My Dubai monthly expediture
From a SINGLE F/O's perspective:
Basic Pay:19682
Car Loan: 1800 (06 Pajero)
Mobile: 600
Home Phone:100
Internet:400 (Includes SkypeOut)
Pay TV: 230
EPC:50
Income Pro(Offshore):500
Groceries:1500
Entertainment:2000
Rego/Insurance:275
Gym:250
Cleaner:200(4x2hrs/month)
Petrol:200
Incidentals:500
Thus 11077AED SURPLUS and I consider I live very comfortably and am well entertained .(From Australia)
Basic Pay:19682
Car Loan: 1800 (06 Pajero)
Mobile: 600
Home Phone:100
Internet:400 (Includes SkypeOut)
Pay TV: 230
EPC:50
Income Pro(Offshore):500
Groceries:1500
Entertainment:2000
Rego/Insurance:275
Gym:250
Cleaner:200(4x2hrs/month)
Petrol:200
Incidentals:500
Thus 11077AED SURPLUS and I consider I live very comfortably and am well entertained .(From Australia)
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Hi 145,
just spoken to my mate, who confirms full time live in maid through an agency is 200 US dollars per month. As you stated there is an additional 5000 dhs for the visa per year. The health card cost him another 350 dhs for x-ray, blood tests etc.
He also has to supply the maid each month with things like toiletries etc.
Based on the above then a minimum of 1300 dhs would make sense.
I did query the IPEP/LIPS combined loss of income protection and was assured it was not a factor. This came from an admin guy, not IL so perhaps worth further investigation.
Rgds.
just spoken to my mate, who confirms full time live in maid through an agency is 200 US dollars per month. As you stated there is an additional 5000 dhs for the visa per year. The health card cost him another 350 dhs for x-ray, blood tests etc.
He also has to supply the maid each month with things like toiletries etc.
Based on the above then a minimum of 1300 dhs would make sense.
I did query the IPEP/LIPS combined loss of income protection and was assured it was not a factor. This came from an admin guy, not IL so perhaps worth further investigation.
Rgds.
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Alby,
As you say, the maid visa costs 5,000/year. The locals pay them about 800 aed/month but let them live and eat with the families so that is just spending money. Most expats pay about 1200aed and some adjust it depending on whether or not they provide accommodation.
If an agency is charging $200/month for a live in maid, they will be making a profit and the maid is being exploited and working below the minimum wage prescribed by their home country governments. I'd guess that with the agency taking 764 aed/month, the maid is probably lucky to take half that home. I would not be happy having someone work for me and live in my house in Dubai on that rate of pay; I am sure others will disagree.
The IPEP contract has a written in it:
"Limitation on amount of benefits: The insurer will reduce the level of any benefit payable where any benefits payable under this policy and any payments received by the member under any other policies of a similar nature exceeds 75% of the member's gross pre tax renumeration package"
I wouldn't fancy trying to win a LIPS vs IPEP case but then I'm not a lawyer.
Schnowzer
As you say, the maid visa costs 5,000/year. The locals pay them about 800 aed/month but let them live and eat with the families so that is just spending money. Most expats pay about 1200aed and some adjust it depending on whether or not they provide accommodation.
If an agency is charging $200/month for a live in maid, they will be making a profit and the maid is being exploited and working below the minimum wage prescribed by their home country governments. I'd guess that with the agency taking 764 aed/month, the maid is probably lucky to take half that home. I would not be happy having someone work for me and live in my house in Dubai on that rate of pay; I am sure others will disagree.
The IPEP contract has a written in it:
"Limitation on amount of benefits: The insurer will reduce the level of any benefit payable where any benefits payable under this policy and any payments received by the member under any other policies of a similar nature exceeds 75% of the member's gross pre tax renumeration package"
I wouldn't fancy trying to win a LIPS vs IPEP case but then I'm not a lawyer.
Schnowzer
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And on the housemaid issue...
Schnowzer your perspective of life here in the PIT to Oblaaspot is spot on mate! It's nice to hear a realistic take on it every now and again.
To others in the budgeting discussion...
Regarding the housemaid, yes you will find some one "through an agency" for $200 a month, but you could probably scour the streets of some of our layover destinations and find many willing to do the job for much less, but come on guys, that really makes us no better than the companies we seem to bash so adimantly on these forums. These are real humans trying to better themselves, make a living, and in most cases send most of their earnings back home to their families to support them (children, brothers, sisters and parents in many cases). Perhaps not true "spending money" in a litteral sense. Quaff a few less beers or Cappuchinos if you have to and hand a few of those dollars over to the ones to whom several dollars makes a world of difference. Did I really just say that?...a few less beers?...
