Job Discussion Forums

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

if you do need a car make sure you buy a yellow plate (kei) as you will save about 30,000yen in tax EACH YEAR and about the same in gas (if you use it a lot?) esp now with the high price of gasoline.

There are many online autions or 2nd hand shops to buy stuff.

I have noticed that some supermarkets have specials on the same things about the same time of the month, and I saw a TV program about it once, so keep your eyes open and make a mental note of specials (when and where)

Often buying round trip tickets is cheaper than buying 2 one way (esp for longer distances and express trains)

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

if you do need a car make sure you buy a yellow plate (kei) as you will save about 30,000yen in tax EACH YEAR and about the same in gas (if you use it a lot?) esp now with the high price of gasoline.

There are many online autions or 2nd hand shops to buy stuff.

I have noticed that some supermarkets have specials on the same things about the same time of the month, and I saw a TV program about it once, so keep your eyes open and make a mental note of specials (when and where)

Often buying round trip tickets is cheaper than buying 2 one way (esp for longer distances and express trains)

Use your mobile as an alarm clock and charge it up at work LOL

thefpq · Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 6

One small money saving tip if you're into movies.

I don't watch many movies in the theater. But some movies I really want to see on the big screen. I always go to ticket shops to buy tickets. Regular price is 1800 yen in Yokohama. Most movies I see for 1300 yen by going to these shops. They're in most major stations. In Yokohama there are at least 5 that I know of. I also have an EDY Cinema Points Card. I use it to accumulate points (at select theaters) and after a few dates with my girl we can usually combine our points for a free movie. Or (more frequently) upgrade to those cushy sofa seats they have. It's still way more expensive than renting...but it's a lot more reasonable than going to the pub every night if you've got a lady.

A bonus is that they sometimes have discount (small discount mind you...but a discount nonetheless) on shinkansen tix etc...Especially if you dont mind unreserved seats and aren't travelling during the busy times.

The_Prodiigy · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 252

Those are all decent money-saving ideas.

Others :-

1.) Buy two dozen eggs. Separate the yolk and white and then sell them off separately.

2.) Take large steps when going shopping - saves on shoe leather.

3.) Always recharge your mobile phone and digital camera at school.

4.) Don't buy a bookmark for $2.00 - use a one dollar bill.

5.) When going for a walk empty pockets of excess spare change, lighters and gum to save on weight.

6.) Use double-sided bog paper.

7.) Promotional CDs make attractive coasters.

8.) Instigate a share-a-shower scheme with your neighbours. And share the savings in water over a six month period.

9.) Any forms that need to be filled out (for immigration or banking) should be completed out at the bank to save on ink and electricity at home.

10.)Dandelion leaves make a nutritious salad.

11.)At McDonalds ask for extra sachets of BBQ dipping sauce when you order McNuggets and then use in your next batch of home-made soup.

12.)Keep hair clippings - use for stuffed toys which can be sold on ebay.

13.)Read the newspaper over someone's shoulder on the train/bus.

14.)Two or three boiled sweets in a bottle of water, then shaken up makes a refreshing sports-style drink.

chechevitsa · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 22

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

I don't usually post on this forum as I've done most of my teaching in and around the Gulf and Eastern Europe so 'hello' everybody.

The biggest skinflints I've ever met have been in the Gulf and their cost cutting frankly, puts you lot to shame.Try nicking the tea bags from work or taking in empty plastic bottles for the water. Snitch your colleagues' toilet paper from the staff bogs. Spend your days off walking aimlessly around the same shopping malls and form a collective comprised of people who have to include the price of everything they talk about. Chore the paper from the photocopier and envelopes from the stationery section and eat a shoarma kebab or falafel every meal. Avoid alcohol and the sinners who drink it for they are the enemy of the collective. If you are in a car pool, hog the car and drive around all night as the petrol is so cheap, it's almost free....screw your colleagues. God forbid you eat out in company and if you do, take a calculator and work your tab out to the nearest cent....oh and never tip.....'it's not the culture in the Gulf'.

Quite honestly, if anyone's gonna be so anal about saving money then they're in the wrong game. Work, blow the lot and enjoy your travelling.

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

YEAH!!

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

That's what a lot of Nova teachers did, and then were in real trouble when their pay was late even the first time. Boring it may be, but there is a lot to be said for not being down to one yen coins the day before payday, and I have lived both ways! Wink

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

Oh yeah, forgot...cheapskates don't have visa cards; 'cos they only get you into trouble'.

Some people......jeeps take a fishing rod and go catch your dinner...that'll save you a few cents.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

A big one I see in Japan with some people is drinking in parks or at home parties rather than at restaurants. The mark up on prices of drinks in places is often for the atmosphere, which of course is sometimes supplied by the conversation of your mates Cool

. Of course, clean up can be a bother sometimes Laughing

.

The Nova people in Ikebukuro used to take this one level higher, drinking in front of the station. If you think ex-Nova teachers look like a miserable bunch now, they looked pretty scruffy then with nary a seat, but they did have a lot of people watching opportunities!

Oh well, to each his own. I sometimes enjoy a brew on the platform, especially now that 'lovely humid' summer has come back with a vengeance!

elkarlo · Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 240 Location: Maryland

Tzigane · Joined: 22 Jan 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Not sure if this is already posted as i was skimming thru, but unplugging ur tv, microwave, washer, etc when ur not using it surprisingly cuts down ur electric bill...even more important with the current state of power in japan! i dont just do this in japan but everywhere ive lived as im a greenie Smile

ur air con/heater uses alot of power being plugged in even if its off, due to the sensor