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!

What I Really Think of Hostplus’s Index Balanced Fund

About the Barefoot Blueprint

How to Sort Your Insurance

Do I still use the ING Orange Everyday account?

What I Think of AFIC

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Scott Pape 12/19/22 Scott Pape 12/19/22

I’m Going to Lose My Apartment

I’m at risk of losing my apartment! I am $16,000 in arrears on my loan repayments, and the mortgage is more than I could sell the house for.

Hi Scott,

I’m at risk of losing my apartment! I am $16,000 in arrears on my loan repayments, and the mortgage is more than I could sell the house for. I have zero credit rating due to blown-out credit cards, and the mortgage is for 30 years, taking me to age 77 before it’s paid off. I can travel on public transport with my work so I’m thinking of selling my car (worth around $5,000) to build up my Mojo and then start knocking off some smaller debts, as you suggest in your book. Is this a good first move?

Lauren

Hi Lauren,

It’s like you’ve walked into my office bleeding all over my carpet, and you’re asking for an aspirin.

This is serious. It’s time for surgery, not solubles.

Here’s a list of priorities:

First, cover the essentials: food, electricity, gas, and fuel/fares to get to work.

A very close second is securing the roof over your head.

Third, deal with everything else, including your credit cards.

Finally, should you sell your car? Maybe, but only if you don’t really need it. Still, selling the car will save you on rego, repairs, insurance and petrol. Plus, having $2,000 in Mojo is an awesome psychological buffer, and you could use the $3,000 to buy some time with your bank.

Then again, I don’t really know the full picture. So please call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 and speak to a financial counsellor, who will help you work out a game plan.

Scott.

Barefoot Admin 5/9/21 Barefoot Admin 5/9/21

A Very Barefoot Will

My beautiful mum passed away recently. She was a big fan of yours. Each Sunday we’d catch up and she’d ask me what ‘Barefoot Scott’ had written this week, often chuckling at your straight-talking responses. After she died, we found that she had left instructions (in her fire-proof Bunnings safe) about a hidden ‘Mojo’ envelope — to help us out until her will was resolved.

Hi Scott,

My beautiful mum passed away recently. She was a big fan of yours. Each Sunday we’d catch up and she’d ask me what ‘Barefoot Scott’ had written this week, often chuckling at your straight-talking responses. After she died, we found that she had left instructions (in her fire-proof Bunnings safe) about a hidden ‘Mojo’ envelope — to help us out until her will was resolved. We also found an ING account named ‘Holiday’, ready for her next big trip. As sad as I felt, I had to smile with pride. It wasn’t about the money, I was just in awe that Mum had done all this in her late seventies, and with very little too. Kudos, Mum!

Jenny

Hi Jenny

Love it!

A lot of people think that Barefoot is about money-grubbing finance.

Yet, at its core, what we talk about here each week is how to look after the people we love.

And, in that sense, your mum was a true Barefooter.

Thank you for sharing your story.

Scott.