Mile High FI Podcast

Doug and Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache) answer questions from the listener mailbag.  They discuss the benefits & timing of claiming Social Security and address criticism of prior comments about video games.  Pete also provides an update on recent lifestyle changes, including insight into his personal spending & annual expenses.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
• The FI Collective
• Mr. Money Mustache, “The Ultimate Life Coach”
• Mr. Money Mustache, “The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Social Security”
• Best Interest blog, “When the ‘Shockingly Simple Math’ is…Shockingly Wrong”
• Jesse Cramer on MHFI episode 236
• MMM on Tim Ferriss (2017)
• Mr. Money Mustache, “Retired Man Tries to Spend More Money, Mostly Fails”
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

2:56 Question – MMM lifestyle changes

8:54 Question – Video games

15:52 Question – Social Security

21:54 Claiming benefits vs. taxes & tradeoffs

29:42 Question – MMM annual expenses

35:37 The FI Collective

38:55 Soundcheck – Humidity

Doug chats with Carla & Robert about life after their 2019 sabbatical – including observations, lessons learned, and how they currently handle a “working when it’s optional” lifestyle.  They discuss how to deal with boredom vs. the need to be productive, the importance of community, health/fitness motivation, the joys of discovering new hobbies, opportunity costs of continued work, and how to use sabbaticals as a test run for early retirement.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Pennies and Popcorn YouTube
• Carla & Robert on MHFI episode 012
• Kevin Sebesta on MHFI episode 302
• Rebecca Herbst on MHFI episode 301
• James & Rachel fitness challenge
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

4:02 Taking a sabbatical

12:47 Observations from not working

18:22 Battling boredom

22:57 The need to be productive

27:36 Lean FI & spending

32:34 Opportunity costs of working

37:49 The value of sabbaticals

43:45 Fitness & health routines

48:05 Fitness challenge

58:40 Spending with intention

1:05:47 Soundcheck – Pennies and Popcorn

Doug chats with Amberly Grant (FinTalks) about how their views & mindsets around frugality have evolved and share recent spending decisions, especially around travel and “quality of life” purchases.  They discuss the changing psychology of spending as income grows and the practical value of “removing negatives” from life.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Amberly Grant
• EconoMe Conference
• Nuuly (subscription clothing rental)
• Rusty on MHFI episode 317
• EconoMe Conference, “Carl Jensen: FI-Landia Is A Lie. What I Learned on My Journey to FIRE”
• CampFI
• EconoMe Conference, “James Lowery: How to Become a Lazy Landlord”
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:13 Frugal roots & changing perspectives

7:06 Evolving spending habits

14:41 Delayed gratification purchases

20:12 Renting clothes & subscriptions

27:42 Fitness gear & gym memberships

36:11 Irrationality & sunk cost 

41:02 Finally buying a new couch

50:00 Recent value purchases

55:55 Travel & subscription audit

1:00:03 FinTalks

1:04:24 Soundcheck – EconoMe presentation

1:11:23 Preparation for giving a speech

1:16:59 Observations & tips

Doug continues his conversation with Rusty about how to optimize the final year before (early) retirement.  They discuss using debt responsibly, leveraging home equity & securities-backed lines of credit to maintain cash flow, navigating the complexities of post-retirement healthcare, and managing emotional & practical withdrawal strategies.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Email Rusty: rustyfromco@gmail.com
• Rusty on MHFI episode 270
• Fit Rich Life episode 99
• Elizabeth on MHFI episode 312
• Fritz Gilbert on MFHI episode 315
• Kevin Sebesta on MHFI episode 302
• Mark Trautman on MHFI episode 313
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

2:32 Mortgages, refinancing, HELOCs

9:18 Securities-backed line of credit

18:38 Healthcare after leaving work

24:23 ACA subsidy cliff

32:05 Withdrawal stress & strategies

40:03 Bucket strategy & a retirement paycheck 48:08 Donating to charity

55:06 Funding a 529 & legacy giving

1:02:45 Soundcheck – Beer

Doug chats with Rusty about how to optimize the final year before (early) retirement, emphasizing the critical distinction between “one more year syndrome” vs. a calculated final year and how working a little longer can lower withdrawal rates & reduce sequence-of-returns worry.  They compare quitting to being fired or laid off and highlight some potential benefits such as severance, possible unemployment, and employer healthcare continuation.  Rusty also shares some personal negotiation tactics when leaving a job.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Email Rusty: rustyfromco@gmail.com
• EconoMe Conference
• Sarah Jaffe, “Work Won’t Love You Back”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• “Harlan County, U.S.A.” Movie
• Rusty on MHFI episode 304
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

2:37 Working one more year

9:19 Stock market risk & flexibility

15:13 Quiet Quitting playbook

23:28 Quitting vs. getting fired or laid off

30:41 Real-world cautionary tales

35:38 Tips for quitting & identity issues

43:02 New baby update!

51:51 Tales of a jacked math major

59:52 Soundcheck – Food

Doug and co-host Kristen Knapp chat with Fritz Gilbert (The Retirement Manifesto) at the EconoMe Conference about various drawdown strategies and spending in early retirement.  Fritz describes how he personally implements a “bucket strategy” approach to withdrawing money by setting up a monthly “paycheck”, how decumulation differs from accumulation, and explains sequence-of-returns, inflation, & longevity risks.  The group also discusses annual financial reviews, dynamic spending guardrails, viability of DIY investors, and intentional living.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• The Retirement Manifesto
  • Blog
  • “Our Retirement Investment Drawdown Strategy”
  • “Revisiting Our Drawdown Strategy After 3 Years of Retirement”
  • “Do You Really Need a Trust? And Other Estate Planning Questions Retirees Ask Most”
  • “How To Build A Bond Ladder”
• Freedom for Fido
  • Website
  • Facebook
• Fritz Gilbert, “Keys to a Successful Retirement”
  • Kindle
  • Paperback
  • Spiral-bound
• FI Friends Travel
• Big ERN/Early Retirement Now
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

5:15 Why drawdown needs a plan

8:43 The Bucket Strategy

14:52 Balancing risks & retirement readiness

20:11 The 4% Rule vs. buckets

25:43 Creating a retirement paycheck

31:04 Dynamic spending & guardrails

36:17 Potentially increased spending

41:38 DIY vs. working with an advisor

48:27 Bond ladders

53:11 Tax location matters

Doug chats with Mark Trautman (Mark’s Money Mind) about the relevance of The 4% Rule in modern retirement planning.  They explore whether it remains a solid “north star” for those in the accumulation phase or if it has become an outdated guideline that potentially hinders retirees from living their best lives.  Mark also shares his personal transition from a high-saver to a strategic retiree focused on decumulation & creating memory dividends.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Mark Trautman/Mark’s Money Mind
• David Chilton, “The Wealthy Barber”
  • Paperback
• William Bengen, “A Richer Retirement”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Audiobook
  • Audio CD
• Retirement and IRA Show
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Big ERN on MHFI episode 280
• Aubrey Williams, “Everyone Adjusts! Use Historical Analysis Risk-Based Guardrails to Reach FI Sooner!”
• ProjectionLab
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:12 Discovering & defining the 4% Rule

6:32 Mark’s portfolio & retirement strategy

12:46 Why 4% misses reality

19:13 Die With Zero & spending

26:52 Stress testing projections

31:41 Guardrails

35:06 Agile retirement planning

41:24 Mark’s Money Mind

47:02 Soundcheck – Travel

Support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, PanCan, for the PurpleStride.

