Mile High FI Podcast

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

Business Investing EducationInterviews guests

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Episodes

358

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Real talk about Financial Independence and life after corporate jobs. Doug Cunnington and Mr. Money Mustache 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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60 recent

October 20, 20261 hr 7 min

Why a 6.25% Withdrawal Rate might Be Smart | MHFI 343

A listener asks about stepping back from work and how a 6.25% withdrawal rate might impact his family's lives. Rusty joins me to discuss the lifestyle implications, how a 6.25% withdrawal rate, and 50% success rate might be a really good move. It's not financial, legal, or tax advice...it's just our thoughts. Chapters (00:00:05) - Welcome (00:01:07) - A Listener’s Early Retirement Dilemma (00:02:34) - Anton’s Family, Finances, and FIRE Plans (00:05:07) - Time with Kids Versus Financial Certainty (00:09:39) - What Is Financial Independence For? (00:10:29) - Summer Break in the Mountains (00:13:44) - Rethinking Failure in Early Retirement (00:22:07) - FU Money and Returning to Work (00:31:28) - What a “Failed” Retirement Really Means (00:34:43) - What Retirement Calculators Leave Out (00:44:20) - Accessing Retirement Accounts Early (00:50:23) - Housing, Family Pressure, and Personal Values (00:53:40) - Choosing Your Own Path (00:57:52) - Prioritizing Life Over Success Rates (00:59:38) - Doug’s Blu-ray Player Purchase Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more doug@milehighfi.com **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. **

October 13, 202646 min

Mr. Money Mustache: What is Enough for Early Retirement? | MHFI 342

Doug and MMM answer a voicemail. A listener wants to know "what is enough?" He's 41, net worth of about $3.2M, paid off house, $1.75 million in retirement accounts, $200K in cash, and $750K in stocks in a brokerage account. Expenses are around $60,000 per year. Chapters (00:00:13) - Disclaimer and Episode Setup (00:01:46) - What Is Enough? (00:06:11) - Rob’s Financial Picture (00:08:16) - Safe But Still Working (00:13:40) - Why Goalposts Move (00:20:51) - Lumpy Expenses Explained (00:25:33) - Other People’s Expectations (00:28:30) - Sunk Costs and RSUs (00:32:37) - Life After Work (00:37:54) - Quit the Wrong Job (00:39:38) - Camp Fi and Fear Talk (00:42:32) - Road Trip Reflections (00:43:58) - Bogleheads and New Ventures Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more doug@milehighfi.com **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. **

October 6, 202644 min

Productivity is a Problem | MHFI 341

Laziness has a branding problem. Justin Peters and Doug talk about idleness, anti-productivity, and intentionally doing less stuff. FI Minded – Financial Independence Without the Extremes Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi 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. ** Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:08) - Why Anti Productivity (00:03:22) - Lazy vs Anti Productivity (00:06:58) - FI Mindset Shift (00:09:01) - Fears Behind Overwork (00:13:42) - Status and Scaling Trap (00:17:47) - Optimizing Hobbies (00:28:39) - Practicing Doing Nothing (00:42:19) - Wrap Up and Where to Listen Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more doug@milehighfi.com **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. **

October 1, 202628 min

Mr. Money Mustache & The Simple Path to Wealth Foreword | MHFI 340

Mr. Money Mustache and I worked on something cool! Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi 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. ** Chapters (00:00:00) - Bonus Episode Setup (00:01:23) - Why Simple Path Works (00:05:25) - Recording With Mr Money Mustache (00:10:54) - Audiobook Wrap And Next Steps (00:12:15) - Index Funds Explained (00:22:03) - Timing The Market And Closing Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more doug@milehighfi.com **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. **

September 29, 20261 hr 5 min

Balancing Life with Climbing the Corporate Ladder | MHFI 339

Rusty and I talk about whether listener, April, should consider a higher paying role as a manager or stay as an individual contributor. This topic was inspired by our episode on quiet quitting. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi **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 Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com 00:00 Welcome Back and Not Advice 00:51 Quiet Quitting Email Setup 03:42 April’s Dilemma and Timeline 09:29 Manager vs IC Tradeoffs 14:27 Overachievers and Winding Down 34:43 Coasting for Meaning 36:09 Downtime Hobbies 39:02 Retirement Burnout Myth 42:32 Government Job Perks 49:08 Stay IC for Now 55:02 Stand-Up Comedy Class Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more doug@milehighfi.com **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. **

September 22, 20261 hr 10 min

From Paychecks to Purpose - Career, Identity, & Purpose | MHFI 338

Doug chats with Blue (From Paychecks to Purpose podcast) about the intersections of money, career, personal identity, and living a good life. They discuss early money memories & childhood influences, transitioning out of corporate roles, entrepreneurship, avoiding the trap of tying self-worth to a job title, embracing leisure & anti-productivity, and the concept of “Deep Pursuits” to find purpose outside of work. 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 From Paychecks to Purpose ChooseFI episode 596, “Mistakes Were Made” Mr. Money Mustache, “The 4% Rule: The Easy Answer to “How Much Do I Need for Retirement?” FinTalks 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 1:17 Money origins 9:24 Frugality & financial basics 15:07 Engineering careers 25:35 Transitioning to self-employment 32:14 Entrepreneurship 36:01 Identity beyond work 41:48 Anti-productivity 47:28 Deep pursuits & flow state 54:40 Travel as growth 1:00:16 Purpose Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more doug@milehighfi.com **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. **

September 15, 20261 hr 2 min

Un-Retiring After Two Years | MHFI 337

Doug and Rox Duckels (FinanceRox) chat with Dusti Young about her two-and-a-half-year journey in retirement. They dive into what happens when life throws unexpected financial & personal curveballs after leaving the traditional workforce – from rental property disasters and un-retiring to the fear of pressing the “sell” button on investments. Dusti & Rox also share their perspectives on navigating the FI journey as single individuals, covering everything from dating challenges and awkward Hinge profiles to the unique pros & cons of pursuing FI solo. 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 Connect with Dusti Instagram Email: ficollectivelongmont@gmail.com Connect with Rox FinanceRox website Instagram YouTube Dusti & Rox on MHFI episode 327 Prairie dog discussion on MHFI episode 298 The FI Collective Aubrey Williams, “Everyone Adjusts! Use Historical Analysis Risk-Based Guardrails to Reach FI Sonner!” 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 4:02 Early retirement nightmare 11:57 Transitioning to post-FI life 16:55 Purpose, identity, & loneliness 20:40 Financial flexibility 27:00 Back to work & drawing down 35:39 Setting boundaries & quitting again 44:13 FI as a single person 51:42 Small-community dating 58:45 Soundcheck – Sleep Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more doug@milehighfi.com **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. **

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 Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more doug@milehighfi.com **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. **

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 Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more doug@milehighfi.com **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. **

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 Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the links to find out how: https://buymeacoffee.com/milehighfi Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more doug@milehighfi.com **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. **