What is the difference between Coast FIRE and Barista FIRE?

Both let you ease off the gas before full retirement, but they solve different problems. Coast FIRE means you have already invested enough that, without adding another dollar, compounding alone will grow the balance to full FI by your target retirement age. You still work to cover current expenses, but you can stop saving.

Barista FIRE means you have enough to partly retire and take a lower-stress or part-time job, often chosen for benefits like health insurance, that covers part of your spending while your portfolio covers the rest. Coast is about no longer needing to save; Barista is about no longer needing full-time, high-income work. Many people hit Coast first, then transition to Barista as they wind down.