Core FIREFIRE glossary
Defined termBarista FIRE
A hybrid state where your portfolio covers most (but not all) expenses via a conservative withdrawal, and you work part-time for the rest — often for the health benefits.
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Related terms
More from Core FIRE
Coast FIRE
The point where you have enough invested that you never need to contribute another dollar — compound growth alone will carry you to Full FIRE by traditional retirement age. You still work, but only to cover current expenses.
Chubby FIRE
The middle ground between Regular FIRE and Fat FIRE — roughly $2.5M portfolio supporting $80–100K/year spending.
Work-Optional
A softer framing of FI: you keep earning because you want to, not because you need to. Emphasizes freedom of choice over dropping out of the workforce.
FIRE
Financial Independence, Retire Early. A movement focused on aggressive saving and investing to stop working for money decades before traditional retirement. The classic target is 25× your annual expenses.
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