You SUCK Barefoot

Scott,

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I read your answer to 'My Dream Home' (31st of January). You told Jody that her husband's wage of $45k "isn't going to cut it". Well, after 39 years earning a decent wage as a tradie, my husband was made redundant two years ago. He now works for a car dealer and only earns $43k. How do you suppose at the age of 56, he increases his income? No one is interested in employing someone his age. Or if they are, they're only offering the same miserable wage.

Renee

Hi Renee,

If you and your husband were out to dinner with me and my wife, and we were having this discussion, my wife would've kicked me under the table, given me 'the look', and empathised with you on how hard it is for older people to get decent paying jobs. (She gets social niceties like that). That part of my brain is missing. So let me dig myself a little deeper.

If you're husband has worked as a tradie for 39 years, why is he working in a car dealership for $43k a year? We're currently living through the biggest building boom in history. If a tradie with four decades of experience can't swing a gig for at least $60k, I'll bare my backside in Bourke Street. Strike me handsome!

You say: "No one is interested in employing someone of his age". That is simply not true. Stop saying it. The average age of my staff at the Barefoot Investor is 50-plus (and that's a funky, internet advice business). He's got ten years of good work left in him at least. He needs to work out how to capitalise on his experience, and exploit the superannuation tax lurks while he can!

Scott