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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And the Judge’s Gavel Fell
Scott, I have a court judgment against me for a $10,000 credit card debt, along with other credit card and personal loan debts that have accumulated to over $20,000. Over the last three years I have recovered from addiction and mental health issues, as well as homelessness.
I’m Not the High Earner Anymore
Dear Barefoot, For the last 16 years with my partner I have been the higher earner, and at times he has been unemployed. We have always pulled through together but I have mostly carried the financial burden.
You Offended me Last Week
Hi Scott,I just read your Q&A and saw your column on ‘Why NAB employees read my book’.I am a little offended by what you wrote.
Changing Our Kids’ Lives
Hi Scott, My parents were terrible with their finances (and still are, sadly), so I learnt from them that ‘credit is OK’ and got myself into all kinds of trouble. Then, two years ago, I read The Barefoot Investor, and my partner and I are now very close to paying off all our debts.
Help, My Husband’s a Hoarder!
I just finished my first Barefoot Date Night with my hubby. My problem is that he is a hoarder, and the look on his face when he heard your advice about selling our stuff on Gumtree was nothing less than horror.
The 4 cheapest home loans on the market in June
Why NAB Employees Read My Book The other day I got this email from Trevor: “Catching the city-bound Frankston train this morning, I had to chuckle at a NAB employee reading The Barefoot Investor. I wonder if it’s part of NAB’s mandatory training?
The Best Bank Accounts After the RBA’s Rate Cut
Interest rates are officially at their lowest level, ever. Which means things are grim for savers.
Dollarmites Out!
Yay! You made it into the Yarraville West Primary School newsletter: “After consideration, school Council has decided that Yarraville West PS will no longer host the CBA Dollarmites banking program.
You’re a Shocker, Barefoot (Part 2)
Scott, Your article ‘Prisoner’s Last Chance’, about the prisoner coming into a six-figure sum of money, is the most disrespectful article I have ever read. You tell the guy “good on you for learning how to manage your money” and give him advice on how to invest, then gloat about how you donated your books to prisoners.
You’re a Shocker, Barefoot
Mr Pape, Your ‘shock/horror’ credit card piece in the Sunday Times was one of the most irresponsible financial articles I have read for some time. My wife and I (73 and 78 years old respectively) have been using credit cards for everything since they came into existence.
The Great Australian Finance Experiment
My five-year-old son is obsessed with maths. The other night he worked out that the maths app game we play each night is charging us a recurring fee.
Netflix For Cars?
Hi Scott, I homeschool my 11- and 13-year-old girls. This week, after reading your letter to Sally (the teacher with car loan issues), I decided to ditch my maths lesson for the day and teach your ‘car finance’ lesson.
Should We Make the Sacrifice?
Hi Scott, My husband and I are two months away from finally clearing nearly $100,000 of card debt we racked up some years ago. Now we are about to start a family and want to buy a new Mazda CX-5.
My Socially Irresponsible Brother Marries his Masseuse?
Hi Scott, My socially irresponsible 34-year-old brother has recently spent four weeks in Thailand and met an attractive masseuse who seems to have made him believe he is the man of her dreams. They spent the entire time together, and now that he is home in Australia we hear she is expecting their baby!
Westpac Jackpot!
Dear Scott I just wanted to say thank you! I received a letter from Westpac today to say that in response to my ‘query’ they have cancelled my credit card repayment insurance and refunded $1,100 in premiums paid over the past four years.
Prisoner’s Last Chance
Dear Mr Scott Pape, My name is Peter. I am 59 and I have four years left to serve on a five-year prison term.
Family Feud
Hi Scott, I am 26 and recently got married (yay!), but my husband and I are not sure how to combine our finances.
Introducing … Zuckbucks?
Facebook is set to launch its own crypto-currency next year, the BBC reported this week. (The article referred to the new currency as ‘GlobalCoin’ … though I much prefer ‘Zuckbucks’.
The Barefoot Kid
Hi Scott, I am so proud of our three-year-old! Scarlett saved up her pocket money from doing her ‘jobs’.
Car Crash Classroom
Hi Scott, I am a 25-year-old teacher and I got a car loan in my second year of uni. I had no idea what interest rates were, or how getting a loan worked, and just signed away on the first deal I got accepted for (which ended up being a fixed rate loan with a 17% interest rate).