This is a Bonus episode with producer Chris!

We talk about:

Happiness Study Links:

High income improves evaluation of life but not emotional well-being – 2010 Study by Kahneman and Deaton

Income and emotional well-being: A conflict resolved – 2022 Study by Killingsworth and Kahneman and Mellers

Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey

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

MHFI Facebook group

Help Doug publish more shows by supporting at Buy Me A Coffee.

See other sponsors and affiliate partners, like Mint, Trust&Will, and Nectarine.

Email the show: [email protected]

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Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:55 Meet Producer Chris

03:07 Happiness and Income Studies

10:16 Inflection Points in Life

18:51 Toys and Spending

24:17 Guitar Trading and Financial Insights

25:27 Shifting Focus to Experiences

26:47 Balancing Material and Emotional Investments

28:53 Band Aspirations and Musical Gear

30:11 Reflections on Early Retirement

41:37 Frugal Habits and Financial Quirks

Doug chats with JT about practical, actionable strategies for introverts attending conferences like EconoMe, Camp FI, and others.  They cover topics such as social anxiety, taking breaks, participating in structured activities, and effectively interacting with content creators.  They also share tips on the types of questions to ask to keep conversations flowing, how to gracefully exit interactions, maintaining self-care during events, and the importance of not overextending oneself.

This episode is brought to you by GhostBed.  Doug has the GhostBed Luxe Mattress and loves it!  Take the 3 minute sleep quiz to see which mattress is right for you.  Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, bed frame, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)

Save With Mint Mobile! (https://milehighfi.com/mint) New customers can get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for $15/mo.  Doug’s phone bill went from $1440/yr to $360/yr for him and his wife.  It’s super easy to switch and you can use your existing phone.  If you use the MHFI link, it won’t cost you extra and it helps support the show.

Looking for help with your estate plan?  Trust & Will provides online tools for creating, you guessed it… trusts and wills.  For those who don’t have any estate planning documents in place, this could be a good option to get started.  We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Need a fee only advisor?  Nectarine is a network of financial advisors where you just pay for investing & planning advice.  Advisors don’t manage your money, sell products, or earn commissions. We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Help Doug pay for all the stickers that he’ll be handing out at EconoMe by providing support at Buy Me A Coffee.

Links

(*Some affiliate links so we might earn a commission if you buy something)

—

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

3:25 An introverted extrovert

9:01 Importance of self-care

12:44 Don’t be afraid to meet people

18:22 Take breaks & select which activities to attend 

24:25 Navigating awkward conversations

28:58 Asking open-ended & deeper questions

35:52 Christmas PJs

41:29 Jumping into group conversations

45:47 Getting out of conversations

50:12 Approaching content creators

57:07 How to find others to talk to

1:04:11 Post-conference reflections

1:10:21 Soundcheck – Prepare, practice, & care less

Doug chats with friends Chris & JT from a partially-disclosed location in Breckenridge about a potpourri of topics.  The trio discusses happiness, dives into the controversial & confusing topic of tipping (with input from listener Kris), and provides their thoughts on high net-worth individuals (based on a correction pointed out by listener Bill). The group also analyzes Amber’s ambition of reaching FI by age 40-45 (full details below).

Be sure to check out Chris’s music… His first single releases in March: http://chrisrusin.com/

Details of Amber’s Case Study:

This episode is brought to you by GhostBed.  Doug has the GhostBed Luxe Mattress and loves it!  Take the 3 minute sleep quiz to see which mattress is right for you.  Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, bed frame, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)

Save With Mint Mobile! (https://milehighfi.com/mint) New customers can get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for $15/mo.  Doug’s phone bill went from $1440/yr to $360/yr for him and his wife.  It’s super easy to switch and you can use your existing phone.  If you use the MHFI link, it won’t cost you extra and it helps support the show.

Looking for help with your estate plan?  Trust & Will provides online tools for creating, you guessed it… trusts and wills.  For those who don’t have any estate planning documents in place, this could be a good option to get started.  We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Need a fee only advisor?  Nectarine is a network of financial advisors where you just pay for investing & planning advice.  Advisors don’t manage your money, sell products, or earn commissions. We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Help Doug afford one of those delicious Popeye’s chicken sandwiches by providing support at Buy Me A Coffee.

