Author: Mani Karthik
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HDFC Smart Buy – Your Key to Indian Shopping While Abroad
Folks, I still remember staring at my Chase credit card statement back in Irvine. My wife needed to buy her mom a refrigerator in Chennai. We ended up paying almost 4% in foreign transaction fees! That was 2016. I didn’t know about HDFC Smart Buy then. When we moved back to India in 2017, I…
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Top Wise Alternatives for NRIs in 2025
Hey there! Mani here. Remember when I moved back to India after years in the US? One of the biggest headaches was figuring out how to move money internationally without getting slapped with ridiculous fees. If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for alternatives to Wise (formerly TransferWise). Maybe their fees increased, or perhaps you’re…
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How to Deal with Taxation in India and Your Former Country 🌎💰
I still remember that moment. Sitting with my CA in Kochi. Staring at my US tax forms. My son walked in and asked, “Dad, why do you look so confused?” “Beta, I’m trying to figure out how to pay taxes in two countries.” He laughed. “That sounds like double trouble!” Smart kid. And he was…
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Is an MBA in India Worth It After Working Abroad? Pros & Cons
So you’ve spent years grinding away in the US corporate world. You’ve got some solid experience. Maybe even saved a decent chunk of change. Now you’re planning to move back to India. And that old MBA dream is knocking again. I get it. I was in your shoes in 2017. When I moved back from…
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Don’t Want a Job? Here Are 5 Alternatives for NRIs Moving Back 🌏
When I landed back in Kochi after almost a decade in the US, everyone asked the same question. “So, which company are you joining?” I just smiled. Truth was, I didn’t want another job. Been there, done that. Many NRIs face this dilemma. You’ve worked at big companies abroad. You’ve climbed the ladder. Now you’re…
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How NRIs Can Find Jobs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities in India 🏙️
Hello folks! Mani here. The guy who thought jobs only existed in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi. Boy was I wrong. I returned in 2017. Focused exclusively on metro cities. Created unnecessary competition for myself. Later discovered thriving opportunities in smaller cities. Better quality of life too. Let me save you from my metro-only tunnel vision.…
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How NRIs Can Transition Into Remote Jobs While Living in India 🌍
Hello folks! Mani here. The guy who thought finding remote jobs would be easy. Like finding a parking spot in Bangalore on a Saturday night. I returned in 2017. Thought I could continue my US job remotely. My boss laughed. Actually laughed. On a Zoom call. With colleagues present. Let me save you from my…
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Career Options for NRIs Returning After a 10+ Year Gap 🚀
Hello folks! Mani here. The guy who jumped back into Indian professional life after 12 years in America. Talk about culture shock! I returned in 2017. My professional skills were frozen in 2005 India. I still thought “Orkut” was a thing when I landed. My resume got more rejections than my high school crush gave…
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Top Companies Hiring NRIs in India 2025 🏢
Hello folks! Mani here. The guy who applied to the same five tech companies for two months straight. Then discovered an entire universe of other employers specifically seeking NRI talent. I returned in 2017 with tunnel vision. Applied exclusively to Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and a couple of Indian tech giants. Created application echo chamber. Achieved…
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Job Advice for Senior Returning NRIs – What If You’re Overqualified?
Hello folks! Mani here. The guy who returned to India thinking 10 years of Silicon Valley experience would have companies fighting over me. Boy was I wrong. I landed in 2017 with an impressive resume. Got rejected for being “overqualified” seven times in my first month. Overqualified. The rejection that sounds like a compliment but…