What is the one thing you dread most about your job? For many, that could be asking for a salary rise – even if you deserve it. Experts say there is a right and a wrong way to ask your boss for a wage increase and you should start by being prepared before sitting down with your manager for the “salary talk”. This could include compiling your successes over the past year to boost your case. You should also consider your goals and what benefits matter most to you, such as a better work-life balance. It is also important to figure out the pros and cons of working full-time in the office or a hybrid mix that allows you to work from home a couple of days a week. But how do you ensure that you start 2024 with a welcome boost to your income? Host Felicity Glover talks to John Armstrong, founder and managing director of recruitment specialist JCA Associates, who takes us through the steps to ask for a pay rise.

Knowing how to invest is an important skill to set you on the road to securing your financial future. Getting started, however, can be overwhelming if you are a beginner. While there’s a lot of advice on the likes of TikTok and YouTube, this is something you need to be wary about as many influencers are paid to promote investment services or are simply not financial experts. Taking the DIY investment route with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is a great option as it is low-cost and puts you in charge of your finances. Staying the course and keeping a cool head during negative market events are also key to your success. But how do you begin? Host Felicity Glover talks to Peter Siks, the investment coach at Saxo Bank and co-author of Investing for Dummies, who advises investors to embrace fear to hedge against global uncertainties. Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid.

As if rising interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis aren’t enough for investors to worry about these days. Despite all the talk of a bull market this year, stock markets continue their typical roller-coaster ride – one minute they’re in positive territory and your portfolio is in the black. And the next, they are impacted by a devastating crisis, such as the wars in Ukraine and Israel-Gaza. But is there a way to create a smarter portfolio to offset geopolitical uncertainties? Host Felicity Glover talks to Ken Fisher, the billionaire founder, executive chairman and co-chief investment officer of Fisher Investments, who advises investors to embrace fear to hedge against global uncertainties. Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

It’s so easy to get caught up in the treadmill of life – chasing money, building our net worth, planning for retirement, supporting our families, working long hours and not spending enough time to do the things we’re passionate about with the people we love. It took the Covid-19 pandemic to make many of us realise that our work-life balance was much more important for our long-term happiness, health and mental well-being. I recently came across a book by personal finance expert Marissa Thakor – and it put a lot of my conditioned beliefs to the test about our constant chase for more money and success. Titled MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your 'Enough’, it argues that we spend the better part of our adult lives accumulating as much money as possible and working way too many hours because that’s what society expects of us. But as “The Great Resignation” trend took hold at the height of the pandemic, it became clear: many people had found their “enough” – and took a leap into the unknown. I speak to Carol Glynn, the founder of Conscious Finance Coaching, about how to identify how much is enough for our personal and financial freedom. Produced by Doaa Farid and Arthur Eddyson

The highs and lows of stock markets are often compared to a roller coaster ride – one minute, you’re on top of the world and making a profit. The next, it could all come crashing down and you start panic selling. Knowing how to keep our emotions in check while trading is an essential skill that investors need to learn, regardless of their experience. As legendary investor Warren Buffett once said: “The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect.” What are the best strategies to control our emotions while investing? Host Felicity Glover talks to Matthew Carstens, director of product experience at neo-broker amana, who shares his best tips on how investors can keep their cool regardless of what is happening in stock markets. Produced by Doaa Farid and Arthur Eddyson

There are many reasons why we should have long-term financial goals – but perhaps the biggest is to ensure that we have a security net during our golden years. Working out what we want to achieve financially in our lives can be a struggle for some. Sure, there are the usual goals that many of us may aspire to – saving for a home and our children’s education, for instance. But what if your goals are different and you don’t want the responsibility of owning a home, or maybe you'd like to join the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and stop working at 40 – or even younger? Host Felicity Glover talks to Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, about setting financial goals and how to get started. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Doaa Farid and Arthur Eddyson

What are your plans for investing in gold for the rest of year? As many of you probably know, gold made a welcome comeback in April, jumping above $2,000 per ounce for the first time in more than a year. While the move was great news for gold investors, the bad news is that the precious metal typically rises during economic headwinds. In this case, the US banking crisis had taken hold amid persistent inflation and fears that the US was falling into a recession. While those fears remain, we’re also officially in a bull market run – so what does this mean for gold and its outlook for the rest of 2023? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Aziz Moti, general manager and head of analysis at ISA Bullion, who discusses the precious metal’s outlook for the remainder of the year. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

In this special episode of Pocketful of Dirhams, we talk to the billionaire twin brothers who famously sued Harvard classmate Mark Zuckerberg for allegedly stealing their idea for Facebook. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, former Olympic rowers and founders of crypto exchange Gemini, first became famous after their legal dispute with Mr Zuckerberg, portrayed in the critically acclaimed 2010 movie, The Social Network. Their venture into the world of cryptocurrency pushed the Winklevoss twins into the spotlight again. In 2014, they founded Gemini, which has become one of the most reputable and regulated platforms in the industry. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Cameron and Tyler at The National’s newsroom in Abu Dhabi. They talk about their belief in Bitcoin, how they first came across it, why they founded Gemini, how to cope with the volatile crypto market and why AI is the next big thing for crypto. Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

As the summer holidays approach, have you started thinking about how to protect your hard-earned money while travelling abroad? There are numerous hazards to be aware of – from pickpockets to sophisticated bait and switch scams and online fraudsters, to name a few. But there are ways that you can protect your finances before and during your holiday, such as being prepared and having a plan B in place in case your financial security is compromised. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Carol Glynn, the founder of Conscious Finance Coaching, who discusses her best tips on how to keep our money safe while travelling. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

Are you financially prepared for the Eid Al Fitr celebrations? There are numerous expenses associated with the holiday — such as gifts, new clothes, family gatherings, zakat and overseas travel. There is no doubt that it can be an expensive time of the year for many households in the UAE — particularly for those who have left it too late to set budgets and put away money in the lead up to the holiday. And that is why it’s extremely important not to give into temptation and rack up debt during Eid, particularly with the higher interest rates that credit cards attract these days. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Rasheda Khatun Khan, a wealth and wellness expert, founder of Design Your Life and the author of Millionaire Mindset – 6 Steps To A Wealthy Life, who discusses the best ways to avoid debt over the Eid break. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

Have you ever wondered how finance professionals manage their own money? It can be difficult for many of us to manage our personal finances at the best of times, such as sticking to a budget, ensuring we have enough to cover our daily expenses and consistently saving for important financial milestones, such as a down payment on a home and retirement. There's no doubt that financial literacy is one of the most important elements of successfully managing our money — but it doesn't come naturally to some people, who struggle to plan for a financially secure future. While some of us may seek advice from a finance professional to help us on our path to financial security, others might be wondering whether those professionals manage their money differently to regular people. And are they more responsible and less susceptible to temptation than we are? In this episode of Pocketful of Dirhams, host Felicity Glover speaks to Fazeela Gopalani, the head of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the Middle East, who says that planning is key to managing your personal finances successfully — and something that she practices every day with her own money. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

Have you tried ChatGPT yet? There’s been a lot of talk lately about the chatbot developed by Open AI to generate human-like conversations with people on a range of topics – big or small. There’s no doubt that many of you – like me – have already tried it and found that its potential is wide-ranging. Over the past few years, low-cost investment robo-advisers have democratised investing for the masses by using AI to assess, for instance, a person’s risk levels. This led me to start thinking about ChatGPT’s potential as a free financial adviser – what type of advice would it offer and could it replace the 20th-century concept of an expensive financial adviser that many people can’t afford? Welcome to Pocketful of Dirrams – I’m Felicity Glover, the personal finance editor at The National. Joining me today is, Joseph El Am, general manager of digital wealth manager StashAway Mena, who’s here to talk about Chat G-P-T and financial planning.   Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

It’s that time of the year when many employees can expect a salary rise and bonus. On average, salaries in the UAE are expected to rise by 2 per cent to 5 per cent, although this depends on the sector you are working in and your role. According to a recent survey by jobs portal Bayt.com, 53 per cent of professionals in the UAE expect to receive a salary increase this year. Employees in banking, financial services, investment management and consulting can expect the highest salary increases and bonuses in 2023, says Trefor Murphy, founder and chief executive of recruitment consultancy Cooper Fitch. However, employees in other sectors can also expect solid pay rises and benefits such as flexible working, Mr Murphy adds. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Mr Murphy, who discusses this year’s salary trends in the UAE and shares his advice on the steps you should follow to ask for a pay rise.  

