Doug chats with Kristen Knapp about the world of travel hacking, beginning with the basic principles and strategies for earning and maximizing points & miles. Kristen shares her personal experience with travel hacking, highlights key rules and tips for getting started, offers practical advice on how to choose the right credit cards, the importance of being organized, and tips for utilizing various travel apps.

You can check out all of Kristen’s notes here: https://milehighfi.com/travelhacking/

Kristen’s credit card referral links – she gets points if you use any of the links and it’s a great way to say thanks!

• #1 Beginner Travel Credit Card
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred (or Reserve)
• Business Credit Cards
  • Chase Ink Business Cards
• More From Chase
  • IHG One Rewards
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards
• American Express
  • American Express Gold Card
  • American Express Green
  • Amex Marriott Bonvoy Bevy
• Capital One
  • Capital One Venture X
  • Capital One Venture

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

Links

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

• Connect with Kristen
  • FI Friends Travel website
  • Email: kristen@fifriendstravel.com
• 10xTravel website
• 10xTravel Best Cards list
• 10xTravel Insiders Facebook Group
• Travel Freely App
• Michael Jackson, “Michael Jackson’s Great Beers of Belgium”
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Producer Chris’s blog, Epic Financial Journey

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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: doug@milehighfi.com

0:00 Introduction

12:17 Travel hacking basics

19:02 Maximizing points & miles

26:57 Credit card...

This is a Bonus episode with producer Chris!

We talk about:

• the correlation between happiness and income
• key inflection points in their lives
• their spending habits on toys and experiences
• Doug also shares insights on Elizabeth’s retirement and its impact on their lives.

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: doug@milehighfi.com

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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. https://milehighfi.com/trustandwill

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. https://milehighfi.com/nectarine

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)

• EconoMe Conference
• CampFI
• ChooseFI Local Groups
• Brad Barrett/ChooseFI
• FinCon
• Camp Mustache
• Charles Duhigg, “Supercommunicators”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Carl Jensen
• Brian Feroldi
• Joe Saul-Sehy/Stacking Benjamins
• Pete Adeney/Mr. Money Mustache

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:

• Midterm goal is to reach “Flamingo FI” ($625k) and then find a job to keep active and covers expenses until investments grow into full FI number ($1.25M). Ultimate goal is to reach FI by age 40-45 and continue living a similar lifestyle, but not retire completely. Will be turning 27 in less than 2 months.
• Owns a home and house hacks (with parents as renters). Planning for herself at the moment but hoping to get married in the future at which point she would kick parents out of the house!
• “Goldilocks” budget is about $50K/year and includes the monthly mortgage payment as part of the expenses, with no plan to pay off the house early.
• Current financial numbers:
  • Salary – $80k
  • 401k – At least get the match, but have maxed out for the past 2 years and plan to continue
  • Roth IRA – Always Max Out
  • HSA – Always Max Out

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. https://milehighfi.com/trustandwill

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. https://milehighfi.com/nectarine

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)

• Connect with Chris
  • Chris’s Music
  • Life Outside The Maze
• Carl Jensen

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. https://milehighfi.com/trustandwill

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. https://milehighfi.com/nectarine

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

• Connect with Suzy
  • “Your Family Money” Instagram
  • Email: info@yourfamilymoney.com
• Connect with Kristen
  • FI Friends Travel website
  • Email: kristen@fifriendstravel.com
• Carl Jensen
• EconoMe Conference
• Diania Merriam
• Mr. Money Mustache
• Amberly Grant
• Boundless Life Worldschool
• Worldschool Pop-Up HUB
• MHFI Facebook group
• Doug’s site
• Check out Producer Chris’s new blog: Epic Financial Journey

—

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

Get MHF...

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: doug@milehighfi.com

—-

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:

• Niel –  I’m very much a travel rewards newbie, but interested in adding it to my FI repertoire in 2025. What is the biggest bang for the buck, so to speak, in terms of where to start? A Companion Pass seems like the answer for a spouse but I’m not sure how to expand from there to include more family members.
• Kevin –  Are there websites or people that charge to take someone’s points per organization (cards, airlines, etc) and compare those to destinations we need tickets for? Say from DEN to Dublin in August.
• Rakesh – How to best use Capital One Venture X rewards? Chase was so much easier to use for Hyatt and United flights.

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. https://milehighfi.com/trustandwill

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. https://milehighfi.com/nectarine

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.)

• Families Fly Free/Families Travel Free
  • Website
  • Podcast
  • Get Lyn’s “5 Ways to Simplify Your Travel Rewards Strategy”
  • Or you can check out Lyn’s system

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. https://milehighfi.com/trustandwill

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. https://milehighfi.com/nectarine

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)

• The Mindful FIRE Podcast:
  • Website
  • Adam’s resignation letter
  • Free Envisioning exercise
• EconoMe Conference
• ChooseFI
• JL Collins, “Simple Path to Wealth”
  • Kindle
  • Hardcover
  • Paperback
  • Audiobook
• Andrew Huberman/Huberman Lab
• Peter Attia
• Jordan Grumet
• Jordan Grumet, “The Purpose Code”
  • Kindle