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Watch: Move from Canada to India: Exit Tax, RRSP, TFSA and Ahmedabad Costs

27 Nov 202544 minFinancial Planning

Ahmedabad couple Amisha and Rutvik share their 3-year Canada-to-India return plan, including CRA departure tax, RRSP/TFSA questions, money transfer, RNOR timing, Ahmedabad living costs and zero-regret planning.

Read the written version

The full write-up, with the numbers and the links.

Chapters

  1. 0:00 <Untitled Chapter 1>
  2. 1:27 Cost of Living data
  3. 11:10 Financial planning the move
  4. 21:47 Anything you would have planned differently?
  5. 24:45 Navigating the decision making process
  6. 35:03 Anything we haven't covered

Transcript

Auto-generated captions, lightly cleaned

0:02 My initial number to live in Ahmedabad was about In Canada, what we have is something called exit tax, meaning that if you actually leave the country, you have to pay the exit tax. my first step was to have a number. Yeah. in India that I need through any means, through all the investments and everything pretty much, right? To achieve that number, what I need to do that if you do it after the exit taxes, what happens is that you're not paying any you don't have any income to show, basically. So, whenever you're removing this, you know, you want to go to a place where you can live with the cons. Where cons doesn't bother you that much. Yeah. You are not against each other. First thing first, they have to kind of come to that agreement. whenever there is any decision that you have to make in life >> [music]

1:10 >> Check out our previous conversation with Amisha in the link here. Also, Desi Return Inner Circle WhatsApp group could be interesting to you where you can network with like-minded people and navigate this journey with a support peer group.

1:28 I think, you know, because you spent so much time, you did a lot of research. Maybe a couple of points that I wanted to you know, get. I think you mentioned about cost of living, you know, maybe you can add some data points, you know, for for a couple who is planning to live, let's say in Ahmedabad versus Bangalore. Maybe, you know, what could be a reasonable cost of living? I know it varies from a lifestyle. You can give a range or you can tell like, you know, so that people can have a good idea because as you said, you had an assumption that it could be much higher, but the reality is lower, right? I think, you know, that can is it also helps in for people to plan their own financials when they're thinking about moving to India. So, for living expenses, there are there two parts of it pretty much, right? One is that if you if you're not calculating like living house, real estate, cars, and everything pretty much, and just like the basic living expense. And one is again, like including pretty much everything. So, this will depend on person to person, city to city. but for me, the calculation I did was basically just for the last calculation I did was for Ahmedabad.

2:29 What I did basically, as I said, like, you know, all the calculations and everything. I actually even looked at my parents, our in-laws, and everyone's light bills, gas bills to make sure that we we get to that point. Now, when I say it was significantly lower, it's from the online calculators people are using for an example and all that pretty much, right? Like, if you ask ChatGPT nowadays, of course, AI, the answers you get there, the reality is bit different, I would say. For an example, right now, how we wanted to live was and again, like this is to make sure that we maintain that lifestyle that we had there. we want to make sure that we actually have all the help we need. Of course, I mean, that would be a dream for every non-Indian that that's coming back to India is you know, the household services that we get actually. we wanted to have the the all the services including like the cook for an example, like, you know, the cleaner, you know, household help, and everything.

Read the full transcript (47 more sections)

3:27 Two cars, one for her, one for me just so we actually still get that freedom that we get there to make sure, you know, everything's there. a house, a proper house for an example, other things the luxury items that I calculated was that we like we are foodies, so we like to actually go out and eat And it's not always that I I would like to eat actually at nicer place, but sometimes like you want to just snack around and everything pretty much, right? So, I calculated that part as in like, you know, what? That every Saturday, Sunday, we are going out. Right? then it comes to the point where you're paying your basic bills, the gas, you know, like petrol and everything pretty much, the basic necessities, insurance, you know, all that. And on top of that, I actually added a certain amount for shopping, luxury items. But one thing actually people forget is that if you're coming back to India, you know, you have to go to a lot of parties for an example, a lot of functions. So, all that things

4:30 Actually shows Yeah, exactly. So, that comes back as well as in like, you know, like people give out money to relatives. All all that actually also comes into play. So, you have to calculate that and a percentage as well. about 90 90,000 to a lakh per month. That's not calculating the rent. Yeah. Living right now from a year, it has actually changed. there are places, as you mentioned, that there are places where you know, we save a lot of money. I thought it would be expensive, but it's not. you know, and there are places that it's it's a bit more expensive. Like, for an example, the restaurant I calculated, they were basically I calculated based on like the good you know, like a fine dining restaurants kind of thing that we would be spending like, let's say, 2,000 rupees per person, and then I calculated based on that. But sometimes we go out to, you know, street foods and stuff like that.