It’s been a tough year on our personal finances — from record-high global inflation to rising interest rates and an increase in borrowing costs for consumers.   There are also strong warning signs that a global recession is looming.    But, as we head into 2023, now is a good time to review your finances and plan ahead.    This is to ensure you begin the New Year on a positive financial footing — such as setting goals to pay off or lower your debts, sticking to a budget and saving for the future.   “It's a good time to reflect and review your finances, and then decide what you need to reduce or change,” says Alison Soltani, founder of savings website Leap Savvy Savers.   Host Felicity Glover is joined by Ms Soltani, who shares her tips on how to boost your finances in 2023.

It can be an extremely stressful time if you lose control of your debts and can no longer keep up with monthly instalments on credit cards or loans. There are many reasons why debts can spiral out of control — from losing your job to facing a medical emergency, or even spending beyond your means. Whatever the reason, there are consequences — after three missed payments, banks in the UAE will alert their collections department about a debt default. That is a situation you don’t want to find yourself in as you could eventually face legal action and a travel ban. But how do you negotiate with debt collectors and — more importantly — make it work to your advantage? Host Felicity Glover is joined by debt collection expert Jaya Ratnani, managing partner of Freed Financial Services, who discusses what to do if you are contacted by a collections team.

The UAE’s Unemployment Insurance Scheme took effect earlier this month, giving all Emirati and foreign employees in the country a vital cash safety net if they lose their job.   The mandatory social security support system is based on 60 per cent of an employee’s basic salary and is capped at a maximum of three months, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said.   While the finer details have yet to be announced, financial experts have welcomed the move but say it is imperative that people also set up an emergency savings fund, rather than rely solely on the unemployment benefits.   Host Felicity Glover is joined by Keren Bobker, an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets, to discuss the benefits of the social security scheme.

Buying property is one of the biggest financial commitments that we will make in our lives. But getting on to the property ladder can be difficult for some — saving for a deposit while also meeting other expenses can take years, more so these days as property prices quickly rise and mortgages become more expensive due to central banks raising interest rates to rein in inflation. Others may feel uncomfortable making a financial commitment to buy a property and prefer to live their lives free of the burden of a mortgage. However, many financial experts advise that investing in property is important to diversify your portfolio, particularly in today's bear market. One option in the UAE involves fractional property investing. Think of it like crowdsourcing — a certain number of people invest X amount of money and collectively buy a property together. The property is then rented out and investors earn a return based on the rental yield. But what is fractional property investing, how much do you need to begin and are the returns worth it? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Siddiq Farid, co-founder of real estate investment platform SmartCrowd, who discusses the pros and cons of fractional property investing. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Thomas Smith

It has been a difficult year for cryptocurrency investors. Bitcoin has plunged from a record high of about $68,000 last year to trade in the $19,800 range on Monday, while the cryptocurrency sector's market capitalisation has again fallen below the $1 trillion mark. Analysts warn that the cryptocurrency roller coaster ride is far from over, dragged down by this year’s equity bear market, global economic uncertainty, higher interest rates and a sharp rise in the cost of living around the world. Many novice investors might be ruing the day they jumped on the cryptocurrency bandwagon, believing they could make a fast buck on the likes of Bitcoin, Ethereum or meme coins such as Doge and Shiba Inu on their “shoot to the moon” journey. However, rather than panic selling — and risk losing a substantial chunk of your investment ― investors might want to consider some other strategies. These include holding on for dear life (HODLing) to avoid short-term volatility, or staking digital coins to earn passive income. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Stefan Rust, founder of blockchain development house Laguna Labs and former chief executive of bitcoin.com, who discusses the benefits of investing in cryptocurrencies for the longer term.

The government’s overhaul of visa regulations last September means that teenagers aged 15 to 18 can now work part-time in the UAE, giving them an opportunity to earn a regular salary and learn some vital life skills at the same time. Those skills can include anything from money management to time management, as well as building confidence, instilling a sense of responsibility and gaining that all-important on-the-job experience. While it is an empowering experience for youth, the two most important skills for part-time working teenagers is understanding the value of money and how to manage a regular salary, financial experts say. This includes budgeting, setting savings goals and even beginning their investment journey as early as possible to take advantage of the benefits of long-term compounding interest. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Marilyn Pinto, founder of Kids Finance Initiative Global, who discusses the benefits of teenagers earning a regular salary through part-time work.

As the UAE’s property market continues its strong recovery from Covid-19 pandemic-induced headwinds, recent changes to the country’s visa rules have opened up long-term real estate investment options for residents wanting to put down roots in the Emirates. While average property prices in Dubai rose by 10.9 per cent, year on year, last month, residents can now qualify for a 10-year golden visa if they buy a property for as little as Dh2 million ($544,588). Despite rising interest rates, the initiative is attracting both residents and high-net-worth individuals from around the world, with an average budget of about Dh3m, property experts say. But where should you buy and how do you apply for the golden visa once you have decided on a property? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Richard Waind, group managing director of Betterhomes, who discusses the UAE property market and how the golden visa is benefitting the long-term plans of UAE residents. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

It's difficult at the best of times to stick to a budget — not only do you have to fund your daily living expenses, but there’s also paying down debt and meeting important savings goals to set you on the path towards a secure financial future. For parents, there are also expensive education costs to consider, as well providing for their children. But during times of high inflation and rising interest rates, it becomes more difficult for households to stretch their dirhams further. Regardless of where you are in the world today, the prices of food, petrol and other everyday expenses are on the rise and salaries are not keeping up with inflation. This leads many people to struggle with their budgets. However, there are numerous ways to ease the financial stress you might be experiencing, experts say. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Alison Soltani, founder of UAE savings website Leap Savvy Savers, who shares her tips on how to save money on everyday expenses during periods of high inflation. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

Buying a new or used vehicle can be an overwhelming experience for many — especially if you know very little about cars and what to be aware of before making a commitment. But cutting through the noise of slick sales talk and the many deals that are on offer in the UAE — which typically include extended warranties, free service packages, insurance and registration for the first year — is only the first step. It is essential to do your research and set a budget before deciding on which car to buy: new, second-hand or even electric, experts say. It is also important to consider the cost of running a car, more so these days with higher petrol prices, as well as its long-term value. So, where do you begin? Host Felicity Glover is joined by automotive entrepreneur Naz Chaudhry, who shares his tips and tricks on how to negotiate the best deal when buying a car in the UAE. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

Protecting our finances online has become more difficult since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, when we switched our lives online to work, study and shop from home during movement restrictions. The recent spate of true-crime documentaries on streaming services, including Netflix’s The Tinder Swindler, Bad Vegan and Inventing Anna, have served to highlight the issue — showing just how easy it is to trick people into handing over their life savings to a scammer. Since 2020, online fraud has surged around the world, according to cyber security experts. But what are the red flags and how can you tell if an SMS, a website or even a social media post is genuine? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Salah Suleiman, the UAE sales manager at internet content security company Trend Micro, who talks about online fraud and how to protect your hard-earned money. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

Salaries, hiring and workplace trends have been some of the biggest concerns for employees since the Covid-19 pandemic began two years ago. From temporary furloughs to salary cuts and working from home, it has been a difficult experience for many people around the world. However, the jobs market in the UAE will continue to recover in 2022 as business confidence and hiring activity return to pre-coronavirus levels, according to recruitment experts. A number of specialist recruitment agencies in the UAE are forecasting that our take home pay could rise as much as 5 per cent this year. But what other benefits can we look forward to? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Grace Eldridge, a business manager at recruitment specialist Hays Middle East, who talks about this year’s UAE salary trends. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

Personal finance expert and author Andrew Hallam has inspired expatriates around the world to invest more effectively through his international bestselling books Millionaire Teacher and Millionaire Expat, which detail his journey about how he built a million-dollar portfolio of low-cost exchange-traded funds on a teacher’s salary. Hallam, who started investing as a teenager and became a millionaire at 37, has a new book out this month: Balance: How to Invest and Spend for Happiness, Health and Wealth. Balance was inspired by Hallam’s curiosity about why people equate success with money and career. While these aren’t bad goals, he says, there is more to life than work and a salary. Hallam believes success should be measured by life satisfaction based on four factors: strong relationships, having enough money, good health and a sense of purpose. But how do we achieve this? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Hallam, who talks about his new book and why it’s important to find the right balance in your financial life. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

