How does FIRE work for a single-income couple?

FIRE on one income is harder but very doable — it just demands a higher savings rate and tighter spending, since your entire household runs on a single paycheck. Your timeline depends almost entirely on the gap between what that one income brings in and what you spend, so the non-earning partner's role in keeping expenses low (childcare, cooking, DIY) directly accelerates the plan. Protect the single income aggressively with adequate disability and term life insurance, because losing it derails everything. Tax-wise, a single earner married filing jointly enjoys a wider 0% capital-gains and lower-bracket space, which helps with conversions and gain harvesting later. Spousal IRA rules also let the non-earning partner contribute to an IRA based on the working spouse's income, adding tax-advantaged room. Build a generous emergency fund given the concentration risk. Check your coverage gaps at wealthserene.com/tools/insurance-calculator.