Coast FIRE Calculator: Single
Planning for Coast FIRE as a single person comes with unique considerations that generic calculators often miss. Your situation affects everything from your FI number (we've pre-filled a typical estimate of $35k/year in expenses) to your realistic savings capacity ($800/month is common for this scenario). Our calculator lets you adjust these defaults to match your specific reality.
Why This Matters
As a single person, you have maximum control over your Coast FIRE journey. Your expenses are lower than households with dependents, your decisions don't require negotiation, and you can make dramatic changes (relocating, career pivoting) more easily. Many of the fastest Coast FIRE stories come from single individuals who leveraged this flexibility. The flip side: you don't have a partner's income as backup, making emergency funds and income diversification more important.
Key Considerations for Your Situation
Your biggest advantage is flexibility - use it strategically. You can relocate for higher pay or lower costs without negotiating with a partner. You can take career risks knowing only your own finances are affected. Many single Coast FIRE achievers used this flexibility to accelerate their timeline by 5-10 years compared to less mobile peers.
Consider "house hacking" to dramatically reduce your largest expense. Rent out rooms, live in a duplex and rent the other unit, or find creative housing arrangements. Housing typically accounts for 30-40% of expenses - cutting this significantly accelerates Coast FIRE.
Your Coast FIRE number may be lower than you think. Single-person households have fundamentally different expense structures than couples or families. Run the numbers with your actual spending, not averages that include larger households.
Build a robust emergency fund (6+ months) and consider disability insurance. Without a partner's income as backup, you need more financial cushion. This isn't pessimism - it's practical planning that lets you take more calculated risks elsewhere.
Single Person Financial Strategies
Your flexibility is a superpower: no partner to negotiate with means faster decisions. Geographic arbitrage, career pivots, and lifestyle experiments are easier to execute.
"House hacking" works exceptionally well for singles: rent out extra bedrooms, live in a duplex and rent the other unit, or explore co-living arrangements to slash housing costs by 50%+.
Build a larger emergency fund (6+ months) since you're your only safety net. This isn't pessimism - it's the cushion that lets you take smart risks elsewhere.
Beneficiary designations matter: ensure your 401k, IRA, and life insurance beneficiaries are current. Without a spouse, assets may go to unintended recipients.
Healthcare for Single People
ACA marketplace is your likely option for early retirement. At Coast FIRE spending levels ($35-50k/year), you'll likely qualify for meaningful subsidies.
No spousal coverage means less flexibility. Consider part-time work specifically for health benefits - many employers offer coverage for 20-30 hours/week.
HSA is especially valuable for singles: build it up while employed, then use it to cover premiums and medical costs in early retirement.
Geographic arbitrage affects healthcare: ACA premiums vary significantly by state and county. Research healthcare costs before relocating for Coast FIRE.
Healthcare costs vary significantly by state, age, and family size. Factor in premium subsidies, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums when planning your Coast FIRE budget.
The Psychology of Solo Coast FIRE
Solo decision-making is a double-edged sword: no one to negotiate with, but also no one to check your assumptions. Consider a financial advisor or FIRE community for accountability.
Social isolation risk is higher for single Coast FIRE people. Deliberately build community now - the connections made through work often fade after leaving.
Dating and Coast FIRE: your unconventional path may confuse potential partners. Be upfront about your values and timeline. The right person will admire your discipline.
The "what do I do now?" question hits harder without a partner to share the journey. Develop hobbies, purpose, and social connections before you coast.
How Coast FIRE Works
Compound Growth
Your investments grow exponentially over time. Einstein called compound interest the 8th wonder of the world.
The Coast Strategy
Once you hit your Coast number, you never need to save for retirement again. Work for passion, not survival.
Freedom Date
Discover when you can switch to part-time work or pursue your dreams without financial anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I achieve Coast FIRE as a single person?
Yes - Coast FIRE is achievable in any situation with the right strategy. Single households have unique challenges, but many people in your exact situation have reached financial independence. The path may look different (different timeline, different strategies, different FI number), but the destination is the same. Our calculator helps you plan around the specific factors that affect your situation.
What's a realistic savings rate as a single person?
We've pre-filled $800/month based on typical single situations, but this varies widely. Generally, aim for 15-25% of your income if possible, adjusting for your specific circumstances. Some months you may save more, some less - consistency over time matters more than hitting an exact percentage every month. Use our calculator to see how different savings rates affect your timeline.
How much should I budget for annual expenses as a single person?
We've estimated $35k/year for single households, which is typical for this situation. This number directly determines your FI number (Annual Expenses ÷ 0.04 = FI Number). The lower your spending, the lower your Coast FIRE target. Track your actual spending for a few months to get a realistic number - many people are surprised (in either direction) by their true expenses.
What's the best Coast FIRE strategy as a single person?
The fundamentals remain the same regardless of situation: 1) Maximize the gap between income and expenses, 2) Invest consistently in low-cost index funds, 3) Take full advantage of available tax-advantaged accounts, and 4) Stay the course through market volatility. What differs as a single person are the specific tactics - which accounts to prioritize, how much emergency fund to keep, what risks you can take, and what timeline is realistic.
Your Next Steps
Calculate your Coast FIRE number using actual spending data, not averages that include larger households.
Evaluate whether geographic arbitrage (moving to a lower cost of living area) could accelerate your timeline.
Review your emergency fund size - aim for 6+ months without a partner's income as backup.
Consider house hacking or other creative housing arrangements to cut your largest expense.
Related Tools & Resources
Ready to Calculate Your Coast FIRE Number?
Use our free calculator above to see exactly when you could stop saving and let compound interest carry you to retirement.
Use Calculator NowSources
- [1]Retirement Savings: Choosing a Withdrawal Rate That Is Sustainable(1998)
- [2]Determining Withdrawal Rates Using Historical Data(1994)
- [3]Historical Returns on Stocks, Bonds and Bills
- [4]Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook
- [5]Safe Withdrawal Rate Series
- [6]Healthcare.gov Marketplace
- [7]TSP.gov - Thrift Savings Plan
- [8]IRS Publication 571