5:30 >> You're not going to spend that much. >> go on those fancy restaurants every time. household help for an example, I calculated way more you know, initially than what we are getting here right now. the gas prices for an example, I calculated, I think, a little bit more than you know, what we actually getting here because we have that flexibility of living nearby, it's smaller. So, calculating all that right now, I would say for two people living luxury like a very comfortable lifestyle, 75 to 80 without calculating household like rent or you know, basically house expenses. >> So, surprise expenses that you probably would not expect to happen. Like, maybe you have some maintenance required in your car or those kind of elements can pop up here and there.

6:17 >> Exactly. Yeah. and yeah, and for that, like I I I calculated about 15 to 20,000 just to put it on the side for on any surprise, you know, expenses like that. As I said, if someone's wedding, like, of course, you you you have to go, you have to kind of like get the gift and everything. So, that's like a gift quota for you. But for basic household income, it would be about 75. it can go a way too lower or way too higher based on where you are staying, your lifestyle. again, there are a lot of things pretty much, right? Yes. There are certain expenses, and this is just on me right now, is and I want to put it out there is there are certain expenses that I do just so I don't feel that I'm compromising on anything. It's a very individualistic thing. >> Exactly. you know, that I'm maintaining the same lifestyle I have there. There are some luxury things that is it necessary to have? Is it even luxury to have? No.

7:10 But still, we do that just because again, I I want to maintain the lifestyle, and including that, it's it's coming to 75. Got it. Other than that, other calculations would be one thing I would say is what she mentioned, real estate. But it's the one calculation that changed dramatically, and it's not backed by anything, so that's why like it's it's hard to calculate is because when I calculated, it was before moving here. It's been a year, and the prices has changed dramatically as in like there's there's no tomorrow kind of thing, right? It's not backed by any percentage or you know, in North America, we are used to of like, okay, every year it will go 5%, 7%, 15% up to like year over year increase in the real estate. here, it's like, no.

7:56 It's very different. That's something that I had to get used to. that's something that I may have miscalculated as well. that buying a house is very different. one thing I learned from this experience is I may have bought or invested in a house before coming, and that would that may have been a little bit better in a way. but again, like I'm a person of calculation. Once I come, like, I want to see every area like it's developed a lot. So, I want to check out other areas as well, which area is better for us, which area is quieter, this and that. So, I didn't want to do that blindly as well kind of thing. So, that's why I came here and I decided that you know what? Now I'll take a look, but yeah, it's Real estate is very different to calculate here. It's very difficult to calculate here. That's that's one thing.

8:48 So, that's the list we made before as in the things that we can compromise, the things we cannot compromise whatsoever. because once you come, you know, and you will start thinking at one point as in like and and this would be natural. If something that is core to you, and if you compromise on that, you will start thinking as in, you know, did I make the right decision? And that's not a good mindset to have when you are actually There are a lot of other challenges in play. Once we made the decision to move, we had to think about all this before moving, Yeah. after moving, we want to make it successful. Right? So, I I wanted to eliminate all those all those thoughts that, okay, these are my core values. This is where I don't want to compromise kind of thing pretty much, right? So, we started working on that. and yeah, a year in, it took me a time took me some time. I'm still getting used to a lot of things, don't get me wrong. But a year in, I would say 75,000 is something that I feel that is very comfortable

