おとく研究所

Rakuten Mobile Savings Info

A digital marketer in his 40s, father of four, and a Financial Planner, sharing real-world savings tips about Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Points.

This site is gradually adding more articles in this language. For the full lineup, see the Japanese article list.

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After Getting Hyped About New Devices With Friends, I Reviewed My Contract First Campaign Info

After Getting Hyped About New Devices With Friends, I Reviewed My Contract First

When a conversation with friends about new tablets and phones gets me excited, I end up wanting to review my contract before buying anything new. Here's a rundown of Rakuten Mobile's iPhone discount campaign — eligible models, pricing, and conditions — along with where my own device situation currently stands.

2026.09.11 · 4 min read
The iPhone Duo Has My Attention, But Buying One Means Getting the Family on Board First Rakuten Mobile

The iPhone Duo Has My Attention, But Buying One Means Getting the Family on Board First

The foldable iPhone Duo was just announced, and honestly, it caught my attention. Here's a look at Rakuten Mobile's device upgrade program, plus how we go about reaching an agreement within the family before a purchase like this.

2026.09.10 · 2 min read
Win an お買いものパンダ Stainless Steel Bottle by Lottery: Rakuten Super Point Screen's New Campaign Campaign Info

Win an お買いものパンダ Stainless Steel Bottle by Lottery: Rakuten Super Point Screen's New Campaign

Rakuten Super Point Screen has launched a new campaign giving away an お買いものパンダ stainless steel bottle to 200 lucky winners by lottery. Here's a rundown of how to enter and the conditions that boost your odds of winning.

2026.09.10 · 3 min read
I Tried to Consolidate My Family's Multiple Phone Lines at a Store — and Ran Into Two Unexpected Obstacles Rakuten Mobile

I Tried to Consolidate My Family's Multiple Phone Lines at a Store — and Ran Into Two Unexpected Obstacles

I looked into whether I could handle my family's mobile lines together at a store. There turned out to be a few things worth knowing beforehand, like an online-only system and constraints on proxy applications.

2026.09.08 · 2 min read
Rakuten Bank's 4,000-Point Account-Opening Campaign, Tied to the Rakuten Super Sale Campaign Info

Rakuten Bank's 4,000-Point Account-Opening Campaign, Tied to the Rakuten Super Sale

Rakuten Bank is running a campaign timed to the Rakuten Super Sale, where opening an account and meeting the conditions gets you a guaranteed 4,000 points. Let's go over the conditions and the things worth watching out for.

2026.09.07 · 3 min read
New Rakuten Card Sign-Up + Rakuten Super Sale: A Campaign for 10x Points on Your Shopping Campaign Info

New Rakuten Card Sign-Up + Rakuten Super Sale: A Campaign for 10x Points on Your Shopping

I found a campaign where signing up for a new Rakuten Card gets you 10x points on Rakuten Ichiba purchases during the Rakuten Super Sale period. Here's a breakdown of the terms, combined with the regular sign-up bonus.

2026.09.07 · 3 min read
We Chose Our Newborn Stroller Based on Whether It Fits in the Car Trunk Family Life

We Chose Our Newborn Stroller Based on Whether It Fits in the Car Trunk

We were looking for a stroller for our newborn. At first we were leaning toward a model from Brand A, but once trunk-loading ease became our deciding factor, our pick changed.

2026.09.07 · 3 min read
Managing My EV's Tire Pressure Myself with a Portable Air Compressor EVs & Car Costs

Managing My EV's Tire Pressure Myself with a Portable Air Compressor

I noticed low tire pressure on my car's dashboard screen. When I topped it up myself with a portable compressor, I discovered it tends to overshoot the target reading.

2026.09.07 · 3 min read
Setagaya's Home Security Subsidy: I Assumed Buying First Meant Paying Out of Pocket — I Was Wrong Cutting Fixed Costs

Setagaya's Home Security Subsidy: I Assumed Buying First Meant Paying Out of Pocket — I Was Wrong

I was looking into home security and considering a Google Nest Doorbell. I held off ordering because I assumed Setagaya City's subsidy program required applying before purchase — but checking the official guidelines showed that wasn't the case.

2026.09.07 · 2 min read
Under 25 Only: I Found a Campaign Where Rakuten Card × Rakuten Pay Gives 20% Back Campaign Info

Under 25 Only: I Found a Campaign Where Rakuten Card × Rakuten Pay Gives 20% Back

While browsing Rakuten Card's list of campaigns, I noticed a promotion limited to people 25 and under. I'm past the age cutoff myself, but let's break down the conditions.

