Our Mission
We believe everyone deserves the freedom to choose how they spend their time. Financial independence isn't just for the wealthy — it's achievable for anyone willing to plan strategically and stay consistent.
But First Fire was created to demystify the path to FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). We provide free, powerful tools that help you visualize your financial future, track your progress, and make smarter decisions about your money.
"The goal isn't to be rich — it's to have options. Financial independence gives you the freedom to work because you want to, not because you have to."
What We Offer
Our platform provides everything you need to plan your financial independence journey:
- FIRE Number Calculator — Know exactly how much you need to retire
- Retirement Year Projector — See when you can achieve financial independence
- Expense Tracker — Understand where your money goes each month
- Portfolio Tracker — Monitor your dividend income and investments
- AI-Powered Tips — Get personalized recommendations to retire earlier
- Educational Blog — Learn FIRE strategies, from basics to advanced
Our Values
Always Free
Core tools are free forever. Financial planning shouldn't cost a fortune.
Education Focused
We teach the "why" behind the numbers, not just the formulas.
Actionable Insights
Every feature is designed to help you take meaningful action.
Meet the Creator
Ninad
Founder & Early Retiree (33)
I went from $40,000 in debt to a millionaire retiree. I've been living as a 33-year-old retiree since 2024, and I built But First Fire to help others do the same.
My FIRE Journey
I started in the hole — $40k of student loans and no clue how money worked. After discovering the FIRE movement, everything changed. I became obsessed with optimizing every dollar.
Through aggressive saving (60-70% savings rate at my peak), keeping lifestyle inflation low, and geo-arbitrage, I went from negative net worth to financial independence in under a decade.
In 2024, at 33, I walked away from my full-time job. Not because I had to — but because I finally had the choice. That's what FIRE gives you: options.
Why I'm Sharing This
When I was on my FIRE journey, I learned so much from others who were generous enough to share their strategies, mistakes, and wins. Now that I've made it, I want to pay it forward.
But First Fire isn't just about calculators — it's about passing on the knowledge that got me here. The blog, the guides, the frameworks — they're all things I wish someone had told me when I started with $40k in debt and no clue what a 4% withdrawal rate was.
Credentials & Experience
- Retired at 33 — Living as an early retiree since 2024
- $40k Debt to Millionaire — Achieved through aggressive saving and smart investing
- Software Engineer — Built this tool myself with 5+ years of engineering experience
- Geo-Arbitrage Practitioner — Leveraging location independence to maximize lifestyle
"I built But First Fire because financial freedom shouldn't require expensive advisors or confusing software. If I can go from $40k in debt to retiring at 33, you can do it too. You just need the right tools and a plan."
Get in Touch
Have questions, feedback, or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you!
Email us at: butfirstfire@gmail.com
Ready to Start Your FIRE Journey?
Our free tools can show you exactly when you'll achieve financial independence.
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