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Kakeibo: The Japanese Art of Saving Money
DISCOVER THE JAPANESE SECRET TO FINANCIAL The Kakeibo is a wonderful tool for anyone who wants to make keeping track of their spending more streamlined
People in Japan are masters of minimal living, able to make do with less in all aspects of life, whether it's de-cluttering personal belongings or savvy seasonal cooking. At the heart of all this is the the budgeting journal used to set savings goals and track spending. The premise is at the beginning of each month, the prompts in this book help you to plan how much you would like to save and what you need to do in order to reach your goal. The kakeibo then gives you space to jot down your weekly spending and reflect on the month just gone. The act of completing your journal ensures that saving is a part of your everyday life, while also giving you the opportunity to reflect and improve every month.
People in Japan are masters of minimal living, able to make do with less in all aspects of life, whether it's de-cluttering personal belongings or savvy seasonal cooking. At the heart of all this is the the budgeting journal used to set savings goals and track spending. The premise is at the beginning of each month, the prompts in this book help you to plan how much you would like to save and what you need to do in order to reach your goal. The kakeibo then gives you space to jot down your weekly spending and reflect on the month just gone. The act of completing your journal ensures that saving is a part of your everyday life, while also giving you the opportunity to reflect and improve every month.
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 10, 2019
This book is an introduction to the Japanese Kakeibo-method, a way of budgeting your money that is quite simple. It is a method over 100 years old, having been introduced to the public in 1904 by Hani Motoko for housewives to use, and backed by the goverment. Housewives in Japan have much power over household money, and this is one is quite perfect.
One does notice here that about 12 pages of the book are on the method; the rest are pages for one year of doing this. But it's still worth buying. There's one for weekly, monthy, and yearly ways of budgeting, and it helps one to contemplate the result and what one wants to achieve with saving a little to some projects like traveling, buying bigger things, birthdays etc. It's easier to remember and to spend wiser using this method. To separate 'needs' from 'wants'.
A quick read. Though most of the book is for using this method, the few pages for explaining how to do it make it worth enough. I've been wanting to find ways to control my spending and save, and this was thus read at a perfect time.
One does notice here that about 12 pages of the book are on the method; the rest are pages for one year of doing this. But it's still worth buying. There's one for weekly, monthy, and yearly ways of budgeting, and it helps one to contemplate the result and what one wants to achieve with saving a little to some projects like traveling, buying bigger things, birthdays etc. It's easier to remember and to spend wiser using this method. To separate 'needs' from 'wants'.
A quick read. Though most of the book is for using this method, the few pages for explaining how to do it make it worth enough. I've been wanting to find ways to control my spending and save, and this was thus read at a perfect time.
January 7, 2019
Summary:
This book is more of a financial planner that you fill in throughout the year, so not a lot of reading, mostly doing. Still, it has some nice messages throughout it and a good introduction. It outlines the Japanese way of spending money which is usually done by portioning your cash into each spending category, putting it in an envelope and then only spending what is in that envelope. This is great in Japan's cash culture, but less practical nowadays. However, the book lets you track your 'envelopes' so you know how much money is coming in, how much is going out, where it goes out and prompts you to reflect on how to improve. The book is broken into 12 months for you to track against and allows you to set out long term and short term goals.
If I'm a millionaire after these 12 months, I'll bump this up to a 5 star rating.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to manage their finances better or just be aware of where your money goes.
The main message I took from this book is to spend well and to be conscious of your habits so that you may improve upon them.
Some notable points:
- Often we think about saving money, the emphasis is on what we cannot spend. This makes saving money a chore and prevents us from making it a long-term lifestyle change. The key to saving is to instead start thinking about it in term of spending money - but spending it well.
- The kakeibo cycle goes like this: How much money do you have available? > How much would you like to save? How much are you spending? > How can you improve?
Quotes from each month of the kakeibo (some of them read like fortune cookies):
- Even a thousand mile journey begins with the first step.
- Spilled water does not return to the tray.
- Even monkeys fall from trees.
- Crabs dig holes according to the size of their shells.
- Even dust amassed will grow into a mountain.
- Rust comes from within the body.
- Fall down seven times, get up eight.
- One may study calligraphy at eighty.