With so much talk about stagflation, inflation, stock market bubbles, the Covid-19 pandemic and the supply chain crunch, investors have every right to feel jittery these days. And as central banks start preparing to withdraw their pandemic stimulus measures, now is the time to put your investment portfolio through a stress test to help protect your financial future. Taking steps to shield your portfolio from market forces should be done at least once a year, experts say.   While nobody can accurately predict when a crisis may happen, the best way to protect your investments is to globally diversify your portfolio across a spread of assets. This means not putting all your eggs in one basket and diversifying it across a range of assets, including commodities, government bonds, property and equities. The idea behind this is if one asset performs poorly, the others can offset this, experts say.   But what are the red flags and how do you position your portfolio to hedge against market threats? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, who takes us through the steps of stress testing our investment portfolios.   Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

Almost everybody has dreamt of one day winning a life-changing amount of money. For most, however, it remains nothing more than that: just a dream. But for Junaid Rana, a 36-year-old Pakistani driver who grew up in Dubai, that dream became reality when he won Dh50 million ($13.6 million) after entering a Mahzooz weekly draw last month. He’s gone from earning Dh6,000 a month as a company driver to now having the financial freedom that many people spend a lifetime seeking. One month on from his life-changing win, Mr Rana says he’s still coming to terms with the fact that he’s a multimillionaire and no longer has to work for anybody. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Mr Rana, who talks about his future plans and how this life-changing amount of money will make a difference to his and his family’s life. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

“Money doesn’t grow on trees” is an expression we have all heard at some point in our lives. It might be something our parents told us or we tell our own children when they demand things that are too expensive. The transformational coach and yoga teacher Esra Ogut, author of Money Does Grow on Trees: The Myths We Create and Live By, says the reverse is true.   Ms Ogut, a former shoe salesgirl from Turkey turned millionaire living in the US, believes that success is a matter of personal choice and the key to this is simply learning how to make that happen. This can be done by removing those self-imposed limitations that block us from success and hide the money that is sitting out there on trees waiting to be picked.   So, how we break those self-imposed limitations to ensure we can achieve prosperity? Host Alice Haine is joined by Ms Ogut, who outlines the steps to take for increasing your wealth.   Hosted by Alice Haine Produced by Ayesha Khan and Arthur Eddyson

If there’s one lesson that the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us, it’s that being financially secure during times of uncertainty is crucial. This includes having a financial safety net to protect against job loss or other unforeseen events, as well as saving and investing for the future. But money skills continue to lag, according to a 2019 financial literacy survey by Visa, which found that 43 per cent of respondents in the UAE felt they were not ready to manage their own money.Another 53 per cent said schools did not prepare them enough to take care of their finances. And this is where Rolly Brocales is hoping to make a difference. The managing director of restaurant chain Off The Hook is on a mission to help his 90 employees save for their futures by teaching them financial literacy skills. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Mr Brocales, who discusses how he and his partners are helping their team invest and set financial goals. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Ayesha Khan and Arthur Eddyson

Video game players have discovered a lucrative side hustle – earning cryptocurrency by signing up for play-to-earn games.   One of the most popular play-to-earn games is Axie Infinity, which allows players to accumulate tradable cryptocurrency coins. In fact, it’s become a financial lifeline for many gamers who have lost their jobs in countries such as the Philippines, Brazil and Venezuela.   Built on the Ethereum blockchain, which was founded by Vitalik Buterin, Axie has grown from about 30,000 players in April to a massive 1 million in August alone. But there is an upfront fee for players who have to invest in a team of three Axies at a cost of about $600.   And this is even before you get to try the game out to decide if you like it – or not. Which makes you wonder: is it worth the investment and how easy is it to earn cryptocurrency through the platform?   Host Felicity Glover is joined by Devesh Mamtani, chief market strategist at Century Financial in Dubai, who discusses the pros and cons of play-to-earn video games.

Building up an emergency fund to ensure you are protected against any financial surprises is one of the golden rules of personal finance. But once that emergency fund has hit its target of about three to six months’ of your monthly expenses, what should you do with the rest?   While many choose to invest their money to grow their net worth over time, others prefer to sit on their savings – storing it in bank accounts, or worse, under their mattress.   So what causes some people to fear the world of investing? And how can they break that fear and start making their money work for them? Host Alice Haine is joined by Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International, who outlines how to get started in the world of investing.

Over the past 18 months, the world has changed more than anyone could have predicted. The Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, shutting businesses, schools, offices and shopping malls, and confining millions to their homes for long periods of time. While many saw their incomes dwindle or lost their jobs altogether, others boosted their savings as movement restrictions prevented them from spending.   Now, as the world slowly emerges from the pandemic, we have all benefited in some way from the extra time the pandemic gave us. Our busy lives stopped almost overnight and we were given a unique opportunity to reflect on how we lived our lives – which extended to how we spend our money. So, what has the pandemic taught us all about our personal finances? And what can we do, going forward, to ensure we have a better relationship with money?   Co-hosts Alice Haine and Felicity Glover discuss the money lessons they have learnt during the pandemic and whether or not they will continue with their new financial habits.   Hosted by Alice Haine Produced by Arthur Eddyson

Numerous studies around the world are indicating that a four-day working week can be successful, leading to an increase in productivity and happier, healthier employees as the work-life balance improves. Governments and private companies in countries such as Spain, New Zealand and Iceland have been experimenting with a reduced working week without cutting employees’ salaries.   Here in the UAE, a digital marketing company in Dubai recently announced that it is switching to a four-day working week from September until the end of the year to provide employees with a better work-life balance. While there are many factors for companies to consider before making the switch, is it possible that a four-day working week will become the norm for employees around the world or is it more about flexibility to achieve a better work-life balance?   Host Felicity Glover is joined by David McKenzie, group managing director at Dubai-based recruitment agency McKenzie Jones, who outlines his reasons why a four-day working week is unlikely to succeed in the UAE.

The UK’s property market experienced a mini-boom during the pandemic with house prices rising 8.5 per cent last year. This was in sharp contrast to Britain’s wider economy, which was hammered by the fallout from the Covid-19 crisis as the country endured a series of lockdowns.   While a stamp duty holiday helped to propel the market upwards, easier access to mortgage finance and a lockdown-induced desire for more space outside major cities also played their part. But one thing slightly dampening prices in recent months, particularly in London, have been the strict travel restrictions, which prevented wealthy buyers from jetting in to view homes. So, with travel curbs now easing, particularly in the UAE, what’s in store for the UK’s property market now?   Host Alice Haine is joined by Henry Faun, partner and head of Knight Frank's Middle East private office, who outlines how much pent-up demand from the region will affect British house prices.

Trust is key in any relationship, but when it comes to your money you need to be sure the person offering you advice is 100 per cent reliable. The relationship between the UAE financial advisory sector and resident investors has been dented in recent years due to the mis-selling of expensive savings, investment and life insurance products.   A number of regulatory changes rolled out last year aim to reduce the risk of mis-selling. Commission is now capped on new policies and financial advisers must include a mandatory 30-day “free-look” period that allows customers to cancel it without charge within the first month. Advisers are also now required to provide a benefit illustration to customers before the policy commences and a policy statement every six months. But what more could be done to ensure residents fully trust financial advisers in the Emirates once again?   Host Alice Haine is joined by William Tohme, senior regional head for the Mena region at the CFA Institute, who shares his insights on how trust can be boosted in the region.

Interest in trading has surged during the Covid-19 pandemic, with retail investors flocking to platforms such as Robinhood and Etoro to buy and sell stocks.   With time on their hands during movement restrictions and extra money to invest after a series of government stimulus packages, retail traders around the world have embraced the "gamification" of trading, which has been driven by US meme stocks such as AMC Entertainment and GameStop.   But there is one group of traders who have been flying under the radar: teenagers around the world have also jumped on the trend and are using their pocket money to trade in shares.   Host Felicity Glover, the personal finance editor at The National, is joined by Advait Arya, a 16-year-old trader from Abu Dhabi, who talks about his investing journey and how he made a Dh30,000 profit.

If there is one lesson the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us, it is to be financially prepared for once-in-a-lifetime events.   In a world where living beyond our means and being in debt has become the norm, setting up a financial safety net to protect our personal finances during economic downturns, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, can be difficult for many.   While the debt-free journey can be hard work, it is a realistic financial goal if you plan carefully, pay down your expensive debts as quickly as possible and rein in your spending.   Host Felicity Glover is joined by Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com, who offers his advice on the steps to take to begin your journey towards a debt-free life — and protect your financial future.