Donate here

PurpleStride is an inspiring event for anyone who has been affected by pancreatic cancer. We are raising funds to ensure vital research continues and free resources are made available to all who need them.

We’ll be at the Dallas event (PurpleStride) DFW. If the this episode is up, then donations are still open. Thank you.

Doug and Mark Trautman (Mark’s Money Mind) answer questions from the listener mailbag.  They discuss how to prepare for retirement, building social connections beyond work, psychological shifts of leaving a career, strategies for “manufacturing” a retirement paycheck, how to navigate the changing landscape of car ownership (buying vs. leasing), and the mindset shift of decumulation & spending.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Mark Trautman/Mark’s Money Mind
• Mark’s Money Mind Episode 063, “Taxes, Travel, and Market Turbulence”
• CampFI
• Mr. Money Mustache on MHFI episode 309
• Kevin Sebesta on MHFI episode 302
• Morgan Housel, “Psychology of Money”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• ChooseFI Ep 022, “The True Cost Of Car Ownership”
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

0:56 Recent travels

5:53 Question – Preparing to retire

11:13 Social connections, hobbies, & identity

18:50 Retirement paycheck strategy

23:35 Question – Leasing vs. buying cars

29:16 Longevity & when leasing makes sense

34:17 Question – Decumulation & spending

40:47 Calculating downside risk & seeking advice

49:24 Soundcheck – Casa Bonita

Doug chats with his wife Elizabeth about her 2-year anniversary in early retirement.  Elizabeth describes why she loves not working, challenges with balancing routine vs. flexibility, and how reduced stress has improved relationships and communication.  Doug & Elizabeth also discuss budgeting with a financial advisor, differences in “fun fund” spending, the impact of market returns on retirement confidence, perceived social pressure within the FI community to retire, and not necessarily retiring “to something”.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Elizabeth on MHFI episode 281
• Leckerlee Cookies
• Earn & Invest, “What’s the Point of FIRE?”
• The FI Collective
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• “Survive the 9 to 5” podcast
• “The Doug Show” podcast
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

2:08 Leaving a full-time career

8:07 Part-time work experiment

18:36 Retirement surprises

23:03 Finding a routine

29:46 Relationship improvements

36:28 Pressure to retire

43:31 Spending & budgeting

50:30 Influence of the stock market

55:24 Retirement tips & readiness

1:00:05 What do you do?

1:08:10 Soundcheck – Caffeine cutback

Doug and Kristen Knapp (FI Friends Travel) dive into a listener-submitted topic from Dell regarding the potential benefits of oversaving.  Doug & Kristen discuss the pros & cons of oversaving, the necessity of having a plan for “retiring to something” after work, and explore the psychological shifts that occur when you no longer need a paycheck.  They also tackle common traps in the FI community such as “One More Year Syndrome”, golden handcuffs, and identity issues tied to a career.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• FI Friends Travel
• ChooseFI local groups
• EconoMe Conference
• CampFI
• Mark Trautman/Mark’s Money Mind
• Kevin Sebesta on MHFI episode 302
• Morgan Housel, “The Art of Spending Money”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

4:17 Dell’s voicemail

9:20 Pros of oversaving

17:14 Legacy vs. Die With Zero

20:59 Cons of oversaving

27:55 Golden handcuffs & “enough”

34:36 Retiring to something… or not

40:16 Identity struggles & FI

49:43 Staying busy vs. intentional boredom

56:50 Early retirement pitfalls

1:01:16 Only boring people are bored

1:05:47 The nuances of FI

1:12:02 Longest soundcheck ever

Please support the show if you like it! I play highlights about Die With Zero, specifically about Time Bucketing.

You can donate via Buy Me a Coffee. You get extra content and know that you’re making the show possible.

Mile High FI is listed as one of the TOP Podcast on Careers in Apple Podcasts!

Spotify is 28% of the audience, so that’s grown in 2025 and higher than I said in this episode.

If you extrapolate the Spotify year end review data to the total downloads, here is what you get…

Mile High FI is a:

• Top 5 podcast for about 5,000 people!
• #1 podcast for about 740 people!

I don’t have ads anymore so I want to cover production costs. Most of the costs are related to software and tools and hosting. Many other podcasts have sucky ads every 15 minutes. I don’t want to do that.

Producer Chris volunteers to edit and produce the show. We’re not trying to get rich doing the show, but it takes a lot of time, effort, and planning.

You can also check out the affiliate offers here, which are products that I recommend. Mile High FI usually gets a small percentage, say 1% to 15%, depending on the arrangement. It helps, but direct donations are the best.

Doug chats with Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache) about various fears that some people have about early retirement.  They explore why some people may be reluctant to retire, despite being financially ready, and specifically how fear of boredom can hold people back.  They discuss “One More Year Syndrome” and the irrational fear of running out of money despite what the math says.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
• Pete on MHFI episode 308
• Morgan Housel, “Is the F.I.R.E. Movement Dead?”
• The Donegans
• The FI Collective
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:51 One More Year Syndrome

5:50 Scared of boredom

10:18 Building social skills

17:22 Boring people are bored

22:03 FI Collective

25:51 Soundcheck – New house

Doug chats with Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache) about evolving perspectives within the FIRE movement.  Moving beyond external critiques, they dive into a confessional-style discussion about genuine problems within the community – from the pitfalls of ultra-frugality, over-saving, over-optimizing, and “One More Year Syndrome” to the identity crisis retirees face.  They explore why FIRE isn’t a “gospel” but instead a set of ideas that should be modified in real-time based on what actually works for each individual.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
• Pete on MHFI episode 308
• Jacob Lund Fisker/Early Retirement Extreme
• Mad Fientist, “Learning How to Spend Money”
• New York Times, “Freedom With a Side of Guilt: How Food Delivery Is Reshaping Mealtime”
• The FI Collective
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:16 MMM persona & early FIRE ideas

