Japanese Minimalist: How to save money?

In the process of becoming a minimalist, I started using my money more wisely.
So, today, I'm gonna introduce 8 money-saving tricks that I use.

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【Things in this video】
Many people have been asking me about the things I use,
I tried to find products that is the same or similar to my items
on amazon in the USA and JPNAN.

Honestly, as a minimalist, I don't want you to buy many things.
However, If you really want to buy them, please ask yourself,
“Does this spark joy？“ before buy it:)

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【Bedroom Furniture / Décor】　

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【Electronics】

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【CAMERA GEAR】

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【Cleaning tools】

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【Kitchen items】

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MUSIC:
・Epidemic Sound

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BE MY FRIEND:

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GET IN TOUCH:

[Karen-rutv]

When I started working, I was able to live on what I earned. So when I got annual raises, I invested the additional money and continued to live on the entry level income. I did this for years, not changing my lifestyle. My friends got better cars, more clothes, a bigger house with their increased incomes. But I was able to retire comfortably much earlier than them.

[bishop]

An old-timer once told me "Look around you everything out there is designed to take your money." The money driven side society will feed you instant gratification. Your income is the biggest wealth-building tool, so don't let just anyone have

[j.esgardens]

I got rid of my Girlfriend, not only did i save money but i was also mentally healthier

[hellobeen]

Saving time is also important. My top 3 time saving:

1) I like to have large groceries delivered. For about 2 dollar they bring it to my house. I buy things in bulk. 12 cans this, 12 that.. Instead of walking to the supermarket buy a 15 dollar basket, i buy 150 dollar at once. Saves me 10 times 25 minutes (walk, going through the store waiting in line.. jacket on, jacket off, take the bag.. ) = 3.3 hours for 2 dollar. Ordering is about 15 minutes as is automatically has a list "bought earlier".. Sometimes i also buy fresh food, but now its once a week instead of 3 times a week.

2) An electric scooter. i do about 5000 km (3200 miles) a year in 150 hours.. driving. On a bicycle it would take 300 hours. So i save 150 hours for about 1000 euros/(=dollar) a year. in the long run it takes maybe 500 a year but now its new.. Takes me everywhere and fast.. Uses not much energy also..low maintainance.. A car is too expensive for 3200 miles a year. Cycling for 3-5 euro's per hour is not really economical. But cars are real financial suckers..

3) Use a smartphone/ electronics locker. Get rid of that stupid smartphone. buy a dumbphone.. Way better.. Saves two hours a day.
I also put the computer mouse in it in the weekend. So i basically only use a pc, check the smartphone (whatsapp) once a week for 5 minutes. And they can call me on the dumbphone. Sometimes a also take digital holidays. All electronics OFF for two weeks. Mental peace...

[terauchiseiichid.]

I live in Japan. Where can I find Magnesium balls to wash my clothes?
One thing I do to save money is to wear an apron when I am cooking. Cooking can stain and soil clothes, so I always wear an apron. It is one more thing to own but I think it saves time and money. When I lived overseas a jeans company was nearby. The company gave away scrapes. I have some of these denim pieces still and use them to make aprons as gifts. Sewing brings me joy. I enjoy you on You Tube tremendously. Thank you...

[Natty_kitty]

Another tip: I make a meal plan each week and shop according to the plan. This way, there is less wastage.

[agnescortez]

To save money, I bring packed lunch to the office every day, and avoid in between meals or snacks sold in the office. Thank you for your money saving tips!

[madisonromero]

The Ramsey Network in U.S. did a study of 20, 000 millionaires in the country. Largest of it's kind. They found that the Top Categories of millionaires are as follows: 1) Accountants & financial sector 2) Engineers 3) TEACHERS! The teachers beat out lawyers and doctors because of their budget planning, and saving behavior... That is shocking.

[MishGM]

I also experienced that when buying clothes in a particular color scheme and style and sticking to it, then automatically after a while most combinations of my clothes looked good! So I don't need to buy clothes very often, just mix it and it always feels fresh 🙂 especially if it's good quality clothes it will last long. Quality over quantity 😄

[josephr]

Are you kidding? Your monthly expenses are far less than mine and I thought I was frugal. Wow, thanks for sharing because I learn so much from you.

[kibundle]

Peace of mind is so important. I keep my expenses to a minimum, live in a 1000 sq ft house that I bought outright, and have zero debt. I love the minimalist lifestyle. I use as few single-use plastics as possible, eat vegan, and am always finding small ways to save money, like bar shampoo (I found a ginger shampoo bar that smells heavenly). I love this channel. Hello from NY!

