Time Freedom: Rethink Your Work and Money to Create a Life You Love Now

by Brian Herriot

Reclaim your time. Redesign your life. Live on your terms―starting now.

Most people chase financial freedom, convinced that’s the finish line. The real win isn’t financial independence someday; it’s time freedom today. And getting there doesn’t have to mean walking away from your career, selling everything, or betting it all on one risky move.

Simple, deliberate shifts can create more time, more choice, and more freedom without putting your financial security on the line.

In Time Freedom, financial advisor and entrepreneur Brian Herriot shows you how to structure your work and money so they serve you, not the other way around. You’ll learn sensible strategies for working less, making more, and investing better while building a plan that reclaims your hours, your energy, and your life.

You’ll discover how to do the following:
- Escape the nine-to-five with confidence
- Create flexible work and actual balance
- Build passive income
- Feel good about spending money
- Design your days around your values
- Start living with intention and purpose

Achieving time freedom doesn’t require you to follow fads, move to the beach (unless you want to), or make a drastic life change overnight. Herriot’s practical, proven steps work in the real world. Whether you’re running a business, building toward early retirement, or seeking more time for the people and moments that matter, this book offers a clear path forward.

If you want the freedom to work when you want, live how you choose, and design a life you love, Time Freedom will show you how.

Genres: Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Finance

296 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2026

About the author

Brian Herriot is an author, speaker, business coach, and financial advisor who helps entrepreneurs achieve time freedom and financial freedom without sacrificing their most important priorities. After founding three businesses, he’s learned that true success means building a life that works for you.

His approach blends lifestyle design with useful small business and money management strategies, giving readers a clear, actionable path to sustainable freedom now, not someday.

A self-described “freetimer,” Brian works by choice, not by obligation, and designs his days around what matters most to him. He lives with his wife and son in Alameda, California, and spends summers at his cabin on Lake Seventeen in Hazelhurst, Wisconsin—a reminder that the freetimer life isn’t a dream, but a decision you can make starting today.

Reviews

[Elle]

4.5 ⭐️ As someone who is genuinely interested in personal finance, I found this book incredibly useful and thought-provoking. We live in a culture that often tells us to “work as hard as you can and make as much as you can until age 65.” However, if we spend decades following that narrative, we can end up spending a lot of our weeks, months, and years doing things that don’t bring us joy. There’s something to be said about creating more time, or “time freedom,” to do the things you love before 65.

This book gives you the practical tools to help you better understand your current finances while also showing you what you can do in the next few years (yes, the near future!) to create more freedom with your time. It challenges the idea that you have to wait several decades before you start living the life you want. Instead, this book encourages you to shift your perspective on earning, saving, and investing, and to think more intentionally about how your money can support the life you want to live (spouse, kids, pets, etc. included!).

As someone early in my career, I want to share this book with my friends and family. It’s never too early (or too late!) to start having these conversations.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in personal finance, anyone who wants to create more time for the things (and people) they love, and especially anyone considering entrepreneurship. The book is full of helpful tips and includes several free resources that make the concepts more digestible.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the advanced reader copy!

[Alex]

First: this is more a personal finance book than time management book. Though it is some amalgam of finance, time management and coaching/ entrepreneurship advice. The individual parts aren’t all that unique but the overall message is. It offers a meaningful alternative to hustle culture that dominates business books and it resonates for me because time freedom is basically what I chose five years ago and there’s no way I’m ever giving that up. When I started my first business one of my cofounders talked about “lifestyle businesses” almost as a pejorative. It took me almost ten years to realize that’s exactly what I wanted. So this book worked as a solid reminder to me of why I’m doing things the way I’m doing them. Not hugely useful to me ultimately but definitely encouraging. And for people looking to make a change and give themselves more space this could lay a good foundation.

[Susie Minahan]

A really interesting rethink of what “retirement” and “freedom” can actually mean.

I really enjoyed Time Freedom because it challenges the usual idea that financial freedom means making a ton of money, retiring early, and never working again.

The more interesting idea here is: what if you could redesign work so that it actually fits your life? Work less, work differently, take breaks when you want to, and maybe keep working for longer because you genuinely enjoy what you’re doing.

That idea really resonated with me—especially the concept of making retirement irrelevant because you’re already doing the work you want to do. The author talks about thinking of it more as renewal than retirement, and I loved that framing.

I also appreciated how practical and approachable the book is. It’s not about becoming wildly wealthy or finding some magic investment strategy. It’s about thoughtful planning, sound investing, and being intentional about what you actually want your life to look like. The discussion of building a lifestyle business was another highlight for me. Why build a startup that requires you to work a million hours when you could build something that supports the life you want?

And honestly, the personal stories made the book for me. I loved hearing about the author’s family, the mistakes he made, and how he and his wife changed course as their vision for their lives evolved. It made the whole concept feel much more real and attainable.

