The Barefoot Investor: Five Steps to Financial Freedom in Your 20s and 30s

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 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.

30 review for The Barefoot Investor: Five Steps to Financial Freedom in Your 20s and 30s

4 out of 5

Grace Henley – Mar 18, 2013

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. 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.
4 out of 5

Rosie – May 16, 2017

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 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'.
5 out of 5

Harvey – Sep 27, 2017

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 t 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.
5 out of 5

Paul – Sep 02, 2017

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 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.
5 out of 5

Alexandria Blaelock – Nov 15, 2017

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 f 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.
5 out of 5

Tricia – Jul 21, 2013

Wish I came across this book 10 years ago. Finally, a personal finance book without the incomprehensible mumbo jumbo.
4 out of 5

Kath Barker – Nov 13, 2017

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.
5 out of 5

Jade Kiel – Apr 13, 2020

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 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
4 out of 5

Jody – Jul 13, 2017

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.
4 out of 5

Linda Z – Jan 12, 2018

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.
4 out of 5

Dini – Jan 03, 2018

Basic, no frills financial advice.
4 out of 5

Sudhakar – Jan 30, 2015

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..
5 out of 5

Matias Kewe – Jul 28, 2011

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. 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.
4 out of 5

Jack Reedman – Apr 09, 2017

few good tips and a great start on getting back on track financially.. Imo was I wasn't really interested in a lot of the story line so I skipped to the financial tips and as a beginner book really it lacked depth... which was okay as I still got something out of it. few good tips and a great start on getting back on track financially.. Imo was I wasn't really interested in a lot of the story line so I skipped to the financial tips and as a beginner book really it lacked depth... which was okay as I still got something out of it.
5 out of 5

Felicity – Jul 20, 2012

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.
4 out of 5

Maxx – Jul 11, 2016

nothing special about his book. you defiNitely can skip this if you are in depth in finance subject.
4 out of 5

Brendan Peacock – Jul 04, 2014

The common sense building blocks of personal finance everyone should know but don't. The common sense building blocks of personal finance everyone should know but don't.
4 out of 5

J – Jun 04, 2013

3.5/5.
5 out of 5

Isabel Mason – Jun 05, 2014

Brilliant, no nonsense, fundamental financial advice, especially for those feeling a little lost. Treading my own path now with a little more confidence.
4 out of 5

Bronwen – Dec 01, 2009

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... 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...
4 out of 5

Peter – Jan 22, 2015

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.....
4 out of 5

Beth – Mar 05, 2008

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. 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.
4 out of 5

Filipe R. – Sep 03, 2016

Good for someone who doesn't understand economics/finance and wants to think about (saving) the future. Good for someone who doesn't understand economics/finance and wants to think about (saving) the future.
5 out of 5

Brooke – Dec 09, 2011

Fabulous, really easy to read book that gives great practical advice. Highly recommended.
4 out of 5

Sonja –
5 out of 5

Adam Ashton –
4 out of 5

Jenny Lara –
5 out of 5

Eoin –
4 out of 5

rachelle –
4 out of 5

Adam –