9:49 You know, to live actually a very comfortable life in Ahmedabad, you know, at the same time without having any regrets. It's been a year, not even a thought crossed my mind that, you know, do I want to go back? Yeah. That's a good one. >> compare a few things? I may sometimes here and there, sure. There are a lot of things I see on the road. Some of the manners, for an example, some of the habits. I do compare it, but does it mean that I'm thinking of moving back? No, it's just a comparison that I wish, you know, we can do something about this, but never crossed, like not even once, my mind that like I want to go back or anything like that, so far. And to be honest, it kind of gives us an opportunity who has been outside India and learned and witnessed the civic sense and everything. And now we are educating, we are talking about it more often. Yeah. And teach people around us that okay, this is what can be done to make this country much better to live in. So, it's actually I see it as it's a

10:49 Boon and a bane, so I see it as that. That see it, experience it, and where you can actually put some effort to change it, because that's how we contribute to the society at the end of the day. Perfectly makes sense. It is a circle of influence and what you can make a change within your circle of influence and bring that change, right? I think that's that it. no, thanks a lot for sharing the

11:10 Details on the cost of living. I think it's very helpful. So, another thing that I wanted to check was, you know, because you are planner, like I want to understand about the financial like aspects on the Canada side, in terms of the closures, in terms of the transition, like the assets, anything that you can share on from that perspective. Okay. So, Canada is going to be a little different. So, I want to just put it out there. In US, this is going to be very different. In Canada, what we have is something called exit tax. Meaning that if actually leave the country, you have to pay the exit tax. You have to show the connections and everything. And there is a whole procedure to it, pretty much. I wanted to avoid that as much as possible. Right? So, my initial thought was that again, 3 years in, there is a number that I actually put it out saying I need to have this much savings.

12:04 You know, chunk of that saving is to create that income through investment. So, I am still not touching that saving. It's still increasing. At the same time, I'm actually taking partial of that investment income, basically, until I I kind of like set up my business and everything. And and my business is start making money where like I can actually pull it up, pretty much, right? So, anyway, it's like so there is chunk of that money, there is a number to that. Another income would be something that okay, I had a house there. I want to make sure I have a house here as well, because if like again, like that mentality, that Gujarati mentality maybe, or it's just me, maybe, is that, you know what, that if I'm removing something out of one investment, I want to make sure I have similar investment in India as well. Yeah. Right? So, I had a chunk of money, you know, through the house, for the house, that's saved up and I put it on side.

13:03 One thing I would like to mention here is I made a calculation based on that I don't want that in India. All right? In Canada, somewhere I started feeling that there was a lot of like everything we buy, everything we show, even if it's a luxury item or a big house or anything, but it's all debt. Right? And it's for most of people. For yeah, for for us at least, basically, And we had an opportunity because like again, we are planning 3 years in advance, you know, we are at that stage where we we can call ourselves stable. We didn't had any any dependent person on us, basically, back home. Like we are not liable for finances. So, there were a lot of here. And that's why we were we were able to think in this direction that you have we want to that that free life to make sure.

13:54 So, the first thing I start doing is that I started calculating our total assets, what we can save up up to 3 years. Second thing was the the cost that we need to live here, and that includes again Yeah. replicating what we have there, kind of thing. That includes house, cars, and everything, pretty much, right? that cost on the side, we already put like like we are not touching this whatsoever. However, when it came to kind of like disconnecting ourselves financially from Canada, it's a big step. You cannot do it in just one go as in like okay, we are done, kind of thing. At the same time, I had to be very careful because of this exit tax. I had to be very careful to avoid that. Yes. Initially, my thought was that I would come here in couple of years, I would sell my house there, and then I would move that money here.

