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

One Goal, Many Paths

Financial independence isn't one-size-fits-all. Some people want to quit work entirely and live simply. Others want to maintain their current lifestyle without working. And some just want to escape the corporate grind while keeping a low-stress side income.

These different approaches have names, and each one changes your Quit Number dramatically.

Regular FIRE: The Standard Path

This is the baseline. Your Quit Number equals 25 times your current annual expenses. You invest, grow your portfolio, and when it hits the target, you stop working entirely.

Best for: People happy with their current lifestyle who want to replicate it without a paycheck.

Example: $5,000/month expenses → Quit Number: $1,500,000

Lean FIRE: The Fastest Exit

Lean FIRE means planning for a more frugal retirement — typically 50% of your current expenses. You're willing to live simply in exchange for quitting years sooner.

This might mean moving to a lower cost-of-living area, downsizing your home, cooking at home instead of eating out, and finding free entertainment.

Best for: Minimalists, people who already live below their means, or anyone who values time over luxury.

Example: $5,000/month expenses → Lean Quit Number: $750,000 (half the standard target)

Reality check: Make sure your lean budget is actually sustainable. Cutting too deep leads to burnout and going back to work, which defeats the purpose.

Fat FIRE: The Comfortable Exit

Fat FIRE means planning for a more comfortable retirement — typically 150% of your current expenses. You want a bigger buffer for travel, hobbies, unexpected costs, and lifestyle upgrades.

Best for: People who want zero financial stress after quitting, those with expensive hobbies, or anyone who wants to account for healthcare costs and inflation with extra margin.

Example: $5,000/month expenses → Fat Quit Number: $2,250,000

Trade-off: Fat FIRE typically adds 5-10 years to your timeline compared to regular FIRE. That's a meaningful chunk of your life spent working.

Coast FIRE: Stop Saving, Keep Working

Coast FIRE is a milestone, not a destination. It's the point where you have enough invested that compound growth alone will grow your portfolio to your Quit Number by traditional retirement age — even if you never save another dollar.

After reaching Coast FIRE, you can switch to a lower-paying job you enjoy, work part-time, or freelance. You just need to cover current expenses. No more saving required.

Best for: People who don't hate working but hate the pressure of a high-paying career. People who want to pursue passion projects or creative work.

Example: If you need $1.5M at age 55 and you're 30 with $200,000 invested, compound growth at 7% turns that into $1.08M in 25 years. You're nearly coasting already.

Barista FIRE: Part-Time Freedom

Barista FIRE combines a smaller portfolio with part-time income. The name comes from the idea of working at a coffee shop (often for health insurance benefits) while your portfolio covers the rest of your expenses.

Your Barista Quit Number only needs to cover the gap between your expenses and your part-time income.

Best for: People who want to escape the 9-5 but don't mind working 20 hours a week on their terms. People who need employer health insurance (in the U.S.).

Example: $5,000/month expenses with $1,500/month part-time income → You only need to cover a $3,500/month gap → Barista Quit Number: $1,050,000

Choosing Your Path

The right path depends on three things:

1. Your Risk Tolerance

Lean FIRE leaves less margin for error. Fat FIRE gives you the most safety net. If market downturns would keep you up at night, aim higher.

2. Your Timeline Flexibility

If you need to quit soon for health, family, or sanity reasons, Lean or Barista FIRE gets you there fastest. If you can wait, Fat FIRE gives you the most comfort.

3. Your Relationship with Work

If you genuinely enjoy some form of work, Coast or Barista FIRE lets you keep doing it without the pressure. If you want to be completely done, Lean or Regular FIRE is your path.

See Your Numbers for Each Path

Start with our free calculator to get your standard Quit Number, then explore the different paths to see which timeline fits your life. Sometimes the fastest path to freedom isn't the obvious one.