For the past few weeks, I was convinced that June 1 was on Monday. I even got an email about some family event on June 1 and thought to myself, “It’s so weird they’re having that on a school day.” Honestly, I could have used one more day this month just to write this recap email.
May was jam-packed with lots of work and lots of play, and it was a good month. I had a wonderful trip to London with my mom. I got to hang out with a few of my favorite people in New York City and Cape Cod. I took a much needed break from my CFP classes. And if I do say so myself (and I do!), I think May’s newsletters have been gangbusters.
I’m really excited for June. One of my favorite people is getting married! (I’m leaving Ken and Freddy in NYC for the weekend—any tips on going solo to a wedding?) I’m joining Katie Gatti Tassin at the 92nd Street Y to celebrate her new book (get tickets here). And after five months of working a full-time freelance job, I’m officially back to focusing all my energy1 on The Purse, which is celebrating its second birthday in June! I’m excited and a little bit terrified! But mostly just excited!
But before we look ahead, let’s look back at May. Here’s what you might have missed!
May 2025 on The Purse
We kicked off the month with a really insightful Extra Credit from Cindy DiTiberio about the five money mistakes she made in her marriage.
The 5 Money Mistakes I Made in My MarriageI’m often asked my opinion on how couples should manage their money. Over the years of writing about personal finance, I’ve seen it all, from spouses Venmo-ing each other for every little transaction to others working together to build elaborate shared budgets.
Cindy DiTiberio
For the May Group Chat, I asked nine very cool moms what they really wanted for Mother’s Day. I love the comment section on this piece, and I was really inspired by Marlena’s tradition of doing a “Moms Day” on the Saturday before Mother’s Day with her closest mom friends.
Group Chat #5: What Do Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day?I’ve written at least a few times before that “receiving gifts” is not one of my love languages. I also struggle with feeling like most holidays have become super performative on social media. And despite the fact that I know that Instagram isn’t real lifeLindsey Stanberry
This month’s Home Economics featured a couple living on a small farm outside of Atlanta who are focused on trying to retire in the next five to seven years. I had a friend text me that she was very jealous of their idyllic farm life. It does seem pretty dreamy!
Home Economics No. 28: Living in Rural Georgia with Nearly $1.5 Million in SavingsI’m keeping the intro short and sweet this week as I’m writing this the day before I leave for London (and it lands in your inboxes the day after I get home). In true boss fashion, I asked Ken to edit it while I’m away on top of taking on full parenting responsibilities. What’s one more task? Thanks, babe!Lindsey Stanberry
I wrote about how weird it can be to try to give out personal finance advice when everyone gets grumpy that said advice isn’t “relatable” enough. As I start to dream up what The Purse will look like in year three, I’m trying to figure out how I might want to tackle more traditional personal finance content (for lack of a better word!). It felt good to share my thoughts here, and it led to some really good offline conversations with some of my friends in the industry (hi, AJ and Heather).
This is why I don’t really like giving out personal finance adviceYears ago, when I worked at Refinery29, Paulette Perhach wrote a viral essay about fuck-off funds. It was a very literary piece, written in second person, about a young woman who makes a series of iffy financial decisions and ends …Lindsey Stanberry
The paid Home Economics flew under the radar this month, and I think that’s because it landed in your inboxes on Memorial Day weekend. But it’s such an interesting story! I recommend it! (I mean, I recommend all of them because I choose them, but still!)
Home Economics No. 29: A Single Mom in Montana Living on $80,000 a YearHappy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone! Popping into your inbox with an interesting Home Economics for you!Lindsey Stanberry
And to wrap up the month, we had a very sweet Division of Labor from nonprofit consultant Abbey Harlow and her husband, Justin, who are very intentional about work and family schedules. If you weren’t envious of the Atlanta Home Ec couple, you might feel a bit jealous of Abbey and Justin’s lovely Vermont life. (Also, their wedding photo was A+!)
Division of Labor No. 17: A Nonprofit Consultant and a Freelance Designer Raising 2 Small Kids in VermontI’m having one of those weeks where I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the loose ends dangling around me. I’m wrapping up my full-time freelance gig, alongside a really big project I’ve been managing for the PTA at my son’s school. (I have feelings about my year on the PTA, which I may share at some point.) And I’m also trying to find some time to start plann…Lindsey Stanberry
I had so much fun joining Claire Zulkey and Quinn Emmett for their podcast, Not Right Now. We talked about kids and money, and how I totally screwed up Easter this year when I left the price tags on the candy. 🤦♀️
And one final reminder of this month’s paid subscriber sweepstakes. One lucky reader will win one $25 gift certificate to the bookstore of their choice, one $25 gift certificate to the coffee shop of their choice, and a $25 donation to the charity of their choice.2 I’ll also be donating 20% of all new paid subscriptions during the month of May to Moms Demand Action.
What’s coming up in June
The second anniversary of The Purse! Last year’s recap of year one was one of my most popular posts of 2024. Not gonna lie: I feel a little pressure to top it!
I know I’ve mentioned it 102 times already, but humor me as I mention once again that I’ll be at the 92nd Street Y on Wednesday, June 11, with Katie Gatti Tassin to celebrate her new book, Rich Girl Nation. Get tickets here!
I have a lot of other fun stuff I’m planning, so you’ll want to stay tuned!
Behind the scenes, May was all about keeping my head above water (and trying to save some money)
(I’m continuing to put the business/money stuff behind the paywall.)
