Ep 228: ‘Retire Often’ with Jillian Johnsrud | Why your next break should be a mini-retirement

What if retirement wasn’t a one-time event at the end of a long career, but a rhythm you could build into your life right now?In this episode, we're joined by the brilliant Jillian Johnsrud, whose new book Retire Often flips the script on traditional retirement. Instead of waiting 40 years to enjoy life, Jillian makes the case for taking intentional mini-retirements throughout your career by taking one month off every couple of years….not to escape your life, but to design it.Jillian drops a 6.5% rule that reframes everything you’ve been taught about budgeting for time off. And we both realize: we’ve been doing mini-retirements, we just didn’t have the language for it.So together, we unpack:Why a single month can be more transformative than you thinkWhat burnout actually feels like (and why most of us misread it)The financial math behind taking breaks without going brokeWhy your future self will thank you for planning nowHow to pitch a break to your boss and mean itLinks: Get the “Retire Often” book or visit the websiteGrab her free worksheets on Planning and Negotiating your mini-retirementFollow Jillian on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or YouTube  Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This week we’re celebrating our 10 year anniversary by sharing some lessons about money, partnership, and staying excited about the long game.10 years of marriage isn’t just a milestone, it’s a record of every choice you made together, from buying a house to splitting a check to deciding who’s unloading the dishwasher. Some of those choices aged well. Others? Let’s just say they came with late fees.In this episode, we get into:What to do when “my idea” needs “our money,” and how to bring and how to bring it up without sounding like you’re making a sales pitch or begging for permissionThe difference between conviction and borrowed confidence, and how to tell if you’re just hyped by somebody else’s resultsThe price we’ve paid for decisions that looked fine in the moment but flopped later and how we move on without dragging it out.Why marriage isn’t 50/50 most of the time, and how keeping score only makes the game worse.The trap of calling yourself “the responsible one” or “the spender,” and how those roles mess with the way you see each otherThe metrics that matter more than net worth if you want your marriage (and your life) to feel exciting in year 20, 30, and beyond Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Some seasons of life are defined by money, and not in a good way. Those years test your patience, your relationships, and your identity. But they can become turning points and leave lessons that last long after the struggle is over.This week, we're talking about the kind of year that stretches everything. When progress feels invisible and the usual advice doesn’t cut it, it’s easy to lose momentum or give up entirely. We’ve been there, and in this episode, we’re sharing what helped us stay focused and keep moving forward when it felt like things were falling apart. Inside, we get into:How to know if you’re in a “hard year” (and why that label matters)Why you need new ways to measure progress when money is tightWhat baseball, burnout, and corporate spin can teach us about manufacturing winsHow to make quitting harderIf money’s been testing you lately, and you're tired of pretending it’s fine, this one's for you. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Most people only invest for retirement through their employer plan, which means if that plan is weak, your future could be too. But how do you actually know if it’s bad, or if you just don’t understand it yet?In this episode, we break down the three biggest signs your employer plan might be holding you back, and what to do about it.We’ll get into:Why some 401(k) fund menus feel like a restaurant with no good options (and how to find the hidden gems)What “the match” really means, why it’s not free money, and how to calculate its true impact on your paycheckThe ugly truth about vesting schedules, and why they’re less about rewarding loyalty and more about saving your employer moneyHow to compare your retirement benefits across jobs the same way you’d compare rent prices or school districts before movingYour retirement plan is part of your compensation, just like salary, PTO, and health insurance. If you’re ignoring it (or assuming it’s fine) you could be leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table.Take a closer look now so you can decide whether your plan is working for you, or if it’s time to find a better path forward.Links: Ep 171: Why you need a brokerage account: The Swiss Army knife of investing Ep 105: Planning for your retirement Ep 108: Sparking your early retirement dreams: A guide to FIRE   Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Groceries in 2025? Whew. Let’s just say…it ain’t pretty. Prices are still climbing, shrinkflation is in full effect, and Americans are still wasting almost 40% of the food we buy. Add tariffs and supply chain pressures on top, and it feels like we’re paying more, getting less, and throwing too much of it away.The good news is you don’t have to stay stuck in the cycle. In this episode, we’re breaking down 4 real-world strategies to fight back against rising grocery bills without sacrificing flavor or convenience.We’ll get into:Why shrinkflation is more than just smaller chip bags, and how bulk shopping gives you the upper handThe underrated art of “eating what you already have” (a.k.a. not letting random leftovers boss you around)When to splurge where it matters and save where it doesn’t Restaurant and takeout hacks that let you enjoy the vibe without paying full priceIf food is one of the top three line items blowing up your budget, this episode will help you take back control and maybe even have some fun with it.Links: Listen to Episode 147: Is a Costco membership worth it? (or watch it on YouTube)Watch our mini-doc Taste the Impact | The Money Behind Every Meal How we eat well without going brokeListen to Episode 132: Navigating the Grocery Wars  Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

