Feel Good Friday - October 2026 Edition
This month, it’s a lot trickier to find the good news than it normally is. Between international conflict, AI fiascos, fuel prices and interest rate hikes, you’re forgiven for wanting to stick your head in the hot sand and call it a day. But that’s even more reason why we’ve got to find the good stuff.
The RBA.
There was no surprises this week when the RBA Board unanimously agreed to increase the cash rate by 0.25%, and no surprises that the majors have already announced to pass that on starting in the next 2 weeks. The Board were quick to threaten more increases if inflation is not tamed soon.
The good news takeaway is the underlying statistics. While the headline inflation jumped from 3.5% in July, to 4% in August, it was slightly lower than the 4.1% that was forecast. And the trimmed mean inflation, which is the figure that the RBA actually rely on because it provides a more accurate data point, stayed at 3.6% for the third month in a row.
This news came a day after the RBA Board met, but whether it would have ultimately changed their decision who knows. The current forecast is now reduced to only a 20% chance for a rate hike in November.
House prices.
The latest data from Cotality shows another 1.1% decline in the housing market in September, taking it to 6 months straight of the downward trend.
For many homeowners, this might spike fear and panic, but keep in mind that property prices grew on average 8.6% in 2025. A correction in the market was necessary, and always going to happen at some point. How much further the values will fall remains to be seen and depends heavily on further interest rate rises.
On the flipside, good news for first home buyers who are entering at the lower end of the market with less competition. Concerns about negative equity, particularly for those accessing the 5% Deposit Scheme, deserves conversation but not alarm. Property should always be a long-term asset, and all risks considered.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Finishing off on a personal note, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. When I was diagnosed in 2024, I was shocked to find out that 1 in 7 women and 1 in 600 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
The ‘awareness’ months can feel a little meh, surely everyone is everyone of Breast Cancer by now? But the statistics still shook me. And the prevalence in the younger generations now is terrifying.
Being diagnosed at 34 gave me a gift; an awareness of something I could never understand without experiencing, a gratefulness for every facet of life, and the ability to bully all my friends and family into looking after themselves.
Here’s your reminder to check yourself, and gently bully the ones you love too!