Highly recommend this one if you’ve ever thought, “There has to be another way to do this.” It’s a great book for anyone interested in designing a more unconventional life while still finding meaning and fulfillment in their work.

Note: Advance Copy Received

[Angelina Stephens]

Reading this book frustrated me beyond belief. My highlighter is a litmus test for the effectiveness of an author’s core message, and its ability to compel me to incorporate ideas into my life. Because I received an advanced digital copy, every time I wanted to scribble in a margin or bust out the highlighter, I was left squinting into my phone trying to make notes of which pages to go back to when I finally get the hard copy in my hands to do it justice. This book is a must read (with a highlighter or two), and I will share a few reasons why I will be reading it again and applying its concepts to my life:

The author surprised me by making me feel seen, heard, validated, and most importantly, challenged, when it comes to my finances, my life purpose, and my actions toward both. I have read many books about life. I coach elite leaders and practitioners and felt like I had considerable self-awareness on how to build purpose into life and work.

But deep down, I have often felt judged for believing I can build a life where my work is meaningful AND I can embrace life to the fullest. I’ve stubbornly done both for decades, but believed I had to sacrifice financial freedom (or achieve some windfall personally or professionally) to do so. I always felt like I was chasing a sweet spot between meaningful and viable/profitable work, swinging on a pendulum I couldn’t let go of.

So many books romanticize a life where you stop doing the work you love and start living “life” once you have enough money. Finally, I feel like Time Freedom built the roadmap to MY ideal life. Work AND life without waiting for or putting the brakes on either one.

A few ideas I keep coming back to:

- “Self censorship of what we think is possible”: I never considered myself to self censor, but when challenged with constructive exercises to look at my own choices, I realized how much I was limiting myself and my life potential

- “Flexible work is work we give ourselves permission to do forever”: This quote, and the way flexible work is described by the author, made me excited to rewrite the future on my own terms, and the exercises he included made it feel possible to do so

- “Your identity and your values can become a filter for assessing living expenses”: I absolutely loved the way the author reframed budgeting and managing personal finances to fit into his overall concept of time freedom with actionable tools to put it into practice

- The author incorporates specific strategies to time block that are unlike anything I’ve heard, but am very excited to incorporate, that don’t just organize your life, they build your life into seasons that make you better in every aspect of life and more free to live it fully

Despite my frustration at tiny screens and having to wait on release dates to bust out the highlighter, Time Freedom has sparked something that I believe will be the framework to a better future for me and my family. More importantly, I think it’s laid out the tools I need to actually DO it, instead of seeing that spark fade away on a bookshelf over time.

[Alyssa]

This book really made me rethink what “retirement” and career freedom actually mean.

I went into Time Freedom a little skeptical. I’ve read a lot of books about careers, business, and financial independence, and I wasn’t sure what another one could really add. But this one genuinely shifted how I think about work and what I want my life to look like.

The biggest takeaway for me was that you don’t have to wait until retirement to start building the life you actually want. And “financial freedom” doesn’t have to mean becoming wildly wealthy or starting the next billion dollar company. There are a lot of smaller, smarter decisions you can make that give you more options.

That really resonated with me. I’ve spent a lot of time and energy building a corporate career, and like a lot of people, I’ve thought of that path as the “safe” option. Time Freedom made me question that assumption in a productive way and nudged me to start preparing myself for doing something different.

I finished the book feeling much more confident about the possibility of a career outside of corporate life. I still don’t know exactly what that looks like for me, but it feels a lot less daunting. I have a better sense of the financial questions I need to answer and how I could map out when making that kind of move might actually be realistic.

I really liked the practical side of the book, too. There are useful financial tools and resources, but it never felt like reading a textbook. The book is actually FUN to read. Brian’s personality comes through, and the stories and examples make the ideas easy to connect with.

I honestly wish I’d read this earlier in my career.

I’d recommend this to pretty much anyone who has ever thought, “Is this really how I want to spend the next 10, 20, 30 years?” Especially if you’re burned out, considering a career change, have a business idea in the back of your mind, or just want more control over how work fits into your life.

A really worthwhile read if you’re ready to think differently about how work can support the life you actually want to live.

[Rebecca Herbst]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who feels a little lost in the world of risk-averse personal finance.

So much of the personal finance advice we get - quite often from wealth advisors themselves - is focused on accumulation: save, invest, save, invest, and do it all over again. Time Freedom tackles a different question: What are we actually working toward, and how can we get there faster? For those looking for a path to "arrive," this book offers a compelling framework.

I think the author does a very good job of distilling complex concepts into highly digestible chapters. He also weaves in personal stories about his family, particularly his relationship with his wife, which I found very moving. Those stories add a lot of heart to what could otherwise be a fairly numbers-driven book.

