FIRE and Kids: How to Pursue Financial Independence as a Family Without Sacrificing Childhood

The USDA estimates raising a child costs $310,605 from birth to age 17, excluding college. Adding two children to a FIRE plan increases the target number by $500K-$800K depending on education funding strategy. This guide covers adjusted FIRE numbers by kid count, 529 plan integration, ACA family premiums for early retirees, geographic arbitrage with school quality, dual vs single-income paths, and profiles of real FIRE families with children.