Real talk about Financial Independence and life after corporate jobs. Carl Jensen and Doug Cunnington 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.
Doug chats with Producer Chris about the identity crisis that often accompanies early retirement and the practicality of meal planning vs. food delivery services. They discuss how careers often shape one’s identity and the challenges some people face when stepping away from their professional life. They also explore the convenience and impact of food delivery, home cooking, and personal shopping preferences.
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/
June 2025 Livestreams: https://youtube.com/live/d2lTp4FMe4A?feature=share
Come hang out with Doug at CampFI Week 1.5, Mon July 7, 2025 – Thurs July 10, 2025: https://campfi.org/event/campfi-rm-250707/
Links
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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: [email protected]
0:00 Introduction
2:53 Chris’s lost identity
9:15 Doug’s career reflections
18:26 Grocery & food delivery
22:57 Grocery shopping preferences
29:56 Soundcheck – Never again
Doug chats with Joe Saul-Sehy from The Stacking Benjamins Show about habits of the happiest retirees, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, purpose-driven retirement, and the perils of isolation. Joe shares insights from his own experiences and studies, highlighting the power of connection through group memberships, volunteering, and staying engaged in meaningful activities post-retirement.
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/
Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices!
June 2025 Livestreams: https://youtube.com/live/d2lTp4FMe4A?feature=share
Come hang out with Doug at CampFI Week 1.5, Mon July 7, 2025 – Thurs July 10, 2025: https://campfi.org/event/campfi-rm-250707/
Links
—
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: [email protected]
0:00 Introduction
5:17 Livestreaming!
14:10 Habits of the happiest retirees
22:16 Exploring opportunities in retirement
30:04 The power of connection
38:27 Community involvement
44:54 Finding common ground
49:21 A purpose bigger than yourself
56:27 Starting in the wrong place
1:03:12 Soundcheck – National parks
Doug chats with Rusty about the intricacies of the ‘Buy, Borrow, Die’ strategy. They discuss the mechanics of how the strategy works, benefits, potential risks, and answer related questions from listeners Nate and Sophia. They also answer Alex’s question from the mailbag about claiming unemployment benefits ethically and navigating asset allocation during market volatility.
Rusty’s “Homework”: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qflSynVvMlxcBw1kkKBfG3HFQNJV05b8/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100827824204716910905&rtpof=true&sd=true
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/
Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices!
June 2025 Livestreams: https://youtube.com/live/d2lTp4FMe4A?feature=share
Come hang out with Doug at CampFI Week 1.5, Mon July 7, 2025 – Thurs July 10, 2025: https://campfi.org/event/campfi-rm-250707/
Links
—
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: [email protected]
0:00 Introduction
3:15 Basics steps of Buy, Borrow, Die
9:01 Mechanics & benefits of the strategy
13:51 Risks & downsides
23:18 Mathematical projections & comparisons
28:33 ACA & tax considerations
36:53 Question: Claiming unemployment
44:02 Entitlement to unemployment benefits
48:46 Question: Reallocating due to market volatility
55:55 Market predictions
1:00:14 Soundcheck – Vacation packing
Doug and Carl continue the happiness series with part 3 which is focused on cultivating a happiness mindset. They discuss various strategies to train the brain for maximum happiness, including the role of neural responses, the negative impact of constant busyness, the crucial importance of gratitude, and how voluntary struggles contribute to a fulfilled life. They also touch upon the pitfalls of social media and news consumption, the value of community connections, and the liberating perspective of acknowledging one’s inconsequential role in the grand scheme of things.
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/
Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices!
Links
—
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: [email protected]
0:00 Introduction
2:41 Happiness mindset
7:55 How FIRE can make your life worse
11:39 Importance of struggle
17:53 Activity is the key to longevity
25:26 Impact of news & social media
31:49 Gratitude & community connections
39:33 Looking at yourself
44:38 Soundcheck – Fidget Spinner
Doug and Carl continue the happiness series with part 2 which is focused on the concept of finding purpose in life. They discuss the benefits of preparing for retirement by building a rich life outside of work, taking sabbaticals, and conducting small experiments to explore new hobbies and interests. They also talk about the importance of community, the idea of redefining success, achieving flow state, and finding meaningful ways to spend one’s time while maintaining good mental and physical health.
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/
Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices!
Links
—
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: [email protected]
0:00 Introduction
4:48 What FIRE life looks like
12:23 Is retirement overrated?
21:32 Relationship with work
26:22 Seeking validation
33:41 Preparation for retirement
38:12 Challenging the corporate ladder
43:49 Setting up for a successful retirement
51:13 Redefining success & finding flow
59:29 Leveraging Community
1:08:56 Soundcheck – 25K steps
Doug and Carl kick-off a multi-part series focused on happiness. They discuss various elements of happiness including definitions, why it’s important, genetic & activity-based components of happiness, routines, the impact of jobs, mindset, and happiness by subtraction. They also provide practical tips for fostering happiness, emphasizing that happiness requires continuous work and experimentation.
