Are you a millionaire?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age 39, partner a bit younger. I hit $1M at 28. No inheritance. Our combined NW is $24M now (75/25 split), about 700K in real estate.

The past decade has been a crazy ride of high compensation and market returns. The past few years in particular have seen big returns that makes us worry about a crash.

We've debated retiring early but we have young kids and role modeling having jobs seems important. Also I don't know what we'd do during the day while the kids are at school since all our friends and people in our age group work.

And before anyone asks, yes we're real and yes we live in the DMV.

I am very interested in what industry is paying a 28 year old enough to accumulate $1 million net worth.

DP:
mid 50s now. At age 22, my spouse and I were both making $40-45K. We were CS/Engineering. We paid off $80K in student loan debt in 2 years and saved another $30K for a house downpayment, all while investing for retirement (and getting the company match---our first company matched 6%). By age 30, I was making $100K (including bonus), spouse was making $250K. So yes, even without any stock options, we were worth over $1M by age 30 as a couple. Had we not had student loan debt, we would have another $200K (invested that money and it would have more than doubled in 7-8 years).

However while we were making $80-90K as a couple, we drove older cars (think Sentra/civic level) and our rent was only $1K for a 2 bedroom in Chicago decent suburbia---sure there were nicer apartments, but this was good enough and was nicer than what we lived in for college or grad school, so we did it to save.

So the key is to marry well (that is a choice anyone can make) and live below your means as you save for the future. And then continue to save for kids college and by time they are 10, you are set and can start living much more. Vacations with a 10 and 6 yo are much more meaningful than with a 2 and 6 yo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age 39, partner a bit younger. I hit $1M at 28. No inheritance. Our combined NW is $24M now (75/25 split), about 700K in real estate.

The past decade has been a crazy ride of high compensation and market returns. The past few years in particular have seen big returns that makes us worry about a crash.

We've debated retiring early but we have young kids and role modeling having jobs seems important. Also I don't know what we'd do during the day while the kids are at school since all our friends and people in our age group work.

And before anyone asks, yes we're real and yes we live in the DMV.

I am very interested in what industry is paying a 28 year old enough to accumulate $1 million net worth.

DP:
mid 50s now. At age 22, my spouse and I were both making $40-45K. We were CS/Engineering. We paid off $80K in student loan debt in 2 years and saved another $30K for a house downpayment, all while investing for retirement (and getting the company match---our first company matched 6%). By age 30, I was making $100K (including bonus), spouse was making $250K. So yes, even without any stock options, we were worth over $1M by age 30 as a couple. Had we not had student loan debt, we would have another $200K (invested that money and it would have more than doubled in 7-8 years).

However while we were making $80-90K as a couple, we drove older cars (think Sentra/civic level) and our rent was only $1K for a 2 bedroom in Chicago decent suburbia---sure there were nicer apartments, but this was good enough and was nicer than what we lived in for college or grad school, so we did it to save.

So the key is to marry well (that is a choice anyone can make) and live below your means as you save for the future. And then continue to save for kids college and by time they are 10, you are set and can start living much more. Vacations with a 10 and 6 yo are much more meaningful than with a 2 and 6 yo.

Adjusted for inflation $250K in 2000 is $500K today. $100K in 2000 is $200K today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age 39, partner a bit younger. I hit $1M at 28. No inheritance. Our combined NW is $24M now (75/25 split), about 700K in real estate.

The past decade has been a crazy ride of high compensation and market returns. The past few years in particular have seen big returns that makes us worry about a crash.

We've debated retiring early but we have young kids and role modeling having jobs seems important. Also I don't know what we'd do during the day while the kids are at school since all our friends and people in our age group work.

And before anyone asks, yes we're real and yes we live in the DMV.

I am very interested in what industry is paying a 28 year old enough to accumulate $1 million net worth.

DP:
mid 50s now. At age 22, my spouse and I were both making $40-45K. We were CS/Engineering. We paid off $80K in student loan debt in 2 years and saved another $30K for a house downpayment, all while investing for retirement (and getting the company match---our first company matched 6%). By age 30, I was making $100K (including bonus), spouse was making $250K. So yes, even without any stock options, we were worth over $1M by age 30 as a couple. Had we not had student loan debt, we would have another $200K (invested that money and it would have more than doubled in 7-8 years).

However while we were making $80-90K as a couple, we drove older cars (think Sentra/civic level) and our rent was only $1K for a 2 bedroom in Chicago decent suburbia---sure there were nicer apartments, but this was good enough and was nicer than what we lived in for college or grad school, so we did it to save.

