A sabbatical can be an extremely rewarding experience — so rewarding, in fact, that you can't bear the thought of returning to work once it comes to an end. Instead of serving as an alternative to an early retirement, a sabbatical could be something that further drives your desire to end your career sooner rather than later. And that's not necessarily something that has to be off the table, says Filip Telibasa, Owner and Planner at Benzina Wealth.

"Run your numbers like it is retirement," he insists. "How much would it take to fund your lifestyle indefinitely? What trade-offs are you willing to make? Downsizing your home, moving to a lower cost of living area, part-time income — these levers give you flexibility and let you know what's possible."