The RBA has lifted the cash rate by 0.25% and many of us that have variable loans can expect their interest rate to lift by the same amount. On the average $300,000 mortgage this will mean an increase of around $15 per week.

We can however take a little bit of comfort in knowing that the basic variable interest rate for most borrowers is now going to sit at around 6.45% which is still below the 10 year average of around 6.65%.

As the RBA manipulates the forces of supply and demand through interest rates it is very important for all of us to budget and plan for our future cash flow and investment needs. To assist with your planning process, Smartline has recently introduced a range of highly useful and visual financial calculators that are designed to help people achieve their goals.

• How much can I borrow? - Discover your maximum borrowing power across 25 different lenders using our "how much can I borrow calculator".
• Extra repayments calculator - See the impact that extra repayments will have on reducing your loan.
• Loan repayments calculator - Calculate your loan or home mortgage repayments by the week, fortnight or month.
• Calculate the costs of buying - Work out all the costs of buying and financing your new home.
• Income tax calculator - Updated with current tax scales and rates - calculate tax payable at differing income levels.
• Where can I buy? - Find out where you can afford to buy by using our "where can I buy calculator."
• Stamp duty calculator - Find out how much stamp duty you will need to pay.
• Loan comparison calculator - Compare two home loans using our loan comparison calculator
• Budget planner - Create a personal budget using our detailed budget planner calculator.
• Savings plan - Figure out how much you can save using our simple savings plan calculator.

If you would like to use any of these calculators please click on this link to my website;

www.smartline.com.au/odettes