Freedom Has Levels

You don't need full financial independence to feel the effects. The path has clear stages:

• Level 1: Breathing Room — 3-6 months of expenses saved. You can survive a job loss.
• Level 2: F-You Money — 2 years of expenses. You can quit a bad job without panic.
• Level 3: Coast FI — enough invested that compound growth alone will fund retirement, even if you stop contributing.
• Level 4: Full FI — your 25x number. Work is entirely optional.