- Consult anyone, even your knees.
- Failure is the mother of success.
- Raindrops will wear through a stone.
- Better to bow than to break.
This book is more of a financial planner that you fill in throughout the year, so not a lot of reading, mostly doing. Still, it has some nice messages throughout it and a good introduction. It outlines the Japanese way of spending money which is usually done by portioning your cash into each spending category, putting it in an envelope and then only spending what is in that envelope. This is great in Japan's cash culture, but less practical nowadays. However, the book lets you track your 'envelopes' so you know how much money is coming in, how much is going out, where it goes out and prompts you to reflect on how to improve. The book is broken into 12 months for you to track against and allows you to set out long term and short term goals.
If I'm a millionaire after these 12 months, I'll bump this up to a 5 star rating.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to manage their finances better or just be aware of where your money goes.
The main message I took from this book is to spend well and to be conscious of your habits so that you may improve upon them.
Some notable points:
- Often we think about saving money, the emphasis is on what we cannot spend. This makes saving money a chore and prevents us from making it a long-term lifestyle change. The key to saving is to instead start thinking about it in term of spending money - but spending it well.
- The kakeibo cycle goes like this: How much money do you have available? > How much would you like to save? How much are you spending? > How can you improve?
Quotes from each month of the kakeibo (some of them read like fortune cookies):
- Even a thousand mile journey begins with the first step.
- Spilled water does not return to the tray.
- Even monkeys fall from trees.
- Crabs dig holes according to the size of their shells.
- Even dust amassed will grow into a mountain.
- Rust comes from within the body.
- Fall down seven times, get up eight.
- One may study calligraphy at eighty.
- Consult anyone, even your knees.
- Failure is the mother of success.
- Raindrops will wear through a stone.
- Better to bow than to break.
October 14, 2020
No puedo calificarlo bien, porque es más bien un libro práctico, con un breve texto te explica qué es Kakebo y cómo comenzar con este método de ahorro japonés.
El 80% del libro son tablas para llenar ingresos, egresos, expectativas de ahorro y anotaciones de gastos diarios.
En 1 año podré escribir una mejor reseña.
Se ve interesante y prometedor, espero mi bolsillo note la diferencia.
El 80% del libro son tablas para llenar ingresos, egresos, expectativas de ahorro y anotaciones de gastos diarios.
En 1 año podré escribir una mejor reseña.
Se ve interesante y prometedor, espero mi bolsillo note la diferencia.
October 9, 2022
Simple but practical for all readers. The introduction offers a brief history into the mindful budgeting system of 'Kakeibo', and the remainder of the book provides a clear/ regimented structure towards implementing this practice through regular journalling.
February 17, 2019
It seems ironic to buy something to help save, but here we are.
The first thing to note which many have said is that this isn’t really a book, more a journal. But it does include a few brief pages at the beginning explaining the concept of Kakeibo, which has a nice emphasis on spending well rather than focusing just on saving.
The journal is beautiful, easy to use and includes some nice quotes. I look forward to using it and hopefully saving more money as I go.
The first thing to note which many have said is that this isn’t really a book, more a journal. But it does include a few brief pages at the beginning explaining the concept of Kakeibo, which has a nice emphasis on spending well rather than focusing just on saving.
The journal is beautiful, easy to use and includes some nice quotes. I look forward to using it and hopefully saving more money as I go.
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August 5, 2022Oh well, this is actually a book of worksheet for a year 😂 The explanation about kakeibo os like only... 10 pages max. I don't think I need this kind of manual worksheet because, oh, hello Excel 😂 However, I like the introduction of kakeibo itself and the reflection prompts after each month. Definitely will adopt the prompts into my journaling routine.
December 30, 2018
Olen jonottanut tätä teosta puolet vuodesta 2018 ja kun viimein saan sen kirjastosta luettavaksi, totean kyseessä olevan itse täytettävä kirja. Myönnän, että havaittavissa oli lievää turhautumista. Luin kirjan kuitenkin (hyvin nopeasti) kannesta kanteen ja pohdin moneen otteeseen, hankinko teoksen itselleni kyseisenä teoksena vai otanko käyttöön erillisen vihkon, johon yhdistelen kakeiboa ja bullet journalia. Päädyin hankkimaan tämän teoksen myös omaan hyllyyni.