As the popular saying goes: money does not grow on trees. But wealth can grow through careful money management. While getting on top of your finances may seem like an insurmountable task for some, taking control and being consistent will help you turn a time-consuming chore into a habit you actually enjoy.   From tracking your expenses to following a simple budget and cutting down on unnecessary expenditure, there are a number of easy ways to help you stay on top of your financial affairs. While the Covid-19 crisis saw some people’s spending decrease dramatically last year, others suffered job losses that threw their personal finances into chaos. So, how can people get their finances back on track in this post-Covid era and how can it be done in a simple way?   Host Alice Haine is joined by Alexis Soued, the co-founder of Lune, a new personal financial assistance platform which aims to simplify money management and increase financial literacy in the Mena region.

It’s hard to pick up a newspaper these days without some reference to cryptocurrencies on the pages. But for some, the world of crypto assets and Blockchain technology seems like another language. Since Bitcoin was first created after the 2008 financial crash, cryptocurrencies have multiplied, along with their value. While the rise and fall of crypto assets has been well documented with some investors making vast sums and others losing their life savings, scepticism from central bankers is rife. European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde has warned of the link between crypto assets and money laundering, while Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey told investors to only buy cryptos "if you're prepared to lose all your money". So with so much uncertainty around the future of cryptocurrencies, how viable are they and do they really have a place in the investment world? Host Alice Haine is joined by Raša Karapandža, visiting professor of economics at New York University Abu Dhabi, who shares his insights on the misconceptions surrounding the technology.

While the start of 2021 was bleak, with the world still in the grip of a pandemic that had already ravaged major economies, the outlook now is more positive. There is a sense of hope, thanks to rapid progress on the vaccination drive and coronavirus restrictions easing once again. The global recovery is backed by huge levels of monetary and fiscal support, as well as improving growth and earnings that have translated into significant rallies in most equity markets. However, rebounding economies also bring uncertainty. Inflation is ramping up and monetary support will soon start to unwind, putting countries’ employment levels at risk. With geopolitics also back on the agenda, as the Biden administration engages with the world once again, any decision there has the power to move markets. At the same time, the vaccination programme has been uneven, with emerging markets getting the short end of the vaccine stick. And let us not forget – the Covid crisis is far from over. So, as we enter the second half of the year, what is the outlook from here? Host Alice Haine is joined by Samy Chaar, chief economist at Swiss private bank Lombard Odier, who guides listeners on what to expect next.

The topic of salaries can be a sensitive subject between couples, but what should spouses do if their partner earns more or less than they do? There are a number of issues for couples to be aware of in this situation, such as some partners believing they deserve a bigger say in shared finances because they earn more, which could lead to resentment. Financial experts say this should never be the case – and creating an equal footing between both spouses when it comes to money is important regardless of how much they earn. They say communication and honesty are key for couples to create a secure financial future together. Host Felicity Glover, the personal finance editor at The National, is joined by Georgina Howard, a chartered financial planner at The Fry Group, who shares her top tips on how to create financial equality in your marriage.

Consider this: You’ve just received a promotion and a pay rise at work. But what plans do you have for that extra money? Will you save it – or will you spend it? For some, saving is the obvious way forward because they are happy to live within their means on their old salary and anything extra is a bonus to secure their financial future. But for many others, the temptation is too great and they see the extra money as an excuse to pay for items they couldn't afford before. Examples could be taking out a loan to buy a fancy new car that you don’t need or upgrading to a larger, more expensive apartment. This is known as lifestyle creep – or lifestyle inflation. As the phrase suggests, it can creep up on you before you realise that you’re living beyond your means and constantly need more promotions and pay rises just to keep up with your rising financial responsibilities. But how do you avoid lifestyle creep and keep your financial goals on track? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Carol Glynn, the founder of Conscious Finance Coaching, who offers her advice on the best ways to prevent lifestyle inflation creeping up on you.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work, it has also accelerated our switch to using contactless cards and e-wallets to pay for goods and services. Millions of people have opted for cashless payments since global lockdowns came into force in March last year amid concerns about the spread of infection through bank notes and coins. In March, a survey by moneytransfers.com, which used YouGov data to rank 21 countries that are likely to accept a fully cashless economy, found that consumers in India, the UAE and Indonesia were the most likely to choose digital payments. Meanwhile, another study by Standard Chartered last September found that 64 per cent of respondents expect the UAE to be a fully cashless society by 2030. Co-hosts Felicity Glover and Alice Haine discuss the future of cash and whether or not it will continue to play an important part in our financial lives post-pandemic.

It’s been more than a year since our 2020 travel plans were disrupted because of the Covid-19 pandemic – and many of us are keen to get back in the air, visit family or take a well-deserved holiday. With vaccination programmes now in place in many countries around the world and travel corridors opening up, it's time to start planning our summer vacations. There are a number of financial factors to consider before taking the leap, including the cost of flights, health insurance and whether or not airlines will continue offering flexible tickets in case our travel plans have to be cancelled at the last minute. The good news is that there are quite a few flight deals being offered by the likes of Emirates, Etihad and low-cost airline flydubai – but it's best to get in early to take advantage of the lower prices. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Hayley Skirka, The National’s travel correspondent, who shares her recommendations for the best travel deals this summer.

The UAE property market is buoyant once again after changes to mortgage rules and new visa programmes for expatriate retirees and foreign investors boosted sentiment in the sector. Dubai property transactions hit their highest level since 2010 in the first quarter of this year, according to ValuStrat. The positivity in the market is encouraging many first-time buyers to snap up a home at a time when prices are still affordable and interest rates remain low. But with many residents in the UAE still choosing to rent, how do they decide which is the most cost-effective option over the long term? While renters can walk away without the worry of clearing a mortgage, they also lose the money they have paid to a landlord during their time in a property. In turn, for buyers looking to get on to the property ladder, raising a deposit can be a big financial challenge.  Host Alice Haine is joined by Ben Crompton, managing partner of Crompton Partners Abu Dhabi, who guides listeners through the different options.

It’s all very well to keep your personal finances to yourself when you are single. But what happens if you continue this habit when you are married? Financial infidelity can have a devastating effect on a marriage and create huge trust issues between couples if one of them is not honest about money. From hiding purchases to having a secret bank and credit card account or taking out a loan without their spouse knowing about it are just a few examples of financial infidelity. In 2020, a survey by creditcard.com found that financial infidelity in marriages is on the rise, with 44 per cent of US respondents admitting they kept money secrets from their spouses. However, experts say there are a few red flags to help you recognise when your partner might be keeping money secrets from you. These can include emotion-charged conversations when the topic of money is raised, finding bank or credit card statements you know nothing about, being removed from a joint bank account or if they suddenly appear to be flush with cash. But it seems that you are more likely to commit financial infidelity according to your age. Another survey conducted by creditcard.com in February this year found that millennials are more likely to commit some form of financial infidelity with their partner than Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. So how do couples ensure they remain financially faithful? Communication is key, experts say. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Dr Sanjay Tolani, the chief executive and managing director of multi-family advisory firm Goodwill World, who shares his thoughts on why it's important to be financially faithful in a marriage.

When a group of debt experts sat around a conference table at The National’s office in Abu Dhabi five years ago, they never imagined the discussion would help to ease the debt problems of hundreds of UAE residents. At the time, banks were inundated with borrowers unable to repay their liabilities because they could no longer take on fresh credit following the launch of the Al Etihad Credit Bureau. Set up in November 2014, the bureau brought transparency to the lending industry by assembling a credit record of the nation’s financially active residents. However, those that had borrowed excessively in the past could not take on new loans or credit cards, leaving many with debts they had no hope of repaying. This is why The National introduced The Debt Panel in April 2016 to help those in desperate need solve their debt woes. Since then our debt experts have answered more than 260 debt panel questions, with some readers going on to resolve their financial difficulties completely. So, what has changed since the advice column was first launched? Host Alice Haine is joined by Philip King, the global head of retail banking at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and one of the founding members of The Debt Panel, who shares his thoughts on the importance of the advice column in the UAE.

Becoming a millionaire is a dream for many – to have the financial freedom to never worry again about paying bills or living from pay cheque to pay cheque. But reaching that $1 million mark is easier said than done. It takes patience, discipline and a "millionaire mindset" to reach your financial goals. It’s also about having a long-term investment strategy, living below your means and sticking to a budget that will allow you to invest your savings regularly and get it working for you as soon as possible. But what exactly is a millionaire mindset and how do you manage your money like a millionaire? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Sam Instone, the co-chief executive of wealth management company AES, who shares his advice on how to change your mindset and reach your financial goals.

While saving and budgeting are important habits to teach children when they are young, financial experts say generosity and gratitude are also essential components of financial literacy programmes. Understanding the importance of giving back can lead to positive affirmations for children, making them feel as though they can make a difference in the world and help others less fortunate. According to some studies, generosity towards others activates a part of our brain that is similar to feelings of pleasure – and can help us become more empathetic, responsible and kinder as adults. But how do we teach our children how to give back and help others – and is there a certain age we should begin? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Soniyaa Punjabi, a life coach and founder of Dubai-based well-being centre Illuminations, who shares her top tips on the best ways parents can teach their children about charity.

