Pocketful of Dirhams

There's a lot of speculation about how we'll be working and getting paid in the future – think 2040 and beyond. While all those dystopian TV shows and movies might help you to imagine what it could be like, we are already getting glimpses of the future in our daily lives. This is thanks to our increased reliance on automation and, of course, the more recent surge in our use of generative artificial intelligence. One recent report on the future of work has found that traditional salaries will no longer exist – that's right, forget the frustration of waiting for your monthly salary transfer. Instead, employees can look forward to real-time payments and even instant bonuses for a job well done. But what else is in store for workers in the future? Host Felicity Glover talks to Tracey Follows, a UK-based futurist who discusses her latest research on the work of the future.

What is the one thing you dread most about your job? For many, that could be asking for a salary rise – even if you deserve it. Experts say there is a right and a wrong way to ask your boss for a wage increase and you should start by being prepared before sitting down with your manager for the “salary talk”. This could include compiling your successes over the past year to boost your case. You should also consider your goals and what benefits matter most to you, such as a better work-life balance. It is also important to figure out the pros and cons of working full-time in the office or a hybrid mix that allows you to work from home a couple of days a week. But how do you ensure that you start 2024 with a welcome boost to your income? Host Felicity Glover talks to John Armstrong, founder and managing director of recruitment specialist JCA Associates, who takes us through the steps to ask for a pay rise.

Knowing how to invest is an important skill to set you on the road to securing your financial future. Getting started, however, can be overwhelming if you are a beginner. While there's a lot of advice on the likes of TikTok and YouTube, this is something you need to be wary about as many influencers are paid to promote investment services or are simply not financial experts. Taking the DIY investment route with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is a great option as it is low-cost and puts you in charge of your finances. Staying the course and keeping a cool head during negative market events are also key to your success. But how do you begin? Host Felicity Glover talks to Peter Siks, the investment coach at Saxo Bank and co-author of Investing for Dummies, who advises investors to embrace fear to hedge against global uncertainties. Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid.

As if rising interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis aren't enough for investors to worry about these days. Despite all the talk of a bull market this year, stock markets continue their typical roller-coaster ride – one minute they're in positive territory and your portfolio is in the black. And the next, they are impacted by a devastating crisis, such as the wars in Ukraine and Israel-Gaza. But is there a way to create a smarter portfolio to offset geopolitical uncertainties? Host Felicity Glover talks to Ken Fisher, the billionaire founder, executive chairman and co-chief investment officer of Fisher Investments, who advises investors to embrace fear to hedge against global uncertainties. Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

It's so easy to get caught up in the treadmill of life – chasing money, building our net worth, planning for retirement, supporting our families, working long hours and not spending enough time to do the things we're passionate about with the people we love. It took the Covid-19 pandemic to make many of us realise that our work-life balance was much more important for our long-term happiness, health and mental well-being. I recently came across a book by personal finance expert Marissa Thakor – and it put a lot of my conditioned beliefs to the test about our constant chase for more money and success. Titled MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your 'Enough', it argues that we spend the better part of our adult lives accumulating as much money as possible and working way too many hours because that's what society expects of us. But as “The Great Resignation” trend took hold at the height of the pandemic, it became clear: many people had found their “enough” – and took a leap into the unknown. I speak to Carol Glynn, the founder of Conscious Finance Coaching, about how to identify how much is enough for our personal and financial freedom. Produced by Doaa Farid and Arthur Eddyson

The highs and lows of stock markets are often compared to a roller coaster ride – one minute, you're on top of the world and making a profit. The next, it could all come crashing down and you start panic selling. Knowing how to keep our emotions in check while trading is an essential skill that investors need to learn, regardless of their experience. As legendary investor Warren Buffett once said: “The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect.” What are the best strategies to control our emotions while investing? Host Felicity Glover talks to Matthew Carstens, director of product experience at neo-broker amana, who shares his best tips on how investors can keep their cool regardless of what is happening in stock markets. Produced by Doaa Farid and Arthur Eddyson

There are many reasons why we should have long-term financial goals – but perhaps the biggest is to ensure that we have a security net during our golden years. Working out what we want to achieve financially in our lives can be a struggle for some. Sure, there are the usual goals that many of us may aspire to – saving for a home and our children's education, for instance. But what if your goals are different and you don't want the responsibility of owning a home, or maybe you'd like to join the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and stop working at 40 – or even younger? Host Felicity Glover talks to Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, about setting financial goals and how to get started. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Doaa Farid and Arthur Eddyson

