If you’re searching for a realistic, empowering way to achieve financial freedom—without giving up your lifestyle—then the Coast FIRE strategy might be the answer. You don’t have to wait until 65 to enjoy life. In fact, with Coast FIRE, the goal is to enjoy life now while still planning for a secure retirement in the future.
What Is the Coast FIRE Strategy?
The Coast FIRE strategy allows you to front-load your retirement savings early in life, then stop making contributions while your investments grow on their own. Once your nest egg hits a certain amount, you can simply coast, earning just enough to cover current expenses, no longer needing to save more for retirement. You can then redirect your retirement savings to paying off the mortgage faster, or take the opportunity to switch to a less stressful, more fulfilling career.
You’re still working, yes—but only because you want to. You’re no longer stuck. And that changes everything. Some people even keep the same jobs, but feel less stressed and more in control knowing that they can quit at any time.
Use this Coast FIRE Calculator to find your number—it’s the simplest way to see if you’re on track.
Why Coast FIRE Is Easier Than Traditional FIRE
Here’s the part that may surprise you: Coast FIRE is a much easier and more attainable way to reach financial independence than traditional FIRE. Traditional FIRE usually requires you to intensely save 50–70% of your income for 10- 20 years until you can quit working completely. For many people, that means intense frugality, extreme discipline, and years of delaying joy. It can be lonely. It can be stressful. And worst of all, you might miss the best years of your life while you are young and fit, chasing a future goal that may not be as wonderful as you think.
Traditional FIRE assumes you’ll have enough money invested so that you never have to work again in your life. Coast FIRE assumes that you’ll get a nest egg set up, ready to compound while you get on finding fulfilling and enjoyable work that covers your current expenses. Coast FIRE still enables you to retire when you are older and your investment pot has grown quietly in the background. The assumption is that you’ll continue to work, but doing something you love. Once your retirement account is adequately funded, you no longer need to grind or climb. You just need to cover your present-day expenses.
That means less pressure. Less burnout. And more freedom to enjoy your life fully now.
A Real-Life Example: Meet Jen
Let me share Jen’s story.
At 28, Jen was working long hours at a tech company, making $85,000 a year. She felt drained. Her job was high stress, and she couldn’t imagine doing it for another 30 years. Then she learned about the Coast FIRE strategy.
She ran the numbers using the Walletburst Coast FIRE Calculator. She realized that if she saved $150,000 by age 35, she could stop contributing to her retirement entirely. Her investments, assuming average returns, would grow to over $1 million by the time she hit 65.
So she made some short-term sacrifices. She saved aggressively. She house-hacked with roommates and cut back on extras. And by age 35, Jen hit her goal. Then she quit.
Not work—she quit her job. She left the tech world behind and launched a life coaching business helping women in STEM. Her income dropped, but it was enough to cover her living expenses. She was finally doing work she loved. Because she finds fulfilment in her work, she now feels no need to retire early and plans to continue working until 67 when her Social Security kicks in.
Coast FIRE Opens the Door to a Career You Love
This is where Coast FIRE becomes more than a financial strategy—it becomes a life strategy.
Once you reach your Coast FIRE number, you gain the freedom to leave toxic work environments, pivot careers, go back to school, or build your dream business. You can work part-time. You can travel. And you get to build a life so fulfilling, you never want to retire from it.
If you’re ready for that kind of freedom but don’t know what kind of work lights you up, check out our Career Change Kit. It’s designed to help you discover your ideal career based on your natural talents and values.
Let’s Talk About the Risks
As liberating as Coast FIRE is, it’s not without its risks:
1. Sequence of Returns Risk
If your investments take a big hit just before or after you retire, it could derail your whole plan, but this is also true of all retirement plans. Sequence of returns risk can decimate a portfolio if you are taking money out during a severe market crash, sometimes to the point of no recovery. A bad few years can have lasting effects, especially if you’re not contributing anymore.
2. Flat Market Decades
If the market underperforms during your “coast” years—especially your final decade—you may not see your nest egg double as projected. This could delay retirement or force you to adjust your lifestyle.
That’s why it’s essential to build in reserves, keep flexible income options, and check in regularly on your progress.
Ready to Coast Toward a Life You Love?
If you’re stuck in a job you dread and craving more meaning, Coast FIRE can be your way out. Start saving now. Build your cushion. Then use your freedom to pivot into a life of joy and fulfillment sooner rather than later.
Let the Financial Independence, Retire Early Course guide you step-by-step through this transformation.
And if you’re unsure of your ideal path, the Career Change Kit will help you find the work you were meant to do.
