Retire Often - by Jillian Johnsrud (Paperback)

About the Book

"Retire Often is your guide to unlocking a life of freedom and fulfillment, without sacrificing ambition or career progress. Why do we have to work for 40 years and only retire once? Why can't we take occasional career breaks to focus on the other areas of life that matter: family, friends, adventure, rest, hobbies, our health, and achieving long-held dreams? And what if there were a way of doing so that not only avoided financial or career downsides - but also brought profound upsides? Author Jillian Johnsrud has walked the walk - taking numerous mini retirements that have unlocked work-life balance and a more purposeful life, while also helping rather than hindering her career thanks to simple steps and practical principles that anyone can follow. She has coached hundreds of people to achieve the same, and in Retire Often she shares everything you need to make the most of every season of life by retiring not once - but often"--

Book Synopsis

Why do we have to work for 40 years and only retire once? Why can't we take occasional career breaks to focus on the other areas of life that matter: family, friends, adventure, rest, hobbies, our health, and achieving long-held dreams? And what if there was a way of doing so that not only avoided financial or career downsides - but brought profound upsides?

Author Jillian Johnsrud has walked the walk - taking numerous mini retirements that have unlocked work-life balance and a more purposeful life, while also helping rather than hindering her career thanks to simple steps and practical principles that anyone can follow.

She has coached hundreds of people to achieve the same, and in Retire Often she shares everything you need to make the most of every season of life by retiring not once - but often.

Accompanied by a thoughtful foreword from author JL Collins, The Simple Path to Wealth, this book is packed with personal anecdotes, applicable advice, and handy tips, making it a must-buy manual for anyone seeking more freedom and balance in their lives.

Review Quotes

"Retire Often provides a roadmap for ambitious professionals to accelerate their careers--without working nonstop! Sabbatical programs aren't talked about enough, and Jillian Johnsrud is starting an important conversation."
--Jason Feifer, Editor in Chief, Entrepreneur Magazine

"Sometimes it feels like we have to choose between financial freedom and a life of adventure. Jillian shows us it's possible to have both. Retire Often offers keen insights and fresh perspectives that will help anyone navigate their life's path with confidence."
--Ryan Nicodemus, Co-founder of The Minimalists

"Most of us face a false choice: work until we're ready to retire forever, as though retirement is a one-way door. But there's a smarter path. Mini-retirements let you strategically hit pause, realign your priorities, and enjoy epic adventures punctuated throughout your life. Retire Often delivers the practical blueprint for how to do this--without blowing up your finances or career momentum. The key takeaway? Retirement isn't an all-or-nothing proposition. You can experience multiple meaningful breaks throughout your journey while also building long-term wealth."
--Paula Pant, Host of the Afford Anything podcast

"Retire Often will give you a vision for how you can design your working career and finances in an entirely different way; one that reflects your values and gives space for your biggest goals."
--Joshua Becker, Founder of Becoming Minimalist and Author, Things That Matter

About the Author

Jillian Johnsrud 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 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 our retirements throughout her and her husband's working lives. At 40, they have taken over a dozen mini-retirements. These allowed them to pursue dreams like living abroad, traveling to 27 countries, adopting four kids (plus two biological kids), investing in real estate, and traveling the US in a camper. In her book Retire Often (2025) she shares exactly how you can do the same.