Workflow
FIRE movement (financial independence
icon
Search documents
Couple was on track for early retirement until kids blew up the budget. Can they still achieve their goal on one income?
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-21 13:30
Core Insights - The Muñoz couple follows the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, aiming for early retirement through low expenses and aggressive savings [2] - Life changes, including the arrival of two children and a job relocation, have impacted their financial strategy, shifting from two incomes to one [3][4] Financial Overview - Alejandro Muñoz earns approximately $113,000 annually as an engineer, with an additional $9,000 from part-time work, while Brady Muñoz has stepped away from her career to care for their children [4] - The couple has built significant savings, including $220,000 in Alejandro's 401(k), $140,000 in a second 401(k), $80,000 in brokerage accounts, $54,000 in health savings accounts, and $52,000 in various IRAs [5] - They maintain a savings account with $1,500 and have around $20,000 in certificates of deposit, along with 529 college savings plans for their children [5] Expense Management - The couple resides in a home valued at over $400,000, with a monthly mortgage payment of approximately $2,800, which includes property taxes and homeowners insurance [6] - Their total monthly expenses, covering various necessities and charitable contributions, amount to around $2,650, with an additional $450 monthly payment for a $6,000 no-interest medical loan [6]