Dubai has everything one wishes for. This city is visited by a large number of tourists from all over the world. You can call it a city of entertainment and activities. Some people visit here for tour while some for shifting here permanently and some are already living here since birth. The reason for this crowd is its offers for tourists, some wonderful places and strange activities going on here. Spending a life here can be full of amazement and enjoyment but it can also be expensive. Despite of expenses on fun and normal daily life needs, one should try to save as much as they can or they can fall in debts. While Dubai residents worry about their expenditure, many are not able to find ways to save money.

We all have a proclivity to consume as humans. In a consumer’s paradise like the UAE, and particularly in the city of Dubai, this tendency is amplified. Dubai is a popular stopover location for Emirates Airlines passengers flying around the world. Dubai is one of the expensive cities in the world and it’s difficult to save money. Dubai is one of the best known for its towering skyscrapers, flashy cars, and overall lavish lifestyle, so it may surprise some that living on a budget is also possible here.

Let’s see how you can reduce your spending and save money. Here, we have listed several ways for Dubai residents to save money in Dubai.

1. Make a budget and stick to it

This is the first and the most basic step whenever you are thinking to minimize your expenses. Keep in mind, the amount of money in your bank account. Keep record of everything you spend on. Maintain a diary where you will note details of how much and on what thing you are spending on. Now, on every weekend or end of month, checkout what expenses were essential or your liability and what were on unnecessary things. This will help you make a plan to reduce your expenses a little. Be strict on your plans. To save money in Dubai, you need to save on every smallest thing you can.

2. Try to avoid overspending on clothes and food

You can make some changes in the shops from where you buy food items usually and also your usual schedule of eating. People have a habit of buying an excessive amount of food and stocking their refrigerators with food that eventually ends up in the trash. Buy at a shop where you can bargain also. You can expense less on junk foods as they cost much and harm more. Saving money on food is as simple as preparing your own meals rather than purchasing lunch at work. Try to save money on clothes as well. Before purchasing something, shop around for better and cheap deals, especially on food, clothing. Do online shopping as you will find various offers there and it will save your money and time. If you are a visitor and you have urgent shopping requirements but want to save money, then go for sale or visit cheaper malls like Dubai Outlet Mall or Dragon Mart.

3. Look for affordable homes and save water and electricity

While Dubai has its fair share of luxurious and dreamy properties, tenants on a tighter budget can also easily find affordable homes for rent. Dubai South, International City, Dubai Production City, and Dubailand are some of the best places to rent cheap apartments, with average annual rent for a 1-bedroom flat starting at AED 20k. In that way, you can save money and utilize that money for other necessities of life. You can also share an apartment which can save your rent as well.

In modern times, people are too much addicted to mobile and laptops. They leave their phones unlocked and laptops on even when they are not using it. Switch off Laptops, lights, fans when not in use. Try to reduce the thermostat a bit instead of using blankets, while sleeping. Saving electricity will save your money as you won’t get huge power bills per month. Save water by not letting it run while brushing or doing the dishes.

4. Try to limit Credit cards and avoid borrowing money

Credit cards can be your worst nightmare or your best friend. However, they are frequently your worst enemy. They give you a false sense of security and allow you to spend money you don’t have, so avoid them at all costs. Credit cards even have the lowest interest rates of any bank borrowing mechanism. Spend only what you have and live within your means.

Spending money that isn’t yours is a bad idea. Avoid borrowing money from friends and family unless absolutely necessary. It is not worth it to owe money in order to purchase the item you desire. Avoid credit card debt as much as possible, as interest rates can reach nearly 36% per year. If you must borrow money, apply for a personal loan, which typically has lower interest rates than a credit card. Borrowing creates stress, which should be avoided whenever possible.

5. Live close to your workplace and /or children’s school

Renting near your workplace and/or children’s school is one of the best ways to save money in Dubai. You can significantly reduce your day-to-day transportation expenses by living close to the places you frequent the most. You can use a few tools such as Map View which allows you to look for available homes close to your points of interest. If you’re a parent, living near your child’s school not only reduces commute time but can also help you save money on transportation costs.

6. Save on utilities or bills

7. Limit spending on entertainment

While it may be tempting to spend the weekend enjoying brunches, spa treatments, and luxury staycations, it is entirely possible to have a good time in Dubai without spending a fortune. Try to look out for discounts.

