I used to let my cellphone batteries drain completely before charging them. I was told the last time I bought a cellphone that that is not necessary anymore, but I continued to do it anyway, just to be safe. I figured it couldn’t hurt.

Well, apparently, it CAN hurt!

This source says that lithium-ion batteries should *not* be discharged fully on a regular basis.

Avoid frequent full discharges because this puts additional strain on the battery. Several partial discharges with frequent recharges are better for lithium-ion than one deep one. Recharging a partially charged lithium-ion does not cause harm because there is no memory. (In this respect, lithium-ion differs from nickel-based batteries.) Short battery life in a laptop is mainly cause by heat rather than charge/discharge patterns.

Source: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

So, it seems that I probably contributed to the short life of my last two batteries (not including the defective one) by following the same rules as for nickel-based batteries. From now on, I will not let the battery run out completely before charging it. Also, I will try not to leave my cellphone in a place where it will get too hot. Let’s hope that leads to a more reasonable lifespan for my cellphone
batteries from now on!

We also used it to heat up our futon before going to bed. We have a wool-like fluffy mat under our sheet, a top sheet, then another futon. As it gets colder, we add a blanket or two to the mix. We would heat up the futon for about 10 minutes, then get in. I rarely suffered from sinus problems and sore throats, last year. So, the couple of yen we spend to heat up the futon every night helps me save on doctor and pharmaceutical bills.

I had a look on Rakuten the other day and the cheapest ones go for around 4.500 yen. There might be other bargains out there. Well worth the investment.

Recommended by GB on the Frugal Japan mailing list.

I found the following website talking about Yutanpo :
http://nihonhacks.com/in-the-home/keep-yourself-warm-with-yutampo/

By the way, the Nihon Hacks website has a lot of frugal ideas that i like.

Recommended by H on the Frugal Japan mailing list.

Probably one of the hardest things to deal with is being cold in bed. I really hate it when I wake up in the middle of the night because I am too cold. I am too lazy/unfocused to do anything about it when it happens, but I am also not able to go back to sleep properly until the situation has been remedied. Do I get out of bed and find an extra blanket — freezing myself even more in the interim — or do I just try to think warm thoughts and go back to sleep? Unfortunately, I almost always choose the latter, although it rarely results in a restful night’s sleep.

One way to make sure that you stay warm throughout the winter involves using a blanket that is not really a blanket on your bed. I discovered this trick quite by accident when I was living in the mountains of Fukushima, a chilly prefecture in southern Tohoku. In Fukushima, most houses have kotatsu, small tables with heating units attached underneath. I had never seen a kotatsu before coming to Japan, so I didn’t set mine up that first winter. (I was a JET living in an apartment that had been furnished by my Board of Education, so I didn’t really know what all the things in my house did.) However, when it started to get cold and I was scrounging through my closets for extra blankets, I happened to find a very thin, perfectly square, kind of stiff blanket that looked like it might do the trick. I placed it on top of my duvet and found that despite the thinness, it acted as a kind of insulator and kept my bed toasty warm without the weight of a normal blanket. It was only a few weeks later, when one of my Japanese friends happened to see the square-shaped blanket on my bed, that I found out the “blanket” was supposed to go underneath the kotatsu (i.e. on the floor as a kind of carpet).

My kotatsu-carpet bedspread served me well over the five years that I lived in Fukushima. I brought it out every year as soon as it started to get cold despite the inevitable laughs it garnered from my Japanese friends. It was a perfect set up for me — the kotatsu-carpet was light so it didn’t weigh me down or hamper my movements at night and it kept all the heat in so once I got warm, I stayed warm throughout the night. Also, because it was kind of stiff, I could pull it over my head and it would keep in the warmth without suffocating me because it wouldn’t actually touch any part of my head. Between that and my newly acquired habit of sleeping with socks on, I managed to survive the cold Fukushima winters and live to tell the tale.

Not sure if the kotatsu-carpet bedspread idea will appeal to everyone because you do have to put up with a bit of jeering in the implementation, but if you find that you are waking up cold in the middle of the night and you don’t want to add too much extra weight to your covers, I would recommend giving it a try!

