Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Ayieyill Corduroy Tote Bag for Women Buy Now
J.VER Men's Dress Shirts Buy Now
GoPro HERO13 Black: 5.3K Action Camera Buy Now
Men's Wool Tweed Herringbone Trousers Buy Now
Maison Margiela Rent The Runway Pre-Loved Purple Tie Sweater Buy Now
Workout Set: 5-Piece Exercise Outfits Buy Now
WV LeisureMaster A14 Pro Max Buy Now
Lace Up Loafers Shoes Buy Now
Instant Hijab Scarf For Women Buy Now
Insignia Fire TV 32 inch Smart HD 720p Buy Now
2-Pack High-Waist Yoga Leggings Buy Now
AERLANG Foldable 10-in-1 Push Up Board Buy Now
Men's Ecosmart Fleece Sweatshirt Buy Now
Ripped Skinny Jeans Buy Now
Kaliyadi Polarized Sunglasses for Men Buy Now
Women's Capri Pajama Sets Buy Now
Islamic Long Headscarf Chiffon Shawl Buy Now
6S Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Buy Now
Digital Resin Strap Watch Buy Now
Ascender Softshell Front-zip Jacket Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Why wait to retire? These Canadians are embracing the adult gap year instead

Why wait to retire? These Canadians are embracing the adult gap year instead

CBC
Sunday, October 20, 2024 8:59 AM GMT

Nick Thompson and his wife, Melanie, love to watch their kids swim in the river near a waterfall on the property where they live in southern Ecuador, on the edge of the Amazon rainforest.

"It's the land of eternal spring, so it never gets below 16 [C] and never gets over 27," Thompson told Cost of Living. "It's sunny every day and there's no bugs because we're just high enough in elevation. So it's kind of like this really cool Goldilocks zone."

Right in their rented backyard, in an area referred to as the Valley of Longevity, they have chickens, mango trees, avocado trees, passion fruit and seven different kinds of bananas, he says. 

The couple left their home in rural Ontario's Norfolk County a little over a year ago with their four kids, ages five to nine, in tow. "We're on a mini retirement," Thompson said.

Human resources professionals say Canadian companies are seeing more employees asking for permission to take longer absences from work than standard vacation time allows. Some call it a mini-retirement; others refer to it as an "adult gap year."

"We hear from clients that they have more and more employees asking for unpaid leaves of absence," said Cissy Pau, an HR consultant from Vancouver.

Philippe de Villers, chair of CPHR Canada, an association that represents HR professionals across the country, said while there's no hard data to quantify how many people are taking longer leaves from work, "it's definitely a trend" he's seen.

"Generally people are more burned out post-pandemic…. That's been documented," said de Villers, who lives in Brossard, Que.

Pau said she, too, thinks the COVID-19 pandemic is part of it. "Post-COVID, we are certainly hearing more requests than before. They don't want to wait 40 years until they retire to go travelling."

She said the sentiment is "might as well go hike Machu Picchu when I can, not wait for [some] time down the road." 

That describes Nick Thompson's philosophy, which he attributes to his mom dying at age 58. 

"It was like one year before my dad was going to retire, and then they had all these plans to travel the world. And then she passed. So … I'm not doing that. I'm not waiting till I'm 65." 

The couple, both 38, have settled into a routine of working hard for three years then taking a year off, usually spending time in an interesting but inexpensive place while renting out their farmhouse while they're away. To save, Thompson will work a conventional job 40 hours per week, and spend another 20 hours a week fixing up a house to sell or rent out, he said.

This isn't an option for everyone — in the middle of an affordability crisis, taking long breaks from paid work is simply out of reach for most Canadians. A Leger survey conducted online in September found that 47 per cent of Canadian respondents were living paycheque to paycheque.  

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
No online voting in Hamilton's next municipal elections, says council, despite staff's recommendation

After lively discussion from Hamilton city councillors on Wednesday about the pros and cons of online voting, they decided it won't be used in upcoming elections.

Pedestrian taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being hit by vehicle in Windsor

Police say a woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a collision Thursday afternoon in the area of Tecumseh Road East and Princess Avenue in Windsor.

Highway 2 expansion through Red Deer wetland prompts conservation concerns

The provincial government is expanding Alberta's busiest highway, but some are worried wetlands near Red Deer will be lost to make way for the widened route. 

Federal agency launches revised growth strategy for northern Ontario

The federal government has launched its newly-revised Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario, a document that aims to address the region's economic challenges and opportunities over the next five years.

