Saki Tamogami, a 37-year-old Japanese woman, has been dubbed “the most frugal girl in the country” after achieving the remarkable feat of purchasing three houses in less than 15 years. Her incredible journey of thriftiness and determination culminated in the realization of her dream to open a cat café, which has captured the hearts of many.
Tamogami first gained widespread attention in 2019 when she appeared on the Japanese television program Happy! Bomby Girl, which showcased young women who transformed their lives through hard work and perseverance. Her story of extreme frugality quickly resonated with viewers, especially the fact that she managed to spend just 200 yen (approximately $1.40) a day on food.
At the age of 19, Tamogami set herself the ambitious goal of owning three houses by the time she turned 34. Driven by a deep sense of security in saving money, she took comfort in watching her savings grow steadily over the years. After graduating from university, she began working for a property agent and adhered to a strict budget.
To minimize her expenses, Tamogami cooked all her meals at home, usually opting for simple and inexpensive dishes like toast, udon noodles, and discounted radishes, rarely exceeding 50 yen per meal. Occasionally, she would add small luxuries like jam on bread or a piece of salmon, but she remained steadfast in keeping her daily food budget under 200 yen. Her commitment to frugality extended beyond food; she stopped buying new clothes, relying instead on hand-me-downs, and even salvaged furniture from the trash. Remarkably, she sold her hair for 3,100 yen ($20) whenever it grew long enough, covering her living expenses for half a month.
Through her disciplined saving, Tamogami purchased her first house in Saitama, north of Tokyo, for 10 million yen ($69,000) at the age of 27. She used rental income from this property to cover the mortgage, allowing her to buy a second house for 18 million yen just two years later. By 2019, she had achieved her goal of owning three houses, with the third costing 37 million yen.
Tamogami’s motivation for living such a frugal life stemmed from her love for animals, particularly stray cats. After adopting a stray cat as a child, she was determined to help more animals in need. She fulfilled this dream by opening Café Yuunagi, a cat café located on the ground floor of her third house. The café not only provides shelter and support for stray cats but also attracts cat lovers, with its earnings helping to care for even more animals.
Despite achieving financial freedom, Tamogami continues to live a minimalist lifestyle and plans to use her income to further expand her property portfolio. Her story, which has been widely shared on social media, has inspired many with her incredible self-discipline and dedication to her goals.
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