A Dishwasher Can Save You 6,000 Yen a Year! How to Survive by “Trimming Fixed Costs” to Save Even a Penny!

Luxury is the enemy! In fact, it is hard to live an ordinary life in these days. The situation in Ukraine and global inflation have driven up prices of all kinds of goods, and fixed costs, which directly affect quality of life (QOL), have become higher. In order to have a comfortable lifestyle, it is necessary to cut back on fixed costs without strain. We asked money professionals for their techniques.

First, let’s look at the electricity bill. With the deregulation of the electric power industry, new electric power companies have been established one after another, but many households must be facing a ceiling on their electricity bills due to the increase in fuel costs.

Savings advisor Yuki Wada says, TEPCO Energy Partner’s ‘pay-as-you-go’ system is a great way to save money on electricity.

There has been a reversal of the situation, with conventional plans such as TEPCO Energy Partner’s “Metered Electricity B” being cheaper. Currently, the old plans are cheaper.

Heating consumes the most electricity in winter. When using an air conditioner, set it to automatic operation. This is more efficient because it heats the room at once and then maintains the room temperature with a light breeze. Also, electric blankets are considerably cheaper than air conditioners, at about one-tenth the electricity bill.

Next comes the water bill, but since there is no choice in rate plans, steady water conservation is required. Harumi Maruyama, a financial planner, says, “Water consumption at home is about 44% of the total water consumption.”

Harumi Maruyama, a financial planner, says, “It is said that about 40% of the water used in a household is used for bathing. If a water-saving shower head is installed, a family of four can save 9,750 yen a year, including the gas bill.”

Water work is a chore during the cold season. In fact, the introduction of a dishwasher also saves water, according to the aforementioned Mr. Wada.

There are an increasing number of reasonably priced dishwashers that do not require installation. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry estimates that dishwashers save 6,180 yen a year in utility costs compared to hand washing. It is recommended for both ease and savings.”

Linked to the water bill is the gas bill. There are various gas providers, and their rates are about 4% lower than those of major companies such as Tokyo Gas. In the Kanto area, switching to ENEOS City Gas will reduce gas bills by about 2,000 yen per year.

There are companies that supply propane gas at higher prices than necessary. If you check the website of the “Association for Propane Gas Rate Optimization” for the appropriate price and then negotiate, you may be able to get a lower price. You should also consider switching to another supplier.

Finally, gasoline prices continue to remain high. How do you find a cheap gas station?

At the members-only gas stations in the Costco supermarket, you can fill up at a price nearly 10 yen lower than the market price per liter. You can also use “gogo.gs,” an application that shows you the selling prices of nearby gas stations at a glance,” Maruyama says.

Knowledge leads to savings.

From the February 24, 2023 issue of FRIDAY