2026.09.07 · 2 min read
Rakuten ANA Mileage Club Card — A New Sign-Up Campaign for Points and Miles Campaign Info

Rakuten ANA Mileage Club Card — A New Sign-Up Campaign for Points and Miles

There was a campaign where signing up for and using the Rakuten ANA Mileage Club Card would earn you both points and miles. The rewards came in two separate tracks with different conditions, so I sorted through the details.

2026.09.04 · 2 min read
I Heard 'Days Ending in 5 and 0' Give 4x Points — Turns Out It's Only +1x on Its Own Rakuten Points

I Heard 'Days Ending in 5 and 0' Give 4x Points — Turns Out It's Only +1x on Its Own

Rakuten Card's 'Days Ending in 5 and 0' campaign is often talked about as giving 4x points, but when I checked the actual breakdown, the campaign itself only adds +1x. Here's an untangling of this easily misunderstood system.

2026.09.04 · 2 min read
We Considered a Catalog Gift for Our Birth Thank-You Gifts, but Passed on It Family Life

We Considered a Catalog Gift for Our Birth Thank-You Gifts, but Passed on It

When choosing thank-you gifts for people who gave us baby gifts, a catalog gift was on the shortlist. We ended up not going with it, so here's how we made that call.

2026.09.03 · 2 min read
お買いものパンダ's "Secret Mission": I Went Hunting for Coins Across 4 Apps Rakuten Points

お買いものパンダ's "Secret Mission": I Went Hunting for Coins Across 4 Apps

I took part in Rakuten Super Point Screen's "Secret Mission." Coins aren't just hidden in the Super Point Screen app — they're also scattered across Rakuten PointClub, Rakuten Pay, and Rakuten Kakeibo. Here's a rundown of what I found when I went looking.

2026.09.03 · 3 min read
I tried Rakuten Card's no-lose lottery for Apple Pay Visa touch payments Campaign Info

I tried Rakuten Card's no-lose lottery for Apple Pay Visa touch payments

Rakuten Card's Visa brand just launched a campaign where every Apple Pay Visa touch payment enters you into a lottery you can't lose. Here's a rundown of the entry conditions and how the prizes work.

2026.09.02 · 2 min read
What Having a Fourth Child Taught Me About Japan's Childbirth and Childcare Benefits Family Life

What Having a Fourth Child Taught Me About Japan's Childbirth and Childcare Benefits

Our fourth child was just born. Here's what I found out about the lump-sum childbirth allowance, how the 'third child and beyond' count works for the child allowance, and Tokyo's Baby First program.

2026.09.01 · 3 min read
I Subscribed to X Premium for Grok, and It Turned Out to Work in My Tesla Too Using AI

I Subscribed to X Premium for Grok, and It Turned Out to Work in My Tesla Too

I signed up for X's paid plan mainly to get Grok. Around the same time, I was surprised to discover the same Grok had become available inside my Tesla too. Here's everything I found out, from choosing a plan to actually using it in the car.

2026.09.01 · 3 min read
Rakuten Bank: Open an Account and Deposit to Get 1,000 Points, Guaranteed Campaign Info

Rakuten Bank: Open an Account and Deposit to Get 1,000 Points, Guaranteed

Rakuten Bank runs an ongoing campaign that guarantees 1,000 points for opening your first account and making a deposit. Here's a rundown of the conditions and what to watch out for when applying.

2026.09.01 · 3 min read
If You're a Rakuten Mobile Subscriber, You Can Get a ¥300-Off Rakuten Books Coupon Through Referrals Campaign Info

If You're a Rakuten Mobile Subscriber, You Can Get a ¥300-Off Rakuten Books Coupon Through Referrals

I found a campaign where sharing a Rakuten Mobile referral link with three people gets you a ¥300-off coupon for Rakuten Books. Let's break down the conditions, including the requirement that the person doing the referring must be a Rakuten Mobile subscriber.

2026.08.31 · 2 min read
Rakuten Mobile's New arrows Alpha2: Checking Its Toughness and Price Rakuten Mobile

Rakuten Mobile's New arrows Alpha2: Checking Its Toughness and Price

The arrows Alpha2 has been getting attention on social media. Curious about its toughness — it meets 23 MIL-STD test items and survives a 1.8m drop test — I checked Rakuten Mobile's official page for the pricing and campaign details.

2026.08.28 · 2 min read
FamilyMart x Rakuten Pay Campaign: Meet Your SPU Target and Get Free Line Socks Rakuten Points

FamilyMart x Rakuten Pay Campaign: Meet Your SPU Target and Get Free Line Socks

I found a campaign where meeting your SPU target and paying with Rakuten Pay at FamilyMart gets you a coupon for Line socks. First-time Rakuten Pay users are guaranteed to receive one, so I wanted to break down the conditions.

