Financial Independence Guides
Everything you need to know about FIRE, the 4% rule, and reaching your Quit Number.
Safe Withdrawal Rates Beyond 4%: What the Latest Research Says
The 4% rule is nearly 30 years old. New research questions whether it's too conservative, too aggressive, or just too rigid. Here's what the latest studies say about safe withdrawal rates for early retirees.
· 4 min read Getting StartedThe Psychology of Enough: When Your Number Feels Impossible
You calculated your Quit Number and it feels impossibly large. A million dollars? Two million? Your brain says 'never going to happen.' Here's why that reaction is universal, predictable, and completely wrong.
· 3 min read StrategiesHow to Handle Health Insurance After You Quit
Health insurance is the biggest practical concern for early retirees in the US. Your employer plan disappears the day you quit. Here are five real options — with actual costs, trade-offs, and what most FIRE retirees actually do.
· 3 min read Tools & MathIndex Funds: The Only Investment You Need for FIRE
You don't need to pick stocks, time the market, or hire a financial advisor. A single low-cost index fund, invested in consistently, is how most early retirees actually built their wealth. Here's why it works.
· 3 min read FIRE ConceptsThe Sequence of Returns Risk Nobody Talks About
You saved enough to quit. Your portfolio can handle 4% withdrawals. Then the market drops 30% in your first year of retirement. This is sequence of returns risk — and it's the biggest threat to early retirees.
· 3 min read Getting StartedHow to Retire at 40: A Realistic Roadmap
Retiring at 40 isn't a fantasy reserved for tech founders and trust fund kids. It's a math problem. Here's the realistic roadmap — what it actually takes, year by year, to walk away from work two decades early.
· 3 min read Getting StartedI'm 30 With $100K Saved — When Can I Quit?
You're 30, you've got $100K saved, and you're wondering if quitting the 9-5 is even possible. We ran the numbers on four different scenarios. The answers range from 12 years to never — and the difference comes down to one variable.
· 2 min read StrategiesCoast FIRE Explained: Stop Saving and Still Retire Early
Coast FIRE is the point where your investments will grow to your Quit Number on their own — even if you never save another dollar. Once you hit it, you can downshift to a lower-stress job and let compound growth finish the job.
· 3 min read Tools & MathYour Savings Rate Matters More Than Your Salary
A person earning $50K who saves 50% will reach financial independence before someone earning $200K who saves 10%. Your savings rate — not your salary — determines when you can quit.
· 2 min read StrategiesLean FIRE vs Fat FIRE vs Barista FIRE: Which Path Fits You?
There isn't one path to financial independence — there are at least five. Lean FIRE gets you free fastest. Fat FIRE gives you the most comfort. Barista FIRE lets you quit the career but keep some income. Here's how to choose.
· 3 min read Getting StartedHow to Calculate Your Financial Independence Number in 5 Minutes
Your financial independence number is the exact amount you need invested to quit your job forever. Here's a step-by-step guide to calculating yours in 5 minutes, with a real worked example.
· 2 min read FIRE ConceptsWhat Is the 4% Rule (and Why It Decides When You Can Quit)
The 4% rule is the single most important idea in early retirement math. It tells you exactly how much money you need invested to never work again. Here's how it works and what it means for your timeline.
· 2 min read