Doug and Carl continue the happiness series with part 2 which is focused on the concept of finding purpose in life.  They discuss the benefits of preparing for retirement by building a rich life outside of work, taking sabbaticals, and conducting small experiments to explore new hobbies and interests.  They also talk about the importance of community, the idea of redefining success, achieving flow state, and finding meaningful ways to spend one’s time while maintaining good mental and physical health.

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

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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

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0:00 Introduction

4:48 What FIRE life looks like

12:23 Is retirement overrated?

21:32 Relationship with work

26:22 Seeking validation

33:41 Preparation for retirement

38:12 Challenging the corporate ladder

43:49 Setting up for a successful retirement

51:13 Redefining success & finding flow

59:29 Leveraging Community

1:08:56 Soundcheck – 25K steps

Doug and Carl kick-off a multi-part series focused on happiness.  They discuss various elements of happiness including definitions, why it’s important, genetic & activity-based components of happiness, routines, the impact of jobs, mindset, and happiness by subtraction.  They also provide practical tips for fostering happiness, emphasizing that happiness requires continuous work and experimentation.

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

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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: [email protected]

0:00 Introduction

2:13 Definition of happiness

9:24 The role of FIRE in happiness

16:16 Where does happiness come from?

23:04 Creating happiness in your life

30:55 Novel experiences & snoring

37:08 Happiness by subtraction

47:04 Happiness is ever-changing

51:34 Experimentation & testing things out

58:09 Inner vs. outer scorecard

1:08:23 Soundcheck – Hallmark movies

Doug chats with Brian Feroldi about Warren Buffett’s famous investing principles.  Brian discusses key Buffett investment criteria including understanding businesses, long-term prospects of a business, management integrity, financial metrics/health, and the importance of checklists.  He also shares his personal investment experiences and lessons learned as a seasoned individual stock investor.

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

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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: [email protected]

0:00 Introduction

3:28 Understanding a business

7:36 Favorable long-term prospects

12:48 The management team

15:49 Buffett’s flexibility

19:07 Investing mistakes

25:39 Value of checklists

31:02 Misusing advice

35:11 Soundcheck- Group vacation

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/

Links

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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: [email protected]

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

JT and Doug talk about reading and books…

Win a ticket to CampFI Rocky Mountain – Week 1 Ticket (2025)

Support the Show (and get exclusive content!)

Check out the Mile High FI Store…

Outro music is a bastardization of Cry, Moan, & Wail by Marc Ford. Super cool blues chord progression…

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00:00 Intro

13:07 Discussing Tim Ferriss’s Massive Books

14:34 Approaching Nonfiction Reading

18:25 Fiction vs. Nonfiction Preferences

19:51 The Role of Podcasts in Book Promotion

27:34 Using AI for Book Recommendations

29:20 Balancing Multiple Books at Once

31:57 Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts

36:19 Running and Fitness Goals

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/

Links

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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: [email protected]

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

Doug chats with Producer Chris about a variety of topics including irrational money fears, why people commonly talk about their work in social settings, and what their day-to-day lives look like in early retirement. They explore common financial anxieties such as the fear of running out of money and how past experiences shape these fears. They share strategies for steering conversations away from work and towards more engaging subjects like travel and hobbies. Finally, they provide a glimpse into their daily routines, highlighting the freedom and fulfillment that early retirement and semi-retirement offers.

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

Links

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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: [email protected]

0:00 Introduction

1:26 Fear of running out of money

8:56 Reacting to stock market volatility

15:01 Sequence of Returns Risk & flexibility

24:43 Why people talk about work

28:49 What else to talk about & complaining

33:27 Chris’s typical day

41:21 Doug’s typical day

49:12 Open time & Parkinson’s Law

56:27 Soundcheck – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Doug and Carl chat about some questions that listener Austin submitted regarding early retirement and withdrawal strategies.  They explore the nuances of early retirement, discussing happiness, daily life, and responsible financial drawdowns.   They also address withdrawal strategies, including rental properties, index funds, automated transfers, tax optimization, health insurance, and how to handle Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

Note: This is a rebroadcast of MHFI episode 190

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

Links

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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: [email protected]

0:00 Introduction

9:23 Post-FI life

18:58 What does FI look like?

27:05 Shifting interests

32:33 Passive income & rental properties

38:20 Index fund withdrawal strategy

45:30 Withdrawal amount

53:09 RMDs and tax strategies

1:03:51 Professional financial advice

1:13:01 Soundcheck – Paper notebooks

Doug and Mark Trautman discuss a listener question regarding whether it’s better to pay off a low-interest mortgage (2.5%) or invest the money instead.  They explore various strategies, including the psychological benefits of paying off a mortgage, the financial returns of investing, and a hybrid approach to manage risks.  They also delve into the historical behavior of the stock market and emphasize the importance of aligning investments with personal goals.

Follow the link for more details including the original listener question and Doug’s Gemini Calculations: https://milehighfi.com/should-you-pay-off-your-mortgage-early/

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

Links

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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: [email protected]

0:00 Introduction

2:02 Laying out the financial details

8:14 Mark’s approach – The money tree

13:57 Downsides of Mark’s strategy

18:37 Doug’s approach & Gemini calculations

24:42 Eliminating downside & lowering uncertainty

31:14 Market volatility & historical context

38:23 Not always about maximizing returns

44:54 Soundcheck – Cleaning

Doug chats with Mark Trautman about non-frugal habits and some recent “fancy” spending that both of them have indulged in.  They delve into the concept of easing away from frugality, the ‘fun bucket’ for guilt-free spending, and psychological tricks to spend more comfortably while also touching upon practical tips for managing money and making thoughtful spending decisions.

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

Links

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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: [email protected]

0:00 Introduction

2:06 The Fun Bucket

9:26 Upgraded dining

12:35 Cruising in style

18:56 Managing long trips

25:59 Higher-end music equipment

31:40 Flying in comfort

37:12 Travel hacking

43:46 Buying a new car

48:47 House purchase/swap

54:52 Mark’s Money Mind

58:22 Soundcheck – Landscaping & HOAs