So the key is to marry well (that is a choice anyone can make) and live below your means as you save for the future. And then continue to save for kids college and by time they are 10, you are set and can start living much more. Vacations with a 10 and 6 yo are much more meaningful than with a 2 and 6 yo.

Adjusted for inflation $250K in 2000 is $500K today. $100K in 2000 is $200K today.

And your point?

I was an engineer at a large company in Chicago area (back when they had over 200K employees worldwide--most will figure out what company it was). I had my Masters (Because first company required it and paid for it, so heck yeah, I'm getting it) For people in the STEM areas, that was not unusual, and still isn't. You have choices in what you do with your career. I guess I got lucky that math/science was my thing and I was amazing at it. But I also worked hard to advance, get promotions, etc.

But yes, a 30 yo with a BS and MS and 7 years experience would easily be making $200K today (or they should in a major metro area).

And the 2000 sq ft 4 bed/2.5 bath house we bought in 1996 for $200K and sold for $245K in 2001, last sold in 2023 for $475K. In an area with good schools but not Top notch. But I would still send my kids to them without any issues.

So again, not sure of your point? Other than yes, we were a STEM couple so we make more than the average couple. But that's a choice. I know plenty of STEM couples, or one STEM one Nurse (they make $150K+ more if they work weekends/night shifts).
And if we were not able to make that much, we would have lives within our means so we could afford life. As everyone should do.

If you choose a career where you start at $40K (now in 2026) and will top out at $80K, then you have choices. You can choose to marry someone with a better paying career, stay single and go it alone or marry someone with a similar or lesser paying career. Either way the key is to LIVE WITHIN your MEANS. And save early! The living like grad students until we were 28+ allowed us to pay off debt and save well for retirement. an extra $5K into retirement at 24 is worth much more than $15K/year at age 40. Invest early, enjoy life without spending a ton, and you will reap the benefits in your 40s/50s/beyond.

[Anonymous]

What is your plan for someone making $40k to live within their means? And how we like they save money?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age 39, partner a bit younger. I hit $1M at 28. No inheritance. Our combined NW is $24M now (75/25 split), about 700K in real estate.

The past decade has been a crazy ride of high compensation and market returns. The past few years in particular have seen big returns that makes us worry about a crash.

We've debated retiring early but we have young kids and role modeling having jobs seems important. Also I don't know what we'd do during the day while the kids are at school since all our friends and people in our age group work.

And before anyone asks, yes we're real and yes we live in the DMV.

I am very interested in what industry is paying a 28 year old enough to accumulate $1 million net worth.

DP:
mid 50s now. At age 22, my spouse and I were both making $40-45K. We were CS/Engineering. We paid off $80K in student loan debt in 2 years and saved another $30K for a house downpayment, all while investing for retirement (and getting the company match---our first company matched 6%). By age 30, I was making $100K (including bonus), spouse was making $250K. So yes, even without any stock options, we were worth over $1M by age 30 as a couple. Had we not had student loan debt, we would have another $200K (invested that money and it would have more than doubled in 7-8 years).

However while we were making $80-90K as a couple, we drove older cars (think Sentra/civic level) and our rent was only $1K for a 2 bedroom in Chicago decent suburbia---sure there were nicer apartments, but this was good enough and was nicer than what we lived in for college or grad school, so we did it to save.

So the key is to marry well (that is a choice anyone can make) and live below your means as you save for the future. And then continue to save for kids college and by time they are 10, you are set and can start living much more. Vacations with a 10 and 6 yo are much more meaningful than with a 2 and 6 yo.

Adjusted for inflation $250K in 2000 is $500K today. $100K in 2000 is $200K today.

And your point?

I was an engineer at a large company in Chicago area (back when they had over 200K employees worldwide--most will figure out what company it was). I had my Masters (Because first company required it and paid for it, so heck yeah, I'm getting it) For people in the STEM areas, that was not unusual, and still isn't. You have choices in what you do with your career. I guess I got lucky that math/science was my thing and I was amazing at it. But I also worked hard to advance, get promotions, etc.

But yes, a 30 yo with a BS and MS and 7 years experience would easily be making $200K today (or they should in a major metro area).

And the 2000 sq ft 4 bed/2.5 bath house we bought in 1996 for $200K and sold for $245K in 2001, last sold in 2023 for $475K. In an area with good schools but not Top notch. But I would still send my kids to them without any issues.

So again, not sure of your point? Other than yes, we were a STEM couple so we make more than the average couple. But that's a choice. I know plenty of STEM couples, or one STEM one Nurse (they make $150K+ more if they work weekends/night shifts).
And if we were not able to make that much, we would have lives within our means so we could afford life. As everyone should do.

