Mile High FI Podcast

Carl chats with Doug and his wife Elizabeth who recently left her career and retired early.  Elizabeth discusses her introduction to Financial Independence and some of the skepticism she initially had while also walking through some of the specifics about actually leaving her job (making the decision, having a solid financial plan in place, and describing her last day at work).  She goes on to sha...

Recorded in the hotel lobby on the last day of the EconoMe conference, Doug and Carl reflect on some of the presentations and conversations they had over the weekend while also providing their own insights & observations.  They discuss various topics including: the evolution of the FIRE movement from its initial focus on accumulating wealth to its current emphasis on mental health and personal...

Doug and Carl chat with Bob Haines who is a well-known figure in the FI community due to his frequent attendance of various FI-related events such as FinCon, EconoMe, Chautauqua, and CampFI.  Bob recounts his financial journey from initially finding FI through the Tim Ferriss podcast, to discovering that he was accidentally FI already, to transitioning fully into the world of early retirement almo...

Recorded in the hotel lobby from the EconoMe conference in Cincinnati, Doug and Carl catch-up on various topics including: a recap of their recent visit to the Culdesac community in Arizona, thoughts on e-bikes & electric vehicles, Doug’s battle with pink eye, updates to their fitness routines, and Carl’s unfortunate Facebook incident.  Doug also shares an exciting announcement about his wife’...

Doug and Carl (along with special guest co-host Georgie the dog) explore the concept of stealth wealth.  Each provides their personal money story & how much work it took to arrive at their current position, the pros & cons of sharing one’s financial status with others, and how this knowledge impacts social interactions & relationships.  They also discuss giving and helping others respo...

Doug and Carl visit Culdesac, a unique car-free rental apartment community in Tempe, AZ that redefines the typical American neighborhood by focusing on sustainability, communal living spaces, and alternative transportation options.  The guys are joined by members of the FI community (including Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache), Paula Pant, Brad Barrett, and Chad Carson) to discuss Culdesac with co-...

In a follow-up to MHFI Episode 187 (Fitness Madness), Doug and Carl provide an update on how they’re progressing with their original fitness goals, discuss challenges they’ve faced along the way, provide dieting & workout tips, and discuss future plans.  Carl speaks candidly about Attachment Disorder and the importance of mental health.  Also, don’t miss out on new sponsor oFartsic by pVisor....

Doug and Carl catch up on a potpourri of topics including recent purchases, frugal hacks, investments, optimization, skepticism, and recent books & TV shows each have been consuming.  They discuss over-optimizing & reevaluating perceptions in the areas of health & fitness and try to provide a balance by incorporating de-optimization.  Carl also introduces a new investment strategy call...

Doug and Carl chat with Justin David Carl, a fitness, money, and life coach also known as Dragon.  Justin shares his journey from being heavily in debt and out of shape to becoming financially independent and physically fit.  He discusses the dramatic career changes he made, his discovery of the financial independence movement, and how coaching & accountability played a crucial role in his suc...

Doug and Carl delve into the differences between being “rich” and being “wealthy”, discussing their own journeys to financial independence and the pivotal moments when they each felt rich and then wealthy.  They reflect on pieces of financial advice, how to feel wealthy, reclaiming an abundance mindset from scarcity, and the importance of evaluating personal happiness.  Both also share anecdotes a...

Doug and Carl chat with Kim Ehardt, a firefighter from Austin, Texas, who unknowingly achieved Barista FI through careful savings and an unconventional career path.  Despite her financial status and ability to leave her current profession, Kim articulates a desire to shift focus from financial security alone to personal fulfillment, purpose, and happiness.  Kim’s future plans include life coaching...

Doug and Carl chat with JL Collins about the evolution of the FIRE movement, lifestyle inflation, “enough”, & envy as well as how diverse the FI community is (not exclusive to any particular income level or lifestyle).  JL introduces his recent book, “Pathfinders”, which collects stories that demystify the process of achieving financial independence and highlights the different paths that peop...

