How I Saved 10 Million Yen in 6 Years｜The Reality of Living on 30,000 Yen a Month While Staying at Home

Before Investing, I Was 100% Focused on Saving

After graduating from university, I worked in the service industry, earning less than 200,000 yen per month. Despite this, I managed to save nearly 10 million yen (around $70,000) in just six years.

The key to my success was living at home and following a strict saving rule.

I limited my monthly personal expenses to 30,000 yen ($200), putting everything else into savings. Instead of focusing on making more money, I first mastered the art of saving.

Later, I used my savings to start investing and growing my assets. Now, in my late 30s, I have the financial freedom to make different career and life choices.

In this article, I’ll share:
✅ How I saved 10 million yen in six years
✅ The lifestyle and habits that made it possible
✅ How saving money led to bigger financial opportunities

1. Maximizing the Benefits of Living at Home

The biggest factor in saving 10 million yen was the low cost of living at home.

Let’s compare typical living expenses for someone living alone in Japan:

By living at home, I was able to redirect this 1.3 million yen per year into savings.

Key Considerations When Living at Home:

• Some people contribute money to household expenses, but my parents encouraged me to save 10 million yen as quickly as possible, so I didn’t pay rent or food costs.
• It’s important to maintain a good relationship with family and not take the situation for granted.

By taking advantage of this unique opportunity, I was able to build significant savings quickly.

2. The 30,000-Yen Monthly Rule: Extreme Budgeting

To maximize savings, I set a strict rule:
“Only spend 30,000 yen per month, save the rest.”

Breakdown of My Monthly Budget:

How did I keep my spending so low?

✅ No frequent drinking or expensive social events – I rarely went out since my work schedule was irregular.
✅ My main hobby was gaming – I could play for 10+ hours a day without spending extra money.
✅ No unnecessary shopping – I avoided impulse purchases and expensive clothing.

For comparison:

• Most people spend 5,000 yen per weekend on shopping or dining out → 20,000 yen per month lost
• I spent my weekends at home gaming → 0 yen spent

These habits helped me keep my monthly expenses extremely low and focus on saving as much as possible.

3. Saving 1.6 Million Yen Per Year = 10 Million Yen in 6 Years

Here’s a breakdown of my actual savings strategy:

By maintaining this consistent saving rate for six years, I successfully reached 10 million yen.

The Most Important Rule: “Pay Yourself First”

I followed this principle strictly:
✔ Right after receiving my paycheck, I moved 130,000 yen into savings.
✔ I only spent what was left.

Saving was my priority, not an afterthought.

4. How to Save Without Living at Home

Not everyone has the option to live at home, and inflation has made it harder to save.
However, you can still reduce living costs and boost savings with the following strategies:

✅ Share an Apartment (Roommates = Lower Rent)

Living with roommates allows you to cut rent, utilities, and internet costs in half.

Example:

• Tokyo 1K Apartment (60,000 yen/month) → Shared Apartment (30,000 yen/month)
• Electricity & Internet: Save another 12,000 yen/year
• Total Savings: Up to 500,000 yen/year

✔ Downside: Less privacy, lifestyle differences with roommates.
✔ Solution: Choose a share house with private rooms or roommates with similar habits.

✅ Live in a Company Dormitory (Ultra-Cheap Housing)

Some companies offer dorms for 10,000–20,000 yen per month.

Example:

• Regular apartment: 60,000 yen/month (720,000 yen/year)
• Company dorm: 15,000 yen/month (180,000 yen/year)
• Savings: Over 500,000 yen per year!

✔ Downside: Workplace and home life are too close.
✔ Solution: Use the dormitory until you reach a savings goal, then move out.

✅ Choose an Older or Suburban Apartment

If you avoid central areas and modern buildings, you can save 2 million yen+ over five years.

Example:

• Tokyo 1K (60,000 yen) → Suburban 1LDK (40,000 yen) → Save 240,000 yen/year
• Older Apartment Discount → Save another 240,000 yen/year

✔ Downside: Longer commute, older facilities.
✔ Solution: Find well-maintained older properties near good train access.

5. From Saving to Investing: The Power of Passive Income

After saving 10 million yen, I realized:
💡 “Saving alone won’t grow my money.”

That’s when I discovered dividend investing.

Comparison: Bank Savings vs. Dividend Stocks

✔ Bank Interest (0.001%) → 10 million yen = 100 yen/year
✔ Dividend Stocks (5%) → 10 million yen = 500,000 yen/year

By investing in high-dividend stocks, I was able to build passive income and expand my wealth beyond savings.

Now, I have:
✅ The ability to switch jobs without financial worries
✅ More financial security compared to just saving money

This early savings habit shaped the investor I am today, and I’m truly grateful for it.

6. Conclusion: Saving Money = More Life Choices

✅ Used low-cost living to maximize savings
✅ Followed the “30,000 yen rule” to control expenses
✅ Saved 1.6 million yen per year, reaching 10 million yen in six years
✅ Invested in dividend stocks to grow assets further

💡 Saving isn’t just about money—it’s about creating freedom and opportunities.

If you’re struggling to save, start with a simple rule like “Pay Yourself First” and work towards financial independence.

It might just change your future! 🚀