embracing minimalism with the japanese budgeting method of kakeibo
Lately, it seems like we’re all just encouraged to buy more and keep adding things to our lives, as if that’s where our happiness comes from. I used to be there too, all caught up in that cycle but shifting toward minimalism has really turned things around for me. It’s given me some breathing room, a sense of peace, and a new perspective on what truly adds value to my families lives. Minimalism isn’t just about having less, it’s about getting more intentional in every area, especially with money. That’s why Kakeibo, the Japanese style of budgeting method, has been such a great fit for our family. It’s given us a way make spending simpler and to focus on what actually matters.
what’s this kakeibo all about and where did it come from?
Kakeibo was actually started back in 1904 by Hani Motoko, who was actually Japan’s first female journalist. It’s a lot different than any other digital budgeting app or spreadsheet you’ve likely found in the past. This old style method is still done with just a pen and paper. There’s something almost meditative about doing it. And it’s not just about keeping tabs on money. Every time you think about a purchase, Kakeibo asks you to pause and reflect: “Do I really need this? Can I actually afford it? and Will it make my life any better?” Those questions might sound simple, but they’ve actually stopped me from buying a lot of stuff, I didn’t necessarily need.
I’ll be honest, when we started using Kakeibo, it felt a bit awkward to question every purchase. I even caught myself laughing at how weird it felt to pause before every little buy. But over time, it just became part of my daily life and my families too. I started seeing all these patterns I didn’t even know were there! Like in February, I realized I was spending way too much on random things that didn’t add any value to my life. Now, instead of those impulse buys, that money goes toward things we care most about, like our family adventures or quality items that actually last.
my top 3 rules to implement the kakeibo method
1. Keeping Kakeibo Simple and Hands-On
One of my favorite things about Kakeibo is how straightforward it is. You don’t need an app or some fancy budgeting tool, you just grab a notebook and a pen and start writing. Once a month, my family and I sit down together, and we map everything out: income, fixed expenses, and most importantly our savings goal. Then whatever is left becomes our remaining budget to spend on our needs, wants and culture (think activities like sports or movies out). Writing it all down really makes us see exactly where our money’s going. Yeah, it’s a bit of effort, but seeing it all on paper grounds me in a way an app just never could.
2. The Kakeibo Journal
We keep a little Kakeibo planner, a simple book that tracks our monthly income, spending, and savings goals with a new page for every month. At the end of the month, we write down any reflections, we can easily see what has worked, and tweak the stuff that didn’t. It’s not fancy, but it’s honestly changed the way we think about our finances.
3. Realistic Financial Goals
I believe the reason why we have stuck with the Kakeibo budgeting method is because, instead of saying “I need to save more”, we set smaller monthly goals that feel more achievable. Also by thinking of the savings goal as another fixed expense and removing that amount, before working out the remaining budget each month, it forces you to live with less. Tracking these small wins keeps us going, and it’s actually kind of nice seeing that progress month after month.
the kakeibo budget planner
The practicality of Kakeibo is encapsulated in the Kakeibo Budget Planner. This planner, with its premium matte cover and compact 6 x 9-inch size, includes 107 pages devoted to annual and monthly financial tracking and reflection. It offers monthly and weekly logs, a savings planner, and spaces to jot down financial goals and a monthly review of spending.
Kakeibo Budget Planner
- 6x11, 101 page budget planner that lets you track your finances for the whole year
- An introduction to what Kakeibo is, and a step by step guide on how to use it
- The perfect minimalist budget planner to set your monthly savings goals, list down your income and fixed expenses, and track your monthly spending.
the benefits of using such a planner are
Clarity of Financial Goals: The planner allows users to set specific monthly savings goals and track progress towards them, fostering a greater sense of achievement.
Enhanced Financial Skills: By regularly reviewing finances, individuals can see exactly where money goes, leading to improved financial decision-making and management skills.
Mindful Spending Habits: The planner encourages a thoughtful pause before each purchase, prompting questions like, “Do I really need this?” Over time, this habit has helped us make more mindful spending choices, cutting down on unnecessary buys and focusing on what truly adds value.
kakeibo, it's budgeting meets minimalism
Now that I’ve been using Kakeibo for a bit, I feel like I have way more control over our spending. It’s not about restricting ourselves, it’s just a reminder to ask, “Do we actually need this?” and "Will it enhance our families life". It’s a small habit, but it’s saved me from so many little purchases. We no longer just pop out to the shops to pick up a single item, we'll write proper shopping lists and stick to them (mostly) when we go shopping.
actual savings and big purchases
You're probably thinking this all sounds great but does it actually work, well we’ve cut down on those unnecessary buys and built up our savings without feeling like we’re missing out. When we want to buy a larger purchase we'll now do the proper research to find not only the best deal but make sure the product is of great quality so it lasts. In Japan, I’ve read that some households using Kakeibo have saved as much as 35% of their income, this must've been before the cost of living crisis, but this proves just how effective it can be if you keep at it.
why kakeibo has been worth it for us
Sticking with Kakeibo isn’t always smooth sailing. Some days, it takes a bit more effort to pause and stick to our budget. But honestly, this approach has changed how we think about spending. It’s not just a budget, it’s about creating a less stressful life that feels right for us, without all the extra stuff that doesn’t really matter. If you’re looking to simplify your money habits and focus on the things that truly bring you joy and value, Kakeibo would definitely be worth exploring.
kakeibo the minimalist approach to budgeting and saving money