Frugal Expat

An expat's journey in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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13 Mar 2012

Obtaining Police Clearance before Your Leave the Country (For Good)

I spoke to my old friend Mylene last month before she left the country to venture new opportunities in Doha. She was occupied in her last few days in Dubai because of her police clearance.

Honestly, I was a bit surprise upon knowing this. Why on earth she needs a police clearance? Actually she got this idea from our ex-colleague who is now working in  Cambodia. Our ex-colleague was one of our Chefs in the hotel where the three of us used to work. Years later, our ex-colleague left Dubai and moved to Cambodia for a better post in an international hotel brand.

Earlier this year he was applying for a job opportunity outside Cambodia and he was asked to provide a police clearance from Dubai. So my friend Mylene processed it and she did the same thing before she left UAE for good.

This idea is really a bit strange for me. Quite new in fact. But later, I realize that perhaps it is a good idea. Why not take a police clearance if you are leaving the country for good? It will cost you only AED 200 and somehow it will give you peace of mind that you are leaving the country without any pending cases or fines.

If you are the kind of expat (here in Abu Dhabi) who does not have any liabilities with the banks, then you might not be interested about this idea of obtaining police clearance.

Personally I like this idea and I will be doing the same once I decide that I am leaving this country for good.

What do you think of this idea? Care to share..

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Life in Abu Dhabi and tagged | Leave a Comment
10 Mar 2012

Evolution of (My) Journals

I used to keep journals until my cousin found and read few pages of it. After that incident, I stopped keeping my journals because of fear that someone will discover and read it. For me, journals are haven of my deepest thoughts and emotions thus it is important that I keep it secure as it reveals everything.

Nowadays I still write my journals but online. Although sometimes I find it inconvenient especially when I am away from my computer or laptop, thus I have my occasional loose papers here and there.

Most of my journals now are in a form of prayer. I write first thing in the morning with a cup of hot coffee and an instrumental music. Of course, I have those days too that I wake up late and end up not writing my journal.

I have been keeping my journal in GoogleDoc but yesterday I found a new online journal tool called Penzu. I already wrote my first entry and I enjoyed using it. You can register and use it for free. If you wish to have more features, then you can pay for upgrade, the “pro” version.

I had tried few online journals before. Some needs to be downloaded in your computer which has a disadvantage because it limits your access. You cannot journal unless the software is installed. I like the web based online journals because its accessibility is easier as long as there is internet connection.

What about you? Do you keep a journal?

Posted by Frugal Xpat in freelance writing, Thoughts | Leave a Comment
08 Mar 2012
2 Comments

Freedom to Fire Your Boss (When?)

I was reading a newsletter “The Hidden Cost of Having a Job” yesterday from one of the financial blogs that I subscribe.  It was not only insightful but thought-provoking too. I ended up sulking and asking myself. 

When will I have the freedom to fire my boss?
When will I be financial independent so I can go home for good and spend quality time with my little son and aging Mum?
When will I stop living at the mercy of my employer?

Yesterday my Mum, who was taking care of my six-month old son back home, was sharing how eager my son was with his first consumption of solid food. It was only one of the milestones that I am missing as my son is growing and learning all the “firsts” in his life.

All I could do was envisaged the words (every word) that my Mum shared about his first solid meal. I attentively listen to every word that comes out from my Mum or Sister as they account my son’s progress. I imagined the way he tasted his first soup. I had a sleepless night thinking how my son’s first airplane trip was.

It is sad and sometimes unknowingly depression creeps in.

Oftentimes to pacify emotional and psychological torture I am going through because of being away from my little boy, I try to look at the situation on a brighter side.

I am drawing strength and anchoring my motivation from my not-so-favorable-situation to get out from the corporate world and to thrive as entrepreneur/investor. Honestly, I don’t dream a fancy car and house, a functional house with high speed internet will do. A car in good condition will be a bonus.

The answer to all of my questions above boils down to one thing – financial security – and I know that it is only a matter of time that I will be financial independent. It may sound too optimistic but it helps me to get going.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Family, Finances, Life in Abu Dhabi and tagged , ,
03 Mar 2012
4 Comments

A One Night Event, A Nightmare of Expenses

It is quite odd but I abhor social functions related to my job. Actually, it is better for me to spend my time with my friends and family than flashing my smile and cordiality to strangers.

Anyway, I would say that I have been successful in escaping these social events but last week I decided to attend. It would be my last event because I resigned already.

It was a formal event and we were required to dress up. Thus I was compelled to buy a black cocktail dress. In addition to that, I had to spend for the accessories and to the beauty saloon.

Honestly, I was really stressed with that event and I detested it more because I shelled out a good amount of money. I could have added that amount to my investment.

Indeed it was a nightmare of expenses for a one night event.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Finances, Frugal Tips and tagged ,
01 Mar 2012

Dare to Change!

I was ecstatic yesterday. God is really good and his great providence never fails. Yesterday I met my old friend, Ruby and we had a dinner. It has been awhile since we last met.

