Calculate Your Part-Time Freedom Number
Determine how much you need to switch to part-time work while maintaining benefits and still achieving early retirement.
What is Barista FIRE? Complete Strategy Guide
Barista FIRE is a semi-retirement strategy where you save enough to partially fund your retirement, then transition to part-time work (often at companies with good benefits like Starbucks) to cover living expenses and health insurance while your portfolio continues growing. This approach bridges the gap between early retirement and Medicare eligibility at 65.
1. Build Base Portfolio
Save 50-70% of your FIRE number through aggressive saving
2. Part-Time Transition
Work 20-30 hours/week for benefits and spending money
3. Full Retirement
Retire fully when portfolio reaches FIRE number or at 65
Why "Barista"? Starbucks famously offers health insurance to employees working 20+ hours/week. Other companies like Trader Joe's, REI, Costco, and UPS offer similar benefits for part-timers.
Calculator Assumptions & Methodology
• Part-Time Income: $2,000-3,000/month typical
• Health Insurance Value: $500-1,000/month
• Portfolio Target: 50-70% of full FIRE number
• Expected Returns: 7% annual (historical S&P 500)
• Inflation: 3% (Federal Reserve target)
• Withdrawal Rate: 4% (Trinity Study)
💡 Barista FIRE typically requires $400,000-600,000 vs $1M+ for full FIRE. Learn more in our Barista vs Coast FIRE comparison.
Financial Details
Your age today
When to go part-time
Stop working entirely
Total invested assets
Current monthly spending
Current retirement savings
Expected monthly (after tax)
Health Insurance Coverage
Real Barista FIRE Examples
Jennifer, 38 - Marketing Director
💡 Jennifer can reach Barista FIRE in 1 year, then work 25 hrs/week at a bookstore she loves while her portfolio grows to $1M by age 50.
David & Lisa, 42 - Dual Income
💡 This couple can both switch to part-time NOW. One works at REI (outdoor passion), the other freelances. Health insurance through REI.
Popular Part-Time Jobs with Benefits
• Starbucks: 20 hrs/week for full benefits
• Trader Joe's: Excellent health coverage
• REI: Outdoor gear discounts + benefits
• Costco: High hourly wage + benefits
• UPS: Strong union benefits
• Apple Retail: Tech benefits + stock
☕ Master Your Barista FIRE Strategy - Essential Resources
Barista FIRE offers the perfect balance between financial security and lifestyle flexibility. Learn from our comprehensive guides.
Looking for the full FIRE Calculator?
Calculate your complete path to financial independence with Monte Carlo simulation
Barista FIRE is a hybrid retirement strategy where you achieve partial financial independence and transition to part-time work that provides health insurance and supplemental income.
Key Components:
- Lower savings target: Typically 50-70% of full FIRE number
- Part-time income: Covers gap between portfolio income and expenses
- Health insurance: Often the primary benefit of part-time work
- Flexibility: Choose work you enjoy without financial pressure
The Math Behind It:
Barista FIRE Number = (Annual Expenses - Part-Time Income) × 25
Instead of saving 25× your annual expenses, you only need 25× the gap between expenses and part-time income.