November Receipts
It was a month of big feels!
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There was a commercial for Optimum Cable that played on repeat this summer when my family watched Red Sox games on MLB TV. (Once, it even played twice in a row.) In the ad, a woman is lecturing a group of high school students, and she says to them, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. But mostly, times were just OK.” She goes on to tell the class that it was Susan B. Anthony who coined that famous phrase she’d completely mangled.
We watched the commercial so many times that it’s become somewhat of an inside joke for our family, and I can’t hear that famous Charles Dickens quote now without thinking of that ad. But I also think it might just be a perfect summation of our times: It is the best of times and the worst of times, and to top it off, it’s an age of misinformation where people in positions of authority regularly spread rumors, half-truths, and total lies.
Yes, I’ve just gotten a little overly philosophical about a cheesy commercial, but what can I say? November 2024 was a hard month and also a wonderful month, and I’m deep in my feelings going into the end of the year. Much has been written about the election, and I know many of us are bracing for what comes next. While it is my inclination during times of uncertainty to turn inward, I’m also trying to remember the importance of community. And boy did I ever see my community turn out in a big way this month.
Online, you Purse readers continue to show up in the comments, and I’m always blown away by how many of you share your own stories in such vulnerable and honest ways. I find it so inspiring. And in person, Erika and I had such a lovely time meeting you at the Argent event. We’re excited to do more IRL and online events in 2025, as well as launch our Purse Ambassadors program this December. Here’s the form if you’re interested in signing up. It’s free!
Now on to the November recap!
We kicked off the month with the Shine Theory edition of In Her Purse, featuring two of my favorite writers,
and . I loved Maggie’s answer to the question, What is a financial trait you deplore in others: “It may be an unpopular opinion, but when you’re out with a group, and you can afford it, just pay for everyone! I have four siblings, and we do this in no particular order every time we’re together, and everything comes out in the wash, and it feels great not to argue about money and treat people you love and be treated by people you love regularly.”
I hadn’t intended on writing about the outcome of the presidential race, but ultimately I found a lot of comfort in sending a newsletter the morning after the election. And I heard from so many of you who are also struggling to process what comes next and trying not to completely lose hope. In my sadness, I found a lot of comfort from you readers. I’m so grateful for that.
We featured our first child-free couple in Division of Labor this month, as
, creator of the newsletter, and her husband, Stefan Davis, shared a day in their lives. Dana’s new book, You Don’t Need a Budget, is launching on December 24! I had a chance to read an advanced copy, and it’s just so good! The perfect holiday gift, just saying!
I love each Home Economics newsletter for a different reason, and the paid edition this month really stood out because of how intentional the couple is in planning their finances and family. It’s a lot to have two kids; move across the country; take an extended, self-funded maternity leave; and support your husband through his medical residency—all on $77,000 a year.
My birthday was on November 18, and I published a very personal essay on aging and Botox and beauty and all my feelings about my 40s. I loved getting a chance to talk to
, , and Jessica Cruel for this piece. But maybe my favorite part is the comment section, which is just so lively and wonderful. Thank you for not making me regret my oversharing!
And we wrapped the month with a collaboration with
and her wonderful newsletter. The Home Economics featured a single woman in the Midwest who was laid off last December. It’s scary to talk about layoffs—there’s a lot of shame in losing your job. I love that Melanie is trying to change the narrative, and I’m so grateful to the woman who penned this Home Ec for sharing her story. It was very brave!
Beyond the newsletter:
This is one of those months where I’m like, What else did I do?!
I had a chance to celebrate the amazing Susan McPherson at her incredible 60th birthday party, which was just filled with so many awesome women! Susan is the ultimate connector, and I highly recommend her newsletter, Instagram, and book!
I joined Farnoosh Torabi on her podcast, So Money, and we talked about last month’s million-dollar Home Economics, how social media is impacting our finances, and trends I’ve gleaned from a year of Division of Labor.
interviewed me for Inbox Collective about how The Purse got its name. The story also features , , and among many other very cool newsletters.I contributed to TheSkimm Money newsletter and answered a reader question about how to navigate a friendship with a wealthier friend who doesn’t seem to understand or respect their smaller budget. See also: the piece I wrote over the summer of friends and money.
The best money I spent in November: $80 for a Lyft home after a night out with my dad. My dad and I are big Scotch drinkers, and a few years ago, we started an annual tradition of attending Whiskey Fest in Times Square. It’s one of my favorite nights of the year, because I love to hang out with my dad and try new-to-me Scotches. It’s mostly men at the event, but this year I made fast friends with another woman who also loves peated Scotches (IYKYK). Does anyone else want to start a Scotch whiskey club in NYC?
The worst money I spent in November: $8.70 for a Nintendo Switch membership. My son wants to play Minecraft with his friends on different devices, and Ken and I spent nearly an hour trying to figure it out1. We didn’t get it to work, and all I have to show for it is this worthless monthly membership that I’m not sure how to cancel!
Coming up in December:
I’m working on a fun holiday-themed newsletter for Monday that features so many of my favorite Substack friends! Very excited!
And I’ve got a few more fun things planned for The Purse as we wrap up the year. But also, like all of you, I’m busy with holiday shopping, managing an insane school schedule (school conferences in December, blah!), and all the various year-end commitments. It’s a lot! We can do it!!