Keep Calm and Carry On Into 2013
As you read this, it’s your first reason to celebrate the dawning of 2013 because despite all the doomy prophecies, the world did not end. And despite the war in Afghanistan, Middle Eastern strife, the US “fiscal cliff’’ and worries about the debt-laden European economy, our corner of the world here in Australia enjoys peace and prosperity.
There are many other reasons to look forward to 2013 with optimism.
Most important, despite the tragic past two years of my own life, when husband Olivier was a victim of advanced prostate cancer, cancer survival rates are higher than ever. Count how many of your friends have beaten cancer or are in remission?
Despite the fact that chronic disease is taking a greater toll with the ageing Baby Boomer population and the War Babies now into their 70s, we will live longer than our parents’ generation.
Consider that at the beginning of the 20th century, Australians had a life expectancy at birth of about 55 years for men and 59 years for women. Compare that with my wiry father born in England in 1918, who will celebrate his 95th birthday in 2013. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that his longevity will be no isolated case with men’s life expectancy at birth in 2008-10 to rise to an average of almost 80 years (79.5) while women’s will be 84.
Demographers are even predicting that achieving 100 will be the new 80! This means we have one of the longest life spans in the world and the capacity to enjoy a very long bucket list.
It depends on your age group, but if you’ve got a mortgage and that’s 35 per cent of all Australian households, you can look forward to even lower interest rates over the course of 2013. Most economists are tipping another 0.5 per cent down from the official cash rate now at 3 per cent. This will see the standard variable mortgage rate sitting at about 5.7 per cent saving homeowners with an average $300,000 mortgage about $35 a week. This prediction will not be greeted with the same “Hoorah’’ by retirees dependant on interest on their savings for their quality of life. After years of stagnant superannuation returns following the GFC, they have become dependant on healthy interest rates to boost their retirement income.
The housing market is likely to remain flat, giving first home buyers a chance to snap up affordable properties from vendors desperate to sell. Wise home-buyers will continue to stay in their homes unless forced by circumstances to move. Renovations are expected to continue to be buoyant and home builders, whose industry has been stagnant, will have an anxious wait to see if lower interest rates encourage new home buyers to sign building contracts. A slash in new first home buyer stamp duty of 30 per cent as in Victoria would stimulate the industry here in SA.
Whether we are Republicans or Monarchists, we will celebrate another royal baby early in the new year. We will soak up all the baby news in gossip magazines in the lead-up to the world’s most famous bub. Will it be a boy or girl? Who will it look like? If baby is a girl and looks like dad, then this will cause a frenzy of delight that bubs will resemble Princess Diana. And what will he/she be named? A contemporary name such as Harvey or Brendon or a more Royal Henry or Charles? What about Matilda for the Queen’s great grand-daughter? But my money is on Elizabeth Mary Anne. Whatever. It will bring a fun element for 2013.
On a more serious level, 2013 will bring both a State election in SA and a Federal election for us all. Then, after all the toxic rhetoric and fiery character attacks from both sides, it will be time for the People’s Choice after three years of a minority government with Australia’s first female Prime Minister at the helm. Whatever the pundits predict, it will be two unpopular leaders facing the electorate for judgement day, hopefully over performance and policies. It’s odds on the issues of the Carbon Tax (Gillard’s broken promise) and the flood of boat people arriving at our shores will be high on the Opposition’s pile of political ammunition. It will be intriguing to see if Julia Gillard can sustain her toxic personality attack on the character of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott through to a probable election in August.
Whatever surprises the New Year holds for us individually in our personal lives, keep in mind that famous British slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On Regardless’’.
Meanwhile, , I wish you a Happy New Year and that life treats you kindly.