Thriftyness

Living in Japan is expensive. And, since I want to save some money for the future/potentially buy a Louis Vuitton bag, I'm always trying to save money.

The following are tips I've picked up from various places/magazines.

Set up a direct savings transfer so that some of your money goes monthly into a separate savings account. You don't even have to think about it, and you'll never miss it. If you're prone to impulsive spending you might want to hide your bank card for that account, though. I actually got one of these set up, and it worked for the first month, but then they said they couldn't do it anymore because on my main account, my middle name is spelled メーリー and on the savings account it's spelled メアリー. Japanese bureaucracy at its most stubborn and annoying. I have to go down to the bank I have my savings account with and spend a while trying to get them to change it. Here's a hint- don't let people mess with the katakana for your name because they think a certain way 'sounds better'. stick to your katakana guns people. it's only katakana- there can be no right answer. But I digress.

Secondly- recycle shops, and Book Off! you'll never have to pay full price for things again. Especially good for books, games, furniture and appliances (I'm not so keen on secondhand clothes.)

100 yen stores
Full of useful, cheap, useful, cheap, cool stuff that's also useful and cheap. Just don't go crazy and overbuy things you don't really need. Good for stationery, small household items like toothbrush mugs, glasses and plates, bento boxes, etc.

100 yen grocery stores
use the google map and look up 100 yen grocery stores, like 100 lawson, in your area. You need to be careful though- since everything's 105 yen, you might end up paying 105 yen for a carton of tofu you could get at your local supermarket for 80 yen. surprisingly good for meat and vegetables, as well as various essential sauces.

Using point cards and coupons
Get a T-point card and you can use it at Tsutaya when you rent movies, and when you buy things at Family Mart. Pick up coupons from the supermarket- I got 5% off my groceries today using a coupon I picked up last time I went shopping.

Time your shopping
After 5 or 6pm, supermarkets start pricing down items that are going to expire soon. If you shop after work and keep your eyes peeled for 半価 (half price) stickers.

Make your own bento to take to work
Eating out at lunch costs money. Getting food from the conbini costs money and is generally bad for you. Bringing your own bento saves you money, and you can use up leftovers this way, too.

Quit using vending machines
Vending machines at 140 yen per drink x 2 drinks a day really adds up. try bringing your own flask or bottle from home. If you buy a box of mugicha (barley tea) teabags and stick them in the fridge in a jug of water, you get a delicious tea at a fraction of the cost of those big 250 yen bottles of Ooi Ocha you can buy at the store.

If you use a kotatsu, make sure you use it over a carpet and not the bare floor, or you'll just wind up heating the ceiling of the person below you. A tip I read about is to put newspaper underneath the carpet to keep even more heat in.


If I think of or find any more, I'll stick them up.