Epic README

README.md

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-# fire
+![InvestingFIRE logo](/src/app/apple-icon.png)
 
-FIRE calculator
+# InvestingFIRE 🔥 — The #1 Interactive FIRE Calculator
+
+**InvestingFIRE** is a responsive web application for calculating your path to Financial Independence and Early Retirement (FIRE). It features a year-by-year projection engine that simulates both accumulation (savings and investment growth) and retirement (withdrawals) phases, allowing users to:
+
+- Input starting capital, monthly savings, expected annual growth rate, inflation rate, current age, desired retirement age, life expectancy, and desired monthly retirement allowance.
+- View a dynamic chart displaying projected portfolio balance and monthly allowance over time.
+- Instantly see their estimated “FIRE number” (required capital at retirement), how long their capital will last, and compare results to the “4% rule.”
+- Adjust assumptions live, with all calculations and visualizations updating automatically.
+- Access explanatory content about FIRE methodology, key variables, and additional community resources, all on a single, consolidated page.
+
+The project’s code is structured using React/Next.js with TypeScript, focusing on user experience, modern UI components, and clarity of financial assumptions.
+
+---
+
+## 🚀 Features at a Glance
+
+- **⚡️ Real-Time Projections:** Every field updates the chart _as you type_. Experiment with savings, growth rates, inflation, or retirement age and see your future instantly.
+- **📈 Interactive Chart:** Dual-area plots for portfolio value and future monthly spending, plus reference lines for FIRE milestones and “4% rule” legends.
+- **🧠 Education Baked In:** Contextual tooltips, deep-dive sections on how FIRE works, FAQs, and must-read resources included.
+- **🔎 Detailed Methodology:** Not just a 25x rule — runs a full, year-by-year simulation with inflation-adjusted withdrawals and optional 4%-rule overlays.
+- **👌 Modern UX:** Typing, sliding, or clicking feels _good_. Responsive on all devices.
+
+---
+
+## 🧰 How It Works
+
+The calculator models your FIRE journey in two phases:
+
+1. **Accumulation:**
+
+   - Your starting capital is grown by your expected CAGR (~7% by default).
+   - Monthly savings are added for each year until retirement.
+   - Every variable can be adjusted live (capital, savings, age, growth, inflation, spending, target retirement).
+
+2. **Retirement:**
+   - Your balance continues to grow by CAGR.
+   - Each year, an inflation-adjusted monthly allowance is withdrawn.
+   - The simulation runs until your selected life expectancy, showing the possibility of portfolio depletion.
+
+**Key Outputs:**
+
+- 🔥 “FIRE Number”: Portfolio value at your defined retirement age
+- 📊 Interactive projection chart: See how your nest egg and withdrawals evolve over time
+- 4️⃣ “4% Rule” overlays: Compare dynamic results to classic rule-of-thumb
+
+---
+
+## 🌟 Try It For Yourself
+
+To run locally:
+
+1. **Clone the repo**
+   ```bash
+   git clone https://git.schulze.network/schulze/fire.git
+   cd fire
+   ```
+2. **Install dependencies**
+   ```bash
+   npm install
+   ```
+3. **Run the app**
+   ```bash
+   npm run dev
+   ```
+4. Visit [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) and unleash the fire.
+
+Deployed version: [https://investingfire.com](https://investingfire.com)
+
+---
+
+## ✏️ Inputs & Variables
+
+- **Starting Capital** — How much you’ve already invested
+- **Monthly Savings** — What you’ll add each month
+- **Current Age & Retirement Age** — Your FI timeline
+- **Life Expectancy** — How long do you want income to last?
+- **Expected Growth Rate (CAGR)** — Portfolio annual % return, before inflation
+- **Inflation Rate** — Cost of living increases
+- **Desired Monthly Allowance** — Your lifestyle, today’s dollars
+
+As you adjust these, all projections update instantly _without needing to hit “Calculate.”_
+
+Try many “what ifs” fast.
+
+---
+
+## 👩‍💻 Contributing
+
+Pull requests are welcome! Open issues for bugs, new features, or debate about safe withdrawal rates and tax assumptions.
+
+---
+
+## 📄 License
+
+[GPL-3.0](./LICENSE)
+
+---
+
+## 🥇 Why Use InvestingFIRE?
+
+- You want the truth — not just a 4% fantasy.
+- You want to learn, not just punch in numbers.
+- You want clarity, speed, and modern UI.
+- You want to show your friends the best FIRE tool on the web.
+
+Enjoy the _rocket ride_ to financial independence.  
+**InvestingFIRE — Know your number. Change your future.**