Guides and articles on FIRE strategies, retirement planning, net worth projections, and building wealth. Practical insights to help you make informed financial decisions.
A one-minute Coast FIRE check: full FIRE number, years to target, a return you can defend, then the Coast FIRE calculator (or zero contributions on a projection). Optional Teacher Coast FIRE sample.
Read articleA higher savings rate shortens years to FI two ways: more invested each month and often a smaller spend target. Dual-income sample math—not a slogan chart.
Read articleAn 85% Monte Carlo success rate is a count of model paths, not a promise. Fixed 7% vs a fan of paths, why ~80–90% is common, why 100% is often too stingy.
Read articleYour FIRE number is annual spending ÷ SWR — 25× at 4%, ~28.6× at 3.5%, ~33× at 3%. Identity math, a $40k example, and how savings rate shortens years to FI.
Read articleHow long will my money last in retirement? A smooth 7% line can look fine while an early crash shortens the runway. Open a 40-year sample, then stress-test it.
Read articleLean FIRE vs Fat FIRE is about how much you spend — not whether you keep working after a savings milestone. Run the same FIRE calculator at two expense levels and see both stash sizes.
Read articleTwo retirement calculators can both say "Monte Carlo" and still be doing different jobs. One draws random yearly returns from a statistical curve. The other replays actual historical market sequences. Neither is objectively better. This article explains the difference so you pick the method that matches the question you're asking.
Read articleTwo retirees can start with identical savings and earn identical average returns. They can still finish far apart. The difference is when the bad years happen. A drop in year 1 is far more damaging than the same drop later. This article explains why and shows how to stress-test your own plan.
Read articleThe 4% rule assumed a ~30-year retirement. For 40–50 year FIRE, Bengen's 1994 paper pointed to 3–3.5%. This article compares 25x vs ~29x expenses, explains the original research, and shows how to stress-test both withdrawal rates with your own numbers.
Read articleNot every path to financial independence requires grinding until you hit a seven-figure portfolio. Coast FIRE and Barista FIRE offer two distinct ways to reduce financial stress earlier in life — but they work very differently. This guide breaks down both strategies and helps you figure out which fits your situation.
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