It's funny (not really, just a figure of speach) to see how poorly some treat their housemaids/domestic help, and at the same time complain about their own employer or "how bad they have it".
Most countries set a minimum wage around 800 Dhs if food and lodging are provided, and it increases if either of those are not. The average I have heard ranges from 1200dhs month without food (1000 with) but with the maids quarters provided, to 1800dhs+ and both food and room provided (with several years working with the same family and if they have proven themselves to be trustworthy and efficient).
Have a look at the back few pages of "Maids International" magazine to see what competition is out there.
To others in the budgeting discussion...
Regarding the housemaid, yes you will find some one "through an agency" for $200 a month, but you could probably scour the streets of some of our layover destinations and find many willing to do the job for much less, but come on guys, that really makes us no better than the companies we seem to bash so adimantly on these forums. These are real humans trying to better themselves, make a living, and in most cases send most of their earnings back home to their families to support them (children, brothers, sisters and parents in many cases). Perhaps not true "spending money" in a litteral sense. Quaff a few less beers or Cappuchinos if you have to and hand a few of those dollars over to the ones to whom several dollars makes a world of difference. Did I really just say that?...a few less beers?...
It's funny (not really, just a figure of speach) to see how poorly some treat their housemaids/domestic help, and at the same time complain about their own employer or "how bad they have it".
Most countries set a minimum wage around 800 Dhs if food and lodging are provided, and it increases if either of those are not. The average I have heard ranges from 1200dhs month without food (1000 with) but with the maids quarters provided, to 1800dhs+ and both food and room provided (with several years working with the same family and if they have proven themselves to be trustworthy and efficient).
Have a look at the back few pages of "Maids International" magazine to see what competition is out there.
Thread Starter
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Schnowzer,
The agency was used to source a suitable maid of which approx 4000 dhs was paid for that service which included bringing the maid to Dubai.
The maid is paid 200 US dollars directly, no agency involved.
Approximate cost of a maid sourced from an agency in the first year:
Agency fee: 4000 dhs
Visa fee: 5000 dhs
Health Card: 350 dhs
Toiletries: 1200 dhs
Flights: 2000 dhs
Total: 12550 dhs or 1046 dhs / 277 US Dollars without salary.
So in my friends case it costs him 477 US dollars per month in the first year reducing to 388 thereafter.
Based on schnowzers comment that most expats pay about 1200 Dhs, that would equate to 594 US dolllars per month or 2245 dhs for the first year going through an agency.
In the process of changing the IPEP to critical illness and personal accident which would cost approx 350 dhs per month.
The agency was used to source a suitable maid of which approx 4000 dhs was paid for that service which included bringing the maid to Dubai.
The maid is paid 200 US dollars directly, no agency involved.
Approximate cost of a maid sourced from an agency in the first year:
Agency fee: 4000 dhs
Visa fee: 5000 dhs
Health Card: 350 dhs
Toiletries: 1200 dhs
Flights: 2000 dhs
Total: 12550 dhs or 1046 dhs / 277 US Dollars without salary.
So in my friends case it costs him 477 US dollars per month in the first year reducing to 388 thereafter.
Based on schnowzers comment that most expats pay about 1200 Dhs, that would equate to 594 US dolllars per month or 2245 dhs for the first year going through an agency.
In the process of changing the IPEP to critical illness and personal accident which would cost approx 350 dhs per month.
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Alby,
You are missing the point! Why pay 4000 to an agency? There are experienced maids all over the UAE, of all nationalities, looking for a job!
My maid cost 5350+12*1200+ 500 for a flight. Just under 1700 aed/mth of which she gets 1200. Your maid costs you 1800/month of which she gets 734. In the second year she costs you $126/mth, less if she stays.
The issue is not, as your mate seems to think, getting a maid as cheaply as possible. It is that you are planning to pay them just 734 aed/month plus toiletries (big deal). God forbid you get a runner or a thief having forked out your 4 grand. I'd be surprised if many would want to work for him for very long at the pay he is looking to give. Having spoken to their mates and discovered the crappy deal he is offering, they will be off like a shot or start to covet his stuff.
Understand that 6 years ago maids got the same as now even with rampant inflation, and he then wants to undercut that by another 40%. Why not tell him to pop off to Africa with a boat and a set of chains? At least it will save on the fine and a ban.
