Author: Mani Karthik
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Fixed Deposits vs Mutual Funds: Investment Guide
The Battle Every NRI Must Win Hey folks! Mani here. Picture this. 2018. My wife walks into our Bangalore home with a simple question. “Mani, where should we park our emergency fund? FD or mutual fund?” I stared at her. Blank. Here I was. Marketing expert. Worked at SuperMoney for years. And I couldn’t answer…
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Best Investment Options for NRIs: Complete Guide
Where Smart Money Goes in the New Age of Global Investing Hey folks! Mani here. It’s been 8 years since I moved back from Silicon Valley. My investment journey as an NRI taught me one crucial lesson. Location doesn’t determine wealth creation. Smart choices do. When I first started earning in dollars, I thought I…
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How NRIs Can Invest in Govt Bonds through RBI
Last month, my neighbor Priya from Singapore called me in excitement. “Mani, I just opened my RBI Retail Direct account from abroad! My portfolio feels so much safer now.” That conversation sparked this deep dive into government bonds for NRIs. The Reality Check First 🎯 Bottom Line: Yes, NRIs CAN invest in government bonds through…
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How Can NRIs Sell Property in India While Abroad
Three years ago, my cousin Rajesh called me from Toronto in panic. “Mani, I need to sell my Bangalore flat urgently. My dad’s medical bills are mounting. But the TDS thing is scaring me. They want to deduct 20%!” That conversation sparked this comprehensive guide. The Brutal Truth About NRI Property Sales 📊 Bottom Line…
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Can NRIs Invest in Sovereign Gold Bonds?
I still remember that conversation in 2019. I was at a family gathering in Chennai. My cousin Raj from London asked, “Mani, should I invest in those gold bonds? They sound amazing.” Today, that question hits differently. The Brutal Truth First 🎯 TL;DR: NRIs CANNOT invest in new Sovereign Gold Bonds. The scheme was discontinued…
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How Different Is Daily Life in India Compared to the US?
Hey everyone! Mani here. This topic hits close to home. My wife Priya was terrified about moving back to India in 2017. She had built her life in California. Her friends. Her routines. Her independence. “Mani, what if I lose myself in India?” she asked me one evening in Irvine. I had no answers then.…
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Will I Be Able to Adjust to Life in India After Years in the USA?
Hey folks! Mani here. That question haunted me for months in 2016. I was sitting in my Irvine apartment. Staring at my mom’s photo on the kitchen counter. She was alone in Kerala. Dad had passed away when I was in college. Twenty years later, I was 9,000 miles away building a career. My wife…
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Annexure E – The Income Tax Document Every Returning NRI Needs to Know
Hey folks! Mani here. Remember 2017? That’s when I landed back in Bangalore with two oversized suitcases, a confused American-born son, and absolutely zero understanding of Annexure E. My CPA in California never mentioned it. My tax advisor in India assumed I knew about it. Classic communication gap that cost me weeks of stress and…
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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 needed to send money to mom in Kerala urgently. Her water heater had broken down. It’s funny how small things become emergencies when you’re 9,000 miles away. I tried my regular…
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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 had enough Indian rupees in cash. But I had ZERO Indian credit history. That’s when I realized I had missed a critical part of my financial transition back to India. My…