UAE Expats On Reduced Salaries Can Survive By Spending Sensibly

Redundant or cash-strapped expats in the UAE can still get by if they adjust their payment habits.

Whether you’re affected by redundancy or by your employer’s latest cost-saving measures including pay cuts , a few adjustments can get you through the hard times. Firstly, rental charges in the UAE are usually the major expense for expats, but an exploratory meeting with your landlord and a plea for clemency might just get you a rent reduction until you can find a new, better-paying job. If your landlord isn’t impressed, the next step is to either move to smaller accommodation or rent a property in a less desirable area. This can work well, as rental charges are falling across the Gulf States region, meaning there’s a better choice of cheaper accommodation.

Clearing out unused devices such as phones and laptops as well as the odd designer handbag or watch can also be kind to your cash flow. With the pandemic in full flood, many expats are deliberately staying home and self-catering, in itself a great way to save money as well as staying healthy. Buying non-perishables in bulk on a monthly basis will also result in savings, especially when avoiding luxury brands. If you really need replaceable household equipment, now’s the time to hit the UAE’s used goods market for serious bargains. Some of the items for sale are brand new, so should last a good while.

As the UAE slowly opens up to a semblance of normality, businesses are offering discounts as a way to restart sales, but one real issue is utility bills during the UAE’s scorching summers, as most expats fear heatstroke more than a high electricity bill! Checking for new, cheaper cellphone offers can also reduce your overall costs until you find a better-paying new job.