Category: Money

Cash Payments, Financial Independence, Gratitude, Investing, Life and Money, Life in Japan, Money, Personal Development, Personal finance in Japan, Saving Money, Spending Money

Bonus

Yes, you read that right. My husband handed me a small slip of paper the other day and said he was getting a bonus. Oh, right. It’s December. Some workers in Japan, if you’re lucky enough to be working for an organization that does it, get a summer and winter bonus. Hubby is one of those lucky people. I am not. Sigh. So I look … Continue reading Bonus

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Cash Payments, Credit Cards, Debt, Financial Independence, Gratitude, Life and Money, Life in Japan, Money, money mistakes, Personal Development, Personal Finance, Personal finance in Japan, Spending Money, The Psychology of Money, Time vs. Money

Black Friday, Japan

Things that make you go, hmm… Last week was Thanksgiving in the US, but I live here in Japan and there was hardly any mention of the holiday except from fellow Americans. However, the big thing that was on people’s minds was Black Friday–which made me go, “Huh?” Black Friday is such an American thing: Lining up at Walmart, people getting trampled just so they … Continue reading Black Friday, Japan

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Budgeting, Cash Payments, Life and Money, Life in Japan, Money, Money Tools, Personal finance in Japan, Point Cards and Stamp Cards, Products, Saving Money, Spending Money, The Psychology of Money

Point Cards and Stamp Cards in Japan

I am at Fujiya, our local cake place, choosing which cake to eat for dessert tonight. I make my choice and take out the money for this purchase. The lady pauses for a moment before she rings up my order. She seemed to be waiting for something. And then, “Do you have your point card?” Oh! Whoops! With an embarrassed laugh, I whip it out … Continue reading Point Cards and Stamp Cards in Japan

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Business Dealings in Japanese, Cash Payments, Life and Money, Life in Japan, Money, Personal finance in Japan, Spending Money, Taxes

Consumption Tax Hike Japan 2019

So it’s been more than a week since the consumption tax hike here in Japan. I haven’t experienced anything earth shattering since then. Considering all the media attention and the panic that ran rampant in the streets regarding this issue before October 1st, I find the second week really underwhelming. But let me back track a little. Essentially, the Japanese government, under Abe’s leadership, needs … Continue reading Consumption Tax Hike Japan 2019

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Financial Independence, Learning New Things, Life and Money, Life in Japan, Money, Personal Finance, Personal finance in Japan, Retirement, Saving, Spending Money, The Psychology of Money

Our Numbers

I’ve debated many times whether I really want to be completely open about our finances and reveal everything. I am all for accountability, but I also don’t want to divulge too much of our financial situation. But at this point, it feels like I need to be held accountable for my dreams. I’ve been doing really good in accomplishing a lot of the things that … Continue reading Our Numbers

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Life and Money, Money, money mistakes, Products, Spending Money, The Psychology of Money

My Addiction to iPhones

This is going to be a very cringe-y first-world type of post, but I am hoping to come away from writing this with some kind of lesson in money management or life in general. Last month, I dropped my phone in the toilet–after I had just peed. I quickly grabbed it out of the toilet bowl, dried it off with some paper towels, and wiped … Continue reading My Addiction to iPhones

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Investing, Learning New Things, Life and Money, Money, Personal Development, Time vs. Money

Time and Money

Like most workers here in Japan, the end of the year is one of the busiest time of the year for me. There are just so many things to get done before December 31st. Since I was so overwhelmed, I requested a deadline extension on one of my projects. Unfortunately, because everyone had so many things to do, there just wasn’t time to be cut anywhere. … Continue reading Time and Money

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Credit Cards, Learning New Things, Life and Money, Life in the US, Money, Personal Development, Personal Finance, Women and Money

How Suze Orman Helped Me Understand My Finances

When I was younger, my first exposure to financial matters was not through my parents or even my family. It was Suze Orman. When I was commuting to college, I would normally spend whatever free Saturday nights I had at home with my mom watching her show on MSNBC. It was good stuff for somebody who knew nothing about money. I think I really liked … Continue reading How Suze Orman Helped Me Understand My Finances

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Debt, Featured, Financial Independence, Learning New Things, Life and Money, Money, Personal Development, Personal Finance, Saving, Spending Money

The Pleasure of Saving

If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I would tell myself to start saving some of the money I was making from work. I’ve mentioned before that I was a hard worker when I was younger, but I was never diligent when it came to saving. I just never learned the lesson. Looking back, I think my father might have influenced … Continue reading The Pleasure of Saving

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Debt, Life and Money, Love and Money, Money, Personal Finance, Spending Money, Women and Money

‘Til Debt Do Us Part

  Weddings At the height of the Financial Crisis of 2008, I found myself with a “useless” Master’s Degree and $60,000 worth of student loans. I also decided to get married at the end of the year, which added another $5,000 of credit card debt to the pot. Yes, I know. What an idiot. But I will refer you to the title of this blog, … Continue reading ‘Til Debt Do Us Part

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