Japanese Woman, 34, Spends Less Than S$2.60 On Meals Per Day, Now Owns 3 Houses After 16 Years

Saki Tamogami, a 37-year-old real estate agent, is known as Japan’s most frugal woman for her commitment to spending as little money as possible on essentials like food, clothing, and self-care.

“Never buy anything that isn’t on sale!” has been Saki Tamogami’s motto for the past 15 years. She credits this mindset with helping her save enough money to buy three houses—a goal she set for herself at just 19 years old. Her journey to extreme frugality began with cutting back on new clothes. Instead of shopping, she accepted hand-me-downs from family and friends and took better care of the clothes she already owned. Next, she drastically reduced her food expenses, relying mainly on affordable staples like udon noodles and discounted items marked for clearance. After eight years of living frugally, Tamogami purchased her first house. By 2019, she had achieved her dream of owning three properties.

In 2019, Saki Tamogami gained national attention when she appeared on the Japanese TV show Happy! Bomby Girl, where her extreme frugality surprised viewers. She shared her passion for saving money, revealing that she rarely exceeds her self-imposed daily food budget of 200 yen (about $1.40). To stay within this limit, she depends on cheap ingredients, such as discounted salmon portions, cooks all her meals at home, and even skips using plates to save on dishwashing costs.

Saki has also turned her personal care into a money-saving opportunity. Instead of spending on makeup or haircuts, she grows out her hair and sells it for approximately 3,100 yen (about $20) when it’s long enough. This income often covers her food budget for weeks. While her lifestyle is challenging, Saki says she has grown accustomed to it and finds comfort in watching her savings grow.

At 27, Saki saved enough from her real estate salary to buy her first house in Saitama, just north of Tokyo, for 10 million yen (about $$,000)\; and\; by\; August\; 2019,\; she\; achieved\; her\; goal\; of\; owning\; three\; houses\; by\; buying\; her\; third\; property\; for\; 37\; million\; yen\; (about\; \$256,000).$

Even after reaching her goal, Saki continues to live frugally. She now saves money to help rescue cats and has opened a cat café on the ground floor of one of her homes. She also plans to invest in more properties in the future.

Saki Tamogami’s story has sparked mixed reactions. While some praise her dedication and discipline, others criticize her for potentially compromising her health with low-quality foods and neglecting her personal needs. Regardless, Saki remains committed to her frugal lifestyle and her passion for saving.