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 to Honour Him
Hi Scott, I am in my early thirties and feel hopeless. Recently I lost my brother to a very long and hard battle with cancer, and in his will he left me $10,000. I was thinking about spending it on a holiday or a nice piece of jewellery to remember him by,
Should I Buy Shares in a Cruise Liner?
Hi Scott, I am about to receive money back from Princess Cruises, due to a cancelled cruise. The owner of Princess Cruises, Carnival Corporation, has just seen its share price hit a record low.
Pardon My French
Hello Scott,
I would like to know if a French version of your books exist please?
I Want to Hit My Dad … Does Barefoot Agree?
Howdy Scott, My dad and I are just about coming to blows! He has a mate, an investment manager, who is managing his $700,000 in superannuation.
Kids Say the Darndest Things
Dear Scott, My wife and I have been doing the Jam Jars with our two girls for a bit over a year now. I just wanted to let you in on a conversation I overheard this morning:
Thank God for the Counsellors
Dear Scott, I just want to encourage you with your financial counselling studies. I left an abusive 20-year marriage and felt the humiliation of going from being a teacher and university lecturer to a shadow of a woman holding up the supermarket queue as I counted coins for groceries.
What the hell is going on?
“What the hell is going on?” It was mid-March — in the depths of the corona panic — and I was in our weekly editorial meeting.
Terrified of Debt Collectors
Barefoot, I am a stay-at-home mum with three kids. When my hubby and I moved to Brissie a few years ago, we had barely any money, so we got a credit card (and he also had a personal loan from a previous relationship).
A Hot Tip For You
Hey Barefoot, I’ve got a hot tip for you. When comparing car insurance quotes online, put in your neighbour’s address instead of your own.
From $500 to $15,000
Scott I do not have a question, I just want to say thank you. Two years ago I walked out of an abusive relationship with $500 to my name and debts that should never have belonged to me.
Should I Bail Out My Bro from a Million-Dollar Mess?
Hi Barefoot, My dad died three years ago and left his house ($1 million) and super ($200,000) to my brother, and made me the executor. I was self-sufficient, so Dad told me I would not receive anything.
My Financial Planner Hates You
Scott, We’ve just come back from seeing our financial planner, and I am a little rattled! Our super fund is competitive in terms of earnings but its fees are 2% pa.
You Got Ten Grand?
“Do you have $10,000?” I was sitting in the back of an Uber when my driver grunted this muffled request through his face mask.
Hello, I’m calling on behalf of my idiot husband...
I picked up the phone at my financial counselling office. It was a woman, breathing very heavily: “I need to speak to a gambling counsellor.
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”.