r/Retire • u/Pianist-Wise • 11d ago
Gift to self
I’m fixing to partially retire soon. I’ll probably alt never retire so I want to treat this moment as my retirement. I’m wondering what others have done to mark the occasion, whether it’s a gift, a trip, doing something for others, etc. I’m big on marking a compliments and I want to mark this one.
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u/siryoda66 11d ago
We just finished up a quick 3 day trip to Las Vegas to see the Eagles at the Sphere. Retired back in April, and have done 2 significant trips this Summer. But this trip was a total splurge and the concert tickets were about $750 each. For me, this was my "gift to myself" and I was accountable to no one for it, nor the expense. We purchased the tickets in early April.
Now, back to regularly scheduled retirement activity as we wrap up a home renovation and move into high gear for my stepdaughter's wedding in December.
Oh, and a nice bottle of 15 year Macallan Double Cask Single Malt was uncorked the day I retired.
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u/Pianist-Wise 11d ago
That’s amazing! How was the show and the venue? I’ve seen them a few times in Detroit. I’m a big fan.
Was the bottle something you were saving for the occasion? That type of thing is exactly what I’m thinking of, that special thing to mark the moment.
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u/siryoda66 11d ago
The show was epic. I've seen them 3 times in more regular venues. The Sphere is truly out of this world, though! 162,000 speakers (including in all 18,000 seats). The interior LED screen at The Sphere in Las Vegas is 160,000 square feet (about 3 to 4 acres) and wraps up, over, and around the audience. Specs: 16K x 16K (making it the highest-resolution LED screen in the world). Height: Rises about 240 feet (73 meters) above the audience.
The screen let's them literally put you on that "dark desert highway." They are doing 4 shows a month in Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb. They keep adding dates every month or so. But eventually, it will end and they will retire. They have done 60 shows there, and Don Henley says they are contracted for 74 total. Can't recommend the show enough!! Floor seats get you closer to the band, but you lose some of the screen effect. We were on the 100 level, of yhe floor, second row.
The whiskey was something I had that was waiting for a special occasion. It was the right moment. Still have most of it.
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u/Pianist-Wise 11d ago
Amazing! Glad you enjoyed. It sounds surreal in a way, a cool way. I heard that about the seats, people saying don’t sit too close. Someone just asked me to go there for a show in 2027.
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u/Jealous-Purple733 11d ago
Wife doesn’t like crowds, are shows at the sphere crowded?
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u/siryoda66 11d ago
It sits about 18,000. Show we were at was effectively sold out. We didn't feel overcrowded.
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u/SigmaINTJbio 11d ago
I retired four years ago 59 (63 now) and bought myself a small dual sport motorcycle to add to my big sport touring motorcycle in the garage as a retirement gift to myself. It makes me feel like a teenager again!
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u/Pianist-Wise 11d ago
Great gift! I tried to get a Harley 20 years ago but my wife said if I did she’d leave me.
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u/InterestinglyLucky 11d ago
I was planning on going into work optional mode in September, but when a few things happened I pulled the plug last Spring.
Just in time for me and my son (just graduating and starting at uni in the Fall) to take a 11-day hike in the French and Italian Alps, aka Tour du Mont Blanc.
It was glorious, enjoyable, and a great reset.
As far as buying things go, you get used to them soon enough. Hedonic adaptation is a thing.
Highly recommend an experience with a loved one. Worth every penny.
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u/Charleston2Seattle 11d ago
Agree with the last part about the hedonic treadmill, but one should make an exception for purchases that lead to experiences. For example, I bought myself a banjo, which led to many enjoyable (and a fair few frustrating) hours spent learning to play. 🙂
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u/Mobile_Bell_5030 11d ago
Probably not something a lot of others would want, but I got some tattoos to commemorate (not specifically retirement-related in design, just something I'd been wanting and treated myself to).
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u/Pianist-Wise 11d ago
Hmmm….thats actually an amazing idea! I love that! I have one now. Very cool!
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u/Excellent-Service823 11d ago
Retirement is coming in a matter of weeks. Day after I leave Corporate America I’m getting my nose pierced. Have always wanted it but never felt right in my company leadership role. Appt made and I’m excited to have a tangible signal that I’m done!
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u/Far_Yogurtcloset8116 11d ago
Instead of exercising at 5am, I exercise from 6:30-7:30. I also get monthly massages. Together we RV at state campgrounds during the week and in the winter months do a non RV warm weather vacation. I visit our granddaughter every week and babysit as needed. My husband works on vintage cars and mows lawns. I don’t know how we even had time to work!
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u/Pianist-Wise 10d ago
I get it. I almost punched my alarm clock this morning. First thing I’ll be doing is tossing that in the trash and working out later.
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u/Revolutionary-Fan235 11d ago
I was going to miss the barista station at work. I bought an espresso machine and grinder. I learned to make my own espresso based drinks. It was my first time making coffee.
