Articles & Questions
Every week I publish a fun new article on a money topic I think you’ll find interesting. I also answer a handful of reader questions. Subscribers to my newsletter get to see everything first — but you can browse some of my past articles & questions on this page.
My Best Articles
Not sure where to start? Below I’ve handpicked a few of my favourites. And if you like what you see, don’t forget to subscribe to my free newsletter to get new issues before anyone else!
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Cornered, cranky and ready to charge
My wife is currently in Africa filming a documentary about rhinos.
Which means I’m home alone on the farm with four kids. The wild Savannah has nothing on this.
“The teachers said Book Week is coming up”, announced my eight-year old daughter over dinner.
Bridget Jones Scores $900
Hi Scott,
I love your columns and still use your buckets 10 years after reading your book. I’ve saved and paid off my debts, but your email today was perfect timing.
The Barefoot Confession
I used to be a sucker for personal development. I was always taken by the idea of the freedom that would come with the ‘laptop lifestyle’.
The Anti-Budget Date Night
The first time my partner and I sat down to do a budget, we both felt so overwhelmed. Tonight we are reflecting on how much easier these conversations have become since I bought your book back in 2018.
Leaving a Cult
I’ve known about the Barefoot Investor for years, but I couldn’t buy your book as I was being severely controlled physically and financially by my parents, who raised my siblings and me in a religious cult that considered living in poverty as absolute for being a devoted follower.
The Financial Dominatrix
Your column gave me an idea for a novel! Do you remember the question you answered yonks ago from the lady who said: “I’m a financial dominatrix.
You Have Been Warned
Over the last few months, in the face of rising interest rates and inflation, I've noticed a pretty significant increase in anger from your readers.
Merry Christmas
Your advice has literally saved my life. After 11 years of losing everything in a violent relationship that led to multiple hospitalisations, I am now on an upward trajectory and have a safe place to live.
We Thought Our Daughter Had a Learning Disability
I want to say thank you for writing one of the most incredible books for kids. My eight-year-old daughter has a tendency to read the first chapter of a book then get bored.
We Got This!
I’m sure you must get 20 million of these emails, but I just wanted to say thank you! Barefoot works, your buckets work, and my little four-year-old even has her Jam Jars set up.
My Deep Black Hole
Five years ago (at age 50), I walked away from an abusive marriage, with my two kids. As I was sinking into a black hole, a friend gave me your book.
You Have No Backbone, Barefoot
This is the third or fourth time I have written. I appreciate your principles are sound, however every column has a feel-good news story and none of them explain the backbone of how they made something happen.
UPDATE: The $32,000 Couch
Remember me? I wrote to you a while back and you shared my story "$32,000 couch."
Where Are They Now?
My children are now 10, 7 and about to turn 5. We are still in our family home and my name is the only one on our mortgage.
Mexican Wins the Lottery … Twice!
I know you may get millions of emails every day, but I hope your team can forward this one to you. I’m Mexican and I came to Australia in 2018 and became a permanent resident.
The Hard Road
Five years ago my brother died of cancer, then a month later my fiancé of six years left me
We Retired on the Amount You Suggested …
I read your ‘How much you really need for your retirement?’ column a few weeks ago, and I cut the article out and pinned it on my office wall at home.
I Have Tears in My Eyes
Six years ago we were in deep trouble. I hadn’t worked for years as I’d been looking after our young daughter, who had cancer. We’d been living on one income and had car loans, credit cards, store credit, unpaid phone bills, erratic repayment history, and a mortgage.
From Homeless to Hero
I’m a single woman in my fifties. Not long ago I was homeless and in debt. Then I came across your book, read that apparently “I’ve Got This”, and was determined to get myself out of the hole I had dug for myself.
Out of the Cesspool
Two years ago, my wife and I had five credit cards topping $70,000 and seemingly no way out. After following the Barefoot Steps we have not only paid this cesspool completely off, we now have $100,000 in the bank.