Mile High FI Podcast

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 shopping preferences. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ June 2025 Livestreams: https://youtube.com/live/d2lTp4FMe4A?feature=share Come hang out with Doug at CampFI Week 1.5, Mon July 7, 2025 – Thurs July 10, 2025: https://campfi.org/event/campfi-rm-250707/ Links MHFI Facebook group Doug’s site Check out Producer Chris’s new 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 2:53 Chris’s lost identity 9:15 Doug’s career reflections 18:26 Grocery & food delivery 22:57 Grocery shopping preferences 29:56 Soundcheck – Never again

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 activities post-retirement. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices! June 2025 Livestreams: https://youtube.com/live/d2lTp4FMe4A?feature=share Come hang out with Doug at CampFI Week 1.5, Mon July 7, 2025 – Thurs July 10, 2025: https://campfi.org/event/campfi-rm-250707/ Links The Stacking Benjamins Show Joe Saul-Sehy, “Stacked” Kindle Hardcover Audiobook Afford Anything, “The Truth About Making the Efficient Frontier Work in Real Life” Christine Benz, “How to Retire” Kindle Paperback Audiobook Retiremeet Anna Corwin “Embracing Age” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook MHFI Facebook group Doug’s site Check out Producer Chris’s new 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 5:17 Livestreaming! 14:10 Habits of the happiest retirees 22:16 Exploring opportunities in retirement 30:04 The power of connection 38:27 Community involvement 44:54 Finding common ground 49:21 A purpose bigger than yourself 56:27 Starting in the wrong place 1:03:12 Soundcheck – National parks

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 “Homework”: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qflSynVvMlxcBw1kkKBfG3HFQNJV05b8/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100827824204716910905&rtpof=true&sd=true Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices! June 2025 Livestreams: https://youtube.com/live/d2lTp4FMe4A?feature=share Come hang out with Doug at CampFI Week 1.5, Mon July 7, 2025 – Thurs July 10, 2025: https://campfi.org/event/campfi-rm-250707/ Links Rusty on MHFI episode 252 NBER Working Paper Series, “Buffett’s Alpha” Mad Fientist, “How to Access Retirement Funds Early” MHFI Facebook group Doug’s site Check out Producer Chris’s new 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 3:15 Basics steps of Buy, Borrow, Die 9:01 Mechanics & benefits of the strategy 13:51 Risks & downsides 23:18 Mathematical projections & comparisons 28:33 ACA & tax considerations 36:53 Question: Claiming unemployment 44:02 Entitlement to unemployment benefits 48:46 Question: Reallocating due to market volatility 55:55 Market predictions 1:00:14 Soundcheck – Vacation packing

Doug and Carl continue the happiness series with part 3 which is focused on cultivating a happiness mindset.  They discuss various strategies to train the brain for maximum happiness, including the role of neural responses, the negative impact of constant busyness, the crucial importance of gratitude, and how voluntary struggles contribute to a fulfilled life.  They also touch upon the pitfalls of social media and news consumption, the value of community connections, and the liberating perspective of acknowledging one’s inconsequential role in the grand scheme of things. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices! Links Mo Gawdat, “Solve for Happy” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook Hoffman Process Doug Cunnington, “7 to 8.5 Hours Every Night: How I Transformed My Life By Sleeping Better” Tim Ferriss, “The 4-Hour Workweek” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook Oliver Burkeman, “Four Thousand Weeks” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook MHFI Facebook group Doug’s site Check out Producer Chris’s new 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 2:41 Happiness mindset 7:55 How FIRE can make your life worse 11:39 Importance of struggle 17:53 Activity is the key to longevity 25:26 Impact of news & social media 31:49 Gratitude & community connections 39:33 Looking at yourself 44:38 Soundcheck – Fidget Spinner

Discover the pursuit of purpose beyond work as the speakers explore redefining success and preparing for a fulfilling retirement. They highlight the joys of building hobbies and engaging with communities, emphasizing that mental and physical health is essential. The discussion delves into personal experiences with work dissatisfaction and the emotional challenges of transitioning from a career. Tune in for insights on achieving a flow state, testing new interests, and the importance of fostering social connections in this new chapter of life.

