Mini Retirements: How to Take a Break Sooner That Could Also Boost Your Career and Income with Jillian Johnsrud

Mini Retirements: How to Take a Break Sooner That Could Also Boost Your Career and Income with Jillian Johnsrud

Author: Chris Hutchins July 30, 2025 Duration: 1:00:36
#239: Why wait until you're 65? It's feasible for almost anyone to take a mini retirement and when done right, it can also fast-track your career and income. Learn how to plan one, negotiate time off, manage costs, avoid pitfalls, and make it work if you’re self-employed. Plus, we share tips for handling health insurance and other logistics during your mini-retirement. Jillian Johnsrud is the author and host of Retire Often. She’s taken more than a dozen mini-retirements and coaches people to pursue meaningful goals, take mini-retirements, and align their money with what matters most. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/mini-retirements-jillian-johnsrud Partner Deals Stable: 50% off your first year of my favorite digital mailbox DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web Bilt Rewards: Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent Long Angle: Join a free private community for high net worth investors Shopify: $1/month trial for the easiest e-commerce platform For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned Jillian: Website | Podcast | Instagram Jillian's Book: Retire Often Free Worksheets: Planning | Negotiating Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (02:12) Why Traditional Retirements Are Flawed (04:32) What Is a Mini Retirement? (06:50) How to Make More Money by Working Less (09:46) Managing Your Time During a Mini Retirement (11:57) Common Types of Mini Retirements (15:43) Ways to Design an Impactful Mini Retirement (18:19) Financial Implications of a Mini Retirement (20:40) Chris and Amy's Mini Retirement (22:57) How to Negotiate a Mini Retirement With Your Employer (30:41) Paid Leave vs. Unpaid Leave (37:18) Finding Work After a Mini Retirement (42:10) Tips for People Who Are Self-Employed (46:52) How to Plan, Save, and Spend for Your Mini Retirement (49:33) Estimating the Cost of a Mini Retirement (53:45) All the Different Ways a Mini Retirement Can Go Wrong (56:55) Should You Take a Mini Retirement With or Without Your Partner? (59:07) Health and Travel Insurance Options (1:01:09) Jillian's Parting Advice (1:02:23) Where to Find Jillian and Her Work Connect with Chris Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like there's a smarter, more efficient way to navigate your finances, your travels, and your daily routines? That's the core question driving All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life. Hosted by Chris Hutchins, this podcast is built on a simple, powerful idea: maximizing value doesn't mean sacrificing enjoyment. Instead, it's about the strategic choices that free up resources-both money and time-for what truly matters. Chris approaches life as a series of systems to be optimized, drawing from his own experience saving millions through meticulous analysis. The conversations here are practical and wide-ranging, moving seamlessly from credit card points strategies and investment philosophies to the less tangible hacks for personal fulfillment. You'll hear from a diverse roster of experts and icons, including Tim Ferriss, Tony Hawk, Codie Sanchez, and Gary Vaynerchuk, who all bring their unique perspectives on building wealth and designing a compelling life. Each episode feels like a focused workshop, offering actionable advice you can use immediately, whether it's planning a luxury vacation for a fraction of the cost or rethinking your approach to career and leisure. This isn't just about frugality; it's about unlocking freedom and excitement through smarter decisions. Tune in for a consistently insightful blend of tactical moves and deeper conversations that challenge the conventional trade-offs between spending, saving, and living well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life
Podcast Episodes
How Much Are Points and Miles Worth in 2025? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:42
#245: Ever wonder what points are really worth? I'll break down the different types of points, how to calculate their value, and the biggest mistakes people make along the way. You’ll also learn when cash back might be t…
How I Saved $10,000+ on Luxury Hotels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:56
#244: I'll explain how I saved over $10k on luxury hotels in Costa Rica and Carmel Valley using points, free nights, and elite perks. I’ll walk you through every step, from how to book with points, when to buy them on sa…
Deep Dive on Capital One Credit Cards and Miles (+ Why I Love Them) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:56
#242: Chris dives into the Capital One credit card lineup, breaking down earning structures for miles and cash back, exciting benefits, and redemption strategies. He also covers the best 2-card combo, transfer partners,…
Earn More Points with New Cards, Bonuses, and Challenges in 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:15
#241: We cover new credit cards, increased welcome bonuses, and major changes to existing cards and their benefits. Plus, learn how to rack up thousands of points through airline and hotel challenges and giveaways. Link…
18 Tactics for Booking Travel with Points & Miles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:44
#238: Chris shares 18 tactics he’s used to get the best deals booking flights and hotels with points. Learn how to leverage flexibility, navigate transfer partners, use the right tools, identify “sweet spots,” avoid high…
How to Design a Rich Life at Any Income with Ramit Sethi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:59
#237: Start living your rich life today regardless of your income. Learn how to spend without guilt, track the four key financial numbers that matter most, harness the power of decisiveness, and avoid the common traps th…
Deep Dive on Amex Credit Cards and Membership Rewards Points [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:22
#236: Chris reviews and ranks the full American Express lineup of 30+ cards. He also breaks down Membership Rewards, transfer partners, approval rules, card-linked offers, unique perks, and more. Link to Full Show Notes:…
Chris’ Money Allocation Framework: 10 Steps to Build Your Wealth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:33
#235: Chris shares his personal 10-step money allocation framework to help prioritize savings, investments, and financial flexibility. He also dives into advanced strategies for tax optimization, liquidity, and real-worl…