Chubby FIRE
A comfortable early retirement, between regular FIRE and Fat FIRE.
Chubby FIRE sits between regular FIRE and Fat FIRE: a comfortable lifestyle that's neither frugal nor extravagant. It usually means spending around $100,000 a year and targeting roughly $2.5 million, enough to live well without counting every dollar.
Typical spending
~$100k/yr
Target ballpark
~$2.5M
What Chubby FIRE really means
It's FIRE with breathing room. You aren't pinching pennies like Lean FIRE, but you aren't aiming for a luxury budget either. The goal is a solid, comfortable lifestyle with room for travel, dining out, and the occasional splurge, funded indefinitely by the 4% rule.
The math behind it
Same rule, bigger budget: 25 times your yearly spending. At about $100,000 a year, that points to roughly $2.5 million. The larger target takes longer to reach, but it buys a noticeably more comfortable retirement than lean or standard FIRE.
Who it tends to suit
Higher earners who want comfort and security without the very large number Fat FIRE requires. It's popular with dual-income households and professionals who like their lifestyle and want to keep it, minus the job.
A Chubby FIRE example
Spend $100,000 a year? Multiply by 25. Your Chubby FIRE number is about $2.5 million. That funds a comfortable lifestyle with margin for travel and surprises, without needing the multi-million dollar cushion of Fat FIRE.
The upside
- ✓A comfortable lifestyle with real margin for error
- ✓More cushion for healthcare, travel, and market dips
- ✓Less restrictive and easier to sustain than lean approaches
The trade-offs
- !A much larger target than lean or standard FIRE
- !Usually needs a high income or several extra working years
- !Lifestyle creep can push the number even higher
Whichever path you take, keep a cash emergency fund so a downturn never forces you to sell. How much to keep →
See if you're on track for Chubby FIRE
Enter your income, spending, and savings into the FIRE calculator to see your FIRE number and the age you could reach it, then aim for a Chubby FIRE budget.
Chubby FIRE FAQs
What is Chubby FIRE?
Chubby FIRE is a comfortable version of early retirement between standard FIRE and Fat FIRE, typically spending around $100,000 a year and targeting about $2.5 million.
Chubby FIRE vs Fat FIRE?
Mostly the size of the budget. Chubby FIRE is comfortable, around $2.5 million, while Fat FIRE aims for a high-spending or luxury lifestyle, often $2.5 million to $5 million or more.
How much do you need for Chubby FIRE?
Around 25 times a comfortable annual budget. At $100,000 a year, that's roughly $2.5 million, adjusted for your own spending and where you live.
Other flavors of FIRE
CalcWise is educational and not financial advice. FIRE targets rely on the 4% rule and long-run market assumptions that aren't guaranteed. Consider your own circumstances or a qualified advisor.