Over-the-counter complain killers

I sent an anonymous message to some of Dubai's blogs asking how long-term residents like living in the city, and most replies were positive. "It is fun, children-friendly, and much cheaper than Europe," one reply says. "With the exception of accommodation costs, it is the best place to live in," says another.

I could not match such replies with the negative vibes which I frequently receive from expatriates who seem engaged in non-stop complaining about how boring their lives are here.

Whether they are whining about the weather, the driving or living costs, I can hear them saying only: "We're homesick." Physical relocation may sometimes prove much easier than adopting a new set of activities to fill the vacuum of being separated from family members and friends. Some may be even shunning the idea of having fun as a betrayal of those left behind.

Additionally, the desire to make some savings and not to splurge on fun activities makes it even harder for many to enjoy life here since easy entertainment options like hanging out in the malls are usually both pricey and unfulfilling.

If you're falling into this vicious circle, you need to start thinking about how to work actively on having fun in the Gulf. First of all, you need to set an entertainment budget, which should enable you to enjoy your time without experiencing the guilt of overspending.

Definitions

Your starting point is to sit back and think about your definition of leisure spending. Do long-distance phone calls count as entertainment? What about cable TV and dining out? Having a clear answer to those questions is a must in order to straighten your spending. Your entertainment budget should only include expenses for non-mandatory items that are supposed to be fun.

Once you have drawn up your list, start filtering it down to activities that you really enjoy. It is an easy equation: if you have a smaller number of categories, you will get more money to spend on each of them. For instance, if you have been disappointed with a satellite package (Dh200 a month), cancelling your subscription will allow an extra Dh50 a week, which can be directed to movie tickets, DVD rentals, etc.

Once you're done with the filtering process, make your wish list of most enjoyable activities, and put average price tags on them. Now you have to match your wish list's potential spending with the available funds in your income.

Be realistic about how much money you can spend every month without straining your budget. There is a general idea that your leisure budget should not exceed 5 per cent of your income. But since many expatriates in the UAE are paying up to 40 per cent of their income for accommodation, you may have to resort to extra tightening.

Tricks

There are many tricks that can reduce the cost without giving up a certain activity altogether. For example, if watching movies is top of your list you can cut your spending in three different ways: 1) Reduce frequency: it does not have to be a weekend routine to head to the movie theatre. Limit your movie consumption to the ones you really want to watch after checking online reviews. 2) Eat at home: If your budget allows movie tickets, it may not allow a dinner out. 3) Be patient: Wait for movies to be released on DVD. Rentals are available in Dubai for a monthly subscription and approximately Dh5 per film. This is a big saving compared to an average Dh30 movie ticket, especially if you have a big family.

If you still find it difficult to fit your wish list within your budget limits, try to replace some items with cheap family fun. Like what? Parks, beaches, museums, zoos can provide nice weekend recreation, especially as the weather has cooled down. Pack your own sandwiches, juice cans, home-made cookies, and head out for a day trip to Al Ain, Hatta Pools, Fujairah, or Ras Al Khaimah, which are mostly within a couple of hours drive from Dubai. All such options can give you more quality time with your family than shopping malls.

The key to having fun in the UAE is to change your attitude, work on matching your leisure activities with your budget, and draw your own roadmap for an exciting trip.