Financial independence
Financial independence means your portfolio can cover spending without a paycheck. These pages explain the usual math, where it breaks, and which Arc tools to open next.
Guides
What is a FIRE number?
A FIRE number is annual spending divided by the withdrawal rate you are willing to use.
The 4% rule
The 4% rule is a starting withdrawal rate from historical research, not a promise.
Coast FIRE explained
Coast FIRE is the portfolio that can grow to your FIRE number without new contributions.
Sequence-of-returns risk
Early losses hurt more once you are withdrawing than while you are still contributing.
Can I afford to retire early?
Early retirement holds if spending, the portfolio, and the years without a paycheck all fit.
Investment returns and planning
A planning return is an assumption. Historical averages are context, not a contract.
Can I afford a sabbatical?
A sabbatical is a cash problem first, and a retirement-date problem second.
Planning on one income
Use the paycheck that will actually arrive, not the household you used to be.
Can I afford a bigger house?
Add the lasting housing cost to spending, then read the date again.
Tools
- FIRE number calculator
- Years to FI calculator
- Safe withdrawal calculator
- Retirement calculator
- Coast FIRE calculator
- Sequence of returns calculator
- Compound growth calculator
- Emergency fund calculator
- Savings rate calculator
- Mortgage payoff vs. invest calculator