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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19-Year-Old Girl Wins the Lottery
Hi Scott, I am 19 and was given your book last Christmas. I am not the greatest saver — I like to splurge a little too often.
Don’t Raise a Tightarse
Hi Scott, Loving your new book, but I have a question. If a child does not want to spend their accumulated ‘Splurge’ money, isn’t that effectively another form of savings?
‘You need sleeping pills’, said my doctor
The Three Exams Years ago, when I was cramming for my final VCE exams, I went to see my doctor. I confessed to the old quack that I was stressed -- wound up like a lacker band -- and was having trouble sleeping.
The Sunday Night Ritual
Hi Scott, We are two weeks into our ‘Barefoot family experience’. The kids are excited to be doing chores (who would have thought?!
The Do-Gooder
Dear Mr Foot, I do not know if you follow the Facebook groups formed around your books. But there has been a lot of pushback on your idea of the ‘Give Jar’ and kids giving a portion of their money to those in need.
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.
Can Grandparents Do This?
Hi Scott, I ordered three copies of your book, one for each of my adult children, but I am worried they will be too busy to get time to read it. For my grandkids’ sake I really want them to actually do it!
The Kind Stepmother
Scott, I have five beautiful new step-daughters. They all live nose-to-device, get cranky when offered advice of ANY kind, “don’t like to read”, and have a massive hole in their hand.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Hi Scott, I have a spinal cord injury and am paralysed from the chest down. I am self-employed and lucky enough to have a wonderful wife and two great kids.
Barbie and the Rocker
Let me tell you about a 59-year-old woman who makes billions of dollars a year. Her name is Barbie, and, after years of being in the (toy) doghouse, she’s suddenly cool again.
Public Versus Private
This week was the cut-off for enrolling our oldest son into Primary school. It’s been a highly stressful time for my wife, who’s been agonising over our choices: public, private, Catholic.
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.
What About Helping ‘Tweens’ Too?
Scott, Last night I was reading your book and my 11-year-old son asked me about it. I was reading the chapter about credit cards, so I explained the dangers of them to him.
Here’s What I Really Think About the Acorns (Raiz) app
A lot of people ask me about the youth-focused investing app Acorns. Its ‘killer app’ is that it collects your spare change and invests it in the share market on your behalf.
The Billionaire
Dear Mr Pape, My name is Lachlan, I am 16 years old, and I live on the Gold Coast. I have a keen interest in finance and economics, and through my part-time job I have been able to build a share portfolio worth $3,000, on top of $2,000 in savings.
My Son is $120k in Debt … and Wants Me to Save Him
Dear Barefoot, Twelve months ago my wife and I separated, so I am now ‘starting again’. We have nine children, and my eldest son has asked me to go guarantor, or have a joint loan, so he can consolidate his $55,000 credit card debt.
My First Year as an Adult
Dear Scott, Just over a year ago I was a 17-year-old high school graduate with literally $0 to my name. Luckily, I managed to find a farm job over the summer break before starting uni.
Daddy’s Girl
Dear Barefoot, My father monitors my money from afar and, as a 25-year-old woman, I feel I am being treated like a child. He thinks my partner and I are financially illiterate, and disagrees with us having joint bank accounts (he and Mum keep their money separate).
The Scary Stepmother
Dear Scott, I need help to do a ‘full life’ money plan for my 21-year-old stepson -- and I am getting migraines! Here is how I picture it: he puts 12.