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This could be music related... or not, depending on who replies.
There are lots of forum members who are already retired, or who are sneaking up on it fast. Retirement can turn into one long web surfing session until you croak... or it can be a time for bucket list pursuits.
I'd like to use this thread to hear what others are doing with their retirement years. Or to kick crazy ideas around for low cost ways to experience life in new ways after retirement.
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here are some ideas I'm kicking around:
1) MUSIC FESTIVALS
They're cool, but pricey. It can cost upward to $500 to attend all 4 days of Merlefest with reserved seats and parking. Way more than that if you pay for platinum tickets that include back stage passes and other perks.
But most of these festivals need large numbers of volunteers. If you commit 3 hours of volunteered work time, you get free admission for the rest of the day. Depending on what work you do, it might include back stage access and opportunity to meet performers.
The internet makes it easy to find music festivals all over the country, contact the administrators well in advance, and get on the volunteer list. If travel isn't a problem you could literally attend every major music festival for free (excluding travel costs)
Merlefest offers low cost camping for volunteers, I would guess other festivals do something similar.
If you google the phrase MUSIC FESTIVAL, you'll probably see that most of 2015's festivals are just now gearing up and accepting applications for volunteers
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2) You have a music act... is it good enough to play on a cruise ship?
Cancellations come unexpectedly, and working musicians would have a hard time responding to an opening if they had gigs booked (which most working bands would always have)
As a retiree you have several things going for you:
1) you're free to travel on the spur of the moment
2) you are less likely to have other commitments that would interfere with short notice of an opening
3) you have lots of time to prepare and practice
4) you have BIAB to create your backing trax
google the various cruise lines for information on available gigs.
Also, if you have other skills, cruise lines will often barter a cruise in exchange for some of your time as an instructor. For example, I know a woman who cruises several times each year in exchange for teaching bridge classes. I've heard they do this for other types of instruction too.
This type of gig is usually booked thru an agent who specifically handles talent for cruises. You'd have to research the details.
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3) NATIONAL PARKS
While camping in Yosemite last year, the guy who admitted me to the camp ground told me that he was retired, and he spent every summer working as a temp in national parks! He didn't make a lot of money, but he got to spend a LOT of time in some of the most beautiful places in the country... and got room and board. How much would a 3 month vacation like that cost if you had to pay for it?
No idea how this works, but I will definitely be looking into this. If you have insider info, please post it here.
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4) TOURING
Not as glamorous as a Led Zep tour, but I've been reading a lot online lately about people using the power of the internet to find and book venues along an itinerary, then travel from gig to gig, letting the venues fund the travel.
If gas and food are your main expenses, you can travel quite inexpensively. Depending on what you drive (is it big enough to sleep in?) you can often pull over to sleep at rest stops and many WalMarts will allow overnights in the far reaches of their parking lots, assuming you don't do anything stupid like build a campfire to make breakfast. Depending on how much you get for the gigs, you'd probably do well to pay for real sleeping accommodations. I mention the other route in the spirit of adventure.
"An adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered"
Lots of places have WIFI, so you can stay in touch with the world as you travel. Or book gigs in real time as you go wherever the spirit leads you. A GPS, Cell phone, WIFI and spirit of adventure can open up some mighty big doors.
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5) MOVING TO OTHER PLACES
Somebody recently mentioned that if you have resources to move away from the snow, and you fail to do so, it your own dang fault.
I tend to agree with the premise that we live with the results of our own set of possibilities.
Above and beyond the possibility of moving to warmer places in the USA is the possibility of moving to other countries where the cost of living is such that a reduced retirement income might not necessarily mean a reduced standard of living.
