Mile High FI Podcast

Doug chats with Jackie and Jacob, a couple who left their W2 jobs to pursue Financial Independence and extensive travel adventures.  They discuss traveling in South America, living a minimalist lifestyle, navigating challenges of geo-arbitrage, and how they manage finances while optimizing for travel & embracing flexibility.  They also share financial mistakes they’ve made along the ...

Doug chats with Jillian Johnsrud about all-things mini retirement including preparation, challenges, and key insights.  They explore how to test what retiring might look like through sabbaticals and mini retirements, touch on the importance of adapting to a new lifestyle, and address common issues that arise, such as maintaining productivity and managing professional identity post-retire...

Doug chats with a variety of guests at CampFI Rocky Mountain Week 1.5 including Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache), Kristen Knapp (FI Friends Travel), and camp attendees Amanda, Tyler, & Roxanne.   Pete & Kristen delve into the distinction between being cheap and frugal, sharing personal anecdotes and philosophies.  The conversation shifts into other topics such as partner dynamics...

Mr. Money Mustache joins me to answer YOUR questions. It’s part 2 so if you missed part 1, check it out from July 18, 2025. If you dig the show, see ways to support mile high FI since we’re ad-free.

Questions… [time stamps below]

What have you changed your mind on?

Is Pete still Snowbirding to Arizona in the winters down to cul-de-sac? And was that an experiment or a permanent thing? Wha...

Doug and Carl chat with listener Steve to review his plans for early retirement.  Steve discloses his financial background, asset allocation, and current expenses, including a net worth of about 1.7 million dollars.  The group addresses retirement projections along with potential risks of retiring in a down market and the importance of having a contingency plan.  Beyond money, they talk...

Doug chats with his wife Elizabeth about her first year (and few months) of retirement while answering questions from the Facebook group.  They also discuss a post from Instagram called “The 6 Luxuries of Life”.

Questions answered:

• James C – How has the amount of time you spend managing your finances changed since retirement?

Doug chats with Karsten Jeske (aka Big ERN) about his journey to early retirement, living frugally yet enjoying luxuries like travel, and the balance between saving & spending effectively.  Karsten provides his thoughts on the book “Die With Zero”, analyzing its advice on spending & saving in retirement, and highlighting potential issues within its financial recommendations.  He ...

Doug chats with Frank Vasquez from the Risk Parity Radio Podcast about his extensive investing experience while offering insights into balancing life after achieving Financial Independence.  Frank discusses the importance of intentional spending, significance of meaningful relationships, psychology behind saving and spending, how to diversify investments to secure a sustainable future, a...

Doug and Carl answer mailbag questions in this Taylor Swift-infused episode from Leadville, CO. 

Questions answered:

• 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 ...

Doug chats with David about his recent transition into retirement amidst a fluctuating stock market environment.  David shares his decision to sell a significant portion of his portfolio near the market’s recent bottom, discussing the impact of market volatility on his investment decisions and the balance between seeking peace of mind and maximizing returns.  He also shares reflections ...

Mr. Money Mustache, Pete Adeney, and Doug discuss the nuances of early retirement, staying financially agile, and how small lifestyle adjustments can make a big impact. The conversation also explores personal growth, meaningful living, and the joy of communal activities.

 

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Doug chats with both his dad and Chris Rusin about timeshares and each of their experiences with them.  They explore the aggressive sales tactics often used, financial pitfalls, hidden fees, the dubious resale market, harsh realities of escalating maintenance fees, and ultimately selling a timeshare.  They also highlight tactics for surviving timeshare presentations and explore how times...

Doug and Dusti Young chat about a potpourri of topics on this random episode:

• Credit card points – which cards Doug & Dusti each have, hoarding points
• Cognitive biases – loss aversion, sunk cost, maximization (optimizing) vs. satisficing
• Having a hard time saying NO

Note: This is a rebro...

Doug chats with JL Collins and Jillian Johnsrud about the concept of mini-retirements and how they fit into the journey of Financial Independence.  JL shares experiences of taking multiple mini-retirements throughout his career, the benefits of these breaks, and the importance of not letting money become your master.  He also touches on the updated edition of “The Simple Path to Wealth” ...

Doug chats with Chris Rusin, “The Indiana Jones of FI”, about his journey after reaching FI, the transition from a corporate career to personal passion projects, and the challenges associated with leaving a professional identity behind.  Chris shares his experiences in tackling a bucket list, the fear of failure, and his battle with cancer, which reshaped his perspective on life goals.  ...

Doug chats with Rusty about the mental and emotional aspects of committing to leaving traditional work, focusing on mindset and building an identity outside of professional life.  They discuss the challenges of transitioning from being highly productive to a more relaxed lifestyle, the importance of taking all allotted vacation time, and asking for what you want from your employer.  Rust...

Doug chats with Producer Chris about the identity crisis that often accompanies early retirement and the practicality of meal planning vs. food delivery services. They discuss how careers often shape one’s identity and the challenges some people face when stepping away from their professional life. They also explore the convenience and impact of food delivery, home cooking, and personal ...

Doug chats with Joe Saul-Sehy from The Stacking Benjamins Show about habits of the happiest retirees, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, purpose-driven retirement, and the perils of isolation.  Joe shares insights from his own experiences and studies, highlighting the power of connection through group memberships, volunteering, and staying engaged in meaningful activitie...

Doug chats with Rusty about the intricacies of the ‘Buy, Borrow, Die’ strategy.  They discuss the mechanics of how the strategy works, benefits, potential risks, and answer related questions from listeners Nate and Sophia.  They also answer Alex’s question from the mailbag about claiming unemployment benefits ethically and navigating asset allocation during market volatility.

Rusty’s “Ho...