Dive into the multifaceted world of happiness as the hosts unpack its essence beyond mere wealth. They explore how mindset, routines, and social connections play vital roles in our quest for fulfillment. Reflecting on nostalgia and childhood, they discuss the importance of establishing positive habits post-retirement. With lighthearted anecdotes and practical tips, they focus on finding joy through subtraction and authenticity. Prepare for engaging insights on job satisfaction, joy in experiences, and the delicate balance between internal happiness and external validation.

Brian Feroldi, an individual stock investor with over 20 years of experience, dives into Warren Buffett's legendary investing principles. He explains the importance of truly understanding businesses and their long-term prospects. Key topics include using a personal investment checklist and the significance of management integrity. Feroldi also shares valuable lessons from his own investing journey, emphasizing disciplined strategies, the impact of financial metrics, and some amusing anecdotes from family vacations.

Doug chats with Jess and Corey from The Fioneers about their unique paths to Financial Independence, the Slow FI and Coast FI concepts, how their views on spending have evolved over the years, content creation, and balancing work with building a fulfilling life.  The group provides thoughts and advice in response to a listener email about reaching Financial Independence, potentially achieving Fat FI, helping family, and exploring content creation as a new career path.   Jess and Corey also discuss their Coast FI calculator tool and upcoming Slow FI retreats. Follow the link for more details including the original email from listener “Carl”: https://milehighfi.com/coast-fi-question-265/ Win a ticket to CampFI Rocky Mountain – Week 1 Ticket (2025) Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices! Links Connect with The Fioneers: Website: https://thefioneers.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fioneers Threads/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefioneers/ Coast FI Calculator: https://thefioneers.com/free-resources/ Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook Eamon & Bec YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eamonandbec Kara & Nate YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KaraandNate MHFI Facebook group Doug’s site Check out Producer Chris’s new 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 1:09 Inspirations for slowing down 5:13 Listener email & initial thoughts 12:36 Champagne lifestyle and spending 19:56 Balancing family support with FI 27:09 Job satisfaction 34:08 Sleeping in a camper van 39:10 Content creation 46:22 Strategies & recommendations for “Carl” 52:27 Future plans for the Fioneers 58:22 Soundcheck – Van Life

Dive into the world of reading as JT and Doug explore the impact of books on personal growth. They discuss the challenges of tackling dense nonfiction and the balancing act between fiction and nonfiction reading. Expect insights on why podcasts can boost book popularity, plus creative uses of AI for personalized recommendations. The duo also shares their favorite reads, like 'Die With Zero' and 'Master of the Senate.' And if you're a fan of running, don’t miss their inspiring tales of races and overcoming injuries!

Doug chats with David & Jill at the EconoMe Conference about their pursuit of Financial Independence.   David shares his background growing up with a scarcity mindset, the accidental path to FI, his recent mini-retirement, experience quitting alcohol, and a newfound passion for stand-up comedy.  Jill discusses her middle-class upbringing, balancing her full-time job and schooling, and frugality.  Together they discuss lifestyle changes, managing finances as a couple, and the importance of clear communication in a relationship. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ Use code MILEHIGHFI at GhostBed checkout for an additional 10% Off Already Low Prices! Links David’s Instagram The Fioneers Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook “An Introvert’s Guide to EconoMe and Other Conferences” on MHFI episode 257 MHFI Facebook group Doug’s site Check out Producer Chris’s new 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 4:21 Discovering FIRE & frugal habits 9:41 David & Jill’s FI journey 17:17 Overcoming the fear of boredom 26:44 Reflecting on sobriety 32:05 Stand up comedy 39:47 Balancing finances as a couple 45:10 Mini retirement plans 50:53 Importance of communication 58:08 Soundcheck – EconoMe Experience