Your Journey to F.I.R.E

Financial Independence, Retire Early

Savings Rate0%

Your FIRE Number$0

Advanced Settings

Annual Return5%

Withdrawal Rate4%

You can retire at

Age

Your Journey Visualized

Age	Start	Savings	Interest	End

The Philosophy of F.I.R.E.

What is Financial Independence?

FIRE is more than a financial strategy; it's a lifestyle movement centered on achieving financial independence to have the freedom to retire—or pursue work you love without needing the income—much earlier than the traditional age. The core principle is maximizing your savings rate to build a portfolio that can fund your lifestyle indefinitely.

The Different Flavors of FIRE

The FIRE movement is not one-size-fits-all. It has several variations based on your desired retirement lifestyle and spending habits:

Lean FIRE: For minimalists. This path involves living on a very modest budget, requiring a smaller nest egg and allowing for a potentially faster journey to retirement.
Fat FIRE: For those who desire a more lavish retirement lifestyle with ample room for travel, hobbies, and luxury. This requires a significantly larger portfolio.
Barista FIRE: A hybrid approach where you've saved enough to quit your traditional high-stress job and can cover expenses by working part-time in a more enjoyable role.

The Mechanics of Your Journey

The 4% Rule: Your Cornerstone

The "4% Safe Withdrawal Rate" is a foundational guideline in the FIRE community. Originating from the Trinity Study, it suggests that you can safely withdraw 4% of your initial retirement portfolio value each year (adjusting for inflation) with a very high probability of your money lasting for at least 30 years.

Calculating Your FIRE Number

Your "FIRE Number" is the amount of invested assets you need to become financially independent. Using the 4% rule, you can easily estimate it: Your FIRE Number = Your Annual Expenses x 25. Our calculator uses your "Withdrawal Rate" from the advanced settings to calculate this, providing a more personalized target.

The Power of Your Savings Rate

Your savings rate is the single most important factor in how quickly you can reach FIRE. A higher savings rate attacks the problem from two directions: you add more to your investments each year, and you learn to live on less, which reduces your ultimate FIRE Number.