The Coast FIRE strategy for quitting your corporate job

Hill reached his own milestone by age 40, hitting a $550,000 investment target. With a 6% annual return, he projects this will grow to roughly $2 million by retirement age. Unlike traditional FIRE, which demands aggressive, lifelong saving, Coast FIRE focuses on front-loading investments early so that contributions can eventually cease. This shift allows individuals to redirect their income toward career pivots, entrepreneurship, or reduced working hours.

The second component of his approach, the 'FU fund,' acts as a bridge during career transitions. Hill suggests maintaining 12 months of living expenses in a high-yield savings account. This liquidity provided the confidence for both him and his wife, Nicole, to abandon their corporate careers in 2020 to pursue independent ventures, including his podcast, Marriage Kids and Money.

Building this financial freedom requires rigorous expense tracking and monthly reviews to ensure spending aligns with personal values. Hill advises targeting large costs like housing and transportation while avoiding a mindset of pure deprivation. To combat inflationary pressures, he emphasizes that increasing income—through raises, promotions, or side hustles—is just as vital as cutting costs. By balancing strategic investing with accessible cash reserves, he believes workers can secure the flexibility to walk away from environments that no longer serve them.