What is Barista FIRE?
Barista FIRE is a form of semi-retirement. You leave full-time work once your investments can cover the gap between your spending and what a part-time or lower-stress job pays. The name comes from people taking jobs at coffee shops partly for the health insurance, but the part-time work can be anything: consulting, seasonal work or a passion project.
Barista FIRE formula
Example: you spend $55,000 a year and can earn $25,000 part time. Your portfolio needs to cover $30,000, so at a 4% withdrawal rate your Barista FIRE number is $750,000, compared with $1,375,000 for full FIRE. That can mean leaving full-time work 8 to 10 years earlier.
Barista FIRE vs Coast FIRE
With Coast FIRE you stop saving but your job still covers all of your spending. With Barista FIRE you start withdrawing from your portfolio, and work covers only part of your spending. Barista FIRE needs a larger portfolio than Coast FIRE but lets you work less.
Things to plan for
- Health insurance: part-time jobs with benefits, or ACA marketplace plans with income-based subsidies.
- Job flexibility: if part-time income stops, withdrawals must rise. Keep a cash buffer.
- The path to full FIRE: if you withdraw less than the safe rate, your portfolio may keep growing until it reaches your full FIRE number.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need for Barista FIRE?
Is Barista FIRE the same as semi-retirement?
Last reviewed: 2026-10-09