Barista FIRE
Your savings pay most of the bills, a part-time job pays the rest. Independence arrives years earlier, and work becomes lighter.
What it is
Barista FIRE combines savings with part-time work you enjoy. The savings only need to cover the gap between spending and the part-time income, so the target is much smaller.
Who it suits
People who like working but not full-time, those who want a softer landing, and anyone who wants a buffer against bad market years.
The Swiss angle
Part-time work keeps AHV contribution years complete and may keep you in a pension fund if the salary is above the entry threshold. Part-time income is taxed as usual, so plan with net amounts.
How to model it
The calculator does not have a part-time income field yet. Enter as spending only the part your savings must cover (spending minus part-time income), and set a target age. Compare with the FIRE number tool using the part-time income as a pension. More in lean, fat, barista and coast FIRE.
Tools for this plan
Terms
Frequently asked questions
How much does part-time income help?
A lot. Every CHF 1’000 a month you earn lowers the pot you need by about CHF 300’000 to 340’000 at a 3.5 to 4 % withdrawal rate.
Do I still pay AHV?
Yes, on the part-time income. If those contributions are too low, you may also owe contributions as a non-employed person; the compensation office compares both.
Related reading
FIRE basics
Lean, fat, barista, coast: which kind of FIRE fits you
Four ways to reach financial independence, from a CHF 2,500 lean budget to a CHF 7,000 fat one. What each needs in francs and who it suits.