By age 26, a software engineer has quietly joined the ranks of self-made millionaires, reaching a $1 million net worth through a blend of aggressive investing, strategic career moves, and a lifelong habit of frugality.
Growing up in a household that valued financial discipline, the engineer was taught early on to avoid unnecessary spending. Childhood involved bulk shopping at Costco, skipping vending machine snacks, and saving every birthday dollar and homework pass. By the time they graduated high school in 2016, they had amassed $2,000 in savings despite never touching the stock market due to their family’s cautious approach to investing.
That changed at age 18, when a deep dive into Reddit’s personal finance forums and the Bogleheads community reshaped their outlook. “I realized investing wasn’t gambling, it was a long-term strategy for wealth,” they shared. Discovering the high return on investment of a software engineering career, particularly at FAANG companies, they changed their college major to computer science and accelerated their studies to graduate early.
By late 2019, they had entered the workforce full-time. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they returned home, slashed living expenses, and doubled down on investing. In the post the 26-year-old explains that tax-advantaged accounts such as Roth IRAs, HSAs, 401(k)s, and Mega Backdoor Roths were maxed out. They even used margin trading through Interactive Brokers, holding up to 150% of their portfolio in stocks.
The strategy paid off. In 2022, a transition to a higher-paying big tech role in Seattle further fueled their financial growth. They continued to live modestly, renting a microstudio and commuting via public transit. Travel became both a hobby and side hustle through organized Meetup trips, where they earned small premiums on logistics and accommodations.
Despite market volatility and rising interest rates in late 2022, the engineer opted to de-risk by paying down margin debt, a decision they now view with mixed feelings. “It may have been better to hold it longer, but at the time, I wanted to sleep easier,” they explained.
Now, with a $1 million net worth, 99.5% of it in stocks, including index funds like VTI and VOO, plus company RSUs, they’re already eyeing new milestones: $2 million by age 30, and $5 million by 40. While the financial journey has been impressive, the engineer acknowledges the costs. “I have lived a very financially focused life,” they admitted. “Now, I’m investing in other areas like health and relationships.”
They have taken up running (completing a half marathon in 1:51), joined a gym, and started dating. “I’m learning that social skills, not just height or fitness, make a big difference,” they reflected. “If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to build wealth and social confidence together.” As they look ahead, their priorities are expanding. Financial independence remains a goal, but it’s no longer the only one. “I’m grateful for the journey,” they said. “But now, I’m just as excited about the parts of life you can’t track in spreadsheets.”