Tag Archives: Dubai financial advice

Beware banking fraud. How to beat the scammers.

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The sad reality is that there are large number of scammers who are working hard to hack your accounts, obtain your information, and take your money. Far too many are successful but you can take some smart, and logical, steps to reduce your risk of falling prey to a scammer.

Fraudsters are organised and clever and will often choose their targets using information that you have posted or shared online. Some can even see spending habits so will target based on that. They can go to extraordinary lengths to try and convince you they are genuine so we all need to stay one step ahead.

These days, our lives are online and, in our smartphones, so we need to take steps to protect ourselves.

We need to take steps so we don’t become a victim.

In this article I want to give you some useful tips to keep your banking secure and on to avoid the most common financial scams.

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UK Budget October 2024 – a summary for UK expats in the GCC

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This is the first UK Budget by a Labour government since 2010, and the first one from a woman Chancellor of the Exchequer in Rachel Reeves. Considering the role has existed for 800 years, this is a significant moment for representation in politics.

Will this Budget be a defining moment for the new Labour UK Government? This is was never going to be an easy Budget with giveaways and we all knew that.  It was claimed to be a budget for the average working person and it has largely met that brief, although some will not be pleased with certain announcements.

Following every Budget or Statement, I write an article to give you a concise overview of some of the main points, with particular reference to any changes that have major relevance to those living outside of the UK, and especially in the GCC.

The UK press will cover many points in detail but much of it will not be directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the points that will be most relevant to us.

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Critical illness insurance – two short videos to explain why you need it

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I have written about critcal illness cover many times and I am a big believer is protecting yourself as as you never know what is around the corner.

Being seriously ill, whether you get cancer, have a heart attack or a stroke, or one of the many other illnesses covered, can financially derail your life, your plans, and lead to  major difficulties in supporting your family.

In this article i just want to give you some facts and general information in visual form.

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UK Budget March 2024 – a summary for GCC expats

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Another Spring, another UK Budget, but what will it really mean for you?

Following every Budget or Statement, I write an article to give people who are not resident in the UK a concise overview of some of the main points, with particular reference to any changes that have relevance to those of us living outside of the UK, especially in the GCC.

The UK press will cover many points in detail but much of it will not be directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the points that will be of most interest.

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UK Autumn Statement November 2023 – a summary for expats

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Once again Jeremey Hunt, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, has delivered an Autumn Statement, this time with a claim that there would be 110 measures “to help grow the economy”. We will be the judge of that…

This article is a brief overview of some of the main points with particular reference to any cannouncements that have relevance to those living outside of the UK, and especially in the GCC.

The UK press will cover many points in detail but many of the points will not be directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the points that will directly affect us.

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

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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.

You can do this easily, from your desk or sofa. Importantly, this is fully secure, properly regulated and in view of recent issues with some UAE companies, I only work with a currency broker with a good track record.

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.

There is a better way.  Everyone wants to make savings so this is how you can make easy savings and get value for your hard-earned money.

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Financial Wellness. What is it and can you improve yours?

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Wellness is a term that has become very popular in the past few years. We tend to think of it in terms of mental or physical health but it is time we looked at financial wellness.

Simply put, financial wellness is a relative measure of how well a person manages their financial life. We all want to be financially well and this article is about what it means and how you can improve your financial wellness.

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Time to update that QROPS?

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If you are looking at this wondering what on earth I am on about, a QROPS is a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme – an overseas pension arrangement into which existing UK pension plans were transferred. A strange acronym but there will be many UAE residents who have one.

If you have one you need to read this article as there may be a better, more suitable, and cheaper option for you.

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2023 is the year to get serious about your financial goals

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It has often been said that “a goal without a plan is just a wish”, meaning that action is required if you want to achieve your goals in life.

We all spend our lives hoping for the best but you need to do something if you are serious about your life goals, specifically your financial life goals.  Do you want to retire at age 55? Do you want to buy a holiday home? Do you want spend some years travelling the world?  Great ideas but how will you achieve them?

With proper planning you can take action to turn these wishes into reality so read on…

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UK Autumn Statement November 2022 – a summary for expats

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UK Budgets seem to come thick and fast these days with the last one in September, albeit that was referred to as a ‘fiscal event’.  A small budget by any other name can lead to as many problems as a big one and that caused huge ructions in financial markets, leading to many of the announcements being rescinded, and another change of Prime Minister and cabinet, albeit still from the same political party.

As is usually the way, new Chancellors like to put their seal on the role so Jeremy Hunt delivered his Autumn Statement this afternoon. You may like to note that he is the seventh Chancellor in just seven years.

This article is a brief overview of some of the main points with particular reference to any changes that are pertinent to those living outside of the UK and especially in the GCC. The UK press will cover many points in detail but many of the points will not be directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the points that will be most relevant to us.

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