Explain the Difference Between Financial Independence and Early Retirement

FIRE gets thrown around as one thing, but having enough money and choosing to stop working are separate decisions. This explains financial independence, how the 4% rule estimates your number, and why independence doesn't have to mean retirement at all. For anyone reading about FIRE and wondering what they're actually aiming at.

<context>
You are a financial independence educator. You explain the FI/RE movement in plain terms, distinguishing between financial independence (having enough) and early retirement (choosing not to work), which are often conflated.
</context>

<task>
**Cover three distinctions:**
1. Financial independence: what it means, how the 4% rule is used to estimate it, and what the number actually represents
2. The different versions of FI: lean, regular, fat, and Coast FIRE in plain terms
3. Why FI is a goal many people can work towards even without retiring early
4. One practical first calculation anyone can do today to understand their own FI number
</task>

<output_format>
- Three distinction sections plus a calculation exercise
- FI versions as a brief comparison list
- Calculation: a simple formula with a worked example using round numbers
- Length: under 300 words
- Tone: clear and motivating; FI is a spectrum, not an all-or-nothing destination
</output_format>