How to Design a Mini Retirement with Jillian Johnsrud

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I first saw Jillian Johnsrud speak at FinCon, and I knew right away I wanted to bring her on the show. What she shared was incredibly valuable not just for the personal finance community, but especially for fitness professionals and gym owners who work so hard and often think they have to wait until "someday" to enjoy life.

In this episode, Jillian explains what a mini retirement is, why it can be one of the best decisions you'll ever make, and how to plan for it intentionally. We talk about the time and money components, how to include your family, and how taking a step back can actually move you forward financially and personally.

Even if you're not ready to take one right now, the process of preparing for a mini retirement will help you put the right systems in place and gain clarity about what really matters.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What a mini retirement actually is (and what it isn't)
• Why it can provide unexpected financial and personal benefits
• How to think through the time and money pieces so it fits your season of life
• Tips for making the most of your time away, especially with family
• Why planning for a mini retirement can strengthen your business systems even if you don't take one yet

About the Guest

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 wrote 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.

Jillian Johnsrud is the founder of Retire Often and a leading voice in the financial independence and lifestyle design space. She's helped thousands of people pursue meaningful work, intentional living, and financial freedom on their own terms.