A millennial lived on $15,000 a year to retire early. She opens up about the challenges and her new approach to FIRE: ‘There are going to be expensive seasons’

• Amberly Grant’s FIRE goal shifted due to increased expenses and family responsibilities.
• Grant initially saved 75% of her income, inspired by the financial independence movement.
• She’s still pursuing early retirement but, in the meantime, is happy with ‘coast FIRE.’

After years of ,” which means that she never has to contribute another dollar to her retirement accounts; the current amount will grow and compound enough over time that, by age 60, it’ll be enough to sustain her lifestyle in retirement.

She technically only has to work to cover her expenses, but she’s still contributing to her nest egg because she wants the option of walking away from work before age 60.

“For me — and this has been since I was really young — it’s really come down to, I want financial independence, and I want to be able to use my money to help others in the end,” she said. “Right now, I help my dad. I’m in an expensive part of life right now, but I wouldn’t be able to get through this expensive part of life if I didn’t do all the work I did beforehand to be frugal, to be mindful, to be conscientious with my money, and to make sacrifices so that I can get to a really good spot now at 36.”