Lifestyle February 3, 2026 FIRE Advocate @ eCalcy 14 min read

FIRE Movement: How to Retire at 40

Financial Independence, Retire Early. Discover the movement that's helping thousands quit the 9-to-5 grind decades early.

FIRE is not about being rich; it's about being free. By living frugally and investing aggressively, you can reach a 'Number' where your investments cover your expenses forever.

The 4% Safe Withdrawal Rule

The foundation of FIRE in 2026 remains the 4% rule. It states that if you can live on 4% of your total portfolio each year, adjusted for inflation, your money is highly likely to last 30+ years. This means you need a portfolio 25 times your annual expenses to retire early.

Set Your FIRE Goal

Use our AI Goals feature to track your progress toward financial independence and early retirement.

Lean FIRE vs Fat FIRE

In 2026, the community has split into 'Lean FIRE' (minimalist lifestyle) and 'Fat FIRE' (luxury retirement). Whichever path you choose, the key is a high 'Savings Rate'—aiming to save 50% to 70% of your income to reach the finish line in your 30s or 40s.

Put this into practice

Start planning your lifestyle with our free Goals Tracker.