Beyond the FIRE Number: Coast and Barista FIRE Explained
Published on 2025-06-26 by NISM Exam Prep Team
The journey to Financial Independence doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing sprint. For many, the traditional FIRE path can seem daunting. What if you could enjoy some of the benefits of retirement—less stress, more free time—long before you've saved your full FIRE number?
Enter Coast FIRE and Barista FIRE: two brilliant, flexible strategies that act as a bridge to full retirement.
This is the final post in our introductory series. Make sure you've read about the basics of FIRE and the different FIRE lifestyles to get the full picture.
Coast FIRE: Let Compounding Do the Work
Coast FIRE is the point at which you have enough money in your retirement accounts that, without contributing another rupee, it will naturally grow (or "coast") to your full FIRE number by the time you reach traditional retirement age (e.g., 60 or 65).
Once you hit your Coast FIRE number, you're free! You no longer have to save for retirement. You only need to earn enough to cover your current living expenses. This can free you up to switch to a lower-stress job, go part-time, or start your own business without worrying about saving for the future.
Find out how much you need to reach this powerful milestone.
Calculate Your Coast FIRE Number
Coast FIRE Calculator
Barista FIRE: Semi-Retirement with Benefits
Barista FIRE is a similar concept, but it's for those who want to leave their high-stress, primary career but still need to cover some expenses with a part-time job. The name comes from the idea of working a low-stress job, like a barista, that may offer benefits like health insurance.
With Barista FIRE, you let your existing nest egg grow untouched while your part-time work covers your day-to-day costs. It's a form of semi-retirement that bridges the gap between full-time work and full financial independence.
See how much you'd need to make this a reality.
Calculate Your Barista FIRE Goal
Barista FIRE Calculator
Your Journey, Your Rules
This concludes our beginner's series on the FIRE movement. We've covered the what, why, and how, from the basic FIRE number to the flexible lifestyles of Coast and Barista FIRE.
The most important takeaway is that financial independence is a personal journey. You have the power and the tools to design a life that aligns with your values and goals.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Continue exploring with our complete Financial Calculator Hub and build the future you deserve.