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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Watch Your Back, Barefoot
I like you. And I like your advice. Which makes me want to give you some of my advice. Watch your step. You’re a finance guy, right? Let me run some numbers by you
I’ve never seen anything like it
In almost 20 years of writing this column, I’ve never seen anything like it.
Just this year, I’ve had the following people email me:
A veteran policeman who was scammed out of his life savings.
An experienced tech journalist who was swindled for ten grand.
And literally hundreds of readers who’ve lost amounts ranging from $1,000 to $1 million.
Barefoot Got Hacked!
Have you been hacked? Recently I was tagged by ‘Scott Pape’ from a Facebook page congratulating me on being one of 20 people chosen to ‘win $1,000’.
My Wife Has No Idea What I’ve Done …
I write this with a heavy heart. Three days ago I found out that the investments that my wife and I were making were a scam. We have lost $90,000, our entire house deposit savings. The thing is, she doesn’t know yet. Tough pill to swallow.
Our Son-in-Law is a Nothing Burger
Our 48-year-old daughter was $2,000 away from paying off her house when her husband of 23 years told her that he had used the redraw facility attached to their housing loan to withdraw $150,000 to invest in a cryptocurrency scam!
The Bitcoin Babe
I have been trying to find a partner and get married for a while. Recently, I was matched with a guy on a dating app and we got to talking. He kept saying money is very important to him.
How to be unhackable
This is an open letter to the Federal Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones.
Please open this right now, it’s very important
Today I’m going to show you the exact steps that will stop scammers from running up credit in your name.
Best of all, it’s fast, easy, and free.
Barefoot Calls a Single Mother in the Middle of the Night
I’m a 57-year-old single mum. I bought a property 3 years ago and work, as a nurse, almost every day to make ends meet.
Chilled to the Bone
I felt chilled to the bone when I read about that poor family who lost their house deposit to scammers. Is there anything we can do for them?
Chasing a Ghost
Just before Covid hit, I paid a $3,000 deposit for a new fence. Then Covid hit, and everything stopped.
Why ING Sucks
Fiona is a young high school maths teacher who has a lot on her mind. She’s knee deep in planning her wedding, so her head is full with nuptial numbers
A Scammer Stole Our Family Home!
My husband and I have seven kids, aged from one to 13. Five weeks ago we finally took the plunge and bought a big family home!
Scammers Got the Lot
My daughter recently clicked on a text message from scammers saying they were from ANZ. She entered her login details and gave the scammers full access to her account.
I got scammed
So this is kind of humiliating, but I have a confession:A few weeks ago I got scammed … and it ended up costing me $5,000.The toughest part to swallow?
I just called … to say … I WANT ALL YOUR MONEY
I got a random call from a financial advisor that I have never dealt with before. I have been meaning to get some advice for a while now, so the timing was great.
I Blew $10,000 on Binary Trading
About four years ago I invested $250 in Skyline Markets and learnt how to do binary trading. It seemed very profitable and they hounded me to go to the next level by investing $10,000, which in hindsight I should not have done. Then — lo and behold — they stopped contacting me and the website closed down.
My Wife is Sending Selfies to Russians
I am hoping you can solve a disagreement between my wife and myself. I have just read your answer to Lilly, who got herself tangled up with Skyway Investment in Russia. My wife has invested $1,000 with them too.
It’s a Scamski!
My wife is 57 and has invested thousands of dollars into an ‘education investment program’. It is a multi-level marketing program called SkyWay Investment Group (SWIG).
You are in a lot of trouble
After hours of crying, our baby finally dropped off to sleep in his mother’s arms ...
… and then her phone rang.
The noise startled our son, and he began wailing.
“ANSWER IT!” she thundered at me.