2026.08.28 · 2 min read
Rakuten Mobile: A Purchase Plan That Brings the iPhone 17 (256GB) Down to ¥999/Month Campaign Info

Rakuten Mobile: A Purchase Plan That Brings the iPhone 17 (256GB) Down to ¥999/Month

I found a Rakuten Mobile pricing plan where buying the iPhone 17 (256GB) via an MNP switch from another carrier plus the Kaikae Choutoku Program brings the monthly payment down to ¥999 for the 1st through 24th installments. Here's a rundown of how it works and what to watch out for.

2026.08.25 · 3 min read
When My Daughter Starts Worrying About Unwanted Hair, I Looked Into Kai's 'Nadesori' Family Life

When My Daughter Starts Worrying About Unwanted Hair, I Looked Into Kai's 'Nadesori'

Kai's new-concept razor 'Nadesori' has been getting a lot of buzz. Since my daughter will eventually reach that age, I looked into how it works, along with reviews and things to watch out for before buying one.

2026.08.24 · 4 min read
I Looked Into the CMF Clip Pro, a Clip-On Earphone That Doesn't Block Your Ears Rakuten Mobile

I Looked Into the CMF Clip Pro, a Clip-On Earphone That Doesn't Block Your Ears

Nothing's new sub-brand CMF has released a clip-on earphone that doesn't block your ears. I looked into this ¥12,800 product, which is marketed around how clear it makes your calls sound.

2026.08.24 · 2 min read
Flat 35 Teams Up with Rakuten Points: A Rundown of "Flat Sumai-ru Point" Perks Campaign Info

Flat 35 Teams Up with Rakuten Points: A Rundown of "Flat Sumai-ru Point" Perks

The Japan Housing Finance Agency and Rakuten Group have teamed up on a new perk that lets you earn Rakuten Points by taking out a Flat 35 home loan. Here's a look at the loan-amount-based point tiers and the conditions for the childbirth bonus.

2026.08.21 · 3 min read
Rakuten Bank's 25th Anniversary Campaign: Up to 7,000 Points for Opening an Account Campaign Info

Rakuten Bank's 25th Anniversary Campaign: Up to 7,000 Points for Opening an Account

To mark its 25th anniversary, Rakuten Bank is running a campaign offering up to 7,000 points for opening an account and using eligible services. Here's a rundown of the conditions and the things to watch out for, from our household's perspective.

2026.08.18 · 3 min read
Rakuten Card's New Sign-Up & Usage Campaign: Get 5,000 Points Campaign Info

Rakuten Card's New Sign-Up & Usage Campaign: Get 5,000 Points

Rakuten Card has an always-on campaign that pays out 5,000 points for a new sign-up plus 3 card uses. Here's a look at how the reward breaks down, and the conditions that are easy to overlook.

2026.08.18 · 4 min read
Rakuten Rakuma: Earn a Combined 1,000 Points for Your First Purchase and First Listing Campaign Info

Rakuten Rakuma: Earn a Combined 1,000 Points for Your First Purchase and First Listing

I looked into a Rakuten Rakuma campaign that pays out a combined 1,000 points once you complete both your first purchase and your first listing. Here's a rundown of the conditions and things to watch for, from a family's perspective.

2026.08.17 · 3 min read
Rakuten Carshare: 1,000 Points for New Sign-Ups and First Use Campaign Info

Rakuten Carshare: 1,000 Points for New Sign-Ups and First Use

Rakuten Carshare is running a campaign that gives you 1,000 points for signing up and using the service for the first time. I break down the entry process and usage conditions from our own household's perspective.

2026.08.17 · 3 min read
Campaign Info

Rakuten Channel: Earn Up to 900 Points a Month Just for Watching Free Videos

Watching free catch-up streams on Rakuten Channel can earn you up to 900 points a month. Here's a rundown of the conditions for doubling that rate, plus a few things I noticed worth watching out for.

2026.08.17 · 3 min read
I Checked Out the Google Pixel 11's Specs and Price on Rakuten Mobile's Reservation Page Rakuten Mobile

I Checked Out the Google Pixel 11's Specs and Price on Rakuten Mobile's Reservation Page

The Google Pixel 11 is set to launch on August 20, 2026, and it turns out Rakuten Mobile is the cheapest carrier option after Google's own store. I compared the reservation page with the launch-day coverage to sort out the specs, pricing, and campaign details.

2026.08.14 · 4 min read
A campaign that gives you 100 points just for checking Rakuten Mobile's fee simulator Campaign Info

A campaign that gives you 100 points just for checking Rakuten Mobile's fee simulator

There's a campaign where you can get 100 points just by checking your result on Rakuten Mobile's fee simulation page. Here's a rundown of the eligibility conditions and steps, based on trying it with my family's line. I also found a separate route that only needs a quiz answer.

