Operation Visit Japan – January 2010 Report
Operation Visit Japan was announced earlier this month but was in the planning stage for over a year. Since announcing the plan there were a few last minute details that needed to polished and I can now provide the first monthly report that will keep my readers, family, supporters and friends up to date as I save towards visiting Japan in mid 2011.
Opening new bank Accounts, beating back credit card debt, resisting the urge to buy a smartphone or a PS3, school fee payments, getting rid of unnecessary expenses and putting into play new money management activities are some of what I have been doing over the past 3 or so months to lay the foundation for Operation Visit Japan.
January 2010 Report
The goal is us$3000 – $1400 for plane tickets $500 for a 14 day rail pass $800 for accommodation and $300 for visa fees and other miscellaneous expenses. So as of January 25th 2010 Operation Visit Japan has raised $100 which is saved from my salary for January so that means I have to raise, save or plunder another $2900 by March 31st 2011!
The passbook in the centre with the pen marks is where I will save the funds for my Japan trip
Donate to Operation Visit Japan
When I announced operation many people expressed that they wanted to contribute and suggested that I add a paypal donate button. Chipin was suggested by Nick from Japansoc and while I initially had my reservations because I couldn’t decide on just how much I think should be donated I have now decided to go ahead and use Chipin with the aim now being to get at least $300 via donations which is 10% of my Operation Visit Japan budget. Who will be the first to donate? Who will donate the most? How fast will get get the $300 dollar threshold? All those questions remain to be answered, but blog/website owners who donate $10 or more via the widget or otherwise will receive a link-back to their webpage in a “Thank you to the contributors” section of the monthly update that follows their donation as well as a shout out via my twitter page. The widget is displayed below and in the sidebar, Please donate!
Email and RSS subscribers will have to click here to see the ChipIn Widget
Thats it for the January 2010 report, short, concise and to the point. I am really excited now that I have gotten my first drop into the “visit Japan bucket”. Thanks again for your continues support and comments and suggestions are always welcomed below or via my contact page.
![[pole]](http://www.jamaipanese.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/pole.jpg)
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Glad to see you’re moving right along. Cutting frivolous expenses and denying yourself gadgets is hard. I know from my own experiences.
denying gadgets and too many games is super hard -_-
I’m slowly learning self restraint to avoid having to skip meals. It’s unpleasant but necessary. It’ll pay off in the end.
Sounds like you are well on your way! Stick with it! Giving up things you’ve grown used to can be hard, I’ve certainly learned that in putting aside favorite activities to spend more time studying Japanese.
thanks for the support
Your so motivated i could never sacrifice the gadgets!!! but i totally understand your determination! i was fortunate enough to go to Japan last year and it truly is mind blowing!! 頑張って (Ganbatte)![[japan]](http://www.jamaipanese.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/japan.jpg)
can’t wait to be in Japan!
You’re one step closer…..i’m gonna love these posts
yup, looking forward to stepping closer each month
Progress! Side comment…you have a BNS fetish, so many books. I hope you saving in US$
NCB has poor customer service, but then again there was drama I have to tell you about when next we talk
It’s going to be really fun watching your progress. It makes us feel like we’re right there with you! You have so much drive and determination, it’s obvious that you’re definitely going to make it! 頑張って下さい！
thank you!
Maybe you posted about this already, but some of your closer Japan blogging friends throughout Japan might be willing to put you up for a night or two here and there, which would greatly cut down on expenses.
Good luck! You deserve it.
Cheers!
certain plan to consider it but I can’t exactly write that on my visit application ^^
If I’m here in March 2011 (which I *might* be, depends when holidays fall and if I can work the previous Christmas…) I’m sure I could put you up for a day or two :)
if all goes well I should be there around July – August 2011, hopefully you’ll still be there so we can doom Japan together.
cool readers like you help to keep me motivated.
I just chipped in. :) Good luck!
I chipped in too :) Japan, here you come!![[pole]](http://www.jamaipanese.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/pole.jpg)
ScotiaBank… does that mean you’re in Canada!? (I’m in NS, Canada)
no I am not in Canada. Scotiabank is Canada based but is one of the biggest banks in Jamaica as well.
Just chipped in:-)) Make sure you blog loads when you get there!!