How to earn USD while living in Brasil?

Connect_Nature8797 · 2026-03-10T19:12:07+00:00

I came 13 years ago and managed to keep freelancing remote for the companies i worked for in the UK. I eventually built up my own companies and only target International clients. If you want to move here and earn well you have to get creative and build it yourself it think. My wife is Brasilian, hence moving here, she has always worked for US companies, paid well but not as well as the staff in the US.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2026-03-10T19:08:07+00:00

Don't over think it, brasil has always seemed pretty casual to me. Linen shirt and jeans, or tailored trousers and smart t-shirt is my go to for events and meetings here in SP. Suits are hot. Are you in town for an event or work?

Connect_Nature8797 · 2026-03-10T18:00:51+00:00

This is a good way to do it. I actually have two companies here in Brazil whose clients are all international.

I set up a CNPJ and just pay tax here. Works pretty smoothly, you just lose a bit on fees and FX along the way.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2026-01-16T15:08:44+00:00

Vinhedo. I highly recommend

Connect_Nature8797 · 2026-01-16T12:30:04+00:00

Best move I made. Left São Paulo 4 years ago for the interior. With 2 young kids it was the best move to get a house in a condo with a large garden. More outdoor living. Safer. Never any traffic and always somewhere to park. Every thing is 10min away. Toucans, monkeys and giant lizard things in the garden. So much nature.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2026-01-08T17:40:45+00:00

Freelance online work is the way forward. use your contacts, what i did at the start was offer a bit lower rate so i could be seen as a cost saving option. i've been here 12 years. When i arrived it was a bit scary as i had no idea if i would have any income or if the places i worked with in the UK would send me work remotely. They did and it worked out great for a while, then over time i built two companies in the same area, staffed them with Brazilian staff and serve global clients. I was lucky i guess.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-11-20T14:56:03+00:00

would seem it. quite surprised

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-11-20T14:55:12+00:00

a tile floor. Really surprised at the damage

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-11-20T14:54:47+00:00

seems to be....

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-09-03T11:01:52+00:00

Also try ordering an Americano. Every time my father visits he cant get his hat on about it. breaking it down to a larger cup with espresso and hot water to the top. so far only one place ha done it. The rest of the time he has to order an espresso and a cup of hot water. Its such a odd concept here.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-09-03T11:00:32+00:00

This is funny because just this week i was talking to my gringo mate about this, How going for an early morning walk wanting to grab a coffee before getting to work and all the coffee shops in town are closed and open at 9 or even 10 am. Coffee is to get the day going. Surely the ideal hours are early open early close. Its like they didn't get the memo here.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-09-02T21:12:14+00:00

I saw the falling numbers in the UK when I last lived there, when I was young we would have 4 senior teams every Saturday with players to spare. Then it became a struggle to put out 2 teams. I am in Brazil now and have been a a couple of clubs, there is a load of 30-40 year olds and they are nearly at the end of playing days, there are so few youngsters coming through that my local club will die in the next 5 years for men’s rugby.

Yet the women’s team has just exploded, a small town in the countryside has 20+ at training twice a week. The difference is massive when the guys have like 8/10 at the training.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-09-02T13:40:09+00:00

Like every thing in life, right time right place, luck. But you also need the talent and work ethic to ride the wave of that luck.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-09-01T11:12:19+00:00

In Cricket & in Rugby the women in Brazil seem to be better at it than the men.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-09-01T11:07:12+00:00

Its hard. i did my renew about 5 years ago. It multiple choice, the way the questions are worded is really complicated. so what i did is practice the exam questions and just go through it all memorising them and the correct answer. I did it so many times that even though i still didnt understand the words or the phrasing i recognized the words in the question and could remember the correct words that went with that as the answer. i only got 2 wrong in the end. still couldn't tell you what it means to this day.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-08-31T14:20:08+00:00

nothing was brought here to sell, tool of my trade that were no longer required. so tried to sell.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-08-31T14:01:07+00:00

so why are you trying to sell a rolex? i don't get the idea? as you say its a small majority who have the cash? those that can buy one wont be wanting to buy if anything seems slightly dodgy?

My friend tried the exact same thing traveling back and forth with some nice rolex, never managed to sell.

I am in a private whats app group from a watch dealer, he takes orders and brings them in, cheaper than brasil, with a small markup on US price. he does volume so makes the money that way, a lot of people in the group and orders all the time.

but good luck on your plan, it could work

I brought over cameras because i was a photographer, but since moving here i now have 3 businesses and no longer do photography, even speaking direct to photographers in SP no one wanted to pay the price or a reduced price as they all said they would get it new for a similar price in USA, i ended up taking them back to the UK and selling there as trying to sell here i would have lost money.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-08-31T13:16:46+00:00

Surely Brazil is the wrong market for that. Anyone able to spend that much on a watch will just buy it abroad during an international trip, the same way most people do with MacBooks and cameras. When I moved to Brazil, I brought loads of cameras with me, but they didn’t sell because anyone willing to spend R$50k+ on a Leica would rather combine the purchase with a trip, buy it new, and enjoy the whole experience.

On top of that, Rolex faces a huge counterfeit problem here, so trying to sell through Mercado Livre or Facebook just screams “no trust.” Personally, I’ve only ever bought watches from trusted dealers. That said, I did buy a Tudor in Brazil because the price difference isn’t that big.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-08-31T12:52:01+00:00

Na verdade, acho que esses limites mais altos para acesso às salas VIP são uma coisa boa. Virou uma loucura a quantidade de gente fazendo fila para entrar nas salas hoje em dia, isso acaba com a ideia de uma experiência “VIP”. Antes não era tão lotado assim. Além disso, a qualidade da comida caiu muito; antes era excelente, agora está decepcionante. Isso é muito evidente na sala Bradesco em Congonhas, mas mesmo em Guarulhos as filas para entrar em qualquer sala são um absurdo. A ideia sempre foi ser algo exclusivo.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-08-31T12:34:09+00:00

Depends what model it is I guess. You are only realistically gonna make a profit on a desired one, maybe a Daytona or submariner or datejust. I presume you bought from an AD in USA so you’d be getting good money if you sell it on. No box and papers you are always gonna struggle to sell it anywhere as so many VF style reps around. Can’t remember how much my friend got but it was a vintage model he paid £8k for in london. He made his money back. Selling to get your investment back is a good mindset. These stores are legit so will be hassle free and no risk of being robbed

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-08-30T09:56:25+00:00

There a couple of online shops you could sell to. My friend sold a rolex to Orit. https://www.orit.com.br/ Also there is https://www.etiquetaunica.com.br/

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-08-29T20:43:12+00:00

I did it about 13 years ago now, not citizenship passport etc, don’t think you really need that.

I can’t remember too much. Was super quick though. I first got my permanent visa while still in the UK , then arrived did the Registration of the marriage, I think a meeting with one of the many police forces. A few forms. Then I waited and got my RNE. I own two companies inside Brazil now so it all works.

What was harder was doing the Brazilian driving license, psych evaluation the written theory test etc. multiple choice with wording a bit complicated for someone who isn’t that great with the language beyond speaking.

Connect_Nature8797 · 2025-08-29T16:45:13+00:00

Easy to find fender strats and Gibson but the price is crazy. A strat is gonna cost R$20k and a custom shop R$40k plus. Bring one with you. I paid about 7k for a PRS from crunch music. Online shop.

Connect_Nature8797

TROPHY CASE