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As the calendar flips to a fresh page, we find ourselves awash in predictions.

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This isn’t new; it’s practically a tradition. In my line of work as a wealth adviser, it’s an annual ritual. My inbox fills with questions: Will interest rates finally stabilize? Are the markets poised to soar or sink? What’s the ripple effect of new tariffs on our Canadian economy? How about exchange rates?

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The questions are endless, ranging from the pragmatic to the speculative, and often asked in hushed tones as if I might have a secret hotline to the future. (Spoiler alert: I don’t.)

Everyone, from economists to stargazers, seems eager to paint a picture of what’s ahead and we lap it up, hoping for reassurance, hoping it’s all sunshine and rainbows.

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Truth be told, we are addicted to predictions. Why? Because they offer the illusion of control in a world that is inherently unpredictable.

But here’s the thing about predictions: they’re just educated guesses, if not outright conjectures, dressed up in a nice outfit — suit or dress, take your pick. With that in mind, here are a few universal truths to help us navigate the noise.

There will be good news, and there will be bad news

Life has a knack for balance, doesn’t it? The stock market will rise; it will also fall. Politicians will make decisions, some that work and some that don’t. Babies will be born and, sadly, some of us will lose loved ones. This is the ebb and flow of existence.

Money will be spent, wisely or frivolously

We’ll shell out for needs, wants and everything in between. Whether it’s for groceries or a last-minute splurge on that shiny gadget, our spending reflects not just economics but our emotions.

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Taxes will be paid, and coffee will be brewed

Some things in life are non-negotiable. For example, taxes are a certainty that rivals even death. But let’s not overlook life’s simpler joys, such as a perfect cup of coffee savoured on a frosty morning.

The sun will rise and set

A cliché, perhaps, but one that serves as a reminder of life’s rhythms. The world keeps turning even when predictions miss their mark. There’s a strange comfort in that, don’t you think?

While we may be drawn to the clairvoyants and the algorithms, let’s not forget that the future isn’t a riddle to solve. It’s an unfolding story, one we co-write with the decisions we make today.

Instead of fretting over what might happen, let’s focus on what we can control. Set goals, save for rainy days and cherish the moments that make up this unpredictable, beautiful ride called life.

And if you’re really itching for a forecast, here’s mine: 2025 will be a year of surprises, both pleasant and challenging. What matters most is not what happens, but how we respond. After all, the best way to predict the future is to shape it ourselves.

Colleen O’Connell-Campbell is a wealth adviser at RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and creator of the Cash-Rich Exit Podcast.

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