FIRE math, no fluff

June 9, 2026

Discover how historical S&P 500, bond mixes, and inflation-adjusted returns inform a sensible 7% default for retirement planning

May 30, 2026

Pre-tax Traditional 401(k) or post-tax Roth 401(k) for FIRE? Compare and choose the best for your retirement plan

May 27, 2026

Compare VTI and VTSAX, two versions of the same fund with different wrappers, to decide which one suits your investment needs based on fees, tax efficiency, and automation

May 26, 2026

Discover the difference between financial freedom and independence, and how it affects your retirement plans with specific numbers and examples.

May 25, 2026

Discover how to increase your savings rate from 10% to 40%+ by optimizing housing, transport, and food expenses, the big three that make a real difference

May 23, 2026

Discover how to calculate your FIRE number, understand sequence of returns risk, and plan for healthcare costs in early retirement, all backed by real math.

May 22, 2026

Discover how a high savings rate can lead to early retirement, even on a modest income, and learn how to calculate yours with a free tool.

May 21, 2026

Discover how compound interest impacts early retirement and why the first $100k is the hardest to save, affecting your working years dramatically.

May 19, 2026

Learn how to calculate your savings rate and move the three biggest levers to achieve financial independence, retire early with a high savings rate

May 18, 2026

Calculate your monthly savings required to reach a $1M or $2M FIRE number by working backward from your desired retirement age, using real numbers and examples.

May 17, 2026

Discover how to optimize your retirement savings by understanding the tradeoffs between 401k and taxable brokerage accounts, including bridge strategies and Roth conversion ladders.

May 16, 2026

Learn the core concept, math, and common misconceptions of FIRE, and take the first three steps towards achieving financial independence

May 15, 2026

Calculate your Coast FIRE number by age 25, 30, 35, or 40 to achieve financial independence by 65 without further contributions, using real math and examples.

May 14, 2026

Discover how a higher savings rate can significantly reduce the years to retirement, with concrete examples and calculations.

May 13, 2026

Discover how to calculate your true hourly rate, including commute time, work prep, and stress costs, to make informed decisions about your career.

May 11, 2026

Discover how to calculate years to retirement with a focus on savings rate and expenses, achieving financial independence in surprisingly few years

May 10, 2026

Reviewing the 4% rule's validity in a high-CAPE world, including updates from Bengen and Kitces's research.

May 9, 2026

Discover how a $500/mo or $1k/mo side hustle can shorten your FIRE timeline using real math and compounding interest

May 8, 2026

Discover how much passive income you need to retire, comparing dividend yield, bond ladders, and 4% rule withdrawals at different target spend levels.

May 7, 2026

Discover the math behind the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, its criticisms, and why it persists with a 25x rule and 4% withdrawal rate

May 6, 2026

Learn how to estimate and manage healthcare costs in early retirement, including ACA subsidies, MAGI management, and HSAs.

May 5, 2026

Compare the numbers and lifestyle trade-offs of Lean FIRE, Fat FIRE, and Barista FIRE to find your path to financial independence.

May 2, 2026

Learn how to calculate your retirement number with our step-by-step guide, including worked examples and adjustments for part-time income, to achieve financial independence.

April 30, 2026

Compare Empower and Wealthfront for tracking net worth and robo investing, including fees, minimums, and tax features.

April 29, 2026

Compare High-Yield Savings and Money Market accounts for emergency funds, considering yields, fees, and risks

April 28, 2026

Compare Empower and Personal Capital, formerly one product, now rebranded, to find the best fit for your financial planning needs.

April 27, 2026

Compare real estate and index funds for financial independence, considering cap rates, fees, and maintenance requirements

April 26, 2026

Compare Wealthfront and Betterment on fees, tax-loss harvesting, and target audience to decide which robo-advisor is best for your investments.

April 25, 2026

Calculate your FIRE number using the 25x rule with examples for $40k, $60k, and $80k annual spend to achieve financial independence.

April 24, 2026

Discover how relocating to a lower-cost city or country can impact your FIRE number and learn to calculate your new financial goals with tax implications in mind

April 23, 2026

Discover how sequence of returns risk can derail early retirement plans, even with high average returns, and learn to mitigate this risk

April 23, 2026

Discover how to retire early on an average salary with a 30%+ savings rate, using real numbers to achieve financial independence in 15-20 years