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The math behind retiring early. No fluff.

What is Coast FIRE? How to calculate your number

Coast FIRE is the point where you can stop saving entirely and still retire on time. Here's the math, with examples at every age.

The Trinity Study, why 25x expenses works, when it doesn't, and what to do about sequence of returns risk.

One requires $600k, the other $2.5M. The difference in years of work might surprise you.

Annual expenses × 25 is the simple version. Here's how to calculate it properly with taxes, healthcare, and different withdrawal rates.

Quit your career years sooner by covering the gap with part-time income. Real numbers at every spending level.

A 50% savings rate beats a 12% return in the first decade. Here's the math on why contributions dominate early.

Requires a 65% savings rate. Here's the year-by-year roadmap, what income you need, and where to put the money.

Critics call it a sham, financial anorexia, and obsolete. Here's what they get wrong, what they get right, and why the math still works.

Coast FIRE assumes you can always find work to cover expenses. AI is disrupting that assumption. Here's how to adapt.

Sequence of returns risk can destroy your retirement in year one. Most FIRE investors stay too aggressive too long.

The real numbers at every spending level — plus the gap problem, healthcare costs, and Social Security timing that most articles skip.