The Barefoot Investor. Scott Pape

Night …

       Note to future readers

      If you've just picked up this book and it's 2027, perhaps ING and UBank aren't around anymore. It doesn't matter — they're just examples. The same rules apply: no fees. Ever. Always use internet banking (or whatever it is you call the internet now). And always get high rates of interest on your savings.

      BAREFOOT DATE NIGHT MENU

      Week 1

      Choose somewhere really fancy for your very first Barefoot Date Night.

      Trust me, you can afford to splurge — you're about to save yourself thousands of dollars in just 10 minutes.

      ENTREE:

      Whip out your phone and apply for:

       2 × everyday transaction accounts — call them ‘Daily Expenses’ and ‘Splurge’ and get an ATM card for each (it's easier if you get your ‘Daily Expenses’ card first, then simply open another account for ‘Splurge’)

       2 × online savings accounts — call them ‘Smile’ and ‘Fire Extinguisher’ and link them both to ‘Daily Expenses’.

      The entire process takes 10 minutes and can be done on your phone between entree and main course.

      MAIN COURSE:

      Next, I want you to apply online for:

       1 × online savings account with a different institution — call it ‘Mojo’.

      When you open your separate Mojo account, I'd like you to set it up with an initial $2000 deposit. And if you don't have a spare $2000, look around your house and see what you can flog on Gumtree.

      I'm dead serious.

Make it your mission to get $2000 in Mojo. It's a great kick-off for what will become the most psychologically important account you ever create. When you have Mojo, you don't have financial emergencies.

      DESSERT:

      It's time to get on the fizz. Have yourself some champagne (glass, or bottle).

      You've earned it: it's not every day you save yourself from paying off some wanker banker's BMW.

      And it's only getting better. On next week's Barefoot Date Night, I'm going to show you how to make up to $226 484 by screwing down an amazing deal on your super.