2026.08.14 · 3 min read
I Pre-Ordered the お買いものパンダ Hobonichi Whiteboard Calendar 2027 for Next Year Family Life

I Pre-Ordered the お買いものパンダ Hobonichi Whiteboard Calendar 2027 for Next Year

I pre-ordered the Rakuten-exclusive お買いものパンダ edition of the Hobonichi Whiteboard Calendar 2027. Along with a look at the discounted 2026 version you can start using right now, here's a rundown of this write-and-erase, full-surface whiteboard calendar.

2026.08.07 · 4 min read
"Growing" Your Rakuten Points: Comparing Point Interest, Point Investment, and R-stock Rakuten Points

"Growing" Your Rakuten Points: Comparing Point Interest, Point Investment, and R-stock

Rakuten Points aren't just for earning and spending — there are several ways to grow them too. I took a casual look at three options: Rakuten Point Interest, Rakuten Point Investment, and R-stock.

2026.08.05 · 4 min read
How Rakuten's daily lottery and mini-games became a family habit Rakuten Points

How Rakuten's daily lottery and mini-games became a family habit

A look at how our family uses Rakuten's lottery and game-style content, like Lucky Draw and Karuta. Why we open it every day, and how we keep it from becoming an obsession.

2026.08.04 · 3 min read
How AI Helped Me Get Four Kids Through Their Summer Jiyu Kenkyu Projects Family Life

How AI Helped Me Get Four Kids Through Their Summer Jiyu Kenkyu Projects

Every summer, finding jiyu kenkyu topics for all four of my kids has been a struggle. Here's my hands-on experience trying Gakken Kids Net's new AI service, plus a few things I learned to watch out for along the way.

2026.08.03 · 4 min read
How to Choose an Electronic Dictionary for Elementary Schoolers: Comparison Points and Our Family's Decision Family Life

How to Choose an Electronic Dictionary for Elementary Schoolers: Comparison Points and Our Family's Decision

When choosing an electronic dictionary as a study tool for your child, how should you weigh grade level, content volume, and price? Here's a rundown of the points we actually compared when picking a digital dictionary for elementary school.

2026.08.02 · 5 min read
お買いものパンダ Has Quietly Woven Its Way into Our Family Life Campaign Info

お買いものパンダ Has Quietly Woven Its Way into Our Family Life

From free LINE stickers to freebies at Rakuten Mobile shops to the anime and four-panel comics, お買いものパンダ turns up all over the Rakuten Ecosystem. As a father of four, here's a casual rundown of how our family enjoys it.

2026.07.31 · 5 min read
3D Printing Projects with My Kids: What's Worked for Our Family 3D Printing & DIY

3D Printing Projects with My Kids: What's Worked for Our Family

Turns out my family owns a 3D printer. This time I want to share how I've turned that hobby into projects with my kids — from choosing the right design tool for the job, to the builds that were a hit, to using it for kanji learning. Here's a rundown of what's worked well for us.

2026.07.29 · 5 min read
Before Buying a 3D Printer, I Tried Outsourcing the Printing First 3D Printing & DIY

Before Buying a 3D Printer, I Tried Outsourcing the Printing First

I've actually gotten interested in 3D printing lately. Before buying a printer, I tried designing parts myself and outsourcing the actual printing. Here's that experience and a sense of the costs involved.

2026.07.28 · 5 min read
What I Learned Choosing 3D Printer Filament (PLA vs. PETG vs. TPU) 3D Printing & DIY

What I Learned Choosing 3D Printer Filament (PLA vs. PETG vs. TPU)

Since starting 3D printing with a Bambu Lab A1 mini, I've picked up real-world lessons on when to use PLA, PETG, or TPU, plus the 0.2mm nozzle and how to store filament properly.

2026.07.27 · 4 min read
What Is Gridfinity? Getting Started with 3D-Printed Desk Storage 3D Printing & DIY

What Is Gridfinity? Getting Started with 3D-Printed Desk Storage

A record of how I used Gridfinity, an open-source storage standard, together with my home 3D printer, the Bambu Lab A1 mini, to organize my desk drawer and my kids' study supplies. Here's a rundown of how the system works and how to get started.

2026.07.26 · 5 min read
How I Use Email Aliases to Manage My Family's Accounts Rakuten Mobile

How I Use Email Aliases to Manage My Family's Accounts

As the number of mobile lines and online accounts for your family grows, it's easy to lose track of which email address is tied to which contract. Here's how I use email aliases to keep it all organized.

