#japanese method

Ever wonder how you always find yourself short on money despite how bigger your salary is now? Ever wonder how do you wish you can cut down your expenses but do not know how or where to begin? Or you do know where to begin but you are just no ready for a big drastic change in your lifestyle.

I have read some books on managing personal finances but they’re either too technical and detailed (with their complex financial concepts or jargon) or they are written by sanctimonious capitalists who has a habit of criticizing those who are not financially savvy and making comparisons as to why you are poor. Half way reading and you already feel demoralized and miserable, realizing how stupid you are for not knowing what the writer is talking about and how much money have been wasted in the past to the point that you feel depressed and hopeless thinking that it’s not possible unless you study finance. But I have found an interesting book titled : Kaizen by Sarah Harvey that manages to simplify how to not only manage your finances but your life as well. It’s a refreshing unique take that acknowledges us as humans who make mistakes and wants to change but at a pace that we are comfortable with.

This is where the Japanese method for transforming habits of one small baby step at a time comes in.

“Rather than forcing us to make big dramatic changes, this method emphasizes on doing things incrementally. It can transform the way you feel about yourself, your goals and your environment. We are living in uncertain and stressful times and I don’t think it is any coincidence that this has resulted in a recent flurry of interest in looking to other cultures and traditions for guidance.” - Sarah Harvey, Kaizen

What is Kaizen?

It means improvement, whether big or small, one time or continuous. It is sometimes used in martial arts where the idea of improving one area of your practice meticulously and slowly is encouraged. Small change is better than no change, as with each step it gives you the confidence that you CAN change.

How to apply Kaizen in your life?

Well, I cannot spill everything that is written by the lovely author but I can share based on my understanding in reading her book! First, you need a clean notebook and a pen (or you can write them on your lap top or tablet, whichever you’re comfortable with, I prefer writing down as I hate staring at the screen).

STEP 1

Clear your thoughts. You can’t devise a solid plan if your mind is in a mess.

Try to allocate some time, say one hour on a Sunday to analyze your finances. For a simple start, just analyze your spending for this month alone. Don’t stress yourself into analyzing your whole life spending since you were born!

If you have a hard time remembering, don’t sweat it. Just write those you remember. You can start tracking your spending from now on and do a proper one at the end of the month.

STEP 2

Divide your spending into 2 main categories.

   - Fixed

     Your needs, such as monthly bills, groceries, etc    

- Variable

     Your wants, shopping, traveling, etc

STEP 3

Examine your fixed spending.

- Is there an alternative place where you can get your electricity, gas, water, internet for your home at a cheaper price? Or get cheaper phone plans?

- Is there anywhere else that you can buy your groceries at a cheaper price or nearer to your home to save fuel costs of your car?

- What are the things you normally buy for your groceries? Perhaps there are alternative cheaper brands of the same type of food and drinks?

STEP 4

Examine your variable spending.

- Are you a bookworm who can’t resist buying books when you still have stack of them at home that you haven’t read yet? Where do you usually buy your books from? Do they offer membership discounts?

- Are you someone who can’t resist the “SALE” sign at the malls? The next time you see it, think carefully if you really need it or are you buying it simply because it is cheap? You don’t want to accumulate too many stuffs you don’t need.

- Are you a frequent traveler? Have you consider using budget airlines or perhaps cut down your spending while you are traveling and avoid excessive shopping but to only focus on your food and accommodation that is worth it.

These are just examples but I believe you get the rough idea on how to go about doing it based on your lifestyle. You don’t have to sacrifice EVERYTHING and becoming a hermit but you just have to control your spending on what truly matters and think before buying if you really need that item or not.

Extra Income

While many finance books concludes that investment is the key to financial independence, they fail to emphasis the need for having enough savings BEFORE you jump into any investment. And that you have to exercise caution as there are risks and no guarantee that you will get what you expect.

For me, the first step is to cut down your expenses. Once you have succeeded in this, you can plan on how to grow your savings. Maybe putting your money in high interest savings account. So you need to check the interest rate of your current savings account and compare with other banks to decide.

Only when you have control your expenses and grow your savings, can you consider about investing. You have to take the Kaizen approach and start with a small one with the least risk of losing your money. You cannot jump straight into a big one hoping for a huge return, this is where people have gone bankrupt.

A Japanese Method to Lose Weight Using Only a Towel

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