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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Teacher Gets Schooled
I love teaching. I love the sparkle in a student’s eye when they ‘get it’. I love being a stable and consistent cheerleader in their lives. Yet things have changed in the past five years – the challenges that come with students who didn’t receive the support they needed during lockdown, and the challenges of the ‘screen kids’
Confessions from the Dark Side
I have a confession to make. For years I have been drawn to the ‘dark side’ — working as a finance broker putting people into ridiculous high-interest-rate loans (up to 29.9%). When I started I was shocked that people would buy these loans, but it soon became the ‘norm’ and I even trained other people on how to sell them.
Help a Stripper Out!
Hi Scott, I am in my early thirties and feel hopeless. Recently I lost my brother to a very long and hard battle with cancer, and in his will he left me $10,000.
My Year of Being a Tafe Student
It all began on a Date Night last year, when Liz said to me: “You’ve sold over a million copies of your book … what’s next?” “Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about that”, I said.
Your Advice Got Us Fired
In 15 years of answering readers’ questions, I have never, ever received one like this: Subject: “YOUR ADVICE GOT US FIRED!” Dear Scott, My girlfriend and I are both scuba diving instructors, and after reading your book we decided to set up a salary-sacrifice contribution arrangement with our employer.
Don’t Send Kids to the Coalmine, Barefoot
Hey Scott, I just wanted to comment on your response last week to the letter from Alice the 15-year-old asking if she should get a part-time job. Could you please recommend that high school students work no more than 12 hours per week, unless they are happy to take a nose-dive in their education!
The Perfect Barefoot Side Hustle
Scott, I have come across a mob who are selling themselves as offering the “perfect Barefoot Side Hustle” with what they call “matched betting”. Is this is a scam?
Blow the Whistle
Hi Scott, I’m 15 years old and do not have regular work, though I do umpire netball in the winter months, which earns me about $15 a game. I’ve just started Year 10 and will have a lot on my plate school-wise, and do not want my studies to suffer.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Hi Scott, I have a spinal cord injury and am paralysed from the chest down. I am self-employed and lucky enough to have a wonderful wife and two great kids.
I Didn’t Get Paid!
Hi Barefoot Interesting column last week about super not being paid. In my office almost everyone has not been getting super since November last year, and some for 12 months.
The overnight $60,000 pay rise
Can you imagine getting an immediate $60,000-a-year pay rise? Well, that’s what happened this week to a bunch of young blokes that I work with.
What I learned from reading 385 job applications
Okay, so I’m kind of weird. This year I’ve employed six people.
Why it sucks to be a young person in Australia
If you see a Millennial -- a person aged between 18 and 34 -- go up and give them a great big hug. They need it.
Five Questions You Need to Ask Before You Give Your Boss the Bird
Have you ever thought about flipping your boss the bird, and doing your own thing? I’m sure you have.
How to Score a $1.6 Million Pay Rise
Let me share with you an actual email I received from a former employee a few years ago: Hey Boss, I know I haven’t exactly lived up to expectations since I started, but in my contract there’s a clause that says I’m entitled to ask for a payrise each year. So I was hoping we could talk about it?