Podcast
Mile High FI Podcast
Hosted by Doug Cunnington & 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.
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Working When It's Optional - Carla & Robert | MHFI 319
4d ago01:09:58Tap 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
2w ago01:25:24Tap 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
3w ago01:06:57Tap 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
Transcribe →Optimizing the Last Year of Work Before Retirement - Rusty (Part 1) | MHFI 316
4w ago01:11:44Tap to summarizeDoug 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
Transcribe →Drawdown Strategies & Spending in Early Retirement - Fritz Gilbert | MHFI 315
Apr 1400:57:05Tap to summarizeDoug 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
Transcribe →Is the 4% Rule Bad Advice? - Mark Trautman | MHFI 314
Apr 700:52:18Tap to summarizeDoug 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
Transcribe →A Story About My Mom
Apr 600:08:23Tap to summarizeSupport 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.
Transcribe →Retirement Readiness & Car Ownership - Mailbag with Mark Trautman | MHFI 313
Mar 3100:54:51Tap to summarizeDoug 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
Transcribe →Retired at 46! An Update on 2 Years of Early Retirement - Elizabeth | MHFI 312
Mar 2401:14:49Tap to summarizeDoug 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
Transcribe →Oversaving Debate & Retiring to Something... Or Not - Kristen Knapp - Kristen Knapp | MHFI 311
Mar 1701:28:04Tap to summarizeDoug 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
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