The one area where I think the book could be improved is the chapter on earning income through a side hustle. The author explores different ideas based on your skill set, but I didn't find the advice particularly actionable. For example, you may come away from the first few chapters realizing that you're actually in a great position to scale back your work. Maybe instead of earning $100,000 a year, you only need to earn $20,000. In theory, that means you only need to replace a fifth of your income. But if you've never explored a side hustle or starting your own business, the book doesn't really explain how you might get from point A to point B. Building something from scratch that becomes a reliable source of income is no joke. I would have loved to see more practical guidance on how someone could actually make that transition.

That said, I found the overall message of the book refreshing. It pushes back against the idea that personal finance is simply about accumulating as much money as possible and instead asks us to think more intentionally about what we're accumulating it for.

Disclosure: I read this book as part of a pre-release from the author Brian Herriot.

[S]

Time Freedom offers a refreshing way to think about success, work, money, and the limited time we have in life. Brian Herriot challenges the traditional idea that we should work for decades, save as much as possible, and wait until retirement to finally enjoy the freedom we want.
Instead, he introduces the idea of becoming a “freetimer”—someone who intentionally designs work and finances around having greater control over their time now.

What I especially appreciated about this book is that Herriot doesn’t suggest simply working less or spending more. His approach is about finding the right balance between meaningful work, financial responsibility, and time for the people and experiences that matter most. He makes a compelling case and gives actionable steps to show how you don’t necessarily have to choose between loving your work and having more freedom.

This book resonated with me because I’ve also come to appreciate that having more time and flexibility can be just as valuable as having more money. It reminded me to think beyond the traditional definition of success and consider what kind of life I want to create along the way—not just what I hope to achieve someday. I found Time Freedom to be an encouraging and practical book because it challenges a common assumption: that we have to postpone the life we really want until we’re financially independent.

Herriot’s message is simple but powerful: Don’t just build wealth. Build a life. The benefit of reading this book is, he gives real life, examples and step-by-step options that show how any one that wants to, can work towards a specific plan and become a “freetimer”.

You don’t necessarily have to stop working to be free. You can redesign the way you work, use your money wisely, and create more freedom along the way. For anyone thinking about retirement, entrepreneurship, career flexibility, or simply wanting more time with family, Time Freedom offers a thought-provoking perspective on how to make the most of both your money and your most precious resource—your time.

[Dustin]

I’d say it’s a book for anyone who is uncomfortable with the default idea that we should spend 40 years accumulating enough money to retire, then hope we still have enough health and energy left to enjoy the freedom we’ve earned.

I’ve always been drawn to a different model: do work I don’t necessarily want to retire from, while building a life rich in experiences and relationships along the way. Especially while my kids are still young enough to be around and share those experiences with us.

That’s why Time Freedom resonated so strongly with me. If you want to enjoy your life in the present rather than continually deferring happiness, travel, relationships, and meaningful experiences until “someday,” I think you’ll find Brian’s ideas both exciting and inspiring.

That said, the book does ask you to challenge some deeply ingrained assumptions. If you’re convinced entrepreneurship or flexible work could never be an option for you, extremely risk-averse, or unwilling to rethink the conventional American definition of retirement, some of Brian’s ideas may feel like a stretch.

But if you’re open-minded about intentionally designing your work and life—and especially if the idea of experiencing more of life while you’re young and healthy enough to fully enjoy it appeals to you—this book is absolutely worth reading.

I also appreciated how approachable and personal Brian makes the book. He doesn’t simply present an idealized version of time freedom. He shares the intimidating parts of making these choices, his own family’s experiences, and how being married to someone living with chronic illness has shaped the way he thinks about time, work, health, and what really matters.

Ultimately, Time Freedom is less about escaping work and more about refusing to postpone your life.

Please note that I met Brian in a networking group and received an advanced copy of the book.

[EVB]

This is an excellent book! The author lays out a roadmap for achieving more time, our most valuable asset, and living life on our own terms. He describes how the conventional ways of thinking, in which we focus on financial freedom, is the path to a happy and fulfilled life in retirement. He then offers an alternative path in which the focus instead is on time freedom, which he defines as “owning how you spend your time and shaping the natural seasons of your life on your own terms.” It was fascinating to read about the method of achieving time freedom and how you can apply it to your life now!

Although I am now retired, I still found plenty of valuable information which is relevant to my current situation. The author presents the concept of time freedom in an easy to understand manner through his use of pertinent stories, a three-part framework formula, a wealth of resources, and online tools to help you design your ideal life. He does a thorough job of breaking down the three components time freedom - lifestyle expenses, investment income and flexible work. He provides numerous examples to help the reader evaluate their own situation and determine how they can plan for a life of choice, flexibility and control over their time.

