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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The Worst Car Loan Ever?
Hi Scott,
My nephew borrowed $51,681 from ‘Infinity Finance’ for a car at 18.35% interest.
If You Could See Me Now
Hi Scott,
Ten years ago I was a 40-year-old woman leaving a violent relationship and facing $50,000 of debt that my ex had taken out in my name.
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:
How on earth did I get here?
"Bugger."
The engine warning light lit up like a 2-cent pokie jackpot.
Where Are They Now?
Hi Scott,
You won’t remember me, but 12 years ago I reached out to you, desperate for help. I had made a bad property investment and then found out I was pregnant.
The Desperate Mumma
Dear Scott,
As I write this my two-year-old is screaming in his cot and I’m in tears because we’re financially ruined by the rental market.
Teacher Getting Schooled
Hi Scott
A few years ago, my husband and I built up $60,000 in debt from our wedding, dental surgery, and a new car.
Street Fighters Need a Home
Dear Barefoot,
Eight years ago, my husband and I were drowning in debt: we had over $80,000 on credit cards alone. We were hiding our car from the repo guy, had a final notice on our home, and owed money to everyone, including family. Our plan back then was to stuff the bills in a drawer and hope they’d disappear (spoiler: they didn’t).
The Working Poor
I'm a single mum of two very active teenagers. I earn a decent full-time wage but I am overwhelmed by debt. Right now, I only have $50 left in my account until the next payday. Their father doesn’t contribute.
Should I Call Off My Wedding?
I’m blindsided but I am in love. I’ve just discovered my fiancé has $9,000 of debt he accrued overspending on Afterpay and Uber Eats over a two-year period.
Revenge of the Dollarmite?
I recently found out that the bank signed up my 18-year-old son for an $8,000 credit card. He was so excited to be a grown-up, to have a job making enough to earn spending money, and to cross the line of being an adult by being given a credit card. I don’t for the life of me understand why the banks feel $8,000 is a good starting amount for someone who has never had to prove they can pay it back!
I’m so ashamed of my son
My 20-year-old son’s (ex) girlfriend signed up for a car finance loan so my son could buy a $21,000 car.
I Got Carjacked!
Am I up a brown creek with no paddle? Years ago an ex-partner left me financially screwed. Fast-forward to now and my husband and I have started our Barefoot life and are loving it (even though we are low income earners).
Making Your Credit Cards Disappear
In your recent column (“Thanks for NOTHING, Barefoot”), I was, like you, shocked when Lisa blatantly decided to stop paying her credit card debt, which somehow seemed to magically make her debt disappear into the ether.
After Midnight We’re Going to Let it All Hang Out
I have owned a small coffee shop for eight years, but since Covid started I just haven’t been able to catch up. I’ve been taking on credit cards to keep suppliers off my back, and also for wages.
My Parents Have NO IDEA
All my life I was under the impression my parents were wealthy. My father was a partner in a law firm, and there were always extravagant annual overseas trips, fancy cars, beautiful houses, antique furniture, etc. They are now 70, retired, have no super left, are on the pension, and have $120,000 of debt ($80,000 credit card, $40,000 car loan). They used up almost every last bit of their savings, and all of their super, to buy their current home outright once my dad retired.
My Kid has NO IDEA
In 2008 I purchased a photo shop, and my parents redrew their mortgage so I could do this. It was initially $65,000, but then over a few years it built up to $120,000.
So My Husband Revealed His Debts
After I finished your book I asked my husband to come clean on our finances, as we had had separate accounts.
Multimillion-dollar Mortgage
I’ve wanted to write to you for years, but have been too shy. I just wanted to say thank you. A few years ago we were on a wage of less than $80k a year — with a couple of million dollars in mortgage debt, and credit cards and personal loans up to our eyeballs.
My Boyfriend Owes me $85,000
I got into debt a few years back, but read your book and was debt-free by October 2019 at the age of 26. I felt amazing! Fast-forward to today and I’ve borrowed $85,000 via personal loans and dipping into my super … to give to my boyfriend.