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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Proud, Angry, Happy!
A couple of day ago I finished reading your book, and immediately phoned my bank (Suncorp). My husband and I have had our home loan with them for close to 10 years.
I Am Never Looking Back
Dear Scott, Six years ago I left my ex, due to him punching me. It was the right thing to do, but it certainly set me back financially.
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.
AFL Player Needs Help
Hey mate, I am a professional footballer. I received a copy of your book through the Players’ Association, and it is honestly the first book I have read from start to finish ‒ overnight!
Escape to the Country
Scott I keep falling in love with the idea of moving to the country. Whether it’s you or a happy-go-lucky couple I recently met, it seems many people are singing the praises of the ‘simple life’ ‒ ditching expensive inner city rents for a modest country abode with a manageable mortgage.
Mortgage or Super?
Hi Scott, On page 156 of your book it says: “So with your home deposit saved and your house bought, it’s time to give your super contributions a boost.” Could you please settle an argument for my husband and me?
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.
How to Invest in Shares With No Risk
Hi Scott, My partner and I are quite young (both 28) and have bought our first home already. We are now looking to invest in the share market, and would like to take out a ‘protected equity loan’ to do so.
The 3 Smart Gifts I’m Giving this Christmas for Under $30
Christmas shopping sucks, right? Not for me.
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.
The First Home Super Saver Gets Up!
Hi Scott, I heard you on Triple J this week talking about the fact that the First Home Super Saver Scheme has finally been passed by Parliament. My parents, being traditional hardcore Asian parents, are telling me I have to open one up.
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).
Help! My Wife’s a Ball-Breaker
Hey Scott, My wife and I are currently following your teachings. However, we have come unstuck on overtime payments and additional income.
The Barefoot Movie
Hi there, I am successfully following your instructions on splitting my income -- 10% to ‘Splurge’, 10% to ‘Smile’, 20% to ‘Fire Extinguisher’ and $3,000 in ‘Mojo’. I see in the book it says that Mojo will grow, but I cannot find any instructions on how to add to it.
Jimmy Barnes and I go head to head
“Last year industry outsiders Jimmy Barnes and Scott Pape taught the book industry how to sell books”, wrote the Bookseller + Publisher recently. Yee-haw!
Uber’s Dirty Little Secret
If you’ve got an Uber account, you really need to read this. You may have heard that last week Uber fessed up to the fact it had been hacked in October last year -- with the names and contact details of 57 million of its user and driver accounts being stolen.
The Acorns App
Hi Scott I wanted to get your thoughts on the Acorns app and whether using this would be just as good as, if not better than, using a ‘Smile’ saver account for Mojo. I want to see my money grow quickly but am unsure whether using Acorns is relatively risk-free and worth it?
ScoMo’s $250 million air kiss
Right now Parliament House reminds me of a seedy share house I lived in when I was at uni: no one could quite work out who lived there, or where they came from, and everyone was busy screwing each other. Poor old Malcolm.
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.