👉 Catch us co-hosting the Merging into Life podcast with AAA Northeast! The first 2 episodes are live now, and you can listen on Apple Podcasts or here 👈This week we’re pulling the curtain back on a topic that rarely gets talked about honestly, whether private school is actually affordable… even if you can technically write the check.We’re not here to shame anyone’s choices. But if you’ve ever wondered whether that tuition bill is still worth it, or if you’ve been secretly thinking about pulling your kid out, we made this one for you. In this episode, we break down:Why the “$15K a year” number doesn’t tell the whole storyThe hidden (and not-so-hidden) social costs of private schoolHow the new national voucher program could raise tuition, not lower itWhat the research actually says about outcomes in public vs. private schoolA side-by-side comparison of investing the money instead and what that could mean for your child’s futureWe also get into the emotional toll of living on the financial edge “for the kids,” the illusion of networking your way into elite circles, and what wealthy families are doing differently that might surprise you.Whether you’re team public, private, homeschool or just trying to figure it out, you’ll leave with better questions, clearer trade-offs, and (hopefully) a little less guilt.​​Links: Episode 151 - How to raise a “rich” kidEpisode 69 - Investing for your kids Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

We’ve been managing money together for almost a decade, and we’re still learning how to do it better. This episode is part relationship therapy, part financial strategy, and all the things we wish more couples talked about out loud.We’re talking about what it really takes to handle money together in a way that works for both people. Because most couples don’t need to watch each other’s every move, they just need to feel confident that they’re on the same page, making good decisions, and able to adjust when life throws something new at them.You’ll hear:Why “joint accounts” can still feel deeply one-sidedThe habits that sneak in when financial roles are never definedHow resentment builds when responsibility goes unspokenWhy full transparency isn’t always the solution, and what to build insteadHow to set boundaries without starting a fightWhy interdependence is harder (and better) than independence or controlLinks: The financial impact of divorce and breaking the stigma of prenups with family law attorney and founder of prenups.com, Aaron Thomas Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

A lot of people are feeling financially squeezed right now, and they’re blaming everything except their car.Transportation is one of the top three household expenses. Between longer loans, higher interest rates, pricier insurance, and cars that lose value faster than ever, owning a car has gotten way more expensive in the last few years. And yet most of us still treat the car note like it’s untouchable…like it just is what it is.In this episode, we break down what’s really changed about car ownership, remind you that you’re not alone, and walk through what you can actually do if your car costs too much but you still need it to get to work tomorrow.Need to hear this but don’t want to admit it? We get it. But this isn’t about shame…Here’s what we cover:Why the average car payment is now $745 (new) and $521 (used)How the pandemic car bubble left so many people upside down on loansThe real cost of owning a car: loan, gas, insurance, maintenance, and depreciationSigns your car is eating more than its share of your paycheckWhat to do if you’re stuck with a car that no longer fits your lifeA reminder that walking away from a car isn’t failure, it’s financial maturity Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

We all want a raise, but what if you didn’t have to wait for your boss to give you one?In this episode, we’re breaking down how to actually give yourself a raise without changing jobs, negotiating with HR, or picking up a side hustle. From canceling forgotten subscriptions to rethinking professional services, we're exposing the cash leaks hiding in plain sight and showing you how to reclaim money that's already yours.If you’re looking for a 2025 mid-year financial review project that will have a real impact, this is it. You’ll learn how to:Stop paying for things you no longer use or value, including everyday services that quietly function like subscriptionsUse AI (yes, really) to audit your spending without uploading sensitive financial infoRevisit your debt terms to lower your interest or improve your cash flowTreat PTO and work benefits like the paycheck boosters they areRebuild confidence by remembering you can do more for yourself if you need or choose toBecause you know what they say…it ain’t always about how much you earn, it’s how much you keep Links:Episode 177 - Choosing a Debt Payoff Strategy and why it matters how you approach it Mid-Year Financial Review Archives2024 - Ep 171: Why you need a brokerage account (the Swiss Army knife of investing) 2023 - Ep 121: Mid-Year Review: Financially Conquer the Second Half of the Year2022 - Ep 67: Conducting your mid-year financial review  Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

When we published our book Cashing Out in 2022, we knew we were making bold claims about work, money, and freedom. What we didn’t know was just how fast the world would catch up to them.In this episode, we revisit our book 3 years after its release to reflect on the stories, predictions, and uncomfortable truths that still hold up in 2025. We also share what we’ve learned since, and why the book continues to resonate with people across different industries, life stages, and income levels.You’ll hear: Why Cashing Out still ranks in the Top 250 Budgeting & Money Management books on Amazon Why financial independence was always about identity, not just math What we saw coming with AI, leadership churn, and the collapse of “safe” careers The surprising reason your first dollar outside of work changes everything Why over-specialization and “career loyalty” quietly keep people stuckWe also share our reflections on the book’s impact and what we’d add if we wrote it today.If you haven’t read Cashing Out yet, now’s a perfect time. And if you’ve already read it, it’s a great time to read it again with your 2025 eyes.Last but not least, if you know someone starting their career or rethinking their future, it makes a great giftLinks: Cashing Out AudiobookCashing Out Hardcover Cashing Out Kindle   Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow