FIRE for Late Starters
I discovered FIRE at 40. You're not too late.
I'm a roofing business owner who spent 20 years being frugal without a target. Now I'm building my path to financial independence—and sharing everything I learn along the way.
Real strategies. Honest math. No BS. Built for people like me who wish they'd started at 25 but are starting today.
Is 40 Too Late to Start FIRE?
I discovered FIRE at 40. Here's the math, the reality, and why it's not too late (but it does look different). Real calculations, honest timelines, and a step-by-step plan for late starters.
Calculate Your FIRE Timeline
See exactly when you can achieve financial independence based on your income, expenses, and savings rate.
Your Financial Data
Your FIRE Projection
💡 The 4% rule: Withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually
💡 FIRE Number = Annual Expenses × 25
💡 Average market returns: 7-10% historically
Who's Behind This?
About Jonathan
I'm a 40-year-old roofing business owner who discovered FIRE in 2025 and realized I'd been doing it halfway for years without knowing it. I've always been decent with money—frugal, saving when I can, making investments—but I never had a clear target or timeline.
I built Fire Driven Media to document what I'm learning, create better calculators for people like me (business owners, late starters, variable income), and prove it's not too late to pursue financial independence.
I'm not a financial advisor, CPA, or investment professional. I'm a business owner learning FIRE strategies and sharing the journey. Every article is researched, fact-checked, and focused on practical, actionable advice.
Start Here
Whether you're just discovering FIRE or optimizing your strategy, here's where to begin.
Why passive investing wins for 95% of FIRE seekers (and why I'm switching my strategy).
Read Article →Save $100k+ over your lifetime with Roth ladders, tax-loss harvesting, and smart account strategies.
Read Article →Calculate when you can stop saving and let your investments coast to retirement.
Read Article →Calculate your exact timeline to financial independence based on your numbers.
Try Calculator →How much you need to retire early and why the 4% rule might be too aggressive (or too conservative).
Read Article →The complete step-by-step strategy to achieve full financial independence and early retirement.
View Strategy →Explore More FIRE Resources
About Fire Driven Media
Meet Jonathan, a 40-year-old entrepreneur on a late-start FIRE journey
Coast FIRE Calculator
Determine when you can stop saving and coast to retirement
Safe Withdrawal Rate Calculator
Optimize your retirement withdrawal strategy
The Math Behind the 4% Rule
Understanding the Trinity Study and safe withdrawal rates
Coast FIRE: The Middle Path
How to achieve financial flexibility without waiting for full FIRE