Rare black bear sighting in Erin, Ont., prompts safety warning from police

A small black bear has been spotted in Erin, Ont., prompting a warning from police.

Charlottetown hospital ER is keeping pace with influx of tourists so far this season, official says

An administrator at P.E.I.'s largest hospital says staff have been able to keep up with the surge of tourists who need to seek medical care after arriving on the Island, despite longtime strains on the health-care system.

Yukon government plans repair work on Teslin River Bridge

The Government of Yukon is seeking approval to repair damage on the Teslin River Bridge near Johnsons Crossing.

Poilievre tweaks his tone and strategy as he faces must-win byelection, leadership review

Pierre Poilievre was feeling dejected and disappointed after the stinging federal election loss in April, sources close to the Conservative leader said, and he dialed back his public appearances for the better part of two months to reassess his strategy and regroup.

Step-grandmother of missing N.S. kids recalls hearing their voices, followed by 'nothing'

Janie Mackenzie was asleep in her trailer when she awoke to the sound of her dog barking, a telltale sign her two young step-grandchildren were out playing on a swingset in the backyard.

Complaints pile up against only agency providing Indian consular services in Canada

Every time Prashant Vashista thinks of BLS International — the sole company sanctioned by the Indian consulate to handle services like visas and passport renewals in Canada — his mind goes back two years to his mother's death.

A train crossing in the Railway City has been in disrepair for months. Why isn't it fixed yet?

Andrew Harvey never expected the train crossing he goes through on his daily commute to work in St. Thomas would cause $1,000 worth of damages to the front of his car. 

Councillors, advocates say premier's blockage of Halifax bike lane about strong mayor powers

Citing safety concerns, Premier Tim Houston says his government will overturn Halifax council's decision on a local bike lane, but some councillors and advocates say the move is likely about setting the stage for strong mayor powers.

Vitalité calling for hospital patients in Bathurst to be fast-tracked into nursing homes

A day after the Department of Social Development agreed to let certain Horizon Health hospital patients jump the line to get into nursing homes, Vitalité is asking for the same for patients in Bathurst.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
2 P.E.I. women dead in southeastern N.B. crash

Two Prince Edward Island women are dead following a single-vehicle crash on Thursday on Route 15 near Shediac.

Mosquitos in Toronto test positive for West Nile virus, but city says risk of infection is low

Toronto Public Health has confirmed some mosquitos in the city have tested positive for West Nile virus, but say the risk of infection is low if precautions are taken.

Tribunal sides with disabled woman denied ultrasound at Calgary clinic

An Alberta woman who filed a human rights complaint after being turned away at a clinic for an ultrasound says she hopes her recent win paves the way for better accommodations for disabled patients.

19-year-old arrested in connection to overdose death of 14-year-old

A 19-year-old St. John's man has been charged with manslaughter in connection to an overdose of youth from four months ago.

Carrying Experience, Swinging with Purpose: a pro caddie's shot at the Idylwylde Men's Invitational

For the first time in 21 years, Kurt Kowaluk is back in his hometown of Sudbury, Ont., for the Men's Idywylde Golf Invitational.

Florenceville Bridge to close for 5 weekends, starting Friday night and spread over 3 months

Only one local bridge remains for Florenceville-Bristol residents who need to drive across the St. John River, and now that bridge will see some full weekend closures starting this weekend.

Montreal not required to pay back $1M to recycling company Ricova

Quebec's Court of Appeal has reversed a lower court's decision requiring the City of Montreal to reimburse $1 million to recycling company Ricova after the company failed to fulfill its contract with the borough of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (CDN-NDG) in 2017.

Manitoba needs more fire rangers to keep communities safe from future risks, chief says

Sask. MMA fighter 'Big Game' Hunter Lee has sights set on UFC

Saskatoon mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter 'Big Game' Hunter Lee is stalking his prey all the way to Florida.

Sask.'s new privacy commissioner on her office's role in an era of AI

Saskatchewan's new information and privacy commissioner says a life-long passion for serving as a check on government power will help her excel in the new role.

Annexation blues: Residents in Edmonton's future growth area grapple with growing pains

Nearly six years after Edmonton's biggest annexation in decades, residents who live in what the city calls its future growth area are anxious about what is to come. 

Victoria, Saanich to work on amalgation question for next municipal election

The municipalities of Victoria and Saanich have taken steps towards amalgamation this week, with councillors in the capital city directing staff to work with Saanich staff to put together a short question that would be added to the ballot in the October 2026 local elections. 

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us