independence.money

Financial independence, your way

Plan your path to financial freedom — in two minutes

A guided three-act journey from understanding where you are today to seeing exactly how long it will take to live entirely on your own terms.

Many people find us searching for FIRE — Financial Independence, Retire Early. We think that’s almost right. FI gives you the freedom to retire early. But also to keep working, just entirely on your own terms.

Financial Independence 101

New to FI? These guides cover the essentials.

What is FIRE? Financial Independence, Retire Early — Explained

FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. But the most important word is the first one. Here's what FI actually means, how to calculate your number, and why retiring early is a choice — not the goal.

What is financial independence?

Financial independence means having enough invested that your portfolio covers your living expenses — so work becomes a choice, not a requirement.

The 4% rule

The 4% rule says you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio each year in retirement. It turns a vague dream of freedom into a concrete number.

The five paths to FI

Lean FI, Coast FI, Barista FI, Full FI, and Fat FI — five distinct paths to financial independence, each suited to different lifestyles and timelines.

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