What are your plans for investing in gold for the rest of year? As many of you probably know, gold made a welcome comeback in April, jumping above $2,000 per ounce for the first time in more than a year. While the move was great news for gold investors, the bad news is that the precious metal typically rises during economic headwinds. In this case, the US banking crisis had taken hold amid persistent inflation and fears that the US was falling into a recession. While those fears remain, we're also officially in a bull market run – so what does this mean for gold and its outlook for the rest of 2023? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Aziz Moti, general manager and head of analysis at ISA Bullion, who discusses the precious metal's outlook for the remainder of the year. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

In this special episode of Pocketful of Dirhams, we talk to the billionaire twin brothers who famously sued Harvard classmate Mark Zuckerberg for allegedly stealing their idea for Facebook. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, former Olympic rowers and founders of crypto exchange Gemini, first became famous after their legal dispute with Mr Zuckerberg, portrayed in the critically acclaimed 2010 movie, The Social Network. Their venture into the world of cryptocurrency pushed the Winklevoss twins into the spotlight again. In 2014, they founded Gemini, which has become one of the most reputable and regulated platforms in the industry. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Cameron and Tyler at The National's newsroom in Abu Dhabi. They talk about their belief in Bitcoin, how they first came across it, why they founded Gemini, how to cope with the volatile crypto market and why AI is the next big thing for crypto. Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

As the summer holidays approach, have you started thinking about how to protect your hard-earned money while travelling abroad? There are numerous hazards to be aware of – from pickpockets to sophisticated bait and switch scams and online fraudsters, to name a few. But there are ways that you can protect your finances before and during your holiday, such as being prepared and having a plan B in place in case your financial security is compromised. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Carol Glynn, the founder of Conscious Finance Coaching, who discusses her best tips on how to keep our money safe while travelling. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

Are you financially prepared for the Eid Al Fitr celebrations? There are numerous expenses associated with the holiday — such as gifts, new clothes, family gatherings, zakat and overseas travel. There is no doubt that it can be an expensive time of the year for many households in the UAE — particularly for those who have left it too late to set budgets and put away money in the lead up to the holiday. And that is why it's extremely important not to give into temptation and rack up debt during Eid, particularly with the higher interest rates that credit cards attract these days. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Rasheda Khatun Khan, a wealth and wellness expert, founder of Design Your Life and the author of Millionaire Mindset – 6 Steps To A Wealthy Life, who discusses the best ways to avoid debt over the Eid break. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

Have you ever wondered how finance professionals manage their own money? It can be difficult for many of us to manage our personal finances at the best of times, such as sticking to a budget, ensuring we have enough to cover our daily expenses and consistently saving for important financial milestones, such as a down payment on a home and retirement. There's no doubt that financial literacy is one of the most important elements of successfully managing our money — but it doesn't come naturally to some people, who struggle to plan for a financially secure future. While some of us may seek advice from a finance professional to help us on our path to financial security, others might be wondering whether those professionals manage their money differently to regular people. And are they more responsible and less susceptible to temptation than we are? In this episode of Pocketful of Dirhams, host Felicity Glover speaks to Fazeela Gopalani, the head of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the Middle East, who says that planning is key to managing your personal finances successfully — and something that she practices every day with her own money. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

Have you tried ChatGPT yet? There's been a lot of talk lately about the chatbot developed by Open AI to generate human-like conversations with people on a range of topics – big or small. There's no doubt that many of you – like me – have already tried it and found that its potential is wide-ranging. Over the past few years, low-cost investment robo-advisers have democratised investing for the masses by using AI to assess, for instance, a person's risk levels. This led me to start thinking about ChatGPT's potential as a free financial adviser – what type of advice would it offer and could it replace the 20th-century concept of an expensive financial adviser that many people can't afford? Welcome to Pocketful of Dirrams – I'm Felicity Glover, the personal finance editor at The National. Joining me today is, Joseph El Am, general manager of digital wealth manager StashAway Mena, who's here to talk about Chat G-P-T and financial planning.   Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Doaa Farid

It's that time of the year when many employees can expect a salary rise and bonus. On average, salaries in the UAE are expected to rise by 2 per cent to 5 per cent, although this depends on the sector you are working in and your role. According to a recent survey by jobs portal Bayt.com, 53 per cent of professionals in the UAE expect to receive a salary increase this year. Employees in banking, financial services, investment management and consulting can expect the highest salary increases and bonuses in 2023, says Trefor Murphy, founder and chief executive of recruitment consultancy Cooper Fitch. However, employees in other sectors can also expect solid pay rises and benefits such as flexible working, Mr Murphy adds. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Mr Murphy, who discusses this year's salary trends in the UAE and shares his advice on the steps you should follow to ask for a pay rise.  

