Author: Mani Karthik

SBI Chicago – Your Financial Bridge to India

It was winter 2015. I was stuck in Chicago O’Hare airport during a layover. My flight was delayed 6 hours. Classic Chicago winter. I…
Axis Atlas – The Credit Card NRIs Need When Moving Back

Hey folks! Mani here. Remember when I landed at Bangalore airport in 2017 with my family? I had bank accounts. I had investments. I…
NRI Guide to Indian Consulates & VFS: Navigating the Paperwork Maze

Hey folks! Mani here. Remember that sweltering July afternoon in 2016 when I stood outside the San Francisco Indian Consulate with my family? Four…
How NRIs Can Get Aadhar in 2025: A Complete Guide

Hey folks! Mani here. Remember my first week back in India in 2017? I was jetlagged, confused, and standing in an Aadhaar enrollment center…
Transaction Reference Number – Guide for NRIs

Remember that time in 2016 when I sent money from my Bank of America account to my dad’s SBI account in Ernakulam? The money…
RFC Account in India: The Complete Guide for Returning NRIs

One of the first questions I hear from NRIs planning their return is this: “Mani, what do I do with all my foreign currency…
IPO Investment Tips for NRIs: Navigating the Grey Market

Remember when I was working at Citrix in the US and got super excited about the Zomato IPO? I had to navigate a maze…
American Express Gold Corporate Card: Guide for NRIs

Hey folks! Mani here. Man, I still remember the day I had to return my American Express Gold Corporate Card when I left my…
Corporate Gold Card: Guide for NRIs

Remember when I landed back in India after my 10-year stint in the US? Man, what a ride that was. One of the biggest…
Customs Duty at Indian Airports – NRI Guide (2026)

“Mani, I’m flying into Mumbai next week with a new iPhone, some gold earrings for my mother, and two bottles of whiskey. Am I…