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Mile High FI Podcast

Mile High FI Podcast

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

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Episodes

346

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

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
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

July 21, 20261 hr 19 min

Exercising Optionality With FIRE: Quitting Work... Then Going Back - JT | MHFI 329

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: 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 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 — 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 2:02 Quitting 9:44 Reflections on burnout 15:45 Act...

July 14, 202648 min

Pursuing Passion Projects In Early Retirement - David Gillis | MHFI 328

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://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 Spark Financial Wellness The 1% Better Conference TEDxOmaha Toastmasters MilMoneyCon 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 1:19 Finding FI 6:35 Debt payoff & identifying blind spots 11:52 Building communication skills 18:28 Improv 22:52 Launching a conference 28:03 Keeping it intimate & coordinating speakers 32:35 Future conference plans 37:45 Retirement planning & community 44:18 Soundcheck – Summer plans

July 7, 20261 hr 5 min

Reaching Coast FI, then FULL Financial Independence | MHFI 327

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/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 Connect with Rox FinanceRox website Instagram YouTube Connect with Dusti Instagram Email: ficollectivelongmont@gmail.com The FI Collective CampFI CampFI, “RETIRE EARLY A.F.! (and funny)” F.I.ne Art Collective Sign up (w/ JD Roth) JD Roth 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 1:39 Full-FI & moving to Longmont 9:01 Entrepreneurship insights 13:43 Changing expenses & working after FI 18:15 Retirement reality check 24:50 Spending & money min...

June 30, 202654 min

Community & Connections - Happy #4 - Kristen Knapp | MHFI 326

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 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 Connect with Kristen: Email: kristen@fifriendstravel.com FI Friends Travel MHFI, “Happiness Beyond Wealth. FIRE ≠ Happiness – Happy #1” MHFI, “Is Retirement Overrated? – Happy #2” MHFI, “Can Retiring Early Make You Less Happy? – Happy #3” Plain English Podcast Plain English Podcast, “Happiness in America” Plain English Podcast, “The Healthiest ‘Super-Agers’ Have One Thing in Common” Harvard Study of Adult Development Alzheimer’s Association, “The first 25 years of the Northwestern University SuperAging Program” Nicholas Epley, “Mistakenly Seeking Solitude” 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...

June 23, 20261 hr 30 min

Living the RV Life While Financially Independent - Kristen & Pete | MHFI 325

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, 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 EconoMe Conference Carla & Robert on MHFI episode 319 Jillian Johnsrud Harvest Hosts James & Rachel fitness challenge 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 0:51 Downsizing, decluttering, minimalism 7:37 Careers & discovering FIRE 15:48 Money backgrounds & frugality 23:13 Risk tolerance & investing roles 28:19 FI goals & continuing to work 34:15 FI community quirks 43:51 14er quest & altitude sickness 50:57 Testing the RV lifestyle & reality check 1:00:15 RV expenses 1:08:54 Wildfire escape 1:15:52 Upcoming adventures 1:20:22 Soundcheck – Fitness

June 18, 202610 min

Ask Questions & Asparagus Origin Story... [bonus]

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.

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