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Be grateful for what you have
Create a monthly budget and stick to it
Practice patience and save the cash for things you want
Do all you can to stay out of debt
Establish a balanced portfolio of investments
There is always an excuse not to save, but failing to be disciplined about saving today can quickly become a source of stress and anxiety. Instead of making excuses or splashing out on things you want but don’t really need, sit down and make a list of financial goals that will get you the things you and your family really deserve. Saving today:
The main difference between saving and investing is the length of time you hold onto that money. With saving, money is stashed away somewhere safe for a specific use in not much more than a few years. Investment are larger saved amounts used to grow wealth over years.
Once you’ve paid off your debts and established an emergency reserve, your finances will probably be in good shape. Now is the time for you to put some of your hard-earned money to work by investing for long-term goals, like retirement. This takes time – years or even decades – and investments do come with some risk, but also the potential for substantially higher growth. Wise investors will spread that risk by investing in different countries through a diversified portfolio. Low-cost, low- to mid-risk exchange traded funds (ETFs) are one popular way to achieve this.
An early start to your savings plan can make an astonishing difference to the growth of your nest egg. A 20-year-old student who puts away just a hundred dirhams a month, for example, could wind up much richer than if he had only started saving at 30! Even so, it’s never too late to start. Whether your big dream is to start your own business, own your own home or retire debt free, we encourage you to formulate your very own savings strategy and put it into action. Today!
Money doesn’t solve every problem, but it can help you to achieve life-changing goals. In writing down these dreams and putting deadlines to them, something magical starts to happen: they start moving closer to reality. Take some time to write down your dreams for the future – and make them attainable by putting deadlines to each. Now you have a timeline:
(settling your smallest debts, for example, or having enough in your account for an exotic holiday)
(a more reliable car, a deposit on your first house or capital to launch your own business)
(being totally debt free, covering your children’s university fees or ensuring a comfortable retirement)
This simple formula is one popular way that monthly income (money you have available to spend) can be divided for allocation into three broad categories. You can adjust the ratio to suit your needs and your goals:
Needs
Expenses necessary for survival, like rent, groceries and utilities. Minimum debt payments (say, your credit card or car finance) also fall into this category.
Wants
A new smartphone or a romantic dinner out… you deserve to enjoy life’s little extras now and then, as long as you can afford them.
Saving
Allocations every month for extra debt reduction, money towards your emergency fund, or contributions to an investment fund account.
We’ve made it easy for you to start with this simple, customizable budget on an Excel spreadsheet. Simply click to safely download this small file (around 500KB) to your system and freely edit the categories to suit your purposes.
A basic budget consists of different categories that list every payment you must make during the month (your needs) and would like to make (your wants), as well as the payments that will go towards the money you hope to spend in the future (your savings). You could also add a category for money you’d like to share (charitable giving). Start with your needs and savings, then allocate whatever is left over until it all balances. Here’s how:
Note your monthly or weekly salary, as well as any income you may receive from interest or property rental, extra work, and even cash gifts or things you’ve sold.
You can create categories for your expenses (such as Household bills, Children, Insurances). Some of these costs will be Fixed (your bond, car repayments etc.) and others will be Variable (like groceries and entertainment).
This means that you include amounts for your savings (extra debt repayments, emergency fund savings or long-term investments) as a top priority.
If you are lucky enough to have money left over once you’ve deducted all your expenses from your income, decide where every extra dirham will go (boost your savings or splash out on something nice).
This is the plan you will use to keep track of your cashflow and guide your spending through the month. By creating a strategy that can move you from debt to riches, you’re moving in the right direction.
Plan meals ahead
Check your shelves andalways make a list.
Avoid comfort shopping
Do something else if you’refeeling bored, down or hungry!
Buy generic
Cleaning supplies and staple fooditems all do the same thing.
Shop around the edge
Fresh, healthy foods (vegetables, meat, dairy brand breads) are positioned around the sides of the store, processed dry goods in the middle.
1
Put your AC on a timer and maintain the temperature at 24°C. This is the most cost effective option in the UAE’s summer heat. According to DEWA, power charges are higher between 12pm and 6pm, so watch consumption during this time of day.
2
Choose only favourite subscriptions and memberships.
3
Learn to cook – Invite friends around for a relaxed evening with simple food, laughter and your warm hospitality.
4
Pack school and work lunches – Yup, those takeout coffees and fast foods are quick and easy, but they add up to make a hefty dent in your monthly budget.
5
Use discount coupons – Switch on to the fantastic coupon and discount programmes in the UAE for big savings. This is also the land of super sales and special deals. Take advantage of them and only shop within your budget.
6
7
Have free fun – Winter days are gorgeous on the UAE’s beautiful beaches.
Cellphones, laptops and TV models improve so regularly now that it’s almost impossible to keep up. There is no need to keep on upgrading. Be patient and save to pay cash if you love to have the latest.
Many people only stay in the UAE for a few years, so there are always good quality furniture, electronics and cars for sale. Shop around for second-hand goods online or via community social media channels.
You can also make extra cash by selling your unwanted goods in the same way. Someone else might love that painting you hate or jet ski you'll never use - and you will have cash in the bank!
Simply click here to open MoF’s digital magazine and read more in-depth savings and budgeting advice
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AMONGST THEYOUTH IN UAE COMMUNITIES
The Ministry of Finance proudly supports the United Nations global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of this widely shared savings advice is to promote resilience and shared responsibility in our society for a brighter future for all. Here’s how it contributes to 9 of the 17 SDGs:
Encouraging financial stability and responsible use of economic resources
Promoting mental health and well-being by reducing financial stress
Supporting lifelong learning with meaningful financial information
Promoting equal opportunities for women to manage their own finances
Spreading awareness about financial services and resource efficiency
Providing all readers with the tools for financial stability
Equipping UAE communities with advice for sustainable quality of life
Encouraging mindful spending and a culture of recycling and reduced waste
Partnering with civil society through knowledge sharing
