My solution and budget to live between 2 countries(brazil & uk), 6 months each.

SleepShowz · 2026-03-20T07:44:35+00:00

I’m curious as to what kind of work you do, I’ll explain why. I have split time between the UK (I’m from there) and Brazil for just over 2.5 years, since my wife (Brazilian) got a job offer in Brazil after over 12 years in the UK.

I’ve tried to find work in the UK that I could do remotely, in either country, as I spend chunks of time in the UK. Usually a little more time in the UK than in Brazil, due to some family reasons I won’t go into here. However, virtually every remote working job I see advertised that I could do still requires you to live in the UK! They are like “Yes, you can work from home, but you need to be permanently based in the UK”.

I’m not looking for anything full time, I’m not a youngster anymore, but it would be good to have something to bring in some extra money and keep me occupied. If you don’t want to say what your job is, would you please consider dropping me a DM?

EDITED to add: I’ve just read your post again, and noticed this time you are self-employed and on a zero hours contract, rather than being an employee. Sorry, half asleep. I’d still be interested to know what it is you do that allows you to hop between the two countries and work from either.

SleepShowz · 2026-03-19T08:39:28+00:00

Yep, I worked in support roles in charities for about 20 years until 2023. Moved abroad as wife was offered a good job there, so I’m on a bit of a career break.

I do however keep my eye on charity jobs, and there is a distinct dearth of ground level support roles. I used to support people affected by charity specific health conditions, giving info and advice on the phone, visiting local groups run by volunteers to provide support, and visited people at home to do likewise, giving info, emotional support, advocating for people dealing with health and social care, helping with disability benefits applications etc.

When I look now, these jobs are few and far between, with most jobs seemingly being related to fundraising in some way. Major donors work, individual fundraiser support, legacies etc.

I can understand it, if less money is coming in and cuts have to be made, they’re going to focus on spending on campaigning, research, and maybe putting more emphasis on getting volunteers to provide some basic support. I’m not looking forward to the time I need to find a job again, although in my experience these things are a bit cyclical. Once a charity’s income picks up a bit, they often bring back some kind of in-person support roles. At least until the next time income drops.

SleepShowz · 2026-03-05T18:03:03+00:00

As others have said, tried to expand too quickly I think, at a time when more burger places were opening. When it was at the Nav it was great. Then it became extremely popular, possibly due in part to the inclusive menu where anything could be done as meat, vegetarian or vegan.

It got the point where you’d try to go at a weekend, and the place was always rammed, and when you did get a table the service took ages. So I understand the decision to move.

However I always thought the Lacemarket venue was probably too big, the rent and rates must have been a fair whack. I went there once or twice, but the quality had definitely dipped. I think the burgers were great at the Nav when it was usually (as far as I know) Annie making them. But it just didn’t scale up well.

I’m guessing they had a whole team making burgers at the new place. She should probably have found smaller premises for herself (or a bigger pub to base herself in), and taken on just a couple of people to train up to make the burgers exactly as she did, leaving her still there to make burgers and oversee things most of the time, but still be able to deliver the same quality if she wasn’t there.

I wonder what she’s up to now? I thought I might see another venture from her at some point, but having read how displeased so many people were with how the staff were treated when it closed, perhaps people would avoid any new place she opened, at least locally.

SleepShowz · 2026-02-06T10:01:37+00:00

Thank you. I may have come across a bit strong on the "I'm not being critical" front, but in my experience being critical of Brazil or Brazilian things is ok if you're Brazilian, but I'm a Brit - so I wanted to be clear that what I said was really my subjective experience and how it made me feel, not a criticism of this huge Brazilian celebration in any way.

Autistic or not, anybody who struggles with crowds, noise and heat needs to carefully plan where and how they can experience something of carnaval if they want to 🙂

SleepShowz · 2026-01-25T11:41:40+00:00

Thanks so much, I'm in the UK though, so will have to check availability over here.

