Across the Gulf, more women are joining family financial discussions, yet many remain on the sidelines of long-term planning. Tradition, trust or limited access often hinder their participation in financial decision making, leaving families vulnerable when life takes a turn. Open conversations about money are the first step towards building financial awareness and long-term confidence.

Time to talk

If one partner manages the family’s finances alone, the other may be less equipped to handle significant life changes such as marriage, divorce, bereavement, inheritance, or transitions in a family business. Many families only make important financial decisions when something goes wrong, leading to rushed choices, emotional stress and strained relationships.

A recent succession planning survey in the Gulf by Lombard Odier underlined this tension. Many families know how important it is to prepare for the future, yet half still choose to put off these vital conversations. Nearly two thirds of wealthy families in the region confirm that they don’t have a clear succession plan in place. With the region on the brink of its first major transfer of wealth across generations, proactive financial planning is no longer a nice-to-have but more of a must-have.

Here are five practical ways women in the region and beyond can take charge of their financial well-being:

1. Have open conversations

In parts of the Middle East, separation of property applies, and joint ownership is not presumed unless explicitly agreed in a marriage contract. Keeping both names on key documents and having open conversations about future help to build trust.

Legal frameworks also matter as they can vary significantly across jurisdictions, with some countries applying different inheritance rules depending on an individual’s faith or religious affiliation. This means that spouses can have wills that reflect their personal wishes, but it also underscores the importance of knowing which rules apply to one’s circumstances. Financial confidence begins with awareness.

Shared responsibilities

Many women take on caregiving roles that limit their income-generating work, often leaving a gap in long-term financial planning. This can have lasting financial consequences in the form of lower savings, leaving women potentially more exposed to financial imbalances later in life.

Many families may overlook that unpaid work, such as caregiving or managing household affairs, also create economic value. Recognising these contributions through financial arrangements – for example, through savings, insurance or agreed transfers – can help to close the gaps that emerge when one partner steps back from paid work.

Steps for women to build financial resilience

Here are five practical ways women in the region and beyond can take charge of their financial well-being:

1. Have open conversations

In parts of the Middle East, separation of property applies, and joint ownership is not presumed unless explicitly agreed in a marriage contract. Keeping both names on key documents and having open conversations about future help to build trust.

2. Establish clear financial governance

Sound financial practice is for both partners to review the family’s overall financial situation at least once a year. Even if one spouse takes care of the investments or large acquisitions on behalf of the family, the other should be aware and involved, and all major purchases or loans documented.

3. Partnership finance

Financial resilience starts with both partners understanding how assets and debts are managed. Run a combination of own and joint bank accounts and stay involved with joint assets and liabilities.

4. Create a fair financial transfer model

A classical role distribution often involves women in a family-care role, setting them back on their wealth creation path. Agreeing on a fair financial transfer model that assigns value to the household work of the spouse entrusted with this role helps.

5. Engage the next generation

Healthy and frequent communication within a family is essential. Regular family meetings provide a structured opportunity for updates, discussions and the voicing of concerns. Establishing clear, shared goals can unite generations around a common vision.

The national

Smart choices can help UAE residents turn White Friday deals into long-term value

White Friday sales are in full swing across the UAE, stretching from late November into the first few days of December. It mirrors Black Friday in the West, but shoppers here approach it differently.

Amazon.ae, Expedia.ae and other major retailers and online travel operators are rolling out major deals, yet residents are becoming more selective and more strategic. You may notice this shift in your own habits — choosing products that last, add real value or make daily life easier.

These aren’t isolated choices. They reflect clear trends seen across millions of transactions. Joint research from Flowwow and Admitad highlights just how sharply UAE shoppers differ from the regional average.

Not falling for impulse buys

Across the MENA region, November online purchases rose 10%, but White Friday drove the real climb: GMV — the total value of everything bought online before discounts and fees — jumped 40%, and the number of orders increased 20%. Within this surge, UAE residents stood out for making higher-value purchases without falling into impulse spending.

Average order value, or AOV (the average amount shoppers spend per order), rose across MENA from $33.5 (Dh123) to $38 (Dh140). In the UAE, AOV moved from $95 (Dh349) to $103 (Dh378) — 2.7 times higher than the regional average. Bigger spends here reflect a preference for well-considered purchases that hold up longer and reduce replacement costs.

Electronics spending rose 22%, while fashion climbed 21%. Many residents used White Friday to upgrade work devices, refresh wardrobes or tick off items they’ve planned to buy.

Everyday choices hit budgets

The sharpest growth came from categories tied to daily life. Instead of grabbing eye-catching deals, shoppers focused on home, family and wellbeing. This shift shows a mindset that treats White Friday as a chance to make the coming months smoother and more affordable.