If you choose a career where you start at $40K (now in 2026) and will top out at $80K, then you have choices. You can choose to marry someone with a better paying career, stay single and go it alone or marry someone with a similar or lesser paying career. Either way the key is to LIVE WITHIN your MEANS. And save early! The living like grad students until we were 28+ allowed us to pay off debt and save well for retirement. an extra $5K into retirement at 24 is worth much more than $15K/year at age 40. Invest early, enjoy life without spending a ton, and you will reap the benefits in your 40s/50s/beyond.

PP. You need to chill. We’re early 30s making more than you were at our ages and as a result saving more as well. My point was you need to have some perspective.

[Anonymous]

Yup, became a millionaire, excluding spouse's money, 529 plans, or house, in the late thirties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your plan for someone making $40k to live within their means? And how we like they save money?

If I'm only making 40k at age 30, then I outs have spent my 20s with roommates or living at home if I could. I would be still trying to save 10-15% of my income for retirement and build a 6 month emergency fund.
And I'd be driving an older less expensive car and Definately not taking vacations that cost more than $1k for the year.


What would you be doing? Because spending more than you have and not saving for retirement doesn't make the problem disappear.


I paleo would have fount the cheapest school I could for college if at age 30 my earning potential is only $40 k (and also if that's my age 22 potential same thing).

I'd find a way to live within my means. But more importantly I would also be searching for a way to increase income--find a good 2nd job, take career classes so I have more potential at work.

It's no shock certain majors pay less and to make more you have to work hard to forge your path to management and more pay. So don't be shocked when it happens. If you want to be a teacher, don't go into debt for college. Don't have fancy tastes in lifestyle because your job will likely melt support driving a 50k vehicle and taking $10K vacations. But if you have fancier tastes then tutor on the side, tutor in the summer and over breaks, decide to go into administration, but don't start living like you make 100k until you do.

[Anonymous]

How does your student loan repayment factor in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age 39, partner a bit younger. I hit $1M at 28. No inheritance. Our combined NW is $24M now (75/25 split), about 700K in real estate.

The past decade has been a crazy ride of high compensation and market returns. The past few years in particular have seen big returns that makes us worry about a crash.

We've debated retiring early but we have young kids and role modeling having jobs seems important. Also I don't know what we'd do during the day while the kids are at school since all our friends and people in our age group work.

And before anyone asks, yes we're real and yes we live in the DMV.

I am very interested in what industry is paying a 28 year old enough to accumulate $1 million net worth.

DP:
mid 50s now. At age 22, my spouse and I were both making $40-45K. We were CS/Engineering. We paid off $80K in student loan debt in 2 years and saved another $30K for a house downpayment, all while investing for retirement (and getting the company match---our first company matched 6%). By age 30, I was making $100K (including bonus), spouse was making $250K. So yes, even without any stock options, we were worth over $1M by age 30 as a couple. Had we not had student loan debt, we would have another $200K (invested that money and it would have more than doubled in 7-8 years).

However while we were making $80-90K as a couple, we drove older cars (think Sentra/civic level) and our rent was only $1K for a 2 bedroom in Chicago decent suburbia---sure there were nicer apartments, but this was good enough and was nicer than what we lived in for college or grad school, so we did it to save.

So the key is to marry well (that is a choice anyone can make) and live below your means as you save for the future. And then continue to save for kids college and by time they are 10, you are set and can start living much more. Vacations with a 10 and 6 yo are much more meaningful than with a 2 and 6 yo.

These numbers for saving are sketchy. $85K pretax, and paying off $40K in student loans, saving ~$20 K in two maxed-out 401Ks, plus $15K saved for a house. And, then you saved up $1M in the next 6 years before you made $100K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age 39, partner a bit younger. I hit $1M at 28. No inheritance. Our combined NW is $24M now (75/25 split), about 700K in real estate.

The past decade has been a crazy ride of high compensation and market returns. The past few years in particular have seen big returns that makes us worry about a crash.

We've debated retiring early but we have young kids and role modeling having jobs seems important. Also I don't know what we'd do during the day while the kids are at school since all our friends and people in our age group work.

And before anyone asks, yes we're real and yes we live in the DMV.

I am very interested in what industry is paying a 28 year old enough to accumulate $1 million net worth.

