Dona Cheriyan

Digital Platforms Editor

Dona Cheriyan has worked in UAE newsrooms for over 10 years with a focus on digital editions and reader analytics. She loves writing about life in the UAE, personal finance, and start-ups and homegrown businesses.

Having a clear idea of exactly how much you spend each month is critical to start the financial planning process. Getty Images

How to make the most of your income in 2025

Budget your earnings, create an emergency fund, tackle debt, set savings goals and start investing

MoneyJanuary 02, 2025

The UAE marks Flag Day to celebrate the accession of the late President, Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Why does the UAE celebrate Flag Day?

The occasion is marked across the Emirates, including in schools, businesses and government departments

UAENovember 01, 2024

A young Dona outside their home in Sanaa, Yemen. Dona Cheriyan / The National

CommentFrom Yemen to the UAE via India, my sense of home is defined by people, not places

After my family and I were uprooted from our home in Sanaa, here's how I've learnt to cope with impermanence

WellbeingSeptember 13, 2024

The habit of paying yourself first or saving before spending will help reach your goals faster, experts say. Antonie Robertson / The National

How UAE residents can invest with minimal funds

Whether you start with Dh100 or Dh1,000, investing can help your money grow over time

MoneyAugust 08, 2024

The Central Bank of UAE projected an inflation rate of 2.3 per cent for 2024 in a June report. Silvia Razgova / The National

Eight ways to earn with savings accounts in the UAE

In a bank account with no returns, your money is constantly losing value

MoneyJuly 18, 2024