2026.07.24 · 3 min read
How I Picked the Bambu Lab A1 mini: Process, Size, and Solo vs. Combo 3D Printing & DIY

How I Picked the Bambu Lab A1 mini: Process, Size, and Solo vs. Combo

I actually started a new hobby a while back: 3D printing. This first post covers how I decided on the Bambu Lab A1 mini — the process type, the size, solo unit or combo set, and even the timing of the purchase.

2026.07.23 · 4 min read
EV vs. Gas Car: An Honest Running-Cost Comparison After My Switch to a Tesla EVs & Car Costs

EV vs. Gas Car: An Honest Running-Cost Comparison After My Switch to a Tesla

After switching to a Tesla Model Y L, our family takes an honest look at how running costs compare to a gas car. Parking fees stayed exactly the same, but electricity and maintenance costs told a different story. We also cover how much subsidies really help, plus a few EV-specific quirks worth knowing.

2026.07.22 · 5 min read
Driving a Tesla With No Home Charger: Why We Went Supercharger-Only, and Our First Month of Real Numbers EVs & Car Costs

Driving a Tesla With No Home Charger: Why We Went Supercharger-Only, and Our First Month of Real Numbers

Our home has no garage, so the car sits in a monthly rental parking lot. Here's why we decided to charge our new Tesla exclusively at Superchargers instead of installing a home charger, plus the real charging data from our first month.

2026.07.21 · 4 min read
I Applied for National and Tokyo EV Subsidies: What Buying a Tesla Taught Me EVs & Car Costs

I Applied for National and Tokyo EV Subsidies: What Buying a Tesla Taught Me

When I bought a Tesla Model Y L, I applied for both the national CEV subsidy and Tokyo's ZEV subsidy. Here's how they added up to about 2.12 million yen, plus the four paperwork pitfalls I ran into along the way.

2026.07.20 · 5 min read
I Rounded Up Hands-On Reviews of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Rakuten Mobile

I Rounded Up Hands-On Reviews of the Galaxy Z Fold8

The Galaxy Z Fold8 launches on August 7, 2026. I compared hands-on reviews from multiple outlets to sort through the good and the not-so-good — weight, screen ratio, camera, and more — plus pricing and campaign details from Rakuten Mobile.

2026.07.18 · 5 min read
Apple Watch Number Sharing: The Cost-Benefit Question Worth Checking Before You Sign Up Rakuten Mobile

Apple Watch Number Sharing: The Cost-Benefit Question Worth Checking Before You Sign Up

The 'Number Sharing' add-on lets your Apple Watch make calls on its own, without your iPhone nearby. Here's what it costs and how to decide if it's actually worth it for you.

2026.07.16 · 3 min read
Is the iPhone 17e Really "¥1"? I Ran the Numbers on the Actual Total Cost Campaign Info

Is the iPhone 17e Really "¥1"? I Ran the Numbers on the Actual Total Cost

A Rakuten Mobile flyer showed up in our mailbox with the headline "iPhone 17e, ¥1/month." I broke down what's behind it, working through the full 48-installment payment schedule to see what it actually costs.

2026.07.15 · 5 min read
I Seriously Compared Docomo, SoftBank, and au's Unlimited Plans Against Rakuten Mobile Rakuten Mobile

I Seriously Compared Docomo, SoftBank, and au's Unlimited Plans Against Rakuten Mobile

Comparing Docomo MAX, SoftBank's Teigaku Unlimited, and au's Unlimited MAX+ against Rakuten Mobile's Saikyo Plan on the same footing: unlimited data, with the family discount applied.

2026.07.14 · 4 min read
I Looked Into Rakuten Mobile's Age-Based Discounts: Kids, Teens, and Seniors Campaign Info

I Looked Into Rakuten Mobile's Age-Based Discounts: Kids, Teens, and Seniors

A flyer in my mailbox listed four age-based discount and points-back programs. Here's a look at easy-to-miss details, like the account-ownership rule for the kids' discount and how the senior program's points work.

2026.07.13 · 5 min read
Is Rakuten Mobile's Family Referral Campaign Really "8 Months Free"? I Ran the Numbers Campaign Info

Is Rakuten Mobile's Family Referral Campaign Really "8 Months Free"? I Ran the Numbers

A flyer for Rakuten Mobile's family referral campaign turned up in our mailbox, promising "8 months free for the whole family." I ran the actual numbers for our four-person household, including the point payout timeline and the conditions that come with it.

2026.07.12 · 5 min read
Should You Consolidate Your Points and Miles, or Spread Them Out? Thinking It Through From My Own Experience Rakuten Points

Should You Consolidate Your Points and Miles, or Spread Them Out? Thinking It Through From My Own Experience

Should you concentrate your points and miles into a single program, or hold several depending on the purpose? Drawing on my experience with a card I used to carry, I sorted out how to think about the decision.

