Barista FIRE Guide
What is Barista FIRE?
Barista FIRE is a semi-retired lifestyle where part-time or passion work covers part of your expenses while your invested portfolio handles the rest.
The idea
The name comes from the classic example of working part-time at a coffee shop for health benefits and light income. In practice, it can be any low-stress work: consulting, teaching, freelance, or a small business.
The math
If you spend $50,000/year and part-time work covers $20,000, your portfolio only needs to cover the remaining $30,000 — implying a portfolio around $750,000 instead of $1.25M.
Why it works
Barista FIRE reduces the portfolio you need, keeps you socially engaged, and provides income that softens market downturns. Many treat it as a bridge between full-time work and full FI.