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PHASE 7 OF 9

Before you fly

What to buy in India, what to wait for, and how not to overpack your savings away.

What to expect

  • Some things are far cheaper in India (spices, certain medicines, ethnic clothes, adapters).
  • Some things are better bought in Germany (winter gear, electronics, bedding).
  • First weeks need a cash + card buffer before your blocked account releases.

The real difficulties

  • !Overpacking duplicates what you'll buy cheaply there; underpacking essentials hurts in week one.
  • !Forgetting attested copies / passport photos causes day-one headaches.

Best practices

  • Buy in India: spices, prescription meds (+ doctor's note), power adapters, ethnic wear.
  • Buy in Germany: winter jacket, duvet, kitchenware, SIM, don't haul these.
  • Carry a forex card + some euros for the first 2–3 weeks.

What a paid agent would do here

  • Sells a paid 'pre-departure orientation' and pushes partner forex cards and SIMs for commission.

The truth: A simple checklist covers it. Buy forex and a SIM on their real merits, not an agent's kickback.

Reflect & journal

Take a quiet minute. There are no wrong answers, this is just for you.

  • What are you most anxious about leaving behind?

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Your checklist

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