Google "offshore retirement", too many ideas to mention here
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We've been retired 16 years. Janice happily quit work when I retired. Dunno where those years have gone but the bulk of it has been spent playing outdoors. We build, maintain and ride local mountain bike trails and that takes a lot of time. We enjoy hiking and flat water kayaking. For a while we spent 3-4 weeks out west (CO) every summer but haven't been in a while. We enjoy the occasional mountain bike race and we like our 2-3 day B&B getaways to the north GA or NC mountains. We often talked of relocating but although we aren't excited about our nearby town we do love our homestead. And two mothers at 90 and 93 need us reasonably close. Making and recording music is fun and very rewarding but it actually comprises a VERY small amount of our time. Maybe that shows 
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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I'm the guilty party that suggested "that if you have resources to move away from the snow, and you fail to do so, it's your own dang fault".
I marked off the days on a calendar for FIVE YEARS prior to my retirement. In that time, I "made ready" for the lifestyle I knew I wanted to pursue, mainly in winter.
I reluctantly let go of my trusty truck and camper (both were long in the tooth), and kept my eye pealed for a couple of years for a good deal on a used Class C motorhome. Found one in the USA (I live in Canada) in 2009. Saved a bundle, even with jumping through the "immigration hoops".
We've been spending the winters in MX and AZ since my retirement date, Dec 1, 2011. Nary a regret.
You can find places to park a rig for $27 a month (boondocking) to over $1000/mo (full Resort amenities). We found that we can get what we like for $400-$600/mo.
As stated before, we leave after Hallowe'en and are home by Easter.
I do lots of "jam sessions" while we're on the road, to keep my hand in music.
LLOYD
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Bud and Lloyd,
I was hoping you'd both chime in since you are both very interesting people who embrace life and make things happen! I think that kind of enthusiasm and planning is what it takes to make best use of retirement time.
Bud, can you shed light on how to spend 4 weeks in another state without going broke in the process?
Lloyd, I really like the fact that you took 5 years to plan your retirement! I missed that opportunity because I retired unexpectedly due to weird circumstances... but I'm trying to make those plans now.
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I've met quite a few people who have said they wished they had retired earlier. I don't fall into that category. I really liked my job and the people I worked with. But after 45 years working in the oil patch (without a layoff - almost unheard of), I was anxious to do something else.
I spend a great deal of time on music. Either with BIAB (or related projects) or going to Jam Sessions in the "winter" in AZ.
Life is too short to be doing things you'd rather not be doing. Some days I feel like doing nothing, and that's exactly what I do... all day <grin>.
LLOYD S
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I've been retired for 11 years now and my wife for 9 years. We have done some long distance traveling and a lot of short trips around New York State.
I have taken up nature and landscape photography and we do a lot of walking around parks and shooting deer, chipmunks, flowers, and other stuff! We do a lot of fall traveling so I can shoot the leaves when they are in full color.
I do a lot music also but this winter we are having some serious family health problems so I'm not as active as I usually am this time of year. That coupled with all the snow, ice, and cold here makes it very hard to compose! But I do like the winters here.
I did work at a computer store as a tech for a while but it became a job so I quit. As LLoyd said "Life is too short to be doing things you'd rather not be doing". I do teach guitar, bass and music theory two nights a week. I do it because I like it.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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eddie1261
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Mainly I am trying to keep up with a much younger girlfriend..... wow.
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J & B
What a great way to be enjoying life. I don't agree about that bit that it shows. Your music is always way up there. Stay fit, and enjoy.
Whatever your doin' now appears to be working.
Trev
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Fantastic outline Mario.
However, I did kinda wish that you stated 'photographing deer, chipmunks, flowers, and other stuff' instead of 'shooting deer, chipmunks, flowers, and other stuff'
(Flowers are a protected species, didn't you know? <grin>)
All the best to overcome any issues that might be troublesome. Your input to the forum is always highly regarded.
Trev
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Mainly I am trying to keep up with a much younger girlfriend..... wow. I want that problem... ;-(
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eddie1261
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I want that problem...
;-(
Well, you can't have her..... I'm sure there's a young Tarheel down there for you!
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I spend a lot of time flying largish R/C planes & I love my daily nap....Hank
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I want that problem...
;-(
Well, you can't have her..... I'm sure there's a young Tarheel down there for you! Eddie, that's the only correct response... especially if she's looking over your shoulder as you type
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XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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