From UAE petrol prices and Saudi credit card reforms to real estate trends, remote work policies, and Ramadan 2026 dates — here are the top developments shaping life, business, and investment in the Gulf this week
personal finance
Latest in personal finance
Dubai
UAE residents need nearly $1,800 monthly to become millionaires in 10 years, financial experts reveal
Most UAE residents are missing millions in potential wealth by starting too late, despite having a unique tax-free advantage, experts told Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi
UAE finfluencer licensing brings ‘long overdue accountability’ to social media investment advice, experts say
The UAE’s ‘finfluencer’ licensing system combats social media investment scams, with groundbreaking rules requiring anyone with just 1,000 followers who gives financial advice to register with regulators
financial behaviour
UAE money: Does the new TikTok ‘no-spend’ challenge truly work? Dubai finance experts weigh in
Young professionals are turning to TikTok’s ‘no-spend’ challenge to combat rising costs of living, but is the trend a short-term fix or a lasting solution?
Buy now Pay later
Visa launches flexible payment feature in US, UAE to meet growing demand
For the UAE rollout, Visa has partnered with Liv Bank
Digital bank account
UAE digital bank LIV revamps credit card with 4% cashback and lifestyle offers
UAE digital bank Liv introduces new cashback offerings on personal credit cards
Financial goals
Gen Z are investing nearly twice as early as Baby Boomers, says new report
Over a quarter of Gen Z respondents reported learning about investing in school, significantly higher than older generations, the survey said
Budgeting
UAE savings: How to save over AED5,000 using the viral ‘100 envelopes’ TikTok challenge
Dubai-based finance experts weigh in on whether the viral TikTok ‘100 envelopes’ savings challenge – but is it an effective way to automatically save money daily and develop good financial habits?
Digital bank account
How to get 10% interest rates with UAE digital bank Liv
UAE digital bank Liv announces gamified fixed deposit interest rates of up to 10 per cent for correctly predicting football scores
apps
New app lets users instantly check their net worth from smartphone and track finances, assets and investments
Hoxton Wealth app presents a user’s complete financial status in a single platform
financial planning
UAE savings guide: How to save more of your salary with the 50/30/20 rule
Since UAE workers have the advantage of working on a tax-free salary, implementing this rule would should lead to higher savings over time
AB Majlis
AB Majlis podcast: Unraveling the psychology of debt and ‘financial quicksand’
The GCC’s high credit card interest rates can become “financial quicksand” if consumers are not careful, says Carol Glynn on an episode of AB Majlis
Abu Dhabi
TikTok lures Gen Z with personal finance advice, but experts warn of risks
TikTok has become the go-to platform for young people to learn about personal finance – but will this do more harm than good?
Investment
UAE savings: Now you can buy National Bonds directly from noqodi
National Bonds and noqodi partnership aims to raise awareness of savings options in the UAE
End of service benefits UAE
UAE Golden Pension: 82% of staff open to employer investing end-of-service benefits
UAE workers look to boost post-retirement income with investment schemes
Budgeting
Financial literacy should be a life skill for Generation Z
Keeping accurate information about money is simply maths, not financial literacy. Understanding whether you should make a purchase is financial literacy
Dubai
Overspending, lack of money are signs of financial trauma, says expert
Money, which is a form of security and safety, followed by power and stature, can often evoke a sense of worthiness in individuals