Category: Personal Finance
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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
One question I get asked constantly in our community calls: “Where should I invest my money in India?” It’s a valid concern. You’re earning abroad, you want your money to work for you back home, but the options can feel overwhelming – and the rules around NRI investments aren’t always straightforward. After years of conversations…
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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…
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Can NRIs Invest in Sovereign Gold Bonds?
I still remember that conversation in 2019. I was at a family gathering in Chennai. My cousin Raj from London asked, “Mani, should I invest in those gold bonds? They sound amazing.” Today, that question hits differently. The Brutal Truth First 🎯 TL;DR: NRIs CANNOT invest in new Sovereign Gold Bonds. The scheme was discontinued…
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Annexure E – The Income Tax Document Every Returning NRI Needs to Know
Hey folks! Mani here. Remember 2017? That’s when I landed back in Bangalore with two oversized suitcases, a confused American-born son, and absolutely zero understanding of Annexure E. My CPA in California never mentioned it. My tax advisor in India assumed I knew about it. Classic communication gap that cost me weeks of stress and…
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SBI Chicago – Your Financial Bridge to India
It was winter 2015. I was stuck in Chicago O’Hare airport during a layover. My flight was delayed 6 hours. Classic Chicago winter. I needed to send money to mom in Kerala urgently. Her water heater had broken down. It’s funny how small things become emergencies when you’re 9,000 miles away. I tried my regular…
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Axis Atlas – The Credit Card NRIs Need When Moving Back
Hey folks! Mani here. Remember when I landed at Bangalore airport in 2017 with my family? I had bank accounts. I had investments. I had enough Indian rupees in cash. But I had ZERO Indian credit history. That’s when I realized I had missed a critical part of my financial transition back to India. My…