r2i forum

Don't worry about savings. There is no limit. If you save $10,000, you will feel like saving $50K, then $100K, it goes on and you never end up R2India. Since you don't have any kids yet, it is the right time. Once you have a kid, you will defer it for a year and then plan next kids, so it never happens. Don't give too much importance to any negative fd. So long as both of you are well prepared, you can face any challenge. And as you said, nothing like staying close to our near and dear ones. That is priceless. All the best!

Since you are willing to work you will survive.

Now, savings are not essential to survive But it makes it easy.
You are going to need money for medical expenses, insurance, vehicle and other such stuff.

Once you have kids the expenses are only going to grow.
Now I would advice you not to worry about it but be pragmatic and have savings and investment plan for next few years.

I sense you have age on your side. That is one big positive for you .

Good luck

[QUOTE]2) We have travlled to India almost every year after we got here , circumstances and commitments . So after six years what are going back is one small flat in Bombay worth 25 lacs (btw we are moving to Hyd) . maybe about 5 lacs in cash and a little bit of household stuff. We both are very easy people , we are okie with bare minimum necessities , don't mind roughing it out a little and have never been bothered by people and social circles ... ON the other hand we feel we would back with family , both our families are very close , two salaries - will defiantly get back to working (Hr or anything ), and my husband can find a job 2 or 3 months . We have no kids yet so that's easy on us . I have been reading people moving with complete household stuff , homes & apts paid off , cores in investments and tons of cash ...

You think we will survive or perish ?


Age is on your side,you have good health and a mind that is ready to face anything,in my opinion these are wealth.

Money is a good servant but a bad master. If we have money beyond our needs it's not going to buy or give any happiness. People who have lots of assets who knows they may also have load of other issues,may not be money related right?

I always worried about what I didn't have. Grass is always greener on the other side everyone told me, But I didn't listen. I went to this "other side" to see how green it is and now I think original side was much better,But what can I say too late.:-( It's okay if you don't understand this, it's not meant to be.:wink

You are better than me..I am 4 yrs on H1 with a good job and Double Income no Kids category and have very minimal savings($5k)..cuz I work hard and party harder. :)
In any case, R2I won't stop for me.

We have to enjoy in the right age and then can go to savings mode after kids..wat say?

Good Luck on your move.

pachik;388032You are better than me..I am 4 yrs on H1 with a good job and Double Income no Kids category and have very minimal savings($5k)..cuz I work hard and party harder. :)
In any case, R2I won't stop for me.

We have to enjoy in the right age and then can go to savings mode after kids..wat say?

Good Luck on your move.

I think that is a wrong approach. We also spent lot of money during early years. Suddenly one day realised I am old and body is not as energetic as it was in 20s. Do not assume you will have same amount of energy to work hard and save when you are in 40s and 50s. Modern day workers have lot of stress and it takes a toll on your body. You also have to factor in health issues that may pop up after 40s. It is better to start saving right from the start of the career. The longer time gives you an advantage.

pachik;388032.....I work hard and party harder. :)
...............
We have to enjoy in the right age and then can go to savings mode after kids..wat say?

We often see "how much is enough" and "what things cost in india" and a laundry list of items with price tags.
But we never find what it is to Pary Hard and a list of items involved in this activity and how much each costs.
Perhaps you can help ? And create a list of party-hard expenses ?
Your list in $$ will surely encourage those that had R2I'd to come up with prices/availabilities in India for the same items to party hard in India.

pachik;388032You are better than me..I am 4 yrs on H1 with a good job and Double Income no Kids category and have very minimal savings($5k)..cuz I work hard and party harder. :)
In any case, R2I won't stop for me.

We have to enjoy in the right age and then can go to savings mode after kids..wat say?

Good Luck on your move.

$5000 in 4 years is $52 savings per month for each of you. Apparently you can barely afford to party with your salaries.

Nothing against your partying as long as both of you agree with it, but people save that kind of money just by skipping a drink each time they party.

Networth of $5000 if you are older than 25 is almost disaster in the making (save for a miracle).

Here is my unsolicited advise:
1. Get rid of your freeloader friends.
2. Don't even think about R2I as you cannot even afford a monthlong vacation (meals for 2 costs Rs2000
in India)
3. Major difference between primary school kids and adults is that kids can spend all of their allowance
on a single piece of candy
4. If you are spending too much money on your friends (almost all of the salary), then it is entirely
possible that you are trying to please people. Consider help from professionals.
5. Try getting a job that pays considerably more than this.
6. Give some thought to financial aspects of life
7. Buy me a shield or a soap that can thicken my skin

I completely agree with mn_op -- i think you should save for the rainy day (unless u have fortunes back home)

I really admire your confidence and your attitude, according to my opinion you will thrive in India..
If you look at the AAP for some people on this forum and the kind of savings that they have made we would have never, ever returned back nor would we have saved that kind of money staying back in the US. It will be 6 yrs in Sept 2011 by the time we returned back from US. We are a double income family (husband and I both work and I have been working since being married - no breaks except for 6-8 weeks of maternity), for whatever choices/circumstances/commitments we were unable to earn/save the kind of money/real-estate that is mentioned by some of the R2Iers.
After 6 yrs what we have realized is that you set realistic and achievable financial and professional goals for yourself while in US and if you make up your mind to return, that is all it takes. It does take a huge attitude adjustment to fit back into the India lifestyle and if you have to/want to continue working in corporate the adjustment is much bigger one, but end of the day it is a choice we have consciously made and personally has been worth it for us. There will be regrets no doubt, but we feel it is an opportunity that we make for ourselves to experience and live the best of both worlds..it is our perspective..some may agree and others disagree.
In terms of savings/real-estate you will be surprised to see how some of your neighbours (especially if you live in an apartment in Bangalore) have made so much dough without ever having stepped out of India and without a foreign education or exposure. They show it off in their cars, jewellery, parties and international vacations. R2Iers like us having nothing to show off except probably good English speaking skills and a degree from abroad.

Gator92;388150
In terms of savings/real-estate you will be surprised to see how some of your neighbours (especially if you live in an apartment in Bangalore) have made so much dough without ever having stepped out of India and without a foreign education or exposure. They show it off in their cars, jewellery, parties and international vacations. R2Iers like us having nothing to show off except probably good English speaking skills and a degree from abroad.

I concur on this. And I wonder how they manage to make so much money?