Have you given (or do you intend to) give yourself a retirement gift?

[Butch]

Retirement is a major life milestone I believe As most of our hard working BM's are retired, semi retired or still in work, I'd like to ask the collective if any of you rewarded yourself with something to mark it.

It doesn't have to be materialistic, it could be a change of lifestyle, a new found hobby or even just the satisfaction of turning the alarm clock setting from 0500 to "off" (although you still probably woke up anyway).

My Dear old Dad, bless him, got himself a car and took my Mum on a 3 month cruise. Well deserved and well earned. It also gave them both such incredible and happy memories they cherished and enjoyed for years. My gift is going to be letting go of something. I'll be selling my Classic car , because selfishly I don't want to spend any more time on it, and the money will go towards doing something me and the Mrs enjoy, as she's had to put up with me spending time on the car for long enough now.

So what are the BM's here intending to do, or what did they do?.

[boydeste]

My retirement gift if you wish was my first 3 months trip to Pattaya. 

I don't remember treating myself to anything else significant. 

[Stillearly]

Best gift from retirement is time ... to do whatever you want , whenever you feel like it 

I don't remember doing anything or buying anything specific, but extended trips were always part of my plan 

[Stillearly]

I did bring my plans forward to finish in May 2018  ( my employer wanted me to work until September) , so I could watch the World Cup during the afternoons 🏆555

[richy65]

I plan to celebrate my retirement by moving to Thailand full time.

[Painter]

My gift to myself.... the ability to do what I want, when I want.... and spend 5 months a year in Thailand.

So far, it's mostly going well.

[coxyhog]

I bought myself a Harley for my 50th....but didn't retire for over 15 years later.

More recently I decided no more flying cattle class so I guess that must count & with my mother now in a home I spend much more time in Thailand.

The day I hit retirement age(65 for me in the UK then) I was working & bought loads of cakes for the guys.

Retired 6 months later.

Edited September 13, 2025 by coxyhog

[Butch]

1 minute ago, coxyhog said:

I bought myself a Harley for my 50th....but didn't retire for over 15 years later.

More recently I decided no more flying cattle class so I guess that must count.

The day I hit retirement age(65 for me in the UK then) I was working & bought loads of cakes for the guys.

Retired 6 months later.

I've given up economy since my last trip, I went outward Thai Econ and back to UK Biz. which I can handle alone easy peasy.

We've agreed that future trips are Premium econ out and biz back for all of us. If not, then biz all the way. It's not a cheap outing by any stretch of the imagination, but with arguably less than 20 years of travel left in me before I pack it the f**k in,I'm going to be doing it on my terms.

I think in life , people of our generation , we often think that a penny saved etc...but the reality is that when you take into account equity of property, pension earnings and assets, we're sitting on a pretty pile as the much resented "boomer generation".

However, you can't live a millionaire lifestyle with a million quid. But, you can live a decent lifestyle and still not stitch your kids up so they have to struggle. 

 

[Pumpuynarak]

As a young kid i had a passion for cars particularly a red Ferrari so when i retired at 50yo i bought myself a 348TB as a second car, my everyday was an Audi TT which i had to change the registration number on. Another box ticked 

 

Edited September 14, 2025 by Pumpuynarak

[forcebwithu]

Nov 2008 I made my first trip to Thailand. After that trip, and over the course of a couple of months I had a think on where I was at financially and if I really wanted to continue working.

I made two more trips to Thailand in Feb and March which sealed the deal in my mind. So in May 2009, as a retirement present to myself I separated from my wife and moved to Thailand.

Sixteen years later I'm very happy with the retirement present I gave myself. 

[maipenrai]

6 hours ago, boydeste said:

My retirement gift if you wish was my first 3 months trip to Pattaya. 

I don't remember treating myself to anything else significant. 

Basically the same scenario with me - instead of making two short trips over the winter, I now make one long one instead...

[Aqualung]

After losing my father, mother and younger brother within 8 years I decided to pack in work. I'd saved a bit of money for myself, had a couple of pensions and though f**k it! 

I've only ever treated myself to the freedom of retiring. Yes I get bored sometimes, a lot actually but there is no better feeling than not being tied to a fucking job schedule. 

I can do what I please and there's no greater feeling then staying up all night with a few beers, watching a great movie or listening to some of my favourite music then looking out of my window watching folks travelling to work at 6 or 7am in the morning in pissing down rain or snow. Been there and done that for 39 years. 

 

[Pumpuynarak]

38 minutes ago, Aqualung said:

After losing my father, mother and younger brother within 8 years I decided to pack in work. I'd saved a bit of money for myself, had a couple of pensions and though f**k it! 

I've only ever treated myself to the freedom of retiring. Yes I get bored sometimes, a lot actually but there is no better feeling than not being tied to a fucking job schedule. 

I can do what I please and there's no greater feeling then staying up all night with a few beers, watching a great movie or listening to some of my favourite music then looking out of my window watching folks travelling to work at 6 or 7am in the morning in pissing down rain or snow. Been there and done that for 39 years. 

 

BINGO, we sing off the same hymn sheet. I was offered early retirement after 25 years service at age 50 as the company was restructuring and i was never going to turn the opportunity down, my non contributory defined benefit company pension scheme was a market leader and to be paid it in full at age 50 and not 60 yo was like winning the lottery.

I had plenty to do to fill my time, i was Chairman of my county football club and i devoted virtually all my time to running the club, i just loved preparing our ground with other retired club committee members for match days, grass cutting, rolling/spiking the pitch on our Massey Ferguson tractor, i was so happy. 

This year is my 25th year enjoying retirement, the last 18 years i have been living in Thailand with my lovely Thai wifey and i've enjoyed every single bit of it and her lol. The rest is history.

[thegrogmonster]

My retirement present to myself is to leave 8 years early before the pension age of 67.

I’ve had a gutful of work and can support myself for a year at 59 before accessing my superannuation (private pension) at 60.

[redwood13]

2002 - retired at 65 and immediately moved to Thailand.

[richy65]

I’m probably a bit weird as I still enjoy working and running my small decorating business 

Having said that I’m about to turn 60 so I’m planning to give it a few more years before packing it in

[forcebwithu]

1 hour ago, richy65 said:

I’m probably a bit weird as I still enjoy working and running my small decorating business 

Having said that I’m about to turn 60 so I’m planning to give it a few more years before packing it in

Then I'm in the same weird camp as you. While I no longer run a business, I'm still doing the coding, database and website work I did before, but gratis for three of the Pattaya H3 groups. I do it because, like you, I enjoy the work and it keeps my mind healthy and active.

And look at the time; time to go and kill off a few of those healthy brain cells with a couple of beers.