6/10/25
What I Spent This Week as a Strategy Manager Making $228k
Ever wondered how others really manage their money?
Ever wondered how others really manage their money?
In the A Week in My Wallet series, we share it all, because talking about money shouldn't be off-limits.
Every week, an anonymous member shares a week of their spending: no names, no filters, just honest stories about life's everyday financial choices.
Ready to join the conversation and help make money talk less taboo? Share your own story via our form here.
Salary Details: Every month I receive 44,031AED ($11,999) directly to my account, called ‘Base salary’ in Dubai. Annually, that is 528,372AED ($143,994).
Additionally, every year on 1st January, I receive all my allowances for the year which includes 165,000AED ($44,929) for housing, 40,000AED ($10,892) for school fees, 15,000AED ($4,084) for flight tickets home (Dubai allowances are upfront annual payments from employers to cover major expenses, instead of including these costs in the regular monthly salary).
My annual bonus varies, but it's roughly 100,000–150,000AED ($27,229–$40,844).
Taking the total sum I make 748,372AED ($203,779), or split into monthly budget of approximately 62,364AED ($16,982). There is no income tax in Dubai.
I also have an investment property which gives me annually 90,000AED ($24,507) in rental income, paid 3 times a year. That brings my total to 838,372AED ($228,286).
Dependents (if any): 1 husband, 2 kids, 1 live-in nanny.
Do you share expenses with someone? No, I cover everything.
What is your overall monthly budget? Our original budget was supposed to have 2 incomes, but my husband does not work and hasn't for 1 year. The plan was to follow 50/30/20. I budget my month based on when I get my allowances, so it’s hard to make a good budget.
-Mortgage: 16,667AED ($4,541) for my home
-Car loan: 1,500AED ($408)-Gas: 500AED ($136)
-Groceries and essentials: 8,000AED ($2,178) (We get food delivered for 3 meals each week for 2000AED)
-Nanny: 3,500AED ($953)
-Other costs eg. electricity, subscriptions: 3,000AED ($817)
-School for my oldest son: 5–6,000AED ($1,362–$1,634)
-Investment contributions: 5–10,000AED ($1,362–$2,725) (no capital gain tax in Dubai)
Amount left each month after essentials (to spend, save or invest): Varies depending in allowances. I try to be frugal, as I'm focusing on increasing investments.
Money Mindset & Financial Journey
Growing up, did your parents or guardians educate you around money?
No.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
I was an administrative assistant after high school - I applied like normal, for work experience.
Did you worry about money growing up?
Yes - especially my mom had poor money habits, and would use credit cards as if it was her money.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself, and do you have a financial safety net?
I lost all my money due to stress and severe depression at the age of 26–27. I was living abroad and had no support. From then on, I swore that I would always want to be able to have enough money to cover a full year. My mom is passed, and I don’t have a relationship/safety net with my father.
Do you worry about money now?
Yes, unfortunately adding kids to the mix makes you worry more. In Dubai, school is expensive!
What is your biggest money regret?
Giving my husband money to start his business that never happened.
What financial goals are you working towards?
-To be able to change job and career
-To buy a family home to decrease rent
-To have enough invested that the passive income is substantial (withdraw 4% annual to cover essential costs)
Who is your financial role model (if any), and why?
Female Invest! I have bought 6–7 of your books, and give it to any young women in my life as a gift, even at work.
Reflections on my Spending
My husband used to work from home, and we have a gym in our compound. All food is budgeted, including take away. I rarely buy new clothes and we inherited a lot of stuff from friends for the kids. So weekly, we don’t buy a lot of “other” stuff besides lunch etc.
What I Spent in a Week
Day 1 – Monday: 345AED ($94)
• Coffee: 30AED ($8)
• Lunch: 65AED ($18)
• Groceries (a few things for the kids): 250AED ($68)
Day 2 – Tuesday: £0
• No-spend day, worked from home
Day 3 – Wednesday: 127AED ($35)
• Coffee: 22AED ($6)
• Nails: 105AED ($29)
Day 4 – Thursday: 98AED ($27)
• Coffee: 26AED (($7)
• Lunch: 72AED ($20)
Day 5 – Friday: 550AED ($150)
• Take Away (part of grocery budget): 200AED ($54)
• Groceries (part of grocery budget): 350AED ($95)
Day 6 – Saturday: £0
• No-spend day, cooked at home
Day 7 – Sunday: 236AED ($64)
• Breakfast: 180AED ($49)
• Coffee: 56AED ($15)
