Time to play the predictions game

New Year is often a time to reset, to put some energy into plans for the next 12 months – and to have a bit of fun with some headlines. We asked some YourLifeChoices friends to play the game.

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Noel Whittaker, personal finance guru, author and boss of noel.whittaker.com.au

The headline I’d like to see in 2023

Government announces investigation into the feasibility of small nuclear power plants

The headline I won’t see in 2023

Borrowers with mortgage insurance allowed to transfer their loan to a similar lender without paying a second mortgage insurance fee

Something I did in 2022 that I won’t do again

21 November was a memorable day. It was our 42nd wedding anniversary. We were reminiscing about all that had happened and I went to the garage. As I left, I tripped and fell and fractured my left ankle. I also fainted. The ambulance came and took me to hospital where I was assessed with a fracture and booked in for surgery the next day.

The surgery was done and I was able to go home on the 23rd. That was the week we had planned to go to Sydney on business, enjoy our anniversary and then spend the weekend at Noosa.

All those plans were gone in a flash. Instead of buying nice meals, I was buying things like a wheelchair, a walking frame and a commode.

To make it worse I was not allowed to walk on my left foot for two weeks, which meant I was immobile. Couldn’t even walk up and down steps.

I never want to repeat that again. But it did give me a new awareness of how we should treasure the everyday things we never think about – like walking, driving, having a shower and playing sport. It’s when you lose them you know how special they are.

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Camille Schmidt, SuperRatings market insights manager

The headline I’d like to see in 2023

Super funds on track for a stellar year as economic conditions improve

The headline I won’t see in 2023

Volatile investment markets are behind us

Something I did in 2022 that I won’t do again

Move house! This is always a monumental and exhausting undertaking and I’m nicely settled now, with no plans to move anytime soon.

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Kate Roberts, physiotherapist and PhD candidate at Sydney University

The headline I’d like to see in 2023

Exercise uptake is on the rise as back pain and medication use plummet

The headline I won’t see in 2023

Groundbreaking research finds that sitting for endless hours is good for you

Something I did in 2022 that I won’t do again

I taught my nine-year-old how to water-ski! Thankfully, I won’t have to do it again. It was a long time coming and she was a little reluctant, but now all three of my children water-ski.

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Paul Versteege, policy manager for the Combined Superannuants and Pensioners Association

The headline I’d like to see in 2023

$1 million cost-of-living bonus for every pensioner

The headline I won’t see in 2023

Same as headline I’d like to see really, but alternatively, Pension indexation to go monthly

Something I did in 2022 that I won’t do again

Shop for groceries without wearing a mask. I got COVID and was very sick. Only for two days, but I’m a pussycat.

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Leon Della Bosca, YourLifeChoices publisher

Headline I’d like to see in 2023

Australia avoids recession, cost of living returns to pre-pandemic levels

Headline you won’t see in 2023

Australia avoids recession, cost of living returns to pre-pandemic levels

What you did in 2022 that you won’t do again in 2023

I was the sickest I’ve ever been in 2022. I staved off COVID right up until the end of July but then copped it. Wasn’t so bad. Floored me for a day or so. I should have had 12 weeks of immunity by all accounts. No, I got it again in late September and again in early November. In between, I had a couple of colds and a nasty stomach bug.

Maybe this is wishful thinking, or a case of the ‘headline I won’t see in 2023’ but I won’t be as sick in 2023 as I was in 2022!

Graham Hand, editor at large, FirstLinks

The headline I’d like to see in 2023

Equity fund managers admit they can’t protect capital in a falling market

The headline I won’t see in 2023

Crypto replaces all other currencies for global transactions

Something I did in 2022 that I won’t do again

Play six games in six days in a masters football competition and tear my hamstring in the final game. 

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John Deeks, YourLifeChoices podcast host and media personality

The headline I’d like to see in 2023

Collingwood wins AFL grand final

The headline I won’t see in 2023

Collingwood wins AFL grand final

Something I did in 2022 that I won’t do again

Predict Collingwood to win the AFL grand final.

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Ellie Baxter, YourLifeChoices travel editor

The headline I’d like to see

Five best and affordable luxury travel destinations close to Australia

The headline you won’t see in 2023

Boomers accept that house prices are out of control when inflation is taken into account

Something I did in 2022 that I won’t do again

I went to the Balinese island Nusa Lembongan. The island itself is fantastic (just make sure you take cash as no ATMs on the island were working while I was there). Travelling from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan with a ferry company called D’Camel Fast Ferry should have taken 30 minutes but it was five hours before we reached our accommodation. The transfer involved a long walk (with suitcases), wading to and from the ferry and standing in the hot sun for an hour. All part of the adventure? Needless to say, I won’t be travelling with D’Camel Fast Ferry again!

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What’s something you did in 2022 that you’ll never do again? Why not share it in the comments section below?

Janelle Ward
Janelle Wardhttp://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/author/janellewa
Energetic and skilled editor and writer with expert knowledge of retirement, retirement income, superannuation and retirement planning.
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