FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. It is a movement focused on aggressive saving and investing so you can retire decades earlier than traditional retirement age. The core idea is accumulating 25 times your annual expenses (the 4% rule).

Coast FIRE means you have enough saved that compound interest alone will grow your portfolio to your retirement goal by a traditional retirement age, without adding another dollar. You still work to cover current expenses but no longer need to save for retirement.

How do I pay off debt faster?

Use either the avalanche method (highest interest first) or snowball method (smallest balance first). Make minimum payments on all debts while putting extra money toward your target debt. Consider refinancing high-interest loans to lower rates.

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Q: What is Barista FIRE?

Barista FIRE is when you have enough saved to partially cover expenses through portfolio withdrawals, but supplement income with part-time or lower-stress work. The name comes from the idea of working at a coffee shop for benefits and extra income.

Q: How much do I need for FIRE?

A common rule of thumb is 25 times your annual expenses (the 4% rule). For example, if you spend $40,000 per year, your FIRE number is $1,000,000. Lean FIRE targets $500K-$1M, while Fat FIRE targets $2.5M or more.

Q: What about healthcare after FIRE?

Healthcare is one of the biggest FIRE planning challenges. After enhanced ACA subsidies expired, early retirees withdrawing above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level may face $16,000+ per year in unsubsidized premiums. Planning withdrawals around the ACA subsidy cliff is critical.

By Ziv Shay | Updated April 2026

Plan your path to Financial Independence, Retire Early with the most comprehensive free FIRE calculator online. Choose your FIRE strategy below and get instant projections.

Current Age30

Target Retirement Age45

Current Savings$50,000

Annual Income$80,000

Savings Rate30%

Expected Return Rate7%

Expected Inflation3%

Projected Portfolio Growth

Current Age30

Target Retirement Age60

Current Savings$80,000

Expected Return Rate7%

Desired Annual Retirement Spending$40,000

Savings Growth Without Additional Contributions

Current Savings$300,000

Annual Expenses$40,000

Expected Part-Time Annual Income$20,000

Expected Return Rate7%

Current Age35

Target Full Retirement Age55

Portfolio Balance Over Time (With Part-Time Income)

Current Savings$100,000

Annual Income$100,000

Savings Rate40%

Lean Annual Expenses$30,000

Fat Annual Expenses$120,000

Expected Return Rate7%

Lean FIRE vs Fat FIRE — Portfolio Projection

⚠ ACA Subsidy Cliff Check (2026)

After enhanced ACA subsidies expired, withdrawals above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level can cost $16,000+ more per year in healthcare premiums. Check your exposure below.

Household Size2

Planned Annual Withdrawal / Spending$40,000

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is FIRE?

FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. The movement centers on saving and investing aggressively — often 50% or more of income — to build a portfolio large enough to sustain your living expenses indefinitely. The standard benchmark is 25 times your annual expenses, based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate from the Trinity Study.

What is Coast FIRE?

Coast FIRE is the point where your current investments, left untouched, will compound to your full FIRE number by traditional retirement age. Once you hit Coast FIRE, you only need to earn enough to cover today's expenses — you no longer need to save for retirement.

What is Barista FIRE?

Barista FIRE is a semi-retirement approach where you have enough saved to partially fund your lifestyle through portfolio withdrawals, but supplement with part-time or lower-stress work. The term comes from the idea of working at a coffee shop for benefits and spending money while your portfolio does the heavy lifting.

How much do I need for FIRE?

Your FIRE number depends on your annual expenses. Multiply your yearly spending by 25. For Lean FIRE ($30K/yr spending), that's $750K. For a standard FIRE at $50K/yr, it's $1.25M. Fat FIRE at $120K/yr requires $3M. The calculator above gives you a precise projection based on your inputs.

What about healthcare after FIRE?

Healthcare is one of the biggest wildcards in early retirement planning. In 2026, with enhanced ACA subsidies expired, early retirees whose income exceeds 400% of the Federal Poverty Level face full-price premiums — often $16,000 or more per year for a family. Managing withdrawals to stay below the subsidy cliff is a critical strategy. Use the ACA calculator above to check your exposure.

About the AuthorZiv Shay is a software engineer and fintech enthusiast based in Israel, building free financial tools since 2024. Learn more

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I improve my financial health?+

Start by tracking your spending, building an emergency fund with 3–6 months of expenses, and paying down high-interest debt. Use our budget tracker and debt payoff calculator to create a clear plan.

What financial tools should everyone use?+

Everyone should use a budget tracker, a compound interest calculator, a retirement planner, a debt payoff calculator, and a credit score simulator.

How do I create a budget that works?+

Follow the 50/30/20 rule: 50% of income for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and debt repayment. Track every expense for one month, then adjust. Our budget tracker makes this easy.

What is the best way to start investing?+

Begin with low-cost index funds through a tax-advantaged account like a 401(k) or IRA. Start with whatever you can afford and increase over time. Use our compound interest calculator to see how small investments grow.

How much should I save for emergencies?+

Aim for 3–6 months of essential living expenses in a high-yield savings account. Start with a $1,000 starter fund, then build gradually. Use our FIRE calculator to plan your savings targets.

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FIRE Calculator Suite

Projected Portfolio Growth

Savings Growth Without Additional Contributions

Portfolio Balance Over Time (With Part-Time Income)

Lean FIRE vs Fat FIRE — Portfolio Projection

⚠ ACA Subsidy Cliff Check (2026)

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Projected Portfolio Growth

Savings Growth Without Additional Contributions

Portfolio Balance Over Time (With Part-Time Income)

Lean FIRE vs Fat FIRE — Portfolio Projection

⚠ ACA Subsidy Cliff Check (2026)

Start Investing Toward FIRE

Frequently Asked Questions

★ Smart Money Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

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