Inspired by Japanese financial traditions, this approach offers a profound change in your relationship with money in just 3 weeks. Let us guide you.
The origins of Kakeibo: the Japanese method of saving
Kakeibo (pronounced “kakeibo”) isn’t just a “cute word” to throw out in a trendy conversation. It’s a
method that’s over a century old
,
invented in 1904 by Hani Motoko
, a pioneer of women’s journalism in Japan. Her idea? To give women a simple but powerful tool for managing the family budget: a notebook. Yes, a simple notebook.
Be careful, however, not to confuse it with a simple Excel spreadsheet. Kakeibo is much more than a spending journal: it is a
mirror of your relationship with money
. Every expense is examined, questioned, understood. It is not about noting for the sake of noting, but about thinking. Because behind every euro, there is a choice, an emotion, a need. It therefore answers 4 essential questions:
- How much money do I have?
- How much would I like to save?
- How much did I spend?
- How can I improve?
With this, you no longer simply “suffer” your expenses. You tame them. Gently. And above all, with kindness.
Why 21 days to change a financial habit?
You may have already heard the famous 21-day rule for establishing a new habit. It’s based on
observations in behavioral psychology
: our brains like routine, but it takes a little time to adapt.
With Kakeibo, the idea is simple: every day for 3 weeks, you write down, observe, and reflect. And, without realizing it, you learn. You learn to differentiate between a real need and an impulse purchase. To celebrate your efforts rather than judging yourself. To reconnect with your priorities. And guess what? No need to deny yourself your morning coffee or live in deprivation. The goal isn’t to be more “stingy,” but more conscious. And that changes everything.
How to practice the Kakeibo method in practice?
No need for high-tech gadgets.
A notebook, a pen
, and a little time each day are all you need. Here’s how to do it:
-
Set a monthly savings goal:
No need to aim for the moon: start small, but start bright. -
Anticipate your expenses:
what are your fixed costs? What pleasures do you plan to treat yourself to? -
Write down every expense, every day:
a coffee, a bus ticket, a forgotten online subscription… everything goes. -
Take stock each week:
where did you proudly stay on track? Where did you go a little overboard? -
At the end of the month, take stock of your lessons:
what did you learn? What do you want to adjust for the following month?
And above all: write by hand. It seems trivial, but the act of writing reinforces your commitment. It’s you, facing yourself, unfiltered.
Benefits beyond savings
The best part of this story? It’s not just the money saved. It’s the newfound serenity. By practicing Kakeibo, many people say they’ve developed a more peaceful relationship with money. Less stress. Less “end-of-month anxiety.” More confidence. You feel like an actor in your finances. Not a victim.
You also understand your own behaviors: why did you fall for that sweater when you didn’t need it? What feeling were you trying to fulfill? This gentle, non-judgmental introspection allows you to know yourself better—and therefore make better choices.
In the face of modern apps: back to basics
Today, there are a host of apps for managing your budget. They categorize, notify, automate… but they don’t make you think. Not really. Kakeibo, on the other hand, does the opposite. It slows you down. It forces you to be there, with your numbers, your choices, your emotions. It’s a bit like comparing a home-cooked meal to a frozen meal: both nourish, but one also warms the soul.
This method,
inspired by Kaizen
(progress in small steps), invites you to move at your own pace, gently but steadily. And the results are often astounding: some users report
saving up to 30%
of their monthly budget, simply by changing their perception of spending.
You don’t need to become a financial expert. Or turn your life upside down. With just 10 minutes a day, Kakeibo helps you build a new relationship with money. More aligned with your values. Freer. And above all, more serene.