About Coast FIRE Calculator

Our Mission

Why We Built This Tool

Coast FIRE Calculator was created to address a gap in the financial independence community. While there are many traditional FIRE calculators available, few focus specifically on the Coast FIRE strategy—a more balanced and achievable approach for many people.

We believe that financial independence shouldn't require extreme sacrifices or waiting until your 60s to enjoy life. Coast FIRE offers a middle path: save aggressively for a period, then coast to retirement while enjoying reduced financial pressure and increased life flexibility.

Our Values

Accessibility: Free tools for everyone, regardless of income level
Education: Comprehensive resources to understand financial concepts
Privacy: Your financial data stays on your device, never shared
Accuracy: Sound mathematical models based on proven principles
Transparency: Clear explanations of assumptions and limitations

What We Offer

🧮 Advanced Calculator

Comprehensive Coast FIRE calculator with customizable inputs including inflation, investment returns, and withdrawal rates. Get detailed projections for your unique situation.

📊 Visual Analytics

Interactive charts showing your path to Coast FIRE, comparing different scenarios, and visualizing how your investments will grow over time.

📚 Educational Content

Extensive guides explaining Coast FIRE concepts, the 4% rule, investment strategies, and common pitfalls to avoid on your journey.

💡 Scenario Planning

Compare different savings rates and retirement ages to find the optimal strategy for your lifestyle and goals.

🔒 Privacy First

All calculations happen in your browser. Your financial data is never transmitted to our servers or shared with third parties.

🌍 Multi-Currency Support

Calculate your Coast FIRE number in USD, EUR, GBP, CNY, JPY, CAD, AUD, and more currencies to come.

How Our Calculator Works

1

Input Your Data

Enter your current age, savings, monthly contributions, retirement age, and expected expenses. All data is stored locally on your device.

2

Set Assumptions

Customize investment return rates, inflation rates, and safe withdrawal rates based on your risk tolerance and expectations.

3

Calculate Results

Our algorithm calculates your Coast FIRE number using the time value of money and compound interest principles.

4

Visualize Your Path

See interactive charts showing your savings phase, coasting phase, and how your wealth will grow to your retirement goal.

The Math Behind It

Our calculator uses proven financial formulas:

FIRE Number: Annual Expenses ÷ Safe Withdrawal Rate
Future Value: Accounts for inflation to determine future needs
Present Value: Discounts future needs back to today using real returns
Compound Growth: Models monthly contributions and investment growth
Real Returns: Adjusts nominal returns for inflation impact

All formulas are based on standard time value of money principles taught in finance courses worldwide.

Who Should Use Coast FIRE Calculator?

✓ Perfect For

Young professionals (20s-30s) starting their FIRE journey
People seeking work-life balance without extreme frugality
Career changers wanting to pursue passion over profit
Families balancing savings with current quality of life
Anyone curious about when they can stop saving for retirement
FIRE enthusiasts exploring different FIRE strategies

⚠ May Not Be Ideal For

Those seeking to retire in the next 5 years (consider traditional FIRE)
People with highly variable income or unstable employment
Individuals with significant debt to pay off first
Those without emergency funds established
People uncomfortable with investment market volatility
Anyone seeking guaranteed financial outcomes

Coast FIRE Success Principles

Start Early

The power of compound interest is strongest when time is on your side. Starting at 25 vs 35 can cut required savings nearly in half.

Be Consistent

Regular contributions, even if modest, build wealth steadily. Automate your savings to remove temptation and maintain consistency.

Stay Flexible

Life changes. Review your plan annually and adjust as needed. Coast FIRE isn't set-it-and-forget-it—it's a dynamic strategy.

Keep Learning

Financial literacy is an ongoing journey. Read books, follow blogs, listen to podcasts, and stay informed about personal finance.

Build Buffers

Aim for 10-20% above your Coast FIRE number before stopping contributions. This provides cushion for market downturns.

Enjoy the Journey

Coast FIRE isn't just about the destination. It's about creating a life you don't need to retire from while securing your future.

Our Methodology & Assumptions

Default Assumptions

Our calculator uses the following default assumptions, all of which you can customize:

Investment Returns

Default: 7% annually
Based on historical S&P 500 returns (approximately 10% nominal, 7% real after inflation)
Assumes diversified stock portfolio
Conservative investors may use 5-6%, aggressive investors 8-9%

Inflation Rate

Default: 3% annually
Based on long-term U.S. inflation averages
Recent years have seen higher inflation, consider adjusting accordingly
This affects future expense calculations

Safe Withdrawal Rate

Default: 4% annually
Based on the Trinity Study (1998) and subsequent research
Historically safe for 30-year retirement periods
Conservative planners may use 3-3.5%, especially for early retirement

Calculation Method

Monthly compounding for investment growth
Annual adjustment for inflation
Present value discounting using real (inflation-adjusted) returns
Future value projection for retirement expense needs

Limitations to Consider

Past performance doesn't guarantee future results
Market returns are not constant or predictable
Sequence of returns risk can impact outcomes significantly
Personal circumstances vary widely
Tax implications are not included in calculations
Healthcare costs may be higher than general inflation
Social Security benefits are not included by default

Best Practices for Using This Tool

Run multiple scenarios with different assumptions
Use conservative estimates when in doubt
Build in a 10-20% safety margin
Recalculate annually as circumstances change
Consult with financial professionals for personalized advice
Consider your unique situation, not just calculator outputs

Recommended Resources

📖 Essential Reading

"Your Money or Your Life" - Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez
"The Simple Path to Wealth" - JL Collins
"Early Retirement Extreme" - Jacob Lund Fisker
"Playing with FIRE" - Scott Rieckens
"The Millionaire Next Door" - Thomas Stanley

🎙️ Podcasts

ChooseFI - Comprehensive FIRE coverage
Afford Anything - Real estate & FIRE
BiggerPockets Money - Financial independence stories
The Mad Fientist - Tax optimization & FIRE
Optimal Finance Daily - Daily finance wisdom

🌐 Blogs & Communities

Mr. Money Mustache - Frugality & FIRE lifestyle
Financial Samurai - Wealth building strategies
Mad Fientist - Tax optimization
r/financialindependence - Reddit community
r/coastFIRE - Coast FIRE specific discussion

📊 Related Tools

Compound Interest Calculator
Net Worth Tracker
Expense Analyzer
Retirement Withdrawal Calculator
Investment Portfolio Analyzer

Get in Touch

We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, feedback, or suggestions for improving Coast FIRE Calculator, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Email: [email protected]

Support: [email protected]

Press Inquiries: [email protected]

Feedback & Feature Requests

We're constantly improving Coast FIRE Calculator based on user feedback. If you have ideas for new features, additional calculators, or content you'd like to see, please let us know!

Partnership Opportunities

Interested in partnering with Coast FIRE Calculator? We're open to collaborations with financial educators, bloggers, and complementary services. Contact us to discuss opportunities.