Podcast
Mile High FI Podcast
Hosted by Doug Cunnington, Mr. Money Mustache, & Carl Jensen · EN
Real talk about Financial Independence and life after corporate jobs. Doug Cunnington and Carl Jensen talk about FI, lifestyle, side hustles, health, and anything on their minds. Plus, they interview experts and non-experts interested in the FI lifestyle. It's raw, candid, pretty much like you get to sit in on a private conversation.
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Living the RV Life While Financially Independent - Kristen & Pete | MHFI 325
5d ago01:30:21Tap to summarizeDoug chats with Kristen & Pete about their FI journey, full-time RV living, and both of their work situations. They dive into the realities of balancing a mixed-retirement relationship, overcoming decision fatigue while minimizing, navigating cross-country travel costs, balancing different risk tolerances & spending styles, and building true confidence through 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 EconoMe Conference Carla & Robert on MHFI episode 319 Jillian Johnsrud Harvest Hosts 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 0:51 Downsizing, decluttering, minimalism 7:37 Careers & discovering FIRE 15:48 Money backgrounds & frugality 23:13 Risk tolerance & investing roles 28:19 FI goals & continuing to work 34:15 FI community quirks 43:51 14er quest & altitude sickness 50:57 Testing the RV lifestyle & reality check 1:00:15 RV expenses 1:08:54 Wildfire escape 1:15:52 Upcoming adventures 1:20:22 Soundcheck – Fitness
Transcribe →Ask Questions & Asparagus Origin Story... [bonus]
1w ago00:10:56Tap to summarizeWe need your questions. So ask questions, plus you get the first mention of asparagus on MHFI. It was episode 9. It’s ridiculous. Record a voice memo. Send to doug@milehighfi.com. You can send your text based question as well. Please let me know if you’re a Buy Me a Coffee Supporter.
Transcribe →Finance & Food: Iceland Adventures & Pizza Passion - Sam | MHFI 324
2w ago01:18:49Tap to summarizeDoug chats with his brother-in-law Sam about a variety of topics focusing on travel, food, and money. Sam discusses travel hacking using credit card rewards, budgeting for trips using a family “fun/frivolous” fund, and an upcoming trip to Iceland. The pair also deep-dive into food & cooking to explore the meticulous art of dialing-in the perfect backyard pizza and morning espresso. 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 Peter Reinhart, “American Pie: My Search for the Perfect Pizza” Kindle Hardcover Peter Reinhart, “Perfect Pan Pizza” Kindle Hardcover Spiral-Bound Peter Reinhart, “Pizza Quest: My Never-Ending Search for the Perfect Pizza” Kindle Paperback Boyer’s coffee “Omnibus” 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 0:51 Professional Scientist 6:58 Travel rewards 15:47 Iceland eclipse planning 24:46 Budgeting & household finances 31:33 Longmont pizza crawl 36:08 Pizza stone vs. pizza steel 43:43 Kamado grilling 53:19 Avid coffee enthusiast 1:00:49 Roasting beans & dialing-in espresso shots 1:11:27 Soundcheck – Reading
Transcribe →Mr. Money Mustache: FIRE Planning & Investing | MHFI 323
3w ago00:46:59Tap to summarizeDoug and Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache) answer questions from the listener mailbag. They discuss costs of raising a large family on the path to FIRE, contrast the real-world math & culture of living in Canada vs the United States, map out high net worth investing strategies for seven-figure portfolios, and dive deep into the psychology of holding cash. 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 Brad Barrett/ChooseFI Mark Trautman/Mark’s Money Mind Mr. Money Mustache, “My Unexpected Journey to Hormone Replacement (TRT)” 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 Question – FIRE planning with kids 9:17 Front-loading savings & investing 13:05 Question – Thoughts on Canada 18:45 Question – Pre-tax vs. post-tax investing 25:54 Question – Cash bucket 29:58 Fear vs. logic 34:27 Question – Testosterone Replacement Therapy 37:33 Question – Heating a hot tub 44:05 Soundcheck – Summer trips
Transcribe →Fast-Track to Freedom: Discovering FIRE Late, But Retired in 2 Years - Jennifer (Part 2) | MHFI 322
4w ago00:49:51Tap to summarizeDoug continues his conversation with Jennifer about reaching Financial Independence and subsequently retiring in about two years while living in a high cost-of-living area. Jennifer shares the details of a car accident that served as a life-changing catalyst, her transition into early retirement, and specific technical strategies like utilizing a 72(t) that allowed her to accelerate her timeline. Jennifer also shares specific FI-related resources that helped with her journey. 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 Jennifer’s substack, FI Slow Mornings Aubrey Williams JL Collins, “The Simple Path to Wealth” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook Shannah Game, “Unraveling Your Relationship with Money” Kindle Hardcover Audiobook Audio CD Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, “The 30-Day Money Cleanse” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook Jill Sirianni & Jen Smith, “Buy What You Love Without Going Broke” 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 1:24 Car accident & wake-up call 7:10 Identity & work optionality 11:43 Passive income 16:17 Exploring a 72(t) 20:35 Barista FI ideas 27:52 Dealing with unstructured time 34:05 Housing & investing lessons 41:06 Follow-up: Hitting FI in two years 45:59 Follow-up: FI resources
Transcribe →Fast-Track to Freedom: Discovering FIRE Late, But Retired in 2 Years - Jennifer (Part 1) | MHFI 321
May 2600:42:44Tap to summarizeDoug chats with Jennifer about reaching Financial Independence and subsequently retiring in about two years while living in a high cost-of-living area. She shares how she discovered FI while dealing with burnout from a big-tech/creative career. Jennifer also discusses accelerating her FI journey by overcoming lifestyle creep, tackling the “Big 3 expenses” (housing, transportation, food), paying off a car aggressively, cooking at home, cutting discretionary spending, and addressing credit card debt. 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 Jennifer’s substack, FI Slow Mornings ChooseFI local groups Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook Crew checking 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 2:23 Discovering FI & recognizing burnout 9:15 Evolving views on travel 16:31 Tackling the Big 3 (expenses) 21:31 Tracking expenses 25:53 Spending 30:44 Navigating finances as a couple 35:41 Soundcheck – Food
Transcribe →Video Games & Social Security - Mailbag with Mr. Money Mustache | MHFI 320
May 1900:44:10Tap to summarizeDoug 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
Transcribe →Working When It's Optional - Carla & Robert | MHFI 319
May 1201:09:58Tap to summarizeDoug 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
Transcribe →Permission to Spend: From Frugality to Value-Based Purchases - Amberly Grant | MHFI 318
May 501:25:24Tap to summarizeDoug 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
Transcribe →Optimizing the Last Year of Work Before Retirement - Rusty (Part 2) | MHFI 317
Apr 2801:06:57Tap to summarizeDoug 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
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