Doug chats with Rusty about one of their mutual passions: food and cooking. They each explore their food “origin stories”, discussing childhood memories and the evolution of their culinary interests. They touch on how food plays a significant role in their lives and walk through various food-related topics including favorite recipes, cooking styles, and essential kitchen equipment. They also discuss how cooking can be a meditative process, how food can help build community, and how it all relates to FI.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses? Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers? Of course you do! We ALL do! Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Email Rusty: rustyfromco@gmail.com
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

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**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

1:31 Gourmet sandwiches & chili

9:13 Food origin stories

18:59 Cost of food vs. FI

25:07 Leftovers & meal-planning

31:03 Community & mindfulness in cooking

41:24 Recipes & exploring YouTube for inspiration

50:28 Essential kitchen equipment

57:36 Experimenting with eating out

1:06:12 Soundcheck – DIY guitar projects

Doug chats with Carl & Rusty about each of their adventures with housing projects and renovations. Carl details his current project of tearing down a “Frank Lloyd Wrong house” and building one from scratch while sharing insights into his motivations, costs, and specific financing strategies. Rusty shares his experience renovating two homes and the strategic use of a line of credit. Additionally, they delve into considerations of downsizing and the potential of owning second homes.

Does “MHFI After Dark” sound intriguing? Yeah, we thought so. Come check out exclusive new content here: https://milehighfi.com/onlyfans

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses? Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers? Of course you do! We ALL do! Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Email Rusty: rustyfromco@gmail.com
• Carl Jensen/1500 Days to Freedom
• Leif Dahleen (Physician on FIRE) on MHFI episode 112
• Buy, Borrow, Die discussion on MHFI episode 252
• Mindy & Carl on Ramit Sethi’s “I Will Teach You To Be Rich”
• Philosophy & ethics discussion on MHFI episode 298
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s 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

1:31 Carl’s home building journey

8:10 Unique systems & building challenges

15:41 Financing with the Buy, Borrow, Die Strategy

24:09 Rusty’s renovation stories

30:25 Balancing joy & investment

38:58 Downsizing dilemmas

44:03 Different places in different stages of life

51:46 Second homes

59:24 Soundcheck – Taco Bell

Doug chats with Kevin Sebesta, a self-proclaimed “high-achieving slacker”, about lessons learned from 12 years of early retirement. Kevin discusses the importance of building a supportive community, how living child-free influences lifestyle choices, the concept of a “Fun Bucket” for guilt-free spending, the balance between optimizing finances & enjoying life, and how curiosity drives his fulfilling retirement.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses? Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers? Of course you do! We ALL do! Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Connect with Kevin:
  • Email: kevin@rockretirementclub.com
  • Blog: http://www.lifeinfire.com/
• FI Friends Travel
• Rock Retirement Club
• Mark Trautman/Mark’s Money Mind
• Amy Minkley/FI Freedom Retreats
• CampFI
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Retirement and IRA Show
• Jordan Grumet, “The Purpose Code”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Jordan Grumet on MHFI episode 249
• Cody Garrett & Sean Mullaney, “Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement”
  • Kindle
  • Paperback
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s 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

Doug chats with Rebecca Herbst about her post-FI life including challenges of finding community & the right place to live, experimenting with increased spending, the mental shift from a scarcity to an abundance mindset, and the complexities of personal identity after leaving a career. Rebecca also discusses her work with Yield and Spread, a nonprofit promoting generosity in the personal finance community including a call to action and The FI-lanthropy Pledge.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses? Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers? Of course you do! We ALL do! Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Yield & Spread
• ChooseFI Episode 483, “Effective Giving Strategies for FI”
• The Fioneers, “Financial Independence Milestones that Actually Motivate”
• Scott Rieckens, “Playing With FIRE”
  • Kindle
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• The Center For Midlife Success (formerly Joy Collective), “Annual Clarity Retreat”
• Cal Newport, “Digital Minimalism”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s 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

0:00 Introduction

3:10 Search for a post-FI home

11:23 Experimenting with increased spending

21:04 The role of financial advisors

29:21 Rebecca’s path...