The Covid-19 pandemic has weighed heavily on millions of workers around the world, with many either losing their jobs, being furloughed or having their salaries cut. While a number of UAE employers reduced their staffing budgets last year to remain operational, the latest salary report by global recruitment consultancy Hays paints a more positive picture for 2021. The report found that hiring activity started to pick up in the fourth quarter of last year and this trend has continued into 2021. Meanwhile, 55 per cent of employees are confident that their salaries will remain stable for the rest of the year. In fact, Hays says in its report that it doesn’t expect the pandemic to negatively affect salaries further in 2021, which is great news for employees. But the big question is: will our salaries increase this year or do we need to remain patient and hope that 2022 brings us financial rewards? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays in the Middle East, who explains why salaries in the UAE will remain stable this year and gives his top tips on how to negotiate a pay rise. Listen to more episodes: The National News | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Teaching your teenager how to manage their money may not be as straightforward as you think. Personal finance only forms a tiny part of the curriculum at school, with teenagers often relying on their parents to learn vital lessons about managing money. But with teens sometimes resistant to anything their parents have to say, they may choose to ask others for advice or do things their own way. Parents may also not be the best source for financial literacy guidance, particularly if they have handled their own money matters badly. But is it really necessary to recruit the help of an expert to educate your children on how to manage their finances? Host Alice Haine is joined by Marilyn Pinto, founder of the Kids Finance Initiative, who explains the key lessons children need to learn as they navigate their way through their teenage years and on to university.

NFTs – or non-fungible assets – have been making waves in the investing world after digital artist Beeple sold his Everydays: The First 5,000 Days artwork for an eye watering $69.3 million at a recent Christie’s auction. There’s no arguing that alternative investments, such as collectables like cars, antiques, autographs and long-lost letters penned by the rich and famous, have been around for a long time. But would you be willing to pay $2.5 million on Twitter founder Jack Dorsey’s first tweet, or what about $400,000 for a piece of video art that lasts less than a minute? And let’s not forget – we can already view these on the internet for free. But what exactly are NFTs? What makes them valuable and are they an asset class worthy of our attention? Host Felicity Glover, the Personal Finance Editor at The National, is joined by NFT expert Devesh Mamtani, the chief market strategist at Century Financial in Dubai.

While last year’s coronavirus lockdown in the UAE led to drop in demand for real estate across the country, there are signs the market is recovering particularly in popular areas and for higher-end homes. Some residents are hunting for properties with gardens or more space as the work-from-home trend continues, while demand for short-term rentals is also on the up. But the idea of investing in real estate might seem a little risky for some when you consider the world is only just emerging from the pandemic. So what alternatives are there for investors that want a slice of the real estate market without saving up a huge deposit? Are UAE property prices really on the rise? And what other global markets should you consider investing in now? Host Alice Haine is joined by Siddiq Farid, the founder and chief executive of SmartCrowd, a digital real estate investment platform that allows investors to crowdfund their property purchase.

While great strides towards gender equality have been made over the years, crucial issues remain. In the world of personal finance, concerns include "the gender wage gap" and that many women looking to invest are underserved by the male-dominated financial services sector. According to the World Economic Forum, it will take women 200 years to achieve pay equality, while a global study by BCG last year found that a third of the world’s wealth, or 32 per cent, is controlled by women – and every year, they add 5 trillion dollars to the global wealth pool. So why is there a disconnect between the financial services industry and women and their money? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Jessica Robinson, a strategic adviser on green finance and sustainable investing, who founded Moxie Future – a platform that aims to empower women as sustainable investors and financial feminists.

New research by YouGov has found that more than half of UAE residents have cut non-essential spending over the past six months, while 77 per cent will continue doing so in the future. That’s no surprise considering the global economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused widespread pay cuts and job losses as businesses closed and millions of people started working from home. But, as economies begin to re-open, the temptation to return to our old spending habits will be difficult to resist for some. One way to stay on track with your spending is to take on a no-spend challenge, which could help you learn new ways to save money and instill discipline to fight off those spending temptations. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching, who offers her advice on the best way to plan for a no-spend challenge.

Relocating to another country is always a challenge when you factor in finding a new place to live and work, securing school places and shifting your finances along with the contents of your home. Some might think moving to their own country would be easier, but former Dubai resident Simon Cahill, a chartered financial planner and partner at London-based Octopus Wealth, says this can be just as challenging. Mr Cahill relocated to his native UK last year, a move that encouraged him to write The Ultimate Guide to Leaving the UAE, a seven-part explainer on how to successfully repatriate from the Emirates and set up your life in Britain once again. Host Alice Haine is joined by the guide’s author, Mr Cahill, who explains how to handle your assets abroad and sort out tax, bank accounts, pensions and more.

One of the biggest personal finance concerns many people have faced over the years is dishonest advisers selling complex, high-commission financial products to unsuspecting investors that can lock them in for years. Amber Waheed is one of them. The Dubai-based business strategist and author of the recently released The Great Fraud Fightback lost $80,000 after being duped by her adviser into signing up for long-term investments she believed were low risk. It’s a familiar, heart-breaking tale for many. But Ms Waheed decided to fight back and took her case to the UAE regulators – marking the first step in what turned out to be a landmark legal case in the UAE when her adviser was convicted of offering financial advice without a licence. Host Felicity Glover, the Personal Finance Editor at The National, is joined by Ms Waheed who talks about her experience and offers her advice to victims of financial fraud.

One of our biggest financial milestones in life is buying a home. From saving up for a deposit to applying for a mortgage and having it approved is a dream come true for millions around the world. Buying property is also one of the best investments we can make – even if it doesn't appreciate in value, it still means that we are paying ourselves rather than a landlord. But one of the biggest concerns for homeowners is the interest they pay on their mortgages, whether it is variable or fixed. While today's record low interest rate environment might be bad news for savers, it spells great news for homeowners looking to refinance their mortgages and reduce their monthly instalments. Unsurprisingly, there has been a jump in the number of people seeking to refinance their home loans, according to Mortgage Finder, the Dubai-based independent home loan specialist. Host Felicity Glover, the Personal Finance Editor at The National, is joined by Brendan Kennelly, a senior consultant at Mortgage Finder, who offers his advice on how to refinance your home loan and get the best interest rate possible.

There’s a lot of content that goes viral on popular short-form video app TikTok these days. Think pranks, dance challenges, lifestyle tips and even the trolling of former US president Donald Trump thanks to a merry band of K-Pop fans and Tiktok teens. But there’s one surprising sector that Gen Zs and millennials are also embracing: personal finance advice. Dubbed FinTok, youth are flocking to TikTok channels that offer a range of entertaining smart money tips that help them understand the complexities of credit cards, loans, interest and even how to invest. Host Felicity Glover, the Personal Finance Editor at The National, is joined by Nathan McFarlane, the founder of Dubai-based Help With Debt and a rising FinTok influencer in the Middle East, who offers his advice on how to get the most out of personal finance advice on TikTok.

Investing your money is a tricky business, particularly when the financial markets are trying to factor in a global pandemic. Wild swings in equity prices can cause emotional reactions, with some investors buying or selling without thinking about the long-term implications.  While an army of DIY investors in the UAE now adopt a long-term approach by investing in exchange-traded funds, others prefer a helping hand from either a regulated financial adviser or digital investment platforms, known as robo-advisers. But, how about taking it one step further and using the power of Artificial Intelligence to ensure our investment decisions stay in line with our rational values? Host Alice Haine is joined by Mehdi Fichtali, the founder of Finamaze, a new hybrid human AI robo-asset manager, which launched in Abu Dhabi in November.

The UK left the European Union on January 1, more than four years after the country voted to leave the economic bloc in a 2016 referendum. Britain’s exit from the EU comes at a very challenging time for the country’s economy. Not only are businesses adapting to a raft of new rules from the trade deal, they are also enduring a third national lockdown in England as the surge in Covid-19 cases intensifies. Britain’s economy is expected to contract by about 11 per cent in 2020 because of the effects of the pandemic, with the recovery in the first half of this year set to be very limited. Despite all the gloom, the benchmark FTSE 100 Index secured its best start to a year on record. So, does post-Brexit Britain present a lucrative opportunity for investors? Host Alice Haine is joined by Stephane Monier, chief investment officer at Swiss Bank Lombard Odier, who guides listeners through the investment opportunities post-Brexit Britain presents.