It's been a tough year on our personal finances — from record-high global inflation to rising interest rates and an increase in borrowing costs for consumers.   There are also strong warning signs that a global recession is looming.    But, as we head into 2023, now is a good time to review your finances and plan ahead.    This is to ensure you begin the New Year on a positive financial footing — such as setting goals to pay off or lower your debts, sticking to a budget and saving for the future.   “It's a good time to reflect and review your finances, and then decide what you need to reduce or change,” says Alison Soltani, founder of savings website Leap Savvy Savers.   Host Felicity Glover is joined by Ms Soltani, who shares her tips on how to boost your finances in 2023.

It can be an extremely stressful time if you lose control of your debts and can no longer keep up with monthly instalments on credit cards or loans. There are many reasons why debts can spiral out of control — from losing your job to facing a medical emergency, or even spending beyond your means. Whatever the reason, there are consequences — after three missed payments, banks in the UAE will alert their collections department about a debt default. That is a situation you don't want to find yourself in as you could eventually face legal action and a travel ban. But how do you negotiate with debt collectors and — more importantly — make it work to your advantage? Host Felicity Glover is joined by debt collection expert Jaya Ratnani, managing partner of Freed Financial Services, who discusses what to do if you are contacted by a collections team.

The UAE's Unemployment Insurance Scheme took effect earlier this month, giving all Emirati and foreign employees in the country a vital cash safety net if they lose their job.   The mandatory social security support system is based on 60 per cent of an employee's basic salary and is capped at a maximum of three months, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said.   While the finer details have yet to be announced, financial experts have welcomed the move but say it is imperative that people also set up an emergency savings fund, rather than rely solely on the unemployment benefits.   Host Felicity Glover is joined by Keren Bobker, an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets, to discuss the benefits of the social security scheme.

Buying property is one of the biggest financial commitments that we will make in our lives. But getting on to the property ladder can be difficult for some — saving for a deposit while also meeting other expenses can take years, more so these days as property prices quickly rise and mortgages become more expensive due to central banks raising interest rates to rein in inflation. Others may feel uncomfortable making a financial commitment to buy a property and prefer to live their lives free of the burden of a mortgage. However, many financial experts advise that investing in property is important to diversify your portfolio, particularly in today's bear market. One option in the UAE involves fractional property investing. Think of it like crowdsourcing — a certain number of people invest X amount of money and collectively buy a property together. The property is then rented out and investors earn a return based on the rental yield. But what is fractional property investing, how much do you need to begin and are the returns worth it? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Siddiq Farid, co-founder of real estate investment platform SmartCrowd, who discusses the pros and cons of fractional property investing. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Thomas Smith

It has been a difficult year for cryptocurrency investors. Bitcoin has plunged from a record high of about $68,000 last year to trade in the $19,800 range on Monday, while the cryptocurrency sector's market capitalisation has again fallen below the $1 trillion mark. Analysts warn that the cryptocurrency roller coaster ride is far from over, dragged down by this year's equity bear market, global economic uncertainty, higher interest rates and a sharp rise in the cost of living around the world. Many novice investors might be ruing the day they jumped on the cryptocurrency bandwagon, believing they could make a fast buck on the likes of Bitcoin, Ethereum or meme coins such as Doge and Shiba Inu on their “shoot to the moon” journey. However, rather than panic selling — and risk losing a substantial chunk of your investment ― investors might want to consider some other strategies. These include holding on for dear life (HODLing) to avoid short-term volatility, or staking digital coins to earn passive income. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Stefan Rust, founder of blockchain development house Laguna Labs and former chief executive of bitcoin.com, who discusses the benefits of investing in cryptocurrencies for the longer term.

The government's overhaul of visa regulations last September means that teenagers aged 15 to 18 can now work part-time in the UAE, giving them an opportunity to earn a regular salary and learn some vital life skills at the same time. Those skills can include anything from money management to time management, as well as building confidence, instilling a sense of responsibility and gaining that all-important on-the-job experience. While it is an empowering experience for youth, the two most important skills for part-time working teenagers is understanding the value of money and how to manage a regular salary, financial experts say. This includes budgeting, setting savings goals and even beginning their investment journey as early as possible to take advantage of the benefits of long-term compounding interest. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Marilyn Pinto, founder of Kids Finance Initiative Global, who discusses the benefits of teenagers earning a regular salary through part-time work.

