The countdown is on: is your loan among the 800,000 fixed-term loans expiring this year?

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) predicts about 800,000 fixed-term loans will expire this year, which could result in a minimum 40 per cent increase for about 60 per cent of fixed-rate borrowers if interest rates were to rise to 3.6 per cent.

The cash rate currently sits at 3.35 per cent and experts anticipate that the RBA will raise interest rates a few more times this year to prevent inflation from rising any further.

Some households have already been affected, some feeling the pinch more than others. Unfortunately, it’s not just our mortgages that are getting more expensive.

The cost of living has been increasing rapidly due to high inflation, affecting our personal finances in numerous ways, such as increased food and fuel expenses, school fees, insurance, and medical costs.

The RBA’s latest Financial Stability Review observedfinancial stability risks have indeed increased in recent months.

Marion Kohler, the head of the economic analysis department at the RBA, acknowledged that some people were struggling with interest rate hikes, and others would have to decrease their discretionary spending.

However, Kohler stressed that higher interest rates were necessary “to ensure that the current period of higher inflation and cost-of-living pressures does not persist too long”.

While interest rate hikes are beyond our control, there are steps we can take steps to minimize their impact and make mortgage payments more manageable:

First and foremost, audit your finances (if you haven’t already).

Start by looking back at your previous bank statements and then make a budget. If you already have a budget, it’s time to pinpoint areas for improvement.

Can you cut back on spending in certain areas or switch to cheaper alternatives? A good place to start is by reviewing your gym memberships, streaming and food delivery services, holidays and, transport.

Regarding your loan structure, you cannot make changes to your loan during the fixed period (or a break fee may apply), but you should speak to a mortgage broker now, well before it’s due. Other things to consider:

· Can you make extra repayments during your fixed rate period to help reduce your overall balance?

· Do you have an offset account to build a buffer and save on interest?

I understand the prospect of changing interest rates may be stressful. Reach out if you’d like to discuss your options and the next steps to take.

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