Eve Jaso is a breakfast radio presenter on 104.8 Channel 4 Dubai. Half Iraqi and Polish but brought up in the UK, Eve, 31, has been on air for the past eight years across the UK and UAE. Having lived in Dubai for two years, the radio host has worked her way up the ladder from the midmorning show to drive time earlier this year before securing the prime-time position of breakfast presenter on 4Breakfast in April.
Describe your financial journey so far?
Coming from an Arabic upbringing, I credit my father for the valuable lessons he taught me regarding my finances. He drummed it into me from a very young age to secure my future for myself and rely on no one for support. By not giving me pocket money or paying for everything, he made me very independent and encouraged me to own my own home (which I did at the age of 25) and always have a full-time job. I earned a living straight after high school and worked my way up the administration ladder to support my dream job in radio. I was an executive PA for Sky TV in the UK, while still pushing a radio career alongside my day job. It paid off in the end, because after selling my dream car (a Mercedes SLK), it funded my new journey here in the UAE doing what I love – working in radio. I took the lump sum I made from the car sale and used it to pay for my flight to Dubai and cover my hotel stay and food bills until I could get an apartment. It then covered the cost of my flat cheques and rental car, until I could sort a full-time job. The money lasted three months and I used it to get me through the rough times without a job.
Are you a spender or saver?
I am a saver. My plan is to save enough money to fund a charitable organisation of my own here in the UAE, or to assist a charity already up and running. I am a big believer in karma and wholeheartedly believe in the phrase: “If you are blessed, be a blessing to others”. So if life rewards me well, I want to give back to those in need.
What is your philosophy towards money?
Money can be the root of all evil, because humans do quite crazy things to achieve it. But on the flip side it can also bring you a lot of happiness, when used wisely. Therefore work hard to achieve it, but remember we can’t take it with us at the end, so give back as much as possible and use it to make others smile.
Have you made any financial mistakes along the way?
The biggest mistake I ever made was being too nice and trusting someone who took my kindness and abused it. I loaned someone money in their time of need, which they promised to pay me back and unfortunately they did a runner and never did.
If you won Dh1 million, what would you do with it?
Firstly I would secure my mum and dad with a home so they can rest happily for their later years. I would then set up my own charity here in Dubai and make it a global initiative to help those less fortunate. I would love to be able to have an organisation that can target world issues, like assisting kids, orphans, all disabilities, labourers, homelessness, starvation, animals and my list goes on ... A sanctuary and a home for all those in need.
What has been your biggest financial lesson?
Save a small percentage of your wages every month, put it aside and forget about it. You never know when that money might come in handy. I learnt that lesson when paying rent and handing over huge cheques in Dubai. It helped having that little extra cash.
What do you enjoy spending money on?
Food. A lot of my wages goes on enjoying little food treats and I always have to share my food delights, like cheese bread or cookies with my team. Or I like to splash out on treats for my cat.
ahaine@thenational.ae
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