pocketbook

Universal Words noun 1 (AmE) used to refer to the financial situation of a person or country. (In the past it was a small flat case for carrying papers or money.): Many foreign goods are too expensive for American pocketbooks. * The increase is likely to hit the pocketbooks of consumers. * Voters care about pocketbook issues such as jobs and inflation. 2 (especially BrE) a small book for writing in SYNNOTEBOOK 3 (old-fashioned, AmE) = HANDBAG