Money and me: Smaller salary, happier life for Abu Dhabi operations manager

Art gallery operations manager says switching careers and taking a pay cut added value to her life.

Elina Virtanen, operations manager of N2N Gallery, Abu Dhabi. Mona Al-Marzooqi / The National

Elina Virtanen is the operations manager at N2N Gallery in Abu Dhabi. The 30-year-old, from Finland, moved to the UAE almost two years ago after stints working in Madrid, Frankfurt and Dubai, where she met her fiancé and switched careers

Describe your financial journey so far?

My first years of working life were spent in aggressive corporate environments. Two years in Spain, three years in Germany, with a transfer to Dubai. I earned quite well on average, although my salary would fluctuate from very high pay cheques to moderate. Then in Germany, I had 50 per cent tax to pay. I worked in a large recruitment company, lived alone in the centre of the city and never took a credit card or had any debt. I loved the city but felt my future was not there, and I eventually moved to Dubai. Things improved financially, I met my fiancé and started seriously reconsidering my career – so I followed my heart into the art world and to Abu Dhabi. I never looked back. I earn less now than when I first moved to the UAE, but I feel richer than I ever did before.

Are you a spender or saver?

I don’t know what saving feels like, to be honest. At least not the long-term kind. I guess it’s a matter of having a good reason to save, and before I never felt like I had one. Now this is changing and I am finding reasons to save. My habits and attitude to consumerism have changed, so I’m less interested in spending money and buying things than before, but I do feel that living in the UAE, life can be expensive and that makes saving more of a challenge.

Have you made any financial mistakes along the way?

As I haven’t made any significant financial moves in the past, there have not been significant mistakes. Maybe that is a mistake in itself. I could have learnt to be a bit savvier with money. Some might see taking a pay cut as a mistake, but I do not see it as such – a price of life is not valued only in money. The monetary loss was small compared to what I gained.

What is your philosophy towards money?

Use it with heart. Money can be a wonderful thing, a powerful tool to help us achieve things that can even have far-reaching positive effects. Every action has a reaction, including spending. There is nothing wrong in enjoying money, but I know from personal experience that having a self-centred attitude to money does not bring happiness, quite the opposite.

What would you do if you won Dh1 million?

I’d invest in the set up and running of an artist/designer community with the necessary facilities, combined with an agriturismo, an Italian-style organic farm and guest house complex.

What has been you best investment?

There are many things in life that I am grateful for, and that required investment – education, moving countries, living comfortably … but one thing that stands out in recent history as an investment was shipping my cat from Finland to the UAE. I was not able to bring him to Dubai when I first moved, so I left him in the care of my grandmother. An 18-month separation was hard. We were both very happy to be reunited.

What do you like to spend your money on?

As it is my goal to be a successful vegan and a thoughtful consumer, I am always looking for health enhancing, cruelty-free, chemical-free things I can incorporate into my diet, fashion and beauty regime. I’m a bit of a foodie and love stylish things so sticking within the parameters I’ve set can be challenging, but also there is a lot of satisfaction. It’s a great feeling when you discover amazing leather-free shoes, or realise how much of the beauty care routine can be replaced by simple organic coconut oil. Spending has become a kind of a positive mission.

Follow The National's Business section on Twitter