The Savings calculator is an excellent tool to work out potential amounts saved if investing a certain amount for a certain period. The hardest part is working out what interest rate to input. There is a general consensus that 8% is a realistic rate for managed funds/ shares. Whether this is realistic for the future, only time will tell.To really see the benefit of compound interest have a look at an investment over 20 years or more and hit the shaded button.

The Loan Repayment calculator can be used to work out repayments on long term & short term loans. The interest only option enables the cost of other debts like credit cards to be calculated as well. The grey line provides an estimate of the balance owing throughout the loan period.The red line provides an estimate of the total amount to be repaid including interest.Ticking the shading button provides a striking picture of the added interest cost. Studying the red area demonstrates how much interest is paid in the early part of the loan. By placing the cursor on the graph will bring up a blue line. This provides totals of both interest & principal that are required to repay a loan at any given time.Of course the calculators can only provide data on estimates. Interest rates can and do change.