8:50 Ultra-frugality

18:00 Over-saving & One More Year Syndrome

24:23 Over-optimizing in the FIRE community

29:30 DoorDash spectrum

34:24 Paying for convenience

42:21 Balancing the future & the present

48:09 MMM’s retirement spending strategies

53:49 Retiring to something meaningful

1:02:18 Soundcheck – Casa Bonita

Doug chats with Pete Adeney, Mr. Money Mustache, about whether the FIRE Movement is dead, in response to a variety of online commentary claiming this statement as fact.  Doug & Pete review and critique multiple perspectives, including notable names like Dave Ramsey and Morgan Housel while also addressing misconceptions, highlighting the value of Financial Independence, and acknowledge the movement’s evolution.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
• Jared Dillian, “The FIRE Movement”
• Jarrad Morrow, “The FIRE Movement Won’t Work Like It Used To (Here’s Why)”
• Dave Ramsey, “Why the F.I.R.E. Movement Isn’t Sustainable”
• Ramit Sethi, “The Problem with the “FIRE” Movement”
• Mindy & Carl on Ramit Sethi’s “I Will Teach You To Be Rich”
• Brian Farrell, “What Happened To The FIRE Movement?”
• Morgan Housel, “Is the F.I.R.E. Movement Dead?”
• The Knowledge Project podcast, “Morgan Housel: Wealth is What You Have Minus What You Want”
• Gregory Galant, “Mark Cuban on the FIRE Movement: Financial Independence, Retire Early”
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

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Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

6:11 Jared Dillian, “The FIRE Movement”

23:16 Jarrad Morrow, “The FIRE Movement Won’t Work Like It Used To”

25:52 Dave Ramsey, “Why the F.I.R.E. Movement Isn’t Sustainable”

32:01 Ramit Sethi, “The Problem with the “FIRE” Movement”

38:06 Brian Farrell, “What Happened To The FIRE Movement?”

43:07 Morgan Housel, “Is the F.I.R.E. Movement Dead?”

50:40 Gregory Galant, “Mark Cuban on the FIRE Movement”

58:12 Soundcheck – Winter trips

Doug chats with Carl about finding purpose in life.  They discuss the benefits of preparing for retirement by building a rich life outside of work, taking sabbaticals, and conducting small experiments to explore new hobbies and interests.  They also talk about the importance of community, the idea of redefining success, achieving flow state, and finding meaningful ways to spend one’s time while maintaining good mental and physical health.

Note: This is a rebroadcast of MHFI episode 268

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Carl Jensen/1500 Days to Freedom
• 1500 Days to Freedom, “Introducing The FI Collective”
• “How to Money” episode 1091, “The Art of Spending w/ Morgan Housel”
• CampFI
• EconoMe Conference
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

5:34 What FIRE life looks like

13:35 Is retirement overrated?

22:09 Relationship with work

28:24 Seeking validation

34:58 Challenging the corporate ladder

40:31 Setting up for a successful retirement

46:57 Redefining success & finding flow

54:41 Leveraging community & taking action

Doug and Producer Chris chat about a very controversial topic in the FIRE community – working with a financial advisor.  They explore the reasons someone might or might not want to work with an advisor, discussing common pitfalls like high fees & hidden motivations, while emphasizing the benefits of getting an outside perspective & professional guidance, especially in areas like decumulation and complex financial situations.

Did this episode motivate you to seek professional financial help?  If so, check out our friends at Nectarine, where you ONLY pay for investing & planning advice.  Advisors don’t manage your money, sell products, or earn commissions.  *Affiliate link below, so if you do work with Nectarine, we might earn a commission. https://milehighfi.com/nectarine

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Jeremy Schneider on MHFI episode 122
• Jeremy Schneider on MHFI episode 243
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

4:35 Insurance agents

9:24 The problem with fees

15:21 The downsides of DIY

19:57 Identifying blindspots

27:58 Dealing with complex situations

33:20 Actually working with an advisor

38:23 The importance of professional help

43:20 Mindset & spending in retirement

50:03 Soundcheck – Kitchen gadgets

Doug chats with Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache) and Rusty about prominent themes related to Financial Independence found in popular movies & TV shows.  They delve into iconic films such as “The Matrix”, “Office Space”, and “Fight Club”, extracting key FIRE principles such as anti-consumerism, the quest for personal freedom, and breaking away from traditional corporate paths.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
• Email Rusty: rustyfromco@gmail.com
• The New York Times, “How to Retire in Your 30s With $1 Million in the Bank”
• BiggerPockets Money, “Is the FIRE Movement Dead?”
• Dave Ramsey, “Why the F.I.R.E. Movement Isn’t Sustainable”
• Ramit Sethi, “The Problem with the “FIRE” Movement”
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

3:24 The Matrix

10:44 Office Space

17:50 Parenting & keeping busy in retirement

26:58 Corporate

31:32 Fight Club

36:52 Reacher

42:21 Local Hero

48:33 FIRE backlash (teaser)

54:39 Soundcheck – Early retirement

Doug chats with Rusty about one of their mutual passions: food and cooking.  They each explore their food “origin stories”, discussing childhood memories and the evolution of their culinary interests.  They touch on how food plays a significant role in their lives and walk through various food-related topics including favorite recipes, cooking styles, and essential kitchen equipment.  They also discuss how cooking can be a meditative process, how food can help build community, and how it all relates to FI.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Email Rusty: rustyfromco@gmail.com
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:31 Gourmet sandwiches & chili

9:13 Food origin stories

18:59 Cost of food vs. FI

25:07 Leftovers & meal-planning

31:03 Community & mindfulness in cooking

41:24 Recipes & exploring YouTube for inspiration

50:28 Essential kitchen equipment

57:36 Experimenting with eating out

1:06:12 Soundcheck – DIY guitar projects

Doug chats with Carl & Rusty about each of their adventures with housing projects and renovations.  Carl details his current project of tearing down a “Frank Lloyd Wrong house” and building one from scratch while sharing insights into his motivations, costs, and specific financing strategies.  Rusty shares his experience renovating two homes and the strategic use of a line of credit.  Additionally, they delve into considerations of downsizing and the potential of owning second homes.

