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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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.
My marriage is on a knife edge
“You’re not going to like this”, said the bloke at my local farm supplies store.
The price of PVC pipes I need for the farm had just increased 40% across the board.
Canberra called (I said NO)
"You've been invited to Canberra this week to attend a Senate inquiry," announced my PA, Kathryn.
I Built My Dream Home – Someone Burned It To The Ground
Hi Scott,
Five years ago I followed your Barefoot Steps, got debt free, and saved to build my first home.
Should I Take Out Identity Theft Insurance?
Hi Scott,
I’ve been listening to an American money podcast, and they are always pushing the importance of ID theft insurance.
Bridget Jones Scores $900
Hi Scott,
I love your columns and still use your buckets 10 years after reading your book. I’ve saved and paid off my debts, but your email today was perfect timing.
Are You Okay?
“Are you okay? If you need a hand with anything, call.”
I stared at the text while I stood ankle-deep in a kiddie pool, orange juice in hand.
I’m Absolutely Traumatized
While I was away for two weeks, a packet of chicken thigh fillets somehow ended up under the driver’s seat of my car (from a grocery shop before I left). I came back to an exploded packet of horrific, rancid, smelly chicken, maggots, and an absolute disaster.
Barefoot … You’re a Vulgar, Right-Wing, Nutjob
You are a piece of work. The problems in the private health insurance industry have been ongoing for years, and Labor has been in power since the middle of 2022.
The man with no balls
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler wants you to know that he has balls of steel. You see, each year private health insurers must go cap in hand to him to increase their prices. And this year they wanted to deliver their biggest premium hike in six years – but he rejected it.
Who You Gonna Call?
My partner and I are looking at combining our insurance now we are moving in together. He has always used an insurance broker, I never have.
Have a beer with me
Thank you so much for last week’s column about helping the pensioner with the insurance claim. I live in South Lismore and I’m still waiting for my insurance payout, and it is increasingly difficult to get any information from the insurance company.
The $67,000 Insurance Policy?
My husband and I are in our early fifties and earn $100,000 combined a year. We paid $67,000 this year for life insurance, including critical illness and income protection.
The Cocaine Mumma
I’m a happily married mother in my mid-thirties, with two kids under four. We’ve been Barefooting for seven years, and I went to a financial advisor to sort all my insurances out so my family is financially safe in the event of something bad happening to me.
Counting my blessings
I know you probably get a million emails but I am hoping this one gets to you. I was around 30 when I read your book (7 years ago now) and I took your advice and set up my insurances through my super.
Save my mum, please!
Help, Help, Help please. I need to save my mum from certain death! I know this sounds dramatic but the situation is dramatic.
Someone call the doctor
I opened my mail and felt a cold stethoscope to my nether regions: My health fund was giving me a tickle. It happens every year. Over the past decade, consumer prices have grown 20% … but health insurers have jacked up their premiums by 54%.
Anti-Vaxxer Worries About Getting Sick
I have been fired due to vaccination mandates. I wonder how this will impact my insurance within my superannuation? Will I lose my insurance? Or will it affect my permanent disability insurance? What advice do you have for those of us out of work?
Are You Feeling Lucky, Punk?
When it comes to insurance, I am struggling to find the line between ‘necessary’ (like life insurance) and ‘unnecessary’ (like do I want to gamble my hard-earned money on whether my house will burn down?). If one of us were to die, I don’t think the life insurance money would console the surviving partner. Yet they may face financial hardship without it. So do I gamble, or bite the bullet and just accept it for what it is?
Forty grand down the drain
If you’ve been watching the floods, you’ve probably thought to yourself: “That’s no good … but at least they’ve got insurance, right?” Maybe.