• The Barefoot Investor

  • The Only Money Guide You'll Ever Need
  • By: Scott Pape
  • Narrated by: Scott Pape
  • Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,271 ratings)

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The Barefoot Investor  By  cover art

The Barefoot Investor

By: Scott Pape
Narrated by: Scott Pape
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Publisher's summary

Fully revised and updated for the 2020-2021 financial year 

This is the only money guide you'll ever need. 

That's a bold claim, given there are already thousands of finance books on the shelves. 

So what makes this one different? 

Well, you won't be overwhelmed with a bunch of "tips" or a strict budget (that you won't follow). 

You'll get a step-by-step formula: open this account, then do this; call this person, and say this; invest money here and not there. All with a glass of wine in your hand. 

This book will show you how to create an entire financial plan that is so simple you can sketch it on the back of a serviette...and you'll be able to manage your money in 10 minutes a week. 

You'll also get the skinny on:  

  • Saving up a six-figure house deposit in 20 months
  • Doubling your income using the Trapeze Strategy
  • Saving $78,173 on your mortgage and wiping out seven years of payments
  • Finding a financial advisor who won't rip you off
  • Handing your kids (or grandkids) $140,000 checks on their 21st birthdays
  • Why you don't need $1 million to retire...with the Donald Bradman Retirement Strategy

Sound too good to be true? It's not. 

This book is full of stories from everyday Aussies—single people, young families, empty nesters, retirees—who have applied the simple steps in this book and achieved amazing, life-changing results. 

And you're next.   

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2017, 2022 Scott Pape (P)2022 Audible Australia Pty Ltd

What listeners say about The Barefoot Investor

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Sure It's An Aussie Book But--

Most of The Barefoot Investor is sound advice. Yes, tax laws, investing particulars, home buying is somewhat different, but the majority of the theory is applicable anywhere. Plant. Grow. Harvest.
Making a date night with your partner weekly then monthly to specifically talk about financial issues and what dreams y'all have. Eradicating debt. Not being afraid of the stock market (which was a huuuuge one for me. Pape points out how, despite recessions/depressions/wars, things just bounce back. Period.). Buying your own home, but if you're renting, that's okay--just start saving as much of the difference between what you'd be paying in mortgage and taxes and rent as you possibly can. Determining your retirement number/age based on your savings (without spazzing about being older and nowhere near there).
I'm a finance idiot, so this is where I'm coming from as I write this review. I know Audible has a plethora of money-savvy people, so Pape's info might not be extraordinarily mind-blowing. But hey: Anything that makes me stop hyperventilating when I consider my financial situation? Well, that's definitely worth the barely 6+ hours listening time...!

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Great financial advice ... for Aussies

As an American, I was skeptical over how much of this book would actually apply to me. However, even though there were differences (like between a superfund and 401(k) / IRA) there were still a lot of good tidbits ... and some great ones.
I highly recommend the book, even if you're not Australian. You just may have to do some work how it exactly applies to you.

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49 people found this helpful

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Australia only

I don’t think I would have purchased this book if it was clear the steps outlined only work as indicated if you live in Australia.
Will be much harder to implement in the US.

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Bloody marvelous!

I’ve spent the last few years since having kids organising my family’s finances and investing so I thought I had it pretty much down. There was a lot in the book that did affirm that I was on the right track, but it also gave more than just an opportunity to pat myself on the back; hints and tips for improving what I’m currently doing and a real (and achievable) way to plan for the future.

Lastly, think your finances are boring? Try saying that after the audio book! Author and narrator, Scott Pape’s natural enthusiasm will get you started and EXCITED about sorting your money out.

Recommend to everyone!

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30 people found this helpful

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Australian Version of Dave Ramsey

Good and sound advice. Not quite as in depth as Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University but still very good nonetheless.

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Extremely well thought out and presented.

It is very well put together, so easy to follow and explains very complicated and confusing financial scenarios in a concise and manner.
Time tested principles are presented in such an easy to understand way that even I could understand.
Worth every cent of your money and every second of your time.

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Love It!

I'm a middle class working woman who while not in debt (except the mortgages) I definitely don't have a plan and I've avoided looking at my finances like the plague because it was too confusing and boring.
This book clears up much of my confusion and gives me the confidence I need to move forward into the fall of my life without fear.
Thanks Scott!
Now I'm going to listen again!

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Honest and easy to understand

Thanks Scott. I have already implemented ur teachings. I tried to negotiate my mortgage rate but the bank refused to budge. I have more than 80% equity. But hey, thanks to you advice on cash back mortgage brokers, I have ditched my bank. I'm now on my way to getting $1000 or more back each year and paying less on my mortgage! Trailing commisions are awesome...especially when they are paid to me instead of the typical mortagage broker!

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Brilliant, inspiring, and very, very practical

Scott is a brilliant writer and an inspiring narrator. Monday this week, a friend recommended "The Barefoot Investor". Before Monday, I had no idea money can - and needs to - be managed. I was just too busy working, and there was a constant low-grade worry about what's gonna happen if I lose my job. Today is Friday, I have finished listening to the book, and I know exactly what to do, step by step, to never worry about money again. Simply amazing.

