Job Discussion Forums

[Judson]

With most of us getting ready to leave for the summer (or already gone) this may not be the best time to post this, but I saw an interesting topic on the Saudi link:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=63021 (Savings in the Magic Kingdom!! Any results?)

I'm very interested in seeing if people are saving any money in the UAE, and how much. As in the Saudi post I'm sure it'll depend on one's family status, place of employment, etc, etc. Just a 'general' idea of what is 'possible' for a teacher to save while working in the UAE would be very helpful.

Many thanks in advance.

[caliph]

Depends on salary, location and life style.

In my circumstance, (almost never eat out, or drink out, but eat the best food available at home, I like to cook), I saved $2500+ a month. Some people have maxed out credit cards, and no savings. Stupid!, what are you here for, the BS lifestyle, or save some money.

Now I own a home , car, with no mortgage on anything and can live off of interest and dividends on investments. If you're in you're 30-40s, you can too. Set up a savings plan, PAY YOURSELF FIRST!, this means when you get your salary send, home a certain amount immediately, and live off the rest. (I used to be a certified financial planner, so this stuff is second nature to me). If you have a family, be sure to have life insurance, combination whole life and term life, ten times annual earnings is rule of thumb. Sh*t happens.

Depends on above and YOU!

[teacherbel]

Hi,Caliph:
You said you saved $2,500 a month from your salary? I want to save as much, too. I hope you don't mind asking, but how much were you earning then? What did you do with the rest? Were you a teacher in UAE?

I should be in Dubai soon, too. I was offered a salary of $3,800/month plus free apartment and its basic amenities, transport, and food..

The reason why I asked "What did you do with the rest" is I want to know what other possible expenses I will incur in Dubai, since my basic needs will already be met by my employer.

Ok.Thanks, I hope you will reply to this *beep*

[bje]

[teacherbel]

Yes, I will be teaching English..The salary I mentioned is a public school net salary (after taxes) of K-12 teachers in NY, so I was not surprised. In NY, I rented a teeny-weeny room where everything dropped if I swayed my hips the wrong way or didn't watch my steps. I paid $400 for that room. I spent $80 for the subway, $150 for food (I cooked my meals since I preferred hot Filipino dish esp at night, bought Chinese chopped chicken for $1 at lunch), I bought used clothing (as I knew I have no use of them in the hot climate of the Philippines). My hobby is joining religious pilgrimage to replicas around NY..I had to pay some loan mortgage in the Philippines at that time, so I had no choice. BTW, I didn't teach public school in NY as it was too much pressures. I taught in the preschool level in the daycares which gave me a net pay of $2,400/month..

[Judson]

[caliph]

Made around $4300. a month.