What is FIRE?
Financial Independence, Retire Early
The revolutionary movement that's helping millennials and Gen Z break free from the traditional work-until-65 mindset
The FIRE Movement Explained
FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. It's a lifestyle movement focused on extreme savings and investment to allow for retirement or financial freedom much earlier than traditional retirement ageβoften in your 30s, 40s, or 50s.
π― The Core Principle
Save and invest 25x your annual expenses. Once you reach this number, you can safely withdraw 4% annually (adjusted for inflation) and never run out of money. This is based on the Trinity Study and decades of market data.
Why FIRE? The Modern Financial Reality
78% of Americans
Live paycheck to paycheck
$1.75 trillion
Total student loan debt
7x income
Average home price ratio
67 years old
Traditional retirement age
The 5 Types of FIRE
FIRE isn't one-size-fits-all. There are different approaches depending on your lifestyle goals and comfort level:
Traditional FIRE
The balanced approach: Retire with a comfortable middle-class lifestyle
Learn more β π±Lean FIRE
Minimalist living: Achieve FI faster with lower expenses
Learn more β πFat FIRE
Luxury retirement: Higher savings for a more affluent lifestyle
Learn more β ποΈCoast FIRE
Front-load savings: Let compound interest do the heavy lifting
Learn more β βBarista FIRE
Semi-retirement: Work part-time for benefits and fulfillment
Learn more βThe FIRE Formula: Simple Math, Powerful Results
Step 1: Calculate Your FIRE Number
Example: $40,000/year Γ 25 = $1,000,000
Step 2: Save Aggressively
The higher your savings rate, the faster you reach FI
Step 3: Invest Wisely
Let compound interest work its magic over time
Is FIRE Right for You?
β FIRE Might Be for You If:
- You value time freedom over material possessions
- You're willing to live below your means
- You enjoy optimizing and tracking finances
- You have clear life goals beyond traditional work
- You're disciplined and patient
β FIRE Might Not Be for You If:
- You find fulfillment in traditional career paths
- You prefer spending over saving
- You have significant debt or low income
- You're not interested in investing
- You need external structure and routine
Ready to Start Your FIRE Journey?
Calculate your FIRE number and see how long it will take you to achieve financial independence.