I learned a lot over my last three months in Japan, and fully intended on making a very in-depth report on how to dispose of one’s items and move frugally. Unfortunately, my move ended up being not very frugal, despite my best efforts. I did find out two very important things, however. One is very specific: used air conditioner/heaters (aircon) are essentially worthless! You cannot sell them, you cannot give them away without causing the recipient great cost and trouble, and even recycling them is expensive (Y50,000 for me to uninstall and recycle three used air conditioners). Your best bet: leave them with the apartment, if the landlord will let you! OR take them with you to your new home.

The second thing is much more general, and rather clichéd: You can’t take it with you. Your stuff, I mean. Really. Not anywhere. With rising gas and commodity prices, shipping goods is more expensive than ever. For most things, buying it in your home destination would be cheaper. Unless it is of sentimental value, I suggest finding a good home for it. We brutally weeded out our possessions for three months and were still shocked at how much stuff was left in the end. Do yourself a favor: don’t collect the stuff to begin with. Buy sparingly and smart, and routinely inventory your possessions. If you haven’t used it in 18 months, chances are you probably won’t again. The night before we left Japan, I sat surrounded by five suitcases holding (literally) all my worldly possessions not in a small container crossing the ocean. And you know, it was very freeing. Watching the American economy slide into a recession and the inevitable layoffs beginning (I have great timing when I move!), I am struck by the fact the we really never do know *what* will happen to us in the future. Instead of surrounding yourself with stuff, collect experiences, friends, and love—it’s much more portable!

© 2008 Wendy J. Imura.

First of all, did you know that aircon alone account for over one-forth of all household electricity costs in Japan? Yep. It’s startling but true, according to Japanese frugal guru Yuki Wada.

The simplest way to cut aircon costs is to adjust your temperature settings. Most typical aircon units in Japan have a small remote control that can be used to change the settings. Typically, the temperature settings resemble little “up or down” arrows. Wada says that simply upping the temperature setting on your unit by one degree can cut electric costs by 10%! The ideal summer temperature setting for aircon is 28 C. Apparently, any difference in indoor vs. outdoor temperatures of greater than seven degrees Celsius can cause discomfort, chills, and even headaches – in addition to costing more money! So, first things first – set your AC to 28C!

The second variable to look at is the direction and strength of airflow. If you can’t find these settings (labeled with the characters for “wind direction” [風向] and “wind amount” [風量])　on your remote, check the inside panel. Wada recommends pointing the air upward, as air flowing downward tends not to circulate. Pressing the direction button, you’ll notice the little vents on the aircon unit change direction – put them at the top angle. For airflow strength, she recommends the automatic setting (jido unten) which automatically adjusts airflow based on temperature. Using a fan in addition to the AC (fans are very low-cost items – only Y100-Y150 in electricity usage for one month’s use at 5-6 hours/day) is also a good way to keep the air flowing.

There are some other, simple measures you can take as well. One is using curtains or blinds to limit the heat that can enter a room. Another is making sure the aircon’s external unit (that big hulking machine located on your balcony or in your yard) is not exposed to direct sunlight. An exposed unit can make it difficult for the aircon to exchange heat effectively, wasting electricity. While directly putting a cover on the unit is inadvisable, Wada does recommend ensuring that the external unit gets proper shade.

An additional point is making sure the innards of your aircon are clean. Wada recommends cleaning the aircon filter at least once very two weeks. You can typically remove the filter by popping open the vented front of the aircon. After removing it, softly brushing the eyes of the filter with a disposable toothbrush while using the vacuum (hose) to suck up the dirt is one effective method (click here for a picture).

Finally, you can have the inside of your aircon professionally cleaned. Typically, these services are rather costly (from Y10,000 per unit). Duskin is one reliable provider. Recommendations vary, but cleaning every two to three years is a good bet. After several years of use, the aircon traps dirt, allergens, dust, and mold, both reducing its cooling capacity and creating “dirty air” forced out through the vents. If you’ve never had your aircon cleaned and find yourself complaining of allergies or a sore throat, you might need to look into this. Note that appointments are typically necessary for this service. (Duskin Aircon Cleaning)

If none of these measures help cut your aircon bill, then you might need to rethink the aircon itself. New models are twice as energy efficient as those from a decade ago, and the extra Y30,000-Y40,000 required to purchase a low-price model might actually save you money over the long run. Of course, the simplest way to cut aircon usage is… not use it at all. “When in doubt, turn it off.”

