One of the biggest principles is just to start saving. The earlier, the better, even if you don't have the all math worked out. Start saving now instead of next month or next year.

Justin McCurry

The 4 % rule is great if you're retiring at age 65, but if you're retiring early you should think about 3.5 % and if you're retiring in your 30s or 40s you may take an even more conservative number.

Contribute to your 401( k) and push your withholding up to 8 % or 10 % from 6 % or 7 %, your paycheck doesn't go down a lot when you do, but it will add up a lot down the road because of compound interest.

The people I've seen succeed and hit FIRE at a young age, they are getting raises or they are regularly switching jobs, a $ 50,000 a year job is good to start, but two years in if you're not getting a pay raise or promotion, look for a new job.

It is a long-term mindset, it is going to take a decade or two to reach FIRE.

That will tell you what your saving goal should be.

The ideal thing would be for a college graduate to continue to live like a college student for three or four years after graduating.