Sunny Savani invests in fixed deposits, stocks and ETFs and aims to buy rental properties in Dubai and the UK.
From Humble Beginnings to Real Estate Success: A Journey of Financial Discipline
Sunny Savani, a Dubai-based real estate professional, exemplifies financial resilience and ambition. Working in commission-based property sales, Sunny experiences significant income fluctuations—some months exceeding AED 100,000 ($27,225) and others closer to AED 20,000. This unpredictability has shaped his financial strategy, including saving nearly half of his earnings each month and maintaining an emergency fund that covers a year’s expenses.
A Foundation of Hard Work
Sunny’s journey began in Wellingborough, England, where he took on his first job as a young teenager delivering newspapers for £4–£5 per hour. After completing his degree in management and marketing, he joined one of the UK’s leading medical recruitment firms, earning £16,000 annually in 2014. Over nearly a decade, he rose through the ranks, managing teams, establishing new departments, and eventually running his own business recruiting healthcare professionals for the NHS.
Transition to Dubai Real Estate
In 2021, Sunny made the bold decision to move to Dubai, inspired by friends thriving in the city’s real estate market. Despite no prior experience in property, he embraced the challenge, leveraging his sales and communication skills from recruitment. Within six months, he transitioned from high-end rentals to sales, specializing in luxury waterfront properties and penthouses. Today, as an Associate Director at Savills, Sunny deals with properties valued between AED 15 million and AED 70 million.
Financial Philosophy
Sunny’s financial discipline is a cornerstone of his success. He saves 40–50% of his income, amounting to AED 700,000–AED 800,000 in savings. Favoring low-risk investments, he places funds in fixed deposits, blue-chip stocks, and ETFs while allocating a smaller portion to higher-risk assets like cryptocurrency.
“I believe in playing it safe,” Sunny says, “but I also understand the importance of diversification.”
Strategic Property Investments
While renting his current residence in the Burj Khalifa provides flexibility, Sunny is exploring investment opportunities in the UK. “The UK will always feel like home, and I prefer to keep my options open for the future,” he explains.
Avoiding Debt
Sunny prides himself on staying debt-free, paying for cars upfront and clearing credit card balances monthly. “I saw my parents work tirelessly to provide for us. Their sacrifices taught me the value of saving and living within my means.”
Balancing Lifestyle and Savings
Sunny allocates 50% of his income to savings, with 20–30% covering expenses such as rent and education for his three children. The remainder is reserved for luxuries like cars and watches, which he views as passions rather than indulgences.
Future Goals
Sunny’s long-term vision revolves around financial independence. “My goal is to build a portfolio of rental properties that eventually sustains my family’s lifestyle without the need for a regular job,” he shares.
Advice on Financial Freedom
For Sunny, financial freedom means quality time with his family, mortgage-free living, and the ability to travel without financial concerns. His advice for navigating inflation? “Invest in property. Housing demand continues to grow, making real estate a solid choice for long-term stability.”
Sunny’s story serves as an inspiration for those striving to build a secure and prosperous future through discipline, strategic investments, and hard work.