Does “MHFI After Dark” sound intriguing?  Yeah, we thought so.  Come check out exclusive new content here: https://milehighfi.com/onlyfans

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Email Rusty: rustyfromco@gmail.com
• Carl Jensen/1500 Days to Freedom
• Leif Dahleen (Physician on FIRE) on MHFI episode 112
• Buy, Borrow, Die discussion on MHFI episode 252
• Mindy & Carl on Ramit Sethi’s “I Will Teach You To Be Rich”
• Philosophy & ethics discussion on MHFI episode 298
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:31 Carl’s home building journey

8:10 Unique systems & building challenges

15:41 Financing with the Buy, Borrow, Die Strategy

24:09 Rusty’s renovation stories

30:25 Balancing joy & investment

38:58 Downsizing dilemmas

44:03 Different places in different stages of life

51:46 Second homes

59:24 Soundcheck – Taco Bell

Doug chats with Kevin Sebesta, a self-proclaimed “high-achieving slacker”, about lessons learned from 12 years of early retirement.  Kevin discusses the importance of building a supportive community, how living child-free influences lifestyle choices, the concept of a “Fun Bucket” for guilt-free spending, the balance between optimizing finances & enjoying life, and how curiosity drives his fulfilling retirement.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Connect with Kevin:
  • Email:  kevin@rockretirementclub.com
  • Blog: http://www.lifeinfire.com/
• FI Friends Travel
• Rock Retirement Club
• Mark Trautman/Mark’s Money Mind
• Amy Minkley/FI Freedom Retreats
• CampFI
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Retirement and IRA Show
• Jordan Grumet, “The Purpose Code”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Jordan Grumet on MHFI episode 249
• Cody Garrett & Sean Mullaney, “Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement”
  • Kindle
  • Paperback
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:05 Journey to FI & travel adventures

7:28 Building community in retirement

12:30 Finding a FI family

18:02 Child-free lifestyle & estate planning

29:44 The Fun Bucket

36:41 Die With Zero & time bucketing

42:20 You are who you are

50:05 Adjustments in retirement

59:16 Ability of time & curiosity

1:06:40 Optimizing finances in retirement

1:14:06 Soundcheck – Marshall amps

Doug chats with Rebecca Herbst about her post-FI life including challenges of finding community & the right place to live, experimenting with increased spending, the mental shift from a scarcity to an abundance mindset, and the complexities of personal identity after leaving a career.  Rebecca also discusses her work with Yield and Spread, a nonprofit promoting generosity in the personal finance community including a call to action and The FI-lanthropy Pledge.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Yield & Spread
• ChooseFI Episode 483, “Effective Giving Strategies for FI”
• The Fioneers, “Financial Independence Milestones that Actually Motivate”
• Scott Rieckens, “Playing With FIRE”
  • Kindle
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• The Center For Midlife Success (formerly Joy Collective), “Annual Clarity Retreat”
• Cal Newport, “Digital Minimalism”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

0:00 Introduction

3:10 Search for a post-FI home

11:23 Experimenting with increased spending

21:04 The role of financial advisors

29:21 Rebecca’s path to FI & bold career moves

37:43 Longmont vs. Salt Lake City showdown

46:12 Finding chemistry & community in Utah

52:52 Housing & lifestyle choices

1:00:59 Transitioning from career to early retirement

1:09:30 Laziness, productivity, & digital minimalism

Doug chats with Kristen Knapp (FI Friends Travel) about the challenges of unwinding deep-seated frugal habits and learning to spend at the “right level” after achieving FI.  Inspired by a recent blog post from the Mad Fientist, Doug & Kristen explore the nuances of maintaining a balance between saving & spending and discuss why many people struggle to actually spend money once they hit their financial goals.  They also emphasize the importance of spending on what brings joy and the necessary shift in mindset that’s required to enjoy financial freedom without guilt.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• FI Friends Travel
• Mad Fientist, “Learning How to Spend Money”
• Mad Fientist on MHFI episode 048
• CampFI
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

2:19 Frugality

9:02 Spending after FI

16:43 Reframing expenses

24:41 FI Friends Travel

31:44 Award travel using points

37:05 The Fun Fund

44:18 Balancing present & future spending

51:25 Shared experiences

55:39 Soundcheck – Winter weather

Doug chats with Nik Johnson (Everyday Money Heroes) about his journey to Financial Independence and retiring early.  He discusses an early passion for personal finance, how he discovered FI during the pandemic, the value of being part of a community, and the importance of a supportive spouse.  Nik describes his post-retirement life emphasizing a commitment to community service & financial literacy.  And excitingly he also describes what it’s like to be featured on national television (CBS Sunday Morning).

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Everyday Money Heroes
  • Website
  • YouTube
• CBS News Sunday Morning, “How the FIRE movement is inspiring early retirees”
• CampFI
• CampFI YouTube
• ChooseFI local groups
• Our Rich Journey
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

0:57 CBS Sunday Morning experience

7:48 Discovering FI & building community

15:15 Career & financial journey

23:52 CENT & achieving FI

29:58 Quitting work & emotional impact

38:53 Changes in expenses & spending in retirement

45:26 Everyday Money Heroes

52:33 Soundcheck – CampFI

Doug chats with Rusty about an intense neighborhood dispute involving prairie dog conservation, highlighting how ethical frameworks and philosophical approaches can guide community decisions.  Doug shares his experience working through this issue while emphasizing the importance of patience, humor, and effective communication in resolving disputes.  Rusty provides additional philosophical and ethical considerations while touching upon related communication strategies & improved community engagement.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Interested in a pair of Xero shoes so that you can be just like Doug & Rusty?  Check them out here: https://milehighfi.com/shoe

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Amy Karofsky, “Philosophy Through Film”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
• Michael Schur, “How to be Perfect”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Oliver Burkeman, “Four Thousand Weeks”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Oliver Burkeman, “The Antidote”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Lucius Annaeus Seneca, “On the Shortness of Life”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Marcus Aurelius, “Meditations”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
• Aristotle “The Nicomachean Ethics”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audio CD
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:53 Philosophy & ethics background

7:27 The prairie dog situation

14:27 Exploring people’s intentions

23:17 Levelheadedness

29:17 3 main schools of ethics

36:20 Contractualism

41:45 The Trolley Problem

46:12 Aristotle’s 12 virtues

54:18 Stoicism & communication

58:28 Philosophy & ethics resources

1:04:19 Prairie dog outcome

1:09:01 Soundcheck – Shoes

Please support the show if you like it! I play a couple of highlights from Mad Fientist and Mr. Money Mustache after my pitch.

Mile High FI stats and a correction:

Spotify is 28% of the audience, so that’s grown in 2025 and higher than I said in this episode.

If you extrapolate the Spotify year end review data to the total downloads, here is what you get…

Mile High FI is a:

• Top 5 podcast for about 5,000 people!
• #1 podcast for about 740 people!