Doug chats with Kristen Knapp (FI Friends Travel) about the challenges of unwinding deep-seated frugal habits and learning to spend at the “right level” after achieving FI. Inspired by a recent blog post from the Mad Fientist, Doug & Kristen explore the nuances of maintaining a balance between saving & spending and discuss why many people struggle to actually spend money once they hit their financial goals. They also emphasize the importance of spending on what brings joy and the necessary shift in mindset that’s required to enjoy financial freedom without guilt.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses? Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers? Of course you do! We ALL do! Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• FI Friends Travel
• Mad Fientist, “Learning How to Spend Money”
• Mad Fientist on MHFI episode 048
• CampFI
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s 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

2:19 Frugality

9:02 Spending after FI

16:43 Reframing expenses

24:41 FI Friends Travel

31:44 Award travel using points

37:05 The Fun Fund

44:18 Balancing present & future spending

51:25 Shared experiences

55:39 Soundcheck – Winter weather

Doug chats with Nik Johnson (Everyday Money Heroes) about his journey to Financial Independence and retiring early. He discusses an early passion for personal finance, how he discovered FI during the pandemic, the value of being part of a community, and the importance of a supportive spouse. Nik describes his post-retirement life emphasizing a commitment to community service & financial literacy. And excitingly he also describes what it’s like to be featured on national television (CBS Sunday Morning).

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses? Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers? Of course you do! We ALL do! Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Everyday Money Heroes
  • Website
  • YouTube
• CBS News Sunday Morning, “How the FIRE movement is inspiring early retirees”
• CampFI
• CampFI YouTube
• ChooseFI local groups
• Our Rich Journey
• Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s 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

0:57 CBS Sunday Morning experience

7:48 Discovering FI & building community

15:15 Career & financial journey

23:52 CENT & achieving FI

29:58 Quit...

Doug chats with Rusty about an intense neighborhood dispute involving prairie dog conservation, highlighting how ethical frameworks and philosophical approaches can guide community decisions. Doug shares his experience working through this issue while emphasizing the importance of patience, humor, and effective communication in resolving disputes. Rusty provides additional philosophical and ethical considerations while touching upon related communication strategies & improved community engagement.

Do you like the podcast and want to support the show? Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/

Interested in a pair of Xero shoes so that you can be just like Doug & Rusty? Check them out here: https://milehighfi.com/shoe

Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses? Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!

• Guitar Accessories
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Essentials for Sleep

Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers? Of course you do! We ALL do! Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington

Links

• Amy Karofsky, “Philosophy Through Film”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
• Michael Schur, “How to be Perfect”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Oliver Burkeman, “Four Thousand Weeks”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Oliver Burkeman, “The Antidote”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Lucius Annaeus Seneca, “On the Shortness of Life”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Marcus Aurelius, “Meditations”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
• Aristotle “The Nicomachean Ethics”
  • Kindle

Please support the show if you like it! I play a couple of highlights from Mad Fientist and Mr. Money Mustache after my pitch.

Mile High FI stats and a correction:

Spotify is 28% of the audience, so that’s grown in 2025 and higher than I said in this episode.

If you extrapolate the Spotify year end review data to the total downloads, here is what you get…

Mile High FI is a:

• Top 5 podcast for about 5,000 people!
• #1 podcast for about 740 people!

I don’t have ads anymore so I want to cover production costs. Most of the costs are related to software and tools and hosting. Many other podcasts have sucky ads every 15 minutes. I don’t want to do that.

Producer Chris volunteers to edit and produce the show. We’re not trying to get rich doing the show, but it takes a lot of time, effort, and planning.

You can donate via Buy Me a Coffee. You get extra content and know that you’re making the show possible

You can also check out the affiliate offers here, which are products that I recommend. Mile High FI usually gets a small percentage, say 1% to 15%, depending on the arrangement. It helps, but direct donations are the best.