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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Bonjour Barefoot!
I am a French mum of four. I learned about you through a podcast of a young lady who calls herself Madame Fauchée (fauchée in French means broke!). So I wanted to buy your two books. But it is impossible to get them in France, so I bought your mp3s and listened while riding my bike to work.
The Bucket List
This email was timely for me, as I sat in my high schooler’s classroom for a parent info night and glanced around me. Your photo was enlarged and plastered on the walls, along with some actual buckets — Splurge, Smile, Mojo and Grow. I smiled, knowing that mine was not the only voice of reason my 12-year-old and 15-year-old are hearing.
I Blew $10,000 on Binary Trading
About four years ago I invested $250 in Skyline Markets and learnt how to do binary trading. It seemed very profitable and they hounded me to go to the next level by investing $10,000, which in hindsight I should not have done. Then — lo and behold — they stopped contacting me and the website closed down.
Is three grand coming your way?
This week I spoke to the ATO. Rarely is that an interesting conversation … however, this time, I asked them the one thing that people really care about: how much does the average Aussie get back at tax time?
I Have Done a Bad, Bad Thing
I have read your book four times and am hooked. My partner and I have set up our Barefoot Date Nights, renamed our bank accounts, cut up our credit cards and rejigged our super.
Last Chance U
With my ‘Barefoot family’, I am totally into your Money Movement Manifesto. I am also an assistant principal at one of the 10 lowest socio-economic community primary schools in NSW — with 96% parent unemployment.
The Money Movement Manifesto
Over the past few years, I’ve been on a bit of a journey, and today I’d like to talk to you about it.
To be blunt, I see a lot of trouble brewing:
The rich are getting much richer … while the young, and the poor … are mostly not getting anywhere.
Call the Cops
ter reading your book, I called the police, locked my abusive ex-partner out of the house, and got out of massive debt (more than $350,000!). Now I have over $100,000 in savings, and a new lease on life.
Fifty Years of Abuse?
My parents are in their 70s and have always had separate accounts. Now that Mum has retired and Dad refuses to, Mum is forced to live way below the poverty line. They own their own home and Dad pays the household bills because he is still working, but it leaves Mum with pretty much nothing.
Rental Rewards
Being a renter must suck right now. After all, you’re sitting on the property sidelines watching house prices go up, up, up. If only there was a reward for renters.
My Fear of Phones
I suffer from a strange disorder — a fear of talking on the phone. I am an email, text, Messenger type of person. But this was costing me money, because our home loan rate was above 3% and negotiating it down would require me to call the bank. Well, after reading your column recently, I finally found the courage to pick up that phone!
Our Friends Are Rich from Online Marketing
What are your thoughts on online marketing? A friend has introduced me to what is called ‘high ticket affiliate marketing’.
My Husband’s Secret
I’m a 48-year-old pharmacist. I have three children and a wonderful husband. All was rosy, or so I thought. My husband, who works in the finance game, has always taken care of our money. The day before his 50th birthday last week, he dropped a bombshell.
Here’s what I’m listening to right now
It’s been a helluva week.We’re in lockdown. We’re homeschooling. All six of us have really bad bronchitis, which in a pandemic makes us about as welcome as a wet dog in a clean house. Oh, and the baby is teething.
Our $2 Million Battle
Last year I cared for a very close family member, who sadly passed away in December. I’ve been included in his will and expect to inherit approximately $2 million!
How to earn 3% on your savings
There’s a new app called Blossom that just has popped up. It’s still in the testing phase, but my fiancé has been invited to test it out. It’s targeting 3% returns on savings, and you can deposit and withdraw money at any time without any fees.
Timeshare Win!
I am reaching out to you after reading your question from a reader last week on our timeshare club. There may be some confusion here as to how our club operates, as we never intentionally wish to cause distress to any one of our members and always try to assist where possible.
My Saturday night date with Lindsay Lohan
On Saturday night I was watching Herbie: Fully Loaded with the kids. That’s the one starring Lindsay Lohan, when she was still sweet and innocent and doing Disney. It’s a terrible movie.
The Big Short
Investment legend Michael Burry met his wife on a dating website. His profile read as follows: “I’m a medical student with only one eye, an awkward social manner, and 145 thousand dollars in student loans.”
Timeshare Tragedy
My husband and I are in our sixties and on the pension. In 2007 we went to an Accor timeshare seminar and signed up to their deal. We paid $22,000 upfront, plus an annual maintenance fee. We’ve only used the hotel three times (it’s always booked out).