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

In this solo episode, Jillian discusses the necessity of taking mini retirements to engage in meaningful activities that have expiration dates, such as family adventures. Jillian reflects on her own experiences and the unpredictability of life, encouraging listeners to prioritize these moments before they pass by.

Takeaways

• Mini retirements allow for experiences that can't fit into weekends
• Some life experiences have expiration dates that can't be postponed until 65
• Life is unpredictable, and we should seize opportunities when they arise
• Regrets often stem from not taking chances when we had the time
• The joy of experiences can outweigh the hassle of planning them
• As we age, our preferences and abilities change, impacting our adventures

• Jacob experienced a mental breakdown due to work stress and travel demands.
• Jacob's journey highlights the importance of mental health and family connection.
• He realized he didn't need to reach a financial finish line to make life changes.
• The FIRE movement can create a mindset that limits freedom vs create it.
• He learned that life is about the journey, not just financial goals.
• The risk of staying in a job you hate can be greater than the risk of change.

In this conversation, Stacy shares her experiences part way through her mini retirements. She shares how she created distinct phases. While explaining the importance of having a structured yet flexible approach to this career break. We cover how she overcame one more year syndrome and the fear of losing out on that extra income.

Takeaways

• She felt the need for a better work-life balance due to her stressful job.
• The group coaching provided valuable support and perspective.
• Hesitations about leaving a stable career are common but manageable.
• Volunteering unexpectedly became a fulfilling part of her journey.
• Flexibility in planning is crucial for a successful mini retirement.
• Prioritizing rest before tackling new challenges is beneficial.
• Calculating financial implications helped Stacy make informed decisions.

In this episode, I explain that a month is an ideal starting point due to the ease of negotiation, lower costs, the ability to achieve significant personal goals, and the chance to practice for longer breaks. The conversation then moves into strategies for negotiating time off, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach and the recognition that negotiation is often a multi-step process.

I then detail the importance of crafting a compelling narrative when negotiating a mini-retirement. She outlines four key elements for framing the story: it should be positive, interesting, specific, and ideally a one-time event. Throughout the discussion, she offers practical strategies for framing the conversation, addressing challenges, and using compromise to create a win-win situation for both employee and employer.

You can request access to the 2 free resources to plan an incredible 1-month mini-retirement at http://retireoften.com/onemonth

In this conversation, Jillian speaks with Ken and Mary from The Humble Penny about their journey of taking mini-retirements as business owners. They discuss the impact of COVID on their work-life balance, the transition from corporate jobs to entrepreneurship, and the importance of building systems that allow for freedom in their business. They share insights on the creative energy that comes from taking breaks, the dynamics of family life as business owners, and the mindset shifts necessary for success.

TakeawaysL

• COVID prompted a reassessment of priorities and the desire for more autonomy
• Transitioning from corporate to business ownership requires discipline and organization
• Building systems and having a supportive team is crucial for taking breaks
• It took Ken and Mary four years to achieve the freedom they desired in their business
• Taking breaks allows for rejuvenation and clearer vision in business
• Starting with systems in place can prevent overwhelm later on