Category Archives: saving money

10 Steps for Smart Investing

Posted on by
Reply

The financial services industry is full of jargon and sales messages so sometimes it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction, the reality from the adverts and the sales pitches. With that in mind, I have put together a simple guide to 10 practical and logical steps you need to follow when investing.

It is too easy to sidetracked from planning your future, our lives are busy after all,  but it rarely needs to be as complicated as some might make out. My role is to make this simpler, and better, for you.  Continue reading →

New to Dubai? Important facts & financial information

Posted on by
2

Welcome to Dubai and a new and exciting life. There is a lot to learn and while this is not a complete guide to setting up in Dubai, it does give you a useful overview of many of the financial and legal issues that new residents need to be aware of.

The laws have changed a number of times in recent years and this article is regularly updated to take these changes into account.

Your ability to live in the UAE is linked to employment and it is impossible to rent a property (apart from on a short-term basis) without a residency visa and accompanying identity card.

These will be provided by your employer or as part of the package when you set up a trade licence if you wish to have your own business. There are now a few other visa options but you still need a visa to reside in the UAE.

Having an identity card is mandatory and you will be unable to do many things without it.

You also need a visa and ID card to buy a car, rent a property, get a UAE driving licence, get an alcohol licence – still a legal requirement for Dubai residents if you want to buy alcohol anywhere and or keep alcohol in your home although there are no charges these days and you getget your licence online in minutes.

Children require an ID card to attend school.

The rules can vary between emirates, and although the main legal issues are correct for all, this guide is mainly for Dubai residents.

Continue reading →

Cost-effective currency transfers – secure & safe

Posted on by
10

This article has been updated with effect from 28th August 2023.

Please see here for the latest version:

Currency transfers – how to get the best rates with full security

 

 

Expats in The UAE & Money. 10 mistakes you want to avoid

Posted on by
1

This articles has been update so please see the below link for the article from August 2024

Living in the UAE. 10 major money mistakes you want to avoid

Living in the UAE. 10 major money mistakes you want to avoid

 

 

 

Travel & holidays – 20 money-related hints & tips

Posted on by
Reply

We’re approaching the hottest time of the year in the UAE, a time when many people think about going on holiday to avoid the heat for a while. The long school summer holiday starts shortly so many families and teachers will travel during this time. With this in mind, I’d like to give you a few hints and tips for saving and safeguarding money when travelling.

Continue reading →

How to negotiate a rent reduction

Posted on by
Reply

Most people are aware that rents are falling across the UAE so many of us will be expecting a reduction in our rent at renewal. But what if your landlord hasn’t got the message and doesn’t want to give you a reduction in line with general markets? Here are some hints and tips to try to persuade them.

Continue reading →

Financial resolutions – get your money in shape for 2019

Posted on by
Reply

At this time of year it is popular to make New Year resolutions, but how many of those are about our finances? Making sure you are financially fit is as important as vowing to visit the gym regularly but once you’ve taken the initial steps is less time-consuming and you can do most of it whilst sat comfortably on your sofa.

We all have to spend money but can you do it more smartly? Invariably we could all spend less and save more and a little focus rarely goes amiss. With that in mind here’s a list of 10 steps you can take to get yourself financially fitter in 2019.

Continue reading →

10 tips for dealing with debt in the UAE

Posted on by
4

It is sadly all too common for people to get into debt whilst living in the UAE, for multiple reasons, so this article is designed to give you the steps to work through to deal with any debt problems you may have.

It is really important that this is dealt with as non-payment of monies owed is a criminal issue under UAE law and can lead to serious consequences.

These are the steps you need to take to get back in control and to deal with the banks.

Continue reading →

How to save money on your currency transfers

Posted on by
4

Most expats have a need to move money between currencies and it makes sense to find a way to do this securely, easily and where you can save money.

The online services offered by retail banks are rarely competitive and even if they do not charge a fee they make their profit on the poor rates of exchange offered – but there is a better way and you don’t even need to leave your home to get much better value for money. And all savings are good, right?

Continue reading →

Credit cards – friend or foe?

Posted on by
1

Credit cards are a fact of modern life but are they friend or foe? Should you have one, or are they to be avoided?

When used sensibly and responsibly they can be a useful tool with benefits but too often they are used to support a lifestyle, the balance is not repaid in good time, and they become a very expensive burden.

This article is a quick look at both the pros and cons of this type of consumer debt.

Continue reading →