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 Keeping it dark Sleep hygiene, temperature, and white noise Avoiding stressful activities before bedtime A...
Nov 28, 2023•57 min
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 implication of tax optimization and reinvestment. Additionally, a conversation about handwritten notes vs. di...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 13 min
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 the soundcheck they embark on an entertaining journey reminiscing about a recent Guns N' Roses concert...
Nov 14, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Doug and Carl answer questions from the mailbag. Intro: Doug & Carl discuss their weddings and advice for others Questions answered: Carl: How big is Doug’s Emergency Fund? Mike: What is Carl going to do with his Tesla Stock? Tahir: Plans to buy a house outright, works part-time as a college professor, with tutoring as a side-hustle on the way to CoastFI. Is this a good plan or should there be a change in course? Listener Question: What do you think of Doug’s emergency fund situation? Can't ...
Nov 07, 2023•45 min
Doug and Carl talk about fitness per request of listener Rakesh. Topics include fitness updates/observations, goals, and tips. Intro: Poor phone etiquette Workout routines & fasting Doug’s busy summer - more eating, less exercise Eating on the road Working out while traveling Carl’s lack of rest and hearing scare Growing old Blood-work - high cholesterol & blood pressure Doug’s goals - lower body fat, calorie tracking/eating better Carl’s goals - better sleep, lower blood pressure/restin...
Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Doug and Carl talk to Frances and Peter about their finances. Topics include Coast FI, real estate investing, emergency funds, and civet coffee (google it, we dare you!). Intro: A crazy purchase. Team Asparagus. Coast FI Should they invest in more real estate? The great “paying off the house” debate rages on Were they too Frugal? Challenges Frances and Peter’s numbers The Ideal Life Recommendations: $125,000 in investments is a great start, but suggest getting that number bigger before coasting....
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 15 min
Doug, Carl and special guest Mindy talk about Carl’s $12,000 concert weekend. Was it worth it? Would he do it again? What is his next Big Thing? Intro: Doug has an addiction. A Melanzana addiction. How Carl came to buy a private show and what Mindy thought about it Concert weekend Regrets? What stressed Carl out Soundcheck: Did Mindy like the Webb Brothers or Duran Duran more? Listener Question: If you could put on a big event like Carl, what would it be? Do you love Mile High FI? Awwww, we love...
Oct 17, 2023•42 min
Doug, Carl and special guest Mindy discuss listener questions submitted on the Mile High FI Facebook group. They talk about mortgages, what Carl would have done differently, frugality, and living in an expensive city. Intro: Are you on Team Pumpkin Spice? The debate exposes divisions within the Mile High FI team. Should you wait to buy a house? Carl didn’t do FIRE correctly. Frugality: Cell phone plans, food, and Costco tips I live in an expensive city. What should I do? Soundcheck: Mindy can sa...
Oct 10, 2023•55 min
Doug and Carl review 4 listener case studies. Listener #1 loved his 38 year career. Listener #2 is only 27, but is ready to hang up the keyboard. Listener #3 wants advice on how to leave his job. Listener #4 makes the case for going part-time. Intro: Doug talks about his Never Nude Ken doll. Carl talks about what his Ken doll would look like. Steve LOVED his career and makes the case for work. Ryan LOVES to ski and at the age of 27, doesn’t want to work anymore. Is this a good idea? Zak wants to...
Oct 03, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Doug and Carl talk about spending big on experiences including Carl’s Taylor Swift show. When is big spending appropriate? When is it not? Is it OK to experiment with spending? Intro: Doug cooks in Atlanta while Carl coughs in Longmont Why Carl went to the Taylor Swift show How much Carl paid for the ticket (hint: > $999) Why being an old dude at a Taylor Swift show is strange What Doug spends money on Is it OK to fail with spending? What Doug and Carl are going to spend on this year Soundche...
Sep 26, 2023•49 min
Doug and Amberly talk all about credit, from tips for higher credit scores to tackling common myths via a game of True/False. Doug also discusses his own experience with foreclosure and how his credit was impacted. Doug’s distrust of banks/large institutions. Amberly’s view of the credit system as a necessary evil. Explanation of credit scores & ranges. Tips for a higher credit score: Become an authorized user Pay your bills on time Dispute anything wrong on your credit report Pay off collec...