After soaring 300 per cent last year, Bitcoin’s value is still on the rise, as investors pile funds into the leading cryptocurrency. The prices of many other digital coins have also increased sharply, as cryptocurrencies experience a mini boom. While some analysts are making wild predictions about Bitcoin’s price rising as high as $400,000 from its position of about $31,000 at the time of recording, new investors should tread cautiously. In December 2017, one Bitcoin was worth almost $20,000, up around 1,900 per cent from the start of the year before plummeting in value in early 2018 leaving some investors badly burnt. So will this time be different? And, what is the advice for investors looking to add Bitcoin to their portfolio now? Host Alice Haine of The National is joined by Gaurav Kashyap, market strategist at Equiti Global Markets, who shares his advice on how to invest in Bitcoin.

The coronavirus pandemic came as a surprise to us all, making 2020 one of the most challenging years of our lives. From a financial point of view, it has hurt some but benefited others. For those who lost their jobs or had their incomes reduced, it has made the last 10 months a struggle. For others who managed to retain their salary, movement restrictions offered a chance to build up their savings and rethink how they wanted to live their lives. No matter how your finances were affected, the New Year brings hope for us all, along with new goals and new priorities. So how are you going to save your money in 2021? Is this the year to get your finances in order? Host Alice Haine is joined by Carol Glynn, a finance coach and chartered accountant at Dubai’s Conscious Finance Coaching, who offers her tips on how to save more money over the next 12 months.

For many, 2020 will be a year they would rather forget. Whether the pandemic affected their health, their families or their finances, its effects will be evident for some time to come. Investors across the globe also suffered a rollercoaster ride in 2020, with markets experiencing some wild swings over the course of the year. And while some people managed to save money during the Covid-19 outbreak, others faced job losses or lower incomes. Now, with a vaccine set to return life to some semblance of normality, the question we all want to ask is: what’s in store for investors in 2021? So, is this the year of recovery? Will Joe Biden deliver a boost to the US economy? Will Britain falter when the Brexit transition period ends on December 31? Host Alice Haine is joined by industry veteran Moukarram Atassi, head of investment management at the National Bank of Fujairah, who offers his take on what is store for investors in 2021.

Like many parts of the world, the UK property market has experienced a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs as it absorbs the effects of Covid-19. While there was a total halt in transactions at the height of the pandemic when the country first went into lockdown, the second half of the year saw mortgage applications and transactions surge on the back of UK finance minister Rishi Sunak’s stamp duty holiday.  Add in pent-up demand and a desire for more space, along with an expected increase to stamp duty for overseas buyers in April next year, and it’s easy to see why there has been a rise in interest from the Middle East. With British house prices now on their strongest growth run since 2004, with the average home now selling for £253,000 according to Halifax, how long will the house price surge last? What should Middle East investors do to ensure they get the best deal? And what’s driving the increased interest from the region? Host Alice Haine is joined by Henry Faun, partner and head of Knight Frank's Middle East private office, who offers listeners an insight into what's to come for Britain's property sector in 2021.

Over the past few weeks, the UAE has seen a number of legal and immigration changes that will have a big effect on life in the Emirates. Among them is a very significant expansion to the UAE’s golden visa scheme, which offers a 10-year residency visa to expatriate workers in certain professions. So how does the visa work? How do you find out if you are eligible to apply and why is this important for the country? Host Alice Haine is joined by Haider Hussain, partner in the UAE office of immigration specialists Fragomen.

The UAE government has embarked on one of the biggest overhauls of the legal system in years. Among the changes are amendments to family and personal law with new regulations covering divorce, couples living together and other areas affecting people’s daily lives. From a personal finance perspective, however, one of the most interesting changes centres on wills and inheritance. So how significant is this change? When will it take effect? And what does it mean for people looking to write a will now? Host Alice Haine is joined by Siri Hashem, senior counsel at UAE law firm Fichte and Co, and Devanand Mahadeva, head of the inheritance and personal law practice of the Goodwins Group in the UAE.

With life expectancy rates rising rapidly across the globe thanks to advances in healthcare and better living standards, many of us will get the chance to celebrate our 100th birthday.   But the financial implications of hitting such a milestone mean that the concept of traditional retirement is fast disappearing. After all, can we really afford to fund our golden years for up to 40 years when you factor in the average retirement age of 65? So how do we fund our longer lives? Are retirement funds and state pensions sustainable if people are going to live for so long after giving up work? And should we all be considering a much longer career than planned?   Host Alice Haine is joined by Andrew J Scott, a professor of economics at the London Business School and co-author of The 100-year Life – Living and Working in an Age of Longevity.

As the world waits for the outcome of the US presidential election, investors have every right to feel nervous. Last week saw global markets spiral downwards on the back of uncertainty about the election result and heightened restrictions across Europe due to a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. Some analysts say that political risk is now a major issue for investors because markets respond far more aggressively to political outcomes than they did before. So, how much difference does a Joe Biden win or Donald Trump win really make to an investor's portfolio? How should investors position themselves in these uncertain times? And with so much volatility, is a passive approach the best route to take? Host Alice Haine from The National is joined by Samy Chaar, chief economist at Swiss private bank Lombard Odier, who is helping to guide investors through the days ahead.

For Generation Z - those born between 1996 and 2015 - brushing up on personal finance know-how is something many carry out through financial apps or by watching videos on YouTube. With boosting financial literacy levels a key aim for governments across the globe, and the world still gripped by the devastating financial effects of Covid-19, there has never been a better time to equip the young with skills to manage their money more effectively. Host Alice Haine is joined by Monica Mahoj from Finllect, a UAE personal finance app that helps users manage their finances, who explains how the Gen Z generation should tackle their finances to achieve the ultimate goal in the personal finance world – that of financial freedom.

The coronavirus outbreak has infected more than 40 million people worldwide and damaged economies, industries and employment levels. But women are being disproportionately hurt by the economic fallout of the crisis. With sectors that typically employ women, such as retail and hospitality, badly affected by Covid-19, women’s jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable to the crisis than men’s, according to the global consultancy McKinsey & Company. McKinsey’s research during the pandemic has also found that more female than male employees fear Covid will negatively affect their promotion prospects. And all of this at a time when women were already wrestling with the thorny issue of equality in the workplace and the gender pay gap. So how will the crisis affect women’s finances? Can their careers cope if they step out of the workplace until coronavirus has gone away?  Host Alice Haine is joined by Chiara Marcati, partner at McKinsey and Company and author of the firm's Women at Work report, to find out how women can get their careers back on track post-Covid.

There are numerous asset classes you can invest your money into – from stocks and bonds to exchange traded funds, mutual funds, gold, art, cryptocurrencies and more.But one of the favourites, particularly in the UAE, is property – mainly because it is a tangible asset. Investing in real estate is sometimes considered a more solid and secure investment, partly because you can actually touch your asset. But how does a property purchase compare to investments into stocks and bonds over the long term? Should you take on a mortgage? When is the best time to enter the market? And what happens if it all goes wrong? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Dr Michael Waters, an associate professor in real estate at Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus, who helps listeners analyse whether property is a sound investment for their future.

For people new to the world of investing, buying stocks can be a scary concept, particularly during periods of extreme volatility. But according to SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community of personal finance and investing enthusiasts in the UAE, investing does not need to be complex at all. It says the process can actually be quite simple and you can master the basics in a couple of hours. To help residents achieve this, the group has launched its first guide to investing. Called Index Investing & Financial Independence for Expats, Getting Started Guide, it can be downloaded for free from SimplyFI.org or through their Facebook page. So what does this new guide teach us? How does a passive investment strategy help secure your financial future? And how can we all go about achieving financial independence? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Elie Irani, the guide’s main author and a board member of SimplyFI.org, and Sebastien Aguilar, who founded the group in the UAE.

Sending money to family members in your home country is something many UAE residents do on a regular basis. But as the world struggles with the effects of Covid-19 and some people have lost jobs or experienced a salary cut, actually having the money to transfer is an issue in itself. With so many of us now focused on keeping costs down, what is the best way to transfer money from the UAE? How do you compare the options available? And how do you negotiate the best rates? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor at The National, is joined by Jean Claude Farah, the president of Western Union’s Global Network.

