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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Milking the Cows
Hi Scott, My uncle is a dairy farmer who lost everything in the Gippsland bushfires. But he still has to milk the cows every day, so he can’t get away from it.
Greetings from fire-affected Cudgewa
I raised my hand to volunteer as a financial counsellor in fire-affected regions … and promptly had it slapped down.“Are you mad?
Diary of a Bushfire Victim
On a scorching day in February 2014 my wife, our 7-month-old son and I stood looking at the smouldering rubble that was once our home. We had absolutely no idea what lay ahead for us.
Thanks From My Family
Hi Scott, I got your book three years ago and since then have put your simple solutions into action. Fast-forward to this year, the hardest year of my life.
Your Investment Advice Stinks
Dear Scott, I am a financial advisor and, while I like your advice on saving, I think your advice on investing stinks. A young person following your super fund recommendations would end up losing hundreds of thousands of dollars over their lifetime because of your weird fetish about always choosing the lowest fees, irrespective of asset allocation.
You're a Phony
Mr Barefoot, You, mate, are a phony. Your book does not give any hard plan to succeed.
You're Out for Yourself
I can tell there’s an ulterior motive to your constant bank-bashing. You act all high and mighty about getting the ‘money-grubbing’ banks out of our schools, but all you’re trying to do is weasel your own way into the classroom with your Barefoot Investor brand.
My Best Hate Mail of 2019
I get to about this time every year … and declare email bankruptcy. Yet before I do there are a few ‘special’ emails that I collect throughout the year that deserve a special reply: My hate mail.
A 12 Year-Old Steals The Show
Hi Scott, I am 12 years old and I have dysgraphia and ADD. My dad has been doing Barefoot for 12 months and now we are able to go to Bali for a holiday ...
Extinguishing Financial Fires
Hi Scott, My mother’s home in Nymboida (northern NSW) was tragically lost in the bushfires that ravaged the community last weekend. My mother has spent the last 30 years building a beautiful home yet, within hours of evacuation, the entire place was wiped out.
My In-Laws Lied
Hi Scott, My retired in-laws are bad with money — in fact they had to sell their still-mortgaged house to pay off a $50,000 credit card debt. While they sold (over a six-month period), we paid their mortgage from our own house deposit account.
Dead Broke in a Beamer
Christmas came early for my kids this year ...Daddy finally got a job.
A Lifeline for Those in Financial Strife
Hi Scott, No help needed! I just wanted to thank you.
We Bought a $3,000 House
Hi Scott, My wife and I are some of the many victims of first homebuyer advertising. You know the ads — “If you have $3,000, you can buy a home!
Taxing Question from a Woolies Worker
Hi Scott, I am one of the thousands of people Woolworths has underpaid over the past decade, and I am now waiting for them to pay it back. The first payment will supposedly be made before Christmas.
Help! I'm with 28 Banks
Hello Scott, I am with 28 different banks (including credit unions). Some charge monthly, some are purely online.
My Year of Being a Tafe Student
It all began on a Date Night last year, when Liz said to me: “You’ve sold over a million copies of your book … what’s next?” “Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about that”, I said.
Sleepless Barefooters
Hi Scott, My wife and I recently welcomed our first child, a boy. While at the hospital, I noticed your book was in the hospital library with the caption ‘Great Books to Read Aloud to Babies’.
Problems with ING
Hi Scott, Last week my husband and I were hit by scammers, who “ported” (transferred) all our business mobiles from Telstra. We contacted Telstra, who assured us that our mobiles could be recovered, and that they would report the matter to their fraud department.