Lean FIRE is the path of financial independence with a frugal lifestyle. Adherents minimize expenses—often to ₹5–8 lakh or less per year in India—which dramatically reduces the corpus needed. A 4% withdrawal on ₹2 crore supports ₹8 lakh/year.

Lean FIRE requires discipline: minimal housing costs, low discretionary spending, and often location arbitrage (e.g., living in smaller cities). It appeals to those who value freedom over consumption.

The trade-off is less buffer for emergencies, healthcare, or lifestyle inflation. Many Lean FIRE practitioners later transition to Barista or traditional FIRE for more flexibility.