Coast FIRE 🏖️
Front-Load Your Savings, Coast to Freedom
Strategy
Save hard early
Timeline
5-10 years intensive
Then
Coast to 65
Magic
Compound interest
What is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE is the "set it and forget it" approach to FIRE. You save aggressively in your 20s and early 30s to build a substantial investment base, then stop contributing and let compound interest grow your portfolio to full FIRE by traditional retirement age. It's perfect for those who want to pursue passion projects, lower-stress careers, or take extended breaks without worrying about retirement.
The Coast FIRE Formula
Step 1: Calculate Your Coast Number
Example: Need $1M at 65, currently 30 years old
$1,000,000 ÷ (1.07)^35 = $94,000
Step 2: Save Aggressively Until You Hit It
Once you reach your Coast Number, you can:
- Stop saving for retirement completely
- Take lower-paying but fulfilling jobs
- Start a business or pursue passion projects
- Take career breaks or sabbaticals
Coast FIRE by Age Examples
Age 25 → Coast Number: $47,000
Save $47k by 25, never save again
Have $1M at 65 (40 years of growth)
Timeline: 2-4 years of intense saving
Age 30 → Coast Number: $94,000
Save $94k by 30, never save again
Have $1M at 65 (35 years of growth)
Timeline: 3-6 years of intense saving
Age 35 → Coast Number: $184,000
Save $184k by 35, never save again
Have $1M at 65 (30 years of growth)
Timeline: 5-8 years of intense saving
Real Coast FIRE Journey
🚀 Hustle Phase (Ages 22-28)
- Software engineer making $80k → $120k
- Lives on $30k/year, saves $50k annually
- Accumulates $150k in 6 years
- Reaches Coast FIRE at 28
🏖️ Coast Phase (Ages 28-65)
- Switches to teaching ($45k/year)
- Lives comfortably on full salary
- Investments grow from $150k → $1.5M
- Enjoys 37 years of work-life balance
Coast FIRE Strategies
💪 Acceleration Phase
- Take high-paying but demanding jobs
- Live extremely frugally (Lean FIRE budget)
- Maximize every tax-advantaged account
- Side hustles and overtime
🌊 Coast Phase Options
- Pursue passion careers (teaching, non-profit)
- Start your own business
- Work part-time or seasonal
- Take extended travel breaks
Coast FIRE Calculator
Find Your Coast Number
Use our Coast FIRE calculator to determine exactly how much you need to save now to coast to your target retirement.
Calculate Coast FIRE NumberIs Coast FIRE Right for You?
✅ Perfect If You:
- Are young (under 35) with decent income
- Can live frugally for a few years
- Want flexibility in career choices later
- Value work-life balance over early retirement
- Have passion projects or career goals
- Want security without extreme ongoing frugality
⚠️ Consider These Factors:
- Still retiring at traditional age (65)
- Requires intense saving period early on
- No guarantee you'll want to "coast" forever
- Healthcare costs can be challenging
- Market risk over long time period
- May limit earning potential long-term
Ready to Coast?
Calculate your Coast FIRE number and see how quickly you can achieve financial security.