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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My Son-in-law … Is an Abuser
Our daughter has just left an emotionally, verbally and financially abusive relationship. Her husband is busy cashing in their assets and spending or hiding their money.
The Hyperfund
Some colleagues at my work are retiring quickly in their thirties and forties after investing money into Hyperverse. They are trying to sign everyone up to it and they are earning anywhere from $150 to $1,500 a day just in the Hyperverse that was originally called the HyperFund. Any help would be muchly appreciated.
Mojo, Baby
Last Friday night I was driving home with a niggling feeling in my stomach about how I was going to pay our kids’ latest medical bills. You see, they have both been diagnosed with extremely rare cancers and their outpatient scans are not covered by a Medicare subsidy – we pay full price. Then, like a bolt out of the blue, it hit me – we have Mojo!
What’s Wrong with My Index Fund?
I followed all the advice in your book – cleared everything, saved up, paid off my mortgage and invested a lump in a low-cost index fund. And since August 2021 it has gone backwards and I’ve lost $4,000. They are down 2.96%. Is it just my fund or are they all doing badly?
The luckiest guy around
Today I want to talk to you about a hero of mine. His name is Steve Edmunson and he’s a famous American fund manager.
You’re Talking Out of Your Backside, Barefoot
I enjoy your columns, but I was a little concerned about last week and the ‘cold stethoscope to your nether regions’. A stethoscope is a listening device, and for the life of me I can’t think of a reason to listen to one’s crotch. Bowel sounds, yes, but that’s as far south as it should go. I think your doctor might be taking advantage of you.
Budget Warning
I’ve just watched the Budget, and I reckon people need to be warned about these 5% deposit government schemes. I am old enough to remember the 1960s and early 70s when I was working in conveyancing.
30-year-old Girl has No Interest
I’m a 30-year-old married Muslim woman living in Sydney. Being Muslim makes it very challenging to buy a first home. I am sure you are aware that Muslims are prohibited from dealing with interest. I am ready to take all the Barefoot Steps but I don’t know how I can do so without dealing with interest.
Dirty Money
On Sunday nights my wife and I have a ritual. We turn on the telly and begin searching for something we both want to watch. Problem.
I Loaned My Friend $500,000 … He Hasn’t Paid It Back
About four years ago I trusted a long-time friend enough to lend them over $500,000 to renovate and sell his house. After renovating, he and his partner had a contract signed to sell the house, but it fell through.
My Aussie Boyfriend Should Pay For Everything
I have a boyfriend of a few months who is Australian (I’m Indian) and in my culture it is customary for the man to pay for dinner, or at least ‘do the dance’ and insist that he pays.
Revenge of the Maths Nerd
Following the steps of the Barefoot Investor, I have turned crippling financial anxiety into a point of personal strength.
Someone call the doctor
I opened my mail and felt a cold stethoscope to my nether regions: My health fund was giving me a tickle. It happens every year. Over the past decade, consumer prices have grown 20% … but health insurers have jacked up their premiums by 54%.
My Parents Have NO IDEA
All my life I was under the impression my parents were wealthy. My father was a partner in a law firm, and there were always extravagant annual overseas trips, fancy cars, beautiful houses, antique furniture, etc. They are now 70, retired, have no super left, are on the pension, and have $120,000 of debt ($80,000 credit card, $40,000 car loan). They used up almost every last bit of their savings, and all of their super, to buy their current home outright once my dad retired.
My Kid has NO IDEA
In 2008 I purchased a photo shop, and my parents redrew their mortgage so I could do this. It was initially $65,000, but then over a few years it built up to $120,000.
Making Hay
I just want to say I’m glad you’re writing a book for kids. I have this amazing young man called Jarrah (13 years old) who works for me. He comes once a week to help around my property, cleaning paddocks, cleaning water troughs and filling hay nets.
I’m setting up a caravan park
My boys had cornered me.“Dad, we’d like to talk to you about a business idea we’ve come up with”, they said in unison.“We’re calling it … Pape Point Campground”, announced my eight-year-old.
The Coming Property Crash
With all the craziness of Russia invading Ukraine and China looming in the background, I had a sudden worrying thought today. What would happen financially in Australia if there was a third world war?
I got scammed
So this is kind of humiliating, but I have a confession:A few weeks ago I got scammed … and it ended up costing me $5,000.The toughest part to swallow?