Tag Archives: Dubai

Ramadan in Dubai 2019 – a guide

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This is not intended to be a definitive guide to the holy month, but is a simple overview and more importantly, a ‘what not to do’ for those who are not fully aware or are new to the UAE.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the month in which the Quran was revealed. The annual observation of the fast during the month is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a serious matter for Muslims as a test of faith. It is also a month to take things a little easier and to spend time with family.

This year Ramadan is expected to start on or around  Sunday 5th May and at time of writing the date was yet to be confirmed. The UAE usually follows the announcement of Saudi Arabia but also has its own moon-sighting committee. The dates move forward by some 10 to 12 days each year as the Hijari calendar is slightly shorter than the Gregorian one that is in common use.

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Need to know: UAE Consumer Protection Regulations

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 The UAE has had legislation in place to protect consumers for quite a few years but the details are not as well known as they might be so this article is an overview of the law and your rights when purchasing goods and services.

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UAE Public Holidays for 2019

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These are the official dates of public holidays for the UAE for the coming year, as well as notable dates, so you can make a note in your diary now and plan ahead. Actual days off work for both the public and private sector should vary less than in the past and these are the dates announced by the Government so far.

This article was edited in September 2019 following an announcement by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR).

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Teenagers & Money – 10 useful tips

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There is no doubt that many youngsters leaving school this summer are lacking in practical knowledge about their finances. It is important to have some financial knowledge to safely negotiate the adult world so here are some points that every young person should know about money.

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2018 – how will it be for you & your finances?

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There is no doubt that we live in interesting times on many levels and naturally people will have financial concerns. High on the list of worries is the potential adverse effect of a geopolitical event but it is the potential repercussions of this and how issues impact us locally and well as globally that we need to consider. There is not much most of us can do about these global issues but we can take steps to protect ourselves and our families.

Life in the UAE has its own pressures and challenges and whilst there is usually a lot of optimism, right now there are issues facing us. It is no worse here than in the rest of the world but being an expat can have its own demands. To find out what UAE residents are thinking and feeling as we start the new year, I put together a survey and this article is about the results. All responses were anonymous.

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UAE Public holidays for 2018

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These are the official dates of public holidays for the UAE for the coming year so you can make a note in your diary now and plan ahead. Actual days off work for both the public and private sector will vary but these are the dates announced by the UAE Government so far.

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Need to know: VAT in the UAE, what it means for individuals

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We have known about the introduction of VAT on 1st January 2018 since early 2016 but the official guidance and final rules have not long been issued. There seems to be a fair amount of misunderstanding as to how it will work, and who and what, will be affected so this article, is an overview of some of the facts.

Businesses should be taking professional advice on the topic, so I won’t be going into detail in here, as this article is designed as an overview for individuals only.

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How to focus on your financial priorities

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Many of us muddle through our financial lives, not focusing on what matters the most, so this article is designed to help you sort out your financial priorities.

You have probably thought that there are some issues you need to address but it is common to be stuck in limbo, not quite sure what to tackle first, or a to have a vague to-do list but are unsure where to start.

I am often asked what are the most important topics to focus on so this is a guide to what you may need to look at if you haven’t reviewed your personal finances before, or haven’t done so for some time. What should you do now and what is most important?

All too frequently I see people who have been sold long-term savings plans without having been given the right advice to address more immediate issues. The most important consideration is to focus on what could go wrong tomorrow and then to take steps to protect you and your family. This doesn’t have to be expensive but this is what proper, ethical, financial planning is all about.

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Need to know: New to Dubai? Important financial information

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This article has been superseded by one published on 25th August 2020

New to Dubai? Important facts and financial information

 

UK Budget March 2017 – the main points for expats

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9th March 2017 saw the final UK Spring Budget as the announcements now move to the Autumn. As ever there were a number of measures that will affect expats, including a surprise regarding pensions. This article is a brief overview of some of the main points with particular reference to any changes that have relevance to those living outside of the UK.

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