Achieve Freedom Through Frugality
Calculate your path to early retirement with minimalist living, typically requiring $1M or less for financial independence.
What is Lean FIRE? Complete Minimalist Strategy
Lean FIRE is achieving financial independence with minimal annual expenses, typically $40,000 or less per year. This approach requires a smaller portfolio (usually $750K-$1M) compared to traditional FIRE, making early retirement accessible faster through frugal living, geographic arbitrage, and focusing on experiences over material possessions.
1. Minimize Expenses
Live on $30K-40K/year through mindful consumption
2. Smaller Portfolio
Target $750K-$1M vs $1.5M+ for traditional FIRE
3. Intentional Living
Prioritize value, relationships, and experiences
Geographic Arbitrage: Many Lean FIRE achievers relocate to lower cost-of-living areas or countries. Popular destinations include Southeast Asia, Central America, and rural U.S. regions where $40K goes much further.
Lean FIRE Calculator Assumptions
• Annual Spending: $30,000-40,000 max
• FIRE Number: $750,000-1,000,000
• Housing: Often rent-free or low-cost
• Withdrawal Rate: 4% (Trinity Study)
• Returns: 7% annual (S&P 500 historical)
• Healthcare: ACA subsidies or travel insurance
💡 Lean FIRE typically means retiring 5-10 years earlier than traditional FIRE. Learn strategies in our Complete Lean FIRE Guide.
Lean FIRE Planning
Your age today
When to achieve Lean FIRE
Total invested assets
Gross monthly income
Current spending
Amount saved monthly
Target Lean Spending
Max $3333/mo for Lean FIRE
Budget Breakdown
Monthly housing costs
Monthly food spending
Car/transit costs
Insurance & medical
Everything else
Geographic Arbitrage
Risk Management
Months of expenses covered
Real Lean FIRE Examples
Alex, 32 - Remote Developer
💡 Alex lives in rural Tennessee, grows food, and plans to travel internationally in retirement where USD goes further.
Maya, 29 - Teacher
💡 Maya house hacks (rents rooms), bikes everywhere, and plans to teach English abroad part-time after FIRE.
Common Lean FIRE Strategies
• House Hacking: Eliminate housing costs
• Car-Free Living: Bike/walk/public transit
• Meal Prep: $200-300/month food budget
• Travel Rewards: Free flights via churning
• DIY Everything: Repairs, haircuts, etc.
• Free Entertainment: Libraries, nature, community
🌿 Master Lean FIRE Living - Essential Resources
Lean FIRE proves that financial freedom doesn't require millions. Learn how to maximize happiness while minimizing expenses.
Prefer a more comfortable retirement?
Try our Fat FIRE Calculator for luxury retirement planning
Lean FIRE is achieving financial independence with minimal expenses, typically living on $40,000 or less per year, requiring around $1 million or less in invested assets.
Core Principles:
- Minimalism: Focus on needs vs wants, intentional consumption
- Frugality: Maximize value from every dollar spent
- Simplicity: Reduce complexity and overhead in life
- Sustainability: Live below means indefinitely
The Numbers:
Lean FIRE Number = Annual Expenses × 25
$40,000/year × 25 = $1,000,000
With the 4% rule, $1M provides $40K annual income indefinitely, adjusted for inflation.