dominoman

I know there's lots of info on prices here, and I've read it all. Just would like to get a sense from people if the following budget is realistic for a married couple, no kids.

Per month:

• Accommodation (decent 2 bed flat in Reem or similar): 14000
• Travel (car loan + petrol): 2000
• Groceries: 1500
• Eating out and entertainment: 10000
• Internet plus TV package plus 2 mobile phone contracts: 1000

Any view appreciated. I need to see if my budget works out.

Brains1983

Probably a bit light on the groceries. Eating/Out Entertainment is healthy, you're covered for a meal with drinks in a nice restaurant once a week, and a couple of pints after work a couple days a week. Indicating you are buying a car when you mention car loan, I took a Pajero over 4 years and was paying 2307 p/month. If you want something smaller, then 2,000 AED will cover you, if you want something daft or bigger, then your light there aswell. I think you need to put a 10% deposit down on a new car, not sure if you need to do that if you are buying second hand.

You'll have electricity/water to pay, it'll vary depending on the time of year, but I'd imagine you'll be well covered at 500 AED p/month.

Johnnyboy11

Add 2x pensions to that list, and don''t take out any loans.

Millhouse

what's a pension?

Johnnyboy11

It's similar to a job, but you can stay in bed all day, and still get paid.

scrubbedexpat141

Interesting on the Pajero.

I bought my Explorer at 18months old, 20% deposit, loan was 1540 a month. So adding fuel, his estimate is spot on (but doesn't account for the 20%).

I'd suggest 3,000 a month all in for either; leased vehicle where they cover servicing etc. OR bought car with loan and money aside for servicing / tyres etc.

10,000 for fun sounds a lot.
1,000 for TV + 2no phone contracts sounds light by 500ish.

Thrillhouse

I spend AED300-600 a week on food + consumables, thats just for one person. 2000, will get you a Yaris/Tidda nothing special.

DXBtoDOH

The rental Tiida from Thrifty + charges comes out to 2,000 a month thereabouts. Plus petrol.

Getting a loan for 1500 is feasible depending on the car and length of the loan. A midrange Japanese on a five year loan is probably the best option.

Thrillhouse

If someone is looking for a 2 bed in ream, i don't think they are looking at a midrange Asian car!

DXBtoDOH

Ah. Explains the cheap Jap cars I see parked in the garages at JBR, Downtown, all the usual Emaar suspects

I have a pretty generous housing allowance but couldn't care less about cars and the Tiida does its job

Fossildog

2000 is fairly healthy per month for a car.

Try somewhere like payperkay (Select Car : PayPerKay) for some decent deals. Xtrail for 1682 a month or a Altima for 1576

mission

1500 a month on groceries - you are having a laugh lol
I'm single I spend almost 500-700 A WEEK.