Sprinkled throughout the book were reflection questions and exercises which prompted me to pause and evaluate my own life and the path I’m on. I especially appreciated his Look Back/Look Ahead Life Design, his version of a life-visioning exercise meant to help us envision the future of our dreams. In addition, he writes about the investment portion of the formula in an easy to understand manner and even provides a useful Time Freedom Portfolio “barbell” strategy for investing.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, regardless of their stage in life. There are so many lessons presented, so much wisdom shared and an abundance of resources to help the reader achieve the ultimate freedom of choosing how they spend their time!

[Libby Quam]

This book genuinely changed the way I think about work, retirement, and what financial freedom can actually look like.

I have a master’s degree in vocal performance and originally imagined building my life around music. Student loans, debt, and the practical realities of adulthood eventually pushed me into the corporate world, where I’ve built a successful career—but for a long time, I assumed that meant music would always have to remain a hobby.

Reading this book made me question that assumption.

The idea of “time freedom” gave me a different way to think about the savings and investments I’m already building—not simply as money for some distant retirement, but potentially as tools that could create more freedom much earlier. It sparked real conversations in my household about how we might use the financial foundation we’ve built to make room for creative work, entrepreneurial ideas, and a life that looks a little different from the traditional work-until-retirement model.

The book is very readable, and the exercises and action steps make the concepts feel much more achievable than you might expect. I also found some of the personal stories incredibly moving.

My biggest question while reading was how this approach works for people carrying significant debt, particularly student loans. I would have loved even more discussion of how debt fits into the time-freedom framework and how to balance paying it down against investing and creating greater freedom now.

But the biggest compliment I can give this book is that it stayed with me. Long after I finished it, I kept turning its ideas over in my head. It gave me something I didn’t expect from a personal finance book: hope that the creative life I had largely written off may still be possible—and that financial security and meaningful work don’t necessarily have to be opposing goals.

[Kathryn Morgan]

I picked up Time Freedom shortly after being laid off, and I couldn't have read it at a better time.

I've always been interested in entrepreneurship, but Brian Herriot helped me see it through a completely different lens. Rather than focusing on building wealth for the sake of wealth, he focuses on something much more valuable: creating freedom over how you spend your time.

What resonated most was his challenge to the traditional retirement mindset. So many of us grow up believing that we should work hard now, delay the things we truly want to do, and finally enjoy life once we retire. But the reality is that people are working longer, pensions are largely gone, and many of us are looking for meaning and purpose throughout our lives, not just at the end of them.

Herriot offers a different vision. Instead of saying, "I'll do that when I retire." he encourages readers to think about how they can create more freedom, purpose, and flexibility much sooner.

I also appreciated how grounded the book felt. There are no get-rich-quick schemes or unrealistic promises. The financial guidance reflects the kind of long-term investing principles championed by Warren Buffett and other proven investors. That made the book feel credible and practical rather than aspirational fluff.

Perhaps the greatest compliment I can give this book is that it changed the way I think. It got me looking at my work, finances, and future through a completely different lens. It opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn't seriously considered before, and once I saw them, I couldn't unsee them.

This is one of those rare books that doesn't just leave you with notes and highlights. It leaves you questioning assumptions you've held for years and imagining a different way to build a life. I'll definitely be revisiting it and putting many of its ideas into practice.

[Morgan Reviews Books]

“Do what you want, when you want, with who you want, for as long as you want.”

Brian Herriot is a financial advisor turned “free timer”. In this book, he shows you the way to time freedom. He has an unconventional approach to retirement & financial freedom & wants your money to work for you, not the other way around.

I absolutely loved this book! I’ve always thought traditional retirement didn’t make much sense. You work your life away to only have a few good years when you’re too old to do anything. Thai book shows ways to live life better, without being constricting. It’s refreshing to read a finance book that doesn’t tell you to squirrel all your money away & skip the latte. The only negative I can see about this book is it can’t be applied to everyone that works. This book is geared toward people who are fortunate enough to have time to enhance their skills. It wouldn’t be practical for someone who works multiple jobs just to scrape by.

There are so many great things about this book. If I had to choose my favorite, it would be the stories & quotes at the beginning of each chapter. They are good introductions to what lies ahead. He also covers a wide range of topics from budgeting to investing & everything in between. The statistics back up his points & there’s even journaling exercises. The book’s writing is straight to the point and easy to comprehend. I also appreciated the nod to Millennials & Gen Z.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is frustrated by traditional personal finance advice. This could be someone struggling with budgeting or someone trying to figure out investing. I can see this book being gifted to a young adult who just started working or to someone who is more established in their career.

[Kent Coleman]

Reading Time Freedom was time well spent. It was both entertaining and educational, and introduced me to new ideas that I am hopeful and confident I can apply to give my family and me a better, more fulfilling life, focused on what is important to us. I was skeptical at first when I read the book's description. But now I am very intrigued and hopeful.

