In hard times, some readers practise sensible spending

Dubai: Watching your wallet and thinking twice before you buy something seems to be a common practice around the world these days.

However, that is not necessarily what people in the UAE are doing. While some are saving their money, others seem to be spending it as they always did.

Feyimodupe Olorunshola, a university student who also works in sales and marketing, said she had not changed her behaviour towards money since the global economic crisis took place.

She said: "I still do the things I love and in some cases I think I am spending more than I used to."

Family support

Olorunshola, a Nigerian national, said she felt that although she needed to be more prudent when it came to money and saving, she did not think twice before purchasing something she liked, especially if it was clothing.

Olorunshola has her family's support but said she always depended on herself.

Ajeet Kumar, a banker residing in Dubai, said he believed he had also not been affected by the crisis.

He said: "I have not changed my attitude when it comes to money." "I still do the things I did three years ago," he said.

Kumar, an Indian national, said he had been investing in equity for the past six years and would continue to do so.

Although as an investor, Kumar said he took many risks but never went over the limit with his money.

He said: "I stay away from any sort of debt and never invest in anything I am not sure about." "I am always careful," Kumar said.

While some are enjoying life as if the global recession never took place, others have adopted the "think twice before you buy" attitude.

Abi Clifton, an office manager, said she had been careful with how much money she spent.

"We used to buy anything we needed from the supermarket," Clifton said. "Now, we have cut down and go to different supermarkets to save money."

A new baby

When Clifton, a British national who lives in Dubai, had a baby, she said it became harder for her and her husband to save money, as they wanted to make sure their child lived a healthy and comfortable life.

Clifton said: "I cannot control the global economy but I can control our finances," she said.

"So, we have to be careful in case something bigger than this happens so that we are prepared."

Adnan Ansari, an IT professional, said he'd also been thinking twice before spending his money.

"I used to buy all kinds of electronics that I did not even need," he said. "But, these days if I want to buy a new television I make sure that I sell my old one first."

In a way, the global economic crisis has made Ansari smarter when it came to spending, he said.

"I need to feel financially secure before spending my money on things I do not need."