Affinity Insights – Issue 28 December 2025

Welcome to our 28^th edition of Affinity Insights.

As the year draws to a close, I’d like to thank you for your trust and support throughout 2025.

We truly value our relationship with you and look forward to continuing this journey together in the New Year.

May the festive season bring you joy, happiness, and time well spent with loved ones. 

From Rodney M. DeGabriele and the Affinity team. 

Our office will be closed between the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

We will close from 12 noon on Tuesday, 23^rd of December and reopen on Monday, 12^th of January 2026.

Should you have any queries during this time, please send an email to enquiries@affinityprivate.com.au or if your matter is urgent, please contact Jessica Genovas on 0425 739 373.

We are delighted to share some exciting news and welcome two new team members to the Affinity team – Yon Rotem and Charlene Guiza! 

With over 15 years’ experience in financial planning, Yon brings a unique mix of technical know-how and client service. Having worked as an Associate Advisor, Client Services Manager, and Operations Manager, Yon is focused on running our back office, driving process improvements, and leveraging the latest technology and AI to deliver better outcomes for our clients and the Affinity team. 

Charlene brings a warm, client-focused approach, supporting both our advisory and operations teams to ensure everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes. With over 6 years of experience in financial planning, she has worked closely with financial advisors in an advisory support role, honing her expertise and attention to detail. Driven by a passion for helping others, Charlene is committed to delivering exceptional service to our clients and the Affinity team alike. Her strong organisational skills and positive attitude make her an invaluable addition to our office. 

We are thrilled to welcome back Molly McGinn after her well-earned career break! Molly has been an integral part of our team for years, and many of you know her for her dedication and warmth. She is excited to reconnect with you and continue delivering the exceptional service you have come to expect.

We’re excited to announce that we have some big changes coming in 2026!

Watch out for our new website, refreshed branding, and innovative tools as we upgrade our systems and processes to serve you even better. 

The end of the year provides an opportunity to spend time with family and friends reviewing how accurate last year’s outlook was and to (hopefully) be thankful for the investment returns markets have delivered.

In this month’s Market Update, we share our outlook for 2026. Our central case remains relatively benign, with low recession risk and supportive earnings expectations.

Learn more here.

This year, Affinity Private Advisors is proud to support R U OK?, an Australian suicide prevention charity dedicated to inspiring and empowering everyone to meaningfully connect with those around them. The 2025 theme, “Ask R U OK? Any Day,” reminds us that every day is the right day to check in with friends, family, and colleagues. A simple conversation can make a real difference, and R U OK? provides resources and guidance to help us all support mental wellbeing in our communities. 

Learn more here.

In Japan, Christmas isn’t a public holiday and has little religious significance, but it’s celebrated in a uniquely joyful way. One of the most surprising and beloved traditions is enjoying Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) for Christmas dinner! This custom began in the 1970s after a successful marketing campaign, and now families across Japan pre-order their “party barrels” of fried chicken weeks in advance. On Christmas Eve, long lines form outside KFC stores, and sharing a bucket of chicken has become a festive highlight. Alongside KFC, Japanese families often enjoy a light, fluffy Christmas cake topped with strawberries and whipped cream. Christmas in Japan is also seen as a romantic holiday, with couples going out for special dinners and enjoying the city’s dazzling winter illuminations together. 

Learn more here.

This festive season, why not let artificial intelligence lend a hand in the kitchen? 

Mealime Meal Plans & Recipes is a free, user-friendly app that uses smart technology to help you create personalised meal plans based on your dietary needs and the ingredients you have on hand. Whether you’re catering for allergies, special diets, or just want to simplify your holiday cooking, Mealime generates easy-to-follow recipes and organised shopping lists-making meal prep stress-free and festive. 

Try it out here and let AI take some of the hassle out of your holiday meal planning!