Frugal Tips

 I'm always on the lookout for ideas on how to save money! 

I'm especially interested in reading or watching people in Japan who have money-saving ideas. A lot of tips from the UK or the USA don't work in Japan. I saw a video where the lady said she saved a lot of money by simply turning down the thermostat on her heating system. We don't even have a heating system here!

I came across a Japanese housewife who said that January helped her to save money.

She talked about how in January, she didn't like to drive too much, because she's living in snow country. She said that she would use whatever she had in the house to make meals instead of buying extra groceries to make what she had planned. I do that as well, no stores nearby, so if I'm missing an ingredient or two, I either change the menu or use a substitute.

Another thing she talked about was changing from using the heating system on the air conditioners to kerosene heaters. I use kerosene heaters here as well. When I'm sitting in bed, reading or watching TV, I don't even run my heater; I just have my hot blankets on, I sit on one and have another wrapped around my shoulders.

The next thing this lady talked about was not going out to meet friends for coffee or lunch so often in the winter. This is something I never do! She stated that because of this, she doesn't buy so many clothes or makeup at this time of year. That made me pause for a while!

Do people buy clothes every month or so? Is it normal to buy new things just for the sake of buying them? 

I just don't buy clothes! In the past two years, I've bought a pair of shoes, a bra and some socks! The sweater I'm wearing is about 25 years old. I was looking through my clothes the other day, thinking that my room wear is new, but then realised that it's about 5 years old. I bought it when I had Covid, back in 2021. The newest thing I have is a top Hannah bought for me last summer!

Wearing the top Hannah bought me.

Not buying clothes is not about saving money; it has more to do with the fact that I can't shop at local stores. Most of my clothes are from a catalogue shop!

Even then, I have a problem with sizes.  I usually buy the biggest size, sometimes that's alright, but other times the item is too big and drowns me! I've tried to get the next size down, but that is sometimes tight and uncomfortable. I need a size in between.

I've seen stores online from America and the UK that do overseas delivery. Again, it's the problem of sizing. Most companies allow you to send back items that don't fit, but just the bother of sending things back makes me pause!

I will need a few things for the spring and summer, so I'm on the lookout for a good bargain!

I'm still looking for more frugal tips! Every yen I can save helps! I don't want to be miserly, but I do need to save now so that I have money to do what I need to do in the future!

Any tips, anyone?

Also, any ideas for plus-size clothes for the mature lady?