2026.07.11 · 5 min read
A simple way to turn verbal family plans into Google Calendar events with AI Using AI

A simple way to turn verbal family plans into Google Calendar events with AI

I'll share how I turn plans I hear through family LINE chats or conversations, like 'next month's sports day starts at 9am on 10/25,' into a Google Calendar link just by telling an AI. No scanning, no app install needed.

2026.07.10 · 5 min read
The three elements 1:1 marketing needs, revisited for the AI era Marketing

The three elements 1:1 marketing needs, revisited for the AI era

A long-standing framework breaks down what personalization needs into three elements — data, content, and logic. Let's revisit it, along with what's changed now that generative AI is in the picture.

2026.07.09 · 4 min read
Thinking Again About the Job Title "Product Manager" Marketing

Thinking Again About the Job Title "Product Manager"

The job title product manager has come up on tech podcasts lately, which got me thinking about how it differs from roles that have existed for a long time.

2026.07.08 · 5 min read
I think the real point of CRM is avoiding "bad revenue" Marketing

I think the real point of CRM is avoiding "bad revenue"

CRM and customer loyalty are terms that stretch from vague mindset talk to concrete tactics, so the definition tends to blur. Let's think it through again from the angle of "not creating bad revenue."

2026.07.07 · 4 min read
My Monthly Corporate DC Switching Habit, and Japan's 2026 Reform Investing & New NISA

My Monthly Corporate DC Switching Habit, and Japan's 2026 Reform

Looking back at my old habit of switching corporate DC funds every month, plus a rundown of the 2026 reforms that removed the matching contribution cap and raised overall contribution limits.

2026.07.05 · 4 min read
A Practical Way to Spot and Clear Out Overlapping Subscriptions Cutting Fixed Costs

A Practical Way to Spot and Clear Out Overlapping Subscriptions

Are you unknowingly paying for more than one subscription that does the same job? Here's a practical checklist for spotting those overlaps.

2026.07.04 · 3 min read
How Paying Off Your Phone's 'Remaining Balance' Lowers Your Monthly Bill Rakuten Mobile

How Paying Off Your Phone's 'Remaining Balance' Lowers Your Monthly Bill

If your monthly phone bill still feels high, the culprit might not be your rate plan at all — it could be the 'remaining balance' on your device installments. Here's how that balance works, how to check it, and whether paying it off in one lump sum is worth it.

2026.07.03 · 5 min read
Cart abandonment, win-back campaigns... sorting out the classic scenarios in email marketing Marketing

Cart abandonment, win-back campaigns... sorting out the classic scenarios in email marketing

A rundown of the classic behavior-triggered email patterns commonly used by e-commerce sites and apps.

2026.07.02 · 4 min read
The better the ad, the less it looks like one Marketing

The better the ad, the less it looks like one

A paradox I keep running into in advertising and promotions work: the better an ad is, the less it looks like an ad. Here's a look at why that happens.

2026.07.01 · 5 min read
"The Science of Advertising": Why Marketing Mix Modeling Is Back in the Spotlight Marketing

"The Science of Advertising": Why Marketing Mix Modeling Is Back in the Spotlight

The idea of measuring advertising effectiveness through modeling — known as Marketing Mix Modeling — has been getting renewed attention over the past few years. Here's a rundown of what's changed.

2026.06.30 · 5 min read
What Data Analysis Work Really Needs Isn't Expertise, It's the Ability to Translate Marketing

What Data Analysis Work Really Needs Isn't Expertise, It's the Ability to Translate

After many years in data analysis and web analytics, here's what I've come to believe this job is really asking of us.

2026.06.29 · 5 min read
What Reading "Competing on Analytics" Taught Me About Data-Driven Management Marketing

What Reading "Competing on Analytics" Taught Me About Data-Driven Management

Why do companies that make decisions by the numbers stay strong for so long? Introducing a book from my marketing career that still shapes how I think today.

2026.06.28 · 4 min read
I Reviewed My Amazon 'Subscribe & Save' Setup and Saved Almost 30,000 Yen a Year on Household Goods Alone Cutting Fixed Costs

I Reviewed My Amazon 'Subscribe & Save' Setup and Saved Almost 30,000 Yen a Year on Household Goods Alone

Switching my everyday household goods to Amazon's subscription service saved me almost 30,000 yen a year, combining the discount with never forgetting to reorder. Here's how I set it up and what to watch out for.

2026.06.27 · 3 min read
Why I Opened a Rakuten Bank Account in My Child's Name Family Life

Why I Opened a Rakuten Bank Account in My Child's Name

I opened a bank account in my child's name at Rakuten Bank. Here's what I learned about how few online banks actually offer minor accounts, and why keeping the money separate turned out to be worth it.