Sep 19, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Doug and Carl talk to Stephen Baughier about a couple different topics - CampFI and cohousing. Plus, new show sponsor - PeeRidica! CampFI: Origins, evolution, challenges, changes on the horizon, what attendees should expect, and tips for newcomers Cohousing: “An efficient neighborhood that builds community”, cohousing basics, Stephen’s specific project (EAGLE Cohousing) in Warner Robins, Georgia Looking to buy a bottle of PeeRidica, but can't find it online or in-store anywhere? Available exclus...
Sep 12, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Doug and Carl answer a potpourri of audience questions at CampFI Rocky Mountain with help from meteorologist Kristen Knapp and frequent guest co-host/friend of the show Dusti Young. What is the biggest lifestyle or other changes that happen between $2.5 million, $5 million, $10 million invested, if any, assuming that you’re relatively frugal but love to travel? How do you move from a low-cost of living area to a high-cost of living area while pursuing FI? Are you more afraid of dying young or ru...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Doug and Dusti chat about a potpourri of topics. Credit card points - which cards Doug & Dusti each have, hoarding points Reflections on Carl & Mindy’s experience on Ramit Sethi’s podcast Cognitive biases - loss aversion, sunk cost, maximization (optimizing) vs. satisficing Having a hard time saying NO Come support the show at Buy Me A Coffee. If you're like Doug & Dusti, we bet you'll have a hard time saying NO! Carl will be attending CampFI Southwest in Julian, CA on October 6-9, 2...
Aug 29, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Doug and Carl answer mailbag questions in this Taylor Swift-infused episode from Leadville, CO. Carl also announces the new Mile High FI Facebook group. Does it ever get any easier to ride the market swings mentally? How would you reallocate your investments if there were no tax implications? What did Doug’s (and Carl’s) parents do right? Do you wish you had taken a gap year or had a little more fun when you were young? Experiences at CampFI? Thoughts on imposter syndrome? Do you love us as much...
Aug 22, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Brandon, the Mad Fientist, has changed his view on FIRE and spending over the years. This is a rebroadcast of the interview from early 2022, and there is a new introduction in the first few minutes. Bradon has been on a bunch of podcasts in the last few months, and he's embracing spending. So you might have heard Brandon on Choose FI, Bigger Pockets Money, or his own podcast talking to Ramit Sethi about spending more and trying to be less frugal. So it's cool to hear how he has changed his views...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Doug and Carl answer a potpourri of audience questions at CampFI Rocky Mountain with help from Becky Heptig (Catching up to FI) and Mark Trautman (Mark’s Money Mind). Best place to invest money in today’s environment? Best budget travel places? How to find your niche in the podcast world? What is a failure you experienced? What caused dinosaurs to become extinct? At what point in a relationship do you start having financial conversations? What’s better - increasing income or decreasing expenses?...
Aug 15, 2023•48 min
Doug and Amberly chat about key tenants of Financial Independence, shifts in the community over the years, and how each of them have “failed” in different FI-related areas (along with some successes). Amberly also shares details of an upcoming FI cruise! Change in FI philosophy from a focus on saving to spending & living a fulfilling life. Doug & Amberly’s FI failures: credit card points/travel rewards, budgeting & tracking expenses, 4% rule, optimizing contributions to retirement ac...
Aug 08, 2023•1 hr 24 min
Doug and Carl talk to Chris Hutchins about life hacks, optimization, and key takeaways/changes driven by the book “Die with Zero”. Chris also discusses his podcast “All the Hacks” and his plans to further evolve the brand. Chris’s passion for digging deep into content that interests him Taking “All the Hacks” from not only a podcast, but to a platform that builds community through a membership program (dubbed the “AAA for our generation") Misconceptions about life hacks - looking for shortcuts v...
Aug 01, 2023•58 min
Inspired by the book Die With Zero, Doug and Dusti discuss buckets lists & time buckets and provide personal examples/goals from their own lives. Definition of bucket lists and time buckets Doug & Dusti’s backgrounds, life expectations, goals, and personal time buckets by decade. Bucket planning - with a partner vs. alone, need for flexibility Is supporting Mile High FI on your bucket list? If so, head on over to Buy Me A Coffee . Links Bill Perkins, Die With Zero Stanford Definition of ...
Jul 25, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Doug and Carl talk about a case study submitted by New Jersey Steve! It turns out that Steve is doing really well, but could still use some gentle nudges. Steve’s money situation (he’s doing really well!) Should Steve take the new job? Identity and purpose after leaving work Leaving money on the table Do you love Mile High FI? Support us over at Buy Me A Coffee . It’s the right thing to do. Don’t wait, act now! Links Doc G’s book: Taking Stock Nate Bargatze - Worst time traveler Doug’s site Carl...
