How to join the movement

Sebastien Aguilar believes anyone can learn to manage their investments, and it is his group’s mission to teach as many people as it can.

“We believe everyone can take control of their finances and learn to feel confident about the freedom that it brings and build a safe financial future. We believe financial education is your best asset,” says the co-founder of the UAE Bogleheads Common Sense Personal Finance and Investing group.

“We learn [how to manage finances, save and invest] in this group, but outside of the discussions, we save, we plan, we invest. We keep going, we follow the strategy we set up and then we enjoy the freedom. It’s all about enjoying life.”

The group is free to join. The best way to get in touch is to visit its website at http://bogleheadsuae.wixsite.com/ or search for “Common Sense Personal Finance and Investing” on Meetup and Facebook. It has more than 300 friends on Facebook, and 75 people regularly attend the meetups.

The next meetup is on February 26 in Dubai, when Andrew Hallam, a personal finance author who recently took part in The National’s money roundtable about fixed-term savings and investment plans, will speak about what he has learnt.

It is the only event scheduled so far this year, but future talks will address topics such as passive versus active investing; the basics of DIY investing; the basics of retirement planning; and how to optimise a saving plan sold by a financial adviser. Meet-ups are scheduled based on the availability of speakers and demand for the subject.