Penny pinching

[onemancult]

I work... and am careful about my purchases.

[canice]

at least 30 hours a week of work + straight edge + buying stuff on sale = money

[implicit]

at least 30 hours a week of work + straight edge + buying stuff on sale = money

yes indeed.

[xcoldricex]

Currently I have a 12-15% ROI which is great for future spending plans I might have.

niiiice. wanna invest for me?

[keri]

No shit!!!!^

[mono14]

I dont smoke.

[greentea]

i only smoke hukka ,apple flavor.

[dismalfuture]

I am working most of the time, and not really in a position where I have to really give much thought to pricetags when I actually do buy something at this point, but one thing I always do is buy everything in cash. I actually don't have a credit card and kind of wish I did right now for convenience, but then again it's probably better I didn't.

One cost in my life that I don't have now is a car, as I've given that up and use mass transit or ride taxis when I need to get someplace. After spending my college years watching my V8 car suck down $2.50/gallon gas at 10mpg, that $500 a month I'm not directly giving to oil companies is really refreshing.

I'm kinda curious as to how much people here spend of their total income, percentage-wise, on clothes, and do they budget it out that way? Obviously the people here probably spend more than the average person, but at what proportion? This question does not apply to people like sXXXe or ten100switch, haha.

I'm a bit of a drinker and less so a foodie, so I think it's a bit tacky to have to scrimp on things like food and a bit of fun to afford expensive clothes. I like nice clothes and buying new stuff as much as the next person, but priorities, really. It wouldn't hurt to not have that 8th pair of Dunks or selvedge jeans, and you'd be able to afford to take your lady friends out to dinner or drinks quite a few times.

Lastly, kind of at djrajio and xcoldricex, I was wondering what your cost of living is like in Tokyo, if you don't mind sharing, as in what you spend on a monthly rate to get all the bases covered. I have always planned on living in Japan but wondered what the numbers would be realistically, since we probably have more similar lifestyles in terms of purchases, etc.

[djrajio]

http://money.cnn.com/2005/06/21/pf/costliest_cities/

As of 2005 Tokyo was the most expensive city in the world. This year, I think its 3rd (behind Moscow and Seoul. Thank you geopolitical risk and inflation!), but either way, before coming to Tokyo you need to throw out all your pre-conceptions of what is "expensive" and "cheap". I think its safe to say that half of your salary/income will go towards your rent. In Japan you have to pay 1-2 months deposit money plus 1-2 months "goodwill" money to the landlord in addition rent when you sign a contract. My rent per month is $1,600 for a small studio; but I live in probably the most expensive part of Tokyo for work-related reasons. Cell-phone contracts start at 40-50 dollars for the cheapest plan; its not unusal for my bill to be 100+. Fortunately, fiber-optic broadband is ridiculously cheap here; so internet is only 25 dollars a month. Electricity, gas, and water adds another 100 dollars. I usually cook when I am at home; so food expenses are around 200-300 dollars a month depending if I go out a lot or not. Entertainment wise, I'd say a night out on a Friday/Sat will set you back 100 easily; clubs cost 20-30 cover charge plus 5 dollars for a drink. Taxis here start a 6 dollars and increase for every 1/4 a km, so I usually try to minimize my use of cabs. Granted this is all based on my lifestyle and spending habits; I'd say most closely related to a single guy living in LA or Manhattan.

[masuerte]

I'm very much living like ^^ dismal here. Additionally, I support myself... even less of a drinker and I have totally no social life .

Actually I work like a horse (50 + hrs a week) and wear scrubs most of the week which are washed by the hospital. The weekends are all the time I have for rotating my denim and such so I also save on the cleaning bills because I wash clothes like once every few months and they're still fresh.

No car, no T.V. etc... If you remove my job and my clothing, I could be a buddhist monk.

I actually stopped spending money on clothes these past two weeks and have managed to save a ridiculous (2k?) amount of money to my "go back to school for my dream-career" fund. That's an achievement yes? Time to celebrate and buy me some shoes... and denim to match... and maybe a belt to round things out.

[poly800rock]

wow. the one thing for me that i noticed about tokyo, in my short brief time in Azabu Juban is that everyone in that area has a fucking lambo but the refreshing thing for me was that i didn't think it was very expensive to get some amazing japanese food for not too much money.

how the fuck is moscow so high on the list?

[Yakboy Equals Nurturer]

Work in a dull job that I hate more and more every day, but that pays just too well to quit. At least this week. Or as long as I want that expensive thing.

[djrajio]

wow. the one thing for me that i noticed about tokyo, in my short brief time in Azabu Juban is that everyone in that area has a fucking lambo but the refreshing thing for me was that i didn't think it was very expensive to get some amazing japanese food for not too much money.

how the fuck is moscow so high on the list?

Heh. This is actually the area that I live in and yes there are too many Ferraris and Lamborghinis. But I agree that are plenty of reasonable authentic Japanese restaurants.

[darkanimal]

djrajio, that's definitely so close to NYC living, only a tad more expensive with the rent you're paying. It also helps that I have roomates. I'm curious with this kind of expenses, how an average single guy should make to live comfortably in Tokyo. I do cook my own food too, but overall my expenses for that is double than what you spend, simply because I have an appetite of a Nathan's hotdog champ and a metabolism of a sprinter. I never let myself go hungry as eating is my other pleasure. Going out once or twice a week is okay, and I'm not into buying them girls a drink.