Schnowzer
You are missing the point! Why pay 4000 to an agency? There are experienced maids all over the UAE, of all nationalities, looking for a job!
My maid cost 5350+12*1200+ 500 for a flight. Just under 1700 aed/mth of which she gets 1200. Your maid costs you 1800/month of which she gets 734. In the second year she costs you $126/mth, less if she stays.
The issue is not, as your mate seems to think, getting a maid as cheaply as possible. It is that you are planning to pay them just 734 aed/month plus toiletries (big deal). God forbid you get a runner or a thief having forked out your 4 grand. I'd be surprised if many would want to work for him for very long at the pay he is looking to give. Having spoken to their mates and discovered the crappy deal he is offering, they will be off like a shot or start to covet his stuff.
Understand that 6 years ago maids got the same as now even with rampant inflation, and he then wants to undercut that by another 40%. Why not tell him to pop off to Africa with a boat and a set of chains? At least it will save on the fine and a ban.
Schnowzer
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I agree with the guys who realise that maids/nannies are people just like us trying to get ahead in life. They are not commodoties, they are not slaves, they are people, with families to support. I personally pay above the odds I think. I paid for her sponsorship (all up when you include getting this form stamped, and that thing signed) about 6,000 dhs, and then I pay her 1,500 dh's a month for 5 days a week work from 7am till 3pm, and 2 nights a month of babysitting (usually about 3-4 hrs). She lives with her daughter in a flat they share and pay for (her daughter also works as a nanny for another family), and she is very happy. She is happy, so we are happy. I pay to fly her home every summer to see her family, whereas all info here in Abu Dhabi says I only have to fly her home once every 2 years. Who here would like to only see their family once every 2 years. Not me?
Not overly religious but something in the bible says about treating others as you yourself would like to be treated. Well do that and I think you can't go too far wrong.
Not overly religious but something in the bible says about treating others as you yourself would like to be treated. Well do that and I think you can't go too far wrong.
Well said ANSA and Schnowser,,
It's not a competition to see who can get the cheapest maid,and 4000dhs to an agency, looks to me like 4000dhs wasted.
It pays to look after your maid after all we trust them with our most precious things....our kids..
1000-1400dhs in their hand plus flight every year or every other year seems to be a reasonable amount. I also help out with phone bills, and general shopping if she is out with us.
It's not a competition to see who can get the cheapest maid,and 4000dhs to an agency, looks to me like 4000dhs wasted.
It pays to look after your maid after all we trust them with our most precious things....our kids..
1000-1400dhs in their hand plus flight every year or every other year seems to be a reasonable amount. I also help out with phone bills, and general shopping if she is out with us.
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I'm curious guys, do most employ maids full time? A live in maid seems very odd to me. Can most families in the pit not make do without one? It would seem that there could be some savings without the services of a full time maid. I know the villas are of a good size, but are they that hard to clean?
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Schnowzer,
you have definately missed the point.
This for me, is not a debate on who has the highest or lowest paid maid.
The thread is called My Dubai monthly expenditure.
Our part time maid does not cost 1800 dhs, not sure where you got that from.
As we do not have a full time, live in maid from an agency, i felt it might be worthwile talking to my buddy to get an idea how much costs are actually involved for people thinking of coming to EK, and who will require full time help at home.
I presume the reason for going through an agency is partly due to the fact you have some sort of written contract.
The 200 dollar salary is what the agency stipulates, thus any maid registered with them will know what's ahead.
Hope that clears up the confusion on your part at least.
Good luck.
you have definately missed the point.
This for me, is not a debate on who has the highest or lowest paid maid.
The thread is called My Dubai monthly expenditure.
Our part time maid does not cost 1800 dhs, not sure where you got that from.
As we do not have a full time, live in maid from an agency, i felt it might be worthwile talking to my buddy to get an idea how much costs are actually involved for people thinking of coming to EK, and who will require full time help at home.
I presume the reason for going through an agency is partly due to the fact you have some sort of written contract.
The 200 dollar salary is what the agency stipulates, thus any maid registered with them will know what's ahead.
Hope that clears up the confusion on your part at least.
Good luck.
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Alby,
The 'your' and 1800 aed referred to the one described in your previous post not your cleaner. I tried to make my post less inflammatory. I did not have any confusion that I needed clearing up thanks .
Schnowzer
The 'your' and 1800 aed referred to the one described in your previous post not your cleaner. I tried to make my post less inflammatory. I did not have any confusion that I needed clearing up thanks .
