This week I joined Helen Farmer on Afternoons with Helen Farmer on Dubai Eye 103.8 for the Money Matters segment. We talked about something I see all the time in my work with expats: the money mistakes that are easy to make when you move to the UAE, and how to avoid them.

You can listen to the full episode below. My segment is towards the end.

If you'd rather read than listen, here are the big ones.

1. Treating a tax-free salary as "extra" money

No income tax feels like a pay rise, and it's easy for spending to quietly rise to match it. Brunches, upgrades and holidays add up. The fix isn't to stop enjoying Dubai. It's to decide what you're saving and investing first, and enjoy what's left without guilt.

2. Not having an emergency fund

Life here can change quickly. A job loss can also affect your visa, housing and school places at the same time. Having a few months of essential costs set aside gives you breathing room and real choices.

3. Leaving savings sitting in cash

Cash feels safe, but inflation quietly shrinks what it can buy, year after year. For long-term goals, not investing at all is often a bigger risk than investing carefully.

4. Forgetting about "back home"

Pensions, state pension records and property back home don't stop mattering because you've moved. For UK expats, gaps in your National Insurance record can affect your future state pension, and it's worth checking whether voluntary contributions make sense for you.

5. Signing up for financial products you don't fully understand

Many expats are approached with long-term savings or investment plans. Some carry high fees, long lock-in periods and big penalties for leaving early. Before you sign anything, make sure you understand what you're paying, how long you're committed for, and what happens if you want out.

The common thread: confidence

Most of these mistakes don't happen because people are careless. They happen because nobody ever explained how money and investing actually work, in plain English. That's exactly why I created The Confident Investor, a 6-week beginner investing course that takes you from "I don't know where to start" to opening your first investment account, with expat and UK-specific issues covered along the way.

Find out more about The Confident Investor →

This post is for educational purposes only and isn't personalised financial advice.