Have you ever dreamed of stepping away from your job without quitting your career? In this week’s episode of the HerMoney Podcast, we’re exploring how mini-retirements — intentional, budgeted breaks from work — can actually bring you closer to a happy retirement, starting right now.

Jean Chatzky sits down with financial expert and author Jillian Johnsrud, who shares how she and her husband took more than a dozen mini-retirements (while raising six kids!) — and how you can make them work, even without a trust fund or passive income.

From funding breaks on an average salary, to negotiating time off, to turning layoffs into opportunity, this episode is your permission slip to redefine success and well-being — long before 65.

👇 Watch or listen now to learn:
What a mini-retirement really is
How to afford one (even with student loans!)
The 6.5% savings rule that can fund a lifetime of breaks
Why stepping away could boost your career — not break it

🔖 Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to HerMoney with Jean Chatzky
01:28 – What is a mini-retirement, and how is it different from a vacation?
04:45 – How Jillian took 12 mini-retirements with 6 kids
06:30 – Mini-retirements on a budget: Real-life examples
08:15 – The 6.5% rule: How to save for regular breaks
10:05 – Rental property income and financial independence
13:50 – How to plan your mini-retirement step-by-step
16:22 – Negotiating a month off with your boss (yes, really)
19:55 – Can mini-retirements help your career?
24:10 – Turning layoffs into purposeful pauses
26:00 – What mini-retirements teach you about a happy retirement
29:15 – Final thoughts: Start small, plan big, and retire often

💬 Let us know in the comments: What would your dream mini-retirement look like?

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Listen to This Episode: “Retire Often: How Mini-Retirements Can Lead to a Happy Retirement”
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