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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Escaping in the Middle of the Night
When I read your book three years ago I knew what I had to do. My husband had always had a temper, and in the back of my mind I knew I had to leave him.
Here’s Something SHOCKING
My mother has been diagnosed with dementia and will be going into 24-hour care. She has a caravan-park-living boyfriend who is a raging alcoholic and has increasingly isolated her from everyone and everything.
Have I Been Gone Too Long?
Scott, I know you’ve written about it in the past but for the life of me I can’t find it. What is the product sold at Bunnings for removal of scale from toilets?Thank you! Drinda
My crypto confession
It was a privilege just to be there. We were deep in the outback on a guided tour run by First Nations people. Our host, a traditional elder, showed us incredible ancient rock art, pointed out animal tracks, and told us dreamtime stories.
The best investment I've ever made
Today I want to tell you about the best investment I ever made.
It was always going to be highly speculative — a total punt — that could have blown up spectacularly:
In July we set out for a family road trip: all six of us (including a teething baby!) in a motorhome.
A Brighter Flame
September three years ago I bought your book, when I could least afford it. At the time I was burdened by six-figure debt (posted on the fridge door so I was aware of it every day). I did as I was directed — I took you and the book to dinner every week. I didn’t go bankrupt. I made the calls. I cried with you. And screamed at you. And learned from you. And survived.
You Ruined My Life, Barefoot
I read your book on a holiday at the age of 18. Now at 22 I have had full-time employment for nearly two years, am earning $45,000 a year, and have saved up $60,000 (a lot of hard work and sacrifice in that). But I feel lost. This money has brought me no happiness, just a burden in the back of my head that has stopped me living my life to the fullest while young. And it’s you who got me into this mess.
My Friend’s Husband Wants To Murder Her
have a young friend who is married and has three young children. She has an AVO against her violent husband, who threatens to kill her. The AVO has been breached.
This Will Be My Last Email for a While
For the past few weeks, I’ve had a Billy Joel song in my head: “You may be right … I may be crazy ... But it just may be a lunatic you’re looking for.”You see, I’m writing this to you hunched over in the back of a motorhome that’s currently parked in the seaside town of Tin Can Bay, Queensland.
The Best $5 I Ever Spent
We do not know each other, yet you are the one who has single-handedly turned my life around. Last year I was stuck in $13,000 of debt on top of a large mortgage and was living pay cheque to pay cheque. I was headed towards a financial breakdown.
Pressing Problems
I am a single mum of five children and I started my own ironing business one year ago. I would like your advice on how to stay on top of things, as all the money I make goes towards paying bills or buying groceries.
I’m 19 and Have Already Blown My Credit Rating
I am 19 years old. When I turned 18, I applied for multiple loans, not knowing that doing so would affect my future. I have recently tried to get a phone plan through Optus in my own name but they rejected me because of my history.
An Open Letter to Parents
This is an open letter to parents who are thinking about helping their kids buy their first home.
In my book I was pretty blunt (and a tad dismissive) about hitting up the parentals:
“Should I get my parents to go guarantor? No way, Jose.”
The Bitcoin-Plated Coffin
We are starting up investment bonds for our child’s future (and plan to have more kids too). I noticed the provider also has a funeral bond option. Is it worth it for a guy in his thirties? Or should I put, say, $10,000 of cold, hard cash per person in my fireproof safe to cover such an event? As we know, Mr Death is awaiting his timeslot.
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?