Our Journey

We’re aiming for more freedom and less financial stress — and Barista FIRE fits right into that vision. In this category, we share our journey toward a life where we don’t need to retire completely, but have the freedom to choose what work we do, when, and how much. From numbers and plans to doubts and ideas, we’re figuring out how to reach financial independence earlier.

Our Barista FIRE Plan: Financially free at 50

Financial freedom is something we’ve dreamed about for years. Our desire to live in Hungary (my wife’s birthplace) is growing stronger,...

J+A

Jul 29, 20255 min read

What performed better? My Pension fund vs S&P500?

📊 A data-driven answer starting from 2019 Until recently, a Dutch pension was largely taken care of for you: your employer set up a plan with a pension fund, and you saw on your annual statement how much you (maybe) would receive later. Simple? Yes. Clear? Not always. Tailored to your personal situation? Less and less. That’s why a big change is coming: the new pension system . One of the biggest shifts is that you, as a participant, will soon be able to make your own choic

J+A

Jul 29, 20254 min read

Reviewing Four P2P Lending Platforms: Our Personal Experience

More and more people are discovering Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending as an alternative way to grow their money. There are many options for...

J+A

Jul 15, 20256 min read

Hybrid Heat pump Review: Experiences of two winters

In the summer of 2023, we switched to a heat pump with the goal of reducing our energy bill. After two winters using the heat pump from...

J+A

Feb 24, 20255 min read

Our Passive Income Journey on the Path to FIRE

Passive income is one of the most effective ways to achieve financial independence . In simple terms, passive income is money you earn on a recurring basis with limited ongoing effort once the system is set up. For us, passive income is not about shortcuts or “getting rich fast,” but about building reliable cash flow that supports our long-term goal: financial freedom. This approach is deeply connected to the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) , which focus

CheesyGoulash

Feb 10, 20254 min read

Investment Portfolio: How do we calculate our equity for Barista Fire?

When it comes to managing your investment portfolio, understanding your true equity is crucial. Equity represents the actual ownership...

J+A

Feb 10, 20253 min read

Future Value

Future value (FV) is a financial metric that can helps investors project the future worth of their investments. Understanding FV allows you to improve and support your decision making. In this article, we will break down the concept of FV, its importance, and how to calculate it effectively. What is Future Value? Future Value refers to the projected value of asset(s) at a future date, assuming a specific growth rate and/or specific input of assets. This value is influenced by

CheesyGoulash

Feb 10, 20253 min read

Monthly Update: Our First Personal Finance Journey Update

Monthly Update January FV: Based on current return rates As we move forward in our goal to build a 1,000,000 euro investment portfolio,...

J+A

Feb 7, 20253 min read

Here’s why we believe Barista FIRE is a better fit for us than full early retirement—and how we began our journey.

"What if you could quit your stressful job, never worry about bills again, and still afford weekend getaways or your dream campervan? That’s the promise of Barista FIRE." If you've been exploring financial independence, you've probably come across Barista FIRE —a lifestyle that blends the freedom of early retirement with the flexibility of part-time work. Unlike traditional FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early), where you completely stop working, Barista FIRE allows you

J+A

Feb 4, 20254 min read