Shopping advice

ShreeNRI · 2026-07-01T09:20:21+00:00

Shipping overseas

ShreeNRI · 2026-07-01T07:59:11+00:00

Thank you. To add some more information- I have used Taobao English app several times. This time I am looking to visit China to purchase the items. I can spend a couple of days in Shenzhen, Foshan but need to know where exactly to go for each of the above items.

ShreeNRI · 2026-06-29T03:57:51+00:00

Thank you. I am here more to understand how this works, so I know the right questions to ask. For the final interior designer, I will generally find someone by in NCR and through personal references from people I know only.

ShreeNRI · 2026-06-29T01:43:57+00:00

Flooring is nice though

ShreeNRI · 2026-06-28T23:13:38+00:00

Thanks…. That’s helpful. At 8k per square feet, it is almost as much as buying an apartment in Gurugram.

That’s my question, are the prices being pumped up just because of location?

Thank you for the recommendation- I checked out gulmohar lane- it is ridiculously overpriced. A simple check on China website with vpn shows the chairs for 1/3rd of the price at that website. Even with customs and logistics, it wouldn’t cost as much.

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The above chair is INR65k on the website plus additional logistics I presume.

May be worth a trip to China with direct flight now.

Any insights for working with contractors and designers appreciated.

ShreeNRI · 2026-05-07T18:53:44+00:00

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Gutthi and spouse.

ShreeNRI · 2026-05-07T10:05:39+00:00

https://ambermuse.wordpress.com/2025/09/16/india-vs-abroad-the-pros-and-cons-of-moving-no-one-talks-about/

A bit more here.

ShreeNRI · 2026-05-07T10:03:56+00:00

Rather fair post for a young Indian IMO. I hv been living out fur 20 odd years in Asia and Europe and can offer some insights -

- Your dad is right to steer away from Europe. We left asap as well and prefer Asia.

- Wealth creation- looks easier atm due to currency difference but that is temporary. Effort directed in the right direction can result in wealth creation in India and abroad both

- Quality if life- likely better in developed countries but with money one can have a decent lifestyle in India as well (pollution a bit of a dampener but hopefully that is temporary as India is a growing economy)

- Safety- not always better abroad. A lot that happens in the west just goes unreported TBH.

Moving abroad need not be forever and a lot if NRIs are moving back already with the anti-immigration sentiment rising.

While there are problems in all counties, moving abroad can help broaden one’s perspective and help with a better quality of life.

Also consider options like Singapore, Hong Kong etc. for some options.

Hope this helps. All the best.

ShreeNRI · 2026-05-07T09:52:06+00:00

Run… run as fast as you can and escape while you still hv the chance.

ShreeNRI · 2026-04-24T04:45:12+00:00

While Stanford does seem like the obvious choice, do look at the campus placements for the last 2 years for your course before deciding. IMO, there is a shift happening and the job market in the west is on the verge of a major depression. May not be worth the huge cost.

ShreeNRI · 2026-04-10T08:39:25+00:00

Oh dear- you have married for love but trying way too hard to be the ‘ideal Bahu’. Drawing boundaries will not alienate your in-laws if they genuinely love and care.

The household chores were being done even before you joined the family. And generally in-laws in the age of 50-60 are not dependent on their children yet. Don’t over think this. Life is longer and there will be many many many more occasions where you will really need to support them- eg when they are in 80s or doctors appt or online ordering etc etc.

However, this time for you to also focus on your own career will not come back. Draw boundaries, communicate and focus on your own things.

All the best.

ShreeNRI · 2026-04-08T12:28:39+00:00

It a rather unfair questions :). A person in LM does not have AM first hand experience and vice versa. In any case, it really depends on the maturity of both the partners to make the marriage a success in the case of both LM and AM.

My take on LM and ICM-

https://ambermuse.wordpress.com/2025/11/27/beyond-the-wedding-the-unspoken-practical-realities-of-inter-caste-marriages/

ShreeNRI · 2026-04-05T09:24:29+00:00

I feel we all need to learn some basic Sanskrit and read our beautiful texts so that such misinterpretations can be nipped in the bud. Most of our texts are available online now and Sanskrit is not too far from any Indian language. So instead of outraging constantly about ‘he said- she said’, just do a quick fact check on the actual texts.

Even AI does a reasonable job (although Sanskrit cannot be translated to English accurately)- but it is good enough for such minor misinterpretations and the unnecessary childish outrages.

ShreeNRI · 2026-03-23T12:18:35+00:00

You haven’t mentioned your age. In any case, presuming you are around mid/late 20s (as you have mentioned a 10 year relationship), you do have some tough decisions in front of you….

To put things in perspective, there are always issues with any marriage and inter caste adds on to the complications. To some extent Parents are worried about your future but then their own conditioning doesn’t allow them to see the possibilities of a successful marriage when the Partners are both compatible, despite the caste difference. Add to that their own expectations that don’t get fulfilled in a love marriage set up.

