Coast FIRE vs Barista FIRE — which is actually realistic for you?
TL;DR: Coast FIRE means you've already saved enough that, left untouched, it grows to your full retirement number by traditional retirement age — you just need to cover current expenses. Barista FIRE means you haven't reached that point yet and rely on part-time income to bridge the gap while still contributing. Coast FIRE needs a much larger existing nest egg; Barista FIRE needs an income plan.
Coast FIRE, in practice
You've hit the number where compounding alone gets you to full retirement — you can take a lower-paying, lower-stress job (or even stop contributing to retirement accounts entirely) and just cover living expenses from current income.
Barista FIRE, in practice
You haven't reached the Coast FIRE threshold, so part-time work needs to both cover expenses AND continue contributing something toward the retirement goal — often alongside employer benefits like health insurance that a part-time role might provide.
Which applies to you right now?
The honest answer requires knowing your actual Coast FIRE threshold — a number most people have never calculated precisely.
Find out if you've already hit Coast FIRE
The Retirement & FIRE Readiness Report shows whether you've already hit Coast FIRE — and if not, exactly how much more you need invested today.
Check my FIRE status — $9.99 →Frequently asked questions
Can you move from Barista FIRE to Coast FIRE over time?
Yes — continuing to contribute even a modest amount while working part-time can eventually push your invested assets past the Coast FIRE threshold, at which point further contributions become optional rather than necessary.
Is Barista FIRE named after working at a coffee shop specifically?
The name comes from the idea of taking a job (like at a coffee shop) partly for the income and partly for benefits like health insurance — it doesn't have to be literally that job, just a lower-pressure part-time role serving that function.