Where to FIRE
FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early — saving and investing aggressively so your portfolio can cover your living expenses without needing to work.
The total savings you need to retire. Calculated as your annual spending ÷ 4% (the "safe withdrawal rate").
Withdraw 4% of your portfolio yearly and historically it lasts 30+ years. We use this to calculate your FIRE number.
Different countries have different tax rates and living costs. You might retire years earlier abroad!
Example: If you spend $40,000/year, your FIRE number is $1,000,000 ($40K ÷ 4%). But in Portugal with lower costs, you might only need $600,000!
FIRE Comparison
🇺🇸 United States vs 🇵🇹 Portugal
Portugal is more favorable
Reach FI at age 46 — 3 yrs earlier than United States
Portugal
€987,614
11 years
🚀 Age 46 — 4yr ahead of your target!
24.6%
Gross €39,505 → Net €29,900
✓ Public + ~€500/yr
Public healthcare available. Many expats use private (€50-150/month).
United States
$1,449,662
15 years
✓ Age 50 (on target)
13.8%
Gross $57,986 → Net $50,000
~$18,000/yr
ACA plans $1,000-1,800/month pre-65. Medicare + supplemental ~$250/month at 65+.
🏥 Expat Health Insurance Options
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Your FIRE Journey
Portfolio projections at key milestones
💡 Projection assumes 4% real return (7% blended growth − 3% inflation). Actual results will vary with market conditions.
💰 Cost of Living Comparison
✓ Portugal is 42% cheaper overall
By Category (vs United States)
Based on cost of living indices. Your actual costs may vary based on lifestyle.