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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Vanguard Super?
I came across an article stating that Vanguard is now in the Superannuation business and will be competing against the likes of Australian Super, HostPlus etc. What is your view on this?
We're overdue for a stock market crash ...
We are well overdue for a stock market crash. They happen, after all, on average every 10 years, and the last one (discounting the Covid-induced flash-crash) was 14 years ago. And I still have PTSD from the GFC. People on the verge of retirement wrote to me in tears as they watched the value of their super dissolve in front of their eyes.
So about last week ...
Wow-wee! Last week’s column – on how much you need to retire – triggered an avalanche of reader responses. “That’s WAY TOO LOW!”
How much do you REALLY need to retire?
Let me tell you about the worst speech I’ve ever given in my life. It happened five years ago when a friend asked if I’d speak about retirement at a lunch for his men’s group.
Am I Funding the Invasion of Ukraine?
Wally, my long-suffering editor, knows he has a hot question when it’s written in ALL CAPS. Here’s one that landed last week: “AM I FUNDING THE INVASION OF UKRAINE?”
Here’s How Much You Should Have in Super Right Now
“You look different in real life than you do on the cover of your book”, said the waitress.
“You’ve lost a lot of weight.”
It’s true, over the past few months I’ve dropped roughly 13 kilos.
All Clear from COVID
We stupidly made the decision to withdraw the maximum $20,000 from my husband’s super when it was on offer due to Covid. Now we want to give it back. Is it as simple as depositing it back into his super account?
A Super Confession
My husband and I have been with Christian Super Fund for the past 20 years. Today they sent us a letter saying that they’ve been underperforming and that we should change funds. My husband is 61 and I’m 59. We don’t have much super. Should we be worried about this?
Your super, your choice
I got absolutely belted for last week’s column.My crime?Innocently suggesting that people with uncomplicated tax affairs (read ‘employees’) could save themselves the $400 they spend on an accountant, and instead lodge via the ATO app on their phone, which does the job in a few minutes.
A Super Idea?
I have just seen a news item on a proposed policy which could see victims of domestic violence allowed to withdraw up to $10,000 from their super.
The Virgin Investor
We are pretty excited that our 16-year-old daughter is about to start her first job. Now to work out which super fund for her to join! Following the advice in your book, we have started the process of searching for a low-cost fund. I like the look of Virgin Money Super, which charges a $58 admin fee plus 0.39% of the balance per annum. My concern is that it is a new fund and the investment options are all high risk, not to mention that Virgin Atlantic filed for ‘Chapter 11’ (hopefully not all the Virgin-branded businesses will meet the same fate). Would appreciate your advice.
My Doom and Gloom Dad
My dad and I are classic doomers. Dad would often speak around the dining table about the looming subprime mortgage crisis — among other things, like public debt, and the devil in credit cards — when I was a teen. Now I am a Millennial who turned 30 this year.
I Want to Hit My Dad … Does Barefoot Agree?
Howdy Scott, My dad and I are just about coming to blows! He has a mate, an investment manager, who is managing his $700,000 in superannuation.
You Got Ten Grand?
“Do you have $10,000?” I was sitting in the back of an Uber when my driver grunted this muffled request through his face mask.
Student Super
Hi Scott, EmmaI am 18 years old and have just landed two casual jobs, so I need to set up a super account (after finding out that all of my past super from a part-time summer job in 2016 was reduced to $0.14 and then taken by the ATO!
You’re Wrong, Barefoot!
Scott, I was not happy with your answer to Rebecca a few weeks ago. You disagreed with her husband, who told her it was “better for us to have control of our money rather than a superannuation company”.
My Husband Is After My Super
Scott, I need your help. I am 31 years old, earning $60,000, and my husband wants me to pull $20,000 out of super (which I can do because of the coronavirus situation) and put it on our mortgage to reduce our interest payments.
Super Strange at Hostplus
Scott I’m a 27-year-old with my super in Hostplus. I got an email from them talking about ‘unlisted assets’ which to be honest made no sense at all.
Too Broke to Go Broke
Dear Scott, I am one of those ‘bastard bosses’ you talk about — I am still about $40,000 behind on my employees’ super (including mine — I have not paid myself any super, ever). I am also going broke.
Living the ING Life
Hey Scott, Long time reader, first time asker! I know you mention ING in your book, so I would love your thoughts on their latest superannuation offering -- ‘Living Super’.