Tips to save money in the UAE
Yes, there is a luxurious great lifestyle that UAE allows most of us but it is usually accompanied by a caveat debt. There are all those major financial decisions you can take, such as detailed budgeting, re-structuring loans to help. But, there are also things that you can do at a more immediate level to save some money every day.
Here are some ways to put away money every day and stay out of debt
1) Drink more water
It is great to stay hydrated, is healthier and saves money. Also, you reduce your carbon footprint. Aerated drinks cost more than water, be it at home or in a restaurant. And as you are in the UAE, it is perfectly safe to opt for tap water. An absolute win.
2) Share certain expenses
Over 30 per cent of shopping in the UAE is online. So, most probably you could definitely find friends or colleagues who might want to shop from the same outlet as you. Sharing online purchasing allows you to have a larger order, which might mean free shipping, or at the very least, you can split the cost of shipping
3) Eat together
We would all love to have wonderful home cooked meals, but quite often we’ve either not had the time or the inclination to toil in the kitchen. So, UAE tends to order in a lot. Split portions with friends or colleagues, so that you can portion control, spend less and divide the delivery cost.
4) Delete your information
Shopping apps love to store your credit card details and passwords, so that it makes it so much easier to hit the buy button. It might be convenient but don’t save this information. It gives you time to pause for thought on your purchases. You can even take it a step further and place it under the ‘items you love’ or ‘wish list’ option. Wait at least a day before going back and checking if you really ‘need’ to go ahead with your purchase. Control your impulses.
5) Skip theatres
A movie once a week usually sets a person back by at least Dh100 in the UAE, if not more. Instead opt for apps that allow you to watch relatively new movies and television series at a monthly subscription, which is way cheaper than a movie ticket. You can even cast these onto a bigger screen, making it a cost-effective family experience.
6) Save up
Be nice to yourself and set a daily wage. Could be Dh10 per day or more. Put it away in a jar and eventually it will add up.
7) Bank access
You need to use the ATM but the bank you use cannot be found. This usually means a ‘switch fees’ of about Dh2. In case of an emergency it is understandable, otherwise write down where the ATMs are located as a phone note and use accordingly. You could also go a step ahead and change to a bank that has easier availability of ATMs or has no-cost tie-ups.
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