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Explore turning points, everyday joys and unexpected challenges after financial independence or retirement, with the date and original source for each account.

Age
Wealth
Years
Posts
101–105 of 105 posts

A temporary CFO return clarified the value of her own time

2012Recalled in 2014

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”

A search for community met an uncomfortable market lesson

2008

Life at the time

  • Their diversified portfolio lost 23% on paper.
  • The decline drove a decision to live in Mexico full-time.

How it felt

  • The loss felt large enough to change their lives. “life-changing”
  • They regretted not discovering a more conservative approach sooner. “worry about not having enough”

A home fit for a while. Traveling light fit better later.

May 2007 · Year 23

Life at the time

  • They combined a country home near Buenos Aires with continuing travel.
  • Paul made wine with two Argentine friends.

How it felt

  • They felt fortunate and expressed no regrets. “We feel fortunate”
  • Vicki wished she could be in several places to be present for loved ones. “wanting to be in more than one place”

A long retirement became a community life, with room for changing health.

2003Recalled in 2019

Life at the time

  • Volunteer work and unfinished chores filled his first year.
  • Once his wife retired, they spent two months visiting their children.

How it felt

  • Leaving emotionally wearing work brought relief. “For me, I felt relief.”
  • The extended family trip helped the transition feel natural. “felt very natural”

A search for community met an uncomfortable market lesson

2002

Life at the time

  • Kevin left Allegro; Erin had retrained in massage.
  • Occasional consulting and massage replaced conventional careers.

How it felt

  • More time together proved pleasantly compatible. “feel blessed”
  • Their priorities no longer aligned with many working friends. “out-of-synch”

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