Your FIRE number

FIRE With Kids: Retire Early Without Sacrificing Their Future

Retiring early with children costs more than most FIRE plans account for. Here's the real math on FIRE with kids, from childcare to college to healthcare.

11 min read

Savings Rate and Retirement Date: The Exact Math

Your savings rate determines your retirement date more than your salary does. See the exact math behind 10%, 30%, and 50% savings rates.

8 min read

Living Off Dividends in Retirement: Realistic or Fantasy?

Can you live off dividends in retirement? We run the real math: how much capital you need, realistic yield expectations, and what most plans miss.

9 min read

How Inflation Actually Impacts Your Retirement Plan (With Numbers)

Inflation can cut your retirement purchasing power in half over 25 years. See the exact math on inflation's impact on retirement savings and real returns.

9 min read

Savings Rate Calculator: The One Number That Predicts Your Retirement Date

Your savings rate predicts your retirement date more than your salary does. Use our savings rate calculator to find your FIRE number in under 60 seconds.

9 min read

Lean FIRE vs Fat FIRE vs Barista FIRE: Which Path Fits You?

Lean FIRE, Fat FIRE, Barista FIRE: three paths, very different numbers. Find out which FIRE type fits your spending and risk tolerance.

9 min read

Geographic Arbitrage: Move to Retire Early by 5-10 Years

Geographic arbitrage lets you retire 5-10 years earlier by slashing living costs. Here's the math, the best destinations, and how to make the move.

11 min read

Your FIRE Number by Income Level: $50k to $500k Earners

Find your exact FIRE number based on your income. We break down how much to retire early for earners from $50k to $500k, with real math and income-specific strategies.

9 min read

When to Take Social Security: Claim at 62, 67, or 70?

When to take Social Security at 62, 67, or 70? We break down the math, break-even ages, and strategies to maximize lifetime benefits.

10 min read

Coast FIRE Calculator: Find Out If You Can Stop Saving Today

Use our Coast FIRE calculator to find your exact coast number. Enter your age, savings, and target — get a verdict in 60 seconds.

9 min read

How to Use a FIRE Calculator: Step-by-Step Guide

Learn exactly how to use a FIRE calculator to find your financial independence number. Real examples, step-by-step inputs, and what the results actually mean.

8 min read

Safe Withdrawal Rate: What 150 Years of Data Shows

The 4 percent rule works — but only 86% of the time. 150 years of market data reveals the real safe withdrawal rate for your retirement.

9 min read

Coast FIRE by Age: Your Exact Number at 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45

Find your coast FIRE number by age. We show the exact savings targets at 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 — with real math and a free calculator.

9 min read

Social Security Break-Even Calculator: When to Claim

Use our Social Security break-even calculator to find your optimal claim age. Claiming at 70 vs 62 can mean $200k+ more lifetime income.

8 min read

Retirement Calculator: How to Model Your Exact Retirement Date

Use a retirement calculator to find your exact FIRE date. Step-by-step guide with 3 worked examples, key inputs, and how to interpret your results.

8 min read

How to Calculate Your FIRE Number (And Why It's Probably Lower Than You Think)

Your FIRE number is the portfolio size at which you can retire. The 25x rule gives a quick answer, but adjustments for Social Security, housing, and partial income can cut millions off the target.

8 min read

Coast FIRE Explained: When Can You Stop Contributing?

Coast FIRE is the portfolio balance at which compounding alone will grow your savings to your full FIRE number — meaning you never need to contribute another dollar. Here's how to calculate it and what it means for your career.

7 min read