Mile High FI Podcast

Hosted by Doug Cunnington, Mr. Money Mustache, & Carl Jensen

Business Investing EducationInterviews guests

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Episodes

349

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 8, 20261 hr 6 min

Our Financial Mistakes on the Path to FIRE | MHFI 336

Doug chats with Bill Yount (Catching Up to FI) about the reality of pursuing FIRE: nobody does it perfectly. They discuss mistakes each of them made before and after their “financial wake-up calls,” including lack of money education, lifestyle inflation, bad insurance policies, debt, real estate blunders, predatory advisors, and the struggle to shift from aggressive saving to spending in retirement. 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 Catching Up to FI Catching Up to FI Facebook group Mr. Money Mustache, “The 4% Rule: The Easy Answer to “How Much Do I Need for Retirement?” Altruist wealth platform Monarch Money Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero” 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 0:46 Meet Bill Yount 6:13 Meet Doug Cunnington 13:11 Lack of a money foundation 19:16 Whole life insurance policies 25:36 Professional advisors vs. DIY 31:03 Benefits of working with an advisor 39:11 Housing mistakes 47:36 Over-saving & learning to spend 53:23 Selling at the market bottom 56:51 The Fog of FI

September 1, 202653 min

Mr. Money Mustache Goes to Camp (Live CampFI) | MHFI 335

Doug, Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache), and Rox Duckels (FinanceRox) answer audience questions live at CampFI Rocky Mountain. The trio tackles topics such as financial strategies for younger generations, attracting younger audiences to FIRE, the most valuable self-investments, the real value of factoring Social Security into a FIRE plan, smooth transition strategies out of the workplace, and how to embrace idleness & art after reaching Financial Independence. 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 Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache Mr. Money Mustache, “The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Social Security” The FI Collective Connect with Rox FinanceRox website Instagram YouTube F.I.ne Art Collective Sign up (w/ JD Roth) CampFI 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 2:11 Young adults & FIRE 7:03 Acquiring skills & raising kids 12:59 Social Security & spouses 20:49 Advice for recent retirees 27:49 Transitioning from work to retirement 36:16 AI vs. FIRE 41:48 Surprises after reaching FIRE 46:05 FIRE topics we miss 53:02 Soundcheck – I forgot

August 28, 202619 min

Mr. Money Mustache: Preparing for WifeFI | MHFI 334.5

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: doug@milehighfi.com 0:00 Introduction 0:56 Planning for Wife FI 4:33 Cash cushion debate 11:30 Listener update 14:34 Margin loans

August 25, 20261 hr 7 min

Identifying & Overcoming Cognitive Biases in the FIRE Community (Live CampFI) | MHFI 334

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 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 Carl Jensen/1500 Days to Freedom Kristen Knapp/FI Friends Travel Amberly Grant CampFI 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 4:24 Recency bias 11:01 Navigating market downturns 15:11 Arrival fallacy 23:17 Happiness, community, & fulfillment 30:09 Anchoring 37:47 Ultra frugality & finding deals 45:27 Confirmation bias 52:38 Beyond the FI echo chamber 1:04:46 Soundcheck – FIRE pickup lines

August 22, 202628 min

Asset Driven Lifestyle Creep

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

August 18, 202658 min

Second Thoughts About FIRE - Things We Changed Our Minds About | MHFI 333

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 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/FI Travel LLC CampFI David Chilton, “The Wealthy Barber” Paperback Mr. Money Mustache, “The 4% Rule: The Easy Answer to “How Much Do I Need for Retirement?” 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 5:08 Saving for retirement 11:54 Updated FI number 16:42 Money isn’t the hard part 20:38 The sprint to retirement 28:44 Lifestyle creep reframed 33:42 Retirement spending 39:45 Purpose vs. productivity 45:45 Identity, redefinition, evolution 51:57 Soundcheck – FI Travel LLC

August 11, 20261 hr 15 min

We Failed at Early Retirement, But We're Trying it Again | MHFI 332

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 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 Chris Voss, “Never Split the Difference” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook Mr. Money Mustache Mr. Money Mustache, “News Flash: Your Debt is an Emergency!!” EconoMe Conference 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 1:36 Preparing for a European trip 8:25 Discovering FIRE 13:05 Frugality vs. spending 18:46 Becoming debt-free & saving 23:20 Career burnout 29:46 Returning from Europe 36:56 Bill’s exit plan 41:09 Natalie’s exit plan 48:40 EconoMe takeaways 55:31 Rekindling hobbies & volunteering 59:43 FIRE confirmation 1:08:39 Soundcheck – Border collies

August 4, 20261 hr 22 min

Buy Back Your Time & Pay for Convenience | MHFI 331

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 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 Carl Jensen/1500 Days to Freedom Email Rusty: rustyfromco@gmail.com A.J. Jacobs EconoMe Conference Big Think, “Give pee a chance: Why German men urinate sitting down” 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 3:30 An outsourcing mindset 9:01 House cleaning 18:20 Yard work 26:20 ROI & money mindset 34:38 Home construction 42:36 Home maintenance 49:26 Cooking, grocery shopping, & kids 58:14 Financial advice 1:07:44 Car maintenance 1:11:44 Haircuts 1:17:47 Soundcheck – Peeing

July 28, 20261 hr 19 min

How to Stop Working and Start Living - Rusty | MHFI 330

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, 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 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)” Carla on MHFI episode 319 Chris Hutchins, “All the Hacks” podcast J. Kenji López-Alt, “When Should I Salt my Eggs? | Ask Kenji” 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 3:46 Brian’s email: Doing less at work? 11:20 Appearing busy 17:54 Guilt vs. productivity 26:36 The delegation strategy 34:09 Solving big problems & work identity 40:23 Taking advantage of work-related travel 48:06 Vacation & sick day rights 55:40 Optimization & work ethic vs. intentionality 1:02:12 Office wellness hacks 1:09:22 Soundcheck – Muffins & pizza

July 26, 202626 min

Mr. Money Mustache on Too Much Freedom in Early Retirement [Q&A Bonus] | MHFI 329.5

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/ 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 Dementia 18:02 Charity and Volunteering 20:29 Effective Giving Mindset 22:18 Community Updates and Support 24:51 Outro and Disclaimers