FIRE, short for Financial Independence, Retire Early, is more than a one-size-fits-all movement.
“The goal of FIRE is to hit the level of financial security and independence so that you can retire before the traditional retirement age (usually around 65 years old),” said Meg K. Wheeler, CPA, and founder of The Equitable Money Project.
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Wheeler explained, “This is done by getting rid of all debt and saving and investing enough to generate earnings that will fund your expenses in retirement. Most FIRE followers will aim for saving 25 [times] of their expected annual retirement expenses.”
Whether someone dreams of retiring in their 30s or wants the freedom to leave a stressful job early, here are the four different levels of FIRE retirement and how to pick the right one for you.
LeanFIRE is the most minimalist version of early retirement, where individuals save just enough to cover their essential living expenses, typically between $25,000 and $40,000 per year. It’s ideal for those willing to embrace a frugal lifestyle in exchange for maximum freedom.
“If you’re a minimalist who genuinely loves simple living, DIY home fixes, and free activities and hobbies for fun, this could be a good fit,” said Lawrence Klayman, founding partner of Klayman Toskes PLLC. “You might also consider geographic arbitrage. For example, instead of retiring in Florida, you could live in lower-cost Georgia, with its similar beaches and weather.”
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Traditional FIRE aims to accumulate sufficient savings to support a modest, middle-class lifestyle without needing to work. It’s a balanced approach for those who want early retirement without making extreme sacrifices or excessive luxuries.
“FIRE, or ‘regular’ FIRE, is the middle path,” said Jason Breck, owner of 40 North Media. Breck said he is implementing the FIRE Method. “You’re financially independent with room to breathe. You can say yes to a spontaneous trip, a nice dinner out, or upgrading your phone without guilt. That usually means a $1 million to $2 million nest egg and spending between $40,000 and $80,000 a year.”
Breck explained, “FIRE fits people who want balance. Maybe you’re raising kids or just want a little margin in your life. You’re still mindful of money, but you’re not saying no to every latte or family vacation.”
ChubbyFIRE offers a more comfortable version of early retirement. It’s ideal for those who want financial freedom but aren’t interested in strict frugality.
“Think of this as the balanced approach,” Wheeler said. “The goal is still to save and invest enough to retire early, but without sacrificing all of your joy today, or in the future. Folks following the ChubbyFIRE method focus on balancing their debt pay down and investing while still spending money on things they want today, and they set themselves up for a more moderate lifestyle in retirement.”
FatFIRE is the most financially ambitious version of early retirement, designed for those who want to stop working early without giving up a high-end lifestyle. It typically requires a large investment portfolio and is best suited for high earners who can save aggressively.
Isheeta Borkar, owner and author of the blog Travelicious Couple, with her husband, said the couple has been targeting FIRE for some time now. They have been traveling slowly around the world.
“FatFIRE is living it up,” Borkar said. “Think five-star trips, expensive dinners, and the freedom to say ‘yes’ to pretty much anything that calls to us. It’s a little difficult to achieve for most.”
Choosing the right FIRE path begins with understanding the numbers and tracking current expenses to determine how much is truly needed to retire.
It’s also important to assess risk tolerance; while LeanFIRE may sound appealing, it can feel too restrictive over time.
“FIRE often comes with low-income years,” Breck said. “Take advantage by converting traditional IRAs to Roths while your tax rate is minimal.”
Life stage matters, too, as FatFIRE might be unrealistic in one’s 20s but more attainable by their 40s. Most importantly, individuals should think beyond the numbers: what kind of life do they actually want to wake up to each day?
“Want to upgrade to FIRE or ChubbyFIRE?” Breck said. “I tell people to try spending like that for six months. If your portfolio holds up and your values still align, step up.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Different Levels of FIRE Retirement and How To Pick the Right One for You
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