14:46 At that point, I would be ready to buy another house here because again, like I need a long time for my you know, kind of like planning and research and everything. But that wasn't an option, because if I actually move out of the house, I rent it out or whatever, that is not my primary home. And if it's not my primary home, I have to pay taxes on the income that I made. And this is pre-COVID house. So, of course, the prices has gone up and everything. There is a profit to be made. And I didn't want to give up up to 50% of the profit to government. Yes. It's super simple for me. So, was it worth taking a risk of selling it and and just moving all the money to avoid taxes? Yes. Because the taxes were so high, I decided that yes, I mean, this is the only option out. This is the only way out, you know. So, what I did, basically, once I decided to move, I started selling everything little by little. And we sold our house as well. Like we put our house on sale. And when we moved here, one of our good friend actually was a broker and he was able to sell the

15:48 House, and I did everything remotely, pretty much. And we closed it. If I take you step by step, my first step was to have a number Yeah. through any means, through all the investments and everything, pretty much, do? Do I need to move all that money to India right away, or will it be okay if I do it step by step? So, the second step was to create a plan in India, how am I going to make my expenses? How am I going to do how am I going to buy stuff? So, for an example, for cars, whatever you are saving for cars, for the basic luxury items, like or or basic necessary items that you actually need, you kind of thing, pretty much, right? Moped here, for an example, you know, a decent house, some furniture, like the basic investment, like some electronics and all that. You Like I calculated that number, and I moved only that much money there. Yeah. While she was, you know, like when I decided actually to move, while she said that

16:49 No, there is no red flag. After that, I saw all my investment. We consulted someone like a CA, basically, you know, a tax consultant there. He's a good friend. And we went through all the investment to make sure that I I I get rid of any investment that would actually occur taxes in exit taxes, pretty much, right? And unfortunately, even though I didn't want it to, I had to. Because it was a no-brainer to lose 50% or just keep it there. It's like no, I don't want to lose 50% even with the investment, with the increased prices and everything, we didn't want to take the chances. So, before moving, I started getting rid of most of my shares, for an example. There are a lot of incomes that could occur and I have to show show it in income tax. It's easier as that.

17:41 Second thing was again, there is a treaty between Canada and India that we can actually file income tax either way, and we would be fine. But if I'm filing exit taxes, it's just because of one reason is that I want to file income taxes in India is because Canada's income taxes are way too high as compared to India, pretty much, right? So, what I did is that yeah, I wanted to remove everything that occurs interest and I have to show it in income taxes, because I wanted to only show income taxes in India. And and that's it. Third thing was getting rid of all the investment, not right away, but of course, you have to take that 6 month to a year to make sure, you know, you get a proper price for your investment and not just doing it in a hurry. Luckily for me, within couple of months, everything paid off and I was able to get rid of all the shares, all the liquid item, pretty much, you know, my house we put it on sale after I So, everything was sold within 2 months I came here.

18:38 Everything had moved without any problem whatsoever. There were some hiccups while moving the money. There are certain platforms that actually has a a cap on how much you can move. And for us, the number was a little significant higher, so that kind of like good thing for me was I already had those conversations before moving with the third-party vendors, with my banks and everything. So, make sure that you actually do that research based on the money you have saved up. Because, for an example, Remitly, they would have based on your tier, they have limits, but the maximum limit they have is 70,000 dollars, kind of thing, pretty much, And same goes for Wise, same goes for all the other third-party transfer agencies. So, you want to make sure that you do all that research beforehand as well, that how you going to move your money, who's the best one to actually, you know, give you that exact pricing and everything.

19:34 Third thing was after liquidating, basically, getting rid of everything, many people will talk about RRSPs. Yeah. You know, our retirement plans, pretty much. Now, retirement plan, we can see it two ways. Either we can keep it there and and you know, there is no taxes or anything until we kind of like remove it. If you need that money here if because you want to invest and and Indian market is actually very good at the moment. So, definitely if you if you have enough knowledge and everything, if you want to move, you can still move. The only thing is you have to do it after the exit tax. The reason being is if you actually file the exit tax and this is just again my two cents on this matter is that if you do it after the exit taxes, what happens is that you're not paying any you don't have any income to show basically. So, whenever you're removing this, this counts as an income.

20:26 So, I have planned to remove it over a period of time to avoid those taxes as well pretty much. Got it. So, yes, my advice is a year before moving, you know, when you have a number and again, I had dates on everything. So, year before this, consult someone, you know, an expert and start going through your assets to make sure you understand what needs to be done, what can stay there. One thing as I said, if I had a choice, if I was in US or something, I wouldn't have actually sold everything or liquidated everything. There there is a lot to be made in investment there as well. I would have kept it there. In Canada, it was a completely different story because of the exit taxes. So, understand your rules and regulations.

