Dr Oudi Obouchacra is the clinical director at the Chiropractic Specialty Clinic in Abu Dhabi. Born in Beirut he moved to Canada with his family in 1970. A published author and motivational speaker, Dr Obouchacra last month launched the website www.seizeyourbestlife.com.
You are a clinic director, but not the owner. How do you feel about that?
This is the perfect set-up for me. I get to focus on patient care and we employ highly skilled professionals to do the number-crunching part. Thankfully, we have a great team and everyone gets to do what they love most and what they are best at. I had my own clinic in Canada for four years and although it was successful, I found managing the finances and being clinic director was difficult at times. It wasn't always easy to switch hats.
Is there a link between health and wealth?
I believe the word wealthy originates from the Old English word "well-being", so the two ideas were interrelated. In years gone by, the wealthy could afford better food, better water and a better lifestyle. If you are healthy you are, by definition, wealthy with potential to reach your goals in life.
Who taught you the most about money?
My parents. They taught me to value people before money. Suze Orman, the American financial guru, preaches the same message. When I was studying at Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas [Texas], I heard about John Demartini. He impressed me greatly because, instead of talking about techniques to make money, he said if you focus on serving others the money will take care of itself. It sounds simple, but it is really true.
What was your first job?
My first job was cutting grass. I loved being outside. I also did some babysitting and tutoring. Later on, I worked at a gas station and also at the Canadian National Exhibition in sideshow alley.
Are you a spender or a saver?
I save a percentage of my earnings. We all need a cushion to protect us when hard times hit. That cushion makes me feel safe and it allows me to be creative and live without fear. But to make money, you have to spend money and money needs to circulate.
What do you enjoy spending money on?
I spend most of my money on books about personal development, personal empowerment and on professional development seminars. I also spend money writing books and I pay others to edit, design and print my work. In 2003, I was driving at high speed and narrowly avoided hitting a large moose on the freeway. It was a near-death experience and it made me realise how important it is for me to spread the chiropractic message before I die. Soon afterwards, I wrote the Little Naite adventure series for children. The books are all about why the spine is the most valuable currency of the body and how to care for it.
Is money important to you?
I think money is important to everyone. Money is affected by the way you think. There is a lot of literature on this. When you are inspired and grateful and can't wait to wake up in the morning to deliver your product or ideas, people will show their appreciation with the currency of appreciation, which, in our day and age, is money. I don't see money as the root of all evil. I respect money because we need it to feed and educate our kids. It has been my observation that people who struggle with money the most are the people who value it the least.
Do you believe in planning for the future?
Absolutely. There is a saying: if you fail to plan, then you are effectively planning to fail. If you plan your day you will seize the day.
What is your idea of financial freedom?
Financial freedom is an illusion because we are already free. For example, when you are single, you think you have the freedom to travel and socialise. When you have a child, this freedom is replaced by a new form of freedom - the freedom to say no to travel and social obligations.
Have you made financial mistakes?
I don't think you can make a mistake because anything you learn is simply the cost of education. If I lose money, I immediately search for the lesson.
What are your goals for the next five years?
I want to be able to reach more people with my message, which is designed to help people seize their best life. My message is called Aced and this stands for attitude, chiropractic, exercise/rest, balance and diet.
pf@thenational.ae
HEADLINE HERE
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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Our legal consultants
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
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Company%20Profile
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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MADAME%20WEB
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MATCH INFO
Watford 1 (Deulofeu 80' p)
Chelsea 2 (Abraham 5', Pulisic 55')