Fire Calculator

FIRE is a movement focused on extreme savings and investment that allows people to retire far earlier than traditional retirement age. The core principle is simple: save aggressively, invest wisely, and live off your investment returns once you reach your "FIRE number."

The 4% Rule Explained

FIRE Number = Annual Expenses × 25

The 4% rule comes from the Trinity Study, which found that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio annually (adjusted for inflation) has a 95% success rate of lasting 30+ years. Multiplying expenses by 25 gives you the portfolio size needed to safely withdraw 4% per year.

Types of FIRE

Lean FIRE

$30-40k/year expenses, $750k-$1M portfolio. Frugal lifestyle, LCOL area.

Regular FIRE

$50-70k/year expenses, $1.25-$1.75M portfolio. Comfortable middle-class lifestyle.

Fat FIRE

$100k+/year expenses, $2.5M+ portfolio. Luxurious lifestyle with travel.

Coast FIRE

Save enough early that compounding finishes the work. Can work part-time.

Savings Rate: The Key to FIRE

Your savings rate is the single most important factor in determining when you'll reach FIRE. It matters more than income because it affects both how much you save AND how much you need.

Savings Rate	Years to FIRE	Retire Age (Start at 25)
20%	37 years	62
30%	28 years	53
40%	22 years	47
50%	17 years	42
60%	12.5 years	37
70%	8.5 years	33

How to Increase Your Savings Rate

Optimize Housing (30% of budget)

House hack, move to LCOL area, or downsize. Potential savings: $6,000-24,000/year

Reduce Transportation (15% of budget)

Buy used cars, bike/transit, one car household. Potential savings: $5,000-12,000/year

Cut Food Costs (12% of budget)

Meal prep, reduce dining out. Potential savings: $3,600-6,000/year

Increase Income

Side hustles, career advancement, freelancing. Keep lifestyle inflation low.

Healthcare Considerations

Healthcare is often the biggest challenge for early retirees. Before Medicare eligibility at 65, you'll need to budget $5,000-15,000/year for ACA marketplace insurance. Keep your MAGI low (under $60k for a couple) to qualify for subsidies.

Investment Strategy for FIRE

Max tax-advantaged accounts first: 401(k), IRA, HSA
Low-cost index funds: Total market (VTI/VTSAX) or target date funds
Asset allocation: 80-90% stocks while accumulating, shift to 60-70% in retirement
Roth conversion ladder: Convert traditional to Roth during low-income years
Taxable brokerage: For early retirement access before 59.5

Common FIRE Mistakes to Avoid

Underestimating expenses (especially healthcare and home maintenance)
Not accounting for inflation in your FIRE number
Lifestyle inflation when income increases
Retiring too early without buffer (consider 3.5% rule instead of 4%)
Ignoring sequence of returns risk in early retirement years

👤 Your Information

💰 FIRE Assumptions

🔥 Your FIRE Number

📊 Progress & Metrics

🌊 Coast FIRE Number

Understanding FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early)