21:13 Don't go by advice because and and this is nothing against anyone, but I would say based on my particular scenario income, our investments and everything, there may have been few investment of yours that I don't know about and and this may not apply to you. Sure. Right? It's exactly. So, it's it's best to consult someone, but my advice would be just to consult way before you even plan to move is because that will give you a lot of clarity. Yeah. Thanks a lot for all the details. So, maybe couple of quick questions. So,

21:48 The first one is now looking back, is there anything that you'd have done differently from a planning perspective? You know, because you planned so much like anything like you know, either of you like you know, anything that you'd have done differently? I know you mentioned yeah, please go ahead. Yeah. Thank you, but not differently per se. As I said like and and again, this is just for me as in once I take that decision, I don't want to look back, but with the prospective of actually helping someone here, the two things I mentioned is that maybe I would have thought of investing in Indian real estate way before moving here. That would have been a huge plus, you know, not just investing in North America because the rate of income like the inflation I would say with the real estate pricing is is way more here than in North right now pretty much, right? So, that would be one thing and second thing is that because we we want to we didn't want to

22:49 Compromise on where we go. So, Ahmedabad was our choice and looking at the job options and everything, that business thing that what I talked about pretty much, right? I wish that I had that in my mind a few years back. I would have kept my eye open at least through connections as well as in like you know what, no, this is a good idea or this is a good connection or whatever pretty much. And I would have been at least a year ahead of what where I am right now maybe if I had that in my mind kind of thing pretty much, right? So, those are the only two things I would say. Because we planned so thoroughly, I don't think anything that like we calculated is going >> can think of. I mean, there will always be those kind of a situation for everybody who's planning to move back that they will have this one or two like, okay, we should have done this or should have done that, but I guess that's going to be always it's an inevitable reality of your decision.

23:42 You regardless, I mean, I have a I don't know the perfect planner husband. >> [laughter] >> I'm trust me. Still there are areas where you like, okay, this and that could have been done differently. So, it's always going to be there. It's a part of the part of the deal actually. >> Yeah. Yes. I know planning is something as I say like keep the wiggle room pretty much, right? You always expect the unexpected and that's how you plan that there's always a room like you can plan for 60% max and that would be a successful plan kind of thing, right? If you actually have 40% as unexpected expenses and if you have still calculated that into your original plan, I would be okay with that kind of thing pretty much, right? So, no, definitely, but as I said like because of this planning, I cannot think of lot of things that I would have done differently. One thing I would have done the same would be plan for the longest time to make sure that this is successful. Yes. Got it.

24:39 This is just a curious. I mean, if you're open, you know, I feel like you know, you are more like a Mr. Planner and Amisha is a little bit

24:46 More emotional. So, how did you guys navigated this? Like you know, it's it's like a kind of a conflict, right? One is going with the heart and another one is going with the mind. How did you navigate the decision decision-making process and you know, thinking through it because there there could be other couples also in a similar situation. So, wondering, you know, how did you navigate this? This is an important big decision. Yeah. Yeah. So, we have been together for nine years almost 10 10 years kind of thing. And one thing you know, through our experiences, we learned what you said basically that I'm a planner and and she's more a bit more emotional. But also to actually put trust in each other's inputs pretty much, right? Now, if she mentions something that okay, this is emotionally I'm this is what I'm feeling for me practically if it's if this is feasible or not. So, I'm I'm not sure if she has mentioned this or not, but before even getting married, her plan was to come back.

25:43 Her plan always was to come back then she met me unfortunately and she had to stay there for the longest time. For me as I said, it didn't became real until my goal was achieved and I started looking outside of that. Yes. Basically, right? Her input definitely did matter because again, we we are one, but to even if it's possible or not, I had to do all those calculations and then one day we sat down. And I'm like, okay, so this is my research. Now, I know that you think emotionally, but practically, this is what it is. Right? India is feasible. Definitely, we can definitely go back there, but these are the things. So, I I made as I said like I made a pros and cons list. And I always say one thing that you know, you want to go to a place where you can live with the cons.

