Even the bread is expensive!

Hey everyone out there in the western world, I am keeping busy here in Japan and mostly trying to figure out ways to save money. All the rumors you've heard about Japan costing more are most definintely true. In fact the only thing that i've seen cost less here than the states are the set-lunch menus available at most restaurants. On average lunch will run about $5.00-$7.00 a fairly modest price compared to what a bag of groceries would cost you. I paid $2.25 for a half a loaf of regular bread, $2.50 for a bar of butter, and a $1.50 for a can of tomato sauce at the super market.
Depending on where you eat and how hungry you are, it can often be less expensive to eat out than cook at home. Even if you find inexpensive ingredients, the cost of utilities, not to mention the summer heat will make you reconsider making that pasta you've been craving all day long.