I have lived in Japan for a number of years, but I still can’t get used to how cold it gets INSIDE my house in the winter. I try all kinds of things to reproduce the warmth of a house in Canada, but all to no avail. Or, rather, I do know of [...] [ ... ]
I would like to recommend an on-line shop which sells recycled ink cartridges for printers (and toner for copiers, etc.). I placed my order yesterday mid-day and received my cartridges by takkyubin today! I was so impressed with the speed. Much quicker than it would have taken me to get around to go [ ... ]
In Japan, people have to get their cars inspected and approved for use every two years. This is known as “shaken” (車検, pronounced shah-ken). I believe the first inspection is scheduled for the third year after the car was manufactured and then it comes every two years after that. There [ ... ]
If you are anything like me, you have probably joined innumerable gyms, been a gung ho gym god/goddess for about a week, or possibly even a month, and then spent the rest of your annual membership feeling guilty for not going. This is not really surprising because there are a lot of things in [...] [ ... ]
I guess the privatization of the postal system in Japan has some benefits! As of January 1, 2009, it will become possible to transfer money (by furikomi) between bank accounts and postal bank accounts. See this article on TsukuBlog (a blog for residents of Tsukuba, Ibaraki) for more information. [ ... ]
Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach Recommended by Natalia Roschina (http://www.health-for-all.com) I have just finished reading this, and it has changed my life. I have not bought “Smart Couples Finish Rich” yet by the same author, but I guess it is the one for couples to read. No mat [ ... ]
Tribes by Seth Godin Recommended by FU This is not a money book in the sense of being about money, but it is a money book in the “money quote” sense. Basically, he says you should be doing what you want to be doing and the way to get to do it is to be a leader. This does [...] [ ... ]
Question: I bought a home earlier this year and need to do some estate, will/trust planning. I have no idea where to get started or who to ask. I would prefer if they could speak English and understand the Japanese system. I am at 0 so any information would be appreciated. Frugal Hive says: Answer 1 [ ... ]
Wendy, founder of Frugal Japan, reports on her move from Japan to the US. 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 [ ... ]
Are you investing in Japan? If you are already, or were thinking about starting soon, a new law recently came into effect in Japan (the Kinyu Shohin Torikihi Ho, or Financial Instruments & Exchange Law) that might force some changes in dealings with your broker. Essentially, it aims to extend pr [ ... ]