Pocketful of Dirhams

How to make extra money to help your finances survive the pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives dramatically. And with many in the UAE and around the world now dealing with a salary cut or job loss, there has never been a more important time to diversify how you earn your income.If you only rely on the salary you earn from your job to support yourself, it can leave you and your family vulnerable if that income suddenly reduces or stops coming in entirely. So what is the best way to diversify your income streams? And how do you identify what skill sets you can tap into? Plus are there any other ways to raise extra cash at this difficult time?

Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Zach Holz, a teacher and author of the personal finance blog The Happiest Teacher, who has multiple side hustles to ensure he can always earn an income.

Are Eid staycations in the UAE a good idea and Covid-19 safe?

As Ramadan draws to a close, many residents in the UAE would traditionally be scouring travel websites for the best offers on Eid breaks. But with hotels in the UAE only just starting to open their doors to guests following the Covid-19 pandemic and global travel restrictions grounding flights across the globe, going away for a few days is not as straightforward as it once was. Social distancing measures are still in place across the UAE and the rest of the world, which makes checking into a hotel more of a challenge for guests. So what staycation deals are available? And in this era of saving – as residents try to protect their finances from the effects of Covid-19 – do you really want to spend money on a few days away if you are not going to get the same experience as before?

Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Ashleigh Stewart, The National’s culture editor, who guides listeners through the staycation options ahead of the Eid break and the guidance around ensuring where you stay is safe.

Who is hiring and how to secure a new job in UAE or abroad amid coronavirus

If you have lost your job or are considering a career move, you might feel that now isn’t a great time to secure a new position. Movement restrictions across the globe have caused many to lose their jobs after schools, malls and businesses shut up shop to help contain the spread of coronavirus. Here in the UAE, movement restrictions have seen malls, schools and businesses close to help curb the spread of Covid-19. While the restrictions have eased, some residents have been affected financially either through a salary cut or job loss. As the economy slowly opens up again, what is the best way to secure a new job in this climate? Which sectors are hiring? How do you make sure your CV stands out from the crowd and how do you negotiate salaries at this time?

Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by David Mackenzie, group managing director of recruitment company Mackenzie Jones, who guides jobseekers through the options.

Relocating/shipping from the UAE during coronavirus

As we approach the hotter summer months and the end of the academic school year, a number of UAE residents will be planning their relocation either to their home country or another destination.But while shipping is a standard process many of us deal with, things become a little more challenging when you are trying to move during a pandemic. So what is the best way to move your possessions at this time? How do you get a shipping quote in this era of social distancing? Will there be any restrictions on items being shipped in? Does Covid-19 make shipping more expensive and will it take longer for your items to reach their destination?

Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Bana Shomali, the founder of ServiceMarket, a UAE marketplace for moving and home services, who guides listeners through all the challenges of relocating during the Covid-19 outbreak.