Each variant is built around a different income level, lifestyle goal, and underlying mechanic. Find the one that fits your life, run the number, and build toward it.
A reference table listing 17 variants of the Financial Independence Retire Early movement. Columns include the FI variant name, full name, key mechanic describing how each strategy works, and who each variant is best suited for. Variants range from Lean FIRE for minimalists targeting under $40,000 per year in expenses, to Fat FIRE for high earners building portfolios supporting $100,000 to $200,000 or more annually, to Work Optional for those who have reached their number and choose whether to keep working.