afterFI/RE Life after FI/RE
People
Selected life timeline 2008—2014

A temporary CFO return clarified the value of her own time

Sydney Lagier retired at 44 in March 2008. A later part-time CFO contract was initially enjoyable, then stressful; by her 2014 interview, writing, piano, travel and practical help for working friends gave retirement a varied shape.

Finances
Net worth at retirement2008-03 · Household
Not established

Departure balance not disclosed in the reviewed narrative sources.

Source
Posts2
2012
Post 01Recalled in 2014

A work experiment reached its limit

“it was really fun”

Sydney Lagier / Retired SydRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Accepted a part-time contract CFO role about three years after retiring.
  • After roughly a year, the role brought back responsibilities for others’ problems.

How it felt

  • Initially found the contract enjoyable. “it was really fun”
  • Then felt stressed and remembered wanting control over her time. “a little bit stressed”
WorkFreedomFriends
Sydney Lagier / Retired Syd (opens in a new tab)
Notes

Approximate 2012: author says contract began about three years after March 2008 retirement and became stressful after about a year; interview held August 2014.

Have you worked at a paying job?

Editorial summaries with short, attributed quotations. Based on the publisher’s transcript. The original contains the full story.

2014
Post 02Recalled in 2014

A varied life beyond the office

“I just can’t think of any.”

Sydney Lagier / Retired SydRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Wrote, volunteered and played piano after a thirty-year break.
  • Used home exchanges and helped working friends with meals and repairs.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed the conversation and support around her blog. “it was very fun”
  • Could think of no personal downside to early retirement when asked. “I just can’t think of any.”
WorkFreedomFriends
Sydney Lagier / Retired Syd (opens in a new tab)
Notes

Explicit retrospective period in later article

Blogging; What kinds of things do you do now?; Potential pitfalls

Editorial summaries with short, attributed quotations. Based on the publisher’s transcript. The original contains the full story.

See how these posts compare with other people’s experiences.

Research

Last checked Sep 2026. The accounts are self-reported. This timeline follows selected accounts, including recollections where labeled; it is not a complete archive.

  • Only the cited dated experiences are verified; later developments are not inferred.
  • Selected public self-reports, not a complete archive or independent verification of finances.

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