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Wrong country

It sure would have been nice to know this book pertains to only people in Australia. Pretty close to absolutely useless for me in the USA RIP OFF

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  • Valentin Ursu
  • 01-04-21

Give me my time back!

Here's you after listening to this book: This book is specific for Aussies
Here's me: True, about half of the book is useless in other countries
Here's you: But the book is sold on Audible UK, for people in UK and Europe
Here's me: True
Here's you: The least he could do is addapt the part about SUPER and bank account taxes to other countries, the rest of it is good
Here's me: Yes, the least they could do is that. Some of the other ideas like monthly dates and the bucket and fire hose stuff are useful.
Here's you: But that's not enough for what they charge and how much time it wastes for people to listen about this useless stuff
Here's me: That's right, the 3 hours wasted listening to how Aussie banks screw Aussies are not coming back. You should know that before you start listening
Here's you: It feels disrespectful to my time, never mind the attempt at childish humor with the "here's you"/"here's me" lines
Here's me: you should ask for a refund. Maybe that will make them put a clear note in the description that 50% of the book is useless if you don't live and work in Austalia.
Here's you: Yes, I should ask for a refund! If only I could get the 3 hours of my life back, I could use them to listen to something else. They should pay for that too, shameless marketing!
Here's me: Yes, they should, but they won't, because the editor that made the description is as worse as the Australian bankers.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 04-17-19

Good read for Aussie market

Strong advice that anyone can use but a large part is for Aussie market not UK

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  • Vanessa Pitt
  • 09-05-19

Definite Listen For Aussies

I live in the UK, so there's a fair amount of information that isn't relevant geographically BUT the strategies for savings and expenditure are relevant regardless of where you live and can be implemented if you're willing to take responsibility for your present, your future and, if you have or are planning to have family, the future of your children and teaching them great financial behaviours!!

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  • Jade Colgan
  • 07-21-19

I live in the UK but the principles in this book ring true, loud and clear.

I am in love with this book. The principles behind the advice can be applied anywhere in the world. Sure, there are a few things that you can’t do if you don’t live in Australia, but I fully intend to translate those bits into things I CAN do in the U.K., using these principles. The best finance book I’ve ever read. Scott is entertaining, candid, and straight forward to follow. 10/10. Read this book!

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  • SJ Sebo
  • 10-08-18

Specific to Australia, but recommended read anyway

I found this book through a friend's recommendation and didn't know what to expect, but the phrase 'barefoot date nights' stuck in my mind too, so I gave it a try.

This is a pretty fun read compared to other finance books.

Although Scott Pape focuses on Australian solutions, it's still a good read for anyone who wants to get a better understanding of money management. Maybe even better in hard copy though as the doodles help you grasp the concept.

I like the idea of Barefoot Date Nights, however, I couldn't follow the rules exactly. If you're listening from outside of Australia like me, you'll probably have to adjust his suggestions to your situation. Still, it can put you on track and that's what matters. Pape's performance is quite good too, he uses a really human tone and holds the attention throughout the whole guide. Worth reading.

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  • Luke T
  • 03-23-21

Here's You: Australia-centric Advice.

Here's Me: You're insufferable.

The book shouldn't be available outside of Australia. The content for an Australian audience is sound but fairly basic. Advice in the book for a international market could be a great blog post but it's stretched out among the Australian content and packaged in an insufferable, patronising Here's You, Here's Me: format.
Don't bother if you're not in Australia.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 01-17-21

Financial playbook for Australian feminists

Despite the review title this book is actually okay in parts. It does provide some decent information on how to overcome debt but the section on investments and property were lacking. It's clear his target audience are women with how he calls men "chauvinistic pigs" and bashes Trump despite it not being relevant at all. If you are not based in Australia you will find a lot of the information irrelevant also.

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  • Chris C
  • 06-06-19

good ideas

seems like has good info for Australia, I listened from the UK so not so helpful as a lot of what's discussed is specific to Australia. good mantras to aim for though.

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  • T. Keates
  • 06-22-19

Definitely aimed at the Aussie market

Really enjoyable read/listen. Scott tells it like it is, and pulls few punches. The material is Aussicentric talking directly about Super (superannuation) however all of the structures & philosophy can easily be rolled out worldwide. A low tech approach to securing yourself and those you care about financially. And yes, your plan can be written on a napkin. Keep it simple stupid! I recommend having a listen.

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  • mr d p thorpe
  • 10-26-22

Good but very specific to Australia

Lots to learn from this and the principles are sound, however many of the recommendations use terminology and loopholes which are native to Australia and don’t transfer easily to the UK. Still worth a read though. I have my first Barefoot Date night coming up tomorrow.

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  • Rob
  • 06-29-17

Perfect for Australians, not so much for others

The content in the book is as good advice as you will get from anywhere, if you follow what Scott says and have faith you will dig yourself out of whatever hole you are in.

