Track your path to Financial Independence—without hype, pressure, or unrealistic assumptions.
The FIRE Progress Tracker helps you understand where you are today, what actually moves the needle, and how close you are to financial independence—even if early retirement isn’t your goal.
This tool is designed for Millennials navigating:
- Variable income and side hustles
- Rising housing and insurance costs
- Career pivots and burnout risk
- Long timelines with real-life interruptions
You don’t need extreme frugality or perfect investing to make progress.
You need clarity, consistency, and visibility—that’s what this calculator provides.
What This Calculator Does (and Doesn’t Do)
This is a progress tracker, not a promise.
It helps you:
- Measure your FI percentage completed
- Estimate years remaining to FI
- Understand how spending, savings rate, and contributions interact
- Identify when Coast FIRE or career flexibility may already be achievable
It does NOT:
- Predict market returns
- Replace professional financial advice
- Assume unrealistic investment growth
- Push early retirement as a requirement
Financial independence is about options, not escape.
How FIRE Is Calculated (Plain English)
At its core, FIRE is based on one simple relationship:
Your annual spending determines how much you need to be financially independent.
This calculator uses a commonly referenced baseline:
- FIRE Number = Annual Spending × 25
(Based on a long-term 4% withdrawal guideline)
You’ll then compare:
- What you’ve already invested
- What you add each year
- How close you are to covering future spending without earned income
This creates a progress percentage, not a finish line.
Key Inputs Explained
Each input matters—but some matter more than others.
Annual Spending (After Tax)
This is the most important number.
Lower spending = lower FIRE target.
Current Invested Assets
Money already working for you (retirement + taxable investments).
Annual Contributions
What you add each year—not what you hope to add.
Savings Rate
A powerful lever that affects both:
- How fast you reach FI
- How resilient your plan is during disruptions
Target Age (Optional)
Used to evaluate Coast FIRE and flexibility—not pressure.
Understanding Your FIRE Progress Result
Your result will place you into a progress phase:
- Foundation Phase (0–25%)
Building habits, emergency funds, and consistency - Momentum Phase (25–60%)
Compounding begins to matter more than income growth - Acceleration Phase (60–90%)
FI becomes visible; optionality increases - Coast / Optional Phase (90%+)
Work becomes a choice, not a requirement
These phases are descriptive, not judgmental.
Why This Tracker Works for Millennials
Traditional FIRE tools often assume:
- Stable careers
- Predictable expenses
- Early high incomes
This tracker recognizes reality:
- Income fluctuates
- Costs rise unevenly
- Life priorities change
Progress is measured by direction, not perfection.
Before You Start
For best results:
- Use real numbers, not aspirational ones
- Round conservatively
- Revisit quarterly—not daily
Small improvements compound faster than big overhauls.
Calculator Disclaimer
This calculator is for educational purposes only.
It does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice.
Market returns, inflation, taxes, and personal circumstances vary.
For personalized guidance, consult a qualified financial professional.
