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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Losing Your Investment Virginity
Australians have officially fallen in love with the stock market.
And, according to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), guess which age group is leading the charge?
The Millennials.
Our Kids Have No Idea How Rich We Are
My husband and I worked really hard, started a successful business, and are now in a very fortunate position. Every single dollar we have, we have earned ourselves. My question is this: how can we ensure we instil good money values in our three children? At this stage they have no idea of our financial situation. What can we do to ensure they know that money is earnt?
Are You Feeling Lucky, Punk?
When it comes to insurance, I am struggling to find the line between ‘necessary’ (like life insurance) and ‘unnecessary’ (like do I want to gamble my hard-earned money on whether my house will burn down?). If one of us were to die, I don’t think the life insurance money would console the surviving partner. Yet they may face financial hardship without it. So do I gamble, or bite the bullet and just accept it for what it is?
Your super, your choice
I got absolutely belted for last week’s column.My crime?Innocently suggesting that people with uncomplicated tax affairs (read ‘employees’) could save themselves the $400 they spend on an accountant, and instead lodge via the ATO app on their phone, which does the job in a few minutes.
Thanks From Spider-Man
Here is a pic of my five-year-old, who started the Jam Jars last year and saved up enough to replace his broken Garmin band (he accidentally cut it with scissors at school last week) with a Spider-Man band. He received a double-edged lesson in saving AND in looking after his things.
The ASX Game
My daughter recently brought home a consent form for me to sign. She is in Year 12 and, as part of Pathways and Wellbeing (PAW) this semester, the students are learning about investing in shares by playing the ASX Sharemarket Game. They are given $50,000 virtual money to invest over a 10-week period. Since reading your book in 2020, I have been investing in the ASX but not trading. My concern is that it is not focusing on long-term investment. So should I sign the form?
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.