When it comes to investing, UAE residents generally have two options: use the services of a financial adviser or go it alone and invest on their own. However, a new wave of low-cost digital investment platforms that gauge an investor’s risk tolerance and assigns them a tailored investment portfolio of exchange traded funds have emerged in recent years. Known as robo-advisers, the FinTech platforms generally charge lower fees than traditional financial advisers and wealth managers. They aim to make it easier for investors to make their money work for them. So how do robo-advisers work? How do they keep their fees low and what type of investor are they best suited for? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Mark Chahwan the chief executive of Sarwa, who guides listeners through the process of investing with a robo-adviser.

With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting salaries and jobs across the globe, it’s very important that residents in the UAE stay on top of their finances and in turn their credit score. The Central Bank of the UAE's Dh256bn Targeted Economic Support Scheme helps lenders handle problem debts during the pandemic, with many residents receiving payment holidays on credit facilities such as loans and mortgages. Now as the economy starts to open up, those who have lost their job or are struggling financially may need to rein in their spending, particularly if they are burdened with debts they cannot repay. The first step towards resolving any debt challenge is to download a copy of your credit report from the Al Etihad Credit Bureau. Set up in November 2014, the bureau brings transparency to the lending industry by assembling a credit record of the nation’s financially active residents. AECB later launched credit scores for individuals – a three-digit number between 300 and 900 that represents a borrower’s creditworthiness. So why is this number important for borrowers to know – particularly in the current climate? How do you find out what it is? And how can you improve your score? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Marwan Lutfi, the chief executive of Al Etihad Credit Bureau, who explains everything listeners need to know about credit reports and scores in the UAE.

With universities across the globe forced to shut their campuses amid the pandemic, many students are learning remotely. For those finishing their studies this year, it can also mean attending a virtual graduation ceremony. But what happens to graduates once the university learning experience is over? Normally, those ending their higher education would now be wrapping up their assignments, polishing their CV and meeting potential employers at career fairs. But with the global jobs market in jeopardy amid Covid-19, it makes applying for your first position more challenging than ever. As the effect of the global financial crisis 2008-2009 illustrated, moving from university into a career in the middle of an economic downturn can have long-term consequences on a graduate’s employability and lead to lower incomes and savings rates down the line. So how damaging could Covid-19 be to the careers of graduates trying to enter the workforce now? How can they look for work in this climate? How do they negotiate salaries and should they ditch starting their career now and continue with their studies until this all blows over? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Fiona McKenzie, head of Carfax Education UAE, an education consultancy providing bespoke support for students looking to access opportunities in schools and universities across the globe.

Andrew Hallam, the author of Millionaire Teacher and Millionaire Expat, is famous for building up a million-dollar portfolio of low-cost stock and bond index funds on a teacher’s salary. Since retiring from his profession in Singapore in 2014, the personal finance author now blogs about his experiences and delivers talks to investors across the globe. What’s unique about Mr Hallam’s method is that he shows investors how to manage their own money or how to find a suitable financial adviser who won’t charge ridiculous fees. With many investors keen to enter the markets following the crash and partial recovery during the pandemic, Mr Hallam’s strategy is simple: first build a globally diversified portfolio of low-cost index exchange traded funds, second invest regularly without speculating and third increase the amount you invest over time as your salary increases. So what do novice investors need to put in place to start their DIY investment journey? And how much attention should they pay to the current volatility in the markets amid Covid-19? Here, Mr Hallam joins podcast host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, to share his investment journey and explain how others can follow his lead.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives in many ways. With so much turmoil in the global economy, it’s no surprise that our investment portfolios have taken a big hit. Over the past few months we’ve seen share prices crashing, livelihoods destroyed and governments rolling out generous stimulus packages to prop up economies. While stock markets have rallied from the lows we saw in March, the road ahead is still very unclear which can leave investors uncertain about what steps to take next. So how should investors position their portfolios now? What opportunities should they consider? How much risk should they take? And with the record-breaking bull run encouraging many to manage their own investments, what’s next for the DIY investor? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Stuart McCulloch, the market head for the Middle East at The Fry Group, a financial advisory company based in Dubai International Financial Centre.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives dramatically. And with many in the UAE and around the world now dealing with a salary cut or job loss, there has never been a more important time to diversify how you earn your income.If you only rely on the salary you earn from your job to support yourself, it can leave you and your family vulnerable if that income suddenly reduces or stops coming in entirely. So what is the best way to diversify your income streams? And how do you identify what skill sets you can tap into? Plus are there any other ways to raise extra cash at this difficult time? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Zach Holz, a teacher and author of the personal finance blog The Happiest Teacher, who has multiple side hustles to ensure he can always earn an income.

As Ramadan draws to a close, many residents in the UAE would traditionally be scouring travel websites for the best offers on Eid breaks. But with hotels in the UAE only just starting to open their doors to guests following the Covid-19 pandemic and global travel restrictions grounding flights across the globe, going away for a few days is not as straightforward as it once was. Social distancing measures are still in place across the UAE and the rest of the world, which makes checking into a hotel more of a challenge for guests. So what staycation deals are available? And in this era of saving – as residents try to protect their finances from the effects of Covid-19 – do you really want to spend money on a few days away if you are not going to get the same experience as before? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Ashleigh Stewart, The National’s culture editor, who guides listeners through the staycation options ahead of the Eid break and the guidance around ensuring where you stay is safe.

If you have lost your job or are considering a career move, you might feel that now isn’t a great time to secure a new position. Movement restrictions across the globe have caused many to lose their jobs after schools, malls and businesses shut up shop to help contain the spread of coronavirus. Here in the UAE, movement restrictions have seen malls, schools and businesses close to help curb the spread of Covid-19. While the restrictions have eased, some residents have been affected financially either through a salary cut or job loss. As the economy slowly opens up again, what is the best way to secure a new job in this climate? Which sectors are hiring? How do you make sure your CV stands out from the crowd and how do you negotiate salaries at this time? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by David Mackenzie, group managing director of recruitment company Mackenzie Jones, who guides jobseekers through the options.

As we approach the hotter summer months and the end of the academic school year, a number of UAE residents will be planning their relocation either to their home country or another destination.But while shipping is a standard process many of us deal with, things become a little more challenging when you are trying to move during a pandemic. So what is the best way to move your possessions at this time? How do you get a shipping quote in this era of social distancing? Will there be any restrictions on items being shipped in? Does Covid-19 make shipping more expensive and will it take longer for your items to reach their destination? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Bana Shomali, the founder of ServiceMarket, a UAE marketplace for moving and home services, who guides listeners through all the challenges of relocating during the Covid-19 outbreak.

As we approach the summer, many UAE residents are thinking about their travel plans. But while we would normally be discussing the exotic destinations we are heading to, or the journeys we are planning to our home countries, this year is very different. Rather than hunting for the best deals, many of us are more focused on either securing a refund on the flights and holidays we have already booked but cannot take, or moving travel plans to much later in the year.  So, what is the best way to secure a refund on your flights or holiday? Does travel insurance protect us at this time? When will flight restrictions be lifted around the world? And, with lots of cheap deals on offer, should we even be considering booking a holiday right now? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National is joined by Hayley Skirka, The National’s travel correspondent, who guides us through all the options for travellers at this difficult time.

It’s that time of year when many residents in the UAE consider buying a new car – mainly because the market is flooded with Ramadan offers.From price reductions to zero financing and offers of free maintenance, registrations or insurance, they are all kinds of ways dealerships lure in customers. But buying a new car might not be a top priority for many in the Emirates at the moment who are still observing movement restrictions as the country works hard to curb the spread of coronavirus. So how are car dealerships adapting to this era of physical distancing? If you do find an offer you like, how do you know if it really is a good deal? And, more importantly, how do you test drive the car or actually purchase it? Host Alice Haine is joined by Imad Hammad, the co-founder of second-hand car platform CarSwitch.com, to tackle these questions.

With the coronavirus outbreak still dominating our lives, stock market volatility looks set to continue as the markets struggle to interpret the economic fallout from the crisis. While some investors may naturally want to flee the carnage and stash their money in the safest possible place, there are still options out there. Airlines, hotel chains, entertainment operators, car manufacturers and oil companies may have been hammered, but some will be better placed to bounce back when the crisis starts to ease. Meanwhile, other sectors such as supermarkets, online retailers and healthcare have benefited during the outbreak. So what is the outlook for assets such as stocks, bonds and gold now? And what can investors do to protect their portfolio? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Maurice Gravier, the chief investment officer at Emirates NBD, who offers his insights on the state of the markets.

