Car Total Cost of Ownership Priced in FI Months
Run the keep, used, or new car decision as FIRE math. Compare car total cost of ownership, find the repair crossover, count months added to FI date.
FIREnomics
Practical FIRE movement guides on savings rate, index funds, the 4% rule, and withdrawal strategy for reaching financial independence and retiring early.
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4% Rule vs the Real 2016 to 2024 Market Path
We ran the actual 2016 to 2024 markets through a 4% rule FIRE portfolio. The COVID crash, 2022 slump, and inflation spike left a ledger and new rules.
Why FIRE Movement Regrets Skew Toward Saving Too Much
FIRE movement regrets skew toward saving too much. Overspending is recoverable; a missed window is not. Use a reversibility test and a regret budget.
Savings Rate vs Investment Returns at the FIRE Crossover
Savings rate vs investment returns: past a calculable crossover point, returns move your FIRE date more than scrimping. See the $50k to $2M lever table.
What Is Your Desired Salary? Price It Like an Investor
Answer 'What is your desired salary?' with a range that protects your FIRE date, because at a 40 percent savings rate every $1,000 of base pay compounds.
Are Guru Courses Worth It? The Expected Value Math
Are guru courses worth it? The expected value math says usually no. We compare $997 tuitions to 15 years of index fund returns and give a strict buy rule.
The 4% Rule Early Retirement Math Breaks at 50 Years
The 4% rule early retirement math breaks at 50 years. Its flat 30-year assumption misprices go-go, slow-go, and no-go costs, so build a stage schedule.
Rental Properties vs Index Funds Priced as a Second Job
Rental properties vs index funds, priced as a job. Tally landlording's real hours, compute the implicit hourly wage, and check when rentals win.
FIRE on a $65,000 Salary, Priced in Real Dollars
FIRE on a $65,000 salary works, just not at a 50 to 70 percent savings rate. See the dollar floor math, the honest timeline, and the lever that moves it.
One More Year Syndrome Priced in Childhood Summers
Priced in weeks, one more year syndrome spends 12.5 percent of a ten-year-old's remaining at-home summers. Run both ledgers, then decide by rule.
Why Side Hustle Income Breaks FIRE Timeline Math
Side hustle income modeled on day one quietly breaks your FIRE timeline. Model the ramp, price the dead zone, and protect your savings rate.
How Much Should You Save for Retirement? Two Inputs Decide
How much should you save for retirement? FIRE math prices the two inputs the 15% rule skips, your portfolio multiple and your savings rate definition.