As the UAE's property market continues its strong recovery from Covid-19 pandemic-induced headwinds, recent changes to the country's visa rules have opened up long-term real estate investment options for residents wanting to put down roots in the Emirates. While average property prices in Dubai rose by 10.9 per cent, year on year, last month, residents can now qualify for a 10-year golden visa if they buy a property for as little as Dh2 million ($544,588). Despite rising interest rates, the initiative is attracting both residents and high-net-worth individuals from around the world, with an average budget of about Dh3m, property experts say. But where should you buy and how do you apply for the golden visa once you have decided on a property? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Richard Waind, group managing director of Betterhomes, who discusses the UAE property market and how the golden visa is benefitting the long-term plans of UAE residents. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

It's difficult at the best of times to stick to a budget — not only do you have to fund your daily living expenses, but there's also paying down debt and meeting important savings goals to set you on the path towards a secure financial future. For parents, there are also expensive education costs to consider, as well providing for their children. But during times of high inflation and rising interest rates, it becomes more difficult for households to stretch their dirhams further. Regardless of where you are in the world today, the prices of food, petrol and other everyday expenses are on the rise and salaries are not keeping up with inflation. This leads many people to struggle with their budgets. However, there are numerous ways to ease the financial stress you might be experiencing, experts say. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Alison Soltani, founder of UAE savings website Leap Savvy Savers, who shares her tips on how to save money on everyday expenses during periods of high inflation. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

Buying a new or used vehicle can be an overwhelming experience for many — especially if you know very little about cars and what to be aware of before making a commitment. But cutting through the noise of slick sales talk and the many deals that are on offer in the UAE — which typically include extended warranties, free service packages, insurance and registration for the first year — is only the first step. It is essential to do your research and set a budget before deciding on which car to buy: new, second-hand or even electric, experts say. It is also important to consider the cost of running a car, more so these days with higher petrol prices, as well as its long-term value. So, where do you begin? Host Felicity Glover is joined by automotive entrepreneur Naz Chaudhry, who shares his tips and tricks on how to negotiate the best deal when buying a car in the UAE. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

Protecting our finances online has become more difficult since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, when we switched our lives online to work, study and shop from home during movement restrictions. The recent spate of true-crime documentaries on streaming services, including Netflix's The Tinder Swindler, Bad Vegan and Inventing Anna, have served to highlight the issue — showing just how easy it is to trick people into handing over their life savings to a scammer. Since 2020, online fraud has surged around the world, according to cyber security experts. But what are the red flags and how can you tell if an SMS, a website or even a social media post is genuine? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Salah Suleiman, the UAE sales manager at internet content security company Trend Micro, who talks about online fraud and how to protect your hard-earned money. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

Salaries, hiring and workplace trends have been some of the biggest concerns for employees since the Covid-19 pandemic began two years ago. From temporary furloughs to salary cuts and working from home, it has been a difficult experience for many people around the world. However, the jobs market in the UAE will continue to recover in 2022 as business confidence and hiring activity return to pre-coronavirus levels, according to recruitment experts. A number of specialist recruitment agencies in the UAE are forecasting that our take home pay could rise as much as 5 per cent this year. But what other benefits can we look forward to? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Grace Eldridge, a business manager at recruitment specialist Hays Middle East, who talks about this year's UAE salary trends. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

Personal finance expert and author Andrew Hallam has inspired expatriates around the world to invest more effectively through his international bestselling books Millionaire Teacher and Millionaire Expat, which detail his journey about how he built a million-dollar portfolio of low-cost exchange-traded funds on a teacher's salary. Hallam, who started investing as a teenager and became a millionaire at 37, has a new book out this month: Balance: How to Invest and Spend for Happiness, Health and Wealth. Balance was inspired by Hallam's curiosity about why people equate success with money and career. While these aren't bad goals, he says, there is more to life than work and a salary. Hallam believes success should be measured by life satisfaction based on four factors: strong relationships, having enough money, good health and a sense of purpose. But how do we achieve this? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Hallam, who talks about his new book and why it's important to find the right balance in your financial life. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

With so much talk about stagflation, inflation, stock market bubbles, the Covid-19 pandemic and the supply chain crunch, investors have every right to feel jittery these days. And as central banks start preparing to withdraw their pandemic stimulus measures, now is the time to put your investment portfolio through a stress test to help protect your financial future. Taking steps to shield your portfolio from market forces should be done at least once a year, experts say.   While nobody can accurately predict when a crisis may happen, the best way to protect your investments is to globally diversify your portfolio across a spread of assets. This means not putting all your eggs in one basket and diversifying it across a range of assets, including commodities, government bonds, property and equities. The idea behind this is if one asset performs poorly, the others can offset this, experts say.   But what are the red flags and how do you position your portfolio to hedge against market threats? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, who takes us through the steps of stress testing our investment portfolios.   Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