For example, spending on home and garden items climbed 18%. Families also directed more towards children’s items, sports gear, beauty and wellness products. Toys, hobbies and even automotive accessories saw steady growth. When you look at these movements together, a pattern emerges: people are investing in everyday upgrades rather than random sale items that don’t last.

Another telling signal comes from how shoppers saved money. Only 14% relied on coupons, but 21% used cashback and loyalty rewards — tools that add ongoing value. Coupons vanish. Cashback accumulates. It’s a subtle but powerful budgeting shift.

Gifting early now an advantage

Flowwow’s UAE data reflects the same habits. The platform saw GMV surge 96%, orders rise 72% and average spend reach Dh350. Much of this came from gifting — but gifting done early, thoughtfully and within planned budgets.

Lifestyle and gift items dominated spending this season, with shoppers showing a strong preference for thoughtful, meaningful purchases. Non-floral gifts such as edible bouquets and balloons surged by 180%, while beauty products climbed 150% and confectionery rose 70%.

Home and garden items grew 50%, reflecting a growing interest in practical upgrades and home comfort. Even within gifting categories, certain products stood out: indoor plants jumped 83%, gourmet gift sets soared 285%, and edible bouquets rose 61%, showing how residents leaned into presents that feel personal and festive.

If you’ve ever waited until mid-December and felt the financial pinch, these trends explain why many UAE residents now shop earlier. Buying gifts ahead of the rush spreads spending, prevents panic buys and locks in better prices.

Add travel to White Friday mix?

Many UAE residents also use the White Friday period to organise upcoming travel, especially with long booking windows and seasonal rate drops. One example this year includes hotel discounts of up to 50% on Expedia.ae between November 20 and December 2, with stays allowed until December 30, 2026 — a timeline that appeals to travellers planning well in advance.

A spokesperson for Expedia Group Brands observed broader destination choices among UAE travellers this winter, noting: “This winter, UAE travelers are embracing variety like never before, from tropical escapes in Thailand, festive European cities in Madrid and Amsterdam to ski adventures in St. Moritz. To make the most of these trips, timing is key; staying on February 3 or 15 can unlock the best rates, while bundling flights and hotels can save hundreds.”

The range of discounted hotels includes city properties in London and Paris as well as resort stays in Antalya, offering travellers a snapshot of the types of international options often discounted at this time of year.

Turn sales to budgeting wins

You can mirror the same habits that now define UAE spending patterns:

• Identify what you’ll genuinely need over the next six months — White Friday pricing often beats New Year or Ramadan deals.
• Compare marketplace prices first. With 74% of all online purchases in the region happening on marketplaces, competition keeps prices tight.
• Use loyalty points and cashback as part of a longer-term savings strategy.
• Finalise your holiday gift list early to avoid inflated December prices.
• Check long-window travel offers if you have fixed travel plans for 2025 or 2026.

UAE sales to soar further

This year’s White Friday is expected to be strong again: UAE GMV may rise 14%, order volumes 11%, and gifting alone could climb 65%. With 65% of the UAE population under 35, digitally native shoppers are driving the market forward. Nearly half of all purchases now happen on mobile, and marketplace activity keeps growing.

For your personal finances, this means the next few days offer prime opportunities — but only if what’s in your cart supports your real needs. What purchases would meaningfully improve your day? Which gifts bring joy without stretching your budget? With the sales still running into the first days of December, you have room to choose value, not noise.

Gulf News

Saudia has confirmed it is reviewing required updates to its Airbus A320-family aircraft after the manufacturer issued a global safety directive — a sweeping recall affecting more than half of the world’s A320 fleet.

In a statement, the airline said it is “assessing any potential impact on flight schedules” and will contact affected guests directly if changes are needed.

Travellers are urged to keep their contact details updated and monitor notifications for real-time updates.

Similarly, flynas has received a directive from Airbus regarding A320 aircraft currently operating with multiple airlines worldwide. As a precaution, a software and technical recalibration will be carried out on part of the Flynas fleet.

The airline said in a statement that this may result in longer turnaround times for a limited number of flights and cause some delays to the operating schedule. Passengers whose flights could be affected will be contacted directly via SMS or email and can also monitor flight status on the airline’s website.

Flynas emphasised that these measures are part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety.

Global recall among the largest in Airbus history

The directive follows Airbus’ Friday announcement mandating immediate repairs to 6,000 A320-family jets, in one of the largest recalls in the manufacturer’s 55-year history.

The bulletin affects over 350 operators globally and comes during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year in the United States. At the time the directive was issued, around 3,000 A320 aircraft were airborne worldwide.

According to Airbus, the required fix largely involves reverting to earlier software versions and is considered straightforward, though it must be completed before aircraft can resume normal operations, except for limited ferry flights to maintenance centres.

Airlines across multiple regions, including Saudia and flynas, are assessing operational impacts as the recall triggers worldwide disruption.

Gulf News