As the number of coronavirus cases and deaths escalate around the world, the virus is affecting our lives and our finances in one way or another. Containment measures in the UAE, such as stay-at-home directives, cancelled flights and the closing of schools, malls and beaches could lead to a drop in revenue for businesses and a cut in income or job losses for residents. With this in mind, many banks in the UAE have rolled out new relief measures to help individuals cope with the fallout of the crisis. For retail customers the measures include debt repayment holiday of between one and six months, reduced bank charges, and lower interest rates on new credit. So how can consumers affected by the crisis take advantage of the measures? And how do you qualify as “being affected”? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National is joined by Ambareen Musa, the founder and chief executive of financial comparison website Souqalmal.com and a panellist on The National’s debt panel, who offers guidance on the types of support offered by lenders in the UAE.

Alice Haine, personal finance editor at The National talks to Mario Volpi, the sales and leasing manager at Engel & Volkers, about everything you need to know about rents, mortgages and buying property during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus is taking its toll on every area of our lives and nobody knows when the mayhem will end. This is why it is so important to take good care of your finances as well as your health. Stock markets are crashing, employees are working from home, schools and entertainment venues have closed and incomes and jobs are in jeopardy. With so much uncertainty around us, it is time for all of us to assess how financially secure we really are. Can you afford to support your family if your income is cut or you lose your job? And are you torn between buying and selling as the value of your investments dwindle and no one know when the markets will reach the bottom? Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National is joined by Nyree Mcfarlane, The National’s features editor. Also joining later in the show is Steve Cronin, the founder and DeadSimpleSaving.com, an independent community for financial education in the UAE, who shares his tips on manage your money in these uncertain times.

Protecting yourself, your family and your personal belongings with insurance should be part of a comprehensive financial plan. But many residents in the UAE don’t bother to take out protection with some paying the price for having no cover further down the line. While some insurance cover is mandatory in the Emirates, such as car and health insurance, other protection is optional such as travel, home contents and life insurance. So what insurance should we actually have in place? How much should we expect to pay to protect ourselves and our possessions? And what cover do we need to protect us during the coronavirus outbreak? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National is joined by Willy Lowry, a multimedia producer at The National who admits to knowing very little about insurance. She is also joined later in the show by Jonathan Rawling, the chief financial officer of yallacompare, who is an expert on the insurance industry.

Saving money is something many UAE residents struggle to achieve. According to a 2018 study from HSBC, more than three quarters of UAE residents are not saving anything for their retirement. Two in five agree it’s better to spend money on enjoying life now rather than stashing cash for their future, and more than half are typically saving for short-term goals rather than longer term plans. So why are residents finding it so hard to save? And what strategies should they put in place to ensure their hard-earned dirhams are safely stored for the future? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Gillian Duncan, a news reporter at The National, and Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com, an independent community for financial education in the UAE, who shares his tips on how to save more effectively. She is also joined later in the show by Laila Clarke, general manager of The Studio, a Dubai business providing photographic and videography services, who once saved Dh500 by cutting out coffee and takeaway lunches for a month.

Educating children about how to manage money is vital for their future. But with lessons in financial literacy sometimes on the more basic side, it falls to parents to pass on those early messages on effective financial behaviour. A 2019 study by Visa found that 43 per cent of those polled in the UAE between the ages of 16 to 24 are not ready to manage their own money, while more than half believe schools do not prepare them enough. Which is why parents play such an important role in shaping a child’s attitude towards money. So how can parents introduce the concept of budgeting and saving to their children?  Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Ayesha Khan, The National's podcast producer, and Marilyn Pinto, the founder and managing director of the Kids Finance Initiative, which runs financial literacy boot camps for young children and teenagers. She is also joined later in the show by Mika Coquia, a mother who changed how she educated her daughter about money after spoiling her as a young child.

Running a car in the UAE can be an expensive process, once you factor in petrol, maintenance, repairs and insurance. But there are a number of ways to cut costs. One rule of thumb includes limiting payments on a car loan to 10 per cent of your monthly income to ensure your total costs for all car expenses stays below 20 per cent of your earnings. Another tip is to replace your car if repair costs are too high, while some question whether you need a car at all? Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Louise Burke, a home page editor at The National, and Imad Hammad, the co-founder of CarSwitch.com, a second-hand car platform in the UAE. She is also joined later in the show by Philip Bahoshy, the founder of start-up data platform Magnitt, who decided the most cost-effective option was to ditch his car altogether.

Brexit. It’s a word we’ve all become familiar with since the UK voted to leave the European Union on June 23 2016. The move saw the pound plunge in value and property prices cool as buyers struggled to digest how the UK’s exit from the EU would affect the market. However, following the Conservative win in the UK’s December election, central London property buyers no longer appear phased by “the Brexit dip”. Sales increased by 34 per cent in the last quarter of 2019 compared to the same period the previous year, according to LonRes, with central London house prices rising 2.4 per cent  following five consecutive quarterly falls. With optimism in the market once again, what’s the best way for UAE investors to buy in the UK? Host Alice Haine is joined by Emma Tracey, deputy creative director at The National and Chris Battle, founder of The Property Hub Meet-up Dubai, who owns 10 buy-to-let properties in the UK. Later on we'll hear from a UAE resident who has become a successful UK developer while living and working in the UAE.

Investing your money always come with risk.  This month alone, we’ve seen how geopolitical shocks can spook the markets and sending the price of gold to a six-year high of almost $1,600 an ounce. Last year the US-China trade dispute also took its toll on the markets, along with the never-ending Brexit saga in the UK. Now, markets are trying to absorb what the coronavirus outbreak means. So how should investors position their portfolio in volatile times?  Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Andy Scott, a video journalist at The National. Later we’ll be joined by Stuart Ritchie, a director and chartered financial planner with the global wealth advice company AES International. Also, we’ll hear from Steve Cronin, founder of Dead Simple Saving, who keeps investing in a portfolio of low-cost index-funds no matter what is happening in the world.

How the UAE’s end-of-service gratuity is evolving. If you are an expatriate employee in the UAE, you are entitled to a gratuity payment. But how much will you receive when you leave your current job? And, with the Dubai International Financial Centre now implementing its workplace savings plan, known as DEWs, is the UAE also considering a change to the gratuity system for the whole country?  Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Rory Reynolds, The National’s news editor. Later on we’re joined by Martin McGuigan, a partner at McLagan and Aon Recruitment, who will give us some insight into the changes around the new workplace savings scheme at the DIFC and answer our questions on the future of the end-of-service payment. We’ll also hear from Fred Wobus who used his gratuity payment to start an investment portfolio for his children.

While every employee would like a pay rise in 2020, making it actually happen is another story altogether. Numerous research studies say we are in line for a raise this year: employees in the UAE can expect an overall base salary increase of 4.5 per cent in 2020 across all industries, according to global consultancy Mercer. Meanwhile, The Cooper Fitch Salary Guide says while strategy roles are set for a 5 per cent pay rise on their basic salary plus allowances this year, other sectors are looking at more modest increases of 2 per cent. So how can ensure we get a pay rise at all?   Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Nyree McFarlane, The National’s features editor and David Mackenzie, Group Managing Direction of recruitment company Mackenzie Jones, who explains how to secure that elusive pay rise. She is also joined, later in the show, by Rasheda Khatun Khan, founder of the wealth wellness corporate training company Design Your Life, who once secured a pay rise of 40 per cent. In this episode: Alice and Nyree on pay rise (1m 14s) David Mackenzie (4m 12s) Success Story (22m 28s)

Helping UAE residents resolve their chronic debt issues has been a mission of The National since it launched The Debt Panel in April 2016.  Since then we have received hundreds if not thousands of letters with about 200 people receiving constructive advice from our panel of six personal finance experts. In November 2019 it was announced that a new personal insolvency law, which comes into effect in January 2020 would help people with debt. The new law will help borrowers struggling to make repayments resolve their financial difficulties without the fear of persecution. Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Rory Reynolds, The National’s news editor and Matthew Dyson, an associate at law firm Pinsent Masons to explain more about the law. In this episode: Intro (0m 04s) What is the insolvency law? (1m 06s) How the insolvency law works (7m 07s) Listener's question (14m 08s) Success story (18m 34s)

A new year is always a good way to make a fresh start, whether it is losing weight, getting fit or finding a new job. But one area of our lives that always needs attention at the start of new year is our finances. However, resolutions can be notoriously difficult to keep, particularly money ones, which is why we are going to consider the money goals you can make that not only last the month of January but also the whole year. Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National and co-host Gillian Duncan, a national reporter from the news team discuss the five step process to getting your finances in order for the new year. Also joining Alice is Zach Holz, is a personal finance blogger and teacher and the man behind the blog The Happiest Teacher, which documents his journey towards financial independence. Zach is also a columnist for The National.

A new podcast from The National which tackles all your personal finance concerns.