mberigan
American expat in Brazil
Forum posts
386
About me
American
Lives in Campina Grande, Paraiba
Speaks Portuguese, English
Registration: 21 January 2020
Activity
Looking for experiences in Rural areas with HughesNet
Hi!I have a home in a rural area unserved by telephone services but that does have Internet. Initially, the area started with radio Internet and that helped people with communication and basic Internet services. Streaming works OK and generally ... Read More
Google Fi phone service good in Brazil? by alexanderstephenlange
Hello, ex-patriots!I have heard that Google Fi (a service I use here in the States) works well in Brazil.Anybody have any thoughts on that?I also understand that one should switch away from Google Fi to use a less expensive, native service... ...
@abthree @alex....... Giggle-snort! I sent Alex Mike's Whatsapp in Recife. He's great at phone stuff. mberigan Read More
Sandelwood soap by Kurterino
Asking for a friend who is a big fan of this type of soap (personally i don’t even really know what it is lol…). She usually buys this soap in Asia where it is A LOT cheaper than in Switzerland, now she asked me if it is also available ...
@KurterinoWell, she may not be able to easily find her "sândalo" bar soap via MercadoLivre BUT maybe if you take her to some of the different shops in larger Brazilian cities she might fing other incredibly irresistible scents in different ... Read More
With fuel prices soaring, how are you getting around in Brazil? by Veedushi
Hello everyone!In many countries, transportation costs are becoming a real challenge for expats. Some are completely changing their habits: using public transport more often, carpooling, switching to scooters… or cycling.In Denmark, for ...
@alexanderstephenlangeIn March I took Uber from Intermares Cabedelo to dowtown João Pessoa at 13:30 (rush hour return to work time period) and it was R$34. Also in March a trip from Marca Zero in Recife to the Riomar shopping mall at 16:30 ... Read More
With fuel prices soaring, how are you getting around in Brazil? by Veedushi
Hello everyone!In many countries, transportation costs are becoming a real challenge for expats. Some are completely changing their habits: using public transport more often, carpooling, switching to scooters… or cycling.In Denmark, for ...
@alexanderstephenlangeThere he is!Welcome aboard @alexanderstephenlange!! Read More
With fuel prices soaring, how are you getting around in Brazil? by Veedushi
Hello everyone!In many countries, transportation costs are becoming a real challenge for expats. Some are completely changing their habits: using public transport more often, carpooling, switching to scooters… or cycling.In Denmark, for ...
So I did some lookups to try to compare with prices here - which you can look up in your own community:(California) - 1 liter of regular gas costs R$8.00. Premium is R$8.55.(Wisconsin) - 1 liter of regular gas costs R$5.70. Premium is ... Read More
US to Brasil by tiomark
Belo Horizonte 5 years Retired
tiomark!New to the site? Welcome aboard. Read More
Happy Earth Day 2026
Just to say Happy Earth Day with the hopes that each and every one of us spend a little time passing along the importance of helping out our planet by being good ambassadors of nature to those around us.I'm very encouraged today in watching ... Read More
New members of the Brazil forum, introduce yourselves here - 2026 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Brazil forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
Hi Craig! Apparently you live somewhere in Pará near Belém. Is that true? What an incredible place to live and explore. I live in Paraíba and in the diverse region I live there are things to discover without end. Take advantage ... Read More
Social Security Form SSA-7162 by nicholsharvey
Has social security recipient ever had to mail form SSA-7162 to the FBU.LISBON? How long did it take to Mail from Rio De Janeiro Brazil to Lisbon Portugal via correio service. It's been 10 days since I mailed it with tracking included and it has not ...
Once again an SSA-7162 has arrived via snail-mail to return in short due in order to prove that I still exist (my guess) and I'm wondering what say you others from the U.S.A. about best methods for returning the info. It seems that an email to the ... Read More
Nubank account by FahadQ
Hi, how is everyone?I wanted to ask can I create a Nubank account while I wait for my immigration card? I already have my CPF. I'm trying to do it with the app but it keeps asking me for an ID. Any idea what I can do? please let me know.Thanks!
@FahadQHave you tried using your passport as an ID? You have the CPF. The Nubank pages say that you can use a passport as an ID. If that doesn't work here's their support email address.OR just wait until your resident card is in hand.Good ... Read More
Vehicle tax/registration by Kurterino
I purchased a used scooter in January ‘25 and registered it in my name, at which point I also paid the tax and/or registration fee. I’m guessing that for 2026 I will have to renew the registration and/or pay the tax for the new year, and ...
@KuterinoI noticed that during my last payment process the Android Aplicatico CNH do Brasil only showed changed status of payments AFTER I signed out of the app and then logged back in.mberigan Read More
Looking for suggestions for Skype phone number by CariocaNY
Happy Holidays to all:As most probably know, Skype phone #s are over. That is, the ability to have a U.S. phone number to receive calls and texts is no longer being renewed.Does anyone know of a RELIABLE alternative.I see alternatives on the web but ...
@Peter Itamaraca It would be SO NICE if Whatsapp could be a solution for my needs for communication in the USA BUT nobody in my large family or circle of friends use Whatsapp. My banks don't use it. The IRS doesn't use it nor do my retirement funds ... Read More
Tried to use my girlfriend CPF by NewBrazil
I was at a grocery store as a experiment I put my girlfriend CPF in but the cashier said it didn’t work. Did it twice still didn’t work. When I put my CPF it works. I found it strange it didn’t work. This was just using a regular ...
(translated from a SERASA page)*Benefits for the State*The practice of requesting the CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID) on the invoice strengthens the fight against tax evasion and promotes greater transparency in the tax system.With the information ... Read More
Tried to use my girlfriend CPF by NewBrazil
I was at a grocery store as a experiment I put my girlfriend CPF in but the cashier said it didn’t work. Did it twice still didn’t work. When I put my CPF it works. I found it strange it didn’t work. This was just using a regular ...
Here in PB purchases over R$500 require addition of one's CPF as of May 2:https://www.sefaz.pb.gov.br/9-posts/4179-compras-acima-de-r-500-no-varejo-terao-de-incluir-cpf-na-nota-fiscal-eletronica-ao-consumidor-na-paraiba#:Often, at the supermarket,we ... Read More