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.
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Mr. Money Mustache & I answer a listener question about how a family can best transition to Wife FI! You can get your question on the show by recording a voice memo and emailing me. Get priority by supporting the show via Buy Me a Coffee. It’s listener supported with no ads. Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ I put together the MMM episode guide: Mr. Money Mustache Episode Guide & Index Links Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache MHFI episode 305, “Mr. Money Mustache Explores Pop Culture Through the Lens of FIRE” JL Collins, “The Simple Path to Wealth” Email the show: do
Doug reunites with Carl at CampFI to chat about cognitive biases in the FIRE community – psychological shortcuts and blind spots that influence financial decisions, spending habits, and mindsets. The pair are joined by Kristen Knapp (FI Friends Travel) & Amberly Grant (FinTalks) to explore how our brains can get in the way of building a fulfilling life. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi https://milehighfi.com/support/ Links Carl Jensen/1500 Days to Freedom Kristen Knapp/FI Friends Travel Amberly Grant Cam
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Referenced Mad Fientist: Decade of Freedom **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.** doug@milehighfi.com 00:00 asset driven lifestyle creep 03:57 decumulation 07:35 overoptimizing and simplicity 12:16 reviews & support
Doug chats with Amberly Grant (FinTalks) about how their views have evolved after years in the FI community. They challenge classic FIRE movement dogmas, revisit old thoughts about savings rates & retirement planning, discuss shifting FI numbers & goals due to changing life circumstances, and reframe lifestyle creep as a positive when it funds a desired life. Amberly also asserts her opinion that money is often the easiest/most boring FI topic compared with personal growth. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehigh
Doug chats with Natalie & Bill about reaching Financial Independence, attempting early retirement, and how a lack of post-work identity & structured hobbies led them both back to the workforce. They discuss what they learned along the way and how returning to work confirmed that they’re now financially & mentally ready to stop for good. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi https://milehighfi.com/support/ Links Chris Voss, “Never Split the Difference” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook Mr. Money Mustache Mr
Doug chats with Carl & Rusty about a classic debate in the FI community – DIY vs. outsourcing. They discuss situations when outsourcing makes sense, emphasizing intentionality, buying back time, overcoming psychological hurdles of hiring help, and avoiding letting outside forces rewrite core values. 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
Doug chats with Rusty about the concept of “quiet quitting”, spurred by an email from listener “Brian”. They discuss the psychological shifts needed to step back from overachieving, provide strategies for reclaiming personal time & prioritizing health, and share tips on leadership, strategic delegation, prioritizing high-value problem solving, and setting firm boundaries. 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,
Mr. Money Mustache & I answer your questions! You can get your question on the show by recording a voice memo and emailing me. Get priority by supporting the show via Buy Me a Coffee. It’s listener supported with no ads. Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ I put together the MMM episode guide: Mr. Money Mustache Episode Guide & Index Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com 00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:03 Too Much Freedom 04:19 Childhood Independence 08:13 Routines and Productivity 10:17 Long Term Care Fears 11:47 Prevention and Self Insurance 15:48 Worry Math and Dementi
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. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: ht
Doug chats with David Gillis about finding meaningful projects after retiring and how identity can be tied to corporate roles. David shares his financial journey from paying off consumer debt to finding FI and eventually testing “semi-retirement”. He also discusses his beginnings as “the quiet kid on the bus”, improving his communication skills over time (via Toastmasters, improv classes, coaching, & involvement with TEDx Omaha) to launching his own conference called “The 1% Better Conference”. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://mileh
Doug and Dusti chat with Rox (from FinanceRox) about celebrating a massive milestone – officially hitting her full-FI number! Rox shares her story as a former financial analyst who first achieved Coast FI in 2020, navigated life changes such as a divorce and a period of digital nomading, then recently moved to Longmont & ultimately crossed the finish line to FI. Rox also shares her passion for creative outlets outside the numbers in areas like stand-up comedy and daily art journaling. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/
Doug continues the happiness series with part 4 featuring special guest Kristen Knapp (FI Friends Travel). Doug & Kristen dive into the groundbreaking science of longevity, memory, and community – from an 80-year Harvard study to Chicago commuter trains, the data proves that relationships act as emotional shock absorbers. They also discuss how good relationships are the strongest predictor of a healthy, long, happy 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 o
Doug 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,
We 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.
Doug 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 li
Doug 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 som
Doug 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/
Doug 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://m
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 m
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 produ
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 ea
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 spen
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
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?
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 produc