Doug and Carl celebrate the 200th episode of the Mile High FI podcast, reminiscing about the past while discussing future plans.  Topics include: what they've learned, what they enjoy about podcasting, the many challenges they've faced, and goals & plans for 2024 and the next 100 episodes.  Carl also discusses his new podcast with Mindy. Come celebrate 200 episodes with us over at Buy Me A Cof...

Doug and Carl chat with Diania Merriam about big events in her life in 2024 (a wedding & the EconoMe conference), struggles with scarcity mindset/shifting to an abundance mindset, and how these mindsets have influenced her approach to wedding planning.  Along the way she discusses her transformative experience at the Hoffman Process retreat, especially as it relates to spending.  Diania also p...

Doug and Carl reflect on their paths to financial independence and discuss the advice they would have given their younger selves.  Topics include college education/career paths, early savings, retirement account contributions, index fund investing, flexibility across different investments, strong work ethic, resilience, and of course... asparagus. Do you wish that your younger self found this podc...

Paula Pant and J.D. Roth join Doug at FinCon 2023 to discuss their unique sabbaticals. Paula details her year-long break from 'Afford Anything' to pursue a Columbia University fellowship, while J.D. shares his experience stepping away from finance writing to pursue art and Taoism. They both open up about the challenges of their time off and future plans while also providing tips for those consider...

Money Struggles, Celebrating Success, and Potential Return to Work (in the soundcheck) We discuss listeners' questions on their individual financial journeys. Topics covered include the struggle to attain financial independence, the guilt associated with spending large amounts, the decision to stay in a high-paying but unfulfilling job versus seeking a lower-paying but satisfying career, and the c...

Doug and Carl have an in-depth conversation with Barbara Zink who is a mother & wife, an entrepreneur, and a personal finance enthusiast who describes herself as a "closet FI person." Barbara shares her FIRE journey and how cutting back on alcohol consumption has not only resulted in several health benefits, but has also contributed greatly to her financial goals - the money saved from not dri...

Carl and Doug unpack the pursuit of happiness and the winding road to early retirement.  From life's unexpected twists to the importance of relationships beyond the balance sheet, they explore what it really means to live a fulfilling life post-FIRE.  Listen-in for a blend of finance, philosophy, and insights, all served up with a side of personal stories & anecdotes. Note: This is a rebroadca...

Doug and Carl answer questions from the Facebook mailbag. Sam: How important were the live-in flips and other real estate ventures that you and Mindy got into impact your success and overall net worth? Patrick: With all of Carl’s DIY experience, what house projects would he now hire out (like flooring, tile, drywall, or bathroom remodels) instead of spending the time doing it yourself? Lauren: Wan...

Join Carl and Doug as they share practical travel tips such as the benefits of TSA Pre-check, understanding ideal travel lengths, and the importance of downtime during vacations. They also share money-saving tips like using credit card benefits and the art of negotiating hotel fees. In the soundcheck Carl and Doug talk about their weekend in Breckenridge, savoring the snowy weather over beers and...

We lost a legend on Nov 28, 2023. Carl and I recorded a special live stream on YouTube. Charlie was really influential for Carl. So we talk about the time Carl almost met him in Omaha. Then, we try to guess what he might order at McDonalds, hypothetically. Carl shares his favorite quotes from Charlie. Charlie Munger Born: January 1, 1924, Omaha, NE Died: November 28, 2023

Doug and Carl talk about sleeping better.  Both have been terrible sleepers in the past and have improved a lot recently.  They discuss several of their top changes and provide various sleep tips along the way: Sleep history, struggles, and habits Sleep goals and why these are important Tips: Don’t have an alarm/wake up naturally Maintain a consistent sleep schedule Hot showers before bedtime Keep...

Carl and Doug explore the nuances of early retirement, diving into aspects ranging from daily life to responsible financial drawdowns. They also address withdrawal strategies, involving rental properties and index funds, automated transfers, and how to handle Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). The discussion expands into elements of happiness in retirement, spending decisions and the implicati...

Grab your headphones for an eclectic episode of Mile High FI with hosts Carl Jensen and Doug Cunnington where they chat with special guest Mindy Jensen.  They dive into life with a Tesla, the unforeseen hazards of owning one, and smart college fund investments for children.  They also share their personal experiences from the recent FinCon conference and future financial independence retreats.  In...