kittycat1

Lots of people on here openly admit they are just here for the cash (me being one of them) so just wondering how much is enough and what are you saving for? Is there always something else to save for, or do you fully intend to leave when your target is achieved?

Millhouse

The problem with saving for a certain event or target is that something always comes along and drills another hole in the money bucket.

I don't have an obvious exit / target from this place. What I do know though is is that when I do leave, I doubt I will be able to do the same job again so need to plan for that.

Paracletus

Having lived in the ME straight after a graduate job in the UK, I said 0-50k..as I was completely unable to save in the UK at all. Though this of course is probably very profession driven..my profession has totally lost ground in the uk and our salaries subsequently are shit. But then again, salaries vs living costs in the uk are just generally shit.

kittycat1

What industry are you in Paracletus?

Paracletus

I'm a masterplaner, work for architects.

scrubbedexpat141

I said 0-50k because I'm;

A- Realistic
B- Wanting to get a deposit for a house to buy and rent out before staying here and repeating A+B again for a better house for me.

So actually, I voted wrong. Probably more like 50-100 all in all.

Alexa

How much is enough?
Hmmm, enough is when I can live where I live, the way I want to live.
How much do I need for that?
I don't know, as I have no idea at the moment where I do want to live...ergo, we just Qatar on......

silversilver

I'm coming for the experience - you could save a massive amount of money then take sick and what use is it to you then? This has happened recently to somebody I know and gave me that gentle shake and wake up call to really enjoy and live life to the full - I intend missing no opportunities to have fun or travel when in Dubai.

So me - I'll probably return home with 2 dirhams and a stick of chewing gum.

britexpat76

I went 50-100. My living expenses are minimal as I share a Villa, I don't have to worry about running a car as thats all paid for. I probably spend less that 20k a month.

UKCityGent

Ive made my first target - now its just bonus runs every day i stay for my 2nd target. 3rd and final target means i can retire for good.

The Dean

There are six zeroes in a million Kitty, not five...........

You lot are all a lot younger than me. I'm seriously hoping that my current job will be my last - or at least the final time I work for anyone else. Different focus I suppose, and rather different priorities.

Over the years I've managed to eliminate all debt, and have no intention of ever getting into debt again (I'll never have another mortgage, and I'll pay cash if I want a new car at some point), so it's all about 'saving for retirement' (or at least for 'the future').

So my rather rambling answer is - I don't know. I've realised you cannot have a target figure that is enough to retire on, but I also enjoy my work and will keep going while I enjoy it. I do know that my life would have been completely different financially (i.e. worse) if I had never come to this region.

I'll answer a million - almost.

kittycat1

I was just testing you dean-well done for spotting it!

commander

when my wife tells me its enough.

Millhouse

does she drill holes in the money bucket like mine does?

Paracletus

When she stops drilling the neighbour, you know you have enough.