26:34 Where cons doesn't bother you much. Okay? In Canada, there are certain cons that used to bother us a lot and and that's what we we didn't want to settle down with pretty much, right? I made pros and cons and I made it realistic for her that okay, your emotional decision this can be realistic, but at the same time, there are certain things that wasn't realistic. But because of her emotional and and her support, I started to actually look at other options. Like let's say for an example, you know, buying being debt-free in India. She's like, you know what? Like even if we are not we are not here, why not we can you know, live on loan there as well. Why not? And I'm like, no, no, no, that doesn't make sense. This is my choice as in like we want to do this if we are going back to India and stuff.

27:19 And her support is like, you know what? I trust you like do the the the basic things and everything and we'll be okay, but at the same time, it actually kind of like helps me to see outside of my kind of like scope as well. And I start exploring other things as in like how can this be possible? How can we go a little earlier at the same time, you know, be debt-free for an example kind of thing, right? And then we decided that you know what? Rather than five-year plan, we can make this a three-year plan. Yeah. Right? But as I said like every sometimes like we had a diary. We used to keep like I put all my calculations in there and she would just open the page and just write one thing as in like we are moving back to India and then with a big heart as in like I'm manifesting it kind of thing pretty much, right? But we used to share the details and everything.

28:12 Every research I do, we sit down, we go through it. She would be like, okay, this is what I can live with, this is not. I'm like, okay, you will have to go through this struggle and she would give me the support as in like I don't mind actually going through this. Being here six months without me on her own handling everything from scratch, building that foundation for me, I would say. >> Yeah. Basically, it is a very difficult task. Don't get me wrong, right? So, And she was okay taking up on that saying that you know what? I'm okay with this. There are a lot of harsh decisions we had to make as well. Without her support, a little emotional touch, there is no way I would have made this possible. Right? It just gets me outside of my scope to think you know, in a different way to make sure that we plan everything to make it more successful. Now, I'll let her speak a little about her point of view there. And mine will be more on the emotional touch only. What I feel that I

29:14 Mean, I have been watching the videos of lot of couples out there and they always mention how one person wants to another is not really on board or the challenges they both see is very different from each other. The first the two basic rules of this decision or any decision in life for that matter is you are not against each other. First thing first, they have to kind of come to that agreement. Whenever there is any decision that you have to make in life for us, let's take this decision like I was completely on a different direction that I want to go back to India or go back to India any day. And he was completely stubborn about the fact that there is no way I'm going ever going back to India. Canada is home. Whenever that conversation used to happen, I was ready to be there. That's the reason we got married and I was still living with him because and I did not see it as a sacrifice I'm making.

30:05 And when I came up with the or maybe initiated the idea that if we can look into the direction, he did not fight over it. He started looking into the direction if it's doable. So, you kind of have to meet in the middle. Do not look at it as a two different directions that you're walking. You kind of have to find a way to meet in the middle and you have to have a conversation and not argument over this decision. So, whenever we had that, he did not fight over it. Whenever he said that that I don't want to go back, I did not argue with him that okay, because you're finding everything perfect, you're not thinking about my preferences. Because I was always very considered about the fact that probably my happiness does lie there, but his not. And he probably was thinking that okay, I'm happy here, but she is not. Yeah. So, that entire foundation that we had we never actually discussed that, but that's the reason I feel today that we were able to make this decision actually happen. So, that was one thing. Second of all, it might people a lot of people who are

31:06 Very very connected and I also noticed a lot of comments in my previous videos where people thought that my thinking was way too rebellious when it comes to family. Again, I'm going to stick to the same statement I said that you can love them to the death, but when it comes to your decision about you two being involved and the consequences of that decision is only going to affect you and just you, do not let the influence of anybody else come in that decision. A husband's family might be on board for for him to move back and the girl's family, the wife's family might not be. Right? The the girl's family might be and the husband's family. If you do that, if you let them make the call for you and if you take the advice from them, trust me, it's a very emotional driven advice and decision. You really have to be you just two in this marriage who decides whether this decision or any decision in the life is actually going to be doable and feasible for you or not. 100%. Because at the end of the the

32:07 Day, it's you two who's going to be there who will be facing the consequences. They will advise and they will advise with the intention of for pure heart. But I think there's always some kind of this what you call it I'm struggling to find a right word for it that it's always driven by their emotional attachment with the daughter or with the son. Yeah. So, it it might not be the right decision for you. So, if you actually follow these two basic rule in terms of this, I think I don't think you will have any hard time making this decision happen. You might move back or you might not, but at least it will give you a lot of clarity on that. And like yeah, to add on to that when you actually account all those things, that will prove a lot as in like, you know, it's more of an emotional decision kind of thing pretty much, right?

