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Top tips for saving cash ahead of Eid

Dubai - Ramadan awash with deals, but you still need to do your homework before whipping out your wallet

Over the course of the holy month of Ramadan, we've been working hard to educate UAE consumers on the best deals that have come up throughout the month. From cars and banking products to two-for-one deals and shopping sales, the holy month is awash with opportunities to save money on big purchases.
And with that in mind, I thought it'd be useful to use this week's column to consolidate all of that knowledge in a single place, so that you can get the information you need on how to save ahead of Eid. After all, there's still a week left of Ramadan, and, what's more, many of the deals described below may still apply after Eid, too. Read on for my top money-saving tips during Ramadan.
 
Cars
We'll start with the obvious one. Anyone who's lived in the UAE during Ramadan will know that this is the best month in which to buy a car. And this year, with new car sales relatively sluggish, dealers have gone all-out to get prospective buyers in showrooms. Pick any car from any brand, and you can be sure there's a deal on for it. Or if you're open to any car, as long as you get a good deal, my advice would be to look out for offers where the dealer fronts up part or all of the down payment (with no strings attached), or for deals that offer zero per cent finance on new cars.
 
Insurance
Once you've got your new wheels, you'll naturally need them insured. Happily, there are good deals going for insurance this month too. Have a look for deals from specific insurers - and even comparison websites - some of which may be offering additional coverage for the same price throughout the holy month.
 
Houses
If you're looking to buy property in Dubai, we've been told by real estate experts that now is a great time to do so. With a raft of new builds near completion, there's now a lot of supply, meaning prices are looking good from the consumer's point of view. And in Ramadan, developers have offered a whole load of incentives to sign on the dotted line, with offers ranging from helpful finance packages to a free car with every purchase. Do note that you won't be able to buy a property between now and Eid (purchasing property is a time-intensive and painstaking process), but you should still be able to get the ball rolling under the terms set out in these Ramadan offers.
 
Banking products
Banks have really ramped up their Ramadan promotions this year, with several offering great incentives for signing up to one product or another. Credit cards are big news this year; the best offers come from air miles credit cards, many of which will give you thousands of bonus miles for signing up during the month. Otherwise, simply shop around for a regular card that meets your needs, and you may find a little bonus is on the cards simply for having applied at the right time.
 
Shopping
You may actually want to wait until Eid for this one (several malls in the UAE have huge sales planned for the long Eid weekend), but you're sure to find plenty of shopping deals if you head to a mall during the rest of Ramadan. Again, the big purchases seem to offer the best deals; all of the main furniture stores have items on sale, meaning that, if you're looking to replace that ageing couch, now could be the best time to do it.
The writer is the CEO of compareit4me.com. Views expressed are his own and do not reflect the newspaper's policy.