Barista FIRE Calculator
See how a part-time income shrinks the portfolio you need to retire — the Barista FIRE number your investments must cover.
How it works
Portfolio draw = max(0, expenses − part-time income) · Barista FIRE number = draw ÷ SWR
Barista FIRE is a hybrid: you leave your full-time career but keep a lower-stress part-time job whose income covers part of your expenses. Your portfolio only has to fund the remaining gap, so the nest egg you need shrinks dramatically. Every dollar of reliable part-time income removes 25 dollars of required savings at a 4% withdrawal rate.
Worked example
With $50,000 of expenses and $20,000 from part-time work, your portfolio must cover the $30,000 gap. At a 4% withdrawal rate that is $30,000 ÷ 0.04 = $750,000 — versus $1,250,000 to retire with no job at all.
Frequently asked questions
What is Barista FIRE?
It is early semi-retirement where a part-time job (the classic example being a barista who also gets health benefits) covers some living costs, so your investments only need to fund the rest. It lets you leave a demanding career years earlier than full FIRE would allow.
How much does part-time work reduce my FIRE number?
At a 4% withdrawal rate, each $1,000 of annual part-time income cuts your required portfolio by $25,000. Reliable, ongoing income has an outsized effect on the nest egg you need.
Does this include health insurance?
No — this only compares income and expenses. Many people pursue Barista FIRE specifically for employer health coverage, so add any premiums you would otherwise pay to your expenses figure.
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Educational estimate, not financial advice.