New to Dubai? 7 lifestyle hacks for expats to save money and live better

Dubai is full of exciting opportunities and experiences, but without the right strategies, your dirhams can disappear fast! These 7 smart lifestyle hacks will help you cut costs, spend smarter, and make the most of life in the city.

1. Save big on international transfers with Careem Pay

Chances are, you’ll be wanting to send some of your tax-free earnings back home. But high fees and poor exchange rates can take a serious cut from your savings. Fortunately, there are many more cost-effective options available, so you don’t have to rely on bank transfers or traditional money exchanges. Careem Pay facilitates near-instant transfers from the UAE to around 30 countries around the world, including India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Lebanon, Egypt the UK, and Europe – with the recent addition of 18 new European corridors. You can send up to AED 450,000 per month and AED 150,000 per transaction. 

Careem Plus members can now send money with zero fees and special member-only FX rates, keeping hundreds of dirhams in their pockets every month. 

2. Never worry about Salik fines again 

With all your bill payments in one place, Careem Pay makes managing your expenses smarter and more seamless. You can even set up auto-payments for multiple bills – including mobile and home internet, cooling, gas, and utilities.

Careem Pay also provides a feature to recharge your account for Salik, the UAE’s road toll system. There are more Salik toll gates than you realise, and running behind on your Salik payments can lead to unnecessary fines. 

The auto-recharge feature ensures your account recharges automatically when your balance runs low. Just link your Salik account to Careem Pay, by adding your mobile number and car plate number on the app and it will auto-recharge whenever your balance runs low—no manual top-ups, no fines. 

3. Spend less on meals out

Eating out in Dubai can be expensive, but there are ways to enjoy great food without overspending. Not only does Careem DineOut make it easier to find new restaurants and venues to dine out at with over 700 venues registered, it also unlocks exclusive discounts of up to 50% on meals out for Careem Plus members. Members can also enjoy Buy One Get One Free deals on Dubai’s top brunches as well as 10% off curated supper clubs.

Whether you’re trying a new cuisine or returning to your favourite spot, it’s possible to save on every meal. A little planning goes a long way—spend smarter and explore Dubai’s diverse food scene for less. 

4. Simplify life with home services 

Daily chores can be a hassle, but Careem’s at-home services take care of them for you to give you one less thing to worry about. Whether you need home cleaning, salon and spa treatments, or laundry services, everything can be booked with just a few taps. Careem Plus members enjoy unlimited 10% off all bookings to make life even easier. Stay in, stress less.

5. Explore Dubai on two wheels

There’s no better way to explore a new city than by bike, and Careem Bike makes it easy, affordable, and eco-friendly. Skip the hassle of parking and traffic while discovering Dubai’s most scenic cycling routes at your own pace.

With hundreds of docking stations across the city, you can ride along the Jumeirah Beach for stunning waterfront views or take in the skyline on the Dubai Water Canal walkway. Whether you’re commuting, sightseeing, or staying active, Careem Bike is a smart way to save money, stay fit, and see more of the city.

6. Take advantage of instant package deliveries  

Need to send or receive packages across Dubai? Careem Box offers a hassle-free way to get items delivered the same day. Whether it’s forgotten keys, important documents, or a last-minute gift, if it fits in the box, we’ll handle the pickup and drop-off for you. Quick, convenient, and reliable—Careem Box takes care of your deliveries so you don’t have to.

7. Save up to AED 300 per month with Careem Plus

No doubt the most game-changing way to save in Dubai is with Careem Plus. The only subscription program that enables you to save across so many parts of your daily life. Careem Plus members save an average of AED 300 per month on unlimited free deliveries, member-only offers on food and grocery orders, credit back on rides, and discounts on dining out, home cleaning, laundry, Careem Bike, and more for a monthly fee of just AED 19. 

Cut costs, enjoy exclusive perks, and live better in Dubai with Careem. Download the Careem app now!