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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“I Don’t Need Your Help but Wish to Criticise You …”
I don’t need your help but wish to criticise your answer to “Should I Pay My HELP Debt?” Your first response should have been “of course”, but you treated the subject as most recipients do, with a dismissive attitude on how to avoid it.
Barefoot, where the bloody hell are you?
I’m back!
Let’s kick off the New Year with the #1 question people have been asking me over the past few weeks:
“Barefoot, where the bloody hell are you?”
From Average to Awesome
I wanted to share a story with you. Two years ago our young family of five employed a money method that many other families use: everything on the credit card, big limit, and spend, spend, spend! Then pay the bill, except not in full every month, with the snowball effect equaling a biggish ($30k) bill every few years that then has to be paid by rolling it into a larger debt like the mortgage. It was not a good picture.
Barefoot and NOT Pregnant
For a decade every penny we have saved has been a prisoner to building financial security for our kids. But, as it turns out, there will not be any kids. One in six couples struggles with infertility – and we are now part of that ‘one’. Being childless has turned all our plans upside-down. We earn a combined $350,000 a year and own a family-sized home in the ‘burbs far from the city where we work. Do we sell our large house? Or rent and buy investment properties? Or buy a penthouse and have a huge mortgage because ‘YOLO’?
Pregnant and Petrified
My husband and I have now split our finances because he wants more spending money for himself. The truth is, he has not been making enough to split the bills 50/50, and he always has an excuse to not work full time – headache, toothache, anxiety. I am six months pregnant and due to go on maternity leave, meaning my income will not cover our bills. We have a personal loan in my name for $11,000 and no other debt, but I have no idea what to do anymore to keep myself above water. I’m petrified! What do I do?
The 87 year investment
When I first began the Barefoot Investor, I wasn’t married. I didn’t even have a girlfriend.
Today, I have three kids … and in a couple of weeks we’ll be welcoming our fourth.
So, on this my final column for the year, let me tell you how I’m planning for their* future.
Here’s what could happen in 2021
Let’s discuss what could go wrong in 2021, and what you can do about it. Of course, newspapers are chock-full of experts making predictions about “what’s in store for the next year”, so, before I throw my hat in the ring, let me shake the sauce bottle:
Demolition Debt
My husband and I run a demolition business with seven full-time employees. Unfortunately, one of them got into financial difficulty and some sharks called Panthera Finance bought his debt. They now have a garnishee order on his wages and harass me (as office manager) to pay the instalments
Safe as Houses
I followed your advice and bought the Bunnings portable safe that you wrote about in your column a couple of weeks ago. However, when we were faced with our fire I was so panicked I forgot to grab it… however it was the only thing that survived in that room!
I’ve been waiting to write this piece for years
I’ve been waiting to write this piece for years.No, really. My very first Barefoot Investor column 16 years ago campaigned for practical financial education to be taught in schools! And that’s why the Victorian Government’s decision to ban school banking and replace it with practical, independent school-led programs is a massive step forward.
Underage Drinking
I am a 16-year-old boy, and I love your work!Recently, after browsing Investopedia, I was targeted by an advertisement promising a guaranteed 8% return on a $10,000 investment. The investment opportunity is in whisky and is being offered by Coburns Distillery.
Mortgage Wars
I just had to email you to say thank you and that I love your book. I have just rung my bank and followed your script, and was able to get a 0.49% discount on my home loan.
Switched On
Just wanted to show you a pic of my son’s Spend jar purchase. He saved $300 to buy himself a Nintendo Switch Lite — by buying and selling stuff from the recycling centre (!) and using his pocket money.
Cheap Pressies for Kids this Christmas
So this year I’m playing the role of Santa and the elves. Reason being, Mrs Claus is heavily pregnant, with an official due date of … Christmas Eve.“What a wonderful Christmas present!” gush people who clearly don’t already have three kids under the age of seven.
Investment Wars
I am 19 and considering investing in NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s new $700 billion ‘mega-city of the future’. Considering it is being built in an area that may be subject to wars, is this a stupid investment?
Don’t get a snag from Bunnings — buy this instead
Today I’m going to tell you about a $69 purchase from Bunnings that’ll keep your family’s finances safe.
Confessions from the Dark Side
I have a confession to make. For years I have been drawn to the ‘dark side’ — working as a finance broker putting people into ridiculous high-interest-rate loans (up to 29.9%). When I started I was shocked that people would buy these loans, but it soon became the ‘norm’ and I even trained other people on how to sell them.
Scrooge McDuck
I see your dread and fear of low-interest rates, and will slay this with my positive outcome. My investment property in Queensland, which I bought cheaply, is positively geared and is reaping the rewards.
My ‘Free’ Land Cost Me $140 Grand
My brother and I — both in our sixties — did a land swap, with no money changing hands. The aim was to facilitate generational change (when we eventually die). Now I have now been hit with a $140,000 capital gains tax bill!
Mum Makes 400% on Share Market
You’ve made it no secret you are not a fan of AfterPay. I, however, am a massive fan. It has helped me to budget bigger (and smaller) purchases, Christmas presents and (now) essentials for our first baby.