(This article borrowed heavily from the ever-frugal Yuki Wada’s AllAbout.co.jp Setsuyaku & Yarikuri site’s Aircon Setsuden No Kotsu! (Tips on Cutting Aircon Electricity Costs) article from July 14, 2003.)

© 2007 Wendy J. Imura.

Well, while your mileage will vary substantially depending on the type of school, location, and other factors, here are a two tips to help you weather the start of the school year with less of a deficit.

Save Ahead for Tuition Payments

First, let’s look at the big one: tuition. Most everyone realizes that education costs money. Even Japanese public schools have various fees (lunch, books, school uniforms, trips), and any schooling before first grade (age 7) or after junior high school (about age 13/14) is not part of gimukyoiku, or compulsory schooling, and requires even greater expense. Saving ahead is of course the best way to minimize the one-time impact on your budget.

If you’re a long term resident and plan to educate your children in Japan, there a few handy savings plans available through both the Post Office and private insurance companies. The Post Office offers ‘gakushi hoken’ or a combination savings and insurance plan with pre-determined payouts to coincide with your child’s entrance into elementary, JHS, SHS, or college. Essentially, you take out a ‘policy’ in your child’s name, preferably when they are very young. Your monthly payments for the plan are determined by the total amount of money you want paid out over the life of the plan. The policy automatically includes a small life insurance benefit for the child in question, and can also include a ’scholarship (ikueikin)’ component (payment of school fees if one or both of the parents pass away). There are of course a variety of options in terms of life of plan (ending at age 15, 18, or 22) and savings amounts. To research more, visit the Japan Post website.

Warning! It’s all in rather complicated Japanese. The best way to get details on these plans is to go to your local post office insurance (Kanpo) window during a slow period, and ask about gakushi hoken. It will take some time, but as other foreign residents have successfully managed to purchase a plan – I’m sure you can too!

If you would rather not use the post office, AFLAC also offers gakushi hoken plans through a mail order service. The plans are called Kawaii Kodomo Hoken and operate on essentially the same principles. The website is much easier to navigate than the Post Office’s. The ‘Simulation’ button found at the button of the page in katakana will automatically calculate a sample monthly payment based on the applicant’s age, their child’s age, and the desired plan amount. Note that the insurance rider (in case of death of the parent) adds extra cost.

Shop Early, and at a Variety of Places, for School Supplies

In Japan, preparing for school (especially for kindergarden, day care, or elementary school) can take a kind of Orwellian twist. Complicated requirements for homemade bags of a certain size, math manipulatibles kits with 20-30 small pieces that must be labeled with names individually, and ridiculously expensive uniforms sold through a single supplier are just some of the challenges foreign mums and dads face.

As dictated by the laws of supply and demand, prices on school supplies such as lunch boxes, nap futon, indoor shoes (uwabaki), and bags rise the closer to the end of March you approach. Conversely, mid-April is probably an excellent time to purchase these items if you know what type you’ll need and where your child will go to school next year. Besides large supermarkets or other retail outlets, there are two frugal alternatives worth mentioning. The first is the annual school bazaar at the school you plan to attend. Here, gently used uniforms and school supplies (such as required hats, smocks, recorders, painting kits, and other items) may available for a great discount. Online auctions are another good source for more general school supplies, particularly ‘handmade’ items for those of us not so talented in the sewing arena. Try typing in the name of the items from your required supplies list into Yahoo Auctions, Rakuten, or http://www.bidders.co.jp. You might find a bargain, particularly if you are shopping early.

Finally, it always pays to utilize local foreign networks. FreeStuffJapan, TellandSell Japan, and other lists are excellent places to locate free or cheap items.

