‘Becoming a freelancer has given me more freedom’
▶ Abdul Taiyyeb was a game master at a cafe in Dubai before switching to content creation, writes
Abdul Taiyyeb works as a content creator in Dubai and lives in Al Barsha. Originally from Mumbai, he worked in the advertising industry in India after graduating with a degree in mass media with a specialisation in advertising.
Mr Taiyyeb, 28, has been in the UAE for 18 months and has a golden visa in the creative category. He has no financial dependents since his parents died. His father was an accountant and his mum a homemaker.
Q
How much did you earn in your first job?
A
My first job was as a receptionist while I was studying in college. I was paid 5,000 Indian rupees (Dh220) a month. It was a summer internship and I worked there for two months.
My first actual job was as a copywriter at an advertising agency in 2017, shortly after graduating from college. I earned 15,200 rupees a month. I worked there for less than a year and moved on to freelancing as a content writer. The income from this job was up and down. I never made the same amount every month.
I gave up a permanent job for freelancing because it offered me freedom and allowed me to function on my own time. I did this for about three years.
Did you move to the UAE with a job?
I had a desire to relocate to the UAE, specifically Dubai, for seven or eight years before making the move.
My experience was in advertising and content writing. So, I applied for jobs in those industries. I tried a couple of times and was invited to a few interviews, but nothing worked out. So, I went back home.
Then I came across this opportunity to work as a game master at a board game cafe in Dubai. I was recruited from Mumbai. My job was to teach people board games. I have been interested in board games for a decade. My cousin recommended me for the role and they were looking to hire someone urgently as their summer months were busy.
I earned Dh2,500 and worked there for 11 and a half months. However, I decided to work part time after four months because I was able to monetise my content creation skills.
What does a content creator’s role involve?
I am not trying to influence anybody to do or buy something. I am simply trying to create my own content. I became a full-time content creator in June this year.
Why did you decide to quit a permanent job?
I had a small disagreement with my boss and was fired.
What is your income now?
My income has been up and down since I quit my permanent job. When I worked part time as a game master at the weekend, I earned Dh1,500. That helped me to pay rent and meet my basic needs. But since then, my income has varied. On average, I earn about Dh2,000 a month or between Dh2,200 and Dh2,500 during a good month. I work with brands and that is my sole source of income.
What kind of content do you produce?
I mainly make video blogs of my daily life in Dubai. I have collaborated with hotels, instant shopping and delivery apps, telecoms companies and cloud kitchens, among others.
My content creation journey started with watching videos on YouTube. I felt that even I could put something out that people would want to watch. I never wanted to be a vlogger. I initially tried different genres such as technology and gaming.
How do you deal with the ups and downs in your finances?
I do not think there is such a thing as a bad day or month. It is all part of the journey. For instance, last month, I was down to Dh140 or Dh150. But I was hopeful because a couple of companies had yet to process my payments, which were delayed. I was not stressed but did worry sometimes. When it comes to such situations, you automatically go into survival mode and cut down on whatever you feel is unnecessary.
My absolute necessity is food. If I do not need to go to a place urgently, I walk to save Dh3 to Dh5 in Metro fares.
What are your future plans?
I would like to find a way to sustain myself because the income from content creation is not consistent. It is similar to riding a rollercoaster.
Do you own property?
I inherited my father’s studio apartment in Bhindi Bazaar, Mumbai. I have not rented it out since there are far too many memories associated with the place.
Do you have any debt?
I do not have any personal loans or credit cards but I owe money to a family member. I have already paid some of it.
I use a debit card in Dubai and have used a credit card in India. But I was very thorough about paying it off at the beginning of every month as my father always warned me against falling into a cycle of debt.
Even if I use my credit card now to pay bills in India, such as my phone bills to keep my number active, I pay it off immediately.
Have you ever inherited a sum of money?
I inherited some money from my father. I used some of it to pay off my debt. I tried not to use as much of it because I thought it would be useful later.
Were you taught how to handle your finances as a child?
My parents, especially my mother, taught me the basics. They taught me not to spend on anything I did not need. After my father died, I have tried to be careful about handling money because I do not have anybody to fall back on.
What are your biggest monthly expenses?
In Dubai, my biggest expense is rent. I know that Dh2,500 is considered a low income here. But the good thing that came out of it is I learnt how to manage my expenses very carefully.
I have tried to save and invest in things that help improve my content creation. For instance, I invested about Dh5,000 in getting my golden visa, then my iPhone and MacBook.
How do you budget your monthly income?
I try to set aside Dh500 for my monthly expenses, then take my rent out and the remaining goes toward savings.
It has worked out well for me because after I started working part-time, I only had money for basic necessities. So, even during months I was not paid, I still had my savings to fall back on. I do not have any savings in the UAE. I make money, spend it on my necessities and try to reinvest what remains in my content creation business.
Is it important to have some savings to fall back on?
It depends on your mindset. It does not bother me that I do not have savings. I am ready to deal with whatever comes. A responsible adult would say yes to that question, but I care most about my dream.
When do you want to retire?
If I am creating content, I do not want to retire. If I am doing something else, then I might want to retire by my late forties.
Do you worry about money?
I do not care about money. It is simply a tool to get you things; for some, it might be happiness or travel. For me, living as a content creator and trying to sustain myself in Dubai is what I care about.
What are your financial goals?
Long term, I want to be more financially healthy and have some savings and an emergency fund. The next thing I would like to do is obtain a driver’s licence and perhaps get a car.
It would help me to be more efficient, so I am looking at it as a business expense.
What is your idea of financial freedom?
Having the liberty of enjoying a slow morning on a Monday or Tuesday.