Frugal Expat

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

Archive for the category “Life in Abu Dhabi”

16 Apr 2012

Abu Dhabi Distribution Company: How to Obtain Clearance?

I hardly visit government agencies since I work here in Abu Dhabi until last March 2012 when my flat’s tenancy contract was due to expire. Also, I didn’t know the headache of owning a flat here until I needed to give up my last flat.

Anyway, my flat was managed by Abu Dhabi National Property. I really had a very bad experience with them. It was like a nightmare stepping into their office. I do not want to dwell on that topic for now but for sure I will blog about it in the next couple of weeks.

Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) is responsible for the water and electricity supplies here in Abu Dhabi. Since I didn’t renew my flat’s contract, I had to obtain a clearance certificate from ADDC to certify that I have no outstanding bill or that I have paid all my bills.

The certificate is one of the requirements of Abu Dhabi National Property. If I will not comply, then the money which was deposited during the signing of contract will not be refunded.

By the way, you can only obtain the clearance from ADDC which is located near Madinat Zayed or CristalHotel. I want to give you a head’s up. There is always a long queue in ADDC. During my three times visit, I spent two hours at least for the queue. I really didn’t have much of a choice but to wait.

When you enter the ADDC, ask for the priority number but inform them that you want to obtain a clearance certificate.

Wait for your turn, then the customer service agent will ask you for your account number and will tell you to leave your house key to the Nator. Once they put the notice in the system for termination of your account, their staff will visit the flat to disconnect the water and electricity supply.

You have to come back the following day (after the water and electricity supply is disconnected). They will advise you of the final amount of your bill. Pay the full amount then they will issue you a letter which I assume a clearance letter because it is written in Arabic.

It is easy but time-consuming because of long queue.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Accommodation, Life in Abu Dhabi | Leave a Comment
12 Apr 2012

Overhaul

My life is going through an overhaul right now and in a way I am proud of it (I’ll tell you the reason later!). Actually the process is just initiating and the result is still to be seen and felt.

Work
I am one of those who keep their jobs for years for the sake of paycheck. Instead I endure the misery of working in the corporate world as I trade off my happiness, time, passion and health. Few more days from now, I will eventually get rid of the job that I detest for four years and five months.

Not only that, I will be office base worker soon. I am expecting a period of boredom on my first few months because for the last two year, I am always on the go – driving on the road, visiting clients in their respective offices, having lunch or dinner with guests or chatting on the phone to sort out issues or to extend assistance.

Soon, I will have a very minimal contact with clients, less time on the road and in my car, no work related phone calls which are disturbing on weekends and no more late night work oriented social functions.

Clothing
I am not yet sure though but I will probably be wearing smart casual clothes in my office because that’s what there staffs were wearing during my interview and it was a weekday. No more high powered business suits and high heels.

New Home Sweet Home
Hubby and I moved to a new flat. We just finished shifting last night, not an easy one but glad it was over. We realized yesterday that we really had a lot of personal effects which need to be trimmed down (and we should be ruthless in doing that!). Actually, we already downsized but I think it was not enough.

I believe that we should only stay in job that makes us happy. Why? Personally in my current job I come to office at around 7.45am and do not leave before 9pm and twice a week I have to stay until 10-11 in the evening. Imagine, I am not happy with my current role and I am spending 60% of my time at work. It implies during that 60% of my time I am not happy too.

I mentioned in the beginning that somehow I am proud of it. You know why? It took me so long to heap enough courage to take this decision because I was afraid to explore the world of unknown instead I chose to live in misery in my comfort zone.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Accommodation, Employment, Finances, Life in Abu Dhabi | Leave a Comment
08 Apr 2012

Embracing Minimalistic Lifestyle

Three weeks ago we finally shifted to our new accommodation.  

When we finished packing our things last month, I was stunned with the amount of things that we accumulated despite of getting rid many items prior to sorting and packing our belongings. We gave away many kitchen items, cupboards, clothes, and furniture. I threw old magazines, files of papers, and packed my over 300 books.

Still we ended up with a lot of stuff. The 2.5 ton cargo pick-up that we rented to help us shift our things made two trips as one was not enough.

Personally I really do not recommend accumulating things while working and living in UAE. We all know that our stay here is only temporary and eventually we have to go back home for good or migrate in other country.

I am considering that it is really time to be ruthless in downsizing and to start a minimalistic lifestyle. No more unnecessary things. I should only buy things if it is necessary.

