In Her Purse: Ruchi Pinniger
Life Savers candy, Oracle cards, cash
Welcome to The Purse, a newsletter about money and women and motherhood and careers and all that good stuff!
Hello, friends! I’m keeping it short and sweet this week because we’re on vacation for my kid’s spring break. I wish I could say that I’m just chilling beachside, but the life of a freelancer means checking emails a bit more than I’d like. But don’t feel too bad for me: There’s a piña colada in my near future.
Just a reminder that I’m running a giveaway for paid subscribers now through May 1. Paid subscribers will be entered to win a fun bundle that includes a copy of Fran Hauser’s journal Reflect and Reset; Manisha Thakor’s wonderful book MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your Enough; a signed copy of my book, Refinery29 Money Diaries: Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know about Your Finances... and Everyone Else's; and a $10 Starbucks gift card.1
I have been just blown away by all the support I’ve received so far. Thank you all so much!
Submit Your Story for Home Economics 🏡
I’m putting a call out for new submissions to HOME ECONOMICS. I’ve got a few good ones in the queue, but I’d love a little more diversity of incomes, locations, family dynamics, and backgrounds. If you have any questions about submitting your story, please feel free to reach out.
I’m very excited about today’s IN HER PURSE Q&A with Ruchi Pinniger, founder and CEO of Watch Her Prosper, which helps women-run service businesses with bookkeeping, tax readiness, and financial guidance. She’s also on the board of Savvy Ladies, an amazing organization that provides free financial education to women (including a helpline where you can speak to a financial planner).
I met Ruchi through Luminary, and we instantly clicked over our shared passion for helping women take control of their finances. (I realize that I’ve featured a few Luminary members here, but it’s just such a wonderful place!) But also, she’s one of the warmest and most generous people you could meet, so I was thrilled when she agreed to spill her purse.
I’ll let Ruchi take it from here:
The Questions
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Happiness is being on a trip with my family—feeling so connected to them, while experiencing new people, cultures, and food. We are definitely a foodie family!
2. What is your greatest money fear?
If I had been asked that question years ago, the answer would have been very different! I am so aware now of my disempowering thoughts and how they sneak up on me. The one that comes up the most is, “If you live a really long time, will you have enough to cover your living expenses?” And then I reframe because I know that I am abundant and will always have enough. ❤️
3. What is the financial trait you most deplore in yourself?
I don’t love how I tend to put my own business finances last. All of our clients’ numbers are ready for their accountants every January, and I seem to lag behind.
4. What is the financial trait you most deplore in others?
Deplore is a strong word for me. It’s part of my life’s mission to meet people where they are with their money and to not judge others around their money practices, mindset, or skill level. I know there is hope for everyone, so I really don’t deplore any financial trait.
5. If you could change one thing about your financial situation, what would it be?
My husband and I tend to both be very conservative with our personal money, so I would love to have even more of an emergency fund. (I am more of a risk taker in my business, using my business know-how AND my intuition.)
6. What do you consider your greatest financial achievement?
Being debt-free (outside of mortgage debt)!
7. Where would you most like to live?
I love where I live, right here in NYC where there is so much convenience and opportunity. And part of why I appreciate it even more is because I have an escape—we have a home a couple of hours outside of the city where I spend a lot of time on weekends and summers. It’s a perfect balance!
8. What is your most treasured possession?
My childhood photo album. I remember back when my mom was sick, before she passed, watching her sit on the floor while laying out all of those pictures and thoughtfully putting them in albums for me and my brother to treasure for years to come.
9. What is your greatest money regret?
Owing a friend money for a long time. It was someone I valued a lot, and it impacted our friendship. I learned a huge lesson from that and now am overly aware of always paying people back on time and wanting to be very generous with treating others often. It feels like a way to make up for my past mistakes!
10. What is your money motto?
Please stop conflating what you charge in your business with your self-worth! ❤️
11. Tell us about one charity/nonprofit/cause you support that you’d like The Purse readers to know about:
I’m an executive board member of Savvy Ladies, a national nonprofit organization that helps women improve their financial literacy and take control of their money. It’s truly aligned with my life’s passion and mission, and I’m so blessed by the opportunity to work with them in a leadership capacity to make an even bigger impact.
The Purse
1. iPhone. I love my phone for its convenience. I mostly use it for work and love how I can do so much on-the-go!
2. AirPods. Years ago, before I bought these, a friend told me they would be “life-changing.” She was right. I love being hands free, so I can take notes while I talk. I also use them to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks while I walk.
3. Business meals receipt. I am a stickler for saving all of my business receipts. Practice what you preach, right?
4. Sunglasses. Bought these as a gift for myself on my birthday!
5. House keys. Of course.
6. Car key. Even though we keep our car parked in a garage, the battery on the key keeps going low, so I like to carry the extra car key with me just in case.
7. Oracle cards. I love doing readings for myself, friends, and clients! I even do a monthly IG reel called “Ruchi’s Revelations.” It’s amazing how whatever comes up is exactly what needs to be heard at the time. So powerful!
8. Pen. I am a self-diagnosed, very mild germaphobe, so I always carry a pen in my purse so that I can use my own to sign at stores and restaurants.
9. Hand sanitizer. Did you read the thing above about the pen? 😃
10. Makeup. I have doubles of my favorites so I can keep them in my purse, just in case a touch up is needed throughout the day. Sometimes, if I have an evening event, I am out morning to night.
11. Advil. Just in case a headache comes on while I’m on the go, or for a friend in need. You never know when this will come in handy.
12. Money. This purse doesn’t fit a wallet when I carry all of these things, so I keep my cash in the inside pocket. My mom taught me to respect my money—she would make sure it was in order by denomination and the faces were always upright. I do that now, too, plus I’m teaching my son the same thing. (That part is still a work in progress!)
13. Credit cards. I make sure to carry my personal and business cards with me. Before making any purchase, I ask myself, “Is this a personal expense or a business expense?” and then I use the appropriate card (which I pay off every month).
14. Life Savers candy. I like to carry these in case I have a tickle in my throat at an event or movie. I prefer not to interrupt people with my throat clearing or coughing!
15. Game cards plus receipt. I snapped this photo of my purse the morning after my son and I went to GameStop, followed by an arcade. We both love playing arcade games and accumulating points. These game cards are from our fun adventure together and more than likely have some points saved for our next trip to the arcade. I love seeing him do things he enjoys!
16. Crossbody purse. Now that my son is older, I don’t need a big bag to carry around all of his stuff, like snacks, toys, etc., so I get to carry a smaller, more manageable bag. My go-to is anything stylish and crossbody so I have my hands free. Since I work from home, I don’t usually need a larger bag that fits my laptop—only on days that I go into Luminary to work.
Thank you, Ruchi! You pack a lot in that crossbody bag!
You can follow Ruchi on Instagram and learn more about her work on her website.
On May 30, I’ll be moderating a panel on motherhood and ambition at The WIN Summit. Each week between now and then, I’m be sharing a negotiating tip from the conference organizers.
Preparation is critical to perform well during any negotiation.
When preparing, make sure to include identifying your goals and your walkaway point.
Purse readers can get 20% off when you use my code LS20 to register for the WIN Summit.
The sweepstakes is limited to readers within the U.S. It closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on May 1, 2024. To enter without upgrading to a paid subscription, please reply to this email by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 1, 2024, that you would like to be entered in the sweepstakes. If there are any further questions, simply respond to this email and I will do my best to answer them.
YES to bills always facing the same direction and in order.
A long, long time ago - early 2000’s, I heard about the respecting money by putting it in order and low-high denomination from Suzy Orman. Have done it ever since.