Why Wait? How Gary Hibbert Takes 2-Month Mini-Retirements Twice a Year

The Big Picture on Mini-Retirements:

• • Gary Hibbert’s personal losses led him to rethink life and build a business that lets him take two months off twice a year.
  • By investing in real estate, delegating, and automating, Gary ensures his income flows even when he’s not working.
  • Start with short breaks, build passive income, and design your life around freedom—not just financial goals.

Most people spend 40+ years working, waiting for retirement to finally enjoy life. But what if you didn’t have to wait? What if you could take mini-retirements throughout your career, giving yourself extended breaks while still growing your income?

That’s exactly what Gary Hibbert does. As a private lender, real estate educator, and host of The Real Talk with Gary Podcast, he takes two months off—twice a year. And he’s here to share how he made that possible.

The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything

Gary’s perspective on work and life changed drastically when his mother and mother-in-law were both diagnosed with cancer just months apart. Within two years, both had passed away.

That devastating loss made him question everything:

👉 Why am I spending my life doing something I don’t enjoy?

👉 What if I don’t make it to retirement?

👉 How can I create a life where I actually have time for the people I love?

Instead of waiting until 65 to enjoy life, he and his wife decided to design a business that allowed them to take long breaks without sacrificing their income.

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How Mini-Retirements Work

Gary takes two months off in the summer and two months off in the winter every year. Here’s how he makes it possible:

✔️ Real Estate Investing – Gary built a portfolio of rental properties, creating passive income.

✔️ Business Systems & Delegation – He structured his business to run without him, using automation and hiring the right team.

✔️ Financial Planning – By managing cash flow wisely, he ensures income keeps coming in, even while he’s away.

His approach is similar to the concepts in books like The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss and Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell—leveraging systems to work smarter, not harder.

Why Mini-Retirements Work Better Than Traditional Retirement

Most people dream of retiring at 65 and spending their days relaxing. But in reality:

❌ Many people don’t make it to retirement in good health.

❌ A lifetime of work often leads to burnout.

❌ Sitting on a beach for a year gets boring fast.

Instead, Gary’s mini-retirement model allows him to:

✅ Take time off while he’s still young and energetic.

✅ Travel, spend time with family, and pursue passions.

✅ Stay engaged with work and purpose rather than fully stepping away.

How You Can Start Taking Mini-Retirements

Even if you’re working a traditional job, you can start building a lifestyle that allows for more freedom. Here’s how:

1️⃣ Start Small – You don’t need 2-month breaks right away. Try taking a one-month break each year first.

2️⃣ Build Passive Income Streams – Consider real estate investing or starting an online business to generate income without trading time for money.

3️⃣ Automate & Delegate – If you’re running a business, focus on building a team and creating systems so things don’t fall apart when you step away.

4️⃣ Plan Your Finances – Mini-retirements require smart budgeting and investing so you don’t feel pressured to work constantly.

5️⃣ Write Down Your Vision – Gary and his wife use a whiteboard strategy every year to map out their goals and stay on track.

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Final Thoughts

The traditional idea of retirement is outdated. Why wait decades to start enjoying life when you could start now? By taking mini-retirements, you can enjoy financial and time freedom while still pursuing work that excites you.

Ready to rethink your approach to work and retirement? Start designing a life where you don’t need a vacation from today!