client scenario:
the family sabbatical
- Katie & James (38 & 40 yo)
- Married with 2 Kids (5 & 7 yo)
- Katie: Recruiter & James: Software Engineer
- Live in Seattle
💭 They dream of taking a sabbatical with their family 💭
financial situation before sabbatical
Household Annual Income:
$520,000
Assets:
- $775,000 in retirement savings (401(k) & IRAs)
- $1,500,000 in liquid savings & investments
- $500,000 in RSUs
- Own a home in Seattle with $650,000 in equity
Both outdoor enthusiasts, Katie & James love hiking, camping, and exploring national parks but never have enough time for extended trips. They are both driven and have interesting careers, but they also want to experience a slower pace of life for a bit, introduce their kids to different cultures, and spend quality time together away from the daily grind.
Goals:
➡ Take a 6-month family sabbatical to travel and spend quality time together
➡ Experience slow travel in Europe and South America
➡ Ensure financial security while on sabbatical and have a plan for returning to work
➡ Continue saving for retirement and their kids’ education
This is a hypothetical client scenario based on experiences across multiple clients.
Their Biggest Fears & Challenges When Thinking About Their Dream Sabbatical:
➡ “Will we find jobs when we return?” – They were worried about re-entering the job market after a break.
➡ “Can we really afford this?” – They were afraid of making a mistake and disrupting their family’s financial stability in the long term.
➡ “What about our retirement?” – They were concerned that taking time off would delay their retirement date.
➡ ”Can someone just plan it for us?” – They didn’t have a lot of time after work, and they wanted to spend time with their kids rather than research their travel plans.
➡ “Will it be too hard for the kids?” – Taking the kids out of school felt like a big step and they wanted to make sure it was the right decision for them.
➡ “What do we not know?” – They felt anxious about the unknown and feared they would forget something.
They could've let their fears stop them from taking a sabbatical...
instead they got help in making a smart plan to turn their dreams into reality.
smart financial planning for sabbaticals
Our Approach To Turn Your Sabbatical Dream Into Reality:
At Middleton & Company, we guide families like Katie & James through every phase of their sabbatical journey with the financial expertise, structure, and accountability they need to confidently turn “someday” into a specific, supported timeline.
Our 6-Phase Sabbatical Planning Program includes:
Phase 1:
Sabbatical Readiness
A full financial assessment to evaluate what’s possible
Phase 2:
Ideas & Limits
Space to talk, dream, and plan according to your unique situation
Phase 3:
Research & Development
Travel planning tips & inspiring reading materials based on where you are in your planning journey
Phase 4:
Execution
Personalized investment management & tax optimization, including corresponding directly with your CPA
Phase 5:
Homeward Bound
Planning the return to life and work
Phase 6:
Ongoing Planning
Year-round advice, support and adjustments before, during, and after the sabbatical
In this scenario, Katie & James partnered with us through all six phases of our program. However, depending on your circumstances, we might find that certain phases aren’t relevant to you. That’s why we take a personalized approach to sabbatical planning, so it aligns with your unique goals and situation.
Our approach is structured but conversational, giving you an enjoyable step-by-step experience, incorporating:
➡ Financial planning
➡ Travel and lifestyle guidance
➡ Guided self-reflection
Outcomes
Katie & James took a 6-month sabbatical with their kids, turning their dream into a memorable lifetime experience.
🌍 They traveled to Portugal, Spain, and Costa Rica, living slowly and intentionally in each place.
🏄 They spent afternoons exploring local markets, hiking coastal trails, and watching their kids make new friends, learn to surf, and practicing a new language.
👨👩👧👦 They connected with other families from around the world who were also on sabbatical and built friendships that made their journey richer and more meaningful.
💳 They had money when they needed it, without having to log into their accounts. We were behind the scenes making their retirement contributions, taking advantage of their lower income year with tax planning, and rebalancing their investments.
🔄 They realized they could shape their days with more freedom, even after the sabbatical ended.
💼 Their careers didn’t suffer. James returned to a new role that gave him more flexibility, and Katie began pursuing a creative project she’d been thinking about for years.
🎨 They carved out time for hobbies and family rituals: cooking, journaling, evening walks, and more.
📅 Before they even unpacked their bags, they’d blocked off a placeholder on their calendar for another family sabbatical in two years.
Does this feel like you? Would you like to explore how you could make your dream sabbatical a reality? Let’s talk!
What’s the difference between the people who take a sabbatical and those who only dream about it?
Commitment.
Life will always be full of responsibilities. But when you commit to your future sabbatical, that’s when the magic happens – your dream starts becoming a reality.
We’re here to support you every step of the way: cheering you on, keeping you accountable, and offering the expertise you need for a smooth, confident journey. And beyond that, we’ll connect you with a community of like-minded people who’ll make the process even more meaningful and enjoyable.
You don’t have to do it on your own.