Doug chats with JT about quitting his tech job due to burnout, taking time off to spend with family & decompress, but ultimately deciding to return to work. JT discusses his sudden decision to give an eight-day notice, the psychological transition of being “unemployed” vs. “retired”, why the FI community can sometimes be too prescriptive about never working again, and how he evaluated a new opportunity at a startup while emphasizing optionality, boundaries, and success criteria to avoid repeating burnout.

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Links

JT on MHFI episode 110
JT on MHFI episode 264.5
MHFI episode 316, “Optimizing the Last Year of Work Before Retirement – Rusty (Part 1)”
MHFI episode 317, “Optimizing the Last Year of Work Before Retirement – Rusty (Part 2)”
The FI Collective
Jordan Grumet, “The Purpose Code”
- Kindle
- Hardcover
- Paperback
- Audiobook
Ramit Sethi, “I Will Teach You to Be Rich: The Journal”
- Kindle
- Paperback
MHFI Facebook group
Doug’s site
Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

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**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.**

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Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

2:02 Quitting

9:44 Reflections on burnout

15:45 Activities since leaving work

22:57 Structure & daily routine

31:21 FI journey

37:39 Spending changes

43:32 Optionality & continuing to work

49:36 Would you do it for free?

55:41 Success criteria for returning to work

1:02:00 Value of additional money

1:06:36 Work vs. early retirement

1:13:51 Soundcheck – Book minimalism