Early this year she decided to leave her unfulfilling and stressful job. She took the risk without any job offer at hand and I really admired her when she took that decision. Though she does not have obligations because she is single, but still, considering that we are here in UAE where having a job means having an employment visa.

Anyway, I am glad because she already found a job and her employment visa is on the process already.

Then later in the evening too I received a call from Qatar. Another good friend of mine, Mylene, who also heaped enough courage to leave the job (without any job offer at hand) she was not happy at all .

So last week, she flew to Doha to search for a new job and yesterday she shared the good news. She found already a job and her visa is on the process too.

I am really happy for both of them. They succeed in taking a daring decision to change and to get rid of their stressful job.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Employment, Life in Abu Dhabi and tagged , | Leave a Comment
22 Feb 2012

Abu Dhabi CitiBank Collection Department

I oftentimes received blog comments asking for addresses of collection departments of various bank. So every time I meet someone related to banks, I am asking them their collection department address hoping that it can be of help to others.

Anyway, the collection department office of CitiBank is located near Corniche Hospital or Sheraton Hotel. There is one CitiBank Building there and the collection department is located on the Mezzanine Floor.

Here are the contact details.

Telephone:  +971 2 698 2174
Fax:              +971 2 674 4310

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Banks and tagged | Leave a Comment
20 Feb 2012

Your Delay is not my Emergency

There is a part of my job that involves contracting.  The peak of this task is during the end of the year until mid January. The contracting process involves a lot preparation and once finalize it is sent to our clients.  I am quite used to this contacting season considering that I have been working for four years in our office but this year, it seems to be the worst one.

For whatever reasons, there is a delay from every aspect. Unfortunately, the consequence of this delay boils down to one person, our secretary. She will work until midnight or worst early morning to finish everything.

This reminds me of my ex-colleague. She was working as a secretary and she posted a bold text in here PC which was really visible even if you are at a distance. The words were “Your delay it not my emergency”. If you have bosses who tend to delay things and later dump these responsibilities to you with unreasonable deadline, then this adage suits him.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Employment, Thoughts and tagged | Leave a Comment
18 Feb 2012

Time to Downsize..

Photo Credit: http://worthingtonoldandnews.com

It is not only a career change this year for me. Hubby and I are shifting to a new accommodation too. After a lengthy discussion and stressful follow ups with the “uncooperative” management property handling my current flat, hubby and I decided to let it go.

We are shifting to a new flat in a new area. It is a three bedroom flat and the other rooms are also rented out to other Filipino couples. We saw the room today and we actually liked it. It’s clean and organized. Though we will be paying more this time, it is less headache and responsibility.

We need to vacate our flat before end of March and just the thought of packing our stuffs weighs me down. We never realize that amount of things we accumulated until we relocate. 

It is really time to downsize, throwing the unnecessary.

Well, we will definitely be busy in the next coming weekends as a lot of sorting out activities will be happening.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Accommodation, Life in Abu Dhabi | Leave a Comment
17 Feb 2012

Things to Focus in 2012

Photo Credit: www.clker.com

 

With my decision to leave my current job, I am optimistic to land a job that does not require me to work longer hours at the same time an uninterrupted weekends. You see, I enjoy tremendously my two days off but oftentimes I slot in few minutes of office work like checking and replying to important emails. Also, there are the inevitable phone calls from the clients and the company either requesting for some assistance or issues that need to be resolved.

Hopefully with my new job, I will be freed from this and I look forward to having more time honing my writing skills and do my side business which I aim to be my passive source of income soon. Let me know if you are interested. And most importantly, spending quality time with my hubby.

My brother has been urging me to pay attention and consider seriously my writing business. I used to do it for fun. It is more of a hobby and the earnings that come to it is more of a bonus only. This time, I want to follow my brother’s advice.

I am keen on learning the ins and outs of freelance writing and the potential business opportunities that come to it. I am willing to start the learning process all over again. This is one aspect that I want to focus and invest my time this year.

Secondly, I targeted to thrive in my side business. I just joined this company last month and so far I am still on the process of learning the business. I know that it takes a lot of hard work and a long stretch of perseverance to succeed in this field. I am working on it!

I will focus only on these two things this year..

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Employment, Finances, freelance writing, Life in Abu Dhabi | Leave a Comment
15 Feb 2012

February will be over soon…

I was just writing my journal today and realized that it is already 15th of February. It means that this month is already over. How fast the time flies?

Lately, I have been contemplating on going home for good. I am very tired of living a corporate life which sadly equates to stress. Sometimes I wonder why some people are so keen to stay in big cities and bear the hustle and bustle of the urban life.

I know that we have our own preferences and I like the greenery and laid back way of life in the province as long as I have an internet connection… LOL!

Anyway, let’s hope for the best this month. In the industry I am working right now, we are forecasting a tough year as competition intensifies and I know the situation will be even worst when the summer season comes.

In a way, I am glad that I decided to leave. What a good excuse, huh!

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Employment, Life in Abu Dhabi and tagged , , , | Leave a Comment

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