Take a break: UAE public holidays for the rest of the year

UAE residents have much to look forward to over the next few weeks - the weather has become cooler and National Day celebrations are around the corner.

Indeed, the country is coming up on its busiest holiday season.

This month alone, there are three important dates to mark; Flag Day, the Prophet's birthday and Commemoration Day.

With Flag Day over, the next holiday due is Prophet Mohammed's birthday which, this year, is expected to fall on Wednesday, November 21 on the Gregorian calendar.

The official date will be confirmed closer to the time because it will depend on when the current month in the Islamic calendar (Safar) ends and the next month, containing the Prophet's birthday (Rabi' Al Awaal), begins.

The Prophet's birthday — known as Il Mawlid Al Nabawi — is usually marked as a public holiday in the UAE, but that too will be confirmed closer to the time.

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UAE public holidays 2018 announced by Abu Dhabi Government

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The next important date for the UAE will be Commemoration Day. Also known as Martyr's Day, November 30 was decreed an annual public holiday in 2015 by President Sheikh Khalifa. It is an occasion to honour the Emiratis who died while serving their country. The date was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the death of Salem Suhail bin Khamis — the first Emirati to die in the line of duty in 1971, shortly before the formation of the UAE.

November 30 will be a Friday and so it is unlikely that a public holiday will be announced.

Next is National Day, held annually on December 2 and this year, celebrating the 47th anniversary of the unification of the Emirates. The date falls on a Sunday, providing a long weekend for both the public and private sector.

The UAE's biggest party will likely spill over into December 3 for public sector employees but official holidays will be announced closer to the time.

After National Day, the countdown leading up to the new year begins, and January 1 will be marked off as usual.

Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Take a break: UAE public holidays for the rest of the year

The country is coming up on its busiest season in terms of holidays

Teaching your child to save

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets