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.
48episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
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
Transcribe →Best Part of Die with Zero + Support the Pod [bonus]
Mar 1600:36:58Tap to summarizePlease 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.
Transcribe →Mr. Money Mustache Addresses Fears of Retiring Early | MHFI 310
Mar 1000:29:30Tap to summarizeDoug 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
Transcribe →Mr. Money Mustache’s Issues With The FIRE Movement | MHFI 309
Mar 301:06:47Tap to summarizeDoug 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
Transcribe →Mr. Money Mustache Wonders… “Is the FIRE Movement Dead?” | MHFI 308
Feb 2401:02:54Tap to summarizeDoug 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 — 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 6:11 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
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