What Is Scott Pape Doing Now? His Net Worth, Life, and Latest Updates

Few Australian financial figures have connected with as many readers as Scott Pape, but lately the best‑selling author has traded television studios for chestnut trees. This article looks at what Scott Pape is doing now, how he built his wealth, and where he calls home.

Full name: Scott Pape ·
Born: 1975 ·
Known as: The Barefoot Investor ·
Book sales: Over 1 million copies of The Barefoot Investor ·
Current role: Financial counsellor, farmer, father

One pattern is clear: his public identity is shifting from media personality to hands‑on counsellor.

What is Scott Pape doing now?

Current activities

• Provides free financial counselling to people in need (The Barefoot Investor (official site))
• Runs a farm – “I grow really good chestnuts” (LinkedIn profile)
• Focuses on family and reading; stepped back from social media (Instagram bio)

Scott Pape’s public profile on the Australian International Documentary Conference site notes that his work in education and volunteering as a financial counsellor is what he is most proud of (AIDC speaker profile).

The implication: Pape has deliberately moved away from the media spotlight to a life of direct, low‑profile giving.

Transition to farming

• He describes himself as a farmer on all his official profiles (X profile)
• His LinkedIn summary says he grows chestnuts (LinkedIn)
• A 2020 Q&A revealed a major wealth event from a family business sale, which likely funded the farm purchase (The Barefoot Investor (Q&A))

The catch: the exact location of the farm is not publicly disclosed, but Pape remains in Australia.

Financial counselling work

• Pape is a founding donor of Financial Counselling Australia (The Barefoot Investor (official site))
• He has contributed his own money to fund financial counsellors (The Barefoot Investor (official site))
• The Salvation Army highlights his work building financial resilience (The Salvation Army Australia)

Why this matters: Pape’s shift from mass‑market author to one‑on‑one counselling represents a genuine commitment to the audience he built, not just passive royalties.

How rich is Scott Pape?

Scott Pape’s net worth estimates

• No official net worth figure exists; estimates are speculative.
• A third‑party site estimated $4.32 million, but that source explicitly calls it an estimate (Share Trading Guru (third‑party estimate)).
• Pape himself revealed in a 2020 Q&A that he and his husband were “now $34 million wealthier (after tax)” from a family business sale (The Barefoot Investor (Q&A)).

That $34 million figure is the only concrete number Pape has put forward. It came from selling a multi‑generation family business, not from book royalties.

Sources of income

• Book sales: over 1 million copies of The Barefoot Investor at ~$20 AUD each (estimated gross $20 million before costs and tax).
• Speaking engagements and advisory roles – advised AFL and Rugby League teams on wealth strategies (Bendigo Senior Secondary College profile).
• Financial counselling is voluntary, not a revenue stream.

The trade‑off: Pape’s wealth comes primarily from book income and one major family‑business sale, not ongoing media work.

Book sales

• The Barefoot Investor has sold over 1 million copies (The Barefoot Investor (official site)).
• Audible lists multiple audio titles under his name (Audible author page).
• The book remains a bestseller in Australian personal finance.

For anyone wondering whether Pape still earns from his book: yes, but the majority of his current efforts are unpaid.

Where does Scott Pape live now?

Current residence

• Scott Pape lives in Australia (LinkedIn location).
• He owns a farm, but the exact address has not been made public.

Property in Australia

• His property is a working farm where he grows chestnuts (LinkedIn).
• He moved away from a city existence to a rural lifestyle.

Farm life

• He describes his days as “plant trees, play with kids, read books” (Instagram bio).
• This shift aligns with his broader goal of financial freedom he preaches – living on his own terms.

The pattern: Pape’s life mirrors the advice he gave millions – build enough financial independence to choose your own path.

Timeline of Scott Pape’s career shift

• 2000s: Began radio commentary and television appearances (Wikipedia)
• 2016: Published The Barefoot Investor (Wikipedia)
• 2020: Stepped back from media to focus on family and farming (Instagram bio)
• 2023–present: Active as a financial counsellor and farmer; limited public appearances (LinkedIn)

The timeline confirms a deliberate, phased retreat from public life.

Clarity: what we know for sure and what remains uncertain

The pattern underscores that Pape values privacy and direct impact over public recognition.

Quotes from and about Scott Pape

“I don’t do social media these days. I play with my kids, read books, and plant trees instead.”

— Scott Pape (Instagram bio)

“The Barefoot Investor is about creating the financial freedom to live your dreams.”

— Scott Pape (Wikipedia)

For Australians seeking financial guidance, the biggest takeaway is clear: Scott Pape’s shift from media personality to hands‑on counsellor signals a deeper commitment to helping those in need, not just selling books. His wealth‑building methods remain relevant, but his latest investment is in chestnuts and free advice. The question for readers is whether they, too, will use their financial freedom to design a life they don’t need to escape from.

Related reading: **Barefoot Financial Counselling** · **I’m rich, I’m really rich**

For a deeper look at his wealth and transition from finance to farming, you can find current insights on Scott Pape in a detailed profile from an Australian source.

Frequently asked questions