I don’t have ads anymore so I want to cover production costs. Most of the costs are related to software and tools and hosting. Many other podcasts have sucky ads every 15 minutes. I don’t want to do that.

Producer Chris volunteers to edit and produce the show. We’re not trying to get rich doing the show, but it takes a lot of time, effort, and planning.

You can donate via Buy Me a Coffee. You get extra content and know that you’re making the show possible

You can also check out the affiliate offers here, which are products that I recommend. Mile High FI usually gets a small percentage, say 1% to 15%, depending on the arrangement. It helps, but direct donations are the best.

 

Doug chats with Justin David Carl (Fit Rich Life) about his journey from being deep in debt to achieving FI.  Justin shares his experience leaving a high-earning sales job and the burnout he faced, followed by how he started the Fit Rich Life podcast & coaching and dealt with the psychological challenges of early retirement.  He also shares some of the specific thoughts & actions that eventually made him comfortable with his own semi-retirement life.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Fit Rich Life
  • Website & podcast
  • Newsletter
  • Coaching
• Justin on MHFI episode 204
• FinCon
• Jordan Grumet, “The Purpose Code”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Jordan Grumet (Doc G) on Fit Rich Life Podcast episode 86
• William Bridges, “Transitions”
  • Kindle
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
  • Audio CD
• Dan Koe
• Justin Welsh
• Two Sides of FI
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

0:00 Introduction

1:50 The Golden Goose job

8:16 Identity crisis & self-worth

14:25 Burnout & recovery

22:02 Overachiever personality

30:28 Building a purposeful life

38:40 The power of competition

43:54 Embracing semi-retirement

49:00 Overcoming retirement fear

54:25 Navigating post-FI life

1:03:13 Soundcheck – Caffeine

Doug chats with Pete Adeney, Mr. Money Mustache, about how to ensure a good life by tracking daily habits while comparing Cal Newport’s “The Good Life Algorithm” to Pete’s own Badassity-tracking system.  They discuss the concept of shifting identities after retirement, emphasize the importance of finding purpose beyond traditional work roles, and the value of nurturing friendships.  Pete also answers a few listener questions from the Mile High FI Facebook group.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
• Badassity Tracker (Original)
• Badassity Tracker (Updated)
• MMM post “How to make a 400K impulse purchase”
• Cal Newport, “The Good Life Algorithm”
• Tim Ferriss, Jim Collins interview
• MMM on Tim Ferriss (2017)
• Culdesac
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

2:38 Badassity Tracker

8:29 The Good Life Algorithm

13:38 Social overload

18:24 Eating, sleeping, & colonoscopies

26:36 Identity (crisis) after quitting

33:36 Curiosity & lifelong learning

38:23 Tips for finding identity after retirement

42:42 Productivity & purpose

50:53 Question: Margin accounts

55:31 Question: Culdesac

59:45 Question: Gravel bikes & bikepacking

1:03:22 Soundcheck – Electric vehicles

Doug chats with Chris Luger (Heavy Metal Money) about his path to retiring early at age 50.  Chris shares his journey to financial literacy, changes he made since discovering FI, the impact of his  career in tech, and experience investing in real estate.  He also discusses the importance of finding purpose, how he’s balanced passions & activities after retirement, his struggles with identity, and philanthropic efforts through his nonprofit organization.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Heavy Metal Money
• Extreme Personal Finance Show podcast
• Amy Wilson on Extreme Personal Finance Show podcast
• The Luger Foundation
• David Allen, “Getting Things Done”
  • Kindle
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
  • Audio CD
• Jordan Grumet, “The Purpose Code”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Solar Guitars, “Chug School”
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

4:33 Learning about finances

11:38 Job fulfillment & optionality

16:50 Identity & career growth

21:36 Discussing early retirement with others

26:29 Transitioning to retirement

32:41 Structure & preparing for retirement

40:22 Purpose & productivity

48:53 Teaching financial literacy

57:14 The Luger Foundation

1:05:04 Soundcheck – Guitar gear

Doug chats with Pete Adeney, Mr. Money Mustache, about exciting changes at the MMM Headquarters in Longmont, Colorado.  Originally envisioned as a coworking space, the HQ is being rebranded to better reflect its true nature as a vibrant social club.  Pete covers the origin story of the HQ, the decision to shift direction, opportunities for increased member involvement in organizing events, and plans for future growth.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
• MMM HQ info
• MMM HQ on Instagram
• Tim Ferriss, Mr. Money Mustache episode
• Carl Jensen: FI-Landia Is A Lie. What I Learned on My Journey to FIRE
• CampFI
• EconoMe Conference
• Rebel Finance School
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:01 The FI Collective

8:08 The value of community

12:32 Influence of CampFI

16:59 The HQ origin story

21:24 Organizing community events

24:51 Transitioning to a social club

31:31 Soundcheck – Playing music

JT interviews Doug at FinCon 2025 in Portland about his entrepreneurial journey after leaving the corporate world, detailing his move into self-employment, affiliate marketing, and content creation.  Doug discusses how he transitioned from management consulting to becoming a content creator, exploring his initial ventures, the creation of his keyword research method, and strategies for navigating changes in the online landscape.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Doug’s other projects
• Smart Passive Income
• Keyword Golden Ratio
• FinCon
• MHFI Facebook group
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

2:07 Curiosity about Doug’s mysterious background

7:58 Affiliate marketing journey

14:43 Challenges & changes in the industry

20:48 Done chasing trends

26:37 Future podcast ideas & direction

Doug reconnects with Steve, a previous guest, for an update on the past few years of his financial journey, including a net worth increase from $1.7 million to $2.5 million.   Despite his financial success, Steve grapples with balancing work, family, and personal identity, contemplating a future shift towards more meaningful, public service-oriented work.  He also discusses the intricacies of managing separate finances with his wife, mental challenges of a high-paying yet unfulfilling job, and the benefits of reassessing life goals & priorities in midlife.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Steve on MHFI episode 098
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

3:05 Updates on Steve’s financial situation

8:48 Navigating finances for couples

16:44 Continuing to work

21:38 Coping with identity and a midlife crisis

26:00 Laziness vs. productivity

34:29 Retirement goal & future plans

Doug catches up with Carl at FinCon 2025 in Portland to talk about health & fitness updates.  Carl shares his journey of losing weight, specifics of his workout regimen, dietary changes, and his brief use of microdosing Ozempic.  Both of them discuss exercise habits, how they handle travel and exercise while on the road, and the occasional disruptions caused by gym etiquette.  Doug wraps up from the studio with a summary of his own fitness routine, which emphasizes consistency and injury prevention.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Carl Jensen
• FinCon
• Brad Barrett/ChooseFI
• ChooseFI, “Update: Healthiest Year Ever | Dean Turner | Ep 480”
• Peter Attia
• HEVY app
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:47 Carl’s health & fitness transformation

