FIRE Planning9 min read
Coast FIRE Calculator: Find Out If You Can Stop Saving Today
Use our Coast FIRE calculator to find your exact coast number. Enter your age, savings, and target — get a verdict in 60 seconds.
June 12, 2026
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FIRE Planning Blog
Guides, strategies, and retirement math for the financial independence community.
Tax Strategy8 min read
Mega Backdoor Roth: The $69,000 Loophole for High Earners
The mega backdoor Roth lets high earners contribute up to $69,000/year to a Roth. Here's the exact step-by-step process to execute it in 2026.
June 10, 2026
Read articleFIRE Planning8 min read
How to Use a FIRE Calculator: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn exactly how to use a FIRE calculator to find your financial independence number. Real examples, step-by-step inputs, and what the results actually mean.
June 5, 2026
Read articleRetirement Income9 min read
Safe Withdrawal Rate: What 150 Years of Data Shows
The 4 percent rule works — but only 86% of the time. 150 years of market data reveals the real safe withdrawal rate for your retirement.
June 5, 2026
Read articleInvestment Strategy9 min read
The Three-Fund Portfolio: Why Simple Beats Complex for FIRE
The three-fund portfolio beats 90% of actively managed funds over 20 years. Here's the exact allocation, math, and FIRE strategy behind it.
June 3, 2026
Read articleMarket Commentary9 min read
Market Crash What to Do: Your Bear Market Playbook
Stock market drop 20%+? Here's the exact bear market strategy to protect your portfolio, avoid panic mistakes, and buy smarter. Data-backed steps inside.
June 1, 2026
Read articleLifestyle Design9 min read
Health Insurance Before 65: Every Option for Early Retirees (2026)
Health insurance for early retirement doesn't have to cost a fortune. Compare every 2026 option — ACA, COBRA, spouse plans, and more — with real numbers.
May 29, 2026
Read articleFIRE Planning9 min read
Coast FIRE by Age: Your Exact Number at 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45
Find your coast FIRE number by age. We show the exact savings targets at 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 — with real math and a free calculator.
May 27, 2026
Read articleTax Strategy8 min read
Roth Conversion Ladder: The Early Retiree's Complete Playbook
The Roth conversion ladder lets early retirees access retirement funds penalty-free before 59½. Here's the exact step-by-step playbook with real math.
May 25, 2026
Read articleRetirement Income8 min read
Social Security Break-Even Calculator: When to Claim
Use our Social Security break-even calculator to find your optimal claim age. Claiming at 70 vs 62 can mean $200k+ more lifetime income.
May 22, 2026
Read articleFIRE Planning8 min read
Retirement Calculator: How to Model Your Exact Retirement Date
Use a retirement calculator to find your exact FIRE date. Step-by-step guide with 3 worked examples, key inputs, and how to interpret your results.
May 21, 2026
Read articleWithdrawal Strategy9 min read
The 4% Rule: Does It Still Work in 2026?
The 4% rule has guided retirement planning for 30 years. Here's what the original research actually said, what's changed, and how to adjust it for longer retirements.
April 6, 2026
Read articleTax Strategy10 min read
Roth Conversion Ladder: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Early retirees can access traditional IRA funds before age 59½ penalty-free using a Roth conversion ladder. Here's exactly how it works, with 2026 tax brackets.
April 6, 2026
Read articleFIRE Basics8 min read
How to Calculate Your FIRE Number (And Why It's Probably Lower Than You Think)
Your FIRE number is the portfolio size at which you can retire. The 25x rule gives a quick answer, but adjustments for Social Security, housing, and partial income can cut millions off the target.
April 6, 2026
Read articleWithdrawal Strategy9 min read
Sequence of Returns Risk: Why It Matters More Than Average Returns
Two retirees can experience the same average return over 30 years but have completely different outcomes depending on when the bad years hit. This is sequence of returns risk — and it's the main reason average-return calculators mislead.
April 6, 2026
Read articleHealthcare10 min read
Healthcare Before 65: How to Plan for Early Retirement Medical Costs
Retiring before Medicare eligibility at 65 means 10–25 years of self-funded healthcare. Here's how to minimize costs using the ACA marketplace, HSAs, and income management strategies.
April 6, 2026
Read articleFIRE Milestones7 min read
Coast FIRE Explained: When Can You Stop Contributing?
Coast FIRE is the portfolio balance at which compounding alone will grow your savings to your full FIRE number — meaning you never need to contribute another dollar. Here's how to calculate it and what it means for your career.
April 6, 2026
Read articleWithdrawal Strategy9 min read
Safe Withdrawal Rate in 2026: What the Research Actually Says
The 4% rule is the starting point, but a full picture of safe withdrawal rate research includes Pfau's lower estimates for long retirements, dynamic withdrawal strategies, and CAPE-ratio adjustments for current valuations.
April 6, 2026
Read articleSocial Security9 min read
Social Security at 62 vs. 67 vs. 70: The Break-Even Analysis
Claiming Social Security early means smaller checks for life. Delaying means larger ones. The break-even age is typically 78–82 — here's how to do the math for your situation.
April 6, 2026
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