2026.06.26 · 3 min read
You Don't Need to Cancel That Membership Card — Just Make It 'Auto-Debit Only' Cutting Fixed Costs

You Don't Need to Cancel That Membership Card — Just Make It 'Auto-Debit Only'

Do you really need to cancel the credit card tied to a paid membership service? Here's the case for checking your annual-fee waiver conditions first, then keeping the card around purely for auto-debit duty.

2026.06.25 · 3 min read
I Stopped Rushing Furusato Nozei at Year-End and Made It a Monthly Habit — Here's What Improved Cutting Fixed Costs

I Stopped Rushing Furusato Nozei at Year-End and Made It a Monthly Habit — Here's What Improved

Instead of bundling all my furusato nozei donations into one year-end rush, I switched to donating a little each month. Here's what I noticed after sticking with it, plus how I now choose my return gifts.

2026.06.24 · 3 min read
What I Learned from My Foreign-Currency Savings Insurance: My Surrender Value Was 'Half of What I Paid In' Investing & New NISA

What I Learned from My Foreign-Currency Savings Insurance: My Surrender Value Was 'Half of What I Paid In'

I cancelled a foreign-currency savings insurance policy I'd taken out back when I was single, right as I was giving my finances a proper overall review. Here's what the actual numbers looked like, and what I came away feeling about how to approach insurance.

2026.06.23 · 5 min read
How I Have AI Build Me a One-Page 'Today's Briefing' While I Get Ready in the Morning Using AI

How I Have AI Build Me a One-Page 'Today's Briefing' While I Get Ready in the Morning

I built a system that has AI pull together my schedule, email, and chat messages into a single briefing I can glance at while getting ready. Here's how I gather the information and keep the layout from breaking, in enough detail that you could build it yourself.

2026.06.22 · 5 min read
How I Have AI Automatically Check My Card Spending Every Night — and Flag Only the 'Expenses Worth Discussing' Using AI

How I Have AI Automatically Check My Card Spending Every Night — and Flag Only the 'Expenses Worth Discussing'

I built a system that has AI automatically tally up each day's card spending and notify me only when a purchase crosses a threshold I set in advance, flagged as an 'expense worth discussing.' Here's a full implementation walkthrough, including the formula for judging sync delays and the design behind capping API calls.

2026.06.20 · 7 min read
How I Have AI Auto-Generate My Preschooler's Hiragana Drills, Timed to a Forgetting Curve Using AI

How I Have AI Auto-Generate My Preschooler's Hiragana Drills, Timed to a Forgetting Curve

I built a system that has AI auto-generate hiragana practice sheets for my preschooler, timed to a forgetting curve so review happens right when it's needed. I'll walk through the question pool structure and the scoring data model in enough detail that you could build it yourself.

2026.06.18 · 6 min read
How I Batch-Scan My Kids' Worksheets and Let AI Sort Them Out Automatically Using AI

How I Batch-Scan My Kids' Worksheets and Let AI Sort Them Out Automatically

I built a system that scans worksheets from multiple kids all at once and has AI automatically sort them by child and by subject. Here's the actual code and scoring rules, in enough detail that you could reproduce it yourself.

2026.06.16 · 7 min read
Why Consolidating to One Main Credit Card Makes Household Finances Easier Cutting Fixed Costs

Why Consolidating to One Main Credit Card Makes Household Finances Easier

When you juggle several credit cards, both your points and your household budget tracking tend to get scattered. Here's a look at the benefits of consolidating down to one main card, plus some tips on how to go about it.

2026.06.14 · 3 min read
I had AI check my household finances every morning, and small daily fixes started adding up Using AI

I had AI check my household finances every morning, and small daily fixes started adding up

Using Claude and an integration with the accounting app freee, I built a setup that automatically reviews my card spending every morning and evening and gives me exactly one improvement suggestion. Here's the actual tool setup and how it's worked out.

2026.06.13 · 4 min read
How 'Time-Blocking' Our Weeknights Finally Made Our Dual-Income Household Run Smoothly Family Life

How 'Time-Blocking' Our Weeknights Finally Made Our Dual-Income Household Run Smoothly

Weekday evenings had turned into a bit of a tightrope walk between housework and childcare, so I tried splitting the time into fixed blocks. Here's what I noticed after putting it into practice — the benefits and a few things to watch out for.

2026.06.12 · 4 min read
Rakuten Mobile's "Call Waiting" Add-on: For People Whose Calls Keep Overlapping Rakuten Mobile

Rakuten Mobile's "Call Waiting" Add-on: For People Whose Calls Keep Overlapping

A look at the pricing and mechanics of Rakuten Mobile's "Call Waiting" add-on, aimed at people whose work means calls tend to overlap.

