Category: Spending 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

RochelleLeave a comment
Life and Money, Personal finance in Japan, Saving Money, Spending Money, The Psychology of Money, Time vs. Money

Pinching Pennies

I am at the grocery store, waiting for the clerk at the register to ring up all my food. He scans two heads of broccoli. The price of one was at ¥211. Wait a minute, I think to myself. Those are supposed to be ¥198 each! I frown, but I hold my silence. I have my pride. I’m not going to argue with him over … Continue reading Pinching Pennies

RochelleLeave a comment
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

RochelleLeave a comment
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

RochelleLeave a comment
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

RochelleLeave a comment
Failure, Learning New Things, money mistakes, Spending Money, Time vs. Money, Work

Starting From Scratch

I am still reeling from the shock of it all. Two years of work. Gone. It’s my fault, really. I am the first to admit it. In a fit of spite, I undid all the work that I had painstakingly and lovingly built from the ground up. I run another blog, which is dedicated solely to my life in Hokkaido, Japan. I started that blog … Continue reading Starting From Scratch

RochelleLeave a comment
Life and Money, Life in Japan, Life in the US, Making Things Last, Personal finance in Japan, Spending Money, Uncategorized

Owning Things for More Than Ten Years

I went for a drive with some friends this weekend. One of my friends kindly offered to drive us around to the places we wanted to visit. All in all, it was a very fun girls trip out in the summer. As we were driving home, my driver friend commented that she was going to buy a new car soon. How come? I asked. Her … Continue reading Owning Things for More Than Ten Years

RochelleLeave a comment
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

RochelleLeave a comment
Careers, Learning New Things, Life in Japan, Personal Development, Personal finance in Japan, Spending Money, Success, Work

Getting a PhD. Is it worth it?

I did a bad thing last night. Yesterday, before going to bed, I made the mistake of browsing through different PhD programs from all over the world. Instead of going to bed early so that I can get some much needed rest, I spent two hours looking at different websites that offered all kinds of PhD programs. I started with online programs offered by academically … Continue reading Getting a PhD. Is it worth it?

Rochelle1 Comment