The AED 1,500 Monthly Relief Package

You got sacked? Your small business is going through hard times? You had to leave your place because you couldn’t pay the rent?

A lot of people went through this experience and had to sleep in their cars for some time. You could also buy a 45 Dirham tent from Carrefour and sleep at the beach. Keep your Fitness First membership on, and remember that it offers you free showers, sauna, coffee, magazines and internet. A credit card is essential in these circumstances.
A lot of people can’t take such conditions and prefer to crash at a friend’s place. You could alternate between the two worlds. When you can’t take it anymore remember you can rent a bed space for 700 Dirhams but that would of course be you and four or five others in one room in a very old building in a very dirty area. You will need a side investment in deodorants and perfumes.

Food can be free. Dubai has a very rich calendar of events all around the year. Bring it up on your free Fitness First internet, and register yourself in each and every one of them, as long as it’s free, regardless of the subject. They usually all have coffee and lunch breaks. The good thing about this is that you get to learn a lot of things: engineering, financial markets, biology, energy, etc. while you enjoy free food in four or five star hotels and venues.

Friday means St Mary’s Catholic church. Free food again and a chance to be closer to God. And nearby, the Holy Trinity thrift store sells clothes and household items at very cheap prices. Anything you can’t find there go to one of the Day-to-day or Everything 1-5 shops.

If you happen to be someone who enjoys Indian food like me, there are monthly food subscriptions for just 300 Dirhams.

Try to make some money while you’re looking for a job. Dubai is a place of cultural diversity. You will always find people who are interested in learning your mother tongue. Consider giving evening lessons for some cash. Most of your hosts would also offer you snacks and tea. Teaching also applies to other things such as sports, computers, dance, makeup, etc.

If you got skills in programming, graphic design, technical writing, you can make money online by taking on small assignments. Build up your profile now on www.elance.com and www.guru.com.

Sell all the stuff that you’re not using on Dubizzle or Souq.com. When you’re done reading a book sell it immediately. That old mobile phone in your drawer is still worth some Dirhams for someone. Even if you can’t sell those things you’re not using, try to get rid of them anyway. It is so healthy to live without stuff especially when your place is a rental.

You want to buy that book about writing a better resume or that glossy fashion magazine? You really don’t have to. You can read it for free at Borders Mall of the Emirates.

You don’t really have to leave town do you?

AED 300 Petrol + AED 400 Fitness First + AED 300 Food + AED 500 Walk around money + [Optional] AED 700 Bed Space

What do you think can also help in frugal living all the way through the end of this crunch?