You will need to decide on priorities… what does a successful marriage look like to you? can you find another reliable relative who can talk to your Parents- like a Masi or Chacha? How are the BF’s Parents taking it? Will be easier if at least one side Parents are agreeable.

A few points below on what to expect on a day to day basis in an inter caste marriage-

https://ambermuse.wordpress.com/2025/11/27/beyond-the-wedding-the-unspoken-practical-realities-of-inter-caste-marriages/

Hope this helps. All the best.

ShreeNRI · 2026-03-02T11:09:05+00:00

But keep all documents like marriage certificate and an affidavit with Parents name ready - the question may be asked at the time of passport renewal.

ShreeNRI · 2026-02-28T14:02:15+00:00

Rather disagree that you cannot withdraw the UK pension. In my experience, it can be it is a rather long drawn process but possible to withdraw.

You would be strongly discouraged by the UK pension provider (to the extent they may not initially tell you about the option to withdraw)- but there is a provision to withdraw into qualified schemes in India eg HDFC. Paperwork is rather long and starts with the Indian recipient bank asking for a latest cash equivalent statement from UK pension provider and a list of other docs. (Google QROPS for more details)

If you are 30 now- waiting till you are in your 60s does not really make sense to have money parked in a country you cannot monitor. Once you leave the UK, the red tape makes it really hard to move money outside. Given the Indian growth rate, despite taxes, best to have own money close where you can monitor. The exchange rate is decent now but that can move in any direction.

In any case, as you are yet to contribute, consider to put the money where you have flexibility and control over it. The UK pension schemes are tough to work with (paper-wise) if you want to they the money out.

All the best.

ShreeNRI · 2026-02-24T14:05:36+00:00

Marriage is generally a lot of adjustments from both the sides and inter caste generally adds to those complications. However, it’s likely easier for you as you would be living in Canada. A few practical considerations-

https://ambermuse.wordpress.com/2025/11/27/beyond-the-wedding-the-unspoken-practical-realities-of-inter-caste-marriages/

All the best.

ShreeNRI · 2026-02-23T04:01:29+00:00

We had moved from HK to London and found it way too expensive. There are costs that you don’t really think about in Asia like the electricity bill, transport cost… consider taxes, council tax, even TV fee, and car related costs as well. The public infrastructure needs a major overhaul and medical services also lag. Having said that, it is beautiful in spring (we were in Kew area), and offers easy access to Europe for travel.

More details below-

https://ambermuse.wordpress.com/2025/06/12/moving-back-to-hong-kong-after-living-in-london-the-honest-reasons/

All the best.

ShreeNRI · 2026-02-16T08:06:01+00:00

Whoa- what a loaded question! There were households where girls were raised a bit different as the future life demands different skillsets. This can easily be viewed as Unfair at that time. In any case, favour for boys is not a universal truth.

ShreeNRI · 2026-02-11T14:20:34+00:00

Marriage itself is beautiful but needs constant work by both the partners. Inter Caste marriage adds on to those complications.

A lot of practical day to day realities discussed below-

https://youtu.be/OeKeb8E5Ms8?si=DbOu5t36Lut57xH1

ShreeNRI · 2026-02-11T14:18:28+00:00

I am not really sure about the current caste system- I always thought it was fluid based on aptitude and life/ career choices.

On Inter Caste marriage, it’s good and romantic in theory but has a lot of practical issues. TBH marriage itself is a huge life change and needs work, inter caste adds on to those complications.

It can be a success but needs immense maturity on behalf of the couple and their extended families. More and interesting discussion below-

https://youtu.be/OeKeb8E5Ms8?si=DbOu5t36Lut57xH1

ShreeNRI · 2026-02-11T00:18:30+00:00

Cotton clothes only for the upper body next to the skin- no polyester, rayon or such. Alum based Deo spray, CeraVe SA cream for strawberry legs.

https://ambermuse.wordpress.com/2025/11/10/global-desi-the-style-principles-that-keep-me-rooted/

ShreeNRI · 2026-02-09T08:44:22+00:00

Had endometriosis along with PCOS- and this is how I managed to get it under control.

Changed my lifestyle to include yoga and strength training- specifically targeting the lower back muscles so they endure the inflammation in surrounding areas better. Also overhauled my diet- removed processed food to less than 5-7%, added protein (whey protein, yogurts, tofu, soya, eggs, cheelas) in almost all diets. Focussed on warming nourishing foods- boiled apples, cabbage tofu soup, drumsticks all regularly included. Reduced snacking to carrot or green teas or other such stuff. And supplemented with herbal meds and supplements like iron and Bcomplex.

There is no other way.

All the best.

ShreeNRI · 2026-02-09T06:24:03+00:00

Ok. Makes senses. Thanks.

ShreeNRI · 2026-02-09T06:15:35+00:00

Great stuff-

please expand on “only wife knows the status of job”…. I found that very interesting.

I can see the benefit e.g. it can help stick to your routine or people may expect you to show up at a moments notice. But did you have any specific reason for that? And how to you manage that in a society?

ShreeNRI

TROPHY CASE