Money Conversations That Actually Make Sense
Because your family's financial future shouldn't feel like a mystery
Look, we get it. Financial planning sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry. But here's the thing—when you're trying to figure out how to pay for your kid's braces, save for that beach house you've been dreaming about, and somehow retire before you're eighty, you need someone who speaks human.
That's where we come in. Since early 2018, we've been sitting down with families across Canberra and beyond, having real conversations about money without the jargon that makes your eyes glaze over. We're not here to sell you complicated investment products you don't understand. We're here to help you figure out what actually matters to your family and build a plan that fits your life.
Meet Lachlan Thorburn
Founder & Financial Planner
I started qalyntheros after spending years in corporate finance wondering why financial advice had to feel so... corporate. My wife and I were expecting our first child, and suddenly all those theoretical scenarios became very real. How do you balance saving for education with enjoying life now? What happens if something goes wrong?
Those kitchen table conversations shaped everything about how we work today. I wanted to create a practice where families could ask the "dumb" questions (there aren't any, by the way), admit they're scared about money, and get practical help without feeling judged.
Between sessions, you'll find me at the local footy matches or attempting to teach my kids about compound interest using their pocket money. They're not impressed, but I'm hopeful.
What Guides Our Work
These aren't just nice words on a website. They're the principles we come back to when making decisions about how we serve families.
Plain English Always
If you don't understand something we've said, that's on us, not you. We translate financial speak into actual words you'd use with your mates at a barbecue.
Your Family, Your Goals
What works for the Johnsons next door might not work for you. We build plans around your actual priorities, not some textbook ideal of what a family "should" want.
Honest About Limitations
We can't predict the market, guarantee returns, or promise that everything will go perfectly. What we can do is help you prepare for different scenarios and adjust as life happens.
How We Got Here
From kitchen table conversations to helping families across the region
2018
The Beginning
Started with five client families who were willing to take a chance on a different approach to financial planning. Most of them are still with us today, which either means we're doing something right or they're just really loyal people.
2020
The Pandemic Pivot
Moved all our sessions online during lockdowns and discovered that video calls can work pretty well for financial planning. Some clients still prefer meeting this way, especially when they're in their pyjama pants.
2022
Growing the Practice
Opened our Griffith office and started hosting quarterly family finance workshops. Turns out lots of people appreciate learning about money in a group where everyone's asking the same questions they've been too embarrassed to ask.
2025
Today
We're working with over eighty families now, and every single one has a different story, different challenges, and different dreams. That's exactly how we like it.
How We Actually Work
Skip the sales pitch. Here's what it's really like to work with us, including the bits that might not be glamorous but matter a lot.
What to Expect
First Conversations Are Free
We meet for about forty-five minutes to see if we're a good fit. You tell us what's keeping you up at night financially, we explain how we might help, and nobody's under pressure to commit to anything.
We Dig Into Details
Yeah, we need to see your bank statements and know how much you're spending on takeaway. It can feel a bit vulnerable, but we can't build a realistic plan without understanding your actual situation, not the version you wish was true.
Plans That Flex
Life changes. Kids decide they want to go to uni interstate. Parents need care. You get a promotion or lose a job. We build plans expecting they'll need adjusting, and we check in regularly to make sure we're still on track.
Education, Not Just Execution
We want you to understand why we're recommending what we're recommending. Some of our best sessions happen when clients push back and ask "but why can't we just..." because it means they're engaged and thinking.
Ready for a Real Conversation?
No obligation, no pressure. Just an honest chat about where you are and where you'd like to be. We'll be straight with you about whether we can help.