Calculate your Financial Independence number with Lean, Regular, or Fat FIRE — and see exactly how many years until you can retire.
What is FIRE?
FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. The core idea: save and invest aggressively until your portfolio generates enough passive income to cover all expenses — forever.
The 4% Rule: You can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio per year in retirement. So if you need $40,000/year, your FIRE number is $1,000,000 (25x annual expenses).
Lean FIRE targets minimal expenses. Regular FIRE uses the standard 4% rule. Fat FIRE uses a 3% withdrawal rate for a larger safety margin and more luxurious spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 4% rule?+
The 4% rule (Trinity Study) states that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio per year has historically allowed portfolios to last 30+ years. It means your FIRE number is 25x your annual expenses.
What is the difference between Lean and Fat FIRE?+
Lean FIRE targets bare-minimum expenses (often under $40K/year). Regular FIRE covers a comfortable middle-class lifestyle. Fat FIRE targets $100K+ annual spending with a 3% withdrawal rate for extra security.
How much should I save to reach FIRE?+
Savings rate is the biggest factor. Saving 50% of income can get you to FIRE in ~17 years. Saving 70% can do it in ~8 years. The higher your savings rate, the faster you reach financial independence.
Does FIRE work outside the US?+
Yes. The principles work globally. Adjust for local cost of living, tax rules, and investment returns. Many FIRE practitioners in UK, Australia, Canada and Europe use the same 4% rule with country-specific investment accounts (ISA, Super, TFSA).