"Three Secret Tricks to Cut Fixed Costs and Make Budgeting Easier in Your Newlywed Life!"

2022.03.22 published

New Life, I Want to Save As Much As Possible!

Starting a new life with my partner. Preparing for the wedding is tough, but aren't you also worried about the household budget?

Considering the costs of the wedding and honeymoon, as well as the future, it's a good idea to work on saving money now.

Many of you might be striving to keep your food expenses, entertainment expenses, clothing expenses, and more to a minimum in your daily life.

But wait a minute!

There's a much larger amount you can save than just cutting down on current expenses.

In this article, we will introduce important concepts for managing household finances and efficient ways to save money.

The Basics of Household Budgeting: "Fixed Costs" and "Variable Costs"*

First, let's review the basic concepts of "fixed costs" and "variable costs" when thinking about household expenses.

Fixed costs refer to the regular expenses that occur every month.

☑ Rent

☑ Utilities

☑ Insurance premiums

☑ Communication fees

etc. apply here.*

Variable costs refer to the expenses that change every month.

☑ Food expenses

☑ Household goods expenses

☑ Clothing expenses

☑ Leisure expenses

etc. apply here.

To save money, which do you think is better to reduce: "fixed costs" or "variable costs"?

It's Rational to Cut Down on **Fixed Costs**!

When you hear the word "saving," you might think of using cheaper supermarkets or cutting back on dining out.

Therefore, you might feel that it's better to reduce "food expenses," "household goods," and "leisure expenses," but...

The shortcut to saving money is actually to cut down on "fixed costs," not "variable costs."

Once you lower fixed costs, the effect continues in the long term. Unlike variable costs, which require daily effort to save, it involves much less stress.*

Here are some tricks to save on the fixed costs of your new life♡

Tricks to Save on Fixed Costs in Your New Life ① Reduce Your Electricity Amperage and Review Your Electricity Provider

The first savings tip I want to introduce is to lower your electricity amperage or review your electricity company to reduce electricity costs.*

What is the amperage of the electricity in your home? If you're unclear, you can check it on your breaker♩

Typically, electricity costs change based on amperage. The amperage represents the amount of electricity you can use at once, so list the appliances you always use, and if it seems feasible, it's okay to lower it.

Personally, I reduced my amperage from 40 to 20, and I was able to cut about 600 yen from my basic fees every month.*

So far, I haven’t run into any issues from lowering the amperage (although occasionally, if I run the microwave, hairdryer, and dehumidifying dryer at the same time, the breaker trips, but it's just a matter of turning one off, so it's not a problem).

Just by changing the contract, the basic fee changes by 600 yen, saving 7,200 yen over a year◎

Check your home's electricity amperage♡

@haruno45

Additionally, reviewing your electricity company is also a recommended method◎

The website "Electric Choice" compares and introduces recommended electricity companies and electricity pricing plans, making it very convenient!

Your electricity bill might become cheaper. It would be great to save on monthly electricity bills with just a little effort♩

➡ Compare electricity prices here＊

Tricks to Save on Fixed Costs in Your New Life ② Low-Cost Smartphones

The next tip to share is using low-cost smartphones.*

Recently, various companies, such as UQ Mobile, Line Mobile, and Rakuten Mobile, have been selling affordable smartphones◎

Depending on the data amount and the plan, low-cost smartphones are about 1/3 of the price compared to major carriers♩

For example, a smartphone bill of 10,000 yen could potentially drop to 3,500 yen, saving a combined total of 13,000 yen per month for you and your partner♡

Low-cost smartphones are often perceived to have weak signal connections, but based on feedback from friends who use them, it seems they have not had complaints about it so far.*

Of course, this can vary depending on the carrier and location, but there are many companies providing low-cost smartphones now, allowing you to select one that fits your lifestyle◎

Among low-cost smartphones, "Rakuten Mobile" is well-known and cost-effective.*

Unlimited use for 2,980 yen (tax included 3,278 yen)!

➡ Check Rakuten Mobile's website here＊

Tricks to Save on Fixed Costs in Your New Life ③ Review Your Insurance

Finally, the last trick to save on fixed costs is to review your insurance.*

Do you have insurance?

Some of you might be well covered, while others may not have any insurance at all…

Insurance can be complicated, making it challenging for amateurs to know what's best…!

Therefore, it's recommended to consult a "FP (Financial Planner)" when considering insurance◎

When you visit an insurance company's counter, they will inevitably recommend their own products, but financial planners will introduce the most suitable insurance from a neutral standpoint.*

In some cases, they may even suggest policies that are more comprehensive and cheaper than what you have now♡

This can be a way to save money while ensuring that your coverage is adequately reviewed, making it highly advisable◎

Of course, if a bride-to-be is not already insured, she might end up needing to get insurance, so it wouldn't be accurate to say it's straightforward "savings," but it's important to think about insurance. Have an FP look over your household budget fairly and consider your insurance options♡

➡ There are financial planners we can introduce! Read more about financial planners here♡

For the Future of the Two of You ♡ Let's Start Saving on Fixed Costs Now＊

We've introduced three methods to save on fixed costs.*

By reducing unnecessary expenses, you can save for your future together or potential future children, enjoy delicious meals with your partner, or travel meaningfully♡

"Saving money is not being cheap," but rather "making life meaningful"♡

The sooner you cut down on fixed costs, the better! Once you reduce them, you'll enjoy lower costs indefinitely, so it's advisable to start right away!*

Reduce fixed costs as much as possible and let’s enjoy a joyful married life together♩

*Summary of This Article*

➡ Compare cheaper electricity prices on Electric Choice here＊

➡ "Rakuten Mobile," where you can also earn Rakuten points

➡ Read about financial planners here＊