It was easy to read, and includes stories from the author's life, some fun and some heartbreaking, but all very useful in understanding his thesis. Changing your approach on how to structure your career choices and retirement planning to create more flexibility at first seems as if it is "too good to be true." But after reviewing the book's planning tools and looking at some of the rules on how to apply them that the author provides, my attitude shifted to "this is something I can do!"

But where the book really hits home is not on the "how" to make these changes, it is the focus on the "why." The author shares his journey through his family life and career, and how he came to understand that the standard approach to working toward retirement can and should be reconsidered to create a better life.

As I have begun to apply the book's new way of planning, generating freedom to spend more time with my family and friends, supporting my church and community, and traveling to places I have always wanted to experience, without creating undue financial risk, now seems within reach. While you may not feel you can consider taking a new approach, it is certainly worth an enjoyable read to explore these ideas and begin to consider whether more freedom might be possible for you. I highly recommend the book.

Note: I received an advance copy of the book.

[Jen]

I wish I had this book when I was younger! There’s a lot of practical advice on how to get off the busyness treadmill through the way you manage your financial situation to better position yourself to work the way that you want. There are no shortcuts. It’s using time and thoughtful behavior to design the life you want to lead as you age. A major concept he shares is “the money river.” The premise is that you have multiple sources of income that are resilient when life throws that inevitable curve ball so that you can meet your financial needs. This is in juxtaposition to having large retirement savings that you eventually have to spend down, regardless of how the market is performing. He definitely advocates for savings, particularly a cash emergency fund of 6 months to 2 years of salary (the 2 years is probably safer in today’s economy) and shares ways to think about investing for growth. Something unexpected in this book was how to think of yourself as an entrepreneur (and he lists some thoughts on identifying your strengths and creating your own business if that interests you). This is a book that I want to reread (and I signed up for his mailing list). The highest praise that I can give is that I’ve already shared this book with my niece with the hopes that she can draw on some of these ideas to create the life she wants to lead. I also had the chance to see Brian Herriot speak for the Next Big Idea group. I found it interesting that while he was targeting the mid-career group, that he was pleasantly surprised that all ages could benefit from this book. He had a lot of practical examples (both in the book and in the presentation) about how to use the information in the book, particularly the calculator. Definitely worth your time!

[Angie]

Time Freedom is a great introduction to the idea that financial independence doesn’t have to mean saving enough money to quit working altogether. The author makes a strong case for another option: using part-time or flexible work to get more control over your time while still bringing in an income.

As someone interested in FIRE (financial independence, retire early), I found this alternative really thought-provoking. The book broadens the idea of financial freedom beyond reaching some finish line where you’ve saved enough to walk away from work.

What stuck with me most was how doable the transition to becoming a “free-timer” feels. The personal anecdotes are memorable and make the ideas easier to connect with without taking away from the practical side. They really reinforce this concept that you don't have to be perfect to achieve your goal. I also liked the range of possibilities for taking time off, rather than the book presenting one specific formula for what a flexible life should look like.

The book is an easy read, well organized, and encouraging without being too prescriptive. The calculator is also helpful for thinking through the financial side, although I would have liked more nuts-and-bolts advice on actually making the move to part-time work, though I understand there isn't a one-size-fits-all scenario.

Overall, Time Freedom left me feeling more confident that there are alternatives to the traditional all-or-nothing approach to work and retirement. If you’ve been pursuing FIRE but aren’t sure you want to wait until you’ve saved enough to retire completely, this is a worthwhile book to add to your shelf.

Note: Advance Reader Copy received

[Ken]

Six months ago, I began a new life, retirement. I wish I had Brian Herriot’s suggestions about retirement 10 to 15 years ago. I had worked as most have with a simple formula in my years of work productivity. Work hard, save money, and then retire when you get to 65. Then you can enjoy the freedom that you have earned, traditional wisdom has shared.
In Time Freedom, Brian Herriot asks a different question and works toward a different understanding: Why wait until retirement to create more freedom in your life?
Herriot helps us distinguish between financial freedom and time freedom. He wants us to focus on “Time freedom,” which means having greater control over how we spend our days—even if we keep working. He encourages readers to explore this time freedom by working with three primary areas: life, money, and work. One of my favorite thoughts was not starting with the question, “How much money do I need?” Instead, Herriot encourages us to begin with, “What kind of life do I actually want?” Then we can think differently about how our money and work support that life.
One idea I especially appreciate is that life doesn’t necessarily have to follow the traditional pattern of school → work → retirement. We can create seasons of meaningful work, rest, relationships, learning, service, and adventure throughout our lives.
I think anyone who is at an early part of their work journey or even at a midpoint of their career to think through the benefits of Herriot’s book. You can start designing a life now in which your time reflects what matters most to you. Take these ideas seriously. It can change your life.

