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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The Barefoot Book

Scott, I have followed you for years, and treated your first book like a bible since a good friend of mine gave it to me in 2010 -- when my husband died. At that time I could not afford my mortgage repayments, and I had a six-month-old baby.

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A Financial Man-Child

Hi Scott, We live beyond our means -- especially my husband. We have been married two years; I earn $45,000 and he earns $70,000.

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An Update on the Acorns App

Hi Barefoot, I have been an avid reader of your column in the Herald Sun and have read your book back to front several times. With your inspiration, I paid off my $1.

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Aspiring Artist

Hi Scott! I am a 15-year-old aspiring artist who is interested in doing commissions for online customers.

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Tax Effective Way to Buy a New Car?

Hi Scott A friend of mine, who is in real estate and whose mum is an accountant, suggests that it is more tax effective to buy a new car on a three-year finance deal with an agreed buyback figure than to drive a cheaper older car. My friend seemed to get a good tax return for her earnings due to this.

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Save Me from My Kids!

Hi Scott, I am a successful elderly businesswoman. My business (which I started from scratch) is conservatively valued at $7 million.

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Bless Your Cotton Socks, Barefoot

Hi Scott, God love your cotton-picking socks, Barefoot! With your help I have, in under two years, eliminated all my credit card, personal loan and car debt, and built up some Mojo as well.

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I’m a Multi-Millionaire!

Hi Barefoot, I have a question about how to deal with an upcoming bit of luck. I am the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of a startup, and when I started I was allocated 5 per cent of the company’s shares.

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I am OFFENDED

Scott, Last weekend I took offence at your comment about ‘double dipping’ on paid parental leave (PPL). The PPL scheme was designed so that government and industry can support families together, so there is NO SUCH THING AS DOUBLE DIPPING!

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The Medicine Man

Hi Scott, I am currently (fairly happily) employed as a paramedic. However, I have been thinking about further study to pursue a career in medicine.

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Are We a Bankruptcy Case?

Barefoot, I am humbled by the current state of the WA economy. My current job is paying me 50 per cent less than what I was earning four years ago.

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Help! My Broker Sent Me Broke

Scott, My husband died in September 2014. I was too emotional to invest the money I received, so I thought I would go with a broker to reduce my stress in those raw, grieving days.

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Trumped!

Scott, I can’t believe the Americans could vote in such a loose cannon as Donald Trump. The experts are predicting that he will be an absolute disaster.

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What Happens When My Wife Dies?

Dear Scott, My question to you is this. In your column you often state that couples should have their money in joint accounts.

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The $53,100 Question

Hello Scott, I will be 65 next year and I am in good health. I have seen a financial advisor who advised me to transfer all my AustralianSuper money ($680,000) to Netwealth and to put it under my wife’s name so I can obtain a health card.

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