Category: Personal Finance
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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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…