Muskkan Chelani, who works as a marketing manager at a Dubai-based real estate company, realised she needed to be financially independent at the age of 16 when her family were going through a hard time.
She used her enterprise to design and sell event invitations and gradually scaled up her skills to bag freelance content writing jobs.
The Indian, 24, is from the city of Jaipur in the western state of Rajasthan. She moved to India from Dubai when she was 10 due to a family emergency and returned to the emirate in 2021 to settle.
Ms Chelani studied for a bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication at Manipal University Jaipur and then completed a master's degree at Middlesex University Dubai, where she specialised in corporate and marketing communications.
She now lives in Mankhool.
What was your first job and salary?
I started by selling digital wedding, birthday and event invitations for 500 Indian rupees ($5.90) each. Then I moved on to a content writing internship where I was paid 3,500 rupees, followed by another internship.
My first full-time job was as a content writer at a technology company, a remote job during the Covid-19 pandemic, and I was paid 10,000 rupees. I resigned in August 2020 and started freelancing on portals such as Fiverr and Truelancer.
I built a recurring clientele. My initial income from freelancing was between 15,000 to 18,000 rupees per month and this later went up to 40,000. Then I moved to Dubai to pursue my master’s degree in 2021 – simultaneously I had a full-time job as a content writer at a real estate company, which paid me Dh5,000 ($1,361) per month.
After quitting, I freelanced for a few real estate companies in Dubai and property agents who paid me for personal branding. In 2022, I was recruited by real estate brokerage Hamptons International as a marketing copywriter. I worked with them for a year and a half and earned up to Dh9,000 [a month]. I was promoted to marketing and communications executive in less than a year.
Last December, I was hired as a marketing manager by my current employer, which again is a Dubai-based real estate company.
What is your salary now? Tell us about your current role
I earn between Dh11,000 and Dh13,500 per month, including bonuses and other benefits. I handle the A to Z of marketing in this role, from branding to social media and lead generation.
In which asset classes do you invest?
I invest in large-cap stocks for the long term and have mutual fund investments in India. I am new to investing and started stock trading about a year ago. I have a limited portfolio and take guidance from my friends who are knowledgeable about the stock market.
I also buy gold occasionally. When bullion prices go down, I invest in gold coins.
I also prefer to withdraw money from the bank and keep it aside, rather than saving it in the bank because I tend to spend a lot with Apple Pay.
I've also invested in a clothing business in India and am expanding it in Dubai now. My father, who’s 58 and retired last year, is also involved in the business.
Have you purchased property in your home country?
I am saving for it now and plan to buy a home in India in the next few years.
Do you have any debt?
I do not have any significant debts, only credit cards that I pay off in full every month.
Growing up, were you taught how to handle your finances?
No. Until my family was in Dubai, I had a very privileged childhood. Even after we moved to India, all my demands were fulfilled. But after I turned 16, things went haywire for my family. That taught me to be financially independent.
I've never been a reckless spendthrift, but I grew to become more responsible as the eldest child. I learnt how to manage my finances. Although my parents still paid for my college fees and daily expenses, I wanted to become self-reliant and started selling invitations to make some money for myself.
What are your major monthly expenses?
Rent, food and sending money back home. That's not mandatory but I choose to do it since I have invested in the business.
I do not lead a very fancy lifestyle. As I do not drive yet, some money goes towards my driving lessons every month.
How do you budget your salary every month?
I set aside 10 per cent of what I earn and forget about it. I know 10 per cent of what I earn may look very small but small things make a difference.
I also keep 5 per cent of my earnings aside to invest in gold. If I can’t buy gold, I keep this percentage aside in cash.
I divide the remainder of my income among my liabilities, bills, credit card payment and remittance. I also budget ahead in case my sister, who’s in college, needs money.
I allocate 15 per cent of my salary for travel and leisure every month. This helps cover expenses if my family is visiting me in Dubai.
Have you started saving for retirement?
No, I haven't. I haven't thought about retirement since I love working.
I want to build a comfortable life where I have the liberty and flexibility to choose if I want to have lunch at the office or come home.
I want to build such a work ethic that my employer offers me the flexibility to dedicate certain hours in a day for myself.
Do you have an emergency fund?
The 15 per cent of my salary that I keep aside every month is my emergency fund.
How do you spend your disposable income?
Once every three months, I go on a leisure outing with my friends. Recently, we've been planning to go on a staycation in another emirate.
Do you worry about money?
Yes, I do. Real estate looks like a very glitzy and glamorous business where everyone's making money. But in reality, it’s only the brokers who make money. But no one understands that the marketing department provides leads to close sales.
Most companies don't give a commission to us because we are hired to generate leads. We are on a fixed salary structure, while salespeople make probably five to six times the money than a marketing person.
The marketing side of the business is often overlooked. I worry that despite putting in so much effort, we do not receive the right financial outcome. But this is a global phenomenon. Although salaries have improved, I still see a lot of real estate companies paying people in my position a four-figure salary. It’s sad to see people being underpaid.
Being a member of The Leaders Group, a networking platform where I connect and interact with professionals in my industry, helps to build my contacts.
What are your financial goals?
My short-term financial goals are to save money to buy a new car in Dubai and to lead a hassle-free, comfortable lifestyle.
My long-term financial goal is to buy a house in India, as well as in Dubai, as I work in real estate.
What is your idea of financial freedom?
It would be a situation where I'm dependent only on my investments and savings. I want to be relaxed and not constantly think about how much I earn.
What are your best money-saving hacks to offset inflation?
Always try to save more than 10 per cent of your salary each month. Even if it’s a small amount, it will add up in the long run and help beat inflation.
Do you want to be featured in My Salary, a weekly column that explores how people around the world manage their earnings? Write to pf@thenationalnews.com to share your story
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Match info
Huddersfield Town 0
Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6-cylinder%2C%204.8-litre%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5-speed%20automatic%20and%20manual%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E280%20brake%20horsepower%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E451Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh153%2C00%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