6:25 Diet changes & microdosing experiment

13:35 Bad gym etiquette

19:40 Weight training routine

25:04 Fitness goals & finding motivation

29:49 Doug’s typical workout schedule & routine

34:07 Proper rest & recording progress

39:09 Cardio & hiking

Doug chats with Elliot Gross (9 to FI podcast) about his path to Financial Independence.  He shares how he discovered FI at age 27 and details his journey from getting out of debt to strategically positioning himself to retire early in 18 months.  Elliot also discusses his detailed approach to managing finances, the milestones he hit along the way, future aspirations involving geo-arbitrage with Italian citizenship, dealing with “one more year” syndrome, and the importance of community.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• 9 to FI podcast
• ChooseFI local groups
• Mr. Money Mustache, “The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement”
• Mad Fientist, “How to Access Retirement Funds Early”
• Josh Epley on MHFI episode 287
• Playing with Fire movie
• EconoMe Conference
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:13 Discovering Financial Independence

7:58 Preparing for early retirement

13:39 Dealing with debt & Magic the Gathering

19:20 A bad week

23:29 Elliot’s FI journey

29:11 Navigating finances in a relationship

35:00 Current expenses

39:20 Net worth & asset allocation

46:18 Italian citizenship & future plans

50:32 Importance of community

59:21 Soundcheck – 9 to FI podcast

Doug chats with Monica Levi, a former lawyer who retired early at the age of 40.  She shares her journey to FI, including her immigration to the US at 17, a battle with cancer, the transition from law to becoming a self-discipline coach, and her passion for travel.   Monica also delves into how she manages her time, expenses, and the challenges of having a working partner while being retired.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Connect with Monica:
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
• Downshift Financial
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

3:59 Immigrating to the US & financial upbringing

8:45 Starting to invest

15:33 Transitioning out of law

20:45 Other’s reaction to early retirement

24:56 Productivity & open space

30:58 Cancer diagnosis & recovery

35:21 Self-discipline coaching

39:22 Changing expenses & travel

48:59 Balancing a relationship & retirement

54:36 Soundcheck – Fitness goals

Doug continues his conversation with Josh Epley (9 to FI podcast) about life after early retirement.  Josh discusses how he spends his time, the challenges & surprises of early retirement, and the importance of having hobbies & goals.  He also shares his experiences with managing his workload, the benefits of being flexible, starting new activities like running, and the launch of his new podcast “9 to FI”. 

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• 9 to FI podcast
• Stuck In Beta podcast
• EconoMe Conference
• Cal Newport, “Slow Productivity”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Cal Newport, “Deep Work”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Cal Newport
• ChooseFI local groups
• CampFI
• FinCon
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

6:15 Balancing structure vs. free time

14:15 Pressure to make money in retirement

21:08 Designing a new schedule

26:17 Slow productivity & experimenting

31:59 Running

40:38 Launching a new podcast: 9 to FI

46:22 Engaging with pockets of the FI community

52:00 Scheduling & the art of saying no

59:43 Leaving open space

1:07:10 Soundcheck – FinCon

Doug chats with Josh Epley (9 to FI podcast) about his journey from $240K in debt to early retirement.  Josh discusses how he and his wife managed to turn their financial lives around including challenges they faced along the way and successful strategies they implemented such as real estate investing & rigorous budgeting.  Josh also shares insights into his recent post-retirement life from navigating personal challenges to the role of intentional living.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• 9 to FI podcast
• Budgets Are Sexy
• ChooseFI local groups
• Derek Sivers
• Tim Ferriss, “The 4-Hour Workweek”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• EconoMe Conference
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

4:35 Overcoming financial struggles

11:41 Climbing out of debt & making changes

17:17 Dealing with professional identity

22:04 Catching the real estate bug

31:10 Real estate disaster stories

37:20 Future real estate plans

44:17 Thoughts on college 

52:05 A rich mindset & financial stages

59:24 Current expenses

1:04:32 9 to FI podcast

1:09:55 Soundcheck – HOAs

Doug chats with Brad Finley who is on the cusp of early retirement.  Brad discusses the decision to leave his W-2 job, steps he’s taking to prepare for the transition, the emotional journey that accompanies such a significant life change, and his plans to maintain a balanced & fulfilling lifestyle post-retirement.  Brad also shares his transformative experience at the Hoffman Process and how it helped him work through personal issues and redefine his identity beyond his career.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Brad Finley Instagram
• EconoMe Conference
• Diania Merriam on MHFI episode 199
• Hoffman Process
• Thomas Stanley & William Danko, “Millionaire Next Door”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Jillian Johnsrud, Retire Often
• VICE, “The Superhuman World of Wim Hof: The Iceman”
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:29 Brad’s journey to early retirement

7:30 Discovering the FIRE movement

12:54 Identity crisis & keeping busy

19:03 Stand-up comedy

22:46 The Hoffman Process

27:42 Planning for life after retirement

34:39 Finding structure & hobbies

41:33 Building social connections

46:35 Identity & journaling

52:40 Soundcheck – National parks

Doug chats with Jackie and Jacob, a couple who left their W2 jobs to pursue Financial Independence and extensive travel adventures.  They discuss traveling in South America, living a minimalist lifestyle, navigating challenges of geo-arbitrage, and how they manage finances while optimizing for travel & embracing flexibility.  They also share financial mistakes they’ve made along the way while providing tips & advice for others who may want to follow a similar path in life.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Connect with Jackie & Jacob:
  • Get Lost Blue blog
  • Get Lost Blue YouTube
  • Instagram
• Get Lost Blue favorite YouTube videos:
  • “Extreme hiking in ARGENTINA, PATAGONIA region – Nahuel Huapi National Park outside of Bariloche”
  • “Colorado Beer! Brewery crawl in LONGMONT on a rainy night.”
• David on MHFI 277, “Early Retirement Nightmare: Retiring Into a Bear Market”
• JL Collins, “The Simple Path to Wealth”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

