Lean FIRE
Live on less, need less, stop earlier. Lean FIRE trades comfort for time, and works best with a deliberate margin.
What it is
Lean FIRE aims for independence on a budget well below today’s average, for example CHF 2’500 to 3’000 a month. Because the pot you need is spending divided by the withdrawal rate, every franc you do not need to spend shrinks the target by 25 to 30 francs.
Who it suits
People who already live simply, value time over things, or plan to move somewhere cheaper. It also suits those who expect to earn a little later, which turns lean into barista FIRE.
The Swiss angle
Health insurance premiums continue after work and rise with age; premium reductions depend on taxable income, which can help on a lean budget. AHV contributions for non-employed people start at a minimum of a few hundred francs a year when wealth is modest.
How to model it
Enter your lean monthly budget as spending and keep saving what you save today. Then check the withdrawal rate with a bad start, because a thin budget has less room to cut. Read more in lean, fat, barista and coast FIRE.
Tools for this plan
Terms
Frequently asked questions
How low can spending go in Switzerland?
Housing and health insurance set the floor. Many lean plans assume a cheaper commune, a smaller flat or shared housing, and a deliberately simple lifestyle.
What is the main risk?
Little room for surprises. Higher rent, health costs or a family change can push spending above the plan. Keep a buffer and a way to earn a little if needed.
Related reading
Mindset
You need less than you think: the case for a smaller number
Cutting CHF 1,000 from monthly spending can move your independence date by years. Where the money really goes and how to cut without feeling poorer.
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.