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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Mum Won’t Give Me $30,000 Because of YOU, Barefoot
My mum is withholding a $30,000 inheritance for me from my late great aunt because she thinks I wouldn’t use it the ‘Barefoot way’. I’m a 26-year-old woman, living with my partner, and we have money of our own saved up for a house deposit.
Artificial Intelligence Stole $300,000 From Me
I have just read your response to Craig regarding Robert Irwin and Trade 6000 Alrex.
My Husband Has Been an Addict for 31 Years
My partner and I, both in our mid-forties, have been Barefooters for years. We live in the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne and have two kids, aged 10 and 13.
Haters gonna hate
God Dang!
Last week I wrote about my road trip through the most dangerous city in America. While I came out of it whistling Dixie, I didn’t realise the violence that would be waiting in my inbox this week:
Have We Bred a Monster?
My teenage daughter has had a private school education. This has cost my husband and I (average working-class people) upwards of $40,000 per year.
My walk through the most dangerous city in America
“I’m goin’ to Jackson, I’m gonna mess around, Yeah, I’m goin’ to Jackson, Look out Jackson town”
The top is down on our convertible, it’s 100 degrees (fahrenheit), and the stereo is blasting Johnny Cash’s Jackson as we drive into Jackson, Mississippi.
Screen-free Sunday
I wanted to let you know we were impressed with Screen-free Sunday and have instituted it for the second week running. (Though my kids point out that it should be followed swiftly by Mum-free Monday!)
Trouble on the menu
I am a single divorcee, recently retired at 70 with about $650,000 in super after selling my inner-city house and relocating to the far north coast of NSW. My son is 37 and absolutely passionate about his chosen career as a chef, at which he is excelling. He used to talk about opening his own restaurant, but this hasn't been mentioned for a while.
Single Mum Turns Down $3 Million
I’m a single mother raising two children on my nursing wage. I have just paid off my house in Tasmania and am now adding 10% to my super each pay. I don’t renovate or travel far. No dishwasher and a broken oven.
Best Returning Super Funds
I was reading about the best performing super funds, which were Mine Super, Colonial FirstChoice, and IOOF – all of which earned over 10% and easily beat my super fund (AustralianSuper).
A warning to all investors
Last week I watched my share portfolio get hammered as markets plunged across the globe.
And in response I’m doing something I rarely do … I’m issuing a warning to all investors:
My Parents Don’t Support Me
My name is Laura and I’m 12 years old. A couple of months ago I was given a copy of Barefoot Kids. I’ve come to inform you that I’ve read it many times and it has inspired me to become a better person when it comes to money.
My Beautiful Little Tax Deduction
I have just been told of a way I can save more money on taxes as a sole trader that is perfectly legal and above board. Apparently I can employ my 14-year-old son on minimum wage to help me as a personal assistant, thus giving me a deduction of up to $18,500 on my taxes.
My Wife Found the Lord … But Not a Job
My short question is this: Is it legal for a partner to refuse to get work? And who can I turn to if they continue to refuse to get work?
A warning to anyone who taps their card
“Would you like your receipt?” asked the cashier at my local IGA. I shook my head. I always shake my head. After all, most receipts are a waste of paper and ink. And I know that if I do take one, just to be nice, I’ll shove it in my pocket and it’ll invariably end up going through the wash and Liz will yell at me.
The Barefoot Confession
I used to be a sucker for personal development. I was always taken by the idea of the freedom that would come with the ‘laptop lifestyle’.
We’ve Made $11,400 Profit in Four Months
My husband and I recently started trading CFDs (Contracts for Difference) online. We started with $500 thinking that “if it’s a scam, we’ll only lose $500”.
The Future Olympian
I’m a 19-year-old athlete training for a qualification spot in the LA 2028 Olympics. Since finishing school, I’ve been working a full-time job to pay for all the training, competitions, overseas travel and extra expenses that come with being an athlete.
If the economy is so screwed … why is the share market at all-time highs?
I was in at the ABC the other day when a young Gen Z bloke who worked there (whose hairdo made him look like one of my alpacas) nailed me with a killer question:
“If the economy is so screwed … why is the share market at all-time highs?”