Andrew Tarbuck, 41, has been a partner with Latham and Watkins in Dubai since 2008. The Briton, whose specialities include capital markets, public and private mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and flotations, says how he manages his money is more important than how much he makes.
Describe your financial journey so far?
Slow and steady, with mercifully few shocks along the way. When you pursue a career in law, it typically involves a long period of quite expensive studies early on, then another long period of training before you actually get to start earning significant money. So it’s only after you’ve got a few years under your belt that you’re able to start to earn bit more money, pay down your debts, and from there get into a more comfortable financial position.
Are you a spender or saver?
Without doubt I’m a saver, no question. A flashy ostentatious lifestyle is not one that appeals to me at all. I’m far more interested in making sure that my longer-term financial future is secure than splashing out on a new car every six months.
Is money important to you?
I’m not going to claim that money is not important to me. Instead I’d say it’s the possibilities and the freedom that money can give you that is more important than the money itself, if that makes sense. Having a lot of money is not that important to me. What’s more important is being able to have the ability to travel home to see my family, a degree of comfort about my longer term future in terms of pensions and investments, and to be able to take a nice holiday every now and then.
Have you made any financial mistakes along the way?
I think I’ve been very fortunate in that I haven’t suffered too much as a result of either the global financial crisis or the property crisis here in Dubai.
What has been your biggest financial lesson?
If I have any regrets about my financial journey thus far, it’s that I didn’t start to think about financial planning earlier. When you’re young, saddled with student loans and just beginning to make some money, you don’t tend to think about things like buying property and planning for your retirement. Questions about property and pensions are easy to put out of your mind for a later time. I was lucky in that I did get some good advice relatively early in my career, but I only wish that I’d started a little bit earlier. It’s never too early to start thinking about such things, and if you do start planning at an early stage you will reap the rewards later. Likewise, if you put off thinking about it too long, it could be costly in the long term.
What is your philosophy towards money?
It’s about stewarding the money that you do have in a way that gives you freedom to do things that are important.
What do you enjoy spending money on?
Probably my main indulgence is international travel. Quite recently I treated myself to a stay at the Calistoga Ranch in Napa Valley, a beautiful resort deep in the heart of Californian wine country. It cost a bit more than I usually budget for a holiday, but it was an absolutely wonderful time, and worth every single penny. Coupled with the travel I like being able to go to live sports events around the world. Growing up in the north-west of England, I’m a passionate Liverpool supporter, so I’ve been really fortunate to be able to travel home to watch them play at Anfield and at Wembley. I’m also a rugby fan so it was great to be able to go and see the British and Irish Lions play on their tour to Australia earlier this year. Plus of course, I consider my subscription to The National to be money very well spent.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
THE SPECS
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
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Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
Celta Vigo 2
Castro (45'), Aspas (82')
Barcelona 2
Dembele (36'), Alcacer (64')
Red card: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
The cost of Covid testing around the world
Egypt
Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists
Information can be found through VFS Global.
Jordan
Dh212
Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.
Cambodia
Dh478
Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.
Zanzibar
AED 295
Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.
Abu Dhabi
Dh85
Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.
UK
From Dh400
Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B