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 HSBC Chicken
Your book arrived out of the blue on my doorstep one day. Reading it, it was painful to realise how bad I was at managing money. So I took action. Just last week I paid off my third and final credit card! For my job as a set designer I needed to make a papier-mâché roast chicken, so I used all my old HSBC bank statements. As I glued each painful piece into the shape of a chicken, the weight of 24 years of debt fell away, and before my eyes the HSBC Chicken was born! Thank you so much — you have helped me turn my life around.
Should I Tell My Boyfriend to Shut Up?
My husband and I are so close to having a 20% deposit for our family home. However, with the prices of houses being so ridiculously high right now, he wants to wait and meanwhile put our house deposit into shares in the hope that we will have more than enough money in a couple of years. Should I listen to my husband or tell him to shut up?
Barefoot Endorsement, Please
A reputable friend has suggested I invest in a CFX project (cryptocurrency foreign exchange). From what I understand it is kind of like multilevel marketing and a type of cryptocurrency. I have looked into it and it sounds good. However, I am hesitant to pay out my hard-earned cash without some endorsement from someone like you. I am planning a baby as a single woman at 45 and I bought my first home only a year ago, so I am looking at ways to increase my income and secure my future. Thoughts?
You are in a lot of trouble
After hours of crying, our baby finally dropped off to sleep in his mother’s arms ...
… and then her phone rang.
The noise startled our son, and he began wailing.
“ANSWER IT!” she thundered at me.
Good for My Soul
You copped some flak about your boys’ camping weekend, but I just wanted to say how much that story meant to me. In fact, I cried reading it. The great sadness of screens and possessions is that, too often these days, dads are not around. Hearing your stories of financial freedom and the life you’ve chosen to build is so good for my soul!
I’ve Been Conned — by My Parents
I feel frustrated, confused and taken advantage of. Back when I was just 22 (I am 28 now), my parents could not pay their mortgage and somehow conned me into taking ownership of their house. They promised me money, tax cuts, all the greatness in the world. Stupidly, I said yes and I now have a $500,000 mortgage under my name. They pay for the loan, though they are frequently late, and Mum loves to withdraw from the equity too. I have tried to get my name off the loan but they keep resisting. Worst of all, because I do not live there, I get shafted at tax time. Is there anything I can do?
The Virgin Investor
We are pretty excited that our 16-year-old daughter is about to start her first job. Now to work out which super fund for her to join! Following the advice in your book, we have started the process of searching for a low-cost fund. I like the look of Virgin Money Super, which charges a $58 admin fee plus 0.39% of the balance per annum. My concern is that it is a new fund and the investment options are all high risk, not to mention that Virgin Atlantic filed for ‘Chapter 11’ (hopefully not all the Virgin-branded businesses will meet the same fate). Would appreciate your advice.
You’re a Dog, Barefoot
am 23, a medical receptionist, and have been trading crypto since lockdown — and killing it, especially in DOGE (Dogecoin). I read your article on DOGE, and it was a joke. Who do I trust more, some hack from Australia or THE WORLD’S RICHEST MAN — genius Elon Musk? You don’t get rich buying index funds, loser.
Dirty Rats
“Tick-tick-tick-tick.” Our family wagon was having a moment. The indicator seemed to be hyperventilating, ticking madly at triple speed.
You Alarmed Me!
A bit confused about your column ‘Financial Markets Are a Dog’s Breakfast’. Are you saying the stock market is a farce and will fail due to all the extra money printing and zero interest rates? I am a big-time Barefooter who is heavily investing in stocks right now, so would you please explain what you mean?
Scooting Away
I would like to thank you for your Barefoot Investor for Families guide. I have two girls — almost four and almost six — and we have implemented your ‘3 jam jars, 3 jobs, 3 minutes’ regime. It is amazing how much can be achieved with a spray bottle and cloth. My eldest daughter just bought her first scooter with her saved money. Her pride in her achievement is priceless.
Barefoot Valentine’s Day
Our relationship began in an online Barefoot group about two years ago — and we just got married last month! We are hard-working teachers who enjoy being thrifty. We have an ETF share portfolio and an investment property, and we are enjoying the financial freedom of following the Barefoot Steps.
First Home Hell
I have been saving as much as I can. By mid-year, we should have a deposit and could start looking at buying rather than renting. I know your normal advice is to buy a house when you can afford it. But does that still apply when these inflated house prices seem like a bit of a false economy?
Fire Alert
My beautiful friends, who have three children under eight, were caught in the Gidgegannup fires yesterday. They escaped with the clothes they were wearing, their cats and their toothbrushes. They lost their home and all other possessions. If there is any advice or assistance you could suggest to them, it would be ever so appreciated. I know I am being rather presumptuous but I thought asking you may be my best way to help them.
A dog of an investment (that is rocketing)
Hayley thinks I’m a genius. The young mum wrote to me this week after reading my Barefoot Investor for Families book. She’d gotten to the part where I mentioned an investment that has rocketed 1,500% this year.
ING Makes Life Difficult
Today I received an email from ING (I am sure you did too) saying that in March 2021 there would be an extra criterion to meet to get the best interest rates for the Savings Maximiser — at the end of the month your balance has to be more than what it was at the start of the month.
Break Neck Barefoot
Just over three years ago I read your book, and took action. As my husband runs his own company, the first thing we did (after setting up our buckets) was to put aside three months of Mojo.
Making Babies on the Stock Market
Hey Barefoot ...
New Year’s resolution number one for 2021 — invest in shares.
HELP!