
Mile High FI Podcast
Real talk about Financial Independence and life after corporate jobs. Doug Cunnington and Carl Jensen 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.
Latest episodes

Nov 29, 2023 • 38min
Charlie Munger Tribute From FIRE Community [bonus]
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

Nov 28, 2023 • 57min
How We Improved Sleep | MHFI 191
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
Avoid eating before bedtime
No alcohol
Don’t drink fluids before bedtime
Exercise early in the day
Optional sleep supplements
Listener Question: What is your best sleep tip?
Do you need help falling asleep? We've been told the Mile High FI podcast is a great substitute for white noise! Come give it a try over at Buy Me A Coffee.
Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
Links
Brad Barrett/ChooseFI
Top Sleep Tips from Sam Soete
FinCon
CampFI
Huberman Lab supplements
Peter Attia sleep
Mile High FI Facebook Group
Doug’s site
Carl’s blog: 1500 Days
--
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our 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
1500 Days, Carl's Blog about Early Retirement
Email us here: doug@milehighfi.com or carl@milehighfi.com
0:00 Introduction
3:28 Sleep history & struggles
12:58 Current sleep habits & goals
19:46 Tip: Wake up naturally
23:31 Tip: Consistent sleep schedule
26:37 Tip: Sleep environment & hygiene
33:50 Dreams
40:11 Tip: Things to avoid before bedtime
47:32 Supplements
52:15 Soundcheck - Fitness goal updates

Nov 21, 2023 • 1h 13min
Withdrawal Strategies in Early Retirement | MHFI 190
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. digital tools unfolds, shedding light on the benefits of ‘old-school’ note-taking.
Listener Questions: What does your retired life look like? Do you still work, do you have income, do you still consider yourself retired if you do? What does your daily routine look like?
Do you have a withdrawal strategy that provides excess savings? If so, don’t let that money go to waste. Come support us over at Buy Me A Coffee.
Links
Get your DIY colonoscopy kit, A.S.S.: MileHighFI.com/ASS
Carla & Robert on Mile High FI episode 012
Arik Peterson on Mile High FI episode 090
Mr. Money Mustache
Mindy Jensen, First-Time Home Buyer
Chris & Deb (Go Bucket Yourself) on Mile High FI episode 052
Mark Trautman, The Fun Bucket
FI Calc
Sean Mullaney
Mad Fientist, Tax-Gain Harvesting
Mad Fientist, How to Access Retirement Funds Early
Downshift Financial
Bullet Journaling
Mile High FI Facebook Group
Doug’s site
Carl’s blog: 1500 Days
—
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our 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
1500 Days, Carl’s Blog about Early Retirement
Email us here: doug@milehighfi.com or carl@milehighfi.com
0:00 Introduction
1:05 Post-FI life
10:34 What does FI look like?
18:51 Shifting interests
25:59 Rental properties & retirement income
30:31 Index fund withdrawal strategy
35:46 Withdrawal frequency & amount
46:37 RMDs and tax strategies
57:34 Professional financial advice
1:07:24 Soundcheck – Paper notebooks

Nov 14, 2023 • 1h 16min
FinCon Recap and Mailbag - Random Episode | MHFI 189
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, their insightful views on the band's performance, and the unique aging crowd demographic. Poised amid finance and rock, their hearty banter is filled with sharp insights and humor, making this episode a must-listen.
Do you love Mile High FI? You betcha! Support us over at Buy Me A Coffee.
Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
Links
Get your A.S.S. eggnog lube: MileHighFI.com/ASS
Wim Hof
FinCon
Paula Pant/Afford Anything
JD Roth
Steve Stewart
Brad Barrett/ChooseFI
Joel Larsgaard/How To Money
Jordan Grumet
Andrew Giancola/The Personal Finance Podcast
Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
Original 4% Rule article from Bill Bengen
Quit Like a Millionaire
Go Curry Cracker: The Path to 100% Equities
NoCo Mustachians
BPCON
Robert Farrington/The College Investor
Travis Hornsby/Student Loan Planner
ChooseFI Local Groups
GoWithLess
CampFI
Econome
Connect with Mindy Jensen:
Email
BiggerPockets
Twitter/X
Mile High FI Facebook Group
Doug’s site
Carl’s blog: 1500 Days
Do you want a Tesla too? Save some money and get 3 months of FSD with Carl’s referral code.
--
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our 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
1500 Days, Carl's Blog about Early Retirement
Email us here: doug@milehighfi.com or carl@milehighfi.com
0:00 Introduction
1:39 A.S.S. & bidets
8:33 Mindy & Carl missing FinCon
13:27 Doug’s FinCon recap
20:08 FinCon panels/podcast recording
26:00 Tesla purchase
36:50 End of Carl’s house projects?
42:20 Sleep
46:48 Question 1: Lowering volatility
58:50 Question 2: 2024 FI events
1:00:01 Question 3: Kids & FI number
1:04:20 Question 4: Social network in retirement
1:09:53 Soundcheck - Guns N’ Roses

Nov 7, 2023 • 45min
Emergency Funds, Tesla Stock Talk, and Coast FI Decisions | Mailbag | MHFI 188
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 wait to get your special asparagus stickers? Be the first (and perhaps only) person in line by heading over to Buy Me A Coffee.
Links
Downshift Financial
Downshift Financial on MHFI 024
Downshift Financial on MHFI 056
Mark’s Money Mind
Mile High FI Facebook Group
Doug’s site
Carl’s blog: 1500 Days
--
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our 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
1500 Days, Carl's Blog about Early Retirement
Email us here: doug@milehighfi.com or carl@milehighfi.com
0:00 Introduction
1:09 Weddings
7:48 Question 1: Emergency fund
16:00 Professional financial advice
21:26 Question 2: Tesla stock
32:30 Question 3: CoastFI plan
40:47 Soundcheck - Hiking

