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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Why I invested in Elon Musk's SpaceX
I just invested in the most overvalued piece of junk going around:
Elon’s latest trillion-dollar trouser-tickler, SpaceX.
I didn’t have a choice. My index fund bought it for me. Automatically.
Canberra called (I said NO)
"You've been invited to Canberra this week to attend a Senate inquiry," announced my PA, Kathryn.
Thanks for Nuttin’, Albo
Scott,
I think I know your answer but I’ll ask it anyway. I’ve just been reading that in the US Trump is bringing in 50-year loans to help people get into their first homes.
Finally some good news for first home buyers
Finally some good news for first home buyers!
Thanks for NOTHING, Barefoot
Hey Scott,
I just read your column about Maura, the single mum who bought a home with a 2.5% deposit and now can’t afford it. Maura, listen to Scott – and you might end up like me: with ‘nothing’ (and grateful for it).
Hello 5% Deposits!
Dear Scott,
Albo’s back, and so is his housing policy. So why would anyone want a 5 per cent deposit? That just means borrowing 95 per cent! Who benefits?
Albo should have known better
Last week I got the Treasurer to answer readers’ questions, and the verdict was swift and brutal:
Old Jimbo may have been Barefoot for the day, but readers thought the bloke had bunions!
Small House, No Worries
Coming on the back of the abusive emails you’ve been copping lately, I just wanted to say thanks! Following your advice led us to save for over 10 years for a deposit to purchase our modest two-bedroom house, in which our family of four lives, sleeps, studies and works.
Tiny House, Big Dreams
In light of the current housing crisis, my partner and I are looking into buying a ‘tiny house’ to live in. We believe this will allow us to live without the stress of a huge mortgage or crazy high rent.
The email came through with the subject line ‘REGRET’
Scott, My partner and I are both professionals in our early thirties. We bought a house last year and we hate it. We are struggling to adapt to a slower pace of life in the suburbs and have learnt we don’t need as much space as we thought we did.
Help, My Daughter Is Blackmailing Me
My adult daughter, her partner and one-year-old son are renting in a regional area and cannot afford a home loan deposit. I have offered to have them live with me rent free for six months while they save.
30-year-old Girl has No Interest
I’m a 30-year-old married Muslim woman living in Sydney. Being Muslim makes it very challenging to buy a first home. I am sure you are aware that Muslims are prohibited from dealing with interest. I am ready to take all the Barefoot Steps but I don’t know how I can do so without dealing with interest.
Barefoot Blows Renters an Air Kiss
I’ve read your newsletters religiously over the past few years (and generally loved them), but this is the first time I’ve been compelled to write back. I am frustrated with your take on OwnHome last week
How you can move into a million dollar dream home, today
He doesn’t buy craft beers. She sips Nescafe blend 43 from a tin.
They live in a feral sharehouse, all so they can save $623 a week to put towards their house deposit.
And here’s the kicker:
While they scrimp and save … the prices of properties around them are going up $1,990 a week.
This is How a Heart Breaks
We can’t buy a home. My fiancé and I both earn good money. We have a healthy deposit and budget and want to buy so we can start a family.
An Open Letter to Parents
This is an open letter to parents who are thinking about helping their kids buy their first home.
In my book I was pretty blunt (and a tad dismissive) about hitting up the parentals:
“Should I get my parents to go guarantor? No way, Jose.”
Should I Tell My Boyfriend to Shut Up?
My husband and I are so close to having a 20% deposit for our family home. However, with the prices of houses being so ridiculously high right now, he wants to wait and meanwhile put our house deposit into shares in the hope that we will have more than enough money in a couple of years. Should I listen to my husband or tell him to shut up?
First Home Hell
I have been saving as much as I can. By mid-year, we should have a deposit and could start looking at buying rather than renting. I know your normal advice is to buy a house when you can afford it. But does that still apply when these inflated house prices seem like a bit of a false economy?
We Bought a $3,000 House
Hi Scott, My wife and I are some of the many victims of first homebuyer advertising. You know the ads — “If you have $3,000, you can buy a home!
Student Digs
Hi Scott, You generally advise your readers to buy a house first and invest later, but I am wondering if this is always the best approach. I am currently trying to decide whether to invest in a student accommodation apartment.