As 2024 comes to a close and the festive season creeps in, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the lessons this year has brought me. Before we all dive into the Christmas parties and summer barbecues, let’s start with the raw truth.
The Hard Truths
As a self-employed mortgage broker on the Northern Beaches, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of rising living costs. And let’s be honest—it hasn’t been pretty.
Take energy bills, for example. For all the government’s promises to tackle skyrocketing costs, I’ve saved a grand total of $300 this year. Not exactly life-changing, is it?
And the supermarket "watchdog"? It’s more of a chihuahua than a Doberman—cute but not scaring anyone into lowering prices.
Want more absurdity? Vegemite is cheaper in the UK than it is here. How does that even make sense?
And don’t get me started on the tension between the government and the Reserve Bank. They’re like cats and dogs, constantly bickering, while the rest of us try to figure out how to navigate the financial chaos.
Mortgage Myths and Realities
As a Northern Beaches mortgage broker specializing in self-employed clients, I’ve seen a lot of resilience this year. Despite the media’s endless doom-and-gloom stories about mortgage stress, the reality is far less dramatic.
Among my clients:
One is currently in arrears.
None have been forced to sell their homes.
That’s not to say it’s been easy—self-employed borrowers face unique challenges in securing and maintaining loans. But 2024 reminded me of one thing: people are tougher than we give them credit for.
Personal and Professional Growth
This year has been about growth in every aspect of my life:
I’ve become a better communicator, helping my clients understand their options in a challenging market.
I’ve grown as a business owner, finding smarter ways to support self-employed borrowers on the Northern Beaches.
Most importantly, I’ve worked on being a better dad—a role that will always top any professional achievement.
Looking to 2025
If you’ve read this far, thank you for sticking with me. I hope 2024 brought you some wins, big or small. And as we step into 2025, I wish you all the success and happiness you deserve.
Here’s to another year of growth, resilience, and making it work—no matter what challenges come our way.
Signing off,
Az
Your trusted self-employed mortgage broker on the Northern Beaches.