11 ways to do Dubai without spending a fortune

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6. Ditch the car

Don’t bother with putting gas in car, walk, cycle and sail through January instead…

Take a boat up the Canal…
The brand new Canal is open so make like a tourist and hop on a ferry that takes you from Dubai Marina to the canal estuary for less than the cost of a taxi. Choose between a scenic circular trip or one way, but it sure beats being stuck in traffic. Dubai Marina to Canal Station is AED25 for a journey between 60-90 minutes.
Note: Holders of Emirates NBD creadit cards can go free one Friday per month.
Contact:

 … or across the Creek
There probably isn’t as cheap or as pleasant a form of transport in Dubai as the innumerable abras that criss-cross the Creek. A one-way-journey will cost you just AED1 and you can choose two routes: Deira Old Souk (near the Spice Souk) to Bur Dubai Abra Station or, slightly longer, from Sabkha Abra Station to Dubai Old Souk Abra Station. With plenty to see on either side, you can soak up all the activity throughout the day for the price of a Coke.
Contact:

Cruise around the new bike tracks
The Dubai Water Canal has as a 12km cycling track, there are also cycle paths in Al Barsha Park and Mushrif Park (open daily 8am to 10pm) or take in views of the Burj Al Arab by scooting along Jumeirah Beach bike path – only 2km so a nice stretch after a spot of sunbathing.

Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park
A converted camel track not far from Meydan Racecourse, this offers 4km, 6km or 8km loops, so it’s ideal for beginners. It’s well-lit at night and has great views of Downtown and the Burj Khalifa anytime. The lockers, air-conditioned changing rooms and shower facilities mean it’s a good morning option.

Al Qudra Cycle Track
Perfect for middle- to long-distance riders. Choose the 18km path for an easy ride, 50km if you want to push it a bit further or serious cyclists can take on 100km. The landscape is breathtaking with wildlife and sand dunes on either side of you as you whizz along. Just ignore the Bab Al Shams resort nearby.

7. Actually make dinner

… Argues food blogger Mark Setchfield

“Payday can seem a long way off once the bills and brunches are paid for. So my trick for the last week of every month is a five day meal plan. Buy one big organic chicken – quality meat goes a long way, so check out Ripe Market at Zabeel Park or Market on the Terrace in Downtown. Spend around AED50 on the chicken. Buy fresh vegs from the markets as they will last longer and taste better. I’ll take care of the rest…”

Meal One
A roast dinner
“The roast is on! Simply roast the chicken and serve with roast potatoes and veg. Serve the lighter breast meat and remove the rest to separate into light and dark meat. This will keep in the fridge for four days. Don’t throw any leftovers away. Fill a pan with water, add the chicken skin and bones and boil on a low heat for an hour to make stock. Stick the veg in the fridge.”

Meal Two
Caesar salad
“Take some white chicken pieces and layer with lettuce in a bowl. Toast some bread and cut into cubes for croutons, add some Parmesan shavings and anchovies if you have any tins at home. Drizzle on some dressing.”

Meal Three
Chicken soup
“Soup time! Heat the chicken stock and add some grated ginger, chilli flakes, a tin of creamed sweetcorn, season with salt and pepper and simmer for 45 minutes. Finally stir in two egg whites and serve. Freeze the leftovers.”

Meal Four
Veggie omelette
“Cut up the left over roasties and veg into small cubes, dice an onion and sauté them all in a little oil. Next, beat six free-range eggs and add to the pan and cook for a few minutes. Top with some cheese, grill until the cheese melts and serve. Yum!”

Meal Five
Chicken stir fry
“Fry up an onion, garlic and grated ginger in some oil, add a chopped pepper, the rest of the chicken, some cooked rice and some coriander. Buy dried herbs, rice and tinned food like sweetcorn and pulses when you get paid to prepare for the dawn of February!”

Full recipes can be found at Mark’s blog: gasmarksix.net

8. Watch TV

The cheapest way to use up a day

The OA 
Seven years after vanishing from her home, a young woman returns with mysterious new abilities and recruits five strangers for a secret mission. Zeitgesty stuff.
Episodes: 8x 60 minutes
Where: Netflix

Designated Survivor
America’s fate rests in the hands of a low-level official after an attack on Washington decimates the government. Disaster thrusts him into the most powerful job in the world.
Episodes: 10x 40 minutes
Where: Netflix

9. And order this…
X-treme Pizza
A member of the team ordered one of these from Pizza Hut not realising how big it was and they still had left overs two days later. It’s a massive 18 inches and split into your favourite toppings. Designed for five people for AED59. Super-sized and super cheap!
Contact: 600 569 999

10. Recycle your wardrobe

Fashion stylist Benn Robinson gives tips on how to update your wardrobe at home

For Men

• Pull out your tired denim shirt and rub it with sandpaper to get the edgy “just bought look” that’s in stores now.
• Dye all your old black pieces black again. Jeans and t-shirts fade after washing so use Dylon dye to inject that brand-new feel again. Just don’t skip the instructions part.

For Women

• Go shopping in your closet; you’ll be surprised what you find. Take risks with old and new pieces and you’ll be shocked at how brand new you feel.
• What you don’t need, sell. And use the money for new pieces – or eat, up to you.

11. Catch a film on the cheap

Love film? The places to enjoy movies for next to nothing

Pyramids at Wafi
When it comes to open-air cinema, this rooftop spot has become a Dubai favourite. There are big bean bags, popcorn, hotdogs and fun moving pictures. Every Sunday from 8pm.
Where: Pyramids Building, Wafi Mall, Oud Metha
Contact: +971 4 324 4100

Cinema Akil
Like to shun all things commercial and embrace the arthouse? Cinema Akil at The Yard in Dubai’s main art hub, Alserkal District, has a winter programme showing progressive local and international films – but you probably know this already. It’s all set against a dusty industrial backdrop of warehouses and health cafés. Reel Palestine, on now, is part of their programming – and all of the screenings are free.
Where: Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Contact: +971 55 760 9260