When I first arrived in the UAE, I had big dreams. Like many Nepalese, I came here for better opportunities—to earn a good income, support my family back home, and secure a brighter future. But looking back now, if there’s one thing I wish I had done differently—it’s saving money from day one.
I want to share my story, hoping that others won’t repeat the same mistake I did, and I hope it will be helpful in saving money in UAE for Nepalese.
The Early Days: Earning but Not Saving
I still remember my first salary. It felt like a fortune compared to what I could earn back in Nepal. The first thing I did? I sent a big portion of it back home to support my family. The rest? I spent on rent, food, transport, and enjoying life in Dubai. It felt good—I was earning, my family was happy, and I thought, “I’ll start saving later.”
Months turned into years, and I kept telling myself that once I start earning more, I’ll start saving. But somehow, as my salary increased, so did my expenses. A new phone, eating out, small luxuries here and there—it all added up. I was working hard, yet at the end of every month, I had little to no savings.
The Realization: What I Missed by Not Saving Early
One day, as I was reviewing my finances, a thought hit me: “How much have I actually saved after all these years in the UAE?” I went through my bank statements and saw that while I had earned a significant amount over the years, I had no solid savings to show for it.
That realization hit me hard. I started calculating—if I had saved just AED 500 every month from the beginning, how much would I have today?
- In 5 years, I would have over AED 30,000 in savings.
- In 10 years, my savings would have exceeded AED 75,000 (with interest and small investments).
- By now, after so many years in the UAE, I could have easily saved over AED 200,000!
Instead, I had spent money here and there without a solid financial plan. I had worked hard, but I had failed to secure my own future.
Why Every Nepalese in the UAE Should Start Saving Today
I know many of us come to the UAE with big responsibilities—rent, family remittances, daily expenses. But I’ve learned that no matter how much you earn, if you don’t make saving a habit, you will never have enough.
Here’s why saving is so important:
✅ Emergencies happen – Job loss, visa issues, or family emergencies can come without warning.
✅ The UAE has no pension system – We all have to return home someday, so we must prepare for life after the UAE.
✅ Small savings grow big – Even AED 500 a month can become a huge amount over time.
✅ Financial freedom gives peace of mind – Knowing you have savings means fewer worries about the future.
How I Changed My Habits – And How You Can Too
After that moment of realization, I made a decision. I started small—saving just AED 500 per month. At first, it wasn’t easy, but I set up an automatic transfer to a separate savings account, so I wouldn’t even think about spending it. Then i also explored options such as IPO, Trading on Stock Market, Systemic Investment Plan (SIP) and started to invest little every month.
If you’re working in the UAE and haven’t started saving yet, I encourage you to start right now. It doesn’t have to be a big amount—just start with what you can afford.
Here’s what worked for me:
💰 Set a budget and track expenses – Identify where you can cut unnecessary spending.
🏦 Open a separate savings account – Keep your savings separate from your daily expenses.
📈 Invest smartly – Fixed deposits, gold, or small investments can grow your money over time.
🚫 Avoid unnecessary loans or credit card debt – High-interest debt will drain your savings faster than you think.
Final Thoughts on Saving money in UAE for Nepalese: Learn from My Mistakes
If I had saved just AED 500 per month from my first salary, I could have had over AED 200,000 by now. Instead, I lost years of financial opportunities. But I’ve learned my lesson, and now I want to help others avoid the same mistake.
If you are a Nepalese expat in the UAE, please don’t wait like I did. Start saving today—your future self will thank you.
Please feel free to reach me if you want any help to start saving now and avoid the same mistake that I have done in the past.
💬 What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to saving in the UAE? Share your thoughts in the comments
It’s me when I joined Emirates NBD Bank in 2007.
#NepaleseInUAE #SaveForFuture #FinancialFreedom #LessonsLearned #UAEExpats