This Week's Money Talking Points
How can you take a mini-retirement?
You don’t have to wait until you’re 65 to step away from work and live a little! A mini-retirement can be as simple as intentionally planning time off, think a month or more away from your primary job, not just a long weekend. I realized during my own recent career transition that I was in a mini-retirement myself without even fully realizing it. I left a job, had PTO pay out, and created space to study for the CFP exam and explore more of what lights me up. Whether you negotiate time between contracts, save up PTO and extend a break, or plan ahead to leave a job with a cushion, a mini-retirement is absolutely within reach. The key? Be intentional. Plan for it, prep for it, and don’t call it unemployed—call it “funemployed.”
The best part is, these don’t have to cost a fortune. Jillian shared some brilliant strategies like renting out your house while you’re gone, house-sitting for others, or even being a tourist in your own town. Whether it’s a long road trip, a staycation filled with meaningful rest, or focused personal growth, the goal is to pause, reset, and come back more fulfilled. You don’t need $50,000 and a yacht... Just a plan and a purpose.
What do you love to do?
This is such a foundational question, and mini-retirements give you the breathing room to explore it deeply. For me, I love walking my dog, going on spontaneous midweek adventures with my wife, gaming a little, and cooking a great meal. When I’m not crammed into a 9-to-5 schedule, I get to live those parts of my life more fully, and I’m happier and healthier for it. A mini-retirement creates space to actually live your “ideal day” instead of constantly deferring joy to a far-off retirement date.
Jillian talked about taking a month off to learn tango or dedicating weeks to therapy that completely transformed her trajectory. One of her clients even used their time off to meet a life partner. These aren’t just breaks, they’re investments in what makes life rich. If you’re not sure what you love to do, try a “mini mini-retirement”, just take a few days off to declutter your calendar, disconnect, and explore what excites you. It’s hard to plan your best life when you’re stuck in survival mode. Give yourself the gift of space to rediscover what matters most.
What would it look like for you to take a mini-retirement?
For me, it’s been unplugging from work to focus on studying, recharging, and spending more quality time with my wife. No morning commute. No PTO requests. Just time spent intentionally, on my own terms. Yours might look totally different, maybe it’s exploring national parks for a summer, like Jillian and her family did. Or finally finishing that passion project you’ve been postponing for years. The beauty of a mini-retirement is that it’s yours to design.
And here’s a fun twist: taking time off might even help you earn more money. Yep. A break can lead to a promotion, a career pivot, or a job that pays you what you’re really worth. Jillian shared a story of someone who returned from a mini-retirement with a 50% raise after realizing they’d been underpaid for years. So ask yourself, what kind of reset could change everything? Whether it’s clarity, confidence, or cash, a mini-retirement might be your ticket to all three!
This week's Money Buddy
Jillian Johnsrud never expected to be able to retire early, so she hatched a plan to retire often. Inspired by the idea of sabbatical years, she set out to sprinkle retirements throughout her life. At 40, she has taken over a dozen mini-retirements. These allowed her to pursue dreams like living abroad, traveling to 27 countries, adopting four kids (plus two biological kids), investing in real estate, and touring the U.S. in a camper.
Jillian has taught, coached, and written about mini-retirements for almost a decade. She hosts the Retire Often podcast and is a popular speaker and consultant for mini retirements. She lives in Montana, where she spends time in the garden drinking tea.
Enjoy your week and get out there and have a money talk!