Links

(*Some affiliate links so we might earn a commission if you buy something)

—

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

9:48 Tipping

16:56 Deliveries & haircuts

24:26 High net worth individuals

29:29 Amber’s case study

34:35 Reflections from Chris & Doug’s FI journeys

40:20 Earn money & leveraging experience

47:54 Happiness

54:11 Soundcheck – The Tape Technique

Doug and guest host Kristen Knapp chat with Colorado native Suzy about her financial independence journey and world travel with her family, including extended periods of time living abroad.  Suzy shares her journey toward Coast FI, early money mistakes, taking sabbaticals, and the importance of community.  She elaborates on her family’s experience with worldschooling, the benefits of living in Spain (both cultural & financial), the intricacies of living abroad, and how her family managed healthcare.

This episode is brought to you by GhostBed.  Doug has the GhostBed Luxe Mattress and loves it!  Take the 3 minute sleep quiz to see which mattress is right for you.  Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, bed frame, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)

Save With Mint Mobile! (https://milehighfi.com/mint) New customers can get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for $15/mo.  Doug’s phone bill went from $1440/yr to $360/yr for him and his wife.  It’s super easy to switch and you can use your existing phone.  If you use the MHFI link, it won’t cost you extra and it helps support the show.

Looking for help with your estate plan?  Trust & Will provides online tools for creating, you guessed it… trusts and wills.  For those who don’t have any estate planning documents in place, this could be a good option to get started.  We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Need a fee only advisor?  Nectarine is a network of financial advisors where you just pay for investing & planning advice.  Advisors don’t manage your money, sell products, or earn commissions. We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Help Doug pay for a future trip to Spain so he can visit both Kristen & Suzy by providing support at Buy Me A Coffee.

Links

—

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

9:12 Suzy’s background & finding FI

15:02 Suzy’s husband’s financial journey

20:07 Money mistakes

25:08 First sabbatical & worldschooling

33:55 Living in Spain & embracing the culture

39:42 Cost of living in Spain

44:58 Navigating healthcare abroad

50:53 Kristen’s Spanish ambitions

55:20 Current work situation & desire to help others

1:03:56 Soundcheck – Colorado

Elizabeth retired 10 months ago. We talk about her system to make sure she’s doing things… I’m doing bonus episodes now!

Introvert Instagram Clip we mention

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

MHFI Facebook group

Help Doug publish more shows by supporting at Buy Me A Coffee.

Brought To You By:

The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles

Email the show: [email protected]

—-

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to the Mile High 5 Podcast

00:26 Retirement Reflections: 10 Months In

01:50 Creating a Fulfilling Retirement Routine

04:27 Time Bucketing: Structuring the Day

07:23 Balancing Activities and Mental Well-being

13:43 The Impact of Reducing News Consumption

18:49 Embracing Early Bedtimes and Winter Hibernation

20:07 Social Activities and Hobbies

21:06 Thoughts on Returning to Work

22:14 Daily Routines and Flexibility

24:26 Balancing Relaxation and Productivity

27:44 The Role of Pets in Daily Life

33:09 Puzzle Competitions and Strategies

Doug chats with Lyn Mettler, travel rewards expert and founder of Families Fly Free/Families Travel Free.  Lyn shares insights on how to maximize travel rewards, including practical tips on using programs like the Southwest Companion Pass and flexible travel cards.  She also discusses upcoming changes in the airline industry, the importance of using points wisely, tips for booking flexible travel, accessing airport lounges, and potential trends in travel accommodations.  Doug and Lyn also answer a few questions from the MHFI Facebook group:

Questions from the Facebook group:

This episode is brought to you by GhostBed.  Doug has the GhostBed Luxe Mattress and loves it!  Take the 3 minute sleep quiz to see which mattress is right for you.  Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, bed frame, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)

Save With Mint Mobile! (https://milehighfi.com/mint) New customers can get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for $15/mo.  Doug’s phone bill went from $1440/yr to $360/yr for him and his wife.  It’s super easy to switch and you can use your existing phone.  If you use the MHFI link, it won’t cost you extra and it helps support the show.