DP:
mid 50s now. At age 22, my spouse and I were both making $40-45K. We were CS/Engineering. We paid off $80K in student loan debt in 2 years and saved another $30K for a house downpayment, all while investing for retirement (and getting the company match---our first company matched 6%). By age 30, I was making $100K (including bonus), spouse was making $250K. So yes, even without any stock options, we were worth over $1M by age 30 as a couple. Had we not had student loan debt, we would have another $200K (invested that money and it would have more than doubled in 7-8 years).

However while we were making $80-90K as a couple, we drove older cars (think Sentra/civic level) and our rent was only $1K for a 2 bedroom in Chicago decent suburbia---sure there were nicer apartments, but this was good enough and was nicer than what we lived in for college or grad school, so we did it to save.

So the key is to marry well (that is a choice anyone can make) and live below your means as you save for the future. And then continue to save for kids college and by time they are 10, you are set and can start living much more. Vacations with a 10 and 6 yo are much more meaningful than with a 2 and 6 yo.

These numbers for saving are sketchy. $85K pretax, and paying off $40K in student loans, saving ~$20 K in two maxed-out 401Ks, plus $15K saved for a house. And, then you saved up $1M in the next 6 years before you made $100K.

Agree. Impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age 39, partner a bit younger. I hit $1M at 28. No inheritance. Our combined NW is $24M now (75/25 split), about 700K in real estate.

The past decade has been a crazy ride of high compensation and market returns. The past few years in particular have seen big returns that makes us worry about a crash.

We've debated retiring early but we have young kids and role modeling having jobs seems important. Also I don't know what we'd do during the day while the kids are at school since all our friends and people in our age group work.

And before anyone asks, yes we're real and yes we live in the DMV.

I am very interested in what industry is paying a 28 year old enough to accumulate $1 million net worth.

DP:
mid 50s now. At age 22, my spouse and I were both making $40-45K. We were CS/Engineering. We paid off $80K in student loan debt in 2 years and saved another $30K for a house downpayment, all while investing for retirement (and getting the company match---our first company matched 6%). By age 30, I was making $100K (including bonus), spouse was making $250K. So yes, even without any stock options, we were worth over $1M by age 30 as a couple. Had we not had student loan debt, we would have another $200K (invested that money and it would have more than doubled in 7-8 years).

However while we were making $80-90K as a couple, we drove older cars (think Sentra/civic level) and our rent was only $1K for a 2 bedroom in Chicago decent suburbia---sure there were nicer apartments, but this was good enough and was nicer than what we lived in for college or grad school, so we did it to save.

So the key is to marry well (that is a choice anyone can make) and live below your means as you save for the future. And then continue to save for kids college and by time they are 10, you are set and can start living much more. Vacations with a 10 and 6 yo are much more meaningful than with a 2 and 6 yo.

These numbers for saving are sketchy. $85K pretax, and paying off $40K in student loans, saving ~$20 K in two maxed-out 401Ks, plus $15K saved for a house. And, then you saved up $1M in the next 6 years before you made $100K.

And also with her age, that would have been right around the stock market downturn from 2000-2002. Her investments would have likely been under water (t the extent she claims it was all due to some crazy stock market gains or something).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age 39, partner a bit younger. I hit $1M at 28. No inheritance. Our combined NW is $24M now (75/25 split), about 700K in real estate.

The past decade has been a crazy ride of high compensation and market returns. The past few years in particular have seen big returns that makes us worry about a crash.

We've debated retiring early but we have young kids and role modeling having jobs seems important. Also I don't know what we'd do during the day while the kids are at school since all our friends and people in our age group work.

And before anyone asks, yes we're real and yes we live in the DMV.

I am very interested in what industry is paying a 28 year old enough to accumulate $1 million net worth.

DP:
mid 50s now. At age 22, my spouse and I were both making $40-45K. We were CS/Engineering. We paid off $80K in student loan debt in 2 years and saved another $30K for a house downpayment, all while investing for retirement (and getting the company match---our first company matched 6%). By age 30, I was making $100K (including bonus), spouse was making $250K. So yes, even without any stock options, we were worth over $1M by age 30 as a couple. Had we not had student loan debt, we would have another $200K (invested that money and it would have more than doubled in 7-8 years).

However while we were making $80-90K as a couple, we drove older cars (think Sentra/civic level) and our rent was only $1K for a 2 bedroom in Chicago decent suburbia---sure there were nicer apartments, but this was good enough and was nicer than what we lived in for college or grad school, so we did it to save.

So the key is to marry well (that is a choice anyone can make) and live below your means as you save for the future. And then continue to save for kids college and by time they are 10, you are set and can start living much more. Vacations with a 10 and 6 yo are much more meaningful than with a 2 and 6 yo.

