7 Reasons Why Expats in Abu Dhabi Can't Save Money | ExpatWoman.com
 

7 Reasons Why Expats in Abu Dhabi Can't Save Money

Life in Abu Dhabi is fun and extravagant, so it's no wonder that a lot of us just can't seem to save those fils

Posted on

11 June 2017

Last updated on 11 June 2017
7 Reasons Why Expats in Abu Dhabi Can't Save Money

Speak to anyone living here and we can guarantee 80% of them will say they moved to the UAE in the hopes of a new life, better opportunities... And more savings

There's no denying that salaries here are more rewarding than what you may have been earning back home, but it should be unsurprising that the higher the salary = higher cost of living, which a lot of people don't realise when moving to Abu Dhabi. 

Sure, there's plenty of ways you can save money, by cooking at home, reducing your mall visits to once a month, cutting out that weekly after-work drink with colleagues and generally being a little bit more frugal in your daily life. 

SEE ALSO: 6 money tips to survive a job loss in Abu Dhabi

Nonetheless no matter how hard you try, it's so easy to get carried away with the lifestyle here... Which ultimately eats away at your wallet. Here's 7 reasons why that is!

1. There's too many malls

By having too many malls, you have too many shopping opportunities, which means too many changes to SPEND. Just think, do you really need that dress from Reiss, or those new shoes from ALDO? And can you really justify spending almost AED 1000 on make-up? We didn't think so.


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2. There's too many fine dining options

In a country that prides itself on being a destination of so many 5* hotels, restaurants and bars, it comes as no surprise that there's just too many amazing places to visit and indulge in. Both in Abu Dhabi and it's neighbour Dubai, you have ladies nights, mouth-watering steak houses, 5* luxury dining, AED 150 breakfasts... And it's easy to get carried away. Next time you're meeting your pals, keep it at home, or visit a cheaper alternative.


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3. Brunch, brunch, brunch

Ah, Friday brunches. They're a must-do experience for anyone living here, but beware; once you're hooked, they will eat away at your bank account on a weekly basis. It's best to keep them to one every three months or special occassions. We know the pain though, it's easy to get carried away.


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4. Flights back home to see family and friends

It's part of the expat package; once you're here, you have to allocate a trip back to your home country every year. Well, you don't have to, but it's always nice to return 'home, home' to see your family and friends. On the flip side of this, if you have visitors coming here, be weary that their visit will no cost equal to that of a trip of your own as you'll be entertaining every day and night.


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5. Other destinations waiting to be explored

Being in the UAE, we're fortunate enough to be central to some amazing destinations that you may not have necessarily considered while living back home; places like Fiji, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Jordan are all closer to what they've ever been before.

SEE ALSO: 15 tips to save on your electricity and water bills in Abu Dhabi

With the UAE being a transit point for a lot of airlines, you'll no doubt find you'll have major wanderlust after some time... Which of course, means money! 


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SEE ALSO:  Tips on how to get a personal loan approved

6. The UAE is home to amazing attractions

We're talking Ferrari World, Yas Marina Circuit, Emirates Park Zoo, and desert safaris. There's scuba diving, race-car driving, and in our neighbouring Dubai, you have Burj Khalifa, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and so much more! All cost money, so why not allocate one weekend per month to exploring the country in which you now live. 


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7. There's a little thing called RENT

It's one of life's horrible necessities, and paying rent in Abu Dhabi can get a little expensive. Make sure you look around the best areas for you, your lifestyle and where your workplace is before you decide on handing over those cheques. 


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Of course, it's not all doom and gloom when it comes to saving money in Abu Dhabi, and it is possible... This is just some light-hearted fun to help you understand that you're not the only one in the same boat! There are plenty of financial advisors and bank options that can help you to save what you need over however many years...

Remember to enjoy your time living in Abu Dhabi, even if you do have to splurge a little here and there every once in a while.