Thanks for all the fascinating & thought-provoking entries this year. I've really enjoyed your Substack!
As a mom to two little ones with parents *extremely* close by, I find the grandparent conversation especially interesting. It is so life-changing. There almost needs to be a match-making service for parents of young kids who don't have family nearby, with retired grandparent-aged folks who like babies/kids and don't have grandkids (or don't have them nearby).
I love that idea. I'm part of this AARP-sponsored Facebook group called The Ethels, and it for women 50+. It's filled with grandmas who don't live close to their grandkids or who don't have good relationships w/ their kids. I wonder if there's potential for a matchmaking service there!
congrats on the rare interesting end-of-year issue!
One other aspect of tithing -- if you send your kids to a Catholic school you have to tithe a certain amount to get the parishioner tuition discount. As I type it out it sounds absurd but I'm too tired to reflect on that now.
My catholic middle school tried to kick us out for not giving the tithe on Sunday. They said we weren't going to church, which was true because we were poor and didn't have the money to give. Somehow my grandmother found out and raised holyhell and the matter was dropped. The poorest kids in the school and parish, yet they still wanted their money. I also remember in the 1970s a particularly brutal economy and people were not paying the school tuition and the parish sent a whole lot of letter out via the kids at school. The common area where students met up in the morning was packed! They still wanted their money and were trying to shame the kids and parents. Needless to say I am not a good catholic person.
Great roundup! I've found this corner of the internet to be helpful in helping me feel pride in how women continue to get things done. I find myself cheering for contributors - for sharing their ups and downs - and helping us all along the way. I'm a single mom, and there are times the posts help me feel less alone in managing a household and all of it's financial and emotional intricacies solo.
This is one of my must-read Substacks whenever it hits my email! I love the kindness and generosity you (and your readers/commenters) show to everyone. This is truly a space on the Internet that leads with curiosity first. Thank you so much, and thanks to all the brave souls who opened up over the year. I've learned so much!
I had no idea solar panels cost that much but now I do! You could earn that back in 15-20 years depending on where you live?
Thanks for teaching me and normalizing discussions around money and division of labor. Your comments section is one of the best places to be. Cheers to 2026!
Just be mindful: We installed solar panels when we bought our house in CA in 2017. Since then, Southern California Edison decreased the amount of money they pay us for the power the panels generate for the grid. We're then less able to offset the power that we do use from SCE. Our bill crept up and up. This year we bought a solar battery to store and then use our own power. We're only reliant on SCE for any "extra" power we need that we don't generate. The battery was also very expensive and extends the amount of time we'll need to "pay off" the panels/battery. This may not be an issue in other parts of the country ;)
Just want to shout out no.10! The is such a cozy (informative, thought provoking, delightfully written) corner of the internet, especially during a hard year 😌
The Purse is my favorite Substack (and I am an OG Money Diaries fan)! I am having my first child in June and I find the series so, so helpful when thinking about *all of that*! Please do an event in Chicago :)
What a great recap for the year! I liked how each point caused me to reflect on the stories you wrote that contributed to that idea. A nice way to remember the past year.
As Madeline said, I'm happy to be part of The Purse crew! Thanks for creating such a cool space.
Enjoyed this post! Rachel Rodgers' book We Should All Be Millionaires really influenced my thinking on outsourcing, similar to what Lindsey is describing in #4. I'm still looking for a way to outsource meals for my family, one of my most dreaded, time-consuming, and expensive responsibilities.
Thanks for all the fascinating & thought-provoking entries this year. I've really enjoyed your Substack!
As a mom to two little ones with parents *extremely* close by, I find the grandparent conversation especially interesting. It is so life-changing. There almost needs to be a match-making service for parents of young kids who don't have family nearby, with retired grandparent-aged folks who like babies/kids and don't have grandkids (or don't have them nearby).
I love that idea. I'm part of this AARP-sponsored Facebook group called The Ethels, and it for women 50+. It's filled with grandmas who don't live close to their grandkids or who don't have good relationships w/ their kids. I wonder if there's potential for a matchmaking service there!
