[Japanese Side] "Earning 100 Million Won a Year Only Through App Tech"… Master of the No-Spending Challenge

Earn Points Worth 120 Million Won Annually
Accumulate Points in Daily Life...Strict Management Ensured

These days, the no-spending challenge and app-based point-collecting, known as app-tech, are trending. I also earn points through my step count, and collecting them is quite enjoyable. In Japan, a person who lives solely by accumulating these points has become a hot topic. They reportedly gathered points worth 13 million yen (about 120 million KRW) annually. Today, we bring you the story of the ‘Free Master’ who amazed Japan.

'Free Master' Sinpoi. (Photo by Sinpoi YouTube)

Recently, the Japanese news program Ameba Prime reported on the 43-year-old ‘Shinpoi,’ a free master. This is a pseudonym, and ‘Poi’ likely comes from ‘point.’ When the production team visited his home, most items in the room?from tissues to the TV and air conditioner?were purchased with points. Shinpoi revealed, “Assuming 1 point equals 1 yen, I earn about 13 million yen worth annually.”

Shinpoi was not initially someone who focused solely on collecting points. When his main income sharply declined, he began looking for other ways to earn money, and he noticed point sites and apps where accumulated points could be used like cash.

In Korea, there are also sites where you can collect points by watching ads, achieving a certain number of steps, or signing up as a member, which can then be exchanged for gifticons or used to purchase products. Shinpoi claims that similar sites exist in Japan and can be utilized effectively.

Introducing Shinpoi C., an event where you can earn points on YouTube. (Photo by Shinpoi YouTube Channel)

Even with over 100 million won worth of points, they would become worthless if they expire. Shinpoi says he checks and tracks the balances on each site. Recently, he bought a Doraemon painting worth 330,000 yen (about 3.1 million KRW) using ‘d points’ from the Docomo telecommunications company, which he shared with the production team.

So, how can these points be efficiently collected? Shinpoi advises, “For someone who knows nothing, it’s best to start by using a credit card to accumulate points. Then, use those points for shopping and think about how to make the most of them.”

In fact, there are countless ways to collect points with just a little attention in daily life. He said, “You can earn points just by sleeping, and points accumulate simply by getting up and walking. Life itself becomes points.” He added, “It doesn’t feel like I’m spending time just to earn points. Doing it bit by bit is enough.” There are even apps on the market that reward points based on sleep duration to help with rest.

Above all, the secret to collecting 13 million points annually lies in ‘site friend referrals,’ which give the most points. Shinpoi actually runs a YouTube channel introducing events and apps related to point accumulation. He shares information with subscribers to help them earn more points.

Items Shinpo Lee bought with points. (Photo by Shinpo Lee YouTube channel)

Still, it’s hard to know how much to trust these free services. Many cases occur where people sign up for multiple sites to get points but end up losing money unknowingly. Shinpoi emphasized, “The power to say no and setting boundaries is essential.” He shared his experience of being drawn into seminars offering free accommodation or free trials, only to find that if he didn’t sign a contract at the end, he wouldn’t be allowed to leave, forcing him to agree.

Because some places that offer ‘free trials’ or ‘first month free’ do not allow cancellations or withdrawals, he advised always checking reviews on social networking services (SNS) before trying free services. He also stressed the importance of carefully reading the terms and conditions when using point sites.

In Korea, saving trends like ‘Geojibang’ and the no-spending challenge are becoming popular these days. Seeing Shinpoi’s wise lifestyle of collecting points in daily life while managing them thoroughly makes one truly admire his approach.