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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Scamming my mother
I took a deep breath and dialled my mother.
"Mum, it's me. I need … your credit card details," I said.
I was standing in a crowded Apple Store, where I'd been for the past three hours.
Tomorrow was my son's 13th birthday, and I'd decided to get him an Apple Watch. Well, truthfully, I'd decided to buy myself a new Apple Watch, and he was getting my old hand-me-down. I was wearing his present.
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.
You’ll hate this
After reading this column, my editor, Wally, said:
“I’m confident this piece will generate the greatest amount of hate mail you’ve ever received.”
Let’s see if he’s right …
Do you know what the easiest thing I could have done this week was?
Barefoot’s Take on the Budget
A spinner from the Housing Minister’s office called me a couple of weeks ago:
“The Minister would like to invite you to Canberra to attend the Budget. There are a few changes we’re going to announce that, let’s just say … we think you’ll be very interested in”, he purred.
“Yeah, yeah. You blokes always say that. What’s the date again?” I asked, turning off my tractor.
I’m Disappointed in You, Barefoot
Scott,
I was disappointed with your response to the teacher last week. Why not provide a real solution when you are asked?
I Changed Out of My Nightie for This?!
Hi Scott,
I’m a 55-year-old disabled pensioner who hadn’t been clubbing in decades … but a few weeks ago I did.
Schooling the Teacher
Dear Scott,
I am a secondary school teacher, and I have two questions:
The Worst Question EVER
Hi Scott,
My adult son posed a hypothetical question the other day: what happens if someone dies and they have a huge gambling debt? Sadly this is the reality for many young men today.
The worst question
I woke up at 4:30am and stumbled to the kitchen.
Through sleepy eyes, I spotted a handwritten note on the fridge from my eldest son:
Sorry, But Your Son is a Loser
Hi Scott,
I've had a recent shock after checking my 16-year-old's bank statement.
My week from hell
Right now I'm surrounded by more nuts than a fruitcake.
I have legal letters firing around from a column I wrote last week (more on that next week).
I’m Teaching My Kids to Gamble
Hi Scott,
Have you ever been to one of those arcades for kids where you tap your card, play giant-sized games and then get points in exchange for a very ordinary plastic prize at the end?
Hitting the Jackpot
My hubby spends all his ‘Splurge’ account on TattsLotto. And not just here and there — his account statements are littered with TattsLotto purchases.
We Hit the Jackpot!
This month, my husband and I will finally be debt free! We owe nothing (though we also own nothing). My hubby used to have an addiction to gambling and a $120,000 debt on credit cards.
The Hangover
My daughter lives with her partner and three children in a property that I own. They have many bills and are unable to pay rent. Her partner is wasting his money on gambling and will not change…
The Gambler
Hi Scott, My situation is complicated and I need your advice. I am in my early 40s and have been with my fiancé for seven years.