How to Calculate Barista FIRE
What is Barista FIRE?
Barista FIRE is a semi-retirement strategy where you reach partial financial independence and supplement your portfolio with part-time income — historically working at Starbucks for healthcare benefits in the US.
Formula
portfolio_needed = (annual_expenses - part_time_income) / withdrawal_rate
- expenses
- Annual expenses ($) — Total annual spending
- income
- Part-time income ($) — Income from part-time work
- gap
- Coverage gap ($) — Amount needed from investments
- portfolio
- Portfolio ($) — Savings needed
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Target Portfolio = (Annual Expenses − Part-time Income) × 25
- 2Part-time income reduces the portfolio needed
- 3Healthcare coverage from employer is a key benefit
- 4Allows earlier retirement with lower portfolio requirements
Worked Examples
Input
$50K expenses, $20K part-time income
Result
Effective expenses $30K → FIRE number $750K
Input
$60K expenses, $25K side income
Result
Need $875K portfolio
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Barista FIRE?
Semi-retirement: work part-time (café job, freelance) for income + benefits while living off investments. Hybrid of work and FIRE.
What are benefits of part-time work?
Health insurance (often provided), social engagement, mental stimulation, and reduced portfolio pressure.
How much part-time income do I need?
Enough to cover essentials (rent, healthcare) or reduce portfolio withdrawal. Example: $20K/year part-time + $30K portfolio withdrawal = $50K/year.
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