First Month of Phase 1 Barista FIRE

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This post is just for personal reference, to record my personal income and expenses in my journey towards Barista FIRE.

For the month of January, which is the first month for the phase 1 of Barista FIRE, I am pleased that I have survived, with surplus at the end of the month.  The main reason for this is because I have "bonus" paid out from my tutoring funds for my work in 2025 (since I am self-employed, it is basically just ownself pay ownself).  As I transition into this phase, my work load has declined and I am no longer working 7 days a week.  However at the same time, I think I also became a little more mindful of my spending, but not to the extent of over-thrifty as I am still meeting friends and dining out sometimes.  However, I am definitely more conscious of where every dollar went.

Special mention is necessary for "Miscellaneous Spending".  The amount is exceptionally high this month because I made use of the "bonus" income to pay for hotel bookings for upcoming trips that I have planned and confirmed in 2026.  Thus this amount will be one-off, and next month onwards this amount should normalize.  

Besides miscellaneous spending, "Fixed Spending" remains my largest outflow due to mortgage payments, which will be even higher in March, June, September and December due to quarterly maintenance fees and sinking fund for my residence.  Therefore this amount needs to decline in order for me to successfully transit to FIRE eventually.  Barista FIRE, here I come...!

Comments

  1. kk pang7 February 2026 at 04:19

    Congrats for 1st month into Barista Fire. How do you spend your extra time?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BFIRE7 February 2026 at 05:18

      Hi kk pang,
      Thank you! First thing on the list, I think I am going back to JB more frequently, especially since CNY is coming, so I am going back to help with the preparations a little.

      Delete
    2. kk pang8 February 2026 at 00:48

      Sounds like a plan yo spend more time with family. Your personal expenses are not high besides the high mortgage installment. What's your plan especially you plan transition to Barista and Full FIRE later.

      Delete
    3. BFIRE8 February 2026 at 01:56

      I have not really thought about it, because I am still trying to build up a slightly larger buffer before I am confident and comfortable to transit to Full Barista FIRE. So, I may be working for a full more years. Nonetheless, I will hope to take more trips, be it solo travels or with my mum, to create more memories and even learning journeys. I suppose one step at a time. Eventually, I suppose I may be returning back to my initial hobbies of cooking, baking and some art and crafts.

      Delete
    4. kk pang9 February 2026 at 07:22

      Wow, you have fantastic hobbies and I am still trying to searching it besides playing some mobile games and reading some books. In my previous reply, I mean the mortgage is quite high, do you intend to clear the mortgage or you intend to sell it before you fully retire in JB later?

      Delete
    5. BFIRE10 February 2026 at 01:56

      Oh that depends... If I rent out, the rental should be able to cover the instalment fully, so I think should be fine... But I have not decided what to do with it yet.

      Delete
  2. Blade Knight10 February 2026 at 23:12

    Hi Bro BF, Congrats on reaching the phase 1 milestone! Jia You! Happy Lunar New Year man! Wishing you good health always too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BFIRE11 February 2026 at 04:08

      Hi Blade Knight, thanks for your well wishes! Same here, wishing you a prosperous Lunar New Year and may you be blessed with good health and abundances!

      Delete

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