Uskon (ja totisesti toivon) että tämä teos auttaa minua säästämään rahaa vieläkin täsmällisemmin haluamiini asioihin!
Uskon (ja totisesti toivon) että tämä teos auttaa minua säästämään rahaa vieläkin täsmällisemmin haluamiini asioihin!
November 1, 2023
well, I thought this book really delved into the details of saving money. Turns out it's only discussed on a few pages. This book is more like a journal/planner. What I like about this book is that its points are very concise and practical. I'll give it a try and let's see how it goes :D
February 2, 2021
I will use this to save money for another trip to Japan :)
May 13, 2020
Useful tool to help you alter bad money-handling habits. Was using this for 2020 but was cut short because of the pandemic. 😅
September 2, 2019
Reseña completa en el blog La Contraportada: https://lacontraportadablog.blogspot....
Como dicta el título, un kakebo es algo así como un libro de cuentas que nos ayuda a tener al día una lista con todos nuestros gastos. La idea es que este método nos ayude a deducir en qué gastamos más y cuáles de esos gastos son necesarios y cuales podrían ser prescindibles.
Este método fue creado por Hani Motoko, la primera mujer periodista de japón, en 1904. En aquella época, las mujeres apenas tenían un papel en la sociedad más allá de servir a su marido y tener hijos, de modo que esta herramienta les permitió tener el control sobre las finanzas en el hogar. Fue un pequeño paso para el empoderamiento femenino en aquel siglo, pero hoy en día el método kakebo es utilizado por hombres y mujeres alrededor del mundo para administrar sus hogares.
La verdad es que a mí me ha parecido un método bastante útil. Más allá de ahorrar o no (que lo he hecho), tener el kakebo en la estantería me ha creado el hábito de ir anotando mis gastos.
Eso sí, este libro está recomendado para la gente que ya tiene su salario y sus gastos fijos (gasolina, agua, luz, hipoteca...). De modo que si eres estudiante o adolescente y no te has independizado, o no tienes ningún ingreso más allá de lo que te dan tus padres, no sé si te será de mucha utilidad...
Respecto a la edición, es un libro en color con una maquetación absolutamente cuidada (como es costumbre encontrar en los libros de Planeta). Además, está disponible en tapa dura y con una tira de tela como marcapáginas.
Como dicta el título, un kakebo es algo así como un libro de cuentas que nos ayuda a tener al día una lista con todos nuestros gastos. La idea es que este método nos ayude a deducir en qué gastamos más y cuáles de esos gastos son necesarios y cuales podrían ser prescindibles.
Este método fue creado por Hani Motoko, la primera mujer periodista de japón, en 1904. En aquella época, las mujeres apenas tenían un papel en la sociedad más allá de servir a su marido y tener hijos, de modo que esta herramienta les permitió tener el control sobre las finanzas en el hogar. Fue un pequeño paso para el empoderamiento femenino en aquel siglo, pero hoy en día el método kakebo es utilizado por hombres y mujeres alrededor del mundo para administrar sus hogares.
La verdad es que a mí me ha parecido un método bastante útil. Más allá de ahorrar o no (que lo he hecho), tener el kakebo en la estantería me ha creado el hábito de ir anotando mis gastos.
Eso sí, este libro está recomendado para la gente que ya tiene su salario y sus gastos fijos (gasolina, agua, luz, hipoteca...). De modo que si eres estudiante o adolescente y no te has independizado, o no tienes ningún ingreso más allá de lo que te dan tus padres, no sé si te será de mucha utilidad...
Respecto a la edición, es un libro en color con una maquetación absolutamente cuidada (como es costumbre encontrar en los libros de Planeta). Además, está disponible en tapa dura y con una tira de tela como marcapáginas.