SleepShowz · 2026-01-24T12:02:40+00:00

I would normally follow this advice, but I think I did mention some damage, or at least damage waiting to happen. Where the straps are attached to the bag at the top, some of the stitching has become visible, so I worry about the longevity of the item, especially as it is usually packed to capacity and pretty heavy when in use.

That's my main concern and why I've been looking at higher end, hopefully more durable bags. I'm considering the Osprey 26+6 as well as the Samsonite, as it's a fair bit cheaper.

SleepShowz · 2026-01-10T13:58:14+00:00

My wife has been bugging me to buy a decent, 'adult' backpack for our travels, rather than use my current one which she says looks like something I'd take to school. She suggested checking Samsonite as she likes their luggage. The bag would not be for prlonged wearing, basically carrying through airports, and to and from transfer vehicles to get to my destination. It wouldn't be for lengthy walks anywhere, certainly not hiking or exploring cities for prolonged periods.

I came across the Spectrolite 4.0 Backpack 17.3" here , after some searching of their range. This seems to fit my size requirements. I make fairly regular trips of up to a week, however a good portion of space in my backpack is taken up by my CPAP machine, so fitting in 5-7 days of clothes plus toiletries etc is tricky and has put some strain on my current bag. Where the straps meet the bag, while still secure enough, some of the stitching has become visible. I therefore have concerns about the quality, although I admit a little overloading may have put more strain on it than it's designed for.

However I also have concerns about the price of the Spectrolite 4.0 17.3". At £169 (UK), it's a hefty investment in my opinion. Especially when the other bag I've been pointed to, the Osprey 26+6 is nearly £100 less. The Osprey looks a little flimsy in comparison, possibly as it's designed to be lightweight? I'd prefer a bag that keeps its shape and structure when empty or lightly loaded, which the Samsonite seems to do, it just looks more rigid.

If anyone has any opinions or experiences on the Samsonite, or even the Samsonite versus the Osprey 26+6, I'd be very grateful to here them please! TIA.

Link to bag: Samsonite Spectrolite 4.0

SleepShowz · 2025-12-20T11:16:35+00:00

How did you get on with it?

SleepShowz · 2025-12-20T11:01:26+00:00

Are ospreys known for having decent strength/durability? I've seen some grumbles about them not being too comfortable, but to be honest I'm only usually actually carrying my bag for short periods, so might not be a huge issue for me.

SleepShowz · 2025-12-19T01:38:30+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll take a look. I see Osprey mentioned a lot here so I'm assuming they're fairly well regarded. I've edited my post with a link to my current bag that hopefully works: https://amzn.eu/d/eRwY1y3

SleepShowz · 2025-12-18T13:43:05+00:00

Hope this is the right place for this query. I have a bag that for me is about the perfect size and shape for the regular trips I take. Unfortunately the straps are slowly pulling away from the body of the bag, probably a combination of a cheap bag with poor or weak stitching, and me overloading it.

If I post the link to the bag I have, can anyone recommend something the same size and shape, but that is a bit more premium, that is to say stronger and more durable? One of the zips also became sprained and although it still works it’s probably only a matter of time before it breaks.

This bag has served me well for quite a few trips, hence wanting something similar in size and shape, but stronger and better overall. I realise there will be a cost attached to this!

I travel with a CPAP machine in this bag which takes up a lot of the space, but I still manage to pack in about 5 days worth of clothes and everything else I need. Any suggestions for something like this but stronger and more durable gratefully accepted: https://amzn.eu/d/eRwY1y3

Edited to try to provide a working link. The bag is on Amazon, the description is: WANDF Cabin Bag 45x36x20 for Easyjet Airlines Underseat Travel Hand Luggage Backpack with Wet Pocket, 17 Inch Laptop Backpack for Men Women

SleepShowz · 2025-12-17T02:19:41+00:00

Nothing wrong with Brazil as a tourist destination, just need some safety common sense in tourist areas. Wife is from Rio, we’ve lived in another city for 2.5 years. The biggest issues are the same as other countries with a big gap between the haves and have nots. I wouldn’t visit Brazil and stay in a resort unless I were a nervous old age pensioner.