Almost everybody has dreamt of one day winning a life-changing amount of money. For most, however, it remains nothing more than that: just a dream. But for Junaid Rana, a 36-year-old Pakistani driver who grew up in Dubai, that dream became reality when he won Dh50 million ($13.6 million) after entering a Mahzooz weekly draw last month. He's gone from earning Dh6,000 a month as a company driver to now having the financial freedom that many people spend a lifetime seeking. One month on from his life-changing win, Mr Rana says he's still coming to terms with the fact that he's a multimillionaire and no longer has to work for anybody. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Mr Rana, who talks about his future plans and how this life-changing amount of money will make a difference to his and his family's life. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Arthur Eddyson and Ayesha Khan

“Money doesn't grow on trees” is an expression we have all heard at some point in our lives. It might be something our parents told us or we tell our own children when they demand things that are too expensive. The transformational coach and yoga teacher Esra Ogut, author of Money Does Grow on Trees: The Myths We Create and Live By, says the reverse is true.   Ms Ogut, a former shoe salesgirl from Turkey turned millionaire living in the US, believes that success is a matter of personal choice and the key to this is simply learning how to make that happen. This can be done by removing those self-imposed limitations that block us from success and hide the money that is sitting out there on trees waiting to be picked.   So, how we break those self-imposed limitations to ensure we can achieve prosperity? Host Alice Haine is joined by Ms Ogut, who outlines the steps to take for increasing your wealth.   Hosted by Alice Haine Produced by Ayesha Khan and Arthur Eddyson

If there's one lesson that the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us, it's that being financially secure during times of uncertainty is crucial. This includes having a financial safety net to protect against job loss or other unforeseen events, as well as saving and investing for the future. But money skills continue to lag, according to a 2019 financial literacy survey by Visa, which found that 43 per cent of respondents in the UAE felt they were not ready to manage their own money.Another 53 per cent said schools did not prepare them enough to take care of their finances. And this is where Rolly Brocales is hoping to make a difference. The managing director of restaurant chain Off The Hook is on a mission to help his 90 employees save for their futures by teaching them financial literacy skills. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Mr Brocales, who discusses how he and his partners are helping their team invest and set financial goals. Hosted by Felicity Glover Produced by Ayesha Khan and Arthur Eddyson

Video game players have discovered a lucrative side hustle – earning cryptocurrency by signing up for play-to-earn games.   One of the most popular play-to-earn games is Axie Infinity, which allows players to accumulate tradable cryptocurrency coins. In fact, it's become a financial lifeline for many gamers who have lost their jobs in countries such as the Philippines, Brazil and Venezuela.   Built on the Ethereum blockchain, which was founded by Vitalik Buterin, Axie has grown from about 30,000 players in April to a massive 1 million in August alone. But there is an upfront fee for players who have to invest in a team of three Axies at a cost of about $600.   And this is even before you get to try the game out to decide if you like it – or not. Which makes you wonder: is it worth the investment and how easy is it to earn cryptocurrency through the platform?   Host Felicity Glover is joined by Devesh Mamtani, chief market strategist at Century Financial in Dubai, who discusses the pros and cons of play-to-earn video games.

Building up an emergency fund to ensure you are protected against any financial surprises is one of the golden rules of personal finance. But once that emergency fund has hit its target of about three to six months' of your monthly expenses, what should you do with the rest?   While many choose to invest their money to grow their net worth over time, others prefer to sit on their savings – storing it in bank accounts, or worse, under their mattress.   So what causes some people to fear the world of investing? And how can they break that fear and start making their money work for them? Host Alice Haine is joined by Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International, who outlines how to get started in the world of investing.

Over the past 18 months, the world has changed more than anyone could have predicted. The Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, shutting businesses, schools, offices and shopping malls, and confining millions to their homes for long periods of time. While many saw their incomes dwindle or lost their jobs altogether, others boosted their savings as movement restrictions prevented them from spending.   Now, as the world slowly emerges from the pandemic, we have all benefited in some way from the extra time the pandemic gave us. Our busy lives stopped almost overnight and we were given a unique opportunity to reflect on how we lived our lives – which extended to how we spend our money. So, what has the pandemic taught us all about our personal finances? And what can we do, going forward, to ensure we have a better relationship with money?   Co-hosts Alice Haine and Felicity Glover discuss the money lessons they have learnt during the pandemic and whether or not they will continue with their new financial habits.   Hosted by Alice Haine Produced by Arthur Eddyson