Approximate cost of a maid sourced from an agency
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Schnowzer,
Good reply about the maid, indeed they are the exact reasons most of us have one. My missus works also and it would be impossible to do it without our maid.
However, I think the point of the ORIGINAL thread (before it turned into the 'I pay my maid more than you pay yours' thread), was to see how much the guys monthly expenditure is vs pay.
I think its safe to assume that anyone can dress up OR down how much they fork out per month to service their own argument or perspective on things.
For instance (and I'm not saying you don't spend it), your golf membership seems to be costing you about 12000dhs per year?? As a keen but crap golfer myself, I would say this has to be full FAMILY membership at the Monty....am I right? If so it must be stated that this is one of the most expensive in Dubai. Being a tight fisted git, I only pay 2700dhs per year for full membership at Nad (albeit its going upto 4000dhs for next years membership!). I also presume you must live a long way from the kids school, as you seem to be spending a huge amount on petrol?? We've got 2 cars (a Pajero and a Merc) and spend about half that, but we live close to the school! Also you seem to be spending an unrealistic amount on groceries (8000dhs!!), you must be buying about 10kgs of fillet steak every day from Spinneys for breakfast alone to spend that amount? Try shopping at Carrefore (sp). Again, we spend about half that, as do most of the people I've asked in the last couple of days (and anyone who knows me will tell you I certainly don't skimp when it comes to food shopping - I eat enough to feed a small village just by myself), albeit our kids appear to be much younger than yours and obviously aren't eating us out of house and home yet.
Again, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying your figures are untrue, its just that you seem to have chosen 'fat' figures to support your argument which perhaps aren't the norm (ie the golf membership example), I just thought I'd give slightly more 'common' figures to give the thread more balance.
Cheers
Good reply about the maid, indeed they are the exact reasons most of us have one. My missus works also and it would be impossible to do it without our maid.
However, I think the point of the ORIGINAL thread (before it turned into the 'I pay my maid more than you pay yours' thread), was to see how much the guys monthly expenditure is vs pay.
I think its safe to assume that anyone can dress up OR down how much they fork out per month to service their own argument or perspective on things.
For instance (and I'm not saying you don't spend it), your golf membership seems to be costing you about 12000dhs per year?? As a keen but crap golfer myself, I would say this has to be full FAMILY membership at the Monty....am I right? If so it must be stated that this is one of the most expensive in Dubai. Being a tight fisted git, I only pay 2700dhs per year for full membership at Nad (albeit its going upto 4000dhs for next years membership!). I also presume you must live a long way from the kids school, as you seem to be spending a huge amount on petrol?? We've got 2 cars (a Pajero and a Merc) and spend about half that, but we live close to the school! Also you seem to be spending an unrealistic amount on groceries (8000dhs!!), you must be buying about 10kgs of fillet steak every day from Spinneys for breakfast alone to spend that amount? Try shopping at Carrefore (sp). Again, we spend about half that, as do most of the people I've asked in the last couple of days (and anyone who knows me will tell you I certainly don't skimp when it comes to food shopping - I eat enough to feed a small village just by myself), albeit our kids appear to be much younger than yours and obviously aren't eating us out of house and home yet.
Again, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying your figures are untrue, its just that you seem to have chosen 'fat' figures to support your argument which perhaps aren't the norm (ie the golf membership example), I just thought I'd give slightly more 'common' figures to give the thread more balance.
Cheers
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IXNAT, not all of us have wives who sit in Jumeirah sipping margharitas all day, ours actually work for a living. So yes some of us do need full time nannies. Back in Oz the kids would be in full time day care. Here they can stay in our home and be with a wonderful lady that we know and trust, for less than half the money I would pay for day care in Oz. I know which one I would prefer.
Gotta agree with Oblaaspop about shopping at Carrefour instead of Spinneys. You will literally cut your shopping bill by 30-40%. But I can't agree on the golf membership as I am looking at the membership cost at the sheraton golf club here in Abu Dhabi and it will cost me 12,000 dh's. Still trying to talk my wife into that one. So far....
Gotta agree with Oblaaspop about shopping at Carrefour instead of Spinneys. You will literally cut your shopping bill by 30-40%. But I can't agree on the golf membership as I am looking at the membership cost at the sheraton golf club here in Abu Dhabi and it will cost me 12,000 dh's. Still trying to talk my wife into that one. So far....
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Oobs,
On the maids, I am sorry, I suppose it beats the my dads bigger than yours argument.