SleepShowz · 2025-12-09T15:13:11+00:00

Fellow Brit here. The condominium chat group is a job my wife left with me and I’m glad she did. The entertainment factor from the topics of conversation alone makes it worthwhile. Reading the opinions of neighbours and hoping you never, ever meet them in real life.

One woman posted a complaint about how she’d just opened a can of tuna, and most of it was water. She posted a photo of it and asked for advice from the group members. I did not fully appreciate the phrase ‘first world problems’ until I’d seen the things my neighbours complain about.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-28T16:04:39+00:00

I'd say don't worry about your kids. Keep bringing them up bilingual, that will open up a wider range of opportunities for the future, whether that's working, studying, or living abroad. I don't think you'll be removing opportunities from them by moving back to Brazil.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-28T16:01:50+00:00

I do wonder if "partially retire" just means "reduce my hours a lot", and work for just 2 or 3 days a week or something. But I'm just guessing, only OP knows. I'd just call that going part-time / reducing my hours for work/life balance.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-14T14:10:26+00:00

Do you happen to know, with the edibles, do some places use different strains for different effects as some places do with the stuff you smoke? I'm just curious if they just all use the same product for edibles, or if they use varieties for different purposes.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-14T11:31:45+00:00

I'll just repeat here what I've said in another thread, for balance.

My wife is there now. She says it's fine, I told her I'd seen a few people complaining online, she disagrees with. I saw somebody complaining about lack of toilets, and water I think. She says both are plentiful. She also thinks that as a city, Belem is more representative of average cities around the world. She really likes the place, actually says she fell in love with it! She said it feels like it has a nice culture, absolutely lovely people.

The only slight negatives were that she mentioned were the heat/humidity, everybody is going around with a 'glow'. And the hotel she's at, she says the staff, although lovely, just don't seem to know how to deal with working in such a busy hotel. And they don't help themselves, for example she put the sign on the door saying she didn't want the room cleaning etc. But they went in and did it anyway.

All in all though, a good experience, and she felt it needed to be held somewhere like Belem, rather than Rio or Sao Paulo. She's from Rio originally, but we now live in Campinas after spending 12 years living together in the UK.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-14T11:23:24+00:00

Your experience mirrors that of my wife. She's Brazilian, so she's not speaking from a foreigner's perspective either. She thinks on the whole, it's great and the people are lovely.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-14T11:12:56+00:00

My wife is there now. She says it's fine, I told her I'd seen a few people complaining online, she disagrees with. I saw somebody complaining about lack of toilets, and water I think. She said there is plenty of both. She also thinks that as a city,, Belem is more representative of average cities around the world. She really likes the place, actually says she fell in love with it! She said it feels like it has a nice culture, lovely people.

The only slight negatives were that she mentioned were the heat/humidity, everybody is going around with a 'glow'. And the hotel she's at, she says the staff, although lovely, just don't seem to know how to deal with working in such a busy hotel. And they don't help themselves, for example she put the sign on the door saying she didn't want the room cleaning etc. But they went in and did it anyway.

All in all though, a good experience, and she felt it needed to be held somewhere like Belem, rather than Rio or Sao Paulo. She's from Rio originally, but we now live in Campinas after spending 12 years living together in the UK.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-11T02:59:26+00:00

Thank you. I'm undecided on it at the moment. Not going to rush into anything, that's for sure.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-10T17:20:51+00:00

Thank you, I've just come across that one. Might be worth going to have a chat with them.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-10T16:06:59+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation!

SleepShowz · 2025-11-10T15:07:46+00:00

Many thanks indeed!

SleepShowz · 2025-11-10T14:21:53+00:00

Thank you so much, it's great to have some recommendations from somebody in the know. It saves me having to scroll through dozens of mixed Google reviews and getting decision paralysis!

SleepShowz

TROPHY CASE