Make my money and leave
We have all heard this before. People grumbling about how much they hate Qatar and they are just saving every riyal to leave forever.
Well, part of the reason that you hate this country so much is because of this mentality. You are working, you are saving, but you are not really living. You have put everything on hold so that you can “leave”.
(Photo Credit: Ameer Abdul Razak)
I’ve watched people with fantastic incomes live as though they are on borderline poverty – simply because they are saving to return back to the UK, Canada, or wherever.
It’s insanity because they make more money than they ever dreamed of back home and yet, they are more frugal than they would ever be in their home country.
I’m all for conservative spending and having goals, but this type of hoarding is just not healthy… or normal. While saving to leave, you are also putting life on hold until you leave. This could be years of your life that you are doing nothing but working, saving, and complaining.
I have watched people who literally are not swimming in waves of money, but they have found a healthy balance. Yes, they are saving to go back home one day, or build a house, or whatever, but they are still dining out, socializing, maybe even a little travel if their budget permits.
They love it in Qatar, they have no deadlines to leave because they built a new life for themselves. I feel these folks are the winners, because they are still saving, living, loving, and being happy. Perhaps, we should all follow their lead.
Cover Image Credit: Jameel Riaz
Worth Reading
WT is very sticky .............
perdian, don't worry. I feel fine here for the past 21 years. I am speaking on behalf of the majority of exploited workers. Somebody has to take their side.
nice topic to discuss, well said Cadanianrunaway - I have a lot of colleagues who are 'Spending Less' here and sending all of savings to home country. I am not against that, it is just - like u said, enjoy ur life a little. once in a while it is not bad to watch a movie in the malls here, or go window shopping; specially a lot of sales on grabs almost weekly. not to mention a lot activities (most are being covered by QL here) in Qatar that anyone can enjoy.
@WT - bro, u have to much NEGATIVE juice in your system; suggest u take it out - sweat it out take a jog in cornich - who knows? might surprise u!
Oh why did you say that ?
It reminds me of my Cuban Shotputter , who also had a dark, yet bronzed underbelly :O(
canrunaway: you're a welcome addition to the few voices of reason on here; qatar has its issues and dark underbelly like every other country; but it also has many things going for it too...besides, how much fun you have is directly related to how much fun you are...there are sad people in switzerland and happy ones in syria...
Guess, you'll be on their menu list.
Well that's a shame, cool she is Canadian too.
Swimming with polar bears is on my bucket list :P
She went off to sunner climes with her beau ...
Probbaly now swimming with the polar bears in saskatooooooooooooooooon or similar
What happened to her? Bring her back!
We had one a couple of years ago - Went by the name of Gypsy ... We miss her :O(
Just kidding WT - but I am not leaving... get used to a Canadian female sitting on this site telling you how awesome Qatar is. Every. Single. Day.
Worry not - Britexpat - I am not going anywhere ;)
I'm the only lady on here because WT keeps scaring them all away!
@Zackm: You do have a point. Things like exit permit is a pain, but let's not overlook the bright side. I think the point of this post is to learn to live a bit and enjoy Qatar while you're here. It's a matter of perspective.
zackm: Stay away from Regellian Draught at the QDC.. For when 900 years old, you reach… Look as good, you will not :O(
@zackm Most of us are on chilling on Endor. Don't bring the fight here!
Cheers, zackm.
WT thanks for enlightening me with the truth of the facts here. Now I will go to QDC and drink to my conundrum, this is the weekend Qatar!
And to be honest, it's out of control.
zackm, the universe doesn't need us to be balanced. Gravity, dark matter, and dark energy do the job already!
You're right, brit. She has dark hair and brown eyes!
Brity: but Canadiarunaway is on the dark side, WT and I are the rebellion forces to seek balance in this universe we live in Qatar. :P ...which side are you on?
Canadiarunaway: Give up hope you will not. Sadly WT has been attracted to the Dark side :O(
The desert is interesting. The sea is interesting, and, of course, the sun. But the rest is better elsewhere.
Though I have been to some of the above mentioned places... didn't find them interesting.
\\ Al Khor park (super cheap with a zoo)\\...lol..ya every other thing is costly here.
And if you're lucky enough to get close to any locals, and if they accept you as a brother, then, of course, life here is a carnival. But I doubt if many are as lucky as I was.
@Zackm thank you... I think :)
I've been living here for 21 years now and I've enjoyed the sun, the sand, and the sea. Everything else is better in my home country. However, I can't stand the rain! That's the only reason why I am here. And, luckily, my sponsor is my friend, so, I don't have to fear being denied an exit visa if I wanted one.
I like your enthusiasm Canadianrunaway, you paint a life so nice in Qatar! True Believer...yes we have to have some on the Dark Side!
Mufti - go to purple Island, Inland sea, desert, bat caves, North Qatar, Zekreet, Al Khor park (super cheap with a zoo), dhow ride on the sea, go see the horses at Al Shaqab, do some night Kayaking, there is no limit to what's on offer.
WT, QL Team didn't know, he needed exit permit, until now. He now know if your sponsor does not let you leave, then you will be stuck here and without a job. Sounds like prison to me!
And all the rest is imported and not really real.
Yeah, there is sun, sand, and sea, Mufti!
Could anybody suggest the ways to enjoy life here.
Wrong, QL Team. You need a permit to exit. Maybe you don't know that.
Come on guys - we should always keep it positive. Life is always going have it's ups and downs and it's challenges... it's all about seeing the silver lining and appreciating the positives.
LOL @ britexpat! ;)
How can you not have fun here.. Look at all the places QL advertises regularly ...
Wild Turkey it's not a prison when no one is caging you here. You are free to leave whenever you want...
Unofficially it's a nice place, QL Team. But officially it is a prison! So, it all depends on who you know. I even had a lot of fun in Riyadh, if you believe it or not. But, my host was the ambassador of Bahrain. And his embassy is a 'hot' place.
The point is everywhere you live, you can work and you can save - even in your home country. Don't come to Qatar and just be savings-obsessed at the cost of living. Qatar can be great a place to be if you'll let it.
I enjoy my life here, brit, and I save nothing!
WT: We know from day 1 here that we are temporary "guest" workers..
The point the OP is trying to make is to live a balanced life... Don't just focus on maximum savings at the expense of a little enjoyment...
The immigration policy of Qatar MAKES us go for money and leave, even if we didn't want to! So, whose "fault" is it that expatriates are like this?
You have put everything on hold so that you can “leave”.
I have put everything on hold because one day I HAVE to leave. If I could stay here, I could plan to LIVE here. But that's not in the scheme!
Appreciating your positive approach!
but cant ignore their freedom & human rights from there Silence & Patience.
Ver well said ! Seen too many cases , where a person saved lots of money but never got to enjoy any of it..
Some of what you said is right and some is part of the dream that you want everyone to have. Which in reality is not being obtained by everyone here, or most. Have you seen the conditions of the labourers living here and still being bused around the clock in crammed non-aircon buses. (Even if we now have laws here saying that is illegal). How about many injustice that we some how bear, as cost of living here. Some humiliated because of where they come from. Sadness and injustice is also part of living here, so face the truth...its not about having better salary than your home country...its the forced sacrifices that we have while we are guests here, with conditions. Understand!
That's the real truth .......... by Canrun .......... Excellent piece of satisfaction & joys ............