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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Best Kids’ Bank Account?
Hi Scott, My 14-year-old son wants a debit card. He is a good saver and has a few thousand dollars in his bank account.
Where Do I Save For My Kids
Hi Scott, I have the CBA Youthsaver account for my two boys. They’re not earning a lot of interest, and after ringing CBA I found that I need to be making regular deposits into their accounts to accrue the bonus and credit interest.
No Credit Card for You!
Hi Scott, Today I opened accounts with ING Direct and applied for a credit card. I also transferred money from my current bank to ING.
Ground zero of the mortgage crisis
Let me take you to ground zero of the mortgage crisis. Right now the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) is receiving so many calls that they’re at breaking point.
Hey Kids, Let’s Learn about Credit Cards!
Dear Scott I am a teacher and I just got an email which made me angry, and I have you to blame... or should I say thank?
When the Bank of Mum and Dad Goes Bad
Can you remember when you got your first credit card? Mine was automatically bundled into my NAB student banking package when I went to university.
Special Q&A with Kelly O’Dwyer.
This week I’m doing a special Q&A with the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, and the Minister for Women, Kelly O’Dwyer.Costello’s RegretsBarefoot:Your old boss, Peter Costello, says he regrets not doing more to lower fees on compulsory superannuation.
Okay, I’m Angry
Commbank chief Matt Comyn is sorry ... He’s sorry his insurance guys ripped off terminally ill parents who took out life insurance with the bank.
Lock ‘Em Up!
Here’s something shocking that I learned about this week. Apparently there’s been a spate of violent home invasions in which young thugs have been terrorising vulnerable pensioners, and it’s been going on for years.
How to Invest in Shares With No Risk
Hi Scott, My partner and I are quite young (both 28) and have bought our first home already. We are now looking to invest in the share market, and would like to take out a ‘protected equity loan’ to do so.
The Acorns App
Hi Scott I wanted to get your thoughts on the Acorns app and whether using this would be just as good as, if not better than, using a ‘Smile’ saver account for Mojo. I want to see my money grow quickly but am unsure whether using Acorns is relatively risk-free and worth it?
If you’ve got an ING card, read this
The other day, ING sent me a mass-marketing email with the subject line: “Scott, refer a friend and you can both get $100.” Now, given that my book recommends setting up a couple of ING accounts ...
How Should I Save for My Baby?
Dear Barefoot, Firstly, I want to say thank you. I have been following the Barefoot system and this year my husband and I got pregnant with our first child!
Dump the Dollarmites?
Dear BFI, My kid’s school is considering school banking, and someone suggested Dollarmites. I bit my tongue while screaming NOOOOOO inwardly.
You Ripper!
Barefoot, I just wanted to tell you about my latest Barefoot Date Night. Like you advised I rang the bank, followed your script, and they reduced my rate from 5.
If you were a drug dealer, how would you want to be paid?
If you were a drug dealer, how do you think you’d want to be paid? PayPal?
Why Your Bank is Lying to You
Malcolm, I feel for you, brother. On Wednesday, after the banks behaved like brats by not passing on all of the Reserve Bank’s rate cut, the Prime Minister held a press conference.