Oct 31, 2023 • 1h 9min
Fitness Madness | MHFI 187
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/resting heart rate, walk 25K steps a day, 10 pull-ups in a row
Staying accountable
Listener Question: How do you keep motivated (to stay on track with fitness)?
Help us stay accountable to you by supporting us over at Buy Me A Coffee.
Links
Huberman Lab
The Peter Attia Drive Podcast – Peter Attia
Mile High FI Facebook Group
Dan Manwaring on MHFI
Doug’s site
Carl’s blog: 1500 Days
--
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our 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
1500 Days, Carl's Blog about Early Retirement
Email us here: doug@milehighfi.com or carl@milehighfi.com
0:00 Introduction
1:24 Phones
9:39 Workouts
14:37 Doug’s fitness updates
23:36 Carl’s fitness updates
30:04 Growing old
43:48 Doug’s goals
52:59 Carl’s goals
57:01 Accountability & tips
1:04:38 Soundcheck - Minivan

Oct 24, 2023 • 1h 15min
Frances and Peter: Coast FI Case Study | MHFI 186
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.
Since their income is good, consider a solo 410(k) to reduce taxable income.
Settle your house situation to get the money off the sidelines.
$40,000 is a lot to have in cash. Consider deploying some of that into investment accounts.
Don’t sacrifice happiness now. Live life, even if it takes a little longer to retire.
Listener Question: What did Doug and Carl get right? What did they get wrong? What advice would you give Frances and Peter?
Do you love Mile High FI? Sure you do. We all do, except for that one YouTube troll. But who cares about him anyway. Support us over at Buy Me A Coffee.
Links
Frances’ bookkeeping service
Coast FI with the FIoneers
Mile High FI on Youtube
Mile High FI Facebook Group
Support Mile High FI
Get a Mile High FI t-shirt
Doug’s site
Carl’s blog: 1500 Days
--
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our 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
1500 Days, Carl's Blog about Early Retirement
Email us here: doug@milehighfi.com or carl@milehighfi.com
0:00 Introduction
1:27 Coffee & asparagus
7:57 Case study background
18:29 Housing Pt. 1
29:33 Frugal in recovery
35:57 Ideal $10MM life
46:30 The numbers
59:09 Housing Pt. 2
1:04:39 Final advice
1:11:57 Soundcheck - The big event

Oct 17, 2023 • 42min
A Review Of Carl's $12,000 Concert Weekend | MHFI 185
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 you too. Support us over at Buy Me A Coffee.
Links
The Webb Brothers and their Kickstarter
James Webb’s beautiful song
Connect with Mindy Jensen:
Email
BiggerPockets
Mile High FI Facebook Group
Support Mile High FI
Doug’s site
Carl’s blog: 1500 Days
--
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our 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
1500 Days, Carl's Blog about Early Retirement
Email us here: doug@milehighfi.com or carl@milehighfi.com
0:00 Introduction
1:28 Doug’s addiction
8:09 Concert origins
16:12 Attendees & meeting the band
23:54 Post-concert thoughts
31:30 Big things
37:50 Soundcheck - Duran Duran

Oct 10, 2023 • 55min
Questions From The Facebook Group | MHFI 184
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 say naughty words on Mile High FI. Will she?
Listener Question: Are high mortgage rates preventing you from moving or buying a home?
Mile High FI has a new sponsor, A.S.S, a DIY colonoscopy kit! We’re so excited to get behind this product! To save 10% and get a free tube of pumpkin spice lube, go to milehighfi.com/ass
Links
Historical mortgage rates
Connect with Mindy Jensen:
Email
BiggerPockets
Mile High FI Facebook Group
Doug’s site
Carl’s blog: 1500 Days
--
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our 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
1500 Days, Carl's Blog about Early Retirement
Email us here: doug@milehighfi.com or carl@milehighfi.com
0:00 Introduction
2:03 Pumpkin spice
6:31 Should I wait to buy a house?
11:10 What changes would you make yesterday?
19:45 What is Doug frugal with on a daily basis?
26:51 What is Mindy frugal with?
32:22 What is Carl frugal with?
36:15 What would you spend money on?
40:59 What to do if you’re living in a high cost of living area?
52:50 Soundcheck - Goodwill & Asparagus

Oct 3, 2023 • 1h 3min
Four Mini Case Studies | MHFI 183
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 make the jump to freelance life and is looking for advice.
Kevin part-times his way to happiness, even though it’s delaying his FI date.
Listener Question: If your net worth magically went to $100,000,000 tomorrow, would you still work? If so, what do you do and is your employer hiring? Leave your answer in the comments.
Do you love Mile High FI? Support us at Buy Me A Coffee
Do you hate Mile High FI? Give us $100,000,000 and we’ll stop forever! Buy Me A Coffee
Links
JT on Mile High FI: Hitting In Big Tech
Never Nude
Barbie
Mile High FI Facebook Group
Doug’s site
Carl’s blog: 1500 Days
--
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our 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
1500 Days, Carl's Blog about Early Retirement
Email us here: doug@milehighfi.com or carl@milehighfi.com
0:00 Introduction
1:52 MHFI Dolls
6:36 Case Study 1 (Steve): Pro-Work
16:32 Case Study 2 (Ryan): Ski or work hard?
25:06 Case Study 3 (Zak): Freelancing
34:02 Case Study 4 (Kevin): Reduced schedule
40:53 Transitioning from work
47:29 What job would you work for $10MM?
55:43 Soundcheck - Barbie