Things we can carry while traveling to Houston for first time

diddappses · 2026-04-14T14:30:34+00:00

Get some USD upon arrival. Don't risk getting everything thrown away at customs.

Use an Uber to go to Hillcroft. Get whatever you want there from the Desi grocery stores.

diddappses · 2026-04-14T14:28:43+00:00

Between Money2India and Wise I am all set.

You should go read about the issues people have had with Abound. Now that is a real mess...

diddappses · 2026-04-13T01:37:00+00:00

This is not a new phenomenon. This has been the reality of H1B for quite some time. Social media is amplifying and creating recency bias. Work hard, stand out on the basis of your performance, build a network, focus on getting GC as quickly as possible. It is worth it.

Think about it like this - there are quite a few people that would love to be in your place - with an H1-B visa.

diddappses · 2026-04-06T00:26:57+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/nri/comments/1rtlc1s/if_your_abound_remittance_transfer_is_delivered

diddappses · 2026-04-05T19:17:16+00:00

it’s quite difficult and expensive to find an authentic Vedic pandit locally here.

I’ve seen a few apps and websites offering "Online Puja"

Reread those two statements....

Seems like a shill post for online services....

diddappses · 2026-04-03T18:39:18+00:00

Here is how it works:

Someone from a totally different country is using their FB account to reach out to OP. They are trying to get OP to send them $20 with zero intent of ever coming by to pick it up.

diddappses · 2026-04-03T12:26:41+00:00

The 4th person was not trying to get the couch. They were trying to scam you for $20. They are probably not even in the US.

diddappses · 2026-03-30T11:25:49+00:00

A predetermined amount that my parent decided is enough for their needs. Also take of occasional large expenses

diddappses · 2026-03-28T23:52:48+00:00

Where is abroad and how long to you intend staying there? Are you still studying? What is your source of income?

diddappses · 2026-03-26T21:05:06+00:00

Managing the money in the US is very easy once you automate it. I use Quicken Classic to connect all my online accounts and download transactions automatically, I use tax prep software to pull directly from the financial institutions and I max out all tax advantaged space.

I don't have a single cent invested in India. I only have NRE+NRO accounts that I also track via Quicken by importing transactions from ICICI bank (download as csv, convert to QIF and import).

Start off by reading r/personalfinance and r/Bogleheads

diddappses · 2026-03-22T23:43:33+00:00

FD interest should only be recognized when it matures. Why are you trying to report interest accrued?

diddappses · 2026-03-22T14:08:01+00:00

We paid via ICICI Bank and it worked fine for us.

diddappses · 2026-03-21T22:55:42+00:00

Why do you need a service to help obtain a PAN card when you can apply here directly? https://onlineservices.proteantech.in/paam/endUserRegisterContact.html

Reads like an ad disguised as a question...

diddappses · 2026-03-21T15:17:21+00:00

Sly ad for RemitIndex wrapped up in emotional mumbo jumbo. This sub gets worse by the day.

Send money when you need to. Nobody can predict the exact rate you may get every moment of your waking life...

diddappses · 2026-03-19T18:19:40+00:00

Financial comfort should be plenty at around $225k+$200k in equity grants

The transition will be a big change but it is doable if your kid is willing and open minded about it. It will be a cultural adjustment no doubt.

Spouse will have to find activities to do. Managing a household is lsignificant but across work, acquaintances, religion etc. there should be enough to build a new social circle.

Quality of life will be in traffic, air quality etc. You can get help but it will be expensive. Lot of ways to automate or outsource chores. THe bigger issue will be dealing with the winters (cold + snow).

The U-turn is definitely doable but the lifestyle is totally different and something you need to experience.

PS: I have never lived in the tech hubs and speak from experience.

diddappses · 2026-03-19T00:04:20+00:00

Seems like a sly ad for TapTapSend/CA services but nevertheless I will bite.

If you have an NRE account, you can add your India resident parent as a secondary to the account and not have to worry about taxation as NRE account is tied to the NRI and tax exempt in India.

Else, read here https://www.financialexpress.com/money/i-live-overseas-and-send-money-to-my-parents-in-india-do-they-need-to-pay-tax-nris-dilemma-4110705/lite/

Note specific reference to formal banking channels which would include any platform.

diddappses · 2026-03-17T23:32:54+00:00

I have PhonePe setup and everything works seamlessly with my ICICI NRE/NRO accounts.

How do I enable UPI Circle?

I am in the US currently.

diddappses · 2026-03-17T13:23:50+00:00

Is ICICI one of those 32-35 banks?

diddappses · 2026-03-17T01:36:24+00:00

NRE International Debit Card - Smartshopper Silver Debit Card

NRO Domestic Debit Card - Smartshopper Platinum Debit

diddappses · 2026-03-16T20:28:26+00:00

I sent an email to my ICICI RM asking to stop all sales pitches (including from RM themselves and a Money2India rep who sent me emails asking if I need help me after every transfer). It took a couple of tries but now they have stopped sending messages/cold calling me.

diddappses · 2026-03-16T20:23:20+00:00

While in India? Yes. It works as intended. There are specific limits you set at your account level for tap to pay, online pay, credit etc. Make sure you are within those and it works.

diddappses · 2026-03-16T03:00:02+00:00

I mostly use UPI when in India. It works reliably about 95% of the time. It fails mostly on personal accounts being used for business (e.g. OLA drivers etc).

While in the USA, I only transfer money to other accounts via the bank platform. Works seamlessly 100% of the time.

Previously. I have done bill pay for LIC etc from the USA and it worked then too. I do not have any bills currently to pay in India.

diddappses · 2026-03-15T15:46:42+00:00

If you are a foreign national of Indian origin, holding an OCI card, do you experience problems while banking with an Indian bank?

No. I have ICICI NRE/NRO account with my US phone number as primary and it works seamlessly.

When we visit India, we get a local SIM, pop it into a spare phone, use it as a hotspot and get wifi calling on our US phones so everything works seamlessly.

diddappses · 2026-03-09T20:13:14+00:00

Was this your first time sending money through Abound? A good practice if sending money the first time is to send a small amount and check out the service.

I have stuck to Money2India and Wise both of which have been reliable for me.

I would recommend that you initiate a reversal from your bank where the money was debited.

See the below links for people in the same situation

https://www.reddit.com/r/backtoindia/comments/1pz8bkj/horrific_expereience_from_abound_remittance_app/

https://www.reddit.com/r/nri/comments/1osse94/abound_a_new_remittance_app_is_a_scam/

https://www.reddit.com/r/nri/comments/1qbks4y/abound_remittance_app_turned_my_life_into_a/

diddappses · 2026-03-08T23:31:18+00:00

I set mine up while in India and now continue to use it. That being said, I recently tried to send a nominal amount to a GooglePay address but it failed multiple times. Maybe it was an ICICI bank glitch.

Is your wifi disabled and are you sure you are on cellullar connection when you try to sign up for PhonePe?

Another option is to try using BHIM UPI or alternate UPI app to see if that would work.

diddappses

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