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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Nursing My Debt
Hi there, I know you are probably sick of hearing this … but thank you so much. Four months ago I picked up your book.
Student Super
Hi Scott, EmmaI am 18 years old and have just landed two casual jobs, so I need to set up a super account (after finding out that all of my past super from a part-time summer job in 2016 was reduced to $0.14 and then taken by the ATO!
Mailbox Bandit
Hi Scott, A couple of years ago thieves ransacked the mailboxes in our small apartment building. We were all shaken up at the time but I forgot about it until last year when I was knocked back for a car loan.
It all began with an email from a stranger
It all began with an email from a stranger: “I was walking in a park ... and I found your wife’s credit card.
You Made a Mother Cry
Hi Scott, Your Mother’s Day column brought a tear to my eye — touching stories of strong women taking control of their lives. My husband and I read your book a few years ago and it completely changed the way we manage our money.
You’re Wrong, Barefoot!
Scott, I was not happy with your answer to Rebecca a few weeks ago. You disagreed with her husband, who told her it was “better for us to have control of our money rather than a superannuation company”.
How a Teenager Works 5 Hours … and Gets $1,500
Hi Scott, I am an 18-year-old and have been laid off from my job at a swim centre because of the coronavirus. The company had applied for the JobKeeper payment, which I have tagged along on.
My mother saved my life
Anna Jarvis was by all accounts a ferocious lady. In the spring of 1908, she held a ceremony to honour her late mother ...
A Hole in My Heart
Hi Scott, Last March I came across your book in a store in New Zealand. Since then, it has completely changed how my husband and I use our money.
If We Are Heading into a Depression, Do This
Hi Scott, I have been reading people saying that all this stimulus (especially in the US, where the Federal Reserve is printing trillions of dollars) will soon lead to massive inflation, and then recession. Even the world’s biggest hedge fund manager, Ray Dalio, says we are heading for a depression.
I tell you, I’ve never seen anything like it
I’ve never seen anything like it.Last week my inbox was overflowing, and this email, which l received from reader named James, summed up the reaction to my column on 93-year old gardening guru Peter Cundall: “Thanks for writing about Peter Cundall.
Pilot Gets Grounded
Hey Scott, Last time I emailed you, I had a well-paying job as an international pilot, the share market was at a record high, my super was doing brilliantly, I was investing every month and we were planning a holiday to Greece. I wrote to thank you for changing our lives.
Newsflash: CommBank Sucks
Scott, I have just received an email from the Commonwealth Bank that has left me furious. Without my consent they have reduced my home loan repayments to the minimum amount, to ‘help’ me during COVID-19.
My Husband Is After My Super
Scott, I need your help. I am 31 years old, earning $60,000, and my husband wants me to pull $20,000 out of super (which I can do because of the coronavirus situation) and put it on our mortgage to reduce our interest payments.
How to survive the coming crisis
The old man leaned in and whispered:“I’ve been preparing for a crisis like this for years.”I was talking to none other than Peter Cundall, the 93-year-old former star of the ABC’s Gardening Australia.
Flattening the Financial Crisis Curve
You may think Australia has flattened the curve. You are wrong.
This Government Spending Is Crazy!
Dear Scott, This isn’t going to be very popular, but I am going to say it anyway: as someone who has worked my entire life (I’m 67), I’ve never asked for a handout from the Government and I am a self-funded retiree. I am very annoyed the Government has embarked on this historic and idiotic spending spree.
The true story of two alpacas
I picked a tough time to change careers:Last year I went back to study so I could become a community-based financial counsellor.In January I was sent off to help survivors on the bushfire frontlines.
I Lost My Job This Week, But I Got This
Hi Scott, I wanted to get in touch with you to say thank you. I lost my job this week.
Should I Pause My Repayments?
Hi Scott, I haven’t lost my job due to the coronavirus (I have a stable public service job), but I’ve seen an option from my bank to freeze my home loan repayments. Would it be a good idea to build up a bit of extra cash in this uncertain climate?