"Latte money" adds up easily in Japan

How much do you spend on small purchases day-to-day? A recent survey by OneBank (an AI-powered household budgeting app) found that the average person in Japan spends about 13,572 yen per month, or 162,864 yen a year, on what is often called "latte money".

The term was first used by American financial advisor David Bach to describe the small, everyday purchases that seem harmless on their own but quietly drain your finances over time. Here in Japan, this can mean convenience store coffees, vending machine drinks, impulse buys at 100 yen shops (guilty as charged), or even repeat ATM fees. None of these feel like big-ticket items at the time, yet over the course of a year they add up to the cost of a decent holiday.

The survey also found some interesting patterns. Women spend slightly more than men, averaging 14,202 yen per month compared to 12,762 yen for men. Unmarried women spend the most at 14,350 yen per month, about 1.1 times the amount of married women. Men, however, are more likely to spend on drinks and small extras like vending machines, train station snacks, and ATM withdrawals. More than 60 percent of people who became aware of their latte money spending said they changed their habits, suggesting that awareness is the first step to cutting back.

Part of the challenge to me is that Japan is built for effortless spending. Vending machines are everywhere, convenience stores never close, and even station kiosks make it simple to buy small items without a second thought. This culture of convenience is definitely one of Japan's charms, but it's also one of the easiest ways to lose track of money.