Quiz: Coast, Barista, Lean or Fat? Which FIRE Retire Early Style Is Right For You?
Test your knowledge of the different types of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) with this short quiz.
The Financial Independence, Retire Early, or FIRE movement is getting an upgrade. Whether it's coast FIRE or Barista FIRE, there are now several variations of the quarter-century-old way of tackling early retirement.
The FIRE concept is simple (well, it was simple). Save and invest aggressively so you can retire well before the average retirement age of 62. Since achieving financial freedom isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, variations of FIRE have emerged to suit different lifestyles.
Popular ones include:
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Coast FIRE: Particularly appealing to older adults, with this take on FIRE, you save aggressively to achieve your retirement number, and after that, you “coast” until your retirement age. Once you hit your number, the pressure to save is gone, which enables you to adjust your lifestyle, whether that's transitioning to a less stressful job, reducing the hours you work, or even taking time off.
Barista FIRE: In a nod to the flexibility a job at a coffee shop affords you, with the Barista FIRE approach, you work to save enough to cover the majority of your expenses in retirement, but plan to work part-time for supplemental income. The idea is to secure a stress-free, flexible job that offers health insurance benefits.
Lean FIRE: Being frugal is the cornerstone of Lean FIRE. Yes, you retire early, no, you don’t need a lot to do it. With this approach, people aim to retire on a very modest budget. By reducing living expenses, the goal is to build a small nest egg so that you can retire early.
Fat FIRE: The opposite of Lean FIRE is Fat FIRE. The idea is to save a ton of money to not only retire early but to do it in style. The goal is to amass enough money by saving and investing aggressively to live lavishly in retirement.
Now that you know the different types of FIRE, let's test your FIRE IQ and see where you fit in.
Related content
-
The SEC Is Concerned for Older Investors and Retirement Savers. Here's What You Should KnowThe SEC focusing on older investors, retirement and college savers, and private securities. Here's how those changes impact you.
-
Vesting, Catch-Ups and Roths: The 401(k) Knowledge QuizQuiz Test your understanding of key 401(k) concepts with our quick quiz.
-
Why You Should Pay Attention to Company GuidanceUnderstanding how corporate profit forecasts affect analysts’ estimates and stock ratings can help you make investment decisions.
-
Vesting, Catch-Ups and Roths: The 401(k) Knowledge Quiz
Quiz Test your understanding of key 401(k) concepts with our quick quiz.
-
The 2026 Retirement Catch-Up Curveball: What High Earners Over 50 Need to Know NowUnlock the secrets of the 2026 retirement catch-up provisions: A must-read for high earners aged 50 and above.
-
A 5-Step Plan for Parents of Children With Special Needs, From a Financial PlannerGuidance to help ensure your child's needs are supported now and in the future – while protecting your own financial well-being.
-
I'm 59 With $1.7 Million Saved and Just Lost My Job. Should I Retire at 59½, or Find New Work?We asked professional wealth planners for advice.
-
A Wealth Adviser Explains: 4 Times I'd Give the Green Light for a Roth Conversion (and 4 Times I'd Say It's a No-Go)Roth conversions should never be done on a whim — they're a product of careful timing and long-term tax considerations. So how can you tell whether to go ahead?
-
A 4-Step Anxiety-Reducing Retirement Road Map, From a Financial AdviserThis helpful process covers everything from assessing your current finances and risks to implementing and managing your personalized retirement income plan.
-
I Drive and Collect Classic Cars: Here’s How I Got in the Game Without Spending a FortuneAre classic cars a hobby or an investment strategy — or both? Either way, the vintage car scene is much cooler and more affordable than you think.
-
The $183,000 RMD Shock: Why Roth Conversions in Your 70s Can Be RiskyConverting retirement funds to a Roth is a smart strategy for many, but the older you are, the less time you have to recover the tax bite from the conversion.
