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Stage 02 · Life-stage hub
FIRE / Early Retirement
Financial independence on your terms
Financial Independence, Retire Early -- FIRE -- is not about deprivation. It is about understanding the math so well that you can design your life on your own terms. Whether you are pursuing Lean FIRE, Fat FIRE, Coast FIRE, or Barista FIRE, this hub gives you the calculators and guides to map your path to freedom.
Start the roadmap§ The roadmap
Your FIRE / Early Retirement toolkit
Learn the concept, then run the numbers — each step pairs a plain-English guide with the calculator that puts it to work.
§ Required reading
The guides behind the math
5 min read
FIRE Basics: How to Retire Early Step by Step
A step-by-step guide to Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) -- calculate your FIRE number, understand the variants, and build a plan to reach freedom.
5 min read
The 4% Rule Explained: How Much Do You Need to Retire?
A deep dive into the 4% rule -- its origins in the Trinity Study, how the math works, historical success rates, criticisms, and modern adjustments for early retirees.
§ Numbers to know
What this stage holds
A quick snapshot of everything mapped out for this life stage.
Calculators
Guides
Next stages
§ Smart moves
Quick tips for this stage
Know your FIRE number
Multiply your annual expenses by 25. That is how much you need invested to safely withdraw 4% per year indefinitely.
Max out tax-advantaged accounts first
401(k), IRA, and HSA contributions reduce your tax bill today and grow tax-free. Use Roth ladders to access funds before 59.5.
Track your savings rate obsessively
Your savings rate -- not your income -- determines how fast you reach FIRE. A 50% savings rate means roughly 17 years to retirement.
Plan for healthcare before Medicare
If you retire before 65, you need a healthcare plan. Budget $500-1,500/month for ACA marketplace coverage or health-sharing alternatives.