家計簿

• Reading: かけいぼ
• Romaji: kakeibo
• Kanji breakdown: 家計 (household finances; 家 = house + 計 = account) + 簿 (register, ledger) → household finance ledger
• Pronunciation: /ka.ke.i.bo/

Meaning

A household budget tracker or spending journal used to record and categorize daily income and expenses.

The 家計簿 is a uniquely Japanese approach to personal finance that dates back over 100 years. Unlike Western budgeting apps focused on automatic categorization, the traditional 家計簿 philosophy emphasizes mindful, manual recording of expenses — the act of writing forces awareness. Modern versions include apps like マネーフォワード and Zaim, but many Japanese still prefer paper 家計簿. The practice was invented by journalist 羽仁もと子 in 1904 and has been internationally recognized as the 'kakeibo method.'

Examples

1. 家計簿つけ始めたら、コンビニでの無駄遣いが可視化されてショックだった。 After I started keeping a household budget, I was shocked to see how much I was wasting at convenience stores.
2. 家計簿アプリとクレジットカード連携したら自動で記録してくれるから楽。 Once I linked my budgeting app to my credit card, it records everything automatically — so much easier.
3. 家計簿は3日坊主になりがちだけど、今年こそ続けたい。 I always quit keeping a budget after three days, but this year I'm determined to stick with it.

Usage Guide

Context: daily conversation, financial planning, social media

Tone: practical, disciplined

Do Say

• 家計簿つけてる？何使ってる？ (Do you keep a household budget? What do you use?)
• 家計簿見返したら先月飲み会代がすごかった。 (Looking back at my budget tracker, last month's drinking expenses were crazy.)

Don't Say

• 「家計簿なんて主婦がつけるものでしょ」は時代遅れ (Saying 'budgets are a housewife thing' is outdated — single people, couples, and all genders track household finances)

Common Mistakes

• Thinking 家計簿 is just for married women — modern 家計簿 culture includes solo users, apps, and the internationally popular 'kakeibo method' for mindful spending

Origin & History

From 家計 (household finances) + 簿 (register/ledger). Invented in 1904 by Japanese journalist 羽仁もと子 (Hani Motoko) as a tool for housewives to manage household finances. The concept has since been recognized internationally.

Cultural Context

Era: Invented 1904, app-based renewal from 2010s

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. The kakeibo method has gained international recognition through books and articles. Popular digital versions include マネーフォワード ME and Zaim.