So much to be grateful for
There’s a lot to be grateful for.
Another week, and 7 more days I’m grateful to be Jon Giaan, living Jon Giaan’s life.
I’m grateful I wasn’t bailed up in that Lindt café in Sydney, dwelling on the horrible reality that I might not see my loved ones again.
But I’m grateful too that I’m not affected any of the violence that rears it’s ugly head in 1000s of trouble-spots across the world. Today, I’m feeling for those parents who lost their kids in the school massacre in Afghanistan.
And I’m also grateful that I’m not some journalist being paid to whip tragedy into sensation, for papers crying crocodile tears over genuine loss – whatever sells.
I’m grateful that I actually have the space and freedom to write what I want – to throw my truth into the mix of contested truths. And I’m grateful that I can make a sport out of sinking the boot into our politicians and vested interests, without worrying about unmarked cars parked in front of my house, or heavy breaths on the phone at 1am.
I’m grateful that I live and do business in an economy that continues to be the envy of the world. Hockey’s attempts to ‘fix the budget’ (if it was ever broken) seem to be going backwards, but it could be worse.
We could be Russia, sliding towards another currency crisis.
The Russian ruble has fallen nearly 50% in the past couple of months, dropping off a cliff in recent days. This chart from Bloomberg tells the story.
This seems to have been driven by a collapse in oil prices – half of Russia’s exports come from energy – but there’s an air of the panics about all this.
As a result, the Russian central bank jacked up rates by a massive 6.5 percentage points, from 10.5% to 17% – overnight!
So now the poor Russian have an emerging currency crisis on their hands, together with European sanctions and now interest rates at 17%.
Watch this space. This could be one of the big stories of 2015.
But as always, it’s a good time to be an Aussie.
And I’m grateful I’m in the property game. Property continues to be a solid and steady performer, even through the most uncertain times.
It is quickly becoming the only safe-have on choice, as Gold struggles to pick itself up off the floor.
And 2014 was the year of the Bitcoin revolution – with market loyalists quickly stamping out the crypto-currency rebellion.
Bitcoin spiked in a bubble, but has since collapsed, to be the worst performing $US asset of the year – even worse than the Russian Ruble!
Australian property on the other hand, continues to be a star performer. House prices in Sydney have now risen 28% in the past 18 months.
And that’s something the state government of NSW will be extra grateful about. Stamp-duty revenues have gone through the roof. They’re up a whopping 85% over the past 18-months to $6.1 billion.
Yes that’s billion with a ‘b’. And that ‘b’ is why we’ll won’t be seeing the back of this stupid tax any-time soon. State governments are hooked on the stamp-duty sugar.
But don’t let me bring that Grinchy vibe to Christmas. The truth of it is, that for me, 2014 was a year well-lived.
The world might not be perfect, (never has been and probably never will be), but through it all, life has been very good to me.
I drank deeply of the company of my friends, families and loved one this year. I had the financial freedom to follow my passions, and throw energy into projects that really moved me – not just the ones that got my accountant salivating.
And at the end of the day, I think I left the world a better place than when I found it at the end of 2013. I hope that I’ve helped my students (and you) on the journey towards financial freedom. And I hope I’ve helped you get a better feel for where property fits in the economic landscape, and the forces that affect it.
And I hope that you’ve found something useful in my ramblings about success and psychology and the radical responsibility of determining your own future.
And even if you thought it was all a crock of shi$t, at least you have a firmer picture of what you know you know, right?
Anyway, I hope your year was as rewarding and as satisfying as mine was, and that you have just as many things to be grateful for. I hope you get some time to reflect on it, in the company of your loved ones, this Christmas.
Personally, I’ll be unplugging the lap-top and taking a bit of down time to do just that, and the Knowledge Source office will be off-line until Jan 12.
But we look forward to working with you all again in the new year.
Have a joyous and rich Christmas everyone.
Yours,
J.G
Felicity says
Best wishes to you and your family for the festive season Jon. Your “ramblings” are a refreshing breath of fresh air, full of interesting insights and angles that mainstream media just don’t cover. I always enjoy reading your blog.
Lecia Chapman says
Best wishes to you and your family for the Christmas period. I wish wonderful family times and safe travels. I look forward to your insights in 2015 and very much enjoyed the 2014 ones.
Helena says
Thanks for the informed maverick thinking throughout the year. I too have much to be grateful for, looking back on a year of joys and challenges risen to.
Richard says
Onya Jon. Have a good one!
Julie says
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas filled with memories that will last your lifetime and loved ones.
We are so grateful too!
Everyday I marvel at the life we have been given the opportunity to live, in freedom and have choices.
If we have minor problems I just say “You are not living in Syria” and gratitude floods my soul.
John from Perth says
We certainly live in the lucky country. We must remember it didn’t become the lucky country just through luck. It has taken a lot of hard work, sacrifice and a vision by our fore bearers to give us the type of country they wanted to create. It is time we got that sort of forward thinking back into our political system. We need to work to create the type of Australia that sets us apart from the rest of the world. It is good to be thankful for what we have but we shouldn’t be taking it for granted. We need to reward people that contribute and work to cut down on rorting of our very generous social welfare systems. An out of hand welfare system is the biggest threat to our way of life as it will cripple the country with taxes and send us into poverty.
Colin Glover says
Jon I’m also grateful that I can roll out of a bed at a time that my body and mind choses and I’ve still got a roof over my head and a polished floor to walk upon. I’m grateful that I’m not that “lonely” mother in Cairns who is now coming out the haze to realise what she has really done. It gives me hope that I can read about a young teenager who has the wisdom to want to change technology so that his peers can be more present in our wonder, while using there phones.
Finally I’m also grateful that your in that wonderful position to kick us in the proverbial without any fear or favour. Havagoodwon
Ahned says
Meet Xmas john to you and the crew. May next year bring all that you ask more more in great measure
Reza says
Hello Jon
Merry Xmas and wish you a happy and yet another prosperous new year from an expat Australian who works in Middle East with lots of ups and downs and you all know about.
Cheers
Reza
ho ho ho says
cheers mate,hope you enjoy the well earned break,and thanks for your informative dribble.i also enjoy a good rant…
SDepis says
your blood is worth bottling mate 🙂 have a great Christmas.
Gail says
Just read all the gratfulls .. I’m grateful for all those things to I guess that’s a given with everyone here .. Not to sure where your email came from and why but the info was very interesting and informative .. Probably because I enrolled for real estate seminar big brother gets your email and look out another sucker but maybe not I love reading learning . Looking for ways to improve on what I have and to give my family some solid advise ..
Even if I’m unable to do it financially at least I can pass what ever knowledge I have picked up .