Lachlan Schonfelder Financial Advisor

17/02/2026

Happy New Lunar Year

16/02/2026

What defines a genuinely good financial adviser
Professionally, strong advisers tend to show a few consistent traits:

Technical depth — mastery of retirement modelling, tax integration, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Client‑centred communication — the ability to translate complexity into clarity without dumbing things down.

Operational discipline — clean processes, consistent follow‑through, and reliable service delivery.

Ethical backbone — transparent fees, conflict‑aware advice, and long‑term stewardship.

Strategic thinking — the ability to see both the client’s immediate needs and their long‑range trajectory.

Get to know our expert team offering proactive financial advice across Melbourne. Strategic insight. Personal service.” Proactive investment strategies

04/02/2026

As 2026 unfolds, precious metals continue to warrant close attention.

Gold’s combination of defensive characteristics and upside optionality remains compelling amid falling rates, persistent geopolitical risk and ongoing central bank diversification.

It offers a rare portfolio ballast at a time when traditional diversifiers face uncertain efficacy.

Silver, while supported by structural industrial demand and monetary spillovers from gold, comes with elevated volatility, which calls for patience and discipline.

Silver’s entry points are best guided by valuation metrics such as the gold‑silver ratio.

Gold and silver can play complementary roles within diversified portfolios designed to manage risk while preserving long‑term return potential.

Investment Advisory Melbourne, best advice, growth and protect your assets.

07/01/2026

☀️ How to Survive a Heatwave:

A Practical, No Nonsense Guide.

🧊 1. Stay Out of the Heat When You Can
• Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day — usually mid afternoon.
• WHO notes that temperatures in direct sun can be 10–15°C hotter than the shade WHO.
• If you must exercise or work outdoors, aim for early morning (around 4–7am) when it’s coolest WHO.

💧 2. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job
• Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty.
• Avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine — they dehydrate you.
• Keep a bottle with you at all times.

🏠 3. Keep Your Home Cool
• Close blinds and curtains early in the day.
• Use fans and air conditioning if available.
• Move to the coolest room in the house, especially at night WHO.
• If your home can’t stay cool, spend 2–3 hours in an air conditioned public place (shopping centre, library, cinema) WHO.

🥵 4. Know the Signs of Heat Related Illness
NSW Health emphasises watching for symptoms like:
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Rapid heartbeat
• Confusion or fainting
If you notice these in yourself or someone else, seek medical help immediately.

🐶 5. Protect Children, Older Adults & Pets
• Never leave kids or animals in parked cars — even for a minute.
• Check in on elderly neighbours or relatives.
• Make sure pets have shade and plenty of water.

🧥 6. Dress for the Weather
• Wear loose, light coloured clothing.
• Use hats and sunscreen when outdoors.
• Avoid heavy fabrics that trap heat.

🧯 7. Plan Ahead
The Climate Council stresses that heatwaves are becoming longer and more intense due to climate change Climate Council.
• Check forecasts and heatwave warnings.
• Prep meals that don’t require cooking.
• Freeze water bottles to use as ice packs.
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⚠️ Risks & What to Watch Out For

• Heatwaves can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke — all potentially life threatening.
• Vulnerable groups (older adults, infants, people with chronic illness) are at higher risk.
• Consecutive days above 40°C, like those forecast for parts of Victoria, significantly increase danger levels.

Investment advisory, nimble and proactive, goals based investment advice, superannuation advice and risk managment advice. Melbourne.

29/12/2025

As we close out another year and step into the next, it’s worth pausing to reflect. Have you moved closer to the goals and objectives that matter most to you?

And just as importantly—have you been guided by advice from a trusted investment expert who understands your bigger picture?

If not, now is the perfect moment to reset, refocus, and ensure the year ahead is built on clarity, confidence, and smart strategy.

https://schonfelder.com.au/wealth-creation/

Send a message to learn more

09/12/2025

Silver is entering a historic supply crunch.

In 2025, the market faces a 117.7-million-ounce deficit as industrial demand from solar, EVs, and electronics surges while mine supply stagnates.

By 2026, central banks and institutions are expected to increase reserves, amplifying scarcity. Prices already broke $57/oz in 2025, reflecting this imbalance.

With declining ore grades and limited new projects, supply cannot catch up. For long-term investors, silver offers both defensive stability and growth potential.

👉 Act now: secure silver in your portfolio before the market fully prices in this structural shift.

https://schonfelder.com.au/investor-directed-portfolio/

03/12/2025

🚨 Prostate Cancer Risk Is Real — Protect Yourself Today
Over 50,000 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2024–2025, and nearly 4,000 will die in 2025【source: Cancer Australia / PCFA】.

Public system delays mean longer waits for biopsies, surgery, and radiotherapy — especially in regional areas.

For aggressive cancers, even a 3–6 month delay can reduce survival rates.

💰 Treatment in the private system can cost $20,000–$50,000, with out-of-pocket gaps adding financial stress when families need support most.

Your Safety Net: Crisis Trauma Insurance

A lump sum payout on diagnosis of major illnesses like prostate cancer, heart attack, or stroke gives you the financial strength to:

Cover surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy costs

Replace lost income during recovery

Protect your family’s lifestyle and security

👉 Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you’re over 50, the risk is high — and the costs are real.

Secure Crisis Trauma Insurance today and face tomorrow’s challenges with confidence.

Financial advisory Melbourne, Albert Park, East Melbourne, South Yarra, Prahan, Brighton, Toorak, Malvern, Fitzroy, Carlton, St Kilda Road, Richmond.

23/11/2025

The importance of life and income insurance and the value of qualified advice.

When we think about financial planning, we often focus on budgeting, investing, and saving for retirement. But what about protecting the very income that allows us to build those savings in the first place?

Life and income protection insurance are essential components of a well-rounded financial plan, helping you and your loved ones maintain financial security in the face of unexpected events such as illness, injury, or death. These insurances act as a financial safety net—yet they are often misunderstood, undervalued, or overlooked altogether.

This is where your financial adviser becomes an invaluable asset. Navigating the complexities of insurance products, understanding your risks, and selecting cover that aligns with your lifestyle and goals is not something most people can or should do alone.

When we think about financial planning, we often focus on budgeting, investing, and saving for retirement. But what about protecting the very income that allows us to build those savings in the first place? Life and income protection insurance are essential components of a well-rounded financial pla...

19/11/2025

A generational guide to minimising tax throughout life.

Tax isn’t just a yearly chore — it’s a lifelong consideration. From your first job to retirement, understanding how to manage your tax obligations can make a significant difference to your financial well-being.

Each stage of life presents unique opportunities to legally minimise tax, and the guidance of a qualified Accountant and Financial Adviser can turn those opportunities into long-term financial advantages.

Tax isn’t just a yearly chore — it’s a lifelong consideration. From your first job to retirement, understanding how to manage your tax obligations can make a significant difference to your financial well-being. Each stage of life presents unique opportunities to legally minimise tax, and the g...

18/11/2025

Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) checklist

A Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) offers individuals more control over their retirement savings, but it comes with significant responsibilities.

This checklist outlines key considerations and requirements to help ensure compliance and effective fund management.

A Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) offers individuals more control over their retirement savings, but it comes with significant responsibilities. This checklist outlines key considerations and requirements to help ensure compliance and effective fund management. Understanding Responsibilities As an SM...