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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My Super Crappy Boss
Hi Scott, I feel like everybody learns to check their super the hard way — by not being paid it at some point thanks to a super crappy boss. I am a 22-year-old uni student and have mostly had hospitality jobs while studying.
Time for a Super Shakeup
What I’m about to share with you could possibly be the biggest change to superannuation since I wrote my book, The Barefoot Investor: The Only Money Guide You’ll Ever Need, a few years ago.But first, a cute analogy to explain how Aussie super works:Retail super funds, those owned by the banks and AMP, are the financial equivalent of Facebook.
All My Eggs in One Basket
Hi Barefoot, Following your recent post about expensive super funds, I had an appointment with a financial advisor at First State Super, where my fund is held. After doing a ‘risk report’ on me, the advisor suggested I essentially ‘put all my eggs in one basket’ by investing 100% in high growth.
Don’t Go Changing
Hi Scott, In last Sunday’s column there was a paragraph that read “Scarface Claw is in this instance OnePath/ANZ ... who have some of the worst performing Super Funds”.
A Hairy Problem
Hi Scott, Your latest column about Hairy Maclary and expensive super funds really put the cat among the pigeons in our house. Our financial adviser (who we like) has us with AMP (among a slew of other retirement-related accounts), and we are finding it hard to see through all the smoke and mirrors to get to the fees so we can feel secure.
A super fund option with ZERO fees?
If you've been reading my stuff for a while, you’ll know I bang on – a lot – about minimising your super fees.Well, today I'm going to tell you about a super fund that has zero fees.
Could We Lose All Our Money?
My husband and I are working through your book, but we are stuck at the superannuation chapter. We both work for the Queensland Government and have our super in the QSuper Lifetime Aspire fund.
Boost My Super Just By Shopping? SuperSuper!
Hi Scott, I am hearing a lot of advertising for SuperSuper ‒ a shopping rewards program that pays rewards directly to your super account with GuildSuper. It’s targeting women, enabling us to boost our super balances by doing nothing different ‒ we are shopping anyway!
Is AMP Heading South?
Hi Barefoot, On advice from our financial adviser, my wife and moved our super from Australian Super to AMP MyNorth Super a year ago. We have generally been happy with the advice we have received and, like all funds, in the past year MyNorth has had its ups and down.
Super Stressful
Hi Scott, I am 27 and earn $95,000 a year, so my super is adding up. But I received my annual superannuation statement and found I am being charged three separate fees: administration fees (0.
Is your money in one of these ‘fat cat’ funds?
2018’s Top 10 ‘Fat Cat Funds’ I once knew a very rich guy in his sixties who prided himself on ‘calling a spade a spade’. “You’re fat!
Should I Go to Cash in My Super?
Dear Barefoot, I am a single working woman, 61 years old, planning to retire in five years. I am now wondering if I should be concerned about my superannuation reducing with the recent share market losses.
How to get your gouged super back
Did you know you have a one-in-three chance that you could be owed thousands of dollars? It’s true.
Boxing at Retirement Shadows
Hi Scott, We read your book and loved it. However, we got a little confused near the end when talking about superannuation approaching retirement (which we hope to do in two to three years).
Does My Bum Look Big in This?
Hi Scott, Recently on Facebook a woman around the same age as me (36) asked how much super others had. This resulted in many women of a similar age posting that, despite taking time out to raise kids, their super was well into six figures.
The Super Hero
Today I want to introduce you to Mia, who this week became a quiet hero to hundreds of thousands of Aussies around the country … without them even knowing it. Mia is a single mother of two kids.
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.
Helping Out My Mum
Scott, At the age of just 30, I am VERY aware of the importance of super. Here’s why.
The Big Budget Changes You Missed
Far as I can tell, we’re the only country that goes a little ‘Hollywood’ for the Budget. Other nations just read theirs out on a Tuesday afternoon in parliament, and no one gives a toss.
Your Book Is Stressing Me Out
I started reading your book last night and was discouraged when I read about your SMSF strategy. About two years ago, on advice from a financial advisor, my husband and I set up an SMSF, and we have since purchased a property with it.