Numerous studies around the world are indicating that a four-day working week can be successful, leading to an increase in productivity and happier, healthier employees as the work-life balance improves. Governments and private companies in countries such as Spain, New Zealand and Iceland have been experimenting with a reduced working week without cutting employees' salaries.   Here in the UAE, a digital marketing company in Dubai recently announced that it is switching to a four-day working week from September until the end of the year to provide employees with a better work-life balance. While there are many factors for companies to consider before making the switch, is it possible that a four-day working week will become the norm for employees around the world or is it more about flexibility to achieve a better work-life balance?   Host Felicity Glover is joined by David McKenzie, group managing director at Dubai-based recruitment agency McKenzie Jones, who outlines his reasons why a four-day working week is unlikely to succeed in the UAE.

The UK's property market experienced a mini-boom during the pandemic with house prices rising 8.5 per cent last year. This was in sharp contrast to Britain's wider economy, which was hammered by the fallout from the Covid-19 crisis as the country endured a series of lockdowns.   While a stamp duty holiday helped to propel the market upwards, easier access to mortgage finance and a lockdown-induced desire for more space outside major cities also played their part. But one thing slightly dampening prices in recent months, particularly in London, have been the strict travel restrictions, which prevented wealthy buyers from jetting in to view homes. So, with travel curbs now easing, particularly in the UAE, what's in store for the UK's property market now?   Host Alice Haine is joined by Henry Faun, partner and head of Knight Frank's Middle East private office, who outlines how much pent-up demand from the region will affect British house prices.

Trust is key in any relationship, but when it comes to your money you need to be sure the person offering you advice is 100 per cent reliable. The relationship between the UAE financial advisory sector and resident investors has been dented in recent years due to the mis-selling of expensive savings, investment and life insurance products.   A number of regulatory changes rolled out last year aim to reduce the risk of mis-selling. Commission is now capped on new policies and financial advisers must include a mandatory 30-day “free-look” period that allows customers to cancel it without charge within the first month. Advisers are also now required to provide a benefit illustration to customers before the policy commences and a policy statement every six months. But what more could be done to ensure residents fully trust financial advisers in the Emirates once again?   Host Alice Haine is joined by William Tohme, senior regional head for the Mena region at the CFA Institute, who shares his insights on how trust can be boosted in the region.

Interest in trading has surged during the Covid-19 pandemic, with retail investors flocking to platforms such as Robinhood and Etoro to buy and sell stocks.   With time on their hands during movement restrictions and extra money to invest after a series of government stimulus packages, retail traders around the world have embraced the "gamification" of trading, which has been driven by US meme stocks such as AMC Entertainment and GameStop.   But there is one group of traders who have been flying under the radar: teenagers around the world have also jumped on the trend and are using their pocket money to trade in shares.   Host Felicity Glover, the personal finance editor at The National, is joined by Advait Arya, a 16-year-old trader from Abu Dhabi, who talks about his investing journey and how he made a Dh30,000 profit.

If there is one lesson the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us, it is to be financially prepared for once-in-a-lifetime events.   In a world where living beyond our means and being in debt has become the norm, setting up a financial safety net to protect our personal finances during economic downturns, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, can be difficult for many.   While the debt-free journey can be hard work, it is a realistic financial goal if you plan carefully, pay down your expensive debts as quickly as possible and rein in your spending.   Host Felicity Glover is joined by Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com, who offers his advice on the steps to take to begin your journey towards a debt-free life — and protect your financial future.

As the popular saying goes: money does not grow on trees. But wealth can grow through careful money management. While getting on top of your finances may seem like an insurmountable task for some, taking control and being consistent will help you turn a time-consuming chore into a habit you actually enjoy.   From tracking your expenses to following a simple budget and cutting down on unnecessary expenditure, there are a number of easy ways to help you stay on top of your financial affairs. While the Covid-19 crisis saw some people's spending decrease dramatically last year, others suffered job losses that threw their personal finances into chaos. So, how can people get their finances back on track in this post-Covid era and how can it be done in a simple way?   Host Alice Haine is joined by Alexis Soued, the co-founder of Lune, a new personal financial assistance platform which aims to simplify money management and increase financial literacy in the Mena region.

