Thrifty ideas to make your budget stretch further
How to save money in Dubai? The question we ask ourselves every month. (Normally around the 25th, funnily enough.)
Ever have that feeling whereby you only leave home for an hour, but somehow return Dhs200 poorer with little to show for it? Or what about experiencing that intoxicating ‘I’m rich’ flush on payday, only to wonder where all the money went less than a week later? Yep, us too.
Well friends, enough is enough; scroll on for our guide to cutting down on costs and saving money while still living the (Dubai) high life.
Here’s how to save money in Dubai, without cutting out those brunches. We’re here to make life more fun, remember.
Get happy hour savvy
If you want to save money but can’t bear the thought of missing out on going out, the Dubai institution that is happy hour is your new best friend. Always happy and often lasting far longer than a single hour, the city is awash with amazing deals every day of the week, from buy-one-get-one free bonanzas to excellent discounts on food and beverages, multiple meal deals, drinks packages and so much more. Do your research and there’s really no need to pay full whack every again.
La Serre
Lunch smart
Just ask any city slicker: Dubai does business lunches very well indeed. Whether you’re looking to cut a deal over a swanky three-course affair or just want to escape your desk for a quick bite, you could eat out every weekday lunchtime until mid-2022 and not repeat a deal or destination (do we see a challenge coming on?). What’s more, these keenly priced set menu options are a great way to sample the fare at some of the best restaurants in town (Zuma, La Petite Maison, La Serre and BOCA included) for a fraction of the price of an evening visit.
On the subject of lunch, and at the risk of sounding just a little bit boring, if once or twice a week you bring a packed lunch from home rather than heading out or ordering a delivery, you’ll be amazed at how much money you save.
Brunch clever
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to carry on brunching while watching your dirhams, you just need to be shrewd about it. First up, there’s no shame – and much fun to be had – in opting for a cheap and cheerful brunch over an opulent offering. Check out our round up of budget-friendly brunches here.
If top-tier, best of the best is the only way you like to brunch, seek out deals and consider your packages: there’s often a steep increase in price between the house beverage offering and the bubbly one, so it might be well worth forgoing the fizz once in a merry while.
Plan ahead. If you’re anything like us, it can often be post-brunch that the spending really starts to spiral out of control. For that reason, seek out spots that run post-brunch drinks deals or look at nearby locations where you can carry on partying without paying through the roof.
Staycay the sensible way
Yep, we all deserve a night or two away every so often but hotel stays, particularly those of the five-star variety, can come at a serious cost. Once again, research is key to securing yourself a sweet money-saving staycation deal; many hotels offer discounts if you book far enough in advance or visit mid-week and often throw in added extras – complimentary breakfast, late check out, F&B discounts, access to nearby activities and attractions – if you look closely enough. Alternatively, if you’re a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kinda staycation-er, why not wait it out and then revel in the joy of a last-gasp deal? Websites such as Hotel Tonight are particularly good for this.
And finally, a staycay doesn’t have to mean a hotel sojourn. The UAE is teaming with brilliant offbeat camping and luxury glamping options, many of which are significantly cheaper than even a very average hotel.
Shop sagely
Whether we’re talking about the weekly grocery shop, bulk buying household goods or stock piling party supplies (be that person who buys their Christmas cards in the Jan sales!), there are myriad ways to save money when it comes to purchasing essentials in the UAE – read more here.
It’s not all about the mundane stuff either. The UAE’s thrifting and second-hand shopping options are really coming into their own of late; from couture clobber to one-off accessories, as well as pre-loved toys and high-end furniture, there’s a world of premium goodies at purse-friendly prices out there. For our guide to all things thrifty, click here.
Become a demon of the loyalty card. It might initially seem like a faff, but once you start racking up those 10 percent savings, availing buy-five-get-one-free coffee deals and taking advantage of those loyal customer incentives you won’t look back.
Rethink the way you mosey about town
Yes, jumping in a taxi is ever so easy and renewing your monthly hire car rental has become second nature, but imagine the dirhams you’d save if you gave both a miss for a few weeks (or at least curbed your usage). Instead, what about walking to work, hopping on the Metro next time you head out for dinner, hiring a Careem bike to navigate your way around, catching the bus, jumping on the tram or exploring The Palm by monorail.
