Issues With “Die With Zero” & Small-Cap Value – Karsten Jeske (Big ERN) | MHFI 280 episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 12, 2025 · 1H 11M

Issues With “Die With Zero” & Small-Cap Value – Karsten Jeske (Big ERN) | MHFI 280

from Mile High FI Podcast · host Doug Cunnington & Carl Jensen

Doug chats with Karsten Jeske (aka Big ERN) about his journey to early retirement, living frugally yet enjoying luxuries like travel, and the balance between saving & spending effectively.  Karsten provides his thoughts on the book “Die With Zero”, analyzing its advice on spending & saving in retirement, and highlighting potential issues within its financial recommendations.  He also addresses the controversial topic of investing in small-cap value stocks and analyzes historical performance.  And of course, Doug & Karsten chat about a delicacy called asparagus. 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 Karsten: Early Retirement Now blog Twitter/X Facebook Early Retirement Now, “How useful is the “Die With Zero” retirement approach? – SWR Series Part 60” Early Retirement Now, “Can we increase the Safe Withdrawal Rate with Small-Cap Value Stocks? – SWR Series Part 62” Early Retirement Now, “Small-Cap Value Stocks: Diversification or Di-WORSE-fication? Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook Paul Merriman 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 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 10:34 Underspending & estate planning 16:35 Early retirement & time bucketing 22:30 Analysis of Die With Zero spending formula 30:52 Cherry-picking data  37:46 (Increased) spending in retirement 46:02 Exploring small-cap value stocks 53:04 Diversification or Di-WORSE-fication? 1:02:22 Future plans 1:07:28 Soundcheck – Parallel foods

Doug chats with Karsten Jeske (aka Big ERN) about his journey to early retirement, living frugally yet enjoying luxuries like travel, and the balance between saving & spending effectively.  Karsten provides his thoughts on the book “Die With Zero”, analyzing its advice on spending & saving in retirement, and highlighting potential issues within its financial recommendations.  He also addresses the controversial topic of investing in small-cap value stocks and analyzes historical performance.  And of course, Doug & Karsten chat about a delicacy called asparagus. 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 Karsten: Early Retirement Now blog Twitter/X Facebook Early Retirement Now, “How useful is the “Die With Zero” retirement approach? – SWR Series Part 60” Early Retirement Now, “Can we increase the Safe Withdrawal Rate with Small-Cap Value Stocks? – SWR Series Part 62” Early Retirement Now, “Small-Cap Value Stocks: Diversification or Di-WORSE-fication? Bill Perkins, “Die With Zero” Kindle Hardcover Paperback Audiobook Paul Merriman 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 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 10:34 Underspending & estate planning 16:35 Early retirement & time bucketing 22:30 Analysis of Die With Zero spending formula 30:52 Cherry-picking data  37:46 (Increased) spending in retirement 46:02 Exploring small-cap value stocks 53:04 Diversification or Di-WORSE-fication? 1:02:22 Future plans 1:07:28 Soundcheck – Parallel foods

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Issues With “Die With Zero” & Small-Cap Value – Karsten Jeske (Big ERN) | MHFI 280

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This episode is 1 hour and 11 minutes long.

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This episode was published on August 12, 2025.

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Doug chats with Karsten Jeske (aka Big ERN) about his journey to early retirement, living frugally yet enjoying luxuries like travel, and the balance between saving & spending effectively.  Karsten provides his thoughts on the book “Die With Zero”,...

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