How to Lessen Shopping Expenses in Japan

Many are aware that JAPAN is expensive and it’s getting pricier as days pass by, especially with the recent increase of the consumption tax to 10%. Even though we don’t want to spend more money, sometimes we just need to buy stuff for ourselves and family. So, as expats in Japan, how can we lessen our daily shopping expenses?

I’m a cheapskate, so I can’t help that it makes me happy when I get stuff on SALE or (even better) FOR FREE! I find ways to avoid spending too much and here are my tips:

1. Sales and Promos

They say that having a SALE is just a marketing strategy to make consumers buy more stuff. It can be, but if you are NOT AN IMPULSIVE BUYER then you’ll be alright. You don’t need to buy stuff just because it’s on sale!

For me, it works best for grocery shopping. When I’m buying food for the week, I plan our meal base on in the market. For example, there’s a 50 % deal with fish, then we will have fish for dinner or save it for another day.

When it comes to clothing and shoes (damn, I JUST LOVE them), I mostly buy stuff online because they tend to have more promos there and have more varieties.

2. Buy things in bulk

This can only work if you have enough space to store stuff.

When I first came to Japan, I tried to avoid buying things in bulk because I have a strict budget I need to follow every week. However, I quickly realized I’ll actually save more if I buy things in large quantities, especially for non-perishable items.

Hence, that’s why I love going to COSTCO. It sells large quantities for a much cheaper price compared to grocery stores. But, sometimes it’s too much for someone living a single life. So, before I buy the product I want, I ask my friends if they want to share it. If not, chances are, I won’t make a purchase.

If you don’t have COSTCO you can just always buy online. I recently bought tons of toiletries on AMAZON because sometimes going to COSTCO can be tiring, especially if you don’t have a car.

3. Plan your meals

Eating-out and buying BENTOS (especially if they are not on sale) can cost a lot of money, so why not make your own meal?

During my first month in Japan, I didn’t really know how to cook. I know how to fry, but beyond that, it’s impossible for me. Then I lived on my own and started craving food from back home. Japan doesn’t have that many Filipino restaurants (especially in the countryside), plus I wanted to save money; hence, I didn’t have a choice but to learn how to cook.

I then watched YouTube, read food blogs, and kept practicing. Now, my cooking skills are quite decent and my husband loves the dishes I make for him. I mostly do the cooking so I prepare 2-3 dishes for a week. I also make bento for my husband, but only when I wake up very early, which rarely happens. I wish I could do it more since he’ll only be spending his money on coffee and his travel fare.

4. Harvest your own vegetables

For me, it’s the most rewarding one because it’s something you took care of and serve on your own dining table.

My husband and I usually start planting during and we stop during winter season because most of our plants wither on that period. We like basil, tomatoes, and string beans since they tend to be pricey in the supermarket.

5. Collect Points

This is my favorite! I actually own a lot of point cards and I got discounts and FREE STUFF from it.

My favorite is RAKUTEN (a Japanese Online Shop). They give more points compared to other online shops and you get additional points when you use your Rakuten Credit Card to pay for the stuff you ordered on its site. Moreover, you can use Rakuten Points to pay some shops in Japan.

TPOINT is another point card I use often since you can use it to collect points in various establishments like Family Mart, Tobu Stores, Softbank, etc.

6. Use a Credit Card

A lot of people are still scared of using a credit card and prefer to use a debit card or just plain cash.

Before, I was also the same. Even though I love shopping; I’m good at budgeting and saving my money. However, during that time, I don’t know if I’ll still be responsible if I have a card. But thank goodness, I was able to control myself. I mostly use it when I buy groceries or booking hotels, tours, and flights to COLLECT POINTS.

This could actually go to the 3rd entry, but I think it deserves its own category. It’s because you get different INCENTIVES from your card, depending on what you have. For example, since I love traveling and shopping, my credit is a RAKUTEN ANA MILEAGE CLUB CARD. I got it because I can actually change my Rakuten Points into ANA miles, which I could use for traveling.

Some credit cards give discounts to certain shops, so when choosing your card, research about its benefits and see if it’ll match your lifestyle.

7. Think Before You Buy

This is the simplest, yet the most difficult to do.

I can’t deny I struggle with this one as well, but as I grow older, I’ve become very mindful of the things I buy. Currently, my husband is the only one working, so I want to help him out by being thrifty.

I list down the pros and cons before I make a purchase or ponder if I really NEED it or if it’s just something I WANT because I like the feeling of shopping.

So, how about you? What are your ways to save money?

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