Living In Dubai On a Budget

Having trouble saving money? Do you feel it just slipping away due to so many expenses? If you plan to settle in Dubai it will be advisable to at least plan a month before on your needs and wants.

money saving tips in dubai

In a typical family life most of the expenses are for housing and educational purposes. Single individuals can opt for cheaper places to rent. Sharing of flats are allowed but mixed sharing is usually prohibited.But if the housing costs are covered by the employer then you get lots to save. In case of schooling,expats should opt for Indian schools which are comparatively affordable  than the western schools. Fees can range from Dh12,000 to Dh80,000 on an annual basis across various grades and curriculum’s.

Now coming to transport, owning a car in Dubai is extremely common since people often prefer to choose private than public transportation. Special offers are always available on second hand cars if you do not wish to go for a new car. You just need to go looking around for one. Do try to avoid very old and outdated vehicles. You may incur recurring expenses just on maintenance. You can also refer the net to compare costs and look for great deals on new ones. Petrol costs are not too high.

There are some revenue gathering charges, some of which are a form of road user tax. Every year you must have your car inspected and re-registered. The inspection fee is AED 120 and re-registration is AED 320. Parking meters have increased in Dubai. It is AED 2.00 an hour from 8.00-1.00 and 4.00-8.00. Also, Dubai has introduced a toll charge – Salik – on certain main roads, but it is possible to avoid this. You can cross the Creek on the magnificent Business Bay Bridge for free or take the revamped Garhoud Bridge at a cost of AED 4.00 a time.

Costs on food greatly depend on your style of cuisine and whether you prefer to buy the food directly from eateries or buy staples from stores. Try opting for organic food which is comparatively cheaper. Prices of food items may vary according to where it has been cultivated. Fruits and vegetables come in from various local places such as  Oman, Lebanon to international countries like Egypt, India, Pakistan, USA, Australia etc. More the distance more exorbitant the product becomes. Meat and fish can be chosen either from local markets or directly from the farms. Bachelors can opt for having meals at hotels or restaurants that offer special offers and discounts on breakfast or lunch served on daily basis.

Now impulsive shopping is one main factor  that has to be put under radar since it is here that most of the money starts draining off. As mentioned earlier try to differentiate between your wants and needs.At the end of the month if you do have the luxury to splurge then you may gladly do so. But do hunt for great sales and deals which are available for almost all seasons.

Expats generally spend more on airline tickets since they pack off for vacations almost annually. For some the air fare has to be fished out from their own pockets,but for others it is cleared by the employer itself. Try opting for online booking since you might just land on promotional offers or look for coupon codes that offers about 15% on total costs.

The best option for saving on your part is to keep aside a certain portion of your income and categorize your expenses based  on a fixed amount and we guarantee that living in Dubai on a budget will be surprisingly easy.

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