[poly800rock]

Heh. This is actually the area that I live in and yes there are too many Ferraris and Lamborghinis. But I agree that are plenty of reasonable authentic Japanese restaurants.

nice area. sweet park.

[djrajio]

djrajio, that's definitely so close to NYC living, only a tad more expensive with the rent you're paying. It also helps that I have roomates. I'm curious with this kind of expenses, how an average single guy should make to live comfortably in Tokyo. I do cook my own food too, but overall my expenses for that is double than what you spend, simply because I have an appetite of a Nathan's hotdog champ and a metabolism of a sprinter. I never let myself go hungry as eating is my other pleasure. Going out once or twice a week is okay, and I'm not into buying them girls a drink.

Thinking conservatively, I want to say 45,000+ would allow you to live comfortably in Tokyo. As for food, its the one aspect of my expensives I've been trying to cut down on ironically; too many dates and outings at fancy restaurants hurt me pretty bad earlier in the year. I've enrolled in a Japanese cooking class and suprisingly Japanese home-cooking is very economical. A lot of the dishes comprise of similar ingredients which I buy in bulk.

[6MT]

stealing, conning, cunning, , threatenning, robbing, lying, fucking........

[keri]

Thanks for reminding me, the oldest profession, looking pretty, batting eyelashes, and saying "please". But he prefers to buy me pretty dresses than support my denim addiction. He'd even rather buy shoes.

[herpsky]

since i have not had to pay tuition for school for the past two years, ive convinced my parents to allow me spend $ on fineries and travelling

hence, i dont really have super expensive shit

[darkanimal]

Thinking conservatively, I want to say 45,000+ would allow you to live comfortably in Tokyo.

Very very similar to NYC standards. The nightlife thing is a must, if we are gonna do networking in our crazy big city. So I think going out is justified.

[Cue]

I work - been in the same career for almost 10 years so get paid ok ... would spend less than 10 per cent of my income each month on clothes etc. prolly spend 5 per cent on books and records and try and save the rest.

I avoid London's silly bar prices where I can and try to take public transport home after a night out to avoid the £25 cab ride...

I do think there are some people on here that must be maxing their cards out. Take it from me - not a good idea. Five years ago I was a shocker - put loads of things on Visa and it took years to sort out - be careful kiddies

[Chicken]

Thanks for reminding me, the oldest profession, looking pretty, batting eyelashes, and saying "please". But he prefers to buy me pretty dresses than support my denim addiction. He'd even rather buy shoes.

which reminds me, i seem to have a lot more spending money ever since i broke up with my last girlfriend...

[damnIam]

I think that buying something that is outside of your normal means is fine if it is something of quality and will last both physically and socially. For example, a pair of Japanese repro jeans is a good investment. They will look good for years to come and since they are basically Levis they are not going to go out of style. Now, starving yourself to buy a $200 dollar T shirt with some stupid dots on it is assenine.

[Cue]

^^^ yeah, i've stopped buying printed tees. What a rip-off. I'd rather buy 3 plain tees at Uniqlo for £10 and use the £60+ I have saved on something decent that will last, not stretch and go shitty.

[Heartworm]

Working, not wasting my money on sodas and candy, drinking moonshine & self-imported beer.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

i work two jobs and still cannot afford my lifestyle. i am reevaluating my life right about now----my fade to black period. cmf has been a real inspiration for me, for real. i feel divided between an acute class consciousness and my interest in well-constructed (and expensive) things. it is a constant struggle.

[cheapmuthafukr]

well... i make it a point to show that you can have well constructed things without blowing all of your cash. i probably spend one tenth of the average on here, but i keep myself looking good, and have items that i feel are timeless and will last for a long time.

you just need to train yourself to know what youre looking for. you need to be able to look past this seasons trends. since most of you that post here already do that, im sure you could find the same deals as me if you took the time. of course location helps too.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

it's funny, i used to thrift exclusively. and then suddenly, i HAD to have the ULTIMATE pair of jeans, the ULTIMATE wallet and the ULTIMATE boots, the ULTIMATE sneakers, ULTIMATE eyewear; throw in a mortgage, a new car payment, furniture, house repairs, herbs, alcohol, expensive haircuts and BAM, reality hits--------hard.

luckily, i've got some reserves to tap, but it does not feel good. i truly feel bad for mufuggas that woke up to find themselves with credit card debt that they cannot just ZAP away. credit card companies are no joke. they are not your friends. and they are working day and night trying to keep their boot on your skull. i'm about to cut up my cards. nothing but fuckin' trouble.

[minya]

Only thing my parents pay for is tuition.

Other than that, I use public transportation, live in the basement of a student residence, pay a measly $50 to have my landlord prepare meals for me. Most of my pay also goes into my purchases as well.

Your landlord cooks for you!?

[PunctualAlex]

Working 40 hours a week when I'm not in school (which I'm also paying for myself), no car but expensive rent and bills, I am too young for bars and I hate clubs so I drink at home for cheap, I buy 99% of my clothes at thrift stores and modify them myself... but I like to travel so I'm still broke.

I'm just proud that I get by really well without taking any money from my parents.

edit: but I spend very little on clothes since I'm saving money for trips and a semester abroad. The only thing I've bought recently that didn't come from a thrift store or eBay or Craigslist was Nudies for 1/2 off...