3:20 Discovering Financial Independence 

9:39 Embracing FI & making changes

15:36 Flexibility & dealing with uncertainty

23:26 Mindset adjustments

28:08 Backpacking adventures

34:43 Mistakes & lessons learned

38:11 Reverse robbed

46:39 Blogging & YouTube

53:33 Brewery visits & Mexican residency

58:01 Decumulation in early retirement

1:03:59 International travel tips & advice

1:08:41 Soundcheck – Longmont brewery crawl

Doug chats with Jillian Johnsrud about all-things mini retirement including preparation, challenges, and key insights.  They explore how to test what retiring might look like through sabbaticals and mini retirements, touch on the importance of adapting to a new lifestyle, and address common issues that arise, such as maintaining productivity and managing professional identity post-retirement.  Jillian also offers practical tips from her new book ‘Retire Often’ and discusses the importance of being prepared for the emotional and practical adjustments that come with early retirement.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Connect with Jillian:
  • Retire Often Website
  • Book Purchasing Link
  • Free Opt-In Worksheets:
    • Planning
    • Negotiating
• Afford Anything, “Mini-Retirements Are the New Early Retirement – with Mom of Six, Jillian Johnsrud”
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

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Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

1:11 Journey to early retirement & work-life balance

9:52 Testing retirement

14:15 Challenges of early retirement

20:24 Professional identity & personal value

29:29 Not as important as you think

33:57 The Messy Kitchen

38:51 Importance of rest & avoiding burnout

43:15 Retire Often

48:28 Soundcheck – Walking challenge

Doug chats with a variety of guests at CampFI Rocky Mountain Week 1.5 including Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache), Kristen Knapp (FI Friends Travel), and camp attendees Amanda, Tyler, & Roxanne.   Pete & Kristen delve into the distinction between being cheap and frugal, sharing personal anecdotes and philosophies.  The conversation shifts into other topics such as partner dynamics amongst FI couples, challenges & rewards of embracing frugality, and the power of community building & relationships.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• CampFI
• Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
• MUSTACHIANISM – The Music Video!
• Kristen Knapp/FI Friends Travel
• NoCo/SoCo Mustachians
• Roxanne/FinanceRox
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• ChooseFI Local Groups
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

3:16 Cheap vs. frugal

11:07 Getting out of the cheap mindset

16:54 Amanda – First CampFI experience

24:10 Amanda – Partner dynamics & power of community

30:29 Tyler –  SoCo Mustachians

35:26 Tyler – FI meetups

41:48 Roxanne – Journey to Lean FI

49:50 Roxanne – Stand-up comedy

53:37 Soundcheck – Roxanne’s stand-up set

Mr. Money Mustache joins me to answer YOUR questions. It’s part 2 so if you missed part 1, check it out from July 18, 2025. If you dig the show, see ways to support mile high FI since we’re ad-free.

Questions… [time stamps below]

What have you changed your mind on?

Is Pete still Snowbirding to Arizona in the winters down to cul-de-sac? And was that an experiment or a permanent thing? What’d you learn from the experience?

At age 50 plus, what are you focusing on for your health and fitness besides biking and eating healthy?

What things are you working on these days that light you up?

What’s your current stance and practice on charitable giving?

MMM charitable links:

• Notes on Giving Away my First $100,000
• How to Give Money (and Get Happiness) More Easily

Do you wish you lived a less frugally when you were younger?

What’s the biggest project that you’ve taken yourself and how did that go? And any advice for people that wanna do more repairs and improvement projects on their own?

Asked During the Conversation

Can you imagine working for someone else again? Or why not? (Doug to Pete)

Are there any other electric cars that are worth considering? (This was part of Neil’s longer question about buying a Tesla.)

—-

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s new blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

 

00:00 Welcome to the Mile High Five Podcast 00:30 Introversion vs. Extroversion: A Personal Journey 02:59 The Power of Mental Framing 05:36 Snowbirding to Arizona: Pete’s Experience 09:04 Health and Fitness at 50: Weight Training and More 11:15 The Benefits of Cold Plunges and Saunas 17:27 Sleeping Tips: Earplugs and Vulnerability 21:42 Current Projects and Passions 26:08 The Tesla Controversy: To Buy or Not to Buy? 27:36 Tesla: The Ultimate Hybrid 27:59 Understanding Tesla Beyond Elon Musk 28:59 Real-Life Tesla Ownership Experience 30:00 The Appeal of the Model Y 31:55 Frugality and Lifestyle Choices 37:50 Charitable Giving and Volunteering 41:51 Balancing Hard Work and Leisure 45:39 DIY Projects and Personal Growth 47:52 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Doug and Carl chat with listener Steve to review his plans for early retirement.  Steve discloses his financial background, asset allocation, and current expenses, including a net worth of about 1.7 million dollars.  The group addresses retirement projections along with potential risks of retiring in a down market and the importance of having a contingency plan.  Beyond money, they talk about the psychological and lifestyle adjustments that come with early retirement, including how to fill one’s time meaningfully, potential lifestyle changes, and the importance of staying engaged and balanced.

Note: This is a rebroadcast of MHFI episode 098

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s new blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

3:54 Background & discovering FIRE

6:55 Steve’s financial situation

12:38 Separate finances

21:36 Considerations for withdrawing money

28:35 Exploring hobbies & passion projects

35:52 Community & networking

44:32 Soundcheck – Shaving

Doug chats with his wife Elizabeth about her first year (and few months) of retirement while answering questions from the Facebook group.  They also discuss a post from Instagram called “The 6 Luxuries of Life”.

Questions answered:

• James C – How has the amount of time you spend managing your finances changed since retirement?
• Michael H – How did you get so lucky to end up with Doug?  What would you tell another wife that is similarly worried about lack of regular paychecks?  Did April’s quick downturn scare you?
• Sheila A – Does Elizabeth think she should have quit even earlier?
• Todd N – Anything she would have done differently in the past 6 months?
• James T – What did Doug say or what life changes convinced you to take the plunge?
• Seth E – What are some of the unexpected benefits that’s she’s experienced since retiring?
• Cait Y – Are you enjoying your time or do you miss the structured work week?
• Diania – How do you manage so much time together? Or do you have enough independent interests that you have enough space from each other?

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses, including his beloved shade umbrella?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep
• Shade Umbrella

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Elizabeth on MFHI episode 212
• Dr. Amy Shah, “The 6 Luxuries of Life”
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s new blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

5:20 Question – Managing finances

9:20 Question – April’s downturn

14:44 Question – Lack of regular paychecks

18:44 Question – Quit sooner or done anything different?

