Barefoot Investor

by Scott Pape

The Barefoot Investor is about creating the financial freedom to live your dreams, whatever your age. It shows how getting your financial act together can be downright sexy, allowing you to achieve the things that mean the most to you - regardless of your income. Scott Pape, the Jamie Oliver of finance, writes for the young and hip who want to enjoy life now – not to wait on dead men’s shoes. He shows you how to manage your money to do the things you want: whether it's to quit the job you hate to make a career of what you love; buy a cool flat; go backpacking; or build a wealth portfolio for the future. It is packed full of simple tips, tricks, checklists and quizzes that will help you to transform your personal wealth with minimum effort. By following the Barefoot plan you can make your money work for you. There are five simple steps here showing you how to save it, invest it and let it do the hard work for you so you can tread your own path. At last, you can live your dreams and pay for them too.

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Personal Finance, Business, Self Help

220 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2006

About the author

Scott Pape is an author and radio commentator who lives in Melbourne, Australia. He is best known through his online persona, the Barefoot Investor, which is also the name of a business show he hosts.

Reviews

[Grace Henley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shallow, very very basic & no depth. Okay for those who are completely clueless about money and budgeting. If you've read other personal finance books you probably could skip this one.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly amusing book in this field

Loved the first paragraph already
'Bank managers, financial planners, real estate agents & mortgage brokers are salespeople - not educators. The more you know, the less they get'.
'There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way' (Christopher Morley).

The first chapter outlines the author's habits with money from his childhood experiences. Quite a hilarious read. 'Thirty years ago, when it seemed the only people who went to University were hippies trying to get out of Vietnam War, higher education funded by the government was probably the next best thing Today things have changed. The bar has raised. My generation is the best educated in history and as a consequence we're all competing for the same jobs. These days a graduate degree will see you on the fast track to being a junior vice president of burger flipping, and it cost you thousands of dollars in uni fees for the privilege'.

It was this book where I learnt about Tyler Durden, Brad Pitt's character in Fight Club.
'Many of us have become enslaved by our possessions. We buy stuff we can't afford, chase the lifestyle society tell us means success, and spend most of our working lives struggling to pay it back'.

[Harvey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would not recommend. The book failed to deliver. The cover is subtitled "the only money guide you'll ever need". Unlike what the author promises, if you want to master your personal finance, you may not want to limit your self-education on this subject matter to this book.

The author also states he will openly share with you all the details about how and where he invests himself, which financial products he invests in, what is his ROI, etc... There again he fails to deliver. All you learn is that he has his day to day operations bank account with online bank ING, which allows him to benefit from a slightly higher I.R. than with other traditional banks. And I don't think such tips will allow you to achieve "financial freedom".

This book can make a good introduction to personal finance if you're a complete newbie though.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scott Pape has a unique voice when it comes to finance that made for easy and light reading on a usually dry topic. The book covers his own philosophy when it comes to money and life, which generally aligned with mine, so I found his commentary both insightful and relatable. Though I was still left with certain questions regarding investing and fund management, I knew more than when I started and enjoyed the experience of reading his writing and his now dated jokes which still brought a smile to my face.

[Alexandria Blaelock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review refers to the second edition, which is simply titled The Barefoot Investor: Five Steps to Financial Freedom.

This is a nice, easy read, and some may find it simplistic. However, I look at it along the lines of a financial version of the sort of "diet" you can stick to for life.

The first step is out of Wonderland and into Reality where you alone are responsible for your financial well-being, followed by controlling spending, reducing debt, saving money, and getting a backup plan. All five steps that can easily be applied to wherever you find yourself in life.

[Kath Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most sensible financial advice I’ve ever heard! I’ve just read the latest edition which gives advice for all age groups, not just people in their 20’s and 30’s.
Very easy to read and very entertaining too. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to get their finances under control. I will be giving this to my boys (in their 20’s) to read.

[Jade Kiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so enlightening! This is the first 'money' book I've ever read, and it was read by a mistake, I was supposed to be reading the family barefoot version but this one was eye-opening. I learnt the basics with money and how to manage it. Scott Pape writes in a easy to read (and often humorous) fashion. Great easy read with real life take-outs

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple, easy to read start on investment. Better than doing nothing, and also covers essentials like insurance. Realistic viewpoint in that he promotes enjoying life, but also putting money aside for the future.

[Linda Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. Lots of insights that can be easily actioned. Also, a nice reminder of what it truly means to be financially secure. Highly recommended.

[Babar Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Above average
, but not recommended for those who are not interested in stock market. And it is quite outdated too

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little out-dated but still a decent starting point to re-evaluate your financial needs

[Dini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic, no frills financial advice.

[Adakhc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Continuing on my quest to become more financial literature and responsible. This book is now quite dated and UK specific so I wouldn't recommend it for Australians.
Some good take aways for me are
1. The power of a financial safety net in case of emergencies, saves you money in the long run
2. Which insurance is useful to have in your 20s and 30s
3. How even tiny amounts of money put away safely can be life changing

Pretty straight forward stuff you could get more relevantly in podcasts in 2019 especially for women Eg the pineapple project from abc

[Sudhakar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, simple to understand investment book at last. Though written with young people in mind, this would be really useful to all. The ingenuity of the author shows in telling exactly what is required. Nothing more nothing less. He does not claim to motivator neither does he advocates impossible recommendations . I can say if we follow the simple steps we can attain financial freedom to pursue our interests. Great book . Highly recommended..

[Matias]

Simple and well written. Outlines the long-term strategies for financial wealth. primarily by dividing your income into 4 'wealth management streams' including a 'mojo' account. Inspiring. Clarifies how compound interest can be your friend or foe.

[Felicity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. Would highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for a fun introduction to basic money management. Especially good for anyone that is looking for some extra motivation to get out of debt and/or start saving.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice! But its a frikkin finance book...less boring than I'd expected. tries to play the 'I'm young like you' angle a LITTLE too hard.

[Bron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this before I moved out of home and still do some things I learnt from it today, although I didn't really pay a lot of attention to the investing sections...

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous, really easy to read book that gives great practical advice. Highly recommended.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.

[Isabel Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, no nonsense, fundamental financial advice, especially for those feeling a little lost. Treading my own path now with a little more confidence.

[Brendan Peacock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The common sense building blocks of personal finance everyone should know but don't.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good first book for young adults on finance. How to live within your means, whilst still having fun. Follow the plan and become wealthy, slowly.....

[Maxx · Rating 3 out of 5]

nothing special about his book. you defiNitely can skip this if you are in depth in finance subject.

[Filipe R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for someone who doesn't understand economics/finance and wants to think about (saving) the future.

[Jack Reedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

few good tips and a great start on getting back on track financially..

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Funny and simple. Even makes investing In stocks something to consider!!

[Nad Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read on a complicated subject - loved it!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who doesn't know a whole lot about finance and investing, this book was the perfect guideline for me. It communicates the information in a logical way, and I love the practical approach of 'do it now', where a lot of other books just briefly mention what to do in a few years time etc etc. It has got me started and I'm excited to see where it leads me in the future!!

[Ryan McMillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book in terms of getting the basics and clearly laying out steps for anyone to follow. If you're interested in going more in-depth with finance then maybe this book isn't for you!

Enjoy Mr Pape's playful attitude and tone - especially as an audiobook!