Barbara Walters' Retirement -- This Not Working Thing Is Great!

Now that she doesn't have to sit around a table and pretend to care what 3 other chicks think, Barbara Walters has plenty of free time ... to go shopping!

The 84-year-old former newswoman was seen walking around Manhattan on Wednesday after shopping at Rene Couture Jewelry & Handbags on Madison Avenue (she made a lot of money in 53 years).

We imagine Babs had a MILLION questions ... and probably made a salesperson break down in tears.