are professionals or business owners approaching retirement. They’ve worked hard and want to make sure they’re making wise choices now that will support the lifestyle they’ve imagined.
Making sense of domestic and international monetary news
There’s a lot of noise in the finance world. Constant news headlines, market updates, and economic predictions. It’s easy to get caught up in what might happen and lose sight of what matters. In our meetings, I use interactive financial models to show different scenarios. A market downturn or a change in interest rates impacts your plan. Seeing it visually helps bring the conversation back to a personal and practical level. Together, we look beyond the headlines to focus on what’s truly within your control: your goals, spending, and investment strategy.
My approach is calm and methodical. Good advice shouldn’t add stress; it should simplify your position and give you confidence in your decisions.
Long-term relationships are important
Over the years, I’ve learned that financial advice is about people, not products. The relationship between client and advisor is what makes the real difference. Some of my proudest moments have been helping clients transition from work into retirement, knowing they’re financially secure. I love hearing from them later, stories about overseas holidays, family milestones, or simply the joy of living without that lingering financial worry.
As one client said, “Roel has this calm, methodical way of showing you exactly where your money will take you.”
That’s the best feedback I could ask for.
Why I chose financial planning
My path into this career wasn’t linear. Back in the Netherlands, I wrote a marketing thesis for a bank, and it sparked something in me, the idea that money isn’t just numbers on a page; it’s about people’s lives. When I later moved to Australia, I tried to make sense of the superannuation system. I joined the financial advice industry shortly after, just before the Global Financial Crisis. That experience taught me early on how important it is to stay grounded during uncertainty.
Since joining First Financial in 2010 and stepping into advice in 2012, I’ve focused on helping clients see through the noise and make informed choices about their financial future.
Bringing clarity to the table
My goal is for clients not to worry about money. If something’s keeping them up at night, I want them to know they can pick up the phone and call me. I use plain language, visual tools, and a logical structure to help clients see what’s possible, whether that’s more travel, supporting family, or simply ensuring they’ll have enough to live comfortably for decades to come.
Sometimes, good advice isn’t about saying no; it’s about helping people see the consequences of their choices so they can make decisions with clarity.
A balanced life
Outside of work, I’m a dad, a cycling enthusiast, and a bit of a coach at heart. Whether guiding clients or cheering my kids on, I bring the same steady rhythm, practical, grounded, and always focused on progress. Financial planning isn’t just about wealth; it’s about well-being. It’s about knowing that the life you’ve worked so hard for is secure, and that you can enjoy it, fully and freely.
Talk to the retirement specialists
Want financial advice that’s clear, practical, and built around what matters most to you? Contact our team today.
Or, if you’re interested in building your career in financial advice alongside a supportive group of professionals, head to our careers page to see the opportunities available at First Financial.
Read more financial 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
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
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
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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