Ohhhh very interesting!
congrats on the rare interesting end-of-year issue!
One other aspect of tithing -- if you send your kids to a Catholic school you have to tithe a certain amount to get the parishioner tuition discount. As I type it out it sounds absurd but I'm too tired to reflect on that now.
Happy holidays Lindsey!
Interesting! I went to catholic school and don’t remember that aspect of it, tho I wasn’t the one paying the bills
being a Catholic school parents is somehow even more tiresome than being a Catholic school student ;) I mean more of a joy! A joy.
I didn't know this either but my parents confirmed our catholic high school did this! So ridiculous. But our catholic middle school did not
My catholic middle school tried to kick us out for not giving the tithe on Sunday. They said we weren't going to church, which was true because we were poor and didn't have the money to give. Somehow my grandmother found out and raised holyhell and the matter was dropped. The poorest kids in the school and parish, yet they still wanted their money. I also remember in the 1970s a particularly brutal economy and people were not paying the school tuition and the parish sent a whole lot of letter out via the kids at school. The common area where students met up in the morning was packed! They still wanted their money and were trying to shame the kids and parents. Needless to say I am not a good catholic person.
I can’t stand Catholics who have lost the plot of what the whole Jesus thing means.
Great roundup! I've found this corner of the internet to be helpful in helping me feel pride in how women continue to get things done. I find myself cheering for contributors - for sharing their ups and downs - and helping us all along the way. I'm a single mom, and there are times the posts help me feel less alone in managing a household and all of it's financial and emotional intricacies solo.
This is so kind, thank you Marlena! We are rooting for all of the contributors too :)
This is one of my must-read Substacks whenever it hits my email! I love the kindness and generosity you (and your readers/commenters) show to everyone. This is truly a space on the Internet that leads with curiosity first. Thank you so much, and thanks to all the brave souls who opened up over the year. I've learned so much!
Thank you Karen 🥹
Thank you, Karen! ❤️
Merry merry and congrats on a great year!
Thank you, Amelia! Happy holidays to your family, too!
I had no idea solar panels cost that much but now I do! You could earn that back in 15-20 years depending on where you live?
Thanks for teaching me and normalizing discussions around money and division of labor. Your comments section is one of the best places to be. Cheers to 2026!
Thank you, Istiaq!
Thank you so much!!
Just be mindful: We installed solar panels when we bought our house in CA in 2017. Since then, Southern California Edison decreased the amount of money they pay us for the power the panels generate for the grid. We're then less able to offset the power that we do use from SCE. Our bill crept up and up. This year we bought a solar battery to store and then use our own power. We're only reliant on SCE for any "extra" power we need that we don't generate. The battery was also very expensive and extends the amount of time we'll need to "pay off" the panels/battery. This may not be an issue in other parts of the country ;)
Super interesting!
Just want to shout out no.10! The is such a cozy (informative, thought provoking, delightfully written) corner of the internet, especially during a hard year 😌
Thanks Lizz :)
The Purse is my favorite Substack (and I am an OG Money Diaries fan)! I am having my first child in June and I find the series so, so helpful when thinking about *all of that*! Please do an event in Chicago :)
What a great recap for the year! I liked how each point caused me to reflect on the stories you wrote that contributed to that idea. A nice way to remember the past year.
As Madeline said, I'm happy to be part of The Purse crew! Thanks for creating such a cool space.
Loved this recap. Happy, merry to you!
I love being a part of the Purse crew!
Same, Madeline! Always glad to see your name pop up in the comments!
I really enjoy reading these posts each week in case you couldn't tell :)
Thanks so much, Heidi! Love when you share your experience!
Thanks for being here Heidi!!
You all are the best!!
Enjoyed this post! Rachel Rodgers' book We Should All Be Millionaires really influenced my thinking on outsourcing, similar to what Lindsey is describing in #4. I'm still looking for a way to outsource meals for my family, one of my most dreaded, time-consuming, and expensive responsibilities.
Ooh, I will have to check out that book! And good luck finding someone to help with meals!!