Lean FIRE Calculator
Retire early on a lean budget
Your Lean FIRE Number
$189,759
Lean Age
38
Time Left
8 years
FIRE Goal
$720,000
You'll reach Lean FIRE at age 38. After that, compound growth alone gets you to $720,000.
Portfolio Projection
Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Age | Contributions | Growth | Withdrawals | Balance | FIRE % | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | $18,000 | $3,500 | -- | $71,500 | 6.9% | Saving |
| 31 | $18,000 | $5,005 | -- | $94,505 | 9.9% | Saving |
| 32 | $18,000 | $6,615 | -- | $119,120 | 13.1% | Saving |
| 33 | $18,000 | $8,338 | -- | $145,459 | 16.5% | Saving |
| 34 | $18,000 | $10,182 | -- | $173,641 | 20.2% | Saving |
| 35 | $18,000 | $12,155 | -- | $203,796 | 24.1% | Saving |
| 36 | $18,000 | $14,266 | -- | $236,061 | 28.3% | Saving |
| 37 | $18,000 | $16,524 | -- | $270,586 | 32.8% | Saving |
| 38 | -- | $18,941 | -- | $289,527 | 37.6% | Coasting |
| 39 | -- | $20,267 | -- | $309,794 | 40.2% | Coasting |
What is Lean FIRE?
The minimalist approach to financial independence -- building a portfolio to support a frugal lifestyle indefinitely, targeting around 60% of average household spending.
For someone who normally spends $48,000/year, Lean FIRE would target about $28,800/year in retirement. The advantage is speed: with a lower target, you can reach financial independence years or even decades sooner than traditional FIRE. The tradeoff is living on a tight budget with limited room for luxury or unexpected expenses.
Is Lean FIRE Right for You?
Lean FIRE works best if you:
Naturally frugal
You enjoy a minimalist lifestyle and don't feel deprived by it.
Flexible on location
You live in or are willing to move to a low cost-of-living area.
Low healthcare costs
Good health or will qualify for ACA subsidies.
Free or low-cost hobbies
Your passions don't require big spending.
Comfortable with some risk
A tighter budget means less margin for error.
If you want more financial cushion, consider Coast FIRE (stop saving but keep working) or Fat FIRE (retire with a generous budget).