Japanese Money Saving Tips I learned in Japan
Saving is a big part of growing your wealth. Warren Buffet himself is the master of saving. It is very rare to find two people who have the exact same spending habits, and more often than not, it is ok. However, these Japanese money saving tips could work for everyone.
Sometimes different spending habits can create problems, especially couples. My husband and I are polar opposites on this one. He is the spender and I’m the saver. So at the beginning of our life together, we had to find a middle ground. One of the reasons why I have such passion for saving comes from the habits that I acquired during my seven years in Japan. Most Japanese are the MASTERS of saving! And I was lucky enough to learn the secrets on how the Japanese save money. Here are some habits my husband and I have agreed to kick off in order to become better savers.
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Japanese Money Saving Tips – Kiana Danial of Invest Diva
Quick Japanese Money Saving Tips
- Don’t shop on impulse: write down a list and stick to it, especially when it comes to grocery shopping
- Don’t move in a none- green building: Green constructions are structured to save you a bunch in utilities, AND they are environment-friendly. Especially if you are buying a place, this can make a huge difference in your long-term electricity bill.
- Don’t use unnecessary Air conditioning or heater: Remember those things called shades? Use them to block the sun with its hot, and open them up when it’s cold to let the natural heater warm your place up.
- Never, ever be in credit card debt: This is one of the most obvious and most important Japanese money saving tips. If you don’t have the money in your checking account to pay for it, don’t buy it. End of story. While I’ve never had this problem with the hubby, it was probably the biggest cultural shock I came across when I came to the US. Being in credit card debt is a no-brainer no-no in Japan. I can’t even begin to understand the thought process of people especially those who have college loans, or worse, unemployed who do this. Like, Are you going to buy this and hope that you can magically earn the money to pay for it and in the meantime, you’ll pay the fine on the debt? Do you understand that this fine can pile up to a huge amount? What if you get sick and can’t work?
- Don’t take cabs everywhere: Yes, it looked cool in Sex and the City, but trust me, walking a few blocks ain’t gonna kill you. It’s actually good for you. It will also save you a bunch. Ladies can carry flats and change them into high heels when y getting to the destination. My hubby me this cute little shoe bag that I carry with me everywhere. I sometimes carry my makeup in it too.
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- Do your holiday shopping after the holiday: Be it Halloween, Christmas, Hanukka or Purim, try to shop for next year right after the holiday is over. Chances are, you’d find better and REAL sales because retailers want to boost their empty shops. Same goes with the end of sports season like skiing and snowboarding.
- Plan out your meals for the week: Taking a few hours every weekend to grocery shop and meal plan for the week will definitely save you money, as dining out is the No. 1 expense for most households. By eating at home, you save money that would otherwise be spent on tax and tip—and you usually save calories, too.
That’s it for today’s Japanese money saving tips. Do come back for more, or simply sign up to our newsletter for free.
Now I want to hear from you, how do you keep them bucks in your saving account?
Have you or your spouse found a common ground on spending? Leave your comments here.
#1 Best Selling Author. Helping you accelerate your retirement with Triple Compounding™ Former engineer on a mission to help 1 million households take control of their finances. Founder & CEO of Invest Diva.
