Opting for mini-retirements instead of FIRE

Brian Herriot discusses the concept of mini retirements and the journey towards financial independence with Jillian. Brian shares his personal experiences, including the challenges he faced during the pandemic and how he shifted his perspective on what financial freedom means. They explore the importance of taking breaks, the lessons learned from traveling, and the value of optimizing for time freedom rather than just financial wealth.  Pre-order Time Freedom and get the audiobook free—instant access today, paper copy in September. Normally, that takes three copies, but for "Retire Often" listeners, just one. timefreedombook.com | code: JILLIAN Takeaways: Financial independence is not just about money; it's about time control Taking breaks can enhance creativity and professional growth It's important to challenge limiting beliefs about work and time off A seasonal schedule can help balance work and personal life

28% of doctors consider leaving the profession on a weekly basis. Can mini-retirements allow people to stay in these demanding careers that they love, but are burning them out? Jillian and Christie discuss the importance of taking sabbaticals in the healthcare profession, particularly in light of the burnout culture that often pervades the field. Christie shares her personal journey of feeling overwhelmed in her role as a palliative care physician and the steps she took to reclaim her well-being through a sabbatical. They explore the systemic issues that contribute to burnout, the fear associated with career transitions, and the importance of finding agency and options within the medical field. The discussion emphasizes the need for self-care, the value of coaching, and the significance of maintaining one's identity outside of work. Links: Website: reclaimphysiciancoaching.com, where any physician interested in exploring coaching can book a free introductory conversation. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reclaim_physician_coaching Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578579675081 Takeaways: Many doctors feel trapped in their roles due to systemic pressures 28% of doctors contemplate leaving medicine weekly Cultural beliefs can create a false binary of being 'all in' or 'all out' Investing in wellness programs can save healthcare institutions money Fear of losing identity can hinder career transitions Creating a structured sabbatical using the mini-retirement phases can enhance the experience Finding community support can help in navigating career changes  

Why take a mini-retirement when you are fully retired? Justin shares his personal journey of taking a six-month adventure around the world, detailing the motivations behind it, the challenges of maintaining routines while traveling, and the appreciation gained from both travel and returning home. They also delve into the financial aspects of long-term travel, debunking myths about costs and emphasizing the importance of planning and flexibility. You'll see how planning a mini-retirement can help break you out of the retirement routine and add extra adventure and experiences to your daily life.  Links mentioned: Substack link for coverage of our international 6 month trip Link to our podcast episode with more details about the trip My personal blog where people can get more insight to how I retired at 33   Takeaways Mini retirements can enhance the retirement experience. Traveling for an extended period allows for deeper cultural immersion. Maintaining healthy routines while traveling is possible with planning. Returning home after travel can increase appreciation for everyday life. Long-term travel can be more affordable than living at home. Traveling can help clarify future living and lifestyle choices. Questioning preconceived notions about travel costs can open new opportunities.

Jillian and Chris dive into Chris's seven-month mini-retirement, where he and his wife traveled through Asia and Europe. Chris shares how they structured the trip, from budgeting and planning to navigating without a traditional schedule. He explains the cost advantage of taking a long trip vs many shorter trips to accomplish a long bucket list. And he goes through different hacks to increase income during a mini-retirement and reduce travel costs. We also talked about how his next upcoming mini-retirement will embrace this new season of life with small children. Link to All the Hacks Episode mentioned: Making an Easy $3k/mo from Online Deals with Kai    

Jillian and Brenda explore Brenda's journey of taking a mini-retirement to rediscover herself through hiking and writing. Brenda shares her experiences of stepping away from a traditional career to embrace nature and the writing process, discussing the emotional and financial aspects of this transition. They delve into themes of trust, community among hikers, and the importance of redefining success in a personal context. Brenda offers insights on using writing as a tool for self-discovery and provides advice for those considering significant life changes. Takeaways: Brenda took a mini retirement to focus on hiking and writing She set a goal to hike a thousand miles in five months The experience helped her redefine what success means Community among hikers fosters positivity and support Writing can be a powerful tool for self-discovery Avoiding naysayers is important for pursuing dreams More information about Brenda can be found at https://linktr.ee/drbrendau

