Muhammad Kashif Iqbal worked for 12 years in Pakistan’s education sector. While he currently works in a different industry in the UAE, he tapped into this corpus of work experience and offers maths home tuitions as a side hustle.
The 46-year-old Pakistani, who moved to the UAE in 2018, now works as a senior warehouse manager at an equipment trading company in Abu Dhabi.
He lives in Musaffah in the UAE capital, while his wife and three kids are based in Pakistan. His wife runs a training institute that teaches students and imparts vocational skills to women.
Mr Iqbal completed his MBA with a specialisation in marketing and HR.
What was your first job and salary?
My first informal job was offering tuitions to students at home and I received 1,400 Pakistani rupees ($5) a month. That paid for my academic expenses. After I completed my bachelor’s degree in 1997, I got a full-time job as a sales representative for a monthly salary of 3,000 rupees. After working for seven years, I decided to pursue my MBA.
I was very passionate about becoming a teacher. After completing my master’s degree, I joined a college as a lecturer. From 2006 until 2018, I worked in the education sector in Pakistan, starting as a lecturer and going on to become a principal in a private college.
I also owned a business that dealt in project management for the education sector in Pakistan.
I later moved to the UAE where my first job was as a lecturer in a university’s business department where I earned a monthly salary of Dh4,000 ($1,089) in 2018. But after Covid-19, I was unable to get a job in an educational institution.
Tell us about your current role. What is your salary now?
I currently work as a senior warehouse manager at an equipment trading company in Abu Dhabi. I am paid about Dh10,000 a month.
I also teach maths to students in grades six to 11 across different curriculums and earn between Dh3,000 and Dh4,000 a month this way. I am also willing to offer complimentary classes for deserving students who cannot afford private tuition fees in the UAE.
What asset classes do you invest in?
I keep only limited cash with me and do not believe in saving in cash. I prefer to allocate my savings to real estate instead. I have invested in the real estate sector in Pakistan. I own a home and a few freehold land plots there.
I bought a land plot many years ago and built a family home in Gujranwala Cantt in Pakistan’s Punjab province, which is valued at 25 million rupees. I also own four land plots for long-term investment and pay them off in quarterly instalments.
I have tried to invest in cryptos and stocks, but didn’t find it feasible since I haven’t found the time to learn about these assets. I prefer to manage my investments myself and not outsource it to a third party. I avoid fixed deposits since they don’t offer a good return. I have invested in life insurance, too.
Growing up, were you taught how to handle your finances?
No, I wasn’t. I learnt how to manage finances when I started earning. I am now trying to teach my children how to manage money.
How do you budget your salary every month?
A part of my salary is allocated for my property investment. I send a fixed amount every month to my wife for grocery and household expenses, children’s education fees, transport costs and other miscellaneous things back home.
I live in accommodation provided by my company, so I don’t need to pay rent. I use my disposable income to travel at least once or twice a year to a new country.
I do not believe in living on credit and don’t have credit cards. I always believe in living on the income in your pocket and living within your means.
Have you started saving for retirement?
I plan to retire at the age of 60 and intend to travel across the world on a motor bike.
My real estate investments will fund my retirement life. I plan to build houses on the land plots, rent them out and I will live off that income.
My real estate investments will fund my retirement life
Muhammad Kashif Iqbal,
senior warehouse manager
Do you have an emergency fund?
Yes, I always keep savings that can sustain my family for a year in my emergency fund.
Do you worry about money?
No. I believe that if one keeps working in a responsible and intentional way, everything will turn out well. Worrying will not help solve problems, instead planning and having a financial strategy works well.
What are your best money saving hacks to offset inflation?
The best strategy to deal with inflation is to invest in real estate. I have been investing in property for the past 14 years.
What are your financial goals?
I want to earn enough money to fund my children’s school and college education and support them until they have good jobs. My personal goal is to earn enough to travel the world on a motor bike.
What is your idea of financial freedom?
It is a scenario where your passive investments and capital work for you, and not the other way around.
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
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier
Sunday's results:
- UAE beat Malaysia by eight wickets
- Nepal beat Singapore by four wickets
- Oman v Hong Kong, no result
Tuesday fixtures:
- Malaysia v Singapore
- UAE v Oman
- Nepal v Hong Kong
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The%20specs
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RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Lady Parma, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Tabernas, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m
Winner: Night Castle, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Mutawakked, Szczepan Mazur, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Tafaakhor, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Cranesbill, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
The biog
Name: James Mullan
Nationality: Irish
Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)
Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”
Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Naga
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The%20specs
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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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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