Category: Personal Finance
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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…
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Best Investment Options for NRIs: Complete Guide
Where Smart Money Goes in the New Age of Global Investing Hey folks! Mani here. It’s been 8 years since I moved back from Silicon Valley. My investment journey as an NRI taught me one crucial lesson. Location doesn’t determine wealth creation. Smart choices do. When I first started earning in dollars, I thought I…
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How NRIs Can Invest in Govt Bonds through RBI
Last month, my neighbor Priya from Singapore called me in excitement. “Mani, I just opened my RBI Retail Direct account from abroad! My portfolio feels so much safer now.” That conversation sparked this deep dive into government bonds for NRIs. The Reality Check First 🎯 Bottom Line: Yes, NRIs CAN invest in government bonds through…
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How Can NRIs Sell Property in India While Abroad
Three years ago, my cousin Rajesh called me from Toronto in panic. “Mani, I need to sell my Bangalore flat urgently. My dad’s medical bills are mounting. But the TDS thing is scaring me. They want to deduct 20%!” That conversation sparked this comprehensive guide. The Brutal Truth About NRI Property Sales 📊 Bottom Line…