Looking for help with your estate plan?  Trust & Will provides online tools for creating, you guessed it… trusts and wills.  For those who don’t have any estate planning documents in place, this could be a good option to get started.  We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Need a fee only advisor?  Nectarine is a network of financial advisors where you just pay for investing & planning advice.  Advisors don’t manage your money, sell products, or earn commissions. We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Help Doug fly for free by providing support at Buy Me A Coffee.

Links

(*Links to Families Travel Free are affiliate links, so MHFI might get a commission if you buy something. It helps support the show.)

—

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

8:58 Exposure to travel rewards

12:21 Question – How to get started with points?

21:45 Lyn’s approach to using rewards

26:11 Question – Can others book travel rewards for you?

29:56 Question – How to best use Capital One Venture X?

37:48 Crackdown on airline fees & delays

43:41 Lounge access

50:47 Lyn’s travel resources & membership benefits

57:58 Soundcheck – Intersection of FI & travel rewards

Doug chats with Adam Coelho, host of the Mindful FIRE podcast, about the limitations of FU money and how a big vision can change your life.  Adam shares his journey of transitioning from Google to fully embracing entrepreneurship, the importance of having a clear vision, and how mindfulness & meditation have played a pivotal role in his life.   He talks about the role of FI in creating options and building a life from a place of sufficiency rather than lack and the power of neuroplasticity & affirmations in realizing one’s dreams.

This episode is brought to you by GhostBed.  Doug has the GhostBed Luxe Mattress and loves it!  Take the 3 minute sleep quiz to see which mattress is right for you.  Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, bed frame, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)

Save With Mint Mobile! (https://milehighfi.com/mint) New customers can get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for $15/mo.  Doug’s phone bill went from $1440/yr to $360/yr for him and his wife.  It’s super easy to switch and you can use your existing phone.  If you use the MHFI link, it won’t cost you extra and it helps support the show.

Looking for help with your estate plan?  Trust & Will provides online tools for creating, you guessed it… trusts and wills.  For those who don’t have any estate planning documents in place, this could be a good option to get started.  We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Need a fee only advisor?  Nectarine is a network of financial advisors where you just pay for investing & planning advice.  Advisors don’t manage your money, sell products, or earn commissions. We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Have you envisioned supporting the show?  If so, put that vision into action by visiting us at Buy Me A Coffee.

Links

(*Some affiliate links so we might earn a commission if you buy something)

—

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

7:54 Finding mindfulness

16:00 Discovering early retirement & FIRE

20:15 The rollercoaster ride at Google

26:29 Changes at Google & importance of FU Money

32:39 Escaping a stressful/toxic environment

39:35 Envisioning and the neuroscience behind it

44:52 Planting seeds & affirmations

49:23 Finding a routine in early retirement

59:08 Soundcheck – Podcasting

Doug chats with Colorado resident Rusty about life after achieving financial independence.  Rusty shares his journey from growing up debt-averse to his career as a lawyer and then retiring at a young age.  He shares challenges with securing mortgages without traditional income, tackling healthcare, and the importance of learning new skills & staying active.  Rusty also describes a unique withdrawal strategy called “Buy, Borrow, Then Die”.

This episode is brought to you by GhostBed.  Doug has the GhostBed Luxe Mattress and loves it!  Take the 3 minute sleep quiz to see which mattress is right for you.  Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, bed frame, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)

Save With Mint Mobile! (https://milehighfi.com/mint) New customers can get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for $15/mo.  Doug’s phone bill went from $1440/yr to $360/yr for him and his wife.  It’s super easy to switch and you can use your existing phone.  If you use the MHFI link, it won’t cost you extra and it helps support the show.