[Tom Satterfield]

As an old retired person, I am clearly not the target audience for this book, yet I still found it to be an engaging and thoroughly readable book that is teeming with useful information to promote a healthy work-life balance. Lots of information I wish I had been made aware of during my working career. I will be gifting copies to many of my colleagues who are still in the so called trenches.

Life is short as the old adage goes, and the author clearly recognizes this. The personal stories he embeds into the structure of the book make the more technical advice less overwhelming, especially for anyone without a background in finance/investment. You don’t have to be in any particular field for the advice in this book to be relevant.

I think this book would be particularly useful to someone who is considering taking an entrepreneurial leap or someone who is struggling with how to manage a healthy balance between work and family in these challenging times. The author provides many effective tools to help the reader figure out this often difficult task.

Restructuring work is not a “one size fits all” venture and the author offers many insights and alternate solutions/possibilities. This is a very informative and enjoyable read. Highly recommend to anyone wanting a change in the status quo and a more sustainable work/life balance.

I received an advance copy of this book.

[Janet M.]

Time Freedom was the first book I've read that has challenged my view of what retirement could look like. It has truly opened my eyes to new possibilities for my future. I am now considering other avenues than the traditional "work to age 65 and then retire."

The author explains the concepts clearly, along with using personal stories and examples which kept me engaged. He points out that having Time Freedom at an earlier age is attainable by designing more flexible work that allows longer breaks, like taking every summer off of work.

We each have our own reasons for wanting Time Freedom sooner. In my case, I have an adorable 6-month-old grandson that I would love to spend more time with. Creating space for meaningful amounts of time with him while he is young would enhance my life significantly. Time Freedom gave me ideas for how this could be possible.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the Time Freedom Calculator. The book provides access to an online calculator that lets you model various scenarios of savings, income streams, and ages at which you could attain time freedom. I've built several scenarios already which have made the concept of time freedom feel significantly more tangible.

The stories made it such an enjoyable book to read. I highly recommend it for anyone open to thinking about income and retirement in a new way.

Note: received an advance copy of the book

[Elle Perez]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The world we now live in is not the same one our parents experienced decades ago. They were taught to get a good job, work for 20-30 plus years to retire comfortably, and only then can you have freedom. Can we fashion our lives to fit the life we've always wanted? Time Freedom author Brian Herriot says it's possible and attainable.

The book explains how each of us can do so using Brian's methods to calculate our own personal Time Freedom formula. He also has self-assessment tools and advice to cultivate the life you want by reflecting on what we each view as important and valued, and setting up vehicles to aid in generating income and means to do so.

What rang true for me after reading this book, is that True wealth is not only measure in financial abundance, but also by having the time and means to live exactly how you want. As a millennial, this seems appealing, as one who values experiences and time shared with family and friends, and one who seeks a more meaningful and intentional lifestyle.

Brian's family, especially the challenges they faced in regards to health, was the driving force behind his quest to attaining Time Freedom. His writings of him and his wife's journey through it all really hit close to home.

I would definitely recommend this book to those who are seeking an alternative to the conventional path to retirement.

I received and Advanced Readers Copy from the Author.

[Sandee Priser]

Advice to “do what you love and the money will follow” sounds good—but offers little direction. Many of us take the opposite route: grind it out at work for years, build a 401(k), and hope for happiness when we have the financial means to retire. In Time Freedom, Herriot rejects that trade-off. He argues that you can do work you love, earn well, and have time to live long before retirement. By grounding that promise in his own experience, he gives it uncommon authenticity.

Herriot’s experience as a financial adviser strengthens the book. He explains his three-part financial freedom formula clearly and shows how each element contributes to the whole. Just as important, the formula flexes to fit different lifestyles and circumstances. Using helpful tools like the Time Freedom Calculator, the book walks readers through the formula step by step. Herriot shares examples of the various ways others have found time freedom and offers solid advice on topics like entrepreneurship.

Herriot’s generosity of spirit runs throughout the book. By sharing his story and inviting readers into a broader community, he makes time freedom feel less like a private achievement and more like a possibility worth sharing.

Time Freedom is an encouraging, practical guide with an authentic voice and useful tools. Some ideas may feel familiar, but Herriot turns them into a flexible framework readers can apply.

