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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No Batteries Required
We got both my boys the Barefoot Kids book for Christmas over a year ago. In the last four months, Charlie has made over $100 from recycling cans and bottles. Charlie and our eldest son, Patrick, who’s 11, have also begun buying and selling Pokemon cards on eBay!
My Greedy Obnoxious Brother
In 2022, my stepdad passed away and shocked us all when he left all his $6.5 million in assets to my half-brother (his biological son), leaving my sister and me with nothing. To make things fair, our mum (divorced from him 10 years ago) updated her will to split her assets 50/50 between my sister and me.
A Knife to the Throat
My dad, who’s 60 and nearing retirement, got a call from an Aussie company pitching an SMSF to trade daily using AI (red flag – he didn’t contact them first). They claim to use only 2% of your super per day to avoid “losing everything”. He’s already invested $500 and says he’s made $25 but is being hounded by daily calls.
What Is Wonder Woman Worth?
I’m wondering what your thoughts are around the hourly rate for a stay-at-home parent? I am unable to go back to work while we have young kids at home, one of whom has a chronic illness.
Too Much Temu
I’ve just been clearing out my mother’s motor home and storage shed after she passed away. She had SO many (UNOPENED) packets with random labels, apparently all from Temu. Checking her Temu account, she had spent over $1,000 in the last five months!
I Can’t Sleep. I Can’t Eat. I’m a Walking, Shaking Mess.
I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I’m a walking, shaking mess. We put our home up for sale in the first week of March for $1.25 million, on the advice of our agent. (At the time I thought it was on the high side, but I didn’t say anything.)
What’s in store for property prices
Let’s take out the crystal ball and see what’s in store for property prices.
Nationally, they continue to creep higher – they’re up a very respectable 6.7% this year.
Should I Go to Cash?
I’m sure you'll get a million questions to this effect, but what should we do with our super based on Warren Buffett’s indicator? Do we move our super investments to more conservative options (cash, etc)?
Young and Stupid
Our Year 12 economics teacher just read out one of your Q&A newsletters in class. An 18-year-old guy had written to you confessing he’d spent $8,000 on a credit card.
I Don’t Want to Adult Anymore
My husband and I are in our twenties. We have just gotten our first mortgage and have had a real shock at how much it costs to be adults, and frankly we don’t like it. After living with my parents for three years, and two kids later, we are finding it tough.
Social Media is the New Smoking
Australia made global headlines this week after the Government moved forward with a plan to ban under-16s from accessing social media. I know you’ve been all for this, but, as a mother of three teenagers who are permanently attached to their phones, I wonder how practical it will be in the real world.
HECS Debt is Bad Debt!
I understand that HECS debts don’t attract a traditional interest rate, but mine goes up like 25% a year, which is way worse. Also, I believe that there was a rule change and HECS debts now no longer die with us, which means our poor kids could be left with nothing.
Stoned on Weed Stocks
Do you know what is happening with the medical cannabis companies? I had shares in AC8 and CGB and both have been delisted. Others are only worth 1/100th what I paid for them! Should I be freaking out?
Why is the smartest investor in the world ... selling?
Strap yourself in … the Trump trade is on, and everything is going up.
The day after Donald won the election, the US stock market surged 1,500 points – the biggest post-election gain in 128 years.
The Working Poor
I'm a single mum of two very active teenagers. I earn a decent full-time wage but I am overwhelmed by debt. Right now, I only have $50 left in my account until the next payday. Their father doesn’t contribute.
Your Password is a Problem
I found out about this through my work last week and I wish someone had told me sooner. It’s a government website that shows you how long it would take a hacker to crack your passwords.
Is HECS Still a Good Debt?
My son has two degrees but hasn't found work in his field. He is employed full-time but doesn’t earn enough to pay off his $85K HECS debt. It feels like a noose around his neck, and at 33, he’s convinced he’ll never own a home because of it.
What I’m watching
The nightly news is a no go zone in our home.
There’s too much blood and guts (and autocue).
However, Wednesday was a historic night, so after the kids were in their jim jams, we allowed them (and their teddy bears) to watch a few minutes of the news.
Is My Super Genocidal?
Own up, Barefoot, you support the war machine. I have often wondered why my super investments in a fund like Australian Ethical have not grown as much as others.