23:00 Question – Unexpected benefits of retiring

31:19 Question – Doing one thing a day

35:27 Question – Managing time together

41:19 The 6 luxuries of life

45:31 Rushing vs. control over time

51:11 Soundcheck – Victor

Doug chats with Karsten Jeske (aka Big ERN) about his journey to early retirement, living frugally yet enjoying luxuries like travel, and the balance between saving & spending effectively.  Karsten provides his thoughts on the book “Die With Zero”, analyzing its advice on spending & saving in retirement, and highlighting potential issues within its financial recommendations.  He also addresses the controversial topic of investing in small-cap value stocks and analyzes historical performance.  And of course, Doug & Karsten chat about a delicacy called asparagus.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Need custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Connect with Karsten:
  • Early Retirement Now blog
  • Twitter/X
  • Facebook
• Early Retirement Now, “How useful is the “Die With Zero” retirement approach? – SWR Series Part 60”
• Early Retirement Now, “Can we increase the Safe Withdrawal Rate with Small-Cap Value Stocks? – SWR Series Part 62”
• Early Retirement Now, “Small-Cap Value Stocks: Diversification or Di-WORSE-fication?
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Paul Merriman
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s new blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

10:34 Underspending & estate planning

16:35 Early retirement & time bucketing

22:30 Analysis of Die With Zero spending formula

30:52 Cherry-picking data 

37:46 (Increased) spending in retirement

46:02 Exploring small-cap value stocks

53:04 Diversification or Di-WORSE-fication?

1:02:22 Future plans

1:07:28 Soundcheck – Parallel foods

Doug chats with Frank Vasquez from the Risk Parity Radio Podcast about his extensive investing experience while offering insights into balancing life after achieving Financial Independence.  Frank discusses the importance of intentional spending, significance of meaningful relationships, psychology behind saving and spending, how to diversify investments to secure a sustainable future, and giving back.  Doug & Frank also dive into a listener’s question about managing financial decisions during market volatility.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Need custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Risk Parity Radio Podcast
• Fundamentals of risk-parity style investing:
  • Episode 1 (Introduction)
  • Episode 3 (History and Development of Risk Parity)
  • Episode 5 (History and Development of Risk Parity)
  • Episode 7 (Three Principles)
  • Episode 9 (Choosing Investments)
• The Father McKenna Center
• Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll)
• Frank’s 10-Year Mortality Probability Chart
• David on MHFI episode 277
• Early Retirement Now, “Using Gold as a Hedge against Sequence Risk – SWR Series Part 34″
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s new blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

5:32 Asparagus vs. brussel sprouts

13:30 Evolution of the FI community

20:28 Wellbeing & contemplating death

27:06 Transitioning from saving to spending

33:33 Spending money to improve relationships

40:38 Experiences & building new friendships

46:59 Importance of giving

54:37 David’s financial journey

1:03:31 Diversification

1:11:05 Risk Parity Radio Podcast

1:17:19 Soundcheck – Bitcoin

Doug and Carl answer mailbag questions in this Taylor Swift-infused episode from Leadville, CO. 

Questions answered:

• Does it ever get any easier to ride the market swings mentally?
• How would you reallocate your investments if there were no tax implications?
• What did Doug’s (and Carl’s) parents do right?
• Do you wish you had taken a gap year or had a little more fun when you were young?
• Experiences at CampFI?
• Thoughts on imposter syndrome?

Note: This is a rebroadcast of MHFI episode 177

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Need custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Brian Feroldi
• David Baughier
• NoCo Mustachians
• FinTalks
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s new blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

7:21 The Taylor Swift situation

13:39 Question – Riding the market swings

21:21 Question – Investment reallocation

27:26 Question – Parental influence

31:46 Question – Taking a gap year 

38:14 Thoughts on CampFI

43:39 Moving beyond FI

47:11 Question – Imposter syndrome

52:13 A perfect writing retreat

59:10 Soundcheck – Leadville

Doug chats with David about his recent transition into retirement amidst a fluctuating stock market environment.  David shares his decision to sell a significant portion of his portfolio near the market’s recent bottom, discussing the impact of market volatility on his investment decisions and the balance between seeking peace of mind and maximizing returns.  He also shares reflections on market timing, portfolio allocation, the importance of planning and adapting to financial uncertainties, and adjusting to life post-retirement.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Need a fee only advisor?  Nectarine is a network of financial advisors where you just pay for investing & planning advice. Advisors don’t manage your money, sell products, or earn commissions. https://milehighfi.com/nectarine

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Connect with David
  • Email: davidrmoser@gmail.com
  • LinkedIn
• The New Yorker, “The Scold” (Mr. Money Mustache profile)
• JL Collins, “The Simple Path to Wealth”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Morgan Housel
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s new blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

2:39 David’s financial journey

6:50 Future plans & investment decisions

13:06 This time is different

19:28 Keeping cash on-hand & withdrawing

27:53 Portfolio diversification

32:34 Contingency plans & advice for others

39:44 Life after retirement

45:16 Soundcheck – Credit card points

Mr. Money Mustache, Pete Adeney, and Doug discuss the nuances of early retirement, staying financially agile, and how small lifestyle adjustments can make a big impact. The conversation also explores personal growth, meaningful living, and the joy of communal activities.

 

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:54 Changing Perspectives: Pete’s New Outlook 02:37 Neighborhood Qualities and Preferences 05:04 Transition to One Car Lifestyle 09:33 Financial Strategies and Roth Conversions 24:28 Tracking Happiness and Meaning 30:18 Helping a Friend with a Basement Project 30:33 Jam Sessions at the Coworking Space 31:17 Balancing Productivity and Relaxation 32:21 Cooking and Socializing 33:07 Coaching Experiences and Financial Advice 37:31 Bootcamp and Email Series 42:06 Podcast Sponsorship and Recommendations 48:30 Live Streams and Community Engagement 49:23 Balancing Financial Goals with Living Intentionally 51:25 Parenting and Frugal Activities 55:08 Final Thoughts

Doug chats with both his dad and Chris Rusin about timeshares and each of their experiences with them.  They explore the aggressive sales tactics often used, financial pitfalls, hidden fees, the dubious resale market, harsh realities of escalating maintenance fees, and ultimately selling a timeshare.  They also highlight tactics for surviving timeshare presentations and explore how timeshares may fit into broader financial strategies.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Need custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Connect with Chris
  • Chris Rusin Music
  • Chris Rusin YouTube
  • Life Outside the Maze
• Chris Rusin on MHFI episode 020
• Chris Rusin on MHFI episode 273
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s new blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list!

Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more

**Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.**

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

2:43 A masterclass in sales

8:18 Analyzing the value of timeshares

15:14 Timeshare memories with Doug’s dad

21:10 The sales process

28:42 Maintenance fees & freebies

34:42 Getting rid of timeshares

41:31 Pros and cons

46:18 Opportunity cost of owning a timeshare

54:39 Soundcheck – Horseback riding