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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A Helping Hand
My name is Hepa. I’m just responding to that question last week from Sarah the freelance graphic designer. If it’s all right with you, could you please pass on my contact info to her.
Port Arthur
I’ll get to the millionaire in a moment, but right now I want to talk about something important …The Port Arthur massacre, in 1996, shocked our country. A crazed gunman killed 35 people and wounded 23 others.
The Golden Child
My parents ended up losing their jobs last year, and still had debts amounting up to a total of $80,000 (a mixture of credit cards and fixed-term loans). I have been making repayments for these and, by my calculations, I should be able to finish paying them off by October this year.
Barefoot-Approved Home Loans?
I was scrolling Instagram the other day and I came across a group called Unbiased Mortgage Brokers who have “Recommended by the Barefoot Investor” at the top of their page.
The End of Cash
I’ve heard some talk lately (a lot more than the normal conspiracy theories) around the removal of coins and then notes from the Australian monetary system – moving Australia to a completely cashless society.
The Betrayal
We have – well had – a much-loved receptionist. She was like a second mum to our child, even taking paid time off to go to the grandparent/important person day at her school. She was paid above award wages and has been looked after with bonuses and gifts for the last 17 years.
How I invest my own money
On Sunday night, after the kids were fast asleep (for the third time), I lay in bed and opened my calendar to check what I had on for the week ahead. And up popped my favourite ‘event’:
“Check your dividends, Big Boy!”
Au Pair? Au Contraire!
I’m 19, au pairing in the UK and preparing for a three-month backpacking trip around Europe. Living the dream, right! Except that by the time I get back to Australia I’ll have just about used up my savings.
Lovestruck
Last year I got caught in a romance scam and lost $240k. I was just so stupid to send money to the stranger, but I thought there were lots of signs to believe him. I haven’t told any of my family about this.
Are you smarter than a 10-year-old?
Last year, while I was fanging around France in an oversized motorhome with way too many kids, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) ran its first ever large-scale survey to test the general public’s understanding of economics, by way of six multiple choice questions.
HECS Freedom for First Home Buyers!
You stuffed up last week in your column on higher education. The big headline from that report was that banks should NOT be allowed to take your HECS debt into account when you’re applying for a home loan.
Let’s Talk about Bill Gates
I love your column and read it every time! I do have a question though: you’re extremely quiet on the global situation that’s been happening since the plandemic.
Teacher Gets Schooled
I love teaching. I love the sparkle in a student’s eye when they ‘get it’. I love being a stable and consistent cheerleader in their lives. Yet things have changed in the past five years – the challenges that come with students who didn’t receive the support they needed during lockdown, and the challenges of the ‘screen kids’
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.
My (brief) time in jail
The prisoner walked into the jail meeting room, sat down in front of me, and stared into my soul. “Hello”, I said nervously. Silence.
Wine-O Needs Help
I have a dream. I want to start my own vineyard. I love wine! We live on 20 acres in Gippsland (Victoria) and I want to add 4 hectares of vines. I always thought it was a pipe dream but last year I got an inheritance of $250,000 from my grandmother.
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.
You’re a Dick, Barefoot
I'm a hairdresser, and I didn’t appreciate you starting your column last week with the idea that your wife was embarrassed about you being mistaken for a hairdresser. It just made you sound like a dick. Don't alienate the people you are trying to help. Do better.
The Greens Party Listens
You seem to be singing from the Greens playbook. This week they are shrewdly threatening to not pass the government’s Help to Buy scheme unless they agree to stop negative gearing and freeze rents.
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.