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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The Broke Accountant
I am a single parent of two kids and, financially, I am hemorrhaging. I have been trying to domino my debts for three years, often paying off too much and leaving myself struggling (then ending up in more debt).
Life-Changing Money
I am currently listening to a crowd who are selling a trading program to get into ‘call’ and ‘put’ options. I do not understand a thing about the stock market…
Nor Way! My Mother-in-Law is a Thief!
We have had a bit of a shocker the past few days. My mother-in-law, who was visiting us from Norway, was arrested for shoplifting.
Are You Like Chickens?
Questions flood in from people all over the country, giving me a good insight into what the man on the street in a mask is thinking.
You’d think that people would be asking about COVID, JobKeeper or JobSeeker.
You’d be wrong.
From the Depths of Despair
I sat in my GP’s office crying my heart out, feeling suffocated by my $27,000 debt, feeling depressed like there was no way out. My GP listened to every word I said (in between sobs) and finally said, “I think we need a longer appointment”, and asked me to come back the next day.
Hell’s Kitchen
My wife and I are in our early 30s and are both nurses. She has decided she wants to put our money into starting a restaurant. I think it is a terrible idea…
Issue a Retraction, Now!
Firstly, love your work. You’ve changed our financial lives in a significant and very positive manner. But secondly, and more importantly, I hate to tell you but your article about weighted blankets is actually very risky.
The people who are really getting screwed in this downturn (it's not who you think)
My editor emailed me with a request on Thursday:
“Can you do a piece on the Treasurer’s economic update to the nation?”
My answer?
Sure, and I can do it in one line:
He’ll Be Okay
My youngest did average at school…He is now 21, has a full-time job, rents a room in a share house, pays his own bills, is paying me back the money he ‘borrowed’, and has plans for his future. Now he shouts me lunch.
Should I Get a Marginal Loan?
There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment and share prices (particularly for the banks) are very low. So I thought of getting a marginal loan for $100,000 and dropping an even spread across the Big 4.
I’m Angry With You, Barefoot
Being a Barefooter, I am pretty disappointed with how you treated 22-year-old Tina with her question last week about her boyfriend investing $1,000 on her behalf.
The NutriBullet of the Bedroom?
Today I’m going to talk to you about something really weird: investing in sleep.
Here’s the thing: you probably spend, at best, two hours a day in your car, but eight hours a day in the sack … yet you’re likely still sleeping on the equivalent of a Datsun 180B, right?
We Hit the Jackpot!
This month, my husband and I will finally be debt free! We owe nothing (though we also own nothing). My hubby used to have an addiction to gambling and a $120,000 debt on credit cards.
The Hangover
My daughter lives with her partner and three children in a property that I own. They have many bills and are unable to pay rent. Her partner is wasting his money on gambling and will not change…
My Son has a Problem
My 18-year-old son has no value for money and thinks I am a human ATM!
My Boyfriend Is Into The Stocks
Holy smokes!
I take two weeks off for the school holidays and my Barefoot inbox goes … to the craps.
Yes, it seems everyone wants to take a seat at the casino that is today’s share market.
Well Done, Chappy!
Hi Scott,
Thanks to your advice my friends have paid off their mortgage. They are a young family with four children.
Should I Obey God … or Barefoot?
Hi Scott, I am halfway through your book (my wife made me read it … thank God). We have $46,252 of high-interest credit card debt and no assets. For the first time I see a glimmer of hope of getting out from this noose of debt.
Help a Stripper Out!
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.