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Every FIRE guide, in one place

Sixteen plain-English guides on the math of financial independence, written to pair with the calculators. Start at the top if you're new; jump to your question if you're not.

By Muhammad Tayyab Shabbir ·

Country calculators

Each one runs on that country's own retirement system: its currency, its state pension or equivalent, and the accounts that actually lock your money up.

United KingdomLocal currency, local pension system, local account rules.IndiaLocal currency, local pension system, local account rules.AustraliaLocal currency, local pension system, local account rules.CanadaLocal currency, local pension system, local account rules.IrelandLocal currency, local pension system, local account rules.SingaporeLocal currency, local pension system, local account rules.New ZealandLocal currency, local pension system, local account rules.

Data studies

FIRE Number by US StateAll 50 states and DC, computed from official BEA price data. FIRE Number by Country162 countries, computed from World Bank price data.

Start here

What is the FIRE Movement?The whole idea in one guide: the two pillars, every variant, and the honest criticisms. What is Coast FIRE?The complete guide to the site's namesake: the math, by-age examples, and life after your number. Types of FIRE ComparedCoast vs Barista vs Lean vs Fat, and a decision guide for picking your path.

The FIRE variants

What is Barista FIRE?Part-time work covers today, the portfolio covers forever. Includes the health-insurance angle. What is Lean FIRE?Early retirement on a minimalist budget, with a real sample budget and the risks stated plainly. What is Fat FIRE?Freedom without the frugality: the $2.5M+ path and how people actually fund it.

How much do you need, by age

Retire at 40The long-horizon math, sequence risk, and the healthcare gap. Retire at 50The bridge-account strategy and catch-up scenarios from 40. Retire at 55The rule-of-55 sweet spot, explained carefully. Retire at 60How Social Security in sight changes the target. Average Savings by AgeHow you compare, and why medians beat averages. Coast FIRE by AgeThe live table: your target at 25 through 60.

Money, accounts and strategy

Index Funds for FIREThe simple portfolio behind the movement, and what fees really cost. Withdrawal Strategies Compared4% rule vs fixed percentage vs guardrails vs buckets. Sequence of Returns RiskTwo retirees, same returns, opposite order, $75k apart. The Roth Conversion LadderReaching retirement money before 59½, step by step. The HSA for Early RetirementThe triple tax advantage and the receipts strategy.

Outside the US

Coast FIRE in the UKISAs, SIPPs, pension ages and the State Pension, in pounds. UK Coast FIRE CalculatorThe live tool with the State Pension counted. Coast FIRE in CanadaTFSA, RRSP, CPP and OAS, in Canadian dollars.

Work and lifestyle

Best Jobs for Coast FIREWhen salary stops mattering, the job market re-ranks itself. Best Remote Jobs for CoastingWork from anywhere while compounding does the saving. Part-Time Jobs With Health InsuranceThe verified Barista FIRE shortlist.

Prefer numbers to words?

Every guide pairs with a live calculator, start with your Coast FIRE number.

Open the Coast FIRE Calculator

Common questions

Where should I start if I am new to FIRE?

Start with What is the FIRE Movement, which covers the two pillars and the honest criticisms in one guide, then What is Coast FIRE for the site's namesake, then Types of FIRE Compared to choose a target. After that, go straight to the calculator for the variant you picked and run your own numbers.

What is the difference between Coast, Barista, Lean and Fat FIRE?

They share one formula and differ only in what goes into it. Lean uses a smaller spending figure, Fat a larger one, Barista subtracts part-time income, and Coast discounts the full target back to today. At the site defaults that is a $1,000,000 FIRE number on $40,000 of spending at a 4% withdrawal rate, a $625,000 Lean number on $25,000, a $2,500,000 Fat number on $100,000, a $500,000 Barista number with $20,000 of part-time income, and a $253,415 Coast number at 30 for retirement at 65.

What assumptions do the guides use?

The same ones the calculators ship with: a 7% nominal return, 3% inflation and 0% fees, which the engine turns into a 4% real return, and a 4% withdrawal rate. Every figure is in today's money. All four assumptions are editable on the calculators, and the reasoning behind each default is on how our calculators work.

Are the guides sourced?

Yes, and where a figure could not be traced to a primary source it was cut rather than published. The 4% withdrawal rate comes from Bengen's 1994 paper and the Trinity study. United States retirement plan limits come from IRS Notice 2025-67. Each country guide links the regulator that sets the rule it relies on.

Sources and further reading

The figures and rules on this page rest on the sources below, so you can check them rather than take our word for it.