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!

What I Really Think of Hostplus’s Index Balanced Fund

About the Barefoot Blueprint

How to Sort Your Insurance

Do I still use the ING Orange Everyday account?

What I Think of AFIC

Search Articles

Scott Pape 10/12/26 Scott Pape 10/12/26

Nosebleed in Byron Bay

I just had an out of body experience … in Byron Bay no less.

Let me explain.

My yoga-loving, vegetarian wife announced that for the school holidays she’d snagged cheap Jetstar flights and an ‘amazing’ Airbnb that’s usually booked out.

Barefoot Admin 8/31/20 Barefoot Admin 8/31/20

Indigenous Woman, Hear Me Roar!

I am a young professional Aboriginal woman from Cape York. In the past I made some foolish investments, but a few years ago I picked up your book. I loved it, though I struggled to get my hubby to read it. So I played him your audio-book in the car. He was so excited, given how easy it is to follow.

Guest User 4/12/20 Guest User 4/12/20

The true story of two alpacas

I picked a tough time to change careers:Last year I went back to study so I could become a community-based financial counsellor.In January I was sent off to help survivors on the bushfire frontlines.

Guest User 4/12/20 Guest User 4/12/20

I Lost My Job This Week, But I Got This

Hi Scott, I wanted to get in touch with you to say thank you. I lost my job this week.

Guest User 10/29/19 Guest User 10/29/19

Dirtbag Roommate

Hi Scott, My housemate and I are both on the lease and we split the rent 50/50, paying separately. I am always on time, but my housemate is lousy at keeping up regular rental payments.

Guest User 10/29/19 Guest User 10/29/19

Tired of earning less than 3% on your money?

I’ve got an old bloke who comes out and services my tractor. Mostly we talk about hydraulics, but the other day he rifled through his overalls and pulled out an ad he’d ripped from a newspaper.

Guest User 6/16/19 Guest User 6/16/19

You’re a Shocker, Barefoot (Part 2)

Scott, Your article ‘Prisoner’s Last Chance’, about the prisoner coming into a six-figure sum of money, is the most disrespectful article I have ever read. You tell the guy “good on you for learning how to manage your money” and give him advice on how to invest, then gloat about how you donated your books to prisoners.

Guest User 4/1/19 Guest User 4/1/19

Shaken, Not Stirred

Hi Barefoot, I just wanted to drop you a line from the comfy living room of my first property. If you’d told me two-and-a-half years ago that I’d own this place today, I would have dropped the dirty martini in my hand!

Guest User 4/1/19 Guest User 4/1/19

The Alcohol Experiment

Hi Scott, Last week you answered a question from Jane (“I am NOT an Alcoholic”), who was clearly struggling with alcohol. For people who are after help with stopping/reducing alcohol intake (not physiological-addiction-level alcoholics), I strongly recommend the book The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace.

Guest User 3/25/19 Guest User 3/25/19

How a Financial Advisor Can Make You a Millionaire

Hi Scott, My daughter is a hardworking 22-year-old who lives in a share house. She is struggling with her living expenses.

Guest User 3/25/19 Guest User 3/25/19

I am NOT an Alcoholic

Scott, I currently spend about $100 a week on alcohol ‒ it is pure habit and l love the taste too. I am not an alcoholic, but I do need some incentive to drop the habit, like a financial goal!

Guest User 3/25/19 Guest User 3/25/19

How a Barefooter lost 97 kilos, and saved fifteen grand in 18 months

I’ve decided to make a move into a new industry: health and fitness. (I’ve even come up with a catchy name for my program: ‘The Barefoot Bikini Challenge’.

Guest User 12/9/18 Guest User 12/9/18

The Best Thing I Ever Saved For

Dear Mr Pape, I bought your book while in severe financial difficulty — I actually had to save money for six weeks just to buy it! Anyway, I am 10 months in and will never look back, having managed to pay off $25,574.

Guest User 12/2/18 Guest User 12/2/18

Does Renting Now Make Sense?

Hi Scott, I would like your thoughts on something that is bothering me. Forecasters think that house prices are set to fall at least 5% over the next year.

Guest User 11/25/18 Guest User 11/25/18

19-Year-Old Girl Wins the Lottery

Hi Scott, I am 19 and was given your book last Christmas. I am not the greatest saver — I like to splurge a little too often.

Guest User 9/30/18 Guest User 9/30/18

The Second Chance

Hi Scott, I was so excited when I read last week that you donated some of your books to a father doing time in Bathurst Correctional Complex. I just wanted to say thank you.

Guest User 7/25/18 Guest User 7/25/18

A Total Disaster

Hi Scott I am a 50-year-old widow with an eight-year-old. After nursing my partner through cancer (he lost his battle on Boxing Day), I have just refinanced my house to consolidate some credit card debt.

Guest User 6/25/18 Guest User 6/25/18

The Billionaire

Dear Mr Pape, My name is Lachlan, I am 16 years old, and I live on the Gold Coast. I have a keen interest in finance and economics, and through my part-time job I have been able to build a share portfolio worth $3,000, on top of $2,000 in savings.

Guest User 5/28/18 Guest User 5/28/18

Proud, Angry, Happy!

A couple of day ago I finished reading your book, and immediately phoned my bank (Suncorp). My husband and I have had our home loan with them for close to 10 years.

Guest User 5/25/18 Guest User 5/25/18

I Am Never Looking Back

Dear Scott, Six years ago I left my ex, due to him punching me. It was the right thing to do, but it certainly set me back financially.