Win a ticket to CampFI Rocky Mountain – Week 1 Ticket (2025)
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/
Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices!
Links
—
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: [email protected]
0:00 Introduction
2:13 Definition of happiness
9:24 The role of FIRE in happiness
16:16 Where does happiness come from?
23:04 Creating happiness in your life
30:55 Novel experiences & snoring
37:08 Happiness by subtraction
47:04 Happiness is ever-changing
51:34 Experimentation & testing things out
58:09 Inner vs. outer scorecard
1:08:23 Soundcheck – Hallmark movies
Doug chats with Brian Feroldi about Warren Buffett’s famous investing principles. Brian discusses key Buffett investment criteria including understanding businesses, long-term prospects of a business, management integrity, financial metrics/health, and the importance of checklists. He also shares his personal investment experiences and lessons learned as a seasoned individual stock investor.
Win a ticket to CampFI Rocky Mountain – Week 1 Ticket (2025)
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/
Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices!
Links
—
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: [email protected]
0:00 Introduction
3:28 Understanding a business
7:36 Favorable long-term prospects
12:48 The management team
15:49 Buffett’s flexibility
19:07 Investing mistakes
25:39 Value of checklists
31:02 Misusing advice
35:11 Soundcheck- Group vacation
Doug chats with Jess and Corey from The Fioneers about their unique paths to Financial Independence, the Slow FI and Coast FI concepts, how their views on spending have evolved over the years, content creation, and balancing work with building a fulfilling life. The group provides thoughts and advice in response to a listener email about reaching Financial Independence, potentially achieving Fat FI, helping family, and exploring content creation as a new career path. Jess and Corey also discuss their Coast FI calculator tool and upcoming Slow FI retreats.
Follow the link for more details including the original email from listener “Carl”: https://milehighfi.com/coast-fi-question-265/
Win a ticket to CampFI Rocky Mountain – Week 1 Ticket (2025)
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices!
Links
—
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: [email protected]
0:00 Introduction
1:09 Inspirations for slowing down
5:13 Listener email & initial thoughts
12:36 Champagne lifestyle and spending
19:56 Balancing family support with FI
27:09 Job satisfaction
34:08 Sleeping in a camper van
39:10 Content creation
46:22 Strategies & recommendations for “Carl”
52:27 Future plans for the Fioneers
58:22 Soundcheck – Van Life
JT and Doug talk about reading and books…
Win a ticket to CampFI Rocky Mountain – Week 1 Ticket (2025) https://milehighfi.com/wincampfi
Support the Show (and get exclusive content!) https://milehighfi.com/donate
Check out the Mile High FI Store… https://milehighfi.com/store
Outro music is a bastardization of Cry, Moan, & Wail by Marc Ford. Super cool blues chord progression…
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our email list! https://milehighfi.club
00:00 Intro
13:07 Discussing Tim Ferriss’s Massive Books
14:34 Approaching Nonfiction Reading
18:25 Fiction vs. Nonfiction Preferences
19:51 The Role of Podcasts in Book Promotion
27:34 Using AI for Book Recommendations
29:20 Balancing Multiple Books at Once
31:57 Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts
36:19 Running and Fitness Goals
Doug chats with David & Jill at the EconoMe Conference about their pursuit of Financial Independence. David shares his background growing up with a scarcity mindset, the accidental path to FI, his recent mini-retirement, experience quitting alcohol, and a newfound passion for stand-up comedy. Jill discusses her middle-class upbringing, balancing her full-time job and schooling, and frugality. Together they discuss lifestyle changes, managing finances as a couple, and the importance of clear communication in a relationship.
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices!
Links
—
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: [email protected]
0:00 Introduction
4:21 Discovering FIRE & frugal habits
9:41 David & Jill’s FI journey
17:17 Overcoming the fear of boredom
26:44 Reflecting on sobriety
32:05 Stand up comedy
39:47 Balancing finances as a couple
45:10 Mini retirement plans
50:53 Importance of communication
58:08 Soundcheck – EconoMe Experience
Doug chats with Producer Chris about a variety of topics including irrational money fears, why people commonly talk about their work in social settings, and what their day-to-day lives look like in early retirement. They explore common financial anxieties such as the fear of running out of money and how past experiences shape these fears. They share strategies for steering conversations away from work and towards more engaging subjects like travel and hobbies. Finally, they provide a glimpse into their daily routines, highlighting the freedom and fulfillment that early retirement and semi-retirement offers.
Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/
Links
—
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: [email protected]
0:00 Introduction
1:26 Fear of running out of money
8:56 Reacting to stock market volatility
15:01 Sequence of Returns Risk & flexibility
24:43 Why people talk about work
28:49 What else to talk about & complaining
33:27 Chris’s typical day
41:21 Doug’s typical day
49:12 Open time & Parkinson’s Law
56:27 Soundcheck – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame