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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A Super Confession
My husband and I have been with Christian Super Fund for the past 20 years. Today they sent us a letter saying that they’ve been underperforming and that we should change funds. My husband is 61 and I’m 59. We don’t have much super. Should we be worried about this?
Father Warns His Son Not to Read Barefoot
I’m 17 now, and I read The Barefoot Investor for Families when I was 14. I was in Dymocks and saw your book. My dad sighed and said, “You won't like it, why don’t you pick out Harry Potter or something”.
Multimillion-dollar Mortgage
I’ve wanted to write to you for years, but have been too shy. I just wanted to say thank you. A few years ago we were on a wage of less than $80k a year — with a couple of million dollars in mortgage debt, and credit cards and personal loans up to our eyeballs.
My Boyfriend Owes me $85,000
I got into debt a few years back, but read your book and was debt-free by October 2019 at the age of 26. I felt amazing! Fast-forward to today and I’ve borrowed $85,000 via personal loans and dipping into my super … to give to my boyfriend.
You’re An Embarrassment, Barefoot
You are costing your followers HUGE gains by sticking your head in the sand with crypto. Okay, so let’s put to one side the 1000%+ gains that have been made on various coins, and focus on income. Who doesn’t want a 17% return from staking coins? Crypto and DeFi (Decentralised Finance) are the future. The Barefoot Investor is the past. Wake up. You’re embarrassing yourself.
Three podcasts I’m listening to
The great thing about spending months on the road with your family is that you get to know them on a deeper level.For instance, it turns out my wife has a quota — a set number of words she says in a day — after which she’s done.As in no more chitty chat.
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.