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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How Much Will Really Make You Happy?
Before we got married, we signed up for pre-marriage counselling at the local country church. The pastor asked about our thoughts on work, which was a sticking point: at the time I was working around the clock getting Barefoot up and running, appearing on television, and travelling the country most weeks doing paid speaking gigs.
Are We Stupid?
Hey Barefoot,My wise old man got me and my boyfriend onto your book, and since September we've put $35,000 into an account for a house deposit! We have a combined annual income of $140,000 pre-tax.
Use Your In-Tuition
Dear Scott You believe in people following their intuition (‘in-tuition’ or ‘inner teacher’), right? Well, I made the move from charity work to psychic work in 2011, and I keep having the same dilemma.
Shaken, Not Stirred
Hi Barefoot, I just wanted to drop you a line from the comfy living room of my first property. If you’d told me two-and-a-half years ago that I’d own this place today, I would have dropped the dirty martini in my hand!
The Alcohol Experiment
Hi Scott, Last week you answered a question from Jane (“I am NOT an Alcoholic”), who was clearly struggling with alcohol. For people who are after help with stopping/reducing alcohol intake (not physiological-addiction-level alcoholics), I strongly recommend the book The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace.
The fine print on Apple’s new credit card
Sir Richard Branson leaned across the table, smiled, and winked at me. “It’s pretty sexy, right?
Don’t Send Kids to the Coalmine, Barefoot
Hey Scott, I just wanted to comment on your response last week to the letter from Alice the 15-year-old asking if she should get a part-time job. Could you please recommend that high school students work no more than 12 hours per week, unless they are happy to take a nose-dive in their education!
How a Financial Advisor Can Make You a Millionaire
Hi Scott, My daughter is a hardworking 22-year-old who lives in a share house. She is struggling with her living expenses.
I am NOT an Alcoholic
Scott, I currently spend about $100 a week on alcohol ‒ it is pure habit and l love the taste too. I am not an alcoholic, but I do need some incentive to drop the habit, like a financial goal!
How a Barefooter lost 97 kilos, and saved fifteen grand in 18 months
I’ve decided to make a move into a new industry: health and fitness. (I’ve even come up with a catchy name for my program: ‘The Barefoot Bikini Challenge’.
You’ll Be Proud of Me, Barefoot
Dear Scott, I wrote to you when I was on maternity leave in October 2017 to tell you I had racked up a $17,000 credit card debt (you published my response as ‘Zero Balance Is a Trap’). Well, since returning from maternity leave I am down to my last $1,000 payment, I am winning at work, and I even have a new role!
The Perfect Barefoot Side Hustle
Scott, I have come across a mob who are selling themselves as offering the “perfect Barefoot Side Hustle” with what they call “matched betting”. Is this is a scam?
Blow the Whistle
Hi Scott, I’m 15 years old and do not have regular work, though I do umpire netball in the winter months, which earns me about $15 a game. I’ve just started Year 10 and will have a lot on my plate school-wise, and do not want my studies to suffer.
Engagement Ring Going Cheap
Scott, I am currently filing for divorce. My ex-husband rampantly cheated on me with a bunch of random women, and then had an affair with a graduate at his work.
Let me tell you about the smartest 23-year-old woman I know:
Her name is Samantha, and she’s worked out a way to get a private 30-minute financial strategy session with me every single month. How much does she pay me?
Confessions of an Afterpay Junkie
Dear Barefoot, As someone who fell down the Afterpay rabbit hole and got stuck in a cycle for three years, I completely agree with what you are saying. I added up every single purchase I had made and found I had spent a disgusting $19,338.
Am I a Financial Drug Dealer?
Hi Scott, I run a small online business with my wife. While I do not use Afterpay myself, we do offer it as a payment option for our customers.
My experience with dumpster diving
There have been a couple of times in my career that I’ve come across a subculture. The first was right back when I began: people who would write to me about my … feet.
Fighting the Fire
Hi Scott, Earlier this week I lost my rental house and most possessions in the Bunyip State Park fires. I just wanted to say that reading your book earlier this year has helped me deal with what I’m going through.
Are Charities Ripping Us Off?
Hi Barefoot, Do you know of any charities which do not have highly paid CEOs and numerous other well-paid staff? l would like to make a donation to charities where all the money goes to the people who need it, rather than paying managers and having only the leftovers go to actual charity.