[sudeshnaghoshal]

I really like that using magnesium for washing clothes. It is absolutely new to me. I agree with you that to save money we need to control our consumerism habit, at times we do impulsive shopping that we can avoid. Thank you.

[AmandaWRU]

All very good advice. It doesnt just apply to single people, you can teach children to be minimal too and to appreciate a few favourite toys rather than filling their lives with stuff, we need to train the next generation not to waste resources or be taken in by marketing. I really enjoy your videos, you are an inspiration

[learnurduwithsara]

Great tips. I stopped going to the gym as well and instead hike, cycle or run. Also not eating out. I love cooking so it works for me.

[babydsh]

I used to spend my income mostly for books, coffee and go to cinema. But for the last 3 years I able to cut it. Bring my own bag when shopping outside also help me control impulsive expense. The 3-in-1 soap (for hand, body and hair) also help me to save money

[robinatdawn]

A tip that I use to save money is to make the save money very hard to access. So as soon as my salary gets in my account, I transfer 1/3 of it to another bank account (or more) which has a safekeeping safe. I don't have a card for that bank and it takes a while for money to be moved from the safe back into the account and back to the other bank, so I only spend that money diligently. Hope this helps!

[alexmoore]

Aki, thank you for sharing your expenses and tips how to save money!

Here are some ways I save money:
1. I currently live in Bulgaria (the land of yoghurt! lol), and here the electric energy between 22:00 and 7:00 (night) is cheaper, so I turn on the water heater during that time.
2. I cook at home and use an induction stove and pressure cooker most of the time which saves time and money. I eat low carb diet so no food cravings.
3. I don't use heater in winter (last night was -8C outside) nor AC in summer (quite hot summers here). I am fan of Wim Hof and use his methods.
4. I bike or walk everywhere in the city
5. I have bought high quality clothes and most of them are made out of merino wool, so I wash them less frequently because of their no stink properties.
6. I buy digital books for my Kindle (from Amazon) which are cheaper than the paper format
7. I cut my own hair. Not to only save money but have a better haircut, the one I like. I saw this tip from a Mr Money Mustache's video.

Keep on the good work of quality videos like this one!

[kchapmans]

Love this channel! I wash about 40 loads of laundry a week ( I care for a disabled family member), and laundry soap prices are ridiculously high. I've switched to making my own, 5 gallons at a time. Huge money saver for me. Line dry when I can (I live in a desert, so that is about 8 months out of the year). I also dehydrate or freeze veggies if I have extra. Lots of little things I do to cut back on ever-growing expenses. Some years I come out ahead, some years I barely break even. This year is looking like it will be a break-even year.

[elomoagu]

This is a nice video, thank you for sharing your tips 🙂I am from France and I have started minimalism with small tips,
- I have closed all my subscriptions Amazon, disney, some apps and now I have only 2 with a share subscription ( I'm using spliit app )
-I have lower my frequency in groceries stores, now it is every 2 weeks. When I need groceries, I prefer lidl ( smaller than usual supermarket with a few references) or "drive" groceries ( you order online so you can see your groceries with just the need), now I tend to see local farmers for eggs or potatoes, it 's cheaper.
- I have reduce my consumable products: good olive oil soaps, you can use them for your skin and dishes, for skin i want to try natural vegetable oil . ( for shampoo I bought a big quantity at once, so I have around 5liters of shampoo for months). It 's cheaper than usual organic ones. You can also use solid shampoo now you have them in supermarket. For laundry product I am using a big bucket of 5liters I make it myself with natural product like Marseille Soap. Home detergent can be made with white vinegar or citric acid for a cheap price.
- I have changed my phone subsciption, internet to pay only for the need. I have gained 30 eur / month.
- I cut all the devices during night and I have not put the heater a lot this winter except when we had cold and humid weather for the laundry, I received a refund for electricity.
-Now I am taking care of my insurance ( car & house ) and I am trying to reduce my quantity of new books which is my big expense 😅 we have good libraries for free around my house, and I try to buy it second hand.
- For clothes, I hope to try Vinted second hand clothes too in 2023 but I am not buying a lot of new clothes, old one will go to associations for people who really need it.
-my only big expenses now are rent and gym, but as you I am thinking of a way to reduce the expense by buying the apartment to reduce the price and stop my gym subscription in Spetember as I have all the materials at home
- With the money save, a part of it is going directly to human and animal protection associations to help others.

I hope all this tips ( yours and the one in comments can help other people too 🤞)

[andromeda]

i would add: wait to get something you need when it's on sale. if you buy online, sometimes you can get free shipping. that's what i do with my hair products. i only buy from one brand and i wait until the products i use are on sale! i hardly ever pay full price on anything! another tip: it's better to spend more money on one good quality item that will last longer than a cheaper item that you have to replace every couple months.