It is time to go digital too. Hubby and I love books but it is space-consuming. As painful it is to let go paperbacks and hard cover books, I simply have to.

Getting rid of subscriptions. As I used to own a flat, I subscribed to internet, landline phone, cable and other utilities. On top of that, I am keeping (until my last working day) a postpaid mobile phone for my work.

As I gave up my flat, this allowed me to get rid of it except for my postpaid phone but it will soon, three more weeks to go.

Long term financial commitments. Again, our life here in UAE is unpredictable. Today you may have your secure and high paying job but it can be gone tomorrow. This is the reason that I personally do not recommend long term financial commitments like personal loans.

Many expats face this problem after they lose their jobs. They could not afford to pay the monthly dues anymore.

Until today I still have few boxes to unpack and to sort out.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Accommodation, Life in Abu Dhabi, Thoughts and tagged | Leave a Comment
06 Apr 2012

Etisalat E-Life Subscription: Watch out for the Cancellation Policy

I am not renewing our flat this year and its contract is due to expire on 31st March 2012. Perhaps by the time you are reading this post, my flat is already empty. Then cancellations of utilities (i.e. water and electricity), internet, telephone and cable TV will follow.

When we took this flat, I availed the E-Life package of Etisalat (UAE’s leading telecommunication company). The package includes internet, cable tv and telephone line.

In February I inquired in one of Etisalat’s customer service outlet about its cancellation. The agent just advised me to visit the Etisalat Business Center as they could only do the cancellations. As I was preoccupied in my work, I visited the Business Center only a month after.

To my dismay, they informed me that a one-month notice period is required otherwise the customer needs to pay one month as penalty. I argued about it as I was not aware of that condition.

In a way I realized my mistake. I should always ask for the cancellation policy for any subscriptions that I will avail. Now, I have no option but to pay the penalty.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Accommodation, Life in Abu Dhabi and tagged | Leave a Comment
02 Apr 2012
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New Path to Healthier “Me”, Scattered Files

After weeks of dilly-dallying, I finally decided to embark a new journey – to trudge the path of living a healthier and fitter ‘me’. It means more fruits and veggies on my plate. Actually my long-term goal is to adapt a pure raw-food lifestyle. (I know, I posted about it earlier but I really didn’t try hard to stay on track.)

So last Saturday I shopped a small amount of fruits and vegetables. Then yesterday I had only salad for lunch and a big portion of sandwich in the evening. I realized that I have to keep my stomach full with fruits and vegetable during the day otherwise I will indulge in the evening. That’s what happened yesterday.

Today morning I am glad to start my day with coffee and followed later with watermelon, (hopefully) salad again for lunch and fruits in the evening.

Also, for the last one week I started to use stairs in the morning though I am taking it slowly. I live in the 9th floor and every morning I use the stairs when going down the building. Honestly my legs were paining in the first two days that I used the stairs but now my legs are okay.

Hopefully next week I will start climbing up the stairs even for two floors only. It is really more tiring to ascend.

I am setting my mind to achieve this goal on a gradual phase as long as I am consistent. I aim to lose 15 kilo.

On the other hand, I have not updated my blog for the last two weeks. I actually have written few blog posts but my files are scattered. I am currently using a laptop at home but the files are saved in the desktop computer. As I write in the office too during my lunch break, I ended up having some files again left in my office computer.

I am hoping that this weekend the internet connections for our desktop computers will be fixed so I will have one working desk and computer to use.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Health, Life in Abu Dhabi and tagged ,
01 Apr 2012

Paralyze Without Internet

Today marks our one week stay in our new accommodation. Until now at this moment I am writing this post, we still do not have internet access in our room. I felt paralyze, honestly.

Not only that, my telephone bill is spiraling as I make almost daily long distance call toPhilippinesto check my son. Unfortunately, it seems phone calls do not ease my longing to my little boy because I cannot see him unlike in Skype.

Hopefully the internet connection will be fixed tomorrow. Actually there is available wifi in our flat but the signal inside our room is only limited. As we are using desktops, we need internet cables.

Even my online work is paralyzed. I cannot do any research for my writing gig and I have a deadline coming up soon.

Posted by Frugal Xpat in Accommodation, freelance writing, Investments, Life in Abu Dhabi | Leave a Comment
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
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 , ,
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
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

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