How are you, Reader?

Before we begin: I’ll be in Manila this week. Filipino friends, do you have recommendations on cute cafes and studios? Let me know! And if you want to meet, hit reply and let’s sched! 🙂

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Now on to this week’s newsletter:

I was on the way to Abu Dhabi when I met a Careem driver named Irfan – who ended up giving me a masterclass on money, mindset, and what it means to trust life.

He talked about life, loss, rebuilding, and faith. What started as a small talk turned into one of those rare chance encounters that remind you humans are awesome!

Irfan used to run a cellphone repair business in the UAE. When COVID hit, everything changed. Business slowed down, opportunities disappeared, and like many others, he had to start from scratch – this time behind the wheel.

Today, I want to share with you two powerful money mindsets I learned from Irfan:

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1. Tawakkul: Just do it – and leave the rest to God.

Irfan told me he used to wait for the “perfect moment” to invest in property. He believed he needed to have the full amount saved before he could even consider buying anything.

Then one day, he saw two of his cousins:

• One had acquired multiple properties in and outside Dubai and was living comfortably.
• The other was preparing to move back home after over 10 years in the UAE –with nothing but a final paycheck.

That contrast jolted him. So, he asked the wealthier cousin: “How did you start?”

The cousin told him: You just do it. Put the downpayment. The rest? Figure it out along the way.

That moment reframed everything for Irfan. He realized that waiting until he had “enough” would keep him waiting forever. It’s not about having all the money first – it’s about committing to the path, planning and getting resourceful.

“You know you’ll always be working anyway,” he said. “So instead of spending that income mindlessly, why not direct it toward something that builds your future?”

It was a simple but radical shift: from “I’ll do it when I’m ready” to “I’ll start now and rise to the challenge.”

And isn’t that true for so many things in life? Whether it’s investing, starting a business, switching careers, or even having a child – there’s never a perfect time. There’s just the time you decide to begin.

Tawakkul, in its essence, is doing your part and letting the rest unfold.

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2. Debt, dignity, and a deeper purpose for money

Our conversation reminded me of another driver who once told me that, in Islam, debt is considered haram (forbidden). Curious, I asked Irfan what he thought.

He nodded and explained:

“We’re taught not to borrow unnecessarily. Money should flow – but it should flow with purpose. You should live below your means so you’re always able to give, not just receive.”

According to him, Muslims are encouraged not to hoard wealth in banks, but to make sure their money remains accessible – to help the poor, support their community, or provide in times of need.

This way of thinking creates a culture of collective care and groundedness. Imagine a world where people lived simply so others could simply live.

While I may not fully agree with keeping money outside the bank, I deeply respect the intention behind it. It’s rooted in abundance – because if you truly believe there’s enough to go around, you won’t cling so tightly.

You’ll trust that what you give will come back, in some form or another.

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Final thoughts:

Listening to Irfan talk, reminded me:

You don’t need a stage to teach. And you don’t even need social media to make an impact.

You just need lived experience – and the courage to share it.

Irfan may never know how deeply our conversation impacted me, but maybe that’s the beauty of it.

Everyone is our teacher. And sometimes, God speaks through a Careem driver when you least expect it.

In summary:

• Start before you’re ready.
• Let money serve a bigger purpose.
• And when in doubt: Tawakkul.

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Question For You:

How do you define enough when it comes to money?

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I’d love to hear from you – just hit reply to this email and share. 😊

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With Tawakkul and truth,

Dane ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡)