Doug and Carl catch up on a potpourri of topics including recent purchases, frugal hacks, investments, optimization, skepticism, and recent books & TV shows each have been consuming.  They discuss over-optimizing & reevaluating perceptions in the areas of health & fitness and try to provide a balance by incorporating de-optimization.  Carl also introduces a new investment strategy called the “reverse index fund” or “Hot Carl”.
Are you looking for more ingenious frugal hacks such as the Culver’s coupon scam?  If so, head over to Buy Me A Coffee to find out more.
Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
Doug & Carl will be attending the EconoMe Conference in Cincinnati, OH on March 15-17, 2024.  For those interested in attending, use the coupon code MILEHIGHFI at checkout to save 10%.  https://economeconference.com/
Links

EconoMe Conference
The Peter Attia Drive Podcast
Huberman Lab
Huberman Lab supplements
Tim Ferriss podcast, “Peter Attia, M.D. — Fasting, Metformin, Athletic Performance, and More (#398)”
Goal Guys, “I Tried the Anti-Aging Diet for 90 Days”
Tim Ferriss 4-hour books

“The 4-Hour Workweek”

Kindle
Hardcover
Paperback
Audiobook


“The 4-Hour Body”

Kindle
Hardcover
Paperback
Audiobook


“The 4-Hour Chef”

Hardcover
Spiral-Bound




CampFI
JT on MHFI episode 110
Oliver Burkeman, “Four Thousand Weeks”

Kindle
Hardcover
Paperback
Audiobook


Michael Easter, “The Comfort Crisis”

Kindle

The Secret Cost of Over-Optimization & Random Show | MHFI 205

Real talk about Financial Independence and life after corporate jobs. Carl Jensen and Doug Cunnington 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.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

Doug and Amberly explore the intriguing reasons why many millionaires consider themselves middle class.  They discuss the technical definitions of financial classes vs. the challenging societal definitions of these same classes, how both of these relate to their own views, and the psychology of wealth & self-perception among financially successful individuals.
Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
Still confused by all these definitions of middle class?  If so, help us fund our own surveys & research by heading over to Buy Me A Coffee
Links

Doug’s Podcast Accelerator
Connect with Amberly:

AmberlyGrant.com
FinTalks
Instagram
Facebook
“Jump In Feet First” podcast


Amberly on CNBC Make It
Doug & Amberly discuss “failing” FI on MHFI episode 174
Erin Talks Money YouTube
Erin Talks Money, “Reality of the Middle Class Millionaire”
Yahoo Finance/Insider Monkey, “15 Reasons Why Millionaires Think They’re Middle Class”
“Millionaires Share Practical Financial Tips in New Research from Ameriprise Financial”
Doug & Carl discuss feeling wealthy & rich on MHFI episode 203
Thomas Stanley & William Danko, “Millionaire Next Door”

Kindle
Hardcover
Paperback
Audiobook


Investopedia Definitions:

“Middle Class: Definition and Characteristics”
“Working Class Explained: Definition, Compensation, Job Examples”
“Upper Class: Definition, Salary, Example, and Other Social Classes”


United States Census Bureau

“Wealth, Asset Ownership, & Debt of Households Detailed Tables: 2021”
“Income in the United States: 2022”


David Chilton, “The Wealthy Barber”

Millionaires Think They're Middle Class?? - Amberly Grant | MHFI 216

Doug and Carl work through a case study from listener Frank and also answer questions from the Facebook mailbag.

Frank – Has a stressful, yet well paying job.  Should he stay at his current job, which he doesn’t like so much, or move on to something else that he’s been contemplating for a while?
Rich

What does a typical daily meal and snack look like?  If you had to change it up, what would you do to make it more ideal?
What are a couple of key takeaways that you have learned by chatting with other FIRE folks that you are trying to instill in your life?
If you had a second home, what city or state would it be in and why?


Paddy – Carl has built an Allan Block retaining wall; would he do this again or hire out?  If so, any tips?
John – Who wins in a footrace – Doug or Carl?

Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
Want to support our new business venture, the Meat Oatmeal Food Truck?  If so, head over to Buy Me A Coffee.
Links

Mile High FI Facebook Group
Doug’s Podcast Accelerator
Tim Ferriss
Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
David Baughier on MHFI episode 138
CampFI
EconoMe Conference
Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”

Kindle
Hardcover
Paperback
Audiobook


Mark’s Money Mind Podcast
Jason’s Podcast, “Digital Downshift”
Amberly Grant Podcast
Brad Barrett/ChooseFI
Jordan Grumet/Earn & Invest podcast
JL Collins
Hoffman Process
 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:

Case Study: Should I Quit My Corporate Job and Mailbag | MHFI 215

Mindy and Carl catch up with long-time friend Brandon, the Mad Fientist, to discuss the balance between spending, saving, and maintaining happiness.  Brandon details his journey from extreme frugality to spending experiments to purposeful spending/spending for happiness.  He also discusses the indispensable role of personal development, the importance of experiences over possessions, and the influence of parenthood and life events in reshaping priorities.
Note: This is a rebroadcast of episode 22 of the “Mindy on Money” podcast.
Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
Interested in your own spending experiment?  If so, head over to Buy Me A Coffee and experiment with supporting the show!
Links

“Mindy on Money” Podcast

Website
YouTube Channel
Facebook Group
“Let’s Talk About Our Appearance on the Ramit Show” podcast episode


Mad Fientist

Website/blog
Music
Financial Independence Podcast
“Ramit Sethi – I Will Teach You to Be Rich” podcast episode
“Ramit Sethi – How to Spend (and Actually Enjoy It)” podcast episode
“How to Access Retirement Funds Early” blog post
“Happiness Through Subtraction” blog post
“Best Advice” pdf


Ramit Sethi
Elizabeth on MHFI Episode 212
FinCon
J. Money
Budgets are Sexy
Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero”

Kindle
Hardcover
Paperback
Audiobook


BiggerPockets Money podcast, “Ramit Sethi’s Money Advice for Couples: Live a Rich Life, Together”
Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache
Mile High FI Facebook Group
Doug’s site
Carl’s blog: 1500 Days

—
Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s our email list!

Mad Fientist: Life, Money, & Pursuit Of Happiness (Mindy on Money) | MHFI 214

Doug and Carl chat with financial educator, investing enthusiast, and author Brian Feroldi.  Brian delves into early investment mishaps, his investing philosophy (focusing on high-quality, long-term businesses), the significance of understanding the stock market & personal finance, and where to find new investing ideas.  The group also discusses Warren Buffett & the role of dividend investing along with AI’s impact on productivity and stock market returns.
Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
If you’re looking for a crazy, high-risk/high-reward investment opportunity, come over to Buy Me A Coffee and invest in us!
Links

Connect with Brian:

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter/X
LinkedIn


Brian’s YouTube Channel
Brian Feroldi, “Why Does The Stock Market Goes Up?”

Kindle
Hardcover
Paperback
Audiobook


Long-Term Mindset
The Motley Fool
EconoMe Conference
Robert Kiyosaki, “Rich Dad Poor Dad”

Kindle
Paperback
Audiobook


Books by Jim Cramer

“Jim Cramer’s Mad Money”

Kindle
Hardcover
Audiobook
Audio CD


“Jim Cramer’s Stay Mad For Life”

Kindle
Hardcover
Paperback
Audiobook




Interactive Brokers
Berkshire Hathaway
Charlie Munger, “Poor Charlie’s Almanack”

Kindle
Hardc

Mastering the Market, AI's Future with Brian Feroldi | MHFI 213

Carl chats with Doug and his wife Elizabeth who recently left her career and retired early.  Elizabeth discusses her introduction to Financial Independence and some of the skepticism she initially had while also walking through some of the specifics about actually leaving her job (making the decision, having a solid financial plan in place, and describing her last day at work).  She goes on to share insights on adjusting to retirement, staying mentally active, societal perceptions of retiring early, the importance of finding joy outside work, and the importance of having a purpose post-retirement.
Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)
Are you an early retiree looking for something to fill your time or to provide purpose?  If so, come over to Buy Me A Coffee and hang out with us.
Links

Mr. Money Mustache
Bogleheads forum
Tim Ferriss podcast, “Mr. Money Mustache — Living Beautifully on $25-27K Per Year (#221)”
BiggerPockets Money podcast, Episode 153 with Bill Bengen
CampFI
EconoMe Conference
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
1:58 Discovering FIRE
7:48 Good financial habits, tools, & practices
13:19 FIRE skepticism
18:49 Overcoming uncertainty & leaving work
23:34 Debate on the 4% rule
29:41 Working again after retirement
36:23 Pulling the trigger to actually quit
43:51 Single point of success
49:44 Last day of work & what happens next
54:48 Retirement worries
1:00:38 Telling friends & family about retirement
1:08:48 FI events & the perfect day
1:16:27 Soundcheck – Envelopes

The Secret Cost of Over-Optimization & Random Show | MHFI 205

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