[Shruti]

Time Freedom: Rethink Your Work and Money to Create a Life You Love Now is a practical, step-by-step book to explore if Time Freedom is right for you. Some concepts may seem uncomfortable because it goes against traditional norms. This book will likely need multiple reviews and reads First. If you are not sure an initial listen may help you build confidence or get comfortable with the information provided. Second review with a notebook and time to work through all the numbers you are required to gather to see where you stand and what your plan should be. The third step which might be optional would be to go back and double check or refine the details of the data that you have gathered and ensure that other people who are important in your life and your life journey are on the same page. Fourth also optional. Might be helpful to have targeted listens to certain sections to boost confidence or uncertainties. (Steps 1-3 could likely be combined if you are an organized individual and going into this with focused determination, but to each their own!)
I cannot say if this book's advice is for everyone, but it is a book to consider if you want to explore other options on how to work to live a meaningful life to suit your needs and wants. Be it to allow time for travel, hobbies, flexibilities etc. I also cannot review the success of this book will provide since this book does not offer a quick fix but requires long-term commitment. I would still recommend this for curious minds.

[Dr. Krystal L. Culler, DBH, MA]

This is a book for entrepreneurs, or for those looking to create their own "work," in order to achieve time freedom. While this can happen at any age, starting earlier in life offers cumulative advantages, as the book outlines. Regardless, we all have limits on our time, money, and energy, and we make decisions about how we spend them. This book offers a different perspective, with frameworks developed by the author, and can serve as a thought starter.

I'll admit that after reading the title, I expected a blend of Happier Hour by Dr. Cassie Holmes, PhD, and The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel, but the book didn't go in those directions. Perhaps that was my own expectation mismatch, but the content didn't personally resonate with me. I found some of it lofty and out of reach for the average person without certain advantages to get ahead (education for a decent job, the ability to save money at the 20% rate, etc.). Even the scenarios toward the end of the book, meant to help maximize your time freedom, still require sacrifice and, to some extent, financial wealth to "buy out" your time, in layman's terms.

The book offers a range of thought starters that readers can take or leave on the concept of "time freedom," but I felt it was important to acknowledge that some people have advantages, for a variety of reasons, that make this concept more appealing or achievable to them compared to others.

[Trevor Blondeel]

If a friend asked, I would say this is a book about buying back your time before you retire, written by someone who does the math instead of telling you to chase your dreams.

Most money books point at a finish line somewhere in your sixties. Herriot argues that is the wrong target. You can build flexibility into your life now, without being wealthy first, and he backs it with a formula and a calculator so you are testing your own numbers instead of nodding along.

The part that stuck was the split between Money Managers and Money Makers. Managers guard and plan. Makers generate and trust more will come. My wife is one and I am the other. We had been living that difference for years without ever naming it. Running our real numbers together did more for how we talk about money than anything else we have tried.

I read it months ago and still use the calculator. I have given it to my son in his twenties and my cousin in his forties, which tells you the range.

One line really resonated with me and changed my thinking: "Chasing maximum wealth delays true freedom."

I would highly recommend it if you are open to a different way. If you are happy with the conventional path, work the nine to five, invest, and retire at sixty five, this is probably not the book for you.

I received an advance copy from the author.

[Kathy Goughenour]

I picked this up expecting another money book. I got something better.

Through delightful and inspirational stories, Brian Herriot flips the whole script. Most of us have been taught to chase financial freedom "someday," to grind now so we can live later. Time Freedom says the real win is freedom today. Your time, your energy, your life, starting now.

If you ever read Profit First and felt a little squeezed by it, read this. For me it was the exact opposite feeling. Profit First frustrated me. Time Freedom encouraged me. It puts time first, where it belongs, and then shows you sensible ways to work, earn more, and invest better so your money and your work actually serve you.

Here's what surprised me most. Partway through, I realized I was doing better than I thought. The choices I had already made about how I live and how I spend my hours were smarter than I gave myself credit for. This book handed me that clarity, and it felt like a weight lifting.

It is genuinely inspirational. You close it believing you can build the life you want, and you walk away with a plan to reclaim your hours instead of waiting for a finish line that keeps moving.
Read this one now. Then go live on your own terms.

[Brittany]

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and greatly appreciate the author and Netgalley for the opportunity.

I both enjoyed and learned from this book. It is both a practical guide to considering and even starting a different work/ finance path to life and a warm and personal journey the author shares about his life and family. It comes across as quite genuine and earnest to have a positive impact on others’ lives.

In this day and age, I am not alone in rethinking the individualistic grind culture of America and feeling conflicted by the lost life opportunities with an intense and time-consuming career and the possibility of some vague other way. We don’t see the mythical other path modeled very often so it definitely feels out of reach and less safe. I am appreciating the mindset of money and concept of enoughness (both personally and financially) being challenged in modern society. This book is a specific and helpful angle to consider if you are also processing these things.

There are practical worksheets and resources, as well, and a number of uplifting anecdotes shared. An easy and informative read and a great one to explore if the title and concepts speak to you.

[Lucia Mitchell]

Overall I really enjoyed this book. Like other reviewers stated, it made me rethink my career trajectory and how I was setting up my future. I appreciated the overall structure and how it started with the overall "formula" for time freedom in the earlier chapters before diving into each one. Reading other financial books, this took the most essentials vs. being exhaustive - so while it provided financial guidance, it was done in a way that felt approachable.

