Find the portfolio you need to retire early on a minimalist lifestyle — and see exactly how many years it will take.
01 · Inputs
Adjust to see your Lean FIRE progress update instantly.
Default 4% (Trinity study)
After inflation. Default 5%
02 · Result
Lean FIRE #
$750k
Gap
$670k
Years
18.6
$750,000
$80,000
$670,000
10.7%
18.6 yrs
$752,106
Future value over time assuming your inputs hold steady.
Lean FIRE is a version of Financial Independence, Retire Early built around a deliberately minimalist lifestyle. You aim for a portfolio that can cover modest annual expenses indefinitely — typically $25,000–$40,000 per year — letting you stop working far sooner than with traditional FIRE.
Traditional FIRE targets a lifestyle at or above current spending. Lean FIRE intentionally trims fixed costs so a smaller nest egg is enough. It rewards low housing, healthcare, and transportation costs — and demands more discipline once retired.
Lean FIRE is a version of Financial Independence, Retire Early built around a deliberately minimalist lifestyle. You aim for a portfolio that can cover modest annual expenses indefinitely — typically $25,000–$40,000 per year — letting you stop working far sooner than with traditional FIRE.
Multiply your lean annual expenses by 25 (a 4% withdrawal rate). For example, $30,000 in annual spending requires a $750,000 portfolio. Lower withdrawal rates (3.25–3.5%) require larger nest eggs but improve long-term safety.
Yes, for households comfortable with intentional, low-cost living. It works best when housing, healthcare, and transportation costs are kept low. It is more fragile than Fat FIRE, so building a buffer or side income is wise.
The 4% rule (Trinity Study) is the most common starting point. For very early retirements (40+ years), many lean retirees use 3.25–3.5% to add safety. Use the input to model your own assumption.
Coast FIRE is when your invested portfolio is large enough to grow into a full FIRE number on its own — you just need to cover current expenses until retirement age. Lean FIRE is a complete stop, funded by a smaller-than-traditional portfolio.
Barista FIRE blends a partial portfolio with part-time work (often for benefits like health insurance). Lean FIRE assumes the portfolio covers 100% of expenses with no required earned income.
Learn what Lean FIRE means, how it differs from traditional FIRE, and the assumptions behind a minimalist early retirement before making important financial decisions.