Make your spending work for you
It doesn’t always mean spending less. It’s learning how to spend what you have. Armin Moradi, CEO and Founder of Qashio, points to cashback and loyalty ecosystems, which can serve you well. “Certain cards offer 5,10 per cent cashback on everyday categories like groceries and essentials. This way, a large family spending Dh10,000 on food and groceries, gets Dh500-1,000 back, which effectively reduces net spending on those items,” he says.
He also recommends enrolling in supermarket and fuel loyalty programmes, and buying non-perishable items in bulk to reduce long-term cost, which are strategies that stretch every dirham further.
Rethink big-ticket and lifestyle spending
It’s true: Before you know it, your wallet and cards feel empty. That might come down to cars, travel and weekends out. As Iyer notes, cars are something families tend to spend more on than they should, largely because it’s easy to get an auto loan. “As a rule of thumb, your car expenses should be 8% of your income at most,” he adds.
And then, look at your lifestyle swaps. You might have to cut down your travels abroad, but you can still check out local staycations. “Hotels in Dubai have such good deals going on right now,” he suggests. If you’re worried that your social life will come to a standstill, it won’t: “Host potlucks and game nights at home instead of going out. This will bring down the cost on weekends whilst still having a good time.”
Moradi adds that families can also tap into discount platforms and rewards programmes that ‘offer deals across entertainment venues and food outlets,’ helping maintain quality of life while keeping spending in check.
Saving doesn’t have to be dramatic. You can round up every card transaction to the nearest dirham and stashing the difference in a micro-savings account. If you bought a latte for Dh18.50, round it to 19, save 0.50. Over weeks, those tiny amounts add up without you even noticing.
For your children, you can also turn saving into a game. Try a ‘buy nothing day’ once a week or even a ‘no-spend month’ with friends or family.
Budget with intention, not guesswork
A more disciplined framework can make all the difference. Sonal Chiber, Senior Financial Consultant at Crisil Coalition Greenwich (part of S&P Global), recommends a zero-based approach. “Start with a zero based budget where income is fully allocated across essentials, savings, and discretionary spending,” she says. Fixed costs such as rent, school fees, groceries, utilities, and insurance should be prioritised first.
She also suggests breaking monthly income into weekly spending limits to avoid early overspending, automating bill payments and savings, and building a buffer for unexpected expenses, small systems that reduce stress and improve consistency.
Lakshana is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience. She covers a wide range of stories—from community and health to mental health and inspiring people features.
A passionate K-pop enthusiast, she also enjoys exploring the cultural impact of music and fandoms through her writing.