UAE salary vs poor exchange rate

[Dr. Evil]

The exchange rate compared with other currencies is very poor and have been for some years now. Lots of talk to get rid of a pegged Dirhams to the USD....

Anyway I just calculated something "funny" :8

Since I joined the UAE and until today, I have had an increase of aprx. 60%. Not so bad you would think. But if I compare to the exchange rate then and with todays vs my different salaries, I have lost 2,5%!!!!! In theory at least. But hey my salary back home would have gone up as well, not necessarily 60%, but my buying power would have improved vs the inflation in my home country. I dont know exactly how much the official UAE inflation rate has been since I joined. Example:

Fuel has gone from 4 AED a gallon to 6,25 AED = 56%
Newspaper is status quo on 2 AED = 0%
Housing from good to = trillion%
Street taxiis in Abu D more or less the same = 0%
Bottle of milk 7 AED to 9 AED = 29%
Pint of beer at many places remain status quo but new a trendy places gone up = 50%
Bottle of Masafi water or a can of coke still 1 AED = 0%
The Club membership from 1500 AED to 1900 AED = 27%

So am I losing money? Not really since I spend the majority of my income here, unless I travel which is very costly! So what to do with my savings when I leave??? Sh!t... I guess I better die here :{

[Track Coastal]

pls check your yahoo email.

Cheers,
TC :ok:

[danceswithsheep]

Ahhh, the magical story of the Dihram/Dinar being its own currency......not to burst a bubble but too many deals are being done for this to happen for a long while( mind, I still think Ireland have a shot at the 6 Nations next year!).
Your look at prices stands true all over ME but you know why your still here............As the advert says
Housekeeper (full time) = 120BD/month
Beer at the club = 1BD
Petrol = 100f/litre
Sitting in the sun, paying no tax, PRICELESS
I know groceries are a lot and the traffic is a bitch but compared to the real world we are still on a winner. Those that want that veiw from a seat out of here should get the balls to go! No-one keeps you here but yourself!!!!!!
Weather at home = 60 deg, Rain Showers
Taxes at home = 45%
Petrol = 1.25Euro
Cost of calling home to wind up the oldies, FREE with SKYPE!!!!!!!!!

[Funk]

:} fortunately there are ample spares and accessories for my Ducati that can be sourced from the US.
I might even grab another bike from the US, with 5% import duty & freight I can land 2nd bike for 1/2 the price of one is Aussie.
It is all swings and round abouts and as all us alcohol abusing ATCO's know, we have to accept the things we cannot change :}

[danceswithsheep]

Verc.......Sorry the UAE is not forward thinking enough to allow SKYPE. Saves me a fortune calling those sexy chat numbers!

To all.....Our manager is fond of saying exchange rates go up and down but we all know the truth. The Middle East is never going to be a place to make millions as an air trafficer, but no where is! If its money you want, change jobs..............as for time off, sunshine, wild west(well East) ATC, cheap(but crap) beer and a decent family life............BAH No.1

[LazyLLz]

Some food for thought: :ugh::}

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=197697&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30218

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/story.asp?Article=197683&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30218

L_LLz