Category: Personal Finance

  • Gold ETF vs Gold Mutual Fund – Which is Better for NRIs

    Remember when I was working at Citrix back in 2016? My wife constantly worried about our savings being too dependent on US markets. That’s when I first started exploring gold investments seriously. After losing my dad early during college, I learned the importance of financial security. When mom was alone in India and we decided…

  • Can NRIs Invest in Sovereign Gold Bonds?

    Back in 2016, just before I moved from Silicon Valley to Bangalore, my mom called me during Dhanteras. “Beta, buy some gold,” she said. I was working at Druva then, completely clueless about Indian investment options. Fast forward to today. I get WhatsApp messages daily from my BackToIndia community asking about Sovereign Gold Bonds. Can…

  • Black Money Act for NRIs: Your Complete Survival Guide

    Picture this: It’s 2017, I’m sitting in my San Francisco apartment at 2 AM. My wife Priya is asleep, my boys are dreaming about their next gaming session. And me? I’m having a complete meltdown googling “Black Money Act penalties for NRIs.” Why the panic? We’d just decided to move back to India. Mom was…

  • Money Market Funds for NRIs: Complete Guide 💰

    Hey there! Mani here. Back in 2015, when I was still living in San Francisco, I had this problem. I wanted to keep some money in India for emergencies. But I also wanted it to earn better than my savings account. My CA suggested money market funds. I had never heard of them before. Fast…

  • How NRIs Can Invest in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) in India

    Hey, Back when I was working at SuperMoney in San Francisco, my colleague mentioned something called Alternative Investment Funds. I had no clue what he was talking about. Fast forward to 2017 when I moved back to India. My banker in Mumbai introduced me to AIFs. This was after I had settled down and was…

  • Best NRI Fixed Deposit Rates : Top Bank Comparison

    Back when I was planning my return from the US in 2017, one of my biggest questions was where to park our savings safely in India. Fixed deposits seemed boring compared to the stock market adventures I was used to. But you know what? Sometimes boring is exactly what you need when you’re making a…

  • How can OCI Card Holders invest in India

    Hey there, fellow OCIs! Mani here, and today we’re diving into one of the most asked questions in my inbox: “How can I invest in India with my OCI card?” After helping countless OCI cardholders navigate the complex world of Indian investments, I’m breaking down everything you need to know to start your investment journey…

  • NRI Banking Comparison: SBI vs BOB vs ICICI vs Canara vs BOI

    You’ve been asking for this for quite long. Here is it. The ultimate comparison of NRI banking services in the USA. After detailed research on all major Indian banks operating in the USA, I’m breaking down everything you need to know to choose the right banking partner. This isn’t just about who has more branches…

  • 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…