February 1, 2022
Los japoneses son maestros en llevar una vida minimalista, capaces de pasar con menos en todos los aspectos de la vida, el Kakebo se convirtió en una herramienta libertadora para las mujeres a quienes les dio control sobre todas las decisiones financieras, es una tradición japonesa que se remonta hace más de un siglo se popularizó originalmente en 1904 por Hani Motoko para ayudar a las amas de Casa a gestionar la economía doméstica. Durante el siglo XX el gobierno japonés promocionó de manera activa usar el Kakebo para competir con las economías occidentales y así poder tener dominio en el tema financiero. 🇯🇵 🗾⛩⛩🏦💲💲
January 30, 2022
I would have rated this higher if I have the physical journal to use as my own kakeibo or ledger. It's weird labeling this method of tabulating your expenses as a "japanese art" as this is such a basic knowledge. It came out as false advertising knowing that many romanticizes the "japanese way" of things. By knowing where your money goes, you are more aware of your spending and become more conscious of simple financial decisions. I did not get much from the tips, although the journal part seems fun to do. If you want a cute financial journal, then this can be your thing.
December 13, 2022
I am not sure this was the right kind of purchase for the library. This is a workbook, not a guidebook, but regardless, I found it useful to see exactly how this style of personal accounting would work.
Now to actually do it, of course.
3 stars
So far this year, my library saved me A$3539.83
Now to actually do it, of course.
3 stars
So far this year, my library saved me A$3539.83
March 3, 2019
For the first time, it let me assess my expenses for the whole year at a glance. I am still using it month on month for planning.
May 2, 2020
Es un libro práctico que te permite ordenar tus ideas y finanzas para sacar un gran provecho de ellas. Recomendado
May 3, 2022
This book is worksheet. You track all income and expense .
April 13, 2020
Tidak saya pungkiri membeli buku ini karena tertarik judul dan desain halaman muka. Apapun mengenai Jepang dan budaya yang mereka miliki dalam sendi-sendi kehidupan membuat saya bersemangat. Sayang, saya tidak sempat membaca banyak review sebelum memutuskan membeli buku ini. Pada awalnya, jujur saja saya kecewa. Isi buku ini saya kira akan penuh dan menyenangkan untuk dibaca, tetapi ternyata isi buku ini 90% adalah journal yang bisa kita manfaatkan. Sayang sekali. Sampai-sampai karena terlalu sedikitnya tulisan yang bisa saya baca dibandingkan apa yang saya harapkan, tidak langsung saya membacanya ketika buku ini tiba. Bagaimana mungkin saya membutuhkan waktu yang lama untuk membaca buku ini?
Akan tetapi, malam ini saya melakukan refleksi mengenai kondisi keuangan dan berniat menyelesaikan membaca buku ini. Tidak butuh waktu lama sesuai prediksi, namun buku ini menginspirasi untuk menambah kebiasaan journalling saya. Saya suka pendekatan yang dilakukan yaitu dengan menetapkan target sejumlah yang akan ditabung kemudian memantau pengeluaran harian kemudian mengevaluasinya di akhir minggu kemudian bulan hingga tahunan. Apa ya, semacam saya mendapatkan insight, jangan-jangan kunci keberhasilan orang Jepang dalam kakeibo ini adalah kedisiplinan dalam mengeluarkan uang? Tidak begitu menyesal saya membeli buku ini, selesai membacanya membuat saya bersemangat.
Akan tetapi, malam ini saya melakukan refleksi mengenai kondisi keuangan dan berniat menyelesaikan membaca buku ini. Tidak butuh waktu lama sesuai prediksi, namun buku ini menginspirasi untuk menambah kebiasaan journalling saya. Saya suka pendekatan yang dilakukan yaitu dengan menetapkan target sejumlah yang akan ditabung kemudian memantau pengeluaran harian kemudian mengevaluasinya di akhir minggu kemudian bulan hingga tahunan. Apa ya, semacam saya mendapatkan insight, jangan-jangan kunci keberhasilan orang Jepang dalam kakeibo ini adalah kedisiplinan dalam mengeluarkan uang? Tidak begitu menyesal saya membeli buku ini, selesai membacanya membuat saya bersemangat.
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January 18, 2024Ne gluži grāmata, kas izlasīta, bet grāmata, kas vēl būs jāraksta. Īss ievads kakeibo principos un tad jau tālāk aiziet sastrukturēta dienasgrāmata. Būs varbūt jāpamēģina parefleksēt par savām kapeikām.
