Blog
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SBI Branches in USA: Complete NRI Banking Guide
Let me tell you about my biggest banking mistake. Back in 2014, during my SuperMoney days in California, I was sending money home monthly to support my mom. Using random banks. Paying crazy fees. Getting terrible exchange rates. My colleague Priya suggested SBI USA. “Use the bank you trust in India,” she said. “Why experiment…
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Bank of Baroda UAE Branches: Complete NRI Banking Guide
Let me share something personal. Back in 2016, while I was still at HappyFox in California, my mom called me crying. She needed money urgently for my uncle’s medical treatment in Mumbai. It was 2 AM in San Jose. Every bank was closed. Except Bank of Baroda UAE. My friend Rajesh in Dubai helped transfer…
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How much Gold is allowed from Dubai to India
How Much Gold Can You Actually Bring? The Complete NRI Handbook. Just got back from Dubai last month. My wife wanted to check out the Gold Souk. You know how it is. Every NRI has been there. Walking through Deira Gold Souk. Eyes wide. Calculator in hand. The prices make you dizzy. In a good…
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Money Transfer Scams NRIs Should Avoid
Protecting Your Hard Earned Money from Fraudsters. Back in 2019, two years after we moved back to India, I nearly lost $8,000 to a scammer. I was sitting in my Bangalore office when my phone rang. “Sir, this is from State Bank of India. Your NRE account has been compromised. We need to verify your…
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Choosing the Right Purpose Code for Inward Remittance
If you’ve ever sent money to India and wondered what that “purpose code” field means – you’re not alone. I remember the first time I saw this while transferring money back home. The bank app asked me to select a purpose code, and I had no idea which one to pick. I just wanted to…
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Tax Implications of Money Transfer from Canada to India
When I moved back from the USA in 2017, I thought I understood international money transfers pretty well. Boy, was I wrong! Fast forward to 2025. I still help hundreds of NRIs with their money transfer questions. The Canada to India corridor has become super popular lately. Why? More Indians are settling in Canada than…
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How to Invest in Gold in India: Complete Guide
When I moved back to India in 2017, my wife had one major concern. “What about our savings security?” she asked. My mother in law immediately chimed in. “Beta, buy gold. It never loses value.” I rolled my eyes then. But five years later, I realized she was absolutely right. Gold saved us during the…
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How to Invest in US Stocks from India: A Guide
When I moved back to India in 2017 after years in the US, one question kept bugging me and my fellow NRI friends. How do we keep investing in those amazing US companies we got used to? You know, those Apple, Google, and Tesla stocks that were part of our American dream. Coming back didn’t…
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Investing in Fixed Deposits: Complete Guide
2020 changed everything for our family. My wife lost her job during COVID. My elder son’s college fees were due. We had cash sitting in a savings account earning 3%. “Mani, we need guaranteed returns,” my wife said during our kitchen table financial planning session. That evening changed our FD strategy forever. Today, I’ll share…
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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…