What I liked most is that it provided a structure that can be applied and adapted to several walks of like, acknowledging that everyone is in a different position and have different goals. The author also did a nice job breaking down how to approach becoming an entrepreneur - highlighting that it's not about being the most innovative but providing a service/product that's truly needed.

This book doesn't come without work though. The best way to get the most out of it is to be ready to sit down and reflect on where you sit, positionally, with finances an skill readiness to shift into a more flexibility work life. I'll continue to reference this book as I work towards my own time freedom - definitely worth the read and consideration.

[Joseph Chick]

To be honest, I wish I could give a 3.5 star review, I'm stuck between those two scores. I think this book has a lot of good ideas and concepts, and even lays out a play for trying to achieve different goals. Where I struggle is that I feel like this book is written for very specific audiences, and not for the average person. To be more specific, I felt there was a bit of an undercurrent of implied status and income throughout that is not likely where most people are these days. For example, one portion of the book talks about "if you can save $5000 a month for just 12 months..." - sure, you'd have $60K in the bank. That said, what would your baseline income have to be able to meet all your needs and still sock that much money each month. I feel that is wildly out of reach for most people. Toward the end of the book there is a "real world example," in which the people cited are a 42 year old couple that owns their home (literally no one I've ever met), if they can slash their expenses by 10K a year (I guess only eating Costco volumes of Ramen?) while simultaneously saving $24k a year for the next 2 years....oh, and in this example they collectively have $500K in retirement. If that describes you - or most of you - then definitely pick this book up, it will change your life. There is also a recurring theme of essentially becoming a consultant or independent contractor, which is great, but implies very specific skills and the ability to separate yourself from the hundreds of others trying to be independent. Again, if this speaks to you and resinates, there are great examples and suggestions in this book - but that is, in my opinion, not the average person. Herriot does try to mitigate this with references to how to get out of debt and cut expenses, which are helpful of course, and with reference to the countless books on money management - so if you are working some of those this may very well be a great next step. To be clear, I think the book has sound advice, but mostly if you are well positioned to take advantage of it. It's clear that Harriot has found a system that works for him, and to be candid I envy his position - but I am unfortunately in no position to implement any of his advice in a meaningful way, nor do I see a path even after reading this book.

[Justin Peters]

If you're interested in financial independence but don't want to spend the next 10–20 years optimizing your savings rate and waiting for your portfolio to reach your FI number, Time Freedom offers a refreshing perspective.

Brian doesn't argue against the traditional FIRE approach of spending less and investing more. Instead, he adds another lever to the equation: redesigning your work.

What I particularly enjoyed is how Brian makes the idea of flexible work feel approachable. He explores everything from rethinking your existing career to creating a lifestyle business designed around your life. And not necessarily a business that needs to grow indefinitely. I think this is a particularly useful perspective for anyone who enjoys their work but wants more control over when, where, and how much they work.

The book ultimately asks a question I think more people pursuing FI should consider: What if you don't need to escape work, just redesign it?

If you're on the path to FI and want to think beyond simply building a big enough portfolio to retire, I'd highly recommend Time Freedom.

Note: received an advanced copy

[Xavier]

I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book (thanks to the Next Big Idea Club program) ahead of its official release on Sep 15, 2026.

In Time Freedom, financial advisor Brian Herriot examines the traditional approach to retirement planning, which often requires decades of corporate work to build a massive nest egg before stopping work at age 65.

Herriot urges us to join the "Freetimer" movement—a group of professionals who trade maximum wealth for faster freedom. He suggests replacing the traditional "Savings Mountain" (the decades-long trek of slogging and saving) with the "Cash River" (flowing monthly income supported by work you actually love).

The book presents an alternative roadmap for readers looking to balance financial sustainability with immediate calendar flexibility rather than deferring lifestyle goals until complete retirement.

The author is upfront about this written from a US perspective, but I felt with some tweaks, this could work anywhere.

[Theresa]

I have long been interested in the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early) but also not sure it was the best path forward, mostly because I really love my career and can't imagine fully stepping away from work. Time Freedom completely shifted my perspective, proving that financial independence isn't an all-or-nothing proposition, but a spectrum that allows for a more intentional, balanced life.
The book is easy to read; Herriot has done a great job of mixing personal stories with actionable information. There are also a number of online resources and worksheets to help the reader keep track of their financial numbers as they work through the book. What I appreciate most is the inclusivity of the message - time freedom isn't something reserved for a select group of people, or something that you must start right out of college. It's an adaptable framework. Anyone can work towards time freedom, and they can start any time.
I will likely return to this book again over the next few years as I work through what time freedom will look like for me!