Thank you guys for the recipes!!! I think beans, fish and tofu are great and also fairly inexpensive in Japan. A can of beans is roughly aroun a dollar, and i can usually buy a small slice of salmon (about the size of a standard deck of cards) for again a dollar or so.

In terms of sarah's suggestion, yes, $10 a day also includes transportation. I walk to work everyday except on sundays where I have to take the train. I do not have a car in Tokyo.

Clothing isn't included, but I probably should create a category for that under variable monthly expense or something. I rarely buy clothes, and if I do, I usually pick some work related clothes.

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$10 a day isnt a lot of money. I must say that I've lived on $15 a day before and I've found it do-able, but not extremely enjoyable.

I guess the balance between saving a lot of money and enjoying life is based on our perception of what is fun.

Yesterday, a co-worker of mine at work called me the Frugal Queen. She said, in front of another male coworker, that he should ask me for advice on how to save money.

I guess I took that as an insult rather than a compliment since the female co-worker proceeded to say how much of a spender she is and how she is enjoying life in Tokyo by living it up.

I felt offended mostly because they viewed me as being cheap. And being cheap roughly translates into a boring lifestyle and what not. However, this is totally false!!

I budget and I travel around Japan, and I look for relatively good hotel deals. I spend more time shopping and making sure that I get my money's worth. Is that being cheap or simply being effective with my cash?

Why are people driven by such diverse views when it comes to money!! The female co-worker in this story is unmarried, in her mid-40's, she rents instead of owning an apartment, and probably has little savings in her bank based on what I can observe. She eats out everyday and never cooks. In Tokyo, the cheapest meal you can buy at relatively low quality is around $5. A decent lunch is around $8.

Yet, why do I feel bad when she made that comment? Why do I care when I know that I'll be much better off in the long run than her? Is it because short-term fun and enjoyment is easier to see than long-term success?

I don't know...all I know is, I will reach my goal, and they can call me the Cheap Queen of Tokyo if that's what it takes to be financially free.

The End of my Rant.

So....I am currently living on a $10 daily budget, that is, after I have substracted my fixed monthly expenses such as rent, cell phone bill, taxes, health insurance, and the alike.

My goal is to live within a 10 dollar daily budget for food and other misc. items. But is it possible? I guess I'll have to track my spendings and find out. I also have to mention here that I live with my girlfriend, and I often buy food for the two of us with my $10.

So, two people, and 10 dollars....okay..hmm...

I cook almost everyday. Usually I would spend about 97 cents on lettuce and about $1.50 on uncooked pork.

Today I managed to spend a total of $2.00 on food. I bought a whole lettuce and 3-coffee jello-thingie. That is roughly 200 yen in Japan. Which means, I am under budget today!! YAY!! How exciting!!

However, does anyone here have any good recipes? Something simple and easy? And healthy?

Hello Everyone,

Let me introduce myself. I am a lez and I currently live in Tokyo, Japan. I am 24 years old and I hope to save enough money for a down payment on a house in USA.

For all you kind people out there, I would like to hear some advice and encouragements on how I can reach my goal.

I currently have zero debt, and a positive networth of $15,000. I try to save at least 40% of my monthly income but it can be extremely tough since I live in Tokyo. Tokyo is very expensive.

I cook a lot, so any cooking tips or frugal shopping tips would be much appreciated.

I am always hoping to learn more about owning a house and about creative spendings and savings.

I hope to buy a house in 2008 and I want to rent out a room or so as mortgage helpers.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my blog, I am looking forward to hear from you!!

Real blog, real people, real financial dreams!! Go team go!!