Pocketful of Dirhams

How to get the best discount deals in the UAE

Vouchers, coupons and discount codes – there are many ways to cut the cost of dining out, spa treatments and entertainment in the UAE. While coupon websites such as Groupon or Cobone offer daily deals, apps such as The Entertainer present buy-one-get-one free offers as well as percentage discounts.

Other options include VoucherSkout, Repeat and Helwa, a free app that finds the best coupon codes and cash back offers for users.

But with so many different ways to cut costs, how do consumers work out which deal is offering them the best saving?

Host Alice Haine is joined by Ambareen Musa, the founder and chief executive of UAE price comparison site Souqalmal.com, who outlines which deals offer the best bang for your buck.

 

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What are NFTs and should you invest in them?

NFTs – or non-fungible assets – have been making waves in the investing world after digital artist Beeple sold his Everydays: The First 5,000 Days artwork for an eye watering $69.3 million at a recent Christie’s auction. There’s no arguing that alternative investments, such as collectables like cars, antiques, autographs and long-lost letters penned by the rich and famous, have been around for a long time.

But would you be willing to pay $2.5 million on Twitter founder Jack Dorsey’s first tweet, or what about $400,000 for a piece of video art that lasts less than a minute? And let’s not forget – we can already view these on the internet for free. But what exactly are NFTs? What makes them valuable and are they an asset class worthy of our attention?

Host Felicity Glover, the Personal Finance Editor at The National, is joined by NFT expert Devesh Mamtani, the chief market strategist at Century Financial in Dubai.

What’s the best way to invest in the UAE property market?

While last year’s coronavirus lockdown in the UAE led to drop in demand for real estate across the country, there are signs the market is recovering particularly in popular areas and for higher-end homes. Some residents are hunting for properties with gardens or more space as the work-from-home trend continues, while demand for short-term rentals is also on the up.

But the idea of investing in real estate might seem a little risky for some when you consider the world is only just emerging from the pandemic. So what alternatives are there for investors that want a slice of the real estate market without saving up a huge deposit? Are UAE property prices really on the rise? And what other global markets should you consider investing in now?

Host Alice Haine is joined by Siddiq Farid, the founder and chief executive of SmartCrowd, a digital real estate investment platform that allows investors to crowdfund their property purchase.

Financial feminism and why it matters

While great strides towards gender equality have been made over the years, crucial issues remain. In the world of personal finance, concerns include "the gender wage gap" and that many women looking to invest are underserved by the male-dominated financial services sector.

According to the World Economic Forum, it will take women 200 years to achieve pay equality, while a global study by BCG last year found that a third of the world’s wealth, or 32 per cent, is controlled by women – and every year, they add 5 trillion dollars to the global wealth pool. So why is there a disconnect between the financial services industry and women and their money?

Host Felicity Glover is joined by Jessica Robinson, a strategic adviser on green finance and sustainable investing, who founded Moxie Future – a platform that aims to empower women as sustainable investors and financial feminists.

Take the no-spend challenge to boost your savings

New research by YouGov has found that more than half of UAE residents have cut non-essential spending over the past six months, while 77 per cent will continue doing so in the future.

That’s no surprise considering the global economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused widespread pay cuts and job losses as businesses closed and millions of people started working from home.

But, as economies begin to re-open, the temptation to return to our old spending habits will be difficult to resist for some. One way to stay on track with your spending is to take on a no-spend challenge, which could help you learn new ways to save money and instill discipline to fight off those spending temptations.

Host Felicity Glover is joined by Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching, who offers her advice on the best way to plan for a no-spend challenge.