日本での発見 / Discoveries in Japan #39: 節約 / Frugality

That's a lie, I've known ways to be frugal since before I understood the meaning of compound interest. And if it weren't for my frugality I wouldn't have gotten through my (mysteriously, simultaneously) extravagant lifestyle in San Francisco in my 20s.

But apparently the Japanese media likes to promote "frugality" as a virtue in ways that I never thought were possible. If I read one more magazine article telling me that I should pack my own bento box instead of buying lunch out at work, I am going to go on a convenience store shopping rampage to buy up all the rice balls on the shelves.

Recently, though, I've been thinking about my future and all the things I'd like to do in it—and how, in all practical seriousness, it's nice to be financially comfortable, not to have to worry about paying for (un)expected or (un)expecting life events. And I realize also that, with a specific goal in mind, saving up—or "being frugal"—can be a lot of fun.

But since I cannot keep a straight face while switching off the circuit breaker before I leave my house every morning, I figured I should consider some basic guiding principles in my attempt to save up for my future.

1. Keep a clear goal in mind, however distant—so that I can judge whether being "frugal" in a given situation makes sense in light of that goal.
2. Spend money when it makes sense to—in difficult situations or at amazing restaurants, for example. 
3. Never skimp on other people—because what goes around comes around (and it's always fun to see people happy, even if it involves some spending).
4. Think not about "what to give up", but more about "what to give"—because saving is about giving (and receiving), either to (from) myself or to (from) people I care about.
5. Remember that life is full of unexpected things, and that it also may be short (though such things are relative)—and that it's always more important to live in the present than to worry about the future.

Now, if you'll excuse me—I'm going to go relive the experience of that wonderful dinner we had last night at Ristorante HiRo for Japan Restaurant Week, which, however pricey, was worth every yen—and I'm also going to think of how to save up for our next such dinner, though it may well be a lovely gluten-free pasta and wine night at home...