In this conversation, Jillian and JL Collins explore the themes of financial independence, the value of mini retirements, and the importance of life experiences. They discuss the parable of the monk and the minister, which illustrates the balance between wealth and resilience. The conversation delves into the fears surrounding financial decisions and the journey towards financial independence, emphasizing that experiences in youth may not be as accessible in later years. Through a case study of Tom, they highlight the realities of financial setbacks and the importance of confidence in financial planning. In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of happiness, wealth, and the importance of optimism in life.    Link to Simple Path to Wealth   Takeaways   The parable of the monk and the minister illustrates financial resilience. Mini retirements can enhance life experiences without a catastrophic financial impact. Life stages affect our preferences and capabilities for experiences. Fear of financial missteps can hinder enjoyment of life. Financial independence doesn't eliminate all financial worries. Experiences in youth may not be as accessible in later years. The journey to financial independence can be as important as the destination. Confidence in financial decisions can be built over time. Case studies can provide valuable insights into financial planning. Happiness can exist independently of wealth.  

In this conversation, Jillian and Doug discuss the concept of mini retirements and how they can lead to a fulfilling lifestyle while pursuing financial independence. Doug shares his personal experiences with mini retirements throughout his career, emphasizing the importance of taking breaks, traveling, and spending quality time with family. They explore the challenges and benefits of unconventional choices, the gradual transition to early retirement, and the value of practicing mini retirements to prepare for a fulfilling post-work life. Doug's Links:  Niche Site Project: http://nichesiteproject.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DougCunnington  Doug.Show Podcast: https://doug.show  Mile High FI Podcast: https://milehighfi.com  Homebase: https://dougcunnington.com  Instagram: https://instagram.com/dougcunnington 

Mitch shares his journey towards a mini-retirement, discussing the challenges of decoupling his identity from work, the role of therapy in his transition, and the planning involved in their adventure. He reflects on the joy of spending quality time with family while traveling and the unexpected return to work with a new perspective.  Mitch offers encouragement for others considering a similar path, emphasizing the importance of self-evaluation and planning for a fulfilling life beyond traditional work. Takeaways Mitch and his wife were both working demanding jobs before considering a mini-retirement The financial independence community inspired Mitch to rethink his career path Decoupling identity from work is crucial for a successful transition Therapy played a significant role in helping Mitch understand his feelings about work Planning their mini-retirement adventure was essential to ensure they followed through Living in a camper for 11 weeks brought the family closer together Returning to work allowed Mitch to coach and guide others rather than manage Links:     •    myFIcapsule Episode #23: Our Big Trip Explained!      •    EverdayFI Episode #33: Mitch & Meg's Money Musings

Jillian discusses the concept of mini-retirements, exploring how much one needs to save to enjoy these experiences throughout life. She emphasizes the importance of planning, budgeting, and finding ways to increase income or reduce expenses to make mini-retirements feasible. Jillian provides practical calculations and strategies for saving, encouraging listeners to think creatively about financing their adventures and maximizing their experiences. Takeaways How saving an additional 6.5% of your income can fund mini-retirements. Finding ways to increase income or reduce expenses is key to financial freedom. Postponing small luxuries can lead to greater experiences later.

In this conversation, Charles shares the inspiring journey of taking a seven-month mini retirement with his family, exploring the motivations behind their decision, the planning process, and the transformative experiences they encountered along the way. He discusses the impact of travel on his children, the importance of adaptability, and how the trip allowed them to reconnect as a family. Charles also highlights the lessons learned about resilience, the value of pausing in life, and his upcoming book that documents their adventure. Takeaways Travel was a shared dream that started on their honeymoon COVID-19 made them rethink the timing of their trip They aimed for immersion in cultures rather than a packed itinerary The trip was a reset for their family values and connections Children showed remarkable adaptability and resilience during the trip Travel experiences fostered growth and confidence in their kids