Believe it or not, I was trying to be conservative and aim low. I wasn't supporting any arguement and have no agenda, just stating what I spend.
The EK deal at NAD is a good deal if you play mainly 5 day social golf, with the golf course subservient to the racing. The blatant cheating from some sections of the membership makes it less attractive to most serious competition golfers. I am about to sound like a prick but what the heck, golf is my thing; I personally don't enjoy playing a quirky layout fitted into a race course that closes pretty often and the range etc disappear when the DWC is on.
So how much does golf alone cost. Single member at Ranches is 9k plus carts, comps etc; works out at over 12k and is going to be increased. Single at Emirates 20k/Family 26k. Single at Monty I believe in high teens, family mid 20s. Al Badia, off the planet. So actually I thought I was being very conservative. If you don't want to do the race track, golf in Dubai will cost at least 12k but more likely about 20k+ when carts, comps etc are added in. By the way thats without having a reload and doesn't include the joining fees which are significant.
I live on one of the new developments, kids at school in Jumeira, wife works in Deira, spend over an hour and a half in the car every day. That takes care of the gas. (I didn't include my mortgage, utils, service charge etc because unless you take the allowance that is not representative of all pilots)
I don't eat 8,000, that was for food and household. This year all the EK white goods have gone kaput and need replacing. The house needs looking after etc.
So when you say more 'common' figures with golf as the example, NAD is actually the exception to the rule precisely because it is a race track with a golf course. If you live out you will fill the cars up every 5 days on average. And yes running the house costs more than just stuffing my over sized tummy with fillet steak.
Hope that helps,
Schnowzer
On the maids, I am sorry, I suppose it beats the my dads bigger than yours argument.
Believe it or not, I was trying to be conservative and aim low. I wasn't supporting any arguement and have no agenda, just stating what I spend.The EK deal at NAD is a good deal if you play mainly 5 day social golf, with the golf course subservient to the racing. The blatant cheating from some sections of the membership makes it less attractive to most serious competition golfers. I am about to sound like a prick but what the heck, golf is my thing; I personally don't enjoy playing a quirky layout fitted into a race course that closes pretty often and the range etc disappear when the DWC is on.
So how much does golf alone cost. Single member at Ranches is 9k plus carts, comps etc; works out at over 12k and is going to be increased. Single at Emirates 20k/Family 26k. Single at Monty I believe in high teens, family mid 20s. Al Badia, off the planet. So actually I thought I was being very conservative. If you don't want to do the race track, golf in Dubai will cost at least 12k but more likely about 20k+ when carts, comps etc are added in. By the way thats without having a reload and doesn't include the joining fees which are significant.
I live on one of the new developments, kids at school in Jumeira, wife works in Deira, spend over an hour and a half in the car every day. That takes care of the gas. (I didn't include my mortgage, utils, service charge etc because unless you take the allowance that is not representative of all pilots)
I don't eat 8,000, that was for food and household. This year all the EK white goods have gone kaput and need replacing. The house needs looking after etc.
So when you say more 'common' figures with golf as the example, NAD is actually the exception to the rule precisely because it is a race track with a golf course. If you live out you will fill the cars up every 5 days on average. And yes running the house costs more than just stuffing my over sized tummy with fillet steak.
Hope that helps,
Schnowzer
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Schnowzer,
Call yourself a moderator?There has been nothing moderate about your comments on this thread!Just rather strong unfounded opinions(which of course you are entitled to)
Many people in the UAE hire maids thru agencies for various reasons.
Amongst them,piece of mind with regard to health,replacement if not suitable,chance to see a CV and interview the maid.
All these maids willingly apply to these agencies and state the salary that they will accept.
My maid was hired as such and we treat her extremley well and she is very happy with us,we do treat her as a human being(pretty much part of the family)as we have to trust her with our family,pets,home etc.
It was never a question of getting the cheapest maid possible.
I think you should start moderating!!
Happy flying
Call yourself a moderator?There has been nothing moderate about your comments on this thread!Just rather strong unfounded opinions(which of course you are entitled to)
Many people in the UAE hire maids thru agencies for various reasons.
Amongst them,piece of mind with regard to health,replacement if not suitable,chance to see a CV and interview the maid.
All these maids willingly apply to these agencies and state the salary that they will accept.
My maid was hired as such and we treat her extremley well and she is very happy with us,we do treat her as a human being(pretty much part of the family)as we have to trust her with our family,pets,home etc.
It was never a question of getting the cheapest maid possible.
I think you should start moderating!!
Happy flying