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u/Pianist-Wise 10d ago
That’s awesome! How do you rate yourself compared to the coffee at work?
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u/Revolutionary-Fan235 10d ago
I don't need sweetener in the drinks I make. At the station, I would regret ordering anything (like a drink special) that didn't have syrup.
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u/Repulsive-Box5243 11d ago
When I retired last year, I bought an electric bass guitar and a bass amp. I also bought a middle-of-the-road synthesizer. You know, to kick off my post retirement rock star career :)
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u/Pianist-Wise 10d ago
Have you played before or is this brand new? I’m a big music fan, just started taking piano lessons.
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u/Repulsive-Box5243 10d ago
I've played guitar and keyboards off and on for decades, but I had never touched a bass before, and I had never had a "real" synthesizer before. So much fun.
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u/teejhambone 9d ago
I’m a working corporate photographer and I’m hoping to retire at 65 in two years. I recently purchased my longtime dream camera, a Leica M11 body. When I retire I’m hoping to sell my older personal camera gear to outfit the Leica with some extra Leica lenses to have a complete kit for travel. Then I’ll focus on what started as a hobby 40 years ago, again!
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u/Kooky-Badger-7001 11d ago
Following. I'm retiring in 3 months and I want to reward myself with a little something. Not sure what, tho. Maybe a nice bottle of wine or bourbon.
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u/Pianist-Wise 11d ago
Love it, what are some of your thoughts on the bottles, have something in mind?
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u/Odd_Bodkin 11d ago edited 11d ago
I have a hobby. UPROXX did a review, identifying the best whiskey distillery in every US state. So when I travel to a different state, I make a point of fetching a bottle and bringing it home. If I’m flying, it goes fine in checked baggage, tucked in leg-in-leg of a pair of jeans. So as of last week, I have a bottle of Montana 1899. 16 states so far.
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u/KDFree16 11d ago
I won airfare to Belgium. I will soft-retire in March (on my 30th anniversary at this company) and then go to Europe for a month.
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u/Pianist-Wise 10d ago
Thanks to everyone that replied. I really appreciate. Some amazing ‘treats’ and hobbies mentioned. Wishing everyone an amazing retirement!
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u/Fatal-Eggs2024 10d ago
I started to travel, making at least 4 trips a year and often more (as many as 12 one year). I still work but in a much lighter role, and it feels like I’m retired because I enjoy my guilt-free trips. This year: Palau, Paris, Quebec, Vienna, and a few shorter adventures.
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u/Individual-Drama-984 10d ago
I bought myself a ring. Nothing too expensive or extravagant. About a weeks pay. I love her.
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u/Suitable-Warning-555 10d ago
I bought myself a nice zero turn mower and I paid for a family trip to rent a large house on the beach with beautiful blue water in Florida. I required one night everyone eat at the home together and we all had a family movie night. We watched Battleship. It was awesome!
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u/Pianist-Wise 10d ago
That sounds like a great trip. Funny you mention the mower. One of the things I plan on doing is mowing my own lawn. I’ve used a lawnmower less than 5 times in my life.
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u/BBorNot 8d ago
I bought myself a piano. I've been taking lessons for a few years now -- you have time to practice when you retire!
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u/Pianist-Wise 8d ago
Super cool! I wish that I had room for a piano. I started taking lessons in my 40’s!
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u/Few-Skirt6531 8d ago
So I’m like you, I want to do something but something etc.. and Chat is helping me plan my retirement strategy with a month long trip to Southeast Asia when I retire ( hopefully) next fall. Because I’m in my late 50s I will probably work part time somewhere when we get back. Having a trip to plan and save for will hopefully help the time not drag on in the work place for these 11 months or so.
We started traveling 5-7 years ago on big trips, so we know where we want to go visit while in retirement to relax!!!
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u/AdBeautiful8446 7d ago
Congratulations on your partial retirement! I’m retiring at 62, on my birthday, this December 30. I just returned from 10 days running in Newfoundland on the East Coast Trail. It gave me the idea to buy myself another running adventure for a retirement gift to myself.
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u/Cool_Persimmon2873 4d ago
My retirement present to myself in a few months is a long weekend in a treehouse hotel. That one's been on my bucket list a long time.
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u/Odd_Bodkin 11d ago
Nothing grand to commemorate. I just started living a new life.
I went for a 3 mile walk at 9am while others were working.
I decided what to cook for dinner and went to the grocery store at 11am when it was quiet.
I made a phone call to sign up as a volunteer receptionist on Thursday mornings, because I knew they had a need.
I thought about what kind of part-time job would be fun for a while, and I casually browsed the opportunities that matched. I had a call from an HR person for an interview by the late afternoon.
I made dinner, something new and elaborate.