Teach Middle East Magazine Jan-Feb 2016 Issue 3 Volume 3 | Page 45

Finance Shopping list Smoking Cook at home When you are shopping, it is always better to have a list. It keeps you from forgetting anything and also helps you to stick to the budget. If you do not have a list, you tend to wander, deviate and end up buying something that you don’t need. I am not a smoker, so this maybe easier said than done, but try to quit smoking. It affects your health and also steals money from your pocket. Eating out daily is costly and also unhealthy. Try and cook at home every day. With one hour of concentrated effort in the kitchen, you can cook a great meal at home. With practice you can reduce that time and also try new recipes. Drink Water Allow water to take the place of juices and carbonated drinks. Water is cheaper and healthier. Stored food On some days, just eat the stored food in the fridge. This will ensure that the food is not wasted and money is also saved. Cheap grocery If you have to make a frugal living in the UAE, you need to compare grocery prices and buy from the supermarkets that offer great deals and discounts. Avoid junk food No doubt, some junk food tastes great but they offer very low nutritional value. Depending on junk and packaged food can have dire health affects, which in turn escalate your medical bills. Public transport The UAE now offers all modes of public transport. Now that petrol prices have increased, public transport makes more sense. The metro in Dubai is well connected and even the buses are frequent and cheap. Opt for public transport at least thrice in a week. If your colleague and you live in the same locality, think about car sharing. Switch off electrical appliances When not in use, switch off the electrical appliances. When you are working in the kitchen, you don’t need the TV in the living room on. 'If you are living in an apartment with a window AC unit, switch it off when not home.' Exercise Going to a gym can be costly in the UAE. You can substitute it with long walks, jogging in a park or doing ground exercises at home. Always look for ways to save money When you want to save money, no other strategy works better than consciously making an effort to looking for ways to save. Whenever you want to purchase something or use something, think about how you can do it more efficiently and effectively. Ideas strike from nowhere and some ideas will keep saving you money for a long time to come. By implementing these tips, you will be surprised to find just how much you can save in a week, let alone a year. Go ahead. Give them a try. After The Bell | | Jan - Feb 2016 | 43