How much do I need for Barista FIRE?

You need 25x your annual expenses minus part-time income. For example, if you spend $40,000/year and earn $15,000 part-time, you need $625,000 (25 x $25,000). This is less than full FIRE which would require $1 million.

What jobs are good for Barista FIRE?

Look for part-time work with benefits: Starbucks (health insurance at 20hrs/week), Costco, Trader Joe's, teaching, consulting, or gig work. Ideal jobs are low-stress, flexible, and provide healthcare.

Barista FIRE vs Coast FIRE?

Coast FIRE means you stop saving but work full-time for expenses. Barista FIRE means you work part-time and use savings to supplement income. Barista FIRE requires more savings but gives you more free time sooner.

Is Barista FIRE risky?

It's safer than full FIRE because you maintain income and can increase work hours if needed. Main risks are health insurance changes, market downturns, and finding suitable part-time work. Build a 1-2 year emergency fund for safety.

Barista FIRE Calculator

Calculate when you can work part-time and reach financial independence

Barista FIRE Calculator

Calculate when you can work part-time and reach financial independence. Find your Barista FIRE number with part-time income factored in.

Current Age*

Target Retirement Age*

Current Retirement Savings*

Include all retirement accounts and investments

Annual Retirement Expenses*

Expected annual spending in retirement

Expected Part-Time Income*

Annual income from part-time work (20-30 hours/week)

Expected Annual Return

Historical average is 7% after inflation

Inflation Rate

Average inflation is typically 2-3%

What is Barista FIRE?

Barista FIRE is a financial independence strategy where you save enough to cover most of your retirement needs, then work part-time to bridge the gap. The name comes from baristas at companies like Starbucks who work 20-30 hours per week and receive health insurance benefits.

Unlike full FIRE where you stop working completely, or Coast FIRE where you work full-time without saving, Barista FIRE offers a middle ground. You work fewer hours, enjoy more free time, reduce stress, and maintain benefits while your investments continue to grow.

The key advantage is you need significantly less savings than full FIRE. For example, if you spend $50,000/year and earn $20,000 part-time, you only need $750,000 (25 × $30,000) instead of $1,250,000 for full FIRE. That's $500,000 less required savings!

How to Use This Barista FIRE Calculator

1.Enter your current age, savings, and target retirement age for full FIRE.
2.Input your expected annual expenses in retirement (in today's dollars).
3.Estimate how much you'll earn working part-time (20-30 hours/week).
4.Adjust return and inflation rates based on your investment strategy.
5.View your Barista FIRE number and compare to full FIRE requirements.

Best Jobs for Barista FIRE

With Health Benefits:

•Starbucks - Benefits at 20 hrs/week
•Costco - Great pay + benefits
•Trader Joe's - Flexible schedule
•UPS - Benefits for part-timers

Flexible Options:

•Teaching/Tutoring - Use your expertise
•Consulting - Leverage career skills
•Freelancing - Work on your terms
•Gig Economy - Drive, deliver, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this tool