8. Reduce transportation costs

Take metro instead of other transport means as it will save your money. Even if you have a personal vehicle, try to avoid using it in case you want to save money on petrol or diesel but it doesn’t mean that you suddenly stop using your vehicle. While taxis are also not too expensive here, so you can use them too. Don’t think of buying luxurious vehicles unless you can afford it and when you really need it. When you use your personal vehicle, then change routes of destination like choose the route with most shortest distance. Drive carefully to avoid fines. For parking your vehicle, use prepaid seasonal parking cards which you can purchase online and it doesn’t demand hourly fees. Purchasing this card for a whole year of category A will cost you Dhs4,500, Dhs2,500 for six months and AED1,400 for three months and in category B, it will cost you Dhs2,500, Dhs1,300 and Dhs700 respectively.

9. Have an emergency fund and put away a fixed amount

Put away a part of your earning i.e, put away a fixed amount from your earning and decide to not touch that money for your expenses. You should save at least 10% of your monthly income. Keep that money in coin box or piggy banks which seem like a toy but is actually very helpful. It will resist you surely from taking out that money as you have to break it for using that money. Don’t make excuses in these things if you must save money in Dubai.

An emergency fund is useful in the event of unexpected misfortune, such as job loss, an accident, or any emergency in the family. The general rule is to save at least two or three months’ salary as an emergency fund that is easily accessible and can utilize.

10. Buy a cost-effective internet package

When selecting a home internet (Du / Etisalat) and TV package in Dubai, it is critical to conduct preliminary research and look for promotions and bundle options and which can help to save your money in the long run. You can also save money by opting for a basic TV package that only includes the channels you regularly watch rather than a premium package that includes channels you never watch.

11. Buy a quality product and Checkout discounts

When making a purchase, prioritize quality over quantity. If you have a family, invest in a high-quality couch that can withstand the onslaughts of growing children. Buy quality because it will reduce your financial burden in the long run. The money you save on the price will be used to pay for long-term repairs.

Take advantage of loyalty programs that allow you to accumulate a large number of points. Nowadays, most stores accept loyalty cards, so look into hypermarket loyalty programs that convert your points into cash.

12. Track your finances and spending

Use a banking app on your phone (if one is available) to get a quick view of your money, keep track of your balances, review your transaction history, and transfer funds between accounts. What matters is that you keep track of how much money is coming in and going out. Keep track of how much money is spent where. This allows you to see if you’re overspending and where you can cut back to save money.

13. Save on furniture and groceries

If you have a necessity of buying furniture, then to save money you can buy some used furniture from online websites. There are many websites like Dubizzle Dubai and Second Hand Dubai where you can buy used furniture and also you can sell used items through these sites. For monthly groceries, avoid supermarkets and go for general stores. Make a list before going so that you can analyze your expenses. Avoid spending money on unnecessary things and stick to your listed stuffs.

14. Minimize expense on entertainment

Dubai is a place of attraction. Even when you are living here, you will not ever find that you have enjoyed everything in Dubai because there is no limit of strange things in Dubai. Monuments, water sports, restaurants providing dishes from all over the country, adventurous activities and many more things continue spreading here and everyday something new get added. Since one can’t resist to plan for entertainment, it is advisable to spend less. Travel using metro or bus. Stay in hotels of reasonable price which you can afford. Look for spots with no entry fee. Plan for holidays and make a fix budget for your expenses. Try to stick to that budget unless it’s necessary to spend more.

You can check for the things to do / Attractions / Activities in Dubai just under 100 AED. Check the listed Places

15. Clear your debts

Too much spending in a city like Dubai can quickly lead to debt. If you are already in debt, try to pay it off as soon as possible. Don’t make the mistake of overusing your credit card and failing to pay it on time. If you do not pay off your credit card debt, it will soon become your burden when the deadline arrives. Use cash instead of using a credit card. Never be careless when it comes to paying off debts.

16. Recycle the leftovers

It’s very boring to eat the same thing every day. Instead of throwing away your leftovers, use them in another recipe. In case if there is some leftover chicken or food in the refrigerator. You could make chicken salad, or food salad and other dishes with it. Reusing your leftovers will help you save money on food while also reducing food waste.

17. Do part-time jobs

Even if you are employed, you will must have some hours of day which you spend getting bored or roaming here and there. Why not use that time to earn a few dollars? There are many part-time jobs available online and offline which you can try. It will just take your few hours but earning through it can be used to pay for bills and other small requirements. It will help minimize expenses from salary. Read our guide to find part time jobs in Dubai.

18. Avoid Toll roads

If you own a car, you’ve probably met Salik (Pay fine / Check Salik Balance) in Dubai. However, if you’re looking for budget living tips and don’t mind a longer commute, you can avoid paying the toll fee by taking alternate routes.

And finally Give targets and rewards yourself

Even a once-in-a-while dinner at a nice restaurant to commemorate a milestone in your savings plan can be beneficial. When you reach your goal, treat yourself to something you’ve been wanting for a while. Having something that easily motivates you aids in your ability to stay focused on your goal.

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