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 Day Our Lives Turned Around
Hi Scott, In December last year -- after struggling with personal debt of over $55,000, no job, and rent that had zapped my entire savings -- I took a train into the city with my wife (who had been holding the fort for us both on her $80,000-a-year job). We walked around for the whole day and decided something had to change -- WE had to change.
My Totally Independent Financial Advisor … Sucks
Barefoot, My wife are in our early 50s. Adult kids.
IVF Has Left Me $15,000 in Debt
Hi Scott, I believe my situation is unique. I am 42, single, earning $85,000 (including super), and about to embark on IVF cycle number seven, as I have not yet met Mr Right and at my age have no time to wait for him.
What Young People Should Learn from Their Parents
In last week’s column you talked about young people and money. My husband and I encounter many young people, some even in their thirties, who do not know the basics about saving, super, banks, financial advisers, etc.
How to ruin your financial life
He didn’t even introduce himself. An old bloke just walked straight up to me, poked his knobbly old index finger into my ribs, leaned in, and said: “They don’t listen to you, do they!
Why Young Women Are Miserable
The email subject line simply read: “Crisis”. It was from Jess, a 26-year-old, university-educated Melbournian who wrote that her life was “a disaster”.
Hedging Against My Shaky Marriage
Hi Scott, We have $300,000 in the bank, and owe $42,000 on our mortgage. We have two kids (ages 6 and 7), but our marriage is shaky.
Any Advice for an Overwhelmed Widow?
Hi Scott, It is with a heavy heart that I write for advice. Last week, my best mate of many years suddenly decided to end his life, leaving behind young wife and two primary school aged kids.
How Would You Invest a Spare $10,000, Barefoot?
Hi Scott, I’ve just turned 28, and after reading your book I came to the realisation that my savings have been sitting in my bank account for several years doing nothing. I have no investments whatsoever, but I do have $10,000 I could invest.
The Slippery Slope to Ruin
Barefoot, A few years ago I was on a high income, with $60,000 in savings for a home. But after being made redundant two years ago I have blown so much money gambling.
Thank You Barefoot
Scott, We spoke way back in 2010. That was the year when my husband died, I had a six-month-old baby, and I could not afford my mortgage repayments.
We’re Waging a War!
Dear Scott, My hubby and I have read your book and are on a ‘Barefoot warpath’. However, we have one big problem.
Should I Buy Baby Bunting Shares?
Hi Barefoot, I remember you saying in a column once that people should invest in companies they understand. Well, my partner and I are pregnant and have been spending a lot of time, and money, at Baby Bunting.
Last weekend I made a terrible mistake.
My wife left me alone for three hours, and in that time I generated a full-scale social media storm. And it all started when I posted a picture of my undies on Facebook.
Help! Money Just Appears in My Account!
Scott, My in-laws are our ‘financial alpacas’ -- they keep giving us money! I hate it but my husband loves it.
The Tony Robbins Tax
Hi Barefoot, I’m 26 and work in advertising and I earn $82,000 a year so I pay a lot of tax! Last year I went to a Tony Robbins seminar called Date With Destiny.
Where to Invest $5 million?
Scott, My wife and family are in a very fortunate position after selling our business in February this year. We have no debt, own our house valued at $5,000,000, own a beach house valued at $1,700,000, super $1,700,000, and approximately $5,000,000 in cash.
Will Interest Rates Rise Eight Times in the Next Two Years?
Barefoot, This week I nearly had a heart attack when I read in the newspaper that economist John Edwards says that interest rates may rise eight times (!) in the next two years.
An Update on the First Home Saver Super Accounts
I’m a little ‘dusty’ as I write this. You see, as a card-carrying DIK (Dad I Know), I don’t get many leave passes from my wife … so when I got an invitation to an EOFY (End of Financial Year) finance shindig, I couldn’t pass it up.
The overnight $60,000 pay rise
Can you imagine getting an immediate $60,000-a-year pay rise? Well, that’s what happened this week to a bunch of young blokes that I work with.