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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I Spent $2,000 on Powerball Last Night
Hi Scott, I spent $2,000 on Powerball last night and apparently did not even win my tickets back. I feel pathetic.
My Girlfriend Was Hiding a Secret from Me
Hello Mr Barefoot, Just finished your book and it has completely changed my perspective on money — I finally believe I will be able to buy my future home in Sydney. That was until my girlfriend of one year surprised me with her $30,000 debt (credit cards, personal loan and education fees).
I Vowed to Write to You Once We Were Debt Free
Dear Scott, Ten years ago, my wife and I were drowning in debt, with a big mortgage and maxed-out credit cards. I came across a copy of your (first) Barefoot Investor book and vowed to change our circumstances and write to you once we were debt free.
My Baby Sent Me Broke
Hi Scott, Over the last two-and-a-half years we have had two babies and a wedding. Our first baby came earlier than planned so it wasn’t covered by private health, and we made the silly choice to pay for it out of pocket.
I Owe MyBudget $1,250
Hey Barefoot, I signed up with a money managing agency MyBudget because I felt that some financial structure and discipline would be good, and also to make my parents happy. Unfortunately, the model did not work for me.
I am FURIOUS
Hi Scott, I am FURIOUS. I study full time (business at UTS) and work round the clock in real estate to support myself, while all my uni friends bludge off the Government.
Fighting in the Jungle
Hey Scott, My mother and her partner owe money left, right and centre -- in fact the sheriff is chasing them for more than $100,000. But they live in a caravan and are ‘on the run’ (not so much Bonnie and Clyde, more like postcard bandits).
And the Judge’s Gavel Fell
Scott, I have a court judgment against me for a $10,000 credit card debt, along with other credit card and personal loan debts that have accumulated to over $20,000. Over the last three years I have recovered from addiction and mental health issues, as well as homelessness.
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.
Would You Like a Credit Card With that?
Hi Scott, My 19-year-old daughter just started a job at David Jones. To my horror, one of her KPIs is to sell the David Jones credit card to customers.
Bankrupt but They’re Still Chasing Me!
Scott, I am a 36-year-old single woman, earning $65,000 as an admin officer, and I have recently declared bankruptcy. However, one loan could not be erased, as it is a secured loan, and my car (a Mitsubishi ASX worth $8,000) is attached to it.
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!
The fine print on Apple’s new credit card
Sir Richard Branson leaned across the table, smiled, and winked at me. “It’s pretty sexy, right?
Confessions of an Afterpay Junkie
Dear Barefoot, As someone who fell down the Afterpay rabbit hole and got stuck in a cycle for three years, I completely agree with what you are saying. I added up every single purchase I had made and found I had spent a disgusting $19,338.
Bailing Out My Boyfriend
Hi, I’m a huge fan! My boyfriend is currently working overseas, and we plan to ‘go Barefoot’ when he gets back so we can tackle our debts.
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.
Why Afterpay is the marijuana of credit
I think of Afterpay as the financial equivalent of marijuana. Young people absolutely love it, and old people are doing a lot of finger-waving about the dangers of getting hooked on the newest financial drug to hit the streets.
Eat, Pray, Dump
Hi Barefoot, So I get a message from my wife at 2am while she is in Morocco (finding herself): “I think I’m going to move to Morocco, I’m so sorry.” This really was not expected, nor in my plan for the future.
My Aunty Has 15 Credit Cards
Hi Scott, My aunty has got herself into trouble with credit cards. She is not savvy with money and I really do not think she understood what she was doing.
High Income Earners Completely Out of Control
Scott, We are what many would consider ‘high income earners’, earning $255,000 a year ‒ and yet we are completely out of control. Our five years of DINK (Double Income No Kids) lifestyle came to a halt when we had three kids in two years, and we are now floundering month to month.