What Is a FIRE Number and How Do You Calculate Yours?
Your FIRE number is the exact amount you need invested to retire early and live off returns forever. Here's the formula, real examples, and how to reach it faster.
fire
Financial Independence Blog
12 articles on FIRE, investing, and building wealth.
investing
Compound Interest Explained: The Force That Builds Real Wealth
Compound interest turns small, consistent investments into life-changing wealth. Here's exactly how it works, the math behind it, and how to maximize it at every stage.
fire
Coast FIRE: The Strategy That Lets You Stop Saving for Retirement
Coast FIRE is the milestone where you've saved enough that compound growth alone carries you to retirement — no more contributions needed. Here's how to calculate it and why it changes everything.
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The 4% Rule: What It Is, How It Works, and Its Real Limitations
The 4% rule is the foundation of FIRE retirement planning. Here's the research behind it, how to apply it correctly, when to use a more conservative rate, and what critics get wrong.
guides
Net Worth: The One Number That Actually Measures Financial Progress
Income shows what you earn. Net worth shows where you actually stand. Here's how to calculate your real net worth, what benchmarks to target by age, and the fastest ways to grow it.
saving
How to Save $100,000: A Realistic Timeline for Every Income Level
The first $100,000 is the hardest financial milestone — and the most important. Here are realistic timelines by income level, the strategies that actually work, and why crossing this threshold changes everything.
debt
Debt Snowball vs Debt Avalanche: Which Method Actually Pays Off Debt Faster?
Two debt payoff strategies go head to head. One saves more money mathematically. The other is more effective for most people. Here's the full comparison with real numbers.
saving
What Is a Good Savings Rate? How to Calculate Yours and Why It's the Only Number That Matters for FIRE
Your savings rate determines your retirement timeline more than any other variable — including your investment returns. Here's how to calculate it, what's considered good, and exactly how each percentage point affects your FIRE timeline.
guides
Inflation and Your Money: Why 3% Per Year Destroys More Wealth Than You Think
At 3% annual inflation, $100,000 today buys what $41,000 buys in 30 years. Here's exactly how inflation erodes wealth, how to protect against it, and what it means for your retirement planning.
investing
Index Funds for Beginners: Why Simple Investing Consistently Beats Complex
Over any 20-year period, roughly 90% of actively managed funds underperform a basic index fund. Here's exactly why, how index funds work, and how to build a simple portfolio that outperforms most professional investors.
saving
The Emergency Fund: How Much You Actually Need and Where to Keep It
The standard "3-6 months of expenses" advice is a starting point, not a complete answer. Here's how to calculate the right emergency fund for your specific situation, where to keep it, and how it fits into your FIRE plan.
investing
Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA: Which Is Better for Your Specific Situation?
Roth or Traditional IRA? The right answer depends on your current vs. future tax rates — and getting it wrong can cost tens of thousands of dollars over 30 years. Here's how to decide.