© 2007 Wendy J. Imura.

You’ve probably seen the shocking pictures on the evening news: cherry blossom buds poking through in a balmy Washington DC in early January, the first snowless winter in the European Alps in 1000 years, and Japan’s own amateur skiing championships delayed for lack of snow. To be sure, Osaka has enjoyed a nice, warm-ish winter this year – most days are around 10-12C.

That said, it’s still a cold time of year – so, in my annual ‘keep warm frugally’ issue, I thought I’d introduce a few tried-n-true but not well known to the foreign community aids for warmth. Long-termers might not find anything new on the list, but newbies to Japan should get their shopping lists ready. In fact, late January and early February are an *excellent* time to purchase winter items – retailers want winter merchandise off their shelves yesterday, and will often heavily discount products. Stock up for next year!

1) Fuzzy Acrylic/Lambswool Bed Pads

These are called a variety of things in Japanese, from either ‘fuyu you shiki paddo’ (winter-use bed/futon pads) to ‘muuton shiitsu’. Basically, these are quilted bed pads with a fuzzy, soft texture much like the ‘moufu’ blankets one sees here so frequently. They will typically have an elastic tie or band on each corner to attach it to your bed or futon. Be careful *not* to purchase the cotton variety intended for summer use – these are not as warm, and are design to absorb moisture.

I highly recommend purchase of these bed pads! Basically, you attach the pad to your mattress or futon on top of the sheets, fuzzy side up. You then sleep *on top* of the fuzzy part. For particularly cold nights, you can use an electric blanket *under* the pad to added warmth. While it might be tempting to scrimp on size, please buy one the same size as or larger than your futon – you’ll find yourself fighting with your sleeping partner over the space if its not!

These are frugal because they save on bedroom heading costs and (if aired and washed properly) can last for very long time.

2) Warm Underwear

For years, I was astonished by the substantial underpinnings unveiled by Japanese women of all ages in onsen dressing rooms. Then, after a few winters of shivering through frigid waits on the train platform despite a warm coat, gloves, hat, and boots – I realized they had a point.

Ladies: those flimsy underthings from from Victoria’s Secret (or Marks and Spencer, take your pick) are just not gonna cut it in this climate. Have a problem with cold hands and feet? Keeping your body’s ‘core temperature’ warm with an extra layer closest to the skin will most definitely help. Affectionately called ‘baba shotsu’ or ‘baba shaatsu’ after the older women who love them, these warm boy shorts, camisole bras, or thin undershirts are a lifesaver in winter. I guarantee that even the most fashionable of office ladies you see is probably secretly sporting foundation garments that would make your grandmother jealous. So take a lesson from them, and visit the women’s underwear counter of your nearest GMS or department store to check out the offerings.

Men: I haven’t been shopping for men’s underwear recently, but I can say that sales of similar items for men (longish boxer/brief underwear and undershirts) appear to be on the rise. While you probably don’t have to go the momohiki (long underwear) route as my father-in-law does, adding an extra layer or too might help you venture out from under the kotatsu a little more often.

Why are these frugal? Keeping your body warm by adding extra clothes can help you lower your heating costs (by reducing the amount of time in use or lowering the thermostat temp), and keep you healthy.

3) ‘Sukima Seals’

Having problems with corner drafts coming in from your windows and doors? Do you see phantom breezes *inside* your house? Is it sometimes warmer outside than inside? Maybe these ’sukima seals’ (gap fillers for windows and doors) will help.

These are essentially small (6mm or 9mm) width strips of bristly mats backed by a sticker sheet. (See a picture at the link below). You simply peel off the back of the sticker tape, attach it firmly to the surface (i.e. crack under a door) you want to muffle, and stick it on. If the bristles are too long, you can trim them with scissors. The website advertises that the seals can cut temperature loss through window and door gaps by 2 degress Celsius – I have yet to try them, but this could be a useful product for older homes. Cost is Y940 plus shipping for two 2 meter rolls – though it might be available at home centers for less.

See: http://www.netyokocho.jp/nakanishikobo/goods/67866/

© 2007 Wendy J. Imura.