The Barista FIRE Calculator is your personal planning tool for a more flexible, less stressful path to financial independence. Barista FIRE is a lifestyle strategy where you achieve partial financial independence and then bridge the gap to full retirement with part-time work. This approach gives you the freedom to leave your full-time job earlier, reduce burnout, and enjoy more time for what really matters—without sacrificing your long-term financial goals. You can read a deep-dive post from Anna on our Blog.

With this calculator, you’ll first enter your current data—your age, income, expenses, and investment portfolio. This creates the foundation for your Barista FIRE journey and helps estimate how much you can save and invest each month before transitioning into a new work-life rhythm.

Next, you’ll define your Barista FIRE age—the point where you plan to shift from full-time work to part-time work. At this stage, your investment portfolio will begin to play a supporting role by covering part of your living expenses, while your part-time income takes care of the rest. This significantly reduces the amount you need to withdraw from your portfolio early on, giving it more time to grow and ensuring it lasts longer.

Finally, you’ll set your full retirement age—when you stop working entirely and your portfolio fully funds your lifestyle. The calculator uses your expected retirement expenses and investment growth to determine whether you’re on track to cover these costs sustainably. You’ll also define key assumptions like expected portfolio growth and your Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR), which help simulate your wealth development and ensure you don’t outlive your savings.

Everything works together to model three key life phases:

• Before Barista FIRE: You’re in full accumulation mode, saving and investing as much as possible.
• During Barista FIRE: You work part-time while drawing less from your investments, giving them more time to grow.
• After Barista FIRE: Your portfolio carries you through full retirement, supporting your chosen lifestyle.

You’ll also receive your personalized FIRE number—the total portfolio amount you need to reach full financial independence. Knowing this number gives you clarity and confidence, helping you understand when you’re ready to fully step away from work.

The Barista FIRE Calculator empowers you to design a balanced life that blends purpose, freedom, and financial security—on your terms. Whether you’re dreaming of a career break, more time with family, or simply fewer work hours, this tool helps make it a reality.