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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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.
My Heroin Junky Neighbours
The other day I was at my local playground pushing my kids on a swing while two blokes shot up heroin less than five metres from the gate entrance. This sort of behaviour is pretty common in my area (median house price is over $1 million). Actually, it’s pretty common everywhere these days. Did you know Australia has the highest use of meth per capita in the world?
Here’s one for the renters
You always hear some real estate rooster crowing about how smart they were when they bought a joint in 2018 for $480,000, and then flipped it three years later for $1.3 million.
I Can’t Sleep. I Can’t Eat. I’m a Walking, Shaking Mess.
I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I’m a walking, shaking mess. We put our home up for sale in the first week of March for $1.25 million, on the advice of our agent. (At the time I thought it was on the high side, but I didn’t say anything.)
What’s in store for property prices
Let’s take out the crystal ball and see what’s in store for property prices.
Nationally, they continue to creep higher – they’re up a very respectable 6.7% this year.
The no diet, no exercise plan
Imagine you have a friend who is morbidly obese.
They come to you and confess: “I can’t keep living like this, I’ve decided to take action.”
Then they explain their plan:
“There are two things I will not do: diet or exercise.
My Real Estate Agent is a Rogue
We had a terrible 2022, starting with listing our apartment for sale in May – right at the time interest rates went up in record succession.
The Scumbag Landlord
My wife and I are very lucky. We own two investment properties that basically pay for themselves. Trouble is, we live in another state and rent ourselves.
I’ve Been Conned — by My Parents
I feel frustrated, confused and taken advantage of. Back when I was just 22 (I am 28 now), my parents could not pay their mortgage and somehow conned me into taking ownership of their house. They promised me money, tax cuts, all the greatness in the world. Stupidly, I said yes and I now have a $500,000 mortgage under my name. They pay for the loan, though they are frequently late, and Mum loves to withdraw from the equity too. I have tried to get my name off the loan but they keep resisting. Worst of all, because I do not live there, I get shafted at tax time. Is there anything I can do?
First Home Hell
I have been saving as much as I can. By mid-year, we should have a deposit and could start looking at buying rather than renting. I know your normal advice is to buy a house when you can afford it. But does that still apply when these inflated house prices seem like a bit of a false economy?
My ‘Free’ Land Cost Me $140 Grand
My brother and I — both in our sixties — did a land swap, with no money changing hands. The aim was to facilitate generational change (when we eventually die). Now I have now been hit with a $140,000 capital gains tax bill!
Barefoot Sales Spiel
I live in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney. The other day, a real estate agent came to my door quoting you saying that house prices are sure to drop in the coming months and now is the time to sell. I instinctively don’t trust salespeople, but is there any truth that you suggested this?