Blog
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How Much Gold Can I Carry In International Flight: NRI Guide
Hey folks! Mani here. Remember when I was flying back from San Francisco to Kochi in 2017? My mom had asked me to bring her old gold bangles that I’d kept in my bank locker in the US. I was sweating bullets at SFO. Not because of the AC. But because I had no clue…
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Amex Corporate Gold Card – The Secret Weapon for NRIs
That chaotic day in 2016 still haunts me. I was sitting in my Irvine apartment surrounded by moving boxes. My return to India was just weeks away. Then my phone buzzed. A text from my company finance team. “Mani, we need to discuss your Amex Corporate Gold Card before your relocation.” My heart sank. This…
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NRI Guide to Life Certificate Process: What Every Overseas Pensioner Needs to Know
Hey folks! Mani here. Remember when my mom almost lost her pension in 2018? We were still settling into our Bangalore home after moving back from Irvine. Mom was staying with us temporarily. Her pension suddenly stopped. No warning. No explanation. The reason? She hadn’t submitted something called a “life certificate.” I had no clue…
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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…