Aleksandra Mojse quit her job last year as a senior interior design manager with a Dubai-based real estate developer to take a leap of faith and launch a boutique design studio.
The Serbian, 34, started Moy Design Studio, an interior design consultancy. Becoming an entrepreneur was a natural step as her family business Mojse Jewelry is one of the oldest and most renowned jewellery shops in Novi Sad, Serbia. The business was founded by her grandfather in 1938.
She was raised in Serbia, where she studied interior design and started her career.
“I always knew I wanted to get out of Serbia, because I wanted more,” Ms Mojse says.
Shortly after, she moved to Dubai 11 years ago and worked for several international design studios.
She currently lives in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle.
Did wealth feature in your childhood? What did you learn from it?
My family was always comfortable financially and my parents were very careful with how they spent money. While there was always money, it was spent either for education or health. There was no unreasonable spending on luxuries. My family also travelled a lot at a time when not a lot of people in Serbia could afford to.
I learnt to value money and the importance of saving because my family had a lot of investments. They invested in apartments and retail shops. So, I learnt to spend wisely, think about the long term, invest and grow money.
How did you first earn?
I started working as an interior designer at my professor’s studio after I finished university. I do not remember what the pay was, but it was enough to cover my living expenses in Belgrade. I was also saving a bit on the side.
Any early financial jolts?
Not very early on. But I faced a financial challenge last year when I left my job, where I was in a high position earning a very good salary, to open my own company. I had to reduce my living expenses, because every business is challenging at the beginning. There was no regular cash flow for the first one or two months. So, I had to invest a lot of money both to open the company and sponsor my lifestyle. I was giving salaries to my team as well.
How do you grow your wealth?
I have a versatile investment portfolio, including stocks. I had invested in cryptocurrencies. I also invest in assets such as apartments in Serbia and Dubai, and own retail shops that I rent out.
I plan to purchase more properties and invest in more businesses to grow my portfolio.
Are you a spender or a saver?
I am a bit of both, but tend to lean more towards saving because I love to invest. Apart from spending on health and personal growth, I also love to travel. I spend a certain amount of money on travel each year but I'm a wise spender.
Have you been wise with money?
Considering my real estate portfolio, my design venture and the fact that I'm planning to open more businesses says that I have been wise with money. I have spent some money on luxury goods, such as bags and shoes, but at the end of the day, it was always wisely spent.
What has been your best investment?
My current company, because it is my passion and has a bright future, as well as the apartment I live in. I designed and executed the building in which I purchased this apartment. The returns are very high on this building.
How do you feel about money?
I feel it's a valuable asset. When used properly, it can multiply. We need to have a very healthy relationship with money.
Any financial advice for your younger self?
Since I was quite balanced and had a healthy relationship with money early on, the only advice I would tell my younger self would be to start investing early, don't be afraid to take calculated risks and spend less on clothes.
Any key financial milestones?
When I moved to Dubai, my second job was my first milestone because I was earning enough to afford a comfortable lifestyle. My second milestone was when I started working for Ellington Properties where I was earning quite significantly. My third financial milestone is in the making. It will materialise once my company is more established and grows more.
What luxuries are important to you?
I always love to have a good quality bag, shoes and a car. Apart from that, having assets that compound in value. These need to exist in order to be able to purchase luxury items.
What are your financial goals?
To create a strong financial foundation, expand my investment portfolio, open a few more businesses and grow my current company. I am also interested in donating to charity.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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More on animal trafficking
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
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
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
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.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Two-step truce
The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.
By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National.
The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.
The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.
The agreement also calls the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces in the city and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure distribution of aid across the country.
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
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Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
