Pocketful of Dirhams

Steps on how to move back to the UK

Relocating to another country is always a challenge when you factor in finding a new place to live and work, securing school places and shifting your finances along with the contents of your home.

Some might think moving to their own country would be easier, but former Dubai resident Simon Cahill, a chartered financial planner and partner at London-based Octopus Wealth, says this can be just as challenging.

Mr Cahill relocated to his native UK last year, a move that encouraged him to write The Ultimate Guide to Leaving the UAE, a seven-part explainer on how to successfully repatriate from the Emirates and set up your life in Britain once again.

Host Alice Haine is joined by the guide’s author, Mr Cahill, who explains how to handle your assets abroad and sort out tax, bank accounts, pensions and more.

How to protect yourself from financial fraud

One of the biggest personal finance concerns many people have faced over the years is dishonest advisers selling complex, high-commission financial products to unsuspecting investors that can lock them in for years.

Amber Waheed is one of them. The Dubai-based business strategist and author of the recently released The Great Fraud Fightback lost $80,000 after being duped by her adviser into signing up for long-term investments she believed were low risk.

It’s a familiar, heart-breaking tale for many. But Ms Waheed decided to fight back and took her case to the UAE regulators – marking the first step in what turned out to be a landmark legal case in the UAE when her adviser was convicted of offering financial advice without a licence.

Host Felicity Glover, the Personal Finance Editor at The National, is joined by Ms Waheed who talks about her experience and offers her advice to victims of financial fraud.

How to save thousands on your home loan

One of our biggest financial milestones in life is buying a home. From saving up for a deposit to applying for a mortgage and having it approved is a dream come true for millions around the world. Buying property is also one of the best investments we can make – even if it doesn't appreciate in value, it still means that we are paying ourselves rather than a landlord.

But one of the biggest concerns for homeowners is the interest they pay on their mortgages, whether it is variable or fixed. While today's record low interest rate environment might be bad news for savers, it spells great news for homeowners looking to refinance their mortgages and reduce their monthly instalments. Unsurprisingly, there has been a jump in the number of people seeking to refinance their home loans, according to Mortgage Finder, the Dubai-based independent home loan specialist.

Host Felicity Glover, the Personal Finance Editor at The National, is joined by Brendan Kennelly, a senior consultant at Mortgage Finder, who offers his advice on how to refinance your home loan and get the best interest rate possible.

Why is personal finance advice going viral on TikTok?

There’s a lot of content that goes viral on popular short-form video app TikTok these days. Think pranks, dance challenges, lifestyle tips and even the trolling of former US president Donald Trump thanks to a merry band of K-Pop fans and Tiktok teens. But there’s one surprising sector that Gen Zs and millennials are also embracing: personal finance advice. Dubbed FinTok, youth are flocking to TikTok channels that offer a range of entertaining smart money tips that help them understand the complexities of credit cards, loans, interest and even how to invest.

Host Felicity Glover, the Personal Finance Editor at The National, is joined by Nathan McFarlane, the founder of Dubai-based Help With Debt and a rising FinTok influencer in the Middle East, who offers his advice on how to get the most out of personal finance advice on TikTok.