10 Outrageous Ways to Spend Money During Retirement
- - 10 Outrageous Ways to Spend Money During Retirement
Edward ClarkDecember 27, 2025 at 3:05 AM
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After decades of saving, having extra money can feel like unfamiliar territory. For retirees who built a solid cushion or benefited from well-timed investments, retirement is not just about hobbies and family time. Some take the opportunity to spend far beyond small treats, choosing purchases and experiences that feel surprising and indulgent. Here’s how some retirees are actually using that extra cash.
Own a Piece of a Private Jet
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Commercial flights can feel exhausting, especially when traveling with grandkids or wanting space. Fractional jet ownership offers an alternative here. For a starting cost of around $200,000, plus annual fees, you can access a private plane without owning the entire aircraft outright yourself. Companies like NetJets handle scheduling and private lounges easily.
Commission a Portrait by Annie Leibovitz
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If a typical retirement photo feels uninspired, you can commission the world’s most famous portrait photographer for something a bit more dramatic. Annie Leibovitz’s custom portrait session costs $500,000. The process includes styling, consultations, and access to a photographer who’s shot everyone from John Lennon to Queen Elizabeth II.
Buy a Phone That Costs More Than a Car
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The Vertu Signature Cobra is more about style than function. Priced at over $500,000, only eight of these phones are known to exist worldwide. It is finished in 18-karat gold and decorated with a cobra made from emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. At its core, it still just makes calls and sends texts. This is not a phone meant to be replaced casually.
Dine at Impossible-To-Book Restaurants on Demand
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Sienna Charles is a luxury concierge service built for people who hate waiting lists. For $75,000 a year, members get round-the-clock access to specialists who secure tables at Michelin-starred restaurants that others struggle to reach. A last-minute table at Noma or a birthday dinner at The French Laundry can be arranged with a simple text. It turns fine dining into something effortless.
Book a Stay Inside the Palace of Versailles
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There’s only one hotel on the actual grounds of the Palace of Versailles, and it’s as exclusive as it sounds. Le Grand Contrôle offers guests private access to the royal quarters, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Orangerie Gardens after hours. One night in the most opulent suite can run over $17,000.
Cruise the World in a Floating Penthouse
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Regent Seven Seas' most lavish world cruise suite—the Regent Suite—can cost upwards of $800,000. It includes a personal butler, spa treatments, a private car with driver in every port, and 4,443 square feet of onboard living space. That’s larger than most American homes.
Take the Disney Parks Global Tour by Private Jet
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Disney’s most over-the-top vacation offering flies guests on a private Boeing 757 to all 12 Disney parks across six countries. The 24-day trip includes five-star accommodations, fast-track ride access, and excursions to global landmarks like the Taj Mahal. It starts at $115,000 per person.
Wear Custom Jimmy Choos Made for You Alone
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A made-to-order pair of Jimmy Choo heels can cost $4,000 or more, but the price includes total design control. Clients choose the silhouette, fabric, color, and even engraving. They’re sculpted to the wearer’s preferences. For those who once wore sensible shoes for decades, this splurge makes a louder statement than any gold watch.
Embark on a $490,000 American West Expedition
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Neiman Marcus once offered a luxury journey through Yellowstone and beyond, ending with a stay at Amangiri in Utah. The experience included helicopter tours, private chefs, horseback rides, and spa treatments. For $490,000, four guests received 11 days of full control over the trip.
Hire a Celebrity for a Private Appearance
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Rates vary, but actors like Amy Poehler have appeared at private events for around $500,000. Companies like Celebrity Talent International arrange the details. Musicians, actors, and athletes are all available. The guest list might still need work, but the headliner? Handpicked.
Source: “AOL Money”
