Category: Personal Finance
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Transaction Reference Number – The Unsung Hero of International Transfers
Hey there! Mani here. Remember that time in 2016 when I sent money from my Bank of America account to my dad’s SBI account in Ernakulam? The money vanished. Poof! Gone for 9 days. My dad needed that cash for his heart medication. I was freaking out in my Irvine apartment. Customer service kept asking…
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Top NRI Bank Accounts: Cracking the RFC Account Mystery
Hey folks! Mani here. Remember when I was moving back from California in 2017? That moment when I stared at my Bank of America account realizing I needed to figure out the whole “India banking situation” before landing? I spent nights researching NRE, NRO, and RFC accounts while my wife wondered if I’d lost my…
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IPO Investment Tips for NRIs: Navigating the Grey Market
Remember when I was working at Citrix in the US and got super excited about the Zomato IPO? I had to navigate a maze of regulations while sitting in my California apartment. That experience taught me how confusing IPO investments can be for NRIs. Especially when everyone back home was buzzing about “grey market premiums.”…
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American Express Gold Corporate Card: Guide for NRIs
Hey folks! Mani here. Man, I still remember the day I had to return my American Express Gold Corporate Card when I left my job at Citrix in California. That shiny gold card had been my trusted companion for business trips across the US. Fast forward to my return to India in 2017. During my…
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Corporate Gold Card: Guide for NRIs
Remember when I landed back in India after my 10-year stint in the US? Man, what a ride that was. One of the biggest shocks wasn’t the traffic or power cuts – it was banking. I had this fancy American Express Gold Card back in California. It got me into airport lounges. Gave me cash…
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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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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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NRI to Resident? Here’s When You Should Convert Your NRE Account
So, you’ve packed your bags, waved goodbye to Uncle Sam (or Dubai Mall), and made that grand return to India. Welcome back! 😄 The filter coffee is better, the weather is almost tolerable, and your mom’s food tastes like heaven. But just when you’re settling in, your bank account – yup, that NRE one –…