2014-12-02



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Turning 40 is a major milestone.

You’re getting older, but you’re still young enough to do something crazy, like bungee jump or take a trip on a whim. There’s a good chance that you probably have more money to spend, too.

We’ve come up with a bucket list of 40 things everyone should do before they turn 40.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in a foreign city.



Challenge yourself to complete something that seems impossible: compete in the Ironman Triathlon, climb Mt. Everest, or finish a 100 Mile Race.



Splurge on a meal at The French Laundry in California, or another 3-star Michelin restaurant.

Prepare food at a soup kitchen or volunteer your time in another way to help others.

Dress up for opening night and see a performance at one of the world’s famous opera houses, like the Met in New York or La Scala in Milan.

Meet a hero.

Go on safari in Africa.

Enjoy a really amazing $100 bottle of wine, without thinking about the price tag.

Play a round of golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California or Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, which are considered to be some of the best golf courses in America.

See more on the best golf courses in America >

Go skinnydipping.

Travel across Europe by train on the elegant Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Sit courtside at a basketball game and cheer on your team.

Quit a job.

Buy a piece of art you’re proud to display.

Take a majestic road trip and drive down California’s Pacific Coast Highway or the Great Ocean Road in southern Australia.

Do something good for someone who doesn’t know who you are.

See Madonna, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, or another iconic artist perform live.

Read every book by a favorite author.

Return the favor and take your parents out for a nice dinner.

Go on a spiritual journey, whether it’s an ashram in India, the Western Wall in Jerusalem, or St. Peter’s in Vatican City.

Mentor a young person in your profession.

Stay at the Four Seasons, or another luxury hotel, on a whim.

Donate 5% of your earnings to a charity each year.

Bungee jump, sky dive, go white water rafting, or do something to get your adrenaline pumping.

Treat yourself to an expensive accessory, like a Rolex watch or a Chanel bag.

Gamble big and sit at the high rollers table at a casino in Las Vegas.

Perfect at least one dish—even if you’re not a skilled cook.

Ski in the French Alps or some other far-flung destination.

Learn five good wine and cheese pairings.

Sleep outdoors without sacrificing luxury at a ‘glamping’ accommodation, like Montana’s Resort at Paws Up.

Learn more about the Resort at Paws Up >

Go yachting in Monaco or St-Tropez, France.

Learn something new: Take a pilot lesson, learn a new language, or get certified in a new sport, like scuba diving.

Buy an extravagant gift for someone else.

Drastically re-invent your look at least once.

Get in the best shape of your life.

Eat grilled steak at a parillada in Argentina or a churrascaria in Brazil.

Go on a solo trip.

Take on a leadership position.

Break a bad habit.

Go wine tasting in Italy’s Tuscany region, France’s Champagne area, or another region that’s famous for its wine.

Now see what people in their 20s should do.

30 Experiences You Should Have Before You Turn 30 >

The post 40 Experiences You Should Have Before You Turn 40 appeared first on Business Insider.

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