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!
Search Articles
Prisoner’s Last Chance
Dear Mr Scott Pape, My name is Peter. I am 59 and I have four years left to serve on a five-year prison term.
The Alcohol Experiment
Hi Scott, Last week you answered a question from Jane (“I am NOT an Alcoholic”), who was clearly struggling with alcohol. For people who are after help with stopping/reducing alcohol intake (not physiological-addiction-level alcoholics), I strongly recommend the book The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace.
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.
Am I a Financial Drug Dealer?
Hi Scott, I run a small online business with my wife. While I do not use Afterpay myself, we do offer it as a payment option for our customers.
Are Charities Ripping Us Off?
Hi Barefoot, Do you know of any charities which do not have highly paid CEOs and numerous other well-paid staff? l would like to make a donation to charities where all the money goes to the people who need it, rather than paying managers and having only the leftovers go to actual charity.
The man who made $54 million before lunch
Last Monday, I broke bread with a bloke who’d just made $54 million … before lunch. True dinks.
Single Mum Is a Loser
Hi Scott I am a 32-year-old single mother trying to save for my own house. I’m working full time and completing my degree online, so I moved in with my grandparents to get some help.
Australian Scholarships Group Made Me Cry
Thanks for warning people last week about ASG. I wasn’t surprised you don’t recommend them.
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.
Happy Campers
Hi Scott, I am camping with my husband (first time ever) and have stopped to read your Barefoot email. I was really pleased to see your praise for financial counsellors.
I Didn’t Get Paid!
Hi Barefoot Interesting column last week about super not being paid. In my office almost everyone has not been getting super since November last year, and some for 12 months.
Tithing Is NOT Mandatory!
Dear Scott, I read with interest your recent answer to a question from a woman who said that tithing was ‘not negotiable’ at her church. As a Christian, it sickens me that the church would do such a thing.
Tithing for the Church
Hi Scott, I am a single mum of three. I earn $86,000 a year, pay $624.
Why Advisors Hate Barefoot
Hi Scott, My husband and I would like to share with you a conversation he recently had with our financial adviser. Husband: “My wife and I have been looking into our shared finances.
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.
Million Dollar Payday
Dear Scott, I am 24 years old and I earn $40,000 a year working part time. Today I received a lump sum of $1,000,000 (after costs) due to being run over by a car seven years ago.
10 Years Without Money
Hi Scott, Ten years I have been a monk and therefore ten years without money. Now, at age 52, I am leaving the monastic life and coming back into the regular world.
Burning Through the Bucks, Baby
Dear Barefoot, I am 35 and engaged to the most generous guy, who I love. But we have spent $31,000 in two months!
It’s 2am and I Can’t Sleep
Hello Barefoot, I am typing this at 2am -- I cannot sleep. My husband and I have a household income of $200,000 and have three small kids -- but we never see them, as we work in the city and live 60 kilometres away.