Part-Time FIRE Calculator
See how part-time income shrinks the nest egg you need to retire — the Barista FIRE math on portfolio size and years of work saved.
How it works
Portfolio = (annual expenses − part-time income) ÷ withdrawal rate · Full FIRE = expenses ÷ withdrawal rate
Part-time or "Barista" FIRE covers part of your spending with light work so your portfolio only has to fund the remainder. Because the nest egg you need is your uncovered expenses divided by a safe withdrawal rate, every dollar of reliable part-time income removes many dollars from the required portfolio — at a 4% rate, $1 of annual income replaces $25 of savings. That leverage can bring financial independence years closer, and often comes with side benefits like employer health coverage.
Worked example
With $50,000 of expenses and a 4% withdrawal rate, full FIRE needs $1,250,000. Earning $20,000 part-time leaves $30,000 to fund from the portfolio, so you need only $750,000 — a $500,000 smaller nest egg.
Frequently asked questions
What is Barista FIRE?
It is a version of financial independence where you retire from full-time work but keep a part-time or low-stress job to cover some expenses (and sometimes get health benefits), so your investments do not have to fund everything.
Why does a little income cut the portfolio so much?
The portfolio you need equals uncovered expenses divided by your withdrawal rate. At a 4% rate that divisor is 25, so each $1,000 of annual part-time income reduces the required nest egg by about $25,000.
What withdrawal rate should I use?
Many use 4% as a starting point based on historical studies, but a longer retirement or more caution argues for 3–3.5%. A lower rate raises the portfolio you need; test a few values to see the sensitivity.
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Educational estimate using simplified assumptions — not tax, legal or financial advice. Verify limits and rules with the IRS or a qualified advisor.