Blog
-
Bank of Baroda Branches in USA
Hey NRIs! Mani here, and I’ve got some news that might surprise you about Bank of Baroda’s presence in the United States. After years of helping NRIs navigate banking across different countries, I felt it was time to give you the complete, unfiltered truth about BOB’s operations in America. 💡 Reality Check: Bank of Baroda…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Money Transfer Scams and Mistakes NRIs Must Avoid (2026 Guide)
I got a panicked call from a member in our Hyderabad WhatsApp group last year. His 72-year-old mother, living alone in India, had received a video call from someone claiming to be a “CBI officer.” They told her that her son’s NRE account was linked to a money laundering case. That an arrest warrant had…
-
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…
-
Tax Implications of Money Transfer to India: (2026)
A member in our Dubai WhatsApp group sent me a message last month that I’ve seen hundreds of times over the years. “Mani, I’m sending $50,000 to my NRE account. Will I be taxed 20% on this in India?” Short answer: No. Absolutely not. But I understand the confusion. There’s so much misinformation floating around…
-
Gold Investment for NRIs: Complete Guide
Every Diwali and Akshaya Tritiya, I get the same question in our WhatsApp community. “Mani, should I buy gold? Is it a good investment?” And honestly? My answer has changed over the years. When I first moved back to India, gold felt like something my grandmother talked about. Temple jewelry. Lockers full of chains. “It’s…
-
How to Invest in US Stocks from India: 2026
“Mani, I moved back to India last year. But I still want to keep investing in Apple, Google, and some S&P 500 ETFs. How do I do that legally from India?” I get this question at least once a week in our WhatsApp groups. And honestly, it’s a smart question. If you’ve spent years in…
-
Fixed Deposits for NRIs – Everything You Need to Know (2026)
“Mani, I have $50,000 sitting idle in my US bank account earning 0.5% interest. Should I put it in an Indian FD?” I get asked this question at least five times a week in our WhatsApp community. And the honest answer? It depends. It depends on which type of FD you choose (NRE, NRO, or…