Think 2024 has been tough? This is why 2025 is going to be worse

For Australians who have struggled through what has been a difficult 2024, I have some bad news.

Next year is only going to get worse.

While all the talk has been about an expected decline in interest rates, even if that happens it is only part of the story.

The cost-of-living crisis will intensify and unemployment is likely to go up. More people out of work naturally puts more strain on the budget.

And while we've seen inflation start to come down recently, that's only because of energy rebates, which presumably won't continue through all of next year. When they stop, not only will energy prices rise, but inflation will instantly lift too. 

There are plenty of reasons to think inflation in Australia will rise - not fall - throughout next year. The IMF is predicting it to go up, unlike in other similar nations around the world.

Higher than ideal inflation wil...
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