Watch the episode on Youtube. Click here.

Higher interest rates are back on the agenda, and this time, the conversation feels different. 

With inflation proving stickier than expected and the RBA shifting how it measures data, borrowers are starting to feel the nerves again. But panic isn’t a strategy. 

So in this episode, Ben is joined by mortgage experts Luke Oxenham and Kirsty “KD” Dunphey to break down what rising rates actually mean for borrowing power, mortgage jail, and more!  

Plus, they unpack the behavioural traps that catch investors out when rates rise…including overleveraging after a “lucky win” and mistaking momentum for skill. 

Because here’s the truth: Just because the bank says you can borrow more, doesn’t always mean you should. 

Here’s What You’ll Learn:

 When the next rate move is most likely — and why May matters 

✔️ How a 0.25% increase really impacts borrowing capacity (it depends…) 

✔️ Why keeping repayments steady when rates fall can accelerate wealth 

✔️ The emotional side of fixing your loan 

✔️ Why 15-year interest-only terms might not be the silver bullet they seem 

✔️ The importance of rental reviews in a rising cost environment 

✔️ How smart investors find opportunity when others panic 

Whether you’re an owner-occupier worried about repayments or an investor building your portfolio, this episode will help you move from reactive to strategic. 

Because rising interest rates aren’t the end of the story. They’re just another variable to plan for. Tune in now!  

Resources Mentioned

  • LIMITED TIME: Free Audiobook – How to Retire on $3K a Week
    If you haven’t started it yet (or you’re halfway through 😉), this is your reminder. The full audiobook is available free on our podcast feed, but only until 18 March. After that, it comes down.
    ⏳ Don’t miss your chance to listen before it disappears.
  • Exchanges with Evan Lucas
    Ben references an exchange between Evan Lucas and RBA Chief Economist Sarah Hunter on how the Reserve Bank plans to measure inflation going forward.
    👉 Listen to the episode here
  • Breaking News: Capital Gains Tax Reform
    There’s growing discussion around potential capital gains tax reforms and what they could mean for property investors.
    👉 Watch the full breakdown here
  • Breaking News: Negative Gearing Changes?
    With the May 2026 Federal Budget approaching, speculation is building around possible changes to negative gearing.
    👉 Watch the update here
  • International Women’s Day
    With International Women’s Day approaching, there are events happening around Australia focused on the theme of “Balancing the Scale.”
    👉 To learn more or find an event near you: https://www.iwd.net.au/
  • New Friday Series: The Money Stuff We Don’t Talk About
    We’re launching a brand-new Friday mini-series to help you get to know the Couch Crew a little better! First theme: “The Hill I’ll Die On.”
    👉 Keep an eye out each Friday on your podcast feed.

Timestamps  

  • 0:00 – 587 | Higher Interest Rates: Fix, Float or Hold Your Nerve?
  • 2:00 – Housekeeping: Audiobook Deadline + Big 3 Topics for 2026
  • 6:40 – Why Interest Rates Are Back in the Spotlight
  • 9:40 – Straight From the RBA: How Inflation Is Now Measured
  • 13:40 – Mortgage Jail Explained
  • 15:10 – Borrowing Power & Buffers: What Really Moves the Needle
  • 19:20 – One Lender or Many? Strategic Structuring for Investors
  • 23:10 – Fixed vs Variable: Should You Lock It In?
  • 25:50 – The Emotional Side of Fixing
  • 27:40 – Partial Fixing & Hedging Risk
  • 29:00 – 15-Year Interest-Only Terms: Smart or Risky?
  • 31:40 – Stress Testing Your Portfolio
  • 34:20 – The Big Summary: Case-by-Case Decisions (Stop Listening to Uncle Barry)
  • 37:10 – Overleveraging Risk: Luck vs Skill in Property Wins
  • 41:40 – Opportunity in Rising Rate Markets
  • 44:10 – Plan Before You Buy
  • 46:20 – Patience, Time & Buffett Wisdom
  • 57:00 – International Women’s Day!
  • 59:10 – Friday Spin-Off Tease: “The Hill I’ll Die On” Series