Jul 18, 2023•54 min
Carl was harassed by a YouTube troll. Now, he wants to know how to deal with insults. Doug is immune from criticism, so Carl asked him about his stoic ways. Carl tells the story of the troll Does Doug consider himself to be stoic? You don’t matter The traffic situation that makes Doug mad Do you love Mile High FI? I hope so because we love you. We really do. Show us your love by supporting us: Buy Me A Coffee . Links Jocko podcast : Are the insults about you true ? Mr. Money Mustache on BiggerPo...
Jul 11, 2023•58 min
Doug and Carl talk about Craig’s money situation. 4% Rule. Yet again. Craig is KILLING it. He REALLY needs to quit. Navigating the ACA. What to do with yourself in retirement. Do you want to support Mile High FI? Yes? Great, that's what we were hoping to hear! Come on over to Buy Me A Coffee . Links Die With Zero Arik Peterson Health insurance: Carl and Mindy used this free service to find an ACA plan. It worked great! The service gets paid by the insurance company for the referral. Doug’s site ...
Jul 04, 2023•50 min
Living in a van down by the river used to be for the destitute. Now, all of the cool kids are doing it. Doug and Carl talk about van life with Teri Slater, a Longmont local and friend. Teri is a financial expert with a remarkable story. She got out of 200K in debt, having some very difficult conversations along the way with a spendy partner. Now, she’s building a van to begin the next journey of her life. Getting out of big debt Choosing a van Van conversions Road trips Starlink satellite intern...
Jun 27, 2023•58 min
Carl and Mindy were on Ramit Sethi’s podcast. Why? How? When? Doug gets answers. Why do this? What was the experience like? Stop using the word “optimization!” Surprising advice Changes Do you think that Mile High FI is a great listen? Well then, support us! It’s quick and easy over at Buy Me A Coffee . Links I Will Teach You To Be Rich Episode 108: “We achieved FIRE with $4.3M. Why can’t we enjoy it?” Ramit on Mad FIentist Support Mile High FI Doug’s site - Check out the NEW Sleep Post . Carl’s...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Doug and his co-host Amberly chat with Chen-Chen Huo, co-founder of a banking startup called Nexus. Chen-Chen has a very interesting path as an entrepreneur, working first in the mac & cheese business before moving into fintech. Nexus has some cool, disruptive ideas, such as providing users the ability to invest their full balance to earn market returns, with the idea that your bank account should be earning money for you and not the bank. Choosing entrepreneurship vs. a safer route Risk avo...
Jun 20, 2023•1 hr
Doug and Carl talk to Kyle Landis-Marinello about the (mostly financial) mistakes each of them have made. Kyle recounts an interview gone bad and learning about personal finance/financial independence late in life Carl’s scarcity mindset, not spending enough, not taking much time off, and selling Apple stock to fund a real estate purchase Doug describes a house purchase and subsequent foreclosure Other mistakes: Miscalculating student loan repayments, stopping contributions to retirement account...
Jun 13, 2023•58 min
Doug and Carl talk about the shift from saving to spending in retirement. In part 4, they review listener feedback. Shane talks about how he spent 50% more than planned; and loved it! Darren and Jolene talk about the difficulty in spending Anonymous suggests bond ladders as a way to cover retirement spending Mark talks about the Fun Bucket Do you love Mile High FI? Support us over at Buy Me a Coffee . It’s the right thing to do. Don’t wait, act now! Links Mark’s Money Mind Do Nothing Peter Attia...
Jun 06, 2023•53 min
Doug and Carl talk about the shift from saving to spending in retirement. It’s not always easy to go from being a big saver to a big spender. Or even a little spender. Budgets in retirement The importance of experiences The Splurge Fund Do you love Mile High FI? Support us over at Buy Me A Coffee . Do you really love Mile High FI? Buy us 500 Coffees! Do you really love us, buy us a helicopter and a couple of flight lessons! Links ChatGPT The Paradox of Choice NoCo Mustachian Meetup Carl’s very b...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 10 min
Doug and Carl talk about the shift from saving to spending in retirement. It’s not always easy to go from being a big save to a big spender. Or even a little spender. Why do early retirees feel guilty about spending? Societal expectations Finding balance Do you love Mile High FI? Of course you do. Show us the love by supporting us over at Buy Me a Coffee . Links Ramit Sethi Downshift Financial Doug’s site - Check out the NEW Sleep Post . Carl’s blog: 1500 Days -- Join the Mile High FI Club – It’...
May 23, 2023•57 min
