4200$ ok for Husband and wife?

gulfprospect · #1 (**permalink**) 13th October 2010, 04:39 PM

Dear friends,

I guess this question has been repeated but i guess would needed a more newer situation in UAE. I am offered 4200$ per month which includes Basic + HRA + Medical insurance + annual vacation to / fro for family + medical for me and spouse. Is this salary ( approx 14000 AED ) enough to make a decent savings .The company is in Sharjah and i plan to live in sharjah. Only me and wife are presently there. How much AED can i save taking into account a single BHK accomodation , and approriate spending for both of us...

Thanks a ton in advance for replies

Rochelle · #2 (**permalink**) 13th October 2010, 04:53 PM

Accomodation in Sharjah is cheaper so thats a help. You could do it and save a small amount and have a small amount of spending money/month each.

Does your wife plan on getting work?

Alot depends on what you are used to in regards to the luxuries/lifestyle etc. if you have a car or use buses, the types of food you eat etc.

gulfprospect · #3 (**permalink**) 13th October 2010, 04:58 PM

Thanks Rochelle. I would be leading a very normal life,,,not the luxuries one....no partying / boozing etc...Was wondering if i would be able to save 50% of the package...is it possible..i had taken the following considerations
House rent 2500 AED
Food 1500 AED ( mostly self at home)
Internet / phone / misc exp: 1500
Other living expenses 1000

Thanks for reply once again...wife wouldnt be working initially,,maybe after some time...i would be consideing using bus for initial months

Rochelle · #4 (**permalink**) 13th October 2010, 05:07 PM

I think (others may disagree) that its doable. You may not have a very enjoyable lifestyle but if its in order to save the maximum amount you will be able to sacrifice some pleasure for the long term gain.

1bed places in Sharjah are about 25,000/yr (from a quick look on dubizzle), food etc is cheaper there also.

If you want a better lifestyle at any point then your wife may need to look at getting work.

bear in mnd that if you come here and set up your own flat you will need deposits for power, ph, net etc, you will need to pay at least some rent up front etc.

The other option is to take a room (with all inclusive) instead of having your own flat. That may help you save a bit more and may be better for your wife re: having people she knows etc.

Best of luck with the decision.

gulfprospect · #5 (**permalink**) 13th October 2010, 05:24 PM

Yep, would prefer being in a separate flat,,,for the obivious reasons. My company will certainly assist for giving initial deposit for rent ( deducted later from salary)...but i am wondering if consideing all that a 50% saving would be achievable

Rochelle · #6 (**permalink**) 13th October 2010, 05:42 PM

I have just started a new thread called Dubai budgets which gives a breakdown of my living costs (if thats of any help).

I, personally, could probably save 50% however... I am pretty good with my pennies.. I am sure there are plenty of people who couldn't or wouldn't want to.

Just bear in mind that you will have a restriction on your lifestyle and come over with your eyes open

. There are people who earn 10x that who can't save and people on less than that (labourers etc) who can save and send money home. Its all about priorities, lifestyle and expectations

Lenochka · #7 (**permalink**) 14th October 2010, 01:21 AM

does "annual holiday to/from" mean the home leave flight once a year ?
with kind of salary and all included, i.e. insurance, home leave etc, will need to be deducted from that 4200k you will survive......barely...
Dubai is expensive...yes, people can live cheaply but I doubt it is much of joy...

sorry for frank and honest...but rather this than a nasty suprise if you set foot in Dubai

gulfprospect · #8 (**permalink**) 14th October 2010, 03:30 AM

Hi Lenocka,
Yes, the annual holiday means to/from flight tickets for family once a year, medical insurance is covered by the company, home leave ( 22 days per year) is paid, i would be in sharjah instead of dubai,,,and normally a 2 month bonus of basic is paid once a year,,considering all this is it ok to make the move ,,of 14000AED per month for a hus and wife? what do u think?

Lenochka · #9 (**permalink**) 14th October 2010, 03:35 AM

sorry, now I am confused..the original post says 4.2k INCLUDING healt insurance, holidays etc ...this basically means YOU WILL NEED TO PAY THIS YOURSELF out of the 4.2k....

now you say 4.2k is the salary and the rest will be paid on top. Well...
if you have the salary as total disposable income and all other expenses are paid as you mentioend, than it's ok. You will not really be able to live the flashiest of lives but you will be "okish"

pamela0810 · #10 (**permalink**) 14th October 2010, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gulfprospect

Dear friends,

I guess this question has been repeated but i guess would needed a more newer situation in UAE. I am offered 4200$ per month which includes Basic + HRA + Medical insurance + annual vacation to / fro for family + medical for me and spouse. Is this salary ( approx 14000 AED ) enough to make a decent savings .The company is in Sharjah and i plan to live in sharjah. Only me and wife are presently there. How much AED can i save taking into account a single BHK accomodation , and approriate spending for both of us...

Thanks a ton in advance for replies

If your total monthly salary is AED 15,000 inclusive of everything that you mentioned above, you will not be able to save much unless your wife is working too.
There are always hidden costs and you cannot realistically expect to save 50% of your salary if you are the only one making a living out here, irrespective of whether you are based in Dubai or Sharjah.