I will have a go at explaining the type of costs a joining FO can expect. I have been here a while now and with a family, I can remember having almost nothing left at the end of every month on FO pay when I joined.
Remember that this is known average prices and if anyone has major differences then feel free to list them.. The purpose of posting this is to try to help new joiners to get a real understanding that the salary looks attractive but it is tight when you subtract living costs in Dubai.
Average monthly expenditure.............
All prices are UAE Dirhams (AED)
All quotes are estimates as I am not going to look up specific numbers (CBA)
Elife TV and Internet 600 (basic package)
Mobile phone bill self and family with data 650 includes phone purchase
Fuel for car (includes school runs) 500
Education fee (1 child) 2000 (most have at least 2 children) = 4000
Schools are always needing a cheque for XYZ activity or trip 500 (2 kids) = 1000
Medical benefits family 400
Provident scheme payment 2500
Food is always @500 per trip to a supermarket me that is around every 3 days as food does not last long here, even in the fridge. 500x10 (30 days in a month) = 5000
Car maintenance (2 x service annually minimum including parts and labour on a car averaging 7 years old) 10k to 15k so average it at 12k or per month 1000. There is still always an expense, even on your brand new car. Tyres need changing every 3 years and will cost you over 2500 min.
Monthly trip to ACE hardware as something always needs repairing on the house 700
Car and home contents insurance pm 300
Monthly clothing replacement (incl school uniforms) and shoes etc bill 4 people 600
If you are an FO then you will most likely be paying off a car loan, intrest free to the company for around a (75k loan) and the rest with intrest from a bank over 4 years. Monthly repayment @ 3000 (150k car / 4 years = 37,500 / 12) = 3125
600
650
500
4000
1000
400
2500
5000
1000
700
300
600
3125
Above Total = 20,375 AED
The list is not exhaustive and now let's say you do go out for lunch just once a week with your loved one = 300 x 4 = 1200
If you drink alcohol and socialise at home and purchase your booze from the local liquor shops then you will be 150 incl tax for the cheapest 2 bottles of wine. 150 pw x 4 = 600. ( If you are not spending 150 pw on booze then you have a soda problem).
Should you decide to go out to dinner only once a month and have a bottle of wine with the meal then a cheap night out is 600
1200
600
600
Above total = 2400 (optional expenses but everyone needs a coffee out at least)
20,375
+
2,400
22,775 GRAND TOTAL, without hobbies or otherwise like family trips.
Converting to current exchange rates, a minimalistic lifestyle, 2 children, having lunch once a week out with your wife and maybe going out once a month for dinner. It includes my best guess for average prices from my head without checking exact amounts. Remember that no holidays, family trips for days out or hobbies are included in the list. To me this is my best approximation of how much your expenses would be in your first 4 years to come fly the shiny jets. The totals at the bottom do not include any form of saving, this is just a very average lifestyle in Dubai during the first 4 years.
AUD 8,200pm
US 6,091pm
UK 4,400pm
EUR. 5,496pm
Last edited by jack schidt; 16th Mar 2016 at 02:29.
Reason: Spelling (darn auto spellers)