Rachael Lynn is an American author based in Dubai whose debut book At Home Anywhere was published last November. Part memoir and advice letter, it was based on the self-help specialist's personal struggle to adjust after uprooting from her previous home in Canada to the UAE. Ms Lynn, 30, also founder of the Women Connect Abroad platform for women who are expatriates, digital nomads, immigrants, or simply new to a city, also previously worked in HR. She lives with her husband in Jumeirah Islands.
How did your upbringing shape your attitude towards money?
I was born in Buffalo, New York. An only child, my parents divorced when I was one-and-a-half. My mum was a single mum. We had a period on government assistance and what they called food stamps. An anonymous donor paid for [part of] my high school tuition because mum couldn’t afford it.
When I was 18 I got a Macy's credit card under the guise that I needed to build my credit score. I maxed that out too soon, paid the minimum, then got another credit card
When I was young she got investment from my grandfather to start a herbal supplement shop. It didn’t go well and shut within four years. Since then she’s had numerous part-time jobs, including cleaning and waitressing; now she’s an office receptionist. It always worked out somehow.
That shaped me … to create a different experience for myself than I grew up in. So, I was the first in my family to go to university, and took out loans to pay for it.
How much were you paid in your first job?
The only way I could have a mobile phone was if I paid for it, so I had my first job at 15, at a bagel shop. When I started, it was about $8.25 (Dh30) an hour.
In university, I had two part-time jobs. I wanted more than just the basic things, so I worked for my aunt and uncle’s movie poster store, for about $10 an hour, and on-campus helping run concerts, creating the dressing rooms for celebrities and helping them once they arrived. I was about 19 at the time. It was like a university stipend, maybe $1,000 per semester. I studied human resources and right out of graduation had an internship. They hired me as an HR consultant on roughly $23,000 a year.
What brought you to the UAE?
I married my husband in August 2018 and moved here from Toronto in September. He had moved around the world, we were seeing each other, and he was here three years before me. He’s group CEO of his father’s air cargo company, which was started in Malaysia and is headquartered here.
What prompted you to write a book?
I’d been working towards the opportunity to take time off. I knew it would be an emotional adjustment, the combination of getting married, stopping work and moving and after three or four months, I was like, ‘I really need to do something’. That’s when I pitched the book idea. I searched Amazon and there are books for moving, but I didn’t recognise myself in them.
I spoke to somebody in the US and here, hybrid publishers, which means essentially I paid them to help me publish.
Was it your best investment?
I’ve learned so much from the process of writing the book. It was just under $10,000 for everything – coaching, editing, layout, design, initial PR and launch, social media and distribution. Here it is in-store, and it’s listed on Amazon [globally]. I get a percentage of the sales but you’re not really making back your investment; I needed the experience of writing the first one and even in the pandemic, people have been interested. For readers, it is making a difference too … it’s been worth that investment.
Have your spending habits evolved?
I am more a saver than I used to be. When I was 18, I got a Macy’s credit card under the guise that I needed to build my credit score. I maxed that out too soon, paid the minimum, then got another credit card.
I have adjusted myself over time and being with my husband, and in a different financial situation knowing he is (currently) supporting me, has caused me to educate myself more and be more responsible. I was definitely a spender, maybe up until four years ago. Now, I see my 18-year-old cousins and think, ‘what was I doing’.
I have a Canadian credit card now, purely to build a credit score, because long-term we may want to live in Canada. I pay it off and day-to-day only use debit card.
Where do you save?
I save just in a savings account. It’s not making much interest but to see it there has an effect. I know at a certain point it’s doing nothing by sitting there and when we get to a certain stage, I essentially give my husband whatever is extra and it’s turned into actual investments and, recently, life insurance. We’ve, over Covid time, kind of blended [our finances] more.
How has the pandemic influenced your spending?
Right now, my most cherished purchase is flowers. I’m making sure we have some in the house at all times. I know a good affordable place that does hand-tied boxes and market flowers wrapped in brown paper.
Beyond the flowers … before it would have been a meal out and, generally, experiences. My husband and I don’t do gifts, except for our anniversary. We try to do an experience and when we fly, go to the lounge; things that help us have a better experience are worth it.
Do you have any financial regrets?
My largest credit card purchases, that got me into debt. There were all educational and personal development spends made in New York. I ran up approximately $10,000 in debt, paid off over five years through consolidation and taking on extra clients for my work at the time as a business manager for life coaches and online business owners. The cash went straight to credit card payments. I regret making the choice to pay for things that way, but I don’t regret the experience; the outcome still benefits. Looking back I wish I had more education on how money works.
What are your financial milestones?
Paying off one of my student loans before I was married was huge for me. And my first apartment where I had no room mates, in Toronto. I had my dream of living in the city, living alone; signing the lease and being able to pay for that was big for me.
Are you wise with money?
I want to get even better but I am wiser than in my 20s. I still have a way to go as far as understanding and feeling comfortable with investments.
I’m more excited now to understand what money does, how people use it. My understanding of the philosophy of money is not to be afraid of it, afraid of what it can do and how it works in the system.
Do you plan for the future?
We are planning to have kids and for how we educate our children. We’re saving for property, for a home, possibly somewhere in north America if we don’t stay here. I’m not going to write another book until it feels that it is something I have to do. I want to have a baby or two first.
If you won Dh1 million what would you spend it on?
My grandfather passed away this year. He had no desire to travel internationally so I would fly my grandmother, who is in her late 70s and in Canada, out here, first class.
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
Race card
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (Dirt), 1,900m
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB), Dh120,000 (D), 1,400m
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB), Dh92,500 (D)1,400m
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB), Dh95,000 (D), 2,000m
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SE%20(second%20generation)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
heading
Iran has sent five planeloads of food to Qatar, which is suffering shortages amid a regional blockade.
A number of nations, including Iran's major rival Saudi Arabia, last week cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of funding terrorism, charges it denies.
The land border with Saudi Arabia, through which 40% of Qatar's food comes, has been closed.
Meanwhile, mediators Kuwait said that Qatar was ready to listen to the "qualms" of its neighbours.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
Saturday 15 January: v Canada
Thursday 20 January: v England
Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya Shetty, Kai Smith
Quick%20facts
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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.
WWE TLC results
Asuka won the SmackDown Women's title in a TLC triple threat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Dean Ambrose won the Intercontinental title against Seth Rollins
Daniel Bryan retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles
Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women's Championship against Nia Jax
Rey Mysterio beat Randy Orton in a chairs match
Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre
Natalya beat Ruby Riott in a tables match
Braun Strowman beat Baron Corbin in a TLC match
Sheamus and Cesaro retained the SmackDown Tag Titles against The Usos and New Day
R-Truth and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge by beating Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox
RECORD%20BREAKER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20debutant%20for%20Barcelona%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2015%20years%20and%20290%20days%20v%20Real%20Betis%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20La%20Liga%20starter%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%20years%20and%2038%20days%20v%20Cadiz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20player%20to%20register%20an%20assist%20in%20La%20Liga%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%20years%20and%2045%20days%20v%20Villarreal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20debutant%20for%20Spain%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2016%20years%20and%2057%20days%20v%20Georgia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20goalscorer%20for%20Spain%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2016%20years%20and%2057%20days%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20player%20to%20score%20in%20a%20Euro%20qualifier%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2016%20years%20and%2057%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
