Barista FIRE

Why It Matters

The name comes from the idea of working a low-stress part-time job (like a barista) that covers your day-to-day costs while your investments compound in the background. You're not fully retired, but you're no longer chained to a high-income career.

Barista FIRE appeals to people who want to leave demanding full-time work but aren't ready, or don't need, to stop earning entirely. The part-time income covers expenses, health insurance, and daily life, while the portfolio grows untouched toward your full FI number.

How It Differs from Coast FIRE

Coast FIRE and Barista FIRE are often confused. The key difference: Coast FIRE means you still work full-time to cover expenses but no longer need to save. Barista FIRE means you've downshifted to part-time work. Barista FIRE typically requires more savings than Coast FIRE because your part-time income might not fully cover expenses, so some gap may need to come from your portfolio or a smaller savings cushion.

How It's Calculated

Your Barista FIRE number depends on: your full FI number, your expected part-time income, your monthly expenses, expected returns, and years until full retirement. The calculator accounts for the gap between your part-time earnings and your expenses, ensuring your portfolio can cover that difference while still growing toward your FI number.