32:56 Emotionally, like if you put that and if you make it more realistic decision, you will start realizing that none of this inputs matter a lot. Because at the end what she said, it's your life. You are going through this. There there are a lot of parents including mine and including hers for example, mine were on board. That you should come back. There is no way you should stay in Canada and this is actually from a way back. Not just, you know, they came to visit us within a month they are like no. Just come back. This is not the life you want to live. I'm like, what are you talking about? We have a house and we have and they're like what else? Like, you know, like they were there on Diwali and stuff and it's like Diwali is way past gone and we are waiting for the weekend to actually celebrate the Diwali. So, they see on that point of view is basically, They are like, you know, this is not the lifestyle you want to say. So, they were on board. On her side, there there are a few people who will be like, you know what? You might be making a mistake. You are earning a lot there. So, they don't see the whole picture what you see. Yes.

33:57 So, unfortunately, other than you two, there is no better person to make that decision. If you are going to people, there is going to be 10 people with 10 different opinions, 10 different, you know, advices. So, definitely and and that's where I always mention to her as in like you know, you want to share your experience and let people, you know, take what's best suited for them. Not advise people as in like no, you should do this or you should do this kind of thing pretty much, right? And that's what we did and that's why I think it made it a lot easier for us to decide as in because like I didn't listen to anything other than what I think and what my numbers and what my, you know, thinking was. Was I right 100% of the time? No. There is there is no way. As I said, 60% if I'm right, 60% of my planning is is correct, that's a that's a win for me.

34:48 Right? Basically, that's the best you can do. 40% again, that's a variable that's always going to change and stuff like that. But yeah. That's how >> That's how we kind of made this happen. That's fantastic. Finally, to wrap it up like anything

35:04 That we haven't covered that you want to bring up, you know, which we haven't discussed so far. From my point of view, I would say one thing is I mentioned it before. you know, 13, 14 years there when I came here, I thought again, I let my emotional side come out and I thought that I can just go right back in It is very different. Take your time to kind of settle in. Think of it as like you're settling into a new environment even though it's your hometown. Because when you expect things to be what it is right now or what you had 10, 15, whatever years back you when you left, you will be disappointed and you will start complaining. And when you start complaining, that thought will come in your mind as in like, you know what?

35:57 Did I made any errors? Did I do this? Did I do that? Did I do this wrong? And you don't want to overthink that. Yeah. Right? So, that's why I would definitely mention that take your time. 1 year in, I'm still not settled in completely. It's because like I'm taking my time. I I I just rushed it a little bit and I felt that no, no, no, this is not the way to do it. So, now I I I took my time to get into things. And at the same time, I cannot express this enough as in we have to do our planning. I I I think if I didn't do this, there have been a lot of surprises waiting for me here that I I may have not been able to handle and I would have started regretting this decision, you know, right away pretty much. I've seen even in groups, I've seen there are a lot of Reddits you know, like online even basically where people say that they went back after a couple of years or 1 year or 3 years and for no medical reasons, it's just because that they thought that India is what they left 10,

36:58 15 years back and it didn't stand up to their expectation and that's how they kind of like, you know, started regretting and they went back. Yeah. Right? so, one thing I would say is that I was like we I can say that I have zero regrets. Not even once it crossed my mind within a year is because that not only the the financial calculation, but even emotional calculations, they, you know, the society for an example has changed a lot. There has been dramatic changes into the cultures. If possible, make sure you plan it in a way so you can test these things out before coming to that final decision. For me, it was her. Coming here for 6 months, seeing if there is any big red flags. Right? If there is a red flag, come back right away. Before that, we made multiple trips to make sure that we gather all the information kind of things pretty I would say don't make any decisions

