FIRE Methods Compared

Which FIRE Type Fits You?

There is no single path to financial independence. Five very different FIRE strategies exist, and the right one depends on your income, lifestyle, and what you actually want from life. Enter your numbers and we will rank them all.

⚙ Your situation
Age
30
Annual income
$100K
Annual expenses
$50K
Current portfolio
$150K
Investment return
7.0%
Barista FIRE
Best fit for your situation
🏁 Years to each FIRE type
🔗 Deep-dive calculators
Barista FIRE Coast FIRE Fat FIRE Regular FIRE Geo Arbitrage FIRE + Super Savings Rate
The five types of FIRE explained

FIRE is not one-size-fits-all. Five distinct strategies exist, each with different savings targets, timelines, and lifestyle trade-offs. Choosing the wrong one means either saving more than necessary or retiring into a lifestyle you will not enjoy. This comparison engine ranks all five based on your actual numbers.

Barista FIRE lets you retire earliest by supplementing investment income with part-time work. Coast FIRE means saving hard early, then stopping contributions entirely and letting compound growth finish the job. Lean FIRE targets a minimalist lifestyle with lower expenses and a smaller portfolio. Fat FIRE is for those who want to retire without compromising their current lifestyle. Geographic Arbitrage moves you to a lower-cost country, dramatically reducing your FIRE number.

The right choice depends on how much you earn, how much you spend, how old you are, and what kind of life you want in retirement. This tool compares all five simultaneously and recommends the best fit.

Frequently asked questions
Which type of FIRE is best?
There is no universally best type. Barista FIRE suits people who enjoy part-time work and want to retire sooner. Coast FIRE appeals to people who can save aggressively in their 20s and 30s. Fat FIRE is for high earners who want to maintain their lifestyle. Geographic Arbitrage is ideal for remote workers and adventurous types. This calculator ranks them based on your specific situation.
What is the fastest way to reach FIRE?
Geographic Arbitrage typically produces the shortest timeline because it reduces expenses by 50–70%. Barista FIRE is often second fastest because the part-time income supplement means a smaller portfolio target. The fastest path for you depends on your income, expenses, and willingness to change your lifestyle.
Can I combine FIRE methods?
Absolutely. Many people use a combination: Coast FIRE for their super (stop contributing, let it compound to 60), Barista FIRE for the bridge years (work part-time from early retirement to super access), and Geographic Arbitrage to reduce expenses during the bridge. The FIRE with Super calculator on this site models this two-phase approach.