These numbers for saving are sketchy. $85K pretax, and paying off $40K in student loans, saving ~$20 K in two maxed-out 401Ks, plus $15K saved for a house. And, then you saved up $1M in the next 6 years before you made $100K.

And also with her age, that would have been right around the stock market downturn from 2000-2002. Her investments would have likely been under water (t the extent she claims it was all due to some crazy stock market gains or something).

Who knows. The $24M at 39 post didn’t make much sense either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age 39, partner a bit younger. I hit $1M at 28. No inheritance. Our combined NW is $24M now (75/25 split), about 700K in real estate.

The past decade has been a crazy ride of high compensation and market returns. The past few years in particular have seen big returns that makes us worry about a crash.

We've debated retiring early but we have young kids and role modeling having jobs seems important. Also I don't know what we'd do during the day while the kids are at school since all our friends and people in our age group work.

And before anyone asks, yes we're real and yes we live in the DMV.

I am very interested in what industry is paying a 28 year old enough to accumulate $1 million net worth.

DP:
mid 50s now. At age 22, my spouse and I were both making $40-45K. We were CS/Engineering. We paid off $80K in student loan debt in 2 years and saved another $30K for a house downpayment, all while investing for retirement (and getting the company match---our first company matched 6%). By age 30, I was making $100K (including bonus), spouse was making $250K. So yes, even without any stock options, we were worth over $1M by age 30 as a couple. Had we not had student loan debt, we would have another $200K (invested that money and it would have more than doubled in 7-8 years).

However while we were making $80-90K as a couple, we drove older cars (think Sentra/civic level) and our rent was only $1K for a 2 bedroom in Chicago decent suburbia---sure there were nicer apartments, but this was good enough and was nicer than what we lived in for college or grad school, so we did it to save.

So the key is to marry well (that is a choice anyone can make) and live below your means as you save for the future. And then continue to save for kids college and by time they are 10, you are set and can start living much more. Vacations with a 10 and 6 yo are much more meaningful than with a 2 and 6 yo.

Adjusted for inflation $250K in 2000 is $500K today. $100K in 2000 is $200K today.

And your point?

I was an engineer at a large company in Chicago area (back when they had over 200K employees worldwide--most will figure out what company it was). I had my Masters (Because first company required it and paid for it, so heck yeah, I'm getting it) For people in the STEM areas, that was not unusual, and still isn't. You have choices in what you do with your career. I guess I got lucky that math/science was my thing and I was amazing at it. But I also worked hard to advance, get promotions, etc.

But yes, a 30 yo with a BS and MS and 7 years experience would easily be making $200K today (or they should in a major metro area).

And the 2000 sq ft 4 bed/2.5 bath house we bought in 1996 for $200K and sold for $245K in 2001, last sold in 2023 for $475K. In an area with good schools but not Top notch. But I would still send my kids to them without any issues.

So again, not sure of your point? Other than yes, we were a STEM couple so we make more than the average couple. But that's a choice. I know plenty of STEM couples, or one STEM one Nurse (they make $150K+ more if they work weekends/night shifts).
And if we were not able to make that much, we would have lives within our means so we could afford life. As everyone should do.

If you choose a career where you start at $40K (now in 2026) and will top out at $80K, then you have choices. You can choose to marry someone with a better paying career, stay single and go it alone or marry someone with a similar or lesser paying career. Either way the key is to LIVE WITHIN your MEANS. And save early! The living like grad students until we were 28+ allowed us to pay off debt and save well for retirement. an extra $5K into retirement at 24 is worth much more than $15K/year at age 40. Invest early, enjoy life without spending a ton, and you will reap the benefits in your 40s/50s/beyond.

NP. You must be amazing at math, because the math ain’t mathing for me.

You claim to have been making between 40K-100K for six years before suddenly being worth 1M. You listed a bunch of irrelevant information to try to hide the fact that this doesn’t make sense.

[Anonymous]

Current age 48
Age I became a millionaire: 27 or 28
Current net worth $37-$40M (some assets are hard to value). This does include our house

[Anonymous]

am very interested in what industry is paying a 28 year old enough to accumulate $1 million net worth.

Both of my kids are over $1M net worth self made ages 26 ($4M) and 28 ($1M). They had no college debt, are engineers for big tech with signing bonuses and $200k+ 4 year vesting schedule stock grants just before AI growth, one in a mag 7 and the other in a company that has led S&P growth the past 2+ years. Total comp excluding stock is ~$200k annnual and they are savers. Good fortune, no doubt, but also hard workers through school, college, and new careers.