My Mission
I 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). I 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."
Meet the Creator
Ninad
Founder & Early Retiree (33)
I went from $40,000 in debt to financially independent. I've been living as a 33-year-old retiree since 2025, 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 2025, 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 2025
- $40k Debt to Coast FIRE — 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? I'd love to hear from you!
Email us at: butfirstfire@gmail.com