"Kakeibo, kas tulkojumā no japāņu valodas nozīmē "mājsaimniecības finanšu virsgrāmata", pirmo reizi 20. gadsimta sākumā ieviesa japāņu žurnālists Hani Motoko. Autors pats apgalvo, ka tā nav tikai budžeta veidošanas sistēma - tas ir dzīvesveids, kas veicina apzinātību un arī apzinātu naudas tērēšanu. Kakeibo balstās uz četriem pīlāriem - ieņēmu un izdevumu uzskaite, uzkrāšanas mērķu uzstādīšana, savas grāmatvedības veidošana un pārdomas par tērēšanas paradumiem."
https://nra.lv/dzivesstils/kultura/44...
"Kakeibo, kas tulkojumā no japāņu valodas nozīmē "mājsaimniecības finanšu virsgrāmata", pirmo reizi 20. gadsimta sākumā ieviesa japāņu žurnālists Hani Motoko. Autors pats apgalvo, ka tā nav tikai budžeta veidošanas sistēma - tas ir dzīvesveids, kas veicina apzinātību un arī apzinātu naudas tērēšanu. Kakeibo balstās uz četriem pīlāriem - ieņēmu un izdevumu uzskaite, uzkrāšanas mērķu uzstādīšana, savas grāmatvedības veidošana un pārdomas par tērēšanas paradumiem."
https://nra.lv/dzivesstils/kultura/44...
January 24, 2019
This is a work book which wasn’t clear to me from the description or the book at first glance. Nearly all of it is repetitive worksheets. I didn’t think there were enough diversity in the work sheets to reflect the complexity of life. The intro was decent but there was no wrap up conclusion. At its bones it is a good work and the structure can help people save but it’s too basic for most. There were some quirky quotes at the beginning/end of each chapter.
April 17, 2020
The most effective journal I've ever owned. This book became my favourite item very quickly, and whilst it requires a bit of self-discipline, I'm always looking forward to using it every evening, or every other evening if I forget. This positivity makes it a joy to use. It's very satisfying to see your savings grow. I find it very useful in managing money anxiety. I recommend it to everyone and I'm definitely getting one for this year too!
January 27, 2018
I received this book for free via Goodreads First Reads.
I finished the text in about 10 minutes.
The concept is simple and obviously effective if you stick to it. I won't give spoilers on it. It just had too little detail or ideas to get a higher rating as a book.
The concept works but the book doesn't.
I finished the text in about 10 minutes.
The concept is simple and obviously effective if you stick to it. I won't give spoilers on it. It just had too little detail or ideas to get a higher rating as a book.
The concept works but the book doesn't.
April 29, 2021
No se oli nopea. Tämähän on työkirja/työkalu enemmänkin kuin tekstiin painottuva kirja. Periaate on tuttu, koska käytän YNABia. YNAB tekee tämän kaiken ja enemmän automaattisesti. Tsekkaa blogaukseni aiheesta: Kymppitonni säästöön normituloilla? – Näin saat raha-asiat kuntoon budjetoinnin avulla.
February 5, 2025
this is more like planner or activity book, the explanation about the whole kakeibo didnt even reached ten pages?? so yeah i managed to finished this in less than 30 mins lmao but i will definitely try this method i hope i can manage my money better like what i always wanted. anw i also really enjoyed the monthly cover(?)!
January 29, 2019
This book has a few pages of text (and a Japanese money saving proverb every month), but it is mostly a workbook/diary for keeping track of your spending. I’ve used it for a month and love it. It’s simple yet very effective. Highly recommended!
February 12, 2018
I won this book from Goodreads in return for an honest review.
Very interesting. A great book for budgeting. Beautifully presented.
Very interesting. A great book for budgeting. Beautifully presented.
January 28, 2019
I really liked the set up for this book. I found a lot of helpful and simple tips for getting your budget under control and save money.
February 2, 2019
Strictly a journal with minimal instructions, it is a very non-judgemental way of keeping track of your money.
March 12, 2019
This is a very simple and easy-to-use kakeibo. Wish there was more color-coding inside.
June 20, 2020
it is a budgeting journal, contains a lot of tables you can complete. However, the "kakeibo" itself is great when i try to apply it using Ms.excel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews