CokeGas publishes guides and comparisons about FIRE (financial independence, retire early) for US readers, plus a free FIRE calculator that shows the math behind every result. The aim is to explain how the numbers, accounts and tax rules work, link the primary source for each fact, and let you check our work.
What we cover
- The math of FIRE: your FIRE number, withdrawal rates, Coast FIRE and savings rate.
- Where to keep your money: brokerages, index funds and savings accounts.
- US taxes: Roth conversion ladders, tax-loss harvesting and reaching retirement money before 59½.
How we research
- Primary sources first. Tax rules come from IRS publications; deposit insurance from the FDIC and NCUA; fund costs from prospectuses filed with the SEC; account fees from providers’ own fee schedules and agreements. Each is linked next to the claim it supports, with the date we checked it.
- Calculations shown. Every worked example states its assumptions and formula, so you can reproduce it, and the calculator uses the same formulas.
- What we don’t do. We haven’t opened or funded accounts to test the providers we compare; comparisons are based on their published documents. Articles haven’t been reviewed by a credentialed professional such as a CFP® professional or CPA unless an article says so.
- Tools we use. AI tools help with research and drafting. Figures and rules are checked against the linked source before an article is published, and the dates on each article are the real publication and update dates.
Who writes CokeGas
CokeGas is an independent site, and articles are published under the CokeGas name rather than an individual byline. If that changes, author pages will say who wrote what and what their background is.
How comparison scores work
Some comparisons give an editorial score out of 5. It isn’t a customer rating. Each comparison publishes its rubric: a short list of criteria that can be checked against the provider’s own documents, such as fund costs, minimums and account fees, with the points each provider earns. Things we haven’t tested, such as customer service or app quality, aren’t scored. A partner can’t pay for a score or a better position.
How we make money
CokeGas is reader-supported. Some links are affiliate links: if you open an account through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Those links are labeled next to where they appear. We may also show ads from Google. Neither changes what we write or how we score. The details are in our affiliate disclosure.
Corrections
If something is wrong or out of date, tell us. We correct confirmed errors and update the date on the article.
Not financial advice
Everything on CokeGas is general education, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; for advice on it, talk to a qualified professional, such as a fee-only fiduciary adviser or a tax preparer.