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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Don’t save to retire
“Don’t Save to Retire”
Thundered the headline as I doomscrolled in bed on Sunday night.
“Trillionaire Elon Musk says AI will overtake human intelligence in five years, one billion robots will be doing your jobs, and money will be meaningless.”
Help! My Hubby Won’t Retire
My husband of 43 years has his own small business and it’s his identity, but I would like him to retire. Thanks to modest living, saving, superannuation and an inheritance, we have $2 million under our belt.
We Retired on the Amount You Suggested …
I read your ‘How much you really need for your retirement?’ column a few weeks ago, and I cut the article out and pinned it on my office wall at home.
So about last week ...
Wow-wee! Last week’s column – on how much you need to retire – triggered an avalanche of reader responses. “That’s WAY TOO LOW!”
How much do you REALLY need to retire?
Let me tell you about the worst speech I’ve ever given in my life. It happened five years ago when a friend asked if I’d speak about retirement at a lunch for his men’s group.
From Homeless to Hero
I’m a single woman in my fifties. Not long ago I was homeless and in debt. Then I came across your book, read that apparently “I’ve Got This”, and was determined to get myself out of the hole I had dug for myself.
A super fund option with ZERO fees?
If you've been reading my stuff for a while, you’ll know I bang on – a lot – about minimising your super fees.Well, today I'm going to tell you about a super fund that has zero fees.
Could We Lose All Our Money?
My husband and I are working through your book, but we are stuck at the superannuation chapter. We both work for the Queensland Government and have our super in the QSuper Lifetime Aspire fund.
Is AMP Heading South?
Hi Barefoot, On advice from our financial adviser, my wife and moved our super from Australian Super to AMP MyNorth Super a year ago. We have generally been happy with the advice we have received and, like all funds, in the past year MyNorth has had its ups and down.
Super Stressful
Hi Scott, I am 27 and earn $95,000 a year, so my super is adding up. But I received my annual superannuation statement and found I am being charged three separate fees: administration fees (0.
Should I Go to Cash in My Super?
Dear Barefoot, I am a single working woman, 61 years old, planning to retire in five years. I am now wondering if I should be concerned about my superannuation reducing with the recent share market losses.
Boxing at Retirement Shadows
Hi Scott, We read your book and loved it. However, we got a little confused near the end when talking about superannuation approaching retirement (which we hope to do in two to three years).
Helping Out My Mum
Scott, At the age of just 30, I am VERY aware of the importance of super. Here’s why.
The Big Budget Changes You Missed
Far as I can tell, we’re the only country that goes a little ‘Hollywood’ for the Budget. Other nations just read theirs out on a Tuesday afternoon in parliament, and no one gives a toss.
Too Old to Die Young
Scott, Subconsciously I always thought I would die young, as my parents and older sister did. So I have tended to ‘live for the moment’.
Ripping Off a Pensioner?
Hi Scott, My mother received around $300,000 as an inheritance. Being financially illiterate (after a lifetime of illness and living on disability pension), she went to a NAB financial planner, who put her money into a superannuation account with MLC.
Talking to the Taxman
I have a rather curly question but I hope you can answer it. My husband and I are five years from retiring and, combined, we have just over $620,000 in assets, including an investment property with a mortgage.
Why are people stealing my book?
Every father wants to be a hero to his son. So, a few weeks back, I took my four-year-old to a bookstore to show him my bestseller.
Am I Going to Lose Everything?
Hi Scott, About 18 months ago I put a $15,000 deposit on an off-the-plan apartment. The idea was to sell my home for the same amount as the apartment and move in.
We Can’t Sleep at Night
Hello Scott, My husband and I are on the age pension and receive $2,200 per month. We also receive an overseas pension of $700 a month.