Looking for help with your estate plan?  Trust & Will provides online tools for creating, you guessed it… trusts and wills.  For those who don’t have any estate planning documents in place, this could be a good option to get started.  We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Need a fee only advisor?  Nectarine is a network of financial advisors where you just pay for investing & planning advice.  Advisors don’t manage your money, sell products, or earn commissions. We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Feel bad that Carl STILL doesn’t have door knobs at his house?  If so, support us at Buy Me A Coffee so that he can FINALLY afford them.

Links

—

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

2:28 Discovering FIRE & Rusty’s background

9:19 Saving & debt-avoidance

14:44 Retirement & last working days

19:12 Moving to Colorado

26:34 Obtaining a mortgage in retirement

35:01 Buying a second property

39:19 Lifestyle changes & learning new skills

47:09 Healthcare

52:16 Buy, borrow, then die

1:03:28 Soundcheck – Home impressions

Doug chats with Colorado resident Neil about his inspiring journey of perseverance, self-improvement, and financial growth.  Neil shares his approach to budgeting, strategies for overcoming financial challenges, side hustles, rental properties, and the emotional aspects of financial stability.  He also explains the 50/20/30 budgeting framework and provides advice for those just starting their FI journey.

This episode is brought to you by GhostBed.  Doug has the GhostBed Luxe Mattress and loves it!  Take the 3 minute sleep quiz to see which mattress is right for you.  Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, bed frame, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)

Save With Mint Mobile! (https://milehighfi.com/mint) New customers can get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for $15/mo.  Doug’s phone bill went from $1440/yr to $360/yr for him and his wife.  It’s super easy to switch and you can use your existing phone.  If you use the MHFI link, it won’t cost you extra and it helps support the show.

Looking for help with your estate plan?  Trust & Will provides online tools for creating, you guessed it… trusts and wills.  For those who don’t have any estate planning documents in place, this could be a good option to get started.  We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Need a fee only advisor?  Nectarine is a network of financial advisors where you just pay for investing & planning advice.  Advisors don’t manage your money, sell products, or earn commissions. We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Help fund Doug’s future timeshare research by providing support at Buy Me A Coffee.

Links

—

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 Discovering FIRE & Budgeting

10:02 Life challenges & path to FI

16:56 Being boring

24:25 Cutting expenses

32:25 Budgeting apps

41:24 Attempts at increasing income

45:48 Challenges & advice for beginners

53:09 Soundcheck – Timeshares

Doug chats with Jen Smith, author & co-host of the Frugal Friends podcast.  Jen shares her journey of paying off $78,000 of debt, her no-spend challenge, value-based spending, addressing financial guilt, and the importance of community support.  She also introduces her new book, “Buy What You Love Without Going Broke” (co-authored by podcast partner Jill Sirianni) and discusses the book-writing process along with some of the challenges.

This episode is brought to you by GhostBed.  Doug has the GhostBed Luxe Mattress and loves it!  Take the 3 minute sleep quiz to see which mattress is right for you.  Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, bed frame, pillow, and bedding over at GhostBed (coupon code: MILEHIGHFI)

Save With Mint Mobile! (https://milehighfi.com/mint) New customers can get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for $15/mo.  Doug’s phone bill went from $1440/yr to $360/yr for him and his wife.  It’s super easy to switch and you can use your existing phone.  If you use the MHFI link, it won’t cost you extra and it helps support the show.

Looking for help with your estate plan?  Trust & Will provides online tools for creating, you guessed it… trusts and wills.  For those who don’t have any estate planning documents in place, this could be a good option to get started.  We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Need a fee only advisor?  Nectarine is a network of financial advisors where you just pay for investing & planning advice.  Advisors don’t manage your money, sell products, or earn commissions. We’re affiliates so we can earn a commission if you sign up.  Thanks for the support.

Help Doug pay for his Sip Club membership by providing support at Buy Me A Coffee.

Links

(*Some affiliate links so we might earn a commission if you buy something)

—

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

3:20 Jill’s background & debt payoff

8:30 Value-based spending

13:09 Buying back time

18:39 The four F’s

23:41 Spending time instead of money

27:33 Saving money on food & leftovers

35:58 Book writing process

41:54 Lessons from the book

50:46 Soundcheck – Cult of Dave Ramsey