2026.06.11 · 2 min read
The Easy-to-Miss Traps in Fiber Internet 'Switching Campaigns' Campaign Info

The Easy-to-Miss Traps in Fiber Internet 'Switching Campaigns'

Fiber internet switching campaigns can look appealing at first glance, but they often come with easy-to-miss catches — like requiring a 'first-time application.' Here's a rundown of what to check before you consider switching.

2026.06.06 · 3 min read
Rakuten Mobile's "Number Sharing" Service: Who It's Actually For Rakuten Mobile

Rakuten Mobile's "Number Sharing" Service: Who It's Actually For

A look at how Rakuten Mobile's "Number Sharing" service works, along with its pricing and which devices qualify. It's an add-on for anyone who wants to make calls and use data through just their Apple Watch.

2026.06.05 · 2 min read
I signed up for Rakuten Mobile's '15-Minute (Standard) Unlimited Calls' option Rakuten Mobile

I signed up for Rakuten Mobile's '15-Minute (Standard) Unlimited Calls' option

I signed up for Rakuten Mobile's '15-Minute (Standard) Unlimited Calls' add-on. With four kids, calls to schools and clinics add up fast — here's how much it actually saves.

2026.06.03 · 2 min read
Getting Started with Cutting Fixed Costs: 3 Practical Steps You Can Start Today Cutting Fixed Costs

Getting Started with Cutting Fixed Costs: 3 Practical Steps You Can Start Today

For anyone who knows they should review their fixed costs but isn't sure where to start, here's the 3-stage process my household actually uses, from listing everything out to actually acting on it.

2026.05.15 · 4 min read
Is Your Family's Rakuten Mobile Line Count Creeping Up? How to Find and Clean Up Dormant Lines Rakuten Mobile

Is Your Family's Rakuten Mobile Line Count Creeping Up? How to Find and Clean Up Dormant Lines

Every time a kid starts a new school year or someone gets a new phone, your family's mobile lines tend to multiply. Here's how to find 'dormant lines,' where the contract holder and the actual user don't match, plus what to watch out for when you clean them up.

2026.05.08 · 4 min read
Rakuten Travel, Rakuten Books, Rakuma: a roundup of limited-time campaigns for Rakuten Mobile subscribers (as of April 2026) Campaign Info

Rakuten Travel, Rakuten Books, Rakuma: a roundup of limited-time campaigns for Rakuten Mobile subscribers (as of April 2026)

A roundup of limited-time point-back campaigns on Rakuten Travel, Rakuten Books, and Rakuma for Rakuten Mobile subscribers, with conditions and things to watch for. Note that these details change over time.

2026.04.29 · 3 min read
The Rakuten Mobile perks that grow when you bundle in electricity, fiber, or a home router Rakuten Points

The Rakuten Mobile perks that grow when you bundle in electricity, fiber, or a home router

Bundling Rakuten Mobile with electricity, fiber internet, or a home router unlocks a system where points keep piling up over time. Here's the mechanics behind the "effectively free" pricing, and what to watch out for if you cancel early.

2026.04.08 · 4 min read
3 Common Regrets After Switching to Rakuten Mobile (and How to Avoid Them) Rakuten Mobile

3 Common Regrets After Switching to Rakuten Mobile (and How to Avoid Them)

People switching to Rakuten Mobile from au, SoftBank, or Docomo often hit the same three 'wish I'd known that' moments. Here's what they are, with real experience, and how to avoid them before you sign up.

2026.03.28 · 3 min read
[Updated regularly] A roundup of Rakuten Mobile's money-saving campaigns Campaign Info

[Updated regularly] A roundup of Rakuten Mobile's money-saving campaigns

A rundown of the typical types of Rakuten Mobile campaigns, plus the checkpoints worth confirming before you apply. I'll keep this updated as things change.

2026.03.19 · 5 min read
Maximizing Rakuten Points with Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Card, and Rakuten Securities Investing & New NISA

Maximizing Rakuten Points with Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Card, and Rakuten Securities

Combining Rakuten Mobile with Rakuten Card and Rakuten Securities can boost your Rakuten Points multiplier (SPU). Here's how, with real examples.

2026.03.12 · 6 min read
The Complete Guide to Switching to Rakuten Mobile with MNP (With Time Estimates and Timing Tips) Rakuten Mobile

The Complete Guide to Switching to Rakuten Mobile with MNP (With Time Estimates and Timing Tips)

A step-by-step walkthrough of switching to Rakuten Mobile using MNP (number portability). Covers timing to avoid double-billing, how long each step takes, and things to watch out for.

2026.01.28 · 6 min read
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