What it really costs to live comfortably in Dubai | HiStrips founder Sam Posthuma

23 Oct 2026 · 1 min

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In this conversational segment from the YouTube interview hosted by Matthew Kelly, Sam Posthuma (founder of HiStrips) and the host discuss what constitutes a comfortable monthly income for living in Dubai. They critique vague answers people often give about “enough” money, insisting on concrete figures. Posthuma suggests that a comfortable lifestyle—including rent, dining out, occasional travel, and basic savings—requires roughly 30,000–40,000 (presumably AED) per month. He distinguishes this from larger financial goals such as purchasing cars or property, which demand additional funds. The dialogue highlights the practical budgeting mindset needed to cover everyday expenses while still allowing for savings and occasional luxuries.

How much do you think is enough? I guess like personally.
I think like—
because people always give like bullshit answers about this. Oh, you don't, you don't need enough. And then you ask them, they say that you need loads. It's like, okay, be specific.
I think in Dubai with travels here and there, I think 30, 40K is— it's not enough.
A month, you mean?
I think it's comfortable personally.
Oh, for sure it's comfortable. Yeah, personally. Obviously it's different if you're buying like fucking cars and houses, like that's separate, but
Of course, more is like you need more to save, to like build,
to like I
don't know treasure. But that's something you can easily like pay your apartment with, pay your dinners with, pay your like here in Dubai.
That's a lot of dinners.
Yeah, we I do actually.