It's hard to pick up a newspaper these days without some reference to cryptocurrencies on the pages. But for some, the world of crypto assets and Blockchain technology seems like another language. Since Bitcoin was first created after the 2008 financial crash, cryptocurrencies have multiplied, along with their value. While the rise and fall of crypto assets has been well documented with some investors making vast sums and others losing their life savings, scepticism from central bankers is rife. European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde has warned of the link between crypto assets and money laundering, while Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey told investors to only buy cryptos "if you're prepared to lose all your money". So with so much uncertainty around the future of cryptocurrencies, how viable are they and do they really have a place in the investment world? Host Alice Haine is joined by Raša Karapandža, visiting professor of economics at New York University Abu Dhabi, who shares his insights on the misconceptions surrounding the technology.

While the start of 2021 was bleak, with the world still in the grip of a pandemic that had already ravaged major economies, the outlook now is more positive. There is a sense of hope, thanks to rapid progress on the vaccination drive and coronavirus restrictions easing once again. The global recovery is backed by huge levels of monetary and fiscal support, as well as improving growth and earnings that have translated into significant rallies in most equity markets. However, rebounding economies also bring uncertainty. Inflation is ramping up and monetary support will soon start to unwind, putting countries' employment levels at risk. With geopolitics also back on the agenda, as the Biden administration engages with the world once again, any decision there has the power to move markets. At the same time, the vaccination programme has been uneven, with emerging markets getting the short end of the vaccine stick. And let us not forget – the Covid crisis is far from over. So, as we enter the second half of the year, what is the outlook from here? Host Alice Haine is joined by Samy Chaar, chief economist at Swiss private bank Lombard Odier, who guides listeners on what to expect next.

The topic of salaries can be a sensitive subject between couples, but what should spouses do if their partner earns more or less than they do? There are a number of issues for couples to be aware of in this situation, such as some partners believing they deserve a bigger say in shared finances because they earn more, which could lead to resentment. Financial experts say this should never be the case – and creating an equal footing between both spouses when it comes to money is important regardless of how much they earn. They say communication and honesty are key for couples to create a secure financial future together. Host Felicity Glover, the personal finance editor at The National, is joined by Georgina Howard, a chartered financial planner at The Fry Group, who shares her top tips on how to create financial equality in your marriage.

The topic of salaries can be a sensitive subject between couples, but what should spouses do if their partner earns more or less than they do? There are a number of issues for couples to be aware of in this situation, such as some partners believing they deserve a bigger say in shared finances because they earn more, which could lead to resentment. Financial experts say this should never be the case – and creating an equal footing between both spouses when it comes to money is important regardless of how much they earn. They say communication and honesty are key for couples to create a secure financial future together. Host Felicity Glover, the personal finance editor at The National, is joined by Georgina Howard, a chartered financial planner at The Fry Group, who shares her top tips on how to create financial equality in your marriage.

Consider this: You've just received a promotion and a pay rise at work. But what plans do you have for that extra money? Will you save it – or will you spend it? For some, saving is the obvious way forward because they are happy to live within their means on their old salary and anything extra is a bonus to secure their financial future. But for many others, the temptation is too great and they see the extra money as an excuse to pay for items they couldn't afford before. Examples could be taking out a loan to buy a fancy new car that you don't need or upgrading to a larger, more expensive apartment. This is known as lifestyle creep – or lifestyle inflation. As the phrase suggests, it can creep up on you before you realise that you're living beyond your means and constantly need more promotions and pay rises just to keep up with your rising financial responsibilities. But how do you avoid lifestyle creep and keep your financial goals on track? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Carol Glynn, the founder of Conscious Finance Coaching, who offers her advice on the best ways to prevent lifestyle inflation creeping up on you.

