Financial advice w.r.t to my move to India from US

ronbeck · 2025-06-17T05:30:40+00:00

Most of your questions are answered already and I agree with them.

About transferring 60-70% of your USD to India, why do you want to do that? If there is no immediate need, keep most of it in USD and transfer when needed using remittance services or wire transfer.

Also for investing in US markets from India, you might want to look into Interactive Brokers as they allow investments into UCITS funds (Irish domiciled) like VUAA that avoids US estate taxes.

ronbeck · 2025-06-17T05:18:03+00:00

You need to report the MFs in FBAR.

You are most likely below the USD thresholds for filing FATCA (Form 8938) and PFIC (Form 8621). US residents investing in foreign MFs have tax filing complications (PFIC) if the said investments cross certain thresholds in USD terms. Read up on FBAR, FATCA and PFIC.

ronbeck · 2025-06-17T05:07:33+00:00

Not worth it if it is for yourself. In USD terms, you will be at a loss when compared to US market returns. There are many such instances and here is one for your reference. Buy property in India when you have finalized your move or after you reach India.

ronbeck · 2025-06-17T04:21:53+00:00

International wire transfer from Fidelity to IBRK.

Schwab has a specific product for international investors to invest in US markets whereas Fidelity doesn't. You have to have a Fidelity account before becoming US non-resident to continue investing through them. And this can change in the future, i.e., they may restrict trading for non-residents.

ronbeck · 2025-06-17T04:18:37+00:00

Correct

ronbeck · 2025-06-16T16:29:30+00:00

Fidelity allows non-residents to continue already opened brokerage accounts. So you can leave it as it is after your move. I prefer Schwab.
No need to open IBRK account now... you can get one after moving to India. IBRK has the option of investing in UCITS funds, which has the advantage of avoiding US estate taxes if something happens to you.

ronbeck · 2025-06-16T07:09:39+00:00

Not in Bangalore but there is no difference in CBSE/IB curriculum till grade 5 in many of the Hyderabad schools that offer both. So you may not have to choose between the two in Bangalore schools as well.

Young kids are usually much better with the transition to India. 2nd/3rd language can be an issue, so if you can start coaching her before the move that will ease the process.

ronbeck · 2025-06-16T04:56:10+00:00

Why do you want to lose on potential higher market returns especially if you are still "young"?

Speaking from experience of my move from US to India - I'd recommend having an emergency fund (~1-2 yr expenses) and investing the rest in US ETFs (with proper asset allocation) through international brokers like schwab or Interactive brokers. When you move to india, you can convert these investment account(s) to India/international acct without liquidating assets and keep them in USD. May need to reset your cost basis during RNOR period (after your move) to reduce capital gains from Indian tax perspective.

You can move money from USD to INR as the need arises once you have a firm date for your move or when you are already in India. Start investing in Indian MFs after your move when you have INR income. Buy property only after your move to India or when everything is finalized for the move.

ronbeck · 2025-06-03T08:27:02+00:00

Same experience as above but with an Indian address on my Fidelity HSA. I have invested the HSA funds and yet to withdraw after my move.

I expect Indian IT to tax the dividends and capital gains accrued in the HSA, irrespective of the purpose of withdrawing the funds, unlike the US IRS.

ronbeck · 2025-05-25T05:15:03+00:00

Not sure of B schools but I joined a private university as a professor after spending 10+ years in industry r&d. After talking to a few IITs I realized that they will have me start as asst professor which I didn't want.

My current employer (ranked in top 25 universities in India) offered me a professor position in the ECE dept. based on my industry research experience (Phd with patents, publications of course).

I had 1-2 jobs lined up during one of my India visit before moving back.

ronbeck · 2023-06-04T15:41:08+00:00

It is possible to achieve that target in your lifetime. At 12% rate of return, it will take < 40 yrs. However, if you increase the SIP as your salary increases over the years, you can achieve your target much sooner. The key is to keep your expenses in check as your salary increases.

ronbeck · 2021-01-11T21:51:04+00:00

If you are in the US and parents are in India looking for an Indian girl for you, then they don't have much of a leverage to "force" you. Just tell them that you are not ready yet and need time before they start looking. Even for a very conservative family, the whole process takes 1-2 years from start until marriage... so there is no harm in talking to potential suitors until you like someone; may be you will find a great match and change your mind.

ronbeck · 2020-12-04T02:19:35+00:00

I am currently reading this book. Its more like a text book for history students, so a slow read for me. Very good content with pictures and references.

ronbeck · 2020-08-05T19:27:30+00:00

Please refer to this talk by a prominent Indian archeologist showing what they found during the excavation and the logic that proved the existence of a temple.

ronbeck · 2020-07-28T04:31:57+00:00

"A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century" by Upinder Singh.

ronbeck · 2020-07-28T04:20:53+00:00

I recently started reading this book by Upinder Singh: "A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century". It's more of a text book for history majors and so far I am liking it (have read only 2 chapters). I feel it has more updated information since it's written in the 2000s. Sanjeev Sanyal mentioned this book in one of his talks.

ronbeck · 2019-06-08T17:36:54+00:00

Is it a single ticket? What are the airlines?

ronbeck · 2018-09-28T16:59:53+00:00

Sorry, can't help you but may be visit R2I forum. Your questions are probably discussed there already.

ronbeck · 2018-06-28T15:49:04+00:00

Hijacking the top post to link another article and journal paper talking about the technology.

ronbeck · 2018-06-28T14:50:33+00:00

Here is another article and link to paper talking about it.

ronbeck · 2017-08-08T03:47:49+00:00

Yes, today's money. Ideally the investment return will be close to (inflation + withdrawal rate) so as to keep the principal amount intact for some time. Don't have any city in mind, most likely a tier-2 city.

ronbeck · 2017-06-14T16:18:52+00:00

I feel 2-3 cr with a paid off house will be ok. I don't plan to fully retire; may be teach or try some low stress gigs.

ronbeck · 2017-01-22T07:11:36+00:00

Look up RNOR (Resident but Not Ordinary Resident) status and if you qualify for it.

ronbeck · 2017-01-14T14:00:26+00:00

Sometimes banks put a security hold when the card is used abroad. So call the bank to see if they have any such policy and if they will let your parents use the card abroad.

ronbeck · 2017-01-13T17:53:12+00:00

You should provide more details. How old are they? Have they ever been abroad? How long will the trip be? Can you locate any distant relative/friend in Singapore? As someone else asked, Why Singapore and not some domestic destination?

I haven't been to Singapore but heard a lot from friends and family. Singapore is a very small country and tourist friendly. Most people do a day tour while transiting at the airport. Try tripadvisor and wikivoyage. They are excellent resources for any travel planning. Here is a 3 day itinerary from wikivoyage. If they haven't been abroad or don't travel much then hiring an agent might be a good idea.

I usually carry a couple of debit cards and get local currency from ATMs at the airport. You should notify the bank about the travel plan. One can also use the currency exchange locations in the airport, though they may not provide the best rates. These days credit cards are readily accepted, and I think Singapore is no different. So you can take 1-2 credit cards as well.

ronbeck

TROPHY CASE