37:58 Without thinking it through or assuming anything. And my two cents into this will be very simple. Anyone who's out there trying, planning to make this decision or thinking about making this decision, first this really make up your mind that this is exactly what you want. You really need to have that clarity. Without that clarity, you can't just because probably you are having a rough time there. Maybe you are stuck in the belly of a devil and that's the reason you kind of want to get out and you want to run to India. That might not be a right decision. So, first really think about it. This is what you actually want. Because when you end up coming back to India, you're going to explore a lot of things that will bother you. 100%. It's it's just part of the deal. So, but be with the minds, come up with the mindset that you don't compare it. Do not compare the infrastructure of Canada and India. Do not compare it. Do not compare the civic sense between India and Canada. Do not compare

39:00 Mentality of some crowd because it has changed. As Ritwik mentioned, it has definitely changed. So, now what you have to do is you have to choose to live among those people who aligns with your mindset. Yeah. And then you will not find any struggle. I'm still wearing what I want. I'm still speaking up my mind. I'm still walking on the street with the same confidence that I had back in Canada. So, you really have to surround yourself. You have to find. But if you go back to the same area that you left who bothered you, you again going to feel and question your decision. Yeah. So, when you come back, do not have that comparison. Visit India probably 1,000 times if you have to because you want to explore all the aspect before you move back because it is a big decision. It might for us because we did the planning and everything and with God grace the coordination somewhere worked out in our favor and we made this happen, but it might not be the scenario for all the families or the couples out there. A lot of people have kids. So those area also influence your decision. You know, a lot of factors.

39:58 Yeah. Yes. So please don't get into a false bravado. Please don't get influenced by a temporary situation and make this call. Make this call very thoroughly and see this is exactly what you want because you don't want to come here and face small inconvenience and question your decision because then you're not going to be happy here. You're not going to be happy in Canada. And that's the expectation. >> Yeah. two things actually I have we have I want to finish this before if you know more but one thing is definitely for some reason we didn't cover this. Anyone who's moving with dogs or pets. Yes. I That's the update. Like I was looking for that update from so many sources. Unfortunately there weren't many out there. We moved with our dog. We have a golden retriever. When we moved he was 8 years old last year. He moved with me.

40:49 It's the transition was easier than what I expected. We actually went through an agency here who helped us actually prepare all the documents and everything pretty much for you know every step. They also recommended which airline to take to make sure which is the best airline for an example for pets like ours because he's like 45 kg big dog pretty much right. So and just to put it out there not as a promotion or anything but we we chose Qatar. Like I talked about a lot of concerns doing proper planning and everything beforehand but I also want to mention one thing is that I thought this was a stupid idea a few years back that going back to India is not possible for anyone who comes out because people are actually going crazy to go out of India. But that was very old times. Right now the time has changed. India has changed dramatically.

41:45 You know, north is not the same and everyone's feeling it pretty much right. All I want to say is even with the calculations and everything being that 20% emotional is okay. You know, it's completely fine because all this you are doing is for your and your family's happiness at the end of the right? And I can say one thing for certain certainty is that now I have the mentality that I I I have 0.0000000% not even one. 0% chance of going out of India. If I face something, I'm going to be like how I can address it within India. Right? Within that year I can say that. So zero regrets whatsoever. You know, I know it's it's a year.

42:32 There's still a lot of data and I would I would be more than happy to do this at a two-year mark as well but I'm definitely positive that it's it's not a closed door anymore. If you think of properly, this is very much doable and it's actually better for everyone. That's a big statement. Someone who is so much against against moving to India to someone who is saying that you know 0.000% going back. So that's everything a big shift. You know, glad to share you know, your perspective, your experience, lot of details. You know, especially for someone who planned you know, a lot of specific details right? Not a generic information. So really appreciate both of you taking the time and being with us and sharing your perspectives, insights.

43:20 Really appreciate it. No, thanks for having us. >> Thank you for having us heavy.

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