Consider this: You've just received a promotion and a pay rise at work. But what plans do you have for that extra money? Will you save it – or will you spend it? For some, saving is the obvious way forward because they are happy to live within their means on their old salary and anything extra is a bonus to secure their financial future. But for many others, the temptation is too great and they see the extra money as an excuse to pay for items they couldn't afford before. Examples could be taking out a loan to buy a fancy new car that you don't need or upgrading to a larger, more expensive apartment. This is known as lifestyle creep – or lifestyle inflation. As the phrase suggests, it can creep up on you before you realise that you're living beyond your means and constantly need more promotions and pay rises just to keep up with your rising financial responsibilities. But how do you avoid lifestyle creep and keep your financial goals on track? Host Felicity Glover is joined by Carol Glynn, the founder of Conscious Finance Coaching, who offers her advice on the best ways to prevent lifestyle inflation creeping up on you.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work, it has also accelerated our switch to using contactless cards and e-wallets to pay for goods and services. Millions of people have opted for cashless payments since global lockdowns came into force in March last year amid concerns about the spread of infection through bank notes and coins. In March, a survey by moneytransfers.com, which used YouGov data to rank 21 countries that are likely to accept a fully cashless economy, found that consumers in India, the UAE and Indonesia were the most likely to choose digital payments. Meanwhile, another study by Standard Chartered last September found that 64 per cent of respondents expect the UAE to be a fully cashless society by 2030.  Co-hosts Felicity Glover and Alice Haine discuss the future of cash and whether or not it will continue to play an important part in our financial lives post-pandemic.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work, it has also accelerated our switch to using contactless cards and e-wallets to pay for goods and services. Millions of people have opted for cashless payments since global lockdowns came into force in March last year amid concerns about the spread of infection through bank notes and coins. In March, a survey by moneytransfers.com, which used YouGov data to rank 21 countries that are likely to accept a fully cashless economy, found that consumers in India, the UAE and Indonesia were the most likely to choose digital payments. Meanwhile, another study by Standard Chartered last September found that 64 per cent of respondents expect the UAE to be a fully cashless society by 2030. Co-hosts Felicity Glover and Alice Haine discuss the future of cash and whether or not it will continue to play an important part in our financial lives post-pandemic.

It's been more than a year since our 2020 travel plans were disrupted because of the Covid-19 pandemic – and many of us are keen to get back in the air, visit family or take a well-deserved holiday. With vaccination programmes now in place in many countries around the world and travel corridors opening up, it's time to start planning our summer vacations. There are a number of financial factors to consider before taking the leap, including the cost of flights, health insurance and whether or not airlines will continue offering flexible tickets in case our travel plans have to be cancelled at the last minute. The good news is that there are quite a few flight deals being offered by the likes of Emirates, Etihad and low-cost airline flydubai – but it's best to get in early to take advantage of the lower prices. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Hayley Skirka, The National's travel correspondent, who shares her recommendations for the best travel deals this summer.

It's been more than a year since our 2020 travel plans were disrupted because of the Covid-19 pandemic – and many of us are keen to get back in the air, visit family or take a well-deserved holiday. With vaccination programmes now in place in many countries around the world and travel corridors opening up, it's time to start planning our summer vacations. There are a number of financial factors to consider before taking the leap, including the cost of flights, health insurance and whether or not airlines will continue offering flexible tickets in case our travel plans have to be cancelled at the last minute. The good news is that there are quite a few flight deals being offered by the likes of Emirates, Etihad and low-cost airline flydubai – but it's best to get in early to take advantage of the lower prices. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Hayley Skirka, The National's travel correspondent, who shares her recommendations for the best travel deals this summer.

The UAE property market is buoyant once again after changes to mortgage rules and new visa programmes for expatriate retirees and foreign investors boosted sentiment in the sector. Dubai property transactions hit their highest level since 2010 in the first quarter of this year, according to ValuStrat. The positivity in the market is encouraging many first-time buyers to snap up a home at a time when prices are still affordable and interest rates remain low. But with many residents in the UAE still choosing to rent, how do they decide which is the most cost-effective option over the long term? While renters can walk away without the worry of clearing a mortgage, they also lose the money they have paid to a landlord during their time in a property. In turn, for buyers looking to get on to the property ladder, raising a deposit can be a big financial challenge.  Host Alice Haine is joined by Ben Crompton, managing partner of Crompton Partners Abu Dhabi, who guides listeners through the different options.

It’s all very well to keep your personal finances to yourself when you are single. But what happens if you continue this habit when you are married? Financial infidelity can have a devastating effect on a marriage and create huge trust issues between couples if one of them is not honest about money. From hiding purchases to having a secret bank and credit card account or taking out a loan without their spouse knowing about it are just a few examples of financial infidelity. In 2020, a survey by creditcard.com found that financial infidelity in marriages is on the rise, with 44 per cent of US respondents admitting they kept money secrets from their spouses. However, experts say there are a few red flags to help you recognise when your partner might be keeping money secrets from you. These can include emotion-charged conversations when the topic of money is raised, finding bank or credit card statements you know nothing about, being removed from a joint bank account or if they suddenly appear to be flush with cash. But it seems that you are more likely to commit financial infidelity according to your age. Another survey conducted by creditcard.com in February this year found that millennials are more likely to commit some form of financial infidelity with their partner than Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. So how do couples ensure they remain financially faithful? Communication is key, experts say. Host Felicity Glover is joined by Dr Sanjay Tolani, the chief executive and managing director of multi-family advisory firm Goodwill World, who shares his thoughts on why it's important to be financially faithful in a marriage.