Clear steps on what to do, when to do it and how to do it... No BS, there is very real and legit guidelines in this book that will work. Scott knows what he is talking about.

Perfect for an Australian or if you live in Australia.

That said, I am not Australian nor do I live in Australia! However, with a bit of work I can adapt his ideas to myself here in New Zealand (the actual best country in the world!) but it will just take a bit more work for me to figure out how things work here.

The steps are much the same though.

This book is worth the time you spend with it... Especially if you live in Australia, the 2nd best country in the world, maybe the 3rd. Definitely no lower than 5th!

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  • Clazza Maree
  • 02-07-19

Some useful tips and others not so good

Some little useful tips. Easy to listen to and not boring. Some illogical tips (e.g. change banks because the big 4 all charge fees amounting to an average of almost $500 a year; gives an example of these fees 3 times and each time it's the same - you get charged $2 whenever you withdraw from an atm not belonging to your bank. I don't know about you but I don't do this 240 times a year. Checked my bank for fees just to make sure and there are absolutely zero. He also says the interest rates aren't that good with the big 4, and that is a good reason to switch, but not the fees. Giving that as an example was a really illogical way to start the book and made me wary)
Some tips that don't weigh up. (e.g. when he talks about not buying an investment property and gives the example of how much someone lost by doing so he forgets to take into account the rent the person received. He totals up the fees over the years the person had the property and they amount to $100,000 and says she'll have to sell the property for that much more than she bought it for to just break even).
Also, not a fan of all these different bank accounts he says to make for this and that. It makes it so much more complicated than it needs to be. Much easier to keep it all in one good interest account and make sure there's enough there for emergencies (which he calls mojo) etc.
Also, he continually brings up how he had a fire and lost his house and had to start from scratch. But at one point he says he had insurance for all that and was handed a very large payout. So honestly he never had to use his "fire extinguisher" and start again with nothing.
He tries to be funny and often his humour is crude. It's quite distasteful but easy to overlook as he speaks quickly.
Apart from all these things, I still learnt a thing or two.

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  • Joel
  • 07-04-17

loved it!

Brilliant advice in simple terms. I genuinely feel in control after following Scott's (Barefoot's) steps. It's early days and we have a long way to go before we are debt free and start saving money and boosting super, but we are on our way and because everything's on autopilot there's no worries! Thanks Barefoot

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  • Ryan Treanor
  • 07-03-17

EVERY AUSTRALIAN SHOULD READ THIS!

loved this. cant wait to get the barefoor steps in place. ive ordered a hard copy to reference from but i really recommend listening to it first. being read by scott himself makes it feel more personal and fun.
if i had picked up the hard copy first i dont think i would have been as excited by the concept.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 08-18-17

Yeesh.... this guy is painful

Some great tips on this but his rampant sexism and borderline racist jokes and condescending tone are too much to bear at times. His Kanye west impression made me immediately stop listening. Took me a week to get back into listening to it. He would have been better served taking a slightly different tone. His normie Aussie battler vibe is super painful and forced. Treats the reader like a complete idiot and plays into stereotypes. But... battle through it and you'll get a good blueprint for how to set yourself up a lot better. I would recommend borrowing the book from the library and making notes while avoiding the sanctimonious preaching and larrikin -isms. Super helpful book though!

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  • Charles D.
  • 07-05-18

Absolute must read.

If you are an Aussie, there is no question, you must read this book. Accessible and engaging.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 09-07-17

Total guide to financial happiness!

I've now listened to many books on making your own wealth, financial freeedom and the likes. Scott has put basically everything I have heard so far into one book, simplified it and then gone 10 steps further by filling in literally all the gaps. Making this the most comprehensive and enjoyable money book I've come across. I don't have the paper copy, but that is on the short list to get, I think having a physical copy to resort to would be like having a set of instructions for life in general "PRICELESS!"

Well done Scott, nailed it!

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  • Peter S. Bishop
  • 09-08-19

What Rubbish

The advice given is complete nonsense. As a stock investor for over 20 years this goes against what I have learned.
The book seems to emphasize saving money - but has a strange way of doing it .
Don't waste your time listening to this. Get a good non-advisory stockbroking account and start trading with small amounts.
Follow the Masters like Warren Buffet - NOT this person.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 02-09-18

great motionvational book but confusing strategy..

which is it? index fund, LIC, or his stock picking newsletter? Starts by saying index fund is cheap and performs better over time, dont pay people who think they can outpeform, by the end we need to pay him to tell us what stocks to purchase? dont buy property but look at my property portfolio...? everyone else is doing it wrong, im the only one doing it the right way... enjoyed the first half, second half was a con job to sell the cult and charge more money.

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  • S. Carmine
  • 04-21-18

Practical for all walks of life

great practical advice for those who are struggling and also those who think they're on the right track and need a bit of motivation and inspiration. I was raised on good money management in a low income family and found this really motivational to keep at my goals.

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